As my surgery day rapidly approaches, I won't lie - I'm panicking. I'm stressed about leaving my old "fun" life behind. The one where I go out to lunch with my husband and vent about our work day, or meet friends for dinner or brunch on the weekends, or go to a work holiday function and enjoy some goodies.

I don't want the old days of gorging myself back. It obviously has done me no favors. But I'm worried that there will be no balance - because I'll be so focused on trying to get enough Protein and nutrients that I can never partake in the good stuff now and then. Moderation is all I'm interested in.

Can some of you give me an idea of what my life may be like 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-sleeve? I know we're all different, but I'm curious to hear everyone's experiences with living a "real" life with their new stomach.

Thank you!

Ok, here goes & I'm a very open, honest person.... Pre op diet I was on (liquids) & post-op diet I was on (liquids 1st week), pretty much sucked, weeks 2-4 soft, mushy foods wasn't too bad but took some getting used to (i have an issue with textures). Then, once I reached 6 weeks, I was cleared for foods & alcohol (but in moderation) it was GREAT! I am now 3 mos out, 41 lbs lighter & life is good. I feel awesome & have not been happier with my WLS decision. We all go thru different emotions approaching our surgery date but I'm sure you will be happy with your decision as well. Best wishes for a happier, healthier future!!!!

I can only speak from the one month perspective, as I am 5 weeks out today but I have to say that I love the sleeve. I may be one of the lucky ones that have had no complications at all and I have had no problems getting in my Water and Protein and never have. Right now I am eating anywhere between 500 and 700 calories a day and am keeping my cars low. I haven't had a horrible time with head hunger, unless the food is right in front of me and then I excuse myself. In fact the "bad" thing that I treat myself to about once every other week is a flat diet Pepsi...I know...I'm living on the edge...lol

Honestly, I playfully ask my surgeon when I see her if she even took my stomach out because I had barely any pain or problems that others deal with. Now don't go sabotaging yourself by comparing yourself to others because we are all different!

I hope you have a great experience and learn to love your sleeve when you get it!

I had surgery March 21 of this year, Easter was hard, I was still on purees, I had egg salad and mashed potatoes. Thanksgiving was much better, I enjoyed turkey, a bite of a deviled egg, and I made sweet potato casserole with splenda and sugar free brown sugar. I also made pumpkin pie with splenda and had a small sliver. It was the first thanksgiving I remember eating just till i was full, not till i felt like i was gonna pop. I was ready to get up and moving, playing cards or games right after dinner, everyone else was tires sleepy and stuffed. So I still got to enjoy all my favorites and never felt deprived.

Honey I live a very social life with meals out at least three times a week, normally more. We eat with friends often and attend many social events. At three months out I still do this

At one month out I was hospitalized and near death...so my social life was a bit slim unless you count the numerous visiting doctors starting at 6 am and ending around 3. none of them brought Cookies or wine! And there I was paying them thousands to entertain me heh heh

At two months out I was starting puree and still very weak but I was back having tea with the girls since I couldn't have wine. I attended a weekend retreat actually now that I think of it and at that retreat I joined in with the group on the seven course meal with wine pairings...I just sipped a bit and ate what I could. It was no biggie.

At three months out I am past fear of further complications and pretty much back to my normal life. Today I had lunch with a girlfriend then a glass of wine in my favorite shop. We plan on dinner out Saturday with our friends and then a party on Sunday, where I will eat pretty much what others do, just not as much.

At thanksgiving I had turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. Just a bit of each was plenty. I enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner. That weekend we went to a french restaurant. I had escargot for an app and duck for dinner. I skipped a salad because I am not able to eat them yet, but in all other ways I was following in with the group. We had champs (which isn't allowed for me except for a small taste, which I enjoyed) and wine with dinner. I shared my dessert with the table. My social life was not altered...I just didn't have three or four glasses of wine over the long dinner and I didn't leave stuffed.

Your life will be one of forced moderation if that's what works for you. I am not glued to any calorie limit nor a carb limit. I do tend to get in about 600 cals a day and am normally under 50 carbs, but my doc prefers I just focus on Protein. My social life is fine with that I just don't drink as much as the other gals and I lose weight without worrying about it.

As my surgery day rapidly approaches, I won't lie - I'm panicking. I'm stressed about leaving my old "fun" life behind. The one where I go out to lunch with my husband and vent about our work day, or meet friends for dinner or brunch on the weekends, or go to a work holiday function and enjoy some goodies.

