Ellie4me

I'm 9 mths out since sleeve and in the beginning completely gave up all coffee and soda. A few months ago I started drinking crystal light with "energy".... that has been giving me that boost I miss. After reading the label it actually has more caffeine in it than in soda, so started wondering if it might cause any issue. It doesn't have any carbonation like soda but wondering if the caffeine is an issue? Anyone know?

I'm 8 mths out today and about 14 lbs away from my ultimate goal of 145. I had many goals along the way, like most people....getting out of the size 3X, out of 2X, hitting Onederland, etc. In April of 2011, (when I started really researching VGS) I was 253 lbs, today I am 159. And I would do it all over again and again and again!! I remember reading that in everyone's post before I had the surgery and it's so true for me too. I didn't have anything that I would call complications. Sure you have to learn when "some" is "too much" and what foods are now out due to your new picky tummy. I recovered so quick, went back to work without problems and started exercising right away. I know everyones story is a little different but for me, it has allowed me to be on the outside the person I have always been on the inside. Best of luck in your journey.

Nectar Roadside Lemonade mixed with crystal light raspberry-lemonade flavor. (increase water). Also like Premier Protein for RTD.

I don't track my calories either for the same reason as everyone else, don't eat enough to even bother with it. I know I get at least 60gm of Protein from protein powders and then any protein I eat is just extra. I'm over 7 mths out and still find the Protein Drink helpful (mix with crystal light) and helps me get enough fluids in also. I did catch myself snacking on peanuts last week and that proved to slow my weight loss. I try for 1 lb loss per week but the closer I get to my goal the harder that is. Just try to eat healthly and not upset my picky tummy.

Wondering if anyone else is like me. I have almost every size clothes in my closets. Seriously from size 8 jeans that I wore for about a minute when I lost weight ten years ago to the size 24 that I was wearing before my surgery, and every size in between. Although I am over 6 months out, and really feel like I have done great, I'm still nervous about getting rid of all my plus size clothes. At first, it was so exciting donating all the 3X tops that I never really liked but had to buy to cover myself. I did ok getting ride of the 2X clothes too, even though I had some really nice things for work. But now that I am wearing a regular size Large or X-Large, I feel nervous about getting rid of my 1X sizes for good. Many of them are like new and were my goal for so long. Since I've struggled with weight my whole life, part of me, the partical side that has past history to prove it, wants to pack them away.....'just in case'. Everyone says I need to get rid of them permamently, to put that life behind me for good. I don't want to wear them, since I'm smaller I want more fitting clothes but I keep parking them away. I'm sure it has something to do with fear and disbelief that I can actually keep the weight off for good. I know this but still seem more attached than I should be. Anyone else had the same conflict?

Agree, what a great list of both success and challenges. I'm sharing them with you too. I'm so thrilled at the weight I've lost yet a little surprised at some of the new challenges not sleeve related. I was prepared for sleeve issues....changes in eating, etc. I wasn't prepared for the new challenge of trying to find tops that fit my size Med. waist (love) but also will fit my large bat wing arms. And I thought my bf would loose weight too but like yr husband has only gainned. Or the women at work that seemed so supportive in the beginning of my weight loss efforts when I was over 200 lbs but seem... to put it nicely.... a little less supportive now. I love the new confidence I've gainned throughout this whole process but find I'm questioning myself with other areas of my life now. Kind of like, if I can do this (VSG) then what about other things I've wanted for years....change in career, relocate out of state, new home, etc. Still when it all comes down to it, I feel so blessed that I took this step and I'm so eager for each new phase.

I remember askings a similar question if anyone had regrets before getting my sleeve last October. Now over 3 mths out I can answer it.... absolutely no regrets. Like several people I too wish I had done it years ago. So far the worse thing about it is the hair loss. I was expecting it so it's no suprise but still hard to see it go down the drain. But everything else is good. I love that food doesn't control my life anymore. I love that my body is shrinking and my new energy level. There are so many great things about it. Sure everyone will tell you it's just a tool and you have to do the work, which is true but it's also the best tool any of us have had and I feel blessed that I put myself first for a change and did it.

