CHIHUAHUA X 5

This probably isn't the response you are looking for, or the person who is qualified to give it. I haven't even technically had my six month surgiversary yet, although I did have my six month follow up yesterday. I was nervous about giving up certain foods "forever" before surgery because frankly, they were one of the main sources of pleasure and comfort in my life. So I know where you are coming from. pizza, eh, not so much, I was never a pizza fanatic. But big slices of lovely toasted artisan bread slathered in butter? I could go through half a loaf in a single afternoon, easy.
Anyway, here's the deal for me. I've lost 134 pounds since my first visit with my surgeon. I've still got a ways to go (50 more pounds? Don't have an exact goal weight yet, I'm thinking of a clothing size and body fat percentage). I haven't had anything made with any kind of grain, any starchy veggie, or anything with refined sugar since my surgery. And I don't care. It doesn't bother me. I don't feel deprived. Sure, sometimes I see something yummy like those boxes of Trader Joe's pumpkin spice toaster pastries or the Peanut Butter Cookies from my neighborhood bakery and I want them - but I don't seriously consider actually eating them. The only thing that matters to me is getting to goal. When I get there, then I'll worry about whether I can have a piece of toast again. I may not be able to, whether because it's physically uncomfortable, or maybe it leads me to a bad path of eating horribly and not being able to maintain my weight. I'm not at goal yet so I can't say for sure, but I think I am going to be okay with that. There are plenty of other foods that I enjoy eating and can take pleasure in and that are sleeve and health-friendly, so I am not "depriving" myself of the joys of eating - I am abstaining from the things that got me to a 60 BMI and in need of surgery.* I would encourage people going in to surgery to train yourself, as much as possible, to have the questions in your mind about the future be things like "what are the strategies I can use to most carefully follow my surgeon's dietary plans?" and "how can I most quickly and safely get to my goal weight/size/body fat percentage?" instead of "when can I eat pizza/rice/cookie again?" or "will I be able to eat a half a loaf of toasted bread slathered with butter again?" Do your best to focus on the health challenges in front of you rather than the unhealthy foods you may be leaving in your past, at least for a long period of time if not forever.
I know that's easier said than done! As I said, I have been there and completely understand what you are going through and the mourning process that goes along with the thought of losing that source of comfort and pleasure. It got a lot easier for me when I saw the pounds coming off, the sizes dropping - that became a big source of comfort and pleasure as well. Good luck!
*thanks to Nikke and the other posters at the OH sleeve board for the discussion about the language of deprivation - it helped me a lot!

Nolagirl, I too was a carb freak. Being from New Orleans how can we not be. I'm 13 months out and have not had any sweets, rice,breads or Pasta since Sept 2012. It was hard at first but I've learned to eat gumbos and Beans with out rice and when I need something sweet I grab a yogurt or Protein bar. Before I eat something I ask myself is it truly worth the calories, fat gram or carbs , or is there a healthier choice. Keep the bad stuff far away and keep healthy Snacks close. You can do this..

i've read a lot of ppl that say they can't eat bread or any type of sweets after being sleeved. am i the only one that is scared out of thier MIND about that prospect? i know that carbs are not really supposed to be good for you but i've comforted myself with sugar my whole life and the thought of not being able to go there kind of freaks me out. not only sugar i guess but the idea i may never enjoy even a peice of toast EVER?
what do yall think?

Reduced capacity New Tummy is your friend - "food" items made in a factory are not. You can focus on whole natural foods. Mine (and a lot of people here) are required to eat 60+ grams of Protein a day, mine is 70 grams. Fo 60 grams, that is 20 grams per meal. By the time you eat that, you will not have much tummy room for veggies, let alone fruit, bread, noodles, Cookies, pastries, Cereal, etc.
With any gastric surgery, your body needs Protein to function and rebuild. You have to decide between sweets or a longer life. Nobody wants to deny themselves of all of the comfort foods we love the most. There are plenty of Paleo, Primal, Atkins, and other low carb cook books, to help you find adjustment foods. Also, cooking at home is a key for your success, because you can control the ingredients. Starch makes you hungry for more starch.
I had my share of food funerals prior to my surgery. Your sleeve is a tool that you can't keep hidden in the garden shed while you cheat. You have to take advantage of your new tummy. The first time you throw up or get dumping syndrome by eating too much sugar, you will be cured of eating it. Just be prepared to empty those cabinets and start cooking from fresh. Get creative, and try to make your favorite dishes in a low carb style. You will be glad you did. Also taking chromium picolinate with magnesium will help reduce sugar cravings. Start making youradjustments now before surgery. because it will be harder to make changes post-op when your are tired and washed out.
Just an after thought.....we all learned the hard way how to balance food, beverage, and exercise to help the weight loss process.

Hi Elizabeth
I was sportsmen use to play badminton every day morning but unfortunately my knee gets hurts & I stopped playing. My diet was of sportsmen very heavy,I love sweets & use to have sweets every time after lunch & dinner . that's why I gained very rapidly 100 lbs in three years . Visiting dr they advice me to sleeve or Rny I found sleeve was very safe because cutting and staple has done at same time and no foreign planted in our body as compare to lapband & Rny . No part of our body (intestine) touched in sleeve that's why it's safe and quicker to heal & also has good result . I reduce 54 lbs in four months & got controlled on amount of eating by sleeve done. So I prefer sleeve. Thank u.

Had my sleeve done on March 18th, so far its been ok. There are times that I don't feel like eating, but the weird thing is that people can eat in front of me, and ya just don't get the craving that you have to have it. One thing I will say, drink, drink, drink! I did start feeling light headed and kinda weird, spoke with the doctor, he asked "what color is your urine" I said like the color of apple juice, he responded "no, no" how much you drinking, I said 48-50 ounces a day, nope! minimum 64 ounces, you have the classic signs of dehydration... so I started cranking the Water and bam! what a difference!

You have the courage to sign up for a pilates class. I was always afraid of getting down on the floor and not being able to get back up

You spend and entire 2 1/2 mile run holding up one side of your pants or another, because by the time you realized hey were gonna shake right off your butt, it was too late to turn around and go back home.

a very critical old friend sees you after about 3 years and says...."Wow, are you losing weight?"

Your old boss walks right past you not realizing who you are. Happened to me last week.

Fun thread. You know you lost weight when
You have to get new shoes because they are to wide for the feet.