patrice1

My results with the sleeve are completely different. I DO get sick eating sugar, rich foods, etc. It has been 8 years since my surgery and I have kept the weight off (100+ lb. weight loss).

Hi! All the best to you - I remember being where you are and looking at all the photos (I still am in progress!) Here are a few of mine. I started out at 289.8 pounds on day of surgery (6/20/2014) and am at 206 pounds currently with 56 pounds left to go. Excited for all of us; I don't regret a single day after having my surgery.

I am so excited! Since my surgery on June 20th, I have lost 13.1 pounds! Incredible. I never thought I would get results like this so quickly. I know it may slow down of course, and sometimes stall along the way, but I am on my way to a healthier, happier, thinner me! Just had to share. NOTE: I was on a 3 day clear liquid diet before the surgery, and even though the hospital scale said 289.1 lbs - some of the 13.1 could also be from the pre-op diet and hadn't shown up yet, if that makes sense? But regardless, wonderful weight loss. I came home from surgery the next day and only showed a few pounds lost. Then all of a sudden, wham!!!!

Hi LaJ! Yes, totally crazy. So exciting and you are getting great results too, congrats!!!!!!!

HI Re! I am so sorry it is taking longer for you ... what does your NUT say? But here's the deal -- I bet it picks up. I have heard that some lose slower to begin with and they get faster later, then others go faster in the beginning and slow down. I know there are plateaus.... but if you have hypothyroidism that will totally mess with it. Here's to hoping your doc is on top of it and I really feel for you!

Queenie - It is SOOO exciting! I totally have not been hungry either, and am experiencing all that you said. Looking forward to tomorrow too and my Protein shakes and yogurt -- yay! I am so with you - I am so happy to have my sleeve too. My face is no longer puffy, and my legs aren't swollen, and I am AMAZED at the results. Let's stay in touch - since we had the surgery at the same time it will be fun to share results.

I have worked my entire life, even when I was a kid, I found odd jobs to do: a paper route, picking fruits and vegetables at a farm in the summer... I was raised that way. Through the births of my children, I was back to work quickly. I also have a developmentally disabled adult child to care for, and although she is in an adult residential program, she comes home frequently and I am involved in her care. I have relocated to other states four times in my career, and work long hours in a demanding job that I love, but it is stressful. I also take two classes a term on top of that to keep my skills up. As you can see, I have driven myself for a long time and take pride in my work ethic. I am also almost 56 years old. So , all that being said..... I decided to take the advice of my surgeon who wants me off for 6 weeks. To take the time to take care of myself and use the time to heal and truly rest and get used to my new smaller stomach and digestive issues. I decided to be kind to myself and take the time I need to take care of me. So much of my life has been about taking care of others and getting things done (all of which I loved doing). But there comes a time when I knew I needed to truly rest and take care of myself for perhaps really the first time in my life. Perhaps the lack of making self-care a priority is part of the reason I got so overweight (I think so). In other words, learning healthy self-care and compassion for what my body may need to fully recover, seems wise to me. Sure, it's hard, I think about work and all I need to do. But this is all part of learning a new lifestyle for myself. I also am very fortunate that my wonderful company pays 100% of my salary for the first 6 weeks, so that makes it easier perhaps than some others to do this. And one last thing -- several WLS speakers came to the classes that we were required to take prior to surgery, who gave their testimony that they fought their doctors on returning to work too early (in a week or two). Both ended up having complications that set them back. For me, I'd rather get solid first, and then go back and stay back. Just my thoughts - everyone is different! Patrice

My VSG takes place tomorrow morning at 8:30 am. I have to be at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. I can't sleep and I am very very very happy that at last my Day has come. I had been contemplating WLS for over a year and a half. Almost nine months ago I started the process....and now it's here! It seems a bit unreal still but I am ready for my new life and my new "tool." I know how many of the stories I have read here inspired me and have supported me through this process. I was excited for every person posting about their own surgery day. And now, it is my turn! Yay! I know I should be sleeping, but I am wide awake. Anyone else experience that? Wish me well, fellow Sleevers! Patrice

Hi All! So here's my update. The first hour after waking up from the anesthesia was the hardest, but they took good care of me with painkillers. The first day was the second hardest - lots of nausea and I threw up once. They gave me great meds to deal with that too. I went home Saturday afternoon (my surgery was Friday morning the 20th). At home, I've had no issues. Just trying to get my fluids in, which takes some constant vigilance. I know this part gets better after my stomach heals and can hold more, but for now - it is sip sip sip as they say. I am so happy I did this, praying that there are no complications (i've had none yet). To those who have not had the surgery yet, it's well worth those first two hard days. I know for some it is rougher and my heart and prayers go out to you. However, for me, I've been amazed at how well everything has gone so far. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Patrice

Hi Cheryl! Best of luck on your surgery tomorrow. I am feeling great - better everyday. I didn't go through any complications so far .... but I will tell you that when you first wake up from surgery, it is the toughest part. They will give you painkillers right away, and the first 2 days is second hardest. But I was able to get through it far better than I thought! Anyway, I am very excited for you. I was nervous too - but just remind yourself that the first few days are worth having a new life.

