Just got my date: July 10, 2017. I have what seems like a fairly typical lead-up to WLS: losing between 20-50 pounds repeatedly since reaching adulthood and always managing to put the pounds back on plus some. I have tried many diets, including Weight Watchers, Atkins, Paleo, Nutri-System, Slim Fast, Isagenix, and various other meal replacement shakes. It is only recently that I have really recognized that I have a very unhealthy relationship with food. I don't know that I necessarily am an emotional eater, I just really like to eat and I really like the feeling of being full. I have started to work on the mental aspect of my food issues and I anticipate that this will be the biggest struggle for me after WLS. Basically, food is my vice.

I also have been in denial about my size for some time. I have always carried my weight in a way that kind of masks my size. I have always figured that I am doing OK as long as I can still find cute clothes that fit me. I also have a healthy sense of self-confidence and have never let my weight hold me back. However, I finally realized that it was time to take control of my obesity through weight loss surgery when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea earlier this year. I cannot allow my weight and my obsession with food compromise my health or lead me to an early death.

I am also totally nervous! I am not necessarily afraid of the surgery itself (I have had three C-sections and NOTHING can be worse than that!) but I still need to get to the place where I am as close to 100% sure as possible that I will be able to commit long term to a massive life style change. I know myself, and it will be difficult, if not impossible, for me to moderate around certain foods. Thus, surgery may mark the end of my relationship with some of my favorite things.

I have learned a great deal from lurking on this site for the better part of 2017. I am hoping to find some fellow July 2017 sleevers to commiserate with and I would love support and advice from any experienced WLS veterans, especially when it comes to post WLS surgery veterans who feel like they may have/had a dependence or addiction to food.

I know how you feel cuz I felt the same way... Two years ago when I was looking into a gastric bypass I did so well on the pre-op diet and my family was so against me getting the surgery that I decided to just follow the diet...I ended up losing over 30 lbs on my own...a year later..as usual...I had gain 15 lbs...so here I am 8 weeks post sleeve and I'm down over 70lbs from my heaviest!!! I know I would not be here on my own and I have to tell you this has been easier than I thought and I love my small tummy...I love the restriction...I love that it tells me when I eat or drink to fast and when it's done with eating. It guides me and brings control into my eating life that I desperately needed. Absolutely no regrets!! And I'm just getting started!

I really needed this post! Being just a day out and very sore it's very easy to lose sight of the silver lining. Thanks for lifting my spirits!

Redo....you are so welcome and just hold onto this...it gets better everyday!!! Kim

I really needed this post! Being just a day out and very sore it's very easy to lose sight of the silver lining. Thanks for lifting my spirits!

I needed this too!!! I'm about 36 hours post op and pretty miserable. def struggling to get in the fluids, let alone the protein.

Redo....you are so welcome and just hold onto this...it gets better everyday!!! Kim

I know how you feel cuz I felt the same way... Two years ago when I was looking into a gastric bypass I did so well on the pre-op diet and my family was so against me getting the surgery that I decided to just follow the diet...I ended up losing over 30 lbs on my own...a year later..as usual...I had gain 15 lbs...so here I am 8 weeks post sleeve and I'm down over 70lbs from my heaviest!!! I know I would not be here on my own and I have to tell you this has been easier than I thought and I love my small tummy...I love the restriction...I love that it tells me when I eat or drink to fast and when it's done with eating. It guides me and brings control into my eating life that I desperately needed. Absolutely no regrets!! And I'm just getting started!

I'm going to save this for next week! I bet I'll be sore and feeling down. Thanks for such a positive and reassuring response

Kristen...you will not believe how much quicker you recover and how much better you feel if you can get your protein and fluids in....sip...sip...and sip some more and remember you can count your protein in your fluid count...best of luck

Had my surgery on Monday. Doing Well, but some pain. Because I was a conversion, more had to be done. I am glad the lap band is gone. I am having a little left shoulder pain, I kind of feel like I have been ran over by a truck, but,

really not that bad.

Surgery day is today! At 1pm! Super nervous but excited!

Once you're asleep, all is well. Just get there. I'm so thankful it is behind me.

I am uncomfortable, but nothing that I can't live with for a while.

It feels good to have that lapland out.

Good Luck, keep us posted

Once you're asleep, all is well. Just get there. I'm so thankful it is behind me.
I am uncomfortable, but nothing that I can't live with for a while.
It feels good to have that lapland out.
Good Luck, keep us posted

Thank you!!! I will try my best to check in!

Well, it appears we are in the same boat. Kristin 36 hr out and hurting. Yes, so am I. My pain is like I have done 100 sit up's......YIKES Overall, all is well.

Oh I also gained 3 lbs. lol

Hi everyone, had my surgery on the 12th. Pain comes and goes, I've been burping a lot, focusing on walking and water intake. My mom is staying with me until tomorrow. I still have trouble getting up from bed and standing up. As for food: water, pedialyte, bone broth and chicken broth. Not hungry yet, mainly Bc the pain is all I'm focusing on, currently my pain level is between a 3-6.

Well, it appears we are in the same boat. Kristin 36 hr out and hurting. Yes, so am I. My pain is like I have done 100 sit up's......YIKES Overall, all is well.
Oh I also gained 3 lbs. lol

Today is my fifth day post-op and I can assure you that it does get better! My son keeps asking how close to 100% better I am. Today I told him that I am at 75%, which I think is pretty great! For me, yesterday was really a turning point. Feel better!

I'm day 9 post op and I have to say that yesterday I felt almost normal! I'm having a hard time getting in my protein and I'm tired of the protein shakes. I'm trying different creamy soups and adding some non-fat plain greek yogurt to them to boost the protein content.

Fourth day post op and VERY grateful for popsicles. [emoji3] Having a hard time with protein drinks. Like swallowing a egg that just sits in my tummy. So focusing today on bone broth, water, and popsicles. Pain is minimal. Bruising spectacular from blood thinning shots!