Pranjala

Wow!!! 52 lbs!!!! That's a big number.. What was your starting weight? I got plicated on 14 jun. and have lost 19 lbs so far. I could have done better had i focused myself on proper exercises. My starting weight was 207 lbs. I am currently 189. I feel pretty normal this far. Yes, I feel hungry very often and feel like I can take down a big plate but get full very quickly. I've noticed this happens when; if I go hungry for long hours, or if I skip on solid food esp grains. Grains or carbs should be avoided so I've started making flat bread(Indian chapatti) out of soy protein, horse gram, sourghum, oats and raagi flours. Another thing I've noticed is that after almost 2.5 months of plication, my stomach can hold much more quantity of food as compared to earlier days post surgery. This is a bit disturbing as this amount is just a little less than half of what I could eat before plication. I don't know If it's my fault but I am trying to keep this under check. But the good part is that I find my eating habits much more manageable and in control, if I am regular with my meals. Overall, so far I am feeling good about my decision but am worried at the same time about the restriction.... How long would it last...

It seems like my body has climbed up a tough plateau. I haven't lost weight since last five days. I have lost only 11.5 lbs so far. I don't understand? I am worried. My water intake is sufficient, around 1.5-2 ltrs. No constipation but I have a sensation as if my digestive system has jammed, it's not working! I am feeling a bit demotivated! Any tips, help?

I am on my pre-op diet, since 2 days and I m already feeling deprived. Does this appetite attack continue even after surgery? Because technically the grehlin part of the stomach will be functional even after the surgery. What are ur experiences? How do u deal with such situation?Scheduled for plication on 14 jun.

The news of you wife has really made me sad. She is one amoungst us and it feels like one our family members has had complications. She's in our prayers and will recover very soon. Keep strong and prayful. Your love will give her the strength to win over this period. Love and blessings. Plz keep us updated.

Hey gg Only 5 days to go..! You must be so nervous and excited!? I also use myfitnesspal, it's great for me as it covers a wide range of Indian food;)) you can also try fitday. I don't use it because it lacks what I usually prepare. But war I like about it is, it lets you know exact amount of nutrient intake one had on a particular day. I'd love to know about protein shakes. I am a veggie, take flavourless whey with milk, it's so boring:'( I am not a very active cook either but can share a few Indian weight loss goodies if you like( later of course;)) can you tell me if I can add vanilla extract or flavour to cold milk?

Of the stomach are not disturbed. Every cell in our body has its importance. Our tummy pouch is bigger than other skinny people but the functions are not different. Many argue that in plication the grehlin keeps causing hunger pangs and could lead to mixed results regarding weight loss, unlike in sleeve where the grehlin part is removed. But they should also know that same portion has the intrinsic factors responsible for assimilation of vit B12. You are taking away that part too and it's irreversable. Remember managing hunger is easier than managing vitB12 deficiency. As for you, you are on the lighter side of obesity, plication will prove good for you. I was 207 lbs and 5'5". I've lost 13lbs. I m three wks post op. change your mind towards sleeve, get plicated instead.

Plication is milder than sleeve. The functions

Hi jeanet, Welcome to our group! I always had an option of getting a sleeve done very easily. It's a common procedure. But as I always said I wasn't always comfortable with the idea of a part of my stomach being taken away. I wanted a plication even when most surgeons in India were skeptical about it.

Hi ski21, looks like your recovery is real good! My doc asked me to stay on liquid diet for 2 weeks, but even I felt well and started puréed food from 2nd wk onwards and had no problems. I feel now that I can start with solids as well but am feeling a bit apprehensive. When has your doctor said u to do so, or would u be discreet and decide for yourself? Tell us about your story, your age, BMI, starting weight, weight loss prior to surgery etc.

You are absolutely right sue! I am 17 days post-op and I thought I'd lose at least 20lbs as usually we are on liquids only. My doc said the same thing that it's not healthy to lose so much suddenly. But I thought he just trying to comfort me.

Hi SPTians It's summer time here and there could be nothing compared to a glass of cool juice. When I asked my doc about having fruit juices he flatly refused! He said fruit juices have high glycemic index. OK! But I don't have a high blood glucose level? Still, a big NO! Some fruits have low GI, like apples, pears, melons. Is there anyone taking such juices or even you guys have to refrain from these summer delicacies ?

I guess you are right sue I need to shift my perspective, and rather look at the broader picture. What u said was so comforting. Else I'd started thinking I was going wrong somewhere with my diet. It's an an encouraging start for me. Thank you for making me realise this.

GG It's perfectly normal to be scared and upset before going in for a surgery, and certainly normal when it's a clinical trial. Even I was scared. Minutes before my surgery I thought I am crazy and wished to run away. But it's a passing by phase. You don't have to be perplexed. When I'd read other people's experience on this forum, I was certain I'd end up with nausea, vomiting or maybe pains. But, fortunately I am to date untouched by these nuances. I have not only lost 11.5 lbs in 12 days but also have got the confidance that I can carry my low cal diet further without getting frustrated. And if even my or any other advice doesn't seem to put your mind at rest then surrender your worries to God and pray and your path will be illuminated, trust me this worked for me. BTW whats your weight and BMI and do you have varicose veins? If you suffer constipation try natural laxatives. Maybe that will relieve the bleeding in your legs. All the best. God bless you.

Even I am asked to get off protein shakes because they are not basically proteins but also carry carbs. I am asked to take pure whey protein (100% gold) one scoop with milk will be the same as a glass of shake on the go. Three scoops will accomplish the daily protein intake ie 60 gms. They are bit expensive, but I guess health is more important.

