LisaPunkinHead

Ok. So I WILL reply to this one.
The "truth" hurts? Girlfriend, your OPINION is NOT "truth" just as MY opinion is not truth. You can totally own your experiences, but what you've done does not apply to all, I am proof of that.
First and foremost, anyone who "decides to have the sleeve" and is on the table two weeks later really needs to do some self reflection as does anyone who will openly state that they did not realize this procedure was permanent.
I am also 5'3, was sleeved while I was "young" (by your definition) and my body is MUCH healthier than it's ever been. My body fat is down to the low end of the "ideal" range and butted right up to "lean". I have some loose skin, for sure, but underneath it, I am strong and fit.
I did my research, I worked my plan, and I exercised my body. Anyone who does not is operating on foolishness.
I must say, I'm curious. If you are such an expert on weight gain/loss/nutrition/fitness, why the regain? Why is your regain the fault of the sleeve? Serious question.

My husband and I don't have separate pantries, but we do have separate shelves in the pantry -- there is his shelf, with trail mix and Cookies and his favorite Fiber One bars and that stuff. Then there is my shelf, with Protein shakes, Protein Bars, and not much else!!

My husband and I don't have separate pantries, but we do have separate shelves in the pantry -- there is his shelf, with trail mix and Cookies and his favorite Fiber One bars and that stuff. Then there is my shelf, with Protein shakes, Protein Bars, and not much else!!

I like that idea of having your cupboard and the family cupboard. I think I might have to make that happen when I get home.
Pre-op diet started today for me as well, wishing you the best of luck @@rln52 with yours as well!

I eat so much cheese it's ridiculous. Good, full fat, rich, creamy REAL cheese. Every day. In stuff, on stuff, as a meal itself. I love cheese.
It's so fabulous that instead of eating "light" or "low fat" or skim milk cheese, I can eat the real thing and not feel one drop of guilt about it.
Love cheese.

So, from my fat days, I am totally used to buying and eating 94/6 burgers. Now that I am a low carber, I buy 80/20 and it is SO MUCH BETTER. More fat, more juice, more flavor. Add a bit of REAL mayo, caramelized onion, mushrooms and gouda and yum.

For most people, sliders are foods like chips, crackers, popcorn --- things that you can eat a lot of without feeling full.

Eating the wrong thing too much is a slippery slope. Aka slider food. Or maybe call it a trigger food

I am not sure I could do them without them becoming sliders, but if they work for you that's great!!

Kevbear--I too was sleeved 7/13 and feel so much better than I did even three days ago. It's truly amazing how quickly everything changes.
Now, that's not to say it isn't difficult, because it is! Every sip takes mindfulness and patience, otherwise a sharp pain radiates across my abdomen and I have to get up and walk laps in my house to feel normal again (well, my new normal).
I'm hungry but I'm not hungry. My sleeve wants something in it--a sip of Protein, some Water. My head wants to chew on the tacos my husband made for dinner (why can't everyone also not eat?! Haha.).
I'm losing weight and feeling not-too-bad, but I'm sleepy and sometimes moody. My body is coming to terms with a hard stop to a three decades long bad habit. My mind too--that's the real culprit.
Sometimes I have to stop and breathe mindfully to a count of five or ten to regain my composure. The need/desire/craving for food can hit me in a wave not unlike a panic attack. But that has only happened once or twice and I have righted myself quickly.
Right now, my main challenge is that I am in grad school and can't quite get my mind to 'turn on'. I'm behind already and losing more ground daily. It's so hard to focus on other things besides how I'm feeling, what I'm eating/drinking. And it is just plain hard to focus period.
I'm so amazed at all of you who have done this with children, or demanding jobs!
Anyway, all you other July Sleevers--we got this!!!

@@LisaPunkinHead not my story, but it is disturbing. I just reposted someone's.

That's because you have freakishly good restriction and YOU SUCK

I've been eating salads since 6 weeks postop, but nothing remotely like I ate them pre-op -- I can handle half cup of salad plus Protein at the most. No big huge bowls of it anymore!

A lady posted this on another thread and I think it's worth posting here.
"The issue with diet coke or any other soda is that it can cause an ulcer in your very small pouch. When you have an ulcer in a regular stomach, they could remove that portion if it won't heal but if you have a very small one, there is nothing for them to do. My brother had Gastric Bypass 10 years ago and started drinking "a little bit" of sodas here and there and then started drinking them pretty regularly. He developed an ulcer in his pouch and had a severe GI bleed. The surgeon told us he was not going to make it, but he did pull through and is doing ok for now. The doctors have told him that the ulcer will always be there and he is in constant danger of another bleed. Believe me, he hasn't touched another soda. It took a few years of getting those little bits in, but it can, and my surgeon assures me, will happen after a period of time. I am also a nurse and I was a diet cokaholic as well but I have now been 3 years without one and I can assure you, I don't miss them now.
I am not preaching, nor am I telling anyone what to do. What you do or do not drink is strictly your own business, just make an informed decision. :)"
food for thought!

