mnbsleeve

A very good friend and I were in a local mall and she was asking me what size I wore and I told her I really wasn't sure since I had no time to even try on clothes recently. We were just outside The 'PINK' section of Victoria's Secret and she looks around and pointed to the 'PINK' sweatshirts (if you aren't familiar Victoria Secret has a line of sweatshirts/tshirts/sleeper shorts, etc. Called PINK.) and she said "you can wear that in a large". I was just kinda laughing inside - she is super encouraging, and I just thought she was being pleasant. But then she takes me by the elbow, walks me over, gets a lime green 'think PINK' sweatshirt and says "go put this on". Not try it on or see how far, but a straight command to put it on. AWKWARD. I was just hoping she would not be embarassed when it did not fit...but it did.
I just stood there and looked and was like "what???". Then it sunk in, OMG I am wearing a LARGE from Victoria's Seceret...BALLS! lol.
I walked out and I wasn't a big girl in a big size, or a big girl in a too tight top. I was LARGE. The pretty little thing helping people out didn't do that Lane Bryant thing of over enthusiastic "that's soooo you". She looks up and goes oh, yes...that is a great color for you. That's it.
Later in Macy's she picked out a size 12 and size 14 in jeans (no size 16 in these) and told me "Go try them on. Neither will fit, BUT I really want to to understand how close you are getting to these sizes." I could pull the 12's up totally but no hope of buttoning them. The 14's I might could have buttoned except I really cannot deal with tight clothing! So I guess I am a size 16. We had to leave just after so I would not be late for school, so I still haven't tried on any new jeans - except for some 16's given to me by a co-worker. They fit!
Below is a pic of me in the sweatshirt. Yes I am aware the shorts are sagging but they are also about 4" too big in the waist!

Lovin my sleeve! I am one month out and have lost 20 lbs as of a few days ago. I only weigh myself on Mondays so I may have lost a few more lbs since then. If I had any tips to give it would be to make sure you are getting as close to your goal for liquids and Protein as you can each day as well as moving as much as possible! It will keep you energized along with help in the weight coming off!!! I still have a long ways to go but I am very satisfied with my progress so far. I started in size 24 pants that fit a lil tight and a size 2-3x shirt,I'm now in size 20 pants that fit perfect and a size XL shirt!!!! =))) My goal for the next 30 days is to lose at least another 20 lbs. Here are a couple before and after pics,I do still have alot to lose,it's only been a month since surgery. :/
 

Congratulations Paola!!!! I love your post and I love the picture of your beautiful smiling face! You look very happy!!! You go girl!!!!!

WOW! Liliana! You're doing fantastic!!! You look great! You really rocked your sleeve girl! You are almost at goal!!!! Take heart in this wonderful accomplishment and let it lift your spirits!!!! Whatever you are going through, it will pass!!! Be well, and congratulations!!!!!

I had a hernia repair and did not really need meds past a few days. However, I did have pain for almost a month out. I would describe it more like "a stitch" especially if I took a deep breath. But, again, for me, it did not require pain meds. It was more of a annoyance/discomfort. Everyone is different though. And if your hurting, take the meds!!! I understand our bodies heal much better when we are not under the stress of pain. That's why surgeons always recomment to stay on the med regimen even if you're not thinking you need them... they tell you it's worse if you let the pain hit. So hang in there! Hope you begin to feel better soon!!!!! It's an adjustment, but it's worth it!!!

The statistics still show 60-70% EWL as the median. I wouldn't focus on pounds lost or pounds in the first month or whatever, since that varies wildly from person to person (a person with more to lose will lose more, at first, plus Water weight loss and gain can COMPLETELY muck up the weight loss curve). Focus on overall health and well-being.
EWL means "excess weight loss" -- weight above a "normal" BMI.
The implication of this is that most obese people who get the sleeve do not ever reach a technically "normal" BMI. That being said, "slightly overweight" (again, technically, according to the BMI charts) is vastly, vastly better (in both medical and psychological terms) than "grossly obese," the so-called "average American" is trending past "overweight" and into the "obese" or "morbidly obese" category (meaning: you'll likely be thinner than most of your peers), and it IS possible to get to a normal BMI post-sleeve, it's just that unlike the first part of the weight loss -- which seems effortless and almost "cheating" -- getting rid of that last 20 pounds (or whatever it is for you that takes you into the "normal" weight range) is a lot of work and requires dedication.
Long answer to a short question, but I think it's good to have realistic expectations.

