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I think it's always Good to talk about GRIEF and anger. Yesterday I was driving around Houston Texas running errands and the overwhelming grief took hold. If anyone has visited Texas you know our food is TOP tier so much seasoning so much flavor. I grieve not pulling in the drive thru after shopping. (Taco Bell, What-A-Burger, Shipleys Donuts)! I GRIEVE OUR ever so plentiful TACO TRUCKS at 2am where I would order 10 street tacos and a burrito with the red/green sauce I grieve boba TEA I grieve the comforts I grieve just being able to drink alot at one time. Who knew that a few sips of water could make you so full In noticing the griefs you become aware of how addicted you were to the food and the feeling. Sighs*

I'm a 40 y/o mom of 3. HW 265, GW 150, CW 142. Sleeved January 2023. I loss my first 90 lbs within 6 months of being sleeved and maintained for another 6 months (without quite getting to goal). Unfortunately, at the beginning of 2024 I had some health issues (unrelated to the sleeve) and had to have a total hysterectomy. I turned to my old comfort of eating and gained 20 lbs in 2 months. My appetite came back with a vengeance and my head hunger was getting the best of me. In a moment of panic, I seen my Dr and she prescribed Zepbound. OMG, where has this drug been my whole life?! I loss the 20 lbs. I gained plus the rest of the weight I needed to lose to get to goal weight within 5 months. Unlike the sleeve, Zepbound also helps with the head hunger which is an issue for A LOT of us. It's truly a miracle drug! I was on Ozempic pre-surgery for diabetes and it did NOTHING for weight loss so I didn't expect much from Zep but turned out pleasantly surprised. Despite severe constipation in the beginning, my side effects are minimal and manageable. I feel like Zepbound + my gastric sleeve was a match made in heaven. My health is the best it's been in 20+ years. Diabetes gone, fatty liver gone, triglycerides were high and are now in a normal range. My life no longer revolves around food and for once I feel "normal." I maintain with 10mg every 10 days and it's been working perfectly.

So I’m 3 weeks post-op with a gastric sleeve. My first disappointment was when the week before my surgery my doctor told me I wasn’t a strong enough candidate for bypass. Ok, fine. But then he wouldn’t tell me how much of my stomach was removed, he didn’t give me incremental goal weights or a final goal weight. 11 days post surgery I had already lost 14lbs, (beg wt on 1/24 was 270lbs, date of surgery 232lbs). I’m trying not to be obsessive about my weight so I’m weighing in every 10-14 days. That being said, I’m already feeling like I’m stalling in my weight loss and even worried about gaining already. Is this a normal feeling? I’m trying to get all my protein but usually fall short. I’m on “soft foods” but can barely get down a 1/4 of a cup of food. The rest of my intake is liquid. Has anyone else had these feelings? Should I bite the bullet and go weigh in? Thank you in advance for any tidbits and opinions.

As we know MOVEMENT can be an important aspect of the bariatric journey! I credit a lot of my rapid weight loss to the fact that I love movement. Movement is freeing, it helps the mental as well as the physical. What movement do you do daily? What movement do you enjoy? How often? Post pics if you like!

