IndieAllie

I hit my 5 month anniversary on March 5th and am down 78 pounds. Almost over night, I started being able to eat more than ever before - with no pain - no burps - no sliming etc. It scares me. I feel like I've pushed my little pouch to the limits and have possibly stretched it out? I was hardly eating for the first 3 months because I had such high acidity and nausea. Now, I see the portion size increasing a lot. Mind you, it's NO where near a "normal" portion size, but it's much more all of a sudden then I could eat prior. I must admit, for the first 4 months, I wasn't paying much attention to the calories I was consuming because I could hardly eat and was still losing crazy amounts of weight quickly, even if I ate junk like ice cream etc. This week I gained a pound and a half and I almost freaked out.............ok........I DID freak out. Now, I've downloaded a calorie counting app and have stayed on my 800 calories with only 20% being sugar/carbs and am back down that 1.5 pounds I gained. My insurance starts on April 1st and I'll start with a new surgeon/ NUT. My originals are back in India where I was living all of last year. So, I will be able to get it all checked out then but looking for any feedback from you wonderful folks.

I am 4 days shy of my 3 months post op. Down 60 pounds, feeling better and better each day BUT....... ......the dreaded hair loss has kicked in I am a blonde and already have thin hair so this is just awful. I've been researching products. Anyone ever use Nioxin Shampoo system? Or, do can you recommend a better brand? I know only time is the answer and getting in as much Protein as possible, but I need to do something else proactive. Thanks!

Hello fellow friends & sleevers, I wanted to give an update on the hair loss. I am now 6.5 months out and my hair loss that started at month 3 has officially slowed down, if not almost stopped completely. I didn't start taking anything different, I believe it was just the cycle it needed to run and thank God it seems to be over!! My hair looks fine but I can see it's thinner in the back (where no one can notice much) and from what I read it will grow back over the next few months.

I don't want to alarm or discourage you, but I am 6 months out and still have bouts of horrible acid. Going this week to see my surgeon about GERD or whatever is going on. I would keep taking whatever PPI has been prescribed to you and it should manage fine. I was a band to sleeve conversion with some complications so I don't believe my situation is common for everyone.

Hello friends, I was a band to sleeve conversion on October 5th of 2013 in INDIA and am down 75 pounds thus far. Feeling thrilled with my results, however, last week my husband and I flew back to live in NY and after a month of feeling great with minimal to NO acid or yucky tummy, I am back in pain. Sour, acid, nausea. I am on a PPI and that was sufficient up until now. My husband thinks the time change and jet lag are playing a role because normally, I take the Ganaton Plus at night and wake up feeling FINE! What oral anti acid do you all take? I was taking something called Digene in India but not sure what the compatible product is here stateside. Unfortunately, since I was in the "clear" with the acidic symptoms, I didn't bring any Digene back with me and will need to take something else that will work ASAP. I haven't set up my new NUT or Doctor here as I'm working out my insurance etc. Good ol' USA! Thank you for your help.

yeah ok, I mean I'm happy with my loss so far, but I'm only half way. I can't bare the thought of gaining even 1 pound this soon in. But, it's all about doing what you have to do and seeing it work itself out.

Has anyone else gained weight half way through the process?

Madam, I say NO MORE OF THIS!! I'm not going backwards - no way! I'm sitting in the gym parking lot right now about to go walk because my family ordered Chinese and I WONT be tempted!!!!!

Thank you! Have you ever gained weight? What an awful place to be again. I will NOW stop this cycle.

Hello fellow sleevers, March 5th will be my 5 month mark and I've lost 78 pounds so far. I've been the same weight for almost 3 weeks now and feeling VERY discouraged. I know it's normal. I know so many have gone through it. Also, there are days were I'm just starving and can eat WAY more than normal days where I have hardly any interest in food/eating. I know I will have to work hard to get these last 80 pounds off, but I feel I'm losing some momentum and can't afford to be in this place right now. I just moved, am newly married, searching for a new doc and NUT here in NY and looking to change careers. So many changes at the same time as trying to adjust to my new life and tiny stomach. I know I can do it, but feeling really down about it now.

SO happy to post this! I feel amazing! I look amazing! Life is pretty amazing! Was it easy? IS it easy? HELL no! Is it worth it? Absolutely.

Funny you should mention that because I JUST had blood work done and my vitamin D is very low :-( Looks like sun tanning is in order for me!!

Hello! 110 days post op here and down 70 pounds! As always, thrilled with my results but here is my latest puzzlement. I have had horrible hip, knee and back pain SINCE surgery. I walk, do minor weights - nothing over doing it that's for sure, but I get out of bed feeling like a grandma (no offense to any) but I'm 33!!! I just lost 70 pounds - shouldn't I be leaping pain free like a limber baby deer?? Sometimes, I feel like my body has a difficult time compensating for the QUICK loss and feels a little discombobulated. Anyone having similar issues?

Funny you should mention that because I JUST had blood work done and my vitamin D is very low :-( Looks like sun tanning is in order for me!!

Funny you should mention that because I JUST had blood work done and my vitamin D is very low :-( Looks like sun tanning is in order for me!!

Hardest part was the 3 months of pretty much constant nausea. I live in India at the moment, so smells & spicy foreign food didn't help. The waiting period for that to finish was very tiring. hair loss has been very hard and depressing some days, but I'm looking into rocking a cute short cut until it begins to grow back. But literally, at my 3 month mark, I began to feel remarkably better! I was gaining strength & energy every day as I lost my weight. The BEST has been the feedback and encouragement about my loss, smaller clothes, clear skin, more energy, not having food on the brain 24/7. There are so many benefits and the best part? It's only up from here!

Yes, definitely. My butt aches from sitting on a hard chair now??!!!! I hope this subsides because it's bringing me down, I don't want to be in pain - I was for years!

Yes, makes a lot of sense! I can even cross my legs now, which might explain the hip issues!

Thank you so much!!! You're on your way! You'll be posting those pics soon enough!

Insightful, thanks.

Dear Pooky, i am so sorry you're going through this and have been going through this for some time. I am a band to sleeve converter because like you, I had serious remorse over my band. It was NOTHING but complications, pain and NO weight loss to add insult to injury. I got stuck EVERY day for 5 years until I finally decided to have it removed on the advice of my surgeon who said "Don't even consider getting pregnant with your band still in". Now, granted, MANY women do and have healthy pregnancies. My band had tilted and was in a dangerous position. Have you considered your options (I'm sure you have) of having your band removed and a sleeve conversion performed? I have had such amazing results with mine and not getting stuck is like Christmas every day. Again, sorry you're going through it.

January 5th was my 3 month anniversary and I'm down 65 pounds! Super happy! Finally feeling good, no nausea or discomfort. But, today, I was in such a funk and I turned to food like I used to. I ate Cookies and chips. I can't believe after 3 months long, hard recovery, I would let myself down like that. I NEED to break that old habit or all of this investment, time and hardship will end up being in vain. I can't do this to myself. I feel like I really failed - B I G time. I need to replace my "down' days with healthy habits. I am walking and writing and doing my photography but old habits die hard. i just can't afford to let myself go and start forming these bad actions all over again....... ......boo.

Thank you everyone your words have really been comforting