VV2010

I was sleeved 4/3/10 by Dr. Alvarez. The first few weeks were definitely tough but now that I am 5 weeks out life has really improved! Being able to eat a variety of foods (in small portions of course) makes me very happy. My doctor was very conservative as far as post-op diet and now I understand why. Slowly, but surely, I am able to introduce new foods. I am exercising more and have started to feel SO much better! YAY FOR APRIL SLEEVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:

So happy to hear that you sis is doing well. Sending prayers to you both:) VV2010

Goodlife - Can't figure out how any of those things is going to help me nutritionally....so I'm just kinda confused in general. Try greek yogurt - it's a different taste but you might like it. It has ALOT of Protein - it's the one thing out of those you listed where you can get a significant amount of protein. I'm hooked now, but it took awhile - I like Chobani and Oikos - lots of good flavors:) VV2010

I am from GA and I had the sleeve at the beginning of April - I'm definitely interested!:thumbup:

Yay Angie - It's finally your turn!!! Best of luck to you:) VV2010

? When people ask how I?m doing, I have been very honest. This is week 5 without real food for me. I am having a VERY HARD TIME! ? I was so thrilled to get to have some soup in the blender on the first day. Now, I am just plain sick of it! I am really craving real food that I can chew. ? Because I?m not letting myself be around people that are eating real food (like in the teacher?s lounge at work), I think when I hear about food I get completely fixated. (ex. Can?t stop thinking about Wannalise?s post saying her friends ate burgers and nachos! I know this is way more mental to me - but it is really hard!) ? My stomache has started to make some funny noises at random times ? this is a little embarrassing. ? I feel better. My clothes actually fit. Before the surgery I was almost ready to pop out of them. ? Keeping track of fluids is essential for 2 reasons. First of all, I need to space them out throughout the day since I can?t chug them. Second, I have found myself getting so busy at work that I forget to grab my water bottle sometimes. ? I was in the car mid week and sneezed. I reached for a napkin from my glove compartment. This is typically where I stock napkins that I have picked up from various fast food places. THERE WERE NONE LEFT!!!! This was such a turning point because I guess I haven?t been to a fast food place since the beginning of March and I ran out. Very cool, but caught me completely off guard! ? Wednesday was the start of my emotional rollercoaster that lasted the rest of the week. I was not super positive like last week. I was angry, depressed, and resentful since I couldn?t eat like everyone else, and had very little energy. ? I have a friend who is going to be a therapist and gives good advice. She had gastric bypass years ago so she?s been there. When I was at the end of my rope this week, I called her. I explained to her one situation when I had to sit next to an open bag of steaming popcorn and a bunch of chocolate during a planning meeting after school one day. Her advice to me was to say to myself, ?That was really hard, but that hour is now over. Next time it will be just a little bit easier.? I have tried this several times this week and it has definitely helped. ? Pre-op Diet 3 weeks - 20 lbs. ? Week 1 sleeved - 8 lbs. ? Week 2 sleeved ? 2 lbs. (Even though I put the scale away at the end of last week, I took it out halfway through and weighed myself. My small loss made me really mad! I think since I ?feel? like my body is living off almost nothing that I just deserve to lose lots each week. This is one of the many reasons why I need to start seeing a therapist through this process. I am going to talk to my doctor about it next week at my appointment.)

Loser, Lots of good wishes are being sent your way! :redface1: Feel better soon:) VV2010

