stelsewhere

buying clothes off the rack ... one of the BEST feelings.

I battled extreme nausea for the first 3 months of my recovery. I'm now 5 months out and it only happens a few times a month now, very rare. Flat ginger ale (clear with your doctor) and saltine crackers helped me. I'd literally eat half a saltine cracker and it helped a lot. I wasn't perfect in my recovery, but I do think my nausea is why I lost SO much weight so quickly (I lost 80 lbs in 5 months). It simply became not worth it to eat. But I'm so glad it's not happening anymore. I feel healthier now that I'm getting substantial nutrients in every day. The Iron in my Vitamins tends to nauseate me, so I always eat something first (like my Greek yogurt in the morning) and THEN take my Vitamin. I'll often have a bite or two of a saltine before I take my afternoon vitamin. Hope this helps.

I was 8/18 as well and I agree with you! Finally feel like I can take bigger gulps of water, I have more confidence in trying newer foods, too. I've been scared about that haha.

I feel the exact same way! I had my surgery 7 weeks ago and I am down ~30 lbs! 54 total with the presurgery diet weight loss included. It was the best decision I ever made! No regrets whatsoever. Never thought I could feel this good about myself, and there's still so much more to go! Picture is me 2 weeks before surgery, and me today. I should mention I have spanx on in the first picture. No more spanx for me. Yayyyy!

Hi people! I had my surgery August 18 and have had terrible nausea the whole time. However, it's definitely my own fault because I have been failing at getting water in throughout the day at work. I can go without water for about 5 hours and feel totally fine but then ... Outta no where I have the worst nausea. But if I remember to drink my water through the morning, I won't have it nearly as bad or at all. So for me, at 7 weeks out, it's all about the water.

I always "over portion" on accident. Like looking at three shrimp and being like ... No way will this be enough. Then after 2 I'm like "omg no more food!!!" We will get there Most other stuff I try to measure out. I generally eat 1/2 cup or 4 oz for each meal. Rarely can go over that. 8 oz Protein shake takes me about 45 - 60 mins to complete.

Awesome!!! Congratulations!

Oh god! I forgot about my shoulders. They were very uncomfortable for about a week. The hospital sent me home with long ice packs. They were clutch. I kept one on each should and one on my belly. I lied. The shoulders were the most annoying part. I had surgery on a Tuesday and was on liquid Tylenol by Thursday morning. The liquid lortab made me feel awful side effects.

I only experienced pain when I fell asleep and, apparently, nurses do not wake you up to give you medication. I ended up waking up in the worst pain of my life. I actually started shaking and went into shock and was screaming. Luckily I had an awesome roommate who ran out and grabbed the nurse. From then on, I set my phone alarm for every 3 hours to make sure I was telling the nurse I needed the liquid lortab. I had a wide hiatal hernia repaired along with my sleeve, and I think the pain was more in that area. Walking around was the best for me. It made me feel a lot better. Honestly I was never really in "pain" throughout this whole thing. I'm a month out and the only thing I complain about is the nausea. I have my one month post op tmrw so I'm hoping they will prescribe something for it. The hospital will take good care of you!

I guess I say "waisted" because I mean the ones you wear under your boobs as opposed to on your hips ... Or ... Waist. Shut up!! Lol. Midriff belts? Lol

And style haha! Aren't waisted belts a GODSEND?! You look great!! I also got some stuff from Forever 21 yesterday, two flannel shirt dresses that were $20 each. I consider that expensive but I'll get a few months out of them. Right now I'm wearing them loose, but I'll belt them down the road. Tss: sorry about the polos! I always hated polos because I have big boobs. They are so shapeless and blah. I always liked button downs, it's too bad that isn't an option!

Hi Shelly. I was sleeved 8/18 so tomorrow is my one month. Our diets sound very similar! I'm never hungry. Just wondering if you experience nausea? Around week 3 I started getting random nausea, but two days it was SO BAD that I only had one Protein shake those days. I'm hoping this doesn't happen while I'm at work! Returning to work on Wednesday.

Hi! We had the exact same surgery date tomorrow is my 1 month appt. I'm "only" down 18 lbs since surgery BUT I had to get some pants for work (I go back Wednesday) and I was shocked to see I'm wearing an 18! I was a 20/22 before surgery. I hit a stall at three weeks, but I can tell I'm still looking thinner. Remember, we are healing at this point. I don't know about you guys but I can barely get 600 calories in a day. My body is in starvation mode and holding on to every pound! Once I'm back at work and cleared to start working out, and can handle more calories, I know the weight will start coming off. Hang in the guys - and stop looking at the scaled. I've forced myself to only weigh in once a week.

I think that when you're the "fat girl" or the "fat friend" you feel invisible to men. In a way it's kind of a freedom that skinny girls don't have. Guys who talked to me were enjoying joking around and my personality, and I NEVER thought they were talking to me for my body. Now that you have the body ... You're noticing the attention. I definitely think a therapist (I like CBT therapy) would help. I love my therapist!! I only go once a month or longer now, but it's nice to have. As far as stringing guys along... Remember, like anything, just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. Take care of yourself girl. We are all rooting for you!

