heygale

Hang in there, be brave. You can do it. I won't say that the first few months are easy as you learn to eat/drink again. But how much I wish I could have done this 20 years ago! I had my sleeve 13 mths ago. I have lost 90 lbs, wearing a size 6. I am a 'normal' size for the first time in my life! I FEEL GREAT! Yes, everyone says I look great, but the important part is that I FEEL 30 years younger. I can eat just about anything I want to eat, just not very much - a bite or two and you are really satisfied. It is the most wonderful freeing feeling... Occasionally I wish I could eat more of something that tastes really good, but 30 minutes later I am so glad I didn't ... Like when I zip up my size 6 jeans, or when my DH wraps his arms All the way around me, or when I curl up on the couch in a tiny ball. I had forgotten what it is like to cross my legs! I just took my grandchildren to Disneyland and kept up with them for 16 hours! I rode every roller coaster and ride there and loved every moment. A year ago, I would not have considered even trying to walk 16 hours... Trust me, in 3-4 months, you will feel so grateful for the opportunity that you have to completely change your life. Be grateful, be brave, GO FOR IT!

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I am feeling better this week. I saw my surgeon for my 3 mth f/u also and he thinks things are going fine. I have not been getting enough protein OR fluids, and I believe this is the problem. I just have to find high protein snacks and fluids that I can stomach. I used to drink huge amounts of cold water, and can't do that at all any more. I got really burned out on shakes in the beginning, and am having trouble getting them down at all now. I think all this is a learning curve that I will get eventually... I have to remember that I have lost 52 lbs in 16 weeks. I guess this is pretty amazing... I feel better than I have felt in years, and am so grateful for the opportunity for a new beginning! I do love my sleeve...:thumbup: By the way, thankyou so much Tiffykins for the gift of your time to encourage all of us... You make me feel like I Can do it! You look great by the way. I know you are so excited... I thought about you when I went shopping at Lohmanns this weekend! It was the first time in Many years that I have been able to shop in a regular store. (started at size 20 - 22) My daughter handed me a pair of shorts size 14 - with a waist. " I can't wear those", I gasped. "Just try them Mom", she insisted. They fit - with room to spare! I was so excited... Another NSV!!!! Have a great day, Heygale

Oh, the hot chocolate! I first read about it from McMadame, who calls it "mommie's crack"! I thought this was hilarious and must have been good so I ordered some. I now drink it Everyday. It is a little pricey at 9.95 for 7 servings, however there are discounts available and at 15 gr/serving I look at it like a meal. It mixes wonderfully with coffee, (I use is as my justification to have my morning coffee) makes a great mocha, and it does not taste like protein at all. For an occasional special treat, I add a few miniature marshmallows. I like the plain hot chocolate, though they have several flavors. It is made by Healthsmart and sold by Nashua Nutrition. I order it online. It is so worth trying...

Thanks for your reply Goodlife. I always start my day with coffee made with the wonderful hot chocolate mix I learned about from McMadame with 15 gr protein. About 2 hours later, I have Greek yogurt with berries for breakfast. From there, things are never the same. I may not be getting in enough food, but when I was tracking everything on Fitday.com, I found I was getting in an average of 60 gr protein, and 700 - 800 calories I keep telling myself that eventually the scale will start to show.... I am trying to be patient...

I am frustrated today. Feels like things are going So slowly... I am trying to be patient and appreciate how far I have come, but some days are hard.... My surgery date was 3/16/10. Since then I have lost 47 lbs, but in the last seven weeks I have only lost 5 lbs. I have increased my excercise and trying to really watch what I eat, but it really has not made a difference. Does anyone have any advice...? Is this normal to have such a long stall this early on? Could this be it? I am delighted to lose this much, and with a brave face have been saying that if this is all I lose, it will be ok. I don't really mean it though. I was hoping for a little more... I will say that I was ecstatic to finally reach Onderland for the first time in my adult life!!!! I now weigh 195-197. I love my sleeve... heygale

I loved reading this thread. It is so encouraging. Even though I just learned what a NSV is, I had a great one this week. (My surgery date was 3/16/10 and am down 42 lbs) The last time I saw my cardiologist was in November to talk with him about the sleeve and get cleared for surgery. He totally supported the idea, but I could tell he did not think I would follow through. He was so pleased when I saw him the other day. After telling me that I need to stop one of my meds because my blood pressure was too low, he told me that "MY HEART WAS HAPPY"!!!! I love my sleeve!:willy_nilly:

I am a caffeine addict too! Four weeks out, I added a morning cup of coffee, but justify it by adding a wonderful Healthsmart protein hot chocolate mix I learned about from MacMadame. It is made by Nashua Nutrition and I order it online. Kind of pricey, 9.95 for 7 servings, but it has 15 grams of protein and believe me it is Heaven! Mixes wonderfully with coffee and is a good healthy start to the day.

Well I also agree with both of you. I tried the Unjury and Adkins ones before surgery and liked them. I still like them, but for a few days after surgery they turned my stomach and the Greek yogurt Saved me on those days... The main problem I am having with the protein shakes right now in this stage of the game is the Volume. It takes a looong time to get one down.

I was sleeved 10/16 and a few days into a full liquid diet I felt just like you. I did not think I could choke another protein shake down.... I asked my Doc if it was more important to get in fluids or protein right now, and he said that they were both equally important. He suggested Greek yogurt. It has saved my life! It is yummy and creamy. Eight oz of nonfat yogurt have 120 calories and 23 grams of protein! A bite that I can handle is the amount I can lick off the back of my baby spoon, but if I keep working I can get it down in about an hour.