toy27

Olivia23 - great question. I absolutely STILL have restriction when it comes to dense Protein (chicken, especially, but beef, pork, salmon, even meatless Protein, like veggie/soy burgers/sausage, etc.) I have never been one to "test" my limits when it comes to post-sleeve eating. I have an *almost* un-natural fear of throwing up and I can say that in the last 2.5 years I have NOT thrown up. Not even once. Not even in the post-anethesia fog that sometimes can make people regurg. So I'm in the camp that tends to underfill my sleeve. When it comes to meals I generally do NOT eat any more than 3-4 oz of meat. I don't care what kind of meat it is (4oz of meat is my high limit.) If it is a meal (vs. a snack) I will include an oz of veggies and maybe an oz or less of carbs (I try to choose whole grain, brown rice, sweet potato, etc.) but overall I do restrict most carbs from my daily diet. If I'm really trying to lose I need >30g carbs, and if I'm "generous" with my carbs I will average >100g daily. So a typical meal for me never more than 5-6 oz of food TOTAL.
I eat about 1,200 calories a day. I definitely find that I have to MEASURE and ACCOUNT for my calories or it's incredibly easy to EAT MORE than what I need. I didn't go and have 80% of my stomach removed so that I could end up eating the same amount of food that I did BEFORE surgery, so I have to remember that, otherwise yes, it would be easy to eat more. You can out-eat any WLS any day any time. Sure, probably not in the first few months after surgery when your stomach is swollen, pissed off and you are terrified of a leak, but after you heal, you could graze your way through the day and eat probably every 20 minutes or so and get in enough calories to equal a pretty big eating day.
I have to say that for the most part I feel so lucky to eat small amounts of food. I do not feel like I'm starving all the time or that I NEED to eat more. I sometimes sit around and get angry that I can't eat more than 1,200-1,400 calories a day WITHOUT gaining, but then again this was the trade off for having surgery. Learning to live with less was an ultimate goal. So then I realize that I'm doing just fine and get over it and move on.
I hope that answers your question and if not please holler!

No long term complications. There were a couple minor short term complications, but they are long gone.

You won't feel anything now except some extra burps but in the long run it does cause problems......DON'T USE STRAWS!!! DON'T DRINK CARBONATED BEVERAGES!! Are you really willing to risk it just for convenience sake? I have seen it happen where the sleeve was stretched out and it's not a pretty thing. The girl was devastated!! Didn't think it would happen to her and she had no issues while using a straw but after 6 months at made a huge difference and she put back on 50 lbs. she cried all through the support group meeting. Please be smart and follow doctors advice!!!

If you weren't willing to follow your doctor's orders why would you have such a drastic surgery?? We aren't supposed to use straws because excess air will stretch our sleeves out. Why not go ahead and have a soda with that straw?
You're kidding yourself if you think using a straw decreases the amount of air you take in.

Why would you do anything your told explicitly not to do by your surgeon, I don't get it...

M2G!
My sleeve sister... Where has the time gone! It's been a long road travelled, and so glad that we've been together throughout this journey!
You have made such a dramatic difference to, not only yourself, but your whole family! You simply look amazing and you're an inspiration to me and many others here.
Thank you for your honest post; this isn't about a quick fix or the easy way out... It is about changing how we deal with food for life!
Congratulations on taking control...
Hugs from across the pond x

Okay great... I'm looking forward to that

I did that. Then I said, has anything else worked for the past 30 years? No. Have you done adequate research on this subject? Yes. Do your physicians support this decision? Yes. Then, trust yourself. The person who brought you this far obviously has done her homework. Trust her. I made peace that way and now I want to hug her for bringing me to this. I have a new birthday. April 17th! Thanks, PBCN

I know that wasn't meant 4 me but it felt like it

Thanks every 1 I hope this feeling do go away I was so tired of being the fat girl or not wanting 2 go 2 the beach with my family because I felt like every 1 was looking and laughing at me
Now I'm tired of being tired not having any energy sometimes people say its normal but I don't feel normal & getting all the Protein in is hard but I make away everyday 2 get in at least 70grams Protein I am so thankful 4 this site and the people on it don't know what I would do without it

Thanks every 1 I hope this feeling do go away I was so tired of being the fat girl or not wanting 2 go 2 the beach with my family because I felt like every 1 was looking and laughing at me
Now I'm tired of being tired not having any energy sometimes people say its normal but I don't feel normal & getting all the Protein in is hard but I make away everyday 2 get in at least 70grams Protein I am so thankful 4 this site and the people on it don't know what I would do without it

I had my surgery on the 4th I was 215 pounds but I had high blood pressure so I was approved I also felt the same way u did but now I feel like I should have done it myself at times & other times I am happy with my decision good luck 2 u

Congrats I had mine on the 3rd

Many times lost it then gained it back the most I've lost at a time was 110 pounds I was 215 when I got sleeved on april 3rd 2013 I had lost 45pounds not just with the pre op diet but b4 the reason I choose 2 have the surgery is because I found myself doing it again gaining the weight back & didn't wanna b the fat peson anymore my heightest weight was 280 didn't want 2 ever c that again I guess its my time 2 go thro that what did I do 2 myself stage yes I am happy with the results but now reality hit imma have 2 take Vitamins and drink shakes 4 the rest of my life

Im still doing the Protein Shake in the morn cuz I love them. I could never have lost 50 pounds by myself. If I never lost amother pound Id be happy. I would like to lose 30~40 pounds more but I look good now and feel great about myself that if it doesnt happen, Im ok with it.

Wow, is that ever the truth!! In some ways, the surgery does make it easier to succeed - I'm not quite as hungry, feel better eating less, etc. However, it is harder in some ways because you can't just change your mind anymore. We are forced to stick with it, we can't take a break, for the most part. We have invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears into having a major surgery and the subsequent recovery, and made a committment to ourselves, so it has a sense of "last chance" associated with it for many of us. Considering all that, there is pressure to not fail. For someone like me who has a lot to lose and does not lose it super fast, I have to be motivated because it's a long journey. And because I don't want to fail, I am practicing self restraint - the surgery did not give me that or motivation. It's a great tool, but success comes from within.

The shakes are necessary right now for nutrition and healing, but you do not have to have them for the rest of your life! I promise!

Hello all -
Wanted to give you all a LONG OVERDUE shout-out and update on my progress.
I began my journey at 285 (recorded weight 1 week prior to pre-op diet). I was sleeved on 11/13/12.
This morning I weighed 215 pounds. I have lost 70 POUNDS in FIVE months. I can hardly believe it, even as I am writing this.
I went from a size 22/24 to a size 16. Regular stores size 16, not the avenue or lane bryant size 16 which hang on me like a tent.
My BMI has gone down 12 entire points.
I eat on average 600-800 calories per day. This is way up from the 300-400 I was only able to eat for the first 3 months or so.
For the past month I finally started to follow my dr. recommended low-carb diet and eat about 60/40% ratio protein/fat. After 3 weeks eating this way, I noticed my hair stopped shedding and is back to being glossy, thick and shiny again!!! Yea! My energy levels have SKYROCKETED. In case you are interested, I am following Dr. Atkins (basically induction of less than 20 carbs/day). My weight loss not only increased - I am losing inches more rapidly too. My blood/lab work is coming back THE BEST IT HAS EVER BEEN. My doctors are my own personal cheerleaders.
I cannot wait to keep going on this journey. 199 - here I come!!!
I wish everyone here success, health and happiness on their own journeys.

Good 2 know I'm not alone