Elizabeth21

I think the poll would have the most value if you knew how long people had been sleeved and what amount of weight has been gained in each of those time frames. Also, maybe incorporate age and gender and eliminate those who have been sleeved less than a certain length of time (6 months or maybe a year).
Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think of other ways to modify the poll, so never mind. LOL

May you could add an option for none as most people do not gain weight. I have gained none. It does fluctuate 2 pounds close to the mentrual period as normal but it goes away in a couple of days.

I also can pretty much eat or drink whatever I want. But each item requires a choice because some things will settle better than other and/or will make me feel better than others. I think my success relies on pretty much a routine week of 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese for breakfast (80 cal 12 g protein); Quest Bar for lunch (180 cal 20 g protein); and then limited amounts of whatever else eating Protein first. I have learned it just feels too lousy to overeat and is not worth it. I also know if I do not get enough Protein I feel bad too. I have struggled with taking in too much alcohol on occasion and that is something I am working on moderating. I think that has been more a symptom of self-medicating so I am learning to address that need in other ways.
On the whole, I am amazed at how well this choice has worked out for me in a way I believe I can maintain.

I also can pretty much eat or drink whatever I want. But each item requires a choice because some things will settle better than other and/or will make me feel better than others. I think my success relies on pretty much a routine week of 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese for breakfast (80 cal 12 g protein); Quest Bar for lunch (180 cal 20 g protein); and then limited amounts of whatever else eating Protein first. I have learned it just feels too lousy to overeat and is not worth it. I also know if I do not get enough Protein I feel bad too. I have struggled with taking in too much alcohol on occasion and that is something I am working on moderating. I think that has been more a symptom of self-medicating so I am learning to address that need in other ways.
On the whole, I am amazed at how well this choice has worked out for me in a way I believe I can maintain.

I also can pretty much eat or drink whatever I want. But each item requires a choice because some things will settle better than other and/or will make me feel better than others. I think my success relies on pretty much a routine week of 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese for breakfast (80 cal 12 g protein); Quest Bar for lunch (180 cal 20 g protein); and then limited amounts of whatever else eating Protein first. I have learned it just feels too lousy to overeat and is not worth it. I also know if I do not get enough Protein I feel bad too. I have struggled with taking in too much alcohol on occasion and that is something I am working on moderating. I think that has been more a symptom of self-medicating so I am learning to address that need in other ways.
On the whole, I am amazed at how well this choice has worked out for me in a way I believe I can maintain.

I also can pretty much eat or drink whatever I want. But each item requires a choice because some things will settle better than other and/or will make me feel better than others. I think my success relies on pretty much a routine week of 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese for breakfast (80 cal 12 g protein); Quest Bar for lunch (180 cal 20 g protein); and then limited amounts of whatever else eating Protein first. I have learned it just feels too lousy to overeat and is not worth it. I also know if I do not get enough Protein I feel bad too. I have struggled with taking in too much alcohol on occasion and that is something I am working on moderating. I think that has been more a symptom of self-medicating so I am learning to address that need in other ways.
On the whole, I am amazed at how well this choice has worked out for me in a way I believe I can maintain.

I also can pretty much eat or drink whatever I want. But each item requires a choice because some things will settle better than other and/or will make me feel better than others. I think my success relies on pretty much a routine week of 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese for breakfast (80 cal 12 g protein); Quest Bar for lunch (180 cal 20 g protein); and then limited amounts of whatever else eating Protein first. I have learned it just feels too lousy to overeat and is not worth it. I also know if I do not get enough Protein I feel bad too. I have struggled with taking in too much alcohol on occasion and that is something I am working on moderating. I think that has been more a symptom of self-medicating so I am learning to address that need in other ways.
On the whole, I am amazed at how well this choice has worked out for me in a way I believe I can maintain.