Hi guys, my name is Anna and I'm really glad I found this site. I received approval from my insurance earlier this week, there's just one x-ray needed and then I will be scheduled. My mom had the same procedure over 2 years ago, but she's more of a cautionary tale of what not to do. I have friends who have had it done as well. The hardest part of this process for me has been giving up cigarettes, and trying to lose weight on my own. I started my umpteenth weight loss journey November of 2022, and finally went back to see my moms doctor in January of this year, after chickening out a couple times before. No matter what I've done I have no been able to get below 300 since 2016. My highest weight was 374. The smallest I've been is 230 in my 20s after losing 70 lbs and keeping it off 2 years. Right now I'm chilling at around 340, have been for almost 2 years. I love the gym, I love swimming, I love being active. But I have a lot of chronic pain from back and neck issues, as well as arthritis and between that and depression, it can be hard to get out of bed some days. Last time this year I had just finished a 16 week fitness challenge at a local CrossFit center, where I learned to do a real push up, deadlifts and other strength and endurance building exercises. It was great, and I got down to 315. Then the program ended and about 25 lbs reappeared out of thin air (psych, I know lol). I am hoping that this tool is the missing puzzle piece I've needed. I know how to track, how to measure, how to diet basically. And I know how to exercise. What I've struggled with more than anything is portion and hunger. It's hard to stay in a deficit when your stomach feels like it's gonna eat itself if you don't put enough food in it- That being said I do know I want to focus on protein and fiber for fullness, and I'm working on eating smaller and more frequent throughout the day which is helping some. I guess I'm as ready as I will ever be. Am I the only one who has struggled with being a bit depressed about it all? Like I am mourning the loss of so much, including my stomach and the ability to indulge in a meal. I understand I still can, but it's not gonna be the same having a jr popcorn at the movies, when i had a good portion of a large gone before credits were over- ya know? Like people who don't struggle with their weight take a lot for granted. My whole life I've been big, and it has always felt like a punishment I didn't do anything to bring about. And society punishes you for being overweight/obese/plus size. Part of me feels like cutting out a part of my organs is another punishment I must endure because I am fat. I hope this makes sense, and these are just fleeting thoughts and feelings, mind you. I have a wonderful counselor I see weekly, and we have talked about this, among other things. But I wanted to bring it up here because I am wondering if anyone has struggled with this line of thinking? And if so what are some good things about the process to focus on? I know the outcome of the weight being gone and my appetite under control, and I want those things very much. But it's the actual surgery and the discomfort I know is coming after that trips me up. Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and I wish you all well ❤️

Hi everyone. I thought I would pop this on here, and someone who is feeling incredibly frustrated and let down by the whole waiting process. For context; I am waiting for a gastric sleeve date, after almost 5 years on the waitlist with the NHS based in England. Ironically, I could've paid for private surgery almost twice over with the amount of tax I've paid since waiting! I have been 'at the top of the list' since October last year, and have done everything they have asked of me - kept my weight below my initial weight at the beginning of my consultations; diet change; lifestyle change; everything to try and help eleviate some of my PCOS symptoms whilst I wait. I'm just feeling so ticked off today. I missed a call by a couple of seconds whilst I was driving to work, and had a gut feeling it would be from the hospital I'm having the surgery in. I tried to call back, but typical, it was a number that didn't receive incoming calls. I tried for 20 minutes to get through to the right department (had the phone put down on me when I was put through to the wrong team, and asked to be put back to the switchboard?). When I finally managed to call through to surgery admissions, I was advised that because I didn't answer the phone (despite LITERALLY not having a number directly to call back on), they had already called someone else and given my slot away. Livid and heartbroken do not come close to how I felt today. I am so exhausted of the waiting game, even moreso when there's been several times I've had appointments in person cancelled at the last minute, after travelling 2 hours there and back; cancelled phone calls at the last minute; zero in-person physiotherapy despite being told for over 2 years I would receive them. I now have to wait - god knows how long - for the next phone call, that heaven forbid it's unsafe for me to answer my phone at that point in time. Has anyone else in the UK had anything like this before? I just can't believe they wouldn't give me a chance to call back as I did, or call me again within a couple of minutes. I'm self-employed, and as the spring/summer months approach, I may lose out on a lot of work and earnings with surgery recovery, which is why next month would have been perfect. Any support right now would be great. I'm feeling so deflated and worn out by this.

