abbybeep

I have to get a scope done tomorrow. I was wondering what other people's experiences were with it. I'm more nervous for this than I was for surgery

I've had about 10 upper endoscopies done - I think out of all of them I had one semi bad experience, and even then it wasn't too bad. No pain, a bit of gas afterward, but only a few times. Sleepy for the rest of the day, but otherwise super easy. No need to be nervous - you'll do great!!

I do the unflavored. But not getting enough Protein. with it. I wouldn't put it in Water. Still has a smell. And the smell is what gets me.

The smell makes me gag sometimes too. Instead of drinking it out of a glass I pour it into a regular water bottle with a nice small opening at the top so that I never smell it before it goes down. Also I make sure I'm doing something else while drinking it so I'm not thinking about the smell (getting ready for work)- maybe multi tasking like that might help you forget?

I'm scared to try Isopure because of the aftertaste. I'll never know if I don't try I heard it comes in Grape Flavor!

I drink the grape one. I don't think it's that bad!

Hi I'm just jumping in on u guys.. I'm losing my hair really bad and fast. I know I'm not getting enough Protein . The problem is that I was a huge sweet junky before I had surgery now I hate everything sweet!!! I need help to find ways to get enough Protein now. If u know anything that would be great.. Thank u so much...

Hey there- I have the same problem most of the time. Everything is chocolatey this and Carmely that when it comes to protein stuff! To help up my protein I drink Isopure premixed drinks - they're like Gatorade, but yes, they have an aftertaste. :/ most days I can get a half of one down just fine- 20g right there. Also, for protein I eat lunch meat when I can (lean things, obviously).

I don't get shivery but my legs ache terribly now and that never happened before surgery. The first month I thought it was all in my head- but my legs don't ache at other times during the month... Have you heard of any reason it might happen? I haven't- I should think to ask my doctor...

Ugh! Silly phone!

When I'm with people who knew me when I was my biggest, I feel like I stand out, because they are complimenting me. Otherwise, I feel like I fit in way better than before, and it feels good.

I was a 22/24 and now I'm an 8... When I'm.

that knew me when I was my biggest

Actually, it probably helps that you're constantly drinking fluids now because you will be post op too! It was a huge adjustment to make drinking and eating two very separate activities, but if i can make that adjustment, anyone can! I'm basically glued to my water bottle throughout the day. You have a leg up because it seems like you already are doing that. You'll just be able to get less Fluid in, overall... Good luck!!

Hmm that's a really tough question (would I do it again).

It's pretty amazing that I'm about 147 pounds now (I was 252 around the time of surgery). But I went through an awful lot of terrible stuff for a long time. Even after the bypass it was tough. I missed out on a lot in life for about 6 months. Also, I am worried about the long term effects of what happened, (i mean not getting in more than 100 cals per day for 4 months had to have hurt my body...) and I'm a bit worried about having no functioning stomach to work with if something terrible happens.

But- for you it's different because your sleeve functioned ok- and the possibility of complications is there but it's not too terribly high of a rate, I'm sure. So this could be an awesome thing for you! Before my bypass surgery my surgeon did warn me of the increased possibility of leaks too. He did mention that if your long-term Protein levels are good (determined through blood tests) that your chances for leak are smaller. I don't know if that helps you at all.

Ultimately, some days I'm amazed with the weight loss and I'm happy. Other days I feel like I made the complete wrong decision... I guess only time will tell!

I am a revision.... However, not by choice I must say!

I can't speak as to what's different from the sleeve experience because my sleeve was so messed up that the 4.5 months I had it I couldn't eat or drink anything.

It kind of stinks that you have to go through it all over again (surgery...adding foods back...) I don't have dumping but I do think I became lactose intolerant (many are after RNY). I haven't had much dairy to check it out. According to my surgeon revisions need to be extremely cautious of anything that could cause ulcers because we are extra prone to getting them. We also have a much higher rate of stricture (I had a pretty severe one). Also, if something were to happen to our pouches, we don't have any stomach left to help fix the problem.

