Willow216

Hi Fellow Sleevers and Sleevers to Be!
I pray all of you and yours are Happy, Healthy and Enjoying Life!
To start with I am 8 weeks Post Op, I have lost 30lbs so far (Yay ) and I do wish I could done this sooner, but, I didn't know how much I was going to start hating to eat. LOL! I guess my brain has not caught up to my sleeve and I know my dietician states 4to 8 oz of food per meal but it seems that after 3 bites of food and right when I'm really enjoying what I'm eating I can't eat another bite or I start spitting up, I think I need to go back to the baby spoon .. (Yes, I know that was the whole point of having surgery) I just can't get in all the Protein in I am supposed to and the only protein I can digest with no issues are eggs which I am getting tired of, I am taking a break from the shakes for a while and any other food (even mashed potatoes) feels like rocks in my stomach. And my weight loss has went down to only about a pound a week now, I guess its either I am not getting enough calories or just the way I am losing it, thats okay I guess cause at least I lose something every week I just thought that I could lose at least 40 the first 3 months as I see others lose amazing amount of weight but I'm good with it.
Please know I am not complaining I'm just venting a bit and wondering if anyone else is having any of these issues and if they did does it get better I don't want to eat alot I am just concerned that I can't eat enough to stay healthy. I will confess though I do eat two hershey kisses every day cause I am still a chocoholic, this surgery did not change that but me only eating one or two and being good with that is a miracle for me.
God Bless you All! And Thanks for all your testimonies!

Hi Everybody, I Love Reading all your Introductions!! Here goes my little 2cents worth. My name is Angela I am 43 yrs old I work for NYS Workers' Compensation, I have two grown children a son 26 and a daughter 20, and 3 grandchildren 3yrs,1yr and 9 months.
I am also a Christian wholeheartedly, though sometimes my kids have me forgetting that (LOL) I'm sure the Lord understands. I totally love the wonders of nature, Rain and Thunder Storms, First Snow Falls, the smell of fresh cut grass and the colors of Fall, there is nothing more beautiful for me then the picturesque colors of Autum that alone proves to me that God Loves Us. I also have an obsession for owls.. I have no idea why I just think there fascinating and beautitul.
I have always had sort of a husky shape so gaining weight was not a problem for me, I went through a bought of bulemia as a teenager for a few years and other sort of "Trying to Stay Skinny" methods since most of my friends and peers were "Stick Thin" but once I started having children it got harder and harder to take care of myself then a divorce and I decided I needed to stop smoking cigarettes that totally ballooned me to 253lbs which totally sneaked up on me or I really was oblivious to what I did to myself (excuse) either way I didn't want my grandbabies to grow up with a Na-Na who couldn't play with them, especially since I am not that old. I had my sleeve on 3/14/12 and it has been the best decision of my life, I feel totally blessed to have been able to have this surgery and I feel Great and people are now starting to tell me I look more like my daughters' sister then her mom. (WOW that is soo cool) I am also blessed to be able to come to this site and see how even though no-one knows anyone personally on this site, everyone here is so helpful and willing to help anyone who is going through a rough patch or simply has questions and needs info by people who have been there. This site got me thru alot and it is truly a comfort

Wishing all of you a safe and successful surgery! You all won't regret it!

It took me about 6 months but I usually do a whole wheat wrap, but I usually can't have more than a couple of bites. I was a bread, Muffin, etc maniac, I loved them, but after the surgery it changed for me. Now at about 10 months out every once in a while I may have a slice of wheat toast or I make a half sandwich with I slice of wheat bread.

I am one of those rare people I think, bread was ok with me at 5 months. But, I could only eat one (if that small slice). Stick to whole wheat, whole grain, or rye bread if you try it. There are some wraps from a company called, La Tortilla Factory that are low/no carb & high Fiber tortillas that my nutritionist recommended to me, and I love them. They're better for me than bread. I find them usually in Kroger's... don't know if you have those where you live. I think their website lets you store locate retailers that sell them.
http://www.latortillafactory.com/

My stomach doesn't want to tolerate bread. It feels like a brick in my stomach. I don't really crave it or miss it. I just use lettuce as the bread. It's really good.

