ECUJenn

I donated blood tonight for the first time since surgery. My resting heart rate has dropped by 30bpm and they could use the regular sized blood pressure cuff!

I usually have about one glass of wine every couple of weeks. Like everyone has said, anymore than that and I am on my ass. It is like everything else with this surgery everyone is different. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 263 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Hey everyone! I am 3 months post op and have been doing 5K training for 8 weeks now. I normally have all day to hydrate and get good nutrition so I have been feeling ok after our walks in the evening. On Memorial Day we had a celebratory practice that was at 10am. I never recovered for the day and felt horrible the entire afternoon. Then, last night at practice Summer was finally here and while we only did 2.5 miles I was light headed when I got home and it took about an hour of sipping Water and eating a Protein bar before I could stand without getting cold sweats. My actual question is, I have two 5K's coming up in the next two weekends which of course are in the mornings. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for what they eat in the morning or how they hydrate first thing in the morning that helps them power through a morning workout and feel good afterwards? Thanks in advance, Jenn

Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up eating an egg and a 1/2 slice of good bread bout 2 1/2 hours before and a Protein drink on the way. Good hydration (nun) afterwards and I am great. Still working on my goals, but 48:05 was my time. Down from around 58 minutes before surgery. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 263 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

My surgeon's "official" word is no alcohol again, but "un-official" is just to be careful on both volume and frequency. It will go to your liver quicker and stay there longer. I have had both wine and gin since my surgery and while before I would drink about 1 drink per hour about 1 time per week, I have limited it to 1 drink per evening every few weeks.

My surgeon addressed this during most of our meetings. If you had a history of stomach cancer in your family you should have indicated this on your pre-op form. There is no way to "monitor" the old stomach on a regular basis because they can no longer put a scope down your throat to check it as they can in "non-rny" patient. He says that you should stay in contact with your primary care doctor and surgeon throughout the rest of your life, but unless they check it via sonogram for growths or something on a regular basis it can be difficult to monitor. That being said he said that again, unless you have a history of stomach cancer in your family then that shouldn't be high on your worry list.

I'm so excited to read this...the last few days I have felt awful. Just in general. I thought it was constipation, but I realized last night that isn't the case. Today I realized that in the process of putting my house on the market I have forgotten to take my medicines the last couple of days. I am back on track today, so I hoping the feeling will subside. It is just very frustrating to feel "bad" and not really know why. I keep trying to tell myself that while my outsides are "healed" I still put my body through a major change and everything is not going to be "ok" all the time. But I get really irritated at times. You make me feel better! Thank you.

I just went to my obgyn on Monday and she put me back on NuvaRing. Didn't want to do an IUD because I haven't had children and didn't want to do Depo because of weight gain. I have taken NuvaRing before and she thought that was the best option for me post surgery. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 279.8 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Sometimes it is hard to look at the positives...I feel better physically, but sometimes now it seems all anyone wants to talk about is my surgery. But other times all of the positive energy coming my way freaks me out. 9 weeks post op and changes still happen on a hourly basis. I just try to focus on the positives, but sometimes it can be hard. Just hang in there, we have all dealt with amazing challenges in one way or the other and I am confident we will get through these as well! HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 279.8 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Not too much. I didn't have to do puréed foods for as long as some people I don't think. I never had to purée chicken or anything like that. But it cuts through ice like a champ. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 282.5 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I am 8 weeks out and still feel pain when eating many times. Especially foods like chicken or veggies. The positive for me has been that I am FINALLY beginning to feel some extra energy come into my life. Whether it be first thing in the morning or after working out. Some people have been laughing because they can't figure out why i am not lethargic all the time like ousted to be 60 pounds ago. It can be so frustrating to feel like sh*t day after day, but you will get better every day. Hang in there! HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 282.5 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

My surgeon really likes Metamucil clear and natural. It is a plant based laxative so you aren't putting so many chemicals into your body. I take two stool softeners per day and was still having horrible constipation. I started the Metamucil last week and have been much better. P.S. for those using miralax. Have your doctor write you a prescription. It is so much cheaper. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I'm in Winston-Salem. Surgery 2/20/13. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

My experience with kidney stones is pain so bad you can't sit still, can't walk, can't move. Omg, they are horrible. Call the doc because if it is a stone, catch it before the pain! HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Mine didn't give me a guideline, just to be careful. I was 7 weeks out this past week and had a glass of wine. It took me about an hour and I felt fine. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I went out last night with friends for the first time since surgery on feb. 20. Only one (one of my best guy friends) knew about they surgery, but I hadn't told him how much I had lost. They couldn't believe how good I looked! And, I have a long way to go yet. I ended up having to tell another one of my guy friends because he was worried that i was sick because I had lost so much weight. It was a bit of a bummer not having a beer like I used to, but I settled for a cranberry, lime, Water combo. It looked like a cocktail and that way i didn't have to answer op so many questions. I have such a long way to go yet, but it was nice to have a "normal" night. I'm tired as all get out this morning, it it was soooo worth it *sigh* And who got chatted up by a cutie? This girl! HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

If you have time, post this in the post op board too because there are several people there that have had revisions. I'm not of them, but I know several in February did. Good luck! HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I had gotten very used to all of the flavors of Protein drinks before surgery, but post surgery they all made me sick. I finally got the Click coffee flavored kind and high protein hot chocolate. I put the Click (decaf still for me) with Water and ice in my magic bullet in the morning and drink it on my drive to work (45 minutes) and I have the hot chocolate (bariatric pantry) in the afternoon. My nutritionist wants me to add unflavored to my coffee to get a little bit more in one drink so I am working on that part. Those are the only ones that I have found that I enjoy. Hope that helps give you a couple of more ideas. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I went to the Symphony the other night and while I hadn't been to that auditorium in a REALLY long time, I purposefully bought an aisle seat so I wouldn't be as self conscious, I sat down and almost screamed with delight because it wasn't tight! I have a long way to go, but the show was a dream come true and coupled with that? Awesome! HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

This is the first time in my life that I can tell when my period is around...don't give up on yourself! We are stronger than this! I think it is awesome you came here to talk to us about this instead of keeping it in! Great job! HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Today I wore the same outfit to church as I did last Easter. The minute my Mom saw me she said, I can't believe how much different you look. (In a really good way...lol) I don't see it as much, but I could feel how much different the skirt fit. Some of my favorite clothes that just didn't fit well, are fitting better. That makes me feel really hopeful. Just thought I would share because I know many of you understand. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

A hamburger about the size of a silver dollar, some caprese salad, 2 tbs baked potato. Yum... HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 291.1 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk