ttdish

What I find interesting about this, is regardless where we start, we all (well most) eventually get to where you are starting at. So why is a full sleeve ok for me when I got to a BMI of 32, but not for you? At that point we are the same distance away from a healthy BMI. I guess I don't really see the difference then for such a drastically different size sleeve. It seems there would still be a struggle to avoid overeating.
I'm sure glad my sleeve was the normal size, because I when I got to a BMI of 32, I still had 60 pounds to go. I'm now down to 19 pounds to goal, and my sleeve still reminds me when I eat too much long before I can do too much damage. I was a binge eater, and now I physically CAN NOT consume a large quantity of food. If you still have some of the stretchy part of your stomach left, you will likely still be able to keep eating after you are full. That would be a disaster for me. I still love food, and if something is really tasty, I sometimes want to keep eating when I'm full, but I can't fit any more in my tiny tummy. I needed that at a BMI of 43, 32, now 25, and will need that help for the rest of my life.
I'm confident with the help of my sleeve I'll never go back to my old ways. I don't think I would be nearly as confident if I had a larger stomach, because I would still be relying on willpower, and I just don't have it in me. I know that about myself.
Anyway, that's my two cents on the matter. Please let us know what you decide to do!

Coming up on 19 weeks post op, and down just over 73 pounds (I'm 5'3").
Here is my progress by week. The highest number (starting from bottom to top) is the day I started my pre-op diet.
  
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I'm in Minnesota as well, in the southwest metro. I was sleeved in Florida (self pay, got a better price there) on August 31st, 2015. I go to regular support group meetings at the Two Tweleve Medical Center in Chaska, as they are free and open to everyone, not just their patients.
Down 73 pounds in 4 months, and thrilled with my progress!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I'm down about 90 pounds, and still about 25-30 from goal. I've definitely been more lenient lately with carbs, but I feel more in control than I ever did before. I don't let guilt eat me up if I have "bad" foods, and I don't let myself spiral out of control. Here is me about a month before surgery on 8/31, and me trying on a bridesmaids dress.

I'm down about 90 pounds, and still about 25-30 from goal. I've definitely been more lenient lately with carbs, but I feel more in control than I ever did before. I don't let guilt eat me up if I have "bad" foods, and I don't let myself spiral out of control. Here is me about a month before surgery on 8/31, and me trying on a bridesmaids dress.

I'm down about 90 pounds, and still about 25-30 from goal. I've definitely been more lenient lately with carbs, but I feel more in control than I ever did before. I don't let guilt eat me up if I have "bad" foods, and I don't let myself spiral out of control. Here is me about a month before surgery on 8/31, and me trying on a bridesmaids dress.

I'm down about 90 pounds, and still about 25-30 from goal. I've definitely been more lenient lately with carbs, but I feel more in control than I ever did before. I don't let guilt eat me up if I have "bad" foods, and I don't let myself spiral out of control. Here is me about a month before surgery on 8/31, and me trying on a bridesmaids dress.

This sounds counter-intuitive, but I spent a lot of time pinning low carb, high Protein recipes. Seeing all of the delicious foods I could still eat, helped me care less about the "junk" I shouldn't have anymore.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I was self pay, and flew to Florida for a great US self pay price ($10,000). I had to have some testing done, but pretty much could have scheduled any time after my tests were done.
It was about two months from my first contact with the surgeon's office, and my surgery date. It could have been much quicker, but it took a couple of weeks to get in with my PCP to get my tests done, and I had conflicts that pushed it back about two weeks.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I've done this at Costco! Lol

Coming up on 19 weeks post op, and down just over 73 pounds (I'm 5'3").
Here is my progress by week. The highest number (starting from bottom to top) is the day I started my pre-op diet.
  
