Re: 6 months down the road
Hi, Patti.
I'm only a week out, but was revised from a lap band. (Gastric sleeve was not an option when I was banded in 2007.) And that was one of the biggest reason I wanted to change. So MANY, MANY, MANY good foods I WANTED to eat would get hung in the band, while so MANY, MANY, MANY bad foods I didn't need to eat, but would resort to out of the usual reasons (boredom, depression, self-medicating, etc.) would slip right past it!!!
One bite of a flour tortilla and I was done -- turn out the lights and go home. But could eat a whole bowl of corn tortilla chips!!! Pretty much anything made with flour was going to glue my band shut. Rice and potatoes were often a problem, too. I didn't mind much at first because I knew that those were the very things that had put my weigh on me to start with. But after years of not being able to eat even a 1/4 of a sandwich, or a bite of a fajita.....ugh!! I probably wouldn't have had the revision if that were my only problem, but I'll be happier to see that change more than the other more serious problems I had.
A friend went to see a WLS dr. about a band a year ago and flat out told him, "I love bread and I don't think I can live without it." He said, "Then you need the sleeve not a band."
Its my understanding that once you're healed completely (6+ months out) no food is verboten.
Re: 6 months down the road
Yes, while no food is restricted, my dietician has told me that for some reason people do go off some foods. In fact Diet Coke isn't necessarily restricted, it is just that any sort of gassy drinks will likely make you feel quite uncomfortable. He said he doesn't know if it is the surgery or the focus people put on things that make them stay away from things like chocolate. From everything I understand, people gravitate to protein dense foods. Also, I think a few people have said they still struggle with things like soft bread, but at the rate I am going, I am so looking forward to mash potatoes and gravy in a couple of days!!!!!
Re: 6 months down the road
You can absolutely eat those mashed potatoes and gravy if you like Kitsonk! And you are correct, we sleevers can eat ANYTHING we want, same as before our surgeries. The difference is that because your stomach capacity is so limited, we learn to eat our protein first, our vegetables second, and go for the carbs LAST. There usually isn't room for the carbs. It is also up to us to make healthy eating choices every day, and we know that refined carbohydrates pack on the pounds. So yes, you can eat bread, cake, pie, cookies, pasta, potatoes and rice, but after going through all this, WHY? I have found that with just a bite or two, TOPS, I am satisfied. I just need to taste the yummy stuff I used to love so well (and still do love, only in much smaller portions and much less frequently). Every day, when I slip on clothing that is three sizes smaller than what I wore just two and half months ago, and when I look in the mirror, I am thrilled that I got the refined carb monkey off my back! And I've only begun to lose...I'm only 1/3 of the way there, but the feeling is GREAT!
Re: 6 months down the road
Hi!
I am 6 months out of surgery, I would highly recommend you to avoid any carbonated drinks. Diet sodas are high in sodium, which retains water and slows down weight loss.
I used to drink sodas a lot, I couldn't have lunch or dinner without my coke, but after surgery your restriction is such you should not drink while you eat and you become used to not drinking while eating that it becomes a new habit. I don't drink sodas anymore, not even my beloved coke zero. I hit my goal in the 4th month mark and I think that's because I have followed my doctor's instructions. It's all about changing habits. I will have a bite of chocolate once a week, and chocolate doesn't even give me the rush I used to get, I exercise daily for one and a half to two hours...
For your surgery to be successful you must be willing to make sacrifices and to change your eating habits. You will be able to eat everything again but you are the one making the choice whenever you put something in your mouth. You have to be determined to never be fat again, otherwise you will not succeed.
Remember the surgery will only do 50% of the work, the other 50% is in your hands :)
Good luck!
Re: 6 months down the road
Hello there. I had the sleeve surgery done on September 29, 2010. I know a lot of people worry about not getting to eat normal foods after the sleeve, and that is just not the case. At first of course during the healing process there are definite limitations, but eventually normal foods are eaten again. I have never felt better, I enjoy just about everything (I do not drink pop), I am exercising regularly now, I am down 52 pounds so far, and am so happy that I made the decision to have it done. Good luck to all who are still thinking about it, I am glad I finally made the choice to go thru with it.
