KelBel

I am only three months out and I weigh myself every single day. There are times when I weigh in about 3-4 pounds more than the day before. But then one random day I loose it all plus a bit more. I have very irregular periods and I notice that when I am spotting or about to get it my weight fluctuates even more. For me, I think the unsteady numbers have to do with my hormone imbalance.

Well, at least you got six months without so much hunger! I have never lost the hunger. I was hungry right away after surgery and remain so to this day. It is not just head hunger or the desire to eat. By golly, I'm hungry!!
It seems I eat all day long, and I do, but it's just small quantities of healthy foods, so I am maintaining well. I was just disappointed to have to still deal with so much hunger. But on the plus side, that hunger allows me to live a "normal" life in that I want food, enjoy food, love to cook and prepare food. Could be worse, I guess... could be one of those poor souls who have to remind and make themselves eat.
Sounds like I eat more calories than you do, and you appear to be a good bit taller than I am. But my base metabolic rate is really high, so I have to get around 2100-2200 calories per day to maintain at 165.
Wish I knew how to make the hunger go away!

I seem to be way more hungry all the time post op then I was pre op. Every hour! I am not kidding or using hyperbole!!
I eat every 3 hours " on purpose" and then a spoonful of cottage cheese, an ounce of chicken, an extra energy square or some other helpful food in between (try and limit to 50 calories). I have even been known to eat an extra low carb/fat Protein Bar (200 calories!!). Arg!! I am getting tired of needing to eat so often mainly because it is so distracting and I worry a little about it.
This has been going on since month 6 and am now month 9. Even though it seems like I never stop eating during the day, my weight stays about the same, maybe down a little bit. My weight is hovering 178-182. The hunger strikes the most between 11 and 3 pm for me. I normally eat at 12 pm and 3 pm as part of my plan, but oh how I want to eat more in between.
I stopped tracking what I am eating in between planned meals so cannot tell you exactly how many calories are coming in. My planned meals are about 1200-1400 calories during the day. Always drinking Water too in order to keep well hydrated, especially for exercise.
I eat mostly animal meats, leafy green veggies, Protein Bars and shakes. My supplements in terms of Vitamins and minerals are also complete. I eat good carbs and low to moderate fat. My Protein is 150 g or more during the day. I do not think I am depriving myself of anything that is needed from a nutritional standpoint. I am not eating or drinking junk food or soda. I do have splenda and caffeine in my coffee.< /p>
Anyone else want to rant about this??? Can someone just come snip my Vagus nerve right now to take this hunger from me?

Lookin for my fellow February 11th surgery buddies!!

I'm 14 months out, and still have alot of restriction (YEAH!!!) so this is what I've been eating since starting regular food.
EAS AdvanEdge shake for Breakfast (otherwise I'm not a Breakfast person)
FF Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hot chocolate with made with 1 1/2 cups of skim plus, egg beaters, lean meat, etc.... I eat as much as I can, about 1/2 cup 3 times a day.
Lots of calorie free liquid.
Nut assures me that it's ok that I have no room in my tummy to add in vegetables, yet. need to be able to get 60-100gms protein/day. Boy do I miss veggies, tho!!! She says that we should all be taking a Multivitamin morning and night and that makes up for the no produce.
I must add that I feel AWESOME!!! Energy THROUGH THE ROOF!!!! Sitting still is like a form of torture! LOVIN the gym!! (who said that???, me???, really??? YEPPERS!!!, LOL) Have lost all my excess weight, surpassed dr.'s goal and reached my personal goal 5'2", 117 lbs, size 2 or 3. This summer, hopefully panni and whatever else ins. will pay for.

My doc wanted me on low carb high Protein. I pretty much try to stick with proteins....but I don't count anything. I eat meat and cheeses first...then whatever else I want and have room for. If I want something bad...I have it. Just a lot less then I used to. I make sure to exercise a lot...and most of the time eat the stuff I should...but I didn't do this to be stuck on a diet for the rest of my life. I am more then a year and a half out...and less then 20 pounds till goal. I can honestly say that I am not constantly thinking about what I am going to eat...how much...and what is for the next meal. I was so seriously obsessed with food before, and now I eat to live...not live to eat...haha vsg is great...and life is beautiful! Good luck!

First let me say I feel fabulous! I've lost over 70 pounds in just over 5 months. I went from a 22 to a very comfy 12. The road has not been easy and for all you newbies...here is my list of amazing highs...and of not so sunshiny lows.
Disclaimer: This is my experience...it may not be yours.

