August 2023 Surgery Buddies!

[Victoria Wank 20]

Maybe the fact that you are practically starving yourself is the problem. Even with the weight-loss, your body still needs enough calories, including Protein, carbs, and fats to burn. That’s when you start (or continue) losing weight. When you start eating too few calories, your body reads that as famine. It holds onto whatever calories it can. Your best bet is to eat enough calories that you and your body don’t think you’re in a famine.

[Victoria Wank 20]

I suspect you feel the construction of the chair, because you have less padding. Buy some memory foam or gel cushions.

[BlondePatriotInCDA 571]

4 hours ago, Victoria **** said:

Maybe the fact that you are practically starving yourself is the problem. Even with the weight-loss, your body still needs enough calories, including Protein, carbs, and fats to burn. That’s when you start (or continue) losing weight. When you start eating too few calories, your body reads that as famine. It holds onto whatever calories it can. Your best bet is to eat enough calories that you and your body don’t think you’re in a famine.

Perhaps, but, I'm getting the amount of calories; 800, protein; 80, Carbs; 50 my surgeon/dietician put me on. That being said, I thought the same thing, but, I'm hesitant to go against doctors orders or diet plan. I have an appointment February 21, so maybe at 6 months they'll up my caloric intake. 🙏 I posted this concern of mine because I thought surely my clinic knows what works and yet my weight slowed way down.

Anyone at 800 calories 5-6 month out too? I thought this was the norm at this stage...

Edited January 23, 2024 by BlondePatriotInCDA

[Kat 18]

I am am at the same point and I am still struggling to get to 600 calories a day. I hit a massive stall and did not lose any weight for 3 weeks. scale finally moved this week. Stalls happen your body needs a chance to recover. Stick with your doctors plan and the stall will pass.

[ChunkCat 735]

2 hours ago, BlondePatriotInCDA said:

Perhaps, but, I'm getting the amount of calories; 800, protein; 80, Carbs; 50 my surgeon/dietician put me on. That being said, I thought the same thing, but, I'm hesitant to go against doctors orders or diet plan. I have an appointment February 21, so maybe at 6 months they'll up my caloric intake. 🙏 I posted this concern of mine because I thought surely my clinic knows what works and yet my weight slowed way down.

Anyone at 800 calories 5-6 month out too? I thought this was the norm at this stage...

I've read that caloric intake for a bypass patient at that month mark is not unusual. However, if you are more active than the normal bariatric patient, it is possible you are burning so many calories that your body is experiencing more of a caloric deficit than your dietician has estimated for you. Some dieticians are VERY good at individualizing their care to each patient's intake, activity, and dietary needs. Others stick to the book and will give everyone the same plan regardless of how many calories they are burning. That can be a detriment to you if you are burning more. If you are walking several miles a day, or intensely working out, you may need more Protein than your current calories are allowing for. It might be worth messaging your dietician to ask if they took this into account. Stalls definitely happen, I had one last 6 weeks pretty early out after surgery, and I'm losing a little slower than I like, though they say it is right on target so I'm making my peace with that. It is good to stick to the plan you are given by your team, just make sure that plan is taking into account the whole picture of YOU, not just what patients average in general. Many bariatric patients are quite sedentary and averages account for that, not for active patients.

[BlondePatriotInCDA 571]

2 minutes ago, ChunkCat said:

I've read that caloric intake for a bypass patient at that month mark is not unusual. However, if you are more active than the normal bariatric patient, it is possible you are burning so many calories that your body is experiencing more of a caloric deficit than your dietician has estimated for you. Some dieticians are VERY good at individualizing their care to each patient's intake, activity, and dietary needs. Others stick to the book and will give everyone the same plan regardless of how many calories they are burning. That can be a detriment to you if you are burning more. If you are walking several miles a day, or intensely working out, you may need more Protein than your current calories are allowing for. It might be worth messaging your dietician to ask if they took this into account. Stalls definitely happen, I had one last 6 weeks pretty early out after surgery, and I'm losing a little slower than I like, though they say it is right on target so I'm making my peace with that. It is good to stick to the plan you are given by your team, just make sure that plan is taking into account the whole picture of YOU, not just what patients average in general. Many bariatric patients are quite sedentary and averages account for that, not for active patients.

Thank you, very wise words!

[tynisha 10]

Hi all I am struggling to lose more weight. Anyone found really good suggestions on how to limit carb intake. I feel like that is my major problem.

[DD 7939 11]

15 minutes ago, tynisha said:

Hi all I am struggling to lose more weight. Anyone found really good suggestions on how to limit carb intake. I feel like that is my major problem.

Hi Tynisha! I don’t focus much on carbs, but I try to not go overboard. I eat crackers or a tiny PB&J as a snack most days and may have some oven roasted potatoes with Protein for dinner. And I drink whole milk.

What has been really important for me is making sure to eat three balanced meals a day, hitting my protein goal (around 110-120 grams daily). I have to have a Protein Shake or two with milk to get there.

If you find you are eating too many carbs, it’s probably because you are snacking too much. If you focus on balanced meals and up your protein goal, you won’t be hungry/want to snack. Veggies and milk aren’t a big impact on carb intake, and help you feel full.

Another good way to sneak in more protein is Greek yogurt. I like Oikos mixed berry. Fairly low on carbs/sugars and 15 grams of protein.

Basically make sure you are getting enough protein, focus on feeling full from good food, and try to limit snacking. Has worked for me, and I’m still slowly losing weight almost 9 months later. Oh, and work out with weights. Since working out 3 days a week, my body composition has changed quite a bit.

Best of luck!

Dave

[Gypsy_Life 9]

On 1/9/2024 at 11:44 AM, BlondePatriotInCDA said:

Having worked in a dermatology clinic...(although I'm not a doctor) I heard this complaint a lot. Keep the stretch marks moisturized, Cereve is what was recommended. But if it gets to itchy..corticosteroid cream can help with the itch... If it gets to bad..see a dermatologist.

This occurs because your skin is attempting to heal itself, the nerves transmit the itch feeling as part of it healing.

Omgoodness. I'm so thankful I'm not the only one! I had a sleeve to mini bypass done on 19th August and at week 3, I developed hives. Initially it was thought the hives were a drug allergy but they weren't. I can have totally clear skin then have a tepid shower and break out again. I break put at work or where my dog lays on my lap. I think of an itch spot and I'll look to find a welt. Lortadine is useless and the mild steroid creams I have are also ineffective. My surgeon has said no to steroid injections too. I'm going crazy with the itch. I wear gloves at work, I flare up, my watch band, I flare up. I've had to change to a heavier fabric scrubs to avoid the "slinky" material ones my organisation has because my skin didn't agree!

[Victoria Wank 20]

I have also dealt with hives, even before I had the surgery. One day they just appeared. Long red welts on my abdomen and thighs. I went to an allergist, who couldn’t determine any cause for the hives. I was diagnosed with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (hives that have been there for longer than 2 weeks without apparent cause. After trying several medications alone, my doctor and I decided to try a “cocktail.” I was on 4 medications, but I only remember Ranitidine and Zyrtec. When the hives showed up again, we tried a couple of different combinations and finally landed on Doxepin and Benadryl. If I go a few days without the meds, the hives start itching again. During one stay in the hospital, the doctors gave me a topical cream called Sansa. It’s helpful.

[Gypsy_Life 9]

3 hours ago, Victoria **** said:

I have also dealt with hives, even before I had the surgery. One day they just appeared. Long red welts on my abdomen and thighs. I went to an allergist, who couldn’t determine any cause for the hives. I was diagnosed with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (hives that have been there for longer than 2 weeks without apparent cause. After trying several medications alone, my doctor and I decided to try a “cocktail.” I was on 4 medications, but I only remember Ranitidine and Zyrtec. When the hives showed up again, we tried a couple of different combinations and finally landed on Doxepin and Benadryl. If I go a few days without the meds, the hives start itching again. During one stay in the hospital, the doctors gave me a topical cream called Sansa. It’s helpful.

I see my surgeon next week

3 hours ago, Victoria **** said:

I have also dealt with hives, even before I had the surgery. One day they just appeared. Long red welts on my abdomen and thighs. I went to an allergist, who couldn’t determine any cause for the hives. I was diagnosed with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (hives that have been there for longer than 2 weeks without apparent cause. After trying several medications alone, my doctor and I decided to try a “cocktail.” I was on 4 medications, but I only remember Ranitidine and Zyrtec. When the hives showed up again, we tried a couple of different combinations and finally landed on Doxepin and Benadryl. If I go a few days without the meds, the hives start itching again. During one stay in the hospital, the doctors gave me a topical cream called Sansa. It’s helpful.

I'm seeing my GP next week so will get a referral to a dermatologist. I see my surgeon next week too so will be again bringing it up.

Previous to surgeries, my allergic reactions were hayfever not hives. I've cut everything and gone back to simple diet with no spices etc and soap/fragrance free everything.

[Victoria Wank 20]

Sorry for the semi-duplicate post. I was falling asleep while I was writing it, and some of it disappeared.
Good luck with your GP, surgeon and dermatologist.

I have also dealt with hives, even before my original gastric bypass surgery. We couldn’t find any causal reason. After trying several medications alone, my doctor and I decided to try a “cocktail.” I was on 4 medications, but I only recall Ranitidine and Zyrtec. It worked! I had the gastric bypass a few years later, and the hives left me alone.$!

[Gypsy_Life 9]

So a quick update. I saw a skin specialist today who is pretty certain I have Chronic idiopathic Urticaria. I say pretty certain because there's another possibility (with joint involvement), but we have to wait for my pathology results to rule it out.

He has started me on montelukast today and increased my fexofenadine tablets to three times a day. After just one montelukast dose, I could feel the itch subside and I was so happy! Imagine how ill be in a week!

He mentioned that these hives can be brought on by stress. Given that the mini gastric bypass is incredibly stressful to the body, this ties in well with the onset time etc.

[BlondePatriotInCDA 571]

3 hours ago, Gypsy_Life said:

So a quick update. I saw a skin specialist today who is pretty certain I have Chronic idiopathic Urticaria. I say pretty certain because there's another possibility (with joint involvement), but we have to wait for my pathology results to rule it out.

He has started me on montelukast today and increased my fexofenadine tablets to three times a day. After just one montelukast dose, I could feel the itch subside and I was so happy! Imagine how ill be in a week!

He mentioned that these hives can be brought on by stress. Given that the mini gastric bypass is incredibly stressful to the body, this ties in well with the onset time etc.

So, they were unable to determine what caused your hives, "Chronic idiopathic Urticaria" = Unknown Cause of hives. I hope they go away quickly for you!

[SuziDavis 548]

I haven't been in here in a Hot Minute!

I would love to know how everyone is doing. I stopped losing weight at about month 8 or 9 and have maintained, just didn't get to where I had hoped I would. I kind of regret not doing the bypass to be honest.

Otherwise it's been pretty easy.