You Can make your small food fun and look good ...ground chicken cooked cheese a pickle slice put it in a won ton wrapper seal it shut with Water and bake taste just like a cheeseburger..put won ton wrapper in a cupcake tin then put in taco filling of your choice meat cooked seal won ton wrapper and bake great tacos you can make extras and freeze them if you can keep everyone else from eat them all makes just the right size for our new tummy..you can also put scrambled egg in cupcake tin with what ever you want and bake and freeze small little breakfasts... Lot to do with these things have fun

My sleeve won't be born until February 4 but I already named her Bella. Can't wait. Bought a beautiful crocheted top in size large tonight to work to fit in. Congrats to you. You're gorgeous girl!!

I named mine "Mama" cuz she seems to run things...lol She was born 12/5... started out at 340... did the 6 mth (which turned into 8 mths) plan for BCBS... at first consult with the surgeon, I was at 320... day of surgery, I was 304.5... I was so excited when I left the 3's and came to the 2's...I am trying to adjust to this new way of eating and to this new body...I wish you well on your journey... and yes... pretty soon, those pants will fit!
God bless!

I love your story! "Jelly" is an adorable name you gave your sleave, I love it! Way to go on your weight loss and I wish you continued success on your journey. BTW this is not another boring success story, you are aiding others who are going to have "or" thinking to have this surgery that is how I made my decision "and have continued success" by reading these "amazing" stories, it gives hope!
Many Blessings to you!

It's freeing and kind of unbelievable to think that you're giving yourself this enormously powerful tool to finally get rid of extra weight. Once it starts coming off and you let the sleeve do the work it's supposed to do... I'm just giddy nowadays. The weight isn't 'falling off' but it IS coming off and I'm doing a helluva lot more now than was doing pre-sleeve. I haven't regretted a single moment.

From what I have heard, I think it's more from the weight of your organs. When you are heavy your organs get bigger to accomodate the extra blood volume etc needed to support your size. From what I understood when you lose weight the organs don't necessarily shrink back down. That might account for the added weight. I'm not sure, don't quote me or anything....

I love your story! "Jelly" is an adorable name you gave your sleave, I love it! Way to go on your weight loss and I wish you continued success on your journey. BTW this is not another boring success story, you are aiding others who are going to have "or" thinking to have this surgery that is how I made my decision "and have continued success" by reading these "amazing" stories, it gives hope!
Many Blessings to you!

I was hugely nervous too, I have always been afraid to have surgery, but it was only the first couple of days that I felt "icky" but after 6 days I went back to work and I have no problems, the only regret is that I didn't do this years ago!
Wishing you a successful and safe surgery. I bet you will get through it just fine.

I am just over one month out from VSG surgery and I really couldn't be happier! Jelly (my sleeve) and I get along famously. I treat her well and she helps me out. I have no issues with any foods at all so far. Everything goes down and stays down and I don't get sick from anything. I only had one incident of vomiting because I was mindlessly eating. Jelly let me know she didn't appreciate that and I've had to concentrate on measuring my portions and recognizing when I am DONE, not when I am FULL. I never want to leave the decision up to my sleeve as to when I am done eating. When I am done, I am DONE and I push the plate away.
Like most people here I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I don't remember ever being thin. My weight has been a huge source of sadness and depression for me-- I just didn't feel like I was worth being loved and my life was a waste. If I hadn't have had the surgery, I don't even know what my state of mind would be right now. I felt like it was hopeless--- lose 30lbs, see a pic of myself-- I'm still fat, WTF! Then lose NOTHING else despite working hard, get frustrated, give up, regain those 30 lbs AND THEN SOME.
Pre surgery I went from 273 to 250. Since surgery I've dropped almost 20lbs and countless inches. I am down from a tight 22 to an 18 on the bottom and 14/16 on top. I haven't seen the numbers I see on the scale in YEARS. I haven't felt this good or this small or this attractive in years. Taking the step and pushing myself through the process was the best best BEST thing I could have ever done for myself.
If you're on the verge, stick with the process. It's SO worth it. Life is better on the other side.
I'm posting a couple of pics. The orange shirt was at my heaviest, the 270's. The green shirt was last Friday, my 4 week update! What a difference.

