Des0520

Ok so I am 20 months post op and still scared to eat rice. My doctor really put the fear of rice into me and I haven't touched it. My dr told me it could expand my stomach and basically rip it open. I need to switch up some food and my husband wants rice (he isn't sleeved), but I refuse to make it so I'm not tempted to eat it. Is anyone else afraid of rice? Has anyone been able to eat it?

It is absolutely possible to gain weight back. I've had friends that had by-pass done and they weigh more now then when they started. The best advice anyone gave me was that it is a tool, not the ultimate answer. I still have to be responsible and make good choices with food and exercise. I've had weeks where I don't lose any and would start to panic, well now I've been stuck for over 6 months and I don't panic anymore, I just keep on track. I know I'll eventually start dropping again. It's rare for me to get hungry, I mean like once every 3 months, but I do catch myself grazing and it is usually when my husband has stuff I normally wouldn't eat in the house (like chips). I started keeping a water bottle with me and would drink some water any time I got the urge to go grab the chips. I have a friend that uses a rubber band to keep her from grazing.

This is long over due, but I think it's about time. I'm now almost 5 months post op and I've lost 62 lbs. I think I've hit my first plateau but I think that's because of the working out. I've been doing great and still amazing myself with foods I now like. I'm down 5 sizes which is such a great feeling, I can wear my prom dresses from high school again. I am struggling with hair loss, and I always get in my Protein and take my Vitamins, but I was told it's expected. My husband and I are planning our first vacation ever and after 6 years I think it's time. Little nervous about wearing a swim suit on the beach and flying on a plane, I've avoided that from fear of not fitting in the seat. I'll get some pictures and measurements posted soon.

Ok so I'm on regular food finally I am trying new things and learning. I luckily still haven't had a problem with keeping anything down. Eggs were almost an issue, but I stopped eating. I have this really super annoying craving for popcorn. What is the rule on that? Is it allowed? My dietician is on vacation and if it's allowed I'm going to make me one of those single serve packs

I am attending a halloween party on Saturday and we were asked to bring some type of alcoholic beverage. I'm a few days away from a month out so I wouldn't even consider drinking but it makes me wonder about upcoming holiday parties and I am wondering if it will ever be ok to drink. I prefer wine but my doctor has not said anything about alcoholic beverage restrictions. Does anyone know the general rule behind this?

I'm having the same problem and I'm 3 weeks out. Its like I get in one or the other. If I concentrate on my protein then I get it all in but not my fluids. If I concentrate on fluids then I get them all, but not the protein. And most days when i get all the protein in I'm not eating anything else. I've figured out that i'm getting in less than 500 calories a day and thats if I get in 2 protein shakes. I'm trying to figure out how to find a balance. I wish I could offer advice, but I am feeling lost too.

I'm in the same boat. I've lost 20 since my surgery and this week it's been nada. I weigh on Monday's and my dr appointment was today and the scale only showed about a half a pound. I get in 80+ protein a day, I'm sitll on liquids, I get up to 64 oz of water a day. I thought maybe it was the soups I was eating. I was told that my body is used to the weight and because I dropped it so fast my body is adjusting before letting go of more. He told me not to worry about the nutritional value in the soups I am eating because I am eating the healthy request campbell soups and that when I hit soft mushies I will need to worry about my intake at that point. I even asked a friend that had bypass done a long time ago and she said the same thing happened to her about 3 weeks out and that she would drink a little grapefruit juice. Don't know the point of that but I might try it. Good news is the scale isn't going up!

I almost fainted about a week post op. I had been up doing a lot of walking and moving and then took a shower. I talked to my doctor about it at my first post op and he said that it was probably because of the low amount of calories I was taking in and my my body not used to it. Since it was an isolated incident I should be fine. The only thing I can't think is you said you'd only had water and no food. I'm still on full liquids and am learning what foods will work for me. I'm not sure what you've tried, but one of my favorites has been watery cream of wheat or oatmeal. I have learned that yogurt is a no go and I still cannot do super cold food. I hope that things get better for you. I agree with everyone else and think you talk to your doctor.

It didn't hurt at all. It felt like a suction cup being removed by my stomach and a little weird feeling when it made its way out but no pain!! Other than that the visit was fast and easy and he was pleased with how I am doing. Thank you again for all the help

I do have stiching in it because I can see it. The nurses in the hospital dropped the pouch to it a few times so maybe it pulled it out a little. Thank you for the heads up though Appointment in about an hour. But thanks to everyone here I'm not as worried.

Whew! Either way that isn't bad. Thank you for helping me feel more at ease. I'm hoping for feeling nothing since I'm still kind of numb to the touch around it.

Did having the drain removed post op hurt? I get mine taken out tomorrow and it's sore as it is, probably from all the moving around it has received. I'm a little worried and appreciate any expectations that can be offered.

