LovinSoul

Yep...I got busy walking as soon as I felt ok, about a week? And have had almost no issues. In the last few months I did have two vasovagal attacks when I accidentally ate too fast and overdid it a bit. I fainted at the dining room table! Scared the heck out of my family but know now that I really have to be careful not to overeat even a mouthful. Otherwise, smooth for me too...losing consistently now but more slowly.

Nope. Nope. Nope.
I can't imagine the blow to one's self esteem that would be if a perfect stranger handed you such literature. (You being general/plural.) It's not as if these young women don't KNOW they are fat. It's not as if they don't KNOW they are making bad choices. It's not as if they know ME or know my intentions.
Nope. For me that's a big nope.

@@onmywaytobeingfound
Hi! As it turns out, I have exactly the same challenge. Now that I've lost weight, I've had to find bras 42A. I found those online. Leading Lady brand and they fit great and are comfy. Swimsuits are my challenge now. I like Lands End swimsuits. They are usually well made and I have seen a few that seem less rigid in the bra area. This works for me. I'm not so concerned about support. Just with coverage and fit, which seems pretty ok. I noticed a suit that had an 18 in a plus bust size but also had a size 18 in bust size "regular". I was thinking to try that and see. I'm a little larger than an 18 but thought it might be worth a try. Being a big girl with a small bust is very hard...

I'm Cheryl and I'm thrilled to have found this online community and have been reading your posts! This is my first, so to start I'll tell you a little about me and my journey.
I'm a retired public high school counselor who lives in central New Jersey in a beautiful little town on the Delaware River. I love it here and I love my home, my family (teenage daughter, husband and grown steps, and their children) and I love being retired. Being a school counselor was great, but now on with another show!
I've basically always been overweight or obese since early childhood except for short periods when I was in a growth spurt. My weight increased throughout my life: in my teens (1970's) I weighed 170 lbs.+ and my highest weight was 318 lbs. in May 2014. There were many different "diets", many losses of 40 lbs. or more and inevitable regains of even more weight. After the birth of my daughter in 1998 I stopped the yoyo-ing. Basically I had decided that if I couldn't succeed in keeping off the weight, I wouldn't keep killing myself trying. But you know how that comes out...I just kept gaining! I hated exercise. And it got worse and worse.
Throughout the years I developed hypertension, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, fatty liver, joint issues (two hip replacements, arthroscopic knee surgery, ankle surgery). I was watching myself slowly dying! And finally I made the decision to reclaim my life, found the greatest surgeon and program, and had the sleeve in Sept. '14. I am ecstatic that I did it! I've lost 78 pounds to date and made huge changes. Eating better (and lots less of course), joined a great fitness club with my very supportive hubby and we go 4 or 5 times a week. I'm so much stronger! I work with a personal trainer a half hour a week (critical for me since I knew nothing about exercise, fitness and how to maximize it for myself with known joint issues). I feel better than I have in 30 years!
Yeah...I have moments when I'm not so sure I can do this, but mostly, not! Because I am (doing it). And nothing succeeds like success.
So.........there it is. My journey in a tiny capsule, so far.
If you're pre-op, please let this be one story to quell your fears. I had them. We all do! But I can say that it has been the most positive life-affirming choice I have ever made to have this surgery.
Looking forward to hearing more from all of you!

I've liked LandsEnd. Variety of types and sizes.

Agree! Congrats on the best decision!

Thank you for sharing you journey! I also am a school counselor and my surgery is one week from today... Stories like yours are so inspiring!!!

I swear by Nature's Best Isopure RTD drinks with 40 G Protein. It's lactose & gluten free, easier on the stomach than shakes, and not as sweet. Trust me, you'll get sick of the artificial sweeteners in a lot of the shakes so have an alternative on hand.
Good Luck!

Hi there,
I am fairly new to the forum myself and I am in the pre-op stages of scheduling appointments, meeting with the nutritionist and working on a plan of minimizing my food intake a bit, not drinking 30 mins before and after eating, taking the time to chew my food and I must say its very hard - I am hoping that it will get easier post-op.

Hello! Thanks for sharing. It's a wonderful journey isn't it

Yep...I got busy walking as soon as I felt ok, about a week? And have had almost no issues. In the last few months I did have two vasovagal attacks when I accidentally ate too fast and overdid it a bit. I fainted at the dining room table! Scared the heck out of my family but know now that I really have to be careful not to overeat even a mouthful. Otherwise, smooth for me too...losing consistently now but more slowly.

