MichiganGirl

I can't believe it. I had surgery in March.
I'm so happy. This is just mind blowing!

I just used body moisturizer with a face cloth and it worked great to get the gunk off

Show-off time

I admit that I miss champagne. I didn't drink it all that often, but it's a big part of family celebrations. I'm allowed to have an occasional glass, but when I tried a couple of sips over Christmas, it felt weird and just didn't taste like it used to, so I haven't tried it again. I may try it next month when I visit my parents and see if anything has changed.
I also miss being able to sip a glass of wine with dinner -- again, I rarely did it, just when out at nice restaurants or visiting my parents (who are great cooks with an extensive wine cellar). I'm allowed to have wine on my program, just no drinking with meals. There was something lovely about a really good wine correctly paired with a delicious dinner. I'm not really that interested in wine on its own so I just don't drink it anymore.
I realize these two "I miss" statements make me sound like someone with a drinking problem! The thing is, I am sure I averaged less than one alcoholic drink per month before my sleeve. I never bought alcohol on my own, just had it when I visited my parents a few times each year. But I guess I really do miss it for those few visits!
That said, I would not trade my sleeve and my weight loss for all the champagne and great pinot noir in the world! It's a tiny little thing to give up to have a whole new life.

The only thing I slightly grieved, very early in the process, was giving up binge eating. Knowing I'd never have the crutch of eating my way into a food coma like I did before. Of course that was the entire purpose of the surgery, but it is still a loss and awareness that the old habit must die.
Other than that few moments of sadness? I miss nothing.
Oh, except knee pain, back pain, sleep apnea, sky high blood pressure, foot pain, sweating whenever I exerted myself, not fitting in the bathtub, embarrassment wherever I went, seatbelt extenders on air planes, eating in secret, several daily prescription meds, etc. I miss those SO much. NOT!

Thank you to all the vets who have stuck around to help us all get more informed. I for one appreciate all you can tell me

You guys are really hitting the nail on the head for me. mi75, that sounds like me in a nutshell. PLUS I would've stood up most of the time because I couldn't fit into the plastic chairs they would've have sitting all around. Yet I would've taken advantage of of the BBQ chicken, the macaroni salad (drool), and a 6-pack, because after all, it is a celebration and I can just start again on Monday.
Today I was feeling a little sorry for myself and my new sleeve (restriction). All the stories that people were telling around the Water cooler about their fantastic weekends - and the only thing I think I really listened to was about the food they were making... Thanks snohogal for pulling me out of that funk. This *is* why I did this. This *is* why I pushed forward with wls. Because I would've quit 1,000 times by now.

You guys are really hitting the nail on the head for me. mi75, that sounds like me in a nutshell. PLUS I would've stood up most of the time because I couldn't fit into the plastic chairs they would've have sitting all around. Yet I would've taken advantage of of the BBQ chicken, the macaroni salad (drool), and a 6-pack, because after all, it is a celebration and I can just start again on Monday.
Today I was feeling a little sorry for myself and my new sleeve (restriction). All the stories that people were telling around the Water cooler about their fantastic weekends - and the only thing I think I really listened to was about the food they were making... Thanks snohogal for pulling me out of that funk. This *is* why I did this. This *is* why I pushed forward with wls. Because I would've quit 1,000 times by now.

You guys are really hitting the nail on the head for me. mi75, that sounds like me in a nutshell. PLUS I would've stood up most of the time because I couldn't fit into the plastic chairs they would've have sitting all around. Yet I would've taken advantage of of the BBQ chicken, the macaroni salad (drool), and a 6-pack, because after all, it is a celebration and I can just start again on Monday.
Today I was feeling a little sorry for myself and my new sleeve (restriction). All the stories that people were telling around the Water cooler about their fantastic weekends - and the only thing I think I really listened to was about the food they were making... Thanks snohogal for pulling me out of that funk. This *is* why I did this. This *is* why I pushed forward with wls. Because I would've quit 1,000 times by now.

I think that is what a lot of people don't understand. Sure, surgery gave me an awesome tool to accelerate weight loss, but it is still totally possible to binge eat, and eat complete junk..... Being and remaining successful and healthy requires a change of behavior, not just a change in size of stomach.
And last time I checked, it wasn't my sleeve that was getting me up at 5am to go train for a marathon...you know? lol

You guys are really hitting the nail on the head for me. mi75, that sounds like me in a nutshell. PLUS I would've stood up most of the time because I couldn't fit into the plastic chairs they would've have sitting all around. Yet I would've taken advantage of of the BBQ chicken, the macaroni salad (drool), and a 6-pack, because after all, it is a celebration and I can just start again on Monday.
Today I was feeling a little sorry for myself and my new sleeve (restriction). All the stories that people were telling around the Water cooler about their fantastic weekends - and the only thing I think I really listened to was about the food they were making... Thanks snohogal for pulling me out of that funk. This *is* why I did this. This *is* why I pushed forward with wls. Because I would've quit 1,000 times by now.

