ryan_86

So between May and my surgery in September I dropped 55 pounds. Since then, I've dropped another 45. No one said anything pre-op, but I'm starting to get compliments now. I've also learned that there was speculation around my office about my surgery (I only told my boss). I'm not bothered by the compliments, but paired with the subtle hints on surgery, I'm a little miffed. I did all that work pre-op, and no one noticed. Now that people notice, it feels like surgery and not me is getting the credit. In either case, people speculating about my medical issues is uncomfortable. No one has said anything unkind, but feels like my privacy has been invaded a bit. And I've never been all that comfortable with compliments about my appearance. I guess I've always hoped people just didn't notice my appearance because of how bad I looked, and that instinct is still there even at a much healthier weight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I started this process on May 4, and I had my surgery on September 12. In between, I lost 56 pounds. Since the surgery, I'm down another 39. I went from 5'5" and 285 to 5'5" and 190. I've lost 10 inches off my waist and went from a XXXL to a large. I stepped back through my old wardrobe so quickly that things I thought would fit for a while no longer fit at all, and I have to start from scratch on my wardrobe. My glucose is 92, I'm off the CPAP, I'm off the cholesterol drug on a trial basis. I look better than I have since high school. I go hiking multiple times a week, I swim multiple times a week, I just bought a kayak. And I'm still losing weight. The 100-pounds-lost mark is right around the corner. This is successful, but not success. Success is many years away, when I'm on my deathbed having never become obese again. And I expect that to be many, many times more difficult than the last few months have been.

So, mix a lifelong social anxiety with serious body issues and you get a recently sleeved 30 year old with near-zero dating experience. But I'm 30, lonely, looking pretty good, so I want to see if I can find somebody. How does dating work these days? What's it like to date after having surgery? How do you answer first-date questions like "Is that all you're eating" and "Why don't you drink alcohol?" Anyone have any advice in general? Thx.

Some people are elated. I was feeling like this was something I had to do. I wouldn't have done it if there was another option. So I wasn't elated. I think it's normal to feel a little down, like some of the things you've always enjoyed will no longer be a part of your life. But I just kept reminding myself that the alternative is much, much worse. I squared by jaw and marched forward, and I'm so very glad I did.

3 weeks. Don't really remember the first week. I was quite uncomfortable and exhausted easily. Big change the second week. Had more energy, less pain, but I was still napping a lot. Had my first follow-up appointment the following Tuesday. I could have gone back to work the next day, but frankly I didn't want to. My job involves long days, I have good benefits, and I wasn't in a rush. I still felt a little weak and tired a lot. I went back the following week. The first few days were a struggle, but I slid back into the old routine/rut quickly. If you can take your time, take your time.

I'm hungry too, but a small meal makes it go away. When it doesn't, and my body says, "You're hungry," my response is, "So what? What does that have to do with anything?" I don't eat because I'm hungry. I eat because I need the nutrition Try some different Protein shakes or products, eat something with more Fiber, but bottom line is get your protein requirement, don't exceed your calorie allotment, and if you're still hungry, tough it out. Hunger is the physical sensation of losing weight.

So here's something I didn't read about anywhere prior to surgery. I'm about 10 weeks post-op. Two weeks ago I started getting a sharp, grabbing/pinching pain in my left, lower belly when I bent over or sat up from a laying position. It was not every time, I couldn't make the pain happen on purpose, it didn't hurt to the touch, and it wasn't near one of the incision sights. I saw the surgeon, she had no ideas. Then it went away. Then on this past Friday, I started getting the exact same pain when bending over, but his time it's on the right near my lowest rib. I've been exercising, but I haven't felt any pain while doing it. The pain is not so bad or frequent that I feel moved to do anything about it immediately. I see my surgeon for my 12 week follow up soon. Meantime, anyone have any insights or experience with this?

I thought my father would be the same way. I told him I wanted to talk to him after work. Before I went over, I printed out two things: detailed information on the surgeries, and a couple charts I amde showing my weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol over the past several years. I did that because I wanted to make it clear that I HAD lost weight several times, and put on more after, and most importantly, my health was in danger. My main point was that the risk of surgery was outweighed by the certainty of bad health and early death if I continued on my path, and I saw no other way off that path. My father had his concerns, but he was ultimately successful. In part that's because he knows others who have had the surgery (it's more and more common), and in part because of the information I was able to give him and questions I was able to answer, and in part because he knew I was set on my path and that if he loved me, he would support me. I found out after that the surgery that my parents and other family members had been much more nervous than they let on, but they supported me before and they continue to support me after. I hope everything with your father goes well, and I wish you the best of luck as you move forward.

