POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery Reviews
27 Years Old, Tired of Yo-Yoing - Philadelphia, PA
UPDATED FROM thebittybean
Eight Months Out
thebittybeanOctober 4, 2017
WORTH IT
Wow! Here we are at 8 months, and I realize I'm bad at keeping up with these posts. I'm sure everyone wants the numbers, so here they are:
HW: 257
SW: 249
CW: 163
163! I'm officially the smallest I've ever been in my adult life and I just can't believe it. My sleeve helps me make the best choices, and eat well. I sometimes find myself thinking about how back in the day at a restaurant, I'd have eaten a whole massive portion, after appetizers... blegh.
In other news, I have so many NSVs!
I went skydiving! Freaking skydiving! Yes, I looked like a sharpei with all my loose skin flying in the breeze, but it was fantastic. I was finally under the weight limit to be able to tandem jump.
I've been wearing clothes that show my arms, my legs - and in preparation for a wedding on my SO's side, a sari, complete with my pale belly out for all to see. Things I would have absolutely stayed away from in the past.
Being intimate is amazing and easy. We're all adults here, and I never once had this thought in my head in the past - but thin sex is fantastic. There's not extra effort to move your belly fold just so, or hold a thigh just so. Having that realization was a pleasant surprise.
In other news, I went vegan. I've been vegan for about 3 months now. I was discovering that animal proteins were a major cause for my vomiting, I just couldn't stomach meat. Also, I found it ridiculous that I was supposed to be learning healthy eating habits, desperately getting protein from the only thing my stomach could handle... chicken wings. It seemed counter intuitive to be putting that into my body after all this progress.
Vegan sleeve is possible, and for some works wonders, I hit all my protein goals and I feel fantastic and my nutritionist is also very pleased. But! What works for one, does not work for the others. I understand, but for any of you curious about going vegan with a sleeve or bypass, it can be done and I thought it would be neat to talk about it here since I had trouble finding lots of info myself.
What else... what else?
I guess that's it for now. I'll be posting pictures soon, I realize I hardly have any - and I'm guessing pictures would help :)
Take care out there everyone!
HW: 257
SW: 249
CW: 163
163! I'm officially the smallest I've ever been in my adult life and I just can't believe it. My sleeve helps me make the best choices, and eat well. I sometimes find myself thinking about how back in the day at a restaurant, I'd have eaten a whole massive portion, after appetizers... blegh.
In other news, I have so many NSVs!
I went skydiving! Freaking skydiving! Yes, I looked like a sharpei with all my loose skin flying in the breeze, but it was fantastic. I was finally under the weight limit to be able to tandem jump.
I've been wearing clothes that show my arms, my legs - and in preparation for a wedding on my SO's side, a sari, complete with my pale belly out for all to see. Things I would have absolutely stayed away from in the past.
Being intimate is amazing and easy. We're all adults here, and I never once had this thought in my head in the past - but thin sex is fantastic. There's not extra effort to move your belly fold just so, or hold a thigh just so. Having that realization was a pleasant surprise.
In other news, I went vegan. I've been vegan for about 3 months now. I was discovering that animal proteins were a major cause for my vomiting, I just couldn't stomach meat. Also, I found it ridiculous that I was supposed to be learning healthy eating habits, desperately getting protein from the only thing my stomach could handle... chicken wings. It seemed counter intuitive to be putting that into my body after all this progress.
Vegan sleeve is possible, and for some works wonders, I hit all my protein goals and I feel fantastic and my nutritionist is also very pleased. But! What works for one, does not work for the others. I understand, but for any of you curious about going vegan with a sleeve or bypass, it can be done and I thought it would be neat to talk about it here since I had trouble finding lots of info myself.
What else... what else?
I guess that's it for now. I'll be posting pictures soon, I realize I hardly have any - and I'm guessing pictures would help :)
Take care out there everyone!
UPDATED FROM thebittybean
4 Months Out!
thebittybeanJune 21, 2017
I'm back! Here's my monthly update, although a little late and here's those numbers yet again!
HW: 257
SW: 249
CW: 192
I'm in onederland! Can you believe it?! I'm sure you can, because that's one of the reasons people get sleeved, to see the numbers drop on the scale and feel infinitely better about themselves and their health! I even took a picture of the scale to mark the moment I dropped below 200 lbs. I was over the moon, I celebrated by dancing around stupidly in my bedroom with my S.O.
If I had to gauge where I'm at, I'd say I'm at the fun stage of eating. The stage where I can branch out even more with dietary options and suffer less vomiting with the introduction of new foods. I myself have opted to go low carb, I've pretty much been low carb since the surgery and it just feels easy to maintain and it's not something I really miss or crave. I still have my stand-by foods of sashimi or the occasional chicken wing for a protein fix.
I do have good and bad days with eating in general. By good and bad, I mean that one day I can eat and eat and eat and try new things (without blowing out my calorie count, it just feels like a lot for such a tiny tummy) and other days, even eating my stand-by foods - it comes right back up and I have to force myself to drink a muscle milk to make the protein requirements. Luckily, I have more good days then bad days - and I'm still at the place where I simply can't handle a lot of veggies without my stomach doing flips and things coming right back up. All in due time, I suppose!
Fitness... fitness... fitness. You know that burst of energy people talk about finding after surgery, and how when you first start off in your new sleeved life, you wonder when that will someday happen to you? I've found it! It's helped me to start running , in addition to my hiking - I haven't ran in years and though it's only been a week of running, I'm up to lasting a solid 9 minutes of a steady jog. I've also fixed my bike up and have been taking it out for a few miles and back. It's amazing!
I'm starting to notice the droop of some skin in my stomach and in my arms. Which is expected, though not exactly welcomed. With that being said I'm working some strength training into my routine to tone up and help reduce the droop.
A little NSV: I went shopping for new clothes with a gift card someone had bought me after my surgery as a get well gift. It was Macy's - I hated going there as a big girl because I felt penned in at the plus size area, with all the circus tents for clothes available. This time though, I was able to wander the whole women's floor (and still be put off by a lot of the style options, but still - choices!). It felt great! I hated shopping! Now... it's pretty awesome. (Also vanity sizing is complete B.S. but that's another story.)
What else? Oh! I'm going to be a bridesmaid later this summer, ordering dresses is a challenge due to my constant shrinking, but I guess that's a positive thing to worry about. I also have been getting lots of compliments on my bone structure in my face, apparently dropping 65 lbs really lets people notice your cheekbones - who knew!?
HW: 257
SW: 249
CW: 192
I'm in onederland! Can you believe it?! I'm sure you can, because that's one of the reasons people get sleeved, to see the numbers drop on the scale and feel infinitely better about themselves and their health! I even took a picture of the scale to mark the moment I dropped below 200 lbs. I was over the moon, I celebrated by dancing around stupidly in my bedroom with my S.O.
If I had to gauge where I'm at, I'd say I'm at the fun stage of eating. The stage where I can branch out even more with dietary options and suffer less vomiting with the introduction of new foods. I myself have opted to go low carb, I've pretty much been low carb since the surgery and it just feels easy to maintain and it's not something I really miss or crave. I still have my stand-by foods of sashimi or the occasional chicken wing for a protein fix.
I do have good and bad days with eating in general. By good and bad, I mean that one day I can eat and eat and eat and try new things (without blowing out my calorie count, it just feels like a lot for such a tiny tummy) and other days, even eating my stand-by foods - it comes right back up and I have to force myself to drink a muscle milk to make the protein requirements. Luckily, I have more good days then bad days - and I'm still at the place where I simply can't handle a lot of veggies without my stomach doing flips and things coming right back up. All in due time, I suppose!
Fitness... fitness... fitness. You know that burst of energy people talk about finding after surgery, and how when you first start off in your new sleeved life, you wonder when that will someday happen to you? I've found it! It's helped me to start running , in addition to my hiking - I haven't ran in years and though it's only been a week of running, I'm up to lasting a solid 9 minutes of a steady jog. I've also fixed my bike up and have been taking it out for a few miles and back. It's amazing!
I'm starting to notice the droop of some skin in my stomach and in my arms. Which is expected, though not exactly welcomed. With that being said I'm working some strength training into my routine to tone up and help reduce the droop.
A little NSV: I went shopping for new clothes with a gift card someone had bought me after my surgery as a get well gift. It was Macy's - I hated going there as a big girl because I felt penned in at the plus size area, with all the circus tents for clothes available. This time though, I was able to wander the whole women's floor (and still be put off by a lot of the style options, but still - choices!). It felt great! I hated shopping! Now... it's pretty awesome. (Also vanity sizing is complete B.S. but that's another story.)
What else? Oh! I'm going to be a bridesmaid later this summer, ordering dresses is a challenge due to my constant shrinking, but I guess that's a positive thing to worry about. I also have been getting lots of compliments on my bone structure in my face, apparently dropping 65 lbs really lets people notice your cheekbones - who knew!?
Replies (1)
September 29, 2017
I really enjoyed your posts. I am local to you (Willow Grove Mall area) and am in in the process of getting approved for Duodenal Switch at Abington. Thanks for the entertaining posts. :) Hope to see an update from you soon!
UPDATED FROM thebittybean
3 Months Out!
thebittybeanMay 6, 2017
Hello again Sleeevers and future Sleevers!
I'm two days shy of being 3 days out. It's going great, and here are some more numbers.
HW: 257
SW: 249
CW: 205
I'm down 50 lbs and I'm still in awe at how fast this is happening. I don't know where to even start. The random vomiting with introducing new foods has improved greatly, I was supposed to have an endoscopy with a physician outside of Barix Clinics when the vomiting first started happening (and was more frequent), but the physicians office kept playing phone tag with me for so long, that my vomiting finally calmed down to where I was comfortable again.
I'm to the point where getting my protein and fluid requirements in is pretty easy. I'm still fairly limited to what fits comfortably in my sleeve/doesn't sit heavily, but have definitely been able to branch out from the foods I was eating at 2 months out. Some days when work is a little too chaotic though, I have to force myself to eat because my appetite is pretty much non-existent and I'm only reminded that I'm hungry when I start getting light headed and snippy.
