SugarBomb

This may not be the best reason, but it was very motivational for me to finally get off of my bum and to vigorously pursue weight loss surgery. I'm on my husband's insurance. He'll be retiring in a couple of years. Not knowing what the future holds, I decided I better get this done while it's still an option.

There were several issues over the years: painful knees, inability to travel without purchasing two seats, fear of sitting in unfamiliar seating when out, tired of always being the largest person in my social circle and so on but the final straw was....I broke my queen sized bed frame earlier this year. Alone. Most people break beds having fantastic sex with another party but not me, I sat on the bed and it gave up the ghost. A beautiful sleigh bed that I've had for over ten years was ruined. I was mortified and placed the mattresses on the floor within frame where they still reside. One day, when a decent amount of weight has been lost, I will purchase a new beautiful new bed and hopefully the memories of that day will finally be banished.

I'm scheduled for October 7th. I've been in Limbo for so long, finally having a date is very motivational.

I'm scheduled for October 7th. I've been in Limbo for so long, finally having a date is very motivational.

Tentative date...October 7th.

I'm on day two. I am on a strict menu. It's six Opti-Fast shakes and one Protein bar a day. Soup, Jello, nothing else is an option. Except I'm allowed to have sugar-free, caffeine-free, calorie-free liquids (which also means taste-free). I have a slight headache, but my energy level is okay. I made pizza and tacos for the kids today. Everything looks twice as delicious as usual, so I've been doing the Jedi Mind Trick on myself.
"These are not the meals you are looking for--move along. Drink a shake."
And it's been working.

I'm scheduled for October 7th. I've been in Limbo for so long, finally having a date is very motivational.

Tentative date...October 7th.

Tentative date...October 7th.

I'm on day two. I am on a strict menu. It's six Opti-Fast shakes and one Protein bar a day. Soup, Jello, nothing else is an option. Except I'm allowed to have sugar-free, caffeine-free, calorie-free liquids (which also means taste-free). I have a slight headache, but my energy level is okay. I made pizza and tacos for the kids today. Everything looks twice as delicious as usual, so I've been doing the Jedi Mind Trick on myself.
"These are not the meals you are looking for--move along. Drink a shake."
And it's been working.

I'm on day two. I am on a strict menu. It's six Opti-Fast shakes and one Protein bar a day. Soup, Jello, nothing else is an option. Except I'm allowed to have sugar-free, caffeine-free, calorie-free liquids (which also means taste-free). I have a slight headache, but my energy level is okay. I made pizza and tacos for the kids today. Everything looks twice as delicious as usual, so I've been doing the Jedi Mind Trick on myself.
"These are not the meals you are looking for--move along. Drink a shake."
And it's been working.

I'm on day two. I am on a strict menu. It's six Opti-Fast shakes and one Protein bar a day. Soup, Jello, nothing else is an option. Except I'm allowed to have sugar-free, caffeine-free, calorie-free liquids (which also means taste-free). I have a slight headache, but my energy level is okay. I made pizza and tacos for the kids today. Everything looks twice as delicious as usual, so I've been doing the Jedi Mind Trick on myself.
"These are not the meals you are looking for--move along. Drink a shake."
And it's been working.

I'm on day two. I am on a strict menu. It's six Opti-Fast shakes and one Protein bar a day. Soup, Jello, nothing else is an option. Except I'm allowed to have sugar-free, caffeine-free, calorie-free liquids (which also means taste-free). I have a slight headache, but my energy level is okay. I made pizza and tacos for the kids today. Everything looks twice as delicious as usual, so I've been doing the Jedi Mind Trick on myself.
"These are not the meals you are looking for--move along. Drink a shake."
And it's been working.

Ride a bike without feeling like a circus act.
Walk my dog more than a couple blocks
Wear necklaces without worrying about my neck fat
Run on a treadmill without my butt hurting (you know when it bounces so hard that it hurts?)
Not feel like a total failure when I run into people I went to high school/college with
No more thigh chafe
Having cheekbones
Being able to garden without destroying my knees
See my lady parts (TMI?)
and MOST OF ALL... Better sex

So I am now officially 8 months post-op and today I took my first "after" photo. I was very proud of the outfit and shoes I wore to work today - definitely something I've never worn in my life. I thought I would share with all of you. The first one was taken the day I came home from the hospital after having surgery. The second is 8 months post-op. I am so happy I made this decision and life change!

I have no regrets and would do it again in a heart beat!! I am seven months post surgery, down 130 pounds and have reached my initial goal but I am continuing to adhere to the program as there is more to loose. My medical issues are gone and I feel and look better than I have in decades.
That being said, the concerns expressed in this thread were my concerns as well in the beginning. I really enjoyed food and the social engagement around food and alcohol. Specifically my biggest issues were volume of food eaten and proper choices. As a result of the sleeve operation I am better equipped, physically and mentally, to deal with food issues now than at other times in my life.
The initial post op journey is my commitment to a better me. I want to do it so I can continue to enjoy the things that are important to me and my loved ones. I regularly go to dinner with my wife, attend business dinners and functions and participate in all family outings. The sleeve has changed my life for the better!
At seven months post op I can eat anything I want but choose to be on the program. I can still eat a great tuna steak, or cheeseburger, just not all of it. I can still socialize, but need to manage the temptations. For me, it's about choice. The sleeve has helped me physically, limiting the amount food I can eat. The strong will to be successful and stay with the program has helped me manage choices. I think sometime we rely on the physical changes, i.e. sleeve or band, etc, and less on the mental readiness for what is to come. It could very well be the toughest part of the entire change in our bodies.

8 months, 117 lbs gone FOREVER

10 months post op update !
Almost 100 lbs down! Whoop whoop! (97 lb)
Highest weight - 287 lbs, current weight - 190 lbs and I'm 5'9" tall have another 25 lbs to go to meet my surgeon's goal and 35 lb to meet my own personal goal Everyone's looking great, by the way

Day of surgery at 383 (?), down from a high weight of 410 a couple months before. 6 months and 1 year progress pic. Down from a size 40/5x to a 16-18/XL.

Oh, my gosh. I just drank my first Opti-Fast shake and I'm still starving! I'm supposed to do this for 4 to 5 weeks? One of these tiny little drink shakes makes me feel about as full as...breathing.
Somebody, quick, give me a pep talk!

Oh, my gosh. I just drank my first Opti-Fast shake and I'm still starving! I'm supposed to do this for 4 to 5 weeks? One of these tiny little drink shakes makes me feel about as full as...breathing.
Somebody, quick, give me a pep talk!

Oh, my gosh. I just drank my first Opti-Fast shake and I'm still starving! I'm supposed to do this for 4 to 5 weeks? One of these tiny little drink shakes makes me feel about as full as...breathing.
Somebody, quick, give me a pep talk!

Oh, my gosh. I just drank my first Opti-Fast shake and I'm still starving! I'm supposed to do this for 4 to 5 weeks? One of these tiny little drink shakes makes me feel about as full as...breathing.
Somebody, quick, give me a pep talk!