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Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’m going to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated! Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.

@ShoppGirl I have never tried the plain ones! I am so not a plain girl....I need a little razzle dazzle on all my foods. So far this one and the I Southwest salsa are good.

Peanut butter chicken sounds good. Remember them spring rolls had a sauce that was equal parts of peanut butter and soy sauce. I’m glad you just reminded me of it because I really liked it and it was good on chicken too. Sorry to hear about your hip. Really sucks that we get tested with hurdles so soon after surgery but maybe it is just that a test. Test to see if we are truly committed even when it doesn’t come as easy as it did right off the bat. If so, I think we are crushing this test!! 10K steps is awesome. I bet you will not stop at 30 days. When I was doing my normal walking it felt so good I didn’t ever want to stop. As soon as I figure out this thyroid thing I’m gonna start again. Or if the cardiologist says it’s safe. Just scares me that my resting heart beat has gone up and I get notifications from my watch about weird heart stuff so oncology ordered test and did referral for an oncology cardiologist. I need to call that office too another reminder. Anyways, as soon as I get the all clear I will be working back up to join you. I’m telling you it helped me with everything. After doing it consistently my mental health was far better and it made me think twice about my food choices. I was feeling so good I didn’t ever want to do anything to ruin it so healthy nourishing choices were so much easier. I hope your hip is better soon and you meet or even exceed your walking challenge! I am bummed that my clinic has cancelled yoga for next week because the instructor is out but they are adding gentle yoga the following week and I think I am going to check out meditation this week since she will be gone and it’s at the same time so I couldn’t before. I wish these things were offered more than once a week. Kinda unfair for the people who do treatment that day or the day before if their treatment makes them feel icky. They also have a physical trainer that they offer who will do some free sessions but I’m saving them for after surgery since I will be needing more direction then. Right now I just need clearance and then motivation to get back at it After surgery I will have limitations. My range of motion will be an issue and I will need help pushing through them but not pushing too fast. I talked to the guy and he said we can’t go any quicker than my dr clears me but I am going to tell the dr I see him weekly and ask to see the dr more often to get clearance quicker if I’m ready. i am so ready to get back to my pre chemo activity. I can already tell my lack of activity is affecting my mood. I want my happy positive rainbows and unicorns outlook on life back. Drove my hubby crazy but I liked it and I’m pretty sure after dealing with my being cranky and irritable for over a month he is probably missing it too. 😂

You may find therapy helpful. It’s something many people seek support from to help them work through their relation ship with food and eating. Your surgeon should be able to recommend someone who specialises in disordered eating or ask your GP first a referral. The surgery can only help us with a physical tool. We have to do the head stuff ourselves & there is a lot we have to get our heads around and work our way through if we want to be successful in the long term. Sometimes we need to ask for a helping hand from a professional. All the best.

Hey sweet, I think what you are experiencing is something we all go/continue to go through! Although I still don't feel hungry very often, I crave certain tastes if that makes sense! I have found with a balance of healthy and high protein foods, I can still enjoy a treat every so often, as I know one thing that used to completely derail me was not allowing myself to indulge every now and then - it is now just about changing what we indulge in! Honestly it does get easier and easier to manage as time goes on, and you are doing amazingly already! x

Hey guys, The last few days have been super hard I just want to eat all the time I feel so empty! I know its mainly head hunger and at nearly 8 weeks out it is my mind fighting against the changes I have made. I miss eating more! I have had slight cravings for junk food lately but I will not eat it because I know it will do me absolutely no good and it will make me worse off. I haven't eaten any of it since before my surgery and have no plans to in the future. As a recovering food addict a little bite would be a massive trigger to eat way too much and I can't deal with that. I know I have been addicted to food pretty much my whole life but I honestly didn't think that my addiction was as bad as it clearly is. I don't regret having the surgery and having lost 2 stone 6lbs is amazing in such a short time, it's just so hard to get used to the huge life change. I am all in and will continue eating healthy unprocessed food because my body loves it and I feel so much better physically. It's taking my mind a long time to catch up though and I'm struggling. I have heard plenty of ideas about finding a hobby and doing things to focus my mind away from food but I need to face up to my food demons and learn to live with them. I don't want to avoid these feelings coming up, they need to be dealt with. So I journal when it gets too much and I post on here too. I'm just looking for some one who understands how I feel and who can tell me it gets better! Thanks again guys x

I am almost 2 years out from RNY and haven't suffered one day of reflux since the surgery. I also had a Hiatal hernia that went undiagnosed for years before pre-op testing found it. Caused Gerd from hell along with the excess weight. Both problems resolved with surgery. Also, the enjoyment of certain foods may take a bit. I still struggle with a few different textures. But for the most part I can tolerate most things quite well. I still have a good amount of restriction at this point too. I wish you the best and hope the reflux has become a thing of the past for you.

That’s amazing news about your treatment working! We’re here for you every step of the way. I know balancing everything with the cravings and frequent meals isn’t easy, but you’re doing your best, and that’s what matters. We’ll take it step by step with food, and it will all work out. Do you have any go-to meals that help keep you satisfied without overdoing it?

I had a post op appt with my NP yesterday. She is please with my nutrition even though it’s not quite status quo. I am still doing chemo with steroids so I have some pretty intense cravings but for now the chemo has made me hyperthyroid so I am maintaining despite a lot less exercise and a less than perfect bariatric diet. Sounds like a blessing to be able to eat more but I’m still having to rein it in because I am ravenous 24/7 and of course there are some real health risks with hyperthyroidism so I have to closely monitor things. I am really hoping it goes away or I’m going to go broke trying to afford healthy food in the quantity I am able to consume. I have mostly nutritious food but I’m not counting calories or quantity for now. Plus with the tiny stomach I eat like 10 times a day so it’s pretty time consuming. On a better note I had a PET Scan the other day and my treatment is working!! A couple more months until the chemo should be done as long as I stay healthy enough to keep getting it. I hope a couple of months later things will be back and I will have a normal amount of cravings that I should be able to handle. I’m gonna need some emotional support kicking the carbs though for sure.

Congrats on your loss. Glad to hear you are doing well. Did you see all the attachments that you can get to put on a Stanley. To hold your phone and chapstick and all sorts of things. Like you wouldn’t need a purse I’m not kidding. I don’t know if I could do a month of fasting. Fasting for lab work is enough for me. Im trying to schedule some and they are all after 9:30 and I’m looking at a whole other lab just so that I don’t have to wait as late to have food. 🤣

Hi ladies. How's everyone doing? Share updates and losses and NSV x I've been doing very well. I'm 83kg and almost 7 months post op (well in a week) 26kg loss and my surgical team are happy and proud. I look fantastic and feel it. We are currently fasting (holy month of ramadhan) so I've been focusing on dehydrating more than food as doctors are more concerned about dehydration then starvation haha which is unlikely teehee but I've been doing well especially after getting a fancy stanley 😄

I am having a hard time finding protein without whey or soy in them. I'm also allergic to nuts so that makes it even harder. My surgery is set for March 10th of this year. So I'm worried I'm not going to be able to find enough food or liquid protein to have after surgery. Because almost everybody only carries whey products. Has anybody else ran into this problem.

Sticking to soft foods and small portions is key, but you can still enjoy the celebration without overdoing it. Planning ahead helps—maybe eat a bit before the event so you're not tempted by off-limits foods. Also, if you're looking for something sharp to wear, https://www.gentlemansguru.com/product-category/wedding-tuxedos/ has some great options. Comfort is important, especially after surgery, so pick something that allows for movement and doesn’t feel too restrictive.

Hi! Yesss. I'm making sure to get protein but it seems very hard to get to 60 grms daily. Not room for anything! I don't like feeling overfull so just small amounts 3 times a day and the rest of the time it's waterrrr. LOL! I definitely want it to just be my lifestyle, which now it totally is. I eat clean 98% of the time and mostly one ingredient foods, like just grapefruit or cucumbers. Or just some grilled chicken. Seems to be working well for me. Sugar and junk doesn't feel right in my belly. Ha, needed that to happen YEARS ago! LOL! But ah well, it's this way now and I'm grateful. Thank you for your advice. I am 51 so very aware that as I lose I'll look older but I'll just save up for a facelift in my 60s! LOL! Some of them look wonderful. Totally worth it to feel better in my last phase of this life. You only live once! I want it to be fun! My husband is supportive either way so I'm thankful for that and for him. He's been great through everything. And he's changed his eating habits along with me. Helps me a lot! And he's lost 30 lbs on his own. He's at the gym now. LOL! But I am here waiting for our grocery order to arrive. I do love leg day though. And we swim and go into the sauna when we go. Feels awesome after working out! I need to gain muscle. Men gain it so easily! I'm so jealous of that. Blah! Well anyway, so I'll see how I look in my face etc if I get pretty small. Will decide if I should gain a little. I was ok at 155 but still big around my belly. No likey. So for sure planning for normal BMI and somewhere between 124 and 134 lbs most likely. Thanks again!

Congratulations on achieving onderland! Yay! What weight to stop losing at & how to pick a goal weight are interesting questions and you’ll get different responses. I believe it comes down to where your new set point is (the weight your body is happy at & will keep pulling you back to). It’s the weight where you’re not losing anymore and you have reached a sustainable balance of the number of calories you consume and the activity you do. It’s the weight where you’re happy with how you look & feel too. I had a goal (same as yours) which was the low weight I always dropped to before regaining back up from. I exceeded that. I kept losing until my calorie intake which I was increasing and activity level was in balance. I eat in a way that is sustainable & I don’t feel like I’m missing out or if I’m on a continuous diet or that I have to exercise first hours a day. Some reach a weight but found it wasn’t sustainable or they didn’t feel comfortable at so they gain a little. Remember your new set point may not be where you would like it to be. Also your lowest weight may not be where you end up either. Bounce back (a regain of 10 - 20lbs) is always a possibility & can be due to your body resettling, you realising you need more flexibility in the what you eat & the activity you do to find a better life balance, some conplacency, your new set point, etc. Be flexible in your goal. If you don’t reach it, that’s okay. You’ll be in a better healthier place regardless of the number in the scale. Reach a sustainable balance (food intake & activity) in your life that allows you to live & enjoy your life & doesn’t restrict or limit you. All the best.

@Mspretty86 ooooo okay! I'm not afraid of fats either. healthy fats are important! I refuse to restrict myself. I still eat fast food, I cant say no to a couple of French fries LOL There are days I cannot lie where I binge like a mofo but its never more than 1 day and I get back on track the next day. I.E today I started my period and I want to munch of anything and everything lol I just want to graze on all things chocolate. But I am eating my healthy sweets and hot coffee. Its helping!

I am so glad I'm not the only one who eats sweets every day. I told myself that I was not going to restrict myself from eating sweets, knowing that I like sweets, I didn't wanna set myself up for failure so I include them just as I do protein and healthy food that I have to eat. OMG I'm going to try your peanut butter balls. 🤪😋! Simplest form for my cups would be to find your favorite chocolate (no sugar added or high coca content), add coconut oil to it for the fats. Microwave it. I work out a lot I'm not afraid of fats. Buy your cup molds, then really have fun with it put whatever you want in it. I try something new every week. Pop in freezer 30 mins. I don't give measurements cause you'll have to tweak it to your dietary thingy things. 😂, @AmberFL

hi my paperwork says from week 3-4 purree and week 5-6 soft foods then onto normal food. I am also am missing savory food..

I am a feen with sweets hahaha! I have a sweet treat or 2 every single day. I eat two PB Balls that I make with Natural peanut butter, shredded coconut, pure maple syrup, flavored protein powder or collagen powder. I have made chocolate covered dates with PB and nuts inside. I make a Protein Ninja creami with all the different flavors, Yasso bars, mini helado pops, I make pudding with fairlife protein shake and SF FF pudding mix. I also do eat regular sweets. See's candy, regular ice cream, candy bars. I just track it and allocate the calories for it or not. I just found built puff bars and omg these are amazing!! I want your recipe! those look dang delish!

Yes, and it's annoying as hell like I do not even sometimes want to eat after all the gurgling. I just wanna throw whatever I'm eating against the wall. My gurgling starts as soon as food hits the stomach. It doesn't happen at the end. It's like right when I start eating. 🙄🙄

You are definitely not alone in all of this lovely. I have gone through that (still am) feeling of missing foods, and missing eating like I did! I think it was the familiarity and comfort that came with eating whatever I wanted, often to excess. It was my coping mechanism! It can feel very lonely and disorientating after surgery when that crutch is gone. My experience now where I can eat more, is that I still allow myself a 'treat', with is often some form of food that I am craving in terms of flavour if that makes sense! Like I will have a hot dog for dinner one evening, because I know that is isn't something I do with any kind of frequency! You can and will find new things you enjoy, and honestly, not having that control that food had over me previously has been a blessing. You're still early doors, but you will get there ❤️

Cross-addiction after bariatric surgery is something I didn’t expect, but it hit hard. I swapped food for alcohol and didn’t even notice at first. Therapy helped, but I also needed structure and support from people who understood. I’ve heard that abbeycare group's clinics offer solid programs for addiction recovery, including for those of us dealing with post-surgery struggles. Finding the right help makes a huge difference in breaking the cycle.

Hi guys, I've been very up and down with my emotions on this journey I have taken only 6 weeks ago. I am struggling mentally with intrusive food thoughts and I am coming to terms with just how serious a problem I had around food and still do, its early days. I know many of you have been through the same struggles emotionally. I was just looking for your experiences to reassure me that I'm not alone in this and that things will get better. I don't regret having the sleeve because I am feeling so much better health wise, I'm just struggling! I don't eat or crave junk food anymore, I just miss eating and my mind is telling me I'm hungry when I know I'm not! Thank you for hearing me out again! x

I had the bypass surgery and already it doesn’t hurt to drink water or protein shakes. I’m in a lot of post op pain but excited for the future when I can simply enjoy food again. 3 months of nasty protein shakes and then normal food. I can’t wait.