TexasGirl86

I love the responses! My parents have sworn me to secrecy, and one of my siblings doesn't know because he's known for being a blabber mouth.
I've mentioned wanting to have WLS done before to close friends and they almost all discouraged it. You can just work out and diet! Been hearing it for years now. Quite easy for people who have maybe an extra 10 pounds on them/never work out themselves/ haven't lost and gained significant amounts of weight repeatedly to tell you all of that. I even told my psychiatrist and he was ANGRY with me. I was scolded like a child, but I couldn't of cared less. It really is a personal decision.
I don't have an issue with sharing, but I think I'll continue to keep quiet about it. Until and unless I run into someone who is considering WLS themselves and I might be able to offer them insight.

I love that idea!!! Definitely will be trying it with my final shake tonight!

I did something a little weird about this. I told my parents and siblings, making it clear that this was not a discussion but a decision I'd made (the one exception to this was one of my brother's who is a doctor and I wanted input from a medical "what they don't tell you" point of view but still told him to hold the personal commentary) but did make it clear that this was a health related decision which seemed to matter to all of them very much. I then told the friends I've been closest to over the years... It wasn't completely intentional but I've used the response to decide whether or not they stay close. If they followed up and checked in and cared enough to wish me well etc they stayed close... if they were weird about it they were moved further away. I know this may seem a little harsh but frankly, this is a big decision and it's been only a few weeks so I'm trying to let other people's emotional processes be their own and happen elsewhere if they cant manage to be supportive while I deal with some really big changes.
That said, people talk to each other, and my sister in law's family is massive and of course all in laws now know everything. They're sweet people but "not fat enough" isn't actually a compliment, nor is it a medical diagnosis. Plus I carry weight evenly so whether or not I look "fat enough" my insulin levels and cholesterol (though not thank goodness my actual blood sugar yet) were on the rise and I had no desire to die from weight related issues. On the whole though this isn't something I know how to keep quiet from people I see day to day during the recovery phase. After I return to work etc I'm thinking I'll do my best only to share the info with people who have earned my trust.

I tell whoever ask me. I am a strong person and do not give a darn what others think. If they would ever say "it is the easy way out", I would take that opportunity to give them a great deal of education . In no way is this the easy way out!! Nobody has said that to me yet. I am out 2 months. It is a life changing surgery.
Personally, I did not do WLS to "get skinny". I did it for health reasons. With that said, I like being thinnner . Never much worried about being over weight, I have been all my life and it is my "normal".

WLS is a personal decision; emphasis on "personal"! You don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to, nor do you have to justify your decision to anyone (wether it's for medical reasons or not). My sister and I are doing this together, and we always knew we weren't telling anyone other than our mom and my husband. We are very private about every aspect of our lives (which isn't easy to be in a large Southern family). This is no different. We expect the questions , whispers, and speculation. However, we don't give it any weight in our lives.
Don't feel guilty about your decision to be healthier. If anything, those people who are trying to make you feel bad should be the ones feeling guilty! Surround yourself with people who support you; even if it that means you have to re-position a few people. If others have a problem with your weight loss, it's just that; their problem!
Continued luck on your journey!

I'm such an open book that I never even considered keeping it to myself. But what was weird is that my parents and husband automatically expected me to keep it a secret. I told one of my friends and she said that I was taking the easy way out but that didn't bother me enough to keep it to myself. If my story can inspire someone else then I would rather take the chance of helping one person rather than keeping it to myself to protect myself from a negative comment or reaction. I've always marched to the beat of my own drum and never really cared what people thought about me. I can't wait until I have my surgery! I've over the moon with excitement!!!!!!!!!!!

