FishingNurse

I could also eat anything early on (where I got my name sleeve of steel!) But I had good restriction. I made my goal, and have maintained for a year +/- 5 pounds. So just cause you can eat anything doesn't mean you wont be successful! Are you worried about portion sizes? Try to pick a protein goal and calorie goal and stick with it-- that's all I have done! you can do this!

I asked my doc the same thing, he said at least 3-4 weeks to avoid infection in the incision sites. I did sit in the tub multiple times with the water just up to the bottom of my abdomen, it was better than nothing!

It's cheese, so there is fat, but you need some fat for sure. Cheese is a better choice than mashed potatoes, cause there is Protein in it. Fat is not the enemy! Personally since my surgery 19 months ago I do not eat any low fat, fat free, or sugar free crap. I do all high quality ingredients because I eat so little of it. I do 2% milk, full fat cheeses and salad dressings. And if I get a latte, I don't get sugar free syrup. I think it helps your body crave less. I made goal eating cheese at least twice a day! Everyone is different but this has worked for me. I have maintained my weight +/- 5 pounds for an entire year.

I was lucky and insurance covered me but YES I would self pay if I wasn't covered. Best thing I have ever done for myself!

Awesome, you look great. Keep up the good work

Thank you all! We can do this!

just do the best you can!

oh no. I'm 19 months out and can eat 3/4 of a cheeseburger with only the bottom bun and about 5 fries. (When I treat myself!)

great job on your success so far!! Keep it up :-) I had an incident very similar to yours about 5 weeks out. I had some really tender pot roast- tasted so good but I was sliming for an hour afterword. I know exactly how you feel! Next time you try it take is slow and easy. it might be fine in a month or so. I can tolerate everything now (and have since the 3 month mark) thus the name Sleeve of Steel!

I personally think it would be much harder to gain weight back after the sleeve. Most sleevers seem to gain 5-10 pounds back from their low weight and find a new set point (like myself... 19 months post-op low weight 168, have been sitting at 174-175 for about a year) I feel like it would not be impossible to regain all the weight but it would really take some effort. I eat 1800-2000 cals a day for maintenance currently, and did most of my weight loss at the 1200-1500 cal range. I feel like because I did that my metabolism didn't get too low. I feel very satisfied after I eat. I eat 5 meals per day. I pretty much eat what I want and I try to be reasonable-- I try for lots of lean meats, veggies and fruits. I do have pizza every week,and treats here and there. I am a RN and work in a clinic setting and have seen multiple people with the band share this struggle like you. the sleeve is still relatively new-- so there are not probably as many people who feel like it their sleeves have not been successful. My point is... pre-op I could eat 6 slices of pizza easily, (or a foot long sub and a bag of chips, etc) and now (at 19 months out) I am satisfied and full off of 1 normal slice of pizza, or a 6 inch sub without the top half of the bread. To me that is amazing!

even my non sleeved roommates ate some and enjoyed it!

Shelly's Baked Ricotta 8 oz of Ricotta cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1 large Egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning salt & pepper to taste 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave. this saved me in the early days!!! it is as good as it sounds

sadly I had a miscarriage this past week. My doctor said its most likely not related to my weight loss/ sleeve. She said 15-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. I am sad, and will not be trying to get pregnant again any time soon. (this was a surprise) I will focus on other good things like getting back into the 160's (I was there for about a week 6 months ago) I am glad I have support here for all things!

I had Greek yogurt, cream of wheat made with milk, cottage cheese, really mushy egg salad, refried beans, and egg face's ricotta bake. Just take it slow, tiny bites!

I found this to be a dilemma when I have been dieting and doing Atkins in the past. Best route is veggies-- fairly low carb, some fiber. I didn't count carbs for weight loss post-op, just kept my cals 1200-1500 and made sure 75 grams or more for protein. you will find what works best for your body!

classic to get a yeast infection after the antibiotics, I actually have my doc prescribe me a diflucan pill (prescription for yeast infection) every time so I can take care of it right after I complete the course of antibiotics!

Lol that's mean

Almost 19 months out not a single regret!

I drank a vanilla latte everyday after a month out. Can't live with out it

I am sure you will be fine, saltines turn to mush. At about 3 weeks I recall letting about 3 cheezits melt in my mouth. you are human! just keep to your guidelines as much as possible until you are healed.

So I am 15 months post-op..... Just thought I would share my experiences and what life is like for me as a sleever in maintenance. I made my weight loss goal ( a very modest goal in fact...) at about 8 months out. So I have maintained my weight loss with ease for the last 7 months. I chose a higher goal than many sleevers for several reasons.... 1.) easier to maintain 2.) no lose skin. That's right people, I have no lose skin, my butt is still round and the girls are still perky! 3.) I am normal, curvy healthy and average. That's all I ever wanted! 4.) I wear normal sizes. I am in a 12 and as a nurse I wear medium scrub tops and large bottoms. I LOVE BEING NORMAL. (preop I was in 2x and 24s) I don't really care that my BMI is not "normal" it never will be, I am happy and healthy. My surgeon and primary agree I am in a great spot. So what do I eat? a typical day is about 2000 calories. I was eating 1400 a day for weight loss.... I got up to 1000 cals as soon as I could post op so I wouldn't tank my metabolism. I don't eat low fat anything, I don't drink diet anything, no sugar free toxic crap. I eat small and healthy amounts everything. I have a vanilla latte everyday.I eat cheese at least twice a day. I eat lots of fruit and veggies and of course Protein. I go out to eat, have dessert a few times per week. I eat like a healthy, normal person. I still have started a real workout routine at the gym... I have a fairly physical job as a nurse and I take the dog for walks all the time, I plan to workout at the gym this winter for health purposes. All in all my point is.... I am so happy I was sleeved!! below is a before and after.....:-)

When you get to the mushie stage: Cottage cheese Egg salad Refried Beans 2% Greek yogurt Baby bel cheese (let it get slighty warm) melts in your mouth. Google egg face's ricotta bake. Yum! This is what I lived off of from 2 weeks until 2 months :-)

Welcome, it's a great place to be!

Oh yes once I was healed I resumed a latte everyday! So good :-)

I think it's better to look at things in quality not quantity. 6oz is not important. Go with grams of protein per meal instead. That's the only thing I kept track of during weight loss. Get at least 60 grams per day.