DLCoggin

Wow. I mean WOW! That is huge. Thank you so much for sharing!!

I don't have a clue but your son is one lucky guy to have you as his mom!! LOL

You might find some useful information in my post "Dumping The Confusion About Dumping" - http://www.rnytalk.com/topic/2665-dumping-the-confusion-about-dumping/page__fromsearch__1. You're gonna love the new you!!

You couldn't possibly be in better company than all the great folks on this forum. There isn't a single one of us that can't relate to fear. Lots of different reasons but when all is said and done, fear is fear. Life is meant to be good and we deserve to be happy. Welcome to the family! You're gonna love the new you!!

A story of true courage and commitment. Welcome to the family and thank you for sharing. We're all here to help you in your journey and our thoughts and prayers go out to your wife.

Gosh, you guys are making me blush. We're all here to help each other in our own way. There are so many terrific folks on this forum. It's our combined knowledge and experience that makes this such an amazing resource. Thank you for the kind words!!

It usually takes three to six months from your first meeting with your surgeon to the day of your surgery. And your surgeon will likely recommend (mine straight out required) that you lose 20 to 30 lbs pre-op depending on your BMI. I approached that time as the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on the all important Prime Directive - life style changes. That means exactly what jenneliza has said - low fat, low carb, high protein diet. It's also a great time to start walking. Nice and easy at first and increase as you feel more comfortable with it. You will lose weight. And just as importantly, your pre-op discipline will make your post-op transition much, much easier. Think of it as being in training for your own personal Olympic event! LOL! You won't be sorry and you're gonna love the "gold medal" new you!!

Very few people who haven't had or who are not at least considering having a bypass know diddly squat about the procedure, the risks, or the benefits. They may have the very best of intentions, but when all is said and done, it's a personal decision that each of us has to make. Unfortunately personal decisions sometimes have consequences in the form of being disappointed with the reaction of some folks. You can't change that and trying is almost always an exercise in frustration. What you can do is express your appreciation for their opinion and/or concern and then go on with your life. It takes two to argue. If all you're doing is showing your appreciation for their opinion, the other side quickly gets the message!

The concern about citrus is ulcers from the acidity. Lime or lemon water might be sugar free but possibly not acid free. I'd be cautious at six days out.

Congratulations Jeanette! You're gonna love the new you!!

Congratulations Todd and welcome to the big losers family! Always great to have folks who are a year or more out!!

Dumping seems to be a topic that generates a lot of confusion. Some believe that everyone has dumping following gastric bypass surgery. Some may experience it and not recognize that it is dumping. Others believe that the presence or absence of dumping affects the potential success (or failure) of bypass surgery. Still others are so concerned about dumping that they avoid trying new foods or even eating healthy amounts of calories and Protein. So let’s see if we can dump the confusion about dumping. Who Experiences Dumping Estimates vary widely but somewhere between 15% to 50% of gastric bypass patients never experience dumping. It’s difficult to be exact because some experience dumping without realizing that their symptoms are the result of dumping. Others experience symptoms that they believe are the result of dumping when the cause is something else. Regardless of the exact number, a significant percentage of all gastric bypass patients never experience dumping. What Causes Dumping There are still some unanswered questions regarding the causes of dumping but it is generally thought to be the result of food being “dumped” too quickly from the pouch to the small intestine. Food high in sugar or simple carbohydrates (aka “simple sugars”) can create a rapid increase in blood sugars (hyperglycemia). The rule of thumb is that white foods (e.g. potatoes, rice, Pasta, white bread, etc.) are usually simple carbohydrates. The sugar in the small intestine rapidly pulls Water out of the bloodstream and into the small intestine. A number of the symptoms of dumping including severe diarrhea can result. With “late” dumping (see below), the body responds to the rapid rise in blood sugars with an increase in insulin to process the sugars. The increased insulin can cause the blood sugars to “crash” producing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and dumping symptoms follow. Symptoms may or may not include vomiting. I have experienced late dumping on several occasions, usually after eating fruit, such as grapes, or white rice, both rich in sugars. In my case, symptoms are shakiness and general weakness but I have never had any vomiting. What are the Symptoms Just about everyone knows that dumping can cause vomiting. But all vomiting is not the result of dumping and all dumping does not cause vomiting. Symptoms of dumping include: · Nausea or queasiness · Profuse sweating · General weakness · Vomiting · Shakiness · Diarrhea · Faintness · Fatigue · Heart palpitations (or increased heart rate) Types of Dumping Doctors divide dumping into two types and the symptoms may vary depending on which type you have: · Early dumping – usually occurs within 15 to 30 minutes following the ingestion of certain foods. Roughly two-thirds of people who experience dumping have early dumping. · Late dumping – usually occurs within one to three hours following the ingestion of certain foods. But it can occur as much as twelve hours after eating. About one-third of people who experience dumping have late dumping. Late dumping is linked with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Success of Gastric Bypass and Dumping There is no scientific evidence that patients who experience dumping are any more or less successful than patients who do not experience dumping. Dumping is not on the long list of factors that make gastric bypass surgery so effective for so many. So if you’re worried that your surgery might fail because you don’t have dumping, it just ain’t so! Fear of Dumping This is a good news, bad news kind of thing. If fear of dumping helps you to make better food choices, it’s a good thing. But if fear of dumping prevents you from eating a healthy number of calories and getting ALL of your protein requirement, it’s a bad thing. Remember the Prime Directive – the bypass surgery is a tool but the gold medal is lifestyle changes. Fear of dumping (or anything else) is not sustainable, it’s not compatible with living and enjoying your life, and it’s not a realistic expectation. Lifestyle changes are about control, not denial. So How Do You Avoid Dumping · Choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains instead of simple carbohydrates like white bread and sugary sweets. · No liquids for 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after eating. Pretty much a standard recommendation for all bypass patients but especially important for avoiding dumping. · Some people may not tolerate dairy products. · Eat smaller meals more often. · Keep a food diary to help you track your reaction to various foods. In addition to helping you avoid dumping, research has repeatedly shown that folks who maintain food logs lose more weight, lose it more quickly, and are more successful at maintaining their ideal weight. · Incorporate high Fiber foods into your diet. Fiber takes longer to digest and extends the time the food takes to move from the pouch into the small intestine. So there you have it. Dumping is not pleasant. But it’s often easy to avoid with dietary changes. Dumping does not always involve vomiting; there are a number of possible symptoms. A significant number of patients never experience dumping. And dumping has nothing to do with long term success or failure of gastric bypass. Stay focused. Stay active. Stay away from the scales. You’re gonna love the new you!!

