WanderingHeart

Hello all,

I like spicy food like buffalo sauce, a bit of cayenne in my cooking, Sriracha, etc. I had some cayenne in a feta/Greek yogurt dip and it was delicious but I **** my pants after!!! Granted, that is generally a side effect, but I stayed away from spicy after that.

I ate spicy foods no prob while I was pregnant so this reaction is a surprise. If you enjoy some spice, when was it okay after surgery?

I’m ~4 weeks out

Are you drinking before or during eating?

What if you took the healthy path and then said “what can I add to this meal to make it more satisfying?” Then you’d be less likely to want to binge or go wild

I get restless legs on occasion. I took magnesium when pregnant, however I would caution you now. On this diet, it might lead to shitting your pants. Been there.
I’ve heard an old wives tale about putting a bar of soap under your sheets at night. Never tried it though.

Vitamin E has worked for me.

I would do a self care reboot and contact a therapist. For self care, I buy myself beautiful flowers (lavender colored roses are my fave), take a bubble bath, put on some music and dance, maybe get a massage or pedicure. Whatever you like and feels good!

I love roasted cauliflower so this is great for getting that flavor in a softer food.

Both work!

Hey all,

just wanted to share this yummy recipe that is good enough to replace mashed potatoes! this has a much lighter mouth feel and a touch of sweetness from the natural cauliflower flavor.

I find an immersion blender works best. Tried in my regular blender and it did not work so immersion or food processor is recommended.

1. Break up a head of cauliflower into florets (stem pieces too).

2. Toss with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. Roast at 300 degrees for 20-25 min until tender and golden but not burnt. Keep an eye on it.

4. Put roasted cauliflower in a sauce pan (If you have an immersion blender) or a food processor. Add 1/3 cup chicken/bone broth and 2 tbsp of cream cheese. Blend or pulse in food processor. You may need to add more broth or CC to get the consistency you desire. *you could prob sub ricotta or cottage cheese for more Protein but I haven’t tried. Feel free to add Protein Powder too!

5. Flavor with more salt/pepper, Parmesan or any cheese, plus garlic, onion powder, cayenne to your taste.

21 minutes ago, Jnfinney said:

Today I just realized that I haven’t had a headache since I was a few days post op. This is AMAZING to me because I typically got headaches 3-4 times a week before surgery. I’m not sure what it is that has helped my headaches, but I’m sure glad!

Leaky gut syndrome is tied to chronic headaches! Cutting out carbs/sugar is one of the ways to heal your gut!

1 hour ago, BRittenhouse said:

Me! Mine was 04/16! I’m struggling pretty good since. I can’t get myself out of bed hardly and I can’t bend over at all. I’m a mom of 7 and this STINKS!

A mom of 7!?!!? Oh my! I got a lot of energy on day 4 and it’s been smooth since then!

11 hours ago, XtinaDoesIt said:

Yeah this is def the goal. I don't want to obsess about food forever but I would also be scared to let go. I keep saying I'm going to find a therapist but then I get frustrated with how hard it is to find one that takes my insurance and has availability. Then I'm feeling fine again and feel like I don't need one. I have gotten a book or two that's been helpful.

I highly recommend Rachel Goodman to help with the intuitive eating thing. She helped me start to heal my relationship with food, but it is a journey.
you can find her on insta and she has online programs you can do at your own pace and/or coaching. She has a really nice vibe.

4 hours ago, Lorey_a said:

Hi All,

Just wanted to know what others have experienced. For some reason I am having daily anxiety. I absolutely can't stand it as it hits out of nowhere at all. I am only 17 days Post-Op, take my Vitamins daily, and still taking my Metformin until I am blood tested again. I do not want to go on an anti anxiety medication. I had been on Lexapro for 4 years at which point I put on a lot of weight going from a size 4 to 1-2X. I lost all motivation on working out as well. I went off the Lexapro completely 2 months before surgery and started actually caring about myself which is why I decided to do this surgery so I could get my health back on track. Following my weight gain, I developed diabetes, Apnea (now using a C-Pap for a year) and NASH of the liver. I notice exercise helps with the anxiety for sure but I cant seem to get a decent response from the medical community to help me feel better about this. I asked my surgeon why this sudden onset of anxiety that hits for what seems like no reason at all and his response was if I am eating right and exercising that this could be the cause because of sudden change and that maybe people are treating me differently and all of this is causing anxiety. I then told him no - people are not treating me differently. My family is amazing with all of this and I am working out of the house so have not been around others for them to treat me differently. In my case this is absolutely not the case at all. I pressed on asking if chemical changes in the body could be happening due to the surgery that may be causing this and he said yes. Wondering why I had to keep poking to get that response at all and yet because that was not the first response I am even doubting that. Why not just tell me that since I made it clear I am having these spikes out of nowhere and can't figure out why. I am finding myself overthinking everything right now honestly. Wondering how I will tolerate eating anything at this point or will I ever be able to. My doctor keeps his patients on a 5 week post-op liquid diet before you go on to a pureed / soft food diet for another 3 weeks. So unsure of myself right now and considered I made a huge mistake and so very much want to get passed this feeling more than anything in the world. Part of me is happy I did the surgery for my health and the results of weight loss I have seen thus far but another part wonders why I could not get back on track on my own and worried about long term complications. Like once I start eating will I have a sudden stomach leak, will I have no ability to hold down food or end up on liquids for the rest of my life? Will I ever be able to enjoy a glass of wine again and comfortably get on with life in a better more healthy way. Will I end up with Gallstones that cause another surgery or will I have stomach blockage in the future and how will I know if I do? I want to Celebrate my choice to have done this and enjoy the weight loss but instead I am having so much self doubt and it's making me miserable. My liver health alone was cause to do this along with the diabetes so what is my damn problem? It is really hard to deal with this and I'm frankly pissed at myself for letting the anxiety get to me. I am considering going back on a lower dose of Lexapro again at least until this simmers down as I am hoping this is a chemical change in my body due to part of the stomach being removed and all the dietary changes just concerned it will make me not give a crap again and go lazy. IDK, if I knew factually this was all going to be a temporary reality then I would do it until the body goes back to normal.

