CheerfulLoser

Hey folks! I’m rounding into my two year surgiversary, and am just so grateful for the surgery and the health it has given me. I find myself feeling a bit like a baby bird ready to leave the nest and start truly living (as much as a 45 year old woman, married with two kids can be considered a baby anything!). That being said, I’ve lived such a limited life, I really haven’t figured out what I want to do with the freedom this surgery has provided. My beginnings of a bucket list include running a half marathon and working up to do five pull-ups. It’s pretty modest so far. 😉 My question: what’s on your bucket list? What bold things are you dreaming of doing in the next year, five years, etc.

So I could use some help. Had surgery Dec 20, 2019, but really started working out (lifting and running) in Oct. Since I increased my activity level, I have been just hungry. My eating habits are all over—trying to get protein, but hungry (so I’m grabbing handfuls of whatever). I haven’t been tracking food accurately due to being snacky. And unfortunately gaining weight (roughly +7 pounds—from 143 to 150). I can’t tell if it’s muscle or flab. Clothes still fit, but my body dysmorphia is in full bloom and I feel like I look like I’m back at pre-WLS shape. The working out has been amazing though, and I’m enjoying the weightlifting in particular. I know at 2 years it’s common to gain some weight. And for the body to begin to absorb calories more efficiently. I guess I’m at a loss as to how to “right this ship”. I need to get back to below 145 for my mental health, which sounds slightly ridiculous, I know. Tracking calories accurately and not snacking I guess? Thoughts or “been there / done that” experience ?

Thank you all so much. This is the kick in the pants I needed. I got some little containers at the market yesterday and have "packed" my meals and snacks for today. I really like the mentality of planning ahead so I can "succeed" in managing hunger. Also, @MiniGastricBypassDude, you called it on the calories. I left my MyFitnessPal calories at 700 (from when I first had surgery) and had never updated them. Of course I got frustrated with myself for "running out of calories" by dinner... and then I stopped tracking. Also, the snacking (just a few raspberries... three chips...) needs to become more disciplined, so I will keep on with my little containers. After the holidays I will schedule a DXA scan. There are a few providers around here that should be able to help (in the $100-200 range, which is doable). Will let you all know how it goes. Appreciate the input!

Also, for the surgery, you likely were pumped full of fluids so that you were less likely to get dehydrated. I “gained” 6+ pounds due to the IV when I had my surgery. Give yourself some time.

My BFF had her band removed and then needed to wait 6+ months to heal before doing a sleeve. You can always get a second opinion, but it seems not uncommon to break out the procedures.

I am 5ft 3, and stalled on weight loss pretty quickly. I’m relatively surprised at how few calories I can eat to not gain weight— everyone says 1200 calories for weight loss, but I can’t go over 1000 or the weight creeps on. i don’t have a good answer for you, but you’re definitely not alone.

My dietitian recommends Flintstones Complete. I take one per day. I also take calcium citrate daily. I do a monthly Vitamin B injection. Super easy and straightforward.

I’ve found that I’m able to drink water more efficiently if it’s slightly warm. Consider trying whether different temperatures make a difference when drinking?

I’m roughly the same, but breakfast might be a bit earlier if I’m hungry. 🙂

Team “always freezing” here. I have a mattress warmer on my side of the bed. I only drink warm-to-hot water. Microwavable hand warmers for walking the dog. And I have a lovely assortment of long Johns. It’s a way of life at this point.

For multivitamin, I do a Flintstones complete with breakfast. One and done. For calcium citrate, I do a chewable— it’s so tasty, I consider it a “treat.” They are the barimelt berry flavor.

I’m not as far out as many of you, but I stalled on weight loss for a long, long time (roughly 6 mo). I’ve found that if I plan meals in advance and just don’t touch sugar, I do so much better in overall daily calories. If I can reduce the number of choices I make around food, it’s just easier. Maybe Dr V is right? I’d just make sure that whatever food parameters you use, they are foods you enjoy (so you can stick with it)!

I found Orgain to be a decent option. I also found that I really had to dilute the protein powder. I would make a shake with 2 c of water, 6 ice cubes, and 1 serving of protein powder. If I didn’t dilute the shakes, I’d feel nauseous...

I had surgery 12/20/19, and just was stalled for four months. I’ve been going crazy! Thankfully I tweaked my exercise and diet enough to get the scale moving again. Sometimes I also think that our bodies just need a moment to process the trauma and changes they’ve been through. Stalls are still as annoying as anything, though.

I “gained” seven pounds of fluid on the day of surgery, as they pumped me full of IV fluids so that I was less likely to be dehydrated the few days following. It took about a week to work through my system and then for my body to start healing from the shock of surgery. Depending on how far you are from surgery, it could be water retention or your body being in shock from surgery. If that’s the case, maybe give yourself some time and grace to begin recovering... If it has been much longer, more info would help us to help you.

For me, phase 1 was basically shakes. There are tons of vegan shake options, if you look on either this site or amazon.com. I really like Orgain, Ripple, VegaSport, OWYN, and Topbit brands, but folks’ tastebuds vary. If your program permits yogurts in phase !, there are tons on nondairy yogurts, just keep an eye out for sugar levels.

I took leave of my senses and bought a bag of egg white protein powder. I have no idea what to do with it, and can’t bring myself to add it into smoothies. Do you use egg white protein powder? If so, please share your recipes or ideas! Thanks!

I have the same issue. My hands and feet get painfully cold multiple times a day, even if I’m in a warm room with warm socks and slippers on. I keep a flannel bag of rice that I heat up in the microwave and use it to warm my hands and feet. Things like socks and mittens just do not work. For walking the dog, I have microwaveable hand warmers — and I know how far to walk based on my hand warmth...

This is simple, but my dietitian recommended a Flintstones complete multivitamin chewable and calcium chews. The Flintstones are very inexpensive.

There is a universe of vegan protein powders available online. Hop onto amazon or the bariatricpal shopping site and try out a few! Everyone’s tastes vary, but I also like the Orgain options.

We all know that hair loss is likely due to WLS. I’ve accepted it, and am dealing with it. However, since WLS, my remaining hair is dry, frizzy, and brittle. I use good, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner (salon-recommended stuff), only wash my hair twice a week, and take biotin and all other recommended vitamins. Is this a new norm? Any thoughts on improving my crazy-lady hair?

Thanks for all the thoughts—I think I’m going to take a few weeks and just play around with all the suggestions so far. I ordered some Argan oil, a few deep conditioners, etc. if all else fails, I made an appointment with my hairstylist and will get a pixie. 🙂

I found that warm water will go down fine, but chilly or cold water makes me stomach clench up. I still don’t do well with ice water eight months out.

If you’re having surgery in two weeks, does your doctor have a diet plan for you?

The choice on whether to be vegetarian is your choice, of course. My response was to highlight that it’s not hard to be a vegetarian post-WLS, if that is what you want.