Arabesque

Glad you’re going to go back to your surgeon. If all the suggestions & ideas based upon people’s experiences here don’t provide you with any answers or ideas to try about your struggles your surgeon is your best bet. Hope they can help.

Anti depressants are notorious for causing weight gain, often because appetite increases. Your doctor needs to check the anecdotal evidence about Trintellux. Maybe there is another med you could try? Weight gain In clinical studies, people who took Trintellix didn’t have a significant change in their weight. But after this drug was approved, some people taking Trintellix reported weight gain while taking the drug. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/trintellix#side-effects My GP increased my HRT 6 months ago & I gained a couple of kgs pretty quickly (& started getting random pimples too - WTF?). I also was increasing my protein intake & I blamed that at first. I cut out some things from I ate, added a little more activity but no change to my weight. Now, I’m putting 90% of the blame on the HRT. But what do you do? Symptoms or some extra kg. Don’t let it demoralise you. You’ve done so well with your weight loss. All the best.

You’ll notice lots of differences in pre surgical & post surgical plans all the time. I know my surgeon puts different patients on different pre surgical diets. He considers many factors like weight loss history, health status, how much weight they have to lose, etc. in his decision. He put my friend on all shakes. He instructed a friend of hers to do two shakes & a meal. Me, he put on keto. You just have to follow your plan. Your surgeon likely recommended it for a reason. You could always ask them why.

So sorry you have been struggling. It will be interesting to see what your PCP says, what tests they order & what treatments they recommend. I wonder if the release of hormones & other things stored in your fat as you’re losing weight has stirred up some of your health issues? This isn’t uncommon. My cholesterol rose while I was losing though my fat intake was very low & my liver function was off. My predisposition to low blood pressure has become a permanent condition. I grew a gall stone & had my gall removed. Plus the surgery & all the changes to your duet & eating puts you under a lot of stress & that can stir up all sorts of health issues. Just a suggestion. I don’t understand nutritionalists who recommend no chicken, beef or pork for months after surgery. What’s their justification? What do they recommend you should eat instead? I presume plant based proteins. Can you eat seafood? The weight loss phase should be the time you learn about how you want & need to eat in the future - learning new eating & cooking habits, new & alternative ingredients. If you were or are intending to follow a meat free diet in the future their plan is fine but if not … Plus you have to get your tummy & digestive system used to a broad range of foods again & see what it does & doesn't tolerate. I was eating meat including seafood from soft food & some in purée. Some didn’t taste as good to begin but I could tolerate them all. Unfortunately constipation in some form is a cross we all have to bear while losing. Soluble fibre, stool softeners, laxatives, etc. become part of your life for a while. It does improve a lot once you are eating more & a more varied diet. Glad you decided to go out & some some fun with a friend though it was unfortunate you injured your hip. Don’t give up though. Just take it more slowly.

Always best to follow your surgeon’s plan especially in things where there are many different positions. Some say to avoid caffeine to begin because it can be too harsh on your healing digestive system. Some say to drop it because it is just another addiction. Some people are given coffee right after surgery. Mine was no caffeine just herbal or green tea. Can’t recall for how long as I gave up coffee years ago (the caffeine affected my sleep badly & it used to aggravate my reflux) & only drank green tea anyway.

You don’t have to make your own cream soup. Just buy them from the supermarket. That’s all I did those first two weeks. Made my own soups after then but honestly couldn’t be bothered to cook anything that first fortnight. Heat or shake were my cooking limits. ? Any broth works including the broth from wonton soup or pho (jus drain & strain the solids out). Bone broth is the best but it can be salty. Just watch any fruit chunks in the yoghurt. Strain it well after blending it with the milk. Chobani yoghurt was recommended to me but I found it too sweet. Found a less sweet one with more protein (20g) which also had a yoghurt drink. Think it’s only in Australia (Danone yopro) but the don’t do the drink anymore. Mine didn’t have to be ‘lite’.

