It's hard to believe that I have had my wonderful, little sleeve for a full 3 months already! I now just affectionately refer to my sleeve as my "tiny tummy". My tiny tummy & I embarked on our adventure together on November 27th. So, we've already had our first Christmas together.

90 days ago I was scared, tired & miserable. I had managed to lose & regain the same 30 lbs. (& 30 lbs. only) over & over again. My clothes were all bought over the internet. I limited my social interaction, because I was embarrassed about how I looked. It didn't matter what I wore, or how I did my hair, or how perfect my make up was. I always felt like I was disgusting. That is no way to go through life. If anyone who is reading this is pre-op & feeling that way, just let it go. Self deprecation doesn't benefit anyone.

I went in for surgery on November 27th absolutely terrified. When I woke up in recovery the pain was unbearable. I felt like a bus had run over me, backed up & was still sitting there. I only had to stay in the hospital 1 night. I had a leak test the next day & was cleared & ready to go home.

The first 3 weeks were HARD. There is just no way to sugar coat that. Everyone is different. Some people have an easier time than I did recovering. Technically, I had a perfect surgery & recovery. It has been my thinking that is taking the most time to adjust. This site was absolutely invaluable to me during my 1st 30 days. I lost a lot of weight in the first 7 days. Then the scale didn't move even a tenth of a pound for 3 weeks! I was convinced that I would never get past that 30 lbs. So many people told me this was such a small part of the journey & things would get better & they were right!

I am not the fastest loser, but that is okay. I remember one week being disappointed that I had only lost 3 lbs. that week. "Only 3 pounds". Before the sleeve I would have been ecstatic to lose 3 pounds in one week. 3 pounds a week times 52 weeks in a year is 156 pounds! I would be SO excited if next 11/27 I down 156 lbs.! I had to change the way I thought about numbers on the scale. I needed to learn to trust my Dr., nutritionist, my sleeve and myself.

Now I have not been perfect. A few of you may remember my mistakes from at least one infamous thread. One day I ate 10 chicken nuggets & a mocha frappe from McDonalds. It took me 4 hours, but I got it all down. Recently I had bread for the 1st time & ate 4 pieces of garlic bread dipped in sauce. I caused myself much pain in both instances. Physically & emotionally. What have I learned from these experiences? Never again! That's what I learned. Maybe some people are perfect, but some people like me sometimes learn the hard way.

This is not only a physical journey. It is mental & emotional too. We all got to our highest weights for different reasons. I think, though, that most of us can relate to using food as a comfort at some point. Also, if you are an ex-smoker (like me) it is a double whammy. First I had to quit smoking for quite awhile before I could have surgery. Then once I had my surgery I could only use food for - get this: NUTRITION! Ack! Once I was only feeding my body nutrients & not comfort I had severe nicotine cravings. I remember crying because I couldn't eat OR smoke.

Jump to 2/27. 90 days post-op. I am down 64 pounds, 4 pants sizes, 3 shirt sizes & 1 shoe size. I am comfortable in my car now. I can fit into restaurant booths without worrying. I have more energy. Instead of my life revolving around food, my life revolves around life! Imagine that? I can go out to eat & have great conversations instead of obsessing about what appetizer, entree, dessert combination I'll be having. It's very liberating!

I still have a long way to go, but I know now that I CAN do this. My tiny tummy & I are going places. Literally. My boyfriend & I planned our first flying (as opposed to driving) vacation together in 6 years. We live in upstate NY. The 1st week of May we will be going to Phoenix to visit my grandmother. We are also doing a 3 day drive & stay trip to Las Vegas & The Grand Canyon. I am looking forward to all of it. If I keep with what my average weight loss has been I will be close to 100 pounds down by the time we leave. This trip definitely gives me motivation to really get in some good exercise over the next 2 months. I want to be able to come back & say that I HIKED in the Grand Canyon. I also want to be out on the disc golf courses with my sweetie. He deserves a more active partner than I have been.

3 months ago I started a whole new life. I can't wait to keep on this amazing path & rise to all the goals that are waiting for me!

It's good to hear your first three weeks were hard. I'm 7 days post-op and so miserable. Everyone says I should be so happy because surgery went perfect, it was single incision through the belly button so no scarring, and I've somehow lost 25 pounds in a single week, but right now I'm like, why the hell did I do this to myself. I hope and pray that like you that in the near future I will be happy I did this.

Question your first week post op did you eat any real food? I don't know if it is mental or emotional eating... But I literally am dying to eat! I'm afraid though.

