Dee

Needed some inspiration. Been rereading and catching up on posts. I have been doing fairly well need to get a grip before the month rolls out. There is way too much food at work. I hurt my leg. Was running very regular increased my mileage too much. Now I can't run!!! Bad combo more food less exercise. I eat too much in the evenings carbs. I really need to find a Protein drink or bar that I can stomach. I do believe I have tried them all!! now everything has inulin (chicory root) in it I can't tolerate it at all. Thank you for remaining on this board. I know I can come here and feel like I am not alone. Going to log in more so I can keep focused and not gain. What I do know is that without this sleeve there is NO WAY I would have stayed at my weight this long. Dee

Concentrated Sugar does me in.....so just for today no candy, cookies etc..bringing lunch for work, have my fage 0% for breakfast, do put splenda in it-tired to stop artificial sweeteners-no can do. If I eat dense protein I can avoid overeating aka eating sliders. I ate popcorn at the movies slider central!!! I do feel good about myself in spite of the struggles. Love this sleeve. On the plan run after work and do some weights. Plan what to do do what you plan

Thank you both for responding. It is nice to know I am not alone. No one (but my immediate family) knows I have the sleeve. Sometimes I feel like I should tell more people but I do not want to be judged plus it is none of ther d.. business, Still looking for the magic Protein. Tried a new bar simple truth need to look closer at the ingrediants (didn't have my glasses on)if any thing has inulin (chickory root) I can not tolerate it, I only had a bite but today I am going on a mission. Did drink one the ones you get a costco. I just don't want to slack on protein .carbs is why I had the band to begin with!!! I hope you both have a nice day and keep checking in (I am up so early because I am spliting a night shift with some one, I am a day person for sure. Dee

I need some inspiration. I have been working out all summer completed two sprint triathlons one was Danskin (women's) in Seattle and other a local one (with boys). They were 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and a 5k). The weather (Northwest) will change and then I am concerned about my ability to continue on my fitness Quest. Bucket list: 1/2 marathon. Olympic distance triathlon (it is 2X the sprint distance). Now that being said I joined a all-women's training group. I could only run aka jog a very short distance, and same with swim (it took all I had in me swim in a lake!) I know this isn't for everyone but for me it took me to the next level of maintaining my weight. I only weigh once a week, I don't log my food anymore but if I gain I will-it really helps me. My new dilemma is I have grown to hate Protein drinks and bars. We have a smoothie place but it makes me sick. I don't tolerate dairy-no longer can I eat ice cream-not a bad thing. Anything too fatty I get sick! chicken is getting old (I don't like fish and don't eat red meat) I want a magic food with protein that I stomach!!! The only one left is Power bars they only have 8-9 protein and lots of sugar. (I did use these during my training). I do snack on almonds, keep little packs in my car. I logged in VST to help me see that I am not alone. Getting my band out and getting a sleeve has made a real difference in my life. People call me skinny, you are so small (I wear a size six) I think for once I finally believe that yes I am "little". My fat self lurks around every ready to make me feel bad about myself. Thank you all for being there every time I log onto VST! Dee

This is worth repeating . Stay off the scale and follow your plan. Let the sleeve work for you!! We ALL know how to "diet" this is not a diet it is a lifestyle change. You can do this. Press on... Dee

Ok fellow made it to goal, I am back and need support. There are still a few of us left who still log on. I can remeber each of us starting our journey (Oregeon Daisy-you helped me so much make my decision!) I did OK yesterday confined myself to dark chocolate only! Just planned what I am going to eat today..takes the pressure off!!!! I tried on my "smallest" size 6's yesterday, they were not sausage tight but still not wearable for me. 5ish more lbs down should put me in my bounce zone...

loggin in to get some motivation, Been doing great want to stay there. Love to see peoples updated weight loss, Dee

RELAX and stay off the scale. Have faith, if you follow the plan (get one that works for you) and the sleeve will work for you. Dee

There are days I can eat more, do not think stretched your stomach RELAX!! this a is a process. Follow the plan you got or get another that works for you (I used cornell) When I eat some dense Protein I know my sleeve is intact! now if I eat sliders crakers etc I could eat bunches!! oh one more time RELAX. unless you eat carbs all day the sleeve will work give it some time. And keep coming to this site it, you are not in this alone. Dee

Pasta has the made me sick (puke) maybe that is a good thing, I stay away from it! Same with ice cream. Who knew? I try to focus on getting Protein in that is challange enough for me. Love this sleeve!!!! Dee

How many of you are still using PPI"s (Rx for GERD) I can't seem to get off them. Even had to up to 2 a day!

