blondebomb

Congrats!!!!????????????????

I was 6 months getting my stamina and energy back. My internist told me it takes 6 months for tummy to heal proper from the sleeve..it was true in my case. Your doing great! A pd loss is a loss! Don't compare! ????

I find myself saying mentally..'yea how's that been working for you the past 30 yrs'? (talking about the fat ones saying I should be able to lose with diet and excersice like I hadn't done that like forever now!) geeesh some ppl just don't get it! ????

I know you must be desperate for some "real" food, but take it very slow and pre-measure your food when you move onto the next phase. This is when the restriction starts to become REAL. I remember the first time I ate a scrambled egg... it took me 45 minutes to eat about 3/4 of it (had to keep reheating it in the microwave) and I was literally lying on the floor in pain from the constriction in my esophagus. TAKE IT SLOW! I only got 2 navy bites in first time I tried a scrambled egg..I stopped. I was almost 4 months before I was trying solids more.

I had reduction/lift done 15 yrs ago. I had been 40/42 DD for many many yrs even when I was smaller and the morning after my surgery still admitted I was scared to look! I was a few days before I could stomach looking. the pain for me was minimum and I stayed numb on the incisions for many yrs. I was soo happy to get it done. was such a relief. I'm really shocked after 100 pd weight loss to date that I mine have NOT deflated yet! lol...will see how or what happens to mine when I get another 30 to 40 off! My tummy will be next myself. Even after 32 yrs and 2 kids my tummy never went back to pre pregnancy form. that I am looking forward to!

I have the dx of "different depressions and anxiety". I started after my 2nd baby was born 26 yrs ago. I have been through 12 yrs of psychotherapy for a rough past. eating disorder..I ate for every emotion under the sun . I have over 12 health dx's. I was directed from 2 specialist that stepped in and saved my life and gave my life back to me! I am 51 and 10 months PO 100 pds down. I only told a select few who I KNEW wouldn't judge me. In fact they're words were "you did a BRAVE and COURAGEOUS" thing. the easy way out?? H*** NO!! it's the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Several posts above all the necessary steps, changes and new way of looking at food the do's the don't etc...I am still learning. My first month was brutal. My surgeon warned me it would be (for some yes everyone is different) I had hernia repair at the same time It was the culprit of majority of discomfort and pain. the head hunger the first month was rough!! I went through the emotional up's and down's. But I was determined to do this I had wasted 30 some yrs of yo yo dieting, losing all kinds of weight over these yrs and it always found me! finally Dx with thyroid disease last yr..I was gaining alot each month and I had climbed up to 275 headed for the life of a couch potato, I seen deeper depression of the vicious cycle and seen myself going to be using the Walmart motor buggies I said HECK NO!! my hubs was always telling me to get one Lupus and Fibro I seen so much neg right at my front door I took control with the direction of my Dr's and went for it. I have been able to stop several meds and the past few months I am feeling soo much better mentally and emotionally is crazy unbelievable!! Do I still take an antidepressant? yes. I have went from 4 for several yrs to 1 this yr. I now treat my inflammation/pain with 1 script and I use essential oils! I am tickled to death! My immediate family as in my siblings, my parents yes my parents and other friends I have NOT said anything. when they ask I tell them I have taken control and do a strict portion and diet control! and I leave it at that. it's your own mind telling you or the guilt that is nudging you to feel you have to tell others. I don't owe anyone any explanations. My life My body My decision My health! I am glad to hear you had a good visit. My only regret was I hadn't done this sooner! BUT I feel this was my time! everything fell into place!! the therapy over the last 10 yrs had helped me tremendously! Am I perfect? NO!!! it's struggle yet. But it's changing 35 yrs of behavior and it takes time to change. and at times some outside help to get another perspective. I wish you the best. ITS DEFINITELY NOT the easy way out! My hubs is my biggest supporter!! He's my best friend and he tells me daily how proud he is and how beautiful I am. (of course at my highest and worse bouts of depression over all these yrs he has told me daily how beautiful I have always been ) he's very special person. I hope you have support and remember this is a great site where you can always come for anything...Best wishes sweetie! keep us posted

