Newbie

[Charlene 79]

Hi everyone,
I had a Gastric Sleeve operaton on March 8th. Before my op I was 22 stone. I now weigh 19st 9lbs. It has been rough at times. I have suffered from terrible trapped wind and it was difficult adjusting to smaller portions in the beginning. As food played a major part for me socially it has been a lot to get used to. Overall I know I needed the op as my eating habits were unhealthy-and it obviously works!

 

[Samsara]

Welcome to the forum Charlene Sorry to hear you had a tough time adjusting. Are you getting on better now? x x

 

[Charlene 79]

Hi Samara,
It's definitely been trial and error. Each day appears easier. If knew what the after effects of the op was I would have tried harder to eat less and exercise. It is by no means an easy way out. How long did it take you to adjust?

 

[Samsara]

I'm only three weeks out so it's still very early days for me therefore I can't say I've reached the point of adjustment yet! I'm still on purées and looking forward to introducing normal foods in about nine weeks time hopefully. I'm being anti social until I feel well enough to see anyone so socially it has not affected me yet although my social life revolved around eating and drinking pre-op. I have only told a handful of people so far - my parents and three close friends.

So have you been eating too big a portion and being ill? Or eating the wrong things and dumping? You're still quite early too, really, so hopefully, as you say, each day will get easier x x

 

[pooh71]

I'm only three weeks out so it's still very early days for me therefore I can't say I've reached the point of adjustment yet! I'm still on purées and looking forward to introducing normal foods in about nine weeks time hopefully. I'm being anti social until I feel well enough to see anyone so socially it has not affected me yet although my social life revolved around eating and drinking pre-op. I have only told a handful of people so far - my parents and three close friends.

So have you been eating too big a portion and being ill? Or eating the wrong things and dumping? You're still quite early too, really, so hopefully, as you say, each day will get easier x x

Hi Samsara, is it really that long until of can introduce food? Seems awfully long time on purée. x

 

[JoJoTGirl]

Hi all. Glad your op is over and done with but sorry to hear you have been having a tough time adjusting. How do you mean exactly? Are you still wanting / trying to eat too much or craving the "wrong" type of foods?

It's all a learning curve and I agree that anyone on the outside who says this is an easy way out (or indeed anyone having it done who thinks it will be effortless) has to be joking.

I can't recommend following the rules re what to eat and how much to eat enough. I haven't been sick at all (well only through vitamins and antibiotics) since surgery and I think that is largely through eating the right foods and not pushing the portions at all.

I find it easiest to think of my sleeve as a tool to help me make the right choices etc because alot of the hard work / success is honestly still down to us post op.

I can't recommend walking enough to shift the wind. I started walking in hospital (circuits) as advised and made sure I had two walks a day from the day I got home. Increase their length and add in some gentle hills to build up stamina. Right up to week 3 /4 I could feel if I had skipped one of these little jaunts as my wind would build up and my insides get stiff feeling.

Now (and for the last 4 weeks or so) I have been socialising and eating out freely. It really is very difficult to eat out with people who don't know without them noticing, commenting etc etc. As my weight has come off, I've had more courage to tell a few more people but it's still not common knowledge outside of family and good friends and for me, these are the people i eat out with most of the time. Depending on where we are I either order a starter portion as my main or sometimes a childrens meal. If neither suit, I order something else and have a plastic takeaway box in my handbag ready to take home the majority of what's on my plate. Last week I got very daring and asked to take home the other half of my fish starter and then I explained to the manager of the fabulous chinese restaurant we go to fairly regularly as an extended family and asked to be charged for a childrens portion. He agreed readily and said that I was looking great etc. It's easier as the weight comes off and in places where they know you supersized. lol. I was a bit bigger than you at 22 1/2 stone. Am 17st now....op was 24th Jan. Loving it!

Good luck. Any specific questions, fire away. Jo x

 

[tealovingsleever]

Every day gets easier so just take it easy.

 

[Charlene 79]

Hi Samara
When I went to see my consultant on April 12th she informed me that I could eat what I want but chew slowly. I find that when I don't eat slow enough I either feel pressure in my stomach or throw up. I have been diagnosed with IBS so I'm not sure if this is contributing to it. Pureed foods have the right consistency so at your stage it Is better to stick to them. Overall I tend to stick to light meals to and ice lollies are now my best friends.

 

[Charlene 79]

Hi JoJo,
I walk quite a bit but will do a bit more to help with the wind. My friend recommend Gaviscon which helped for a little while-but is not really effective now. I am going out with my friend for her birthday soon. I will definitely have to order from the children's menu and bring my container as I won't be able to eat a whole meal. The other day I went to my Mother's for dinner and my 1 year old ate more than me!!
The sleeve is definitely a tool to help us so so I suppose as long as I work with it-I should be ok.
Congratulations on your weight loss so far!!

 

[SleeveGirl]

Hi Charlene, welcome to the forum x

 

[LifesAJourney]

Charlene Welcome to the boards and all the best to you !!

 

[lindy62]

Hope it gets better soon

lindy 62