momof3_angels

In the beginning... I couldn't tell if I was hungry or full. All my signals were mixed up. I had to rely on measuring food and look for other signals. For example... if I was on the verge of getting full I would hiccup one to three times. If I ate too much I needed to burp. If you measure your food like you are supposed to, then watch for those signals and figure out what measurement of food you ate and try to eat a bite or two less next time. The restriction feeling didn't come for a couple months. It really feels like you can't stretch your stomach any bigger.

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

My husband is very active and fit. He does some sort of something every single day for HOURS throughout the day. Every day. Even more in the summer months. He's been this active for the entire time I've known him (25+ years...he's actually probably more active now than when I first met him). No one who knows him bats an eyelash.

Now, *I* started running 5 measly km over a year or so ago, and I got a good share of "concerned" comments.

Further to this, early into maintenance my eating habits were/are very similar to my always-been-thin-sister-in-law. If she turned down a peice of cake, it was all, whatever. If *I* turned down the same cake, there would be alot more insisting, and "are you sure?"'s.

I think people in general are not good with change. It takes time for people to get used to a new normal, or to understand/accept how someone can be doing something starkly different than themselves.

I'm 2.5+ years out now, and nobody asks me a second time if I want that cake, or display surprise/concern at my exercise habits. Here on BP though, I do sometimes feel/sense that there is that still that "concern"...but that's just the nature of internet forums.

So very true! I don't know why people are so worried when people are doing things to better their health! Even before WLS... I found things that "worked" better than others. For example, I struggled with major/severe exhaustion because of my then undiagnosed sleep apnea/ insomnia - so I was so tired I went to bed at 8 pm most nights (also was a very early riser). During that time, I found that I couldn't lose weight if I ate after 4 pm. OMG... the HORROR... I wasn't eating for the last 4 hours of my evening?!!! Yet several of my friends stayed up until 10/11 and didn't eat past 6/7pm. So, what is the difference?! I mean, I ate plenty throughout the day... just not at the END of the day. And drinking calories. If I had one bad nutrition habit, that was it. So I would do my best to avoid calorie filled drinks during any weight loss plan I had. And more importantly... I found I could NEVER lose weight and often gained if I drank any alcohol. Even just half a glass of wine. So I would go to a party and do my best not to drink alcohol. My friends were losing it because I didn't want to get drunk with them. They couldn't handle if I didn't drink anything or just had half a glass of wine. I actually had to ditch some friends that I used to love hanging out with because they couldn't handle that I wasn't willing to give in and drink with them every single time we got together. And exercise? Well... I hate most exercise lol. But I love my long walks. People think I am crazy because my go to walk is 6 miles and takes 1 hour and 45 minutes and they just don't get it. But I enjoy it. It is hardly a workout for me, but I feel great afterwards. But somehow it is wrong for me to take my long walks. People are crazy the way they react to others.

Welcome! Hope recovery is progressing smoothly!

18 hours ago, ChubRub said:

Look at the menu online ahead of time to make sure there's something that's both appealing and easy to digest! In the beginning, I usually got Soup. I still remember my first non-soup order which was as ahi tuna appetizer. I ate one slice of tuna, took the rest home and got another 4 meals out of it! LOL!! I miss those days!! Now I would probably only get 2 meals out of it!

This! It is a huge help to look ahead at the menu before picking a restaurant. In the early stages, it was just easiest to find a Soup that fit into my stages. I also looked at the side dishes if there weren't any Soups that would meet my needs and just got side dishes the first couple months. Or an appetizer. This is of course assuming they had something healthy that met my stage needs. If that doesn't work, have a partner order a meal that you can take a little bit off their plate. Once you are tolerating more foods, request a TOGO box WITH your meal. Take 2/3rds-3/4ths of the meal (depending on how big portions are) and box them up immediately! Anyhow restaurant food is challenging for the first several months, but it gets a whole lot easier over time. Especially once you learn what substations will work for your diet and/or stomach tolerance.

25 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

I agree with this - but one small correction. They don't actually remove any of your stomach in the gastric bypass. They just divide it in two with surgical staples. So technically, the bypass is reversible - but they don't do it unless you have a serious medical issue that can't be corrected or treated any other way.

Ah... yes... Catwoman is right! Thats what happens when I am giving advise while being interrupted LOL. I will Edit if it lets me

3 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I'd rethink the lapband. Hardly any surgeons will place them anymore because so many people have had problems with them. Many have had them removed and had sleeve or bypass instead. I know some people still have theirs and love them, but they seem to be in the minority these days.

