MustangAli

All you really can do is wait it out. My head hunger and craving were killing me in the begining. I told my Family to go on like normal, and trust me, smelling bacon cooking in the morning was almost as painful to me as being punched in the face. Smelling my Mom's dinner made me wish I could have just one bite. I wanted meat SO bad. I think I was 4 weeks out or so and I couldnt take it anymore. I took a piece of steak, chewed it up, enjoye all the flavor, and spit it out. It helped. I was able to last if I allowed myself a "taste" here and there. It gets easier, it gets better. I promise. Hang in there <3

I was told no soda, but I tried it anyway. I have no issues with it as far as pain, unless I chug it. But...I am now trying to give it up again. It's added calories, and it did stretch my tummy. Of course, not by much - I still cant eat the way I did Pre-Op, but I know the carbonation doesnt help. So...my answer : Yes, you will be able to have soda again, as long as you can really limit yourself and not let it get the best of you!

Im a year and a half out. At first, the only way I knew I was full, was hiccups. Now, I still get the hicups, but I also have pain when I over-over eat. I say it will go away - for the most part. It may come and go from time time you may still feel it, but I think you'll be good once your body adjusts to the new tumtum and the way it triggers that "full" feeling. Good luck =)

I was sleeved 2/22/11, got into a serious relationship 2/7/2012, and barely told him last month the truth about my extreme weight loss. We have been friends forever so he knew I lost fast but didnt know how. I didnt want to tell him, but I did, and Im glad. I no longer have to make up excuses why I cant finish a plate of food. He understands and supports me. If you are serious with someone, and evern better IF THEY LOVE YOU, it will all be ok. Promise =)

I hated wine UNTIL I had surgery. I love red wine and sangria now. My first drink was a vodka infused stawberry lemonade. Pretty sure it was all sugar. Then I did vodka-cran for the rest of the night. I drank beer at about 5 months out. No huge issues. If I chug, sometimes I'll feel a slight tightness but nothing too too bad. and sometimes just to avoid it, I pour my beer into a glasss before I drink it so that it flatens out a little. Now, here's the fun part; Get drunk WAAAYYY faster. No hangovers, Im assuming cause it filters through so fast? the down side to that is, I only stay buzzed for a little while. Example - 3 beers will get me buzzed, but if stop, in 30 mins Im sober. Have fun, be careful, and just play around a lil until you find what works for you.

I had surgery on 2/22/10. I lost 60lbs. 40lbs before hand so a total of 100. But, I started slipping up, and drinking and eating anything I want. I am now passed the 18 month window of losing the most weight. I am trying all these crash diets hoping to get back on track. Nothing seems to work. I am on day 3 now of no drinking. Trying to vut out carbs again. Feeling sad mostly cause I feel little restriction. I know I have stretched my sleeve. I still cant eat like I could Pre-op, but I definitely do not eat like someone who has had 80% of her stomach removed. I feel I am going into these diets a huge failure. I had surgery just to still have the same issues I did before? I try to look on the bright side...little regain...I am 100lbs lighter...with the love of my life...did some great things that I would have never done at 300 lbs (becoming an EMT, Cutting my hair, going after the man I wanted) but still....have I failed? I just need some words of encouragement for those who have time. Not looking for sympathy cause I know whose fault it is that I am here, and she doesnt deserve sympathy. Anyone in my boat? If not - STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOAT. IT F**KING SUCKS.

Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing up), for sure. Just try to take it slow. Stand up, take your time, deep breaths, it'll get better, promise!

Less than a year ago, my Sister threw me a "Fruit and Veggie Platter Party" to Celebrate me getting under 200 pounds. I got down to about 184? Today...I went over 200 again. I have no one to blame but myself. I am between jobs, I am in love, we eat out a lot together, I HAAAAAAATE working out, I drink alcohol as often as I possibly can, and I eat carbs all day, Not sure why I am doing this to myself, but I dont know how to stop. Usually I just go back to the way I felt when I was first sleeved, how I was so busy and never hungry that sometimes 2 or more days would pass before I realized that I hadnt eaten. I usually lose at least 6 pounds by not eating at all for a day or 2. But I dont want to do that. I am actually HUNGRY all the time. My stomach growls. I feel weak and tired. Has anyone here gained weight, got your Sh*t together and been able to lose again? Or am I screwed? I wasted my chance.

Sorry I am being so negative, I am usually not like this. But, that number on the scale this morning blew me away. I feel lost and desperate

Pookeyism, I am sure you're right. And there is no doubt in my mind that it may actually be a problem. Before surgery I was addicted to food, and alcohol. After the surgery when I physically couldnt eat as much as I wanted to, I replaced that addiction with something I could control, which was sex. And now, its back to food and alcohol. My BF doesnt even know that I had this surgery, and Im too ashamed to tell him that I have failed miserably. I used to drink for special occasions, now I drink just cause I want to. It's horrible, I know, but I am too ashamed to "get help".

Thank you for having faith in me, I think if I had some, I would be better off. Right now, I really have no way to talk to anyone, I just cant afford it. I'm going to check out that YouTube page though and see if I can be inspired. Sometimes, I dont feel the restriction of my sleeve at all anymore. And other times, I take 3 bites of food and am so full that I can't move. Im sure its mostly in my head.

I just cant seem to fight my addiction to food. I eat CONSTANTLY. Sure, I cant eat very much at one time, but as soon as I have some breathing room, I go at it again. It's ridiculous. I knew this would be a problem, but I thought I would be able to over-come it. So far....thats not the case. I get so down and depressed and full of self hate for putting myself through so much to only EFFF it up by eating like a cow again. I still have 40lbs to lose, and I am just over 1 year out, I dont see this happening for me anytime soon if at all. I dont know what to do except vent on here.

I have been posting lately about how terrible I am doing and this post is nothing different. I need to vent. I just dont undertsand why I cant seem to get my head in the game? At first it was "ok" that I felt this need to eat my emotions, but now, it's not because I know I have stretched my sleeve. I had not been hungry in MONTHS and now, I am hungry all the time. I used to eat a few chips and feel full. A few bites of ice cream, felt full. I was thanking God that even though I wanted to over eat, I just COUL NOT do it. Now, I am feeling little to NO restriction, I feel like I can eat a whole hamburger. I havent tried yet because I know that if I am actually able to, I will just give up on everything. I keep telling myself that I didnt go through all of this for nothing. I did it for a reason, and I have so muich more to go...but I continue to binge. I graze. I eat steadily ALL day. There is always something in my mouth. I drink soda, I drink beer, I eat ice cream, I eat chips, I dont work out as much as I should. WHY am I doing this?!!? I know you all dont have the answers, and Im not really feeling sorry for myself, it's my own fault and I know that, I gained 3 pounds. What the eff is wrong with me?!?! I just need to vent. I dont know what it is going to take for me to get back on track. I look at my before pics and even those dont motivate me. Im seriously depressed, and I think I have just lost all of my motivation. I just dont care anymore...

Again, thank you all so much. its nice to hear such great things. and i know you're all right. i can do this. i need to break the cycle.

Thank you all so much. Your responses made me laugh, made me cry, and made me feel good inside to know that I am not alone. I have been sitting here evaluating myself. My life. My goals, dreams, hopes...I have so many. I have always tried to rush things in my life. I rush. Thats me. Right now Im about to take a huge leap into paramedic school without having real experience as an EMT. I have realized that I live my life mostly for others. I want so badly for my Parents to be proud of me. I want my Brother and my Sister's to be proud to have me as their Sister. I thought this going into surgery too. I wanted my parents to be proud to introduce me to people...I wanted to be pretty. My Parents called me beautiful every single day of my life. They still do. My Dad introduced me to his friends and after the hand shake he put his arm around me and said "Isnt she beautiful?" His friends agreed but I was like...yeah, right. I'm 300 pounds of shame and hideousness! Now, it's nothing different. I want to succeed. I want them to all be amazed at my change... The person I can never please though...is ME. I'll never be proud of me at this rate. I am seriously looking into therapy. I have no insurance anymore so I'm looking into low cost centers that have students looking to get experience. I did this before when my one and only relationship ended and honestly I loved the therapist I saw. She was amazing. Sorry for another rant but I think Im slowly starting to see that IIIII am by biggest obsticle. I am my biggest critic. If I continue to hate myself - I'll continue to sabotage myself. God help me

Thank you all so much for the replies. Danielle, you have the right attitude and Im sure you'll do fine! Go get em! SK, I sent you a PM kind of venting some more. Shae....WOW Can you come live in my back pocket and talk to me everyday?? Thank you so much.

That sounds very scary and a lot like a TIA (Transient ischemic attack) A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief period of time. A person will have stroke-like symptoms for up to 1-2 hours. A TIA is felt to be a warning sign that a true stroke may happen in the future if something is not done to prevent it. Symptoms begin suddenly, last only a short time (from a few minutes to 1 - 2 hours), and go away completely. They may occur again at a later time. Here are some warning signs: Abnormal feeling of movement (vertigo) or dizziness Change in alertness (sleepiness, less responsive, unconscious, or in a coma) Changes in feeling, including touch, pain, temperature, pressure, hearing, and taste Confusion or loss of memory Difficulty swallowing Difficulty writing or reading Inability to recognize objects or people Lack of control over the bladder or bowels Lack of coordination and balance, clumsiness, or trouble walking Muscle weakness of the face, arm, or leg (usually only on one side of the body) Numbness or tingling on one side of the body Personality, mood, or emotional changes Problems with eyesight (double vision, loss of all or part of vision) Trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking Please, please try to get a CT scan. Even though you didnt have all the signs/symptoms its still a good idea to get checked out.

I am 8 months out. I have been slacking so bad lately. Is it too late to start again? I have 35ish pounds to lose before I am at my goal. I just feel like starting now is going to be like when I was 300 lbs and trying to lose weight. HARD! I can eat a lot more than I could 6 months ago. I knw I can tolerate the bad stuff, therefore I occasionally partake. I know I need to limit my "bad" days and stick to a work out plan but...I still hate the gym. I deal with these insecurities that I think are making me sabotage myself. Example...I tell myself Im going to fail anyways so why bother working so hard?? Horrible thoughts. I have a rational side that knows this is within my control to make sure I do not fail...but I have that dumb voice in my head always telling me Im not good enough. I think I need therapy. Good God!! Sorry I strayed from the topic a little. I just want to know; has anyone had a month or 2 (or 4) where they kind of slacked off, came back into it, and saw some great results??? Thanks All Ali

Reading all of your replies made me cry. You all are so amazing and I dont know what I would do if I didnt have this website to turn to. I often feel so alone! Its terrible. I will try to get back to you all one by one because each post really hit me in a different way. Thank you all again so much.

Cucumbers!

Thank you for your kind words and your encouragement! I will definitely keep you posted. And yes, I think I will look into therapy cause my self esteem is critically low.

You are such an inspiration. I have lost 100 lbs since I started this journey. 60 since surgery. I still see the same disgusting person when I look in the mirror...I still hate myself and degrade myself and care what others think. I hope to reach your level someday. Keep up the good work.

Yes. I have not gained. Except when I was teetering between 191-195. It was up & down but never more than 195.

I take the costco brand Calcium. They make me sick if I dont eat enough food with them. I have to eat a little, take the pills and then eat the rest of my food or else I end up puking. At my last appointment, I was told it is ok to take 3 pills with each meal cause sometimes "lunch" just doesnt happen. Yesterday I took 2 calcium pills and a multi and just ate a boiled egg. I was fine. Today I took 3 calcium and a multi and ate a big salad. I was not able to even make it to the trash can and vomited all over my floor. About 30 minutes before I ate I did run a mile at a local high school is it is 90 degrees here in Cali. I felt sick when I got home, but more like, my chest hurt and I felt dizzy and light headed. So, Im not sure if that contributed. I just recently changed jobs and lost my benefits so I really dont have anyone else to turn to right now... What calcium pills have you noticed DONT make you sick? Or are chewables or liquids better? Or do I just need a higher quality?? Any/all responses are appreciated!! Ali