Jaelzion

2 hours ago, jadepok said:

Hey all,

This is my first time posting. Its just my husband that knows about my surgery but I wanna share it with you all because today I've reached my target weight Im 7 months post op. I'm 5ft1 and weighted 15 stone before gastric bypass surgery and now today I've reached the 9 stone mark. Getting surgery was the best decision I could of ever made but the hardest thing I've ever done also. I travelled to nord bariatric clinic from Ireland to Lithuania in Dec 2020 solo. I was scared, ashamed nervous and so so miserable. I missed my kids and my husband so much for the time I was away it was scary being alone doing this but I knew I had to do this for me and for them. The first few months are a learning curve post op but honestly things get easier and you adjust. I still enjoy nice food and drink but know my limit. Having surgery has allowed me to feel like me again I feel the head demons are gone and I just feel free. Here are some before and after photos . Best of luck everyone with your journey. Its so worth it

Sent from my SM-G781B using BariatricPal mobile app

YAY!!! I'm 5'1" also - I started at 250 pounds and my current weight is about 122. I can relate to everything you've said! I'm really happy for you, enjoy the fruits of your success. There's a (smaller but real) learning curve to successful maintenance too, but I'm sure you've got this and this forum is here to provide all the advice you could ask for! Congratulations.

I agree - "why" is a key question. I expressed it this way in an earlier post:

Quote

Now when I feel that craving (whether for food or to buy something) I stop and ask myself why? What's going on that I am trying to assuage or pacify? Not long ago, I really wanted a cookie and when I stopped to ask myself why, I realized that I had just come out of a meeting that did not go as well as I had hoped. I felt disappointed, embarrassed, upset. And I wanted a cookie. Once I realized what was at the root of my craving, I was able to redirect those feelings. I got a cup of coffee instead. It was warm and sweet and about 200 fewer calories than the cookie. And I took it and went and sat around the backside of the building where it was quiet and peaceful (being an introvert, that was comforting to me). I thought through what had happened and what to do next as I drank my coffee. And 30 minutes later I was good to go. Every situation is different, but I'm getting better at asking myself "What's going on? Why do you want that?"

My standard response when I was still losing was "We'll see". It worked pretty well - inoffensive but it kind of ended that line of discussion, LOL.

On 7/8/2021 at 3:19 PM, Tierra T Tij said:

Maybe 115 is too low for me I was only going by what my doctor said since I have a smaller frame and back and knee problems that too much weight on me makes things worse. She said that even 130 is technically too big for me.

Getting down to 115 would give you a BMI of 20.4. I'm 2 inches shorter than you and I could probably get down to 115 but I'm pretty sure I couldn't maintain it. Your new goal of 130 would give you a BMI of 23.0. Still nicely within the healthy range.

I couldn't eat for my first two weeks after surgery. I lived on clear Protein Drinks (not shakes). They were good because 1) I could swallow them and keep them down, 2) they kept me hydrated and 3) they gave me Protein as well. It was week 3 when I started eating again (things like yogurt, pudding, etc.)

On 7/8/2021 at 2:05 PM, Erin K said:

So I'm on the pre-op diet and I am consuming almost 160 grams of Protein a day and I am still SO HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. I drink a ton of Water, but it seems like no matter what I eat or drink, my stomach is still rumbling with hunger. Any suggestions on ways to make this more tolerable? Should I be consuming more Protein (my pre-op diet instructions only recommended 70?)? Someone please tell me after the surgery that I won't feel this hungry all the time.

The pre-op diet sucked. Mine was a 10-day liquid diet and I broke down on day 4 or so and ate a yogurt. It was just really difficult for me. Hang in there, this too shall pass.

On 6/3/2021 at 1:26 PM, lizonaplane said:

I am not good at telling lies, so if someone asked me why I was going to be out of work or how I was losing the weight, I wouldn't be able to make something up.

I don't discuss my health care with everyone and I also don't tell lies or make things up. People shouldn't feel they have to do one or the other. It's fine to simply not discuss it.

