Arabesque

I found routines very helpful. Ate at about the same time each day, had a small roster of food options (took away some of the focus on food & I didn’t have to think about what I could/should eat). Knew the protein content of all my food choices so made it easier to ensure I was getting my protein in. And no I didn’t get bored with a limited menu. To help with fluid intake, I drink throughout the night too. Get up to pee, sip. Wake, sip. As everyone has said: it’s ok if you’re not perfect every day. Things happen some days & you may not get all your fluids or protein in. Protein is still a big focus for me (I don’t absorb it well since my gall was removed). I’m supposed to consume 60g a day. If I only get 50g one day, I aim to get 70g the next so it averages out. It takes time to work it all out so it fits in with your life. You’ll get there.

First, liquids (& purées) go through you quickly so you likely won’t feel full until you’re eating real food (soft). And yes, nerves were cut during surgery so you won’t have the same sensations until you’re healed. It’s why it’s important to keep to portion recommendations during the early stages. Two tablespoons of cottage cheese would be ok. I was advised 1/4-1/3 cup for the purée & soft food stages. One of the most important things I’ve learnt is not to eat until I’m full but until I’ve had enough or what I need. Don’t be reluctant to put your cutlery down & sit back from the table. Ask yourself do I need this next bite or do I just want it. There’s a big difference. Remember also it takes time the full feeling to register & by the time you feel it you’ve often had more than you actually need. So eat slowly. You may also discover that your full feeling changes & you have to learn your new signals. Some people sneeze, some their nose runs. Sounds weird but that’s part of the fun of weight loss surgery. You will know when you’ve had the one bite too many. Your restriction will kick in (tightness across your chest - I want to thump my chest when it happens) or at worse the foamies (thick saliva, feeling like something is stuck & then regurgitation - not vomiting as such more a bubbling up of what you ate last). All the best.

Oestrogen is stored in your fat (the more fat the more oestrogen is stored) so as you lose weight it is released into your body & basically can screw everything up. It’s quite common for cycles to be strange for a while: lighter or heavier periods, more or less frequent, more or fewer mood swings, etc. Have a chat with your doctor & ask for a blood test to check your hormone levels. It could explain what’s going on whether too many oestrogen hormones or not enough or other hormones being out of whack.

First, everyone’s rate of weight loss slows as they get closer to goal. So you’re doing fine. Secondly I’m your height and basically maintained my weight (110lb+/-) now for a good year. So, yes reaching a lower weight is possible. But you & I are still very different. We may be the same height but I’m 56, have a small frame, am not very active & have a low muscle mass. I reached my goal at 6 months consuming about 900 calories. I continued to lose. I found it challenging to eat enough food to slow/stop the weight loss. It was 11 more months & losing another 11kg (24llb) before I stabilised. By then I was eating 1200-1300 calories. I eat about 1300 to maintain now. Honestly, my surgeon & GP were concerned with my continuing weight loss & my weight when I stabilised. They’re happy now but continue to monitor me carefully (every 3 or 4 months) for which I’m grateful. I’ve looked at some of those weight loss tables too & they all advise different recommended calorie levels for me to lose or maintain. (An iIF one advised 1000 calories for me to maintain recently - wrong!) They don’t know who you are physiologically or psychologically. They don’t take into consideration your frame, your muscle mass, your weight loss history, your metabolic rate, etc. They don’t consider whether your weight loss goal is healthy for you. The question is if you have to eat 650 calories to get to the weight you want how many calories will you need to eat to maintain your lower weight? A low weight goal is not always sustainable in the long term. Eating a restrictive low calorie diet also is not sustainable - it’s why diets fail. By continuing to eat so few calories you’ll also damage your metabolic rate? The surgery boosted your metabolism. Do you want to risk damaging it again? Talk to your surgeon & your dietician about your goals. At this stage you should be continuing to increase your caloric intake & working out your long term eating plan. I don’t know I if I will be able to maintain my weight into the future. Life can throw crap at us or I may decide I want to be more flexible in my food choices.

