Arabesque

Get in contact with your surgeon or doctor asap. You should not be experiencing pain at any time. (And yes, my thought was gall too.)

I didn’t really feel hungry or interested in food for ages, well into my second year. Then I had odd days or times I didn’t feel hungry. Now I feel hungry every day - how I wish for the old days. Life was much easier then. Even though I wasn’t hungry, I still made sure I ate & found eating to a routine extremely helpful. I also made sure I was eating a variety of foods to ensure I was getting in all my nutrients. Yes my tummy could be very fussy, but I worked out the meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, dairy & fruit it liked & slowly added more options. This also established how I tend to look at food now - as a source of the nutrients my body needs to function. Have a chat with your dietician & start trying to eat real food. Don’t try something once & give up on it because your tummy revolts. Try it again next week. Try simple, more bland food to begin then add the spices, etc. you enjoy as you’re able. Good luck.

That’s fantastic @Splenda. Excellent advice that will resonate with many of us. It’s like how we suggest to wait 30 mins when a craving hits - a short horizon. Thank you for sharing.

USSR love it. Her head would have exploded I’m sure. I am fortunate that I have a very good, but very expensive, butcher who still has meat so I have meat for dinner but I tend to get the chicken, salmon & prawns I eat at lunch from the supermarket as they’re a lot cheaper. But the meat sections in the supermarkets are very bare. Honestly I am a bit fussy. but there are certain things my tummy just doesn’t enjoy plus I can’t do the spice thing at all. The available stock is so erratic. Like this week they had prawns (yay) but were marinated in chilli (boo). I’ve spent time over the last 2+years finding the best food options - best protein, best general nutrition with least or no sugar/artificial sweeteners, low carbs & low calorie. Last week I went to three different stores to try to find what I needed. All I found was three tubs of yoghurt, a couple of protein bars & … processed frozen crumbed ‘chicken’ schnitzels - the horror! Because I don’t absorb protein well anymore, being unable to buy my trusted protein sources is a a worry. Oh God, I may have to go back to shakes - shudder.

Not a food before & after more of a no food issue. The shelves are bare at the supermarket again this week & I’m really struggling to find the products I buy regularly that form a big part of my eating regime. Been having to make some poor food choices: processed foods & not the raw ingredients I prefer to buy. Calories are increasing & I’m struggling to meet my protein goal. It’s not a hoarding issue as such here in Australia at the moment, it’s a supply chain problem. No workers, no transport drivers, no logistics handlers, etc. (Damn all those young people who had to go out en masse to celebrate Christmas & New Year, got sick then infected their families, friends & co workers.) So even if a company has some staff & can produce produce a reduced volume of goods, they’re struggling to get it transported to the grocery store distribution centres & then to the actually stores. Last week & again this week I couldn’t buy rolled oats, lactose free milk, high protein yoghurt, chicken tenders, prawns, protein bars, tinned mixed beans, water, etc. plus not as urgently washing powder & toilet paper. Of course there seemed to be pallets of coke & chips. ??‍♀️ I even went to a couple of different stores to see what I could find. It had been occurring for a couple of months on random items but the last fortnight has been terrible. They’re saying this could continue for another month. I said to the checkout girl that this must be what it was like in Russia back in the 70s & 80s when they had to line up for bread & other essentials. She looked at me blankly but she was barely 18. ?

Give your surgeon’s office a call. Could be a reaction to something you’re eating/drinking, a med, surgical adhesive, etc. Your body is under quite a bit of stress so the hives could be an overreaction to something you’ve never had an issue with before too. Better to check everything & be sure though.

It’s really up to you & what you’re able to cope with. Some say they can go back to drinking several mouthfuls at a time others not. I’m a not - two decent swallows & that’s still it for me but I can take another drink a couple of minutes later. Plus I don’t need to wait 30mins before & after eating - 10 is usually enough. I’d still go slowly to begin while your tummy is still healing - don’t want to strain all those staples & sutures holding it together. Once you’re on solid food, try slowly increasing your intake. Take your time & listen to your body. Actually that’s the best advcice for eating too. Congrats on your surgery.

Hey @Smanky. Try Bassike, Muse Linen, Jac & Jack, & Kowtow (a NZ label) all are strongly focussed on ethical & sustainability clothing. Bassike just won an award for their practices. Bassike & Jac & Jack are more expensive but they have a sale on at the moment. Bassike goes up to XXL & Jac & Jack to XL. Kowtow isn’t as expensive as they are & Muse is cheaper again (in that $100-$200 range usually but if you’re looking for that odd better outfit …). Both go up to XL.

