LeanerLena5426

Hey there, Just wanted to let you know that it feels NOTHING like the band, I'm happy to report! No issues whatsoever--I can eat all textures and types of food, just get full quicker. The one issue for me is that because my stomach was in such bad shape after the band, my doc was unable to give me as small of a pouch as he'd wanted to (and what "virgin" stomachs could be given). So, I can eat more than I'd like, unfortunately. But I would take that any day over what I went through with the band! Only regret is that I didn't have the sleeve or bypass first. So glad to hear your recovery is going well, and best of luck with your RNY!

I'm so glad I found this thread!

Hi Ruth, Have you strugged with 'emotional eating' and issues like that? Because it sounds like you're beating yourself up a bit, and I can certainly relate to the emotional side of a weight issue. I would definitely recommend that you try not to beat yourself up! But I also believe--and this is based partly on personal experience--that without making tough changes to the way we approach food, even surgery won't work. I work with a woman who had gastric bypass about 10 years ago, and she weighs about 300lbs now (I guess she continued to overeat, and stretched her pouch and/or at junk food 'sliders'). For me, I had to make serious changes to my lifestyle and my approach to food. It was HARD! People who say that surgery is the easy way out don't have a clue. I really struggled with the mental aspect of it, the way it sounds like you are. My advice would be to give yourself a break, and recognize that if doing it yourself were that easy you would have done it already. It's not easy, it's brutal--so you don't have to beat yourself up for having coffee with caffeine. But I would also suggest that you start the process of making permanent changes. Start small, and realistic, so that you can actually stick to it, and feel good about yourself instead of feeling like a failure. Maybe half-decaf half regular? Or adding in one decaf a day after you've had your caffeine...you get the idea. It's a good way to get used to saying "no" to yourself and not giving in to all your cravings, practicing for post-op. I think you should go ahead and have the surgery, too. You can be honest with the doctors, they know we all struggle with food or we wouldn't be here in the first place. You're not the first patient to struggle with a pre-op diet! As you get closer to the surgery date it becomes more important, because the healthier your body (and your liver) is during surgery the more likely it will be successful (and you'll come out healthy). So keep that in mind too, whenever those urges kick in for something that goes against the doctor's orders. You need to follow the pre-op diet in the weeks right before surgery, for your own safety. You are definitely not alone. A quick search through these forums will reveal a number of people who struggled with this very thing. So don't feel too bad! Best of luck to you.

I'm in Halifax! Definitely looking for connections and support. Local would be great, but it's comforting just knowing there are other East-Coasters out there too! (Sometimes don't you feel like you're the only one???) Drop me a line if you want to!

I can eat two slices of pizza, no problem. I thought I was the only one! (Regular crust, too.) I feel like I can eat A LOT. I have to work really hard to continue losing weight. Not that the sleeve isn't a huge help! But for me, surgery wasn't enough to help me to overcome the cravings, or to restrict enough calories (if I make bad choices). I need to try really hard to make sure I'm making good choices, or I could easily gain all the weight back--sleeve or no sleeve. I understand how you feel. Things were so good right after surgery, then all of a sudden you find you can eat more, and then you find yourself eating something on the "forbidden" list, and your mind starts going crazy! Just don't let it get to you. Stay calm, keep doing what you're doing, and all will be well! You're eating clean, so don't worry about how much you can eat or if you had something you shouldn't have, just stay focused on continuing to eat clean. You've got this.

Awww! Best wishes!!!

Thanks so much! Great to hear the success stories and the different perspectives! And, you look fabulous, congratulations!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you--to all who have shared on this thread. I am fighting my old demons every step of the way; the surgery was not enough. I'm just shy of 4 months out, but I can eat anything, and eat a lot (at least compared to what I was expecting). I am so glad to read all of your stories and hear our shared experiences--it makes me feel so much less alone. And to hear that it's hard but you're still not giving up, that just means the world to me. Thank you all!!! And by the way, my name is Leah, and I'm a food addict.

I'm so glad that you got the support that you were hoping for, and needed. That's wonderful to hear! For me, I wanted to take this journey in private. It's not that I felt those closest to me wouldn't be supportive, I just know that they haven't experienced struggling with their weight like I have. It's not something I like talking about (with naturally thin people, I guess--I love talking to people who understand my struggles and have been where I've been!). I wanted to write letters, like you did, to explain my thinking, and the emotional pain...but I guess I chickened out. So congrats to you for being brave! And I'm so glad you got the outcome that you deserve.

Congratulations!!!!

Aww! What a pain! I just wanted to mention that I spoke to my NUT today, and she said not to worry about total calories. She said as long as I'm hitting my Protein goals, and sticking to the right portion sizes, the calories will be in a good range. That was a relief, hearing her say that. Now at least I won't be stressing and fretting about going over! She also said, if I'm hungry, I should eat. And that I should be eating every 3 hours or so anyway. Every doctor/nutritionist is different of course, but I just thought I'd share. Maybe tomorrow your body will give you a break...fingers crossed!

You're not a failure!! You just went with your gut (haha, no pun intended), and did what you felt was right for YOU.

You're not a failure!! You just went with your gut (haha, no pun intended), and did what you felt was right for YOU.

