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Hi Shannon, I had my Sleeve done on February 17th by Dr. Baggs in Richmond. Feel free to message me if you have questions etc...

Ashley, you're doing great. Look at how fast your weight is going down down down!

Ali, I'd take a lovely fruit salad. Everyone always loves fresh fruit at this time of year and you'll be able to participate as well.

Hi Tamra! I was wondering where you'd gone off to! I hope things are going well for you. What sort of struggle are you having? Anything we can help with?

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. I got in two great hikes up in the regional parks and walked the lake on the other day. It was even good swimming weather for a change. I hope you're doing better Nicole!

Nicole, I just want to send tea and sympathy. I'm so sorry you're feeling so poorly and now so darn worried about your pouch. I hope it all gets sorted out.

YAY! Another local Sleeve Sister. Let us know how it goes with Dr. Almani!

Congratulations on a job well done! You've had a wonderful recovery.

Hi Sherri, I've tracked daily since surgery in myfitnesspal.com. I think I was eating a little more than you are. Do you know what size Sleeve you have? I know I have a 40 and that Kaiser has started making them smaller. I was eating 1/2 of a Trader Joe's buffalo burger for a meal or 2-3 oz of shrimp. 1/2 cup of greek yogurt or 1/3 cup cottage cheese. I was also drinking 1 protein shake daily for added protein. I can tell you that at 6 months out, I can eat a little more, but not that much. I'm now up to 3-4 oz of dense protein. I've always gone by weight, not measuring cup because it's been easier for me. Packaging has the weight of a burger etc. What else would you like to know? I frequent Obesityhelp dot com in the VSG forum where there's lots of information about the Sleeve. Take Care!

Hey Becca, welcome to the "other side". I don't think you'll regret your Sleeve decision. I love mine! Don't forget to also check out obesityhelp . com where you will find a VSG forum with tons of great information.

In the beginning I used to get the hiccups or a runny nose. Now just the sneezing, and I only notice it with food, not water.

Yes, this definitely happens to me if I eat too much. Not sure how it's all connected, but it does happen. I try to be very careful to not eat to that point as I know it's too much.

I'm here too. I've been really busy with exercising 14 or more hours a week. Work, exercise, eat, sleep. Repeat. I'm feeling great and getting stronger. Weight loss still slow but that's ok because I'm building muscle under the fat. My son went back to NY so I have a little more time now. It was a great summer and all geared towards staying very on track with my WLS program. I'm still at 700-800 calories a day and doing ok with it. I've achieved two goals this summer. 1st was to walk the lake twice in a day and I did that about 60 times this summer. The second was to do the 8.2 mile hike out to Arch Rock at Pt. Reyes and I did that with ease. I wish some of you would come to the Kaiser Richmond support groups!

Have a good week everyone!

Great post Maddie! I can honestly say that adding exercise didn't help my stalls a bit. In June I walked over 100 miles in two weeks while in France. I did lose 2 pounds, but that's not much. In July I went from 1 hour to 2-3 hours of exercise 7 days a week. I just broke a 3 week stall when I didn't lose a pound. The good news is that I know I'm building muscle and getting stronger. When the fat comes off, there will be a good muscle base and hopefully my skin will adhere to the muscle. My 6 month journey has been very frustrating but I know that I'll get to my goal when my body is ready to continue letting go.

Check your Protein powders. I had violent diahrea from around day 10 post op. I discovered that the Protein powder that I was using was the culprit. I had to switch to Muscle Milk Light in the ready to drink because it was lactose free. After a few weeks I was able to tolerate the Optimum Nutrition powder again. I still used unsweetened soymilk or almond milk. I do fine with yogurt, cheese etc. Good luck!

We're all different. I was getting in 64 oz on day 5 post-op. I could guzzle Water pretty early on. I exercise 1-2 hours, 7 days a week and have no problem getting in my water. I keep a water bottle on the eliptical, treadmill or other equipment, and just drink as needed. I always have water with me on a hike. I bet you'll do just fine.

We're all so different and we all have stalls. I did well the first month, then only 3 pounds the second month. I think I've had three of my first six months that were only 3 pounds each, but the others were ok. The reality is that your Sleeve is going to keep you from overeating, unless you turn to slider foods (white flour, sugar etc) which go down incredibly easy. Follow your doctors plan about food, Water, exercise and Vitamins and you're sure to get to your goal weight. I think the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to not compare yourself to anyone else, particularly your husband because men just drop the weight like a hot potato. Take monthly pictures, measure yourself and find gratitude in every pound that you are no longer carrying on your knees and ankles. You are going to be just fine and in six months you'll be looking back and laughing at all the concern you had now. Good luck! :cursing:

Hi, I had a bad problem with it post op as well. I got violent runs everytime I tried things with lactose. I couldn't tolerate protein powder that wasn't lactose free. I found the Muscle Milk Light was fine. I think it took a few weeks until I could use other protein powders. I still use soymilk instead of milk. I also use unsweetened almond milk. I think they're only around 3 carbs per cup which I like better.

WTG Stacey, congratulations! I have 1 shake a day, sometimes 2. I'm glad that your doctor is supporting that for you! :biggrin:

Becca. I thought I wanted the Band until I started researching it. I knew I would never have the RNY and it seemed the Band was out as well. As soon as I heard about the Sleeve, I knew it was my only option. I saw Dr. Baggs in December and he told me that he would not perform the Band or RNY on me. I was six months out on Tuesday and it's been a great ride. I'm very happy with my progress. I do have to exercise around 14-18 hours a week to get the scale to move, but I have always been a very very very slow loser, regardless of the food plan. I really like Dr. Baggs and the follow-up care I get from him. Good luck in making a decision. I take the B-12 sublingual every morning and my levels are excellent. I make sure to get in good vitamins and even with that, some of my 6 month levels are low. I think it's pretty important to stick with the vitamin routine as recommended. That's just my 2 cents.

I would suggest taking it one day at a time. Plan your food in the morning, log it into myfitnesspal. com and then do your best to stick to the plan. Go back to basics of Protein first, don't drink with meals and stay away from slider foods. You really do know what to do. If your doctor gave you a food plan, get it out and start it again. Tiffy gave you a great suggestion of the 5 day pouch test. Don't forget your Water, Vitamins and exercise!

Mo! I'm so sorry to read about your hand. I hope your pain is lessening. John, Happy 6 month anniversary! We've had a great 6 month ride, dontcha think? I'm still aiming to be 175 when I see Dr. Baggs on September 2nd. Don't know if I'll make it but these 2 hours of exercise daily are giving me great muscles regardless. This morning I saw my low of 182 so I'm pretty happy with that. How are you doing?

Jes, darn! The one day I don't walk the lake and you do. I wish I would have seen you. Yesterday I went up to Pt. Reyes and did the 8.2 mile hike out to Arch Rock. It was a goal of mine for this summer to be able to hike it, regardless of how long it would take. The guidebook said to allow 2 miles per hour for an average hiker. I did the first 4.1 miles in 1.5 hour so I felt very above average! I loved doing the entire hike with all the hills in a total of 3 hours. My son goes back to NYC tomorrow morning so I'm losing my personal trainer. I was so happy that I got to do the hike yesterday and also pleased that he enjoyed it as much as I did. Now I'm on my own to continue with all of my workouts. I'm always up for walking buddies! Hint hint hint.....

Hi Nicole, The Sleeve is a new surgery for Kaiser. I think they were doing it in experimental stages before but didn't start to offer it as an option until this year. Dr. Baggs told me in December that he had done 15 of them up to that point. I think they're still waiting to see the results of us that have the Sleeve. The Sleeve has been very popular in Europe in previous years and many people went to Mexico for the surgery in the last few years. So far the results seem to be comparable to the RNY in the long run.