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I think it takes a long time for the head to catch up to the drastic changes in the body. For me, I got very small after years of maintenance. It still sounded "off" to hear people refer to me as tiny or itty bitty. But I am very petite, in both stature and size. Accepting it has been hard. I don't view myself as fat, but wrapping my head around the reality of my weight and size? Mind warp. And I made a conscious choice to gain and THAT was hard. Every pound up was intentional but still felt "bad" to some part of me. I needed to gain, I was incredibly small - technically a healthy weight but smaller than I'd been at 11 years old. Just drawn looking and really in need of a few pounds. But wow, the hangups I encountered that I thought I'd long put to bed! I think many of us have deep seated feelings and long standing ways we've viewed ourselves. It doesn't change overnight. Or even in a year. Or clearly in my case, over seven. Cheri

Toasted bread goes down easier. Around a year I could sometimes eat a sandwich. At 7 years I can eat one, but it's still my entire meal. I'd say the sleeve, for me, reached it's full capacity at a year. At around 3-4 years out I was able to tolerate larger portions of pasta and grains, that's the only change. I'm 7 years out. Cheri

It took me years to let go. We just moved and I had totes upon totes of clothes in size 6-12 in my garage, and I've firmly been a 2/4 for years. I donated all of it to a local shelter. Let go of the largest sizes. Keep a buffer, but accept that total regain simply is not an option. Don't allow that for yourself. Keeping those clothes is like giving yourself permission. Allow yourself to bless someone else's life. Congrats on your amazing success so far. Maintenance can be challenging but if we work at it we can stay stable. Good luck. Cheri

Increasing calories and carbs, in easy to consume ways. I'm also lactose intolerant. I do smoothies with coconut water, or green smoothies. I transitioned into a more balanced way of eating; lots more veggies and fruits at first, slowly adding in good grains as I could eat them over the years. I will say that my body's set point was lower than my goal. And for years I just stuck there with very little effort. Eventually, I started very slowly creeping lower. And regain has been HARD. It's supposed to be easy, right? I've been on here for years, saying, "Just eat more." I do that - a lot of that. My body fights me. So be diligent and weigh regularly and track and stay in your zone. I want to put back on about 5 pounds and I'm fighting. Start the slow transition to maintenance early - don't wait to do it immediately at goal. Start adding things in as you near what you see as your ideal weight. Good luck and congrats on your loss so far. Cheri

I took 17 months to lose 107 pounds, and years later over a year to shed 26 pounds of baby weight and to go under that initial goal. Slow loss is still loss; it's keeping it off that matters. I only had one double digit month, many stalls and also had to increase both calories and carbs for long term success. For me, maintenance is eating a balance and being vigilant - I'm actually increasing calories to gain right now. I've slowly dropped lower than I'd like. Look at your overall progress for the year and the big picture on your eating habits, but most importantly, push forward. Many of us don't reach goal in that magical year. There's nothing stopping you but yourself. Cheri

For a long time post op I simply ate mostly protein but always left room for some veggies and a bite or two of a good quality carb choice. Now at 7 years out (sleeved), every meal includes veggies, typically greens. I still eat heavy protein, but to get a balanced diet and not rely on supplements for nutrients I eat a very diverse diet. I get regular labs, of course, and am overseen by a doc. I maintain easily, eat small, frequent meals and yes - still have massive restriction. But early out? Protein was king, veggies next, carbs for energy and to stave off binges. It took years to build up to this level of balance. Cheri

The last pounds are a mother. I don't care, they suck. It took months to get to my initial goal. Enough that I finally just got happy and it was totally anticlimactic. Years later, when I lost baby weight and a little regain, I set my goal 10 pounds lower, out of the overweight range. It took 14 months to lose 26 pounds. No joke. I unintentionally got smaller than my goal, my body set it's goal even lower than mine - I just slowly kept dropping. But it was an agonizing process. The usual stall buster logic prevails here. Increase or decrease calories, do vigorous workouts, increase water - just shake the first few pounds loose. Usually more will follow. Good luck, and have patience. It's tough. Cheri

