barbmeow

SKinnyGirl, How frightening, not to be able to eat when you need to supply your body with nutrition. I am wondering if you can freeze ensure or make an popsicle with it so you can easily get the nutrition down. Frozen seems to be helpful. I work Hospice and often I make health shakes for the older people who are not eating well. I always put a cup of ice cream in 4 ounces of ensure and blend until smooth. I have never had a person refuse the health shake and they are getting a load of calories and nutrition. Might be a way to sneak some calories easliy back into your diet. On the happier side I have an idea that you look wonderful and you are going to beat this non eating thing, as you beat the fat. You need to know you are strong or you would not have undertaken this journey and done as well as you have. You figured out how to lose the weight, now you will figure out how to stop losing weight..

SKinnyGirl, How frightening, not to be able to eat when you need to supply your body with nutrition. I am wondering if you can freeze ensure or make an popsicle with it so you can easily get the nutrition down. Frozen seems to be helpful. I work Hospice and often I make health shakes for the older people who are not eating well. I always put a cup of ice cream in 4 ounces of ensure and blend until smooth. I have never had a person refuse the health shake and they are getting a load of calories and nutrition. Might be a way to sneak some calories easliy back into your diet. On the happier side I have an idea that you look wonderful and you are going to beat this non eating thing, as you beat the fat. You need to know you are strong or you would not have undertaken this journey and done as well as you have. You figured out how to lose the weight, now you will figure out how to stop losing weight..

You mean we wont look 18 again, rats. And I was looking forward to all those nubile young boyfriends,NOT. I am wanting a Tummy Tuck and bat wing cure and facelift and neck tuck and why? Vanity? Keeping up with the Jones? Trying to figure out what it is that makes me think this is necessary. I think keeping perspective means we are healthier, and that in itself goes a long way to making you feel good about yourself, which makes you ageless. So loose skin, bring it on. I will deal with it as it comes.

Thank you both for your answers. I feel better that I am not stretching my stomach. I do measure everything as I do not have control of portions as yet, being only 5 weeks out. I may never have control, as big portions got me to this place, that I needed a sleeve.

I am 62 and sleeved on 8-21-13, have lost 30 pounds since being weighed in the hospital post op. I think that being in the 60's we are not going to lose as fast as the youngsters, but we are going to lose weight if we keep on the plan and do not sabatoge ourselves with eating things we should not. Wish I hade had the option of this surgery 40 years ago but can't look back . Here and now do the best we can.

Lunaya, thank you for opening this stream of diologue. I think the majority of us sleevers have a problem with food or we would not be here. You are open about it and this is going to help us all.
Since surgery I have been hiding in my den, I go out and exercise for 30 minutes every morning due to my dogs, otherwise I would not move. This morning my boyfriend said I think you are depressed. I looked at him and said, well my best friend has been limited/taken away from me.I can't stuff myself to numbness. Food has been my best friend, my solace,my reward,my emotional rescue.So now what do I do? Therapy came to me in a flash. But I have has over 18 years of therapy due to weight related issues, now it is time to use what I have learned. If you have not had therapy, please look at it as education, for that is all it is. Learning about yourself. Keep writing in this forum when you wnat to binge. I know we will all listen, it will help you, but also all of us. Losing 106 pounds is an amazing feat congratulations, and again thank you for addressing this concern.

Gmanbat,You hit it right on the nail, all else fades, but getting relief. I woke up this morning with the same pain. I am going back to work,this coming week, and I am wondering if it is the stress. Will take an ativan and see if it goes away. My other thought is maybe I am forming a whey allergy. All I know is I want it go go away now.Thank you for helping me feel better, that nothing is seriously wrong with me. Congratulations on your 130 lb weight loss, I hope to follow in this footstep, just not the gas one.

Yup, just had a bout yesterday. This is not your common heartburn, it's frantic. All else fades from care but getting relief.
I hit Gas-X, Tums, and milk most of the time. Sometimes I just eat something and it goes away. I also force myself to burp, swallowing air and expelling it hoping some of the trapped gas will go with it. Sometimes nothing seems to work but time.
I am glad it doesn't happen often. It seldom goes on more than a couple hours at most.
What brings it on for me? An empty stomach, rice, too much coffee I think but sometimes I can't trace it back to what I ate. Stress can be a factor, too.
I am following this thread with you hoping some forumites have workable solutions.

Sharon your story is all our story. You just hit it before some of us have. We will all find ourself at the crossroads of old eating behaviors, and I don't feel like exercising today. We all got overweight by doing that behavior for years. Your cautionary tale will help me. Thank you for your brave words and for taking hold of your weight gain, before you lose control completely. You just need to get back on the right way of eating and take a little walk from time to time.Find a place outside your home you like to be, go out and take in the beautiful sites, even if it is a mall.100 pounds amazing. Congratulations.

I would talk with your Dr. How long has this been going on?