Congrats Michelle! I'm 6 mo. post-op and had a similar experience to yours. Isn't it great to feel the control in your hands? Yay for you for sure! :-)

Hi Everyone,

My name is Michelle.

I'm a mother of 2 wonderful young men (at the time I'm writing this, they're 20 & 13).

I'm a remarried widow, to a man that makes my soul sing, my heart soar and my dreams come true each day that I wake up and see him next to me.

I'm of Italian / Greek decent, and my entire life was based around food.< /span>

I'm not an emotional eater, but there was always food around based on emotions, for example, lots of food for weddings, funerals, graduations, celebrations, birthdays, good days, bad days, etc.



A few years ago I looked into getting banded but my insurance wouldn't cover it.

I felt completely defeated, between being rejected for surgery, yo-yo diet plans, and everything that goes along with it.



Then, last year (2014) I decided to look into it again since my insurance company finally changed, and I noticed procedures did too. The sleeve caught my eye immediately and I researched it for quite some time before meeting with my dr and making the choice to move forward. And now, finally, on March 18, 2015 I'm getting the Gastric Sleeve procedure done and couldn't be happier to finally leave this old me behind and break out of this jail cell and walk in the sun of life again a free woman.

OFFICIAL SLEEVER NOW!!!
Had a great first day, lots of fluids, got up and did some laps around the nurse's station, had some friends and family come visit. Going home in a few hours. :-)

I had my 1 week post-op appt today and everything is great!
I'm down 15 lbs! Started at 253 and today at 238!!!
Yay me! LOL ????????????

I'm Cheryl and I'm thrilled to have found this online community and have been reading your posts! This is my first, so to start I'll tell you a little about me and my journey.
I'm a retired public high school counselor who lives in central New Jersey in a beautiful little town on the Delaware River. I love it here and I love my home, my family (teenage daughter, husband and grown steps, and their children) and I love being retired. Being a school counselor was great, but now on with another show!
I've basically always been overweight or obese since early childhood except for short periods when I was in a growth spurt. My weight increased throughout my life: in my teens (1970's) I weighed 170 lbs.+ and my highest weight was 318 lbs. in May 2014. There were many different "diets", many losses of 40 lbs. or more and inevitable regains of even more weight. After the birth of my daughter in 1998 I stopped the yoyo-ing. Basically I had decided that if I couldn't succeed in keeping off the weight, I wouldn't keep killing myself trying. But you know how that comes out...I just kept gaining! I hated exercise. And it got worse and worse.
Throughout the years I developed hypertension, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, fatty liver, joint issues (two hip replacements, arthroscopic knee surgery, ankle surgery). I was watching myself slowly dying! And finally I made the decision to reclaim my life, found the greatest surgeon and program, and had the sleeve in Sept. '14. I am ecstatic that I did it! I've lost 78 pounds to date and made huge changes. Eating better (and lots less of course), joined a great fitness club with my very supportive hubby and we go 4 or 5 times a week. I'm so much stronger! I work with a personal trainer a half hour a week (critical for me since I knew nothing about exercise, fitness and how to maximize it for myself with known joint issues). I feel better than I have in 30 years!
Yeah...I have moments when I'm not so sure I can do this, but mostly, not! Because I am (doing it). And nothing succeeds like success.
So.........there it is. My journey in a tiny capsule, so far.
If you're pre-op, please let this be one story to quell your fears. I had them. We all do! But I can say that it has been the most positive life-affirming choice I have ever made to have this surgery.
Looking forward to hearing more from all of you!

