saralyn4

I am around 2 and a half years out, so only half way to your 5 year veteran request, but I can give you some of my experience thus far.
My highest weight was just over 300 pounds with a BMI right at 40. I went into maintenance mode 8 months post at 175 pounds. I exercised and followed all guidelines pretty well during this time. At this point, I was eating about 2,000 calories a day and maintaining fine. About 8 months later, I need back surgery due to a ruptured disc on L4/5 followed by another back surgery 3 months later. This sidelined my activity and due to my inactivity and NOT changing my eating habits, I quickly gained 10 pounds.
The good news for me, and I think those with the sleeve is, though, is that I saw that 10 pounds and went back to the basic guidelines of eating as I did when I first had the sleeve: eating lean Protein first, not drinking with meals and chewing well. I also dropped my calorie intake to about 1,500. I quickly dropped 5 of those pounds.
I am now 1 year past my first surgery and am back to exercising. I have lost the other 5 pounds and am back to the 2,000 calorie mark. I have excellent restriction when I follow the guidelines. I have no doubt that at any time I should gain weight for whatever reason, I will be able to drop that weight with the assistance this tool (sleeve) gives me. I totally understand your hesitance as we have all lost weight only to regain it and then some. I can say, for myself, the sleeve gives me the power to not abuse food the way I used to. I know that any failure in maintaining my current weight will be attributed to what is happening between my ears and not the failure of the VSG.
I think the reason why you don't see many people talking about their life 5 years post is because they have moved on. They are living their life. There are many out there as this was (is) the first step of a duodenal switch, which has been done for years. Many of those patients just never got the second half of the surgery because they had reached their goal.
Of course, do your research, but I think it will show you there is a trend moving towards the sleeve. I know I love mine and how it has empowered me regarding my relationship with food.< /p>
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Ahhh there are so many! It's hard to pick just a few Lol Which is how I got myself in this mess in the first place!
Red Lobster Cajun chicken Linguini

pizza Factory Combo pizza

Giant bean, cheese & rice burrito (with chips, salsa & sour cream of course!)

The good ol days!

Bbq from smoque in chicago- skip the mac & corn bread this can be sleeve friendly.
Mexican from Rio Grande- chips & queso & swirl= out fajitas in
cheese fest-probably not gonna happen
Deep dish Pequods pizza. -its a chicago thing If I go I doubt I'll get in 1/8 a slice so F it I'm gonna eat it.
allons-y

Although I'm only 20 days out, I know that there is going to come those days when I'm out and about and end up at a fast food restaurant. I came across this site and thought I'd share it. 7 short pages but has some healthier alternatives, low in calories and fat and high in Protein and also list different fast food places. (Also sure that I couldn't eat one of these whole meals but better to eat the healthier foods even in smaller amounts) (sorry if this has been mentioned before). Hope it helps.
http://www.m.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/21-healthier-fast-food-meals

I've had popcorn and it went down just fine. I didnt have this surgery to ban foods from my life FOREVER. I did this to have control of my eating. 1 cup of popcorn for me isn't gonna ruin all of my amazing progress. It actually helped me stay on track. If I keep saying never Over and over to myself one day I will eat 15 cups of popcorn. The sleeve helps us with moderation and everything is ok in moderation. I make sure I have enough in my daily logging amounts for these treats. I now have discipline. There are much more worse things than popcorn.

As long as you have had the pain since the surgery, and it didn't start suddenly after a period of not having it....does that make sense? Pain after surgery should steadily decrease. Any sudden or new pain after you have been successfully healing may be cause for alarm.

Thanks everyone for all your support! I love this site! It's awesome to be able to share with people going through the same things!

m&m4ever- thank you so much for sharing your story, that was no doubt a difficult setback in your journey but you have shown true strength! Best of luck to you as you continue in your healing.

You are one brave lady. Well done for hanging on in there and still being optimistic! An inspiration.

This surgery is an emotional rollercoaster! There are lots of ups and downs and the best thing you can do is realize that they will come and then go. The feelings are temporary, and will pass. You have made significant changes to your body and taken away your ability to use food to sooth yourself. The emotional lows are normal and while they seem overwhelming at the time, they do pass and you will feel better I promise! Make sure you are getting all the Protein, fluids and movement that your doctor recommended. I also found that if my calories were below 800 that I felt absolutely awful, but I couldn't get 800+ calories in my stomach per day until around week 3 or 4. Hang in there it will all be worth it when you see the weight come off and the scale move lower!

I've used all kinds of seasonings from the start. You should be fine

Shouldn't be an issue. If you want to verify with your nutritionist to be on the safe side.

Spices shouldn't hurt anything, but if you're concerned, try a little and see how it fits for you. I've been spicing everything--oddly the sleeve has made me crave salt really badly. So I salt the crap out of everything. I think maybe my blood pressure is actually getting too low and my body is trying to compensate or something.

My docs instructions actually said to ahead and uses pieces, no need to eat bland food. Just try a little and see how your sleeve like it. Enjoy!

Well, I may have just answered my own question! The full feeling came and I knew it was time to stop. Live & learn

Well, I may have just answered my own question! The full feeling came and I knew it was time to stop. Live & learn

I have also found it difficult to get my Protein AND liquids in each day due to the constant full feeling. Here are a few Protein drinks I've liked so far. The Isopure has 40 grams a bottle (I don't try to drink the whole bottle in a day though!) and the smoothie has 15 grams. I know you can buy Isopure at GNC, the smoothie I got at my doctors office so I'm not sure where else to get it. Both have a good taste and different flavors. Also, I used a cup of Isopure to make my Jello during my liquid diet. Also try adding non-fat dry milk to Soups, etc for extra Protein. Best of luck

I was so scared in the beginning as well.....I'm 3.5 months out & I'm eating like a champ! I had 2 different salads today one with salmon & one with chicken. It will get easier and better each & everyday! Remember to eat very slow, take small bites & chew very well, you got this!

One month out here... you may be afraid of food for a whole different reason by the time you can eat. It's a real process.... learning what your sleeve can tolerate. You won't forget and over do I promise.....REALLY you will feel quite bad if you manage to eat too quickly or too much....you will be fine.

Look at it this way: if you don't start eating real food soon, your body will think you are trying to starve it to death, and it will start holding onto its weight. So the 1-2 lbs daily loss will come to a screeching halt. food, especially Protein, is necessary for continued weight loss.
Follow your surgeon's program to the letter. Concentrate on getting your Protein and fluids in. You'll be fine.
Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!