I use Unjury too. I tried others including the trader Joes, and all I got was sick of the smell and taste. I do not taste the Unjury changed my whole Protein Powder thinking. Before I could not stomach another taste of Protein powder. Now I can not wait for my 2 Protein Drinks a day, one of which is Unjury chicken Soup. Yum.

Sharon your story is all our story. You just hit it before some of us have. We will all find ourself at the crossroads of old eating behaviors, and I don't feel like exercising today. We all got overweight by doing that behavior for years. Your cautionary tale will help me. Thank you for your brave words and for taking hold of your weight gain, before you lose control completely. You just need to get back on the right way of eating and take a little walk from time to time.Find a place outside your home you like to be, go out and take in the beautiful sites, even if it is a mall.100 pounds amazing. Congratulations.

RN here, for the past 5 years. Been in solid organ transplant, med/surg, cardiopulmonary stepdown/tele, and long term care. I've decided I'm kind of worn out on the bedside care and am finishing my BSN with an eye towards nurse practitioner, probably adult/geriatric care but I could change my mind about that. I had no previous experience in medical when I went into nursing, I was a graphic artist! I've always been interested in science and the body, though, so I am now 44 because I came into it all late.
I've spent my entire life heavy. ALL of it. I was a rolly polly little girl and never stopped aside from brief times that I starved myself. I have PCOS as well. I've gained and lost the same 50-75 pounds so many times I don't even want to think about it anymore. I don't want to be "the fat one" in the room or on the staff anymore. I don't want to have dementia patients asking me when my baby is due anymore. I don't want to be tired, sweating, and having my screaming joints fighting me while I'm running up and down halls to care for 30 patients anymore. Nope. I want to have a lean, healthy body, do things I've never done before because I never had the energy, become a nurse practitioner and deal more with pathophysiology, and finally enjoy some things I never have been able to. I know it will be plenty of work, but at least I will feel that I'm getting somewhere with it rather than it being temporarily lost and will come back with more fat buddies in a few months.
I'm scared about the surgery...I'm still in the paper-processing stage. And I know I will probably be a crying mess the morning of the surgery. But I do know this is my last chance of making a real, sustainable change in my health. Otherwise, here comes diabetes, arthritis, hip replacement, cardiac issues...you name it. I mean, I know we all die of something one day, but I'd like to have lived first!!
I'm currently at 268 pounds, 5 foot 4 inches. My highest has been 281. Here's hoping for a much healthier and happier future fpr all of us.

I think you are pretty normal, Day 4 I was cussing at myself saying what the hell did you do this for? I was able to drink Water cold water, but needed to take zofran to keep it down. Also had to take meds for the pain every 4 hours (Tylenol and Ibuprofen). Did this for 6 days then was able to stop. I had to eat lite vanilla greek yogurt 2-3 oz, every two hours to keep my stomach filled or the pain was unbelievable. It slides down well and you can barely feel it. I do not know where you live but the lite Kroger brand has 16 grams of protein.I would put a half a scoop of vanilla Protein Powder into my 3 oz of yogurt and that would give me 18 grams of Protein a serving,90 calories, maybe 6- 8 spoonfulls.
The headache was incredibly bad, went on for 6 days.Then stopped has not come back.
I would drink 2 0z a water and hour, stop for a half hour eat, stop for a half hour drink for an hour then stop for a half hour, then eat, ...you get the picture. I hated it I felt like it was a full time job.
After day 8 things started to turn around for me.I hope they will for you too.I was able to drink more and the pain in my abdomen stopped, the gas I was having stopped killing me and life was so much better. Except for the fatigue. I learned to listen to my body if it said sleep I did, and I think recovery was improved by sleep. I also started walking at day 6. 10 mins to start now 2.5 weeks out 30-40 mins a day. I did 3 hours of walking one day, but paid a price got nauseated, and sweaty. Way too much at 2 weeks.
I am 62 and this surgery was way harder than the one I had at 42. But at 2.5 weeks post surgery I am feeling hopeful that this time I will lose weight and keep it off. I hope you will understand that this hard time you are having will pass and you will feel better soon. Just one day at a time. Start walking even if only for 5 mins to begin it seemed to really help me, and sleep when you can, even with little cat naps between eating and drinking, sleep is the great restorer of health.Feel better soon.

I am so fatigued, but I am only 2 1/2 weeks out. I catnap all the time.Then I sleep all night. I spoke to my Dr. and his wisdom has made me feel more comfortable. Why should we have energy?
1. We have just had major surgery, we are healing. If work did not get in the way he would have me out for 5-6 weeks. To heal you need rest.
2. WE are starving. 400 calories do not give us much to fuel our bodies. WE are using our bodies to fuel our lives, so we are going to feel tired.
3. Listen to our bodies, if it needs sleep sleep.
4. In 2 months we will feel like like we used to do. Except with less weight and more energy.

