SParkle

My Dr used a rule of thumb of BMI of 35 or over for the sleeve, for self pay. I was just over that at 35.6 (but I had already lost 21lbs prior to my first consult). I really would consider the personal trainer first..... try following a tight regime diet (like the pre op ones) for a while and you may find you shift the excess anyway.

I've been having decaf, with milk so I get a bit of protein as well. Not tried normal coffee as its so strong here in Spain.

I LOVED my food.... and now see it as purely something I have to have, which is sad so I can relate, but I think I would rather have that then the scales increasing on me year on year. I posted a while ago about being bored with my food.... that is changing slowly as I experiment with different things, so I think in time I'll be able to appreciate each meal. Like Jane says, my portion control now is so small I make sure I have exactly what I want as thats all I get, a few mouthfuls... so I may as well enjoy what I am eating.

Hi Mary and congrats on your sleeve I don't know how you managed that... :thumbup: I just about managed to walk to the end of the corridor and back each time.... theres no way I could have done that - do listen to your body when it's had enough, theres a lot to risk so early on by doing too much too soon. Good luck

Hi Kels and congrats on joining the losers bench. I also gained quite a bit while in hospital... and was gutted about it, but I knew long term it would work so please, just relax and concentrate on getting in your fluids and Protein. I 'stalled' early....2 weeks out, for a week and then 4 weeks out. I'm now 3.5mths out and losing a nice amount each week. You need to remember you've put your body thru so much, so its just getting used to the fact its recovering from surgery and also your calorie amount going in has reduced so much as well. Don't worry.... it'll happen - I lost 7lbs in 10 days at one point....it literally just fell of me. Good luck Kathy

Congrats Carla, I am also getting the droopy throat thing, but think I'll be happier thin than bigger with a puffy neck! Keep up the great work and I?m sure we'll soon be seeing your target post, and a very happy dance then!

You're looking fabulous!! Keep up the great work.

I found it hard to break this habit too... but I stop drinking the moment I start eating.... so I get my pre dinner drink (if eating out) and drink that down, then put it to one side as soon as my 'meal' arrives. Its hard, but when you think that it helps wash food thru the sleeve, thus you'll eat more, plus if you drink and eat you may risk stretching your sleeve as well.... I read that protein lasts a lot longer in the stomach than carbs, hence the fact you feel fuller for longer, so if you can avoid any fluid going in with your protein then you'll get the best nutritional stuff out of it and stay fuller for longer. Good luck

You look fabulous! Well done!

Congrats on your sleeve! It sounds pretty normal to me.... I'm 3.5months out and can eat 4oz cottage cheese in one sitting, but nothing else. If I take my time and eat really slowly then I can spread my meal out and eat a little more, but not much more. It took me a while to get used to the tiny portions I could manage... and I often amazed myself by feeling full way sooner than I thought I would on such small amounts. But I still have great restriction. Don't rush to eat..... listen to your body and let the sleeve work for you... and then watch the results. Good luck.

I love the Lean Dessert and Syntha 6 too.... the Caramel Latte Syntha 6 is lush - and I've just ordered the Vanilla one and the Moccahino too. on the Lean Dessert front I was disappointed with the Chocolate Coconut as it wasn't very coconutty at all, but the fav was the Cinnamon one... very nice indeed!!

I was having some spicy foods...while I was trying to quit my Nexium, but was still getting a lot of acid. We went away for 12 days and as it happened I laid off the spice, and surprise, no acid.... I've not had any spice since, and only very mild issues with acid and only taken Nexium once since. I might try it again and see if it reoccurs.... as I love medium spiced things.... so I do hope its not going to erupt again as a result.... but then I'd rather lay off the spice than have the acid issues!

Fab update Tiff - thanks... although I can't see the photo.....thanks for all the support you give to us all on here.

At the moment the more I seem to eat the more I lose.... which goes against everything I have been used to in the past!!!

I'm 3.5months post op and reckon I average about 1000 per day, sometimes I'll be about 900, sometimes maybe even 1200....I don't track every day but I am eating what I want to. We've just been away for 12 days and I ate what I wanted, didn't track, and still lost 3.75lbs over the 2 weeks weigh ins! Loving the sleeve!!! I am stepping up the exercise tho - although did none apart from walking whilst away.

I was on Nexium twice a day for the first month, then down to one a day, now its as needed.... weening off slowly.

I can only really echo what the other posts say, and add that I really can't believe the change in myself since being sleeved. I used to be a huge volume eater, but now don't even miss that - infact I look at normal portion sizes in amazement..... wondering how people can eat it all. You need to be prepared to battle with any cravings and need to want to change your way of living - you will be eating to live, not living to eat. food really becomes unimportant - which considering I have spend half my life on diets of one form or another is a wierd thing to say. I'll still eat everything, having spoonful of hubbys dessert because I can, and not buying diet produce because now I don't have to..... I watch what I eat and the quantities, but I need to shed the diet mentality that has become ingrained in my brain. We went out with friends to an all you can eat chinese buffet the other night, and I was thinking what a waste of money for me..... but I managed to go up 3 times..... each time getting little portions on my plate, eating slowly and unrushed... and no one said anything about how little I was eating. I chose carefully and really enjoyed my meal! My husband is amazed that I have changed so much, and is in awe of the fact each day he wakes up to a new wife.... getting smaller by the day. like many the only regret was that I didn't do it sooner. Good luck.

Hi Jane I looked at your post just after you first did it, but couldn't relate to it or offer and advice, so didn't bother replying.... however..... I couldn't get hold of my usual vits yesterday and so bought another brand, roughly same formula. Weirdly, half way thru this one, which I prepped in the same way I felt really nauseous,and started sliming.... I put this down to the fact maybe I just drank it too quick, but the same thing happened this morning as well, so it must be something in it which is making me react to it. I'm not sure what.... and will be interested to see if anyone else has encountered this issue. I'm sorry but not being in the US I can't help with offering other brands or things for you to try... but I hope you get it sorted soon.