I also can pretty much eat or drink whatever I want. But each item requires a choice because some things will settle better than other and/or will make me feel better than others. I think my success relies on pretty much a routine week of 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese for breakfast (80 cal 12 g protein); Quest Bar for lunch (180 cal 20 g protein); and then limited amounts of whatever else eating Protein first. I have learned it just feels too lousy to overeat and is not worth it. I also know if I do not get enough Protein I feel bad too. I have struggled with taking in too much alcohol on occasion and that is something I am working on moderating. I think that has been more a symptom of self-medicating so I am learning to address that need in other ways.
On the whole, I am amazed at how well this choice has worked out for me in a way I believe I can maintain.

I am sorry you are going through this. My EX was not gay but had no interest in physical intimacy of any kind. There were signs early on, but over the years it became soul crushing to not be hugged, kissed or receiving any intimacy. i blamed it on my obesity for a long time, but turns out that WASN'T it. I have no answer for it because I still care deeply for him, still miss him. I am single now and at times regret that decision, but truth is I was so terribly lonely being in a relationship where i felt neither part of a couple nor free to be single. This was way beyond the sex part, it was the whole way we interrelated with each other and the world.
Since you clearly love her, i hope you are able to give the process time before making any "permanent" decisions. This must be terribly difficult however.

Actually I get most of my information from the forums and am very grateful for them. Insurance paid for my surgery at a center of excellence and I never met with a nutritionist prior to surgery and did not have any counseling sessions let alone multiple ones. So please do keep in mind that situations vary.
I love my surgeon and have nothing but good things to say about him. I had a nutritionist visit me the day after surgery before I got discharged and the information she handed me was a couple of handouts I had already received from a coordinator. So while I love my surgeon and I think he is fantastic, the actual materials provided were not very helpful.

I do agree with all of these comments, but this site is HOW people get educated.

These people who are asking these questions are in the comfort of their own home or offices.
In their sweat pants with music on, not in a stuffy doctors office slightly embarrassed and slighty nervous about why they are there.

We are all comfortable on here to ask stupid questions, silly questions, asking for heart felt advice, asking for support.
Perhaps these people were explained the information in detail but they were so numb by the experience, that they simply forgot. Perhaps, just like all of us we are more comfortable asking "bariatric pal friends" their advice than listening to a doctor who has repeated themselves 15 times that day.
Who are we do judge HOW people educate themselves. This site saved me from myself some days.

I used this site, among MANY MANY others and I felt completely un-judged, comfortable, confident with everything I put out there and everything I received.

This is a site where we should not judge others for not educating them selves .... WHEN THIS IS WHY WE ARE ALL HERE. Education and support.
*end rant*

I was self-pay, but nutrition education was still a required part of the program. There is really no excuse as far as I can see for any surgeon not to provide nutrition education as it is critical for success and a healthy outcome.
Unfortunately, quality of education does vary tremendously.
Also, not everyone has the same capacity and capability for comprehending/understanding, and listening/reading/literacy skills run the gamut.
Throw in possible language barriers, response to stress, etc. and a whole range of preconceived ideas and life experience, it's a wonder any of us get through this at all!

I am over 6 months out and I don't rely on it, but it is a convenient and easy way to bump up my Protein if I am short.

At three months I was advised to get my Protein from real food and only use Protein Drinks if ready food is not available.

Congratulations on your journey! My "surgiversary" is December 11. What a difference a year makes. The struggle is real but it is totally worth it. Just take advantage of all the information and advice on this site and keep the faith. I had my first post surgery appointment with my primary doctor today and ALL of my "numbers" are fabulous. I look better, but more importantly I FEEL better!!
Best wishes!!

Was you surgeon a gypsy?

First, if you are suffering from GERD see your surgeon / doctor immediately about getting a stronger antacid -- probably a proton pump inhibitor like protonix.
Second, if you guys don't know what to eat / drink right now ... why not? Were you sleeved in Mexico? If not and you were sleeved in the US and have access to a nutritionist, a bariatric physician's assistant or RN, call them ASAP.
If you were given educational materials or attended classes about what to eat / drink, find those materials and review them. If you can't find them, call your surgeon's office and ask for another set of those materials. Consider re-attending those classes.
And yes, stevia will work fine to sweeten your teas.

