AfitRN2015

I did it!!! I got sleeved this morning and am feeling good! I have had very little pain other when I stood up and laid down again. I am so excited to start this life journey!!
I hope all you other June Sleevers get the best experience with your surgery and have quick recoveries!

Just a thought.........how about you figure how many calories you drink over a period of say......a month. Maybe that will help you see how this social activity is actually adding to your misery instead of your happiness. Will your drinking friends like you less if you cut back on the booze? Do you need to be drinking / drunk to have fun?
Maybe, just maybe, if you have surgery and lose enough weight to be able to embrace regular activity and exercise, you could find friends who like to hike instead of drink. Your current friends may be the only people in your current social universe, but they don't have to be.
One thing I have found out about losing weight is that we also lose inhibitions that were holding us back, too. That new thin you that is trapped inside the current hefty you may be an entirely different person. A healthier body and healthier outlook changes us. It is no secret that bariatric surgery exposes the raw dynamics of relationships, and there are a lot of examples on this site. Once you do lose weight and become thin and healthy, you my find that your current "friends" are threatened by the competition you will present. Think really hard about whether they treat you like a friend or like a joke.
I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do. Just don't let your current friendships determine your future health. Believe me, the health problems escalate quickly with obesity. You have to decide where the greater value is.
Hugs from Miss Mac in Chicago.

This is awesome!

Reached a big milestone today According to the BMI tables, I am now officially overweight! Started out as morbidly obese, wearing size 22/24 pants and 3 or 3X tops. Now in size 8 petite pants and medium tops! Went out to dinner with my parents last evening and they are concerned that I still want to loose more. They are having a hard time wrapping their head around the transformation -- a harder time than I am. After being heavy since age 6, I finally feel like my true self.
Can't express adequately how happy I am. A little bit sad over the lost time -- wish I had done this sooner -- but trying to stay focused and in the moment because this moment is GREAT!! So grateful for the inspiration and support I receive just by reading the posts on this board. It has been key to my process. I don't post that often, but I read a lot and have learned so much from the veteran sleevers. Also reading the posts from people waiting for their surgery and wrestling with the issues of navigating in a world not really designed for large people keeps me on track because I cannot allow myself to backslide -- the stakes are way too high.
Thanks for reading! I still have a bit more than 20 lbs to go (I think - will have to see how I look and feel as I get closer), but as I said, very happy to be overweight at last rather than obese!
Ellen

Congratulations. You are awesome!!! And I know what you mean--- I can't wait to be overweight. Isn't it amazing that a size 8 can be considered overweight! I started at 22/24/3x just like you. Got to 1x presurgery. I still have my postsurgery weight gain (just got home from hospital yesterday) and will be ecstatic when I get to size 8. Way to go!!!!

I understand completely what you mean! Isn't it ironic that size 8 is still considered to be overweight? I a. In the same position and when I think back on it, I can't even believe I haven't been this healthy and active my whole life! Congrats to us all!

I'm almost 8 months post op and I finally had a little breakdown yesterday because I realized I can and will meet my goal weight.
I thought, "Once I get under 200 I will be happy." While I did a little happy dance, I wasn't truly happy or convinced. I thought, "When I get to 180 I'll be happy." Then I got to 180 and it was very anti-climactic.
I mentioned to my mom my size 14's were starting to get baggy so she went through her closet and laid out a pile of 10/12's. I tried them on yesterday and they all fit. And I don't mean barely zipping up with muffin top. They looked great. My butt looked great. I finally got tears in my eyes and realized how far I had truly come. I'm only 18 pounds from my ultimate goal weight and if I decide to get a Tummy Tuck I could very well end up a 4/6. That blows my mind.
If you truly go into this understanding your success depends on the right mentality and use this surgery as a tool to help you reach your goals you WILL lose the weight. You will be successful. But you have to completely change the way you think about food. You don't live to eat, you eat to live.
I still struggle, and probably always will, with some trigger foods. Cake is one. Ice cream is another. They are a slippery slope for me and it's best (for me) to stay away from them.
If you need any help, advice or a listening ear along the way I'd be glad to help!

Yup got home today ! Just keep moving the more pain your in the more you need to move
When I first started drinking it was hard to swallow cause the bubbles from the anthesia but I just kept burping taking it slow etc

Ok I just mixed my pre made Protein Drink with SILK UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK. I blended it with ice in the blender. Ahhh! So much better than the sweet sweet taste of those drinks! Only 30 calories and 1 carb. Try it!

Welcome my surgery went without a hitch. One week post op looking forward to my future away from my "fatshell" too. Its a new world out here let's get out here let's get out there and enjoy it!

@@sugarbabe My surgery is on June 22nd. So far I feel fine on the pre-op diet. I've been on the Atkins diet for several weeks now. I did go through a 2-3 days of headaches when I first started that.