I get 60 to 80 grams of Protein a day, as per the dietitian's instructions. Meals are either a Protein shake or bar (breakfast, and lunch and dinner are 1.5 ounces (weight, not volume) of chicken and some carbs (half a tortilla). Sometimes I add a little cheese or cheese sauce (about half a tablespoon) or sour cream (about half a tablespoon). I have a Protein Bar as a snack either during the day or in the evening. Sometimes as a snack I'll have a piece of toast or a pudding cup (sugar free). I am on a PPI. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am just shy of eight weeks post-op, and I find myself hungry much of the time. I'm compensating by eating more frequently while staying between 700 and 800 calories a day. But I thought the a big benefit or VSG is that with the removal of the ghrelin-producing part of the stomach, you wouldn't be hungry for a few months. I find myself having to resist the temptation to snack - and last week failing at it - more than in the pre-op stage. Does anyone have any thoughts on the subject?

Blood glucose reached 108 (pre-diabetic), elevated liver enzymes indicative of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. When you're too fat to sleep and breathe at the same time, then it's time to make a major change.

If you do get something, I advise against the magic bullet. Maybe it's me, but at least when I use it, it doesn't purée things or even make a good smoothie. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can eat baby food, but you would likely find it preferable to eat puréed adult food. I found a blender do a good job, but a mini-food processor does an excellent job. It's not expensive, like $40. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The same thing happened to me pre-op: liquid in, liquid out. Post-op, I'm finding I'm more likely to be constipated than have diarrhea. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can chew up chips into a very small, but calorie dense, mouthful. Foods like that should be avoided entirely, because your sleeve will not stop you from overeating them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Not quite an answer, but as a Catholic, I do know that the Eucharistic obligation is (not the right word) waived if you have a medical reason. Doesn't get you back to taking the Holy Communion, but at least you are not committing an offense by foregoing the Eucharist for a while. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery about a month ago, and while I've been eating some puréed foods, I still rely on liquids, both for Protein and for convenience. I can start soft mechanical foods later this week. Right now I can get down about 1/4 cup of pureed food, and I do that for either one or two meals a day. Should I postpone soft foods until I I'm relying more on purees? I intend to ask my surgeon's dietician this week, but I wanted to see what others' experience has been. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgery was September 12th, so just shy of of a month, and I'm feeling hungry again. It's easy to ignore this hunger, but I'm surprised that I'm hungry at all. I thought with the removal of the ghrelin-producing part of the my stomach, it would be months before I was hungry again. Has anyone else experienced hunger so quickly? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just passed the two week mark and have been cleared to eat pureed foods. I just tried pureeing some light chicken noodle Soup (just a few noodles), and that just created a foamy, over-salted mess. I made a smoothy, but then I wondered if the seeds from the strawberries, almost impossible to strain out, were a problem. Does anyone have any suggestions on pureed foods other than mashed potatoes and chicken/tune salad? Thank you!

I've been feeling the same way, and I also had my procedure on the 12th. Glad to hear it doesn't stay that way once you can eat food. I've been a little concerned that I was being too rough on my sleeve, maybe stretching it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I developed some labored breathing and called the surgeon, who directed me to the ER. Five hours, bloodwork, an X-ray, and a CT later, I'm fine. Everything is normal, no leaks, no PEs. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for your replies. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery on Monday. I finally had a bowel movement Wednesday evening after taking some milk of magnesia. Since last night, I've been experiencing 6 or 8 powerful, painful abdominal cramps an hour. I've gone to the bathroom a few more times, but not always after a cramp (they seem somewhat unrelated). Is this to be expected? Also, I'm feeling some dull, mild pain just under my ribs, such as with a deep breath or if i forget not to lay on my side. Anyone else experienced that? Thank you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my procedure yesterday morning. I'm still very uncomfortable, especially with the gas working its way out of my system, and I have a lot of indigestion. Still learning how much Water I can swallow at once. Anyone have any novel advice for feeling better faster? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My two week countdown to surgery, and the liquid diet that goes with it, begins tomorrow. I did incredibly well during the pre-op phase. I lost 40 pounds. Then I gained six or so between the day I met with my surgeon to schedule the procedure and today. I feel fat, and I feel like I lost the confidence I had. It has reminded me of why I need to do this, but I also feel ashamed and like I may not be able to stick with a diet long term. The thought of failing at this terrifies me. I guess I don't have a question. I just needed to say that. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Who is your doctor and where will your surgery be? Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App