EarthyGoalie

Congratulations on your success so far :-) As far as the pros, I can also relate to many of them, and the cons, I don't just have to remind myself to chew slowly, but I also have to remind myself to sip. Sip, sip. I hate sipping and over chewing, but like you said, the positives of this outweigh the negative. What I found is easier for me is to take a big or "normal" sip out of something, and keep it in my mouth and slowly swallow lol. It helps me a lot.

I am not telling anyone but my close family and beat friends. I am simply saying that I'm eating better and exercising.

Well, what exactly ARE you doing? Are you walking? Eating carbs? Having enough protein? I'm pretty much stalling too, but I'm not walking much so I feel guilty to try and blame the surgery for that, even though a lot of people keep losing even without walking. I'm just gonna pass on the same advice I've been given: keep doing the diet, following the plan, get enough protein in, walk, and the weight will eventually start shedding again!

I cannot imagine losing all the weight like all of you. The pictures are just breathtaking! I've already lost 30lbs, but it doesn't show much. But even though I lost that weight, I'm still not believing really that I'll lose all the weight and be able to have amazing pictures like you all! Great job :-)

I recently started drinking them. I don't mind the bad taste. My pain killer post-op tasted worse lol... Only have it when I need some extra protein. And I usually have half of one at a time.

Right now, I'm basically having protein shakes, protein soup supplements (about 12grams to 15 of protein), Popsicles, water, crystal light, laughing cow cheese (I'm obsessed), protein shots, and Greek yogurt. These are my usuals. However, I have been eating a few things that are not necessarily on my diet, shame on me, I know. But I have been obsessing with sun chips lately so every once in a while (more like 3 times last week), I had about 10 chips in a day. I also had one bite of sushi (didn't go well), and I also had a bite of pizza, and a bite of pasta (also didnt go well, and I learned my lesson!). But ignore everything I just said lol. Just stick to my first paragraph lol.

I'm 4 1/2 weeks out and I am getting about 40 to 60 g of protein and about 400 to 600 calories a day. I am a bit worried though that I am eating too much :-/ I'm not really sure... but as for water, it's been really hard. I've been getting about 30oz a day :-/

I've been having trouble getting my water in as well. I'm 4 weeks and 2days post op, and as of today, I have lost 16lbs since surgery. :-/ I guess as long as we know it will come off, and take it a day at a time, we'll be ok.

Did your doctor prescribe an antacid? Mine did ever since surgery, in case that were to happen, and I haven't had that reflux far.

annag, I completely understand where you're coming from. Are you taking anti-depressants? If not, you should. I am taking some, because it got really depressed and my eating addiction had gotten worse. MUCH worse. And I'd hate myself right after bingeing, but do it all over again, whether or not I felt full. Please find out what is going on with your doctor, and also talk about getting anti-depressants. Let us know what your doctor says. I hope everything's fine. I'm sorry you are going through this and can eat so much :-( Good luck

I am such a food addict. Thankfully, I have been able to get this "tool" to help me control myself, but you are all right; it's more than just the sleeve, you need to work on yourself and the reasons why you eat, and change eating habits. I am only a month out, but I have literally "hurt" myself at least 4 times already. I ate a slice of pizza, I had some pasta, I even had some Halloween candy that were in the house. I had the dumping syndrome, and literally had my stomach hurt because I had one bite too much. Now before anybody responds to this post trying to lecture me on how dangerous that was, don't bother. I've had my share of lectures and FULLY understand the consequences of what I did. I am SO scared of a leak, but you wouldn't think so after what I just said. But that is simply because my addiction controls or controlled me, rather... I am also a secret binger, but have decided since my sleeve, to own up to everything I eat, and tell someone everytime I feel guilty about eating something, even if just one bite, I decided to stop hiding it. I want to face this more than ever. And I am SO grateful that I cannot binge eat anymore, at least for now, because it gives me the opportunity to change my habits, and deal with my problems in a different way. I also understand that in the long run, it will get harder to face this addiction, being that most people can eat way more by then, and truthfully, it scares me, a lot! But I'm going to worry about each day as they come. One day at a time. Thank you everyone for posting your experiences with addiction. It makes me feel that I am not alone, and also gives me hope!

"Skinny in here", YES, YES, YES, and YES. Ever since the pre-op diet, it's been so weird for me, going to work and not getting a Wendy's sandwich that is right across. Or going to school, and not getting a McDonald's breakfast right before. And so many more habits and associations with places and activities.

"LBD" I would also do the EXACT same thing. I would go out alone and not let anyone tag along because I knew I wasn't just going to get some hair product at CVS, but because I knew I'd be buying all kinds of junk, sit in the car, and eat them, and hide the rest in my purse so I'd eat it later when everyone is asleep. And airing out the car? Oh yeah! I'd stop at McDonald's and stuff my face in the car, dispose of all evidence, and air the car out while going back home. And you know, I have never admitted to any of this to anyone. So I'm really glad to be able to share this with you guys and not be judged. I did this surgery because I knew I would die this way if I didn't do anything that would keep me in control.

"acampbell1318", you are not alone. I cannot COUNT how many times I've stopped by a Wendy's, a Panera, a Starbucks, and many other places WITHOUT even being hungry, without even having a previous craving. Just by passing next to it, I'd go "hmm, let me stop and get something", and I'd be sitting in my car, eating. And not long after, I'd be so mad at myself... But do the same thing tomorrow. I'm glad I stopped doing that, and I hope I don't ever start again. But it is so hard, I know!

"skinny in here", I know exactly what you mean. And I have done the exact same thing. Except it wasn't for one specific food, any food I love, any time!

Sleeved on September 27th. I lost 15lbs since surgery. I feel a bit discouraged, the scale hasn't moved an ounce for a week! :-( though I did cheat and had some pizza the other day, I threw up, and I got back on track seriously.

Wow! Amazing change!! Congrats! Have you been exercising a lot?

Hmm. Ok. That sounds good to me! Because it is soo hard drink all 64 oz of water. At least if I could switch it up. So it's good to hear that I can count the water from crystal light!

I feel so happy for everyone's success on here. However I rarely see a post from someone suffering from food addiction. And I feel that it would help me a lot to hear those journeys. :-) not that it doesn't help to hear other stories as well. But if you are a food addict who has succeeded in losing the weight and staying sane without hurting your poor stomach, please do share. I would love to hear about your success.

Thanks everyone. I am taking into consideration all of your advice. I will also speak to my surgeon. Speaking of leaks, what are the usual symptoms? I heard it was fever and vomiting?

A friend of my cousin saw me a few months ago at my heaviest, and was nice, but I turned around for a second and caught him looking at me in a disgusted way. I felt so hurt. My self esteem got crushed even more than it already had. I even felt embarrassed and ashamed because the last time he saw me I was slim. Then, when I left the room, I heard him ask my cousin what happened to me and my cousin told him that I'm fine, but I've just been goin through a rough patch lately. I can't wait to see him again in a few months and show off! And ill look at him in a disgusted way because hes disgusting on the inside! That prick! I just hate people who judge like that. I've never been one to handle judgment from other well though. Tryin to change that!

I know. You are absolutely right. I've felt so miserable since then :-( And yeah, I don't think the people around me, friends and family, understand all of this for me. Though I've done my job, and explained to everyone concerned in my life what this surgery means and what needs to be done following it... But I just feel that they don't see it as SUCH a big deal. I feel that to them, it's like "one little thing won't do anything". And I'm a food addict and that kind of response from them does me not good. But what should I have expected? They're food addicts too! This is really hard for me. I don't see a therapist because they are too expensive and I just lost my job, so I try to treat myself through other resources online and in books and support groups... I've always been the self sabotaging type. :-/ But anyway, I'm back on track now , and I'm gonna do my best to stay there... *sigh*

Right around the corner! Good Luck!!!