Hi! New here! I had VSG previously and I'm going to have the Overstitch procedure this week. If you've had this done or are thinking about it, I'd love to hear from you! I have not met my surgeon in person (phone consult) and there is a long list of medications. I'm pretty nervous about this non-invasive procedure in a way that I never was about the VSG! It could be the extensive medication list- I didn't need any prescriptions after VSG. Prilosec and Miralax daily 7 days before surgery, Zofran, Emend, and Betyl for nausea and cramping, starting the morning of surgery, and ibuprofen rx for pain. I had VSG in 2017 with no complications. I lost 115 lbs. Fast forward to 2023, 1 years after hysterectomy, I experienced about 30 lbs regain. I was having trouble losing with increased workouts and diet modifications, so I tried Mounjaro. I lost 30 pounds. I felt nauseous and fatigued the entire time I was on that, I subsisted on gingerale (I did not drink any carbonated or sugary drink before this) and cereal or saltines. I went off because I wanted a break from the side effects. I rapidly regained all that I lost and 10 more. After attempts to moderate diet again failed, I went back to my doctor. I'd read about Overstitch, but the information out there is pretty vague. Basically, I know what it is and that it's available. I can't find any decent experience reviews. My doctor expects that I can easily lose between 20 and 40 lbs. Not the significant loss of VSG, but on my small frame, that's a large amount and it would bring me to a much healthier place.

Hey Yall. Very very new to this but I need some help. I had gastric sleeve surgery on May 10th. The liquid diet leading up to it, and afterwards was absolutely torture for me (I know it's really hard on everyone) but I could barely get broth down, especially post op. When I say that, I mean the idea of drinking more and more broth, no matter what kind or flavor, made me feel absolutely nauseous. And I literally gagged trying to get it down. Needless to say, I didn't get much broth down, but I tried to stay as consistent as I could with protein shakes, which also had a similar effect on me. So when today came around, I was so excited because finally I could slowly try to incorporate foods that didn't make me want to vomit when I thought about them. I started slow with just a yogurt for breakfast, taking tiny bites, with 2 minutes in between bites. That went down pretty well. For lunch, I tried an applesauce, repeating the same process as with the yogurt. Again, that went down fine. Throughout the day, I also timed taking my vitamins, so as not to push a bunch of pills down my throat at once, I was afraid of the effect it would have on my stomach. My plan for dinner was to have some tomato soup, and maybe even put in a little extra flavorless protein, because I hadn't gotten in as much protein as I should of during the day. But before I could make the soup, I started feeling disgusting. And the thought of eating anything else makes me feel nauseous. But I know if I go back to the clear liquid stage for a bit longer, I'm going to be struggling to get more broth down. I just don't know what to do. I feel like I'm completely undernourishing myself and it would be even worse if I went back to the clear liquid stage. I've talked to my nutritionist about it, and she only told me to try drinking other types of broth. Which I have. I've tried every kind you can think of. And she said if that doesn't work, to try to drink Gatorade zero to at least make sure I'm staying hydrated. I have just reached a point of such regret. I feel like I'm just going to get sick before I can get better. I'm at a point where I would rather live my life the way it was, than to feel like this for months. I know it's too late for that, but man, never let anyone tell you this is the easy way out.

I had surgery on Monday (22nd) and I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. The scales show me having gained weight but I’m sure that’s the IV’s they gave me constantly. My question is, I don’t feel hungry in the typical way as I did prior my sleeve surgery. Instead I feel pain? Or is it just gas? Or is it just surgical pain? How can I tell when I’m hungry and I need to eat?? I never thought eating was going to be so confusing. I don’t want to eat anything, I’m not hungry, but I know I have to eat too. Two days out and it all seems so foreign to me still. Help?

HI All! I had gastric sleeve surgery on 12/6/23. As of March 7th, I am 45lbs down. I stopped weighing myself after this date, though, bc I was becoming OBSESSED with the scale and would fall into a deep sadness each day I didn't lose at least a pound. So, I decided to put it away and focus on my feelings and habits. Anyway, lately, I've noticed I can eat much more than I was. I watched a YouTube video about a doctor explaining that after month 3, patients tend to notice they can eat more. He mentioned that it usually freaks them out at first because not being able to eat a lot at all was the major tool in helping the weight loss, but to not be alarmed because it's normal and to focus on healthy foods, working out, etc. Still, it's scaring me because I am scared I will fall into old bad habits and start overeating again. So I was just wondering, has anyone noticed this? I noticed I can eat more than I was 2 months ago. It's freaking me out a bit bc I'm scared I'll overeat, esp bc certain foods are easier to overeat than others. The other day, I got a bag of organic Doritos and ate the whole bag throughout the day. I know I shouldn't have, but I was weak. So, has anyone experienced this? Has it affected your progress at all? Please be kind. ❤️ Thanks!

