Holly5.3

Center Moriches, Long Island, NY.

food v. Feeling Fantastic. Hmmmmmm I know I used to think good tasting food made me feel fantastic to eat, but when the food was no longer in my mouth being tasted-I just hated myself! The momentary, dare I say "ecstasy", felt while consuming is a mind F---! Afterwards the self hatred and negativity canceled all those warm fuzzy feelings i had when eating.

food v. Feeling Fantastic. Hmmmmmm I know I used to think good tasting food made me feel fantastic to eat, but when the food was no longer in my mouth being tasted-I just hated myself! The momentary, dare I say "ecstasy", felt while consuming is a mind F---! Afterwards the self hatred and negativity canceled all those warm fuzzy feelings i had when eating.

I thought I'ld start a thread asking for recipes for the puree stage that you couldn't have survived without. I started this stage yesterday and spent a good hour scrolling thru posts offering ideas before I went grocery shopping. I thank God for someone suggesting Hormel Chilis. They had turkey, beef and one can left of chicken and white bean. Had the chicken just now-heated about 2/3 cup in microwave. Put in Magic Bullet to puree. It looked weird but boy was it tasty! First thing I've eaten in about 5 weeks that satisfied my taste buds! I could only eat about 1/4 cup, so next time I know to heat up only 1/4 cup at a time until I can get more down.
For dinner, I'm making a ricotta cheese casserole, also an old recipe I found, so I can have Italian as everyone eats pizza after trick-or-treating!

I couldn't find my original post about my sleeve's finicky restrictive behavior - causing me to endure another endoscopy to see what's up...so, here goes. The endoscopy showed my stomach does narrow a bit at the lower end. My surgeon didn't see any sign of food being "stuck" or excessive stomach acids which would also evidence food getting lodged in the sleeve. He said that the endoscope may have opened it up a little more, but that it went down fine and is about the circum. of a quarter. He was a little off-putting saying, that the surgery wasn't "magjic" (no duh!) and then he asked, "What do you want to eat?" (In kind of a sarcastic tone, mind you!) and I replied, "Oh, a small salad and some chicken." I don't think he believes that I really cannot eat more than a small amount of raw foods and meats. I'm going to get another food chopper (Slap n Chop) from Pampered Chef and start chopping my food before eating! (Meanwhile, I have lost almost 90 pounds since surgery in October. My doctor likes to hear all the praise and "foo-foo" stuff, but as soon as I expressed concern and had questions about my healing, he kind of changed personalities on me. (Sad...he was my hero!) He said he could "stretch" my sleeve in another 6 weeks if I wanted him to but that "I would gain weight". So....not much left to do but drink my shakes, enjoy my size 12-14 little ole self and stop crying over the burger I'm dying to sink my teeth into! (Just joking-about the crying, not about the wanting a burger!)

Apparently, the stomach can be stretched open a little more if it is too tight, but he said it takes a year at least to see what full capacity is. Thanks for the sympathy, though! I miss chewing, but not as much as I love shrinking!

I couldn't find my original post about my sleeve's finicky restrictive behavior - causing me to endure another endoscopy to see what's up...so, here goes. The endoscopy showed my stomach does narrow a bit at the lower end. My surgeon didn't see any sign of food being "stuck" or excessive stomach acids which would also evidence food getting lodged in the sleeve. He said that the endoscope may have opened it up a little more, but that it went down fine and is about the circum. of a quarter. He was a little off-putting saying, that the surgery wasn't "magjic" (no duh!) and then he asked, "What do you want to eat?" (In kind of a sarcastic tone, mind you!) and I replied, "Oh, a small salad and some chicken." I don't think he believes that I really cannot eat more than a small amount of raw foods and meats. I'm going to get another food chopper (Slap n Chop) from Pampered Chef and start chopping my food before eating! (Meanwhile, I have lost almost 90 pounds since surgery in October. My doctor likes to hear all the praise and "foo-foo" stuff, but as soon as I expressed concern and had questions about my healing, he kind of changed personalities on me. (Sad...he was my hero!) He said he could "stretch" my sleeve in another 6 weeks if I wanted him to but that "I would gain weight". So....not much left to do but drink my shakes, enjoy my size 12-14 little ole self and stop crying over the burger I'm dying to sink my teeth into! (Just joking-about the crying, not about the wanting a burger!)

