Arabesque

Your stall will break when your body is ready. They always do. Your body is going through a lot & needs to take a moment. I never changed a thing I was doing when I stalled. I figured I didn’t want to stress my body more by changing my calories or activity again. The stalls always broke. You’ll soon work out your weight fluctuation window. Mine is about 1kg (2lbs). It’s just life. Unless you are eating or drinking the exact same amounts of the exact same thing, & you’re peeing & pooping the exact same amounts every day, you’ll will see fluctuations. The trick while you’re losing is to look at the downward trend & not just on your daily weight. Good luck & congrats on your weight loss so far.

I don’t have a lot of loose skin - not handfuls but still good pinches & crumpling. I’ve decided not to go the surgery route. Like @NovaLuna, I can easily cover it with clothes without the need of any support underwear (& that includes in fitted clothing) & no one knows it’s there but me. I feel I sort of earned my loose skin. It’s a reminder every day to stick to my program. Plus I tend to scar pretty badly. Rather have some loose skin than scars cause I’d be wanting to cover them anyway. Actually you can see the little pinch of looseness at my waist in the first pxt. Standing up straight though it’s really nothing. So I’ve been pretty fortunate.

Don’t worry @STLoser, @shoppgirl & @SummerTimeGirl, you will eventually be able to eat more fruit & vegetables. Just slowly incorporate more. At the beginning I could only eat 2 or 3 green beans or a small floret of cauliflower. I started adding heaps of vegetables to soups, omelettes, bolognaise, etc. as well. Now I easily eat a good cup of mixed vegetables like green beans, asparagus, broccolini, sugar snap peas, etc. every night. I also eat lots of lettuce (it’s a slider for me). I have blueberries with my rolled oats every morning & another serve of fruit most nights. (Fruit is a good snack, a natural sweet substitute. Plus high water content & fibre.) I get 4-5 serves of fruit & vegetables in every day. Yogurt is high in protein & was a handy & easy source for me (mine gives me 15g yoghurt tub or 22g yoghurt drink). I still eat it as an afternoon snack almost every day or sometimes I dice up fruit to add to the yoghurt & eat it as dessert. Every little bit counts.

First congrats on your surgery. It can be tough to begin especially getting used to how your healing tummy works: so strange & different from anything you’ve experienced before. But it does get better especially once your tummy heals. There are a lot of plans out there. Some with slight variations others with lots of differences. We always say follow your surgeon’s plan because if something doesn’t go smoothly they can more easily diagnose the cause. But don’t be afraid to stay or go back a stage if your tummy isn’t quite ready yet. It’s not uncommon for people to stay extra days at a stage or to go back a step if the new stage is causing them discomfort. We heal differently & in our own time. I wonder if you’re eating/drinking to quickly too. Go slowly. Put your cutlery or cup down & wait a few minutes before having the next sip or bite. Two years on & I still experience gurgling if I eat or drink too quickly. I can have two swallows but if I have a third - gurgling & tightness. It’s like I have my own poltergeist gurgling & moaning & groaning inside. I sometimes find if I have dairy it will do the same thing. You will get to know how your body reacts to how & what you eat. (Mine’s gurgling now from too many sips of tea - lol!) You’ll realise the restriction (the tightness) & the gurgling are good things - they’re telling you you’ve had enough or you need to slow down & to be more mindful about how & what you’re eating. As time passes you will be able to eat more. I was only eating 1/4-1/3 cup the first couple of months. But by the time I was at goal I could eat about a cup depending on what I was eating. I eat about a recommended serve of most foods now. This is plenty of food & all my body needs. And that it is one of the big learnings - eating what your body needs not what your head/emotions think you need. And I still enjoy food lots. I’m just more careful about my food choices & my portion sizes. Good luck & give yourself time to heal & discover what works best for you.

Lovely to see & hear from you again @sillykitty. You’re looking fab & so glad you ‘re continuing to live your best life. Gotta embrace all the wonderful opportunities that are available to us now. 😁

Stool tests, while easy, are less than 50% successful in identifying the presence of polyps where a colonoscopy is almost 100% successful. If you have have had polyps once you are more likely to grow them again & of course are at a much higher risk for developing cancer. Therefore a colonoscopy is the better choice. Plus they usually remove the polyps as they find them. In Australia they send you stool tests for free when you turn 50. Happy birthday - lol!

Poach the fish. You can poach in milk or water. Lots of recipes about. I sometimes add ginger & lemon grass or dill to the milk. Generally cover or just cover the fish with the milk or water, cover your dish with foil & bake in the oven for about 15mins+/- . I always poached my salmon in milk because it’s too oily for me plus it reduces that salmon smell that permeates your house. You can also steam fish too. Just pop some aromatics of your choice in the water under your steamer. I tried pureeing tinned tuna & salmon with Mayo (too sweet) & also cottage cheese (just disgusting). But that was my taste buds. Good luck.

I used to make my chocolate protein shake on hot water to convince myself it was hot chocolate. Didn’t always work though 😁. Because sugar (incl a lot of artificial sweeteners) was cut out of my pre op diet & my changed taste buds post surgery, sweet things tasted terrible - horribly sweet & unpleasant. Don’t be surprised if you experience the same thing. It was great actually because I lost any desire I had for sweet.

What is homogenised meat? Or is that an auto correct word change lol? My surgeon was fine with me not hitting my protein & fluid goals to begin. As long as I was working towards the goals each day. The first two weeks, I wasn’t eating 300 calories a day - a protein shake & 200mls of soup that’s it. It was enough. I had heaps of fat to keep me going for months! 😉 But that was me. Some consume way more. While on liquids you won’t feel ‘full’. Liquids go through the tummy quickly plus your nerves have been damaged during the surgery. In a few week when you’re more healed & on soft & more solid food you’ll start to feel ‘full’ again. But it’s best to eat not until you’re full but have had enough. There’s a difference. Plus it’s really important to eat slowly. It takes time for the message you’ve had enough to get through so when you feel full, you’ve likely eaten more then you need. I still ask myself do I need the next bite or do I just want it. The squeezing feeling could be acid building up in your tummy. It can also can make you think you're hungry. Were you prescribed an esomeprazole? Good luck & congrats on your surgeries.

I record, stream or download almost everything I watch. I can’t stand any ads at all. They’re everywhere. Social media, game apps, the roadside, cinema, etc. So frustrating & annoying. 99.9% of them are about things I’m not interested in so they’re pointless. But food ads - blahh! They turn my stomach. I love cooking shows & continued to watch them all through my recovery too. Didn’t make me feel hungry though.

I made a lot of slow cooked stews, mince dishes, soups, etc. Protein & vegetables in one meal & food all the whole family can enjoy. Of course the family can add rice, pasta, additional vegetables, etc. as needed to theirs. All could be frozen as individual serves for backup meals. Poached/steamed some soft fleshed white fish too. Also ate scrambled eggs & omelettes & yoghurt.

Nope haven’t changed a thing. I had sleeve surgery 27 months ago & my gall removed three months ago. You’ll already be keeping your fat intake low & that’s really all you need to do. They often recommend eating smaller meals more frequently but you’re likely doing that too. The thing to be aware of is that without a gall bladder, bile is released continuously into your digestive system now. Consequently you may experience some diarrhoea. It usually only lasts a couple of weeks but can be a couple of months. I still have it about once every 10 or so days. But it’s a little different. I get more like a dull pain in my lower abdomen versus a crampy feeling as a warning. My sister-in-law says she gets a diarrhoea attack about once a month since hers was removed 18months ago. She thinks it’s because the bile builds up & her body says enough.

Believe me when I say pooping & not being able to poop will become something you’ll think about more post surgery then you ever have before in your life. And when you do go, you’ll think is that all? The low food intake, low carbs all contribute. Plus your body is using every single nutrient you’re consuming it can. It makes sense though when you think about it. Little food in little waste out. Keep your fluids up. Add some benefibre or similar non swelling soluble fibre to your diet (add to your shakes) & buy some gentle stool softeners to help get you moving after a few days. I used to take something if I got to day 3 with no movement. Any longer & it would get uncomfortable & painful. Good luck.

I was allowed rolled oats from the purée stage which is more coarse than cream of wheat of course. It took me three days to eat a single serve. I did make it pretty milky to up the protein but it still was a little dense which slowed me down. But that was me. Certainly the more liquidy it is the faster it will go through your tummy & you’ll be able to eat more. Plus being this soon out after surgery you really won’t feel any sense of fullness. If you eat/drink your cream of wheat slowly you’d be able to eat more too. You won’t get a lot of protein from cream of wheat alone. What is your protein goal? Broths & protein shakes provide much more protein & get you closer to your daily goal. Constipation will become a regular occurrence while you’re losing. Add some Benefibre to your diet & take a gentle stool softener if the constipation exceeds three days. (Don’t let it progress too many days - it becomes very uncomfortable & can be more painful when it breaks.)

