Arabesque

My niece stayed for a couple of nights & we made rissoles - basically meat balls served with a brown gravy. Of course you have to use your hands to mix in the diced celery, onion, grated carrot, egg & panko crumbs. Lots of fun as you can see by my niece’s smile (with an 8 yr old’s obligatory missing teeth 😉). No after pxts - I forgot ☹️.

Unfortunately, if you have GERD, a gastric sleeve really isn’t for you. It is very likely your symptoms will get even worse & you could face developing Barret’s Esophagus like @ElyQuint (sorry this has happened to you). In saying that I had acid reflux before my sleeve surgery which isn’t isn’t as severe as GERD. I managed it with diet & had only rare episodes - less than a handful of times a year (usually if stressed or if I made poor dietary choices - like too many champagnes or gin & tonics 😉). I still have reflux post surgery but it manifests itself differently now. I still watch my food choices (no spicy food, low caffeine, rarely have carbonated drinks or let them go pretty flat, avoid rich & creamy foods). A daily esomeprazole in the morning generally manages it - sometimes have burning in my throat for an hour or two at night but that’s all. But again that’s reflux not GERD.

Exactly. Remember also we, all have a natural weight fluctuation, we just notice it more now because we ‘re more vigilant with weighing ourselves & recording our weight. I’ve discovered my natural fluctuation is a kilogram (2.2lbs). Any more or less & I reflect on what I’ve eaten or not eaten. Has my water intake been more or less? Did I have some alcohol? Am I constipated? Am I peeing more or less? … Should say I’m maintaining & am pretty vigilant but the principle is the same. If you’re still losing & your weight loss trend is still downwards your golden. If you’re maintaining, reflect on your last week & see what next week brings. Three pounds may be your natural fluctuation. Congrats on your weight loss. Whoo hoo.

As the others have said: it’s just a part of the experience. Your natural hair loss cycle accelerates as a result of the shock of the surgery, stress, anaesthetic, decreased protein intake, dietary changes, etc. The hair you lose was destined to be shed it just happens a bit faster than usual. Just keep on top of your daily protein goal & take your multivitamins. Taking additional supplements that supposedly stop hair loss or strengthen your hair will only help new growth not the hair on your head which is already dead if it does anything. Nothing happens to your new growth cycle so you still ate growing new hair while your losing just at it’s usual rate. A lot of us cut our hair shorter so the new growth doesn’t have as much to grow to catch up plus short hair always seems to look thicker. Same with your skin. Protein is important. You can try taking collagen & silica. Keep it well moisturised & regularly exfoliate. You may look more gaunt & tired for a while but it does settle once you start maintaining. Genetics, age, highest weight, length of time being obese all influences how much your skin has been stretched, how much will bounce back & how much loose skin you end up with. All the best.

It does get easier to eat slightly larger portion sizes (not talking more than a recommended portion size though) as you progress. I also added more snacks & stretched out my meal times more so I could eat a little more. I did feel like I was eating all day though so be warned. I should stress I was trying to maintain when I was doing this. I added some more fat but only a small amount: a few nuts, salad dressing (not diet), liverwurst, etc. Added some multigrain crackers for a few more carbs. Added another serve of fruit to my snack rota. Included a protein bar. Generally, I kept to nutrient dense food. Took me some time to discover what worked for me.

As I said above, I just sipped the diluted serving for ages. If I remember correctly, it made up one cup of shake but I’d diluted to 1 1/2 or 2 cups. Sometimes alternating my sips if shake with water or green tea. It counts towards your fluid goal as well as your protein goal so double win. I didn’t think of a shake or soup as a ‘meal’ as such that I had to consume in a specific period of time. Some days I would still be sipping that shake 4 hours later.

Smoking hinders your healing. Don’t know if that’s specifically tobacco or if it includes pot, etc. too. Better to ask & avoid it for a few weeks then do it & extend or compromise your healing.

