FrankyG

So update after my official office visit: 92 pounds down total for my 1 year anniversary. The Nut and Doc both think I'm doing really well. But they think the slow pace is because I am over active and under eating. I have more than 1200 calorie difference between what I eat calorie-wise and what I burn exercise-wise. They want to see no more than a 500 caloric difference, so the body doesn't go into starvation mode. Understandable, but wow - being told to eat more or stop doing so much is a very funny situation for me to be in! I got done with my 5 day pouch test, and no longer crave simple carbs and am back to having to remind myself to eat. I am exercising more than I have in my entire life just because I want to, not because I have to. I actually got really giddy and excited about going out for a long walk yesterday morning! That has never happened. Oh, and the doc said the pouch sizing test using cottage cheese is wrong and doesn't work since cottage cheese is so liquid it definitely would start filtering out of the stomach almost immediately. He said the only way to properly test the pouch sizing is with firm/dry meat like a baked chicken breast. So my sleeve is much smaller than the 6 ounces I could hold of cottage cheese. Good to know!

Fat stores hormones - mostly estrogen, but a bit of the other stuff too... so as you lose fat, those stored hormones get released back into your bloodstream. Meaning you can turn into an angry, weepy mess for quite some time while your body adjusts to the hormone flood. Try to talk to your partner, apologize for anything you did that was out of line, but ask for some leeway for over-reacting or hormonal issues, and start being more aware of when you are acting crazy and why so you can get it under control. Leave the room, go take a nap or have a good cry or scream into a pillow rather than taking the mood swings out on your partner.

No judgement here either. You do what you need to do to stay or get back to healthy. I would also suggest at some point looking into the 5 day pouch test as a way to reset your eating habits and get back to where you were in the beginning. You can see the basic overview here: http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html I did it (on the 4th day actually) because I'm a year out and realized I was starting to crave stupid things and grazing a bit too much, and it really helped me to stop the carb/crap cravings and get back to how I'm supposed to be eating.

Sounds like you need a PPI instead of regular antacids; you can get omeprazole over the counter at any pharmacy. You'll need to take it daily for a few months, and then can come off of it and see if the issues have resolved (I was on it for about 6 months total). If you don't see an improvement in about two weeks, tho, go talk to your doctor again.

I'm right at one year out, and I'm really not experiencing real hunger. I do have to contend with head hunger now, which I'm still not completely controlling (some grazing and craving bad stuff sneaking in). Mostly I'm having to learn to distract myself when I start thinking too much about food cravings. I am having to stop doing things that encourage me to want to eat mindlessly (like surfing on the computer or reading) and go do something physical - like yoga or cleaning something.

My larger incision pooches out slightly. I think it all depends on the angle of the cut, how it was sutured, and how your skin heals. Not a whole lot to be done about it. At one year out, I can barely see it now.

I definitely became more sensitive to dairy. I use a low lactate milk now, but it still kicks in the bowel movements when I drink it. Might be more aware of how fast you eat as well, as ingesting too much air can cause some gas/gurgling. Could also try taking a mild antacid and see if that makes any difference. But if it's just lots of noise and no discomfort... I think that's perfectly normal. The gurgles and squeaks and other embarrassing stomach/intestine noises are sort of common after surgery.

So sorry you're having to deal with this. I had my gallbladder out years ago, and was so relieved when the attacks were finally over; the pain was just horrible. If you have to have it out, then do so as soon as possible (as long as the doctors are good with surgery so soon after your VGS). The sooner you get it done, the sooner you'll be up and around and through all of this stuff and able to get on with the rest of your life. It still will suck having to recover from abdominal surgery again, but at least that should be the last of it (hopefully). As far as the depression/slump part... I get it. It sucks. Having to deal with uncertainty about your health right now, and if there is no way around it, having to get major surgery to remove a screwed up organ so soon after another surgery (or at all really) is just not fair. And I'm really sorry that you're probably facing that. But just keep telling yourself it's going to be a small blip of time/inconvenience in your life if you have to have it out. You will make it through and will be feeling so much better after recovery. Big hugs, and much sympathy. And much luck for whatever the diagnosis turns out to be.

