Eating normal
Congrats! People don't understand just how brave you have to be to do this! The first couple weeks and the gas were the only pain I had-- a couple really painful nights, rollovers, etc., but this improves quickly. You will not believe how much easier it is to get around with less weight and girth...really really worth it. Take a mental snapshot of exactly how it feels getting up out of bed this week with the gas pains and the extra weight (even down from your peak, likely) -- really really think about it. In 6 months when you're down 50-100 pounds you will want to refer to that 'mental snapshot' and you will be amazed at how effortless it is to get up..climb stairs, etc., etc. Take your measurements-- waist, arms, thighs, neck, suit size, and do this every week. Even if you don't lose weight, you will continue to trim up. Especially if you're walking more and building new muscle (weighs more-- but leaner is smaller)
Probably just what everyone else says, but here's my opinion: You didn't make a mistake. It's a pretty effective tool that will rigidly enforce portion control-- and that's it. It works, it has some relatively minor inconvenient side effects or compromises. Worth it (in my opinion)-- if you drop a good bit of weight, you'll probably considerably improve your health (sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, resting pulse rate, mobility, etc., etc.) and you'll probably live longer. ..and be more attractive in the process. I have even heard it increases penis size, :-) I got a sleeve June'14, so I'm coming up on 9-10 months. Lost about 125 lbs so far (from high of about 390). I'm older (56 now), but I can eat almost anything-- just a wee little bit of it. To keep losing I still have to watch it-- I won't lose weight eating much of the dinner roll, booze, Blue Moon, candy, or anything else that you would logically not associate with weight loss...but I think you can have a little of almost anything if you keep it under control (after you've healed!). I probably eat 800-1000 calories, mostly protein (that's the big difference!) and a lot more fish, sushi-- but still eat ribs (like 1- 2 bones), scotch, even tiny bit of ice cream...still losing. It's the total calories in that counts...and getting in much more walking. Try to make the calories not be dumb ones (like a doughnut or a Twix bar) but count as protein.. I'd say my biggest disappointment with the surgery and side effects is the loss of muscle that you need to really work on. You are now a body-builder that needs twice as much protein and needs to be concerned with regaining muscle tone..your surgery will help you lose weight, but never forget your body will try to (1) consume sugars first, then(2) lose muscle ..and only then (3) lose fat.-- seems like a bug to me, but that's how it goes. I think you're right-- you never will be able to enjoy the foods you love 'the way' you did before-- only because you won't be able to muscle through the topped-off plate at the chinese buffet, or really win the all-you-can-eat game... if that was 'the way' (it was for me) Reduced volume is the difference...and I need to not keep going back to finish the rest of the food I couldn't finish at dinner. You don't reduce the calories simply by eating it spread out over 4 hours every 15 minutes...and you would be able to do that...so you need to be careful to get get baack to grazing. You will likely not enjoy some things that you previously ate for the volume and mouth-feel of eating it. There are only a few things that became intolerable-- Diet Coke (carbonation is really really weird with the little stomach-- it can be a mess...frenchfries, especially with ketchup don't sit well with me--though I keep trying... and even medium or mild Indian food (which I used to love) seems about a thousand times spicier than when I used to get it very hot. Weird. Biggest tip-- just don't drink with your meals... That's always when I have problems. (urpy, sensitivity to french fries, etc.) Once you get cleared and back into "normal' foods (seriously don't push this-- you don't want to blow out your sutures/staples) you'll probably have your own list of changes to what you like now and what you can't tolerate any more, but you should be able to have --just a little- of most everything you ever did before. Good luck, amigo. Smart move, in my opinion. --> Side note, oh yes, you can eat that El Rey burrito grande, with all three sauces and sour cream, but not in one or probably a half dozen sittings. Make room in your fridge for white styrofoam boxes. :-)
