JenniJune

Some days I do, but those feelings are based on my own food addiction. But I am less than a month out, and this is when things are hardest: you can't eat what you want, some days it's hard to eat at all. BUT, every week it gets easier. So I know that week 5 will be better than week 4, and week 12 will be better than week 11. So with that in mind, I know that there will be no regrets: I'm losing steadily, and my husband has even noticed a difference. I am getting healthy.

So I am sorry if this upsets anyone, but before you say "I only lost 20lbs" or "I only lost 2lbs this week" maybe take a step back and remember the excited thrilled feeling you got when you hit 20lbs at WW. Or how great it felt to go down 2lbs in one week with Atkins...
Just remember this is a tool, and you get out what you put it. Also remember there will be stalls. This is a tool to help us lose the weight. It's hard not to be discouraged, but maybe count each day with your sleeve as a victory. If you tumble, pick yourself back up and we have this amazing gift that each day is a new opportunity to do the best we can. One step and one pound at a time. Marathon... Not a sprint.
:-)

I'm very surprised about being on regular food to that extent as well. I'm 4 weeks and struggling with the soft foods! And I was told no fresh fruit or veggies for at least 6 weeks.
I would lay off the carbs: that may trigger more loss. Wrap a string cheese in a piece of ham and dip it in the mustard. Good luck!

For the puréed stage, I puréed everything, lol. Soup, chili, veggies, meatloaf, meat sauce (for spaghetti). If you can eat it, you can purée it.

Right?!? I have a couple friends who act like it's a tragic handicap that I don't drink. It's such a part of their lives that the idea of not drinking just doesn't compute. Maybe I need to find new friends, lol!

Interestingly enough, I was just asked by a friend last night when I can drink alcohol again and was appalled when I said "probably never". Her idea of drinking alcohol is getting drunk and acting stupid. Someday I may be able to have a glass of wine or a craft beer, but honestly I have no desire for it.

Interestingly enough, I was just asked by a friend last night when I can drink alcohol again and was appalled when I said "probably never". Her idea of drinking alcohol is getting drunk and acting stupid. Someday I may be able to have a glass of wine or a craft beer, but honestly I have no desire for it.

Everyone is different. I'm two years out, maintaining beautifully and easily (even while in early pregnancy) and I embrace the idea that moderation is key.
I cannot live on a diet forever. I cannot tell myself entire groups of food are off limits for life. I cannot say that a particular type of food is the magical reason I was fat. It would be a lie.
People talking about trigger foods and uncontrollable eating if they dare to eat a carb or calorie out of line? That sounds like perhaps they didn't work on the emotional aspect of their obesity and on their disordered eating. They cut calories and carbs and got to goal...and now they're trapped in a lifestyle that has no give in any direction. That may work for some people, for a lot a of people it's just asking to fall off the diet wagon, and hard.
Dieting helped make me fat. The endless cycle of binges and purges involved in watching every single calorie and frantically exercising to take off the extra calories in a handful of Doritos. The failing of willpower when I realized that I simply could not stand the idea that I was banned from carbs for life. The feeling like a miserable failure (and the resulting comfort eating) whenever I'd take a misstep.
Knowing I can eat what I want means a lot to me. It means that I don't feel deprived, ever. It does not mean that I sit around eating cheesy poofs and drinking soda all day long. It means I eat like a normal person. I eat to plan about 95% of the time and give myself some flex in that other 5%, and I'm happier for it.
I think that in the beginning, people should stick as closely to a high Protein, low carb diet as possible. By low carb, I mean actually eating enough carbs to have energy and not lose your mind. Around fifty grams or so a day. It's hard to eat carbs in the early months, anyway.
As your capacity for food increases, so should your intake of everything, in equal amounts. I eat 40% Protein, 30% carbs and 30% fat, roughly. That's what works for me. I simply upped the calories once I hit goal to maintain. I'm not regaining weight and I'm not having trouble maintaining. It's very individual, though. Track to your body's needs. Some people do not lose weight eating as many carbs as I do, and some people need more than me. Track your food, add in what you need to feel good and reach your goals and cut back if it slows your loss. It's actually very easy to do.
For every person that can point and say "moderation" made that person regain, I can point to another story where someone simply dieted their way to goal and regained. This sleeve is a TOOL. Not just a tool for weight loss. A tool that can help you overcome lifelong habits and disordered eating. Use it for it's maximum potential. The reason people regain weight isn't because they ate popcorn or bread. It's because they didn't ask themselves WHY they were eating it and figure out how to stop doing it if they weren't hungry. Use the sleeve to learn control, and be healthier all around, not just thinner.
~Cheri

When do you think this philosophy starts? I've heard some people say "never" and others that have said "as soon as you're on real food". What's your opinion? I think that once you're fully healed and on solid foods, this is great philosophy. For me, this was a way to live a normal life and have a normal relationship with food, NOT to have to think about Protein and carbs all day, every day. That just feeds my obsession (and why I failed at programs like Weight Watchers). I just don't want to have to think about it. I want to be able to eat a sandwich, if I want a sandwich. A salad, if I want a salad. Or even a piece of pizza or a bit of hamburger, if I want that. The point, for me, is to be able to say "I'm full" and stop eating after one piece of pizza or 1/4 of a burger.
What are your opinions?

When do you think this philosophy starts? I've heard some people say "never" and others that have said "as soon as you're on real food". What's your opinion? I think that once you're fully healed and on solid foods, this is great philosophy. For me, this was a way to live a normal life and have a normal relationship with food, NOT to have to think about Protein and carbs all day, every day. That just feeds my obsession (and why I failed at programs like Weight Watchers). I just don't want to have to think about it. I want to be able to eat a sandwich, if I want a sandwich. A salad, if I want a salad. Or even a piece of pizza or a bit of hamburger, if I want that. The point, for me, is to be able to say "I'm full" and stop eating after one piece of pizza or 1/4 of a burger.
What are your opinions?

I agree - I'd look into a different surgeon. The one I'm going to has done a good amount, but also not so many that he's a "meat market" doc.
I also agree with the hair loss issue - any surgery you have weather it be RnY, Sleeve, bypass, or lapband - hair loss is a very real possibility if not probability.
That being said, I have to say that I appreciate the fact that you're doing your research - whatever you chose to do, I have a feeling you will be very well informed :-)

Sounds like you just might have caught a tummy bug.

I watched a lot of YouTube video diaries and found that to be extremely helpful in helping me decide to go with the sleeve instead of the band.

I would challenge anybody that believes that sodas whether diet or not aren't poison to do a couple things.
1. go to your nearest bottling facility in the early morning. Sit near the truck gate and watch the trucks bringing the ingredients into the facility. You will see so any HAZ-MAT placards it's just not funny ranging from CORROSIVE, FLAMMABLE, & even ,yes, POISON.
2. Do the spoon test. Get a cheap spoon (you dont want to ruin your good ones), pour a glass of soda, and suspends spoon in the soda for several days.
Then decide, do you really want this stuff in your body?

God's got this!

I'm tomorrow as well and have also been singing that song! Lol!!

Okay, I woke up singing the Annie song "tomorrow!" I am SOOO excited!! EEK!! Spa day today, facial, mani, pedi! Then 7:30 am is surgery! I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am. I will post as soon as I am able to.

Okay - you asked...
First, seriously, the forum is thick with people listing the early stages as difficult, the Water issue is common and fades, and there is a protien drink out there that you will like - or make your own. You can even get protien Water, and milk fortified with protien, 12 g for 8 0z.
Every issue, every one that you ever had with any other weight loss tool has an opportunity to arise after the sleeve - especially if you do not prepare in advance.
Now, lets fix this in small increments...
You MUST stop stressing and anticipating your body's response to your foods and water. Try some breathing yoga before you drink, losen up your chest, calm down...
Do not sit down with your family at the beginning of the meal, find something to do before you set down.
Take only small bites of food, smallest, chew thoroughly and ask someone a question - so you can talk, and then another bite - if you are still eating as the plates are cleared, so be it...and that is someone elses job now, too. You are going to take warm bath and let yourself relax and digest.
Read, not just here - there are book out there full of insightful, helpful information. If you are interested I will recommend a few.
There will be other posts with excellent suggestions. Good luck - it gets better (look at my profile).

Jennijune! Yes hun you ready tomorrow is our day!

well its official I received my approval phone call today and I am getting sleeved on the 18th. I am so excited! i feel like my life is getting ready to begin.

Got ya added to our group

Ok everyone, tomorrow is my day. I'm on my way to eagle pass with Dr. Alvarez and i am stoked...

Please excuse the bold language! I have a question for the woman...sorry fellas I have a love hate relationship with my breast. when I was a teen I went to sleep and woke up in a D cup, now 11 yrs later I am in a 38jj. Whenever I lost weight prior my boobs barely changed. I would LOVE for them to go down during this transition but I still want something (my trademark) what are some of the changes some of you noticed when the weight started to come off? My fears are I will be 160 lbs w/ JJs or 160 lbs w/ As...ideally I would like to be 160 lbs w/ Ds or DDs...but realistically I know time will only tell...thought it would be an,interesting topic!