GSFan

This was said so well it is deserving of a repost! Additionally realize that your head is what is going to need to change in order to make this effective long term. Even though our stomach are much smaller then they were, it is still not healthy or productive to revert back to our old habits....overeating.
Strive to think like a skinny person, food is fuel and nothing else. We don't pump gas until it's flowing over the tank do we? Learn what amount of food your body needs to make you feel satisfied, not full. This is a learning journey we are on.

My first post here. I've been reading a lot though and these forums helped finalize my decision so thank you!
My story is pretty simple... always been fat. born 12 lbs, 24" long. I don't have one memory stored of looking down and not seeing a belly.
After years of depression and excuses and up and down I decided I had to do something drastic.
I was sleeved by doctor Aceves on Feb 14.
My weight the day before my surgery was 445 lbs. I actually carried my 400+ quite well which is probably why I let it go on for so damn long...
Today, I'm already down to 432 lbs.
I did not expect things to go this fast. I already notice a difference in my energy level and happiness, it's absolutely incredible. I'm finally realizing what my diet was doing to me.
I'm not expecting this to be easy in the least but I'm extremely surprised that four days out I already feel like this.
Only real issues I have had at all is just a little bit of soreness that only really shows itself when I move, cough, bend, apply pressure etc.
I have no desire at all to eat. The past two days I fill up a huge glass with ice and drink Isopure and that's it. I can handle about 1.5 bottles of the stuff but watered down. Today I took down about 120 oz of the Isopure/water mix so I guess that's 30 oz of iso and 90 oz of Water. I feel full and satisfied. Although my brain is still thinking about all my old addictions. I actually dreamt last night that i was eating good food and woke up freaking out thinking I had hurt myself by doing so....
Anyway just wanted to say hi and report my progress so far. I'm so suprised at how this has gone so far it is not what I expected.

Well here it is. I'm so embarrassed by my before photo smh, but that was me. All 330 lbs of me. Yikes!! My highest was 346 lbs at the start of this journey, but I lost 16 lbs pre op and 134 lbs post op and still going.
330 lbs day of surgery 196 lbs

I am down 225lbs to 225lbs. 11 months from surgery. Feel so great. Never going back.

You'll do great!!! Just stay focused an keep ur eye in the prize. Best if luck with everything

My surgery is in 7 days! Feeling so many things! Ready to get to the results haha!
Any advice?!!

I have always been fat. Always. There were 4good years in my college days where I lost 90lbs! When I was 20 I lost 90lbs all through eating right and working out. I maintained for two years until I was legal to drink and all that went down the drain. Then when I was in grad school I used money I got from a grant to get the LapBand in Mexico. I lost 80lbs but the band failed me and I gained it all back and then some in a year. A year later I gained 110pounds! Who gains THAT much?!!!! It was so sad.
The moment I realized I wanted to lose was this past year I was pregnant and miscarried. I was so sad because I really was happy and excited and was willing to do anything for this little pea inside of me. But when I lost it I got depressed and just didn't care. My partner is such a great man he lifted me up and told me he wants to try again once we are married and I got excited to think about everything I could have in the near future. But I didn't want to be 260lbs and pregnant like I was. I did not want to gain more. I didn't want to get diabetes while pregnant or have a high risk pregnancy. I just could NOT go through one more miscarriage. So I talked to my boyfriend about the sleeve as my surgeon had recommended for me. He was the most supportive person because my boyfriend had lost his own son at 9months from a risky pregnancy he didn't want to risk any pregnancy anymore. This is our plan and I am 6 weeks out just waiting to lose 100lbs (-30down) and we are talking about a wedding, my 30th bday and a baby in a 2years and I will be healthy in all the pictures. Sometimes at night I close my eyes and picture all these moments and what they/I will look like.
So far it's been worth it but damn this biological clock is ticking. I need constant reminders of my purpose and goals.

My final realization point came when me and my wife separated, my wife is not good at being a parent so the kids stayed with me and that is when I realized if something were to happen to me she would have to take the kids and I didn't think that would be good for them, so I felt I needed to get healthy so I could continue to be around for my kids. Fortunately since then me and the wife have reconciled and she is getting a lot better with the kids.

Had surgery Jan 7th starting weight was 392. Current weight is 332. Started hitting the gym at week 4. 20-30 min medium intensity cardio. Light weights high reps muscle training.

JennyBeth. It sounds like a really complicated problem you have on your hands, that you have been dealing with for years. I won't try to offer a solution in a few lines in a weight loss forum.
BUT KNOW THIS - No situation was made worse by a person being fitter, stronger, healthier and feeling better about themselves.

On the 7th I decided to treat myself to a weigh in. I made the choice not to weigh myself except at nut appts and surgeon appts and each month on my surgery date. Well on happy proud and jumping for joy because in 3 months I'm down 60 lbs and could not be happier!!!
How's everyone else doing???

It is what it is. Everybody is different, and many people are surrounded by negativity and backstabbers, not to mention there is a big stigma about "taking the easy way out." I feel fortunate that I have lived my life in such a way that I am surrounded by people who would not dare say a negative thing to me about this. What they say behind my back....I don't care. My friends have the right to believe however they choose. I haven't heard a single negative thing.
I encourage people to share their WLS experience with others who are struggling with weight loss. A friend shared his experience with me, and that is what prompted me to take this path. Without his openness, I would still be 400 pounds. Now, whenever anyone asks me about my weightloss (and they WILL ask) I tell them about the surgery. It's liberating.
But not everyone is in the position to be this open, and that's understandable. Each of us should be as open as we are comfortable being.

I had Surgery on May 17, 2012. My highest weight, about 3 months before surgery was 374. I lost 54 pounds pre- surgery. Weight on day of surgery was 320. Post op I have lost 107 pounds, for a total of 161 Pounds. I am off most of my medications and feel so much better. At my max I wore a size 32/4x. I am currently wearing size 18/2x and in some styles can almost get away with a 16. In spite of some complications which kept me feeling pretty miserable for the 1st 3 - 4 months, this is one of the best things I have ever done. I'm not sure exactly what my final goal will be, but I think I want to lose another 50 pounds.
I'd like to add before. and current pictures but haven't figured that out yet. This surgery has given me back my life and I couldn't be happier. I really appreciate all the support and information that is shared here.

I'm still at the beginning of my journey, but I went shopping for the first time post-op and fit into size 14 jeans! I'm so grateful for this surgery!

Yay!!!!
Feels good, doesn't it?!
You've probably already figured out, don't go crazy buying new clothes now, they will be your Goodwill clothes of the future. My "new" shirts are now my painting shirts.

I have gone from 2X to L shirts and pants and the large shirts are starting to get big already.

Hi all! It has been a long time. I have been busy with life. I am now down 100 pounds. I am SO thrilled! I love the way I feel. I love the way I am starting to look. I love it all! I am so grateful for the sleeve. It has changed my life. I feel so blessed to have had the surgery. It is Amazing! I can't say enough good things about it. I LOVE it!

I was actually commenting on several posts. Sorry if I didn't communicate my thought better. No harm intended. Someone else used the anyone that will listen but what I what I was trying to get at is that several posters who chose to tell lots of folks seem to like to use the term "I'm not ashamed" as though those who chose not to share are and I don't think that is the case for most.
You are so right when you say everyone should do what they want. There really is no right or wrong answer just different opinions and that is what we are here to share.
I find it very helpful and informative to see so many different opinions, including yours. All of us here are on the same journey, just taking different paths.

The moment I realized I needed WLS I was sitting in traffic, beating myself up over another failed diet (Medifast this time). It just hit me like a ton of bricks. It was never going to work. Has anyone read the studies about losing weight and keeping it off? The odds are not in our favor. You don't get here for lack of trying or being lazy. You get here because you have exhausted every option and you are an adult who wants to save their own life. My sister is
still against it even after I told her I was one point away from being considered pre-diabetic. You love your best friend and value her opinion but through much research and deliberation have concluded this is the best choice for YOU.

Ovaries, Uteris, gall bladder and apendix God gave as well and sometimes they make us sick and have to come out. By the way the breast sometimes have to be taken too. What God did not entend is for us to be sick.

I am just starting the process but plan to tell no one but my husband.

The only person who knows right now is my husband. I plan to keep it that way. This is my journey and I need to take the way I think is right for me. May have to tell our son as he is moving back in with us for a year so he can finish up his degree.
I am not telling anyone simply for the fact is is none of their business. Yes, people will ask why I am eating so little and all sorts of things. I just say I'm dieting. I've tried everything so people who know me know I'm just dieting again.
My brother had bypass a few years ago. He needed it, it worked for him because he did the work for it. The family is proud of him but everytime he is going to be around, everyone starts getting concerned if we should put this out or that out so it doesn't tempt him. I tell them he has to be responsible for what he eats and is capable of making it. I just don't want that. I have alway been a private person and just don't feel the need to answer questions that are personal. Just because someone asks, doesn't mean I have to answer. I just say I'm dieting this way for the moment and change the subject. If they question further, I say the same thing and change the subject. Same as when I would diet, would get the how much weight have you lost? I guess it's a normal curious question but I just don't feel comfortable talking about it. If it's been a 20 or more pounds I'll just says something like, thank you, I've lost a good clip and change the subject. I've people say good, but how much, next answer is not as much as I would like to have by now. Change the subject. That is the end of my good graces. After that, if asked again, I say It's personal for me and don't wish to discuss it. Never had anyone go further than that.
Just remember, it's your journey and you don't owe anyone any explainations or have to defend your your choice. I am finally finding my backbone behind all the chubbiness.

We have similar stats!!

I'm not going to tell anyone but my Mom, Dad, and Husband. I don't want to be the poster child for WL surgery in the family. I want to get my weight off and go on about my life. I know my cousin that had lap band. Everyone is always talking about her. What is she eating? She should have lost more. Things like that. I've stuck out for so long with my weight that I just want to be normal. So did you tell?