linlew

Same. I had RNY soon after you (11/6) and I've tried a bunch of veggies, fresh sourdough (which is supposed to be easier to digest, but still), Carba Nada Pasta (high protein, lower carb), etc, and no issues. Like you, I haven't gone wild and tried to eat cake or anything, so maybe sugar or super friend food might, but so far, so good. Also, because this group tends to get a wee curious, I should add the sourdough was from a local bakery, and actually had spent grain added to it. Spent grain (leftovers from beer making) is actually awesome in bread, because most of the starches are used up by the beer brewing, and what's left is fiber and protein. BONUS!

I'm sorry that happened to you, but glad you're around! I'm about five weeks out and have indulged a bit myself. I find the traditional stereotypical hunger effects don't kick in. As Matt mentioned, it depends on the individual product, often times, and also how you plan for it. Perhaps have it at the end of a meal, or as you mentioned at the beginning so you're already filling up on appropriate foods. One thing to keep in mind is that you may tolerate some foods better than others after surgery, and sugar is a common trigger. It's harder to find edibles without sugar in them (some sugar shouldn't be a problem, but if you need 100mg dose and you're eating 10-10mg gummies which each have 5g sugar, that would be a problem). So, you might be better served with a tincture/oil if you can get your hands on it. Not sure if you're in a friendly state or if you're stuck using what's available in your area. Another option is getting some Cannaoil or the like so you can use it in your cooking. No matter what, I wouldn't worry too much, you'll find an option that will suit you post surgery, methinks. Best of luck with everything, SkinnySoon!

I'm very happy for you that you've had success. However, I'm a bit concerned by you saying "I frequently try to bite my tongue." "Frequently" implies not always "Try" implies you don't always succeed. My advice would be to keep your thoughts to yourself, and do your best not to indicate your thoughts with your facial expressions. Not everyone who is large is unhappy about it, and if they are, they don't need you reminding them. Perhaps I'm reading your post incorrectly; the style with all of the commas makes it a smidge difficult to follow. However, I would only offer up opinions or advice if someone explicitly asks for it. Again, congrats on your continued success though!

It is required that you quit, yes. That seems pretty universal among all surgeons. However, per my original post, I don't know whether you have to quit before they'll take you as a patient. Mine did not work that way, but as others mentioned above, some do. No matter what, the sooner you quit, the better, of course. Again, best of luck with both! Neither are easy, but both are hella worth it!!

Hi there! Former smoker here. I had to quit for the surgery as well. To clarify, is this the beginning of your surgical insurance period? I knew I had to go through a six month program to get approved, so I was still smoking when I first met my surgeon in March, knowing I'd quit before the end. I quit June 1st, and was blood tested for nicotine before I could be approved for insurance (at the end of the six months, in September). That meant I also had to be off nicotine supplements in time for that test, aka the gum I used to quit. If this is your first meeting and you have a similar program, I doubt it will be a problem; they'll just explain that you need to quit. If, however, you are in a different situation and are meant to have surgery soon, they will likely test you beforehand and reject you if it is in your system. Best of luck; it's never easy, but it is worth it!

While I don't have any answers for your woes, I can commiserate. I am only a few weeks out from RNY and have decided not to go "home" for the holidays because...I mean, torture. For the most part, I'm fine with it, and I'm a strong, forever-single (thus far) 34yo woman. But every once in a while, especially with the random surges of hormones from weight loss, I'm like EMOTIONAL. Last night I was freaking a bit. My Aunt is such a sweetheart and she called me to remind me to make sure I plan some activities with friends or just to get out of my house for this weekend to make sure I don't get to reclusive/lonely since I'm "missing out" on the holiday. I think I'm going to ask some local friends (I moved to KCMO recently) if they'll be around, and if they want to see the holiday lights with me this weekend. Do you have something similar you can do to brighten your spirits this weekend?

I've definitely followed those, and have been obsessively researching. Just looking at overall what might be best for me and my health. No firm decisions made and the lovely thing is, I can always adjust accordingly. To your earlier question, yes, I'm eating less than before of course. I recognize that. Again, I'm not Stuart Little-ing here. I know the sky isn't falling and this won't be a failure. Was just ranting about how it seems like some peoples' surgery was much more aggressive in stopping them from eating much at all.

Thanks for your reply, Fluffy!! Understood on all counts. As I mentioned in my reply to KT above, I'm not actually freaking out; more just jealous/annoyed. You know...ranting. . I know things will work and I've always understood it'll be my job, not the pouch's, to not eat like an a**hole. Thanks for the helpful explanation around the "fullness" feeling though. It's a hard thing to articulate, and it's good to hear it from a vet. I've also been a vegetarian for 9 years, so moving to solids seems like it'll be less of a transition for some reason. Although, I've been debating moving back to eating meat, because while definitely possible, eating whole foods as a veggie and hitting goals seems harder than if I incorporate some meat back in. Just something I'm thinking about.

Yes KT! Also I'm watching a bunch of stuff about it and thinking that as I progress through foods, perhaps if my capacity continues/grows, I'll just fill that with veggies but not increase protein/fat sources much. I don't need more than an ounce of cheese in one sitting, for instance, so I can roast up some broccoli or something. One thing I'm actually thankful for, and hope sticks, is how much the pre-op diet and restrictions since surgery have inspired me to cook. I rarely cooked before. Now I'm like "what yummy thing can I make so I'm not just eating plain beans?" and I'm getting amped.

Sorry you're freaked too! I'm not super scared, just feel like this means we have to work harder and do all the portion control that others don't have to. For me at least, I notice if I eat the smaller amount, I'm not hungry afterwards, but there's no cue to stop eating unless I measure it out beforehand. Same for you? For what it's worth, I have a feeling we'll both still be very successful. I don't think this is any indication it won't work, because whatever metabolic changes needed to happen still happened. But it still sucks.

Hi friends, I know we're all on our own "journey" (ugh hate that word) and that everyone's body is different etcetc. I'm lucky that so far, two weeks out, I've had no issues, no rejection of food or liquid, easily getting in my protein and liquid goals. My complaint is that I'm jealous of everyone who gets full after like three bites. I see all these photos of people like "here's what's left after I finished!" [cut to picture of full plate of food] and I'm jealous and a bit concerned because at two weeks out, I can easily eat a 5oz greek yogurt with a side of an ounce of cheese or two large eggs with cheese and not be uncomfortable. As in, I could probably eat more. So basically I just had surgery and I feel like I don't even have any restriction. Again, yes, I know solids may be a bit different, or that my reaction to food may adjust, or that perhaps I'm even lucky because I can tolerate everything so well. But I've tried some semi-solid foods and it's no different thus far. But also, this is a huge surgery of which a major component is supposed to be that it physically stops you from eating regular portions. I feel like I got robbed on that front. At my checkup, my surgeon was all "yeah, well, you still have to watch portions." Yeah ok, but it seems unfair that I have to watch them in the first year, let alone in the first month. Also yes I'm losing weight and no I'm not starving. I'm just whiny. That's what this section is for, right?

Glad to hear you've had some positive changes, Jessa! And I hear you. It's seriously hard to imagine focusing too much on anything other than recovery and success with post-op stuff right now. I don't even know how I'm filling my days now, but it's all surgery-related for the most part (researching recipes, tracking liquids, etcetc). Best of luck with your sleeve!

Hey all, I'm starting to test out some soft proteins now that I'm a week out of RNY and successfully getting in my liquid and protein requirements. I'm confident that as a veggie I could get 60g of protein in with three meals, but I'm getting a wee worried about getting that done in three bebe meals like the ones I'll now be eating. Has anyone come across sample menus like the hordes that are available for meat eaters? If not, I'll continue to just kinda wing it, but it's always nice to get some outside ideas! Thanks!

Thanks for the reply, Matt! So, here's where things get a little complicated. I've always been more confident and comfortable than most obese folks, I think, and as a result I don't think my obesity has held me back in many ways. I'm in sales, so it's more of a "you get back what you put in" type gig. Again, I'm good at it but pretty unenthused by it. At my current gig, I also work remotely (which is nice for continued recovery!), so I don't have to worry about different reactions from my coworkers, spare my two cats being like "don't care...where's my food?" as I walk by. I've definitely heard to brace myself for the unsavory reality that the entire world will start treating me as more of a human though, so I've already been in talks with my therapist about that. You bring up a good point though...even though I don't feel held back in my current career path, I wonder if a new one might reveal itself to me once I'm in my new Phoenix-y form!

Hi friends! As I sit here on my second week off to recover (RNY was last Tuesday, exactly a week ago!), focusing on my fluids and protein intake, I can't help but dread going back to work. And it's not because I'm physically ill still or anything. I wouldn't mind going back to some other activity, just don't want to go back to this one. I've been meh about my career for years but ya know...pays the bills, has the insurance that pays for the RNY, etcetc. So...just curious. Do we have any dramatic tales of rejuvenating one's life after surgery, saying "screw it" and marching in a new direction?