GalileeGal

So sorry this happened to you. I am afraid this is common and people think they are being funny and original when they say "What happened to the other half of you?" I have heard that one frequently and one young lady even pouted after seeing the "new me" and said, "You're just not you when you aren't fat and jolly!" I must have some snappy, humorous responses in my repertoire so I can let people know commenting on my body is NOT ok!

Just to add to all the other wonderful advice here. I do drink occasionally, but it is instead of and not in addition to appetizers. Since you can't eat and drink at the same time, you need to space out your food and drink and will naturally consume fewer calories. I now only drink Bloody Mary which at least has tomato juice which is healthy and red wine, which is also good for you. I find I can only have one and I make it last a long time. Occasionally I will have 2, but since the operation it affects me a lot more. Believe me, it is worth it!

I understand completely what you mean! Isn't it ironic that size 8 is still considered to be overweight? I a. In the same position and when I think back on it, I can't even believe I haven't been this healthy and active my whole life! Congrats to us all!

Sleeve surgery is currently the most popular surgery Israel and if you qualify, paid for by the socialized medicine system which also includes lifelong monthly follow-up with a dietitian and support group. So there are thousands of sleeved Jews in Israel alone .

Believe it or not, I frequently ate mashed up gefilte fish post-op (I think about a month after) and loved it.You can even find it in the supermarket with no sugar,and it is delicious. I also ate a lot of chopped liver, cottage cheese and applesauce, tehina.....be creative and make sure you eat slowly and enjoy your food.

Great list! I think those of us addicted to processed and "diet" foods got fatter and fatter through physical addiction. I just love that 14 months out I am eating delicious, real food and still losing weight. Just goes to show you that food in its natural state is the best for us. Keep up the good work and thanks for the post. I also bought a crockpot and make lots of delicious meals with legumes and all kinds of vegetables so it's waiting for me when I get home from work, rather than picking up something quick on the way home.

Feel free to email me. Marilyngl@bezeqint.net. I have been living in the Galilee for 30 years and wouldn't recommend either of the places you mentioned for North Americans unless you are very religious if living in A city is important to you, I think you'd be more comfortable in Karmiel, which is the Capitol of the Galilee and quite lovely..

Best of luck to you! The sleeve is a very popular surgery here in Israel and in fact, I've been told it is the most common surgery being done in Israel today and if you qualify, covered by insurance. I don't think there is a difference in Protein requirements, but just how you get it. I am about an hour from Tiberias. Why do you ask? Good luck!

Just found this thread while looking for other English speaking sleevers in Israel. I am 13 months post-op and have lost 75 pounds and eat all of the good "Jewish food" we all grew up with. There are healthier ways of preparing all the traditional favorites and of course, I eat A LOT less than I used to. Am very unclear why people are writing that they can't eat brisket, chopped liver etc. The focus in the bariatric community in Israel is apparently VERY different from the US. First of all, NO Protein shakes allowed. Not pre-op and not ever. Secondly, as long as you eat food in its natural form and no white flour or sugar and you make sure most of your diet is good-quality protein and vegetables, you can eat whatever you want. This has worked for me very well and I am very healthy and have lost beautifully. I asked my dietitian about the American focus on protein powders, and she told me it is a good way to market an unnecessary product that is making companies a lot of money. Something to think about?

I just returned from a dream trip to Thailand with my oldest daughter and at age 55, I did things I don't think I could have done physically my entire life. I have more stamina and thanks to a strict exercise schedule and healthy eating, am stronger and healthier than ever! I ate delicious food, just smaller quantities and always made healthy choices. To my shock, I came home after two weeks and had actually lost 2 pounds, which is unheard of for me on vacation. We went snorkeling in the Andaman Sea which required jumping off of a boat several times and then climbing up a ladder and the first rung was over my head, requiring strength I never had before...but I did it! If you are ever feeling discouraged or frustrated, just remember that tomorrow is another day and this operation is an amazing opportunity to restart your life the right way. You have made the right decision and at only 4 pounds from goal I know that the hardest part is maintaining, but I will do it!!

WOW!!!! I had surgery the same month you did and as you know, it is CONSTANT work. We will always have to eat healthy and exercise, but it is so worth it. I have lost 68 pounds in the same amount of time and thought that was pretty amazing. People tell me I am "half"of what I was, but you really are! You don't look like you were ever heavy, and I am wondering if you are finding that people take you more seriously now? I am finding that my opinions both professionally and socially "weigh more" (pun intended). Does this mean that normal weight people are viewed as being more intelligent? Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience, or maybe it is because when we look "normal" we are more confident. What do you all think?

As long as we are on the topic of BIG changes in our lives, I have also noticed I get a lot more respect, especially professionally. I guess people of normal weight are taken more seriously? Hmmm...?

WOW! What an inspiration you are. Keep up the fabulous work!

Thanks for your responses and support. I am very open about having had the surgery if people ask "what I did." I know people mean well and most are just so proud of me,but it's sort of like when you are pregnant and all of a sudden everyone has an opinion about what is going on with your body!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my sleeve and am so grateful for having had the opportunity to have this wonderful tool which has enabled me to get healthy BUT...does anyone else notice that their weight loss has encouraged people to treat you like public property? What do I mean? Haven't you lost enough weight? Your face is getting too thin! You have made your point and this operation worked,but don't you think you could have done it yourself? You are half of what you were, can you believe you were so fat? How do you know you won't gain it back? Anyone else getting inappropriate (though well-meant) attention?

Just got back from a business trip overseas and realized...that heavy suitcase I could barely lift weighs 26 kilos (57 pounds). I was wearing that much extra weight 24/7 just 6 months ago! How did I lug that much around all the time? What a great feeling to know that it's gone forever, and how much healthier I am and how much better I feel. How lucky we are to have this amazing opportunity! Feel free to view my before and after pics. I am feeling great!

Thank you so much for this inspiration. The sleeve is an excellent tool to help us reach our goals, but it is up to us to eat healthy and exercise forever, to stay there!

I actually feel fuller than I ever have in my life, and sometimes that can be frustrating as even after 5 months, I can only manage very tiny portions of a meal. For example, if I go out and order a salad, I can only eat about 1/4 to 1/3 of it and I am stuffed!

Thank you all so much for the informative and well thought-out answers. As long as we are on the topic, how does Soup fit into all of this. I made a delicious pot of vegetable, chick pea and quinoa soup (very high protein) which I can manage about a half a bowl of. What about pureed soup?

Hello everyone! I am 5 months out and have lost 52 pounds. Feel great, exercise a lot and am almost completely following the rules. LOVE MY SLEEVE! My question is: if we aren't supposed to eat and drink since the sleeve is so small that the little food we eat is washed away by Water, and we will get hungry too soon; if you "cheat" is it a good idea to drink to get rid of it? I had cake for the first time at an office party, and then drank some tea instead of waiting 30 minutes. I felt fine and nothing happened. Anyone else? If you eat something you shouldn't, is drinking water a good way to help get it out of your body faster?

You are AMAZING and thanks for posting the pics. Keep up the good work and you are smart to have done this when you still have your whole life ahead of you!

Like your attitude and thanks for your comment. You are so right: life is just so food-oriented that it's hard to get away from it. Unlike other addictions, you can't live without food and it is everywhere... You have come so far! You look amazing and I am sure you feel strong and fit. Keep up the good work! By the way, how do I change the tagline under my name?

Thank you so much for your support! Looking forward to supporting you on your journey, as well

Thank you so much Cathy!