k8bwalsh

I did not give up coffee. I did switch to decaf 3 days before and immediately after the surgery. But I really like the flavored, so I buy the sugar free decaf instant coffee. I was sleeved 3 weeks ago, and about a week ago I started having one caffeinated coffee each morning. No troubles. But check with your doc and nut. My nut said to give it up for 6 months - but considering I would have 4-5 a day, I figure one a day can't hurt. (hopefully). Good luck!!!

That's awesome! Congrats. You are inspirational.

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing. And I think your pic looks more like Bruce Willis (who I think is totally HOT!) so I can see why you'd get checked out. Love the hands in the pocket. Something to look forward to (I was sleeved 3 weeks ago tomorrow.)

Yes - I think it certainly is possible to still binge. It all depends what you are binging on. I had surgery 21 days ago, and have already discovered that cheez-its and m&m's go in just fine.... could eat them all day long. However, mashed potatoes - NO WAY!!! Hard to get a 1/2 cup in me over the course of a half hour. Can't fathom eating a burger yet - well, I'm supposed to be on pureed foods anyway, so.... Hope your therapist can help you get in under control. Good Luck!!

I had the shots while I was in the hospital only - and I only stayed in the hospital one night. I did not get any before-hand and I did not have to do them once I went home. However, other than being overweight and deficient in vitamin D (who isn't?) I did not have any other health issues at all. So maybe that's why. But I was diligent about getting up and walking as soon as I could after the surgery as my brother wound up with a blood clot in his lung after he had gall bladder surgery - thank goodness he's ok, but it was really scary once you start reading about blood clots and especially when they hit your lung!! He was super lucky!! So, I would do whatever you surgeon recommends, as you don't want to take a chance on that. Good luck!

I was sleeved Jan. 26th - and since the start of the pre-op diet (5 days before surgery) I am down 31 pounds! I can't believe it. Yes - like you, I am confident that I could have lost this on my own (probably not as fast and with a lot more effort, i.e. exercising) > but you have to think long term. The nurse at my surgeons office told me the next 18 months are going to be the easiest time for losing weight. I think I'd have a much much harder time continuing the weight loss on my own over the next 18 months, that's for sure. So, while I can do it for a month or two, maybe three, but then whatever happens and I lose track or get tired of keeping track or find excuses not to exercise..... My surgeon also told me the average is to lose 60% of excess weight by the one year mark. So, 1-2 pounds a week is completely reasonable, and I do not expect to continue with this fast weight loss as this first month. Also, the slower you go, the longer it stays off, and the less skin sagging (I hope!). So, really, there are other surgery options if someone needed to lose more than that over the long haul, but I looked at the slower rate as the healthier option for me. Don't sweat it, if you are following your doctors instructions, you'll do fine. Apparently stalls are normal but not forever. Good Luck!!

Sounds really extreme!! Mine is similar to the others: two days clear liquid, 12 days full liquid (strained soup, cream of wheat & yogurt - both thinned out w/milk -I'm in this stage right now.) two weeks pureed (stage 1 & 2 baby food, cottage cheese, etc.) two weeks soft (eggs, crab, shrimp - can't wait for this stage!!!!) then regular, but introducing foods one at a time.

So glad to hear someone else is moody!!!! Thanks for sharing!! I'm 10 post-op today - and I am so freaking sick of liquids - I only have 4 more days of it and then I move onto mushies. But I've been so snappy and moody, it's like I'm PMS'ing!!!! Only I'm not. I have not read anyone else who was going thru this yet, but am glad to know I'm not alone. I can't believe you're back to work already, though. I have three weeks off total. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're doing better now!

I'm in my second week and have been 'sneaking' reduced-fat cheez-its. I figure if I can take chewable vitamins, then I could do these too, since they dissolve easily as well. I limit myself to maybe 8-10 crackers throughout the entire day - but I just NEED something to crunch!!!!! But don't want it to inhibit my weight-loss, either, so I'm really careful not to go anywhere near what's considered one serving (which is 29 crackers). Otherwise I'm sticking to this diet like glue! Glad to know I'm not alone. Really thought so!

I have to agree with HopeandFaith. I was sleeved last week (Jan. 26) and am still on a liquid diet, which I was for 5 days prior to my surgery, too. I didn't think I would like broth. I've never been a big meat eater. Snubbed my nose at it the whole pre-surgery diet. Had it in the hospital day after surgery - LOVED IT!!! I think b/c it was something different to eat. I can see myself liking things I never thought I would just like the above post says. I can't start my pureed phase until next week - but can totally see myself pureeing what the family is eating for dinner, which pre-surgery I didn't know what I was going to do, as I couldn't fathom liking something like that!!! It's all different afterwards!!!!! But if you have a lactose intolerance, or are just super fussy - talk to a nutritionist. They will be able to help you find the best foods. Good Luck!