I am one year and one month post-op, and I have lost 90 pounds from my heaviest weight. I'm feeling a lot better, sleeping better, eating better, and moving more. However, since January, the scale hasn't moved at all. I spoke with my surgeon's assistant at my one year check-in, and she said I should still be losing about 3 pounds a month, albeit slowly, and to reduce my calories if I'm not meeting that goal (I eat between 1200-1500 calories a day, but usually closer to 1500). But, I've also noticed, the last few months I've been really struggling with sweet cravings. Before my surgery I'd like some sugary things every now and then, but lately I've had these really intense cravings that feel like almost every day. I try to choose fruit, or make a chocolate protein drink, but I'm more annoyed by the cravings than anything. I really wish they'd go away. I always feel awful after I eat something sugary, too, so I know it's not going to sit well in my stomach but that pang is still there. Can anyone offer advice on how to cope with this?

I have mercy insurance and it covers bariatric surgeries but only from Mercy doctors. Dr Elizabeth Ann Hooper is the only surgeon I found that does bariatric procedures but I cannot find any reviews on her. I know all the facts on her (when she graduated, where she did her residency) but no personal reviews. Any help?

Hi everyone , I am looking to start my WLS journey . I have been researching for many years and I think it's officially time for me to make a decision. I will be getting gastric sleeve done in Mexico . My whole family is against going to another country to get a surgery. I am ready looking to get mine done this august 2017 with belite weight . Can anyone give me tips or advice traveling from Florida to Mexico by my self .

I’m one week out from surgery and my husband and best friend are making menhavwbsecond thoughts. They have no idea they both agree. My husband says I’ve had enough surgeries during my lifetime from car accidents and complications post car accident. I’ve also have a history of sepsis (infection) every time I get opens up for surgery. He know what I went through with all that.ni think he’s just afraid of what could happen or me not pulling through this time ans my friend said likewise. I really and and nee this surgery but now I feel like I’m second guessing myself. My initial plan was to have the sleev but the doctor takes me into duodenal switch because it’s less likely for weight gain. I agreed but also has second thoughts about that particular lad surgery just because of all the additional nutrients you malabsorption va the other surgeries. In my head I was also think duodenal would allow me to lose weight faster than the sleeve. Then again i don’t want to loose too much I don’t want to be looking too skinny from excessive weight lost from duodenal (CW 232 GW 150-160). Although not reversible the sleeve is less invasive and not switching around parts. Then again I’ve had a gastric ballon (obera ballon) and maybe lost 10 pound at most so that was also my reasoning for wanting duodenal switch more aggressive than sleeve as to me the obera balloonMimics restriction just like sleeve but it’s temporary. As you can see I’m a week out from surgery and all over the place. HELP!!! Has anyone that is slightly obese or obese who has extremely hard time losing weight even with diet or excercise had success from the sleeve? How fast did you lose weight?

So yesterday I had to leave work early because I almost blacked out. I felt weak, faint, a little dizzy, and just plain bad. I was so afraid of going back to the hospital that I left work early and just went home to lay down. This happened after lunch and I thought it was the Soup I ate (maybe it had too much fat or oil or something) anyway I go to work today and after I came back from break I started to have the same symptoms again! I was freaking out thinking this was way serious and ended up calling on of the surgeons on call. The guy I spoke with wasn't my surgeon but I gave him a run down of everything and he said since I didn't have a fever, abdominal pain, or diarrhea it was nothing to come to the ER for. He then suggested that because this has been happening after I ate at work and then resumed standing up(for the rest of my shift) he said either my blood sugar is very low or you may be dehydrated(But he ruled out dehydration because I had gotten in all my fluids). He suggested I drink a couple of ounces of apple juice which I promptly did and I felt a little better but the symptoms returned! I drank a little more and low and behold, my symptoms were gone and I felt good as new! I really hated this happening at work though, because my boss(the assistant manager, anyway) wanted to know my business(Only my manager knew I was out for surgery). She then commented on my weight loss and asked me if I had gastric bypass! Luckily someone else was there in the room and immediately shut them down. (It's none of their business, the point was I don't feel well and I wanted to call my doctor). I was thankful for the other woman thinking it would be completely ridiculous(Word at my job spreads like wildfire, they thrive on rumors). I then gave some BS VAGUE story about my esophagus and how I can only eat certain things so as not to irritate it. After about an hour and a half I was able to resume my work shift! I have never in my life had issues with my blood sugar. I wasn't even "pre-diabetic" pre-op. So just be careful fellow sleevers!

Monday, November 3rd at 7 pm at my house in Bethlehem, GA (between Loganville and Winder) some of us will be having our first in person meet-up group. If you live in Georgia and are interested in attending this group support and you have been sleeved or are to be sleeved, please consider joining. If you are interested, please PM me your email address and how to find you on FB to add you to the group. I do not intend in any way shape form or fashion to "lead" this group, as I am a newbie myself, I am simply volunteering to facilitate this meeting since there has been an expressed interest here in the forums. My hope is that we can do this once a month (?) and that each person will bring their own questions, experiences and perspectives as we all support and lean on each other through our journeys.

My experience..... My consult appointment was yesterday. The whole staff was very friendly. I really like my Doc. My appointment didn't really go like I thought it would. I did the whole check in height weight. Found out I am 5.1/2 ft. but I actually think I'm 5ft. my hair kind of got in the way, (updo, I know stupid). I met with the nurse, we went over a couple things, the doctor came in, he asked me a lot of questions that are normally on your new patient questionnaire which I thought was weird.. Like my nationality, am I mixed, married... and so on. We didn't talk about my past weight loss attempts. What I've been doing to lose weight. Or why I gained weight over the last month. He had to of known I've been seeing my PCP since October for weight-ins. Anyone else have to fill out a questionnaire that asked you how much money you make a year? There were a few other questions I thought were strange, but I cant remember them. I also received a check list, which most of it is already done. I'm not 100% sure what supporting documentation for weight management is... another question for insurance, I guess? Anyways, the Doc then brought me and another patient in for a little slide show of bariatric surgery procedures and risks. Which went into a little more detail than what I've found online and I found it interesting. After the slide show, I went back into my exam room and had physicals. Found out my ideal weight is 109lbs, that seems impossible to me. He said "120-125lbs is good." My goal is 115lbs. He brought up my heart murmur. So, now I have to get cardiac clearance before he'll do the surgery. I forgot all about it, I was told when I was 16. But no other doctor brought it up again. Surprising, because I've has a few surgeries. And because of my heartburn I have to do an EGD, which he will perform in a couple weeks. He mentioned that my BMI is 43. I'm assuming he meant I needed to lose some weight before surgery.. but he could of also meant I needed to do the weigh management for the 3-6 months, being that my bmi isn't above 50. So I will need to clarify that with him. There was so much information thrown at me, it took me till after dinner to process it all. When I was finished up with the Doc. I met with a lady that scheduled my EGD and handed me lab papers and I have to get a chest xray. Then off to another room and met with the NUT, which ended up being a group meeting, the other patient was there again and then we met individually with the NUT. I thought the NUT would go over eating a healthy well balanced diet.. lol.. duh, no it was about getting enough Protein in. and I found that I am not . so my goal is to get my 80g of PRO and working out a little bit more. She gave me a sample of vanilla unjury, which I will be trying today. The whole process took 3hrs. And I only had to paid the NUT, which was 130$. I have dual coverage and it paid for my appointment with the doctor. Oh, I cant forget the pre op diet. Boy am I ever lucky... I get 3 meals a day 3 scoops of Unjury between meals. This plan seems easy enough and fulfilling. The plan consist of Protein, Free food & Extra Food Choices. It reminds me of the 1st stage of Atkins, with some exceptions. Unlimited FF, which is zero cal beverage, coffee, tea, raw veg, herbs and spices, vinegar, mustard, lime, lemon juice. I will be using the FF to make my own salad dressing. I need more that one serving of dressing on my salad. I can have 4 EFC (guys get 6): 1 small fresh fruit or 1/2 cup fruit, cooked Cereal, potato or rice, low carb tortilla, 1 slice whole grain bread, English muffin, sandwich/bagel thins, low cal bread, bran buds or Fiber one cereal, 1 cup v-8, tomato juice, Soup or any food or beverage that is 60-80 cal per serving. For Breakfast select 1 protein, and 2 protein for lunch. Dinner 4-6 oz very lean meat, 1-2 cups low carb veg and 1 large salad with 1 serving of salad dressing. approximate nutrition 120-150g of protein, 100g of carbs estimated 1,200-1,500 cals and 15-30g of fat. I think that is the best Pre-Op diet I've seen so far, well other than the eat what ever you want ones. I feel like the insurance coordination was not on the ball. I asked her some questions and she seemed confused and didn't know exactly what my insurance was requiring of me. Hopefully I can get a clear answer from my insurance company. I really want to know if my weight-in from Oct count or do I start from yesterday. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Hey Everyone, Just thought I would introduce myself here. I'm Pete and I am 4 years post surgery at this stage. I started off at 18 stone in 2009 and today I am 13 stone. I am within 1 stone of my goal weight but it has been a long hard road even to get this far. Since I lost the weight I got married and I have two beautiful children who are now the reason that I am going to keep the weight down thanks to the help of my band. Anyway I hope to get to know some of you over time on here and hopefully we can share experiences. Pete

