NancyJerry

I'm at 3 months, too. I get anywhere from 750-900-ish. Depends on my food choices and my workouts.

I'm 12 weeks out and had my first peanut butter and toast. I'm also down 50 pounds. The 12 week wait was WAY WORTH the 50 pound loss! Hang in there. This phase feels like it will last forever, but in retrospect, I hardly remember it! :-D

You loved them in life, you must find the strength to love them enough to not let them suffer. They depend on your wisdom to always do what's in their best interest. Right! Don't turn to food. I'm am such an animal sucker. My pets are members of my family. I lost my cats of 17 years, having been raised by hand at the age of 2 weeks. I spent all of last summer mourning the loss, sleeping and eating. Thought I could never do that again, but death is a part of life. Give yourself and another dog (or two) a chance to live life to it's fullest with a family that will love it, for better and worse! Just this week I got 2 kittens from the shelter as foster kittens. They are only 4 weeks old and not old enough to be at the shelter or altered yet. They are growing on us quickly and if all goes well, they will have found themselves in their new-forever home. Be kind to yourself, grieve and mourn. Then move on to new family members if you can. I can't imagine being as young as you are and depriving myself or of a potential pet and wonderful life! I pray for your heart to know and find peace at this time!

Yup. Water bottles get easier too!

I started my reply then got called away by a phone call. After I finished and posted it, I saw this. Good for you!

Johnathan, I hope you really use the search bar on this forum as there have been a ton of excellent conversations about just this topic. I've not had both, but my sister had/has the band and I the Sleeve. I don't want to "convince" you to go either way. This is a VERY PERSONAL decision. But since you've asked, allow me to share MY point of view and observations of my sister and myself. My sister had her done 3 years ago. She's lost about 60 pounds total. In the first year, she lost like 30 or 40 and put that back on. She got serious and re-lost it again with a little more. She is very unhappy with the amount she's lost. In the medical world you only need to lose 50% of your EXCESS weight for them to consider your loss a success. She cannot eat "normally." Everything she eats is "slider" foods so stuff covered in gravies and syrups. Pasta dishes and Desserts. Go figure she isn't still losing. When someone fixes a meal or she goes to a party of some sort, it's all about what "can" she eat, versus what "should" she eat. She has to go in constantly for fills and, when that makes her sick, un-fills. This process is on going. That's a lot to maintain, IMO. I had my sleeve done on 3/27 (12 weeks ago) I'm down 50-52 pounds. I have no foreign body in my body for my body to absorb or reject. There is no maintenance. I "can" eat most anything without problem. As time goes by, other than carbonated beverages, I will be able to eat whatever I want. Of course, this sleeve is a tool and we need to always be mindful about what we eat, but if I go to a party and it's all foods I wouldn't normally eat - I don't stress. I love to work out and if I overindulge I just work it off. I am happier and healthier than I've been in over 20 years. And my sister wishes she had had the sleeve done. I pray that you find the answers you are looking for and get peace with the decision you make!

It sure depends on where you go. I had a buffet once where they gave me the $9 rate instead of $16, but really I ate less than a child so would have preferred the child rate. They figure I'm getting a "great" deal, and yes, it was a lot less, but I didn't even eat $5 dollars worth. At another buffet they wouldn't reduce the price at all - So I left. Most places have been wonderful about letting me eat off the Senior menu - without showing my card!

I'm just over 3 months out and have just recently been able to take a little larger sip - a drink really. Like a mouthful, but I don't "gulp." That's just a lot of air and hurts like HECK! It gets better with time. To be honest, of everything I can consume, right now, water is the only thing that causes me any amount of pain. So, in answer to your question....it's gets better than it is right now, but at least at 3 months it's still not what it used to be (but is very bearable!)

You are going to have to learn to forgive yourself. You'll still run into those food options post surgery and if you eat them, even just small amounts on a regular basis you won't be successful after the sleeve. But we all are faced with that and none of us are perfect. So, forgive (don't forget), learn and improve. Hopefully your recent run-in with food will not prevent you from having the surgery at all. Good luck and remember, the sleeve doesn't prevent you from being human! It will still take will power and good choices, but the sleeve does make that stuff come easier!! Good luck!

