youknowit

Hey all! So for the last couple of weeks, hungry-hunger has been back in effect for me. I can't figure out why, nor how this is happening? I am 5 months out, have lost 52 lbs, scratch that, I have lost 50, because somehow I have gained 2 lbs back. :scared0: I'm starting to get a little freaked out, being that the "hunger" seems to be back... did anyone else go through this? Are any of you going through this now? I know how tough the hunger pangs are in the beginning, when the Ghrelin is leaving the body, and when we're on mushies, etc. But this shouldn't be happening again, now, right? I'm just worried... I had felt hungry from day one of my sleeve, until I got the treatment for the H.Pylori. After that, I had a couple of awesome months... no hunger. Now it's back. Help me. I'm cracking... :001_unsure:

Tiff, You rock! I will definitely try this "pouch test" thing, and see what happens. I think part of my problem is that I have now encountered some dreaded "slider" foods, and I cannot have them in my presence, especially in the house. Also, I'm not going to lie... I have a lot of public functions and social activities that are involved with food... where it's not a problem to eat a little bit, but it's a problem what is often available. I've tried the "i'm not hungry," or "i already ate" stuff, but this just isn't going to cut it for people when you're out to dinner for a friends social gathering... the small amount of food i'm eating seems to really bug some people anyways, so not eating... they would totally get on me about it. I think I just need to make better choices, and learn to work things out better. I am taking Prevacid still... I think I might try Priolosec once the Prevacid I have now runs out (I have about 10 more days left before I'll need to buy anything else). I wish I could get my stuff RX, better dosing for our tummies, but that's ok... I'll make it work. Honestly, one of my major problems with Protein is eggs... I can't choke them down for anything. I've been like this forever, but with the sleeve, I've tried and tried, and it's just worse now than ever. I do have the beef and/or turkey jerky, I'll try to throw in the protein again, and perhaps I'll just get back to doing high-protein yogurt in the morning. Honestly, I think part of my problem is the protein, and part of my problem is the boredom of eating the same stuff, over and over. (I'm sure you know what I mean.) Nonetheless, I am going to do this pouch thing, and get my act in gear. Will keep you posted, and thank you again for being so awesome and supportive (and helpful!!)... :001_unsure:

I think, perhaps, they are being courteous and not commenting on your physical appearance? Do these colleagues know about your surgery, or not? I've lost 50 lbs since my sleeve, and only a few people have said a word to me... some people comment on me eating less, but very few say anything about my weightloss, etc. I think perhaps they are just trying to be nice, and not get into your personal business? Hang in there, you're rockin' that sleeve! :001_unsure:

Thanks for chiming in, Tiff. I was hoping you'd have some advice... yes, I'm still on the Prevacid, however, I'm thinking about changing over to something else? Maybe this will shake things up? Perhaps I need to take it twice a day, once in the morning, once at night? I don't know... might that help? On the food front, I've been having cravings and things like that too... it's been hard in that department too. I feel like as I go along I can also eat noticeably more food (noticeable to me, everyone else keeps giving me S*** about not eating). I have indeed added more carbs, so perhaps that's part of it too... I'm thinking I need to start over, go back to Protein, protein, protein, and go from there? I haven't been doing my protein "shake" every morning like I used to... It just gets so tedious. But, perhaps that has to be happening too. Let me know what you think... I'm starting to believe I'll be one of those sleevers that is just going to have to deal with the hunger, suck it up, and tough it out? Gaining back two pounds has been so discouraging too... I need to keep myself off the scale for a bit, and ride this out I guess... :001_unsure:

Having been through this surgery gig a couple times now, I'll tell you my experience. You will lose hair. It doesn't matter what you take, what you eat, what you do... Last surgery (when they removed my band) I lost a ton of hair, starting at about 3-4 months out. I wasn't taking anything special, like Biotin (etc) last time. This time around, I've been taking Biotin, Selenium, multis, Calcium, and lots of Protein from day 1... and now 5 months out, I started losing hair at, you guessed it, the 4th months after surgery. This is ongoing for me, some days it's worse than others... I would say do the best you can, try the Folicure or Nioxin, and just know... the hair does grow back. Though it's a long road, this is all very normal... and for me, it's worth it. (I also lost hair starting at the 4th month when I had my band placed... so for me, this is a pattern.) Hope things look up for you soon, and our hair sticks to where it belongs (on our heads).

