Firëfly

Texans do. Just for the record, we think of ourselves of Texans first, Americans second. We love America, but we are Texans. Like I said, a different breed. It's like a bumper sticker says, if you're one of us you can't explain it and if you are not, you will not understand. A guy who works on a cruise ship said Texans are the only ones who, when asked 'Where are you from' say Texas, rather than America. Until I moved away, I had no idea how different we are.

I agree that hydration is priority one over Protein. In the first 2 weeks post-op I was told to set my Protein goal to 30 gms... To strive for it, but don't beat myself up if I can't. After 30 became easy, I was to set my goal to 60 and know it will take time to be able to consistently do it. I'm 6 weeks out and still struggle to get in 60. I'm averaging about 40. So, don't focus on just protein right now. Like the earlier post said, sip, sip, sip.
The gurgling is just recovery noises that will dissipate with time. Take one bite. Put down the fork. Wait 3 minutes, take another bite.... Repeat. And LISTEN to what your body says in between bites. I find its a delayed reaction. I still have a bad habit of wanting to chow down three bites quickly. My body (I call her "Ethyl") will tell me, SLOW DOWN. Just listen carefully. Old habits die hard.
When you are more healed, you will be happy you did this. Just give yourself time.

It's a forum--by posting at all, you are inviting feedback....

The last thing my NUT said to me before leaving the hospital after my surgery was "I truly believe that there are people out there with obesity issues that don't stem solely from overeating". She watched my food log for 3 months. She also watched me gain 5 pounds instead of lose. Only time I lost weight was on the preop diet of 900 calories. I do better with complete restriction. But, people do have medical issues, and your GENES play a huge role. How many people on here can say that they are the only big person in their family?? Between how you were raised to good ole genes, it just runs in families. My dad has severe weight issues, I have weight issues. My siblings have none. It feels unfair somedays.

I don't doubt you at all. We are all different in body shape, metabolism, and body fat to muscle. I was a size 18/20 at my heaviest and my BFF who weighed about 10 pounds less than me wore a size 22/24. I am athletic and active and when I do concentrate on eating well, I lose weight quickly and then after about 3 weeks I stop all together. (This is when I usually give up all together, binge a bit and gain it all back.)
I have fat genes on both sides, but that said, I can blame no one but myself for where I am in my weight loss journey. My parents are both in good shape and they work hard to stay that way. I work hard most of the time but the times I don't work hard, I gain copious amounts of weight and justify it to my own detriment.
I chose this surgery because I can't quit it. I also chose this surgery because I am extremely obsessive compulsive and when I did WWs, all I thought about was points, measuring, weighing, planning meals, tracking, to the point that I drove myself nuts and I felt unproductive in other aspects of my life. I can't do that any more. Now, with my teeny tiny tummy, my choices are made for me. I still have to worry about getting in the Protein and liquids, but my mindset is completely different because my choices are so limited for now.
I hope this creates new habits for me as my tummy heals and I slowly incorporate new foods into my diet.

I wonder if other weight-loss surgeries have the broad and seemingly-random range of doctor's advice. Probably so, since each doctor is bound to have a slightly different take on what matters most and how to get optimum results for each patient. It would be nice if there was only one set of The Directions with no deviations and no substitutions, but that just isn't realistic--apart from general commonalities, like "eat Protein first" and "make sure you get enough fluids".
When we each get our set of The Directions from our NUT and our surgeon, we tend to grab 'em and hang on like grim death. If Our Doctor said we need to stand on our head every day between 3:00p.m. and 3:06p.m., then get up and do the hokey pokey in Swahili, most of us would jump right to it and be confused when another WLS patient said THEY do the chicken dance while blindfolded and never stand on their head, but practice existential yoga poses at dawn for 22 minutes exactly.
We're so convinced that Our Doctor got The Directions right, that we can't help but look askance at someone else's set of do's and don'ts, if they aren't aligned with ours. It's not a character judgement, it's human nature. Most people don't mean any harm by it--they're trying to save you from following a flawed (in their eyes) set of The Directions. The trouble starts when we forget that "different" doesn't always mean "wrong".
Hang in there, and just keep doing what your doctor tells you. He/she is the doctor, not us!

