Arabesque

I’m going to jump on the going off plan issue first. Your tummy is being held together by sutures & staples (can be 12inches of them - imagine that on your arm or leg)). The staged return to eating solid food is in place to protect your healing tummy & not strain or stress your digestive system. Your tummy is a muscle. Would you start exerting your arm or leg muscles if the wounds were there or would you tread carefully & follow the plan to aid healing? Nerves are also cut during surgery so signals that you are doing harm may not be getting through. Please, please return to your plan. As for hunger, yes there are some who do continue to experience hunger after surgery but it’s not common. It’s more likely you are experiencing head hunger not real hunger. (A easy way to differentiate the two is with head hunger you tend to crave a specific food, flavour or texture. You don’t with real hunger.) Most of the area that produces your hunger hormone is removed during surgery. For many, we ate as a comfort & to soothe ourselves when stressed or emotional. The surgery is stressful on your body & you psychologically & emotionally (consciously or subconsciously). This is a time you would turn to food but you can’t which makes you want food more. Plus the psychological issue of how can this small amount of food be enough can start to kick in & you consequently feel hungry because you think you need more food. There are a few strategies you can try to help with head hunger. Distraction is very useful. Read, play a game, phone a friend or family member, check social media, go for a short walk, etc. Sipping a warm drink can be helpful. These diversions are helpful in the long term too. As we progressed many of us distracted ourselves by cleaning out a wardrobe or drawers or the pantry or learn a craft. I found setting routines for eating good too: didn’t eat between my set eating times. I still do this nearing 5 years out. All the best.

I had yoghurt from purées. They saved me by helping with my protein intake. Many plans say Greek yoghurt only but I ate a high protein no added sugar yoghurt. Personally I found Chobani sweet. The one I eat (Australian brand) is far from sweet. I remember that lip pursing gasp at how tart it was when first eating it but I love that. It does have artificial sweetener though I wish it didn’t. There is a difference between naturally occurring sugar & added sugar. The no sugar recommendation is no added sugar. So the naturally occurring sugars like in milk, fruit, some vegetables, etc. are okay. Best advice is always to check your plan & with your dietician.

I went through three sizes of new knickers & 3 sizes of bras. Gets expensive. Yikes! My advice is to do get properly fitted for bras. You may be surprised how much the shape of your boobs change. And yes empty breast are real but I see you’re thinking of having a breast lift in the future so empty boobs won’t be a long term thing for you.

Twinning! I had steak this week too & was looking forward to it but I overcooked it. Got distracted and … It wasn’t its usual tender juicy goodness. So disappointed. And I made caramelised onions this morning (for the second tart I’m making). Been using my new Kitchen Aid food processor for my prep. I love it. Plus I got it on sale so yay!

I shopped my wardrobe for most as I had kept a lot across sizes (US6-12) but in many cases I missed my window. Wrong season or dropped before I had a chance to wear them. I just bought odd things to fill in gaps. Didn’t spend a lot of money. Thrift & consignment stores are a great option too & then you can donate them back or sell them again. Go for elastic or drawstring waists or stretch when you can which will cover you for a couple of sizes. I also belted a lot of things. Better to go slowly because you never know where you may actually settle. When I reached my goal & was wearing a US 6/8 I started buying a lot more & really restocking my wardrobe because I thought yay I’m done. Bad mistake as I kept losing & those clothes became too big. I had to buy new bras, new knickers & clothes all over again. So be careful.

After deciding my girlfriends & I would go to lunch this weekend, I said why don’t you just come here. Me & my big mouth. Decided to make a savoury zucchini tart which has Boursin cheese as its base. Of course can’t find the cheese anywhere but I found a recipe & made my own. Easy to make. 8ozs Cream cheese, garlic, various herbs (fresh & dried) & 4ozs of butter!! Yep it’s 1/3 butter. Worse it’s finger licking, lick the spoon & go back for more delicious. I’ll post a pxt of the tart, if I remember, when I make it Sunday.

