Bobby46

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I'm 10 weeks out and yes, I feel hunger. Hunger is a normal feeling whether we have a tiny stomach or a full size stomach...according to my doctor. He also explained to me that the only thing that is changing is the size of my stomach. Everything else is on me. I have to choose the right foods....avoid the wrong ones....and exercise. Its not a miracle cure for obesity...its just a tool to help us put the fork down. It will definitely help us lose weight, it works as long as we follow the guidelines. He warned the honeymoon period only lasts so long then we have to work harder as we get closer to goal or when we reach goal because maintaining is work too.
So, I usually feel hungry when its been about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs since I last ate. I eat a small meal and I'm good to go for another 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. I think I was so used to eating whatever and whenever I wanted to before, that its strange to me to feel hunger before each meal....like I was suppose to be feeling all these years. But sometimes I can drink Water and it staves off the hunger if I cant eat right away.
The first 6 weeks were a learning experience. Not much hunger but I learned what and how much to eat. The past 4 weeks have gotten a lot easier but I do feel hunger a little more intensely. I can eat a little more and I can eat pretty much what I want within the guidelines of a good diet. I don't miss anything. If I want a bite of something "bad" I plan for it and I have a bite...not a slice or hunk or a pile. I don't want anymore (and there's not enough room anyway). I just hope that I can stay vigilant and maintain my control. The real hunger can be dealt with a lot more easily than thoughts of food or "head hunger"....for me, anyway.

I'm 10 weeks out and yes, I feel hunger. Hunger is a normal feeling whether we have a tiny stomach or a full size stomach...according to my doctor. He also explained to me that the only thing that is changing is the size of my stomach. Everything else is on me. I have to choose the right foods....avoid the wrong ones....and exercise. Its not a miracle cure for obesity...its just a tool to help us put the fork down. It will definitely help us lose weight, it works as long as we follow the guidelines. He warned the honeymoon period only lasts so long then we have to work harder as we get closer to goal or when we reach goal because maintaining is work too.
So, I usually feel hungry when its been about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs since I last ate. I eat a small meal and I'm good to go for another 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. I think I was so used to eating whatever and whenever I wanted to before, that its strange to me to feel hunger before each meal....like I was suppose to be feeling all these years. But sometimes I can drink Water and it staves off the hunger if I cant eat right away.
The first 6 weeks were a learning experience. Not much hunger but I learned what and how much to eat. The past 4 weeks have gotten a lot easier but I do feel hunger a little more intensely. I can eat a little more and I can eat pretty much what I want within the guidelines of a good diet. I don't miss anything. If I want a bite of something "bad" I plan for it and I have a bite...not a slice or hunk or a pile. I don't want anymore (and there's not enough room anyway). I just hope that I can stay vigilant and maintain my control. The real hunger can be dealt with a lot more easily than thoughts of food or "head hunger"....for me, anyway.

I'm 10 weeks out and yes, I feel hunger. Hunger is a normal feeling whether we have a tiny stomach or a full size stomach...according to my doctor. He also explained to me that the only thing that is changing is the size of my stomach. Everything else is on me. I have to choose the right foods....avoid the wrong ones....and exercise. Its not a miracle cure for obesity...its just a tool to help us put the fork down. It will definitely help us lose weight, it works as long as we follow the guidelines. He warned the honeymoon period only lasts so long then we have to work harder as we get closer to goal or when we reach goal because maintaining is work too.
So, I usually feel hungry when its been about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs since I last ate. I eat a small meal and I'm good to go for another 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. I think I was so used to eating whatever and whenever I wanted to before, that its strange to me to feel hunger before each meal....like I was suppose to be feeling all these years. But sometimes I can drink Water and it staves off the hunger if I cant eat right away.
The first 6 weeks were a learning experience. Not much hunger but I learned what and how much to eat. The past 4 weeks have gotten a lot easier but I do feel hunger a little more intensely. I can eat a little more and I can eat pretty much what I want within the guidelines of a good diet. I don't miss anything. If I want a bite of something "bad" I plan for it and I have a bite...not a slice or hunk or a pile. I don't want anymore (and there's not enough room anyway). I just hope that I can stay vigilant and maintain my control. The real hunger can be dealt with a lot more easily than thoughts of food or "head hunger"....for me, anyway.

Oh my! 3 months of only Protein would make anyone miserable. My doc had me do liquids for a month and then soft foods for 2 weeks. Now I can eat anything I like. I was sleeved on 8/11/14. Can you have fruit in your yogurt at all? I have eaten Chaboni greek yogurt, 100 calories with fruit since the soft foods were allowed. I also added simply fruit spread to it or would just eat a spoonful of it for a change of taste. Laughing cow cheese is good too....different flavors to choose from. I would add that to my scrambled eggs and any meat I was eating...still do actually. The amount you are eating is normal. I can only eat about 1/2 cup max at this point. I also used to eat sugarfree applesause with smooth peanutbutter....just a little of each on the spoon. I now do a few apple slices with peanutbutter. I also add lt. mayo to canned chicken or tuna and it helps with flavor. Are you seeing a nutritionist? Maybe a call to the doctor and ask if you can add a little pureed fruit to things to help your appetite? Explain your aversion to Protein at this point. Good Luck to you!

Oh my! 3 months of only Protein would make anyone miserable. My doc had me do liquids for a month and then soft foods for 2 weeks. Now I can eat anything I like. I was sleeved on 8/11/14. Can you have fruit in your yogurt at all? I have eaten Chaboni greek yogurt, 100 calories with fruit since the soft foods were allowed. I also added simply fruit spread to it or would just eat a spoonful of it for a change of taste. Laughing cow cheese is good too....different flavors to choose from. I would add that to my scrambled eggs and any meat I was eating...still do actually. The amount you are eating is normal. I can only eat about 1/2 cup max at this point. I also used to eat sugarfree applesause with smooth peanutbutter....just a little of each on the spoon. I now do a few apple slices with peanutbutter. I also add lt. mayo to canned chicken or tuna and it helps with flavor. Are you seeing a nutritionist? Maybe a call to the doctor and ask if you can add a little pureed fruit to things to help your appetite? Explain your aversion to Protein at this point. Good Luck to you!

Oh my! 3 months of only Protein would make anyone miserable. My doc had me do liquids for a month and then soft foods for 2 weeks. Now I can eat anything I like. I was sleeved on 8/11/14. Can you have fruit in your yogurt at all? I have eaten Chaboni greek yogurt, 100 calories with fruit since the soft foods were allowed. I also added simply fruit spread to it or would just eat a spoonful of it for a change of taste. Laughing cow cheese is good too....different flavors to choose from. I would add that to my scrambled eggs and any meat I was eating...still do actually. The amount you are eating is normal. I can only eat about 1/2 cup max at this point. I also used to eat sugarfree applesause with smooth peanutbutter....just a little of each on the spoon. I now do a few apple slices with peanutbutter. I also add lt. mayo to canned chicken or tuna and it helps with flavor. Are you seeing a nutritionist? Maybe a call to the doctor and ask if you can add a little pureed fruit to things to help your appetite? Explain your aversion to Protein at this point. Good Luck to you!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!

I am going to challenge you.. not to in any way invalidate your feelings or experiences, but rather to give you "food for thought".. so please take it in the way intended.
Can you really eat as much as you used to? Are you really as hungry as you used to be? Do you think that you can continue to lose weight (and more importantly maintain your losses!)? Could you have accomplished any of this without the sleeve?
I have lost over 160#. I started at 308... and my dream, my measure of success was to get under 200# and actually maintain it. At 5'5"; still obese. I got to about 190 and sure enough... my weight loss slowed to a crawl. At about 8-9 months post op, I was losing around 2# a MONTH!
I met with my nutritionalist and she pointed out the single worst thing I was doing food wise that created my problem.. i was eating Protein bars like candy. crap. One more thing got banned from the house. Essentially, Protein Bars had become my new junk food and they are really high carb!
I also faced my own inner feelings. I had lost about 120-125# and people gave me so many compliments, I felt so good, I could physically do things so much easier... but I still had a nice comfy protective layer of fat. I frankly looked matronly, in spite of my friends saying how good I looked, i looked like a typical overweight middle age woman. hmmm. Did I really really want to lose more? Was this good enough? Was I fearful of trying to get all the way to a normal /slim weight?
I had to face my own inner decision - much like the original decision to get WLS. What do i want to make of this? How can I leverage this tool to the fullest?
I got hardcore again. I went back to basics and pushed pushed pushed, Water, Vitamins, ate low carb again, worked out... etc. Frankly, that first about 14 months post op (except for the little Detour I just talked about) I didn't do alot of fun stuff like vacations, dinner parties and cocktail hours. I focused on losing weight.
Guess what, when I refoced, reduced carbs, my hunger decreased and my weight loss accelerated back to the 9-12# a month until I got to my ultimate goal in Feb 2013.
I am now maintaining under my goal weight and it is still work. (it is easier than staying under 300# was for me preop, but it is still work). It is my lot in life. Guess what, it is the struggle most women over 40 engage in to stay trim. It sucks. My best friend packed on about 35# over the last year or two and she is hungry all the time.. just to lose a pound a week she has to really work it.
Anyway, in truth, i would have been okay if I had maintained at 190.. beats the crap out of 300+ and gaining.. but I am very glad that I took the plunge and continued on as I love my body and health at a normal BMI, but the reality of the WLS situation is that it is not a guaranteed easy ride to skinny-ville.

Surgery was Feb 4th, 2014. I've lost 103 lbs. I am still "Obese." I've gone from a 24W to a 14P (sometimes 12) in dress size so far. I came off High Blood Pressure medication. My resting pulse rate went from 100 to 70 on average. I fit in seats everywhere I go. I walk and bike ride quite a bit, usually 4x per week. I have a lot of energy. I see a therapist. I try to stay positive.
And...
I still feel like I am batting the daily demons. You know the ones: the demons that enjoy grazing, that don't drink 64 oz of Water every day, that enjoy carbs and occassional sweets, that track daily intake a little too sporadically, that constantly suggest, "Go ahead, you can get away with eating that."
I hate these demons. These are the same creatures I battled before surgery. Somehow I hoped it would be different or that the magic honeymoon period would have lasted longer. There are days I feel like I really haven't had surgery at all.
It's funny, because I remember doing my pre-op research and really focusing on the enormity of my decision. All the literature which said, "Gastric Sleeve is forever, completely irreversible, a major decision." No one EVER said, "Oh, by the way, despite having 75% of your stomach removed - 9 months from now you will feel extraordinarily normal and your appetite will return in similar force to what it always was and you will be able to eat quite a bit of most everything and you will have to engage in the daily battle to maintain a lifestyle diet, and you will have to restrict yourself with will power and a hundred mental tricks EVERY DAY."
Sigh.
I am switching into sleever veteran status and I am very afraid. I am afraid that I will not be able to lose to a point where I am no longer listed as "Obese." I am afraid that I am back-sliding with my habits. I am afraid that I don't really have it in me to do the very difficult ongoing forever work that is now required of me. I'm afraid that my "tool" will lose it's effectiveness. And ultimately, I am afraid of failure.
And that is my confession.

Sleeved 8/11
HW 256
CW 217
Thanksgiving goal 205

Hello. I was sleeved on Aug 11. I can only speak about my experience, so this is strictly my opinion.
I have struggled my whole life with food and weight. I turn to food when I'm bored, stressed, worried, happy and sad. Food was the center of my life for years. I am clearly addicted to it and the comfort it provides to me. I imagine most people who are significantly over weight have been so for many years. I developed horrible habits and a co-dependent relationship with food for decades. Again, I imagine most people in this boat are the same as me. Saying that....I truly believe that people gain weight after this surgery because breaking those habits, breaking that addiction never really goes away. Its going to be a life long battle even with surgery, period. Right now....8 weeks out from surgery.....I can eat a little more. I can eat sweets and carbs pretty easily. I think that if I don't get my habits under control and if I don't stay totally vigilant concerning my triggers and go-to, feel-good foods, then, yes, I can see myself gaining in the future. The surgery is a tool to use to control portions....it doesn't control what food you put in your body....you do. Yes, you will always have a smaller stomach to control the amount of food. But, if you are reaching for chocolate, chips and fried food....even in small amounts.....over time the weight can and will return.

