JaneJaneDoe

Just checking in to see how other Dec Sleevers are doing.
@Biloxigirl and @NewBeginning2015, I too am a 12/31/14 sleeve patient. It has been an AWESOME experience for me. My hubby is having it done in June. I feel like a different person with great energy and confidence. So happy for us all!

Surgery 12/31/14
Back to work 01/05/15 ---- just 5 days later
I went to back to work on day five and it was great. No one even knew I had surgery... still don't know. I work at a desk, so no manual labor or lifting. I wore "business casual" clothes with a binder (girdle thing that I wore for the first ten days under my clothes). It worked for me, but I know we are all different. Good luck!!!

I was off a total of 3 days for my surgery. I work in the garbage industry, primarily at a desk, except to go upstairs for the bathroom and other miscellaneous things. I had surgery on a Friday (so I took that day off obviously) was discharged on Sunday. Monday I went shopping (catch some of those left over black Friday deals), Tuesday I met with my surgeon and I returned to work on Wednesday. I was really pretty tired. But overall it was fine, I just wore stretchy/sweat pants.

Just checking in to see how other Dec Sleevers are doing.
@Biloxigirl and @NewBeginning2015, I too am a 12/31/14 sleeve patient. It has been an AWESOME experience for me. My hubby is having it done in June. I feel like a different person with great energy and confidence. So happy for us all!

I was sleeved December 31st 2014. Best decision of my life. I would love to find a weight loss buddy that had their surgery on the same day or close to it.

@@LisaLouBop it's going really well Lisa. I've had a couple of stalls that each lasted 2 weeks. But other than that, I'm loving life. Down almost 95lbs since starting this process. Best decision I've ever made

Umm.. brag moment besides my wine :-) im now 159lb!!

I have had THREE C-sections (plus on vaginal... 4 kids total) and ABSOLUTELY the VSG was a much, much easier recovery. And also much less post-op pain. That was my experience.

CFGirl, I feel like you; I could've written your post (with some minor changes). I am 45 yrs old, 5'4", 192... which equals a 33 BMI, which is OBESE. I have a myriad of issues: hypothyroid, yoyo dieting, high cholesterol, back/knee/foot pain, pre-diabetic. I'm just so DONE with feeling horrible. I really enjoy exercise and in the past have run multiple half marathons. But now I wake with a headache every morning, zero energy, joints hurt, back hurts. And have been told NOT to run because of further joint damage. I miss running. And I don't want to wait any longer to just get MORE UNHEALTHY. I have been researching for some time and my husband is supportive. I have an appointment scheduled for a consult with a reputable surgeon. I am determined. I assume I will be a self-pay patient, unless during the pre-op findings we find that insurance may step up to the plate. Nonetheless, I am determined to get off this yoyo / rollercoaster and get on with healthy living. I just want to say "thank you" to those other low BMI people out there. I have been reading this board for about six months and sometimes I am fearful of posting bc I may not be received well since "I'm not fat enough" and shouldn't even be considering this option. Sad.

CFGirl, I feel like you; I could've written your post (with some minor changes). I am 45 yrs old, 5'4", 192... which equals a 33 BMI, which is OBESE. I have a myriad of issues: hypothyroid, yoyo dieting, high cholesterol, back/knee/foot pain, pre-diabetic. I'm just so DONE with feeling horrible. I really enjoy exercise and in the past have run multiple half marathons. But now I wake with a headache every morning, zero energy, joints hurt, back hurts. And have been told NOT to run because of further joint damage. I miss running. And I don't want to wait any longer to just get MORE UNHEALTHY. I have been researching for some time and my husband is supportive. I have an appointment scheduled for a consult with a reputable surgeon. I am determined. I assume I will be a self-pay patient, unless during the pre-op findings we find that insurance may step up to the plate. Nonetheless, I am determined to get off this yoyo / rollercoaster and get on with healthy living. I just want to say "thank you" to those other low BMI people out there. I have been reading this board for about six months and sometimes I am fearful of posting bc I may not be received well since "I'm not fat enough" and shouldn't even be considering this option. Sad.

