JoiaRox

Hey everyone! A couple of us have started a private Facebook group in order to coordinate regular, monthly meet-ups...our own support group, if you will! We'd love to include more sleevers from the DMV, regardless of where you're at on your sleeve journey. Please join us - we'd love to meet you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/dmvsleevers/ We plan to get together at a public place later this month for our first meeting, then plan to rotate hosting responsibilities between members of the group. Spread the word! Right now, it looks like our group will be meeting in NoVA (Northern Virginia) and MoCo (Montgomery County, MD), and we're looking at weekend meetings (i.e. 3rd Saturday morning of every month). We'd love to have your input - join today! P.S. A "private" Facebook group is viewable by anyone - this allows you to find our group and request to join. One of our admins will approve you, and anyone looking at the group's page will be able to see who is a member. However - only group members may see any posts, events, etc.

While I'm jealous of your loss (I'm 9 weeks po today), I'm sure your doctor wants your loss to be safe. I've lost roughly 28 pounds since surgery, and my doctor is happy with the rate of loss I have, even if it feels somewhat slow to me (I'm still happy!). I'm always amazed at those who eat as little as you. I'm averaging 1,000 calories per day and, actually, find that my body is happier when I can get closer to 1,200 calories per day. Regardless, we're all different - whatever's advised by your doctor, I'd follow it! ABSOLUTELY, though, do NOT allow anyone to let you feel defeated. You are ROCKIN' the sleeve and will continue to do so, even if your loss slows up a bit

In my doctor's opinion? Straws are fine and hurt nothing.

We've decided to create a "secret" Facebook group (only those in the group can see who's in the group, the posts, etc.) to help facilitate our local support group - join us if you would like to find out about these events! https://www.facebook.com/groups/522087934530500/

Better that it ends up in the trash/garbage disposal than on my thighs! As I see it, my brain is still adjusting to the amount of food it thinks I can eat (eyes are still bigger than the stomach) - I'm wasting food/money, but I'm okay with that versus the alternative.

I'm very open about my surgery - even on Facebook (you know, where my "friends" are not necessarily all people I'm close to). I was lucky to be born with the gene that doesn't care what people think about me or my choices. Negative nellies can bite me, because this was MY choice. I did the research, I thoroughly thought this out, I got all of my questions answered, etc. - and I'm now 2 months out and doing well! Essentially, those negative people can either find the exit door and excuse themselves from your life, or they can hold on to their own anxiety until they see you're doing fine. Either way, the biggest piece of advice I have is NOT to let them get to you! Who cares what other people think?!

On the other hand, I'm 2 months out and haven't had a protein shake in weeks. To maximize fullness, my doctor recommends that I work to get all of my protein from real food - so I do. As other posters have said, the protein shake just allows you to get your protein in - when my stomach was still swollen post-op, the shake really did make me feel full...but, of course, my stomach's capacity was that of a coffee stirrer. Now, any liquid won't do the "keep me full" trick for any amount of real time. Water helps to satiate me throughout the day, but, yes, it passes through rather quickly.

Fluids are most important at this stage in your recovery, but what did you doctor recommend? My NUT recommends 70g of protein, minimum, each day. Luckily, I was able to get that down pretty quickly out of the surgery gate. Work on your fluids, add protein where you can, and work to hit those minimums!

I'm only 2 months out, but I find that I can't handle sweet things anymore. Diet Coke is too sweet (yes, I'm allowed carbonation), ice cream doesn't appeal to me, etc. Heck, even a frappuccino is too much for me now! I also eat a TON more hummus now. I don't think I hated it pre-op, but I sure use it as my go-to snack now!

I eat according to how my body feels - sometimes it's minor hunger, sometimes it's just because I feel weak and know I need some food, sometimes it's the time of day. Hunger still exists post-op, but it's nowhere near the same sensation it was pre-op. Furthermore, only a tiny bit of food (comparatively) is needed to satiate me even when I do feel hungry...sometimes, just drinking some more water does the trick!

Had to share it on Facebook!

Welcome! I live in Germantown, MD - not far from you! I'm 2 months post-op (yesterday) and had my sleeve done in Reston, VA. Welcome to the boards - your surgery is tentatively scheduled for the day after my birthday! P.S. Recovery from this was a piece of cake for me

I definitely agree with someone above who said you should up your calories. While I strive to get roughly 1,000 calories per day, I find that the scale moves more if I eat closer to 1,200. Granted, I'm 274 pounds, so the size may be the reason I need to eat more.

Definitely, and it's normal! You've been surviving on liquids and purees, most likely, as your stomach has been healing. At this point, your stomach's swelling has reduced nicely and it's ready for more solid food. At 4 weeks out, I was on "soft foods," and found that it wasn't until I began to incorporate more solid protein choices (i.e. chicken breast) that I got my "full" feeling with smaller amounts of food. Continue to follow your doctor's instructions for diet and recovery, but you'll find that the more solid the food you can tolerate, the less hungry you'll be!

Diligence is key in the land of insurance. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Throw a "before" picture up there to show off that comparison! Great job!

What's changed in your life recently? Any new stressors? Are you still getting your required water and protein in each day? I'm only 2 months post-op, but I'd recommend going back to basics to make sure you're doing what's required - you may find that an increase in water/protein may help with the hunger!

My first reaction is to check your Water and protein...I'm supposed to get a minimum 64oz of water per day and 70g of Protein. Beyond that, I'm supposed to choose more solid Proteins to make up my diet (i.e. chicken, fish, etc.). I was sleeved two months ago, but even at your surgery date, it sounds like you could do some work on water and protein - even if you can't eat the more solid foods yet. And, less than a month out? You're GOING to still be exhausted. Keep doing what you're supposed to do - you WILL heal.

Log onto the program on the internet (www.myfitnesspal.com) and check out the "reports" section. Utilizing the program online will allow you to get a better idea of what's available to you!

I agree with the above poster - get a sugar free cone and you'll be fine. Calorie count won't be too high, and it's comparable to ice! Just go slow

Seriously - MyFitnessPal has it ALL. Add that to the fact that it syncs with the FitBit One that I wear (and compensates for extra, earned calories from excess activity...which I don't usually eat back)...it really is the perfect website/app!

"The Sassy Sleevers" is a great group from all over...you may be able to find a more specific group by joining them!

As has been said, everyone heals differently and at their own pace. Continue to listen to your body, rest when needed, drink fluids, get protein, etc. - your time for pain free enjoyment of the sleeve will come!

Ditto to MyFitnessPal - best food diary I've found on the web! I love being able to scan bar codes of things I'm eating, then having their nutritional content just magically appear! It's also great for reports of various things - weight lost, inches lost, macronutrients consumed, water intake, etc.