Hello all! My name is Gracie, a little about myself- I am a 21 year old college student from Long Island, NY. I am 5'8" and currently 220lbs, and have not been under 200lbs since I was 14. I have tried every diet, weight loss program, pill under the sun, as have many people on here. My final goal weight would be 150 as the healthy weight range for my height is 140-160. I would think that 70lbs would qualify for the surgery. I have tried doing research online for gastric surgery for years, and have recently decided that if I were to get one, that the sleeve would be the best decision for me. My insurance is GHI (EmblemHealth) and my BMI is 33.8. I have seen the charts many times that state that the minimum BMI required for most insurances to cover is 35 (with 1 or two serious health issues). The only thing that I take medicine for is PCOS, although I do get joint pains when I try to do basic exercise or walking for a extended period of time. Is there any chance that insurance would cover, any help from someone that has had a similar experience. As I said I am still in school so my budget is not a large one, but I live in NY and that shows to be one of the more expensive states for this surgery and I would not even know where to begin but I am thinking more and more about this and want to have it taken care of so I can begin to live my life to the fullest. That is my rant! Any information would help more than you know. I will attache a picture so you can get an idea of my body type! Please keep in mind that they do no justice for my size.

I am just in the stage of looking into bariatric surgery. I want the sleeve because I understand that I will still be able to take Celebrex after surgery. I also have a friend whose son and daughter-in-law have had the sleeve and are very pleased. My insurance pays for some bariatric surgery but not the sleeve. I live in the Lee's Summit, MO area so I will have to travel some no matter where I choose to have surgery. ONe nice thing about being self-pay is that I can go anywhere. I'm very interested in hearing people's experiences, what they think of their doctor and also, how long did it take you to get scheduled for surgery. Any info appreciated. I look forward to learning a lot on this site. The seminars are helpful but I want to hear from those who have ecperienced it! Thanks. Jean

Hello to All, Im a local guy looking to meet whenever whether its the gym, to chat about different topics, or offer support to other newbies like me. I thought I'd post because the people at the support groups I go to seem to stick to their generation more than younger ones. That is not a knock on any mature sleevers just an observation. Thanks and have a great day.

Hello everyone!! As like some of you I am just beginning my weight loss journey! I'm super excited but nervous at the same time. My first appointment was in February where I met with the wonderful Dr. Zarif, and met my nutritionist Amy. Amy and I set some goals for me this month and I am excited to see her again. I have to wait 6-7 months before I am able to get the surgery because of insurance. I have started a gym membership and have begun to work out. I am super pumped for this. Anyone have any advice before or after surgery that can help calm down my nerves? Congrats to you all!

