bikrchk

Might try that as egg salad first. Mash it well with some light mayo. (Moisture is your friend) I ate a ton of egg salad early on!

The band may sound less risky, but if you look at the actual complication rate of band vs sleeve and the long term results, I think you'll find the sleeve has less risk and better outcomes. I'm obviously biased as a successful sleeve, but know several people personally who've had the band and either didn't have good long term results, couldn't follow the prescribed diet because all dense Protein came back up, or had complications with the band in general... prolapse to outright rejection and it had to come out. Of most of the folks I know where it had to come out, one had so much damage her only choice was revision to bypass, one just had it removed and has maintained the weight loss on her own so far, and many have revised to the sleeve with much better results.

It did for me! I was not an exerciser pre op and waited probably 3 or 4 months post op before I really applied myself to physical activity. I have hip displasia so anything ON my feet can cause problems so I bought a stationary bike. I quickly worked up to using it 5 days per week, getting up an hour early to make time, (that's 4:30 AM folks)! It's a habit now. If it is a work day, it is a workout day! Eventually, I added some core and push ups to the routine. All of it at home. Some days I go harder than others, but always for at least 50 minutes. Being physically and fit active makes EVERYTHING easier!

Early on they can be harder to digest and take up precious "room" that needs to be reserved for higher protein foods. That said, I DO eat both, just in very small quantities. Where possible, I choose a protein supplemented bread product like P28 or a high protein pasta. Take off half the bun on a Jr burger, etc. For most sandwiches I'm just as happy with an "unwich", (meat and cheese wrapped in a lettuce leaf.

No. It did not. Can't fix what's wrong with our heads be cutting out our stomach! At some point when you're eating "normal" again for most folks, carb addiction rears it's head again. That said, it is easier to deal with and recover from for me now. I can't over eat and if I choose to binge on sugar there are unpleasant consequences, but WANT it I still do!

Get another opinion. What's he saying... ALL people who get sleeved put their weight back on in 5 years? That's just stupid and wrong! MANY sleevers of ALL ages (band to sleeve converts included) take off all their weight and maintain just fine! It IS possible to fail at any WLS, but from the folks I know (banded and sleeved) the sleevers have MUCH BETTER long term results and half the complications!

I was 47, 5'6" and 235 pounds. I hadn't seen a healthy weight since grade school. My surgeon told me at consult I should lose 100 pounds. I decided to stop just short of that, (with his blessing), at a 90+ pound loss and I've had NOT ONE REGRET. My procedure went easier than I expected, I was able to make the changes necessary, (adding exercise, hitting Protein goals, etc.), and I've actually been able to maintain the loss this time. I still have to work at it, but it's a battle I'm willing for the first time EVER! It forced me into portion control which is exactly what I needed to avoid backsliding. Best decision ever! No regrets!

My mom was not "unsupportive", but she did wig out a little when she started to do here own "research" and kind of freaked herself out a bit. I ended up taking her to my surgeon's office to sit down with the nurse coordinator for a better education. It helped IMMENSELY to ease her mind. You might try this if she's open to it. If not, simply tell her to stop talking about it particularly with others around. You're a grown-ass woman who can make her own informed healthcare decisions! I watched my dad commit slow suicide by knife and fork, dying of morbid obesity at 52. At 47 with a host of weight related health problems, I was headed there too! I finally decided I wasn't going out like that! You have a chance to change your life at 29! What an amazing gift!

I was aiming for a 100 pound loss, (no more) and didn't need the added component of malabsorption and the side affects\risks that come with re-routing. I did not have diabetes. I had mild reflux that my doc believed could be "fixed" with hernia repair done with the sleeve procedure. (R\Y is typically offered as the only option if your reflux is bad). I wanted to avoid dumping syndrome, (I wasn't COMPLETELY successful in that as my sleeve WILL dump if I binge on sugar. Small amounts or the occasional treat is fine). Turned out to be a good choice! Health problems including chronic reflux all gone and off all meds to control them within 6 months!

After losing and regaining, (with interest) time after time and watching my health decline, I came to the conclusion that this is a disease I could not fight and win against without help. The first year and a half was a true "honeymoon". I worked at it, followed my plan for Protein, Vitamins and exercise, and the weight came of faster than any other weight loss attempt. I reached maintenance and have maintained pretty well, bouncing up a bit, cutting back on the junk to recover, rinse, repeat whenever I creep outside my maintenance zone. The point is, that today, I am successfully living as a "normal" fit person. I have to work a bit harder than I did a year ago to maintain, but I still have to WORK it. Still exercise daily, still put protein first, still comply with supplement requirements. But I'm WINNING this battle now. This is the first time I've actually made it to a healthy BMI and the longest I've maintained a healthy weight, EVER. What's hard? Having high blood pressure, (even on 3 meds), constant joint pain, asthma, high cholesterol, and zero energy. If I needed a boost to get here and stay here, so be it! If I had cancer and needed to have it cut out because it was killing me I wouldn't have hesitated. How is WLS different?

