JAM72

1. Skinny jeans
2. Wearing my belts again
3. Riding roller coasters
4. Being in my son's wedding pics next year and not feeling embarrassed
5. Being the woman who looks good again
6. Being healthy enough to live a long life of QUALITY living
7. Being able to open my closet and wear anything in it
8. My stomach no longer resting on my lap
9. Being me again
Thank you for this thread! I start my preop diet Wednesday and I'm starting to feel very anxious. This helps so much!
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Running
Running faster than my little kids
Looking the mirror and seeing me as I think I am
Running into old friends and have them think about something other than my weight and me too
Swimming with my kids and having fun
Not having my body hurt so much when sitting on the floor
Knee pain
Getting my crazy blood pressure under control
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I would love to take horseback riding lessons without fear of hurting the horse. Most of all I would just like to be able to walk without using my cane.

I'm still on liquids and it's been hard getting enough in. I know I'm only 4 days post op so I am still pretty swollen. I feel like the hardest part is I can't tell what my body needs or wants at this time. My sleeve and I need to start communicating better so I know how to take care of it best. I don't know that I feel hungry but have a gurgling sensation from time to time. I do know what full and drank way too fast feels like. Both are not pleasant. How long did it take for some of you to become intune with your body post op?
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SW: 359lbs
CW: 220lbs
GW: 130lbs

That’s a great question! There are a lot of differences and similarities between losing weight with the gastric sleeve and old fashioned dieting.
The sleeve definitely makes your stomach smaller, so not as much food fits in. You will get full sooner than without a sleeve. That can help you lose weight as long as you choose low-calorie dense foods. If you choose high-calorie dense foods, you can still “eat around the sleeve.”
For some patients, the sleeve can force you to make certain food choices, since you might find that you cannot tolerate certain foods post-op.
For some patients, the sleeve leads to less hunger and less interest in food. That can be a hormonal thing, like lower levels of a hunger hormone called ghrelin. But some patients are still hungry after surgery, so you should go into surgery expecting that you will still need to have a lot of discipline with your diet.
Even so, there are some things the sleeve can’t do for you, and that you will need to do for yourself just as you would before getting the sleeve. For example, you will need to avoid those high-calorie foods that just slip through the sleeve and don’t fill you up. That is, you will need to choose lean Proteins and vegetables over sugary and fatty and starchy foods.
Also as with old school dieting, you will probably need to measure portions, count Protein and calories, and make sure you are getting enough Water.
So, as cliché as it sounds, the sleeve really does act as a “tool,” that you have to control. Good luck!

I posted this same topic over on the general boards, but figured you guys might benefit, too!
Hi guys! I wanted to put some minds at ease about excess skin. It truly depends on your body type, age, exercise level, Water intake...and about 20 other variables. That being said, I think most of the after photos people see show huge excess amounts of skin, and thankfully, it isn't that way for EVERYONE.
I drink tons of Water, exercise a lot, and in general, have good skin. I also had rather good weight distribution - no one part of me was excessively larger than all the other parts (luckily!).
I had VSG almost 2 years ago - I'll be 22 months out on the 20th of this month. I'm 28 years old, my high weight was 330 lbs, surgery weight was 323 lbs, and current weight is 150 lbs - putting me at 173 lbs lost.
I know so many people decide WLS isn't for them, for fear of excess skin. Don't let that sway you - it might not be as bad as you think!!

One year ago today I made the biggest decision of my life thus far. There are only a handful of people that knew and to this day, only close friends and family. I made the decision to get healthy for not only myself but for my future husband, our future children and our overall life together. I was a serious yo yo dieter, constantly up and down with my weight. So in August of 2015, after months of research and doctors appointments, I had gastric sleeve surgery. To this day, I haven't told many people out of fear of judgement, embarrassment and being told "why didn't you just eat right and exercise like everyone else". Well, I had and couldn't lose the weight. So no, this most certainly was not the easy way out, it was by far the hardest thing I've ever done.
Happy to say as of today, one year ago I started my journey at 234 lbs and today I weigh in at 145 lbs for a weight loss total of 90 lbs and I've never felt better, inside and out. I'm finally excited to see myself in my wedding dress in 2 weeks.  

It took probably 6 weeks or so.

No milk products, not even whey. Whey I react to badly, so I avoid it. I love cheese and dairy..but I have reactions to it...so It looks like I'll have to eliminate dairy and lactose out of my diet for good. I love soymilk and almond milk and rice milk. I bought Vega 3 days ago and I love it (20g of pea protein). I mix it with soymilk and I'll use Vega after surgery.

To me, willpower is a load of crap.
Before the sleeve: 1) conventional dieting meant I was at constant war with my body, 2) conventional dieting wasn't making me healthier but was creating my obesity, 3) willpower only meant I was an adversary to myself, and 4) no matter how hard I worked, every diet eventually led to even more weight gain.
Post-op, I am learning 1) how to work with my body and not against it; 2) how to satisfy my needs with small amounts of delicious, nutritious, food; and 3) my efforts and hard work reaps positive results.
Unfortunately, it is hard to describe the difference to someone who hasn't been sleeved. Because of that, it is one of the biggest fears and concerns that people have pre-op.

Well, you may end up eating that piece of bread instead of your protein and many post here how they don't follow their doctors plan. It is a choice. For me, I am fully aware that the sleeve is a tool and I have to do my part by eating right to be healthy. The sleeve does help me with no cravings and little hunger. This is what can help make better choices. When I would use willpower, I was fighting a strong urge and I just don't have those urges so willpower hasn't come into play.
Sometimes I think about a greasy double cheeseburger or chips and queso, but I don't really desire them anymore. So, I make a healthier choice. Having the slevee does require some mental changes, but it has helped me make those changes. It isn't magic and it is a bit of work to get in all the protein and liquids, but worth it.

I am just over 2 months out and I dont see willpower being a factor, at least so far. Having a good goal, belief in your surgeon and a huge desire to lose aND keep the weight off makes it different from using willpower for me. A sleeve only allows so much food so it is a great tool not only for portion size, but for eating healthier. There isnt room for much beyond Protein requirements. I feel satisfied after eating and don't feel deprived in this weight loss phase. Maintenance will probably come with some more mental adjustments, but I want a good quality of life for the rest of my life.

Oh honey, I'm sorry you feel like this is a setback. It's really not, though. For me the surgery is about getting healthy. I was already on depression meds and have a regular therapist that I haven't been to in ages, but the mental assessment was helpful for me. It helped me realized that I use food to deal with other issues, that I'm going to need to resolve in order to keep the weight off. I went to a few Overeaters Anonymous meetings and the materials and support from that program are going to help me address my compulsive eating problems - which I never even realized I had. I had to ask myself, "before I get this surgery, am I absolutely sure I've done everything I can - used every other tool I have - to get healthy?" The true answer was no. I hadn't dealt with why I eat when I do, and not trying to explore and fix that means to me that I was still looking for a quick fix. Which means I am prime target to be one of those statics that get surgery and 10 years later gain all the weight back. I can't let that happen. You don't have to "fix" all your problems before they will approve you, but you do want to demonstrate that you acknowledge them and are addressing them. Meds and therapy help many of us along this path. Get all the help you need so you can be your best self ever! Good luck .... To us both!

I had my sleeve done this morning at UT Southwestern - Dr Sarah Hennessy. Man the new hospital at UTSW is nice. Only one year old. Everyone is so nice and so far I've been ok with pain.

I was where you are now 20 years ago and ended up at 271 (290 at my heaviest) with high blood pressure and cholesterol and blood sugar. If I had realized where I was going to end up, I'd've done this then. I was sleeved on 2/29 and am down 42 pds. I'm losing 2 pds a week (NOT keeping my carbs under 50 grams) on just under 1,000 calories a day. Blood pressure is normal and not on any meds. I'm completely satisfied with what I eat and 8 pds a month is perfectly fine with me. My advice is to go for it now before you end up where you really don't want to be.
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You are still healing from major surgery.
How are you doing at getting in all of your Protein and fluids? What is your Protein target? Are you getting in at least that much every day?
It sounds counterintuitive but until you are able to eat enough the numbers on the scale are pretty worthless as a measure of your progress.
Embrace the Stall
http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

