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How did you break a stall?
catwoman7 replied to xbrittney90's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
yep - stick to your plan, stay off the scale, and wait it out. Stalls are a normal part of the weight loss process. I think of it was your body having to stop and recalibrate once in awhile. As long as you're sticking to your plan, the stall will break and you'll be on your way again. -
BARELY any weight loss in first two weeks??
bigoverthinker replied to MaameWata's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
"At the moment it takes me about 10-12 hours to drink a litre at most and I’ve tried things like fruit juices and teas etc…I just feel like I’m constantly forcing myself - on top of forcing myself to have Protein Shakes and Soups and all the purées," Fruit juice and other liquid sugars are the enemy. Sugar retains water as strongly as salt/sodium. And liquid sugar spikes insulin which puts energy/glycogen into your fat cells rather than letting your body burn it. High insulin is probably driving your hunger. I had to prioritize water over protein for a couple weeks. Slowly I was able to up my protein close to my goal of 80 g per day. When I forget to drink enough at first I would rapidly lose weight. (Water weighs about 8 lbs per gallon.) Then my weight loss would stall or even go up as I rehydrated. If I stay hydrated the my weight comes down about a pound per day. Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app -
Struggling to envision weight loss
bigoverthinker replied to mcipanda's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
There are other kinds of goals than just weight loss or smaller size. Certainly I wanted to be less heavy and be able to fit in a booth. But I also wanted to stop insulin, blood pressure meds, and be able to get up from the floor without help. I had the sleeve surgery 12/30/2022. Feels like a different lifetime before. I expected much more of a struggle, a continued war over control of my compulsive eating. I thought that would be my most likely post surgery downfall. Stopping that war became my goal. I made up my mind to befriend and protect my surgery and the signals that my smaller stomach is sending me like a precious possession. So far it's working. I am down 60 lbs since my sleeve surgery and still progressing. A little more than once in a while I am tempted and I will have something I shouldn't but I will either leave or limit myself to a taste. I noticed that if I leave I don't miss it. If I taste it it isn't as delicious or satisfying as I expected. I am respecting and protecting my stomach's ability to help me have a nicer life where I can play with my grandchildren and climb a flight of stairs and not have to plan how to get up before I sit on the floor with my grandkids. Last week I was at Costco and I really missed having a hotdog with mustard. I bought one and I ate until I felt full. I threw away 2/3 of the hotdog. I did the same thing with a slice of pizza the week before only took two bites and realized it wasn't tasting as good as I expected. I threw that away too. Something that helped me was that before the surgery I made up my mind that if I was miserable post surgery I have permission to stretch out my stomach and go back to my old ways of coping and keeping life worth living. So far I have been more at peace and happier on the trajectory I am on. I am down 60 lbs since my surgery and still progressing. Lately I am realizing that the enemy of my progress is my sense of failure when I have a bite of something unapproved. Permission to throw away the rest once I taste it or have hit "full" is freeing. I am enjoying the sense power when I throw away the remainder and move on. Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app -
March 23 buddies yet?
Christi Hawkins replied to ceri84's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Day 6 Post-Op for me!! I had my sleeve surgery on March 7th. I agree with most of what has been said so far but I had quite a lot of pain for the first 3 days. They ran some tests, which showed nothing, so I imagined it or have turned into a big baby! I thought days 1-3 were brutal but in hindsight, I probably should have done a few things better. 1. Do exactly what your nurses tell you to do as soon as they tell you to do it. No matter how you feel. If they don't get you up and walking, you ask. My first nurse had me up on the first day and we walked twice. The next day was his day off so no one offered after that. As I was laying in bed miserable every time I looked up there was a young lady with pink hair and a big smile on her face making lap after lap. So I got approval to do it on my own 2. Start drinking the moment they tell you. It will look gross but it will make you feel so much better and SIP DO NOT GULP!! I could only get down water and didn't really even try to until the 3rd day 3. Have a game plan for recovery. I'm not sure why this happened but I woke up feeling very strange about what I'd done. Several moments of Buyer's Remorse and I remember just feeling sick about it. Almost like I hadn't expected it or the surgery happened by surprise. I can't really describe it but it was very strange and I didn't snap out of it for at least 2 days. So pull in your support group as quickly as you need. So now it's Day 6 and I almost feel back to normal. Pain is gone, I'm having no trouble getting all my protein and liquids in. I'm a little more tired than normal but that's it, really. I think the rest is going to be mental, so I'm trying to get my expectations in a realistic position. Please don't doubt your decision, or feel alone. We're all in this together and we can lean on each other when we need -