17 hours ago, Jodikins67 said:

I had surgery 6/22/21 at CER in Tijuana with Dr. Carlos. Great experience, but I have been having spasms in my esophagus/pouch area.? Was wondering if anyone else experienced these and how long did they last? Thanks in advance 😊

Yep, I had these. Mostly after taking a sip of liquid, but sometimes just because. It's not uncommon, I've heard people refer to it as a "cramp" (that's what I called it), a "pinch", or a spasm. For me it had completely passed by week 3. Definitely ask your surgeon about it though, there's no way we can know whether what you experiencing is due to the same cause. Always best to be safe.

1 hour ago, AmandaLong said:

I had my gastric sleeve 8/2011. I began at 290 lbs. I have hit my plateau at 180 pds but then began losing again. I am now down to 129 lbs. I feel as if I have lost too much weight. I am eating all day as of yesterday. I take Periactin, a appetite increasing pill. I am drinking ensure and Protein Shakes also. Has this happened to anyone else? I have had to have Iron transfusions due to anemia and malabsorption. I am at a loss for ideas on what I can do to gain weight. I feel like a skeleton.

I dropped down to 118 at one point, which was too thin for my comfort. I added more fat and carbs and that took care of itself! I still didn't eat junk food, my extra fat/carbs was in the form of granola, sweet potatoes, nuts, avocado, etc. I've always been very carb-sensitive, so reducing or adding carbs works really well to throttle my weight loss up or down.

On 6/13/2021 at 5:50 AM, The Greater Fool said:

WLS is a different hard way.

Good luck,

Tek

This is good, I'm stealing this!

5 hours ago, TreesPlease said:

Hey Y'all! After decades of misery caused by compulsive overeating and gaining and losing weight, I am considering Gastric Sleeve surgery. (I'm 45 years old and about 60-70 lbs overweight, my heaviest ever.)

If you are 1+ years post op, can you share your thoughts...

~Are you glad you did this?

~What do you wish you had known before you had the surgery?

~Do you think you will be able to stay at a healthy weight long term?

~Would you recommend this surgery for someone in my situation?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I'm super glad I did it. I've lost all the weight I needed to lose and I've adjusted to a new way of eating. It's not effortless, but it's not a big struggle to stay on program, either. It takes a bit of discipline and dedication but the surgery itself changed my desire for food (in a good way). My appetite is much more tame now and even my cravings are not nearly as strong. Not everyone has that experience, so your mileage may vary.

I was prepped pretty well before surgery. I only wish I had read a few more first-hand accounts so I would have been aware of how miserable the first few days can be, but also that the misery passes pretty quickly.

I do think I will be able to maintain my weight. I'm learning how to maintain, while still participating in special occasions, traditional meals, etc. So far, I'm staying squarely within my maintenance window (120-125).

Only you can decide if you're ready to take the plunge. It is a pretty radical life change. Your relationship with food will be permanently changed and you'll have to be mindful about what and how you eat, forever. In the beginning, the diet is pretty restricted, but before long you'll have more options and in the end, there will probably be few things you can't eat (if any). You'll have to learn what works for you and what doesn't, post-surgery. The surgery helps a lot, but the commitment has to come from you. And as everyone has said, if there's an emotional or psychological component to your overeating, the surgery won't fix that. You'll have to work on that so that, as you lose weight, you also heal the root cause of why you became overweight to begin with. Many people have had bariatric surgery, lost an amazing amount of weight, and then gained most of it back because they were still using food to cope. So you have to work on your inside as much as you do your outside.

I wish you the best in making your decision, the surgery is a big commitment, but for me it was totally worth it.

I'm very sorry you're going through this. After all the struggle, anxiety, effort, discipline and determination of the pre-op process, it would be devastating to wake up and find out your surgery could not proceed. Please do be gentle with yourself, give yourself time to process what has happened before determining next steps. I'll second the suggestion to talk to a therapist - it can be really helpful. When you've recovered, physically, mentally, emotionally, I might consider finding a new surgeon. Aborting may have been the right medical decision, but because your doctor came across as uncaring and insincere, your trust in him has been compromised. Or perhaps when you talk to him again, you'll find that he's not as indifferent as it seemed in the moment. Either way, focus on self-care and when you're ready, I hope you'll find the motivation to keep pushing toward your goal. Hugs.

