M2G

Definitely do not use an orange as a 'capacity' test. And definitely DO NOT EAT MORE just because you can. The size of the bougie is really just a measuring device, and as someone else said anything less than 40 should be fine with restriction. But definitely to not get hung up on the bougie number!
Measure everthing! Do not just eyeball it...you are retraining your brain to recognize an appropriate sleever amount. Use a good food scale or measuring cup or some way of measuring your food.< /p>
If you follow the rule of Protein first I'm guessing you won't have room for an entire orange after 2 or 3oz of dense Protein.< /p>

Congrats on your loss! I still maintain that having NO HUNGER has 100% made this journey easier...who would have ever thought we could go from thinking about food constantly to feeding our bodies because it is necessary. :lightbulb:

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html
It's like a back-to-basics plan designed for RNYers but it works for sleeve as well (we just don't call it a "pouch") It's going back to where you were right after surgery, starting with liquids and moving through the steps, but condensed into 5 days.
Sugar = crack.
I am fortunate to be a person who can have a little bit and NOT overdo it, but the more I eat the more I want for sure. So I do have to be careful about the little "bits" of sugar that enter my mouth. Maybe try giving up the coffee and see if it helps. If you can have surgery and lose over 130lbs, then you can elimiate coffee for a few days and see how you feel. YOU CAN DO THIS! Hang in there!

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html
It's like a back-to-basics plan designed for RNYers but it works for sleeve as well (we just don't call it a "pouch") It's going back to where you were right after surgery, starting with liquids and moving through the steps, but condensed into 5 days.
Sugar = crack.
I am fortunate to be a person who can have a little bit and NOT overdo it, but the more I eat the more I want for sure. So I do have to be careful about the little "bits" of sugar that enter my mouth. Maybe try giving up the coffee and see if it helps. If you can have surgery and lose over 130lbs, then you can elimiate coffee for a few days and see how you feel. YOU CAN DO THIS! Hang in there!

Those are some VERY TRUE WORDS right there! YOU are doing fantastic and you are sooooooo right about the attitude. Makes a world of difference and you are living proof my friend! I am so happy for you, you are totally rocking that new body...you've earned every inch of it. Thanks as always for sharing your journey with us.

Beautiful!!! You look so fabulous and petite!!!
Slow and steady is the name of our game! Love ya Coops!

Wow. Double wow.
That just rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are sleeving supa star...congrats! What an incredible milestone!!!!!!! :first:

Wow, you look amazing!!!! What a transformation!
How long did it take you to lose the 55lbs pre-op and what plan did you follow? I really wish I could hit the rewind button and lose pre-op...sigh! Cest la vie...
Please keep us posted on maintenance and how it goes for you. To me maintenance still seems so far off and still so scary. I'm sure you will do GREAT with it!!!

Great topic of discussion! I have a box on the lower right hand corner of my blog with all the work I've done pre- and post-op
I started with a phone call to my insurance in April 2010. I had my surgery in Oct. 2010 because I had to complete 6 months of required weigh-ins with a dr., nurse or registered dietican. I did all my weigh-ins with the NUT at my surgeon's office so they could provide detailed notes to my insurance case and nurse case manager.
Here is what my timeline looked like (hope this helps!):
Call Insurance - Check! -April 2010
Case Manager's Call - Check!
Nurse's Call - Check!
Meet Nutritionist for every month
for 6 consecutive months - Check!
Attend Seminar - Check!
Meet with Surgeon - Check!
Meet with PCP - Check!
Blood Work/Labs - Check!
Pulmonary Test - Check!
Psych. Eval. - Check!
Attend Nutrition Class - Check!
All paperwork submitted
to insurance - Check!
Pre-Op Surgeon Meeting - Check!
Pre-Admission Testing - Check!
Surgery - 10/22/10 - Check!
1 Week Post-Op Nutrition - Check!
1 Week Surgeon - Check!
3 Week Post-Op Nutrition - Check!
3 Week Surgeon - Check!
6 Week Post-Op Nutrition - Check!
6 Week Surgeon - Check!
3 Month Surgeon - Check!
6 Month PCP Visit & Labs - Check!
6 Month Surgeon - Check!
9 Month Surgeon - Check!
1 Year Post-Op with Surgeon & Labs - Check!
12 Physical Support Groups - Check!
Too Many Hours to Count at
Online Support Groups!!