Just emailed!

I think you'll find many people on this forum who have had GB for lots of reasons in addition to weight loss. In my case, hypertension, diabetes, CAD and sleep apnea. And every single one of those problems have virtually disappeared. Better health is the name of the game and weight loss is a BIG part of better health. Welcome to the family! You're most certainly in the right place and you're gonna love the new, healthier you!!

Stay focused on following the protocol, get active even if you have to "walk" in your living room (Leslie Sansone has some excellent CD's that will show you how to do exactly that - you can order on Amazon), and stay away from the scales for a week, two would be even better. You know that stalls are a natural part of the weight loss process and although a lot of folks may not post about them, I suspect that just about everyone experiences them. Patience is not only a virtue, it's a necessity for us in the big losers club. You're gonna love the new you!

About 2/3 of folks who experience dumping get it 15 to 30 minutes following consumption of some foods - usually high in sugar or fat. The other 1/3 don't experience the symptoms of dumping for one to three hours or more following eating. So I'd say it may well be dumping. I had my first experience with dumping about seven months out and after eating some red grapes - which led me to believe it was in response to the sugar, but I did not have any vomiting. Light headedness, dizzyness, "the shakes", diarrhea, even fainting (rare) - are all possible symptoms of dumping. How often has it happened and what food(s) brought it on?

My guess is it's probably the same infection with the swelling in a slightly different area. Infection is on every list of possible complications that I've ever seen so I think it's pretty common. You're right to be concerned and continue to seek treatment until they get it knocked down. Infectious wounds is a specialty in itself so it sounds like you're in good hands. That said, I'd call your surgeon and let him/her make the decision regarding whether or not they want to see you. If you do see the wound specialist, I'd also be sure to ask him/her to forward their findings to your surgeon (which most would do any way but it never hurts to confirm it). Great to hear from you again and please keep us posted on your recovery!!

Usually about 2-3 hours for me as well but I think it often depends on how far out you are. When did you have your surgery?

Just emailed guys!!

Lots of differences from one doctor to another when it comes to post-op diet. I was told that most vegetables and canned fruit were fine at six weeks. But to avoid cherries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries because of skin and seeds. And no citrus fruits until three months out - can cause ulcers. Congratulations on your surgery and welcome to the family of big losers!!

Dumping is not universal. Lots of folks (including myself) never, or very seldom, experience dumping. And many folks who do experience dumping do not have any vomiting. Light headedness, dizzyness, "the shakes", diarrhea - all possible symptoms of dumping. About 2/3 of folks who experience dumping get it 15 to 30 minutes following consumption of some foods - usually high in sugar or carbs. The other 1/3 don't experience the symptoms of dumping for one to three hours or more following eating. Not experiencing dumping is not uncommon at all and absolutely nothing to worry about. Your former stomach, now your pouch, has "stretch sensors" in it that signal the brain when it is full. But, you're not very far out yet and there is a lot of healing going on in there and likely still considerable swelling which reduces sensitivity of the nerves. Stay focused on following the protocol, especially the amounts, and you'll be fine. Before you know it, your pouch will start doing a lot of "talking" including "full". Drink as much Water as possible, one sip at a time. Walk as much as possible - start slow and increase as you feel more comfortable. The first couple of weeks following surgery are a little nerve wracking for everyone. You're going to be just fine and you're gonna love the new you!!

Just emailed!!

Ditto for me. Disappeared a month or two post-op! It is astounding how many problems disappear following rny!!

Just emailed!!

Just emailed!!