babigrl111

Nikkita you are not alone! I'm a bored-eater too, a grazer, and constant snacker. I had surgery on December 9th too (sleeve sisters!), and its been torture feeling like im never gonna be able to eat and feel satisfied again. I think the holidays make it worse, like at work today everyone brought in a ton of food, and its sitting all around the office. I'm trying to focus on working, and drinking my protein shake and water, but its hard cuz i have to walk by the food every time i leave my desk. I feel left out, and sad, but im not gonna risk hurting my sleeve for one second of satisfaction of taking a bite. We just have to be strong, and before you know it we'll be able to eat like normal people again, just a lot less!

Felicia, I am right there with you. I lost 9 lbs in the 3 days following my surgery on December 9th, and only 1 lb since then (im 12 days post-op). Im sure its just like pdxman says, its just our bodies needing to catch up on loosing weight quickly, and we will start to lose again. Keep your head up, and feel better! I've put my scale away so i cant weigh myself daily (like i have been), and am only going to weigh myself once a week, on Fridays.

Mine was much worse then I thought it would be too, only in ths hospital though. I felt like I had gotten kicked in the ribs by a horse. Three days after surgery I was almost back to normal though.

Thanks for the advise!

Hi guys, I had a difficult time telling my family about my upcoming surgery. I am not very good at communicating in person, but i am great at writing, so i decided to tell my family in a letter/email. I thought i'd post my letter here, maybe it will give someone else the courage to tell their friends/family. The response i received from my family was absolutely 100% supportive, more than i could have ever expected. I have something important to tell you all, and since I am much better at writing out my thoughts I am sending this email. I have decided to have a type of weight loss surgery called the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (or Gastric Sleeve). I am more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have regarding this surgery, the process, my doctor, etc., but I do not want any negative comments, as this is my life and my decision, and I am not going to change my mind, no matter what. Trust me when I say I have done a FULL INVESTIGATION into this surgery and my surgeon, gone through all of the seminars, chose the same doctor that has performed weight loss surgery on two of my co-workers (one had the by-pass 8/2010, and one had the Gastric Sleeve 3/2011), and have finished all the required testing (which was an EKG, several blood tests for all Vitamin levels, cholesterol, had an ultrasound of my stomach, gallbladder and liver, completed a psych evaluation, and met with a nutritionist). I have joined a forum called Vertical Sleeve Talk, that has thousands of members all over the world who have had/are scheduled to have this same surgery. I have met a lot of good people, have gotten answers to basically any question anyone could ever think of. This is not a quick fix, or the easy way out like a lot of people think. Its going to be hard work, but with the Sleeve I will be forced to eat better, and wont be able to eat so much. I've been overweight since at least sixth grade, and right now I am at my heaviest. After this surgery, I will lose 65-75% of my excess weight within one year. My insurance even covers this procedure. Please know that this is not a snap decision I made overnight, I've been thinking about it and looking into it for over a year now. If you would like to look further into this surgery and the program I chose, my doctor's names are Dr. Quebbemann and Dr. Braverman, and run a center called the N.E.W. Program. Dr. Quebbemann has appeared on multiple television shows including the Doctors, 48 hours, The Early Show, has been quoted in People magazine and USA Today. In fact, here is the link with the surgeons bios and information: http://thenewprogram.com/default/about-us/our-expert-team Information about the Gastric Sleeve procedure and what its all about can be found here: http://thenewprogram.com/default/comprehensive-weight-loss-options/surgical-weight-loss/sleeve-gastrectomy My surgery is scheduled pretty soon, on Friday, December 9th at 10:00 a.m. (the time is subject to changing, I will know for sure the day before). I will be required by my insurance to stay in the hospital for one night, and will be home the next day, able to walk and drive just fine. The hospital I will be at is a Bariatric Center of Excellence (as required by my insurance), and called Tri-City Regional Medical Center. Here is the link with the information on the hospital: http://www2.tcrmc.org/. You all are more than welcome to come visit me while I am there. I will be telling Brooklyn (my 7 year old) the day before my surgery, that mommy is having surgery on her tummy to make her feel better. I believe once she sees me eating better and losing weight, she will be excited to eat better as well. In fact, Terry (my boyfriend) has already started working out and eating better. This surgery is not only going to affect me in a positive way, but will change the eating habits of the people around me as well. Terry is taking Brooklyn to school the morning of my surgery, and Mom, I was going to ask if you would be able to pick her up that day and keep her overnight. I AM ABSOLUTELY SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS DECISION AND IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO ME TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT. However, if that is not the case, if you cant say anything nice then please just dont say anything at all.

