caroline2

The sleeve is a tool. A great one if used correctly. If I eat the right foods, portion sizes, liquids, follow guidelines, including exercise, I am going to be successful. If I eat all the wrong foods and don't exercise, I will not be successful and will gain. You control this.

The sleeve is a tool. A great one if used correctly. If I eat the right foods, portion sizes, liquids, follow guidelines, including exercise, I am going to be successful. If I eat all the wrong foods and don't exercise, I will not be successful and will gain. You control this.

Hi all! Thanks for everyone's feedback and concerns! I'm doing much better. I didn't have a leak I had a cyst that burst. I'm getting back on track with everything and again I want to thank you guys for your input

Good luck with your pre-op and post-op. Remember, the only person who know if you cheat is you. Don't. You deserve better!

Good luck with your pre-op and post-op. Remember, the only person who know if you cheat is you. Don't. You deserve better!

Heck no I didn't cheat! I stuck to it for the sake of my health. We are taking a risk with surgery in and of itself. Add that we are overweight/obese/morbidly obese people having surgery. Some/many have comorbidities to spice it up....
Why on earth complicate it intentionally?!?!

Please don't be offended but it almost sounds like you're looking for someone to tell you it's okay to cheat. That they did it and had no ill effects. Really, it's not okay to cheat. Even if someone got away with it, it's no guarantee that you will.
It's serious surgery. Don't take a chance. If you cheated, don't do it again. If it's really close to your surgery, call your doctor and let them know.
Not everyone has complications. Not everyone who has complications did something wrong. But you increase the chances of complications when you cheat, either pre-op or post op.
It's not worth losing your life over. Hang tough.

I say get it done as soon as you can! Had mine done one week ago today. liquid phase during Thanksgiving. No big deal for me. My eating had gotten so out of control, it had to change. Good luck to you!

Caroline -- my mom was a lifelong smoker, and when she was diagnosed with COPD, her pulmonary doc told her if she would quit smoking, her lungs would essentially regenerate at about the 7year mark. She quit cold turkey on that promise and was smoke-free for three years or so. I'd never heard that before she told me what her doc said, but he basically equated it to a filter that would eventually (with careful treatment) clean itself out. Maybe there's hope?

Thank you! I have told him a lot how much I love him but I guess I need to be more honest about what has driven me to this decision. It is five years in the making and he knows that. And yes, when I am unable to tie my shoes with out being on a bed and in some weird position or when I am at the beach and can't get up and down easily, that drives me. But more than anything I DO want to live. I have diabetes, hypertension and etc. thx for the support! I already feel better and stronger mentally!

I just mostly like the topic of this thread. Stupid annoying birthday cake! Don't hate the cake! The cake has done nothing but be delicious. Just kidding!
Pdx man said it best. Expecting others to change their behavior because we have sets us up for disappointment. Expectations lead directly to resentment. Resentment leads to a bunch of other icky things that are better avoided.
I have a feeling you're just venting. It's your party, you can cry if you....well, you know.
Happy birthday!

I hate to be the evil one here, but this is just one of the aspects of life that we all have to deal with now. We need to find ways of handling these situations because trust me, the rest of the world is not going to change just because I did. While I would love to believe it is all about me, the truth is, it isn't. One thing I learned from having kids is birthdays are not about me. My wife and I Celebrate our birthdays because our children enjoy the festivities. Every kid loves going to a birthday party. Just because those around us have aged 30 years doesn't change this.
Now, when I am surrounded by food, whether it be at work or wherever, I feel empowered because I have the tools to be stronger than I was before. Before, I couldn't say no and I would overdo it. Now, I can pass or have just a small bite. When I see others enjoying to excess, I smile because I don't have to do that anymore.
This is but a small hurdle I had to learn how to jump over in my journey to improving my relationship with food. Find the power your sleeve has given you and stand before that cake and laugh!
BTW, Happy Birthday!
** Edit **
Sorry ... didn't see it was powder Room.

