Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Do you ever "forget" you had surgery?



Recommended Posts

I had surgery 8 months ago, and I think about it probably every hour or two still, which isn't really what I was expecting. I was hoping that it would become "second nature" and I would just be eating less and feeling great. I am eating less, but I am uncomfortable after every meal: If I eat so little that I'm not uncomfortable, then I'm super hungry in 20 minutes. I only stay "full" (not HUNGRY) if I am stuffed after I eat.

There are some good ways in which I can't forget I had surgery: I every time I see myself in a mirror (Like in the bathroom) I realize how much smaller I am, and every time I get dressed I think my clothes are so small they can't possibly fit. Also, I can walk faster and I fit in plane seats better.

But I'm always cold, so it's hard to forget when I'm freezing all the time.

I know that part of it is that I'm always on these message boards and support groups, but I was hoping to feel more comfortable and "used to" having had surgery. Is anyone who is a few years out NOT thinking about surgery every few hours?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery 14 months ago and I do forget about the actual surgery part but not about the fact that I am watching my weight still. I don’t think I will ever be able to forget that because if I do I will gain. If the two of those things are intertwined for you you may not ever really forget all about it either.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't think I will ever forget about having the surgery. I like you get uncomfortable after eating if I eat even slightly too much food. I guess this is something I have to live with but the alternative is that I could have not had the surgery and still been carrying an extra 100 pounds of body weight on me. I understand it is a life change and if I have to feel a little uncomfortable after over eating, then I will be more careful about how much I eat. I find that like you I don't get full for very long and end up grazing on some Snacks later. I find this an issue in the evening. I try to keep some nuts and fruits around or some diet friendly chips like Snacklins around (yucca based chips, less than 100 calories per bag) to help with the hunger without killing my calorie intake.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I bet the reason that I am able to forget about it more than the two of you is because my restriction doesn’t kick in unless I eat more than I should so I am acting more like I am just on a diet restricting my portions myself with the added bonus of still slightly decreased hunger hormones.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, lizonaplane said:

Is anyone who is a few years out NOT thinking about surgery every few hours?

All the time.

But honestly, i forgot about having “the surgery” not much after i stopped feeling the surgery recovery pains.

After losing a bunch or weight and no longer hating food (around 3 months post), it just sort of became a new normal, you know?

But at the same time, I will always identify as a WLS patient, its just not forefront in the mind.

Time (and repetition) changes what is normal.

Im not sure if i made any sense with all that, but it’s the best i can do and it makes sense to me, lol.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

All the time.

But honestly, i forgot about having “the surgery” not much after i stopped feeling the surgery recovery pains.

After losing a bunch or weight and no longer hating food (around 3 months post), it just sort of became a new normal, you know?

But at the same time, I will always identify as a WLS patient, its just not forefront in the mind.

Time (and repetition) changes what is normal.

Im not sure if i made any sense with all that, but it’s the best i can do and it makes sense to me, lol.

So, you don't feel pain when you eat anymore? How can I do that?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I'm hungry I eat. I eat to my plan which became my normal way of eating by about 6 months post-op. I eat my meals but rarely until I am full. Full is not comfortable so I try not to get there. The content of my meals are as they were 6 months post-op, but it's not as if I measure anything. I don't count calories or grams. I haven't done so since about 3 months post-op.

All my choices and habits were built because of Gastric Bypass 18+ years ago, but it's the habits I pay attention to now, not the surgery then.

When I am full it's because I am full. This is how full feels. I eat what and how I eat because it's what and how I eat.

Ask a Non-op why they eat the way they do now. Ask them how full feels. Does it hurt? It's the way it is.

For me the question was "Does eating ever feel normal again?" Yes. A new normal, but yes.

Good luck,

Tek

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just now, The Greater Fool said:

When I'm hungry I eat. I eat to my plan which became my normal way of eating by about 6 months post-op. I eat my meals but rarely until I am full. Full is not comfortable so I try not to get there. The content of my meals are as they were 6 months post-op, but it's not as if I measure anything. I don't count calories or grams. I haven't done so since about 3 months post-op.

All my choices and habits were built because of Gastric Bypass 18+ years ago, but it's the habits I pay attention to now, not the surgery then.

When I am full it's because I am full. This is how full feels. I eat what and how I eat because it's what and how I eat.

Ask a Non-op why they eat the way they do now. Ask them how full feels. Does it hurt? It's the way it is.

For me the question was "Does eating ever feel normal again?" Yes. A new normal, but yes.

