esskay77

Yeah, a little bit. Lot of head hunger--I swear I dreamed of biting into food all the time. It does ease up quite a bit so no worries but it also comes back. I do get hungry again but it doesn't take much to satisfy it, luckily.

I thought I heard that it could be anywhere from immediately or all the way up to 8 hours. I know that isn't much help but that is what I read somewhere.

It's completely normal to have these feelings. You might even have a bit of buyer's remorse for a few days or weeks after the surgery. But then everything changes and your only regret might be that you didn't do it sooner. OK, so I'm projecting--that was me! But that is so true. You are just nervous, probably feeling like you should give weight watchers one more try or something like that. Some people are afraid of success--how would that feel, how will people treat me, that sort of thing. All normal things. But, it really helps to see a therapist before and after surgery. It was good that you had a good cry but now it's time to take control of your life. Put your head up, stop crying, and move forward, whichever way that is for you. Own your decision! And make the best of it. Keep us posted. We are all pulling for you, even if it means you decided to not have the surgery.

Very happy you are now on the upside and mending well. Best of luck going forward as well.

That's awesome! Congratulations.

Awesome--congratulations!

@@meggs353 Great point about the men who like big women and may not be supportive!!

My doctor is kind of hands off after surgery with some exceptions. However, they have a nurse in place to be the point person. Does your doctors office have a nurse that you can work with or talk to?

Have you tried unjury? THey have some that are flavorless. I have heard they are good. I get mine from food--FF greek yogurt, FF cottage cheese, etc. Note that I a a year and a half out which is why it is easier to get all my Protein from food. Early on, it is difficult.

@ This is all completely normal and we have all gone through it, many times. Your body sometimes just needs to catch up with what you are doing. I wouldn't do a liquid diet at this phase--you are still too new to do that. Go back to the basics: keep a food journal, track your grams of Protein, really watch what you are eating and make sure to not have white sugar/white flour, drink lot's of Water (as you are already doing). Your body WILL catch up and you will lose again. You are doing fantastic and will continue to do fantastic. Stop weighing yourself every day. Do it once a week. Also, are you starting to get some exercise in? That's very helpful, too. Walking is the best. But even, just doing the arms in regular exercise can get your heart rate up which is great for you--you know, jumping jacks but just do the arms for now, or doing pushups against the wall (stand about a foot or so away from a wall (or good solid door since I don't really like to put handprints on a wall) put your hands at about shoulder width/chest height and lean in to do a push up against the wall. The better you get at these, the further away from the wall you can stand. I've heard swimming is the best though I know it is not for me or for a lot of people. Best of luck and keep us informed!!

It sounds like you have a lot to offer and they can sense that. Some guys like chubby women, some don't care. I didn't get hit on when "chubby" but that's just me. I'm not one of those people that others say "you have such a pretty face". I don't think you are giving yourself enough credit.

don't worry about calories, count grams of protein only and you'll be fine. pay attention to your body. Yes, they tell us to get so much in but you can only do what you can do. At first, it's really hard to get in all the protein, etc. they want you to get in and that's ok. You build up to it.

OK, not so cruel then. Would some chicken broth help? It's similar to egg drop soup. And that IS allowed. Be patient--this is definitely the hardest part but later you will look back and laugh.

@@Kayotic Why would your sister refuse to give you the soup? THat seems cruel. I agree, the pain meds made me nauseous which is why I stopped taking them right away when I got home. I didn't even need them after all anyway. It will get better!!

Wow! Size 4!! That is so exciting @@aelovelady ! How did you do so well? Any tips to share? What was the biggest thing that led to your success (other than the surgery)? Awesome--congrats!

Yeah, tea is a tough one. I don't mind a few but not many, especially if they actually taste like tea! lol. The Water enhancers will be a nice addition. Have you tried Isopure Protein drinks? THey are an acquired taste so you may not like them. The first time I tried them I hated them but I persevered and found some flavors that I do like. I don't drink them often but one bottle contains 40 grams of protein! THe fruit punch one is the best of the flavors. But, mostly water water water! lol

Great article. However, I have found nutritionists to be absolutely useless. I am about 1 1/2 years post surgery and I am still battling head hunger. I also attend a support group at the hospital where I had my surgery and while I get that I'm a food addict, when I've said that I need a strategy for the times that I want something bad, they tell me there are no strategies, that I'm an addict and I just have to call someone. So not helpful! This forum has been much more helpful than the nutritionist and support group combined. Thanks.

@@Gina1209 I had wondered the same thing. I think it's snuggled in there with all the other organs. I don't think there is enough room to flop around.

