Hi everyone. I thought I would give an update on my progress .. my surgery was three months ago today. All I can say is that it was a complete life-changing experience.

I am not someone who suffered any pain or acid reflex post-op and with what I have read here, I am a rarity to some degree. To me, my weight has literally fallen off so far (82 pounds today) and with that loss comes zero desire to eat any junk (sugar/carbs were my downfall) and eating healthy is so easy. I love it.

I have lost 5 sizes and my wardrobe (which was very impressive at the start of this *lol*) has diminished to almost nothing. I was sure I would have gotten about 6 months out of it but come September, it's time for new clothes. I have my three-month post-surgical appt in a couple of weeks so I am excited about seeing the surgeon again.

I am eating about 5-6 times a day and it's very small portions .. maximum about 2/3 cup at any time. My day typically looks like this:

Fibre One Cereal with a few berries & milk

Greek yogurt for a snack

Soup, tuna salad, chicken or some other high Protein lunch

Protein Drink

More high protein and veggies for dinner

High fibre snack in the evening

That's it pretty much every day. I am not bored and I do mix it up once in awhile but food isn't my focus but rather a necessity. I take all of my Vitamins every day as well about 8 glasses of Water. It's a struggle some days because I may be tired or just simply not hungry but I focus on protein (60-70 grams), water and fibre. I calculate an approximate intake of about 800 calories, of average. Sometimes a bit more .. but never over 900 calories. I tend to gravitate towards Soups and 'easy' foods because as soon as protein hits my stomach, it's like a dam and I eat very little after that. I want to chew, you know? *lol*

Physically, I can do quite a bit more yet I still struggle with tiredness. I have had no sugar or caffeine since March so maybe this it the 'true' me in terms of my energy level. I realize little food and rapid weight loss plays a big part but exercise remains a bit of a chore. I need to work at it more. I sleep more now than when I did as a teenager.

I am looking to lose another 100 pounds however I am feeling pretty good even now. I told no one except family. Friends and co-workers are noticing now. I am not someone who really lacked confidence but talk about a boost!

Since my surgery, I have had two very stressful events happen to me .. the end of a personal relationship and also the unexpected death of one of my siblings. Healing was a challenge at first but I learned that my emotions are front and centre when it comes to dealing with myself. I have read a lot about people's emotional eating and how they handle it post-op and for me, I didn't feel compelled to race to the kitchen. I cried and let it out. Talk to people .. it works.

I have had very little hair loss ... a little .. but not much. I have a lot of hair to begin with so perhaps I had 'spare' to lose but so far, so good.

I 'fit' differently into chairs, my car, my shoes .. there are differences all around me. It's been exciting to see and feel these changes and I know the best is yet to come. Socially, I have been out a few times as I am in the 'let's do lunch' environment and I am constantly amazed how much people eat vs. what I now eat. I can't imagine my life prior to surgery anymore .. my capacity to fill myself is so little. My desire is even less. I have had no alcohol to date and plan to stay away from it for at least 6 months. Again, no desire or pressure to even have it so it's not an issue for me. I am razzed a bit by dinner companions who wonder how I can 'get by' with just a bowl of soup but I find that soup is the easiest thing for me to order and consume without getting immediately stuffed by a chicken breast or salmon, etc.

Anyway, that is my two cents. Thanks for reading and I wish continued success to the other sleevers :thumbup1:

Thanks for your kind words.

Oddly enough, the records from both my surgical office and my nutritional office have a discrepancy on my starting and pre-op weights so I am not 100% sure what the number is. On average, I have lost 20-25 pounds each month so the difference is about 10 pounds or so (I thought it was double that). My weight loss is starting to waver a bit but I am shrinking to quite an extent so if it's not the scale, it's the inches I will post another update on my birthday in September.

You are doing great, too .. keep up the good work!

You're doing fabulously! I'm sorry for what you've been through but I"m happy you were able to deal with it ok.

Has all of that 82 lbs been since surgery or did you lose any of that on a pre-op diet?

I had surgery one day before you and I'm not doing that darned good! LOL

Thanks, Carla .. much appreciated!

Congrats on your amazing loss, we have the same surgey date, I have a sleeve sister! yay! I hope you continue to do well and sorry for all you've had to deal with.

Thanks Christie for sharing your thoughts .. I truly appreciate it.

This emotional eating thing really strikes a chord with so many people but post-op, I realized it was a habit .. not any sort of nutritional need on my part. I can't imagine running to the kitchen for two tablespoons of what .. cheesecake? .. because I can't eat more than that. I am being cheeky of course but my recent stresses made me realize that I am used to reaching for the fridge door yet now I have no room or desire to eat. This alone is a huge freedom that I wasn't expecting.

You worked on yourself, too .. you have a lot to be proud of. I think I am a bit ahead of the game in terms of the weight loss but I am paying for it with lack of energy but I try to do something physical every day. It's hard! I look forward to seeing your progress, too

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this. You have really touched me. I am at 2 1/2 months so was excited to read a 3 month update. I am at almost 60 lbs lost right now and hope to be at about 70 lost when I hit my 3 months on Aug 20th but we shall see I think the fact you have been able to overcome emotional eating is incredible.... that is exactly what this is all about. I have only had one instance of nearly eating emotionally since surgery but usually it is the farthest thing from my mind. I love this new freedom! I am so sorry for the trauma you have gone through. Those things are extremely difficult... but I can relate so much to how you said that it showed you that you wouldnt revert to old behaviors. In 2008 my dad had a heart attack and was unconscious for 8 days and not expected to survive. At that time I had broken two addictive behaviors - nail biting and excessive gum chewing - and I was so thrilled that I made it through that experience without reverting back. I couldn't believe I made it through that and still had long fingernails. I did however, turn to food and my weight got even worse following his heart attack. Even though it should have made me realize how unhealthy I also was, and do something about my weight, instead I hid behind emotional eating. I am so happy that now this seems to be changing... have been working on it through therapy for about 6 months prior to surgery too so that was extremely helpful.

Please keep us updated as you go along... I just loved your post.

Thanks sweetie! Yes it really is a freedom... let's enjoy it! :001_tongue:

Hey Vancouverite, A friend of mine just had the same op and is excited about the changes.

I'm based in Vancouver and would love to know where you had yours done?

If not in Vancouver, does anyone know of a surgeon in Vancouver that can do this procedure?

Thanks