Bessieboop1981

Please feel free to message girls if you fancy a chat about the struggle,I get you! X

Hi guys, I've been very up and down with my emotions on this journey I have taken only 6 weeks ago. I am struggling mentally with intrusive food thoughts and I am coming to terms with just how serious a problem I had around food and still do, its early days. I know many of you have been through the same struggles emotionally. I was just looking for your experiences to reassure me that I'm not alone in this and that things will get better. I don't regret having the sleeve because I am feeling so much better health wise, I'm just struggling! I don't eat or crave junk food anymore, I just miss eating and my mind is telling me I'm hungry when I know I'm not! Thank you for hearing me out again! x

Thank you Hannah I hope you are coping better with therapy x

Aww Debbie I hope you feel better soon I know how hard it is and I wasn't given any help either. X

Thank you so much for your kind words. I feel kinda lost at the moment x

Amazing pearls of wisdom! Thank you so much for the info

Spartan maker thankyou for your post it really give me something to think about. I have always hated being hungry too and I think my head is trying to control me again! I have always loved eating and even though I'm not craving junk food I think I am missing eating. I got into a habit of looking at recipes and looking at healthier food options online shopping. I am always thinking about food which is definitely not helping. Today I sat with my 'hunger' and found that if I waited a few minutes and diverted my attention away from food I was fine. The mind is such a powerful thing I can hardly believe it! My mind has tricked me into eating more and gaining weight my whole life and it's what has got me here! So I need to change it up and use sone CBT practises to push away the intrusive food thoughts. Thank you so much you really helped me to see this after reading your reply!

Hi guys I just thought I would check in with you all and tell you of my progress, trials and tribulations! I'm nearly 6 weeks post-op and I am still adjusting to my new life. I am doing very well all things considered, except that one of my surgical sites reopened and is not healing properly, don't worry I am having medical support from the doctor and nurse, I just feel a bit down with it to be honest. I'm type 2 diabetic and my glucose levels have stabilized which is awesome! I lost 2 stone 1lb in just under a month which is amazing, I did stay the same last week which was disappointing but I guess my body needs time to catch up! I'm struggling mentally with self-imposed restrictions and triggering situations like food shopping etc and I wondered if you guys could help me gain some clarity I am one of the unlucky ones that still experiences real hunger and it is definitely not head hunger. I need to eat around every 2 hours, I am getting all my protein in and my fluids and I'm eating around 700 cals a day. My problem is that when I feel real hunger I panic and I don't know why! I have had lots of therapy and I am in a very good place now after many years of struggles with my mental health. I guess I was expecting not to feel hungry like most other people, and that was the case until about 3 weeks ago! The self imposed restriction is calorie counting! I am conflicted about whether I should be counting the calories in non starchy veg such as sprouts, cucumber tomatoes, gherkins, beetroot etc and fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and satsumas. Should I be counting calories at all? I'm eating around 700 cals a day at the moment. I am committed to eating healthy and do not crave junk food anymore which is awesome! I go for whole foods mainly and low carbs. Previously when I have given myself restrictions before I have done great for a few months then fallen off the wagon. I know it is different this time as I have a new tool, but it's taking my brain a while to catch up! I know that I am at the early stages at the moment and still learning my fullness cues and practising a fair amount of control, I used to eat mindlessly, now I think about everything that goes in my mouth. What do you guys think of this? I also worry that my weight loss will stall and I know it's only been a week so far and its not a stall until 3 to 4 weeks, but I have seen it so many times on lots of forums and it worries me a bit to be honest. I know that no one really knows how their weight loss is going to go as everyone is unique and I need to stop overthinking things but its so hard when I have done it all my life! Did any of you guys have similar worries or concerns in the early stages and did it resolve itself? Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance x

Thank you all for taking the time to give me such great advice. It's a learning curve and I think I need to accept it as a lifestyle change and not another diet. It's hard though when that's all I've ever known, it really is a mental battle at times, but with time and patience I know I will get there x

Hi guys, I'm feeling a bit low so I thought I would reach out, everyone seems so friendly here. I had sleeve surgery nearly 6 weeks ago and one of the surgical sites just wont heal. They were all fine, scabbed over and looking great until two weeks ago when they starting weeping. When this happened I covered them up with an antiseptic cream and saw the doctor who prescribed antibiotics for an infection I had. The scab came off on one of them along with the stitches leaving a sizeable hole which scared me to death! Now this hole won't seem to heal. It is about as 1cm deep and 1.5 cm wide. The nurse is packing and dressing it twice a week, but it's really getting me down. I am type 2 diabetic so I know that alone indicates slow healing but my glucose levels are right down now since the surgery which is great. Has anyone else had problems of this nature? It's really getting me down and it makes me feel queasy when I have to have it changed.

