Arabesque

Yeah, sadly, those heady days of a high rate of weight loss don’t last. You can always depend on your weight loss slowing the closer you are to goal. You’re eating more (which is a normal progression) & getting closer to the number of calories your body needs to maintain your weight. As @catwoman7 said how much food you eat depends on the food you’re eating. A good place to begin is to look at the recommended portion sizes of different foods - start with google & quiz your dietician on what is a serve of beef, of chicken of vegetables, etc. You’re probably getting to close to a recommended serving size now. The problems only start to arise if you’re eating more than that & the only thing that will stop you eating larger portions sizes is you. Plus check the calories of what you’re eating & the nutritional content if you’re not still doing this. 1500 calories is 1500 calories regardless of whether it’s from nutritionally dense food or from cake, sodas, chips, pizza, etc. I eat more often & eat more food in a day now than I did when I was obese. It’s just more nutritionally dense food & my my metabolism is working better. As to what’s bad: carbs, fats or sugar? I think this is a personal thing. You know your medical status which would influence whether you should keep your fat intake low or not. You know your weaknesses - sugar, carbs. I think we should work out a lot of our eating plans based on these things about ourselves. There are recommended daily allowances for fats, sugar & carbs too. Generally, I’m a bit of a balanced diet person. Though I don’t eat a lot of carbs & only multi or whole grains - I used to eat a lot of bread, pasta & rice. I also avoid a lot of sugar, artificial sweeteners & sugar substitutes because I think sugar is the real devil. I get my sweet from fruit. I don’t have dessert as such but have eaten chia pudding (flavoured with vanilla extract). I’ll have a protein bar after dinner if my protein is a little low for the day or will have fruit. How I feel real hunger is very different. I feel restless & I don’t crave a specific food or type (salt, sweet, carb) of food. If my ‘hunger’ is craving something specific it’s head hunger & not real. If there’s an emotional component to the ‘hunger’ (like hangry) it’s not real hunger. Part of the ‘fun’ of maintenance is working out your calorie & nutritional needs. It took me a while to work out what mine was & to be physically able to eat that much food. But you have to find a balance too. If you have to have such a restricted diet to maintain that it compromises you enjoying your life, it’s doomed to fail. It’s about sustainability. If that means you end of weighing a little more than you thought you wanted to be, that’s ok. If you enjoy your latte every day enjoy it. If it worries you try a smaller serve or reduce it to one a day or three cups every two days. There’s always work arounds or substitutes you can make like zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti but still enjoy what you’re eating & not feel like you’re missing out. The truth about exercising is that it will only contribute to 10-20% of any weight you want to lose. Want to lose 10lbs? Exercising will only contribute to you losing 1 or 2 lbs. Plus if you increase your exercising, your hunger will increase. Unfortunately the work doesn’t the end. All the best.

The bloating is likely from the lactose @Kris77. I eat on repeat a lot too. But it makes things easier because I don’t think as much about food & what I’m going to eat. Cheese is often my go to when out socialising with friends. You can always guarantee there’ll be cheese at social events. It’s not an every day food & I’m not going to eat a wheel of Brie … though it’s so yummy I think I could 😉.

What you’re experiencing is pretty common. I carried a sick bag with me for the first couple of days because of all the saliva I was spitting up. I had a lot of swelling in my throat & oesophagus which made swallowing painful too. By day 3 it was basically gone. Most find by around day 4+/- they don’t need the strong opioid pain meds anymore but we all heal & recover at our own pace. If it takes you less or more time that’s fine. The burping is likely the gas from the surgery escaping &/or you could be unconsciously swallowing air when you do drink. The gas will pass too - about a week. It can be more painful then the actual surgery healing but GasX, over the counter pain meds & walking helps. Enjoy your sleep I think I slept for most of the first 48 hours. Hope you to continue to recover well.

Your surgeon could mean tablespoons. 3 level tablespoons is 1/4 cup. I was advised 1/4 to 1/3 cup to begin slowly increasing as I was able. I could eat barely eat a cup by goal at 6 months. Maybe they were referring to the losing weight phase? I do eat more now: the recommended serving size or a little less depending what I’m eating. I eat more vegetables though: 1-1.5 cups steamed vegetables, 2 cups shredded lettuce. My soft food stage ended at 6 weeks so you’re plan could be similar. I was still able to eat yoghurt & ‘soft’ foods like eggs, casseroles, soups etc. but introduced more solid food as I was able. I was low carb but that generally came from rolled oats as a low processed, whole grain & then incidental carbs like in vegetables. I wouldn’t have reached my protein goals without yoghurt every day (I gave up shakes once at the purée stage). The no crystal light or other flavours could be because your surgeon wants you off artificial sweeteners as well as sugar. Artificial sweeteners still feed your craving for sugar & many cause irritation & allergies. I’m just trying to suggest what your surgeon may be thinking but the best answers are going to come from them. Explain you’re confused because what the dietician is telling you is different & you’d like to know their reasons for the recommendations they’ve given so you understand.

