ShrinkingPeach

Congrats! What an awesome present to yourself! Good luck!!

Agreed that it is probably stomach acid. If you feel the need to chew ice or sf popsicles are a good option. I also found that my sleeve makes more noise when digesting foods now. The part of the stomach that grinds up your food is now gone so noises will be more common, they don't necessarily mean you are hungry. Good luck!

Thanks @@Babbs for the link to your thread. I like the idea of taking my pic with other people to see the difference. It is crazy how our brains work isn't it?

I don't think there is a goal for a specific amount to shrink. The goal is to shrink as much as they think needed for a safe surgery. Just stick to the plan and your surgery will happen, Good Luck!!

Okay here goes. I have been overweight all of my life. This surgery has given me something I was never able to do on my own. So far I have lost 103 pounds with about 75 more to go. My question is this: When does the brain see the real me and not the old me? I know I no longer wear a 4x but an XL. I no longer wear size 32 pants but an 18. When I look in the mirror I see lots of extra skin but in my head I am still the fat girl. Did you do anything different to help you see the new you? Is there anything that helps? Thanks for any words of advice you can give! Cindy

Foods that put you at risk of overeating need to be reconsidered. Is it worth the calories and why do you want them? It may be that you are clinging to that comfort food that got you through something before. If we are eating to live and no longer living to eat then it should be easier to just say no to foods that are not good for us. There are alternative pastas out there made from veggies so at least they are a better choice but make no mistake, they are not low carb. Not judging just an observation, in the end it is your life alone and your decision what you eat. Good luck!

I also find that I lose the weight faster in some areas than others. My waist is the last to change as I go and this makes the sizing a bit different. I go down a size and it will be lose in my legs but tight in the waist for example. This crazy post-op life!

Being nervous is perfectly normal. I also felt going into this like what if it doesn't work? Yes, we can fail if we don't change our brains but you are going to have a wonderful new tool to help you along the way. Listen to your nutritionist, get creative so meals are not boring but eat for nutrition not for social time or for enjoyment and comfort. Research, research, research! Get help if you need to! We are all here for you! What an exciting Christmas present to yourself, the best one ever! Good luck! You've got this!

Agree with all the above comments. Everyone is different and recovery time is relative. Remember this is still major surgery and recovery time is to be expected. For me, I was off pain meds and up and driving on day 5 but would tire out easily. Do a little more each day and soon you will look back and see you are back to normal. Then with the weight loss you will gain even more energy!

The pre-op diet is certainly not fun but the hunger will pass. Around day 3 things will settle down and the routine begins. The eating schedule aspect continues after surgery so get used to it. lol Keep your mind on the prize and before you know it this part will be over. You may even lose a few pounds along the way! You've got this!!

Interesting article. I know for me that I have fewer doctor visits so less copays, less prescriptions I am on and more productivity at work due to more energy. It is a win-win as far as I can see!

I agree that you are absolutely not irrelevant. All the wonderful veterans have been such an excellent inspiration and resource. I am more likely to reach out privately with a question than blast it in the open. NOT because my questions are unintelligent but because I rarely have them and I want legitimate advice. I appreciate the veterans but do agree there is a certain contingent on here that are looking for validation for bad choices. I am only 5 months post-op so I am certainly not a veteran by any means but I am a very educated person on the process. I don't sugar coat things and when I see someone making bad choices I say so. I obviously have a grasp on the right things to do as I have lost 95 pounds so far. I have dialed back how much time I spend here tremendously due to the fact that some posts make my blood boil and it just isn't worth it. I miss sharing my successes but in the long run I am less irritated. I have difficulty just shaking my head at those post-op posters wanting to know when they can return to their old eating habits. Those people are the reason the surgeries, no matter which one you have, are less than a 100% success rate. In closing for the veterans who continue to post and share your stories, this girl is grateful!! You are all very relevant it is just that everyone doesn't have the capacity to appreciate what you have to offer and that is their loss!!

Bathroom stalls are huge!

I called Aetna once I knew it was all submitted and asked to speak to the pre-certification department. I explained that I knew all my info was submitted and was checking to see if they needed anything else. The squeaky wheel gets heard! Good luck!

Once all my paperwork was turned in it took 2-3 days for the approval. My doc's office caused a delay by taking forever to get it all turned in.

so far I have gone from a 9 to an 8. I no longer need wide width either!

Best feeling in the world!

Agreed that is a question for your surgeon...most likely you will take them the same as before but call to be sure.

Has been very helpful. I also see mine at post-op appts. I can email her anytime if I have a question. Good to have a partner in this with an education in nutrition, not just everything I read here.

It may be the Protein shake, get one without dairy. There are plant based ones, Water ones more like juice, etc. Try with unsweetened almond milk etc. Make sure you stay hydrated as that can cause nausea also. Sip, sip, sip! Hang in there it will get better!

You newest project IS you! Congrats and good luck!

The 3 week stall, if not fer here I would have panicked. Love the support here, and love helping others and giving ideas. Almost learn something every day and I def did my research before surgery. This board is amazing!

Diabetes management is amazing after surgery but not all are cleared by surgery or weight loss. For me, I was told to stop all meds (non-insulin dependent Type 2) day of surgery. Blood sugar has been stable for the 5 months since. I am, also in the normal cholesterol range and came off those meds at 3 months out. On a half dose of hbp med and soon to be off it as well. This is an amazing opportunity and the reason I did the surgery to be more healthy and that is definitely working!!

So happy for you guys!!

Very good analogy and love the Bless Their Hearts! The internet is not for the faint of heart...lmao