Deep6

Anxiety is awful. I used to stress out majorly due to my career, but even having been retired for ten years, I still have problems sleeping. I work out like an animal, now that I've lost most of my excess weight, and keep myself mentally engaged in a lot of things, but I still suffer from insomnia. My one doc, who I've used since the mid-90's, still has me on diazapam (addictive, but at some point for me, it just doesn't work so I stop and clean out) and Mirtazapine, which definitely puts me down most of the time. Only problem with the latter is that I don't wake up til 11am. Not good if I'm attempting to live a normal life. But, he's against sleeping pills and I get it. The other things, like Melatonin, just make me woozy.
I'm in way better health as a result of the surgery and working out constantly. I'm consuming lots of Protein through drinks plus food. I feel good. The lack of sleep can definitely ruin your day. I don't know what the current thinking is in the medical community. I trust my guy but still, it kinda sucks to have to medicate to get sleep. I'm real big on integrative medicine. Maybe there's an answer there. Dunno.
Nice to see you folks!!!!

I've heard from friends who've had success with non-medication approaches like mindfulness meditation or establishing a consistent bedtime routine. Have you tried any of these? Also, I've heard you can buy zopiclone online as a solution to insomnia. I haven't personally tried it, but it might be worth looking into if you're open to exploring different options. Just remember to always consult with your healthcare provider before trying any new medication, especially if you're already taking other medications.

Once you loose some weight and begin to get more active you will tire yourself out. You may have a lower sugar diet than before and less carbs so you will naturally have less energy. Your meds may not be absorbing the same as before. Its all a new learning curve and some people think its a easy option!
To change your status - Go to the top to the page, where your name is. Click on the little down triangle. You get some options, choose surgery.

I did gastric bypass + hiatal hernia repair June 6. I have had very few "issues"-- a couple of "one step over the line," one incident of the dreaded foamies, but generally, smooth sailing.
I was at around 274 lbs and now am at around 206-7, depending on scale and time of day. That's crazy! I look at the stats for how much folks lose on average and this seems to be beyond the norm. I'm not complaining-- I not only walk, but got into a rigorous exercise regime with a trainer. His focus, for now, is balance, and "whole body"--I do some weights but the "balance" stuff has been a real blessing.
I have checked the boxes with the M.D.s- my cardiologist has no problem with testosterone treatment as a means to build muscle mass. I need to get my surgeon to sign off on that, just to be sure.
But man, this has been an amazing journey in a very short time. I'm way more mobile, fit into clothes I forgot I had (I used to buy really nice stuff, turned into a slob, and now I'm caring about my appearance again!).
I'm closing in on 70 years-- and have not felt this vigorous in a long while. My taste buds have definitely changed. But it's worth the trade-off in health and fitness. And no more GERD!!!

I did gastric bypass + hiatal hernia repair June 6. I have had very few "issues"-- a couple of "one step over the line," one incident of the dreaded foamies, but generally, smooth sailing.
I was at around 274 lbs and now am at around 206-7, depending on scale and time of day. That's crazy! I look at the stats for how much folks lose on average and this seems to be beyond the norm. I'm not complaining-- I not only walk, but got into a rigorous exercise regime with a trainer. His focus, for now, is balance, and "whole body"--I do some weights but the "balance" stuff has been a real blessing.
I have checked the boxes with the M.D.s- my cardiologist has no problem with testosterone treatment as a means to build muscle mass. I need to get my surgeon to sign off on that, just to be sure.
But man, this has been an amazing journey in a very short time. I'm way more mobile, fit into clothes I forgot I had (I used to buy really nice stuff, turned into a slob, and now I'm caring about my appearance again!).
I'm closing in on 70 years-- and have not felt this vigorous in a long while. My taste buds have definitely changed. But it's worth the trade-off in health and fitness. And no more GERD!!!

I did gastric bypass + hiatal hernia repair June 6. I have had very few "issues"-- a couple of "one step over the line," one incident of the dreaded foamies, but generally, smooth sailing.
I was at around 274 lbs and now am at around 206-7, depending on scale and time of day. That's crazy! I look at the stats for how much folks lose on average and this seems to be beyond the norm. I'm not complaining-- I not only walk, but got into a rigorous exercise regime with a trainer. His focus, for now, is balance, and "whole body"--I do some weights but the "balance" stuff has been a real blessing.
I have checked the boxes with the M.D.s- my cardiologist has no problem with testosterone treatment as a means to build muscle mass. I need to get my surgeon to sign off on that, just to be sure.
But man, this has been an amazing journey in a very short time. I'm way more mobile, fit into clothes I forgot I had (I used to buy really nice stuff, turned into a slob, and now I'm caring about my appearance again!).
I'm closing in on 70 years-- and have not felt this vigorous in a long while. My taste buds have definitely changed. But it's worth the trade-off in health and fitness. And no more GERD!!!

I did gastric bypass + hiatal hernia repair June 6. I have had very few "issues"-- a couple of "one step over the line," one incident of the dreaded foamies, but generally, smooth sailing.
I was at around 274 lbs and now am at around 206-7, depending on scale and time of day. That's crazy! I look at the stats for how much folks lose on average and this seems to be beyond the norm. I'm not complaining-- I not only walk, but got into a rigorous exercise regime with a trainer. His focus, for now, is balance, and "whole body"--I do some weights but the "balance" stuff has been a real blessing.
I have checked the boxes with the M.D.s- my cardiologist has no problem with testosterone treatment as a means to build muscle mass. I need to get my surgeon to sign off on that, just to be sure.
But man, this has been an amazing journey in a very short time. I'm way more mobile, fit into clothes I forgot I had (I used to buy really nice stuff, turned into a slob, and now I'm caring about my appearance again!).
I'm closing in on 70 years-- and have not felt this vigorous in a long while. My taste buds have definitely changed. But it's worth the trade-off in health and fitness. And no more GERD!!!

I did gastric bypass + hiatal hernia repair June 6. I have had very few "issues"-- a couple of "one step over the line," one incident of the dreaded foamies, but generally, smooth sailing.
I was at around 274 lbs and now am at around 206-7, depending on scale and time of day. That's crazy! I look at the stats for how much folks lose on average and this seems to be beyond the norm. I'm not complaining-- I not only walk, but got into a rigorous exercise regime with a trainer. His focus, for now, is balance, and "whole body"--I do some weights but the "balance" stuff has been a real blessing.
I have checked the boxes with the M.D.s- my cardiologist has no problem with testosterone treatment as a means to build muscle mass. I need to get my surgeon to sign off on that, just to be sure.
But man, this has been an amazing journey in a very short time. I'm way more mobile, fit into clothes I forgot I had (I used to buy really nice stuff, turned into a slob, and now I'm caring about my appearance again!).
I'm closing in on 70 years-- and have not felt this vigorous in a long while. My taste buds have definitely changed. But it's worth the trade-off in health and fitness. And no more GERD!!!

I did gastric bypass + hiatal hernia repair June 6. I have had very few "issues"-- a couple of "one step over the line," one incident of the dreaded foamies, but generally, smooth sailing.
I was at around 274 lbs and now am at around 206-7, depending on scale and time of day. That's crazy! I look at the stats for how much folks lose on average and this seems to be beyond the norm. I'm not complaining-- I not only walk, but got into a rigorous exercise regime with a trainer. His focus, for now, is balance, and "whole body"--I do some weights but the "balance" stuff has been a real blessing.
I have checked the boxes with the M.D.s- my cardiologist has no problem with testosterone treatment as a means to build muscle mass. I need to get my surgeon to sign off on that, just to be sure.
But man, this has been an amazing journey in a very short time. I'm way more mobile, fit into clothes I forgot I had (I used to buy really nice stuff, turned into a slob, and now I'm caring about my appearance again!).
I'm closing in on 70 years-- and have not felt this vigorous in a long while. My taste buds have definitely changed. But it's worth the trade-off in health and fitness. And no more GERD!!!

I did gastric bypass + hiatal hernia repair June 6. I have had very few "issues"-- a couple of "one step over the line," one incident of the dreaded foamies, but generally, smooth sailing.
I was at around 274 lbs and now am at around 206-7, depending on scale and time of day. That's crazy! I look at the stats for how much folks lose on average and this seems to be beyond the norm. I'm not complaining-- I not only walk, but got into a rigorous exercise regime with a trainer. His focus, for now, is balance, and "whole body"--I do some weights but the "balance" stuff has been a real blessing.
I have checked the boxes with the M.D.s- my cardiologist has no problem with testosterone treatment as a means to build muscle mass. I need to get my surgeon to sign off on that, just to be sure.
But man, this has been an amazing journey in a very short time. I'm way more mobile, fit into clothes I forgot I had (I used to buy really nice stuff, turned into a slob, and now I'm caring about my appearance again!).
I'm closing in on 70 years-- and have not felt this vigorous in a long while. My taste buds have definitely changed. But it's worth the trade-off in health and fitness. And no more GERD!!!

You might find this paper interesting: https://asmbs.org/app/uploads/2021/10/PIIS1550728921004238.pdf
I went to the mayo, which has a stop smoking facility (Betty Ford for cigarettes). They got me on nicotine replacement, which allowed me to quit. Some of the medications, like Wellbutrin, made me feel crazy.
I stopped smoking years ago, without pain.
Unfortunately the medical group who wrote the above article is an outlier. AFAiK, Medicare doesn't want any nicotine, even pharmaceutical. Fact is, the Pharma version is pricey in the extreme, although the patent expired.
I loved smoking. I only stopped b/c I was told I would stroke out. Drooling in a wheelchair was not my idea of a good future. Otherwise, I'd still be smoking -- unfiltered ciggies, cigars from a small island off the Florida coast and roll 'em ups, using Turkish, Dutch shag, and other things-- Virginia tobacco, which I used to buy in a can, was really good.
Stop if you can. Not preaching, sympathetic, beoyotch of an addictive substance, many of which were easier to quit than tobacco. It's insidious.

I've used this forum so far to ask questions, and obviously, people who are trying to adjust figure out if their experience is "normal" or have some issue with the process, and are going to ask questions-- some posts/threads document the challenges to this "adjustment." I thought it might be valuable to lay out the positives. I don't much care how you got to the surgery point- whether by some unhealthy attachment to eating or anything else.
But for whatever reasons we underwent surgery, I'll assume that the path we were on was not healthy and beyond that, our quality of life was compromised by weight.
So, I'll say-- after 3 months, X weeks,
I'm far more mobile. I can walk now, without feeling out of breath.
I fit into clothes I couldn't--
I look and feel "better"- yeah, it is tricky to learn how to eat, and it seems like things changed (they did), but totally worth it in my estimation. I had gotten to the point where I was eating a FODMAP diet (to reduce gastric blow-back up my esophagus) and it was more limited in food choices than what I face now, post surgery.
I'm not sure I could have done this with diet and exercise. I did that in 2010, went from 250 to 180 through several hours of exercise a day plus hardcore paleo. But now I'm older, and I really needed help.
The surgery and low volume diet plus movement (which I could not do at a certain point-scary) has made a quantum change in my physical being, and given me a revitalized outlook on life.

I've used this forum so far to ask questions, and obviously, people who are trying to adjust figure out if their experience is "normal" or have some issue with the process, and are going to ask questions-- some posts/threads document the challenges to this "adjustment." I thought it might be valuable to lay out the positives. I don't much care how you got to the surgery point- whether by some unhealthy attachment to eating or anything else.
But for whatever reasons we underwent surgery, I'll assume that the path we were on was not healthy and beyond that, our quality of life was compromised by weight.
So, I'll say-- after 3 months, X weeks,
I'm far more mobile. I can walk now, without feeling out of breath.
I fit into clothes I couldn't--
I look and feel "better"- yeah, it is tricky to learn how to eat, and it seems like things changed (they did), but totally worth it in my estimation. I had gotten to the point where I was eating a FODMAP diet (to reduce gastric blow-back up my esophagus) and it was more limited in food choices than what I face now, post surgery.
I'm not sure I could have done this with diet and exercise. I did that in 2010, went from 250 to 180 through several hours of exercise a day plus hardcore paleo. But now I'm older, and I really needed help.
The surgery and low volume diet plus movement (which I could not do at a certain point-scary) has made a quantum change in my physical being, and given me a revitalized outlook on life.

I've used this forum so far to ask questions, and obviously, people who are trying to adjust figure out if their experience is "normal" or have some issue with the process, and are going to ask questions-- some posts/threads document the challenges to this "adjustment." I thought it might be valuable to lay out the positives. I don't much care how you got to the surgery point- whether by some unhealthy attachment to eating or anything else.
But for whatever reasons we underwent surgery, I'll assume that the path we were on was not healthy and beyond that, our quality of life was compromised by weight.
So, I'll say-- after 3 months, X weeks,
I'm far more mobile. I can walk now, without feeling out of breath.
I fit into clothes I couldn't--
I look and feel "better"- yeah, it is tricky to learn how to eat, and it seems like things changed (they did), but totally worth it in my estimation. I had gotten to the point where I was eating a FODMAP diet (to reduce gastric blow-back up my esophagus) and it was more limited in food choices than what I face now, post surgery.
I'm not sure I could have done this with diet and exercise. I did that in 2010, went from 250 to 180 through several hours of exercise a day plus hardcore paleo. But now I'm older, and I really needed help.
The surgery and low volume diet plus movement (which I could not do at a certain point-scary) has made a quantum change in my physical being, and given me a revitalized outlook on life.

I've used this forum so far to ask questions, and obviously, people who are trying to adjust figure out if their experience is "normal" or have some issue with the process, and are going to ask questions-- some posts/threads document the challenges to this "adjustment." I thought it might be valuable to lay out the positives. I don't much care how you got to the surgery point- whether by some unhealthy attachment to eating or anything else.
But for whatever reasons we underwent surgery, I'll assume that the path we were on was not healthy and beyond that, our quality of life was compromised by weight.
So, I'll say-- after 3 months, X weeks,
I'm far more mobile. I can walk now, without feeling out of breath.
I fit into clothes I couldn't--
I look and feel "better"- yeah, it is tricky to learn how to eat, and it seems like things changed (they did), but totally worth it in my estimation. I had gotten to the point where I was eating a FODMAP diet (to reduce gastric blow-back up my esophagus) and it was more limited in food choices than what I face now, post surgery.
I'm not sure I could have done this with diet and exercise. I did that in 2010, went from 250 to 180 through several hours of exercise a day plus hardcore paleo. But now I'm older, and I really needed help.
The surgery and low volume diet plus movement (which I could not do at a certain point-scary) has made a quantum change in my physical being, and given me a revitalized outlook on life.

I've found different foods to process differently (bypass +hiatal hernia repair, June 6th of this year). My wife made a Bolognese sauce (ground turkey) that went down like it was meant to, and caused no gastro-intestinal distress. @Penguin733, fwiw, I suspect that at 7 weeks, I was just getting into real food.
I got religion when I got stopped up, and got the "foamies." Talking to surgeon, and folks here, I was told to measure or weigh. I now know better what I can eat, both in terms of volume and nature of the the food. (FWIW, I had a nice small loin lamb chop tonight and et the whole thing!).
Give yourself some time and also recognize that some foods are harder to digest than others; if you look at the surgical procedure that you underwent, you'll understand that there is a stronger filter in place than before; that can help you lose weight. In my case, it also reduced the amount of gastric acid blowing back up my esophagus, which was the driver for me. I've also lost a massive amount of weight in a short time. I respect what this operation can do.

I didn't hit Protein goals until about 10 weeks probably. It's very hard in those early days and I just gave myself the grace knowing I'd get there. It was hard because of the small amounts your stomach could handle and it got so much easier once I settled into a good routine and started being able to eat more per meal. The biggest way I get huge amounts of protein daily is through yoghurt, buy high protein ones and add protein powder. I have a Ninja Creami and make frozen yoghurt that gives me heaps of protein. My current fave flavour is Malted Milk and a serve is 28 grams of protein.
My biggest suggestion is to really plan your days out and start eating as soon as you can otherwise time can get away from you. Focus on high protein foods, meats, dairy, legumes, low carb wraps are great. I have a wrap with cheese and salsa every day, it's about 15 grams of protein and delicious with a quick stint in the microwave.
I'm not great with fluids myself.
It will get easier, be kind to yourself and just try to do your best each day.
I'm down 72 pounds so my early struggles did not affect my progress. This is a marathon not a sprint.

I've found different foods to process differently (bypass +hiatal hernia repair, June 6th of this year). My wife made a Bolognese sauce (ground turkey) that went down like it was meant to, and caused no gastro-intestinal distress. @Penguin733, fwiw, I suspect that at 7 weeks, I was just getting into real food.
I got religion when I got stopped up, and got the "foamies." Talking to surgeon, and folks here, I was told to measure or weigh. I now know better what I can eat, both in terms of volume and nature of the the food. (FWIW, I had a nice small loin lamb chop tonight and et the whole thing!).
Give yourself some time and also recognize that some foods are harder to digest than others; if you look at the surgical procedure that you underwent, you'll understand that there is a stronger filter in place than before; that can help you lose weight. In my case, it also reduced the amount of gastric acid blowing back up my esophagus, which was the driver for me. I've also lost a massive amount of weight in a short time. I respect what this operation can do.

Hey, @Jlw1403. I had my bypass + hiatal hernia repair on June 6th of this year. The operation went fine, and being on liquid, then pureed, all the various stages, wasn't hard, I just wanted more. I took the supplements (multi + Iron, and calcium) but as I progressed now more than 3 months out, I'm less hungry, find a lot of food or the thought of it, almost distasteful, and have to force myself to eat.
Drinking liquids is not a problem simply b/c I get dehydrated, especially in the Texas heat. You should talk to your surgeon/dietician and see if there is any physical reason why you are having a problem. I would not do it in an accusatory fashion- more in the "I need help here " vein.
I think, from what I've read here, that everyone's experience varies. It's like we all have different sensitivities to certain foods after the surgery, but-at least to me, you should be able to intake the basic minimum--
I was OK with the Max Protein Drinks for about 2.5 months- then I found them gag worthy and couldn't digest them. I'm told it's about sips, not guzzling, but still.
It is a pretty serious surgery- one that has a ton written about it in the med journals, and pretty safe in terms of outcomes. But tolerance for food and drink is probably very individualized. Get help. You don't have to suffer.

Thanks to all of you for your insights. I was doing the Ensure Max Protein drinks for the first two and half months. Now I find them very gag-inducing and have a hard time digesting them.
The Electrolytes- yep, both in Water and Gatorade Zero.
I'm not sure I am eating enough--my portions are small, and I feel fine after a small plate, 1/2 protein, 1/4 veggies, 1/4 carbs.
My wife has been great about making different dishes that are compatible with post-op lifestyle. I'm just not that hungry, though I'll still eat simply for fuel. When I first got out of surgery, I couldn't wait to eat real food again, but now, I think my system cannot handle the volume and in some cases the texture. Maybe this is also a result of hormonal/nervous system changes, I dunno.
Yes, I have a good dietitian who is part of the surgeon's office, as well as an integrative medicine nurse/practitioner who does a different set of blood work at the same time I get blood work done for the surgeon. I'll be back up there for another post-op exam in a couple months.
Sorry for the lag in my responding- i didn't get an email alert when a lot of you posted, I'll have to check my settings--in the meantime, the weather has broken here in Texas, finally. So, walking outdoors is possible. (It was 110F most of the summer here--brutal!). Now is the nice time to be here.
PS: on the gym, I talked to the head trainer, and they are used to members who have gone thru physical rehab and coming back to the gym- they were fine with me taking things slowly and will work w/me.

Thanks to all of you for your insights. I was doing the Ensure Max Protein drinks for the first two and half months. Now I find them very gag-inducing and have a hard time digesting them.
The Electrolytes- yep, both in Water and Gatorade Zero.
I'm not sure I am eating enough--my portions are small, and I feel fine after a small plate, 1/2 protein, 1/4 veggies, 1/4 carbs.
My wife has been great about making different dishes that are compatible with post-op lifestyle. I'm just not that hungry, though I'll still eat simply for fuel. When I first got out of surgery, I couldn't wait to eat real food again, but now, I think my system cannot handle the volume and in some cases the texture. Maybe this is also a result of hormonal/nervous system changes, I dunno.
Yes, I have a good dietitian who is part of the surgeon's office, as well as an integrative medicine nurse/practitioner who does a different set of blood work at the same time I get blood work done for the surgeon. I'll be back up there for another post-op exam in a couple months.
Sorry for the lag in my responding- i didn't get an email alert when a lot of you posted, I'll have to check my settings--in the meantime, the weather has broken here in Texas, finally. So, walking outdoors is possible. (It was 110F most of the summer here--brutal!). Now is the nice time to be here.
PS: on the gym, I talked to the head trainer, and they are used to members who have gone thru physical rehab and coming back to the gym- they were fine with me taking things slowly and will work w/me.

Thanks to all of you for your insights. I was doing the Ensure Max Protein drinks for the first two and half months. Now I find them very gag-inducing and have a hard time digesting them.
The Electrolytes- yep, both in Water and Gatorade Zero.
I'm not sure I am eating enough--my portions are small, and I feel fine after a small plate, 1/2 protein, 1/4 veggies, 1/4 carbs.
My wife has been great about making different dishes that are compatible with post-op lifestyle. I'm just not that hungry, though I'll still eat simply for fuel. When I first got out of surgery, I couldn't wait to eat real food again, but now, I think my system cannot handle the volume and in some cases the texture. Maybe this is also a result of hormonal/nervous system changes, I dunno.
Yes, I have a good dietitian who is part of the surgeon's office, as well as an integrative medicine nurse/practitioner who does a different set of blood work at the same time I get blood work done for the surgeon. I'll be back up there for another post-op exam in a couple months.
Sorry for the lag in my responding- i didn't get an email alert when a lot of you posted, I'll have to check my settings--in the meantime, the weather has broken here in Texas, finally. So, walking outdoors is possible. (It was 110F most of the summer here--brutal!). Now is the nice time to be here.
PS: on the gym, I talked to the head trainer, and they are used to members who have gone thru physical rehab and coming back to the gym- they were fine with me taking things slowly and will work w/me.

FWIW, my strength also dropped massively after surgery. I was a weightlifter before and when I started back up again it was all I could do not to pass out trying to clean the baby barbell with no weights.
But it's slowly getting better and now i'm back up to using the real barbell with tiny weights. Still nowhere near where I was pre-op, but it's an improvement over where I was 2 months ago.
Keep at it, and be patient, and your strength will come back.

You may not be eating enough given you are male & going to the gym. Have a chat with your dietician & review what & how much you’re eating & your current activity. Are you hitting your Protein & fluid goals? I wasn’t eating much at three months & get only being able to eat what you can physically eat. But I’m female, way shorter & certainly wasn’t very active when losing so it wasn’t as much of an issue for me.
I agree with adding an electrolyte drink to your Fluid routine. The extra boost of energy was a blessing on busy/active days.
PS. Give lamb a try & see how you go. It’s more tender than pork which can be dry & then difficult to eat. Also chicken thigh, which is more moist, tender & flavourful than chicken breast, maybe easier to tolerate. I ate a lot of minced meat dishes (meatballs, savoury mince, bolognese with zucchini noodles, etc.) in the first months so give that a try too.
And congrats on your weight loss!

Good for you!
Try adding an electrolyte Water to your fluids like Drip Drops or liquid IV.
That really help me when I was feeling “punie”