Sophia, only YOU could wear a big red crayon and make it look absolutely adorable!!! SO CUTE!!!
Even in your before photo you were beautiful (I know what you mean about feeling sad when looking at it...we are harshest on ourselves) but truly you are a beautiful woman!

WOW! Are you sure it's the SAME person wearing that shirt?
You look AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Well, it's been a year. I can't believe it's been a year. I will say that the year AFTER being sleeved went SO MUCH FASTER than the 7 months that I had wait while, jumping through insurance requirements to HAVE the sleeve. All that time waiting and dreaming and hoping that this would finally be the tool that I need to lose weight AND keep it off.
If you are pre-surgery, know this:
The sleeve has been everything that it promises. I never in my LIFE would have been satisfied with eating such small portions. To try and diet like this without the reinforcement of a surgically-induced smaller stomach would just be pure torture. I'm also a lucky sleever who never experiences true hunger. I never had to take a PPI and that did not change after surgery. I have never once vomitted my food back up (my advice is to always underfill your sleeve!) not even when I was still recovering from anethesia. I generally do not have any food that disagrees with me, but I do eat a pretty clean diet. I can tolerate bread, Pasta, rice & potatoes but really limit these foods because more carbs for me = less weight lost.
By eating about 5-6 small meals a day consisting mainly of Protein, I can easily accomplish 90-100g of protein daily (no shakes and no bars...I do have them on occassion but then it usually bumps me to 120+g of protein). I drink about 80-100oz of Water daily and take all my recommended Vitamins. I follow the rule of protein first, anything else will have to fit after I've had my protein. Most of my meal sizes are still between 3-5oz. I rarely go over 5oz at one meal. I also exercise almost every single day and sometimes twice a day. YEP! I do Cuves 5x a week, my treadmill/weight workout 3 times a week, exercise classes at my local rec center that are 1 hour long and range from high intensity classes where I'm sore the next day to low impact classes like water aerobics. I also ride my bike on occassion and walk whenever I get a chance.
I feel 10 years younger and my only regret is that I didn't do this surgery sooner. But I choose to live my life with no regrets, so honestly I can say that if I had this surgery 20 years ago, I'm not sure that I would have appreciated how good it feels to finally be free from the obesity monster. I'm done having kids (and have the stretch marks to prove it) and I can truly say that having this surgery was at the right time/place in my life for such a monumental change. Also my husband decided to be sleeved and he is 7 months post-op, and has lost over -60lbs. We are both committed to a longer, healthier, and happier life.
All I have left of the years of being morbidly obese are the photos. So with that, enjoy my comparisons...don't forget I'm not done or at goal yet...I plan to be here in another year saying that I'm AT GOAL and living life to the fullest in my new body!
     

Well, it's been a year. I can't believe it's been a year. I will say that the year AFTER being sleeved went SO MUCH FASTER than the 7 months that I had wait while, jumping through insurance requirements to HAVE the sleeve. All that time waiting and dreaming and hoping that this would finally be the tool that I need to lose weight AND keep it off.
If you are pre-surgery, know this:
The sleeve has been everything that it promises. I never in my LIFE would have been satisfied with eating such small portions. To try and diet like this without the reinforcement of a surgically-induced smaller stomach would just be pure torture. I'm also a lucky sleever who never experiences true hunger. I never had to take a PPI and that did not change after surgery. I have never once vomitted my food back up (my advice is to always underfill your sleeve!) not even when I was still recovering from anethesia. I generally do not have any food that disagrees with me, but I do eat a pretty clean diet. I can tolerate bread, Pasta, rice & potatoes but really limit these foods because more carbs for me = less weight lost.
By eating about 5-6 small meals a day consisting mainly of Protein, I can easily accomplish 90-100g of protein daily (no shakes and no bars...I do have them on occassion but then it usually bumps me to 120+g of protein). I drink about 80-100oz of Water daily and take all my recommended Vitamins. I follow the rule of protein first, anything else will have to fit after I've had my protein. Most of my meal sizes are still between 3-5oz. I rarely go over 5oz at one meal. I also exercise almost every single day and sometimes twice a day. YEP! I do Cuves 5x a week, my treadmill/weight workout 3 times a week, exercise classes at my local rec center that are 1 hour long and range from high intensity classes where I'm sore the next day to low impact classes like water aerobics. I also ride my bike on occassion and walk whenever I get a chance.
I feel 10 years younger and my only regret is that I didn't do this surgery sooner. But I choose to live my life with no regrets, so honestly I can say that if I had this surgery 20 years ago, I'm not sure that I would have appreciated how good it feels to finally be free from the obesity monster. I'm done having kids (and have the stretch marks to prove it) and I can truly say that having this surgery was at the right time/place in my life for such a monumental change. Also my husband decided to be sleeved and he is 7 months post-op, and has lost over -60lbs. We are both committed to a longer, healthier, and happier life.
All I have left of the years of being morbidly obese are the photos. So with that, enjoy my comparisons...don't forget I'm not done or at goal yet...I plan to be here in another year saying that I'm AT GOAL and living life to the fullest in my new body!
     

I can completely relate, except I've given up on being "stressed" about it. Would I love to be at goal? SURE! Heck would I love to be 'further' along? You bet! But this is a process, and our tool is our forever tool, so even if it takes us longer (I'm only ONE month away from my 1 year anniversary) I still plan on getting to goal.
I know it's hard when people on here race to goal in 6, 9, 12 months, but that isn't my story...it's theirs. And I'm finally at a point where I am HAPPY with what I see in the mirror! Yes, of course I stil have weight to lose, but I'm not ever going to shop in the plus sizes again, my weight begins with the number ONE, my loose skin is not an issue at this point, so I've decided to relax and enjoy the ride. I am shopping at thrift stores and Goodwill right now because in one more year I do plan on reaching goal, so I can still shop and not feel guilty about buying something that probably won't fit me this time next year.
This is our forever tool. There is no expiration date, no end of the line just because we have a 1 year surgiversary. I know everyone talks about the honeymoon period and honestly I think my honeymoon period was 3 months long...my 4th month post-op I lost exactly 2 lbs. And in months 8 and 9 I lost nothing. And I didn't do anything different during those slow or non-existent loss periods than I did when I was losing a few lbs a week. So my body just isn't going to put up big numbers each week and I'm finally okay with that.
You are doing fine, keep working your sleeve and eventually the weight will keep coming off!

Ditto to Diva...I always took the time to dress nice, accessorize, and use makeup (not a ton) but my style has always been classic casual, and I really don't see that changing much. It's annoying b/c I find myself drawn to the same type of classic clothing and essentially re-buying what I normally wear ...BUT in a smaller size (that part isn't annoying at ALL!) I will tell you at first shopping in the ladies dept. vs WOMANS WORLD or PLUS SIZE is a whole different animal b/c there are SO many choices...it's almost overwhelming after being relagated to a boxing ring size of the store. But now that I've been in regular size for the last 6 months or so, I finally don't feel like an "imposter" when I wander in there (I felt VERY out of place when I first started shopping in regular land...)
Another big bonus is that I can essentially shop at Goodwill or other type thrift store and the selection is great in the size that I'm at...no more do I just have to look for the biggest size and be happy with what I can scrape up. I can enjoy shopping and I'm so happy at what I see in the mirror!!

