DallasSleeve

Ha! Thanks! I recommend keeping the surgery too...I'm not sure how long I was truly having gallstone pain but thinking it was sleeve-related from over eating or eating too fast. One day out of the blue, I felt a pain like no other and that led to a ER visit and 7 day hospital stay. My gallstones blocked my bile duct and it turned into pancreatitis which is quite serious. They kept me in the hospital until I was well enough to get the gallbladder out. I now try to warn other people who get the sleeve about this because it is considered a complication (that I didn't know about!) since we are eating such high amounts of Protein. Glad they got it figured out! Hope all goes well for you- the gallbladder surgery was easy, it was the 6 days leading up to it when I was in such pain from the pancreatitis that were horrible!

It tickles me every day to think back at all the things I THOUGHT I was but turns out, I was just fat.


I thought I had some sort of excessive sweating gene because I would have sweaty lip/sweaty boobs just walking around the mall . I rarely sweat any more, even during/after a hardcore exercise class. Turns out, I was just fat.

I thought I was extremely claustrophobic, refusing to use a regular bathroom stall or changing room, choosing to wait for the bigger stalls. Now that I can go in a regular potty and turn around without touching anything, I feel fine. Turns out, I was just fat.

I thought I was really bad at painting my own toenails because I have no coordination. Turns out, I was just fat.

I thought I was too short to see clearly out of the passenger side window of my minivan when changing lanes, so I had to drop the back seat. Now I can turn all the way around to see if anyone is in the lane next to me. Turns out, I was just fat.

I thought I was a naturally gassy person. I rarely have gas now that I am eating a better diet. Turns out, I was just fat.
I thought my seizure meds were making me extremely tired at the end of the day. I still take the same meds and have so much more energy. Turns out, I was just fat.

There are tons more things I believed about myself in my denial at how my obesity was affecting my health. You?

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

Thanks for posting. I am very new in this process as I have my very first appt scheduled next month. Each day I am a bit more sure this is right for me. Your story helps me to be a bit more comfortable.

Way to go! I'm about three weeks away from having my surgery and I'm constantly on here looking at before and after pics. It gives me hope and inspiration that one day I will have my life back.
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Holly

@ Dallas sleeve I like how in your before pic you had a DQ cup and the after it's a water bottle ! You look great, nice toe polish in both ????

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

Haha! I have always been a twice a month pedi girl! They even complimented my toes when I went in for surgery!

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

I remember being a few weeks away from surgery just one year ago and really wondering if I was doing the right thing. I was constantly looking at before and after pictures on here and wondering if I could really do it. I had NO IDEA how big I was and still cannot believe it when I see it in pictures today. I am so happy I had this surgery and am constantly motivated by this forum so I thought I would share! My first picture is what I use as my before (even though it was really about 3 weeks after surgery) but I always avoided the camera so I do not really have any "posed" pictures of me before. The second one is around the 6 month mark and the last one was a few weeks ago at Easter (pants were baggy and a little big). I am at my surgeon's goal (a little under actually) and am 2 lbs away from the goal I set for myself. I fluctuate about 2-3 pounds a week and I don't freak out! I feel healthy, have tons of energy and wish I had done the surgery sooner!

As someone who had my sleeve done last summer, June 10, I would actually tell you to wait. While I usually believe you should just do it because you will be sad you waited, traveling was a HUGE PAIN last summer for me! I traveled at 4 weeks out and 8 weeks out and was miserable both times (nauseous and dehydrated, plus it was hard to find things to eat). It's not like you are waiting because you want to be able to eat more, I just think those first few weeks are tough enough without throwing in traveling. I have lost about 120 pounds since last June- the weight will come off and then you can get to traveling and living life to the fullest next summer! I leave for Cancun in a week and am so excited!

As someone who had my sleeve done last summer, June 10, I would actually tell you to wait. While I usually believe you should just do it because you will be sad you waited, traveling was a HUGE PAIN last summer for me! I traveled at 4 weeks out and 8 weeks out and was miserable both times (nauseous and dehydrated, plus it was hard to find things to eat). It's not like you are waiting because you want to be able to eat more, I just think those first few weeks are tough enough without throwing in traveling. I have lost about 120 pounds since last June- the weight will come off and then you can get to traveling and living life to the fullest next summer! I leave for Cancun in a week and am so excited!

I've told my closest friends and family about my surgery…not really trying to keep it a secret but also don't feel like it's anyone else's business. When co-workers or acquaintances asked how I've lost so much weight I've always answered that I'm eating less. It's true and It usually stops any further questions!

I think it depends on where you're going and what you're doing- About 3 weeks post-op I went to Chicago with my husband on business. They were having beautiful weather and we really had no formal plans. I was able to relax during the day while he worked and then we went sight-seeing in the late afternoons and evenings. I had no problems (other than being extremely jealous of all the great foods he was eating- I was still on liquids).
Then 6 weeks out, I went to San Antonio on a family vacation. It was pretty bad! The heat index was 107-110, so I could not stay hydrated which meant I did not participate in all the fun stuff. Because I was so dehydrated and drinking constantly, I was nauseous and never hungry so I got in almost no Protein. It was really tough!
So I would say, if you are expecting to do something really physical, I would re-schedule. If you can relax and take it easy then go and have fun!

I am 6 weeks out and I cannot eat one oz yet- I think I have a super small sleeve!! It is very frustrating because I have not even met half of my Protein goal yet! I'm jealous of people who can eat 3 oz!

I am 6 weeks out and I cannot eat one oz yet- I think I have a super small sleeve!! It is very frustrating because I have not even met half of my Protein goal yet! I'm jealous of people who can eat 3 oz!

I am 6 weeks out and I cannot eat one oz yet- I think I have a super small sleeve!! It is very frustrating because I have not even met half of my Protein goal yet! I'm jealous of people who can eat 3 oz!

I am having the SAME problem! It was actually making me gag a little anytime I tried to eat or drink but I started some zofran today and it seems to be helping with the gag reflex. My dr doesn't seem too concerned, but I'm worried about having a stricture!

I am exactly 4 weeks today, here's what I had yesterday (the first time I had 3 "meals")
Breakfast- soft scrambled one egg with some cheese and ate about 8-10 small bites over about 45 minutes
Lunch- about 1/4 of Greek yogurt over about 30 minutes
Snack- less than half of an Atkins shake
Dinner- less than an oz of chicken salad and it took me an hour to eat (made with canned chicken, mashed boiled egg and mayo)
I tracked everything and I only got about 15 grams of Protein but I was SO FULL! I'm hoping that since I'm starting to eat more real food that I will get more Protein from food and be able to tolerate a full shake a day. I also drank about 45 oz of water/crystal lite.
Right now, I'm enjoying half a slice of shaved turkey lunch meat and half a laughing cow wedge.

I am exactly 4 weeks today, here's what I had yesterday (the first time I had 3 "meals")
Breakfast- soft scrambled one egg with some cheese and ate about 8-10 small bites over about 45 minutes
Lunch- about 1/4 of Greek yogurt over about 30 minutes
Snack- less than half of an Atkins shake
Dinner- less than an oz of chicken salad and it took me an hour to eat (made with canned chicken, mashed boiled egg and mayo)
I tracked everything and I only got about 15 grams of Protein but I was SO FULL! I'm hoping that since I'm starting to eat more real food that I will get more Protein from food and be able to tolerate a full shake a day. I also drank about 45 oz of water/crystal lite.
Right now, I'm enjoying half a slice of shaved turkey lunch meat and half a laughing cow wedge.