Becca

You look great! Way to go!!!!

The first days after surgery are the worst. It is so hard because you can't eat "real" food yet and your body is dealing with all of the changes. I PROMISE it will get better. You will be so amazed with what great things the sleeve is going to do for you! Even though it is hard now, just think of all of the cute clothes you will be buying soon and also be prepared for tons of compliments! What you are going through is normal and so worth the end result. I took my pain medicine and that really helped with the hot flashes and pain from any reflux I had. You will start to notice that each day you will feel better and better. I wish you the best!

My band had a leak and I was always hungry. Most of the time I could eat whatever I wanted. I know it is hard right now to wait, but the sleeve is so amazing. I never was all that successful with the band, but with the sleeve I am almost at my goal. Just don't worry so much. The sleeve will change your life!!!

The post op diets vary so much from doctor to doctor. I had the same post op diet as any other sleeve patient, even though I had some pretty serious band complications. The most important thing is protecting your staple line those first two critical weeks while it heals. I just followed what my doctor told me. It was a rough three weeks on the liquid diet, but so worth it!!!

Sending prayers and hugs your way!!

Congrats!!!! The sleeve is amazing. I can't wait to hear about all of your future success!

Congrats on your upcoming revision! For me, the band and sleeve are totally different. My band would be tight in the morning and then by the end of the day, I could eat whatever I wanted. With the sleeve, I have restriction all the time. I feel that is where the big difference is. I also just don't think about food all the time like I used to. I really think the ghrelin being reduced by the surgery plays a big part in that. I was bad at following the band rules, but I have had no problems with the sleeve. I am not perfect at all. I have had little indulgences here an there (mainly due to my monthy friend that causes head hunger), but I still continue to lose. The sleeve has been a dream come true for me. I love that I have control of food now and I can live my life without those food demons. I do have some sagging skin, but I have been doing Callanetics and it has gotten better. (I am dreaming of a tummy tuck one day. LOL) I wish you the best!!!!

As long as you get in your protein for the day, they will be fine. I wouldn't want to waste them either. LOL

This is so awesome!!!! Sleeves ROCK!!!!

Congrats!!! I love my sleeve and you will too. I can't wait to hear about your journey!!!

It's all good! I haven't been on in awhile because I started back to work as a teacher and I have been super busy. I am losing slow right now, but I have noticed my body really changing shape in a good way. Hopefully I can wear all my cute clothes I bought for work for awhile. : ) .

I told close friends and family before surgery (along with some co-workers because I was out three weeks). I got one stupid comment from a thin person who said surgery wasn't necessary to lose weight, but I tried not to get too upset. Some of my family members were freaking out about me getting my stomach cut out. I was sick of my painful lap band and knew the sleeve was for me. So glad I now have my wonderful sleeve! I do get lots of questions about how I have lost the weight. I tell most about the surgery. I did get one negative response. A heatlh conscious friend was excited about my weightloss until someone told her how I did it. She says "I cheated!" Yea right! Honestly though, 99% of people are supportive of my sleeve.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! My doctor was Dr. Nowzaradan in Houston, TX. I am thankful for him. I had a really messed up lapband and he was able to safely remove it and give me my sleeve.

Discuss with your doctor you pain options for after surgery. I just thought I would get a morphine pump because it seemed like everyone else did. Well, I woke up with NO pain medication and it was AWFUL! It took them awhile to get it to me through my IV. Also, DON'T compare yourself to everyone else. We are all on our own journey. I am losing a lot slower than many people on here, but I am happy with my accomplishments. I feel sick when I do extreme low carbing, so I don't do it. I eat protein first and keep my carbs around 70.

WELCOME!!!! You are making a FABULOUS decision. The sleeve has changed my life in such wonderful ways. I LOVE that food does not control me anymore. I look forward to shopping and getting dressed in the morning. I feel amazing. You are going to do great and I am so happy for you!!!!

It is normal to be scared, but you are going to do AWESOME! I self paid for my band and it was useless. At least you are paying for the wonderful sleeve that works! As long as you follow the rules, you are going to lose weight and live a healthy life. We will be here cheering you on!!!! I am not far from you in Houston. HUGS!

Hi Sleeve Family! I just thought I would write and let everyone know how I am doing. I finished my seventh month of sleeved life at 174 pounds. I lost 70 pounds in seven months with the sleeve (112 pounds total with the band and sleeve). I have also lost two more pounds this week. I just wanted to post this for those starting this journey. Don't be scared....GO FOR IT! The sleeve WILL change you life in wonderful ways! I recently went to a wedding and I was floored that I was able to buy a size 10 dress to wear to it. I still have 29 more pounds to go until I hit my goal. I know if I stay dedicated, I can do it by my December 27 surgiversary. I can pretty much eat anything (in small amounts), except that hamburger meat sometimes doesn't agree with my sleeve. I still have great restriction. I mainly count my carbs and keep them around 70. I have NO acid reflux so I don't take any medications, except for my Vitamins. I LOVE my sleeve! Here is a pic of my daughter and I this past weekend for a wedding and the other picture was taken the night before my band to sleeve revision.

So sorry about all your pain! HUGS!

Great transformation! Wow!

Love the date! I guess you will be getting your dress altered! I haven't had problems with cake, but most sweets just don't appeal to me anymore. I have had a couple of bites of cake here and there without any issues. I do think it is a good idea to try some ahead of time just in case. We all have issues with different foods. I can't tolerate hamburger meat, for example. Congratulations!

Did you doctor test you for anemia? I became anemic three weeks after surgery. I took some Iron pills and felt 100% better. When you start to eat real foods, you will get your strength back too. The first three weeks are difficult. Each day will get better and better. Your body needs time to heal. You may need extra rest and maybe your body just isn't quite ready for lots of walking just yet. I know it is hard now, but hang in there. I hope you feel better soon.

I got one for Christmas, so that's the only reason I have it. I do think they are a bit pricey. It works pretty well though. I like that is sits on the counter and doesn't take up much space. It is super easy to clean and I make smoothies for breakfast in it. I am pretty much out of the protein shake phase. I did use it for that and it worked fine.

Welcome!!! You will find such a loving and supportive family here! I had a band to sleeve revision too and life couldn't be better. I wish the same for you!

SWEET! You have made an amazing achievement!

WELCOME!!!! The concerns you have are normal. I was terrified when I would think about having most of my stomach removed. You know what though, you don't need all of that stomach! It just allows you to eat yourself to death. I am so happy with my sleeve and I love being able to stop myself from mindless eating. Lose skin is just part of the process. I have horrible skin on my stomach (that I hope one day to have removed). I am able to wear Spanx to hold it in and so it's not so noticable under my clothes. I will take the lose skin to be able to wear cute clothes! hair loss will happen, but it grows back. I was never a big fan of Protein shakes. The only ones I could really tolerate was the Premiere brand. I am sure if you shop around you can find one that is lactose free. There is something called Bene-protein that I used for awhile to add to foods. It is tasteless. Maybe you could try that. Congratulations on this new chapter in your life!