For $15 it’s probably worth keeping it for a while & see if you do wear it. If you don’t you can always donate it. I donated an off the shoulder top which had gorgeous guipure lace inserts in the sleeve. It just didn’t work with anything in my wardrobe. Sigh! I’d put it on & then take it off again. I love a leather trench real or faux. I had a long black one & a calf length red one. Of course both too big now but I loved them so much. Felt so take n sh*t strong in them. I used to think Spike in Buffy & I wore it when I saw the third Matrix movie film when it came out. Now you know how long I had the black one ??.

Try room temp drinks & slow the sipping down. If you keep sipping all day long you’ll get plenty of liquids in to satisfy your thirst. I don’t ever feel really thirsty anymore because of constantly drinking through out the day & night. Hope this helps. Otherwise give your team a call. Don’t forget too, that the nerves cut during surgery are healing now which may be why you’re feeling the discomfort now but didn’t before.

It’s breast milk. Specifically the first that is produced after giving birth though it can leak from the breasts in the weeks prior to delivery. It’s full of antibodies of benefit to the new born but very few nutrients: low carbs, low calories, low sugar, low protein. You can buy it in powdered form. Not sure how it would ease hunger?? Except it being a liquid it would temporarily fill your tummy like any other liquid but without getting the protein & nutrients you need. But if it works for you …

Cool linen pants with elastic & drawstring waist for the win! Our Christmases are pretty relaxed too though not pj relaxed ?. But with young children jumping about on & around you, mucking around with them & being inside & outside more formal clothing just doesn’t work. Plus it’s too darn hot here. Was a little dressier the year before but the younger children weren’t there. This was one of my cyber sale bargains.

I can’t recall but I will say it’s exciting to see your jawline again. And cheekbones. And your neck gets thinner & looks longer. Even my hooded eyelids greatly reduced. A little warning though. You can start to look drawn & tired especially when you near your final weight. Your body needs time to resettle itself. Then you’ll be your gorgeous self. Think it took a month or two for me. You may have some saggy skin though too which doesn’t go - waaah! Oh, and there have been a few amusing stories here about people whose phone’s facial recognition didn’t recognize them anymore. A tip might be to keep updating it every month.

I was able to start taking all my meds from day 4 & that included multi vitamin capsules. Took time to swallow them (thank goodness I only had a couple to take) because of the waiting between sips. I spread out when I took them too e.g. one multi vitamin in the morning & the second in the evening. And my throat was a still a little tender from the intubation breathing tube inserted during surgery for another day or so. But surgeons have different plans & requirements. Can you email yours or ring & ask if the staff can ask your surgeon your question? Unfortunately vitamins are expensive regardless of whether they’re chewables, patches, capsules or mouth sprays. Was so glad when my surgeon approved me stopping them at 8 months (I’ve a sleeve so different long term needs). I could afford to buy more shoes then LOL!

Stalls are perfectly normal & are an important part of your weight loss as the others have said. The first one usually begins around week 3but can be before or after this time like yours. They generally last 1-3 weeks & again they can last longer or even only for fewer days. The numbers are based on averages & so just give you an idea what might happen when. Yes they are frustrating but it’s best to let them ride out. The stall will break when your body is ready to move forward again. Don’t stress it out by making more changes other than those required by your plan so stick to it. Reduce how often you’re on the scales & try taking body measurements. Many notice that while the scale doesn’t move, their clothing fits differently. Also, if you would like more precise information about portion sizes, macros, etc, ask for them from your dietician. It’s about feeling comfortable & confident about what you’re doing, For example did they say when you should be up to a cup of food? I was told 6 months for a cup but that was what I was told for me.

Not really but I can get a crampy type feeling if I drink too much or too quickly (early restriction signal) or if I drink anything too cold. Does it happen every time? Are you sipping & leaving time between sips?

