Nutmegger

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I am at 9.5 months and have lost 171, 132 since surgery. 

It struck me how many things I've learned along the way that I never anticipated or was told that I kind of would have liked to know.  In case it helps anyone, here's the list. 

• Right after surgery for about 5-10 days, you can have a super funky taste in your mouth that makes you a little ill
• For the first few weeks, you may have an odor about you. It's not about hygiene, it's just there, like it's coming out of your pores. IT GOES AWAY!
• if you are female, your first period following surgery can come early, and it can be extremely painful, know that it will not be that bad again at any other time, your abdomen is still recovering from surgery and sore + cramps makes for 1-2 days you definitely want off to take it easy! 
• Drinking is hard in the beginning and you'll be frustrated, it hurts, it's slowwwww, and feels abnormal and like you'll never be the same, it gets easier, you'll drink more and more, just not guzzle 12 ounces at once anymore. 
• No matter how much you research surgery, you will ask "what did I do!?" At some point directly after surgery. I spent 10 days searching "gastric bypass reversal" - not the answer, things get better
• vitamins may take a white to figure out. I planned everything for the first three months, but found I needed to adjust both the schedule and the vitamins I selected.
• chewable vitamins can be annoying, but after some time, ask your dietician / doc about standard vitamin options if you prefer
• Everyone reacts differently to surgery and energy levels.  For 4 weeks, standing for more than 10 minutes or walking made me feel like I was going to black out, nearly happened a couple of times, others report phenomenal energy
• After surgery the protein shake you swore you loved may sicken you - don't buy in bulk
• Your tastes change, suddenly anything sweet, including protein shakes, even cream soups might be super sweet and intolerable, after a few weeks your tastes may change again and settle back to a bit more normal, this will continue and you may want very different foods at different stages
• You might crave food you can't possibly eat - for me it was steak in week 2 and I was a vegetarian before surgery - just because you crave it doesn't mean you should eat it (the steak would have really hurt me)
• Certain cravings actually have nutritional meaning, such as crunchy things - calcium or lemons - vitamin c, personally when I crave sugar, I am actually low on protein
• Caffeine, even after the 3 month mark can have a hastening effect on your digestion - beware!
• I couldn't eat meat for 3 months, but as my DR recommends, I still went off shakes and got all of my protein from dairy
• Low fat cheese may become a food group for you 
• At 3 months I could eat anything, everyone is different
• prior to that I would get sick on any meat, fish, and broccoli
• if you are sick, it is entirely different than before surgery, think of a cat coughing up a hairball
• You may spend 3x longer in the bathroom - sorry, but true
• People talk about slider foods, but talk about them in terms of junk food, I found out I was eating too much protein at each meal because I was eating it WITH rather than BEFORE cucumbers and raw peppers - fruits and watery vegetables can be slider foods! 
• You will become very aware of a "one more bite" feeling in that you recognize that another bite will cause pain and possibly sickness - you'll learn quickly because you'll regret it if you don't learn it!
• You may not be a person who dumps at first on sugar, carbs, etc. (I didn't) but that can change at any time!
• Dumping can be totally different symptoms for the same person, one time it may be a racing heart and dizziness, another time, terrible cramps (not normal muscle cramps, more like knives).  
• Dumping should be avoided obviously, but know it will pass in 20-50 minutes in general - lie down if you can.  You will never want it to happen again
• Stalls suck, no matter how much you hear about them beforehand and think, of course I'll accept that, in the large picture, a stall is small compared to the total loss, however emotions can get the best of you, remember there is no time limit and the scale will move again 
• you might lose weight oddly, like for me top down. My thighs and calves are the reason jeans are so difficult to buy, and even if you never lost weight in your butt before, it will disappear! 
• Sitting sometimes feels bony and hurts
• Your hormones can go out of whack, for most this means mood swings, for others sexual dysfunction (and no it's not in your head) and others have increased libido. 
• My hair is both growing like mad at my temples and falling out all over, I'm afraid to cook for anyone
• You will have no idea what size or shape you are, trying on clothes is a shocking trial and error, then other times you will just stay at the same size for an odd amount of time
• You may act differently, people will treat you differently, it's surprising in the first few months because things change so quickly
• After surgery your eyesight may change dramatically. Any b12 deficiency can also cause this, but it can happen with perfectly normal levels as well
• You will, honestly will, enjoy walking one you start (after a few weeks of it) and if not totally enjoy it, you wills feel out of sorts when you don't walk / excercise
• You will likely throw out a lot of food until you adjust your perspective on quantity / serving size. Don't be too hard on yourself, I've yet to meet someone who hasn't gone through this
• your face make look older, then younger, then older...
• It's easy to get dry skin based on not enough water and lack of fatty acids in your diet. Omega3 supplements can help, remember to moisturize and drink your water! 
• Your neck may go from a plump double chin to a saggy, baggy turkey neck, sometimes it correct itself nicely, but takes a long time
• Loose skin, you've heard about it, everyone gets it and in places you never imagined, keep in mind it's the same skin that was there before, but now it's just not filled with poisonous fat
• Your cholesterol numbers may drop abnormally low if they were semi normal before. Mine went to 112. They will adjust 
• You may crave certain dish, go through the work of making it, take one bite and be done with it, trust yourself on this. Don't force anything
• you may crave poorer food choices, ice cream, cookies, etc. but trust me when I say, you are craving a food memory and remembering that you used to love the food , two bites will convince you otherwise and may leave you sick
• Food tracking is essential to know your protein levels, it's not an easy estimate and you don't want to fall short
• Drinking alcohol after surgery is completely different. You get drunk extremely quickly (1 drink) and you don't have the same "drunk" feeling you may have in the past after several drinks
• during the first 6+ months! your stomach keeps your eating in check! it's imperative to use this time to learn good eating habits because the strength of your eating restriction changes and you'll need to rely on the good habits you learned
• you may become sensitive to hot, cold, or room temperature food and drinks
• you may become intolerant to cold weather or cold all the time when losing significant weight

