Spinoza

"food after surgery doesn’t have to be boring, just smaller portions. 😎"
Absolutely this!

I do soooo love seeing what you and everyone eats ms.sss. Thanks for taking the time to post. 😍

Oh yes, the letdown or after effect of all the craziness. All the fear and anxiety about the surgery, the relief of getting back to normal and feeling more normal again, can feel like depression, or just wading through quicksand, teary and easily emotional. You have been on a such a roller coaster for a while now and it's just stopped and returned to the station. You are likely just letting down your guard because everything is okay and now the emotions that stayed under the surface are coming up. Honor your body for the journey it has taken and survived, honor your self for being so resilient and steadfast, pamper yourself and do all the little things that feel cherishing like extra sleep, foot baths with spa treatment, comfy clothes and cheerful movies, music that makes you feel good, books that make you think. Anything that feels good, and just give it time and know that it will ease once you've felt the feelings and let them go.
If it lasts more than 2 weeks or gets worse, or severe, please contact your team and let them know, they will likely have resources for you, in fact, no reason to wait if your team has a psychologist you feel comfortable with, go ahead and talk to them. It would likely be very helpful.
Take care.

it's actually very common to have a rebound gain of 10-20 lbs during year 3. There was a dietitian once on Unjury's online support group who said in her clinic, they don't even consider anything less that 15% of the person's lowest weight to be a regain (so in your case, they wouldn't consider anything under a 21.6 lb gain as "regain" - it's just more-or-less expected). Granted, you're up more than that, but only by about 10 lbs. You can always lose weight again by getting back on track. If it's really tough to do that (and it can be..), maybe just make one or two small changes at a time until they become a habit. Start with something not super challenging - like logging your food intake - or taking a walk 3x a week. Or whatever...just anything that seems achievable. It all adds up in the end...
A lot of people have dealt with this, so you're definitely not alone.

Sounds like you are ready to get back on track. This is the first step. Get back in contact with your team. Your dietician to help you ensure you’re making the best decisions around food choices, portions, nutrition, etc. Your therapist to help you get back on track mentally & emotionally. You may even be a candidate for a GLP-1 medication - worth asking your surgeon or primary care doctor if you’re interested.
PS. I had those you look sick/have lost too much weight comments too. Just like it takes time for your head to catch up with how you look after your weight loss, so too for other people who struggle to see you as anything but obese. It can be hard to ignore these types of comments but you have to remember to put yourself first & the only opinion that matters is yours & how you feel about yourself & your weight. Those people who were so opinionated about my weight in the beginning stopped saying anything after a few months as they started to see me for who I now was - their image of me finally changed.

Oh wow. Fantastic. Getting to your goal is the absolute dream. Enjoy!!!!

Good advice above!
I made a very very considered choice to have a sleeve despite being on PPIs for years for reflux. Only because I knew when I had previously lost significant weight my reflux had gone. My gamble paid off but I know that the recommended surgery for people with reflux is bypass. Concerned that your surgeon is trying to railroad you into anything else. My choice was very much mine after a long discussion of the pros and cons. This is too important a decision to get wrong.

Good advice above!
I made a very very considered choice to have a sleeve despite being on PPIs for years for reflux. Only because I knew when I had previously lost significant weight my reflux had gone. My gamble paid off but I know that the recommended surgery for people with reflux is bypass. Concerned that your surgeon is trying to railroad you into anything else. My choice was very much mine after a long discussion of the pros and cons. This is too important a decision to get wrong.

I eat porridge a bit, especially now I'm in maintenance. Potatoes almost never but if I have to, then skin ON. They were an absolute staple before surgery (I'm Irish) but I approach them with real caution now. White carby things (bread, rice, Pasta, potatoes) don't contain enough goodness to tempt me any more. If I do eat them it's wholegrain/brown/skin on versions and in small portions after I've had something properly nutritious.
*Obviously other than during the holiday season when I loosen up a bit without guilt*

I eat porridge a bit, especially now I'm in maintenance. Potatoes almost never but if I have to, then skin ON. They were an absolute staple before surgery (I'm Irish) but I approach them with real caution now. White carby things (bread, rice, Pasta, potatoes) don't contain enough goodness to tempt me any more. If I do eat them it's wholegrain/brown/skin on versions and in small portions after I've had something properly nutritious.
*Obviously other than during the holiday season when I loosen up a bit without guilt*

