Thankful for such a supportive community

[EllisM80]

Hi,

My name is Michelle. I wish I had known this community existed a year ago. That's when I started considering weight loss surgery. I researched so much, I was getting tired of hearing my own voice and the words "gastric bypass surgery" so I'm sure my family felt the same. After 7 months of doctors appointments, I was finally ready for insurance to approve me so I could get the show on the road. My highest weight was 315. I got down to 217 on my own. Went through 2 back surgeries and an enormous amount of MS relapses that had me back up to 270. I lost 20 lbs while being qualified for surgery. Gained 5 lbs back the week before surgery because if I'm being truthful, I ate whatever I wanted that week. I am 3 weeks post op and I'm down 25 lbs. This is 10 times harder than I thought it would be but I'm determined to meet my goal!

[Christie13]

Welcome Michelle! This place is awesome. Most of the groups are not active so it is best to just hang around and chat on the main forums. When you need help, advice, or just want to talk to people going through what you are reach out. Everyone is super helpful and friendly.

[sraebaer]

What is so hard for you? Wondering if we can help in some way.

[EllisM80]

The hardest part is not being able to eat anything besides protein. I couldn't even finish a half of a serving of fish last night, let alone my green beans. My surgeon says 3 meals a day, not 6 small meals a day but I still find myself getting hungry. He says no snacks, his PA says if I feel like I have to have a snack, eat an apple. The last couple days, I've been getting hungry at night so I find myself going for the unhealthiest of things to snack on. The M&M's.

[EllisM80]

Oh! Another thing that I need help with... last night I did some housework but I got so dizzy because I burned more calories than I've been able to bring in. Does that ever change? I miss doing Zumba but if I can't do a little vacuuming, then I for sure can't do Zumba.

[Dutchie]

You have to realise that you had major surgery.
Not minor, but major.
We were not allowed to vacuum carpets for at least six weeks, not lift anything heavier than a few kilo's.
You are only three weeks out and are still in the recovery stage.
I did a lot of naps those first weeks.

As for eating (or rather not eating): you can't think about food in terms of "meals" for a couple of weeks.
The most important things you have to do is drinking enough fluids and getting your proteins in.
The easiest way to do that is to drink protein rich fluids.
Maybe you can manage to eat yoghurt or cottage cheese, poached egg or scrambled egg or other soft foods, but green beans were absolutely not on my list the first 3 months or so.
Neither were apples.
I ate my first veggies and fruits after maybe a couple of months.
After the first month those were only allowed in pureed form.


As for the portions: remind yourself that your stomach is still swollen and bruised.
The amount you can fit in there will not be more than one egg, not more.
I would be surprised if you were able to eat more than a couple of bites of fish.

My advice: take it easy.
Eat only things that go well.
Forget about the three times per day a "meal".
You will be able to do that after a while, but not for now.

Drink your fluids and eat something a couple of times a day.
Only then you will be able to eat a bit more and stop those cravings.

Are you still on anti acid meds?
Stomach acid can and often will mimic the "hunger" feeling.
Also "hunger" can be thirst in disguise.

Take things slowly, listen very carefully to your body.
This is the time to get used to and familiar with your new sleeve.
Not yet for physical exercise, more than walking.
Your time will come, just not yet.
Give your body and stomach time to recover from the anesthetics and the surgery itself.

You can do it!
Babysteps...

[ThatGirlKat]

You will be able to exercise again. Just not anything too crazy for the first month or so. You'll get to a point where you can go back to Zumba, but take it easy at first. Your body is changing a lot right now.

[KiwiGal]

Hi there.
Three weeks out is still very early days so please be kind to yourself.
Every day will get better and you will soon be feeling like your old self again....only better! ;-)
Veges and fruit didn't feature in my meals for months and I still can't eat an apple if it has the skin on.
If you really do feel the need for a snack then go for some protein. It will satisfy you for longer and is much much better than candy.
As DutchSleeve mentioned try some yoghurt, cottage cheese, poached egg or scrambled egg or other soft foods or a protein shake - I still have these 14 months out. I live on Cottage chees for lunch. I love it and it is easy to eat.
Once you are getting in your protein and making sure that you are keeping hydrated (really important!) you will feel much better and feel like exercising again. In the meantime if you can walk as much and as often as you can it will all help. As for housework.....well, that will always be there so it can just wait until you are feeling better.
Chin up, you are doing great.

[EllisM80]

I was released to go to work, do Zumba and to eat regular food at my 2 week check up. I was really confused at that because all the research I had done, I figured I'd be on pureed foods, then soft foods. Even their paperwork said I would. Then I wasn't. They "recommended" soft foods until my stomach told me what it could handle. I don't know if it was because of the distance that I live away from my doctor now or what but I don't go back until 3 months post op. I was told I could incorporate vegetables as long as I chewed them really well. I still have only done some walking as I feel like I've pulled a muscle.

[EllisM80]

Thank you KiwiGal. I'm definitely going to go easier on the housework and give my body time to heal.

[sraebaer]

I do remember getting dizzy early on while just walking around the block, and I was a walker before surgery. But it is only temporary, I'm now training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro!

You are so early on, you won't be able to eat much at one sitting. (This will change too!) I would be on the 6 small meal plan, you basically have a baby tummy and you need to eat more often like a baby. If you are hungry, eat something healthy and you'll be fine. There is no need to starve.

I will never forget my first attempt at a chicken breast 6 weeks out. We were at a restaurant with friends, and after 2 bites I thought I was going to die. Seriously. Now that small salad with the chicken breast is what I typically order at that place, and I can often eat it all.

Big picture my friend! Keep the questions coming, we are all here to help. You'll do great!

[EllisM80]

Thank you so much sraebaer. I have had so many thoughts over the last week but didn't want to overload y'all with all my questions. My doctor said to eat refried beans because its packed with protein. I looked at how much carbs there are and I'm so very confused at their logic. Before surgery, he said low carb, high protein. Now they say just eat protein first and if you can fit in carbs, keep it low. But refried beans are high in both. It's just confusing to me. When I stick to 3 meals a day, I lose. When I eat 4-6 times a day, I don't lose anything. It's weird to me.

[sraebaer]

It is a little confusing, but if you're concentrating on healthy food you'll do great. When you're on soft food you have limited options, like Greek yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, refried beans, etc. A little further on you'll be able to just eat the protein, then veggies, then good carbs if room.

I did find my instructions from way back when. Maybe they will give you some more food ideas.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

And don't worry about your weight right now either. If you are doing what you should be (which you are) you will lose, I promise. But early on your body is confused and healing, and you may even gain. It may be smart to hide your scale for a month.

[avmatthew]

One thing that really helped me in the beginning was Isopure drinks. It helped me to not only get my fluids in but also my proteins. I wasn't able to eat a lot for a long time. I mainly lived on greek yogurt and scrambled eggs. Good luck, know it does get better.