downsizingme

I lost 60 pounds PreOp and received lots of questions about what I was doing to lose the weight. I would always answer that I follow a high protein/low carb diet with consistent exercise. After I had the sleeve done (and no one at my work knows), my coworkers just say comments like, "Wow, your lifestyle changes are really working" or they've begun asking me again about what I am doing. And I give them the same response as before.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I have spent so much of my life worrying about what other people think that the biggest challenge of this surgery may be learning to take care of myself and not worry about others. I'm a very private person as well and I have to give myself permission to put my needs before others' curiosity.

I was so wrapped up in myself the first couple months (you really have to be) that I used to fret about what friends and clients would notice what I was or was not eating at lunches and other public functions. The truth was, nobody cared or even noticed. I don't think about it at all anymore.

I have had these same concerns! I have not had surgery yet, so I've decided not to tell my friends until I know for sure everything will work out. My closest friends are going to be difficult NOT to tell because they are so nosey!! and I'm so bad at lying!! Therefore, I have decided to tell my closest friends because of that and I expect they will be good support for me. Other acquaintances, however, I think I'm just going to say that I'm on high Protein and low carbs to better control my type 2 Diabetes. I just can't wait for a thinner life!! I'm so proud and happy for those of you who have already done it!! I'm a little afraid of some of the possible complications; hair loss, heartburn, diarrhea, Constipation, and not being able to get in enough Protein and/or Water. I've read SO much about all these complications!! I'm planning to stay positive though and get through this and enjoy life again!!

No one has asked. I have gained and lost weight so many times since I've been working at my job that I think everyone is just used to my constant fluctuations. By the time they realize I'm not re-gaining this time around, they will probably be too ashamed to ask, having not commented or complimented me as I was losing.
As for eating around coworkers, I still participate in office parties and whatnot, I just only eat high Protein options and not very much. If anyone asked, I would just tell them I'm doing high-protein/low-carb and leave it at that.

Don't tell unless you want to. My coworkers noticed but I was honestly working on my weight even before considering surgery and lost 20lbs post so far.
When they ask me if I lost weight I simply reply, "Yes." and surprisingly they don't ask anything further. They just say, "You look good."
I'm a very private person. I didn't even realize how private until people started getting shocked about learning about me on the job. (I've been at my job for almost 10 years) I have just never really opened up.
My thought behind it is once I tell, I can't even untell.

Pac-woman - the itching is likely from your skin being dry - you're not getting all the nutrients your body needs and your skin is likely suffering a little as a result. I've noticed the same itching / dry feeling. Probably a little dehydrated too.

I'm almost 4 months post op and I only hurt when I eat bad things and that's mental hurt lol. If anything I feel amazing! I really noticed how less aches I have throughout my body. I've lost 58lbs and I feel amazing. The other day and work I had to lift 30lbs and thought to myself wow I had to carry this plus more before wow no wonder I was in pain. I don't know how long your post op but maybe it's still pain from the surgery.

I haven't felt pain. But you know what I have felt? Itchy. My skin around my tummy, and back of my legs are so itchy at night. I literally wake up in the middle of the night and lather up with lotion so it stops and I go back to bed. I don't know if it is dehydration, dry skin, or fat shrinking. lol
Just like your stomach itches when it is stretching and your getting fat, I wonder if it is the same thing the other way around.

Praying for you! Congrats!

Sending up prayers for both you and your surgeon that GOD will bless his hands and you will have no complications and a speedy recovery. Hugs!

not a great photo...but best I can do by myself in the office
I definitely have some loose skin...but I'll take it!

For the past couple of months, I have came on here; whined, complained, bitc##d, begged for advice, and most importantly vented about my lack luster and disappointing weight-loss. I've had to laugh when the nutritionist and doc told me I have to eat more calories then most VSG patients because my body was starving, because I'm so big. And I'm talking like double what most VSG patients eat. Clearly there's no room for that in my "Baby Belly".
But today I decided, I'm effing over it, maybe not the venting, lol, but most definitely the bitc##ng and complaining part. What led me to this amazing moment of clarity and enlightenment? It's when I finally start realizing that I have had Non-Scale-Victories happening all around me, but I was to engulfed in my self pity to recognize them.
For starters, I have lost 2 shirt sizes, I've only lost 65lbs SINCE SURGERY, but I have lost 2 shirt sizes, down from a 6xlt, sometimes 7xlt to a 4xlt. I also have lost 6-8 pant sizes (depending on the pants...lol). I no longer have to sit 5ft away from the wheel to accommodate my super super super sized belly, while driving. I don't spill over in every chair I sit in anymore. I no longer force feed myself and allow myself to cover up stress with 6000+ calories a day. Although the wieght-loss isn't coming to me as fast as it is for some of my VSG buddies, it's okay, because it's still coming off. Walking from my basement to my second story is not nearly as laboring as it use to be. I don't need 101 medication to regulate and counter regulate my bodies comorbidities. I have achieved a new found level of mental clarity in my life. I can shop at Macy's. I can jog at 4.9mph on the treadmill, up from a 2.7mph walk.
And today, I had the NSV that is more important than all of them combined, that is; I FLIPPING love who I'm becoming!
So here it is, my Declaration of Independence from the Scale! In my household it's officially, No-Scale-November, meaning no weighing myself for the whole month of November.
Victory for Me! Because it's all going to work itself out. Fidem Servare!!! Latin for "Keep the Faith"