feedyoureye

Slow here! Have not reached goal yet(my Doc would not set a goal either,I am going for the highest "normal" weight for my height), but on the slow boat and enjoying the view! I am taking the time to learn about my body, how it burns fat, makes muscles and loses pounds. I have not learned it all yet... but seem to be getting closer. lost 87 pounds, gained 18, stopped gaining, maintained and just this week... lost 3 pounds. Who knows if it will stay off, but I think at least part of it will. I have some idea why I gained. Trying not to repeat that... but we don't have control over everything in life. Thank you forum friends for all the continued support. Sorry I didn't see the vets forum sooner!

or raw coconut meat... can cause a huge Fiber ball in the stomach that can't digest or move through the pylorus..called bezor or something like that.. cottage cheese, tofurky and string cheese or hummus or cottage cheese....

Where the he[[ have I been!? I just found this vet forum. Why didn't someone tell me! OK, perhaps I'm a snob, but I think one year minimum! Of course anyone else can look... I was looking for vets from the first day I came on this site, after all they are the ones that have a real clue about the process and the complications that arise later on. Almost anyone can talk about puree recipes or what is the best brand of protein shakes and should!.... but weight regain, hunger, maintenance, and such, you really need to be a year or more out. I have learned a heck of a lot in the last year. (I am 27 months out)and I am pretty sure there is still a ton more to learn! I never reached goal, gained some weight, got back on the wagon, had a long stall, have lost a couple of pounds...started tracking my exercise too...still love the sleeve and do not consider myself a failure...I know I'm not alone here! Sorry Newbies! That wonderful feeling that you are in control of the food may not last much longer! And its not the end of the world! This journey is LONG as far as I can tell. Having vets tell their story, and tell the truth about the difficulties and strengths involved with the journey is valuable to the vets themselves, the vets listening in, and the newbies that want to see into the future a little bit. Most of us here are under 4-5 years out... what will the stories be when that is 10? I want to know!

For me writing it down is even more important than what I eat... When I write what I eat down I maintain consciousness about what Im putting in my body, and end up making better choices, planing for treats and planing ahead which all contribute to success. I also have started using a fitbit, which lets me know how many calories I am expending, and lets me know what my intake can be to still maintain or lose. After a 4 month stall.... eating less than I burn, I have started losing a little weight. At one time I swore I would never count calories again... but I have to, to be successful. Its just the way it is for me. I also work to really enjoy my life, and do lots of spontaneous stuff, keep busy learning new things and try not to get too hung up on equating the numbers on the scale, myfitnesspal and the fitbit with my self worth.

This easter I got lucky, no candy at all. My husband does not give me candy anyway...my mom and dad did not this year. The restaurant we went to had the calories by all of the dishes,and that was a HUGE turnoff from so much of the food on the menu. I saved calories from breakfast and lunch, ate not to bad, split a smaller desert with the hubby, and wrote it all down in myfitnesspal when I got home. The writing down everything every day is what saves my s$$. It keeps me conscious. I was over a little, but back on track the next day. Small bump in the road. There was some candy at work, I ate some, wrote it down and had to do without good food because of it. Not a great tradeoff. It didn't even taste that good. I hope I learn by it and just say no in the future.

I know its really hard to do on vacation, but if you can write down everything you eat or drink... I get in trouble if I lose consciousness of what Im putting in my mouth... I eat WAY more than I think I do. I prefer being spontaneous while on vacation, but that attitude got me into real trouble in the past, and May of last year I regained around 10 pounds while on vacation and while food loving in laws were visiting for 8 weeks.. I ditched the food log, and the rest is STILL on my waist. Very hard to get rid of...and I have been trying and keeping track. Easier to keep track now then later....Have a great trip though!

Used to sound like water swirling/sucking down a big old drain! Finally went away after a few months.

