valkyrea

I don't know about that. My psych eval was pretty weak. He wanted to make sure I didnt have a severe eating disorder. But as far being prepared for what was coming....nothing he said scratched the surface. There are going to be issues. Some people deal with them just fine. But everyday there are posts here by people who are freaking out because they can't eat a cheeseburger or they're remorseful about having surgery at all because it's hard and they can't dull the emotional pain with a load of food.
Not to mention the heaps of panic attacks posted everyday by people who aren't losing weight as fast as they should.
I'm just saying that the psych eval doesn't mean much.

I'm new here and this is my first post. My husband suggested I reach out and talk to the people who know best (I think he was referring to health care professionals....but if you want the nitty gritty, you have to go to the people who REALLY know!) I am a military wife and am moving right along with the steps to the surgery. My husband was/is very supportive about this decision. My mother is not, but she keeps quiet ( I think it's more out of fear because I am her only daughter and the youngest and besides....Mamma's don't like their babies having the majority of one of their organs removed!) My best friend (and Im not talking about someone I've known for like a year or two, I mean attached at the hip for the last 15 years type of best friend) she is definitely NOT in support of this decision. More on all this at a later post. I wonder if I'm taking this SERIOUSLY. I know all about the hard work, the ups and downs and the losing and regaining, the slowly not being able to fit into those FANTASTIC jeans that you loved so much and were soooo proud of when you could finally get down to the size to fit them but as you gain weight they just get a little tighter and tighter until they also go into that stock pile of "my skinny" clothes that lurk in the back of the closet. BELIEVE ME, I KNOW!!!! I have battled my weight as far back as I can remember. I remember the elementary school wanting to put me on a "suggested" diet in the 2nd grade and me going on my first "official" diet when I was 12.......18 years later....here I am!!! Ok. So what I'm getting at is that I'm no stranger to being overweight, losing it, and putting it right back on.....but when I think about my stomach being "mostly" cut out.....I don't really feel anything. No jitters or butterflies.......almost like it's not real. The hard work does not frighten me. The pain that comes with the surgery does not frighten me. My eye is on the prize. I imagine my perfect self (and in this order.....a little vain, but come on, you've done it too) 1. Wearing a very fashionable, classy, and slimming outfit that becomes me so I can show myself off...you know, the kind that turn a few heads and gets u a little attention 2. Jogging the neighborhood with my husband and keeping up with him (and yes I'm talking about one of them "commercial" jogs. You know the ones where you are just trotting along, not out of breath and smiling, waving at the neighbors.....and nothing is jiggling that shouldn't be jiggling) and 3. playing in the front yard with my future kid. I mean REALLY playing and not sitting on the front steps and just watching the action. That's me. My perfect self. It's far fetched I know. Real world is that heavy or not, 1. the perfect outfit is out there its just by the time I put it all together I'm super late for whatever I'm wearing it for, my husband is aggravated and cussing and it usually rains during all my special occasions and my hair frizzes 2. Anybody who is jogging, smiling and waving at the same time deserves to be run over. 3. I know the future kid is out there, but get real. There has to be a reason that I am 30 years old and only own two dogs...right.....right? So, is this real? Are there other pre-stomachless people out there who feel the same as me? Undaunted by surgery, the risks, and "THE DIET OF ALL DIETS" and living in some la-la land dreaming about my perfect self??

I also have my perfect outfit NAILED to my bedroom wall! It's on hangers of course, but I look at it each day.
This past weekend I started out a sentence to my husband with.."when I'm hot next year..."
You get the idea. He just smiled and looked at me and chuckled!

Thank you

Congrats Erica!!!

Today Im been sleeved for a week. I cant believe how easy this has been. I was really sick for the 10 months before my surgery so I was already used to smaller meals. Of course they were still bigger then what I can do now. Where is what my doc wants me to get in every day, 2 Protein Shakes, 64oz water/sf drink, 3 1/4c meals and of course 30 min of walking. Plus 2 Flintstones, 2 Iron, and my normal pills. After the 4th day I have been able to get everything in. I have also been able to sleep on my side since day 3.
Im just amazed how my body had bounced back from a major surgery. I thank God for that.

Surgery date NOV 19TH

Got the word this morning from insurance....I'm approved! I am crying tears of joy I finally get a chance at being a healthier me. Now I'm so nervous about this journey

Good morning everyone ! I was sleeved yesterday, around noon, rough night but all went well I was so scared to do this. Time will tell if this was worth it

Good luck!!! And can't wait tyo hear back from you, you will come out great!

Home & in my own bed. In my own clothes!
I already feel even better just being here. Plus I can sleep the way I want. Hope everyone else has a good recovery. I have to give tons of gratitude to my Surgeon & Surgical team.

Wow, thanks for the responses. Lipstick Lady to answer your question I had this surgery to be healthier, to look good, and to limit my food intake because of emotional eating,and years of being an expert dieter. I know know that the right tools are in my hands and its going to take my motivation to ensure that I'm eating the right foods to ensure a successful healthy lifestyle. To be honest I'm still having days were I'm waiting to wake up and feel like ok this is not working no matter what I do, so where do I go from here? I do want to enjoy the foods I want, and not worry that I 'm going to always over do it or have to limit myself to just one type of food(s). I know to be successful I still have to have those days were I eat a normal portion of something I absolutely love. I don't have any cravings right now but I'm 6 weeks out (its still early) . I'm very fearful of my long journey because I see several people that I personally know that have had the sleeve and all are gaining weight back after their 2 year mark. I don't want this to be me. I don't want to go anywhere near 300 lbs again. I do want to be fit looking and healthy. Overall I do not want to live a life in fear of the scale or food, lets face it that's why a lot of us have become overweight in the first place. I constantly see people looking at me now that are always checking me out every time they see me to say nice things,and I know some may be looking and waiting until I come back and all that weight comes with me, just so they can say negative things about what I have done. I realize the last comment may be a bit much , but a lot of people just wait to say negative things when your heading down.
I just had to ask this question because food should not be a stand off,instead in fact it shouldn't even be this hard but it is. I'm going to do my best not to let me down. I struggle to keep my head in the game of just being happy and avoid old habits.

YAY!! Congratulations!! Are you excited?

Good Luck!! I wish you no pain!

SURGERY TODAY -SO EXITED
Goodluck to my fellow sleevers today, lets begin our journey to health, happiness and freedom. xx

Just got the call. I have to be at the hospital by 6:30 am. I'm nauseated.

Heading to the hospital now... Check in time is in 15 minutes.... Wish me luck! Will write more tomorrow

. Don't second guess it. You are at the beginning of a whole new life. Embrace. Plus I will need this same pep talk next tuesaday

Let me ask YOU a question. Did you have this surgery to get thin or to get healthy? Be honest! Some people want to lose weight for looks and there is nothing wrong with that. Other people lose weight to be healthy. For me, looking great is a huge motivating factor and one that I am enjoying immensely, but I had this surgery to get to a healthy weight/fitness level and to maintain the great health I already had with no co-morbidities and no aches and pains or various other issues.
I didn't get fat because I only ate junk, I got fat because I ate in volume. Yes, I did make bad choices and splurged, but I was almost always "on a diet", so the majority of the time the food I ate was reasonably healthy. I was a grazer, too. When I was logging food, I ate my three meals a day or four mini meals. When I wasn't logging, I made "healthy choices" allllllll dayyyyyyy looooooooooonnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.
I have this healing time to relearn new habits about logging, eating small portions, eating only at meal time and sticking to my new nutritional guidelines. I know I feel better when I eat my Protein and less carbs. I am fuller longer when I avoid junky stuff. I think about food less when I have a plan and I stick to it.
I didn't have this surgery to eat whatever whenever, that's what got me here in the first place. I put my family through a lot with this surgery and I don't regret it, nor do they. I want to be able to say the same in five years, not to have chalked up another (costly, messy, painful) diet fail with really nothing more that I could do to fix it.
So to answer your question. I am sure there are people out there that get to goal eating whatever they want, whenever they want without moving much, just kind of doing their daily thing. Maybe it's possible that I could be successful that way, maybe it's not. I don't want to find out that I am NOT the one that could. Totally not worth it.

I have to watch what I eat. I'm 9 months out, and I know I could eat enough now to gain weight. I was fat due to bad habits like over eating and grazing. I can consume a lot of calories without realizing it, so for me, its a lifestyle change that requires calorie counting and tracking. Its WAY easier now that I'm not starved all the time.

Well here I go guys checking into the hospital as we speak. Good luck to everyone that is getting sleeved today. See you on the other side!

Thank you for sharing your success.
I was sleeved on July 8, have made good progress but I cannot even dream of what it would be like to hit my goal. I look forward to what things will be like for me 6 months from now, even a year from now.
I can imagine the excitement of your wedding day, in the new you. Congratulations!

I agree with the others: you look awesome! Congratulations! And thank you for posting the before and after pics.

Congrats and please post pics when you ROCK that mermaid wedding gown *snaps fingers*