newme1962

I am almost 56, I was sleeved 6/27 and I feel like (and I’m not exaggerating in the least ) like I had a miracle happen to me. I have struggled with my weight my entire life and the past 15 years were the worst between getting divorced and raising two kids on my own . Food became my emotional escape . I became a very large woman who felt super uncomfortable with herself . Everyday of my life I beat myself up over and over for allowing myself to become obese . Dieting became a no win situation and I honestly lost a tremendous amount and self esteem throughout the years that I hung onto and increased my weight . Now ... only 8 weeks post op and I feel like another person . I’ve lost 35 pounds pre and post which on me makes a huge difference . The first three days post op were the worst but within a week I was walking easily 4 miles a day . It’s quite an adjustment to eat in such a different way, but it’s worth every sacrifice when I am gaining my confidence back and feeling hopeful and optimistic about the future . When I look in the mirror, it shocks me ! I look like I did years ago . It’s like I got my old self back and it feels so good! So yeah ... at almost 56 , I’m feeling like I’m 40 again ! And I’m only 8 weeks out 😀

I’m 3 weeks 3 days post op and as I posted yesterday I had a terrible experience with a few thin slices of bananas in my oatmeal. Honestly , I think it was the worst experience I have had with any food post op. I would definitely start very slowly with banana and perhaps not have it on an empty stomach which I think may have have contributed to my quick dumping experience since it was breakfast .

Ok definitely staying away from banana then ! Thanks .

Hello. I am 3 weeks and two days post op. Overall my experience has been extremely positive. I usually have an egg for breakfast but decided to switch it this morning. About an hour after having my usual coffee mixed with premier protein and a bit of low-fat milk and later 16 ounces of water , I had maybe 1/4 cup of oatmeal with milk with one strawberry and 5 slices of banana. Wow! It all went right through me VERY QUICKLY and straight to the toilet . It was traumatizing ! I can’t figure out if it was in the end too much milk or the oatmeal or maybe the banana ? All I know is I never want to experience that again ! Thankfully I was home. I can’t imagine experiencing that nightmare at work . I have had diarrhea on and off since surgery but nothing this quick or overwhelming to my body . Any thoughts or advice ?

My date is June 27th and beyond excited!! I'm working hard on my mental game and really working on my food addiction issues. I have been using Deepak Chopra's Shedding the Weight meditations. I listen to them over and over and journal to help myself with this process.

I've been eating definitely eating more than 1,200 calories a day and need to reduce my food intake. I have cut out soda and alcohol, but not my morning coffee. It's definitely a challenge for me to think I will need to give it up for a stretch post surgery and I know I should start now. Thanks for sharing those guidelines and helping me focus. I am terrible at dieting and hence why all the excess weight has crept up on me over the last 15 years.

I'm a middle school counselor who is up and about all day. I am having the gastric sleeve surgery on June 27 which will give me a full 6 weeks before I go back to work. I am also at a lower BMI (34) and have no health complications. I'm having my surgery done in Colombia where my mother lives because insurance here won't approve me. What kind of presurgery diet are you following? I am trying to cut out sugar and flour as well as increasing my protein and reducing carbs. I'm beyond excited and nervous! I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what my life will be like after surgery.

As my date gets closer, June 27, this past week I participated in a couple of food funerals which I wish I hadn’t but hope that I now I got that out of the way ... Since I decided on scheduling VSG surgery about a month ago, I had been very focused on eating healthy. I was thrilled with my decision and it made me feel calm and I stopped eating compulsively . But suddenly anxiety set in about the surgery last week and I started binge eating some of my favorite foods. But I’m done . It didn’t feel very good and it was a return to old habits that I thought I had overcome . Now I want to make the effort and commitment to stay clean the rest of my presurgery time . I really don’t want to start detoxing during my two week pre op liquid diet . I rather start now and really start taking ownership of good eating habits. It scared me how easily I slipped up this past week and I want to get my head right when it comes to eating before I have surgery . Any tips on how to stay focused the next month and a half before I start two week preop diet ?

Thanks so much !

I am telling my family (including extended family) and so far only one friend . I am generally a private person and don’t want to have to deal with criticism and opinions when it’s obviously no one’s business, but my own. I also know many women at work who are obese and may be very curious. On the one hand, some may be very supportive of me and happy for me, while others may be very insecure and jealous . I would not want to deal with any of that kind of negativity . I would rather focus on myself and celebrate my life decision which I hope will have a huge positive impact on my life . At the same time, though, I may feel a sense of obligation to share my surgery details with someone who is struggling as much as I have with weight. The empathetic person I am may not be able to not share the details of my weight loss. What does everyone else plan to do , tell or not tell?

Wow this is so helpful. I am so scared about what to eat (my surgery will be in late June) and your post made me feel less stressed. I also love my Greek yogurt and knowing that has worked for you, made me feel a comfort level. I would hope I can so the same as you and continue to enjoy all kinds of food in smaller portions once I am on maintenance.

Thank you !I just sent you a message and also just noticed we are nearby,

Hello. I would like to share the beginning of my journey and would like to find VSG surgery pals who are going through this process this summer so we can keep in touch and support each other. I am 55 years young and have struggled with my weight on and off throughout my life. The last time I was at my goal weight was in my late 30's after having two kids. When my marriage starting falling apart and then divorced about 15 years ago, the weight piled on. Since then I have made many attempts at weight loss and none have worked. It's that constant cycle of gaining and losing a few pounds and feeling guilty, frustrated and inadequate. The weight limits me in many ways. I feel constantly exhausted and depressed and often have turned to food for solace. My mother retired and moved back to Medellin, Colombia where she is from a few years ago and I go frequently there to visit. On my last visit in April I went to see a plastic surgeon to inquire about getting lipo and having a breast reduction. The PS was extremely honest with me and told me based on my BMI, I should consider bariatric surgery instead, something I had never considered. He said he could do the lipo and breast reduction, but that it would be a band aid approach to a more serious issue which was my weight. He was very direct with me and told me, I could lipo my love handles (which I hate the most!), but my appearance would essentially remain the same. He also pointed out the many health issues I would continue to be at risk for while remaining obese and approaching my senior years. A that moment a huge light bulb went off in my brain and an amazing AHA moment happened to me and I felt that the PS had given me the best, most honest feedback I had ever gotten regarding my weight. I am forever grateful to him. From there I went to see a Bariatric surgeon who reinforced everything the PS had told me and I felt even more encouraged to begin planning the VSG which was what was recommended. Fortunately, I work for the school system and have time off in the summer which made my decision even easier. In addition, because I am self paying (cost much more reasonable in Colombia than in the U.S.) I did not have to go through the hoops to schedule surgery. Now as I await my June 27th date (I will travel there on June 18th for preop), I am feeling very excited but also anxious and nervous about what is to come. I am trying to prepare myself with a great deal of research and reading as well as meditating . I am most scared of missing food and being hungry and of learning to cope with life's problems without turning to food for comfort. I am currently trying to stick to a high protein, low carb, no sweets diet and as I do it, I get so scared about what it will be like post surgery. I am extremely nervous about the pre op and post op diet. Any advice or suggestions are very appreciated! I am grateful to have found this forum for its support and information. I have decided to share my upcoming surgery with only very close family and friends as I don't want a lot of negative feedback and horror stories to get me off track. I look forward to being a member of this community!