BrandiBird

7 minutes ago, BlondePatriotInCDA said:

Did you have your one year labs? How were your blood sugar results? Sometimes new cravings are the result of body dynamics changing and its trying to get your attention.

There has been research that has shown cravings can change every seven years. For me I used to crave sweets, now (before surgery as well) it was salty crunchy snacks...perhaps its just a change for you. When I do crave sweets I have a Greek yogurt "mint chip ice cream" pop which is about 90 calories, or a sugar free fudgcicle - 60 calories, or a tablespoon of no sugar added dark chocolate chips - 60 calories. I also purchased an icreami and make ice cream out of Protein Drinks to get that sweet itch taken care of!

Cravings are both what people on these forums call "mind hunger" and/or they can also be triggered by what your body is needing. Either way its still annoying when you're watching what you eat. I personally have never found "eat a piece of fruit" to work for me, plus fruit has just as much sugar as some treats so its not really doing you any favors ( other than possibly healthier) so if I'm craving a "sweet" I have one of the things I mentioned above. I figure I've given up so much as it is and also gained a healthier body that I would rather have a healthier sweet option opposed to being harassed by a craving. 😋 As long as you keep it healthier and minimal - no harm unless you're worried about the "slippery slope". I personally just tell myself I've been through so much now - why f*** it up now? This keeps me on the straight and narrow path.

Good luck and if you need to - ask your dietician about it. I hope this helps some. I know some ppl will suggest drinking more Water, exercise when feeling these craving etc. none of which have worked for me..but give them a try they might for you!

I did have my one year labs, and everything was in a normal range! I was very happy with that.

It could be a change. I am wondering if I should go back to utilizing some of the Protein Drinks that I drank so much of in the beginning, because they were always sweet in flavor. I'm thinking maybe I got used to having that sweetness and now that I don't drink them as often, I'm wanting something sweet? The idea of making them into ice cream is genius!

I do think a lot of it is mind hunger. Sometimes I'm hungry (usually in the late afternoon before dinner), but a lot of times I just want something sweet after a meal. Eating fruit can work for me, depending on the fruit, and it has a lot more Vitamins and Fiber than a "sweet", so I tend to feel satisfied if I'm actually hungry. I'm not against having sweets for treats, but it's just become almost an every day craving that I feel like I have to battle it out. I am worried about the slippery slope, though.

I think I'll try the Protein ice cream. Especially nearing summertime, that will be super nice to have. Thank you!

I am one year and one month post-op, and I have lost 90 pounds from my heaviest weight. I'm feeling a lot better, sleeping better, eating better, and moving more.

However, since January, the scale hasn't moved at all. I spoke with my surgeon's assistant at my one year check-in, and she said I should still be losing about 3 pounds a month, albeit slowly, and to reduce my calories if I'm not meeting that goal (I eat between 1200-1500 calories a day, but usually closer to 1500).

But, I've also noticed, the last few months I've been really struggling with sweet cravings. Before my surgery I'd like some sugary things every now and then, but lately I've had these really intense cravings that feel like almost every day. I try to choose fruit, or make a chocolate Protein Drink, but I'm more annoyed by the cravings than anything. I really wish they'd go away. I always feel awful after I eat something sugary, too, so I know it's not going to sit well in my stomach but that pang is still there.

Can anyone offer advice on how to cope with this?

13 hours ago, AmberFL said:

I totally wish I could tell people but I just do not want judge or the infamous "you took the easy way out" I do not regret this decision and so wish I would've don't this earlier.

That's what made me nervous, too. People don't understand that the surgery doesn't make you lose weight, but that it's all the work you put in after.

I totally understand not wanting to tell people about having the surgery. I was very shy about it when people started to make comments to me, but I also just decided that I didn't want to carry shame around that conversation for myself. For the people that I feel safe with talking to about it (knowing they won't judge me), I'm honest and I tell them because it was a big deal to me. I'm so happy and proud that I made that decision.

