Go Kart Mozart

Having the confidence to begin dating for the first time since 2006 or so.

I'm about 5 or so pounds away from "overweight" and I can't wait to join the club.

At 16 months out, this still happens to me quite a bit. I've just grown used to it.

I was out at a dinner buffet with my boyfriend last week, and he had three full plates while I only had a portion of one. I was absolutely shocked to think that I used to be able to eat that much (and probably a lot more). It made me ill to think about it, actually.

I'm exactly 15 months out today - still losing weight, though only 2-3 pounds per month these days.

I always assumed popcorn would be difficult to eat, but it turns out I could literally eat it continuously without having to stop. A big slider for me - I have to stick to the 100 calorie bags when I have it.

The surgery is never far from my mind, because it springs to mind the moment I look in a mirror, but I think I began to feel the "new normal" about 2-3 months after surgery, though I couldn't pinpoint an exact moment. I'm only ten months out (not a year like you asked), but I'm beyond really needing this place for advice very often. I do enjoy the community aspect of it, and like to answer questions if the situation is right.

I wouldn't suggest anyone follow my lead, but I still drink with meals (and have been drinking carbonated beverages since 4-5 months post-op) and haven't had an issues with either. Weight loss has been great still, too.

I'm a bad example - I haven't tracked anything outside of the first 3-4 weeks post-op. Hasn't really hindered my weight loss, so I'm ok with it.

My doctor/insurance didn't require a certain amount of weight loss or nutrition classes, but if you gained weight from any one pre-op appointment to the next, you'd be cancelled. As such, I didn't really lose a lot of weight beforehand (15 lbs. in two months), just enough to not be kicked out.

I flew home last night for my spring break (I'm the only person in the world that LEAVES Florida FOR New Jersey on spring break haha), and I was able to put my tray table down with room to spare, and I didn't have to feel guilty about "spilling" into the seat next to me because I had room to spare. 'Twas awesome.

I'm getting this in every section, and with every computer and browser I use. I don't know if it's some sort of coding issue or what. Screen cap attached.

Bouncing off of what Tiffykins said, I wish I could have had the sleeve before going to college. I started at NYU in August of 2006 weighing 203 lbs., and by May of 2010 I was 332 lbs., a lot of which was the freshman 75 haha (mostly from food, not much of a drinker then).

I was also on the young side (22 years 10 months at surgery last July), but all of the older people I talked to who have had weight loss surgery told me they wish they could have done it at my age to avoid the diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, etc. That was all I needed to hear - I decided to just go for it while I was still young and healthy (aside from weighing 332 lbs.). Best of luck.

I drink fairly regularly without issue.

I drink (diet) soda daily without issue and without loss of restriction. A sip won't harm you.

The only foods I've had trouble with are anything in a soft tortilla (made me throw up) and any Pasta that isn't drowning in sauce - it ends up sitting like a ball in my sleeve. NOT a fun feeling. Today, actually, I had some chocolate milk for the first time since surgery seven months ago - didn't go well. I got all flushed and hot, and my pulse rate was 140 bpm for a few minutes. No more chocolate milk for me!

I'm a fan of South Beach protein bars, myself.

I rarely had reflux pre-op, but I had bad reflux the first three weeks or so post-op, and only then did my surgeon offer a PPI. It says to take daily, but I only take it as needed - probably 5-6 times a month now (and it knocks it down quickly). Compared to being 332 lbs., I'll deal with this instead. Of course, I'm not trying to minimize the plight of anyone who has had severe heartburn after the sleeve - I truly sympathize with them.

Simple - lap band has a company ($$$$$$$) behind it, while RNY and the sleeve don't.

The thing that gives me encouragement is that I don't really enjoy the foods I used to. I tried chips once, they didn't taste right and didn't sit well. I avoid bread at all costs, because it causes discomfort, even at seven months. I enjoy the high protein meals more than anything now. The only non-high protein meal I sometimes let slip in is salads - which, at times, I absolutely crave. That said, it's a good precautionary tale, but also she still has the sleeve to use as a tool - she could probably still lose weight if she tries.

A couple of points on this post. First, the sleeve isn't a malabsorptive surgery, so the plication offers no tangible benefits for that. Also, the "traditional" (so to speak) sleeve removes the fundus of the stomach. The fundus is the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin, the hunger causing hormone. Since my sleeve in July, I've never once experienced the slightest bit of hunger. With the plication, you'll still feel hunger. I think not being hungry has been a huge part of my weight loss thus far. Best of luck making your decision, though.

Late to the party on this thread, but yes, we're here!

It used to be that I'd be sweating all the time, even when it's cold outside, so in one sense it's nice not to be doing that anymore. But I've noticed recently that I'm always cold - I've taken to wearing long pants, a sweatshirt, socks, and gloves, all while staying undercovers, and that only make me moderately comfortable. My mom felt my hands yesterday, and of course now she's convinced that I'm going to die of malnutrition any moment now haha. Anyone else experience this post-surgery? This is my first winter since I had the VSG on July 21. -Ryan

Oh I know, I just found it amusing how paranoid and micromangagerial my mother is about my health these days.