I lost baby weight and 8 pounds regain between 3.5-4.5 years out by going back to basics. I jump started with a strict plan but only to make cravings go away and to stop myself from the tiny bit of grazing I'd slipped into. Eating by the hierarchy - protein, then veg, carbs as you've got room and enough to feel satiety and stave off binges - will serve you far better than a liquid diet. They're preposterous at our point. I drink shakes only when I have to skip a meal or boost my protein. Loss came far slower to me at that point, I won't lie, but man was I a slow loser the first time. But I lost it all, more than I'd intended, actually, going well under goal. I've kept it off for years. You know the drill. Push the foods that fill you. Find what your caloric intake is at now so you can set a deficit. Good luck. It can definitely be done. Don't torture yourself on a liquid diet uneccessarily. Cheri

I had several years of just massive restriction and protein, protein, protein. Now I eat several small meals a day. Each meal includes greens and/or veggies, at least a small portion. At least two meals incorporate a good grain or carb to balance. Like a quinoa or bulgar salad at lunch, with fish and kale or spinach. It took a long time, tracking my nutrients and finding what works. But I do maintain easily (I'm actually trying to gain a few :/ it's crazy) and I feel utterly satisfied. You'll get here with time and focus. And for reference, my sleeve is probably not much bigger than it was around a year; I just learned to work around my limitations. Certain foods like grains and pasta I could eat more of around 3-4 years out. That's the only change. Good luck! Cheri

My weight on surgery day was 242. I lost 11 pounds my first month and averaged 6 pounds a month after that, when I didn't stall. Because you had a preop, you won't see the massive drop some people see in the first month, though I would argue you still had a significant loss. Slow loss is still loss. Try not to focus on the rate of loss. It's hard, because you're making drastic changes to your lifestyle. But your body is going to lose at it's own pace. Stair steps down with landings you rest on for a while - that's what a sleeve is like. Fits and starts and stalls. Focus more on changing your habits and behaviors - things you can control - because that's what's going to keep you at goal for good. Congrats on your new sleeve and your loss so far. You're doing great. Cheri

Berry had a great answer. I rely on regular labs to give me a sounding board. I was told to stop my B12, but resume iron. I've always been anemic. I eat a LOT of greens. That and a really diverse diet of fish, shellfish, quinoa, good grains, lentils, etc. keeps me on track with no other supplements. But I work at it. If I got sloppy and ate only eggs, sausages and chicken I'd be deficient in no time. Most people, especially early out just need supplements. I'm 7 years out and have worked hard for this balance. Cheri

Stalls are part of the process. A sleeve is like stair steps down with landings you rest on for a bit. I was a very slow loser; it took 17 months to reach my initial goal with several 3, 6 and a 9 week stall on the way. It's not a race, it's a process. Frustrating at times, but ultimately leading to goal and success. We simply won't lose every day or week. But we can lose sizes or inches when the scale isn't budging. And in the end, getting to goal and maintaining your good habits and staying there will be far more important than how quickly you got there. We want results early on, we're anxious for them, because we're making huge changes in our lifestyle. Your body will catch up. You will lose. But it's not going to happen in a straight line or at an even pace. Good luck and congrats on your loss thus far. Cement your habits in the loss phase and work on eliminating behaviors that will compromise maintenance later, like emotional eating and grazing. This is far more important than your rate of loss. Trust me.

I eat eggs like crazy. Cooked any way, and yes, to keep my fat a little lower because I eat so many I've started doing an egg + a white for breakfast. But I've been known to also grab a hardboiled egg for a snack later, or chop one onto a salad for lunch. I will never give them up. My cholesterol is fine, and I focus on protein and caloric intake. I'm way into maintenance, but eggs are my favorite protein. My nut harped on me to add in the whites, so I did, but that's as far as I'll go. Any reasonable replacement would drive my sodium or fat intake through the roof. Eggs are awesome food.

Weight loss can and does help with how you feel about yourself, that's undeniable. My opinion or experience might not be popular, but I'll share it, anyway. Being unhappy and expecting weightloss to make us happy is unfair and unreasonable. For me, the weight was merely a symptom of the underlying issues. So ongoing treatment was required. I need less and less as time goes on, that's true. But I think that's less due to my size and more about the amount of work I've put in and how I feel about myself overall. Does body image factor into that? Absolutely. As does having set a goal, achieved it and my continued maintenance. But I found myself severely depressed at goal because I'd expected to be happier - and that hadn't happened. Postop our hormones are in flux for a good while. It can really affect our moods. So, just keep an eye on it. Over time and with work, medication and therapy I'm far happier in both body and mind than I've ever been. But it wasn't one thing that brought me to this point. Good luck, and be well. Cheri

Revision to bypass to resolve your GERD really might be something you need to consider. I still have very serious restriction at 7 years out. Two meatballs and a quarter cup of veggies, a couple bites of carb. Tonight I had chicken - I couldn't eat a quarter of a b/s breast, and I had a quarter cup veg, and 3 bites of rice. I stay 116-118 pounds and don't go lower by eating from the time I get up until I go to bed, mainly protein, but carbs, too, as I like. You need easy to consume calories, earlier posts are spot on. If sugars flare your GERD, soups are an option, and add unflavored protein if you can tolerate it. I'd be drinking as many calories as you can until you can find a solution. I'm so sorry you find yourself in this situation. And I'm so sorry you haven't found support. I really recommend you meet with your original surgeon, if possible. A revision, due to your very troublesome GERD, might not be your favorite idea, but it might drastically improve your quality of life. Be well, Cheri

I weigh weekly. I'm 7 years out and in maintenance. I do it because ignoring the scale leads to regain. But the number does not determine my happiness. It does not rule my life. I think before I eat, I make good choices and I live my life. I indulge when I want. I love myself and the skin I'm in and what it's been through. Little fluctuations are normal. We nip real regain in the bud. But once the loss journey is done we have to settle. It can be hard to adjust. Without that goal to focus on it can be a little strange. I found that therapy helped, as did finding hobbies and activities to occupy my time. Congrats on accomplishing so much. Enjoy it! Let your scale gather a little dust now. Cheri

I was told no NSAIDs was for bypass, not sleeve. I have arthritis and take naproxen as needed. I'd rather not, because I'd rather not have arthritis. But I've had no issues and it's doc approved. It seems to be a matter of opinion with doctors on this one. Cheri

Definitely keep looking and talk to a surgeon. You need a lot of responses to put together a real starting point. For me, I recovered quickly physically. But consumption took a long time and 7 years out I still have massive restriction. I can't gulp, I still sip. I could sip enough to stay well hydrated in that environment now, but early out I can honestly say no way. But possibly by a few months. Everyone heals differently. And it is possible to convey to a surgeon your needs and ask them to use a larger bougie, allowing you to consume more from the outset. This means you'll need to work just slightly harder, but c'mon, we're talking very little difference. In the long run, if you adhere to the guidelines and change your habits, you'll succeed. My suggestion is to talk to a surgeon. A short recovery period is absolutely going to be necessary, but if you're already fit enough to do a physically demanding job, I think your odds are better that you can bounce back afterward. Good luck, and congrats for considering this life change. It's one if the best things I've done for myself, short of marrying my husband and starting my family.

I had mine in July of 2010. I'm maintaining under my initial goal, and completely happy.

I flew all the way from Mexico to Germany. It was fine. You definitely don't need a wheelchair, but I recommend moving on the flight if you can. Walking in the terminal is good for you post op. Just take it slow. Sip water. I stopped during my layover at a place that sold soup and got broth from chicken noodle soup, but I was flying on a flight with meals. It'll be tiring, but you can do it. Just walk during your flight if possible, or move your legs if not possible. And of course, don't cross them on a flight after surgery. Good luck and best wishes.

