learn2cook

On 01/09/2025 at 11:10, PeachyPaige said:

I start in-person classes again on Monday. I feel so scared and so not ready. I'm down 30lbs 1 month post op but I still feel disgusting in my clothes and I'm terrified of people seeing me when I can't stand to look at myself. I'm trying really hard to become the person I want to be with college and lifestyle, getting healthy and losing weight but I'm still so scared of other people seeing me as I am now. I feel fat and ugly, and I just want to stay in my house and never leave until I'm "skinny".

I love your honesty. I went back for my undergrad at 30, and my masters at 50. No one cared how old or how fat I was. The young people were so so so supportive and kind. Most were a little self absorbed (which is age appropriate) so they honestly didn’t even notice me. Two things helped, college the second time (and third) around was better because I went to a smaller university (5k vs 20k). Second I had therapy to help me get out of my head. You are fabulous just the way you are! If you don’t figure that out now, you will find out that you don’t trust anyone who befriends you when you get to goal. Been there-Meg

On 12/16/2024 at 02:55, Bypass2Freedom said:

Yeah it is definitely normal for it to slow - and a good thing to remind us of the priorities when it comes to eating etc! Definitely good prep for the future

I can see how that is a thing - I definitely weigh myself far far less than I used to in the earlier day of surgery, but I still find myself on that scale maybe 3-4 times per week! I need to perhaps take a step back and get the tape measure out instead and just weigh in once a month as you say!

I kept loosing until the 2yr 4 months mark. Stuff will get very stressful at work and extra pounds just peel off. Extra holiday foods come in and pounds go on (a bit). You will loose weight as long as you’re in a deficit. You are doing great. Also, there’s a reason doctors no longer tell terminal patients that they have x amount to live, because it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Your new intestinal system will work for you even in maintenance. It honestly keeps working. You got this!

Many insurers in the US don’t cover this method even though it has slightly better outcomes than the sleeve or RNY. You might get more responders in the DS threads, since the surgery is more like that.

I buy the premade shakes because they aren’t chalky or lumpy. Also, there aren’t many lactose free kinds with less than 5gm sugar. So I get OWYN or Fairlife. They’re cheaper from a box store. They taste great warm in coffee or over ice.

I got my hunger back just after the third month so maybe it’s that? I like to think like a scientist so I would do experiments with using the medication vs not. I would also ask my doctor if they could substitute a prescription. I would also look into the possibility of special holiday foods being a little too persuasive. Winter holidays and parties trip me up every year. I now go onward with a plan that this year seems to work. I survey the food, pick one or two bites so I won’t feel deprived. I also eat my normal healthy choices before going. Good luck finding what works for you. (I put peppermint lip gloss under my nose for a pie sale. It worked!)

You have made a fantastic start. Write down all your thoughts in a journal. I found it has really helped me reset later when I mentally went off track. I’m really happy for your recovering overall health!

Yes, @Trish662 , I had the exact same situation only I’m 5’4”. I was 53 yrs old when I had surgery in August, and had a long stall in December and bloodwork came back Iron anemia. It took a month of faithful iron supplements with Vitamin C during my lunchtime (coffee, milk products, PPT, magnesium supplements all make taking iron at other times cancel out absorption). You will have to find a 4 hr window (nothing 2 hrs before and nothing 2 hrs after) that works for your absorption. I ate meatloaf, meatballs and ground grass fed beef with a small amount of marinara or mild salsa for lunch meals as well. At the time I could only eat 3 oz of Protein due to restriction (dietitian still pushing for 4oz per meal even now). I get my 60-80 grams of protein per day in easily now! After that grueling iron work I did start loosing weight much more regularly 3-4 lbs a month and kept loosing weight until 2 years and 4 months. I had RNY so I need to stay on top of the iron absorption issue regularly. If I forget to take the iron with C for a week, I feel sluggish and 4-5 lbs shows up quickly. It takes about another week to get the weight and iron back on track (says the bloodwork and doc). You’ll feel better soon and your stall will end quickly.

