juliarh

I'm so sorry you're worried. The future it always full of unknowns and sometimes it's scary. But, I'm wondering why you think that you'll regain a lot of weight given that you only have a little room in your stomach?? I know that you want to incorporate exercise that doesn't exacerbate your back -- what about swimming?? Or maybe even consulting a physical therapist who could help you with an exercise regimen?? I really don't think that you will regain much -- I read on OH people who have been sleeved for 3 and 4 years and the most they have regained is 10 pounds . . . . I just can't imagine that you'd regain with such a small stomach. More importantly, congratulations on the 65+ pounds you have already lost And in size 10 pants! That must make you feel awesome

I LOVE the the whole way you've analyzed your weight loss -- it makes a lot of sense -- everyone is different -- we all lose at different rates -- I could re-read your post over and over again just to get your sense of contentment with your weight loss -- I too seem to lose and then stall and then lose and then stall. I know that I'll lose, but part of me freaks out when I stall. Perhaps emotional remnants of previous dieting attempts. I will reread your post just to get my head on straight -- thanks so much for you update

I usually weigh in once in the morning, but sometimes I will weigh right before bed and try to calculate how much I'll weigh in the morning (which never works). I'm obsessed with the scale as well -- I'm gonna try to limit my exposure to it () by doing it only once a week -- that way I can revel in the NSVs and not have my mood be hampered by a number that I KNOW will go down eventually!

Yeah, you should see your dr. immediately -- I had my period about 3 days after my surgery, but it was fairly normal (some things changed, but not much) -- certainly the number of days did not change at all.

Hooray!! I'm so glad everything went well Keep us updated with how you're feeling and everything -- yay! I'm so glad you're home

I'm the exact same way -- when I look at photos of myself I'm always surprised -- this past summer we went to Alaska for vacation and someone took a photo of me from behind and I was stunned. It seared itself into my brain because I was so surprised. I've always had a big butt, but this was out of the ordinary. sigh. Anyway, I can hardly wait till this weight is gone so that I can put up befores and afters too

Christie, I know I've already said this, but you really look great. You look like you've lost 20 years -- no kidding. It's amazing.

Hi -- I was just re-reading the posts and thinking (after I just ate a nice incredibly satisfying meal - for me) that not at any point do I regret having the sleeve done. I know everyone else has said that, but here's my point -- you don't get to eat huge meals, you're right. Oh well. BUUUUT, you do get to eat until you're full! yay! I'm full right now. Had a yummy meal and feel completely and utterly full -- and get this, it was: 1/4 cup extra lean ground beef, tomato sauce over 1/4 c. of whole grain Pasta. Yep, only about a 1/2 cup of food. But it was a great dinner. And I'm stuffed So, no, I don't miss big meals. And I don't regret the sleeve for one second!

I think Stacy's comment says it all -- make the person explain why he/she thinks it's ok to belittle, humiliate, bully someone else. It's not funny in the least. It's especially horrible to post just after the past couple of weeks when young kids are killing themselves over being bullied.

Hooray!

Hi all -- I had all the nausea and massive (and I mean MASSIVE) heartburn up into your throat kind until just last week (week 6 for me) -- I've also had off and on again diarrhea. I had nausea whenever I ate too fast or too much and then I would dry heave (nope, nothing would come out). I had massive heartburn that would wake me up and then I went back to my surgeon and he told me to take 2 nexxium -- (I was taking 1). I am supposed to be taking nexxium for at least 3 months up to 6 months after surgery. Well, all of that was last week. I am now back down to 1 nexxium (yay!) -- have had NO heartburn, and no nausea this week. go figure. I still have the off again, on again diarrhea -- but I figure my stomach is trying to sort itself out. I am eating solids now too. I don't know if that's the difference or not. I found that when I was on the mushies (oh how I hated the mushies) that I was constantly ill -- I couldn't stomach the mushed up food -- so I made mine not so mushed up (with some chunks) and ate it soooooo slowly -- it was the only way to get food down. Plus I relied on my Protein powder -- I put it in everything I could just so I would get the required protein in. And I drank drank drank Water alllll day long. It was the only thing that made me feel good.

I think that once reality hit, all his true fears came pouring out -- and in a way, it's good because you can say to him, listen, I know you're scared that things will change, but they're going to change for the better. It's not as if you won't eat around the table anymore (we still do, but I eat soooooo much less than everyone else), and it's not as if you won't cook anymore (you'll just adjust your recipes to be more healthful) -- A lot of socializing, both informal and formal, are centered around food -- and for a few weeks, you won't be able to participate in the way that you used to. But that will slowly change. You'll be able to eat more things, you'll be able to go out, etc. I'm almost finishing my 7th week and I'm just now feeling like I want to cook stuff -- but!! everyone's different. I just have no appetite, so no appetite for me equals not wanting to cook. But that's slowly changing -- And you'll get your appetite back (it may be a little different like mine is, but I'm not really caring right now) -- in fact, my son now teases me when I take food, "Mom, you're not really going to eat all of that." And he's usually right. So, I think in a weird way that it's healthy that your husband is expressing his fears -- he probably didn't really think it was going to happen and then when it looks like it's really going to happen, he starts worrying. And that's ok. He wants to make sure that the relationship you all have around food will still be maintained somehow -- and it will be, but muuuch differently. I think by reassuring him (and as lunarose suggested) have him read some of the posts people write -- Everyone on this forum, whom I have read, has not regretted their sleeve once. I would do it all over again. So, let your hubby know that you both will be facing a new future, but boy oh boy will it be a nice one! I hope that helps -- we're always here to lend an ear

Christie! You are amazing -- I look at you in those size L shirts and think, "gosh, maybe I could be there in 3 or 4 months!" Wow, you are amazing, really amazing -- and on top of it all, you're looking fabulous!! Keep up the hard work and thank you thank you thank you for your great updates

Wow Emerald -- that is so awesome -- I can't imagine being startled by my own reflection -- it just reflects (pun intended) your hard work and dedication. I can hardly wait to see your pics! Congratulations!

I am soooo sorry this has happened to you! What bad timing -- teeth problems rank right up there in things you want to avoid -- so I'm sooo sorry. I'm sending out good thoughts and vibes!

What a great story -- thank you so much for sharing -- you've lost so much weight in such a short time that you must be beside yourself with happiness Since I'm a relative newcomer to the sleeve (1 1/2 months), I can't comment on the maintenance issue, but I do know there are lots of folks here that are more than willing to help Thanks so much for sharing AND being a great inspiration

You do look awesome! And for another 40+ yr. old, you give me great hope!

Hey Coops -- so sorry you've had pneumonia -- I too had double pneumonia and it scared the living daylights out of me. Was in the hospital for 2 weeks too. But I've not had a problem since. I also quit smoking cold turkey in my late 20s (I'm now 46) -- I smoked 35 cigarettes a day -- and it was super hard -- but after 6 months or so, I never thought of it again (unless I was around a smoker). For a while, if I was around a smoker, I would sit near them just to "smell" their smoke Now, I can't stand the smell. I like that Tankgirl called you an ex-smoker, because that is exactly what you are! And I think FatJuicyMouse is right too -- you need to get your hands occupied -- you need a distraction. In other words you need to get a good "addiction" -- something fun, useful, that will keep your head and hands occupied. We're rooting for you! We know you can pull through this. Chin up!

Hi Becky -- are you using a food diary? I use fatsecret.com because it lets me know the Protein, carbs, fat, and calories of everything I eat. It might be useful to track your food intake for a week or so to see what types of food you're eating. Also, (not to be too nosey), but is it the time of the month? 2 weeks ago, I only lost 1.5 pounds and then the next week got my period. And then that week I lost 6.6 pounds. So it could be Water retention. On the subject of water -- are you getting in 64 oz?? I know my weight loss slows when I am not getting all of my water in. I hope this helps

I'm with DJackson -- I would do it again in a heartbeat. I spent my entire adult life dieting, exercising, losing, regaining more, and starting the cycle again. The problem is not that you can't lose the weight (you can), but the chance of regain is unbearably high that it's like asking to be tortured over and over again. This was my chance to be healthy as an adult and so that's what I did. I highly recommend it. Yes, there are *slight* risks for complications (as with *every* surgery), but if you peruse the posts here, you will find only a couple of people who have had complications like the ones your sister described. For me, the risk of complications was worth it -- otherwise, I *knew* I was facing a lifetime of health complications. But, whatever you decide, know that we support your decision and are here to answer any questions!

Hooray! and double hooray for sticking it out and appealing!

As BigDaddy said, what a testimony -- don't you wish all the naysayers could read this?? Congratulations! I'm so thrilled for you

Congratulations!! Wow, I am so happy for you and so happy that I got the sleeve too -- I see so many of you "long-termers" with such great success it makes me feel so good with the choice I made. Thank you so much for being such a great inspiration to all of us!

Hey everyone! Since I don't weigh in until Wednesdays, I thought I'd wait until then -- the last couple of weeks, I was stalling, losing 2 pounds one week, and then 1.4 last week, but . . . . drumroll please . . . . . I lost 6.6 pounds this week! Whoo whoo! I'm so happy that I did it -- and I did it by sticking to the plan and plugging along And I'm also so thrilled all of us are doing so well -- GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!

I totally agree with what everyone has said -- my nut told me that I should be eating breads and pastas so that I "will get used to them again." That's what got me here in the first place -- I don't need, don't want, don't desire to each that S*&t again! I want to lose weight and be healthy. Now, if later on I decide that I can start adding in more carbs, fine. But right now, if it's not from the ground (i.e., fruit, etc.) I'm not eating it. I'm sticking to what I know is working for me -- lots of Protein, lots of Water, exercise and a few carbs so I don't get loopy. I think that we are all pretty educated about what works and what doesn't -- we gotta be our own best advocates -- if we don't stick up for ourselves who will? Hugs!!