I am right at my 1 year anniversary, and I'm still taking Vitamins. I take a generic women's Vitamin, and also take a Calcium citrate vitamin supplement. I plan on taking both for the rest of my life. I don't do Protein supplements regularly any more, but I do keep a supply of Boost glucose control Protein shakes for quick Meal Replacements without all the carbs/sugar.

You can get omeprazole over the counter at most pharmacies. Take it every single day (it only works if you take it regularly) and it may take a week to 10 days to see good results on reducing the acid. I took it about 6 months after and seem to be okay now without it. But do talk with your doctor at your next appointment to see if there are any other things they could do.

Are you taking your Vitamins and do they include Biotin? IF not, get some and take them both because nails and hair are both affected by the post-op diet in the early days. Just keep hitting your Protein goals and making sure you get in all your vitamins and the nail thing should clear up within a month or two.

@@jane13 To test the size of your pouch, get a measuring cup, fill with 1 full cup (not tightly packed) of cottage cheese. Eat what you can fairly quickly until you feel full (should be done within 15 minutes or less). Then check the amount left (if any). One cup is 8 ounces. Variation of test here: http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=A4 (but I don't see the point in wasting the whole rest of a container of cottage cheese, so I used a measuring cup) I ate exactly 3/4 of a cup when I felt full, so I have approximately a 6 ounce stomach size (it's not exact since some cottage cheese could start moving out of your stomach within that time period, but close enough)

Lots of deep breathing, listen to some fun/relaxing music, and distract yourself as best you can. You'll be fine, it will go well and you'll be so happy once you start seeing real results. I know it seems scary right now, but try to tell yourself how awesome things will be, and how much better your life will be once you're through all of this. I never had the extremes you're going through, but I did have a small panic attack in the pre-op area and was on the verge of hopping off the bed and ripping out the IV and going home... but it was a quick crazy few minutes and then I snapped back into being excited and happy I was doing it. Big hugs and hang in there - it will all work out!!

My 1 year appointment check-in is in a week. I was really hoping to be 100 pounds down for that, but I'm going to miss it by about 10 pounds. Sigh. But I can't be too upset, because hey - almost 100 pounds down in one year is AWESOME. I'm still going to do my best to ramp up the Water and tamp down the carbs the rest of the time I have left so I can get closer to a triple digit loss. So far, I'm achieving my water intake, I'm exercising more than ever before and I'm keeping my calories around 1000-1200 with carbs under 75 mg a day. Fingers crossed I can make it to within 5 pounds by next week! I did a quick pouch test and I can hold 6 ounces. I think that's a decent size and should be great for continued success. Two of the many things I've learned that I have to be careful about: 1. Carbs have to stay around 50-75 grams or I will not lose anything. 2. It is really easy to eat over my caloric allotment if I allow myself to pick at food over several hours. I am now eating what I feel is a good portion, and then putting the food completely away so I don't sit there and eat on it over the next hour or two. I'm a bit sad still seeing some folks posting about losing 100 pounds in just a few months... but my body isn't wired that way, and there's not a damned thing I can do about that. I am seeing a slow but steady loss and that is just fine really - slow but moving lower is still progress! SO I still have about 40 pounds to goal. I am not going to be too upset if I don't make it, but I really think it is still possible. Here's hoping anyway!

Most people don't feel real hunger for months after surgery. A smaller percentage do feel some sort of hunger, however. And then there is the possibility that acid production in the stomach could cause hunger-like feelings; a PPI (over the counter like omeprazole) taken for several months after surgery can reduce this issue. I personally didn't start feeling hunger until recently (about 1 year out), but it's nothing like hunger pre-surgery.

Very, very temporary. Just remember a few months of hair loss is just a tiny part of the rest of your life. Keep up with your Protein and Vitamins and might look into taking Biotin (if your current Vitamin doesn't contain it) to help with the hair loss.

Drink something low/no calorie (Water, sugar free drink mix). Find something to do to distract yourself until you aren't thinking of food. I've gone through my clothes, sorted closets, organized holiday decorations and culled stuff into "keep" and "donate" piles, play a game, read, go for a walk (or do yoga), clean the bathroom...

It happens. It might be water weight (are you nearing your period?) or just your body being contrary. Just keep hitting your water/protein goals and doing moderate exercise and make sure you're not eating too little (can cause stalls or gains like this sometimes).

I would kill to look like you in that full length pic - you have a super shape and your thighs are NOT too big - you are beautiful and sexy and should be proud of how awesome you look!! Go YOU!

How are things like Maruchan Soup, chips and popcorn finding their way into your house? Those are garbage foods, and they should not be in your house at all. If you eat that with any regularity your sodium levels alone must be sky high, never mind your fat and carb loads!! Eeeeeek! I'm so happy for you that you're taking back control and getting help again. I do hope you can get back on the right path and start feeling better too as you lose the weight!

I eat shrimp cocktail often. I make my own cocktail sauce using reduced sugar ketchup (had to search for it, but it is usually available in small bottles), horseradish, lemon juice. Just thaw and then serve the shrimp chilled but not frozen. Super easy. My big go-to is chicken salad. I do canned chicken, low fat mayo, green onion and grapes (cut up), with some curry powder and celery seed if I am out of actual celery. I only do about 3-5 grapes depending on size and just cut them up into small pieces, but they add so much flavor along with the curry... makes it taste AMAZING (my husband now requests this in his lunch - so I know it's not just me). Just made a pretty amazing fritatta the other night too. Tasted nice hot, but tasted way better room temp, so we only heated up the leftovers to take the chill off... sooo good! I did sort of a "kitchen sink" version where I threw in grape tomatoes, celery, bacon, onions and green peppers. Then added some cheddar cheese and followed these directions (had to add some cooking time as mine still was REALLY jiggly in the middle at their time, but you want a little jiggle as it continues cooking in cast Iron, but a pie pan would work well too): http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/ultimate-easy-frittata-recipe-article And when I'm not feeling like cooking anything, I have morningstar farms sausages or griller patties in the freezer. I love eating the sausage with a scrambled egg, and the grillers are really nice topped with some cheese and a bit of mustard and with onions on the side (I love onions any way you can think of - raw, grilled, caramelized...). I also have a large amount of Kroger's carbmaster line of yogurts in my fridge at all times. They have some nifty flavors and are under 4 carbs I believe with only 60 calories per serving. And I also keep mootopia milk (there is also fairlife milk if you don't have mootopia available) as a fridge staple. I usually just drink that in the mornings for breakfast sometimes.

That was really nice of him to think of you, but please don't drink that shake. It might be fine, but it also might give you a bad sugar rush and have even worse consequences. I ate a few bites of ice cream about a month out (birthday party), and it caused a dumping syndrome incident. I threw it up, started sweating and shaking and felt like I was dying - had to lay on the floor of the bathroom for about 30 minutes until I felt like my legs would hold me... I never tried that stuff again! Even if you don't have a bad reaction, you should not be eating anything with that much sugar in it so soon after surgery. You are trying to do a hard reset of your diet. Easing back into how you eat, what you eat and relearning to eat healthy. Milkshakes are not healthy at all, and you don't need to have them around until much, much later when your weight is stable and you can indulge yourself for special occasions. I know how hard this is, but you have to stay strong!

Oh my. Just like Babbs said, you're eating too many carbs so of course you'll be feeling hungry. Carbs cause carb cravings and not eating protein is going to make it even worse. Protein is absolutely the first thing you eat and should be the large portion of any meal for the rest of your life. It doesn't matter if you aren't eating sugar. Simple carbs like potatoes or grits act just like sugar in your body and the more you eat them, the more you'll want to eat them. And not eating enough protein will really screw you up - your body will start burning muscle instead of fat, your skin and hair will suffer and the fatigue will get worse... not eating your protein is just all around super bad. chicken, fish, beef, low carb yogurt, cottage cheese, regular cheeses, high protein/low carb milk (like Fairlife or Mootopia), Beans (refried are awesome with a bit of cheese and/or sour cream)... there are so many things you could be eating that are way better for you. Your sleeve isn't the issue; it isn't the problem - your food choices are. Please do the reading and research on here for good protein meals and recipes, as you are heading down the wrong road right now, but you can turn this around if you're willing to try. Good luck!!

Congrats!!

Just be aware that you will get DRUNK off of much less. Your stomach size apparently helps with the processing/absorption of alcohol, so one drink might mean you'll be done.