OK, this is seriously funny, but I just got back from a week in Vegas and I lost weight. How much do I love my sleeve? You bet I do!

This is a victory on many levels because the last time I was in Vegas, I was over 300 lbs and could barely walk for more than 1/2 hour before feeling winded and needing to take a break. This trip...I walked over FIVE HOURS three days in a row. I just stopped every now and then for some quick gambling, some hydration, etc. It's like I had the seemingly endless energy I had 20 years ago! It felt fantastic! No pained feet, knees, back...I felt fit again!!!

I stayed off-Strip, so the hotel buffet ($8 for Breakfast or lunch) was totally worth it. Breakfast with eggs, cheese, sausage, bacon...about 4-5 oz worth was delicious! It's actually fun to try "just a bite" of many different things. lunch was bone-in chicken (removed most of the skin), beef fajitas, and steamed veggies (broccoli and grean beans). I indulged in a fried ravioli and a couple bites of teriyaki chicken (totally fried and sugar-coated) also, which were the first fried items I'd had in months and both were yummy. I still have this fear that I'll fall back into eating too much of that garbage, but trying to deal with it rationally and maintaining balance. My eyes were seriously bigger than my sleeve (as I knew my eyes would be)...even though I used a small salad plate. I seriously wished I had my scale with me so I could determine how much I was eating.

I brought my small flatware (appetizer-sized fork and spoon) to keep myself in check. I eat very fast, so small bites are a must for me. I did overdo it once at lunch and got the slimes, but live and learn. The food was still wonderful even in small quantities. I knew I'd probably try and check the boundaries of my sleeve at a buffet. Yup, I still can't eat too much. It's fantastic!

I also tried the Fit Slam (Proteins and the low-carb melons and finished less than half. It still feels a bit insane to actually leave food on my plate, but I'm getting used to it! I did Atkins for several years and total carb-junkie, so I'm still a bit afraid of carbs.

After years of trying to find the most food for the money, it's strange to search out the best Protein values. I did check out this site (meats are just not sleeve-friendly. I tried beef fajitas and pork tenderloin. They seem to go down fine, but fill me up too quickly even with chewing. Next time, I'm dropping the dry meats in a soup or adding some gravy like I do at home. I seem to be able to eat oodles of meat-heavy Soups without problem.

Eating out wasn't too bad. I traveled alone, so kept feeling like any "big" meal would be a waste of money. I found that Subway's salads were too much lettuce after they chopped it all up (seriously like three meals there in one salad with the bulk being lettuce) but ordering a sandwich and eating everything but the bread (I ordered flatbread to make it easy) was just perfect at around $5. I got the oven-baked chicken (Protein Bars (I like the Pure Protein best because they're seemingly low-carb though I don't completely trust carb content on protein bars...chocolate Shake" (http://eas.com/products/drinks/carb-control-drinks-rich-dark-chocolate) which were awesome in decaf iced coffees through out the day for some extra protein.

I did alot of people-watching and was really aware of how overweight so many people are...and I was just like that a year ago. That was a big reality-check as I could barely get up a flight of stairs a year ago and I was literally sprinting up stairs every chance I got. I really don't want to fall back into old habits. It feels like a slippery slope. I'm sure most of us who have yo-yo-ed throughout our lives get that panic feeling when we're at a healthy weight. It's a good feeling, but also scary.

But when all is said and done...I lost 5 lbs in Vegas, which I'd never done without my beloved sleeve! I look forward to vacations now with lots of walking and outdoors-y stuff because I seriously have the energy now for it!

Edited February 14, 201511 yr by AlwaysVegas

We were in Vegas in December 3 months after my surgery and did great. I also lost weight!

Newly sleeved, 2/4. Love stories like this. Make me so excited for the future!