marie44

Hi all , I'm a sleeve candidate and I'm struggling with the decision to go ahead. I REALLY want to have the op as I've struggled with weight my whole life but I'm extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food) It's a bad place to be I know, but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but comforting 'friend'? I appreciate any help or guidance you can give Marie

Hey Cody's mum, No worries jumping in here at all. Good to know I'm not alone - I'm in a similar situation , except I don't work from home but I'm away from family , living in Middle East - I can't have much time off work either - I'm a teacher in a private international school and they're really strict on additional leave. I would like to know from others how quickly you could return to work ??? C.M. - where on wart do you live and what do you do that you don't have access to a fridge or a stove ???? Marie

Thanks so much rodeo mum I'm now getting excited I haven't had one negative response yet- the odd are looking good.

Thanks Kathy . Good on you! I appreciate your advice

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my post. I realise it's not going to be easy but for the first time in ages I feel really positive about the future. Thanks for sharing your experience and helping me make my decision

Loving that name lol . I hear what your saying re the head thing but for me it's a catch 22- if I could get my head in the right place then I probably wouldn't be where I am today. I have been a habitual eater for 40 years, since my father passed away, at the age of 3. I found food then to 'cope' and never stopped. Having an emotionally unavailable mother, who at times ridiculed my eating , and no other family or support only made things worse. I've tried really hard to deal with these and feel I have (as much as is possible) but unfortunately it hasn't 'undone' the nasty legacy which is now a whole body thing whew.. That's a bit heavy isn't it... On a lighter note, thanks for sharing your

Thank you , thank you, thank you. Hearing you say this is incredibly powerful for me. I too, enjoy the things you do but WAS really scared that my social 'eating' wold have to stop so it's great to have your response. I am gearing up to be mentally there- I'm currently trying to loose weight myself AGAIN and although I feel I'm in the right mental place to do so I'm struggling- having that construction, I feel, will give me the extra help I need. Can I ask you one more thing though. Have you had many additional health issues surrounding your sleeve??? This also scares me as I read about Iron infusions, constipation etc etc As it is my health is OK - it's just that as I'm getting older my body isn't quite as resilient as it used to be and I'm struggling to do things I would really like to . Thanks again Macman Hello MarieI was 57 years old when I started this process a year ago. I had serious doubts about doing something like this later in life. But the driver for me was my family. I wanted to be around for the first grandchild and have a better quality of life as I got older.I did have a major complication as a result of surgery. I developed a blood clot that ended up as a pulmonary embolism. I had no risk factors so doctors wee quite surprised that it developed. Luckily I got to a hospital quickly and they were able to treat it effectively, although I did spend a week in Cardiac ICU. The recovery plan fit with a need to exercise after the sleeve operation. I did a lot of cardio work which benefitted me greatly.Today my health is excellent. I keep asking myself, "who is that guy in the mirror?" I feel better, I am more active than ever and exercise regularly. I still have a couple ruptured discs in my lower back, but the 130 pounds lost have helped immensely. I no longer take blood pressure medication or have sleep apnea.I've had no issues with the sleeve since surgery. I had the normal constipation issues immediately after surgery, but they passed quickly. The only thing I have had a problem with is red wine. It doesn't agree with my stomach at all. Jokingly, the surgeon suggested I try a pinot noir instead of a Cabernet.Seriously though, the first 8-12 weeks are something everyone has to work through. The body has been through major surgery and needs to recover. And we need to adapt to a new lifestyle. I think that the progression from liquid to pureed or soft foods to full menu is something the sleeve needs after surgery, but so does our psyche.It can be difficult for people to get through the initial few weeks but I always looked at it as the price I had to pay to ge where I wanted to be.Thanks so much again for such detailed information about your journey- the blood clot scares me terribly as I am a single mum, currently living in the Middle East for work, far away from my family in Australia, I have great friends and supports here but it's not the same as your family is it? How did you notice the clot? I fly a bit and the whole blood clot thing , exacerbated by weight I'm sure , scares me greatly. I know that your susceptible with any surgery but .... Did your body struggle with the huge difference in calorie intake- I've been trying to cut down and do one shake a day leading up to the 'pre-op diet' but I feel hypoglycemic -shaky , light headed etc just from one substituted meal - scared even at the prospect of 2 weeks with only liquids - maybe I'm pre-diabetic - not sure Thanks again, Kind regards