May be it’s the type of carbs? From purée stage I was allowed carbs: rolled oats & vegetables (not potatoes), then fruit later on. So instead of saying ditch the carbs I should have said reduce the carbs & look for more nutritious complex carbs like in multi & whole grains (low processed), seeds & vegetables. If you’re able to eat bread & pasta on your plan look for the low carb, high protein & multi grain versions. And of course leave them to last when eating: protein first then vegetables & then carbs if you can. But maybe it’s a case of discovering what works for you and it may be reduced carbs or only complex high fibre carbs. Ketosis didn’t last for my whole weight loss phase, just in the beginning. (Thank goodness - those bad body odour, bad breath, keto flu, etc. side effects are awful.) You don’t have to be in ketosis to lose weight. That’s just one way. Continuing to be calorie deficient will enable you to lose weight. I haven’t eaten pasta, rice or bread since before my surgery three years ago. I go out often including to Italian & Japanese restaurants & haven't felt like I’m missing out yet by not eating rice or pasta. Plenty of other options on the menu. As for bread - I have 7 specialty bakeries & patisseries within a 2 km strolling radius of my home. Don’t feel I’m missing out with them either. It’s just how you look at it. But that’s me. You have to discover what works for you.

I was allowed instant rolled oats from purées & being instant they were more highly processed & less coarse than traditional oats. Grits are even smooth so it makes sense they may be on your plan. Give them a go but definitely make them very liquidy - run off a spoon like soup. A lot of people have issues with sugar alcohol artificial sweeteners. Try to avoid them as much as you can or look for alternatives. It won’t be easy, though cause they seem to put them in everything. The learning can be fascinating. I’ve really enjoyed researching things associated with the surgery, nutrition, health considerations, etc. as well as learning about me & what my body needs to function effectively. You just got to avoid the fads, the self proclaimed experts, those with agendas to push, … but it makes for interesting reading. This forum has been very helpful to me too. A wealth of information. Lots of similar experiences but lots of different ones as well. All the best.

Oh, yes the fish is the way to go and maybe the eggplant depending on how it’s prepped & served with. Just watch the sides. You won’t be able to eat all you’re served but that’s ok. Ask to take your left overs home as others have suggested if you want & yes a cooler can be invaluable. And yes try some fish at home before you go just to be sure. (I ate a lot of fish from soft food.) Don’t be afraid to give the restaurant a call before you go either to let them know you are on a restricted diet post abdominal surgery. They may be able to offer you an option just like they would for a vegetarian or vegan or for someone with food allergies. Most restaurants are very flexible & understanding these days. Enjoy the party.

Soups were my saviour because those shakes were disgusting & bone broths tasted too salty. As for feeling dizzy, lacking energy, etc. is to be expected you just had pretty major surgery. Think of all those staples & stitches holding your tummy together. Your body needs time to heal & recover. The surgery itself is quite a shock to your body too. Rest. I spent a lot of time on my couch & just light pottering around my house & taking shirt strolls. No way could I have cleaned my house. Besides being physically unable I would not have wanted to compromise my healing. Add an electrolyte drink to your fluid roster to give you a bit of a boost. Yes, some people can go back to work after a week but others need longer because we all recover at our own pace. (I needed all of 4 weeks & returned part time due to low BP making me lightheaded & doughy in the head - always had a pre disposition to low BP.) Any cream soup is fine: chicken, beef, pumpkin, mushroom, broccoli, cauliflower, potato & leak, tomato, etc. Some people find tomato too acidic but give it a try & see how you go. I diluted the soups (extra milk or water) to make the flavour less intense & thinner & easier to swallow plus it meant I was drinking more fluids. I also strained them to ensure there weren’t any chunky bits or bits of herbs or vegetables. You can also eat the broth part of pho, wonton soup, etc.

Stalls happen. Frustrating & demoralising at times but part of the process. But you also know you have been going off plan which is hindering your weight loss too. You know what you have to do to get back on track. Remember the benefits of the surgery don’t last forever. Take advantage of them now. Take your lovely puppy for walks. Ditch the carbs. Stick to your plan. Ensure you’re meeting your fluid & protein goals. Check if you’re really hungry or just head hungry. Are you hungry for a specific food or food type? Does it pass if you distract yourself or have something to drink? Real hunger feels different to head hunger. For me I get restless & feel like something is wrong. It doesn’t pass & I don’t crave anything specific. You can do this.

