AB2B

I have surgery tomorrow, too! I'm so excited, can't wait!! Are you on Clear liquids today, too?
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Good morning! I am scheduled for gastric sleeve tomorrow morning 1/26. I just want to thank you ALL for keeping this place alive. Bariatric pal has been a HUGE wealth of information for me that I believe I would have even paid a fee for (but glad I don't have too LOL)
Like I said I just want to give a thanks to all my BP friends that I've never met before but have more in common with than my daily life friends.
Love to you all!!!
Amy☆☆☆

Good morning Sassy Sleevers! Good luck to everyone who is starting their new journey today!
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Keep it going! Congrats.

Just wanted to pus up some numbers since i went to the Dr this morning HW: 450 SW:430 CW: 375 moving out of the 3's !!!
The Losers Bench

You are not failing! You are losing and not gaining!
Keep it up. You are doing GREAT!

Congratulations on both your weight loss and skin removal surgery!
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Five years ago I weighed 367.8 pounds at 5'3". I was terrified of surgery, terrified of life. If you want to know what the journey from terror to triumph is like, read my posts, starting from the bottom. A few are long, but there aren't a lot.
Five years out and I still fight to reach my weight goal, but my life... It's amazing.
You can do it.

I understand now. I have not had surgery yet, but I do think about these things too. I think what is keeping me focused is the end result. I have struggled with my weight all my life. At one point I did not want to take this route. I was one of those that thought this was the easier way out. Seeing so many succeed got me thinking. After reading SO MUCH, I now understand this will be hard. However, it will be the most rewarding thing I can do for myself. I will have this tool to finally get to the finish line. I am tired of starting and stopping with limited success.
All those things you worry about I believe are really only the first year (Vets correct me if I am wrong). You will need to monitor what you eat and the quantity forever to have lasting results, but after all that is the intention. At least for me. Eventually you will be able to indulge if you wish, but your sleeve will always be there to help you control over doing it.
I hope you decide on what is best for you. Either way I wish you the best. We are here to hear you out. xoxoxo

You are not failing! You are losing and not gaining!
Keep it up. You are doing GREAT!

You look AMAZING! Not to mention you truly sound happy. Leave that negativity behind.

Best News to receive! Congratulations!

Practice listening to your heart, your intuition. Are there changes in your life you are feeling called to make? If so take action NOW.


Every time you deny you inner knowing, that small still voice within, you suffer and chip away at your self esteem, your self worth. Release the need to please others, to fit in, to go along with the crowd. Lovingly, assertively, and respectfully speak up for your self, speak your truth. When you deny your truth and ignore your feelings you can’t help but suffer: you may feel angry, sad, victimized, depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, which often leads to engaging in unhealthy behaviors (overeating, drinking, smoking, shopping, etc) to numb the pain of these feelings. Life is so much simpler when you are authentic. You DO have the power to change your experience of your life. Don't complain. Instead FOCUS on what you DO want in your life, how you WANT to feel and what ALREADY IS GOOD... See yourself as being happy, fulfilled and loved… Keeping this vision/feeling in your heart notice the signs and follow your instincts as they will lead you to living an abundant joy-filled life… All day long check in with yourself to be sure your actions are GROUNDED IN THE ENERGY OF LOVE not fear, anger, or anxiety.

Know this: WHEN YOU LIVE IN LOVE ALL IS WELL! XO


Live in Love,
Louisa

My insurance authorized my surgery!!! I am soooo very happy! God is good! Just wanted to share that great news with you all. It has been a long journey but this is actually gonna happen! February 20 2017!!!
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I had my sleeve on 1/20 right now I am miserable! I love to cook and loved to eat. I had no doubts going in at all but now I am a little sad HOWEVER I am off two of meds right out of surgery and had a last med cut down by 70%! I know it will get better in time and I had to do this for my life! I struggled with Type 2 diabetes for years. So I know in time this was the right choice for me.
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I understand now. I have not had surgery yet, but I do think about these things too. I think what is keeping me focused is the end result. I have struggled with my weight all my life. At one point I did not want to take this route. I was one of those that thought this was the easier way out. Seeing so many succeed got me thinking. After reading SO MUCH, I now understand this will be hard. However, it will be the most rewarding thing I can do for myself. I will have this tool to finally get to the finish line. I am tired of starting and stopping with limited success.
All those things you worry about I believe are really only the first year (Vets correct me if I am wrong). You will need to monitor what you eat and the quantity forever to have lasting results, but after all that is the intention. At least for me. Eventually you will be able to indulge if you wish, but your sleeve will always be there to help you control over doing it.
I hope you decide on what is best for you. Either way I wish you the best. We are here to hear you out. xoxoxo