Thanks to everyone for the great advice and insights. Unfortunately, things did not work out between me and the person in question. However, I will certainly keep all of your comments and advice in mind for future dating situations. Thanks again, all! You're the best! :smile::smile:

Hi all... Just wanted to share a quick update on my progress... Sleeved February 1 by Dr. Aceves, 210 day of surgery, 165 today (June 1). Went in for my 3 month post surgery checkup with Dr. A last Friday, they did the upper GI swallow, checked for Reflux, etc, all looks great. No hernias, no stretching, everything 100%! Got my labs back today, and everything came through with bells on! My hemoglobin and Iron are even UP since my surgery, which some of you may know I've had problems with. All-in-all, I'm just sooooooo happy with my results and how I look and feel right now. YAHOO to the sleeve! Hope you're all doing GREAT! xxoo

Thank you! I'm feeling good... a bit of depression coming back, but I'm getting that in check... Here's to the second half of losing!

For me, I drove to the border, and they can either pick you up States side, or you can walk over and they will pick you up Mexico side. I was picked up States side, but the driver was a bit late (flight delayed in San Diego), so I hung out for a while waiting. Walked around and such, no biggie. Went straight to the hospital, and the routine is basically the same as when you check in there for surgery. You go straight to the room where they take your blood. They draw the blood, then you go over to the fluoroscopy room, they have you put on the robe, get on the Xray machine/table, and the have you drink the chalky yuck-yuck stuff... You watch it go through your sleeve on the screen. Dr. Campo had me tighten my stomach a few times, and bear down like I'm "pushing" to see if there were any hernias or leaks. Nothing. Then, they lay the table back all the way down, then a bit upside down, to check for acid reflux. Nothing there for me either. Literally, I was out of there in less than an hour. I didn't want to sit around and wait for my results, so they emailed me the blood work information with comments the next Tuesday (I went on a Saturday). All was well for my blood, Dr. Campo said to watch the fat and cholesterol, but my Proteins were fine, sugars were fine, Iron and such, all fine. After my test's Nina drove me back to the border, I walked over, got in my car (which was two blocks away from the crossing) and I drove myself back to San Diego. Pretty easy. I believe they will help you with travel/hotel information if you wanted to go down and stay again, but the hotel (etc) wouldn't be included in the $150 for the tests (paid to the hospital). I know they do a day once a month where you can fly in to SD and back out that same evening, but you'll have to check with them on what day/times. For me, I only live 5 hours or so from the border, so I made a vacation weekend in San Diego out of the trip. Though it was a hassle to go back there, I will say I'm glad I did. Hope this helps!

Thanks! Sometimes it's fast, sometimes slow, but it's always WORKIN!

Mini... you are doing AMAZING! Feeling good? Thank you for your kind encouragement...

Thank you! How is your journey? Nice to meet another sleeve Twin!

And although I've posted this article before, I thought it might be helpful to those who haven't seen it: Depression after Bariatric Surgery: Triggers, Identification, Treatment, and Prevention | Bariatric Times

Hang in there! We're in this with you... and you're NOT a failure for seeking out help for a problem... that's what we're doing here by researching, talking, and ultimately solving a major problem by getting the sleeve. My personal feeling (from research and experience) is that sometimes we let something that indeed started off small, turn into something more severe, because we didn't get the little help we needed, hoping it would go away. How many of us did this with weightloss and our weight got away from us? I know that happened to me... and it's happened (and is happening now) with my depression. Whatever you decide, I hope you feel better, and well, very soon! :smile::w00t:

Posting here as well, since the "Singles" forum has limited traffic... I need help, all! :smile: -------------------- Hi all. So, as of now, I'm dating someone whom I really like, same for him, we're really just in awe that we hadn't met before and that we did finally meet (we have a LOT of friends and acquaintances in common). However, this isn't about all that, as much as I need some advice on how to deal with my sleeve, eating, etc, while "dating". From the very first date, this guy noticed that I ate VERY little, and even went so far as to comment about it twice on our first date. Since then, he has "commented" on this repeatedly, even going so far as to say to me in text the other day "you barely eat anything, i don't know how you survive like that..." This was in response to my being out of town and mentioning I was looking for something to eat for dinner, and he threw that little tid-bit on the table. Clearly, this is bothering him... and clearly, this is something I'm having trouble talking about. As some of you may know, I decided before (and since) to keep my sleeve to just YOU here on VST, one friend and my brother. That's it! Now, I feel confronted by the need to explain to this guy, but I just keep telling the usual tales... "I'm watching what I eat," or "I've been working on losing weight," or "I have a sensitive stomach," etc... What can/should I do? Am I obligated to tell him upfront (which we've already past) or can I wait, or not tell him at all? My feeling is that it's personal and private, that it isn't hurting him by NOT knowing, and that if/when we are in an established (long-term?) relationship, I will then divulge my situation? I knew this would come up... but honestly, not one single friend, family member or anyone else has even noticed or mentioned my "eating" nor even my 45 lb weightloss... this guy, he's tuned in, he knows something is up... HELP! :scared0::scared0::tongue_smilie::sneaky2:

After this recent dating situation, for me, I couldn't have said it better, OregonDaisy. I think trust/truth is earned, kind of like respect... and thus, regardless of the circumstances surrounding my "breakup", my sleeve and things of that nature are pieces of privileged information that I can and will share, in the right circumstances, with the right person... just glad I saw through this situation and kept it to myself. When the right person comes along, I will gladly tell them. Until then, I guess that's that. :huh0: :smile:

I had to go back on Wellbutrin, and I am certainly going to have to increase the dose. I think you're probably on to something with dealing with emotions without food... And the whole vulnerability thing, I get it completely. Hang in there, my friend!

And I want to directly address this assertion... and what happens when we make assumptions... While I certainly agree with what you're saying in theory, things can (and often are) very different in practice... I believe it is my right (and anyone's) to keep whatever personal (private) information that is not needed up-front, to themselves. Clearly, if things proceeded with this man, I would have told him... But things are not proceeding, so I am truly glad I did not. I'm wondering how many people who think we should just blurt out to everyone we know about our surgery, if you had breast implants, or a nose job, would you be all "up front" about it, with someone you just started dating? I'm going to venture a guess, that most people would NOT just throw that out on the table... Please correct me if I'm way off on that? As for assumptions, well, I am a slightly unusual case in the WLS world. I've had the bad luck of having had three surgeries... One to put in the lap band back in '05, one to remove it as it sprung a leak (and was incredibly eroded) back in '09, and my sleeve surgery this year in March. You might wonder what I've learned from this? Well, one of the many things I learned is how utterly rude and judgmental people are, which is not about me being weak or not sure of my decision... as I told a few people about my band initially, and then a lot of the people I know as time went on. Let's just say, I have the knowledge of what this "conversation" is like with a "new guy" or a new friend, and yes, I have had dudes get WAY judgemental, even to the point that I truly believe (though he would never actually say it) that one of the guys I dated a few years back was so appalled and offended by my band, that he would comment on it... "Gee, I wish it was that easy for me (or everyone else)." You can explain until you're blue in the face, and someone like that won't get it... And my whole issue with "telling" people is quite simply this: once it's out there, you can't put the cat back in the bag. This, for most people I told about the band, wasn't a problem... but it was those few who were terribly judgmental (some in a direct way, some in a passive-aggressive way, and some in an unintentional way). Indeed, because of this, and all the roller coaster of BS I went through with the band, the erosion, the surgeries, and my friends being like "what the hell"... I kept my sleeve to me, one friend, and my brother. (And the friend is someone with WLS, so she's totally got my back.) All-in-all, I don't think it's disingenuous to keep this to yourself, at least for the initial part of dating someone... If I saw things progressing in any real direction, I would certainly get down to it, and have the conversation... and one of the good things I got from my band situation is that I do know how to approach this discussion, and have a pretty good idea of the spectrum of responses that might come my way. I guess, like with anything else in life, there's a time and place... and for me, that's not on a first day, or even in the first few weeks. Hope I didn't offend anyone with this initial post, as it sounds like perhaps some people were a little put-off by my decision to remain silent, at least for the time being. best all! :001_wub:

Just wanted to stop in and say thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and insights on this "issue". I think it's rather complex, and it's so interesting how many perspectives there are on this kind of stuff. Update on the situation: looks like things are over with this new guy... and I have to be honest, I'm a little relieved that I did not tell him. There are any number of reasons, but mostly, we have too many people "in common", without me knowing him well enough to feel comfortable that he won't spill this to the wrong "friend". I am a very private person when it comes to my physical and mental health, so, that's the decision I made, for right or wrong...

