dreamingofasleeve

> Me!!

I’m going in five years out. I go up and down within 7lbs of my lowest.

There are def people with long term complications and side effects... strictures are probably the biggest... but they are def the minority. Some people def regain... sliding back into old eating patterns. You can eat around the sleeve... slider foods like processed carbs, high calorie drinks, etc. but again they are the minority.

Any long term side effects? Well my stomach talks A LOT... gurgles and such. There are a few foods that still don’t agree with me—carbonation, rice, untoasted bread—but I shouldn’t be eating those anyhow. And they don’t make me sick they just are somewhat painful to uncomfortable.

Would I trade that for the 135lbs I lost, the marathons I run, the size 4 I wear and the blood pressure meds and prediabeties I left behind? Not a chance!

There are a LOT of people here who have gotten to goal and maintained weight loss post sleeve.
Only about 50% of people regain weight after their initial weight loss....and the amount regained is pretty small.

Have you had any long term side effects from wls? What procedure did you get? I haven't really been able to find anyone who has stuck around in the community for longer than a year or two. Does life feel normal again?.

We have pretty close to the same stats ( w-231lbs h-5'3") and i am also hoping to get down into the 130s! i am still in pre-surgery insurance song and dance but i am optimistic seeing all the success on here. I think we just need to trust the process and i think when you see the weight coming off it is more motivation to do even better at eating right and exercising!

We have pretty close to the same stats ( w-231lbs h-5'3") and i am also hoping to get down into the 130s! i am still in pre-surgery insurance song and dance but i am optimistic seeing all the success on here. I think we just need to trust the process and i think when you see the weight coming off it is more motivation to do even better at eating right and exercising!

Have you travelled with your new sleeve?
Do you ever feel like your missing out because of it ie holidays/events?
Does Water intake get easier? I am terrified of not being able to get in enough water and that I will become weak and dehydrated.
Recovery? The good bad the ugly?
Bowel movements? Different than they used to be?

Just starting my insurance process. Congratulations on your success. This community is amazing and I love seeing the success, honesty and positive things everyone has to say 💜

You wont be able to indulge but you can still try things
i think a cruise is probably an awesome way to have your first vacation post wls! Where are you visiting?
Congrats on getting a surgery day! hope recovery goes well!
I am still pre surgery as well but i am ready to be sleeved!

Your right it's not all about the food, and right now I have a bad relationship with food which is why I want surgery.
I have changed my habits drastically and follow a low carb diet.
But I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to eat Pasta in italy and waffles in Belgium.
I have heard some people can't tolerate carbs after surgery... Which may be a good thing my husband says... And I agree.
I am going to Paris, Brussels, & Amsterdam in a few months! I am crazy excited and I don't think I'll be sleeved by then but I just wanted to see what others thought.
I have my first appointment for wls next week. I am nervous and excited just trying to do all the research I can.

Hi I had surgery in October I have a sedentary job as well. I have lost weight but very slowly compared to others at the same time as me. I was initially very upset as my calorie intake was dramatically reduced from what it was. So I then paid for a metabolism test through a physio who said it was at the low end of normal but not anything really bad and basically I had to really start consistent exercise and I have to be careful about what I eat - particularly sugar - in saying that the op makes it easier to do that. I have just had to accept it is going to take a longer time than I had hoped for and more work than I expected. I hired a personal trainer to get my exercise going (which I felt guilty about) and now I love it. It is all still slow but I have little muscles and heaps more energy it was worth it. I also don’t live in fear of putting it all straight back on like a diet - if I lose it stays off. Best of luck to you.

