Hello all, so today was my orientation 5hrs and it went well, I have my appt to meet with the surgeon 10/1 and I am very nervous. I know this is what I want , but I can't help to think about all the things I have to give up. How did you guys get threw this?

It was neither easy nor automatic. I "gave in" at some point during the pre-op months and started to cut down on my 'not good with the sleeve' habits. coffee (caffinated), all carbonation, simple carbs. Thankfully I was never a smoker. I began tracking foods, I started on this Board to learn what I could from other's experiences. I researched a LOT (and even watched a lot of sleeve surgeries on You Tube.

At some point I realized that the things that I "had to give up" were the things that were killing me. This made it a LOT easier, friend!

Lastly, post sleeve I have had lots of social events, etc. and I participated FULLY. The only difference? food was not the be-all, end-all of the gathering for me. i.e. I was acting more like a normal person (and all in all I am pretty Abnormal)!

For me, it wasn't a matter of "what do I need to give up" but more.. OMG I"m going to be a normal sized person for the first time since I wasw 18. I think that good out weighed the 'bad' (so to speak). The things I felt I would 'miss' out on were buffets (REALLY? I mean REALLY? pathetic).

At first, the thought of 5 bites per meal was a lot to take in. But the first time I ate those 5 bites and felt like I ate a full plate... WOW.

I think Arts has a good point, do lots of research. Read as many posts here as you can.. Get all the facts. If you are comfortable with your choice to have the sleeve, that's the biggest hurdle right there! Everything else really is minor!!

The decision to have the sleeve was fairly easy. After the research and reading and talking with the surgeon I was ready. the pre process for me took 8 months. 6 months of pre diet for my insurance, then wait time for the scheduled procedures and finally the surgery. By the time the surgery date rolled around I was more than ready. I had surgery in the past , and I knew what to expect. Once you get on the OR table your out like a light and when you wake up you don't even remember going to sleep.. The surgery itself was a breeze. There was some pain the very first day, but really not that bad. From there the journey began and almost 2 years later I'm still on it. It's a life time decision that I have never regretted. Good Luck!!

I had surgery in June, but made the decision in February. I started to change my eating habits at that point. I lost 30 pounds pre-op and have lost 61 pounds in the last six months. I think the hardest part was teaching myself to eat slow and enjoy my food. That was harder than the fact that I have not had bread, pasta or rice since May. I wish you ladies the best of luck on your journey!

Hi, i am 5 years post sleeve surgery and still so happy with my decision. yes the first few months are a drag, especially the first 6 weeks. My surgeon's plan didn't have me eating regular food until after 6 weeks. But little by little you introduce things back into your baby stomach. I never did have much trouble, although some things go down better than others and some make you full fast and sugars can make you feel a bit sick. You'll learn, it's like second nature to me now, and I don't feel deprived, I feel just as normal as the next person even if we go out to dinner. I don't tell everyone now who i meet about my surgery, I just say I eat small portions. People are fine with that.

It's really one of the best things i've have done; i can't imagine life obese again and i never want to. I love just being "normal" and i continually receive compliments, even from people who never knew me "before". It's great. It's such a part of life now, it's really no big deal, it's my new normal and i love it!

It's hard to believe it or convince you but you really don't give up much. Trust me. You think you do, but you really don't. And what you gain from it, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I hope the next 5 years is as successful as the first 5.

Good luck! (and keep exercising)

Thank you all so much! I got my goal weight today I need to lose 15lbs to get my surgery date. I'm still nervous but very excited and ready.