GACaldwell

I was restricted from lifting anything over 10lbs for 4 weeks. Ask your dr though, they may be different for you. I didn't do so well on the soft/pureed foods so my dr moved me up to more solid things earlier...but here's the thing with that...you're going to be traveling so getting sick while traveling is way worse. Stick as close to your plan/diet as you can. bring Protein powder with you to mix with milk or Water (easy to find) or see if you can find a store near where you are staying that stocks them. Soups are your friend! Just dont push it too much while your traveling or try anything crazy food wise and you should be fine.
Yeah I get the real taco thing...I was in Mexico and didn't get a street taco at all! But thats ok...I can always go back later!

When your partner has been gone for a while (8 weeks..he's a truck driver) and the first thing he says when he gets out of the truck is "Holy CRAP you look great!"

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

When your partner has been gone for a while (8 weeks..he's a truck driver) and the first thing he says when he gets out of the truck is "Holy CRAP you look great!"

Awwwww! Melts my heart - so sweet GaC!

When your partner has been gone for a while (8 weeks..he's a truck driver) and the first thing he says when he gets out of the truck is "Holy CRAP you look great!"

I had an 11+ hour trip home from my surgery just 4 days after having it and it was fine. I did take a pillow to hold over my stomach for take off and landing so that helped. The biggest issue I had was making sure I could find things I could eat/drink so try to plan that if you can so you're not stuck. Oh and I did the pre-boarding thing so i had time to get to my seat and the stewardess helped me put my bags away...if you tell them at the gate you have a medical reason to early board and need help they are more than happy to help you.
the pilot does all the work anyway!

When your partner has been gone for a while (8 weeks..he's a truck driver) and the first thing he says when he gets out of the truck is "Holy CRAP you look great!"

When your partner has been gone for a while (8 weeks..he's a truck driver) and the first thing he says when he gets out of the truck is "Holy CRAP you look great!"

When your partner has been gone for a while (8 weeks..he's a truck driver) and the first thing he says when he gets out of the truck is "Holy CRAP you look great!"

Hello everyone my surgery was done yesterday and everything came out well thank god ....
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This older man I saw yesterday doesn't know HOW I lost weight but he complimented me and said I looked great. Then he asked, "Are you still married?" I respond 'yes' with a confused look. Then he says, "Well most people who lose weight and end up looking as good as you leave their spouses." I said, "Well, I don't see what the number on the scale has to do with my wedding vows...But my husband has said people probably wonder why we are together and I tell him they must assume he's filthy rich or very well endowed." That worked. LOL
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I hate this for you!! Especially because it causes emotional pain.
My partner had to have one done every time he (He's FtM trans) went to his pain management dr. He'd just laugh and tell they they were wasting their time.
I had a hysterectomy when I was 30 yrs old. So when they ask "when was your last menstrual period?" I say 2007.If they are stupid enough to ask if I'm pregnant after that, then I need a new dr.

Welcome @@NYCDreamer! So exciting as you get ready for surgery! By the time I got to my surgery date I was BEYOND ready! LOL Looks like you've already done an amazing job at dropping weight! Good for you!!

So today I went to a wedding of a dear friend of mine. First off, I was able to find a awesome dress I could wear that didn't look like a mumu and, I discovered I fit into an 18/20. I've always been 26/28.
Next, at the wedding I came across people I haven't seen in years. All kept commenting on how much weight I lost and how great I look in the dress. Let me mention that for the above listed mumu reason, I haven't put a dress on in about 10 years. It was always slacks and a blazer.
I felt like a woman today. I felt pretty and playful and even caught myself flirting with people. This all before I've even had surgery. I honestly can't wait till I have my sleeve and become even smaller.
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I was sitting in the car yesterday and looked down. All I saw was boobs and legs, no belly. Before my belly use to sit in my lap and rub the steering wheel. No stomach in sight. I can look right over my boobs and see my crotch. I sat there for a long time really amazed.

One thing no one told me to take but I knew from two C-sections was absolutely necessary..a Pillow! I had an 11+ hour journey back from Mexico and between the wheelchair my husband kept running into walls with at the airport & flying/take off/landing having a pillow to hold over my stomach was a lifesaver.
We were given everything we could have needed for me in the hospital..bottle Water, slipper, hospital gowns. My companion had to eat elsewhere though so we made sure we had money for that.
Past that:
Any meds you currently take
Comfy clothes to come home in...seriously pick your most comfortable outfit!
Toiletries
Info for your travel companion..google translate was a lifesaver for my hubs
Gas X for the ride home (for sure!)
Protein mixes for the right home..like I said 11+ hours for me so I had to have something to drink on the way home & there are not a lot of options at the airport.

Welcome @@NYCDreamer! So exciting as you get ready for surgery! By the time I got to my surgery date I was BEYOND ready! LOL Looks like you've already done an amazing job at dropping weight! Good for you!!

