MichiganChic

I remember feeling this way. I'm six months out, and even now, if I let myself, I still do! Early on, every day I was afraid I would be THE ONE who the surgery didn't help. And somehow, I have kept losing, even after as long as 18 days with no loss. Every ounce adds up over time, and the long term consistency is the key to long term, sustainable weight loss. We need to understand the surgery we had and how our bodies work. First, this surgery is purely restrictive - it does not alter the way we absorb or utilize calories. Second. we are all individuals with different metabolisms, starting weights, activity levels, etc. Also, we can't forget the calories in/calories out math, or the fact that our bodies can only adjust so fast. The end result is that we will lose weight at a unique rate. I found it easier once I accepted those facts and worked the plan to the best of my ability. Now I (mostly) don't let it get to me. Just hang in there and try to look at it from a bigger picture. Good luck!

If you think you can do it on your own, and this isn't a good time for you, then just keep doing what you are doing. You can always reschedule at your convenience if you need or want to. I wouldn't have this surgery unless I was certain about it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Congratulations! Keep it up!

Sigh. This makes me nervous. I track/weigh/measure everything, and I have to be very careful, or I don't lose. It really does make me worry what maintenance will be like for someone like me, whose body LOVED being 300 pounds (not me, just my body) and struggles for every pound lost. I understand and accept I'll always have to do this, I just worry about losing steam....just like the old miserable days. I am so impressed with you and others who are out a couple years or more, and still posting and continue to fight the battle. Thanks for sharing your stories.

You were too kind to him.

My shoes don't fit either. I'm working on my third wardrobe purchase since surgery, too. I've had worse problems, lol! congrats!

Happy Birthday!!

I'm 51, was sleeved at 50 last December, and I'm also an RN. Since your mom is a nurse, she understands the need for pre-op testing, though not every doc requires the same thing. Lab work and psyche eval are pretty standard. I had a gall bladder ultrasound and a barium swallow, some people have UGI endoscopy, though I think that's less common. It all depends on the physician and the patient's health issues. I also had to go to physical therapy session for exercises, (a total waste of time, in my opinion) and nutrition class as well as a pre-op class with the nurse. I'm happy I did this, and feel like I'm getting younger every day.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I don't have a cookie restriction either. I can SMELL that fat and sugar combo that is donuts from accross the room. My only saving grace on that is the fact that I'm a closet eater, so resisting donuts at work isn't too hard....never really thought about it, but that does actually work in my favor a little! But you are right, these temptations will be with us forever, so I guess I'll have to learn to deal with it. Thanks for sharing your story. Why do those people always have to have donuts??

John, I don't know how you do it. I have to give you mad props for being able to cook for a living and manage your weight. I just don't think I'd be strong enough - my poor family is eating sleeve style! I used to love to cook and bake, but now I avoid it. You know....I don't know why i ate that cookie. I really don't. I know that stress is usually the trigger, and I can recognize it and manage it. But I wasn't stressed. Maybe just old habits... Speaking of stress, if I had to deal with your week with Adams family, I probably would have eaten more than a cookie! Good for you for not choosing the fat ass way

Thanks for sharing your experience with me. I agree, I have kept, and plan to continue to keep treats to the minimum. That's why I'm loathing the darn bakesale, and why I'm kicking myself. I have had some treats along the way (rarely), and did fine with planning and self control. But yesterday I felt possessed, a little like I used to be before surgery. I underestimated the power of the cookie, thought I had it under control, could be exposed and resist. Sadly, it's not the case. Great advice to just put off eating something, knowing you can have it some other time. I'm going to try that.

Thanks for the kind words and good advice. I do wish the guilt and shame could have been cut out with my stomach....but years of catholic school (all the way through nursing school!) have firmly rooted guilt in my personality. If I had planned to eat the cookie, I would have enjoyed it. But since I planned not to, I felt like I was very bad! I did track it, and that was hard to do. I think that's really the accountability part for me. I can't BS myself, but I wanted to...and how crazy is that? Whew, I'll say three hail mary's and move on

I had to bake for a baskesale yesterday, then go and work at it. Talk about a struggle! I felt like the alcholic tending bar. I used to bake all of the time - and eat it. Once I had surgery, as part of my transition, I have kept trigger foods and activities out of my house. I think that has been a huge contributor to my success so far. I guess I was just shocked at how easy it would be to slide back into old habits. I resisted the dough and the Cookies while baking, and did just fine, and was pretty proud of myself. I went to the bakesale, and couldn't believe how bad I wanted these caramel pecan brownies someone brought! Of course, it was easy to resist them because I'm a closet eater, so there was no way I was getting those, lol. But then I came home, and I ATE A COOKIE!! Uggh. It's not so bad in and of itself, it's just that I couldn't seem to control myself. I felt ashamed and disgusted while and after I ate it. I haven't lost control like that since I had surgery. Then, all evening long, all I could think about was those browniesl I didn't do bad yesterday with calories, but that was a glimpse of what could happen if I let it. So, today is a new day and I'm back in charge, but I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience? Did you overcome the moment? How did you prevent an ongoing backslide? Someone please commiserate with me.

I had half an enchilada last night! Good thing I can't get to that 5 pound pan....your guys might have some company You are a good woman, Lipstick!

Yay YOU! You look so wonderful, and so happy! You said the mental/emotional changes were greater than the physical, and I can see evidence of that on your face. I'm thrilled for you

I was cleared to eat bread, rice, pasta at 4 months. I think I had a very small amount here and there at around 3 months, and tolerated it fine. I'm six months out now, and I rarely eat any bread, rice, or pasta, though. It's just high in calories and carbs, so I tend to avoid it. I used to eat breads of all kinds, all day every day before surgery. Loved to make homemade bread and slather it with real butter....lol, wonder how I got up to 300 pouonds? Anyway, to answer your question, I can tolerate, but I choose not to eat it very often. The only thing I've found doesn't sit well with me is eggs.

Sorry to hear that you have this surgical complication! However, I'm glad you are hospitalized and being treated for it, because I would expect you to have a good outcome and full recovery. Generally, poor outcomes are related to untreated clots. Over time, this will become a dim memory from your overall journey. It's really just a little blip on the radar. When you are in the middle of it, it's hard to see that this is a short term set back and shouldn't affect your long term goal. I had a complication, too. I had an abcess and it took 7 weeks to heal. While I was going through that and feeling so awful, it was hard sometimes to not regret having done this elective procedure.I worried a lot about other complications or that it could develop into something chronic. So, just saying, I understand how you can feel down, but from my experience, this WILL pass, and you will be on to better things in your life as a result of having taken this step to better health. As for missing food, that's normal because you can't have any, lol! I know that sounds absurd to say, but it is that simple. We are used to turning to food in times of stress, and I'd say your situation is stressful. Even without the additional stress, the first few weeks are hard for most of us. Once you can start eating and learning how to manage your new life, you will likely find that subsiding, too. I LOVE my new life. I can eat and enjoy food again at 6 months out, I just enjoy a lot less of it, and don't miss the quantity at all. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Mine is a 36 Fr. It works

To answer your question, I can eat more than I thought I'd be able to, can tolerate pretty much anything, and have to make my diet a focus in order to stay on track. Most of the time, I don't eat more than I should just because I can. I am about 6 months out, and I'm happy that I have enough restriction to keep my from eating like I used to, but not so much that I vomit. What I've learned is that I could quickly overcome the restriction if I let myself. Having the sleeve makes it much easier to control myself, but there are days it's a struggle. This is a battle I will need to be vigilant about forever.

Honestly, sometimes everything is done correctly and people still can have less than perfect outcomes. Medicine/surgery is an art as much as a science, which is one of the reasons surgery is risky. Its true, practice does improve outcomes statistically, but a negative outcome is not a guaranteed result of inexperience. Work with your surgeon, get the answers you need, and seek a second opinion if you need to. Make your decision once you are sure you understand all your options and potential risks. I would be asking about conversion to RNY. That might improve weight loss and resolve the refkux. Either way, good luck as you continue down the path to better health.

Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing this morning! I have lost 89 pounds since 12/19/12.

So cute, congratulations!!

Congratulations! Keep it up! Bet you are feeling great. :-)

I LOVE coffee. I've been drinking it since I was about 2, lol. My grandparents gave it to me. Anyway, my particular surgeon/dietician's rules require to stop coffee at least 2 weeks before surgery to avoid caffeine headache while you are post op. Then no coffee for at least 4 months, then it should be decaf. That was one area I just was not willing to change, and told them that. I was cleared for coffee at 6 weeks, and have one cup of black coffee every morning, and two on weekends. I sometime will have some iced coffee with equal and a little coffee mate sweet Italian creamer in the afternoon, or the Chike iced coffee. According my dietician, they want us to avoid coffee in the beginning to prevent dehydration and allow time for healing, then later because it interferes with iron and calcium absorption. She also mentioned last week that there have been studies showing people who drink coffee in the morning, tend to be hungrier in the afternoon. I've found that to be true for me, but I'm not giving up coffee. My solution is to have that one iced coffee in the afternoon, lol! Really curbs the hunger for me. I have found a way to spread my vitamins out around it so they are still absorbed properly, and I get in plenty of other fluids, so I'm ok with it.

I was on a full liquid diet for two weeks, clear liquids the evening before, then nothing after midnight. No bowel prep.