Iluvbats

I know I have read alot of stuff about being head hungry and not stomach hungry. I don't know if this is solid advice or will even help but when I am combating hunger I eat a sugar free popsicle and it helps me thru so much.

I'm 4 months post-op sleeve and I have had several stalls. One thing that helps me is not seeing the scale go UP! I stay at the same weight for a couple of weeks and then I might lose a pound. I totally Celebrate that pound and I say, even out loud: "I'll take it!" Reason: I got to this point in my life because I did stupid fad diets and wrecked my metabolism and my body. This is my last chance to get this right. I figure it will take me a year to get to 50 lb weight lost and then another 6 months to a year to get to my goal. But, I WILL GET THERE in the end!

On 10/6/2021 at 9:35 AM, JustSJ said:

Hi everyone. I had my sleeve on June 3rd. My weight loss is slower than many people, but the scale is still moving. I do cheat here and there, so I'm happy with my progress.

I am hungry a LOT. Sometimes I attribute it to head hunger, but often it's physical stomach rumbling. Drinking Water helps a little bit, but not always and never for very long. That's when my restriction tool saves me. I can only eat a small amount, where in the past, I would have stuffed myself.

Still feel like this is one of the best decisions I have ever made!

I have the same problem! I am now 4 months post op. I don't lose weight every week and I believe that is partly to my psych make up and past history with food. If I get hungry I inevitably think I'm going to starve. As kids, we always went to bed hungry due to having a mentally deranged "mother." My husband tells me: You're not going to starve! So I tell myself: "You're not going to starve!" Cheating with food was an accepted norm for me because I didn't/don't want to feel like that deprived kid anymore. It's a struggle but I'm so glad I accepted the challenge to be on this journey. I can't wait until "I get there!"

@ClarkKent

It is a tough journey but I still know that this is the best decision I ever made weight loss wise. If anyone dare say to me I "took the easy way out" I swear I will slap them! Jk 😉

So happy to see everyone doing so well! I had my sleeve on June 16. I am down approximately 33 lbs. My weight loss has slowed to a crawl but I am 5'1" and alot older than most people so for me, this is good. I have been experiencing excruciating hunger pains for some time. The first 6 - 8 weeks was the worst. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel like I'm going through some sort of "withdrawal" symptoms. Definitely not fun!

Any suggestions on a good Multi Vitamins? I am 4+weeks post op and started Vitamins this week. I got these complete chewable vitamins from Bariatric fusion, strawberry, I am supposed to take 4 a day. I can’t stand them. They make me gag. They are so big and chalky. Any suggestions please. I’m ok with a Vitamin I have to swallow, no gummies at the direction of my surgeon. Thank you!!!!

My before & after pics.

On 6/10/2021 at 1:53 PM, rwhite85 said:

Hello! My name's Rachel. I'm 35, 5'0" & cw: 214. I've been trying for the past 5 months to get my (extremely good) insurance to cover a gastric sleeve for me, but they've been running me around like crazy. I've already spent 1k out of pocket, and they would make me wait at least a year to even be able to get it, and who knows how much it'd end up costing out of pocket in the US.

I ended up finding out about surgery in Tijuana and just put my deposit down for surgery on September 13th. The mental health alleviation of knowing it's on the horizon and I don't have to be on the phone with my insurance every other day crying is honestly worth paying out of pocket for me.

Is anyone else around my height / weight pre-surgery, and if so how are you doing in your journey?

Hi Rachel! I wish you all the best! I don't fit your criteria exactly but I'm same height+ starting weight. I hear they are very good in Mexico. I would advise you not to go on too many websites because I did that a couple of years ago and freaked myself out. The surgery is not painful. I only needed Tylenol the day after. The hardest part for me was week 3 & 4 with the hunger pains that were very real for me. But you will get through it. You will be so happy once you see the difference in your life.
Congratulations!

Wow! You lost alot! Good for you!! I'm at 5 weeks today and I've lost only 15lbs:( it's very hard to stay positive and be patient right now bc of that...so I've been doing what I do best unfortunately and eat the wrong things or eat too much. It really stinks! I was trying to be what I call active which isn't much unfortunately but now I haven't even been doing that! Idk whats going on with me...I had 2 premiere Protein Shakes today and my 4 chewable vitamins and still hurt all over and have no energy. I probably didn't have enough Water though now that I think about it. Gosh, I gotta start logging everything I eat and drink. I have been slacking with so much since I've had marital problems going on, family issues, and daughter going off to college, and my 2 lil boys are just driving me nuts this summer:/ I need to step my game up I guess ughhh
Well anyways, glad your healing real well and feeling good! I hope to join you there soon lol


Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

On 7/9/2021 at 9:43 AM, Dave In Houston said:

I sing in a gospel quartet and a barbershop quartet. I have the most fun in those 2 groups. I get to sing harmony, and the singers are good. I also sing in the church choir and from time to time I sing a solo in church.

I haven't had stage fright for a long time. I guess if I can't see the audience because the house is really dark and the lights are really bright, I might still have a bit of nerves, but I forget about it because it's so much fun.

Excellent! I can't sing to save my life but I have friends who can. What a gift!

17 hours ago, Tripletsmom1971 said:

Well, the scale is still stuck. 18 days post op. Still just 9 pounds gone since surgery. I had been walking on a local track, but it got too hot here. So I got a gym membership and walked my hour on the treadmill. I have yet to ‘feel full’. I have yet to ‘feel ill’ with any different foods. I’m scared maybe the surgery didn’t work! Surely I’m not the only one who has thought this! I know it sounds crazy. Doc kept me off work for another 2 weeks to make sure I was healed well. So maybe I’m just ‘bored and stuck in my head’? I don’t want to become a ‘gym rat’, especially with me still having incision pain. I am scared of overdoing it.

Me too! I am still having hunger pains like I have never experienced in my life! I still feel like I can always eat more! Big mistake because then I usually end up regretting one extra bite. I'm giving myself until Monday to see if these hunger pains go away and then I might call the office just to check and see if it's normal.

I'm also going to call t to see if I can start getting some counseling because I know that alot of this is emotional.

Hang in there!

On 7/9/2021 at 3:41 AM, bumblebee13 said:

Hell yes! Ive cried more this week than i have in the last year, its so strange im flying high then hitting rock bottom generally over nothing as well

Im also finding myself bored and I dont like it. did an hour on the treadmill (3x20min sessions) which might have been a bit to much but aside from making sure im taking all my Vitamins and getting all my fluids theres nothing to do! its the middle of winter here so that makes things a little bit tougher when its raining so often. need ideas to keep me busy

Isn't that the truth! It's the opposite here. 40+c 100+ every day for the next 3 months. I HAVE to get out of the house so I have been getting up between 5 & 6 am when it's not too hot to walk but then there's nothing to do the rest of the day! Mostly I'm doing stuff on the computer but this COVID has been a game changer.

Sounds like you are doing really well though! Keep up the good work!

17 hours ago, Dave In Houston said:

I found myself depressed the first few days after surgery. Preparing for surgery was really intense, with lots of appointments and tasks to complete. Then afterwards, nothing to do but wait and heal. It was kind of a letdown.

I'm a singer, and the same thing happens to me after a big performance, no matter how well it went. Rehearse, get psyched up, rehearse some more, perform, then nothing else to do.

Ive been pretty good staying positive and focusing on non scale victories like walking every day but this week has been a doozy for emotions.

Oh my! What kind of songs do you sing? I wish I could sing. Do you get stage fright?

On 7/3/2021 at 8:02 AM, smarks said:

I had my surgery Monday. Tuesday while in hospital I found out my son died in a car accident. I’m grieving so bad and reaching out to you all for prayers

Oh no!!! I am SO sorry for your loss! I cannot imagine how you must be feeling. Devastating. Sending you virtual hugs 🤗

Emotionally roller coaster:

Yesterday I was so upset! I didn't blow my top but I wanted to. I finally ended up taking my anxiety meds and calling it a day. Today I'm super depressed.

Anyone else running the gamut of emotions?

4 hours ago, Shrink&Grow said:

Aw I needed this today - was having a wobble about my newly wired body and having to wait between drinking and eating feels a full time job. After a few weeks of low pain, my fibromyalgia has flared up a little (weird weather pressure and lots of stormy rain in the UK this week) and I've got the grumps.. but really I have done SO MUCH WALKING this last week. So much. No wonder I'm a bit tired haha. Really appreciate your positive reminder 😊

I LOVE to walk. I do miss the UK countryside but Tucson is a beautiful place too. Yesterday I was able to walk 1 1/2 miles for the first time in years and I know that if we can just achieve one positive thing a day it will all add up to success.

Congratulations on all your hard work! What an achievement!

14 hours ago, Tripletsmom1971 said:

I know how you feel I felt the same way about the ‘vitamins, rules, how am I going to get this Water in, how am I going to get these calories in’, it all feels like too much. That was about a week ago, I guess it just takes time for us to ‘adjust’ to this new living. But YES, our futures are BRIGHT! I walked 3 miles this am, without stopping, in 61 minutes. I felt so accomplished. I am a ‘big Walker’ normally, but since surgery, I haven’t been. I felt NORMAL again!

That is EXCELLENT! Go you!

Learning every day:

Well, this is certainly a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least. I think I am in mourning for the way I used to eat. Trying to learn how to retrain my brain not to eat as much as it thinks it can eat. My new Tummy rebelled against me for a couple of days. I had dumping syndrome and vomiting (not on the same day) but it was pretty intense. I still think I can eat a whole egg in one sitting and I can't. I still think I can go out to eat and I can't (yet). My whole day seems to be consumed by trying to get the Vitamins in and other meds I take because I can't take them all at once like I used to do. There are so many things I "can't" do but let me tell you what I can do... I can walk! I can sleep without sleeping pills! I don't need my diabetes meds! The pain in my knees and hips is subsiding. I don't have to sit down after 10 minutes of activity.

