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I’m slipping into bad habit, not separating water and food, not eating enough, alway hungry, I still drink a protein shake a day, but sometimes, it’s hard not eat out of boredom, I don’t want to stretch my stomach but it requires so much effort to keep everything straight vitamins, water , doorbetaald too much sugar, sigh, I’m healthier and happier now maybe I need to just to repriortize my goals, please tell meid not alone, what keep you guys on the straight and narrow? TIA

Just wanted to fill people in on what my experience has been like thus far since surgery. If you want to know something I forgot to mention, please don't hesitate to ask. HOSPITAL STAY: So I had my surgery May 19th around 10:30 am. I was in recovery and waking up by 11:45 am. All that went smoothly. The first day I was so dang tired that I drifted off and on while sitting in the chair in-between walking around and drinking. I felt bad for my husband who stay with me all day. He was totally content and happy to be there but I knew he too was tired so about 7pm I made him go home (visiting hours ended at 8 anyway). LOL When I first got to my room I was like, OMG I have HORRIBLE burning like heartburn and even complained about it. They gave me some sort of Gas chew and it didn't do jack. It wasn't until I got up and walking around that I figured out it was NOT heartburn but related to that gas inside and the walking helped that feeling subside. They gave me nothing but water or Gatorade Zero while there and I was totally fine and content with that. They mentioned medicine if I was nauseous but I never was. I felt totally fine and normal but for the one incision site that's to the right and up from my belly button. Doc said that's the typical complaint spot and where he pulls the extra stomach through so that's to be expected. But it hurt like hell when first standing from sitting and also wiping after peeing. Uggghhh. I slept in a chair sitting up that night when I could sleep which really only amounted to 3 hours total. I was given Tylenol for pain and an Oxycodone once on that first night. They sent me home with the Oxycodone too for pain and so far I have only taken it once at night to help with that pain while sleeping. The next morning they took more blood work and everything came back good and they allowed me to go home by early noon. Mostly because my pain was managed by meds and because I was easily able to get enough water down and I was not sick. Also, I did not pack much but I did pack my cell phone, charger, kindle, Biotene, Chapstick, brush, toothpaste and toothbrush, extra underwear and that was it. I did not use ANYTHING but for my brush and, right after surgery, put on my own undies and a pad since I got my period the day before surgery. I did not even use my cell phone (maybe once to post here) cause I was just so dang tired (plus trying to get my liquids in and walking) and hubby did all the updating to others for me. I mostly watched TV as it was on for background noise more than anything. MOVING AROUND: Every day is getting better but this dang incision spot is a ******!!! Can't wait for it to stop hurting cause I'm really tired of sleeping sitting up. I tried every way possible to lay down and it's just not possible! The dang area feels like it's burning and tearing apart when I do. Otherwise I'm following orders and walking around. I do not feel I still have a lot of gas issues but I most definitely feel like I am swollen about my stomach area for sure. APPEARANCE: I was actually surprised at how weird my stomach looked after surgery. Normally my stomach is smooth/one size all over and flat/round-ish (except for my little fat pouch right under my left breast that's been there forever). But upon looking at my stomach after surgery, I feel like some spots are like poofed out and others dented in, if that makes sense. Especially the bad incision spot. Strange. Not sure how else to explain it. Today is day 4 and it looks like I'm starting to bruise around most, if not all, incisions. Just slightly. FOOD/WATER: So my after diet consists of 2 weeks FULL LIQUIDS, followed by 1 week PUREE, and 2 weeks SOFT FOODS, then finally normal foods. Strange enough, I have had NO problem getting in 64 oz of liquid at all. I've had no chest pain, full feeling or sickness. A few times I had what feels like if you drink too much how it creates a sorta air bubble that hurts for a split second but then it passes. Otherwise, no issues. In fact, a few times after trying to drink/gulp like I normally would, I had to stop and remind myself that I no longer could do that. So weird cause I feel, aside from the incision pain, I would never know I even had surgery. So right now since all I've been able to ingest is liquids, I'm not sure if this is gonna be a blessing or an issue. On one hand I'm glad I can seem to "eat" and drink normal