I think (for what it's worth since I'm no expert!) it's ok to add more calories. I'm reading a book right now that has convinced me that a) starvation mode does exist, and weight loss isn't as simple as calories in vs. calories out. It's by Gary Taubes, and it's a summary of research on obesity done with humans and animals all the way back to the 1700's. I'm loving the book and finding it fascinating, but the bottom line it seems is that eating carbs causes us to gain weight because of the insulin response. So, given the fact that you're already keeping your carbs low AND healthy, I think you're probably ok to go up 100 calories. Others will say that we need to keep our calories in that ultra low range, but for me, I'm just not convinced it's something we can maintain long term. Especially if you're in a stall! Sheesh, how can you stall with only eating that many calories? It may be starvation mode. Mind you, I think stalls once in awhile for a week or two are normal--the body is programmed to hold onto weight, and is going to fight us every step of the way. But if it's longer than a week or two, that doesn't sound right! Now to contradict myself... One thing that happened to me a few weeks ago when I started increasing my calories is that it triggered some head hunger in me. Seeing the numbers go up on My Fitness Pal caused emotional upheaval that I wasn't ready for--guilt, anxiety, shame, cravings, etc. But that's me, and I'm the first to admit that I am really messed up when it comes to food. So this may not happen to you, or anyone else, but it was something that I had to deal with and am still trying to fight. I wish I'd stayed in the "safe" post-op zone, when I didn't have to make decisions and deal with my demons. I'm so much better at following strict rules and restrictive dieting than I am at moderation! But again, that's just me--because I'm messed up. I think for a "normal" person, it's perfectly fine to increase your calories to a comfortable level, provided you're still meeting your protein/carbs/etc guidelines. Good luck, whatever you decide!!

I think (for what it's worth since I'm no expert!) it's ok to add more calories. I'm reading a book right now that has convinced me that a) starvation mode does exist, and weight loss isn't as simple as calories in vs. calories out. It's by Gary Taubes, and it's a summary of research on obesity done with humans and animals all the way back to the 1700's. I'm loving the book and finding it fascinating, but the bottom line it seems is that eating carbs causes us to gain weight because of the insulin response. So, given the fact that you're already keeping your carbs low AND healthy, I think you're probably ok to go up 100 calories. Others will say that we need to keep our calories in that ultra low range, but for me, I'm just not convinced it's something we can maintain long term. Especially if you're in a stall! Sheesh, how can you stall with only eating that many calories? It may be starvation mode. Mind you, I think stalls once in awhile for a week or two are normal--the body is programmed to hold onto weight, and is going to fight us every step of the way. But if it's longer than a week or two, that doesn't sound right! Now to contradict myself... One thing that happened to me a few weeks ago when I started increasing my calories is that it triggered some head hunger in me. Seeing the numbers go up on My Fitness Pal caused emotional upheaval that I wasn't ready for--guilt, anxiety, shame, cravings, etc. But that's me, and I'm the first to admit that I am really messed up when it comes to food. So this may not happen to you, or anyone else, but it was something that I had to deal with and am still trying to fight. I wish I'd stayed in the "safe" post-op zone, when I didn't have to make decisions and deal with my demons. I'm so much better at following strict rules and restrictive dieting than I am at moderation! But again, that's just me--because I'm messed up. I think for a "normal" person, it's perfectly fine to increase your calories to a comfortable level, provided you're still meeting your protein/carbs/etc guidelines. Good luck, whatever you decide!!

Are you on a low carb diet? I got a lot of leg cramps when I was on a low carb diet for a long time (pre-sleeve days). Foods with carbs are the same ones with a lot of potassium, like bananas and potatoes. Could be low potassium. You may want to try to drink something with electrolytes to rehydrate, instead of straight water. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!

The fact that there are so many different programs out there, with dramatically different recommendations, says a lot...

How are you doing now, Globetrotter? It's been awhile since you posted this, but I'm just reading this thread today.

I'm sure they will! And I'm sure YOU'LL notice, too--better speed and agility and stuff. Congrats!!

Hmm... I've never experienced that myself (not yet anyway), but they did remove a big piece of one of our internal organs. It's not unreasonable to think things may have shifted around a bit in there, and feel a bit different. I remember my grandmother felt weird after her hysterectomy. I'm sure it's normal, nothing to worry about!

I think there is. I think that Binge Eating Disorder is considered ED-NOS, or at least I heard somewhere! I think many people--probably without even realizing it--have a very unhealthy relationship with food. When you call it an Eating Disorder, or Food Addiction, people can get pretty upset (both those who struggle with their weight and those who do not--everyone's got an opinion). Many people who have an unhealthy relationship with food aren't successful with WLS alone. They can either gain the weight back, or, they can become obsessive about weight loss and go to the other extreme. WLS in and of itself certainly won't cure those of us who fall into that category. We also need to address the mental aspects: Learning other ways to cope with stress, anxiety, depression; getting social and emotional support; exercising; accountability; getting professional help for any other mental health issues (e.g., depression), etc, etc, etc... The last few days have been rough for me. I can eat whatever I want now (or that's how it feels), and I'm struggling with guilt. There's no logical reason why I should feel guilty about eating 900 calories in a day, but it's a lifetime of a weird relationship with food taking it's toll. When I feel guilty and/or ashamed, what do I do to comfort myself? Eat, of course! Well, that's what I've always done. Anyway, my point is that I'm glad someone started this conversation. It made me get on the phone, and call up a therapist! I know I need help with the emotional side of things.

I had severe pain for a full 8 and a half weeks post op! It's not typical, but it does happen. (My surgery was a bit complicated because it was a revision from a messed up lapband.) But all of a sudden a few days ago, I could walk again (without pain)! So hang in there, it's only been 5 days. It may take a few weeks for you, or you could wake up in a day or two feeling good. If the pain keeps up long term, like mine did, I would advise you to get one of those abdominal binders for after a c-section--that thing made a world of difference for me! Good luck!!

Sleeved on July 16--down 45 lbs!

I still do, and my surgery was 7/16/13.

Gorgeous!