I struggled too so I diluted (almost doubled the liquid) the one I had every morning & sipped on it for ages. I had soup in the evening also diluted. Try bone broths or consommés (e.g. just the liquid in pho or wonton soups) as alternatives to only shakes. Add milk to yoghurt drinks to thin them down more too as another source of protein. All the best.

I had reflux before my sleeve surgery but because it was not frequent, I managed it mostly with diet & only took an esomeprazole occasionally. I still have reflux but it manifests differently now (less severe hiccups no bad taste in my mouth). I do take esomeprazole every day now & it manages the burning for most of the day (get some late at night fir a couple of hours). My understanding was that heartburn alone is mild & can be managed a lot with diet. Reflux is worse but again diet can play a big role in easing symptoms but gerd is more severe & generally needs regular meds to help manage it. If you have gerd sleeve is not your best bet. As everyone above has said, protein is essential to a healthy body. It will aid your healing after surgery. It’s used as building blocks in our bodies (bones, muscles, etc.) contributes to hormone & enzyme production & is a source of energy. it does seem odd that your surgeon doesn’t require the consumption of protein post surgery. My surgeon was okay if I didn’t met my 60g a day protein goal to begin as long as I was working towards it & I’m glad as I physically unable to eat (drink) more than I was. It easy easier when I got to purées & soft foods (weeks 3 on). It would be worth a conversation with your surgeon as to why he’s a no protein advocate from early on post surgery & why he pushes fruit juices (even diluted).

Just throwing some thoughts out there. First thought was an undiagnosed stricture. Or it could be a psychological block especially as you said you think you will gag when you eat so you do. Our brain is a very powerful organ. Does nothing sound or taste appetising because you can’t eat foods you used to enjoy eating & so don’t want to eat the healthier food options (low fat, low salt, low sugar, low carb) you’re encouraged to be eating now? Honestly, I thought the shakes were the most disgusting thing I’ve every had to consume & they certainly further turned me off eating. I had them on,y because I knew I had too but bleah! I was soooo happy to stop drinking them as soon as I hit purée. What does your surgeon say? Do you still see or have access to a therapist?

My surgeon gave me the Sally Johnston book too (gift with purchase 😂). I found it really helpful in the beginning as well when I was wrapping my brain around everything. Iron is renowned for causing nausea as can general multivitamins (specifically vitamins C, A, D, E & K) . if you’re taking them after eating & your still nauseous trying splitting the dose if you can - one in the morning & one in the evening. Make sure your not doubling up on vitamins - like is there iron in your multi vitamin as well? Look for a lower dose, a different brand or a different form of iron like @catwoman7 suggested. I only had to take multivitamins but I was so glad when my surgeon supported my request to stop taking multi vitamins (at about 8 months & 2 months post goal). I’m fortunate I absorb all the nutrients I need from what I eat Good luck.

I wasn’t given a caloric goal at any stage either only portion size: 1/4 cup to 1/3 to 1/2 etc. as I was able & protein & fluid goals. I did random calorie checks for my own information. I was eating less than 300 calories in that first month & about 900 by my 6 months & goal & eating about a cup of food but it did depend on what I was eating (like about a cup of protein & vegetables but only one egg). Honestly I couldn’t eat anymore than I did & I was fortunate I wasn’t ever really hungry for more than a than a year. I eat about 1300 to maintain at my weight now but I’m not very active, not very tall, have a smaller frame & am in my mid 50s so my caloric needs were & are different. You’re not tall either so that may influence your caloric recommendations. Worth asking your dietician about factors like these that may influence your caloric needs. They may not even suggest a caloric goal until you’re much further out.

