sr910

Just wanted to chime in about weight gain/weight loss since being sleeved. I was sleeved April 2013 (now over a year and a half out) and I'm still losing slowly but surely. I started at 306.5. Currently at 200 lbs. I'm 5'7", 28 years old, wearing L shirts and size 12 pants are getting big. I don't drink soda (never ever -- people that say "oh I leave it out and let it go flat first"-- that's stupid, I'm sorry. Don't do it), I get my water in, I'm not great with vitamins but my bloodwork looks great so I'm not worried about it (although I do keep up with my calcium and D3), and I try to eat balanced meals (not ALL protein, but a healthy balance while still focusing on that protein). I've had small fluctuations in weight along the way (a couple pounds here and there) and I don't always make the best choices as far as food goes, but you've just got to put everything in perspective -- if you've made it to a certain pant size, do you really want to go back up in size? You've gone through a major surgery and major lifestyle change for this weight loss -- do you really want to throw that away? Hang in there, if you're in the first six months or year DO NOT STRESS about any fluctuations, your body is just trying to figure out what's going on. You'll be fine, just follow your surgeon's plan and get that water in!

I'm experiencing the exact opposite. I've lost about 80 lbs and I seem to be getting reprimanded for every little thing, even when I've done nothing wrong! The old me would have never thunk it, but maybe people are worried I'll come out of my shell and start kicking ass and promoting up the ranks!

Does the tightness first thing in the morning ever go away? I'm 6.5 months out and drinking anything -- even Water -- is still very uncomfortable within the first few hours of waking up. And eating actual food is out of the question entirely.. Vets? Anyone further out than me? Halp!!

A-A-Ron. (If you watch Key & Peele...)

You look great!

My grandmother and mother have hypothyroidism, and my sister has Hashimoto's. I've been "borderline" and previously on a low dose if synthroid, but didn't feel it was helping. Just recently, for the past month or so, I've been EXHAUSTED -- no amount of sleep is enough, I'm crying all the time, my skin is dry... I just had blood drawn yesterday when I requested my primary do a thorough check of my thyroid. If it comes back that I need to go back on medication for hypothyroidism, I'm going to ask for desiccated thyroid. From what I've read, it just works better for some people. But according to this article, some doctors get pissed when patients mention it. But I figured it was worth sharing... http://thyroid.about.com/b/2009/01/27/the-desiccated-thyroid-controversy-why-endocrinologists-dont-like-armour-thyroid.htm

Have you heard about the 5 day pouch test? I haven't done it myself, but I've heard it helps WLS patients discover that sensation of restriction that can be lost when we get farther out in our post-op lives.. http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

I searched the forum and couldn't find anything on this topic so I apologize if it's been mentioned before. First thing in the morning, my sleeve feels really tight. This morning even drinking Water was uncomfortable (and I'm over 8 weeks out!) It seems to get easier throughout the day, but food and liquid just feel awful first thing in the morning. Anyone else experience this or have any advice?

I'm on day 5 of my pre-op diet and, although I was 100% confident in my decision before now, I'm freaking out. I read an article on obesityhelp about bougie sizes, and it said 32 is the most common used, and the 32 has a size equivalent to a ballpoint pen. For some reason this just freaks me the hell out. I always thought our new stomachs were about the same width as a banana -- but apparently not! I have my pre-op seminar on Wednesday, and I really hope to talk to my surgeon about bougie size. I know that poor food choices got me here, but I want to know that I will eventually be able to enjoy pizza, bagels, and other favorites on very rare occasions... If my sleeve is the width of a pen -- or slightly larger -- will bready food items even be able to make it in there, even if thoroughly chewed?

My husband has been balding for a few years (in the front part, which just made his forehead look huge) and he was trying to hold on to what hair he had left. It looked awful! Now we use a clipper with a #1 guide and it's real short all over. Definitely looks better. I wouldn't say that I am really attracted to bald men... like I can't recall ever seeing a bald guy walking down the street and thinking he's hot... but idk, work with what you've got!

I don't like WalMart either, but I wanted the magic bullet for my preop diet, darn it! And my husband is an assistant store director at a large grocery chain... I told him that I had been reading threads on here (I didn't tell him about this one, though -- I think he'd be pissed!) and I tried to get him to open up about his feelings on me being sleeved... Low and behold, he's afraid I'm going to lose some pounds, gain some self confidence, attract attention from other men, and leave him. I told him that was not my goal in having this surgery -- I just want to get healthy and feel better about myself -- not find a new man. For the married folks... can you imagine dating again?! I would be sooo awkward... so anyway, we're working on things. I'm still getting sleeved and I'm still going to lose a few pounds and feel better about myself... but if my marriage ends, I'm adopting a bunch of cats and staying single!