v4victory

Greetings: I am now located in Cedartown, Georgia. My Gastric Bypass surgery was done in Indianapolis, Indiana in March, 2013..

Hi All: This is my third week enjoying the blessing of finding not only a heated swimming pool, but a hot tub as well. God is good! In Rome, Georgia, they have a YMCA with just what I need. My health insurance provider told me about it, and it's great that I'm covered to participate at eligible fitness locations free of charge. Hooray for the wonderful SilverSneakers program!

Hi Vjrich: I'm in Cedartown.

Hi All: I moved from Indiana to beautiful Northwest Georgia in August 2013. I'm doing OK, but would be much better if I hadn't started "grazing" in November and December 2013. I researched information about grazing which is a form of "binging" & it's a serious eating disorder. My weight loss plateau for these two months with no further change proved I was sabotaging myself. Now I know that I must find a good weight loss support group to attend weekly to fight food addiction. Also, there's no heated pool where I live now for water fitness, which is the only way I can safely exercise with Fibromyalgia. Thank God my new stomach pouch limits my food intake from six to eight ounces max. No matter how good a meal tastes, & how much I want to continue eating, when my stomach pouch gets full, I immediately stop eating to avoid getting sick and dumping. I only overeat when I'm distracted and not paying attention to my feeding. It's real important for me to avoid eating while watching TV or sitting at the computer because suddenly I become sick with a tight stomach needing relief because it's overstuffed! It's shocking how I can repeatedly use a fork to spear food, raise it to put food into my mouth, chew and swallow the food, and not be conscious of what I'm doing when my attention is focused on something else. Rome, Georgia has a Bariatric Center of Excellence facility, so I'll try there since no Overeaters Anonymous, or Meetup Groups for weight loss are anywhere in my area. To date, I am at (-74) pounds since Gastric Bypass Surgery in March, 2013.

ccwolf3 I understand how you feel. I have so many wonderful changes to look forward to with excess weight loss since my bariatric surgery, but I have to admit that I've been sabotaging myself because I've been rebelling against the food limitations. I pray that you will be able to face your "demons" too so you can begin to really heal.

Kesetosis? Yuck! Never heard of it, so I Googled. It sounds awful. I am more sensitive to odors (and excessively loud noise) now, more than before surgery.

Hi iamworthit: I lived in Jacksonville, FL for 3 1/2 years. Pretty city with all of those bridges and beaches, but crime ruins it. My favorite beaches are in the Gulf "Emerald" Coast. Was a frequent flyer between JAX and Indpls.

I won't miss my hip circulation being cut-off, requesting seatbelt extenders, or fearing that persons sitting next to me will insist on lowering the armrests, in those tiny jetliner seats.

So happy to have lost 47 pounds since my March 22, 2013 RNY surgery. I can already tell the difference in how clothes I had to put-aside now fit better. My family is excited and proud of my progress and looking forward to continual improvements. I have faith that many of my co-morbid stuff will be alleviated over time along with my weight loss. I notice family disappointment when they want me to do something even now and I won't because of Fibromyalgia pain. My blood pressure, osteoarthritis in both knees (needing replacement) and my spine should improve. I don't know if I can expect that with Fibro. How is it working-out for you so far?

I did some serious reading in my textbook "Emotional First Aid," which brought me back on track from my eating frenzy. Now that I've reached 60+ days post-op, I'm allowed Stage 5: 4 oz. Regular Diet. I had trouble eating previously because I was trying to eat regular foods. My stomach pouch won't tolerate fried foods (like bacon or chicken), rice, beef stroganoff, or baked chicken breast (too dry). I will follow the bariatric diet, take it slowly, and see what works best for my digestive system. Also I am learning what it feels like when my pouch is becoming full, so I can avoid overload which causes discomfort and dumping.

Hi bequi: I've lost 38 pounds in two months post-op. I got into trouble with being stubborn at trying to eat regular foods. I did some serious reading in my textbook "Emotional First Aid," which brought me back on track from my eating frenzy. Now that I've reached 60+ days post-op, I'm allowed Stage 5: 4 oz. Regular Diet. I had trouble eating previously because I was trying to eat regular foods. My stomach pouch won't tolerate fried foods (like bacon or chicken), rice, beef stroganoff, or baked chicken breast (too dry). I will take it slowly and see what works best for my digestive system. Also I am learning what it feels like when my pouch is becoming full, so I can avoid overload which causes discomfort and dumping.

