Karnie

Omg!! I am working on a bag now! I bought it like 3 days ago...big black bag of white cheddar cheese popcorn...my favorite before surgery...and yes...by now, it would have been gone!!!LOL.... So far I've had a total of three handfuls...that's one handful a day, mind you...and that's all I can tolerate!! It's so funny but it just gives me ANOTHER reason to be thankful for this sleeve!!! When I get closer to goal next year, I might add the moscato!!

Hi All, Ok, so I am 4 months out. I was sleeved on June 27th. Since the start of my process, I've lost almost 80lbs. (29lbs on the pre op diet) So, I'm rolling along. I am very happy with my progress even though my surgeon said that my weight loss is in the low end. So anyway, I didn't get to eat my usual lunch today so when I got home I was hungry. Now mind you, I haven't been hungry since pre op. ok so I fixed a can of chili with every intent to have my usual 5-6 bites and before I knew it, I was at the bottom of the bowl!!! What gives?? Where has my restriction gone??? I'm following my plan. It can't be over already could it?? Anyone have this experience? Even when I miss a meal, I STILL have that restriction...but not today. :-(

Good idea! Thanks!

Exactly...I'm putting that on my frig...measure, measure measure!! :-)

Yeah, I am definitely going to limit my intake of chili! That was scary!

Not snarky at all...I appreciate the advice!! I think I have been relying mostly on the restriction...which has been great...but like you said ...it's up to me to come up with strategies now! Thank you!

You are right! It is still so much better than before the surgery. Tomorrow is another day...thanks!

At 3 weeks out, I was still puréed foods. Now at around 15 weeks, I can have about 3-4 small meatballs with a lil sauce ...no pasta...and I'm stuffed!!!! Funny thing is...I still think about food I can't have. I even buy it sometimes, take 1-2 bites and end up giving it away. Not sure why I do that...but my boyfriend ....who is thin as a rail...doesn't mind cuz he's the beneficiary of my leftovers!!!! Lol

Like that American Express commercial used to say....I never leave home without my Spanx!!!!! :-)

I am embarrassed to say that I love this show! Maybe it takes me back to the days where I would eat until feeling like a stuffed pig!! I don't know but it is definitely my guilty pleasure!!!

Congrats!!!

Definitely a tough one...I had to change my thinking ...so instead of saying I have to wait 30 minutes after I eat...I tell myself that I drink first...so even when I go to restaurant I am downing 1-2 glasses of ice water with a twist of lemon while we wait for the meal...it usually takes abt 20 minutes anyway so it works to curb my thirst...easy? Absolutely not! But does it keep me from dying of thirst when I eat? YES!

A friend said this to me when I mentioned the desire to go back to my old habits...and I quote..."are you crazy?? You just had major surgery to cut out your stomach! Really??? You had your stomach CUT OUT cuz you eat too much...and you might do what?? Seriously??? Don't you have like a bunch of titanium staples inside you right now??? That just doesn't make any sense!!!! Sheeeesh!!! Suffice it to say, I chose the sugar free water ice instead of the large mango gelati and cheese pretzel!! Hope this helps!!! :-/

I agree with everyone's post about getting some weekly support. Just another suggestion...I have two friends who ad the surgery last year and were in the same boat as you. I ran into one of them recently and to my surprise she was coming from a WW meeting! I was like, how are you on WW? You prob can't eat all the points they require. She told me that they have another plan that they don't really advertise where you can basically eat Protein, veggies, dairy and fruit...without counting points. She also said that the weekly support groups helped her. She was losing again and she seemed much happier than the last time I saw her. I am not promoting the WW program...just sharing a friend's experience in case it helps! Hang in there! You've come a long way and you've lost a lot of weight. Celebrate your success so far. I wish you well!

Sounds like you are doing fine! This not a cookie cutter surgery and everyone's body is different. You are losing so keep doing what works! The stall will pass! And maybe try the Unjury chicken soup for your protein. Also, are you making your protein shakes in a blender? For me, in the early stages I could only drink the pre made shakes because the blender added too much air and it was difficult if not impossible to swallow sometimes. So, from now on when you hear the negative talk from your doctor, just smile and nod...and keep doing what you're doing!!!! I wish you continued success. :-)

I love the shot on the beach! You not only look pretty...you look free!!! Congrats!

Congratulations on your success! And thanks for the words of encouragement! Like you said, this is not an easy journey but it will pay off! I also like what you said about setting milestones. I do the same thing. I've been setting increments of 25lbs... So my next goal is to be in the 2's!! I wish you continued success!

I saw my surgeon 4 times between my first visit at the information session and my surgery. This was from March 6 ( information session) to June 27 (surgery date). He did the info session so I was able to talk to him at length when it was over. There were two appointments where he allowed me to ask any and all questions I had and he also performed my pre op endoscopy. I was actually surprised (pleasantly) to see him so often. Gotta give a shout out to Dr. G at Abington Hospital in Philly!

Hi Everyone, Today I am 9 weeks out from my surgery...sleeved on June 27th. I am happy to report that since my highest weight of 386lbs (May of this year), I am down 61lbs...29lbs in the pre op liquid diet and 32 since the actual surgery. I know I have a long way to go but I am just happy that I am on this journey!! Finally! I have spent the better part of my life being a 350+ pound woman and I can see the light at the end of the 300lb tunnel.....I will be in the 2's very soon!!! I know that most people post their happiness with getting to "onederland" and I will too...one day...but right now I and just happy to be a "loser" who is headed to "Two Town!" (Yes, I know that was corny but I couldn't think of another name). This is a happy day!

Thanks to each of you for celebrating with me!!! It is so helpful to be able to share this experience with people who are on the journey as well! Very thankful for the information & support that this site provides!!

Congrats on your success!

What a beautiful transformation!!! Congrats on your success!!

Wow! What an amazing story! I know I didn't start this topic but your story is an inspiration to ME! I love the confidence and I am sooooooo looking forward to my designer clothes....becuz I'm worth it! Congrats on your success and thank you for sharing!!

Just know that this is definitely NOT a cop out! What would be easy to do is keep going down the road of unhealthy eating. Trust me when I say that the work STARTS after the surgery. It is not an easy journey. You must be focused and ready to dedicate your life to making better choices. Everyday I have to make sure that I drink enough Fluid. Everyday I have to track my Protein. Everyday I have to take my Vitamins. And at least 5 days a week I have to do some form of exercise. For me, these are things that I couldn't (well, wouldn't) do for myself before I was sleeved. It is only a tool. So it only works if you work it! This is a major, life changing decision that should not be taken lightly. I toyed around with the idea for years before I made my decision. But once I made it, I knew I was ready. If your are wavering then I would take the advice of others in this forum and speak with a professional. Having part of your stomach cut out is not something you want to do if you are not 100% comfortable with the procedure. I wish you success in whatever decision you make!! :-)

Very nice pictures! Congrats on your weight loss so far!!! And I love that name...neverbethesameagain...that's right...no turning back!!!! God bless you on your journey!!