Today is day 5 post-Op for me and yesterday/Day 4 post felt like a physical turning point in terms of being more mobile. I did some short slow walking laps at a park across the street from me though I think the chafing against my shirt material may have irritated my center incision on my stomach where it looks like there is a keloid scar now so I am being more careful going forward. I went into the kitchen today to keep my body moving (my arm muscles feel weak when washing my hair for example) and I made the Kaiser recommended recipe for Butternut Squash soup. Eating that now for lunch. Yesterday I got less than 400 cals but did get 60 G protein in and I felt discomfort at night (hunger? My stomach makes noise all day long so it’s hard to tell what each new sound means). So today I am aiming for 600 cals/75 G protein instead. The soup tastes actually decent, even after adding in Isopure zero carb powder in it. I’m keeping up with my skincare, grateful for veggies being added to the mix and using this time to listen to audiobooks and color on my iPad while I eat. Days 1-3 were horrific for me - I couldn’t eat because everything tasted super off and I was fading. So for all those feeling a little down after surgery I think with each day there’s a new experience and the body does heal and recover physically, emotionally, mentally. 🤩
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I am 4 months post op (tomorrow) and I am noticing that I need to start figuring out what works for me as a sustainable plan for the rest of my life. For now, I am working on intuitive eating combined with still logging my food. I am choosing to still log my food (in MFP) so that I have an understanding of how often I am feeling true hunger and also to understand the correlation between what my body is needing and why. I think logging/journaling is a good way to gain insight and help refine areas that need adjusting. Up until now, the weight loss has been easy, but I am starting to notice trends (mainly related to my menstrual cycle) and I want to nip the bad habits and reinforce the good habits. It is an interesting time post op. You get quite an education on your mind/body connection. My biggest advice is when you start to notice a trend you don't like, start finding the tools to deal with it. Use the time post op to really get an idea of how your body works and get in tune with what your body needs. The immediate post op is a great time to really reset and adjust so that you are successful for the rest of your life!
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Oh this is very common & will be something you will face during your weight loss & sometimes, though less often once you’ve stabilised. Add some soluble, non swelling fibre to your shakes & then other fluids as you progress. I used Benefibre. Try to keep on top of your constipation. I took a stool softener if I hadn’t gone after three days. But remember you aren’t eating much so there’s not much to poop so only going every two days is okay for a few months. While a stool softener worked for me some do need much more aggressive treatments. Have a chat with your medical team for alternatives. There are prescription meds you can take & many swear by milk of magnesia. All the best.
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Should I get surgery
Arabesque replied to Terry PVB's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
You have very good reasons for having the surgery & questions & doubts about progressing are common. It’s surgery. It changes your digestive system. There is a period of healing & recovery. To be successful for the long term, you will have to make changes to how, what & why you eat & your relationship with food. The months post surgery give you time to work through all of this & certainly therapy, as @SleeverSk suggested, can be very helpful. The surgery also gives you time to develop better eating habits & routines like being more mindful. Will you forget & take a too big sip or bite or eat too quickly? Yes it will happen but your body soon tells you & you’re usually extra careful after the experience. Often all you’ll experience is just discomfort but occasionally foamies or vomiting. Complications after surgery aren’t common and many are related to pre existing conditions or predispositions. The risks are lower for bariatric surgeries than many other common surgeries. I used to control almost all my reflux with dietary choices before surgery (no spicy, fatty or rich food, little carbonation & reduced caffeine) which is why I had sleeve. I still have reflux but it is different & I need meds every day which I didn’t before. I hate taking tablets & often forget. Multi vitamins always make me nauseous but my bloods are good & I don’t need to take them anymore though some sleevers still do. Just depends on your diet & absorption for us. But it is a necessity after bypass as malabsorption of calories (& therefore nutrients) is how it contributes to your weight loss. Dumping can occur with bypass (about 40% chance I think) but if you discover you have it it is simply a matter of avoiding fats or sugars as they are the usual culprits. Some even find they can eat small amounts as time passes. You can also have it with a sleeve but it is less common (30%??). The average weight loss with sleeve & bypass is about the same 65% +/- of the weight you have to lose to put you in a healthier weight range. Some lose more some lose less. Make a list of your questions to discuss with your surgeon. They’re best placed to answer them in relation to your specific needs, health status/issues & weight loss/gain history. All the best whichever surgery you have. -
Vitamins for stopping hair loss. Yes or no?
