JustFluffy

Where's the other pics? Come on don't be shy! (I'm now 3 months post op and look the same) so no updates this month :-)

Hey girl...i Still can't see anything on this thread but wanted to check and see how you are doing? Been a while since we've chatted. I hope others choose to join us :-)

I developed heartburn so bad that it developed into GERD. It HURT to swallow Water at times. When I had my upper GI done they told my that my esophagus was no longer working...so liquids would go down but solids would get stuck in my throat. I was in tears constantly and at times would have sworn my throat was on fire.

I was on nexium for it (which helped) and took it for about a month post-op. However, I took myself off after about a month, partially because I didn't think I needed it anymore and the other finances (3 weeks without pay hurt a lot - after surgery)...I was having a lot of food tollerances and couldn't drink anything up to two hours after eating - the liquid and the food would come back on me. I went back to my surgeon for my two month appt a few weeks back and told the nurses and doctor. Needless to say I got my ass chewed for not taking it. They gave me a 30 day supply and told me next time call them and they would work out the money. I had to have it. Lesson learned. Since being back on the nexium I have had ZERO food tollerances nor drinking. I can now drink about 30 minutes after eating. It was horrible waiting two hours afterward...I was having dehydration issues...

To answer about improved heartburn, yes RNY really helped. Mine was so severe though that I still need it as a "newbie" rny patient...my tummy is still tender and they want to keep the acid down - makes sense...

Send me a personnal message...with your address, we will work out the details that way :-)

Wonderful Italian Meal - WLS Friendly

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

One 14.5 ounce low sodium diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon salt

8 ounces sliced mushrooms

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup sliced black olives

3 pounds bonless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into cubes)

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cupped chopped celery (I like minced)

1 large red onion (sliced thin)

1/4 cup red wine

One 8 ounce can low-sodium Tomato sauce

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablesppon italian dried herbs

1. Season chicken (uncooked) with salt and pepper mixture

2. heat olive oil in heavy skillet over medium-high heat, brown the chicken on all sides

3. place the onions on bottom of crockpot, add browned chicken thighes, combined the rest of the ingredients in a medium bowl and stir, pour on top of the chicken/onions

4. cook on low heat 7 to 9 hours (or high 3 to 4 hours), serve over whole wheat Pasta or a side of steamed veggies.

Yield: 12 Servings (1 cup each)

Per serving: Calories 210, Fat 8g, Cholesterol 95mg, Sodium 350mg, Carbohydrages 10g, Fiber 1g, Protein 24g, sugar 3g

This is a really good recipe if you are wanting something sweet (can substitute the fruit for what you like)

1/4 cup strawberries (thawed or fresh)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 medium banana, sliced

1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

1/2 teaspoon sugar subsitute (I like splenda)

1/4 teaspoon rum extract

1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese

Combined all ingredients (except cottage cheese), pour over cottage cheese once mixed - or mix together...

Yield: 1 serving (1 cup)

Per serving: Calories 170, Fat 3g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium (370mg), Carbs 21g, Protein 14g, Sugar 13g

Once you move to a regular foods diet this is a great recipe, I like to prepare in the crockpot:

1 lb extra-lean ground beef

3 Tb butter

1 cup diced onion

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup minced celery (MINCED)

1 1/2 cup 1% milk

1/4 cup diced carrots

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack-cheese (I also like 2% Sharp Cheddar)

1 tsp minced garlic

1/4 cup ketchup

3 cups low-sodium beef broth

2 TB yellow mustard

1 LG russet potato, peeled and diced

1/2 cup chopped dill pickle

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat, add the ground beef, when beef starts to brown add onions, celery, carrot & garlic, sate' about 10 minutes

2. Add to crockpot hamburger mixture along with beef and potaotes

3. Make Roue with flour, butter and milk, add to crockpot

4. Add ketchup, mustard, and cheese

Cook on high for a couple hours or low for 4-5. (You can also add cheese at the end)

Don't forget to add the chopped dill pickle when you serve - it really makes a difference in the taste

Makes 8 servings (1 cup each)

Per Serving: Calories 240, Fat 12g, Cholesterol 55, Sodium 410mg, Carbs 15, Fiber 1g, Protein 19g, Sugar 6g

The dumping is horrible...I did it about a month out when I tried to have a little Peanut Butter (too soon for my belly)...You get really cold (like the flu), shakes, horrible belly aches then eventually the food comes up or out...My doc said I'd probably never dump - I did once in the beginning and then again last night.

