EmilyJune

Hi everyone! I am 2.5 years post sleeve surgery my highest weight was about 380lb and I have been fluctuating between 188-198 lb the last year. Old habits are creeping in and my surgeon has placed me on a new diet to try and reach the 180 lb goal she set for me. It is embarrassing to say I am that close but yet so far away. I find the old habits creeping in whether its dessert after dinner like the kids have, or sneaking a sweet at the store. I should be consuming 3 protein bars per day, dinner around 6p and a Greek yogurt at 9p before I leave for my night shift. I have always struggled with water intake and get about 50 oz. Of overall liquids per day normally coffee, tea, vitamin water zero, and water with crystal light. I work 72 hrs per week and attend nursing school so I am beyond busy and never stick to an exercise regimen because I am so tired. I could spit out many excuses but I blame myself for the poor eating choices. I have found since about 18 months post OP I have excessive hunger that no matter what I do I feel starving even 15 min after dinner. I drink water and it never satisfies the feeling of hunger. I am going back to see the surgeon again next week, but I just feel so overwhelmed and disappointed in why I am steering off my weight loss path. Any ideas of how to get back on track and get rid of this hunger? Thanks everyone.

I had the same pain in my shoulder for 11 days post op and ate gas x like they were candy. It was gas and the pain meds made it worse because they cause constipation and that increased the gas pains for me. I drank tons of water and walked and shoved pillows everywhere to find comfort. I also went to a chair massage parlor in the mall and paid for a massage on my back and shoulders and it really helped me alot. I also used Bengay and maybe it was just tricking my mind but it "numbed" the pain like a muscle rub should but when it wore off the pain was still there but it helps numb the nerve endings and who knows it could help. If your desperate you try just about anything for relief .

Congrats on leaving. The only real reason I stay is for my children. He is a stay at home lazy parent on social security at age 34 and does NOTHING but watch our 4 year old son while I work and supervised our two sons sleeping when I work my nights. I work 72 hours per week and I am a nursing student. He helps in regards to watching the kids when i work but i wouldnt have to work as much if he ever supported. It has been a long 13 years of crap and laziness. I am severely overwhelmed and if I had someone trusting to move in and take his place with my children I would have been gone years ago. I keep saying when I graduate I am gone because I can afford a nanny at that point. Thanks for opening my eyes!

Hi everyone! This question is geared toward people that have had surgery and lost most or all the weight they wanted to loose while maintaining a long term relationship. A bit about myself, I am 28 and have been in a 13 year committed relationship and have 2 children between us. I have lost about 191 lbs during the last 2 years and I am close to my first goal of 180 lb and plan to continue to onto about 165 lb. My partner has been over weight the entire relationship and while I have lost he has gained massive weight. Now he has trust issues and is so rude, disrespectful, verbally abusive and claims every moment that I leave the house "I am cheating". I know this comes from the fact he is overweight and feels self conscious. He blames his bipolar disorder for the way he treats me, but I am at the point of just kicking him to the curb because I practically have a human tail or leash everywhere I go and the comments are just awful. I have made food changes for the entire family to get my children on a healthier path, but he just hoards really high carb foods or orders take out and it is very frustrating. Food is practically an addiction and I have been struggling really bad but have recently got back on track. I so badly want to say come on your jealous about my success and you should jump on the healthy wagon or get out. I'm just tired of being put down and with the stress and emotions I turn to food of course. I feel like he just drags me down. Has anyone been in this situation before?

Thank you it's just super hard with two young kids involved and being the primary supporter.

It really depends on your skins elasticity. Some people have have really tight and hydrated skin that snaps back. I am 28 and 2.5 years post op and I am close to my goal. I was referred to a plastic surgeon to see if I qualify for skin removal and I do not qualify. There are 4 check boxes 2 of which are do you get rashes from hanging skin, and the only box I didnt check was does your skin hang past your genitals. Part of me is glad my skin isn't that bad and another part is like darn I could get insurance to cover this. My body type needs a 360 lift which is being cut around the entire waste and skin removed. I have a spare tire type of body lol. I notice the more weight I loose the saddle gets saggy but my belly button holds up the middle so it will never hang to the level of my genitals. Needless to say everyone's body is very different and your losing the fat under the skin so it looks like loose skin since it isn't stuffed anymore.

Agawam MA, Dr. McMillan

Hello, I have hypothyroid post partial thyroidectomy. I primarily got this surgery to shock my body because it is very hard to loose weight when you have a low thyroid in my opinion. I did find the beginning to be slow and you are still swollen keep in mind. I lost between 2-10 lb per week for the first 6 months. It flew off the next 1.5 years and I hit many many stalls for 2-6 weeks long during that time. Stick to your program and you will see results catch up.

Good to know I'm not the only one with boulder poop every 4-7 days. I have a thyroid issue so it really causes constipation and ontop of my surgery it's awful. Drink tons of water and Miralax and colace work only when you drink enough. I have also started the fiber nasty orange mix in powder into water it is a quick chug because it really is awful. Good luck just speak to your doctor for ideas.

Mention it to your doc so they may recommend post surgery labs sooner. It is easy to get vitamin B and iron deficient and may cause that. I am 2.5 years out and freezing 24.7 but I have a thyroid disorder and I take supplements to regulate my nutrients and vitamins. When you are taking in so much less food it is easy feel malnourished and once you drop tons of weight you have less insulation. Second, do you have lower leg swelling or swollen red lumps anywhere to question a circulatory issue? Very uncommon but could be an issue after surgery like a blood clot etc

Hello, yes the gas pains the first 2 weeks sucked big time. It feels like a gigantic fart you just cant relieve. I walked so much and attempted squats and it did help. Keep up on water and laxatives to keep regular because that's one of my biggest issues is only using the bathroom once or twice a week and I am 2.5 years out. When i drink over 64 oz of water I am able to go maybe 4 times per week so it does help alot. I would stick to your diet and just force fluids and walk and walk some more because thats what helps everything regulate. Keep in mind your pain will go away and the swelling is alot right now which may be causing tons of pain and bloating as well. My depression mostly came from the massive food intake change and I had huge hunger pains after surgery and still do. Unfortunately, I told my surgeon I think she forgot to remove the hunger hormone and she laughed. Our bodies will feel the hunger hormone only if we are dehydrated early on our thirst presents as hunger I was told. I always grab water when I feel it and after 8 oz it is still there then I go for a high protein food. I am still getting back on track from an almost year stall and creeping in bad food choices but that's how I made my choices early on. STAY POSITIVE! your body is going through a huge make over and takes time to regulate. Good luck

I am 2.5 years post op and about 15 lb from surgeons goal of 180 lb but a bit from my personal goal. I have been on omeprazole daily as well and it helps with acid reflux but I have the same sounds. I call them internal farts because it's like an inside burp after I eat or drink anything its gross and embarrassing in public. I mentioned it to my surgeon last year but she never seemed concerned but it's really annoying.

I was told pre surgery that it is common for hair to thin alot for the first 6 months until your system shock is becoming regulated. I was told to keep up on my vitamins and protein to help it. I have long and thick hair so it wasn't too noticable for others but I definitely noticed in the shower daily taking handfuls from the drain. Hang in there and mention it to your surgeon.

Wow thanks for the great ideas. I do cook dinner every night and never serve myself any carbs it is normally protein and veggies or a salad. I struggle most with my time between jobs 2p and 8p. I have set some small goals to exercise within that time, spend active time with my kids which we swim at the Y and I am now meal prepping tons of chicken with dinner tonight. I have faith in myself and hope I can keep my determination going. Thanks guys!

Thank you. Yes I believe it's the stress of school and working 72 hours per week and being miserable in my every day life as far as my relationship and with food. My kids are the Elmer's glue within my life and I do it all for them. I know my weaknesses are seeing my cravings and just wanting a piece but that never lasts. For awhile I would eat a piece of chocolate then feel so guilty I would hit the treadmill for miles as if it didn't happen. I know I have to make tons of chicken and hard boiled eggs for quick protein rich snacks and meals I just find every excuse as to how tired I am to pry my behind off the couch the measly 5 hours I am home per day because my kids strive for every bit of my attention for homework and play time. I plan to use my 2 days off per week to get meals made and prepped and exercise at least 4 days a week and of course not touch anything that is out of my diet plan. Thanks so much for the understanding and support.

Yes she told me to eat a fit crunch bar at 11a, 1p, 4p. Dinner at 7 and Greek yogurt at 9 before my night shift because I am always hungry at night. I hope she will see it just makes me crave sweets more and cut them out because they are expensive and not helping my weight loss at all.

Thanks I started yesterday by completing 5 miles running and walking and cut 500 cal down which I was pretty hungry when I went to bed but water helped a bit. I need to get back on the determined mental train like I was post surgery. Thanks for the support.

I feel that this new diet of 2-3 protein bars and 1 meal per day is setting me up for failure. They are sweet and I feel instant cravings for sweets after I eat them. I am slowly increasing my water intake and exercise. I have many food changes to make and hope for the best !

Wow! That was amazing and I greatly appreciate the pep talk. I know what needs to be done and I need to stop cutting corners. I hope my next post is I have reached my goal. I go back to see the surgeon next week so I am busting my bubble to at least reach the 180 goal set for me. Thanks so much!

Thanks.. it is the old habits that creep back in. It is easier to grab crackers versus grilling chicken and veggies when your hungry between meals. I know the mistakes I am making it is just very hard to mentally stick with it. I know I will fail if I keep it up down this path, but every day i keep saying i will get back on track tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes. I will start measuring out my meals again and increase water and exercise are my goals to resort back to.. thanks again!

Well my surgery was May 26, 2016 and day of surgery I weighed 326 and my highest weight two months before surgery was 358. I currently weight 213, and have been fluctuating within the 213-216 lb range for over 3 months now. I am starting to measure all meals again and I still drink Protein powder in my coffee every morning. I eat approximately a cup to 1.5 c of food per meal, an example my Breakfast is coffee and a light and fit yogurt (80 cal), lunch is cheese crackers and lunch meat, dinner a protein about 2 oz or palm of my hand or smaller, a 1/2- 1 cup of veggie and maybe 1/4 cup of a starch like couscous, or rice or no starch at all. I have had major hunger feeling creeping in and I feel constantly hungry so I recently increased fluids to see if that helps. I have found myself snacking a lot on nature valley or Fiber one bars, fruit, and have even started being able to eat sweets again. I exercise 4-5 times per week, incl. 45-1 hr elliptical cardio, then 30 min arms and legs. I am pretty sure I need to suck it up and eat 3 small meals per day with no snacking and exercise, exercise, exercise. I also have lost quite a bit of weight, but is it normal to still feel like the fat one, and it drives me nuts when people say wow you look great, but I always think well I will look better when I reach my goal so stop saying I look great. I have always been a thick girl with big thighs and I cant seem to tone my legs and arms as much as I would like to. I just feel like I am a failure since I am able to eat more now and I CONSTANTLY feel hungry!! Side note: has anyone else experienced literally NO sex drive after the sleeve. Literally I am not 9 months out and couldn't be bothered it is literally a chore, and I feel awful for my husband and actually need to set up an apt to discuss this matter with someone. Who would I call? OBGYN lol? I have no idea and maybe my history of endocrine issues is a contributing factor..no idea.. HELP PLEASE-- THANKS IN ADVANCE