Izuri

I like gustavo's suggestion of asking your surgeon. Or I would look online for therapists, read reviews from patients, and make sure to get a therapist that specializes in eating disorders. Then I would call their office and ask if they have had any experience with bariatric patients and maybe binge eating if that's something that has affected you pre-op or if there's another part of your life that you think will need talking about too. For example, many of my eating issues are tied into clinical depression or mood issues, so I wanted a therapist that had some experience in mood disorders. Or if you think that issues will come up in your marriage, you may want one that also works in family counseling. Whatever you think will be important to you down the road. Ohh I almost forgot, a big one of mine is anxiety too. I eat through anxiety, and learning to work through that instead of turning to food is a big thing for me. Then just sort through the reviews and the phone calls you've made and pick one. Remember, even if you visit one and don't like them or it doesn't feel right, you can always choose another one. You are not obligated to stay with the same therapist. It's way more important to find one you feel like you can open up to. If you have any other questions feel free to pm me.

Diekoi, You are doing great! I was just gonna post and ask how you're doing, but I see that you're doing well. When I quit I always kept a pack of gum around and chewed a piece whenever I wanted to smoke. If nothing else it helped distract me.

You can get bed sores from laying on one spot too much. So when you do sit/lay put pillows to prop you to one side, changing sides are least every couple hours, and make sure you're shifting your weight. A loved one can help you get the pillows down under you better. I agree with Need-a-Sleeve though. I know you have a lot of trouble right now, but moving will help decrease your risk of more complications. Pre-medicating before movement can be helpful. Do you still have your incentive spirometer? Use that and cough/deep breathe too. I know that's not what your post was about though. Switching from one side to another at a certain interval of time might be helpful. Use pillows galore, everywhere that you feel like it could help with comfort. You could see if different kinds of pillows help - maybe memory foam? roll up a blanket and see if that's more comfortable for some of the areas. Use pillows to move yourself up into a sitting/reclining position in bed. When you get up maybe spend more time in a chair if possible. I hope some of that helps - I can imagine it's miserable to have to lay in bed for so long =\

I didn't like the Nectar brand - but I only tried a few flavors. They were wayyy too strong and a couple were sour to me.

It will be here before you know it and it's going to go great! I hope you have a speedy recovery. Let us know how it goes.

I am on soft foods until 3 months out. So I have tried a lot =p Tuna salad, chicken salad (w/canned chicken cause it's softer), stew (without potatoes), eggs, Protein shakes, shrimp, ground beef sloppy joes, turkey meatloaf, many different types of Soup, chicken and dumplings (with only a little dumpling - super filling), string cheese, all different types of cheeses, chicken cooked in the crock pot w/a salsa mix, then shredded and topped w/shredded cheese, a little guacamole, etc, canned chicken w/pizza sauce and shredded mozzarella, laughing cow cheese wedges, tilapia, steamed veggies, a bit of buffalo mozzarella made into a caprese salad (cut off skins of tomatoes), hamburger stroganoff minus the rice/noodles, baked salmon, cottage cheese, watermelon..... I started out with mostly eggs and cottage cheese and then realized I was going to be eating these for too long and gonna get bored of those. I thought I didn't like most fish, but have loved everything I've tried. Most of this stuff can be made with lean meats or lower calorie ingredients, plus many of them work as dinners for my whole family instead of just something that I can eat. They've been awesome about being open to more soft food dishes. Any kind of protein will fill you up pretty quick. So just make sure you're eating protein first. I can usually get about 2oz total in of most Proteins.

Yay! I'm glad that they came around. I bet you'll be getting your date soon!!

I was allowed to drive at the end of the second week. I think I could have driven a short distance as soon as I was off my pain meds, but it just seemed better to wait since I had nowhere pressing to go.

