SkinnyDown

I only want to drink Water from it. I stopped diet sodas months before surgery. I don't plan on going back at this point. I"m fine with other drinks without a straw. I see my NUT next week, I'll hold off until then and ask what she thinks, then make a decision. I just know I can get more water in me if I drink through a straw.

I did almost a year of intensive therapy on my own, to deal with my food addiction issues. I continue to work on it in therapy, now that I am post-op. I don't think I could have done this without some serious head work first. Or I'd be hungry and craving foods, "treats" and junk, right now, and I'm not. I'm not even hungry, and still can't get all my Protein in daily. Barely getting in my fluids. Food really means very little to me anymore. I think that's healthy. Food is for nourishment, not for comfort. I love feeling like this. Everyone has to find their own way, I haven't had real hunger since surgery so I haven't had to deal with cravings or anything like that. I don't know if I am normal or not. I am thankful for this feeling. But I have a backup plan, a list of things to do besides eating, and am adding to that list all the time, just in case at some point it is needed. You have to have distractions. Identify other ways to comfort yourself, other than eating food. Like polishing your nails, or watching a movie, or taking a walk, drinking a hot cup of tea, or painting....something. Anything other than eating. Great question! Looking forward to hearing what others do.

That's a good question. Wish I had an answer. I figured out that is the biggest difference between me getting in plenty of Water pre-op vs. post-op. I always drank out of a straw. Maybe someone will have some insight on this topic. I hope.

I had a lot of problems with nausea right after surgery until about 2 weeks after. I took Zofran at home, in hospital I was taking Phenergan and Zofran. I'm surprised that they let you do cream soups so soon. I had to do clear liquids except for Protein shakes, for a bit, then at about 1.5 weeks post surgery I was allowed cream soups and sf pudding. At one month, I'm transitioning now from pureed diet to soft diet, and will be on soft diet for 3-4 weeks. Still having a terrible time getting in all protein. I have managed one time to get in all my protein since surgery. I just barely make my liquids daily. It's just too much food and fluids. My suggestion as most people's is call your Dr. get something for the nausea. Don't wait on that. I know my bariatric center has a 24 hour hotline, to call, anytime day or night if you aren't feeling well or need questions answered. I'd also back off the cream soup and try clear liquids, but none of us are Dr's. (as far as I know) You need to talk to your Dr. I hope you feel better soon.

I am one month out from surgery, and maybe it's the remission of my diabetes, or that I'm almost 50lbs down, but my drive has greatly increased. Much to my dismay, because I am single right now. Wishing like heck I wasn't! hehe That's good exercise too! Right? lol

Your foundation is already weak if you are trying to build something on lies. Even lies of omission. They will always come back and bite you in the behind. I hate to say it, but the truth will always out! If this lasts....at some point, someone is going to say something in front of him, about your surgery, or how much weight you lost, and then you're going to have a LOT of explaining to do. The trust will be broken at that point, and good luck with salvaging things after that. If you don't feel comfortable enough to share this huge part of your life....how will you build a relationship? I just speak from my own experiences. Every new man I meet, I tell him right away about my surgery. I did it last night in fact. He had no issues with it, asked a lot of questions, doesn't have issue with my size now, won't have issue with me smaller. Who knows what will happen, but I know that I can't lie about my weight, or the surgery, or the struggles I've had. Yes, we always run the risk of rejection, but if that person runs away because of that, he was not the person for you. These of course are only my opinions, out of many you have gotten here. I wish you luck!

I was taking two oral meds Glucophage and Glipizide and two insulins Lantus and Humalog daily, before surgery. One week after surgery all diabetes meds and insulins were stopped. Almost a month out and my blood sugars are doing great, so far. You can "reverse" your diabetes. I've done it before, by losing about 100 lbs, but when I gained the weight back, I also gained the diabetes back. So I'm not sure it's a true permanent reversal, because I know for a fact it can come back when you gain. Maybe it's called a remission?

I've mentioned in other posts that my tastes changed pretty drastically after surgery. I hate Water now, I've been trying to find the right mix of ice and bottled water...it's kinda' driving me nutty. Everything with sweetener in it, like the shakes, yogurt, pudding etc. are so super sugary sweet tasting to me too. I have no idea why. I loved water before surgery and this might only be me. I don't know that I have heard a lot of others saying their tastes changed drastically. I'm just hoping it changes, at least the water part, that's important to me.

When all is said and done....if I reach my weight loss goal, because honestly....I don't fool myself one bit, that's a long shot in my opinion. I'll be just a few lbs shy of a 200lb weight loss. I am faced with this daunting task, even with this amazing tool. I've lost 100 lbs a few times in my life. Gained it all back, I know my track record. I was (not typical for me) pretty suicidal when I first got home from the hospital. I had so many complications and felt horrible, I thought...this is my new life? Those feelings have passed, thank goodness! I have spent almost the last year in therapy, twice a month, working on my food addiction issues, the reasons I got fat, and believe me, this has been me since age 5. I had some traumatic events take place when I was very young, and the pounds just started packing on and on and on and I just never seemed to be able to stop it. I also had some other things that were working against me, PCOD and Hashimoto's. But for the most part, my eating has been predominantly emotional. The need to feel comforted was key. The fat, a suit of armour to protect me. To let that go at this point is probably the scariest thing in the world to me. The least of my worries is failure, my biggest worry is success. That's about as honest as it gets. You are not alone @@SoulGlo There is help to be had, therapy works. It's been a lifesaver to me throughout my life, but mostly now. I wish you strength, and resolve, and peace. This is a good place to come for support, and information, and help.