Thanks Alyssa. I appreciate your response. How lovely for you to have your aunt there. It's been great hearing everyone's responses - really encouraging. I've decided I will do it which is a great place to be - now I have the hard yards ahead but I'm feeling positive. Thank you. And all the best to you too

Thanks MM. It sounds perfect (especially the BF in the kitchen bit) the thing is I already eat really well - just too much and with extras - an ice cream one day a handful of nuts another, a packet of chips etc etc - I'm NOT a glutton - just eat way too much for me . What I'm trying to say I suppose is that I do enjoy good food and that is really great to hear that I still can - so is it starches (bread, biscuits, Pasta, rice etc) that won't go down well and 'clog' the sleeve? Thanks again, regards, Marie

Thanks jane - currently in 3G and can't seem to look at profile - thanks for the encouragement

Thanks! I HEAR what your saying and I believe that I too need the sleeve as a 'tool' it sounds like you didn't struggle too much in the beginning . Is that right? You look amazing though - thank you

Hi Texas Meg . Can I start by saying you look amazing in your photo - very inspirational Thank you for sharing this. It seems that you too, are a little older, which is reassuring as I am concerned with my bodies ability to 'cope' . Thanks again

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my thread. Your positive but REAL experiences, have definitely helped me make my decision to go ahead with surgery. You're an amazing and strong group of people and your support of each other is amazing. Can I ask one more thing though? How is your overall health? Thanks again for sharing your personal journeys with me

I'm so glad this has helped you too. I'm also sorry your in the 'pain' you're in but it definitely sounds like there's a very bright light at the end of this long tunnel and I hope you'll be there soon- keep going - The support of others on here is amazing -use their strength and assistance to stay positive. Thanks for posting and I'm sure that when I am in the place that you are now, which I must add, seems to happen to most, I will call out for help and you will look back and realize how far you've come.

Thank you for your encouraging response. Your attitude change towards food and energy level is very encouraging. Thanks

Thank you , thank you, thank you. Hearing you say this is incredibly powerful for me. I too, enjoy the things you do but WAS really scared that my social 'eating' wold have to stop so it's great to have your response. I am gearing up to be mentally there- I'm currently trying to loose weight myself AGAIN and although I feel I'm in the right mental place to do so I'm struggling- having that construction, I feel, will give me the extra help I need. Can I ask you one more thing though. Have you had many additional health issues surrounding your sleeve??? This also scares me as I read about Iron infusions, constipation etc etc As it is my health is OK - it's just that as I'm getting older my body isn't quite as resilient as it used to be and I'm struggling to do things I would really like to . Thanks again Macman

Thank you Griffan. How exciting for you - I wish I was where you are now as I know I have a long slug in front of me. The clothes bit REALLY excites me as I LOVE clothes. thanks

Thank you for sharing your view on this. Sounds like your winning. It's great to hear as it propels me to my decision- all of your comments combined are giving me a 'hunger' for that feeling of being thin - a place I've enjoyed several times in my life and have loved but quickly swept under the carpet to be able to cope with the reality of my size. Thank you Bob.

Thank you. I agree with you. Limiting yourself completely, to specific foods 100%, sounds like a miserable existence. As we all know, it's about moderation, and unfortunately that's what I struggle with so hopefully ....

Thank you so much for sharing this. Eating,for me, is and always has been, emotional. I 'feel' your anguish just looking into the future with the sleeve and that's what scares me most. The fact that it irreversible and the reality of loosing this emotional crutch may take me to a worse place but I'm definitely heartened by the words of other sleeves who are a bit further down the track, as I hope you are too. Thanks again

Hi, I'm a new sleeve candidate and I know I shouldn't be on here but I need some help - I REALLY want to do sleeve surgery but I am extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food) It's a bad place to be I know but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but loving 'friend'

Hi, I'm a pre-op candidate and I hate to jump in here but I need to talk to some post sleeves - I REALLY want to do this op but am extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food) It's a bad place to be I know but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but loving 'friend'