1) I have no regrets! Down 40lbs so far!!

2) Learning what our bodies and sleeves our capable of is a learning process. Taking the time to listen to them is important. Overeating by one bite is painful!

3) I do not miss soda...I thought I would.

4) Evreryone has their own journey. No one is the same and that is a good thing.

5) life changes after the sleeve. The way you think, feel, eat, everything. But it is all for the good.

6) I sometimes miss being able to eat a normal amount and miss drinking alcohol. Still worth it though.

I LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Awesome!

Very uplifting! Thanks!

Thanks for your insights. I especially agreed with your observation that everyone's journey is different. It's important not to compare yourself against anyone else!

Thank you. What a great message. I'm 12 days post op. Still in a little pain, able to do more every day. U are so right. It is different. I lost 50 lbs pre op to-post op in the last 5 months.I was so afraid that I was not gong to be approved. Aetna approval is a difficult process. I prayed about it and it happened. God is good.I look in the mirror some days and see a whole different person. I'm happy I did this, pain and all. Your post has gave me more incentive not to give up.

I'm 8 weeks post op today, as well. I agree that everyone's journey is different. I remember coming on here and reading everyone's replies and thinking that I'd never be able to add anything to their wisdom, yet here I am every day, both learning and trying to give back.

So far, I've learned:

1. That the benefits of the surgery start showing up way faster than I thought they would. At 8 weeks, I'm already amazed at my enhanced energy level and ability to just MOVE.

2. I'm excited now to do things other than eat. Before it was tough to walk from the apartment to my car. Now I am making multiple trips to the car, carrying in groceries, taking things to storage and rearranging closets, etc. Before I started losing, it was nearly impossible for me to get around.

3. I think I'm braver than I was before surgery. Before, if you'd have told me I'd make a 3,000 mile car trip ALONE, I'd have been convinced you were nuts, yet I did just that two weeks ago...with all of my doctors' blessings.

4. Eating is much easier than I thought it would be. I was prepared for complicated eating plans, etc. However, it's pretty simple: Water, decaf tea and lots of Protein. Oh, and Vitamin.

5. I wasn't prepared for how much Tums would help me to tolerate everything else. I assumed I was one of the lucky ones without the gas pains until my doc put me on the Tums. Now I realize that lots of times my "hunger" pains were actually gas.

I'm sure I'll learn tons more as I go, but I'm excited about the journey.

I am 8 weeks post op also and am amazed every day with the changes in my body, mind and spirit. In the beginning I was really hung up on the scale and when that week 3 & 4 stall hit, I panicked thinking what have I done? But, the scale eventually moved again and the inches keep coming off as well. I am already off blood pressure and diabetes medications and feel better than I have in years. I do have rheumatoid arthritis as this cold weather has reminded me this weekend, lots of pain in knees and hips. For now, I am switching from walking to riding my stationary bike to compensate. I am even considering a yoga class as a friend at work has invited me to join her. Bottom line, I am not giving up. I am focusing on fluids, protein and good carbs and just taking this journey day by day.

I am also 8 weeks out, love my sleeve 85% of the time, it saved my life as you all know, as far as alcohol i dont miss it because i have no problem drinking it,,,,,,,,,,,,my Dr. said i could have a few when i felt like it but to be careful, i have already learned my limit witch i am sure will go down the smaller i get............