cat17

I have only weighed myself once since my surgery because of the swelling and three week stall so many people talk about. I'm going to weigh myself on my one month surgerversary. I made myself a picture board where I'm going to post my picture each month so I can see the change.

I'm in...thanks for starting!

As I read this, you're already done!! Be patient the first couple days, they are very difficult, but you will start to heal and feel better each day. Welcome!

I'm sorry to hear that! My sleeve was not covered either, so I searched out MD's that had a bundle cost. I paid one fee for everything, including two nights in the hospital. Your surgery office should be able to tell you how much all of it will cost. I chose to have mine in florida, because it was over $10,000 less than my state!!

It sounds like your surgery went well, congratulations!! Mylanta minis helped me with gas (still does) I'm already three weeks out and I'm still working on upping my Protein and Water intake. It's so much harder than I thought it would be! LOL My goal is to get to 90 g of protein and 72 oz water.

MT Williams, I'm sending you love and support!! I'm still a newbie, so I'm still doubting myself, but honestly even one day is a victory for me. I think you will get there too, especially with the help of a therapist.

I'm three weeks out (HW 260, SW 240, CW 225). Today I had the thought that I don't care about food! I had to force myself to eat?? This is a shocking thought for me because I've suffered from binge eating disorder for over a decade. I've been in therapy for two years to work on all my causes. The sleeve is part of my attempt to finally make the changes I've worked so hard on. I told myself the sleeve would help, but I couldn't really believe it because I couldn't imagine ever having the strength/willpower to overcome my beloved food. Even as I write my brain is saying that tomorrow I'll probably go back to my old self???? Please don't read me wrong, the past few years have been so hard. This surgery and all these changes haven't been a cake walk and I know I've only just begun... I just needed to tell others that can relate to me that I'm just happy in this moment. In this moment, even with my doubting mind, I feel good. Like I can actually do this.

Incredible! So inspiring!!

I'm so sorry for everything you're going through. I think that you should find a therapist you trust and start talking through all of this. I've been in therapy for over two years and couldn't have made the changes I've made without it.

Amazing!!!!

Thanks for this thread--it's so inspiring and uplifting!! I can't wait to buy cute clothes, stitch fix even? To feel healthy and confident, to play wildly with my five year old, to try running, to go camping, biking, and maybe even rock climbing again. I want my life back please. Oh, and maybe I'd go on a date again?

Tomorrow is my big day!! I'm anxious, but feel ready. Surgery is early in the morning, so hopefully I'll only spend one night in the hospital ????????.

My date is Nov 8th, 2 weeks only liquid diet. Day three today and my headaches are clearing up. Felt a burst of energy today too...VERY worried about the weekend as I won't have work to distract me from being hungry. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Today is my first day of my two week liquid diet. I've been apprehensive, of course, but here I go! My sister was sleeved almost two years ago, so she is cheering me on and giving me tips. Her tip for the liquid diet: "Just try not to think about it." Which makes sense to me and makes me laugh. She also told me to get ready to shop. Her advice, shop thrift stores through the size changes so it isn't so expensive. Interestingly, I just can't wrap my mind around a reality of myself losing weight. Much less losing sizes? In my long dieting history, my maximum weight loss is 35 pounds. Not really a size difference. I do know what it feels like to gain sizes. What a sick feeling when the pants are "suddenly" uncomfortably tight. I took "before" pics last night. I hate them, but keep telling myself it's just the truth and I'm working to change. It's hard not to feel embarrassed and sad. Today I will work on working up the courage to post them. ugh

If you are in the minority, then so am I. I remember what it felt like to be smaller. And I know everything I've done to get myself where I am today. It's almost impossible for me to admit how much I actually eat, and how badly. And exercise has never been a habit. And I definitely chose these habits. I can diet and lose weight, so I know my body is not broken, but "set point" seems to be a real thing and is worth understanding prior to surgery. That is why I'm choosing to have surgery. I've been in therapy for two years and look at this surgery, the gym, and choosing the right food as tools to bring my physical health back. You do not need anyone to validate your journey, but there are many people on this forum. In answer to your original question; when I feel guilty I listen to what I'm telling myself and try to change my thoughts to what I would say to my best friend instead. Also take the others' advice and seek out a therapist. It helps in so many ways, but especially when making such a huge change in your life.

