LilMissDiva Irene

Hey Jess! Since I've already shared my story with you - I just wanted to shout out a hello!! Looking forward to following your new journey!!!

Wow!!!!!!! Fabulous job!!!! Big CONGRATS TO YOU!!!!

Any of your basic omegas will work, nuts and seeds also add Fiber and Proteins... Then there is Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Salmon is great, TONS of Protein and good Omega 3's. Bad thing for me is my tummy doesn't really like Salmon anymore...

You know I don't really measure my daily fat grams - I just know I don't keep them super low. Maybe try upping your water first and see how that works? Figuring this whole thing out is the hardest part I think, but once you find your optimal weight loss zone it's all down from there! Until the next stall of course... LOL!

Hello there vickie, I'm not exactly sure but perhaps its because you are eating your food a bit runny. The more solid you prepare your food, the more restriction you will feel. Of course do not make your food more thick if it not a part of your plan, I'm just speculating. It is a lot different than what I personally experienced. I didn't get to eat oatmeal until over a month out. Good luck!

Hello there Chris! The Pre Op diet is probably one of the most grueling diets you will ever encounter. It's super difficult - and you are going to feel some pretty bad hunger... It would help if I knew what your diet consisted of. If it's the low carb I have a few but if its the liquid diet all I can tell you is, hang in there! Keep pushing and know it does get better after a few days. The first few days are the absolute worst. Just keep reading here, and look through the photo galleries! That is a great motivating tool, that and reading the Success Stories sub section of this site. Stay busy also by getting everything you need for your hospital stay and what you will need post op. There's lots to do to keep your mind occupied. Keep on pushing through! Only a few more days.

Hello Malcolm!! Welcome to VST!! If you're anything like me, I love my sleeve far greater than I did my band. However, I didn't have close to the success you did with yours either. Big congrats for you did exceptionally well with it! Take a look around here, you will find so many of us who have revised. The sleeve by far is everything it's said to be. PS, we also have a Man's section here, since you asked about it.

Hello Rev!!! Wahooo!! Congrats and very best wishes on your upcoming surgery! You will LOVE Dr. A and his team! I'm going back in March to see them and "check in". I've lost almost 60 Lbs since my surgery... I'm sure they'll be amazed!!

Hey Sen, I know this may sound counter productive, but when you are doing very low carbs, you have to eat more fat. Why? Your body is burning all fat for fuel. The more fuel you feed it the higher your metabolism burns. Try to add more healthy fats to your diet, especially if you are keeping your intake to 30g or less of carbs. Give it a week and report back, let me know how it works out! Also lots of Water is essential as well. Try bumping up your intake to about 80 oz to 100 oz per day. I do lowER carbs so I can sufficiently run on lower fats too, however I do not ever keep my fats super low. Good luck!!!

Thanks for the vote of confidence ladies!! I cannot get anything done unless I keep everything in order. Like they say, A place for everything, and everything in its place!! @ Melissa, you will do fantastic! Just keep reading and learning along here. So many folks are willing to help out. Such a blessing!

Hi Floppie, I chose to only tell my family members and any close friends that had a real interest on my life matters, meaning they would sincerely care whether I lived or died. This did not include work associates or random folks that I only talk to when I see them from time to time and give a smile and a Hello. This is still true today. I just don't feel the need to tell everyone, and that is ok. It's basically up to you, even if your list to maybe tell includes some family and not all. Make a list of positives and negatives should you tell everyone about your WLS. Consider the constant "how much have you lost now?" questions you will get all the time from everyone knowing your situation. It's fun at first but once you hit any long term stalls (if this happens to you) it might wear on you. It's a true and real feeling. I know this from when I was banded and what happened to me. Let it be your journey, I personally do not concern myself too much with how others view me. That is something that one person or various persons will have to deal with within themselves. I can only be me, and that's all I ever will be! Love me or hate me, take me or leave me. Good luck!!

Yayy congrats!!!! It's going to be here very quick! Best advice I can give you is to get as prepared as you possibly can right now. Good luck and stay sane!!

