Brandalyn

Dec 31, 2014 sleever here. Since surgery I've lost 120 pounds. My family and friends say that I look like I'm "melting" "gaunt" or "deathly ill". People who are just meeting me now say I look fantastic and can't believe I ever weighed 270. My brain hasn't caught up to the mirror image of me. If that makes any sense. I used to wear a size 24. Now I wear a 6/7. I went from not having clothes that fit cuz they were too small to not having clothes fit cuz they're too big. I've actually started wearing a lot of my 10 year old sons' t-shirts!!! Also my shoes are too big I went from an 8 1/2 wide to a regular 8. Insanity! I still don't get hunger pains. I eat all the time! And I'll eat anything protein that will stay down! I still drink shakes daily to keep up my protein intake. My biggest concern is my hair falling out!! It was thin to start with, now I feel like I'm balding! How is everyone else dealing with this??

I've experienced both early onset and late dumping. It took only a few times to nail down the culprits. I have A TON of foods that piss off my sleeve. But thank goodness for muscle milk light chocolate shakes!! There have been days where those are all I "ate". I also get dizzy and severe headaches when I'm dehydrated.

I eat sushi a lot. One roll with 8 pieces takes me all day to eat. So worth it!???? rocks!

More than I ever thought I would have, anything off the plan gives me horrible stomach aches or.dumping syndrome. And I listen to my body when it's hungry I feed it. Thirsty I drink. Headaches are a sign I'm not meeting my nutrition. It's a good life though, not living to eat. Haven't hit any stalls and my nutritionist says its because I DO indulge ONCE in a while. I've developed lactose intolerance so my milkshake days are over but I love love love fresh fruit! My whole attitude has changed towards food. I hate lol! But it's what i needed to be successful.

I get headaches when I need protein. What's your daily intake look like?

37 pounds, not exercising since I got bronchitis

I don't think the sleeve is right for you. You may want to look into the band. Protein is our staple for nutrition.

I never had a drain. Have 5 incisions for the laparoscopic vsg amd that's it.

Try lactaid

I kill people with kindness,humor and sarcasm. I would have said, "yea, it is the easy way out of my fatness and into sexy"....then smile and walk away!

This is a life changing surgery, not life stopping! Life includes eating things that fuel your body with healthy eating....it also includes overeating, indulgences and joy. I don't eat the sugar free candies cuz the sugar alcohol makes me gassy. If I want something, I eat a bite or two and I'm done. You're allowed to be kind to yourself. That's why you had the surgery in the first place. So allow yourself a treat and pick healthier the next meal. I used to obsess over then strictest plan imaginable, and I was healthy but miserable. I finally can take a sip of a milkshake, single bite of cake/pizza/chocolate and put it down! It's amazing to be able to say NO after 1-2 bites!! It's so satisfying seeing other people jealous of my "discipline" when I've really just been "bad"!!

Crohn's disease and IBS cam be side effects of the sleeve as well.

Please don't apologize! I needed to be reminded that I'm being whiny lol