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@@dusky goddess
Oooohhhhhh...
I do like that kinda talk...
Don't stop...

Ditto! Every minute is precious. Tonight, I took mom out to dinner. Even though I didn't eat since I had a Protein Shake for dinner earlier. She and I had a great time laughing and bonding. food didn't even cross my mind.

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

@ dusky goddess: My sleeve is scheduled 11/18th, and my coworkers are already planning on where to go for Christmas dinner. My family are the only ppl that know about my surgery. I haven't said anything to anyone else. I guess I will need to see how I feel when the time comes. I want to go and mingle with friends. I figured if I will know the restaurant before hand I can look at the menu and order something mushy, or Soup. I don't want to say to anyone that I am on a diet or that I had sleeve surgery. I will see how it goes, but I feel you. You don't need to un socialize, you can still socialize with your friends just plan ahead to assure that you are within your diet guidelines.

I can relate. Being able to spend time with friends and/or family is so much more satisfying than eating a large meal. Order the Soup and enjoy every sip.

Good on you I say!!
If you want to order Soup and just drink the broth then you go for it...
A lot in your position (me included) would opt to stay at home for a little while but if you're ready to get out there and be social then knock yourself out...
More power to you!!

Yes I can relate. I had a dinner with a major presidential candidate three weeks following surgery. Oh this sucks. But I worked it out with the staff, "I only want soup" and they made it happen without fanfare. Life continued. It happens during the transition. it's OK.

Just thought I'd post a little update. June 5, I was at my heaviest 410 pounds. I felt like DEATH...literally. I had SEVERE sciatica which caused me to go onto disability after working for YEARS...I couldn't walk. I couldn't stand. I couldn't sit. All I could do is LAY THERE and cry because of the nerve pain down my left leg and lower back. It was either back surgery or weight loss surgery. Since I also HAD high blood pressure and PCOS plus VERY obese and the severe sciatica...I thought weight loss surgery would be my best bet. Plus, healing would be 2837739354928 times harder if I were to under go back surgery at my weight. Dr's told me over and over again that losing weight may or may not help my bulging disc which was in turn causing the sciatica but I went for it and just hoped for the best. Day of surgery 9/2, I was 367 pounds (I went on a damn strict diet) and today...I am 314!!! I am also BACK AT WORK with no more sciatica pain what-so-ever!!! I'm off all meds for high blood pressure and I'm feeling fanDAMNtastic!!!!! I love the way o feel and more so, I LOVE ME. I've never been one to post pics....but here we go. Not ready for the whole "body shot" because this girl is under construction but here goes nothin!!! Top picture is day before surgery...the collage pic on left is last month and on the right is yesterday! I drink 64oz+ Water each day...and always try to get 90g of protein...even if I finish my day with a premier protein!! Alot of you girls and guys on here don't know how many of us look forward and look up to your updates and advice...@Babbs...@Elode...@InnerSurferGirl...all 3 of u girls I look up to and I cannot wait to keep on keeping on. Thank You from the bottom of my heart!!! -Vanessa

I wouldn't tell people I had surgery. If someone comments on my drastic loss I just say I've been working hard to loose weight, thank you for noticing and leave it at that.

I'm 14 months out and 7 pounds below goal right now and working on maintenence. If I partake in any treats, they will be tracked on My Fitness Pal and count toward my daily calorie intake. Those bites and tastes can add up if you don't be careful and hold yourself accountable. I know it sounds like a drag, but this is my life now. I have always had a sleeve of steel, and could pretty much eat anything from 3 months out. Never had anything keeping me from eating whatever I wanted except the desire to get the weight off and keep it that way. That's why I pretty much have to track everything I put in my mouth! It is what it is.

Two weeks post op guys!! How is everyone doing? Anyone moving on to soft/puréed food this week? How much have you lost?!?
Update for me: doc appt in the 29th and then I will be moving to soft food. I cannot wait!!! To be truthful though I have tried mashed potato and cinnamon raisin granola baby food already. Tolerated both great. But a teaspoon was all I let myself have. Wasn't really hungry but I think it was just curiosity to see how I would do on it....
So far I have lost 20 lbs as of today!! Super excited about that. Coworkers are raving how they can tell in my neck, legs and upper tummy. I still have a tire around my lower abdomen... Still have not went down a size in clothes.. I know it is that mommy bump that doesn't want to shrink!!! But I am still very happy so far!

1 week post op today. It's hard for me to drink the Protein Shakes. But I can get the Water down no problem. 8lbs down in a week and feel great. Hope everyone is doing great.

Lots of us couldn't eat 4 oz at 18 days....pretty normal. My suggestion is to sip sip sip on Water all day. Hang in there!

Hi Everyone,
I have started my Pre-Op Diet today. I am just curious if the Atkins shakes are acceptable for the Low Carb Protein Shakes.
I have also purchased chicken and beef broth to enjoy as well as sugar free Jello.< /p>
Any other ideas please send along..
This is going to be a long 2 weeks.
Trev

Glasgow, Scotland

Nor Cal

There is already a huge long thread dedicated to before and afters.. but it is such a fun topic I don't mind repeating!!
This is what losing 150 pounds does for you! A girlfriend of mine said the sweetest thing "I didn't know you had a teenage daughter"...LOL. I do feel like I look younger being trimmer.
Taken within the last few weeks

This was taken in December i believe - I think I was 20# away from goal,back when I was a bit curvier. I was feeling pretty good, but, I like how I look better now even if my T&A disappeared since this photo was taken.

This is my before picture at over 300#. I don't have much to say about it but I KEEP looking at my befores to remind myself how far I have come.

The photo at the top left is me at my heaviest (489lbs) and the photo on the bottom right hand corner is me today at my current weight of 260lbs.

I must be the luckiest guy alive as it pertains to this surgery. I'm a week out tomorrow.
I'm tolerating soft foods perfectly. I had a scrambled egg with with my Protein Shake this morning. I've had 0 nausea. I had slight pain for 2 days.. I've already been on 3 bike rides over 8 miles each. I feel like a billion dollars. Amazing energy... and I think the sleeve is doing exactly what it should. One egg filled me basically for the day, sipped on all my fluids all day. I literally feel like I had nothing done, except my stomach is smaller. Everything tastes amazing, including my Protein shakes, and Isopure drinks. Don't tell anyone but I even has a sip of my wife's Pino last night. I am on cloud freaking 9.
In fairness I was very fit and active before I injured my back in 2012.
I just wanted to vent positively.
Thanks for reading!!

From 3x top/2x bottom to MEDIUM!
HW/SW 270 CW 176 GW 145 Sleeved 4/7/14

Your new underwear doesn't look like window shades. Lol

Seems like we all have a story to tell and we all could use some positive vibes from people in similar situations... I hope this forum takes off and becomes something that everyone can refer to for who knows what. I should really get a picture on my profile. LOL. anyway.. here we are lets see were it goes.

I don't live in the East Bay, but in Napa. I will have my sleeve surgery next Thursday, on December 12th. Needless to say, I'm anxious. I've never been in a hospital (except at birth). I'm diabetic and my blood sugar has been high even with insulin, Metformin and food control. My Doctor isn't real happy about this. The surgery is next week Thursday December 12th. I'm doing two Protein Drinks a day and then a small meal of chicken/fish with carbs from vegetable/fruit. It's the sweets I cave in for...I've cleaned out most of the fridge and will finish getting rid of the rest tomorrow. I believe in the power of prayer, so I've got good thoughts & prayers going out to everyone who's surgery has happened or is coming up in Dec.