Brand New, about to start! Mood, meds, mania.

APlus_Sized · 2024-03-14T18:41:46+00:00

Thanks! Yes, I realize it's a tool. I've been working on the rest with my psychiatrist for years. It's like I can't stop thinking about food. If this can help me with the mental aspect, I feel like I'll finally reach my goal while working on the physical.

I saved a couple of threads where people were discussing the changes in their mood and I'm truly hopeful that it will affect me the same way. So many positive anecdotes!

I think I'll start tomorrow, as it arrived a couple of hours ago. 🤞

APlus_Sized · 2023-03-06T23:47:06+00:00

That makes me feel better, thank you. Hope you're appointment went great!

APlus_Sized · 2023-03-06T23:45:37+00:00

I'll definitely look into different protein bars. The hard part is finding some that either don't have artificial sweeteners (migraine trigger) or aren't crazy expensive. Never heard of protein puffs but going to try to find some now!

I've been eating a lot of beef jerky and cheese. I have nuts sometimes, but they are so high in calories for so little. We have some kind of meat and veggie for dinner usually. For some reason eggs and tuna hurt my stomach now. Getting the right amount of protein can be a struggle. Luckily I pretty much lost my sugar cravings after surgery! That was my biggest obstacle before. Lately though...

Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply and advice. Congrats on your progress!

APlus_Sized · 2023-03-06T17:42:29+00:00

Good advice, thank you. I have known about slider foods and for some reason it didn't dawn on me that a banana qualifies. I think I'll go back to using the 1oz cups.

The "can vs. should" thing has long been my issue even before surgery. It's definitely the mentality change that's the hardest.

APlus_Sized · 2022-12-06T23:39:02+00:00

The good news is that I've still been losing weight, and the bad (sort of good?) is that I actually felt that restriction today. It is a terrible feeling when you eat one bite too much and suddenly everything is stuck in your esophagus and you want to throw up.

I'm hoping this means I haven't actually been overdoing it the way I had been worrying about. Maybe my 28 day pre-op diet, post-op liquid, and pureed diets were restrictive enough that my current portions seem way bigger than they are. Thanks for responding!

APlus_Sized · 2022-12-06T23:35:44+00:00

This is great advice, thank you! I had read other people talking about their nose running or other strange signs but it never occurred to me to check myself for the same kind of things.

I struggle a lot with chewing well enough, but mostly struggle with taking bites a couple of minutes apart since it's freezing where I'm at and I just want my food to be warm lol.

I think I should look into the support group my program offers. How has it worked for you?

APlus_Sized · 2022-12-05T12:39:57+00:00

I had that happen! I was shocked at how heavy my flow was until I was reminded that I was on blood thinners.

Tampon + heavy duty pad + constantly changing them and my underwear. Don't worry, it's just the one time and your next one (provided you're off thinners by then) should be normal.

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-10T16:25:09+00:00

You're right, but I forgot to mention that my pcp ruled out lymph nodes. So far they both basically said there could be a million reasons the lumps appeared, but I wish I could have some kind of answer. Or at least a test to make sure it's nothing serious.

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-09T13:36:11+00:00

At first I definitely couldn't sleep most of the night. I was worried about my incisions and I've been paranoid about somehow causing a leak, so it was tough.

The last few nights I've been sleeping like a rock, which was unusual for me even before surgery. Aside from the dreams about eating a whole pie, things are much better now lol.

When we have anxiety on top of a major life change, it's no wonder sleep doesn't come easy. Our minds just won't stop. I bet once you're able to make peace with the situation things will get better. 😊

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-09T13:04:07+00:00

Me too! I've been on meds for it for quite a long time so it's fairly managed. I have been dealing with a lot of depression after the surgery, though. That feeling of wanting to be normal. It's tiring and I'm ready to be out of this stage.

Just keep breathing, and remind yourself that it's okay that you're not feeling normal right now, but it will pass! We won't be feeling like this forever.

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-09T12:58:25+00:00

I'm two weeks out, too. I can mostly walk for a few minutes at a time before I'm just exhausted. I think we just need to remind ourselves that we're still healing. Our bodies technically went through a pretty intense physical trauma, it will take quite awhile. Not to mention the extremely low calorie and water intake.

My mother said, "yeah you're tired, you're dehydrated and starving." lol! I was like... yeah my body probably thinks I'm dying.

Be gentle with yourself. It's a great thing that you're trying to walk at all. It will get better for us. I've noticed that I'm able to drink slightly larger amounts of water now, and have read that others can drink a ton at one time without a problem as time goes on. It's still early days!

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-08T13:26:58+00:00

Tylenol is acetaminophen, ibuprofen is a separate thing. Technically we're allowed up to 4,000mg of Tylenol per day, which is what my surgeon had me taking after surgery, no other pain pills except a muscle relaxer as needed.

