Magsqoti

Hi, today is Thanksgiving Day and I am thinking of how much I have to be grateful for. I had my sleeve surgery done on March 30, 2015 and it has been nothing but good for my health, energy, well being, joy and enjoyment of life again. My loss has stopped and I am maintaining a very good weight for me. There isn't a day that I don't thank God for taking me to the gastric surgery information, resources and ultimate procedure. I was one sad person who felt locked in a body I didn't recognize and was becoming a person I didn't know. Now, I am healthier, happier, nicer, younger looking and embracing life again. The people I have come in contact with along the way who have helped me in this journey will forever be in my heart. Thank you.

Skmjs: Congratulations on your marriage! You are not alone as many of us have felt the same way about photographs. I got to the point where I refused to have my photo taken. However, since my sleeve procedure (March 2015) I now welcome the camera, enjoy being social again and embracing everything life has to offer. I wish you success and joy in your life.

Hi volsfan82. I've got some good news for you.....after my sleeve surgery within 1 month and walking regularly my knee and back pain lessened then disappeared. I had done so much research on every aspect of the procedure and outcomes plus discussions with my surgeon that I found I wasn't nervous but so ready. It was the best life and health decision I have ever made. Bless you on your journey and your wonderful life ahead with your family.

I had no blips pre, during or after my surgery (March 30, 2015). I am losing weight at a good rate, exercise and feel great.

Hi Smallbites, you are doing great!!! I know I could not have done this healthy loss without the bariatric surgery and am feeling so blessed, happy, healthy and more like my old (thin) self in many ways. Clothes shopping is fun, the airline seat was so much more comfortable last week traveling, I don't huff, puff and sweat profusely anymore and the compliments are humbly accepted. Please keep posting your progress should you be inclined and I think we all get inspiration from each other. Congrats again!

I love everyones' bravery in sharing personal feelings and stories. I also love that everyone has taken on this journey to health and happiness. Never underestimate the power you have and the ability to use it for the better good. Blessings to us all.

Rocket, you are going to do great because you have had it with being heavy and all the downsides of that plus your health motivation is on track.

tbaby10, I started at 100 lbs less than you but my pains were such that I didn't exercise or have the motivation. My surgery and recovery were uncomplicated and I have not looked back (surgery date was 30/Mar/15). The weight steadily comes off, the surgeon very pleased. I do everything he tells me from hydration and food limitations to exercise and am one happy person. I wish you the absolute best and hope you will work the system to your best outcome. xxx

tbaby10, if it's any consolation I too had the same aches and pains and they have disappeared with the post bariatric weight loss. I noticed a huge difference with just 25 lbs off and now I am 50 lbs off in 3 short months. I walk briskly 6 days a week, garden, stand of lengths at a time....all of this now but certainly not before. What a bonus and life is good!

Incredibleshrinkingnurse: Congrats on surgery date!!!! Embrace it with joy and follow all instructions at hospital and post - you will do great.

Having had my surgery (March 30) and living a healthier and happier life I can only say stay focused and continue with your journey and get the surgery. Each and every "straw" story written above resonated with me so strongly (except having a baby), I felt your pain, disappointments and hurt as I too had lived it. Blessing to us all.

Congrats on taking the initiative to research and learn about the sleeve. Keep your positive attitude and I wish you all the best. I am so very happy I had my sleeve surgery that I can't even begin to describe it and wish for you the same success. Embrace the change!

It all can be hurtful....comments from friends, family and strangers, their sideway expressions, and public humiliations. But we are the winners by making an educated decision to change our lives and love ourselves no matter what. Amen to that!

I would like to post this, have been waiting and wanting to write this: My surgery was March 30, 2015. Including my pre-diet to date I have lost 43.5 lbs for which I am thrilled and feel like a new person with no more than 20 more lbs. to lose to hit target. My point is that pre-surgery I had goals and desires and I am traveling later next week to see my family. Travel formerly presented issues like: Sweating and getting breathless lugging suitcases, etc. Feeling squashed in airline seats Feeling fat in anything I wore Dreading clothes shopping excursions Overeating the wonderful meals we create Feeling hot all the time when others are comfortable as cucumbers Tire easily NOW: I can sprint and carry things with the best of them effortlessly Will have plenty of room in the airline seat and be comfortable Cross my legs with ease and comfort Feel great in my clothes that are loose and look forward to shopping While shopping, ask for an item of clothes I try on in a smaller size Eating my smaller portions, thoroughly enjoying it and not craving more I wake early, get out to walk briskly and with joy Feeling happy and generous of spirit Proud of myself and at peace Sleeve surgery is the best decision I ever made and am grateful for the gift of health and happiness.

Hi, my surgeon said I could have any spices that I can handle. My grocery store had a hot bar selection of foods and out of convenience I selected 1 chicken enchilada. Later when I ate a bite it was so spicy (and I mean spicy) I had heartburn within 1 minute. I laughed and said "I won't eat that from there again!". Other foods that I spice I have had no difficulty with at all. Bon Apetit!

Hi, I had no problems sleeping other than sleeping on my side the first week was not possible due to incision sites. Week 2 I could sleep semi on my right side and now week 5 I can sleep on both. I am not sure what the recliner sleep is about but it could be people's size/comfort, indigestion (never had as I take fast tab lansoprazole daily) ingesting more than the tummy holds so feeling uncomfortable possibly. In any event, don't expect poor sleep as the norm because it isn't ....pleasant dreams.

