KeeWee

Here's another example. I took a client out for dinner tonight. The poor waiter must have come by three times and we still hadnt looked at the menu. Normally I might have looked at it before I went to the restaurant! Then he rattled off the specials. I so didn't care I didn't hear a word he said. I smiled and nodded but my head was elsewhere. My client insisted we try the Burrata. I love Burrata and this was very, very good Burrata. I ate half with a lot of enjoyment, he ate the rest. I ordered an appetizer for an entree (meat and cheese plate), I ate two slices of cheese, 1 salami and I proscuitto, and I was done with dinner.
Such. A. Relif.

I am so thankful that food doesn't control me anymore. I'm in control of me now!

I agree! I don't miss ALL of the food. Now I don't desire food and I'm okay with that! I did realize this would happen bc I had the band first. The sleeve is SO much better!!!!

IM not missing it much...at first I cried but now it even hard want To go get groceries... I just ate lunch...sitting here feeling kinda icky...better to skip it...afraid though of that getting worse....I didn't do this to get super skinny....just healthy

I'm a meal skipper too. I'd go all day and then eat a huge meal for dinner Bc I'd let myself get too hungry. My nut has told me if I gain weight during my supervised visits that they'd extend me.
I was told that meal skipping needs to be nipped in the bud before surgery, as that cannot happen afterward. She said if I cannot stomach eating breakfast that I am to have one Protein drink, then a small healthy meal of meat and veggies for lunch and dinner. If I get hungry, she listed a couple of snack I can have. Yogurt, low fat cottage cheese or a piece of fruit. This is to get me in the habit of eating how I'll be eating after surgery. It's hard. I've lost 10 pounds and my last visit is December 6. I try and tell myself that if I cannot stick to this, how am I gonna do my preop? I just wanted to let you know I totally feel where you're coming from.
April

I like to have fun, but honestly, I think you should have your thyroid checked. At least it would help you eliminate issues from the start. Plus, I have read before that we eat 3 meals a day to keep our metabolism revved up and for fat burn. It will be a necessity after the surgery so you don't go back in the hospital for something more serious.

I have been the opposite to you. For most of my life I have had terrible body image and it's taken me years of work to reach a point of accepting myself. Since the surgery I feel so different about myself and I can't really put my finger on it. I think it's because I'm now fit (for the first time in my adult life), I feel strong because I take care of my body, I feel confident because I feel in control of myself (most of the time). It's strange because none of these things have anything to do with my external appearance BUT I think because of these things I exude positivity, happiness and confidence and ALL these things are very sexy! My experience has been so positive and I'm sure it will be a positive experience for you too!

Now this is another issue I'm experiencing...there's some foods I want to get in before I can no longer touch them..but I'm only allowing a spoonfull or handfull..this ends for me after thanksgiving...then I have 3 months to focus completely on the necessary changes!! And yes, slim fast worked great for me, I lost 30lbs in 8wks. Good idea...lol. It would be nice to be approved then have to make all these adjustments...I'm just saying I will do whatever I need to in order to maintain my sleeve but geesh, give it to me first...LOL!!!

I definitely got this too. I'm getting the sleeve but when I mention it, I thought the responses would have been all positive but surprisingly enough, I was met with unexpected comments and reactions that almost made me lose "friends" until I gathered my emotions. I decided I'd be more selective in my sharing to not just close associates but real close friends and family only.
Not that they will agree with me but I'm more incline to take their feelings and thoughts a bit less harshly since I know they've considered my feelings already.

Wow you guys are helping so much, I need to know brands and flavors..I'm worried a bit about this stage so I'm prepping now by doin taste test. Thanks for the info..good luck everyone!!

I definitely got this too. I'm getting the sleeve but when I mention it, I thought the responses would have been all positive but surprisingly enough, I was met with unexpected comments and reactions that almost made me lose "friends" until I gathered my emotions. I decided I'd be more selective in my sharing to not just close associates but real close friends and family only.
Not that they will agree with me but I'm more incline to take their feelings and thoughts a bit less harshly since I know they've considered my feelings already.

I'm two days out from surgery and getting excited. I love my job, but my mind is not in the game right now.
So, I'm keeping my mind busy by thinking about what I look forward to as I lose weight.
1. Not turning sideways in close quarters to avoid hip-checking someone.
2. Flying without thinking people are thinking "I hope she doesn't sit by me."
3. Weighing less than I have in 25 years.
4. Developing a clothing style based on my personal taste and not just what I can find in a 3x
5. Wearing clothes that show my upper arms without being grossed out by myself.
6. Going to my family reunion next June and seeing the faces of people who haven't seen me since last year.
7. Going to high school reunion.
So, what do you look forward to?

Lost 3lb a week for five months without heavy workouts, just walking but don't think that will work forever but may get you to where you feel you can workout more..

I would have to do my own thing and eat the 2 meals. With that said you have to make up your own mind for what is good for you with weight loss. Are your food choices wise to the diet your NUT has given you? You are trying to do 2 things that are really tough at the same time. Quitting the cigarettes is really tough and the go to fix is food. You have to pick some really low caloric items like fresh veggies to snack on. The reason I say I would do my own thing is as I said the 2 things combined are really really tough to balance and I would have to do what works for me but doing it wisely. Your NUT doesn't seem to understand what you are trying to accomplish and putting more stress on you with threats just makes it worse. Hang in there and just try to figure out what you can do to compliment the 2 life changes. You can do it!!

