Indigo1991

Alcohol has never played a big part in my life. Probably helped by the fact that I hate wine (don't stone me, please!) and that my driug of choice was food. So I haven't bothered to drink since being sleeved. However, with the festive season looming, it might be nice to have a non-fizzy go-to drink. I am slightly apprehensive about drinking anything (heard the horror stories of how quickly you can get wrecked) but what's your experience of introducing alcohol to your sleeve? And what's your favourite tipple now? Thanks...

Don't forget to breathe, lol. I am so excited for you, good luck. Everyone's different, first couple of weeks can be tough - but nothing you won't be able to handle. You sound like a down to earth, organised girl, take the same attitude to being sleeved and you will succeed. As for your husband, he's watching all of this and probably feels helpless, so you are getting all of his fears off loaded on to you. But I bet he will be supportive post op. Let us know how you are once you have joined us on the sleeved side :-))))

I totally get what you are saying! Eating out has taken on a new perspective for me - I choose carefully because, whatever I eat, I want to enjoy and savour it. The size of portion is now irrelevant. Never thought of it like this, but it really is liberating :-)

All sounds pretty normal :-) The day after I was cleared to eat solid food, that's exactly what I did, tried to have 3 meals of normal foods. And was disappointed that I couldn't fit a lot of it in! Your stomach doesn't know you are now eating normal foods, it's just going about it's business healing and digesting what it gets. So take it slowly and build up the amounts and types of solid foods you introduce, It needs time to readjust so don't cram it, it will have some swelling to lose and healing to do. The best advice I got was to chew, chew some more and when you think you can't chew any more - chew again. That really does help you get Protein in without it being painful or blocking your stomach with chunks of food. And try to eat one new thing a day to check tolerance. It will and it does get easier. Just hang in there :-) Your weight loss is impressive so you are doing things right...

SoccerGirl88, agree with all GG says ( as usual!) but can I add one thing - the guy sounds like a self- opinionated arse... All he needed to tell you was that he enjoyed meeting you but he didn't feel it was a long term thing. Why go in to so much detail if he wasn't interested??? His comments tell you all you need to know about him- and I think you had a narrow escape :-))))) Has my second date yesterday. First guy I met online and he was the one who told me at the end of the night there was no spark before I could say a word!!!! Second guy I met in a bar as a friend of a friend. We had lunch and a lovely afternoon, lots in common. But this time, I wasn't feeling it! Have told him he's great but not right for me - I didn't put it on to him, I let him know it's me, that there's nothing he could do different and that some girl is going to get very lucky. Might not make him feel much better (he was keen) but I was honest but not hurtful. Hang in there with the dating and try to let things slide over you. We might have to kiss a few frogs but, hey, there could be a prince among them lol!!!!

Happy Camper, you have laid out exactly what you need to do to get back on track - stick to the original plan in terms of what you eat, get moving again and get your liquids in. And get back on the scale regularly. At the moment, I would weigh weekly until you see it going down. Daily will just keep shoving the numbers in your face - and that won't motivate you. Look forward to what's possible not back at what you have done. You have come on here and admitted what you have done and the result. That's brave, you deserve support. You have lost weight successfully before so you know exactly what to do .... just don't get overwhelmed, everything is possible. Remember the old adage - how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time :-))))

Clinically, sleeve surgery is regarded as major as it involves cutting and removing most of a significant organ. Breast reduction surgery may be extensive but it doesn't traumatise the body to the same extent so isn't regarded as major. So says the cosmetic surgeon doing my boobs, in response to my concerns about not being able to afford any more hair loss! Sleeve hair loss is as a result of trauma of surgery and a sharp sudden drop in Protein... but that knowledge doesn't really help as u watch ur hair fall out....It does pass, just try not to stress :-)

Suzanne, your comment that this is a lifestyle change not a diet has such resonance. That has been my goal from the outset - to improve my health, lose weight but not diet. I was very successful as a failed dieter so I wanted to change the record! The sleeve has given me a partner to do this with, whether as a tool or something to lean on. And it works for me without compromising my ability to get on and live life "normally". No dieting and a feeling of control that I have never had before. So thank you, - to hear that 5 years on you are living such a great life inspires and encourages me. When Emile Zola (I think) was asked what she was on this earth to do, she simply said "to live out loud". I hope you continue to live out loud for many years to come. X

Please don't eat anything that u shouldn't as there are reasons why u are on liquids at this time. Your stomach is swollen and healing but is numb. So eating any solids is risky as u may not feel damage being done. Feeling hungry could actually be acid not hunger - if u haven't got acid inhibitor meds, PPLs, ask ur doc. There have been a number of threads on how to get protein in without shakes in the early weeks. Do a search, you will find some great advice. I wasn't able to drink shakes, I used fortified milk (skimmed milk with added milk powder) to add to soups, to drink on its own, to water down yog etc to get protein in - and it has worked for me :-) Hang in there, lots of us were where u are, just don't rush to solid goods too soon - this is a marathon not a sprint and u need to give ur body time to recover. Good luck!