Well we all know proteins are defined as building blocks of matter and are responsible for muscle mass and strength etc. They don't provide energy but as we are on a very low calorie diet our systems are using fat as a source of energy and partlly muscle mass because it's in a draught mode and would hold back on fat for tougher times. Our system is assuming our diet as a no supply for now, we are on healthy and wholesome foods that too in a limited amount, they only provide essential nutrients but not energy which are derived only from carbs. And that's the whole idea for weight loss! Proteins in such conditions will provide strength so we don't lose muscle or it's conture and our body will keep using up fat for energy and would not go lax or deprived. My doc said that proteins are to be religiously taken no matter what, for not only weight loss BUT THROUGH OUT LIFE if we want a healthy and a strong stamina. And of course they keep us fuller for a long time. The first six months are important because our bodies are getting use to the sudden change in diet; the weight loss is drastic, we lose water, fat, muscle ( because our diet is mainly liquid for at least 2 months). Hence, replenishing and vitalising is important. And what is well begun is half done, the first six months will layout our further prognosis. Thumbs up!

Even I have those pains in my stomach, I know they are hunger pangs(every time I come across normal food I have this churning sensation in my tummy, hahaha). KC you've lost good enough! I've just lost 11lbs and have struck a plateau:( I m thinking about starting exercising, but I guess it's too early. As with food yes even I keep reminding myself to stop after a few bites, and I think 'hey that ain't enough for me!' but if I overdo I feel bad. It's an interesting process; my relationship with food is changing and This time it's effortless. Earlier I would feel deprived. Maybe, it's all in the head...

Hey kika79 I am in my earlier days and hell ya am not able to understand when I am full! Yesterday was Only 10 days since surgery and I could tolerate solids! I am confused, have I healed or have I lost my mind? Pertaining to the experiences of other plicators I thought I'll suffer nausea, vomitting or maybe intense pains, but nothing so far. This has made me apprehensive as to how long will I feel restricted. Any tips?

Butterfly I got plicated on 14 of this month and there could be nothing better, although its a little early to say so. I was 207lbs when I went in and today I am 197!(yeppie). I was really uncomfortable for the first 3 days due to pain in my abdominal muscles but now I am absolutely normal, nobody around me believes I actually had a major surgery;) all credit goes to my doctor. I currently take only vit-b and Protein supplement, and a pill to prevent gall stones; nothing else. I had constant gas for almost 5 days, no more now. I do feel hungry frequently, as we speculated earlier but feel full easily. I am normally able to take 200 ml at a go at a very slow pace. I have had no nausea so far but if I tend to overdo I develop slight pain in either upper or lower part of stomach for few mins. My doc said that plication have results compairable to sleeve and so many stories on this forum stamp that. I am not sure how long the restriction will be the same? I guess eating a little less than being just full should be the key. As far as the surgery goes its a wonderful experience so far.

Hi casey, I m 6 days post-op, I am able to gulp down whole capsules but be gentle while taking water, sip gradually and the caps will go down easily. Try this, if it doesn't work crush them. Try mix veg soup or broth it's got lots of vitamins and minerals. Your headaches could be due to gas, rub a little aesafoetida mixed in water over your abdomen(careful with the incisions) and esp around the naval. Relax and try meditations and pray to God. Things will definatly be fine.

Hi casey! So sorry to hear your experience. Really, having a surgery itself is a emotionally challenging process. I had mine on jun 14, a day prior to yours. I am 27. My experience was fairly well. I went to Kolkata(India) for my surgery. My husband and my toddler weren't allowed to see me except visiting hours, but the nurses kept comming to check on my condition. I was under observation for 48 hrs. And wasn't given any oral liquid for the first 24 hrs post surgery. Fortunately , I had no problem even in the flight. I sincerely hope you get well soon and reap the benefits of this wonderful procedure. Keep us updated on your well being.

I remember kah1213, u'v got the banded plication done, right? How r u doing, what was ur starting weight, BMI? How do u knw u'v got swelling? Why were u adviced a dual restriction, it's not a common practice? What's ur diet like, now? Etc, etc... Share plz.

Maybe trying yoga could help. Why don't you guys try the 'surya namaskar'? It's great for loosing weight. It's a combination of yoga postures which involves cardio as well as body weight trainning and core workout as well. Worked for me but right now my injury has stopped me from doing it. You can ask your trainer or any yoga teacher around you to teach the postures. It's easy to remember but difficult to do initially. But within a few days you'll definitely love it and see a difference in yourselves. If you miss out gym some day (busy mums and working dads) all you need is a yoga mat and 20 mins at home.. Good luck!

I am a vegetarian and am on a general soup diet. They said pre-op diet wasn't mandatory in my case(dunno why). I m just being careful. My favourite soup is a mix veg(bottle gourd, tomato, spinach, cabbage); just give it a whistle in a pressure cooker and grind everything in mixer (no straining), and add a little black pepper pwd and some KCl( a type of salt we call 'sendha namak' which flushes out unhealthy toxins from our tissues and helps detoxing the liver). Occasionally, I take some cucumber or bottle gourd juice, lemon-honey water and green tea and cooked pulses.

I can so very well relate to your 'not stopping'... Thanks for ur wishes, and yes my doc said that post surgery exercise is very important because during weight loss the body's BMR drops. This is the reason why we hit platues; and diet alone will geopardise the whole weight loss scenario, an important reason why people regain even after surgeries (no surgery is human-proof). Workouts keep the resting metabolism active and we keep burning calories even when we go to bed:) keep us updated and inspired..;D

Wow kika79 Zumba is a great way to jump start an exercise regimen post-op. I love ur spirit towards a healthy lifestyle. I think u are being a little 'too hard' with urself( unless u were working out before ur operation). And yes-yes we are definitely mean to our bodies with those extra pounds we carry, and our lovely body never makes us realise that.. All the best to u. I m scheduled on 15 jun for my plication, I'll begin with Zumba too.