bikrchk

At least for me, pre-op was the hardest part of the process because it involved relying on others for their approvals, timely paperwork processing, etc., and dieting, (with a deadline to lose 10% "or else" at a time I'd never been under more stress! The good news for me was that surgery broke my obsession with food. I didn't feel hunger for the first several months and even now, it's just... different. Today, I eat what I like in small quantities, protein first. I exercise, not because I "have to" but because it's a gift to my body and I feel like crappage if I skip for a few days. The first month or 2 after surgery is quite the adjustment, but even that time was easier than pre-op. You're almost to the downhill slide so hang in there and get ready to enjoy the ride!

This is exactly my experience most days! My new "thin" clothes tend to show off my best parts and I feel like I look great in them, but without... I see "relaxed fit" skin with all its lumps, bumps and wrinkles and its not so great!

You over ate a bit which will cause "foamies" and general discomfort. Since the "pop" didn't come with excruciating pain, it's likely just part of the healing process, dissolvable stitches dissolving, scar tissue working its way out, swelling going down, etc. but if any of that comes with pain, call the Doc! Sounds like you just ran up against the limits of your sleeve. Take note and stop eating sooner next time!

Off, every Saturday, (no more often) after the bathroom, before coffee\breakfast.

I went back to the office after 1 week, but I have a desk job. One where I can work form home if needed. I had a relatively easy recovery, never took narcotics, single night hospital stay, etc., but not everyone's experience is the same. Some are like me, some folks have nausea and extreme fatigue, some have complications that extend their recovery. You won't know how YOU will react until the time comes. My advice is plan for the worst and hope for the best.

For me the dismorphia went both ways. I didn't see 100 extra pounds on me, it was more like I say 50 extra, (maybe because the most I'd ever been able to lose on my own was about 50 so that was my skinniest reference point). During the time I was losing, there were days I'd see improvement and days I'd see a woman 2 or 3 sizes bigger than I was in the mirror. Pictures helped a lot. Today, most of the time, I see a thin person. Maybe not a size 4 thin person, (which is reality), but certainly a size 8, LOL which still looks damn good to me! People who haven't seen me in the last year don't recognize me. I still get compliments and accept them without dismissing ANY of my progress. For me, it's part of OWNING the new me. Fake it till you make it definitely applies here!

I was sleeved at 7am and took a while to come out of the anesthesia. I was not really super lucid until after 7pm, but once I was, I was doing laps around the nurses station and probably COULD have done okay at home, but they did keep me overnight which was still release a day early from what my doc usually does.

Agree, 100 extra pounds IS an issue. I don't know how old you are. You may be a "healthy fat person" today, (I fell into that category until I hit my 40's) but I can attest that as I aged, those weight-related problems crept up on me! A 100 pound weight loss will make a HUGE difference in your long term health!

I'm not a fan of the premade shakes either and the blender does add air, the bottle, less so IMHO. I found that post op it was easier for me to get the water based shake down so I switched to Syntrax Nectar Iced Lemon Tea mixed in a shaker bottle. If you let it sit for 5 minutes before drinking, then stir lightly the foam is pretty much gone.

I used shapewear during my loss phase. Maidenform or Spanx tanks primarily. But one thing I found with pretty much all of them is that they smash the girls down which detracts from my waist making me kind of meatloaf shaped. I tried the "wear your own bra" ones, but those pinch like hell! Today, I find I look better au natural. YMMV.

It's a forever rule. For me, there's a finite amount of space to put food. If I drink I'm uncomfortable. I've learned to prefer food to drink at mealtime.

There are awesome people and trolls on every site! I've found the WLS related forums on MFP to be GREAT! The general forums on MFP... Yeah. Best not to mention surgery there unless you want to get beat up. Lots of uninformed opinions out there!

I didn't lose much if any. The best thing you can do to prevent hair loss (and have a successful recovery) is to get your protein, vitamins and water.

It's up to your Dr, but from what I know from MY Dr's history, he typically recommends R/Y for ultra-high BMI patients. I had about 100 pounds to lose and he didn't steer me either way when I way researching R\Y against the Sleeve. I eventually chose the sleeve. But my same surgeon directed a friend with over 200 pounds to lose to R\Y and wouldn't even consider him for the sleeve. I would have cheerfully done whichever procedure he told me!

