Emilia DD

I understand what you are feeling when you say that you are hungry and food frustrated. I was expecting to be one of many lucky ones that have no hunger after surgery. Instead I was panicking over how hungry I was feeling all the time. However, I came across some info on this prior to surgery and read some of the old posts over her and I was assured that hunger will get better once I progress with diet. This was all true. Once I had some real food options I did not had to think about eating much. The gas pressure you are describing it is your new satiety warning. Sometimes if I eat to fast I feel that pressure after few bites and a little burping takes care of it. Most of us have serious gurgling in the belly after the surgery. Also make sure you are not lactose intolerant post op as that happens sometimes and you will need lactose free products. If that is not the case, you may want to try some over the counter gas meds. It is still early after surgery and what you go through is not uncommon. Just take your time to heal and trust that will get better. I’m wishing you good health and success on your journey.
‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY!

I was BMI 35 at the time of insurance application and below that after the pre-op diet but was no problem. I guess it all depends on the type of insurance. Did you get an official letter of approval from your insurance provider?

Back in 2012/2013 when I was contemplating my VSG, I spent hours scouring this website, which I found incredibly helpful. In fact, I don't think I would have gone forward with the surgery without it. As a "pay it forward" I committed to providing annual updates to the community. I missed my year 5 update last November, so here goes a 5.5 year update. Prior updates are linked below, in case you're curious about annual progression. Enjoy and feel free to comment or ask question, if you think I can help.
This year was probably my toughest since having surgery in terms of weight management. I took on a new job that was particularly stressful and involved a lot of travel. That led to some bad eating habits. I also used to weigh myself every day and sort of stopped that for a year. Low and behold, my weight increased from ~ 195 to 218, which was my highest by far since having the surgery. My clothes got tighter (and I grew out of some) and I generally felt like ****. My lovely wife basically called me out and said "what's going on?" The truth was I just lost discipline and abandoned the basics. The biggest contributors were SNACKING and carbs. I was constantly eating between meals and choosing more carb options during meals. The sleeve provides little defense against these behaviors. I can eat as much popcorn, potato chips and candy as anyone. And during meals, the sleeve doesn't restrict as much against carbs like bread, rice, potatoes, etc..
The solution for me was just attacking these two bad habits. BTW, cutting out the carbs sort of solves the snacking issue too. By that I mean, no carbs means no chips, candy, etc.. I allow myself as much cheese, beef Jerky, Quest bars or veggies for Snacks as I want. For me, I can eat a piece of cheese and be done. Not the same for chips. With those changes, my weight dropped back down to 198 (my current weight) in about 2 months.
While this situation was a bummer, it's still child's play compared to what would have happened pre surgery. I wouldn't have gained 20 pounds, but rather 50 or more. And it wouldn't have been so easy to drop it with behavioral changes.
Other general observations 5.5 years out:
Positives:
I'm a totally "normal" eater. That means I naturally eat portions that a healthy, non-weight issue person would eat. For Breakfast I have 1 or 2 eggs and a veggie sausage or some yogurt. For lunch I eat a salad with some Protein or a small sandwich. For dinner, protein (small steak, a hamburger, 1 or 2 pieces of chicken) and a veg. Even 5.5 years out, I'm still completely full after those normal portions. In sum, the sleeve still works just fine and hasn't stretched out or anything like that. I can eat anything. No stuck foods, etc.. Of course, some things fill me up faster, but I generally view that as a good thing. The weight is staying within a reasonable band, although not perfect by any means. Today, I weighed in at 198. At my worst pre surgery, I weighed 275 and was headed for 300+ fast. Post surgery, I went all the way down to 175. I'd like to weigh 190, so like most people you talk to in the world, I've got those 10 pounds to lose. Ever since I had surgery, I've been able to participate in all sorts of activities that would have previously been out of the question. I regularly walk, golf and now a lot of hot yoga. My knees and joints were killing me with all the weight and all that's gone now. I sleep better. I'm off all meds! Pre surgery, I had to take meds for cholesterol and heart burn. I was pre diabetic and was considering meds for that. Post surgery those meds became unnecessary. Most surprising is that over the the last 18 months, I've even stopped taking omeprazole for heartburn. I don't get hungry like I used to. I've always liked food and eating, so I do continue to think about food (head hunger), but I rarely physically feel hungry. No growling stomach ever. Negatives:
Once in a while (5 or 6 times per year), I eat past my stomach's capacity and vomit it up. This is always frustrating and I kick myself for still letting it happen. Weight loss surgery is NOT a silver bullet. For the first 12 months post surgery it seemed like magic. Weight flew off and it didn't seem like I would ever gain it back no matter what I ate. Not true 5.5 years out. I still need to think about my weight and diet. If I forget or get lazy / complacent, I gain weight. I need to weigh myself every day. I need to lose 10 pounds. Managing weight is still work. I elected kept my surgery a secret, expect for just a handful of people. I'm not sure I'd do that again. I was pretty embarrassed about having to have a surgery to get my weight under control. Since I eat normal now and it's been so long since I lost the majority of my weight, the "how did you do it" conversations don't come up any more. But when I interact with really obese people that are friends, I'd like to be able to talk about my experience and try to inspire them to consider surgery. Secrets in life aren't that fun. Yes, I could always reveal what I did to everyone, but it seems silly at this point.
So that's all for this year. Having surgery was the best thing I've ever done for myself. My only regret is having waited until I was 39. I wish I would have done it 10 years earlier!
Thanks for reading and your support.
Familyman

😳😳😳😳😳Summer is almost here 😳😳😳😳😳

I'm a year and a half out. I would tell you to definitely use a tracking app (MyFitnessPal was mine) and a food scale. You'd be amazed how little or how much 2.5-3 ounces can be, depending on the food! Start small with portions and don't try to push yourself. Seriously, a quarter cup is not a lot of food, but at the beginning it will be! (that doesn't last, don't worry). YOu will find that some foods fill you up much more than others. I can eat a lot of salad greens. THat makes sense due to Water. But ground beef vs chicken or eggs - big difference. Eggs and chicken fill me up faster.
Get in your Protein and take your Vitamins. Vitamins are relatively easy and will make a huge difference in your health. Walk. YOu don't have to run marathons. Just walking will help.
Re sweets. Don't keep them in the house if you can. I find that if I'm really craving something, getting something out, preferably splitting it, helps me. But, if it's something that's likely to cause you to binge or crave carbs later - don't do it. That is a bit different for all of us. After 6 months I started incorporating small amounts of carbs back into my diet. I find it helps me in the poo department.
BIGGEST TIP! Use these sites for support and tips. However, this is YOUR journey. You, your situation and your physical and mental health history are different than everyone else. If someone tells you to go Keto and it's just not something you can sustain - it's not for you. YOu have to find your own path. Don't compare yourself to others. Some lost faster than me, but they started out in a different place with a different body and issues. Find your way and don't give up!

My dr promised that if I got 100 grams of Protein a day I would not lose my hair. From day 2 after surgery I strived for that. I wasn’t able to do it every day early on (first week) but at least got 80 a day. After that, I reach 100 everyday. I’m almost 6 months out and have not lost any hair! After my 3 month follow up appt, dr said I could go to 80 G protein daily. I’ve been so thankful to not lose my hair. It’s pretty fine to begin with.


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I had my surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) in mid-December, so I'm about six months out and have lost 78 pounds, with less than 15 to go to reach goal.
This surgery is a tool, not an easy way out. I agree with whomever said that you should give up the tough stuff pre-surgically. I did that, including coffee. It wasn't that hard.
I would then suggest implementing/using a tracking app. I use baritastic and it is awesome. If you don;t weigh, measure and track, it's very difficult for you to know what kind of progress you are making and why. Your nutritionist can help you set goals for the app. I literally live by it!
A few months down the road, you will then need to decide what kind of diet suits you going forward. For me, it's Keto, or some semblance thereof. You will learn to be very regimented, but also you will know, thru tracking, when you can allow yourself a treat. Good thing for me, my taste for sweets is almost entirely gone.
Drink your Water, get your Protein and realize there will be tough times and plateau's, but you will lose the weight and you'll be glad you did this!!

I will be 7 months post op VSG next Friday... a lot of things have surprised me on this journey. I had the band - but had no support or advice - so it didn't really work. I learned how to eat very slowly and that some times of the day are easier to eat than others. I also learned to know where the toilets were in restaurants and got very used to vomiting.
Now I have the VSG, I'm learning new skills and have a much better understanding of nutrition, macros etc.
My take-aways would be:
1. Be thoughtful about your meal plan - try and make everything you put in your mouth as highly nutritious as possible, as close to being 'whole food' or organic. I'm currently eating about 800 cals a day - sometimes 650, sometimes 900.
2. Don't keep temptation in your kitchen cupboards or fridge. It's easier for me to just not buy anything that is off-plan. I'm so lucky that I live on my own. I'm a granny so I visit my family and because I still have a 'secretive eating disorder', I'm never tempted to binge when I'm at their homes.
3. I'm still struggling when I have a couple of days away. The change in my eating while I'm away has a long term effect on my weight loss - it can take about 6 days for a different choice to work it's way out of my body! That is REALLY frustrating because I'm only talking about keeping the same calorie-level and carb-level - just switching up my food choices.
Good luck on your journey - because I originally had the band, I think this journey is more challenging - but you can definitely get to where you want to be! This forum is amazing and so informative! xx

A great idea, I'm also taste testing Protein Drinks. They're a lot of new ones will little sugar and a lot of Proteins. Ensure makes one the Protein max and Boost Max. Both have 30 g. protein with 1 g. sugar. Watch out for the Ensure max cafe mocha. Not only does it have the flavor but it also has a lot of caffine. I'm from the south so we live on ice tea so as a replacement I make my own Decaf tea in a gallon and put a slice of lemon in it. I haven't had a soda or carbonated beverage since 2009 when I had my band on. Some of the high protein premade drinks taste better with ice in them it tends to thin them a bit. Initially I will get my protein from these drinks as many of the protein powders give me horrible stomach cramps. The vegan one is the only one I can add to stuff and I can't drink sugar substitutes as I get a migrane from them. I am now down to 900 - 1000 calories a day with 60 g. protein, much like I was on the band and no sugar. Getting ready for the big day. I've had 9 years practice with this way of eating so it an easy pattern for me.

I am only 4 months out, but I would highly suggest giving up your addictions Pre-op so you don't have to fight them post-op. Sugar, soda, caffeine, processed foods, etc. It is hard enough getting through the surgery and immediate post op without having to deal with headaches and cravings. give yourself a jump start by getting rid of this stuff before hand,

I am new to the bariatricpal site and the forums on VGS. I start my two week before surgery low cal plan on May 27, 2019.
I'm asking to hear from those who have been through the surgery and are at least 6mos out from the surgery date. Name your top recommendation for me as I start this process and dramatic life change with VGS? Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

5/31/19
Oh, the journey I've traveled. It's been years since I last posted but I was such an avid contributor that I thought I'd "check in" again.
My weight gain started after a very depressing first marriage & continued on through single parenthood. By the time I met my current husband (of almost 20 yrs now), I guess I was comfortable with myself & my terrible eating habits. I'm not sure I can pinpoint the moment I decided to have the gastric sleeve, but like many, I got to the point where I was so damn depressed that I didn't even want to go out. I didn't want to be seen or noticed. I was incredibly embarrassed with myself.
Fast forward, I had my surgery around 2014. Became a weight loss facilitator hosting support meetings for newbies & post surgery. Started a demanding job that took me away from continuing the meetings only to wind up getting laid off 1 1/2 yrs later. Found a temp job but was very unhappy with the commute so I left.
Here's where you need to pay attention. I wound up unemployed for almost 7 months. I became quite depressed and, guess what gained 25 pounds back. UGH, how could this happen, right? Easy. I feel back into old habits. I didn't watch what I was eating & I certainly didn't pay attention to Portion Control. Granted, I didn't eat a lot in the sense of how much I ate, but it was enough. Don't think for a minute that weight loss surgery is a quick fix. It's truly a tool & you are responsible for making it work for you. We all gain weight for many different reasons but I feel it almost always is a result of a psychological journey we're going through.
Fortunately, once I was employed & allowed myself to become accountable to myself again, I started Weight Watchers. Yea, you would think I knew what I had to do to lose the weight again but I needed the support & something I could 'share' with others.
Here I am, 4 months later & I lost the weight. Pheww... I'm 5'2 and my average weight is around 142 pounds. I may start those support meetings up again in the North Denver area. MIght be a great resource for many as it was when I first did it .

