January 2024 surgery buddies

[newbegining2024 44]

13 hours ago, ChunkCat said:

You could be craving fat. Beef is one of the fattier meats and a low carb bibimbap dish would have been full of fat from the oil everything is sauteed in, and the egg, and the dressing. Plus Korean food often has fermented veggies which are really good for you. I crave Korean food and Japanese food a lot. I finally realized part of the reason why is because they eat a little bit of a lot of things. Banchan and Bento boxes! *swoon* Quantity doesn't satisfy me, I hate eating one thing per meal. I need a bite or two of multiple things to feel satisfied. A little fat, a little Fiber, a little carb, a lot of protein...something crunchy, something sour or pungent, something a bit sweet, something creamy. I have to hit multiple of those categories to feel satisfied in a meal. So I eat a tablespoon or two of numerous things. Then I'm satisfied and happy, even if I'm not bursting at the seams full... So you might be needing more variety and a bit more fat?

That makes so much sense! I kept comparing to other people’s weight loss per week and I am along myself down. But with their percentage calculation it is a much better way!

[SomeBigGuy 108]

2 hours ago, newbegining2024 said:

That makes so much sense! I kept comparing to other people’s weight loss per week and I am along myself down. But with their percentage calculation it is a much better way!

Agreed! We all have a baseline weight from parts of our body that just have to be there (bones, organs, skin, etc). On top of that is muscle (good weight) and fat (we need a little of this, but excess fat is what we're fighting here). That's why tracking percentage weight loss is more important as we get closer to our goals.

An example I was given, just using big/easy round numbers, is pretend your start weight is 300 and your goal is 200. That means you would have 100 pounds of excess weight to lose, and the 200 is your base weight your body needs to survive (again, just using easy numbers here, not an actual guide)

So if starting at 300, and you lose 50 out of the 100 excess lbs, that's a 50% loss.

After that, you're starting at 250lb over the 200lb goal. To lose 50% of that (25lb), you would have to put in the equivalent amount of effort that helped you lose the previous weight, because its 50% of excess. This is why it feels like we have diminishing returns on our work. 25lb total loss at this stage feels like its not much, but its still a 50% excess weight loss!

That's why weight loss slows as we get near the goal. Our metabolism readjusts because if we kept losing at that original weight, it would put our body into shock since it can't adjust that quickly. Just expect it to slow down and taper off, but track that percentage rather than actual pounds.

One more thing, as you put on more muscle, that will likely keep you from hitting the exact goal if it is too low. Muscle weights in excess of 1.5x as much as fat per volume. If you go to the gym now when you previously didn't, you will gain more muscle weight, which is a good thing. The more muscle, the higher your baseline metabolism, which burns the excess fat off quicker and keeps it off.

The scale doesn't tell you everything. You're doing great, keep up the good work!

[Mandy_VSG 31]

Just really wanted to reach out because I’ve had a tough day. I was supposed to return to work today but I have a very physically demanding job. I had a rough two days with food and abdomen pain, so I decided to not return just yet. I’m feeling like I may be better suited going back to a desk job both for healing and the ability to have a more consistent schedule working the same hours each week, as I’m concerned I’ll struggle with maintaining my new routines at my current job. Particularly the time to eat and drink as often as needed. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

[lark188613@comcast.net 18]

I have a very physical job as well and understand how hard it is. I've been out of work for 6 weeks already and due to complications and needing a lot of Iv infusions I'm going to be out another 3 weeks. Hang in there

[Doris27 22]

13 hours ago, Mandy_VSG said:

Just really wanted to reach out because I’ve had a tough day. I was supposed to return to work today but I have a very physically demanding job. I had a rough two days with food and abdomen pain, so I decided to not return just yet. I’m feeling like I may be better suited going back to a desk job both for healing and the ability to have a more consistent schedule working the same hours each week, as I’m concerned I’ll struggle with maintaining my new routines at my current job. Particularly the time to eat and drink as often as needed. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

Hi Lark,

I was in the same position. Returning to a highly demanding job, 12hr shifts, encompassing both sitting a a computer, walking/moving and high stress, I was exhausted. I had many fears, would I manage, would I be able to eat and drink? I decided to go back after 4wks as I needed to get over that hurdle.
it was tough, I work nights and days, so going back for 3nights after a month of sleeping 9hrs per night was daunting. I managed, pre-planning involved making up a box of Protein Drinks, 25-50g tubs of Snacks, and high Protein non perishables and putting it in my locker.

My Fluid intake was planned out, 3 x500ml bottles of Water, 1x Protein Shake. A couple protein balls in my pocket, lentil Soup for my 1am break. I think I did around 12k steps that night. So yeah come morning I was shattered.
since that block of nights, I’ve also been on days, which I always struggle with anyway. There was an added problem this time, of slight reflux in the morning, which was new to me. I found a few dry crackers (10g) in my pocket helped. I can drink when sitting at my computer and if o have to run to my locker for a 5min time out and a snack I can do so.

the swap from days to nights and vice versa is not easy. I am considering asking for only days for the time being, which has financial implications but might be better for my health. Do what’s right for you. I wanted returning to work over with, so I’d not worry about it. This process has been one of trial and error for me.
Good luck. I wish you well o your road to health. X

[Mandy_VSG 31]

On 02/25/2024 at 01:32, lark188613@comcast.net said:

I have a very physical job as well and understand how hard it is. I've been out of work for 6 weeks already and due to complications and needing a lot of Iv infusions I'm going to be out another 3 weeks. Hang in there

Thank you for the response. I’m out another month now. But I’m looking into different jobs also while I have the time. Thinking of you and know you’re not alone either. This to shall pass.

[Mandy_VSG 31]

On 02/25/2024 at 05:14, Doris27 said:

Hi Lark,

I was in the same position. Returning to a highly demanding job, 12hr shifts, encompassing both sitting a a computer, walking/moving and high stress, I was exhausted. I had many fears, would I manage, would I be able to eat and drink? I decided to go back after 4wks as I needed to get over that hurdle.

it was tough, I work nights and days, so going back for 3nights after a month of sleeping 9hrs per night was daunting. I managed, pre-planning involved making up a box of Protein Drinks, 25-50g tubs of Snacks, and high Protein non perishables and putting it in my locker.

My Fluid intake was planned out, 3 x500ml bottles of Water, 1x Protein Shake. A couple Protein balls in my pocket, lentil Soup for my 1am break. I think I did around 12k steps that night. So yeah come morning I was shattered.

since that block of nights, I’ve also been on days, which I always struggle with anyway. There was an added problem this time, of slight reflux in the morning, which was new to me. I found a few dry crackers (10g) in my pocket helped. I can drink when sitting at my computer and if o have to run to my locker for a 5min time out and a snack I can do so.

the swap from days to nights and vice versa is not easy. I am considering asking for only days for the time being, which has financial implications but might be better for my health. Do what’s right for you. I wanted returning to work over with, so I’d not worry about it. This process has been one of trial and error for me.

Good luck. I wish you well o your road to health. X

My name is Mandy actually, Lark was commenting to me lol. But I appreciate your story and experience. This is just one of the pieces of the puzzle I feel like no one talks about. But I thank you for sharing and I’m wishing you strength and healing in your journey too!

[Doris27 22]

So sorry. I was just awake this morning when I read the post. Apologies. Hello Mandy 👋.
You are correct, it does feel like a puzzle, at nearly7wks post op, I’m still piecing bits together. Currently I’m just tired, think I might be exercising too much never thought that would be a problem I’d have to figure out! Onwards..

You take care. Hope you figure out your return to work. Wishing you well. Xx