NJSleeveboy

Bear in mind, that as ur stomach heals, you'll be able to eat A LOT more. A LOT!! So, the key, as you mentioned, is the healthy choices. Not nuts, but healthy and just hold back on portions and wait to see if hungry later. Much easier to do than without the sleeve and doesn't work on normal diet. I eat great and eat a lot more than 2 years ago. I try to keep calories to 1800. Some days 2000+, but the reality was on bad days in my old life I was at 3-4,000 calories and , frankly 1800 a day or more with workout will keep me at 180 lbs.. Enjoy!!

I had zero food hardships. Def takes a while in the beginning for stomach to heal, but I had no intolerance to any of my fave food, or anything for that matter. I had the stalls you read about, but overall, it's quite the journey, and I recall being in your shoes, looking at folks a few years out and just hoping.. So, time flies! Good luck, my friend! Enjoy the ride!

AMAZING!!!!!!!!

@LindafromFlorida Wow, so you both did this together?? Not to shabby urself!!! Yes, that's an amazing move.. 220 on his frame is great shape and other than the sodium (but my new very low blood pressure allows me to eat it now), Jerky is an awesome snack or meal replacement!!!!!!!

@katybradley I don't think u've updated ur profile. So you are already below your target and just want to lose even more? Can you clarify? that is AMAZING! For me, I stalled at 200 lbs, but was my goal, but decided I missed the exciting weekly weigh ins.. So, no choices, other than increase workouts or eat less. I did both after a cruise early in the year.. and like magic, the weight came off and another 20 lbs. WE now now stalls happen all the time, so I don't care, as long as I know I'm doing the right things, good old MR scale will end up doing right by you. Also, it's how the close fit if u are working out! I lost nothing my first months of heavy working out, but i was getting so fit and more muscular and my sizes were shrinking so all good. Regardless, 151 lbs is absurdly amazing and was only a dream for you 2 years ago. keep that in perspective :-)

@*Lexie* lol. it kind of is, but truly mostly an inspiration and I agree with the dissenters also early on. Everyone needs to know themselves. I was certain that licking a dorrito for me was insane and I could have 6. I KNEW i would do what it took and wanted to be able to do this forever. I had fans and dissenters and all had good points. Those who feel I do and can gain from it and know you will hit your goal, then bravo. Those who want an easy out and not follow the rules because I wrote this, will regret it. We're all different. As an aside, going from XXL to Medium shirts remains surreal!

I decided early on that the 1200+ per day wasn't going to work with me and that i wasn't interested in a quick loss that wasn't sustainable. So, that if I was in it and committed for the long run, i was happy to slow down the pace. My nut agreed, although explained that it's best to lose as much as you can because your body does adapt.. But, I wouldn't change a thing. I ear super healthily. watch my Protein. limit just plain bread and opt for other things. Rarely eat Pasta or the foods that just make you hungry 2 hours later. That said, I eat pizza (a slice or two for a meal), a great sandwich now and then and plenty of cottage cheese and greek yogurt and beef Jerky.. chicken, etc. The early instructions helped break the carb habit, although I don't watch my carbs other than being smart. I am now going to be going on year 3 and really feel like i can keep this up for the rest of my life. I just make smarter choices and never ever neglect anything i want. I'll have a full sushi roll with white rice even but then mix in sashimi.. I'll avoid the fried chinese items, but will add a piece or two to my chicken and broccoli. I eat baked chips, but eat some when I crave. I no longer track my calories in an app, but do keep them in my head. If i drink 600 calories in alcohol, i make sure , other than the planned munchies, that I eat mostly protein or less calories that day (or take a long walk after my workout).. I absolutely get full MUCH faster still and that's the key. It's just an amazing tool and so many of the veterans used that word and now I get it.. Nothing comes easy, but this def makes it way easier and cannot be happier.

Just a follow up, as I was challenged to post my results when I wasn't a newbie anymore. All rocking!!!!

Happy anniversary everyone!!!!! WOW. I am on a high knowing this was 2 years ago!

Just checking in. It's been 2 years since my gastric sleeve! My before and after pix are loaded as of today vs 2 years ago. I completely forgot what I was and had become. It has been an amazing journey! I almost went for the lap band and THANK GOODNESS someone talked me out of it! The sleeve has been a dream come true!!!!! I started as a 5'11 male (still 5'11 lol), 260 lbs. I am now 179/180 and lightest I have been since a shorter child. I have exceeded all expectations. My medical goal was 200 and i beat that by 20 lbs. I won't lie. It was easy in the beginning and then I started working out. Without the extra work, I was stable at 200 or so. Not too shabby. I work out 5 days a week now via running and pushups and that has kept me around 180. I'm sure I would be around 200 without it.. That said, I did have a bad 6 month 18 months ago when I had reached by goal weight of 198 (200 was goal) and then got back up to 215. I was drinking a little each day and then the munchies. I decided i wouldn't do all of this work just to go back, so limited my drinks to my dates and nights out (and I drink plenty). I drink when I eat, although not suggesting anyone else do that until you know what you can do).. The workouts have been key and thus, I give myself a lot of credit for the discipline and hard work. I also recognize that I would not have come close to doing this but for the magic sleeve. sleep apnea-GONE Diabets-Gone resting heart rate of almost 100 then down to 60 Cholesterol borderline high to low blood pressure to borderline high to low end of normal Before 265 lbs. 42 inch waist After 180 lbs 34 inch waist height 5'11 Anyone new out there, enjoy the ride and work hard!! Life changes completely!

I think the fighting stopped 6 months ago :-)

I would personally HATE all or nothing, but I am now getting how some need it. NOT I!!! FOR SURE! I was just at a big party in South Beach , Miami. I didn't use the calorie count for the weekend as it was WAY too hard! it was a super high end party!!! So, I was good, and made the best choices I could, but also enjoyed myself. .I had 6 pieces of sushi with rice and not the normal 18, lol.. I passed on most absurd choices, but had the great steak slices and a delicious Fried Oyster slider.. I would have had 3 or 4 in my old days. I lived it up with ONE! I did salads with low fat dressing at the pool and avoided more drinks during the day.. My point is, I didn't gain a pound and SOOO was not black or white! I enjoyed tasting most of the great items and even the Desserts and this is working just great!

I think this is true, but since I posted originally here, I must add that I think it's a lot like ethics. If you THINK something is unethical, then IT IS!!!! If you THINK you need to follow 100% of the rules, then YOU DO!! I knew I could have discipline with logic, but I sure get that many should indeed not vary!! I was never one of those. To each their own, for sure!!!

@butter, u may have been lol. All good points :-)