Well said Jane, I noticed that only 4 people posted on this thread that are over one year out... I have to tell you guys, it will change. One way or the other. You can eat more, you will figure out how to cheat the sleeve, you will have your ups and downs, the issues that drove you to eat will still be there if you don't face them, and you will have the means to eat more quantity and types of food. Read the threads here made up of mostly people over 2 years out... regain for many, no regain for some, but I NEVER hear any regret about getting the sleeve. Only determination to keep on trying and building the skill and character to move forward into this new life, stepping up the exercise, dumping some of the carbs that have crept back in...renewing the strength with the support of other here, to go on and not succumb to old habits that got us into trouble in the first place. I myself eat just about everything. I do write everything down, I wear a fitbit to check how much I am expending and I go from there. I get hungry, I have head hunger too, I have gained a few pounds and have managed to level out and stop gaining, and start losing again s-l-o-w-l-y, talk about stalls! The sleeve is great, but it is not the final answer, it is part of the answer as people say over and over again here. I do have restriction when I eat certain foods, not as much with others. I have trouble getting in enough Water.... I am still a work in progress after 27 months. I expect that will be the case for much longer. Getting it off is not as much of a problem as keeping it off. best of luck to you. How far out are you? You really don't get restriction until later on...It's true that some are hungry right out of the hospital. Perhaps when the hormones thin out of your system it will be better for you. Eating well and lowering the carbs a bit help with the hunger too. When I eat sugar I want more sugar. Protein, helps bring about real physical satisfaction.

I choose to eat soy and gluten... I try to use non gmo whenever possible. YOu can find at Whole foods and some products at trader joes, and other health food stores. You need lots of protein with the sleeve, especially when you are losing to keep from losing muscle. Some studies show that Soy fights breast cancer, cholesterol and some other problems. It's not the devil. I would perhaps keep it away from babies, and moderate its use with small children because of growth studies. Other protein sources have their own problems as well. I would think using a mix might be the answer. Eating low fat dairy and eggs in the mix will round things out . Nuts, beans and wheat are high protein. Look for non GMO whenever possible. Fermented soy sidesteps some of its problems... such as miso, natto, soy sauce.

I have so been thinking of you lately! Sorry about the gain, but glad to see you back! I know, when I had to change my 1-5 pound gained UP... well... sad face. This sight is all about telling the truth though and people need to tell the truth so we all can get the benefit. I love the support this far out, from the peeps that have been through it! I have lost 1 pound... don't know if it will stick, but I am looking a little better... I think the small amount of weight lifting I am doing might be kicking in and shaping things up a bit. I only lift about 15-20 minutes twice a week after dance class. I am getting some muscles in my arms... and my waist is a little bit smaller looking...cant find my measuring tape for the life of me, Ill heave to get another. Anyway, its still a journey, and theres just not enough energy to supply a happy life and feeling miserable about gaining some weight....so I'm just trying to find my way to stay the same or lose if possible, and enjoy life at the same time. Cheers girls!

Im happy for all of you, but remember this thread is: Weight Gained Since Having Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Thanks gals!

When I get it grown out a little more I will post a pic! My hair is finally getting thicker...two years later! It still has lots of short pieces sticking out here and there... but they are growing out, and I lose less hair when I wash... but still some...

I'm not sure I really eat a LOT of wheat, I do eat more gluten than most on some days. I eat whole grains, but keep the portions in control. I eat more crackers than bread... choose whole grain, and oatmeal many days of the week. I stay away from white potatoes most of the time, eat sweet corn now and then, I just write it all down in myfitnesspal... according to their measurements, I eat less carbs, more fiber,more fat than they would like,and way more protein. Eating more protein and less carbs does make weight loss(maintaining) easier, and I tip the scale that way to a degree, but not the same as some of you guys. I just don't think I could live that way long term, trying to find the middle ground and get a well rounded diet of vegetarian, whole organics as much as possible. Lots of raw veg and fruits, home grown and local when possible (Im getting salads out of my garden already) and trying to keep the crazy eating down to a minimum... processed sweets, deep fried stuff,extra salty snacks,artificial coloring and added sugars. I do eat some of this poison, but try to portion control it and just say no most of the time. I am not a model "sleever" by any means, but am just trying to find my way for the long run, just like you all. My body is more fit than it has been for years, weightlifting is starting to show... not buff or anything, but feeling stronger and a little bit more shaped up. Im going into my 60s feeling like I can still do physical stuff and enjoy it, dancing, gardening, just took up birdwatching and plan on some treks soon...I wear skinny jeans and just started wearing my hair blue in honor of all the "blue hairs" that have gone before me! (OK, Im a bit of a punk) Cheers ladies, have a nice weekend!

I started lifting weights,and notice a change in the shape of my body, no weight loss though. I need to measure soon...

As a vegetarian, South Beach is the best plan I ever tried. It is a modestly low carb plan that you can follow as a vegetarian. I still use some of the principles in the way I eat. No way of doing Atkins or Paleo as a veg. I did read about one guy that was a palio veg, but I think he did eat eggs. Spartan! One of my main sources of protein is wheat! I make seitan steaks and BBQ them in yummy sauces or make big roasts to slice for sandwitches or rollups, and the protein is almost as high as meat. I do not have any problems with eating wheat gluten that I can tell.

Thats what I figure too.

Thats a really interesting question!

72%! Im in good company then! I have gone into a "cut" phase, I cut my cals by 200 a day...still eat my exercise cals back. Its hard to make that 200 cut... at the end of the day my head says "where is my Peanut Butter and apple!?" its a journey for sure... I'm right there with you girl. Stay healthy!

I just read this article on weight gain after weight loss... 8 pages long, but really interesting. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&adxnnlx=1325167965-awQ/TLyuKlv21t2HqMl8kg

I just started lifting weights in the last month or so. I only do it twice a week for 15-20 minutes, but my weights are going up and I am enjoying it, so hope to keep it up! I think more muscle will be good for many reasons. Cheers, K

Many of my Docs patients had to lose 10% EW before surgery, I was at the lowest BMI allowable already and he said don't bother. Clear liquids day before only. Pre surgery diets are mostly to reduce the liver size to make surgery easier, and show you are serious! I did have to write down everything I ate for two weeks before.

I am so happy to hear you are having this kind of success at over 4 years out! I also exercise 4+ days a week, and log all my food. So far I have refused to eat less than 1200 cals a day, and I am a vegetarian=more carbs. I use fitbit to watch my output as well (for only the last month so far...love it!) according to my input=output I input 500 cals a day less than I output.I do eat my exercise cals back to stay at the -500 cals a day. No weight loss so far, but I am staying the same. I refuse to eat less. This might have to change, but Im taking it slow. Everyone is different! There are others on here that watch everything and stay the same out a couple of years.

You look good NannieG. I too have gained some, but have managed to stabilize and not keep gaining so that is good. I just posted something about gaining after the honeymoon period....I was researching the studies that show the percentage of Excess Weight Loss (EWL) averages...some up to 6 years after surgery. I posted this along with some other comments somewhere else, so apologies if any of you have read this before....here are my stats so far: 90 lbs goal (100% Excess weight loss) 85 lbs highest weight lost (94.4% EWL) 65 lbs current weight lost (72.22% EWL) In one study I found: The patients who received only a SG (n = 75) had %EWL of 53.6, 65.8 and 62.6 % after 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Revisional Procedures After SG Over the total observation period of 24 months, a second operation to induce weight loss was required in 25.0 % (25) of the patients to develop further weight loss or amelioration on comorbidities. Three patients underwent RYGBP and 22 patients DS. http://www.medscape....warticle/771803 here is info from another study… not new studies…. shows 53% EW kept off at 6 years... http://www.thinnerti...candidates.html 72% is not bad in this light, of course I would like to lose that 20, and I will keep trying... but no shame in 72%.

My pleasure Jilliemay!

PPI is proton pump inhibiter...acid blocker You might feel hungry now you are eating pureed? Anyway, when you can eat more solid Protein, that will help a lot. I would watch chugging water... even if you don't feel anything, your stomach had a bunch of nerves cut and you don't really know what is happening there just yet. At two years I can chug 5 mouth fulls, then have to wait for it to go down (which it does pretty quickly) Don't want to stress those staples! Congrats on the 20! Do you really think gaining .7 pounds in a day is a sign that this surgery wont work? Its hard to eat too much at this point... you have been losing 10 pounds a week girl! The body needs a break now and then, and eating salt, or gaining muscle will give you a little jump, so relax! This is a bumpy ride, need to settle in with some chill, and don't forget to enjoy!