There's more, I'll come back and edit

 

 

 

 

 

From my highest weight and 111 from surgery.  That's a big number and one I don't think I could have ever accomplished without WLS considering I've been obese all my life and have numerous injuries.  I feel great physically.  Mentally, still nagging, negative feelings that built up over a lifetime.  It's sad to realize I still wait for comments, laughter when walking into a room / store / area for the first time being so used to it on a daily basis all of my life.  It's a an odd feeling to realize I'm no longer an obvious target. I would say a great feeling, but upsetting to know that we seem to have some collective need to tear others down. 

There are several times I think I wish I could have done this without surgery or don't like to admit I needed to have it - as if I somehow wasn't strong and gave up.  But I have to believe the advice I would give to any other person struggling with obesity and strongly considering surgery.  I was strong my whole life and fat too. It takes a lot of strength to fail on the latest diet promise from flawed "experts" and to pick yourself up and try again over and over, all the while being judged every day by people who have never had to struggle with weight, who consider you lazy.  I was cheating myself of a good, healthy and happy life.  I desperately needed a head start and now I need to continue to be strong and work hard to keep going.

 

I finally hit "that" point today.  I've been overweight or obese as long as I remember.   Today my weigh in was the least I've ever weighed as an adult, and the last time I was this weight I was shorter...because I was in 6th grade. It still hasn't quite sunk in.   Still have about 70 pounds to go but kind of a shocking number for me.

Out if all if the benefits if surgery, new clothes are hardly the top highlight.  But today for the first time - ever in my life - I shopped in a store / section of clothes not meant for  "plus" sizes.  There I was sifting through racks that started with 2 or XS and buying XL, not XXL, 2x,3x - where i was in November or 4X- where I was last February.  

I realized how picky I am now and that in the past I used to shop for new colors of the same clothes, like I was buying the same uniform every few months, not expecting anything to ever look good, just fit and be presentable. 

On the workout front, tried Tracy Anderson arms on you tube and 5 minutes later - total arm exhaustion!  Now going to the gym about 4x per week for bike, treadmill or elliptical. I only do about 35-40 minutes total, but I have really started looking forward to it.  Now on The weekend I automatically put on workout clothes when I wake up and head out.  Its a little tougher during the week and find I have to go in the evening, some nights followed by a 1 mile walk at home.  I haven't been doing too much with weights lately which I was prior to surgery, and need to pickup again. 

 

Well, it's been a little bit of a roller coaster with weight loss.  I went 3 weeks with nothing in feb, then 10 pounds in a week. March is going well, I've been walking and going to the gym more. I was having a lot of problems with dizziness and really low energy (thought I would black out when I stood up).  I have blood tests coming up in another week, but started up vitron c again as I always took it prior to surgery and needed it. 

 

To date I've lost 75 pounds since surgery + 40 prior and just dropped below 40 for a bmi, meaning I no longer qualify for surgery ;-). Since I started at 52, feeling good about that. 

I've had no issues or complications thankfully other than low energy. I wasn't able to eat any any meat for the first 3 months, but at 3.1 months, can eat just about anything. Still no dumping, but I could really care less about sugar - that is VERY different than before surgery!

I'm a planner and researcher and prior to surgery I really wanted to know everything.  Spontaneity is great, but not so much with surgery. Of course I couldn't know everything and have been surprised by a few things: 

 

• When I enter my food for dinner into an online food tracker and see I'm over 60g of protein for the day, I have such a sense of relief that I don't have to eat anymore, I know, temporary, but it's work!
•  
• I'm so happy that I can still cook - starting with soups, chilies and light chowders and not have to rely on canned, processed food even in early stages. 
•  
• Meat is kind of off the table at the moment, being very very difficult,I'll give it some time.
•  
• i stocked up on lots of lactaid milk for nothing (and when I figured out I wasn't lactose intolerant after 3 weeks, out it went - it tastes oddly sweet to me, and not right). 
•  
• I lost weight in places I normally don't, and noticed I was shorter in my car - less cushioning!
•  
• I thought the rule of a max of 5g of sugar meant you would dump on say 7g, turns out I don't dump on anything, and need to keep that in mind for months ahead when I'm actually hungry again.  
•  
• When you lose weight quickly, your mind doesn't catch up and it's a bizarre feeling to move your hand to rub your stomach and realize you just put your hand 5 inches in front of where your stomach really is without looking, just expecting it there.  Nothing but air!
•  
• For the first time since I can remember in my life, I had to think of something else to wish for other than "I want to lose weight" when blowing out birthday candles this year. 

 

It's been 7 weeks since surgery. I've lost about 40 pounds. I say about because of differences in scales between home and dr office. 

Im supposed to be in phase 5 but having a lot of difficulty eating any meat - any at all. No fish, not even canned tuna. I do t know what it is but tired of trying and getting sick for now. So I'm sticking to beans, lentils, dairy, and similar.  

I did figure out that what I thought was a dumping episode was really just exhaustion from surgery / anesthesia. It took about six weeks to get over. I couldn't stand for more than 15 minutes without feeling like I was going to pass out & get sick.  Fun! 

Ive also stopped losing anything for the last 2 weeks without changing anything. A little discouraging so early. 

Well, time for m next cheese and yogurt meal. 

Well, I thought I was being careful, absolutely no sugar at all, but just 1oz of full fat mozzarella cheese at a holiday party did me in.  

About 30 minutes later I broke out in a cold sweat and the room seemed to fade. I would have happily gotten sick, but not the case. Sorry that's gross, but seriously, it was like terrible food poisoning! I actually had to leave just 45 minutes after being there - so bummed, but I felt like falling to the floor.  Another 20 minutes and I was fine, but what a lesson! 

I was feeling pretty good about everything, but guess I have a new rule. 

Here's to holiday parties with a glass of water with lime this year!

Surgery went very well with no complications. I am now almost 2 weeks out and have lost 14 pounds.

I had a couple of issues while in the hospital but not really surgical issues, just my reaction. 

The abdominal gas caused me a lot of shoulder pain and my throat was pretty raw from the breathing tube for a number of days and made me cough a lot. The gas combined with the coughing kept me from keeping water then protein shakes down for 2 days, resulting in a 4 night stay.  

However, despite those things, the surgery itself was not painful, and better than expected. I was down to liquid tylenol before discharge and after I returned home I never took another painkiller. 

Eating at home went from rocky to easy in 1 day.  All of the protein mixes I stocked up on prior to surgery were bad bad bad! They were really thick and sickeningly sweet, so I went back to one I used in the past (SEI Max protein) that was malty, but very thin and now it's perfect.  I also went to GNC for some isopure clear for the first day or two to try to increase protein, but really don't care for it too much, might try it again now.

So now in week two, things are going well....but....I am craving meat, especially beef like crazy.  Considering I was mostly a vegetarian prior to surgery, a little weird.  I think my body is begging for protein. My protein is around 85-95g per day, but I'm going to try to increase it a bit.

Other than that, walking, taking multivitamins, still wearing compression hose and finishing taking blood thinner shots (couldn't believe I could get myself to do this!) and back to work this week - a little exhausted, but feeling good. 

I'm not sure why, maybe all the prepping and exhausting all research, but I'm not that nervous, and haven't been since yesterday.  Partly I think just keeping busy and finishing work, but I feel good about tomorrow.  I spent part of the day doing some cleaning and thought if its at all possible it would be so nice to do it without my back killing me someday (hoping anyway). 

So here is my kitchen prep list: 

• Protein powders: 3 flavors, 2 unflavored (One was supposed to work with high temps - I tried in decaf tea and in hot jello - epic fail! Instant stryrofoam, (just in case someone ever tries to convince you.))
• lactaid 0% and 1% milk 
• part skim ricotta
• greek yogurt
• 4c water flavor sticks (only ones I found with Splenda instead of equal/nutrasweet and they are great.  Have lemon and fruit punch/pomegranate)
• decaf teas 
• jello, sf pudding
• Sf popsicles
• unsweetened applesauce 
• plain oatmeal packets
• low fat cream soups (oddly hard to find soup without added sugar - not sure about anyone else but that's not how I make soup!)
• Chicken broth
• Beef stock 
• canned crabmeat  and tuna
• cauliflower (hope it lasts until that stage)
• eggs
• low fat cheese

That's a long list, and seems like a lot of food considering; but I'm trying to cover bases if things just don't work with or thing or another. I think I'm ok with protein shakes, at least from using them pre-op. everyone says your taste changes, so hoping they are still ok after. 

Off for a good 8 hours of sleep, maybe!