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Just goes to show that other people often see us more clearly than we see ourselves. I keep thinking that I don't really look or feel that different, but my man assures me he notices a difference. Still nowhere near wearing a small! And yes: you look fabulous! Rock those leggings!

If you look at charts people more organized than I am post, you'll see that the loss almost always goes to single digits per month after the first month. I look at it this way: if I "only" lose ten pounds a month, that's still 120 a year. I know it won't be that predictable and the first year or so is the sort of "golden" phase, but still . . . I'm appreciating what I've lost and as long as I keep it off, I'm good. I'd like to get under 200 but don't know if I really will. Still, it's all progress in the right direction. And I sure never lost 74 pounds before in my life.

Disclaimer: Not married. However, have a relationship. Sex has always been great and continues to be so--haven't really noticed a difference.

Good for you! I had cancer, too, though was lucky enough to beat it with surgery (a hysterectomy). After that surgery, the sleeve was a walk in the park! Seriously, I've had six or seven surgeries in my life, and the sleeve really does compare with having one's gall bladder out (laparoscopically). I had almost no pain, although my energy was very low for at least a month. I also really didn't enjoy the first month of liquids and slurries and no real food, but it gets much better with time. I'm now eating pretty normally, although with much smaller portions, an emphasis on protein, etc. My advice, for what it's worth, is to investigate the sleeve surgery and do that if it sounds like it will help you with your health overall. Worry about further surgeries later. I'm hoping to have skin removal of my "apron"/abdomen, as I think the insurance will cover that, but I kind of wish I could do my upper arms and boobs, too. If not--well, still will be better than being so overweight. Good luck!

Congrats! We gotta take whatever victories we can get in this battle. You go!

My surgeon told me not to even think about my weight, just concentrate on the protein, water, vitamins, and exercise. Of course, I had the surgery to lose weight, so I've been weighing myself and keeping track, but this is not a linear process at all. I've been stalled three or four times at least--sometimes for weeks--but IF I do what I'm supposed to, the weight comes off. You will also stall; your loss will not be as fast as you'd like; and the loss will slow down over time. I'm just guessing, of course.

Let me second or third or whatever protein water. There are several different brands available; you can find them online if not at a local grocery store. I'm currently drinking Protein2O; 15 grams of protein per 16.9 oz. bottle. Another suggestion would simply be to try different flavors and brands of protein shakes to see if you can find something that works. And you just need to make it through the first month or so before things get a lot easier and you have more choices. Yogurt and cottage cheese and actual food are in the future.

I use MyFitnessPal also. Keeps track of all the vital stuff: protein, carbs, sodium, calories, water, exercise.

I also got really sick of the sweet protein shakes and now can only tolerate Premier (and a few other brands) chocolate. I tried broth and hated it then. One thing that helped me was protein water--still somewhat sweet but not cloying and the thin consistency was better. When I could do full liquids, I even pureed some beef vegetable soup and loved that. Was thrilled to be able to eat yogurt and especially cottage cheese. Still have cottage cheese nearly every day.

I don't remember exactly, but I know I didn't have any "real" food for the first month. At three weeks, about all I'd suggest is something like applesauce or something pureed. Definitely wait on the salad . . . The first month or two isn't much fun, really, but it does pass and it gets better. I can eat just about anything now, although not too much, and obviously there are some choices much better than others!

I had sushi (no raw seafood involved) about two weeks ago, but I sure wouldn't have tried it in the soft phase--I'm five months out. Probably my biggest adventure in the soft phase was taking a can of beef vegetable soup and pureeing it . . . that was tasty. But it's too early to take any chances with your tender new tummy! I think the first month after surgery is hard, but it does get easier after that. Hang in there.

I haven't had any problems with greens, but I should probably add that I haven't really had problems with anything as long as I don't eat too much. I threw up once after breakfast, but I think it was the smells that got me--I was in a coffee shop and went to the restroom and the smell of cleaning supplies really affected me. TMI?

At my age, they're already sagging--I can only imagine what they'll look like if I manage to lose another hundred pounds or so (which I hope to do). I'd probably have a boob lift if I had the money, but I'm not expecting I will. Ah, well.

I'll be honest: I didn't do anything differently. I've stalled for a month or so by now, but the stalls eventually break. Didn't gain the weight by putting on a pound a day or anything at all predictably even; don't expect to lose it that way, either.

