My surgery was on February 2nd 2011. I was fortunate to go home without taking any pain meds. I followed the surgeons orders as close as I could. My weight loss has been very slow compared to many others. I have lost about 30 pounds in the past 3 months post op. I had lost 21 pounds preop from last September. I started this whole journey at 230 pounds and now weigh around 180.

I do NOT weigh myself every day or even every week. If I could give only one piece of advice to new sleevers that would be it! You can get depressed and discouraged if you're jumping on the scales every day. I've been losing an average of 2 pounds a week. I think the slow loss is why (for my age) I'm not all saggy and baggy.

Fortunately I saved ALOT of old clothes and am now wearing some jeans I haven't worn in years! It's so much fun trying on my skinnier clothes, but I'm finding some are already too big. I think I'll take some of my big clothes to a consignment shop and get money to buy some skinnier clothes. When I thought about some clothes I have stored in plastic bags, I realized that some things I wore 30 years ago. I've got a sweet pair of pink jeans with a pink shirt that I can't wait to get into!!

Some people at work are starting to give me compliments. There are some who don't say anything, even after a 50 pound weight loss, but that's okay with me. One of my coworkers called me from across the room and when I turned around she said, "I wasn't sure that was you. Your butt is really getting skinny"! She is one of my best friends at work and I see her almost every day, so this was a GREAT compliment!

I have only told one coworker about my surgery and she has sworn not to tell anyone. It's just the way I want it and I have not regretted my decision. Of course I get questions as to how I'm losing. I do not lie, but I don't tell everything. I started to lose last September when I stopped eating gluten and had lost 21 pounds by the time I had surgery in February. I was wearing my huge size 2X hoodies all winter and no one noticed that. Now, I'm wearing smaller sizes in clothes that are not so baggy. I tell people I stopped the gluten and simple carbs, and my appetite was cut in half so I'm eating alot less....which is all true! They don't need to know my stomach is smaller, which makes me eat even less and that I now have no appetite at all.

The downside is that I really don't enjoy eating much at all and sometimes I even dread it. It's like taking my Vitamins...something I HAVE to do, like it or not. My daughter in law (who knows my secret) took me and my mother in law (who doesn't approve of weight loss surgeries and doesn't know) out to dinner. Needless to say, I filled a to go box with the food I could not eat. Mother in law didn't say anything. I fretted about the whole dinner thing and did NOT want to go. Hubby and I always share a meal and it is not a problem for me.

The weight loss is worth the whole life change for me, but pre op people need to really think about how much their life will change after the surgery!!! You will never eat like you did before. I did alot of research, but still was shocked at how little I can eat!

Would I do it all again? I'm getting to the point where I can say yes, but a month ago I would have said.......hmmmmm, let me think about that question.

Thanks for your honest and thoughtful post. I am 19 days out and it's great to hear such a success story. I too have not told many people and am glad. Kind of a private person. And I swore my husband and daughter to secrecy from my MIL--judgmental , gossipy bitch that she is-that she is to never know. I too tell the truth--have reduced food intake, lots of protein and low carbs, exercise. I just keep some of the truth to myself. Hope you get where you want to be with this. I am optimistic and wish you and everyone else the best of luck.

Hi Kitty,

Great news that you lost 50 pounds!!!! I'm almost to that 50 pound mark. I did stall at week three and stayed there for three weeks. I know what you are saying. There are times I do not want to eat either, I do because I know I have to. I know I need the Protein and I know I need the fluids as well. I'm almost to that three month mark to. I know exactly what you are saying. I haven't ventured out to eat yet. I really don't want to either. I don't know how I would handle it. So I don't even think about it. I do very well with my protein 70 grams a day. My fluids are above the 64 ounce mark. I also found that I do not think about food all the time now, like I did before. It seems to have become mundane. I struggle with the options available to me to prepare my lunches and such. I became very tired of eggs so I don't eat them anymore. I lost my fondness of yogurt as well. I have found I do very well with seafood. I did try shark. (Not for me.) I will try to re-introduce some fruit back into my diet. I get 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day. I know all of this will be a big adjustment. Like with any life changing event. We do adapt to our surroundings, so I believe we will adapt to our new lifestyles. I don't regret doing this and I would do it again in a new york minute.

Wishing you much success on your journey

Deb

HI Kitty, I was sleeved about two weeks before you, and have lost 42 pounds from surgery, and 10 before that. I also have more to lose, so it looks like you are doing really well to me! I cant wait to get below 200 and on down to 180. You look fantastic in your pic. I still have some appetite... I get to starving about every 2-3 hours, eat a few bites and am fine. I eat around 800 cals a day, but eat more carbs than some here, 50-80.... I am a vegetarian, and everything has carbs except the protein drinks! Best of luck to you in getting where you want.