I have to agree with @@CowgirlJane! I am a changed person inside and out. I've gone from introvert to extrovert, pessimist, to optimist. I didn't understand it when I was almost 100 pounds heavier, but I wouldn't have wanted to date the male version of me then! Not just because of the physical aspects, but because I see now that I was not in a happy place. I let what others said or thought piss me off on a regular basis. Since surgery, I've had compliments from my mother and my boss to the effect of, "you're a happier, positive person now". Today, I enjoy being around confident, healthy, active people who like to have FUN! I don't apologize for enjoying the extra attention and accept it as a compliment for the work I've put in. It's rare that I "hear" anything negative because that's just not how I'm wired now. If they're on my side, yay them! If not, 'eff 'em, I don't need that in my life. Just my 2 cents, but it's how I cope, I guess.

I eat the whole thing! Funny. I HAD high cholesterol pre-op when all I ate was egg beaters, (medicated with a statin). Today I eat a real egg for breakfast almost every day and have normal cholesterol, un-medicated.

You need to get to the doc and get your blood looked at. If you were good for 8 months and now exhausted it points to a deficiency which can happen even if you've been compliant about your protein\supplement intake.

I did worry about losing too much as it was still coming off relatively easily when I reached my goal range, (140-150, I'm 5'6"). I reached the zone in about 9 months and then adjusted my calorie intake to my BMR + exercise calories, (I'm pretty active). I wear a Garmin Vivo fit to accurately track my activity. Worked like a charm! I maintained about 145 for 3 months then went on vacay and put on 5 pounds in 4 days. I took it off immediately, but decided I needed a bit more wiggle room so I've adjusted my goal range down to 130-140 pounds, hoping to stick in the sweet spot of 135. I've been in a size 4 for a while. I'll be at the new sweet spot in 5 pounds. Just hoping I don't have to replace my expensive denim! Adjusting your calories up isn't that hard. Add in some full fat dairy, enjoy avocados, Peanut Butter and bananas, throw in an extra higher calorie Protein bar. I CAN say that one week of being "sick" can cause a quick loss that is a little shocking once you're in maintenance. I fought with a GI bug for about 10 days recently and it definitely helped shove me along toward my new goal.

My BMI was 35 the day of surgery. I was not hungry and kind of had to force myself to eat for the first few weeks. Once I got onto soft solids though, things started to feel normal again. New normal, but more normal :-). Hunger returned about 3-4 months in, when I was on regular food, but restriction remained and remains still at 13 months out. I lost slowly (rather intentionally tried to keep my calories as high as I could and still lose at a decent pace), and reached my goal range about 9 months post op. I didn't stall much, (maybe twice I had no loss at all or a gain during my loss phase, although there were weeks I didn't lose more than a fraction of a pound). I started focused exercise about 3 months in and continue it 5 days per week today, which I'm sure has made all the difference. I feel GREAT now!

I'm 5'6" and 48 years old. I started at 235 in a size 18 pant, 1X or 2X top I entered maintenance about 9 months post op when I reached 145 pounds and could wear a size 4 jeans, small or medium top. Last week I hit my lowest weight so far, 140.6 pounds I feel like I have a little pudge around the middle still and recently extended my goal range to no lower than 130, with a sweet spot of 135 pounds which is right in the middle of the healthy BMI scale for me.

I avoid wine (and other liquids) while eating a full meal as liquids kinda make my food "float", think reflux and foamies. Not comfortable. Wine, particularly red wine is reflux-inducing anyway so if I drink, I tend to do it ahead of a meal or after. Water goes down fine on an empty stomach now. I can't "gulp" but normal drinking is no problem.

My requirement is 75g per day and I'm not getting it without supplements. I simply can't eat enough, or I'd literally LIVE on grilled chicken, which I refuse to do. I've had a lifetime of grilled chicken! So, I dump a scoop of chocolate whey in my coffee every morning. If, come afternoon, I'm a bit light on protein toward my 75g goal, (typical), I'll have 1/2 or 1 PowerCrunch protein "cookie". They have 14g and if you freeze them, taste like a frozen Thin Mint cookie. If I'm really low, (not typical), I'll go for the Quest bar. I also use other protein enhanced foods to help; mung bean pasta, P28 protein bread and spread.

Not scary at all anymore. I'll probably have a piece of candy, (maybe 2)! But then I'll be "done". Perfect!

I've lost a little since that "after" pic. Time for a new pic!

Yes! Gloves and long sleeves or a jacket year round and lotsa sunscreen for this biker chickie. I'm fortunate not to have much discoloration on my face although there would be a streak in my hair if I didn't already color it!