I concur. Do your research, but in my research I have found that lap bands have the most problems and patients are more likely to need them removed and do a different surgery instead.

CLIF NOTES summary of the two most common other gastric surgeries in laymen terms:

I think most docs now prefer the gastric sleeve for a majority of their patients (but NOT ALL). Yes, you are removing a large portion of your stomach, but your stomach still functions to do what it needs to do.... it is just a lot smaller. But the stomach is resilient and stretchable so over time it will accommodate more food than it does in the early months. And the rest of your body parts are in tact. It is a simple surgery procedure wise. Still a major abdominal surgery as any other abdominal surgery... but no more complicated than most other frequent abdominal surgeries.

Gastric Bypass makes the stomach smaller with staples and rearranges the plumbing a bit. Therefore it changes how your digestive system works. BUT... may be the preferred surgery in SOME cases... such as those with diabetes (not all diabetics do this one, but I see more that do this one). This surgery is a little more complex, but in some cases it is the recommended procedure.

Both procedures will get the job done if you work the program as prescribed by your team. Your degree of success is usually dependent on you being willing to put in the hard work that goes with ANY weight loss program... and how you use your new weight loss "tool".

Anyhow... there are a lot of great sources of information about these and other WLS procedures. Do some research. Have an idea what you might want to get done and why.... and consult a WL Surgeon. For my surgeon, the first questions he asked are what have I done to try to lose weight before, why do I want surgery, and what procedure I wanted and why. Then he went on to tell me what he thought and made his recommendation. Anyhow.... most WL Surgeons hold free group information sessions where someone from their staff or even the surgeon themselves give a presentation and overview of the procedures and the qualification requirements. I waited a long time to attend because I was so nervous about it... but I now wish I had gone sooner! Also... feel free to attend them through different surgeons offices in your area. I think locally we have 3 groups who do the surgery at 3 different hospitals. I like my team a lot... but I wish I had shopped around first for the doc team. I might have still picked the same guy... but I just went with who my referral was through.... but I am quite certain my insurance covered at least 2/3 teams.

Anyhow... do your research and whatever procedure you chose, lap band, sleeve, bypass or other..... we will support you as best as we can!

Funny and true! LMAO

3 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

I feel a little sheepish about the response this has gotten. Didn't mean to be an attention wh*re, and I'm afraid that's how it reads. I just wanted to blow steam.

Nothing wrong with venting. And who knows... maybe someone will think before they "speak" next time?

Oh my, you have hit a rough patch! Here's hoping that going forward you have nothing but good health news. It is so hard when things happen that our out of our control. Well.... we are happy to support you as you come out the other side! I suggest you get back to measuring and logging so you can evaluate where you are now and where you should be! Do you still have access to a nutritionist? That would be good too for extra guidance.

Haha.... just noticed this forum and the requirements to post here... I hit 18 months March 4th, I guess that makes me a vet lol!

Current stats: 5'4.5" and between 126-129 pounds depending on the day. Hit my goal at 7 months and was well under my goal by a year. Overall I have been maintaining for a year now.... did have some challenges recently and weight was beginning to creep up... but I managed to quickly ditch those few extra pounds and am back at my happy maintenance weight. I get thrilled every time my husband or daughter comment at how skinny I am. My daughter says she never realized I was really overweight or "fat" until I lost it all. Now when we look at photos from just 2 years ago it is obvious. Now I am a size 4 and i look healthy. I can't go any lower than 124 though... 124 seems to be right where I am on the verge of looking too skinny.

Health is great. sleep apnea is being treated. Heart condition resolved. High cholesterol and tachycardia resolved. The medical consensus is that severe undiagnosed sleep apnea is what triggered my sudden weight gain... and my heart health was what prevented me from losing weight. Now I feel better than ever and feel that as long as I continue to control diet and exercise regularly I will have no problem maintaining. Of course... controlling diet is key. I was never a big calorie consumer.... but I wasn't always eating good foods and then I did drink calories in the form of Pepsi. Most of the time I don't have an issue controlling diet... but when life is excessively stressful... that is when I can get into trouble. That is when I am most likely to not eat right and consuming the wrong foods. I have taken steps to increase access to healthy food at work, which is also important for me.

