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It is so very common to have depression after surgery. I have also struggle a lot in the last few years and have also taken medication. Good for you to recognize it and never, ever feel like you have failed because you have to use your medication again. Take care of yourself!

I threw up (or dry-heaved I guess) constantly after I woke up for hours. I am now over 2.5 years post up, and do not regret a thing. The first few weeks are the worst. You just had major surgery. Trust me, things get better!

It took me 18 months to reach goal and had a stall of 3 months. Just relax. I know how hard it can be to not lose weight, but it does slow down after the 6 month mark. I lost my first 55 lbs in the first 6 months, and then it took a year to lose the last 25lbs. If you are doing everything right, you will start losing again. It is a myth that after 6 months you no longer lose weight. The 6 month window is the "honeymoon" where you lose the fastest, but it is not the end. So don't be sad!

I second Quest Bars. Delicious warmed up for 5-10 seconds in the microwave...they taste like dessert! I love the Cinnamon Roll one. And there is a new cookie dough one out that is suppose to be amazing! You can do to their website or Facebook page and get a couple of free samples.

Good for you! I used to be a pop-o-holic and then when I was trying to lose weight a number of years ago, I quit and never really drank it much. But I did enjoy a glass or 2 when we would go out for supper or a movie. Now, I can have a few sips, but anymore than that, and I get a wicked stomach ache and I am 2 years post-op.

Thank you for posting this. Many people do not talk about some of the struggles you can have after losing weight. Me, for example, I have really struggled to realize that I am not big anymore. So many times, if I see someone looking at me, I feel that they are judging me still, looking at my flabby arms or thinking that "she shouldn't be wearing that". I am not as shy as I used to be either, but I too find it difficult. I still feel sometimes like the biggest one in the group, or that people won't want to be friends with me. Our bodies might lose the weight, but our brains don't lose the baggage. I really don't have great advice. The only thing is to say that congratulations on embracing your new life and making an effort to put yourself out of your comfort zone. It takes a lot of courage to try new things! Like the old saying goes, "fake it until you make it". Just keep going and it will get easier! And congratulations on your weight loss too!

My mom has MS, so I can partially understand your situation with that. She also cannot be in the heat and gets tired very easily. I have never exercised regularly since I have been sleeved. I am active with my 2 young children, housework, and yard work, but I have never went to the gym and I have never made a point of doing regular aerobic exercise. It may have taken me a little longer to reach my goal (18 months), but I reached it, and dropped below it. I have been very careful with what I eat and have made significant changes to my eating habits. So to answer your question, yes, it can be done without exercise. If you can be active in some way, I encourage you to do that as it does help you feel better not just physically, but emotionally as well. Best of luck with your surgery!

I didn't start losing until into my second week after surgery and I gained around 10lbs from the fluid. Don't let it get you down, it is normal and the weight will start coming off.

I think most of us have strayed of course, I know I have...and I still do! I love my sleeve because it is so easy to get back on track.

I know it can be disappointing, but be proud of yourself for getting back on track. I do find it much easier to get back on track with the sleeve, and imagine before, that 14lbs may have easily been 30lbs. Sometimes it helps people to go back to the pre-op diet or follow the 5-day pouch diet to get back in the mode (just google the 5-day pouch test and you will find information). In my eyes, the biggest hurdle so many of us have to overcome is the shame and the guilt around food and mistakes. OK, you went off plan, but now you are back at it. When we continue to shame and guilt ourselves it just begins a vicious cycle of binging, guilt, eating more, more guilt. Good luck with your plan, you can do it!

I am not sure how far out you are, but after surgery, it is really difficult to get them down. I remember it taking me all morning to get one down, and that was usually just 8oz. It will come, so try not to worry too much right now, you can work on getting all your Protein in when you have healed a little more. In the beginning it is just as if not more important just to get your fluids in and stay hydrated. Are you mixing your shakes with milk?? It is common to become lactose intolerant after surgery which might be the reason for the gas and bloating feeling. Try mixing with Water or another type of "milk" (almond, soy) and see if that helps. Also, are you drinking with a straw?? Apparently drinking with a straw you can swallow more air. I never had problems, but I did read in my post-op guideline not to.

Well, I am not really sure about grapes. I am assuming raisins because they are really high in sugars. That's the best I got! I am almost 2 years post op and eat grapes no problem. I have never checked the nutritional info on them, but I don't care if they have carbs or not.