Bummer, at least you have found something that works for you though! I am hoping that i do ok after surgery and am able to tolerate most things!
I too am a social drinker i usually only have a few drinks and really only get drunk maybe twice a year so cutting it isnt an issue. I dont plan to share my journey with anyone either so i am sure i will get some weird responses at holiday gatherings ect. But that is ok! I am totally ok with it haha just keeping it between my husband and i.
Yeah i am curious also! I haven't really found a lot of people with my same w/h so that is cool! Well your stat says you are 34.4 pounds down that is amazing! i bet it feels slow whenever i loose weight i never feel different and its hard to trust the process when its slow, but it looks like its working! I have seen a lot of people not loose pounds but they are fitting into clothes that haven't fit in years! so something is happening! Have to watch for those No scale Victories too!
We stayed in Scotland for 9 days. I would highly recommend going to Stirling castle & the National Wallace monument in Stirling. It was so beautiful also scary to climb to the top but what a view! Also if you have ever watched brave heart it was cool to see! We took a train from Glasgow all the way up to Mallaig. So cool it is rated one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. You get to see the highlands, lochs and Scottish coos on the way. Also on this ride you actually cross the famous bridge in the harry potter flying car scene. It is a long ride but so so beautiful. It ends in a little coastal town that is so quaint, you can also get to the isle of sky from here. There is a really cool very old graveyard in Glasgow called the Necropolis. It has amazing views and some really cool old graves and monuments its worth a look around! The Scott monument in Edinburgh is really cool. just take a train to Waverley station and go outside in the heart of Edinburgh it is unlike anything. walk the royal mile and try a scotch pie, there is a place in Edinburgh called Pie maker. Amazing and super cheap! Of course try haggis, it sounds scary but it is actually pretty good and what Scotland is known for. i could recommend all day haha everything there is beautiful!
Weve had a hell of a time trying to decide between Italy or France ect. i have hear so much good about italy!

Hello, I’m just about to get discharged from the hospital. Everything went good! I was in a lot of pain the last couple days from the gas they fill you up with....but I’m great now! I’m ready to get home. The surgery went perfect!!

You lived in Greece for 15 years?! Amazing!
I am obsessed with the thought of living abroad ahha it's like a new start where no one knows who I am [emoji23]
Yes I have come to realize I can try things but the whole point of this surgery is to change my habits. Instead of eating a 2lb bowl of Pasta you can just have a bite and still enjoy it!
I am so excited I don't expect I'll be sleeved by then but I am just curious about how everyone feels [emoji4]

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Unless you have complications, you should be perfectly fine at 8 weeks. I started traveling for work after 3 weeks, and all has gone well.
As far as food goes. I personally don't find food on cruise ships to be all that great. There is a lot of it, but it's all pretty mediocre IMO. So one of the benefits of the sleeve for me (and others!) is I have no physical hunger. So that makes it easier to make good choices. So I have found it easier to skip over the bread and the carbs, and have lean Proteins instead. I know I wouldn't find the cruise ship food appealing enough to tempt me wildly off plan.
Another good thing, is 8 weeks out your stomach capacity will be pretty small. So if you do give into temptation (no one is perfect), your sleeve will limit the damage you can do. We have to retrain ourselves how to eat, but the sleeve is a good safety net!

I'm going on vacation and on a cruise 8 weeks after surgery. It's cutting close, had hoped to have surgery by January instead of May. Anyways, I'm nervous about my recovery and how I'm going to feel. This will be my first cruise and won't be able to indulge but that's ok. Those days are over. lol

I totally get what you are saying. I love to travel and experiencing the food is a big part of my enjoyment. I'm actually going to Scotland, Rome & Egypt this year. Two are big food destinations for me, and the other is a beer destination
For me, there is no way I am going to go to these places and eat Protein Bars & salads. I plan to enjoy and experience all the different food. Thanks to my sleeve though it will just be in much smaller quantities. I figured those indulgences will be balanced with a lot of walking and general higher activity level. If I have gained weight, when I return I know I can reset and buckled down and get it back off. I get 3 weeks of vacation a year, I'm comfortable with splurging for 3 and being on plan for the other 49.

My eating habits have been less than ideal for the past few years... But I am changing that.
I am on a no sugar/low carb diet and have been for a while but I still have a hell of a time loosing weight. My body just likes to hold on to it. It also doesn't help that after a graduated college I now sit for 10 hours a day for work.
I am ready to change and ready for this. I just wondered if anyone has had a similar background... I just don't want to fail.

