DLCoggin

Jessica I have the same problem - struggling the most in the evenings. I discovered something very early on that has worked wonders. I read somewhere in the mountains of information that they gave me pre-op that drinking liquids helps you feel full. For me the liquid of choice was and continues to this day to be - coffee. I drink at least two and usually three cups of coffee every single day - morning snack, afternoon snack and the real biggie - evening snack (dessert!!). Prior to my surgery, I drank coffee with sugar and flavored creamers. Post-op I drink coffee with Splenda and flavored creamers. All of the flavored creamers I've used have 30-35 calories in one Tbsp, 1.5g of fat (0 saturated) and 6g to 7g of sugar. The sugar could be a problem for folks who have dumping syndrome but I have been fortunate to have avoided a single instance of dumping. The coffee is sweet and most importantly, it's filling. Science may not support it but I am absolutely convinced that it is a good appetite suppressant as well. I have read things on the net where folks have suggested that coffee can be a contributing factor in obesity. WebMD recently had an article where they said that there is absolutely no scientific evidence that two or three cups of coffee a day contributes to obesity. There is abundant scientific evidence that there are numerous health benefits associated with coffee - the article I've linked below outlines some of them and there are many more on the site. You might want to give it a try! http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-buzz-on-coffee Have a great day!!

You're welcome Jessica! I think that you will find that your weight loss confidence will grow by leaps and bounds every day following your surgery. It quite literally changes everything. I'm not saying that it's "easy". But I am saying that it is "easier" and that makes all the difference. After struggling with my weight my entire life, I've lost 107 pounds since October 20th of last year. I'm no hero. Just determined and committed to follow the protocol as close to the letter as I possibly can. Most days I succeed. Some days are even easy. Some days not so much. And yes, some days I fail to do what I set out to do. But every day is an opportunity to celebrate what I've accomplished and renew my commitment to never go back. I love the new me and you're gonna love the new you!!

Definitely going to try it. Thank you!!

I second bernie - great post! I love your story and love your willingness to share it even more. You are going to do great! Congratulations on a great decision and cheers for the "not a giant jackass" for being so supportive. Just keep doing what you're doing and you're gonna love the new you!!

Welcome and congratulations dmariesc!! Loved your post and you're gonna love the new you!!

Welcome, welcome Melissa!

Erin it would be great if you could post the website link you ordered yours from. Sounds like a wise precaution. What about the "credit card" type cards? Do ERs check for those when treating patients? Given the option and the fact that I'm a dude, I'd prefer the card to a bracelet if they serve the same purpose.

Greek yogurt is definitely thicker that regular yogurt but I like it even more than regular yogurt. Not sure about the brown stuff but as long as it's not past the expiration date, I'd stir it and give it a try! Good for you and great source of protein!

I haven't but I intend to. I've heard from quite a few folks that it is delicious and a great substitute for mashed potatoes. Did you use any spices or put anything on it? Would love to get some ideas for the recipe!

My doctor just told me to lose a minimum of 20 pounds prior to my surgery. No weight loss - no surgery. But she never specified any kind of diet. Not that I'm complaining mind you! I lost 35 pounds in four months prior to my surgery and it was a great way to prepare for the post-op diet.

This is an interesting topic. I've read so many posts on the forum about folks who have different kinds of pre-op diets. But my case was just like LosingIt - no pre-op diet was specified. The surgeon told me the first time that we met that I needed to lose at least 20 pounds pre-op - no pre-op weight loss, no surgery. Period. That was it. No protein requirement, no calorie limitation, no liquid diet, nothing. Fortunately I wound up losing 35 pounds in four months prior to the surgery. Perhaps what we're seeing is very different thinking among bariatric surgeons on the best approach to take with patients when it comes to pre-op weight loss. They all seem to be in agreement when it comes to the importance of losing the weight pre-op - they just vary in their approach to motivating/helping their patients accomplish it. As Mr. Spock would say - "Fascinating!"

Wow - congratulations Jessica!! I'm a former smoker although I quit several years before my RNY. If you can quit smoking, you can do anything! Well done!

"Starving" is sometimes more mental than physical. She definitely needs to discuss it with her doctor and he/she may refer her to the psychologist. There is a LOT of help and support available. Most of these folks have a lot of experience and they can help if she let's them. There is absolutely nothing to be embarassed about!! She isn't alone in her journey and she certainly won't be the first person they have seen with this challenge.

I was 30 something once! LOL! Quite a bit more "mature" when I had my surgery almost 31 weeks ago but I've lost 106 pounds and feel like I'm 30 something. Does that count? :-)

Choc, although the bypass is somewhat more invasive than the sleeve, the surgeries are similar in many ways. I never had the band but there are a number of folks on the forum that have had the band to bypass revision and I'm sure you'll get some good feedback. I'm 30 weeks out following the bypass and I can tell you without hesitation that I would do it again in a heartbeat. You won't be sorry!

I agree with onmyway, I think it's for both. My surgeon just said the surgery is much easier and safer with a smaller liver. But she was adament - no weight loss, no surgery. In hindsight, I think the mental preparation is also very important. I know that in my case it made the post-op part of the journey, especially the first few weeks, MUCH easier.

You guys might want to try turkey jerky. I didn't even know there was such a thing until I ran across Pacific Gold Teriyaki Turkey Jerky completely by accident at Costco. About the same calories, fat and protein as beef jerky but much more moist and tender. Amazon has it as well. Very tasty!!

Just keep doing what you're doing onmyway. The effectiveness of RNY on diabetes can be a little misleading because it causes folks to expect immediate resolution which often doesn't happen. You've had positive results already but I would not be surprised at all to see your diabetes eliminated before all is said and done! Congratulations!!

FYI Bernie, I took myself off of my cpap about six weeks ago. When I saw my primary a couple of weeks ago I told him that I had stopped using the cpap and that I sleep like a baby. He checked my throat and said that he could see no "obstruction" usually associated with sleep apnea. He ordered a new sleep study for me just to be on the safe side but it's not scheduled for a few weeks yet. I'm confident that the apnea is gone - I haven't had any problems at all since I dropped the cpap.

Hi Bernie! I never did have any dizziness. I went to my first post-op appointment with my primary about two weeks out. My blood pressure was 85/50. The first thing he asked me was if I had any dizziness and I told him that I felt fine. He cut my blood pressure med in half and scheduled me for a follow-up in 90 days. Went back then and the bp was 100/55. He told me to stop taking the current med and gave me a Rx for a new one that he said was about half as strong. He said to take my bp every day and if it got over 130, fill the Rx and start taking it. Checked my bp daily for a good two months and it never even came close to 130. Never filled the Rx. So I've been off all bp med since about 14 weeks post-op. Technically bp is actually still a little low but I feel absolutely great. Saw my primary about two weeks ago (I'll be 31 weeks post-op on Thursday) and bp was 105/57. All he could say was "Wow, wow, wow!" :-)

LOL! No so sure about that blankmama but bless you for saying so!!

When I was doing the pureed thing I pureed some Campbell's potato soup and it really was/is excellent. I actually like it better than just making it the normal way. I never pureed ground turkey or tilapia but when you get to solid food, both are very rich in protein and incredibly versatile - you can season them just about any way you want it!

Prior to my surgery I had hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea and knee and back pain. After my surgery I'm off all meds for all of those things with the exception of Lipitor which is such an amazing med that many feel that practically everyone should be taking it. Blood pressure and cholesterol are spot on. Type 2 diabetes is gone. Sleep apnea, gone. Heart disease, arrested. Comparing the before and after - after has been a snap and I'd do it again, ALL of it, in a second. The hardest part - trying to stop looking at the new me in the mirror! :-)

I really think the key is to not give up. Many people have been initially denied but persisted and eventually are approved. If that means working with your present doctor or finding a different surgeon who's office has more experience dealing with insurance companies and bariatric surgery patients, so be it. Never give up.

You're gonna love the new you!!