1 year later...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I was looking to join this community I started with YOUR posts about your journey to Dr. Aceves, and I've been cheering you on ever since. You look beautiful and I'm SO happy for you!
Here you go:
:bananahuge:

Hey Kristina, I don't have a way to allow you view my food logs, but I can copy and paste a sample so that you have an idea. The best guide that I can give regarding food and amounts, etc. is to always underfill your sleeve. I am 9 months out and still eat between 3-4oz at every meal. I'm sure capacity-wise, my sleeve could probably handle 6-8oz but since I experience zero hunger, AND I don't like feeling overfull, I tend to eat on the lower side (quantity-wise) of things.
Here is a typical example of one of my days meals. As a general rule (thanks to the advice of many VST members!!!) I try to keep my calories between 900-1200, Protein 80g, and carbs I do best keeping mine under 30g. Everything varies from person to person and of course I am NOT a doctor, so this is just what works for me. Here is a typical day for me: (the number after indicates the number of CALORIES in each item of food depending on what QUANTITY I eat <the quantity did not carry over when I did the copy and paste> and for this particular day my Protein was 89g and my carbs were 26g ...calories are listed at the end)
Breakfast 341
coffee Decaf - Hot beverages 23
Traditional Half and Half - Land O Lakes 89
Egg, Whole - Cooked, Scrambled 102
Egg Beaters 19
Real Bacon Bits 49
Cheddar Shredded cheese 59
lunch 161
Black Forest Ham - Deli meats 49
Smoked Sliced Deli Turkey - Hormel Natural Choice 33
Cheddar Shredded cheese 79
dinner 300
1/2 Chipotle chicken Bowl no rice no salsa 265
Strawberries 2
Almonds, Dry Roasted - With Salt Added 33
snack 141
Kirkland Albacore tuna 78
FAGE Total 2% 7
Light Sour Cream 7
Crackers Whole Wheat 14
Original Creamy Swiss 7
FAGE Total 2% 28
TOTAL 942
I hope this helps!
Thank you to everyone who has made a comment and been so supportive! It is so nice to come here and be able to share, because you guys all "get it"!

That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you!
This is something of a harsh reality, but right now your pre- and post-op days are going to need to be incredibly selfish, it is time to put yourself first and concentrate on doing what you need to do in order to have a wonderful surgery and healing time. You just don't have room to deal with your mother and her lack of concern for your wellbeing right now, so let this go, rejoice that your hubby is coming home and focus on yourself. Later when you are healed and recovered maybe you can revisit this and sit down and explain to her how you felt.
Good luck with your upcoming surgery!!!

Okay the actual "comment" was really not that awful or harming, but it was just a reminder for me.
A man who has children at the same school my girls go to was walking by a few weeks ago and I hadn't seen him for a while. Just out of the blue he says "wow, looks like you have lost a lot of weight" and I mumbled a thank you and ended the conversation.
Most people would just consider this a compliment and move on. But the part that was a reminder to me, the slap in the face, that I took away from the comment was just the general fact that we cannot hide our obesity. I happen to know that this man is struggling with alcoholism right now, to the point that his wife asked him to move out and get treatment. I heard this from a 3rd party as I am not super close friends with this family. So his comment to ME, was akin to me walking by him and saying "looks like you been laying off the bottle!"
Of course I would NEVER say that to anyone, even if I did know that they were struggling with a problem. So why do people feel the need to comment on our weight loss, our body shape, etc. It's all visible, no hiding, you can't mask obesity like you can with other addictions, behaviors, or problems. Most of the issues that people have in their lives can be behind closed doors, where obesity is just screaming from your body everywhere you go, everything you do, etc.
I hope this makes sense.

That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you!
This is something of a harsh reality, but right now your pre- and post-op days are going to need to be incredibly selfish, it is time to put yourself first and concentrate on doing what you need to do in order to have a wonderful surgery and healing time. You just don't have room to deal with your mother and her lack of concern for your wellbeing right now, so let this go, rejoice that your hubby is coming home and focus on yourself. Later when you are healed and recovered maybe you can revisit this and sit down and explain to her how you felt.
Good luck with your upcoming surgery!!!

