learn2cook

You’ve started already by admitting the gain, I usually restart with making sure I get my water. I track it, or get a new bottle, get some sugar free flavor. I have a chunky solid ring that I wear as an anchor for my thoughts. When I I get distracted thinking negative thoughts, I take off the ring and give it a little polish cleaning the ring and my brain. Sometimes I just twist the ring to “clean my brain.” Those two things get me started on the right path. Ps. I’ve recently seen some really positive videos on YouTube about reversing osteopenia and osteoporosis based upon scientific research. When you are ready for them, you can start. But for now, you are not alone in dealing with “surprise body stuff.”

I got/get the cramps too. I did talk with docs and dietitian and they suggested magnesium supplements and electrolytes. It solved most issues, but sometimes I still get cramps right after having a simple carb. It will happen even after taking protein in first. Apparently the sugars need more water to process so my body floods the simple carbs out and throws off the electrolytes. So I plan my occasional intake and have a prune and bottle of Fairlife protein milk ready on hand for when the cramping starts. I do also take 400 mg Magnesium Nature Made supplement in the evening regularly . I lived high altitude for a decade and it did happen more often then. My WLS doctor said I have avoided sweets so long now due to wanting to avoid dumping, that I’m super sensitive. I usually use Gatorade Zero powder in my water too. Side note, anyone else interested in researching whether cramping from carbs is more prevalent with diabetes or pre-diabetes? I had an elderly friend who inadvertently died from a cramp. She tried to walk off the cramp, broke her leg, gangrene and blood clots did her in,…it does make me wonder about the simple carb and blood sugar relationship and electrolytes relationship to muscle cramping.

Oh I’m so sorry I didn’t see this earlier! I hope you have talked with your doctor. Any new pain is not normal. Maybe your new ADHD medication is causing problems? My son got gastrointestinal problems from Vyvance. I wish you well!

@Dub it takes great courage and dedication to admit mistakes and do the work. I don’t even know you and I’m so proud of you! It looks like you needed to include one thing, music, and once that was reestablished, you could keep the ball rolling. I agree. I pick one thing when the major sh!t happens. First feel, then breathe, or drink water, or sing. I have to let it re-habit, then I can add more good choices once it’s a habit. You’ve got this!

I tried the green tea thing back in the 90’s. It made me regular. That was it. If you like the taste try using it to have less coffee because there’s less caffeine. I love the flavors Celestial Seasonings had, but my favorite is a minty green tea. Sometimes I use to use it after a meal to signal to my brain that eating done. It was the minty taste like toothpaste that was the signal. It’s an old weight watcher’s trick, use a minty thing like gum, tea, toothpaste to learn to stop. It hurts to drink after eating now so not a good choice. Trader Joe’s had some nice green tea choices too.I like a bag in my water bottle to add flavor. It doesn’t cause weight loss. It could make you drink more water.

Cars have computers? I totally get you. White flour, processed sugar stuff just makes me dump. Even in small amounts I get crabby. Peace to you on your journey ☮️

After the initial giant weight loss, your individual blood tests dictate what you actually need.

There’s no rush. Maybe a Sadi might be a better option? Take your time.

I do think I had/have an addiction to using food for dealing with negative emotions. It took a lot of therapy. I recently had some bad news, and found myself ruminating on where I could take a walk outside. So, I’m glad I seem to have transferred to exercise, but I enjoy making music too (not very good, just fun). So, there is help. I loosely follow a 12 step for over eaters and surrender to a higher power. After surgery the “food noise” is gone, and I choose to waste my negative brain space by envisioning exploring outside. My actual time outside is 5-60 minutes, nothing that is destructive. The transfer is more about ruminating. That’s just what works for me. Addiction is tricky and strong, and very individual. Peace.

Lately mine’s been up due to strep and a stressful new job. It’s coming down but taking its time. My Dr knows what’s causing it, and I’m tweaking my personal habits (like using meditation) to make it better. Sounds like you’ve been talking with your doctor. My BP generally stays low until there’s some kind of infection or virus.

What an amazing life! Thank you for sharing. There is a great YouTube channel that touches on many of the issues you wrote about in a sensitive and caring way called @cults to consciousness . You are not alone, and you are a real hero! Thank you for sharing your courageous story!

I like that the surgery seems to have dampened or eliminated your food noise.

That was well said, and I’m so glad to hear of your good results.