It’s because oestrogen is stored in your fat. As you loose weight the oestrogen is released into your bloodstream giving you a hormonal flush. Heavier/lighter, more/less frequent cycles, increased or decreased PMT symptoms, etc. plus the stress of the surgery & changed diet add to it all. I was menopausal when I had the surgery & all my hot flushes disappeared. They all can back though once I’d lost a lot of my weight ☹️. Your cycles will settle again too. PS - you can also become more fertile. Many surgeons suggest doubling up on contraceptives.

This is pretty common. It’s like your body fat rearranges & resettles itself. Tracking body measurements as well your weight can keep you motivated when the scale stops moving. Plus the measurements can help you come to terms with your shrinking body too. Your body will even resettle once your weight is stable. I went from being very up & down when I stabilised to getting my curves back … well my waist & hips so I looked more like my old hour glass shape. Still no butt though. Weird but true.

I’d avoid the strenuous workouts too. Remember your poor healing tummy & all the staples & sutures holding it together. Most of us are advised to only walk for a few weeks. Remember you also have restrictions on how much you can carry/pull. Check with your dietician re calorie. There are lots of different requirements & it is always best to follow your plan. Personally I wasn’t given any caloric goals (only portion sizes & protein & fluid goals) & by the end of my first 4 weeks I was barely eating 300 calories but that was me & all I was capable of plus not hungry or interested in food. My surgeon & dietician was okay with it as I was slowly increasing what I was eating.

You can purée most things. Just use gravy, stock, milk, yoghurt, Mayo, etc. to keep it moist & drop of the spoon consistency. Add herbs & spice to taste. I was allowed instant rolled oats (with extra milk to keep it thin) & scrambled eggs (again with extra milk so very soft). I also mashed boiled eggs, & puréed tinned salmon with Mayo (though it tasted pretty revolting). Also puréed very slow cooked meat & vegetable soups. I also ate yoghurt & drank yoghurt drinks. Friend swore she ate puréed chicken with gravy every day. It may come down to what tastes ok to you (I threw out the salmon).

Collagen peptide is considered an incomplete protein & won’t count towards your protein goals. It lacks many of the essential amino acids. Whether it helps with hair, skin, etc. is another question. I added collagen (& silica) to my yoghurt for about 5 months I think. Don’t think it really did anything though. Certainly didn’t change the texture of my new hair growth. (It won’t stop the post surgery hair loss as that hair is already dead & meant to fall out it just falls out faster for a couple of months.). My nails weren’t stronger. I upped my facials & did some other treatments to stimulate collagen production as well but I can’t say any of it really did anything except a temporary short term glow & plumpness. You might have a totally different reaction. It’s not uncommon for you to look drawn & notice additional wrinkles & facial creases while you are losing. But once your weight has stabilised, you’re eating more & a broader diet & your body seems to redistribute your weight you will look a lot better. I went from being told I looked like death while I was losing in my first year when taking the collagen to looking beautiful in my second year when I wasn’t taking it (according to my outspoken uncle ?).

Oh, how awful for you. I hope you feel better soon Go back to your doctor & ask when you should be starting back on protein shakes & then other foods. You need protein & other nutrients for healing. The other concerns is the longer you go without popping the harder it becomes to go. You have to retrain the muscles. Even a clear liquid diet has some calories & if dehydrated has solids so there will be some waste building in your bowels. Are you drinking enough & meeting your 64oz fluid goal?

Does all these dates @kristieshannon mean you’ve been expanding your wardrobe & buying cute dresses like this one? Will we see more lovely pxts?

That’s an amazing discovery @ms.sss. I never thought about why I don’t sleep on my tummy any more. Now it makes sense why I’d feel discomfort in my back midsection if I did. I wonder if not having a butt anymore contributes to some of my lower back pain??

