kidrn72

I had reflux before my sleeve in 2013, was stable on Prevacid at the time. Seemed to do fine until about a yr ago. Now my GI doc has me on 3 different reflux meds. I went back to my Bariatric surgeon and he’s doing to do a revision to RNY. My reflux has cause severe damage to my esophagus because the lower end is weak and the valve doesn’t close to keep the acid in my stomach. I have made all the dietary changes and sleep elevated- still have symptoms daily.

I'm 20 mo post sleeve and am very happy with my decision:) I lost 125# and am maintaining well. I felt that the sleeve was a better option because I was always hungry and since the sleeve decreased the amount of hunger hormone that would be more helpful along with having to eat less. I didn't like the malabsorption issues with the bypass or the dumping. It's s personal choice.

I had my sleeve 1/23/13!! Lost 125# and maintaining since About Feb this year;)

You look amazing;)

I gave myself a bounce range of 5 pounds and I stay within than fairly easy. I do have to be mindful of what I'm eating, thankfully I still have enough restriction. I'm 21 mo post op and have been maintaining since Feb. I have chosen to be grain free which helps me a great deal to not have the daily fight of wanting to eat junk food. I make my own "treats" if I really want something sweet. I know being grain free is not for everyone but it has been my best option. I used to crave carbs now I no longer crave them at all. I still love my chocolate though:) I have to exercise to stay in my bounce range so I have found a good balance that works for me.

Scaring has mostly genetics to predict how a person heals. However I can tell you from having 2 plastic procedures almost 25 years apart that massage and Vitamin E oil are your best defense. My message I mean messaging the scar tissue for 2 mins twice a day to increase circulation for the new growth. I had a bad dog bite to my face at 17 yrs old and I'm 42 now, yes I had a great plastic surgeon but I listened to what he told me to do and use sunscreen daily to this day to keep them minimal. My scars are my face are very minimal for the size they are because I took good care of them. Now after losing weight I had a breast lift and the scars are long because I had such a large amount of sagging skin, again the plastic doc stressed the after care and I followed the instructions. My scares 10 months post op are almost completely flesh toned:) really it is about after care to get the best results, all you need is vitamin E oil and you hands to message:)

I'm 30 mo post op and still have restriction:) having a sleeve was the best choice I made! I used to eat constantly and never felt full, I use food as my drug of choice and I have to work on that daily. Yes the sleeve is a tool and yes you have to make life style changes but it works if you make those changes:) I have learned that carbs trigger craving for me so I have chosen to stay with a low carb lifestyle, no white proceeded stuff which helps me control my cravings:)

I have been good about getting my Vitamins in ( I use Bariatric advantage) and I'm 20 months post op:) I do set a timer test helps.

I have been doing PiYo and LOVE it!! It compliments my running as well:) I don't do Shakeology because it costs way too much for my budget but I love the workouts. I feel stronger and I am definitely more flexible.

I have tried it and only like the chocolate flavor. it is a bit gritty but blend with ice in a blender. It does not contain enough Protein to be a Meal Replacement for WLS patients according to my RD. I have a friend that sells it and I tried bought single packets to try and show my RD for her approval. It is really expensive and I didn't feel it was worth the price.

I think rather it's with WLS or old fashioned dieting, maintaining seems to be the hardest. I'm at my goal weight but I have to work to stay here. With my sleeve I have lost 125 pounds and I'm happy at my current weight;). I have found that if I don't stay focused I can gain. If I get lazy and don't keep up with my fitness or don't watch my food choices I see a gain. I know I will always have to be diligent if I want to keep my weight off. I have a set bounce range to keep myself in check.

I ran my first 5K earlier this month (5/3/14) and am training for another June 14.

Missouri

I also did a indoor triathlon in march:)

I was taking PPI prior to having my sleeve done due to acid reflux that I tolerated to the point I couldn't swallow. By the time I went in to have my reflux checked I already had a segment of Barrets esphogaus, which is a pre cancer condition. Now I have to always take a PPI for the rest of my life to avoid cancer. I am good about limiting my caffeine to reduce reflux. But I also have to be diligent about my Vitamins and Calcium.

Awesome! Congratulations!! I don't think you look dorky, I think you look strong and skinny, and very, very happy.

