alwaysvegas

I have a big pile in my closet as well. My head still hasn't caught up (or down?) with my actual size and I think I'm much bigger than I am. It's actually an exhilarating feeling and a very strange thing to try and accept mentally. Yes, I can fit into 32 pants and medium (and even some small) shirts.
There is that niggling in my head that I should keep some of the larger clothes "just in case." No...just no!
These mental battles in my head are rather disturbing when I type them out.

I certainly had (and still have) the fear that I will gain the weight back.
My initial fears were:
My sleeve is too big...liquids were going right through me. I was able to drink over 100oz the first week of surgery. Oh, but then I hit the purees and I felt how restrictive my sleeve truly was. I'll have terrible head hunger. I was really worried when I woke up from surgery that I'd still feel hungry. Nope, not one bit. Not for several weeks. I feel more head hunger now, but physical hunger is still non-existent. I think the difficulty is distinguishing between head hunger and physical hunger. I can now easily tell. I'll eat till I burst the sleeve. This goes along with the hunger. I feel perfectly satisfied with 4-4.5 oz of food. I'm actually more satisfied than I was with 3-4 cups of food pre-op. That can't possibly be explained until you experience it. My long-term fear now is that I'll become complacent at my goal weight and return to old habits: less exercise, more carbs, calorie-dense foods. I'm very habitual and if I have a donut one day, I'll have it every day for weeks.
I've made it a big goal to keep realistic about my expectations with the sleeve. I try to never lose sight that it's a tool and doesn't given me free reign to eat anything that I can get into the sleeve.

@@nerkerle
I dont have any children but I can say you will be feeling back to yourself in about a week. I would just recommend resting as much as possible within that week because the hardest part for me was the anesthesia. It takes a little while for you to kick that out of your body. Other than that you will be golden.

Great posts @@Stephanie Stroup McIntosh and @@Miss Mac! And I totally hear ya both! So much of my eating is habitual and based on how I grew up. For me, food was/is a reward system.
Now that I'm so much more aware of how few calories I need to maintain a healthy weight, it's rather disturbing to think how much food I used to slam down my gullet. I think I've successfully changed my habits. I don't really think of food in terms of rewards...it's for health.
Hopefully I can maintain this way of thinking. I've done the yo-yo of course, so there's that fear that all of us have, but feeling really confident that the surgery is helping me for the long haul. And right now that long haul!
Best of luck to everyone!

Great posts @@Stephanie Stroup McIntosh and @@Miss Mac! And I totally hear ya both! So much of my eating is habitual and based on how I grew up. For me, food was/is a reward system.
Now that I'm so much more aware of how few calories I need to maintain a healthy weight, it's rather disturbing to think how much food I used to slam down my gullet. I think I've successfully changed my habits. I don't really think of food in terms of rewards...it's for health.
Hopefully I can maintain this way of thinking. I've done the yo-yo of course, so there's that fear that all of us have, but feeling really confident that the surgery is helping me for the long haul. And right now that long haul!
Best of luck to everyone!

As a young child, I grew up poor. We rarely ate out or got special treats. As I got money of my own, I spent it on the foods that I wanted but could never have. I am sure that this was a large part of me becoming overweight. Everywhere I would go, I would think about food. Where would I eat? What would I eat? I almost felt like I needed to eat everywhere that I went, even if I wasn't hungry. I think it was because I could eat in these situations, where as a child/teen I would have never been able to eat.
Fast forward to my 3 week post-op experience... I went to a baseball game last night for a buck night special. Hot dogs, beer, pepsi, and popcorn were only $1. Its a good thing I am still so close to surgery, because it was hard to refuse these items that really are on the top of my favorite foods list. It rained, which I think helped too. At least that way I didn't have to smell the popcorn.
food has such a hold on so many of us. Its a daily effort to remember why we had surgery and why we are changing our lives. Let's all drink a Protein shot to our successes and move on from our failures.

You hang in there! You will have the surgery, but we want you as healthy and as safe as possible for the surgery.
Positive vibes your way!

You hang in there! You will have the surgery, but we want you as healthy and as safe as possible for the surgery.
Positive vibes your way!

Thank you for sharing your story!
Losing weight opens up so many opportunities to extend life and enjoy life. You have a wonderful attitude about Thomas. It is indeed more about health than vanity. Wanting somebody healthy is definitely caring.
Best of luck to you both!

