VSG_me

Congrats on your success!! I'm in Louisiana and I wore flannel pants and a thermal shirt to bed last night! LOL!! Yes, it's part of the new sleeved life, but my coldness comes and goes....some days I'm fine others freezing. Rarely ever hot anymore. Could be a good thing for us Southerners once the summer gets here?

sleeved 1/29 and down 38! Almost halfway to goal!

Jan 29 - down 34

Hi Lory, I'm in Louisiana too! I would love to support you along your journey! I can remember feeling like you and now I'm almost 3 months out and feeling FABULOUS! Hoping you are having a safe and successful surgery, and we will all be here for you when you return! Sending thoughts and prayers your way. See you on the sleeve side!

I recently had a crunchy taco from taco bell with no issues. I was full after one - though I had it as a 'treat' because it isn't the most healthy of choices but they do offer the fresca menu there which saves on calories, etc. I have also have had chicken tenders from Popeye's - I can only eat one chicken tender and that's enough to fill me up. I just save the rest for later. Though eating fast food is not for everyone, I PERSONALLY believe in all things in moderation and have still had steady loss/success!

I love Wendy's chili too!

Thanks for the input! Tess and BunnyK -- I'm the same way wit restriction! Mine varies from day to day it seems as well.

I love crawfish!! I was about 2 months out when they came into season! I can eat between a 1/2 -1 cup and feel full and satisfied! That's the one good thing about the surgery - although it looks like such a small amount of food, you still feel just as satisfied as eating a full plate! Hope this helps

I was released on all foods at 4 weeks - though this doesn't seem to be the "norm" if you read here on the boards, but I've been completely fine. I had my first salad between 7-8 weeks out with no problems. I chewed really good and it went down just fine. But I did get full fast! Only about 4 bites and done! I also have had the grilled snack wraps from McDonalds with no issues. I can only eat about half at a time though because they are filling.

Almost 3 months post-op....Today I went to a local salad bar and made the best (although small) salad I'd ever seen! Oh it was so pretty with all it's bright colored veggies and even a side of fresh fruit! I took FOUR bites and felt full - didn't even touch the fruit! Oh how I wanted to eat that fresh crisp salad that tasted so yummy and good, but I just had to take it to go. It was the first time I mourned food a little - although I am SUPER happy I get full from so little and that outweighs (pun intended) any of the "aww shucks I can't eat that" feelings!! Anyone else?

Overweight - what has been working wonderful for me is basically high Protein, low carb and Water water water! (with the occasional treat!) Are you pre or post surgery? The resounding theme for post surgery patients is focus on getting protein in first, then veggies, then starch/carbs if there's room for it and drinking lots of water. The suggested amount of water varies from Dr to Dr. Everyone's body is different and will react differently - you will see this a lot on the boards - many slow losers and many fast losers even if they are following the exact same plan! One thing's certain, if you follow your Dr's guidelines you will be successful! Best of luck with your journey!

33 lbs for me now since 1/29, I am losing about 1.5 to 2 lbs per week. So far I'm happy, just anxious to see what the next few months bring! I would love to feel comfortable in a pair of shorts this summer. I haven't slid these thighs into some shorts in YEARS! lol

I'm 10 weeks out and average 700-800 cals per day and my eating is all over the place! I'm talking from Taco Bell to grilled chicken and green veggies! I've managed a weight loss of 32.4 lbs during that time. I've seen many people post about what 'their' orders are from their Dr's and it's always different across the board. Mine wants me eating 60 grams of protein a day and 64 oz of water, though I hardly ever reach my goal I strive to meet it or at least come close. So far it's been working for me

I'd say for me, it was days 1 and 2 and a little of day 3, after that I wasn't in any pain, (but did feel tired if I tried to do too much walking or moving around.) Days 1 and 2, I slept most of the time. I was in and out of sleep from my meds and just recovering from the anesthesia and the fatigue surgery brings. Day 2 was rough because I dry heaved a few times - this was only when I sat up or got up to walk to the restroom....the movement of getting up and down.....but I believe that was brought on from the anesthesia leaving my system. I was sore and needed help lifting up out of bed during that time. I really turned the corner on day 4 and by days 5 and 6 I was getting up and out of bed on my own, and feeling more and more like myself! Overall, I was amazed at how quickly I bounced back but I made sure to take my meds as prescribed and sip my fluids. The short amount of time to recover was really amazing when you consider it was surgery - overall, for ME(everyone is different), days 1 and 2 = hard. Downhill from there! Hope this helps

Thank you tlah! It feels slow going at times...sometimes I won't see the scale move for a few days or even go up a little! Then suddenly it will pick right back up and it just melts away. I love my sleeve and have no regrets. Best thing I ever did

Hi there, I'm 5'6, had a bmi of 35 and weighed 223. I have lost 32.4 lbs in 10 weeks!

Just don't get pregnant after having the surgery if you are not trying! It does happen! LOL I still take the pill, but am interested in what others experiences are with this too

Thanks for the input and I do appreciate your concern and where you're coming from! For me, I won't be indulging often, but definitely am cleared by my Dr to eat all foods and have been since week 4 I am not a health food 24/7 person or I would have never needed surgery in the first place LOL but I do practice good habits and am having success - it was a wonderful treat to have today ~ loving my sleeve!

Two months out and had a Crunchy Taco Supreme for lunch....damn that was good!

well said!

So glad I read this, I am not alone LOL! I am having that same issue and I'm about 10 weeks post op. I have a nightly cream that I use, but I may have to invest in a day cream as well. My skin is peeling in different small patches on my face!

Well said! My surgery has been a breeze - very very easy for me. However, it was not an easy decision or an easy few days post surgery LOL! I had many things to consider - surgery like this is something you really have to prepare yourself mentally for, have finances for, etc. I work with people who think I took the easy way out, but I don't care what they think - they don't know how hard I tried to diet, exercise, fail, and repeat that pattern over and over. They don't know how I felt miserable before I had my surgery. They don't know I struggled with every bite of feeling guilty. They don't know how I looked at the scale and cried. I let my weight loss speak for itself - even with the negative people out there, I would do this ten times over! The freedom from food and those ill feelings are worth it.

I saw big packs of Pecan Logs on sale at the store today....I just passed them on by like it was nothing! AMEN!!!!!!! Congrats to you and cheers to our sleeves!

1/29/13 surgery date, down 30 lbs

There are plenty of people here just like you! I am one of them - I actually had a person I work with tell me "why did you do that, you weren't even that big" - and there were lots of others that thought it. I guess I "carried my weight well" for a big girl LOL Everyone has their own reasons for weight loss - and all need support! I didn't want to wait until I was 300+ lbs and much older (I'm already 31!) to begin my weight loss journey if I didn't have to--- and I didn't! My surgeon approved me as a low risk patient which was even better- I didn't have to stay in the hospital and my procedure was outpaitient! This was a preventative surgery for me and I've had zero regrets! I love my sleeve and am well on my way back to my size 8 jeans at the top of my closet! 2 months out and back in a size 14 and L top. *Hugs to you* I know you will find support here!