alc1071

Beth, congratulations on your recent surgery! You'll be amazed at what this tool can help you accomplish! Now everybody is different and will lose at their own pace. You really shouldn't compare your loss to someone else's as you'll drive yourself crazy! And a lot of it is relative to where you started out in your journey (the heavier people start seem to lose at a faster rate, etc). I can tell you that I NEVER lost 20 lbs in any week. I averaged about 3 -5 lbs a week at the beginning, then came the dreaded "stalls" starting at about 3 weeks out which lasted a week or two at a time (very frustrating) and then they would pass and the scale would start moving again. After the first two months it slowed to about 1 -3 lbs a week. Now at almost 10 months post op it's a lot slower but still going down. As for the energy, make sure you are getting your protein in (goal 60-80 grams) and also your B12 vitamin helps with that.

Those first few days/week are the toughest but things should start to get better a little bit each day. Just hang in there and take it easy, you've put your body through major surgery and it needs to heal. Getting in the protein helps your body heal and will give you more energy so you'll feel better/like your old self again. Try finding a protein powder that you like and start adding that (I really like Unjury). I mix it with crystal light and get both my protein and fluids in one shot. Another thing that helped me right after surgery was setting a timer to take sips. I used my cell phone and set it to sound every 15 minutes, then went down to 12 minutes, 10 minutes etc until I was able to get all my fluids without needing the timer anymore. It's important to get your fluids in so you don't get dehydrated.

My surgeon recommended the RnY because of my Type 2 Diabetes and because I had really bad acid reflux. I was taking high doses of insulin and Prilosec on a daily basis. 9 months post op and I take a fraction of the insulin I used to take and my sugars are close to normal levels. Also I have not had any acid reflux since having surgery.

When you go for your consultation they may recommend one surgery over another for you based on your particular circumstances. For instance, I had really bad acid reflux and type 2 diabetes. For those reasons the RNY was what the surgeon recommended as that would be the better choice for those conditions. Everybody is different but I did go back to work at 2 weeks post op after RNY and felt fine (even felt I could have gone back at 1 1/2 weeks but took the 2 weeks). Ask lots of questions and go with what they recommend and you feel is right for you. Good luck!

He's absolutely adorable! Congrats!

4C makes lemonade, pink lemonade, fruit punch, iced tea (including decaf) among other flavors that are sweetened with Splenda. They are near the crystal light in my grocery store and I like them because they're not made with aspartame. I've bought them in the tube that has 7 tubs that each make 2 quarts or in the smaller boxes that have single pouches you add to a 16.9 oz water bottle.

Heidi, right after surgery I was drinking several protein shakes a day while on the full liquid diet. But now I am 5 months post op and I have only one Atkins Advantage shake per day for breakfast. For the rest of my protein I have a scrambled egg w/cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese stick, mini baby bell cheese, hard boiled egg, milk, chicken, tuna, etc throughout the day. I also really like the Unjury products (21 g of protein) and you can order a sample pack to try a variety of flavors. Most days I'm getting nearly 90 grams of protein in.

Harwood, congratulations on your weight loss, you look great! Jealousy is a tough thing to deal with, especially when family is involved. It's unfortunate that you don't have support from these family members but you can get lots of support from your RNY "family" here!

I was given Lortab elixir. My surgery was on a Wednesday and I took it until Sunday. I didn't really need it after 5 days and was feeling pretty good about a week post op. My doctor had me fill the script before surgery so I would already have it at home when I came home from the hospital.

@SoccerMomma - Thanks for sharing! I'll have to look for the Carb Balance Tortillas. Are they in the refrigerator section or in the regular section with the taco shells?

Have you tried the Atkins Advantage pre made shakes? That was one that my surgeon recommended for the pre-op liquid diet (15 g protein, 3 g carbs). I still use them occasionally post op. The Chocolate and strawberry are good. The vanilla is okay but not my favorite (I actually used the vanilla as "creamer" in my tea to use them up and get a little extra protein in).

My surgery was on 3/27 so I'm 4 months post op today. I've lost a total of 77 lbs and so far have had no complications or regrets. The weight loss has slowed down some but still moving in the right direction. I still want to drop another 40 lbs or so to get to my goal.

I had the grape flavored magnesium citrate. It was like a fizzy liquid sweet tart - nasty! But I was able to get it down. It didn't make my stomach hurt but I needed to be close to a bathroom the rest of the day/night. I remember breaking out the Desitin because after all those trips to to bathroom I was getting sore/raw!

I only use Unjury brand protein powders. I order it directly from Unjury.com and like others mentioned I first ordered the sample pack to decide which ones I liked. I used the Chicken Soup flavor after surgery during the clear liquid stage and it helped so much to get my protein in during those first few weeks. I really didn't care for the unflavored but the Chocolate Splendor and Vanilla were good. But my favorite is the Strawberry Sorbet mixed with Crystal Light Lemonade - so yummy and refreshing especially over ice on a hot day! I am 4 months post op and now can get all my protein from foods but I still have one strawberry lemonade "treat" every day!

I also stalled around 3 weeks post op and it lasted about a week. It's normal and if you just stick with it the scale will start moving again soon.

I've been bringing things like devilled eggs or cheese/crackers. That way I know for sure there will be something I can eat and everyone else enjoys them too.

I started feeling better about a week to a week and a half out. Like Elle said, each day got a little better. Keep moving and make sure to get your fluids & protein in.

I went in on Wednesday (1 PM surgery), discharged Friday morning.

Wow, you look wonderful! Congrats!

These sound really yummy, I am going to have to try them! Thanks for posting the recipe.

Wear something comfortable to the hospital that you can wear home again on the day you leave. I wore elastic waist pants and a loose fitting top. I was fine putting them on after surgery, but like the others said above I didn't even attempt the bra (I had an incision close to where the bra would have been).

I started feeling pretty good by a week and a half post op. I went back to work at two weeks. Now when you say "With a combo of being on the ground . ." do you mean you will actually be sitting on the ground? That may be uncomfortable getting up/down depending on how sore you are after surgery. If you have a folding chair/camp chair that might work out better for you.

I want to get a new bike too . . . I've started riding again post op but my bike is almost 20 years old. I think it 's time to replace it! My husband and kids have been riding with me on the bike trails so it's turned into a family thing which is good because it gets the kids off the laptop and moving too. I definitely would not have been biking 6 months ago!

I have a desk job as well and I took two weeks off. I was feeling pretty good at about 1 - 1 1/2 weeks out but waited until after my two week follow up to go back. It really depends on the person and how you're feeling post op. It can take some time to get your energy levels back up and you may find yourself exhausted if you try to push yourself too fast. If you are able to work from home then I would plan to do that until you feel up to returning to the office.

When you're going through it, it does seem like a long time away. But use those months to start making the changes you will need to make after surgery anyway. I stopped drinking soda/carbonated beverages/caffeine a couple months prior to surgery so it wouldn't be so hard to kick those habits post op. I also started walking daily so that it would part of my routine even before having surgery. It will be here before you know it!