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It's normal, so work it to your advantage! Some tastes do come back but most of my aversions have stuck with me. I used to LOVE fries or greasy chips and can't stand more than one or two now. It's nice to kick that habit. I used to crave french fries and it led me into the drive thru cycle more than once. My time off dairy (lactose intolerance) left me with a dislike of heavy, creamy sauces and cream Soups. I can eat them now, they just aren't as satisfying as they were prior to surgery. I had a Protein shake I bought a two pound tub of because I loved it pre-op, but it tasted awful to me after surgery. I'm a cook and a serious baker and for the longest time food held absolutely no appeal for me. It wasn't until sometime around one year out that I had my first meal where I sat back and said, "Wow, that was good." It comes back, but that huge break where I didn't care for food really taught me how to handle my portions and how to eat in moderation. I'm grateful my tool gave me that extra perk. I'm better adjusted in maintenance because of this. I can bake six dozen Cookies or five loaves of bread in a day and have them in the house without feeling like it's a constant temptation. It's just food, and I can eat a little if I want, but it doesn't control me the way it used to. Best of luck and swift healing! It gets easier. ~Cheri

You're on track. It's pretty normal and of course it gets easier. If we had to live that way forever very few people would be so happy with the sleeve! Don't beat yourself up. You'll get better each day, and as you get used to the drastic change in diet the fatigue will go away, too. Good luck and congrats on your new sleeve. ~Cheri

I have two of these and used them post op with no problem. I would keep one in my lap all day long so I'd never forget to keep sipping while healing. If you don't have one, the straw cleaning brushes you can find online are a big help. I love mine! Oh, and if you ever need them it's possible to get replacement straws and tips, too. ~Cheri

When I was on clears the only Proteins I had were unflavored added to broth - my list of okay foods didn't include Protein shakes at that point. Only you know what you'll like but

Oh yum...too bad I live somewhere I can't find quality avocados OR turkey bacon! Thanks for sharing! ~Cheri

What's the nausea from? I ask because I started to put two and two together about my lactose intolerance pretty close to two months out. It made me feel nauseated and sick all day long. It's completely normal to feel aversions to food after surgery. Eating isn't fun anymore, we can't eat as much as we used to, our tastes change and very often we're on a really restrictive diet. But you have to make yourself eat something - even sipping on Protein shakes all day if you have to. Otherwise you'll get dehydrated! We need fuel. For some people it's a once in a while thing. For me, it lasted months. I didn't really enjoy eating much of anything until sometime around a year out. Nowadays I do enjoy food, just in smaller portions. Every now and again eating will be a chore or a pain but I don't feel completely repulsed by food the way I did in the beginning. Find something you can tolerate. And really - see if dairy is causing you a problem. Maybe your current Protein shake is ruining your day. In either case, it does get better. Hang in there. ~Cheri

Oh yeah! I forgot to add that the ONLY unflavored Protein I would really recommend is the nectar one. It's almost completely tasteless with no funky smell and it blends in with no issue. ~Cheri

Everyone is different. Have you noticed a change in your numbers? How frequently do you test? I came off meds right after surgery, though I did require insulin a few times in the 24 hours immediately post op. I noticed a drop in my blood sugars almost immediately and was considered "in remission" four months post op. I hope that your doc will have some insight for you! It did take longer for my A1C to come down to a normal level. ~Cheri

I just want to thank the OP and all of the other posters for their contributions to this thread. My mother has lupus and would like the sleeve but is worried about not only going off the meds but finding a new protocol to work as she loses weight and adjusts dosages. I'd really love it if you ladies could keep coming back here to update with your progress so I can show her it's possible to do this. She's watching my new life from the sidelines, afraid to jump in herself. I do have one question: how did you go about finding a surgeon? Did you simply let the surgeon you selected know you were higher risk? My mother is on warfarin (coumadin) and is very concerned about having another surgery. She had an aortic aneurysm in 2010 that left her wheelchair bound for more than a year, and she's still experiencing neuropathy and uses braces and a walker to walk. I'm sure her case is a bit more drastic than some, but I'm curious to hear about how you went about selecting your surgeons and preparing for surgery. Best to all of you, ~Cheri

If you have people you can count on to help if your recovery isn't as smooth as you like, then do it. I'm sorry but I can't imagine having two dogs in the house is more difficult than those of us that get sleeved with young children! I had two and a half year old twins to chase after surgery and managed just fine. That said, go into this choice knowing that your recovery might be rougher than you expect because of the added demand. I always say dogs are a bit like toddlers that never grow up. Obviously I'm a cat person. Best of luck either way! ~Cheri