Good luck,

Tek

But I feel hungry within 20 minutes unless I eat to "uncomfortable". I don't mean "head hungry" I mean ravenous, I would eat anything. So, I'm always either too full or too hungry after a meal. And I can't eat salad anymore, which used to be one of my favorites. The only things that don't hurt are ground meat and cheese.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

40 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

So, you don't feel pain when you eat anymore? How can I do that?

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I will feel pain if i overeat (which I rarely do now). I guess im just saying i’ve been on auto-pilot for so long that it just feels like normal every day living.

Kinda like when I hurt my shoulder, I stopped using it a certain way, and now it just how i use my shoulder, and no longer “i don’t do this or that because i have an injured shoulder”. Does that make sense?

Its just a state or mind or how i look at things I guess. Essentially its the same situation, i just employ a different perspective. Which makes a difference.

Edited by ms.sss

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, The Greater Fool said:

All my choices and habits were built because of Gastric Bypass 18+ years ago, but it's the habits I pay attention to now, not the surgery then.
< … >

For me the question was "Does eating ever feel normal again?" Yes. A new normal, but yes.



+1000


EXACTLY.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, lizonaplane said:

But I feel hungry within 20 minutes unless I eat to "uncomfortable". I don't mean "head hungry" I mean ravenous, I would eat anything. So, I'm always either too full or too hungry after a meal. And I can't eat salad anymore, which used to be one of my favorites. The only things that don't hurt are ground meat and cheese.

I'm sorry you are having difficulty.

It may take a bit more time to settle into a workable routine. You are still a bit new at this thing. Hang in there.

Good luck,

Tek

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

34 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

But I feel hungry within 20 minutes unless I eat to "uncomfortable". I don't mean "head hungry" I mean ravenous, I would eat anything. So, I'm always either too full or too hungry after a meal. And I can't eat salad anymore, which used to be one of my favorites. The only things that don't hurt are ground meat and cheese.

Ok, the way i see it, given your current situation, you have two choices:

1) eat to uncomfortable so you can postpone the feelings of hunger a little longer;

OR

2) eat to comfort and then have to eat again a little sooner to address the hunger.

Which is worse? Feeling uncomfortable due to fullness, or feeling hungry? Which lasts longer? Which makes you feel worse about yourself?

Now pick the lesser of the two evils.

For now .

(cuz nothing is forever!)

It may sound simplistic and an over-generalization, but i think the source of many of our angsts is the constant Quest to get back to feeling or being how we were pre-op. Just a thought.

P.S. If meat and cheese are the only things that are agreeable, so be it (at least its not chips and chocolate!…small victories, i guess!). You’ll find a groove eventually, i’m willing to bet. If its any consolation, i’ve read many of your posts and you seem to have a good enough handle on things that I don’t doubt it.

Good Luck! ❤️

Edited by ms.sss

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is what I do. I eat and then eat a little something later to deal with the hunger. I find little Snacks that are sensible really help a lot between larger meals. And...of course...water first to make sure it is just not thirst.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Kinda in line with what Ms.sss suggested, when I was early out I needed Fiber as many of us do and I wanted to get it from food to get off the supplements. I would eat My Protein for dinner and veggies as a snack. Perhaps if you ate a slightly lighter dinner and then ate a veggie a little while later?? Would that make you feel full without feeling discomfort?? I know it’s not ideal but neither is being in pain daily. I guess I would run it by my team first because it could be close to grazing to eat just an hour or so later but maybe given the way your body is responding something out of the normal is what is needed?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

Kinda in line with what Ms.sss suggested, when I was early out I needed Fiber as many of us do and I wanted to get it from food to get off the supplements. I would eat My Protein for dinner and veggies as a snack. Perhaps if you ate a slightly lighter dinner and then ate a veggie a little while later?? Would that make you feel full without feeling discomfort?? I know it’s not ideal but neither is being in pain daily. I guess I would run it by my team first because it could be close to grazing to eat just an hour or so later but maybe given the way your body is responding something out of the normal is what is needed?

Actually, because I was dealing with a lot of hunger, my surgical center said it would be okay for me to eat plain, non-starchy veggies between meals, but because of my travel (and also my dental issues!) I have had a lot of trouble doing that.

It's been drilled into me so well not to graze, so I think I've just been eating a lot at meals (Not A LOT, just ... maybe 3 oz of meat, 3 oz of veg, but it still hurts, especially fruit and salad, which I love). I am going to try to slow down some more, see if that helps.

The other thing I'm struggling with is how nauseous I get from my Multivitamin. I would say about once a fortnight I will actually throw up. I've tried three different brands, and the best I've found is to take it with a heavy snack before bed. This week it's been low sugar trail mix, which I never ate before surgery, but seems to work well for me now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×