Arabesque

Also 59 and agree it never hurts to ask. And if a revision isn’t an option (for whatever reason) ask about GLP-1 meds or other options available to you. You never know the answer if you don’t ask the question. All the best.

Congee would be too thick (dense) & textured to be considered suitable for the fluid stage. It will be fine for the purée stage though. Liquids have to pour like water. No lumps, chunks or fibrous bits even tiny soft ones like in congee. Water can feel almost heavy to some plus because your taste buds may be temporarily ‘off’ it can taste odd. Have you tried adding a little lemon or lime to your water? I was allowed green or herbal teas which were a bid send to break the water. Don’t forget your shakes & the consommés, broths you are allowed in the liquid stage count towards your fluid intake for the day. I often added additional water to my soups to thin them out more and to the shakes to dilute the taste which was awful to me after surgery. A lot of people also drink protein water and crystal light too as a break from plain water. Congrats on your surgery & your weight loss so far.

Recently visited the PL Travers, author of Mary Poppins, museum. (She was born in Australia not the UK as many think.) If you are familiar with the Mary Poppins’ books, movie or musicals you may remember with the scene where Mary measures the Bank’s children with a tape measure which shows their personality. They had the tape measure on a wall at the museum. Turns out, just like Mary Poppins, my 5’3” height means I’m practically perfect in every way. Lol! Found a t shirt that said this & bought a size 12 CHILD’s! Good gracious. Proof below. Ignore my flat hat hair and my extremely shiny face. (And yes my friend’s disagreeable without coffee measurement is true too.) Same shirt but for some reason it looks beige in this pxt. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Many of us discover that what we thought as of being hungry actually wasn’t hunger at all just our heads directing our eating. I remember the first time I experienced real hunger after surgery. I truly didn’t know what was wrong with me. I was restless. It was late in the evening & was in bed trying to sleep but tossing & turning. Knew something wasn’t right then I realised I hadn’t eaten since lunch. Aah, I’m hungry. Had a chicken tender and went back to bed and fell asleep all good again. Grumbling tummy, no hunger pains, no craving of a specific food or flavour or texture. So you may be on to something and on your way to discovering what your real hunger feels like. Whoo hoo!

My surgeon always keeps his patients in overnight and a second day if they live alone (I do). He kept me a third day as my back went into spasm - not a complication of the surgery just me holding stress in my back where I have a weakness. Was fine otherwise. He kept my brother in three days too to give him a break from his five children (aged 7-14). I know 🙄. I like to think it was so he’d stronger & his wife wouldn’t have 6 children to look after. 😉

Yes, it could be your hunger returning. PPIs reduce your stomach acid and consequently the crampy ‘hunger pangs/pain’ excess acid can cause which makes you think you’re hungry. Never known them to make you hungry. (i’ve been on daily Nexium since my surgery and prior took it randomly yet never experienced hunger.) Might be worth asking your doctor or surgeon. You never know. PS. I’m so over these pharmaceutical shortages. Back to not being able to get my HRT patch - was 5 months without them last time. I mean what the F! I ask my pharmacist to double dispense all my scripts and I still run out.

Was given opioids in hospital for three days & a script of palexia (also an opiod) to take home . I took one that night to ensure I slept but probably didn’t need it and took no more. Pain is always difficult as people have different pain thresholds. If you have a lower pain threshold couldn’t hurt to ask for a script for a small number of opioids just in case.