I agree with the other ladies, THAT is awesome! :bounce:

As I have often said, the Before/During/After photos were something I could not get enough of when I was learning, researching and contemplating the sleeve.
Now I'm 7 months post-op and have lost -65lbs. I have declared myself a slow loser, but in all honesty it doesn't matter. I'm losing weight!!! How can anyone argue with that logic? I have only lost -10lbs since my 5 month post-op so that averages out to about -5lbs a month. I definitely *wish* it was more, but I am being patient and working my sleeve and I will continue to work towards goal.
As for the sleeve, I truly have not regretted anything about my decision to sleeve. It has been the best decision I have made and the best thing I have ever done for myself. It is right up there with my wedding day, births of my children, HS and college graduation, and every other major milestone you can think of. I wouldn't change a minute of being sleeved as I love my life!!!
The photo on the left was March 2010 and the photo on the right was actually at my 6 month post-op and I've lost about 5lbs since then, but it's still pretty accurate.

I agree with ilegal!
Everyone has fear, the whatifs, the unknown, and this is major surgery, not just a cosmetic touch-up. It is very hard to admit that we need help, and that we can't do it with diet and exercise alone (as just about every doctor or nutritionist will tell you, eat less, move more = lose weight.) Aaaah, if it were only that simple. This is a HUGE committment, you can't decide later that you wish you hadn't been sleeved. You cannot turn back the clock and you must learn to live within the limits that your tool provides you. It is scary and deserves a lot of thinking before jumping in.

That being said I would not change a single second of my pre-op, surgery, or post-op. I was mentally ready for the challenges of dealing with food in a different way, and I am thrilled with my results. As I tell everyone I was not sick before (no co-morbidities, I exercised regularly for the last 7 years, obesity was the only ding in my health record and I've been obese or morbidly so (BMI = 44) for about 2 decades. I had tried numerous diets to find that I could lose the weight but not keep it off. I tried crazy liquid diets, zero carb/zero sugar diets, prescription pills (Meridia), and the "healthy" way of dieting, WW, South Beach, Fat Burning Ratio diet, you name it I've done it. For the first time in my life I feel like a have a FOREVER tool that will always help me control my portions. I LOVE eating small portions and being satisfied with LESS food. Love it. It is so freeing. The hard part is I still have to decide what goes in my mouth. Will it be grilled chicken or chocolate? I decide. I choose to make wise choices because otherwise I did the surgery for nothing. I will succeed with this tool and I will not fail.
Do your research!!! So really it is not your family's decision, or your husbands, or your parents or siblings or friends. That is great that they all love you enough to tell you what they think. But in the end this is YOUR life, YOUR body and YOUR decision.

Best of luck in making your decision!

Sarah, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS for 1) making the century club 2) reaching the 6 month milesone 3) having perfect lab work!!! You have acheived so much!!!

Now it's time to get your head screwed on straight. You are over halfway to goal. You need to sit down and have a little chat with yourself about where you have come from and where you want to be. You know this takes hard work, dedication, effort and yes a fair amount of willpower. The first couple of months is when the weight is dropping faster than you can blink, you know that goes away and it only gets harder the further you get from your surgery date and closer you get to goal. Make the most of this time. I think maybe you should try the 5 day pouch test (google that, can't remember if it is 5 or five) where you basically revert back to your immediate post-op plan. You do liquids for a day or two, then add back in mushies and finally solids. It can clear your system of the carb monster and reorient your thinking. I have not done a full pouch test, but I have done a day of liquids when I think that I'm feeling true hunger, and every single time I've done it (2 times since surgery) I am reminded that NO, I'm not feeling true hunger, because if I can survive a day of liquids and not feel hunger pangs, then what I was feeling was just the WANT to eat more, not the true NEED to eat more.
You know I am here for you anytime...YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

So I finally reached the -50lb milestone. YAY!
And thought I should post some pictures. I know the before/during/after photos are something that helped me when I was considering WLS. I am currently 4.5 months post-op and sometimes I come here and feel like a slow loser, and then reality smacks me and I realize that I'm doing fantastic. Never before have I lost this amount of weight in such a short amount of time. All of my weight loss has been post-op because my surgeon didn't require a pre-op diet.
I can't get over how losing a significant amount of weight has made me feel. I didn't feel sick before, but now I just feel amazing. Anyone who doesn't think that -50lbs is a large amount, really needs to photo-document their journey. I can't believe how much of a difference -50lbs has made for me. And I'm not even halfway to goal yet!