niqian

Weight loss surgery success takes a lot of work and it’s nearly a full-time job, especially in the beginning. However, you can soon see the results of your efforts as you lose weight, gain energy, and watch the scale drop.

What do you find most freeing about WLS and weight loss? Is it getting to shop at regular-sized clothing stores? Is it feeling free to say “No, thank you” to foods that you used to feel compelled to eat? Is it being small and energetic enough to go on airplanes, to movie theaters and restaurants, and on amusement park rides with your family without giving it a second thought? Is it being able to spend less time managing your medications, doctor’s appointments, and CPAP machine? Share what you find most freeing about WLS surgery success!

All of the above!!!!!

I had GVS Feb. 23, 2016. The last two weeks I've been sooo cold. It's particularly bad at night, when I first ho to bed. I've only lost 65lbs and am still at a 40 BMI. I thought this might be an issue when I'm "skinny" but I still have about 100lb to lose! Anyone else encounter this with their weigh loss?

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Yep, had mine in May (Australian winter) and I always have cold hand and feet. Drive my darling hubby mad putting them on him trying to warm them up. I have lost 28 kilos (61 pounds) and still have another 20 kilos to go!

This surgery (I'm only 9 weeks post-op) has taken away my cravings and hunger, so I'm establishing new eating habits right now. I had the surgery because I care about my health, and when I can only eat a few tablespoons of food, no way am I going to have that few tablespoons be carb-y garbage like bread, rice, baked goods, ice cream, etc. That mindset keeps me from eating dumb, useless foods. Instead, I now know that I need Protein to feel good. Before my sleeve, I could eat a bunch of crappy food AND the Protein I needed for survival. Now, I have to choose and for me, it's been easy. The restriction helps to keep my portions where they need to be as I train my body to be satisfied with small portions, and the lack of hunger allows me to portion appropriately and avoid mindless eating.

It IS hard to explain and even harder to understand until you're in the midst of it, but this is the most effective tool I've ever had access to and I'm loving it.

I couldn't agree more! I have so little interest in eating garbage anymore. I had a bite of my favourite burger a Big Mac the other day, and all I could think was YUCK! The best tool ever.

That's a fantastic story! And it's so nice to hear so much positivity around this surgery. I just hope I don't have to wait too long to get the surgery - I've decided not to do self-pay as it means not having any support before or after - so going through our healthcare system means possible long waits. I'm going to get all the courses out of the way this weekend - taking me ages - then I can set up an appt. with the clinic. I've been referred and accepted - but that's just a tiny bit of the journey! Thanks again - really helped to hear your experience. And feel free to tell me whatever you think of regarding the surgery, pre-op and post-op, good and bad. You can message me here too. What city are you in? I spent about 8 months in Australia in the 80's! And loved it :-)

I met a lady on a cruise who had it done. Had a long chat with her and she actually helped me to decide. Seeing how good she looked and how positive she was about it all was a great help to me. I actually used the same surgeon as her and couldn't have been happier. Three and a half months out now and exceedingly happy with it all! Good luck, you won't regret it.

That's great you got to speak with somebody - how did the subject come up? Just wondering - not something commonly discussed on a cruise of course! lol

She was sitting at the next table talking to a friend about how great she felt after the surgery. I had been researching for a while and thought this is a great opportunity to get an unbiased opinion. I figured if she didn't want people to know she wouldn't have been talking about it quite as loudly as she was. Maybe she did it for my benefit Either way I am glad she did because it gave me the final reason to go and see the doctor, and it is one of the be decisions I ever made, other than marrying my darling husband, am just loving life now!

I live about an hour north of Sydney. I had to wait 12 months for my private health insurance to cover me, and I found that to be great. Gave me lots of time to make sure that this was the right decision for me. I can honestly say that I have not had one single regret. I had some nausea and gas pain in my shoulders for about a week after the surgery but that was really all. The incisions healed really well and caused me no pain at all. The first two weeks after when you are on just liquids (well I was) I thought would be hard, but they really weren't, what people say is true (again for me) you have no appetite or hunger, it's a really strange feeling for someone who has always been completely food focused, especially bad foods, to not be even the slightest bit interested was odd. Even now 3 and a half months post op, food doesn't have the hold over me that it used to.

I love this new me, and am happy to answer any questions you might have.

I met a lady on a cruise who had it done. Had a long chat with her and she actually helped me to decide. Seeing how good she looked and how positive she was about it all was a great help to me. I actually used the same surgeon as her and couldn't have been happier. Three and a half months out now and exceedingly happy with it all! Good luck, you won't regret it.