I've had 2 holiday seasons with family (who don't know I had surgery) and just coming up to my third! I've handled them all differently. The first was really tough because it would have been less than 6 weeks after my op so I just didn't go. Last year I made sure my partner was sitting next to me and then put most of my food (we get a huge loaded plate each) onto his, in small increments. I also ate 'in reverse order' - carbs first, then veg, then a tiny bit of meat (which halts everything for me, LOL). This year I will be able to eat like half a normal dinner (so a quarter of the massive dinner we seem to get served). I'll push the rest about on my plate and feed some to the dog. Like lots of the *always thin* people have done for years.
At various times over the last 2 years I have disposed of food - into bins and occasionally wrapped in serviettes into my handbag, LOL - and hidden food (eg ordered a chicken salad where I eat the salad and then hide all the chicken under the last few leaves). Just to deflect attention.
People who can be open about the fact they have had surgery just quote the surgery. If you're telling folks you're on a strict weight loss diet for your health that works too.
I do (really do) understand the special pressures of a family Christmas and I hope you get through it well. It gets better, I promise.

I eat porridge a bit, especially now I'm in maintenance. Potatoes almost never but if I have to, then skin ON. They were an absolute staple before surgery (I'm Irish) but I approach them with real caution now. White carby things (bread, rice, Pasta, potatoes) don't contain enough goodness to tempt me any more. If I do eat them it's wholegrain/brown/skin on versions and in small portions after I've had something properly nutritious.
*Obviously other than during the holiday season when I loosen up a bit without guilt*

I also told only my partner and children and will never tell anyone else. I admire anyone who can be open and face the censure/answer the questions but I just feared exactly the negativity you're experiencing OP. I get admiration for taking 'the hard way' that I probably don't deserve but, let's face it, no way is the easy way when you're morbidly obese. People who aren't or haven't been don't have A CLUE. Get your support here.

I eat porridge a bit, especially now I'm in maintenance. Potatoes almost never but if I have to, then skin ON. They were an absolute staple before surgery (I'm Irish) but I approach them with real caution now. White carby things (bread, rice, Pasta, potatoes) don't contain enough goodness to tempt me any more. If I do eat them it's wholegrain/brown/skin on versions and in small portions after I've had something properly nutritious.
*Obviously other than during the holiday season when I loosen up a bit without guilt*

I also told only my partner and children and will never tell anyone else. I admire anyone who can be open and face the censure/answer the questions but I just feared exactly the negativity you're experiencing OP. I get admiration for taking 'the hard way' that I probably don't deserve but, let's face it, no way is the easy way when you're morbidly obese. People who aren't or haven't been don't have A CLUE. Get your support here.

I've had 2 holiday seasons with family (who don't know I had surgery) and just coming up to my third! I've handled them all differently. The first was really tough because it would have been less than 6 weeks after my op so I just didn't go. Last year I made sure my partner was sitting next to me and then put most of my food (we get a huge loaded plate each) onto his, in small increments. I also ate 'in reverse order' - carbs first, then veg, then a tiny bit of meat (which halts everything for me, LOL). This year I will be able to eat like half a normal dinner (so a quarter of the massive dinner we seem to get served). I'll push the rest about on my plate and feed some to the dog. Like lots of the *always thin* people have done for years.
At various times over the last 2 years I have disposed of food - into bins and occasionally wrapped in serviettes into my handbag, LOL - and hidden food (eg ordered a chicken salad where I eat the salad and then hide all the chicken under the last few leaves). Just to deflect attention.
People who can be open about the fact they have had surgery just quote the surgery. If you're telling folks you're on a strict weight loss diet for your health that works too.
I do (really do) understand the special pressures of a family Christmas and I hope you get through it well. It gets better, I promise.

