Momonanomo

I find that it depends on what I eat. I could eat a ton of junk it seems (and junk food always makes me want MORE junk food). But if I eat Protein and good fats, I get full on a smaller quantity and don't get hungry as quickly.

I don't have measurements for you, but I could eat half a dozen chips ahoy Cookies in a couple of minutes with no restriction. However, if I eat 3 ounces of steak I'm full. Funny -- I don't feel like crap after the steak, but the Cookies make me feel pretty lethargic.

So I try to stick to good amounts of good food, and only eat the crap every once in a while.

Bottom line: good quality food gives me restriction, bad quality food, not so much.

I agree people may notice and not say anything. Thats what I had always assumed anyways. I got a lot of "did you get your haircut? It looks nice" when I had not gotten my hair cut...lol. But I swear, once I had lost like 80 lbs, many people were saying things, but still not as many as now. My surgery was May of 2013, and I lost I think around 80 or 90 lbs that first year, then I kinda stalled out, then since this summer I've lost more to a total of 135 lbs lost. Now people I see every single day talk about it. Seems funny to me that it has been the last 30 lbs that have made evryone take notice, more so than the first 100!

Also an intersting thing is that now that I am feeling like this new body is 'me' and the novelty has worn off for me, and I feel secure about having this body for the long term, when people draw attention to my weight loss it makes me feel a bit weird. I look forward to the day when everyone just sees me for how I am and not for the changes I have made. Dont get me wrong, compliments are nice, and these people are being kind, and I have an appreciation for that. I just want my identity to be that of the fit and healthy person I am, not that of the girl who lost a ton of weight. I have made huge lifestyle changes and have cut ties to that past!

Onward!

Comgrats to you, proudgrammy!

And, thank you for your positive influence on these boards. You've always been a powerful, positive force, and I have appreciated you so much! Such an inspiration and such a sweetheart. You always have something nice to say, and I know you helped with my attitude ....so Im sure you have helped many others as well. Attitude is everything! You deserve the best, because you are awesome!

I wish you continued success!

@@Elode is right on with what she wrote.

I want to add that you need to be persistant; it is VERY important that you not get dehydrated right now. This is an especially risky time for dehydration. Just keep on sipping like it is your job.

It will indeed get better!

My endocrinologist, who was actually the one to bring up WLS with me in the first place, said I will always be on thyroid medicine. Seems once you take it for awhile you HAVE to. Anyways, that being said, as my weight has gone down he has lowered my dose.

It would have been nice to completely be free of medicine, but apparently it doesnt work like that with the thyroid

i remember fantasizing about cottage cheese when I was restricted to liquids only post op :|

cottage cheese!

Hang in there; this is all an interesting learning process. You will indeed eat solid food again. It took me a very long time to feel like I can eat "normally"...but it is a NEW normal. Which is exactly what I signed up for!

Keep rockin it, and keep your sense of humor

Onward!

It gets better with time. I had to embrace it as some seriois behavior modification! That too full feeling sucks big time, but it is what we signed up for and helps us learn to eat differently than we have been. Eat slowly, take small servings, tune into your cues. I found over time I got used to the new way of eating, and my anxiety of getting that feeling lessened when I learned how to avoid it, and now I feel in control. I just can't eat (or drink!) like I used to.

<shrug >

and ultimately, that's a very good thing!

I didn't have Hair loss either, but when I chose surgery I resigned myself to the possibility. I think it is partly heredity but also making sure you take your Vitamins, and eat quality Protein, veggies, & plenty of good fats like avocado and cocnut and olive oil.

Yes, it happened to me -- funny, for me it was exactly 8 lbs too!

And yes, the answer is to get back to basics

And, since getting back to basics I have lost that 8 plus another 10, and now I know for sure it's in my power to get to goal.

Good for you for saying +10lbs is NOT ok.

You have the power to do this too!

lauren it sure doesn't sound like your friend is really being a friend. Please try to surround yourself with positive people.

This website can offer you a TON of support, guidance, info, encouragement, and I recommend you find support here from folks like us who DO understand. In the real world, you'll have to just filter out those who don't understand and/or aren't sympathetic. I would have a serious talk with myself about what makes a friend a friend, and do I have room for negative people in my life?

This 'friend' you refer to is just noise. Please dismiss him or her. You have embarked on a project that will change your life. Just keep your eye on the prize! YOU have the power to eat well and exercise. YOU have the power to make your life what you want it to be. Screw the critics and naysayers!

Onward!!!!

sorry - me again!

One more great article:

http://www.examiner.com/article/experts-low-carb-ketogenic-and-paleo-diets-prevent-alzheimer-s-starve-cancer

Not only can you do it post surgery, I actually highly recommend it! The caveat is that you do need to really focus on Protein immediately post surgery because your body needs it to heal.

If you research low carb / high fat diets, you will find the Ketogenic diet, which has been around for a long time used in medical treatments-- not specifically for weight loss. There's a lot of current research suggesting that not only can it help with weight loss/ maintenance, it also is promising as a cancer treatment, Alzheimer's deterrent, and to manage symptoms of ALS and MS . It was originally created to treat children with epilepsy who weren't responding to medications. So, it's a medically sound diet.

I know, sounds too good to be true, right? I'm not making this up! Low carb/ moderate protein/ high fat is actually how you go into ketosis. I lost 106 lbs in the first 8 months or so after surgery, then I stalled until a month ago when I started tracking my net carbs. I have lost 10 lbs in the last month. I'm in the gym 6 days a week, strength training, and running. Because I know what you mean when you say you want to be healthy and strong! I am excited to say that I am truly becoming healthy and strong!!!

We grew up being told that fat is the enemy and the food pyramid we were given said we should have 6 servings of grains a day.....and now we are beginning to see this is wrong, and carbs should be limited! Of course we are going to think "ewww!" when we hear "high fat" but this is referring to the good fats -- the nuts, the avocado, the olive oil.

I started doing it to get myself to goal, but the more I research it the more I see the additional health benefits.

Here's some suggested reading:

http://authoritynutrition.com/10-benefits-of-low-carb-ketogenic-diets/

http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/

and, my favorite:

http://www.ruled.me/guide-keto-diet/

This plan is really working for me. Please discuss it all with your nutritionist (aka your NUT) and figure out what your best approach will be.

I lost 10 lbs during my 2 week pre-op / liver shrinking diet.

And yes, everyone is different!

Sure sounds like your gall bladder is acting up. If it were me, I would definitely see a doctor before leaving the country. If it IS your gall bladder, they may be able to tell you how urgent of a situation it is. You don't want to get into an emergency surgery type situation while out of the country. And, if you do need to have it out, it's a fairly routine surgery. You just don't want to get into an emergency situation -- be proactive about it.

All that being said -- congrats on your awesome success! Great job!

Good luck, and let us know what you find out.

I can say that my experience was this -- and I am not a band to sleeve revision --- I never had acid reflux when I was obese, but after being sleeved I got it pretty bad for a while. It has leveled off now and it doesn't happen every day. I took prescription for it for a while but now I can manage it by taking an over the counter medicine as needed.

However, it is widely reported that acid reflux can be a side effect of the sleeve. The results are really all over the map from what I've read here on the boards. Some have no problems whatsoever, some experience it less than they did pre surgery, some worse than pre surgery, some get it who never had it before (like me). It varies SO much from person to person.

If I was in your situation, before just rolling the dice and taking the chance (because the sleeve is not reversible like the band is) I would really have a long conversation with the surgeon about whether the sleeve is the right choice for you. You need to have the opinion of your surgeon.

good luck!

Outstanding! Your hard work is obviously paying off!

Here's a link to the Vanity Fair article

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2014/01/nuvaring-lethal-contraceptive-trial

I use mirena (iud); they last for 5 years. Around last December was the 5 year mark for my old one to come out, then you're supposed to wait like a month or so before putting a new one in (or at least that's what my dr wanted to do). So, in the meantime, i took one depo shot.

Could have just been coincidence, or poor timing -- because that was when I hit the 7 month post - sleeve mark---- but my appetite increased tremendously. I've been stalled for a couple of months now. I'm sure it was a combination of factors that my appetite just happened to increase at that time, but I do believe, for me, the depo is somewhat to blame. It's apparently known to do that. My endocrinologist, when he heard my plans to have a depo shot, begged me to find an alternative, but I had my mind made up. Kinda wish I'd listened to him now. . . yeah he actually said "I beg you to consider something else"

About the nuvaring --- there was an article in Vanity fair several months ago about a college girl who died from a blood clot associated with nuvaring, so that's why I didn't go that route. I'll see if I can find a link to the article.

But to answer your question -- my preferred method is neither depo or nuvaring, it's mirena iud---very VERY low hormone. I now have my new one and am just waiting for the depo to get out of my system.....

I do find that I get hungry now adays, but the difference with having the sleeve (im almost a year out) is that if I eat my Protein first, I get full after just a couple of ounces and stay full longer. I have to stay away from breads, rice, Pasta, chips & sweets, because those things dont make me feel full & only make me want more.

So IMO you sound like a good candidate for the sleeve, because the paleo (and paleo-esque) eating is the BEST way to allow the sleeve to work the way it is supposed to. The rule is: protein first.

Good luck to you!

Gorgeous!

I add Protein powder to my juices -- have been doing it since I'd say about week 4 (I'd need to go back in my blog to see exactly when but week 4 sounds about right). I felt so much more balanced after I started juicing. My tiny tummy only seemed to have room for Protein at meals, and I was missing my veggies.

ANYways. I have tried adding unflavored, but then I found myself wanting to add splenda as well. So mostly now I like to use the Syntrax nectar protein powders (fussy navel and strawberry kiwi are my faves). Then I don't find myself wanting added sweetness. If you are already juicing and don't need the extra flavoring then by all means add unflavored -- the protein is great for you!

Love to do kale with peaches, half a small avocado, a couple of almonds and half a serving of fuzzy navel Syntrax Nectar. My other staple is spinach with blueberries & raspberries, half a small avocado, a couple of almonds and half a serving of kiwi strawberry Syntrax Nectar. (If you're early out though make sure your NUT/ surgeon has cleared you to have seeds if you do the berries cuz sometimes they leave little seeds in the juice.)

I weaned myself slowly off coffee several weeks before surgery so that I wouldnt have caffein withdrawal headaches while recovering from surgery. Dr. Said I had to give it up for recovery because it irritates the lining of the stomach, and when your stomach has just been cut....well lets just say further irritating it is not the best idea

6 weeks after surgery I started drinking it again and had no problems. Every morning I have a cup of coffee with a vanilla premier shake (i like cold coffee). Then every afternoon I have a Chike coffee Protein shake. Those are SO frikkin good!

My favorite:http://beforeandafterfatlosspics.tumblr.com

People add to it every day! Not all through WLS but some are. Regardless, it is so fun to see before and afters!

There were actually some big arguments on the boards in the past about this....http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/292939-how-to-guide-for-chewing-and-spitting/

The argument was so bad people left the boards it seems. In my opinion, it is kinda dangerous in that it could lead to doing it compulsively, aka a sort of eating disorder. I believe physiologically it is not good either in that it makes your body/metabolism think it is getting the food that you dont end up giving it. Can throw the system out of whack so to speak.

I dontbthink it is a good practice...lBut this is iust my opinion....maybe ask your NUT

I'll chime in with my experience :

I've had some sips of carbonated beverages here and there since surgery with no discomfort. I loved beer and sodas (and champagne!) before surgery.

It honestly no longer appeals to me, and I'm cool with that. Actually, I'm very happy about that! Carbonation just doesn't do for me what I now believe a beverage is meant to do: quench my thirst and keep me hydrated.

I sure wish I had similarly lost the desire for sugar and mexican food :/

drat