Bridget!

Can you tell us what life is like with the Sleeve? You appear to be eating small portions and have your calories under control. Is it a lot of work? Could you eat more than you're eating, or are you physically unable to? How's the hunger? Thanks sweetie!

Yes, inquiring minds, really want to know the skinny, on the Sleeve!!~

Nancy...sorry! I didn't see this until Work PMed me with the link! End of quarter and I'm trying to get everything set up for the new quarter and end the old! Whew! Okay...life with the sleeve. I do eat very small portions but I eat several times a day. We are supposed to eat between 600-800 calories and get 60+ grams of protein, >40 grams of carbs, etc. Very much like the band...protein first, then green veggies, and last carbs if room; water, water, water, and exercise. It isn't a lot of work. Not at all. I think less about food (probably because my gherlin-making glands are gone). In fact, today, I was working away when I realized it was after 1:00! I normally eat at 11:30! My stomach was growling but nothing outrageous! I can eat more than I'm eating because like the band, you can eat around the sleeve. Of course all the naughty stuff goes down soooooo easily! Chips, candy, ice cream, etc. But if I eat protein first, I get full quite quickly. In fact, I did the cottage cheese test (not scientific, I know) and I could only eat 1/4 c. at a sitting. That's why I eat more often. IF I take a bite or two too many, I might feel crappy, or get the foamies (the sleeve version of sliming), or throw up. Again...I'm simply not hungry because I don't have the part of my stomach that produces gherlin.

I HAVE to do something, if I can't manage myself by summer, I have to do a 6 month program for my insurance, by then the sleeve will hopefully be an option through my insurance. Bridget, I avoided the scale since before Christmas and I hopped on the other day and was devistated... 60 lbs up. I bought all "diet and sf foods this week. Being stuck inside for winter bites!

Oh Deb...believe me, I know the pain of gaining. Remember, I gained 66 pounds in 5 months. I pray that there is an option available for you. Sometimes, we need our tools. And I'm a-ok with that! I'm sick of blathering idiots who yell that people who have surgery are taking the easy way out. I call BS on that one!

Deb: I am hoping that a "tool" becomes available for you! Marcia had to appeal her Insurance company for her band and she won. Hopefully VSG will be available and you wont have to fight your insurance. I think of you daily...and I never take my band for granted because of you and Bridget.

Umm...make that 30 lbs lost. I suck at Math! I mentioned to Hilary that tomorrow is my 2 month anni. and that I had only lost 20 lbs. She said, "Mom....wait a minute. Didn't you weigh 226 the day of the surgery?" Yes, I answered. "And don't you weigh 196 now?" Another affirmative. "Then you've lost 30 lbs, Mom!" DUH!

You're a goon! A sweet, wonderful goon! I'll forgive the math error 'cause I keep doing it, too. I'm down 85+/- pounds now (65+/- since the fill kicked in a year ago) and I keep thinking forward or backward so I'm never "right on" with how much I've lost, lol! Same with how long its been since I had surgery. Let's see. October 2005. Um, that's 12 months plus 12 months plus almost another three?!? 27 months! And you didn't come shouting back that you're under 200? You MUST be busy! Rock on! Lori

Lori, I'm so glad to hear that you're on the downward spiral. I know you've always said that you'er a slow loser but it sounds like your perseverence is paying off!! Good for you! - Ann

LORI!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at YOU melt!!! I had no idea! Yippeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! Now...as for how busy am I? Teaching full-time, wrangling a teenager, and taking 9 hours in graduate school. Is that busy enough fer ya? lol I"m so happy for you!!!!!! What a definite improvement since that last fill, huh? See what I've missed by being away... Gosh I've missed you guys horribly!