I wish there wasn't such a stigma around it. We shouldn't feel like we can't tell people, but if we choose not to, that's our right, you know? It's none of anyone else's business unless we want to include them. That's how I look at it. 😄

I was sleeved in March, and as of last week, I have officially lost 81. I started at 309, I'm currently 228, and I've noticed my progress has slowed down a lot. I'm anxious that I won't keep losing weight, because I'm only halfway to where I want to be. It sucks because I know I should be celebrating all of my hard work, but I'm scared I'll be stuck where I'm at and that my progress is over.

I'm still tracking my calories, and I'm averaging about 1200-1300 a day. I walk at least 30 minutes a day, strength train 2 times a week, and I try to stay active on the weekend (5 mile hike & 1.5 hours kayaking yesterday).

I struggled for so long to lose weight, and I'm scared I'll go back to struggling now.

I was sleeved on March 7th. I lost 80 officially yesterday.

I'm a little concerned, only because I'm halfway to my goal but I feel like my weight loss has started slowing down. 😰 I should be celebrating my wins, but I'm really just nervous I won't get to where I want to be.

4 minutes ago, kawzican said:

I'm right there with ya. Nearly all of the weight I've lost in the six weeks since my surgery, was in the first two weeks. I've have incremental loss, but I've also had gains. I've been stalled for 10 days now, and I, like you, feel like it's too early in the process to not have this weight just falling off considering how little I'm eating. However, forums like this one and a few conversations with my dietician keep me from being totally distraught. We know it's going to come off, but if you're like me, you'd like to get the first 30-40 off quickly to start feeling better. What I've lost so far isn't enough to make me feel substantially better.

Speaking of which, I can't seem to figure out how to edit my profile to track my weight. Is that like a paid feature or am I just missing something? There's no edit button for those stats.

This is a great forum though, so I'm really glad I found it.

I go to the top and click on my name, then "My Surgery." From that page on the left, you should see "My Progress", and that will allow you to track your weight. There is probably an easier way to get to it, but that's how I do it.

I was stalled for like a month up until this past weekend when the scale finally reflected a lower weight. I'm four months post-op, and I've had 2 significant stalls (at least two weeks), so I completely understand.

Focusing on non-scale things (energy, less appetite, how clothes fit, extra time to do other stuff, etc) helps, but I think it's completely normal to feel sad and worried. I was scared that I would only have 4 months of weight loss and that suddenly the surgery just stopped working.

These are all normal things to feel, from what I understand, but you're not alone! You will weigh yourself soon and the number will be different and you'll be so happy. I promise! ❤️

I don't have a medical alert Bracelet, but I did get a medical alert card to carry in my wallet. It's something you can give to waiters/restaurants to request to purchase lunch portions or items from the kids' menu because of medical reasons. I haven't used it yet, but I keep it on me.

Hi there,

I was sleeved on March 7th, and I am happily 4 months post-op today. 😁

My question is to those who are post-op in regards to the surgery scars. I was given a scar cream that I try to use, but I was wondering how long it can take for scars to fade / lessen in appearance. I know they won't go away completely, but mine are a deep purple, and as I'm very pale, super noticeable. I am wondering if there is anything else that I can be doing to help the fading process, and, for those who are farther along in their post-op journey, when you found the scars lessened the most in appearance?

Hi!

I was sleeved on March 7th. My highest weight was 309 lbs, and my weight after the pre-op diet was 296 lbs. I'm currently sitting at 251 lbs. I'm very excited to make it to - 60 lbs, but I'm at a bit of a stall.

I walk 5-6 times a week for 20-30 minutes (20 minutes moreso lately because it's so hot outside), and I also do resistance training 2 times a week. I have way more energy than I did pre-op, which is so far my favorite aspect. I'm struggling with trying to find the balance between harder and too easy workouts right now.

I can eat most food, if not all food with no discomfort. I've been sick twice, but it wasn't bad and I think it was due to me eating too fast at the time. bread doesn't sit as easily in my stomach, but I don't miss it. I don't miss sodas, but I do miss my sparkling Water. 😪

I haven't been able to see a big difference on myself until recently. I still feel like I look the same, but everyone else sees a difference and that is very encouraging.

I struggle with PCOS, so I am hoping that as I lose weight, my ovulatory and fertility issues will improve, too. I'm seeing a lot of small changes so far, and it's all so exciting. It's the best decision that I've ever made.

11 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

You're absolutely right - it seems to be very different for different people. I had a gradual return of hunger at around 9 or 10 months. Probably over the course of a couple of weeks. If I ate my Protein first I still felt full with around the same size of meal, I just wanted to eat again sooner afterwards. Then on top of that as the months progressed I could eat greater volumes - that continued AND I was hungry too. I learned here that head hunger is often craving a specific food or taste or texture, but real hunger can be addressed by eating most anything. So I started to have fruit and veg for Snacks and that seems to have worked for me. My 3 main meals are Protein first always. I could have just added another meal, but I had been concerned all along that I wasn't getting anything like the recommended fruit and veg intake.

My weight loss had slowed when my hunger returned and I stopped losing more or less completely around 15 months post op. I'm 18 months out now and so far maintaining. Everything crossed.

Did you have a goal weight that you got to before your hunger returned, or was it later?

4 minutes ago, RobertM2022 said:

So I'm 5 months post op and couldn't be happier with my surgery, the results, and my subsequent lifestyle. I've read a lot since the surgery about everything and one of the constants that keeps showing up is that the "honeymoon" phase will end...which I knew prior to surgery and expected. My question has more to do with the mechanism. Do you just wake up one day and suddenly feel much hungrier than usual? Does it gradually happen over 30-60 days? Does it just happen that your "normal" portions no longer satiate you? Is it a combination of mental and physiological, i.e. if you were to continue to eat the normal quantities of food that you had been eating prior to the honeymoon phase ending, would everything be ok physiologically, but mentally it just doesn't seem to be working or is it more a constant struggle to maintain your new eating habits?

Sorry for all the questions. I know this probably differs from person to person and I know there are probably no exact answers. I just tend to be very analytical about most things and I feel like the more information I know about this subject, the better chance I have of dealing with it.

Thank you!

These are great questions, and ones I'd love to know answers to, as well.

I'm a week away from being 3 months post-op, and just recently (within the last week or so), I've been having a bare minimum of an appetite. It's kind of nice to not be hungry, but I'm not looking forward to this part of the journey, either. 😅

2 minutes ago, GeorgieLynn said:

Brandi, I was sleeved March 9 so am right with you on time but have had some medical set backs so have healed very slowly. I will share with you were I am on my tracking but as you said don't use it as your guide because we are in different situations. When evaluating your own intake it is most important to look at where your calories are coming from and your total mix of macros in proportion to one another. Are most of your calories coming from Protein? Are your fats plant based? Are you sticking to low carbs and are they complex? Where are your sugars coming from, naturally occurring or refined? How much exercise/ calories are you typically buring in a day? 🤔 So many things to consider. With that said I am averaging around 650 cal/daily still struggling to get 60 g Protein and my Water. I am not getting enough daily exercise yet and have had a PICC line for daily hydration. (Like I said, other medical issues which have slowed down my healing) at 5 weeks I went back to full liquids. So, focus on your hu ger signals; if you think you are "feeling hungry" too soon, try drinking a non-caloric beverage and wait 30 minutes after you finish it to see if it was actually thirst you were confusing with hunger. Stay on schedule with your meals and Snacks (meal planning) and make your protein and Water your very first priority before anything else. I find if I do that, there isn't much room for anything else. Don't be obsessed with the scale but do weigh once a week and allow that to be a tool, understanding that you will have stalls, but it should generally be on a general slow slope down over time. And, don't hesitate to talk to your dietician, Dr, or other medical professionals about your concerns and for guidance. And also know that we all have these insecurities and worries. ❤️ Love yourself and you will do the right thing. Believe in YOU!

Hi Georgie!

Thank you so much for your reply! I'm sorry that your healing was slowed by other concerns, but I'm glad to hear you're getting there. 🩷

I'm very happy with the food I am getting in and my exercise. I think I have a healthy balance right now where I get at least 80g of protein every day (usually more, if I'm honest). This is what I have to watch out for because too much protein seems to dip back towards too many calories, as my surgeon told me.

I work with a dietician who specializes in PCOS, so I have specific macro goals geared towards that and my bariatric requirements. I'm losing weight steadily - I just got over a stall, and I'm getting closer to a 50 pound weight loss, which is exciting to me. 🤩

Hey March Sleeves!

For anyone who counts their calories or tracks their food, how many calories do you get in a day? I'm so curious! I'm not being super strict with myself when it comes to calories, but I'm tracking my food and listening to my body to eat slower and only until I'm satisfied, not overfull and to focus on whole foods and eating intuitively. I was sleeved on March 7th, so I'm a little more than 2 months post-op. I eat around 900-1100 calories a day, give or take.

(This isn't for comparison, but more out of curiosity. Sometimes I worry I eat too much, but I'm never grossly full or anything either.)

1 hour ago, greeneyedgirl79 said:

Just wanted to check in on all the March 2023 peeps and see how it's going! As for me, I was sleeved on 3/24/23. Lost 12.3 lbs before surgery and have lost 21.3 lbs since surgery, for a total of 33.6 lbs at 6 wks post-op. This feels slow to me, and I often wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I had the dreaded 3 week stall and then a big "woosh" of several pounds in a week. I tolerate every food I try and get my 64 oz in which is great, but I don't feel much restriction anymore, and I definitely get hungry before 3 hrs. I try to get at least 15 grams of Protein every 3 hours, but I'm still hungry. 😩 I also probably need to get back to walking. I'm one of those that is very reliant on the scale even though I definitely know how exercise works and how muscle weighs more but also burns more fat. My energy has been LOW, and as soon as I took a break from walking my 2.5 miles a day to try and rest a bit, I had the big movement on the scale. So, I haven't started back up for that reason. I'm just not the type of person that can withstand the scale stalls and comfort myself with "muscle weighs more." Pitiful, I know. I'm so dang impatient. Once I make a decision, I want it now! (I know it doesn't work that way, but 🤷🏼‍♀️ I can't help it!). How's it going for everyone else?

I got my sleeve done exactly two months ago, with a two week pre-op diet. I've lost 40 pounds, but it feels like it should be more. The last few weeks I've been fighting a stall where I'm not seeing much of a change on the scale.

My energy is high, I tolerate almost all foods, and I get 8-10 cups of Water a day. Lately I've been going over my Protein goals, so I'm trying to get more fruits and veggies in to keep my calories lower.

I walk 5 days a week for 30 minutes, resistance train 2 days a week, and I've been trying to get extra exercise through stretching or swimming on the weekend. I'm concerned I'm not strength training well enough because I'm never really sore. 😔 But I keep telling myself any movement that gets my heart rate up is good movement.

I'm trying not to obsess over the scale (I weigh once a week). I've been getting a lot of positive comments from people I know that they can see a difference. I just can't see it myself. 💔

On 4/26/2023 at 5:19 AM, mlbninja said:

I am not sure what is going on with me. I had my surgery Dec 8th last year and I have already lost 96 pounds. My wife is happy. I am more active. I can now keep up with my kids for the first time in years and years. I am more active, and my sex life is amazing now. For some reason I am super depressed. I mean it is bad. I feel fat ei feel disgusting. Maybe it is cause idk what to do. As everything gets better in life I seem to be spiraling out. Can someone please give me some advice.

I'm so sorry you're having a mental struggle, and I completely empathize.

I also have been experiencing a weird and nebulous relationship with myself. I've had clinical depression for several years, but my medication has always been able to help keep me afloat. Right now I feel kind of disconnected from my body, and I haven't seen the results that others see in me yet. A lot of times I find myself doubting if the surgery really worked, or if I'll ever get to my goals. I'm having a hard time processing the work and effort and the results I'm actually getting - I think, for me personally, it is because I've gone so long putting in work and never getting results. Now that I am (even if I can't see them), it doesn't feel right. So I'm getting in touch with a therapist to help me work through it.

Can you reach out to your weight loss program and ask to be included in a support group? A counselor might also be helpful (something I also have experience with). I'm wishing you all the best. ❤️

On 4/20/2023 at 5:06 PM, Layla1222 said:

Hey everyone,

I had my sx gastric sleeve 2/20 and I’m almost 10 weeks out. It’s been complications since surgery and I don’t know what else to do neither do the doctors. I have sever pains in my chest and feels like a ball sitting in my throat. I did a second surgery of fixing hiatal hernia and I’m 2 weeks out from this. I been in and out the hospital I can’t eat or keep food down. When I do eat food the pain of twisting and burning the moment food touches my stomach. I throw up a ball of mucus. I can’t even take oral medications and I’m at lost and regret if everything in life after this surgery. Anyone can give me pointers? Anyone been through this? I cry everyday I can’t eat or drink anything besides Water. The doctor last told me it’s in my head? Like what kinda comment is that my surgeon doesn’t even respond a doctor in Mexico who is very popular in social media and 2 my friends got their surgeries there but not going through what I’m going through… help 😭

I know the feeling of the "ball sitting your throat"! I also get pains every now and then in the middle of my chest (right on my diaphragm, so I think that has to do with my hernia repair, too). I don't and haven't had complications as bad as you, and I'm so sorry you're going through that. You may just have a longer recovery time.

Chewing thoroughly is what helped me the most, and taking longer on soft/pureed foods.

How are you doing now? I hope your doctors were able to help!

45 minutes ago, Blossoming1 said:

I'm really struggling with this. I haven't lost weight in weeks and I think it is because I always feel hungry. But its like a stomach growl and I think its growling out of hunger.

Very frustrated with it.

I understand this. I'm going through a plateau right now as well, but both of my dieticians have reassured me that if you're hungry, it means your body needs food. It may not need a full meal, but something small and satiating is better both for your stomach and for your mood/mind.

1 hour ago, Jma23317 said:

I feel the exact same. I was on a 30 day pre-op diet and lost 18lbs. I was sleeved on 03/20 and have only lost 10lbs since surgery. I was cleared for exercise last week so i have been doing growwithjo youtube videos. I was stalled from 1 week post op until last week with no weight loss at all. I am also at stage 3 so i can eat soft foods, during the pureed stage which started 2 days post op i just ate canned food mashed with a fork because pureed texture disgust me. Let's all hope we reach our goals sending you all lots of love ❤️

I thought my progress was slow going, too. Even this week I'm feeling a little down about it. But two steps forward and one step back is still progress (my daily affirmation lol), even if it's not what we're hoping to see.

On 3/20/2023 at 2:07 PM, BrandiBird said:

Hi there!

I had my VSG + hiatal hernia repair surgery on March 7th, 2023. I am 13 days post-op today, and at my one week-check up, I was approved to eat soft foods, take medication whole, and start gentle resistance exercises.

I am having moments of pain when eating certain foods. It hasn't been often. The first time was when I tried soft scrambled eggs, and I've since paused eating eggs because they just don't feel good going down. I've since eaten various types of soft foods - refried Beans, pudding, Soups, and tuna fish. The latter is one that I really enjoy and it goes down well. It's also how I try to get a lot of my Protein in for the day.

Today, though, I was eating some tuna and a little mayo, and it hurt. It felt like someone was poking me in upper center of my chest and it went through to my back. It's the first time I've had the sensation of feeling like food was "stuck" and that it might come back up. Luckily it didn't, but it was super painful for about five minutes of deep breathing. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and what might help? I can accept some foods not going down well for now, but I haven't had a problem with tuna until now! Any advice?

Update! I am one month and three weeks post-op, and I've had some dramatic improvements. Chewing thoroughly has helped the most with the pain, though some foods still do not go down easy (smoked sausage, heavily fried foods, etc.), but not a whole lot. I got sick once when I ate some asparagus and tomatoes (cooked), but I think I ate them too quickly. It was not very bad, but it was unpleasant, as getting sick always is.

I also had blood tests, and all of my numbers went down! I'm most excited for my cholesterol, as it's 185 and was over 200 previously.

Most days, I start with a Protein Shake for breakfast, then a higher Protein Pasta with lots of Fiber (handfuls of spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.), and some pre-cooked meat for lunch. Lean Cuisine protein meals are perfect sizes for me right now, though I don't finish them all. I don't want to overly rely on frozen food, but on the days I don't feel like eating what I cooked, it's a nice option to have. Dinner is usually Soup - Proper Good is my favorite, made with lots of Bone Broth for extra protein, or Amy's Soups. Snacks include mini Babybel cheeses, protein puddings, Greek yogurt, and Braniac brain bars. I have PCOS, so I try to eat to balance my hormones with an emphasis on protein and a healthy amount of good fats and fiber.

I have lost 35 pounds so far, and I can't tell a difference yet physically, but my energy levels are SO MUCH BETTER. I don't feel like I'm constantly fatigued, and I've been able to do loads of spring cleaning after a full work day.

I was cleared to start resistance training, so in addition to walking for 30 minutes 5x a week, I'm incorporating 2-3x a week of resistance workouts. They're small right now, and not very intense (10 minutes tops), but I like to think it'll still benefit me. 😅

Thank you to everyone who's been replying to me. I really appreciate it!

16 minutes ago, Christi Hawkins said:

So I'm incredibly disappointed in my progress so far. I was sleeved on March 7th and I've only lost 15 lbs. I know everyone is different and we're not supposed to compare but I'm a little panicked.

Would someone mind sharing how they've done this month after surgery?

I did contact my Nutritionist and asked her how many calories I should be eating a day and she said not to worry about that right now. Just concentrate on getting my Protein and Water in, which I am doing.

My weight loss was rapid pre-op, but post-op has been a lot slower. My surgery was on the 7th of March, too. I think - for me - it's been better to not weigh myself on a scale every day and just focus on staying hydrated and moving in small spurts.

On 3/25/2023 at 9:43 PM, Lnr1922 said:

Had my surgery on Thursday. The pain has honestly been more intense than I had anticipated/hoped. I walk a ton. I think I’ve been overdoing it which is causing additional pain. My pain was a solid 10 day one and got a little better the next day, but I needed pain killers in order to fly home. Im hoping for some additional relief tomorrow! Regardless it’s all possible and manageable! I just remind myself it’s short term pain and it will get better and it will be worth it.
Hope all March surgery buddies are doing great!

So sorry to hear you're in pain. Small walks throughout the day are best. I do at most 5 minutes an hour or so. So glad to hear that you got your surgery done and that you're back home!

On 3/13/2023 at 1:44 PM, MaameWata said:

Hey!

I've put on 2lbs this week, but I'm putting it down to the stress of moving house (I'm currently in the packing/clearing out stages) and not making room for exercise. I'm also officially back onto solid, normal foods so I'm assuming there will probably be some weight gain there too.

I'm in this boat, as well. I lost a good amount of weight from pre-op diet and from my first two weeks post-op, but since then the scale has barely moved for me. I am back onto solid foods now that I'm more than three weeks post-op, and I'm tracking everything I eat and even walking/moving more than pre-op.

I've started some very light resistance training because I'm afraid of losing muscle instead of fat. But I was hoping to see a faster weight loss than what I'm currently seeing. I think because so many people tell you it'll happen fast, but in the moment it seems so slow.

How are you since you last updated? I hope you're well.

8 minutes ago, Grider said:

I get pain when eat too fast or too much. Some foods like bread, rice or mashed potatoes omg —-ouuu. Quick relief. Gas X carry it everywhere. But portions are very important. Slow down eat in portions. Italians, take alll day to eat. Start at 7 and end at 11 pm. Think that way. Eat. Stop n then maybe eat more in 5 min. I only use little plates at home. No straws and slow in the drinking . Gulping is pain.

GS 07/22.

I haven't tried bread or rice. Mashed potatoes go down nicely, so I think I eat them slow enough.

I gulp Water unless I drink with a straw. It's the only way I can sip. I've had no problems with any liquids, either! I think what I'm learning right now is how important the consistency of foods are.