wow everyone! thats awesome..I started out 10 months ago 272 pants 22 tops were pushing 2/3x and 100 down I am STILL in dbl digits! at 14 or XL pants and M/L tops..I don't understand how some are in 6-10 pant sizes..even when I weighed 110 35 to 40 yrs ago I could never get into 6 or 8 it was 9/10...my hip bones are wide for sure! lol..dr told me yrs ago I had "birthing" hips..ugh! oh well..they are what they are!! CONGRATS all!!

I no for me I had to be released by my psych in order for ins to approve mine. In fact I went in the wk of my last preop surgeon app and had a good calm talk with her and she said she would release and she did. She had to make sure I understand what all this entailed emotionally and mentally..and make sure I wasn't in depressed mode..

Your mind and body's are rebelling! Hang in there!! It's so worth it!!

this is strictly my experience and journey...I have several dx's ..mine has changed soo many times depending on the psych I seen over the past 25 yrs. It's been Bipolar, MDD, PTSD, and then back to Bipolar/with MD...I understand I was reading your story and my goodness I thought I was reading mine. bless your heart. I lived through that vicious cycle the past 30 yrs. But mine went further. after 25 yrs of battling weight (up and down up and down) and many specialist I was also dx with hashi's. ( autoimmune disease) that destroyed one side of my thyroid I was put on armour a yr ago right before going through the process of getting the sleeve. I also dx with insulin resistant, pre diabetic. I ate also out of all emotions and craved simple carves to no end! I ended gaining like 30 some pds within a 6 wk period that's when my endocrinologists dug deeper with extensive BW and ended up doing US on thyroid and biopsy. I also had already been through 12 yrs under dr care for the "mental" issues and treatment with psycho therapy which done me wonders got other perspectives and causes of my underlying eating issues and I hadn't even thought about the sleeve bc I had no idea it was even being done. yea I thought about WLS in the past yrs but I always thought I didn't qualify till 2 of my specialist directed me to my surgeon. after being put on armour for my thyroid and I got my BW in the normal range before I was accepted for the sleeve , I was on a cocktail of 4 drugs for the mental diseases over the past 12 yrs it was 2 yrs ago I got weaned down to 2 and now I am at 1 and doing great. since getting my thyroid levels at optimal levels my mental issues has improved so much(for me) I was released by my psych and endo to have the surgery my highest weight was close to 275 and without the surgery I was headed to the 300 plus and I was miserable where I was. it does make you have a more depressive attitude toward yourself and it turns to being angry and disgust with yourself (talking about me and how I treated myself and myself internal dialogue) which made me a very outward moody person I hated life and could not stand the idea of facing a day which I know the MDD/Bipolar also had its affect on that thinking as well. But I am 10 months PO over 100 pds down. I no longer turn to food for that self comfort you mentioned that only last a short while till I bottomed out again and repeated this cycle to numb myself and how I was internalizing and it was a vicious cycle. I understand. I am soo thankful my 2 specialist directed me to the sleeve. my internist said I was candidate and the sleeve with me on daily meds there's no malabsorption issue and no redirecting organs and has a huge success rate as long as I DO MY PART and STICK TO MY PROGRAM. I had already started the lifestyle changes 2 yrs prior to this. I had already removed all processed sugars, breads, pastas etc bc of my autoimmune diseases and I had already dropped the calories while doing this of eating the less the 600 cal a day and yes for those who doesn't understand the starvation of this reduced cal intake and still kept getting bigger and bigger it happens. I am the testiment and charted. I was hungry all the time! but my body was in war with itself and it got to where everything I ate it stored. now I eat to live and have been released from prison and loving life. I am 51 and my life is just starting. do your research and I am so glad you asked this question. talk with your dr's you trust and that will support you. there's alot to the process. but SOOO worth it. I have found myself and relearning each day. as long as I am stable which I have been for a while I'm doing great. am I perfect? heck NO! but my awsome days totally outweigh my bad days now. my self esteem is out the roof. I have a dear friend who is over 300 pds and she came over one day and asked me how I have been losing weight. she is bipolar (not sure if its actual dx from a psych or self dx) but she has stood by that for over 40 yrs and I told her about my stopping the sugar addiction a few yrs ago and her words were "I don't see myself losing weight or getting off the sugar addiction wagon" and of course I said strict portion control..(her and hubs lives for food) its their recreation...(Iv been there done that)! I said as long as you tell yourself that it wont change. I am hoping my new life changes will inspire her! sorry such a long post I just wanted to share what I went through and I hope this helped. keep us posted dear and best wishes..xx

