6 weeks and 2 days post-surgery - solid food stage, etc.

[vangirl]

I haven't logged in and posted in a while, so thought I'd give a bit of an update. I am a little over six weeks post-surgery, and I am thankfully healed for the most part from the surgery. No more gas pains and I can sleep on my stomach again! Yay! I do feel the port in me, and sometimes I have to adjust my sleeping position because that can pinch. I've been able to use the treadmill but not the exercise bike because it hurts my port.

As for appetite/weight loss, I discovered within two days of starting the solid food stage that my appetite returned with a HUGE vengeance. I guess after being so good and disciplined (and yes, deprived) for seven weeks, that all of that pent up hunger/cravings came out pretty intensely. I was frankly very surprised by this, and after some huge guilt over that, I've just accepted it and moved on. The Xmas holidays haven't been easy, I have eaten the goodies, and am afraid to step on the scale. However, I've decided not to beat myself up over it, and am looking forward to my first fill next week.

Although I can eat normally (and unfortunately can overeat as well), I do feel some restriction. The restriction is not enough, however, to prevent overeating. Hence the need for that fill. Having said that, I am eating less, overall, than pre-surgery, and even though I haven't stepped on the scale in a couple of weeks, people around me are noticing my weight loss. I also feel it from my sides, face, upper body, and just in how loose my pants are. I know I've lost weight, whether that shows up on the scale or not.

In the beginning, while on the pre-op diet, and also on the post-op liquid diet, I would get very discouraged because I would be so good and disciplined, and yet would lose weight at a much lower rate than others have posted. The 10lbs in 10 days type of weight loss was pretty much not going to happen for me. It helped when I finally came to accept my own weight loss and my own body's intricacies and eccentricities and basically adjusted my expectations. As long as the scale goes down, I am ok with however long it takes. In fact, I know it is better to lose weight slowly, as it gives my body a chance to adjust to the changes, rather than lose a bunch, put my body in shock, and then plateau. And of course risk gaining it back.

I haven't had my first fill yet, so I think that will really start to tell the tale. In the meantime, I am trying to figure out whether I should have a last meal. I never had my last meal before I went on the pre-op diet, and now that I can eat normally again, I'm torn between staying the course and giving into my indulgence one last time before I get filled and can no longer eat the way I am right now.

-vangirl

[Amanda2008]

I am exactly in the same place as you, except one week ahead! I had my first fill yesterday. I had actually GAINED weight since surgery - but I had first lost 6.5 lbs post surgery, and then gained 10 back with snacking and the holidays. (That sounds bad but I know if I had not had the surgery, I would have gained 10 lbs on top of my pre-op weight.)

I am hoping I will get good restriction with this first fill. I am so ready to start seriously losing weight!

Good luck with your fill! Are you going back to the OCC?

[nicolek]

Hi

I found if I had lots of protein for breakfast and lunch and drank a ton of water inbetween I could cope . Also going back to almost preop diet with lean cuisines and tons of green veg helped with bandster hell.

Good luck you can do it.

[Joanie]

I haven't logged in and posted in a while, so thought I'd give a bit of an update. I am a little over six weeks post-surgery, and I am thankfully healed for the most part from the surgery. No more gas pains and I can sleep on my stomach again! Yay! I do feel the port in me, and sometimes I have to adjust my sleeping position because that can pinch. I've been able to use the treadmill but not the exercise bike because it hurts my port.

As for appetite/weight loss, I discovered within two days of starting the solid food stage that my appetite returned with a HUGE vengeance. I guess after being so good and disciplined (and yes, deprived) for seven weeks, that all of that pent up hunger/cravings came out pretty intensely. I was frankly very surprised by this, and after some huge guilt over that, I've just accepted it and moved on. The Xmas holidays haven't been easy, I have eaten the goodies, and am afraid to step on the scale. However, I've decided not to beat myself up over it, and am looking forward to my first fill next week.

Although I can eat normally (and unfortunately can overeat as well), I do feel some restriction. The restriction is not enough, however, to prevent overeating. Hence the need for that fill. Having said that, I am eating less, overall, than pre-surgery, and even though I haven't stepped on the scale in a couple of weeks, people around me are noticing my weight loss. I also feel it from my sides, face, upper body, and just in how loose my pants are. I know I've lost weight, whether that shows up on the scale or not.

In the beginning, while on the pre-op diet, and also on the post-op liquid diet, I would get very discouraged because I would be so good and disciplined, and yet would lose weight at a much lower rate than others have posted. The 10lbs in 10 days type of weight loss was pretty much not going to happen for me. It helped when I finally came to accept my own weight loss and my own body's intricacies and eccentricities and basically adjusted my expectations. As long as the scale goes down, I am ok with however long it takes. In fact, I know it is better to lose weight slowly, as it gives my body a chance to adjust to the changes, rather than lose a bunch, put my body in shock, and then plateau. And of course risk gaining it back.

I haven't had my first fill yet, so I think that will really start to tell the tale. In the meantime, I am trying to figure out whether I should have a last meal. I never had my last meal before I went on the pre-op diet, and now that I can eat normally again, I'm torn between staying the course and giving into my indulgence one last time before I get filled and can no longer eat the way I am right now.

-vangirl

Your first fill changes everything! I felt exactly like you did . . . the fill is the key! I don't even look forward to eating anymore because I'm afraid it's going to HURT! I may be a little overfilled, I'm not sure. But I have to be soooooo careful. I'm afraid I'm not eating ENOUGH . . ,. boy is that a switch! The fill is the key . . . you'll see huge changes after that! Stay encouraged and keep up the good work! PS: That last meal isn't important!

[Debb]

Hi

I found if I had lots of protein for breakfast and lunch and drank a ton of water inbetween I could cope . Also going back to almost preop diet with lean cuisines and tons of green veg helped with bandster hell.

Good luck you can do it.

Hi Nicole:

I'm from Calgary. Who has been doing your fills I n3ed to make an appointment in the next few weeks I am yhree wekk post op. I have heard Dr. Michell in Calgary will do them and I have been in touch with his office.