Pics 80 pounds down for me, 50 for my son
Hi! Thanks! Congrats on your upcoming surgery!
My appetite has definitely decreased, although it has increased from after surgery, but no where near where pre-surgery was. Does that make sense? One of the hardest parts though is the head hunger. I knew my body wasn't hungry, but my mind was telling me to eat. It's definitely something you need to be aware of and look at. If you need help with that, especially emotionally eating, please get a therapist and/or go to support group, use this or other forums. It all helps. Physically though, hunger is very much decreased, especially early out. There were, and sometimes are, still days where I forget to eat until afternoon or later.
As far as how much I can eat before feeling full, it depends on how far out you are and what you are eating. In the very beginning, right after surgery, I felt like I could eat more for awhile before I really felt as much restriction. There are a couple of reasons for that. First, you are eating very soft foods, like yogurt and cottage cheese. They don't put as much pressure on your tummy as a dense protein, such as chicken would. Secondly, during surgery, your nerves are cut and it takes a little while for them to heal. At about four weeks out, I ate less than I did at two weeks out because I really started to feel the pain from my pouch. And when I say pain, just one extra bite felt like a heart attack because of the pressure in my chest. It hurt!!! I got used to feeling how much was enough. My brain though would say, "it tastes so good, have one more bite." If I did, tummy would say, "Too much food, now you are going to feel like you are going to die." Ok, I'm exaggerating, kind of. You learn quickly, and effectively, where your limits are. In the beginning especially, measure and eat very slowly. It takes awhile to get used to everything, you need to heal, and you still have swelling of your pouch. I'm still at about only two ounces of chicken or turkey at a time, but I can do a 5 oz yogurt. I can sometimes eat vegetables, but mostly I still work on getting my protein in.
I have not experienced a full blown dumping, I think. I've had times where I've definitely felt sick, or uncomfortable, but nothing as bad as what people say dumping feels like. Most people say you KNOW when you are dumping. I have had a couple of instances lately where I've had some weird pain, I think from eating something too cold? It's hard to tell. Sometimes you feel like a million bucks, then your body gets mad at you for something you've done the same for awhile, and you try not to do that again. You get used to the inconsistency, lol. Overall, you will feel much better as the weight comes off and you start having NSVs (non scale victories), like fitting into seats, climbing stairs easily, buying smaller sizes. Its definitely all worth it!
Your body goes through a lot, and even though it is exciting, be kind to yourself and give yourself time to heal. If you are tired, and can, take a nap. Make things as easy on yourself as possible, accept help, and listen to your body. Take pain meds if you need them, then stop when you don't. Sip your water and shakes all day, follow the rules and your surgeon's plan. The pain of surgery is temporary, but the changes need to be permanent, and can and will be if you use this time to work on creating new, good habits. You can do this!!! Good luck!!!
I hope I didn't scare you, or anyone else. I just know that what I thought "restriction" would feel like, and what it actually felt like to me, were very different. It may be different for you, and maybe others can chime in too. I think it was something I wasn't expecting, and I shared my experience. Don't be scared, you learn how to not hurt, by not over-eating. In the beginning stages after RNY, overeating can be just one small bite. Your relationship with your body will change, and signals you ignored before, have been amped up so that you can't ignore them anymore.
Good Morning sister! We definitely have the same mom. No matter what diet I have been on and how many compliments I get from others, my mom is always saying .. oh your aunt is on this new diet and she has lost 40 lbs, she is doing great, you should try it and before surgery it was always .. my friend is on xxxx diet and is doing great , I asked her to send me the information so you can try it. Thanks for telling your friend how fat your daughter is. I realize at 110 lbs, she has no idea, but it hurts. I do believe that part of my issues are from being taken to a professional diet agency at 12 years old to go on a diet because I was fat at 120 lbs and 5' 5" . You are doing great , better than me, I have lost 80 total, 25 pre surgery and 55 post surgery and I am 6 months out from surgery. Keep up the good work and try not to let this make you reach for food :)
"almost there,...keep going,...stay focused,...eyes on the prize" - the guy at my gym
You have both done amazing! Congratulations! Sorry about your mom too. Sadly some people are parents but lack the parenting gene. I was raised by my mom after my parents divorced when I was 5 and she was a bitter angry woman who expected perfection from me. Luckily we both turned out to be better parents than our mother's were! Hang in there you are doing great!