The cream soups & cream of wheat may be a little too heavy for your tummy at the moment - we all had different things we could or couldn’t tolerate at each stage. I agree with @ShoppGirl: don't be afraid to go back to clear fluids stage for a few days. We all heal & recover at different times & there’s nothing wrong with going back a step or taking longer to move to the next stage. My surgeon was ok if I didn’t meet my daily protein & fluid goals at first as long as I was actively working towards them. Remember all liquids count towards your fluid goal - broth, soup, shakes, etc. Try room temp water or herbal or green tea. I found warm drinks much easy to drink & more soothing. I even heated some of my shakes. All the best.

I agree with @ShoppGirl. You may have transferred your addiction back to food. Seeking a therapist who specialises or is experienced with bariatric patients, disordered eating &/or eating addictions. Your surgeon should be able to recommend someone to work with you. Unfortunately many anti depressant meds increase your appetite too so you they could be adding to your battle. Congratulations on being a year sober. All the best. Sorry, just read your response above & I’m glad you’re seeking help from therapists all ready. Definitely see a dietician. Sometimes little things have a, big impact on losing or gaining.

The more you have to lose the faster you lose to begin. 20lbs is great. If anyone tells you differently punch them in the nose (not really of course). As @catwoman7 said the people on My 600lb Life have a lot more weight to lose than you - like more than double. So you should expect their initial weight loss rate to be more than double yours. But if you watch that show you’ll notice that as they lose weight, the loss Dr Now expects them to lose each month decreases. Glad you’ve done well & haven’t had any issues. And enjoy every pound you lose.

You just had pretty major surgery. Your insides have been pushed, prodded, rearranged & cut. You’ve been pumped full of gas to expand your abdomen so they can see what they’re doing & fluids. You’ll have lots of swelling too. Unfortunately pain is to be expected. But this doesn’t mean you have to just endure it. If you’re struggling to swallow or keep down your pain meds & are experiencing pain ask for an alternative method of giving you pain relief like an injection, patch, through your drip… The pain does reduce but you had a lot done so it may take longer than others who had a less arduous surgery. All the best.

Food aversions can happen to either bypass or sleevers. Some of us experience a temporary change to our sense of taste & smell which makes certain foods turn our tummies. For others it can be a textural change that makes us go blah!. Then it can be just our tummy being fussy. I often could eat something one day but the next day it was disgusting. And there were certain things I used to enjoy eating pre surgery like certain vegetables, that for a couple of months were awful. It all seems to settle in time.

For years your body has been holding itself in a certain way to compensate for your weight. Now you’re losing weight you will be standing & holding yourself differently & your centre of gravity is changing. Consequently you will be experiencing some muscle discomfort as your body relearns how to hold a smaller you. Back pain, hip & knee pain etc. are quite common. I had upper back pain because my bras were too big - no support. Bought new underwear & pain went.

Agree with what everyone above has said. Try adding an electrolyte drink to your water routine - I found it helped with the energy lags & was a change from drinking plain water (some can be very sweet - just dilute them). Take your meds after or as you’re finishing your morning ‘meal’ so there is something on your tummy. It does get better but it happens in our own time. All the best.

The pre surgical requirements seem to be different in the UK than the US. They’re certainly different in Australia. Here your surgical approval is not given by your health fund & is not dependent upon having a therapy assessment, going to a series of dietician appointments & not does it take a prolonged length of time. Check with your surgeon’s office as to what you will need to do. Good luck with your surgery.

Well said, @Jaelzion. I used to be able to diet & lose weight when I was younger but the reason I regained weight after was because I went back to eating the same foods I did before. I decided to have surgery was because I was unable to lose the 30kgs I’d put on in my late 40s early 50s; damn menopause meant I couldn’t shift more than a couple of kgs even if eating 500 calories for weeks & weeks. If you go back to eating the same foods in similar quantities you will gain weight again after your surgery. Portion control is important but must be coordinated with calorie control. 1500 calories of high fat, high sugar, carb rich food is the same as 1500 calories of protein dense, low fat, low carb, low sugar food. It’s just that one is better for your body & doesn’t lead to major health complications (heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.). If you choose to eat pizza every day that’s your choice as long as the calories you consume over the whole day are not more than what your body needs to function & will therefore eatable you to maintain your weight. I eat more often than I did before (pre surgery: 2 meals & 1 snack - post surgery: 3 meals & 3 or 4 snacks). I eat more food across a day than I did before too. And I eat more calories than I did before to maintain at this weight then I did before to be unable to maintain at a much higher weight. The difference is the nutritional quality of the food I eat & that the surgery kick started my metabolism again. And I still have times I’m not hungry or interested in eating.

How you decide to maintain your weight is ultimately your choice. What I do or what someone else does may not work for you. My advice is, whatever you choose to do, make sure it is sustainable. That is, it’s a way of eating that doesn’t mean you have to make sacrifices & are able to enjoy living your life. A way of eating that is overly restrictive is destined to fail. There are always alternatives that are healthier & more nutritious. For example if you want to eat carbs, look for multi or whole grain versions & not highly processed white flours. Want pizza, try cauliflower or chicken bases or pita bread as has been suggested. There are lots of high protein low carbs pastas available too. There are snack foods that are lower in calories & higher in protein then traditional snacks. Try different cooking styles like an air fryer or oven baking versus deep frying. Some people do eat pizza, burgers, fries, etc. but they do so in small portions, occasionally. You know you best & how well you can manage eating fast foods & foods considered unhealthy. Use the time you’re losing & on a restrictive diet, to research different eating styles & reflect on your trigger foods. You may develop your own eating routine by picking & choosing from various ‘diets’. You may become vegetarian. You may switch in some vegan options or meals. You may choose to reduce certain food types from your diet like sugar or fats. You just need to develop a way of eating that works for you. Good luck.

I agree with @catwoman7: speak with your doctor. My thoughts turned to low BP & drops in sugar (hypoglycaemia). Many have temporary issues with these. I wonder if it’s too do with our body getting used to the changes in our diet & reduced calories. Prior to surgery I had a tendency to low blood pressure (occasional drops) & random hypoglycaemic episodes. After surgery & as my weight dropped I had more instances of low BP & a more hypoglycaemic episodes. Now I live with a low BP every day. If I feel a hypoglycaemic episode coming on I’ll grab some berries but, touch wood, I haven’t had one for about 4 or 5 months. I took a bottle of hydralyte with me everywhere I went for months for a boost of energy but any electrolyte drink will work. It helped a lot & I hope it helps you too. Give yourself time. Once your weight stabilises & you’re eating more you may find you feel a lot better. But do speak with your doctor.

The foods may not be moist enough. Many of us go from liquids to purées then soft. Get a good blender of some sort (or borrow one) & blend away. Add stock, broth, gravy, milk, etc. to make your food sloppy. Think food you don’t really have to chew much (think slide more than chew) to begin then slowly make what you eat more dense so you have to chew a little more. Don’t be afraid to go at your pace through the stages. Honestly, you may find some things taste awful puréed (tinned tuna & salmon turned my tummy). Wish I’d tried chicken thighs blended with gravy much, much sooner. Yoghurt, milky scrambled eggs, milky rolled oats, thick blended soup, etc. Mash boiled eggs with Mayo is good too. Eating slowly & taking small bites is key. Use teaspoons, children’s utensils. I still keep my food pretty moist to avoid that stuck feeling ( then my restriction starting or at worst the foamies). Definitely chat with your surgeon about the hernia to ensure that isn’t contributing or causing your discomfort.

My first thought was the artificial sweeteners too. My second was lactose - the whey protein many shakes use. Look for plant protein shakes (not soy of course) & avoid shakes with any of the sugar alcohol sweeteners (the ones that end in ‘tol’ like xylitol, erythritol, Sorbitol). https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sugar-alcohols-good-or-bad#other-benefits - scroll down for the digestive side effects. Chat with your dietician & or surgeon about alternatives. They should be supportive of you changing because of the side effects you’re experiencing.