NewSetOfCurves

sgreen721, I was sleeved June 18, 2013. Check out my pics that I'm attaching. Never thought I'd wear a swimsuit again! It was worth every fear, anxiety, pain and uphill battle. I LOVE my sleeve and I would do it all over again! Good luck to you and to all of my fellow soon-to-be-Sleevers!!!

I'm starting my sleeve journey and beginning to complete all of the pre-operative testing. I'm curious to know, for those who have sleeved, what are your biggest regrets about getting the sleeve? What would you have done differently? Why?

Breakfast 1 (6:00 am): Premier Protein chocolate shake Breakfast 2 (8:00 am): 2 boiled eggs, 1 whole / 1 egg white only Snack (10:00 am): 1/2 gala apple with 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter lunch (11:45 am): small garden salad with cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and 2 oz grilled chicken Snack (3:00 pm): 1/2 pack of Sweet and Salty Mix [This evening I will have...] Pre-Workout Drink: 6 ounces of Water with one scoop of N.O-Xplode Post-Workout Drink: Premier Protein Shake Dinner: 3 oz of a lean meat sauteed in olive oil + 1-2 oz of complex carb

Yesterday: Breakfast - Premier Protein shake Snack - Nature Valley's Crunchy Oats and Honey bar lunch - almost 1/2 of a Hamburger Patty (At a conference, not many healthy choices) with cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickle and 6 baked sour cream and onion potato chips Snack - 1/2 banana, a handful of nuts Pre-Workout: NO-Xplode 2.0 Post-Workout: BSN Cellmass 2.0 and Premier Protein Shake Dinner: 3 Thin Deli Sliced Lean Turkey meat and Cheese Stick

@@RNBSN786 Hi mam! I try really hard to eat clean, because some of the bad food--my trigger foods--slide . I eat about between 2-4 ounces. It just depends, sometimes I have a sleeve of steel and I can intake more, other days my sleeve just will not have it. I like to eat oatmeal because of the complex carbs. I try to intake more complex carbs on my training days, since that is the bodies main source of energy (it helps with not getting those dizzy/brief black out spells when you get up to fast). I shoot for a MINIMUM 1200 calories to 1500 maximum calories. On non training days, I'll consume 1000 min -1200 max. calories

Bkft: premier Protein shake Snack: oatmeal & boiled egg Lunch: chicken salad, 5 baked potato chips, 15 baby carrots, 30 cal packet of fat free ranch dressing Snack: pear and handful of peanuts Dinner: ??? Don't know yet!

There are these little chewable chocolate Ex-Lax laxatives that I used soon after I was post-op because I feared having to push with my sore tummy and tummy muscles (I use product until this day because they are so gentle and EFFECTIVE--lol). They do not make you cramp or feel ugly and they are sold everywhere, from Wal-Mart to a general dollar store. Here is a link to the exact product I use: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=15078&catid=184260&aid=338666&aparam=15078

I think @@JanetPRN said it best: "I have to make peace with my past so I can fully enjoy my future. Until then, this question will cause me to squirm, and will be perceived as an invasion of my privacy." A lot of people feel ashamed of their past, of their weight, at their past inability to control themselves and thus many people on this forum mention that they perceive their pre-sleeve selves as weak. I think we each have to do what JanetPRN said, we "have to make peace" with our past selves. When each of us post-ops started this journey, we started it because we needed help to gain back control. The thing is, a lot of people need help in all areas and walks of life. Our need for help is no different and we should not feel ashamed of our need. Instead we should feel PROUD that we had the STRENGTH to admit that we needed help in the first place, and the COURAGE to do something about it. Because trust me, I have friends and relatives that refuse to admit that they have a problem; whom try to take the first step, but retreat when their foot is half way in the door; or they get their foot in the door but fear to take the next step. I have sat there and comforted one relative--who was in panting tears--because she could not get herself to go to the first bariatric meeting that she had set up. She could not get her self to get up and go because she FEARED that if she went through with it, she'd have to let go of the one constant comfort in her life--food--and she was not ready. It takes strength and courage to do have done what we post-op people have done. So, when someone asks, "How much weight have you lost?" I readily reply, "Almost 100 pounds." At first, I felt the emotional internal response of, how embarrassing or I should be ashamed that I had to lose that much, but I do not feel that anymore. I needed help, I got help, and I have worked hard to change my life style and habits, and I SHOULD NOT and WILL NOT be ashamed of my numbers. I have made peace with my past and have began my trek forward. Now, there is nothing wrong with being private. Let us remember that people will be people, and sometimes their invasion into what some of us deem private is not purposeful or done in malice. They are just in awe of our transformation and their curiosity gets the better of them. I wish all of you the best of luck, both externally and internally.

You need to add more complex carbs to your diet. That is your bodies primary source of fuel. If you search "complex carbohydrate foods" you can find of list of foods you can choose from to incorporate into your diet.

Wow! Those are AMAZING results! Congrats to you and your continued success! ????

Lunch: 2 ounces shredded boiled chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado and shredded cheese Snack: oatmeal Dinner: Premier Protein shake Snack: 1 ounce pistachio and half a small gala apple

So far... Breakfast 1: Premier Protein chocolate shake Breakfast 2: 1 boiled egg, 1/4 cup grapes, 1/4 cup cantaloupe

I went through the exact same thing and I felt like it took me forever to bounce back in comparison to others (some of whom were already back at work after a week!). It took me a little over 5 weeks before I felt a shred of normalcy. I was fatigued, I would black out when I got up, I slept sitting up with the heating pad over my tummy or my back or shoulder (the gas!), and I was definitely not getting in all my fluids and Protein. But, as a previous poster stated, hydration is key. sugar free popsicles and Jello saved me. Water hurt too much and I felt like I had extra restriction because of the hiatal hernia repair. At one point I felt better and decided to water my plants and nearly fainted. However, the feelings of normalcy will come. The swelling will subside and allow for more intake. As your stages progress, the calories will increase and you will gain back your energy. I know it doesn't feel like that now, but I promise you, it is around the corner. Good luck to you.

