laners777

Welcome LaLa. As the others have said already, we all get to the "OMG" what am I doing stage, if you didn't feel that way I would worry about you. I think the best advice is the pro/con list...I did that too and the biggest pro for me was "live a healthy, active life and be there for my kids". My mom died at 65 and was so overweight it added to her illnesses and I want to live longer than that in a healthy way. I was never a carb person but I am a sugar addict. Once you detox, it really won't even sound good to you anymore, you will not want it. I know you think I am crazy because I thought everyone else was crazy when they told me I wouldn't be hungry anymore...but it is true. As for drinking....I am just now (9 months post surgery) starting to drink again and to be honest, I can't do it very much. It tastes good for a few sips and by the end of one drink, I am done. It is very occasional and its just not what it was before surgery. I wish you success in your decision...whatever it may be. Use this site...it is wonderful and has helped me soooo much along the journey.

Ditto on the congratulations, you did it !!! I agree with the post that steady wins the race and you are a great inspiration to that. Thank you for posting the great pics that show transformation through the entire process, I wish I would have taken pics every month. Again, congrats!

Congrats on breaking into onederland...AWESOME!

I think it is time to call your NUT and see what it going on. There is the time period where your body has to recover and you won't lose much during that time...and maybe your body is taking a little longer to recover. Are you walking and moving? I also find that the more Water I drink, the faster the lbs come off. Hang in there...the surgery works, it like everything else takes time.

I too am a lucky one that hasn't felt hungry and more important those cravings don't hit me either. I am 8 months out and so happy those hormones have not returned, as of yet! I also thought it was a scam and told my bariatric LP nurse that she was crazy....boy my foot was BIG when I had to put it back in my mouth after surgery. Let's all appreciate this gift because not everyone has it. Happy weight loss to everyone

Jane, thank you so much for your pics and the information you give on the plastics. I know I want the arm lift, breast lift and have my bra wings taken away and your pics make me even more sure that is the way to go. Your arm scars look so good, especially for 4.5 months out. I am an Irish girl like yourself and our skin ... well you know! Your pics give me hope. I have more to lose but will be looking at doing it soon. Thanks again Jane and you look beyond fabulous!

I found several Bariatric Centers in my area and looked for one that was labeled a Center of Excellence. The website for all of them will give you the opportunity to attend a seminar. The seminars will give you valuable information on what the surgery is, what is expected of you and the risks involved. I signed up for three different seminars. Although they gave the same information, I got to see how organized they were in presenting the information, how nice and in some cases not nice the support staff was and if I liked that DR giving the presentation. It is funny how much you can tell about a place if you sit back and watch how they interact with people in a group setting. I finally picked the bariatric center/DR I liked based on her surgical skills and how nice her staff was to people. The office did the rest ... scheduling appointments, putting paperwork through to insurance, etc. I woke up the other day and realized that I could feel every rib bone and they actually stick our now when I am laying down....I also can run, lift weights, bike, do squats and a multitude of other things I haven't been able to do in years. I love my post sleeve life and am so happy with my decison !!! I have lost 93lbs now and couldn't be happier with myself...and that is saying a mouthful "happy with myself". I wish you much success in your research, decision and journey.

Happy to hear you are out and doing OK. You will be well on your way in the next few days....walk walk walk and then walk some more, the gas will go away. Keep us updated and welcome to the sleeve family !!!

I also did my jump into running by following a Couch Potato to 5K program. Ran 3xs a week, skipping days in between. I am still following it after running my first 5K, just increasing speed and distance. I also swim 2xs a week, really feels good on the body after a couple days of running. Cross fit and doing the treadmill at 5-10% inclines fits into my week also. I try not to do the same thing all the time so that my body doesn't get used to the exercise and will keep burning. Believe me, I am no expert but I couldn't run everyday, my 48yo body won't take that Good luck on your exercise path !!!

Incredible success, CONGRATS!!!!

For me after 86 lbs, I still don't see the weight loss. I feel it, can tell by clothes but still see my "old" self in the mirror. I do see it in pictures. I'm over 6 months out and keep wondering myself when my eyes will catch up. I believe they call this dysmorphia (sp?) I just keep telling myself, it doesn't matter as long as I keep losing and feeling this good. Congrats on your weight loss!!!

GOOD for you !!! I can't wait to be overweight with you Keep it up and see you on the "normal" weight side !

I also had a big panic attack the week before surgery. It helped me to write a list of the things I wanted to change with surgery...health being #1. I also wrote down goals, like taking kayak lessons when I hit 100#s lost. I think most of us have those thoughts. This is absolutely the BEST thing I have ever done for myself and I feel so good now. I will be thinking good thoughts for you on Monday and let us know how you are....remember....walk, walk, walk it will make all the difference in your recovery.

This was a great thread....thanks to all who contributed and especially LL for the pics. WOW you look great but most of all....your hair is incredibly beautiful !!! I have been trying to get the courage to post before and now during pics but not there yet and admire those who do.