Have you had your thyroid checked? I don't know how smoking factors in to eating habits but I do know that before I even knew what hypothyroidism was, I already had it and before I was diagnosed (years later) I was never hungry and only ate when I started to feel dizzy and like I was going to faint. Yet, although I never ate I was still gaining weight and fairly fast! I gained 150 pounds in a little less than 12 years! That's just plain insane, especially when I hardly ever ate. Little did I know my metabolism went to hell thanks to my sluggish thyroid. So if you haven't already gotten your thyroid checked that might be something to look into. Good luck and I hope your NUT can help you turn things around instead of threatening to penalize you with something that might be out of your control.

I'm having surgery Friday. For me, I just had to get my head in the game. This is serious business, major surgery. You have to work at it. Yesterday, I was at Walmart. I walked in and all I could smell was McDonalds Breakfast burrito. I wanted it so bad. I thought to myself that no one would know. I walked away. I want better and I deserve better. I came home and had a Protein shake with PB2. You have to be honest with yourself. If you want this, it's up to you to achieve it. I'm committed 100%. I will succeed.
Good luck to you. Take a good long look at yourself. You gain weight by eating. I think we all know that, but it is hard to admit and change.

Girl, I was told that they want me to lose 5 lbs before surgery. So what did I do? I have been food honeymooning (eating everything I can find that I will miss) instead and now I have to lose 7 lbs. At this rate, if I don't get a date, I'm gonna need to lose 10 - 15 lbs. I asked her about that and she said everyone does it. People are saying goodbye to the foods they like most. Like today, since I had a rough day at work, I want to go to my favorite place Taco Bell and chow down on an Extra Grilled Stuffed Burrito. I'm an emotional eater. I know this. This will be my challenge when I have the surgery for sure. So with that being said, do you follow your doctors rules by eating 3 meals per day and quit smoking or do you do what you do to make it to surgery?
I feel that I could easily do a liquid slim fast diet and drink a lot of Water and lose the 5lb that they want but I'm not willing to do that until I get approval from insurance or meet with the doctor for a date. Am I wrong by saying this? Maybe, but I know my body best.
Good Luck with your decision!

I am a hair salon owner/ stylist and I decided not to keep my surgery a secret. I do not regret that decision. I do find it frustratingly interesting that people keep telling me that I'm not fat enough to have surgery! Really? Now granted, I'm not as "fat" as some but at 250lbs, bmi almost 42, size 18-20 pants and 3x shirts... I am damn well fat! "I just don't see it" I hear on a regular basis. Well, what's funny is that is always prefaced by "you look great" (of course I'm down almost 30lbs now). When I say.. well I have over a hundred lbs to lose... they simply say they don't believe me. Well.. if you're able to see my profile pic you might not see it either, but please know that I know the best angle to take my picture and photo shop is a miracle! When I (rarely) find myself in a picture with "normal" size people I am blown away at just how big I am.. it doesn't look natual. So.. rambling, sorry... my question is.. Do they really not see it? Are they just trying to be nice? What gives? Anyone else get this?

**Sniffle**, just went natural for my hair to start growing thinking shoulder length should be nice but after a whole year, it's now down my back and I am not looking forward to the shedding part....ugh but at least, it stops and hopefully regrows fully!!

I cannot currently work out. Most days I can go for walks, but not every day. Moat days I can stay active, but not all the time. I suspect this will hurt me in the long run, and I won't lose as much as people who can work out, but at 3 months, I've lost half my excess weight, and almost ALL the loss has come from fat, very little (5lbs out of 42) from muscle.

Wow ... this is such a difficult question to answer. Surely you know there is not just one answer.
I can only relate my own experience. I think the biggest thing to point out, though, is my pre-sleeve expectations and my post-sleeve reality were miles apart. I've had emotional turmoil as I have confronted my issues relating to abusing food. The denial of the circumstances which led to a life of morbid obesity. Then, as I entered into the world of "normal" BMI, dealing with the changes in how people treat you ... and then how I reacted to other morbidly obese people ...
It's a crazy journey, for sure. Add to it all the hormones which are stored in your fat getting released ... losing hair ... I could go on and on ... My emotions, outlook, self-view ... everything was a wild roller coaster ride. I'm about 2 and half years out and I believe things have settled in, but the old stinkin' thinkin' can come up at a moments notice. That is when it is so nice to have the sleeve to help keep me in check.
I hope my experience helps, but this is just a vast, personal question where everyone is going to have their own experience.

Hi everyone. I too am a patient of Dr. Averbach. Hopefully i will be sleeved sometime in November or early December. Would love for you guys to tell me about your experiences thus far. TerpGirl2 i have alot of questions for you since you are at the end of your pre-op journey with Dr. Averbach.

Hey my fellow sleeve victims.
I had my 18 month post op follow up visit today. Nothing unusual to report. Everything is fine. I've lost 83% of my excess body weight and gone from a BMI of 52 to 28. It's hard to believe I can it's been 18 months, time flies. But it's been a great time and the best decision I've ever made. This pic I think says it all.

Congrats! I missed the baby post earlier. Looking forward to seeing pics of your beautiful baby girl in a few months! I think there is a group for pregnant sleevers under the support section.
Lynda

UPDATE!
hey guys! its been a while.
i look back at my journey & sometimes it can seem like such a distant memory but other times, it seems like just yesterday, i was begging god to save me.
the title of this post is "i definitely regret surgery.... so far" but to be honest, i no longer regret it. surgery has given me such a beaaaaautiful gift.
im now 22wks pregnant with my baby girl.
had i not had this surgery, i wouldve never been blessed with such a miracle.
this surgery nearly took my life but it has also given me life & now im giving my baby girl life.