Maddy

Wow super good idea!!!

It isn’t easy coming out of the closet “so to speak”. When I decided to do the gastric sleeve the only two people who knew were my husband and daughter. It was the shame I felt to tell anyone else. The guilt I felt inside that I wasn’t able to take the weight off on my own. Recently, I ran into an old friend. Looking at me she said “Maddy you have lost so much weight how you did it?” I have to admit; I actually hesitated for a moment...and said nothing. Later, I thought to myself why did I hesitate to tell her? The only thing that came to mind was the simple word “fear”. Why do we feel the need to hide our decision to have bariatric surgery? Is it because of low self esteem? The urgency of keep this big dark secret private or is it due to the way society sees fat people? We live with the constant advertising campaigns flashing thin stick models while we the “fat people” struggle to keep the scale from tipping. The dying “to be thin attitude”. The Taboo word “bariatric” does not fit into this world… until now. Today, we have the means to achieve weight goals we never had before. Folks like me who have battled the scale for years now have alternatives. So why hide this amazing news? This week I did just that. I told my folks about my gastric sleeve. To my amazement they were supportive and very happy I took this journey. I cannot express to you how important it is to have family and friends to support you during your life changing weight loss. And it is indeed both mentally and physically a change. I now talk openly and candidly about my surgery. What amazing changes that has occurred over the last 5 months. Today, I am no longer on any medications to help me control my sugar, cholesterol or blood pressure. A MAJOR milestone in my life. I blog and chat with other people who have gone through bariatric surgery. I did an online survey asking three questions… how many people have you told? Did you tell your friends? Have you told your family? To my amazement, 73% told less than 5 people, 76% did not tell their friends and more than 79% did not tell their family. Its sad that we feel the need to hide from this. Today, bariatric surgery is a useful necessity for those like me who just could not lose the weight. It’s time we stood up and made our voices heard that bariatric surgery is no longer a shameful procedure and see it as an amazing tool to good health.

It isn’t easy coming out of the closet “so to speak”. When I decided to do the gastric sleeve the only two people who knew were my husband and daughter. It was the shame I felt to tell anyone else. The guilt I felt inside that I wasn’t able to take the weight off on my own. Recently, I ran into an old friend. Looking at me she said “Maddy you have lost so much weight how you did it?” I have to admit; I actually hesitated for a moment...and said nothing. Later, I thought to myself why did I hesitate to tell her? The only thing that came to mind was the simple word “fear”. Why do we feel the need to hide our decision to have bariatric surgery? Is it because of low self esteem? The urgency of keep this big dark secret private or is it due to the way society sees fat people? We live with the constant advertising campaigns flashing thin stick models while we the “fat people” struggle to keep the scale from tipping. The dying “to be thin attitude”. The Taboo word “bariatric” does not fit into this world… until now. Today, we have the means to achieve weight goals we never had before. Folks like me who have battled the scale for years now have alternatives. So why hide this amazing news? This week I did just that. I told my folks about my gastric sleeve. To my amazement they were supportive and very happy I took this journey. I cannot express to you how important it is to have family and friends to support you during your life changing weight loss. And it is indeed both mentally and physically a change. I now talk openly and candidly about my surgery. What amazing changes that has occurred over the last 5 months. Today, I am no longer on any medications to help me control my sugar, cholesterol or blood pressure. A MAJOR milestone in my life. I blog and chat with other people who have gone through bariatric surgery. I did an online survey asking three questions… how many people have you told? Did you tell your friends? Have you told your family? To my amazement, 73% told less than 5 people, 76% did not tell their friends and more than 79% did not tell their family. Its sad that we feel the need to hide from this. Today, bariatric surgery is a useful necessity for those like me who just could not lose the weight. It’s time we stood up and made our voices heard that bariatric surgery is no longer a shameful procedure and see it as an amazing tool to good health.

Awe this indeed is wonderful news and congradulations for taking this most important step. I have been a sleever since July of this year and I am happy to report I am doing wonderful on my weight loss. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Any questions please feel free to contact me.

Coodles to you! 80pds is a major milestone in your weight loss. Don't listen to what others have done. Listen to your body and what you are comfortable with. Every one is different. I agree with Becca shakes are not the way to turn to. Eating right and making wise decesions on what to eat is the way to go. I have been a sleever since july of this yr. As of today, i have lost 67 pounds but I have been extremely strict with myself. I really feel its how your body is reacting and how we treat our bodies back. Take a bow! Your doing GREAT!

