First, I'm not "post." I'm in month two of the six month pre-approval insurance thing. Second, I started two months ago worried that I might lose too much and disqualify myself for surgery. Turns out, I had nothing to fear. I cannot get myself to track regularly, exercise regularly, eat like a sane person, nothing. Two months ago I thought that I could just get back into the whole weight loss mode pretty easily. Not so. I want this surgery and I see it as a last chance for me. But, mercy, do I have what it takes? Did any of you have this wildness before surgery--or after? Did you make it work? Did the surgery tame you? I'd really appreciate any help here. Thanks so much.

I

Now

No

Sweetie, how can you be named determined girl and already giving up? It took you a long time to gain that weight, and a lot of bad habits. Every day that you try to undo one of those habits is a day of victory. Think small and keep trying. The WLS journey, even after surgery, is a long and somewhat laborious one. But you can do it.

I am 7 months out and have a leak. I have made goal. It's been a LONG and hard road in those 7 months, but if I can do it, you better believe you can too.

Hang in there. This sad moment of doubt shall pass. Keep working to what you want - do it thru logging, watching what you eat, exercising and Water. You can do it! (how bad do you really want it? you'd be surprised what you can do once you have to... i know i was and am still). Hang in there!

Hello, do not be discouraged -

I'll briefly give you my story... Starting weight was 242, I started 2 week liquid diet on Aug 29(yes I cheated but things like a piece of cheese here & there or either some deli turkey meat, nothing extreme) I did Atkins Advantage 4-5 a day & then crystal light religiously... Surgery day was Sept 12th & I weighed in @ 222 - tomorrow will be 1month for me & when I weighed last week(I try to only weigh myself on every Wed or Thurs) so this past Thursday I was 211.... Minor but felt major complications was I was re-admitted to the hospital the following Wed after surgery for dehydration & my left side hurt really bad from the incision which is the side they do the most work on & pull the section of the stomach out... I was in for a few days & came out feeling hydrated but my side still gave me trouble... I have used a heating pad on it Wed since & it has decreased the pain way down-it's almost gone... I have been off work a month tomorrow & will go back on the 24th... I also was having a stuck feeling when I ate or drank but that has gotten better, can drink sometimes almost gulp(not advised) but it doesn't bother me...

You can do it, just take it all day by day, you'll be fine... This site is great & everyone here is helpful... Have faith in yourself, if you don't do good one day, there's always tomorrow...

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Oh & download an app like 'my fitness pal' to track everything - makes it easier to see what your really eating

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Determined, You will make it through this. That pre-op diet is tough and it's not going to get lots easier until your mind gets in line with your body. Having the sleeve finally made me understand why I'd never felt full before (physical) and why I craved food like it was a drug. It's because I was using food as a drug... if I was upset about anything I ate. My sleeve has helped me tame that beast. It's not completely controlled, but the physical restriction helps me with the mental work I have to do to make goal.

YOU are on a tough journey, but you WILL make it!! Good luck!!

And you know what? It is harder pre-op to be on that diet that after your surgery. You can do it though. Don't give up! Moments of questionable can I do this sort of thing is normal tho! Just say'n.

YOU CAN DO IT! Good luck!

Determined' date=' You will make it through this. That pre-op diet is tough and it's not going to get lots easier until your mind gets in line with your body. Having the sleeve finally made me understand why I'd never felt full before (physical) and why I craved food like it was a drug. It's because I was using food as a drug... if I was upset about anything I ate. My sleeve has helped me tame that beast. It's not completely controlled, but the physical restriction helps me with the mental work I have to do to make goal.

YOU are on a tough journey, but you WILL make it!! Good luck!![/quote']

Hi Lissa, you said the physical restriction helped while you worked on the mental side. My issue is I over eat, and I can't stop myself. Honest, I exercise 5 days a week and eat well, no chocolates, chips and lollies, I eat my salad and veg but I can't seem to stop. Ill go back for seconds of Protein and carbs and before I know it I've eaten an extra days worth of calories. I'm worried that if I get the sleeve I still won't be able to stop and end up hurting myself. In your experience, did you find having a full stomach helped you stop?

You cant really over eat after the sleeve. The full feeling can be horrid if you take that extra bite . You dont want to get that feeling.

And how did you deal with that mentally? Did you have moments when you wanted to eat but physically couldn't? And how did you deal with that?

DeterminedGirl; hi and thank you for your post. I find myself in the same discouraged situation over and over. What helps me is talking about why I had started all this, and we have support groups every 2 weeks and then places like this really help. Keeping myself involved is what's really doing it for me. Oh and ready4change, thanks for mentioning the myFitnessPal app. I just tried it and it's really cool. Hope this helps, DeterminedGirl, remember, this is your life: you make it happen.

Boots to be honest at first i got mad when i realized over eating is just not possible. But then the anger became a feeling of freedom. The sleeve works its doing its job. I still eat foods i love just not alot of it and the food tastes so.much better knowing i finally have control

You can do it! If I can so can you. Thank God I was only required to do a 2 day pre- op liquid. Before that. I ate everything in sight at my " food funeral"....sleeved 9/17 have lost 32 pounds so far, back to work 2 weeks ago & don't regret a thing. No cravings. I eat now because I have to & I'm lucky that healthy foods seem to go down the best. Believe me, I'm Italian & could eat pasta, pizza & gobs off cheese constantly - hence the overweight!! Now I don't even think about it... You will do great!!

Thank you for your honesty diedie, I appreciate it! Determined, stay just that. I can't imagine what you are going through but I wish you all the best!

Thanks to ALL of you who took the time and the care to write to me. Each of your answers helped me a lot. I really get that about the sleeve forcing you to turn somewhere other than food for your feelings. Thanks for that. And, boy, is that tough!!!!

Another thing you helped me see is that no matter what accountability structures are in place, the truth is that for many years I've eaten to avoid my feelings or to get a break in the constant MINDFULNESS of each day. MINDLESS eating--that's what I have always done. Now, I have to think.

I think I can do this--despite the wild animal inside that wants to eat everything not nailed down. You give me hope. And courage. THANK YOU ALL. Onward.