Hello - Well today i hit my 3 week mark. Things continue to go really well. I am honestly eating almost everything that is allowed in the 4-6 wk diet - in proper amounts. I have lost 18 lbs and couldn't be happier. I have had no issues. I feel good. I have energy. I am hydrating. I vomited one time - i gobbled down some chicken and potatoes. I think i had a moment of insanity - i inhaled like i used to and boom! But that was it! Super tool - i bet I don't do that again. I went to a party tonight - everyone complimented me on how fabulous I looked. Made me feel great! On to the next 3 weeks. Best decision I ever made!

Hi janejanedoe my Sergery date was 02 02 15 day of Sergery was 191 now 177 I'm 5,3 feeling great I'm going to work Monday back to normal

Just an update for those pre-op people who are wondering how post-op people are faring. It really helped me to read about other's experiences when I was pre-op and scared, nervous, etc, Hopefully this will help some of you.
Surgery: 12/31/14 (currently I am a month and a half post)
Height: 5'4"
High Weight: 195 (at first pre-op on 12/5/14)
Surgery Weight: 188 (no pre-op diet required for me)
Today's weight: 168 (27 total pounds lost... 20 since surgery ... lost 12lbs in the first 12 days, since then I'm losing at a rate of about 2lbs/week)
FOOD: I was on a liquid diet for first 8 days. I was extremely hungry day 8, same day as my post-op appt. Surgeon said to start slowly trying to eat real foods. I have and can eat ANYTHING now. I've thrown up ONCE, when I ate some chicken too fast at 14 days post op. Last night I ate about 4oz of filet mignon, a couple bites of au gratin potatoes plus a 1/2 glass of yummy cabernet (2012 Charles Krug, Napa). It was wonderful, zero issues. Drinking LOTS of Water... aim for 64oz of Water per day; I don't always make that goal, but I try (my massage therapist said she can really tell that I am super hydrated bc my skin looks great). I am eating Protein first with a total daily calories of ~500-600. Some people say they are not hungry the first year post; well, I have been. I'm okay with it. I just plan and always have a cheese stick or almonds to curve my hunger, not to graze on or snack on... just a few bites to curve until meal time. I stay away from bread, Pasta, and most sugars. I have a couple chocolate kisses when I just have to have some.
PYSCH: I have had ZERO depression. In fact, the reverse. I'm much happier knowing I have this TOOL to help me. Please know you still have to PLAN and follow an eating regiment; the sleeve is not a magic solution to our obesity. I am feeling great. sleeping great. Zero headaches (suffered from migraines). My snoring is just about gone!!!
EXERCISE: I have logged 56 miles since my surgery (started walking on treadmill two days post). Hoping to run a half marathon again in the fall.
WORK: I returned to work on January 5th, just 5 days post-op. I work in an office, thus no manual labor.
PHOTOS/MEASUREMENTS/CLOTHES: I took pre-op photos; I can't wait to take the after photos. I'm holding out until I'm close to my goal weight, then I will take the after photos. I also took pre-op measurements and have lost over 26 inches. Today I cleaned out some of my closet... giving away eleven pairs of size 14 pants... going to Goodwill donation!
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Hell YES! My hubby has been so encouraged watching my success, he has scheduled to have the surgery March 9th!
Good Luck to you all!!!