Have any of you gotten your surgery done at NMCSD? If so can you tell me what are the requirements. I'm enrolled in the class, and have an appointment for the introduction class for bariatric surgery and have been seeing a nutrionist at NMCSD for 3 months. I want to make sure I am prepared. Thank you!

Hey there, I have been tirelessly searching about having the gastric sleeve done. I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on it for me. The good the bad the ugly. Anything. Also, while I make decent money and have great insurance, my insurance is notorious for not accepting this procedure so I’m seriously contemplating going to Mexico. Other than being obese, I am otherwise healthy. So if anyone wants to stop by, say hey, leave advise, I would be grearful! Thanks in advance. Courtnie ♥️

Hell there, just wanted to share my experience. I am now in my second week post gastric sleeve surgery. I stared my weight loss on January 17, had surgery on February 5, 2018. Here's my observations about my body & mind so far: 1. My starting weight was 343 lbs (I am 6ft 3ins tall). Had surgery on February 5th, 2018 at Forest Hills Hospital, NY c/o Dr Alison Barrett (Great doctor by the way!). 2. Day of surgery I weighed 325 lbs. 3. The first two to three days were uncomfortable, without too much actual pain. Stayed overnight in hospital, rereleased end of 2nd day. Had a-slight spleen bled which doctor took care of. Had to crush my regular meds for the first two weeks. 4. Once I had started the pre diet, I went out and bought my self a 3 tier steamer, and steamed fish and loads of veggies. This really made a difference leading up to the two week official pre-op diet. Best purchase ever! Love the way food tastes. Yes, you actually taste things better when they are steamed. 5. I did all my 2nd stage food prep using a blender, mixing proteins and steamed veggies then sealing them in small plastic containers before freezing them. Being prepared ahead saves you being stressed. 6. Once I started the diet, my mind & my body started to feel lighter. I really noticed the difference. I was determined to do this, and had nerves all the way until I was on the OR table. I was not going to let myself down by backing out. I stayed focused and remained resolute in my head. I had others around me who would question if I was doing the right thing, but I had to shut them out, and only listen to my determination talking. 7. I am about to go to stage 3 pureed food, but have already been able to tolerate some of the already prepped food. So I am sure I will be fine when I make the switch. 8. For the first time in my life, I now pay attention to food, I mean really pay attention. I check whats in it, how many carbs, how much protein. I feel that I have a stake in my body, and am no longer controlled by my out of control binging. 9. I don't feel hungry. I don't feel obliged to stuff my face, for the first time. I actually care about the success of this process. 10. I wish I had done this a lot earlier (I am 57 years old) 11. I feel lighter in my mind & body. I am able to move around better, I am able to bend over and pick things up. I can feel the weight going. ITs the little things you notices, like on your love handles, or your belly shrinking, or you legs getting thinner. As of today I weigh in at 308 lbs 12. I made sure I read as much as I can and talked to others who've had the surgery. I built up my knowledge base. There's some great You Tube videos out there. They help. 13. I decided to just let the process move forward. I have stopped checking my weight every day, and now only do it once a week. I prevent myself from getting disappointed if I plateau, and we all do, so expect it, but don't panic, just stay focused and follow the new rules of eating. 14. I started to research health clubs & swimming pools. Water Aerobics appeals to me, with bikes and stuff at a gym to follow. I am going to pace myself. 15. My dog is now very happy with me, as I am now able to walk her twice a-day for at least an hour, and not be out of breath. I actually enjoy doing different routes each, taking on board any roads that have an incline. I have a lot more energy. 11. My type 2 diabetes has improved significantly almost from day 1 after surgery. My numbers are down to the 80's & 90's with the highest being in the low 100's. What food you put in really does make a difference too. 12. My clothes are now feeling a lot looser. Belt size has gone down a lot. So finally, I'd say I am on the right track. To those waiting for surgery, stay calm, stay focused, don't be put off by those around you. We all have enables in same shape or fashion. To get this far it has taken a lot of courage and grit. You are doing the right thing. You are helping you, add value and years to your own life, as well as those aorund you. Be brave and stay strong. Be prepared, plan ahead and Dream Positive Dreams. Peace, Love & Light.