Oh! It never occurred to me to read the label on fat free milk!! I don't drink milk but I use it when making scrambled eggs every morning and in a few other recipes. I drink mostly Water. But some days I just get sick of water. Crystal light is a good option for me. Have you looked into any of the almond milks or soy milks? Do they have fat free options? I wonder what their sugar content is.

It's not that it is too soon. You should never have carbonated beverages again!! Especially soda. What is an alternative? Not sure. Crystal Lite isn't bad. I don't think you will find anything that gives you the same "fix" that soda does. I would say this is pretty big! It's hard but you can do it!! I used to live on diet soda which is apparently even worse for you than regular soda. Also, the chemicals in these are so bad for you in general. Do you like tea? Especially herbal teas? It's not the same thing but again, not sure what would be an acceptable substitute.

@@Djmohr -- how bad was your kidney disease? I don't know much about it but my mom is diabetic and has kidney failure (at least that seemed to be the way they stated it). She hasn't gone on dialysis yet but that is probably her next option. I know you are not a doctor but I was wondering if having this surgery would help her or if she is too far gone now in the kidney area. How would I be able to find out? I don't live in the same state so can't go with her to her dr's appointments. Just had to ask because I really don't want her to go on dialysis. And sorry to hijack the conversation.

Somebody just posted this same thing yesterday. Go take a look and you will see that nobody has regretted it at all, except may regret that they didn't do it sooner!!!! I was so against it for so long. Not that I thought it was the easy way out, not really sure why now. My brother in law had gastric bypass and I just rolled my eyes and thought "let's see how long before he gains it back." (Yes, that was horrible of me!!!!! I so regret that). I was completely against it. But then my sister had decided to get it and sibling rivalry kicked in. There was no way I was going to let her do this and lose all this weight and leave me behind! lol It's actually not that simple--we had a lot of conversations about it but that is what it boiled down to. So we both took the plunge and had the surgery. I was scared for sure and not sure I was doing the right thing. Even by a week AFTER the surgery, I was still wondering what the hell I just did! But then the weight started coming off and I haven't looked back. I am so happy I did this. I haven't lost as much as I would like but I have my life back. I can move, I can cross my legs, I can bend down to put on my shoes, I no longer fear getting on a plane and wondering if I will need an extension for the seat belt. And I am now shopping in the normal size stores and departments! You will freak out, you will get scared but then it will go away. Enjoy the rollercoaster of emotions!

Again, doctors may differ but my main rule is no white sugar no white flour (per my doc and nut). Seeds and nuts are fine in small amounts. Should avoid breads (though sometimes Ezekiel bread is ok). Reduced fat cheese is ok in small amounts. Can you have a small piece of birthday cake or ice cream? Well, the true answer is no you shouldn't. But will you and have others? Probably. But it is best to not have any. Once you do, it almost seems that you give yourself permission to do it again and the amounts get larger and pretty soon, you are back to old habits. I'm not saying don't, I'm saying you shouldn't. But I'm also putting my own inability to control myself onto you! lol. Sorry. Things you can have: chicken Turkey seafood edamame eggs yogurt (especially fat free greek yogurt. The new recommendation is Oikos Triple Zero in black container) Fat free cottage cheese veggies (once your body accepts them anyway) fruit (no more than 2 small servings / day once your body is ready to have them) seeds and nuts lean beef and pork though chicken and turkey are better chili tofu lot's of Water Things to avoid: I can't remember the whole list but I think it's... carbonated beverages anything deep fried or fried Chinese food white sugar white flour rice Pasta pizza (though I do have some but only eat the toppings. I am going to try the cauliflour crust pizza soon) Cookies crackers candy cakes donuts muffins you get the picture! Note that neither list is complete, just the things I thought of off the top of my head. It's hard and I'm doing horribly lately and have been eating from the bad list. Don't do this! Don't even start doing this!! It really sends you down a bad rabbit hole. I highly recommend going to eggfaces blog to get ideas of what to eat. If you search on "the world according to eggface" you should find her pretty easily! Best of luck.

@@Paige Dukes Karma can be a wonderful thing. I find so often that Karma takes care of matters like this! lol

Fear is normal. Just know that the RNY is not a bad option. I had it and other than the weight loss, my life is the same. Doesn't feel any different. Except I can move, I can do things thanks to the weigh loss! It is a personal decision and you have to do what is best for you based on the conversation with your surgeon. The one thing I noticed is that once the weight comes off, we all wish we had done this sooner! lol Best of luck in whatever you decide.