Hello....since everyone is updating, I will too. Feeling great, more active than I have been in 20 years, just got off scale and have lost 86lbs since surgery on June 24th, fitting into size 14 jeans and XL shirts....most importantly at my 6 month checkup, my Vitamin levels, Iron levels and overall "health" related stuff came back wonderful. My BMI is down to 33 from a high of 52. I can finally see the difference in how I look too...mostly in pictures, not in the mirror yet. If have no doubts anymore that I will get to goal and will stay there...still HARD work but I am confident....that is saying a mouthful...confident !!! Glad to hear all my fellow June sleevers are doing well and can't wait to see where we are at our surgiversary.

Doesn't bother my sleeve at all but word of advice...first time you use it, stay in. It tends to work quickly and of course my first time I was so desperate for relief that I drank a huge mug of hot tea and boy oh boy...it cleaned me out big time. You will figure out what the best dose is for you after the first couple of times. you will experience a little rumbling in the lower areas...like the colon. You will definitely know it is working. I don't have to use the tea but maybe 1-2 times a month now and I always make sure I can be home, for obvious reasons. Good luck !

Constipation still is a problem for me at times. I found a tea "smooth move" that ALWAYS does the trick. I have not had slimes so can't help you with that one but try the tea...it's a lifesaver.

My DR/NUT had me eating foods like you after 1 week but I could only do soft foods, like yogurt and cottage cheese for the first couple weeks. Just couldn't handle the chicken yet. I am 6 months out and eat about 2-3 ounces of Protein and some kind of vegie for lunch/dinner. Breakfast consist of cottage cheese or yogurt or eggs with a fruit. I typically do 1 Protein Drink in the day somewhere, I need to protein. I would bet that the hungry feeling you have is acid, so maybe ask your DR for a prescription or get an over the counter one. I'm weird in that I don't count calories because it does coo coo things with my head/thinking/obsessive personality. My DR/NUT told me it was OK and to pay attention to what my sleeve is telling me is enough, if I start to gain or quit losing, they will have me start counting calories. I am also lucky in that I have not been hungry since surgery, I have to set my phone to eat at intervals or I miss when it is time to eat. I KNOW, I never thought in a million years I would EVER say that. I did have a bout of emotional feelings to stuff recently but besides that.... I do measure and stick to the foods my NUT gave me out of surgery. I have just lost another 3 lbs this week.

Good for you and thinking good thoughts for your journey/surgery !!! Water will be your best friends from now on.

Hi...I'm also a band-sleeve person and 6 months out. I also think you need some acid meds, it will help with that feeling. I had the meds right out of surgery but forgot to take it about day 8 out of surgery and got a weird feeling...kinda like hunger but really just empty feeling. Try the meds and then call your NUT. I know being only 45lbs successful with the band and all the complications I had with it....this is my last chance and I want to follow the DR/NUT program to the letter. NOTHING is more important to me than changing my body and mind to a healthy place for the rest of my life. It is an everyday struggle that requires more thinking and feeling than I ever wanted but doing it and climbing those obstacles makes me feel great about myself. PLEASE don't hurt yourself by eating out of plan guidelines....you will be off liquids before you know it.

Misty...thanks for the post. The question "What is the worst thing that could happen?" What a good perspective question to ask yourself and I am going to start thinking about that next time something happens that I want to stuff food for emotional reasons. You are right, the adult mind might find it silly but my emotional mind might find it to be just what is needed.

I got my feelings hurt...no really stabbed in the heart yesterday and have been fighting the urges to eat BAD, real bad sugar and lots of it. That was my coping mechanism before surgery and I don't know how to handle these hurt feelings now. I have already done the things I thought would help...worked out, wrote thoughts down in the journal, talked to a trusted friend but so far nothing is taking away my urges to stuff it down with food. I thought ... go to the forum where others like yourself might be able to help. So HELP me comrades in the fight to be healthy, both body and mind !!!

GOOOD for you !!! Now I hope you are having fun with it. Merry Xmas to you and congrats on your NSV.

Sorry for late reply....I have been cleaning and walking and spending time with kids. No eating bad sugar as of yet, and I am so relieved because I am an all or nothing person. Almost time to do Santa and go to bed. I believe I, with the help of all of you, have made it through the day. Thank you all again!!! Merry Christmas. Laura - interesting your evolution in the sleeve process...I wonder how many people have progessed like that. I have been sitting here thinking how scary it will be to express my feelings as they are happening but how liberating it could be too, and maybe add years and perhaps less wrinkles to my face That might be an interesting post, probably has already been done....how has ones personality, ways you deal with people, especially difficult ones, changed since you had surgery?

Laura...I am the opposite of you. When I get mad/upset, I get quiet and build it up inside until I feel like I'm gonna bust. Quiet, passive/aggressive is what my husband calls it...well he really calls it crazy quiet but that's a whole different post At the point I am ready to let it out and talk, he is way over it and doesn't know what's coming at him. Amazing how I can be so open and upfront with people in so many ways, until I get hurt or angry and then I run or now my mind runs to food. I hope as I keep losing and avoiding old habits, I can figure this all out along the way. Maybe I should design some signs to wear like "Beware, pissed/hurt/upset, cleaning in progress-stay away" or "DARE to ask my why I'm mad" ... I'm sure there are better ones but not appropriate for this site:)