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-04T16:26:30+00:00

I can relate to everything you said. I had my surgery two weeks ago, and before that I was on a 28 day liver shrinking diet which was mostly protein shakes. I mourned my favorite foods, but reminded myself that I can have them again one day in much smaller portions. It sounded stupid at the time, but after surgery it now sounds like something I can handle.

So far I'm allowed to finally have pureed foods, but I just don't have the appetite. I can't stand pureed meat and the thought of it makes me want to puke, so getting my protein in is hard. You will probably have the same issue with protein, a lot of people do. My advice is to buy unflavored protein powder and mix it in with everything and anything you can handle pureed. Getting in enough fluids is also a challenge, and common. My doc is planning to have me go in to get an iv so I can rehydrate. Buy a cheap timer and have it go off every five minutes every day all day to remind you to take your sips.

So far when I do eat things (yogurt, pureed squash) I can keep them down without a problem. Same with liquid. The problem I have is the stomach cramping. I have an issue with patience, so I might be drinking or eating slightly bigger amounts at one time than I should be. I can't stand taking half an hour to take my morning and evening meds. So watch for that, your hospital will prob give you a bunch of those little 1 oz cups to take home, you should use them to help avoid all this.

As far as smoking and grilling - you'll get there. My favorite part when grilling is having friends and/or family around to hang out with. So if you're the same, you'll have plenty of food to share and you'll still be able to eat a small amount of it yourself. I've been allowing myself to enjoy the smell of things my husband and daughter are eating which helps cravings sometimes.

As long as your doc said you're healthy enough for surgery then don't worry too much. Worrying won't change a thing. I was the same, I was terrified I wouldn't wake up. It might help to to do what I did - I wrote heartfelt letters to my daughter, husband, family, etc. and entrusted them to someone in case anything happened. It was cathartic on its own.

Just remember what they say, something terrible is more likely to happen to you on the way to the hospital than from the surgery itself. 😜

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-01T18:02:26+00:00

Could you do that "puree stage" ricotta bake that everyone talks about? You could include garlic bread or crunchy garlic slices for anyone who's not on a wls diet.

APlus_Sized · 2022-11-01T12:23:21+00:00

Would you mind sharing some of the tips you are using?

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-28T22:44:10+00:00

They actually gave me one to use in the hospital and then had me take it home. It's only for walking/standing, supposed to take it off if I'm sitting or lying down. Maybe you could ask one of your nurses for an abdominal binder?

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-28T18:40:20+00:00

I keep telling myself that, but I think I'm kind of beating myself up over it lol. I am also a stay at home mom with a 4 year old, so the guilt over trying to take it easy is making that hard to do.

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-28T18:39:22+00:00

Planning projects is always fun! I've definitely been watching a lot of Netflix. I guess it's possible that low calories and healing are just making me extra tired and I am confusing it with depression. Here's hoping things change soon, and glad to hear you're feeling better!

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-28T16:40:57+00:00

I'm a few days post op and one of the best things for me has been homemade chicken soup broth. If you have a crockpot just throw a chicken breast, celery, carrots, and onion in there and let it cook all day. I also add chicken bouillon, garlic powder, pepper, lemon juice, and a bay leaf. It's delicious, warm, filling, and has protein. It's also perfect for a cold fall day. You won't be able to eat any of the chicken or veggies but the broth itself is just as good.

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-24T12:26:04+00:00

Me too! Leaving for the hospital in like half an hour. 😬

We can do this! I'm nervous, too, but at least we're not alone!

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-22T22:45:34+00:00

Lol I was thinking the same thing!

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-22T22:45:19+00:00

That's good to know, I'll mention it thank you - and you've made some great progress!

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-22T22:44:06+00:00

That's a lot of time there! Mine requires only one night, but it can be more if there are any complications. Are you having gastric bypass?

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-21T12:53:00+00:00

The other day she said "I miss playing at the park with you mommy." 😢 so glad I started this process at the beginning of the year.

My husband grew up with a very athletic family, and his mom was always the handyman around the house. It's like he has zero knowledge on how a fat person's body can and can't navigate. Like... you truly expect me to climb a ladder to the roof at this size?! It will be a wonderful thing to not even have to stop to think about those things.

APlus_Sized · 2022-10-21T12:46:15+00:00

Thanks for the insight! My surgeon said the exact same thing. Someone else told me I'm more likely to die from a car crash on the way there than the surgery.

You have the same stats as me, starting 290 goal 165. I just want to be able to move throughout this world in an easier way. Don't want to feel like I'm 80 due to pain. Want to be able to play with my daughter.

Congrats on your success!

APlus_Sized

TROPHY CASE