KathyM

I do photography for a hobby and yesterday I was out at a farm shooting some family pics for someone - we hiked around, across a field and down into a a dry creek bed then back up to the farmyard. I totally crawled around all over, not huffing and puffing and feeling like I would pass out if I walked another step. Sounds small, I know but before I could have never climbed down in there and if I had gotten down there, I wouldnt have been able to get back out.

You look fabulous!!!! Look how contoured your face, chin and neck have become!! Hot mama!!

Lol - way to go!! I have been safety pinning my scrub pants for a while at work and my coworkers are all threatening to buy me new scrubs if I don't.

I have 4. One is itty-bitty, like a puncture wound

Looking at your signature I can see that you were sleeved on the 22nd of Oct, so I am guessing you are not eating too much in the way of solid foods yet. The fuzzy teeth and yucky tongue will go away once your diet progresses. One of the things that the different textures of solid food does is help clean off your teeth and tongue. I had this too at the beginning, but hang in there, it will improve. Just keep brushing and drinking Water. If you think you can chew gum and not worry about swallowing it, that will help too. I did that alot at first and found it to be pretty helpful.

Kathy

I was scared too, but I also knew that I didn't want to sit by on the sidelines for the rest of my life because I was too overweight to participate! I missed out on so many things over the years because of my physical condition or because I was too embarrassed at how fat I was to go - not anymore I agree with Tiff, this is a big and permanent change, if you aren't ready then keep researching and keep sould searching. When the time is right, you will be ready. I am just over three months out and I can eat whatever I want to but I am seriously eating to live, not living to eat any more and it feels wonderful. Read through the posts on this board, it is a wealth of information and a huge family of support. I wish you well on your journey and never be afraid to ask questions

Kathy

I was sleeved July 16th, and this week had an appt with my primary care physician as well as my OB/GYN for that lovely yearly exam. I had to confess to both what I had done as I hadn't discussed it with either one beforehand. My GYN doc was condescending and judgmental, telling me that I had better use what I had and be sure to be careful what and how much I was eating (like I would go through all of this and not do that!) then when he was examining me he went on to tell me that my tata's would be wasting away now and when he was palpating my abdomen, he was talking about where my liver and gallbladder were, then said "this is where your stomach USED to be." I was pretty irked, but didn't care, I only see him once a year and next year when I see him I will be a knockout My primary care physician was so happy for me and extremely supportive. He had tons of question and was totally awesome about it. He decided to do some lab and see how I was doing and I just got the results in the mail today - have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.....my kidney and liver functions were completely normal (I have trouble getting enough Water in when I am working), the indicators for my nutritional status (total Protein, albumin, etc) were completely normal!!! Vit B12 was normal too. The only thing that was a little low was my Vitamin D and my good cholesterol. He suggested a Vit supplement and some Niacin to help with bringing up the good cholesterol (HDL). I am feeling so good about how everything is going! Now if I could just get my butt in gear and kick up the exercise before I start looking like a Shar pei puppy!!

Kathy

Did I mention that I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!!!

AMY!!!!!!!!

You look awesome!!! I am so happy for you both! And I love your hubby's little sock tan hahaha

Kathy

Don't be too hard on yourself - lots of people go through that - lordy I can't even believe how much I ate the last two weeks before I started my preop diet lol. It will be okay, don't sweat it!

Kathy

Christabel -

I think your husband loves you very much and I wonder if maybe he is afraid that your relationship will change when you lose weight. I think that is a normal response from a partner - you will be changing and evolving and they won't be - they are afraid they will be left behind. I think that this is a very important thing you are doing for yourself and maybe something you can say to him is that you want to be as healthy as you can be because you want to be around (with him) for a very long time.

OK, I know - this is probably too cheesy for most, but I am a hopeless romantic at heart lol. I really think he is just scared, he doesn't mean to not be supportive. Let him know how much you are counting on him to be a part of this journey.

Kathy

TStew - you are not crazy. The healthcare system in the US is messed up. It often will pay for the treatment of all problems associated with obesity, but not for the treatment of obesity itself - completely nuts!! My insurance would pay for a penile implant if I needed one lol, and if I would become a drug addict, it will pay for my recovery, but it will not pay for anything that has to do with weightloss. I went to Mexico as well for my surgery and don't regret it for one second!! I did not use Dr. Aceves, but there are many on here who have and I have read alot of positive experiences described. As far as going back to work. I had my surgery on a Thursday, flew back home on Sunday and was back at work on Saturday. I think I had a total of 9 days off and I felt fine.