No no no!!! No real food week one. You could tear your stomach or get something stuck in the stitches. Drink Clear liquids, broths, chew ice, eat a popsicle. I'm not hungry at all and have family eating around me all the time. You've got to be prepared for a few rough spots. You can do this!!

It's good to hear your first three weeks were hard. I'm 7 days post-op and so miserable. Everyone says I should be so happy because surgery went perfect, it was single incision through the belly button so no scarring, and I've somehow lost 25 pounds in a single week, but right now I'm like, why the hell did I do this to myself. I hope and pray that like you that in the near future I will be happy I did this.

I'm on day 4 post op, I've got 5 incisions, I'm down 18 pounds and 11 since surgery on Monday. At times I feel like crud and ingest weakness and shaky but I drink a bit and it goes away. On Monday I get to begin my Protein drinks so I'm sure I'll feel better then.

It's hard to believe that I have had my wonderful' date=' little sleeve for a full 3 months already! I now just affectionately refer to my sleeve as my "tiny tummy". My tiny tummy & I embarked on our adventure together on November 27th. So, we've already had our first Christmas together. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

90 days ago I was scared, tired & miserable. I had managed to lose & regain the same 30 lbs. (& 30 lbs. only) over & over again. My clothes were all bought over the internet. I limited my social interaction, because I was embarrassed about how I looked. It didn't matter what I wore, or how I did my hair, or how perfect my make up was. I always felt like I was disgusting. That is no way to go through life. If anyone who is reading this is pre-op & feeling that way, just let it go. Self deprecation doesn't benefit anyone.

I went in for surgery on November 27th absolutely terrified. When I woke up in recovery the pain was unbearable. I felt like a bus had run over me, backed up & was still sitting there. I only had to stay in the hospital 1 night. I had a leak test the next day & was cleared & ready to go home.

The first 3 weeks were HARD. There is just no way to sugar coat that. Everyone is different. Some people have an easier time than I did recovering. Technically, I had a perfect surgery & recovery. It has been my thinking that is taking the most time to adjust. This site was absolutely invaluable to me during my 1st 30 days. I lost a lot of weight in the first 7 days. Then the scale didn't move even a tenth of a pound for 3 weeks! I was convinced that I would never get past that 30 lbs. So many people told me this was such a small part of the journey & things would get better & they were right!

I am not the fastest loser, but that is okay. I remember one week being disappointed that I had only lost 3 lbs. that week. "Only 3 pounds". Before the sleeve I would have been ecstatic to lose 3 pounds in one week. 3 pounds a week times 52 weeks in a year is 156 pounds! I would be SO excited if next 11/27 I down 156 lbs.! I had to change the way I thought about numbers on the scale. I needed to learn to trust my Dr., nutritionist, my sleeve and myself.

Now I have not been perfect. A few of you may remember my mistakes from at least one infamous thread. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> One day I ate 10 chicken nuggets & a mocha frappe from McDonalds. It took me 4 hours, but I got it all down. Recently I had bread for the 1st time & ate 4 pieces of garlic bread dipped in sauce. I caused myself much pain in both instances. Physically & emotionally. What have I learned from these experiences? Never again! That's what I learned. Maybe some people are perfect, but some people like me sometimes learn the hard way.

This is not only a physical journey. It is mental & emotional too. We all got to our highest weights for different reasons. I think, though, that most of us can relate to using food as a comfort at some point. Also, if you are an ex-smoker (like me) it is a double whammy. First I had to quit smoking for quite awhile before I could have surgery. Then once I had my surgery I could only use food for - get this: NUTRITION! Ack! Once I was only feeding my body nutrients & not comfort I had severe nicotine cravings. I remember crying because I couldn't eat OR smoke.

Jump to 2/27. 90 days post-op. I am down 64 pounds, 4 pants sizes, 3 shirt sizes & 1 shoe size. I am comfortable in my car now. I can fit into restaurant booths without worrying. I have more energy. Instead of my life revolving around food, my life revolves around life! Imagine that? I can go out to eat & have great conversations instead of obsessing about what appetizer, entree, dessert combination I'll be having. It's very liberating!

I still have a long way to go, but I know now that I CAN do this. My tiny tummy & I are going places. Literally. My boyfriend & I planned our first flying (as opposed to driving) vacation together in 6 years. We live in upstate NY. The 1st week of May we will be going to Phoenix to visit my grandmother. We are also doing a 3 day drive & stay trip to Las Vegas & The Grand Canyon. I am looking forward to all of it. If I keep with what my average weight loss has been I will be close to 100 pounds down by the time we leave. This trip definitely gives me motivation to really get in some good exercise over the next 2 months. I want to be able to come back & say that I HIKED in the Grand Canyon. I also want to be out on the disc golf courses with my sweetie. He deserves a more active partner than I have been.

3 months ago I started a whole new life. I can't wait to keep on this amazing path & rise to all the goals that are waiting for me! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Hi tini tummy, I am from upstate ny too. My story is due to my low thyroid , i put on 65 bs in 2 years. I went to Mexico for my surgery. Dr. Juan Corvala did my surgery February 26th. I was at the hospital for 4 nights. It was all pleasant, the hospital staffs were great!!!! No complaint. I chose Mexico because my BMI was not high enough. You see it was only 31, but I knew eventually I was going to get bigger and I did not want to wait. There was a place in Florida that would do the surgery, but they asked $16,000.00 self pay for only one night at the hospital. There was another place in Long Island NY that would also do low BMI but they asked $20,000.00. So that's why I went to Mexico . Dr. Corvala come to the states to teach doctors in the states how to do bariatric surgeries. Dr. Corvala only charge $7,200. I have not weight myself yet but I can't wait!!! I wil let you know how things going.

Question your first week post op did you eat any real food? I don't know if it is mental or emotional eating... But I literally am dying to eat! I'm afraid though.

Every surgeon gives different discharge instructions. I was only allowed water or crystal light for the first week. I had a hard time even sipping at first. So, my BF ground everything into ice chips for me. I remember being in SO much pain the 1st week. It really will get better. Just follow your discharge instructions very carefully. They are there to keep you & your new sleeve safe. I am happy to help anyway that I can. Just know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

It's good to hear your first three weeks were hard. I'm 7 days post-op and so miserable. Everyone says I should be so happy because surgery went perfect, it was single incision through the belly button so no scarring, and I've somehow lost 25 pounds in a single week, but right now I'm like, why the hell did I do this to myself. I hope and pray that like you that in the near future I will be happy I did this.

Eventually, you will be happy. Like I said, it is not just a physical journey. It is mental & emotional as well. I remember being happy when I could go from water to protein shakes. Then like 3 my days later I was miserable on protein shakes. The same goes for pureed/soft foods. Every transition I would be happy for a couple days & then miserable again. It was 6 weeks before I was cleared for all foods. It probably took me a good month to be okay with what my new portions. I would feel sad because I would only be able to eat enough to get a very small taste of something & then I would have to stop. I am fine now. though. I make sure to enjoy every bite just like it's the last bite. It helps! You will feel better. Promise!

It's good to hear your first three weeks were hard. I'm 7 days post-op and so miserable. Everyone says I should be so happy because surgery went perfect, it was single incision through the belly button so no scarring, and I've somehow lost 25 pounds in a single week, but right now I'm like, why the hell did I do this to myself. I hope and pray that like you that in the near future I will be happy I did this.

oh dont worry it does get better! I felt the same way you do too. I felt like I regretted it and was sold a surgery. I was mad that I did it because i felt so awful and diddnt think it would get any better. but then week two rolled around and I was feeling amazing!!! as long as I keep up on my Protein intake and workout Im energetic and I feel good. dont worry, keep focused, it does get better!

I'm very proud of you. Sometimes we all have to realize that WLS is not brain surgery and there isn't a switch that turns the emotional side off in us. My weight was stalled but I knew my problem was that I hadn't had a protein shake since my first 3 weeks and I hadn't been eating enough. Sometimes we know what to do but it just takes time for our head to catch up. We'll all get there eventually...kudos to you for having the courage to tell us all what you ate, for being accountable...ALOT more people do but never admit to it, and especially not here. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey!

Crystal

I love your new pic!

Thank you for sharing your story thus far -- I had read the Bread Thread <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> so I am glad to get to read more about you !!! You've been very successful and I know it's been hard work (as for all of us!) I'm preop and am a recovering smoker as well (5 weeks now woo hoo!). By day I think I'm doing really well' date=' but 3 times now I've had dreams about smoking! So weird! Good thing is though, that in my dream I light up and then am absolutely horrified that I've done it! So funny the subconscious mind! The nicotine gum has made it really quite easy....but I know there will be no gum for a while after surgery....

Anyways! Just wanted to say congrats and THANK YOU for being an inspiration! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I'm 10 months out and 106# down, 20 from goal AND still have M and M dreams!!!! Big handfuls!!! Plain not peanut, LOL.