Keys Pirate

Hey Anna, So, welcome to being a Sleeve Vet!! Yep, many, many things AND quantities get easier and easier to eat. It's time for us to start being even more careful. You're doing fine, chili is definitely a slider but it's not bad for you. My source of frustration with this type of meal is not how quickly it goes down but how quickly it goes through me... I am one of the ones that still gets hungry at odd times, like not long after eating (yes, still on a ppi), more so if I eat "easy" foods like chili. Nice thing is, post-sleeve, I can easily ignore it and it goes away or, if I know it's more of an acid thing, pop a couple of Gaviscon. Problem solved. I too notice different levels of restriction at different times of the day and from one day to the next. No big thing, the tummy has a mind of her own now and I am thankful for it every day, as cranky as she can be sometimes. FWIW, I'm eating about 1200 calories per day now and have been for awhile. I have recently upped the carbs just slightly from 30 max to 50 max because of exercise. I'm also cutting down on the fat which I never cared about before... The weight loss has slowed DRAMATICALLY but I know I'll get there. Tweaking the diet a bit has helped get things moving again but I think my body is settling to where it wants to be. You're doing great, keep up the good work! C ps, thanks for your sweet comments on my BMI post! You rock, sister!

Hello Kate The Great, First, everything Kansas and Yolanda said is spot on. The more you can do as far as following everything your surgeon recommends, the better your odds. Second, you must go into this with a positive attitude!! This is soooo important, not just to prevent dying but for the entire journey. This was my third surgery (cesarean, parotidectomy prior) and one of my most vivid memories about this one was grinning from ear to ear when they finally came to wheel me in. I was so sure and committed to this... and happy! My husband was near tears, however, and still thinks I'm a freak for the delight I was expressing. Once I made the decision, I couldn't get on the operating table fast enough! Third, you are not going to die... but... always a but and it's wise to be smart about it... get a will, get a living will, buy life insurance or more life insurance if you already have some. It's cheap, relatively speaking, even for fat people. You can always cancel it later. I did all three because, even though I may have died doing something I wanted to do, it seemed like a great excuse to totally set my family up if I did go. Good luck, you're going to do great!!! C

I've made my own version of her "bites" several times. I say my own version because they are so versatile and you can make them with pretty much whatever you have on hand. Personally, I get the impression she watches carbs pretty closely for someone in maintenance; everything is sugar free and there are lots of substitutions for recipes that would normally call for high carb ingredients. I think I read one of her blog days where she stated that she is still very conscientious about "white"carbs and won't touch em still... Love the bites and as an added bonus, they freeze well. Cheers, C

Hi Megan, I'm in almost the same shoes. I have lost 93 pounds and wow has the loss slowed! Like I hit a brick wall. I too started with close to your numbers; 254 and now 161. I'm 5'7". My goal is 150 but it might be awhile at this rate! That said, I'm pretty happy where I'm at but I refuse to give up and it is still coming off just verrrrry slowly - less than a pound a week (or less) now. I am in a sz 8, however, so I'm happy about the clothes situation. In fact, I'm more determined than ever to get at least to a normal BMI (159) - only 2 pounds to go...! I have been watching carbs but that seems to not be working so well anymore even though I have been religious about staying at or less than 30 per day. I think it's the exercise; the hub and I ride our bikes like maniacs 70+ miles per week. Recently I upped my carbs to about 50-60 (good carbs, veg, etc., still won't touch bread, white stuff) and have started watching the fat which has been over 100 for the most part... Things seem to be moving ever so slightly again. The bad news is; I think you are going to have to work harder now more than ever if you want to reach goal. What are you doing for exercise? I know you are aware of your calorie count but what does it consist of? I use myfitnesspal.com religiously - it's an eye opener and keeps me honest without a doubt. I'm up to about 1200 calories a day too, sometimes more - this is why I've started watching the fat a little closer while upping the carbs a bit. I need the energy. btw, I too have been dealing with hunger from the beginning and still do. I tried to get off my ppi a couple of months ago and got back on... grrr! Good luck and feel free to PM me if you want to talk more. C

I dream all of the time. I dream about all kinds of things, mostly nice dreams, not too exciting stuff. I enjoy my dreams, remember many of them and really look forward to what's next on most nights. I used to have many, many food dreams - about actually eating yummy stuff... night before last, however, was a particular landmark to me, some kind of turning point, for sure. I actually dreamt "skinny". I was going to go to a restaurant with a girlfriend and she was hesitant because it was pretty fattening. I said we would just share something small, don't worry. WOW?!! ME?! And then, I proceeded to flaunt around in public in this ridculous chemise with black stockings and tall black pumps. SO ToTaLLY not my dream patterns!! I woke up just smiling but then the signifigance of where my head might finally be started to really hit home! I think I might have truly turned a mental corner in this incredible, food obsessed journey! WOW! Just wanted to share, have a great day folks!! C

Well, I voted "moderate" but it's still falling out like crazy. I had thin hair to start... I am worried and hope like heck that it stops soon... eew, creepy bald woman... My husband and I were watching Shutter Island the other night and they showed that nearly bald freaky woman in the beginning - I'm like "look honey, there's my hair!" only half joking!! It's worth it so far tho - hats and pony tails are my friend. It's probably not as bad as I think it is either...

