Michelle1977

1. She's jealous.
2. She's being a shitty "friend."
3. You need support and encouragement. If she's not on board, cut that anchor loose.

I absolutely do believe you can lose weight, the key is to stay focused and be determined. You must also realize that Rome wasn't built in a day and losing the weight won't be done that easily either. Know that sometimes it will be easy other times not so much. If you are determined it WILL happen. Good luck.

You can also use spaghetti squash.

But the key you've identified is craving versus hunger. Two totally different things. Unfortunately the surgery only deals with one of them. It's still a matter of self control to stop the grazing and giving into cravings and head hunger. The only good thing is that you're full faster.
Probably need to find some evening behavior changes. Finding other things that can get you out of the kitchen in the evening.

I am in NO way an expert. I was sleeved on Monday (2/25/13) but I do have a question.
If your doctor, nurse or nutritionist told you to stay on Clear liquids for 1 week post op and then to do creamy liquid drinks (no food) for week #2 and then to do creamed/mushy foods for week #3 then WHY in the world do so many 'cheat' yourselves in week 1? Or week 2?
You have had MAJOR stomach surgery why would you put yourself in danger by trying to eat food before your stitches are heeled? Before your stomach is healed? You had this lifestyle changing surgery to help you to get healthy, why try to intentionally eat and hurt yourself?
Like I said I am in NO way an expert, but I chose my doctor based on research and I intend to follow his directions and suggestions. I must be one of the lucky ones because I have had 'no hunger' so far. (6 days out) now maybe tomorrow I will be starving, who knows; but I am COMMITTED to making my surgery a success and I will follow my dr's orders.

Had surgery on December 10, 2012 highest weight was 379. As of this morning am down to 299. Haven't seen a 2 in a long long long time.

As I was neatening up around the kitchen and pantry today, I realized a couple of things.....
We bought 2 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies from a neighbor this year. Last year,we would have bought double the amount and they would have lasted maybe 48 hours in this house before being decimated. We've now had them for over 2 weeks and still have an entire box left. I truly forget they are there, and never care to have more than one cookie as a treat once a week or so.
Another - my husband's birthday was not too long ago and a friend baked an amazing homemade cake for him. Half of it went uneaten before it had to be thrown out today. Cake in the trash??!! That would have NEVER happened before my surgery.
This, my friends, is progress!

I felt the same way pre-surgery. I was gonna let them cut out 85% of my stomach????????!!!!!!!!! I even chickened out on my 1st attempt to see the bariatric doctor, but I couldn't see a better future without the surgery, so I pushed on through with the appointment the next month.
After they do the leak test post-surgery, you should not bee concerned about leaks, unless you don't follow the post-op guidelines your doc will give you. I was told the at 6 weeks the stomach is fully healed.
You will be instructed to take Multivitamins, Iron, Calcium and B12, but with the sleeve, you do not have the same chance of Vitamin deficiency from food malabsorpiton as with RNY - gastric bypass surgery.
By 6 weeks, I was back to eating almost anything I wanted, just less of it. So, I am able to get most of my Vitamins from food - as long as I eat healthy. I strive for my meals to be 1/2 Protein, 1/4 vegetables, 1/4 starches.
I take 1 multivitain and sublingual B12 in the mornings and 500 mg of calcium citrate in the evening. Nothing to it, if I miss a day, it's no big deal.
Pre-op, I've gone as long as 5 days, eating nothing and drinking only coffee and Crystal Light, and experienced no side effects. It takes a while for a deficiency to happen.

I had my surgery Dec. 27, 2012... Roughly 9 weeks post op..that's it?! As I write that it just hit me it hasn't been that long ago!
I have lost close to 50lbs! I don't notice it unless I weigh myself or my pants slide off..I've always hid in largely closes so baggy clothes don't bother me ????. I've had to get rid of some clothes which was hard! Idk why but I was holding on to them like a crutch!
Anyway, we have an event tomorrow....husband asks what are you going to wear...my reply was I haven't any idea-I'll figure something out. He needed to get pants so we went to the Gap...he pointed a dress and told me to try it on.. Reluctantly, I did...and boy am I happy I did!!! It fits and I will be wearing it tomorrow stripes and all!!! (Stripes have never been my friend! Until now ????)
I am in no way strictly able to shop at Gap..still get clothes at LB, AS, Avenue..but I can now entertain the possibility of shopping and getting some stuff there!!
Just wanted to share!