Scoop of whey in my coffee every morning for a "latte" and a PowerCrunch or Quest bar in the afternoon as a snack and I typically surpass my protein goal of at least 75g for the day as long as I put protein first in my meals.

I didn't need narcotic pain meds when I went home 24 hours after surgery. I did fine chewing up a couple of Tylenol Jrs for the first week. Pain was so much less than I expected.

I was told to avoid them for the first 3 months, but after that, with the use of a PPI they were okay on occasion. All Docs are different on this restriction. You should check with yours.

Love the part about "feeding days" and "non-feeding days". This is my experience as well. There are days it feels like I've eaten as if there will be no food tomorrow, (that's a gross exaggeration, but that's how it FEELS sometimes). Other days, I just can't hold very much, but I'm approaching 2 years out and the restriction is definitely still there.

Zero. Other than why did I wait so long?

Zero. Other than why did I wait so long?

Soup (early on), fish or appetizers are a great choice when you're out. You'll be surprised how much other are NOT watching you! Take some home or order a la carte if you can. I order off the kids menu sometimes as well. Not the healthiest choices there, but I'm not going to eat very much of that chicken finger anyway and it didn't hurt my progress.

Sitting on hard chairs is uncomfortable with less padding! Had to buy char pads for the kitchen chairs! Knees press uncomfortable together when side sleeping. Seeing ankles, wrist, collar and hip bones is strange but wonderful. Had a really hard time after the winter break from riding my motorcycle last year when I found my center of gravity had shifted. Kept falling over with my bike in parking lots. That part has gotten better tho!

I had a closet "culling" at about 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 10 months, 14 months and even found a box of "H's skinny clothes" in my basement last week full of size 12's I'd worn for about 5 minutes after the last failed weight loss attempt years ago. That box went with my mother today for her\my niece or whomever they donate it to! I wear a 4/6 today and DO NOT intend to go back! I donated to family, charity, friends and sold what I could to second hand boutiques or on some Facebook sites I belong to for biker folk who are always looking for "broken in" leathers and bike parts! As far as managing wardrobe while losing, hit the thrift stores for basics, second hand boutiques for designer jeans on the cheap, learn to use belts and scarves and frequent sale racks, coupon shop when you can. Dresses are more forgiving than skirts\pants when they're roomy. I think I lived in leggings and tunics last year. Still love them. Feels like jammies at work! It's a GOOD problem to have!

I started in an 18 pant\jeans and 1x or 2x tops. 90ish pounds later I'm in a 4 or 6 pant\jeans and small or medium top.

I'll be changing jobs week after next and just had a thought... My new co-workers have never know me fat. How weird\wonderful will it be to have a truly fresh start?

Negative 93 pounds! If I gain a little outside my goal range, I can actually manage it now taking it off within about 1 week.

Multivitamin WITHOUT B12? Seems odd. Many of us are directed to take EXTRA B12 (along with other extra supplements) in addition to the multivitamin. I'd ask my surgical team what they recommend, (brand and dosage) as this seems like a really weird requirement.

Check with some of the surgical weight loss programs in your area. Most have support groups that are open to anyone. These are a great place to meet others going through what you are in person and make some new friends for support. And yes, the post-op "crazies" are a thing. I cried a the drop of a hat for months, (mine were happy tears, but still NOT normal for me). I'm usually pretty stoic and losing control like that was very disconcerting! It passes!

I used a lot of Syntrax nectar Tea (they have many other flavors) as it mixes with Water and was easier to get down early on. Also easier to sip on that all day rather than try to suck down an entire milky thick shake in one sitting. Syntrax products have like 24g per scoop. As you advance your diet you'll have other choices... Protein bars, Quest and PowerCrunch are my favs, and high protein P28 bread and wraps. Quinoa chips, cooking with protein powder and lots of other options. None of these protein supplements are cheap, unfortunately, but neither is obesity! For now, find a protein you can drink and shoot for at least 75g or whatever your surgeon\Nut told you for a goal. Keep sipping your water. As you advance your diet you'll need the supplements less, but I'm approaching 2 years out and still do one or two per day because I can't eat that much food and I like variety in my diet, (all chicken breast all the time sux). Today, I toss a scoop of vanilla whey (grocery store brand) in my coffee every morning and do a PowerCrunch protein "cookie" as an afternoon snack sometimes.