Missy161

I'm not an expert. I was sleeved August, 2016 after a lifetime of diets and eating/exercise programs. My weight fluctuated my entire life. I was an obese child. My first diet began at age 9 after being teased unmercifully at school. I struggled to maintain a "close to" normal weight as I entered my teens. Thus began a lifetime of eating disorders that included bulimia and anorexia that lasted well into my 50's. I took pills, shots and filled my body with anything that promised a quick solution and weight loss. All this to say I've had a lifetime of experiences being overweight. I know many people on this site have very similar experiences.
I feel compelled to post about my surgery because I fully expected my life to be very different post surgery. I did lots of research and read many stories from many people who had not only sleeve surgery but also bypass surgery and lap band surgery.
I needed a drastic change. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life waking up and going to sleep with my weight dominating my thoughts. While I'm certainly still adjusting I am learning to listen to my body. I'm aware when I've had enough to eat and it is well before I'm "full". If I don't listen to my body sometimes one additional bite can cause me to feel nauseous and throw up a portion of my food.
I made a commitment when I had the surgery to stop eating when I'm not hungry any longer. Feeling full is no longer enjoyable for me and I'm happy my body doesn't tolerate it very well. Things are very different. Meal time is different. What I eat is different. How people react is different. But I expected these changes.
If people are concerned about how much or what I'm eating I compare it to an alcoholic worried that I'm not drinking enough [emoji4]To my friends I usually say "why don't you worry about what you're eating and I'll worry about what I'm eating".......with a smile.
This is lots of reading for a very simple thought and my very humble opinion. Your life changes after sleeve surgery (or bypass or whatever). It's a permanent change and you will eat differently, you'll feel differently about food. The hard changes are about how we use food, how we think about food and what food we think we want or need. That doesn't go away overnight. The sleeve is a tool. It will work beautifully if you use it correctly. If you don't make the necessary changes it will fail. You still can't eat anything and everything you want in huge quantities. You still can't use food to heal emotional hurts or make you feel rested if you're tired. You still need to make good choices and eat things that will fuel your body instead of your emotions.
Many people on this forum have said over and over again that "head hunger" is a problem and we need to work on it everyday. Surgery doesn't make it go away. I had never heard the term before but believe it's true. Food is never the solution but perhaps counciling and/or a good support group can help.
Any type of bariatric surgery is simply a tool. It is not a magic cure for being overweight. If you think your whole world will change as a result of the surgery I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. It still requires commitment, dedication, sacrifice and a willingness to work hard. I absolutely believe it's worth it!

I tried to hold out, but it got ridiculous. I've lost about 120lb since January. I went from a 6 -7x shirt down to a 4x (still a little baggy, but looks much better). I'm down to a 48 (actually a 47 at the tailor, but what can you do, lol) from a 60. The biggest change was underwear, 2x from a 6x. I've given away so many clothes it's ridiculous. I have one co-worker and his brother is close to my size, he basically got a whole new wardrobe.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using BariatricPal mobile app

I started at 223- I'm at 180 13 weeks post op and my goal is also 135. I've had to retire all of my pre surgery pants and a lot of my tops- they just looked too baggy. I've relied on the kindness of friends who passed down clothes, shopping in my own closet and buying just a few things. You won't drop so quickly that you can't enjoy the new clothes. I went from a 16-18 to a 10 now already. It's also a fun treat to get a couple of new things. I'm passing off my larger clothes to a friend at work - it's such a blessing to get new clothes this way I want to bless someone else too.


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135

Your doing awsome whats yoru daily meal plan like/

I am 3 months out. If you stick to the Protein first rule and only focus on getting your protein in you won't be eating many calories. Right now you need to make sure you are getting enough protein- if you don't you won't be able to heal properly and I. A couple of months your hair will start falling out. I still don't count anything but sugar and protein really. I track everything but don't really pay attention to anything but that- very rarely do I go over 800 calories even now. My nutritionist says that my numbers are in the perfect range.
Try not to stress. Just try to stay healthy.


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 179.8 GW 135

I started at 223- I'm at 180 13 weeks post op and my goal is also 135. I've had to retire all of my pre surgery pants and a lot of my tops- they just looked too baggy. I've relied on the kindness of friends who passed down clothes, shopping in my own closet and buying just a few things. You won't drop so quickly that you can't enjoy the new clothes. I went from a 16-18 to a 10 now already. It's also a fun treat to get a couple of new things. I'm passing off my larger clothes to a friend at work - it's such a blessing to get new clothes this way I want to bless someone else too.


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135

My doctor isn't having me count calories. My surgery was august 29th
And at my week appt he said just make sure I get my Protein. I'm confused

Sent from my SM-G928T using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow. I have some few "small" clothes, and they are sadly back in style. We have good thrift stores here in NC

And I have a sewing machine and mad sewing skills. But you can only alter so much.

Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I think it's possible to wear a size or two that's too large, but then things just look bad (although that depends on the cut of the clothing and your body type). I thought leggings would last me a long time, and they have, but only with multiple safety pins pinning back all the excess material (I wear them at home only). I was a 24, now I'm down to a 14/16. Unfortunately for me I live in a country that does not have thrift stores with any clothes that would fit me (even if the size was correct, the shape would not be) and I have to look professional for work. So I just spent a lot of money on clothes - about a 1/3 of the clothes fit me right now, another 1/3 are the next size down, and the final 1/3 are 2 or more sizes smaller than what I am right now. So it seems like a lot, but really it's not. On top of that I was able to go through all of my old smaller clothes sitting in my parent's basement, so that has given me a few more clothes and shoes that I can wear in the (hopefully) near future.
You're lucky you live in the US - you have a lot of options available to you for smaller clothes that are fairly cheap, I would totally go for those. You can re-thrift them when you are finished, and in the meantime, you'll feel and look better in clothes that fit you properly. Even though I barely lost weight over the summer, most people at work keep commenting on how slim I've become, and the only difference between then and now is that now I'm wearing clothes that fit me properly. It makes a big difference.

Check out Gwynnie Bee. You pick out the clothes you want for a monthly rental fee. No washing them and free shipping.

Waiting until hitting goal is great to buy the new wardrobe, but I have been shopping for must have ONLY clearance & mark downs because I dress for work and must be looking professional at all times so I placed a $10 limit on each piece so im not wasting $$ but still look cute #TransitionIsHard
HW: 247 VSG:6/1/17 CW:197(9/22/17) GW:180

I started at 223- I'm at 180 13 weeks post op and my goal is also 135. I've had to retire all of my pre surgery pants and a lot of my tops- they just looked too baggy. I've relied on the kindness of friends who passed down clothes, shopping in my own closet and buying just a few things. You won't drop so quickly that you can't enjoy the new clothes. I went from a 16-18 to a 10 now already. It's also a fun treat to get a couple of new things. I'm passing off my larger clothes to a friend at work - it's such a blessing to get new clothes this way I want to bless someone else too.


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135

Hello! I was sleeved June 1, 2017 & I feel and look great my only regret is I should've done it sooner. My surgery was easy only pain was the gas monster🙄 & my hair started shedding @ month 2, but I've been able to treat it so it's getting better. Congrats to all the June VSG friends
HW: 247 VSG:6/1/17 CW:197(9/22/17) GW:180

I have started eating small quantities of sweets- like a scoop of sherbet or 2 chip ahoy Cookies. I track everything I put in my mouth and my dr actually said it's ok as long as I follow Protein first and really limit carbs to 25% or less of my caloric intake.


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135

I went to my pcp yesterday. At nearly 5 weeks post op I've lost 25 lbs and I am no longer diabetic! Woo hoo!



Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 198 GW 135

Just got a great pair of black pants at dress barn last week too -$34 but well made


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135

I like dress barn- they have plus and regular. I also found some great pants at Marshalls which I always hated shopping in, but for the price it was nice to get a couple of pair of transition pants. I walked away with 2 pair of pants for $33!


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135

This is a forum for folks sleeved june 2017 so we can support each other! Introduce yourselves!
Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 200 GW 135

I started at 223- I'm at 180 13 weeks post op and my goal is also 135. I've had to retire all of my pre surgery pants and a lot of my tops- they just looked too baggy. I've relied on the kindness of friends who passed down clothes, shopping in my own closet and buying just a few things. You won't drop so quickly that you can't enjoy the new clothes. I went from a 16-18 to a 10 now already. It's also a fun treat to get a couple of new things. I'm passing off my larger clothes to a friend at work - it's such a blessing to get new clothes this way I want to bless someone else too.


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135

We can be awkward weight loss buddies!

I've lost 14 pounds since Friday! My surgery went so well, I made them let me get dressed right after and I was discharged early the next morning. I wanted to be OUT of there lol.

And my mom had the bypass 12 years ago, which is why she was so supportive of me having this. I've been planning my surgery for a year and a half, and I guess I didn't realize how life changing it would be. (Obviously I knew, but I couldn't even begin to tell myself something I didn't know) I'm glad I did it, but if I can actually see progress, then I'll know I made the right decision.

And that's awesome! I'm happy for you [emoji18] everyone deserves to feel happy in their own skin, so what if some people need a little extra help. I lost 25 pounds before my surgery, with medication. This surgery is in no way shape or form considered "lazy"

It's been hard, especially watching everyone eat. But I know that I'll stop caring about food when I can start living an actual life where I don't feel like I have to hide my body.

I'm on day 8! Feel free to chat! I'm glad you are taking charge of your life at such a young age. I have battled with my weight for my entire life and now I am 48 and I've just made the decision to do this. 3 years ago I lost 87 pounds and kept it off for a long time but it just came back because of a weakness in certain foods. my doctor told me I knew what to do I was just using a broken shovel. He said this weight-loss surgery would aid to me with a working shovel and would help me be successful.

So how has your week post op been? Mine is pretty good so far except I had to have a hiatal hernia repair during my procedure and that has caused me some swallowing issues that should result in time. Can't wait for puréed foods after the end of next week.

I don't think so. I plan on thrifting until I am close to goal. We have a clothes mentor by me which is a nicer resale shop. Look in to those types and you can trade in what you have out grown, or out lost!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah I'm with everyone else... I don't know your height or what size you wear currently... but here's why I say that....


 

You can see I literally could not have worn those jeans.... I am standing in one leg! Went from 271 to 135.

I like dress barn- they have plus and regular. I also found some great pants at Marshalls which I always hated shopping in, but for the price it was nice to get a couple of pair of transition pants. I walked away with 2 pair of pants for $33!


Mich W
Hw 223, SW 217 CW 181 GW 135