thesuse2000

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They just check a few things and ask questions. They're mostly concerned about your throat - how easily they can access your windpipe once you're out. For some people they need to put in a breathing tube before they put you out, so that's something they need to check for. (that's very uncommon, so not something for you to worry about, just saying it's something they need to check and plan for).

Wow - congrats!

I would think of it as about a tablespoon - or one swallow. Hang in - it gets easier! You will gulp again! But wait a few weeks...

Congrats on making it through safely!

Wishing you the best in your journey from here.

Wishing you the best - with your surgery and recovery - and with your sleeve journey after all that!

I had problems with the band too - I love my sleeve though!

I'm with you on this! I wasn't in total denial, but when I took my before pics I remember thinking something along the lines of "I'm sure this won't ever be a dramatic before/after, I'm just curvy, but will be good to do a side by side comparison"

I was expecting more people to give me a reaction of "you don't need the surgery" when I told them, and was always surprised when people didn't say that. Just one friend did say this - and got a little annoying about it, acting like I was nuts to have the surgery, but she was the only one.

I'm still a ways from goal, but I look at my before and think wow, I really was big.

The other thing I've noticed is that everyone else looks bigger to me now too! It's like my perspective has adjusted. I sort of feel the same, so people who are the same size as I used to be now look bigger to me. And some people who looked "normal" to me before, who are about the same size I am now, look a little big to me. It's strange how our minds work...

For me, the cravings are reduced. But I hear a lot of people talk about how they continue.

Cravings come from different sources. Some are more physiological and some are more psychological, but all I think are some combo of the two.

I think the surgery, because of the metabolic changes that happen, does provide an opportunity to change one's relationship with food. For example, if I'm offered a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie I'm going to have a mental reaction to that - it's a food I've always loved and enjoyed and I have positive emotional associations to it. So my first thought will be yes! I really want that now! In the past if I didn't take that cookie I'd likely obsess about it and end up baking a batch of Cookies and eating a ton or just scarfing down some store bought Cookies, so in some ways it often seemed best to just eat the cookie and satisfy the need.

But now - if I was to say no to the cookie I'm able to move on. It doesn't take a hold of me like it used to. So, yes, that first moment of saying no is still a little hard, but overall it's SO much easier than it used to be. And I feel like it's worth it to push myself to say no and realize that I can actually do that now. It reinforces that I now have more control over my eating than I used to. And I guess I think the more we exercise that control the stronger that muscle becomes.

I've seen that line a bunch of times, that the surgery is on our stomach, not our brains, but in a lot of ways it IS on our brains because of the metabolic changes, and changes in the hunger-stimulating hormones. Those changes really can change our relationship with food, but perhaps we need to work on changing our habits as well to help maximize the impact.

I struggled with this one too. I picked 155 because that's just a few pounds below 159, which gets me into the normal BMI category. But if I stabilize at a higher weight I'm okay with that too. I'm thinking about the longterm - I don't want to push myself to lose more weight if I don't think I'll be able to maintain it longterm, so I'll let my body determine my ultimate weight that I decide to maintain at.

This is all perhaps easy to say now though - not sure how I'll feel if my weight stabilizes soon!

If I happen to continue to lose and am happy with how I'm looking, then I would be delighted to continue towards an "ideal" BMI of 140 or so. But right now - since I am for sure a forever fluffy - I can't even imagine being anywhere near that. I don't think I've been below 170 or so since I was a tween.

I agree with all the above. I think it should be doable, but you'll really need to plan ahead for meals. Maybe look at the menu in advance to figure out what you can eat. At one month out I started going out for meals - it was a little challenging to find softer foods, but always worked out. But you'll need to take care of all your other meals as well, which could be hard while out of town. Maybe bring some Quest bars or Protein shakes (and shaker) so you can make sure you've got some options.

It varies, but by a month out I was feeling mostly normal - just a little more tired than usual. So you should be able to do it if it's important, but again plan ahead and try to schedule down time to make sure you get ample time to rest.

For the first month you'll need to crush them (or open capsules) but after that you should be able to take them normally.

As long as you eat slowly, you should be able to eat a few bites without worry. No more than a half cup at once. Pause between bites and stop at the first sign of pain or full feeling.

I ordered chewable Vitamins from celebratevitamins.com. You can also buy chewable or gummy vitamins from the drug store. I was told not to take Vitamin pills/capsules until after a month out.

Glad you're feeling well!

I was so ready for this surgery - and had already had lap band surgery plus a revision, but this one felt more major (and it is) so I was freaked out too. I was holding steady until they wheeled me away from family towards the OR and then the tears started flowing. I didn't think about changing my mind, but I was so scared that I'd die in surgery and abandon my disabled husband.

Was so happy to wake up when it was over! And so very happy I went through with it.

I hope you come to the right decision for you.

195 - thanks!

Good luck! Wish you a speedy recovery and a great journey.

I lost 15 pounds my first month, and a 11-12 my 2nd and 3rd. With pre-op losses down almost 70 now at almost 4 months. And I feel vey successful! And when I look at data for weight loss that verifies that indeed I am doing better than average. I'm not sure why so many people are disappointed with losses like this. I'm so thrilled with how fast I'm losing - all while not feeling deprived. I hope you can find a way to enjoy your success and stay positive for the long haul. To me, I'm mostly looking ahead to being able to maintain a loss. Yes - I've lost quickly in the past, but I've never been able to lose as much as I wanted, and was never able to keep it off.

Bottom line - you're doing great! Stay positive - it will help you stay on track in the long term.

That was by far the most positive vent I've ever read!!

Sorry to hear of your frustrations. I'm sure in time you'll accept that you just don't participate in all the man food.

So nice to hear that you're enjoying the time with your sons - and I just love that your ex is still involved in their lives - and as mentioned above, that you put aside your own conflicts with that for the sake of their relationships. <3

I don't love the shakes at all. Post-op I used a lot of the Unjury chicken broth and unflavored (mixed it in with pureed soups). Syntrax also has an unflavored one. You can totally do it without anything sweet!

Good for you for noticing this trend quickly and working to get yourself back on track!

You can get back on track. I think most of us will have to be vigilant in our eating habits for the rest of our lives. Maybe you can come up with some healthy snack ideas. Wishing you the best.

Hi there - I'm so sorry you've been through so much, but so glad you made it through it all!

I have no medical qualifications to advise you on rehab or eating, but just recommend that you stick closely with your doctor's orders - just be safe and patient and take care of yourself. In time you will heal and be able to live normally again.

Glad you reached out - I wish you well in your healing and with your new sleeved life!

So sorry for the loss of your son!

Congrats on your success and ability to come through this and move forward.

You look so great! And rocking the boots. Can't wait to be able to buy boots without worrying about my big ol' calves!

Also love this topic!

Some time before surgery I was at a favorite jewelry store trying on earrings and each time I tried a pair on I just hated the way my face looked - I didn't buy anything because I felt like once I put them on they lost all their beauty. Bad day!

Lately when I look in the mirror I pretty much always smile! If no one's around I tend to say "Hi!" to my reflection. It's really such a delight to like my reflection again!

197 - onederland!!

I'm still early out, but I do get hungry sometimes. I do think that keeping carbs low, especially sweets, helps curb my hunger.