Highest 280 Surgery 254 Today 165 Goal 150 ( I think! ) Loss is definitely slowing down but I am thrilled with where I am now - size 8/10 and feeling FANTASTIC! I can't remember ever weighing 150 so I don't know if that is even a good weight for me. Normal BMI is 159 - only 6 pounds away! I was hoping to make goal by the end of July but it's not happening. I think my body is getting close to bottoming out which is fine. Still losing but not nearly as quickly as before - a pound or two per week. I'm good with it tho! I seem to be needing more food - not so much craving but just feeling like I need more. I think my body is finding the point of slow loss/maintenance now. The nice thing is the food I need/crave is good stuff; berries, nuts, peanut butter (of all things), cheeses, meats, avo, seafood, it's all good. NO cravings/needs at ALL for crap - sweets, white starches, etc. What a ride this has been! I am so happy that I did this!!!!!! Congrats to us all!!! C

I think we all go through this thought process. Myself included, but not too often. I take/took (almost to goal) comfort in knowing I have never heard of anyone fail with the sleeve. Hang in there, chin up, it's going to work, unless you totally sabotage yourself, there is no option but for it to work. Smile! C

Excellent decision. If there is a better, more experienced, more proven sleeve surgeon out there I have no idea who he is. Not to over do it but I believe Aceves is the king in his field, hands down. Good luck to you, follow your heart! Oh, and I can relate to the cross country thing - I live in S. Florida! C

She did do wonderfully and since she had the surgery early the day before, I guess you could say she was there two days. It all worked out wonderfully - she's lost almost 80 pounds (of 150) since March 25!

Too funny, I was just going to suggest him. While I had my surgery with Aceves, a very close friend of mine just had hers done with Whitwell in March. She was thrilled with all aspects from beginning to end. I was there for her through the surgery and witnessed how well they took care of her. My only "beef" was they let her out of the hospital the very next day. I was skeptical but, since such excellent care was so close, I suppose it wasn't that big of a deal. Oh, Whitwell recommended a Dr. Ross for aftercare/PCP - who is supposed to be just fantastic. Very, very caring, concerned and does most basic procedures (like drawing blood) right there in his office. I made an appointment with him myself for later this month. Good luck I think you'll be very happy with Dr. Whitwell! C

Tiff, you ROCK darlin'!!! You are such an inspiration to us all! Congrats, congrats and congrats! Still hoping to see you here in the Keys some time this year! Cheers again, C

Oh MAN do I remember feeling the exact same way at 40 pounds!! Actually, at 40 is when people JUST started to notice, I was frustrated and amazed at how very FAT I must have been! I think they should have noticed 5 pounds gone afterall! :scared0: Funny thing is, when I hit 60 lost, suddenly everyone is telling me enough!! Don't lose any more. My advice, though I know it's hard and we all want a little attention and appreciation for what we are doing, is forget about the public. The positive attention is going to become tedious after awhile, trust me. I love all the good comments but I'm ready to move on to the next greatest thing to talk about. Make any sense?? Good luck to you and hang in there kiddo! C

Well, I thought I could do it and I did for a number of weeks; over a month, anyway. I kicked my PPI after several pretty rough moments and with the help of Zantac. I went along ok for most of the time but lately... good grief, I was sure getting absolutely SICK of being "hungry" and uncomfortable so I officially gave up the battle at least for the time being. The Zantac wasn't doing much good. I think being on a PPI for a year might be a more reasonable time frame for us sleevers. I'm just over 5 months out, btw. So, I've been back on for almost a week now and all the symptoms are going away - yay! I know that it takes several days for the levels to be fully maximided in our blood but I think I'm just about there as the food obsessing that has been creeping in again is going away once again. As many of you have stated, the benefits of being on a PPI seem to far outweigh the drawbacks so I'm banking on it at this point. Defeat admitted. To be continued...

I didn't ever "stall" by definition until this month. I hit 80# lost and then stopped for 2 weeks and a couple of days. Just this week I threw off another five pounds - yay. I have noticed, also, that at every "decade" - every 10 pounds - I would not lose weight for 4-5 days or so, it was funny, actually, and got to be expected - as frustrating as it is. At least I knew it was coming. I'm guessing the stall this month is simply because I am near bottoming out - reaching goal and my body is trying to find it's happy medium. Yay for all of us!!!! C