Just an update for those pre-op people who are wondering how post-op people are faring. It really helped me to read about other's experiences when I was pre-op and scared, nervous, etc, Hopefully this will help some of you.
Surgery: 12/31/14 (currently I am a month and a half post)
Height: 5'4"
High Weight: 195 (at first pre-op on 12/5/14)
Surgery Weight: 188 (no pre-op diet required for me)
Today's weight: 168 (27 total pounds lost... 20 since surgery ... lost 12lbs in the first 12 days, since then I'm losing at a rate of about 2lbs/week)
FOOD: I was on a liquid diet for first 8 days. I was extremely hungry day 8, same day as my post-op appt. Surgeon said to start slowly trying to eat real foods. I have and can eat ANYTHING now. I've thrown up ONCE, when I ate some chicken too fast at 14 days post op. Last night I ate about 4oz of filet mignon, a couple bites of au gratin potatoes plus a 1/2 glass of yummy cabernet (2012 Charles Krug, Napa). It was wonderful, zero issues. Drinking LOTS of Water... aim for 64oz of Water per day; I don't always make that goal, but I try (my massage therapist said she can really tell that I am super hydrated bc my skin looks great). I am eating Protein first with a total daily calories of ~500-600. Some people say they are not hungry the first year post; well, I have been. I'm okay with it. I just plan and always have a cheese stick or almonds to curve my hunger, not to graze on or snack on... just a few bites to curve until meal time. I stay away from bread, Pasta, and most sugars. I have a couple chocolate kisses when I just have to have some.
PYSCH: I have had ZERO depression. In fact, the reverse. I'm much happier knowing I have this TOOL to help me. Please know you still have to PLAN and follow an eating regiment; the sleeve is not a magic solution to our obesity. I am feeling great. sleeping great. Zero headaches (suffered from migraines). My snoring is just about gone!!!
EXERCISE: I have logged 56 miles since my surgery (started walking on treadmill two days post). Hoping to run a half marathon again in the fall.
WORK: I returned to work on January 5th, just 5 days post-op. I work in an office, thus no manual labor.
PHOTOS/MEASUREMENTS/CLOTHES: I took pre-op photos; I can't wait to take the after photos. I'm holding out until I'm close to my goal weight, then I will take the after photos. I also took pre-op measurements and have lost over 26 inches. Today I cleaned out some of my closet... giving away eleven pairs of size 14 pants... going to Goodwill donation!
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Hell YES! My hubby has been so encouraged watching my success, he has scheduled to have the surgery March 9th!
Good Luck to you all!!!

Just an update for those pre-op people who are wondering how post-op people are faring. It really helped me to read about other's experiences when I was pre-op and scared, nervous, etc, Hopefully this will help some of you.
Surgery: 12/31/14 (currently I am a month and a half post)
Height: 5'4"
High Weight: 195 (at first pre-op on 12/5/14)
Surgery Weight: 188 (no pre-op diet required for me)
Today's weight: 168 (27 total pounds lost... 20 since surgery ... lost 12lbs in the first 12 days, since then I'm losing at a rate of about 2lbs/week)
FOOD: I was on a liquid diet for first 8 days. I was extremely hungry day 8, same day as my post-op appt. Surgeon said to start slowly trying to eat real foods. I have and can eat ANYTHING now. I've thrown up ONCE, when I ate some chicken too fast at 14 days post op. Last night I ate about 4oz of filet mignon, a couple bites of au gratin potatoes plus a 1/2 glass of yummy cabernet (2012 Charles Krug, Napa). It was wonderful, zero issues. Drinking LOTS of Water... aim for 64oz of Water per day; I don't always make that goal, but I try (my massage therapist said she can really tell that I am super hydrated bc my skin looks great). I am eating Protein first with a total daily calories of ~500-600. Some people say they are not hungry the first year post; well, I have been. I'm okay with it. I just plan and always have a cheese stick or almonds to curve my hunger, not to graze on or snack on... just a few bites to curve until meal time. I stay away from bread, Pasta, and most sugars. I have a couple chocolate kisses when I just have to have some.
PYSCH: I have had ZERO depression. In fact, the reverse. I'm much happier knowing I have this TOOL to help me. Please know you still have to PLAN and follow an eating regiment; the sleeve is not a magic solution to our obesity. I am feeling great. sleeping great. Zero headaches (suffered from migraines). My snoring is just about gone!!!
EXERCISE: I have logged 56 miles since my surgery (started walking on treadmill two days post). Hoping to run a half marathon again in the fall.
WORK: I returned to work on January 5th, just 5 days post-op. I work in an office, thus no manual labor.
PHOTOS/MEASUREMENTS/CLOTHES: I took pre-op photos; I can't wait to take the after photos. I'm holding out until I'm close to my goal weight, then I will take the after photos. I also took pre-op measurements and have lost over 26 inches. Today I cleaned out some of my closet... giving away eleven pairs of size 14 pants... going to Goodwill donation!
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Hell YES! My hubby has been so encouraged watching my success, he has scheduled to have the surgery March 9th!
Good Luck to you all!!!

