7+ years post sleeve

7+ years post VSG-life has changed so much that I don't recognize my old self when I see my fat photos.  I was so miserable for so many years. And now, though I've got my wigglies-jigglies, I feel like a "normal" late middle aged woman. I just wanted to post this so you newbies out there know that there will come a time when your weight will no longer be a constsnt cause of grief and shame. Getting the sleeve was the best medical decision that I've made.  

I've had a normal BMI for almost 7 years. I had a few ups and downs, but have pretty much stayed at that magic BMI of 25.  These are the things that are, I guess, permanent cir****tances of my body after all these years:

I can eat or drink, but not at the same time.  I drink my liquids before I eat. When we go to restaurants, it's almost always a fight with the server, "I'll order after I finish my (whatever I'm drinking at the time)".

If I eat too much, I still get the foamies and may have to puke.

My eyes are still too big for my stomach.  

I take home a lot of doggie bags.

An appetizer can be a meal.

Protein first or I'll start feeling crappy.

I go through phases of wanting junk food. I indulge myself, but if that scale starts creeping up, I just keep the stuff out of the house for a while.

I hide the junk food and out of sight, out of mind.  I bought a giant Costco tin of shortbread a month ago, which is in a cabinet.  I haven't even gone through the first layer yet.  

I love chocolate.  It doesn't seem to cause much weight gain -but I lay off of it if I've been eating other trash and the scale numbers have been creeping up.

I still like my clothes loose, but only now they're a size 10 or 12.

My husband and I can split a burger and fries between the two of us and it's enough.

I'm a cheap date-see above.

I don't feel like I'm in a straightjacket on an airplane.  

I'm no longer fat in my dreams.

I don't mind photographs of me now.

Good bread with cheese makes me happy.

I love beans with salsa and cheese.

I'm lactose intolerant and even with lactase, can no longer drink milk or eat ice cream like I used to.

My food preferences have changed slowly over the years.  Not necessarily better or healthier, just some things "sit" better than others.  Meat is no longer a big item on my plate. A little goes a long way.  The same with eggs.  Since I have ill effects from the milk and ice cream, I don't even like them very much any more.

I'm no paragon of virtue, a pain in the rear about eating well.  I'm a normal person and the constant hunger is gone.  

The sleeve has changed my relationship with food as it changed my body and metabolism.  I don't get ravenous, though I do get hungry. 

I recognize head hunger and indulge it-to a point.

Congrats to all of you-the sleeve is a tool and please use it well.

Great post.  I will be 2 years in January and I pray to continue my accountability with the sleeve.  

Thank you so much for sharing!  I love hearing from "veterans".  I am so new at this and at times I wonder if I ever will feel "normal" again.  Your post really inspired me.  I hope I can have the same great success that you have had and maintained!  Thanks, again!!!

Thank you this post! I'm still pre-op and scared that this procedure won't work for me or won't work for more than a year. Your words give me hope that if I make good choices and use my tool well, that I too can be successful where all else has failed.

I'm in Pre op too when is your surgery mine is on 11.21.16

Mine is Tuesday, 11/29/16, a little over a week behind you. I'll be thinking of you next Monday! Praying all will go well and you have a speedy recovery!

Thank you for this. I had the sleeve last week and I know everyone is different but so much of what you hear scares you. This is great information. 

Thank you for this. I had the sleeve last week and I know everyone is different but so much of what you hear scares you. This is great information. 

What a great post!  I'm 2 weeks post-op today, and reading this makes me so much more confident about the future.  I'm excited to continue my journey!

Great post!  I have a very similar relationship now with food....  1.5 years out since surgery and down 140 lbs.  I feel good, I look good and I am not THAT hungry!

Still would like to lose 10 more pounds but I have plateaued the last 5 months.  I'm not really concerned, because I know that will happen. I think if I can maintain at this weight (which is remarkable) I will be able to lose the last 10 in a matter of time, I'm just not pushing it so I don't fret about it.

Things I really enjoy snacking on now, hand full of good quality nuts, any type of hard and/or stinky cheese, a protein bar on occasion.  Wine is my particular vise as far as drinks go.  Since I stay away from carbonated beverages completely, wine is my drink of choice after water, and more water. 

The only issue I have with eating, is eating too fast on occasion (usually meat and occasionally soft bread) and then feeling a bit tight chested until the food clears.  As far as gastric disturbances, a soft gooey cinnamon roll and a sweet cappuccino will do it every time.  So if I need a laxative thats my goto... lol.

Wishing you the best! and me too. . . .