bnape29

I'm 24 and just had surgery 3 months ago. Best decision ever. Now, I get to live the rest of my life healthy and happy. There are many many people here that say their only regret was not getting this earlier in life. As far as the "easy way out" comment, that's is just ignorance. People who truly know what's involved in this lifestyle know that is extremely difficult! Do what you feel is best for you! I'm 67lbs down in 3 months and couldn't be happier! Good luck!
Edit: as far as the depression goes.. I wouldn't say that I was depressed, but it was definitely emotional in the beginning. Mourning food, learning how to eat... It's extremely hard. But now, at 3 months out, I can physically eat whatever I want. I make good decisions, and am learning how to work the sleeve. All of the weight loss and dropping clothes sizes and done wonders for me emotionally! Very recently, I've begun to love myself and it feel amazing!

Yes, I have a binder and I love it! It is amazing. I think the typical discomforts of surgery are what I expected... But the more I think about it, I feel like I'm breaking up with a close friend... food. I am somewhat lost w/o food... Ugh... I'm such a food addict :/

Just as most have said, it does get a little better each day. It seems (based on my own reading of many posts and my own experience) that day 6 is kind of the magic turnaround day. Hang in there, but don't forget that if you are worried about something, even if you think it might be nothing, your clinic would rather you call and ask about it instead of sitting home and worrying or being more uncomfortable than necessary.
Some tidbits that I hope will help along the way:
Never be afraid to call your surgeon if you have a question
Understand that your hormones and emotions are likely to be all over the place while you lose and adjust. Don't give yourself a hard time about it, but think critically about what you are experiencing so you can get a sense of if you could benefit from counseling or medication.
Be careful about your nutrition. Now that you have had surgery, what is likely to cause you the most ill effects is when you don't eat or don't eat enough instead of when you eat too much, like before. Going into semi-starvation is scary, dangerous, and can take a long time to recover from.
Don't let nausea or nausea-like sensations get out of control. It will affect your ability to stay hydrated and nourished. If you need stronger nausea meds, ask for them! Vomiting will also increase the swelling in your stomach, which will exacerbate the nausea.
Take this time to think about what you need, and take care of yourself. This whole thing is about your health (I assume...). Give yourself the tools you need to become a healthier person in general.
Don't compare your weight loss to others. You are going to lose at your own pace. You are going to have periods of time that your don't lose the way you think you should. It just is... Accept it. It will be okay.
Don't set unrealistic expectations for yourself, only to beat yourself up about not satisfying them. My clinic still only wants to see 1-2 pounds/wk, just like if we were on a regular "diet". It is simply not realistic to expect a 20 or 30 pound loss every month. It happens for some people, but that's really not the norm... If you seem to average about 10 pounds/month, be really excited about that, because that is awesome!
I'm sure there are about a million other things, but above all else, don't be afraid to ask for help.
Best of luck to you. I am certain that you will be feeling worlds better in just a few days, but should you experience some complication, don't panic and don't feel like all is lost. Complications are manageable. Just ask for help. There are very, very few situations that create lasting problems. Nearly all complications are minor and can be easily addressed.

I promise you that it will get better. I am 5 months out and 79 pounds down from surgery. Things will change. You just went through major surgery so it will hurt for awhile. I had thought the same thing but I continued to think of how I will be a healthier person for my life and future family. Keep your head lifted... Welcome to the "Sleeved" life!

I'm beyond excited Down 13lbs and hope this fatty liver is a little bit smaller. I'm stocked up with Protein powders/sf jello/broth & baby food prunes (I've been told its good to have on hand for possible Constipation issues). We can do this !! We'll be on the losers bench before we know it

I got it @ the wt loss center or @ our hospital gift shop. I'm sure u can order it online. * I would not recommend the strawberry sorbet*

Oh dear-heart, I'm in the same position you are in and my surgery is this Monday!! I posted something similar to what you did and I got one response that helped. PJ said that after the surgery we will want different things, that a certain hormone is reduced (or removed?) which should help with the hunger.
If any of us didn't have a problem with over-eating, and eating the wrong things, we wouldn't need this surgery.
Your post was very vulnerable and I'll bet you get alot of supportive replies -- don't let judgemental posts get you down. Don't even respond to them.
You will do well. Keep your eye on the ball and expect good things.
WeeWers

52 pounds in 4 months....awesome job!! You look so happy...keep rocking that sleeve!!

