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Sojourner

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Posts posted by Sojourner


  1. My hunger came back within a month of surgery. I am a revision band to bypass patient, and not sure if that had any influence on how quickly my hunger returned.

    As with the band, you need to be aware of everything you put in your mouth. I have 3 small meals and 1 snack daily. When I'm hungry between meals, I drink Water, sometimes flavored with a SF enhancer. It works for me to structure my eating and not allow myself to give into the grazing I would like to do.


  2. I just saw this and hope someone with a bypass offers ideas! I have a sleeve and I can tolerate all the normal fueling options--gu's and such (jelly belly even makes Beans specific for race fuel)--but prefer to use whole foods. I like the cliff pouches that are sweet potatoes or mango. I also use bonk breakers (hey have a high Protein version) and the fruit/applesauce pouches marketed for kids lunches (horizon has one with Greek yogurt in it and no added sugar). They I also make some fueling balls myself with 1c dates, 1c nuts, 1c dried fruit and 1T vanilla--process in food processor till the consistency of the inside of a fig Newton and then roll into balls and coat with coconut flour or unsweetened coconut flakes. I also use bananas or oatmeal prior to a race.

    You need some carbs for quick fuel if you are running more than half an hour at a time, so don't be too afraid of the carbs, just use in moderation and make sure they aren't sweet enough to cause you to dump!

    Thank you so much for sharing your practices and options for carb replacement with me! I knew that I could not be the only bariatric patient who travels long distances for exercise... My races are next month...so I will begin to try some of your suggestions this week. I also use oatmeal for carbs before the race! And love a banana afterward!


  3. There is an old saying around this forum...the band goes around your stomach, not your head. From reading your post, it seems to me that you have a need to address your flawed thinking and relationship with food.

    There are many ways to go about this, keep junk food out of your pantry is a good starting point. Mindful eating, keeping track of everything you eat can also be a tool to help keep you accountable to yourself. I would also agree that seeking a qualified therapist to assist you to address your psychological issues as they relate to eating patterns would help.

    The foundation for sustained weight loss maintenance comes from having an understanding of the reasons why you became obese, and learning a better way to cope with some of the feelings that cause you to self sabotage yourself.

    Best wishes for an improved 2016 to you.


  4. I agree, get your gait analyzed, so you get the best fit shoe to meet your needs. I have lost track of how many pairs of Brooks I have had through the years.

    Another important aspect is inserts...I love mine. They have kept my feet healthy for years by providing additional shock absorption.


  5. My post is also not shared in the spirit of trying to make you feel bad about your lack of compliance to your pre op diet. However, this is a wake up call for you to literally get your head in the game.

    WLS adjust parts of your anatomy, but does nothing to "fix" the mind game that most of us have engaged in with becoming obese. " Head hunger" is something you need to understand and develop coping techniques to manage. Your weight loss journey long term success depends how well you manage your decisions and recognize the difference between authentic hunger and head hunger.

    Just going on the pre op diet is a major shock to your body. That said, the coping techniques are essential.

    Be honest with yourself and your surgeon. Post op you will be more challenged than now. Your long term weight loss success will be easier to achieve and maintain if your mind is in the right place.

    Best wishes for a successful journey to health...


  6. At six months post, am 100# down, no real stalls so far until now. The rapid weight loss took a good 15-20% of my energy, but overall no problems. Now, four weeks with no weight loss, in some ways I did not mind much given the energy depletion, and energy is better. My Water is good, my food plan good, my blood and nutrient numbers very good... any ideas? Is this just normal body readjustment? Thanks in advance for your ideas.

    Weight loss stalls, no matter what type of surgery you have had, will happen. As another OP has shared, not enough calories will contribute, because your body, after the shock of your WLS, wants to hold on to all of the calories you allow.

    Another reason is that over time, our systems become complacent. Try to shake up your type of exercise, the amount you exercise, and get out of the same routine. It just might wake your system up.

    Best Wishes...


  7. I am on my second day of the pre-op diet. From the "doctors orders" I did consume 63 grams of Protein yesterday but it only came up to 566 calories. Does that seem right? Of course, it seems low to me. I woke up today feeling weak and with a headache. Is this how you feel for the whole two weeks before surgery? Does your body get used to the few amount of calories? Just curious what I am looking at for the next two weeks. Any thoughts?

    I was told to focus on grams of Protein, and not count calories. I am getting 85-92 grams of protein daily.

    Prior to the pre op diet, did you use caffeine? If so, this could be a withdrawal headache. For me, a headache can mean I am dehydrated also.

    Stay hydrated. If you used to use caffeine, gradually lower your dose to avoid the headache.


  8. I also wanted to go immediately from my band to RNY, but both of my doctors advised against it. Both, my PCP and surgeon said it was better to give yourself a rest. It's been nearly 2 years since my band was removed, and my RNY is scheduled for next week.

    I can only imagine your disappointment. Focus yourself on healing now. The time will go by faster than you think it will.


  9. I am extremely sorry to read your post, no one should have to go through additional emotional stress when there are so many other areas of stress you are coping with.

    Is there any way for you to resolve your current feelings with what has happened with the surgeon and the hospital? If not, start making some phone calls to other surgeons in your area. Not every practice is willing to accept patients from another practice. I encountered this when I moved to another state.

    You always have the option of reporting the surgeon and the hospital to the state board which oversees their operation and ethics.

    I wish I could offer more insights...take care. I hope your situation can be resolved expeditiously.


  10. There are many variables that play into how soon insurance approves your procedure. Not all BCBS plans cover WLS, so do your research.

    I chose a "Blue Designated Center", which meant that with the completion of the required psych eval, and meeting with the surgeon, the approval came with the consultation with the surgeon. After the surgeon consult, I had to complete pre op tests and attend the class with the NUT.

    It was a quick and seamless process.


  11. Djmohr is telling you the truth. Plain and simple, the pre op diet is designed for liver shrinkage to allow your surgeon to access the area where he needs to work internally. The surgeon will be able to tell how compliant you have been with your pre op diet by the appearance of your liver.

    The pre op diet is also an opportunity for you to revise your relationship with food. The surgery will not fix your belief system about eating.

    I believe it would be better to let your medical team know what has happened, and follow their instructions.

    Best wishes for a successful weight loss journey to better health!


  12. This decision should be discussed with your surgeon. So many variables make it a decision partly based on your current weight and medical history.

    Initially I was ruled out as an acceptable candidate for the sleeve because of my long history of reflux, so the RNY was deemed the best choice for me. The plan is the RNY, but I have given my surgeon authorization to do the new shaped sleeve if he is unable to do the RNY because of scar tissue from a previous abdominal surgery. The surgeon said they are now doing the sleeve in a slightly different shape than they were doing a few years ago because of the reflux it caused for many patients. He said he thought either procedure would be acceptable, but agreed with my preferences.

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