Being overweight physically covers our bodies with fat, hiding our natural shape. It also hides us emotionally and mentally, not only from others but ourselves too. So when we lose weight, as well as revealing new bodies, we uncover ourselves again. That's what's happening to you. I may appear to have changed with my weight loss, but I am now just who I was inside all along. The fat barrier kept me from really being me but no more! Life is too short to live a lie or to live only for others. Making changes will be hard but nothing worth having comes easy. Good luck, this too will pass and life will be as it should be for you :-)

Yup, you can do it, never had a Protein shake yet that likes me or vice versa! Know what your best protein options as and, asRJ's/Beginning says, be creative in where you find your protein so that it doesn't get boring and that you can get it all in. To avoid the constipation problem, I kept on top of drinking my Water and would exceed the minimum required - fingers crossed, managed to avoid constipation... But yes, you can do this without shakes... for me, it meant I could continue with normal life, including eating out, from early on.

Congratulations, now the fun begins! :-)

Chase30, good solid advice! I have a date on Sunday with a divorced, non-smoking guy, who's fit (in every sense!) and is more in tune with the me that's 6 months out than the person I was at 10 weeks out. My view of myself has changed significantly (or maybe my view of what I want in life has changed and I won't settle for less than I deserve) and, as a result, I am clearer about what I am looking for in a guy...

You look AMAZING! Congratulations !

Lipstick, pmsl, could just imagine this! I love that it is all still so exciting for you and that you aren't laid back about your NSVs. I wake up every day with a smile on my face - and some days I just dance round the house cos I love my sleeve and cos I can now dance without a bit of me seizing up

Tikva, spot on! I intend to be direct otherwise he will just come back like a boomerang. Thanks for the words of wisdom.

It has come as quite a shock to me too I have never succeeded at anything weight related until now. And I can't believe how calm and convinced I am that this is a way of living I can maintain.

Well, being married might not stop them if you are looking hot, lol!!! It is nice getting a bit of attention, as an old unmarried woman

Of course you deserve this surgery and all the benefits it will bring - like having loads more energy, not being out of breath or sweaty, lol! I started pre-surgery at 223lbs, 5'2", 207lbs on day of surgery (26 April), now 145lbs. So even lower BMI starts can be successful :-)))) Good luck, I know you will achieve your goals of being happy, healthy and loving life - feel the same myself!

RJ'sBeginning, I have read your posts about the story of your sleeve, what you have been through. The fact that you are here and thriving is amazing and inspirational in itself. So I am even happier to hear that you are seeing your weight loss so clearly now - wearing smaller clothes makes all of us feel good and you deserve it. As LipstickLady told GamerGirl, go out and try on a few clothes, feel good and get some practise in for spending your hubby's cash :-)))) I am so pleased for you...

Thank you all so much! I am going to leave it a couple of days, then text him to say no thanks and that I am dating elsewhere - no details but enough to let him know I am not available. Won't mention G3.... Love all the comments about telling him I am finding my spark/chemistry elsewhere, lol! Reading them, what a nerve he had saying that to me - but I wouldn't take that from anyone now.... Thanks again x

As some of you know, I separated from my ex three years ago after 30 years together. Only plucked up the courage to have a first date three months ago, which was three months after surgery. Biggest issue was he had same name as ex, so he became G2. Was ok but not great experience. After first date, he told me there was no romantic spark then after date 2, he decided there was and got keen! However, after that, and him wearing denim cut offs to a nice restaurant for Sunday lunch (oh dear), I quietly put him to one side and haven't seen him since. He occasionally texted but I was cool and made excuse after excuse not to see him. All went quiei about four weeks ago so I thought that was that. Recently met a nice guy and we have a date in a week's time (even typing thst makes me hyperventilate, lol). You couldn't make it up but he has the same name as ex too, so he's G3! But out of the blue, G2 texted last night to ask me out to the cinema. I don't want to go and thought he had already got the message that I am not interested. But I actually don't know how to tell him that without being too blunt or hurting him.... Thoughts/tips/form of words for this clueless woman would be greatly appreciated.... :-))))

Wow! Congratulations on making an amazing start in such a short time. Looking good :-))))

Madam R, I can't wait to see the Christmas pics ha ha ha! I I feel I am already dressing like that, lol, knee-high suede high heeled boots, shorter skirts and cleavage. Was at a black tie dinner last night with plunging frock - was described as "smoking hot" by guy 15 years younger..... Ooh! Six months ago, I would have said I would continue to dress like my granny but I think I am making up for many lost years with my refined hooker look. ))))

According to my dietician, your brain and your eyes will eventually get it together and you will see your true self.... But for now, it's pretty fan-bloody-tastic when you get the size wrong - and it's too big. Spent years buying the wrong size and it was always too small... I was a UK 20-22 at the end of April, now a 12. Not sure when I will get used to it but I am loving it. :-)))) So you work it, girl, and enjoy, it will just get better and better!