9 Weeks Out -- All the Little Things...

[familyguy 147]

While the old me is still fresh in mind, I thought I'd share a list of all the little things (mostly good, a couple challenging) that make getting sleeved an unbelievable experience.

First the good (really great):

• The numbers: I weighed 256 pounds when I decided to get sleeved (all time high was 272). Surgery weight (Nov 25th 2013) was 246. Today, I weighed in at 212.
• Eating: It's REALLY nice not obsessing about food. I used to wake up every morning praying that I wouldn’t overeat and then go to sleep most nights regretting what I ate. At buffets, I’d worry about how many plates I was consuming. At family style dinners, I’d worry about how big my helpings were and if I’d go for seconds. When I did manage to eat a healthy properly portioned meal, I felt completely unsatisfied. It’s been 9 weeks since surgery and I don’t believe I’ve been hungry once – seriously. Instead of lusting after food, I mostly concern myself with the Protein content and how hard it might be to digest. The food addiction is over and I feel like the monkey that’s been on my back for 39 years is gone.
• Clothing: My waist size went from 42 to comfortable 36. I went from 2XL to large for shirts. Over the last few months every week, I went through my closet and pulled out the clothes that were too big. I wouldn't have done this on a regular diet fearing that in a subsequent weight gain, I'd need them. I've pretty much exhausted my existing "skinny clothes" and am having to buy transition clothes -- I'm sticking to cheaper stuff for now. Clothes "fit" so much better now. It's not just the waist -- it's the thighs, butt, crotch, etc. I didn't realize how badly clothes fit when you have to start with something that fits a 42 waist. Lastly, at a size 36 I can shop at any store I want, which was not in the cards previously.
• Travel: I travel a lot for work. Sitting in an airline seat is soooo much easier now. I used to feel like they were oppressively small torture devices. Not saying I want one for my home recliner -- but I no longer dread stuffing myself into one.
• Sleeping: I used to sleep horribly, frequently waking up with headaches, and was in the process of getting used to a CPAP machine. I sleep great now with no CPAP. No more headaches either. That means I’m not tired all day and don’t have to drink 12 cups of coffee and 6 Advil’s just to function. This is probably the single best benefit so far.
• Comfort in my skin: Just about every activity -- walking, sitting, crossing my legs, standing, exercising, sex, drying off after a shower, going up stairs, getting dressed – is easier and more comfortable now. I really didn’t realize how taxing some of these things were prior to surgery. Every one of these things is easier (by a lot) now.

Now for the challenges:

• Eating: It’s taking me a while to learn how to eat slowly. I’ve found that speed of eating has the highest correlation to digestibility and comfort, even more than type of food. Like a lot of obese people, I used to cram food down really quickly. That doesn’t work with the sleeve and is a habit that has to be broken.
• Social stuff: I haven’t told anyone but my wife a few family members about my surgery. I used to be the guy that everyone wanted to dine out with for food extravaganzas. This change has been manageable but definitely takes effort. I still go out a lot and most people are so busy shoveling food in their mouth, they barely notice what I eat. Other times, I use the “I had a late lunch/dinner” excuse as to why I’m eating like a bird. Since I’ve chosen to keep the surgery to myself, this is just a new reality.

As you can tell from the above, I’m really happy with the surgery and only regret not having done it sooner. Would love to hear other peoples revelations good and otherwise, post-surgery.

[BellaHugz 331]

Great post, good insights, congratulations on managing your food on a social level too.

[BladeFox 235]

Congratulations on your success! I think I'm gonna use the 'I ate a late lunch/dinner' thing when I have my surgery. Great tip.

[hatters 47]

WOW it sounds like you an I are on the same page. You said that at family style dinners you would worry about how big your helpings were, I on the other hand worried about everyone else. I use to be so afraid that there wasnt going to be enough food, that i would hoard it. i actually had a small panic attack before the surgery thinking about how a 1/4 cup of food for a meal is not enough. I am also 9 weeks out and I havent been hungery (except for a few days on week 2). I wouldnt go as far and say my food addiction is gone but I havent had a panic attack over food since surgery (which did happen weekly for me).

As far as clothes, I actually cringe alittle thinking how I must of looked in my clothes before surgery. I say that because I am wearing everything I did before (except I went down 1 pants size) and they still fit. I shouldnt say still fit I should say that actually fit.(haha). I currenty live 11 hours from home and I stopped flying home and starting driving. I told my family its b/c I enjoy it but the truth is I hate how I felt in those small seats and little belts and I felt alittle sorry for the poor guy next to me. But 2 wks ago I went on vacation and I had space. It felt so good.

I my challenges right now are not only to eat slowly but not to drink and eat. I never thought that would be so hard but it is for me. I too havent told anyone but my mother and father and I thought it was going to be hard to hide it but like you said people are more worried about what they are putting in there mouth.