Hello Darlinks.
I've been away for a bit. Did you miss me?! (That's a rhetorical joke, btw!)
Went on holiday. My first proper holiday in the sun since being sliced and diced.
So, what did I learn on my travels to foreign climes?
Water consumption. It is kinda important. Stops one from passing out and prevents your skin looking akin to that of a sun-dried prune. Beer and vodka-sprite. It is not a good substitute for Water. Despite it being entertaining, it gives you a headache and forces you to have to drink far more water to replenish and sustain hydration levels which then compromises food intake. It is also not as nice as Guinness. But then you all knew that. Protein. I was at an 'all inclusive' affair. I realised pesky chef's don't particularly like dolling out the Protein en-masse as it is expensive and they're trying to minimise costs. Consequently, I became that person who swiped 'the best bits', muscled people out of the way to get the extra piece of steak or last omelet being served in the mornings. Without sufficient protein I felt weak. It also compromised my ability to drink beer and vodka-sprite - and who needs that?! Puddings/Deserts. Are absolutely pointless and made me feel sick. The tube that is now my stomach has very much done its job, in that I do not tolerate sugary things well. I also found it dehydrated me, which then compounded the feeling of 'urgh'. Subsequently, if I wanted something sweet, I opted for water melon. Sweet enough, tasty and well, is largely made up of water! Huzzah! Sun tan cream. Before buying this, please have a little think about how much you will actually need. I, with my head up my bottom, bought enough lotion to slather up an entire herd of elephants. Clearly, as with most body-dysmorphics, I had bought what I would have previously consumed pre-sleeve. When my skin was three times the square footage. Consequently, I came home with three untouched bottles.< /li> hair Loss. Yes, weird, but a point I hadn't considered. If, like me, you lost a fair amount of hair; be forewarned. When you go out into the sun where your hair has thinned, you can easily get a burnt scalp- unless you protect it with cream or a hat or something. I got a burnt head and then a few days later had to deal with all the serious flaking going on. Not an attractive look; your partner picking out massive lumps of skin out of your hair like some chimpanzee grooming its partner when you're out for dinner in the local town or in pleasant company. Jewellery. Yes, I have lost weight. Yes, I wore jewellery. Yes, I drank vodka-sprite, went dancing and didn't realise till the next day that my watch, the one I'd been promising to get some links taken out of, had flung off my wrist at some point during the evening and was now lost. A diamond ring also flung off on a separate occasion, but thankfully, I spotted it happening and quickly reclaimed it. Don't put off getting your jewellery re-sized. Or, alternatively, and if you're going dancing - don't wear it. I was very sad I'd lost my watch. Still, gives me an excuse to buy a nice shiny new one.... Razors and shaving. Bit personal but hey, we're all sharers here. What a difference losing 60 odd pounds makes?! I could reach the places other razors couldn't previously reach and in record time, too! No awkward breath-sapping contortions, fuzz or badly-packed packets of rolling tobacco for me, thank you very much! Sweating and heat rash. Practically non-existent in comparison. What a difference. Amazing. Made my holiday. Prepare to be amazed. I was. Feeling attractive. Finally it happened. I realised I was thinner, healthier, happier and that even my hair is getting thicker, my skin is beginning to snap back into shape again - along with my boobs! I was humbled and left with a warm, smiley, fuzzy feeling. My bottom got pinched a lot, too. So I assume that my inner happy was matching my outer happy and that made 'him' want to grope me more If you hadn't already worked it out... I had a lovely time.
Here's hoping you, too, have a very happy, warm, fun-filled summer. Everything we've gone through? It's so worth it.
Revs x

You guys are really hitting the nail on the head for me. mi75, that sounds like me in a nutshell. PLUS I would've stood up most of the time because I couldn't fit into the plastic chairs they would've have sitting all around. Yet I would've taken advantage of of the BBQ chicken, the macaroni salad (drool), and a 6-pack, because after all, it is a celebration and I can just start again on Monday.
Today I was feeling a little sorry for myself and my new sleeve (restriction). All the stories that people were telling around the Water cooler about their fantastic weekends - and the only thing I think I really listened to was about the food they were making... Thanks snohogal for pulling me out of that funk. This *is* why I did this. This *is* why I pushed forward with wls. Because I would've quit 1,000 times by now.

I came to the realization this morning while driving to work that if I was on a typical diet that I would have 1,000 times by now. From the night on my pre-op diet when I came home to my husband who had made Spaghetti and Meatballs for the himself and the kids to the 4th of July BBQ this weekend where there was homemade macaroni salad and every grilled/bbq'd meat known to mankind and lots of icy boozy drinks available. I would have quit - I would reached for that plate and loded it up and eaten myself into a comfort food coma each and every time. My sleeve is doing it's job and I must give myself some kudos to sticking to the recommended foods list - but my sleeve is training me on portion sizes (post VSG sizes too - tabelspoons instead of cups) and keeping me honest. I am so glad that I made the decision to get my sleeve. The first few days were tough and I have had dreams about eating food (my subconscious just doesn't understand why I am not eating like I used too!), but as I sit here wearing a new pair of pants that I bought in October and got home only to figure that I had gone up another size and was too regretful to return them (they were the largest size Lee makes in that style 24W), I am pleased with both myself and the outcome of my sleeve.
This is what I thought I was buying when I selfpaid for my sleeve and it is working as expected - sometimes slower then I want - but it is working and I will take slow and steady any day over "I will just start again on Monday!"