Your mention of your "committee" resonates with me. I call mine my inner "mean girl". I say things to myself I would never say, or even think, about another person. I wish you well!

Wednesday I had my phone consultation with Dr. Shillingford. This was my second surgeon consult because I'm switching surgeons. It went well, somewhat more detailed than my first consult. I am more confident today that this is the right choice for me. Since this is my first post I will introduce myself. I'm a mom, daughter, sister, friend, and boss. I will turn forty in March. I'm single. I'm kind and kind of funny and am generally a happy person with some anxiety issues. I'm two weeks and four days from my gastric sleeve surgery and super excited/scared. Here's a lengthy explanation of how I got to this point.... Most of my adult life I’ve fluctuated between 20-40 pounds overweight. Often, I tried to lose weight, but I wasn’t unhappy with myself. To paint a true picture you should know that I am 5’6” and my preferred lowest weight would be 130 lbs, highest 160lbs. When I graduated high school I weighed around 160 pounds and I felt great. I went camping, rock climbing, canoeing, dancing, and felt good about myself. I don't remember a time when I weighed 130 lbs! But, I gained bits here and there and by my mid-twenties I weighed around 190 pounds. I remember thinking how impossible it was that I was so close to weighing 200 pounds. As incredulous as I felt, I was not able to lose and keep off any weight. When I was thirty I moved out of state with my boyfriend, thinking I was starting a new life of adventure and love. I was wrong, he was mean and he was a criminal. An actual criminal. Because of unbelievable stress, I gained another forty pounds. Then during my pregnancy I reached three hundred pounds. I was pre-diabetic and began suffering from depression and anxiety. I lived in a dangerous place with a volatile man states away from any of my family/friends. I felt trapped and I was so scared. Then I had my baby and found my son was more important than anyone else and that he deserved better. I found the courage to leave. Four years have passed and now, I’m 39 (my son is five). I've been in therapy for over two years and have had such love and support that I can honestly say we are doing great. Except... I am obese -255 pounds. I treat my body like I hate it. Most days, I do hate it. Also, I am a bit of a hermit now because of the combination of my distrust of new people and my body. But I want to live more fully and to connect with people again, so badly. Through therapy, I have become aware of this "mean girl" voice in my head. I wonder if anyone else thinks this way? It seems she runs almost every aspect of my day, and probably has been for a long time. As I walk I notice how hard I'm breathing and am disgusted with myself. When I'm with a coworker and a patient smiles at her and ignores me, I tell myself it's because I'm so fat and ugly. If a man talks to me I put up a wall of sarcasm and humor. I've alienated myself from the world because I'm so uncomfortable in my clothes, in public, sitting in chairs, etc. On the rare occasion that I go out or buy new clothes; it annoys me that I’ve become a big, fat roll-y, mess and I often cry. I worry that my son is embarrassed by me. I avoid having my picture taken with my son because I can't stand how I look. When I see myself I am disgusted, saddened, and discouraged. I would never say these things to another person, but a part of me thinks I'm the only one who deserves such harsh judgement. I am over one hundred pounds overweight. I’m no longer curvy, attractive, healthy, strong, or any of the things I used to be. Truth is I haven’t taken care of my health or my looks in years. This man came into my life and showed me what it felt like to be coveted, but also controlled. Before him I ate the wrong things, but while I was with him I began using food like a drug. I would be ravenous and almost desperate to eat and could only feel better when I was so overly full all I could do was sleep. The lasting result of that is when I feel hungry, I panic. It's incredibly hard for me to share these things. I'm pretty successful and outwardly an extroverted, happy person. Weird, right? As I've mentioned, I've been working with a therapist for over two years to heal my mind. I'm finally at the point where I want to heal my body. I'm not sure who said this, but I re-read it several times like a mantra, so I will share. "...and I said to my body, softly, "I want to be your friend." It took a long breath and replied, " I have been waiting my whole life for this." .

I am also from MN! Am self pay, so I'm going to Florida. Date set for Nov 8. Now that I have a date set, reality has struck so I'm anxious. My sister was sleeved a year ago and is very successful, which calms my fears. Sent from my KFTBWI using the BariatricPal App

Welcome! I am 70 going on 40. Sleeved 3 years ago, best thing my husband and I ever did for our health and happiness! Thank you! It's so encouraging to hear success! I hope I have the same Sent from my KFTBWI using the BariatricPal App