I was sleeved on 10/11/12. I agree with the above poster as well...we took diet pills, ate crazy foods (cabbage Soup, lemon/hot sauce, etc....) so we are willing to suffer for "beauty" as it were - but only for a temporary time. Diligence and stick-to-it-ness is a great feeling (after having surgery, we really don't have a choice but to make the best of it) - I am embracing my strength to get through the tough days (I want to eat a cow -- or a bag of Cheetos, whatever). I look at it as a way for me to get back the self-respect I lost through self-destructive behaviors, food and others....

You know, I appologize for my ignorance about ounces, etc. I don't weigh my food at all and go mostly by what fits in a tiny 1/3 cup bowl. I would say that I can eat less than the size of my thumb of any Protein - shredded, chewed, what-have-you. I can eat an egg omlette w/ cheese (about 5-6 bites-one egg, one slice of cheese), but only 2-3 bites of a scrambled egg with cheese. It's the texture that's getting food stuck. meats and veggies in Soups are fine, I just am sick to death of them! I love being restricted, as this is the only way I am ever going to meet my goal, but I want to eat healthy foods. Cheese doodles should not be in my diet at all, but I gave in to cravings a lot easier when I wasn't meeting my protein needs. Like I said, I'm back to having at least one Protein Shake a day and feel a lot better. (I said to my husband, "Imagine if all this time, my stomach is too small!" and he replied, "So, what are you going to do about it?" I said, "Nothing ... I guess. Just be mad!" And we laughed. Oh well, this too shall pass! Thanks for the posts everyone.

It does sound like something is wrong if you can only eat a few small bites. I think maybe you mistyped 6 oz. of Protein. I don't know anyone here who can eat that much, Even at two years out, I can only eat a little of 3 oz. of Protein on a good day. And most days it's 3 oz. tops for protein.
As far as cheese doodles, everyone falls off the wagon now and then. Just climb back on. And throw the rest of them away pronto. cheese doodles are one of the foods that just doesn't come in the door at my house. I know my limits! I even made myself sick as a dog while using Alli by eating them and I still would overeat them if they were here. Talk about a slow learner!
Best wishes on a speedy recovery,
Lynda

I'm exactly the same as you. Tried both pasta ONCE and rice ONCE. I had my 7 month post-op last week. My husband explained to my surgeon that I truly CAN'T eat. (He said that I wasn't articulating my problems accurately.) I am schedled for an endoscopy on May 31st. My doctor said I shouldn't be this constricted at 7 months. We're thinking that scar tissue from a staple is narrowing my stomach where an item as small as a piece of rice lies sideways and I am done eating. I've been eating too many processed foods (at least they go down fine and I don't feel sick afterwards) so I haven't lost any weight in a month. Went back on my shakes at least one a day and have lost already 2 pounds this week alone. Good luck, check with your doctor, you may need an endoscopy as well.

Remember, "slow and steady wins the race" every time! The turtle is consistant, whereas the hare peters out faster. I've lost weight "fast" in the past, and regained it even faster. WLS puts an end to that yo-yo, roller-coaster ride. Stop reading numbers and tap in to how you feel....Feeling is real, numbers are just symbols.

I was sleeved on 10/11/12. I agree with the above poster as well...we took diet pills, ate crazy foods (cabbage Soup, lemon/hot sauce, etc....) so we are willing to suffer for "beauty" as it were - but only for a temporary time. Diligence and stick-to-it-ness is a great feeling (after having surgery, we really don't have a choice but to make the best of it) - I am embracing my strength to get through the tough days (I want to eat a cow -- or a bag of Cheetos, whatever). I look at it as a way for me to get back the self-respect I lost through self-destructive behaviors, food and others....