I have a hernia, the surgeon didn't even bother fixing it at this point he said it was about 6" and that was big enough that nothing bad would happen because of it. I am a little unsure about why nothing was done, except that I know that hernia was repaired in Feb of 2013 during a colon surgery, and by May of 2015 it had come undone. Or whatever you call it. Not sure if repair will be done in future, but I'm going to ask my PCP about it, I see her on Wed. I surely don't want another surgery, as I have a few more ahead of me, but maybe they want to wait until I've lost all the weight I am going to lose, that might be the reason the hernia fix didn't hold in the first place. My weight. You'd be surprised at what Surgeons say is ok. LOL Seriously, they don't sweat things too much, in my opinion.

I guess I am not having a true stall. My weight continues to go down, a lb or two every other day or so. I went 4 days without a change at one point. So I'll just count myself lucky. Not sweating it, just trying to get my Protein and fluids in.

Thanks for sharing this!

My stall seems to be coming in sputters. LOL I went 4 days with no loss, then 1 lb down, then the next day 2 more lbs down, now today, no change. Who knows what this all means. I'm as confused as anyone and I'm not eating more or less, exercising more or less...makes no sense to me at all. I'm not going to worry, obviously my body is doing whatever it's doing. I FINALLY got in over my Fluid goal yesterday, and drank 72 oz! First time since surgery I went over my goal. That's something I'm excited about. I will still continue to wake up and weigh before the sleep is out of my eyes, every day....hoping for some progress. Wishing luck to everyone, that they see their scales move too!

@@sarahbee Great questions. I think your smart to think of this before surgery! All I can do is give my account of my experience since surgery. Hopefully will give some insight. I have not experienced hunger since my surgery (3 weeks ago). I've been around food, smelled food, have gone grocery shopping, walked past everything I have ever LOVED in my life on those shelves, and I could care less. Or if others eat, it's kinda' just all gross to me right now. I went through pretty intensive therapy, on my own, for almost a year before surgery, to deal with life long food addiction issues. I knew if I didn't, I'd be on the other side of surgery, hungry, and trying to fill that same hole I always did. That has definitely helped me. Now, actual hunger, is just not there, and as I've said in other posts, it can stay away forever, for all I care. I only eat because I have to, and right now I am only managing to get half of my Protein in. This is all just my opinion, but I don't understand why these Bariatric programs are not only inconsistent, but why they don't require much more psychological work/treatment, to address the real reasons why/how we got fat in the first place. Not all of it was just food intake. I know I have PCOD and Hashimotos, that didn't help, but I was also eating like there was no tomorrow. Like I said, just my opinion. Well wishes for your surgery and a speedy recovery!

I'm always kinda' snarky and impatient. lol I had more issues with serious anger right after surgery and the first week home, than now, 3 weeks out. But I had a lot of complications and was in a lot of pain. Actually, I was very emotional across the board. I was crying a lot out of nowhere, frustrated, and upset. Worried, stressed and annoyed at everything and everyone. I actually feel I am mellowing a bit, now. Not quite the angry fat chick I used to be. lol It might just be adjusting to our new lives. I wonder if our bodies aren't literally in shock, because we are essentially in starvation mode now. I'm not experiencing hunger, but others do...so it would make sense. It's also a huge lifestyle change. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself about that. If you trace your emotions back, they can only come from one of two places. Love or Fear. Trace each emotion back, and find the roots, that might help solve things for you. Keep posting, vent, let it out.

Refried Beans and cheese are great. I haven't braved taco sauce yet. Cottage Cheese is a great standby which is high in Protein. Corned Beef Hash Tuna, Ham, Egg, or chicken salad I can only eat such a small portion, that I've noticed I tend to repeat meals, which suits me fine, but that might get boring to some people, after awhile.

I loved Water pre-surgery. I changed my PUR water filter a week or so before surgery I was loving it. Hated the taste of water in hospital, hate the taste of water at home. Ice I don't mind so much. I am now trying different bottled waters, to see how that goes. Yesterday I finally reached my Fluid goal for the first time since surgery (3 weeks ago). Thank goodness through this time I have retained a lot of water, so I know I'm not dehydrated, but that's not going to last forever. I see my legs/ankles shrinking every day. I am finding tea helps. Flavored drops in the water help somewhat.....it makes me a little sad, because I was such a huge water drinker before. Hoping this improves. Def. not getting the food in I am supposed to, have to stay on top of these liquids. One big difference is sipping vs. straw. I think I'm missing how I used to drink my water, and it's quite possible it just went down my throat rather than tasting it too much. That's all I can think. But no straws now. So I dunno what to do. LOL

I'm so sorry to hear this. This must be so frustrating for you. It's also an emotional time too after surgery. I hope with trial and error you can find foods that you do like. Hang in there. I am not eating nearly close to what I am supposed to. Everything tastes different. I can't stand the taste of Water, and I loved water before. I'm searching for maybe the right bottled water. I have a filter on my tap at home, and I LOVED it prior to surgery. Tea I have found most comforting. I continue to try to get all my fluids in, but I truly sympathize. I don't have any hunger anymore so I have to force myself to eat. Quite different from me pre-surgery. So I get what you are saying. Hopefully with time, things will change. Keep us updated.

@@jane13 Thanks so much! That was really helpful to me. I won't sweat it, I don't feel weird or weak or anything. I walked two hours yesterday and feel good, better than I have in a long long time. I focus on the fluids first, that's the most important thing. I like the part about 20 minutes, cuz sometimes my food is cold and I'm still working on it after 30, and just feel stuffed. It's like I'm literally force feeding myself and I don't like that idea or feeling. Thanks again, you helped a lot!

I wore the gowns, I figured, why dirty up my own clothing, if I can avoid it. I brought my own underwear, so as soon as the catheter was removed, on went the panties. I felt more comfortable then. Not so exposed. I fashioned a robe out of another gown. and tied up the ends in a knot so I wouldn't trip, because evidently if you are big, you must also be tall? LOL It all worked out, fine. I wish you all the luck, I know it's scary right now because you don't know what will happen, but we are here, ask us anything, we'll tell you! It's very normal for you to be running the gamut of emotions you are too. Just so you know you're fine!

OK this is crazy, but today I got on the scale, and down 1 lb. LOL After complaining about stalling, which I did for a few days, but who knows if this is going to continue or not. Anyone's guess. I'll just have to wait it out and see.

I have no real interest in food. I haven't experienced hunger since surgery. In fact I kind of dread eating. I don't like how full it makes me feel. Heck, I don't even like pill time, that fills me up too. I know I'm only 3 weeks out and maybe that's normal, but I read about others who had surgery around same time as me and they are hungry. What's the difference? I am baffled by this. I have to remind myself to eat, and I don't care if that's the new normal for me, it seems to me, that's how it should be. Those serious hunger triggers I used to feel are just gone. My blood sugar is stable, I eat twice a day, by force, and that's all I can do right now. Maybe in future I can do more. I'm lucky to get my fluids in, yesterday was the first day I met goal with fluids since surgery. WOOT! I'm glad I'm not alone in these feelings.

I'm in the same boat. I lost 23 lbs fast. I'm at week 3 post surgery today, and I've stalled for 4 days at 299lbs. LOL Well, at least the scale is not going up. 44 lbs total lost, but I can feel it, people are already seeing a change in me, so I'll take those compliments and hope that scale moves soon! I'm not eating all I am supposed to be, I just can't seem to get in all my Protein yet. Fluids are eh, almost there. I just keep trying. Good luck to all the stallers out there. We'll get through it! I think I understand the science behind it....which helps, but doesn't mean I like it. LOL

I'll be honest with you, because I think you may need to consider this. Therapy. If you have serious issues with food I think it's very beneficial to sort that out before you make drastic changes that might not work for you if you don't deal with your food issues. I worked for almost a year, with a therapist before I had my surgery, because I knew I had serious issues with food addiction. I have had these issues for years. Trying to fill up some empty hole inside me, and it never worked. Using fat as protection. Deep seated issues there. I had to get serious about why I ate, what I ate, the amount I ate,...etc. I especially had serious issues with sugar. Sweets, anything I could get my hands on. Therapy got me into the right mindset to have surgery. I had all my little "food funerals" before my pre-op 10 day liquid diet. I was terribly disappointed with all the foods I thought were so important to me. Cupcakes and donuts and creme horns....on and on and on....and none of it mattered. All of it was garbage, and I finally admitted that. That's when I knew I was ready. 3 weeks out, and I haven't been hungry once, not sure if that will go away eventually or not, but all I know is I'm struggling to get half the Protein in I'm supposed to. I can only eat 1/4 C. of anything and am filled to the gills! Luckily I'm getting nearly all my liquids in. Still, it's work. Little afraid what my NUT is going say, about my little intake of food. I went grocery shopping today, about to forge into soft foods, and I passed ALL those things up I used to load up my cart with, and what a great feeling to see my grocery cart today, and know that everything I am about to put in me, is actually good for me. For now, I'm eating only because I have to. That's the strangest feeling to me. But I'm loving it. I wish you much luck, on your journey.

There was a cottage cheese and banana diet..... I still love both. I don't think I lost anything on that diet, or it didn't last long. I've done low fat and also low carbs. Those diets I managed to lose about 100 lbs each on, but gained it all back and more when I returned to my "normal" eating. I can say I prefer high protein/low carbs, which fits in perfectly with what I'm doing now.