My name is Crystal.I just started this and have been to about two appointments so far. They just started me on the diet that i guess i will be on for the rest of my life later on (after all the liquid stuff for a while) So far i'm not liking it and it gets frustrating. I mean come on.. eating healthy and in moderation is not what got me in this position to begin with right? I also have been smoke free now for almost a week and if you are a smoker you would know that that is pretty amazing (as well as makes the eating stuff that much harder for me) anyways... i know that I can do this I am a 30 year old mother of three (all of who are under the age of 5) so once i make up my mind I make it happen there is no turning back. I am also only human so sometimes I can be hard on myself and there are times when I can tell myself "whats the point" It would make this that much better if I had someone who understood what i was going through to go through it with. Anyone from the south shore or Boston area going through all of this? I want someone who can email, text, facebook, or something with me whenever or always through out this whole thing. The both of us. It will go both ways. I want to be there for them and them there for me. Do i sound crazy? lol sorry if I do. I am so excited and happy to finally be doing this for myself and for my children and im so happy for anyone else that is taking their life into there own hands as well and changing it for the better. Either way good luck to everyone. God bless.

Im a weymouth guy. Though im six months post op ( almost) id be glad to help you in anyway i can. My first bit of advice is to read, read , read, all the posts you can, go back as far as you can bother to do it. Then ask lots of questions. You can do this if you want to. I am an ex smoker and i know the feeling.

Good luck, and remember , you can do this.

Thank you for responding! It's honestly great to hear that someone anyone is willing to listen and it help lol happy for you! Congrats! Whereabouts in Weymouth are you from? Could you tell me some of your biggest struggles with your journey? I'm nervous but determined. I just want to prepare myself.

I live in north Weymouth, and have for many years. The biggest struggles are in your first two weeks after surgery. The dreaded liquid diet. It takes a lot of willpower to get over the hump and onto something you can chew versus just drink. It's a struggle for many , including myself to hydrate enough. But its a huge necessity. I'll post this picture, of how I helped myself through it thanks to some great people here.

That is a big help.

The fun is in the weight loss. Other common difficulties are, chewing a lot, and eating slowly, and just in discovering how much, you can eat without discomfort. You really have to focus on eating slowly.

You learn to prepare your foods in advance, the idea of grabbing something and going, is non-existent.

Other issues are in finding what your stomach can tolerate after you "graduate" to more normal foods.

Another big one for me, is not drinking while eating or vice versa, however you look at it. I was a big liquids fan during eating, whether it be wine or Water, or diet soda. I mis carbonation, but it just does not work for me with this sleeve. Also a big big issue is, finding a Protein drink you like and can enjoy, not just choke down when you have to. You can watch my taste test videos in the video section here to get an idea of flavors. I recommend buying trial sizes or packets etc to taste first then buying a bit more bulky product . Personally i swear by Syntrax products, especially Fuzzy Navel, Cappuccino, lemonade, iced tea, vanilla, and cherry. I mix the vanilla and cappuccino with 1% milk and the other with water or unsweetened iced tea. Add some ice to your blender with the cappuccino mix, and you have a great coolata, which is a godsend for me seeing ive always been a huge ( pun intended) dunkin donuts fan, unfortunately there is nothing you can do about donuts, which were my biggest vice. So read a lot, ask a lot, and dont hesiatate to ask me anything.

Lol thanks! This definitely put a smile on my face even though a lot of what you just said kind of scares the crap out of me! I LOVE myself some dunkies and or marylous! I recently started doing the sugar free shots not swirls and skim milk or sugar free creamer at home.. (They have me starting to get ready for what life's going to be like after surgery) everything I a huge change. I'm doing pretty good so far. Can I express how proud I am of myself for a moment?

1. I drank Mountain Dew faithfully for 12 years I'm talking 24 packs in a day! I've been Mountain Dew clean for almost 4-5 months now! I drink only Water and one coffee a day! Forced myself! I can't imagine it any other way now!

2. I have been a smoker since I was 6 years old (discussing I know! I have older nephews so if I smokes with them they knew I couldn't snitch on them!) I couldn't inhale until I was 8 but either way.. I'm 30 now..

I haven't had a cigarette in a week now!!! I don't even really care! That's the shocking part! I think I'm to concerned with my eating to think about smoking lol

3. I used to lay in bed and feel sorry for myself not move at all. Hence being almost 400lbs at one point

I've been moving more even little things I have stairs that lead up to the bathroom... I so ten push-ups off the stairs before I can pee lmao and I have three kids all under 5 so.. Enough said there. I do jump and jacks with my 4 year old ( or what I consider to be jump and jacks )

I have cheated on this diet a little bit but when I've cheated it's been two extra pieces of celery or an extra scoop of low fat Greek yogurt.. Not an extra bowl of Pasta with extra sauce and bacon and chicken like used to. I'm proud of me

Thank you for listening to my rant and thanks for all the advice!! I'm going crazy over here cuz I don't even know if they are going to give me a date yet! I'm still waiting! All I know is they put me on this diet and she said it's what I will be on for the rest of my life after surgery basically (minus the time I'm on the liquid diet) I just want a date now! I need to know!! I think I'm more nervous not knowing if I will get a date... I need this! I need to live and stick around for my kids!

I live about 45min from Boston but I go to Wareham,Ma for all my appointments. My surgery will be at Tobey Hospital.

Edited June 12, 201511 yr by smiranda

I live about 45min from Boston but I go to Wareham,Ma for all my appointments. My surgery will be at Tobey Hospital.

My best friend actually lives in wareham! She's not that big at all but she wants to lose so she is trying and is my biggest supporter in my journey

Hey Crystal Leigh My name is Marie I live in Fall River I had my surgery at Tobey Hospital August 19th 2014.

Hey Crystal Leigh My name is Marie I live in Fall River I had my surgery at Tobey Hospital August 19th 2014.

@twinmommie. I live in Fall River also. And also having my surgery at Tobey on the 16th of this month. Who was your surgeon?

Hi Crystal Leigh, You are doing great! One Step at a Time ????.

And also to @@smiranda & @@twinmommie, I live on the Cape, had my surgery May 7 at Tobey.

It's becoming ever more clear to me how much of a life long journey we have begun.

Hi Crystal Leigh, You are doing great! One Step at a Time ????.

And also to @@smiranda & @@twinmommie, I live on the Cape, had my surgery May 7 at Tobey.

It's becoming ever more clear to me how much of a life long journey we have begun.

who was your surgeon?

@smiranda. My surgeon was Dr Collachio. Everything has been terrific. I have been pleased with all of the staff at Southcoast! ????????????????

Hey Crystal Leigh My name is Marie I live in Fall River I had my surgery at Tobey Hospital August 19th 2014.

@twinmommie. I live in Fall River also. And also having my surgery at Tobey on the 16th of this month. Who was your surgeon?

Dr Krueger

Hey Crystal Leigh My name is Marie I live in Fall River I had my surgery at Tobey Hospital August 19th 2014.

@twinmommie. I live in Fall River also. And also having my surgery at Tobey on the 16th of this month. Who was your surgeon?

Dr Krueger

Crystal Leigh how did your surgery go?

Hey Crystal Leigh My name is Marie I live in Fall River I had my surgery at Tobey Hospital August 19th 2014.

@twinmommie. I live in Fall River also. And also having my surgery at Tobey on the 16th of this month. Who was your surgeon?

Dr Krueger

Crystal Leigh how did your surgery go?

didn't have surgery yet. I actually still don't hAve a date yet. I've done all kinds of tests and met with everyone but the surgeon (which will be in two weeks) im on a low carb sugar free diet.. I'm losing weight... When do I get my date??!!??!!

Edited June 27, 201511 yr by Crystal Leigh

Hey Crystal Leigh My name is Marie I live in Fall River I had my surgery at Tobey Hospital August 19th 2014.

@twinmommie. I live in Fall River also. And also having my surgery at Tobey on the 16th of this month. Who was your surgeon?

Dr Krueger

Crystal Leigh how did your surgery go?

didn't have surgery yet. I actually still don't hAve a date yet. I've done all kinds of tests and met with everyone but the surgeon (which will be in two weeks) im on a low carb sugar free diet.. I'm losing weight... When do I get my date??!!??!!

I'm sorry I miss read. The waiting is the worst I had to call and check on my approval myself