Congrats to you!!! You look GREAT!!! Look at you all fabulous in those dresses and I am loving that blue dress and the coordinating brown belt and shoes . Good luck to you on your continued success!

Congrats to you! What an amazing feat in such a short amount of time! I have to agree with @@skinnygirlwithin, though. Reward yourself with a new outfit, mani/padi, a new hair do; not food. Good luck to you and your continued success!

I experienced this too. Didn't start to feel normal until after 2 months. My theory was always that I felt that way due to lack of calories and carbs. Carbs are what fuel the body. So, as my diet progressed, I would try my best to incorporate complex carbs (boiled squash & zucchini with some good flavoring was my favorite; I would blend them slightly during my soft food stage). Look up best complex carb foods and think of creative ways to incorporate them in with your protein intake. It definitely helped with my energy levels and stopped the "blacking out" every time I got up or moved too fast and the fatigue.

I deeply, deeply, deeply empathize with you. I have lost two dearly loved ones to terminal cancer. I know what it is like to see them deteriorate before your eyes with each passing day, to know that their time is limited, to be powerless to take away their suffering and their pain, and to have to remain strong and firm before their eyes but drench yourself in your tears at night. It is hard and it impacts your health. Do not feel guilty to take time for you. You need it and I'm sure your husband wants you to take care of you. Let him see you take care of yourself so he can have peace of mind that you're going to be okay. Of course, when we lose loved ones a part of us never fully recovers, but we CAN be okay and find peace within our selves. You've taken the right step in NOT buying those Popsicles. If they are there, you WILL eat them. So, eliminating them from your grasp is your ultimate favor to yourself. Make small steps. Eliminate the bad and substitute it with something good. You can do this. You've endured a lot, but you ARE strong. You ARE capable of doing ANYTHING you set your mind too. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband.

Wow, wow, WOW!!! You look GREAT!!! It gets me excited about the plastics I'm planning on getting a year from now. You are absolutely fabulous and I congratulate you on. Your AMAZING transformation!!!

LMAO!!!!

I agree with ZiggypBang and McButterpants! Inches count more. So many factors go into the scale, from increased muscle mass if you're working out/lifting weights to retained fluids due to a variety of reasons and your body adjusting to each phase. Concentrate on your inches, overall health, and mental well being--not the scale!

20 lbs! I never lost that much again, though. I'm 5 weeks shy of being a year out and I average 2-3 pounds a month now. Good luck to you!!!

I too am 5'6"... Starting weight right under 250 Surgery weight 228 4 weeks post op: 208 8 weeks post op: 198 12 weeks post op: 185 16 weeks post op: 180 20 weeks post op: 173 24 weeks post op: 170 28 weeks post op: 165 32 weeks post op: 162 34 weeks post op: 159 38 weeks post op: 156 Current weight (1 week shy of 11 months post-op): 152

Dinner ended up consisting of 3 oz of grilled chicken breast (cooked with mesquite-love the flavor!) and lightly sautéed squash & zucchini.

I know...it's hard in the beginning, especially when you are surrounded by family and kids and you still have to do all the cooking. You will sit and eat with them again! This too shall pass...this phase will pass and as you and your sleevie get to know each other, you will come to love him/her and love the new body that comes along with it! Good luck to you!

Carbohydrate Basics There’s a shroud of mystery attached to carbohydrates and how food is converted to energy. And lately, some diets have even given carbohydrates a bad name. Here are just a few facts about carbohydrates that may clear things up. Complex carbohydrates are best: Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet and provide the body with the fuel it needs for physical activity and for proper organ function. There are two types of carbohydrates—complex and simple. Complex carbohydrates come naturally from fruits, vegetables, legumes (Beans, lentils, peas) and whole grains. Simple carbohydrates come from sugars, which are typically processed and contain no significant nutrients. Carbohydrates are the best form of energy: The energy from food comes in three forms: carbohydrates, Protein, and fat. Some of these fuels are stored in your body so that muscles and organs can use them as an immediate source of energy. Out of these three fuels, carbohydrates are the most important, yet least abundant nutrient for daily energy needs. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for most activity and are burned more efficiently than protein or fat. For example, research has shown that the energy from carbohydrates can be released up to three times as fast as the energy from fat. There are other important functions and facts you should know about carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the most effective fuel for a healthy brain and nervous system. Low carbohydrate stores may diminish your concentration. Adequate amounts of carbohydrates help spare protein reserves needed for muscle growth, maintenance and repair. Carbohydrates help the body burn fat more efficiently than protein. Many foods high in complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) are also high in dietary Fiber for better digestion, and prevention of certain types of cancer. Carbohydrate Stores are limited: The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy, but the body can only store a limited amount of carbohydrate (about half a day’s supply of energy). For this reason, it is best not to limit or eliminate all carbohydrates as some popular diets lead us to believe. Eating some complex carbohydrates throughout the day will provide you with an adequate amount of energy for day to day needs... You can find the entire article at: https://www.medmutual.com/For-Individuals-and-Families/Healthy-Living/Nutrition-And-Dieting/Add-Healthy-Carbohydrates-to-Your-Diet.aspx