? Many people from the forum told me to focus on non-scale related victories. I tried to think about this a lot this week. I have found several: my belt is now in the 3rd hole instead of the 1st; the constant aches and pains that I use to experience in the morning when I first got out of bed are gone; and my butt seems to be slowly but surely ?falling off? ? haha☺ I can tell by the way my pants are fitting!:sad0: ? I have a little bit more energy this week. I am trying to go walking as soon as I get home from work so that I don?t just collapse on the couch. This is working well for me physically and mentally. ? I am definitely feeling better about myself. Instead of ?looking past? myself when I look in the mirror, I actually like the changes that I am seeing. ? I researched and found a WLS support group nearby that I am going to try next week. I am looking forward to this. ? The trigger food issues that I had before being sleeved are still a problem. I got so excited about being able to eat macaroni and cheese this week that I overate. This resulted in several hours of a really uncomfortable, disgusting feeling. I knew I was full, but I just kept eating. Later in the week, I made sure to portion out my serving, which helped tremendously. I keep saying to myself, ?The sleeve is a tool, and you have to know how to use tools. It is not a magic fix!? ? After taking some advice from people last week, I made sure to involve myself more in social situations where food is present. I went prepared with the things that I can have. This has done wonders for my attitude and I now feel less isolated. Because I did this several times this week, amazingly enough it did get a little bit easier each time. ? Pre-op Diet 3 weeks - 20 lbs. ? Week 1 sleeved - 8 lbs. ? Week 2 sleeved ? 2 lbs. ? Week 3 sleeved ? 4lbs.

Hi everyone - I can't thank you all enough for the support! :thumbup:I have tried out a few of the tips and I have a much better attitude this week - MUCH! I have eaten lunch with co-workers this week which has done wonders for my attitude (even though none of them know about my VSG). I've also thought alot about the one day at a time comment.......they used to talk about that in Weight Watchers all the time and it is so important. Thanks for all the good reminders. I love all the support on this board. I hope everyone here is having a great week:) VV2010

Beth - Best of luck to you! You must've done your research and know this is right for you which is why you are so calm. That's great! Here's to a smooth surgery - update us when you can:) VV2010

Good for you! You must be thrilled:)

Sounds like you are doing really well Frankie! Congrats:):thumbup1:

Thanks to everyone for your support. I really do appreciate it. I got several good tips that I am going to try out this week so thanks for understanding. Here's to a much better week! VV2010

Well first of all I'm sorry that I passed my fixations on to you! The truth is though each time you conquer you get a little stronger mentally. Do your best not to make this a situation that isolates you. Easier said than done I know, where there are people there will be food, but show up armed, with your trusty Water bottle, or your Protein shake, and be involved. WANNALISE - YOU ARE SO RIGHT! I DID TOTALLY ISOLATE MYSELF THIS WEEK AND I GUESS I AM JUST PROLONGING DEALING WITH THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS. THANK SO MUCH FOR YOUR POST - YOU GAVE ME A LOT TO THINK ABOUT! I APPRECIATE IT!:wink0:

? The more I walk, the better I feel. ? That tight feeling finally goes away after the first few days. ? I can sip more than 2 small sips now ? ahhhhh!:thumbup: ? Knowing that I WILL be successful with the sleeve gives me a whole new perspective on following the post-op diet.:biggrin2: ? Going through this with my best friend was one of the best decisions I have ever made!:cool0: ? My sleeve works ? I actually felt REALLY FULL today! I am still shocked!:lol0: ? Sleeping is getting better each night. I am not waking up as much as I did the first few days. ? I am really learning what head hunger is??walking around and seeing people eat whatever they want is very difficult. I think this will be a big challenge for me in my journey. ? I am very conscious about everything that I am putting into my body?..this is very different from the ?grazing? I did before the sleeve. ? I am slowly realizing that my doctor had very good reasons for everything he required?.pre-op diet, post-op diet, medicines, etc? I am glad I went with a surgeon who was very detailed about each step of the journey. ? I am eating to live now, not living to eat. How many times have we all heard this? I can?t believe this is me now! ? I am obsessed with the scale. I am putting it away today and will only weigh once a week from now on. ? My friends and family that know about me going to Mexico are just plain happy that I am alive. I don?t think they will ever understand just how well we were taken care of. ? Thank you everyone for the posts you make to this forum ? it is a wealth of information that I go to daily for answers and support! ? Pre-op Diet 3 weeks - 20 lbs. ? Week 1 sleeved - 8 lbs.

Stacey - I am thrilled for you! I know when I had my appt with my PCP to tell her and got a positive reaction my whole world seemed brighter! To know that you have that support is great. Congrats!:wink0: VV2010