Rootman

Yep, me too - I use a straw or sippy cup with a built in straw ALL the time even though there are a few that suggest NOT using one. Their reasoning is that you swallow the column of air that is in the straw and it ends up in your stomach. I call BS on this as when I suck on a straw I pull a vacuum in my mouth by pushing air OUT and then expanding my cheeks, when the Fluid hits I get a mouthful break the vacuum and THEN swallow. I agree that you get smaller sips when using a straw and - especially post op - it is easier to swallow small sips.

Ditto to what XXM4NDAAXX said. I would avoided a lot of misery and pain if I had done it sooner.

Yes, regular bread may ball up and sit like a lump in the stomach. I avoid it like the plague and even toast. I eat little melba toast rounds now and then to satisfy my hunger for bread.

It's really hard to say, it depends on your caloric intake and metabolism. Since you've been dieting so long and lost so much your body has already acclimated itself to the reduced caloric intake, a further reduction may not accelerate the process. You SHOULD have a much easier time maintaining though as the physical restriction will keep you from eating as much.

Me too. NW Arkansas. Went to Mexico last December. If you are who I think you are you already know that

I elected to do the liquid pre-op diet for 15 days, the guidelines from my surgeon said 2 weeks POST-op liquid diet and I stuck with it a few more days than that, in fact I didn't want to eat as the thought of eating ANYTHING just was just revolting. I gradually introduced pureed stuff and thicker Soups and at 6 weeks some mushy whole foods. Take your time, there is NOTHING wrong with taking the liquid diet for a longer period but you may seriously mess yourself up trying to force food on your tender stomach too soon. BTW: Used2b575lbs, I glanced at your profile pic, man do you look fantastic! You've come an incredibly long way and are a true inspiration to us all.

Please do not double - or triple post - put a post in ONE sub forum only not in multiple ones. It will cause confusion.

Best wishes!

A while back there was a post about someone meeting a sleever that had it done 4 years ago and they lost the eight and regained it all back (or nearly so). Now this was second hand information and the poster seemed to indicate that the sleever just lost control and starting eating constantly, and eating all the wrong things. It IS possible, if there is a way for a human to screw something that should otherwise be bulletproof they will find a way. The sleeve is a TOOL only and NOT a solution. YOU have to make it work and YOU can undermine it and keep it from working.

I too don't count, I just make it a habit of prefering protein over carbs, I'll eat a chicken breast and toss the bun, etc. Lost 101 pounds in 4 months so I must be doing it right.

Welcome Ashley! Good luck with your new adventure, we wish you the best!

It WILL get better but not much - if you're lucky. I am 4 months out and still do not get really hungry. I get a funny feeling before lunch and supper that I really can't equate with being hungry, it's more of what they used to call "peckish". I think it is my stomach acid churning up. I eat a few saltine crackers and it keeps it at bay. I missed eating some at first but really appreciate the fact that that I am not voraciously hungry like I used to be.

Thirsty, dry throat, skin stays tented when pinched, dark urine, fatigue chills: http://www.symptomsofdehydration.com/

Thanks, ummm, whatchernames . . . pretty . . . sleeve . . . lady . . . women . . .people, I didn't think I was alone in this. DOH!

But it will take 7 years at least according to my mom.

Well I would assume the basic skill set is the same as to performing laproscopic bariatric surgery. Being that the sleeve is simpler and is even part of a duodenal switch (DS) bypass operation WIKIPEDIA: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Duodenal_switch (although not as closely cropped) he should have no problem. That is IF he has done the DS type operation. And remember you aren't the first but the SEVENTH that he might do. If you are comfortable with the doc then let your conscience be your guide.

Yep, what Tiff said. Also you didn't mention your family situation, do you NEED to keep the stuff in the house? If there is no one there that "needs" the stuff then keep it out of the house totally. If there are no growing kids that may (or really, may not) need it then don't buy it. We pitched a bunch of stuff and took even more to the food bank so as to not provide a temptation. The wifey didn't need it either and she has lost a few pounds. Out of sight out of mind. I also view food as an EX-lover, someone I have to be civil to but someone I don't have such an intimate relationship. We divorced because of my dependency, it was totally my fault and now we are just casual acquaintances. With this in mind it helps me to visualize the destructive nature of my previous relationship with food in a way that I cannot deny.

Keep your eye on the prize - You can do it! It WILL be worth it all. I'm 101 pounds down and thinner than I have been in like a decade or more. Went through 2 weeks of pre-op diet, thought I was gonna starve, worst part was in the hotel room the days before surgery and every other commercial was for a pizza chain that had a 5 cheese and ham pizza - I almost buckled! Stick with it.

Cool girl, I know exactly where you were, I was the same. I was so fat that I'd get out of breath going to the bathroom to pee. Now that's disgusting.

This is kinda OT but kinda ON too. I was goofing on the internet and happened on an article about Fred Rogers (AKA Mr. Rogers). It said that he weighed exactly 143 pounds for the last 20 years of his life because he liked the number. It was the same number as there are letters in the words "I Love You" 1, 4 and 3. Kinda corny, I know, but still remarkable that he was so disciplined to maintain that exact weight for so long.

Mmmmmm, chicken skin. I often wondered by they didn't deep fry them and sell them like pork rinds. A few skins won't ruin you, unless that is it's a few a day or perhaps a few a week. Just pick up and go from here and remember the savory taste.

It may be excessive stomach acid, do you take a PPI like Prilosec? Beware taking calcium carbonate (Tums) as it can lead to kidney stones. Try a few saltine crackers to see if they reduce your acid enough, they won't spoil your diet too much.

Wow, you thought of some excuses I never dreamed of! If you could lose the weight via diet you probably already would of.

That's cool!

BMI charts tell me I should weigh 160-190 pounds. I'd be rail thin at 160 and I remember that I was average size, perhaps a little on the thin side when I was 180, which just so happens to be pretty much in the middle of what the BMI chart says. So 180 it is.