It's been two years now since my sleeve, and it's the best choice I ever made. My weight is stable +/-10 pounds or so, and it's relatively easy to take off weight that creeps up.

I can eat pretty much all kinds of foods now. I still eat relatively small amounts, eat slowly and with small bites. I don't drink with my meals except a small sip now and then. I focus on low carb and high Protein meals. I eat plenty of fats. I still eat my protein first at every meal. I try to stay away from carbs, particularly refined carbs like breads, sugar, honey, rice, potatoes, corn, etc. I don't mean I never eat those things, but I try to limit it or I start to gain.

How much can I eat? I can eat 5-6 ounces of meat and a 1/2 cup of vegetables at a meal. Sometimes I can eat more. I can eat a fair amount of salad, as lettuce doesn't seem to take up much room.

I walk for exercise, take the stairs, and use a standing desk at work. This keeps my metabolism working better. I hate working out or gym classes. I still drink a lot of fluids and if I don't I get dehydrated very easily. I do drink alcohol, but I try to stay away from sugary cocktails with lots of fruit juice or sweet mixers.

The first six months are the hardest. The next six months are difficult, but so much easier than the first. The second year things get much easier, but this is also a danger zone for a lot of people, I think. You must always be aware of what you eat. That said, it is easy to stay on track if you follow your rules:

• Eat your protein first
• Eat your vegetables second, and eat a good variety of them
• Enjoy fruit but limit it
• Avoid starches and sugars as much as possible (potatoes, rice, corn, bread, tortillas, Cereal, pasta) and save them for special occasions. pizza is my downfall.
• Keep up with your Water, Vitamins, and tests to insure you are not deficient

When you want to drop some weight, do 3 days of Protein shakes. That will reset your sleeve. Then eat high protein/low carb until your excess is off. Once you are back at goal, slowly reintroduce foods back in and try to minimize those carbs to stay at goal.

I'm happy to answer questions. Good luck to you all.

@@NMJG, sorry, I forgot to ask my questions. How long did it take for you to get to your current weight? and How many days a week do you walk and for how long?

Hi Kathy,

I went from 235-207 prior to surgery over about 8 months. It took from August to March (6 months) with the sleeve to get from 207 to my current weight 137.

I walked 30 minutes a day 5 days a week, then as I felt better and my knees were better, I walked 45-60 minutes, 5 days a week. Nowadays (when the weather is good) I'll walk 60-90 minutes a day, 5 times a week. I also use a standing desk now and stand all day instead of sitting on my fat butt. I was never able to do that before, and it keeps my metabolism going.

@@NMJG, sorry, I forgot to ask my questions. How long did it take for you to get to your current weight? and How many days a week do you walk and for how long?

It's hard, no doubt about it. You have to stay vigiliant and sometimes you just don't want to! I am no paragon, I have my good days and bad days, but luckily I have more good days. I also have a very slow metabolism, so I try to kickstart it any way I can. Good luck to you. You can do it, really you can

@@NMJG, first of all congrats on being able to maintain your weight loss two years.

I was searching this site, not really sure what I was looking for but reading your story was exactly what I needed. Your starting weight was almost identical to mine and your current weight is very close to my goal weight. So your story hit home for me.

Like one of the other posters mentioned, I am about 10 months out and I am struggling. I've lost 1 pound a month for the last two months and I've been feeling very discouraged & frustrated.

Truthfully, I am letting the carbs creep back in. So I will take your advice & watch the carbs. Sometimes even though we may know something , we just need to hear it.

Thanks again

Hi I just have a quick question how much protein do you get in a day and how much water you getting in day

I got in 70 grams a day and 10 glasses of water on average from the beginning. Nowadays I get in around 60-80 grams of protein and 8 glasses of liquid.

Wonderful advise,so glad to hear about your success!

Thank you so so much for your post

When u say 3 shakes a day. Is that all your eating?

Hi Amy,

At which point are you referring to?

Cheers,

JG

When u say 3 shakes a day. Is that all your eating?

Thanks for this update. I'm just about to hit my one year mark and can definitely eat more than before. I get so worried about going back to visit the "fat girl who used to live here". This made me feel much better. Thanks again and I wish you continued success!

Hi I've been at a stall for 1 month and I've gained 2 pounds am lost sometimes I think my sleeve is gone

Congrats! You are an inspiration

Thank you for sharing. Really great tips.

Try Protein shakes for 3 days, it really works to reset your sleeve. Good luck!

Hi I've been at a stall for 1 month and I've gained 2 pounds am lost sometimes I think my sleeve is gone

Thank you for sharing your story and advice. Your journey is very inspiring!