I posted here a while back, saying how happy and thrilled I am with my sleeve. After reading page after page of dialogue regarding regrets, depression, marital issues, complications, etc., I realized one thing about myself. This journey is a roller coaster ride. I have had quite a few "bad" days...days I do not come on to VST or seek help, advise, or anything. As a food "addict"-I can say that the weight loss part of this journey is the easy part. Its the addiction to food, the stuffing, the hiding...for whatever reason, that is the hardest part of this journey for those of us who have not experienced any discernible complication (leaks, etc.). If I were to respond on one of the days where I wanted to stuff -- and couldn't -- my response would be so different! Just like in life and in relationships - there are good and bad days. If people who are looking into having WLS don't address the addiction, they are bound to be miserable! Food and worrying about what I was going to eat next took up too much time in my life - now there are gaping holes in my days. Gaps that are allowing me to be outside more, spend more time doing things with my family, spend more time with God.

Hey fellow Oct Sleevers, I had an appt yesterday and I am under 30 BMI, which means i am no longer in the obese range, 80 pounds down and I am feeling good. I went to buy me myself a congrats pair of pants and guess what I fit nicely into a size 10! WHAT, I started at a 24/26 and now can fit into a 10! Yay I am so excited, how are you all doing? Here's some before and after pictures!4 years ago1 year ago1 month agoyesterday

oh no I know I'm not a failure! 170 was my goal- to put things in perspective- I weighed 170 pounds at 10 years of age. I wear mediums and size 10. I have never been happier. At 262 pounds I was 2x and size 24!

I posted here a while back, saying how happy and thrilled I am with my sleeve. After reading page after page of dialogue regarding regrets, depression, marital issues, complications, etc., I realized one thing about myself. This journey is a roller coaster ride. I have had quite a few "bad" days...days I do not come on to VST or seek help, advise, or anything. As a food "addict"-I can say that the weight loss part of this journey is the easy part. Its the addiction to food, the stuffing, the hiding...for whatever reason, that is the hardest part of this journey for those of us who have not experienced any discernible complication (leaks, etc.). If I were to respond on one of the days where I wanted to stuff -- and couldn't -- my response would be so different! Just like in life and in relationships - there are good and bad days. If people who are looking into having WLS don't address the addiction, they are bound to be miserable! Food and worrying about what I was going to eat next took up too much time in my life - now there are gaping holes in my days. Gaps that are allowing me to be outside more, spend more time doing things with my family, spend more time with God.

I was sleeved on 10/11/12. I agree with the above poster as well...we took diet pills, ate crazy foods (cabbage Soup, lemon/hot sauce, etc....) so we are willing to suffer for "beauty" as it were - but only for a temporary time. Diligence and stick-to-it-ness is a great feeling (after having surgery, we really don't have a choice but to make the best of it) - I am embracing my strength to get through the tough days (I want to eat a cow -- or a bag of Cheetos, whatever). I look at it as a way for me to get back the self-respect I lost through self-destructive behaviors, food and others....

I was sleeved on 10/11/12. I agree with the above poster as well...we took diet pills, ate crazy foods (cabbage Soup, lemon/hot sauce, etc....) so we are willing to suffer for "beauty" as it were - but only for a temporary time. Diligence and stick-to-it-ness is a great feeling (after having surgery, we really don't have a choice but to make the best of it) - I am embracing my strength to get through the tough days (I want to eat a cow -- or a bag of Cheetos, whatever). I look at it as a way for me to get back the self-respect I lost through self-destructive behaviors, food and others....

I posted here a while back, saying how happy and thrilled I am with my sleeve. After reading page after page of dialogue regarding regrets, depression, marital issues, complications, etc., I realized one thing about myself. This journey is a roller coaster ride. I have had quite a few "bad" days...days I do not come on to VST or seek help, advise, or anything. As a food "addict"-I can say that the weight loss part of this journey is the easy part. Its the addiction to food, the stuffing, the hiding...for whatever reason, that is the hardest part of this journey for those of us who have not experienced any discernible complication (leaks, etc.). If I were to respond on one of the days where I wanted to stuff -- and couldn't -- my response would be so different! Just like in life and in relationships - there are good and bad days. If people who are looking into having WLS don't address the addiction, they are bound to be miserable! Food and worrying about what I was going to eat next took up too much time in my life - now there are gaping holes in my days. Gaps that are allowing me to be outside more, spend more time doing things with my family, spend more time with God.

