sharonintx

Ah yes. The old 'easy way out' thing. Haha. If they only knew how untrue that was. When I had this surgery that was exactly what I was looking for - the easy way. Well the joke was on me. Do you think maybe your success so far and your changing physique may cause her some insecurity? It's worth a thought anyway. You keep up the good work!

I went to Mexico for WLS a little more than 3 years ago. I just took my clothes and other personal items. It would be a good idea to take some GasX strips with you in case you need them but the staff at the clinic I went to gave me everything else I needed. When you get to San Diego you will find it easy to find where you need to go to find your ride etc. The airport staff are very helpful and are very used to bariatric patients asking for help finding their way. I flew in one evening, went to the Dr's office then the hotel. The Dr's office provided all transportation and made sure I got to the right place on time. The next morning I had surgery, stayed in recovery overnight, had the leak test that afternoon, they removed the drain, and I flew home later that day. I was awfully tired but made it home just fine. When I got back I called a couple of local bariatric surgeons in my town and found one to take my stitches out when it was time. It cost me about $80 for that. My experience going to Mexico for WLS was overall good and trouble free. The sleeve they gave me works like a charm and has given me no problems at all. Good luck to you and try not to worry too much. You'll do great:)

I love Pop Tarts

I've heard that plenty too. Those who think this is the easy way out know absolutely nothing about the process of having WLS and the effort it takes to move on afterwards. Let them think what they want. They are chumps to make a comment like that anyway.

So sorry to hear that. I think your idea to move on with your life and do what she would have wanted you to do is a great plan. Go out there and make her proud.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch I tend to agree with the reply from WLSresources/clothing exchange. I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. It is terribly difficult to watch someone you love reaching the end of their life. Ask yourself how many times she was there for you when you needed her. I know it's hard dealing with everything you are going through and I understand the feeling of wanting to hide. At this moment it isn't about you. It's about her. I don't want to make you mad or hurt your feelings. I have the utmost sympathy for what you are feeling but I'm going to tell you what I would tell one of my kids, family, or close friend - pull yourself together, suck it up, and go do the right thing for your grandmother. Nothing else is acceptable.

Hello Matt and welcome. I go on and on about the emotional aspects of WLS. Probably people are tired of hearing it but I'll say it again because it's important. Have emotional/psychological support both before and after surgery. Don't downplay the need for it or think that it'll be fine and you'll manage on your own. You may very well manage on your own but you will be better off with professional support. My life after surgery and dealing with all the mental changes wasn't especially fun but the journey is worth it. It'll be worth it for you too. On the bright side, I look a lot better now and seem to be very popular among groups of construction workers that are in the convenience store I stop at every day:) I like looking better and I like wearing cute clothes. And I like not being the fattest person in the room. You can do this thing. Just remember it is indeed a journey and it's one that is well worth taking.

Some great questions lately. Pre op I had this notion that I would become more inclined to socialize and involve myself with people and things I normally avoided. After about 40 pounds were gone I found that I didn't want any new attention after all. Truthfully it was the emotional aspects that kept me from wanting to interact with others - either new friends or old. I hid out for the longest time other than going to work and taking care of my family. I looked at the ground everywhere I went pretending that if I couldn't see any people then surely they wouldn't see me either. Then I started figuring this thing out. Now at nearly 70 pounds gone I don't really hide anymore and I have quite a bit of confidence in talking to people whether they are new or old acquaintances. I do it every day and some days I don't hate it. What I have found is that while I thought I wanted to become a social, fun loving person, what I really wanted was the inner peace and serenity to be comfortable with my own company and that I needed to learn to love myself and treat myself well. I got that. The entire journey was well worth it and a blessing. Funny how everyone's end result is quite different for various reasons but for the most part we all gained something very valuable. All from having the most of our stomach removed. Go figure.

Lol don't feel bad. Earlier today I replied to a bot and called it a moron.

@@treblecutie23 You keep rocking those stilettos girl!

I don't know of this is considered a habit but I'll throw it out there anyway. Other than still eating too fast after 3 years, the hardest issue for me is seeing myself as something other than a fat girl. I go to the plus size section in the store every single time. I determine that none of it will fit so I head over to the regular size section. I look at everything on the rack and decide that these items are not supposed to fit me and walk out of the store having bought nothing. When I look in the mirror I still see a fat girl. Yes I know that's ridiculous. Body image is a tough one for me. I don't know that I'll ever see myself as anything other than fat.

Yes! I have been a bookkeeper/admin assistant forever. Year after year I went into work, stared at a computer screen filled with numbers all day, and sat at my desk eating Cheetos to combat the boredom. I got laid off several months back. So there I was looking for another job. I got annoyed one afternoon at the thought of keeping the books straight at yet another company that needed someone to come in and correct mistakes in accounting. So I replied to an ad I saw for a company that teaches CPR etc. I had never even taken a CPR class. In the reply I sent them I said I knew nothing about CPR but I was going to resort to self mutilation if I had to stare at a computer screen anymore. Lol. Well...the owner called me and we talked for about 45 minutes. i started working for them the next day. I spent a while taking training classes and got my instructor certification. Took a month or so of constant classwork and hands-on practice. To be honest I was mortified at the thought of getting up in front of a room full of people and trying to teach a class. The first few classes I was so nervous I thought I'd puke. But I did it. I've been at it a couple months now and I absolutely love it. I'd have never been able to do this without my new found confidence. I get up there in front of those people and talk to them with ease and self assurance. The sleeve has done many things for me. I have a new outward appearance, newly acquired inner peace, a level of confidence I never knew existed, and a whole new career that I love. All of this at age 50. I'd be willing to bet that you will achieve things you never dreamed of too!