That's great you got to speak with somebody - how did the subject come up? Just wondering - not something commonly discussed on a cruise of course! lol

She was sitting at the next table talking to a friend about how great she felt after the surgery. I had been researching for a while and thought this is a great opportunity to get an unbiased opinion. I figured if she didn't want people to know she wouldn't have been talking about it quite as loudly as she was. Maybe she did it for my benefit Either way I am glad she did because it gave me the final reason to go and see the doctor, and it is one of the be decisions I ever made, other than marrying my darling husband, am just loving life now!

Went to the dreaded Maccas the other day and my husband had a Big Mac, which was previously my burger of choice, and I have craved one since surgery. Well I had a bite of his, and all I could think was "yuck it is so sweet" I never thought that would be me, I loved them! Not sorry that this craving has been well and truly CRUSHED!

Also have zero interest in carbonated drinks, and I used to love my Coke Zero!

Loving trying on clothes in clothing stores that I have never ventured into before. Lady asked me today if I had a loyalty card, and I laughed and said no I have never fitted into these sizes! Still have a long way to go but am loving these feelings.

Great feelings, people used to say nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels and it is only not that I really get it!

I used to love Coke Zero. I am now three and a half months post op VSG and haven't had one nor wanted one. Don't want to try I figure I am not missing it so why try. I drink coffee every day, have since the second day after surgery, I only have one a day and that seems to do me. I have no issues with coffee at all.

I met a lady on a cruise who had it done. Had a long chat with her and she actually helped me to decide. Seeing how good she looked and how positive she was about it all was a great help to me. I actually used the same surgeon as her and couldn't have been happier. Three and a half months out now and exceedingly happy with it all! Good luck, you won't regret it.

I had a definite OMG moment today. Packed my suitcases it weighs 23kgs, I struggle to lift it. I have now lost more that that have now lost 25kgs. I used to carry that around with me 24/7, OMG!

I had my surgery on May 11th, and caught a plane for the first time yesterday. My seatbelt has a large tail, and the aisles seem much wider and the toilet is now quite roomy. This is the best feeling ever. People ask if I have any regrets because I can only eat such small amounts and it's things like this that make me say HELL NO!

I would try and stick to the plan. I am 3 weeks post op, and on the puree stage and itching to get to soft food. I have stuck to orders to the letter, but that's just me. I am paranoid that if I defer from the plan, things will go wrong both in my new belly (I call it tiny) and in my head. If I start to divert from the plan, where will I stop, I have never been able to trust myself around food and just have a little bit, that's how I got myself into this predicament. So for me follow the rules. I figure I have the rest of my life to eat, I can stick to the plan for 4 weeks!

I had Soups, yakult (drinking yoghurt) fruit juices, smoothies made with yoghurt and fruit and Protein powder and the dreaded shakes.

I started my Optimist pre-op yesterday. Seems to be going well. I made the baked asparagus and mushrooms from the book that I bought "Your complete guide to nutrition for Weight Loss Surgery" and it was absolutely delicious.

I am now eight days away from a new me (surgery 11th May 2016 at The Mater) and getting nervous and excited, not sure which one is more. Weighed yesterday and going to measure myself today.

Hi, not from Newcastle but close from Gosford. I am going in to have my sleeve on the 11th May. We are off on a cruise next week for our wedding anniversary, then when I get back on 30th April I go on Optifast till the 11th. I am excited and scared! Looking forward to getting this weight off! I had to laugh when they ask how long have you been overweight, my answer is ALWAYS! Like everyone else have had success with diets, then all the weight is put back on, so sick of that cycle, I want something that is going to be forever. I know it won't be easy, but am determined to make it happen.

Went to a reformer pilates class last night and really enjoyed it, can't wait till I don't feel so uncomfortable.

Love to keep in touch with you all and any tips or advice would be appreciated.

I had my surgery in November at Gosford!! Who is your surgeon? I have officially lost 50kgs as of today!! I have never been this thin or happier!!!

I can't stress enough how much this will change your life! The sense of achievement you will feel is amazing.

having my surgery in Sydney with Dr Taylor going into the Mater hospital. Good job 50kg wow, I hope I have such great success.

Hi, not from Newcastle but close from Gosford. I am going in to have my sleeve on the 11th May. We are off on a cruise next week for our wedding anniversary, then when I get back on 30th April I go on Optifast till the 11th. I am excited and scared! Looking forward to getting this weight off! I had to laugh when they ask how long have you been overweight, my answer is ALWAYS! Like everyone else have had success with diets, then all the weight is put back on, so sick of that cycle, I want something that is going to be forever. I know it won't be easy, but am determined to make it happen.

Went to a reformer pilates class last night and really enjoyed it, can't wait till I don't feel so uncomfortable.

Love to keep in touch with you all and any tips or advice would be appreciated.