I'm Cheryl and I'm thrilled to have found this online community and have been reading your posts! This is my first, so to start I'll tell you a little about me and my journey.
I'm a retired public high school counselor who lives in central New Jersey in a beautiful little town on the Delaware River. I love it here and I love my home, my family (teenage daughter, husband and grown steps, and their children) and I love being retired. Being a school counselor was great, but now on with another show!
I've basically always been overweight or obese since early childhood except for short periods when I was in a growth spurt. My weight increased throughout my life: in my teens (1970's) I weighed 170 lbs.+ and my highest weight was 318 lbs. in May 2014. There were many different "diets", many losses of 40 lbs. or more and inevitable regains of even more weight. After the birth of my daughter in 1998 I stopped the yoyo-ing. Basically I had decided that if I couldn't succeed in keeping off the weight, I wouldn't keep killing myself trying. But you know how that comes out...I just kept gaining! I hated exercise. And it got worse and worse.
Throughout the years I developed hypertension, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, fatty liver, joint issues (two hip replacements, arthroscopic knee surgery, ankle surgery). I was watching myself slowly dying! And finally I made the decision to reclaim my life, found the greatest surgeon and program, and had the sleeve in Sept. '14. I am ecstatic that I did it! I've lost 78 pounds to date and made huge changes. Eating better (and lots less of course), joined a great fitness club with my very supportive hubby and we go 4 or 5 times a week. I'm so much stronger! I work with a personal trainer a half hour a week (critical for me since I knew nothing about exercise, fitness and how to maximize it for myself with known joint issues). I feel better than I have in 30 years!
Yeah...I have moments when I'm not so sure I can do this, but mostly, not! Because I am (doing it). And nothing succeeds like success.
So.........there it is. My journey in a tiny capsule, so far.
If you're pre-op, please let this be one story to quell your fears. I had them. We all do! But I can say that it has been the most positive life-affirming choice I have ever made to have this surgery.
Looking forward to hearing more from all of you!

Welcome! This is a great community and I think you can find lots of support and info here. Take your time and get to know the forums. So many friendly people going through every stage of this journey!

Thanks for sharing your story. I live in south Jersey!
I am 8 days post op & am happy to report my recovery has been absolutely flawless. Best decision.
Best of luck to you on this journey!

Hey Everyone
So my surgery is set for June 1st. Which to me seems like an eternity away. I decided to join this social site because it is difficult to talk to my friends and family about how I feel. Only 4 people in my life know and all 4 are against it but are still somewhat supportive.
I wanted to ask a few questions tho. Is it normal pre op to stuff your face. I feel like I am in a constant struggle between trying to diet and trying to stuff my face with food I know I might not be able to eat for like 2 months! Also I wanted to know how you stayed optimistic if your surgery was a long way down the road. Also are there any other June sleevers? My surgery is June 1st!
Hope to hear from you guys soon! Thanks!

I'm Cheryl and I'm thrilled to have found this online community and have been reading your posts! This is my first, so to start I'll tell you a little about me and my journey.
I'm a retired public high school counselor who lives in central New Jersey in a beautiful little town on the Delaware River. I love it here and I love my home, my family (teenage daughter, husband and grown steps, and their children) and I love being retired. Being a school counselor was great, but now on with another show!
I've basically always been overweight or obese since early childhood except for short periods when I was in a growth spurt. My weight increased throughout my life: in my teens (1970's) I weighed 170 lbs.+ and my highest weight was 318 lbs. in May 2014. There were many different "diets", many losses of 40 lbs. or more and inevitable regains of even more weight. After the birth of my daughter in 1998 I stopped the yoyo-ing. Basically I had decided that if I couldn't succeed in keeping off the weight, I wouldn't keep killing myself trying. But you know how that comes out...I just kept gaining! I hated exercise. And it got worse and worse.
Throughout the years I developed hypertension, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, fatty liver, joint issues (two hip replacements, arthroscopic knee surgery, ankle surgery). I was watching myself slowly dying! And finally I made the decision to reclaim my life, found the greatest surgeon and program, and had the sleeve in Sept. '14. I am ecstatic that I did it! I've lost 78 pounds to date and made huge changes. Eating better (and lots less of course), joined a great fitness club with my very supportive hubby and we go 4 or 5 times a week. I'm so much stronger! I work with a personal trainer a half hour a week (critical for me since I knew nothing about exercise, fitness and how to maximize it for myself with known joint issues). I feel better than I have in 30 years!
Yeah...I have moments when I'm not so sure I can do this, but mostly, not! Because I am (doing it). And nothing succeeds like success.
So.........there it is. My journey in a tiny capsule, so far.
If you're pre-op, please let this be one story to quell your fears. I had them. We all do! But I can say that it has been the most positive life-affirming choice I have ever made to have this surgery.
Looking forward to hearing more from all of you!