breezy

I think I've felt "guilty" all my life for being overweight. I've felt I had NO will power and couldn't change anything about myself. The sleeve is another tool, but it is not a easy way out. I still have to make decisions every time I put something in my mouth. I could completely ruin my efforts by eating donuts, ice cream and Cookies (a sweet tooth has been my downfall). But I can eat so little....and I don't want to give myself empty calories because I'm afraid of depriving my body of the nutrition it needs. Before I could eat the healthy foods and still eat the sweets. Now I have to choose because I don't have room for it all. Now that I've post-op for a 2-1/2 months, I don't feel guilty about my weight at all. I'm steadily losing, getting more active, and am healthier. I'm glad I invested in myself.

You sound excited! That's great! Get set to change your life for the better.

For myself, I don't watch calories as much as what I put in my mouth. For instance, I've gotten rid of all drinks with calories except the one cup of coffee I allow myself in the morning with sugar and cream. I eat chicken, pork or lean beef and a lot of salads. I look at the carbs on everything I eat and stay away from having a lot of carbs in a day. If I choose a 3 bean salad for lunch (a lot of carbs in Beans but the Fiber & Protein is good for me), then I'll have chicken filet and salad for dinner. My doctor didn't talk to me about calories as much as the bad food choices I had made in the past that got me to where I was.

"Pretty chill" is a good thing, right?:tongue2: Hope everything goes well with your appointment.

This thread is interesting to me. I quickly read the responses and they seemed to fall into the categories of "it's your business, and you can choose what you reveal" OR "tell the truth, it's the morally high ground". Not judging anyone, we are all SO different in our head-space. Just interesting. I tend to be very truthful in my responses to people. I just tend to respond to a question with the truth before I've thought about the consequences of what I am saying to who. I can see that I subconsciously think this is the right thing to do, in MOST instances. But I am also a sensitive individual who probably cares too much what other people say or think about me. I've seen in my past that I will remember something negative someone says to me for a LONG time! I've recently decided that I need to protect myself against people who are not in my inner circle. My inner circle friends/family love me, support me, and think I am a great person. To them, I reveal my whole self. To those outside this circle, I give more generic information. It's your choice to decide who knows what about you, in my opinion. But I can understand everyone's responses.

I've got 9 dogs, Will! (Yes, I have a lot of space at my home -- everyone always asks that when I tell them I have 9 dogs). I bet your "babies" were glad to see you! I'm glad you did as well as I did in the initial recovery process. I've had worse dentist appointments! Take care of yourself now. Keep us posted on the little success stories. They are so fun to read!

I didn't see your post, either. I try to look at new posts for up to 1 hour in the mornings, depending on how much time I have before work. I even look for posts that haven't had many replies because I don't want anyone to feel left out. I understand how you felt though. We are all human. I was disappointed when not many people responded to a post of mine once, too. This next bit is not meant to be critical about you OR me, but just an observation. You know how in the long-time past, people thought the sun revolved around the earth? To me, that illustrates the point that each of us subconsciously sees the world as revolving around what WE are experiencing. Like when I used to go the the movie theater and squeeze in front of people to get to an empty seat. Somehow I imagined that everyone in the theater was noticing me, and to my mind, probably thinking how fat and awkward I was. Now I realize that everyone is, to one extent or another, "in their own little bubble". I am not the center of the universe! Imagine that! LOL! Funny to think about!

I had a ache on my lower right side at about the same point. It hurt when I coughed. But it didn't get worse, no temp, and it went away after about a week. I was sleeping a lot on my right side and I wondered if the muscles were just complaining.

It took courage to write that post! And you're right, if you can't let it out here, you can't let it out anywhere! I was heavy from age 12 and I never had a boyfriend until I lost weight on some pills a doctor gave me when I was 17 (heaven knows what he gave me). I met my first boyfriend as a senior in high school and married him right off. Dumb. We ended up divorced 6 years later and I was left raising 2 (beautiful) little boys by myself. I was like a one-dimensional person at that time. No confidence, no experience, immature and naive. I've learned a lot of lessons since then, and read a LOT of books on improving self-esteem. I had a dysfunctional family background, so I read a LOT of books on that too. If you like to read, go to the library's self-help book section and get a few books by different authors on subjects you would like to improve in yourself. When you lose weight, the guys will come around. The hard part is PICKING the right kind of guy! When you get to that point, and you WILL, I've got lots of advice!!! Learning to love ourselves, no matter what we look like, can be the challenge of a lifetime for some of us. Does any of this make sense to you?