I was sleeved on 10/11/12. I agree with the above poster as well...we took diet pills, ate crazy foods (cabbage Soup, lemon/hot sauce, etc....) so we are willing to suffer for "beauty" as it were - but only for a temporary time. Diligence and stick-to-it-ness is a great feeling (after having surgery, we really don't have a choice but to make the best of it) - I am embracing my strength to get through the tough days (I want to eat a cow -- or a bag of Cheetos, whatever). I look at it as a way for me to get back the self-respect I lost through self-destructive behaviors, food and others....

Hi all,
I shared this long ago but what I did to help myself....especially in the beginning to LEARN to slow down and take smaller bites was to purchase an egg timer and I paced myself to it....I did not finish before the ticker.
The best help, was disposable CHOP STICKS. I became very good using them, carried them if I was eating out and it worked because the input was much smaller than forks (yup tried baby fork too)!
Smiles

I posted here a while back, saying how happy and thrilled I am with my sleeve. After reading page after page of dialogue regarding regrets, depression, marital issues, complications, etc., I realized one thing about myself. This journey is a roller coaster ride. I have had quite a few "bad" days...days I do not come on to VST or seek help, advise, or anything. As a food "addict"-I can say that the weight loss part of this journey is the easy part. Its the addiction to food, the stuffing, the hiding...for whatever reason, that is the hardest part of this journey for those of us who have not experienced any discernible complication (leaks, etc.). If I were to respond on one of the days where I wanted to stuff -- and couldn't -- my response would be so different! Just like in life and in relationships - there are good and bad days. If people who are looking into having WLS don't address the addiction, they are bound to be miserable! Food and worrying about what I was going to eat next took up too much time in my life - now there are gaping holes in my days. Gaps that are allowing me to be outside more, spend more time doing things with my family, spend more time with God.

I posted here a while back, saying how happy and thrilled I am with my sleeve. After reading page after page of dialogue regarding regrets, depression, marital issues, complications, etc., I realized one thing about myself. This journey is a roller coaster ride. I have had quite a few "bad" days...days I do not come on to VST or seek help, advise, or anything. As a food "addict"-I can say that the weight loss part of this journey is the easy part. Its the addiction to food, the stuffing, the hiding...for whatever reason, that is the hardest part of this journey for those of us who have not experienced any discernible complication (leaks, etc.). If I were to respond on one of the days where I wanted to stuff -- and couldn't -- my response would be so different! Just like in life and in relationships - there are good and bad days. If people who are looking into having WLS don't address the addiction, they are bound to be miserable! Food and worrying about what I was going to eat next took up too much time in my life - now there are gaping holes in my days. Gaps that are allowing me to be outside more, spend more time doing things with my family, spend more time with God.

I posted here a while back, saying how happy and thrilled I am with my sleeve. After reading page after page of dialogue regarding regrets, depression, marital issues, complications, etc., I realized one thing about myself. This journey is a roller coaster ride. I have had quite a few "bad" days...days I do not come on to VST or seek help, advise, or anything. As a food "addict"-I can say that the weight loss part of this journey is the easy part. Its the addiction to food, the stuffing, the hiding...for whatever reason, that is the hardest part of this journey for those of us who have not experienced any discernible complication (leaks, etc.). If I were to respond on one of the days where I wanted to stuff -- and couldn't -- my response would be so different! Just like in life and in relationships - there are good and bad days. If people who are looking into having WLS don't address the addiction, they are bound to be miserable! Food and worrying about what I was going to eat next took up too much time in my life - now there are gaping holes in my days. Gaps that are allowing me to be outside more, spend more time doing things with my family, spend more time with God.