Regret is normal when you are this soon post op, especially if you've experienced complications, and not having the desire to eat or drink is also normal. But you have to make yourself at least get in fluids and try to get in Protein.
It will get better. You will begin to see the weight come off and you'll realize why you had this surgery to begin with. But you need to put your health first from now on. You won't be hungry so plan your meals and fluids. Set a timer. If you don't you will cause more complications down the road.
Try to stay positive. Go for a walk. Drink some herbal tea. There's no going back. The only way is forward so make the most of it and give yourself the best shot you have at success.

Moveandgroove,
You have had quite the journey! If my math is right, that means 3 surgeries in 2 years (wls, gallbladder, aneurysm)? Your body has gone through some pretty traumatic experiences in a relatively short amount of time! That is something that you should be proud of working through!
So, let's take a step back and look at what may be going on here. You went from running to recovering from a significant surgery. You had a period where not only could you not exercise, you also could not work. What I get from that is hearing someone that had to go from being active to sedentary very quickly - which may have triggered some of the feelings of "old habits" possibly coming back ("I am terrified...I won't stop gaining...I don't want to waste the surgery...").
What's fueling your doubt? This setback? Does it feel familiar, like a setback in a diet? If it does, step back and look at it again - this is not the same. You have a beautiful tool in your arsenal that you didn't have before. Use it. Go back to basics and pretend it is day one. I remember a very similar time in my own life, about 3 years when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and though I was going to be put on long term steroids. I thought I was done with my weight loss forever.
Take one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. The fact that you are still reading, still posting, still asking....that says that you still want this.
You can do this. You will do this. Get back out there and walk a little. Don't focus on running, just walk. Remember, even baby steps get you closer to your goal.
Take care!
Amanda

There are 2 different phases to weight loss surgery. These are "Weight Loss" phase and the "Maintenance" phase. The approach on these 2 phases are different. I had RNY surgery 29 months ago. This short article describes the strategy that I used for each phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

I often felt the plus size "fashion" was just another punishment for me. Hello, I gained weight. I didn't lose all sense of fashion.
What's up with all the beach/big floral fabrics? Like now I'm overweight, so I'm going to beach parties everyday? I need work clothes for the office! Ugh!
So nice to be able to find some real clothes again and feel presentable!!

You have great aspiration! I'm just happy I can use a regular bathroom stall again!!

Thanks all for your input.
The demons are not telling to me to eat like before. The demons are telling me that I will not physically be able to maintain this plan because even if I eat less, I will gain, or, I will become starving again and not be able to continue eating less.
I'm not sure I can agree with the baby tummy analogy because our stomachs grew with the rest of our body. We did not stretch them out. What did get stretched out was my metabolism and hunger signals. The reason I chose the sleeve was that I was told the part of the stomach that got removed affected the hormones that produce hunger signals and that affect the metabolism. As a result my hunger would lessen and my metabolism would be able to reset so that I would not have to fight both of these things to lose weight and maintain the loss.
So, I guess my question is: Does the hunger come back in full and the metabolism reduce again so that even if I'm eating less than 1,000 calories a day I will remain overweight?

"Should-haves" frustrate me and feel "preachy" -- especially when it comes to dealing with life's issues. They are not supportive or constructive.
I'd have never been able to have the surgery if I thought I had to conquer all of my issues beforehand. The surgery has helped resolve several issues already. Just not this one. Yet.

Yes I feel hunger but, it is easily gone by eating a 1/4 cup of food. Big difference in my opinion. I am one who eats about every 3 hours. And plan to continue to eat this way. Not that I cannot go longer, I just get hungry after 2-3 hours. It is amazing my diet now compared to 3 months ago. I love it.