Remember your weight loss isn’t a straight line in a downward trajectory. it zigs & zags & goes up & down for seemingly no reason. There aren’t any ‘you must weigh this, be eating this many calories, be doing this much activity, be losing this much weight by a certain date’ rules. There are just guidelines, averages, may bes & could bes. I agree with the suggestion to talk with your team. Track your food for a week or so first, just to ensure you’re not missing something (it can be easy to do). But I don’t it’s real weight gain in such a short period of time. Yes fluid retention, poop, hormonal fluctuations, etc. Could all contribute. Have you had a medication change? Have you changed your activity in any way? Are you stressed, anxious, etc. about anything? And sometimes our bodies can just be weird & not make sense. I can eat the exact same things for a couple of days & my weight can go up & down. I can break a couple of days of constipation & still weigh more. Who knows why?

Dupe

Love that checked overcoat @GreenTealael & the sweater dress gorgeous. As a seasonal contrast. My Christmas Day outfit. Comfortable & cool. Note the matching slides which I had from last summer & I even had a matching cross body bag from years ago. My 8yr old niece told me she didn’t like my outfit because it wasn’t Christmassy enough. Lol!

Oh I didn’t realise you hadn’t had surgery yet. Your energy levels will drop & be low for a while after surgery so be ready for that. Once you lose some weight & have increased your general fitness (because you’re able to be more active), yes you will have more energy. Plus there’s a lot less of you to move about so it doesn’t take as much energy to do things. I’m a short burst of energy type of person. Still am but not lugging around that additional 40+kgs makes doing whatever I’m doing way easier. I sleep a lot better too. Before, if I got 6hrs it was wonderful. Now only getting 6hrs is pretty unusual. I can easily do 7, 8 or 9hrs. That gives me more energy, better concentration, etc. too.

Can’t believe your surgeon didn’t tell you about stalls especially when you said you hadn’t lost in a week or so. That in itself would make me question anything else they tell or don’t tell you. We all lose more quickly in the first couple of weeks, then the stall hits & no loss & things even out. So while 12 pounds seems a lot in 1.5 weeks, 12lbs in 4 or so weeks is fine - averaging about 3 lbs a week. 1200 calories at a month out does sound a huge & impossible goal to reach. I wasn’t eating 300 calories in the first couple of weeks. I barely reached 900 at 6 months & was another year until I got to around 1300. But we are different & have different needs & our teams have us on different plans & expectations. Ultimately it comes down to only being able to do what you can physically do. You ‘re meeting or close to meeting your protein goal. You’re meeting or close to meeting any other macro & fluid goals?. Are you introducing new protein sources, vegetables, etc. into your eating plan as you’re required? I’d say you’re doing okay. But, that’s my opinion. Your dietician/nutritionalist should be available to discuss your options & concerns whenever you need so ask for (demand ) an appointment. Can you get in any earlier to see the nurse practitioner? If not stick to what you’re doing & as I said you can only do the best you can do. All the best.

Yes, your energy will return. Especially as you start to eat more & a more varied diet. Try adding an electrolyte drink to your daily fluids. (They may taste sweet to you so dilute the drink so it’s not as intense.) I still add some hydrolyte to my water if I’m going to be doing something very active. You’re in calorie deficit at the moment & your body is burning fat so it will function effectively. Sometimes it takes time for your body to realise it needs to burn more to give you the additional energy you may need especially if you’re increasing your activity levels. You may need to speak with your doctor/gyno regarding the PMDD. The hormonal flush of estrogen that occurs with your weightloss could be contributing to those symptoms.

