sleevenv

I had breast reduction 13 years before my sleeve a year ago. I was 40 years old when reduced (weighed 189) and 53 when sleeved. I'm now at goal (200 SW and 135 CW). My breasts are smaller than they've ever been and still quite perky. I'm so glad I had them reduced beforehand.

I depended on protein bars for months. My favs are Power Crunch. Several flavors, but chocolate mint is yummy. I also used P3 packs. I'd have starved or passed out without those in first six months. It's all I could handle size wise and gave quite a bit of protein. I also carried protein juice packets to mix in ice water. I don't shy away from things because of a few carbs. Carbs are energy. I was at 23 BMI by nine months post-sleeve and I've been maintaining for four months now by eating wisely and exercising. Sometimes that means an occasional protein bar.

No hair loss at all.

I was 53 and was my highest BMI of 33 (200 pounds). I gained weight all over so I was hoping for no loose skin. Nope. It's definitely not tight by the time I shrunk to 136 (23 BMI). No bikini in my future! Younger and lower BMI patients might be luckier. I'm not sagging enough for plastics, but skin isn't tight.

@beehealthy. I had no problems eating from the start other than volume. If I ate too much, it came up. Not a violent puking, just more of a hiccup to take the top off. I just needed to learn to slow down. I do struggle with a sweet tooth still, but surgery didn't fix my head. I indulge--occasionally--simply because I don't do well with total deprivation. Others can't because it's a slippery slope. I truly can eat most everything and no longer feel like I gave up enjoying food. I actually enjoy it more now because I don't feel controlled by it. That being said, I also exercise regularly and am learning to love it.

@triplethreat. We've all been there! One day you'll reread this post and smile. You may have "gotten" to 78 without the surgery, but that doesn't mean you'd be healthy or even truly living. I'm not sure where you started or where you're at now, but the level of health and energy I have now have made it all worth it. I was 53 and had a BMI of 33 when I was sleeved. High blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep apnea on a 200 pound body was eventually going to take its toll. I'm 54.and one year out now with a BMI of 23! I run or hike almost daily, wear cute clothes and am happier than ever. I don't obsess about my weight anymore, so I have time to live!

Wellesse. I get them from surgeon's shop, but they are sometimes at Costco and are available online.

I take liquid multis. Great absorption because they don't have to melt (I don't pee them out). Used them from day one and they have biotin. I never lost hair either (I'm not sure if a low BMI helps in this regard). A lot cheaper than buying separate vitamins.

@@tenseintexas It is a lot easier to eat more when you're six to 12 months post surgery. Old habits don't die with the surgery. If you're a grazer, you can consume excess calories. If you eat slider foods, you can gain weight. I'm a sugar addict. It didn't go away. I could eat ice cream daily and it doesn't fill me up. So even if I eat perfectly each day, but indulge in sweets, chips, crackers, or other slider foods a little each day, I gain weight. I've been able--this far--to keep my weight within 1-2 pounds by eating perfectly 80% of the time and exercising vigorously. Losing weight happens in the kitchen, maintaining mostly happens with exercise.

@@tenseintexas it's not just the carbonation you have to worry about in soda, it's the ACID. Get off the stuff now, before surgery to help you transition. I'm 13 months out (reached 23 BMI at 7 months post op) and have had carbonated mineral water a couple of times. It hurts because you can't burp as efficiently. Now if I indulge, I put it on ice and let it sit yo flatten out a bit. A year or so ago a nurse on here told the story of her WLS brother who ulcerated his small stomach with soda and almost died. Please find that post. It's sobering.

Just hit my one year sleevaversary. Started at 33 BMI with HBP? High cholesterol, sleep apnea and fatty liver. At 54 I was miserable and didn't want to live like an old person. I had to self pay because I didn't want the six month runaround with the chance they'd deny anyhow. By month seven I'd lost 65 pounds and now am 23 BMI. I feel awesome and look pretty good too! No regrets at all!

Just hit my one year surgiversary! At goal, healthy and have become a runner. Best year I've had in many many years!