The people that say "I eat whatever I want, just in smaller portions" are going to be the people that struggle to maintain. Yes, the sleeve limits proportions, but you have to adopt healthy eating habits to make it stick. Like the first response, you can't expect to eat all the same junk and lose the weight and keep it off. As for eating anything, I am almost 2 years post op, and I can eat anything. Do I?? Nope. Not saying that I NEVER have ice cream, chocolate, or [insert treat/unhealthy for here], but I eat it occasionally and in moderation. And I know my trigger foods and I do not keep them in my house. I have never counted anything, have never went low carb, and have never followed a restrictive diet. I changed my eating habits, eat a lot more veggies, stick to high protein meals, cut out the white stuff, and still basically follow post-op guidelines. So far I have been maintaining fairly easily on a diet that I can live with for a lifetime. Like others have said, the sleeve is not a magic cure, just like a bypass is not a magic cure. It is a chance to do better with lives, a second chance at a healthy, normal existence.

I am almost 2 years post op... Water - I still don't drink with my meals, or afterward. 2 reasons, it can make you sick and throw up early out. Also, like someone else mentioned, it liquifies your food, helping it pass through your stomach quicker (Like a clog in a sink...yucky bug good visual!). It has become a habit for me. I will have the occasional sip during or after, but I do not keep a glass of water beside my plate. I will just sip my husbands. So a sip is not so bad, but don't make a habit out of drinking a lot. Alcohol - being only 6 weeks out, I am not sure I would suggest it. Your tummy is still healing. But you are probably going to do what you want anyway, so my advice. Drink very slowly, no drinks that use pop, and remember, we process alcohol A LOT faster than before. You will feel it way faster and be more intoxicated on fewer drinks, so be careful. salad - Raw veggies are difficult to digest like someone else said. Right now you need to focus on your new tummy healing the best that it can. With veggies, your stomach will have to work harder, and you don't want to risk something happening. It does not mean never. I eat salad and raw veggies all the time. Good luck on your journey.

When I got mine done in 2010, I only had a 3 day pre-op, clear fluids only. I know where I went, they have upped it now to 2 weeks minimum though.

A.MAZ.ING! You have done great! Be proud and show it off! Good Job!

I had a very hard time with just plain water, and, in fact, almost 2 years post op, it just still tastes funny (which I have heard other sleevers say as well). I drink a lot of "add to water" things like Arizona Ice Tea Sticks sweetened with splenda, or MIO. If water isn't working, try a couple of different things to keep your fluids up.

I was 5'3" and 220lbs when I had mine done and it was the best decision I have made for myself. I was self pay so I didn't have to "weigh" a certain amount to get approved, but I was still obese with a BMI of almost 40. I had tried a number of times to lose the weight the right way with watching what I ate and exercising. I always had to work extremely hard for every pound lost, and I always gained it back, which made me feel like a failure. It is not the losing that is the hard part, it is the keeping it off. We have all lost the weight. If we could keep it off, none of us would be here! I was 31 when I had the surgery and I am so excited that I get to go the rest of my life not being fat. It makes me sad that I lived most of my life overweight (I have been overweight since Kindergarten), but my struggles are what made me the person I am today. You are still young, so you do have time to think. You have to look deep and decide if you can really, honestly lose the weight on your own AND keep it off for a lifetime. If you answer yes, then start making the changes now and get on the right track. If you don't think you can, consider the surgery. It is not just about being thinner, it is about your health. I had no weight related illness when I had my surgery...in fact...I was in really good health (no diabetes, no high blood pressure, no high cholestrol, nothing). BUT, many of these diseases run in my family and I knew with my weight, I was a ticking time bomb. Speaking for myself, I wanted a permanent solution. I didn't want something that could be reversed, for what, so I could gain all my weight back again. Good luck with whatever decision you choose, just make sure it is the right one for you, not for everyone else. Everyone will have an opinion, but it is your body, not theirs.

Thank you for this article, it should really get pinned so everyone can read it as I see this type of question several times a day. I knew about the stall, but never knew why! It was very interesting to read this and it makes sense! Thanks Again!

I agree, talk to your doc. It really shouldn't be hurting by this point, especially liquids. You could be very swollen still as well. Provided everything is healed well and your sleeve is made correctly (I know someone that it was too tight on the bottom and she threw up almost all the time until they stretched it a little with an endoscopy), you will be able to eat again. I am almost 2 years post op and I can eat almost everything!

Totally agree...if you can't stay away from them early out, you are going to have a hell of a time later on.

The first month is always to highest weight loss, and then, for most, it gradually slows down. If everyone lost 1-3lbs a day for the duration, everyone be at goal in 2 months. You are doing great, just try to look at it in perspective...would you lose 2-3 pounds a week on your own before surgery...

Yup, don't worry, once you are on soft foods, you won't be able to eat much!