Vixynne

chocolate brownie. It's my daily Breakfast during the work week. I love everything about them--but the brownie flavor is the only one I really enjoy. From what I've heard, you can cut these bars into chunks and bake them into Cookies, too. Maybe some of the other flavors are tastier in cookie form. The other types that I don't hate are the chocolate chip cookie dough and cinnamon roll. Nothing beats the brownie kind, though, especially if you warm them up in the microwave for just a few seconds.

Ten months post-op is right around the corner for me...so I've updated my "after" pic. Here's me, out for dinner at a restaurant where you can book a former bank vault as your private dining room. Dinner (filet mignon, gotta get that protein!) was followed by my first-ever salsa dancing lesson. Ten months and 90+ pounds ago, there's no way I would have been able to dance for hours in heels. This really is a whole new life for me--I love what my sleeve has helped me accomplish!

I agree completely with this! I wasn't sure which vote to mark, since I have no problems eating out at restaurants. I'm nearly 9 months post-sleeve, and going out to eat isn't difficult for me, because I can always find something to eat that is higher in Protein, not deep-fried, etc. Restaurant eating--for me--just means that if I order a regular entree, there will be leftovers to take home. Ordering my meal doesn't cause me or my companions any stress. I eat what I can, enjoy the company and my food, and finally feel like a "normal" eater rather than a binge gobbler.

I was sleeved in July of 2013, and I still get the slight hiccup and sniffly nose as "slow down, you're getting full" signals. They're pretty reliable for me. I've found that if I don't listen to them, I'll be sorry, LOL. If what I'm eating has a high level of sugar or sugar alcohols, queasiness is a strong "STOP EATING THIS NOW" signal for me. In the early post-op days, I almost never felt hungry at all, so knowing when I was full was tricky--I always felt kind of the same, whether I had sipped or not! Once the swelling in your new sleeve goes down a little more, you'll get a really good sense of your own personal signals.

Wooohooo! Don't forget to update your ticker! Ain't it GREAT to see that number move?! Congratulations!!

Hi there, rphp! I love hearing from "sleeve alumni" from July '13, it's good to catch up and hear how everyone's doing. My doctor's office just called to reschedule my April appointment, so I guess it will be a little longer before I get the next official update. In the meanwhile, though, my post-op life is going pretty wonderfully. I'm sorry to hear you have reflux; I had a mild case right after surgery that lasted for about two or three weeks, but it resolved and hasn't returned--is your surgeon concerned about your symptoms? Do you take a PPI to help your acid levels? Reflux is no fun; hope yours improves soon! All my info is in my ticker down at the bottom of my signature, but for the record--my heaviest weight was 238 lbs., almost exactly a year ago (which is morbid obesity on a 5-foot, 2-inch frame). My BMI was 43.5 at that time. Surgery day--July 1st--weight was 220. Now, at 9 months out, I'm at 148 and fighting for every ounce that I can pry off! My clothing size went from 22 to 10, and I would like to hit about 135-130ish by the 1 year mark; but if I don't get there exactly on July 1st, I'll be okay. My present BMI is 27.1, which makes me "overweight" but no longer obese, woohoo! I definitely had a hard time with the taste of plain Water for a while post-op, but it seems to be better now. I miss being able to chug down a whole bottle of water at one try, but like you, I think I've adjusted pretty well to what my sleeve can and can't hold. My new normal is okay with me--and so is my new body. I'd love to have skin reduction surgery on my belly pouch and batwing arms, but insurance won't cover it, so I just shrug and Celebrate never having to shop at Lane Bryant or ANY plus-sized section ever again! For that, I'm willing to live with some extra skin.

Pre-op, I was totally in the "it's nobody's business" camp. And truthfully, it's NOT anyone's business--it's mine, and I get to decide who does or doesn't know about it. At first, I was so worried about being judged harshly, and nervous about whether people close to me would be supportive, that I almost didn't tell anyone except my immediate family. My very best friend--who is like my "sister by choice"--wasn't told until after my surgery, because I knew her anxious nature would rub off on me. Despite it coming from true concern for my well-being, I just didn't want anything to distract me while I was pre-op. Now that I'm headed to the 1 year mark (my surgery was in July of 2013), I find that I will tell anyone who'll stand still long enough to listen to me rave about how much I love my sleeve. When people at work noticed changes in my weight, they'd ask what I was doing, what was my secret...and although I could have just said "low carb, high Protein, more exercise" (all of which was true), I knew that the only reason I'd found out about gastric sleeve surgery was because a great friend told me about it. She'd had it, and went from 300+ pounds to a size 8. Without her honest and open nature, I'd still probably be overweight, getting fatter, and feeling miserable. So. I came clean. I cringed and waited for the "ohhh, so you took the easy way out" looks and comments--but they never came. Instead, I became a sleeve ambassador, spreading the word to anybody who asked. I yap about my sleeve at the hair salon, at the grocery store, at GNC when I go to buy my weekly supply of Quest bars--anywhere, anytime. Who knows? Maybe there's another morbidly obese person like the me of a year ago, feeling trapped and hopeless, who just might get interested enough to look into WLS because they heard it from me, or from their friend who heard it from me. I don't give a hot jolly toss if anyone thinks I took a shortcut, I know better. That's all that matters--and there's no arguing with my results.

