Schmincke

Osteoarthritis is a result of long term wear and tear. In our heavy days we put more stress on our joints. It would be probably worse and sooner if you hadn't had the surgery.

18 months postop and down 90 pounds. So happy with my decision- at goal for 6 months and losing a pound every month or two now. Still tracking every bite and expect to continue to all my life. Keeping it under or about 1000 calories a day to maintain which is less than I expected but this tool makes it tolerable. BEST DECISION EVER!!

BTW I was size 20/22 and now size 6. Older (over 50). Took me 14 months to hit goal.

My BMI was 36. Now it is 22.8. Best decision I've ever made. Life is completely different for me, all for the better. I walk 10k steps a day and track every bite in my mouth, even now, because this decision was due to a lifelong addiction to food that will never be over. I now have that extra tool that has made all the difference. It is not a magic wand. It is not a chicken's way out. I diet to this day. It was the extra piece of the puzzle that made success possible for me.

My nutritionist told me the same as Sara's told her: first protein, then vegs, then complex carbo if any room left.

When your bony bum feels every bit of wood on an unpadded chair!

5'4" Started 222 lb size 20 Surgery 206 lb size 18 - january 2014 Now 140 lb size 6

Much less 'activity' than previously - maybe because much less food to digest. But I struggled until my NUT and PA put me on Miralax. I buy the generic form now at Costco. It really made a difference and I feel much less bloated. Importantly, they said I will not develop dependence on it.

I buy the green giant steamers and keep a variety in the freezer.

11 months out I range 800-1000 calories and aim for 85 grams of protein. Breakfast: double espresso with a 12-oz vanilla Premier Protein. Morning snack: often a Light & Fit Greek yogurt. Lunch: Quest bar and piece of fruit; or hummus and veggies and fruit. Afternoon snack: herbal tea, fruit or Atkins snack. Supper: lean protein and a vegetable. Evening snack sometimes: fruit or Greek yogurt. Occasional treat such as glass of wine or tiny dessert. Down 82 pounds from highest, down to size 6 from size 20. Still working on the last few pounds.

Premier protein shakes are ready made. I am almost 11 months out and I still have one almost every day. Usually I have a Quest bar too - loaded with protein and fiber. White chocolate raspberry - yum. Low fat cheese sticks. Sugar and fat free Greek yogurt. All very pleasant and easy. I am down to size 6 from size 20.

Make sure you have soft comfy clothes, your protein shakes ready for when they are permitted, and I liked having a spill proof coffee cup to keep my broth warm. Hot water bottle too, and reading supply. Good luck. I am so very grateful I was able to do this for myself.

I am nearly 6 months out. Drinking has never been a problem because water just flows through the sleeve. Solid food sits there much longer. You are just where you should be.

My surgeon also did not give me a goal weight. I set my goal weight of 135 pounds at 5'4" based on a BMI in mid-healthy range, and also my most comfortable weight when I was in my early 20's. I am currently at 160, 5 months post-op, and still losing.

I am nearly 6 months out and for me, it is normal to feel a bit nauseous if I eat certain foods. It is much better than it was a month post-op, but me new stomach has a new normal. Greasy food or sweet food or too much food - nausea. I was much more prone to nausea at first; my morning protein shake would make me very queasy and it still does sometimes but I have learned to deal with it. I really love how this surgery has worked out for me and I wish you great success'

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EVERYONE! Today is May 13 - 4 months ago was "our big day". Highest weight: 222 Starting weight: 211 Today's weight: 169 Goal weight: 135 Today I finally fit into some expensive designer dresses and suits that I loved in the 80's and have hung onto ever since - waiting to fit into them again. Unfortunately although they fit fine they look ridiculously out of style with huge shoulder pads etc - so out they go (along with all my size 20, 18, and 16 suits) to charity. Time to start saving up for new clothes!

I traveled one month after surgery. My DH carried my bag because I was not allowed to lift that weight. I was fine but very tired. I brought my shakes with me (kept medical letter with shakes going though airport security). I was able to walk lots on the trip but I don't think I could have gone snorkeling. I definitely could not have gone horseback riding as my abdomen was still sore; I lived in yoga pants for 6 weeks. I got back to work at 5 weeks. I was not cleared for exercise until 6 weeks. BUT... As this forum proves, everyone is different!

Liquids slide through really easily and don't sit in your sleeve. Once you are on solid food you will learn that solid protein hits the stomach and sits there for a while making us full on very little. Liquids and semi solids like chili slide through. That's why we are encouraged not to drink and eat at the same time, and why we should reach for the solid-ish protein first, once we are on regular food again.

I am not supposed to change my protein intake as my weight goes down. Did your doctor suggest this, or is it just something you heard about? I am not planning to adjust down because I don't want to lose hair and muscle.

I still have one tiny suture sticking out at my belly button incision. There were 2 others that my doc snipped off last month. Mine is nothing at all to be concerned about as long as it's clean. Next time I see my doc I will have her snip it. Meanwhile I am strictly HANDS OFF it, tempting though it might be.

Sure, I was like that for weeks. You've just had major surgery. You are losing weight rapidly. While some people bounce back very fast, I would guess that most take weeks to regain their gusto. I am almost three months out; some days like today I have tons of energy but other days I drag myself home from work. Once you get on solid food and start to exercise every day, you will start feeling more like yourself. Cheers to you for taking this excellent big step! Enjoy the journey - it's amazing.

BellaHugz, so sorry I did not see this sooner. I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mum two years ago. It can take a long time to feel anything near normal again. You have received so much wonderful advice already, and the best thing is that you reached out to us for support. My heart is with you. I have another suggestion for protein: have you tried Quest bars? I get mine from GNC. They have lots of Protein plus lots of Fiber, and they are yummy (except the lemon ones, yecch). Have a great cuddle with your fur-babies.

I was sleeved Jan 14 at Northwestern. Down 23 pounds since surgery, -28 since pre-op diet, - 39 from my heaviest weight. Since Christmas I have gone from size 20 to size 14. I am very glad I did this.

I am SO sorry to hear of the tough time you have been going through!

Sleeved 13 Jan, ht 5'4", wt before preop diet 211, 206 day of surgery, today 183. Weight loss is slower now but sticking to diet and exercise. Slow and steady!