DownInSocal

You are far from crazy! I noticed right away how different the world treated me. Amazing how much better the service is when you are not heavy. :-/ It took me a long time to realize I was no longer the fat girl in the room. My life did not calm down for two years after surgery. I was in a constant state of personal (and physical) change. I would suggest getting some counseling if you can afford it or your insurance covers it. The problems that drove us to eat are still there when we are thin. We just don't have food for comfort anymore. I promise you will look back at this time fondly in a few years. You are already an incredible person for even doing this. Those who have not had to prep for this surgery, go through it, fast, deal with pain, etc just don't understand how it changes you and your life. My surgeon told me that my hormones would not even begin to return to normal for a year to a year and half. He was right. Best of luck and you look AWESOME!

Thanks so much guys. I am going to definitely consider her plan. I actually don't feel like my sleeve is "broken" or stretched. I feel like I am out of control with my eating, well as out of control as one can be with a sleeve, but still. I am gaining so that means things are not good. I agree with her that the carb monster is the problem. I am eating too many carbs. I was heartbroken entering my weight in my ticker. It was REALLY difficult coming back and saying I had a major slip but I knew I had to or I was going to gain it all back. I appreciate the words of support.

At 2.5 years out I learned my lesson early with cold cereal. It is a slider food because when you eat it, it makes a "slurry" in your stomach that just goes right through. It is also a high carb food. Careful.

UGH.......... So I am back. The lowest I got down to was 138 lbs. I was really happy at that weight. Then I started to gain, slowly. I was stressed over things in my life and was grazing and eating things I should NEVER eat, like Pop Tarts, cookies, etc. Guess what? I gained a ton back. I am going to start the 5 day pouch test tomorrow. Hopefully that will get me on track again. I miss my tiny stomach.

I am 2.5 years out. I promise this will pass honey!! Your body has been through something incredible. You are essentially starving. That is going to be tough on anyone. This is "normal" for after surgery. Are you getting at least 500 mg of sodium a day? I know when I was getting less than that I felt faint. I hope you feel better.

Just checking in with my fellow August 2009 Sleevers. How are all of you doing? I see a lot of tickers that I don't think have been updated.

YES. Take pre-op pictures. I wish I would have taken more through this process.

I also was anemic right after surgery. It has resolved now though. Good luck hon.

I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing except...... lose the snack of saltines. Sub in a Protein shake. You need to get into ketosis. You might not be if your carbs are high. Count them. Get under 60, 40 if you can. You have good weight loss. Not everyone losses mass amounts right away!

Seeing as how I was released from the hospital for an accute gallbladder attack last weekend I can say: Get it checked out! You need bloodwork and a gallbladder function test. Yup.

Protein. It really does work. At 5 months I must admit I still don't feel *hungry* I just get a vague feeling I need something. Also you should be hungry. You are surviving on very little calories. The stomach is not the only organ that stimulates hunger. A drop in blood sugar can cause the brain to release a hormone to stimulate hunger also. Protein will whip that monster away. As your blood sugar rises from a shake.

Wow Judy you look great!

I can't eat moist breads. I can eat a half a piece of toast and that is it. I don't very often though. I don't want to waste the space when I could be eating Protein. No more moist breads. Protein. Cutting soda is tough. I can tell you going from 204 to 152 I would give a million six packs of soda. Sometimes I look at my legs and arms and go "Are those mine?" I felt strange shopping in the regular section. I thought for sure someone would run me out or look at me funny. It is worth it. Trust me.

I am 5 months out and my period has been all over the map. I spoke with my PCP about it and he said this surgery sends your hormones all out of whack for about a year. I would not worry about it. Are you *sure* you are not preg?

Netty! I was thinking about you this morning. Wondering how you were doing. I feel so bad for you. You keep going forward though and with minimal complaining and whining I might add. You are so strong. Thanks for letting us know how you are doing.

Oh boy. You know I honestly don't think I could have done it. I got tired easily the first two weeks out of surgery. But I know there are some on this board that would have done it and had no problem. If you do go make sure you stay hydrated! I know this is said over and over again but it is that important. Oh by the way I don't know what days you were thinking of going but San Diego is wet right now and will be for awhile. Check the weather. You don't want to be out in cold rainy weather for a long period right after being on a ventilator. No reason to risk an infection in your lungs.

THANKS SO MUCH! I was wondering also if I had a big ugly looking mess there that was not healed. I bet I am fine as wine.

You deserve better. Plain and simple. Don't let people treat you this way. Family or not. They are supposed to be supportive. Not make crap ass comments. How about you stop cooking for them? I am NOT kidding. They don't support or respect you. Let them feed themselves. You worry about yourself for awhile.

I confess that I started smoking again. One cig is all it took. Now I have to quit and go through the withdrawls all over again. Damit! I also confess that I don't really want to stop smoking right now. I confess that I think I made a mistake when I got married. Not his fault. All mine.

In my humble opinion I think you are too early to drink soda. I don't think your stable line is ready for expansion that can be caused by the bubbles.

Please start a thread in the complications area. I want to hear what you have been going through. Everything. I want to hear why you feel hopeless. Please?

I would have watched my liquids more when in the first 6 weeks. I would have been excited, not in fear, of the step I was taking. I would have given myself a break after surgery. I am not super woman. I can rest and recover without feeling guilty that I am not at work.

If you don't mind me asking how was prepping for the colonoscopy with the smaller stomach? Did you have to drink the gallons of terrible stuff? I have to have one every 3 years because my grandmother on my fathers side died of colon cancer at 32. I am 33.

Sounds about right for someone who had major surgery 2 weeks ago and is consuming probably less than 500 calories a day. Not being sarcastic, honestly! You should only be eating 4 oz. That is how big your stomach is. Don't eat anymore than that at a time. In fact I would eat a little less. Your tummy is still healing.

WOW. That is great!!!!!