Lipstick. .. it's like you are inside my head (scarry)... for me it's the same, but different... I used to be so thin and fit. All growing up and through high school I was a gymnast. I got into modeling/acting at 18. It wasn't until I turned 30 that I started packing it on. I knew I was fat but I just couldn't see it. Even still when I look at myself I just see me. Selfies have become my only way to "see" myself. For some reason when I look in a mirror I don't see the enormity of myself, but in a picture it's like, Wow... is that really what I look like? I'm constantly asking my daughter if I'm as big as some other woman. I honestly don't know if that will ever go away but every morning I take a picture of myself in the mirror so I can clearly see how I look. I've never told anyone that before so it's kind of embarrassing. Even through all that I KNOW I look better and confidence has (outwardly, not inwardly) has never been an issue for me. Now.. with this experience I'm going through (being sleeved) I'm getting sort of glad that I'm like that because I think (hope) that I can use my weirdness as a tool to stay on track, hopefully to not get complacent. ... You've done such a great hob losing almost 100 lbs. And getting yourself in shape. Don't let your head get in your way of celebrating yourself and your accomplishments. Whatever"tools" your mind uses to get you there are valuable.

Wait...that's not a bad idea...
How could I advertise that on Craig's list without looking like a total creeper?

I do. All of my bestie sorority sisters live within a half hour of me and we get together twice a month or so. I do have a few I ask and I know they will be brutally honest, which I love. Unfortunately, that's not convincing ME and my fat brain yet because I need to see it and I can't. Short of making a line of women who are size 14, 12, 10 and about my height stand next to me while someone takes pictures at all angles so I can go over them again and again, I am clueless of how to fix this head o'mine!

I'm scheduled for surgery on December 10 of this year. I'm also planning to go back to work the day after Christmas. Planning to skip the Christmas eve and day festivities but I'm ok with that this year .

I am having surgery on December 23. I thought about waiting but I have been working towards this for some time. It does mean Christmas will be quiet! We always made a big deal of the holidays and everyone came to our house. My adult sons will be visiting their in laws this year with a promise that next year we pick up where we left off. I plan on a quiet holiday with my wife

I don't have even a smidge of regret. Not a speck, a tad, a moment or a spark. Haven't since the day I started my new life 6 1/2 months (and 93pounds) ago.

i think it is because we have spent so long using food as a source of happiness (at least I did) and after being sleeved it becomes a source of energy (nothing more) and it does take a bit of the fun out of eating. I still go in search of that food hit, but Protein just doesn't cut it when you are looking for a food high

Funny. My brothers have often given me a hard time....up until a few years ago, they called my little piggy. I remember them calling me that since early childhood. I don't see them often, but when I do, I will probably ask where is little piggy. I hope they have put on a few pounds!
Also, my ex and his wife...for obvious reasons.

At this point, it is most important to stay hydrated. I'm 6 days post op and am getting more and more Protein in each day. Good luck to you! And yes, it's a full time job! I'm still sipping, but larger sips now! Each day gets better!

Yup.. I'll be on a beach wearing a sweatshirt and eating turkey leftovers

Hadn't realized, really how thinish I've gotten. My mother gifted me a business suit in a size 12. Now this has no stretch so I was like that's not going to fit. She made me try it on, reluctantly I did and it fit like a glove. At my heaviest I was busting out if a size 24 so I'm super stoked.. I think I'm at a good spot after a failed lapband and then being converted to a sleeve a year ago I can finally say I'm at goal.

You should be getting your Protein in first, then veggies, then carbs. We're you loosing to begin with? I would hit the protein, Water and gym. Just my thoughts.

I will not miss:
struggling to put socks on
always being out of breath
worrying about certain chairs
people always looking at what you are eating
your face is so pretty
chubby cheeks..someone actually said that to me
pants not splitting..yes they did..at airport
not asking for extenders when flying
not being so tired all the time
bed not making noise when I get in it
not feeling comfortable naked
pants too tight...binding around waist
socks too tight
illnesses associated with obesity
steering wheel hitting my belly
feet swelling
proper feminine hygiene without struggling (you know what I mean)!!!!
I have thousands more!