Reactive hypoglycemia, anemia, and PS updates

[WishMeSmaller 1,273]

So I had plastic surgery 3 weeks ago tomorrow. My surgery included belt lipectomy/360 Tummy Tuck, and breast lift with augmentation. Recovery has been tougher than I expected due to fatigue. I went back to work (RN in a large clinic) last Monday. The fatigue was unreal. On Tuesday, one of the doctors I work with decided I should be checked for anemia. I popped over to our lab and had a quick blood draw. I had finished lunch about 45 prior to getting the blood drawn. The next day when I received my lab results, I was surprised to see my blood glucose was 59. 😲 I do not dump, so I have been eating more simple carbs and sugars to try to keep from losing more weight. I had been eating some candy on Tuesday prior to lunch. Apparently, I have reactive hypoglycemia. No more simple carbs and sugars for me, except small amounts with meals. The bummer part of this, (aside from feeling extra crappy with low blood sugars), is that I am really anxious about not losing any more weight and don’t know how I am going to keep the weight on without the extra calories. I guess I need to increase healthy fats to make sure I keep my calories up. With that said, I have lost about 3 pounds since my plastic surgery. I never thought I would be stressed about losing weight. 🙄🤷‍♀️ I have an appointment with my surgeon’s office in a week and I am looking forward to discussing this with them.

My labs also show some Iron deficient anemia. I was not iron deficient nor anemic prior to plastics, so this is directly related to blood loss in surgery, and fairly simple to correct with diet and iron supplements (I don’t normally take any iron supplements).

Over all, I am doing very well post-plastics. My pain has really been minimal since about day 3 post-plastics. I have had a bit of trouble with my incisions separating (dehiscence) in a few small spots. My husband is a wound nurse, so we have been managing the wound care with pretty good results. I am thrilled to have breasts again after going from a 40 DD to a 34 A. 😬😬😬

Anyhow, here are bikini pics to show off my post-plastics body…swelling included. 😂

[lizonaplane 1,612]

You look great! It's nice that you didn't have a lot of pain for very long after surgery. I don't plan to get plastics unless I am uncomfortable physically from loose skin, mostly because I'm so scared of the pain after surgery. Also, the wounds look so icky to me! I get grossed out by stuff like that really easily. Lucky you have a wound care nurse to tend to you. How long were you in maintenance before your PS?

[kristieshannon 1,626]

Congrats @WishMeSmaller! You’re looking really great. Sorry you’re not feeling so well! I think you can easily increase your cal intake through healthy fats. Avocado, full fat dairy, and nuts are all good options that can pack calories in to a fairly small volume.

On a side note, I’m a nurse too. I was in a FB group with a bunch of ladies that were scheduled to have PS with my surgeon the same month I was. 6 out of 8 of us are nurses! I wonder if statistically we’re more likely to get PS or if it was just a coincidence?

I went back to work in my clinic job at 3 weeks post op. I was tired that first week, but overall did well. I pick up occasional shifts in our ED but didn’t do that until 6 weeks post op since it’s way more physical.

[toodlerue 452]

Wouldn’t it be typical to loose weight after skin removal?

[WishMeSmaller 1,273]

4 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

You look great! It's nice that you didn't have a lot of pain for very long after surgery. I don't plan to get plastics unless I am uncomfortable physically from loose skin, mostly because I'm so scared of the pain after surgery. Also, the wounds look so icky to me! I get grossed out by stuff like that really easily. Lucky you have a wound care nurse to tend to you. How long were you in maintenance before your PS?

Maintenance…🙄🤦🏼‍♀️
I reached goal about 4 months ago. I have continued to lose since then. I have been trying to stop/slow weight loss for over two months now, but my body does not want to stop. I am very fortunate that my pain was minimal and manageable. I walked 3 miles over the course of a day about 3 days post-op. I was very uncomfortable due to sitting on the loose skin on my butt prior to surgery. So glad it is gone. The rest was cosmetic only. 😊

[WishMeSmaller 1,273]

3 hours ago, kristieshannon said:

Congrats @WishMeSmaller! You’re looking really great. Sorry you’re not feeling so well! I think you can easily increase your cal intake through healthy fats. Avocado, full fat dairy, and nuts are all good options that can pack calories in to a fairly small volume.