I’m hoping they’re basing this on your blood tests & you are lacking in B12. That rigorous of an injection regime does seems extreme. But your blood tests could be showing you are very low & need a more intensive regime. But I’d still quiz your GP further about what your levels actually are & what they should be if only for your own information. Out of curiosity, are you a vegetarian or vegan? B12 is found in animal products (meat, seafood, poultry, dairy) so if you don’t eat much of these foods it could be contributing. @catwoman7 is correct. Sleevers don’t tend to have the absorption issues those with a bypass can. I only had to take a multivitamin & no other supplements while losing. I gave them up at 8 months post surgery & haven’t taken any vitamins since then. Don’t need to as my 3 monthly blood tests show I absorb enough from what I eat.

I keep some tinned powdered gravy in my pantry & just make up small amounts as I need it. You can even just add a little stock to pan juices, throw in some herbs, spices, tomato paste as you like & instant sauce. You don’t have to drown the meat just keep it moist enough that it doesn’t get stuck. I avoid the cream, cheese based sauces because they’re too rich & I’m not good with higher fat things. Cooking to medium rare, poaching, steaming, slow cooking tends to keeps meat more tender.

It’s not so much the size on the tag that bothers me but the frustration about choosing which is the correct size to buy & avoiding the return process. I hate online shopping. Aust sizes are two more than US so a US 0 is an Aust 4, a US 10 is an Aust 14. Oh & yes your husband is the best @BayougirlMrsS. 🙂. I’ve heard some people put clear contact or sticky tape on the soles of their Louboutins & some brands put on a clear peel off protection on the soles but it makes them slippery to wear. I tried to walk very carefully with mine but ended up just giving up & letting them get scuffed. Still sad though.

@Kris77 have you tried any of the lactose free products? I use a lactose free milk but am fine with yoghurt & cheese (something to do with the cultures/bacteria which can make them easier to digest I believe 🤷🏻‍♀️). But I gurgle heaps more when I have milk & yoghurt. There are coconut & nut versions of most dairy products if you want to explore because you know life is better with cheese. 😁 Sorry about your struggles with eggs though ☹️.

Best thing is to contact your prescribing doctor & find out where your meds are absorbed & processed - tummy, intestines, kidney, liver, etc. Then talk to your surgeon about which ones may not be being absorbed as well because of your surgery. Some may need to be swapped for alternatives. I believe some people have commented that slow release meds aren’t as effective.

It is more challenging if you’re not a cook but maybe this is an opportunity to start 😉. You have greater control over the ingredients & how the food is cooked. I ate a lot of minced meat meals on soft foods - savoury mince, meat balls, bolognese with zucchini noodles, etc. Just keep it moist with sauces/gravies. I also made a lot of slow cooked soups & casseroles. Try omelettes, scrambled eggs, frittatas, etc. - just cook off any verges you add well first before adding them so they get double cooked.

Experiencing a change in your tastebuds &/or sense of smell (the smell of certain foods turns your tummy) is usually temporary. When I first started eating vegetables again my old favourites tasted disgusting but after a few weeks I could eat them without issue. Any prolonged change in your tastebuds usually occurs because you have reduced or removed certain foods/flavours from your diet & when you have them you don’t enjoy them as much. I still find some foods really sweet but that’s because I cut a lot of sugar & sweeteners out of my diet so it’s a good thing for me. Generally the first couple of months can be challenging & cause a bit of an emotional roller coaster as you’re trying to sort out your eating choices, routines, etc. it does get easier. Because we eat such small quantities to begin it can make us weak, tired, or just blah if we miss meals & don’t hit our fluid & protein goals. You’ll work out ways to compensate for busy days that throw your routine too. I always took an electrolyte drink with me when I was going to be busy for an energy boost or you could take a protein shake. Zip lock bags with foods you can tolerate can be helpful too like nuts or jerky as you’re allowed. For a while after goal I kept a protein bar in my bag. Maybe keep a small insulated bag in your car with some cheese, deli meat, etc. I also made sure I took a break - sat & had a cup of tea for 20-30mins. It’s just all new, different, strange, … . Before you know it, you’ll be out & about, socialising, dining, getting on with life & you’ll look back & think that time I struggled was only for a short time really & now life is great. All the best.

