Swimmer

Oh yes the slimes. That was the worst stage. It would happen when I ate what is known as one bite too many. You will learn and so before it happens eventually. It sucks but you'll get beyond it. It sucks, was embarrassing and I hated that stage. Good luck.

Just wait it'll soon be how do I stop buying clothes, lol. I shop a lot at Nordstrom Rack, J Crew and pretty much anywhere I see something I like. I used to look at all the clothes stores and try to figure out where I wanted to shop as I worked Dien towards my goal. I spent too much on the in between sizes as you speed down through them. I waited to invest more after I was stable for awhile. And when my jeans get tight I reassess my diet to see what changed. This has become a new addiction, not proud.

That's normal and mine is still very noisy seven years later.

I don't necessarily crave snacks, but it's the way I eat now since I can't eat a meal. So my go to are really snacks.

String cheese, white cheddar baby bels, bold salt and vinegar almonds, Atkins nut rolls, Atkins coconut bars, hard boiled eggs, salami, avocado, refried beans and cheese, nut butters, coconut chips, one birthday cake bars (yummy), one maple glazed protein bars also amazing, Greek yogurt and if I'm craving carbs a dill pickle kills the craving every time.

It was a mixed bag for me and you will learn a lot about yourself and others in the process. I found people super supportive until I got smaller than them which was unexpected. People will have their own ideas and I was happiest with the people I didn't tell about surgery. I would have told only those I absolutely had to tell. The thing to remember is their thoughts and feelings are just that theirs. It's about how your situation makes them feel about themself. Try to remember that when they are reacting to your situation and it is easier to understand and accept. Cheers

I graphed my loss which happened over my first 16 months after my sleeve and found a predictable and at times frustrating pattern. I would lose a big amount over one week and stall three. Every single month but I noticed during the stalls my clothes fit differently. I had no choice but to keep going since I had the surgery and I would have given up before because I felt like I was doing all the right things with no reward. But that reward came and I learned to be more patient in the process. When was the last time you lost so much in two months? Be present enjoy the ride. Cheers you're doing amazing!

I don't lift weights though I should and I think it would help me. I think lots of reps are better than simply going heavy, but I don't think we have the same ideal outcome, lol. Your a big dude and I'm trying not to be muscular. Swimming alone still helps me maintain muscle mass. I notice a big difference when I am not working out and I do believe I lose muscle mass since I don't eat a lot. I feel best when I'm active even just swimming or walking and getting enough protein. Good luck.

I don't know where you are and it's almost your birthday. Today is mine. I also had a goal after being sleeved that January of 150 and missed it, made it by my one year though. It was my fortieth. I wanted to say I noticed the weirdest thing after charting my weightloss the first year. It was so odd and if I hadn't had the sleeve ditching forcing me not tu quit I would have. But it was like this every single month. I would stall three weeks and then drop up to eight pounds (the number for smaller as I got smaller). Here's the thing though my pants wouldn't fit and my body changed while I wasn't losing weight. That was always when I world need to get smaller pants. Never when the weight was actually coming off. I can't explain it and it was frustrating as hell but looking back that's just how it worked for me. I would have in a previous life be so frustrated by the lack of weight loss I'd give up. But during that time all the crazy good stuff was actually happening.

I just wanted to say I'm especially rooting you guys on. I had my sleeve in January 2012. There are six of us who have maintained a tight bond and we sill meet up. We are from all over the country and from very different walks of life. Different ages, backgrounds and everything. We met face to face two years ago for the first time and have forged an amazing bond. I can't explain it and it's amazing. The support is amazing and so great to have others at the same stage. Go Januaries! Best wishes. Keep supporting each other, I couldn't replace my girls for anything and love them all so much.

Do not worry, like at all. Your are normal and it's ok. Rest, keep hydrated and heal. I promise you won't die from not hitting your goals, most do not. The point is to try to work to eventually hit those goals. They are high. If I'm serious about protein it's literally all I'd have room for and that's kinda how I eat. I must have shakes or protein water to hit the goals. To be honest there have been very few days I've hit the goal. Don't stress. Try protein water I'm a huge fan. Cheers. Rest and heal.

All. The. Time. It's freaking constant and loud and I have zero control not in yoga, meetings, the movies anywhere. I'm seven years out. I'm not necessarily hungry when it happens. I now know after almost seven years what makes it worse, but no ability to stop it. If I want to really try to keep it quiet I eat a string cheese and limit my diet soda which defiantly makes it worse. Good luck I have zero good advice here, just venting, lol.

I had a problem with plain water right after surgery. To be honest I still don't love the way it sits in my sleeve. I found tropical punch flavored protein water that changed my life. Tasted great kinda like Crystal light and gave me the protein I needed. It'll get much better, some days you'll hate it and most days you'll realize it wad the best thing you could have ever done for yourself. You've got this. The first year was the most dynamic and exciting for me, enjoy the ride.