Re: 6 months down the road
Thank you so much everyone. Everyday I get more determined to do this right. I love reading the post and trying to figure where people were and where they are now after so many weeks or months. Because of insurance I have to wait till summer, probably July. Don't want to wish my life away but I am so ready to do this. I co not exercise now because I do not feel like it. I get so tired walking and really do not have access to a gym. So I look forward to being able to walk without feeling like I am going to pass out after one lap. I look forward to buying clothes that don't match my age (58) I want to look good I look forward to holding my granddaughter close without a belly in the way. and so much more.
Re: 6 months down the road
Hi Patti,
there are things you can do now to start your weight loss and just little things like having a protien shake for lunch or breakfast, drinking lots of water (yes I know I am telling you what others have said)
As far as exercise goes here in Australia a lady wrote a weight loss book and her exercise to start with was walking out to the clothes line and back and she kept increasing the number of times she did that each day until she felt she was able to leave her front door and walk out in public so while you might not have a clothes line find a spot out in the backyard or the house and do that or even get an exercise tape and just do some gentle exercise to start with and to loose weight before your op will also be a great boost to you as well :)
Ruth :)
Re: 6 months down the road
Hi, I am six months out and aside from carbonated drinks I can eat whatever I want. I have tried some diet soda it just was uncomfortable unless totally flat and it made me burp up a storm. I can eat bread and pasta but only in small amounts it just fills me up quicker and oddly enough I don't even crave it and I *loved* bread pre-op. You will always have to make sure that you are getting in your protein and take vitamins. Sadly I can still eat sweets.
Re: 6 months down the road
lol lunarose unfortunately so can I but it is chocolate in my case :(
Ruth :)
Re: 6 months down the road
there are only a few things i cant eat, tune kills me i think because it is so dry. i dont drink carbonated drinks either make me feel like crap.
you have to realize you will not want to eat the same things as you did in the past.
also you have to realize we all have a connection with food, that is why we are heavy. so take that into consideration with your weight loss. i view my eating habits like an addict that is trying to quit a drug or smoking cigarettes.
i constantly have to remind myself that im not hungry, im bored or angry or sad or happy.
so i know its hard but i wouldn't worry about what you wont be able to eat just go with the flow ans see what happens. oh and something that will not agree with you might make you never want to eat them again. you get a bad stomach ache from something it make you never want to see it again.
keep you chin up and everything will be fine, watch you diet, take you vitamines and walk every day
Re: 6 months down the road
Hi Eceteacher - I'm 8.5 months out. I reached goal at just under 5 months! I know this is not a "diet" it is a way of life, although I TREATED it as a diet until I reached goal. NOTHING sweet touched my lips, no chips, nothing like that. Since I reached goal, in moderation. I eat like I THINK a naturally thin person does. I don't drink carbonated drinks, I seldom did pre-op, so it is not something I miss, but I do share pumpkin bread with my husband at Star Bucks, will have a piece of cake when I am at my daughter's house. This "forced" portion control is what I needed, it's wonderful!!! I am having to snack during the day to get in my 1100 calories a day so I can maintain and not lose any more weight. I never thought this would be the hard part!! There is nothing I've had trouble eating. I just don't over do. I still weigh or measure almost everything I eat at home and when I'm out, I divide on my plate ahead of time what I'm going to eat. I'm not really every hungry so it's easy to over do before I know it! Good luck, I've NEVER had a moment of buyers remorse!!! Best decision I've ever made!!!! :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eceteacher
I understand that sleeve surgery is a lifestyle change, but after 6-8 months are there going to be foods that are totally restricted other than diet coke (yes I admit I am a DC addict) I mean can i eat beef, chicken, fish ect Is there anything that I will never have again? after the healing of the stomach? Seafood I love, salads I love what about those types of food. I guess my question is what does the future, future hold about 6 months to 1 year out?
I am so excited about this, but I just want the full picture going into it. There is not a problem with sweets like there is with the bypass is there? I seem to see that pasta and bread might be a problem, is that forever?