and also have had no aversions to taste. But on the other hand, I worry that will not help me in the long run to lose weight. This remains to be seen but I am scared I won't lose for this reason. So far I've had protein shakes, water, Gatorade Zero, the broths from creamed soups, sugar free popsicles and that's it. MEDICINE: I was told I wouldn't be able to swallow anything bigger than a tictac. That was a lie. I have been able to swallow all my pills, even the big ol Metformin, with no issue. POTTY: Had my first BM on my second day home. Had several a day since. No problems there either. WEIGHT: Not that I expected anything yet but, I have gotten on the scale and it's the same as it was the day of surgery. I think that's it. Can't think of anything else right now but if you have any questions please ask.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how it's already been 10 years since I got my sleeve. I've also been thinking about new people just starting on this journey and remembering how I felt about the whole process. I should mention I'm 5ft 2in and weighed 233 lbs and was 56 years old at the time I started my journey. I tried every diet, I mean every diet. Spent too much money on fads and diet supplements. In the beginning I was excited and worried about having the sleeve. You can't grow your stomach back! Not that I had an emotional attachment to my stomach and actually thought my stomach was my enemy. The thought of removing part of a perfectly good organ in my body. Well, that's just crazy - isn't it??? I have to go to this extreme to stop killing myself?? I couldn't eat hardly anything at first. If I ate one bite too many I was in horrible pain and had to lay down. I remember thinking if I just could eat 1/2 of a small hamburger or one little taco I'd be happy. But pretty much 2 bites of anything and I was done. The weight came off fast in the beginning. But my energy was low, I didn't feel good and I had some regrets. Couldn't go out to eat it was a total waste of money. Besides since I could only eat a couple bites the waitress thought there was something wrong with the food. Naw, just wasn't that hungry I'd tell them. I get a doggy bag and attempt to eat the rest later. So yes, the first 8-10 months the weight fell off. I don't remember exactly how long it took me to loose the first time over 90 lbs. Yes, I said the first time. I didn't gain it all back though. I still was not at peace with my sleeve. It was the enemy keeping me from eating as much as I wanted and when I wanted. BTW I still can't eat salad anymore it's just too hard on my stomach. I loved salad but NO sleeve doesn't like it!! So here's the deal...no I couldn't eat a whole hamburger BUT I can eat maybe 1/2 now and then 2 hours later I eat the rest. Same with everything else. HAHA sleeve I win. I really struggled with my love/hate relationship with my sleeve. A couple years go by and I gain back around 50 lbs. HAHA sleeve I win???? Did I already say that learning to live with the sleeve was a real struggle for me? So, it took me along time to be at peace with my sleeve. Well, I am now. It wasn't easy but I did it and it feels good today not to stress out over not being able to eat as much as I want and I stop when my friend the sleeve says "that's enough!" Okay, you win sleeve. I've lost the weight that I had gained back. No, I'm not skinny but I'm at a comfortable weight that looks good on me. The real win is my health. My blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are good/normal! My sleep apnea is gone! I don't shop in the "big ladies" department and I fit in an airline seat and can put the tray table down! I can walk for miles and I don't break out in a sweat just walking to the mail box. I can play with my Grandkids! If I were to give advise to anyone considering having VSG. Don't expect the sleeve to be the magic bullet. You have to work with it and listen to your sleeve. You might have to go through what I did. I hope if you do eventually you'll start listening. Most, not all of us have a food addiction and most of us don't want to stop eating when we are really full. Food tastes good, we love it. It's social and everything we do socially has food involved. Television ads for fast food, and restaurants at every commercial break! I was so addicted to food. Well, actually. I still am. But.. most of the time now I stop eating when my sleeve tells me to stop. I have a family member who had gastric bypass. She is so frustrated. " Ya can't eat a meal!" " Nope, we can't but we can share a meal and still have leftovers." I believe long term success (not that I'm saying I have that either) will happen when you accept, make peace and listen to your sleeve. It could just save your life like I believe mine has done for me. Good luck to everyone on this journey or getting ready to start it. It was the best decision I've made for my health. No regrets!

Ok so here is my situation: My daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 5 and is now 29 years old. She got married two years ago and has two adorable baby girls. She is in full renal failure and needs a kidney. I am a match. I have been through all medical and psych testing and I am a match. The U of M has given me until May 20th to lose 10 more pounds to become an "ideal match" to do surgery in June. As an ideal match we can blast through so much garbage and red tape and just do the transplant it would be a miracle. No exchange program or waiting, just straight up pick the date, go in and do the transplant. We did not know about the need for a transplant when I decided to have the weight loss surgery in November. Had I not done the surgery then, there is no way I would have ever been able to get to the ideal weight of 140 to 150 pounds to donate for her, I was 235 pounds then! My labs came back with a clean bill of health, no high cholesterol , my a1c was 5.1, everything was good except my b12 was low but that is not a factor for this at all, just a vitamin tweek I do have a question to all you veterans out there: any idea how I can push the weight loss!!!!! I am still losing but 10 pounds in 20 days could be a tough one. I am running about 3 miles every other day , drinking about a gallon of water every day, 90 grams of protein and keeping it under 900 calories and under 30 grams of carbs. I am trying to do some yoga every day, I wanted to start weights but I don't want to do that now because I am afraid that muscle weighing more than fat could be a problem now......yikes. In normal circumstance I wouldn't focus much on the scale and I would try to focus on the measurements but the transplant team focuses on the scale only at this point.

Hey yall the countdown has started. I have 10 days til surgery. I am so excited! I got everything I need biotene spray, vitamins, tylenol,shakes and everything else. I take my covid test on sunday.

Hey guys! I had vsg about 9 months ago (June 2, 2020) and I am so happy I did it!! HW 287, SW 261, and CW 158. My goal weight is 150 (so close!!), but I seem to be hitting a stall. I can’t seem to go below 154😩. Any advice? I’m so happy with the results that I just want to do everything I can to stay like this and NEVER go back to that weight! Does anyone else feel nervous about regain so early post op? Any advice from those several years out who have advice as to long-term maintenance? Any advice would be appreciated 😊

It has been many years since I checked into Bariatricpal. My surgery on 9/1/2011 was at the INDIANA University Medical Center Bariatric Dept. The decision was made for weight loss and diabetic control. Over the years of owning two businesses, raising two sons, getting my husband through dental school then music school, while practicing my own career as an artist, my struggle with healthy eating and controlling diabetes was eventually too much. At the weight of 299 lbs and age of 71 yr and the consistently worsening sugar control, to the point that I was giving myself daily insulin shots, was a wake up call. It isn't an easy decision to jump into a serious surgery, like this if you don't have access to the specialist medical practice like the IU Medical campus. The Department offered lectures and programs to educate people about their obesity and ways to get help. I never felt pressured to sign up for the surgery but after a few appointments with the surgeon and nutritionist, several medical tests reassured me that my basic health was able to handle the surgery, I followed through with the required initial diet and weight loss. I lost 45 lbs in the first 4 months. It was rather easy to do by following the diet prescribed and I even thought about forgoing the surgery, except for the diabetes issue. Going ahead with the recommended RNY and strictly following the diet, I got down to 165 lbs. That was higher than I thought would be ideal but the sight of boney neck, face and arms seemed fine. For anyone who is older like me, I strongly encourage that you research your area for a surgery clinic that is recommended and consider your options. The following advantages that I received: 1. Loads of energy. 2. Longer life, (said my cardiologist) 3. Feeling younger. 4. More interest in going out for travel and exercising. Having recommended it I must say that I don't recommend it for young people who are doing it for vanity alone. Why? 1. You have to follow strict regiment on vitamins and follow up care. 2. You have to absolutely restrict your food intake. You have to be prepared for a complete change of food choices. 3. You have to be psychologically prepared to be successful over all temptations. ISSUES that I have encountered may be due to lack of nutrition. My current medical care is concentrated on low hemoglobin , anemia, kidney function. The good news is that my diabetes is under control and I haven't needed insulin or any medication since surgery. After years of sticking to the rules for eating, I cannot overeat. A couple of bites of protein, tiny veggies, a bite of fruit fills my stomach to the point that I can be in pain. This is one issue that I wonder about and if other long term RNY patients have experienced. You comments are welcome.