Thought I'd drop in and say hey fam!
34, NYC resident. Sx scheduled for 11/10 and I can't wait! Spent literally 25 years as a large person. It'll be damn nice to not be the fat friend anymore.
How is everyone?
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The cravings were hard for me too..but what I started doing was taking small bites and appreciating the taste more of the things I craved. It has never done me much good to deny myself anything because it will overwhelm my OCD brain and I'll binge. But where I used to eat an entire king size bar of chocolate (chocolate is my weakness) I nibble on one square at a time now. I still track it..the calories still count but I'm not overdoing it. Also, Learning to replace it with fruits helps..my new fave snack is sliced strawberries with FF cream cheese & splenda.
Also, I've learned to commit to my routines...water, Protein, exercise as an alternative to snacking/overeating. If I can get my BRAIN to STFU first by using one of those then its a win.

The cravings were hard for me too..but what I started doing was taking small bites and appreciating the taste more of the things I craved. It has never done me much good to deny myself anything because it will overwhelm my OCD brain and I'll binge. But where I used to eat an entire king size bar of chocolate (chocolate is my weakness) I nibble on one square at a time now. I still track it..the calories still count but I'm not overdoing it. Also, Learning to replace it with fruits helps..my new fave snack is sliced strawberries with FF cream cheese & splenda.
Also, I've learned to commit to my routines...water, Protein, exercise as an alternative to snacking/overeating. If I can get my BRAIN to STFU first by using one of those then its a win.

GACaldwell I went to Mexico as well...welcome.

So far..good! I'm down around 30lbs so far...25 the first month and then I've been hovering with the last 5 this past month. Eh..im not worried about it being slow as Im loosing inches a lot faster than lbs these days. I've been lucky in that I've had VERY few complications...I dont have any issues eating or drinking. I am tired more than I used to be but that's ok..it will come back. Im so glad I had the surgery..it's been life changing. The biggest positive is that my blood pressure is down to a normal level for the first time in almost 9 years! I have a history of heart disease on both sides of my family and my dad has his first heart attack at 40 yrs old. I'm 38 and Ive been on BP meds since I was 30...so the impending heart attack was a big factor for me in having this done. I feel a lot better knowing I'm doing everything I can to help keep me here.

Didn't read everyones responses but heres my experince:
I was sleeved on July 25th of this year..so far I'm down about 29lbs (It's fluctuating right now due to travel/eating choices) I'm ok with that! I've set my one time goal of 135 by next year..but I'm not stressing getting there all at once. Yes, I weigh in every day, but i don't let it affect me mood...i just see it as a tool..like "Huh, I ate xyz yesterday off plan and this is what happened..ok. I know I can't afford that every day" Kind of thing.
Also, I work at a desk and I have a crazy busy lifestyle (3 jobs, 2 kids, 2 partners, yadda yadda) so I have found ways to include exercise into my day. I belly dance on the weekends...so I do tummy rolls all day sitting at my desk and that helps tone! You can also look up desk exercises you can do at work. I sit on a stability ball so Im always moving even when Im sitting and typing. The bosses thought it was weird at first but now its just my normal. Take the stairs, park further away, do squats while you pull laundry from the dryer...there are a thousand ways to get some type of exercise in every day even when you dont have time to work out.
Also, if no one has mentioned it before..check your measurements...While I haven't lost a ton of weight, Im loosing inches like CRAZY! I've been recording my non scale victories and celebrating them even more than the scale victories.
And remember..you can do this!!

Didn't read everyones responses but heres my experince:
I was sleeved on July 25th of this year..so far I'm down about 29lbs (It's fluctuating right now due to travel/eating choices) I'm ok with that! I've set my one time goal of 135 by next year..but I'm not stressing getting there all at once. Yes, I weigh in every day, but i don't let it affect me mood...i just see it as a tool..like "Huh, I ate xyz yesterday off plan and this is what happened..ok. I know I can't afford that every day" Kind of thing.
Also, I work at a desk and I have a crazy busy lifestyle (3 jobs, 2 kids, 2 partners, yadda yadda) so I have found ways to include exercise into my day. I belly dance on the weekends...so I do tummy rolls all day sitting at my desk and that helps tone! You can also look up desk exercises you can do at work. I sit on a stability ball so Im always moving even when Im sitting and typing. The bosses thought it was weird at first but now its just my normal. Take the stairs, park further away, do squats while you pull laundry from the dryer...there are a thousand ways to get some type of exercise in every day even when you dont have time to work out.
Also, if no one has mentioned it before..check your measurements...While I haven't lost a ton of weight, Im loosing inches like CRAZY! I've been recording my non scale victories and celebrating them even more than the scale victories.
And remember..you can do this!!