MBird

I'm at week eight and have lost 49 pounds total. My plateau was three weeks long with no budging down to the ounce. Last three days I lost five pounds, plateau is broken,

Measure out four ounces of food. You won't be able to get down but two ounces, maybe. My doctor said it's so that you trick your mind into thinking four ounces is a lot. I was able to get in one to two ounces of food at three weeks. I'm eight weeks now and can do about two ounces, sometimes less. In order to get in my protein I will graze lightly on chicken or beef, meaning a bite or two every hour and a half or so. Don't worry about water consumption. You can drink as much water as you wish and there will be no restriction, and you can drink water just before eating provided meal is two hours apart and that if you just had a bit it's an hour. Be sure to wait about 45-60 minutes after eating to drink. Make sure food is protein. Be sure and drink a protein shake in the morning. Hope that helps.

Eat more protein. Don't go more than four hours without eating. Drink tons of water. The hunger is from lack of protein. Get it in anyway you can. A shake, chicken, beef, turkey, fish.

I have mennorhagia and severe cramping, tender breasts, depression three days before, headaches, lower back pain, and water retention. I had an IUD put into me and my body rejected it - BUT what happened after a month on it and then removing it, all menstrual issues abated. This also happened to two other women I know. I'm at peace now with barely any cramping or tenderness in my breasts. I bleed heavy sometimes and light others. The IUD and its removal changed my body somehow, it was thee ONLY thing that worked for me.

The two ounces of food with snacks is normal, many patients of wls forget to eat but gently remind her she's working out and doesn't want to ruin her heart by skipping meals. She can I enjoy muscle skipping meals, and that includes heart muscle. The water is concerning. Maybe suggest a bariatric support group you can both attend, or suggest she make a schedule she adheres to for water. Wishing you the best.

Yes hormones. And the experience. It's natural [emoji4]

It's okay to drink a lot of water, your doctor wants that. My doctor (one of the top surgeons in the US) said you will not feel restriction with water. But try and not guzzle, or it may hurt. Of course if it doesn't hurt then you're ok to go. Water heads straight passed a pyloric valve, so doesn't stay in the tummy, hence no restriction. So drink up. I do. When you start eating it's harder to get all the fluids in, enjoy while you can.

Yes. WALK.

You didn't have a botched surgery. This is very normal. Your scale isn't moving but you're losing inches. You will have to get used to these "stalls" aka plateaus because they are going to happen off and on until you hit your goal and they will be long or short depending on diet and exercise. There isn't much one can do about stalls but ride them out. It's the body's way of adjusting. Didn't your doctor or nutritionist explain all this?

It has protein but also expands in the stomach. I wouldn't do it. I took a bite of a piece of pasta and it made me very uncomfortable.

I was the same way as a kid, how strange. I can't say what did it exactly, eventually I just felt I could never get enough of eating. I have never eaten out of sadness, if rarely. Usually more when I'm happy or celebrating. I doubt counseling works for everyone but it's worth a shot. OA helped for a while but I hated hearing the griping after a year. I had the literature and sometimes give it a once over. Group settings aren't for everybody. Counseling is ok. It didn't do much for me but feel fun to chit chat after a while. I never went to counseling for my weight though, that wouldn't work. I think cognitive self help books are hit or miss also. Some self help can be harmful if the person has deeper issues. Not a fan unless a person already has pinpointed the issue and is reading how to change or dissolve it. I think the bottom line is the person has to want to help their self, and be sick and tired enough to do it and not look back.

I'm going to make my goal weight in two years, I'm doing this for me, but also him. He encouraged me and didn't want me to fail. Our last conversation he expressed how proud of me he is. Failure is not an option. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, also kindness. There is comfort in strangers, regardless of distance or ethnicity. So, thank you. I mean that.

My father passed away this morning.

I finally received the call for surgery, tomorrow I arrive at the hospital 5:30am. I'm excited, and nervous. It's been emotional for me. I had nearly no support from anyone, this was all me. My partner had enough on his own plate that he couldn't be concerned. My friends had left my side when I discovered my father had cancer. There was drama related stress as well. Anyone who has loved ones who have cancer, or has personally been afflicted with cancer knows what I'm talking about. Sometimes you learn who your friends are when put to the test. My mother, who I'm close to, has forgotten the surgery and I can't blame her - Plus my period started, lol. Good times! I've had good cries in private, but I also suck it up. I'm optimistic about starting this next chapter in my life. It's bitter sweet. I've been looking back at how I got this big to begin with, and I find myself riding emotional highs and lows when confronted with the situations, people, and personal actions that got me this way. And I know just when I realized I wouldn't be able to lose it anymore the old fashioned way. I knew when and how I had screwed up my metabolism, and will power. This process took over a year, and that's long time. I've decided to pack very light. Throat spray, one pair of pajamas, undies, pads, slippers (slides) and the clothes on my back. My C-pap. Nothing more. No need. Gas X doesn't help with the kind of gas they pump into you, walking will. I didn't want to make a huge production of it. I'm also proud of myself for hitting my twenty pound weight loss goal today. Everything connected to this moment kind of moved at a snail's pace, but also fell into place. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity for a surgery that many would like to have but cannot afford. It's a privilege for me to have this surgery. The pre-op showed me what I'm capable of. 20 pounds in 23 days is, AMAZING. See those of you sleeved the same day as me or close to, on the other side of this, and the rest of you too. I hate saying see you on the "losers bench" - it sounds so wrong somehow. I get what it means but... still. Besides, I'm not a loser, but a winner. So are the people who undergo weight loss surgery ~

I'm so glad everything went well for you! Just take it easy, now youre on the road to a healthy you <3. Really proud of you, this takes courage.