Your post made me totally jazzed! Congrats. You are beautiful and I could relate to everything you said. Your post is the last one I read tonight ... And I will carry it with me in mind as I go for my surgery tomorrow morning! Yay!!!!

Thank you - I will!

My surgery date is in 6 days for the gastric sleeve. I have asked myself these same questions, and had other people say the same to me: "If you have to watch what you eat and exercise anyway, just do it without the surgery." Well, if I had been able to do that before, I would never have contemplated surgery. However, your question is one that everyone must answer for themselves, that I know. I have lost (and regained) significant amounts of weight repeatedly throughout my life. The sorry statistic of 3-5% of those who are successful at keeping it off (without surgery) is dismal. As my nurse said to me in my last pre-surgery appointment: "We all know we don't just eat when we are hungry." I have been in therapy ever since I decided to get weight loss surgery, and I have learned a lot about myself. I was on the fence until I took a long hard look at the type of eater I am. I eat very well until my binges. Overeating and binging (I never purged, thankfully) is considered an eating disorder (as my therapist told me). I need to have the tool that will keep me from overeating in a frenzy during times of emotional stress. Sure, I could force more food down my soon to be tiny stomach every 30 minutes as another person said earlier in this thread, but that 30 minute delay (which I didn't have before) is usually a good space to get myself together. With a large stomach, I go until I am sick. Someone else may not need this restriction, I do. This gives me a tool, "a slap in the face"if you will, if I do get out of control. I also know I am going to stay in therapy as I get used to my new lifestyle. Can I still beat the system later? Sure. People do. It's personal choice, just like everything is: We have to make the choice to do what is best for us long-term. For me, this gives me a sense of security knowing that restriction is there. I need it. I know I do. I also spoke with people who have had WLS and had the same issue I did. While they ate healthily, exercised, much of the time, they also had these severe binges that caused them to gain weight back, and thus were never successful in permanently keeping it off. I followed their advice: get therapy, work your program, do what your doctor says, exercise, keep track of everything that goes into your mouth, join a support group, get therapy if you need it, and stay in touch with your NUT (all the things we know)... However, all of them said that their taste buds changed after surgery, that they no longer craved the foods they did before surgery, and the sense of fullness after a small portion kept them on track. THAT is what the surgery gave them in addition to the usual smart things we all know to do and couldn't do permanently before WLS. That makes me hopeful, and at the same time knowing that this is up to me.... but whatever you choose, you know what is right for you. I have a suggestion - look at why you eat and your patterns that led to gaining weight. You might have a different solution than I did, or someone else does. If you can do it without WLS, and keep it off on a permanent basis, wonderful, wonderful. You are right to ask yourself all these questions. Go on a program that fits your lifestyle and see if you can keep it off. Give yourself a timeline. If you reach that timeline and still aren't satisfied that you were able to get your weight under control, despite everything, you can reconsider the surgery. That's exactly what I did. I reached that time, and realized that WLS was necessary. But I went into it with the peace of knowing I had done everything else I could. Best of luck and grace to you on your journey! Patrice

There are several topics devoted to June Sleevers! If you search you'll find them. My surgery is on June 20th. All the best to you! Like you, I would like to check in with people who are having the surgery at the same time as me.

