sarahgirrl

Finally made it to onederland today. I'm almost 6 months out - I can't believe how time has flown. I still struggle everyday with my food choices. Somedays I make better choices than others, but it's great to have this community to turn to for inspiration.

Finally made it to onederland today. I'm almost 6 months out - I can't believe how time has flown. I still struggle everyday with my food choices. Somedays I make better choices than others, but it's great to have this community to turn to for inspiration.

Just had my 3 month post op check up and im down 37 lbs since surgery! I struggle every day with my cravings and making the right food decisions, but I am so glad to feel like i am making progress.

Just had my 3 month post op check up and im down 37 lbs since surgery! I struggle every day with my cravings and making the right food decisions, but I am so glad to feel like i am making progress.

Just had my 3 month post op check up and im down 37 lbs since surgery! I struggle every day with my cravings and making the right food decisions, but I am so glad to feel like i am making progress.

Just had my 3 month post op check up and im down 37 lbs since surgery! I struggle every day with my cravings and making the right food decisions, but I am so glad to feel like i am making progress.

Just had my 3 month post op check up and im down 37 lbs since surgery! I struggle every day with my cravings and making the right food decisions, but I am so glad to feel like i am making progress.

Hello All!
Just wanted to share my story:
I got my band removed and converted to the sleeve on 2-5-14. Pre-op weight on 1-22-14 was 247, the date of my surgery (2 weeks later) was 235 ↓12lbs. Today I'm 192 ↓43lbs and feeling great for a whopping total of 55lbs down in 16 weeks! My goal weight is 160.
I'm following the rules for the most part and work out at last 3x a week! I still have anxiety about not reaching my goal or gaining weight back over the years but I'm really trying not to think about that, and to make healthy choices for life and enjoy where I am right now!
Acid reflux is apart of my life now but as long as I take my meds it's controlled and doesn't bother me at all!
I'm loving the new me and because of how I carry my weight, people can't believe what I weigh, I'm hearing I look alot smaller!
Sooooo..... ultimately switching from the band was a great choice so far! #winning

So I am about 6 weeks post op. ( I actually had to check the calendar to figure this out...it seems like forever ago!) I feel amazing and have really very little complaints. Im able to be as active as I was before surgery and I am down about 37 lbs since the day of surgery - i am stoked. The only down side to feeling so great is that no foods bother my sleeve. this is great because I am able to eat all the healthy stuff I want, but it also sucks because I can tolerate all the crap that got me into a bad place to start with. I knew that the surgery wouldn't be a quick fix, but that fact is really starting to hit home with me now. I hate to admit it, but I have allowed myself to get off track once or twice and indulge in candy or sweets that I should be avoiding. I hate that I am so weak, but I am trying to stay positive and focus on one day at a time. Has anyone else had these problems? how have you dealt with it?

So I am about 6 weeks post op. ( I actually had to check the calendar to figure this out...it seems like forever ago!) I feel amazing and have really very little complaints. Im able to be as active as I was before surgery and I am down about 37 lbs since the day of surgery - i am stoked. The only down side to feeling so great is that no foods bother my sleeve. this is great because I am able to eat all the healthy stuff I want, but it also sucks because I can tolerate all the crap that got me into a bad place to start with. I knew that the surgery wouldn't be a quick fix, but that fact is really starting to hit home with me now. I hate to admit it, but I have allowed myself to get off track once or twice and indulge in candy or sweets that I should be avoiding. I hate that I am so weak, but I am trying to stay positive and focus on one day at a time. Has anyone else had these problems? how have you dealt with it?

So I am about 6 weeks post op. ( I actually had to check the calendar to figure this out...it seems like forever ago!) I feel amazing and have really very little complaints. Im able to be as active as I was before surgery and I am down about 37 lbs since the day of surgery - i am stoked. The only down side to feeling so great is that no foods bother my sleeve. this is great because I am able to eat all the healthy stuff I want, but it also sucks because I can tolerate all the crap that got me into a bad place to start with. I knew that the surgery wouldn't be a quick fix, but that fact is really starting to hit home with me now. I hate to admit it, but I have allowed myself to get off track once or twice and indulge in candy or sweets that I should be avoiding. I hate that I am so weak, but I am trying to stay positive and focus on one day at a time. Has anyone else had these problems? how have you dealt with it?

I was sleeved on 2/27 also!! How are you feeling? I feel great but zero energy.

Being able to squat down to put my shoes on without gasping for oxygen would be one of mine.

This is an interesting question. On many levels. It really made me think.
Do we restrict calories forever ...
So, relative to how I ate pre-sleeve, yes, I am going to be restricted in my calorie consumption. I will probably never be able to eat 3,500 calories at each meal. But then I have to ask, "Why would I want to?" These would be my old demons wanting me to be able to abuse food the way I used to. I don't want to be that person ever again.
So, relative to other fit, 185 pound men ... no, I am not restricted in my calorie consumption. When I am very active, I can consume healthy meals and feed my body properly. I can easily get over 2,000 calories a day. When I live a more sedentary life, I dial that back to around the 1,800 calorie mark. I am able to maintain my weight, no problem. If I should creep up 5 pounds, I use the stricter guidelines of sleeve life when I was in loss mode to drop those 5.
So, I think the spirit of your question, though, questioning if you are going to be able to only eat 1,000 calories MAX each day. The answer is no. When you get some time under your belt, you will be able to increase your calories. Good or bad, you find foods that "slide" through you. Whether you go back to abusing foods is up to the work you did early out (first year) addressing the reasons why you were morbidly obese and whether you implement the changes required for long term success.
So, if I had lunch with a friend from pre-sleeve days on my left, and also had a running friend sitting on my right, one would say I eat a restricted diet now while the other would say I eat a nice, healthy, balanced meal.
It's all about perspective and your ability to mentally make that leap.
*** EDIT ***
So, I just wanted to add, that no, I do not eat a restricted calorie diet. A restricted anything diet, for that matter. Not restricted carbs, sugars, fat ... When I focus on eating nutritionally balanced meals, my sleeve just naturally takes care of everything else. When I do this, I am rewarded with a cookie or some ice cream. But I finish with my rewards, not start with them ... which I used to do.

My goal is to have my sleeve restrict my calories as long as possible. The amount of calories is misleading because liquids are easier to get more volume and depending on what you are drinking can really jack up the calories. for instance, if I drink a muscle milk for Breakfast it is 180 calories, but if I have 1/2 cup get beaters it is 60 calories. Also if I eat just lean Protein for meals and Snacks I struggle to get over 600 calories and 75 g Protein.
I chose the sleeve because I really hope that it will give me the life long tool to keep my calories in check.