TRAVELRN

Keep up the great work!!!!

2 hours ago, Tamika James said:

No not at all

Which surgery did you have?? Are you passing gas as well? Sorry as a nurse I have to ask! 😊

Since you’re “fresh post-op” I’d recommend running it by your surgeon. There are a lot of possibilities and being only a few days after surgery it’s best to get with your surgeon to be safe.

Are you drinking too fast, or too much ?

1 hour ago, maintenanceman said:

For those of us in maintenance, how would you describe your hunger now? Are you still less hungry than before? Has your hunger increased?

Increased which alarms me

1 hour ago, maintenanceman said:

For those of us in maintenance, how would you describe your hunger now? Are you still less hungry than before? Has your hunger increased?

Increased which alarms me

I’ve been struggling with maintenance lately (last couple of months) not able to reset the “mindless” eating trend I see slowing creeping back. I feel like I have to eat something every 2-3 hours. Whether it’s carrots or some string cheese. I’ve had an increase in stress lately as well. I keep track on the scale too much now too. Ugh ….

I’ve been struggling with maintenance lately (last couple of months) not able to reset the “mindless” eating trend I see slowing creeping back. I feel like I have to eat something every 2-3 hours. Whether it’s carrots or some string cheese. I’ve had an increase in stress lately as well. I keep track on the scale too much now too. Ugh ….

Congratulations it sure does feel great!!

1 hour ago, NP_WIP said:

I love fall just for the pumpkin spice anything lol I have been on Pinterest the last few weeks eyeing variations on how to make this lighter. I usually don't do coffee shops even before surgery, but have some gift cards to use.

I did finally find Premier pumpkin spice and have been using that in my morning coffee all week.

2 hours ago, LindsayT said:

Cereal, in general, doesn't sound appealing to me anymore. TBH, a lot of foods don't. It crazy the cereals they have out now. Sure, let's start our day with 30g of sugar in a bowl...lol. Or when I was young, we had plain cereal; like plain cheerios, and we'd add heaps of sugar to it. Now, as adults, we just run through the coffee shop and get the 300+ calorie latte with 50g of sugar.
With Fall coming up, the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks is launching soon. Here's the nutritional facts. It really makes me think about what I was doing to myself. I'd have one of these 3 or 4 times a week.
No wonder obesity is an issue...

I know right? this is more like a Meal Replacement than anything. So sad I drank one of these every day it was available. I don't even go to starbucks anymore since I was sleeved. I don't really miss it. I have my coffee still and I do pumpkin kcups and sugar free Creamer measured out. I dont miss it at all.

couple things to remember:

1. you are only 33 days out.

2. The "keto diet" is a high fat, moderate Protein, and low carb diet. It usually consists of 75% fats, 20% protein and only 5% carb. Even though you are eating smaller portions the fat is too high.

3. A baratric diet focuses on smaller portions, high protein, low fat, and low carbs! The fat you are consuming in a Keto diet 33 days out is likely the culprit.

I would stick to the meal plan that should have been outlined for you after your surgery. I am over a year out and lost 100+ pounds after my surgery w/in the first year. I did think (after talking to my dietician) that I could also try to go back on the Keto diet. I gained weight 10 lbs before I stopped that cold in its tracks and focused on my portions and eating right foods. I am almost lost the weight I gained thinking the keto diet would work for me now. I had done it before making my decision to have gastric sleeve and lost 75 lbs in a short period of time. But it came back on and then some once I stopped eating Keto.

On 6/20/2023 at 3:34 PM, Heatherhei said:

Im 11 days post op and im kind of regretting this. I miss eating, and by that i mean chewing and having that flavor. everything i can eat right now is soft and bland. I cant wait till I have more options and maybe i wont be so down on it.

I remember waking up in the hospital and thought to myself "WTF did I do to myself" that feeling was only fleeting as I focused on one thing at a time. Use the time to learn about your eating triggers and cues. They will help you down the road. Today I would do it again no question, I feel fantastic, off blood pressure meds feel a million times better. Its a day to day thing still for me and I don't worry about tomorrow, just living in the moment and understanding much more about myself than ever. Its amazing once your focus on yourself and your health the things you never paid much attention to.

congrats!!! Keep your focus on your meal plan. A lot of us are at different stages so becareful of the advice you get. If you have questions write them down and get with your doctor. Maintain a good relationship with your dietician!

You will likely not use a lot of what you are buying. Just follow the meal plan your dietician has given you after surgery. A lot of those "electrolyte" Water items have tons of sugar. Get into the habit of reading labels. Get with your dietician to find out what your numbers are going to be. For example what is the total grams of suger PER DAY to target. While you are prepping for your surgery start logging in your food into an app or diary of sorts. Speak to you dietician about the macros (calories, total fat, carbs, sugars etc) you need to focus on and practice do this. I bout a bunch of stuff I ended up given to a food bank because 1. the site of it made me nauseated (your reaction to food changes after surgery) 2. I stocked up on popsicles because I am not very good with water. glad I did that.

I don't have issues with my GERD any longer since getting the sleeve. Understand this is my experience and everyone's is different. Your surgeon is experienced in this surgery, has seen other patients similar to you and your medical history and what works best over all. If you follow your meal plan and your dietician's meal plan your GERD should be fine. I can't stress enough keeping in contact with your physician's office after your surgery and reporting anything that is concerning to you. You and your doctor should have a plan for your meds immediately after surgery. Write down your questions and talk to you surgeon or his nurse about your specific needs.

On 7/25/2023 at 3:37 AM, LewiB said:

Hello!
Newbie here👋🏽 I finished my first official day of being on an all liquid diet and honestly I’m hangry, I’m a bit irritated, and I just want to eat! Lol but I’m hoping after about day 3 or 4 I don’t feel the need to eat like I used to. Any tips on how to curve the craving for food in general?? Surgery date is August 7th😮‍💨

Hi there!! The goal of this is to decrease the size of your liver. This is very important for the surgeon to have the liver recede to avoid complications. Use this time to focus on your eating habits, why you eat and keep a journal. If you are stressed, anxious etc. This helped me down the road. I am a grazer and I never paid attention to what I ate. I wanted it I ate it. Period! Take the time you have pre op to learn about your bad eating, use the tools available to you (Meal plan! stick to it to a T!!!!!). We are at various stages of our weight loss journey on here and I found during my preop period that I had to focus on MY journey and where I was at in the process. You really need to slow things down and take it one day at a time. Set yourself up for success by using the tools that you are given, and take your own "will" out of the drivers seat. The surgery is only one part of the journey. The rest is on you and what you do each day to maintain your body. You can't go back to the same eating habits you had prior and expect to lose weight. Its very much a conscious effort on your part. Enjoy the journey and understand this is the first step to a new life. Its mind over matter at this point.

9 hours ago, pamelacoa@yahoo.com said:

This may seem silly. I’m 7 weeks out, really doing very well but today I felt like I ate way too much. I track everything in an app and I’m attaching it here. What are everyone’s thoughts? I only ate “good things”, but I’m feeling stressed like I “over ate”.

Hi there!

Congratulations on 7 weeks!! You didnt say what it was you ate other than "only good things". :) I personally followed my meal plan to the letter and still do almost two years out. But that is what I needed to do for myself. 7 weeks is not a long time, but there are a couple of things that you couldve been doing.

1. eating too fast. This is an ongoing challenge for myself. My jobs have always been such that time meal breaks were pretty much non existent and as a nurse we usually "ate on the fly". This is a bad habit from bootcamp and beyond that I work faithfully to control. Its not easy but I put a bite in my mouth, put my fork down and concentrate on chewing the food in my mouth to the consistency it needs to be for my pouch.

2. drinking too soon after eating. I have gotten good at this, I don't drink anything an hour after I eat, even now. In my preop class this was shown to me and it has stuck with me. If you have ever "forgotten" and drank after or during a meal once, you tend to not want to repeat that process again. LOL

https://youtube.com/shorts/oNdeGkkwqlw?feature=share

3. not paying attention to the cues your body gives you when you are full or eating more than 1/4 cup (example). Or if you are eating veggies not cooking them.

4. check your macros with your dietician. That seems to be a lot of carbs.

Relax!! Stick to your meal plan and touch base regularly with your Reg. Dietician.

On 6/1/2023 at 10:17 AM, Hey Man said:

Greetings,

So I finally had my sleeve surgery 3 weeks ago and while there has been weight loss, it hasn't really been what I expected.

I don't have unrealistic expectations, but I expected to lose more weight than if I just did it on my own without the surgery with little calorie intake and some activity like with doing Optifast prior. Or just eating healthy and going for a walk everyday - which I wasn't doing prior.

Perhaps it takes a month to really get things going, but I am hardly really eating anything when compared to the 4,000 calories+ a day I was eating that got me this way. I do eat a Breakfast, lunch and dinner, so I am not starving myself - but I am not yet in the solid food phase yet.

I have sort of reprogrammed my brain and I am not really craving the things now that made me obese. Now granted I know I JUST had the surgery and don't know how things will be 4 months from now, but I am just sort of wondering in the back of my mind if the surgery was really necessary in the sense that I maybe could have lost the same amount of weight if I finally just stuck to living a better life when it comes to food and my health.

I would appreciate any feedback or advice from anyone else where weight loss started a bit slow even with having a smaller stomach now or feedback in general.

Thanks!

HM

I can only speak for myself. That being said I’m in the US and I had to go on a “diet” before my surgery to yes decrease the size of liver. I had to stop stepping on the scale as it will drive you batty. Focus on your meal plan. 3 weeks is short period of time and it’s not expected to drop off that fast. Weight loss is only one goal. Water is one of your goals, and meeting your calorie and Protein numbers is another. Your comments are kind of unusual for someone 3 weeks out tho. Usually it’s about other things, nausea, not feeling hungry…etc. if you’re skipping eating that will effect your weight loss. If you follow your meal plan to the letter you will see the difference. You didn’t really mention what stage of your meal plan you are on now (liquids, soft, purée). Best of luck.

I have the same issues and its due to muscle wasting. I have started with doing some resistance training and have noticed a small difference. I lost over 100 lbs myself. make sure you are getting enough Protein and I would suggest Water aerobic. this will help build muscle but decrease the workload on your joints that are already taking a beating with physical labor. Speak to your nutritionist or doctor as well for the best recommendations for your specific issues.

22 hours ago, Jillian K8 said:

I'm 5 days post-op and basically just getting started with my Water intake because I've been in the hospital this whole time (I caught the flu the day after my surgery). My doctor says all she cares about is me getting my Water in, but try Protein Shakes if I can. Well, with the 1 million meds I need to take and all the puking and diarrhea I've had - I REALLY need the nutrition. She told me that the shakes count towards the liquids to reach my goal - does that mean I can alternate between a sip of water, sip of shake, sip of water, etc? Or do I have to wait 15 mins between each substance? I ask because the shakes make me thirsty and I can only handle about 3 sips of shake per day before I get grossed out. It's been a tough recovery. 😢

you really need to fluids and possibly electrolytes. I am hoping they are monitoring you properly. As a nurse that is the one thing that many mess up on.

keep in mind the signs and symptoms of dehydration-sorry i am a nurse and its habit

dizzy or light headedness

headache

tiredness

dry mouth, lips and eyes

and passing small amounts of urine less than three to four times per day. if you go 8 hours w/out urinating you need to call your doc. you may need IV infusion.

Find sugarfree pedialyte try that small sips (30 mL-use one of the med cups that come with liquid meds thats 30 mL) every 15 min. TRY to get some Protein in you. doesnt need to be a shake. sugar free popsicles and Jello are good alternatives.

5 hours ago, Happy with two said:

HI All, first time on here, I'm in Ireland and had my surgery on March 10th, I had a blood loss and my haemaglobin dropped but I'm so whacked out. I feel I have no energy. I do small jobs and thats it then. Anyone else feel like this. food wise I'm flying.

Fluids to build back your volume and lots of Protein. make sure you are taking your Multivitamin with iron!

45 minutes ago, lexylynn92 said:

Does anyone else with PCOS find that there still seems to be a struggle with weightloss?

Background for me: I started at 220ish lost 6lbs during the pre surgery diet and lost about 19 lbs since surgery.

When I talked to my surgeon yesterday she said it sounds like I'm doing the right things but she did agree that most people would be down a lot more. She wants to look at my gallbladder since I have been having trouble holding down food like chicken specifically so maybe there is something there.

But I feel like the point of the surgery was I was struggling to lose weight on my own. I thought PCOS was making that harder and it felt like everyone and their mother suggested WLS for me to help and now I feel like it's failing.

My doc didn't really seem to want to give nutritional guidance besides hitting 60g of Protein and 60oz of Water. She is more concerned with me holding food down which is understandable but my focus is this weight.

Is there something I should be doing that maybe PCOS patients need to adjust compared to "normal" patients?

Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

One of the things you need to be is patient. It does not fall off over night. Now you have spoken to your surgeon you need to look at what you are eating. You didnt mention how far out you are and Water and Protein as well as PORTION go hand in hand. If you are not getting enough water and protein your body will return to starvation mode and hold on to fat. You mentioned "holding food down". If you are drinking when you are eating that is one thing you need to stop. Get a 20-30 minute timer and use it for your eating and drinking. If you are fairly new post op then you need to be taking 20 min at a minimum to eat. Then wait 20-30 min before you drink. EAT SLOW...i have always been a fast eater and large bites and this was my focus. Stay off the scale. its more defeating than it needs to be. Weigh in at your appointments only. I am a nurse and I love to research things. I found this for you to read. This indicates that bariatric surgery should be considered in helping PCOS sufferers that are struggling with obesity. I think you need to look at your patterns and habits first. Keep a diary and log your food. You will be as surprised as I was!! Be kind to yourself, this is not a race, its a life changing event that takes work and commitment. Take it one day at a time. Things like sugar free popsicles count as water too as does sugar free Jello.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7538203/

There is more research that needs to be done in this area of course. But Obesity and insulin resistance feeds PCOS. In a nutshell gist of the article is "Surgery successfully mediates the regression of PCOS"

1 hour ago, Sigh said:

So I am 10 days post op from self pay Mexico sleeve— I stopped my HRT one week ahead of surgery, but am curious of what your teams have advised on restarting HRT (patches). I have a call into my doctor, but would like to hear your thoughts on it…

Did you lower your dose when you lost weight? Start at the same dose prior to surgery?

Etc? Any info appreciated related to the Hormone replacement patch.

I had a hysterectomy in November 2022, and have been on HRT a year prior— still have ovaries but at 52 I doubt they are helping!

I still have mine too and fortunate enough to not have to go on HRT. That being said I would definitely fill your provider in. I didnt make any changes to my medications for a long while. Then only under careful monitoring (thyroid). I am not sure how your type of surgery situation works as far as post op support but I would reach out to a provider that is aware of your situation.

58 minutes ago, CountryGardens said:

My sleeve surgery is scheduled for April 12, 2023. I am 5’6, 400 pounds., 60 years old. My mother and grandmother were both obese. At 16 I was 116 pounds, with undiagnosed PCOS. I had uterine cancer at 39, and had a hysterectomy. No hormone replacement as they felt it was a hormone based cancer. At 55 had a swollen thyroid removed. Each time, my weight increased. Three years ago, I had a spinal injury, which led to back fusion surgery, which caused nerve damage, and a right dropfoot. I have to use a rolling walker or cane to walk, and my back surgeon says I can’t lift more than ten pounds. I know I need this sleeve surgery, and I want to live and get healthy. But I am still nervous about doing this to my body. My surgeon says sleeve now, perhaps a revision to bypass after I have lost weight if necessary. I have five hernias which I had surgery to repair, which is why I believe he wants the sleeve first. I wonder if the potential of two surgeries is too much at my age, or just a bypass and be done with it. And I am worried about my inability to walk and exercise due to my disability. In my head I think, maybe if I just cut back on food, drink two or three Protein Drinks a day I will lose weight without surgery. After all, that seems to be what they want us to DO AFTER surgery! Any advice or sharing your journey would be so appreciated! Thank you!

First CONGRATULATIONS for taking the first step towards a healthier you! I would follow the surgeons advice. That being having a lot of hernia surgeries equals quite a bit of scar tissue and having the bypass is more involved. You may only need the sleeve. Take a breath and take it one thing at a time.

I used to think I can diet and let me tell you I did them all. You name it I spent money on it and then some. This for me was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am a year post op, I eat like I have always wanted to eat to lose weight. That being said its not a fix all. You can't have the surgery and go back to eating the way you have. Its a journey and one that requires you to be honest and open with YOURSELF.

From now till your surgery I suggest keeping a food diary. Just write down what you eat, the time of day, the feelings you were having (anger, anxiety, depression...etc) and don't think too much about what you write in it but be honest and open. Only you will see it. You will see your habits, your patterns and what led you to be 400 lbs. PCOS is one thing but not the sole reason and I think that you know this. Be honest. You won't regret it. You will be happier for it. Be kind to yourself. ❤️

22 hours ago, lexylynn92 said:

No it's just all I can fit.
When I last saw my doc she wanted me to get calories in by any means necessary so she didn't really require me to go through the puree stage but my stomach is definitely making me go through it or I just throw up harder stuff after a bite or two.

I don't try for 500 cals at all I just eat what I can and most importantly try to get Fluid in since I did have bad dehydration at first and I try to prioritize protiens over carb stuff.

Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

Slow your eating down and do not drink with meals. 30 min before or after meals no fluids. Take a bite, put the spoon or fork down and chew that stuff up till its practically liquified. If you are dehydrated due to vomiting or dumping syndrome you need to get that straightened out so just do liquids. Protein Drinks, etc. Reset.

1 hour ago, Happy Stylist said:

Oh y’all. It’s been a little bit since I’m been on this forum. I’m struggling with any weight loss. It’s like I’ve hit a wall for the last 3 months. This is my stats.
SD 4/26/22 / SW 216 / CW 175 / GW 130 / age 50

My team has me under 700 cal and less than 20 carbs a day. I use to basically eat yogurt for almost every meal 🤷🏼‍♀️. But my team say I wasn’t getting enough Protein and my body was probably bored and that was causing my slow down in weight. So they had me to mix things up. So I started eating more Protein (meats, chicken etc) well then I started started gaining 😡. My last weight in back in January was 173. I gained up to 180 when adding back food. Now I’m down to 175 but I can’t get the scale to move. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong 😑. My hair is still falling out and I’m definitely getting my protein and my Vitamin levels are good. I just don’t feel like my team believes me when I tell them I’m not going over calories or carbs. I’m just beyond frustrated at this point.

I would recommend doing a food diary for a month. This will really pinpoint what you may be missing. Water, water, water is almost as crucial as protein. There might be something that you are overlooking.