qtdoll replied to happynewbie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was taking 100% of the vitamins I needed to take, taking Finasteride, getting my full protein intake & I still dealt with hair loss around the 3rd month. It's nearly unavoidable. -
"Incentive shopping" and body dysmorphia
qtdoll replied to Jillian K8's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Wow what a bummer! Especially from Target, I definitely wouldn't spend the $70 on that as there's a chance you will only fit in those for WEEKS. It's a cool idea but definitely go cheap! I used to wear 3/4x clothes, bought 1x to enjoy my weight loss & left it behind in 2 months. I'm now down to Mediums & regret spending that $$ on the XL's! -
I’m down 36 pounds from my post-op
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Should I get surgery
SleeverSk replied to Terry PVB's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Ok, first surgery does not equal permanent weight loss it is a tool that assists you to lose weight. Heartburn every now and then because of what you eat can be controlled by your diet and to have surgery to prevent that probably isn't necessary. My fear of getting the sleeve was reflux as I already was on meds for it but it has improved even with a sleeve. It gets niggley if I eat to much or the wrong foods and drinks. I chose the sleeve because I didn't want to be taking vitamins everyday as I never remember to take supplements and I just didn't want to have to. The only time I made myself sick was after scoffing down a cinnamon scroll it was painful for hours and I vomited but that is the only time. But you don't forget you have had surgery, you might try to push the boundaries but you don't forget and most times your body will remind you . Possible dumping is something you need to be aware of too with a bypass. If you are binge eating you would certainly benefit from some counselling and I certainly wouldn't go into surgery without it. Surgery gives some of us a huge wake up call on how much we relied on food for comfort etc which can lead to other issues with your mental health. It doesn't happen often but there have been a few posts where people have had surgery and just haven't coped mentally so you need to keep that in mind to. Talk to your surgeon and his or her team I am sure they will give you the information and assistance you need prior to surgery -
Vitamins for stopping hair loss. Yes or no?
Spinoza replied to happynewbie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
No to different vitamins to prevent hair loss. It's rubbish and can be really stressful but eventually it grows back. Most of it anyway. 👍 -
Vitamins for stopping hair loss. Yes or no?
catwoman7 replied to happynewbie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
as the others have said, there's really nothing you can do to help with the hair loss other than keep on top of your protein and supplements so it won't be any worse than it already is. Hair loss is due to the surgery's trauma to your body (It can be a side effect of any major surgery - (or childbirth, too)) plus the super low calorie intake we have the first few weeks post-op. By the time it starts falling out, the "damage" has already been done. It'll stop after about three months and will grow back. Fortunately, I lost very little hair, so it wasn't noticeable. But some who lose more go for a shorter cut or wear scarves or something to take the focus off hair. A few people have heavy enough loss that they buy a wig - although that much loss doesn't seem to be that common. -
Definitively check with your team about what activity they recommend you start & when. There usually are differences in these requirements surgeon to surgeon but generally walking is the go to from when you’re in hospital. Then your recovery, current fitness & health status are usually considered. But listen to your body as lethargy & periods of low energy are common for a couple of months. Personally I was a no exercise person while losing. Didn’t affect my weight loss. Now I only do about 25 mins of stretches, use some resistance bands & some sit ups & do them over two or three sessions usually every day. More for my back & for general toning. Wouldn’t burn 30 calories. But it is a personal choice what & how much you do for your needs.
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Vitamins for stopping hair loss. Yes or no?
Arabesque replied to happynewbie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The hair loss tends to last about 3 months +/- for those who take theses additional vitamins & supplements & about 3 months +/- for those who don’t take them. As to whether you’ll lose less or more hair by taking them or not taking them no one really knows as you can’t compare your experience with someone else. Most supplements to promote hair growth or prevent loss contain the vitamin B family, vitamins D & E, zinc & iron which are usually found in your multivitamins anyway. I say save your money but it is your choice. Take your multi vitamins, meet your protein goals & your hair will stop shedding in its time. -
Vitamins for stopping hair loss. Yes or no?
Alex Brecher replied to happynewbie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
If you take a real bariatric multivitamin and consume enough protein, you should be covered. There's no need to buy a separate hair vitamin. I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE “1 per Day!” flavorless capsules from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer where it’ll cost you only $99 for an entire year's supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 With just ONE convenient & affordable BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE daily, you can get the bariatric vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy! BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE was designed and developed by the world’s leading Bariatric medical professionals. Please take a calcium supplement separately to prevent interference with iron absorption. You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. You can also find MANY other brands of bariatric multivitamins at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/multivitamins. -
Vitamins for stopping hair loss. Yes or no?