Yeah! Haven't posted in the last couple of weeks because I went through my first real stall. I didn't get too stressed however and it broke, sure enough. I just pitched 5 pounds over this last week bringing me to.... drumroll... 169! 19 to go and I would be perfectly happy right where I'm at! Size 10's are baggy, everyone is telling me enough already and I'm feeling great and loving life! On the down side, yep, hairloss happens... by the hand full... I think it's slowing after a solid month of loss though. I sure hope so, it was thin to begin with. I'm also getting leg cramps every night... have jacked my potassium supplements, however, and it's helping. Wish I could get a true explanation as to how that happens... oh well! Thinking about plastics next year... tummy and lifting the girls! Whhooooohooo! Oh AJW, ROCK ON WOMAN!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

I disagree 100% and am afraid you are setting yourself up for more disappointment. Simply, the science regarding carbs and weight loss is there and has been proven a jillion times. I don't buy into the good carb/bad carb thing either. Sugar is sugar, a carb is a carb. Anyhow, it will be interesting to see how it goes for you and hopefully you will prove us wrong but I doubt it. Personally, I have had raging success with carb reduction during my losing stage. I'm at 85 pounds lost in 5 months, my goal is 104#'s. I've only had one stall that was for two weeks that just ended; never had any real stalls until this one. I just dumped another five pounds in as many days. To keep my energy level and mood up, I don't turn to carbs, I turn away from them. Have another Protein shake. I know earlier on when I was feeling like a slug, a shake turned that around 180 degrees. Or exercise. I ride the death out of my bike - some 75 miles per week and push as hard as I can when I ride. It's working miracles in so many ways. Or just pull yourself out of it! I get funky and then ask myself what the heck I have to be funky about. It usually works. Re-reading this, I sound like a b*t*ch and I don't mean to, I just don't want to sugar coat the truly evil carb demon (ooo, bad pun!) and see you suffer any more than necessary... Good luck!

Hey Gang, I'm already set with Aceves - next Monday!!! - but I have an interested friend that may be looking for VSG in the U.S. and in the Dallas area. I know I've seen a couple of names that keep coming up... what were they? Would you recommend them? Thanks! p.s. already lost 3 pounds in 1.5 days pre-op diet!!! Woohoo!

Ok so I've got a tentative date towards the end of January to be sleeved. :thumbup1: But I'm finding myself on a fence between these two surgeons. They both seem equally wonderful although Aceves might edge out Rodriguez just a bit. Price-wise (I know, I know but it is an issue) Dr. Rod is $2k less expensive right now plus he's coming to Tijuana (INT Hospital). A good thing as Juarez would be more convenient but no way right now with the state of things there as they are now. Any thoughts on these guys? Scared, delighted, terrified, thrilled in Florida...!

Man, it's been a long couple of weeks; work gets really cranked up in the summer time - but I know I can always come here for a grin! It's great to see how well we all are doing - Chancie, hang in there woman, you're one of my many heroes on this board, the rest of you, rock ON!! I had a fantastic week and I'm not sure why; down 5.5 pounds!!!!! Haven't had a week like that - ummmm, maybe ever! I would have to go back thru my logs. We did go out of town to deliver a boat last Tuesday from Slidell to Islamorada which put us on overdrive until Saturday - I even ate.... OMG... shhhh... carbs!!!!! eeeeek! And didn't ride my bike all week! I just don't get it. Maybe any form of shaking up our routines is what it takes?! Who knows - right now I'm blaming it on adrenaline. So, last week I was teetering around 181.5 - ish and today I saw an unbelievable 176!!! I am 100% convinced I am going to make goal of 150 - probably by the end of July as originally planned. In the back of my mind, I'm trying to come up with a "stop loss, but not gain" strategy when I do... What a concept! WE ROCK!!! C

Hi, Well, I wasn't "allowed" and didn't dare try solids until a month out as per Aceves instructions. But, as we've all seen, each surgeon is very different. I followed it to the letter because I was self pay and could not afford any complications - and not just from a financial standpoint... Ok, off the soap box, sorry! About the salads; I missed fresh foods dearly and could not WAIT to get back. The general guideline is three months on fresh food; that is the one guideline I kinda broke. I started with raw veggies - not a lot, just a little salad - at about 2.5 months out and it was heaven!! Even now, salad is a God send; I can eat quite a bit of it, not sure why, guess it compacts down in the stomach pretty easily, really can't explain it. Good luck!! C

Heh, not me. I'm around 900-1000 but it's because I'm staying crazy low on the carbs. It's almost impossible to have low cal and low carbs I'm finding. The fat grams are higher than I would like too but it sure is working! Lovin my sleeve! C

Dive Boat Captain and Scuba Instructor for the Boy Scouts of America. I also head up hiring and maintaining of the rest of the fleet. Hubby runs the sailing side of things; some 40+ big boats! It's a blast most of the time! Nice to see the human side of us too, thanks for the post. C

Lol!! What she said! Besides your comments about the band, (never had one) I couldn't agree more!! You go girl!

WOW Gary!!!! That is freeeeeeking amazing!!!! Congratulations to you sleeve brother!!! I am so proud of you!!! And to think it's only been four months today!!! I'm at 71 and thrilled to death!!! Whodathunk, huh???!!! Yay for us!! Looking forward to seeing you this summer and taking you two diving!!! C