Where did you get that Synthroid causes weight gain?!? ABSOLUTELY false! HYPOTHYROIDISM causes a drag in the metabolism. The disease causes weight gain. The drug props your thyroid up so it can attempt to function properly.
If you don't take it, your thyroid may likely continue to deteriorate. I suppose it could slow down any weight loss you want from the sleeve. I wouldn't be surprised if a neglected sick thyroid would run a higher risk of developing cancer, though I haven't researched that because I never miss my Synthroid. If you are hell-bent on avoiding Synthroid, I'd suggest finding out if you should prepare for cancer in a few years.
I don't mean to sound harsh.... Truly. Just learn all you can. Ignorance begets fear. Fear begets anger. Conquer it. Learn all you can. Managed with one tiny pill daily, Hypothyroidism is one of the mildest long-term chronic conditions one can face.

Yes!! Totally annoying... But the part that gets me is realizing I used to eat like that!!! I feel too guilty to call anyone out on it :/

I'm not fat, I'm big boned B-)

*puts English teacher hat on*
Calibri is a font.
Caliber is the American English spelling.
Calibre is the British English spelling (and since they invented the language, I let them spell it as they wish, even with the "u" in "colour" and "favourite", and spelling "theatre" intead of "theater").
AussieLady meant exactly what she typed, since her screen name shows she's from Oz (-stralia, not where Dorothy went with her ruby slippers).
We now return to our regularly-scheduled program of wackdoodlery, shenanigans and hooliganism.

You don't stretch your sleeve by the number of calories you consume, you stretch your sleeve with the QUANTITY of food you consume.
I have always been confused by the low cal requirements given for most, other than understanding that you cannot consume an abundance of food because of the size of your new stomach. But I always thought why not consume higher calorie foods that are good nutritional calories, low in quantity, and have the ability NOT to force your body into starvation mode, as well as NOT cause those things people experience, like: hair loss, fatigue, dizziness, and out of whack metabolism.
I see my Nut next week and I'm definitely having this conversation.

Do what works for you! If you're losing weight at 1200 cals then that's perfect. I eat/ ate more than most sleevers too. I was up to 1200 cals around 4 months. I Made goal around 9 months post op- it was a very modest goal (169 at 5'4") I'm nearly 2 years out and have maintained at 1800-2000 cals a day. Adjust your cals if you are not losing, otherwise keep doing what you are doing! In another post a girl asked me rudely why I had the surgery if I was just going to eat "that much" I replied I didn't have the surgery to not eat a lot. I had surgery to lose weight and be healthy. And I did! -Lisa

Brandy that baby in your picture is so dang cute!
I'm not a psychologist but I do know one thing, you have to stop looking for acceptance in other ppl and find it in yourself and that is where you find a peace of mind that makes it less of a big deal what other ppl think of you.

You're only a week out. The Soup you chose from Panera is very thick. When you try it again in another week and a half, you will see that it will go down without hurting. Right now, try some less thicker options or thin them out with water/skim milk. In a couple of weeks, you'll be so much happier with your choice;)

First off, this is normal at your time. Second, it's not like you can go backwards. The great thing about the sleeve is that it can't be reverse.
I'm about 2.5 years out. I can eat about half a panini slowly now, even the bread. And save the rest for later. It takes time to learn how your sleeve works, but after just a few months, you won't really notice it.
And after a couple of years like me, your new eating arrangement will seem normal, and you won't be able to understand how regular folks eat such absurd portions and meals. This way is way better, it just takes some time.
Keep your head up!

175 for me

my eyes are way bigger than my stomach (still)......
Guilt is not what I should feel if I eat a cupcake. ...
123lbs lost is actually great......
If I dont lose any weight 1 week its OK...
Feeling mad sometimes because I still cant eat salads or slaw is OK....
Being able to buy clothes anywhere is nice....
I can walk past Lane Bryant and I do NOT have to shop there!!!!!
The scale is NOT making me its b*tch I made it my b*tch!!!!
I enjoy compliments. ....
Being cold ALL of the time sucks!
Whenever I see french fries I smell grease which is a good thing right?
I still want to lose more weight but if I don't its starting to be OK....
Weight day of surgery: 350
Weight today: 224
Surgery date: 6/29/12
Height: 5'9 1/2
Anyone else?

