summerseeker

Hello @MelP1970 and welcome into the forum. You are in a very strange and bewildering time in your recovery. You might be regretting your surgery, lots of us do. The fat cells that you are shedding so quickly at this point, contain your hormones. Fast weight loss means so many are coursing through your body now. Its like puberty all over again. I was so emotional and could not understand why. A kind soul on here put me right. It is a massive learning curve right now for you. Just relearning to drink is a full time job . You are lucky, like me, no hunger pangs.
I also love to cook. Once I was physically able to cook again, I restarted feeding my family. I make my portion separately from theirs. For instance, If I make Lasagne for the fam, mine has no Pasta and I use sliced baked aubergine instead. Having a wide knowledge of recipes has really helped me vary my food choices. I am 2+ years out and do not feel any loss issues because I can eat almost all the foods I could before surgery. I still have a few issues with certain foods that I adored pre surgery. For instance, I detest cooked salmon but make my own Gravadlax and it tastes divine to me. I hated eggs and now I find them delicious ! If I have carbs, its only a few spoons. I make own wholemeal, seeded bread. This means I can eat a sandwich. Its not the same as regular shop bought stodge which sits heavily in my stomach for hours and then gives me the foamies.
I still enjoy eating but now a tiny amount suffices. Being thin feels better than eating huge meals. Long ago, I read that Parisienne women ate this way, a few forkfuls and they leave the rest. My immediate family are used to me eating what I can and putting the remainder in the fridge for a later snack. I have a friend that I eat out with once a week. It was hard in the beginning to find things I could eat on a menu but now I usually have a salad which to me is a joy. I love the variety and crunch.
This forum has members all over the world. People post pictures in the ' Food before and after' page. I find things I have never heard of before. This leads to new recipes to cook and taste. TBH my menu has expanded now, my food is more nutrient dense and much better quality. Give yourself time to accept the changes and challenges. You will feel your normal self quite soon.

Hello @MelP1970 and welcome into the forum. You are in a very strange and bewildering time in your recovery. You might be regretting your surgery, lots of us do. The fat cells that you are shedding so quickly at this point, contain your hormones. Fast weight loss means so many are coursing through your body now. Its like puberty all over again. I was so emotional and could not understand why. A kind soul on here put me right. It is a massive learning curve right now for you. Just relearning to drink is a full time job . You are lucky, like me, no hunger pangs.
I also love to cook. Once I was physically able to cook again, I restarted feeding my family. I make my portion separately from theirs. For instance, If I make Lasagne for the fam, mine has no Pasta and I use sliced baked aubergine instead. Having a wide knowledge of recipes has really helped me vary my food choices. I am 2+ years out and do not feel any loss issues because I can eat almost all the foods I could before surgery. I still have a few issues with certain foods that I adored pre surgery. For instance, I detest cooked salmon but make my own Gravadlax and it tastes divine to me. I hated eggs and now I find them delicious ! If I have carbs, its only a few spoons. I make own wholemeal, seeded bread. This means I can eat a sandwich. Its not the same as regular shop bought stodge which sits heavily in my stomach for hours and then gives me the foamies.
I still enjoy eating but now a tiny amount suffices. Being thin feels better than eating huge meals. Long ago, I read that Parisienne women ate this way, a few forkfuls and they leave the rest. My immediate family are used to me eating what I can and putting the remainder in the fridge for a later snack. I have a friend that I eat out with once a week. It was hard in the beginning to find things I could eat on a menu but now I usually have a salad which to me is a joy. I love the variety and crunch.
This forum has members all over the world. People post pictures in the ' Food before and after' page. I find things I have never heard of before. This leads to new recipes to cook and taste. TBH my menu has expanded now, my food is more nutrient dense and much better quality. Give yourself time to accept the changes and challenges. You will feel your normal self quite soon.

I’m 11 weeks out from RNY and had a weekend trip away with the grand babies. Hotel had a swimming pool and I discovered I no longer float. I kept sinking and it took so much more work to not drown.

aaaahhhh ok...
put this way, i'll have to say i did notice some unexpected body composition changes in the year immediately following rapid weight loss:
- went from looking deathly skeletor-ish (gaunt and drawn and frail looking) to pretty healthy looking despite weighing less now than those skeleton days.
- my hair is actually thicker and "healthier" and even slightly curlier than even before surgery (which was a very welcome surprise after all that Hair loss from months 4-6 post op omg)
- i don't get pimples anymore. like ever.
- those weird dark little bumps on my upper arms are gone.
- when i do any sort of sustained exercise it's immediately noticeable. for instance if i do like 30 situps or 60 bicep curls i look shredded right after. no joke.
- my dentist says my gums have receeded faster than expected since the weight loss (dunno if this is related or a coincidence??)
- despite probably being the most "fit" i have ever been since my 20's, i still feel unbelievably weak compared to my heaviest days. i swear i can't open jars anymore nor can i carry multiple bags or groceries at once like i used to.
- i used to be bottom heavy (hips/butt was my widest part) now i am top heavy (shoulders/back are my widest part).
- i no longer have armpit hair ...but this is likely due to my arm lift? so i never have to shave there...which has the side benefit of the skin lightening up in that area...no more dark armpits for me! yay!
- i have no ass. like zero. looking at me directly from behind is semi-normal looking, but from a side view, its a straight line from the base of my neck to my knees.
- the hump on the back of my neck is gone
- not sure if this is related to my overall weakness, or because i just do wat more stuff now, or im just getting old, or a combination of it all, but i get injured ALOT. multiple sprains, torn ligaments, torn muscles, pinched nerves, tendonitis like everywhere, abdominal hernia, bruised ribs, carpel tunnel, ingrown toenails, omg. ive had more doctors/physio appts in the last 5 years than i've had in my entire life. times 2.
ok...this post is getting too long. gonna stop now lol

i was 46 when i had my surgery at a weight of 235 lbs (im 5'2").
it was easy peasy lemon squeezy, really. i had some of the regular issues come up, but nothing i couldn't handle with relative ease.
lost 120 lbs in 7 months, and settled into a weight of 115-ish lbs ever since.
i am 52 yrs old this year and i weighed 117.2 lbs this morning.
so yeah, age didn't seem to hinder me in any significant way.
i personally think the less you stress and realistically manage ur expectations as well as be flexible and deal things as they come (vs overthinking all the what ifs), the more successful and and peace u will be. change and new experiences await u, enjoy the ride!
❤️

Hi! I’m having revision from VSG to RNY in June. I’m 52, and had the sleeve almost 10 years ago. I did well with the sleeve as far as no complications, but I regained almost all of what I lost, so here I am now. I’m older, hopefully wiser, and my reasons are different this time around. Best wishes to you!

My butt hurt real bad for about 18 months then poof the pain disappeared and has never returned. Hope yours does too

Honestly I found it so confusing, even though on the surface it seems like a really simple task! I managed to get hold of my dietician and she has confirmed I can just have another Meal Replacement shake on top of everything else, so it is technically 4 meals and then 1 snack! I had to send screenshots of everything I'd bought too 🤣 She has the patience of a saint bless her haha.
But yeah I was definitely wrongly assuming that the Meal Replacements had 200 cal - oops.
Thank you for the safe space to talk, I really appreciate it

That is such an easy mistake to make because lots of Meal Replacement programmes have 'meals' bars and shakes that contain 200 calories! I'd have been aiming for 4 too.
It's tricky enough being neurotypical and prepping in advance for what you can and can't eat. I can see it might be even trickier when you're not. Please just come here and let us know how you're doing. Ask loads of questions - someone will always be here to help.
I wish you all the best for your new life.

Ahhh I hope so!! <fingers crossed>

A huge thank you to everyone who has replied so far. It really comforts me to not be alone in this process, as I have been this entire time. I should've came onto hear sooner! Thank you.

My kid made a large batch of Turkey burgers and I’m the only one eating them 🧐 At least they’re good! I ate about 70% of this but logged the whole meal

Fear of the unknown is huge. We are human, it is hard wired into our DNA to protect us in prehistory. My fears keep me awake at night too, I hate that.
You can jump ship or postpone the surgery but you will wish you went through with it. Hold your nerve and get it done and you will be overjoyed. This surgery is life changing.
You wont be alone when you wake, the nurse assigned to you will be watching your progress. You shouldn't be in pain because that would be bad practise. They need you to get up and walk around asap. You couldn't do that in pain.
I had zero pain when I woke because they gave me meds in my drip. You will not wake up screaming in pain. You might feel tender in your mid section. I hugged a pillow to my stomach for a few days while standing.
Breathe, take each day as a chance to stay or jump. Get yourself to the morning of surgery and then decide.

Fear of the unknown is huge. We are human, it is hard wired into our DNA to protect us in prehistory. My fears keep me awake at night too, I hate that.
You can jump ship or postpone the surgery but you will wish you went through with it. Hold your nerve and get it done and you will be overjoyed. This surgery is life changing.
You wont be alone when you wake, the nurse assigned to you will be watching your progress. You shouldn't be in pain because that would be bad practise. They need you to get up and walk around asap. You couldn't do that in pain.
I had zero pain when I woke because they gave me meds in my drip. You will not wake up screaming in pain. You might feel tender in your mid section. I hugged a pillow to my stomach for a few days while standing.
Breathe, take each day as a chance to stay or jump. Get yourself to the morning of surgery and then decide.

Fear of the unknown is huge. We are human, it is hard wired into our DNA to protect us in prehistory. My fears keep me awake at night too, I hate that.
You can jump ship or postpone the surgery but you will wish you went through with it. Hold your nerve and get it done and you will be overjoyed. This surgery is life changing.
You wont be alone when you wake, the nurse assigned to you will be watching your progress. You shouldn't be in pain because that would be bad practise. They need you to get up and walk around asap. You couldn't do that in pain.
I had zero pain when I woke because they gave me meds in my drip. You will not wake up screaming in pain. You might feel tender in your mid section. I hugged a pillow to my stomach for a few days while standing.
Breathe, take each day as a chance to stay or jump. Get yourself to the morning of surgery and then decide.