I echo it is your decision & your reasons are your own too. But if you go into it, still questioning your decision & aren’t completely ready to make the changes you have to make, it is highly likely the surgery won’t be successful for you in the long term. I hazard to say that 80% of our weight loss & then 99% of our maintenance is all down to our commitment & willingness to do the head work & make the permanent changes to our eating & relationship with food. The truth,& it’s a hard truth, is some people do regain a significant amount of weight again if you’re not 100% in, you’ll more likely experience this. I didn’t have any comorbidities but I knew they were in my future. I was almost 54 & menopause had done a number on me & my weight. I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to be the size I was emotionally, psychologically, physically & yes aesthetically too. I woke up day & said enough. Made an appointment with my doctor that day & about 5 weeks later I was being wheeled into surgery. Best decision. Haven’t looked back. Happily maintaining at 4.6yrs. But you have time to make your decision & you can only do what’s best for you at this time. Maybe ask your surgeon for a referral to a therapist & talk through your thoughts & feelings with them. And if you decide no now, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it in the future, All the best what ever you decide to do. PS - The hair loss is nothing in the big picture. Yes, it can be frustrating & depressing but it only lasts for about 3 months +/- . The hair your’re shedding is hair you would have lost anyway. It’s just your natural hair loss cycle is accelerated for a while. Your new hair is still growing as usual at its normal rate. It’s the stress of the surgery, dietary changes, hormonal flushes, anaesthetic. So don’t stress yourself more by overly worrying about the loss - you may make it worse. Many experience hair loss after pregnancy and other surgeries too. I lost a lot with a stressful time at work. So it could happen with many things. The only person who noticed my hair was a little thinner was me & my hairdresser. A year later it was pretty much back to how it was.

Go the peanut paste. My s-i-l had a go at me (with a smile) cause apparently I taught one of my nieces how to eat peanut paste out of the jar by the spoonful & they showed the other children. And now every time she goes to get some peanut paste the jar is empty. I don’t think it was me. I wouldn’t do that (pretending to look all innocent ). lol!

I think you need to get back into contact with your dietician. Did you say whether you track your food & monitor your macros? Have you still be having regular blood tests as these will show if you are lacking in any nutrients & you can track & monitor any changes when comparing with your food data. This data will help your dietician to help you construct an eating plan that will meet your needs. There are tests to see if you aren’t absorbing certain nutrients. Like a stool test can identify how much fat is present & if you aren’t absorbing it effectively. I take Creons (pancreatic enzymes) three times a day to help with my protein malabsorption (curtesy of my gall removal - not a common side effect but I was just unlucky). They also help with malabsorption of fats & carbs as well as proteins. Worth a conversation with your doctor if it is discovered you’re have malabsorption issues.

The snugger pants could be from working out. I have 3 pairs of pants which had slim/narrow legs which now are tight around the thighs simply from building muscle. I started focussing on my legs (use resistance bands at home) about 8 months ago. Didn’t notice it in Winter as my pants have stretch in them but my summer pants don’t. Had to buy new pairs. Haven’t gained (actually lost about a kg) so same size but wider legs. Bit torn by it. Muscle yay! But bigger thighs & tight pants boo!

Do you have a dietician? If so ask them for more specifics. We all need the amount of information & depth of detail that makes us feel comfortable & confident about we have to do. We have different needs (food preferences like vegetarian or vegan, food sensitivities or allergies, general health, current weight, age, mobility, etc.) which is why I suggest you get the specifics from your dietician for what will best complement your needs. Your surgeon may have requirements too. As some general advice, start tracking your food (lots of tracking apps available like My Fitness Pal). Increase your fluids to 2L/64ozs. Reduce or drop any carbonated drinks. Reduce snacking. Reduce the highly or ultra processed foods in your current diet. Increase your protein & vegetable intake - look at around 4oz protein & a good cup of vegetables for a meal. Modify some of your cooking styles like use an air fryer or bake not pan fry. Swap simple carbs for complex whole or multi grains. Reduce the number of sugary/sweet foods you eat. You don’t have to do all these things at once, unless you have a tight time frame but certainly start introducing a couple of these things each week or two until you get more definite information from your dietician. PS If you don’t have a dietician yet, ask for a referral to one from your team.