noteasierstronger replied to happynewbie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I can't speak to whether the vitamins that say they help will. I did ask my surgeon about a month ago what I needed to look for in a vitamin if I wanted to switch to a different one. She said that as long as it has bariatric in the name, it should provide the nutrients I need (I double checked labels anyway). I can tell you that I lost what looked like a lot of hair every day around 3-4 months. I did not go bald, but I could tell that my hair was thinner. I have noticed it growing back this month (months 9-10). It does get better. -
Vitamins for stopping hair loss. Yes or no?
happynewbie posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have a quick question. If I order some bariatric vitamins that are for helping to stop hair loss will this effect my bariatric multivitamin? Like will I get too much of certain vitamins? Also has anyone tried these and did they help or not? I am losing tons of hair after 3 and a half months out from surgery, it’s scaring me I need some advice! -
Iron Deficiency 4 years after surgery
RickM replied to Recidivist's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Are you working with your bariatric surgeon on this or your primary care family doctor? While this may well be unrelated to your WLS, a bariatric doctor will, of course, be more sensitive to issues specific to their specialty than a generalist. My thoughts, not as an MD but just from having been around the WLS world for a couple decades, is that if it is WLS related, then given the fairly rapid onset of this, I would be looking for some bloodloss somewhere. With an RNY, the likely place would be the stoma, as that is a delicate structure that is easily irritated - if the semi-common marginal ulcers occur, that is where they usually happen. It may not be particularly symptomatic, but some minor blood loss can occur unnoticed until something like this shows up - one of those simple fecal smear tests can show whether there is any blood in your stool. If there is, then an endoscopy can show where it's coming from, and if there isn't any, then you have eliminated one possibility. Iron supplements may or may not do much for an RNY person, as most of our mineral absorption occurs in the duodenum (part of the small intestine immediately downstream of the stomach) which gets bypassed along with the stomach; this is why iron infusions are not uncommon for malabsorbing WLS patients with iron problems. Were you on iron supplements to begin with and then increased the dosage, or just started when this problem showed up? I had an internal bleed a few years ago (non-WLS related, though certainly symptomatic) that sapped my iron levels, but not quite to the point of needing an infusion, and they came back after a few months of doubling my normal iron supplement (but I have a VSG, so not the same absorption problems as an RNY or DS will have,) and now I don't take any at all. For now. Good luck in getting this worked out.... -
Is anyone struggling mentally after the first few months?
naynay77 replied to Heathernyc's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Yup the Clean Plate Club gets me now too. The weird thing is that before surgery I could have cared less, I would eat until I'm full. Now I make a small portion about a half cup size and I want to finish it all even if I honestly can't. I get a little depressed when I can't finish the last 2 or 3 bites. It's definitely a mental game. I'm just getting to the point that people are noticing my weight loss. I deflect it as much as I can or change the subject mid sentence again only if I can. -
Is anyone struggling mentally after the first few months?
NP_WIP replied to Heathernyc's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Sorry you are going through this but as @Sigh said, you did this for you so pay no mind to them. If you do not want to keep talking about your weight loss just politely say it is not up for discussion. Stay focused on you and your journey! -
Is anyone struggling mentally after the first few months?
catwoman7 replied to Heathernyc's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
yea I went through a lot of that the first year. Eventually you get to the point, though, that either everyone has already seen you and your loss, or they never knew you when you were obese. So the further out you go, the less you have to deal with those awkward interactions. I can't even remember the last time it came up for me. Thank God. -
Senior woman and lapband
Arabesque replied to MarciaM's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Lap bands aren’t commonly done anymore & many surgeons don’t even do them now. (Complications, low success rate - only about 30% lose their weight, greater risk of regain, etc.) Sleeve has become the more popular surgical option & many older people successfully have that surgery. (I was 54 when I had mine but there are many in their 60s & 70s who do.) Are you only interested in the band because it is reversible & makes fewer changes to your body? We all have our own reasons for choosing our surgery so certainly no judgment here. I just find it interesting to hear why people choose their surgery but maybe I’m just nosy. LOL! When I first decided to go the surgery route I thought lap band but then started doing research & realised a sleeve would be a better fit for my lifestyle, medical status & my weight loss/gain history. -
Is anyone struggling mentally after the first few months?
Heathernyc posted a topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hey folks!!! I haven't been here in a while. I got my surgery on October 3rd, 2023. I have lost approximately 75 lbs. I am going THROUGH it mentally! This started because of all the reactions from folks and I hate that my body is the center of attention, it is very embarrassing. I really don't want to constantly talk about the changes etc...I am still in the thick of it! My dad has made some pretty disgusting comments and it threw me off so I have been avoiding even visiting my parents right now. I've just been so damn irritable and I just want to hide! I know I am so much more than my body weight and just want to be treated normally. I have always hated that aspect of weight loss. Am I the only one?