I, too, have a very sedentary job (accountant). But you can still work in some exercise. When I take a bathroom break, or go to get ice Water, I go to the floor below mine. At lunch, I go outside and walk. Do leg-lifts under your desk. Google "exercise at your desk", there are several options that won't have the entire office staring at you! Get creative!
And honestly, if you have genes that set you up to be heavier, weight loss surgery probably can't turn you into a size 2. My doctor will be happy if I get to 191 and maintain. I want to go farther, but I realize he's probably being more realistic. And I would be much healthier than I am now and I'm sure my knees would be pleased. Good luck on your path!

My eating habits have been less than ideal for the past few years... But I am changing that.
I am on a no sugar/low carb diet and have been for a while but I still have a hell of a time loosing weight. My body just likes to hold on to it. It also doesn't help that after a graduated college I now sit for 10 hours a day for work.
I am ready to change and ready for this. I just wondered if anyone has had a similar background... I just don't want to fail.

Your concerns are universal. And yes, many if not most of us really struggle to lose weight.

Many many many people who are successful were obese kids.
Most of us probably have an endocrine element to why we're fat.
Most of us have genetic fat cards in play, too.
But All of us...undeniably....have terrible eating habits. (or have had them)
Ultimately, the surgery is just a tool that helps when we finally decide to step up and take responsibility for our behavior.
Unless you are committed to changing your eating habits and lifestyle habits....no, surgery will not help you.
yes, a lot of us have genetic handicaps in this game....for some people it's just flat out easier than others.
Younger people are going to have it easier than people going through menopause.
People with health and mobility issues are going to have it tougher than healthier fat people.
But the only factor that will guarantee failure....is not taking responsibility for your eating behavior.
Everything else...you can overcome.

We walk so much when we travel! I went to Scotland last year and didn't gain a pound even though i ate whatever i wanted. that being said we did average about 15 miles a day...
i am so excited! If i am not sleeved ill definitely try what i want but i will still have to restrict myself especially if im on pre-op plan or anything they need me to do to qualify for surgery!
Yes i believe this surgery definitely makes it easier to make better decisions!
You look like your doing amazing!

It's been about twenty years, but I still remember eating a chicken dinner in Montmartre . . . fantastique! One thing about traveling--you'll be doing tons of walking, so you have a little extra wiggle room in terms of what you eat. Have fun; maybe think of some of the meals as your last indulgence, although, to be fair, when enough time has passed after surgery, you'll be able to eat just about anything--it's learning that isn't a good idea that's so important in the long run. The surgery just makes it a lot easier to learn.

Take me with you, I'll slap the bad **** outta your hand.

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You’re going to Europe! How exciting!!! I lived in Greece for 15 years but I’ve been to all those countries. Just some food for thought (pun intended lol) Pasta in Italy is not the same as North Americans make it/see it. It’s a pre-appetizer served before the salad usually and very light on the sauce. So technically you only eat 1-2 forkfuls. That being said, the Italians make some mean veal and beef and lamb dishes, which is a great way to get your Protein and don’t be afraid to try different things!
Then there’s the French. They focus on quality, not quantity, so the portions will not be what we are used to in the US/Canada.
I’m soooo jealous! I hope you enjoy your trip [emoji4]

Pasta is not attractive to me anymore after my sleeve. How about an fish stew or steamed mussels - mmm yum. Same in Paris - Dover Sole Meuniere - yep browned butter and wine reduction sauce with some asparagus as a side. Get eggs - crepes instead of waffles...with fresh fruit. Picture some skinny b***h dressed in high designer fashions eating at an outdoor café - is she going to ruin that figure with a WAFFLE! I think not!
Imagine your skinny self getting her picture taken in front of the Eiffel Tower - ruin that with a WAFFLE! I think not! LOL
I will warn you however, the bread is incredible and european butter too. Do eat some, but be picky!