Thank you, Katt, for putting up this information. It may help me as well... I am taking the Omega's every day, but perhaps it's the carbs I need to get in check? Nonetheless, with my previous history of chronic depression, I'm going to attack this head-on, and get this thing straightened out! And, once again, thank you to ALL of you here that are so amazing, and helpful, and just AMAZING! :thumbup:

Well, I don't know anything about Tryptophan (other than the whole being in foods thing, making you tired, etc), I am glad I was brought back to this thread again, because I am at a cracking point with this issue now (again), and it's really come to a head in the last week. Before surgery, and for many years, I have been struggling with depression, have been to counseling, which kind of helps I guess, and have been off and on anti-depressants as well (Zoloft at some points, Wellbutrin more recently). Although before surgery I had to be weaned off the Wellbutrin, and was ok for the first two months. But, since then, I have had to go back on it, which helped for a while. Now, I'm at meltdown point again. In fact, meltdown to the point of crying every day over some of the dumbest stuff, general malaise, insomnia, with incessant tiredness, not feeling like I can get out of bed, etc. In fact, as I type this, I'm welling up with tears... I'm a huge mess. I've been trying to get out there and date, but my return (increase) in depression is definitely having an affect on that as well. It's probably the demise of my current relationship, which is just making me feel even worse. So... for me, I was really (really) hoping that I'd be ok after surgery, and that maybe these problems would not resurface, or that I'd magically get "better" in this regard. Unfortunately, at least as of the last few weeks, I am truly going down hill rather quickly, and I cannot pin point any good reason other than the return of major depression. Anyone else in this boat? I'm calling my therapist and psychiatrist tomorrow. I have to get this in order... I can't walk around life all weepy and crazy. Thanks for listening, all! :thumbup:

Thanks all for the great input and insights... I will continue to ponder and will likely tell him if/when we are in a "committed" relationship, as many of you have stated. I don't feel like as of right now, just "dating" it's really his business yet... So... we'll see what happens I guess! :thumbup:

Typing out loud is good! I really appreciate all perspectives and opinions... I guess where I'm at with this guy is... we haven't been dating long enough for me to "know" where he's at in terms of keeping my business to himself if we were to part ways... I don't think he'd say anything now, while we're dating... but you never know how a person will handle something if you part ways. Ah! He's not really "pressuring" me per se, he's just observant and I think feels a little weird eating his entire Entrees when we've gone out to dinner, while I order something small, or if I'm lucky we'll be someplace that is "family style" so I can share... he looks at his clean plate, and mine barely touched... and I think he's wondering if I'm one of those "salad girls" who pretends to eat, but has an actual problem... Ugh. Now I'm typing out loud. Boys!? AHHHH!

Though it's a sticky (no fun) situation, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one... Truthfully, I just really don't feel like I need to be judged by anyone for my choices... Especially by a dude I just started to date! :party4: Really though, I'm private about a lot of things... which many who know me might find funny, because I'm loud and goofy and chatty... but really, am I saying ANYTHING? Not really... I don't spew my business to anyone, even friends... and with all the bullshiz I went through with the band, and the judgmental looks and comments about how it's my fault, getting the band was dumb, etc... I just didn't want to hear it about the sleeve. People who have never had a really problem with eating/weight just don't seem to understand... and of course, or society looking down on us whether we're fat, or do something to combat the fat... then we're lazy. I really don't think this guy will totally trip out about it, I just am not comfortable yet, and so... I'm waiting. You do you, girlie! We don't have to answer to anyone... or at least no one but ourselves, right? :thumbup: