Hi, everyone!

I've been lurking on this site for about 3 months now, and have only just decided to join. So, I thought I'd share a quick story about me, my weight, and my sleeve!

I'm 27 years old, of Indian ethnicity, and have been overweight since I was maybe 4 years old. I have the usual story of trying this diet, that diet, meeting with loads of doctors, etc. etc. About a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (now a mentor) had a bypass done, and I was inspired to look into weight loss surgery! I was studying medicine in India (I'm born and raised in California), while I researched everything, and decided to get the surgery done as soon as I finished med school.

I was sleeved on August 31st, 2011 by Dr. Oliak in Orange County, California. He's amazing. I recovered well, and have been on solids for a few weeks now. I'm currently in India while I finish up some paperwork to transfer back to the States.

As a Vegetarian, I've found my options limited. In India, they are limited even more so, because it's hard to get a hold of cheeses, soy products, and all that good stuff! Still, I'm hanging in there and enjoying my sleeve so far. I don't know how much I've lost, since I have decided not to weigh myself for a while. I want to follow the diet plans without worrying about the outcomes, because I know I'll be a slow loser. Perhaps once I get back home I will be able to bring some variety into my diet, and will be interested in knowing how much of a difference it makes.

I wanted to thank all of you for keeping these forums so active, because I've been able to learn so much from your experiences! My weight loss has been slow, from what I see in my body, but it's there nonetheless. You guys keep me motivated and interested. Thank you!

You are so welcomed! It is a hard journey regardless of what others might think. To go it alone just doesn't seem to be healthy to me, not that we don't have the support of most of our family and friends, but to hear the experiences of others that are going through the same thing seems to make the trip just a little less bumpier. Welcome to the losers bench and congratulations on all your future success, both professionally and personally.

You're so right, Raine! I do have a good support network, but no one in the group is overweight or understands the toll that obesity takes on our emotional health and confidence.

Just reading about other peoples' experiences gives me support, and lets me know that I can accomplish the goals I have set for myself.

Thank you for the warm welcome!

its funny u should say that. anybody who is a supporter in my group plays a role but none of them really understand what im going through so i reached out & found people who have had the surgery! to me, those are my real supporters.

for example:

my mom: take care of me & make sure im ok.

my bestfriend(zumba instructor): i can vent to

my boyfriend(personal trainer): i can work out with

1 or 2 other friends: can check up on me

and those r the only people who know that im having it done. none of them know what im going through. all of them think i want the surgery but dont understand that i NEED it. i can see them saying to themselves (maybe even having the balls to say to me) "you did this to yourself", if i ever complained about this. this is why this website is so great. EVERYONE understands EVERYONE!!!! i also have a youtube vlog!

You are so welcomed! It is a hard journey regardless of what others might think. To go it alone just doesn't seem to be healthy to me, not that we don't have the support of most of our family and friends, but to hear the experiences of others that are going through the same thing seems to make the trip just a little less bumpier. Welcome to the losers bench and congratulations on all your future success, both professionally and personally.

WELCOME!! I, too got on the site and just looked around. I finally joined some weeks after finding this site. I found that everyone on here was so helpful because right after I had the sleeve surgery I had a difficult time. I love my sleeve and I know you will too. It doesn't matter how slow you lose because the great thing is that you WILL lose. Congrats on making the best decision for you!

im sorry u had a difficult time..

what happened if u dont mind me asking?

WELCOME!! I, too got on the site and just looked around. I finally joined some weeks after finding this site. I found that everyone on here was so helpful because right after I had the sleeve surgery I had a difficult time. I love my sleeve and I know you will too. It doesn't matter how slow you lose because the great thing is that you WILL lose. Congrats on making the best decision for you!

im sorry u had a difficult time..

what happened if u dont mind me asking?

Thank you. Don't be sorry though = )..... I'm definitely not! Well days after surgery I was fine but once I was home, I cried alot and I was just going through an adjustment period. I thought to myself, "what did I do to my body?" I was so use to eating the way I did my whole life and this was such a huge change and I learned that as time went on. As weeks passed I felt 100% better! I seen that some people do go through a hard time at first. Also right after the surgery I wanted to eat food. I could remember how everything tasted but it was all in my mind. When time came for me to eat food, It didn't taste as good. I can tell you now without a doubt that I do NOT regret having my surgery. It was the best decision I ever made for me and my family. I LOVE my sleeve!! I know that there is no way I would have even lost this much on my own. I might have been able to lose 60 pounds but I know it would have come back on twice as fast like the past. I have lost so much weight and it just keeps coming off. I did this for my children as well. I do watch what I eat but when I crave something I let myself have a little. My sleeve keeps me in check. The best thing about it is that I don't crave junk food at all. The only time I really crave something is you know when it's that time of month.. lol. But I have a bite or two and that's it. It's great! I love that I don't have to eat such big portions either. I eat a little and I'm satisfied. Sorry for such the long reply.

i think i will have the same exact issue but thats what got me where i am today! i know the sleeve will save my life, my lifestyle, my confidence, my future & everything else! i know that i hate what ive become and im looking forward to being how i used to be. this wasnt a long response, it was a PERFECT response! thank u for taking the time to share your story!

Thank you. Don't be sorry though = )..... I'm definitely not! Well days after surgery I was fine but once I was home, I cried alot and I was just going through an adjustment period. I thought to myself, "what did I do to my body?" I was so use to eating the way I did my whole life and this was such a huge change and I learned that as time went on. As weeks passed I felt 100% better! I seen that some people do go through a hard time at first. Also right after the surgery I wanted to eat food. I could remember how everything tasted but it was all in my mind. When time came for me to eat food, It didn't taste as good. I can tell you now without a doubt that I do NOT regret having my surgery. It was the best decision I ever made for me and my family. I LOVE my sleeve!! I know that there is no way I would have even lost this much on my own. I might have been able to lose 60 pounds but I know it would have come back on twice as fast like the past. I have lost so much weight and it just keeps coming off. I did this for my children as well. I do watch what I eat but when I crave something I let myself have a little. My sleeve keeps me in check. The best thing about it is that I don't crave junk food at all. The only time I really crave something is you know when it's that time of month.. lol. But I have a bite or two and that's it. It's great! I love that I don't have to eat such big portions either. I eat a little and I'm satisfied. Sorry for such the long reply.

Dr. Oliak IS WONDERFUL! I am one of his patients as well, and would recommend him to anyone! He is FANTASTIC!!!

Jasleeve, I apologize if this is too personal, but do you find it intimidating having some of your closest friends be fitness-oriented people? I always feel a little uncomfortable (and still do, despite the surgery and my change in food choices) around people that are very diet conscious or fitness oriented. I somehow always wonder if they are judging me, based on what my body looks like, how I behave, or what I eat.

I bet now, though, after the surgery, it helps to have those same people around to keep you active and motivated, though! Congratulations!

Kr1sy, thank you for sharing your story! I'm glad that you are happy with your sleeve, despite having a tough and emotional time in the beginning. Even I have found myself to be incredibly unstable and emotional since the surgery. I haven't been able to figure out why!

Ducker, it's so nice to see someone on here who is also a patient of Dr. Oliak's!! You had your surgery about a month after I did. I absolutely LOVED Placentia Linda Hospital, and all the staff there. I would love to go back and visit them to thank them for their care.