LumpySpacePrincess

Jane, who did you go through? I live in NJ now but am from WA and might consider having my plastic surgery out there so I can stay with my mom for a few weeks during recovery.

As a Counselling Psychology PhD candidate, and someone who is recovering from Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia (exercise type), it really saddens me that so many people who suffer "food addiction" aren't aware there is a lot of very good psychological support available out there; or they are ashamed to come forward and talk about their food issues. I really honestly can't tell you how much seeing a therapist has changed my perception of food and portions over the last year. I no longer have to choose between avoiding or altering my favorite foods, but can enjoy them in moderation without the psychological backlash that would either lead to over-restriction, binge behavior, or exercising until I was out of my mind. Thank you so much for writing this article. I really believe it will help a lot of people.

I think the reason you're not eating is very valid. Who would feel like eating after all that? Is it possible to switch from the Slim Fast to something like Enusre that has more calories? Anything liquid that has more calories would be great to keep you from losing more weight. I hope you start to feel better soon!

Surgery was the end of Nov 2013 and all went without a hitch. Lately, though, I've been experiencing breathing problems. Its like sometimes I can't take a deep breath and it feels like I'm constantly trying. I think its called "air hunger." It doesn't hurt, its just really stressful and annoying. I had this as a kid, too, but it would only last until I could get that one satisfying breath in. Now this has been going on for two weeks, and the last couple of days it has been all day where before it was only in the evening. It is more prevalent after I eat, so I thought it might be reflux and have been taking my PPI. I don't have asthma or any other type of respiratory issue that I'm aware of, so I'm wondering if maybe the intubation caused something and I never noticed until now? Wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

Thanks for the reply. I saw my doctor today, and she told me its actually a fairly common result of me stopping my benzodiazapine medication I had been on for two years. Apparently withdrawal can cause some nasty side effects but she said they would go away on their own after awhile.

LOL, luckily the Bay Area is quite delicious in July/Aug. It's actually sometimes the hottest in Sept/Oct, so HHD's can be rough...I don't know how our cantor does it!! By Neilah he can sound quite croaky! This year will be interesting, I think, since I don't eat much now anyway. Though, I am wondering if I can get a heter to drink a little bit on fast days since keeping hydrated is so important for us post-ops.

You'll be fine. I did the same thing. My surgeon told me as long as there is no pain, there is no problem. If there is pain, its most likely that its just stuck a little. Take a sip of water and walk around and you will be just fine.

I had the same orders, but a lovely nurse that was watching me for recovery gave me these moist lemon mouth swabs to wet my mouth with. They don't have enough moisture for you to swallow, but they give a little dry mouth relief. I can't get through Yom Kippur without Water either. Tish b'Av is even worse since its in the middle of summer. Oy!

Anorexia is a real complication of weight loss surgery. I would consult a psychologist and get this problem sorted out. I have binge eating disorder and bulimia, and my therapist and I are keeping a very careful watch on my restrictive tendencies. If you need help finding someone, please private message me. My therapist and I have helped dozens of people find psychologists all over the country. That being said, I don't think 500 calories per day for your time out is that bad. I'm 6 months out and I average about 650 per day. I feel fine on this amount, so my nutritionist said I can stay there as long as I continue to feel OK. She wants me at 1000 calories per day at a year out. The only other thing I could tell you is to find a Protein shake that you really like and sip them all day to at least get some protein in. Vitamins are essential, too, if you're that low. Other than that, I think you're doing fine.

There's a great place in the village called Sacred Chow. They are vegan, but the food they make is absolutely ah-mazing! You can get your Protein in and your sister will love the food, too. Also look for Schawarma places. If you're not familiar with that, its a roast, shredded meat (usually lamb or chicken) in a sandwich, but they will gladly serve it to you without bread. Top with tahini or hummus and an Israeli salad (cucumbers and tomatoes) on the side and it is fabulous. Seafood is always a safe choice as well. Steamed crab legs are really low in calories and high in protein, so you can feel free to have a little bit of butter with them. To be honest, I don't think you really have to look for specific places. The amount you can eat is so small as long as you choose things from the menus wisely you should be OK. I have eaten out regularly since my surgery and it hasn't harmed me any. Just keep the same food rules eating out that you would at home: protein and produce before carbs and crap. Most restaurants are more than happy to accommodate items for you.

Pregnancy will stretch out everything, so its best to wait for plastics until you're done having kids. The few plastic surgeons I have talked to asked me if I planned on having more kids (nope) and said they are reluctant to do any kind of surgery on women who aren't done childbearing yet.

I had to sign a form stating that I agreed to not intentionally get pregnant for a minimum of 2 years after the surgery. That said, no, your sleeve will not stop working as long as you don't increase your portions. The amount we should eat at 2 years post-op is more than sufficient to support a fetus. I would also add that while pregnant you shouldn't change your diet up much. Pregnancy cravings might get to you, but if you indulge too much you probably will gain back a lot of weight.

I don't know where in NJ you live, but I had BCBS NJ insurance and was approved using Dr. Bagloo at Valley Health in Ridgewood. They are an excellent facility, so if you're not too far away it would definitely be worth the drive.

I know a whole family of people who were genetically predisposed to a certain, very fatal form of stomach cancer. Since there was no way to test to see who had the gene that caused it, they all got their entire stomachs removed. That was 20 years ago, and as far as I know they're all still alive and extremely healthy.