It could be a sensitivity to dairy. Some develop a temporary intolerance of dairy after surgery. Try some plant based protein shakes like @Sunnyway suggested & see how you go.

Low blood pressure. Specifically orthostatic low blood pressure. Your BP is low so when you stand your blood goes to your feet (gravity) & it takes a bit longer to get back up to your head hence feeling dizzy & your vision narrowing or disappearing briefly. I experience it several times a day. Get up slowly. Wait a short time when you stand before you start to move. Wriggle your feet or walk on the spot to get the blood moving. I usually reach for the wall, some furniture even a person just to ground me for the time my vision disappears. I sometimes feel nauseous at the same time. Low caloric intake/low or drops in your sugar levels can make it worse. For most this condition improves or disappears after a few months. I still have it because I always had a tendency towards low BP - it just happens every day now versus a couple of times a month before surgery. But that’s me. Check with your medical team though to make sure.

Deciding which surgery to have is not straight forward & it’s a good idea to ask for real life experiences to help you decide. Some factors will direct you more to one or the other more easily. Like some surgeons recommend bypass over sleeve if you have a larger amount of weight to lose. If you have reflux/gerd already the sleeve really isn’t for you. Then it becomes lifestyle choices, existing medical conditions, weight loss history, etc. that will influence your decision. I had sleeve surgery even though I had occasional reflux. I experience it more now but it manifests differently. One of the reasons I chose the sleeve was because it would change my digestion the least but also because I could revise to a bypass if I needed in the future. My tummy has always been a sensitive (lactose, spice esp chilli, fatty or oily foods, etc.) because of the reflux, a parasite in my gut, an acid tummy & just me. Consequently, I thought I’d be more likely to end up with additional food limitations with a bypass. 27 months on & I’m happy with my sleeve. There are odd foods I’m not good with. Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes sit like a weight in my tummy. Dry meat & vegetables like char grilled ones cause the foamies & gagging. Oily fish upset me more now than before surgery. But this is very individual & you can’t predict it. Amusingly I’m way better with dairy than I was before - tossed that parasite with most of my tummy. I find it harder to find non spicy & non chilli food than foods I eat with my sleeve. Foods you struggle to eat in the first couple of months after surgery may be fine later on. Your tummy can be sensitive to begin & you might have episodes of diarrhoea, vomiting, dumping, foamies. It can help if you introduce foods back into your diet slowly. Most of this is temporary or only if you eat a specific food & I just try to avoid those I know upset me. Some people, though, seem to have no issues with food at all. These experiences seem to be similar across the surgeries. I remember my mother lamenting she didn’t know what food to buy when I visited her. The reality was she didn’t have to buy different foods or cook differently (mind you I’d always do the shopping & cooking when I’m there). I just bought my own yoghurt & protein bar snacks but otherwise we ate the same foods except she has dessert & slightly larger portions. You may choose to make a lot of changes to your long term maintenance diet (I have - rarely have sweet cakes, biscuits or desserts, no fast foods, etc.). You may chose to go the moderation path & still include the odd take away, sweet treat, etc. Doesn’t matter what form your maintenance diet takes it just has to be sustainable for you & how you want to live your life. Good luck with which ever surgery you choose.

Yep, very common. You’ve had pretty major life changing surgery, you’re healing & consuming very little. It’s not unusual to be feeling week & generally blah. Plus as you lose weight, the oestrogen which is stored in your fat is released into your blood stream throwing off your cycle & screwing up your emotions. It will get better just give it time. We all recover differently. Try adding some electrolytes to your water to give you a boost to your energy. Good luck.

First, congrats on your surgery. Secondly, it’s quite common for emotions to be a bit up & down. You’ve just had pretty major life changing surgery. Plus you’re unable to turn to food as a source of comfort now if you were someone who turned to food in the past when you were feeling emotionally unsettled. Thirdly, we all heal differently. Some people are able to get back to work & their usual routine more quickly than others. I returned to work after 4 weeks & struggled: tiredness, sluggish thought processes, etc. A friend went back after a week & was fine. Maybe you could return to work in a part-time capacity to begin or do some work from home like prepping for future trips, reply to emails, complete paperwork, review docs, etc. & see how you go. Give yourself permission to take it easy for a little while as you recover. You will get back to your old life. Well not exactly your old life. An improved version.

Oh yeah, very common. Makes sense when you think about. Major surgery, healing, low calorie diet, emotions likely up & down, etc. Lethargy & general lack of energy should be expected. I mean when we get the flu, we’re always told to rest. You’ve had a huge chunk of your tummy removed, so I think you’re allowed to be tired. I spent a lot of time on my couch the first two weeks then it took me a few months to get my energy fully back. We all heal & recover differently so you may be ok in a couple of weeks or may need a couple of months. Take the time you need. Good luck. BTW I used to mix up a bottle of hydralyte everyday - the electrolytes used to give me an extra boost.

The chewing & spitting of food is a slippery slope. I know people say they do it but it doesn’t make it the best choice. The liquid diet is only two weeks before surgery. Besides helping you lose weight & shrink your liver to help during your surgery, it helps to start breaking your cravings/dependency on caffeine, sugar, carbs, etc. It helps you start to think about why you eat & why you make certain food choices. It’s not easy, but you have months of weight loss ahead of you which will throw many eating & food related challenges at you. You can do it. The post surgery staged diet is needed because you’ve just had surgery to alter your digestive system. Your poor tummy is being held together by a lot stitches & staples. It’s there so you don’t strain or stress your tummy or pop stitches. You may not have felt nausea or vomited @edwardstylez but you could have been just lucky. We all heal at different rates & your tummy may have been able to cope but others may not. Please be careful. Good luck.

I sometimes experience blocked ears - hearing becomes muffled & ears block like when going up or down a mountain range (used to get when flying) except, yawning, swallowing doesn’t ‘pop’ them. For me it’s from low blood pressure (& a little drop in sugar sometimes for me too) - my iron levels are good. The low BP will also cause weakness, lethargy, dizziness, narrowing of vision, mental doughinrss, headaches, etc. too. Do you have your BP tested regularly? Low BP plus low iron levels could be making the situation worse or you. As @catwoman7 said you’ll get more iron from red meat than vegetables. While 100g of fresh spinach will provide about same amount of iron as a 100g of steak, 100g of spinach is a lot of spinach. Personally I was eating vegetables from soft food - carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, … in soups, stews, omelettes, mince dishes, etc. In solid foods I was eating a small floriet of cauliflower, a couple of green beans, or some steamed cabbage at dinner. Not much, but a start. I slowly increased the vegetables as I increased the protein. How much protein do you have to eat each day? My goal was 60g - it took me a while to reach that goal every day but I’d get close. Hope they can sort this out for you soon @SummerTimeGirl. After weight loss surgery, we can’t take nsaids like ibuprofens. Too strong & harsh on our now small tummies & can lead to inflammation, ulcers, etc. Sleevers may be able to have the odd one after a year or so if your surgeon approves. I’m allowed . For e.g. had 2 in the last 3 months - one after my gall surgery & one for my COVID vaccine headache. Many ibuprofens work by constricting blood vessels but they increase your BP as your heart works harder to get your blood around your body hence hearing the whooshing sound of blood being forced through the constricted blood vessels.

So, it’s most likely a menopausal side effect. A non wls friend experiences the same thing. She calls it mummy mouth - the petrified dusty Egyptian kind. Seems the saliva glands start to produce less saliva during menopause. Great another thing drying out! Sigh. Becoming the ubiquitous menopausal dried up prune.

Thank goodness. I thought you may have been unwell or had surgery.

Congrats on your pregnancy. The old ‘eating for two now your pregnant’ maxim isn’t actually true. My sister-in-law was told she should only add up to a 100 calories in the first trimester & slowly increase to about 250 in the third trimester. She has back problems plus gestational diabetes so not putting on excess weight was very important. She followed that advice for her four pregnancies (incl a set of twins) & kept her actual weight gain pretty low each time. But that was what she was told. Check with your ob/gyn for their recommendations as to what you would need & then your dietician for suggestions on how to add those extra calories. If you’re advised similar amounts, you could add those extra calories with a protein shake or soup as a snack (easy to consume), increase your protein serve a little & add a few extra vegetables.