I put a lot of pressure on myself as I'm an asst press manager at my job. I took the full 4 weeks and guess what? Somehow everyone survived. Take the time to take care of yourself. Just getting in my nutrition during recovery was a full time job. I can't imagine working with all that going on. I needed time to mentally decompress and just take care of myself. I don't have one regret! As my father used to say, "on their death bed, no one says 'I wish I would have worked more.'"

I was off for 4 weeks. I will tell you that mentally I would have been able to go back after 1 week, but no way physically. It's really hard not to get your liquids in the first 2 weeks. And if you aren't on it all day, you will get dizzy and possibly pass out (I passed out once). Also, you need time to get into a routine with all the Vitamins and shakes and Water. It's a lot of hard work. I know waiting is hard, but you will need time after the surgery to take care of yourself. Whatever you end up doing, good luck! Everyone here is SO supportive, so stay in touch!

I'm around the same weight with same problem! I was off work for four weeks, so I lived in sweats until this past weekend when I finally went out to get new clothes for work. I'm depending on leggings and tunic tops or short dresses for a while. Old Navy has crazy cheap clothes (definitely sign up for their email list). At 243 and I'm pear-shaped, their size 18 khakis for me pretty good right now. But yeah ... Leggings outfits will be my go-to for a while. Invest in a waisted belt, too. I got a nice elastic one from Torrid. It's nice because even if your long shirts get bigger, you can still pull in your waist. Attaching a pic of my standard outfit for the next few months:

I recommend GNC for anything. Their customer service has been amazing. They've let me return all sorts of stuff and the staff have always been knowledgable!

Toothbrush. Hairbrush. Chapstick. Deodorant. Phone/books whatever for entertainment. I wore sweatpants and a loose shirt and hoodie to the surgery, wore the same thing home. The hospital gave me socks with grippies on the bottom and I just cruised around in those. Good luck! This was the best decision I've ever made!

Hi all. I have the same thing -started around week 3 as well (I'm in week 4 as of tmrw). My doc has had me on omeprazole since the day after surgery. I've never had acid reflux so I wasn't familiar with the feeling. I take it at night because it gives me an upset stomach in the morning. However - I have NO appetite and I'm so nauseated every couple days. Does anyone take anything for nausea and has anyone had a similar experience?

Hi all! I was sleeved Tuesday, 8/18. 3 weeks in and feeling great. Still get a little lightheaded when I get up from sitting down, but I know I need to push myself a little more with getting liquids in. I'm kind of a mess with food. I'm scared to transition to anything "soft" and I'm never hungry. I make sure I get my Protein shakes in, and I eat greek yogurt, watermelon, cottage cheese. I'm ready to start branching out but I don't know what I'm supposed to start with? I'll say, hm, maybe some hummus? But aren't Beans super hard to digest? I have my one month appt next Wednesday so hopefully I get a little more clarity on the soft food part.

I don't think someone else can say how you are doing based on pounds lost from time of surgery. We are all going to lose at such different rates. 16 pounds (plus 24) sounds amazing to me. I just try to remember how much of a struggle it has been my whole life to lose even a few pounds and keep it off, and I'm going to celebrate every pound! I feel you! I finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm trying to keep the most positive attitude I can. I told my surgeon I'm determined to be his best patient haha. I got my period the second week and gained 5 lbs back and was really upset ... Then I decided I'm only going to weigh myself once a week. The pounds will come off if I stick to the program, so I'm trying to stop putting so much weight in the scale (pun intended! hah)

I explicitly said it wasn't healthy and a few days of this won't kill her either (assuming she is otherwise healthy). And it can be a big deal to push back surgery if her leave is all set up and everything else. And this may be what people with eating disorders do, or athletes making weight, but she's doing it for one weigh in. Peace & love and I hope the OP makes her date! I totally understand where you're coming from, girl. Good luck! You will need to follow the diet very strictly when you get home, so if you aren't ready for THAT then yes, you should delay a bit.

I was sleeved August 18! I lost 24 lbs pre-surgey and have lost 16 since my operation. How am I doing?! Also, I don't know how to get the fun charts to show up under my responses =(

Eh hate giving advice on this ... I did this for a weigh in and lost 7 lbs in 2 days (this was not my final weigh in though, I don't know why I put so much pressure on myself at every weigh in) ... I looked up how boxers made weight for fights. 1) no more food. If you feel light headed, grab a cookie or a candy bar (something with suger) but this is ONLY for an emergency. Do a laxative when you get home from work (won't affect you next day at work). 2) Day before, no eating and NO drinking. You don't want ANY extra Water weight. Do another laxative and also I would buy a diuretic at the drug store and do that after work as well. Is this safe? Not at all. But it will most likely get you through to your weigh in. When you get home from the weigh-in, make sure you drink gatorade immediately. My surgeon did not weigh me the day of the surgery. So you should be okay. Obviously don't get nuts and gain it all back.