Rokumok4

To follow up in this, I am down 200+ pounds from my highest weight (with a long way to go) and I have started to feel comfortable going places without having to worry about fitting. I went to a book signing this weekend and didn't scope out parking and seating ahead of time and did fine.
There are miracles every day.

I feel you on this one.
I went back to school, worked hard, and got amazing opportunities for travel. But I always had to quietly ask for flight information so I could book myself into a window seat, and cover myself with a jacket so the flight attendant wouldn't point out the seatbelt wouldn't fit over me and make a scene bringing me an extension, and at times when the flights was full, I'd have to awkwardly ask a classmate to switch and spend an uncomfortable flight trying not to impede on anyone else's space. Everyone else is so excited to travel and explore the world, and I just dread it since it always involves me hlding my breath and waiting to be the next buzzfeed article "Fat student kicked off plane for being too fat."
Heck, I got to go to Europe last summer, and I spent most of the time silently frustrated with myself for how I didn't fit in ANYTHING. Let me tell you, I've never appreciated how roomy and accessible American facilities are until I spent a few weeks in France.
The worst part is, I can't be upset at anyone but myself.
So OP, I really sympathize with you. All we can do is try to change, and use our unique perspective to remember that everyone deserves dignity.

Laughing cow light cheese wedges. Mmmmmm
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I understand people being afraid of mercury, it is a toxic element. However ethyl mercury, which is found in tiny amounts in some vaccines, is NOT mercury. It chemical make up is different and acts differently in the body.
If one chooses not to get a flu shot, that is their choice. As for me, I'm all about them.

Ahhh, another fact-resistant human. They're breeding like roaches.

I was advanced to soft foods at around 10 days.
if you do this again you might want to consider something not chicken - something like cottage cheese, or scrambled eggs or refried Beans. Most plans do not have meats until 4 weeks or so.

I got mine yesterday. I believe in herd immunity. I also work at a university. That stuff spreads like wildfire through our students, faculty, and staff when it gets started so the more I can do to prevent it, the better.
pam

Oh sweetie, you haven't begun to see anyone here be hateful.
Can any of us eat 20 ounces of Protein? I would venture that the majority of us would say, I HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE I DIDN'T PUT THAT ON MY PLATE.
So instead of blaming the surgeon, hit the reset button and start over. Follow the plan. Measure your portions. Eat and drink what you're supposed to. It sounds like you're depending on the sleeve to force you to eat less, and since it isn't forcing, you're eating more. So take responsibility for yourself, and do what you're supposed to do.
And no, that wasn't the least bit hateful.

I had my post op consultation the other day and my surgeon and i were actually talking about this.
I had asked him why i seem to be able to eat and drink a decent amount of food than others (i get satisfied with half cup)
He explained that as an ex bander the band causes damage to something in the esophagus and when we get sleeved we don't feel the restriction like a virgin sleever. According to him there is a loss of sensation there for us.. so we don't feel it as strongly... therefore his suggestion was to measure the food so i do not overeat and not to completely rely on sensations
On another note... your surgeon does not cut your tummy by sight.. he uses a bougie to guide him for size and does it according to the curvature of your stomach... so he technically can't make it way to big without him realising.
I hope this helps

Why do you eat so much at each sitting ?
Cramming food down our gullets isn't really the gameplan is it ?
Your capacity may always be greater than the recommended amounts per meal.

Why are you even trying to eat that much? Measure out your food and put on your plate only what you're supposed to eat.
I would say even go back on liquids for a few days so you can hit the virtual reset button.

Instead of blaming him for screwing up why not share what happened with him and see what he thinks? It sounds like you may need information before you start playing the blame game.
By the way, what is your goal? I assume it is to be healthy and lose weight. Will blasting your surgeon for his perceived error without more information get you closer to your goal?

Bisque was my lifesaver. Sip, visit, talk, and enjoy!!!!!

How much it will hurt to move. I'm 4 days post op.
Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once but rather one step, one breath and one moment at a time. I am only one person.

How much it will hurt to move. I'm 4 days post op.
Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once but rather one step, one breath and one moment at a time. I am only one person.