Wow! Can't believe you are going back to work so fast!!! My doctor wants me to take 3 weeks off (& I'm hoping he'll extend it to 4, haha!) I was sleeved 1/26 and really can't imagine going back to work so soon. I'm still exhausted and need naps through out the day, but am not on pain meds anymore. Glad you are doing so great!!

I was sleeved Jan. 26th and can relate to what you are describing, so we must be normal I'm shocked that I don't even really need the pain meds at this point, although I seem to get tired during the day - and am taking naps, so I take the pain med at night to help me sleep. But thinking of switching to Tylenol PM's soon, just so I don't have to take a narcotic if I don't have to. I, too, burp a lot, and feel like I need to burp a lot. I wish I was a baby, and someone would pat my back after drinking - hahahah! Good luck - glad to know we are on the same track.

I was sleeved Jan. 26th, and under my breast has been tender ever since, too. It's probably from when they pump you full of gas to enlarge your tummy area during surgery and it takes a while for that to leave your body. It's perfectly normal and will go away. But check with you doctor at your post-op visit, or if you are really in pain, call the doctor right now. It never hurts to ask!! My pain was worse in the hospital, but less sensitive now, although I still feel it a bit. I, too, am sick of the liquids!!!! But I'm afraid to move too fast and am following my doctor's food plan. I haven't even had anything resembling 3 meals a day yet - but that's my goal for today. I feel like everything I eat makes me want to burp - but it's hard to just burp! Almost like a baby, I wish someone would gently pat my back, haha! Hope you feel better soon.

That's encouraging!! I had my gall bladder out (years ago) and was curious how it compared. My sleeve is in 3 days. Thanks for sharing!! I'm excited and nervous and an emotional roller coaster!! :/

I take the gummy vitamins, too. My surgery is on Tuesday. They haven't told I need to switch afterwards, so I am going to continue taking them. (Nice to have something to chew! LOL!! As I'm now on day 3 of liquids!! Blah! Never realized that if only liquids go in - only liquids come out. Sounds like a given, but til I went thru it....)

Thanks! I started my pre-op diet today. Ugghh! Headache & stomach growling. Please tell me it gets better??? Thank god there's an end in sight!! I'll give that a try soon. I appreciate it.

When I first started going thru the process (June 2010), I only told my immediate family. I also told my closest friend along with 2 friends that had also had a weight loss surgery. I asked everyone to keep it confidential, since I wasn't sure if I was going to actually do it or if I was just seeing what my options were. Why tell 'everyone' if I didn't actually go thru with it? (I have a very large family - lots of cousins, etc.) Everyone was extremely supportive, especially since they all know my 2 friends that had the surgery and the benefits they were experiencing. Plus my cousin, who I rarely see as she lives in another state, had it 18 years ago - so I guess I knew how everyone felt about her and supported her decision already. Gradually, I brought other family and friends 'up to speed' as the process moved along. I just told some co-workers within the past month. My surgery is in 5 days (January 26th). I have to say, I'm grateful that my family, friends, and most of co-workers have all been exteremely supportive! I did have three bad experiences, though - a couple of my co-workers immediately wanted to tell me 'so-and-so' (in another deparment) had it done and she lost a lot, but gained it ALL back. (Really? I want to hear this?????) That kind of bothered me, because I know they'll be gossiping about me the same way. I just pray I'm not a 'she gained it all back' story - and hopefully I will be the 'she lost it and looks fantastic' story! LOL!! Another experience, I had to tell the nurse at my ENT's office my weight, after telling her, I confided that I was having surgery in 6 weeks. She looked despondant, and exclaimed, "So many people have that and just gain it all right back," while shaking her head. REALLY???? BI-OTCH! You need to tell me that?! Lastly, I was at a jewelery counter at Christmas time and the sales person overheard me discussing it with my mother, and jumped into the middle of our conversation, "Why are you having surgery? Have you tried to change your eating habits? I can help you - I can provide you with a holtistic way to lose weight." Seriously? I wanted to say, "Go away! Who asked you???" Uggghhh!! On a postive note, I told my GYN office, (this happened before my ENT appointment so I guess I was thinking all medical staff would be supportive) - and that particular nurse could not have been MORE supportive. "Good for you. Really. Good luck. You should be proud of yourself. Really, good for you." So - bottom line - this is a decision that YOU need to be comfortable with and commit to. You cannot worry about what others may do or say about it. If they are supportive, fantastic! But if they are neutral or negetive - who cares? It does set you back when it happens, but as long as you have strong support in your house, and you become comfortable with your decision, it will make it much easier to shake off the negetivity. Hope you found my experiences helpful, and Good Luck!!