It will be uncomfortable for a few days post op
I was not hungry for weeks after surgery
I was scared to eat or drink and I didn’t drink enough...thus Constipation and weakness
I didn't feel normal for about 6 weeks. I needed naps and I took them
The weight literally falls off...seriously I was looking for pools of fat in bed when I woke up in the morning
I hit the 4 week stall and it lasted two weeks. Expect it and don't stress
On day three, I had a massive freak out…seriously threw a four year old fit…pissed off my stomach was gone.
No one noticed for months and that irritated me.
EVERYONE notices now and it's all they want to talk about.
Don’t tell anyone you are going to Mexico to have your stomach cut off unless you trust them completely.
I threw up alot...just slime mostly...while I was learning my new tummy. It will scare you and if you are like me…it will happen a lot when you transition to solid foods.
food addiction does not magically go away...if you have a problem before..you will still have it. I think about food all the time, but I finally have a way to resist it. I am a sugar addict. I never crave carbs, but I crave sugar like a mad woman.
Going out to dinner is awkward. I hate watching people eat
Put the lotion on the skin! My skin got really dry.
I’ve lost half my hair at 4.5 months post op. Mine came out in chunks. Freaked me out! Our Golden Retriever and I are in a competition for shedding. It will be ok. Take your Vitamins and buy Nioxin. It doesn’t help my Hair loss, but I feel like I am at least doing something about it.
Don’t take a powerful laxative when you are constipated…especially before your child’s school performance. It may say “See results in 2-4 hours” but it means 30 mins and then you’re stuck on a mini toilet with both legs numb, crying to everything holy to save you.
Shopping is amazing! I still feel like people are looking at me like I don’t belong there…but that’s all in my head.
My shoes no longer fit. they are too wide now!
Your pre WLS Spanx will look huge in a couple months
Trust me…put some Granola bars in your glove box and a few packs of mixed nuts. Sometimes your hungry and there is nothing that you can eat.
Handy meals from the market or gas station when you didn’t plan ahead. Single string cheese, an apple, mixed nuts, readymade hard boiled eggs, The inside of California rolls- no rice, campbells Soup at hand or ready made Soup in a coffee cup.
Handy items at fast food places that sit ok on my tummy include: Taco Bells refried Beans or the inside of a chicken taco. Wendys chili, McDonalds oatmeal, McDonalds yogurt parfait
I feel guilty in front of my heavier friends. I always try to wear a sweatshirt so I don’t rub the weight loss in their faces.
You get drunk really fast...like a half glass of wine. Be careful...it sneaks up on you...and before you know it, you’re waiting for your hubby to pick you up...from less than a glass. Its crazy. I don't really even try anymore to drink.
I crave raw fish, cooked fish, broiled fish, grilled fish...any fish really and it feels amazing on my tummy.
I cant eat steak
I love that I have collar bones
I update my Facebook pictures and secretly love the compliments
I own a woman's North Face now
I can buy bras at Victoria's secret
I pack all my food for work in snack bags and the little tupperware containers for salad dressing.
I can still have M&M's...its just like 9...instead of the king size bags
Take heartburn medicine everyday...don’t wait until you get heartburn.
Buy stock in Maalox
You can have a full meal at Costco- samples + WLS = Cheap Date!
Food Portion jokes get really old
Fast food burgers makes me want to vomit.
At 5 months...salad is wonderful. I can eat about a cup of greens...which takes me a while and I feel a tiny bit normal.
Post-op, If you can swing it, buy a Vita-Mix blender and make your own soup. Canned soup was nasty right after surgery. Freeze them in 4oz canning jars. It will be two servings.
Quit Smoking before surgery. I waited and it slowed my healing. It also gave me terrible heartburn. I am 5 weeks smoke free
You don't have to "confess" you had WLS. It's ok to say thank you for the compliment and not feel guilty. I'm just now starting to accept that I had a little something to do with this insane loss. I tell people when they ask now how I lost the weight, that i exercise and use Portion Control.< br /> People will treat you different. Salesladies ask if I need assistance, men hold open doors and the skinny girls at work talk to me now. It's shallow and pisses me off, but it's nice to not be invisible anymore.
WLS is very difficult. For me, it’s not physical, but the mental. Sometimes I just want a cheesecake like before. It goes away very quickly, but it still comes and goes. Sometimes I get angry at my sleeve because I can’t eat something I see others eating. Most of the time I have to hide my expression when I see people shovel food in the way I used to. It’s shocking to see when you’re on the other side of WLS. I used to inhale my food like a tiny food thief was going to come in and take it away from me.
You will have to say no to your family when they all want to go to a Chinese buffet. I’m still not ready to walk in and be near a buffet.
It feels awesome to give your clothes away, however, do not offer them to your heavier friends. It’s insensitive and they won’t return your calls for a week.
Last one...I played laser tag this past weekend with a bunch of 9 year old boys. It was soooo Much fun!!!