It's happened but you know, you're not alone. You made a mistake, you are owning it, you came here and sought help, I think you know ultimately what to do. I suggest OA, counseling or therapy, or something that works for you to help get it under control. Type or log all food, seek recipes high in protein to keep you full, and that are delicious to satisfy your taste buds. You're not the only one who has fallen off the horse and had to get back up. I think this is a fear of many, and from what my own doctor said, many have done this. Binging doesn't stretch your sleeve out, but it does signal to your brain you can continue if you keep up the habit. Once isn't the end all be all, so dust yourself off and get moving forward. I'm wishing you all the best on your journey. Personally, I know you can do it, if you want.

Update, my father has been diagnosed terminal after all he went through. Knowing he is happy with my own surgery and choice to have it, is such a huge comfort. I'm also at peace with his diagnosis. My only concern is for his comfort now. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.

Maybe consider attending the OA meetings. It's great to post here, many can understand, but in a group setting where people are striving to overcome the addictions and accepting they have it - they really get to the meat of the matter and some can abstain from certain behaviors. All food addicts struggle with different addictions, no two are alike. And they all have different reasons for their addictions. If a group setting isn't your thing, you can find a therapist that can help you with your binging and also help you understand why you have it so that you can better overcome and let go of it. It's natural to feel what you're feeling, most people, myself included, have these thoughts. It's a matter of understanding yourself and your body, what works for you. I just love rich fried foods and anything luxurious and indulgent. I understand my addiction controls me. I leave it out of my hands and stick to a eating regimen that is conducive to my health. My addiction was more like a snowball affect, and eventually I realized the more I gave into it, the worse off I viewed myself, causing me to want to eat me. In the esteemed words of Fat Bastard (Austin Powers) "I can't stop eating. I eat because I'm unhappy, and I'm unhappy because I eat. It's a vicious cycle. Now, if you'll excuse me, there's someone I'd like to get in touch with and forgive. Myself." lol

Suggesting she seek therapy or support groups is not a bad idea or judging her, these are people advising her, which is why she posted on the thread to begin with. She's asking for help, they're helping her. Nobody is putting her down. Stop making drama. There is no drama. You're rude. You should keep your opinions to yourself unless they're going to be constructive.

Liquids go straight through the sleeve. There is a pyloric valve that the liquids pass through. With food it's different. I'm not on solids yet but it's normal to not feel full on clear liquids and minimal fullness on full liquid (if at all) and fullness on food. This is why they ask us to not drink liquids 30-60 minutes before or after we eat. Because the food doesn't just pass through the pyloric valve, any liquid after stays in the stomach as a result and can cause major upset. Some docs say you can drink and eat together, but minimal liquid with teeny bites. I won't risk it.

You look amazing!

Yes I've experienced it. I just stick to my Doc's orders and don't cheat.

I'm only seven days out but it's been easy and smooth for me. I've lost 9 pounds my first week out of surgery, can take in 64oz to 90 oz water effortlessly, am no longer in pain, only tired, which is normal. I lost 21 pounds before surgery in two and a half weeks. My nurses were kind, my Doctors were too. No drain, no catheter, 6 incisions, glued. The first moment that I awoke from surgery I was already chewing and sucking on ice. I was drinking water the first hour. 13 hours later my gas pain was completely gone, I didn't use gas strips because the nurses and docs said they don't work for that kind of gas. I was up and walking three hours after surgery and every three hours from there. I was discharged the next day at 2pm. I also did deep breathing exercises every hour on the hour and in between, it opens the chest and helps with any gas pain. I burped a little, just before leaving, no discomfort. I bathed before leaving the hospital. I took painkillers the first two days at home and then stopped completely. I walked every three hours at home, just like I did in the hospital. I only gained 5 pounds from fluids. Lost it in three days and then some. I have a great attitude and look for healthy recipes that are puréed and also for when I can eat. I'm very fortunate and blessed to have this surgery, and that it's been smooth for me. What a golden opportunity to change my life! I'm aware that "stalls" aka plateaus are a normal part of weight loss and are the body's way of adjusting, with or without surgery, whenever anybody is dieting and exercising it's normal and expected. Don't worry about it, just stay positive and move forward. It's a life long journey. I wish you nothing but the absolute best. Just relax and research, and you'll be just fine ~

You hit the nail on the head with sussing out issues before the surgery. I think a lot of that is attitude and awareness of what to expect Addiction support groups are good for hearing a myriad of reasons why people became unhealthily addicted, a seriously honest inventory is taken by these people who want to change their lives for the better so they can enjoy it again. They open up and in doing so share hope and examples for others to regard. They get to the bottom of what is depressing them and some seek counseling or therapy, which I personally feel a lot of people who have this surgery could do with. Sadly too many people don't care about figuring their issues out. It's easier to complain and fill the void with something to stuff down the pain. It's true a lot of people think weight loss is a fix it all, but it's just one cog in the wheel, life still has to be lived and that reality for some, plus the failure of the reality to live up to fantasy expectation, is just too much for some to carry. One still has to confront his or herself and their life regardless of what the scale says or what dress size one wears. The addiction stems from anger and avoidance. The same thing that helped them become an unhealthy weight in many cases.

Not concerned about replacement addictions. I don't like alcohol, tastes like crap. I enjoy wine but won't try that until a year out maybe. I would love to get addicted to exercise again. I used to spend 2 and a half hours in the gym 5-6 days a week, cycle there and back. That's a fabulous addiction as it combated some mild situational depression and kept my energy high. I find the study interesting, it's the same for people who have food addictions. I would hear often of people in OA at the meetings I attended, say they were now abstinent of their food addiction, but now battling alcoholism. I always shake my head when people are defensive regarding food addiction in these forums, obviously many people are addicted to food or a kind of food, or element in food, such as carbs. Half the battle is recognizing it, owning it, and abstaining.