mmc720

I definitely still get hungry. The only thing different from when I had a "normal" stomach is when I'm hungry I can't eat huge portions. I wish I didn't feel hunger.

I'm 3 months out and I'm eating between 1000 and 1200 calories a day. Normally closer to the 1200. I was pretty freaked out too because everybody else seems to be saying they only eat around 800 calories a day. But I am losing at a healthy rate and my doctor is pleased with my progress. If I wasn't losing at all, I'd be concerned. I could cut my calories way down and probably drop weight faster at first but I am comfortable with the rate at which I'm losing. Also, my body has a nasty habit of stopping the weight loss if I cut my caloric intake down too low. I get told all the time by people that it's not possible and there's no such thing as "starvation mode" but all I know is my body freaks out and slows my metabolism and then I have no energy and no weight loss. I do wonder sometimes if I'm able to eat more than others with the sleeve because I had the band first. Who knows. And I have no idea what size bougie my doctor used or how big my stomach is now. I just eat normal foods but a lot less and I track everything on myfitnesspal daily.

Oh and I forgot one more thing. No more fills and unfills. I went for a one week checkup, a 1 month checkup and now a 3 month checkup. I don't go back until one year. I'm not in and out of the doctor's office getting fills put in and getting too tight and going back to get some out. I'm not having to have a fluoroscope done. I'm living my life and eating better and besides eating a way smaller amount, I'm forgetting I even had surgery. I feel like a better version of myself and I'm getting better (and slimmer!) each day.

My only regret is not getting the sleeve in the first place! Not that it was an option in 2007 when I got the band. I don't miss worrying every time I ate that it wouldn't "work" and I'd end up sliming and vomiting for hours after eating just a few bites. Or going out to eat with friends and worrying that I'd have to rush to the restroom to vomit. I don't know if I'm just lucky or what but I haven't found anything that I can't eat or that my sleeve won't tolerate. I eat normal foods, just a lot less. If I feel like having a Peanut Butter sandwich, I can have it. It will only be half of one or less but I don't have to worry that I'll be sick. I have only vomited once and it was from eating too much and too fast. And it wasn't hours and hours of vomiting like with the band. I vomited a tiny bit once and it was done. Lesson learned. I can't guzzle Water but then again I couldn't with the band either. So no difference there for me. I LOVE that I am able to take pills now and not worry they'll get stuck. I take huge Vitamins and they go down with no problem. I had become Vitamin deficient with the band from all the vomiting not being able to eat a normal diet. I just went yesterday for my 3 month checkup after sleeve surgery and my doctor said my bloodwork came back "perfect". It was a huge relief. I didn't realize how "normal" I would feel now. I can't eat much at all and yeah, sometimes that gets attention I don't really want, but I eat normal foods without getting stuck and I can just sit through a meal with friends or family and enjoy the conversation and not worry or have everybody freak out if I have to quickly head to the restroom to vomit like I used to. My stomach doesn't make the crazy noises anymore like it did with the band. All the gurgling and loud noises it made as the food slowly drained into my stomach. I'm happy and better yet, healthy now.

Hi. I just joined the forum so this is my first post. But I just wanted to tell you not to give up hope. My insurance turned me down on my revision and finally on the last appeal they approved it. I wanted to give up so many times but my boyfriend wouldn't let me and told me I had to keep fighting it. I'm so glad I did. It did take over a year of fighting and going through 3 appeals but I finally had my revision on October 4th. And mine wasn't done by the same doctor who did my band surgery either. He's actually no longer even in the country. I hope everything works out for you.