It can be taxing on the brain when it comes to turkey time. Even more so now that you have been sleeved. One good tip that I learned this past week on how not to over eat during this holiday. Take a good 4 to 6oz's of water 30 mintues before you leave. Take the smaller plate size and use good judgement when it comes to choosing what foods you are going to eat. Eat slow and enjoy your food. There is even room for a smalllllll taste of pumpkin pie.

Is it just me or I am going thru the munchie stage. Just craving for junk food. Does this go away?

My goal seems so far away at this point. My surgeon and I have set a goal for me but right now I am so down cos my weight loss has slowed down so much. I am doing what I am suppose to be doing but it feels like I am not getting anywhere fast. I go up a pound, come down a pound. Feels like this cycle that doesn't end. Anyone have suggestions getting past this?

How many people have you told about your Gastric Sleeve Operation?

Why do we binge? Why is it that we run to food? We work so hard to take this weight off why do we fight it ? How can this cycle stop? Any suggestions?

I don't know if its the weather or not...but today I have the serious munchies. First time since the surgery I have the cravings for carbs. Does this go away? Geez, I hope so...

Ladies I could not agree with you more. I too tell everyone who asks me how I have lost the weight. I feel stronger when I can come out and tell my friends and family about the surgery. I did this surgery to improve my life. To improve my attitude on life. I want to help allllll those sleevers who are just starting out who are in the middle like myself and those who are sitting on the fence. This is the best thing I've ever done for Myself. Thanks for writing your personal stories.

My goal seems so far away at this point. My surgeon and I have set a goal for me but right now I am so down cos my weight loss has slowed down so much. I am doing what I am suppose to be doing but it feels like I am not getting anywhere fast. I go up a pound, come down a pound. Feels like this cycle that doesn't end. Anyone have suggestions getting past this?

I find myself weighing everyday and I am getting nuts. Ya think its a good idea or not...weigh in

Take 3 tablespoos of Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons of soy sauce 1 tablespoon of brown sugar ( splenda ) 1/4 teaspoon of ginger Stir all three ingredients together chill for 10 minutes Spoon over fresh salmon and bake for 15 mins or until fish is done. Serve with fresh veggie. Delish !!!

Bake at 350 for 15 mins or until done. It's soooooooo delish

We'll finallyyyyy today the scale moved in my favor. Dropped 3 pds. Now I can't figure this out I didn't do anything different! I am just happy i finally have results from keeping with it and not going back to my old ways of just saying " to heck with it". Thanks for the support.

Recently I ran into an old friend I haven't seen in a while. She recognized my weight loss Nf asked me how I lost the weight. I hesitated for a moment. I wasn't sure if I should tell her I had the gastric surgery 3 months ago. Why? I decided quickly to tell her that I had the surgery. Why should we hide our smart decision to finally attack our weight issue? Do you have a hard time telling people about your weight decision?

My goal seems so far away at this point. My surgeon and I have set a goal for me but right now I am so down cos my weight loss has slowed down so much. I am doing what I am suppose to be doing but it feels like I am not getting anywhere fast. I go up a pound, come down a pound. Feels like this cycle that doesn't end. Anyone have suggestions getting past this?

2 tablespoos of Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons of soy sauce 1 tablespoon of brown sugar ( splenda ) 1/4 teaspoon of ginger Stir all three ingredients together chill for 10 minutes Spoon over fresh salmon and bake for 15 mins or until fish is done. Serve with fresh veggie. Delish !!!

For the last five days I am so hungry all the time. I have been doing my liquids and eating like I should. But I find myself wanting to eat everything in sight. Have any of you been experiencing this? HELP!!!!

Recently I ran into an old friend I haven't seen in a while. She recognized my weight loss Nf asked me how I lost the weight. I hesitated for a moment. I wasn't sure if I should tell her I had the gastric surgery 3 months ago. Why? I decided quickly to tell her that I had the surgery. Why should we hide our smart decision to finally attack our weight issue? Do you have a hard time telling people about your weight decision?

Your welcome Ivy. Its so important for us to not be afraid to say "hey we did this for us". I have the backing of my family. My husband and daughter have been my biggest supporters. So glad that we have this fourm to talk about our fears.