Thank you for your kind words x

Hi guys I was sleeved 2 weeks ago and am due to go onto pureed foods tomorrow. MY main concern is how I am going to get the protein in as I know I will only be able to manage a few mouthfuls at first. Do you have any tips? I have ordered some protein flavoured water power and I am fed up with protein shakes now! I have to be careful what I have because I have suffered with digestive issues and have had to drink more to keep hydrated! Did you have problems with your digestion after surgery, not constipation though Any help would be gratefully received. Thank you!

Thank you so much I am adapting well☺️ I now have 5 small meals a day and am eating about 600 cals. I'm managing to get in 60-70g of protein and all my fluids too. It is a huge life change but I'm getting there. Thank you for replying 🤗

Hi guys I didn't realise how obsessed with food I was until now! Head hunger is the worst for me and I am very always having to push it away! I eat 3 small half cup meals a day, I get in at least 70g of protein and at least 2 litres of fluid. A lot of it is due to my old bad habits like sitting in front of the TV, looking in shops for nice food, going out for the day. It was all focussed on what I would eat! Does it get any better? What was it like for you? Are you still going through this? Thank you!

Thank you so much for your support guys, it means a lot x

thank you so much guys x

Thank you so much for your replies, my tummy has calmed right down now and I am managing to get in at least 70g of protein a day. I am also getting in at least 2 litres of fluid daily too. I am having 3 small meals a day - half a cup each time. I am trying to space them out as well. The head hunger is worse for me, I didn't realise how obsessed I was with food until now! Every time I pass a shop, go out for the day and loads of others scenarios! Any tips for that guys? x

Hi guys, I wondered if any of you have decided to completely given up conventional food and have protein / meal replacement shakes instead post op. I have heard that this is absolutely fine to do as long as you are taking your supplements and drinking plenty of water. What's your thoughts/experiences?

I have heard a lot of people talking about completing a liver shrinking diet some weeks before surgery. My surgeon has told me that because my BMI is only 36 I don't need to do this and that it is only for larger people. What's your thoughts on this guys? I carry all of my weight around my midriff, I haver super skinny arms and legs so I'm more inclined to think that my liver does need shrinking before my op. I am intending to do a 2 week diet consisting of meal replacement shakes and at least 2 litres of water. Those that completed a liver shrinking diet, what did you consume? Those that didn't were there any problems with the surgery? Thank you!

Thank you so much for your replies, especially arabesque and nickelchip! As I mentioned earlier in the thread I am researching and learning as much as I can before my sleeve in January, I am a newbie afterall! Just to be clear to Greentealael asking a question does not mean I am actually considering doing this and I am not promoting or seeking support for dangerous behaviours. I have found this forum a real godsend to hear people's experiences and ask questions, but to be honest, your reply was not helpful and only made me feel bad.

Thanks for your input, that's why I am asking these questions before I have the operation. I was told this and wanted to check with people who know what they are talking about. It's all about researching the dos and don't in preparation at the moment for me.

My surgeon has told me that it's not necessary but I can do it if I want to, sorry I should've mentioned that earlier

Hi there! I am scheduled to have the gastric sleeve mid January 2025. I have done my research and completely understand the procedure and the physical side of it all. I was wondering how you cope emotionally with such a big change, especially for those that are so used to using food for comfort as I am. I've heard some say that since the ghrelin hormonal gland was removed from the stomach they never felt hungry and no longer think of food in the same way. I have also heard people say they are hungry all the time. I am expecting a whirlwind of emotions and I know it will not be easy. I'm just looking for some examples of your experiences, especially on emotional eating . How did/do you cope? Do you have/need coping mechanisms in place- if so what? Does it get easier? Do you have any helpful advice for a newbie like me? Thank you so much for your time guys x

That's an excellent idea thank you!