belladona

I do too!! I buy alot of there name stuff since i have been sleeved I read every label and really just stick to less is more. They have an awesome nonfat greek yogurt 12 grams of Protein and their own grilled chicken ingredients are chicken breast salt and olive oil thats it no preservatives. 100 calories for 3oz 21 protein cant beat it. Try them out next time its healthy and easy . Im always on the run so its convenient . Im gonna look up Maries Gone Crackers right now. lol

Hi in whatever you decide I wish you the best, listen to what your body is telling you, I did my surgery because I know myself and I spiraled out of control and did not want to expand one more inch! I couldnt. I feel great, losing 50 lbs has made my brain more alert. I am tired alot but I think its low cal lack of Vitamins stuff like that, but before I had to take a bunch of naps during the day no energy nothing, but now its changed im normal functioning lol best of luck to you, and yes I agree this is my safe place too.

You didn't stretch your sleeve! It's actually incredibly difficult, not to mention painful, to stretch the sleeve even the tiny bit it will give.
Your sleeve will have more space as it heals (I had a big jump around six months) and will relax a bit with time. The size my sleeve was at 14 months post op is the same size it is now at 37 months post op.
How much I can eat depends entirely on what I'm eating!
I can eat a cup to a cup and a half of food at a meal, depending on what I'm eating. If you're worried, weigh your dense Protein and eat that until you're full for one meal. I eat in a way that intentionally allows me to eat more food - going for the foods that slide a bit first, and eating bites of Protein throughout the meal, instead of first. I do it because I'm three years out and need more calories (and variety!) at this point. So reassure yourself with the protein first and then relax a bit. You're not eating too much unless you're gaining weight.
~Cheri

I began thinking about surgery (again) in April this past year. I have PCOS and have struggled with my weight since my late teens. I spent many years on and off on WW (lose, get pregnant, have baby, gain, go back to WW (repeat 3x!)). I went to the "informational" meeting the beginning of June and have submitted everything to my insurance (Federal BCBS). Waiting to hear from the insurance has been more difficult than I imagined! I am so ready for this. I am sick of feeling like food rules my life and feeling like a bystander in my own life. I know this isn't going to be easy, but I am ready!

Holy crap you sexy thing!! You look amazing!!

Hi I dont know if you have a Trader Joes by you, I eat small a little bigger than poker chip size crackers. they are called original savory thins they dont haveregular flour they have rice meal and soy but they are very crunchy. 1 serving is 15 crackers I go for 7 at a time because if you put tuna or hummus on them thats really all you need. Just take out your few crackers for meal, and put box away. lol I hope that helps and no Im not supposed to have carbs for 6 months but I dont want my body to freak when I do decide to have healthy carbs so I eat the crackers.

Holy crap you sexy thing!! You look amazing!!

Holy crap you sexy thing!! You look amazing!!

Hi I dont know if you have a Trader Joes by you, I eat small a little bigger than poker chip size crackers. they are called original savory thins they dont haveregular flour they have rice meal and soy but they are very crunchy. 1 serving is 15 crackers I go for 7 at a time because if you put tuna or hummus on them thats really all you need. Just take out your few crackers for meal, and put box away. lol I hope that helps and no Im not supposed to have carbs for 6 months but I dont want my body to freak when I do decide to have healthy carbs so I eat the crackers.

Hi in whatever you decide I wish you the best, listen to what your body is telling you, I did my surgery because I know myself and I spiraled out of control and did not want to expand one more inch! I couldnt. I feel great, losing 50 lbs has made my brain more alert. I am tired alot but I think its low cal lack of Vitamins stuff like that, but before I had to take a bunch of naps during the day no energy nothing, but now its changed im normal functioning lol best of luck to you, and yes I agree this is my safe place too.

I hope you get better soon, that sounds scary I would have been angry and depressed as well. Thank you for the useful information. A few years back my mom was hospitalized for low potassium, unfortunately its not high in our radar, and overlooked. But now its fresh in my head. Thanks again and i wish you a speedy recovery.

Babycakes, be sure and ask your dr and nutritionist about what you can and can't eat. Plus research online. The reality is that many sleevers can eat anything, however that is not a good thing. Eating high calorie, high carb food after the sleeve is possible, but it just keeps you from losing weight. There are lots people who have tremendous success with this surgery. I would venture to say that most of them had a change in their attitude about certain types of food in tandem with the surgery in order to be successful.
One thing the dr will tell you is Protein first at every meal. So protein is extremely important. Unfortunately there are many delicious foods that truly give you nothing of nutritional value. If you do the sleeve, you will be able to eat these types of foods, but you would be starving yourself from the nutritional needs that make this work. You might also find that a lot of the foods you like are great for the sleeve. I did! Good luck!