Well......this question will certainly open a can of worms. I 'm going to get my comment in before the s**t storm hits. I'm in Texas. We do not have medical marijuana. We still have to get it from the trusty neighborhood stoner. Keep in mind that I would not be considered a heavy user. I'm a lightweight user. There has been no problem, no additional issues with acid reflux, and it has not been a gateway to more dangerous drugs. No transfer of addiction from food to drugs or alcohol either. It did not slow my recovery after surgery nor did it cause me to eat uncontrollably. Obviously your surgeon will warn you against using marijuana. If you try it post op and it causes you any problems then don't do it again. If not then light one up and enjoy your double chocolate Protein shake.

Have the lemon

You tell your son the truth

I can't drink much of a carbonated beverage but from time to time I will have some. I don't even bother with diet drinks. I get the full sugar version. I can only manage 4 or 5 drinks until I feel too full to drink anymore but those few drinks are delicious. I've discovered that a Slurpee from 7-11 is a very good substitute. I can drink a small one no problem. I certainly do not advocate eating or drinking unhealthy things but for me personally I have had soda, candy, and anything else I wanted. Oddly, I don't want them as much as before WLS but if I do I have it and never give it a second thought. I haven't stretched my sleeve, gained weight, or had any other ill effects.

Of course you can.

Omg!! You look beautiful! I am so happy for you and I know you must feel so good when you look in the mirror. Congratulations and I hope you feel like the sexiest woman alive. You deserve it.

I did liquids for 3 days and started soft foods immediately after. On the 3rd week I started eating mostly regular foods. No problems.

I didn't have one either. Did clear liquids the day before and that's it. Had no problems.

The initial post op phase of this thing sure does suck doesn't it? You want food, you don't fully get the implications of the emotional aspect, it's hard to adjust, and to top it all off, how will you ever find any comfort being as you cannot have much to eat. I know those feelings well. All of us do. To be quite honest, sometimes it still sucks now. When I'm at a restaurant, when it's a holiday gathering, when I cook all day for the family and can only eat 5 bites, when nothing would make me happier than a huge cheeseburger - but wait - why am I going to waste money on a huge cheeseburger I can only eat a few bites of? Having to work through the emotional part of this journey sucks too. Let me tell you what I've gained by having to learn to live the sleeve life. I'm healthy, I'm not ever the fattest one in the room, I never count calories, I eat how ever much I can of whatever I want, and when I see my reflection in the store window I giggle because I cannot believe that's me. Oh yeah - and I gained peace, confidence, and emotional maturity. I got these things by having to fight my way through the regret, the wild hormonal changes, the frustration of being denied my favorite method of comfort ( food), and the realization that I had quite a few issues to deal with. There is no price you can put on that last part. It is priceless and it has given me a new found calm and rationale that I never new existed. They call this a journey. Everywhere you look someone is speaking of their "journey". And it's all true. If you want the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow you have to go the the rough part of the journey. It's a worthy journey. You can do it.

I did the same thing as you. I nibbled on quite a few things. I got in trouble for it here from the nice people that told me it was head hunger. Of course, I dismissed the head hunger notion immediately but I did make sure I never pushed my new stomach too far and I never had an issue. Here's the thing - They were right about the head hunger. I promise you are not really hungry. It's just that you want something, not that you are really hungry. Overall I think it would be best for you to sip the Protein shakes and try to follow your program pretty well. If you occasionally nibble most likely no harm will come to you. But what if it did? Would it be worth it if you even had the smallest issue because of it? I do not think so. I know that I did it too and that no harm was done. But what I should have done is take the advise of those who knew more than me. At least try to find a happy medium. You have just started this journey. There's a whole lot of things you will discover along the way. Don't rush.

I went home the day after surgery, 2.5 hour flight. It was really pretty tiring and I just wanted to sit down but I made it ok. Make sure you have some Water and maybe a blanket. You'll be ok if you give yourself plenty of time so you don't have to rush to your gate etc., and try to have some help waiting for you after you land. You'll probably be ready to get home and lay down but you'll do fine.

You are right about the lifetime commitment and the forever changed relationship with food. I just have a couple a comments. They will not be popular responses and you will undoubtedly have people tell you that my mindset about having the sleeve is a sure-fire recipe for failure, but I'll say them anyway; I do not now, nor have I ever counted calories or grams of Protein since getting the sleeve. I do try and make an effort to make decent choices but if I eat cake for dinner then so be it. I hate Water and have never bothered with trying to meet a goal of drinking a certain amount per day. I do not give a second thought to gaining back weight I've already lost. I went to Mexico for the surgery. Dr Almanza. There's a lot of controversy about Almanza. For me personally he did a great job. This thing doesn't stretch, doesn't give an inch, and it is a very dependable barrier for the excess food I still wish I could eat. I see a lot of posts about people who have gained weight back with the sleeve. After 3 years mine still works like a charm. I'm just trying to say that it is a unique experience for each individual. The counseling you are getting is a good thing and will certainly help you make up your mind but keep in mind that everyone is different. What is hard for one may be easy for another - that kind of thing.

Your feelings are quite normal and common at this point. If you will go back and read some posts in the Post Op section you'll see that a whole lot of people feel the same way. You will get through it, yes you will eat and drink without it hurting very soon, and yes you do care about your weight. If you didn't you would not have chosen surgery as your option. You have to expect that both physical changes will continue for some time and you will learn to adapt and overcome. Give yourself time to adjust and heal. Trust me it's worth it.