This forum is an invaluable source of information and support. No questions are stupid or asked too many times, this is a huge decision for everyone so the more you can know, the better experience you will have. So ask anything you want!!!!

Kathy

LOVED pineapple juice before surgery - now it makes my tummy hurt. I am hoping this will pass in time.

You're good to go whenever you feel like it!

OK - first of all - Mary....girl! You need to post those 15 lbs you lost preoperatively!!!!!! I used to not have them added into my tracker either, but then I realized I worked hard to lose those before surgery and so did you!!! They still count - so put em on there girl!!!

Next - my latest NSV - I was at a beauty salon today waiting for my appt, havent been there in 6 weeks. My gal looked right past me, then back, then looked confused and called my name. When we got back into her room she told me that she didn't even recognize me because I looked so different!! I was smiling from the inside out!!!

I had my sleeve done in July. I have alot of thick hair and lost hair easily before - cleaning out my brush about every week. I can't really tell a difference since the surgery so I am not sure if I am losing more hair or not. If I am, it isn't noticeable.

I love being able to slide into a booth at a restaurant and not have my tummy touch the table!

My steering wheel feels like it is miles away from me now!

I finally went to a smaller size scrubs and was almost embarrassed by all of the "oh my gosh, you look amazing" comments!

And the best one of all so far is feeling my boyfriend's arms wrapped ALL THE WAY AROUND ME!!!!!

I am about 3 months out and can pretty much eat anything as long as I don't eat too much of it. Some of the really crappy foods that I was bummed about giving up I find don't even interest me anymore.

Still at it - went to another class tonight and it was alot of fun. I am looking forward to the day when I am more flexible and can move better.

Thank you sleeveforme!

I am so happy with the weight I have lost. The 41 is since surgery on July 16th. If I add in the weight I lost on my preop diet, I am at 58lbs since July 1st! I am never sure whether I should count that in my weight loss ticker or just the weight I have lost since surgery lol. At any rate, it feels amazing, I can't even remember the last time I weighed 250!

How are you doing??????

First of all BIG hug!!!!!! I am so sorry that you are struggling. I can't imagine going through all of the big life changes that you have in such a short time. I can relate to what you are saying about losing your coping mechanism (food). I was talking to someone the other day and told them that this surgery had kind of taken the fun out of eating for me. It no longer feels comforting to stuff myself. I actually kind of miss stuffing myself on pizza - sounds kind of dumb, I know.

My husband of 25 yrs left me for a newer model and both of our kids are now in college. There are lots of evenings when the lonliness could easily drive me straight into the chip bag. This doesn't even come close to having a spouse pass away, but I do know how mean lonliness can be.

I am proud of you for deciding to talk to someone about what you are feeling. You are in your 40's and have alot of life ahead of you. You are also on your way to a healthier body to live it in. I sincerely hope you can find peace in your journey. I think there are many here including myself who would love to be there to support you. Don't hesitate to lean on us - you are part of our family now

I started this journey at 308 and today I weigh 150. My bathroom has a really big mirror on the wall across from the toilet. This weekend while I have been puttering about doing things at home, every time I have been in the bathroom I keep staring at myself in the mirror - I know that sounds so weird - but it's like I don't recognize my body. I have a waist and my shirts aren't stretched to the max around my tummy. I know my scrubs are big on me at work, and the clothes I wear around the house are not tight anymore, but I haven't really felt smaller until this weekend. It feels soooo good.

I used to be the same way - come home from work and drop onto the couch for a nap, then toss and turn all night and wake up feeling awful. Now.....I don't need a nap, and I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow at night and don't wake until morning and I feel great!

Those are all such awesome ideas and you are so fabulous for thinking of him that way!

chilo -

DO IT!!!!! You will totally love it!! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and when the music started, I thought "oh man I am so screwed!" I am soooo out of shape and can hardly exercise without feeling like I am going to have a stroke, but you know what? I made it through the whole hour! And it was so fun! And when I walked out of that studio to my car, I had a big ole grin on my face because for once in my life I DIDN'T QUIT!

Dave -

Zumba is kind of like latino aerobics on crack lol. It was sooooo much fun and I had absolutely no freaking clue what I was doing! But.....it was an hour of exercise, most of it cardio lol, can't ask for better than that. :001_smile: If I can still walk and go to work tomorrow haha, then I am going to go again on Saturday.

Blackberry - I am not anywhere near graceful for a ballet class - but I hope you enjoy it!