I remember being so nervous and excited all at once. Dr. A told me I had already did the hardest part, (making the decision and being there) and the rest would be easier. He was right about the surgery, it was so fast and smooth and the recovery too. I went back to work the next day after getting home and was up on my treadmill within a few days. I'm not sure I would call the learning to eat all over again easy but I only stressed over the surgery. You'll do great and they will take such good care of you. Whatever you want or need, they are right there for you. Best advise.....get up and walk as much as you can. It helped so much with the recovery. I walked all the time, when there wasn't someone in the halls to walk with, I would walk around my room or out to the parking lot. Just keep moving, no races, just stroll and you'll feel so much better, promise! BEST of LUCK for a quick recovery.

I'm only about 6 wks out and still mainly drinking my protein. I have protein shake in the morning and sip two nectar roadside lemonade protein drinks throughout the day. Then if I am able to get in any food protein I'm ahead. For lunch a little cottage cheese or yogurt or tuna. and when I say "little", I mean real little. What's great, I'm actually full with it. What's not great, is when I take one small bite of chicken but don't chew good and that's it. Like tonight, you know how you quickly grab a bit while your plating dinner. That's what I did and two bites later of not chewing good and that was it for dinner. I'm still learning to slow down and to pick your bites carefully because you don't get many, make them count.

It's so good to hear that I'm not alone with this. I think it must be part of the process. I agree with Amanda131 - It is eye-opening to realize how much I kidded myself about my weight for so long. It's like you know it because you didn't dare want your picture taken or stand naked infront of a full mirror but yet somehow still in denial about what 240+ lbs really looks like on a person. I knew I was big but always thought obese sounded to harash. Now I look in the mirror, and think I don't think "normal" thighs look like mine, lol. Again its not beating myself up, its just like....hello where did that come from....kind of surprise. I think it is good that we are getting more in touch with our bodies, because I know I was fooling myself.

Wondering if this happens to anyone else, but whenever I start to lose weight I start to really see my actual size and I'm always surprised at how big I am. I'm not being negative, I just don't think I realize it fully until I start to lose and become more aware of every lb and inch. It's like when you see a picture of yourself and it shocks you how you look...or when you hear your voice on a machine and think it doesn't sound like you. It's like knowing the "number" size verses how that actually looks. It kind of freaks me out. Like I've ignored it for years and now I'm just waking up to it. I'm so happy to be loosing but know I have a long road ahead.

I've seen the list rating the taste of the Protein shakes but wondering which ones have the most protein? I'm 4 wks since sleeve and been at a stall for almost the last 2 weeks. Everyone says I need more protein. Would welcome any suggestions. I usually do Premier Protein shake it has 30gm, are there any shakes that have more protein and are still able to drink?

I'm 41 and was sleeved just under a month ago. Best of luck.

I'll be honest I was wondering the average too. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks for me and I'm down 16 lbs. My personal goal was 20 lbs but I stalled out over a week ago. It's funny because I didn't think of "walking" as minimal exercise. I walk 2 miles every day but is that consider minimal? Maybe I should be working out harder?

I'm just short of a month since surgery and before I had surgery I read all the post about those who regretted it early on and the depression that can come after sleeve, I read them all. I thought I was "prepared"...but I found myself down this last week. I went to Dr. Aceves and everything went good. I even thought the recovery was pretty easy and I went back to work the day after I got home. I've been positive, even excited and the new journey but lately it's been a struggle. It started with a stall, and my weight loss has been slow (even though I workout daily and watch everything I eat...or drink). Then came health problems....due to a weaken immune system. I'm on mushies, and it seems like ever time I try to eat something it gets stuck and I feel horrible. I know I'm fighting life long bad habits but I feel terrible and I want the comfort that food has always provided and instead I feel sicker. I feel lost with what to do with myself tonight. I know this too shall pass but right now I feel sad, lost, uncomfortable and wiped out.

Funny just this morning I was able to eat 6 oz of Light f/f yogart. I couldn't believe it. I ate it real slow while working and it went down so easy and without any problem. Yesterday i could only do a few bits of cottage cheese. At first I kind of panic because I'm less than a mth out and wondered how I could do 6 oz then I just figured it must be a "slider" food. Im still on mushie so don't know what meat is like but glad to hear that my sleeve isn't huge. lol

Fantastic post. I've read it several times now. At only 3 weeks out it is reassuring and also full of ideas. Thanks!

