Hi everyone -

I am being sleeved July 15th and there is no doubt in my mind that this is exactly what I want. I have been practically living on this forum reading everything I can and it has been so helpful. I see that post op, the intake is so small, and even am reading that from people who are a few months out from surgery. My question is, do you ever get to a point where you can eat a regular meal again? Or is it forever just a few bites and then you are done? I think I am subconsciously starting to mourn the loss of food after eating so much over the years. That being said, I am willing to give it all up if that is what it takes to help me get healthy again. I do worry some about how you have enough energy to get through the day when you aren't eating very much. I work in a really busy ER and I am afraid I will start feeling weak and shaky at a moment when I need to be on my toes. Would love to hear anyone's input on this - thanks

Kathy

I'll tell you something. I lost 30 pounds so far and have lost half a shoe size.

This is due to less weight bearing down on my arches and therefore my foot isn't as long so the thing about pressure on your joints is true.Good luck with everything.Seaview

I returned from my 25th anniversary "dream trip" to Italy a few weeks ago. Since food is such a big part of Italian culture, I was worried that I would feel like I was missing out on not being able to eat a whole lot while I was there. I was almost regretting going on the trip just thinking about it. Luckily, Italians take forever (compared with the way Americans eat) with their meals and are never in a hurry. I was able to eat plenty at a nice slow pace, enjoyed wine, and enjoyed my husband's company. We had several 2-3 hr dinners, and one even lasted 4 hrs. This gave me time to digest one course before the next was served.

Now at home, I find that I still like to eat even more slowly than I did before. If you do that, you will find that you finish your meal at about the same time the people that can eat a lot of food do. And since you'll be full, you won't miss all that extra food you won't eat. As Tiffy said, the farther you are out, the more you'll be able to eat. But it takes time, so be patient and enjoy the ride to Skinnyville - ha!

We were in Florida a month or so ago and the speed with which the waiting staff whisk your plate away and immediately produce the next course actually began to really annoy us. We tried asking for a pause with our waiter but then his colleague seeing a lapse brought the food anyway!! This really doesn't work for me as I need time to eat and enjoy.

Italian eating is lovely, really leisurely and laid back.

Edited June 12, 201016 yr by Jane_J
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Jane, I see that you had your VSG in Brno, before your surgery did you have a StaroBrno tumno (dark)? I once crossed country borders just for that beer. The museum there also has some lovely works including a Reubens, did you go?

Jane, I see that you had your VSG in Brno, before your surgery did you have a StaroBrno tumno (dark)? I once crossed country borders just for that beer. The museum there also has some lovely works including a Reubens, did you go?

Sadly I did not have time. Had Sunday dinner at the hotel after I arrived in the afternoon, nice wine but no beer, and then was at the clinic the next day having tests and staying in for the op on Tuesday morning. Flew back Friday 5.00pm, so no sightseeing at all.

Have been to Prague though, nice place but now overrun by chavvy British stag & hen parties. :thumbup:

I can definitely understand your concern. All I can say is here I am at 3 weeks, not even on full solid foods yet and I already feel more normal than I expected to. Yes I'm eating differently, but I'm pretty darn satisfied, and I haven't touched a simple carb yet. I know on solid food when all options are open to me I'll feel even more normal.

I have an album on flickr for my surgery and I have been posting food pictures any time I eat something new. Again I'm only at 3 weeks so I'm sure the look of that will change, too. But if you are interested you can bookmark my photo set and see whenever I add new foods:

WLS Stuff - a set on Flickr

I also have a blog and I plan to do regular "Things I've Been Eating" posts. Only done one so far and haven't caught up which is why I also linked you to the photos since those ARE caught up. But here is my blog if you want to follow along there too:

Health and Happiness

Also there is a fantastic blog called The World According to Eggface. She does regular posts called "A Day in my Pouch" where she shows everything she eats all day, and she shared TONS of her own recipes. She is a bypass patient so many things are sugar free, and it's up to you if you chose to go that route or not, but I find many of her recipes to be super appealing. Looking at her blog really made ME feel like hey, I can eat normal things. Hopefully it will help you feel that way too.

theworldaccordingtoeggface

Oh and as far as the energy for your job... my energy is pretty good at 3 weeks. I need naps, but I always did before. I would say I have the same energy as I did before. I get all my protein, water, and vitamins, and I walk almost every day 3 miles and I think all of those things help. Also eating 5-6 times a day at 2-3 hour intervals and having your protein spread throughout the day helps maintain your metabolism and energy. When you go back to work, you must not neglect YOU. Set timers on your phone or watch and make sure you are drinking water all day long and eating when you are supposed to and that should really help the energy.

My energy does plummet, depending on if I'm having good food days or bad food days. Bad is when I missed some Protein...so I've started some B-12 Shots, twice a week. Just passed the 6 month mark and this is what I eat...up until Supper time, but days are almost ALWAYS the same, it is easier at work to plan them.

Breakfast: 3/4 cup high protein kashi crunch, with 1/2 cup skim milk

Snack: 1 small banana

Snack: 1 cheese stick

Lunch: 5 oz tyson oven roasted dice chicken breast

Snack: another cheese stick--only way I'm able to curve my love of cheese!

Snack: mini popcorn bag

Supper: 5-6 oz of whatever is for supper (casserole, fish, etc)

Snack: mini choc bar (here lately anyway)

I only drink Water these days, but I get in 48-60 oz regularly...sometimes I drink about 3-4 oz of Dr. Pepper and I get really excited, lol.

I had a family reunion this past weekend and the line was soooo long that I just ate off my families plates. They are use to it by now...bite of this, bite of that...I was happy. I still have 100 lbs or more to lose, but I'm not nearly has depressed about missing food as I was before...it does get better!

Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks for all the input - funny how in the time leading up to your surgery you are an emotional yo-yo......excited, scared, happy, worried, hopeful, obsessing...but never doubting. I love reading all the posts and seeing the pics from everyone, it is so inspiring. Christy thanks, I am going to check out your "stuff." lol

Kathy

Wow Christie! You can eat all of those different things at 3 weeks out? I was figuring I would still be eating cream soups then. There is hope....

I'll tell you something. I lost 30 pounds so far and have lost half a shoe size.

This is due to less weight bearing down on my arches and therefore my foot isn't as long so the thing about pressure on your joints is true.Good luck with everything.Seaview

I lost 85lbs 10 years ago (with the help of OA) and went down 1 1/2 shoe sizes due to my feet being less pudgy! I can't wait for that again.

Thanks for everyone's comments- the ability to enjoy a regular meal (and restaurants) was a concern for me too! You guys are very reassuring for us newbies...

We were in Florida a month or so ago and the speed with which the waiting staff whisk your plate away and immediately produce the next course actually began to really annoy us. We tried asking for a pause with our waiter but then his colleague seeing a lapse brought the food anyway!! This really doesn't work for me as I need time to eat and enjoy.

Italian eating is lovely, really leisurely and laid back.

LOL! My husband is european and his parents just visited us. It drives us CRAZY that the waitstaff do that here in the US! They pull your plate away here while you're still chewing and ask you if you want something more, or just the check. It's an awful american thing. In Europe, they also don't bring the check until you ask for it; you don't feel like you're being rushed out the door.

thanks KathyM for directing me to this thread. it has answered alot of my fears and thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post here too. best of luck to you all!

I don't understand it Tiffany. Before surgery, if I didn't eat, I would get the shakes and/or develop a headache, but now....no hunger, no shakes, headache, nothing. How can that be??

I never and still do not experience any hunger. I just eat because I know I have to. I rarely got shaky, or totally weak. Especially once I got to mushies and was hitting my Protein goals almost every day. I survived on 600-800 calories very easily.

I drink sometimes once a week, 4oz of Riesling or a German called Eisswein wine. I did refrain for several months because alcohol is just wasted calories.

When we go out to a bar, or I go out with my girlfriends, I do rum/cokes, occasionally white russians, and various shots. I have zero issues with alcohol.

I don't understand it Tiffany. Before surgery, if I didn't eat, I would get the shakes and/or develop a headache, but now....no hunger, no shakes, headache, nothing. How can that be??

I don't understand it either. Maybe something switches when we shed the pounds, and our bodies/metabolism levels out. I'm not sure at all, but I'm not complaining LOL ! ! !:thumbup:

Seaview .. I am envious of your energy. That hasn't been my experience at all. I am 7 weeks out and still pretty sluggish and I eat very well. I move when I can, drink my fluids and eat my Proteins. I think I have connected with a few people here that are experience the same as myself so you are lucky!

KathyM .. I think, like you, I was mourning the loss of any social aspect and eating regular meals prior to my surgery but I can tell you that changes very quickly. My experience has been like a weight has lifted off of my shoulders in NOT having to think about this stuff. The freedom is quite spectacular.

Good luck and keep us informed with your progress.