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I mainly rely on shakes because it's much easier, I work 2 jobs and I'm up and out by 6:40am, getting home by 10:30pm/11pm, its just easier to grab a shake while I'm driving to my jobs, I do have a more stable meals during the weekends and if I can, meal prep so I can have some food for my lunch break, I know that I need to eat more but some night I get home so exhausted, I only have enough energy to drag myself to bed, with my budget I can prepare for about 6 days, but those are usually for the work week Maybe not the best explanation, and maybe I could make an effort to cook more but I have 2 jobs for a reason, I'm broke and I budget out all my expenses to the cent

Received a call at 8.30am this morning to be told that I was discussed in last Fridays MDT meeting and was accepted for surgery 🥳🥳🥳 I was then told I would be having a ‘One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass’ - huh?? The nurse repeated herself and I was still none the wiser. She said that she would ask a specialist Bariatric nurse to call me to discuss and would send me the info out. I asked for it to be emailed, which she did. I had a read through and did some more research on the internet, just to familiarise myself with what had been suggested. It’s the mini gastric bypass. The specialist nurse rang me just after 9am and explained that it meant that my ‘pouch’ is slightly bigger then that of a Roux-en-Y bypass and there is only one connection or ‘anastomosis’ which is from the pouch to the bowel. Apparently it’s not as complex with the op taking around 1.5hours and recovery just the same as the normal bypass plus the weight loss is expected to be the same. I was recommended it because of Fibromyalgia and the chronic pain I have with RA and osteoarthritis as it would be easier for me. That made sense, thankfully! The specialist nurse said it was a relatively new procedure to the hospital which is why it wasn’t discussed in any detail at the first education session I attended a few months ago. Fair enough, I’m happy to go ahead with it. The wait is around 4-6 months - oh 😒 I was honest and said that I was concerned about losing focus while I’m waiting and gaining weight once again (we all know how easy that is) She went through everything again with me - 3 meals a day, 20/20/20, use a portion plate if I have one (I do) focus more on my protein etc. She also said that if I do begin to struggle, to contact her and they would fit me in with the dietitian to go through things with me. I felt better for her saying that. I did reiterate that I am happy to take a cancellation. She said they do get cancellations but would have to make sure that I had at least 3 weeks notice to complete the LRD. I’ll be honest and say that I’m really, really hoping that the 4-6 months is on the outside and that the surgery is sooner! I know that whatever will be will be, so just to keep on keeping on. Gym is going well, 3 visits last week and I’m hoping for 3 more this week. I’ve upped my levels and weights and I’m burning around 600-650 cals in around an hour or so workout or so my Apple Watch tells me! I can feel muscle, it just happens to be deeply buried and camouflaged with fat 😮 I tried my smaller sized gym stuff on yesterday and, while I can get it on I wouldn’t say it actually fitted, so a few more pounds to go before I would feel comfortable enough to wear it. I bought a new black trench coat from Costco at the weekend. It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve been able to fit into clothing from there so that was a nice boost. It will definitely last me a reduction of a couple of sizes too. My weight is steady at the moment but I do hope to bring it down a little bit more before I have to do the LRD. Bloods to have taken yet again on Wednesday. If my liver is off this time then they will have to think of something else. I’ve not had my weekly jabs for 7 weeks, I’ve missed my other jab for 4 weeks plus no pain relief for 4 weeks either and it’s all wearing really thin with me now. I’m finding that I’m snapping at hubby because of pain and it’s not fair. The gym is really helping my range of movement but the pain remains. We’re out for belated birthday drinks on Friday (postponed because of blood tests ) and that’s about it. I’ve decided to crack on and make a start on wrapping Christmas presents this week. Thankfully my Christmas shopping is almost finished - hurray for sales! Wishing everyone a happy week 🥰 Onwards and Downwards!

Thank you. I forgot to mention that I just had the endoscopy done last week and Al looks good. No reason to not do the sleeve. My preference has always been the RNY because my sister, sister-in-law and niece have all done the RNY with great success and I know what to expect. Recently my gut says to do the sleeve, but also feel I’ll regret it if do.