You can do a few things. One, evaluate your diet. I'm not criticizing you personally. Make sure you're being totally honest with yourself about your intake. If you aren't tracking what you eat, start. It's useful for so many reasons! I know that I definitely let myself slip into denial about what I'm actually putting in my mouth if I'm not careful. Sometimes you need MORE food, not less! I needed a better balance of protein and carbs to do well. Everyone is different. This can maybe kick start your loss and get you going again. Finally, it doesn't matter if you lose slow and steady or fast and furious. The end result is the same: goal. None of us can guess how long it will take us to get there. It took me seventeen months, and I lost on average just over six pounds a month. That's not entirely accurate because I had two nine week stalls in there, too! If you're doing the right things with your diet the weight will come off. It's a challenge for all of us slower losers to accept that we aren't getting to goal in nine months. I was so angry and frustrated until I learned to just let it happen. Definitely be more active. It's good for the body and the mind. Walking isn't going to make you lose a ton of weight but it's going to get you moving. Embrace your new lifestyle and enjoy it. Don't just sit back and let it happen to you - get involved in your journey! Best to you, and welcome to the site! ~Cheri

The above is good advice. I just want to ask if you're on a PPI. Many docs to not prescribe a PPI as a matter of course. The feel of a belly churning with acid is the EXACT same as a hungry belly. This may be causing you to feel like you're hungry and need to eat. So yes, it's entirely possible that you're just one of those people that doesn't lose the hunger. But if you aren't on a proton pump inhibitor, I suggest you look into this because it might help you. If the PPI isn't the issue, it's really important to evaluate why you're eating when you are. If you feel out of control, part of the issue could be that you're eating emotionally or falling back into old habits despite your best efforts to work your sleeve. If the issue is simply that you feel hungry all the time the only real solution is to feed the sleeve when you're hungry, but to entirely revamp your eating habits. This way you can eat when you feel hungry but you'll find yourself limited to small meals made up of high Protein options if you want to stay successful. Best of luck. I hope you find something that works. ~Cheri

I love vanilla bean torte and chocolate truffle the best. I've used them for the entire time post op and still enjoy them. They mix well with juice, tea, coffee, Water, soymilk. I'd say the double-stuffed cookie, latte Cappuccino and Caribbean cooler are also pretty good. I don't typically care for fruity Protein shakes but I've tried the peach, orange, and pink grapefruit and think they're okay, I just couldn't drink them every day. The only flavors I couldn't drink at all were roadside lemonade and the twisted cherry. Others like them but I hated them. ~Cheri

Oh, I wanted to add a question! Do you sweat? Sounds crazy, but my four year old daughter does not sweat anywhere except her scalp. When she gets overheated, she turns bright red and swells up. She gets a sunburned look after just a short time in high temperatures. If she stays in the heat too long, she will faint. If this sounds like you, it probably isn't something surgery will help. You should see a doctor if this is the case. My daughter has what is called anhidrosis and it's very serious if we don't watch her. She will likely never play outdoor sports in the spring/summer and already has an aversion to playing outside much because it makes her so uncomfortable. Just thought I'd add that experience in for you to consider. I hope this helps, ~Cheri

Yes. I used to get overheated, sweaty and my skin would get red and almost swell with Water. This only happened when I was at my high weight. Honestly, I can only recall being hot (to the point of discomfort) two or three times since surgery. I'm cold all the time, and it started immediately post op. I live in Central Asia and the climate is hot. Normally, anyway! Right now the US is hotter for some reason. But in any case, from May to August temps range from the eighties to high nineties or higher. Once upon a time this would have made me red and sweaty. Now it feels good - it warms my bones and makes me feel wonderful. I often don't even realize how hot it is outside until I lay eyes on a thermometer. So for me, at least, this has improved greatly post op. ~Cheri

If you aren't on a PPI like Nexium or Prilosec, get on one. I'm amazed at the number of new folks with doctors that don't prescribe them as a matter of course. I'm two years out and needed a PPI for about three to four months initially. Churning acid feels EXACTLY like a rumbling belly when you're hungry. If you're on a PPI, are you feeling any other symptoms like some heartburn or problems with acid when you lie down? This is a sure indicator you either need a higher dose or different medication. I had to change meds twice to find what worked best for me. I started on Nexium, went to Prevacid and did best on Prilosec. Also keep in mind that the healing stomach is NOISY. I don't know when it got quieter but sometime around a year I realized I wasn't listening to my stomach gurgle all day long. Best of luck! ~Cheri

Hey, just wanted to jump in and say congrats on choosing July to be sleeved. I, personally, think it's an especially great month to do it in. I'm a July vet, having been sleeved two years ago. Best of luck to all of you in the upcoming months. You'll all do great! ~Cheri

I agree with your post. I had a similar conversation recently about how young women should love themselves and focus on their personalities more than what their bodies or clothes look like. Well, the truth is, we all need substance behind the sparkle. But let's not lie to ourselves: people viewed as fat or unattractive, or unfashionable because they're wearing frumpy clothes don't always get the chance to show how well their personality shines. Maybe it's a sad statement on human nature, but all too often I was told things like, "I wish I could date a girl just like you" when there was no reason that I wasn't available...I just didn't look the part. Fat people get friend-zoned or ignored much more easily, and it's a rare person that looks beyond the body that they might find less than appealing to the person inside. Just my opinion and experience, of course. ~Cheri

