Valerie R.

today is my one year anniversary! Hooray! I've lost 75 pounds and GAINED my life back! I'm hardly ever on this forum anymore, but it was incredibly helpful to me right before and the months after my surgery. I know only people on this forum know hwo special today is. How hard it's been but how worth it too!

Go me! I did it!

I needed to share this with people who would appreciate it. I just tried on and fit into AND BOUGHT SIZE 10 jeans!!!!!! Size 10!!! I dont EVER remember being a size 10! YAHOO!!

Ok, thanks for listening!

IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!!! Yes, I've got hypothroidism, I'm 4 months out and my thyroid is the same. It's all very very overwhelmingm but YOU CAN DO IT. I'm a big wimp and I did it. Don't think about everythign all at once, take it step by step. Get through the liquid phase, then the modified food phase. It gets easier and easier - REALLY.

In addition to losing 63 pounds adn not shopping in plus sized stores anymore, I FEEL great. Energy level is crazy high and I am seriously HAPPIER. This will change your life for the better friend. Hang in there!

I found this forum to be incredibly helpful pre-surgery and for the first few weeks post surgery. As us anythign, we've been there and are still there.

DO IT!

good for you!!! congrats!

hi, I'm 4 months out, have lost 63 pounds. I feel great ,,,but my hair is really starting to fall out! I knew this was a possibility, but it sucks. The good news is that I have (HAD!) very thick hair so no one really noticed but me, but it's really happening. Every time I wash it a good chunk of hair comes out, and there are strands of hair in my sink and in my hairbrush daily. My surgeon said it's form rapid weight loss and will eventually stop. Is this true? Anyone have a tips to help me out?

Thanks!

Oy the opinions of well meaning parents! My mom had advice and suggestiosn liek that too. Our mom's mean well but really don't understand what we are going through. The weight will keep coming off, just hang in there!

I totally get wanted to still be able to socailze, that was a big thing for me. I had my surgery on February 19th and have already had a a glass of wine. I waited about a month and then enjoyed a glass...it was fine! You will absoluelty be able to toast your son at his wedding. Champagne probably wont be great but one sip will be fine. I still go out with friends all the time. I order the fish or chicken and just eat what I can. You'll find it will not be about the food, it's about the friends. Good luck!

I was sleeved on February 19. I recently started solid foods. I notice if I eat too much I get a bad back pain. Has this happened anyone else?

I am 2 1/2 weeks out and felt EXACTLY the same way at 4 days out. What you are feeling is totally NORMAL. I called it 'buyer's remorse'. You are healing forma really huge surgery. Don't worry it really does it get easier quicly. 2 1/2 weeks out, I'm back to work and really feel good. Hang in there!

same here! Everything smells different! food smells VERY different, Some better, some worse.

I just started the puree diet too. I bought a rottissere chicken and purrred a small amount of chicken with a little broth and some cooked butternut squash.( I added a little butter - sue me.) It tasted like a thanksgiving dinner! I picked up the Weight Loss Surgery recipes 'for dummies' book. Great recipes.

I swear I asked my doctor to do the same thing and he wouldn't do it! I was just so curious to see the actual amount of stomach they'd be removing. Great pics - thanks!

congrats!!!

I DID IT!!!! I AM SLEEVED!!! Exausted and sore but so glad it's over! Thank you all for your support!

Sarah Jane,

I'm home, got home late this afternoon. How about you? I can barley eat anything. They gave me some broth and Jello in the hospital and even that was hard to eat.

Sarah Jane - ugh! I'm exasuted but so glad its over! We DID it!

I'm getting it done tomorrow too and I'm starting to freak out a bit! Let's just get the surgery part over with so we can start the next phase of our lives!

Ok after waiting 6 months (b/c of my insurance) tomorrow is the big ay. I have been SO motivated and ready for this...until today. I'm really starting to worry and frankly feel bad for myself. I'm so fat that I need to surgically alter my body.

I never worried about anesthesia before, have had prior minor surgeries in the past, but now I'm starting to panic about that and the recovery.

Ugh!!! Freaking out here. Want the F#$@# surgery over with at this point.

Guys please tell me its worth and that I'll be ok.

Thanks for listening.

Lynne - I tried a BUNCH of different shakes and I have 3 that I like. Slimfast HIGH Protein chocolate shakes ( they have a bunch of different ones t, I buy the one with 20 grams of protein.) Atkins shakes and also the Pure Protein brand. I had bought 'bariatric' specific powder shakes from my doctor and just couldn't drink them, they were gross to me. I find the ready made shakes so much easier to deal with.

You can do it! Good luck!

My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. I want to make sure to have the right foods in the house. Yes, the doc gave me a grocery list and menu ideas, but I'd love to hear it from you guys on what I should have in the house. What did you eat right away, what worked and what didn't?

Thanks!!

Congrats! I'm getting mine done on Wednesday!

I'm getting it done on the 19th too! Can't wait!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

it's actually going to be easier than you think. I was TOTALLY worried about the pre-op liquid diet! I am on day 12 now and am doing fine. At this point I actully find it easier than eating. I am not htinking about what I should or shouldnt eat - becuase I'm not eating! The shakes really do fill you up. My only adivce would be to try a bunch of differnt types of shakes. It took me a few days to figure out what shake I liked best.

GOOD LUCK! You can do it!

my surgery is the 19th too! Good luck! My doc didnt tell me a specific # but I've lost about 11 pounds if that helps.

I am on day 5 of the pre-op liquid diet. I am completely sticking to it and have already lost 9 pounds. I am just really tired! Is this normal? I was a big diet Pepsi and tea drinker before so I am thinking it's the caffeine withdrawal that's making me tired. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Surgery is Feb. 19th. Seems like it’s years away. This pre-op diet kinda stinks!