Indeed, the future looks BRIGHT!!!

@Loz90333

I think there's probably some colourful language but you'll get the idea...

@Anj0399 @Loz90333

You poor thing! Did you get it on the NHS? I'm an ex-pat living in US originally from Northamptonshire. Still have family there and come back regular when we're not in the middle of a plague. The info Anj sent you is exactly the same as my Dr gave me here in Tucson, AZ. It's totally on the money! There is a lady on YouTube who has some videos on her experience, her name is iamkahlaarmani

Im not tech savvy so I don't know how to send you the link but if you put that name in YouTube you will see her video on the first few days post op through other stages. It really helped me alot because I couldn't find a local support group other than on Facebook and I don't do Facebook. I just don't like it.

As she says in the video, just follow the directions for the 2 week liquid diet. It's tough, I'm not going to lie, but your new tummy needs time to heal. You are fortunate to have some great walking areas in UK so take advantage of the parks and canal walks etc. I envy you because it is 37C here in Tucson! I have to get up at 5:00 am to go walk, but it HAS TO BE DONE! Hang in there, and feel free to contact me. I think my info is on the profile page if not let me know and I'll give you my email. This forum is a lifesaver. So many kind, generous people willing to help each other out. So look forward to hearing from you soon xx

1 hour ago, SunnyinSC said:

I'm sorry to hear it's been going so poorly so far. I haven't experienced the same problems, but I can say that the problems I did experience got better as I adjusted, and as time passed. I was lucky in that the hospital had a list of my medications and they gave me my antidepressants and blood pressure medications when appropriate.

That being said, feeling regret within the first few weeks of surgery does seem to be pretty common on these forums at least. The good news is that regret also seems to be temporary, especially once people can start eating more normal foods. I hope you start feeling better soon!

Yes!!! It's definitely a struggle! In fact, if anyone dare suggest to me that I took the easy way out or this surgery is easy, I'm going to have to pray for strength not to give them a knuckle sandwich! lol

I'm two weeks post op and supposed to be able to eat mush. That has not been going well at all. I ground up some chicken and after the first bite started throwing up watery type substance... not the actual food. It's been and hour now and I am still extremely uncomfortable. I think my problem is, I am thinking with my old brain. I must concentrate on how to work with my new tummy... make friends with it and work with it rather than fight it mentally. There are so many things I hadn't thought of and maybe that's because we can't know how it's going to be until we get there. Now that I am here, I am determined to make it work. Walking as soon as you possibly can will help you immensely. At first I could only walk for 10 minutes, and then once around the track very slowly with several rests. I felt bad for my husband because he is alot fitter than I am so it was a crawl for him but after 2 weeks of getting out every day I can do once around the track, no stopping. I'm averaging between 4k to 5k on the fitbit.

I suffer from severe depression and have had some very low points, but here again, getting out of the house and walking for 10-20 minutes will help. This is a marathon, but with training we can do it.

All the best to you and you got this!

2 hours ago, spatty said:

I’m up in July. Couple of questions.

Were you able to change into you own nightgown? Did you have an IV overnight? Did you have an IV while walking around to release gas? Did you shower at the hospital? Did you abstain from Water prior to surgery?

Thank you in advance!

I guess each hospital is different. My surgery was scheduled for 10:15 am so I finished drinking at 8:15 and then my surgery was pushed back until 5:15 pm. Once I got the compression socks on and the iv set up they came in and talked to me and I don't remember anything else except waking up in my room because they were slapping me lol!

I took PJs but ended up staying in the gown they provided and the socks. They did not make me walk around other than going to the toilet. I had a wonderful night. I would have liked to have stayed longer but it wasn't necessary. I showered as soon as I got home and rested and walked the rest of that day. You will do just fine. Alot of this is being able to follow directions ie do what they tell you to do. Don't rush things. Take something for a sore throat if they allow it.

All the best to you!

18 hours ago, Niquah said:

Hello everyone hope all you guys are healing well my surgery is Tuesday and I'm scared excited and anxious this pre op liquid diet huh

Congratulations! The surgery is the easy part imo. I really didn't have any significant pain. I would recommend having some Cepacol type lozenges (if allowed) for the sore throat, but ask first. I had my earbuds and listened to music on a really low volume so I could sleep through the night, but you do you. I actually enjoyed my hospital stay. My nurses were phenomenal! I could have stayed an extra day! All the best for tomorrow!

9 hours ago, t0bell@ said:

This heartburn is unreal.. what helps it?

I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with heartburn. My doctor put me on Prilosec which I take every morning. I haven't had any heartburn but definitely call your doctor's office. They will be able to help you.

1 hour ago, blkhawk2380 said:

Mine was June 21st, I’m new here

Welcome! I am 11 days post-op and really loving the decision I made to get VSG. The support from others telling their experiences really helps because no one knows what we go through except for us, right.