On a side note, I’m a nurse too. I was in a FB group with a bunch of ladies that were scheduled to have PS with my surgeon the same month I was. 6 out of 8 of us are nurses! I wonder if statistically we’re more likely to get PS or if it was just a coincidence?

I went back to work in my clinic job at 3 weeks post op. I was tired that first week, but overall did well. I pick up occasional shifts in our ED but didn’t do that until 6 weeks post op since it’s way more physical.

Thanks @kristieshannon! I just bought a bunch of seeds and nuts 😂, and dips, and chips. I eat cheese and use milk for my Protein Shakes. Such a crazy problem to have. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I have to think nurses are generally less afraid of surgery due to the familiarity and proximity. It would be interesting to see the stats!

Going back to work full time at 2 weeks and 2 days was pretty ambitious, but I worked my 40 and now I get to chill for a few days. Thankfully my job is not physical, but we were extra busy with another nurse out on vacation. I would have taken a third week off, but I need the PTO to go to Maui in a month. 😬😬

[WishMeSmaller 1,273]

2 hours ago, toodlerue said:

Wouldn’t it be typical to loose weight after skin removal?

Typically, probably so, but I was very thin prior to surgery, so total weight of skin removed was less than 2 pounds and I got some back with the breast implants. Prior to PS my weight was 132. About 5-6 days after surgery my weight was 136 (water weight from IV fluids and swelling). Now at 3 weeks post-op I am 129. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[lizonaplane 1,612]

39 minutes ago, WishMeSmaller said:

Going back to work full time at 2 weeks and 2 days was pretty ambitious, but I worked my 40 and now I get to chill for a few days. Thankfully my job is not physical, but we were extra busy with another nurse out on vacation. I would have taken a third week off, but I need the PTO to go to Maui in a month. 😬😬

I was thinking about going to HI a few months after I get my sleeve. Is that a reasonable plan? I would be going alone. I would fly first class (I have tons of miles).

[kristieshannon 1,626]

On 06/18/2021 at 16:20, lizonaplane said:

I was thinking about going to HI a few months after I get my sleeve. Is that a reasonable plan? I would be going alone. I would fly first class (I have tons of miles).

Oh for sure, a few months out you’ll be feeling well and back to a normal diet. Plus, Hawaii is expensive-you’ll save $$$ ordering off the appetizer menu!!

[WishMeSmaller 1,273]

8 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

I was thinking about going to HI a few months after I get my sleeve. Is that a reasonable plan? I would be going alone. I would fly first class (I have tons of miles).

No problem in my opinion!

[Arabesque 7,219]

Snap! I’ve lost about a kilogram (about 2lbs) in the almost 3 weeks post surgery too @WishMeSmaller. Just wrote about it OOTD. Was 49 day of surgery. 51. 5 two days after surgery (fluids) & hover around 47.9 - 48.2 now. It’s because I’m hungry but not hungry & don’t know what I want to eat. (Plus I’ve had diarrhoea from body getting used to not having a gall.) Do you feel the same? I’ve just put it down to getting over having surgery & that it’s temporary.

It’s odd how every pound we lose seems to mean so much more when we’re on the lower end of the scale. Three weeks ago my surgeon was happy with my weight. Yesterday, he says I have to put on weight all because of one kg. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Finding that balance in maintenance is hard. I just added more Snacks though it’s a challenge when you’re working to keep eating. I snack 4 or 5 x a day on combinations of peanut paste, multigrain crackers, yoghurt, cheese, chia pudding, fruit & Protein Bar. I also added non diet Salad Dressing & a little honey to my porridge. Because I detested Protein powders & shakes my dietician suggested enriching my milk with powdered milk - extra calories & protein. I found it too sweet with my porridge but it worked well with chia pudding.

I had a couple of hypoglycaemic events before my weight finally stabilised. I find I just have to eat regularly & keep my fluids up. I usually carry a protein bar with me. I did have an event a month ago - my fault - standing way too long in a crazy long queue & needed food & Water. Hopefully you’ll work out what you need to manage yours or it sorts itself out when your weight stabilises too.

Love the bikini pxts. You look so good.

[WishMeSmaller 1,273]

9 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Snap! I’ve lost about a kilogram (about 2lbs) in the almost 3 weeks post surgery too @WishMeSmaller. Just wrote about it OOTD. Was 49 day of surgery. 51. 5 two days after surgery (fluids) & hover around 47.9 - 48.2 now. It’s because I’m hungry but not hungry & don’t know what I want to eat. (Plus I’ve had diarrhoea from body getting used to not having a gall.) Do you feel the same? I’ve just put it down to getting over having surgery & that it’s temporary.

It’s odd how every pound we lose seems to mean so much more when we’re on the lower end of the scale. Three weeks ago my surgeon was happy with my weight. Yesterday, he says I have to put on weight all because of one kg. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Finding that balance in maintenance is hard. I just added more Snacks though it’s a challenge when you’re working to keep eating. I snack 4 or 5 x a day on combinations of peanut paste, multigrain crackers, yoghurt, cheese, chia pudding, fruit & Protein Bar. I also added non diet Salad Dressing & a little honey to my porridge. Because I detested Protein powders & shakes my dietician suggested enriching my milk with powdered milk - extra calories & Protein. I found it too sweet with my porridge but it worked well with chia pudding.

I had a couple of hypoglycaemic events before my weight finally stabilised. I find I just have to eat regularly & keep my fluids up. I usually carry a protein bar with me. I did have an event a month ago - my fault - standing way too long in a crazy long queue & needed food & Water. Hopefully you’ll work out what you need to manage yours or it sorts itself out when your weight stabilises too.

Love the bikini pxts. You look so good.

I have definitely had the hungry/not hungry feeling since surgery, so I totally get where you are coming from @Arabesque! 🥰 Anything too greasy has been completely unpalatable. I am very thankful I tolerate Protein Bars and shakes or I would be in a bad place for getting enough protein. I know I need protein to heal, but meat has not sounded good at all since surgery. We had dinner at some friends’ house last week. They served salmon and flank steak. I only manage a couple bites of the steak and gave the rest to Husband. I managed about 2 ounces of the salmon. 🤷‍♀️

I bought a jar of no stir Peanut Butter to keep at work to eat with fruit. The fat and protein should help with the reactive hypoglycemia to stabilize my blood sugar from the fruit. 🤞🏻🤞🏻I also have walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dips, cheeses. I already use high protein milk for my Protein Shakes, so they are protein packed. My goal is to maintain my weight at 130-135. I need to gain a pound 🤣🤣 I plan to start working out as soon as I am healed, which will help with appetite, but conversely burn those extra calories. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷‍♀️ So many skinny girl problems! 🤣😂🤣

[ms.sss 15,561]

Yayyaayayya Bikini Pics! You are looking seriously FINE. 😍

Adjusting to maintenance is a bit tricky for most. It took me 4-5 months plus an extra 15 lbs lost before I eventually stopped, gained a couple pounds and settled into my new “normal” weight (115). In the month immediately after plastics, I lost 6-7 lbs (which includes 400g of skin that was removed during surgery). Took another couple months, but I got back to 115 again.

I figure give it time (especially since you just had surgery) and you’ll equalize eventually. How many calories are you taking in these days?

P.S. i was pretty effing tired too that first month post-PS…and I had a serious case of the blues too so that didn’t help. Be kind/gentle to yourself as you navigate past this part (but I suppose u already know that being a nurse and all, lol).

In any case, you look FAB.

Feel better soon ❤️❤️❤️

[WishMeSmaller 1,273]

7 hours ago, ms.sss said:

Yayyaayayya Bikini Pics! You are looking seriously FINE. 😍

Adjusting to maintenance is a bit tricky for most. It took me 4-5 months plus an extra 15 lbs lost before I eventually stopped, gained a couple pounds and settled into my new “normal” weight (115). In the month immediately after plastics, I lost 6-7 lbs (which includes 400g of skin that was removed during surgery). Took another couple months, but I got back to 115 again.

I figure give it time (especially since you just had surgery) and you’ll equalize eventually. How many calories are you taking in these days?

P.S. i was pretty effing tired too that first month post-PS…and I had a serious case of the blues too so that didn’t help. Be kind/gentle to yourself as you navigate past this part (but I suppose u already know that being a nurse and all, lol).

In any case, you look FAB.

Feel better soon ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement @ms.sss 💕💕 This 💩 has been hard! I honestly have no idea where my daily calories are😂 I have been so hungry/not hungry and fatigued that I don’t feel like preparing real food. The last two nights I have had cheese for dinner. 🤷‍♀️ Yep…just cheese. Like I ate half a block one night and the other half the next night😂… for dinner🤣 I promise I did eat more balanced earlier in the week with lovely chicken wrap thingys, but then my week went to hell in a hand basket when my 80 year old dad passed out at the gym and ended up in an ambulance to the hospital. He is still there, but he is ok and should get out today.

About calories, not sure what my actual calories are, but I eat high calorie foods to try to make sure I am getting enough. Cheese, avocado, Peanut Butter, fruit, some veg, and Protein Shakes to make sure I am getting about 100 g/day Protein while I heal. If I had to guess I would say 1500+ per day, with minimal actual exercise. I am still moving all day, but other than a few walks, I have not exercised since PS. Pretty sure that is f*&#ing with my head…I need those damn endorphins! Lol

My swelling is going down, especially in the mornings, so I will try to post another bikini pic for you soon 😂❤️❤️

[ms.sss 15,561]

2 hours ago, WishMeSmaller said:

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement @ms.sss 💕💕 This 💩 has been hard! I honestly have no idea where my daily calories are😂 I have been so hungry/not hungry and fatigued that I don’t feel like preparing real food. The last two nights I have had cheese for dinner. 🤷‍♀️ Yep…just cheese. Like I ate half a block one night and the other half the next night😂… for dinner🤣 I promise I did eat more balanced earlier in the week with lovely chicken wrap thingys, but then my week went to hell in a hand basket when my 80 year old dad passed out at the gym and ended up in an ambulance to the hospital. He is still there, but he is ok and should get out today.

About calories, not sure what my actual calories are, but I eat high calorie foods to try to make sure I am getting enough. Cheese, avocado, Peanut Butter, fruit, some veg, and Protein Shakes to make sure I am getting about 100 g/day Protein while I heal. If I had to guess I would say 1500+ per day, with minimal actual exercise. I am still moving all day, but other than a few walks, I have not exercised since PS. Pretty sure that is f*&#ing with my head…I need those damn endorphins! Lol

My swelling is going down, especially in the mornings, so I will try to post another bikini pic for you soon 😂❤️❤️

Ahhh...hope dad at least had a nice rest at the hospital and be home and all well today ❤️

You make a good point about the endorphins. I went from 100 to zero after plastics on the exercise front and I'm sure that is what contributed to my weepy/icky feels that first month. I stupidly went for a run at around 3 weeks post in an attempt to feel a bit better (cuz i always feel good after exercise) and injured myself, duh. So I suppose this makes us excise addicts?? If only they could bottle endorphin feels and then maybe I could just shoot it up my arm as needed. Transfer Addiction Confirmed. 😂😂😂😂

Assuming you are normal everything (no special medical conditions or superpowers), my insignificant (and totally unsubstantiated) opinion is that you will likely continue to lose weight at 1500, given your height and likely efficient metabolism due to your regular past exercise.

In a very UN-scientific comparison, we are similar-ish BMI's...assuming that I also am normal everything, I'm a good 1/2 a foot shorter than you and by my estimation don't/didn't exercise as much as you, and I lost weight when I dropped to 1500 to offset my lack of exercise due to an injured toe/foot earlier this year. It wasn't alot (lost about 6lbs over 3 months), but if I continued on that path it would have added up. Spoiler Alert: I gained almost all of those 6 lbs back now and pretty much back to my regular normal.

Obviously, this is just anecdotal evidence but still. As an aside, this is why I track everything (well, also because I am anal 😂) so I can look back and determine patterns/trends/causations, etc. Its not for everybody though, so I get it.

P.S. You know I love me some bikini shots. Bring 'em on!

Edited June 25, 2021 by ms.sss