I've only told a select few outside of my immediate family. But honestly the ones I didn't choose to tell were based more on things like: knowing they can't keep a secret, or the nature of our relationship is professional not personal, or in one case that they'd had the surgery a long time ago and failed to keep the weight off so I didn't want to rub salt into the wound, or I simply don't want a bunch of peripheral people observing me in silence like an animal in captivity to measure how much I lose, how fast I lose it, and then pass judgment on what I'm eating.
But probably the biggest deciding factor is that I'm a big girl (pun intended) and I did my own extensive research before making the leap, and that's all the opinion I need on the subject.
There's also the fact that I'm a very private person outside these boards, and my life choices are not, and never will be, up for discussion or debate. Period.
Shame never once came into my decision process. I'm proud of what I'm doing. I'm shining in a way I never have before and I'm reveling in the limelight. I feel like I've spent the last 45 years in prison and I'm finally being granted a pardon for a crime I never committed. This is the type of feeling I wish I could bottle and sell because I'd make a fortune! My days of living in the shadows will be officially over on 07/29 and I have no plans to ever look back again!
Why on earth would I allow any naysayers or pompous bags of air in to ruin the high I've been flying on for the last year, while going through the approval process? I made a purposeful decision to only surround myself with people that I knew would support me 100%. And I don't regret it one bit.

I told only my husband and two close friends who live 1,000 miles away -- in different directions.
I knew beforehand, based on things both family members and other close friends said, that they knew nothing about WLS and weren't supportive of it. Just imagine how much time you've sunk into educating yourself about WLS and then consider whether you want to put that much effort into educating every Tom, d**k and Harry you know about WLS.
For the record, I've lost / gained weight many times in my life. This time around, my friends / family think I've just finally "succeeded." I've lost 90 pounds in the last year and am 5 pounds under my weight loss goal. Doing great. Feeling good. Looking good. And not having to field any goofy, snarky comments from anyone either.

I'm only a 33.3 BMI and I'm having a sleeve done today. My husband is supportive and the three friends I've told are also behind me. I can't tell my family because they are all judgmental and weigh a lot more than me. I may look just a little "plump", but at age 53 my blood pressure, sleep apnea and high cholesterol were constant reminders I need to lose weight. I tried many times to lose weight, but it just won't come off since my thyroid was removed. To hell with those who think this may be easy! It's not easy at all.

I've only told my parents and a few of my close friends, I mentioned to a co-worker I was thinking about having it done and she was very negative about the whole thing and she me told I was wasting my time and money and was taking the easy way out and I should try harder when dieting, so from then on I decided I wasn't really going to tell anybody!
I don't feel like I've taken the easy way out - I've done the only thing that will work - for my happiness and health.
I think too many people are quick to pass judgement.

25 lbs in 9 days is incredible and sounds very very fast. It does sound like you are struggling with your liquids. I was told not to get Gummy Vitamins -- just chewables. Have you tried muscle milk? I like the light chocolate and the banana creme (although that has more calories so might just be good during this phase of the program. Mostly I mix gatorade with chocolate powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury to get in my carbs and Proteins. My favorite presurgery was the Unjury chicken Soup. Will probably try that again tonight. I think the warmth will feel good. Please take care of yourself. You don't want to be dehydrated or malnourished! That is dangerous. Make yourself drink more even if you don't want to. You are worth it!!!! If you get more Protein and carbs you will start to feel better.

@PChayy05- "chewable vitamins...seven course meal"...I can relate to that.

You guys, I thought having like a 1/3 of a sugar free fudge pop would be ok- noooooot so much. Half way through I felt nauseous so I stopped. (Sad) buuuuut I did try 2 oz of sugar free chocolate pudding with a spoon of lite cool whip and it was awesome! (Even though I whipped it up with a fork to get it to be thinner, it was still a little too rich. I ended up leaving about half, but sooooooooo good after the broths and juices.)
I also snuck like half a teaspoon of hummus- I'm middle eastern, I just wanted something garlicky in my life! Didn't bother me
But I was short by about 20 grams of Protein today. I'm going to substitute the Soups and Popsicles for low fat Greek yogurt which has 12 grams of Protein + my shakes

It gets better everyday..stay on the plan and your journey will take you to success.

