JewelTee

Did you guys bring your suitcase to OCC from hotel? Or just shove what you need in your purse and only the clothes you wore there

I wish I had brought a large bag or backpack. I had to bring the stuff I wanted in my suitcase, because it didn't fit in my purse.

Mine is next Monday, the 4th, with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC.< /p>

I just read back what a I wrote on my phone yesterday and I see that I made what I was alluding to seem like a big, high-intrigue deal, lol (sorry about that!).

What I wanted to warn about (if you are not telling anyone about your surgery) is to resist the remarks about "you're getting TOO thin" as you approach a healthy BMI of 24-25 ... I had made my new habits of Protein first, few carbs, etc,etc. second nature, but I started getting those remarks from a few female friends (whom I hadn't told) when I hit about 24.5 BMI ... I let someone convince me that I should stop being SO intense about dieting and I ended up switching to just eating less of "whatever." This worked until about 8-9 months post op (I maintained at 24.5 BMI for four months after making that change), but then I started gaining about a pound a month from months 9-13 and I put on 9 or 10 lbs in month #14 (related to taking steroids, but still). I got rid of those 9lbs from the steroid month, but the last few pounds down to a 24 BMI again are STUBBORN indeed (I won't give up).

What I want to suggest is that you plan to reduce down to a LITTLE bit below your "I'd-be-fine-with-that" goal weight DURING your honeymoon (preferably the first 6-7 months of being sleeved). Then you'll have an acceptable range to bounce up in to when the honeymoon is over and your body stops being able to shed pounds for you INSTANTLY the moment you eat virtuously/on program (many veteran sleevers are finding the change to their metabolism is not permanent and they need to REALLY work it during the honeymoon). I think this is way easier to do if you've told everyone about your surgery because they will know you have a new tool and are not just newly anorexic. If you haven't told, some folks will find your rigidity troubling and will do gentle (or not-so-gentle) interventions on you. ( I always intended to reduce to 150 when I got my sleeve, but I slowed down after 4-5 months at 154-57 when the remarks started happening. I wish to HECK now that I'd just kept my head down and gotten there because losing is a WAY slower process now.

Hope that makes sense and best wishes to all as you gear up for all the exciting changes to come!

Thanks for your reply! I think it's definitely something I should keep in mind. The last time I lost a bunch of weight a friend made a comment to my mom that she didn't think I knew when to stop, and looking back, I can see how it affected me subconsciously. Of course I gained it all back, plus some.

Kudos on a gracious reply, Bruce. I was around a 32 BMI at time of surgery w high BP, high cholesterol & increasingly high blood sugar (which all resolved within a month or two).

I do want to come back to this thread and warn you all about an issue I had as a "telling no one - low BMI" patient though. (Just can't do it right now because I can't type very well on my phone!)

Best to all.

Still wanting to hear your experience, when you get a chance, as I'm in a similar position with lower BMI and not planning to tell anyone but immediate family. My sleeve is scheduled for May 4.