I am so fatigued, but I am only 2 1/2 weeks out. I catnap all the time.Then I sleep all night. I spoke to my Dr. and his wisdom has made me feel more comfortable. Why should we have energy?
1. We have just had major surgery, we are healing. If work did not get in the way he would have me out for 5-6 weeks. To heal you need rest.
2. WE are starving. 400 calories do not give us much to fuel our bodies. WE are using our bodies to fuel our lives, so we are going to feel tired.
3. Listen to our bodies, if it needs sleep sleep.
4. In 2 months we will feel like like we used to do. Except with less weight and more energy.

I think you are pretty normal, Day 4 I was cussing at myself saying what the hell did you do this for? I was able to drink Water cold water, but needed to take zofran to keep it down. Also had to take meds for the pain every 4 hours (Tylenol and Ibuprofen). Did this for 6 days then was able to stop. I had to eat lite vanilla greek yogurt 2-3 oz, every two hours to keep my stomach filled or the pain was unbelievable. It slides down well and you can barely feel it. I do not know where you live but the lite Kroger brand has 16 grams of protein.I would put a half a scoop of vanilla Protein Powder into my 3 oz of yogurt and that would give me 18 grams of Protein a serving,90 calories, maybe 6- 8 spoonfulls.
The headache was incredibly bad, went on for 6 days.Then stopped has not come back.
I would drink 2 0z a water and hour, stop for a half hour eat, stop for a half hour drink for an hour then stop for a half hour, then eat, ...you get the picture. I hated it I felt like it was a full time job.
After day 8 things started to turn around for me.I hope they will for you too.I was able to drink more and the pain in my abdomen stopped, the gas I was having stopped killing me and life was so much better. Except for the fatigue. I learned to listen to my body if it said sleep I did, and I think recovery was improved by sleep. I also started walking at day 6. 10 mins to start now 2.5 weeks out 30-40 mins a day. I did 3 hours of walking one day, but paid a price got nauseated, and sweaty. Way too much at 2 weeks.
I am 62 and this surgery was way harder than the one I had at 42. But at 2.5 weeks post surgery I am feeling hopeful that this time I will lose weight and keep it off. I hope you will understand that this hard time you are having will pass and you will feel better soon. Just one day at a time. Start walking even if only for 5 mins to begin it seemed to really help me, and sleep when you can, even with little cat naps between eating and drinking, sleep is the great restorer of health.Feel better soon.

If you do not like Protein Shakes, there is an alternative.Brand names if allowed, I use the Unjury chicken Soup Protein Powder and it is really yummy, they also have unflavored Protein powde, which can be used in anything. Might be a way to get your protein without having a Protein Shake. Me, myself and I like the protein shakes as long as the protein powder taste good. My nutritionist wants me between 64- 84 gms of protein,this is easy eating 3 meals and 2 Snacks, which I think is better eating than only 3 times a day.

I have long had this burping ater meals problem. Now that I am sleeved it is no better but I had a surgeon friend who told me a lot of people suffer from gas due to swallowing air when they eat. Makes sense, air rises. I now try to expell air before I take a bite. Seems to help, along with eating slowly. If not, oh well, we burp. Worse could be said about us, at least we now have a great excuse.

I always have a snack at night before I go to bed....I will eat a 1/4 C of nuts, or a yogurt, fruit...If I don't eat something at night I wake up in the middle of the night very very hungry....It gets me through the night and it is working..
Sure is better then chips and other junk food....
Seems to be working for me

Bites per minute? I have a hard enough time trying figure out what to eat. I put a spoonful in, chew swallow wait to make sure I'm good then proceed to the next, repeat until no longer hungry. Check end time so I can drink 30 mins later. As for how many bites per minute I've never even heard of tracking this, I guess my life is too busy for that. Also I use a teaspoon and the food takes up about 1/4 of the spoon.

I'm horrible about this. I'm still in the soft food stage but, for instance, I just ate 1/2 cup of refried Beans and it didn't take me very long. I'd try to wait 20 seconds between bites and even that is a stretch for me. I know I have to work on this...

I still eat relatively the same way as before surgery. Maybe a little slower. I have great restriction and consistently losing so I'm not questioning it.

I would kindly tell him" honey, you have lost 80 pounds and I have lost 92, I think I know what I am doing, and my love, I feel your caring when you make comments about the carbs, but each one of us is different. I am not you and you are not me internally. My food needs are different than yours. Please it makes me feel ...(you fill in the words how it makes you feel).Please resist from making comments about my choices in food, I hear your concern and love,when you do it, but it is irritating me." Then if he doesnt stop you will have to escalate.your tone.Sometimes men are so about what they want to say they do not hear us women. Sorry guys but it is true.

I would kindly tell him" honey, you have lost 80 pounds and I have lost 92, I think I know what I am doing, and my love, I feel your caring when you make comments about the carbs, but each one of us is different. I am not you and you are not me internally. My food needs are different than yours. Please it makes me feel ...(you fill in the words how it makes you feel).Please resist from making comments about my choices in food, I hear your concern and love,when you do it, but it is irritating me." Then if he doesnt stop you will have to escalate.your tone.Sometimes men are so about what they want to say they do not hear us women. Sorry guys but it is true.