Sunnyway

I cut my own toenails!

During this transition period, check out thrift stores, too. While you are there, drop off your gently-worn too big stuff.

Weighing is usually proper unless the food is liquid or semi-liquid, in which case you should measure with a measuring cup, not by eye-balling.
Be sure to get a good digital food scale so that you can measure grams & ounces.

Stalls are normal. Keep sticking with the program. Do get some bariatric cookbooks so that you can learn to cook and eat differently than pre-surgery.

You would benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, too. You may need medication for chronic anxiety issues. It can make a world of difference. Don't just ask your primary care physician. Psychiatrists know far more about psychotropic medication.

I have anxiety issues anyway, and take supplements (ashwagandha and an L-theanine/GABA combo) for it. But you might want to make an appointment with a psychiatrist, because they're dab hands at fixing anxiety and dissociation, rather than relying on hospital tests.

The last two years have been insanely hard on everyone so it's no surprise that mental health care is becoming more urgent. Just take care of yourself.

My clinic has not had a dietitian/nutritionist on staff for months now (part of the Great Resignation, I guess). So they've been contracting with people, and I finally had had enough of it.
She asked what I have been eating. I track religiously, down to the teaspoon of mustard (which probably isn't necessary, but...). So I told her. It came to about 850 calories. She absolutely lost her mind, whipped out a booklet, and told me I'm to be eating no more than 1/3 cup of food five times a day. I pointed out that I run or work out literally every day, that I am going back to a pretty physical outdoor job, that I'm losing weight steadily, and that eating this amount gives me the energy I need.
I asked how I was supposed to get the Protein goal the surgeon gave me (80-100 g a day) on that little food, and she told me to stop being difficult, that I was obviously going to just gain it all back (lol, on 850 cal a day, lol lol lol), that too much sodium would spike my blood pressure and heart rate (lol, it was 114/74 during intake with a resting heart rate of 54), etc., etc.
So I fired her. At the top of my lungs. Which meant that a bunch of other people came running and there was kind of a scene.
I don't care. I asked a friend who's had VSG who she uses for a NUT and she recommended her folks, so I signed up there and will be given macros to meet by someone who has experience with athletes who've undergone bariatric surgery. I'm not going to be wedged into a one-size-fits-all kind of thing because she's reading from some Nth-generation copy of some manual.

I'm going to Italy late next month and I'll be about 3.5 months out. My plan is to have Protein at the hotel Breakfast as much as possible and then a lot of shareable meals and Snacks so that my husband can eat most of it. My understanding is that it's okay to not order all three courses but it's also a little rude to order only an antipasto, so I'm hoping that ordering three courses between the two of us will be fine.
You could also stay at an Airbnb and cook for yourself; this wasn't feasible for my situation but could work for you. Whoops, just noticed that you might be on a cruise!
My nutritionist is totally on board with me trying a little pizza, Pasta, and gelato--it is vacation after all--but to also focus on protein where possible, drink lots of Water, and get right back on track when back home.
If you want to remind me in mid December, I'll be happy to share my experiences!

You'll know a lot closer to then what you can and can't eat. Some people can't eat steak, because it's too dry. Some people can't eat Pasta or bread because it expands too much in their pouch. Everyone is different.
I will say this, though... you're likely not to be able to come anywhere close to eating an entire three-course Italian meal. If you don't speak Italian, you might want to take a little card with you that says something like Mi hanno operato allo stomaco e non posso mangiare molto. Per favore, mi serva piccole porzioni.

I cut my own toenails!

I'm horrified that the surgeon is telling you one meal a day. You mention that you manage 1-2 oz of food a day. There is no way that is enough especially if you are also exercising! Are you also drinking Protein Shakes?
In contrast, I just had my 2 month check in, and my nutritionist is telling me to increase my calories especially because I want to restart with my trainer this week. She also wants me to start weaning off the shakes (though not necessarily the Protein powder). I already eat 3-4 times a day (small meals) plus a Protein Shake, and to make the new calorie goal I'm going to have to add another snack and try to increase calorie count at each meal.
If his practice doesn't have a nutritionist, perhaps you can see about switching to a new practice that does and using one of their nutritionists? You want someone who is experienced with bariatric patients and not all nutritionists are. Also, depending on your state there may or may not be licensing for nutritionists, so make sure they are credentialed.