Exercise.... still trying to get back in a regular routine after a horrible few months at work. Doing much better... but still have a ways to go. So... 2020 I had planned to walk the Camino De Santiago (You walk all the way across northern Spain). It was going to be my reward for losing weight and a way to improve my physical fitness. Had to cancel. Then I had to cancel the trip I rescheduled for this summer. Boo! Instead... I am gearing up to do an 8 week hike on either the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail. I will probably do the Appalachian Trail this summer and wait for the PCT. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I really wanted to do the Camino first, because that is more of a spiritual/cultural walk and you don't have to carry your tent/food/extra Water. With either of these I will have to carry all of those items. I know I can do it... but it would have been so much better to do the other walk before either of these hikes. My challenge now? Trying to make sure I eat properly on the trail! Just bought a dehydrator and am assembling/dehydrating meals that I can eat so I don't have to rely on crap food available along the way. I need to be able to eat enough calories to sustain me, but not so many that I develop bad habits. Most people load up on carbs... I need to avoid that and only load up on healthy carbs.

Anyhow... that's me! New WLS "VET"

Oh... and I was just reminded how much I love a good Quiche! Got two from costco yesterday.

Well... can't help with being a January surgery buddy... but just know there are lots of us here who are willing to help with what we can! Hang in there! And if things don't improve, please consider perhaps talking with a bariatric mental health professional...

During the beginning of my soft diet I did best with any soft foods that were in stew/soup format. I lived on Ricotta Bake and Chili for a week or two lol. Both were gentle on my stomach (that is.... if you tolerate spice... mine wasn't hot spicy). I also liked broccoli and cheese Soup and dishes with shredded chicken/ground beef.

It took me many months, but I can eat lettuce again. Anything you physically can't tolerate... lay off it for a while, but don't be afraid to try again later! I don't remember how long it took to eat lettuce, but I think it was close to a year??? Now I love my lettuce wraps! And I intermittently eat salads too. In fact, I substitute rice with salad quite often at restaurants.

3 hours ago, ms.sss said:

Ok. @OAGBPal (& others)...I feel like I'm walking into a confrontation here so I want to tread lightly. I have a catholic grade-school upbringing, AND I'm Canadian so confrontation is my kryptonite!)

I guess I just want to clarify where the perceptions that there is ordering around and telling others what to do comes from? I'm on these boards ALOT (and I mean ALOT), and I honestly don't see this. Which is why I was surprised (shocked, really) that someone is hassling @Creekimp13. I read opinions, suggestions, expressions of feelings and stories of a person's experiences.

Sometimes someone will post something a little tone-deaf, but I don't see widespread maliciousness/bullying/pressure to be a certain way. Of course there was a thread or two that got pretty ugly. But these are the exception and not the rule.

Obviously I don't see everyone's PM's*, so I dont know what is going on behind "closed doors".

I dunno, maybe I'm naive, but I really don't see/read people "basically telling others to starve themselves to death to be 'okay'." on here.

Honestly, the members on here I find to be very PG-13. Wanna see some real fighting/bullying/ordering/pressuring? Go on a Reddit board.

Edited to add: UGH. Of course, as soon as I post something saying that I believe we all generally play nice on here, I immediately read a couple threads where we aren't. Sigh.

I absolutely concur with this! And I have just been accused of telling others to starve themselves (I haven't) and that I am trying to pick fights with others (I don't). And I truly go out of my way to keep my mouth zipped when I have the urge to say something ugly. Because that doesn't belong on a support board. Because I am here for support and I am here to support others. I think most folks are here for the same reason as me.

I would also like to add... before anyone judges others they might need to look at themselves as well. I see a lot of sniping in this thread too that is equally ugly to the comments that @Creekimp13 is talking about. Calling people names behind their back is just as bad as calling them names to their face. And treating someone as having less value is never acceptable. Whether they set their goal way higher or lower than you think it should be.

Anyhow @Creekimp13, I think you give a lot of good advise here... people can take it or leave it, right?!

16 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

Man, if I had a dollar for every critic who said this to me on these boards. It's a past time of a certain type of dieter....to send me hate mail and try to shame me for being outspoken.

"You're still overweight! You shouldn't be telling people what to do! How dare you not feel ashamed at that weight!"

Shakin my head over here.

OK.... I am here wondering... what the heck? Who has the NERVE to say these things? Ugh... sorry you experience that!

It would help everyone reply if they know which stage diet you are planning for. Clear liquid? Full Liquid? pureed? Soft? Full?

On 3/19/2021 at 6:39 AM, HealthyLifeStyle said:

So to follow up on this post. I had the 1st shot, and the only side effect was that my arm hurt like heck the next day. The day after I was fine. I never got sick or anything. Now I go for my 2nd shot at the end of this month. I hope nothing happens. I hear that the 2nd one can be worse?

EVERYONE is different. See my post I just added to this thread....

A bit late for the OP...but I will add my two cents anyway

I have had the privilege of having 3 members of my immediate family vaccinated (including myself) AND monitoring my staff who have gotten the vaccines... so I have a plethora of experience on this one lol.

