Arabesque

It is pretty common & it can be a challenge to find foods you enjoy & can tolerate. It can be a lot of trial & error to find foods to eat. Don’t give up a good though. Sometimes you eat something one day & it’s fine but the next day your tummy is no way that’s disgusting. Then a week or so later it’s great again. It does gets better & easier as you progress. I began eating to a routine to help counter not being hungry & having no appetite because I knew I had to eat. Didn’t matter if I didn’t eat all of my portion or only ate the protein portion, as long as I was getting some nutrients in. My fridge always had leftovers in it which I’d eat for another meal that day or the next. Actually there’s still leftovers there everyday & I’m 5 years out. 😁 Eating to a routine continues to be part of my day. I’m not as rigid anymore but I find it helps keep me focussed & helps ensure I only respond to real hunger not head hunger.

Also told no carbonated drinks. But I didn’t drink much anyway pre surgery as it stirred up my reflux (terrible hiccups, discomfort, etc.) & I wonder if that’s one of the reasons we’re told to avoid it - stirring up the stomach acid we overproduce in the beginning. However, I did start drinking sparkling water a couple of months out. I was finding still water sort of heavy & difficult to drink so I would let sparkling water go flat (would break the seal on a large bottle when I’d put it in the fridge) or at least let a lot of the bubbles reduce & drank a glass over several hours. I found the slightly mineral taste easier to tolerate. I still drank plain water just swapped out one glass of still water for a glass of sparkling.

Oh yeah, it is terrible. I don’t experience it all day every day like you, but I randomly wake up in the middle of the night almost gasping for a breath but breathing rasps over my dried out mouth which is almost stuck open. You want to swallow but can’t cause there’s nothing to swallow. One of those fun menopause symptoms very few talk about. I usually just hold some water in my mouth & swish it about to remoisten everything & that seems to work in my situation. Was aware of the heat wave in NY, but I guess I am a bit blasé about temps in the 90s - that’s our usual summer temps. LOL! Plus our BOM issued heatwave warnings almost every day last summer for temps in the low 90s or not even 90 which was ridiculous. Everyone was saying it’s just summer & asking why they were fear mongering. You’d think it strange if I talked about a cold winter with our winter temperatures. (Actually it is damn freezing here - your 46 last night - bbrrrr. 😂) Do hope you find some answers and a solution soon.

I do my own variation. I control the ingredients that way. Cheaper & I get about 30g of protein. It’s easy & there are lots of recipes online you can use as a starting point.

Besides our usual daily hair loss, we also experiences more major hair loss cycle about every 7 years. (I just had one which was a bit scary). We also tend to shed more in summer than winter. I’m more conscious of my regular hair loss since my surgery & because I have a protein malabsorption issue. Maybe you’re more conscious of it too. Don’t forget stress & anxiety can increase hair loss too. As to vitamins, we get told so many different things & then we all have our own individual needs. For example with my sleeve I was only advised to take a multivitamin & vitamin D in the beginning. After a couple of months I was told to drop the vitamin D. At about 8 months, my surgeon okayed me dropping the multi vitamins too. But my blood work continues to come back fine (except for the protein 😩). I do take D3 in winter as my levels drop a little then. It’s a mouth spray which you may absorb better than capsules - worth a try. If you’re concerned about your iron levels, there’s nothing stopping you taking a supplement even if your doctor says not to worry. May be take them every second day to reduce the possible nausea & constipation side effects associated with iron supplements. There are studies saying taking iron on alternate days is actually better so …. Something to consider anyway.

Sorry, no suggestions for your dry mouth. Presume your doctors have ruled out medications (prescription & over the counter), snoring, smoking, menopause, infection in your saliva glands, mouth breathing, etc. Be careful drinking an excess of water as you can flush essential nutrients out of your body which are so essential while you are so early out & not consuming a lot. Overhydration is as much a potential health risk as dehydration. You wouldn’t be crazy exercising & sweating out a lot of fluids at this stage that you would need to increase your fluid intake. Unless you are working outside in the heat you’ve been experiencing in NY, 120ozs seems a bit excessive. The usually recommended 64ozs of fluids includes any shakes or soups, etc. you are consuming. Does your 120ozs include those as well or would they increase your fluid intake even more? https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-too-much-water-intake

As well as the above great advice, have a look at the you tube videos by Dr Matthew Weiner (he has podcasts, books & website too) & Dr John Pilcher. They are highly informative & easy to understand what you might experience after surgery. Everyone here is always happy to share their experiences & offer suggestions so feel free to post any questions & concerns from I’m confused, how do I, what on earth, etc. Also make sure to share your successes too. All the best.

You’ll get lots of contradictory responses because the temporary changes to our taste buds &/or sense of smell affect people differently. I struggled with shakes - they became seemed very grainy & the texture in general felt off. I diluted them just to get one a day down. I even diluted cream soups but they were tasty in general. I also found bone broths extremely salty so they were a no for me too.

Have you spoken to your surgeon about this? As you lose weight lots of things that are stored in your fat are released into your blood stream: hormones, toxins & uric acid. The more rapid weight loss we experience in the beginning can trigger gout attacks so it may be gout you are experiencing. But do give your surgeon a call.

It has been an exhausting & emotional journey for you but I’m glad you have your date. Sounds like you have a supportive and understanding surgeon which always puts you ahead. I really liked his response to you about you feeling you failed with the sleeve: it just wasn’t right for you & the reasons why weren’t discovered until you actually had the sleeve. All the best with your sadi-s surgery.

What do you mean by ‘during fasting periods’? Are you doing intermittent fasting? Are you experiencing real hunger or head hunger? Feeling real hunger is usually a sign your body needs fuel especially if you haven’t eaten for a period of time. Distraction is the best strategy when head hunger hits. Read, go for a walk, craft, play a game, meditate, check your socials & this forum, call a friend or family member, clean out a drawer or cupboard, etc. Sometimes a warm drink is helpful like green or herbal tea. If it is head hunger, take the time to reflect on why you may experiencing it. Check your emotions: are you stressed, anxious, frustrated, angry, sad, etc.? Is it habit eating? Like you always eat at a certain time or when doing a certain activity (like watching TV). Are you bored? Are you hungry or thirsty?

Oh no. I’m so sorry @Starwarsandcupcakes. You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers.

Looking pretty fine there @Lilia_90. Actually @GreenTealael started a thread the other day where a few of us have started sharing our maintenance stories which you may find interesting. Link below. 😁 What you have gleaned already is certainly true: there are many different ways of successfully managing your maintenance. As I say, & say very often, the only right way is the way that’s right for you. In the beginning you may find you are a little more controlled about what you are doing but over time you become more flexible in your food choices, eating style & how often & how much you eat of certain things. As you progress you continue to learn more things about what you can & can do. Well that’s how I was & am now. Certainly more flexible about some things. Bring in maintenance didn’t stop me going out & socialising with friends & family. I just was & still am very conscious about what I chose to eat, how much I ate & ensured I still ate slowly. Sometimes you have to make the best decisions you can in the situation. They may not be perfect but you can’t beat yourself about it. It’s not like you’re doing it everyday. I don’t track, but do random checks especially when I introduce new foods or new recipes. It may be checking calories or looking at ingredients & swapping some out, weighing serves t check portion sizes (weighed my cooked vegetables last night as I’ve added some extra ones & wondered if I needed t adjust the portion) or changing the cooking methods. I usually weigh a few times a week. I do this as previously if I thought I was gaining I wouldn’t get on the scales - it’s not true if there’s no proof. So weighing myself every second or so day keeps me honest. PS: It takes time to get past the body dysmorphia & being able to see how you really truely look now with your weight loss. Even with the evidence of body measurements clothing sizes, photos, number on the scales it can be hard to see the reality. Those fears of looking ‘sickly thin’ are very real with the dysmorphia. Doesn’t help when people around you may still be playing catch up too: Oh, you’re so thin. Don’t lose anymore weight. You look too thin now. Try to ignore those comments & in some cases you may need to tell others to butt out & mind their own business. In time & with regularly looking at the evidence you’ll come to accept & see how you look now. Though I still am surprised sometimes by how I can comfortably fit in small seats & squeeze through tight spaces. Understanding the space I physically take up in relation to the physical space around me.

Get your protein up to your recommended intake. That should always be your focus. Then ensure you reach those fluid goals. Are you having regular blood work taken? Is that indicating you are lacking in anything? Actually there aren’t any rigorous scientific research into the benefits of collagen on hair growth or strength. The studies that exist are funded by companies that produce collagen supplements. Best to get all your protein in so you’re getting all the complete amino acids your body needs not the few in collagen. Hair is made of keratin, not collagen, and you need the complete range of amino acids (protein) for your body to produce the necessary keratin. The different lengths of your new growth hair could just be from the different times it starts coming in (it doesn’t all grow in at the same time). But maybe give the bleach a rest for a while until things settle. Have a chat with your doctor &/or maybe a dermatologist to check your scalp & hair health. Has your hairdresser said anything?

I agree with the others, it’s too early to make calls about what your final stabilised weight may be. Don’t make decisions based on the number on the scales. It’s not uncommon for your weight to bounce about a little before it stabilises. Bounce back regain is real for many whether that be your body resettling or you making adjustments to complement your lifestyle. And don’t forget your remaining weight resettles itself, even though the scales don’t move, so how you look now may not be how you look in a couple of months. I initially lost my curves and was sad about losing my hour glass shape. A few months on & there it was again - smaller ratios but there. Body dysmorphia comes into play too: how we. See ourselves & how others see us. I thought I’d be too thin & gaunt if I got lower than my goal but here I am 11+kgs less and I’m far from gaunt or skeletal. And like @ms.sss, people who said I was too thin many kilograms more than I am now, think I look fine now and don’t say anything. Remember your goal is not necessarily your body’s goal (new set point). Working out your maintenance isn’t always easy. It wasn’t for me. I was still adjusting to how much food I needed to eat & what I could actually physically eat & I was subconsciously ignoring where my body wanted to be. Enjoy the ride and only worry if your surgeon and doctors aren’t happy.

Sometimes I think they talk from a standardised sheet (like help desk support). There are good ones around though there are a lot that aren’t. Mine didn’t even weigh me & as a didn’t have to track my intake just took my word for what I ate. She did come out with some interesting & helpful tidbits now & again. I did a lot of my own reading & then would have questions to ask her & would ask for alternative food sources, strategies, etc. Looking back I guess I was advocating for myself & taking control of the appointment & the direction it went in. Maybe find a dietician vs a nutritionalist (a dietician is more qualified & specialised than a nut). And if they tell you to do or change something ask why & what are the benefits for you specifically not a generic justification. Good luck.

Interestingly, i just watched a medical program (hosted by the late Dr Michael Mosley) and a top UK gastro consultant said 2hrs is pretty average time frame for your tummy to empty of food. (His patient had delayed emptying - less than half after 3 hrs.)

Mine was stitched I would expect yours was too but of course stitches aren’t a total seal like surgical glue. Not sure how to clean it. Gently with a cotton bud??

Okay here we go. 1: Pre op stats 91kg BMI 35 2: Surgery Gastric sleeve 3: Lowest weight post surgery 48.5kg BMI 18.7 at about 18 months. 4: Maintenance weight 48.5kg. Stayed there for about 18 months when I suddenly increased to about 51kg. Realised I wasn’t absorbing my HRT med after my gall removal. Changed my meds and my weight slowly settled at around 49kg after another 18 months. The last 6 months has seen me back to 48.5 again though I was 48.2 this morning. Strange is I actually eat about 300 calories more now (last 2+ yrs) than I did when I initially stabilised. 5: Fluctuation Initially my fluctuation was exactly 1kg so 48.5 - 49.5. Weird I know. It’s been more 700 - 800g the last 18months so very narrow. 6: Methods to maintain & what worked or didn’t work. Work out a sustainable way of eating which doesn’t restrict or limit what you want to do & how you want to live your life. (I know I say this a lot but it’s worked for me.) Still be flexible with your eating style. Don’t be afraid to make changes: different foods or food types, frequency, etc. If it works & you can still maintain great. If it doesn’t drop it & try something else. I don’t enjoy traditional exercising. No gym for me, running miles or getting sweaty. Around 18 months ago I started my exercise snacking (stretches & using resistance bands) habit. Not to burn calories but to regain flexibility & to support my back. Muscle toning has been a bonus. I enjoy it, it’s easy and I do it or a variation every day. 7: How my life has changed It’s just easier in a whole lot of little ways & other things are much sweeter. Yes, I work at maintaining. I’m more aware of what I put in my mouth, its nutrient value & how much I eat but a lot of this is second nature/habit now so not as much ‘hard’ work anymore. Generally I feel more confident though I wouldn’t say I was lacking confidence before. I’m honest enough to say I’ve become more vain though I was always conscious of how I presented myself to others. It’s just a lot more. Just ask my cosmetic physican - LOL! 8: Cautionary tales & words of wisdom Always advocate for yourself. Not happy with an answer ask more questions, for more testing &/or a second opinion. Do your own research & go back with more questions. Be honest. Ask for help. Be flexible. Make the best decisions you can in the situation. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go the way you thought. Things/life happens. It’s how you pick yourself up & move forward again that matters. Find what works for you in regards to how & what you eat, what activity you do & so on. Research, cherry pick across many strategies & plans, test them out & adopt those which work for you. There is no one right way just what’s right for you. This journey isn’t a straight, flat road in one direction. There’ll be hills and valleys, rugged mountains & deep, wide rivers. There’ll be blind corners & round-abouts. You’ll face detours, delays & road works. Your destination may not be where you initially planned but it will be a wonderful, amazing & far better place to be than where you were before you started. And there will be many other fabulous destinations ahead of you.

I used to describe my tummy as a fussy, petulant temper throwing 2 year old. Likes this, not that. Liked this yesterday but not today. Ate this much yesterday barely can eat half today. Your digestive system has gone through a lot in the surgery and it’s going to take some 8 weeks to heal. There’s something up to 12 inches of sutures & staples holding your tummy together. It’s going to be sensitive to certain flavours, textures (& smells for some). Think of that wound being on your arm & how it would be sensitive to different temperatures, different pressures, it may sting, cramp, spasm, etc. as you move about. Same with your tummy you just can’t see the wound. And sometimes your tummy simply isn’t ready to eat some foods yet even if your program says you can. Go slowly. If your tummy doesn’t tolerate something it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to eat it in the future. Your tummy may not like mayo now (too rich or acidic or sweet 🤷🏻‍♀️) but in a couple of weeks it may be fine. It sometimes is challenging to find foods your tummy will tolerate at first. You may find you’re eating the same 2 or 3 things for a couple of weeks at a time. I ate a lot of yoghurt, runny instant rolled oats & runny scrambled eggs in the puree stage. Even had baby food twice to break the monotony. By solid food I was able to eat a lot of things.

Eggs have never been an issue until last year. Love omelettes and scrambled eggs were what i ordered if we went out for breakfast. Oh devilled eggs. Used to make them a lot in the 70s can’t believe they’re still so popular. Somethings just always taste good. I do like a fresh prawn salad with a Marie Rose sauce … a prawn cocktail in other words. 😁 $65 for a salad. Yikes! This is what I don’t like. How we get caught with paying a lot for food or alcohol we just can’t eat or drink anymore or subsidising others’ meals (bill splitting). Think I recently shared about wanting to get a single glass of champagne for myself but was forced to join the group purchase of a bottle. I didn’t even have one full glass while they had almost 2 glasses each. My share cost me 1.5 x the price of a single glass I wanted to order. While lovely it was as an expensive bottle. And the bun less halloumi burger I once ordered. Charged the same $18 price & got a slice of tomato, a small lettuce leaf & a slice of halloumi. Sigh!!

Yes, they do. Usually 5 incisions. Two each side & the one in the middle your belly button. The larger one on the right is where they pull out the part of your tummy they removed.

Could be residual blood but I still would call your surgeon and keep an eye on it to ensure there aren’t any other symptoms.

I can’t remember if i experienced it (too long ago) but I do know some people do. It’s like muscle spasms? Think it occurs simply because the tummy is a muscle & it spasms as a result of the surgery, being so sensitive & then the healing of the tummy muscle & the cut nerves. Some say it happens after drinking very cold or very hot drinks & others say it happens randomly.

I swear I’ve spoken about, read about, thought about or written about constipation more in the last 5 years since surgery than the 44 years of my life before surgery. Lol! In the beginning, it’s not unusual not to poop every day or your poop to be smaller. You’re not eating much and what you are eating/drinking is nutrient dense so not much to poop out. Add to it the protein shakes, iron tablets & opiod pain meds it’s a constipation nightmare. I tried to stay on top of it too. Benefibre in my shakes then my yoghurt/yoghurt drink. If I didn’t go on the third day I’d take a stool softener which usually got things moving again. I’d then take two tablets if there was still no action on the fourth day. Five years out, and things can still be erratic. Every day then nothing for two or three days. No rhyme nor reason I can work out just my life now. Now this may seem strange but try jumping up & down or sitting on the edge of a table & pumping your legs (maybe better his soon after surgery). Was told this by a woman whose granddaughter had cystic fibrosis (I think) & this is how they were advised to help her constipation. It does help. I’ll do 20 jumps 4 - 6 times across the afternoon & evening & usually the next morning success. Avoids popping pils every time. Good luck.