DLCoggin

Congratulations! I'm betting you'll be surprised at how little pain there is and how fast you'll be home!

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

I think we've all been told that the surgery is a tool and it is possible to defeat the surgery without lifestyle changes. Perhaps what's most important to remember is that the surgery makes those lifestyle changes much easier. Not easy, but easier. I do every thing I possibly can to keep my focus on following the protocol and letting the weight take care of itself. In essence the protocol is the lifestyle change. It seems to me that a little worry is healthy. Most of my fears were greatly reduced or eliminated all together once I got into the post-op stage of the journey. When I look back on all the pre-op worry and anxiety I had almost all of it was completely unfounded. Unfortunately it's hard to wrap your arms around that until you experience it. My best suggestion for you is to keep reading all of the information you'll see here!

Tylenol gets the nod for pain management. Be careful to avoid anything with ibuprofen (e.g. Advil and others) or NSAIDS (e.g. Alleve) because of concerns regarding developing ulcers or other inflamation. Likely too early for Protein shakes just yet but when the time comes I like Pure Protein or Myoplex. Energy should start to return in a week or two. Congratulations on the surgery!!

That's an excellent point and my doctor said exactly the same thing!

Well guys, it was exactly one year ago today when I sat down for my first meeting with my RNY surgeon. I must say this year went by with blinding speed. When I look back on that first meeting it seems like it was five minutes ago. And what a journey it has been. One year ago today I was scared. My health was declining. I knew that my food addiction was shortening my life. And drastically reducing the quality of the time I had left. I wondered if I would ever see my grandson graduate high school, much less college and starting his own career and family. And yes, I was worried about the very scary decision to have major surgery to correct a disease that many would argue I should be able to do on my own. Was I risking my life on yet another attempt to beat obesity that was doomed to fail? What kind of pain would I have to endure? What about potential complications, some serious? What if the surgeon got in there and discovered she could not complete the surgery? What if the surgery just plain didn't work? Was I taking the "easy way out"? What would people say? What would people think? What if? What if? What if? One year ago today I was 5' 9" tall and 285 pounds with a BMI of 35. This morning I'm 182 pounds with a BMI of 27.0. I've lost 103 pounds in one year. I was hoping for 6' 2" but yes, I'm still 5' 9" tall. One year ago today I had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and my doctor put me on Metformin to try to control it. The prognosis was not good and he warned me that if the Metformin didn't work, insulin would be the next step and the most viable treatment option - other than surgery. My RNY surgery was on October 20, 2011. Two weeks later my A1c was 5.6. And my doctor took me off the Metformin. One year ago today I had been on medication for hypertension for more than 20 years. Two weeks post-op, my doctor took me off all blood pressure meds. Yesterday, in his office, my blood pressure was 114/57. One year ago today I had chronic lower back and knee pain. A couple of hours of grocery shopping and I needed to sit down to rest the back. Last weekend my entire family, including my 2 1/2 year old grandson, spent ten hours of quality time at Disneyland. Walking, standing in line, riding the rides, shopping, laughing and loving a beautiful day. Not the slightest hint of back or knee pain. One year ago today shopping for clothes was an endless source of frustration. Options are limited when you have a 48" waist, 18 1/2" neck and XXL or XXXL is the order of the day. If Big and Tall or King Size didn't have it, I did without. Fast forward to a 36" waist, 16 1/2" neck and L and I can go into any store, anywhere, anytime and find my size in a rainbow of colors and styles and at a cost of 20% to 30% less than what I was paying before. One year ago today I was literally living (or dying) on fast food and pizza. I could eat a super sized double cheeseburger, large fries and a large soft drink and be hungry an hour later. With one exception, I haven't had fast food or a carbonated soft drink in well over a year. The exception - 6" turkey breast and black forest ham on flatbread from Subway - and I literally could not eat all of it. My diet is lots of fish, lots of turkey, lots of chicken, lots of veggies, lots of fruit, lots of nuts - and I am loving every second of it. Real food, healthy food, is actually quite enjoyable. Who knew? One year ago today my idea of exercise was a walk to the fridge. Today I walk a minimum of four days a week, more often when possible. I walk 2 1/2 to 3 miles and 45 to 55 minutes every time. I walk in a park near my home and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine more than words can describe. It took several months but at this point I'm literally addicted to walking. I have no explanation for it but if I go more than a day or two without walking, I can feel the difference - not only physically, but mentally as well. Maybe it has something to do with the unbridled joy I see in my black lab when we go for our walks. Maybe it's because I feel good about myself knowing that I'm doing the right thing for the right reasons for myself and my family. Or maybe it's the Universe giving me a pat on the back and a "Well done!" Like I said, I really don't have an explanation for it. One thing is certain - it is a delicious feeling. Some of you reading this may be contemplating this surgery or other surgical options. Some of you may have many of the same concerns and fears that I had. Some of you may be suffering from some of the same health issues that I had. Some of you may be caught on the same "what if" merry-go-round that I was on. On this, my one year anniversary, I can only say that this has been one of the most exciting, most rewarding, most life changing experiences of my life. It most certainly is based on science. But the results are undeniably magical. Persistence, along with absolute belief, can never be defeated.

Trust me Jen - hiccup/burp makes a lot of sense LOL! I think the only way we can get all the Water we're supposed to get is sip, sip, sip. That said, I'm 29 weeks post-op and I struggle every day with getting enough water (and usually fall short). I don't know how you schedule your eating but I sort of made up my own rule and it has worked well for me. The surgeon (and all of the material they gave me pre-op) said you should not eat less than two hours apart. I expanded on that and added not more than four hours apart. My thinking was that more than four hours would be a formula for allowing myself to get too hungry which would increase the chances of overeating. If it's been four hours, hungry or not, I eat something. I usually eat somewhere around three hours apart and it has worked well for me through 103 lost pounds. When I eat, I note the time that I finish and then make a mental note of the three hour mark. I have read that it's best to eat at the same times every day. My hat is off to anyone who can do that. I can't and I don't even try. I eat when I eat - but never less than two or more than four hours apart. If you're discouraged at one week post-op, perhaps you may have had unrealistic expectations. For what it's worth, I encourage you to relax and just focus on following the protocol. Don't weigh yourself more often than every two weeks, even less often if you can stand it. I personally am also not big on "goal weights". Follow the program as close to the letter as you can and let your weight take care of itself!! You're gonna love the new you!!

Thanks for the heads up Panda!!

I can relate to the crunchy cravings. When you get to the point that you can eat solid food again, Kashi Pita Crisps are highly recommended! Lots of flavors and you can get them on Amazon. Will satisfy your crunchy cravings and they're quite low calorie!!

I don't know anyone that has had the problem but I have read about it. Like kmiller said, transfer from one addiction (food) to another is the most commonly cited cause. Realistically, I don't think you should even think about alcohol until you're at least six months post-op. If there's no history of alcohol abuse (with yourself or your family), I really don't think you have a lot to worry about. Other types of drugs could be a whole different story and I know nothing about that.

I second berniec! Exercise is so very important. I think you'll be surprised how quickly you can increase your walking. I started with about 20 minutes on my treadmill. I'm almost 29 weeks post-op now and have been walking about 3 miles and 45 to 55 minutes, at least four times a week, for months now. No question in my mind that it has increased my weight loss and reduced the time it took. The back pain is probably from the surgery itself. I think it's pretty common when you have any kind of surgery. I don't think comfort is a major consideration for operating tables!

Options are limited 4 days post-op and everyone's taste is different but if it helps any, I really like Pure Protein 35g shakes. I drink the Frosty Chocolate, Cookies and Cream and Chocolate Mint. I drank Myoplex for quite a long time and it still is probably the best taste wise (but not by much). I switched to Pure Protein because they're about half the calories and are a little cheaper than Myoplex. Down the road, give Pure Protein bars a try. The 20g or 32g Chocolate Deluxe are really good.

I realize that not everyone is comfortable with it but my recommendation - tell anyone and everyone about your surgery. No secret = no problem. You may run into some folks that have a problem with it but that's their problem, not yours. It's a tough secret to keep long term anyway - someone is bound to notice that you've lost a LOT of weight. If you're totally upfront and open about it, the worst that can happen is that someone doesn't agree with your decision. It's not their life and not their business. You can live with that!!

Jen, I'm in So Cal as well. Would appreciate it if you would PM me the name of your hospital and the surgeion. Thanks!!

They told me that some things I liked pre-op I might not like post-op. Interesting since they don't have any idea why taste changes for some people. There apparently is no direct connection between RNY and your sense of taste. I haven't had any problems with my taste changing but I really have a hard time with most kinds of bread, tortillas, etc. They seem to hit my pouch as a big lump and just kind of sit there. White or wheat or whole grain breads - all the same. Not exactly what I would call painful but more "uncomfortable". I'm almost 29 weeks post-op and still have the same issue. Flat bread doesn't seem to be so much of a problem for whatever reason. I don't need the carbs anyway!

Good for you and it's just the beginning!!

Dehydration was a major side effect of my surgery. I wouldn't worry too much about a 2 1/2 pound gain one week post-op. Very good chance it is just Water weight after being dehydrated. I don't think it's that uncommon - they told me that there is always the possibility of a slight weight gain post-op.

Joanna, check with your doctor on the Advil. Advil contains ibuprofen. May not be a problem pre-op but they told me it was a strict no-no post-op because of concern about developing ulcers. Alleve does not contain ibuprofen and might be a better option.

I think everyone can relate to your fear but like most fears it is based more on emotion than fact. Tens of thousands of folks have had this life-changing procedure and the majority have had unparallelled success. Do everything that you can to follow your doctors instructions to the letter and you'll do just great! When all is said and done, your confidence and the elimination of your fears is going to come from results. Congratulations and welcome to the big losers club - you're gonna love the new you!!

Absolutely normal. The name of the game is sip, sip, sip and before long - chew, chew, chew!! How long it takes you to eat or drink is not nearly as important as how much you eat and drink. Especially for the first few weeks post-op. Sounds like you're doing great!!

5' 9" Used to be about a foot taller but that stuff about shrinking with age - not a rumor!

So. California - both the surgery group and the hospital are Certified Centers of Excellence. PM me if you're interested and I'd be glad to give you all the scoop.

Same story for me - type 2 (diagnosed three months prior to my decision to pursue the surgery option and one of the major factors in my deciding to have the surgery), heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol (under control pre-op with Lipitor). I was never on insulin but was on Metformin. I'm 28 weeks post-op today and 103.5 lbs lighter. Diabetes - gone and off the Metformin within two weeks of the surgery. Hypertension - gone and off the Ramipril within two weeks of the surgery. Cholesterol - under 100 but Lipitor is such an amazing med that I will probably be on for life. Do the research. I think you'll find there is no better, more effective treatment for diabetes known to medical science than RNY. And there are a lot of other pretty great things associated with losing a hundred pounds or more!!

May 10, 2011 = 285 lbs October 20, 2011 = Surgery February 19, 2012 = 198 lbs (ONEDERLAND!!) May 3, 2012 = 181.5 lbs (28 weeks post-op today) Priceless!!

I had no pain meds at all the day of the surgery. Tylenol with codeine (which worked perfectly) twice the day after surgery. Not so much as an aspirn since. They told me pre-op that the pain is minimal as well - THEY WERE RIGHT!!