Renee0629

Hi all! I just wanted to post an update on my progress. I stated this journey in May and had my sleeve done in Mexico on 6/1/2017. I was a low BMIer (BMI of 34.5) and traveled to Mexico by myself for the surgery, only telling 2 people before I went because I didn't want anyone to try talking me out of it. I was terrified before making the choice to have it done and turned to this site for advice and encouragement in the days leading up to surgery! Before the surgery I was so conflicted - I was worried about making such a drastic choice and didn't know what living with the sleeve would be like. I was so afraid I'd regret it and honestly I was irrationally afraid it wouldn't work and I'd be heavy forever (crazy I know). Now I couldn't be happier! It's certainly been an adjustment creating a new relationship with food, and myself, but it wasn't nearly as difficult as I was imagining! Easily the best decision I've ever made! Not that I'm going to take my eye off the ball and spoil the gift of my sleeve, but for the first time in my life my weight doesn't consume all my metal energy - I no longer obsess over what diet I'm starting Monday, what new program I'll be trying, all excited and hopeful, then feeling like a failure not long after when I fell off the wagon again. Hope you all are also enjoying your new post sleeve selves!

I had to search for a before! Over the last 5 years, I wouldn't take a photo if I was on the upside of the yo-yo, I certainly wouldn't take a 'body shot'! All pictures were from the shoulders up. Lol I only have full body fat shots where I didn't know it was happening like the one below from behind. I honestly would take pictures when I was heavy (Pretty sad actually), I only have pictures from times when I'd slimmed down from whatever crash diet I tried. I'm going to keep looking for a better one - just nothing on my phone or social media I can grab.

Omg this is so me! Everybody in my life can obviously tell that I've lost a ton of weight, but I still haven't told anyone (and probably never will). I was always on a diet and my weight was always up and down. Everyone just thinks that this recent weight loss is just part of my pattern. When I came back to work on day 5 post surgery and was still on liquids, I just told everyone I was on a cleanse and everyone accepted it because they'd seen me do it 100x! The first 20/25 pounds came off really quickly (first 4 weeks), then it slowed down a bit. It's taken me longer to lose the weight than all the stories I've read, but it hasn't bothered me. Honestly I haven't really had to try to lose weight - I eat healthy but only because it feels better post sleeve. I could eat bread, cupcakes and other crap if I wanted, but I can't eat that much and if I fill up all the space with that junk I can't eat real food and then I just feel sick. Thing is I've always been a healthy eater, just ate to much of it I guess. Problem solved! I'm still worried I'll get fat again and the sleeve won't work long term, but I think that just comes from yo-yoing my entire life. Good luck to you! You'll do great!

I feel every ounce of your emotion right now! I was there myself not long ago! Although I had been thinking about a sleeve for three years, since my sister had a bypass, I finally made the decision to do it on a 'whim'. Since I was going to do it privately, I called the company my sister used and the same doctor that did her surgery had an opening in 2 weeks. I made a deposit. It all happened so quickly! My partner was NOT supportive and tried desperately tried to talk me out of it - promised to work out with me everyday, etc, etc. He loves me though and after he realized I was committed he backed off and accepted my decision. I didn't tell him what I was doing until about 4 days before I flew to Mexico - probably why he wasn't so supportive at first??? I didn't want anyone to know what I was doing and only told my partner and my sister before surgery. I flew to Mexico, by myself, on Thursday for a Friday morning surgery - I was back at my desk on Tuesday! The first few days back to work were hard, but I managed. I'll tell you what kept me sane before flying to Mexico was preparing. I read blogs and forums, watched YouTube videos of other sleevers. Looked for post surgery tips - what they brought to the hospital and the things that were most helpful to them. I set my kitchen up for when I got home with everything I needed in the first few weeks. I made delicious soups and froze the broth to sip while I was still on the liquid phase. I kept busy! Landing in Mexico on my own was nerve wracking and I'm not going to lie - they wheeled me into the OR crying like a baby because I was so scared. The whole medical team was so sweet and comforting though - made jokes about buying me a shot of tequila when I woke up. This was easily the best decision I have ever made and I've never had a second of regret. I now go days without thinking about my size, my weight, what I'm going to eat, how much I'll eat. My mental energy is free for more important, more satisfying thoughts! Good luck! You'll do amazing and will look back on today with a chuckle a few months from now. You got this!

Hi all! This is this is my first time posting here, despite binging on the forums for weeks! I'm being sleeved next Friday (6/2) in Mexico. Currently my BMI is 33.8 and I turn 39 next month. My surgeon is the same one that did my sisters bypass three years ago, so I feel comfortable with him. I've struggled with my weight my whole life and I've always been the smallest person in my family, despite being overweight, until my sister had a bypass. My highest weight was about 35 pounds more than I am now (BMI around 36). I can lose weight through intense diet and exercise, but can never keep it off. I can gain back months of losses in just a few weeks. Despite my weight I'm otherwise healthy. I just hate the Rollercoaster and I hate the way I look! My life literally revolves around food and obsessing about whatever fad diet and exercise program I'm on or promising myself I'm starting on Monday (and I can't forget the associated sense of failure and feelings of worthlessness everytime I don't follow through like I intended). I'm exhausted. My weight has been creeping up recently again and it's so depressing, which means I eat more and gain more weight! Lol The reason I'm posting is because I've paid my deposit for the surgery next week and bought my flights, but am now having intense anxiety about it. I haven't told anyone but my sister (I'm lying to everyone about where I will be - including my kids). The idea that I'm cutting out 85% of an organ is driving me crazy. I feel like a failure. I feel like I should try harder, that I could do it if I wasn't so lazy/inconsistent, etc. Instead I'm cutting my stomach out and forever changing my life (I am super dramatic, yes) all because of my vanity?!?! Any others that were in my situation and have any words of advice or encouragement? I'll even accept you telling me I'm crazy for doing this if that's what I need to hear. I'm just driving myself insane with anxiety. Please help!

Thank you! I'm hoping that I feel good 8 days out as well. I'm taking almost no time off work - going back 5 days post op. I have a desk job so hoping I can handle it. My sister said she had zero pain after the bypass, just really tired from lack of food.

You look amazing! I think you looked amazing in the black dress as well! Congratulations to you! I'm being sleeved next Friday and love the inspiration!! What was your starting BMI? I'm only asking because I'm a lower BMI sleever and wondering about what my progress would look like. I'm about a 33.5 BMI right now.