I know exactly what you are talking about! At your stage, I was doing the same thing: forcing myself to sip on Gatorade and wishing I could just chug a big glass of Water. Just to be clear, my doctor had me on clear fluids 1st week, full fluids for the 2nd week, pureed food for the 3rd week, and then I could eat "regular" food. I found that warm/hot fluids were a little more comfortable to drink than cold (for me). I remember that when I went on full fluids I found a really good tomatoe soup and it went down easily. The hard part for me was that I couldn't take more than a couple small sips at a time, so I had to keep remembering to reach for the glass/cup again and again and again. It does get easier as time goes by. Let's see, my surgery was April 13th and now I can drink almost normally. I still feel the little bit of discomfort/restriction but it is MUCH better. I have relied on this group, too, to help me understand what is happening to me. I'm glad you find it helpful too!:scared0:

I have taken Prozac for many years (family history of chemical imbalances). I mixed mine with a little Water for the first couple of days, but it was WAY NASTY tasting! I was able to swallow the pill at about one week out. I know that I do much better if I take my antidepressant and because I am making a major change in my life style, I don't think this is the time to change that!

Don't you think they should design bra's with pockets? Wouldn't that be handy?

10 hours on a plane Yuck! Be careful not to lift your baggage, Will. When I flew after surgery I asked for wheelchair assistance and they did all the lifting for me. It ended up being a bonus situation because I didn't have to stand in any security lines; they wheeled me right up to the front like I was a VIP! My hubby picked me up at the airport and he took over the lifting from there. Be sure to walk the aisles when you can and have fluids by you at all times. I hope you have enough reading materials to entertain yourself, or even better, you are able to sleep during the trip! Getting home will feel good.

I'm glad to hear the surgery went well for you! It's nice that you are able to drink easily -- it took me weeks to be able to drink larger quantities. Mashed potatoes and soups went down pretty easily for me. I don't think it will bother you much, but everyone is unique in their experience. For me, regular food was when I started having the most feelings of restriction. I'll look for your posts to follow how you are doing. Congratulations on starting your journey to a healthier YOU.:thumbup:

Congratulations on getting your surgery done! It was such a relief to me when it was over and I could start the recovery process and get moving in the direction I wanted! I took Gas-X pills at the beginning but that went away within the first week for me. Keep us updated on how you're doing!

I was always able to use my bra as an extra pocket. I'd stuff money or my debit card there. Last weekend at the beach I lost money from my bra! First time that has EVER happened Next thing I know, dropped food will hit my lap rather than my "shelf"! I'm not sorry to see the girls smaller; I'm sure my back will benefit from not having to carry them around! Sexy bras, here I come!

What a great post! I understand the failure fears....it was like I was writing that! Even what you said about walking your dog and feeling good because you were doing something good for both of you! I just want to say "thank you" for participating here on the forum. I appreciate your input!

Vent all you want! It's nice to have some place where you can let off steam. And not everything can be honey and roses. And this is one of them. Grrrrr.... That sucks!

I'm thinking of you, Mary! Be patient. The recovery is something that everyone goes through and there will be times when you wonder if you did the right thing, but you get better with every day! I'm 10 wks out (approx) and yesterday I did some aerobics and then walked over 2 miles! I'm drinking better and can eat anything I want in moderation. You'll get there!

I've not had a "hunger pang" since the surgery, but I know when I'm hungry. I just get a gaunt, empty feeling....and I may feel a little light-headed or low energy. I still have a appetite for sweets though, but my sleeve prevents me from eating them except in small amounts.

I'm glad your surgery was uneventful! Take it easy now and be gentle with yourself.

Let me know if you feel that B-12 shot works. Others have sworn by it.

Congratulations on setting the date!

I hope this helps.

Are you doing your happy dance? This is a big benchmark for you! Congratulations! And here's to many more to come!