Arabesque

Just as something to consider: Dr Matthew Weiner (his you tube videos are great) posted this about lunch meats & other ‘protein’ snacks recently. Maybe try cooking up a little chicken breast or thigh or turkey yourself & freeze small portions to defrost as snacks. You could marinate it, add your own herbs & spices for flavour. I’d sometimes buy a quarter BBQ chicken from the supermarket eat some as a meal & freeze the leftovers in small portions for snacks. I did eat pork sausages when I first got to solid foods. I got them from my butcher who makes his own & not those mass produced highly processed supermarket ones. PS - I did run & check my protein bars for the 10:1 ratio. Mine are little over, oops, but I’m 4 yrs out so not as important.

Generally the food aversions are temporary & related to changes in your tastebuds & sense of smell post surgery often because of the anaesthetic. Apart from the general aversion to anything even remotely sweet, all the shakes were disgusting to me. The sweetness & the hideous grainy texture coating my teeth. Shudder! The weirdest one was vegetables. I love my vegetables & was so looking forward to the first time I could eat asparagus & sugar snap peas again but nope. Awful. Super pleased when they were palatable again. They were really the only things. Weirdest one was smoked salmon. Always found it that bit too rich & strong a flavour so could only eat a little. Gave it a try after surgery & it was fine. Ate it without an issue with some cream cheese wrapped around a wedge of cucumber. ??‍♀️ But about two months later, it was back to being thanks no thanks. Oh, I made chicken cacciatore while on soft foods and of course added about half of the requisite white wine. Bad move. The wine tasted sour (it wasn’t) & flavoured the whole dish. I couldn’t eat it though my mother said it was delicious.

I thought hormonal flush too. Personally my skin seemed to get less dry specifically on my arms & legs. It’s funny how we all react differently. Maybe see a dermatologist or just your GP for something you could use on the dry skin patches. It could be possible you are getting in more B12 than you need. Have you had a blood test recently to check your levels to rule that out? Recitalist contains vitamin A (retinol), albeit a rather low level (0.3%, but that can cause dry skin patches too. Are you applying a sunscreen to protect against a sun reaction with the retinol? Damn acne. I’m 58 (tomorrow) & every now & then I still get a pimple. Had a blind one on my chin a couple of weeks ago & then a run of the mill one of my cheek last week. I had terrible cystic acne as a teenager (11+ years of hideous skin) so feel I’ve more than had my share of acne & am soooo over it. When does it ever stop. Waah! PS - I’ve been using the L’Oréal midnight cream & serum (only cones as a night cream). It’s lovely. I’ve been using L’Oréal products for years but this one is the best so far. Even got my 83 yr old mother on it & she’s a convert too.

You can also scroll down to the bottom of this page to the Together we’ve lost section. It will have your starting weight so you just add your current weight & then click the update your weight button. That ticker will click up with your loss too. It updates your profile which you’ll see on your next post.

I was allowed milky instant oats & runny scrambled eggs which were great. I puréed quite a few meats (used gravy, stock, ricotta & cottage cheese to keep them runny) but a lot just tasted dreadful (those temporary tastebud changes can make it hard) - tinned fish was the worst. I ate a lot of thicker soups (puréed meats & vegetable soups too), boiled eggs mashed with mayonnaise & high protein yoghurt. I did have some baby food a couple of times if what I’d prepared to eat was disgusting.

I didn’t exercise before surgery & I didn’t after either. Just upped my daily activities & changed some routines (park further away, make multiple trips up & down my stairs to carry groceries, walk up escalators, walk at a pace, etc.). Sure I use resistance bands & do some stretches now but that’s really for my back & to keep me limber - I wouldn’t burn 30 calories. Not exercising didn’t hinder my weight loss or maintenance (lost more than my goal & have maintained with about a kilogram regain from my lowest weight - am four years post surgery). I also ‘exercise snack’. That is I do my stretches, etc. in short batches about 4 times a day 5-10 minutes each. They say this is just as beneficial as doing a single period of activity. You may find that easier on your body. Exercising only accounts for about 10% of any weight you are to lose. So want to lose 100lbs, exercising may only help you lose about 10lbs. Of course there are many other benefits to being active. Try using resistance bands to build strength, look into the you tube videos about exercises for those with mobility issues. A lot are done seated or lying down. Water based activities may be useful. Try one of those recumbent exercise bikes (hire before you buy) as they put less pressure on your joints.

How much pain you have is variable. I had none after my sleeve but I really knew about it with my gall removal. But the surgical gas is mostly in your abdominal cavity not in your digestive tract so burping & farting have minimal impact. The surgical gas rises up behind your lungs putting pressure on nerves which cause the pain. The gas is absorbed into your lungs & breathed out. Walking, marching on the spot, pumping your arms up & down, slow deep breathing all help you breath that gas out. Heat packs can help with any discomfort. It usually takes about a week to fully pass. Additional burping or farting can be from the shakes, any sugar alcohols used in the shakes or drinking too quickly, plus the change in your digestive process could be adding to it while your body gets used to the changes. GasX may help with this gas. As with everything if it persists or gets worse give your team a call.

This is very common. You’re losing your layers of insulation (fat). Your body doesn’t have to work as hard to move & function with your lower weight. You will always feel colder than you did but you do get a little more used to it & your body acclimatises more over time. I still feel the cold. I take an extra coat to the cinema, keep a coat in my car all year round, hate the cold sections in the supermarket & winter is awful - my power bill is ridiculous (yes, even in sunny Queensland, Australia). Though I find summer much more pleasant. So it all balances out.

Yep it happens to almost every one at least once. And it is an important part of your weight loss. It’s the time when your body takes stock & reassess your needs with your lower weight. It’s when your body resets digestive hormones & enzymes, your metabolism, etc. They usually last 1-3 weeks but of course sometimes they last longer. It just depends upon what your body needs. Stick to your plan, don’t stress your body more by making more changes than you are required too & the stall will break. It’s not a sign that your surgery has failed or what you’re doing is wrong but a sign everything is right. Even though the scales aren’t moving, some find their body measurements may change. You may notice your clothes are still getting a little loser. Have you noticed this?

That’s amazing @BigSue. (You need to change your name to tiny Sue). Congratulations!

If you’re not meeting or close to your protein goals, go back to adding a protein shake as a snack. Or add a high protein yoghurt or blend the yoghurt with milk to make a yoghurt drink. I ate yoghurt & a yoghurt drink as an afternoon snack to push me up to to my protein goal. And don’t forget to eat your protein first, then if you’re able any vegetables & last any allowed carbs. There were often times when I ate my protein serve only because I’d eaten enough by then.

I wondered if it could be a lactose intolerance which we can develop post wls. Diarrhoea, bloating, wind are the usual symptoms an hour or so after eating lactose. Sugar alcohols (in some artificial sweeteners) can do the same thing. And yes, as the others have said, dumping has many more symptoms which are temporarily debilitating. I don’t know about the beef. I was easily eating steak & pork pretty soon out after solid foods (probably from around weeks 9 or 10). But we are all different & our tummies can be fussy & sensitive for a time about certain foods.

I have stairs in my house too & I handled them easily. Actually walked them a couple of times a day as part of my daily activity routine. Did the same after my gall bladder surgery & it helped to get rid of the gas because you breathe a little harder with walking stairs (you breath the surgical gas out). Just see how you go but you do need to start moving as soon as possible after surgery.

The sugar alcohols used in many artificial sweeteners cause problems for many people: diarrhoea, bloating, discomfort, … Personally I try to avoid or reduce as many artificial sweeteners, sugar alternatives & sugar as I can. It’s hard because it’s in almost everything you buy. I did it to kill my sugar craving - it has. (Artificial sweeteners & sugar alternatives still feed your desire for sweet.). Also there is a lot of research being done into how artificial sweeteners still lead to weight gain, affect your immune system, etc. But this has been a personal choice for me. Generally if I want something sweet I’ll eat some fruit. But again it’s been my choice to do this. I have made chia seed pudding & used vanilla extract as flavour. There is natural & added sugar in it but it’s very little. Also added milk powder which gave some sweetness (& extra protein) & a natural sugar. What about a fruit crumble? Cook up apple, berries, rhubarb or other fruit & sprinkle the top with a mix of rolled oats, coconut, nuts, a little plain flour, cinnamon a little butter & bake until golden. Use a little monk fruit for a touch of sweetness if the fruit is a little tart & in the crumble topping. Congratulations on your daughter’s weight loss. So wonderful she’s been inspired by you to make changes in her life too.

Ha! Different Gold Coast. Made some savoury egg muffins again this morning - sweet potato, feta, caramelised onion, mushrooms, etc. this time. Except was on the phone & got distracted so they’re a little more brown (not burnt thank gracious). I’ll have two for lunch & freeze the rest.

Friend’s daughter’s wedding on the weekend. It was a formal wedding. And yes I did wear two gloves. ? Wore the second dress for the Sunday lunch event. More low key & fewer people. Excellent wrap dress: no gaping neckline. And my hair actually stood up for both events - just softer. Whoo hoo!!

I had dark poop in hospital too (as hideous diarrhoea). It’s from the blood from the surgery passing out of your body. How long out from surgery are you? If it’s only a few days it may just still be from the surgery. But yes, definitely contact your team to be sure.

You can never predict how much loose skin you end up with. Too many factors influence the end result even with siblings. Then the next questions your sister might ask herself are: Does the loose skin impede you - from doing every day tasks or being more active? Does it make dressing difficult - have to go up sizes, clothes don’t fit well, can’t hide it easily, etc.? Do you have rashes or infections? Does it affect how you see yourself, confidence, etc.? I have some loose skin, not a lot. It doesn’t restrict my activity. It doesn’t limit my clothing choices & I can dress easily to cover it. It hasn’t affected my self confidence either. So for me I didn’t think it necessary to consider skin removal surgery. It’s very much a personal decision.

I was walking in the hospital. By the 4 day I didn’t need to take any pain meds. Sure had the odd twinge but walking in lying up & down stairs, wasn’t an issue except from an energy & lethargy perspective. But we all recover differently. If you’re still experiencing pain that is restricting you from performing basic activities, after a week & your pain meds aren’t managing it, contact your team. You’re sleep may be off because you’re not very active & may be napping during the day. (I miss those nana day naps). Also the hormonal flush associated with weight loss could be upsetting your sleep patterns. Yes, check with your team before taking any meds, over the counter or prescribed, just to be sure as @summerseeker suggested.

I’m 4 yrs out & I can’t drink & eat at the same time & neither can my friend at 3 yrs out (we were actually chatting about this on the weekend). Neither of us have to wait the full 30 minutes. Like on a good day we only need to wait a couple of minutes before & after if we sip slowly. Sometimes it just depends on what we’re eating or drinking. Like drinking champagne we have to wait longer. I can sip tea with a snack if I leave a couple of minutes between sips & bites. You’ll work out what you’re able to tolerate with trial & error in time too. Even though fluid goes through your tummy quickly it’s not quickly enough not to restrict/reduce how much food you can eat. Getting your protein & nutrients in is most important. You’ll still meet your fluid goals by waiting your 30 minutes. Sip all day. Establish habits & routines to help. I even drink while I’m driving: at every stop light or whilst driving (considering traffic safety of course), Take water with you & drink while you walk don’t wait for after. I drink throughout the night too (whenever I wake or get up to pee). You’ll work out what you’re able to tolerate with trial & error.

I haven’t anything planned for Friday but I did just spend a long weekend at the Gold Coast with my girlfriends for a wedding. So that maybe the celebration. Lol! I usually only do something for the big birthdays so two more years until the 60th (don’t want to think about it, far too scary ?.) It was very relaxing weekend. We spent time trying to spot whales (saw a couple), drinking champagne & eating too much cheese. Even had a small piece of the wedding cake - red velvet with cream cheese frosting yum!

It is hardest in the beginning before surgery & then while you’re losing your weight but it does get easier as you start to look at food differently & you can eat more like you used to (not exactly the same again of course). My friends & family enjoy socialising & eating & drinking too. Most family & friends do. But losing my weight didn’t stop me from enjoying time with them. I just made more careful choices. I still do. Doesn’t stop us getting together. Doesn’t stop us going out to eat. They don’t feel like they can’t eat or drink something because I don’t. We spend time together to be together. We don’t spend time together just to eat or drink. At about 4 months out I went to a work reunion in a park. We all bought food to share so I bought something I could eat. Afterwards some of us went back to a friend’s house where Chinese takeaway was ordered. I ate the filling from inside steamed wontons & a little braised chicken. Nobody cared what I did or didn’t eat or that I didn’t drink & we had a great time together. I agree, still go to Comicon the meal is such a small part of the experiences you’ll share. And ask your sister to visit to tell you about her holiday just not to bring the food. And tell your friend you’d love to try the Cuban restaurant with her but in a few months time.

Have you gone back to your surgeon? It could be pancreatitis, an ulcer, an infection, or something more simple like reflux. (Are you on a PPI to reduce your tummy acid?) You shouldn’t be experiencing pain like this so jump & down & demand further investigation until you get an answer.

I think it’s likely your new set point weight too. And yes to lose more than this set point, where your body is happiest at, & maintain the lower weight is much harder because you’re fighting your body every day. Unfortunately not everyone gets to the goal weight they chose. The goal you chose is a head weight goal & in this situation your body weight set point goal wins. The average weight loss is about 65% of the weight to be lost. 85lbs lost is still something to be very happy about. Have a chat with your team for what else you could do (including medications) & ask your nutritionalist to review your eating. There may be something you’ve missed.

It could be from the acid in the tomatoes. Your tummy is still healing & therefore sensitive Avoid it for a couple of days & see how you go. If it persists contact your medical team. Are you on a PPI to reduce tummy acid? They could help.