MinaT

Okay, I am right at 2 weeks post op. Literally, anything other than liquid broth makes me feel extremely uncomfortable. Thank goodness I've learned to stop just shy of feeling real pain. I tried mushies like mushed carrots, potatoes and even apple sauce. The only thing that feel fine is broth. Am I expecting too much too early? Seriously, when will this pass?? I'm feeling like I will never be able to truly eat and enjoy a meal again. It's discouraging.

I think a lot of people do this. They spend the last month trying to make up for lost time. Nothing you can do about it now, shrug it off, let it go and promise yourself to follow through with the rest of it because you are worth the effort.
You most likely will have to do a 14 day pre-op shake fast before surgery. My suggestion is to take for now on seriously. Stop the food mourning and work hard. You did your binge this last month now it's time to work on charting your food. Use myfitnesspal, get your 64 ounce of Water in, let go of the carbonated beverages, get your Protein in, lower your carbs. You will need to shrink your stomach before surgery and there is no reason for cheating on that phase. You know what you did you wrong, so no need to punish yourself, just turn it around.
Shrug off the gain, see what the doc says tomorrow and promise to put all your effort into it. You showed you could lose, now you have to love yourself enough to commit to the rest of it, you are worth it.

I think a lot of people do this. They spend the last month trying to make up for lost time. Nothing you can do about it now, shrug it off, let it go and promise yourself to follow through with the rest of it because you are worth the effort.
You most likely will have to do a 14 day pre-op shake fast before surgery. My suggestion is to take for now on seriously. Stop the food mourning and work hard. You did your binge this last month now it's time to work on charting your food. Use myfitnesspal, get your 64 ounce of Water in, let go of the carbonated beverages, get your Protein in, lower your carbs. You will need to shrink your stomach before surgery and there is no reason for cheating on that phase. You know what you did you wrong, so no need to punish yourself, just turn it around.
Shrug off the gain, see what the doc says tomorrow and promise to put all your effort into it. You showed you could lose, now you have to love yourself enough to commit to the rest of it, you are worth it.

I am watching it now! She acts like the surgery is her magic bullet. She is not even trying to stick to a diet. Hard to believe they will do the surgery for her when she keeps gaining weight.

Be careful; asian food tends to have sugar added as part of the recipe.

I know some sleevers get offended if a Water is set down with the meal, I always ask purposefully for Water and a lemon. I usually take one sip before dinner. You truly do learn will power. I have been to bunco where I was ribbed by a bunch of women about not eating and there truly was nothing I could eat but a piece of cheese and some vegetables. I said I ate a huge dinner earlier and I passed on all the Desserts. They ate, I didn't feel bad. I usually order shrimp cocktail or chicken breast etc. I order Julienne type salads and pick out the meat and always take stuff home. I spend more time cutting things up and moving them around on my plate and nobody usually notices a thing. I always ask for a take home box when I order the food. I always ask for steam vegetables if they serve it or cottage cheese.. I always eat the meat first and usually leave the rest. Take control of the talking during the dinner, most people are concentrating no shoveling food in there mouth to pay attention to what you are eating if you are talking.
Nobody but my husband and son and parents know about the surgery and it's not a big deal. I have been to festivals, carnivals, huge affairs and haven't had a problem. I always say I had a late lunch.

Every doctor is different. Please contact your surgeon or nutritionist. It's always best to err on the side of the caution.
I was on clears for over a week, 4 weeks worth of full liquids, then mushy food a week, soft food a week then solids. Even at the solids I was barely eating.
The slower you go the better you heal. Your stomach is cut from the bottom to the top. Eating bread, crackers, potatoes and rice are carbohydrates. All doctors will agree a lifestyle change is for the best as this isn't a diet. Some doctor's will say eat in moderation. Some people will drink soda, beer or coffee again, mine says never to drink them. Each doctor is different and has different rules etc.
Your best bet in my honest opinion is to give yourself 7 weeks to have your stomach heal completely before introducing food that you know you should not have. We've all been on diets, it has taken us to the hardest route of all, that is to have a major surgery. If you take it seriously, you will know what you really should and could have. I waited almost 3 months and started to drink real coffee in the morning. Even after all these months, I can still feel that it really isn't that good for me, I didn't suffer without it, and it's not doing anything for me, I know it's something I should not have though and am staring at it right now. It's now up to me to decide do I drink it or not. I believe that I am going to quit drinking it.
All it takes is one day eating chips & crackers. Then the next time it gets easier, then the next time it's a little of this and that and then old habits come creeping back over time. Make it a lifestyle change and you can't go wrong.
Best of luck to you.