I ask the real haters if they know anyone who has lost 150lbs or more AND maintained that loss 3+ years without surgery or medication? Crickets …

Isn’t there a carafe in the middle of the table to pour into? I didn’t have alcohol that early on, but I did go to a wine/food pairing event last month (3+years out) and it went ok as long as I only took one sip per kind of wine and ate the one bite of food paired with it. I would bring a shake in your bag in case you find out the hard way that you dump or have delayed blood sugar issues. Or, I would be tempted to say that you have strep throat or the flu, and skip the whole thing. I bailed out on a lot of stuff early on because of foamies and fear of dumping in public. It took about 9 months for me to figure out my new body. I also knew that the surgery was my one shot. (I kept singing Lin Miranda’s Not Going to Mess Up My One Shot.) I still take my health very seriously and don’t care about loosing face with friends/family. You’ve got some choices.

I was going to say the peri-menopausal syndrome has struck again. I had to switch to 50mg DHEA while the hormones were swinging around. I had my various doctor’s blessing. It is a hormone therapy treatment so please talk with your physician. Formal Hormone replacement therapy would have been better but alas, insurance. Now I’ve weaned off to 25mg at age 57. I live just fine on 900-1200 kcals at 5’4” and I’m not frail, I weight lift and have a super active job, and walk 20-30 minutes a day. Each of us is different. Soups make me very full, and salads when I can’t stand the hungries.

I feel deeply for you. Your doctors are the best source for help,. I’ve had some of those surgery’s but not back to back like that. I will say, when I feel very very sick I go back to shakes and drinking Gatorade zero just to keep some energy up. I can use Tylenol powder packets for kids for fever. I too feel intense cramps from GI when very sick and can’t tell the difference between what end it’s going to come out. I felt that way every day for about 6 months after RNY with hiatal hernia repair. My doctor told me he made many changes so it would take a while to recover. I used ice packs stuffed into spanx at first. I use a small heat pad now when home.

You’ve been nothing but kind and helpful to people on this forum. I’m really sorry this is happening to you. I found 50 mg of DHEA helps my menopause symptoms and hormone issues including the dreaded brain fog. Some reports say liver damage at 100 mg. My OBGYN said, “I’m glad you found something that helps!” I was 25 mg before RNY, but due to malabsorption I switched to 50 mg and my bloodwork is good. You deserve a cute dress and a Happy Birthday!

Yes this has happened to me, so I asked at the gym. Most of the folks prevent it by having a protein shake during and after a workout. I tried it and it works for me too. The shower tiredness just went away by itself as I built up momentum. I do shower mostly in the morning, after a workout in medium to cold water (1800’s house old pipes). I asked diabetics that maintain a healthy weight what they do when their glucose levels drop, and most of them said to eat or drink some fat/ protein combo so you don’t cycle up and down again. I stay away from sugar recovery because it just makes me dump immediately like a bad rollercoaster ride, like they said. I asked adult type I diabetics that grew to adulthood well, and successfully had children and grandchildren. There’s one old dude at church that’s 85 and has great-grands, but he uses a sugar recovery. So, you’ll have to do your research and see what works for you.

I lean into almonds, walnuts, and tender beef jerky but I used PN2 powder and hard boiled eggs too. I like the less heavy shakes in the morning with my coffee still. Just keep trying. Self care is health care!

Woop, woop good job on you all around!

I agree with the above posters. I even drove home from the hospital the next day. The hospital staff told me that I could drive because I walked a lot and took no pain meds. I did order online for products and food more than normal. The surprise was it was much harder to get up from sitting or lying down, after a few days I got a rolling method. I bought a cheap toilet seat extender that added height. I was organized and stocked up ahead of time. It would depend upon how your personal health is. I’m also kind of stubborn and want to control my own healthcare based upon data, like peak flow and oxygen levels. I grew up with nurses and doctors in my family and they deal with strokes, heart attacks, and cancer. They don’t notice silent asthma until you’re blue. I did have my 14 yr old son as a helper. (He stayed with his dad during my surgery.) He could run out for TP at the corner store if needed. (To prevent the house burning down I still had to cook for him). I have dear neighbors who could help as a backup. Each person and situation is different, but it can be done.

“Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!” That’s what my mom used to say. I’m wishing you a doable solution and a triangular foam pillow to keep your head elevated. Let that barium stuff fly out so the doctor can see how bad it really is! Keep us posted and best wishes xoxo!

I know that job and state insurance choices come up yearly. Maybe you could switch to a higher/better coverage plan temporarily to get this done? Just thinking…

I agree with SpartanMake above. Be prepared to fight with insurance. It is a medical need and eventually causes cancer. Your bariatric doctor should be able to help after you initially get declined. Fortunately, in my case the hiatal hernia was caught before bariatric surgery, but my doctor still had to fight for me. It turned out the insurance doctor was a retired pediatric physician so was not not well informed. Best of luck to you because the fight is a long hard slog. I personally feel that taking extra vitamins is easy compared to cancer. Do what you need to do whatever your decision.