Hi, I am in week 3 post op and wanted a more robust & flavorful food a couple of days ago so I made chili with all the spices, bells and whistles. My sleeve handled it just fine but I take a prescribed lansoprazole (melts on my tongue) daily so have no acid/heartburn issues to date. Experiment and see how it goes and I wish you all the best.

Hi all, well tomorrow is my big day and I feel mentally and emotionally ready. Twelve days ago I began my pre-op eating which we worked out to mean NO SUGAR, two meals a day of a 40 gram sugar free Protein shake, 8-12 oz of full sodium, no fat broth plus a small meal of 3-4 oz. protein (I had chicken once and fish the other days) with vegetables. I drank lots and lots of Water and have lost as of this morn 14.5 lbs. I also had to go cold turkey off my Hormone Replacement Therapy which hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Today's diet will be complete clear liquids/broths as my food intake plus lots of water. This morning for the first time in a long time I was motivated to walk at the crack of sunlight. I accomplished a steady, good pace with only a tinge of back ache, no shin splints (YAY) and I really enjoyed it. I will keep busy today spending time with a visiting friend here on Island so will put in some beach/pool/sea time on the Caribbean Sea (I live on Grand Cayman Island). I feel blessed, grateful, with complete faith in my surgeon and ready for the next chapter of good health and joy.

Hi all, I am a recent sleeve surgery person (Mar 30) whose short term goal/dream was to reach ONEDERLAND. I hit a 4 day stall at 200 that didn't have me concerned at all because I know at this point the weight has nowhere to go but down. Well, I am happy to report I hit 199 this morning when I weighed. Did everyone hear my cheer and the "whooooop whooooop" across the land? I haven't seen the 100's in a long long time and couldn't be more pleased. Now, on to the next short term goal which doesn't have a weight attached to it....possibly a level of health to achieve, a size clothes to reach, ability to do a physical activity........to be determined. At this point I would like to say that the best healing medicine for me has been to get outside of myself. Last week I helped a friend in need who was going for a medical procedure - i drove her to and from the specialist office, got lunch and dinner for her and her boyfriend so they wouldn't have to deal with that during her home recovery. Checking up by phone on her as well and she's just fine. I live on a gorgeous Caribbean Island and I got word that on last Monday (Easter Monday) a mother and her teen children arrived at a Seven Mile Beach hotel on vacation. Within hours her second son went missing and it seems he crossed a busy road at night and was hit by a car, was unconscious and has remained in a coma on life support. How devastating, it makes me hurt inside. I went to the hospital yesterday to pay a visit to the family and the mother was trying to be so strong (husband died 10 years ago). As it turned out the team of doctors here were taking the young man by air ambulance jet to a Florida medical center mid-day. After a while chatting I asked the mother if I could help in any way. She asked if I would pick her brother up from the hotel and take him to a medical office as he was not well with a bad cold. He was a lovely man who was offering support to his sister in this time of need. The bottom line is I have met some very lovely strong people on a very difficult journey. The teenson has a severe head injury with the outcome unknown at this time. I have heard from the mom now that they made it to Florida okay and I know we will keep in touch. Pray for this teenager, Harrison, he is young and strong so has the healing power of youth on his side, prayer and the love of family. My point in sharing this is that 1) whatever we think we are going through there is someone going through worse, 2) help others whenever you can, it's gets your mind off yourself, and 3) the world needs more compassion and reaching out to those who may need a smile, kind word or deed. Okay, so back to me being in the 100's!!!!! LOL Have a wonderful day.

Hi, my surgeon said it was 2 hours, very clean and successful. I am sure it was because I felt great the 2nd week but took it easy, followed instructions and rested when needed.

I live on Grand Cayman Island. Just got back from a long walk ... 16,228 steps logged on my fitbit. What a way to congratulate and acknowledge my milestone of 199 lbs. So very happy.

So happy! Day 10 out of surgery and met with my doctor who is very pleased with my progress, weight, positive attitude, meals, hydration, etc. We chatted for over an hour which was fun and informative for us both. He even had several photos of my insides during the surgery and explained everything so well. I have a beautiful staple line! My incisions sites are healed over and look miniscule. This has been the easiest surgical experience I have had. No regrets and welcome my healthy future

Swampdoggie: I love your humor and good nature. Yes we are proud pups and have very good reason to be and yes, IT DOES FEEL GREAT!!!

Hi all: I feel like I want to write down some milestones that are huge to me. I had my sleeve surgery on 30/Mar/15 and the positives I am experiencing so far are: No knee pain when walking up/down stairs No lower back pain when walking or doing housework No shin splints on walks Stand taller Confident to tell my journey about getting to the decision of surgery and how I am doing Feeling the like opportunity to have Michelle Obama arms could become a reality I am so close to hitting Onderland - it's been several years. When I do hit that milestone you will hear me across the world as I whooop whooop! LOL I go to my surgeon for my first post operation assessment mid-day and really looking forward to it. I feel like I am doing great, learning how, what and how often to feed my belly. I haven't experienced hunger pangs so I am sure to eat (pureed) every two hours with plenty of hydration in between. I am pretty creative in fixing lovely, nutritious meals (then pureeing of course) so I have varied and delicious meals. Thanks for reading. Maggie

Hi all, I had my issues starting the first week home with not pooping - let's be frank here. I didn't want to take an oral liquid laxative (works too slow) so with the sanction of my doctor, when needed, I use glycerin suppositories. When I don't go naturally I insert one up the bum and within minutes I am pooping - ah what a relief it is!