I don't want to be a wet towel by any means! I'll answer any questions you have that I can.

I'm sorry, Debbiebydesign. I never intended to hijack your thread and make it into the very opposite of what you intended. My sincerest apologies for what it has become. My comment was made because I was a little bit frustrated with another user's comment- comments for that matter- since I have seen them in multiple locations! And I wanted to see if I could gently show this user that we all love this forum because it gives us a place that we belong in a world where many of us (ME) never felt like I belonged. I was hoping to help her see that comments can be unproductive sometimes and hurt! In trying to make that point, I ended up (potentially) doing the same thing she did and hurting others. Again, I am sorry, and I support you and your journey and am thrilled about your success and your postings of all the great things to come for our Pre-op friends! <3

Your the reason I came to this site - people who have supportive good stories - yes' date=' there will be bad - but the sky is falling whoa is me torture stories have another place - NOT HERE. They seem to seep into each and every conversation - but that’s life - there’s always an Eeyore in every circle -[/quote']

Am I an Eeyore? No. Did I have severe complications and possibly could have died? Yup. But life goes on and things are getting better (I hope). So, if I don't belong here, where have you found that I can go??

I thought this forum was about acceptance and caring....

(To the original poster- I'm glad you posted about your success. I believe it's important to keep spirits up, too!)

OMIGOSH...It's been hell. Lol I had a reaction to the anesthesia & have been groggy since surgery' date=' but they didn't offer that as an option to why I felt so craggy. I had so much Fluid that I could barely move. Luckily that's all gone now, plus 4#. I barely can get anything down, not bc of physical limitations, but mental. Bc every tiny sip causes a 25 minute belching fest, started by a tremor in my chest that I assume is similar to how the neck of a freshly popped champagne bottle must feel... but none of that bothered me too much before today bc honestly I was so ...idk...dehydrated? Malnourished? Drugged? I was varying shades of pale to yellow... I couldn't take the lortab they gave me for pain, which is probably ok since it just put me in a 6 hour coma. Lol today I finally feel lucid. & my surgeon gave me a sublingual ppi. & I finally got more than 3g Protein in. the bubbles are still there, but I think once I get my ppi I'll feel better there. They had to order it. I should have it by tomorrow afternoon. It's been a wild mental ride of a week...I'm not sure this was such a good idea. But I reserve the right to change my mind.

How have you been?? [/quote']

Oh no!!! :/ I'm sorry to hear that it's been so rough for you!! I think once your using the PPI regularly you'll start feeling better. I know I needed it ever since the first surgery.

That's awesome that you got 3G of Protein in- that's a victory at 1 week out!

Congratulations on being 4 pounds down!!! Totally normal to feel a bit of regret at this point- it's tough to go through all the mental stuff at first! You'll get there!

I'm doing alright. I'm so close to my goal weight! I had my second to last endoscopy today! We stretched the opening of my stomach to my intestines to the size it's supposed to be- so that is exciting! I'm eating lots of stuff- which is wonderful! And I'm going to start kickboxing next week I think!

I'm interested to hear what people have to say about this! I have a friend (non rny) that got something called FitBit and she really likes it!

How are you doing almost a week post op??

Awesome list! I'd like to add that, while you shouldn't get carried away with it, looking back, I wish I would have thought about the "what ifs" a little more. Only to make sure that I really understood the ramifications of my decision to have surgery. What if things don't go as planned and I have to have additional surgeries and possible complications for the rest of my life? Am I ready to handle that? Like I said, don't dwell on it, but just consider the possibilities- good and not-so-good.

I just got home! I am totally wiped out' date=' though. I'm not in a ton of pain anymore, but I have a lot of tightness in my chest from trying to drink. The leak test was crazy. Very weird to watch. Lol & yes I passed. the only thing that's really annoying me is that overnight I gained back all the weight I lost in pre-op. So that just annoys me more bc I basically starved during my last few days/weeks of being able to eat real food, for nothing. I'm gonna spend the 1st month playing catch up... [/quote']

I know the feeling of being disappointed you gained weight during the hospital stay, but in my experience it took about 3-4 days after no IV and it was all gone, because it's just all the Fluid they pump you up with. You'll be under where you were when you went in before you know it! I hope the tightness eases up for you. I'm sure it will soon. Glad your pain isn't bad- that always makes it easier. You'll be tired for awhile, but it'll pass soon enough

Hey! So glad you're doing ok! the nausea at first is TERRIBLE! Zofran is the best. Make sure you get some (it dissolves in your mouth) - you'll need a perscription.

The gas is tough too- but hopefully you've been up and walking some because that helps the gas go away too! I'm assuming your leak test worked out ok... I've had that non-barium stuff too and I think it's more gross than the barium! Hopefully that's the last upper GI you'll have to do!

Going home tomorrow? I sure hope so! Congratulations!! Wooo!!!!

Thanks everyone for the support!!

Yes! It does! It's tough now and I won't lie, it's tough after surgery too. Heck, I had my first surgery back in August and sometimes when the family is silent around the table chowing down, I get a pang... But if you just keep the goal in mind, and stay strong, and realize that it's just not something you can do anymore and be ok with it- it'll make it so much easier for you in the long haul. We've all felt it and we are all here for you!

I haven't replied and tomorrow's the big day!! I'm so excited for you! I'm sure it'll go great!! Good luck, I'll be thinking about you- sending good vibes!!

I have' date='been a little ddepressed because I found bags and bags of plus size clothes in my garage. Of course these things are huge on me. I am donating them and never going to see them again. Thee are just some gorgeous things there and momentos from places I have gone and concerts, etc . It makes me sad. I know I will make new memories but moving on from those is hard. Feels like im throwing myself away in the process.[/quote']

I know it's really tough, isn't it? Personally, I put off getting rid of some of the stuff for as long as possible. It's so strange, because shouldn't we be happy to get rid of the big clothes?! But there are so many memories... Honestly, some of my old really big t-shirts I did hang on to and wear them to bed. I really like the idea that someone else gave about making some T-shirts into something. If you're not crafty, I think there is a place you can send them and they'll make them into a blanket for you. I can't remember the name though (I saw it online though I think.)

You look awesome. Congrats. I love the style shirt you are wearing. Where did you get it? Beautiful.

Thank you, everyone!! (as I sit here, munching on a victory slice of pizza no shame!)

I got the shirt at Kohls. They have a lot with the ruffley-type ones in a bunch of different colors right now!

It's been a very long 7 1/2 months for me.... but I can confidently and proudly say that I finally feel as though the inside matches the outside! I'm about 5lbs to my goal, (although I'm only about 3 months out from my actual bypass procedure), and I went on a mini shopping spree today, and it felt SO good! From size 22 pants and 1x or 2x shirts, to size 8 or 10 pants, and a size M shirts.

Everyone who is struggling in the first few days or weeks after surgery, just keep your mind on the end result. Everyone with complications, surround yourself with love and support and you'll make it through. You'll make it through, just keep pushing!

You're going to do great on Wednesday! When is your last day at work? The diet is so hard beforehand- because you still have a normal size stomach! It's great you could get your mind off being hungry and everything by working so much After surgery things won't be as tempting (most likely) for awhile. One thing I wasn't prepared for, (not sure it's really common) is that for a few weeks my sense of smell was all freaked out. This smelled terrible! Something to think about...

I'm doing alright. I'm basically at my goal weight. 150. I wear a size 8 pants, which is completely insane (I was a 22). I have one more endoscopy (total of 5 since RNY) to finish opening up the structure between the pouch and intestines. I'm eating lots of things now, and things are moving through well!

I can't wait for you to be through surgery and start losing more! In a few months, you're going to look back and just be in awe about how different your life is from what it used to be. It's amazing. And hold on to that because at some point during the first few weeks you're going to have a few moments at least where you can't understand why you did this to yourself. Just keep the end in mind!! I'll be thinking about you on Wednesday! Be sure to post how it went as soon as you're feeling up to it!!