I would give it another week or two and then try asking her again. You don't want her to miss submitting those surgeries in September either, cause it would suck just as much for them if they got postponed - but I feel your pain. Waiting is anxiety inducing! I'm sure she feels your anxiety, but she probably has all those people scheduled before you and maybe some after too calling to get updates =p I don't envy her job.

This is true for me too. If I eat/drink too much or too fast it will feel stuck beneath my sternum.

Just wanted to say congrats on the awesome first date and great compliment! I bet it felt amazing to hear after all that hard work. And I think it's interesting to hear about different values/walks of life, we don't all fit into the same little box. =)

I went to my first consult on June 28th and was in surgery July 26th. I had insurance changes so I had to make sure that it would go under the insurance that would cover it. The only reason I wish I had more time was to have a couple counseling sessions maybe and get used to the idea a little more, but if I had to make the choice again I'd do it in a second. It's totally worth it, even if it is a whirlwind. You still have a couple months, so hopefully that'll give you plenty of time to process =)

I'm sorry to hear this =( How much of these were you drinking a day? Were you getting in plain water too?

You will know when you're moving a wrong way. I had to make sure I was moving myself with my arms instead of my abdomen a lot during the first week. I couldn't bend down very well. Turning in bed hurt. I could see something happening on accident, like if you fell and caught yourself, but aside from that your pain will keep you being very aware of your movements for a while. 5 weeks out now and my side only hurts when I push myself a little too much walking quickly the previous day. Follow your lifting guidelines and you'll be fine.

Thanks for posting this. Last night I was dreading going on a long walk with a little jogging and I thought of this post =p I got my butt up and did it!

To not get stuck in small chairs.....Went to the salon today and they only have 1 size chair with armrests that just barely let my big butt in there. Wasn't paying attention when I got up and the chair came with me - Embarrassing! The ladies around me laughed and I laughed it off, but I was silently thanking my sleeve that I'll not go through that again next time I'm there.

This surgery is a very personal experience and even though we often find similarities between our experience and others, no two surgeries are the same. When it comes to your surgery, it is really something you need to be able to own all the benefits and consequences of, which is a scary thing. I definitely struggled with the worries of the complications. The fear of the unknown. I think I am even kind of afraid of being thin - I never have been. Though we read so many posts a day that are good, the reality is that not everyone is going to have a perfect surgical experience. It helped me to write out a list of pros and cons. Then I went through and thought about which cons I could decrease the risk of. Blood clots is one you can have an active role in preventing. Walking post-op and making sure that you limit your time sitting helps ensure that you are getting good blood flow and decreasing clot risk. This is just one example. Pneumonia you can decrease the risk of by practicing coughing and deep breathing regularly and using your incentive spirometer. Could I get rid of every con or decrease the risk of any of them to 0%? Absolutely not. But I felt comfortable enough at that point to say that the benefits of decreased risk of illnesses was worth it, for me. It may not be worth it for the next person, but it is definitely worth it to me. I felt like I was not living my life due to limitations that my weight and I were putting on myself. I think the posters above me have some wonderful suggestions and I agree completely that counseling is a great idea both pre and post-op. We all come in with problems and issues with food. Then you throw in weight loss, possibility of failed expectations, and HORMONES GALORE, and you get people acting crazy and feeling bad (I will admit, I have all of the above!). Having therapy, a good support group, and helpful home support is really important for the success of many of us. Having time pre-op to get used to the diet and the eating changes would probably be really helpful. I didn't have this due to the scheduling of my surgery, but I think it would have been beneficial. I saw my grandfather get almost his entire leg amputated from a diabetic sore that would not heal. His condition continued to deteriorate and eventually he passed away, due in part to the complications he had from diabetes. That scares me so much, and I'd rather have this surgery done now, than wait for any conditions to develop/worsen. I hope that you figure out what's the right path for you, no matter what you decide.