I have never drank carbonation, but I have had a glass of wine, 3 times since surgery. Made me tipsy quickly. But thats fine one glass takes about an hour to drink, and never have I drank it with food. Im 2.5 months out. And for those of you who are saying we shouldnt drink alcohol becuase of the empty calories, I know I know, but give me a break...I have 3 teenagers, and 1 of them is a GIRL teenager...LOL so only 3 glasses of wine in 2.5 months is pretty good.

Newbies et al Suzanne is a lovely lady from sleeveland that lost 115 lbs!!! in 2008!!!!
proving that there is life after many years of WLS!!!!
what an inspiration she is!!!
periodically she"pops in", showing her lovely slim self
always smiling
she's a great role model!!!!
she was 62 when she was sleeved (I know she doesn't mind me saying her age)
i only mention her age to show "older" people (like me )I was 57 when i had WLS - that its never too late to start your new healthier, happier, longer life
people that have been sleeved a few weeks, months - we've all heard the same question comments from NEWBIES
they are repetitious - telling their poop stories LOL - hair following out - Protein shake problems, STALLS et al
they are good questions, we've said,asked them before - so now its the NEWBIES turn to ask them, since they never heard the answers
most of us can remember asking those questions when we were NEWBIES too
i know if 15 months ago i was referenced to use the search bar on hair, it wouldn't be the same as someone giving personal help on the board
(its true that after someone gives a response checking the search area is helpful)
so NEWBIES.............
here we are - ask away!!!!
any and all questions - go for it!!!!
just remember, another NEWBIE might just have asked that question ie yesterday, so you might not always get that personal response
i would like to also tell you NEWBIES when you introduce yourself - there are so many of you NEWBIES we don't get to individually welcome you
just know even though we don't address each and everyone of you
we all welcome you to the VSG board with arms open - on your successful road to "heaven" in sleeveland!!!!
Suzanne, thanx for reminding us that all of us are here requesting support
even when NEWBIES confess they ate something bad,,,,,,,
we need to be there for them - but we also need to tell them to knock it off!!! if they do something wrong!/silly like eating 4 slices of pizza PO day 4!!!!
not a good idea guys!!!!
so newbies try not to be offended if someone "unintentionally" might not show their best side with a reply
we're all usually the cream of the crop, here to help you the best we can
but remember we'll answer your questions to the best of our capability
but frequently you need/should check with your NUT/surgeon if its a more serious question about a possible leak, stricture et al
for many things you must seek your doc/Nuts advice
Suzanne, sounds like you are continueing to do great!!!!
thanx for stopping by!!! - would love to see you more often
welcome NEWBIES
kathy

Ok this is how it is dang it. I was and am and always be a Dr.Pepper and Coke Cola addict!!! All of you out there who thinks its gonna be ok to have a sip and not go back to it again you are wrong. Its like any addiction whether it be certain foods, sodas, alcohol, illeagal drugs, prescription medicine, pornography or anything else that you have withdrawls from. You need to really look inside yourself and be honest! Dont lie! Ask yourself am I addicted and will my world end if I do not have this soda ( or what ever it is). I know I an addict. I got this way because of sodas. A 12 pack a day or more. And no they were not diet, matter of fact diet are worse for you. Good luck and realize who is going to win this battle? You or the sodas( or whatever your addiction is) I ve been there and Im still here fighting.

Any time you want to. Same for eating brownies and ice cream, potato chips, any other junk. You can also stop exercising any time you want. Really, you can pick up any "bad" habit you might have given up for this surgery at any time you want.
Does that sound preachy? It's NOT meant to be. It's just a fact. YOU choose. I could say "Listen to the advice of your doctor," but really, if you're looking for people to say "Well, I did it and I'm fine," you're looking for a reason/excuse to return to something you quit doing for FOUR months.
So the real question, I think, is WHY? If it's GOOD for you, why'd you give it up for 4 months? You gave it up because it's NOT good for you, no matter how you try to rationalize it. Are you craving it? Perhaps, but do you really want to give in to that craving?
I say this from a "been there, done that" place. When I was first banded, I lost 85 lbs. Gave up sweet tea and almost all sugars, junk, etc. But little by little, I brought those things BACK into my life. Now? I'm 25-30 lbs heavier and need the sleeve to try to get my weight back down. I honestly wish I'd never started with the bad habits...
So that's my advice to you. You have FOUR months of not drinking useless calories...why not try to make it 5 months...or more?