I did keto a lot before surgery, it was vogue as we’ve all done a million diets in our lives... It works, but cravings. The preop and post diet are similar. Just way more liquids. For the fatigue and headaches, broth was the key. You would dehydrate rapidly and would suffer without the salt. The sugar detox is real, often once it passes you are a ton less Hungery. For those like me, and sugar can start the cravings. 100% agree with others who posted. It takes me about a full week for those to stop. Distractions help, exercise helps, just going to bed helps. I am always less hungry after mild exercise, mostly sweaty and thirsty. It helped stopped the food focus more than plain distractions. Heavy exercise increased the hunger the next day. This might sound crazy, but I had to constantly know when my next meal was. Lunch done, wait 2 hours then sugar free jello, then 1 hour and sugar free popsicle, then start to prep dinner, etc. knowing I was eating something in 1-2 hours helped. I tend to panic eat. Food was scarce as a kid and I tend to stuff myself if it’s not readily at hand and I’m hungry… my next meal is 3 bananas as fast a I can shove them in and I remain food panic triggered and have to talk myself down. I’m working through my hunger panic. I’m 100% not super thin now, I’m huge and need help… it’s why we are all here. :). To give and get support. And trying to not be a clean your plate club, eat any meal you are offered, all meals need a dessert, eat till you have pain and call that “full” kinda gal. I’d also make sure I got all of my sleep. I’m a 10 hour person. Plan a small exercise before you know your mega Hunger hits (I’m lunch). A 15 min walk helps divert my blood to my limbs and gets me craving fluids. Call your food what it is. A popsicle is a dessert. A pudding is a dessert. Sometimes reframing these help, ok in 2 hours I’m having protein pudding as a dessert, followed in 2 hours by a dessert popsicle. We are all different, so need different things. If after dinner I have a popsicle every night before bed, I call it dessert and I always know it’s coming and I will be getting more food… and I’m ok not being as full at dinner. This.. might have been too personal, but… helps me.

@Todd_196 how has this week been for you? We are all here to support you. I hope you're on the way to a happier life

Breakfast, lunch and dinner today. Breakfast- wheat toast with laughing cow cheese, strawberries and a protein coffee. Lunch- a mini raspberry danish. I actually made 2 dozen last night. Baked a dozen and the other dozen are in a freezer bag ready to bake when I have surgery in a couple weeks. There’s leftover jam in the fridge for toast/french toast later this week. (That’s what I get for using all 36oz fresh raspberries I’ve bought the past week!) Dinner- I picked up some vegan chicken on clearance so we had that in rice bowls. I ended up eating about 3/4c fluffed rice, a total of 1 cup cucumbers, about 1/2 cup carrots, and little less than 1/2 cup of the stir fried “chicken” with onions, epis, and garlic in it and 1/2tbsp of sesame seeds. I didn’t eat the seaweed and the grandbaby ate what I didn’t. Also had a protein fiber bar as a snack. Might have another protein shake before bed but honestly, I’m not hungry.

I had gastric bypass surgery and did everything alone. I live alone, no husband, no kids, no local family, and I didn't tell anyone other than healthcare providers that I was having surgery. I took a taxi to the hospital. Hospital policy does not allow taking taxis/rideshare or public transportation home, so I hired a home healthcare service to pick me up from the hospital (I was in for one night), take me home, and pick up my prescriptions. After that, I had no additional assistance. The most limiting thing after surgery was not lifting more than 20 pounds for (I think) the first 6 weeks, and also not bending over, like when cleaning or doing laundry, so I had to be careful with household chores, but other than that, I didn't have any problems. I went back to work (desk job) after a week and I was fine. I will say I had a very easy recovery with no immediate complications, but you won't know how your recovery will go until you get there. I would recommend to anyone without support to have a backup plan. Is there a friend or family member who could come if needed? Could you hire a home healthcare service if you needed help? Also, if there is any physical labor your normally do, like cleaning or landscaping, consider lining up someone to do that for a while.

Hi ladies. How's everyone doing? Share updates and losses and NSV x I've been doing very well. I'm 83kg and almost 7 months post op (well in a week) 26kg loss and my surgical team are happy and proud. I look fantastic and feel it. We are currently fasting (holy month of ramadhan) so I've been focusing on dehydrating more than food as doctors are more concerned about dehydration then starvation haha which is unlikely teehee but I've been doing well especially after getting a fancy stanley 😄

I don't know if any of this will be helpful but, I'm three weeks post gastric sleeve. I wasn't hungry for the first 2 weeks. Today, I'm feeling a bit hungry but, as I'm still not able to eat anything but purees or soups and only about 4 tablespoons in one sitting. After surgery, the last thing you think about is food for the first week. I went the NHS route so a psychologist will be in touch at the 3 month mark I believe so I guess time will tell what support I will need. Personally, I think the psychologist should be involved from Day One, but that's just me. I also had 12 weeks of pre-op diet so I feel like I had to give up my coping strategy cold turkey. At this point, I just want solid food. Not like the old "I need comfort/I'm bored" type of eating, just different head hunger. It's definitely true you think of food differently. Now I think food is an inconvenience. Having to set a timer to remind me to get something other than water in my system is a different feeling. I never had to force myself to eat before. You mentioned your surgery is January 2025 so you will still have a few months I would use that time to see if you can find a therapist or a support group. And yes, it does get easier. For me it's going slowly, but it is still getting easier day by day.

I'm still evaluating my options (Keep dieting with my RD exericing with my trainer and Zepboundng, Endoscopic Gastroplasty, SG, RNY). I've met with two different medical teams, and my RD. I'm in one surgical in take program. Nevertheless, while I continue to research procedures, I wanted to ask about something that I won't be in any study. Is going through a bariatric procedure something people can do w/o support or consistent support. I have to plan to be on my own. How fragile are people after these procedures? How much help do people typically need? Can these procedures be done completely alone aftercare? Alone as in no one is available to help. Is it safe to be alone days weeks after the procedures?

Hi, Sorry you're experiencing this, but I am quite sure that it is very early out for you to be having regular food at 2.5 weeks. Every single region I have researched heavily emphasizes on waiting at least 6 weeks until you can have regular food (whatever you were able to eat prior to WLS). At 2.5 weeks blended soups and Greek yogurt felt like a brick in my stomach. If you could maybe wait a few more weeks and stay on pureed/soft foods then please do, you could harm your staples eating solids so early on.

Thank you! I'm glad it working and you're right, it's the end goal that matters. 20kg will soon turn to 40kg and so on and so fourth. I think I've dropped a dress size too. I used to wear 30-32 UK and now I'm buying 26-28. Some clothes are tighter than others but that's just clothes for you. I can imagine going from that mentality to mainteance must be tough but you'll get there. You just need to try and get in the habit of not weighing and such like you used to and then it will become the norm. I'm so glad to hear how far you've come, it sounds amazing! As someone who dreads walking 3 minutes, I can only dream of enjoying a walk! And the eyes that watch you is so true, I've always told people (slim friends and my partner) that people stare at you and make comments because you're so huge. They never believe you, but its very true. I've always been the fattest in the room, have yet to meet someone bigger than me! I know the exist, but it's just how it is. Well done on changing your life, here's to a bright future with more mobility and experiences 🙂 We should defo chat more, maybe in DMs or elsewhere if you'd like. Would love to have someone in my life who understands Sorry @Kirstenx I missed this in my feed. please feel free to dm me anytime you want a chat x

I’m only on the second day of a two-week pre-op diet. I’m already tired! I’d love to hear your experiences especially how you felt toward the end of the diet. Thanks!

Hi Bugg. What you are feeling is totally normal. I had similar or kind of similar fears. I was sleeved in 2017. Best decision ever. I lost 40kgs and have maintained with variations of about 5kgs on and off. I had no health complications and feel so healthy. I still drink water in 2-3 swallows only then rest. It is not a big deal and I am used to it now. With the total weight loss, most people lose the most weight in the initial aftermath and you will likely gain some of it back. I maximized the most weight loss I could experience in the initial phase. Last but not least, remember you don’t anyone an explanation about your private health information. People don’t go around explaining their blood pressure, asthma, yeast infection treatments etc. That applies to your bariatric treatment. You share what you fell like sharing with whoever you want to share with. It’s your private health information. Good luck with your treatment.

Hi fellow Sleevers- I am almost 2 weeks Post op and I CANNOT quench my thirst for anything! I have tried crystal light, Water, juice, Vitamin water, SF slurpee(Yuck) and NOTHING works, ANY suggestions????

So I'm a little more than 2 years out and for probably the last 6-8 weeks, I've gotten to where I just don't really enjoy eating most things. I'd say 90% of what I'm eating, I eat because I know I need to eat, not because I particularly enjoy it. Most things just taste off somehow to me, including things I used to really enjoy. I'm wondering if any other folks had anything similar happen? I will preface this by saying there's a possibility this is medication related, as I think I made a change to my meds about that same time. I'm investigating that separately.

Hi I’m new here to the group I’m on my 2 week liquid my date is 11/20/24 I’m excited am scared but I’m ready I’m glad I joined the group hope everybody is doin well thanks for having me

Thanks for the detailed reply. It makes perfect sense that the loss is going on in spite of the lack of movement on the scales. My Dietician said the same to me yesterday at our first post surgery apt last night. I don't agree with the "don't weigh everyday" mantra myself. It would be no less disappointing or frustrating to find out after a week the scales haven't moved. for me it would be far worse!! YMMV of course.

Thank you! I'm glad it working and you're right, it's the end goal that matters. 20kg will soon turn to 40kg and so on and so fourth. I think I've dropped a dress size too. I used to wear 30-32 UK and now I'm buying 26-28. Some clothes are tighter than others but that's just clothes for you. I can imagine going from that mentality to mainteance must be tough but you'll get there. You just need to try and get in the habit of not weighing and such like you used to and then it will become the norm. I'm so glad to hear how far you've come, it sounds amazing! As someone who dreads walking 3 minutes, I can only dream of enjoying a walk! And the eyes that watch you is so true, I've always told people (slim friends and my partner) that people stare at you and make comments because you're so huge. They never believe you, but its very true. I've always been the fattest in the room, have yet to meet someone bigger than me! I know the exist, but it's just how it is. Well done on changing your life, here's to a bright future with more mobility and experiences (: We should defo chat more, maybe in DMs or elsewhere if you'd like. Would love to have someone in my life who understands! x

I am 7 months post op and have ben lifting "heavy" for about 3 months now. i am trying to follow a body recomp plan but its been so hard to dial in the right macros, especially when i do loose. I just had a meeting with a dietician who told me i should stick to 1000 calories a day but i am in the gym 2x a day plus i am very active outside the gym as well. im not a competing athlete of course, im still very over weight, but i am pushing my body harder than ever before and i just don't think that my personal trainer or doctors recommendations are correct. one is only thinking about the size of my stomach ( i had bypass) the other is only thinking about the extreme amount of activity. i feel best between 1200 and 1400 cals however my trainer wants me at 2050 and the bariatric dr.'s dietician says 1000. when you were starting out did you eat back the calories burned while exercising to maintain your calorie deficit ? i see so many people saying contradictory things but most haven't had the surgery. id be interested to know what worked for you because your progress is amazing!

Nope tea wont make you loose an ounce. A bit off topic, I have never drunk tea, the one cup I remember drinking was after giving birth. It was sweet and wet and I was drained. I saw as a child what tea did to my parents cups, yuck, no thanks. I drank the only other thing available, corporation pop. 1950's english slang for water. Them days, coffee came in liquid form called Camp Coffee. It was made from chickory. One time mother was ill and dad made a meal and used this as gravy browning. {we like brown gravy here} We ate it because it was this or nowt. It was a week till mother worked out what we actually ate. So, after my rambling, I come to the point. Here I am sat in Greece drinking Iced Peach tea like it was going out of fashion. How my tastebuds have changed. This will defo not make me loose weight as it comes with a lump of baklava at this bakery. It would be rude not to.

Hey all, Thank you for your lovely comments ❤️ I genuinely appreciate every single one of them. I'm still in a bit of a slump at the moment! I have gained for the first time in my weight loss journey (albeit just 1lbs at the moment but still), my weight doesn't seem to be shifting down currently. I also bumped into a friend today who said: "you are looking so much better"...like...okay... I hope this mood/weight gain/stall goes away soon x

And you’re already at 2.4mg? Weird. The dose escalation schedule is every 4 weeks beginning at 0.25mg, but either way here’s an interesting article: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/05/21/health/glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-stop-treatment-real-world-effectiveness

I had MGB a week ago and all and all I feel good BUT.. when I go to sit up from laying down, stand up or even sit up straight all the way it burns about 2 inches to the left of my belly button. BAD. It feels like something is going to rip apart. I don’t have any incisions there either. Has anyone else experienced this? TIA

TLDR: 1.sugar-free pudding with sugar-free Cool Whip, 2. Mio, and 3. plastic portion cups. There are two food/drink favorites of mine, looking back to my first 3 months of post-op. First is Jello sugar-free instant pudding. The box says "makes four 1/2cup servings," but I make five. I top it with a tbsp of sugar-free Cool Whip, and I had one at the end of every day. A real treat. And, you'll be able to eat pudding very soon. Second: in a 32-oz water bottle, put in about a cup of water and squirt in some Mio water enhancer. My fave is the fruit punch flavor. You'll have to experiment with how much to put in. Too little and there's not enough flavor; too much and it's too sweet and heavy. After squirting in the Mio, I add my daily scoop of Miralax (has absolutely no taste or texture). I needed it-- you may not need any laxative at all. Stir well. Then fill up the bottle with more water. Sip throughout the next few hours. It's a great way to get your minimum 64 ozs of water. One more tip is to order a sleeve of 5-oz condiment cups (Amazon calls them "plastic portion cups") with snap-on lids. The kind you find in restaurants for putting salad dressing or salsa into. Restaurant ones are only about 1-ounce size, which is too small for our use. The 5-oz is what you need. I use them every day for portioning out so many things. I bought 100, but I keep washing them out after each use, so 100 looks like a lifetime supply for me. Wishing you the very best!!