I had that feeling when I woke up from surgery, lololol!! The first thought in my head after the nurse woke me up was "what did I just do." It was a tough couple of days, but each day after was remarkably better than the day before. Yes, it gets better. And yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

I think a lot of us had the thought of WTF did I do to myself, "my stomach is now a fraction of its size and I cant get it back....."
It will get better and you won't even probably think about it if you are following the plan.
No regrets here,
jane

Ashley1213,
It will get better! And I’m not just saying that because you asked me to!
You just got your stomach cut out. It hurts. A lot. But it’s healing, and it will feel better every day. Make sure (nag) you help it feel better by following doctor’s orders to a T. Don’t even think about cheating on the post-op recovery diet, because that can put you in more pain and make weight loss harder down the road.
It’s also really hard mentally right now, and that can make you feel worse. This is the first time you can’t change your mind and back out. It’s done, and it can’t be undone. That’s a scary thing, and it can take a while to get used to. Also, now that you’re actually experiencing it, the whole weight loss surgery journey may actually be becoming REAL, and that’s scary, too.
Hang in there, and it’ll get better, and you’ll look and feel great! Good luck, and keep us posted!

Girl, brutal honesty here and NO judgement. I have a hard time believing one could hit 340+ pounds without overeating. Again, no judgement, I myself was the biggest over eater you can imagine.
I'd suggest doing your best to NOT listen to your body. Weigh, measure and track everything. It's easy to nibble, lick, chew, sip an extra 1,000-3,000 calories a day without even realizing it and our bodies/ brains will scream for more despite our best intentions.
This is the time to break that cycle and hit a healthy weight. It's hard, it sucks, it blows, but you CAN do it. If I can, anyone can.

About a week after I was sleeved, I found myself on Pinterest salivating over "food porn." I must've looked at 50 different kinds of donuts DAILY. I told my dr & nut and they said I was experiencing the withdrawal from those carbs I used to chow down on prior to this experience.
I liken looking at food porn to being in mourning because for as long as I can remember that kind of food has been a big part of my identity; one day I was able to eat it and the next day I was not and I had to come to grips with the fact that I had to change my mindset and attitude. That's a hard thing to do sometimes.
Don't feel sad. Feel good that soon you'll have such masterful control over what goes in your mouth, you'll feel empowered. Just wait until you really see results! It gets even better.
I still venture into cupcake territory on Pinterest but it's not nearly as bad as it was. I also love to bake so I'm always looking for ideas but the fact that I have the upper hand on what goes into my body.....I never thought I'd be stronger than those sugary, carb-laden treats but I am. And you will be too..you'll find yourself impervious to your former triggers.
Best of luck and good health to you!

@@Sara51692
silly head
theres no such place as Twohundredtown
trying to find it on my GPS
its called twoderville!!!!!
but, what's in a name
main point is you've arrived "wearing" a smile
42 lbs gone!!!!
terrific job
keep up the good work
i know you will!!
kathy
congrats

Had a stall last week around 305, which was super frustrating since I was so close to the 200s. It played around a little at 300 for a while, even dropped to 299 once (which I didn't count since it was flucuating), but the last three days, I've been consistently below 300, so I'm making the announcement...I'm in Twohundredtown! Sorry, the name's not as cool as Onederland.
I haven't been in the 200s since the end of my senior year of high school in 2010, so it's really exciting for me!

Wow! You've had a tough time, haven't you? I am so sorry to hear. My experiences at a bit over two years out have been nothing like yours.
I drink carbonation. I consume sugar. I was never depressed nor was I ever crankier than normal. I never hated anyone for eating around me. Why would I? It's not their fault I got fat.
I rarely felt hunger or hunger pains for my first 18 month and when I did, it was acid reflux or thirst. I do feel hunger now, but it's PHYSICAL hunger and I know it's because I've not eaten properly. I realize that I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't feel hunger very often and I am thrilled about it.
I am also thrilled that my restriction is as you mentioned. I can rarely eat more than 2-3 oz at a time so I do need to eat that portion size 4-6 times a day. The restriction is exactly why I had this surgery and I am thrilled that my portion size will forever be so small. It's a fat girl's dream! I get to eat all day, as long as I do so mindfully, I measure, I track and I make great choices.
I sincerely hope things improve for you!
I am 112 pounds down and feeling great! I was a size 20 and am now a size 8. I can do anything I want physically and have far exceeded what I thought this surgery could do for me. I am thrilled every single day.

The big prohibition is against "grazing." That means nibbling pretty much all day long, whenever slider foods sing your name from the refrigerator, the kitchen cabinet or the candy jar on Suzie's desk.
Grazing isn't even close to a mid-afternoon snack of Greek yogurt (with 12 grams of protein) when dinner is still four hours away.

I do what Babbs does: nuts and cheese sticks for snackage. Sometimes I will have a hard-boiled egg or a slice of avocado. It's all about listening to my body. Sometimes I feel like I could eat the house down and other days I forget to eat until my stomach feels so hollow I can feel it hating me and it reminds me to eat something. I start everyday with Premier Protein drinks for Breakfast though. My surgeon suggested 3 meals and snackage to get my Protein in. As long as I stay below 50g of carbs, and get as close to I can to 100g of protein a day, it doesn't matter how much I eat. I was actually having trouble getting my protein in and my surgeon and nutritionist told me to snack. It really depends on your medical team and what they find to be best for you.

Some days I'm hungrier than others, so I'll have a snack or two. On the not hungry days, I skip them. I'm learning to listen to what my body wants.
My Snacks consist of cheese sticks, Jerky or nuts.