catwoman7

it does take awhile for your brain to catch up. For a long time I was really surprised when I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror, because in my head, I was still obese. The best thing I ever did was have my husband take pictures of me from all four sides once a month on my surgery date - every month until I hit maintenance. It's hard to deny the changes if I look at my "photo journey".

it can start anywhere from a couple months out to around six months out. For most of us, it lasts about 3-4 months. And also for most of us, it (fortunately) isn't enough for other people to notice (it is for some for sure - but for most, no - we're the only ones who really notice it)

I think it took a couple of months before I felt completely back to normal energy-wise, but it did get better and better every day

thanks!!!

there's really not much you can do about it other than keep on top of your supplements and protein so it won't get any worse than it will otherwise. Some people swear by biotin, and others say it didn't do anything - so the jury is out on that. Just keep in mind that it's temporary and the hair will grow back. Fortuntely, for most of us, it's not enough of a loss that others notice (although I know WE notice!!)

the difference this time is that it will actually "work" as long as you put in the effort. On previous diets, I'd lose 50 lbs (that is, on my more successful tries), hit a brick wall, and then the weight would eventually come back. You are constantly fighting biology. This time, you won't be fighting biology. That has all been reset. a 10-20 lb regain, usually in year 2 or 3 (after you hit your lowest weight), is very common - I knew that going into it and purposely lost a little more than I wanted to, knowing it was quite likely I'd end up where I wanted to be in the first place. But gains beyond that are due to bad habits creeping back in. You do have to be diligent. I still closely monitor myself, and I'm over six years out.

I was always able to drink more than I supposedly should have been. The PA at my bariatric clinic said my stomach would let me know if I was drinking too quickly.

those vegetable chips often aren't much healthier than the real thing since they're usually fried and salted. Some people like Quest chips, though - and the upside of those is that they're really high in protein. Quest (and Larry & Lenny's) also make high protein cookies. I try to avoid things that are too close to things I really shouldn't be eating - or at least not on a regular basis. Although I do sometimes eat things like Greek yogurt if I'm craving ice cream - or else "popsicles" I make out of Greek yogurt and sugar free pudding.

edamame is probably not going to be a "go" for awhile yet. It's kind of fibrous. I did eat sashimi fairly early on - although I can't remember exactly when. Probably once I was cleared for solid foods (at about a month out, I believe). Not sure about the pho. If it has noodles, probably not yet - or vegetables that haven't been cooked much. Shumai probably not, either, since it's dough-y. I remember ordering shrimp cocktail a lot the first couple of months.. you'll eventually be able to eat all that stuff again (as in it's not off-limits - but some of us can and do develop intolerances) - it's really just the first few months that you have to be careful. I think by around the six-month mark I was "allowed" to eat anything (although that's not to say that my stomach agreed with everything - but as far as my clinic went, I don't think anything was off-limits at that point) I was (and am) kind of a foodie, too - so those first few months were difficult, to say the least (esp the first couple) - but it passes and you'll eventually be able to eat most/all of what you ate before - just in much smaller portions.

I think it intensifies some people's sense of smell. I remember my mother being in my hospital room with her usual perfume. I thought I was going to DIE from the smell of that perfume! also, my sense of taste intensified - at least for awhile. Sweet things tasted sweeter - spicy things tasted spicier. And since taste is related to smell, that was probably what was going on with that, too so long way of saying - yes - it does seem to intensify the sense of smell in some people.

hair loss can be a side effect of any major surgery - and childbirth, for that matter. It can also be a side effect of rapid weight loss. So we've got the double whammy - triple, really, because in addition, we're also taking in very few calories those first few months. So I think we see the hair loss side effect more often with bariatric surgery than we do from other types of surgeries. mine lasted about three months - and that's fairly common. Not much you can do about other than keep on top of your supplements and make sure you're meeting your protein requirements, since that can keep it from getting any worse than it would otherwise. And know that it'll eventually stop and the hair will grow back again...

a 10-20 lb regain during year 2 or 3 is pretty common. If you want to lose more weight, you'll have to create a calorie deficit - by either eating less or exercising more - or both. Some people just go back to the rules we got from our programs - not necessarily all the way back to purees and protein shakes, but the whole protein first, then veggies, tnen - if you have room and are still hungry, a small serving of fruit or whole-grain carb. Others have had success with Weight Watchers or Intermittent Fasting. it can be challenging to lose weight after those first magical months, but, it can be done...

six years out and I don't think my stomach has ever growled. Most (but not all) people lose their hunger after surgery, but for most of us, it comes back sometime during the first year. I wish I was one of those lucky few whose hunger never comes back, but mine did come back at around five months out. there are no food restrictions once you get a few months out, but that's not to say that some of us don't have food intolerances, even if we're technically "allowed" to eat any food. Some people can eat pasta, some can't. I can eat a little of it. It kind of sits like a brick in my stomach, though, so I don't eat it very often and when I do, it's just a little. Plus it's not terribly nutritious. I really try to focus on very nutrient-dense foods because my stomach is so small now. P.S. re: carbs - yes, bariatric patients eat carbs. Early out, some clinics recommend very low carb diets, some don't (mine was more of a balanced plan). But once you're a ways out, carbs are fine - as long as they're mostly the "good" kind. For many of us, our main focus is in protein, though.

