americangirl302

I was a vegan prior to surgery. Could not do it after. Was eating eggs and cheese in the early stages because you can't eat raw veggies or nuts or quinoa so I felt I had no choice. Even with that my body was craving meat. I gave in and started eating meat. I try not to beat myself up over it.

Not a question on this topic but I'm having trouble following who is who. Are some people being called by their real name and not screen name?

This thread is ridiculous.

I think her name says it all

Something is playing on my mind so I thought I'd just 'throw it out there' to the great and good on this site for discussion...

When I was big, I was repeatedly told in response to my insecure mutterings about my size; 'I never see your weight, Revs. You're just Revs. Always have been, always will be.' 'You have a big personality, Revs. That eclipses anything else. People see your character before they notice anything else.'

This has come in many forms and in various machinations. When done with love and delivered gently - its been from friends and family. With moderate, clumsy indifference and accompanied with the obligatory 'you have such a nice/pretty/beautiful/attractive (delete as appropriate) face' and lets not forget the 'You always dress really well and have amazing make-up'... (Subtext - your body is like the back end of a bus), its been from random colleagues and acquaintances.

So, when I was researching weight-loss options (this was over 10 years of dedicated YouTube, surgery website, academic journal perusing), I saw all these a-maz-ing transformations. People who had metamorphosed from looking like Sloth from the Goonies

into Demi Moore (in her heyday) and every shade of beautiful in between.

Consequently, when I had the surgery, I envisioned my kilo-losing metamorphosis. The egg, larva, pupa, to beautiful butterfly...

So here I am, a truck load of weight down and well, I haven't changed into the metaphorical butterfly I was hoping for. Don't get me wrong, this is not a pity-party or anything. I am elated with what I've achieved so far and before anyone bores me to tears with the 'but you've got a healthier you, that should be reward enough', line of tedium.....I wanted to look like Demi Moore GODDAMNNIT! <that's a joke btw and before anyone gets on a tip about 'loving who you are and not aspiring to look like someone else' in a yawn-fest, stating the obvious manner>

Now, I know miracles can't happen. You have what you've been given. I am VERY grateful for what I've been given, don't get me wrong. What I'm actually getting at is that there has not been the 'woooaaaah, you've changed' moment for me, as there have been for others. I go to my bariatric meeting and some people have had the 'Whoaaa' transformation. The Sloth to Demi moment. I, have not.

People of course recognise that I have shifted some weight and rarely acknowledge it - which is socially normal. But its like nothing has changed. Why?!

As the title suggests - should I be disappointed by this, flattered or just indifferent to it? Of course, I wanted a 'transformation' of sorts and have achieved that - of sorts. But were the utterances of others about my personality and face actually true all along and in fact, the only person who appeared to be bothered by my weight, or even noticed it, was, well, just me?!

By virtue of this, does it make the fact that I went through surgery ludicrous? Of course not, because (and I'm appealing to the health-freak tedious here), I have made myself more healthy. But really, all the long-held deep-seated and total misery about my weight - was it really only my problem all along?!

Who knows...

I am Revs. I have a personality. And everything else, despite this surgery, just appears to be, well, irrelevant!

<Omitting, of course, that my backside is considerably smaller and I can now buy the hottest clothes and the highest heels>

Anyone else had something similar? Anyone else after weight loss just been 'You' - but a 'lighter' version. 'You-Light', if you will!

Have your expectations matched reality both in physical, social and psychological terms?

Do, please tell! Looking forward to reading your thoughts... x

N.B I am hoping this will not become a 'before and after' photo opportunity thread, btw...... <The grumpy OP>

Hi. I just got sleeved last week so no transformation for me yet. Im not sure how to ask so I just will. I don't know if there is a photo section but id love to see your before and after

Americangirl302 I fly out on the 16th.. surgery scheduled for surgery on the 17th I'm scheduled with Dr. Elias Ortiz. And you?

I fly out on the 2nd. Surgery with Dr Joya in Peurto Vallarta

@soontobesleeved i debated telling anyone other than my fiancee.. but i did tell my brother to see what he though my parents would say... i like you have an over dramatic mother that I love her to death but she lives in a box and anything outside that box is reason for panic per say... but after some thought and dropping hints i finally came out and told her. She's okay with my surgery she's not thrilled about the idea of me doing it in Mexico. But she also told me not to tell my Dad... LOL i'm not sure why.. but a few friends know and my coworkers.. other than that I haven't told many... it's your decision either to tell or not to tell. I just needed someone that was "IN MY OWN FAMILY" to know incase something happened (God forbid) since I wasn't married yet... Best of luck to you!!!

When are you going to Mexico?

Ive heard some people use Flintstone complete chewable vitamins. Anyone do this?

Beware of rice,

Take my advice,

Dear sisters and brothers,

It doesn't play well with others.

What am I gonna do without sushi!!

Hi RJ im new to the forum. Getting sleeved in Mexico on feb 4th. Im so sorry what happened to you. Who was your surgeon?

Ok ok. Lol. I knew all that I guess I was hoping everyone would say ya one is fine, go for it. Lol. Ill skip it. Everyone is right and im a nervous nelly too. Dont want to take the chance for something to go wrong. Especially in Mexico. Thanks everyone for the reality check! !

So im not a big drinker at all. I Like margaritas occasionally. Im going to mexico for surgery. Im asking for honest thoughts on having a real Mexican margarita the day before surgery.

I love laksa. I eat the prawns and fish, some veggies, a noodle or two, and a couple slurps of the Soup. No problems. Except the amount that gets left behind. But I care less about that as time goes on.

Tom yum and other Thai Soups are big favorites too.

How do you handle the spicy Soup. I love curry broth but not sure I could handle the spiciness.

Thank you!

I haven't puréed any meats, seems gross to me. I'm eating half a baby bel cheese for breakfast. 2Tb hummus for lunch. And for dinner either 2Tb lobster bisque (bought at store already cooked) or 2Tb refried Beans. I'm a creature of habit and easier to have same things every day. I'm 3 weeks out today.

I like those ideas. Im trying to figure out now what I will eat when I get to that point.

I dont mind sharing at all. I was thinking of more of a personal journal. Like scrapbooking or something along those lines.

Oh i do love this thread!!

Best would maybe be this weekend. Saw an aunt/uncle of mine I haven't seen in a year. Ran up to them, threw my arms around them to hug me and they both stared. My aunt looks at my uncle and says "who's that".. haha.. Once I reminded them I'm their NEICE, she repeated over and over "OMG I didn't recoginze you, you look so beatiful".

Worst thing I got was "wow, you look sick. Your face is all pale. You look like a cancer patient" (let me tell you, I was LIVID!!!!!!!!).

Another bad one was when I took the kids to meet their dad for the weekend and he tells me "Hey i'm selling weight loss Protein Shakes, did you want some".. umm.. hey jack@ss..i've lost 80 lbs..I dont need to buy your product!

of course I love all the "hey skinny mini " and "hey skinny B!t..." or "hey sexy mama". I actually was called a milf the other day...(giggle). ME? What? aww shucks..

Haha. Love the milf. My kids tell me thier friends think im hot. Lol. Really? Wait till I lose this extra 80. Lol

Hi all. Im getting sleeved on February 4th and im trying to figure out a creative way to document my journey. Id love any suggestions.

Jaclyn

I have to say that it's my opinion that you are totally overreacting on this one. I HIGHLY doubt anyone is stupid enough to think you are RESPONSIBLE for their weight gain. (Well, my husband might blame me a bit because after my three bite, I put my leftovers on his plate. HA!)

I think this is a way of complimenting YOU while putting themselves down. I can't imagine they think your fat particles are flying through the air and landing on them.

I agree. I have said that before and I know it was just my own insecurity.

Go on you tube and look them up. Lots of videos on each doctor. I am very secure in my choice of Dr.Joya. Go on Dr.Joya website and call them. Gerald is the coordinator. Very nice. They are great at answering questions.

Research shows many many doctors are not doing the band anymore. It does have a high failure rate and high complication rate.

Hi I will be sleeved in Peurto Villarta Mexico on 2/4/14 with Dr Joya at Amerimed Hospital. He also trained 8n the states.

Thank you!

hi everyone. im wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with Dr. Joya in Peurto Vallara Mexico.

Thanks

Hi all. Has anyone had experience with Dr. Joya in Mexico??

Thanks

Jaclyn in Florida

Hi. Im new here also. Will be sleeved in Mexico on February 4th. Nervous and excited. New beginnings! Jaclyn in Florida