I AM WORRIED EVERYONE

So how much bigger was it? I am curious?

Remember the swelling your friend has also...So, it will look a lot smaller.

Hugs

Donna

 Hers looked like a skinny flat worm and mine looked liked a fat cucumber to me!!!!

"and some people are saying that our restriction is going to disapear after a few years and we arnt to have that good of restriction,"

And how many of them actually have a VSG and are a few years out? I'd say most likely none of them since it's usually DSers who are convinced that the DS is the only one true surgery and anyone who gets anything else is a moron who say these things.

I am 3 years out and I do the cottage cheese test every year and my sleeve holds no more now than it did at 7 months out. I have plenty of restriction and still have to be careful about what I eat or I get the foamies.

At the 8:28 mark, there is a screen shot of a sleeve a couple of days post-op, and then one of 4 years post-op.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRBKdTjY2Rg

At 28 months post-op, I have the same restriction with protein dense foods that I had at 7-8 months post-op. Slider foods, or stretching my meals out, or mixing mushy consistency foods, sauces, gravies (cheating the sleeve with food lube) all allow me to eat more food per meal. If I eat for longer than 30 minutes, I can fit in a couple more ounces of food.

I can eat a lot of chips, crackers, pretzels, mashed potatoes, even rice and pasta are pretty sliderish foods for me at this point. Veggies go down and stay down without restriction.

I rarely "overeat" my sleeve, and really do stay mindful of my portion sizes even this far out. I know myself well enough that if I give myself an inch, I'll take a mile. So, I rely on the good habits I established in my losing stage to stay diligent.

I can tell you that I have a friend who had the sleeve done 7 years ago this December, and she was the one who introduced me to the sleeve.  I owe my journey to her.   I can also tell you that she was never one to watch what she ate, do protein first, no drinking and eating, etc.,  yet she had no significant weight gain until this past summer, and the only reason she became concerned was because her skinny jeans didn't fit and she refused to buy a bigger size. she sums  up the weight gain to never restricting herself or avoiding fatty foods.  She ate what she wanted when she wanted, just in small quantities.  We socialized regularly and go out to dinner all of the time.  I watch how much she eats, and it's not much different than the quantity that  I eat, just that I don't do bread or things like that.  So I am very optimistic for my long term success. Having her in my life is the best peace of mind for me.  She is now avoiding  junk foods and breads, and is back into her pants!  I hope this give you some peace of mind as well!

Edit to say my friend's surgery was 6 years ago!  It's the senility!

That really makes me feel a lot better, thanks for all of you that replied I needed it!

I AM 3+ YEARS OUT. My restriction is still good. ugi test did not showing any stretching.

I have learned so much about this whole weight loss journey:
1.  My Sleeve and its restriction are only one part of my weight loss and now maintence success
2.  If I eat the wrong things I can gain
3.  If I eat the right things it is very easy to maintain
4.  I can over indulge in either quantitiy or special foods on occassion only
5.  If I exercise I do not need to as careful with my portions or what I eat
6.  Even though I can eat more, I don't (anymore)
7.  I can eat more than most, but I am also taller than most
8.  I still have great restriction, especiallly with dense protein
9.  I had to make the choice to stay thin, to maintain, to give up certain amounts, certain foods, and to exercise, otherwise I would have gained even more weight.  I gained 13 lbs from my lowest.
10. I can still lose, by doing all the right things, even 2.5 years out.  I have now lost 6 of those 13 lbs.
11.  It is easier to lose during the first 6 - 12 months and everyone should make the best of that time
12.  I LOVE my Sleeve and plan to work with it for life to maintain
13.  I am healthier than I have been since I left home as a kid
14.  OH is invaluable to me for sooooooooo many reason

All the best to you my dear, if you stay very diligent and aware, you will be just fine.  It is entirely up to you.

Cindy

    

Cindy, I agree with all the above statements. They are so very true.

Congratulations on working your way out of your funk.  


Gail