I was just recently sleeved (will be one month on Tuesday) so I don't know the answers to your questions BUT if you don't have the surgery, where will you be in another 6 months to a year? Will you weigh the same or more or will you lose weight? That's how I approached my surgery. Where will I be 6 months or a year from now if I don't have it? I think you'll be surprised at what you'll be able to lose. It's really amazing how little you will eat & feel full. Will you get to goal? Who knows....but if you do nothing, will you get to goal? You're so young, I wouldn't hesitate. I'm 53 & so wish I had done this at least 10 years ago. You're already ahead of the game with all the support you have. I didn't really have much support because I didn't want to tell anyone, but that was my decision. My husband & BFF knew but not many more than that. Those that did know were very supportive. If you've read here, not all people that were sleeved or going to be sleeved have had much support. Take it & run! As my doctor told me when I told him that I was considering Weight Loss Surgery, he was very happy for me & said "you're going to buy back at least 20 years!" From his mouth to God's ears! This could save your life. Don't hesitate. Blessings to you!

Awww thats a beautiful story. Enjoy him and your new life!!!

hi lucy your not alone! Some days are better than others but I find myself going to bed when I can at 9oopm thats when Im allowed Im thinking its lack of Vitamins not really sure. Maybe we need more calories I dont know what the right answer is here.

I took three weeks off , mind you my job is in healthcare im with patients all day and i do 12 hour shifts and running around alot its very physically demanding. I should have taken 4.

Hmmm I dont know, sounds like your doing great and I think you like pushing yourself ,and Im sure your hard work is paying off. I think your just training really hard maybe push yourself to that limit 3 times a week instead of 6 . I mean if it really bothers you, otherwise you know what to do hydrate/protein/ recouperate you should be good. Or like the ladies say check with your trainer.

OK did you ever stop and think how horrible that obstructive thing feels on your face while your trying to breath and sleep? Everyone is different but I tried 100 times every night to try to get used to that disgusting machine, each night it took me hours to fall asleep so finally I chose sleep. It now sits in my closet. So some of us try to deal with it. It doesnt mean we are noncompliant they have to figure out a better system than making people feel like there snorkeling while they try to sleep.

I also have a few people close to me who don't understand what or why I'm doing this. I'm on day 11 of my pre-op diet ( My Dr's is Protein Shakes and non-starchy veggies only) I've lost 10 lbs so far. One relative says, "Why don't you just keep doing what you're doing?" I just laugh.

There is always going to be someone who has that mind set. I had my fair share. But when we come to this decision it's typically been well thought out . I know me for example I tried EVERYTHING under the sun with multiple doctors, to b-12 shots, to Water pills, to medical supervised diets. Nothing worked...it wasn't my thyroid... food was killing me.. and I can either let it continue to steal my life away from me or do something that would be permanent. Something that would MAKE me change my ways. Something that when I wanted to give up and binge...I couldn't because it won't allow me to. A tool that I need in my life to save me from myself. So let them say what they need say. But remind them that this is your choice and you are choosing to do what you feel is best. People are quick to judge us and tell us what they think is best for us. Hard to have a fulfilling life when you feel trapped and limited to your body. Carrying all that weight on your body is not a better alternative because that leads to just as scary stuff if not worse. Good luck and stay strong and focused on your choices

My aunt tried to talk me out of it, she actually called me at work so my supporters (my husband and my mom) wouldn't hear her. I listened and then never discussed it with her again.
I decided that it was easier just to not talk to her about it until after I had the WLS. Funny thing is-- now she says it's the best decision I've ever made. Ha!!
Good Luck do what's best for you! It's YOUR body, it's YOUR health, and it's YOUR decision!

My parents tried to discourage it for the safety of my life they love me very much. But at my age they have no say. Well when my mom sees the changes in me when we visit on Sundays she will say you were so right this surgery was for you .. So from your step parents they will probably change their tune when you are ok from surgery with no complications. Take it with a grain of salt.

I refused to take it. I think this is a money making scam. Everyone I know that has been diagnosed with this has a CPAP machine in their closet, never use it because they can't. I snored and probably had the so called disease but I have been thru many surgeries so why do it now. It seems that we go thru an awful lot of testing for this surgery compared to other surgeries where you just go and have the surgery and you are done. Maybe it's a way for the insurance to drag it out and they hope that you get tired of all the hoops and don't have the surgery. This is my opinion.

The people who are trying to stop you are uneducated about the sleeve and how it can improve your life.....They are also worried about the what ifs.....
Some are just scared you are going to look better then them.....oops...women for ya!
I only told a few people the real story about my surgery...others think I had a scar repaired on the lining of my stomach...Even seasoned nurses have swallowed that one..Can't believe it but it is true...
So they realize that my stomach must be smaller so I lost some weight....No one questions me about it at all..
I really did not lie, I just skipped the first part of this journey...
This is your life, your body, your future....You are in control...No one really knows what you have been through to get here......
It takes a lot of courage to come to this as it is not for the faint of heart...
Go get em girl!!!!!!

I'm going to join you and swim, swim, swim because you are looking fab, fab, fab :-)