PdxMan

I'm 13 years out. Yes, you can drink while eating, but I chose not to as I want to have that full feeling longer. I know that if I am feeling too full, because I ate something that expands in my stomach like breads/rice/pasta, I can take a few sips and I get relief. That is because, as mentioned, having a liquidy slurry of partially digested food will alert the pyloric valve to open sooner to pass to the intestines. The negative part to this is if you do drink while eating, you will be able to consume more food/calories, which I have discovered my body doesn't really need. It was a new habit, but once you get into the groove of things, you will soon discover you don't need it. There is an old video out on YouTube which gives a great example of what happens when you have applesauce in a funnel, then add a little water. The applesauce loosens up and goes right through the funnel. I believe this to be true for me. Search for WLS - No Drinking With Meals! He didn't have VSG, but as I mentioned, I found this to be true for me.

As Arabesque mentioned, you will experience many stalls on this journey. They are normal and if you just keep with the plan, weight loss will resume. It can be discouraging, for sure, but Arabesque is wise.

You need more carbs. I know, funny thing to think about when your team has told you to limit your carbs, but, my guess is you have limited them too much. Gradually increase until the shaky/weak feeling passes. Don't worry, you will still lose weight. My go to was cooked, mashed carrots. I know, I know ... but it worked for me.

I couldn't agree more. There is a reason you continue to do this to yourself. I saw a therapist my first 2 years post surgery as I knew my food addiction ran deep in me. I needed help discovering what I was trying to solve by over-eating. But that is my story. You need to discover yours.

My stats on the side say it all. I posted those numbers 8 years ago and they are still true today. As bhrobins says, stick to the program. It works.

Have you spoke with your surgeon's team? Every person is different, of course, but I wasn't able to eat beans until after 3 or 4 months. Tuna was about 3 months. Beef was at least 6 months out. I still don't eat rice and I'm 9 years out. Your eating plan sounds way too aggressive for me, but as I mentioned, everybody is different. If I was trying to eat those things 1 month out, I would have been in a lot of pain, too. Talk to your team and find out where you should be at.

I will identify myself and tell my story if I feel it may be of service to someone else. I have been in circles where the topic comes up. As I am sure many of use has experienced, there is a lot of misinformation out there. I am more than happy to straighten them out! HA! But also when I am around someone who I know is struggling with their weight, I may casually mention something like, "Oh, I started [fill in the blank] ever since I had WLS", and I leave it right there. If they want to inquire about it more, I am happy to share my experience, but otherwise, I drop it as I know for myself, I would have been pissed if someone told me I needed WLS. Now, on a personal basis, yes, I still identify myself as being a WLS patient. It is hard not to when I am at a wedding reception buffet. There are 10 great things that I would love to sample, but I know I have limited real estate in there. It's like, "Oh, man, that thai meatball was incredible ... I'd love to have just one more", but I know I can't if I also want to sample other things. I don't regret having WLS, but it is hard not to ignore the reality. I'm glad I have the sleeve as if I didn't, I would be eating large quantities of everything. WLS helps me be mindful and I don't want to forget that.

I've written a lot about this over the years. I believe the "stretch" is more a function of a person's ability to "eat around" the sleeve. When eating by the guidelines given us at the beginning, my restriction is the same as it was a year out. But if I am eating slider foods, sure, I can eat a larger quantity. If I am sipping water with my meal, sure, I can eat a larger quantity. If I graze throughout the day, sure, I can eat a larger quantity. Rather than blame myself and my need to fill my soul with food, I can just blame it on the sleeve "stretching". Now, I'm sure this does not cover 100% of the folks out there. I am sure there were surgeons who left too much fundus and their stomachs are able to distend larger than the "average" sleever, but I am guessing they are in the minority. But one this I am confident about is if they go back to the original guidelines, they will lose anything they have gained. I am confident about this as it has been true for me. I have slipped into old habits of using food as a crutch and ate around my sleeve. I gained 20 pounds over a couple years. I'm not not cured of my food issues. But I simply returned to the old guidelines and 6 months later, I had dropped that 20 pounds. This only works if you work it. We cannot forget nor ignore this, lest we suffer the consequences.

07/08/2011. Just turned 6 years. Maintaining at goal weight. Loving it.

I have been a lurker or member for over 3 years here. I have a definite interest in helping everyone understand WLS as I have come to know it and would be interested in sharing my experience, strength and hope as it relates to this vast journey. I would like to believe we have enough WLS folks in the Portland, OR area to support meeting on a weekly basis. Once a month, we would have a cooking demonstration and perhaps a Saturday morning walk through Forest Park. My drive would be to focus on self, creating nutritionally balanced meal plans integrated with proper exercise techniques for every level. This could be accomplished though demonstrations by myself as well as local folks who could presentations. Portland is a great community focused metropolis and I believe our city will support our efforts.

Ah, thanks. Never heard of that. Heard of a leak test, but not swallow test.

Thx, but seriously, what is a live swallow test?

Sorry, I don't even know what a "live swallow test" is. Success? Failure? @@Babbs?

Ladies, HERE is your roadmap, though not sure how you are going to get your ovaries to descend.

I take NSAIDS all the time. Well, not ALL the time, but I rototill gardens and yards on the side and will take them as my hands and joints tend to swell pretty good after a full day. From what I understand, Sleeve patients shouldn't take them for the first 6 months post-op as the swelling actually helps keep the stitching sealed until proper healing occurs. Reduce the swelling too soon, and a leak may present itself. At least, that is how my Dr explained it to me. Over a week, I will take no less than 4 to 5K mg. Never been an issue, but as LSL points out, consult your team. Been sleeved almost five years and am maintaining at goal.

Ha! But I just wanted a couple bites of toast. That's it. One slice. I'll pay for two, but give me one. Really. It's OK. Don't feel bad. It would have been funny, though, to send it back.

Having Breakfast at a place with my kids, I ordered 1 piece of plain, whole wheat toast. The waitress just looked at me puzzled? I have to charge you for a full order ... I know. It's OK. But just bring me out one piece, please. I won't eat the other one. ... brings me out 2 slices, buttered with jelly ... I just couldn't bring you out one slice I left a slice and a half

Quick question ... if you are president of the HOA and this is a neighborhood kinda party, and you are a homeowner there ... is a formal invitation actually required? My previous neighborhood did these and everyone just showed up with food and drinks. Who is the invitation sender-outer? I would definitely follow up with this as this could have been spun around the other direction and you don't even know it. "Better not invite that hussy Jenn1. At the last get together, Velma's husband said she was drunk and hitting on him. Ever since she lost all that weight she thinks she can just have any man she wants. Well, cheep ... cheep ... cheep ... " Know what I mean?

I did self-pay through Blossom 5 years ago. I've dropped by when in Vegas and they are as great now as they were then. I have terrific restriction still. I would recommend Dr. Tom Umbach and his staff, for sure.

Hello @@VannaD, I had my sleeve done a few years ago, but if you would like to chat on the phone or meet for a cup of coffee PM me or drop me a line here. I choose the sleeve because I did not want the malabsorption issues. Almost 5 years out and no restrictions. Best decision I made.

I had it for quite awhile a couple years pre-op. My Dr recommended ASTYM therapy. Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar tendon becomes attached to the foot's facia in not so ideal ways. ASTYM therapists use tools to scrape up and down your foot basically ripping the plantar away from the facia, lengthening it. When new facia connects are made, the plantar tendon is in a lengthened state and you no long feel the pain. I'm not going to kid you, ASTYM therapy hurts like a mo-fo, but it is only temporary. I went in for 6 sessions, I believe. Haven't had a problem since.

@@defibvt, I believe the dogs taught Pavlov. The dogs were merely acting naturally.

There aren't too many of us. When I was active on the board, 3 to 5 years ago, there were only a handful of guys who were also active on the board. Less than 10, I'd say. Most of them, as have many of the ladies, have moved on with their lives. I see a few of them, like @gmanbat and @@joatsaint, but @@Butterthebean, @Fiddler and a few others have moved on. I had too, but came back to get some inspiration to lose a few pounds. Earlier, you mentioned dumping would help you to fight regain. I'm not a bypass person, but I wouldn't depend on dumping to keep you compliant. Understanding why we get the f**k-It's and finding methods other than eating is the key. Otherwise, you could just attach wires and batteries to your nut sack which shock you every time a cupboard or refrigerator opens in your house. That would be more effective.

In July, I will be 5 years post-op from VSG. I don't exactly know what my top weight was as my scale only went to 300, but I know I was at least 10 pounds above that (probably more like 20) and was very compliant during my 2 week pre-op diet. I flew down to Vegas (baby!) for my surgery and weighed in at 280-something. Over the next year I was very compliant with the Drs eating recommendations. I was down over 100 pounds, began running (never ran in my entire life) and participated in a lot of fun classes at my local gym. Personal issues struck and I did lose a lot more. Got down to a low of 156, which was way too low for me. I changed my eating habits and maintained a 175 - 185 range for the past 2 and a half years. As is my norm, I do stress eat and this past year, I have been under quite a bit with marriage/family issues and new responsibilities at work I have gained to a 200-205 range. When I am depressed, I get the f**k-it's. But, I am working with a therapist and have re-committed myself back to the original eating recommendations. Even though I am quite a bit thinner, I have to always be conscience of my triggers. I still have to live life on life's terms and not try to fill the hole in my soul with food. Getting the sleeve has not stopped me from being a food addict. I love food. Simple as that. But, while the sleeve does restrict my portions quite a bit, it does not have control over my choices or impulses. I do understand why I abuse food, but when I get the f**k-it's, I sabotage myself. So, for me, the sleeve has been fabulous. But it doesn't end right after the surgery nor after you reach your goal weight. The demons are still there (for me) and I must continue to be aware of my triggers. As I mentioned, my restriction is still great, so I know I will be able to work with my sleeve (and therapist) to get back to my goal weight.