There are things I don't like anymore. Can no longer eat ice cream. But is it worth it YES! I love my body now even the saggy skin. Just go with it.

There is a post about ordering samples, highly suggest it, my tastes have changed a lot. Post-op I made jello with Isopure worked to get my protein in. Couldn't pay me to drink one now! You will find what works for you. I now heat up Premier choc and I can drink that.

Welcome Jennifer. This is a great place to start you journey.

I really doubt you could stretch your stomach! At 4+ months it is healed by now. Look at some pictures of what you stomach is now. A by-pass pouch can stretch a sleeve is entirely different. I drink carbonated diet sodas every now and then but it has been 2+ years. I do chew sugar-free gum. Your saliva is alkaline so gum helps with acidity in your stomach. I still take prilosec (forgot to take it yesterday and I knew it!). Slider foods are slider food eat dense Protein first.

Just keep following your plan and STAY OFF the scale! Try logging your food on a free site (I use sparkspeople) it will help you make choices so you get enough protein. DO NOT compare to others. We each have our own journey. Stay in touch! This board made all the difference for me.

Vascular intervention for spider veins is pretty simple. Do you have vericose veins? Insurance will pay for most of that it is a Same day procedure. Find a place that specializes. Hope you find what you need. Go for it!!!

I have found a few posts, This is the only procedure I would really like to have. A boob lift would be nice but I am in my late 50's don't really see the need? Having a seam up my leg is concerning and heal time. I am not willing right now to not be able to exercise. Let me know what you find out I got a quote from a local surgeon It was 13.000.00 neighborhood way to much for me!

My 600 lb life is a series about 4 people over 7 years after gastric-by-pass. It puts things in perspective. We all have our own journey....

I feel your pain...I would say you made the biggest step towards reaching your goal my logging in here! I was putting back on weight so I can back here. I went back to logging my food (used sparkspeople-tons of on-line programs) we KNOW what to do, just have to do it! Get back to it girl! you can do this (you already proved that to yourself) . You are worth getting to a place where YOU feel you need to be. ONWARD!!!!

what brand of protein powder did you use?

You are in the very best hands! Dr Aceves and staff will give you the very best care. Cleanest hospital I have ever been in! I am a healthcare professional! The nurses are top notch they know what they are doing (some don't speak english all that well) make sure you walk up to the border from the hospital. Keep logging on here! Dee

Checking in..started to exercise...I feel skinny my pants are feeling great (don't have to tug the legs down after I sit) might even have to get size 4 jeans. I just love this sleeve the old me would have just climbed back up once again to "I hate myself" weight! I have never maintained my "ideal" weight this long. Just logging in here and reading other posts keeps me on track. For anyone new or struggling YOU CAN do this! Follow the "rules". Sugar and white flour are my enemies. Each of us is different…. Best to all.... Dee

Sounds like you are doing great! I too come to this site for support. I had put on some lbs. Came back to VSTand now it is gone. Back to my comfort body. FINALLY started to exercise again. Training for Danskin Triathlon Aug 19th 1/2 Mile Swim | 12 Mile Bike | 3 Mile Run. I have never done anything like this before. I don't even own a bike! and not such a great swimmer. Joined a group of women to train together.(All sizes and fitness levels!) I LOVE THIS SLEEVE IT HAS TRULY MADE ME A RETIRED DIETER!!!! no more crazy diets..tried them all..gave all my incrementaly sized clothes away.. (agree with trying nuts-I bought 100 cal packs of almonds I keep in my car..you could make your own packs...) Dee

I would question the US doc about his experience. I would be concerned that he would trash another MD without checking him out. Dr. Aceves will not put a sleeve in you if he sees a problem with the band. Make sure you compare the two surgeons. The US has some pretty shaky surgeons as does Mexico. I wanted a surgeon who was experienced in band revisions. I am in the medical field and have never seen a cleaner hospital then in Mexico! Dr. Aceves doesn't pump you full of antibiotics like they do in the states. Why? because it is so clean and sterile! My daughter had a revision with Dr. Aceves and my sister had a virgin sleeve. So I have been there 3 times! I watched my sisters surgery, Dr. Aceves knows what he is doing. He does three leak tests one in the OR, one post-op and one before he will discharge you. Dee