Lily2024

Just a thought here, you've recently had several surgeries, along with a large blood loss. Significant weight loss, and new job. Now working overnights a few days a week. I'm thinking you may be feeling the effects of the combination of all those things, and it will take you and your body longer to adjust than someone who hasn't been through all of that? I remember you saying you have to eat very low carb due to sensitivity, and maybe your body is not liking that considering the increased demand on energy. Is there anything you could pair some carbs with that wouldn't make you feel awful? Like crackers with butter and cheese? That would provide fats, protein and carbs all together?

You look wonderful, love the smile too.

I feel the same, it's so weird to look down at my lap and see that I have one!!!!! I look in the mirror and see a normal sized person. My pants are tiny, I keep thinking there's no way I'll get those on. It's a lot to adjust to so quickly.

At 6 months post op, I just had a 3 week stall that ended a few days ago, and I'm down about 5 pounds since last week. I was also wondering if I was at my stopping point a few pounds over my goal, which is lower than my clinic's goal for me. Each stall seems to be lasting longer, which I know is the norm for this process. The reality is if you are following the program, the stalls will break and you'll lose more. It's just so hard to keep the faith during the stall.

Self discipline doesn't seem to work for most people in a position to need WLS. Instead maybe call it focus? Refocus, rededicate, recommit to the plan.

Congratulations, I'm so happy for you!!!

I'm pretty sure I was told 2 weeks also, though I don't work full time so I was able to go back part time, and I was tired. I can understand not feeling up to it, though standard is 2 weeks. I think the significant piece here is that you have a few issues that are also affecting your recovery time, and it's unfortunate that you weren't able to feel heard about your specific situation. How are you feeling now?

F 52, 5'9.5", SW 255 26 lbs, with 2 week liquid diet 36 219 202 186 Almost 5 months post op, 174. RNY Gastric Bypass 1/3/24

I'm almost 5 months post op RNY Gastric Bypass 1/3/24. 52 F 5'9.5 HW 272 SW 255 Surgery date 219, CW 174 1. I had surgery for a variety of reasons, severe GERD, hiatal hernia, gastroparesis, obesity, chronic pain and disability. The best part is not feeling either nauseous, in pain, or hungry 24/7. I feel hungry, I eat, and I feel good. Don't get me wrong, I still have some nausea or pain if I eat too much or too fast, or just knowing something isn't likely going to agree with me, but I've been pretty good at avoiding those things. The chronic pain is lessened, I'm more mobile, and feel more energetic throughout the day, instead of just in the morning. 2. I've had some hard days with emotions, not being able to eat mindlessly anymore, regardless of the food. It's been an adjustment, but honestly, no one needs to eat mindlessly, it just isn't good for anyone. 3. I had a sketchy bladder issue, it didn't wake up for a few days after surgery. I had a sketchy bladder already (Previous Cauda Equina Syndrome), so it wasn't completely out of nowhere that it didn't cooperate. 4. It's been really good for the most part, there have been moments that felt hard like traveling with family and not planning well enough, had a hunger meltdown, and struggled getting what I needed in a hotel room with a barbie fridge. Though recently traveled again, same scenario, but better prepared, no melt downs, no strife. 5. I was started on purees in the hospital and it was a slow progression to regular food and I felt okay through every stage though I would say that I started feeling "normal" when eating after about 3 months? 6. I don't eat bread, pasta, rice, fried foods anymore. My ultra favorite was fish fry, now I have baked cod and still eat it with tartar sauce, so I don't feel deprived. Most foods that I crave I've been able to find a satisfying alternative for that works for me. . 7. I have not vomited once since the surgery, I've wished I could at least twice, but it was a matter of having eaten too much and needing to wait to let it settle. That is a good reminder for me to go slow and take breaks. I've not had any dumping, though I avoid all sugar anyways, and did prior to surgery. 8. It's different for everyone, I think I felt most like myself again at about 8 weeks. Though that doesn't mean that I felt bad before that, I just felt less energetic, a bit more emotional, etc. 9. Yes, very much so. I don't have that afternoon slump anymore, I feel clearer and just happier. I feel like I am now what I was supposed to be all this time. If that makes sense? 10. It affected my mental health in the expected way, I was weepy, sad, afraid, etc. I was thoroughly prepared for it by reading on this site and American Bariatrics site. I knew what to expect and it didn't shock me or frighten me when it happened. Thanks to all of you who so generously shared about those experiences. I'm definitely happier now, I feel more comfortable in my own body now than I have in a very long time. 11. I don't regret a moment of it, would definitely recommend it to anyone who is eligible and interested in having surgery. For me, the biggest piece of it is that feeling of eating, then feeling satisfied. When I go out with friends or family, even though there is so much food still on the table, or on my plate, it doesn't keep me preoccupied. I'm able to just sit and enjoy the time with friends and family without spending the entire time talking to myself about one more bite, one more piece, no, no, maybe...................This piece right here is invaluable, and when combined with the fact that I don't feel sick all the time anymore, it's definitely been worth it many times over for me.

