Katie713

It takes some getting used to, but we are more resiliant than we think we are and you can work through your feelings. I had a few crying jags since I started this journey, but the feelings pass. Allow yourself to experience the feelings and then move on. At 5 months out I have a different relationship with food, it doesn't do that much for me. Its like the wiring gets changed and that is fine with me because it used to be that I looked forward to eating way too much but physically I was feeling so unhealthy, and I would cry feeling sorry for myself wondering if I would ever not be the fattest girl in the room. I would watch The Biggest Loser wishing that dream would come true for me. When I finally looked into WLS I found the hope I needed and committed to the program right away. I have not regretted the choice not once. My little tummy gets full fast but I still enjoy lots of foods, and if I get moments of sadness, I reflect and feel the feelings, then let something else enter my mind and move on. Its always fleeting now. Good luck to all of you, I bet you'll all end up feeling like me that it was worth it.

theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot skinnytaste.com recipegirl.com eatingwell.com

Use the search function at the top right, type stent or leak and select all forums and you will find quite a few people that have gone through this situation. Good luck to you!!!

Raven21....Hey nice to meet ya! Oh goodness, don't I know it with the knees and the huffing and puffing. I used to live in a 3 level townhome and honestly, at almost 280 pounds last year and for many years, I struggled!!! I finally decided to do something proactive for ME. I am over 80 pounds lighter on my feet and can I tell you? My knees don't hurt ANYMORE! I don't huff and puff walking up stairs. I can walk for miles, and I can even jog. No more big girl stores....it is just amazing and I am extremely happy I had this surgery! So you go girl! You have a lot to look forward to! Have faith in your ability to change!

Cinders...welcome to the 50's group. Are you doing a pre-op diet before you go down to TJ for your surgery? Most doctors here in the US require a liquid diet for a few days up to 2 weeks to shrink the liver before surgery. Not sure if because you are a self pay in TJ if that is the case with you, but you might want to consider it for a safer surgery. Sorry you lost your hubby...I lost mine 21 years ago in an accident. It can be a trying time and you need time to grieve. If you can get emotional support after your surgery I would highly recommend it, as it is you are grieving, but to tell you the truth, you will have another thing to mourn - the loss having food as a comfort the way you may be accustomed to. Be kind to yourself, and talk to friends you can trust, and possibly seek a weight loss surgery support group once you have healed from the initial surgery. I know Kaiser here in Los Angeles offers ongoing WLS surgery support groups. Good Luck!!

Some people don't like fish...but for so many it is such a healthy option, maybe chicken will be your go to, for some reason chicken was hard for me, it felt so heavy in my little tummy! I hope you find tasty foods you can tolerate. Don't be afraid to try new recipes!! Good Luck!

Hi girls...good luck to you both as you embark on this journey, doesn't it feel good to be doing something proactive for yourself. I think for alot of people there are defining moments that lead us in this direction toward weight loss surgery...for me, all those diets, losing and then gaining it back,,,I thought I would never suceed at really changing myself after so many years being so heavy. This changed everything. It works. I am a slow loser but I am losing and to be in the 100's is a miracle. I love eating healthy. All my fat girl clothes are gone. I am now a. Size 16, and I have energy and stamina. I feel so much healthier. My advice, follow the plan to the T. Make it happen for YOU. Good luck! Katie

Nina...you will have them back...but it's gonna take some time...I promise you there are so many things you will still enjoy. Katie

pegsue...be warned, once you start regular foods prepare to feel your restriction in full force. Start with your Protein first and see what you can tolerate, at this stage it may only be a few ounces, then a tablespoon or two of a vegetable or fruit. This is the true power of the sleeve...and if you follow the dietary recommendations of protein first you will get full fast, almost uncomfortably full. It takes time for the swelling in your stomach to reduce allowing more foods, that will happen down the line. Good luck....and by the way fish is an excellent protein and easy for most to tolerate!!

Good for you. You look great and it sounds like you feel great too.

I'm Chicana and lovin my sleeve. I am already enjoying many of my favorite but healthy foods...ceviche, shrimp cocktail, nopales, frijoles, tacos (I might eat one tortilla but mostly just the insides) menudo/posole/albondigas (about 1/3 of my old serving) salsas. Everything in moderation. I have decided to stay away from rice, fideos, flour tortillas, papas and most all sweets....but it is totally doable. For a ton of light Latin inspired recipes try skinnytaste.com.

I would say hard liquor hits you about 3 times as fast as pre-surgery. I enjoy a nice glass of wine on occasion, but I am no longer hooked on sugar laden mixed drinks!! For the record, the drinks are easy to tolerate....but do the math...alcohol has a lot of calories, probably best for a special occasion or during maintenance stage : )

Welcome pegsue...a friend of mine recommended the same product - I may want to keep some on hand, but I would say overall I have not been having a problem at this stage of the game - I am about 5 months out and as long as I have salads and some fruit my bowels move fairly well. What stage of eating are you at, soft/mushy? Are you finding the dietary recommendations difficult? Good Luck!

Welcome Dottie & Connie! Good luck to you on your upcoming surgery Dottie, hope all goes well with your band removal and your sleeve procedure. Just take it nice and easy post surgery, get some walking in as soon as you possibly can and make sure you have what you need at home post-op, your Protein, clear broth, sugar free drinks, etc. You will probably be tired and it takes awhile to get your strength back. Hang in there. Connie...sounds like you are doing well. You have a relatively low BMI so not as much to lose as some of us, and sometimes the weight comes off slower for those in your category...gosh even for me, now that I'm about 2/3 of the way toward my goal....it is harder for me to lose, but I will keep on pluggin away!! Nice to meet you! Katie

This goes away after awhile as swelling goes down. Just be sure to eat and drink slowly and let what you consume make its way down. I saw a model of the sleeve and there is a narrowing after your esophagus, sort of a little bend in the road. I think this one reason we are told to eat slowly and chew well so as not to overwhelm our new little tummys. It gets better for those that are healing normally. Of course others do have actual strictures that need intervention. You need time to heal.

In the beginning I had to force myself to eat slowly, but chewing was not such an issue with soft mushy foods, hitting solids was a different story as I would feel the sensation of food being sort of stuck for a bit...as I've seen models of the sleeved stomach it is clear there is a bend near the top that food needs to move through...that bend is what I feel at times, so I slow myself down...and kind of eat in increments taking about 30 minutes. No more pounding food down like the old days! BTW I'm just short of 5 months out.

Fantastic job! You look great! I feel the same way when I look at pictures...I am finally seeing my curves again and I used to be very wide as I am a shorty...now I look more petite but still curvy. Good going girlfriend!!

The pureed foods go right through and don't give you a sustained sensation of fullness. This stage is primarily to give you nutrition while not hurting your stomach as it heals. Once you start on solids you will feel the restriction and a definate sense of fullness. Don't stress out, this is normal.

Newgrandmother...you can do this. You're gonna have to have plenty of dietary restrictions for awhile but it gets easier. Accept the process and don't fight it. One shake at a time......

Mine feels better when I dye it - adding some volume to my hair and it has not affected the hair loss situation which for me is staying about the same. I am trying to eat healthier (more veggies/fruits) for better nutrition and taking the biotin.

Just to add, it covers the tummy, hips and thighs....works so good!!

Try the avenue.com or onestopplus.com websites. Look for the easy up/down shaper. It really is easy to get on and off unlike some and it holds everything in. I love mine and it comes in sizes to 4X I think.

Justsleeveit....the Kaiser program is really great, you are lucky as you will have a wealth of information, group support, behavioral support, nutritional support...and you will be on a supervised diet with weekly weigh ins to help you get in the groove. I am so grateful I participated in the program! I had surgery 4/6/12 and am feeling so strong and much healthier!!