Caitlyn_Cat

This is absolutely one of my pet peeves. Another is when people use 'your' instead of 'you're'. And don't even get me started on text-speak when typing in a forum. Argh!

This is absolutely one of my pet peeves. Another is when people use 'your' instead of 'you're'. And don't even get me started on text-speak when typing in a forum. Argh!

My surgeon said to expect hair loss, a lot of it, in the first 3-9 months, but that by a year things will be much better. He was right on all accounts.
One of the practical pieces of pre-op information we were told was to not color, perm, or otherwise treat our hair for the first year, minimum. It adds too much stress to the hair and will cause more problems than it solves.

I also get hungry ~ 2 hours after eating, but I've learned to plan for this and pack healthy Snacks to munch on. I focus on quality Protein for Breakfast, lunch and dinner and ALWAYS eat on a schedule. For midmorning and midafternoon if at work I have a cheese stick, or a high Protein Kashi granola bar, or a small helping of Peanut Butter (get these at the cafeteria). At home I'll have a cup of Unjury's chicken Soup (very protein dense).
It's the protein that fills you up. If you are eating sweet carbs, it's no wonder you are perpetually hungry! Quite simply, you have to make the hard decision that your health is more important than your sweet tooth. That's not to say you can never have sweets again, but you MUST limit them to very special occasions only. Some of us do swear off white-carbs (candy is included here) as they are trigger foods. Only you know if you are that susceptible to candy being your downfall. If it is, get all the sweets OUT OF THE HOUSE.
For myself, If I've done well during the day and have exercised, I treat myself to cheese for desert. Amazingly, after 11 months, my sweet tooth has dramatically decreased and I really don't miss sweets, but I also do not tempt fate.
More hard-won advice is to not drink Water 15 minutes before or 30 minutes after. That will also help you stay full. Also measure yourself monthly. Often when we are not losing weight we are losing inches, and that can also be very motivating.
Exercise! You must do this to keep your metabolism up and out of starvation mode where you body tries to hang onto every gram of fat as you lose weight. I used to hate exercise, but now I do it faithfully every day. I still don't like it, but i can see that it works and allows me to eat more now that I'm approaching maintenance.
You might want to check with your doctor to see if you might be confusing heartburn or GERD for hunger.
The sleeve DOES work, but it's a tool, just like the RNY or the DS. You made a good decision and have kept your pyloric valve which you will be very grateful for in the future, but you must work your sleeve. I'm down to 120 from 235 lbs pre-op and reached goal at 9 months.
Best of luck.

I'm 5'5" and was 223 lbs when I started out and 195 lbs at surgery. I'm 123 lbs now at almost 10 months out. My BMI has gone from 39 to 20. For me, along with a high protein/low carb diet, the key has been regular aerobic exercise. It kills the appetite during and for an hour afterwards and keeps the metabolism kicked up despite being in 'starvation mode.' Lightweights do very well with a VSG, but you got to be willing to really rock this tool!

Three weeks of Protein Shakes and Soups, with liberal doses of rabbit food for crunchiness (lettuce, celery), then one day of clears the day prior to surgery and nothing after midnight.

I completely agree with the comments of feedyoureve, but if for some reason conversation is unsuccessful and the hurtful words continue, remember you are doing this for your health. The family dynamics will change, and if it is not for the better, just continue to hold your head up high and not allow yourself to be browbeaten. My thin sister is also very unsupportive about my surgery and has said so, but I will not allow this to affect my decision. I plan to continue acting the same toward her and if she doesn't come around, then so be it.