How wonderful to hear your survival story! Enjoy this week of anticipation for the 15th. My sleeve is scheduled for tomorrow, and I am so excited! I may not be so happy this time tomorrow , but I'm sure that will quickly pass. God bless you in your journey!

Hello! I am getting sleeved on 6/16/15! I have lost and gained back 250 pounds over the last 6 years. Frustrated and pissed I started researching other ways to loose weight. 2 years ago a friend of a friend got sleeved and lost 100 pounds! I was shocked! I started saving money and in a little over 5 weeks it will be my turn! I can't wait! I am 47, been married for 16 years, I, like u hate mirrors and pictures too. I am excited, nervous, happy, anxious and thrilled. Hopefully we can keep in touch and help each other on our journey. I don't know how to fill out the profile either! Haha????

@@sugarbabe You've got a good list going. I have several things to help get me through the post-op Clear liquids phase.
Vitamin Water Zero, Coconut Water, Isopure Protein water, Crystal Light, Pedialyte popsicles.
I also bought some popsicle molds. For clear liquid popsicles I use sugar free Jello and Crystal Light. I boil 1.5 cups of water. Dissolve the Jello in the hot water. Add 1.5 cups of prepared Crystal Light then freeze. Pretty tasty. I've tried freezing Protein shakes. While tolerable they had an odd texture. I may try mixing in some Jello to try to improve that.
I also like to vary the flavors of my Protein Shakes. I like to blend them with ice. (Tip: blend ice before adding protein to reduce bubbles) I use things like PB2, unsweetened cocoa powder, flavor extracts, Decaf instant coffee powder, to change up the flavors. I also add in some Stevia to offset the dilution caused by the ice.
Good luck!

Hi everyone.
Well my surgery date is set for 11th august. Bring it on!!! I just wanted to show you guys what is on my shopping list (its quite long) before i have my surgery. Just to reiterate that this is my personal list and im not suggesting that you absolutley need all of these things but here's what's on mine.
★ Protein shakes ( ive gone for Isopure zero carb shakes and clear juice, handy for clear liquid phase).
♥unflavoured Protein (to mix in Soups and drinks to meet my daily Protein requirement).
♥ truvia sweetner ( for tea and sweetening all kinds of stuff).
♥ blender (going for nutri bullet as it really gets all the bits whizzed up so really smooth shakes).
♥ liquid Multivitamin and mineral with 100% RDA. Calcium with vit D3 ( D3 absorbes Calcium better), Iron sachets mix with juice, B12 dots sublingual, REMEMBER !! Consult with your surgeon to find out what they require you to take.
♥ Biotin 1000mcg for hair loss.
♥popsicle holders (to make Protein shake ice lollies).
♥ nexium tablets for gas relief (best reviews for gas on amazon).
♥ new digital scales
♥ small tupperwear containers for making batches of food to freeze (time saver).
♥ sip cup to help me sip instead of gulp.
♥ small baby spoons to help me with small mouthfulls of food.< /p>
♥ loads of sugar free jelly, pudding, yoghurts, juice, and broth cubes.
♥ blood sugar monitor (just in case i feel really low).
♥ tape measure (keep track on inch loss cuz the scales can be naughty and make you think your at a stall when actually your loosing inches around your waist, arms, legs etc).
♥ good walking shoes or trainers to help me be as comfortable as possible when excercising.
Yep, well thats all ive got so far, anybody think of anything else please let me and the rest of you all know. And good luck to everyone on your journey to the new you. You CAN do it !!!!!

Rsb0807 hoping you get your approval soon. I think I am doing pretty good. I already had more enervy than before. I actually work out 6 days a week. Haven't done that since high school. I didn't get hungry until about 3 weeks after surgery. Now I get hungry but I cannot eat very much. It is wonderful.

Hi Everyone:
I just finished all of my pre-insurance requirements and thought today would be a good day to jump in to Bariatricpal with both feet. I am hoping to get approval soon and have a surgery date within the next month. I have PPO and they do cover it so hopefully the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Looking forward to this journey and the support from everyone in this community. I am not looking forward to the pre-op liver shrink program or the immediate post op struggles but the sooner I begin, the sooner I will be on the other side. The support and encouragement on this site is great and I look forward to coming out of my fat shell and participating wholeheartedly.

Hi Everyone:
I just finished all of my pre-insurance requirements and thought today would be a good day to jump in to Bariatricpal with both feet. I am hoping to get approval soon and have a surgery date within the next month. I have PPO and they do cover it so hopefully the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Looking forward to this journey and the support from everyone in this community. I am not looking forward to the pre-op liver shrink program or the immediate post op struggles but the sooner I begin, the sooner I will be on the other side. The support and encouragement on this site is great and I look forward to coming out of my fat shell and participating wholeheartedly.

So excited too, having my sleeve in June 30, I can't wait! I'm starting my pre-op diet next week. Not looking forward to no coffee :-( I'm also going to miss my occasional glass of wine. But I know in the long run it'll all be for my good!