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Also, I'm 5'1", was sleeved at 242, but started researching sleeve at 286. We're of a similar starting point. I'm 118 now, original goal of 135. Don't give up!

I get the frustration. I regularly stalled. I had some three week ones, a six week and a nine week one in my initial 17 month loss period. It took that long to lose 107 pounds. Then, post baby (I got pregnant two years post op) it took 14 months to lose 27 pounds. Do that math! I know you want to beat your head on the wall. But really, short of upping protein slightly, or drinking more water, the best way through a stall is just forward. They break. It's painful. But they end. Nothing I did ever made a magical change, UNLESS the reason I wasn't losing was my eating habits had slipped. If that's the case, you know the fix. But you sound solid. Good luck. It's tough. You'll get there. Cheri

Congrats! Long term maintenance is the real challenge, and it's great to see other successful sleevers out there. You look great, job well done. It helps newly sleeved people see it works long term if you stick with it. Best, stay healthy, Cheri

What do you consider slow loss? I lost six pounds a month, on average. I had long stalls of six and nine weeks and regularly lost only two weeks in a month. It took me 17 months to lose 107 pounds, and after having my daughter, 14 months to lose another 27 pounds to get down to the 118 pounds I am today. I figure if it's working, slow loss is loss. Don't rush your body. I was a notoriously slow loser, no matter what I tried. Just my veteran advice. Yes, I still have ridiculous restriction. Beef was the hardest protein for me; I couldn't eat it for months. I can eat two whole meatballs or half a burger now. Maybe the whole burger, sans bun. It's good. Because successfully maintaining is that much easier with a sleeve that reminds me to stop. And if I do my job and eat protein first? Well, it's a done deal on the scale. I don't bounce around. I eat what I want, but I follow those rules 95% of the time. It works. And as for a PPI, Prevacid is one I've seen complained about most over the years. If you can, see about omeprazole (generic Prilosec). Huge difference in controlling that hunger feeling and my heartburn. Best, Cheri

Fullness in the back of your throat, runny nose, excess saliva - those are my signs. Sometimes a twinge in my sleeve. Stop well before you think you're full. Foods like tortilla, pasta, potato, rice, beef, lamb - these are for me hard to eat more than a few bites of even 7 years out. I can still eat just a few bites of the starches and only two meatballs or half a burger or a few bites of steak. 3 oz of steak and 1/2 a potato would have had me throwing up. At my stage. You'll get there. It took me longer to learn than I care to admit. I overate a chicken sandwich the other day. I couldn't handle half, but really tried. My fault. I was uncomfortable for two hours. Good luck, Cheri

I know this is an old thread, but I just saw it. I have bipolar 2, PTSD and anxiety. I was actually diagnosed post sleeve, after I had my daughter. I thought I had postpartum depression. I did, I mean, I knew I was deeply unhappy despite weight loss. After a year of therapy and meds and after reviewing my history they diagnosed me. They were very cautious. I've been treated by the same doc for three years now. I'm 1000× better than I was before, but I never knew what was wrong or took meds before. My whole life they never knew, but I've had cycles for 15 years and have been an overachiever insomniac during them since I was a teen. My meds took a long time to get right, but now it's just Topamax, Ambien and a bit of Zoloft from Oct-Feb for those Fall/Winter blues, but she wants me on another mood stabilizer, too. She tried Abilify but I itched like mad. Latuda's up next. We'll give that a go next week. I've tried everything else and had tremors or twitching or some other reaction. :/ How do you all cope with the never-ending feeling of your diagnosis? That's the bit I hate the most. Sorry to ramble. I came here to start this thread and found one. I'm happy to see I'm not alone. Cheri

Just use protection. It's better to avoid pregnancy until at least a year post op. It's really your body and your choice what to use. Be comfortable with your decision, but responsible. Ha! I feel like I'm talking to my daughters. Congrats on starting your journey. Cheri

Welcome back. I've had ups and downs. I also had a baby post sleeve. I have always felt liquid diets aren't the way to go - at least not all liquids. Not at our point. I'm 7 years out now. I did do a green smoothie thing a few years back, post baby, to jump start my loss for ten days. Two smoothies during the day, protein snacks like cheese, raw nuts, hardboiled eggs and a lean protein and veg dinner. By the time ten days were up I was ready to stick to protein first and I lost that weight easily. As easily as I can. I am a notoriously slow loser. It took 14 months to shed 27 pounds. I'm also quite tiny, though - 5'1" and 118 now. So don't be discouraged. Just do it. And sensibly. It's going to be slow, and frustrating, yeah. But you want this. It's worth it. You sliced out 85% of your stomach for it. Your sleeve will work for you if you drop you calories and carbs and up that protein. Best, and I'm cheering for you. Cheri

I'm sorry, I can see how my post was confusing. I had twins 2.5 years before my sleeve and a solo baby post sleeve. No issues with either pregnancy, but the twins did wreck havoc on my skin. I measured over 52 weeks when I had them at 37 weeks and stopped looking at the scale when I clocked 286 on my 5'1" frame. They did me worse than the weight loss, but even still, I don't need shapewear anymore. I'm not flat, but it's a negligible bump unless I'm bending. That's the kind of rebound I'm talking. And I have crap genetics. Stretch marks from boobs to ankles. Mostly silver now, but present and accounted for. Cheri

If food is coming back up you're eating too much or too fast, or drinking with meals. At least that's what it sounds like. Any sleeve discomfort and a heavy feeling in the back of the throat? Runny nose or excess saliva? These are all indicators that we've eaten too much. They take time to learn. More time for me than I care to admit. Lying down after a meal makes it worse, as does drinking. All I could do is very slowly eat and stop well before I felt done, to allow my food room to swell in my sleeve. Then nothing would come back up. If this isn't the issue, you might have a more serious reflux issue and need to see your doc for stronger meds. But it's usually the learning curve. It's new to us. You'll get it. Congrats on your new sleeve and good luck. Cheri

I understand this worry and I see the question posed so often. I view it like this: You trade the morbid obesity and cormorbidities for the possibility of loose skin. Later, you might have plastics. So you trade the loose skin for scars. Upgrades all around, I'd say. That said, keep in mind that skin rebounds enormously beyond the first year post op. What was a flap from under my breasts to my pubic bone I had to wear a corset-like girdle to contain for two years post op is now almost unnoticeable. Do I still want plastics 7 years post op (and post sleeve baby)? Yeah. But I had twins and I'm down 160+ pounds from my heaviest ever. Do I NEED them? Nope. Your skin might sag. But even if it does, it can bounce back a LOT with time. I'd rather be skinny and slightly saggy any day, no lie. Best, Cheri

So long as you can eat enough to produce milk you'll be fine. I got pregnant two years post op and had over production and had to pump. I had massive quantities of breastmilk. I couldn't get her to latch because of my letdown, no matter what we tried I couldn't slow my production. Good luck and congrats. Be careful about nutrition, I'm sure you know. Push protein hard. But man, I swear, I wanted insane foods I'd NEVER eat when I was pregnant. Like, Hamburger Helper and peanut butter and jelly. I hate peanut butter. My baby was crazy. Best, and be well! Cheri

I'm very happy for you. Fantastic news. You sound motivated, which is all we need to get rolling. I've gone up and down, had a baby and am now successfully maintaining. You got this!! Welcome back! Cheri

Coops, Dreadful about the stress, I'm so sorry. I'm happy to hear you're working out and seeing progress. I tend to get in my mind and stew, drinking coffee and vaping (I know, I know, but I quit the cigarettes, all right) and forgetting to eat. It's awful. My body holds on to weight or goes up and down on the scale. Keeping focused on your personal goals will help. But gah - I hope it gets better, and soon. May you continue to see loss on the scale and get strong and fit! Exercise is supposed to help with stress. Aren't the professionals always nattering on about that? I am in the states for good. Hubs got a job here in the DC area. We'll be here until he doesn't have one, I suppose. The plan is long, long term though. Not my dream, but it's alright. Weight-wise, I'm fine. About to post a 7 year update. The newbies appreciate it but heavens knows I'll be inundated with questions about loose skin and what, exactly, I eat every day. [emoji23] Well, we were new once, too. Best, dear. Good to hear from you. Keep it up. Cheri

I took pills, no problem. I take a variety of daily meds of all sizes. But there's fast dissolve melatonin on Amazon if it's a huge pill and freaks you out. Prozac is fine, I know from experience. Miralax for constipation, works like a charm.

I had a sleeve seven years ago this month. I'm 5'1" and was 242 on surgery day and currently weigh 118 pounds. I had a child 2 years post op. I was a slow loser. It took me almost a year and a half to reach my original goal of 135, and post baby, another 14 months to get to the weight I am today. I maintain effortlessly, though. No calorie counting - just sensible eating that I learned in my initial year post op. I can't eat large portions, or I'll be uncomfortable, but my sleeve will not cause dumping or prevent me from eating high calorie foods. I still avoid rice, flour tortillas and pasta and only eat a few bites at a time as they swell and it's easy to overeat these foods. The only foods I don't eat are milk and ice cream, due to lactose intolerance. The sleeve can make it worse (my case) or cause it. I take a PPI (omeprazole) daily, for acid reflux. Otherwise, no supplements necessary and my labs are outstanding. The last time I had insulin was the day of surgery. My diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are gone. I had my gallbladder out earlier this year. This is not uncommon with drastic weight loss. Be aware. It could also have been caused by two different medications I'm on, but weight loss is likely. It doesn't mean it will happen, just that it can. I thought I'd dodged it, but 7 years later, nope, I hadn't. You'll find everyone that's had success is a cheerleader for their surgery. I opted for mine and self-paid rather than have what my insurance covered at the time because it's what I was comfortable doing. I researched for more than a year. Ultimately, you'll decide and hopefully have amazing success. All of these options save and improve lives. Good luck, and best to you. Cheri

I researched a full year prior to my surgery, too. This month I'm 7 years out. Congrats on taking the first step. It's one of the best things I've ever done, short of marrying my husband. Welcome and best to you through the insurance process. Cheri

It depends on your surgeon. I had a plastics surgeon do a consult and say no vaping of nicotine. My surgery a few months ago the guy said vaping is such a lesser risk that he'd allow it. My anesthesiologist laughed when I told him I vape when he asked if I smoke. He said that's nothing, the risks aren't there like with smoking. But that was my experience. I'm not saying there aren't risks. There have to be or so many surgeons wouldn't insist on no smoking. Studies conflict on nicotine absorption in the blood on vaping - some say more than cigs, some say less. But if your doc okays smoking less, a vape is even better and low or no nicotine just improves things. Anyway, glad I offered something, Molly. Best!

Generic omeprazole, don't even need a prescription. Get one, but you need the medicine now. Prevacid doesn't work as well. The pill will be fine, just take it like normal. I'm still on a PPI and if I go 3 days without it I'm in misery. I sometimes get a script, sometimes just buy it. You need it daily.

You'll find as many diet plans as members on here. All we can do is tell you what we did. I, personally, found protein shakes and Quest bars a vital part of my success and I even eat Quest bars in maintenance. Because I ate at least 80 grams of protein a day but needed only 800 calories (but wanted around 80 g carbs) this worked for me. I wouldn't add bars until you're on solid food, and you'll probably find you can only eat half. I still can't eat a whole one and I'm 7 years out. Congrats and good luck! Cheri

You've done awesome! Great job, I hope you're loving your life and enjoying your hard work. You look great. Cheri

I hated food for months. The good news is that it comes back. One day, you'll find something tastes wonderful. You'll only need a few bites to be satisfied. This was a wonderful time to retrain myself to eat well. I learned to eat small portions of well made, wonderfully spiced meals, something that has carried over into maintenance. This too shall pass.

Can you vape nicotine free just prior to surgery or low nicotine? I did this for a recent surgery and the surgeon said it was 1000× safer. I know it's hard to quit. I'm sorry for your struggle. I moved to a vape four years ago specifically because of an oral surgery due to smoking. Never looked back. Either way, good luck and be safe. Whatever you do, follow surgeon guidelines. Even slowing down is a big step. I picked up when I was 12 freaking years old, no joke. It's a monster of a habit. Best to you. Cheri

My original goal was actually still (barely) overweight by my BMI. I'm 5'1" and started at 242. My goal was 135 pounds. It took me 17 months to get there. Eventually, after pregnancy, I wanted to lose the baby weight and readjusted my goal down ten pounds. I got there but it took about another 14 months after I had the baby to lose the 10 pounds from her, plus the 10 to goal. Over the next few months, I was put on a medication that suppressed my appetite and I've dropped to 116-118 pounds. I've maintained for 2.5 years now. I think the point is you can pick any goal you want, at any point you want. So long as it's healthy and within normal for your body, your sleeve can get you there. It doesn't expire. It takes time, effort and sometimes a little jumpstart is nice. I started my baby loss with a green smoothie cleanse. Silly, 2 smoothies during the day and protein for dinner, but a way to get refocused for ten days. Only minimal results, but I'm a notoriously slow loser. I'm skinny. I won't lie. But my BMI is normal. My labs are good. I eat healthy meals. I think our hangup about "too skinny" comes from the same place as being "too fat" and formerly embracing our curves. Being told not to get too thin, or to eat a sandwich has been just as damaging as being told "I have such a pretty face" or "carry myself well for my size." To hell with that. Be the size you want to be. Period. It's your body. You get to decide. You've come this far. And congrats on that. It might take longer to get smaller, but so what? It took me over four years to get this size. Do you think that stops me from enjoying it? Cheri

In the very beginning, most of your calories and protein are probably going to come from shakes. Don't get frustrated if you aren't able to eat to your nutritional goals right away. It takes a little time. I agree that pushing protein is most important, but as a long term vet who has successfully maintained I also urge you to balance a healthy number of good quality carbohydrates. Too many people are afraid of them. I'm still saying eat less than you would pre-op - find what works for your body. But in order to feel satisfied, have energy and most importantly, avoid binges, try to eat a variety of foods. Avoid food ruts and go with a variety of proteins, grains and spices and cuisines and you can do it for the long haul. Everyone's nutritional needs are different. I couldn't eat more than 800 calories but I needed 80+ grams of protein and 70 carbs a day. I was a terribly slow loser, but this was the only way I lost. You need to find what works for you. All we can do is suggest what worked for us. Congrats and good luck.