How distressing!!!! Your symptoms sound like mine when I had to have my gall bladder out!!!! Generally, when you throw up bile it's because of stones in the gall bladder. It's not uncommon, especially after weight loss. Nowadays they just remove the gall bladder since one episode just tends to lead to others anyway.. and for me, it didn't matter what I ate! A little piece of boiled fish would do it. The operation is done laparoscopically like the VSG only it's a sinch! I'm not doctor!!! But check with your surgeon and don't panic -- because it could very well be the gall bladder! Good luck kiddo. Sending lots of good thougths your way!!! Keep us posted!

Interesting you said that "also just to figure out how to do it given the new choices of things and stores". I was thinking about that as I walked throuhg the Galleria on Westheimer here in Houston. It is a huge mall and has just about anything you can imagine. You can get a fad dress for 35$, you can buy a business suit for $5000. I was thinking to myself that soon there will be so many choices, and I burn out shopping so easily. I wonder if it will be the same when I can actually pick and choose where I shop.

How awesome is that!!!! I get a little overwhelmed because before it was a matter of finding "something".. if it looked half decent and it fit! I got it. And as you say, there really wasn't too much to chose from. Now there's all this choice! LOL AND you can actually pick things based on how good they look and feel instead of "it's something." I'm having to learn to shop. Not just because of my new body, but also just to figure out how to do it given the new choices of things AND stores!!! :-)
Happy shopping ladies!!!

Hi Pam! Welcome! I was 48 when I got sleeved - now 49 - and often also wished that it wouldd have been sooner. But you know what! I'm so happy I did!!! I feel (and look) 10 years younger anyway LOL!!! For me it's been an incredible journey. I'm soooo happy!!! Still working on getting to goal - and the operative word is "working," but it always feel that my efforts finally pay off. Best of luck to you with everyting, including your knee. Sending lots of good thoughts your way and again, welcome!

I am going to post, but I am not a doctor or counselor.
This is more than head hunger. This is more than if your tummy can take it. I bet you are also drinking fluids with your food, and that will make it easier to eat more, and you will be able to push more food through.
You should not be eaing at all two weeks out. But you know that.
Everyone is being very nice and supportive but I am going to be a bit different. You are a grown woman who has cut away your stomach in order to lose weight. You have lost weight so you think the cheating won't matter - you have two sets of facts in your head and you are going to have to decide which you believe. Do you believe you can go on doing this and it won't matter because obviously you have lost weight, or will you decide upon the actual truth, which is you are doing damage to your body, continuing old habits, and setting yourself up to fail?
If you keep stuffing food you still do not have an excuse - you cant go back to eating like that, using the excuse that you ruined your restriction. I will give you the information that you will now never be able to use that as an excuse again:
YOUR STOMACH WAS CUT AWAY. You had over 600cc of tummy and it was reduced to 50cc-80cc, on average. You had trocars inserted into your abdomen, another tube was passed into your stomach through your throat and the doctor used that internal tube to gauge the staples - your tummy is as big as the tube they used. You were stapled, sewn over the staples so they do not have pressure against them, and that extra tummy was put in a pouch and sucked up a tube and thrown away. Your stomach takes a long time to stretch out, it can be provided with and learn to have elasticity - to go back and forth - but that is not the stretching we are talking about. You have not stretched out your tummy. There is no excuse for the foods except you choose to.
It feels very good when we are stressed and feel like we are over our heads to get sympathy kuddos, which you are doing now. You feel lost, you did not prepere enough, and you aren't sure how to procede with something so permanent, so you just do what you always do. To make it better you confess, and get some attention and it is very unlikely unless you evaluate this on a very sincere level it will not change.
I think you anticipate being told how to fix this but no one can do that for you. Look at your environment and start fixing it.
We are a damn good community here and we want you to succeed. I can't imagine how I would have felt to be doing that after the surgery. It's all on you. Keep a journal if you have to. Write it down as you do it so you can see it adding up. Counseling is imperative - and confide in those around you - those of you you know can help. Don't allow the food in your house. Something, anything.
In no way take my post as me putting you down, or bitching, I care. I really do. I would rather be sure someone said what I did and it possibly be needed than it be left out of fear of people thinking I was too abrupt. Let us know what the doctor said, and in the meantime do what you can. You are more at risk of popping a leak in your sleeve than anything, and it it was accompanied with a hemmorage it could be fatal. I will be praying for you.
It sounds damn mean but guys, seriously, sometimes the harder stuff has to be said.