I totally agree with what everyone else said. Im 16 days out and its amazing how in just a week, food has a new place in my life. Def miss stuffing my face, but more excited about my future!

Jason Jason Jason ! I am 6 weeks out and still get the nagging thing in my head,especially when I watch others eat my old favs! All of your experience is where we all were. I do not emotionally eat anymore. I made it through the last two weeks at work with 4 parties for birthdays etc. I craved nothing if my past. I did sneak a bite or two of cookie dough this evening baking for a friend (skinny one) for her post back surgery snack..it tasted good for a minute. Truly only a minute. food does not mean the same anymore.
You will be fine! You will grieve for your food in a week or so..them realize you don't like most of it anymore. . RELAX.

I had Greek yogurt, cream of wheat made with milk, cottage cheese, really mushy egg salad, refried Beans, and egg face's ricotta bake. Just take it slow, tiny bites!

The part of the stomach that is used, and the shape of it. The pouch in gastric bypass is made from a different area of the stomach. As catracks said, the pouch is made from a stretchier part of the stomach. The sleeve is made of the more dense part of the stomach. It is harder to stretch.
Recent studies prove that the VSG is just as effective as the gastric bypass (ie patients lose just as much and are as successful in keeping it off) and the gastric bypass also entails having your intestines rerouted for malabsorption. But regardless, either surgery is just a tool. It is very possible to fail with either surgery. In the weeks following a VSG, the patient has to commit to changing their lifestyle, or it won't work. But neither will the gastric bypass. Just ask Carly Wilson or Star Jones.

Sleeves don't stretch. If you can handle 4 oz at a few months, you might be just over a cup in 1-2 years. The stretchy part has been cut out.
I drink a soda every day and I still have massive restriction. We have the capability to burp. Any excess gas from the carbonation is expelled. Yes, the nutritionist will tell you not to drink diet soda, but sometimes I swallow more air with my Crystal Light.
You can stretch a pouch, but not a sleeve. A pouch is made from different tissue.
P.S. I am a year and two months out.
What makes you gain weight is eating slider foods like chips, milkshakes, ice cream and junk food. Also cake, pastries, white rice, white bread and other nutritionally devoid foods. What makes you gain weight is returning to the habits that got us here in the first place.
Protein first, then a little veggie and fruit and if room a bite of two of healthy carbs.

That is totally awesome! Congrats! You look great!

1. Get back into kickboxing
2. Complete a full marathon (I have already done 7 halfs at this high weight)
3. Improve my half marathon time
4. Fit into a size 10 or 12
5. Fit into airplane seats comfortably
6. Be able to cross my legs
7. Be able to do a hand stand (silly I know. I have always wanted to do one)

Hi all! My surgery is on 2/12. I am also in Texas!

Biggest decision of this morning was whether to shave the hoo haa or not. Leaving in a few for the hospital! Good luck everyone who is today!!!

I am loving 162. Never in my life have I loved 162. I have been at this weight more then ten times in my life, either from gaining or losing. And never have I appreciated this number. I of course want to be 110, but I feel it coming and I am ready to love myself. Never do I want to be over 200lbs, at 4'10 I was a walking heart attack. I love waking up and feeling smaller, I love looking in the mirror, I love going to the gym, I love myself. I thank God everyday that I had this surgery. I would do it again in a heartbeat. And, I love the lifestyle change. Eating clean, every three hours, 70-100oz of Water, Protein first, feeling full, not being obsessed with food, excersise and the high I get from running....just thought I would share. Thanks to everyone on here that is and continues to be positive forces in my journey.