Hello. I was sleeved on Aug 11. I can only speak about my experience, so this is strictly my opinion.
I have struggled my whole life with food and weight. I turn to food when I'm bored, stressed, worried, happy and sad. Food was the center of my life for years. I am clearly addicted to it and the comfort it provides to me. I imagine most people who are significantly over weight have been so for many years. I developed horrible habits and a co-dependent relationship with food for decades. Again, I imagine most people in this boat are the same as me. Saying that....I truly believe that people gain weight after this surgery because breaking those habits, breaking that addiction never really goes away. Its going to be a life long battle even with surgery, period. Right now....8 weeks out from surgery.....I can eat a little more. I can eat sweets and carbs pretty easily. I think that if I don't get my habits under control and if I don't stay totally vigilant concerning my triggers and go-to, feel-good foods, then, yes, I can see myself gaining in the future. The surgery is a tool to use to control portions....it doesn't control what food you put in your body....you do. Yes, you will always have a smaller stomach to control the amount of food. But, if you are reaching for chocolate, chips and fried food....even in small amounts.....over time the weight can and will return.

Hello. I was sleeved on Aug 11. I can only speak about my experience, so this is strictly my opinion.
I have struggled my whole life with food and weight. I turn to food when I'm bored, stressed, worried, happy and sad. Food was the center of my life for years. I am clearly addicted to it and the comfort it provides to me. I imagine most people who are significantly over weight have been so for many years. I developed horrible habits and a co-dependent relationship with food for decades. Again, I imagine most people in this boat are the same as me. Saying that....I truly believe that people gain weight after this surgery because breaking those habits, breaking that addiction never really goes away. Its going to be a life long battle even with surgery, period. Right now....8 weeks out from surgery.....I can eat a little more. I can eat sweets and carbs pretty easily. I think that if I don't get my habits under control and if I don't stay totally vigilant concerning my triggers and go-to, feel-good foods, then, yes, I can see myself gaining in the future. The surgery is a tool to use to control portions....it doesn't control what food you put in your body....you do. Yes, you will always have a smaller stomach to control the amount of food. But, if you are reaching for chocolate, chips and fried food....even in small amounts.....over time the weight can and will return.

Hello. I was sleeved on Aug 11. I can only speak about my experience, so this is strictly my opinion.
I have struggled my whole life with food and weight. I turn to food when I'm bored, stressed, worried, happy and sad. Food was the center of my life for years. I am clearly addicted to it and the comfort it provides to me. I imagine most people who are significantly over weight have been so for many years. I developed horrible habits and a co-dependent relationship with food for decades. Again, I imagine most people in this boat are the same as me. Saying that....I truly believe that people gain weight after this surgery because breaking those habits, breaking that addiction never really goes away. Its going to be a life long battle even with surgery, period. Right now....8 weeks out from surgery.....I can eat a little more. I can eat sweets and carbs pretty easily. I think that if I don't get my habits under control and if I don't stay totally vigilant concerning my triggers and go-to, feel-good foods, then, yes, I can see myself gaining in the future. The surgery is a tool to use to control portions....it doesn't control what food you put in your body....you do. Yes, you will always have a smaller stomach to control the amount of food. But, if you are reaching for chocolate, chips and fried food....even in small amounts.....over time the weight can and will return.

I am 7 weeks out....only been eating whole foods for 3 weeks. The first 2 were awkward and simple. Third week out I am experimenting a little....a little....more. My favorite lunch right now is imitation crab mixed with less than a tbsp. of lite mayo and chipoltle mustard....just a little. I eat it on Special K Cracker Crisps....about 5 of them. It feels like I am eating something BAD. But its 6 grams of Protein, 125 cals. I am still struggling with getting in all my Water and veggies. But I am getting there. Last night I went putt putting with my son at a local icecream shop and had 2 bites of Cappuccino latte gelato and it was heaven. I refuse to have a list of "never" foods. I have dieted my entire life and I have gained it back over and over again because of the "never" foods. Deprivation is not a good thing. This surgery is a tool and I intend to use it as so. My tiny tummy allowed me to have a couple bites of gelato and stop! That's its purpose! So excited to be able to feel free to enjoy food! (another favorite....homemade turkey meatballs with a piece of cheese all melty in the middle...my son loves them too!)