My first thought is why would you write this here? So your cheating and trying to reverse everything that you have accomplished so far? I think you need to see a counselor. I mean, what do you want anyone from this forum to say to you, that you haven't already heard or know.
There is nothing to say other than you need to see a professional about your problem.

Th ebig difference between this method, and those is... statistically, you can keep the weight off with the sleeve. I don't care how fast I lose it... as long as I lose it... then keep it off! Keep up the good work people.

I like this quote from MyFitnessPal.com: "Taking your measurements can be an even better gauge of your progress because when you burn fat and build heavier muscle, your weight may not change or even increase even though your body is tighter and smaller. We suggest taking your measurements every 2-4 weeks."
That's what frustrates me about the weight-only focus of the show Biggest Loser. These people are busting their butts, but sometimes only showing a small loss, or even a gain. Then they get treated like total failures, even though so many other positive things may be going on with their bodies.
That under 200 mark will be exciting! I can't wait til I get there!

I eat and drink just about anything, but am hestitant about orange juice. Not because of acid, but because the juice is so high in sugar. I had to juice all the oranges on my trees and turn them into ice cubes. I plan to drop the cubes in carbonated Water during the summer (or hopefully hot spring).
If you want to try a tiny bit, use real oranges, squeeze it yourself and dilute by half. Bottled OJ is full of chemicals and stored in huge tanks.

Yecats!!! So happy you are home and doing well!!!!!!! Sending lots of good wishes for a super speedy recovery! Welcome to the looser's bench!!!!!!!! :-)

Pammie, I know it's hard not be discouraged... while I don't recall the exact amount of weight I lost at that point I can tell you that I have had the LONGEST stalls!!! and most were early on, by the way. Some over 4 weeks. But, the weight DOES COME OFF! I have already lost close to 80 lbs.!!! Often after these stalls are followed by a steady weight loss. I know it's hard, but try not to be discouraged. I always focus on nutrition and doing what I need to do. Eventually you begin the downward trend. I think the body just needs to adjust! Hang in there kiddo!!!!

Patrice... first let me say I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, as well as your daughters. Big big ((((hugs))))!!!!!

I've always felt a kinship with you and I feel very sad to hear about all of this. I want to tell you this - and I have to emphasize it, so forgive me. YOU!!! ARE!!! NOT!!! ALONE!!! Girl, do you have any idea how much I've struggled for the past decade with my weight? My first WLS was a total, miserable, EPIC FAIL!!! I was also over 300 Lbs at one point... and with the lap band got myself all the way down to 227 Lbs. Yes, I still remember the exact weight because when I started going back up that number started being illuminated in my head like a GIANT NEON SIGN!

Well all that is over and done with, but not before gaining nearly every pound back that I'd lost with my band. I got back up to within 2 Lbs of my surgery weight. Sooo sad!!! I had to fix it though. Me and no one else. I did revise to the sleeve and I made a huge promise to myself that I WON'T do that again! I had to get myself together the best way I knew how, and that's exactly what I did.

That said, if it weren't for the sleeve I don't care how many promises I've made to myself... I'd still be fat today.