Thank you for posting this topic! Im dying for something other than chicken broth!

Thanks for the good wishes everyone. Ya im doing good, it was harder than i thought it would be, but im on the road to recovery now. Had surgery Friday, got out of hospital on Saturday, and just been relaxing, trying to get liquids in. Good luck to all the December Sleevers!

I love reading about everone's experience while in the hospital, and feelings immediately after waking up from surgery, is there a specific post for this somewhere? If not, i would love it if any of you out there could re-cap your experiences with the surgery part of this journey...it would really help me to know what to expect! Thanks in advance! Sara

Thanks everyone for the good wishes! Next time I talk to u I'll be on the losers bench!

This post might help...i was nervous about the experience too, but these stories have eased my mind! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/27699-please-tell-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-hospital-storiesexperiences/

Holy Moly! 170 lbs thats amazing! I will be sleeved in 3 days and cant wait! Congrats on your loss!

OMG I'm so glad! We dont mind whining, thats what we are here for! Yay im so excited for you!

My surgery is in 3 days and i couldnt be more excited! I've had many surgeries before so the surgery itself doesnt scare me a bit. Its the pain afterward that is a little un-nerving. Oh well, im sure we're all going to do great! Good luck on your surgery!

Aww, thanks! I've been waiting since October 19th for this surgery to be here, and i cant believe its in 3 days! Dont worry, the 15th will be here before you know it! So I think we weigh less in the morning, cuz when i weighed myself this morning i've now lost 5.8 lbs, almost all the weight i gained. Unfortunately i went on an eating binge after i got my surgery date, and had way too many food funerals. I think it made it harder for me on the pre-op diet too, but live and learn! I will definitely be posting my story (probably from the hospital), and updates on how i'm doing, you all have helped me through this waiting and i've made so many friends on here, i hope everyone else does the same too! I am so happy for us all to have a great start to a new year. Yippee!

I did, i was supposed to do a two week diet, with protein shakes, 2 bars, and only carrots, celery, lettuce and calorie free dressing. The first week i was just like you, i needed something of substance, so i put 2 tablespoons of grilled chicken breast in my salad with calorie free dressing. I've been good this second week though, but its been so hard. I did lose 4 lbs already, so im happy about that. Good luck, it will get easier!

Im right there with you Amber! Its so hard to divorce food, and say no to everything during this pre-op diet. My most difficult time is between lunch and dinner too, but i've arranged it so i have a protein shake on my way home from work, and im not starving by the time i get to my house (which i call the danger zone, since i have a 7 year old and have to keep snacks around for her lunches, lol). I also worry about the skin, and trading one ugly body for another. I dont have the money for plastic surgery, and am just gonna have to live with the results i guess. Anyway, good luck to you, only 1 week away thats great! It gets here fast, mine's in 4 days, and im so excited!

Im so glad...if it helped just one person it was worth posting! Thats how i felt too, if i wouldnt have told them they would be so upset and hurt with me.

My co-worker who had the bypass gave me a good tip. She buys Psyllium Husk powder and adds it to her Protein shakes. Its a great source of fiber, plus it leaves you feeling fuller longer (which is especially helpful if you are on a mainly liquid only pre-op diet!). Here's some information on it: Psyllium husk or isphagula is the covering of seeds grown on the plant, Plantago Psyllium, which flourishes in the Middle East. Psyllium husk has long been recognized as an excellent means of getting more dietary fiber into a person’s diet due to its high fiber count in comparison to other grains. Oat bran, also a good source of fiber, has about five grams of fiber per a third of a cup. Psyllium husk, on the other hand, offers approximately 71 grams of fiber for that same third of a cup.

Dont be nervous! Be excited to start your new life! My surgery isnt until the 9th, but if you need some encouragement send me a private message and we can talk! Im a texter too, so I'd be happy to give you my number!

Thanks everyone! I dont think a lot of times we realize how much we want our family & friends support, so we brush it off, or wait to tell them until afterwards. My sister has still not responded to this letter, but my mom and dad did, which has made all the difference in the world. And remember, anyone who is not supportive of you before might just be scared, and hopefully will come around after they see you losing the weight and getting healthy!

Yes this forum is the best ever! Welcome!