Starting BMI 45.7, 242 pounds, size 20/22 Current BMI 21.9, 116 pounds, size 4, sometimes 2 By that chart, I'd be a 0. I'm a 26 inch waist, with loose skin. I've no doubt after plastics, if I had them, I would be a 0/2 but at 7 years post sleeve they're a want not a need.

I am 7 years out. At 2 years out I had a sleeve baby. I had my only regain after, of 8 pounds. My father passed and I had lingering PPD. I simply let my habits slide, began grazing and didn't put protein first. I refocused. I did 10 days of a strict jumpstart and got back on track. I lost my baby weight, regain and went under goal. I've maintained there for over 2.5 years. I always put protein first. I eat anything, but I'm balanced. If I indulge, it's wisely. It's never a binge and I eat good choices the rest of the day. I eat protein focused snacks. I eat small, frequent meals and snacks. I stay hydrated. I don't avoid foods, because if I do, I'm more likely to feel deprived and binge. I never graze or eat simply because I'm bored or feeling emotional. I weigh weekly, I never hide from the scale. Now it hardly moves. I have a lot of restriction. It helps a lot. That's why I eat so often. My tastes changed. I worked to change my habits. The whole of it helps keep me successful. Thinking before I eat. Remembering that this is for life, not a diet. When I thought of it as a diet, it got tiresome. Now it's just how I live. And I love it. Being mindful about small regain, like you are, is how you prevent big problems. Get back on track with the basics, and you'll shed it. Good luck, Cheri

I'm 7 years out. I'm 116 pounds. My body picked my goal weight for me and really likes it here, so maintaining is easier than it could be. But I do have rules I live by. I weigh at least weekly. I do not worry about tiny fluctuations but nip anything out of my maintenance window immediately. Complacency leads to larger regain. I don't avoid food groups, but I do put protein first. I will usually choose a protein snack. I indulge when I want, because I believe forbidden foods lead to binges. I don't want the yo-yo. It works for me. I never graze. I either portion food out and eat it, or I don't, but no mindless or emotional eating. I still have a ton of restriction, so maybe that's made my journey easier. And my tastes changed a lot. I don't care for potatoes, or sweets. I can't have milk or eat ice cream due to lactose intolerance. But just being mindful is what keeps me successful. I think before I eat. I don't have to track anymore, it's just second nature. The scale is my tracker. And it hardly moves. I think this is the ideal. I'm happy, can't complain. Cheri

Congrats!! It's a huge miracle, so I'm sure you're excited. My situation is a little different, as we did fertility treatments (we used our frozen embryos), but I was on progesterone shots and suppositories a good while with two pregnancies. I know that misery. The nausea, carb cravings, aching boobs...ugh. So, honestly? I gave in, in moderation. It's all I could keep down. At one point, oatmeal was it. It was nuts. I gained about 7 pounds from the pre-FET before-I-knew-I-was-preggo treatment and 26 pounds while pregnant. I lost 14 immediately after birth. I did, eventually, lose it all and go 17 under goal. It just took time. The biggest thing is a healthy pregnancy. Dude, I ate what that baby wanted. Foods I hate, like peanut butter, and strawberries. She was fine. I hope you have a healthy nine months. It's a drag being on supplemental hormones, but you can do this. Your sleeve will be there, still rockin when you get done delivering a beautiful baby. I lost my baby weight plus that extra between 3.5-4.5 years out. You're golden. Stay healthy, mama, Cheri

When I initially picked 135 it seemed unattainable. And it also seemed to take forever to get there! But my body was pretty happy there for a while. Once I adjusted lower, my body went lower with me. It's at a happy weight here, between 116-118 and I really never budge out of this range for more than a day. It's like I'm stuck. I don't want to be smaller, never tried. But being bigger? I think it would take work. My body really likes it here. It picked this place to stop, naturally. Anyway, good luck. If you wind up a slow loser with your similar stats don't let it get you down. It'll be frustrating, I know. But long term it pays out. Welcome to the start of your journey! Cheri