SleeveToBypass2023

pic 1 - 421 pounds pic 2 - 176 pounds

I know exactly how you feel. I had the sleeve and did great. Had to have a revision due to complications and had a bypass. In both surgeries, I never ever lost physical hunger, nevermind head hunger. I still have head hunger to this day. And yes, I have times (not a whole day, but just certain times during a day here and there) where I eat something I definitely shouldn't be eating. Have I over-eaten? Yep. Have I eaten things I shouldn't? Yep. Am I failing my surgery? NOPE. I still feel some guilt when I "cheat" but you know what? It happens. Life happens. The point is you have to recognize that you had a slip, it is what it is, tomorrow is another day to start over and get it right. There's all kinds of online support groups, online therapy, and bariatric forums (like this one) that can offer help, support, suggestions, and accountability. You can do this, just remember WHY you did the surgery. Remember why you wanted it and why you jumped through all the hoops to get it.

I had to teach myself by literally only giving myself exactly what I'm supposed to eat for each bite. I'd set a timer and when it went off, I would get myself another bite worth of food. Or my hubby would do it. It's drastic, but I ate too fast and too much at first and REALLY paid for it. I had to do this for about 2 weeks until I got used to it. Once I did, I was able to put my full meal's worth of food on the plate or in the bowl. I also used toddler utensils so I couldn't over-eat.

I weighed 270 and was a size 22/24 when I met and married my husband. After I had our daughter, I was 340. And through the years, I went all the way to 421. My husband is known as a "chubby chaser" so he always loved how I look. Now that I'm 176 (I friggin dropped weight AGAIN...sigh...) and a size med/large, he struggles with how thin I am now. I'm literally the same size I was in high school. I weighed 165 then, so I'm still 11 pounds heavier but my clothing size is the same. My ring size is smaller. I have SO MUCH male attention now, and it actually annoys me. Every time I get hit on, I give the "bombastic side eye" and stare right through them. If they don't stop, and some don't, I say "no" and when they start to question me, I say "no is a complete sentence. now leave before I get pissed and show you my nasty side" and I walk away lol

I was on liquids for 2 weeks, then small smooshie foods for 2 weeks (like hummus, avocado, cottage cheese), then steamed foods like steamed veggies for 2 weeks. THEN I went on regular foods. But in extremely small portions. Before 6 weeks, your stomach is still swollen, still healing, and can't handle regular food. I would go back to liquids for a few days, then mushie foods for a week and steamed foods for a week. THEN I would try to eat regular foods again. Your stomach should be healed enough by then.

I'm not going to talk specifics on politics or who to vote for, but I will say VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!! This is such an important election and we have to have every voice heard and every vote count. PLEASE get out and vote if you haven't already. My family and friends already did. USA, USA, USA!!!!!! VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!!!

I stayed up all night, until 2am, until everything was called. I was SO SO SO tired the next day lol Trump won, Republicans have the Senate, and it looks like they also have the House. Things are SERIOUSLY about to change Hopefully things will calm down around the country since the election, the ads, the mud slinging is finally over.

My weight seems to be holding steady at 180. I was hoping to get to 185 or even 190, but at this point I'm just glad I'm not 170 anymore. I'm a size 8/10 now (and I fluctuate between Medium and Large, depending on the brand). I noticed I don't have a lot of strength anymore, and I need to figure out how to build some muscle. But I have to not really work out, because as soon as I do, I drop weight like crazy. I wanted to try lifting weights again, but I don't have the strength and endurance anymore. And I'm ALWAYS tired these days. I'm on my feet all day at work, so I was told not to really work out if I don't want to lose more weight. So I'm kind of stuck. But anyway, I'm proud that I dropped so much weight, and I love my new numbers (blood sugar is 93 before eating and 122 after eating, A1c is 5.4, blood pressure alternates anywhere between 102/60 - 106/64, my total cholesterol is 143) but my iron is still too low and I have to have 3 iron infusions (blah). I've always had an issue with anemia, so this is no real surprise.

I think I am. )knock on wood). I seem to be doing very well, minus all the "need to gain weight" issues. Thanks!!

So in the US, trade schools typically give a certificate or diploma. The words college and university are used interchangeably. Also in the US, employers just want to see some kind of post high school education. I have an Associate's degree (2 year degree) and a clinical medical assistant diploma as well as several licenses and certifications. And I can pretty much choose where I want to work. My medical assistant diploma took me a year to get and was taught by a lead medical assistant with 20 years experience. My Associate's degree came from Denver Community College. I'm working on my Bachelor's in Public Health (9 classes to go) and I'm doing that online through American Public University.