You my friend have such a WONDERFUL tool inside you. Use it!!! Look at it this way, if you didn't have your sleeve - how much weight do you think you could have gained in your time of grief? And yes, it's ok to grieve for the man who you have your precious child with. But... you said so yourself, he died from a preventable disease. Don't let that be you... your daughter has no one else now. She's counting on you to use that tool you have and get back to being healthy and being the Mom she deserves. Your future husband deserves you to be the best Wife you can be. YOU DESERVE to be the best of any woman you can be!!!

It's time to start really considering all the reason TO GET BACK ON TRACK rather than any reasons to keep going down the road you are going.

I say all of this out of nothing but wanting the best for you! Because THAT is what YOU deserve.

Things to do:

Get back to the gym. Starting now... eat the sleever way. Protein first, veggies second. 60g Protein per day and no less than 64 oz fluids per day. Never forget ALL the reasons YOU SHOULD keep doing #1 and #2. I'm here for you. I can't say I know what you're going through, but I sincerely sympathize. I care!!! But I also want you to succeed, because I KNOW YOU CAN! Question is, don't you? I hope so.

Congratulations Liliana!!! What a great feeling!!!!!

Yecats!!! So happy you are home and doing well!!!!!!! Sending lots of good wishes for a super speedy recovery! Welcome to the looser's bench!!!!!!!! :-)

I agree with Helen above. Nothing is forbiden, my tastes and appetite are just changed. I basically eat WHAT I want. I have read that you SHOULD steer clear of cellery and coconut becasue of the Fiber that may ball up in the small sleeve space, and others have chimed in and said they eat it regularly - so who knows. Out of all the choices the only thing I choose NOT to eat much of is bread, becasue it's so filling and high cal and as a carb burns up fast and provides little in the long term. I'd rather get some longer lasting Protein.
Being about 14 months out I am surprised at how much I CAN eat, I thought I'd SUFFER forever eating just spoonfuls of a stuff for a meal. I don't do ANY Protein Shots or diet shakes any more. I eat a regular SENSIBLE portion now, and what is a SENSIBLE portion and what is typically served are two entirly different things. At a restaurant I share an entree with the wife and sometimes even after eating a portion each we can get 1 or 2 MORE meals out of ONE entree - portions are THAT out of control. No wonder we're a bunch of lard a$$es.
It works for me and thousands of others. But you make your OWN choice because you HAVE to have the drive and desire to make a change in order for it to work. let someone talk you in to it and you may just be heading for failure. Keep investigating and asking questions and make up your own mind.
I was one of those who went to Mexico for surgery. I even have insurance and elected to NOT be forced to jump through hoops and wiat them out for approval. I had the money so made the appointment and did the deed in less than a month start to finish. Again, it works for me. IANAL, IANAD,

Jewels, I think what the others above have posted addresses your issue well. I personally have been sleeved for 8 months.
There is nothing that I CAN'T eat. BUT there is lots that I CHOOSE not to eat. I don't routinely eat lettuce salads anymore, because my capacity is so limited, I need to eat my Protein first. If I have room after I eat my Protein, then I eat my veggies (with the exception of potatoes, I don't usually eat potatoes).
If I can eat my protein AND my veggies (very rare) then I will nibble on something with lots of carbs, like bread or potatoes. But I usually don't have room for anything after the protein and veggies. Also when I say "nibble" that is exactly what it is, a nibble. One or two bites is usually all I can manage after I have eaten my protein and veggies!
When my hubbie and I go out to eat, we have started sharing a meal. If the restaurant gives a choice in the size of the entree (Lots of restaurants will let you order a Steak in 8 oz, 10 oz or 16 ounce) we will order the large entree to split (although we split somewhere like 30/70, with me getting the 30% of the steak). Bill then eats the bread, the potato and the salad. Usually just the meat is all I can handle. Once in a while I will have a bite of his potato or bread. Sometimes I will order a dish of cottage cheese to go with my entree. But it is all about getting enough protein!

And the taking pictures of myself... oh lawddd... the taking of pictures... the self love is just outta control.

Its always a shock, but I have to say at 58 I'm not dead yet!

Love it! You guys are doing great! So happy to hear about success stories! Yes, you guys are a success! Keep Rockin that Sleeve!