Hi Guys,

I am 5 months post-op. Since last 2-3 weeks I am noticing increased diet and hunger. Before that I was not even able to finish 1/2 portion of my meal and now I am able to eat double the amount of food. So I was wondering whether my sleeve is working or not? My weight is not going down since last 3-4 weeks. So I just wanted to know whether is this thing normal or should I make a call to my Dietitian. Because I am scared of gaining my weight again.

Thanks!

I can totally relate to being a college student! I had my surgery right after I began college for the first time at age 59 and achieved double degrees in Gerontology and Nutrition in 2013! We all have to examine how badly we really want to change our eating habits so that we can enjoy good health and the best quality of life for the rest of our lives. "Life" and its many stressors are always going to be getting in the way--we each have to find our new coping skills. Sure, it's a lot of work and a whole lot of planning. On days when I had a 7am class and knew I also had a 7pm class and wasn't going to be home at any time at all in between, it took a lot of planning to make all of my meals and Snacks for the day to carry with me, but it was important for me that I remain true to my bariatric program. That is a decision only YOU can make.

There is always a way if you choose to find one. An old work colleague of mine very early on in my career who became a very respected mentor of mine once said, "People always MAKE TIME for the things they really want to do." I think of that so often when I find myself telling me it's hard, or I can't, or I don't want to do something.

For the other posters asking which particular month you start getting more of an appetite back--it doesn't really matter whether it's right after surgery, or month 1, or 4, or 5, or 6, or ?, or never. There is no magic month. What matters is that at every step of your new eating lifestyle, from the day you leave the hospital, you are feeding your body the nutrition it needs. That means when you start eating regular food, it's lean Protein and fresh fruits & veggies, and not the packaged, processed stuff.

It's all so overwhelming at the beginning (and for me, frankly, it continued to be for more than a year). The rewards far outweigh the challenges. Most of us have lived lifetimes of crazy unhealthy eating habits that don't just "go away" over night. It takes work and determination, but we have a great tool in the sleeve that we have never had before. We just really have to grasp that IT doesn't do the WORK--WE DO!!!

Keep up the good work everyone!

I can totally relate to being a college student! I had my surgery right after I began college for the first time at age 59 and achieved double degrees in Gerontology and Nutrition in 2013! We all have to examine how badly we really want to change our eating habits so that we can enjoy good health and the best quality of life for the rest of our lives. "Life" and its many stressors are always going to be getting in the way--we each have to find our new coping skills. Sure, it's a lot of work and a whole lot of planning. On days when I had a 7am class and knew I also had a 7pm class and wasn't going to be home at any time at all in between, it took a lot of planning to make all of my meals and Snacks for the day to carry with me, but it was important for me that I remain true to my bariatric program. That is a decision only YOU can make.

There is always a way if you choose to find one. An old work colleague of mine very early on in my career who became a very respected mentor of mine once said, "People always MAKE TIME for the things they really want to do." I think of that so often when I find myself telling me it's hard, or I can't, or I don't want to do something.

For the other posters asking which particular month you start getting more of an appetite back--it doesn't really matter whether it's right after surgery, or month 1, or 4, or 5, or 6, or ?, or never. There is no magic month. What matters is that at every step of your new eating lifestyle, from the day you leave the hospital, you are feeding your body the nutrition it needs. That means when you start eating regular food, it's lean Protein and fresh fruits & veggies, and not the packaged, processed stuff.

It's all so overwhelming at the beginning (and for me, frankly, it continued to be for more than a year). The rewards far outweigh the challenges. Most of us have lived lifetimes of crazy unhealthy eating habits that don't just "go away" over night. It takes work and determination, but we have a great tool in the sleeve that we have never had before. We just really have to grasp that IT doesn't do the WORK--WE DO!!!

Keep up the good work everyone!

thank you so much for this inspirational and motivational post!!! I hope I will do justice to my sleeve from now on-wards!!