Yep, it takes a while to learn what "full" feels like now. I did the same thing once. Once. ☝️

1 hour ago, WishMeSmaller said:

I occasionally have what I call a “hungry day.” I eat all day on those days. Typically they happen a day or two after a big exercise day, but they very well may be related to hormonal shifts. I have had a partial hysterectomy (no uterus, kept ovaries), so I have no idea where I am at in my “cycle” at any time. As long as this is just happening infrequently to you, and you don’t get sick/have pain from overeating, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Sometimes our bodies just need extra. I still lost all my excess weight. I would be concerned unless it becomes a regular/frequent occurrence. 💕

I call these "munchie" days, LOL. Interestingly, they often happen right before I drop a couple of pounds (even when I eat a little more that day).

44 minutes ago, CLC1981 said:

...but i still feel hungry... i know it must be all in my head, but i’m just not getting that full feeling.

Is it that you're actually feeling hungry? Or just that you're not feeling full? Those really are two different things. You might not feel "full" in the way you did before surgery because your tummy has been re-routed and your diet radically changed. But that doesn't mean you're hungry. I've seen many vets on here tell people not to chase the full feeling but instead to just eat until satisfied (no longer hungry). Could it just be that you are used to feeling "full" after you eat and it's different now?

Is your profile correct that you had your surgery in August of 2020? What you're describing is really common in the early days and even first weeks after surgery. But it's surprising you're experiencing it this many months out. I'd definitely check with the doctor. It's possible you could have developed a stricture (a narrowing of the esophagus) that won't allow food and Water to pass easily. It's worth checking out. Hope you feel better soon!

I'm having B12 issues myself at the moment and yes, I have the pins and needles tingling sensation in my arms and legs. I'm also pretty dizzy (I've fallen 3 times in the last week) and my heart is pounding. I've even lost my voice due to paralyzed vocal cords. B12 deficiency can cause a lot of different neurological symptoms.

In my case, I was only directed to take B12 once a week and for two years that was sufficient. But lately I've been eating less and less meat (not vegan or vegetarian, I just don't have much taste for it). And all of a sudden, I'm B12 deficient! I take it daily now.

Between the Demerol and the Versed, there's nothing to it. You'll be good.

3 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

I am not seeing any vegetables in here. I love eating vegetables and fruits and I'd be very sad if I stopped eating veggies and fruits long term. I see that you are two years out from surgery. Is there a reason you are not eating produce? Thanks!

I do have fruit pretty regularly but not much in the way of veggies. It's hard for me to meet my Protein goals and still fit veggies in. We're told to eat protein first, then veggies and when I get done with the protein, I'm pretty much stuffed.

My childhood experience was similar. My Dad despised fat people and was very vocal about it. He made a kind of "mental exception" for me because he loved me, but of course, I applied every disdainful thing he said about fat people to myself. My mom was thin and obsessed about staying that way. She was always suggesting diets or strategies for me to lose weight. It was very hard growing up in that household and retaining any kind of self-esteem or confidence. I think my shopping habit dates back to my upbringing - my parents loved to dress really nicely but because I was big, I was always kind of dumpy by comparison. My parents were not bad people, but they were flawed, broken human beings. In my Dad's case, his mother was physically abusive and she was heavy-set. I'm guessing his disdain of fat people started right then. My Mom's mother abandoned her and SHE was heavy-set. So as I got older and understood some of the roots of their attitudes, I forgave them and healed somewhat from all the childhood trauma. Ironically, they both passed away before my surgery, so they never saw me thin. They'd be ecstatic, LOL.

13 hours ago, ShoppGirl said:

Have you tried the Quest Protein chips. They are really good. I don’t miss regular chips.assuming you have been cleared to eat chips.

Exactly. These are actually good (and high in protein).

I agree with the advice to consult your surgeon, but what you are describing is very common. I referred to it as a "cramp", some people call it a "pinch".

