Gastric sleeve

Hl @R402, Hmm, this is a hard one. Firstly, Congratulations on the successful weight loss, wow! I can't afford it but have a couple of acquaintances who have had similar success with it recently, both have experienced a systemic malnutrition, which would no doubt impact brain function & mood. Frequent small meals. Home soups & supplements would be a necessity. Good thinking with the compound chemist & medication. They might help with nutrition options too. Also. I our changing body image would affect you emotionally. Give yourself time. Hugzz

Hi tawney,

thank you for your reply.

I paid for my gastric sleeve surgery with private health issuance & the gap I accessed my superannuation. I know people access their superannuation for the entire cost of the surgery. With the public system I have been told the wait is 12 to 18 months.

I am sorry to hear about your friend experiencing malnutrition. That must be really tough & have a massive impact on the body.

Home soups & supplements are not necessary. The first 4 weeks is a liquid then purée then soft food diet. The new stomach initially is healing and can't manage much else. After the initial 4 week post op period I eat normal food. Just smaller serves. I eat breakfast lunch dinner morning tea & afternoon tea.

The surgeon I choose has a dietitian who I can see as many times as I like for the 12 months post op. Protein is the key. I calorie count & manage my macro food intake. I take a multi vitiman daily. I ensure I eat fresh vegetables fruit & lean meats. Maybe your friend would benefit from seeing a dietitian.

I also have access to a psychiatrist & although I have my own I am considering seeing her to address some of the emotional eating habits I am addressing.

On the few occasions I've eaten too much I have vomited. I just can't physically over eat which is a good thing.

It's a massive adjustment.

I have another 20 to 25 kilo to loose. I'm almost half way there.

It's by no means easy. Having bipolar is an additional complication. A big life change. Hopefully it helps in managing the metabolic side effects of medication & improves my health as I loose the weight.

It's tricky. I gain weight when depressed.
I then feel depressed about my weight.

Huggs 😊

Hi @R4012

I think I must be lucky. When I'm depressed I have zero interest in food of any kind. I just drink water.
When I'm manic I don't have time to eat. I'm far too busy.
When I've balanced out I serve myself a full plate of food.... on a bread and butter plate.
Moderation in ALL things works for me.

Congratulations on making such a huge step to help yourself. BTW: Some of the doses you're taking med wise may need to be adjusted as your weight loss continues.

Clothing wise, get your smaller clothes from an op shop until your weight stabilises otherwise you'll end up spending a fortune for clothing that might only fit you for a relatively short period of time.

Have a great day! 🎶💕

Good tip on clothing. I seriously love op shopping & gum tree 😊

I wish I lost my appetite when emotionally impacted. My go to is food. Comfort food. A really poor habit & coping strategy.

I asked my psychiatrist about dose adjustments as I loose weight. Even being 18k lighter in 10wks. He said it doesn't quite work like that. We don't want to change too much given it took so long to reach stability & I still have a ways to go. I'll be ha img regular blood tests to check levels as well as monitor vitiman levels.

When I'm manic I'm not hungry either. It's when I'm depressed. I agree moderation is the key.

Thank you for your wise words

Have a fantastic week