alc1071

I'm almost a year post op and still have a Protein Shake a day to keep the Protein levels up. I was also told the shakes could be counted toward meeting the Fluid intake as well. Now that you're moving onto more foods, have you checked out My Fitnesss Pal? It's great for tracking all your food, calories, fluids and even exercise to see where you stand each day. Good luck!

I'm almost a year post op and still have a Protein Shake a day to keep the Protein levels up. I was also told the shakes could be counted toward meeting the Fluid intake as well. Now that you're moving onto more foods, have you checked out My Fitnesss Pal? It's great for tracking all your food, calories, fluids and even exercise to see where you stand each day. Good luck!

My story is probably very similar to many people on this site; fat guy can't lose weight, tries new diet, loses some, gains more back, rinse and repeat.
Several people in my life have had bariatric surgery, to include my wife and daughter. After yet one more failed attempt to lose weight, I finally decided to go for it. My weight was averaging around 248 before going through the process; on surgery day I was 236. My BMI was under the recommended 40, but nature felt the need to bestow me with the quartet of comorbidities; high bp, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and diabetes (didn’t know I had this until they did the blood work for my surgery).
I had surgery on 29 January 2014, and have been progressing at a really good pace. My doctor didn’t want to put me on diabetes medicination because I was so close to surgery; he wanted to see what the numbers looked like after. On surgery morning my blood sugar numbers were crazy high, 276, on 16 February, 18 days after surgery, my sugar levels were 90. I’m very happy about that. I’ve lost 24 lbs in 20 days, that also makes me happy. I’m also averaging 1 to 1.5 miles a day, walking, on the treadmill. Guess what. That also makes me happy.
I know that I’m in the “honeymoon” phase right now; the plateaus will come, the weight loss will stop and my progress will be measured in months rather than days. That’s why I’m using the time now to do things right. I’m changing my eating habits, making exercise a way of life, and trying to change my overall mindset about food. This surgery isn’t the be-all / end-all of my weight loss struggle, its one arrow in my weight loss quiver. This is a lifetime battle that I’ll continue to fight. I’ll have my setbacks, they’re bound to happen, but I’ll keep moving.
Well, that’s my story. I look forward to interacting with the folks on this site, it’s one more tool to help me succeed.

I went with the bypass surgery because I am Type 2 Diabetic and also had really bad acid reflux. Based on those conditions my surgeon recommended the bypass over other options because it works so well at "fixing" the diabetes and other surgeries could worsen my acid reflux. Almost a year out and I'm very happy with my choice.

My Isopure and Syntrax drinks are on my recommended list and count towards my liquid for the day. I put unjury chocolate Splender in my warm cocoa mix, but only to 130 degrees. Then I add some lite whipped cream.
Same for the chicken and Unflavored varieties. Whatever I add them to, I don't go over 130 degrees. Also, I make my Protein into a paste with Water first, then add the rest of my liquid (kind of like the process for pan gravy). AND I strain it before I pour it into my drinking container. I put strawberry Unjury in Crystal Lite Lemonade.

I have told very few people. Only those that I know will support me. I will not be telling any of my family other than my husband, a cousin and my mother in law, ever if I can help it. I've told a couple people at work and will have to tell my brother's doctor, but will be asking him not to tell my brother. I won't be seeing my family much for the rest of my life so I don't really think it is any of their business. Let them mn think what they want when they see me.

I had a secret surgery - and I mean SECRET.....

Aside from my surgeon, only my husband knew/knows. I am 9 months out. I NEVER regretted keeping this a secret. I joined this forum and only those here know.

Last week I had a breast cancer scare and saw several doctors, of which different family members came to different apts. That was tough because I HATED that I had to reveal to each doctor, my surgical history. I did well though with keeping my family from hearing.

