GEAUX SAINTS

I have met several people on here who had their surgery performed by Dr. Lavin. We decided to form our own little support group...here it is!!!!

My son and I have both been sleeved, he was never banded, though. He has gerd, I don't. He gets the slimes, I don't. What I'm saying is, everyone's different! I love the sleeve. With the band, you feel "restricted". With the sleeve, you feel normal...your stomach is smaller so you don't overeat, but not restricted so things don't get "stuck". I vomited daily with the band; only 4 times with the sleeve and that was my own damn fault! You can still overeat, as everyone can. There's nowhere to go but out. I'm learning my lessons, slowly but surely! I think you'll be happy with your decision to be sleeved...I know I was! Good luck!!!

I am 5 months out and this is what I eat, just about, every day: 1/2 c cream of wheat Protein bar 3-4 oz. protein (shrimp, fish, chicken, turkey, and occasionally, red meat) 3-4 oz. protein carrots with houmas Greek yogurt with protein I know my food choices sound repetitive and boring, but I really enjoy it! I guess knowing that it will get me where I want to be makes it less boring! I'm not saying that I ALWAYS eat the right stuff. We go out of town a lot, but I try to be as good as I can...eating protein fist, ALWAYS! I even throw is a glass of wine every now and again, but not much! I also drink Water ALL DAY LONG! I even eat the ice. I, honestly, can't imagine being able to eat the amount that you said you eat. I really wonder if he did the surgery at all...he certainly didn't do it right, that's for sure! Also, I don't know your situation, but I cook my husband healthy food for him to take to work for lunch. This consists of a protein and 2 veggies. At night he has pita bread and houmas, 70 cal. light Dannon yogurt and a whole bag of light butter popcorn. Believe it or not, he has lost a few pounds MORE than me and we both are only 10 lbs. from our goals, and he didn't have surgery!!! Geez Louise!!! But I'm so ridiculously proud of him!!!!!!!!! I would definitely consult a bariatric nutritionist. I would also have your general physician check to see if the operation were even done. Good luck to you in your journey! I hope I have been a small help to you!

In the next two weeks, I'm going on two vacations. Memorial Day weekend, for 4 days, I'm going to The Wharf in Orange Beach, AL and then 4 days later, I'm going to Seattle with a side trip to Victoria, Canada for, for 8 days. I just hit a milestone, 149 lbs, and don't want to screw up. I want to have fun and enjoy my trips, but I don't wanna backslide. I'm really just wanting some positive reinforcement! Thanks, ahead of time for your encouragement and positive thoughts!!!

Great news!!! I only gained 2 lbs on my 8 day trip to Seattle/Canada. I lost one of those pounds the first day back. I'm pretty happy with my progress! Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Well, I only gained one pound on the Gulf Shores trip, which I lost the next day! Go me!!! Tonight, I leave for Seattle on a girls trip for 8 days! I'm gonna do my best!!!!

Y'all are great! Being from south Louisiana, food was ALWAYS a social event!!! I'm finally learning how to do things right! Thanks so much for all the kind words and encouragement!!!! Love me some Saints! WHO DAT!!!!!

My "dreaded 3 week stall" started at 2 weeks and lasted 2 1/2 weeks! UGH!!! Try upping your protein or your calories (I know that sounds strange), but it might help. Also, make sure you're drinking enough water! Good luck!

I lost 16 lbs in the first 16 days! Now I'm loosing a pound a week, which I'm fine with! I only have 13 more pounds to goal!

WOW!!! That's phenomenal!

I drink Mango Peach Mio in Water all day long. I drink way more than is required because I love it so much. My husband likes the Fruit Punch flavor. There are a plethora of flavors to choose from. Just find one you like, but I would stay away from the "energy" ones! Good luck to you!!!

My stalls seem to come when I hit a weight that I was at sometime in the recent past. That being said, my only suggestion is to go back to basics for a week and see if that jump starts your l weight loss again. Protein first, and measure it. Don't drink right before or after your meal. You know the drill!!! You're doing great! Don't be so hard on yourself. It will start coming of again.

I had my band put in in 2002. I lost down to 147, a size 4 jeans, but never made it to my goal of 136. After 5 surgeries to repair the band, I had to stop using it. In 4 months I gained 40 pounds. I got sleeved in February. I only have 14 lbs to go to get to my goal. I remember what it felt like to be fat and ALWAYS unhappy. I will never do that to myself again. I have no willpower on my own, but with the sleeve I feel normal, just eat less. You have to keep reminding yourself of why you did this in the first place. Is it worth it???Are you worth it??? I say HELL YES!!! Do it so you can start feeling alive again. If you're anything like me, it consumes you. Go see your bariatric dietitian and work with them. Go to seminars!!!! Good luck to you! Let me know how its going!

Anyone out there sleeved on Feb. 3rd?

I'm down 31 lbs. Might not seem like much, but I only have 15 more to go till goal! Everyone seems to be doing great! Keep up the good, healthy work!!!

My stall started at 16 days out and lasted 3 weeks!!! UGH! I lost a pound a day, then NOTHING!!! UGH, again!!! Try upping your protein. It helped me. Good luck!!!

Sounds like hormones to me! Check with your GYN. It could be as simple as that!

I get them when I cram my tiny stomach full. My mouth starts watering uncontrollably and I know it's on!!! It's only been like 2 times, but I have to run to the bathroom and puke. It'd puked on a daily basis when I was banded, but I'm really enjoying the feeling of just having a smaller stomach. It's take some getting used to, but it's working for me and it will work for you, too! Weigh your food to keep from overfilling. After 3+ months I still weigh. It helps! Good luck to you!!!

I get like that, as well. I up my protein and it really helps! Good luck to you!

I didn't even have a pre-op diet. My liver wasn't fatty, though. Just put it out of your mind and get back to work. I know it must be really hard, but you can do it. Don't let guilt get you down. You're worth it!!!