SunnyCox

I was nervous even when I was transfer myself from the gurney to the operating table. As far as the worry about being sleeved for the rest of your life.. It really becomes a normal part of every day life once you are a few months out. It has much less maintenance compared to the band!

One of the best parts about surgery is that I rarely ever feel hungry. Because I am not hungry, I can easily make good decisions about the food I eat. Remember that surgery will help you to control yourself, but you must be dedicated to making positive healthy changes for yourself. One of my few regrets is that I did not have surgery sooner. Everyone is at risk for complications, but they are rare. Remember to weigh surgery complications with the risks that you take by being overweight including diabetes, heart disease, infertility, increased risk of cancer, decreased quality of life, etc.

Things are going to be great! Congrats!

As soon as you feel comfortable to do so. Everyone is different. I was able to sleep on my stomach the same evening as surgery.

I live near downtown FW (Hulen & 30). Had surgery on 6/28. Started at 279 (size 24) and am down to 207 (size 16). My exercising has consisted mostly of walking. I don't know many people in town who have had surgery or otherwise as I am not from Texas. Tarrant County has several community centers which all have small gyms inside. The cost for a year for a family of up to 6 people is only $40. The only downside is that the hours are limited. The one closest to me is open 7a-7p.

My life saver was mixing a ready to drink shake with coffee. I used it like. My favorite was Muscle Milk's Cookie 'N Creme. Have one on my desk right now. At 6 months out, I still drink it. There isn't much else that I can stand.

I made the taco casserole from the Bariatric Foodie blog in the link below. It was DELICIOUS!. I made myself a small bowl, and I broke up three tortillas chips to spread on the top to give it some crunch. My family enjoyed eating it with chips like nachos. I parceled out the left overs into small tupperware bowls and ate it the next two days. It keeps really well. meat (whatever you use) 1 small zucchini, diced (I leave the skin on for extra fiber) 1 small yellow squash, diced (same deal) 1 small onion, diced 1 clove of garlic minced 1 envelope of taco seasoning mix 1 can black Beans (I used the spicy kind), drained and rinsed 1 can fat-free refried beans 1 can tomatoes and chiles (or canned diced tomatoes if you don't like the heat) 2 c. shredded Mexican blend cheese (you can do reduced fat or regular but NOT fat free!) Optional toppings: Unflavored Greek yogurt Salsa Directions: In a sprayed pan, sautee veggies with garlic until they are softened. Drain any excess liquid and transfer to a bowl. Brown ground meat, drain and then transfer to the same bowl and mix with canned beans and tomatoes and chiles. Mix in taco seasoning thoroughly and then transfer mixture to a 13x9 casserole dish. Evenly spread out fat free refried beans on top (this may be easier if you heat them in a microwave safe bowl for a minute or so. Top with cheese and then bake in a 350 oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is oozy, melty and slightly browned.

Hi Biloxi Lady! I grew up in Long Beach. I'll be there Saturday to spend the holidays with my mom!

I didn't think that my relationship with my SO would change, but it has in an odd way. I am much more concerned with how I look, and in return, I want him to look good too. I've been buying more shoes and clothes, and I have my hair and make up done when I leave the house. My SO, admittedly, has no fashion since, so I buy his clothes and shoes too. I am more concerned with how he looks when we go out too. Otherwise, it hasn't changed. We have been together for several years. We have a very easy going, open relationship. He was not one of those people who love BBW, but he doesn't prefer very skinny women. We haven't had any issue directly related to weight, and the attention I get now that I am thinner. He gets a lot of compliments on how pretty I am, and he eats it up. My bigger fear is my relationship with my best friend. She is also heavy and has no desire to have WLS. I was at that point a few years ago. I thought I could do it on my own, and I wouldn't consider surgery. I am a few years older than her. I didn't tell her I was having surgery, and she started dieting a few weeks before I had surgery. We lost about the same amount of weight for the first five months. Then, she slacked off, and I passed her by 15lbs now. I haven't seen her in a month, but I have a feeling that she has gained some. She is super competitive, and I don't want to lose my friend over something as stupid as body fat and jealousy.

I am also 31, sleeved at 279 (5'1") and have no children. I do not know if I have fertility issues as I've never tried to have a baby. I was ok with waiting a minimum of 1 year before getting pregnant. I also wanted to be as healthy as possible for a pregnancy. Not as important as being healhty....BUT... I want to be one of those cute pregnant women with a little bump instead of someone where everyone is afraid of asking if you are pregnant because of the weight.

I know a great one that I used when I lived in Houston. Younger guy. His name is John Tomlin. I will try to get some contact information. I know he was working for the gym I frequented, but I don't believe he works for them any more. He was north of Houston. Really funny and pushes you in a good, motivating way.