I take Centrum Women’s 50+ tablets in the morning with Calcuim and D3, then additional Nature Made Iron 65mg with Trader Joe Vitamin C complex at lunchtime. I found my magnesium low too so I take that at night with a probiotic, Trader Joe’s is the cheapest that doesn’t hurt my stomach or pocketbook but you will probably find something you like better. I don’t count carbs, but I find if I eat any simpler carbs like an apple or oatmeal I dump. I also throw off all my electrolytes and get wicked muscle spasms. Gatorade Zero or similar products help me stay balanced, and I stayed away from most carbs except veggies during the loosing phase. I can eat the same or more calories in fat and loose, but if it’s carbs, stall, stall, stall. You will find your sweet spot, pun intended.

Congratulations on your new you! My RNY surgery was August 12, 2021.

My biggest fear before WLS was maintenance. I kept loosing until 2yrs, 3mo. There were a number of stalls, a couple of gains, but maintenance isn’t that bad. The stats are in the file on here, but I lost 75lbs before surgery, and 75lbs after. My tops are the same size as when I was 5’7” and 140lbs at age 20 so I think I’m there (I’ve aged and shrunk, and acquired a load of skin since then. It all hangs around my belly apron and above my knees.) I’m 56yrs old and love being active and staying active is my passion. The trick is to find activities you love, then let yourself obsess over them!

The secret to my maintenance is smell. I have wicked allergies and noticed I loose weight easily when I can’t smell anything. So, I “forget” to take my nasal spray, or wear a mask with peppermint scent in it. Viola, 5-10 lbs falls off in a week. Thankfully, I also dump on sugar so I don’t need to do the smell trick often :)

I stalled about that same time too. I was still loosing, just slower. I added Probiotics and personally worked on getting better sleep (meditation, CBD, journaling stress out, etc). The weight kept going down in spurts. It was just random spurts until the 2&1/2 year mark. Then I had to be super mindful and pay attention to my vitamins/minerals. It helped me to join some groups like Dr. Wiener , and a hiking club, just to be with like minded people who were trying to be healthy. I hope you find your tweaks and habits that help you :) Yes, there’s more gas in your tank to burn. It is possible.

Yeah Onederland!

I wish you a happy healthy journey on your surgery and weight loss. I saw April Laren on YouTube had the DS and was very honest about her first few weeks. She might be worth a look.

I bet you didn’t have any trouble bending over to reach it either :)

I’m glad you’re enjoying yoga! I just throw my mat in the front loader with color wash (cold) once a month. I spot clean after a sweaty class with sensitive baby wipes. Some in the class use Clorox wipes. The instructor throws hers in the washing machine cold too. We all hang them to dry. They were “invented” by a woman who saw that the non-slip pads under rugs helped her. Angela Farmer was her name.

Most of the people on here have said it. I do cook most of my food now, hence the name. I think I’m weird because I like to food prep. I weigh myself at least once a week or check how my jeans fit. Then jump back on track (if I’ve wandered) by weighing food, measuring, recording and checking in with my son or a friend to hold myself accountable. I stay in touch with my bariatric group of fellow WLS patients because it’s good positive energy from people working hard to maintain weight loss. I pop on here too, again nice positive energy from folks trying to be supportive and helpful staying healthy!

Lots of people have posted about food, so I’ll tell you my behavior changes I make. I measure my Protein on a scale. My personal dietitian told me 4oz protein per meal, or diabetic protein count 20grams. I record it either online in a phone app, or write it down. I can eat as much raw veggies or baked, or steamed veggies as I like, but only at meals with protein. No root vegetables due to sugar content. I drink 2litters of Water, sometimes more during the day. I take my Vitamins daily. Three meals look like that, then I’m back on track. If I’m hungry, one boiled egg before bed. That’s what the dietitian told my 5’10 son too. When we really want results we share and compare information to hold each other accountable, including weighing in on the scale. I watch the glucose goddess online for tips and recipes, and Dr. Weiner. In maintenance the fruit, nuts, seeds, cheese can come in one once quantities- those are “extras.” Alcohol is only for maintenance, just major holidays. Recap; weigh/ measure food, record it, share with a trusted friend or family to keep yourself accountable. Your dietitian should be telling you what a portion of protein is for you specifically.

