AliveAgain

I had my surgery in late Jan 2012. Hit goal about a year later, losing 135 pounds. Due to stress/illness, I dropped 10 pounds past goal. But now I'm maintaining just below goal (between 127-129) most days. I noticed a HUGE increase in what I could eat a few months ago. I still can't touch nearly the portions I used to eat prior to surgery, but my volume has easily doubled or tripled. I have to be very vigilant to avoid the treats and slider foods, grazing during the day. Those will easily bump up my carbs beyond 100-150g per day and calories into the 1500 range! I don't drink soda, happy to give it up. But I do enjoy coffee a couple of times a week, have to watch the sugar content. I only have a glass of wine every month or so for social occasions, never a big alcohol drinker. I'm resetting myself these past few weeks because I just FELT better when I ate a clean diet. I sleep better, think better and just want to get back to that. So I started back up with my trainer at the gym, she is kicking my butt. Drinking Water like crazy, Protein first, watching the carbs and cutting out sugar! You can do it, just remember what you went through to get this far, the pain, the recovery, the cost!

Are you asking if the fried rice will hurt or damage your stomach, or if it's OK to eat it to lose weight? Is shrimp fried rice on your doctors post-op diet? The shrimp is fine, but the rice is solely carb and not a lot of nutrition. At this phase, you should be focused on Protein to the max and adding very little complex carb through veggie form into your diet - not simple carbs like rice. Plus, most restaurants add a LOT of butter/oil/MSG to make it taste really good. Are you doomed? Is this the worst thing? Heck no. But I'd advise talking to your doctor/nutritionist about it and make sure it's allowed, if so how often and how much is OK. Only speaking from my personal experience and the diet my doctor had me doing - he would have told me, "NO, absolutely not." Rice was not allowed back in to my diet until many months out and is always advised only AFTER having my protein and veggie/fruit first. But don't kick yourself about it. I know I didn't eat "perfectly" all this time and it was good to treat myself sometimes to keep myself sane. So long as you know how to stop and when enough is enough. If you're losing weight and your labs are good, keep going!

There is a big difference between Protein shakes made with whey protein isolate and concentrate in that the isolate version removes a majority of the lactose found in whey. That's why nectar and unjury brands tend to be the "least offensive" of the whey form of protein. Most off-the-shelf brands of protein or those found in GNC type stores are made with concentrate. It's a cheaper more widely used form. If you Google a few sources you can find more scientific descriptions. There's one form ever higher and more filtered than isolate called hydrolysate that is just expensive for removing a fraction more lactose. I have been using only Nectar shakes since about one month out with no problems. My sister is very lactose sensitive and she used a shake with concentrate for a cleanse program and it made her extremely sick. As soon as she came off those shakes, she got better. Yes, there are pea, hemp, and other vegetable protein powders out there - but I have not tried any to recommend them.

It happens to everyone eventually. I was never a sweets person so all the chocolate, vanilla and occasional strawberry just didn't do it for me. I loved the more "savory" ones from Healthwise and Unjury for chicken soup, beef broth, and tomato in my first two months. I still use the Syntrax Nectar shakes today, mainly the Lemon Tea because it's very mild and tastes like tea to me, not too sweet.

Yes, this is very common among sleevers. It's mostly gases from the surgery working through your system, plus some digestive-related gases being expelled. Walking, drinking plenty of clear fluids, and time will help the most. It can take 2-5 days before the anesthia and carbon dioxide they fill your abdomen with during surgery to work out of your system.

Yes, Janice5/23. I've had body image issues post op, probably not exactly the same as yours - but issues nonetheless. I've lost 145 pounds, have been maintaining for months now. I'm very proud of my weight loss, and I feel absolutely wonderful. I did this mostly for my health, also, and am grateful to have gained a healthy perspective of food again. However, I look at pictures of myself and do miss some of my soft curves - especially some of the softness that I used to have in my face. I see much more of my bones now, and my skin is saggy in areas that will always remind me of my weight loss. This doesn't mean I wish I was obese again by any means, but yes - I get it. All I can say is that my health, happiness and ability to to do so many things like running, swimming, cycling and go for long days on hikes, museums, etc. absolutely outweigh the issues I have with how I look on the outside. Best of luck to you either way, the right motivation will lead you through any doubts.

Once you're off sample packs, Amazon has best price for tubs. They also have flavors outside sampler pack. My favorite combination is true Natural Orange (no artificial sweetener) mixed with Vanilla Bean in almond milk or water - Orange Julius flavor! But main go-to is Lemon Tea. Mix 5-6 cubes of ice, water in Blender Bottle with powder and Metamucil dissolvable fiber. Shake, shake, shake and little whisk does the work. I drink one every morning even 15 months out not b/c I have to but because I LIKE IT! I'm down 140 pounds, past goal from 265 to 125 an maintaining for about 3 months now :-)

Peppermint tea. GasX and Beano never worked for me, but strong peppermint tea does the trick every time.

I am 14 months out and have been able to digest healthy, lean sources of meat and fruits/veggies with no problems. I actually feel worse with junk food, frieds, etc. hope this helps

I would just work in weights and resistance training in with doing cardio rather than seeing it as doing just one OR the other. It's the best way to boost metabolism and they compliment each other. One makes you stronger better at doing the other. Unfortunately, you may have *some* loose skin no matter what you do - lotions, Water, exercise. Do the best you can, and it should prevent some of the worst of it. I was close to your starting weight but I'm shorter and had more weight to lose to goal. I have loose skin for sure, but it's manageable. My thighs/butt are worse than belly, and my arms are the least since I do a fair amount of exercise to tone them up. I've heard time helps the most, that sometimes after 2-3 years the skin bounces back a little so long as you drink lots of water and keep up the work.

The surgery to me was the easy part. Changing eating habits was the real hard stuff, and it's the most important part of weight loss success. I agree with the others, what's done is done and it sounds like you already know it's not working - move on, move forward. Do you have a nutritionist available to you as part of your doctor's program? Because it's not just straight calories you need to watch, but what is making up those calories - the ratio of Protein, Fiber, carbs, sugars, fats, etc. And yes, it's too soon for junk food. I found my stomach to be very funky about high-fat, fried, or otherwise "junk" foods for the first 4-6 months. Even now, I can't do fried very well. Junk food is made from inferior and questionable ingredients anyhow, it's horrible for your body in many ways and should be seen as a TREAT to enjoy from time to time. Try to think of healthy, fresh, organic, REAL FOOD that will not only help you lose weight but will help you sleep, think, and feel so much better every day. Also, are you drinking plenty of Water and fluids? That will slow down weight loss dramatically. At least 64oz per day, up to 80oz if you can do it.

Ha! He took about three "glances" at me and my picture ID before questioning if I was a relative using the wrong ID. Nope, just 140 pounds less of me...

I was still floating from the night before when a perfect, handsome stranger called me "a fit little thing" when I asked him where he got the amazing looking raspberry coulis dripping cheesecake he was holding. He said, "I doubt a fit little thing like you eats this kind of stuff!" Sure, I don't eat the entire piece - but I enjoy a bite here and there!

Oh it's great, makes flying so much easier on the body. I am able to cross my legs, get up/down and squeeze past people, and the bathroom doesn't feel like a coffin anymore!

Hi everyone! Trying not to post too many times, but wanting to let you all know I still have a lot of clothing for sale. I've successfully sold to a few VST users, and would love to help out more of you on your weight loss journey. I will be taking these items to various yard sales this month, hoping to offload a lot of it. So grab it while you can! tupperware containers in a closed guest closet away from the pets. Here are a few more items I have for sale but have not yet taken pictures/posted. Sorry, with my crazy work and travel schedule, I just do not have time to do this right now. If you let me know items you're interested in, I can try to snap photos with my phone on the fly! Sports Bra, Moving Comfort, White, 38DD, 3-hool closure in back, underwire - $3 Sports Bra, Champion, White, XL, cotton, race-back - $2 Capris, Lee Brand, khaki color, size 12M - $3 Capris, Croft & Barrow, black, size 12 - $3 Capris, Croft & Barrow, khaki, size 14 - $4 (barely worn) Casual Pants, Dockers, Dark Green, size 10M - $3 Casual Pants, Mossimo "Stretch", black, looks like jeans - $2 Jeans, Nautica Brand, dark blue, size 8 - $3 Jeans, Carolina Blues brand, farmer's pockets, size 8 - $3 Jeans, Lee's Classic Fit brand, size 8S - $4 (barely worn) Jeans, Levi's 525 Straight Leg, size 10S - $4 (barely worn) Jeans, Lee's Comfort Waistband, size 10M - $4 Jeans, Venezia (Lane Bryant), size 14 - $5 (barely worn) Business Slacks, The Limited, 12R "Stretch" line, Black - $3 Business Slacks, The Limited, 12R "Stretch" line, Dark Grey - $3 Business Slacks, The Limited, 14R "Stretch" line, Dark Grey - $3 Business Slacks, The Limited, 14R "Stretch" line, Dark Brown - $3 Business Slacks, Lane Bryant, 16A, black - $4 Shorts, Columbia Brand, outdoor/hiking w/pockets, tan color, size XL (10-14), elastic waistband - $3 Shorts, Lane Bryant, khaki color, casual style, size 14 - $4 (barely worn)

Syntrax Nectar have been my favorite since day one, and I still use them today. Though it's by choice, not by doctor's orders. I just like them, usually in the morning before work because I always had difficulty making time for breakfast in my rush to get to work. I have an hour commute, so having the shake in the car is great. My favorite flavors are Lemon Tea, Roadside Lemonade, Orange Naturals, and Vanilla Bean. I'm not a fan of chocolate shakes, was good to find a line of different flavors. Healthwise makes good powders for tomato, beef, chicken broths for the first month after surgery.

Yes, I still have them. I wore them a handful of times this summer. It doesn't get very hot here, so they didn't get pulled out too much. I bought them at Kohl's brand new, very nice, comfortable style. Nothing too "cargo" style, bought them in women's section. I will try to snap a picture today with my phone

Sorry for my late reply, I forgot I turned off notifications! The 16W Macy's dress is black and the sewn-on, criss-cross detail is an off-white, eggshell color. I wore this one time exactly to a summer wedding and it's been in my closet ever since. Very elegant, flowy style - fits nicely around waist though forgiving, not tight. Gives great shape!

When you say "I really am able to eat anything" what does that mean? Are you measuring and tracking your food, Protein, carbs, liquids? Seems like you're making great progress at 36 pounds lost, not sure the reason for worry. It will be good for you to have exercise as a normal part of your routine. It's good for weight loss, to a point, but should be used more for health, endurance, toning your muscle and balance. You don't have to go to the gym, even just walking 30-60 minutes 3-4 days a week will help you. It's what I did most for the first 2-3 months, then I got with a trainer to be sure I didn't hurt myself. The sleeve is a tool, it's not going to keep you from eating junk. Your food choices and amounts are still up to you. It keeps us from sitting down and eating a large popcorn and large soda at the movies, sure. The volume is contained to a certain point, but the rest is on us to make smart choices. Best of luck!

I may have some items you'd like. I have some posted on Flickr (see the link in my signature) but I have a number of things I have not yet photographed/posted. I'm in a size 4/XS now, so let me know if you're looking beyond 16s. I will look in my closet and let you know what I find! I have sold a lot of my clothes for like $4-10 per piece, using PayPal if you are interested?

The sleeve is only a tool, which is why it is ideal to measure your intake with a scale, measuring cups, etc. for the first 3-4 months. Did your doctor or nutritionist give you a guide of how to measure and how much you should take it? Many of us use myfitnesspal app to track calories (you must measure to get accurate counts) and how many grams of Protein, carbs, sugars, Fiber, etc. broken down. There is much information on this site about the ideal breakdown in the different phases after surgery. The lightheaded and weakness may be dehydration and possible low electrolytes. Quite common in the first month. Make sure you aim for 64-80oz of fluids (protein drinks/shakes, milks, broths, etc. all count). As for the volume you're eating, I always measured so I didn't try those amounts to see "if I could do it." Try not to push your sleeve past any point of comfort. As soon as you feel full - stop eating for at least 10-15 min and only eat/drink what your diet allows. Eating too fast will often cause slimes (throwing up, mostly saliva). But if anything goes down easily it's the yogurts, puddings, soft foods. You may find when you progress to approved solids, you won't be able to eat as much.

Yes, my surgeon and nutritionist confirmed and it's in my surgery manual that you can count all liquids towards your fluid intake. Water, broth, milk (any variety), tea, etc. - all count.

I should clarify, post most surgeries -- not right after VSG. I used it after a knee and endometrial surgery.

Pineapple contains a "meat tenderizing" like enzyme called bromelain. A lot of marinades have it, and you can buy it in pill form to take orally. It's amazing for scar tissue post surgery. The tiny amount in juice can help with digestion of things that are taking longer than you'd like to pass through. Just monitor your intake, very high in fruit sugars!

I am 5'2" and my starting weight was 265 at consult. I'm 36 years old and hit my doctor's goal just before my one year mark after surgery. I had no complications, while it didn't seem like it at the time, the recovery was a breeze compared to others. They only cut the one internal organ. No malabsorption, my bloodwork is better than before I had the surgery. No dumping syndrome, I can still eat ice cream, Cookies, cake, candy (in moderation and small portions for sure) - but I never feel deprived or hungry! You will lose it, with hard work and compliance - the sleeve can work for you!