Feeling discouraged 17 days post-op

I am 17 post-op and today is my first day of feeling discouraged, so I would like to reach out and perhaps provide due warning to those of you starting the journey that all is not roses after the surgery.

I lost 22 pounds pre-op, and then 10 pounds in 10 days after my VSG - and then nothing for the last week. I know a plateau is probably normal, but I am afraid I have sabotaged my diet by advancing it too quickly.

As you know, the dietary guidelines they recommend are from another centre, and to me seemed really, really harsh - 4 weeks of full liquids post-op - when so many other programs have you on mushies after a week.

So I found what I thought was a credible source from another centre - Cornell University - and began following their plan. Slowly, cautiously, but I have been feeling great - lots of energy and recovering well.

But today, I am having doubts. I am tired, and I actually woke up hungry for the first time. Now I am afraid that my arrogance has messed me up.

Tracy, you should be so proud of yourself for sticking to the diet AS PRESCRIBED instead of being a stupid, weak cheater like me (how I feel today).

Looking for some honest comments to get me back on track mentally.

(If you interested, the links to my food and exercise diary as tracked on Livestong.com are below.)

Hey Jenn don't feel so blue.We're all human and surgery or not we're still going to want what is normal (FOOD).Keep you're chin up.Is it possible now to go back to liquids?maybe its not to late.Good Luck Sweetie ,you can do this.


                                                                                        Newfie88

First of all Jenn,  don't beat yourself up.  Just try to get back on track.  A stall is inevitable and can last for several weeks but usually doesn't start until around week three.  Its our body's way of adjusting to the new form of eating.  Once it realizes you are not starving it you will begin to lose again. 

That being said, I would go back and follow Dr. Pace's diet to the letter. 

Check out this site. www.verticalsleevetalk.com  It is a weath of information for sleevers.  You can ask any question and will get answers quickly from people who have been through it.

With regards to the feeling hungry today.  Are you sure its not just acid?  On the other site they say that acid often mimics the feeling of hunger.  They recommend you take a PPI (Protein Pump Inhibitor I think) which I think would be zantac or another acid reducer.

There is also "Head Hunger" we will have to deal with.  That's when we are not really hungry but our brains tell us that we are.

Some people don't lose the feeling of hunger until several weeks after their surgery.  Some are hungry until they get back on solid food.

You have been doing wonderfully Jenn but I think the best thing you can do is get back on track with Dr. Pace's prescribed diet.  After all, In another 2 weeks you will be back to muchies again anyway.  And whats 2 weeks out of the rest of your life.

Hey Jenn: We are lucky to have you post op giving us all this info. and being fore warned will help us when we need it. I've been reading a book called " The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery" byJulie Janeway & Karen Sparks, two ladies that have gone through it.There are a lot of things that could happen and we will all have to deal with what happens to us. They say how each one of us will have our own little nitches we will have to over come. They mention a few things like "Reverse hiccups" Very painful one of them said, then one of them had what she called "Scramps" Real name is Tetany, it's like a charlie horse but worse as the weight starts going out of your legs. I'm afraid that we will all have bad days too. You will get through it Jenn.  I'm not going to sugar coat this for you...
YOU HAD WEIGHT LOSE SURGERY !!!! Who said it was going to be a walk in the park? Pull up those socks , tell yourself that you CAN DO THIS and tomorrow is another day. It will get better and it  will all be worth it. said with Luv Terrie

HI Jenn

I agree with all above and that you should just start on Dr. Pace's diet right now.

I just called the office and like Terri they did not receive the referral so I have to see my doc again and get it done again.

However, you and Tracy are my inspiration and know that we support you.

The surgery fixed the stomach but we still have to deal with our brain and retrain it. Keep reading and educating success stories so your brain stays in the positive arena.  Skip over the failures on days like today and go back to those stories when you are in a better head space to learn what not to do.

Take Care
Tammy

Tammy that might be a good sign for you. After she told me my referral was lost. I got my call the next week. Dr. Pace's other sec. at the hospital had it , she was making up the list. 

Ladies, you are so right - thank you for both your virtual hugs and ass-kicking - I needed both in equal measure!

Your note about stomach acid is a good one, and echoed by some folks on the main VSG forum, on which I placed a similar posting. I will be asking Dr. Pace for a PPI prescription, as well as for something called Ursodiol, which can help prevent gall stones (!!), which can occur with weight loss. I am seeing him for follow-up on the 21st.

Right now I am having my Boost fruit-flavoured beverage for lunch at my desk at work - after parking my car at the Fluvarium and walking the Long Pond trail for 25 minutes to get me into the HSC. I can't tell you how good it felt just doing that, despite the drizzle and the fog.

It's the days we feel the lowest are those when it is more important than ever to just get our butt out the door, I guess.

Thanks Ladies, so much. :)

Anytime you need your a$$ kicked Jenn.  Just let us know.  We will be glad to oblige. lol

Ha-ha, hopefully there will soon be less for you to aim for! 

 I hope you will kick mine when I need it Jenn.... Keep your chin up girl.....