Camella

This is tough for me and it has happened several time recently. I have just started a new job and had an office luncheon today and it was very obvious that I only ate about 1/4 of my food. At least five people at the table commented on how little I ate. Obviously having known these people for one week, I don't really want to divulge my full medical history. How do you handle these awkward eating out situations?

I feel compelled to respond to your post because your story is similar to mine. I literally became a prisoner in my own house because of the self loathing I had for myself and I missed so many special events as a result. I told people that I was having gallbladder surgery. People asked very few questions. I may one day choose to share my story with more people but for now I don't feel comfortable sharing with everyone. With gallbladder surgery it is also laparoscopic and similar recovery time. good luck

i think it is because we have spent so long using food as a source of happiness (at least I did) and after being sleeved it becomes a source of energy (nothing more) and it does take a bit of the fun out of eating. I still go in search of that food hit, but Protein just doesn't cut it when you are looking for a food high

It took me about five or six weeks to feel semi-normal in terms of my energy. The good news is that once the weight starts to come off you will have three times as much energy as you did before surgery. Take it easy and don't push yourself too much.

I think that I have to accept that I am the same. I wish I could have the occasional piece of chocolate but unfortunately I still find my self control around this type of food is really low and If eat any type of carb I spend the remainder of the day fighting off sugar cravings.

I went to a sleeve support group this week and I was surprised by the fact that several people claimed that they no longer felt the desire to eat emotionally. I am four and half months out and for the last four weeks I have really been fighting the urge to eat emotionally (sometimes unsuccessfully). I assumed everyone had this problem but obviously not? I would be interested to know what other peoples experiences are after a few months out.

I have been the opposite to you. For most of my life I have had terrible body image and it's taken me years of work to reach a point of accepting myself. Since the surgery I feel so different about myself and I can't really put my finger on it. I think it's because I'm now fit (for the first time in my adult life), I feel strong because I take care of my body, I feel confident because I feel in control of myself (most of the time). It's strange because none of these things have anything to do with my external appearance BUT I think because of these things I exude positivity, happiness and confidence and ALL these things are very sexy! My experience has been so positive and I'm sure it will be a positive experience for you too!

I found that in the beginning I had to have all my drinks warm. I love drinking ice cold drinks, but, it just didn't work for me for a couple of months. I still find plain Water hard to swallow.

Have you explored the possibility that you have become lactose intolerant? I know this is quite common after surgery and it would fit the symptoms you are describing. It might be worth trying to cut out dairy and see if that helps.

Thanks Gamergirl! I have made some significant changes. Not 100% there yet, but, I have definitely refocused :-)

I have been going through exactly the same thing. I have started to notice that some bad habits have begun to creep in. The great news is that you recognize that and you have acknowledged it. You have to go back to basics and follow it as best you can. My surgeon keeps reminding me that during the "honeymoon" phase you REALLY need to learn good eating habits as the further you are out the harder it gets. Remember this is for life and you have to start eating like someone who is really healthy if you want to stay healthy. I hope that doesn't sound to preachy because I REALLY REALLY know how tough it is. Hang in there and give it 100% You have made some great progress already!

wow that's aweful! We were sleeved on the same day and I remember you posting about the 1st leak. I really can't imagine what you must be going through. I will say a prayer for you and hope that this is smooth sailing after this. You certainly deserve a break from this and time to heal.

Sorry this response is a bit late in coming. I would recommend going to your PCP, explaining the situation and taking it from there. I unfortunately only have very mild issues with anemia so I can't offer a great deal of advice. I would ask for a copy of all the blood results so far and present these to your PCP (as not to double up too much) and allow that doc to recommend the next course of action. I'm sure your PCP will order a full blood count which may reveal if something else is also going on apart from just Iron. I hope that helps and good luck.

Thank you so much for your kind responses! I really appreciate the support. I also appreciate the fact that nobody who responded to this post judged me. I have taken your advice on board and I have started to get back on track!