FabBy55: Yes, exactly! I want to eat correctly as a habit, not as something I do by mathematical calculation. I just realized that the breakfast I just ate--which left me feeling quite full, thank you, sleeve--was half of what I used to eat: omelet with one egg, not two; two small pieces of sausage, not four; one piece of toast, not two.

Google led me to this: https://www.pinterest.com/eggface/liquid-pureed-food-recipes-for-post-weight-loss-su/?lp=true and this: https://www.bariatriccookery.com/recipes-2 I'm not sure when I added it, but cottage cheese has been a diet staple ever since I could eat it again. I'll be honest, though: I hated the first month after surgery. Couldn't wait to chew food again!

I'm curious about how you know you are healing well? I mean, I didn't have pain at all after the surgery (except for about ten minutes after waking up), but I don't really know what was going on inside my body--I assume my stomach was healing from the rather drastic change to it. I'm just thinking that you should be careful not to do anything too soon--stick to the liquids and, when allowed, things like jello or popsicles or yogurt; don't jump into solid foods before your program advises it. The first month or so is tough, but it really isn't that long in the grand scheme of things. Stay safe!

It's probably just down to scheduling, but look at it this way--one more thing checked off the list to tell the surgeon. The psych consult is pretty routine--they just want to know that you have realistic expectations about the surgery.

Don't stress out over the amount of time it takes. It does feel like a long time while it's happening, but after years of getting our weight to a place where this is advisable, what's six months or so of preparation? particularly if you are already losing weight and learning better habits? I lost 25 of my 71 pounds lost before the surgery. They all count! And the process is important, whether you are shrinking your liver to make the surgery safer or reading posts on here for valuable hints and tips (for example: I learned to expect stalls, which my medical team didn't really discuss). Read posts, look at recipes and before/after pictures--whatever motivates you. Good luck!

I have to admit that I didn't feel hunger at all for months after the surgery. I wasn't thrilled with the liquid diet and I was happier when real food came back into my life, but I still wasn't really hungry until quite recently. My best guess for your situation, though, is to have another protein shake or two and see if that helps. You definitely can't/shouldn't eat anything not in your plan. If it's allowed, though, try things like broth, sugar-free popsicles and fudgesicles, or herbal tea.

Not sure I can help with the emotional issues, but please note that stalls are extremely common (very often at three weeks, but also at other times). Your body is still changing even when you don't see the evidence on the scale. Sometimes the body needs time to catch up. Sometimes the stall ends with a sudden loss. As someone pointed out, you didn't gain the weight on a daily basis and you won't lose it that way, either. Just do the program and it will happen. For what it's worth, I hated the first month after surgery. I was so happy to be back to "real" food, even tiny bits. I still, five months out, eat very small meals, but they are a lot more "normal" than the first month. Hang in there.

My surgeon thinks I'm halfway; I think I'm a quarter of the way. I'm on my way, anyway. I'm at a transition point--I moved two days ago, out of a very kind friend's home and into a sublet apartment. Part of this transition is the opportunity to get back to the way I should be eating--I've spent the last four months surrounded by temptations of every kind--white bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, sweets, you name it. So I did my first shopping for the new apartment very mindfully and didn't buy any of those things (except for a small loaf of pumpernickel bread). I've also (somewhat reluctantly) taken an apartment with a flight of stairs outside--boy, do I hate stairs. Especially outside in the winter. But so far . . . knees still don't hurt. This might actually be good for me. I guess what I really have to share is this: It doesn't matter if you slip or make some bad choices along the way. Every day, every month is a new chance to do better. That's where I am now.

The cold can't be helping, but I kind of understand where you are coming from. I also had very little pain, but my feeling at that point was that the first month just pretty much sucked. I got so sick of the sweet taste of protein drinks I could barely get them down. The broth I tried seemed disgusting. Fudgesicles helped . . . but I also had no energy at all. It took forever until I felt more or less normal. It will get better! that's virtually a promise . . . real food helps enormously, even though you will only be able to eat a few bites at first. Hang in there, though. It's worth it!

Check out this study: http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/112706/one-year-results-lsg-vs-lgb-vs-esg It's not a huge number of people studied, but it will give you some basic ideas about the success rate and some other factors.

You might try replacing one meal a day with a protein shake and get an idea of what you like. If you drink soda, stop. Seriously, if you do nothing else for now, stop that habit--replace it with noncarbonated diet drinks (iced tea, flavored water, Crystal Light, herbal tea, etc.). Good luck!