Beyon Sleeve

I bet you rocked it! Best of luck!

I couldn't really smell anything for the first 3 weeks, if i did, it was not appealing. I'd cook for my family things I couldn't eat and it wouldn't bother me in the least! I think the combination of no hunger pains, craving, and low smell ability made those first weeks tolerable. Now at 8 weeks out, my smeller and tastebuds are back! Now my healthy eating practices really have to work overtime...but it is SOOOO worth it!

I know it's not easy, and head hunger does suck! Try to keep your eyes on the prize and fill yourself with protein first (i know easier said than done, but worth it!) Last night my friends ate a large gourmet burger and fancy fries in front of me while I ate my cup of shrimp sausage gumbo. I SOOOO wanted to dive into their plate, but I resisted. In the end, they were miserable for over eating and I was satisfied with my soup after all. Our mind can play tricks on us with hunger...don't give in and don't give up!

My ichiness was caused from the pain meds. Once I stopped taking them, the itchiness stopped. I did take Benadryl too. Check with your Dr. if it persists.

Congrats! That is a victory! Less friction is good

I hope all goes well for you! Stay strong and focused because this journey is worth it! Best of Luck

Simply amazing! Way to go, keep it up!

Sounds great! Can't wait to try!

Breathe my dear...your thoughts are normal. A lot of people question this. It's gonna take some adjustment getting use to your new way of life. First and foremost, follow your Dr's orders. EVERYONE is different in their recovery. I see that you have been through a lot already, but now you've got a new journey and a new outlook to look forward too! For me, I was back to teaching after 10 days post op. The first week post-op was difficult and painful, but soooo worth it! I'm 5'1 37yrs old and my highest weight was 208 before pre-op diet. 6 weeks out I'm down 38 lbs and feeling great! You're gonna do awesome! Take one day at a time and you'll get there girl! Best of Luck!!!

Some of my favorite things are: Greek yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, laughing cow cheese wedges, Skinny cow sugar free fudge pops, Edy's sugar free frozen fruit bars, Progresso Light Soups, chicken/beef broth, sugar-free Jell-o with fat free cool whip, sugar free pudding, refried Beans fat free, and of course Premier 30g Protein shakes/EAS 17g Protein shakes (Costo/ SAMs Club). ***don't buy too much because your stomach may not be ready for it. SLOWLY introduce new things. Protein in priority! I lived on that for the first month and still do. Now at 6 weeks out, I've added fish, chicken, and veggies. I still dont eat ANY bread, Pasta, or junk food. Use this amazing tool (the sleeve) wisely! Best of luck!!!

Hi, I'm a teacher. I am a reading specialist at an elementary school. I was sleeved on Dec 29th, 2011. 1. I took off 1 week (10 days total) and i felt bad for taking that much time! I was really tired by the end of the day the first week back, but I made it through with no problems. 2. I told my principal that I was having a "personal surgery" and would be taking a week off. I did not tell anyone else. I finally started telling only my friends at school that i trust as they noticed my weightloss. I'm a pretty private person and did not and still haven't shared it with everyone, but that's just me. 3. I could move fine, not running up the stairs or anything, but I managed fine. Mind you I'm not a K teacher, so I didn't have to get on the floor or anything. Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't over do it! Best of Luck

I hated crushing my pills for the first 10 days. It's smash them in a ziplock baggie then sprinkle them in a tablespoon of lite Cool Whip to help with the taste (couldn't do yogurt at the time). But after 10 days I had no problem. Just take it slow and spread out the times you take the big pills.

If you have a smartphone, download the app "my fitness pal". It's free and you can see the protein, carbs, calories, sugars, etc. in foods you enter or scan ( your camera acts as a scanner on bar codes! It's so cool). Plus, you can track your weight, measurements, exercise, and food journal. It's been a life saver for me to determine if I've have enough protein. You can also access it at www.myfitnesspal.com .

I've been thinking the same thing! My heaviest was 208-size 18WP (I'm 5'1"), day of surgery 192 on Dec 29th 2011, and now 5 weeks post-op 173-12P (no more W!). My goal is 130 too which I haven't seen since my college days of the mid 90's, I thought I was big then! Ha! I guess that was my body issues talking (which I'll always have, ya just gotta keep it in check). I know WE can do this. I still feel skeptical at times, but if you work it, it WILL work!

Amazing girl! Congrats on your beautiful progress

Thanks for the advice guys! I went out last night and had a great time. It was a little awkward at first because I wasn't endulging in the bar food appetizers and my friends kept saying, "does this bother you, are you ok" and of course I was, I just didn't want to make them uncomfortable either. So, I drank my water like a good sleever and enjoyed their company. My divorce with bad food and alcohol is much better...we can now tolerate being in the same room together .

So, I've got this group of friends that Ive been going out with nearly every Monday for over the past year. It's kind of a "lonely hearts/single/divorce group". They are a GREAT group of people truely, but things have changed...well, I have changed too. The MNDC (Monday Night dinner Club) would go out to eat and then to the bar. So you see, that is not my lifestyle anymore. I'm not ready to go to places that I can't feel comfortable. It's like a junkie going to a crack house and can't even enjoy a little rock! I want to shout to them, "I'm in rehab people!" Eventhough they know, they don't really understand, and now I'm coming off as a b!tc# because I can't come to just be with them. And I want them to choose where they want to go instead of making choices that are conducive to me all the time. So, any advice on what to say or do?

So glad things are on the upswing for you! Congrats! I hope our Dr. W was good to you and fixed everything Keep up the good work girl!

I'm 4 weeks out and late too. Should have started right after surgery, but that didn't happen. Dec pap came back abnormal. Had to do a biopsy, no cancer (yay!) but discovered I have endometriosis (boo). Not looking forward to seeing Aunt Flo when she does come to town!

First a celebration: highest weight-208, day of surgery-192, 4 weeks out-175 down 33lbs! Question: What is the sound I am hearing after I eat a more solid food in my throat that sounds like "pop rocks"??? It doesn't burn or hurt, just weird crackling, bubbly sounding. Gas? Reflux? Pop-rock-I-dis?

The drain was the worst! My stomach couldn't take dairy until week 3. Sounds like you are doing well. Get that water and protein in! Best of Luck!

I felt the same way! Before the sleeve, my hunger was always my down fall which led me to falling off the wagon diet. Now? TOTALLY different story. I'm almost 4 weeks out and do not have hunger pains, cravings, and can barely even smell food (when i do, its no big deal...so weird!) It's more like my stomach is saying, "Hey, when you get a second, could you slowly drink or eat something that wont hurt me, feeling kind empty in this little space". No more "I'm starving!" feeling as of yet. Everyone is different, but do practice making good food choices and drink LOTS of water! Best of luck, you're future is just around the corner!!!

Definitely start slow! Walk, walk, walk. I'm 3 weeks out and I walk, elliptical, and 5 lb arm weights, NO crunches for me yet. Goal next week: back to Zumba!

I'm in the same boat as you girl! 3 weeks out, I went out and bought literally EVERYTHING on the suggested 3 week post- op food list. Let's just say too much of a good thing too soon. I did step back, added more liquids back, and felt better...still need to get eyes, brain, and stomach on the same page!

Outstanding! Love the positivity. Your words are very encouraging. I've already had a WTF moment when I put on a pair of pants and they literally fell to the floor, but in the same breath I beat myself up because next to them is a pair I'm not ready to wear. Internal struggle is a "b"! Congrats are on tremendous transformation!