I have not been following the program they way I should be; I don’t measure my Fluid intake and I suspect that I rarely (if ever) drink enough fluid I don’t take my multi Vitamins - I stopped taking them when I did the blood work for all my micro nutrients and everything was normal (makes no sense at all - I know!) My hair is falling out rapidly and despite having bought Biotin - I am not taking it. I stopped drinking Protein shakes because I thought I was getting enough protein. I have since discovered that I am not getting enough protein but I haven't started the shakes again. I drink one to two skim milk Lattes a day (I am usual in denial about the first one and then feel justified in having the second) I ate four Cookies tonight (first cookies since surgery) and they went down REALLY easily. I am running only three days a week (I know I need to do more exercise) There are a lot of things that I am doing right, and I have made massive changes in my life but I need to put this out to the universe because these “little things” have accumulated into somewhat of a problem. I would normally lie to myself and trivialize the importance of taking care of myself. This has always been my biggest problem. I am horrible at taking care of myself and therefore find following “the rules” so difficult. I know that this is something fundamental that I need to change in order to have long term success. I just needed to put it out there that I am falling down at the moment and I’m finding it hard to get back up again. Thanks for reading!

I tell people that I don't weight myself! This is of course a big fat lie, but, I don't think it's anyone elses business and just because I've had the surgery doesn't necessarily mean I feel comfortable talking about my weight.

I'm four months post op and today is the first time I tried a cookie (wished I hadn't) and I tried a piece of chocolate cake a few weeks ago. The cake I made myself for friends. When I tried the cake it tasted a little fishy (literally like fish). I was quite embarrased as I had servered it to guests but, everyone was raving about how great it tasted. I assumed they were being polite. Tonight when I tried the choc chip cookie it also tasted like fish! Anyone else experienced any weird changes in taste?

wow what an amazing effort! You look fantastic

Thanks Katie for the encouragement :-)

Sleeved July 1st - over the last month I have only lost about 5 lbs. I'm feeling quite discouraged. I don't count calories (not good for my psychie) so I'm not really sure if it is just a natural slowing down or if I should be doing something differently. I have naturally assumed that I will NEVER loose another pound. I've been doing Couch to 5k for 8 weeks. I'm feeling great physically but psychologically things have never been harder. I am now having to confront my food issues.

Hi welcome to the forum. It is something a general surgeon can do, however having said that they need to have been trained in the surgery and research has shown that as a surgeon increases his number of sleeve surgerys the lower the complication rate. I'm Australian and I understand how difficult it is without private health. However I would only use someone with a proven track record. This surgery has potentially life threatening complications if it is not executed properly and I would NEVER have a surgeon do his first sleeve without the supervision of an extremely skilled bariatric surgeon. I now live in Dubai and my surgeon is a general surgeon, however he has done hundres of these procedures. Maybe Dubai could be an option for you (not too far from egypt and you can travel a week after surgery). It costs approximately 10 to 12,000 aussie dollars and there are several skilled bariactric surgeons here and world class hospitals. Good luck - but PLEASE make sure that you are 150% comfortable with your decision

This might be a strange question....but....they don't give you a spirometer at the hospital? I had my surgery in Dubai and they gave me one immediately after surgery and I was told to take it home. I just assumed this is the case for everyone.

I'm sure you look amazing! What you are describing sounds like body dysmorphia. I have been this way since my early 20s when I was bulimic. I weighed 125 lbs and would refuse to leave the house because I thought I was too fat. It's amazing how our mind sees what it wants to see. I'm still fighting this every day but I REFUSE to stop myself from enjoying being the weight I'm at now. It's like I have a little good and dark angel on each shoulder and one is telling me I look great and the other is telling me that I look awful. I determined not to let negative nancy win this time!

I unfortunately don't have any answers, but, since you are five months out I doubt it is sleeve related. Have your vitamin levels and electrolytes checked just to rule out any nutritional deficiencies. Hopefully the lab work you are waiting on will reveal some clues as to why you are feeling so sick. Hope you feel better soon!

I travelled for 5 weeks from when I was only 4 weeks post (in Asia & Australia). I had low energy prior to the trip, however being in a new environment and away from my home comforts actually give me a bit of zest! You will be fine and I'm sure you will have a fantastic trip. Enjoy the adventure