Jenny12

Hi everyone! I don't come around as much as I used to (Or should!!!), but I wanted to pop in and post an update on how I am doing. I am about 18 months post op. My highest weight was 206, and my lowest weight was 112. I reached goal of 125 lbs about 10 months after surgery, but I continued to lose. I have regained a little (I needed to, my butt disappeared). I'm at about 118-119 lbs right now. I'm wearing a size 2 in most brands. I wish I could say that I know the road ahead looks easy, but it doesn't at all. I will have to kick and fight my way ahead if I want to maintain this weight. I don't really rely on "restriction" much anymore. I can't eat as much as I could before surgery, but believe me, I can still put the food away! Just takes a little longer. since I was trying to regain a little, I wasn't watching my intake as much, and am pretty shocked sometimes at the amount I can eat. I did recently (two months ago) come off of my birth control (May get back on it), but I notice my appetite is pretty intense right before my period and I'm also able to eat more during this time (less restriction). Not sure why, but it is noticeable. Junk food is so easy to eat. So easy. And actually all food is pretty easy for me...I never had any issues eating anything. To this day I can eat bread and pasta without a second thought. Nothing makes me sick. I haven't weighed my portions in a while, I'm at a point where I can eyeball things. If I were to guess, I'd say I can eat 8 ounces protein and a side. But I get hungry very quickly. Usually within an hour I am hungry again, regardless of what I eat. It must go through my system so much faster than before surgery. Because even before surgery, my last meal stayed with me longer than it does now. The full feeling I have now isn't the same feeling as it was right after surgery or even at a year post op. Instead of a really painful pressure, like not a single bite more will fit, it's now kind of like just a normal full feeling similar to before surgery (but of course I reach that feeling sooner now). I'm not sure if it's because I've learned to stop eating at the right time, but I think it's more that my stomach has relaxed a lot and this is just how it is now. I do miss the painful restriction feeling. I'm still glad I chose to have the surgery. It wasn't easy but it's been rewarding and at the end of the day I can't sit down and eat an entire large pizza anymore, and I think that's a very great thing. I hope you all are doing well!! - jenny

It seems everyone's sleeve is a little different. I'm almost 15 months post op and I can certainly eat two pieces of pizza too. However, I can eat less than 4 ounces of lean dense pork loin. So for me, it's about the types of food.

I've been taking Seroquel for a few years now. It has literally changed my life. Before it, I NEVER slept.

I was a diet coke addict before surgery, and I'm a diet coke addict after surgery. I gave it up in the early stages of post op, maybe 3 months if that. I have been drinking it ever since with no issues. I admire all of you who kicked the habit! It hasn't hindered my weight loss efforts in the slightest, and although it may not be good for me, I figure I could be doing a lot worse if this is the worst indulgence I have. Haha. Cheers (as I hold up my glass!)

I think everyone jumping down the OP's throat needs to grow up. I definitely understand where he/she is coming from and I don't feel it is pure negative judgment at all. If I had gone to something like that early on in my journey, I probably would have felt the same way.

Only shakes for two weeks. Then I reintroduced lean protein slowly after the two weeks were over.

I drink with my meals. Not a ton, but I do have a few sips throughout and drink normally afterwards. Doesn't seem to affect me. I can eat the same portion with or without drinking with it. If for some reason this changes and I start gaining weight or eat too much, I will stop. For now, it doesn't seem to matter much.

I absolutely love their protein bars!!!!! I eat them daily. In fact, thanks for the reminder, I need to order more!

He is having to take like 4 or 5 acid pills a day. Severe reflux

Hi all. Any help appreciated. My boyfriend had surgery with Dr Alvarez on January 6th so he is almost 8 weeks post op. He can't really eat anything at all without throwing it back up/regurgitating. He is now starting to have issues with liquids. They aren't sitting well with him and last night I witnessed him throw up water, which concerns me. I am 14 months post op and never had the issues he is having. At his stage I was eating very small portions of dense protein, but he can't do that. He wrote Dr Alvarez an email asking if he is having a complication, but no response. So I am wondering if his other patients can let me know if this is maybe normal for him? Maybe his stomach is just super small and swollen? More so than mine was, obviously. But, different surgeons, so it's hard for me to compare. I'm wondering if his stomach is twisted or something. Advice?

I'm almost 14 months post op. Can you eat a whole apple? Yes, easily. Can you eat rice and Pasta without discomfort? Yes, no discomfort for me. I can eat anything. Do you ever have the occasional glass of wine with dinner? Once or twice. I used to love wine, but lately it just tastes bitter to me. I don't think this is a sleeve issue. How have your close relationships been effected by your weight loss? I don't think they have been affected much, honestly. I'm a bit more confident in my day to day encounters, but that's about it. Are you able to quickly drink a glass of Water on a hot day or after a workout? Yes, not a problem. If you were an emotional eater, what behavior have you replaced the emotional eating with? Shopping Do you have any sadness associated with the inablilty to eat a large portion of something incredibly delicious? No, not at all. Maybe a little in the beginning. I'm content with the amount of food I can eat. Not too much, not too little.

I still enjoy food very much. I look forward to eating. Haha. I just can eat more like a normal person now, and not someone who has enormous binges.

I'm in Nashville. I had surgery at Centennial with Dr Houston 13 months ago. Best of luck to you all!!

I'm not sure I understand. You said you have no restriction but that you can only eat up to 4 oz of chicken. Heck, I can eat more than that. it sounds like your restriction is just fine to me. Sliders can be eaten in much larger quantities. Am I not understanding correctly? I'm very curious, since I'm 13 months post op now and others' level of restriction is interesting to me because I compare it to my own.

I'm 5'2" and my starting weight was 206. I reached my goal weight (125 pounds) in 10 months. I'm 13 months post op now and this morning I weighed 115. I only have a very small amount of saggy skin on my upper thighs and upper arms, but not bad at all. If I actually worked out for a couple months, it probably wouldn't be an issue at all. It's pretty minor in my opinion. My stomach is actually flat with no sag. In clothes, you can't tell I have lost any weight. best of luck on your journey!