Embody

Guru in training-I love your doctor! The advice she gave you is something I've never heard a doctor say. Is she HAES informed? I wish someone like her had told me that in my 20s before I did so much dieting. Congratulations on your success! It is lifelong and it is a rediscovery of befriending our bodies.

Guru in training-I love your doctor! The advice she gave you is something I've never heard a doctor say. Is she HAES informed? I wish someone like her had told me that in my 20s before I did so much dieting. Congratulations on your success! It is lifelong and it is a rediscovery of befriending our bodies.

A heating pad really helps when you have all that gas inside postop. So get one if you don't have one. Also, get a really good body lotion. Your skin will be really dry. I bought some essential oils and diffuser. Found eucalyptus, lemon grass and peppermint quite soothing.

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I agree with these for sure. I wish I would have purchased liquid vitamins.

Yessss! I love this positive answer and I totally second it.

I just had my surgery 6/30/2020. First 2 days were tough but since everything has been textbook.
The one thing I wish I knew ahead of time was how easily I would get tired. I understand this is normal but I expected to regain my normal energy pretty quickly. I had to tell myself today to just relax and enjoy the afternoon naps.

My surgery was 6/29. Naps are good!

I wished I would have known about the exhaustion. I liken this experience to the first trimester of pregnancy. No energy, sleep a lot, the smell of food can make you nauseated. I have weird food cravings too... Like collard greens. I always liked collard greens but for some strange reason, I love them now.

Speaking as someone who had to go off their BiPolar meds in order to get surgery, idk if there is a group here or not, but feel free to message me if you have questions.

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I wish I would have known how much of a thing body dysmorphia is. When I was 334 pounds I knew how big I was and considered myself gross and unattractive. Now that I'm smaller, I still see myself as that 334 pound woman even though others tell me how great I look now. I just don't see it and it's truly a thing that is totally messing with my head. I wonder when I get to goal if I will still see myself as morbidly obese or truly see what others see.

Yes, I felt like a big fat slob even after getting to goal. What helped me (but will be difficult in pandemic times) was trying on clothes and asking the salesperson for their opinion. I started to see myself as thin when I was trying on a jacket and the salesperson said, "You really need a six, you're kind of narrow."
Never before in my life had someone described me as narrow.

I did because I am a firm believer that when you are a patient in the hospital you need to ask questions and also never suffer unnecessary pain or discomfort if you don't have to. After surgery I did feel a lot of discomfort from gas that I could not release and nausea. I was given some over the counter stuff. I immediately got up and started walking to release gas but nothing but a small burp here and there. I kept walking every hour and nothing again. So, I asked the nurse to please call the doctor and see if there was anyway he could send me something else to help with the discomfort and nausea. I did have to have a debate with the nurse about it because she kept insisting that is what the doctor recommends and he gives all patients the same. I had to tell her nicely that I understood all that but that was not what I was asking her. I already knew what he had sent me and it wasn't working to well and if that is what he gives all patients then fine but I still want her to ask in case he can give me something stronger.You have to really be careful in the hospital because they are not feeling the discomfort and some don't want to go the extra mile. Guess what? TARA! Omg, whatever they gave me stopped not only the nausea asap but also relieved so much pressure. I was home free 2 and a half hours after surgery. I was in heaven! So, don't settle if you don't have to do so.

I am in my 5th month and I still don’t get hungry. I have to make myself eat... I take in about 600 - 650 calories a day. I weigh out my food, as not to be full.

Hi everyone,
Im 4 weeks post opp and getting hungry in the evenings! I eat the three meals a day but at night I think I need a snack!

I remember eating so much during thanksgiving that my stomach hurt throughout the night, if it's that kind of full you're talking about I don't want it.

I had a psychological upset today.. My brother has been sick with colon issues, so I've been down helping him. As well as my mom. We just found out that he has Covid, So we've both been exposed. I've got to stay here because my mom needs help and her caretakers can not come for two weeks because we've all been exposed to Covid. I am scared my mom got it (and me as well).
Anyway, I ended up eating WAY too much to cope... and I am so much pain right now. For some reason - I haven't been able to throw up post-surgery ... ( I used to throw up easily before because I get Migraines and puke from them). I wish I could make myself throw up so I'd feel better.
Anyway - I've only done this a couple of times and when it happens.. I just have to lay down for about TWO HOURS until it passes. It is miserable. Try not to ever test yourself and overeat.. it is misery.

When my cravings came back (and alas, they did), I found they were mostly psychological and not physical. Recognizing that, I was better able to control them than I was before surgery. (My pre-surgery eating was primarily emotional.)
Fullness after surgery, even a year later, feels REALLY full--like you truly could not eat another bite. It's hard to describe until you feel it, but you will definitely know. If you go one bite beyond full, you will feel unwell, and it seems like food is sticking in your esophagus. It's not pleasant.

Take the pre-op time very seriously to learn and practice. Make sure to address your food issues before you have surgery to make sure you can overcome them. Just take the pre-op seriously and do the work. It will make post-op work so much easier.

Hi Rachel98,
im just a newbie two months out. I’m one of the people that currently regret it. I’m not sure if I’ll feel the same in another 3/6/12 months!
They don’t tell you about the food aversions, the weakness, the lack of energy, how even fluids fill you up so you can’t fit anything else in for the rest of the day, the taste changes or the constant nausea. Dehydration is something easily fallen into. I understand I may be one of the very few, but I dump after nearly everything, sometimes new things, sometimes food I’ve had before......it may be a piece of roast pumpkin or a couple of grapes, a piece of cheese or a waterthin cracker. It starts after about 20 minutes......sweating, heart pounding, cramps and then severe diarrhoea. This in turn brings about other medical issues.
I know if I read this before hand from a true and trusted friend, I still would have gone through with the surgery as I never would think it would happen to me, I was healthy, just really fat! I had been researching the surgery for years and thought I knew everything there was to know, but you don’t know how your body will react. For me it was the first surgery EVER! Please be aware that the first few months for some are an absolute nightmare (I am hoping that it’s not forever anyways!).
L x

I wish I would have been told about: (1) the post-op nausea and Constipation, (2) how sore my throat and esophagus would be, (3) how I would not progress to pureed foods as soon as others, (4) how my liquid intake should be 4 ounces, slipped remarkably slowly, (5) how I could not possibly down 64 ounces of Water and Protein right away, even when sipping at 4 ounce increments throughout the day, and (5) how I should have initially purchased liquid vitamins and Patches rather than chewable ones, because I could not swallow them.

How about a positive answer? I wish I had known how much fun being a normal weight would be!😁
Or that I can finally look good in clothes!

It made a big difference finding the right therapist. I have seen some very knowledgeable ED providers and appreciated their help. However, it wasn't until I found one that works through an embodied lens, that I felt I was making true progress. I needed to learn to feel and label emotions as well as feel safe in my body (I hope that makes sense). Good luck in your journey!

At my last post op support group, the nurse told us that a “pouch reset” does not prevent or fix stretching. Once you’ve stretched it out, that’s it...it doesn’t go back. Something to think about

Don't feel guilty! You're at a healthy weight and that's the important thing here. Why aim for lower calories?

Hah, we're about the same height and weight (what a coincidence, lol).
At this weight you might take into consideration that your body is rebelling against losing more weight.

Congrats on 14 months out and 142 pounds down.
Only my opinion, If you are binge eating, look into counseling/therapy or self-help resources to address it. Binging and restricting can be a vicious cycle. High exercise and low calories can cause hunger/binge.
If you are at a higher fitness level it may be time to check in with your bariatric dietician or sports medicine dietician. They may change up your diet to fuel you calorie burn.
I hope you find what works to stay healthy