10 days Post-Op and still on liquid. I notice if I drink more than three swallows of my protein shake or creamy soup I get a discomfort as it goes down or rather settles into my stomach like a sensation that feels like gas build up and the soup or drink is trying to get through and then creates a pressure that pushes it up so I feel this constriction and then need to burp to relieve the pressure is the best way to describe it. I swallow two or three spoonful's of soup as an example then wait about 20 minutes before attempting more. Am I eating too many bites at once? Has anyone else had this feeling and or is it normal and passes with continued healing? Just thinking this will be a miserable existence if this is what I experience for the remainder of my life while trying to take in nutrition at every meal. Anyone?

I notice if I drink more than three swallows of my protein shake I get a discomfort as it goes down. It a sensation that feels like gas build up and trying to get through is the best way to describe it. Has anyone else had this feeling and or is it normal and passes with continued healing. Thank you

Hello everyone...I'm back. Most of you don't know me because I haven't been on the forum for about 5 years, but I was on it almost every day from the time I had the sleeve in October 2011 at 57 years old. First, having the surgery was a dream come true because I had been heavy all my life. I lost 88 lbs in the first year (I wrote a weekly blog which I turned into a book and interestingly, I reached my goal at EXACTLY one year). At 135 I FELT SO FREE!!!! Yes, I looked a lot better, and Yes, I was healthier and Yes, I was happier. But the freedom of it was the best part. I felt like a normal person and not the fattest person in the room (or worse, in Amsterdam where I had moved....trust me, there are no fat people here!). I felt free from food. I don't think I have to explain that hold that food has on us to most of us.... My look, my health, my happiness and the freedom lasted for 5 fantastic years. I couldn't believe I was living the most extraordinary life in my late 50's and 60's. I had a breast reduction in 2013 and it was THE BEST!!! (I have 22 year old boobs instead of sag wagons) ..love them!) Then in April 2016 I had a tummy tuck and it all started going wrong. First, I couldn't exercise for 2-3 months, after faithfully exercising for years. So a few lbs went on. Then, over the next 4 years, a few lbs went on every year. My clothes still fit but they were getting tighter. I tried to get the weight off but I didn't try hard enough and I started making bad choices again. Now I have that dreaded section in my closet called 'WHEN I LOSE 10LBS I CAN WEAR THESE AGAIN....) So, do the math....3-4 lbs a year for 5 years and here I am now 20 lbs overweight and MISERABLE. In fact, it's so interesting that I feel more uncomfortable now, heavier now, more self-conscious now, than I did at 223 lbs. So here is my advice: If you are in your first year, ENJOY that honeymoon period where your restriction is still there....learn good habits and stick with them. Stop drinking soda. Seriously. It's so bad for you. I drank it for 40 years and gave it up. I took a sip a few years ago and gagged. Why drink your calories anyway? Weigh yourself regularly. If the scale starts to go up a lb, 2 lbs, then do what you need to do to get it off before it becomes 4-5 lbs. Oh how I wish I would have done that 4 years ago. Because I was relatively early with the sleeve, and because I was in Europe and traveling for a year, I had no post surgery support; but if you have that, stick with it or come back here because it really does help. If you have major surgery that keeps you from moving, talk to your doctor about what you can do and when. I really think that was the start of my downfall. Having said that, please don't let me scare any of you that are considering this surgery....it was hands down the best decision of my life. And just so you know, I'm not happy with my weight gain but I'm not beating myself up either. Be kind to yourself. This is hard. I would really be interested in hearing advice from other veterans and particularly interested in connecting with any European veterans. Queen of Crop

