WorldTraveler

I have similar things to look forward to: Buying prettier outifts: I have been wearing pants, long tops and cardigans for far too long. I can't wait to wear fitted clothes and not worry about my arms, thighs or stomach. Smaller bra size Increased Energy and Stamina: Feeling lighter and able to handle more exercise with a smaller body. I love yoga, but I hate certain poses where I am squished against my fat and can't breathe. I would also love to run/jog without being out of breath and aching. I look forward to taking yoga classes and not worrying about how fat I look in the poses. I also want to try pilates but was always afraid I couldn't do it because of my weight. Being comfortable taking pictures: I dodge and dread the camera now because I don't want to see how big I am. I also manage to avoid full-length mirrors (except in the restrooms at work) Increased Confidence: I feel self-conscious asking for what I am worth at work or at job interviews. I am looking forward to a boost of self esteem and confidence at work or when out with others. Portion Control: I struggle with that and am looking forward to feeling fuller faster That's the short list off the top of my head...I'm sure there are more wonderful things ahead!

This has surprisingly been the most difficult part of pre-op prep. I'm getting off slowly, but it still makes me exhausted and foggy, which is so bad for my work. I wonder why some patients don't have to get off caffeine and some do. My paperwork says it is to avoid dehydration and post-op headaches. Hmmmmmmmmm...this is challenging!

Thank you for your post-I'm scheduled with Dr. Aceves on May 26 and am so happy to read how positive your experience was! Stay on the boards throughout your post-op loss. All the best to you!

Thank you to everyone who wrote in-I'll get fitted this weekend!

Thank you!! Any helpful hints or words of wisdom pre or post op (especially things you wish someone would have told you about)? You know I got so much advice and asked so many questions, none of it was a surprise! I probably would've taken better before pics, so I always tell everyone to take lots of pictures since things change so fast postop I'll start photographing now...as depressing as it is because, you are right, I'm going to want to look at my progress!

Thanks, everyone! I intend to follow the diet-I would not have taken this drastic of a step and self-pay for the procedure without a strong desire to adhere. It makes perfect sense, PDXMan, and I'm going to just start low carbing and not worry about seeing big numbers after surgery. It's been nearly a life-long battle and it will remain so after surgery.

Thank you!! Any helpful hints or words of wisdom pre or post op (especially things you wish someone would have told you about)?

Wow; thank you all so much for the great recommendations! I am looking forward to shoe shopping!

The forum sometimes is slow to post, then will post the topic or response twice. I just emailed Alex for help in deleting duplicate posts/topics. I'll paste his answer as I suspect many of us would like to know how to do this.

Greetings to all, I was thinking about the pre-op diet last night and wondered if an extreme pre-op diet slows post-op weight loss. I was given a low carb diet to follow for one week before surgery, which I will absolutely do, however, I can't help but wonder if I started strict low-carbing at 7+ weeks before surgery if it would affect my post-surgery loss. Is there anyway to tell? I see a lot of people on here pre-surgery that have already lost 20-30+ pounds. Will the weight loss keep going? If you lost a lot prior to surgery, please respond if you kept losing or if it was slow post-surgery. If you lost 10lbs or less prior to surgery, please respond if your loss was fast or slow post-surgery. Thanks so much for your help!

Good luck! Keep on the Forum with how you are doing post-surgery

Thank you for the suggestions! I think I'm going to get both good shoes and sole inserts. I plan to try on several shoes to find the best for me, so keep the suggestions coming!

Hi to all out there, I'm still 7 weeks out from surgery, but I have started walking daily and low-carbing 2 meals/day. I currently have Puma shoes that I walk in but I'm feeling exhausted after my walks and I have decided it is the shoes I am wearing as they lack cushion and shock-absorption. My ankles, knees and outer thighs ache during and after my walks , so I ready to buy new shoes for my walks. Anyone have a shoe brand they swear by that absorbs the shock of weight impact on the pavement? I would love suggestions! I have tried Nikes (too narrow for me but usually good at cushion). I wore Ryka's a long time ago and can't recall how I felt about those. Help! Thank you!!

Gracias Back2barb78! Your loss of 111 pounds in 5 months is incredible and inspiring! I'm so glad you had a good experience in Mexico. I have less than 2 months to go for my surgery

Here you go: http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html I ordered about $50.00 worth of samples. Here are the ones I like now (pre-surgery): Syntrax Nectar-vanilla torte, chocolate truffle, Peanut Butter cookie, Cappuccino, Twisted Cherry, plain (to add to my own soups). There are other brands on there to sample, but be careful (check the carbs, ingredients), not all are carb free and gastric sleeve friendly. I have samples of Bariatric fusion I need to try: strawberry shortcake, orange cream There was also a Celebrate ENS for post WLS: vanilla cake batter I want to try

Great article! These are things I never thought about.

Here is the link: http://www.bariatric...g-free-samples/

Thanks everything went well. Day 3 & still no stomach pain & im able to sleep on both of my sides. No gas issues at all. Woohoo im a losing sleeved... Congratulations!

I'm sorry to hear that; watch some videos of the procedure (I do that quite a bit on youtube) as well as watch videos of people who are positive and happily sleeved. Surround yourself with positive thoughts, encouragement and relax. I'll be nervous as well, but also so excited for a lifelong tool to lose and maintain. Stay on the Forum!

Of course, happy to help! When is your surgery?

I had it in state, in Brooklyn NY. Do u know how long before I can have a cigarette? I don't smoke so I didn't ask my doctor that. Can you call your doctor or a nurse at the hospital? Is it in your post-op instructions?

Very wise, Laura, it is a life-long battle. Thank you for your post!

"The easy way out," how infuriating! Being obese for any length of time, especially your whole life is a major struggle that most normal-weight people would not be able to handle. Any promising tool we can have is a blessing and an aid-but nothing about losing weight and maintaining has been easy and surgery isn't magic. We still have to work at it, just with less hunger hormones and a smaller stomach. Head hunger is very real and will surface its ugly head now and again. I'm preparing for a life-long battle and it's because of ignorant people/comments that I choose to be secretive about my sleeve. I admire people who put themselves out there on Youtube-I would never have the courage for that but I really enjoy watching their progress.

My stomach only feels strange if I cough or laugh. I just boiled me some Soup to drink the broth. Im up doing everything myself. If u ask me that didn't do anything, cause im sipping the soup & dont feel full I just stopped. Hmmmm; pain meds numbing your ability to feel full? If not, I would ask your doctor how much they removed. Where did you have surgery at: states or abroad?

BrantS1976, I just saw you had a gastric plication done. I googled it because I had never heard of it. I'm curious why you chose plication over sleeve if you care to share