I was told I was INSANE for doing this without ANY help....
My husband was out of state for work and was scared for me and didn't approve because I went through it all alone. I had one friend drop me off (lied to her why I needed ride to hospital) and had a different friend pick me up (also lied to that friend why I was there). I then took care of myself alone for the entire time. 6 weeks later, my Doctor cleared me to travel and I drove 500 miles to where husband was working.

So here is an issue I am facing....
I am 9 months out, and down 100lbs. People have indeed noticed the loss. I was VERY careful to not plan dinners with friends or go to restaurants with family - and if I did, I would generally say I wasnt too hungry or I didnt feel so great. I used the excuse of menstrual cramps pretty regularly. NO ONE questions those.

Do I feel a bit like a fraud? eh well yeah a little bit. Do I give a flying f*ck - NOPE. I could care less if anyone THINKS I had bypass.
I did have a family member ask me - and I burst out laughing in her face saying "seriously, you think I could have hidden a major surgery like that????"

My Wiff knows and NO ONE else.
I have being telling people I am seeing a Nutritionist (which I am) and I am on strict diet that only allows food with low fat and low sugar with drinking only Water (which I am). Also said I am eating a lot smaller portions (which I am).
So I am not lying to them, I am just not mentioning the surgery because it is none of their bees whack!!!!
Some tell everyone and some tell only one. There isn't a right or wrong in this.
I believe a poet once said, "It's my Prerogative!"

I have my first consultation on February 3rd. There are only two people that know I am going to go thru with the surgery. My husband and a friend I met at the weight loss seminar. I have really bad back pain along with other issues from being overweight, My friends and family think I should get a surgery on my back to fix it, but I think my weight has a lot to do with my pain. I have already had 5 surgeries on my back. It's completely up to you who you tell. Personally its just something I am going to keep to myself for now.

I wont be telling anyone (other that my mom) about my surgery. I just feel that I dont want a ton of people knowing because I dont want to hear all of the comments.

These are great ideas, thank you so much. I've had more Water today than any other day, but that's still just about 20 oz. I also did my Little Peanut Butter concoction earlier, and I'm in the process of trying to get down a banana shake ( 1oz banana, 4 oz nonfat milk, 2 oz plain Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of Equal) to try and get some more potassium in. After I wrote my earlier post, I went to lay down and started with terrible calf cramps.
I've got the crystal light but I definitely need to get some of that protein powder to add to EVERYTHING. I'm going to set my phone alarms now too!

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.

Yes ma'am! Another nurse here and have had the same stuff said. Just learned to keep my support group close and forget the others. Bothered me a lot at the start but they can all kiss it now nearly 9 months later. So much healthier and happier in my life. I honestly made the best decision for ME! I am so glad I did also. People are gonna talk and it's just the nature of the beast. You follow your heart and what's best for your life! Wishing you plenty of love, support, success, and joy in your journey!!

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!

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!

I haven't told people at my work but they do know that I'm on a serious diet. I was told that at least I'm doing it "the right way and not having surgery or starving myself." And they keep saying "when you can eat real food again"... So glad I haven't told anyone. It's no ones business but mine.

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!

LOL with the murder!!!! hahahaha, have you had jell-o? No Protein in there but at least it has a different taste. The only Protein Drink I hated was Isopure, the after taste is terrible! but I am completely in love with powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein products, I highly recommend them, absolutely NO AFTER TASTE!!!
I hope it gets better for you, and congratulations on the 20 lbs lost!!!

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.

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.

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.

Thank you all for your support! I am back on track today, and planning to discuss my behavior in therapy. I want more than anything to change my eating habits and learn to live in a normal size body and eat healthy food - to fuel my body, not my darn brain. My inner 2 year old was throwing a tantrum and I let her have her way - not again!!!

Actually by the bread and English muffins. One of my go-to dinners when my son is gone is a tortilla with scrambled egg, cheese, and salsa. Quick and not too bad for ya! Or a tortilla with retried Beans, pre-cooked chicken,cheese, and salsa... I'm all about easy when I'm kidless!
HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 202.4

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 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!