Aah, this sounds very familiar. We’ve all been where you are & gone through much the same experiences & feelings. Stalls are frustrating but they happen. Think of them as your body taking a break to catch up with all the changes. They come & they go too. Stick to your plan, avoid the scales for a few days & you’ll be fine. Are you taking small bites (a teaspoon)? Are you eating slowly? Is your food moist? Eating small bites slowly ensures you’re not putting too much pressure on your much smaller tummy & helps to ensure you don’t eat until you are full. Try to eat until you’ve had enough & what you need. Do you need that next bite or just want it? When you say nothing tastes good or satisfies do you you mean the food you’re eating does not offer the same comfort it did before? Coming to terms with how you see food & how you used food can be very challenging. Food should be enjoyable & tasty but shouldn’t offer an emotional support. Plus you’re making big changes to your diet. By following your eating plan you are eating very differently & likely avoiding a lot of the food you used to eat. This also can be upsetting & some experience food grief. In time you may be able to re introduce some of your old favourites occasionally or in much smaller portions. Also, your tummy can be more sensitive & fussy for a while & you’ll have times where you can’t tolerate something you ate easily yesterday. I used to say my tummy was like a tantrum throwing 2yr old. If your tummy doesn’t like something, give it a break for a week & then try again. Many of us experience a change to our taste buds &/or sense of smell post surgery too & food we used to enjoy becomes disgusting. It does pass. The first couple of months can be a struggle. So many changes. Everything is different. But it will all get better & much easier to manage. Don’t be afraid to seek the assistance of a therapist to help you. All the best.

I never had to chew a specific number of times. I’ve never understood that requirement even during the first couple of months when eating purées & soft foods unless you are a speed eater & gulper of food. Cut your food into small pieces, keep it tender & moist, eat slowly & take small bites you should be fine. But Lisa, aren’t you quite a time out now? This should be even less of a consideration for you.

I did slow cooked casseroles & mince dishes. Savoury mince, rissoles (meat balls) bolognese, etc. served with a decent amount of sauce/gravy so delicious. Scrambled eggs were great as was soft fleshed flaky fish (poached). And yes, I’m with you @Spinoza chicken thigh meat is way tastier, more moist & tender than breast meat which is often too dry.

I’m going to talk to my surgeon about it because I drink all night long (1 or 2 swallows about 5x a night). They did say not to eat ‘hard’ protein about two hours before going to bed but soft protein like yoghurt is fine & that was in response to questions I had about the little bit of throat burning I sometimes have for a short time at night.

I have breakfast much later now - around 9am. Not hungry before then. Before surgery, I could never eat a bowl of rolled oats for breakfast- too heavy & I often then felt hungry for the rest of the day. Now I love my porridge & it keeps me happy for 3 hours. I remember one of the anti breakfast stories said skipping breakfast would help with weight loss or maintaining your weight. I remember because I spent many years not eating breakfast & it never helped me maintain or lose weight at all. I gained every year doing that. Mmmm??? I wonder if the anti breakfast position is really just against those big heavy full breakfast fry ups, waffles or pancakes stacks drizzled with sugar laden maple syrup, cream, whipped butter, etc. style breakfasts??? But as I say all the time, you just have to discover what works for you whether that is eating breakfast or not. All because I do & it works for me doesn’t mean it will work for you.

There are a couple of things you can pretty much depend upon after weight loss surgery. One: the more you have to lose the faster you’ll lose at the beginning. Two: the heady exciting weight loss rate you have at the beginning doesn’t continue. Three: the closer you are to your goal weight the more slowly you’ll lose. Welcome to experiencing the frustration of number three. The scale that hardly moves. Your goal weight is just there in touching distance. The days & weeks slowly pass with little to show…. But don’t worry, you will get there. Your weight loss is slowing because you’re eating more & are getting to the point where you are consuming the number of calories your body needs to function. Congrats on your weight loss so far. Whoo hoo!

I’ve never heard that drinking water at night causes reflux & I’ve had it for decades. Never advised that at any time either. We’re you told this by your doctor? I managed my reflux successfully by making dietary changes. Avoiding alcohol & carbonated drinks before going to bed I can understand but not water which actually supports digestion & flushing food & acids through your tummy. I wonder if drinking large amounts of water before bed so you’re bloated may not be the best but then most of us can’t do that anyway.

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.