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Go to YouTube and watch Dr. Matthew Weiner's WLS stuff. Lots of really good information - everything from which surgery to choose, diets in various stages, how to maintain. Every surgeon has their own take on how they like to advance diets, and you still have to do what your doctor says, but I found his information to be very helpful when I was in the preop stage, even when I was trying to decide if WLS was an option for me.

Thank you so much for taking the time out to read and respond to my post. It means so much to me. I can tell you someone who's fill with knowledge and experience. Your respond touch me greatly. Sorry to hear that you have been through so much and glad things are better now for you... I just turn 30 years old.

Yes, I had that. The answer was in 40mg omeprazole. You can also try taking the 20mg omeprazole with the capsule opened up onto a spoon of applesauce. Sorry you are having this problem!!

This!!! 1. Get a therapist specializing in food addictions. Bonus points if you can find one who has had WLS. Whatever resources you spend on the therapist will be paid back at least ten-fold in future benefits. 2. Check out any podcast, YouTube video, news articles,book, ,etc you can find concerning WLS. I did research for almost 6 full months (including going to a couple of support group meetings) BEFORE I decided this was the route for me. I’m convinced all of my prep work led to the success I’m having now. 3. Check out threads like Fluffy’s headwork thread, the monthly challenge threads (don’t have to have already had surgery to participate), the IF thread (for ideas on how to use eating intervals to challenge yourself currently) and any thread that looks to have a fair amount of newbies and veterans posting. You can learn a LOT just by reading and taking in some of the lessons here. 4. Don’t give up on yourself. You have to be your biggest fan: your family can’t do it, your doctors can’t do it, none of us can do it. You have to find your “why” and it has to be bigger than any perceived love of food. Good luck with your journey. We’re here for you, but the hard work MUST start with you.

I second this. It was one of our incredible veterans...like AZHiker, GreenTealael, FluffyChix, Orchids&Dragons (sorry for all of the other super veterans that my mind is blanking on!) that recommended not only Dr. Weiner's youtube videos (which are great) but other wonderful tips as well. I can't remember if we already directed you to it, but when looking for more info and resources such as Dr. Weiner's youtube videos, do a search for a topic FluffyChix started a while ago and read from the start - it is about "The Importance of doing the headwork". Not sure if linking the topic here will work or not but I'll give it a try..lol.

My surgeon took it off during my first post op visit, on 9th day.

Yep, amazing how much of this journey is mental hey. Not only will you fit in the seats but you won't need an extender strap! I am terrible pacing myself, I want to be able to reach all my goals last week I am currently just trying to get a half-hour walk in when I feel well enough so about 4 times a week, I'm still having days where I just feel too weak and wobbly, so doing what I can. Plan is to start going to the gym once I am up to it

@Mikeyy I feel you brother. Not easy sometimes. And we have to support each other. Not everyone knows the reality and struggles of what we go through and live with daily. I used to wear a 7xl shirt. A size 68 pant waist. Jeans would cost me 120$ a pair. You know how glad I was to buy a pair of 18$ wranglers off amazon??? Lol

I can relate. I was so embarrassed and ashamed that I didn't even take a "before" picture, and always hid behind someone in family pictures. I would not accompany my husband to events, as I felt I would be an embarrassment to him. I would size up everyone in a room to see if I was the fattest. I tried to blend into the background. Social events, even just going to church was hard. Get ready for a new life! Now I have so much energy I can hardly go to sleep at night. It has taken a bit to make the mental change from being obese to being pretty normal looking now, People seem to treat me differently, too, although I can't really know if that is real or only my imagination. Now I LIKE going out - especially when I can wear something new in a smaller size! It just feels so good to be average, I hid behind my weight for so many years, that it is now a little bit of a challenge to learn who I really am as a person and not as a fat person trying to hide. It truly is a journey and an adventure, for sure. But a GOOD one and one I wouldn't trade for a million bucks. I feel better, am healthier and depression is on the run. My joints don't hurt and I can actually do anything I want now physically. I think we hardly know how much adipose tissue affects our well being. It produces inflammatory cytokines and hormones, ties up vitamin D, messes with our thermoregulation, and who knows what else. Then consider all the weight related conditions - asthma, GERD, sleep apnea (interferes with metabolism, glucose and cholesterol levels, hormones, urinary function), diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, depression, elevated lipids, infertility, fatty liver which can lead to cirrhosis and cancer...… the list goes on and on. YOU ARE ABOUT TO LEAVE ALL THIS BEHIND or at least greatly improve any existing conditions. You will be healthier and much happier. Yes, you will have work to do. Surgery is not easy, but you will recover. You will learn to modify your entire life. You will develop a different relationship with food. Everything is about to change! But if you know this is your last chance, you will do it and you will be successful. For many of us, there were no other options other than surgery. A lot will depend on your attitude - keep looking forward to the new you! Embrace the changes! Let the old stuff fall aside. You are a beautiful butterfly about to emerge from the chrysalis! You won't have to hide any more.

Congrats on your surgery. Yep, I was in a dark place before surgery. Use this year to overcome the mental battles. Work on yourself inside and out. Its one of the greatest gifts out of this process. I’m making up for lost time struggling with obesity. I am a participant in my life and refuse to sit o the sidelines.