I started eating fairly normal amounts (for a thin person) at about six months. I believe in eating healthy carbs so I can sustain a realistic eating program. I run and need energy. Don't worry, the surgery doesn't alter your brain, you'll still like food. The first few months are in no way a reflection of how you will eat the rest of your life. The huge stomach incision has to heal!

I was self pay, but surgeon still required nutrition, support group and psychological evaluation before they scheduled surgery. My first appt was late April and I had surgery June 30th. That was super fast by all accounts. I was ready to travel within two weeks. Hydration is hard at first because your ability to consume is really restricted the first couple of months due to internal swelling. When I try to drink too much or too fast, it'll come right up. But it does get a lot easier. I'm coming up on my surgiversary in a couple weeks and I have ne problem drinking Water. I can drink about a third of a 16.9 oz water bottle in a chug IF my stomach is empty, but there is a fine line between be able to and drinking too much/fast. Dehydration only happens if you plain old fail to plan! Just keep some with you. The biggest challenge is to not drink within 30 minutes of eating. It takes planning. My body gives me reminders if I break this rule.

@@jaxmom I am 5'"6, SW/HW 205, sleeved 6/30/15 and hit 137 in February. I fluctuate 135-140. My goal was 150, but I flew passed it. I run 3 times a week on a treadmill (a 5k in approximately 32 minutes). I'm not fanatical about my diet because I eat carbs! I'm just really selective with what I indulge in. Honeymoon was over for me in March. Now it's work. Losing weight happens in the kitchen but maintenance happens in the gym!

Triple Threat you are where a lot of us were. Health issues and obese, but not morbidly. I was 33 BMI, lost 65 pounds in 7 months and have never felt so good. I'm 54 and have told almost no one. I've become an avid runner, so they all think it was done by that. Good luck! No regrets.

138.8

You need help reallyrosy, because your not. You're depressed and a real downer. People come here for support, not negativity! We would like to support you, but your attitude makes it really difficult to want to.

Seriously? We can change our metabolism! Don't starve yourself, eat real food, develop good habits and friggin move! Your head is in your way. Get it dealt with because your weight is just a symptom. Otherwise your "I'm going to quit or not even try because I might fail" attitude is going to win every time.

Almost one year out and my body has chosen its goal I believe. Started out with a 33 BMI (5'6" 200 pounds at surgery--also was my HW). Comorbidities of HBP, sleep apnea, high cholesterol). Lost 55 pounds in first 6 months and have been bouncing around 138 for last four months. All comorbidities are gone! I'm in a size 4-6 and look and feel like I did in my 20's. I run a 5k on the treadmill 3-4 times a week and eat 1500 calories a day. I usually get 65-75 grams of protein a day and I attempt to eat under 100 grams of carbs. I have a sweet tooth and indulge a little every few days. As long as I do protein first, my ability to go overboard isn't possible. I've found eating too few carbs backfires. My body needs them for energy to workout. But carbs are usually in the form of oatmeal, quinoa, fruits and vegetables. I can eat a lot more than six months ago, but I'll never be able to handle a plate of pasta or a sandwich again. I love my sleeve and have zero regrets!

@@Medowsweet Yes! I always eat my protein before I indulge in a piece of something that is a slider food because the protein prevents the slider from sliding. Then I'm full really fast, but I've satiated my taste for whatever I sampled.

I second your notion!

I'm sad that any humans have to "rate" others on attractiveness scales! WTH is a 10 or a 1, and who gets to be the judge? Concentrate on your HEALTH--both mental and physical--that's what will make you attractive!

I'm right there with you. I found that since I'm exercising so much, my body starting needing carbs and that's what causes me to graze. For me, adding oatmeal, quinoa and a little more fruit worked to help my body readjust and start losing.

Make sure you're eating enough carbs for the amount of exercise you're doing. All carbs are not bad. They're necessary for all bodies. Fruits, vegetables, some grains--like oatmeal--are important for a healthy lifestyle. Especially if you exercise so much.