I am 7 weeks out....only been eating whole foods for 3 weeks. The first 2 were awkward and simple. Third week out I am experimenting a little....a little....more. My favorite lunch right now is imitation crab mixed with less than a tbsp. of lite mayo and chipoltle mustard....just a little. I eat it on Special K Cracker Crisps....about 5 of them. It feels like I am eating something BAD. But its 6 grams of Protein, 125 cals. I am still struggling with getting in all my Water and veggies. But I am getting there. Last night I went putt putting with my son at a local icecream shop and had 2 bites of Cappuccino latte gelato and it was heaven. I refuse to have a list of "never" foods. I have dieted my entire life and I have gained it back over and over again because of the "never" foods. Deprivation is not a good thing. This surgery is a tool and I intend to use it as so. My tiny tummy allowed me to have a couple bites of gelato and stop! That's its purpose! So excited to be able to feel free to enjoy food! (another favorite....homemade turkey meatballs with a piece of cheese all melty in the middle...my son loves them too!)

I'm 3 months out, and I must confess that I don't eat very many vegetables. I try to eat a few bites after my Protein, but it really is only a few bites that I'm able to cram in. That being said, I am getting the Protein and fluids in, which some of you seem to struggle with, so below is a typical day's menu that helps me meet those goals. I'll keep trying to get in more veggies, and look forward to reading any posts with suggestions on how to make that happen.
Okay, below is a "typical" day's menu:
As for carbs, mostly I get them from my shakes, Greek yogurt, and the very limited veggies I'm able to fit in after my protein. Other doctors and nutritionists give you carb targets, but Brebbia just says to limit them as much as possible. If you're not logging your food yet, I'd suggest using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/. It helps you keep track of your protein and fluids, but also can help you figure out if anything is going off track and affecting your weight loss. And if you haven't checked it out yet, you might want to join the BariatricPal Forum at  http://www.bariatricpal.com/. There are thousands of users online all the time, with a wide diversity of experience. If you post a question, you will undoubtedly get answers and/or suggestions.
Okay, here's an example of my day:
I keep a 2-quart jug and a 24-oz Tervis tumbler (with a handle) both at home and at work. I count my morning Protein shake as a meal, not a Fluid. (30 grams of protein) 30-60 minutes later, I have a cup of coffee. (Count it as a Fluid if you like.) After that, I drink a 24-oz. cup of Decaf, sugar-free iced tea, like Crystal Light. (Lots of frequent sips) Then I walk for 40+ minutes. Then it's lunchtime - tuna or chicken salad, or leftover protein from dinner. (16-22 grams of protein) and maybe a bite of veggies. About 45 minutes after lunch, I'll fill another 24-oz cup of iced tea and sip that throughout the afternoon, finishing by 30 minutes before my afternoon snack.< /li> At around 4:00, my afternoon snack is usually a Greek yogurt (12 grams of protein) or V-8, or some leftovers. (This is also a good time to get in some veggies if you're getting enough protein at other times.) Maybe a cup of hot tea in the later afternoon. (Count it as a fluid you like.) Then dinner – again, getting 20-25 grams of protein from lean chicken, fish, steak, or pork, and maybe a bite or two of veggies. Finally, another 24-oz cup of iced tea or Water 30-45 minutes after dinner that I sip throughout the evening. If I'm hungry later, sugar-free Jello or sugar-free popsicles are good. So that's 70+ grams of protein and 72+ ounces of fluid, with some exercise as well. Lately I'm finding that all that fluid is taking away my need for Snacks, so I have to make sure I don't miss out on some protein! If you have a regular enough schedule, you can follow it every day. If not, maybe a modified version will work. The big trick is in pre-planning your meals and your fluids, especially if you're going to be away from home or work. In those cases, I always make sure there will be something I can eat, or I bring along a Protein Shake or some kind of meat to carry me through. I've also gotten pretty good at restaurant eating. I usually avoid the bread and salad, order chicken, steak, lamb, fish, or pork, trade in the starch for a second veggie, skip dessert.... and end up taking half of the meat, and almost all of the veggies home. I know we need to learn to eat "normally", but I'm not there yet – especially when it comes to carbs. When I get to goal weight, I'll work on finding my new low-carb "normal". Hope that helps!

I had 1 little string like that coming out of one of the small sites. I clipped it off assuming it was suture material. Never had another one come thru. Glad its normal. Thought about it off and on while healing.