I can't possibly improve on any of what the other replies say--they are SPOT ON. I think a lot of the time, the people in our lives who are less than supportive are coming from a place of fear. Fear that we could die on the operating table, fear that they won't be able to stand watching us be in pain and struggling with post-op issues, fear that we'll "find someone better" once we're wearing a thinner (if somewhat flappy-ish) new body. If you love him in that "I'm in this for the long haul" way, try to reassure him--but if he's a big black hole of need (the sort that just refuses to BE reassured), keep in mind that you're going to need some mental peace/clarity/focus for yourself as you go in to this process and come out on the other side. You won't always be able to make his doubts melt away--sometimes you're going to be the one who needs support. Will he give it, or will he drag out the "Ugh! See, I told you this would happen"s when you need him to stand by you? Ay lifetime partnership is full of disagreements and little spats. This, though? This is a lifelong change for you. He's either going to see the light and be your greatest supporter--or he's going to hold you back. Go into this with your eyes wide open, and with your own best interests foremost in your mind. True love has nothing at all to do with trying to stifle, control or drag our loved ones down. Listen to your instincts, and keep on keepin' on!

Kjcasegreg-- I have only been sleeved since last July 1st--I'm not at a year yet, and I'm definitely not a 2 or 3-year veteran, but even with that being said, I honestly believe you can lose weight past the 9 month mark. It gets harder, because your body is smaller and takes fewer calories to function than it did before surgery (or even back in those early weeks when it just seemed to melt away on its own). But according to my dietician, if I keep burning more calories than I take in, slowly but surely the weight will keep coming off. Maybe only a half pound per week, maybe a pound or two in a month, but it WILL come off. After the 6 to 9 month "honeymoon", it turns into more of a willpower battle; you gotta fight for it; at least that's been my experience so far, and I'm almost at the 9 month mark.

I used to weigh daily--especially in the early days post-op. I wanted to see that scale MOVE in the right direction for once! Then I realized I was becoming obsessive and making myself miserable, so I changed it to weekly. Each Saturday morning, after a shower and before Breakfast. Pretty soon I noticed that even that was making me obsess--I would get anxious as Saturday approached, and get totally discouraged if the scale didn't do what I was hoping for (either not move, or not move ENOUGH). Now I have almost stopped weighing entirely. I do get on the scale a couple times a month, but mainly I'm using my clothing to judge how things are going. Also, now that I'm 6+ months post-op, the "honeymoon" has ended. Just as my surgeon predicted, my weight loss has gradually slowed down to the point that weighing too often will just leave me feeling frustrated, and like a failure. I'm definitely not a failure, I'm just losing around half a pound a week, with stalls and starts here and there, like many people post-sleeve! I'm losing weight "like a skinny girl", which means I have to fight for every ounce, watch my carb intake, and increase my movement if I want to eat more calories. Bottom line for me: the scale no longer controls me, and I'm happy!

Congrats! You're on your way to the most amazing journey--it's going to be worth every single challenge. You're going to do GREAT!

I was what I lovingly term a "18/20 tight" before I went for surgery. Probably SHOULD have been wearing 22's, but I stubbornly refused to buy them, so I would just squeeeeeeeze into those 18/20s. Denial is a powerful thing, LOL. Now, at almost 9 months post-op, I'm down to a size 10 in jeans--it still boggles my brain! I've saved a couple pairs of shorts and pants from my pre-op self, and it's fantastic to think that in a few months I might be able to shimmy BOTH legs into one leg of my old pants, and my old t-shirts could easily fit myself and my daughter inside!

You're making fantastic progress, you should be proud! I love my sleeve--best decision I ever made for myself, too, I agree. Keep up the awesome work, it's paying off!