Love that dress!

I absolutely will NOT lose weight if I don't get in enough fluids. If I am not well hydrated, I feel as though my body holds onto everything it has to make up for what I am not getting (hydration and nutrition).

I was back to work within a week, and I had no problems wearing my normal pants to work. I wouldn't put a large investment into clothing that you won't be wearing very long.

Here is a good article about B12 and absorption after WLS: http://www.laparoscopic.md/weight-loss/supplements/b12-cobalamin

One bit of advice.... Don't buy the huge bottle! So many things were ok pre-op that I hated post op. Plus, I am so tired of the taste of some of Vitamins. I have a 180 count (expensive) bottle of Bariatric Advantage chewable multi-vitamins that make me nauseous every time I chew one. Had my doctor write me an Rx for Centrum liquid multi-Vitamin a few days ago. It is still OTC, but with an Rx, it is covered by my flex spending account (tax free money).

I agree with being resleeved or DS and would also never get the band.

I think those with thick hair are usually fine with the hair loss. No one has noticed except for me. I have a few friends with thinner hair who have cut their hair shorter, but it wasn't drastic - just a new hairstyle. The advice I was given was to take my Vitamins and get in as much Protein as possible.

I had doubts even as I was being transferred to the table in the OR. I don't think they go away between now and then. I would guess that there are very people on this board that regret having surgery. Since I believe that more people die from anesthesia related problems, my biggest fear was never waking up. Leaks happen, but they are rare. Leaks are also fixable. The problems that you will have from being overweight are much bigger. I am still in the middle of the hair loss stage at 6 months post-op. I have very thick hair, and I can see more of my scalp in some places. No one else notices. Biggest hassle is getting the hair off my clothes, sink and floor. It grows back. I'd rather wear a wig than be fat another day of my life. Hope this helps.

I had surgical glue and steri strips. The steri strips were supposed to stay on until they fell off on their own (about 10 days). I had a reaction to the strips, so mine were taken off after 2 days and not replaced. I didn't cover my incisions again.

I am not trying to put down anyone's choices, but I tell my patients not to waste their money on scar cream, skin tightening cream, stretch mark lotion, or anything that promises larger breasts or a bigger penis. Personally, I feel that if any one of those creams, lotions, or pills actually worked then the whole world would know about it. Everyone would have tight, smooth, scar free, stretch mark free skin with an ample chest (or in the case of a man, well endowed). Some things that I feel may be beneficial is moisturizing, Vitamins, Water intake, dry brushing. Increasing circulation and hydrating skin is worth the effort. Many creams for scars work well due to the rubbing action you use when your rub on the cream.

The first month can be screwy. A lot of people gain weight from anesthesia. You gain Water weight. Constipation from pain medications can also keep the scale from moving as much as normal. Keep on doing what you know is right. Don't let the scale be your enemy! If your doc judges you, give him hell!

Awesome benefit of the sleeve is you can't quit being sleeved which means... learn from your mistake (we have all been there) get back on track as soon as you can (we have all continued to lose weight) Recognize your trigger and have a plan on how to deal with it in the future. Your family is in my thoughts. Be healthy for them! Let your family be your motivation instead of your reason to eat. Everything will be ok.

One of the reasons most of us have gained so much weight is because we stopped listening to our fullness (satiety) signal. I didn't find it easy to learn to feel this signal again. Here are a couple of things that may help... Divide up the amount of food you should be eating and only put that amount of food on your plate. Do not eat to the point that you are uncomfortable or to the point that you need to unbutton your pants, stand up, etc. Use the waistline of your clothes as a guide. Stop as soon as you feel any stretch in your stomach. Learn to eat to the point that you are satisfied and not necessarily full. The Japanese have a saying, Hara hachi bu, which means eat until you are 8/10ths full -or- belly 80% full. Use a little visualization. In the middle of your meal, visualize a healthy snack. Ask yourself if the idea of a small, healthy snack is appealing. If it is, you may not be full. If it is not appealing, you may be satisfied Smell and pay attention to the taste of your food regularly while you eat. Are you enjoying every bite or are you just trying to get in a few more bites. If it is no longer appealing, tastes plan/dull, greasy, heavy, then you may be nearing satiation. Other advice about chewing well, eating slowly, not watching tv while eating, watching your fork as you take every bite, etc - all of these things help you be 'present' while you are eating and extends the time of your meal to help your brain feel as full as your stomach. I rarely ever eat to the point that I am 'full.' I eat to the point that I am satisfied. I learned how to do this from a book called "I Can Make You Thin." by Paul McKenna. You can get it for a few dollars on Amazon. It has a lot of advice for healthy eating hygiene habits.

My step mother had it done at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS.