bunnyboop

Just checking in to see how you're doing. Everything you were going to put into place sounds right -- have you followed through and done all of it? How are you feeling now? Bunny

I think the problem may be the food you're sneaking. If it has sugar in it, it's going to set you off and make you have cravings. You need to stick to your food plan (protein first, then veggies, then fruit), without straying. If you do this, you most likely won't have cravings. The littlest thing can set us off. I was doing great and then, I got store-bought, ready made tuna fish from the grocery store. I simply didn't feel like making tuna fish. Suddenly, I started feeling hungry and having cravings. Sure enough, I looked at the ingredient list on the tuna fish container and one of the last ingredients is sugar. There's probably not a lot of sugar in the tuna fish, but there's enough in there to set me off. So, I need to put down the store bought tuna fish and I need to get back to basics. For me, having surgery was the last stop at the train station and there are no other choices -- this either works or I end up being unhappy and unhealthy for the rest of my natural life. I'm choosing to live in health. That means fighting like hell to stick with my program, log my food and exercise on My Fitness Pal each and every day, and thank my lucky stars that the surgery exists and I was lucky enough to have it. If need be, attend support group meetings where you had your surgery. Call your nutritionist and tell them what's going on. Reach out like you've done here and get the help and support you need face-to-face and in person. Do whatever you need to do to get back on your program. It's so worth it.

I could swear that it was me writing your post -- except I had my surgery on 4/10 and I'm a band to bypass revision. Nevertheless, like you, I too wonder if I had the surgery. I've not experienced dumping (admittedly I haven't eaten any sweets or pushed any envelopes), I feel good, I seem to be able to eat anything, etc. And I've only lost 30 lbs. to date -- so you're doing better than I am. If I lost almost 70 lbs. like you, I'd be jumping for joy. I don't mean to make you feel badly about your complaining about your weight loss. It's just that my weight loss is so slow and I don't understand what's up with that. Someone? Anyone? Bunny

I had my surgery on 4/10. I am only down 29 lbs. since surgery. I'm drinking all my water and I'm tracking all my food on My Fitness Pal. I'm being incredibly compliant plus I'm exercising like crazy. I tried out Orangetheory the other day -- too competitive and intense for me. I'm leaving in a few to try a Barre class. Yesterday, I did 30-minutes of intervals (walk/jog), on my home treadmill and then I went for a swim. You get the picture. Not a day goes by that I don't do some kind of exercise. Earlier today I was outside, digging in the dirt (I'm a big gardener). So what gives with the slow like turtle weight loss? I'm beyond frustrated. Could it be that I'm not eating enough? I'm eating roughly 700 calories daily and I'm hitting my protein mark. I'll admit that I'm having issues with constipation. I try and only eat fruit for breakfast (plain yogurt with fresh blueberries and strawberries), because of the sugar content in fruit. Should I be eating more fruit? The experienced dietician at my program left 3-weeks ago and the new dietician is as green as they come -- she has zero bariatric experience. So, I'm on my own here and I hope I'm doing the right things. Help! Bunny

I'm getting very frustrated. No weight loss in over a week and I'm doing everything right -- at least as far as I can tell. I know everyone says that stalls happen, but somehow, I didn't think a stall would happen to me! I'm trying to go with the flow -- does anyone have any hints for how to break a stall?

I had RNY on April 10th and I'm down approx. 20 lbs. too since surgery. I'm finding that it's slow going. For some reason, I thought that the weight would fall off in chunks -- 5 lbs. here, 7 lbs. there -- but it's one slow and painful pound at a time. I'll take what I can get. Do you think we can sustain approx. 20 lbs. per month, or do you think things slow down after the first month or so?

Patience. The 2-week pre-surgery diet differs for everyone as to whether you're allowed some solids along with protein shakes or just protein shakes. I was allowed some solids (lean proteins, veggies, and fruit)nd, and I only had to do the last 2-days before surgery with only protein shakes. However, this said, I've read that it's just the first week on liquid protein that's hard -- the 2nd week is a lot easier. So, hang in there and whatever you do, don't cheat. Your surgeon wants you on liquids for a reason and you owe it to the person who will hold your life in their hands to do what they ask of you. After surgery it's easier, because you won't be hungry and it's hard to get everything in that they want you to. I'm now on mushies, and frankly, aside from head hunger, my appetite just isn't there. You will get through the pre-op part -- we all do one way or another. If you need support, let me know -- I'm right with you. You won't be sorry you're doing this. Hang in there. Bunny

I'm 64 and I just had a band to bypass revision on April 10th. Honestly, until I actually went to the hospital the morning of surgery, I wasn't sure I was going to go through with it. And for the first week after surgery, I would wake up in the morning and say "OMG, what have I done to my body????" The thought of changing my natural plumbing really freaked me out. This all said, I'm now 3-weeks out and feeling pretty good and the "What have I done," freakout thinking is completely gone. I think you should go for it. You're most likely looking at another surgery anyway to remove the band at some point, so why not just do it right this time and have a procedure that actually works? I'm glad I had it done -- no regrets at all. Bunny

I had band to RNY conversion 5-days ago, on April 10th. I know I can't do this alone and I want a mentor and/or a weigh loss buddy. You don't have to live near me or be in my state (MA). I want someone to be accountable to and I need support. Who here has the time to help someone out? I'm a reasonably positive person, I plan to start exercising as soon as I'm cleared by my surgeon, and I want to be compliant with the eating plan my surgeon wants me to be on. I know I can't do this alone. Anyone? Someone?

I'd love to talk. My email address is: bunnyboophey@gmail.com. Tell me about yourself and your journey. We can be one another's support! Really looking forward to getting to know you. b.

You know, after reading all of these posts, I think that "support," means different things to different people. For instance, I think my husband has been very supportive of my WLS. He was surprised when I first told him I was going to do it (I didn't tell him I had been researching it), but he told me that he was 100% behind me if I decided to go through with it. This said, he did not attend one appointment at the clinic with me (nor did I expect him to), nor did he take any time off from work to stay home to take care of me (nor did I expect him to). My husband is not the nurturing type when it comes to these things and I knew enough to ask my daughter (who is very nurturing), if she could come and take care of me upon my release from the hospital. She brought me my shakes/liquids, etc., knew what time I had to take my meds, etc. My husband knew nothing about what was due when, but when he asked me how I was feeling, it felt great to me. I don't wan to give the impression that my husband is a jerk, because he's certainly not -- in fact, I won the lottery in the husband department. It's just that he's not nurturing when it comes to sickness (his rule when the kids were growing up was if they weren't running at least 100 degree fever, they went to school). So, some of you reading this may think that I have the most unsupportive spouse in the world, while I think he's great. It's all a matter of opinion, which is what makes the world go 'round, really. Bunny

Can you call the office and make an appointment with the nutritionist and go over everything you're eating? Perhaps the nutritionist can figure out why you're not losing. Frankly, other than the 2-week pre-op diet, I don't think I could have gone on a diet to lose weight before my surgery. I simply didn't have it in me to do that. If the surgeon wants you to lose 25 lbs. before surgery there's probably a good reason, but can't you convince him/her to operate after you do the 2-week pre-op diet? It's worth asking the question, no? Hang in there. Bunny

I'm not a big FB user, plus I'm a very private person and I don't want anyone seeing my posts on Messenger except for the people in the private group. If you can do it so it's invisible and private, maybe I'd agree -- I don't know. I don't know how to add anyone as a friend on this app, no. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Bunny

You're doing great! I was on my feet (standing still), for 3-hours yesterday morning and I was exhausted for the rest of the day. I think taking a 3 mile hike is amazing -- I'm keeping to a mile on those days I have the energy to take a walk. I'm doing 20-minutes on the recumbent bike on hill mode and I'm going to increase it to 30-minutes this week. I'm concerned about my lack of energy, but everyone's different I guess. I wish I weren't hungry. I'm really sick of the shakes and my plan allows me some mushies now. I've been having refried beans mixed with low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese and I feel guilty for eating it, even though it tastes delicious. On Tuesday I move to more solid foods -- I can eat things like chopped meat and chopped chicken or turkey, tuna fish, mushy veggies, etc. I'm looking forward to getting some veggies into my body. I really need to figure out the difference between hunger and cravings. Bunny

