JCP

Yes, and I am very anemic, which is probably the reason. Working on that.

You will not fail. This procedure will not allow it. Now, if you had a severe eating disorder and ate huge amounts in spite of the horrible pain it would cause, then yes, you could fail. But for most if us, the restriction is enough to change your behavior and then habits for good. There really is nothing to fear. It's a few months of recovery, hard at first, then it gets easier and easier. You will be great. Just be good to yourself and try to rest as much as possible while healing.

The hardest part for me was realizing I could no longer take comfort in food and also admitting I was out of control and could not resolve the issue the "old fashioned" way.

My hunger left on day 4. I got through it by drinking lots of cups of warm beef bouillon and protein shakes. My body adjusted. And I lost 10 pounds! The closer you get, the easier it will be.

I also wish I had known I would really hurt after surgery! But we are all different. And that too was temporary. And so worth it!

I wish someone had told me my sense of taste might change temporarily after surgery and not to freak out about it... It was only temporary.

I had some frustrating head hunger about a week after surgery. Lasted a few days. Never since. I am at 5 months and do not experience hunger.

Yep! Normal! I lost 10 pre-op, then 17 the first two weeks post-op. (I only weighed at my appts.) So I go for my one month appt and I had only lost 4 more pounds. I collapsed into tears in the doctor's office. LOL! Everybody came running and they were hovering like helicopters. (I think hysterical patients are scary to them.) Anyway, I got a grip after a while and kept plodding forward (as if I had a choice!) So I am now 5 months out and 80 lbs down. Bottom line: don't compare yourself to anyone, don't stress, it's going to be great.

Melanie, that made me LOL!!

Gag! Protein shakes! I struggled so hard with them! The easy way... What a laugh! Don't stress. Just do your best. If you don't get in all your hydration and protein in the early stages, you're not going to die. (I didn 't anyway.) It'll get easier, I promise.

Don't worry and don't be hard on yourself. I'll just tell you that your body is going to do all kinds of weird things over the next few months. Weird feelings, weird noises, you'll be sad then happy then sad, you won't know if you're hungry or nauseated, you'll lose a lot of weight then hit screeching plateaus, you'll kick yourself then be so glad you did this. It's a crazy roller coaster. So cut yourself some slack and just try to get a lot rest and try not to stress. You are going through major physical changes. And it's going to turn out great.

I had this. Yes, it felt like I was tearing inside. It lasted two weeks then went away. They said I probably had an internal stitch that was pulling on my abdominal wall. It was pretty bad. So I had to limit my movement, took pain meds, and rested a lot. At the two week mark, I woke up with just soreness. No problems afterward. Please try to rest and sleep as much as possible.

Well it's been a little over 5 months. Down 80 lbs to 191. It feels SO different! I still have a good way to go but I have no worries about getting there. I feel like I am 25 years younger. The only real issue is my hair loss (dammit ) and also anemia but those will be temporary, I'm sure. Gosh, why was I so fat for so long? Praise God for modern medicine.

I cried during my pre-op diet. I was so scared the morning I went in! I was a babbling idiot. I am 5 months out and I cry easily. I think the changes your body goes through are very significant. I don't worry about it. If I feel like crying, I cry!

I am dependent on two meds. I took them throughout. My surgeon said the sleeve is best for patients who take meds as there are far fewer issues with malabsorption with the sleeve. If your surgeon thinks it's ok, go for it. Being slimmer can only help you. God bless.

14 day all liquid pre-op, 2 nights in the hospital.

No you are not unrealistic! Be prepared to amaze yourself!

Actually you can freeze them and take out one a few months from now to have as a treat. I hardly touch sweets (they were my addiction) but have found I can have a small piece of candy now and then and one is all I want. And I can take it or leave it. Addiction whipped.

I had a pulled stitch in my abdominal wall that hurt from my front to my back. But not just back pain. Please ask your surgeon.

Thank you all and God bless. I can cross my legs now, I can wear semi-high heels, I can get out of a bathtub, I can buy non-plus sizes, I can sleep comfortably, bras are no longer devices of torture, I can walk pretty much as far as I want, I don't snore anymore, and I am NEVER hungry. Food no longer rules my life. What a miracle this journey is. We are so fortunate to live in a time when medicine can do do much for us. I hope you all are as happy with your decision as I am and are enjoying your new lives. Yay for all of us!

I was reluctant to tell anyone my decision at first. Only my husband. Then later my sisters. (My parents are passed.) But with all the initial doctor appointments I was having (missing work) some of my co-workers became worried about me. Turned out they were afraid I was secretly very ill. So I told them the truth and said I don't care who you tell... Just keep it off the internet! They were much relieved and did as I requested. So no FB, etc about it. But my family and close friends know. Some were initially worried and skeptical but I am now 5 months out and 80 lbs down so they are very happy for me. If you want to keep it quiet, do so! If you want to shout from the rooftops, do it. It is all up to you. This whole journey is about empowering yourself.

I had a 14 day pre-op. I cheated on day 4 then beat myself up so bad I stuck to it completely the rest of the time. It got easier every day. Your body adjusts. Just please remember it is for your health and the success of your surgery. And the added bonus is a very quick initial loss. You can do it.

You will be in a hospital gown but take a loose robe and slippers for your walks down the hall. Really you won't be too worried about clothes. Just try to be comfortable. Don't take more stuff than you really need.

You can cross your legs.

At 8 days I was hardly getting any nutrition in. Go easy on yourself. You will be able to tolerate more soon. That is very early and still lots of swelling. My Nut told me not to stress over it and she was right.