I had some chicken from a hibachi place with the yum yum sauce (the white yummy sauce) - I don't think my body liked the yum yum sauce - too fattening. Got really sick last night - went to be early. The good news, once your body gets rid of it you feel better.

I can eat Peanut Butter now (I do the natural) - and have about 1 tsp a day with a small glass of milk. Is my "treat"...

As for "getting sick"...I have had some intollerances with food - stringly meats especially (kinda of like with the band)...but I don't get the flu like symptoms - it just won't go down and makes me feel "too full"...but thank god there is no pain like the elephant!

I have a really good recipe (WLS Friendly) for a Cheesburger Stew...CROCKPOT :-) I"ll find it and post it today so you can try it...it is delicious!

My husband is actually banded as well...so he is very supportive of me. He hasn't had any problems (so far) with his band, but then again he has gained back about 60 pounds (was down 130 pounds). He has 10cc in a 14cc band We are going to my next appointment together to also talk about his band and possibly get him a fill - he has ZERO restriction being 3/4 filled. I'm worried he's had a slip or something. I want him to get an upper GI done to make sure all is well. Right now he is still worried and concentrating on me.

I loved LBT as well...I posted activally on there as well, I was Leslie2Lose there. I'm on another WLS website, but it is very clicky and the "vets" can get very loud almost to the point of being rude. SOmetimes I don't get a postive vibe there, so I haven't been active lately. I did learn a lot on there, with research and all...can't tell you how many UTube videos I watched either of people sharing their stories.

If you have any questions, please ask - will be happy to share my short term knowledge :-)

Blieve it or not my parents were my biggest opponents when I was banded...even though my father helped me pay my out of pocket expense. I really thought it was my last chance. Neither of them have ever had weight problems - my mom is in a size 14 and she thinks she is a hippo (literally) all she talks about is how fat she is. I call it the "barbie' mentality...they really don't understand. So even though I love them and they love me more than anything in this world, I chose not to tell them about RNY for a few reasons. #1 because they would worry and #2 they are the I told you sos from the band. It's a very sensative subject. It's weird now that I'm down 50 pounds they treat me differently. They have no idea how much this hurts me...I'm still me, you know? But I also know if I needed them they would be here for me. So for now, I'm keeping it to myself...I am going to order me a medical Bracelet since most people don't know about my surgery - I really don't need to risk the complications if I were in an accident and not able to let anyone know about my RNY.

I'm a huge dairy eater - always have been. I drink A LOT of milk, and eat a lot of chicken and yogurt. I get most of my Protein in my food, which is what my doctor recommends. I don't completely agree with everyone eating salads and taking nothing but supplements...but to each their own. I have tried the New whey powder and not a big fan and I probably need to add one supplement to my diet a day. With the band I was on the New Whey liquid Protein Bullets...however, we as RNY patients only absorb 1/2 of the Protein in them. As for Vitamin supplements, I am on Calcium citrate (not carbonite - it won't absorb) for my Calcium 4x a day (which I probably get in my food, but am following docs rules), I take the One A Dau Daily Multivitamins 2x a day (chewables) and I'm on nexium for my gerd/heartburn still 1x, and synthoid for my thyroid (I'm hypo).

I have some 18W-24W Clothes that need a new home...jeans, dress pants, short sleeve and long sleeve shirts...If you are interested, let me know in the next few days...I have a girl at work that may want them as well...wanted to give someone on here an opportunity first.

I think in the liquid stage the most important thing is to stay hydrated...this is a tougher recovery than with the band, mainly because we are on each stage longer cause there is a lot of healing to do..

food stuck is NOTHING like the band, it just comes up - yes it is nasty but it doesn't hurt like the band. I always compared band stuck with an elephant sitting on your chest. With RNY I can just feel it in my throat area...and no matter how long I wait (it won't go down - sometimes hours) until I allow it to come up. As for the dumping - I've dumped now twice...some people have issues with sugar and others with fat...I'm a higher fat gal..it is kinda of trial and error.

Your pouch will be very fickle. Some days you can eat some things and other days you cant...it is really strange. One day I can eat chickenand the other days I cant. I've had issues with this at every stage...

1 banana

1 tbs natural Peanut Butter

1 tbs honey

Cut up banana into cubes (add a little lemon juice and mix if preparing overnight so banana doesn't brown), mix PB and honey and microwave 30 seconds to melt. Add to cut up bananas and mix. Enjoy. Its really good and high in Protein...

Hey girl...had a crazy couple of days (work) and haven't been on. Yea it may be u and I for a while, but that's okay :-)..hope others will decide to join and participate too!

I was 231.2 this moring...so am down 52 pounds...Seems I'm a 2-3 pound a week girl, and I think that is good progress. I do have to start exercising - I haven't done that yet. For a while it was because of my slow healing, now I have to find some motivation.

I have collar bones again :-)...my husband told me last night I have bony shoulders. I giggled - lol

How's everything with you? I saw where you posted some updates on another thread, but for some reason that thread I can't read (the texts are jumbled.)

When I was banded - I told EVERYONE! I was so proud and excited. However, this time around only two people know about my revision. My husband and my best friend. Other family and my co-workers know I had surgeryk but think it was only to have my band removed. My band was such a failure for me (with complications and weight gain), I heard I told you so - so much. While I"m typically the kind of person that doesn't care what anyone thinks...for me this surgery is so personal I really didn't want to hear it or feel I had to defend myself. So, I decided to keep it to myself. One day I may decide to let the world know, but for now it is MY journey and not theirs...

What about you?

I actually think I was hungry...3 pm (long after lunch and hungry hit me)...Thanks for the ideas :-) those are some good pointers. I've tried sugary food/drink in the past month and a half (Gatoraide, PB, chocolate Milk - another craving about a week ago) and I found that I do not dump. I think this is a blessing and a curse. My surgeon told me that I wouldn't...although his diet isn't as strict as some. He doesn't believe in complete sugar and fat free foods...says we need some in our diet for our digestive system to operate properly. So I try to watch what I eat, but every now and then do "splurge" on small portion of something carb/sugar. I also don't have Constipation (which most Rny patients have). I'm consistantly losing and don't have bad reactions to food...

Of course every doctor is different and everyone should follow his/her surgeon's instructions. My surgeon has been doing this for over 20 years and I trust his judgement...I've found in the past when I don't give into a small craving I ended up binge eating and falling completely off the wagon.

Thank you so much for your support...I'm looking forward to some yummy recipes!

I just realized I didn't reply after surgery...

I still absolutely love my revision doctor, John Nye. He is a very thorough doctor. I've had some complications recovering though, but no way to I blame him for the BS I went through...

I loved Baptist Hospital the day of surgery and through the first night. However, after the nurse left I may as well been at home and had my husband see about me. The drain in my chest (hooked to a pump) was only about 1/8 full when we left. I don't then after the first night that they turned it back on...nor my IV machine...it constantly beeped. They would unhook me to walk or to to the bathroom and then "poof" disappear. Shawn (hubby) finally asked them to show him how to turn the machine beeps off, hook back up my leg pumps...everything...

The reason I believe the drain wasn't working (or turned off), is my best friend just had revision surgery (same hospital) and she had 3x the amount of drainage I did. She is two weeks post op and all her incisions and drain areas have closed.

Mine finally closed three weeks ago. It took two months to heal...Nye says I had a reaction to the sutures (my incision kept coming open - he didn't stitch me closed for a month due to drainage)...so it took two months for me to "naturally" drain and dry up enough to heal and close. It sucked! It hurt! At my two month check up he had to "burn" the drain area (right below my sternum) - set me on fire. It f'ing hurt...bad...couldn't sleep for over a month...

So that is the bad...and probably one of the worse things that can happen when it comes to recovery. Honestly, I blame the inept nurses that kept forgetting or neglecting me.

Me, Me, Me! Jumping in feet first!

I started out at 283 and had 125 pounds to lose to get to goal. I now have 67 pounds to lose, but am staying on the 100+ thread here...My husband keeps telling me now I'm getting to skinny. He is threatening to start Lasagna Injections when I weigh 199 lbs...LOL I think not. I told him I won't lose my curves...he doesn't want me a stick...I just hit my 50 pound loss milestone this weekend. My birthday is tomorrow - Happy Birthday to me! The best present I could ever give myself...my health!!! :wub:

I'm definately in I struggled today with my diet...I haven't had any "snacking" or cravings at all since surgery. For whatever reason it hit me today...so I sauntered to the vending machine at work and gave in to my cravings...had 1/8 of a hershey bar with almonds and a tiny bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar chips...not good to know these are sliders with RNY like the Band...but I'm good with my cravings now. I just have to keep them at bay for another three or four months...

Holding my breath and hoping no one beats me up lol...

My surgeon does his revisions as "Open" Surgery, so I think that is why the two days liquid diet. The two days is to ensure the tummy and intestines are empty for surgery. Surgeons preference I guess...although Liquid Hell that follows for a few weeks still isn't a picnic..nice for the restriction though :-) Which is a blessing...

I'm not a fan (either with the band or RNY)...to me it has an aftertaste. Perhaps I'm using the wrong kind...I'm with Losing - is there one that doesn't have the aftertaste? I'd love to try it :-)

I'm down 51 pounds (as of today)...So 2.5 months out from revision. I had only lost about 65 with the band...and regained all of it back (plus 20 pounds)...I'm so happy with my decision to revise

Leslie

I'm looking to join the RNY side of weightloss. I too hope this site gets up and going. I just noticed that it just started in June so ......how will they get the word out?

I've e-mailed Alex recently about promoting the site and getting it up and going. Wondering why there aren't very many members. I think the few are here are here because of LapBandTalk (the link). He said right now the RNYTalk is in Beta Form. I still can't upload picture (it lets me browse, but there is no upload button). He did reassure me that they are going to start promoting soon. I hope it gets up and going as well - I always like LBT. He also encouraged me to spread the word to members of other forums that aren't happy there...so very little exposure so far (so I percieved).

Hello Everyone,

I had LapBand surgery in February 2006, revision surgery due to a slip in December 2008 and it ended with my band being removed in emergency surgery in February 2010. I couldn't revise to RNY then because my stomach was too inflamed. I went through an array of emotions the entire journey with my lapband and even more so after it was removed. I was relieved then depressed and what a cycle it was. I've tried yet again to diet after I regained confidence enough to try but, just like always in the end I've gained the weight I lost. I did great with my band, losing 80 pounds the first year and even with all the trouble at least I could keep it off. I have to face the fact I need help in losing and keeping it off. I started researching RNY again and now 1.5 years from losing my band I'm ready to make the move.

Tomorrow is a day full of visits to the bariatric center that I went to for my LapBand. I'm seeing a nurse to start the process, bloodwork, Medical Director for an exam, Nutritionist and Social Worker..together they all decide if they believe the surgery is for me and let me know.

I look forward to building friendships here to help each other along the way

Wish me luck with the visit

Losing,

I hope your visit went well today! Please let us know how things went. I'm a little over two months post-op from revision and still "new to the game", but will answer any questions you may have the best I can