When I first started my journey last year, I would go to the gym and hated the mirrors everywhere. I tried to distance myself from them whenever I did cardio. But I'd be pumping away on the elliptical and catch a glimpse of myself and think it was someone else, then the dread realizing it was me and how much I had to lose. I thought I looked like a rhino in sweats.
About a year later...I remember the first time I caught a glimpse of myself wearing a medium compression shirt and I still thought it was someone else at first. But this time I was elated to realize it was me.
So, this is a bit vain, but I now do cardio right next to the damn mirror! And I look GOOD!
I used to avoid looking at myself in the mirror. I don't even have any pre-op photos, except my driver's license. I deleted any photo that people sent of me.
Now it's like I'm re-introducing myself to myself. It's very strange. But a good kinda strange.
Best of luck to everyone.

Almost everything you eat during your recovery is "as tolerated," so take it easy, don't worry, it will get better. If your frankensleeve grumbles at a certain food, try it again in a month.
If you have serious concerns about any pain, please consult your surgeon ASAP.
Best of luck!

Ooops, I forgot to answer.
My surgeon allowed full cardio one week post-op and weightlifting one month post-op. You should always follow your surgeon's directives, of course.
Keep in mind that you are still recovering and your caloric intake is likely low, so definitely do not overdo it at the gym. Start off slow with reasonable workout lengths and build up over the upcoming months. It's very important to stay hydrated when working out because it's likely harder for you to take in liquids also.
Best of luck to you!

Hi!!! My name is Ella. Many years ago I met and fell in love with a wonderful, warm, caring, gentle, giving, loving,BEAUTIFUL man named Thomas. Time and place separated us, but somehow we always managed to find each other somewhere again. I guess it was just simply meant to be. As long as I have known and loved Thomas he has been the size he is now. He has always, not struggled with his weight, but for better choice of words wanted better for himself health wise and also cosmetically. i tell him time and time again that I fell in love with him for WHO he is not what he looks like. But this surgery has always been at the back of his mind as something he has wanted to do. While it is a scary thing for me, as i have seen someone go through this surgery and have many complications, I guess you could sum it up like this.....I could lose him on the operating table yes.......but I could also lose him many other ways as well. So I have been really trying to put my fears aside and fully embrace this with him and what it will mean for us and our relationship. I was happy to find this site, as I have been wanting to talk with some other fellow spouses of people who have had this surgery done. Thanks for allowing me to share our story and I look forward to hearing from y'all soon!!!

Strength training to help minimize loose skin. Work major (largest) muscle groups. Don't waste time on teensy muscles. Cardio for overall endurance.

Love your avatar pic! I know how you feel.
These are the phases I followed:
http://www.360bariatrics.com/360-process/bariatric-diets/
My vegetables are low-carb like broccoli, green Beans, onions, and so on. In all likelihood you won't be able to get enough vegetables in to do much damage no matter which vegetables you choose. But I prefer low carb simply to avoid triggering cravings.
I mix my vegetables with my Protein, but weigh everything as I'm preparing my meals...usually 3 oz Protein plus 1-2 oz of veggies.
Best of luck to you!

You're on the 'other side' and recovering...every day will get better! Probably faster than you think!

Congratulations on your surgery! Please be very careful with your recovery. Even though the recovery can be fairly quick, it's still a major surgery and you may have to put a few things in life aside for the sake of your health.
Best of luck on your surgery and sleeved life!

No idea how the science works.
https://asmbs.org/patients/benefits-of-bariatric-surgery this is a very simple explanation on hormones etc.

Before committing to weight loss surgery, make sure you’re doing it for yourself. That’s the only way you’ll be able to make it work.

Hi @@dimples 03
The veterans forum has some great advise to check into. Do you know how to find the different forums on the site?
Always get to basics when all else fails
Protein, Log food, Cut Carbohydrates, Get Water in and work out.

Deal with it.
You WILL have wings again.
(Said with empathy.)

I have a big pile in my closet as well. My head still hasn't caught up (or down?) with my actual size and I think I'm much bigger than I am. It's actually an exhilarating feeling and a very strange thing to try and accept mentally. Yes, I can fit into 32 pants and medium (and even some small) shirts.
There is that niggling in my head that I should keep some of the larger clothes "just in case." No...just no!
These mental battles in my head are rather disturbing when I type them out.

Well, I made a simple curry sauce and added a can of chicken to it for lunch today. I ate a small portion very slowly. And, drum roll........ I didn't puke! Thanks everybody!

I had my sleeve on Thursday, April 9th. The major problems I have had are trapped gas (of course), and when I swallow a drink it hurts across my chest (like a spasm maybe?). I have also been going through the "what have I done to myself" phase as well. Can anyone help me through this? I really need some encouragement.

Hello from Dallas! Congratulations on your choice to sleeve! Best of luck on your journey!