My exercise routine is pretty mellow, I take 2 hour hikes at the local reserve 2-3 times a week and that's been serving me well. I know there will come a time where I'll need to intensify/change up my routine, but for now I'm comfortable and pleased with this. It's so much easier on my knees to move around since losing 50 lbs. I've seen so many people say this here and in my support group and, man do I feel it.
It's even come with a little shift in my personality. I feel more assertive. I'm a people pleaser by nature, but the fears I had with being firm stemmed from fears of people calling out my size or using that against me somehow. It's nice not to have that looming over me.
I'm so very pleased I got sleeved!
I'm two days shy of being 3 days out. It's going great, and here are some more numbers.
HW: 257
SW: 249
CW: 205
I'm down 50 lbs and I'm still in awe at how fast this is happening. I don't know where to even start. The random vomiting with introducing new foods has improved greatly, I was supposed to have an endoscopy with a physician outside of Barix Clinics when the vomiting first started happening (and was more frequent), but the physicians office kept playing phone tag with me for so long, that my vomiting finally calmed down to where I was comfortable again.
I'm to the point where getting my protein and fluid requirements in is pretty easy. I'm still fairly limited to what fits comfortably in my sleeve/doesn't sit heavily, but have definitely been able to branch out from the foods I was eating at 2 months out. Some days when work is a little too chaotic though, I have to force myself to eat because my appetite is pretty much non-existent and I'm only reminded that I'm hungry when I start getting light headed and snippy.
My exercise routine is pretty mellow, I take 2 hour hikes at the local reserve 2-3 times a week and that's been serving me well. I know there will come a time where I'll need to intensify/change up my routine, but for now I'm comfortable and pleased with this. It's so much easier on my knees to move around since losing 50 lbs. I've seen so many people say this here and in my support group and, man do I feel it.
It's even come with a little shift in my personality. I feel more assertive. I'm a people pleaser by nature, but the fears I had with being firm stemmed from fears of people calling out my size or using that against me somehow. It's nice not to have that looming over me.
I'm so very pleased I got sleeved!
Replies (4)
May 7, 2017
A huge congrats your way! You are getting it done and discovering yourself along the way. Good for you, it's a long journey but so worth it.
May 15, 2017
Thank you so much! I'm still partly in the "I can't believe I did this phase" but I'm so happy I did. :) Thank you for the encouragement!
May 12, 2017
Love reading your blogs. I am being sleeved 6th June I'm also 27 with similar stats and a nurse here in UK.
May 15, 2017
Oh! Awesome, thank you for reading! I'll be rooting for you over here. It always feels like your surgery date takes forever to arrive and then the 48 hours before surgery smack you upside the head. You got this!
June 2, 2017
Im so happy for you!! I just had mine done yesterday. I'm taking in liquids and medicine well. I'm just so tired and in some pain.
June 7, 2017
I cannot wait to be able to do Activity and exercise more. I feel so confined to the house but I'm going to try going on a neighborhood walk tomorrow. I'm so happy for you and the progress you've had.
June 7, 2017
Omg I didn't remember I commented. I was on a lot of medicine though so forgive me
June 7, 2017
Haha, no worries! We've all been there!
Walking the neighborhood was one of those things that felt a little painful at first, but once I made it a habit, felt amazing.
Plus all the gas relief the first week after surgery. Felt like those blowout horns at new years... oversharing! Haha.
Walking the neighborhood was one of those things that felt a little painful at first, but once I made it a habit, felt amazing.
Plus all the gas relief the first week after surgery. Felt like those blowout horns at new years... oversharing! Haha.
Replies (3)
So, depending on the type of vegetarian or vegan you are planning to become - whether it be a whole foods plant based diet or just veg/veganism for the ethical reasons. There's lots of ways to get that protein in, thank goodness.
I myself use lots of tofu, seitan (hooray for wheat meat!), beans and nuts to get my proteins in and a couple protein staple veggies like broccoli, edamame and kale . I also love getting the Gardein meat replacers for some of my meals, but I know whole foods veg/vegans don't enjoy those as much. I make a mean moussaka with a Gardein crumble, instead of meat and the protein per serving is great about 14 g for a 5 oz serving.
A really simple and tasty comfort item that I eat almost weekly is my tofu "egg" salad. So good! http://www.theedgyveg.com/2017/08/21/vegan-egg-salad-sandwich/
I find the trickiest part is being low-carb and vegan, especially when going out to eat with friends or family. Seeings how a lot of non-veg restaurants swap out the protein for massive loads of carbs. Meal-prep prior to veganism wasn't as necessary to me as it is now. Just something to be aware of, my biggest bit of advice is I would stay on an omni diet until you're cleared to go to solids, if that is something you can do, though this only applies if you're gonna go all out vegan since all the standard protein shakes use milk proteins and whatnot. Vegan protein shakes and supplements can be tough/expensive even with the almighty Amazon prime deliveries.
I realize I'm babbling on at this point, so I'll stop here :) If you need any help post-op with veg/veganism I'm more than happy to help answer more questions. It's hard finding a wealth of knowledge with alternative diets for bariatric surgery patients.