I've had 2 holiday seasons with family (who don't know I had surgery) and just coming up to my third! I've handled them all differently. The first was really tough because it would have been less than 6 weeks after my op so I just didn't go. Last year I made sure my partner was sitting next to me and then put most of my food (we get a huge loaded plate each) onto his, in small increments. I also ate 'in reverse order' - carbs first, then veg, then a tiny bit of meat (which halts everything for me, LOL). This year I will be able to eat like half a normal dinner (so a quarter of the massive dinner we seem to get served). I'll push the rest about on my plate and feed some to the dog. Like lots of the *always thin* people have done for years.
At various times over the last 2 years I have disposed of food - into bins and occasionally wrapped in serviettes into my handbag, LOL - and hidden food (eg ordered a chicken salad where I eat the salad and then hide all the chicken under the last few leaves). Just to deflect attention.
People who can be open about the fact they have had surgery just quote the surgery. If you're telling folks you're on a strict weight loss diet for your health that works too.
I do (really do) understand the special pressures of a family Christmas and I hope you get through it well. It gets better, I promise.

Plans can be different but the best advice is always to follow your surgeon’s plan (& never what someone on Facebook or TikTok advises who often post just for attention & shock value). The staged return to eating solid food is there to support your healing & protect your healing tummy. Remember all those staples & sutures holding your digestive system together. (Read there can be up to 10 inches of sutures - imagine that on your arm or leg 😱.) There are also many nerves cut so you can’t really tell if you are doing damage or not. It takes about 8 weeks for your tummy to fully heal post surgery.
Yes the shakes can be hideous, I made myself have one a day then drank Soups - comsummes, broths, creams (thin them with additional Water or milk as you need & ensure they have no solid matter). Bone broths are excellent too. Blend yoghurt with milk to make a drink or make your own Protein Shakes using Protein Powder. It’s only two weeks & you’ll get through it. Many of us actually find purée stage more challenging from a texture & flavour perspective. Protein water is an option too. Gotta work at getting at least close to your daily protein goals.

What a wonderful attitude & approach to all you’ve been through. I’ve had a couple of small things picked up since my surgery & weight loss ( nothing like yours - though we are fibroid twins 😉) & am grateful for the medical follow ups I’ve had, the testing I’d never had before which revealed things & even how more aware I am of my body & not just put things down to being fat & therefore unimportant & my fault.

Now to kicking those last 33lbs to the kerb.

Fab. I lost most of my excess weight within the first year of my sleeve. Wasn't planning to lose much more in the second year but I did drop another stone. Sooooo slowly. Keep the faith OP, if you stick to your programme it will work and you will continue to lose weight.

Some of the unsung benefits of losing excess weight:

A CDC info sheet on the association between obesity and 13 specific cancers it can cause.
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/obesity/index.htm
The NIH’ s National Cancer Institute fact sheet on obesity and cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/obesity-fact-sheet

Hope you find this interesting!

Hi Bridge! Can you fill us in on some of your stats? If you only had a little weight to lose in the first place it might be that your body has gained a little and settled into its new 'set weight' now. If you had loads to lose and you didn't quite get there then it might be helpful instead to unpick exactly what you did straight after your surgery.
I think the sleeve 'reset' might in many cases just be going back to the rules your team gave you after your surgery. Lots of fluids, Protein first at every meal, veg second, carbs last. You are still early in your journey so I suspect if you go right back to those basics you still have time to lose loads more weight (if you need to). I have only just stopped losing weight 16 months after my sleeve.
You will get good advice here, so well done for seeking help and best of luck!

Loving this recipe! Will totally ditch the toast but liking the veg alternatives.

Loving this thread.
Some of my good problems relate to newfound boniness. I went on several rollercoasters in a park at Easter and ended up with bruises right down my spine - because I have no padding now and the seats are hard hard plastic. Does this happen to people who were never obese? What on earth is wrong with park operators building in a bit of wadding???
Also - my ass hurts if I have to sit on unpadded chairs anywhere for more than a few minutes. I have to start jiggling and that's not a good look.

Great advice above. I had a sleeve so my experience might be different from yours OP. My full on hunger returned about 7 or 8 months out. Sorry yours has come back so soon - it is sooo variable.
I have religiously stuck to the Protein first mantra ever since. I find if I eat an ounce or two of deli meat, yes it might be more calorific than veg or fruit, but it kept me full for MUCH longer. Plus gets me to protein goal.
I say experiment and find what works for you. Absolutely echo what @Arabesque says about head vs real hunger - if you're craving something particular then it might be worth trying to distract yourself/defer eating. If you're properly hungry then go for a small amount of protein and re-evaluate half an hour later.