You are not alone. Many of us experience some form of body dysmorphia. Some eventually move through it & come to terms with the reality of how they look now. For others it a greater struggle & therapy is needed. It’s probably only been the last 6 months or so that I see who I really am physically now. There were many times where I did not recognise myself in a mirror. (I’ve even looked around to see who the woman in the mirror was.) Felt conspicuous in groups. Questioned whether I’d fit in a seat, elevator, etc. or take up too much room. My head has finally caught up. Photos help as does actually wearing clothes that fits - hard to argue with the size on the tag in a shop that doesn’t cater for plus size. Take measurements to see how big your waist or thigh, etc. actually is now. I even checked out the height & weight stats of actresses so I could better picture how I looked now. (I know it’s weird but it did help.) All the best.

Absolutely wonderful, @STLoser. Very happy for you. And congrats on your anniversary.

Eating a few more vegetables than you’re ‘supposed to’ is not going to stretch out your tummy or ruin your weight loss. Unless you’re frequently eating huge portions of high fat, high carb, high sugar foods I wouldn’t worry. Out of curiosity, how far along are you? I ask because as you progress and are able to eat larger portions you’ll find the dilemma of protein vs vegetables isn’t as much of an issue. Just eat your protein first & if you can eat a little more choose vegetables. I like @ShoppGirl’s suggestion to eat vegetables as a snack. There’s a lot to learn & it takes time to discover what works for you. Because we’ve either been where you are or are still working our way through it. We understand & want you to be successful. It’s why we’re all happy to share our experiences & what we’ve learnt along the way. The reason you feel more satisfied eating a smaller portion of toast than vegetables is that the toast tends to swell in your tummy & sit more heavily. It’s why many of us are advised to avoid bread, pasta & rice while losing. (I still avoid them - can’t get my protein in & I feel blah!) Depending on how you cook them they’re relatively low calorie & you’ll get way more nutrients from the vegetables than the toast. I’ve always loved vegetables so eating so few in the beginning was very strange. I remember that first single green bean I was able to eat. So excited. Then I just slowly added a few more as I was able. At 2.6yrs post surgery I eat about 3 ozs of protein & about 1 cup of vegetables & sometimes a meal is only protein. But that works for me. Have a chat with your dietician about portion size (volume vs weight) & calories. It may put your mind at ease.

I’d stick to walking too for another month or so to ensure you’re fully healed. Then you could try some light weights or resistance bands. I’ve never been a gym person either & bought a treadmill years ago. But it’s actually just where I’m storing a large tub of clothes that are too big at the moment 😉.

Give your surgeon a call. Headaches can be a side effect of taking zofran. There are other types of anti nausea meds you could try you might have more success with. Hope you feel better soon.

It was ok on my plan. It was included on the list of post surgical meds to have on hand (along with stool softeners, gas X, Panadol, etc.) when I got home.

The sipping, like the staged returned to eating, is there for a reason, to support your healing. So don’t rush to drink more than a sip to begin. I can’t recall when I could drink more than a sip but it was months after surgery. I think I was able to reduce the time between sips from 5 mins to 2 or 3 after a month or two??? Are the hormones. Now how long that will persist is anyone’s guess. As you lose weight you will be releasing the oestrogen that was stored in your fat hence the fun hormonal roller coaster: the emotions, erratic periods, heavier, lighter, more or less frequent, more or less cramping, etc. I was menopausal & my symptoms disappeared for about 12 months post surgery (was close to my current weight). Even started reducing my HRT but then they all came back ☹️.

I can only echo the words above. It is a tool. You have to learn how to best use it to get the most success for you. The tool does so much for a period of time (the hunger comes back, you physically can eat more, your restriction can reduce in intensity) but rest is up to you. You have to establish new habits, make better food choices, incorporate some activity into your routine. Go back to what you did before & you’ll put on weight again. It’s what I did after every diet I went on. This time has been the complete opposite. Don’t be afraid to seek the help of a good therapist. (Your surgeon should be able to recommend a good one.) They’ll help you work through your doubts & also any issues that may limit or block your success after surgery. The surgery doesn’t remove the behaviours, emotions, etc. that drive us to eat & gain the weight in the first place. They never really go. Plus life does tend to throw crap at us at times. Having strategies to manage the stress, depression, etc. will help you not turn to food for comfort. All the best.

Every surgeon is different. I was told a week if I remember correctly. I remember popping down to my grocery store mid week two & feeling wrecked when I got home. My concentration was pretty crappy, I got weary quickly & my blood pressure was very low so it may also depend upon your recovery & when you feel ok to drive.

I just keep a bottle of water by my bed. Whenever I wake (usually to pee 😂) I sip. I usually drink another cup (250ml) of water. Though I can do more than just sip now I can’t guzzle. Two good swallows are my limit so I still have to drink frequently. A lot of it is just habit now. Get into bed, drink. Wake up, drink. Pee & drink again. Get in the car, drink. Stop at a red light, drink. You’ll develop your own habits too. I also keep a number of options close by. At the moment I’m working through a large mug of green tea, a glass of still water & a glass of flat sparkling water (unscrew the lid when I put a bottle in the fridge). The old don’t drink before you go to bed was for bed wetters to limit their fluid intake. Drinking water is actually soothing to the body - regulates body temperature, lowers your blood pressure, your body doesn’t have to work to digest it, ….

You should find the diarrhoea should settle soon but if it persists give your surgeon a call. You could have a temporary intolerance to lactose which is in many shakes. Fortunately there are lots if non dairy options available now. Before long the constipation begins & that will be a new challenge 😉. Don’t know if you’re the same but my urge to pee has been more sudden & urgent post surgery & I pee about every 90 mins. I pee a lot at night too but then I continue to drink through out the night. It was challenging when I briefly worked in retail. At lot find success with remembering to sip by setting an alarm on their phone. Keep your glass/water bottle beside you. Take it with you as you move about the office, to meetings, etc. I found it easier to remember to sip (plus it was more soothing) hot drinks. Try a cup of herbal or green tea. Remember all the fluids you consume contribute to your fluid intake including your shakes. All the best.

Have you had a Covid test? Shortness of breath is a symptom. I hope it’s not. Don’t put up with it though . Shortness of breath is not normal post surgery.

There are a few things you can rely on during the weight loss phase. One is that your rate of weight loss will slow as you progress. For many of us the month are the hardest because they’re the slowest in terms of weight loss. You’re still losing about a pound a week & this is fine especially considering you’ve been indulging lately. Stopping the indulging & getting back on plan is up to you. You know what you should be doing. Get the temptations out of your house if you can. Before eating ask yourself why you are reaching for food. Are you truely hungry or bored or seeking comfort. Do you need to eat or just want to. Then look for something to distract yourself. Read, watch tv, do a craft, go for a walk, clean out a cupboard, check your social media or this forum, etc. Sip on a glass of water or a cup of tea. Often waiting 30 minutes before indulging is enough for the desire to disappear. Good luck.

Diarrhoea after surgery is quite common. For some it’s a one off but others experience it for days. A friend’s surgeon actually advises his patients to wear disposable underwear for the first week for this reason. She was really pleased she did. I wish I knew about it because I had to toss underwear - it could not be saved. Oh & beware the liquid wind. During surgery they fill your abdomen with gas to inflate the area so they can see what they are doing. It will take a few days for it to fully escape your body. You may notice pain in your shoulder. Walk around the ward, around your house, little & often helps. Give Gas X a try too. All the best.

Stalls are very common in the first month or so & can last 1-3 weeks. Also common is the change to our taste buds & some also become sensitive to smells. It does pass but in the meantime it is a lot of trial & error to find foods you can eat. Sometimes a change of shake flavour or brand is all it takes. From week 5 most plans start soft foods. Try some of the foods you’re allowed: maybe scrambled eggs, yoghurt, mince, slow cooked soups & casserole style foods, etc. The bigger concerns are the pain, low fluid intake & consuming very little. Contact your surgeon or go to your nearest medical centre. You shouldn’t still be experiencing pain and you could be dehydrated. All the best.

It’s a good idea to talk to your surgeon & your prescribing doctor about any meds you take before your surgery. It depends upon where the medication is absorbed in your body: stomach, intestines, kidneys, etc. As you’re having a sleeve the only ones you may have to change are those that are absorbed in your tummy. But it is something you need to talk with your doctors about.

You can purée most cooked meat (some are easier than others). Just add enough liquid gravy, stock, broth, water, etc. Or you can use mayo, ricotta or cottage cheese & thin with a little milk if needed. Personally I found puréed tinned salmon & tuna pretty disgusting but others enjoy it. Lots swear by puréed black beans too. Boiled eggs with Mayo were okay just a little sweet. Yoghurt & yoghurt drinks are handy (no prep). A friend made chicken & vegetable soup, puréed it & said she ate it almost every day. I had a couple of baby food sachets but they don’t have as much protein but ok as a back up.

I’m a no potato person either (my dad was a potato farmer & is rolling in his grave). First they weren’t allowed on my plan through my weight loss phase. They’re a starchy vegetable & unless you burn off their calories after eating them they’ll turn to fat very quickly. On the coupe of times I’ve tried the odd bite or two in the last two years, I find they sit heavily in my tummy too.

Oh, I meant in comparison to what you likely used to eat which can mess with you too - ‘How can this be enough food? No wonder I’m hungry’ type thinking. That in itself can be a new learning: understanding that this is enough food. I did a lot of general reading, nothing in particular. I watched some of Dr Vuong videos but particularly like Dr Matthew Weiner. They focus on bariatrics not therapy but Dr Vuong had some good ‘come to Jesus’ type moments. (You’ll have to scroll through his Covid videos & other stuff he has - like go back 2+ years). Others may be able to recommend readings, podcasts on eating disorders, etc. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCp6n4PijvgR_rhDZx_X8xwQ https://m.youtube.com/user/DrMatthewWeiner/videos I wasn’t working for most of the time in the first year post surgery so I had a lot of time to reflect on my life, really think about why I used to eat or not eat & researched. It was pretty obvious what I had been doing didn’t work & I needed to start from scratch. I dud lots of random google searches often from things people said on this forum. Lot of crap out there though so be careful. Check out their qualifications. As a place to start, I found success by asking myself why. Why do I feel hungry? Why do I want something specifically sweet or salty? Why am I looking for something to eat? Sometimes I really have to break down my answer. Sometimes, there’s a legitimate reason. Missed a meal. Been low in my calorie intake for the day. Hot, sweaty day & low salt intake. Then I look for protein rich food, salt some cucumber, have some fruit, etc. If there’s no real reason the cause for me is usually boredom. I try to find something to do to distract myself, have something to drink or make myself wait for 30mins. The wanting to eat disappears 99% of the time which proves it wasn’t a legitimate need for food in the first place. All the best.

Celebrex is a NSAID so it wouldn’t be allowed. But as I’ve said my surgeon allowed me the odd, single tablet every now & again (like every couple of months) after I was well into maintenance. It’s worth having a chat with your surgeon & see what they recommend.

Mmmm? I wonder if you still have some head work to do. Are you truely hungry or just wanting food to satisfy some other needs? Are you wanting food because you’re bored? Tired? Sad? Happy? So you feel better? Habit? … Have you come to terms with what is a healthy & recommended portion size? 7oz isn’t a mini portion. Depending upon your height, weight, age, level of activity, 1350 calories a day is enough to ensure your body functions effectively. We all have different triggers & realisations about how & why we eat. I still have to watch wanting to eat because I’m bored but I understand it now so I can mange it better. A big learning for me was the difference between eating until I was full and eating until I’d had enough. It’s realising the difference between wanting to eat & needing to eat. Do I need this bite (i.e. does my body need it to function) or do I just want it? Did you see a therapist before or during your weight loss phase? It may be worth going back or getting a referral to one from your surgeon. Years of poor eating habits, poor food choices, our cravings & emotional drives to seek comfort with food don’t ever really disappear. The surgery doesn’t change them. They’re not cut out with our tummy. But we can reduce their power & manage them better. It’s just sometimes we need help & support to do it. All the best.