This has been the best week EVER!! We put our house on the market Friday and sold it Saturday, but that isn't even my best news! This Monday was my 7 week surgiversary. It was on Monday that I saw the scale hit 199! I couldn't be more happy and excited. Everything with the sleeve is finally starting to fall into place. I have to admit, that I had buyer's remorse for about the first 4 weeks. It wasn't till I hit week 5 that my attitude started changing. I was seeing results, I was able to eat and drink more, I could eat and drink without having those bubbles going up and down my chest and throat. I was starting to feel normal. My doctor took off all food restrictions and maybe that is what changed me mentally and emotionally. If I had written on here earlier than 5 weeks out, I would have advised the newbies to think twice and hard about this. I would tell them to try one last time before going this route. Now, I am a total advocate for the Sleeve. It is literally changing my life and I no longer feel like I am missing out on food or anything else. I feel like I am gaining so much more. I started this journey at a 22/24 and only shopped at about 3 stores. They were always Lane Bryant, Macy's and the Avenue. That was about it for me. Now I am in 18's, maybe even 16's by now, and starting to shop in stores that are not plus size. That is beyond amazing for me.

I went to Disneyland yesterday, and after spending the entire day walking around, I jogged back to my vehicle with my daughter. She wanted to race me. Before, I would wait in the parking structure for my husband to come pick me up, instead of walking to the car. That is a minor little thing, but I see a thousand minor little things happening with me lately. I just want the newbies on here to know that I questioned myself everyday before the sleeve and everyday after. I had regrets, I didn't want to live the rest of my life without enjoying food and social occasions where food is such a huge part of it. I felt like I was missing out when I went out with my family and friends and co-workers. I don't have any of those feelings anymore. It is a complete turn around. I love my sleeve. I love my restriction! I love eating whatever I want and losing weight still. I do eat what I want. I get my Protein in and I am good a lot of the time, but I also treat myself and don't beat myself up over it either. I want to eat what normal people eat, but just less of it. I can do that now.

I found out from my family doc that my highest weight with them was 241 lbs. That means, I have lost a total of 42 lbs. in this journey. I have 58 lbs. to go. That doesn't even seem possible. If anyone is having doubts either before or right after the sleeve, hang in there. I needed time to heal and I wasn't patient during that early stage. I love my new normal. I don't feel deprived anymore. A weird thing for me now is to watch other people I know and love eat. I keep my mouth shut, but I can't even believe how they shovel it in and how MUCH they eat!! I would feel like a hypocrite saying anything to anyone. I did the same thing just 7 weeks ago. It is crazy to watch people eat after this procedure.

Today after 42 lbs. lost, I FINALLY had someone come up to me and ask if I was losing weight. It was my principal. She has no idea about my surgery and is the first (non-knower) that noticed. I was so HAPPY! Everyone that knows I had surgery tell me they totally see it. What is funny is the people who don't know, don't say a word. Even though I don't like my boss much, I loved her today! lol

I thought I would add a before and after. Bummer, I just looked at them and I can't tell if you can tell how much I have lost. Sometimes I see it, sometimes I don't at all. I ALWAYS feel it in my clothes. There is no denying it there. I hope the newbies hang in there and realize it does get better if you have doubts. I am a testament to that! Good luck to all!!

Tracy

P.S. to my So Cal Friends.....since I coudn't be there Saturday, the before and after are for you guys! Hopefully next time!

This has been the best week EVER!! We put our house on the market Friday and sold it Saturday, but that isn't even my best news! This Monday was my 7 week surgiversary. It was on Monday that I saw the scale hit 199! I couldn't be more happy and excited. Everything with the sleeve is finally starting to fall into place. I have to admit, that I had buyer's remorse for about the first 4 weeks. It wasn't till I hit week 5 that my attitude started changing. I was seeing results, I was able to eat and drink more, I could eat and drink without having those bubbles going up and down my chest and throat. I was starting to feel normal. My doctor took off all food restrictions and maybe that is what changed me mentally and emotionally. If I had written on here earlier than 5 weeks out, I would have advised the newbies to think twice and hard about this. I would tell them to try one last time before going this route. Now, I am a total advocate for the Sleeve. It is literally changing my life and I no longer feel like I am missing out on food or anything else. I feel like I am gaining so much more. I started this journey at a 22/24 and only shopped at about 3 stores. They were always Lane Bryant, Macy's and the Avenue. That was about it for me. Now I am in 18's, maybe even 16's by now, and starting to shop in stores that are not plus size. That is beyond amazing for me.