I have NO regrets. This surgery has given me a NEW lease on life. Beyond smaller clothes and a thin (if somewhat wobblysaggy) body, I FEEL amazing. I've lost 85 pounds in 8 months--which isn't recordbreaking speed, but WOW, what a difference in the quality of my everyday living. Words can't describe it. In my opinion, it helps to be totally prepared with some lifestyle counseling, some training about what to expect--realistic expectations for what a sleeve can (and *can't*) do for you is absolutely key to success and fewer regrets. A support system of people who are rooting for you, who also have had a chance to get informed about what is ahead, is incredibly helpful, too. I'm a July 2013 sleever, and after all these months of work, struggle and challenges along the way, I still would not change a SINGLE THING. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat about my experiences!

Is the pain getting any less as time passes, MissCK? When I was first post-op, even tiny sips of plain Water made my sleeve hurt. It was like a sharp, squeezing pain--is that what you're experiencing, or is it different for you? For me, the pain gradually lessened over time, so that first it became okay to swallow liquids (especially warm ones like tea, or water that had a little Mio or Crystal Light added). Then it became easier to handle eating soft foods, and eventually the pain went away completely. Remember, there's a LOT of swelling in your new sleeve. It's super-sensitive and bound to kick back when it's irritated. I used to imagine that a tiny, angry dictator who wore cleats and threw temper tantrums used to live in my sleeve. It's ridiculous, but it helped me to keep my sense of humor through the pain. Eventually that sleeve-dictator either moved out or got overthrown--don't worry, it won't last too much longer. And if it does, send out a call to your doctor just to let them know. They will probably have a lot of good advice for you, since it's probably a common issue!

I had reflux before my sleeve surgery. I hit a point where even a glass of Water at bedtime would cause acid to back up into my esophagus and wake me up in the middle of the night. I was taking Tums like candy. Post-op, I was put on a twice-daily dose of chewable Pepcid, which I stopped using at about the 2-month mark. I haven't had any acid issues since. If you start having reflux issues, give your surgeon or PCP a call; they can prescribe a good PPI (protein-pump inhibitor) like Prevacid, Nexium, or Prilosec.

I'm over 8 months out from surgery, and I agree, our memories tend to be pretty kind (unless we had reaaaaally bad post-op experiences). I just went back and looked at some of my forum posts from the days right after my surgery, and I was a hurtin' unit for sure! I remember how much it hurt to swallow even the tiniest sips of Water, how I asked my surgeon for reassurance about those twisting cramping pains in the first three days post-op, and he just smiled and told me to keep drinking. I wanted to cry! I remember not being able to sit or lie down comfortably at night. I definitely do remember how sick to death I was of chicken broth and Jell-O! I remember my awesome nurses fussing at me for using my heating pad over my incision area (but that warmth was so soothing) and they scolded me for sleeping too much (well, yeah, morphine makes me drowsy, and a healing body wants rest). I remember thinking I was going to throw up, faint from dizziness, and/or just plain fall over and die when I had to take my first recovery-hallway walk. When I got home and was on full liquids, I got so discouraged when out of nowhere I developed an intolerance to my favorite Protein Shakes. Eventually, I became able to tolerate the whey Proteins again--thank goodness. As I went through the stages of post-op eating, my digestive system had to sort itself out and decide if it wanted me in the bathroom every ten minutes or only once every three days. Stool softeners, Fiber, Vitamins, antacids--I had to figure out a new balance to all of it. It wasn't pretty, but I made each milestone, one at a time. I know "it gets better" becomes the last thing you want to hear...so how about "I promise it won't be this bad for very long"? For me, the first four days were the worst. By the end of the first week, it was starting to slowly improve. I think it took two weeks to really feel like myself again. Be gentle with yourself; surgery takes a lot out of us, and it takes time to let all that sleeve-swelling and incision tenderness subside. Take it one day or even one moment at a time. When I was in my first week or two post-sleeve, it helped to look at time in VERY small chunks. Try to get through a morning (or just one day) instead of worrying about next week, so you don't feel overwhelmed. Before you know it, you'll be looking back, thinking "wow, I have come such a long way!"

It must have been a shock to get that diagnosis--but as others have said, I'm glad you got the information now rather than suffering really serious complications later down the road. Thank goodness there IS such a thing as a revision, imagine if there was nothing anyone could do to help your twisting tummy?? You have an awesome outlook, and it sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders and a solid, supportive medical team. You're going to do just fine; hang in there, and keep us posted on your progress.

I found that a good high sublingual dose of B12 (don't worry, it's Water soluble, so you can't overdose on it) is REALLY helpful in giving up caffeine. I take 5000mcg per day, and it gave me such a boost of non-jittery, non-headache-triggering energy, I was able to drop coffee completely. If you like seafood, don't forget things like shrimp--nice dense protein source that fills you and sticks with you, and it's pretty easy to pack in a lunch bag to eat cold (like a shrimp cocktail type dish) or to heat up in a microwave. I like putting a few medium shrimp on a short skewer with some zucchini, red pepper, mushroom caps, and a squirt of lemon juice! Mini-meatballs can be a lifesaver, too--if you don't care for ground beef, you can make them with turkey, or even buy a bag of frozen ones. I use those for a quick meal with a dollop of warmed marinara, or tzatziki sauce if I want to eat them with a cold dip (click here for an easy recipe). One of the tricks that helps me when my family eats out at restaurants is to take a close look at the appetizer list. Avoiding deep fried stuff or too many over-processed carbs, there's still usually at least one hearty Soup, or a good skewer-type appetizer in almost any style of restaurant. I'm over 8 months out now, so I can tolerate most leafy salads, too. Between soup, salad and some sort of dense protein, I always leave with a big "doggie bag" of leftovers, and one dinner out usually means at least one or two more lunches later on! Once you're on the Losers' Bench and looking for some new recipe ideas (or you just can't STAND the idea of one more tuna-based lunch), there's always this site to try, too. In fact, some of Michelle's recipes are so good, I cook them in portions big enough for my whole family. They're really worth a try! It sounds to me like you are really well-prepared, with your head on straight and your feet on the ground. You're going to do fantastically!

If we let ourselves become paralyzed by "WHAT IF __________ HAPPENS", we'll become unable to function. This link you provided says 20-30% of sleeve patients develop new onset GERD? I suppose maybe if you leave GERD untreated over a long period, yes, it might develop into cancer (but I'm not a doctor, so I'm not sure of that)...but who would suffer GERD without seeking treatment, long enough to allow it to become pre-cancerous, much less full-blown cancer? Seems a bit off to me. It also says in the slideshow that the target group is patients who are revisions from sleeve to Roux-En-Y; I'm guessing that is a VERY small subsection of all sleeve patients. So, instead of "everyone who gets bariatric surgery is at an elevated risk of this horrible/possibly lethal form of cancer", what it actually seems to be saying is that a very small group out of another very small group might develop health issues related to GERD. Slide 4 says they examined 106 cases. That's a TINY sampling, and done all in one country (Germany). My surgeon performs more than 100 surgeries in six months all by himself! Maybe they sampled one surgeon who has a dismal success rate? Maybe the hospital/s providing this data isn't up to the standards of a Bariatric Center of Excellence? Research is only as accurate and as trustworthy as the individuals/group performing it, and it can be spun, twisted, and re-shaped to show almost anything. Go to this link and you'll find "research" showing that Churchill was a carrot. The way I see it, if you go back 500 years, the BEST minds, the most highly-respected opinions on earth, all said "If you sail too far to the west, you'll fall off the edge of the earth!" That's what their research showed. Studies have also shown that if you live long enough, you will likely get some form of cancer (typically prostate cancer in men, and breast cancer in women). Since the life expectancy of human beings is highest (for 1st World Nations) nowadays, it makes some sense to be able to correlate that cancer rises as well--and that doesn't even account for cancer caused by genetics and other factors. I am a sleeve believer--and I've seen this surgery improve the life I'm living, right NOW. If I hadn't had this procedure, I'd still be miserable, in pain, and unable to fully enjoy my life. For me, that equation comes out in my favor--and I realize that my experience isn't what every single sleeve patient has had. It's good to be as informed as you can be, before you make ANY life-changing decision. That being said, I'd gladly have my sleeve surgery done and redone to eliminate the pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, joint deterioration and heart issues that were coming over the horizon without that surgery. Not to be morbid, but I'll take a shorter, higher-quality life over a longer-duration, unhealthy, painfilled depressed "existence".

You lost almost one whole Olsen twin and you're getting booty-tastic, nothing wrong with any of that!

Did you have any sort of pre-op counseling or preparation for the ways that sleeves can/can't make a difference? When you say it made no difference in your eating habits, do you mean it didn't change the things you can eat--or it didn't change the way you feel toward food? I ask because my surgeon's practice requires pre-op psych counseling--but I know not everyone's does. I knew going in that I'd have to make a lot of "head changes", and they were much harder than having the surgery! You must still be eating a lot less than you did two years ago, though, right? Don't get discouraged, you can get those extra pounds off if you make all the changes you need to. It won't be easy, but if you push yourself and have a good support system, you can do it. *hugs*