Healthier2day1227

Has anyone done weight watchers post op? I am 18 months out and have gained 9 pounds. I know it's not a lot but weight watchers is running a promotion and I was thinking of trying it out post op. I am really struggling with hunger and I think this might help give me some structure. Or will it not work on people who have had the sleeve because of our metabolism? I don't know the points seem like a lot. Any thoughts? I've been tracking with MFP and need to stay at about 1300 cal to maintain with daily exercise but lately my calories are creeping higher as the hunger becomes more and more demanding. I'm not the lucky one who lost their hunger mine has been with me since the get go and it's not acid because I've tried all kinds of acid blockers they make no difference.

Thanks I ended up joining because I need the accountability for weigh ins. Plus once I hit goal which will be in several weeks it will be free if I maintain. It's actually very similar to what I was doing. They gave me 26 points which is roughly about 1300 calories. I was thinking it would be more because in the past I had 44 points. But that's when I weighed almost 300 pounds.

I reached my goal 165 and size 8. I'm also 5'9. I got as low as 158 after gallbladder surgery but I looked too thin. And when my appetite returned I was able to return to my goal of 165.

I will be honest I am hungry all the time but I try not to let that deter me. I snack a lot on fruits and vegetables. Strawberries and grapes fill me up. Sadly this surgery didn't rid me of hunger I hate to say it but I think it's actually stronger. Sad but true. But I have just learned to live with it because I refuse to gain. Hunger might be slightly uncomfortable but it's not going to kill me.

Dr Ali seems really nice. Dr LePort did mine in 2013.

I am eighteen months out and asked my surgeon this same question but somewhat opposite. As in why is it that some days my sleeve feels huge and other days teeny. Often on days when I've eaten the same things. He said some days your stomach is swollen so it fits less and also when you retain fluids it affects your capacity.

I had my gall bladder removed at exactly one year out. But my first attack started about 4 months out. I kept going to the er and they were treating me for gerd. Finally on my third visit the dr had the sense to do an ultrasound and discovered the stones. They admitted me that night. It is very painful but I have had no trouble since it's been removed. That was 6 months ago.

I think we are supposed to follow high protein and protein first for life. I know I have been letting carbs creep in and that is the culprit.

Thank you! I think the accountability of the weigh ins might be useful.

Lets all share our best and worst well meaning compliments about our weight loss. My best was after returning to work after summer break: where'd you go this summer?! I mean where'd you go? Half of you is gone! Oddest (considering it came from my mother in law): look at you! You're nothing but boobs! Rudest: wow you lost all that weight and it found me. (Yes I am now responsible for others weight gain) But the nicest compliments are the simple, you look great! I know they mean my weight loss and I appreciate the subtlety. What are yours?

I have two boys and I ate two pieces of their candy and logged it in. Then I told them to hide their candy so I wouldn't steal any more. I don't trust myself! I am done with it. The two pieces were only because it was Halloween but no more!

Just wanted to check in. I read this whole thread and it's been very useful. I've been in maintenance since August after reaching my goal with a 140 pound loss. I went pretty low then gained three pounds. So now I am 4 pounds below goal which gives me wiggle room. I found for me the only difference between losing and maintaining is 100 cal. I lost on 1200 and I maintain on 1300. If I increase I will gain. It took me a month of trial and error to make that conclusion. My struggle now is hunger. I am hungry a lot especially in the middle of the night. So I keep protein snacks in the fridge. I'm going to talk to my surgeon about this as o have been on two different ppis and still have hunger which I think is real hunger.

I am 15 months out. I hit goal 2 months ago and even went 10 pounds below goal. Latley my hunger has been out of control and lead to night snacking. Sometimes I will eat for example a chicken breast on a bed of spinach but still be hungry. Or a bowl of turkey chili and still hungry. I take Pepcid AC so I don't think ya acid. In the middle of the night I will wake up ravenous and that leads to bad choices because I am tired. So I will have peanut butter or crackers which I keep on hand for the kids. This snacking has lead to a 5 pound gain. I am still under goal and bmi is 23 but I don't want to go above. I am constantly hungry and I eat 12-1300 cal a day. Does anyone have any tips?

I don't have allergies but that's good to know scooter girl.

Beni that's where my pain was, around the middle. I don't remember having bloating though. The ER goal is simply pain management they just want to throw pain killers at you and call it a day. Hope they figure out what's going on with you.

Beni, yes I had attacks. At 6 months out my stomach hurt so bad I went to the ER. They gave me a GI cocktail which really helped and put me on Pepcid AC, saying it was gerd. They didn't run any tests. A few months later the pain came back and it radiated to my back. I saw my surgeon and he even asked if I still had my gallbladder but ordered no tests. So finally at a year out the pain was incredibly bad and I had to leave work. I went back to the ER and this time they ordered blood tests and an ultrasound. They said it showed I had multiple large stones and they admitted me. Then they did an MRI to make sure the stones had not traveled into the bile duct. The surgery was easy, recovery similar to sleeve except without all the gas or food issues. One thing to watch out for is if the pain worsens when you eat. And it is kind of a gnawing pain, similar to hunger but painful. Good luck!

I had my gallbladder out at one year post op and those were my symptoms.

Basically on day one and two you have all liquid. So protein shakes. Day three is soft foods such as canned fish, canned chicken, cooked eggs. Day 4 is ground meat and soft fish. Day 5 is solid protein such as chicken or beef. You eat as much as you like as long as it's only those items. It is supposed to give you back your restriction and break carb cravings. You can read more about it at 5daypouchtest.com

I know the 5 day pouch test was designed for bypass patients, but has anyone had success using this after the sleeve? I am mainly looking to improve my restriction and also break carb cravings. I've researched it, but was wondering if any of you have tried it and did it help? I am on day one, it is going ok.

Thank you for all the information and reviews. I am on day one. The main reason I am doing it is to try to get back some restriction and break my carb addiction. Did your restriction improve? How are you doing now?

New York and Company has tall sizes in store.

I had the sleeve and it doesn't help with cravings. The reason I chose sleeve over bypass is because I didn't want to experience dumping. I knew there would be times I would want a bite of something sweet, and didn't want to deal with dumping. I have lost 140 pounds with the sleeve and am at goal.

All great ideas everyone! I will try the Prilosec and stocking up on premier protein.

Thanks Lynda, very interesting article. Our body craves what we feed it. I guess in addition to the protein snacks and water I also need to get comfortable with hunger, if it's gonna stick around. As a formerly obese overeater, hunger is something I could never sit with and of course rarely did. Now if I am out of calories, I just deal with it.

No I have heard you can make a Greek yogurt dip with ranch mix. And I use balsamic on my salads but I've never thought of it as a dip. Good idea.