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

My pregnancy was high risk right from the start because I was obese and had high blood pressure (and other weight related issues), and then I also developed gestational diabetes. I'm very grateful I delivered a healthy baby.
You think it's hard to carry around 285 pounds? Add another 25-40! It's not pleasant. I was 230 or so, when I got pregnant and put on about 30 pounds. Then, instead of losing the baby weight, I gained weight afterwards, and got up to 245. At 5'3" that put me at a BMI of 42. I was exhausted all the time, and couldn't even keep up with my one year old, let alone focus on myself to try and do something about the weight.
I wanted my kids to be close in age, but I knew I couldn't be pregnant again at that weight. It wouldn't be healthy for me or the growing baby. I knew I couldn't do it alone, so I made the decision to get the VSG surgery and put off having baby #2 until I was healthier. It was a hard decision, and would have been harder if I hadn't already had one kiddo, so I don't envy your position, but it was absolutely the right decision.
I'm now down almost 73 pounds (sleeved 8/31/15), and I actually PLAY with my son now, instead of watching him play. I wish I could say that was true for the first year of his life (not to mention the fact that I have almost no pictures of us together from his first year because I hated how I looked). I have so much more energy now, and even though I know I need to wait to have a second child, I also know I'll be healthier for the pregnancy and after baby arrives, and that is so much more important than my preconceived notions of having my kids be close together in age. That just seems silly now.
I wouldn't change a thing, of course, because my son is the light of my life, but knowing what I know now, I would definitely recommended getting yourself healthy first, so that when you get pregnant, you are providing a safer environment for your babe to grow, and when you have a baby, you can truly enjoy your time together.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I'm in Minnesota as well, in the southwest metro. I was sleeved in Florida (self pay, got a better price there) on August 31st, 2015. I go to regular support group meetings at the Two Tweleve Medical Center in Chaska, as they are free and open to everyone, not just their patients.
Down 73 pounds in 4 months, and thrilled with my progress!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I'm in Minnesota as well, in the southwest metro. I was sleeved in Florida (self pay, got a better price there) on August 31st, 2015. I go to regular support group meetings at the Two Tweleve Medical Center in Chaska, as they are free and open to everyone, not just their patients.
Down 73 pounds in 4 months, and thrilled with my progress!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I went from constantly thinking about food and what I would eat next..... to being irritated when I feel hungry, because I don't really want to eat. I take very little pleasure out of food/being full now (but in a good way).
It's so crazy!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Sounds like there is a lot of weight in your life you could drop before surgery. Obviously, make sure your daughter is fed, but beyond that, take care of YOURSELF. If he can't deal with that, you really should reevaluate your relationship. Having this surgery can put a strain on healthy relationships, so imagine how difficult it will be to maintain a rocky one. If he isn't supporting you now, he probably won't support you later, when you really need it.
All the best to you!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Sounds like there is a lot of weight in your life you could drop before surgery. Obviously, make sure your daughter is fed, but beyond that, take care of YOURSELF. If he can't deal with that, you really should reevaluate your relationship. Having this surgery can put a strain on healthy relationships, so imagine how difficult it will be to maintain a rocky one. If he isn't supporting you now, he probably won't support you later, when you really need it.
All the best to you!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Hi Colleen! You may want to post your question as a new post, as it may be overlooked since this thread has so many responses already. But here are my thoughts:
For the first few weeks I had trouble slowing down to eat, and I actually used an app called "next bite" to help me. I'd set it for one minute, take a bite, chew the bejeezus out of it, and wait until the timer went off before taking my next bite. I also used a timer and set it for 30 minutes after I took my last bite to know when I could drink again. You don't realize how much it is second nature to want to drink while you eat until you can't. Don't keep any liquids nearby while you are eating, so you don't reach for it by mistake.
Are you sure you are dumping? While it can happen, dumping with the sleeve isn't overly common, and more often found on bypass patients. If you aren't eating much fat or sugar, I don't know what could even make you dump. Some people find they have trouble digesting dairy post op, and lactose intolerance could present as similar to dumping, and would also explain why your Protein Shakes (presumably whey) are making you gassy. I'd talk to your surgeon, but my suggestion would be to find a non-whey Protein shake, and cut out other dairy from your diet for at least a few days or a week to see if this solves the problem. If you didn't have a problem with artificial sweeteners before surgery, I doubt that is the culprit (but could be way off on this).
If you are feeling super full, you likely either ate too much (at 4 weeks out, portions are still pretty tiny) or you ate too fast. I suspect the latter, since you said you've been having trouble with slowing down while you eat. If you eat too fast, and then get full to fast, you may be hungry again too soon because you simply didn't eat enough. If you are drinking while eating, that may also cause you to feel too full after not eating enough food.
Are you on any PPI for acid, like Prilosec? It sounds strange, but reflux often feels like hunger post-op. Lots of people report being frustrated because they are always hungry, but after starting a PPI, they don't feel that same hunger any more.
I hope this helps!! But again, you may want to start your own post to get more responses from people much smarter than me.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

This is by far the best thread I've seen on alcohol on here. I appreciate that there aren't any nasty comments (yet). Following....
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

As much as I hated my two week pre-op diet, I lost 12 pounds. So at 11 weeks out, I've lost over 58 pounds, and would only be at 46 pounds without my pre-op diet.
On another note, I hope most people are vetting their surgeons much more thoroughly that just deciding that the "good ones" don't require a pre-op diet. What a ridiculous post.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

You can do this! Watch your sodium levels (especially in soups), as it can make you retain Water. Drink lots of Water to help flush out your system.
If you are still cutting it close on the day of your weigh in, eat light, and watch your Fluid intake, just as a temporary measure. If you can't strip down to weigh in, wear as light of clothes as you can (no jeans or heavy sweatshirts, etc). Make sure to go to the bathroom before you weigh in, and try to get your appointment as early in the morning as possible.
Good luck!!!
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

As much as I hated my two week pre-op diet, I lost 12 pounds. So at 11 weeks out, I've lost over 58 pounds, and would only be at 46 pounds without my pre-op diet.
On another note, I hope most people are vetting their surgeons much more thoroughly that just deciding that the "good ones" don't require a pre-op diet. What a ridiculous post.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Comparison is the thief of joy......
-Theodore Roosevelt
Stop comparing your journey to others, or you will go mad.
Celebrate those 12 pounds!! You lost weight super easy all those other times, but I'm guess you gained it all back, or you wouldn't have gotten sleeved. Think of it this way, you may have lost it easier or faster in the past, but this time you are losing it for good. Personally, I'd much rather lose weight permanently at a slower pace, than lose it quickly, just to gain it back.
If you are following your plan, then you aren't doing anything "wrong." Let the plan work, and the pace will be what it is.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Comparison is the thief of joy......
-Theodore Roosevelt
Stop comparing your journey to others, or you will go mad.
Celebrate those 12 pounds!! You lost weight super easy all those other times, but I'm guess you gained it all back, or you wouldn't have gotten sleeved. Think of it this way, you may have lost it easier or faster in the past, but this time you are losing it for good. Personally, I'd much rather lose weight permanently at a slower pace, than lose it quickly, just to gain it back.
If you are following your plan, then you aren't doing anything "wrong." Let the plan work, and the pace will be what it is.
~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

I didn't bring anything special, just sleep clothes, clothes to wear the next day, and toiletries. It's pretty obnoxious to fall asleep with all the stuff glued to you, but not much you can do. I agree with your thoughts on taking benadryl- I wouldn't want to skew the test results. Just try to relax, maybe bring something to read to calm you down before bed.
And just for fun, here is a pic of me with all my leads attached that I dug up the last time someone asked about the sleep study. This was a few years ago, long before I considered bariatric surgery.

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~