So, now that I finally have approval and a date (6/27), my head is reeling full of thoughts. How will I look? How will everyone treat me? How will life change? Will it? Can I really do this? Ohemgee its really happening. Will it hurt? Can I handle the pain? I can't believe I'm actually doing this? Will it work? Whats the anesthesia like? I could go on, but I'll stop here.

How did you all calm your racing thoughts?

I'm still super excited, nervous, confused, emotional, etc. my date is on 6/18.

I calm myself my thinking about the future outfits I am going to buy! I love love love shopping and now I won't be limited to lane bryant and chubby side of jcp and avenue!! Omg I can't wait to shop at random stores at the mall!

Did I mention I love shopping!

Good luck to you and congrats on your day! :-)

HA! I so get you. I was walking through the mall with my boyfriend the other day, pointing out all the store I want to shop from when I get close to goal!

Thats what I've been doing so far too. Reminding myself of all the good things a week or so of discomfort will bring. But, sometimes those unknowns get the better of me.

I'll let you know when MY mind stops racing!!

The discomfort will most likely be only a week (with acutal pain, which for me was really only a day of minor pain. I took no pain killers after the 1st day). But the adaptation to your new stomach size, figuring out what you can tolerate, when you can move to the next level (your sleeve doesn't always conform to what your doctor's schedule is!), dealing with changes in your bathroom patterns, sleeping patterns, mobility issues in the beginning will be quite a bit longer.

I'm about 3 1/2 weeks post-op now (sleeved on May 14, 2012) and I am still adjusting in a BIG BIG way. I'm supposed to be on mushies and desperately want to stop with the liquids and Soups already, but my sleeve just isn't happy with that plan as yet. Fatigue is a battle since my calorie intake is quite low, getting very tired of getting more than 50% of my calories a day from Protein shakes (which started out tasting good and now I have to "choke" them down every morning!). It's a daily struggle right now.

That all begin said, I am also exercising (just walking right now, but usually going 3-4 miles each day, which is 3-4 more miles than I did pre-op!) and I've already lost 30 lbs (includes 11 lbs from 2 week pre-op diet). So yeah me!

I'm also doing what you're doing.....walking through stores I've never been able to shop in and imaging all the cute outfits I'll be able to buy and wear for the first time EVER in my life. What a great motivator!

I just wanted you to be aware that the discomfort will be longer than a week if you factor in the major life change you're about to go through and the length of time it takes to really get into what will probably be fairly close to your new eating pattern, headspace, etc.

Keep up the optimism and the excitement though! I'm not raining on your parade.....this is the best decision of my life and it will be for you too! I'm just also excited for the next couple of months to pass so I can get through these early stages and settle into a more normal routine.

Webchickadee- Nah, no parade raining. I really appreciate when folks are upfront about what they went through. I'd rather be mentally prepared for the worst and then have a cake walk, than the other way around. I keep trying to remind myself that no one knows what my journey will be like, I could be one of the lucky ones who have no issues at all and minor discomfort, or I could struggle. I keep reminding myself that I CAN'T know that.

Congratulations on your amazing weigh loss so far! I hope that your discomfort is soon to be over.