Arabesque

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.

Simple reason is you’re losing your fat insulation & your body is not running as hot because you have less body to move about. The more you lose the worse it will get. Wait till you go grocery shopping in the middle of summer & you need an arctic parka in the cold aisles. Bbrrrr!! ?. It does improve a little - or maybe we get more used to it. I keep a jacket in my car year round.

Then have a chat with your dietician about how many more calories you’ll actually need to consume if you are pregnant. You may be surprised how little extra you’ll need & that will all be consumed by your growing baby. Just don’t fall into the ‘eating for two’ trap. The second is not a fully grown adult. You’re already eating healthier so another bonus to you and your baby. All the best.

Try some chia pudding too - bonus protein. I flavoured mine with vanilla which I love but there are lots of flavour options about - just watch the calories of some of them.

My hope is that you’re being knocked about at the moment with the cold, thrush & now tonsillitis not because of the surgery as such but because you’re run down & your immune system is struggling. You’ve had pretty major surgery & aren’t eating much so your body is stressed trying to recover & heal from the surgery & from the reduced caloric intake. It’s natural post surgery to feel run down, tired & have reduced energy. It’s just left you open to catching every bug going & taking longer to recover from them. Well, as I said, that’s what I hope. Watch the yoghurt with the oral thrush & cold. Dairy tends to produce more phlegm & yoghurt that contains sugar feeds the thrush (look for plain Greek yoghurt). The phlegm is probably adding to your nausea too as it settles on your tummy. Try some Biotene dry mouth products - mouth wash, mouth spray, etc . to help with the dry mouth. Can’t you tolerate chicken soup or broth? There’s a reason it was always offered to those who are sick. It’s full of essential nutrients, vitamins & minerals, hydrates, is warming (& low calorie). Feel better soon.

Me too. ??? Started strong but then let some of my food choices slip (dessert), a glass of champagne most nights & a bit more snacking & there was almost a kg more than I like on my scales. Well I deserved that I thought. Time to get back on track. But a night of excessive peeing & like you a good poop & it was almost totally gone as well. Obviously, besides the calorie increase, the Christmas cheer stuffed up my natural voiding habits a bit. Glad the (socially distanced Covid safe) celebrating & socialising has finally stopped & I’m home & back to my routines.

See if you can get back in to your dietician & with their guidance develop an eating plan that is sustainable in the long term. It’s best to design a way of eating that works for you & not for someone else. You’re physiologically & psychologically different to everyone else. You may find you don’t follow a specific ‘diet’ but pick & choose across a few eating styles. Like low carb but not low fat or incorporate some vegan or vegetarian meals each week. In the meantime, & as a starting point, keep in mind the recommended daily amounts for the ‘average’ person who’s maintaining like 6 teaspoons or 25g added sugar per day for women. You will need to consume less if you still want to lose. Take into account your plan, lifestyle & personal needs. How many calories are you eating a day? It seems like it could be low if you’re still on shakes. It’s not sustainable to be still having shakes for breakfast & most lunches. You need to be eating real food, especially as you seem to be almost at your goal weight, to get the nutrients your body needs. I stopped taking multivitamins from maintenance because I got all I needed from the food I ate. I was so happy not to have to take them or buy them! I don’t buy a lot of prepared foods, sauces, condiments, etc. simply so I can control the ingredients & how they’re prepared/cooked. If I do, I study the nutrition panel & look for low processed foods, low sugar content, low fat content, multi & whole grains, no or low artificial sweeteners, Watch the ‘front of the jar’ labelling though. No added sugar usually means they’ve used artificial sweeteners or sugar alternatives or they’ve upped the fat. I bought a 25% less fat ‘lite’ peanut paste. It actually had 50% more carbs, 20% more sugar & only 16 calories less per serve.

Go to your emergency centre. You shouldn’t be experiencing pain like that. Could be a gall stone? Could be something related to your surgery but go to a hospital.

I’m going to jump right in & focus on your inner child sugar & snack craving & ask if you saw or still see a therapist? If not it may be worth asking your medical team for a recommendation to a one who specialises in supporting bariatric patients, disordered eating, etc. The battle to overpower those cravings will only be won when you deal with that inner child. At the moment that child is winning. Are you eating because you are truely hungry (because your body needs the calories to function) or is it just your inner child wanting to be satisfied & comforted? Honestly, I didn’t specifically crave sugar or salt - I was an equal opportunity treat eater: sweet & savoury. ? I got them out of my house. If I don’t buy those foods & don’t have them in my house, I can’t eat them. I know it can be hard when it’s in the work place but try to avoid the break area. Go outside to eat if possible. I also try to prep most of what I eat myself so I can control the ingredients & how it’s cooked. While I was losing I ate pretty simply & a lot on repeat. It wasn’t boring. I actually found it less pressure because I didn’t have to think about what I was going to cook or eat. I had one snack a day: cheese, yoghurt (tub or drink), chunk of cucumber or fruit. Once you have those meals & food snacks in your app you can just select them each day. You don’t have to recreate them every time. So a little hard work to begin. Go back to only eating three times a day & no snacks or only one a day. It won’t be easy. Snacks add the calories which will slow your weight loss a lot. If the child screams at you, sip water, have a cup of herbal or green tea, eat a little chicken, ham, or other deli meat, have some yoghurt, or a little piece of cheese as your snack - note they are all protein dominant. Watch the fruit because of the high sugar content (though natural) so be selective - berries are best. Try to avoid traditional style snacks even if they’re high protein, low fat or low sugar versions - they keep the snack habit & craving alive. Try to avoid artificial sweeteners for the same reason - they continue to feed your sugar craving. You can explore them when you’re maintaining. You don’t have to jump in with both feet & go cold turkey. Even making one change to what & how you eat at a time helps. Drop something this week. In a week or two swap something else out. Little changes are easy to accept & are little wins. Just some suggestions. Feel free to ignore them all. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

As we progress we are all able to eat more & many find their appetite & hunger starts to come back at around 6-9 months. It’s when the next lot of hard work happens - when it’s up to you to control & manage your eating as you can’t rely on the diminishing benefits of the tool (your sleeve) anymore. At 6 months I’d reached goal & had lost 26kg (57lbs) post surgery so about the same as you. My surgeon was very happy with my rate of loss. I was eating almost 900 calories & almost a cup of food depending on what it was. I was slowly eating more but it did take another 10/11 months for me to be able to physically eat enough to stop losing. I eat about 1300 calories to maintain now & that includes 3 or 4 snacks. My serving size is a good cup or about the recommended serving size of most foods. To give you an idea I can eat 1.5 eggs, 3ozs steak, 2 lamb cutlets, a serve of rolled oats, 1/2 - 3/4 cup steamed vegetables, a tub of yoghurt. I take 30-60 mins to eat a meal. I should stress I’m not tall, have a small frame, am almost 57 & am not very active so hence my lower caloric intake. Congrats on your weight loss. You’re almost there. Whoo hoo!

Loose bowel motions are ok - all that liquid you’re consuming. You’re lucky you haven’t experienced the sudden, very unexpected, no warning signal watery diarrhoea. I got up to pee took a couple of steps then gush. Very unpleasant & embarrassing. Expect some constipation (may persist for months) but don’t worry until it gets to three or more days then take something. You aren’t consuming much that needs to be evacuated every day especially to begin with.