Well, this post may be a little late but I will say my piece and maybe it will help someone else down the road. Doing a last hurrah the day before you start the 14 day shake thing is usually not the best thing to do. A few days before is good, but the day before, your best bet would be stick with Protein.
Carbohydrates make you want more carbohydrates. Those that carb overload the day before starting the pre-op shake by reading here for the past year seem to have the hardest time with the pre-op shake.
I spent six months prior to the surgery doing the high Protein, low carb and of course I had some days that I did have extra carbs, but I read someone very wise here state, if you decide the day before surgery to do the big carb thing, like pizza, pretzels, popcorn, potatoes, rice, it will be harder to do the 14 days without cheating. All you are doing is stretching your stomach more, the more carbs you eat the more you will want.
Also, letting go of the caffeine and the carbonation before you start this phase is also a good thing because having to quit all of it at once is really hard.
Remember the first 3 days are the hardest, if you are on three shakes a day with only sugar-free Popsicles or sugar-free Jello allowed remember all that liquid in has to come out. Drink plenty of Water because many people end up with a little headache and usually day 3 is when you start feeling better.
You will be spending more time in the restroom most likely and remember never to trust a fart especially at night.
More than anything keep busy. Start cleaning out your closet, keep moving and keep busy. If you get really super hungry, brush your teeth. The 3 shakes a day made my mouth feel really icky and I spent a lot of time brushing my teeth. I found a decaff tea that didn't bug me and that was Bigelow Peppermint Tea. It has a nice taste, tastes good warm or cold, it's something I even brought with me to the hospital.
Best of luck to you. Whatever you have remember it's not really a food funeral it's the start of your new life.

Patience The weight loss will come. 14 lbs since 11/15 is good, just ask yourself when was the last time you lost that much weight that quickly. Your body is adjusting. Just keep doing what you are doing. Drinking will get easier and so will eating and soon you will be getting everything in. Best of luck!!!!

I am on week three and on pureed, but I have been eating soft foods and just chewing really really well. I have had no issues yet at all. I have wanted chips, crackers, popcorn (salty crunchy stuff!!) but haven't let myself do it cuz I know I will keep doing it. So the only thing I have been focusing on is learning how to eat meat again. It's Protein and I know I didn't get fat from it before! And it's filling! I've done well with chicken and ground beef (chewed very very well)...gonna try pork next!

Every doctor is different. Please contact your surgeon or nutritionist. It's always best to err on the side of the caution.
I was on clears for over a week, 4 weeks worth of full liquids, then mushy food a week, soft food a week then solids. Even at the solids I was barely eating.
The slower you go the better you heal. Your stomach is cut from the bottom to the top. Eating bread, crackers, potatoes and rice are carbohydrates. All doctors will agree a lifestyle change is for the best as this isn't a diet. Some doctor's will say eat in moderation. Some people will drink soda, beer or coffee again, mine says never to drink them. Each doctor is different and has different rules etc.
Your best bet in my honest opinion is to give yourself 7 weeks to have your stomach heal completely before introducing food that you know you should not have. We've all been on diets, it has taken us to the hardest route of all, that is to have a major surgery. If you take it seriously, you will know what you really should and could have. I waited almost 3 months and started to drink real coffee in the morning. Even after all these months, I can still feel that it really isn't that good for me, I didn't suffer without it, and it's not doing anything for me, I know it's something I should not have though and am staring at it right now. It's now up to me to decide do I drink it or not. I believe that I am going to quit drinking it.
All it takes is one day eating chips & crackers. Then the next time it gets easier, then the next time it's a little of this and that and then old habits come creeping back over time. Make it a lifestyle change and you can't go wrong.
Best of luck to you.

Proudgrammy pretty much hit the nail on the head. Grazing throughout the day is not a good way to utilize the sleeve. The sleeve is useful only if you're using it to restrict the amount of food you can take in during your meals and then keeps you satiated longer. If you're "tricking" the sleeve by taking in more food only over a longer period of time then you're still getting high calories you're just eating all the time. Which is what you're noticing... you're eating constantly.
My surgeon has me on a normal 3 meals a day with a snack or 2 if necessary. Snacks are yogurt, cheese stick, beef Jerky, etc. Low cal high Protein things. chocolate doesn't fit in to that category. I can't find any chocolate to eat (even sugar free) that is under 50 calories per piece. Try replacing those chocolates with sugar free mints or hard candies like Werthers.
Like other posters have said, we're working to change the old habits. For me that included putting food in my mouth all day whenever I wanted. Now I eat 3 times a day like normal healthy people do, and I only eat during those times if I am hungry.
I know it's probably not what you wanted to hear, but our goal is to help each other be successful losers. We've gone to an extreme length to drop the weight so sometimes a little tough love is sobering.

you need to refocus and set out an eating plan. Write down and plan your meals: if you are doing 6 small meals then write them down and don't deviate from it. Listen to your body find other things to do besides eat. Be more in control of what you are eating and you should find that you will possibly even eat less. This early on I don't think you should be eating chocolate, you are in this to lose weight eating chocolate is an old/bad habit. Good luck.

Hi there everyone I'm 6 months out and have lost 92 pounds the only trouble I have is that I'm always cold specially my feet has any one else got this problem?

I had surgery in June. I take Biotin daily, I get 60-80 grams of Protein a day and I have always had thin hair and I have lupus and I feel your pain. I am one of those people you describe though that you can see the scalp.
I went to a salon today and there is good news, I have a lot of new outgrowth coming in. She cut my hair to above my shoulders, and she put in low lights (my hair is extremely blonde) and it looks so much better. She said that she can tell that my hair is coming back.
Lupus causes thinning hair and hair breakage and Hair loss, so if I am starting to come back from it, you should too. Make sure you get your Protein in, save blow drying for special occasions and throw a protein pack on there once in a while and hopefully it will start slowing up soon.
I have a huge party to go to Friday and I was so afraid I would be bald for it that I have been freaking out myself, thinking I was going to have to go back to a pixie.
Best of luck.

I'm not a NUT, but looking at your numbers, my suggestion would be to lower your carb intake, and up your Protein by 30 grams or so. I get a monthly B12 shot and take Biotin, it seems to help with the Hair loss, and gives me energy. I wouldn't give up drinking the Protein Shakes, maybe, use them for between meals. The lower BMI'S seem to lose a slower. Your doing well!

Oh my Lord.....
A little background...I have had LONG hair most my life. Long, THICK, beautiful hair.....
My pony tail was THICK, could only wrap a pony tail holder around it twice....
I could braid it and have a long, thick, beautiful braid....I don't color it, so it was very healthy.
My hair was my vanity. Lord knows I could grow booty and hair!
December 2nd will be 5 months post surgery. I expected SOME hairloss - but HOLY CRAP!
I cry every time I shower as I run my hands through my hair and HANDFULS come out.
I cut it mid back with some long layers to give it a little more fullnes, but I think shoulder length
is coming up after Christmas....
Please, please, please tell me it stops - that I won't REALLY go completely bald or be one of those women you can see their scalp between thin strands.
Oh - my vanity.....
For years, my hair was my crowning glory.....I feel almost like I'm losing a friend....
I bought some 5,000 mcg Biotin, but want some feedback on it...
My nails are as long and strong as ever.
Can't wear pony tails anymore...looks like a rat tail
I wash it, air dry it, and fluff and say a orayer until 2 days later when I Shampoo and cry again....
I didn't know it would be this bad.....
I still would have the surgery - honestly....
but I am sad tonight.

Hey ladies? Im getting sleeved 12/10 with dr rantis as well at alexia bros. Thats awesone that you have lost 63lbs!!! And same to the other girl who lost 32! Great job you guys.

Hit a big goal today. I am no longer considered "Obese"! I am overweight. BMI is 29.8 and I have 28 more pounds to be considered "Normal", whatever that means.
I am grateful for my decision to go ahead with surgery. It's saved me.

That is awesome, keep up the great work.

Today is my 16 week surgiversary. I've lost a total of 65 pounds. This has been a week of reaching milestones in my weight loss journey. This morning, I weighed the very lowest amount since 2004. My weight this morning was 199.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I originally set this as my goal weight for December 31.
I’ve lost an average of 3.73 pound per week or just slightly over ½ pound per day!!!
At the three month post op mark, they project that 35% of excess body weight should have been lost. I lost 48.4%!!!
I realized that I’ve now lost more than ½ of the amount of the weight recommended to be within a healthy body weight index (bmi).
These are just the recent victories that I’ve had that are associated with the weight loss. There are several more ‘victories’ that I’ve noticed that have nothing to do with the number on the scale.< /span>
· The seatbelt on the airplane on a trip 3 weeks ago had PLENTY of room.
· One day, while sightseeing, I walked more than 6 miles!
· I am exercising 5 – 6 hours per week in a Jazzercise aerobics class.
· My husband put his arms around me for a hug and called me ‘skinny-bones’.
Good luck to everyone on this journey.

Praying is helpful but so is believing in yourself. Start working on your liquid intake, the more Water you drink it helps with hunger. Get off the couch, march in place, turn on some music and dance and chart your food with something like myfitnesspal.com
Good luck to you.

I am at 5 months and I lost 3 pounds last month and only a few pounds this month. You have lost a significant amount of weight and since you are at 165 pounds now, it is going to take a whole lot more weight training, cardio and actual work to lose now. When I weighed 300 - 250 or even 200 pounds it took less energy for me to burn calories. Now I have to work so much harder to burn calories so I have to expend a lot more time and effort into burning calories.
I burned a lot more calories walking up a flight of stairs at 300 then I do now, because I'm not lugging so much weight around, it's bound to slow down which means I need to step up my game. Also, if your building lean muscle that does tend to slow down weight loss a bit, but it tends to burn fat faster. Muscle takes a lot less space than than fat so you can still be shrinking.
This is at least what I keep trying to get through to myself so I stop being disappointed.

Ok... November 1st. Starting weight was 215. Current weight is 155. Height is 5'1".
60 pounds gone. 40 more pounds to my goal of 115.
Updates on you?