I don't forbid anything because of nutrition - so there's nothing I say I can't eat that would go down well if I wasn't restricting. Make sense? I avoid foods because they hurt me in some way. Rice Pasta Tortillas (the worst!) Iceberg lettuce Dairy sauces Milk Ice cream Since surgery I developed lactose intolerance. Or should I say, after surgery the dairy issues I was gradually developing rushed ahead into full blown intolerance. So for a long time anything but hard cheeses was off my list. Now I just avoid creamy sauces, ice cream and milk. They make me very ill. VERY ill. Iceberg lettuce is a no-no. I can tolerate other lettuces in small quantities but iceberg just causes pain and digestive issues. Rice, tortillas and pasta all swell in my tummy and I go from feeling great to feeling horrible with just one bite. I avoid these foods for the most part. I also watch my intake of potatoes and bread. I don't scratch them from my diet entirely, but they cause me to feel full faster, which prevents me from eating more nutritious foods that I actually need to eat. ~Cheri

Congrats on both your success and your engagement! You've done a great job! ~Cheri

After two years, I still start almost every day with a Protein coffee or tea mixed with vanilla bean torte or chocolate truffle from Syntrax nectar. I use a shaker cup and the only time I have lumps is when my liquid is too cold. It mixes great with hot, warm, room temp or cool liquids - not icy cold ones. I have an entire sample pack of the About Time shakes and I hate them. I was excited at first because of the healthier ingredients but I find the taste lacking. I am not a fan of the fruity shakes - not even the nectar ones. Keep trying things until you like them! I changed "favorite" Protein Shakes about four times since surgery, but the one constant are the Nectars. I love them, even mixed with Water or homemade unsweetened soy milk. Oh, and a shaker cup will keep the foam down more than blending, so try that if you want to avoid the foam. Good luck! ~Cheri

Everyone is different. At about four months out I started eating little half sandwiches on those thin rounds and it was an awesome way to up my carb intake and help me have more energy. I am two years out and cannot eat more than one or two bites of tortilla without feeling sick. I can eat tortilla chips but the corn or flour tortillas themselves get stuck and refuse to move. Same with Pasta and rice - I can only do a few bites of each. Bread isn't an issue but it's very filling. Toast seems to go down easier, so if you have trouble with the rounds as they are, try toasting them first. ~Cheri

Those of you feeling heartburn and reflux need a PPI such as Prilosec or Nexium, not Tums! Get on one and watch your life change. You will feel better and it might help with any "hunger" you might be feeling. Even now, two years out, the feeling of acid churning in my belly is EXACTLY like a rumbling hungry tummy. I only needed my PPI initially for about 3-4 months but some people need them longer. Due to my currently stressful life, I'm on them again, but only one every other day to keep it under control. You need something to fix the acid problem and treat the symptoms, not only something to treat the symptoms. As for hunger, set a timer and eat regularly. I'm two years out and attribute my easy maintenance to a high Protein, reasonable carb diet. In loss, you shouldn't avoid carbs entirely. They aren't your enemy - they give you energy and help your moods. Overeating the wrong carbs (junk food!) is your enemy while you're trying to lose. How your body reacts to them is very individual so play around with your diet until you find what helps you feel better and have energy while also losing weight. ~Cheri

The permanence is reassuring to me. It comes without the worry of malabsorption, too. Yes, I worked on a lot of my food issues while losing, but knowing that if I slip up, or fall into a rough patch (and bad habits) I have this tool that never stops working to help me reach goal again is so incredibly reassuring. It also meant while I was slowly losing that I didn't have to stress about not meeting goal before a certain time limit. There is no honeymoon. Simply put - if I pack on twenty pounds over the next three years, my sleeve is STILL there, STILL working and will get me back to goal if I do the right things. However, with this permanent solution I've chosen, regain is unlikely. I've had a mixture of eating habits in maintenance and unlike someone whose band has been unfilled, my sleeve still controls my portions. When hormones make me want to eat everything including the paint chips off the wall, my sleeve keeps it mostly under control. And if I DO happen to put on two or three pounds? Taking it off again is EASY because that sleeve is still working. Coming to terms with the surgery is a challenge. I was all for the band until I did enough research to see it wasn't what I wanted for me. I wanted permanent. Now that I'm at goal and trying to get pregnant again I'm incredibly happy with my choice. I know my sleeve will relax enough during pregnancy and nursing so I can get the nutrition I need, but that it will go right back to restricting me when I need that again. All you can do is talk to him and share your feelings about this. The sleeve is a great surgery for people that need a lifelong tool that doesn't cause nutritional deficiencies or come with the risk of needing multiple surgeries to fix issues with a port or slippage. Best, ~Cheri

My BMI to start was 45 and is now 25, but I self-paid. If you have co-morbids you have a better chance of having insurance cover the surgery. Each company is different as far as what they'll cover, and each doctor is different as far as what they'll do. I think it's silly to want us to be heavier so that we can have surgery to be smaller, but sometimes that's how it goes. Search for "lightweights" or the phrase "low BMI" and see what you find. There are many lightweights here, so perhaps you can get advice from one of them before your appointment. ~Cheri