I never had a binder after my weight loss surgery, so not sure. I never had a problem with walking, though.

you'll likely have to take vitamins with the sleeve, too - maybe not as many because it doesn't have the malabsorption piece, but the sleevers I know in person all take them. I see people above saying not necessarily - that it depends on the person and their lab results. They would know more than I would since I didn't have that surgery, although I think the majority of sleevers do take daily supplements. I didn't have any food restrictions once I got a ways out from surgery. I couldn't eat those things you mentioned when I was early out, but eventually, I was allowed to add those things back to my diet (although I had a regular bypass - not a mini bypass. Not sure if it would be different with a mini or not. I would think not - but then, I'm not familiar with that surgery)

the sleeve is an easier, less complicated surgery and some surgeons are more comfortable doing that one. If you want bypass and she won't do it, you can always go to another surgeon. Yes - there's a greater risk of complications with a bypass, but the risk of major complications with either surgery is pretty low. I've been hanging around on bariatric surgery sites for around seven years, and yes - although some bypass patients need iron infusions because they don't absorb enough iron from oral tablets, I would say that's definitely not the majority. I went with bypass because it has a longer history and I had GERD. I've had no issues with it and have been very happy with my decision.

I never had one for my RNY, but then I never had much pain, either. Pain is pretty individual and is really all across the board...some people have it, some have almost none. Hopefully you'll be one of the latter! I did have one after I had plastic surgery, though (now THAT was painful - at least for me). The hospital gave me a binder - so you can always just ask them.....

I never had an issue with drinking anything. The PA at my clinic said it wasn't a problem - liquids pretty much go right through you. He said my pouch would tell me if I was drinking too much/too fast. as for food, stick to your clinic's program as closely as possible.

yes. My taste for most of them eventually came back, though. Although not for bananas. At six years out, I still don't like them - too cloying. I loved them before surgery.

the people above are correct. Most insurance companies cover it, but the employer can pick and choose which services it wants put in the policies it offers its employees. Some employers don't want to include bariatric surgery included in their policies because of the cost.

nope -- you won't feel restriction until you start eating solid foods again. For one thing, things like purees move through your pouch pretty quickly. And secondly, you had some nerves cut during surgery, and it takes awhile for them to regenerate. By the time you get the go-ahead to move to solid foods, you should start feeling some restriction also, for future reference, feeling "full" might feel differently now than it did pre-surgery. I don't feel full like I used to. Instead, I feel this pressure or discomfort in my chest and I know if I don't quit eating, I'm going to be sorry. I've read about others who have kind of weird "full cues" like a runny nose or sneezing. Of course, you may have the same full cues that you did before, but just so you know, they might be different. If they're different, it can awhile to figure out what they are. but anyway, to circle back - completely normal to not feel "full" or restriction right now. It'll come back pretty quickly, though. For now, just measure out what your plan says to eat and stick to that.

you have to progress slowly. Stuff like pizza, pasta, and raw vegetables are really hard on new pouches and sleeves. You'll likely be able to eat those again eventually, but probably not for a few months.

p.s. if it's low blood sugar (I have that issue...), having something to eat every 3-4 hours helps. Always a protein - or if a fat or carb, be sure to eat a protein along with it.

that's really common when you're early post-op. It eventually resolves for most people. sometimes it can be low blood sugar, and sometimes it's due to orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure - which makes you feel especially dizzy or light headed when you're going from sitting or lying down to standing up). If yours IS worse when changing positions, it's probably the latter. Getting up slowly helps a bit... https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/orthostatic-hypotension/symptoms-causes/syc-20352548

in addition to the dreaded two-week pre-op diet, I had to do a six-month supervised diet as required by my insurance company. I could do it with either my PCP or a registered dietitian (I chose the latter). She had me eating something somewhat similar to the way I'd be eating once I was a couple of months out of surgery - at least 60 grams of protein, nonstarchy vegetables, small portions of fruit and/or complex carbs. She had me at 2000 calories - which for me at that time was super low, since I was used to eating more like 3000 (now, six years after surgery, 2000 calories would be a huge blow-out for me - I normally eat around 1600-1700 - but it was a comfortable level for me when I was pre-op - and certainly much lower than what I was used to). So maybe something like that? Work on increasing your protein and lowering your carbs - and focusing more on the "good" carbs (fruit, vegetables, whole grains) and avoiding or limiting the not-so-good ones. Once you get through all the initial restrictions and are eating somewhat normally again, that's the way you'll most likely be eating...for life, really...