Tomo

Ah ok, it isn't your eating disorder that is stopping you from eating. There are actually weight gain protein shakes that are pretty good. High calorie. I used to buy them for my father because he couldn't keep weight on.. Also, plenty of high calorie low volume foods like peanut butter, avocado... Etc. that you can add to your meals.

While every program is a bit different, the consensus is to make your priority your protein goal in the beginning. I was told in the early months to not pay attention to calories but keep eating until my protein goals were met. After the 3rd month, my surgeon said to strive to get to at least 1000 calories.

Hey August 2021 peoples. Our one year surgiversary is here! I hope you are all doing well.

Is the reason you can't gain weight is because of your eating disorder? Or is because the limits of your sleeve? If it is anorexia or bulemia, then I believe only the therapist can really help you want to eat more calories to gain weight. However, if it is because of the sleeve limitations, perhaps your surgeon can determine if there is a physical problem. I want to give you hints on how to gain weight but because you mentioned an eating disorder, I am a bit confused.

I was once the restaurant/fast food queen and never had anything but restaurant leftovers in the fridge but after this particular WLS, for some reason, I got into learning how to cook healthy recipes. I hated cooking before, but now I find chopping vegetables calming. I like to listen to my music, podcasts or a language lesson, while I'm preparing my daily/weekly meal prep.

I once had a small bowl of cereal on a trip, and that led me to believe I was having a heart attack. Due to the sugar, I guess. My tastebuds never really liked sweet things but now my whole body seemed to react to it as well. That was months ago, and I haven't tried again. Other than that, I can tolerate everything else. Oh, I forgot, uncooked cabbage can be challenging.

lol I've been there a few times. I get hiccups and the most uncomfortable pressure in the lower part of my throat. It often leads to foamies. It's been almost one year for me, and I did it just the other day on something small. Argh. A piece of plum. It's so easy to forget that we have to chew well and eat slower when everything else feels so normal.

Every doctor is different but my post-op plan was clear liquids Day 1-3, liquid diet 4-14, and then pureed foods Day 15-35, and after Day 35 and on is solid foods. It's important to clear it with your doctor since post-op diet is critical to safety (vs losing weight)

I'm so sorry you and your mom have had to take abuse from these people. I come from an all-thin family too. But my parents and siblings have been supportive as I grew up. I did have rude aunts but they never physically abused me, just verbal. I wish you could take your mother away from all that and bring her to the states with you. Perhaps keep working on a solution to get her away from that. Just stay away from them, if you can. They are toxic and horrible people. They are far worse off than you will ever be. You may be heavy but that can be fixed. But for them to be that cruel to wish early death on someone, suggests they are extremely unhappy with themselves.

Increased shedding starting in the 4th or 5th month. I don't remember but it was later than most.

Ditto. I've never heard of it. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I'm glad you went and had blood tests and check ups but perhaps they are missing something. It is neither normal or common.

Reminds me of two myths: 1) WLS is the easy way out. (It's definitely not easy, It is a great tool but it takes dedication and hard work. A lifelong battle. Your husband will see that as you progress through your journey. Maybe he will come to understand what we are up against.) 2) WLS is a magic pill. (WLS only works long term if you work at it. Some people aren't willing to do what it takes which is their choice but their weight loss will cease early. Guessing calories is usually inaccurate so tracking nutrition helps see why or why not one is losing weight.).

Just get back on track & you should be fine since your surgery is still days away but I would alert your team ASAP. You don't want to get into surgery and they find things in your bowels & may not continue with the surgery. Also, post-op surgery slips are really dangerous due to healing issues so it's good to get in the mind frame to dedicate yourself to follow the post-op plan for your safety. Good luck!

As others said, not much. I slept overnight, woke up and went home. I would say something to wear that is really loose (I brought a large Tshirt type of dress) that you can just throw over your head to wear home, a small pillow waiting for you in the car to hug if you have a bumpy ride home.

Physically I don't feel a difference. I spent one night at the hospital after the revision to RNY and released the next morning. The recovery is about the same, probably less painful with the RNY but that may be because I was prepared for gas pains... Etc. I want to say don't let the re-routing part concern you but I'm not one talk, I put off the revision to RNY quite a few times, but in retrospect, I was so silly. This has been the best decision of my life. Honestly.

I think if one has had the lapband already, better to go bypass since the potential gerd and esophagus irritation problems that the lapband itself can cause. Less future problems. Now if you never had the lapband, then I think a "virgin" sleeve's weight loss is really good, and probably less likely to cause future gerd problems compared to those who had the band first. Just my thinking, I could be wrong. I just know going from lapband to sleeve, it was a struggle as far as restriction. I did lose weight but it was hard and I never got below 160 lb with vsg because to me, the lapband had far more restriction than the sleeve. With the RNY, it is a totally different ballgame and no gerd.

I like Botox or equivalent, and I am a fan of Sculptra. I know I have spent way more money than a facelift as well. The more weight I lose, the more haggard I look but same, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I had a sleeve to bypass revision this past August. If it is anything like my experience, I think you will love the bypass. I wish I went straight to the RNY too. I had developed severe gerd and esophagitis with my vsg in the later years. I feel far more normal physically with the bypass than I did with the sleeve because I don't have any side effects. I feel similar to before any WlS but have better appetite control and therefore, good weight loss. I wish I was like the others who never had problems with my sleeve but sigh, here I am.

I second the safety issue which is the main reason there is a post-op diet. Your stomach doesn't fully heal till 6 to 8 weeks later. It is dangerous to go off post-op plan especially early on. I know someone who slipped early on, in the 3rd or 4th week and she ended up with serious complications.

Thank you the info. I am so glad you are okay after having to go through that. The pain sounds horrible!

I am approaching my 1 year anniversary since my revision and I really wish my doctor gave me this medicine. I was lucky and didn't need it (yet) but it's was worrisome for me because I have read it is a common problem after WLS. Every time I felt a pain, I thought "Oh no, it must be my gallbladder!"😅

My surgeon is avid about me getting 6 to 8 servings of fruit and vegetables a day. From the beginning he pushed it. Having said that, if you do decide to eat fruit this early on, avoid the ones with peels like grapes, apples and even cherries because I remember a couple of times I had a bad case of foamies because those darn little skins (even after chewing forever on them) getting caught up in my throat.

Congrats to you upcoming surgery and to the beginning of your journey. You will be able to live a relatively normal life eating wise, enjoying your food, but usually after all the phases and yes, the majority of WLS do experience a big appetite reduction.

Every doctor has their own pre and post op food plan. My pre-op was 10 days on a clear liquid diet (strained fruit juices like apple, cranberry juice or white grape juice with no added sugar, jello, vegetable juices, and broth). It was sheer torture lol.

I have two main go-to foods in this past year. First, I meal prep a tamarind based vegetable soup. Loaded with all kinds of vegetables. Low calorie, nutritious. Then when I reheat a bowl, I will sometimes add protein to it. Like you, it is mainly seafood but sometimes I add beef or pork. One of my favorite ways to eat fish is airfried. I will eat that on the side with my soup. My second go to I make every week is a greek yogurt dip (high protein type) that varies with ingredients but usually with dill, parsley, cucumbers, garlic, red onions, pickle juice...etc. I eat it with air popped rice crackers. My snacks are almost always fresh fruit. Plums, strawberries, cherries... Etc.