31 y/o with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue - Sleeve Gastrectomy - San Francisco, CA

I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. Working out and keeping the weight off was extremely difficult. My mother had a lap band and had some success but I didn't like the idea of being able to open and close the band so you can eat more or less. I also didn't want this foreign object in my body.

When I moved to a new city I decided there was no better place or time to get gastric surgery. I saw a surgeon and discussed my options. He thought I was an excellent candidate and the surgery came with unlimited follow up appointments and access to a nutritionist. He also explained that when they remove your stomach they remove a portion that creates the hormone, ghrelin. Ghrelin is known as the hunger hormone and is partly responsible for your body craving food. Sold.

The surgery was easy. I stayed one night at the hospital and was up and walking around the same day. The diet starts with clear liquids, then protein shakes, soft foods then solid food. You can eat only about 3 ounces at a time. You can, over time, stretch your stomach to accept more than that but to get back to it's original size seems impossible to me.

I don't ever feel restricted by my diet. I order full meals but only eat the protein. My doctor and nutritionist have advised protein first. If you have room then you can eat a vegetable. Protein protein protein. You have to eat protein to maintain your energy. I take a good number of nutritional supplements to make up for not having many in my diet. I have never been to a restaurant that I couldn't order from. I will order a salad and eat just the chicken. I usually order from the appetizer or side orders section and avoid the entrees.

You eat frequently and DO NOT eat and drink at the same time. It is not fun. Your body does something called Dumping and it is unpleasant. Wait thirty minutes between eating and drinking.

I always keep a protein bar with me so I know I have something to eat if I'm going to be out for a few hours. My husband is on food and water duty to make sure I eat and drink regularly and am prepared for the frequency if we are out whether it be the mall or hiking.

You can't drink carbonated beverages. The bubbles expand in your stomach and your tiny new tummy doesn't have the ability to expand like the old tummy. If you do have carbonation it will make you belch like you've never belched before.

You can over eat but you will learn quickly not to. It is extremely painful. Think of how it feels to gorge on Thanksgiving dinner with two servings then stuffing a piece of pie. It hurts. A lot. So you become super aware of your limits.

I now do a bootcamp three times a week, walk all over the city and hike with a lot more ease, a great deal less pain and a lot less shame.