janinemaire

I was right where you are now, I was doing the band up to a month before my surgery than said if I'm doing this surgery than I'm doing it right the first time. I knew the band has a lot of trouble and every one who has it seems to have problem. My kids were worried about me having 80% of my stomach removed and wanted me to have the band and I understood their concerns and we talked about, but I knew the sleeve was the right choice. I also heard some mean stuff from my friends and family. Now 8 months later and 76 pounds down, they said they were happy with my decision and I get to everyone I told you so!

Beside the sleeve, journaling our food is the next best tool. There are times when I can't even keep any junk in the house and there are other times it doesn't bother me. When I want something sweet I let myself have it but I usually wait a couple of days, if I still want it and I usually do, I'll eat it. Your weight loss is really good just see how you can have more of a balanced diet. Good luck, Janine

Hi, I'm 8 months out of surgery. Honestly, I still struggle to get in 60 grams of Protein. I never did protein shakes because they made me sick. I never felt sick in the morning, are you on a ppi? Maybe try a cup of tea. I drank a lot of black tea with a little sugar to help relax my stomach. I also only drink Water, coffee and tea, I hate fake sugar drinks. Ask you doctor what he says you can take for headaches. Your tummy can still be swollen, I'm sure in the next couple of weeks you will notice a difference. Cottage cheese is great early on, it has 15 grams of protein per 1/2 cup. I still eat it a lot. gottagetthere- I've tried I think every protein bar, the softs ones can be too chewy. Also I have not seen a protein bar under 18 grams of carbs, so be careful. I always keep a few in the house if I want something sweet and my carbs are very low. Good luck , soon your going to be feeling great, Janine

I'm glad you figured things out. Thats interesting what your doctor said about the three meals. Right now I can't eat just three meals because I don't eat that much. I need 5 or 6 small meals but it reminds that when a meal is over its over and nibbles of food add up. The Protein is like the magic key. Thanks for posting you give a view for the future for many, Janine

I completely agree, I will still have a sweet but I have no trouble eating healthy. Its like my stomach only wants the healthy foods, I could try something fried but after one or two bites it makes me feel sick. I have never loved broccoli like i do now even strawberries I perfer over most sweets. Good luck!

hello, it seems most people have trouble around the third week. Our periods also mess things up. I'm 8 months out of surgery and for the last 4 months I don't loss any weight two weeks after my period, then i loss for two weeks. Don't worry, your doing great. I try to eat at least 60 grams of Protein and less then 60 grams of good carbs. I don't eat breads, Pasta, etc. mainly because it bothers my stomach. I think you can go down on the board to a food section where you might be able to find more information. Good luck,

Thank you aoa, its nice to read about someone 3 years out who is successful (and you are). It gives all of us hope. Also you struggled with quiting smoking and your successful at that too. You should feel really proud of yourself. Believe me I still crave sweets,always will. I have to have them once in while. Take care, Janine

I'm 8 months out of surgery and I am a slow loser, 75 pounds. But I love my sleeve more now than ever. I love being able to eat good healthy foods and feel satisfied, instead of trying to eat healthy than feel starving right after. Relax and let yourself recover, Janine

aoa- your three years out, are you at goal? You have more experience being sleeved then me, I'm 8 months. Quiting smoking is such a tough addiction to quit, so that is really an accomplishment, of course by rewarding you with making you hungry. Talk with doctor maybe they can tell you what you can do. The only thing I hope to always be able to do is limit my carbs they make me feel hungry and slugish. I'm also thinking if your at goal your calories might me okay. I'm interested in hearing more about the last three years for you if you wouldn't mind sharing. I think your further out than anyone on this forum. Thank you Janine

First off your doing great with your loss and you should be proud of yourself. But kids will say what evers on their mind, especially to their mom's. Just today my 14 year old son who has been my biggest supporter was playing with a soft mushy ball then he started poking my hips and said my hips felt the same as the ball, and he continued to compair. Honestly I don't mind being mushy right now because last year I felt like a big stuffed sausage.

Do you feel hungry every day? Are your carbs low and your protein high enough? I ask because a week before my tom I feel hungry, then I end up eating to many carbs which makes me more hungry. I realize that during that time I need to increase my protein and stay away from all carbs. This helps me, also it took me 5 months before I stopped feeling hungry. Good luck!

I feel a carb is a carb whether it comes from fruit or bread. I usually eat good carbs though and keep it under 60 grams. How many carbs are sugarfree popsicles, I can't think it would be enough to stop weight loss?

I use real butter, but I also seldom need butter on anything. I usually use pam or a little olive oil.

On no I will never give up on my pizza, I have a thin slice every month. But when I started eating normal food again I was happy with just deli turkey or chili, etc. I don't think I got over head hurger but as the months went on and having little bites of things I want helps.

The first two weeks were so hard, I would watch the food channel and drool and would call my friends just ask what they were making for dinner. After i was allowed real food all the things I thought I wanted to eat I didn't want it anymore. I also did have wendys chili after 3 weeks and still now 8 months later is one of my favorites, except I've learned to make really good chili now. Soon you will feel normal. Good luck, Janine

At 8 months out and 75 pounds lost my only real regret is not doing the surgery sooner. The first weeks sucked though, I missed my friends (all the food I loved) so much. But soon as I felt better, went back to work and started eating normal again things were great. Tamz- I bet in few months your not going to have any regrets. If your still feeling sad think about seeing a counselor and stay on this board for extra support. Janine

At two out of surgery I ws able to eat soft foods, thank god, because I couldn't do the protein shakes. My favorites were and stills are a egg , rolled turkey breast, cottage cheese, chili, and cheese. Even at 8 months out I still mostly eat these foods, along with chicken breast and a little red meat. Eat slow and soon you will learn your signals when your tummy has had enough, for me its a hiccup.

I know this is not what your asking, but I had mine out two months before my surgery and it took time for me eat normally. Our gall bladder helps our bodies digest and absorb lipids, I think it takes time adjusting to not having a gall bladder along with that your body is still adjusting to your new stomach. Soon you body will get used to it, Feel better Janine

You are doing so great with your weight loss. I'm now 8 months out and for me as the months went on I was able to change some of my habits and behaviors. Like I didn't start to exercise till I was 6 months out, also I don't want as many carbs and junk now as I did a few months ago. I think we are learning as the months goes on to what works for us and what things we need to change. Stay positive and good luck, Janine

Don't you just love that feeling? So happy for you, no matter if your a slow or fast loser getting under 200 or any goal that we set is such accomplishment. Take care, Janine

I am now 199, I didn't even understand what onederland meant, lol. I started my journey at 274 pounds and could barely walk around the mall, now almost 8 months later I'm 199. I'm a slower loser but I'm proud of myself. I love eating healthy without feeling like I'm on a diet and I now look forward to my 2 mile walks everyday. I have another 52 pounds to go and I will get there. I am so glad I went through with the surgery, I was so scared and wanted to cancel. But I kept reading peoples posts on this board and stuck with it becauce of everyone here, so thank you all for helping me change my life. Janine

Great posts, This month I realized I have been losing 6 pounds a month for the last 4 months. I know that seems really slow but it adds up. I've tried changing things; increase my calories, started walking, lowered my carbs, it didn't change the speed of my weight loss. So as long as it keeps going down I'm happy.

I would go back and see where all the calories are coming from. A lot of people here say 30 carbs and under, I like to stay 60 and under. Some days I have 20 carbs other days 60 so I guess it balances out. But all my carbs are good carbs, which is another thing to look at. I do though one or twice a week have a sweet, we need some fun: )

I use full fat, mostly because it helps up my calories and it taste better. I think if you have other health issues like heart disease, you would want to do what your doctor says on that matter. Years ago when everyone said go fat free, I did which is one of the reasons I became so overweight. Good luck on your journey, Janine

You lost 56 pounds in three month, that is really good. I'm 8 months out and lost 75 pounds, with eating around 850 calories. I think if I was able to increase my calories maybe I would loss faster. I don't think their is an right answer but whatever your doing seems to be working. Are you still losing? How many carbs do you have in a day? Do you eat your protein first? I sometimes get hungry around meal times but fill up quickly, I personally like it when I feel hungry. I was also more hungry until I hit 5 months now not so much. If you don't keep a food journal maybe start too, and see if their is any patterns on the journal that you should change. I feel after the surgery we are all learning new ways to eat and as the months pass we change certain things. Good luck, Janine