SusieQ_RN

I am approaching 4 years post op for the gastric sleeve. I was nearly 300 lbs when I had the surgery and lost 135 pounds over the next year. My tummy would let me know when it was full. That was THENNN. Now, my appetite is crazy. I don't know what happened. I gained back 45-48 lbs. I was feeling pretty hopeless until 4-5 days ago. I just started going to YouTube for videos, because I am a visual learner. I have been researching Intermittent Fasting. I am an RN, but did not realize that the liver cannot metabolize stores of fat until a meal has been metabolized (this takes 10-12 hours). If I eat 3 meals a day, I will NEVER reach the 10-12 hours it takes to begin burning fat... so the Intermittent Fasting makes sense to me. Dr. Oz featured a guest last week who discussed this scenario. I have been doing the Intermittent Fasting for 4 days. (Only eating 11-7, and fasting the other 16 hours.) I have dropped 7 lbs in 4 days, and finally see possibilities opening up again. I slept late today, and fasted several hours, and when I finally did eat around supper time, I couldn't get enough. I have already cut out the bread, rice, pasta, etc... and what I did eat (1 1/2 cups chicken with seasoned black beans and fresh tomatoes) did not satisfy me. I added 1/2 cucumber and a peach. Still hungry. Two hours later I ate another serving of the chicken, and still wanted more. Did I damage my stomach somehow, and now it doesn't know how to feel full ? Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can feel full ?? I am going to continue to watch a YouTube video for reinforcement while I continue the Intermittent Fasting (only eating between 11-7). I suspect my Cortisol or hormone levels are off. (I am almost 60 years old). I just ordered Organifi Green Juice from eBay, in the hopes of adjusting my Cortisol levels, and getting the appetite under control. I will make a new appointment with the Bariatric nutritionist as well.

I know this 20:4 routine is temporary. The fasting coach online only does the 20:4 FOUR days a week, Mon-Tues-Thurs-Fri, then eats normally with her family on weekends. (16:8 on Wed). i am trying to get to mid Sept for a couple of reunions, but realize I'll never make it on the 20:4 schedule. i need to increase my protein immediately !!

Hi Amy... I am an overweight RN, and thought I was asking my Doc all the right questions when I had the VSG Aug. 1, 2013. I was approaching 300 lbs when I had the VSG. I had just lost my beautiful husband of 33 years and was grieving pretty hard. After my surgery, I happily lost 135 lbs. When I'd eat too much, the pressure in my sleeve would let me know I'd better stop eating. Thennn I started acclimating to more and more to feel full. I was never told that my sleeve could stretch. I wasn't eating THAT much at one time, but I was "steadily eating" small amounts of cheese, rice cakes, restaurant left-overs, etc in the evenings. This binge eating led me to gain back 45 lbs, and I began to feel hopeless again. I was so ashamed that I refused to return to the surgeon, even though he had an excellent nutritionist on staff. I saw something on Dr. Oz last week about Intermittent Fasting. I must have been living under a rock, because I had never heard this term before. I began watching YouTube videos (because I am a visual learner and need frequent reinforcement) and one of the coaches used the term "Bulletproof Coffee" I Googled this, and learned the creator was a bio-hacker from Silicon Valley. His "Brain Octane", (high end high-priced coconut oil also referred to as MCT Oil - Medium Chain Triglyceride) costs $28.99 for a 16 oz bottle at Whole Foods, but the less expensive brands of MCT Oil were @ $16.00. I deliberated at the register, and at the last minute I sprung for the Brain Octane. I am thrilled with this choice, for now, but I might try the cheaper MCT Oil when this 16 oz is depleted in several weeks. The first video I caught on YouTube was a Tedx Talk: Why fasting bolsters brain power: Mark Mattson at TEDx Talks - Professor of Neuroscience at The Johns Hopkins University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UkZAwKoCP8 Fasting 12, 16, 18, 20 hours... mostly while you sleep, has INCREDIBLE benefits. I was taught that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. Watch the professor's video. He encourages his listeners to stop eating after 7 pm, and not to eat again until 11 am the next day, in order to give the body a chance to burn off stored fat (it takes approx 10-12 hours to burn off a typical meal). If you will let your sleeve work FOR you, (most Intermittent Fasters would kill to have the sleeve advantage) I think you will be encouraged, and you'll get to your goal weight !! I have only been doing the Intermittent Fasting 8 days (eating only supper) and a few healthy snacks for 2-3 hours afterwards, then nothing until the next day. My metabolism has jumped into geer, and i have been a fat-burning machine for just over a week. I lost 12 lbs in 8 days, and this almost-60 year old woman FINALLY has hope again. I have a college reunion to attend in mid Sept, then I plan to start eating lunch again, or alternating my 12-16 hour fasts with my 20 hour fasts. The first 4 days getting rid of carbs can make you hungry, but swallowing a tsp of MCT oil or adding it to one's coffee or shake is so helpful. Good luck with your surgery. You'll do fine !

Hiii OutMatchIn, I was being a baby when I typed the original post. I started adding a tsp of high end MCT oil to my coffee, and today I had a second cup using another tsp. BIG DIFFERENCE !! I was NOT hungry once, and my Fast almost hit 21 hours. Thank You God for helping me give up my night time snacking habits. My blood panels were normal 2 months ago, although I never really know about my 3 hunger hormones, because I don't have them tested. I don't know how long I can continue on the 20:4 fast:feast schedule, but so far I am on track and my results are wonderful. I can barely eat my supper bowl tonight. I am approaching 7 days on the Intermittent Fasting, and I hit 11 lbs lost today. I know these successful results are only temporary, and that the weight loss will slow. I'm just praying that I don't get discouraged when that happens. P.S. I am MOST impressed with your weight loss success. I, too, had the sleeve gastrectomy, although I first inquired about this site as a potential lap band patient. The woman who talked me into having this surgery had a lap band inserted in 2007, and has gained back considerable weight. She regrets she didn't wait until her insurance would cover the Sleeve.

When I have eaten too much, I feel pressure... like something is stuck in my throat. I can rarely consume more than 1 cup of anything at one time, but have had some bad snacking habits these past two years... little bites of food after 4 pm. The good news is... the Intermittent Fasting is WORKING !! I consider myself lucky to be a Faster with a gastric sleeve. Now I have two things to help me towards my goal of 160. So far, I am still on track. My retired neighbors are ULTRA disciplined, and do not eat a bite after 7 pm. They also avoid pork and sometimes beef; you'd think they were in training for a marathon. All I have to do to be considered a successful Intermittent Faster is avoid food for 12-16 hours. Some of the Fasters online stop eating at 7 pm, and then skip breakfast the next morning. Surely I can do this !!