I am concerned because I can almost the same as before my surgery and I want to know if I can reduce my stomach size or should I consider gastric bypass? I really do not want to do that.

It looks like you are only about 4 weeks out from surgery? So are you still on purees? I've heard multiple times that some people can get more liquids/purees than they thought they would be but definitely felt restriction on solids.

You've been at this for over a year, so I'm sure you have heard it all and done what you feel you could. But the only way to realistically know what specific options are available to you, is to discuss it with your Surgeon. Good luck

Hangramom, why don't you try this (just a suggestion) before going back to your surgeon. I recommend it only because I have seen it work for other vets. I fear I will be in your shoes at a year, too, so I pay attention to this stuff.

• Go back to tracking everything if you have stopped.
• Set yourself a calorie limit that you know works for you (i.e. enough food but that you can still lose on)
• Set yourself a nutritional limit for grams of Protein, carbs, fats that you know works.
• Start out with 3 days of just Protein shakes - I found it really affected my intake amount and how much I could eat. Seemed to jumpstart the sleeve and reduced how much I could eat at a time. I discovered this by accident.
• On day 4 start back to basics: go on regular foods but focus on firm protein (4 oz meat) first before eating anything else
• Eat vegs second.
• Avoid carbs - they are such slider foods and it's so easy to get too much in. Try to avoid Pasta, rice, bread, tortillas, potatoes, corn, crackers, popcorn, chips, candy.
• Get back to getting 64 oz of Water in and don't drink 30 min before or 60 min after meals. It does make a difference, especially if you are eating carbs. They just melt down with the liquid and you can get way too many down.

Good luck and let us know how you do

Great list NMJG! It would be interesting to find out how many vets do these things (short of only consuming protein shakes) during maintenance. I am curious as I never really moved away from doing these things and am going to be 2 years in July. I think the answer is most do relax away from "the basics", but maybe I am wrong: that is, some continue to live by the post op "minimum" rules (or better) forever.

Edited February 17, 201412 yr by Fiddleman

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I will go back to basics and follow the "list" and make an appointment to see my surgeon. I really do not want another surgery. After my surgery I was easily able to drink my shakes and I had no problems at all. After a short time I was able to eat anything. I was able to eat about a cup at a time.