This is interesting! Here in the US, therapists have to have specific college degrees and be licensed in order to do the talk therapy. Psychiatrists are pretty much the same except they have longer school and specialty training for the meds. Psychiatrists don't do talk therapy. The appointments are usually 15-20 minutes and it's really just checking in about the meds, side effects, make sure they're helping, and make any adjustments/changes as needed. Therapist appointments are usually an hour and they do talking, coping techniques, journaling, etc... And both are covered by the government insurance (Medicaid) here.

If your BMI is only 36, then there are many different reasons your surgeon may not want you to do the LSD (Liver Shrinking Diet). I would listen to what your surgeon says. You'll have to not eat 24 hours before your surgery anyway, and nothing to drink after midnight before your surgery. My guess is they feel that's enough for you. I wouldn't push it, if I were you. Anytime I had to deviate from my main eating plan, I worked with my nutritionist and spoke with either my surgeon or the nurse practitioner about it and we came up with alternatives together. I'm 2 1/2 years out from my original surgery and 1 1/2 out from my revision (due to complications from the 1st surgery) and I've been extremely successful. I suggest not doing things behind your team's backs. Speak to them about your concerns and see what you can come up with together.

Absolutely not. Not enough calories, carbs, nutrients. That's basically a starvation diet, and we don't support that here. You need food. For various reasons. The protein shakes are supplements, not complete meal replacements.

I'm so glad I ran across this thread. I'm hoping to start my surgeries within the next year, but I'm definitely not made of money, so this thread is a huge help.

I 100% agree with everything @NickelChip said. I know it seems crazy to do the things she talked about, but I promise you, when you have the surgery you will be absolutely miserable if you don't get in the habit of doing at least several of the things she mentioned. Trying to learn on the fly after the surgery will be problematic.

WooHoo!!! Welcome to ONEderland!!! Definitely celebrate it, girl!!!

It's not that we're trying to pick on you or force you to justify yourself. But honestly, what you're saying doesn't make sense. How is it your insurance covered your surgery and a panni but won't cover you for organ failure? How are you not in the hospital now? If your organs are shutting down, no way would they have just sent you home. I work in healthcare, and we've sent people to the hospital for way less than that. I would suggest eating carb and calorie dense slider foods. Mashed potatoes are great for that. Add sour cream and butter. There's a lot of stuff you can have that will add weight. I've been struggling to get my weight up, but adding protein shakes, avocado on nearly everything I can, slider foods, etc... And eat every 2-3 hours during the day and the evening before you go to bed. You shouldn't have to get up through the night to eat.

I have a greens drink every day. Moringa is one of the "super greens". Moringa, chlorella, spirulina, and matcha. I haven't had any issues with any of the greens at all.

Awww Thank you!!! It's been a long journey, but now I just have to build some muscle so I can stop sitting on bone when I sit down.

I'm really going to have to look into that, I think. I need to build muscle slowly without losing too much fat or burning too many calories.

Awww, thank you, dear. ❤️

My B-12 levels are right where they need to be. I have systemic lupus, which has always caused anemia. I actually have wrist and ankle weights, so I'll try wearing them and see how things go. I didn't even think about it, honestly. I'm just nervous about burning more fat and calories before I build any muscle. I haven't mentioned it yet, but besides my butt being flat and flabby now, I literally have almost no muscle there. When I sit on anything, I have to be careful because I'm literally sitting on bone. Actual bone, and it hurts. So I have to do this carefully.

That's weird!!! I guess maybe it's the way our bodies are built... I also wonder if my metabolism, which was slower than molasses in January, has revved back up...maybe a little too much lol

I agree with @ShoppGirl. Either do it 2 weeks before Christmas or 2 weeks after, or beyond that. Not for your family, but for you so you have full access toy our surgeon and their team. The Christmas holiday is a tricky time because so many leave or are off and nobody wants to come in if there's an emergency. I know the feeling of wanting to hurry up and start your new life, but you have to make sure you're doing what's in your best interest.

I had the sleeve and was doing well until I was hit with all kinds of complications. I had the revision to bypass and couldn't be happier. It's like night and day. I think you'll do just fine.