Hello genepha, Have you considered making your powder based home made shakes the night before? I have some Protein shaker bottles that come with whisk springs in them, so when I'm ready to drink it I can shake it up in that. It doesn't taste any worse than if I'd made it right before drinking. Just a thought! Only because I don't really care for many of the RTD's. I prefer making my own.

Hi Sharona, This is very common. The best advice to give is if you notice there is a particular food you "throw up" it's best to let it be and come back to it later down the line. I'd even give it 3-4 weeks time. Our stomachs will let us know if its not ready to handle something. It's best at that point to not push it. Vomiting too much might cause other issues you won't want. Remember to chew as much as you can. When I first started introducing solids back into my diet I took it very slow. I only vomited one time and that was in the hospital the same day as surgery. Good luck!

Hi there redayh, Congrats on your success! How awesome it is to hear the wonderful news, you are 3 years out and still loving your sleeve! I'm also glad to hear you're able to maintain your weight quite easily. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, I hope that you will continue to come around from time to time and help us newbies with questions that may come up.

I started eating real salads at about 3 months post op. I eat the same type as you the mixed baby greens or spinach salads. I have not really had a problem with them, and adding lean white chicken breast works fantastic. I'm more of a well balanced eater I guess, and getting my green veggies is super important for my health. I still get in 80g-100g of Protein daily so I'm not really worried about eating some other things to stay balanced and healthy. Everyone's journey is their own, make the most out of yours!!

Hello Caley! Congrats to you both for taking a step in the right direction to a better and healthier you! You are very lucky that you both will know how and what each other is feeling. I am revised from band to sleeve and I gotta tell ya... best thing I've ever done!! Don't miss my band what so ever. Just keep in mind that you can still vomit with the sleeve, and some even still slime. I have only vomited once in the hospital and never again, and have not slimed once... but... some still have. That being said, the threshold for food is much better than the band!! You can eat healthier foods without much pain if you eat slowly at first and chew chew chew. You also don't need to chew your food to a liquid once you get a few months out anymore. Good luck!!!

Hello Papi Chulo, Congrats on your surgery! It will definitely be worth the first few weeks of pain and any kind of misery you might go through at that time. As far as exercise it's best to take it easy for the first 6 weeks. Walking is fine, but I think pushing yourself on the elliptical might be a bit much right now. That's good though you are ready and willing!! There will be plenty of time once you're completely healed to get on the Workout Wagon. For now, rest, sip and walk!!!

Per my understanding the main concern with most surgeons on chewing gum is the fact you can swallow it. My surgeon never said I couldn't chew gum, so I do. I've never swallowed my gum before and don't intend to now... LOL!

Hey Becca, I've heard lots of others mention an intolerance to hamburger meat, so you are not alone. I haven't personally encountered anything that made me slime or vomit, but I have become lactose intolerant quite badly post op. I had a pretty bad reaction to it. It's pretty normal I guess to find something our sleeves just no longer like. It doesn't mean its forever either, your stomach needs more time - I say try again next month. It very well could work for you then.

The further you are out of surgery the easier it is to consume larger amounts of water. I make sure I take my sips during my workout throughout so I don't feel like I'm dying of thirst, causing me to take unnecessarily large gulps. I can get down 20 oz or more in an hour workout quite easily.

Hiya Jes!!! Wow look at you!! You look great, and shrinking away!

I can already see a very considerable difference. Keep up the fabulous work you two!!!

Hi Colette! It usually is something that would seem meaningless to every day life that wakes you up and smell the coffee. You did the right thing though by waiting for that moment. This isn't something to take lightly and is a major decision. I'm glad too you have decided to get the sleeve and NOT the band! I'm a revision and my story sounds a lot like your guy friend! I've never been happier with anything I've ever done for myself! Wishing you success in your new journey! Please keep us updated on how it's progressing for you.

WOW THANK YOU!!! I've never known how awesome it is to be called skinny... LOL!! I have a ways to go - even though now all my family is wondering why I still need to lose 60 Lbs. They ask me where it's supposed to come from - I even got a "I was thinking MAYBE 20 more..." today... HAAA!! The fact is they don't know, my weight is just distributed pretty good I guess. Onward and downward I go!!