Evening everyone ....my partners sleeve procedure went absolutely fabulous! We arrived here @ Baylor medical Trophy club around 5am and she was checked in by 5:30 . @ 5:45 she was called to the back to prep for surgery and @ 7:27 am she was headed to surgery ...Dr.David Kim performed her sleeve and without any complications she was done by 9:30 and in recovery! Dr.Holden who works with and along side Dr Kim gave me report on her condition and procedure And by 11 am she was in her private room resting with very little to no pain but drowsy from the meds. She is resting quietly and I'm watching her sleep ...I'm ecstatic to be going on this journey with her! Congratulations babe ...... ; )))))

Listen here, don't u dare panic on us now. I am absolutely positively sure u made the right choice because u wanted to have long term better health. I also had those same thoughts that crossed my mind when I wanted to dig in on a double cheeseburger with fries. That's also the kind of foods that got me in trouble with my health. It gets better, after u saw the weight coming off it made me realize why I did this in the first place. I hated what I had become and what I looked like. I love what I look like and love how I feel now. I can't stop looking in the mirror smiling. Stay strong and hang in there baby. It was rough for me in the beginning but we knew it was gonna be rough but also knew it would get better as the days go by. Keep me posted and good luck to u.

You can also use spaghetti squash.

I started this process in June of last year and I have been going to appointments, support groups, having blood drawn, sleep study etc since then. My surgery date is February 11th and now that time is winding up it is all beginning to feel so real like OMG I AM REALLY ABOUT TO HAVE THIS SURGERY. I guess since I have been at this process for the last eight months in alot of ways surgery felt like a far away dream. And now that I am gathering all my Vitamins, food and making preparations as far as packing my bag I cannot believe that this upcoming weekend will be my last one pre-sleeve. I am so ready to start my new life and see what the other side has in store for me. I am so over being the tall, smart, fat girl. Has anyone else been having this epiphany type moment of "Wow, this surgery is really about to go down"??

Before surgery, I would go on a diet, and sometimes I would lose weight, sometimes not. Sometimes I would stay with the program for months or longer. Then....inevtably, I would hit a plateau. I remember once it took me a year to lost 50 pounds, then I hit a >6 week plateau. I was doing everything right - super healthy low calorie diet, lots of exercise, good Fluid intake, etc. I told myself I would get through this, afterall, how could I not lose weight? Well, (I know you all know how this story ends), I eventually let the discouragement get the best of me, slowly slipped back into bad habits, and gained the 50 back, plus some.
So, since that time, anytime I tried to lose weight, if I didn't lose fast enough, if I hit a stall for a week or two, or if I didn't lose within the first week, I would just QUIT. It wasn't worth the effort for me. I was miserable being so hungry and my body was fighting my efforts every step of the way.
Fast forward, now I have a new tool to help me. No longer does my body fight my efforts so strongly. I feel like the gift I've been given is to allow me to use WILLPOWER (had it all along, but couldn't overcome the force fighting me). Here's the thing - I'm at the dreaded STALL. I never planned to post a whine about the stall, there are enough of those threads on here with enough good responses from experienced people to know that it happens to everyone, and eventually the scale moves.
And that is my defining, AHA moment. I really do want to whine about this temporary stall because it's my history that teaches me this is where I always fail. I have to remind myself this time is different. I'm not going back to my old ways, I just have to recognize I've changed my life, my habits, and my approach to health, and wait for nature to take it's course. What a releif!

As of tomorrow, i am 7 weeks post op and 100 pounds down including pre op diet loss (24lbs). i couldnt be happier. i am averaging 3 lbs a day and no sign of slowing down. I was told of a possible stall at 4 weeks but havent experienced that yet. i am working out a lot and doing lots of hiking and focusing on my Protein as much as possible. im so excited. i went from a size 24 pants to and 18 pant, and an 3x top to an XL!!! I can even fit the shirts at The Gap! Im ecstatic!! I am taking a trip to pUERTO RICO in april and by then i am estimating that i should be at goal! Very exciting! im so happy