The awful smell from the capsules could be because your sense of smell can become more sensitive after surgery. It is only temporary. If they still smell awful to you this far out it could just be something in the Bariatric Advantage thats more specific to you. Like the smell of ramen noodle places & Red Door perfume makes me cringe.

Dumping is pretty rare in sleeve patients. It’s more likely you’ve been advised to avoid sugar to break any addiction to sugar you may have - break your cravings for sweet. I didn’t have an addiction but I enjoyed dessert or something sweet at night. While losing I cut out as much sugar, sugar alternatives & artificial sweeteners as I could. Now I rarely eat traditionally sweet things. I will have some cake or dessert on special occasions like Christmas, a wedding, etc. I just control how much & how often. I get most of the glucose my body needs from other food sources like fruit, vegetables, carbs, dairy, seeds, etc. Can’t see anything wrong with you having some birthday cake especially in 5/6 months time - just not the whole cake. ? PS - I didn’t & still don’t have any regrets. Though in the beginning isn’t uncommon to question your decision. You’re going through a lot - a big surgery, restricted diet, pain, discomfort, low energy. Lots of changes, new things to learn, you have to avoid foods that used to comfort you, etc. Hormones are going haywire & you can be very emotional. But once you’ve healed & recovered, are feeling more confident & comfortable about what you’re doing & you see how much weight you are losing, the regrets or concerns disappear.

I had sleeve & only had to take a multi vitamin. I’m menopausal so don’t need the extra iron as younger women would (not that you need to worry about that either @Muffinman1119) & my blood test showed I had ample iron & iron stores. According to my pre surgery bone scan my bones are rock hard so no additional calcium either. Plus post surgery I was eating more dairy then I did before. Best advice is to follow what your medical team has advised to begin. Subsequent blood tests will show if you are getting too much of anything. I haven’t taken vitamins since about month 7 or 8 post surgery. I get all the nutrients, vitamins & minerals I need from what I eat. The exception is vitamin D which I take in winter only. My levels drop a bit because I hibernate. I’ve discovered the brand I buy (BioCeuticals) offers it in a spray now. Single squirt under the tongue. No swallowing tablets. For those who struggle with swallowing meds & nausea, a spray, if you can find it, may be an alternative.

It will come down to what you choose to eat or not eat or whether you can tolerate it or not. You may choose never again, or occasional small portions or look for alternatives like pizza with low carb or cauliflower pizza crusts. Your new digestive system may say no not for you to high fat or high sugar foods & you experience dumping if you eat these foods so you don’t eat them to avoid dumping. Or you may not tolerate certain foods like some develop a lactose sensitivity. It is really up to what works for you.

What you are experiencing is very common. You’ve been going through a lot. The surgery, the change in your diet, pain & discomfort. So much new information & things to learn. Perfectly understandable that you’re questioning if it will be worth it. Plus your hormones are all over the place making you more emotional. It just takes time. Time to heal & recover. Time for your hormones to settle. Time to become familiar & more confident about the changes to your eating, etc. Take as much time as you need. One day you’ll realise you are feeling a lot better, stronger & confident about everything. Your weight will be decreasing. And you’ll realise yes, it was worth it. All the best.

Some foods can make your restriction kick in more quickly. Chicken can be a culprit as it can be dry. Does it happen with all meat proteins? If it’s just chicken or other specific proteins drop them for a couple of weeks & then see how you go. Sometimes my restriction kicks in quickly. It can occur because I’m distracted & eating a little too quickly or eating something that is too dry or heavy in my tummy. In my first year it sometimes happened if I was worried about eating when I was out or eating with people who didn’t know about the surgery. So I think being a bit stressed & holding tension set off the restriction. You may be consciously or subconsciously worried about whether you will be able to eat a meal & that sets off your restriction. ??‍♀️ Certainly worth a chat with your medical team. I don’t think you have a stricture because you are getting some solid food down & you have no nausea & aren’t vomiting. But again talk to your team.