dsmith_rn

I had all of those same questions and concerns before my surgery. All I can do is relate to you my own experience.
After surgery, your stomach WILL feel different. It takes awhile to adjust to all the new feelings. For one thing, your stomach is in a different place, right up underneath your diaphragm in the middle of your upper abdomen, you can feel it there. I wasn't expecting it, and it was very strange. After surgery, you burp. A lot. It diminishes over time, but burping is my sleeve's way of telling me to stop eating, I'm full.
My surgeon forbid complex carbs for 6 months. No bread, rice, Pasta, tortillas, crackers, etc. The first month I craved carbs really bad. It got much easier, and those six months I spent following my doctor's plan changed my eating habits for the better. Now every meal is protein-focused, I'm used to it, and when I eat, Protein is usually what I want. I am "allowed" to have those carbs now, but I rarely do, and if I do it's just a tiny bite or two. Bread, Pasta, rice, etc. take up a lot of room in my tiny tummy. They make me feel full too fast, and then I can't get my Protein in, so I choose not to eat them. THAT is how my sleeve works for me. It's a tool, and I choose to USE MY TOOL appropriately, that's how I know I will be a success.
Do I crave a nice sandwich on thick, artisan bread from time to time? Yes. But I definitely prefer being able to buy my clothes off the rack now, wrap a bath towel around my body, walk in public without thinking everyone is staring at "the fat lady," not taking BP meds, having normal cholesterol, and knowing I've added at least 10 years to my life. The old saying is true: NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS THIN FEELS!!!!!
Bariatric failures happen when people return to their old, unhealthy eating habits, when they choose not to use their tool. There is no food I will completely deny myself now--if I see it, i CAN have it. But if it's not on my eating plan, I most likely won't eat it.....not because I can't, but because I choose not to. Telling yourself you CAN'T have something makes you feel deprived. Telling yourself you can but you choose not to makes you feel proud of yourself for making a good, healthy decision. A mind game you play with yourself? Yes. But it works!

Yes you're overthinking. There are so many things to think about, don't let this take up room in your head! My advice: take your doctor's advice! Don't diet until you have to. Eat what you want, because very soon everything about eating will change forever. I couldn't eat bread/pasta/rice/tortillas/crackers, etc. for six months. And now that I'm more than six months out, I still rarely eat that stuff, it takes up too much room in my tiny tummy. You know what I miss? A big sub sandwich, or a melty grilled cheese! LOL You know what I don't miss? I don't miss having to shop at a "big women's" store, or not being able to wrap a towel around my body, or getting out of breath climbing up stairs, or walking into a store feeling like everyone is staring at "the fat woman."
Good luck with your surgery, see you on the other side!

No. Water and Protein are 2 totally separate requirements.
My surgeon told me that the 60 oz Water per day "requirement" is just an arbitrary number. No good studies have been done to show that the body NEEDS that much water in a day. We also get water from foods--soups, fruits and veggies, etc. My doc knows I had a lot of trouble getting in my fluids for a long time and said as long as my urine output is adequate I'm fine. At almost 7 months out i drink around 40 oz a day and I'm very healthy and my labs look great, no sign of dehydration. It makes me nuts when people stress over a stupid, unproven number!
Protein intake is very important, but not in the first month or so because your body has a lot of it stored up. Be patient with your new baby stomach. Things get so much better when it heals and all the swelling goes down. Eventually you'll be eating normally again, but hopefully is well be a "new normal. "
Folks, you're not going to gain your weight back because you only drank 50 oz of water or only ate 45g protein. Regain is due to a return to old, unhealthy eating habits! That's where "bariatric failure" happens.
I can literally eat ANYTHING I want. But I CHOOSE NOT TO eat foods that are not on my plan. I choose to be healthy and let my sleeve do its job. Saying "I can't have..." a certain food makes you want it more. If you tell yourself "I can have that, but I choose not to" it creates a whole different dynamic in your brain and you don't feel deprived anymore, but rather proud of yourself for making a good choice for yourself. Make sense?
Pushing water past my comfort level and counting protein grams is not for me, it takes away the joy in my life. I'm aware of how much I drink and make sure I get enough to stay hydrated but I don't push. I make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused, but I don't count protein grams anymore. Life is a wonderful gift. For the first time in decades, I feel like I'm really living it!

I am 35 years old and I currently have a BMI of 34. I have been every BMI number from my highest BMI of 40 to my lowest BMI of 25 (with the help of prescription meds,diet, and lots of EXERCISE). I have been on this diet roller coster for 20 + years and I am done with it! I am done with the feelings of guilt for eating a peice of MY birthday cake, I am tired of working my butt off to lose just a little bit of weight and low and behold gain it back and then some! i am totally done with my cholesterol being 280!!!!!!!!!!! I am tired of being on dangerous diets, starving myself, running till my knees are completely sore and the plantar faciatis flares up, taking amphetamine prescription meds that are surly not doing my body good, all to gain it all back! Why wait till my BMI is back up to 40 or more and all the comorbidities that go with it? Why wait till you have stretched all your skin out and have to have MORE surgery to remove it? Why abuse your body until that magical day when you are totally unhealthy and can NOW have the surgery because NOW everyone is ok with it? Why not take care of business now and get on with living life? So as of Jan 13,2015, GAME OVER! This girl is getting off the roller coaster and getting on with life! I cannot wait for this new way of eating and living! See this is a change for the rest of our lives not till this diet ends or till I get to goal! It's FOREVER and I can't wait!! ???????? I pray and hope that you all have the best success and I applaude you all for being advocates of YOUR own health!

It won't be weeks..... It will be MONTHS before your sleeve can handle baked chicken. Even so, it will have to be very very moist and tender and you will have to chew it extremely well. You'll be better off if it has some kind of sauce with it to keep it moist. Chicken and beef are both difficult to digest and are generally the last foods to be added to your diet.

It gets so so so much better, I promise! You new sleevers are in the toughest part right now.... making the most sacrifices and not seeing much results yet. It will pass! Months from now you will be able to eat with your family (hopefully ALL of you will be eating healthy meals together), and this will all be an unpleasant memory.
Don't stress too much over the Protein and Fluid numbers. Your body has Protein stores to last you for several weeks, and as long as you're urinating every 4 hours or so you've got adequate fluids. It's very hard to get all those "requirements" in at first when your stomach is so tiny and swollen. It does get much easier!
As to not losing much in the first week post-op, keep in mind that they overloaded you with IV fluids during surgery to help with the nausea. It takes time for your kidneys to kick in and get rid of all that extra Fluid, which weighs a lot by the way! If you follow doctor's orders, the weight will come off easily, I promise you! When you are buying clothes off the rack and everyone is telling you how great you look and you realize you have no more pain and haven't felt this good in years, you will have no regrets.
Hang in there folks, remember the first 2 months are the hardest, and it gets way easier!

No. Water and Protein are 2 totally separate requirements.
My surgeon told me that the 60 oz Water per day "requirement" is just an arbitrary number. No good studies have been done to show that the body NEEDS that much water in a day. We also get water from foods--soups, fruits and veggies, etc. My doc knows I had a lot of trouble getting in my fluids for a long time and said as long as my urine output is adequate I'm fine. At almost 7 months out i drink around 40 oz a day and I'm very healthy and my labs look great, no sign of dehydration. It makes me nuts when people stress over a stupid, unproven number!
Protein intake is very important, but not in the first month or so because your body has a lot of it stored up. Be patient with your new baby stomach. Things get so much better when it heals and all the swelling goes down. Eventually you'll be eating normally again, but hopefully is well be a "new normal. "
Folks, you're not going to gain your weight back because you only drank 50 oz of water or only ate 45g protein. Regain is due to a return to old, unhealthy eating habits! That's where "bariatric failure" happens.
I can literally eat ANYTHING I want. But I CHOOSE NOT TO eat foods that are not on my plan. I choose to be healthy and let my sleeve do its job. Saying "I can't have..." a certain food makes you want it more. If you tell yourself "I can have that, but I choose not to" it creates a whole different dynamic in your brain and you don't feel deprived anymore, but rather proud of yourself for making a good choice for yourself. Make sense?
Pushing water past my comfort level and counting protein grams is not for me, it takes away the joy in my life. I'm aware of how much I drink and make sure I get enough to stay hydrated but I don't push. I make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused, but I don't count protein grams anymore. Life is a wonderful gift. For the first time in decades, I feel like I'm really living it!

No. Water and Protein are 2 totally separate requirements.
My surgeon told me that the 60 oz Water per day "requirement" is just an arbitrary number. No good studies have been done to show that the body NEEDS that much water in a day. We also get water from foods--soups, fruits and veggies, etc. My doc knows I had a lot of trouble getting in my fluids for a long time and said as long as my urine output is adequate I'm fine. At almost 7 months out i drink around 40 oz a day and I'm very healthy and my labs look great, no sign of dehydration. It makes me nuts when people stress over a stupid, unproven number!
Protein intake is very important, but not in the first month or so because your body has a lot of it stored up. Be patient with your new baby stomach. Things get so much better when it heals and all the swelling goes down. Eventually you'll be eating normally again, but hopefully is well be a "new normal. "
Folks, you're not going to gain your weight back because you only drank 50 oz of water or only ate 45g protein. Regain is due to a return to old, unhealthy eating habits! That's where "bariatric failure" happens.
I can literally eat ANYTHING I want. But I CHOOSE NOT TO eat foods that are not on my plan. I choose to be healthy and let my sleeve do its job. Saying "I can't have..." a certain food makes you want it more. If you tell yourself "I can have that, but I choose not to" it creates a whole different dynamic in your brain and you don't feel deprived anymore, but rather proud of yourself for making a good choice for yourself. Make sense?
Pushing water past my comfort level and counting protein grams is not for me, it takes away the joy in my life. I'm aware of how much I drink and make sure I get enough to stay hydrated but I don't push. I make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused, but I don't count protein grams anymore. Life is a wonderful gift. For the first time in decades, I feel like I'm really living it!

It gets so so so much better, I promise! You new sleevers are in the toughest part right now.... making the most sacrifices and not seeing much results yet. It will pass! Months from now you will be able to eat with your family (hopefully ALL of you will be eating healthy meals together), and this will all be an unpleasant memory.
Don't stress too much over the Protein and Fluid numbers. Your body has Protein stores to last you for several weeks, and as long as you're urinating every 4 hours or so you've got adequate fluids. It's very hard to get all those "requirements" in at first when your stomach is so tiny and swollen. It does get much easier!
As to not losing much in the first week post-op, keep in mind that they overloaded you with IV fluids during surgery to help with the nausea. It takes time for your kidneys to kick in and get rid of all that extra Fluid, which weighs a lot by the way! If you follow doctor's orders, the weight will come off easily, I promise you! When you are buying clothes off the rack and everyone is telling you how great you look and you realize you have no more pain and haven't felt this good in years, you will have no regrets.
Hang in there folks, remember the first 2 months are the hardest, and it gets way easier!

It gets so so so much better, I promise! You new sleevers are in the toughest part right now.... making the most sacrifices and not seeing much results yet. It will pass! Months from now you will be able to eat with your family (hopefully ALL of you will be eating healthy meals together), and this will all be an unpleasant memory.
Don't stress too much over the Protein and Fluid numbers. Your body has Protein stores to last you for several weeks, and as long as you're urinating every 4 hours or so you've got adequate fluids. It's very hard to get all those "requirements" in at first when your stomach is so tiny and swollen. It does get much easier!
As to not losing much in the first week post-op, keep in mind that they overloaded you with IV fluids during surgery to help with the nausea. It takes time for your kidneys to kick in and get rid of all that extra Fluid, which weighs a lot by the way! If you follow doctor's orders, the weight will come off easily, I promise you! When you are buying clothes off the rack and everyone is telling you how great you look and you realize you have no more pain and haven't felt this good in years, you will have no regrets.
Hang in there folks, remember the first 2 months are the hardest, and it gets way easier!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

My BMI is at 40 now, the last 10 yrs ive been between 200 and 250. Insurance is covering my surgery even tho I have no co-morbiditiys. Very grateful. Ive been able to lose 40...30...20lbs but ALWAYS get it back. Im ready to ROCK my sleeve! Ive researched a lot and have noticed many lower BMI sleevers have reached goal in about a year. Excited! Hard core for a year, it will fly by and Ill be happier, healthier, vibrant, and confident! Woot woot (surgery in 2 days...hence the delirium)

I had my surgery almost 6 months ago. I've lost 60 lb and feel great. Off my BP meds and lipid panel is normal for the first time in my life. I lost a lot of hair but that finally stopped. I cut it shorter and it looks better and what i have left is healthy hair.
I went through a stall that lasted for 5 weeks but i just kept doing what I'm supposed to and it eventually broke. I realized stalls are good. They are your body's way of trying to set a new weight setpoint. If my weight loss continued at that pace i would waste away to nothing. I'd still like to lose another 30lb or so, and I'm sure I'll get there. I'm in a losing phase again, but feel good that i probably won't waste away. Lol My body will adjust and i look and feel great. Some people at work call me "skinny." That's something i don't ever recall anyone calling me! Right now i wear a size 14 or a large, but my large scrubs are starting to get too big so I'll have to buy new ones again soon. Not that i mind!
Stalls don't worry me much, nor my surgeon, they are just part of the journey. A journey I'm so proud of myself that i had the courage to take. NO REGRETS!

One cup of food is still a lot of food for just 4 months out. I'm 6 months out and can't eat that much unless it's salad, because I pretty much stick to my Protein sources which are very filing.
What have you been eating? Too many carbs? Remember that ALL your meals should be protein-focused, with maybe a few bites of veggie or fruit, IF you have room in your sleeve. I believe if you stay protein-focused, you will be satisfied with a smaller volume of food. If you went back to eating carbs, I highly recommend you cut them. No bread, Pasta, rice, crackers, chips, tortillas, etc until you reach goal, and then add them back slowly (if at all--they are a lot of empty calories that take up room in your sleeve). I will eat 2 or 3 small bites of rice AFTER my protein, and I can be satisfied with that. Some people can't, and eating carbs sets them on a binge. If that is you, eliminate the refined carbs. Also, are you drinking with meals? That will allow you to eat more. Don't drink with meals!
Is not that hard to remain protein-focused, especially if you can cook. I read labels and I hunt for recipes whose ingredients fall within my eating plan. Yesterday for Breakfast I ate a crustless bacon and egg mini-quiche (I make them in muffin tins, automatic portion control), a chocolate, sugar-free, protein mini donut (these are easy to make and delicious), and 6 raspberries. A very delicious, satisfying, and guilt-free breakfast that falls well inside my eating plan. lunch is a spicy Tomato Soup with shrimp, crab, and scallions. Takes 10 minutes to make, very healthy and satisfying. You CAN stay protein-focused and eat well!
Try to keep your day balanced as a whole. If i have oatmeal in the morning (with a scoop of Peanut Butter cookie Protein Powder added) then the rest of my day will be very low-carb since oatmeal is a lot of carbs. I still eat it, it's good for me and falls inside my eating plan if I add protein to it, but i limit it to once a week or less because I choose to limit my carbs to leave room for protein. Am I making sense here? I've been craving a grilled cheese sandwich, but I choose not to eat bread. So lunch today will be a slice or two of turkey breast rolled up with cheese inside and maybe a pickle or a green chile and grilled in a pan so I can still get the enjoyment of that cheesy goodness and stay on my plan. Sometimes you have to get creative to kill those pesky cravings! I will say that my carb cravings are WAY down since I stopped eating refined carbs. It's true what they say, eating carbs makes you crave more carbs!
I would talk to your doctor if you have real concerns, but I believe getting back to your eating plan will probably solve your problems.
Snacks should be things like cheese, nuts, cottage cheese, half a protein bar, hard boiled egg, Protein Shake, etc. But limit snacks to once a day, it's easy to go overboard on snacking. It's not difficult but it does take some planning. If you have only healthy things to eat in your home, you will eat healthy.
Feel free to PM me if you need more tips on staying on track. The sleeve is a tool. USE YOUR TOOL.

I had my surgery almost 6 months ago. I've lost 60 lb and feel great. Off my BP meds and lipid panel is normal for the first time in my life. I lost a lot of hair but that finally stopped. I cut it shorter and it looks better and what i have left is healthy hair.
I went through a stall that lasted for 5 weeks but i just kept doing what I'm supposed to and it eventually broke. I realized stalls are good. They are your body's way of trying to set a new weight setpoint. If my weight loss continued at that pace i would waste away to nothing. I'd still like to lose another 30lb or so, and I'm sure I'll get there. I'm in a losing phase again, but feel good that i probably won't waste away. Lol My body will adjust and i look and feel great. Some people at work call me "skinny." That's something i don't ever recall anyone calling me! Right now i wear a size 14 or a large, but my large scrubs are starting to get too big so I'll have to buy new ones again soon. Not that i mind!
Stalls don't worry me much, nor my surgeon, they are just part of the journey. A journey I'm so proud of myself that i had the courage to take. NO REGRETS!

This is scary to read that people are falling back into old habits. I am
Not yet sleeved and i have set up time with a therapist for first 6 months to get at root causes of my self loathing so i do not my efforts. Weight is a complex issue. Look deep as to why you want to hold yourself back from health and vitality in your life. Stop doing what you are going. Just stop.

I had my surgery almost 6 months ago. I've lost 60 lb and feel great. Off my BP meds and lipid panel is normal for the first time in my life. I lost a lot of hair but that finally stopped. I cut it shorter and it looks better and what i have left is healthy hair.
I went through a stall that lasted for 5 weeks but i just kept doing what I'm supposed to and it eventually broke. I realized stalls are good. They are your body's way of trying to set a new weight setpoint. If my weight loss continued at that pace i would waste away to nothing. I'd still like to lose another 30lb or so, and I'm sure I'll get there. I'm in a losing phase again, but feel good that i probably won't waste away. Lol My body will adjust and i look and feel great. Some people at work call me "skinny." That's something i don't ever recall anyone calling me! Right now i wear a size 14 or a large, but my large scrubs are starting to get too big so I'll have to buy new ones again soon. Not that i mind!
Stalls don't worry me much, nor my surgeon, they are just part of the journey. A journey I'm so proud of myself that i had the courage to take. NO REGRETS!

I had my surgery almost 6 months ago. I've lost 60 lb and feel great. Off my BP meds and lipid panel is normal for the first time in my life. I lost a lot of hair but that finally stopped. I cut it shorter and it looks better and what i have left is healthy hair.
I went through a stall that lasted for 5 weeks but i just kept doing what I'm supposed to and it eventually broke. I realized stalls are good. They are your body's way of trying to set a new weight setpoint. If my weight loss continued at that pace i would waste away to nothing. I'd still like to lose another 30lb or so, and I'm sure I'll get there. I'm in a losing phase again, but feel good that i probably won't waste away. Lol My body will adjust and i look and feel great. Some people at work call me "skinny." That's something i don't ever recall anyone calling me! Right now i wear a size 14 or a large, but my large scrubs are starting to get too big so I'll have to buy new ones again soon. Not that i mind!
Stalls don't worry me much, nor my surgeon, they are just part of the journey. A journey I'm so proud of myself that i had the courage to take. NO REGRETS!

My surgeon told me he is removing far more bands these days than installing them.
I didn't want something foreign in my body, and even though it's not "natural," the sleeve feels more like my own body than any of the other procedures. Also, my surgeon's results for VSG and RNY are identical, but the band has a lesser success rate.
I went from a BMI of 38.2 to a BMI of 36.1 six days after surgery. I'm on my way, and starting to really appreciate (and LOVE my sleeve!