Becca

Oh no! Thankfully I stocked up when I went to Cosco last time. I don't have many left though. : (

I would up the starting weight. You deserve credit for every pound lost!

That is so awesome! Hooray!

I use straws if I go to restaurants. My doctor never said I couldn't. I haven't had any problems.

Yes! I am always cold. I am making my husband crazy turning the heat up high! Burrr. I read somewhere that your body will adjust after a year. I sure hope so.

Right after surgery, hardly anything tasted good to me. I had to force myself to eat. Now that time has passed by, I do like food again. I just can't eat much of it. I don't have any desire for sugar or sweets at all at this point (cakes, cookies, etc). I honestly crave good foods. I eat meat and a few bites of vegetables. Sometimes I do eat fresh fruit because it makes me feel better. One thing I do like is the diet Swiss Miss Hot chocolate. It has on 25 calories and 4 carbs if you make it with water. I don't really care for coffee like I used to, so I drink that instead. One issue I do have is that once I am full, I don't want to be around food anymore. It makes me feel sick. I try to measure my food to avoid taking one bite too many. At restaurants, I really pace myself to avoid getting to full. It is pretty amazing when you think about it though! It's the restriction I wanted and love! For me, I am just not obsessed with food anymore. I eat a small amount and then I go on with my day. It's pretty great!

I visit the forums, watch Youtube videos, read or workout. My interest in food is very low compared to how I used to be before the sleeve. Even if I think I want something, I usually just have a bite or two and I'm through with it. I try to keep trigger foods out of the house to keep myself from being tempted if I were to get really stressed. A support group would be very helpful for you if that is possible. Good luck. You can do this!

I lost weight too on Weight Watchers and it all came back! Why do you think they have so much business? They know most won't be able to keep it off. The sleeve is so amazing. I have had weight problems since I was young. I can't believe the difference the sleeve has made in my life. For the first time ever, I have control over food. I am losing weight. I feel amazing. Most people with the sleeve are very happy and that's because it works! Don't miss out on this life changing tool!

I had no problems with liquids either. My doctor said it's because some people have a lot of swelling and some do not. If there is no swelling, everything just goes right down. Once you move on real food, believe me, the sleeve will show you it is there! I ate a few bites of chicken breast with a bite of salad tonight and I felt stuffed.

That is so great to share your experience in such detail! I am so jealous though- I never got a morphine pump! I did get the good stuff through my IV anytime I needed it, but waking up with no pains meds was not nice. I cried for some in recovery and then when they moved me to my room, I started screaming for the nurse because my stomach was burning. LOL Once that was over, I was fine. The nurses were good about taking care of me and making sure I had my pain controlled. I wish you the best and I am impressed you are already at the gym! Way to go!

You are doing so great! I think tracking cals is a great idea. I track every single thing I put in my mouth on My Fitness Pal. Tracking calories makes me realize how I got so fat in the first place! I never used to measure and I was eating four or five servings at once. Now I measure everything. I am not super crazy about meat (I hate steak) and so I do eat about 60 or so carbs a day due to fruit and vegetables. I may lose a little slower, but I am losing so that's all that matters right? Good luck- you will get to that goal!!!

I honestly would have the sleeve. You don't lose the ghrelin with the plication and I believe that is a big part of why I am so successful with the sleeve. I had the band and that was a horrible experience. The sleeve has been just amazing! I was terrified about having 85% of my stomach cut out, but now I think it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I am losing weight, I have control over food, and I feel so good. Of course, keep researching and do what is best for you. The sleeve is such a great thing! You will have us to support you whatever you decide!

I am a teacher, I will say that I am exhausted when I get through with work at the end of the day! I have to take a nap almost everyday when I get home. I am pretty early out, so I can't give you an answer exactly. I just wanted you to know that I understand where you are coming from. I would think stress can effect weight loss. I have found if I eat fruits and vegetables, I feel so much better. It does up my carbs a bit, but to me it's worth it. Teaching is such a rewarding job, but it can be so draining. I get so tired when I work out, too. We just can't win! Just keep thinking about summer...when things are a lot more relaxed! LOL

Those first few days can get to ya. But the time flies by and before your know it, you are all healed and super happy about the weight loss! Congrats!

I am so happy for you! Congrats!

Some people have more swelling than others. It may just take you more time to heal. I would try to get in your protein and focus on fluids. Those are the two most important things at first. Talk to your doctor, too to be safe. Good luck! It will get better!

Yay! That is so great!

I avoid breads and white carbs. The problem is that if you eat white carbs, your stomach fills up and you don't have room for protein. I ate a small bite of fried rice at a birthday dinner Saturday and I became very full from it. The result was I didn't eat all my protein. It really is a learning process and I will say I learned my lesson from that. I do sometimes eat fruit and vegetables, so I get a bit of carbs from that. I feel those are healthy carbs, though, so I don't stress about it. I am very strict about my calories and protein. I count everything that goes into my mouth on My Fitness Pal.

Here was my life with the band: 1. I did lose 70 pounds the first year, but that was from working out 6-7 days a week. I still fought hunger and slimed up the good foods. I ate junk most of the time. 2. I lost ALL restriction due to a leak at about a year and gained 35 pounds back almost instantly. I was self pay so no luck in getting it fixed unless I had about 5 grand. 3. My tubing broke in half and caused me extreme pain. I could not sleep for months. The doctor had to go searching for all the broken parts. It's amazing to me that this complication was never brought up before I had lapband surgery. 4. I had a slip and could barely swallow days before my revision. Luckily the exclusion was taken off my insurance so I could have my sleeve! Life with the sleeve: 1. I can eat good healthy foods! 2. I am not hungry. 3. I don't feel controlled by food, and in fact- I'm not! 4. I lost 22 pounds the first month and I am so happy! I LOVE my sleeve. I am so thankful to the wonderful peeps on this forum for helping me make the wonderful decision to have the sleeve when my band failed! I wish I could have had the sleeve instead of the band. Who knew life could be so great!

I went through numerous complications with my band, so I understand. That's great you were able to lose so much with your band! I was not so lucky. I had my revision about a month ago and I LOVE my sleeve. It works so well and I am rarely ever hungry. I would seek a good revision specialist so that you can have your band removed and sleeve done in one surgery. The surgery really wasn't that bad, and at a month out I feel great. I've been losing and I am so happy! Good luck- I hope someone knows a good revision doctor in your area!

I am sorry about your complications. I think you really are doing great with your weight loss. Everyone hits that 3 0r 4 week stall. Then you will start losing again. Just be patient. The weight will come off!

Sounds very good!

Yay for you!!! You look amazing. Your hard work shows!

I stay around 60 carbs a day, mainly because I try to eat some fruits and vegetables each day at this point. I felt horrible on only 30 grams of carbs. I really felt so sluggish and I am a teacher so I felt like I couldn't keep up with my second graders. I have been doing 800-900 calories and I average about 60 carbs a day. I feel great with that amount. I have lost 23 pounds in a month (and two days). I am very happy with it. I know that some have lost way more than me the first month, but I as long as I am losing, I am very happy with my progress. My nut also suggested the 60 carbs a day. She said your body truly needs at least 50 a day to function properly. Someone also recently posted an article that stated you would successfully lose if you stayed between 50-100 carbs a day. Everyone is different, and we have to do what works for us. I do try my best to stay away from breads and processed carbs, though.

If at all possible, I share with someone. That's pretty easy with family. If it is friends, I stick to soup or I order a small salad and eat the chicken, cheese, etc off the top. I went to a family dinner, as we were celebrating a few birthdays tonight. We were at a Chinese food restaurant. I ate a few of the vegetables, chicken, and a bite of fried rice. It was very good. My sleeve did it's job and I only ate a few bites! I had no room for birthday cake, so that was great for me. I didn't even really want it. I love my sleeve!