Hi guys,
I was sleeved on June 25th, I'm doing alright. Today is my first day off of Clear Liquids ( should be 5 weeks of full liquids, follower by soft foods).
Pain isn't bad- but the outside part of my right thigh is numb, and my left calf muscle is cramping up a lot.
I'm trying my best to drink my Protein shake and enough Water, but I really do want to eat something savory. Like a spoonful of hummus, even sour cream!
Anyone else bored out of their minds?

I know several people who've had bariatric surgery, and those who went with the sleeve have been the happiest with their results.
For me, bypass is something to avoid. There's serious side effects, like malabsorption, hair loss, and dumping syndrome is a nightmare apparently.
My dad's a physician and he reviewed the options as well and found that out of lap band, sleeve, and bypass, sleeve has the best results with the least complications.
I was self pay too. If the doctor you spoke to made it seem like the sleeve is just a step before bypass, maybe consider seeing another physician?

I was sleeved June 17th so I am a week and a few days out. I have no pain at all from the surgery. My regular pain is still there! LOL
I am doing mostly all liquid/soft food (yogurt, cream Soups, jello). I am working in soft soft Protein --about 1 ounce per day. Not very hungry and drinking a lot of Water.
Have not done much exercise as I am limited by my pain but I am doing a lot of moving around the house, cleaning and staying busy with projects. As soon as I heal, I can get back in the pool to exercise.
Had my post surgical office visit on 6/26 and I had lost 13 lbs.
ST

I know several people who've had bariatric surgery, and those who went with the sleeve have been the happiest with their results.
For me, bypass is something to avoid. There's serious side effects, like malabsorption, hair loss, and dumping syndrome is a nightmare apparently.
My dad's a physician and he reviewed the options as well and found that out of lap band, sleeve, and bypass, sleeve has the best results with the least complications.
I was self pay too. If the doctor you spoke to made it seem like the sleeve is just a step before bypass, maybe consider seeing another physician?

Dallas, TX here

This is what I ate in purée, along with yogurt and Protein shakes.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251749-how-to-puree-chicken/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251750-chicken-burrito-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251752-chicken-casserole-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251755-spiced-pumpkin-ricotta-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251754-tuna-casserole-puree/

Watch the numbness in your thigh. Are you on blood thinner shots? If it is still numb Monday, call your doctors office and let them know.

@@TexasGirl86
There is always pain with any type of surgery. You will heal with time. Since this is your first experience I understand the freak out. If you have questions ask your Dr. I hope this will put your mind at ease.
The pain is temporary your results will be amazing.

Hi everyone,
I'm 29, from Dallas. No kids, and I just had the Gastric Sleeve done in Frisco, TX. I'm freaking out a little, I've never had any type or surgery before, so the whole recovery thing is quite new to me.
I'm also scared of everything, like my left arm hurts (im assuming from the IV) and the outside of my left thigh is numb!
Actually I'm freaking out a lot. If I could get some advice or some words of comfort that'd be great.
Thank you all!

Hi everyone,
I'm 29, from Dallas. No kids, and I just had the Gastric Sleeve done in Frisco, TX. I'm freaking out a little, I've never had any type or surgery before, so the whole recovery thing is quite new to me.
I'm also scared of everything, like my left arm hurts (im assuming from the IV) and the outside of my left thigh is numb!
Actually I'm freaking out a lot. If I could get some advice or some words of comfort that'd be great.
Thank you all!

Hi everyone,
I'm 29, from Dallas. No kids, and I just had the Gastric Sleeve done in Frisco, TX. I'm freaking out a little, I've never had any type or surgery before, so the whole recovery thing is quite new to me.
I'm also scared of everything, like my left arm hurts (im assuming from the IV) and the outside of my left thigh is numb!
Actually I'm freaking out a lot. If I could get some advice or some words of comfort that'd be great.
Thank you all!