It’s wild. There are quotas in place for harvesting wild kangaroos by licensed non aboriginal commercial hunters of specific species & they can only be hunted in restricted areas too. Kangaroos are protected under aboriginal laws & animal protection/ecological protection guidelines. It’s not often found on menus but can usually be bought from big supermarkets. The meat is very rich & gamey & nutritious: low in fat & high in protein. Those cupcakes are gorgeous @Sophie7713.

We all recover at our own rate & have our own experiences regardless of the surgery we have. Some seem to breeze through it while others struggle. But it is temporary. While I struggled with fatigue & low energy post sleeve, I had no gas pain & manageable surgical pain (nothing by day 4). With my gall removal I experienced more gas & surgical pain & general discomfort for much longer but my energy levels were fine. While a permanent regime of taking vitamins is required with bypass it is only a long term requirement with sleeve if they are needed. Malabsorption is not as much of an issue with a sleeve. I had a sleeve & I haven’t taken a vitamin since 8 months post surgery. I was in maintenance & my blood work showed I wasn’t lacking in anything & still aren't. ( I do struggle with protein absorption but that occurred after my gall was removed last June. Before then it was good.) Dumping can be an issue with bypass but is pretty uncommon with sleeve but it can be controlled via good choices (avoid high sugar or highly processed simple carbs). If you have reflux or GERD, a sleeve should be avoided. Did your surgeon recommend one surgery over the other. I mean they’re supposed to be the experts & should be able to advise which would best give you the results you’re seeking based on your medical history, test results, weight loss history, etc. Unless, of course, they said either would benefit you. If you’re worried about a possible food addiction, ask fir a referral to a good therapist to support you work through this addiction & any other cravings, habits or issues that may drive you to eat. Lots of people swear by the help their therapist has given to manage the issues which could sabotage their weight loss.

When those old habits are strong it can be very hard to stop them controlling your choices. You’re not alone. Managing cravings & changing old habits is one of the most difficult thing to work through post surgery. For many of us, they never leave us & are always there. We just find ways to take control of them. First get any junk food out of your house, delete the home delivery apps, delete the takeout phone numbers, & throw out any take out menus. Second, get in touch with a good therapist who specialises in eating disorders. (Did you see someone as part of your approval process? If not your medical team can recommend someone.) The therapist will support you to work through what’s driving you to eat & find strategies to manage those cravings & old habits. It’s pretty darn difficult to stretch your tummy but these glory days of weight loss don’t last. Your real hunger comes back, the weight loss slows, you’ll be able to eat larger, more recommended portion sizes. You need to grasp all the opportunities the surgery initially gives with two hands. All the best.

Not so much sweet but the first real craving I felt come back was carbs. It felt very much like my old pmt carb craving where I sometimes felt like I could eat a while loaf of bread, It was actually quite amusing cause you know menopausal so no pmt anymore. It only happened a couple of times. Hopefully your sweet craving will be the same & you won’t be facing a regular battle. PS - it’s a b*tch when the hunger starts to come back. You really miss the old not hungry days.

There’s different degrees but generally it’s more than heartburn. It’s usually combinations of a bad taste in the mouth (sour), a burning low in the throat or even a regurgitation (often at night as the valve at the top of your stomach opens allowing food to rise up). Some experience a feeling like a bit of food caught in the back of your throat, a cough or a runny nose. I also would get terrible hiccups. It can be managed a lot through food choices. No carbonation, no spicy food, no rich, creamy or fatty food, reduce caffeine intake. Lifestyle changes include stop smoking, lose weight,. avoid tight fitting clothes, don’t lie down after eating, … Of course you’re already doing a lot of this since your surgery. Often over the counter heartburn meds (Tums, Quick Eze, Gaviscon) aren’t enough & you will need a script for a PPI. Speak with your doctor. There are tests to see what’s happening. But yes it is very common to experience reflux temporarily after surgery though a few sleeve patients develop it permanently.

Always best to follow your surgeon’s plan. It’s there for a reason: to support your post surgical healing & recovery. Remember all those sutures & staples holding your tummy together - all because you can’t see them, they’re there & they take time to heal. (Think of a wound with multiple stitches on your arm or leg & how long that takes to heal & how careful you have to be to ensure you don’t stretch or strain it.) While all plans a different, most are on liquids for two weeks or more before staring purées. And it’s not unusual for people to struggle on the next stage & find they need to go back a step for a couple of days. Glad you’re feeling so well after your surgery.