You have some great advice here. The only thing I'll add is how much I agree with the nutritional advice above. If I eat the three walls of the supermarket and really limit added sugar and refined carbs I can eat well and maintain or lose. When I eat sugar or refined carbs I gain. That's it, it's that simple for me. I proved it over and over to myself. The slip I had post surgery was not due to volume of food which I simply don't have much room for post surgery, but all about carb quality. I feel better and I maintain my weight loss. It just works.

Yes, very normal. I just tried to survive and get used to my be limited ability to eat. It seems shocking to survive and still have energy on so little food. I didn't have energy for awhile after surgery. I was on clear liquids two weeks post surgery and it was a struggle to get anything down. Seven years later I can drink tons of liquid at a time and feel fine. That took a months. I still never really get hungry, but do get full and uncomfortable very quickly. At this point I can eat like an egg and a sausage, anymore and I feel uncomfortable. I think I have a lot more restriction than most however. Hang in there it gets better, just take care of yourself and rest. Cheers. It's not easy at first but it gets way better and you'll love your new life.

I found refried beans, seasoning and melted cheese was a life saver for me. Now seven years out I can eat half an enchilada if I wanted. It's temporary enjoy the ride. It just gets better! I also made a version of Virginia peanut soup early on with peanut butter, chicken broth and a little cayenne pepper. It helped me when I couldn't do anymore plain broth.

I have to say for me it's s mixed bag, but mostly positive. I would still do it again in a heartbeat. I didn't have too many serious weight related issues but did have high blood pressure that was controlled with medication, anxiety and I snored. I didn't have as much energy as I would have liked. Post surgery I was able to go off all medication and my blood pressure is normal and I no longer snore. My energy and ability to be more active is infinitely better. The issues I have had and I'm seven years post op and maintained my loss. I'm also now 46. I have struggled most seriously with iron deficiency and iron deficient anemia. I had to habe iron infusions and cannot tolerate or seem to absorb iron well. They said that will likely be something I deal with for life. I also struggle with hypoglycemia since surgery. Both can be controlled. I still get cold constantly but overall feel so much better. Even though I am currently technically underweight 112 5'6 right now I do bit get sick easily or struggle with anything other than the anemia. Again I would do this in a second and couldn't be happier. Best wishes on your journey!

I just think my friends need to get out more, lol.

I get Princess Di pretty often and when I was younger Mary Stuart Masterson. I get the occasional Robin Wright depending on my hair.

Congrats it's just the beginnings of so many changes. What seems overwhelming now will be a distant memory soon. Enjoy the journey, that first year while challenging was one of the most rewarding years of my life. I hope it is for you too. Cheers!

I had two younger girls when I got sleeved too. I struggled with the same thoughts you are having and of course worried what if something happened to me during surgery. This was by far my biggest fear and issue prior to my surgery. The surgery went great, the recovery was relatively fast and less pain than I expected. It was rough about three days and quickly got better, but I had lower energy. It gets much better. Don't stress too much. What I didn't realize at the time was this was a wonderful gift for them in the end. I knew I needed to get healthier and fitter to do more things. I knew I needed to lose weight to feel better about myself and enjoy life more. I felt like these things were all just so selfish. What I failed to understand at the time was what a gift I was giving them as well. See they were getting a much happier, active mom who was now focused on a healthy lifestyle. That benefited the entire family. They got a mom who was now willing to show up, be present, volunteer at school and be happy about life. They got a mom with a more positive and grateful mindset who stopped looking for the negative. They got a mom happy to get up in the morning, hang and play with them. I had energy and confidence now. I was teaching them how to live. I was teaching them in a much better way now. You see I didn't realize it then, but this sleeve has made me a better person, friend, mom and wife. I just thought I'd lose weight. It'll be ok and you can't make a better decision, I promise you. Cheers

Very normal. I didn't have much energy post surgery for a few weeks either, though no real pain. I think I was kind of sad and it felt like I was breaking up with food, and I kind of was but slowly this got better. The more I got outside to walk or swim the better I felt and the less I focused on food. You've got this, it gets better. Cheers!

So excited for you and your journey. Waiting until surgery was probably the hardest part for me, and losing hair. But the hair grows back and I never went bald and the waiting ended. Wishing you tons of success and happiness on your surgery. It'll be the best decision you ever made for yourself. Congrats!

This is so true. It's a beautiful moment when you realize that relationship with food changed for the positive. Good for you, your positive attitude and good habits. They will all take you far in your new journey. Best wishes

It takes time and everything you are feeling is totally normal. Be ready for your head to fight you hard this first year. I promise it will be worth it. It's an adjustment and everything seems overwhelming, but slowly you, your body and your head will make peace with everything and life gets better. Try drinking different things, hot tea, protein water, soup whatever. I still don't like the way plain water sits in my sleeve and it's been seven years. Frustration at this point happens, regret and remorse and all of it. You need to go through this to get to the next point in your journey. It will happen and this will be a memory and you'll be talking the next person of the cliff. Hang in there, it will pass and things get so much better. Enjoy the ride it's worth it. Cheers.