I’ve lost 38 pounds since my surgery on 1/15 and 46 since pre-op. I’m grateful for so many things- I’m actually grateful for the journey. Pre-op was painfully hard for me because I was mourning that overeating was coming to an end. Yes you read that right. Post op was hard because it was immediately a world of unknowns: why did I gain after surgery? why was I hungry after surgery? why did I have a metallic taste in my mouth? why couldn’t I tolerate chicken and eggs? what is this foamies thing that happened twice in one week and only after a few bites? why was my stomach upset all the time? why did I stall after three weeks for 11 days? why was a losing a pound a day in the first three weeks and about 2 a week since? Most of my panicked questions have been answered - mostly by Carrie, but now mostly by myself. The answers for me come when I am calm and collect and redirect my irrational thoughts. I just had major surgery 2.5 months ago. Now I want this to be a marathon and not a sprint because I have so much to learn along the way. And that is a good thing.

Just looking to see if I have any surgery birthdays out there. it would be so cool to compare and see where we started out at and where we're at now

I've had tuna, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and cream of wheat. I don't find anything appealing to eat even when I'm hungry. Are there any savory food choices to make this phase bearable?

I’m so nervous and scare my about surgery this wWednesday that is coming up I don’t Know if I’m ready to do this I want to be happy I’m sad also feb 8th will be 6yrs since my mom passed I really hope I’ve making the right decision doing this surgery I’m worried if my hair going come out I have natural short hair I’m worried that going messed on this stages I’m really scare I just want my mom 😢

Hi all! I’m a 19 yr old young woman in the process of getting a VSG. WEIGHT: 358 lb HEIGHT: 5’5 BMI: 59 I’m kind of doing this alone so I desperately need advice and answers from anyone who can help. I’m on month 3/6. So far, I’ve met with my doctor, I’ve had labs done, and now my next steps are to meet with the surgeon, dietician, and have my psych evaluation. I need to know when should I contact my insurance (sorry if that’s a dumb question). I’m on my mother’s plan, and we have BCBS (IL) Anthem w/ PPO Suitcase. Is the gastric sleeve covered with them? When will I find out if it’s covered or not? Thank you for your help!

OMG! I had no idea how hard the last 10 pounds would be. I've been within 10 pounds of my goal since before Thanksgiving. I currently have 4 pounds to go. It's been up and down (literally). I never really hit a stall along my journey until these last 10 pounds. My loss had slowed but I could count on at least a 5-6 pound loss a month. But, oh no, not now. I had major surgery in December so I didn't expect much in December but 6 pounds in nearly 3 months SUCKS. Thanks for listening and I know I will get to goal. I just hope it's before summer gets here.

So, I posted previously that I was having a hard time getting all my protein and water in. That is still kind of true but at day 7, it's like I turned a corner. I can drink normally (not a gulp, but not a tiny sip like before) and I can get in 1.5 oz of food at a time (protein first, then fruit or veg, as per the diet) and an 8 oz shake so I can get closer to my protein goal. I am terrified of stretching my sleeve out because I can drink more and I can get more at day 10. I do 8 oz of protein shake before it gives me 42g of protein in one go. And NONE of my tastes have changed and nothing has "sat" wrong with me. I have tried pureed fruits (baby food), sugar free popsicles, eggs (they got "caught" the first time but we made them runny so now they are okay), ricotta bake, and tomorrow tuna puree. Nothing has made me ill yet. I don't get hungry like before, but I do feel hunger sometimes and it isn't head hunger. The only problems I have now is the stupid redness from my incisions as an allergic reaction to the glue, I get hot flashes sometimes from the hormones I guess, and I am still very tired, even when hitting water goals. I don't know, I guess I thought I was going to only be able to tolerate food a little, not like anything that I previously did, have no hunger pains, and get sick from a lot of the stuff I've tried. So far, none of that has happened. From what I read, my experience isn't super normal and I hope I am not doing something bad to my sleeve without knowing it. Anyone else have this? I am curious. Edited to add: I feel very, very little restriction when I drink water now. It's there with food, certainly, but water seems to go on down easily.