CowgirlJane

I was cleared for vigorous activity 6 weeks post op. You might feel fine, but I didn't want to risk forming adhesions or anything.

Congratulations! Great success story. Just say no. There are plenty of others who are comfortable with"going public" they can use as success stories. I had alot of shame around my lapband but by the time I revised to the sleeve..I was like "who am I kidding" - not like my 300# was invisible. I am over it and don't care what people think, but I respect that not everyone is in the same headspace.

Eventually I figured out that I felt more swollen then I really was due to numbness.

I am going to ask for the "talk" on this topic at my surgeon's office. I follow their patient support Facebook page and the only sleeve to bypass revision talk I see is people with out of control reflux, a known risk of the sleeve.

I have a slightly different perspective. I think people with a lot of weight to lose face a somewhat different challenge because it takes so long to get to goal. Getting to goal, skin removal, cute clothes, a fit body gave me lots of motivation to stay focused the last few years. If I were still over 200# I am not sure I would maintain as well as I have.. I have been both a failure and a success. I feel that sense of..it could have been me writing this post but instead I managed to get to a normal size and weight...and by hook and by crook...maintaining. I have not investigated resleeving but I would ask hard hard questions about success rates and risks. I am suspicious. I would also seriously investigate the DS, the new mini DS. Revisions of any kind has higher complications risk and statistically poorer results. My revision from band to sleeve was the best decision EVER, but it doesn't work out that way for everyone. My #1 advice is don't let shame keep you from seeking help and support, so kudos to you for making this post!

Good warning. About 4months post op I had t the tiniest glass of wine at my sister's 40th wedding anniversary...oh it burned! Later, after getting to goal, I allowed alcohol as a social treat. I made a mistake one night, opened a nice red to have and essentially blacked out on 2 glasses. Yeah , I forgot to eat. I am 4 years post op and do drink socially but the key is food. Empty baby tummy plus booze is a bad idea!!

Ha.. funny! Honestly I think women can be a little overly sensitive to this kind of thing..they assume every man is some kind of deviant, but maybe they just have to pee! I have two sons and it stressed me immensely that the showers at our local pool expected all males over the age of 5 to use the mens showers even if unattended. Peeps probably thought I was the pervert as I stood outside the mens showers with my "ears on". Boys had I instructions to scream like a banshee should they feel threatened or anything. I was ready to attack like a momma bear....grrrr

Ok...not going to believe this one! In July or August I met a guy at a dance lesson... he struck me as a nice man, pretty much had to force my phone number on him (pretext was he was interested in a horse related info I was to send him). After sharing the info didn't hear from him until he friended me on Facebook a few weeks ago. I just assumed not interested. Well today he called and asked me on a date. Knock me over with a feather!

I never imagined that losing weight would "magically " fix everything in life, but I guess I am surprised how difficult this has been. I have not been dating as long as you mention and have taken significant breaks so perhaps it just takes longer. I am so over that married ass... it is just an example of how annoying this process is. I think what I am starting to wonder, as time goes on, if I really want a deep relationship for the next phase of life. Like- is it really worth it. And....I don't have a harem dammit. (I don't really want a harem, all too complicated for me, but I couldn't let that remark pass)

@@gowalking as you said..it's a job! Best advice I ever got...have low expectations. I don't really think much about someone unless we have had 3-5 dates.. it's a strange world this dating business. Don't take it personally..just keep trying!

You have drawn an incorrect conclusion. Most sleevers do not get food "stuck" as there is no physical block. Exceptions are peeps with a stricture, which is a complication. Perhaps forums lead us to focus on complications because they tend to be vocal?. I realize other people's experience may vary, but in 4 years I have vomited less than a handful of times and it was 100percent due to "wolfing" food. At 4 years out, I have a Protein drink a day because otherwise I cant hit 80-100g daily. I have a muscular build and have been advised that is the range for me. I eat ALOT of protein sources but still seem to be in the 50-70 range without my Premier Protein protein. I use it instead of creamer in my coffee and to wash down my vitamins! When I was banded I had no idea how important protein is to loss and maintenance...I never used Protein drinks then. .of course the extent of my nutritional guidance was to "be satisfied with petite portions" which is good advice, but lacking in specificity!

I used my fitness pal to track and it worked great. When i buy something that is intended to be a Protein source, I use a rough rule of thumb...I call it my protein bargains. Must have AT LEAST 10 g of protein for every hundred calories; carbs are ideally under 5. So my salmon patties at 160 calories/22 g of protein and nearly zero carbs is a "protein bargain"

May I ask what you mean by this? Why do you imagine sleevers don't go on full solids / regular foods? I eat normal foods. food doesn't get "stuck" - I eat smaller portions is all.

Let me tell you the downside to shame... it can block your willingness to seek help. I had alot of shame about my failure as a lapband patient (2001 - 2011) and it didn't help that I was so ashamed that I didn't seek and find the help I needed. When i revised to the sleeve I was educated on the disease process of obesity and how to "fix it". I am maintaining fine now, but if I start regaining. ..no shame...I will seek help.

Follow surgeons orders. ..such a small thing in the context of the whole rest of your life. Having said that, I had no idea this is so common. My surgery was 4 years ago, I didn't do this and it wasn't really discussed much - is this a change in protocol?

I have changed alot. I still have the basic core values and personality but my daily I interactions and daily life is very different.

Your hunger increases over time. Mine started increasing at about 8-9 months post op, before I got to goal. I figured out the need to go low carb and got to goal 14 months post op...lost 150# to weigh 158#. I lost another few to hit 150# and stayed there a good long time. I maintained pretty well... later.. actually about 29 months post op when I started dropping weight and just couldn't eat. Turns out I was lonely and for the first time in my life negative emotions interfered with eating. I didn't mind being thinner but felt like carp. Anyone that far post op that loses 10# in 3 weeks is in trouble. Instead of embracing anorexia...oh so tempting...I worked hard to regain an appetite and to choose health. I give myself a pat on the back now in reflection. This year, I bounced 10#or so over goal...but now..almost 4 years post op...am spot on back at goal. Yeah, I kinda liked being 15-20# under goal and real "skinny chick" territory but not worth it. What do I make of all this? Complicated. I like being trim, I liked being skinny ALOT, but mostly I like being healthy. I like being healthy more than I like food. Anyway, I think the reason for regain is because if you don't keep eating small portions of (mostly) healthy low carb food your appetite and cravings are triggered. My lessons...eat SMALL Listen to your body and avoid foods that trigger hunger. Focus on the rewards that good health and fitness bring...make that MORE important in your mind. Focus on health and fitness.

Your hunger increases over time. Mine started increasing at about 8-9 months post op, before I got to goal. I figured out the need to go low carb and got to goal 14 months post op...lost 150# to weigh 158#. I lost another few to hit 150# and stayed there a good long time. I maintained pretty well... later.. actually about 29 months post op when I started dropping weight and just couldn't eat. Turns out I was lonely and for the first time in my life negative emotions interfered with eating. I didn't mind being thinner but felt like carp. Anyone that far post op that loses 10# in 3 weeks is in trouble. Instead of embracing anorexia...oh so tempting...I worked hard to regain an appetite and to choose health. I give myself a pat on the back now in reflection. This year, I bounced 10#or so over goal...but now..almost 4 years post op...am spot on back at goal. Yeah, I kinda liked being 15-20# What do I make of all this? Complicated. I like being trim, I liked being skinny ALOT, but mostly I like being healthy. I like being healthy more than I like food. Anyway, I think the reason for regain is because if you don't keep eating small portions of (mostly) healthy low carb food your appetite and cravings are triggered. My lessons...eat SMALL Listen to your body and avoid foods that trigger hunger. Focus on the rewards that good health and fitness bring...make that MORE important in your mind.

Well, life always has challenges but I am doing really well. here is my positive comment for the day... i am ASTOUNDED at how little I miss my right implant. I thought I would be disfigured and weird looking. It isn't very noticable - I don't need to pad the bra or anything. Nekkid it looks a little deflated compared to the other side, but I am not upset by it. Every lab test known has been done - no fungus or bacteria. I guess sometimes those problems can be so low grade the tests don't detect them, but my feeling (and surgeon concurs) that this was probably an injury/trauma caused which is good news. Means replacement is likely to be successful and trouble free. Saw the movie the Martian - was very good and worth seeing in the theater. Having some follow up issues with remodel... grrrr

158.6 bump my goal down to 150 for this challenge!

I know exactly what you are talking about. I think sometimes we can be a bit over the top. Somebody vents about a friend, spouse, mother etc and it triggers responses that sometimes seem a bit disproportionate to the situation. Context is everything, and a single event out of a whole life or relationship isnt always an accurate view (well, sometimes it IS!) However, there have also been a few times when people post things that are very alarming from a health and safety perspective and I think the concert of adament responses is appropriate.

When I was at my heaviest - I dreaded booths too. It is too bad your hubby and friend weren't just a little more considerate... but you will be so happy when you lose weight and don't have to worry about it anymore!

I am a member of several meetups and actually helped cofound/co-organize a horse related one a few years ago. I didn't meet this guy at a meetup event, but at a sunday afternoon blues music event - out doing something I enjoy. So, while I agree with what you mention, and in fact I really want to meet someone more naturally - in real life...my lack of going out in the world and doing fun stuff isn't really the reason I wound up encountering a lying cheater which is the subject of this thread.

I am 4years post sleeve, love hot cinnamon gum. First I ever heard it causes reflux. I don't have reflux currently and would like to keep it that you.

My lover at the time gave me a tip...he mentioned that large boobs can make a woman look big. It depends on your build, but I've got a big ribcage, muscular build so I took that (which matched the PS recommendation) and stayed moderate. I am the type that can wear size 2/4 pants and need a size 6/8 medium top. I wanted to avoid moving up to a large top....