My surgery is scheduled for June 20th. I am very excited. Whenever I get nervous, I think about what I will not miss about being obese, and what I look forward to in my post-op life. I thought I would start a topic to see what others say about this, and give me even more inspiration. So...whether you have had the surgery or are still waiting for it, what is your answer here? Here are some of mine: No longer having to pray I can fit in a chair in a restaurant, or that it will hold my weight. Feeling awkward when I have to squeeze around people or through tight spaces, like elevators or hallways or through crowded rooms of people. Praying the seatbelt will fit when flying, or trying to squeeze in a tiny seat. (I'll buy a First Class ticket just to have more room even though I can't always afford it). Sweating profusely every time I have to walk a few blocks, and being totally embarrassed. (This is particularly bad when walking to an off-site meeting at work, or walking to a happy hour or lunch and my skin is dripping and my hair a mess). My thighs rubbing together when I wear slacks and making a loud noise when I walk. My feet aching after walking or standing, and my ankles swelling and bruising, or my knees hurting. The judgments people sometimes make, or the judgments I make against myself. Spending tons of money on failed diets and other programs.... Spending tons of money on big clothes for work hat look like what my grandmother used to wear in the 1970s rather than something hip, professional and cool. Turning down social invitations because of my weight and feeling like I have nothing to wear or dreading rejection or stares (even if it is only a fear and not reality). Taking two showers on hot days because sweating makes me smell. My kids worrying about me because I am too heavy. Me worrying about me because I am too heavy. These are just a few; there are more. It's reality. And despite each one bearing some pain with it, it brought me to making new decisions for my health and wellbeing. So here's what I look forward to after WLS: Hope Having a new tool that gives me a new boundary, new taste buds, and less hunger Being in shape again, being able to exercise without my feet swelling, and feeling the rush that comes from your body being healthy and fit. Sweating happens only during a hard workout! Being able to keep up with my kids (and my grandkids when they come) Riding a bike again Not being short of breath Feeling comfortable again in social situations Being happy with my appearance Smaller clothes so I can wear clothes that reflect who I am as a woman, rather than just finding something that fits my body and looks totally NOT me. Showing my knees again (they haven't seen the sun in 20 years, LOL). Having confidence in my appearance again. Continuing in therapy so I have a new mind as well as a new body. New beginnings! Can't wait to hear yours.

I have some experience with online dating, and I have dated men I met in other ways. I gave up about 4 years ago and started focusing on me. I've spent that time doing a lot of things on my bucket list that I had not done before then. Even my decision now to do WLS has nothing to do with losing weight to be pleasing to men (this was NOT the case all of my life about diets. It was always about 'this is what men expect me to be'). I was glad to shed that expectation. My Dad really promoted his daughters being thin, and it was extreme. Not that I blame Dad for my choices, but I think I rebelled. I am a pear-shaped, tall, and big boned woman. I literally could feel my ribs sticking out on the top, and had larger legs and butt, while the scale read a low weight, I always looked heavier. Even thin, many men did not like my body. My first husband was great about me, and after 17 years, sadly, our marriage ended. I did eventually date online, and met my second husband. That marriage lasted a year and was physically abusive. I simply was naive and had a "learning experience" from that. It ended ten years ago, and while I dated here and there, even one seriously for awhile, I found that I needed time to really sort through all my issues. My fat was a protective wall around me, for many reasons, some personal and I won't share here. But I found out that binge eating is an eating disorder. I was a serial dieter, but could never keep it off for long. When I made the decision to have WLS, I went in to therapy, which I am still in and will stay in. I find this time without men to be very important. I am ready to shed the pounds and the protective walls of fat that keep men away. However, even my thin friends, the ones with the body types that men like, who seem to have the perfect body, have the same issues with men. They meet the duds and the sweethearts. They have to do the same things we all talk about here. I think it is an important reality check to know that being overweight, while making it more difficult to navigate the dating world on a superficial level, my thin friends also get hit on for those same superficial reasons. They get their hearts broken at the same rate. I really believe that as we love ourselves, living our lives as fully and happily as possible single, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, is exactly how we attract the better guy, the one who wants to meet a fabulous woman, with a happy smile and a happy life, and one who respects and loves herself. A man with the same qualities will find that attractive. However, I have made peace with the fact that he perhaps may not come. I am fine with that. My WLS will give me a healthy life, that will enable me to be around to see my children get older and have children of their own. I will be able to travel, and walk, and hike, and dance ..... I know this is long, but I am finding my life again. WLS is the first step. I am open now - to all of life. I'll let you know what I find on "the other side." You all give me such inspiration! Love this topic.

Skinny Girl - SO exciting! I can't wait. I can so relate to everything you said! Your results sound fabulous, and I can't wait to get my life back too.

SO many great responses! Thank you all! Love them. If you think of others, post again. This is really inspiring for me. It makes me cry but in a good way. I can relate to about everything said here, for sure. I think we all can. And... I can't wait for my clothes to be baggy! It's been a LONG time since that happened.

I know that can be discouraging. I haven't had my surgery yet (getting the sleeve on June 20th) but there were speakers that came to our class who had the surgery and were all successful. They all said they hit a plateau like yours and they said their body was just getting used to it, somehow it had to re-calibrate, and sure enough, their weight loss suddenly kicked in again. They were telling us not to get discouraged when it happens. (Yeah, I know, easier said than done). You are eating really well on your meal plan and exercising, so I bet very soon, you'll see a big drop!