I am 4 months out and just had an appointment with the surgeon last week. He suggested eating one meal a day in order to keep my blood sugar from spiking in my body. He stated that my body has enough stored fat and if I follow Intermittent Fasting/OMAD I will lose weight faster. This is in complete opposition to the nutritionists that work in his own office.
If I eat just one meal a day at this point there is NO WAY I'd be able to meet my Protein goals and my calorie intake would be miniscule.
So, I am actually going to ignore my surgeons suggestion on this. I am going to keep eating according to the nutritionists well thought out plan and lose the weight when I lose the weight. Stick to what your comfortable with.... remember, losing weight is not a race.

I'm so sorry you're struggling. I know it must be extremely frustrating and scary to be at this point with so little support from your surgeon. I think weight loss normally slows significantly after the first couple of months, exactly when depends on each persons body, so don't be alarmed that you aren't losing at the same rate you did in month 1. However, I'm honestly shocked to hear that your surgeon recommends only one meal a day. I know that programs vary widely, but nearly all suggest several small meals a day by the 3 month mark. I had VSG, so my guidelines are a little different, but my surgeon recommends 4-6 2-4oz meals a day for RNY patients at the 3 month mark. Does your program have a registered dietician you can work with, instead of the surgeon? If not, could you find an independent one or maybe have your PCP refer you? If that's not an option, there are a ton of really great bariatric dieticians that do 1:1 coaching; you might want to look into that. In the interim, maybe try experimenting with a couple small meals a day. Focus on getting in Proteins first, then high quality veggies/complex carbs.
It may also be worth getting set up with a counselor. WLS is a HUGE life change and having some extra support can make all the difference in the world. The surgery is a tool, not a magic fix, and we are only as successful as our ability to USE that tool. So much of it is mental that it can feel overwhelming, and having a resource to help you work through the internal pieces of it can be a game changer.
Best of luck to you! I know its exhausting, but you're doing a great job!

I haven't been on here for a few years. Where do
I post my weight for today? Plus will it be added to my ticker. Thanks
Sent from my SM-A515U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I also have RA (was diagnosed post-VSG) and am headed toward a revision for GERD in the next few months. My rheumatologist automatically put me on injectable methotrexate so i didn't have to deal with any GI side effects. It's really easy and cheap - I still have to draw it up myself from the vial with an insulin needle. But I have no side effects from it.
My bigger problem will probably be figuring out what i can take for as-needed pain relief...

Thank you, I’m still in the hospital from conversion yesterday. I’m in a fair amount of pain. I hope this was the right move. So far I’m tolerating Water, sugar free drinks, and sugar free water ice/jello. Tomorrow I should be going to a full liquid diet. I should also be discharged tomorrow.

Very typical and not talked about enough. However you can still feel fullness just of a different kind. Occasionally I can still feel the VSG restriction with very solid things. But now it’s mostly a lower abdomen heaviness and disinterest in the food that warns me when I’m done. Be patient and you’ll notice your signals eventually ❤️

Update: My surgeon asked for an abdominal CT (I assume to see what mess, if any, my prior WLS surgeries caused), which has been completed. Because my last two EKGs had some irregularities and because I have a pacemaker, he also wanted a cardiology evaluation. The cardiologies wants me to have a chemical stress test and an updated echocardiogram. Office visited completed, and I have to go to the hospital 90 miles away for the tests, perhaps in the next week or so. I am very happy with how thorough the surgeon and cardiologist are being, in stark contrast with my prior WLS surgeons.
If the cardiologist approves the surgery, the paperwork will go to Medicare. When Medicare approves the revision (apparently a slam-dunk with my comorbidities), I will finally get a surgery date.
I've been stalled, going up and down the same 2-4 lbs for since early September, reinforcing why I need this surgery.
Also, I finally got a call-back from the local psychologist-dietitian on whose waiting list I've been on since July. I'll hopefully get an appointment shortly. I did have an evaluation by the clinic's psychiatrist and a tele-visit consultation with another psychologist (who didn't think I needed therapy), but this one is local and I hope can help me develop coping strategies when the cravings appear. They have been an issue for the past few months and will be again after the surgery honeymoon period ends. I know from experience that I am going to need help to avoid regaining.