That was a trip my husband and I took just a couple of weeks ago. We were traveling from Minnesota to Michigan. At the time of the pic we were in Wisconsin driving alongside the Mississippi! BTW...Just saw that you won the iPod Touch - CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You are so deserving!!!

Hey Lissa! I love your new Avatar Picture!

Ugh! I hate the panty changing size thing! You can't try them on at the store, they are so expensive and I've had a difficult time finding some that I like and that stay put. Bikinis are too small, and the (shoot, what do you call them) the ones that come up high on your thigh? Anyway, those turn into thongs if I don't get the right size - OH! And size is different from brand to brand. I guess this is one of this bittersweet changes we go through, right? LOL! Happy Underwear Shopping!! :tongue2:

You've been given some very valuable advice. As everyone has mentioned it depends on "you." If you go, hopefully you have a doting boyfriend willing to haul everything you need (even if you feel good DO NOT LIFT) like your chair, Water, etc. I think I would have had a hard time sitting up-right at that stage and I too needed to wear just yoga pants, but at the same time, I'm a teacher and was back to work 10 hours per day by then. It's so hard to say. Like Ashely said, take your pain meds - don't be a hero and wait until you are in pain. Whatever you do #1 congrats on your surgery and #2 enjoy yourself!

I made it early! Weighed in at 168 for the past 3 days, so I'm claiming it!! A little early - but Happy 4th of July! I'm not making a new "goal" per se, but just looking forward to see where I actually end up by the 4th of July! Happy losing everyone!

Oh WOW! Good for you! I know how hard it is to watch others indulge; some days are a breeze and some days are like torture. The good news is, if you can work past some of your head hunger you'll have more breezy days than torturous ones!! Give yourself a good pat on the back and good luck on Monday. Keep us posted!

Joey, at 3 days post op if you are getting in your water and protein ( or most) by the end of the day then IMO I'd say you are right on track! It's ok if you are not terribly hungry right now, it'll come back!

It took me a week or almost two before my sleep habits became normal again. I had to sleep sometimes in my recliner sometimes in bed propped with a ridiculous number of pillows. It should get better soon! Hang in there!!

You'll get a lot of opinions on this topic! What people can tolerate after surgery really varies. My NUT said to "work up to" 50grams within the first 4 weeks. I was fortunate and able to get 50grams in my first day home and within a couple of weeks able to easily get in 70-80. I'm now 3 months out, as long as I'm thoughtful about what I eat I get 80-120 daily. This is so true!! During my pure liquid phase I used products made by Health Wise -hot chocolate and hot tea were awesome. But Premier Protein shakes offer 30 grams of protein in 11 ready to drink ounces. Love them! Good luck!

That's hysterical! If only there was a "sign" of when to retire our clothes (OH! That was one!!) Hahaha! Enjoy your smaller size! I've gone from size 18 to 12's being loose. What a feeling!!!! :-D

Wow! That is maddening! I'm shocked that the Lasix isn't working- I hope you get relief ASAP!! Good luck!

I dropped a 1/2 size and went from a wide to average width! The best part is that constant pain that I used to be in prevented me from wearing cute shoes and now - 95% pain free- I can wear just about anything! Something to look forward to for you!

Wow! Sounds awesome! Will you come cook for me?? LOL! How fun that you and your husband both have the sleeve - I mean I've got great support but to have someone who "gets it" from the inside would be awesome! Thanks for sharing!

MY FAVORITE - Best bang for your high protein, low cal option is PREMIER ready to drink shakes. I get a case of 12 from Sams Club for about 18 dollars.

Updates are good. Sounds like you are on a good track and in a good frame of mind. Good luck to you!

When was your surgery? How many calories per day are you eating and in what quantities? Even though I was walking every day, it took weeks for me to work up a decent amount of stamina and endurance. I'm better than 3 months post op and am just really able to get into my old exercise routines. I dare say, most people experience hair weakness and loss. The general consensus is (and my NUT agrees) that you'll thin out for 3-5 months between 3 and 5 months post surgery. Getting your Protein in, and supplementing with Biotin and Zinc are doctor's order for me. For better or worse, sounds like you are right on track! :-D