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I haven't been able to wear shorts in over a decade. Today, while on my first vacation in years, I tried on and bought my first pair of shorts. I have lost close to 70lbs and today can fit into an XL shirt and a size 16 bottoms. That's coming from a 4x top and a size 24 bottoms just 4.5 months ago. I am too excited with my progress!! I feel like I not only have a second chance at life, but I have a hindsight that will allow me to do things a bit better this time. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Finally in one-derland! Never thought I'd get here, but i'm so glad I did!

OMG, I don't thank I've ever won anything! Thank you so much for all the encouragement and support you have given us. Hope you are successful in anything you choose to do. and I'm definitely in for your next challenge thank you again:)

Not too well. I heard the scale crying and then I realized it was a kitten who had walked in the closet as I was putting away the scale and got shut in. Kitten is free, scale is still in confinement HW: 328 (02/21/17) SW: 271 (05/24/17) CW: 262

It's my first time here and I decided to join because the warmth and candour of your discussions is genuinely inspirational. I'm a little bit overwhelmed by the prospect of going under the knife in six weeks. I can't wait but nevertheless the prospect has stirred up all sorts of emotions - from fear to odd things like the anxiety about telling my five (he would correct me and say 'five and a half') year old son that his Dad is going into hospital. Everything seems scarily abstract and I'm imagining a lot about what could go wrong. I see the dietitian in nine days, so I suppose that will help me feel that this is more real - tangible is good for my sense of control. In the meantime I wonder do you have any tips? How did you prepare? What's the right mindset to go in with? How did you feel about the surgery before it happened? Thanks in advance, Jx

One thing to add to what James said about before pictures - take before measurements!!! I am kicking myself because I didn't start taking measurements until about 3 months post surgery so I don't have a 'starting' point to use as comparison Another thing that I really wish I had done before surgery is to get out a few little dishes and measure out the amounts of food you will be eating right after surgery (for me it was 2 oz per meal but ask your dietitian). I struggled a ton the first couple of weeks mentally because I could not wrap my brain around that tiny amount of food compared to the huge portion sizes I was used to. Also start slowing down your eating now - take a full 30 minutes to eat your meals and force yourself not to drink until 30 minutes after you're done eating. Not drinking liquids with meals still feels foreign to me. I do remember that a few weeks before surgery I just zoned out and felt like I was just going through the motions. I got very emotional any time I thought about it. I had plenty of feelings of "what in the heck am I about to do?" and even feelings of "should I back out of this?" That is all totally normal and I kept reminding myself and making lists of all of the reasons why I decided on this surgery (and those lists are great to look back on during your journey!) Best of luck to you!!!

Your are not a failure. It is probably really bad gas. I had the same issue and it was coming out of both ends at the same time. Try to walk as much as you can, that is what I did. The beginning is always hard. Do not expect to be able to drink much, small sips all day. I only was able to handle chewable vitamins for about 3 months. You should start feeling better in a couple of weeks. That was my major issue, gas and not being able to go to the bathroom. Once you are able to handle more, your bowels will come around . I had my surgery 11.9.16 was a size 22 I am now a size 8. I take miralax a scoop everyday in my morning protein shake. Just think of what you will look like when a couple of months. Try to keep you chin up, this shall pass. I look at myself in the mirror and do not even recognize myself.

not everyone dumps (the stats I read here and elsewhere are that 30% of RNYers dump. I don't know if there's any hardcore research behind that, but suffice it to say, lots of us don't dump). So I wouldn't necessarily use that as a reason to go with RNY, since many of us don't have much trouble with sweets (unfortunately....). I went with RNY because I had GERD, so it was a no-brainer. But the other thing I liked about it was that it is a much older surgery (although techniques have changed and improved over the years) with a lot of long-term data behind it. you have to take vitamins with both surgeries (although more with RNY), but it becomes automatic after awhile. I don't even think about it. I take a small handful at breakfast, a couple at dinner, another calcium sometime during the day, and iron before I go to bed. Deficiencies are pretty rare as long as you keep on top of your vitamins. they're both good surgeries and people have had great success with both. I don't think you can really go wrong either way.

I got out of the hospital less than 24 hrs after surgery and was more than ready. My first night home was rough but then it got easier every day. Buyers remorse is common. It's mostly up to you. You might have to do some mental work trying to remember why you did this and know that it's temporary. Once you feel better it's a lot easier to have that attitude. I'm 2 1/2 weeks out and have no regrets.

What are you drinking? I recommend you cut out all carbonated beverages, especially soda, no fruit juices, limited coffee (unless black), and no alcohol. I would also stop the cuties or any other fruit. Eat protein first then non-starchy veggies, and plenty of water.