I went to Disneyland yesterday, and after spending the entire day walking around, I jogged back to my vehicle with my daughter. She wanted to race me. Before, I would wait in the parking structure for my husband to come pick me up, instead of walking to the car. That is a minor little thing, but I see a thousand minor little things happening with me lately. I just want the newbies on here to know that I questioned myself everyday before the sleeve and everyday after. I had regrets, I didn't want to live the rest of my life without enjoying food and social occasions where food is such a huge part of it. I felt like I was missing out when I went out with my family and friends and co-workers. I don't have any of those feelings anymore. It is a complete turn around. I love my sleeve. I love my restriction! I love eating whatever I want and losing weight still. I do eat what I want. I get my Protein in and I am good a lot of the time, but I also treat myself and don't beat myself up over it either. I want to eat what normal people eat, but just less of it. I can do that now.

I found out from my family doc that my highest weight with them was 241 lbs. That means, I have lost a total of 42 lbs. in this journey. I have 58 lbs. to go. That doesn't even seem possible. If anyone is having doubts either before or right after the sleeve, hang in there. I needed time to heal and I wasn't patient during that early stage. I love my new normal. I don't feel deprived anymore. A weird thing for me now is to watch other people I know and love eat. I keep my mouth shut, but I can't even believe how they shovel it in and how MUCH they eat!! I would feel like a hypocrite saying anything to anyone. I did the same thing just 7 weeks ago. It is crazy to watch people eat after this procedure.

Today after 42 lbs. lost, I FINALLY had someone come up to me and ask if I was losing weight. It was my principal. She has no idea about my surgery and is the first (non-knower) that noticed. I was so HAPPY! Everyone that knows I had surgery tell me they totally see it. What is funny is the people who don't know, don't say a word. Even though I don't like my boss much, I loved her today! lol

I thought I would add a before and after. Bummer, I just looked at them and I can't tell if you can tell how much I have lost. Sometimes I see it, sometimes I don't at all. I ALWAYS feel it in my clothes. There is no denying it there. I hope the newbies hang in there and realize it does get better if you have doubts. I am a testament to that! Good luck to all!!

Tracy

P.S. to my So Cal Friends.....since I coudn't be there Saturday, the before and after are for you guys! Hopefully next time!

OMG congrats and yes you can tell you have lost weight. You can see it in your face, neck, upper body.....All I can say is wow and keep it up because it is paying off.

Oh, you can tell! I see it in your face and your legs. You look good, congrats. I really loved what you wrote. I am just starting my journey and have been in a debate whether this was the best idea. I feel deprieved and have a lot of head hunger. Its just really great knowing someone else has felt the same way. Thanks

Very helpful, thanks sooo much for posting this for us pre-op and newbies. Good work and good luck, you look great!!!!!!

THAT IS AWESOME GIRLIE! Congrats and hope to meet you in June

Thank yOu so much for sharing your journey so far with us!!!

I'm being sleeved tomorrow and am so worried about social events and fitting it in to my daily life. My BF is a big eater and lives to cook but stays very slim! And I am concerned about the effect it will have on our social life so it's good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I can really see your weight loss you look great so keep up the good work!!!

X xx x

You look great!!!!! Congrats and thank you for sharing!!!! :D

You look awesome! You can definitely tell! Keep it up!

Also, thank you for posting your feelings. I haven't had surgery yet but have feared that I might get depressed with the long term liquid diet. I just went to see my surgeon yesterday for the first time(actually, second time...first real doc appointment). He said that I will need to lose 15 lbs. before surgery. Though, we have to wait to see what insurance will cover and she if there are any requirements to be met before they set my date. In the mean time, I decided that I would kind of start using the Protein shakes atleast once a day to get used to them, so I'm not in total shock when the time comes. I just drank my first shake and it wasn't too bad. I normally drink Slim Fast in the morning and prefer the liquid vs. food thing (in the morning, anyways). So hopefully, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel. I will keep your post close to remind myself that this part of it is not forever. Thank you once again for letting all of us know your thoughts and feelings. This forum is the best!

Congrats. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you in June.

That is fantastic!!! You're really rocking that sleeve!!!

Yes, you can absolutely tell! Your face and neck are noticeably slimmer as well as your upper body. I love that your took the pics in the same clothes and with the same "pose". You can really see the difference. Thanks for sharing and best of luck to you!

Thank you for the comments. I wrote this post for anyone who felt like I did. I secretly hated my sleeve in the very beginning. I thought that the beginning was going to be my new normal and I could not handle that. I just want the newbies to know that it does get better. Since this is an elective surgery and you have to convince your family and friends this is the right thing for you, you really don't want to tell them you hate it once it is done. You basically have to keep those feelings to yourself, which is what I did. I want to thank you all for the kind comments! It meant a lot!

Tracy

You look awesome and not only can you tell in your face and upper body but your clothes are baggy as well