jennypenny1998

I agree, the sleeve is a great tool but it's up to how we use it! It is very hard to fall off the wagon. There always seems to be someone's birthday coming up, a holiday, etc...
That is great that you are at a great weight! I have about 36 more lbs to go before I get my goal. Was your weight loss steady over the past year or did you fluctuate?

I'm 2 years out. Once the swelling goes down and the sleeve is fully healed you do gain some capacity but not a lot. It is essentially impossible to stretch it. When you eat dense Protein you should continue to feel serious restriction. But anything that breaks down right away (like simple carbs - bread, crackers, Cookies, ..) won't cause restriction because it breaks down and slides through. Drinking while eating also raises capacity because it pushed food out. In other words, you shouldn't need to worry about a stretched sleeve, but you do need to eat properly to get the restriction.

okay great I’ll have to ask my surgeon if I could have gatorade g2 because I need the electrolytes so bad im super dehydrated and do no want to go back to the hospital for fluids. good thing I have an appointment thursday morning

I was told that I would be able to eat more food volume. But, I was surprised when I experience the sensation for myself. It was kind of a scary moment. My thoughts and emotions went to.....What if I gain it all back.
I miss the days of great restriction and quick weight loss. I have to have more discipline to keep in maintenance mode. I give myself a ten pound weight bounce. I do indulge in moderation. When the scale moves up. I return to weight loss mode. It's finding balance.

This is some of the most valid, straight up honest advice you are likely to receive here. The VSG is great, but you have to own your part of the responsibility. Im a year out and restriction is lessened. On the weekends, im very likely to cheat and have alcohol or a food that is indulgent, but during the week i am eating small and mostly Protein. Its worked for me, but i can see where it wouldnt be hard to fall off the wagon. Im currently in a 4 lb swing back and forth, but i can live with it, because Im the same weight i was when i graduated high school, 30 years ago.

What sleevers need to know:
After 6 months the tight restriction starts to fade. At about a year or more out you will definitely be able to hold more food. Understand your stomach is not back to full size. Only a small percentage of sleeves that need revision.
The problem is when people confuse grazing with stomach capacity/stretching. If you eat several meals with excess calories. (Can be healthy or unhealthy food choices) you will start seeing weight gain.
I can easily get in 3000 calories in a day if I graze. The sensation is as if I didn't have surgery at all.
Surgery does not take away hunger for most of us. You will feel head and real hunger. Eating sugar and carbs will make you crave them more and increase your hunger level. .
My disclaimer: low carb is not everyone's weight loss plan. (carbs may/will increase maintaining and higher fitness level. ( if you gain go back to low carb or your plan)
If you are struggling with the extra space and hunger :
Some tips to keep you full and satisfied within your calorie range. (I'm not a medical professional this is just my experience/opinion)
increase your Protein goal. Add veggies. The bulk and Fiber will help fill the increased stomach volume Detox off carbs and sugar. Keep healthy sweet and salty Snacks on hand for cravings night snacking or head hunger - Buy a veggie tray. If you are at the end of your daily calorie allotment for weight loss mode. Eat from your veggie tray. If you try to bargain with yourself for another option then you know its head hunger.

I seriously don't think I have restriction anymore. I have to force myself to eat on plan, which is so hard, because if I could do that consistently, I wouldn't have needed the surgery.

I am 6 months out I had the sleeve on October 3 rd. I still can't eat very much. Like today I had 1 egg for Breakfast a Greek low fat yogurt for lunch and a two ounce slice of pork shoulder with about three slices of potatoes and a couple small slices of cooked carrots. However I have not lost any weight in about a week now. That worries me. I have lost 89 pounds so far and need to loose 50 more by Christmas. So that I can have back surgery. Then I still want to loose about 40 more after that. So hopefully I can get going again. I have trouble with my back and lots of knee pain so walking is not an option at this time. Looking for swim classes.

Now I feel old [emoji23]
I'm excited to be post op. This process is taking forever but it will be worth it.