Not a boring story!!
I totally agree...this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. It feels like complete freedom and peacefulness. I can't explain it really...
Congratulations--- You look great!
~Dana

Wonderful post! Thank you for this. I am having surgery 2/28 and am a little nervous. However, the fat has ruled me for too long.

My first appt I was going for the Lap Band and the nurse there warned me not to, she said there are alot issues with the band, slippage, infections etc. and 9 out of 10 patients come back wanting the sleeve. So I changed my mind and I am glad I did. I have had absolutely no issues with the sleeve.
Good Luck with your revision QDH!

Great topic
I'm in charge of cooking so I got to plan everything out and make it VSG friendly
Christmas Eve I made a noodlesless lasagna. Used eggplant for the layers and layered with sauce, ricotta, cheese and ground turkey. It was great and was a cross between eggplant parm and lasagna. I made shrimp scampi with it (didn't use real butter- margarine instead, lemon, a splash of wine. I only had a tiny bit of both. For dessert I made pumpkin yogurt panna cotta. Awesome, healthy and good amounts of Protein. And no sugar in it (made with stevia)
Christmas Day we had Turkey, I made a small think of stuffing (I didn't really want it but my mother did) so I made it from scratch, used whole wheat bread and added ground turkey. I made a Rachael Ray version of 'stuffin muffins'. She basically put the stuffing in a cupcake pan. Perfect serving size! (I only had a tiny tiny taste of it, but still perfect servings for my guests- maybe they won't overeat if I portion it out for them too lol) also made roasted sweet potatoes and brussle sprouts with balsamic vinegar. I only ate a few sprout halves. And For dessert- skinny cheesecake with strawberries. Low carb, no crust and made in a cupcake pan so perfect portions.
The food was well received also, healthy and great. Ill attach a few pics of my Christmas Eve dinner. I forgot to take pics of the Christmas Day stuff lol.

I never measured my food, I'm not that dilligent, I have never been that strict with myself because then it would be work not a lifestyle change, also I didn't want to make this journey nit picking every thing I ate. My bites are measured about a teaspoonful or a little less or a little more depending on what I am eating. Usually by the 3rd bite I get that tight feeling and I stop that is my warning signal. The only rule I have about eating is Protein first, through shakes or meat/eggs, then some veggies, and once in a while a treat here and there, and to be honest since the surgery I don't even crave too much sweets anymore so I don't feel like I am denying myself. I got this surgery so I can eat what I want just not alot of it and it has been working fantasticly!

I never measured my food, I'm not that dilligent, I have never been that strict with myself because then it would be work not a lifestyle change, also I didn't want to make this journey nit picking every thing I ate. My bites are measured about a teaspoonful or a little less or a little more depending on what I am eating. Usually by the 3rd bite I get that tight feeling and I stop that is my warning signal. The only rule I have about eating is Protein first, through shakes or meat/eggs, then some veggies, and once in a while a treat here and there, and to be honest since the surgery I don't even crave too much sweets anymore so I don't feel like I am denying myself. I got this surgery so I can eat what I want just not alot of it and it has been working fantasticly!

I had a bite of this and a bite of that then rested then another bite of this and two more bites of that. LMAO!!!
I loved being sleeved, I am able to eat what I want but just a little and I am great with that, finally!! Not only that, I was also wearing a red mini dress sze 8 for the first time in over 15 yrs. Yippee!

I felt the same way you did this Christmas, usually on the holidays I'd be taking an inventory of what foods I have first to what deserts I was having last, this year I wasn't even thinking about it though I had a little chocolate mousse and a bit of pumpking pie each bite was less than a tablespoons each I was able to enjoy it but not fee guilty for eating loads of it.. Life is definately good post sleeved!!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!

I felt the same way you did this Christmas, usually on the holidays I'd be taking an inventory of what foods I have first to what deserts I was having last, this year I wasn't even thinking about it though I had a little chocolate mousse and a bit of pumpking pie each bite was less than a tablespoons each I was able to enjoy it but not fee guilty for eating loads of it.. Life is definately good post sleeved!!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!

I had a bite of this and a bite of that then rested then another bite of this and two more bites of that. LMAO!!!
I loved being sleeved, I am able to eat what I want but just a little and I am great with that, finally!! Not only that, I was also wearing a red mini dress sze 8 for the first time in over 15 yrs. Yippee!