Just an update for those pre-op people who are wondering how post-op people are faring. It really helped me to read about other's experiences when I was pre-op and scared, nervous, etc, Hopefully this will help some of you.
Surgery: 12/31/14 (currently I am a month and a half post)
Height: 5'4"
High Weight: 195 (at first pre-op on 12/5/14)
Surgery Weight: 188 (no pre-op diet required for me)
Today's weight: 168 (27 total pounds lost... 20 since surgery ... lost 12lbs in the first 12 days, since then I'm losing at a rate of about 2lbs/week)
FOOD: I was on a liquid diet for first 8 days. I was extremely hungry day 8, same day as my post-op appt. Surgeon said to start slowly trying to eat real foods. I have and can eat ANYTHING now. I've thrown up ONCE, when I ate some chicken too fast at 14 days post op. Last night I ate about 4oz of filet mignon, a couple bites of au gratin potatoes plus a 1/2 glass of yummy cabernet (2012 Charles Krug, Napa). It was wonderful, zero issues. Drinking LOTS of Water... aim for 64oz of Water per day; I don't always make that goal, but I try (my massage therapist said she can really tell that I am super hydrated bc my skin looks great). I am eating Protein first with a total daily calories of ~500-600. Some people say they are not hungry the first year post; well, I have been. I'm okay with it. I just plan and always have a cheese stick or almonds to curve my hunger, not to graze on or snack on... just a few bites to curve until meal time. I stay away from bread, Pasta, and most sugars. I have a couple chocolate kisses when I just have to have some.
PYSCH: I have had ZERO depression. In fact, the reverse. I'm much happier knowing I have this TOOL to help me. Please know you still have to PLAN and follow an eating regiment; the sleeve is not a magic solution to our obesity. I am feeling great. sleeping great. Zero headaches (suffered from migraines). My snoring is just about gone!!!
EXERCISE: I have logged 56 miles since my surgery (started walking on treadmill two days post). Hoping to run a half marathon again in the fall.
WORK: I returned to work on January 5th, just 5 days post-op. I work in an office, thus no manual labor.
PHOTOS/MEASUREMENTS/CLOTHES: I took pre-op photos; I can't wait to take the after photos. I'm holding out until I'm close to my goal weight, then I will take the after photos. I also took pre-op measurements and have lost over 26 inches. Today I cleaned out some of my closet... giving away eleven pairs of size 14 pants... going to Goodwill donation!
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Hell YES! My hubby has been so encouraged watching my success, he has scheduled to have the surgery March 9th!
Good Luck to you all!!!

Just an update for those pre-op people who are wondering how post-op people are faring. It really helped me to read about other's experiences when I was pre-op and scared, nervous, etc, Hopefully this will help some of you.
Surgery: 12/31/14 (currently I am a month and a half post)
Height: 5'4"
High Weight: 195 (at first pre-op on 12/5/14)
Surgery Weight: 188 (no pre-op diet required for me)
Today's weight: 168 (27 total pounds lost... 20 since surgery ... lost 12lbs in the first 12 days, since then I'm losing at a rate of about 2lbs/week)
FOOD: I was on a liquid diet for first 8 days. I was extremely hungry day 8, same day as my post-op appt. Surgeon said to start slowly trying to eat real foods. I have and can eat ANYTHING now. I've thrown up ONCE, when I ate some chicken too fast at 14 days post op. Last night I ate about 4oz of filet mignon, a couple bites of au gratin potatoes plus a 1/2 glass of yummy cabernet (2012 Charles Krug, Napa). It was wonderful, zero issues. Drinking LOTS of Water... aim for 64oz of Water per day; I don't always make that goal, but I try (my massage therapist said she can really tell that I am super hydrated bc my skin looks great). I am eating Protein first with a total daily calories of ~500-600. Some people say they are not hungry the first year post; well, I have been. I'm okay with it. I just plan and always have a cheese stick or almonds to curve my hunger, not to graze on or snack on... just a few bites to curve until meal time. I stay away from bread, Pasta, and most sugars. I have a couple chocolate kisses when I just have to have some.
PYSCH: I have had ZERO depression. In fact, the reverse. I'm much happier knowing I have this TOOL to help me. Please know you still have to PLAN and follow an eating regiment; the sleeve is not a magic solution to our obesity. I am feeling great. sleeping great. Zero headaches (suffered from migraines). My snoring is just about gone!!!
EXERCISE: I have logged 56 miles since my surgery (started walking on treadmill two days post). Hoping to run a half marathon again in the fall.
WORK: I returned to work on January 5th, just 5 days post-op. I work in an office, thus no manual labor.
PHOTOS/MEASUREMENTS/CLOTHES: I took pre-op photos; I can't wait to take the after photos. I'm holding out until I'm close to my goal weight, then I will take the after photos. I also took pre-op measurements and have lost over 26 inches. Today I cleaned out some of my closet... giving away eleven pairs of size 14 pants... going to Goodwill donation!
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Hell YES! My hubby has been so encouraged watching my success, he has scheduled to have the surgery March 9th!
Good Luck to you all!!!

Well this morning I finally made it to goal! It took me exactly 7 1/2 months to get here and I'm totally thrilled with the entire journey! For those wondering how it happened so quickly, I can only say that I followed all the rules meticulously: 80-100 grams of Protein, no starches/sugars, some veggies, no booze/soda, and 64-120 ounces of Water every...single...day, plus daily walking and once a week workouts. I always had a plan for what I was going to eat, even at parties and restaurants, and if I deviated from the plan, it was always protein-based, like cheese, nuts and beef/turkey Jerky. So... going in, was I worried about missing out on food? Yes. Did I feel deprived during my journey? Nope, as my tag-line says, "Nothing tastes as good as slender feels!" What's next? Lose 4-5 more pounds so I can have a little wiggle-room and still stay at or below my goal weight. Will I go crazy now and eat all the stuff I've missed? I don't think so because I've tried to get my head straight about this being a lifelong effort. Can you do it too? Absolutely!!! Thank you to all who have given me support and guidance along the way. I hope I was able to help you too. And my plan is to keep coming here and posting my message about The Dreaded Week-3 Stall, because it almost broke me at the beginning of my journey. I wish everyone who reads this a world of success!!! If you want to ask questions or get tips on how I worked my program, send me a message and I'll try to give you a thoughtful answer. Okay, here are some embarrassing photos and some slightly less embarrassing photos.....

60 pounds to go and 80 pounds to be at my fantasy weight goal!! Super stoked!

So I bought my very first bikini yesterday! My skin on my stomach is a little saggy so I'm nervous to wear it but I'll work up the courage one day! This is a total NSV!

@@Nikkidoodlebug
I paid for my surgery out of pocket and if you watched me eat tonight, you'd have seen shredded chicken nachos, heavy on the lettuce.
NOW.. realistically, I ate like 3 tortilla chips covered with chicken, cheese, and lettuce. And I ate that because I only get a few bites of food - I am not going to choke down gross crap. And if I want chicken nachos, I will eat the chicken nacho - or two or 3 of them.
Three days ago, I had a piece of my kid's fudge.
About a week ago, I had 4 and a half of my husband's French fries.
At least twice a week, dinner for me used to be a big mac, a large fry, a large diet coke, and a hot fudge sundae - extra hot fudge. Now I've decided that a big mac doesn't deserve the space in Sleevie, diet coke takes up too much room.. so I just have 3 French fries and two bites of hot fudge sundae.
There are some foods that I don't like any more... but there's not that many.
I do my choices the way I do because if I ignore the cravings, they don't go away - they get bigger until I have a lot of trouble controlling the quality and quantity and speed of what I'm eating - and then I hurt and get very sick.
The rest of the time, I'm drinking Protein shakes and eating my lean Protein and my low carb veggies.. and I'm a walking fool.
I'm working my sleeve, and I feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

Hi everyone--
This is my first post, but I've been following everyone's stories on this site for the past year. I've gotten lots of great info and motivation from eveyone's topics, questions and answers.
My surgery was on Jan 20th. I can't believe one week has already gone by. So far, so good! Per my surgeon, I've started adding pureed foods today.
Been taking short walks outside for the past several days, and today walked around the block, which is about half a mile. Hopefully that's a good sign that healing is going well.
I'm so thankful I've made this decision, and that I have the first week behind me.
Just wanted to say hello to all of you!

Zero regrets. I am 26 days post. Feeling great. You will get there too. You will feel great... claim it! Wishing a better day/week/month for you!

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know.
I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc.
I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters.
So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

I had my husband take progress pics of me today, since it's 5 months out from when I had my "before" pictures taken one week before my surgery. I'm only down 39 pounds since my surgery on September 1, but I'm happy with my progress so far. I just started strength training, so hopefully I will start toning up some. You can see all the pictures in my gallery, but here are a couple for comparison: