Mrs. Reid

Had it on a Wednesday ... Went home Thursday ... Went back to work Monday !!! Felt great and I am 58

This is one reason I'm not telling people about my surgery. At the initial information class at the bariatric clinic, another person told me "You're not that big" I told her I was much heavier than I looked. For me, I just want to avoid the negative vibes. People have their own reasons for saying the things they do. Maybe they think they are giving me a complement when they say I don't look big enough for surgery. I don't care what their reason is, I don't want to hear it. This is my life and I am responsible for my health. This is the way I am going to get healthy and stay healthy for the rest of my life.

This is one reason I'm not telling people about my surgery. At the initial information class at the bariatric clinic, another person told me "You're not that big" I told her I was much heavier than I looked. For me, I just want to avoid the negative vibes. People have their own reasons for saying the things they do. Maybe they think they are giving me a complement when they say I don't look big enough for surgery. I don't care what their reason is, I don't want to hear it. This is my life and I am responsible for my health. This is the way I am going to get healthy and stay healthy for the rest of my life.

This is one reason I'm not telling people about my surgery. At the initial information class at the bariatric clinic, another person told me "You're not that big" I told her I was much heavier than I looked. For me, I just want to avoid the negative vibes. People have their own reasons for saying the things they do. Maybe they think they are giving me a complement when they say I don't look big enough for surgery. I don't care what their reason is, I don't want to hear it. This is my life and I am responsible for my health. This is the way I am going to get healthy and stay healthy for the rest of my life.

This is one reason I'm not telling people about my surgery. At the initial information class at the bariatric clinic, another person told me "You're not that big" I told her I was much heavier than I looked. For me, I just want to avoid the negative vibes. People have their own reasons for saying the things they do. Maybe they think they are giving me a complement when they say I don't look big enough for surgery. I don't care what their reason is, I don't want to hear it. This is my life and I am responsible for my health. This is the way I am going to get healthy and stay healthy for the rest of my life.

I'm in the same boat. I am 250lbs but according to most, I don't look it. I hypothetically mentioned to a good friend that if I ever got as big as my mom I would get weightloss surgery...and she flipped out. Saying "you're not that big." Although I'm flattered she thinks I'm beautiful it annoyed me to my core that she wouldn't respect my decision.
Fast forward to October when I finally made the decision I only told my older sister...who coincidentally also wants the VSG.
As of right now, I've decided to keep it a secret until after the surgery and there are positive results with no complications. As of right now surgery is April 2015...so I will "come out" about my surgery October 2015.

I just thought of another one I could use: My insurance company believes that my health status is a concern and a liability. I agree with them. They are willing to pay for surgical intervention. Again, I agree with them as other methods have proven unsuccessful....ha! That one might be for co-workers, tho.....if/when it comes up...

Hello my Fellow Afro American Sleevers!!
I sleep, eat, and drink having this sleeve done!!!! Omg!! Well I've gone thru all the necc steps and have approval, my Surgery date is 10/10 and I start my 2wk pre op 09/26/14...im excited and freaking out at the same time, but all in all im ready for this change. My current fear is skin sagging and butt deflating. I have a large body frame so me being my current weight im still in a size 18 so I just hope and pray that ill just deflate the excess and keep my curvy figure LOL!!
I do wish you all the best on your journey to a better you!!

I know just how you feel! I ordered this book on Amazon..it's called 'The Emotional First Aid Kit: A practical guide to life after bariatric surgery. I was highly recommended by a lot of people who had the surgery. It talks a lot about how life/people/your situation changes after the surgery. I want to have everything I need to make this a success. I want to be as prepared as I possibly can to make this happen.

Hey there! I have just started on this journey. I have my first nutrition appointment next Friday. I am hoping to get approved so I can have surgery in January. It is so important to me to get approved and I can relate to the "Dear God" thing. I am trying to stay positive and only let myself visualize success. This is so important to me as I am sure it is for you. We can all obsess over this together

Congrats girl! You got this!

No question, this is a crazy journey you are about to embark on. That said, I have a 90% sleeve. They tell me my doc does a smaller than average pouch and I. Am. Fine. You'll find your "new normal" post-op. The first month was hard while my stomach was swollen. I ate with a baby spoon and struggled to get my fluids and Protein in, but worked my way up to 75+g per day and 64oz of Water. At 3 months I could eat about 2 oz of moist meat. At 6 months no more than 4oz. Today, I'm satisfied on 4oz of most food... 1/2 cup of chili, 1 Chipolte taco, 1 egg with a slice of cheese on it.
I used to struggle with "dieting". Today, I eat what I like how I like it in very small quantities. I cannot over eat because it makes me physically ill. I choose Protein first 95% of the time. I eat carbs. :-o, yes, CARBS! I exercise 5 days per week, (yes, this is a new habit for me) and an active body needs carbs to function. I work the things I want, (chocolate) into my day around the things I need, (protein). For me, the key has been to move my body, get my protein and never, ever over eat. The rest has kind of taken care of its self. This has been the best gift EVER, to be free from an obsession with food!

I know people have different approaches to things, and different psychological makeup; some are more dramatic-types, others, not. Go into a surgery with your head thinking POSITIVELY. All those negative thoughts, and negative energy, brings negative results, poorer outcomes.
Recovery doesn't have to "suck."
Yes, some things will feel differently than usual. You'll have incisions (and some pain/tenderness), because yes, you've been cut. Healing occurs. Swelling must go down. There are initial restrictions. You may have a drain which, yes, is uncomfortable for a while.
Accept things as what they are and why; don't make it worse than it has to be.
Seriously...patients who go into a procedure with all that dread and negativity mostly have more negative results. Some anxiety is normal; but if you're negative and really dreading, then wait until your spirit is more calm and accepting of what you're about to do...and why.
Negative patient energy is not a good thing for anyone, especially the patient. Best wishes for a great, successful surgery and an uneventful recovery.

I know just how you feel! I ordered this book on Amazon..it's called 'The Emotional First Aid Kit: A practical guide to life after bariatric surgery. I was highly recommended by a lot of people who had the surgery. It talks a lot about how life/people/your situation changes after the surgery. I want to have everything I need to make this a success. I want to be as prepared as I possibly can to make this happen.

I know just how you feel! I ordered this book on Amazon..it's called 'The Emotional First Aid Kit: A practical guide to life after bariatric surgery. I was highly recommended by a lot of people who had the surgery. It talks a lot about how life/people/your situation changes after the surgery. I want to have everything I need to make this a success. I want to be as prepared as I possibly can to make this happen.

I can not believe I will be sleeved tomorrow !!!!! I'm not sure how I'm feeling. Just praying that all goes well. Best wishes for everyone who is getting sleeved tomorrow & in the up coming months...

I am saving up my paid time off. I am planning to take 2 weeks starting the day before I have surgery. I am not telling my employer what I am doing during my time off and will not tell then once I return.

I am saving up my paid time off. I am planning to take 2 weeks starting the day before I have surgery. I am not telling my employer what I am doing during my time off and will not tell then once I return.

Thanks :-) I would say that two things impacted my success this far. The first would be disciplined eating. I stick to my numbers....75 G Protein, no more than 30-40g carbs & 100 oz Water. Pretty simple.
Second though, and equally important, is the hard emotional work I've done to beat emotional eating & compulsive overrating behaviors. Doing the physical work alone without working on the mind wouldn't have been enough for me.

So I've been waiting for this for a while, but now I can say that I have lost more than I weigh! I've literally lost MYSELF!!
Weight: 138.6
Weight Lost: 139.8
Sweet!!

I was sleeved the 14th of September in Tijuana with Dr. E. Ortiz at a lighter me. It was easy, no pain, no problems, no issues. I paid $4,400 US.
I have found that at this point you can't over eat, nor can you really eat anythng you shouldn't as it comes right back up. Small bites, chew, chew, chew and enjoy. My story is a little different as I work away from home, and went back to work a week after being sleeved. I work eight hours from home, in a very remote location 1.5 hours from the closest small town, so I've had to make due with what I brough with me, and what the camp I'm staying in can provide.
You can eat the turkey, you can eat the stuffing, you can eat what ever, but really small portions and slowly, enjoy this new tool, but don't let it rule your life! The most important thing is Protein, get in as much of that as possible!

I am going to have surgery in the middle of a Minnesota winter. Last year we had temps 20 below zero for days in a row. I know my fat insulates me....I guess some of the new clothes I will have to buy are more sweaters!

I am going to have surgery in the middle of a Minnesota winter. Last year we had temps 20 below zero for days in a row. I know my fat insulates me....I guess some of the new clothes I will have to buy are more sweaters!

Hey there! I have just started on this journey. I have my first nutrition appointment next Friday. I am hoping to get approved so I can have surgery in January. It is so important to me to get approved and I can relate to the "Dear God" thing. I am trying to stay positive and only let myself visualize success. This is so important to me as I am sure it is for you. We can all obsess over this together

Wow, that is really inspiring! I'm glad you stuck to it. I don't anticipate any problems getting my team to get clearance for me, but if I do, I know how to stand firm. Good luck with the approvals!