DLCoggin

There will always be folks who don't agree with your decision for one reason or another. Interestingly enough, most of those same folks will celebrate your success with you after the fact. To quote vamp - "You do you and I'll do me." I really think that says it all!

Interesting conversation. The idea was never mentioned to me and it is not in any of the reams of paperwork that I got along the way. Has anyone else received the card or a bracelet from their surgeon or been cautioned to get one on their own?

You're well on your way Tor! Just stay focused on following the protocol and let the weight take care of itself. I try very hard not weigh more often than every two weeks. Not always successful but I try not to. It's an amazing experience isn't it?!

I love fish and turkey in addition to chicken. All three are loaded with protein but especially the fish. Even canned tuna - 7 oz can has 39g of protein. Shrimp is another great source of protein. We always keep some in the fridge. Tilapia and salmon are also good choices. There is an amazing variety of turkey things out there too - turkey sausage, turkey bacon, turkey kielbasa, ground turkey, turkey soups - all very rich in protein and I found them to be surprisingly good!

If not better tomorrow, I think I'd call the doctor again (if you have a weekend number) or go to the ER just to get it checked it out. I was totally plugged up four days post-op so I do't have anything to compare to but surgeon told me to let them know asap if stool was black. Probably nothing to worry about but there's no harm in playing it safe. Keep us posted on your progress!

Great job Tor and glad to hear that you're doing so well! I'm pretty much the same as you - people ask all the time if I feel better and truth be told, I felt great pre-op and feel great post-op so dramatic change in that regard. But I have to say mentally is another story. I'm 30 weeks out and have lost 106 and I must say it really adds a lot of zip to your do-dah! :-)

This is a heart breaking story and one cannot help but be moved by what this woman has gone through. But I cannot in good conscious avoid asking the question - how many people whose lives could be dramatically improved and in many cases lengthened might be frightened into not having this procedure because of articles like this one? How many might continue to suffer needlessly from this disease we call obesity that has reached epidemic proportions? How many might die prematurely because of the fear instilled by articles like this one? How many? One of the comments posted below this very blog post by "SueW" says: "My friend is having thoughts on going through a bariatric bypass surgery. She's 380 lbs at the age of 20 and very bothered with her weight. She tried every possible way to lose weight but it didn't work for her. With this article, she can decide better to go through a surgery or not." Her friend can better decide on surgery based on a blog post?? How frightening is that? How heartbreaking is that? To those who are considering bariatric surgery - do the research. But do it wisely. And with an objective approach. Carefully consider the source of the information you find. What is their motivation? Do they stand to gain financially by swaying their audience one way or another? What proof do they offer for their position? Is their position, whatever it may be, supported by experts in the field? Is the information the most up-to-date available? There are dozens if not hundreds of excellent sources of information on every conceivable aspect of bariatric surgery in general and RNY specifically. Sources such as WebMD, the National Institutes of Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Mayo Clinic, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and countless universities just to name a few. No intelligent, thoughtful person would make the decision to have elective surgery without first considering the risks and the benefits of having the surgery. And of not having the surgery. Get the facts. Discuss it with your doctor. Discuss it with several doctors. Know your options. Read the stories you see on this forum - real people, real struggles, real successes and real challenges. Learn everything you can. Take the time, make the effort and then make your decision. The life you save could be your own or someone you love.

Taste is very subjective but I enjoyed Myoplex for quite a while and the switched to Pure Protein shakes because they're about half the calories and still quite good. My favorite flavors are the Frosty Chocolate, Chocolate Mint and Cookies and Cream. When you can eat solid food again the Pure Protein bars are IMO excellent - especially the chocolate deluxe but they have a number of other flavors that are quite good.

Pretty common and it will pass. Keep trying everything you can think of that falls within the parameters you're allowed to eat - including things that you maybe didn't like before. Changes in food preferences following RNY are well documented. They warned me pre-op that it could happen. I was told they really don't have any explanation for it. They know it happens but have yet to figure out why.

I was pretty much back to normal at six to eight weeks. I'm also taking 1000mcg of B-12 daily. I can't really say that I'm certain it helps but it can't hurt.

Congratulations!! Always a great sign when you're on the forum the day after surgery!

I still get gas and I'm 30 weeks out. And mine has a tendency to come untrapped at the most awkward times!! Wonder if anyone manufacturers RNY post-op corks?

Amazon has the liquid Tylenol for adults but it's pretty pricey - $25 for an 8oz bottle. But they also have a generics for $13 and up (good idea to check with your doctor before taking a generic). My doctor suggested mixing the crushed meds with applesauce or sugar free chocolate pudding (which was my personal preference). I was on the crushed meds until the second post-op checkup which was about six weeks out.

47 pounds in six weeks - priceless!! Great job!!

Difference based on geographic location - that's a great question and it will be interesting to see if anyone knows the answer or if any kind of pattern emerges from the responses to your post. I'm in So. California and the total on mine was roughly $50k which is a far cry from the $72k. I also had a total co-pay of only $500. I suspect that the co-pay amount is dependent on the insurance policy itself but wonder if some policies calculate the co-pay as a percentage of the total cost of the surgery. Insurance coverage is a make or break deal for most of us and there appears to be a very broad range of costs the insured is responsible for.

I think that's a very important point. My BMI was only 35 but I had two co-morbidities and the insurance company approved the surgery on the first submission. My understanding is that most insurance companies will approve the surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or greater and no co-morbidities or a BMI of 35 or greater with at least two co-morbities. Not all insurance companies are created equal but that seems to be the rule of thumb. It would be interesting to know if those benchmarks originated with medical science and were adopted by the insurance companies or if they originated with the insurance companies and were accepted by the medical community as a matter of practical necessity (not too many folks could afford the surgery without insurance coverage).

I know that some folks (including my wife) have trouble taking pills but from my perspective, taking daily supplements is indeed a very small price to pay in exchange for the phenomenal benefits of this surgery!

Interesting comment from your sister on a procedure that is so widely accepted by a sizeable number of the medical community not only in the U.S. but around the world. Please share her reasoning with us after you have the chance to ask her. Always interesting to get other points of view and try to understand the reasoning behind them.

I second that!!

Great advice!! I use an app called "Tap and Track" on my iphone and absolutely love it. I fully expect to be using it (or some app) for the rest of my life. The ability to see where you're at anytime, anywhere is a very powerful tool. I know lots of folks use "My Fitness Pal" and I've never read a bad review. Fish, turkey and chicken are pretty tough to beat when it comes to getting your protein.

I'm honored to share the journey with so many great folks! The ability to share the good times and the bad with people who have been there and done that is truly a gift. We are witnessing and participating in changing lives - how cool is that?

If you like dark roast, Starbuck's Cafe Verona is excellent!

I love the dark as well. Haven't tried Emeril's yet but Starbucks Cafe Verona is great. You might also enjoy Barista Prima Coffehouse Italian Roast and Tully's French Roast. I need a cup of coffee!!

Not sure that you ever stop worrying entirely. But I'm also not sure that's a bad thing. What I am sure of is the more you lose the more confident you become and the more confidence you gain the less you worry. They told me the same thing - fail to lose the required weight pre-op and they would cancel the surgery. Talk about motivation! You'll do great and you're gonna love the new you!!

Wow - great, great job Maria!! I love success stories. Does it feel like the year went by in a blur? I'm just amazed how fast the time has gone by since I started this journey. Amazing.