I agree with everyone. I also understand your trepidation. Having been sleeved for almost two years I am proud to day I have not gained any of the weight back. I believe the sleeve was the tool that helped me maintain my surgery weight loss of 75 pounds. The sleeve gives me restriction and a reminder not to eat too much. My portion sizes at one time are a bit larger than at the beginning, but still smaller than pre-surgery and still smaller than most everyone in my family. I think the smaller stomach is always there to remind me of the journey. It's there to remind me to stay in control. Having said that. In almost two years, I've not reached my goal weight and am still trying to lose more weight. The surgery doesn't change our brains (wish it did). We must still be mindful of what we eat, when we eat, how often etc. Our bodies still have the ability to gain weight. We are in control. binge eating, grazing, too many bad carbs (in my case), sweets etc not controlled will cause us to gain weight. I think, like the others have said. the sleeve is the tool that should help you in your desire to get to and maintain a healthy weight as long as you add it to a true desire, plan and implement a healthy way of eating. Good Luck!!

I'm relatively new in the process, as I was sleeved on August 5th. I think this is the ultimate tool for weight loss, but I can't say that it is a "cure all." At the end of the day, successful weight loss and (more importantly) maintenance is all on the individual. As poster above me stated, you can lose all the weight, but if you get into bad habits (constant grazing; terrible food/drink decisions, etc.), you will gain it back.
The sleeve is an outstanding tool, but like any other tool, you have to use it correctly for it to work. You can have all the tools in the world, but those tools won't build a house by themselves. I guess what I'm trying to say is that ultimate success or failure does not lie w/ the sleeve, it lies with you.

I was initially very ashamed and had no plans to tell anyone, not even my own brighter. I came to realize as my surgery date continues to get closer that it doesn't matter what other people think. I am doing this for myself, to create a better version of me, and people are either with me or they're not. If they're not then I don't really need to have them in my life. I was extremely ashamed to tell my training coach at the gym. I am a BIG gym rat, I got 4x a week and intern/work there. I eat clean but the weight hasn't come off for me for what ever reason. I was very surprised at how supportive he and all my clients have been with the news of me having this surgery. They are all very happy for me, and feel this is the right step because they see how hard I work.
You are doing this for yourself and that's all that matters. You have to be ready to make the personal decision of whether or not to tell people. You don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to, and you always have the community on here to reach out to

Day #10 of pre-op ~ Ok.. So today I made some poor food choices (I think kind of like a food funeral) -- after many great days of following the rules and losing 12lbs. For some dumb reason I ate like crap today and wow have I paid the consequences ! My body must've been somewhat detoxing and I truly pissed it off today. The crap I ate today has quickly exited my body (beyond my control) and I'm sweaty and literally sick feeling. I thought this would happen after I was sleeved, not before? I'm surprised my body reacted like it did. But I will not be making this mistake again !

Day #10 of pre-op ~ Ok.. So today I made some poor food choices (I think kind of like a food funeral) -- after many great days of following the rules and losing 12lbs. For some dumb reason I ate like crap today and wow have I paid the consequences ! My body must've been somewhat detoxing and I truly pissed it off today. The crap I ate today has quickly exited my body (beyond my control) and I'm sweaty and literally sick feeling. I thought this would happen after I was sleeved, not before? I'm surprised my body reacted like it did. But I will not be making this mistake again !

I am officially sleeved!

I had the same thoughts...and almost cancelled the morning of the surgery. I did pretty well on the pre-op diet and I thought if I just kept doing that I would keep losing weight...but then I realized that I had lost weight many times over the years only to gain it back plus some. This was the opportunity to help me keep it off for a change. I ended up having the surgery and was one of the fortunate ones who had absolutely no problems, very little pain, and can eat anything. I still get hungry (I am 3.5 months out) but am able to control what I eat much more easily. I have lost 60 pounds and feel like I have a new lease on life. I exercise now and participate in so much more and my self esteem has soared. This decision is a personal one, and yes there are risks...but the risks of not doing it far outweighed the risks of doing it for me. I was pretty much guaranteed high blood pressure, diabetes and my joints were already starting to bother me...last weekend I ran my first 5k. I know you read a lot of horror stories online and wanted to give you a positive one to think about...but again, you have to do what is best for you...

My support group called me the "secret keeper" My own mother didn't know for months (she lives less than a mile away from me), my dad for almost 2 years and some family still doesn't know at three years out. NO one knew about my surgery minus my significant other and two trusted dear friends. Obvisouly by my no picture icon, I am still private except on this site minus my local support group which I still attend.
VSG surgery decision was deeply personal, this was my battle to save me from me. Already knowing what others would say like "you aren't fat" was not what I needed to hear. My resolve was firm. I had seen a private physcologist and knew what what require beyond the physical change ahead. Didn't need other input nor did I want it. My surgeon was supurb, my metomorphisis ahead was in my control.
In conclusion - we all travel this journey differently. Some view this is a private battle, like I did. Others want troops surrounding them. Both view are right. Don't be ashamed of which way you fight the battle of the bulge.
Hugs - I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

I have told my hubby, parents and will tell my son as the time gets closer.
At this time, I don't plan on telling anyone else. I'm a very private person and just think it's better that way for my situation. I live in a small town where everyone knows your business.
Do what's right for you - follow your gut feeling.