I am hearing about chages in peoples bodies... breath, lactose intolerant, sweets, etc. Are there any of you who after a couple months or so are back to normal? Like in moderation can still eat the same things and feel normal?

Most of us get to what we affectionately term "a new normal." Your body will undergo some pretty serious changes in the first few weeks, but let's face it, we've just lost 85% of our stomachs and are dropping weight like fiends. There's going to be some fallout from that (horrid breath, hot/cold sweats, nausea, whatever). Believe me when I say it's pretty much forgotten after those first few weeks. Good hydration and expansion of the diet slowly over time solves some of these.

Yes, we get "back to normal." I eat normal food, still have great volume restriction from my sleeve, and am kind of amazed to be in maintenance and maybe still slowly getting to my "final" goal of 175--my dietician's goal for me was 212, my first personal goal was 190, and now I'm aiming for 175, but I'm 100% happy where I am. My husband and I are both sleevers, and we definitely have what I would term a "normal" eating style--it's not a "TYPICAL American diet," because that's what got us into trouble the first time, but it's normal, healthy food in normal, healthy portions. We choose to eat more healthful food now because it makes us feel great, and it doesn't feel like "a diet" or like we're depriving ourselves of anything. It's kind of a celebration, in a way.

And "feeling normal"? NO! I feel BETTER than normal. Energy, mood, sense of optimism, all GREAT.

Good luck to you!

I think I am back to "normal" but my normal includes exercise. I don't get very hungry anymore. My surgery was March 2012. I have lost about 42 pounds. I want to loose about 20 more pounds..there are foods I no longer eat, nor do I want to eat..my normal is working for me. I don't want to be the fat girl again.

My tastes have not changed, nor has my sense of smell. I can eat anything. I've never vomited or been nauseous.

At 3 weeks out, the only difference is that I am full after 2-4 bites. I still get hungry at mealtimes (wish I didn't) but my ability to indulge my appetite is gone.