I feel that, every time I look at my legs in shorts, or feel my ribs, or hug my husband tight and my arms wrap around him because I don't have a belly keeping me farther away from him. It's pretty wonderful.

I'm pretty much shopping exclusively at Goodwill right now, not sure where this trip will end and I keep outpacing all my new stuff. For me, it hits when I'm folding my laundry, all my clothes are so much smaller, it's weird. I go in looking at my current size and feel like I don't belong there.

Woohoo!! Well done, and thanks for the laugh.

Swimming is what really ramps up my hunger and so far nuts and avocado really help. A pre workout meal is Chobani zero greek yogurt, 2 oz, half ounce walnuts, 6 grapes. I'm almost 4 months post op. I'm still eating 3 oz at a time, 3 meals a day, 1 snack.

I wonder if part of the problem of eating slider foods is that they are foods that we are used to just scarfing down and not paying attention, repetitive movements are soothing. I've noticed recently that I started eating a few bites of things that are not on my meal plan and somehow that contributed to my eating all foods without being mindful. When I eat slowly, paying attention to what I'm eating, I don't eat too much of even slider foods.

My program is counting from the preop appt weight, 3 weeks before surgery, I had already lost 25 lbs at that point.

I'm glad to hear this, most chairs I sit in now are painful, I've started carrying a pillow to sit on sometimes when I know it will be too painful otherwise. I'm just over 3 months post op.

That first week I felt like a fish out of water, it was so surreal and jarring. Not everyone feels that way, but a good number of us do and it's hard. We're here to support you and tell you that it will get better, you will feel better, and things will feel normal again once you've adjusted. This is not forever. I'm going to my 3 month post op today, I'm able to eat and feel good most of the time (When I don't eat too fast) and able to do a fairly intense daily walk for an hour as well as the normal daily activities. I'm still a bit tired, sometimes I feel emotional when I've not gotten enough nutrition or sleep, but I've learned to see the signs and take proactive measures so it really doesn't happen all that often anymore. I really started to feel better around 8 weeks, and feel much better again at 12 weeks. Right now the best thing you can do is remind yourself that this is ground zero, all the healing is ahead of you, there's a lot to learn but you will learn it as you go.

It was always the plan to stay at least one night, I ended up staying 2 nights because my bladder was sleepy. I mostly slept the whole two days though.

I've eaten out a lot recently, just circumstantial, but it's been working out okay? I got chick fil a grilled nuggets which was perfect, 4 piece. At a local seafood restaurant I got a sample platter with shrimp, scallops, salmon and spinach in a fantastic ponzu sauce, all grilled/steamed. Yesterday at dinner with friends I had a single crispy brussel sprout, and ordered Jambalaya with chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage. I ate the shrimp and chicken with the sauce, just left the rice or side each time. It was delicious and I felt like it fit my needs totally. It's weird having so much of the meal left over but when I bring it home someone in the house will always eat it. While on vacation with family I tended to just have some of whatever my spouse was having, that worked out well too. I was so nervous about it but it seems to be ok.

I've had some of the same scenarios, thinking I can do so much more and then really feeling just devastated physically afterwards. I'm also feeling the "What did you do?" from time to time and it hits like lightning, then I manage it and it dissipates. (I use a process like an automatic thought record though now it's an automatic response to overreaction that works for me) Thank you for sharing.

Out of curiosity, are they finding the drug itself causes the difference or is the difference what you would expect to see with the weight loss the drug causes?

Spinoza, I never even noticed that before!! I usually go to my profile, then scroll to my surgery, then left side offers options, click progress, and then I can edit. So much easier using the together we have lost..... Also, SacB, so well done. It's so weird, right? I went shopping today for clothes, first time since I started losing weight, I've been shopping in my closet but I've run out now. It was so much fun.

I'm 10 weeks post op and I did eat a fry, just one, and I liked it a lot. I've also eaten a small piece of pizza crust and my body doesn't tolerate gluten. Both times I was ok, but I'm afraid to try any more than that. Which is just the way it should be I think. I've had times when I felt voracious, ate more than usual, felt bad about it, then realized I just ate 1/10th of what I would eat previously. It's ok. For those times that I may not find anything to eat and I'm out and about, I keep roasted soynuts (The only bean comes in .9 oz packets, fits in any purse and is very satisfying) or protein bars with me. Just saying, I haven't learned all this from the surgery, I've been on very restricted diets for a long time due to GI issues, where it was unlikely I would find something I could eat outside my house. Clearly I wasn't restricting the quantities, just the specifics.

I'm 51, 9 weeks post op. I was working out regularly before surgery, doing well post op for the most part. Pretty sure I'll be feeling even better in another few weeks.

I've lost over 60 lbs since I started this journey, 26 since surgery, and I've gotten very few comments. That surprised me until I realized the same things everyone else has posted: People are nervous to bring it up, not sure if it's appropriate, etc. I see it in their faces though, it's definitely noticeable, but I tend to just forge ahead as if nothing has changed and most people just go with that. My husband comments regularly, he loves the changes and even more, he loves the change in my self esteem.