iamjamilyn

I was so thrilled when I slipped into a size 16, I was also a 22 moving up to 24 when I started. I cried my eyes out in the dressing room that day, in shock. I just finally got rid of 6 bags of clothes that I have not worn in months, but it was so hard to just let them go. Being that I am now comfortable in a 14, the size 22 just cannot work anymore with me ???? Congrats!

Thank you! This forum was very helpful post surgery, I wish I had found you in the 2 years it took me to make my decision! I enjoy coming here and helping other people know that there is light at the end of the tunnel! Great job!

I know what you mean. I have a big gap of me in pictures too. Hated having my picture taken. ????

Ft Lauderdale, FL

Beautiful!

Hi there! I find the forums here to be really great. I never had a band so my experience is a little different than yours. I have had great success with the sleeve and I am now about 10 months post op. Since you did the band, have you already been eating low carb for the last few years? That was the biggest adjustment for me...but I have found a lot of great low carb options that I like. I really like the Low Carbing with Friends group on Facebook. Good luck!

I had pain like that - wear something like "spanks" body shaper really helped me and made a huge difference, especially when I went back to work and had to sit up in a chair all day. Just having the extra support around my stomach helped.

Very nice, I really did not document my journey very well...but I like seeing this kind of stuff from people who do!

Welcome! I made my decision to do this one year ago on my birthday July 30, had my surgery in Oct and now 10 months out I am down 110 lbs and feel GREAT! I never thought I would feel so much healthier turning 45, than I did the last 10 years as my weight jus kept going up and up. I hope your journey is even more successful! This is a great place for information, welcome.

It will be a while before you can eat anything close to normal food - take your time. I have gotten great recipes from Low Carbing with Friends group on Facebook! It takes more effort to cook low carb but once you have the basic supplies you can make a lot of things you used to eat. I just tried low carb pan cakes, I won't lie and say they are just as good as a fluffy short stack but they were good! I liked them - no one else in my family did, but that is ok. I am now 10 months post op and it gets easier to make better choices. Try not to focus on what you can't have, find things you can have! I made a mousse kind of desert with cool whip, sugar free peanut butter and a sugar free fudge pop - I ate that a lot at the beginning! Good luck

I don't recall exactly how much I lost in the first month but I remember thinking it should have been more! I had lost about 10 lbs between the pre surgery liquid diet and the post surgery few days, I was down 10 when I got home. Then when I went back to the dr I was only down about maybe another 10 and I was upset too. Don't worry! 10 months out I am now down 110 and it is fabulous! It started moving after I got more active after recovery - don't sell that recovery short! You need to heal. Take your time, stick with the plan and it will happen. Good Luck!

I remember adjusting to this change - it is very differnt post op, you will adjust but because your diet is so different, it will be differnt too. I am glad you went to the ER if you had pain and could not see your Dr.

Are you opting for the sleeve? I would love to know! I was sleeved at 44, but I am only 10 months post opp, but I have no regrets and think it was the best decision I ever made. I have clearly made a lifestyle change that I am comitted to and I am confident that i will stay committed. I hope you found another doctor. Good Luck! Jami

I made my decision and had only talked about it with my husband, my kids and 2 very close family friends. As I grew accustomed to the decision, I did tell the rest of my family. People at work did not know before the surgery, but as I started losing weight I did tell a few people that I had WLS - people close to me. Eventually I was more open about it but I have still not posted about it on facebook or anything. I did post a before/ after picture when I hit 90 lbs down - because I was just so stinking happy about it. A few friends messaged me and asked what I had been doing with such success and I told them my story. I do not shout from the rooftops but I do tell someone if they ask. I am not ashamed and I tell people the truth - this is not the easy way out. It is a fantastic tool, but not a simple fix. I think it has helped me with the lifestyle changes that I have made but my surgery does not stop me from eating ice cream every night...but the fact that I am not really "hungry" or craving sugar the way I did before makes a huge difference. I understand both sides...I want everyone with a weight problem to know about this option, but I also am a pretty private person at heart.

That was a great article! I did have the 3 week stall and I feel like I am in another stall right now too 6 1/2 out. That news keeps me motivated! Thanks!

Welcome. There is a lot of great support and information here

Wow, I hope they get that worked out for you! I opted for the sleeve for just that reason. I have a friend who did the band and had to go back in twice. I am self pay and I knew I did not want to risk having to go back in for issues. I bought as much post op insurance as I could for any complications with the sleeve - so far so good! I do have coverage for 3 years but they say most complications are within 90 days and I am now 6 months. I hope you are approved!

I am 44 and I am 6 months post on Wednesday, I am surprised that I don't have a lot of loose skin! I have lost 86 lbs so far, I was at 300 DOS- I have gone down in size from a 22-24 to a 16 and I feel great. It may have to do with the way I carried my weight - "all over" instead of having large legs and hips or bust. At 44 I am not so worried about saggy skin, but I did think about it some! My bikini days are gone! LOL I have been going to the gym and I do have a trainer helping me. For me - that is a must.

I agree with the drinking. I never thought I would be able to not drink with my meals...boy was I wrong! I cannot drink with meals at all or I will lose it.

Are you wear any support around your stomach? I had that pain but started wearing spanx because sitting at work killed my stomach. It helped a lot- I had to get up and move too.

One thing a nurse told me in the hospital was to sip Water form the cap of the bottle! I was THE BEST advice I got to get through the first few days. It hurts if you drink too fast - the cap limits the amount and works. I highly recommend that...I am now 6 months post and feeling fantastic! No regrets...I know you are all nervous but know it is so worth it for your health. Good luck!

Sue how did you arrange to do surgery in Mexico? Are you going to have follow up here?

Hi Merrill and Sue! I am in so Florida too, Sunrise area. I was sleeved in Oct and am nearly 6 months post now. No regrets! I have had total support from all family and friends so I can't relate on that part. I do wish my husband would go to the gym with me more but I don't allow him not going to stop me. I am doing this for me and I know I can't allow things like that to distract me. He does not eat like I do (even though he should!) It is hard to see food in the house that I don't eat but that is part of my lifestyle change so I take it as a tool. Other people are not like me and will be able to eat differently than I need to eat, so we have to learn to deal! I feel so much better now that it just gets easier everyday.

I started to meal replace with the protein drinks before surgery just to get used to the idea. It helped!

You will feel better. You have to realize you have had a major surgery- it is hard to remember that with just a few band aids on your stomach. I am 6 mo post and it is a faint memory now