Vent, worry, ugh.....

OK, just have to vent and maybe get consoled.... So, I lost 100 lb pre-op (tip of the iceberg) during a 9 month diet, so that was pretty good, but now I'm 4 weeks post-op and have only lost 24 lbs more (actually that is from pre-op appt, 2 wks before surgery).  I am likely to get my period today, so maybe that accounts for no loss this week, but it just doesn't seem like enough.  I wonder if maybe since I lost alot pre-op that my post-op loss won't be as accelerated as much as someone else my size?  I've had no bad reactions to the things I'm eating or anything and am keeping my protein up.  My water intake could be better.  I'm walking about a half a mile about 3-4 times a week plus getting out for groceries and other shopping (so many of you seem to be doing SO much more!).  I'm still very large so I don't know if this enough exercise or if I should be pushing myself more...?  I sure wish I could swim but can't do that until 8 weeks.  Oddly enough, my energy level seems fine, considering.

Then, yesterday, I did something so dumb.  Every so often when I've been eating something, it's like I totally forget I had the surgery and catch myself not smushing/chewing something enough or eating too fast.  Like, duh!  Stupid.  Since I have been doing so well with all the foods I have tried, I've ventured a little into the soft foods stage (a week early), just making sure I chew enough.  Well, not yesterday.  I bought some thin sliced turkey meat and rolled up a soft pickle in a few slices.  Stupid me, watching tv and not paying attention, before I realized it, I had eaten it and I knew I hadn't chewed it enough (although I did chew it alot) and I had eaten it too fast.  OMG, well I now know what it's like to get clogged up.  I also know now what I have heard referred to as the "slime" lol.  It was soft food and chewed decently, so it did let up, but I did bring up a few batches of major slime before it did.  Um, what the heck is that?  Can someone explain what went on biologically during the episode?  I know the cause, my neglect, and I need to pay more attention and eat slower.  I'm just thankful it passed.

I know the weight loss will kick in again at some point, keep telling myself that, but it's amazing how worry can get into your head and make you think "oh, it's never going to happen, I did this for nothing, for some reason it won't end up working on me...".  That's dumb, right?  I had the surgery, I'm doing 90% of what I should (probably should be walking more and eating SLOWER), but it's GONNA happen! 

Right? 

Thanks for listening.....
Karen

You say ONLY lost 24 pounds, dang girl that's great. Just think before it would have been I GAINED 24 pounds in a month!

Up the water and protein and you'll be amazed that the weight will start falling off once again.

Foamies are the worst, just that sick feeling and nothing but the foam coming up ...ugh!  It occurs to lubricate your mouth pre-vomiting when you eat too fast or the wrong thing. You may not always vomit, but the foamies may inicate an early sign to stop and slow down. 

One tip, when your eating try not to do anything else to distract you. No TV, no reading, just sit and eat. It makes you think about what your doing and it's not something mindless.

You are right on the mark.  You have already had the great accelerated weight loss pre-op., but you are still losing very fast.  You jumped into the soft stage feet first.  The pickle wasn't a good choice.  Too firm and you already know you didn't chew enough.  The foamies are basically saliva with no place to go since your pouch was temporarily clogged.  Most women don't lose right before their period and drop water weight and fat afterwards.

WLS has a real learning curve.  Be kind to youself.  You are doing great!  Loris

You are doing fine. You've lost well, that's an average of 6lbs per week. It won't stay at that rate so enjoy it while you can. Its not uncommon to have a stall a month out or so (somewhere in the 3-6wk post-op range seems to hit a lot of people). I had complications at 4 weeks out and was kept completely off of any food whatsoever for a week and didn't lose a pound. Your body is confused, it will get with the program.

As for the foamy slimy stuff, the top of your stomach contains a lot of goblet cells which are responsible for secreting mucous to lubricate your food and protect your stomach lining from acid.. The bottom of your stomach (the bypassed part) contains most of the acid-secreting cells and fewer goblet cells. Your stomach is doing what it would do anyway - something too hard for it to digest hits it - it secretes mucous to help. Only now your little pouchy is irritable and small and can't handle the amount of mucous you're making because that was intended for the whole intact stomach, not a little egg? What happens, it crawls UP your throat instead. Make sense?

You live and learn dear, and I bet you will watch how you chew better now :)

You guys are awesome!  Yeah, you betcha I'm gonna focus when I eat now.  I've read so many posts pre-op about people worrying they're not losing fast enough and I felt at the time "oh, I won't feel that way, cuz I'll know it's just a speedbump and I won't get upset..." and darn didn't I give in to it anyways.   I say Aunt Flo threw me under the bus.  I blame her for alot of things, LOL.    Thank you :o)

This might disgust some people, but early on when I craved a pickle (or salt), I'd drink a sip of pickle juice.  Got the flavor without the solid food.

Ha!  Not a bad idea, lol.  Well, I thought I chose ok, because it's not like I used a pickle "spear"  I used one of those sandwich stacker thin slices, that only has a small strip of peel around the outside.  It would have been fine... IF I had chewed enough and ate it slow enough.  Lesson learned!