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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.

Wow, you are my new hero! If that was me, I would probably take a spoon and start digging in! That or just start licking them out of the bag...really, I am not biased, I don't care if they are mixed up. And that is why, my friends, chips are never in my house!

You are doing great! I am glad you posted about "Gollum after the ring"...awesome quote by the way! I think that is where people begin to fail with the sleeve. They think it is a magic cure and they can still eat everything they were eating before and lose weight. Of course they will lose in the beginning, but it will catch up with them...just like a Bypass patient gains back their weight. I am like you with chips, so if I do buy them, I end up eating some and dumping the rest in the garbage (I know if I just rolled up the bag, I would literally dig them out and eat them...they're still good). Oh, and just so people know, I have literally eaten chips less than 5 times since I had my surgery almost 2 years ago. They are one thing I can't eat in moderation...I eat them until I am sick, so I will not keep them in my house. Hence the sleeve is not a cure, its a tool!

I really do agree with you. I went into this surgery looking to change HOW I eat, not necessarily WHAT I eat. I have changed drastically how I eat, and I have changed what I eat along the way with learning how to eat. I knew that I couldn't live the rest of my life on a strict diet...we have all tried that and failed. I personally feel that it is impossible to live your entire life without ever eating anything that might not be considered healthy. I also think that you are setting yourself up for disappointment if you do because the minute you eat anything "bad", you will beat yourself and thus begins the unhealthy cycle of shame and guilt that contributes to binge eating. Now, I eat healthy the majority of the time, BUT, I will have ice cream, I will have chips, I will have chocolate...in moderation and without guilt. Anywho...back to the chips. I am almost 2 years post op and could eat a small bag of chips no problem. Any more than that, and I feel sick. A small bag still has between 300 and 500 calories, so I try to stay clear as much as possible. If I end up caving and buying a big bag, I will eat some and throw the rest in the garbage (empty it out of the bag first so I can't go back and dig it out later!). I do love this experiment!! It reminds people that you still need to be careful. The sleeve isn't a green light to eat whatever you want and say...well, I can't eat as much [insert][chips][fries][greasy burgers].

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!

That is ridiculous! So if you can't eat it all and get a take out container for the other half, are they going to charge a "split fee" as well?? I would at least complain and say that they have lost a loyal customer so that they realize the impact that their choice is having on business.

I agree with the above. And in particular, after the leak test, the drink they give you is awful and can cause the same "reaction". The constipation comes later on when you start eating solids. And, for me anyways, because I cannot eat the same and I can't eat as much (hard to get in enough fruits and veggies), it can be a struggle.

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...

I am thinking its your hormones, not your stomach. When I ovulate, I crave food like there is no tomorrow, especially carbs. There is actually studies done that women not on birth control eat more during and right after ovulation (women on hormonal birth control do not change).

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

Your coordinator is right, they pump you full of fluids, you just had a major surgery, anesthetic, etc. I weighed more when I came home than when I left (had surgery on a Monday and flew home on the Friday), didn't lose anything for the first week being at home, then lost 17lbs my second week. It slowed down after that, but I kept slowly losing. Hang in there, it will come.

A few things that I learned: I was told the surgery doesn't hurt. Whoever told me that lied! A lot of people feel great, I was not so lucky. I had a lot of pain (possibly from the gas) and dry heaved most of the night. By the next afternoon I was feel better, but, boy, it sucked! The barium swallow/leak test is HORRIBLE! It tastes horrible, makes you sick and can give you the runs! Where I had mine done, you got a sugar free popsicle afterward...it will be the best popsicle you have ever had. Your stomach will make noises you never knew it could You will belch like a man (especially when you eat a little too much)...I could out burp anyone! I never had trouble EVER with constipation before surgery, now it is a battle even almost 2 years out. Not sugar coating it, it can be very painful and I had an episode that I would say was almost worse then the night after my surgery. Chewing gum can cause pain...I never even thought of this. I can chew gum now, but a few months out, the air that I swallowed while chewing really hurt. I had to spit my gum out the first time I tried and didn't chew it again for a long time. Head Hunger is a b***h...the sleeve is not a magic cure and the further out you get, the more difficult it can get. Make sure that you make the changes early on so they are habit later on. By the time you will be able to eat more and tolerate more, you will have a good base of habits to lean on. A lot of people's tastes change, but don't be surprised if they don't. Chocolate still tastes just as good to me now as it did before. I forgot to ad this earlier...like someone else said, water doesn't taste good or sit good with me. I have no idea why, it just doesn't. For the most part, I drink sugar free drinks. I know they are not as good as just drinking water, but I still get in all my fluids. You CAN still have hunger, especially the further out you get. But let me reassure you that it is NOT the same as before surgery...it is not as intense, and for me, anyway, it takes many hours of not eating to even start to feel hungry (and don't get actual physical hunger confused with head hunger/cravings/emotional eating...they are not the same...learn the difference) You will become more obsessed with the scale then you ever have been in your life. Try not to let it rule you, you will have stalls, your weight will fluctuate. As a woman, I have noticed things about my body and weight that I never paid attention to when I was heavier...because who notices 1-2 lbs when you are 260lbs. When I ovulate, I gain 2-4lbs and bloat. When I have my period (sorry guys) I also bloat and gain weight. And I really notice it, my belly feels bigger. Your brain might have trouble keeping up with your weight loss...it is sometimes difficult to see the changes yourself, but others will notice. So many people say "I really can't see the change", but, trust me, your getting skinnier!! Everyone loses at different rates, try not to compare Set realistic goals...if you set goals that are virtually unattainable, you will never be happy. Try to go by the clothes you wear and how you feel, not the number on the scale. I know my list is long and a lot of different things, but they are all things that I have either learned along the way, or have struggled with and still do some days! Oh, one last thing, it is most likely going to be the best thing you have ever done for yourself, you will not regret it, and you will be happier than ever...pretty good outcome and worth the ride!

I eat regular everything within reason. I have 2% milk, 2% greek yogurt, full fat cheese, and cook with Olive oil. I even eat sausage and bacon (in moderation). I think there is a big difference between healthy fats and bad fats. You cannot justify eating fried foods and potato chips because your body needs the fat. But I agree, healthy fats have their place. There was such a big fad with low fat crap..and all they did was replace it with salt and sugar to make up for the flavor, and people gained weight.

I will be 2 years in November, so almost there! I do not regret having the surgery done for a second. It was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I eat a normal diet...don't get me wrong, I made a lot of changes to what I eat and still follow a lot of the post op rules (protein first, no drinking with meals, no bad carbs...most of the time!). But I will also eat ice cream and not feel bad about it. I still have bad days where I eat too much junk, but I find it so easy to get back on track with the sleeve. I am extremely happy...happier with my body than I have ever been in my life! It might not be perfect, but I love going shopping and wearing normal sizes, not feeling embarrassed going anywhere...feeling like the fat Mom at school events... If you are concerned, make sure you keep in touch with your family doctor because you are right, depression is not uncommon after the surgery. I had always struggle with depression since having children (I have pretty severe post-partum) and a few months after my surgery, I went on an antidepressant.

I know it will sound crazy, but I used bandage/wound tape wrapped really tight (the kind I had to tape my incisions after surgery). I couldn't afford to keep getting my wedding rings sized as I lost weight (Where I am, it costs over $60). Because the tape is a little like plastic, it really didn't get yucky...and once in a while I would change it. I went from a size 9.5 to a size 6.5! At one point, before I taped it, I went to go point at something outside and flicked my wrist in the process...my ring flew right off!!