I'm 38, but have the same feelings you do. I applaud you as I wish I was able to do this when I was your age. All the years of yo-yo dieting prior to getting to this point!! My sleeve is in 8 days. I think my 'love affair' with food is what pushed me to the sleeve vs. some of the other options. I just could not imagine not being able to process sugar, or other nutrients for that matter. But, I can imagine eating much smaller portions and being satisfied. Of course, I fully intend on following doctors orders for 99% of the time - but frankly, if I want a special dessert on my birthday or anniversary, I should be allowed to have it! I'm also looking at this as an opportunity to 'reinvent' myself. Maybe some of you consider it 'getting to know my real self' as someone stated above - but I figure now I have a good reason for saying NO when I really don't want to go to that team lunch with co-workers or running to McD's with them on stressful days. I don't have to feel obligated to eat the food my kids leave on their plates. (I look forward to saying, "I am not capable of doing that anymore. My stomach does not agree with that - can't hold that - etc.") I guess I just need a good excuse - that happens to be the truth! The surgery will empower me to be able to put a stop to the food rut I've been in for years. I am ready to learn a whole new way of eating. I am ready to focus on good protein and leave the carbs behind!! Well, most of them, most of the time, anyway. But I can still enjoy being with my family. I look forward to sitting around the dinner table and sharing about our day and making each other laugh. It's not going to focus on food - it's going to focus on people! Good Luck March 1st!! You'll do great.

Ummm - yum! I like the idea of mixing with coffee, too!! Thanks for the idea!!!!! I start my pre-op diet Friday, but am allowed to have sugar-free carnation before-hand, which I've already gotten myself used to. But after surgery, once past the clear liquid phase - I have to drink the powerful stuff - so I bought at GNC. The guy steered me towards Soy, which I'm not sure if I'm crazy about. I haven't have the nerve to try it. But he did assure me that if I absolutely hate it, that it can be returned after it's opened. And he also said to give it a few tries, they will take it back as long as it's not empty. So if you go to GNC, keep the receipt. I think I'll run out tomorrow and buy some instant decaf coffee b/c I think that's my incentive to try it!

I researched it a little and was surprised to find out that the great majority of overweight people are deficient in vitamin D. The fat cells actually absorb the vitamin, preventing the body using it and processing it. My doctor actually gave me a prescription for a once a week pill to take - or said I could take an otc daily dose of vitamin D. I opted for the once a week - which was covered by my prescription plan. My surgery is in 8 days, and they did check my levels again last week, but honestly, I took the pill a few times and never really stuck to taking it every week as recommended. I was really close, though. They told me they like you at 130, and I was at 128. (Probably b/c I hate sunscreen!) So I didn't really feel the urgency of importance. If I was below 100, maybe I'd have been more concerned. But kind of felt like, really? let me sit outside for 10 minutes and take the test again. hahaha! Honestly, though, I'm not really sure of the benefits of it. So previous answer from NoEscape21 was enlightening! Thanks!!

Thanks for asking this - I was wondering (hoping!) the same thing. Yesican ~ you're my inspiration!! My feet are constantly swollen! I keep saying I have the ankles of an 83 yr old - but I'm 'only' 38!!! I am even having trouble with the double wide widths lately Turns out that snow boots don't fit swollen ankles so well. My sleeve is in 9 days and I think the whole reason that prompted me to look into this surgery is b/c I'm tired of swollen feet!! Now, if I can get my size 11's down to a 10.5 or 10, along with going from WW to W (or, dare to hope?, just reg. width?) > that'd just be a big ole bonus! LOL!!!

Good Luck tomorrow, Ms. E!!

Hi Ocean Eyes - great name, too! I have two boys, and I always say my oldest has eyes the color of the sky, and my youngest has eyes the color of the ocean. Wish I had thought of clever names like you and Scared Skinny did! Exciting you're the same date as us, too. Have you started the pre-op diet? start mine the 21st. How did you get the chart with your weight info onto your posts? Would love to keep in touch with you as well, since we're the same date, too! Good luck!! k8

My doc only makes us do the pre-surgery diet for 5 days prior, so I don't have to start that until Jan 21st. I'm not looking forward to it!! I can have 3-4 carnation instant breakfasts (no sugar added), and very bland soft foods - no sugar added yogurt, plain cream of wheat or rice, unsweetened applesauce, pureed low fat soup (max. 5-6/day) - and all the sugar free jello & popsicles I want (oh, joy! **sarcastically said**). Is that what yours looks like? How long do you have to do yours for? I'd love to keep in touch. Not sure how to make 'friends' on the site, yet. I think there is a way, I just am too new to figure it out. If you figure it out, let me know, OK? Thanks!!

Am I reading your dates right? 100 pounds in around 6 months??? That's AWESOME!!! Please post pics? I have my surgery in 11 days, and my starting weight is right around where you were. I'll be so happy if I can get even half of where you are 6 months from now!!! What are you doing to celebrate?? Deserves a spa day, at the very least