Husband Dose 1 - Generalized fatigue. Lots of achy joints. Felt like he was "fighting something". Dose 2... those feelings were a bit more pronounced.

Me: Dose 1 - Shoulder ache/stiffness. Significant to where I used a heating pad on it all night. Fine the next day. No other side effects. Dose 2 - TIRED. VERY TIRED! For day one. Day 2 fine. Day 3 I had a bad headache for a few hours that improved with Ibuprofen.

My son Dose 1 - VERY TIRED! Dose 2 - not done yet.

Co-Workers... symptoms vary widely. Some didn't have any symptoms for either dose 1 or 2 or both doses. Some just had the shoulder ache/stiffness. Some had mild symptoms like headache/fatigue. Some had nausea. Some also had a fever, but that was a much smaller population. For most people... the symptoms lasted no more than 24-36 hours. Then you have a smaller number of people who react with more significant symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and fever. For some it lasted a day or two... others it lasted 4-6 days (rare... but it did happen). Some had the same reactions to both shots. Some didn't. For some, the first was the worst. For some the 2nd was the worst. For almost everyone though.... almost everyone said they were glad they had the show and they would do it again... even though who were most sick. They would rather have side effects of the vaccine... than the actual COVID. REMEMBER... ALL SYMPTOMS LISTED HERE ARE NORMAL SIDE EFFECTS OF ANY VACCINE. NO ONE had an unexpected bad reaction besides normal side effects. But we have lost 2 employees to the actual virus and many MANY staff have lost loved ones (one poor family lost 3 people within a week to the actual virus - all under 50).

BTW... I monitor a staff of around 950 employees. A lot of the information I got first hand. Other information I got through a representative at their work location.

And just remember... having side effects is simply proof your body recognizes COVID as something that needs to be fought off. That is a good thing. But remember... not everyone develops symptoms every time they have exposure to illness... so even if you do NOT get any symptoms... doesn't mean your body isn't recognizing that COVID is something that needs to be fought off.

1 hour ago, OAGBPal said:

You keep saying this, but I'm not sure anyone is buying it, dear.

Well... feel free to find and point out where I am causing fights with anyone on this board... You might want to actually get to know someone before judging them and making accusations...

10 hours ago, Jaelzion said:

Good on you for taking the initiative to get back on track, glad things are going well for you. I struggled so on the pre-op diet that I could never go back to it, LOL. But I do understand the impulse to make a clean break with previous bad eating habits and start fresh. Once in a while, I allow myself a treat and then I do go right back to extra clean eating for a couple of days. I'm not convinced it does anything for my stomach but it definitely helps snap my mindset back to where it needs to be. Don't forget to plan for how you will eat once your reset is over, successfully making that transition back to "normal" (new normal) eating will be crucial.

Thanks Jaelzion! And I totally understand... pre-op diet does make a lot of people miserable. It wasn't so bad for me... I didn't love it... but I didn't struggle either. That could have a lot to do with the fact that my nutritionist wanted me to lose minimum weight pre-op. Even then she would give group nutrition classes (in addition to private sessions) and give everyone instructions... then come quietly to me and tell me to do an abbreviated version of what she had everyone else doing.

Normally I do allow myself an occasional treat and don't think too much about it. Treats are good in moderation. The only ones I truly avoid ALL the time are sodas... which are my "slippery slope item (plus they are carbonated). And yes... I have definitely have a plan as I transition back. Really at this point.... the only thing I am doing is a soft version of my prescribed diet for life plan. I am just being much more careful about portion sizes and calories. And I am NOT trying to lose weight. I already lost the few pounds I put on and am holding in the 126-129 range which is only barely higher than my lowest post-bariatric weight. And there are so many delicious soft foods to chose from, I don't feel I am missing on anything. Just doing cooked veggies instead of raw veggies. Ground beef instead of steak.

And really... whatever works to get that mindset back on track... that is what I am doing!

You look great! The last ones are sometimes the hardest to lose! Just keep doing what you are doing. Track your meals for a bit, if you haven't been doing it regularly. It is a good way to see if you are really still on track with your eating habits. Sometimes we think we are eating better than we really are - and if it turns out you are eating more than you should be you can adjust if needed. If you haven't already, upping your exercise routine might help too. Of course, it may be simply that you are doing everything right but your body isn't ready to drop that last bit of weight. And I wouldn't stress about the number so much... how do you FEEL? Do you feel good at this weight?

43 minutes ago, OAGBPal said:

I'd consider dialing it back a little, you seem to get into a bunch of fights here.