I seem to get the hiccups often. Not always a fit of them, sometimes just one or two. It doesn't seem to be tied to when I'm eating or drinking. The last ones were half an hour after I drank anything. Anyone have any ideas how to reduce or stop this?

LOL my ball didn't have a name. But it was this wonderful thing that went into my tummy and delivered meds directly to the area. My husband pulled it out and I felt nothing except for the tape. OMG no one warns you about the tape. It's like getting a wax with cold wax very very slowly. I'm doing so much better today. Thank you to everyone for their warm wishes. I still have pain where my main incision is and if i try to bend certain ways or twist it pulls and hurts. Same thing if I try and get up the wrong way. I know that'll get better. I'm taking my pain meds at night because I've caught myself twisting in my sleep. Other than that it's rare that I take them during the day. I just want to get this drain out and be done with my constant shoulder bag. I'm still having problems with cold stuff which is frustrating. I tried warming it up in my mouth first but that didn't seem to help. I've been walking tons which has been nice. I handled my husband eating in front of me for the first time pretty well. The thought of eating all that food (it was a pb&j sandwich) made me sick lol. I do miss chewing gum though. I understand that it is dangerous if you swallow it but I have swallowed gum in like 16 years.

Just got home today from my surgery. I was sleeved on Monday and other than the 4 hour delay it went great. I went in so hungry and still have yet to get hungry. The gas pains have not been bad but the soreness is bad. How long should I expect to be sore? Did anyone else pull their pain ball thing out at home? Did it hurt? And one last question, did anyone else have problems eating cold stuff like the popsicles?

I have to be at the hospital in 13.5 hours and I'm trying to figure out what to take. I know the dr said I'll be able to shower and I'm plannin on loose fitting pj's. I'm starting to panic more than anything. Just last minute jitters. I'm taking a book to read instead of taking my laptop. I am also taking cards so I can play solitare. I'm trying to remember stuff like my cell phone charger. I have been told by more than one person to take my own pillow. I wish you the best of luck :tongue_smilie: Keep us posted. We can swap stories when we're back home :biggrin0:

Happy Early Birthday lol. I'm doing this 9 days before my husbands birthday and my dad's (they have the same one) and 19 days before our anniversary. Talk about timing. I just don't want to put it off for those special days which seems selfish, but I want to begin my journey.

Thank you. I've been reading through the forums and some of my fear is going away. I have a very supportive husband and family, but no one in my family has gone through this process and they friends that have either had bypass or lapband lost weight and gained it all back. I don't really feel like I have anyone that I can look to for support that knows what I'll be going through. Well that was until I found this site. :thumbup1:

October 4th for me. Start my pre op diet on the 20th. No fat, low fat, no meat for me. I have no clue what I am supposed to take with me. My surgery is late in the afternoon and I'll be there two nights. Any suggestions? Luckily it's less than 2 miles from my house.

I was told not to stop smoking before surgery. My surgeon said to cut back and suggested smoking one less a day. I've had surgery before and he isn't worried about the effects because I was fine after those two surgeries. He said don't stop too many things at once. I plan to phase them out by smoking one less at a time every day until I stop.

My name is Desiree and I set my surgery date for October 4th yesterday. I've been on a journey of working to lose weight for a couple of years now. It all began a few years ago when I destroyed the cartridge in my knee and had to have surgery that put me on crutches for 6 weeks and I couldn't put any kind of weight on my leg. I decided to seriously work to lose weight then and was at my heaviest which was 342. I recovered from surgery and starting working with a personal trainer and following a strict diet. I lost several inches in 3 months, but only about 20 lbs. While working with my trainer I once again tore up the same knee, only a different injury. This time it the cartilage on my femur and had a hold 2 inches in diameter torn into it. This equaled another surgery and this time 8 weeks on crutches with no weight allowed. I had considered the bypass and band off and on for several years but was always uncomfortable with rerouting nature's plumbing and having something plastic that required upkeep in my body. That all changed after learning about my stupid knee injury. While waiting for my knee surgery I went to a seminar for surgery. I found out all the requirements for my insurance company and started working on them. I found success with a non surgical doctor in the same office and put off the surgery part. Due to recovery time I had a stall in my dr visits and had to start over three months later. I had gained back most of my weight while recovering but over the next several months of starting back up I had dropped 30 lbs. I was happy and all was going well until the pain in my knee came back and I couldn't work out. I was told I have stress fractures in my knee caused by my weight and the thinner cartridge in my knee. The doctor said I need to lose weight more quickly so he recommended surgery. I consulted with my weight loss doctor and next thing I know I'm waiting on insurance approval. It was fairly easy because I'd already had the dietician visits and the psych evaluation. My surgery date is less than three weeks away and on Monday I start a two week diet of no fat, low fat, no meat. I'm starting to freak out and trying to find answers to all of these questions that are suddenly popping in my head and I do not like what I have found online so far. Then I found this site. I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with everyone and putting to rest some of my fears. :svengo: