barbarahadz1

AmiLou, At week nine the most important things are Water, Protein and some exercise. Protein Shakes, bars, powders are all good and nothing to feel guilty about. You have to reach your protein goals any way you can tolerate. What tastes terrible now may be your favorite food in a month. It's very interesting how the body changes. If you are craving oatmeal, have it (I'm sure you won't be able to eat that much now). Just make sure you have your protein first.

One of the things my doctor said before the surgery was "I am operating on your stomach not your brain" The sleeve is a tool to help us eat less but after the first 6 months the auto pilot goes off and the brain takes over. That's when we work really hard to finding ways around the sleeve (grazing, sliders etc.) We have to face all our issues and that is more difficult for some than others. We want to be healthy and thin, that's why we have the surgery, but fighting our demons that got us to where we are is a major struggle that may never end. But hopefully we will win more often than we lose. I wish everyone strength and peace.

When someone says "You look great" I say "thank you". Before becoming a Vet I would have given a list of at least 10 reasons why they were wrong.

Hello everyone.

I think I eat about the same now that I did at 2 years. I've just gotten really good at avoiding Protein. I can do about 3-4 oz chicken. I do have problems with dairy, salad & vegetables. I eat very little of that because its so hard for me to digest. I thought that would have gotten better by now.

I'm three years post op. I think the biggest mistake I have made was to believe that I was "normal" . I felt good about my weight for the first time in my adult life. People were nicer to me. I was nicer to me. It felt really good. But something clicked in my brain. I was angry for losing all those years that I didn't & couldn't live a normal life. I was angry for losing my Father to Alzheimer's. I was angry that I had to move in with my Mother (my choice but not easy) to help her after my Father died. So what do I do when I am angry? Yep, you guessed it, I eat. All of a sudden I felt as if I had starved myself for three years so I ate whatever I wanted. I didn't plan any meals and I grazed all day. That's what normal people do, right? Anyway I was maintaining for a year ,even though I didn't reach my goal. Then maintenance turned into fighting 3 -5 pounds, up and down, up and down. Then it turned into weight gain that refuses to budge. I'm up 18 pounds and I know what I'm supposed to do but I don't know why I don't do it.

I feel like I just read my own update (except for the eggs & reaching goal). From the waiting two years to make the decision to the runny nose! You are ME and I am YOU. I feel like the sun came out and I am not alone. Okay a bit hyperbolic, but you know what I mean. Love the update and picture. You are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

It's okay, you're not the "Jerk Whisperer"

I'm 3 years post op but I don't post much. I need the veteran's forum. It's the only support I have. When I read that others are having similar issues I don't feel so alone and defeated.

Well done. You look great and you really did save your life!

Good Luck and speedy recovery!

Feel better soon.

I think a lot of people don't realize that this is major surgery and a major life altering, permanent change. They also don't know how difficult it is, especially in the beginning. It's one of those situations where people just don't know what to do or say. Most of the time they say the wrong thing or nothing at all. We're sensitive, they're ignorant (on this subject). Just can't win. Your friends will come around and some of them will say the right things and some will not. I doesn't matter because this is your new life. Focus on getting well, everything else is gravy. I had the blues after surgery. I felt like they just took away my best friend (I know silly) anyway, after the first two weeks I felt like I was dying. My doctor said (he actually yelled at me) that it was because I had not started exercising. Oh really, I thought I was supposed to wait until I got the ok from him. I was so angry but I did start exercising (walking) and felt like a new person the next day. So I took back all the curse words Be well!

I found that the best thing you can do for gas pain is walk. As soon as you are allowed to of course. I was walking up and down the hospital corridors (pushing my IV pole) as much as I could.

It does help, thank you.

I didn't have a drain.

Wow! Beautiful. How did you pick your plastic surgeon?

I almost joined WEIGHT WATCHERS today because of Oprah. It would have been my sixth time joining. I need to do something to get back on track. But if it didn't work for me before it's not going to work now.

These past two winters have been brutal. I had to double up on gloves and my fingers would still look purple from the cold when I took the gloves off. Lucky for me its just my hands but It is painful.

It can be very hard to lose the weight but before the surgery it was impossible (for me). I tend to get into a routine of eating the same foods every day. It's easier and no surprises. I think if I change things up a bit it may help get things moving. Looking forward to year three

Yep, hiccups and runny nose for me but only if I eat too much. That's my sign to STOP.

Hey K8tee I can definitely relate. I was sleeved May 2013. Lost 90 pounds in the first year and put on 8 pounds the second year. I've lost 4 of the 8 pounds but I'm fighting to keep it off. I guess I'm in maintenance but I don't want to be. I need to lose another 40 pounds. It's a real struggle. I know I have to cut calories and move more but it's depressing not being able to lose even one pound!

Ahhh where is the Jerk Whisperer when you need her??

It sounds normal for the first 2 weeks to have the issues you are having. It will probably turn to constipation at some point soon. After a while it will be back to normal. Some foods will bother you ,some will not. Just listen to your body. It will let you know when you can not eat something.