RNY Evangelist, thank you for encouragement

I'm not eating right, I'm struggling big-time. I know the Bariatric surgery is a tool and I will be on a restricted diet for the rest of my life, but I still have to deal with food addition. I see a TV commercial, picture, or think of foods I like and my mouth starts watering and I crave tasting that food. I've been at several family feast events, and after seeing/smelling the food, I begin a battle of trying to tweak my stomach pouch limitations so I can have some of that food. Until the end of May I am limited to 3 oz. pureed meals, and believe me that's all my pouch can hold. It makes me dump if I eat too much or if the food is fried (like chicken, or bacon). Even though I bought a blender, I insist that I can still eat regular food if I "puree" it by chewing it good with my teeth! I've never been into cooking; only went for fixing something quick, or getting something already prepared--instant gratification. Potato chips, cookies, ice cream, and chocolate candy are things I've always snacked and ate as meals. They are the "trigger foods" that I can no longer have in my home! My Bariatric program provides counselors, dietitians, nurses, doctors--anything I need. Looks like I better make an appointment to see a counselor ASAP! .

Hi sazzygirl. To answer your question about the shots: LOVENOX® helps reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis—also known as DVT blood clots—to help avoid a potential pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing abdominal surgery, hip-replacement surgery, knee-replacement surgery, or medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness.

We've found in a few conversations that we have a lot of the same unusual experiences. Did you know that people with Fibromyalgia who are sensitive to smells and noise, are experiencing heightened sensitivities in those areas after weight loss surgery? We can help each other by caring, and sharing info.

denisse g: About eating, taking chewable calcium citrate tabs and protein powder, I've been having a hard time. One thing for sure is I learned to take the calcium citrate before brushing my teeth and tongue, because that stuff leaves a coating on my tongue that alters the taste of food all day. I remember some time ago wishing there was something available to decrease my tastebud cravings for food--well that chewable calcium citrate definitely messes with my tastebuds. I managed to find one tasty thing I enjoy eating as a 3 ounce meal. That's ground turkey mixed with taco seasoning mix, and topped with salsa. It really helps when people around me are eating pizza too.

Hi denisse g: Glad to find we share the same surgery date. I had no problems with gas because after 3 past abdominal surgeries with the chief complication being gas pains, I couldn't bear to have it happen again. I got up and walked whenever I could. Wearing the binder made it easier for me to move around by holding me together.

Hi March, 2013 group. My surgery date was March 22nd at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. My excellent surgeon was Hazem N. Shamseddeen. My surgery went great, and I'm struggling with getting-down the daily protein supplement powder and chewable calcium citrate requirements. I look forward to sharing ideas and encouragement with you all.

Hi March, 2013 group. My surgery date was March 22nd. I look forward to sharing ideas and encouragement with you all.

cathyh thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement. God bless

Thanks momlambert, I'm doing good, except problems with taking some of the vitamins and protein supplement powders, eating and super-sensitive to smells.

Wow! Is there a group here for us with Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Osteoarthritis, & Chronic Pain?

nursemissy, I'll send you a pm

Hi All: I am age 59 and will be 60 August, 2013. My RNY surgery was March, 2013 in Indianapolis, IN, at St. Francis Hospital. Looks like this group may be the best fit for me.

Absolutely agreed. With Fibromyalgia, I'm already used to being sensitive to bad smells as soon as they hit my nose. Now after having Bariatric surgery, my nose is super-sensitive. For instance a group of family members came to check-on me after surgery and I couldn't stand the smell of their breaths. They kept hugging and kissing me, and I had to keep holding my breath. Finally, I spoke with the mom in private tactfully offering oral hygiene supplies if needed, and she said they all had dinner seasoned with garlic before coming to see me that night. While seasoning chicken breast to bake in my oven, I had to rush to the bathroom to vomit. I couldn't believe I had just dumped from the smell of food. The smell of the protein supplement powder I have to use, and the Chewable Calcium Citrate tablets set me off constantly. I hate the smell of these, and fear they will make me dump as well.