LMAO... what fights??? LMAO The only post I have responded negatively on was on my own post... when I initially stated I didn't need criticism replies and got them. I literally stated I don't want criticism and wasn't actually asking for any advise... I was posting to hold myself accountable with the plan I made for myself. But sure... believe I am starting fights if you want LMAO. Perhaps you need to be a bit less sensitive. Which is funny because I commented about your doctor and not about you. Oh well... moving on.

11 minutes ago, Canrue said:

"I lost that feeling over the last few months and I wanted to get it back myself..." So have you lost restriction or "lost the restriction you hate?"

You're right, the last year did not help and being an essential worker during Covid does not help but I'm still kicking. Actually off to the gym in a few 🙂

I guess both! LOL. I recently have been able to eat more and push a little beyond what I should be eating without getting any (or limited) signal that I am full and should stop eating. And in the evening I have been able to graze (side effect of also being an essential worker and having no time to eat during the work day) and eating "bigger" meals in the evening that I was grazing until I finished them. I was so busy for so many months that when I did eat, I think I was pushing my stomach without really realizing it until I suddenly realized my portions were bigger and I wasn't stopping at the amounts of food I should be stopping at to continue maintenance. And I wasn't getting that feeling of restriction or the heavy uncomfortable feeling you get when you overeat.,,, except when I was really pushing the limit with portion sizes.

Anyhow... I also don't like the feeling of restriction that weighs down your stomach and makes you feel uncomfortable after eating... but I do want the sensations that alerted me to stop before I got to that point. If you know what I mean!

As for your measurement comparison.... what are you eating WITH your chicken or fish? And in what form do you eat them? I do find that some foods I can eat less of than others. And some foods I do better with if I mix them with something that isn't such a solid consistency. Example.... eating a full portion of beef would give me difficulty, but eating a little less beef in a stew or a Soup I could eat it better without the same icky feeling afterwards. Or a bit less meat and more vegetables. I can eat more chicken than I can beef... but both I do better if I have a little less than a full portion and couple them with something healthy that my stomach tolerates better. Fish I have a hard time with... it is lighter on my stomach and I can get it in without the full/restriction feeling, but depending on how it is cooked I feel really sick afterwards. Also... while I can't really drink Water right afterwards... I always need a sip when I am done eating.... I think it might be helping me digests a little better? But I can't have more than 2 sips for at least 20 minutes after I eat... lol

4 hours ago, OAGBPal said:

In America, yes. But I'm not American. Our European and Middle Eastern posters say they have plans that look like mine. Our results are excellent and there's no explosion in revision surgery over here.

How do you know? Again, the world is full of experiences, and we're here to share them.

Yeah, I keep hearing this. From people who were so good at consuming calories they had to have weight loss surgery My prescription protein/nutrition drinks were 280 cals / 100 ml (that's 3.38 fl. oz.). I'm thinking it would be fairly easy to get to 1200 with those.

I chose a plan without them as I hated the taste of them, and instead did the liquid plan with Icelandic skyr with Protein Powder, OJ, SF chocolate milk and fruit porridge. It wasn't hard at all to get to 1400 cals. I lost 61 lbs in 60 days after surgery.

There's no stomach that can "only tolerate 600-900 calories". It may only be able to tolerate a certain volume of food, or a certain composition of macros and textures, but I really don't think our stomach has a specific number of calories in mind when it wakes up and checks its schedule for the day.

... is your experience Really, the US makes up just north of 4% of the world. Trust me, there's a lot of other ways to do, well, everything than how the US does it.

Yeah, no: you don't get to make a bunch of authoritative, normative statements on medical facts that will trigger self-doubt and disordered eating patterns for board members, and then take jabs like this. I've seen some very combative statements from you elsewhere, but you'll have to get up earlier to get me to fall for this one.

Wow.... offended much? And what exactly makes YOU an expert? LMAO The whole point of my post was to encourage the original poster to seek guidance from her HEALTH team. THEY are the experts And in my reply to you I said your doc SEEMS to be more of the exception than the rule. And exactly what AUTHORITATIVE comments did I make? I didn't tell anyone to do anything... but I did say in my posts (there were 3 of them... that the OP should consult their medical team. LMAO

"Yeah, I keep hearing this. From people who were so good at consuming calories they had to have weight loss surgery " I especially love this sentence... I mean... Pot Calling the Kettle Black???? LMAO BTW.... my weight gain was caused by prolonged severe sleep apnea which caused a log of health issues... I took care of the sleep apnea and had weight loss surgery so I could regain my heart health. but go on making assumptions about people you have never met before!