Hi Lauriep,
Everyone's process and journey will be different as we are all unique individuals, so I will share with you some of the things I did that I believe really helped me achieve above average weight loss results.
For me, I just got my head prepared as much as I could beforehand. I had to come clean with myself and stop being in denial about how much I relied on food for more than just nourishment.I went back over the situations trigger me to eat, what are the foods that I have no control over and tried to come up with non-food solutions. I also leaned on my faith by praying and seeking the guidance of God to help me with this journey. I tried to have an open mind about what to expect with the surgery and also, one of the things that was important for me was to get rid of my all or nothing mentality. That mindset used to totally derail my weight loss efforts in the past. I read and read and read my surgeon's pre- surgery instructions and followed that same pattern with the instructions from my nutritionist. I made a list of the items I would need prior to surgery. I reviewed the forums here regarding what would be helpful for you to buy and have ready prior to surgery so that was a huge help. I remember taking my folder of instructions with me everywhere I went for the first few weeks in case I needed to review it while in the supermarket or pharmacy. I followed the rules exactly as I was supposed to and do those same things now, such as weigh and measure my portions, plan my meals ahead of time, have back-up Protein Bars in my handbag and desk at work. I always carry my water bottle and make sure to stay hydrated. One of the most vital things that I think has helped me lose weight so rapidly and also over 70 inches total, exercise. Once my doctor gave me full clearance to do full workouts, I got myself into the gym. In the beginning, right after surgery I was walking, but I knew I needed to do something more than walk. So, I went to my local YMCA which I had gone to for two years prior to my surgery and started with boot camp. Then I took the schedule of classes home and sat with my family's schedule and figured out what days would work best based on our activities. This area of making the gym and exercise a part of my life was huge because that is the one thing I would always make excuses about as to why I was not able to exercise. I would always say I didn't have time. I made a promise to myself that I would do this process and journey honestly and not try to make excuses or try to justify not following the rules, etc. So basically, for me, it has been about making a commitment to myself and give myself a chance to succeed. Its really many things put together to create a solid plan of action which helps you stay focused and have a successful journey. One other point that is something worth mentioning is the fact that this is not a diet. I don't feel like I am on a diet and I don't feel deprived even though I currently do not eat many things that I used to eat. I recognize that I am learning an entirely new way of eating and that black cloud of the DIET is not hanging over my head which for me is such a feeling of freedom that I truly cannot express adequately with words. I hope this helps you and hope it makes sense. If you have any more questions, pleas ask and I will answer you from what I have experienced. Best wishes to you.

Laurier, don't get distracted by the statistics. They are just that, statistics! If you focus on your goal, follow the rules of the sleeve, your doctor, medical team and nutritionist you should be fine. My story is this and I hope it encourages you to hang I there. I had VSG surgery on 2-12-14 and have lost a total of 163 lbs! Thankfully all has gone well so far and I feel great. I no longer have sleep apnea and I am off all of my blood pressure meds. You can do this! Please keep in touch and keep us posted.

Wow, great stuff. I guess I wouldn't be here at all if I thought I really could do it on my own. Just like the rest of us, it's been a constant struggle with losses and regaining. Even this last month, my last NUT visit was over a month ago and in mental preparation for the surgery I've been having too many food funerals and have actually set myself back to where I was at the beginning of August. So yea, I mean no, I obviously can't do it on my own! Yesterday's appointment had me shaking in my shoes, I've slept on it and let a lot of it sink in and am feeling a little better today.
Thank you so much for your candor! You guys hit a lot of nails right in the head for me. Reminded me why I started down this path to begin with.
One of my goals is to be able to shop in a specific store I haven't set foot in in many many years, so shopping is right up there with no diabetes and no double knee replacements before I'm 50!
It's soooo good to hear that there are some who have exceeded those averages! I know this whole process isn't going to be easy, and am glad to hear that putting in the effort will show better results than I had heard. I'm not afraid of hard work at all, actually started today looking into a personal trainer at my gym so that I still have some accountability when I'm tired. I'm not a lazy person at all, but I am sure the time will come when I just don't want to! I am also infamous for just finding something 'more important' to do every day vs. going to the gym.
I was really hoping that the lower end of that average was reported by those who expected surgery to be the panacea, and just didn't put in any effort. I just couldn't imagine that anyone would go through this process and not appreciate it and take advantage of the opportunity, so was having a hard time wrapping my head around the 60% of your excess number! I thought that was mighty low. And would have been really concerned if the responses to this thread confirmed that fear.
Would live to hear your steps to successes?
I have a great eating plan and a great NUT who gave me a great place to start, but struggle with the right exercises, and am actually getting tired already of the Protein shakes (I've only tried 2). I'm not a real foodie so will be fine with missing most things for awhile just need to find creative things with the shakes.< /p>
What were your favorites?
What obstacles did you overcome and how?
Was there one (or a few) thing(s) specifically that you could say were the secrets to your abilities to get passed the 60%

"This is only worth it if you are willing to do the work"
Exactly. Well said.

It was worth it for me. I lost around 95% of my excess weight, but even 60% would have been a huge improvement. However, those are statistics they give you. Some people lose 100%, and some lose almost none, or lose it and gain it all back. It does help you lose and maintain, but in the end, it's up to you. I have to work hard to lose and maintain, and I do have to track every bite I eat. I know that I'm one of those people who could gain it all back. We each are unique, and have to find our own way to success. This is only worth it if you are willing to do the work.

The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.

Lauriep, I hear what you are saying....but the number that they give you is just an average. Individual weight loss depends on the individual. I know people who havent changed their lifestyle habits of eating.......just how much they eat and they don't exercise yet....they lose about that about 75% of their excess weight. Next thing you know....they are whining cuz they didnt lose as much as they wanted. So my question to you is.....how bad do you want it? Are you gonna work your butt off in the gym and follow the nutritionalists advice and guidelines or will you be like the millions who just cant wait to get back on "real solid food" and only have a minimal weight loss?? All I can do is speak for myself......Im paying for this surgery out of my pocket, so I look at it differently. I am gonna stay on the liquid Protein diet take my Vitamins and exercise religiously until i lose the majority of what I wanna lose. Hope this helps. Good luck in your decision and in life!!

Awesome. Congratulations. You totally got this!

I'm bringing some gasx strips, hot Water bottle, and maybe a stomach binder (I saw a few posts that recommended, but gonna check with the doc too). Toothbrush and change of clothes should do it. I'll be interested to see other recommendations though. Good luck! We're almost there!
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