Thank you! I'll be 20 in May. I recovered pretty quickly and I think you will too! You can do this [emoji123]

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We do have similar stats! I still have mine too haha I just ask because I know some people have issues with it after surgery. Hoping I'm not one of them!
I am 5' 3" and I am 27, I'll be 28 in August [emoji4]
I am sure you look great I know it can be hard to see a change in yourself! You've lost a lot of weight! That is something to be proud of

Oh girl I hate the gym too! lol I am 5 ft even and still have my gallbladder. I feel like it's a little harder to look like I've lost weight since I'm short but there is definitely a difference between pre op and post op. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking? We seem to have a lot of the same stats.. we def could help each other!

I guess I grew up in the world of suck it up but I honestly hated that world. It turned me into a bitter and morose person. I think the world would be a better place if more of us practiced a little compassion and tried to walk a mile in the other person's shoes. I understand that we're all human and make mistakes but I think a little compassion goes a long way.

I hate the gym haha I am uncomfortable there... But I need to go. I have 2 boxers that get me out and walking everyday so that is good.
I definitely need this tool I am so tired of being the fat one 🤷[emoji23]
130 is only 40 pounds away your so close! How tall are you?
I am sure you will get there! You are doing really well! Do you still have your gallbladder?

I'm hoping to get to 130 too, so we pretty much have the same starting weight and goal weight! I know exactly how you feel. I'm hoping the keto diet works for me too. The sleeve is such a great tool! Especially if you are good at going to the gym (which I'm not LOL)

Wow, that's awesome! How long were you on it?
It's very hard to stay on track. Even now with surgery, I catch myself trying to eat how I used to. Fortunately, my body doesn't let me anymore lol I haven't gained any weight, but have stayed around 170 lbs. My highest weight was around 230. What is good about surgery (at least in my case) is that although you can hit a weight loss stall, it's a whole lot harder to gain more back.

I did I lost about 30 pounds. I haven't had surgery yet but it was the one diet that did actually work for me.
I unfortunately let myself fall back into old habits and have gained about 15 back ☹️

I'm actually trying the keto diet now. How did it work for you? Did you lose any weight?

I think I've also experienced it pre op. There has been times where I was in Keto and I'd cheat and get a cookie and drink from a local place and it always made me feel soooo sick. I didn't eat Cookies from there for about 6 months because I felt so crappy. Lots of nausea.

from my understanding, there are 2 types of dumping. the more immediate early type, and late dumping syndrome. late dumping has many of the same symptoms, but cam include hypoglycemia.
I know there are better sources than wikipedia, but according to wikipedia, about 75% of people have early dumping and 25% get late dumping. I get mostly early dumping, but have had late dumping a handful of times. for me, it's much worse, as my blood sugar goes haywire.

It was definitely the milk. I tried to pills and it helped a bit, but not enough. I went back to muscle milk (lactose-free), and I have been perfect and feeling a lot better. Oddly enough, I had also noticed an increased heart rate after drinking my Protein Shake, and that symptom disappeared too.

I have had the sleeve and have had dumping syndrome once. I can eat most types of ice creams okay, but this particular time I was treating myself to Blue Bell ice cream. BIG MISTAKE. It was way too sugary and rich. I didn't feel it right away, but a few hours later when I was grocery shopping, it kicked in. My fiancé had to do all the shopping as I was stuck in the restroom. It was very painful and lasted a few hours. Lesson learned lol but as long as you are not eating anything that is too heavy and sugary, I think you will be fine

I regretted my sleeve the first few days after surgery as well, but have grown to love my sleeve.. it was the absolute best decision I could have ever made for myself.. it is hard in the beginning because you are relearning how and what to eat. It is not the end of the world.. I am much more satisfied now with food than I ever was when I was bigger. My relationship with food has changed. once you are able to have regular food again it will get better. The worst part of the entire thing to me was the liquid and purée part of the diet. Don’t do anything to sabatoge your surgery, right now you are at risk of having a leak. If you ever feel like talking please reach out. I am here as well as many others in this group..

Go to low carb grocery store , can find it online.
I stay away from some carbs because they are triggers. I buy some food from low carb. So I don't feel deprived.

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I am definitely struggling with carbs too. I have always loved Pasta but had managed to stay away from it for awhile. As soon as I started eating it again, I got cravings for it all the time.