I am not working out. I can't due to other health issues. I walk on a regular basis but that's it. This isn't muscle.
I average 50 oz of Fluid a day. I already saw my dietitian. This is not diet related as I was successfully maintaining pre revision while eating more. I absolutely cannot physically eat enough calories to be gaining weight. I am also vomiting up much of what I eat.
My maintenance TDEE is 1548 calories to maintain 140 pounds. I am tracking my calories and averaging 800 in my fitness pal daily. I measure everything. Even if I was off at all I am not eating double that amount of calories. It's literally impossible. Again I was successfully maintaining while eating more.
This is completely unexplained weight gain and not diet related. I am so tired of suggestions to see my dietitian when I just saw her. I have a diet plan from her that I am following.
I have a follow up with my surgeon next week.

I want to preface this that I am not an expert, but I also didn't notice how much water/liquids you are currently consuming. I know that if you don't get enough Water in, that you will retain it until you have enough. If you are eating the proper calories which it sounds like, you wouldn't be gaining actual weight. Are you working out more? If so, then you might also be gaining muscle. I hope this helps but that is all that I can come up with. If you do continue with this weight gain problem, then checking with you dietician/surgeon may be a good idea as well.

I had a revision for GERD/hiatal hernia repair/esophageal dysmotility 7/13.
The goal with my revision was to continue maintaining my weight. I had been in maintenance for 7 months the day of my revision.
I was 144 pounds the day of my revision.
At two weeks post op my weight was down to 133. I met with my dietitian who gave me a goal of 600-800 calories a day initially and to work towards getting back to 1200. She gave me meal plans for puree and soft foods

Week 3 I had gained back to 137. I was alarmed but thought maybe the initial weight loss was just Water weight and it would even out.
However it didn't stop. Week 4 I was back up to 139 and this week (week 5) 141. My fear is that if this continues i will be heavier than the day of my revision.
I am not constipated and am having regular bowel movements thanks to miralax.
I asked in a revision "support" group on Facebook but got mostly blame filled posts telling me to go back to my dietitian and that I must be eating too much or ridiculous suggestions to ask my doctor for phentermine.
I am diligent about weighing and measuring food and tracking what I eat. I was successfully maintaining my weight post sleeve so it is infuriating to be gaining weight while eating less.
I am still struggling with esophageal dysmotility and vomiting due to that. I can't get over 800 calories a day because of it and am weak and tired. I did see my gastroenterologist this week and was told I need a esophageal manometry done but we have to wait until I am fully healed from the bypass. I am still eating soft foods.
I have a follow up with my surgeon next week.

I want to add that I am not interested in losing more weight. I can't physically eat more and I do not buy into the idea that eating too little would cause weight gain. I just want to maintain my weight. I am really trying to eat as much as my dietitian has suggested but it's hard.

Today is five weeks exactly, and I am down 21 lbs. Last week was weird; for some reason, I gained a few lbs, and then within six days, I started dropping an lb a day. My dietician would like me to stay between 80-100g of carbs, which I was reluctant about reading other revision experiences, but I am happy to say that I am still losing at 80g daily. I can eat many things without issue, but only if I eat them in small portions. Pooping is weird... It smells, often loose, and I have had some oily moments (TMI), but it is definitely diet-related. I have noticed that I have gas early in the morning and have to poop first thing, so that is something to keep in mind if you are considering revising to SADI.

Hello everyone!

Next month, I am having revision surgery from VSG to DS, and this forum has given me so much valuable information. Any VSG to DS patients next month? I want to follow your progress.

Just had the xiphoid process removable this Monday, outpt surgery. They wouldn't let me keep it!! I wanted a souvenir. Not bad, but I never realized how hard it would be to do things. Bending over is not fun right now. Lol Hopefully it will prove to be worth it. Next surgery: double knee replacement. No cartilage in either. First one next month. Can't wait. They're really getting bad. The irony: they've never been this thin!! Can't win.

Mine is pretty prominent after losing weight. I didn't know it could be removed. I wish I had known that when I had my latest plastic surgery 6 weeks ago. I had a breast lift, reverse abdominoplasty and back lift. Since it was the same area he could of just taken it out. That is one of the "signs" people use to tell you you are getting to skinny, "I can see your bones!" Mine doesn't really bother me though.