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My orders were No drinking 5 minutes before or 45 minutes after eating. The reason for this is the Fluid will wash the food out of your sleeve and you won't feel full for as long which may lead to grazing and eating too much because you're hungry all the time. There are actually YouTube videos that demonstrate how this works. In the beginning this won't be a problem. Your tiny tummy will get full so fast on so little food that drinking too soon will actually make you vomit. But as time goes on, it often just becomes a new habit you don't even have to think about. That being said, once I was in maintenance and well below goal I quit following this rule. My tummy had more room for both food and liquid after about 10 months and personally, I get hungry every 2-3 hours whether I drink or not. The key is just not to overeat. But in general, the no drinking rule is something that should be followed for life.

I'm 50 and about 6 weeks out. About 10 days postop I hit a tough spot where I couldn't make it through more than 3-4 hours without needing a 20 min nap. I'm over that but energy levels are not better than preop... Yet. I expect they'll get better as I lose more weight and continue to exercise.

OK , on June 14th I was about 30 pounds out... today on November 7th I am about 10 pounds out... I mentioned I was feeling a little cheatiy...well now I just call it normal life. I watch a little, I have what i want a little, I write it all down, and I lose. Its fantastic. Lately I have added some carbs (90-140 a day) , and calories and it jump started my losing again. I'm up to about 11-1400 cals a day, 60-80 proteins, 4-5 days exercise. Love it.

I have Gerd. I was on Protonix 1x per day 40 mg. He made me get EGD done. Then there was an dent is my stomach. Had to go to a specialist and have another EGD. He said at one time my spleen must have been enlarged at some point. I did have horrible reflux. I take protonix 40 mg 2x a day, and carafate 4x a day and finally i do not feel like a ate a ball of fire! Discuss your concerns with your dr. SW 350 (11/15) BSW 260 (10/17/17) CW 213.6 (2/16/18) RGW 199 GW 175

You can eat meat with the sleeve and not throw it up. It does not get stuck, but you fill up on it really fast. You do throw it up if you eat too much of it, because your stomach is TINY. It's hard to learn how little to eat. I am full awhile after I am done eating. We are used to eating until we are full, but you can't with the sleeve. You feel more full 10 minutes after you're done eating, and then you are in trouble.

When you start feeling down, find something that is the weight of what you have lost & try to pick it up. You will realize just how much you have accomplished. 20 pounds in such a short time is amazing!!!! I was told to expect 10 pounds per month the first few months and then it would taper down to 5 or less a month. Pre-surgery, would you have been disappointed in that? Probably not. So, don't allow yourself to feel down. (I know I did & it was a waste of energy.) You CAN and WILL do this!

17 pounds at 2 weeks, 24 at 4 weeks, 45 at 5 months and expect last 10-15 in another 6 weeks and done at 7.5 months.

Everyone loses differently as you can see. Starting my second month, I stalled about 3-4 weeks every month and then dropped several pounds -- more during the first 8 or so months, less after that. I think after the first and second month it was about 12 pounds a month, then 10, then 8, the 5-6, and so on. That has been a really frustrating way to lose. Now after almost 18 months out, I'm losing really slowly, but I'm still losing. I'm still looking to lose over 200 pounds. Just going to take me a while. I'm OK with that. I already feel so much better. Everyone is different, though, and you'll find people who consistently lose, no stalls, and people who lose much faster than I have. Men typically lose more quickly than women.

My Dr recommended the bypass for me too due to Gerd. I still opted for the sleeve because of dumping syndrome with the bypass. I'm 10 days out and happy so far with my decision. I'm on nexium 40mg, as I was prior to surgery. Citric acid bothers me a little more than it did prior. I think I may have to continue on the ppi and once I lose the weight, may be OK without it. I'm happy with my decision to be sleeved! Already down 16 lbs too Forgot to mention I also had a hernia repair which may also help with the Gerd

Congratulations! My surgery was12/19/12. The last three years flew by, and I'm so happy I did this! Good luck!

LaBelle509 thanks so much! Would you mind my asking if it is very expensive to talk to her? I do not have insurance so I do have a budget on what I can afford to pay with saving up for pre-op testing. I would love to hear how it goes so I will definitely be checking in. @FutureSleeved To be honest the way I have gotten over a lot of the hurdles and common symptoms of BPD has been self help. Around 19 I was seeing a therapist and she was great at listening and suggesting things to try for coping but I couldn't afford to see her for a while and had to do it on my own, so I started purchasing a few books by some specialists on self help for BPD and fully understanding about myself and the disorder and very important steps for coping. It turns out that all along I have been doing a coping method that they use as one of their first to try in dealing with the noisy thoughts and I didn't even know it. I've just always done it. And I have read in some places although I'm not sure on the accuracy but I've read that BPD is not a chemically induced disorder but more a learned behavioral reaction to young childhood trauma. So it has been known for people as they age older up into their 30's and so forth to totally come out of the behavior and live somewhat normal lives. I don't know the truth in this but either way I feel that I am mostly in check. I made a very long blog post the other day about my obstacles and overcoming a lot of things that I haven't done in many years now and don't find myself having any itches to do those things at all. I'm pretty proud of myself. Maybe finding this forum about VSG came at the right time in my life where I am truly mentally capable of handling something like this, not necessarily on my own of course but I mean in general. I do still plan on talking to someone before and after.

Most patients that are having a normal recovery won't lose too much weight. Being female, your body might want to lose another 10-25lbs, or more, depending on your height. But, if you want to stop losing, you need to increase your calories.. but not junk. Lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates will get you there.

Keep up the good work and way to go!! I do think that really working hard to get lots of exercise has helped me lose the weight. I also started as a light weight and am 50 with a metabolism that isn't like it was when I was in my 20's. We both had our surgery in March and will be at goal before we know it. Keep working it! Frankie VSG 3/22/10

VSG 10/4/16, down 55 pounds. We are going on a cruise to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It leaves out of San Juan, PR. Southern Caribbean itenerary. I cannot wait. We are going with another couple that we cruise with every year...just no kids this time! Yayyy! Last night we booked Our excursions: Zip lining Parasailing And horseback riding on the beach. All things I couldn't have done before because my weight was over the limit. Comeee on February!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Jesus loves you!!!

Hi and welcoem to LBT! Are you on a pre-op diet? The next 10 days will pass before you know it. Good luck!

I'm one month out today (woo hoo!!) but I'm falling into this trap also... I enjoy yogurt and cheese and sliced meats but there are days when solid proteins do not feel good to my stomach. I have never thrown up-- but I have had moments when I wish I could! At times like those I find it is far easier to eat my slider foods. They don't hurt. I do look forward to the day when I can have all the veggies again! I love veggies, and felt like with the band I was completely banned from them. But as I heal- I am struggling with the urge to fall into bad habits that feel good. I know better. And my weight loss has completely stalled for a while (since day 10 to now day 29) I'm trying to do the right things though and not eat what's easy- not be around it ,not bring it in the house. It's helped. I hope I can lose again.

My Dr. told me that Water would stretch my pouch. Because of this, he tells his patients to drink only 2 oz. every 15 minutes. I have a really hard time sticking to that! I think I'm probably close to double that.:thumbup: However, I was banded on 4/8/10, have had 1 fill, and am not hungry between meals 90% of the time. So, I figure I must not be doing too badly--even if I drink more water than I'm supposed to.

What your typical intake for the day ? I was sleeved 10-9 and it seems to me like i am able to eat quit a bit ... Being paranoid

I'm nearly 19 months out and I eat like a normal person. I consume around 1200 calories a day of whatever I feel like eating. I aim for 90+ grams of Protein and an equal amount of carbohydrates. Now, I did have my metabolism tested and for me, this range of calories is suitable as I could expect to gain on anything over 1300 calories without stepping up my exercise. I didn't get to the point where I could even dream of consuming more than 1000 calories a day until one year post op, though. For much of the first year I was hardly able to consume 800 calories a day, and it was a real chore to do that much. I don't exactly graze but I do think I eat more like six tiny meals than three regular ones. I'm happy with that. Since hitting goal I haven't needed to record my food yet as I never see more than a pound and a half +/- on the scale. I'm happy where I'm at and I feel normal. I do eat half a sandwich and feel satisfied. If I push myself, I can eat a half cup of Soup with the sandwich, too, provided the sandwich is grilled cheese or something else without meat. Cake bores me post op, so I don't even need the whole slice - just a bite or two and I'm good. There is only one food that I want to eat by the bucket and it's popcorn. And honestly, after about 2-3 cups of it I'm done eating it, anyway. It's the only food I want to eat 2-3 cups of, though! My feeling is that if you do the head work as your body is losing the weight you'll get to goal and find you have a healthy relationship with food. I started out post op really restricting carbs and calories and found that just like prior to surgery food was ruling my life. I was thinking about it all the time and making myself crazy. Once I got to the realization that the diet mentality had to end and accepted that I'd lose weight more slowly than I had imagined prior to surgery, I was able to slowly but happily drop the rest of the weight over the course of 17 months. I feel that part of the reason to choose such a drastic surgery is to drop the diet mentality forever. I wanted a diet I could live with, and I sacrificed getting to goal in nine months to have that. I still got to goal and trust me, it's just as fabulous as it would have been had I done it in half the time. For those of us that don't feel hunger and have huge restriction it's more of a challenge to eat than you think. I still rely heavily on Protein shakes or I'd never reach my protein goals. I still have a hard time eating more than 2-3 ounces of protein in one sitting, or anything more than one scrambled egg with some cheese. ~Cheri

10 years ago, in 2005, I did the same thing. I was approved for the lap band, lost weight during the liquid diet and said I can do this without surgery. Over the years, I gained and lost, but I could not get approved again until my BMI was over 40. Now I have lost weight again during my 3 month pre-op nutritional counseling, but I am going through with my surgery next week. I cannot make the same mistake twice. Good luck and just do it!

That is probably true for the first few weeks. I would say now, fully healed at 10 months post op I could probably eat 2/3 c. at one sitting. I try to stop before I feel uncomfortably full. There are times when my mouth wants a few more bites because something tastes delicious, but my stomach is saying no way. Those times are the exception rather than the rule, though. And totally worth it. :-)

I am on day 4 too! We must have the same surgery date, August 29. I was just coming on here to look for some support. It is way harder than I expected. I wasn't thinking I would be this hungry all of the time. We can do this! 4 days down 10 to go! Melissa

I am usually the happy go lucky optimistic poster child but seriously, I am ticked off that I am even here!!! There I said it! I hate this band, I hate that it did not work, I hate that I had surgery 10 years ago and was told that it would stay in for life. I hate that I am considering sleeve, I hate that I need surgery, I hate that I have no idea where to go, who to see and who to trust. I hate the uncertainty and I hate that I have to worry if my 3 year old will have a mom and I hate that I did this to myself. There, I feel better and between my tears, I ask if anyone else felt this way too?

I just posted this on another topic but I will pste it below cause I think you guys might be interested. Free shipping for this service too. ---- Sadly pre-op and still in a 24 myself - but there's this online ladies clothes service that might not be a bad idea to sign up for. (I'm definitely signing up after surgery) www.gwynniebee.com. Super cute clothes from size 10-32. It's like netflix for clothes. Pay a monthly fee, make a list of the clothes you want, and send back the clothes when you are done. As soon as you send something back, they send the next thing on your list. it's pretty fantastic if you need a few nice outfits, then you can supplement with goodwill etc. I mean look at this dress! or this one! and this adorable blouse! They even have free dry cleaning included. This whole thing is genius. If you love something you get and don't want to part with it, you can buy it from them for 50% off retail!! And you get a free trial month I've already started my wish list. "Sizes 10-32. Unlimited wardrobe. Unlimited exchanges. Starting at $35 a month. Try it free for 30 days."

I’ve been sleeved since 9/24/2019. To date I’ve lost about 107lbs. I never seemed to have any issues with food or anything for a while but lately for the pas few months I’ve been having bouts of severe chest pains. So bad I can hardly move. Often they are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Can’t say that it’s what I eat because often times it comes after eating foods I’ve eaten the entire time since being sleeved like eggs avocado and I usually have no issues. This morning for example I woke up like this. I have had an endoscopy done which found no problems. Today I’ve tried taking an antacid and a gas pill and I’m finding a really no relief. I’ve been laying here in bed all morning with a heating pad trying to get it to pass. Doctors really have nothing to tell me. Has anyone else had a similar experience?