Only you know the answer as you have to be ready, mentally, physically and emotionally, for the surgery and the changes you will have to make to be successful with the surgery in the long term. I was healthy, no comorbidities at all yet I knew at my weight and age (almost 54) the chance of them developing was very high. I also knew I could lose weight myself as I had many, many times before (though it’s much harder as a menopausal woman) but I also knew I could put it all back on again which I always did. The decision was easy. Woke up one morning and said enough. Made an appointment with my GP and 6 weeks later I had my surgery (no or very few hoops to jump through in Australia if you meet the criteria). Yes, the first couple of months aren’t easy: restricted diet, temporarily changed tastebuds and interesting discussions with yourself around food, eating, hunger, etc. (the head work we talk about begins). Pain was gone after 4 days though if you have surgical gas pain it can linger a week or so. You’ll discover and decide how & what you want to eat in the long term to maintain and that may be different from others. It’s all about what works for you & your lifestyle. Many people still eat ‘unhealthy’ food but it’s all about the portion they eat and how often they eat it. Everyone travels & then it often comes down to making the best choices you can and not beating yourself up if you do indulge while away. I just came back from a short girls trip and ate an obscene amount of cheese & drank more than I usually do. I’m okay about it and got back on my usual path when I got home. Like @NickelChip there are things I avoid. Bread, rice, pasta sits heavily in my tummy too. Foods can be super sweet so I generally avoid sweet things (I do indulge at odd times like at Christmas). I don’t find it hard to avoid or reduce my intake of those foods I struggle to eat or choose not to eat rarely. I don’t want to waste the opportunity I’ve been given. And yes, I’d do it again in a heart beat. All the best whatever you choose to do.

Oh my gracious @ShoppGirl what a battle you have been fighting. But it sounds like you are facing this with your usual strength & focus though I’m sure there are days that are extremely difficult. I think it ‘s amazing you are still trying to balance your weight loss with your treatments. And it sounds like you have a great attitude around doing the best you can when you can & f*@k the days you can’t. You were enjoying your yoga and am glad you have access to some virtual classes. I too love the inner peace yoga provides. (I still get it with the few yoga stretches I do at home.) Sending blessings your way.

LOL! Mine are mostly grey now as well & have to get them dyed every 4 weeks too. I supposedly have a little scar tissue on the inner of my brows - deep, can’t see or feel anything. That’s the only ‘issue’ I’ve had and it doesn’t hinder the annual touchups I get. Find a reputable technician. I had a 30 min consultation where she went over everything, asked about allergies, experiences with other dyes, etc. & then I made the appointment to proceed after that. I’m given an antiseptic cream to apply twice daily for a week after. It dues bring tears to my eyes when I have it done even with a prescription strength topical anaesthetic.

Unfortunately you can stall many times while you are losing. Each time it is just as frustrating, They will break. I wonder if you are making too many changes and just need to stay your coarse for a while. Remember a stall occurs when your body needs to take reassess and take stock of your current needs in regards to metabolic rate, digestive hormones, etc. The weight loss and duet is quite stressful to your body and it too needs to take a time out, shut the door, and take a breath much like we need to do mentally in stressful times. Certainly getting your iron levels and any other deficiencies sorted is important. It may help as the deficiencies might be adding to the stress your body is under. All the best.

Yes, it could be the beginning of a stall but remember all the weight loss rates you read about and weekly/monthly weight loss goal you may be given are all based on averages @eJean. For everyone who meets those averages there’s someone who exceeds it and someone who doesn’t meet it and that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with having lost 16.5lbs in your first month. Don’t ‘only’ it. You’ve lost more than a stone in a month. Amazing! I remember my weight loss slowed so much around months 5 & 6 I was losing grams/ounces a week @Bypass2Freedom. I never thought I would hit my goal - it was hellish frustrating to be so close yet so far in my mind. Yet I did and then continued to lose 11kgs more for another 11 months at various rates. So don’t give up. Do remember though that if you reduce your calorie intake to reduce your weight more you will have to continue to eat less than you are now to maintain the lower weight. You never know the weight you will stabilise at and you can maintain. You can stay your oath or make some adjustments and see what happens. Oh, and don’t forget you can still experience stalks along the way nit just at the beginning. PS Check out a basal metabolic rate calculator. They’re not perfect much like a BMI calculator but might give you an idea of whether you are eating less than you need to maintain your current weight & the activity you are doing. If you are consuming less than they say you need you should keep losing.

Many surgeons repair the hernia during the sleeve surgery. Was there a reason your surgeon didn’t? Of course once you’ve had one hernia there’s always a chance of it recurring. Are they doing a bypass to reduce your risk of a recurrence versus just repairing the hernia alone?

I’ve still got my fingers crossed for my brows. Have a few coming in but they seem finer. I’m patchy. Lost some of my brows from a combination of following those micro fine brows of the 80s & then a skin infection. Get my brows micro bladed which is great (about 5 years ago) but I’d still like some more of my own brow hairs as well. The hair loss with the weight loss is an acceleration of your natural hair loss cycle not a permanent loss. So you’re just shedding hair you would usually be shedding in your normal cycle more quickly. People lose different amounts, some more than others for about 3 or so months from around months 3 or 4. Doesn’t seem to differ if people take supplements or not. Certainly won’t hurt @Mskmartin & it may make your new growth stronger.

Never heard of it but I see it has minoxidil as it’s active ingredient so same as Rogain. Minoxidil does regrow hair but you have to keep using it forever. Stop using it and your hair falls out again. I use the 5% Rogain for a small patch of menopausal hair loss at one temple (I’m vain 😉) & I dab it on my brows too (the women’s 2% wasn’t strong enough). It does make my hair a bit gloopy if I don’t wash it every 2 days though. There is a prescription tablet you can take which is easier of course but if you have low blood pressure you should avoid it. If you are thinking about using it for the weight loss associated hair loss it probably isn’t worth it (my opinion only) as your hair loss is temporary and it regrows.

I still can’t get over your surgeon or no other doctor thinking hmm wonder if it’s a stricture (I mean not a medical specialist but I thought stricture as I read your post) and if you had GERD and testing to see. So sorry you’ve had such terrible medical support. Hope the surgery will help & your new doctor is hugely more supportive.

Went to a Christmas gathering last night & decided to finally wear this dress: a little red cheer. Bought it from The Outnet earlier this year (bargain Victorua Beckham - Whoo hoo!) but was saving it for a ‘special occasion’ then decided every occasion is special so I should just wear it. Anyone else save clothing for some nebulous future ‘special event’ & then don’t wear it as no event is special enough or am I the only crazy one?

In addition to @Hop_Scotch’s suggestion of stomach acid being the cause, you could also be experiencing head hunger. The surgery and all the changes are very stressful on you physically, mentally and emotionally. Many of us always turned to food in these stressful times but of course food can’t be the answer now. However your brain hasn’t got the message and is telling you you’re hungry so you’ll eat to comfort yourself. And the more you don’t eat to comfort yourself, the more your brain says hungry so eat. Ask your surgeon for some PPIs (Nexium, prilosec, etc.) to combat the excess stomach acid your body is still producing which is causing the burning & growling. PS - What are the three meals you are eating each day? Usually the first two weeks are liquids only so shakes, bone broths, strained cream soups, strained consommés are your ‘meals.’.

5’3” and was 200lbs when I made my decision. For me, it’s been the best decision. But only you know what’s best for you in regards to your weight and your overall health now & in the future. I was healthy without any co morbidities before my surgery but I knew carrying the weight I was meant health issues were in my future. Only you know if you can continue on your current weight loss journey and fully adopt your new behaviours around food, eating, etc. (Congrats on the changes you have made.) Of course after surgery you have to adopt new behaviours as well, but the surgery gives you benefits (some temporary) to support you as your losing & helps gets you through the period when you’re adapting to the changes. BMI shouldn’t be used as a hard and fast rule as to what is a healthy weight range but merely as an idea of what might be good for you. (The science/studies behind the development of the BMI metrics is flawed and did not take in many factors like ethnicity, muscle mass, your frame/build, age, etc.). You’re right, everyone carries their weight differently (I carried it all over) and what’s a comfortable weight for one may not be for someone else. Some people feel happier at a higher weight whilst others don’t. Some here have got to a lower weight but happily settle at a higher weight. I thought my goal of 132lbs was fine for me and achievable. I had always been happy at that weight. I ended up less than that (108) and I feel great at this weight. Discovered I actually am quite finely built and so I look slim/tiny but not bony. And I still have an hourglass shape though the ratio is much smaller than before (lol!). Usually, your approval for surgery is based upon your starting weight (before your classes not your weight after you’ve completed them. So your starting weight would make you eligible in most cases, Why not meet with the surgeon, see what they suggest. Ask too if you can delay your decision & for how long so you can see how you continue on your own. I know I haven’t answered your questions & have only given you some more things to consider but I hope they help you decide your next steps. All the best whatever you choose to do.

Many find having elevated liver function tests whilst in the losing phase. Weight loss, especially the larger amounts we’re losing, is hard your liver. It does settle again once your weight stabilises. If your liver was fine before surgery and now a couple of months in & your labs are elevated I would think it may be because of your weight loss and it will improve. But see what your surgeon says.

I believe it’s only supposed to maybe beneficial to your immune system (bovine colostrum for adults vs how human mother’s colostrum benefits a human baby). Nothing about consuming it for weight loss. Out of curiosity I wonder what the nutritional value is?

I agree that dress in red would be fabulous on you too @Lilia_90. Hubba hubba! Buying new clothes is a huge challenge @Bypass2Freedom. Not only working out what size you need now but there’s such variation in sizing between brands it’s easy to end up with something too big or too small. Then returning is such a pain too. And size guides are often useless too Then you have the issue of what styles suit you now. You’re still losing aren’t you? Will you return the dress & get it in a smaller size? It looks cute on you.

First: All because you can doesn’t mean you should. It takes around 8 weeks to fully heal. That includes all nerves that were severed or damaged to be back firing again & sending accurate messages to your brain around, hunger, satiety, damage and your restriction. It’s why sticking to the portion size recommendations you should have been given is so important during the healing stage. (If you didn’t get them ask your team for some guidance.) You don’t want to damage your healing tummy either (all those sutures and staples holding your tummy together). Secondly: Do you need the next bite or just want it? There is a big difference between needing to eat and wanting to eat. Stopping to think about each bite you take is part of mindful eating and reflecting on your eating vs. mindlessly shovelling food into your mouth. If you just want the next bite (to make you feel better, out of habit, or other head hunger related desires) put your cutlery down & sit back from the table. Sometimes you may take another bite after a few minutes, other times you don’t have any more. The goal is not to eat until you are full but until you are satisfied and have had enough for your needs (for your body to function effectively). It takes at least 20 minutes for the message you’re are full to get through. If you are eating quickly when the message gets through, you’ve eaten more than you need and are over full. The goal also shouldn’t be to eat until you feel the restriction. If you feel your restriction you’ve eaten too much, or too fast or food that is too dense. The restriction fades in time so you can’t rely on it as a long term maintain e tool. The two axioms have been very important to me and helped me stick to the plan I was given in the losing stage and then to maintain in the years after. I’ve often shared them & I hope you may find them helpful too.

How many calories for just the curious kitty? 😉

My minister at church very concernedly asked if I was ok obviously worried I was sick. A neighbour, after congratulating me on how good I Iooked, ‘suggested’ I not lose anymore. My uncle commented I looked like death. I had people I’d known for decades not recognise me & then make a fuss even though I was only obese in the last 5 or 6 years & was often a healthy weight in the years they knew me. And so on. We talk about our body dysmorphia but I believe others experience it in how they see us. They have an image of us being obese and they find it very difficult to accept us not being obese. So you get told you’re too thin, wasting away, you’ve lost too much, you must be sick, or just plain rude and unkind comments. Some of those are from people who are jealous or bitter b**ches. Some are from people who feel more comfortable seeing you as obese and want you to stay in the fat friend box. And yes, some come from people who want to be supportive but can’t express it in a way that doesn’t come out wrong (critical or hurtful). In time you won ‘t get those type of comments. Eventually, people start to see you for how you are now as their perception changes. I haven’t had anything said to me for about 3 years now (well except for my sister-in-law’s cow of a mother last Christmas but I hadn’t seen her since before my surgery).