starfish108

Hi All! It's been one year since surgery. I am a slow loser but have lost about 60 lbs so far. It's been an amazing journey and I am so happy with this decision; the best decision I have ever made in my life. I have learned a lot about myself in this process and also what is working for me and what is not. Definitely the first 6 months are very critical and one should really stick to the eating plans and exercise plans. I am learning about my vices and my emotional eating habits. The addiction to food can be overwhelming. Now I have found that the human tastebuds take a few days to get accustomed to a taste. When I cut out the process foods and junk foods, the first few days are hard. But then it’s easier to stop and the cravings reduce. It’s amazing how we as humans adapt. Now that I am eating less and healthier, weight is just coming off and I am not craving. I had a bad patch around Christmas time when I was eating SO much. I couldn’t control it. But Then I started slowly changing my habits, and then it became easier. One thing really helped me: fasting. The 5:2 method of intermittent fasting has been a life saver. I do at least one full day of fasting per week. This has been the single most helpful thing for me. One doesn’t need to eat a lot to survive. All the evidence out there about fasting is amazing and true. Watch the BBC documentary: chocolate, cheese, meat, and Sugar -- Physically Addictive Fat Sick and Nearly Dead Sugar the Bitter Truth Metabolism and Nutrition: The Inside Story of Obesity So far so good guys! I am thankful to this forum as a support. Looking forward to year two!!

I am now in ONE-derland! I'm so excited! Plan to be here in the long run !

Thanks for the encouragement. @Aileen, the Protein shakes are really important. I used Spiruteen Cookies and creme because it was a flavor I liked. I had no issues and recovered in less than 10 days. The first few days were very hard, but then got easier and easier. Sugarfree popsicles are a must! Honestly, for me everything was the same, you just eat way less. Like now my eyes have trained to get smaller portiions. When I see someone eat "normal" portions, sometimes I can't believe I used to eat that or double. I just take very little food each meal and its usually more than enough to satisfy. I am hungrier often, but you just have to learn to adapt. You will find your own techniques and learn from experience

I am also a very slow looser. I had surgery in Feb 2013 and now am down only 40 lbs...that's 8 months out. I travel a lot and definately eat irregularly and don't must admit the regular exercise has dwindled. Any advice?

I am also about 6 months out and have lost about 40 lbs since surgery. Seems slow, but I am happy with the gradual loss actually. I had a RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) test done and found that for my body, the amount of calories I would burn in a day is 1260. This is quite low, even the doc said some people are just made that way. Anyways, not a justification, but good to know that sometimes you're battling nature too. I am doing well, I avg about 900 cal a day and I exercise regularly. I must admit I am totally not eating healthy. I just eat what I want, but much less. Snacking has been an issue, but I still lose 1-2 lbs a week. Anyways, Hope it continues. I am sooo happy with this surgery and would NEVER want to go back to the way I was.

Thanks for this update. I think my honeymoon is over too. I had surgery in February, so that's 2.5 months ago. Since surgery I have only lost 21 lbs. Since I started the bariatric program I have lost an additional 10 lbs. So that's about 31 total. Not miraculous but I am happy to see the weight going down. I recently joined a gym and really have to hit hard at least 4 days a week. I am meticulous on the MFP app and rarely cross 800-900 cal. (on a couple splurge days I saw it reach 1000 and I agree with you, all the grazing adds up.) I have a stomach of steel too, I have had no nausea or any issues...if I eat fast I just feel deathly full. I also saw a dietician to get me on track and of course its all stuff we know: eat your protein first, don't eat carbs, drink your water, exercise. We have the knowledge, just implementing it is hard. I need to stay motivate and look at the bigger picture here.

When I upped my calories from 500 to now at least 800-900 I started loosing weight. I wonder if its a metabolism thing, you need to find your optimal zone. Try different foods, mix it up a bit. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Maybe I am a slow loser...started preop at 265. Now at 238 (down 27 lbs). On Feb 11th was 255 so am only down 17 since surgery. Feels really slow. Protein is not the main part of my diet and using myfitnesspal I see that I get in a lot of carbs. I am starting up at the gym again tomorrow (had just been walking 20 min a day otherwise.) Seems like I'm below average here ... Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm 2.5 weeks out and have only lost 10 lbs. I feel things are slowing down. I use myfitnesspal and usually only get about 500 cal or under. 20 min brisk walk a day. What gives!?? Will it get better ? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Yes that's true. I am not in rush but was told that the first few months are the "honeymoon" period, the optimal window to loose. I just don't want to miss that. I think I'm doing everything right. I admit, I do have a strong head hunger. Cravings are intense, hunger feels so real. I pretty much feel the same as before! Hope it shifts.

BMI is mid 40s. It's little frustrating ...I hope it speeds up! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm about 2 weeks out. I think I pulled an abdominal muscle on my lower left side. The only pain free position to sleep is on my back. But, I am so sick of sleeping on my back, its uncomfy! Due to pain, cannot sleep any other way. I used to be a stomach sleeper, but don't dare try that. Even turning to the side is excruciating. Do others have this problem? What can I do? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Had to attend a social event this weekend though I am less than 2 weeks out. I couldn't believe how food centric socializing is and I really had to fake it. Despite being super careful, I ended up indulging ...1/2 an asiago bagel with cream cheese, nacho bar, and a small piece of chocolate cake. Being around food was hard and I craved just a few bites..before I knew it I was eating considerably more than id have liked to. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm 12 days post op and day 1-4 were horrible! I couldn't take the pain, the gas and the "hunger" pains/nausea. It gets better. Take pain meds BEFORE it hurts. Be regular about it. I still have a weird muscular pain in my lower left abdomen. Getting in and out of bed still hurts. Hoping that goes away. Hang in there...worst is over ! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Sugarfree Popsicles for sure Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi All, So now I'm past a week post-op and wanted to know if others experience pain when eating or drinking. Basically, it starts as an unpleasantness, and then I feel my stomach actually contorting and moving- follows by a burp. It's weird because I have hunger and experience appetite but going down hurts and when the food remains there digesting it hurts. I'm on purées and soft foods- having mostly Soup, shake, soft cheese, yogurts. Sometimes soft cream of wheat hot Cereal. Occasional bite of tofurky or a tiny bite of a cracker coz I crave the crunchy mouthfeel. Any advice? Or is my stomach just swollen and this will pass.

Thanks for your tips. Tofurkey slices are a good idea. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi TES, Thanks for your post. I am on day 8 post op and am also a vegetarian. I have taken off 2 weeks from work and I see why it's needed. Like you say, I don't have total mental focus just yet. I am still struggling with abdominal pain and am taking Lortab liquid just at night, otherwise getting out of bed and movin is very painful. After leaving the hospital we are on Stage 2 of the diet, which is purée and soft foods. I admit getting Protein has been hard. I like all your veggie suggestions though. I usually have a shake (which counts as 2 meals) and then 2oz Soup with a laughing cow wedge, maybe 2 tbs Greek yogurt, and maybe 2 tbs soft Indian kitcheri (like Dahl n rice). Legumes and Beans also count as protein but if your still being careful to only consume liquid maybe you can purée them. Protein is a challenge, but I am doing my best. I haven't heard about its being related to rapid hair loss if you don't have enough the first two weeks. The other thing I am gonna try soon is getting egg whites and making a soft scramble. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi, Sorry if I am reposting, but the forum is not very intuitive. Looking for info on a monthly support group in the Bay Area. Prefer South Bay, Mountain View, Palo Alto or Fremont. Thanks!

Hi, Sorry if I am reposting, but this forum is not very intuitive. I am looking for monthly support groups in the Bay Area, CA? Prefer the South Bay, Mountain View or Palo Alto or Fremont. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

Thanks for your honesty! I am also extremely out of shape and need to start up the same thing. I am one week out at present, but time is going by....

Great article! Not only is ghrelin, the appetite stiumulating hormone, off-the-charts in some of us, the food industry is modifying "foods" to be addictive. Check out this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/food-addiction-could-it-e_b_764863.html Processed foods and sugary foods are biologically engineered to be as addicting as hard drugs. No wonder it's hard. It's a combination of scientific factors that got some of us to the place we are at. Not as simple as "diet and exercise" ....

heres my update: i am also 6 days post op. I had a BM yesterday (finally!) It was painful. My main issue is still inner abdominal pain . Getting in and out of bed is very tough, coughing hurts. I take Lortab pain liquid every six hours no matter what. This is to prevent the pain from becoming unbearable. My body wakes up at around 5.5 hours to remind me to take the Lortab. That's a little scary. Eating has been challenging. I take Protein powder in my Soups or a shake and have about 3 tbs. after that I'm coughing up and burping. Getting h20 has been hard. I try and "eat" 6x a day but it's more like 4 at best. I do walk everyday and have been doing little shopping outings etc but otherwise am so tired all the time. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi I had surgery on the 11th and have been in major pain, nauseousness, dry heaving, I feel like My gut has been ripped out (well it has). 2 days in the hosp now home. On Lortab too. I cannot eat or drink anything, get so sick it comes right up. Gas also has been there but the worst pain is in the abdomen where I think my stomach was cut. I feel like I use that area to get in and out of bed and it's excruciating, I get worried I may develop a hernia. Has been very tough for me, I did not expect such a hard time. Was thinking I would breeze through this having read all the success stories. Like I said there's no pain on earth I have experienced like this post op pain. praying it gets better. Sent from my iPhone using VST