I was getting so frustrated with the scales at a stall for over a week, but today is 3 weeks since sleeve and lost 2 lbs. Not crazy good but its a loss and I'm happy. Although I could have mushies I really wasn't, not sure if I was afraid but the protein drinks were so much easier. My calories intake was been really low and thought that would help but doesn't seem like it. Last night I had one scrambled egg with a little grated cheese on it. It didn't go down real easy and got full real fast, actually only ate about half of it but it was good to have some real food again. It does make me wonder how I will be able to keep this a secret from friends and family. My teenage daughter had at least 2 eggs with lots of cheese and 2 sausage links cut-up all wrapped in a flour tortila for dinner. It was huge especially compared to my one egg. She was done with her what seemed like in seconds compared to me. Everyone thinks I am on another "fad" diet, god knows they've seem me do a million of them. I think it was just so noticable how slow and long it took me to eat. I just pray the scales keep moving now. I bought cottage cheese, mini-babybel cheese, applesause ,etc. and I am going to try to do the 5 very small meals. I am still doing 2 miles every morning on my treadmill and would really just like to keep up a steady weight loss. It doesn't have to be 8 lbs a week (although wouldn't that rock! ), but a few lbs every week I think keep me motivated.

I almost doubled my calories yesterday and this morning, lost 2 lbs. That's crazy. I feel better today too, less tired and weak sure the calories helped with that. Can't believe a scamble egg with a little cheese would take all evening to eat. Couldn't even finish it but was nice to chew on food again.

I was October 7th

OMG I wish I had this problem. I'm under a month since sleeved and have been stalled for over a week. I've lost only 13 lbs since surgery and wish I was worried about loosing too much. I'm actually worried that I'll be the one person that still doesn't loose weight after being sleeved. lol I see how much all of you had lost each month and pray I somewhere get there.

Wish I knew too. I've been on a stall since moving to full liquid over a week ago. Before I was loosing good then it just stopped completely. I walk 2 miles every morning and have less then 400 or 500 calories each day. I work hard to get in all the protein and feel like I sip all day long but the scales won't move. At first I tried to stay positive but some days I am so frustrated. This morning I was downright mad. To me the numbers just don't add up. If I only intake 400 calories and burn 250 calories working out and since I'm alive and breathing have to be burning even more calories....so whats up!! I should be melting right. Just goes to show how seriously messed up my metabolism is. I've read all the stall post and guess I know it is very common around 3 weeks...but somehow when I weigh I still want to stomp on the scales like the incredible hulk and smash them!!

Flying back alone wasn't bad. I checked my bag so I didn't have to worry about that. I think I could have done it but it gave me more peace of mind not to worry. I slept most of the flight comfortably. I wore super comfortable clothes, stretchy joga pants. Normally I wouldn't ever wear them in public but after the surgery you don't care. It's more important to be comfortable. I sipped Vitamin Water the whole trip and it went by a lot easier then I thought. I had one stop and was worried about changing planes but had plenty of time to walk there. A friend who had the surgery suggested wearing a face mask because of all the germs on the flight. I didn't think I could do it but after the surgery I didn't care what people (who I will never see again) think of me. I wore it on the plane and slept, and no one said a word or gave me a strange look or anything. I figured better safe then sorry. Also, I had a drink in my carry-on and TSA stopped me and said I couldn't bring it....unless it was for health reasons, I lifted my shirt to show my bandages and he nodded and let me take it through, lol.

I know several people say that Biotin doesn't help with hair loss but I have taken it for years to help my already thinning hair. I'm so afraid I will be go completely bald that I would rather do everything I can as soon as I can. How soon post-op do people start taking biotin? I'm doing liquid Vitamins now and haven't tried any pills and just wondering how my sleeve will handle it. Only 3 weeks post-op.

I read some other post that mentioned never using a straw but my surgeon never mentioned this at all. I've been using one since a few days after sleeved. Is the issue just drinking too much? Is there another issue I missing?