I’m going to reiterate the above poster, you honestly can’t compare yourself to others. My tweak is that you might not get to “the weight of your dreams.” As an older post menopausal woman I am a powerhouse of strength that lives quite comfortably on 800-1000 kcals a day and still weighs roughly 200lbs at 5’4”. I honestly can’t eat less food or risk malnutrition. I work an extremely strenuous job physically with severely disabled children. I wear size 16-18 American bottoms and size large or size 14-16 tops, large dresses. The only things that jiggle is leftover skin. I know I’m one injury away from switching to general education kids, but I’m living life full throttle and enjoying it!

So, you are doing awesome work! Keep following your plan and taking care of yourself. You’re way younger than me so you have an honest shot at getting all the way down.

BUT, who you are isn’t determined by how much you weigh. Are you staring down diabetes anymore? Are you pursuing your life goals, career goals, kindness to self goals? Are you involved in real life relationships and groups? Just from your post I can tell you are a caring person that works hard to make things better. Keep going! (Therapy helps you see fabulous you too.)

I love Summerseeker’s recipe, I have added a deep umami flavor with the addition of one small tin of Tomato paste. It’s very thick and sticky like margarine, I’m not sure if other countries call it something else. Sometimes I put cooked buffalo meat in it for a good start towards chilli, (and Beans of course.) Then it’s often served over cooked spaghetti squash (fork released) or shocked zucchini ribbons made with the carrot peeler.

This explains the reaction from the WLS center from my recent bloodwork. I had fasted like they had asked and my blood glucose levels were at 70. That’s the cutoff within normal range. I’d never had a problem fasting before surgery, and was never diabetic. This must be a more common post WLS issue. I also asked why one apple slice can make me dump? The answer was that I’ve fine tuned my body for only low glycemic levels so little bites can send it spiraling. The doc and dietician said to eat Protein to counteract it, and to pair (whatever) with protein. It was the same response Catwoman got.

This may not be related to your bypass. I suggest talking with your regular doctor for a sick visit. Your doctor can run more tests to puzzle out what’s going on. Just keep your fluids up by small sips (like a child’s medicine cup then wait 5 minutes before another sip) and push some Gatorade Zero to keep your electrolytes stable while figuring this out. There’s some nasty viruses going around. Let’s hope it’s something simple like that, but get checked out.

Like most things, needing Iron or not should be driven by data, not noise from social media. Your blood levels taken at the doctor’s office/lab will tell you what you need to do. Your data is specific to you and no one else, and it’s just a snapshot of your health at that time. Next year might look different and that’s ok too.

On 09/27/2024 at 10:17, RuizAyres said:

This was in my paperwork…I haven’t had my follow-up yet with nutritionist after reading them? She has me starting to eat every 3hrs and using a timer.! I guess that’s where the 5 shakes come in. I’ve been told by both surgeon and nutritionist that I wouldn’t have to be on a really strict pre op diet because of being 195lbs but that is 70lbs overweight for me. Plus I have so many medical problems probably related to weight. I am older but I have an esophageal hernia that’s going to be repaired at same time and doc suggested for the sleeve. Didn’t think it could be done at my age….but so thankful.

I’m a little surprised that your doc suggested the sleeve if you’re already having esophagus problems. I’m not a doctor, but my esophagus hernia excluded sleeve surgery automatically.

Yes repairing can happen the same day. Be prepared for recovery taking a little longer with a sore and swollen throat. Everyone looses weight and recovers at different speeds. Just keep thinking about how much you are improving your health and quality of life.

Yeah, the new sizes and THE OPTIONS are a real head spinning thing for a while. Well done!

It’s so nice to see your rewards for hard work. Well done!

Super! You rock!

B e a u t I f u l !