did you not get a diet phase plan folder? I meant to ask you that..

by day 2 I went to phase 2..which for me was liquids and all protein..I had bought some unflavored powder and I would add it to my coffee, teas, pudding, soups which I ate the cream of tomatoe, there was the puree butternut soup and tomatoe bisque I picked them up at our kroger in the simple truth brand which is organic, I added the protein to everything that went in my mouth. I drank the pure protein shakes and I ordered the syntrex or nectar brand protein drink mixes (I think thats the brand names you can google) they have a variety pack and surprising that tasted really good. I was able to count all protein shakes toward my liquid intake amount . I was months not able to drink alot at ones. I sipped all freaking day for weeks. I didn't think I would ever work myself up but I DID! getting my protein and fluids was an all day job. I couldn't hardly do anything else. and I did start biotin , daily multi in the gummy bears, folic acid, and then my usual other things I take daily. definitly get taking the biotin and try try try to get the protein as much as you can I have not had the issue of losing hair from this surgery. everyones different. hang in there! I understand why you added the pasta I bet you have been starving! I'm not allowed pasta till I reach goal which is another 30 pds or so but I did try a bite about at 6 months and oh my goodness BAD IDEA! it felt like a brick! I won't be doing that again for a while...keep us posted xx

my thinking is you can't please everyone. I have been getting the looks and some comments myself the past few months and now its every wk from ones who are obese themselves..some has said "STOP" your getting to little! yet there's others who are not over weight are telling me to "keep it up" your looking great! ugh...there was a intersting comment I heard from a dr I can't remember where but it was recent and his comment was "some people in general has a distorted view on body image or size (weight or numbers) especially in the media bc of a certain group of skinny models..and so people are very judgemental now days on what each person "thinks is the JUST RIGHT size"....you need to decide for yourself and no one else where you want to be that is healthy. if ppl are used to seeing us as big, obese, overwheight or however the term is used when they see us shedding close to 100 pds plus it's going to shake them up or get them jealous or what have ya. I had some one asked me how far I was going down and I said "when my body see's fit to be balanced and happy it will stop on it's own and maintain"...2 of my gf's tell me you can't ever lose to much weight and laughed. it's hard on others to see us change but I decided I'll be the judge on what's enough for me and of course with the guidance of my surgeon which he has never set a certain amount to lose he has left that up to me. hope this helps ya..

I went thru several brands..the pure Protein helped me and was kind on my tummy after.. http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-248599-pure-protein-shake-frosty-chocolate-11-oz?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=fpl&utm_term=PureProteinShakeFrostyChocolate11oz&utm_content=116082&utm_campaign=googlebase&site=google_base&scid=scplp2954731&gclid=CjwKEAjwjKOpBRChjsTyicbFy3QSJADP1gTNM8a1Jw5BgUjyrumMHtdqhrAGK8fEA78M2nRdNq_D1BoC-Cbw_wcB

make what your drinking count for nutrition, protein and calories. you have alot of great advice above. I went thru the I'm not hungry for months. I was curling my nose up at the thoughts of having to eat or drink something. I forced myself to get in my surgeons protocol whether I felt like it or not. 60 grms of protein daily..it literally took me a few wks to work up to getting that full 60 daily bc of the tummy swelling but what I drank which was protein in everything or anything I consumed was protein. I added spoonful of protein to everything. no ice chips here. your body has went thru a major ordeal and requires protein for the body to heal and to give you some energy to get thru the day. fluids and protein. MUST HAVES daily. Did you receive a diet guideline? didn't the preop classes go over instructions ? just asking..when I see these type of questions I start thinking that maybe this person was a self pay and didn't go through the preop education classes I could be wrong please don't get upset that's not my intention here and BM are normal for not happening for at least a wk bc of drastic reduction of intake. I was the full wk..everyone's different in how they're body responds. my first 4 or 5 months when I did get some soft foods in it was usually only 2 to 3 bites at a time and it was protein all the way that counted. I am 10 months out and get about 6 or so bites in now. which is what I expect..

mine was several months....I got alot of my nutrition from drinks...tummy was sensitive for about 4 months

from the evening in postop and till now 10 months out absolutly NO difference in feeling. NO pain from the inner tummy as in from a feeling of being cut. I wondered about this same question before but I really didn't care bc I was having it done regardless. I needed this tool and I didn't care what I needed to go thru I already live daily with chronic pain from lupus and fibro so it wasn't no issue for me. If the pain from the stomach itself being done don't fret. the outer few incisions were tender but for me it was manageable and the only difference I have like everyone else would agree is the restriction of not eating much which is why we get it! it's awsome!

I went thru menapause 18 yrs ago and even that long ago now at 50 I am 10 months PO and my first 4 wks were brutal for me I swung from tears, fits, irritable to down right b*****...hang in there. when I went through the 4th wk it all stopped. I had fought through the worst carb cravings also during this time. I hope your feeling better today xx

I went through all these emotions for the first 4 wks. longest month and then it just stopped! hang in there!! it soo gets better everyday!

lol..luv it!

I didn't read everyones comment..but I can tell ya I told my surgeon that I would be the odd one that this would NOT work on me..lol..he laughed at me haha...been there done that! I'm sure they hear this all day everyday.. yes I had my fears. its a mind game and you have to squash it. toss out the scales if you have to. I am 10 PO now I have consistantly dropped except for that 3 wk stall and it last almost a month then it was all fine. hang in there! don't worry follow your plan and trust it works..

I totally relate. I still haven't opening said anything about my sleeve to no other family. my own parents don't even know "exactly" what I did. I did say that I had my tummy worked on and my hernia repaired. they normally are my great supporters with anything but like you over the past 5 yrs or so the older they get the more I heard them saying some comments on the friends we all know through the yrs and about their heaviness that the past few months I have been out right telling them to "stop saying them words" their judging and it needs to stop! that shut them up for a few days...I got sick of hearing it. they seen me for the first time after 2 months when we went down on vacation the very first words out of moms mouth was "how much more weight have you lost?" I said "oh a fifth grader"...that reply wasn't good enough for her..she asked again "how many pounds"? I gave in of course to satisfy her and said I hit a 100...she said thats great keep it up! ....oh lordy! I said from that moment on my weight loss is not up for discussion. I still say that with everyone that brings it up. I have 4 ppl I have initially told and thats it. I didn't want the neg talk or opinions before hand. but you know how rumors get started I'm sure it'll get around. maybe later I will say something if it's someone I think will benefit but otherwise I still say "strict portion control and controlled diet"...I have had 2 ppl come up to me and asked me if I had surgery or something and I said no bypass..the other asked if it was lap band..I said nope! my hubs and 2 BFF's are my biggest supporter's..

your not alone! it hit me this past wknd and yesterday I think was the worse. caught myself mindless munching..ugh..I'm not sure whats going on maybe its all the rain but I was just thinking about this today I got out of the house we are under construction with the kitchen and dining room everything is tore up over here and I am wondering if its nervous eating. putting my foot down! been craving salty crunch...I do have some lower carb chips here and thats what has been calling my name! gotta get back to painting my furniture !!

if its any help to ya or not I am 51 and have been sick since I was in my mid 20s. my highest weight was reaching 275 and I had done every diet known to man and I still couldn't get the weight off. I have ended up with over a dozen dx's and it's no fun. obesity was killing me whether I wanted to believe it or not. being obese sooner or later it's going to catch up with ya with other diseases. I was delusional long enough and had wasted 30 plus yrs yo yo dieting and the past 5 yrs kept getting bigger and bigger I had to take control put my fear of over thinking issues worrying about the what ifs down the road I had to stop it. my mind would obsess about all the what if's. it takes bravery and courage and a lifestyle for the rest of your life committed to make these changes. I had already failed every thing else. I don't believe being obese is healthy. and for me it was my time to take back control of my life and just do it. yea it was scarier then hell. I second guessed myself for 2 weeks up to the morning of..but I knew deep down inside went through all the prep and preop classes I had done my research for 10 plus yrs...went through over 10 yrs of therapy got to the bottom of my health issues and I was ready. no one can make this decision for you but even though it was rough my first month I'm not going to lie to ya my surgeon told me up front if I can make it through the first month you will be fine. some people don't have any difficulties some do. there's no promises but you will never know how you'll be till you go through it. and I'm here to tell ya I would do it again in a heart beat! I soooo wish I did this along time ago! I can not get back all the yrs I sat on the side lines wishing I could do this or that. I am 10 months PO tomoro...over 100 pds down and I have never been this happy and I feel like my life at 51 is just starting! I wish ya the best but somethings are worth taking the chance on and this is one of them. but if your not ready its simple, your not ready. I was so ready. I had to shed the fat suit and this was the only thing that saved my life it has literally gave my life back and that includes emotionally and mentally...best wishes if its any help to ya or not I am 51 and have been sick since I was in my mid 20s. my highest weight was reaching 275 and I had done every diet known to man and I still couldn't get the weight off. I have ended up with over a dozen dx's and it's no fun. obesity was killing me whether I wanted to believe it or not. being obese sooner or later it's going to catch up with ya with other diseases. I was delusional long enough and had wasted 30 plus yrs yo yo dieting and the past 5 yrs kept getting bigger and bigger I had to take control put my fear of over thinking issues worrying about the what ifs down the road I had to stop it. my mind would obsess about all the what if's. it takes bravery and courage and a lifestyle for the rest of your life committed to make these changes. I had already failed every thing else. I don't believe being obese is healthy. and for me it was my time to take back control of my life and just do it. yea it was scarier then hell. I second guessed myself for 2 weeks up to the morning of..but I knew deep down inside went through all the prep and preop classes I had done my research for 10 plus yrs...went through over 10 yrs of therapy got to the bottom of my health issues and I was ready. no one can make this decision for you but even though it was rough my first month I'm not going to lie to ya my surgeon told me up front if I can make it through the first month you will be fine. some people don't have any difficulties some do. there's no promises but you will never know how you'll be till you go through it. and I'm here to tell ya I would do it again in a heart beat! I soooo wish I did this along time ago! I can not get back all the yrs I sat on the side lines wishing I could do this or that. I am 10 months PO tomoro...over 100 pds down and I have never been this happy and I feel like my life at 51 is just starting! I wish ya the best but somethings are worth taking the chance on and this is one of them. but if your not ready its simple, your not ready. I was so ready. I had to shed the fat suit and this was the only thing that saved my life it has literally gave my life back and that includes emotionally and mentally...best wishes

hang in there girl..I had the caffeine withdrawl headaches. I was groutchy to put it nicely. my nerves were on edge my emotions were all over the board. soon it will be a distant memory and believe it or not you'll say it was all worth it!! it was akso a grieving stage for me just thoughts of this and that going through my head. you'll be on the other side soon! hang in there!