Three weeks out - update

[Beeza]

So tomorrow will be three three weeks since surgery, here's my update.

After my one week check-up, my surgeon referred me to a bariatric nutritionist. She has put me on a strict liquid and puree diet. It has become quite tiresome not having anything to chew, but as long as I put my mind off food and concentrate on other things it passes. Although the smell of toasting bread sets me off. Bread was always my weakness.

I now understand what the term "head hunger" means. I have no physical hunger whatsoever, in fact I find that I now forget to eat or drink my protein shake. I have to set an alarm on my phone to remind me. But if I smell or see something tasty, I immediately get cravings which feels so much like hunger.

I go back to see my doctors on Tuesday. I have some lab work to do tomorrow as my surgeon wants to see how my blood sugar and triglyceride levels are doing. Before surgery, they were both off the chart. I also hope that he will clear me to fly. A grounded pilot is a grumpy pilot! It was actually my last pilot medical exam that set me on this path of surgery. It was then I found out I had type 2 diabetes, hypertension and a very high risk of heart attack caused by being obese.

I also hope that the nutritionist will put me something with taste. The protein shake is too sweet for me, although I've adapted it by blending it with ice and decaf instant coffee, so it's kind of like an ice mocha chino which is actually quite nice. I've been able to keep my hydration up by drinking gallons of tea. Being a typical Brit, she told me I could drink as much tea as I want.

Last Friday night was my first social gathering with all my ex-pat mates. Friday night is pie night at our local pub. All our ex-pat mates join up every Friday night and has been a thing for quite some years now. I decided to turn up and had a bowl of soup and drank tea all night. It wasn't that easy seeing my friends tuck into their delicious pies, but the soup helped me feel full and the tea gave me something to drink while they were all boozing. But it was nice to see how supportive all my friends were. My doc has told me to wait at least three months until I can drink. I think I can manage. I will have my first drink on my birthday which is in April, so I have something to look forward to.

But by far the most positive thing has been the astonishing weight loss. 27lbs in three weeks! I'm amazed. I bought myself some fancy body analyser scales and I'm pleased to report that the weight loss has been mainly fat. Sometimes I am low on water, but at the moment I'm not losing muscle mass which is encouraging.

[DHB]

Wow that's all great! I couldn't stand the sweetness of the shakes either. There are some bariatric soup packets you can order on Amazon that give you 15g of protein and IMHO taste so much better than the shakes. Saved me in the early days and I still find it convenient to use the packets when traveling.

Hope you're flying again soon.

[Pudsley]

Hi Beeza,

I am delighted for you that you have lost so much weight in a very short space of time.
It's great that you still went out with the ex pats, I am also wondering how I will deal with similar expat events. I can also ask for soup and water will be just fine.

I hope all is good with your results.

Take Care and Thanks for your update.

Made me smile really enjoyed your post.

[Luv49ers19]

That is incredible! Keep doing what your doing and you'll be flying again in no time!

Let us know how the test turn out. I'm super curious...if that is alright with you. Have a great day fellow sleever!

[Christie13]

You are doing great! I also couldn't stand the sweetness of shakes right after surgery. Eventually you will enjoy sweet flavors again. I survived on creamed soups made with nonfat milk in the beginning. Once I was able to eat foods it got so much better. Congrats to you!

[Stacey03]

Onya Beeza your're doing great and will be back in the air before you know it. Tea is life. Imagine if they had said no tea!!!!! Keep going, there will soon be food and you will be amazed at how little you can eat!

[Aussie Girl]

That's so great Beeza, awesome loss!!! I've noticed I do not seem to have sugar cravings since the op (but I do get hungry). I also don't feel like having a drink, not that I would yet. Interested to know how a glass of cheeky NZ Sav Blanc will affect me when that time comes. Hear I may be a two glass screamer haha

Keep up the great work

[Beeza]

I collected the results from the lab this morning. I'm delighted to report that after only three weeks I am no longer diabetic, my cholesterol and triglyceride levels are well within the normal spectrum.

Doc's visit is postponed until tomorrow. I hope I can start on solids.

[Pudsley]

Thats Amazing !

Good Luck with tomorrow.
Hope you will be flying again soon.

[Ann2]

The benefits from WLS, if you really do it well, are countless and priceless.

Congrats. You're on your way to a much, much better life.

[Luv49ers19]

I collected the results from the lab this morning. I'm delighted to report that after only three weeks I am no longer diabetic, my cholesterol and triglyceride levels are well within the normal spectrum.

Doc's visit is postponed until tomorrow. I hope I can start on solids.

So amazing! The sleeve is a life changer! Thrilled for you!

[Beeza]

Cleared to fly!

I am now allowed some solid foods. I can have eggs, mozzarella cheese and ham. And beens too. I actually like the way Dominicans do beans, so that's good.

The doc also told myself to prepare for the stall. He says it happens to almost everyone, but no one is really sure why. He says the best hypothesis is down to a reset in the body's metabolism. After the reset, weight loss continues. My average weight loss is around two thirds of a pound per day.

[Luv49ers19]

Cleared to fly!

I am now allowed some solid foods. I can have eggs, mozzarella cheese and ham. And beens too. I actually like the way Dominicans do beans, so that's good.

The doc also told myself to prepare for the stall. He says it happens to almost everyone, but no one is really sure why. He says the best hypothesis is down to a reset in the body's metabolism. After the reset, weight loss continues. My average weight loss is around two thirds of a pound per day.

See I told you you would be flying soon! So thrilled for you! To the skies my friend!

[AnnieG]

What a wonderful report - weight loss, normal test results. Wow! And yes, the stinky stall, which comes. But just log on and read posts that day(s) and you'll be back on the downward shortly.

I'm 4 months out, and my biggest too was the trigyclerides going from 293 to 95 very quickly; and no BS spikes, great cholesterol and all bariatric labs "normal" So we are on the right road..

Beans are our friends

[MikeMo]

Thanks so much for the update! I am a few weeks out myself, and still absorbing what I'm getting myself into. It's great to see the light at the other side of the tunnel and hear how you're recovering. Keep up the good work!