Dr-Patient

First date with someone? No need to mention your sleeve; it's none of his business. Whatever you order to eat, just talk and eat slowly. He won't notice. Be careful. Don't give up the 'goodies' too soon. Have fun. Congrats on the new date. Hope it is successful and turns into more, should you desire.

I was done as an outpatient, and did fine. If you have few medical problems, you should be okay. If you do, or have looooow pain tolerance, then... Good luck!

Congrats!! I remember the day I dropped below 200; great day! And I took the same picture as you did! Congrats again.

I've used a straw from day one. I find it easier t get in my fluids.

@@CarlAllen_95 Great. Glad to hear!! Keep it up.

@@casenior I didn't assume. Reread my post: I asked. My post is full of questions to him. PLUS, all he mentioned was his purchasing of sneakers; I asked...and what else?

Carl, now that you have more money in your pockets, have you saved money for an education? Any plans to go to college and get a degree? Or learn a good trade, or 'coding' so you'll be set for life after a while? To save for an eventual marriage, wife, family, home ownership? Buy some stocks so that money grows? Glad you're basically happier, but I suggest you add to your happiness by broadening your aspirations. Sneakers won't serve you any good, or any purpose in the scheme of things, nor bring any true value to your life. Think about it: You've got a stack of sneakers; okay; and they do ...what? Seriously, my brother... Look at the pile. What do they do for you? And as the pile of them grows, then what? What 'cha got? Go deeper. Soar higher. Enjoy your new health!! [[congrats!], but envision, and engage for, even greater happiness. You can do it.

@@theantichick Nice post. It reminds me of an article I read years ago: "Single and looking beats empty marriage." It began with "Is it better to be alone without a spouse; or to have a spouse... nd still be alone?" Discussing it, the consensus was it is better to be single, than to be in an unhappy, loveless marriage. It also said what you did: there are good men out there [though, hmmm], and one can be 'alone' without being 'lonely.' To the OP, don't let his cheating ways/his actions define you to you. I did that (for years) and lost many marriage-likely years of my life. Thank God I finally broke free of that [alas, 30 years later!!], but it cost me time, family, happiness, self-esteem. [i'm preparing to write a book about that, in fact.] I read something the other day: "If someone wants to leave, let them. Your absence will show them something that your presence did not." They'll realize they lost a good thing; that they screwed up and did a wrongful exit, or handling of things. Besides, karma is... Head up. Seek counseling, if needed. Learn yourself (stay off FB, etc., and useless distractions). Spend time with you, your spirit, your abilities. Learn yourself. Do something new; enjoy new people; be a good parent. Know God. And enjoy your new weight loss success. Good luck.

Sorry to hear the news, but I agree with most others: Don't do the Facebook thing, etc. Focus on YOU, so YOU can heal. In a little relationship e-book First Do No Harm: How to Heal Your Relationships (or something like that), there's a snippet: "Sometimes Amputation is Necessary to Preserve Life." That applies for a gangrenous limb/foot, or for a person toxic or painful to your life and they are draining life from you. No, you don't want to lose that [limb, foot, person], but if it/they are destroying your life, killing you and or your peace of mind and self worth, it's best to let it go; amputate it; cut them off. Don't cut them !!; just cut off the toxic entity from your life. It doesn't feel like it right now (the wound is too fresh), but you will heal and yet live.

Congratulations!!! Isn't that the BEST feeling!!? Your, and my, weights were almost the same: My highest weight: 271.2; surgical weight: 251.2. I remember I stalled for ~ 10 days ~201 pounds and tried not to curse. But then, one GLORIOUS, Hallelujah morning, I weighed, and the scale read 197.8!!! Whoop, whooop!! So, I know how you feel, as do thousands others here. Congrats again!

No complications at all--not one; and I was also done as an out-patient.

Do the surgery before everything. Then take the cruise. You'll be hot, sexy, confident and will have a grand time! Plus you'll do all that without pigging out.

@@Dub Great post at 4:31. I wish I knew what hospital; I'd call the OR, nurses stations and admins to alert them: Buckle up and hold on! Dang. PS [7:35 PM]: After reading the OP's response to me [5:55 or so] and others, I will now add to the above...an English/spelling book; a book about proper syntax; and most importantly, a STAT psych evaluation immediately upon the patient's arrival. The non-medical person in me is cracking up: are we being punked? (Didn't Alex just post something about this approach?) But the physician/surgeon in me says serious "psychochopathology," maybe borderline personality/emotion dysregulation? And we don't even have to be a medical person to consider that. Y'all have fun here.

In the beginning, I didn't have the 'it ran through me' problem. My problem was I couldn't drink anywhere near the recommended amounts. That was very frustrating, for I loved to guzzle Water (and milk). But as the stomach swelling eased, drinking was possible. Now I can do ~ 3-4 oz at a time, wait a bit then get in more. I use straws for my evening water drinking. Love them. It all gets better.

Likely dehydration, or low blood pressure. Do you take any HBP meds? You might need a little sodium, or potassium, even. Do you have a home BP monitor? A few weeks after surgery, my BP was down to 100/60 (nice and normal, but much lower than I'd been). I had to suck on potato chips to get a little salt to up my pressure a bit. Check BP. Notify the office, if low.

You're still very early in this post-op journey, so maybe this isn't the best time for you to have your usual eating spots be your main attraction for your trips. But you can still go to Vegas, go to a concert with him, etc. Take the trip and enjoy the togetherness! Find some new activities other than just "going out to eat." Remember...over time, you will/can eat...you just can't eat as much. While he's eating, perhaps don't look at him as if you're 'bored' with him/his activity. Still be engaged with your honey. Because I love to cook, and to see people devour my [what I cook*], I was initially worried that I wouldn't be able to cook anymore. But two weeks post-op, Dec. 2013, I cooked a bunch of food for others [near Christmas time], ate none of it, and it was fine. Your life and pleasurable activites don't all have to end. Maybe as he sees your weight loss, he'll be happy for you. Having wls shouldn't diminish your life, but enhance and broaden it and your experiences. And it all gets better with the passage of time. Again, you are very early in this. PS: [Note to Alex]...*I had another word in here, but it made a hyperlink to the BP [grocery] store here. I don't want that. Also, OP..make sure you're having sex with him. Satisfy him in other ways and let him know you're still 'hungry' for him and your relationship.

Breathe through it. Slow breaths. It should pass and feel better. Also...make Make note to self.

You can't control her; only you. Stay focused on you and your journey. Maybe she's trying to get in all her 'bad' foods before her surgery, but again, that's her. Not you. Center your spirit on you.

@@VSGAnn2014 Your initial comments were fine. The Oak Park OP said she's "depressed," and since that depression, is drinking more beer, ingesting more calories in beer than in food. Liking beer doesn't make one an alcoholic; regularly/frequently turning to it in depression, etc., warrants contemplation. To consider AA...legitimate query, if one is truly open to exploring all reasons and all possible remedies for the weight gain. [Ann, hope you're hubby is progressing well.]

No complications here, either. But, now >2 years post-op, I visit this wonderful site and periodically offer a few comments to support others along the journey.

Tattoos are things I just don't understand. Why ink your natural God-given skin? So many ways to make a statement...with accomplishments, education, helping others. Just sayin... I'm not understanding this craze. But, do your thing, if you so choose.

@reachbree It's GOOD that mom/sis are so far away, because they don't need to be in your face day by day with their negative, doubting energy and spirit. And yes, the beginning days/weeks may be a bit uncomfortable (it's surgery!), but not miserable or unbearable. But you will get better; the weight will come off; you WILL be happier, sexier, more confident, less emotionally burdened/trapped or self-critical. Sweet Freedom!!!!!!! You've got hubby and his support. Together you TWO move forward with your journey to be the best you want to be, and can be. Your mom and sis will see the end result later. And yes...DON'T bother telling others. Ain't their business; and you don't need commentary from the uninformed or those not in your shoes, re: your psyche, health, needs and desires for YOU and your man. Step away from, and don't even give an opening to, toxic energy. Having the VSG was the BEST thing I ever did for myself. Wish I'd done it sooner. Good luck to you.

I am SO SORRY to read your post. Will pray for your strength during this time. Thaat's all I can say right now, as I (now in a good place with a man) hear these stories and get so scared. You want to trust them, but...!!? None of us want to get our heart hurt. And you two are/were married. I will keep you in my prayers; but honor your self and your dignity. Shame on him.

@@oceangirlpc I LOVE my VSG! Best thing I ever did for myself! I am soooooo happy, sexy, confident, etc. I now own me. Wonderful thing!

Exactly what are you regretting about it-- post op discomfort? Temporary Food limitations? What? Expound, please.