Tuesday will mark Week 3 for me too. I haven't seen a weight loss in 2-days now, but that's OK. I'm trying to be patient. I know the scale will move down and it's just a matter of time. My energy level is very low. I was on my feet yesterday morning for 3-hours -- just standing -- not walking and I was exhausted for the rest of the day and evening. I slept until 11am this morning! And I'm still tired, but I'm going to get outside in the sun and move my body. This whole process is going to take time and I know that I need to be patient. Unlike you, I'm hungry. Or, I'm confusing hunger with want. I don't think I know when I'm hungry and I need to get in touch with my body. Bunny

I wasn't feeling well at all this morning. It wasn't until I told my husband about my symptoms (queasy, dizzy, etc.), that he said "Sounds like dehydration to me." I drank some G2 and I felt much better. However, we had company this morning for 3-hours and I was absolutely exhausted after they left. I was so tired, my eyes were burning. I had to take it easy for the rest of the day -- I had no energy to do a thing. We need to remember to drink, drink, and drink our fluids. I'm on liquids and a few mushy foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, canned fruit, refried beans). On Tuesday, I can add some solids into my diet. Hopefully, I'll feel restriction then, because I don't feel it much now. Bunny

Oh dear. I didn't mean what I said to be hurtful. I'm so sorry. I tend to be blunt, but I don't tend to hurt people -- and I'm so sorry for hurting you. This said, I do think you're in this on your own and that's OK. You should be glad that your husband feels comfortable being completely honest about what he can and can't do. I honestly think if you put together your own support team, you'll be fine in the short-term and in the long-term, the honesty that you and your husband share is the backbone of a very strong and solid relationship.

I have to say that I don't have this -- but I'm a band to bypass revision, so perhaps therein lies the difference? I can take normal sips of water, G2, protein shakes, etc, but I have a feeling when it comes to eating solid food, the rubber will meet the road. At least I hope so. I'm having trouble getting in enough liquid, simply because there's so much of it! I don't have much of an appetite, but food smells don't turn me off like they do you. I start eating soft foods on Tuesday -- eggs, chopped meat and mushy veggies, etc. I'm looking forward to it and I'm supposed to be supplementing with at least 1 shake a day, divided in half -- one half for morning snack and one half for afternoon snack. I'd love to form a support group here for those of us who are just a few weeks out. Bunny

Yeah -- I have a feeling your body is either adjusting or you're retaining some water or something else like that. Also, there's the famous 3-week stall and perhaps this is yours. I'm looking to check in with someone every day -- not a long thing -- just a check-in to see how we're doing. If you're interested, let me know how you think we should do it -- email, on this site, etc. I'm open -- I really just want a quick daily check-in. Get to know you, discuss our ups and downs (hopefully more ups!), etc. Bunny

I think that for whatever reason (and you may never know why, exactly), your husband is not going to meet your expectations for what you feel he needs to be doing for you regarding the surgery, your post op care, or your post surgical life. He does not support what you're doing and you need to accept that. You need to move on from having any expectations at all from him regarding the surgery and find your support elsewhere. In time and once you've recovered and your lives reach their "new normal," (in terms of your diet and nutrition), this too shall pass. In the meantime, you need to forgive your husband for what he can't give you and you need to start organizing your support now. If you want hospital visitors (think through this one carefully -- you may just want to rest), tell people that. You may need help at home the first few days after you come home from the hospital -- set it up now. Don't rely on or make assumptions about what your husband "should be doing," for you once you come home. Arrange for a friend to stay over, so they can make your evening "meal," bring you your fluids, and do the same thing for you in the morning and afternoon too. Arrange for your own care post-op and again, have zero expectations of your husband. Let him know well in advance who is coming and when, but don't be snarky and don't say things like "This wouldn't be necessary if you were on board." Let it be. Allow your husband to be uninvolved and allow him his feelings, whatever they are. You are on your own in this, your husband has been very clear with you about that, I know you're hurt but again, this too shall pass. You need to let this one go. Bunny

I had RNY on 4/10/17 and I can't tell you what's going on, but I well understand your worry and frustration. I'm looking for a weight loss buddy -- someone to check in with and share with -- are you game? I'll leave it to others to advise you regarding the weight gain. My instincts want to tell you to not to worry. Everyone here seems to think they'll be "the exception," in terms of being able to lose the weight, but everyone seems to lose it. I wish I could be more helpful, but for all I know, I could be in your shoes in another week or so. Bunny

I agree with you -- but it's a personal choice and what's right for you and me may not be right for everyone. For me, starting this journey is about being accountable and I need to be accountable to both myself and to those who care about me (including friends and acquaintances). It's a very personal choice and while I don't plan to "shout it from the rooftops," if asked, I plan to be honest about the fact that I had surgery. I don't think the kind of weight loss we're going to experience is possible for most of us without the surgery -- and I don't want to mislead anyone that a high protein diet and exercise is all it takes. I think it also takes surgery and support and I need to be honest about that. Again, it's a personal choice, everyone's path is different, and what may work for me may not be right for you. Bunny

Hi Georgina, Yes, I had my band to bypass revision in one surgery -- along with getting a hiatal hernia fixed. I'll be a week out of surgery tomorrow and I have to say that it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined it would be. I was given a morphine pump while I was in the hospital for pain and the morphine kept me pain-free and reasonably sleepy (good for rest). I was in the hospital for 2 nights and 2 1/2 days and I came home with Oxycontin pills for pain -- which I only needed for a day or so. I transitioned to Tylenol pretty quickly and starting yesterday, I've been on nothing at all. I'm still pretty wiped out -- the surgery takes the stuffing out of you -- but I go for short walks outside ever day -- each day a bit longer than the last -- and I'm due to go back to work (I have a lot of autonomy over my daily schedule), a week from tomorrow. The all-liquid diet is boring, but necessary in order for the pouch to heal (at least, that's what my surgeon says -- every surgeon is different), and I can either advance to some mushy solids (ie: cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.), this week or next. I'm not saying it's easy, but I have no regrets so far. The weight is coming off however it wants to come off. I actually gained weight between when I went into the hospital for the surgery and when I came home -- water weight from the IV which took a few days to leave my body. I'm now down 5 lbs. from when I went into the hospital, so it's not as though I'm losing fast here. Nevertheless, I knew the weight loss would be slow based on what I read about revisions and I'm OK with that. I plan on being very compliant with what I'm supposed to eat and when and in time, the weight will come off, I"m sure. Good luck -- let me know how you're doing. Bunny

I haven't told a whole lot of people as yet, but that needs to change within the next few days. My husband and kids know and 2 close friends know. Now that I've come through surgery in one piece, I need to start telling people. I don't think it's fair to not tell people the truth who ask how the weight is coming off. We all know how desperate we were to find "the key," to losing weight and telling people that we've cut out soda and bread isn't altogether true. We've cut out far more than soda and bread and not telling the truth is misleading, IMHO. I'm a very private person, so "going public," is hard for me. Nevertheless, I don't want anyone wanting to lose weight to cut out soda and bread and think they're going to lose the way I hope to lose (I had a band to bypass revision, so my loss will be slower than yours). For me, it's about being honest and accountable now that I've had the surgery and am starting on this new part of my life. Just my opinion, but there you have it.

I too had surgery on April 10th -- band to bypass. Like you, I'm on a liquid diet, but I can add applesauce, refried beans, plain yogurt, and cottage cheese tomorrow. Like you and especially in the late afternoon and evening, I have cravings for real food, but I try and put it out of my mind and carry on. I have no plans to skip progression. I've spent my life not following directions or skipping steps or not being accountable in terms of the food I put into my body and this time, I'm doing things by-the-book. This way, if things don't go as they're supposed to, I can seek the appropriate help from the dietician, we're both on the same page, and I know I've done my part 100%. I expect I'll lose slower than someone who didn't have a revision, because that's the way it seems to go. I gained weight after surgery, but it was just fluid from the IV. I'm now down 5 lbs, which isn't any great shakes, but I'll take it. Once I regain my strength I plan to start walking 1-2 miles per day either outside or on the treadmill (depending on the weather), and hopefully the movement will help things along. I plan on joining a gym to start weight training as soon as I get the OK from my surgical team. I'm looking for a buddy to go through this with -- let me know if you're interested.