Hey all. I realized I posted over1.5 year ago and never updated. At that time, I made it clear that I mostly regretted the surgery, which I had in May 2009. I looked back and my weight at the time was 260. It is now about 275. I had the surgery at 322 (my highest weight was 365 I think). So, from my surgery, I am down 47 pounds. Not so great. And it's all my fault. I'm not going to blame this surgery. I still can't eat very much. And I am still eating when I'm not full instead of when I'm actually hungry (big, big difference). I am anemic and still have awful acid reflux. I take my Vitamins but not regularly. I'm a screw-up. I know what is right to do, but don't do it.

I have been under a lot of stress the last two years. Beginning in May 2010, I started a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. I am less than 2 weeks from being done. I would have been done May 2012, but I was blessed with my second child in April, a sweet little guy who is the best baby I could ever ask for. Other than chronic anemia, hypoglycemia, fatigue and some issues at the end (I ended up with a rare condition called cholestasis of pregnancy), my pregnancy was pretty healthy. He still measured large the entire way, just like my daughter. And born at 38 weeks, he was 7#13oz. My doctor couldn't believe that I only gained 10 pounds (gained nothing until 32 weeks) and still measured large the entire way, which is what happened. I guess I just have big babies. He's healthy, which is what matters. Not even a week after the birth of my baby, I was re-admitted to the hospital for sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Thankfully it was caught in time, but my bone marrow had already shut down and I was weak for months after. I'm just now starting to feel human again.

In any event, here I am again. Faced with a huge career change on the horizon. I was so embarrassed that I had to buy a larger suit in a size 24 for interviews because, even though I haven't gained a ton of weight, it has shifted and I'm just plain fatter. I wore my new suit proudly to an interview for a very exclusive PA position at an excellent hospital, and thought I looked great; but the whole time wondered what the surgeons and PAs interviewing me thought of this morbidly obese woman who wanted to be a PA in their group. It is clear that I am intelligent by even being accepted to PA school, and by graduating, and by the way I speak; yet, I wondered if my weight would preclude me from getting a dream job. In the back of my head, I feel like this fat girl doesn't deserve it like the thin girl. How dumb, I know.

This is all about self-sabotage in my case. I still drink coffee and eat grains -- both of which give me severe acid reflux. I took my prenatals religiously during pregnancy, yet now that it's over, and I am not breastfeeding anymore, I don't. My doc says I'm mildly anemic by my hemoglobin (11.4), but my ferritin is in the gutter (7). I know that if I could quit coffee and grains, and possibly get off the PPI (or lower the dose), I would probably absorb more Iron. It's a vicious circle. Fatigue==>coffee drinking==>reflux==>more antacids==>anemia==>fatigue==>. And even when I take iron, it isn't always well absorbed for me. I take Hema-Plex now, which is the best I've tried so far (and I've tried a lot).

In any event, I think I have finally come to terms with this. I am wondering if some other nice people from here can post what you eat (2-3 years out from the surgery), so I know what a normal day looks like for veteran sleevers. I've had my babies, recovered from sepsis, and am finally able to accept this surgery. Now I finally have to work with it instead of against it.

Thanks for listening.

Shannon

Hi Shannon!

I am so sorry you have experienced such struggle. I am pre-op, but I'm wondering if you shouldn't consider eating the way a recent post-op would eat, since you have more weight to lose. I wonder what would happen if you went back to the plan you were given... i.e., liquids for two weeks, full liquids for two weeks, mushees and purees for two weeks, then add dense Proteins with veggies first, then fruits. Drink Water, water, and more water. Cut out the carbs and caffeine (which can cause water retention) and cut out the processed foods and carbs completely. I have a weakness for crunchy things like brown rice chips, and of course... chocolate. But I find that a few days without those things eventually becomes okay. I can feel okay without them, once they are out of my system.

Wishing you WELL, and great success in your new career... Melissa

Thank you for posting, it is interesting to hear from veteran sleevers. Congrats on your PA, I am finally an RN after being an LPN for 8 years, next stop NP!

You should still be proud about weighing 90 pounds less than your heaviest weight! And that's after pregnancies!

I would probably look into what I have heard as a 5-day pouch test. Actually the website is www.5daypouchtest.com . This should help you get back into the mindset of eating the way we are supposed to with this new tool. I am only 3-months post-op but I can definitely see the value of this type of tool helping when and if I get out of control in the future.

Best of luck and you have already tackled some of the hardest issues and that is admitting you have a problem. See if you can get back in touch with a psychologist/counselor to help you.

I know you can do it, get a buddy to really help you be accountable and work that sleeve.

Hey all. I realized I posted over1.5 year ago and never updated. At that time, I made it clear that I mostly regretted the surgery, which I had in May 2009. I looked back and my weight at the time was 260. It is now about 275. I had the surgery at 322 (my highest weight was 365 I think). So, from my surgery, I am down 47 pounds. Not so great. And it's all my fault. I'm not going to blame this surgery. I still can't eat very much. And I am still eating when I'm not full instead of when I'm actually hungry (big, big difference). I am anemic and still have awful acid reflux. I take my Vitamins but not regularly. I'm a screw-up. I know what is right to do, but don't do it.

I have been under a lot of stress the last two years. Beginning in May 2010, I started a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. I am less than 2 weeks from being done. I would have been done May 2012, but I was blessed with my second child in April, a sweet little guy who is the best baby I could ever ask for. Other than chronic anemia, hypoglycemia, fatigue and some issues at the end (I ended up with a rare condition called cholestasis of pregnancy), my pregnancy was pretty healthy. He still measured large the entire way, just like my daughter. And born at 38 weeks, he was 7#13oz. My doctor couldn't believe that I only gained 10 pounds (gained nothing until 32 weeks) and still measured large the entire way, which is what happened. I guess I just have big babies. He's healthy, which is what matters. Not even a week after the birth of my baby, I was re-admitted to the hospital for sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Thankfully it was caught in time, but my bone marrow had already shut down and I was weak for months after. I'm just now starting to feel human again.

In any event, here I am again. Faced with a huge career change on the horizon. I was so embarrassed that I had to buy a larger suit in a size 24 for interviews because, even though I haven't gained a ton of weight, it has shifted and I'm just plain fatter. I wore my new suit proudly to an interview for a very exclusive PA position at an excellent hospital, and thought I looked great; but the whole time wondered what the surgeons and PAs interviewing me thought of this morbidly obese woman who wanted to be a PA in their group. It is clear that I am intelligent by even being accepted to PA school, and by graduating, and by the way I speak; yet, I wondered if my weight would preclude me from getting a dream job. In the back of my head, I feel like this fat girl doesn't deserve it like the thin girl. How dumb, I know.

This is all about self-sabotage in my case. I still drink coffee and eat grains -- both of which give me severe acid reflux. I took my prenatals religiously during pregnancy, yet now that it's over, and I am not breastfeeding anymore, I don't. My doc says I'm mildly anemic by my hemoglobin (11.4), but my ferritin is in the gutter (7). I know that if I could quit coffee and grains, and possibly get off the PPI (or lower the dose), I would probably absorb more Iron. It's a vicious circle. Fatigue==>coffee drinking==>reflux==>more antacids==>anemia==>fatigue==>. And even when I take iron, it isn't always well absorbed for me. I take Hema-Plex now, which is the best I've tried so far (and I've tried a lot).

In any event, I think I have finally come to terms with this. I am wondering if some other nice people from here can post what you eat (2-3 years out from the surgery), so I know what a normal day looks like for veteran sleevers. I've had my babies, recovered from sepsis, and am finally able to accept this surgery. Now I finally have to work with it instead of against it.

Thanks for listening.

Shannon

Hi, I am back on the forum after being totally away for over 2 yrs. I was sleeved April 2009. I had a very normal journey. It was very hard but "I followed the rules" . It was NOT easy but I have had no complications. My start wt was 332 and I have held/maintained my wt at 180# with in 5 # until Dec of 2011. I have gained 10-15 # and not having success at getting it off. Decided I had to get my mind more centered so I came back to the forum. I have not seen any posters that I recognize but I'm sure there are some around from 3 yrs ago.

I am now able to eat more and guess what? I obviously am. I can eat most things.

I will share what I am eating as a veteran sleever.For Breakfast I have the chocolate costco Premier Protein drink in 8 oz of coffee. It makes it a coffee mocha type drink. I have 1/4- 1/2 slice of toast. I don't like crusts so I cut the crusts off. I have cold steamed veggies or cheese stick and 5 rice crackers mid morning. lunch is 2-4 oz of protein & 1/2 cup veggies. dinner same type meal. I have something crunchy for snack at night. I eat 6 times a day. I don't get hungry but I get light headed if I don't eat every 2-3 hrs.

I agree with what has been posted. First off congrats on ALL your achievements. You have done great. I also suggest you start over with the 5 Day Pouch Diet and then follow your original dr's guidelines. That is kinda what I plan to do. I WANT my 180 # mark on scale again. This gain has to stop.

Good luck to you. Hope to see you post your steps to success. I would love to hear from other veteran sleevers. Carolnphx.