My advice would be: - Call your insurance today and make sure that their requirements match up with what the center told you - most places are good about this but sometimes they miss things - Write yourself a list of requirements out so that you can start crossing them off. Each one off the list feels awesome - Write a list of questions you have about the surgery to take with you. If you're anything like me you will get there and forget as soon as the doctor asks if you have any questions. - Ask them what a realistic time table to expect surgery looks like at their clinic. That way you won't be going out of your mind wondering when the insurance will get back to them, etc. - Enjoy yourself! Relax and have a good time with the journey =) I'm not sure what your first consult includes, but mine was just getting a baseline weight, BMI, blood pressure, etc. I didn't have any kind of pre-admission testing until a week before surgery. If yours is anything like mine it's really low key, you just get to ask questions and chat with the surgeon. Good luck!

Yes, liquids move through your stomach faster, so it's easier to get more of them down. For most people, as you move on to foods that are more dense you will start to be able to tell more. Some soft/regular foods are 'sliders' and those you probably won't feel restriction on, but if you're eating the right things (especially protein) you will feel restriction. Some days it seems like my restriction is tighter than others, but I definitely feel it when I make sure I'm eating my protein first.

Yeah, I had this issue too. All liquid in, all liquid out. It will get better as you move on to puree and soft foods. Just make sure you're getting in enough water every day.

I had some of that, and I got the hiccups like 6 or 7 times in the first day and it tapered off a little each day. I had a small hiatal hernia repaired which was what I attributed it to - the hiccups/spasms hurt. Did you have a hernia repair?

Yes, the week before surgery I could not concentrate at all at work. My brain wouldn't cooperate with me. Maybe keep a protein shake or a little healthy snack at your desk and that way you have a little healthy treat when you pass up the new chips! What a struggle that must be - you're very strong!

Neat experiment. It's crazy how little actual volume there is in a whole bag. Puts things into perspective, thanks!

I'm sorry to hear that you're having such an awful time. I think you are strong to admit you need to get back on track. You can get back on track. I would go 100% back to basics. Start again as if you had just gotten sleeved and let your doctor know what's been going on. They need to keep a close eye on you to make sure you don't run into any complications. I don't really enjoy food at this point (5 weeks out), but I make myself eat on a schedule and keep track of it. You should join Myfitnesspal or some other tracking website and add people to try and get some feedback on your days. I do not have acid really, but if you are, I would bug your doctor until they talk to you about it. They need to be responding to you, you deserve follow-up care. I was on prevacid for a month post-op, and I'm sure that had an effect on the acid. If you are having trouble eating around your family - eat away from them. I know that sounds really hard, and maybe they will resent it - but you're dealing with a health issue here, they will get over it in time. Right now, you need to be able to focus on you. Do you have any friends close by that support you that might be able to spend a couple days with you while you get back on track? Weigh everything you eat. I can't eat more than about 2oz of Protein at a time, and maybe a few soft veggies/fruits pieces. I also think it sounds like you need to see a therapist and join a support group. You aren't alone. Head hunger is a crazy hard thing to deal with, but you can figure out strategies to get through the day. Post your goals on the refrigerator door. Make a list of all the things that you want to be able to do. Make a list of all the reasons you don't want to be overweight anymore. Stick some motivational post its to your mirror so you see them every morning. The only thing you can do from here is move on. Get back on the program, get some guidance from your doctor, find some support (which you deserve!), and start over. Keep an eye out for the signs of a leak, and that's really most of what I can think of. Don't give up. You can get through this.

I am 25 and have been overweight all my life. I had not been nearly as overweight when I was young, but once I was in my late teens my weight shot up. I tried unsuccessfully to lose weight (lost and regained some multiple times -never more than 60lbs). Realized it wasn't working on my own and was afraid of becoming diabetic because it runs rampant in my dad's side of the family. I also was having trouble with simple tasks, standing at work, getting through school clinicals. I was just incredibly unhappy and unhealthy. The sleeve has been an amazing thing for me. I feel like even 30 pounds down that I'm starting to get my life back.