So far, I'm happy with the pounds I've lost, and the inches, but the one thing that bothers me the most is that my FUPA isn't getting smaller at all. I have measured both its width and its girth every month since I started this journey and there has been absolutely no change. Now I look really deformed, with most of me much smaller and this big huge roll of fat on my lower abdomen. Looks like I swallowed a life preserver! It makes finding clothes that fit properly nearly impossible and I know people are staring at it. I have 68 pounds left to lose and I'm wondering if it will ever go away?? When did yours start to diminish? Although I was toying with the idea of getting plastics just to remove it, the cost is extremely prohibitive for this poor graduate student. This is so depressing!

I bought a tiny crock pot and usually cook a big batch of something on Fridays to eat for the whole week. One week I just cooked up some chicken breast in broth and seasonings and shredded it when it was nice and soft. I used it in various recipes the whole week...topped with cheese, in taco salad, etc. This week I made a chicken enchilada Soup that is only 110 calories per half cup! Week before that it was Thai green curry. I've also made low-cal Swedish meatballs, chicken soup with veggies, and loads of other things.

I drink a home-brewed Cappuccino every morning, and have since I was a month out. From what I understand, coffee can cause some pretty bad GERD symptoms in sleeve patients, so they tell you to stop drinking it to prevent that. My surgeon and nutritionist say it is OK after 4-6 weeks and as long as it does not cause GERD symptoms.

My understanding is they don't put pork on the pre-op list because most people will interpret that as bacon, sausages, and hot dogs which are loaded with fat and calories, not to mention it is a sodium bomb that can make you retain Water. Pork also does not sit very well with many post-op so it might be good to get used to not having it in your diet for awhile. There are some very lean pork options, like very lean ham steak, but still watch out for the sodium and nitrates.

There are, but its very hard to get doctors to prescribe them. I also think you should really tough out the pre-op diet, because it gives you a good look at what the first couple months of your diet after the sleeve will look like. When you find yourself eating things that aren't on your plan, stop for a few minutes and think about what is driving that motivation. Are you bored, lonely, feel like you're missing something, anxious? Self analyzing in these situations becomes extremely important after the surgery.

Whenever I hear someone say things like this it brings me back to this time last year when I was struggling with the same issues. I encourage you to get screened for eating disorders; actually, I encourage everyone getting WLS to get screened for them. food is an important and deeply meaningful thing that does many things for us psychologically. Therapy is always good (provided you find a therapist who treats those with eating issues), and I know I wouldn't be so successful with my surgery without my therapist.

It can take awhile for hormones to regulate, especially if your period was erratic before surgery. You can talk to your OB/GYN about putting you on the pill which will give you a regular period.

When I feel like my weight loss is slowing down, I go back to my post-op diet. 1 week full liquids (no more than 4 ounces of any liquid in one sitting, no chunks), 3 weeks of purees (1/4 cup per meal, no more than every 3 hours), soft solids for 3 weeks (again, no more than 1/4 cup), and then onto regular solids in a reduced portion size. No oils, mayo, butter, full fat cheeses, sugar, starchy vegetables, bread, rice, Pasta or wheat. If you feel your problem is that you can't stop yourself from eating certain foods or large portions, it might be good to find a therapist who deals with overeating and binge eating. I know I couldn't be as successful as I am without my therapist!

Over the last month or so, I have noticed an increasing shift in my view of other overweight individuals. Yesterday, a friend of mine who is considered super morbidly obese posted an article about fat acceptance. Part of the article talked about how doctors need to be nicer to obese people and not blame everything on their weight. Most of the rest just talked about how overweight people should be loved no matter what. Before surgery, I would have completely agreed with 100% of this article. Now that I am on the other side, my perspective has changed drastically. In no way do I think anyone should be put down or pushed around because of their size, or any other part of their appearance for that matter. Everyone is equally deserving of love and respect. However, I have a decreasing tolerance for these "beautiful as you are" campaigns as they relate to obesity. They are basically telling women we are fine the way we are, don't change. The problem is, they are being used as emotional security blankets for so many people to not make the necessary changes to become healthy individuals. How can I, as someone who, until very recently was considered super morbidly obese and had 100% of all my health issues resolved when I lost the weight simply tell other overweight individuals that they are fine the way they are? I understand doctors so much better now. I was embarrassed and humiliated when my OB/GYN told me a few years ago that I was one of the largest patients she'd ever seen, and she also treats metabolic problems in women. I didn't want to go back after she got upset because I'd gained 40 pounds on metformin. But now I realize one crucial point: doctors are not trying to be cruel, they're telling us a truth we're not ready to hear. That same doctor saved my life when she told me I needed weight loss surgery. I had to write to my friend privately and tell her just that. I told her I love her and I believe she is a beautiful individual, a talented professional and so gifted in so many areas of her life, but I can no longer tell her that being obese is OK because that's just who she is. I'm wondering how many others have changed perspective after losing a lot of weight? I hope I'm not coming across as harsh, but I see the years of denial I went through and don't like to see others suffer the same fate. The truth might be heartbreaking for some to hear, but it would be even more heartbreaking to not say something and watch someone slowly suffer.

Yeah, the catheter can cause your urethra and bladder muscles to become lazy, so its pretty common. That's why they want it out of you as soon as possible. You might also find when you go home that you have a weak pee stream for a few weeks. This is totally normal too and fairly common. Just wanted to let you know so you're not surprised by it.

I'd say its pretty normal. I was exhausted until about 4 months out. It gets better!