My hunger didn’t come back for ages - more than a year. Up until recently I still often had times I wasn’t hungry but now hardly ever which is sad. I also wasn’t interested in eating for a few months after surgery. I ate to a routine - stuck to three meals a day because I realised I needed to eat for my body to function. My calorie intake was pretty low for a while - barely 900 calories at 6 months & starting maintenance & was often less. Eating to a routine did help change my relationship with food a lot. I looked at food for the nutritional benefit it would give me rather than for any other thing (comfort or soothe, or some other emotional reason, etc.). Food still had to be tasty because if it wasn’t I wouldn’t eat it or eat much of it. It may take time to see what foods you easily tolerate. Don’t be afraid to eat a small rotation of food options to begin.

I told some people but not others. When I took up a new work contract 4 weeks after surgery they just presumed it was a ‘female surgery’ which I never corrected cause they didn’t have to know. You could say you’ve been having some digestive issues so they did an exploratory but found nothing untoward. You’re being very careful with your diet to see if that helps. Whatever story you go with for those super inquisitive people (we all know those people) just be comfortable with it. All the best with your surgery.

My love of lamb is well documented. We’ll have to introduce you to the most delicious tender sweet mat ever @kris77. Haven’t had pigeon but do enjoy quail & Guinea fowl - except for the wee bones. Been wanting to try goat. What’s it like @GreenTealael? They used to say the butchers sold buffalo as beef in central Queensland - that meat was toooughh! I do like deer & kangaroo.

You need to get in touch with your surgeon. This is not what you should be experiencing after sleeve surgery but it could be something to expect after having some of your intestines removed. Regardless your surgeon is best to advise on how to manage what you’re experiencing. Hope you get answers & relief soon.

Unfortunately, the only way to find out if your tummy will like a food is to try it & see what happens. Food one person can’t eat others easily eat. The temporary changes to your senses of taste &/or smell also can turn you off certain foods. I liked to think of my tummy as a contrary, tantrum throwing 2yr old. One day everything is fine but the next you eat the same thing & your tummy throws a tantrum. Best advice is to add new foods slowly & don’t give up. If your tummy says no today try again next week. Don’t be too concerned by a growling, whining, noisy tummy. I asked my surgeon’s colleague about it $0& she said it’s just your digestive system doing what it’s supposed to: digest what your eating. Personally my tummy is noisier if I eat dairy, eat & drink to closely together or eat/drink a little too quickly. It also does it if I rest my iPad on my chest when reading at night - pressure on my tummy I think. I experience it every day - it’s actually squelching now! 😁

Because your stall is longer than the usual 1-3 weeks duration, have a chat with your dietician & review your food choices, portion sizes etc. Do you measure & track everything you eat? It can be easy to over or underestimate, misunderstand your plan or include a food that’s not the best option. Sometimes a small tweak is all that’s needed to your food intake or your activity. You could be fighting against your other health concerns & any meds you may be taking too. Don't give up though. It may take you a little longer but it’s not a competition. All the best.

I was the same. I controlled my reflux by my food choices & the very occasional Nexium (usually if I had too many champagnes or G&Ts - the carbonation). I had a sleeve because the reflux wasn’t bad & I successfully managed it. I still watch my dietary choices but I do have reflux most days but it manifests itself differently now (hiccups not as severe, no bad taste in my mouth but burning in the throat most nights). I take Nexium every day which generally manages it & I was told I’ll always need to take one. I get not wanting to take meds all the time. I hate when I have to take any more than my one Nexium in the AM & my HRT in the PM. Was so glad I could toss the multivitamins from maintenance. Whether you will need to take a PPI for a short time or forever will really depend on your physiology. It is certainly worth another conversation with your surgeon.

I am sorry you are feeling so regretful about your surgery. I wonder how much of your despair comes from your medical team not fully informing you of what to expect as you progress through the process coupled with dealing with your inability to turn to the food that used to offer you comfort & working through the issues you are dealing with in regards your health. @sleevemealone suggested, a therapist may be very helpful. Ask your medical team for a referral to one who specialises in eating disorders & bariatric patients. There are many people on this forum who have benefitted from the support of a therapist. As you progress, you will be able to eat more food (portion size will increase until by maintenance you are eating about recommended serving sizes) & a broader range of foods. Many still eat some of their old favourite foods - just not as often & in smaller portions. Having a sleeve does not limit your social life at all. I went to a 60th birthday party two weeks after surgery. Sure I didn’t eat or drink any of what was provided (I took my own drink) but I still had a great time being with friends. I go out to dinner often. I socialise with friends & family often & did from pretty early out. I just make better food choices than I used to before my surgery. I have weekends away with girlfriends & family. My sleeve doesn’t stop me living my life. It helps me live it better because I’m fitter, physically & emotionally healthier & happier. I wish you all the best.