Hi Everyone!! I am new to this site but not to the Sleeve surgery community. I had my surgery in November of 2015. When I started the journey I weight in at 320 lbs. Since that time I am down to 165 lbs and feel so great. I want to pay it forward and have even created a blog: throwingscales.net as a place to connect with others. Would love to chat and get to know people!! My before and after photos are below.  
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery March 28th. I went yesterday to have my 6 months post-op lab draws, this will be the first lab results post-op. Guess what? The padded arm that swings down on the "lab chair" actually swung down and I had a good 3 inches between it and my body. You guys know what I'm talking about!!
Me: To the left, you can see my stats and at the bottom you can see my ticker. I am pleased with my progress and having been overweight for so long if my weight loss stopped today I would still be happy. I haven't been this size in 20yrs!!
In the beginning, I had most of the questions I see posted protein/water how in the hell can you get all that in? To be honest, I didn't! I tried my best and kept Water by my side constantly, I forced water and Protein so much I actually got sick a couple of times before I acquiesced that my best was going to have to be good enough! No carbs, no added sugar and every bite I took contained protein. The first week was rough, the second week a little better by month 2 I kind of had a handle on my routine and things fell into place.
Hair: Month 3 my hair started coming out. Insert those frequently heard comments about "protein and water...". Yes, I know, but I could not, in the beginning, make myself physically ill to reach that goal. I have always had A LOT of hair, not thick strands just a lot. This part is shocking and you truly think you're going to be bald or better yet have bald spots all over the place. I tried not washing my hair as often (every 2-3 days if I was hanging at the house), Tried thinning hair shampoos, co-wash Shampoo you name it, nothing worked. Just these past two weeks it has slowed considerably! Could be though I have considerably less hair, no bald spots but as the day goes on and your hair naturally loses it's "Oomph" you can see my scalp more readily. I work in healthcare so I have to keep my hair up (I've never looked good with short hair so I still have it long) and yoga headbands cover up the sparse areas up front nicely.
Skin: My highest weight ever was 370 before I lost 93lbs on my own with the help of the DASH diet and exercise. The reason I investigated WLS was after 18months I started re-gaining and once I hit 40lbs up I tried some of the old tricks and none worked. Well, those years of being overweight have done a number on my skin. I exercise weight training 3x's a week and walk 2miles a day at a good clip 2 days a week. I don't exercise 7 days a week because I work 3/12hr night shifts a week. My neck has a wobble that can be hidden with the right head position for selfies and the like. I carry most of my weight in my stomach/middle section so the true flabbiness of that area is yet to be seen. My boobs flat pancakes, my arms have a little of the jiggle and my inner thighs have loose skin as well. Keep in mind I am 44 and never had the best skin genetics, to begin with. I can get a superficial scratch and it will turn into a tan scar that lasts for years...
Tools: Things I have discovered through trial and error! I know after surgery a lot of people have very specific temperatures for their liquids. Mine is ice cold!! Seeing that I work night shift in a hospital and I am not stationary to one particular unit I needed something portable. I tried so many options! Then I found my Hydro Flask!!! Best money I've spent to stay hydrated on the go. Mine initially came with a plug type screw cap which did not make it very convenient then I discovered the sport cap with a pull-up spout. Keeps ice for 12hrs and me hydrated all night long. It is a permanent fixture wherever I go even if I'm out shopping. The food scale is something I used at the beginning and it is a must I purchased a cheapy through Amazon. I bought a Ninja Bullet and it works well, used it twice and never used it again. I'm not a smoothie girl and protein powders are not my friend. The only Protein powder I use on occasion is GENEPRO. The most expensive is my refrigerator, I had an oldie with limited storage space so I took the plunge and bought a fridge with a filtered water/crushed ice dispenser. It's been a win/win we use way less plastic water bottles and my husband even drinks more water than ever before.
Food: I read food labels constantly, it's a must! I can't do the high Protein Bars, but I can enjoy a Kind bar for Breakfast when I hit the ground running in the mornings. I only choose the ones with protein and low carb usually the "nut and spice" line. I do have a few Snacks I enjoy like Somersaults sunflower/sesame seed bites have 6gms of protein per serving, My husband and I split a honey crisp apple with Peanut Butter and it's my fave at the moment. Just read those labels and I try my best not to consume anything that doesn't have protein in it or on it. I have on occasion, but I don't go crazy that's for sure! I've been perplexed at the range of dietary suggestions given to each of us from our Bariatric teams. If all of these places are "Bariatric Centers of Excellence" you would think there would be more uniformity in the foods allowed and how often we should be eating a day. My plan is a 3 meal a day no snack plan and I can't do that. I'm smart about it, but I do have snacks. And yes I do eat out on occasion. It's hardly ever fast food unless it's someplace I can get a bowl of Chili. I make smart protein filled choices, bring the rest home.
Stalls: I started having little stalls in August. I weigh daily another "no-no" but it keeps me motivated. I went almost two weeks the first time before the scale budged. The odd thing is that while the scale didn't move I could physically tell by clothing and just a sense of self that I was still losing something from somewhere. Those two weeks I had more people comment about my weight loss than ever before. When the stall broke I lost 6lbs in 4 days and didn't change a thing. I still seem to lose slowly then stop for a week then lose 5+ lbs in less than a week. I think like others have said, your body has to catch up to what the hell is going on.
Me today I am down 89lbs, in size 18 jeans (use to be 26/28 pre-op), 2x t-shirts (I like mine comfortably loose and use to be 4x/5x). I don't have any qualms about sitting in booths at a restaurant and will not have any issues flying to visit my parents in 2wks. I wanted to share some of my experiences and tips because I know I felt a failure at first and scared about what the future would hold. I have realistic expectations for myself and end result. I know I will probably reach my ultimate weight loss goal and loose some more or maybe even gain a little back. "They" always say food is a control issue for overweight people since they feel they can't control anything else. I say bullshit! I control everything in my life and food was the one thing I didn't have to think about, that's why I made it all the way to 370lbs. Be smart about your choices, find what works for you within those smart choices and soldier on.

Wow. Thank you for inspiring so many of us who started over 300. You look amazing.

Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once but rather one step, one breath and one moment at a time. I am only one person.

Wow. Thank you for inspiring so many of us who started over 300. You look amazing.

Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once but rather one step, one breath and one moment at a time. I am only one person.

It has been awhile since I've posted a before and after. Hope it inspires anyone newly sleeved as to what is possible. Preop I was a size 22 now I wear a 4.  

Actually, that is a very common and smart practice for most surgeons.

Go to Medical Records at the facility and stand there until they hand you your admission report, the operation report, and the discharge summary.

I think I like the idea of getting the biggest size at a normal size clothing store and just trying it on periodically until it fits and then I know I can shop there

I had 4. The first 3 are from instruments and the larger one is on the left side of abdomen. I also had a JP drain.

Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once but rather one step, one breath and one moment at a time. I am only one person.

I took off for 10 days.
Note to self: I don't have to take this day all at once but rather one step, one breath and one moment at a time. I am only one person.