Temperamental Sleeves

[JennyBeth 127]

Now that I'm finally starting to lose weight I am very happy. I'll be 6 weeks on Wednesday. I know everyone goes through a mourning process and everyone that's much further out says they can eat anything just in smaller quantities. I never thought I would grieve my changing relationships with food, but recently I find (especially when out to eat with my family) that I'm frustrated. It's as if my brain wants to continue to eat more, but my body knows it's reached it's limit and I immediately stop (because I've made the mistake a few times of taking one bite too many!)

At what point does your brain catch up to your stomach? I can get in 3 or 4 bites of something and have to stop. My 5 year old can eat more than me!

I struggle with what to eat and what my sleeve can handle. I'm supposed to transition to regular food as soon as I feel ready, but I continue to stick with softer foods. Sometimes I eat something and my sleeve does fine and the next time I try it my sleeve doesn't tolerate it as well. My sleeve has been extremely temperamental and I'm jealous of those that can tolerate anything and seem to have a sleeve of "steel". I should've known this would be the case as I have IBS and am lactose intolerant so my stomach has always been on the sensitive side.

I guess my question is to those of you that had temperamental sleeves exactly how far out were you when you felt things start to become easier?

[PdxMan 4,292]

It was 6 months before I could say things felt "easier" going down. But you have to know that it is a combination of my stomach's tolerance of foods AND me changing my eating habits. Meaning, I chew more, take smaller bites and put my utensil down in between bites. Today, at almost 2 years out I can have issues if I don't follow any one of those 3 things. Bottom line for me was learning NOT to inhale my food anymore. It is a hard habit to break. I love food and I love eating. Sleeve hasn't changed that, but it is helping me form new habits.

[Butterfly66 63]

I am now a month out and can finally eat scrambled eggs. When I take just one too many bites of something, I really pay for it and remind myself not to do that again! It's a trade-off. You decided to do something to end your cycle of weight loss/weight gain. For me, the sleeve will prevent me from falling off the wagon like I have done my whole life. Falling off the wagon wasn't just a meal, a day or a pound...it was weeks and 20 pounds! I don't miss what a can no longer have and am happy that the sleeve makes the choices so I don't have to. It gets rid of the temptation because I know if I tried to eat that cookie or cake or bread I would pay for it miserably! Good luck.

[newat52 1,612]

I Think you just need to be a bit more patient. You most likely will be able to eat most anything but give it time. I'm almost 8 weeks now and things are improving everyday. I am not rushing things though, baby steps. Perhaps you are eating to fast or you are taking big bites? Just throwing out thoughts to help you through.

[JennyBeth 127]

I take small bites and chew as much as I can. I try to slow down (this is the hardest change for me-I never realized how fast I must have eaten Pre-surgery! Part of my issue of being uncomfortable is acid reflux. I'm on Protonix, but it's not cutting it anymore even after doubling it to twice a day. I see my surgeon tomorrow and will ask him to give me a prescription for something else.

[newat52 1,612]

Yikes! Sounds like you have some nasty reflux going there. You are so right about slowing down though, that is one tough habit to break! Chewing a ton has come easier with time though.

Good luck with your post op tomorrow, hope he can give you something stronger for the reflux, that may be a big part of the tempermental tummy!