I don't want the old days of gorging myself back. It obviously has done me no favors. But I'm worried that there will be no balance - because I'll be so focused on trying to get enough Protein and nutrients that I can never partake in the good stuff now and then. Moderation is all I'm interested in.

Can some of you give me an idea of what my life may be like 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-sleeve? I know we're all different, but I'm curious to hear everyone's experiences with living a "real" life with their new stomach.

Thank you!

You will be supprised, your life will still be the same, you just eat smaller portions and make better choices becasue your not hungry, now you eat to live not live to eat. So I went back to work and the first day went out to lunch with the girls, I am two weeks out of surgery so I had a small cup of chicken noodle Soup and just had about 1/2 of the broth, but the conversataion was the same and being with my friends was the same, I needed that becasue I too thought it all was going to change, but it doesn't everything is the same as I said you just feel much better and it is easy to make good choices and you wont want to gorge. Dont worry it will be easier than you think and it the steps will go quickly and it is so worth it!!

I will be three months out tomorrow and I can honestly say my life is about the same, only better! I eat out with my friends at least once a week. I have had chicken breast (leftovers for the next two meals), In & Out cheeseburger in a lettuce leaf, 1/2 a piece of thin-crust pizza (didn't eat the crust :-( my fav) and even a couple bites of a friends pancake at Breakfast Thanksgiving weekend. I had a scrambled egg but her pancake looked too good to resist. Thanksgiving, I had turkey, a couple bites of mashed potatoes, and a bite of my mom's homemade roll. Later I had two small bites of a cupcake.

I don't feel deprived. I choose not to eat chocolate/candy because I know it is a weakness for me. Obviously I like carby foods, so when I cheat, that's where I go, but am happy just having a taste of it. That's all I need. I actually feel better now that I'm eating cleaner. I don't have headaches or sugar withdrawls. I like eating a scrambled egg for breakfast now when I used to eat a poptart washed down with mountain dew.

I have no regrets as all. The first month wasn't nearly as bad as I expected and now I don't think wbout food much at all. I sometimes forget to eat. And I ate at Mcdonalds or In & out almost every day before. I hope everything goes as easy for you.

It has been a learning process for sure but worth every bit of it! I would do it ten times over. I am 4 1/2 months out and 56 pounds lighter. I am at the point I do not struggle with food any longer. I know to do my protein first. That is always my first priority. As i look back at the first two months i realize that yes at that time i thiught it was hard but now i know it was not. I still have not had any breads or pastas. Not because i cant eat them but i just ask myself " why eat them now after 4 1/2 ,omths and then make it a habit again?" Not worth it jn my eyes. My love right now is Babybel cheese, Clif protein bars, grilled chicken, and eggs! Of course not together though. Haha

Thank you all so much! I'm starting to feel better about this, knowing I can have a slightly altered version of my current lifestyle. 10 days to go!

Lucky8 be excited!! I jut started a thread on how this was the best decision I ever made!!

I'm only 6 weeks out and have just slipped back into normal life like nothing changed - except it's easier!!

I used to be paranoid about eating out in front of ppl now I don't care!! I love my tiny portions of food and I'm learning (sometimes the hard way) that I need to stop ordering so much - wasted a lot of food lol

Went to a restaurant last week and ordered the appetizer of three perfectly cooked scallops which were delicious and all I needed!

I've resumed going out with friends, was in the city last wknd and camping last night, only difference is everyone keeps saying how great I look!

I'm a bit naughty, c'mon I'm young ppl!! Have had a couple of packs of snack maltesers and last night drank two beers instead of my vodka lime soda - def not an everyday thing but everything in moderation!

My husband and I were joking about how our eating out expenses are going to plummet! A nice little side effect of the surgery!

At 6 weeks out I went to a tri-annual gathering with two other families. One family knew about the surgery, the other family did not. I talked, I nibbled, had a glass of wine and the "unknowing" family never even questions why I wasn't packing it away like I used to. I was a little dissappointed that they didn't notice my almost 50lb weight loss but at least I didn't have to explain myself to them! I also went on a Disney vacation at 39 days out and had a great time. Yes, I missed the Mickey Mouse ice cream but I survived and had a great trip. Life will resume and will be better than ever!