Hi, and welcome! Read all you can on here. Lots of good advice.

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New here!!! Im considering getting the gastric sleeve done . I have to meet with a dietitians and psychologist before my procedure is scheduled. Rally nervous about it all !
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I did it I go June 16 th for my consultation 👍

I posted this last week, but I hope it is helpful for you.

https://www.bariatricpal.com/applications/tapatalk/index.php?/topic/421945-Sharing-my-knowledge---my-14-year-Surgi-versary!#entry4731671

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Stall are going to happen, just focus on your Protein, Water and getting some exercise and it will pass. Hang in there and push forward....

All you can do is go back to the basics.

So I had my surgery 5 month ago...lost about 54 pounds. Last week I went on a cruise for 5days and I drank alcohol and over ate. .infact I even drank and ate at the same time...so I started back on my diet and my stomach began to hurt so bad..I almost went to the hospital .. I worried I did damage and stretched my stomach... is there anything I could do?
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I am one month post-op and I understand completely, it's hard in the early stage when you only have 2 food choices. I am so tired of pureed bean Soup that I e-mailed my dietitian to ask her if I can eat turkey chili or beef chili she flatly denied me but suggested to make bean chili. She said my stomach wasn't ready for meat.
Hang in there you can do it.

At 7 days (or anytime) engage your MIND rather than entertain idle head hunger. (And yes, I KNOW how hard head hunger is...and about diet fatigue. I get it. It's hard. So is being morbidly obese and having terrible co-morbidities. Choose your hard.)

Spend the time wisely--learn new things--do the head work. Here's a great thread to apply your brain.

What she said. do not risk tearing the sleeve.

Jan,
You are so brave. I am only into day 4 of my liquid diet and I am ready to cook the air.😂
I could only wish that I could have Soup right now. Keep us posted as to how you are feeling later on.

WLS is hard. You are going through a time that is a right of passage.
I think we've all "tested" the waters during our diet progression--some with more success than others. But please understand this...the rules exist for a reason. For our protection! At 7 days the risk of perferation and leakage are HEEEEEEUUUUUUUGGGGGEEE! The reason you are placed on liquids is to reduce the amount of activity in the stomach. The stomach actually expands and contracts when food (and sometimes liquids) are brought into it. They even do that in response to PICTURES of food. And the docs want to keep that activity to a minimum.
And the second thing that must be asked of you guys cheating:
What were you hoping to get from WLS? Why would you actively say WTF, I'm doing it anyway cuz I am "tired of liquids" Why would you actively add back caffeine to your program when your doc told you not to? When decaff is an option?

*SMH. Trying not to judge. But this WOE is hard enough without actively trying to eff ourselves with bad choices--most especially during this early, early, time. You have ONE honeymoon period. Don't eff it up. Don't squander it. Get started doing the headwork, and making the hard calls.


I'm sure others will be along shortly to soothe your ruffled feathers and give affirmation to your decisions and rationalizations...

Started working out 2 weeks ago. Surgery was 12/17. Surprised myself when I was able to run (on the treadmill) for 20 mins nonstop. Im now running about 3 miles nonstop in about 45 mins. I tried running outside and did about a mile, surprised myself again lol.

I've focused on cardio to get the pounds down, but just bought resistance bands to help tone. I truly just want to be able to run a 5k on the hilly streets here in Georgia. I am way further along than I imagined. Couldn't run 4 mins straight prior to surgery without having to use my inhaler.

All that being said...3-4 days a week cardio with toning in between is my plan for now.

-AtA