For me, it would hit about two seconds after taking a sip...one one-thousand, two one-thousand, CRAMP. It lasted a while for me, it went away in week 3.

Definitely run it by your surgeon just in case, but don't stress too much, a lot of us have been through it. Hope you feel better soon!

Edit:

Just to help you feel better, I did a quick search and found a few examples of other people who had that pain after drinking:

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/433212-cramping-feeling-after-swallowing/?tab=comments#comment-4880784

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/436205-hard-to-swallow-offer-surgery/?tab=comments#comment-4913492

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/434844-cramps-when-eating/?tab=comments#comment-4899654

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/435205-everything-tastes-gross/?tab=comments#comment-4903524

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/436915-pain-with-drinking/?tab=comments#comment-4921262

It's super common, but worth mentioning to your surgeon.

On 5/8/2021 at 3:57 AM, Tor_deTummy said:

I was sleeved on Tuesday and I haven’t lost any weight and it is now Saturday. I feel like all of my fears are happening and I am going through all of this post op pain to remain in the same place I started. I am feeling very discouraged. Any similar experiences or words of wisdom would be appreciated

It's. Too. Soon.

I promise.

9 hours ago, wordsthatrhyme said:

I had the gastric sleeve performed in July of 2017. The post-op diet consisted of 500 - 600 calories, less than 15 total carbs, and as little fat as possible. This was to be followed until you reached the end goal weight.

My surgeon's goal wait for me was 130 lbs, which is at the higher range of a normal BMI for my 5-ft 1-in height. When I followed that plan I lost weight, but after following it for about a year, it got to be too much like torture, and as soon as I started falling off of the diet, I fell really hard.

I started eating junk food and carbs/snacks every 30 minutes to every 2 hours and I gained all of the weight I lost after surgery back (I'm thankfully still below my highest weight). I've been unable to stick to a diet for longer than 3 days since. So I'm just curious what other surgeons / nutritionists recommended for other patients and whether they are success stories or failure stories, like mine. I'm hoping to model my diet towards the more successful options and see if that is more obtainable in the long run. Thank you all for your responses! Have a great day!

I'm your same height and my goal was also 130. My surgeon was kind of the polar opposite of yours. He did not give me a calorie target at all. He asked me to keep carbs moderately low (I think it was 60-80g), eat Protein first and then non-starchy veggies. My protein goal was 60g. He encouraged me to eat when hungry, but don't push my restriction. He said if I did that, calories would take care of themselves.

It did work out that way for me. Like a lot of us, I started with very low calories (eating was hard at first). Then I was at 600 for a while and it slowly rose to 800. I stayed there a long time. It took me almost two years to lose all my weight but I did reach (and then pass) my original goal.

I was one of the lucky ones in that I had very little appetite for the first year and when it started to return, it was still much lower than pre-surgery. Even so, the plan you were given seems pretty harsh and I'm not sure I could have stuck to that. 15g of carbs is lower than I can consistently do (and I'm an experienced low-carber!).

Now that I am in maintenance, I do enjoy a treat now and then but day to day, I avoid sugary foods, junk food, fast food, etc. I can't eat that stuff regularly without losing control. I can have a treat, but then it's right back on plan. Otherwise it wakes up cravings that are hard to deal with.

There are lots of less draconian eating plans that most people can lose weight on. I agree with the suggestion to consult a therapist and maybe also find a doctor or nutritionist who is willing to take a more moderate approach. I wish you the best!

4 hours ago, njlimmer said:

They don't read it. On my profile, I was pretty honest about what I was looking for. Another guy messaged me and said he was looking for a bisexual who would wear black leather and participate in swinging. (Again...no shame to anyone but that was NOWHERE on my profile.) I told him that I didn't think I was what he was looking for. He told me that I'd never know unless I tried. Also, the number of guys who tried to get me to go away with them. One guy told me he'd take me to Jamaica - we had never met or anything. I have a better sense of self-preservation than that!

I had a guy (in real life, not online) ask me out for the first time by asking if I wanted to go to Hawaii with him. I mean, dude really...can we start with coffee first? LOL 😀