Please feel free to add any other thoughts or tips...

I'm four months post op and about 50 pounds down only 15 to goal. I experienced crazy emotional madness in the first month I was teary and irrational, this lasted until about the 8 wks to when I suddenly felt more like myself. I am now feeling quite emotionally stable although I still have some bad days that I think may be due to being a bit overtired, I do get tired more easily now. I am not the best at remembering to take my Vitamins though

I'm 5 months postop tomorrow and am struggling with depression the past few months. Dr said it was estrogen released from fat cells as weight is lost. The more rapid a loss, more estrogen is readed causing more havoc to emotionality. I may look good and feel great, but emotionally I'm a mess. Hope this phase ends soon!

Was very bitchy first couple weeks !!! I think it was because I felt like I was starving all the time!

I'm almost 6 weeks post-up and I discussed this with my surgeon today. Only this past week have I been very emotional. I cried once for no reason at all, felt so tired, one day I didn't even want to get out of bed nor care to eat or drink anything.
I asked about hormones (especially since I have PCOS) but he says hormonal issues occur after a more massive weight loss like 70+ pounds. So I don't know. He said I'm having a hard time parting with food. But although I enjoyed food so much before surgery, I was a volume eater, it didn't matter what it was and I always ate convenient food since caring about eating was a hassle for me. I don't miss food so much. Sure I miss pizza and soda, but it's totally manageable.
I've also looked into becoming more grumpy/depressed after being on a high protein/low carb diet like Atkins. It's possible for some, that low carb diets can cause mood swings and depression. And I think that pertains to me. My surgeon said that if it continues, it will fall on me to make sure I go see a psychiatrist or my GP to see if I need antidepressants.
I just hope I will never need to and things will get better with time. I hope your moods improve, and maybe it would help to talk to someone if you can!

Hahaha lol!!! This is so funny Liz! I am happy to hear from you! I know you've been through a looooot.. And thanks for sharing! Im glad to know that I'm not the only one who is actually experiencing this. And I never had these issues before either, so it's surprising. I'm keeping myself busy. Lol! I dont even have any idle moment- reading a lot, doing homework for grad school, light exercises and cooking healthier for the family. But I agree that it's hormones, and my body is adjusting to everything. I'll take it easy , one day and one pound at a time. Get well my VSG sister! May God keep you safe and heal you as new!

I'm planning on getting to walking tomorrow- hopefully it helps- will keep focusing on protein- thanks Deano ✌

I felt flat like that too. I had my B12 levels checked and that was a little low. I make sure I'm getting enough Protein for energy and getting all the fluids I need.
Also I make sure I'm moving and doing 30 - 60 mins of exercise 5 or 6 times a week. walking is good at the start. It's amazing how doing this gives you energy.
They say hormones are held in fat cells. I've often wondered if the flat feeling might be our bodies processing some of that? I keep my Water up to flush it out, if that is the case
Deano

I just got my date. March 7th for my surgery. It is a decision that it not an easy one. It is also not a vain decision. It is a healthy choice so grab the journey with pride. I had a long path to get to the date of surgery and felt really guilty that I could not lose it on my own, but the guilt is gone. I am doing what it takes to be healthy. You should feel great about your decision. Good luck.

hi guys so i have started stage 3 of my diet and i am sick of it. i drink my Water and Protein Shakes. i eat sugar free pudding and low fat soft cheeses. veggie chili or lentil Soup mostly 99% fat free...but what else can i have?? anyone cook ground turkey with fat free brown gravy??? can i eat lipton soup ?? any other tips or meals

Hi everyone,
Just a lil update
Feeling tired but good and enjoying the weight loss!
Weighing before pre-op diet: 100.1 kgs
Surgery day: 94 kgs
Day 7: 91kgs
Pretty happy with that!

Good luck everyone for your pending surgery! See you on the losers bench!

Seth, I hope you have a safe surgery and a speedy recovery.
Best Wishes
one_elle26

Tomorrow is the big day!!