It is incredibly common for weight loss to stall or even to gain a little around 3 weeks post op. Search for the "dreaded week 3 stall" on these forums and you will see hundreds and hundreds of posts about the same thing. You just had major surgery, likely have internal swelling, your body doesn't know what to make of everything that's going on. Just give it time! Stick to your plan. Focus on healing. Focus on getting your Water and Protein in. Focus on getting up and walking around every couple of hours. Those are the things you CAN control right now. Your body's reaction and the numbers on the scale are things you CAN'T control, so don't stress about them!

first thing recognize that your hormones are making you feel everything under 1000x magnification.
second thing is in the first month you are still healing. some people are loosing crazy - they probably had a lot of Water and other things going on. you may not. it is very unhelpful to compare. there are some (not everyone but SOME) who are loosing because they are *not* following their programs and may be in some ways in an unhealthy loosing situation - how will they fare 5 years from now compared to someone who follows program and looks for better health above a scale number? There are some loosing more and having complications that keep them from eating as they ought to be eating. some have the advantage of just being boys and tending to loose much faster. GRR. You just can't win by comparing your journey.
thirdly, I started off at surgery at 238 and now am at 195. it is slower than some, but it is coming off. I think I had probably lost about 12 pounds at that point and I was very discouraged as well. it took a while to come to peace with the process, but feeling different in my body, seeing the changes in the mirror have encouraged me greatly. you will get there too. keep following your program.
fourth - whatever the doctor scale says I just ignore. go by whatever scale you are more consistently using. for me I weigh at different times and such, but first thing Monday morning is my official weight, and that is what I need to see trending downwards, and that is the number that I measure by.
Hang in there!

@ LowBMISleever thank you for your post. I can relate to you however I'm 9 years older and BMI is 35. My friend diabetes is knocking on my door and I'm terrified to let him in. I'm waiting for insurance approval and if I'm denied I will be considering my options w/Dr. Ortiz.
I am not ashamed to share my plans of surgery with friends. I am disappointed in some of their reactions but expected some to be negative. This is my life, my choice and have the support from family and doctors. It seems crazy for me not to pursue ......otherwise I will have a life long battle with weight loss, disease and endless prescriptions.
Thank you again for your post and good luck in your journey for a better healthier you.
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I was a bmi of 33 and had surgery on 1/5/16. SW was 212 and CW is 145. After losing 14 lbs in the 1st two weeks, I steadily lost 2 lbs a week for the 1st 6 months. I have been 1-2 lbs a week for the last 2 months. I think those of us with low bmi do better with sagging skin issues and general bounce back of skin and tissue. My end goal is 135, which I hope to hit in the next month or 2. Overall, I am absolutely thrilled with my VSG results. My only complaint is heartburn issues, but even that is getting better with time.
It's been a great summer to wear a bikini, yoga pants and feel great about my body again. That says a lot for a girl who will be 47 in 2 weeks!!
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I'm a big Maidenform fan. The others are hot and think and don't compress enough.
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I have never tried Slimpressions. I wear Maidenform because it offers more control than Spanx at a lower price point.

The most awkward part of WLS is knowing the only option I had left was surgery. I was so out of control that nothing short of medical intervention was needed. I'm still so ashamed of that. It's why I'm so happy that after more than two years at goal, no one makes comments about how great I look. I know that seems odd, but for every compliment I got, it was a reminder to me how large I had become. I know...I know. Believe me...there's a reason I'm in therapy....

Everyone has trouble getting going at some point. You’re tired. You’re busy. You don’t feel like exercising. The weather’s bad. You can think of a million things you’d rather do.
But you know you have to get moving, so how do you get out the door? Do you remind yourself of your reasons, like health, weight loss, and looking good? Do you schedule workouts with an exercise buddy so you don’t chicken out? Do you try new workouts and group exercise classes so you’re never bored? Do you save up great new songs to listen to, or episodes of your favorite TV shows to watch while you’re on the treadmill or stationary bike? Do you make sure you don’t think about until you’ve started, so you don’t have a chance to talk yourself out of it? Do you tell yourself it’s okay if you only do 5 minutes, so long as you at least get started?
There are so many ways to help get yourself started on your workout. Share your tips for getting your workout in, especially on those days when you don’t really feel like it! Your tricks can really help others get motivated to get out the door on those tough days.