Are you on other meds that can cause depression/anxiety? PPIs can have that side effect.
I’m a big believer that you are the expert on your health, no one is your savior. If you think something is wrong, you may intuitively know what it is. Sit in quiet and listen to your body. Test out ideas and see how your body reacts.

1 hour ago, Blueslily said:

When you say 64oz of liquid, do you mean 64 oz of Water PLUS ounces of additional liquids like Protein Drinks, broth, etc. On top of the 64 oz of Water?

During my first week, my 64 oz included all liquids total. So, it was not 64 oz of water plus broth, shakes, etc.

Just asking for clarification.

Also, I on full liquids now. Not purree yet. I was told to stop when I receive any initial sign of restriction.

I am drinking 64 oz water (32 oz water bottle finished 2x) plus I’ve been juicing celery and cucumber almost daily so I can get veg in while on liquids. Also my Multivitamin is a liquid and tastes gross so I mix that with water.
plus Protein Drinks and broth

@Blueslily we are surgery twins!

My surgery went well, I stayed one night in the hospital. They discharged me the next afternoon once I could drink a fair amount of liquid.

From day 3-7, I was so hungry. I am easily able to drink liquids now, 64+ oz not including any other liquids. But it’s weird - now I just don’t really feel hungry. Even on my period now which used to make me ravenous and I’m not hungry.

The restriction feeling is interesting. I’m on purées. It’s like tightness in my chest + stomach cramping. I get it after a few bites, but it goes away quickly. I take that as a warning to slow down. If I get it slightly prolonged, then I take that as a cue to stop.

Are you supposed to stop as soon as you feel that?

I reviewed a bunch of plans and the earliest I’ve seen is 4 weeks.

Awesome!!!

13 hours ago, Rocqui said:

4/8 one week post op and I’m hungry lol😩

I was on 4/6 and I was so hungry for a week and then just yesterday, it went away.

I said “I’m taking this time off for surgery. As of now, I plan on being back on this date. If I need more recovery time, I’ll let you know.” My boss seemed taken aback and probably curious but did not ask what kind of surgery. She just said “I hope everything’s ok!” It took me awhile to realize I don’t owe people an explanation, even though I’m generally very open about my life.

There is a vegetarian board but it doesn't seem to be all that active. I'm not vegetarian but my PCP recommended Garth Davis as an alternative to high protein/low carb. He pushes plant-based eating but I have yet to find a post op plan from him.

https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1101-vegetarian-or-vegan-eating/

2 hours ago, Mike Long said:

Thank you. This is very helpful. I think more than anything I’m venting lol. I don’t have an outlet other than the friend I mentioned in this thread. My family supports me but only so much. they don’t understand Any of this and quite frankly don’t seem to want to. Nobody is overweight In my family or wife’s family. I’m literally the only one who would even be considered not a normal size. My wife, for example, asks me the other day why I can’t go out in the garden and till and help her build a shed lol. She’s basically clueless. That’s for another topic tho lol. So I feel I have to use this outlet. Thanks again for the response.

That sounds hard. I don’t get the wife comment - because you’re recovering? I’m new at this and I also have these questions.. whether I made the right decision, how this is going to be.

I knew I had a relationship with food that was not feeling good anymore. It felt like I was held hostage by hunger, like I was powerless, like I couldn’t actually enjoy food because I had to eat quickly and shut up the hunger. My “why” is to develop a more positive relationship with food and my body. To be able to hear her and what she needs. To be able to move easily and run with my kids and tend to our victory garden. I’m holding on to that.

what was your why?

57 minutes ago, TerryS502 said:

I’m so blessed my restless leg went away. Now if I can get over 6 spoons of broth I’d be great lol did you increase your Protein? The doctor told me at discharge if I start to feel hungry increase my Protein Shakes to 3 a day.

I can easily do 64 oz Water + 3 Protein Drinks a day. Added in some Soup too.

28 minutes ago, TerryS502 said:

I had mine 4/5/2021; so I’m 7 days post op. My hardest part so far has or should I say was anxiety and restless leg minute one of waking up and about 4 days after. To the point that the minute they put me in a room I was walking the halls, when I got home every hour on the hour walking the floors at home. Did anyone else have this post op?

Also, I feel like I’m never hungry. I get in my Protein Shakes but it takes a long time - I also can’t consume any cold liquids it has to be room temp or warm if cold I get cramps. Anyone else?

I also had restless legs!!
I got my surgery April 6 and I’m verrrrrrrrry hungry.

I don’t taste spinach or kale in the smoothie if I use berries because they have a stronger flavor. Also you can buy carrot or celery juice and throw that into the smoothie. You won’t get the Fiber but you will get the nutrients. I’ve been juicing since I’m on liquids and I do celery for me but then add apple for the kids and they love it.

On 11/25/2020 at 11:05 PM, timothy.fleischer said:

Tzatziki sauce: peeled diced cucumbers. Dill, lemon juice, garlic. Easy to make

You can even grate the cucumber With a cheese grater. Faster and softer