I have never heard if this before. What is your Fluid intake over the course of a day? Are your meals especially salty or sugary? Do you have diabetes? Have you been tested for diabetes. I do get thirsty when I have had too much sugary/salty foods but I am a diabetic. When I return to taking better care of my food and fluid intake it seems to get better.

hello im 23 years old and all my life ive been battling my weight it was always fluctuating. Started at 280 and now I’m down to 180 I’m 5’8 and im definitely noticing muscle definition and loose skin is bouncing back. But as of lately ive been feeling super depressed and my recent breakup was what set it off. Just recently started going out with friends and having to eat small portion completely ruins it for me i wish i can cram in just a little more to enjoy food with friends. I feel like its a chore now to make sure im hitting my daily macros and im starting to have regrets. I feel good in my own body but i feel like i could’ve done this without surgery with the love i grew for the gym. I go 3-4 times a week with a split. Is there anyway to combat this depression and regret i have i just wish i can eat a little more to socialize and im scared of losing more weight

Welp! I’m 4 days post op. I had a revision from lapband to RNY and it was much more than anticipated!
My surgeon told me I needed to have my gallbladder out at the same time (I had gallstones) so I was prepared for that but once he got in there he found A LOT of scar tissue from the lapband (mind you, it’s been 20yrs since I got it) and then a hernia!!!! So I was in surgery for 4 hours! I feel as good as expected I guess but wanted to give everyone a heads up… just be prepared for the unexpected! ❤️

As @toodlerue says our help is very limited. We send our love and best wishes. Please keep in touch, at least you can rant on here and we will listen.

Did you go with a company/ nhs hospital in the UK ? I am surprised to hear you are getting no help if that's the case. If your surgery was abroad then you need to tell them if they don't respond to your questions then you will be leaving them a truthful bad review. People are really searching these sites for honest feedback and will take note of yours. If its a UK company you need to email the hospital director and ask why you are getting no help.
No one can do this without the help of a team, its a huge change for all of us to master, both body and mind.
I am maintaining now on 1500 calories a day which I log every meal. I lost weight on anything around 1200 - 1400 calories a day building in 60 grams of Protein a day. To loose now you may struggle because your hunger is back. I would imagine that it will be hard to go back to protein and vegetables when you are hungry, leaving the filling carbs off your plate.
Keep us posted, you are not alone.

As a woman in my 50’s it’s hard getting out there and making new friends never mind dating. That said, yes I’m dating and making friends. I made a promise to myself during COVID lockdowns that I would make and keep friends with intent and discernment. I date women and men and everyone in between, so yes there’s lots of dating but few people with kindness and calmness who are near my age, actually single, and don’t have mommy issues. I’m focusing more on friendships now. There’s lots of dates, but friends are gold!

I wish I could still run, but my joints are too far gone for it anymore. I love walking with a weighted backpack (to get my heart rate up enough). I love the rowing machine and indoor bike with audio books or online classes for continuing education (teachers are always learning). I hike and canoe and play field games all summer at the day camp I work at. I’ve been lifting weights for 20+ years, but to be honest it’s to keep up with the 20 yr old coworkers lol. I’m thinking of getting into ping pong because I see people of all ages competing and staying active and social with it. I’ve gone through dancing and yoga phases. I like to be curious and try new things. Like others have said, you really have to enjoy what you’re doing to make it your “thing.”

since we are talking about other exercise besides running and walking...want to chime in here that my current flavour du jour of exercise: REFORMER PILATES....kinda like yoga on steroids.
i tend to go through phases of exercise types, and have tried countless forms of exercise to see what i like and they all come and go (hot yoga, regular yoga, aerial yoga, zumba, rock climbing, salsa, tap, pole dancing, kick boxing, cross fit, swimming, etc, etc). but so far running is the only thing that i have been able to keep an interest in this whole time is running (about 5 years now...)
but methinks reformer pilates will make the long haul HALL of FAME for me (along with running), but it does tend to get expensive (running is FREE! lol). i've been doing reformer pilates 2-3 times a week now for the past 5 months and the interest has been sustained...well see!
long story short, find something YOU enjoy doing, because that is the thing YOU will most likely keep doing long term.
good luck! ❤️
p.s. i also do weight training twice a week...but RELUCTANTLY because i HATE it. i'll keep doing this until i can't (or won't lol) because i know its good for me. luckily my Mr. hounds me to do it every week, so that helps i guess 🤷🏻‍♀️ (but i still hate it!)

Thanks everyone. The hunger is not a welcome feeling after almost a year of making myself eat. My one year is May 1 and I'll have a body composition test at that time. I'm curious where I land.
I re-weighed myself this morning in my birthday suit and I was 133. On a crazy note, at 131 I'll have lost half my starting weight... Basically, my current weight lost. 😳

OK so you're still losing, albeit slowly. Think you might be approaching *the rest of your life*! Welcome to the far side. Keep lots of fruit and veggie Snacks to hand.
You have done so so well. Hunger comes back to all of us after WLS - almost always. If you've been able to change how and what you eat in the last year you should be OK. I know it's freaky to actually feel hunger again after such a lovely honeymoon period. But you'll be fine if you keep track of what you eat and why. 😍