Thank you:). I am very happy - I know I can do it now!!

Awesome & inspiring. I've been talking about doing a 5k race. Hopefully work my way up to the 10k Broad St run in Philadelphia.

I want to work up to a 10K but I'm just starting out:)

Great information!! Thanks for sharing;)

Ran my first ever 5K yesterday and came in at under 33 mins! I challenged myself to run the entire course and I did it;). I could not have done this @ 268 pounds!! I'm so proud of myself for setting a goal and completing it!! I look dorky in the pic, lol!!

Wow!! Sounds like a great idea;) I live near Kansas City, MO.

I will be doing the color run in Kansas City at the end of May with my daughter. I am so looking forward to it!

I have considered this for this year!! Trying to talk my daughter into doing with me:) I live in KC too!

OK so I'm 1 year out, and I literally go to the F'n gym everyday!!!! I'm so aggy. . I'm not losing weight anymore. I'm at 170.. will not break! Been months I'm 20 lbs away from goal. . I know a lot is loose skin.. I do slip with sweets tracking food.. wtf! Sorry for language

How much Protein are you getting and Water? ? Calories?? Sounds like you may not be getting enough calories if you working out daily. I was not losing and workout 5-6 days a week but was getting less than 1000 calories so I saw my dietitian and she set me straight. Because I was exercising and not eating enough calories my body was in starvation mode and after 1 week of increasing my calories from 900 to 1100 I saw 2 pounds drop that week!! If we aren't getting enough of what our body needs we stop seeing results.

Great thread Fiddleman! My most important strategy is abstinence from sugar. Sigh... It's not what I was hoping for, but since I started off last year trying to lose a chunk of regain, did a face plant into a cupcake in mid-February and ended up hopelessly trapped in a sugar vortex and ending the year with 10 more pounds of regain to take off, I think it's official. I simply cannot do moderation. Fortunately, I've found some wonderful sources for recipes that satisfy my sweet tooth without creating a craving for more. And, I've rediscovered the strength that comes from being ABLE to turn down the goodies in the break room, because I've got all that out of my system and I'm not a raging cookie monster. That's my battle, and one I suspect I'll be fighting to my last days, but at least for the moment I'm winning. And it makes everything else pay off - the vigilance on the scale, sticking to it even when I know I'm doing everything right and I'm not seeing the losses I "think" I've "earned", the regular exercise, and the establishing of new routines to keep me distracted and away from food as a source of self-soothing. The exercise is the other key element for me. It's my stress release valve, it occupies chunks of my day I'd otherwise be spending raiding the pantry, and on days when I can get out hiking in my beloved mountain trails, it's healing to my soul. It gives me much-needed solitude and space and time for self-reflection. It's as necessary to my well-being as anything else I do. And, oh yeah, the extra calories burned are a nice bonus, though I have to be pretty careful about how I spend them (see reference to the #@@%*@%# sugar vortex above).

I'm the same way with sugar!! I have to just not have it because it set the wheels in motion for cravings and bad choices. I have to exercise too - key for me to reduce stress which keeps me from using food as a stress reducer. I was hoping I could do moderation with sweets but I can't it just makes me want more- no sugar for me! I am okay with it because the trade off of good health is so worth it:)

I agree that maintaining is harder than losing. It has been hard for me to change my mind set to be okay with the scale not showing a loss even though I know it shouldn't. I do still use MFP to track so it keeps me on track and I have a visual of what I am eating and making certain to keep the Protein up.

I am booked to have a sleeve next week.....does any post op sleeve wish they got a band?

No!! Having the sleeve was the best thing I have done for myself:) no regrets!

I had my surgery 1/23/13 and am at goal with a total loss of 123 pounds:) Now I'm learning to maintain. Best decision I ever made for myself;)

I feel that by having it out in the open I am more accountable. People know so they watch, knowing that keeps me on track:)

Folks, What are your favorite Protein shakes/supplements for pre-op diet and post-op? Anyone had any luck finding organic/non-gmo Protein shakes/supplements? Thanks!

Amazon has 2 brands 1 is called Blue Bonnet and 1 is Davinci brand. Both are made with non- gmo whey. I use the blue bonnet.