Becca

I do like the no snacking idea. I do have to have one snack in the afternoon because second graders drain me of my energy. I will eat like a maniac at dinner if I don't have something in my stomach. I am going to eat one protein only snack in the afternoon. NO MORE POPCORN or carbs for snacks!!!

I know it is so hard right now. You will start to feel better when you can eat solid food. Some things I tried, drinking warm drinks and 5 Hour Energy. Talk to your doctor if this continues. I know this is hard right now, but it will get better. HUGS!!!

Happy Dance Time!!! :purplebananna: Congrats!!!

One thing I tried was sipping a 5 Hour Energy. I got the idea from a post on here. When you can't eat and drink, you feel terrible. The drink gave me energy and helped me feel so much better. Just something you might want to try. Hot tea was also a life saver for me. The first couple of weeks are hard, but I promise you will get better each and every day. Hugs!

I am so glad you posted your story. The truth is that this journey is so difficult. This surgery does not fix our minds. Congrats on your success. I know you can keep it up and make it to your goal.

My doctor said the same thing about my stomach when he removed my 3 1/2 year band. I can only imagine what damage the band does at 10 years out. I am thankful everyday to have that thing out of me. I am so glad you are doing well. The recovery can be difficult, but just know it gets better every single day. Cheers to starting a new life with the sleeve!

You are looking great! Way to go!!!

I self paid for my band too because of an insurance exclusion. BIG WASTE OF $$$. I feel ya! My insurance started covering WLS when my band broke apart. I was lucky, but I did have to wait a long time for them to approve the revision. If you have insurance, call and check with them. Request their answer in writing with an explanation. Lots of times, the insurance companies will tell you that you don't have coverage when you do. They don't want to pay for these surgeries. If you do have to pay for the revision, I will say that it is worth it. You don't have fills with the sleeve. I know those add up! The sleeve has worked amazingly well for me. Good luck! I wish you the best.

Congrats!!! You are making a great decision to have the sleeve. It works!!! I understand your decision to not tell certain people. There were some people in my life I told that were very judgemental before I had my surgery and it hurts. Of course, now that I have lost the weight, they have a different opinion. LOL I will caution you, you will get LOTS of questions about how you are losing weight. You need to plan in advance an answer. I tell everyone that asks that I had the sleeve. It is just easier for me. I kid you not, I would say that just about daily, someone makes a comment or asks me about how I lost the weight. Just be prepared with an answer. Good luck! How nice that you have a friend to go through this with.

I only lost one pound this month and I do believe it is from snacking. I am getting hungry in the afternoon and I sometimes grab "unhealthy" snacks. Popcorn is one of my biggest issues!!! I confess!!! I am grateful to not have a gain, but I really want to get to a normal weight. (3 more pounds). Here's to being accountable and working out. I am going to recommit to getting to the YMCA for 5 a.m. spin class at least three days a week. Working out in the morning really helps me with weight loss. I love all the support here!

So glad to hear you are doing well. The sleeve is great and I am so happy for you!

Best wishes. You will do great!!!

I always used to tell myself, " I will start my diet tomorrow." There were times when I lied to myself and said I was happy being the size I was. I always knew that somehow and someway I would end my misery of being morbidly obese. Thankfully my journey led me to the sleeve!

So sorry. I pray you get better soon. Hugs.

I live in NW Houston. Weekends are best since I work all week.

I would love to start a group. I live in NW Houston. Just an FYI, I have been part of the Houston area group for awhile and we have never meet or made any plans to.

I would love to meet up. Just let me know! I am a year post op and I still love my sleeve!

Some of my family and friends were scared for me to have the sleeve and tried to talk me out of it. It was hurtful because of my lifetime struggle with obesity. I know there were people who thought I would fail, since the lapband didn't work for me. I proved them wrong though and I am almost at my goal. That really is all you can do. Lose the weight and show them you can do this. We will be here to support you. We are the only ones who truly understand what you are going through. This journey is not easy. It is very emotional since you can't cover your feelings up with food anymore. At the same time, it is all worth it!

I self paid for my lapband, that was NOT worth it because it broke and almost killed me. Fate would have it that my exclusion was taken off of my insurance and I was able to get the sleeve (with a $3,000 copay). The sleeve is worth EVERY penny! I still get compliments daily at a year out. More and more people are asking me how I am losing and keeping the weight off. I feel amazing. Why live another minute of this life unhappy about your weight? DO THIS FOR YOU!!!

What awesome news! Congrats!

Your fears are normal. Food has so many emotional ties and it can be hard to let it go. You wouldn't have had the surgery if you knew deep down you could do this on your own. We all can lose weight on diets but keeping it off is the hard part. The sleeve be there for you all the time helping you to change your life. You will enjoy food again, just in way smaller amounts. Once you see your body transforming, your feelings will change. Living life is so much better than eating it away. Hugs. You will get through this.

There are certain situations where sometimes you have to pay full price. We had a work get together with catered food and I paid the same price even though I only ate about 1/4 of everyone else there. People would have been mad if I asked to pay a reduced rate in that situation. With Church, I would feel like the money is going to a good cause. Just my opinion though. I can understand your point.

I know this must be hard for you, but I am so happy to hear you are having the surgery. I wish I could have had surgery at 18. I really feel like morbid obesity took away part of my happiness in my twenties. It is so great you will be spared that pain. I think telling friends that you are having laparoscopic surgery sounds like a good plan. Hopefully everything will go perfect and you will recover quickly. Please come here if you have any questions! You are making a great decision.

Sweet! You're going to LOVE the new life the sleeve will bring you!