Sallyawbc

I love, love, love this book. As a nurse I am used to researching everything I get involved in and this book has answered the majority of my questions and concerns. This website has also helped me a great deal preparing for my surgery. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in bariatric surgery read this book.

GET A PASSPORT!!!!!

Hi everyone, just checking in to let you know I'm still here and doing fine. Night time nausea has stopped, still experimenting with Protein. Tried a rib-eye and it tasted so good I ate to much, dumped and felt horrible till I threw up. Ah, the lessons we have to learn. Have lost 28# and 17" since surgery 2-4. Energy level is improving and working with a trainer at the gym twice a week. Trying to train for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in DC May 3 and 4. Can only do 3 miles at a time and need to step it up. Even at my highest weight I walked 13 miles each day so I would like to do that in DC, if I can't I won't be upset, I'll just hop on the sweep van and ride till I'm rested. Hope you all are doing well cause there are so many ups and downs it can drive you to frustration, each day is better than the next (usually). Keep smiling!!!!

I hate to say it but I'm so glad to hear others in the plateau. I went 2 weeks losing nothing and just lost 2 pounds. I have been doing everything I am supposed to and that scale won't change, I even changed the battery thinking that was the problem. I don't understand it even though it is "normal" OK but 2 weeks!!!!! Doc says I should lose 20# a month, well that ain't happening. On the plus side I am losing inches but depending on the scale for the past 30 years of dieting, I WANT TO SEE THE POUNDS GONE!!!

Tearin and Mel, Please go through the other posts, at the top put in search "depression" and you will find toms of people who have or do feel the same way. The depression, mood swings and crying are NORMAL!!!!!!!! Your body is going through tremendous changes even tho you don't see them. Everyone losses at a different rate, give it time. When you do not give your body the usual amount of calories it goes into starvation mode and holds on to everything it can which is which is why you can go without food for 3 weeks before your organs shut down. We did this for a reason, we have dieted and had plateaus, gained instead of lost. Please don't beat yourself, there are tons of people here that have gone thro the same thing you are going thru!!

Tearin and Mel, Please go through the other posts, at the top put in search "depression" and you will find toms of people who have or do feel the same way. The depression, mood swings and crying are NORMAL!!!!!!!! Your body is going through tremendous changes even tho you don't see them. Everyone losses at a different rate, give it time. When you do not give your body the usual amount of calories it goes into starvation mode and holds on to everything it can which is which is why you can go without food for 3 weeks before your organs shut down. We did this for a reason, we have dieted and had plateaus, gained instead of lost. Please don't beat yourself, there are tons of people here that have gone thro the same thing you are going thru!!

Tearin and Mel, Please go through the other posts, at the top put in search "depression" and you will find toms of people who have or do feel the same way. The depression, mood swings and crying are NORMAL!!!!!!!! Your body is going through tremendous changes even tho you don't see them. Everyone losses at a different rate, give it time. When you do not give your body the usual amount of calories it goes into starvation mode and holds on to everything it can which is which is why you can go without food for 3 weeks before your organs shut down. We did this for a reason, we have dieted and had plateaus, gained instead of lost. Please don't beat yourself, there are tons of people here that have gone thro the same thing you are going thru!!

Tearin and Mel, Please go through the other posts, at the top put in search "depression" and you will find toms of people who have or do feel the same way. The depression, mood swings and crying are NORMAL!!!!!!!! Your body is going through tremendous changes even tho you don't see them. Everyone losses at a different rate, give it time. When you do not give your body the usual amount of calories it goes into starvation mode and holds on to everything it can which is which is why you can go without food for 3 weeks before your organs shut down. We did this for a reason, we have dieted and had plateaus, gained instead of lost. Please don't beat yourself, there are tons of people here that have gone thro the same thing you are going thru!!

Michele, your post made me so sad, you seem to be kicked down every time you got up. I really, really hope you get a referral for a therapist. So much of this is out of your control and I know how hard that is. I've just started my journey, my surgery was 2-4 and I'm 64 so I already have issues that I'm dealing with that get me very frustrated. Please know that everyone is pulling for you and hope you can find the help and strength you need to get back on track. Sally

Michele, your post made me so sad, you seem to be kicked down every time you got up. I really, really hope you get a referral for a therapist. So much of this is out of your control and I know how hard that is. I've just started my journey, my surgery was 2-4 and I'm 64 so I already have issues that I'm dealing with that get me very frustrated. Please know that everyone is pulling for you and hope you can find the help and strength you need to get back on track. Sally

Hello guys, Rinny11, I think a lot of what we have to do is required by the insurance companies. My surgeon said the medical and history forms he fills out are actually required by the ins. I think it also shows who is really committed to the whole process. Those who feel the pre-op requirements are to hard will not do well after the surgery.
Now it's been 12 days since my surgery and have had a few episodes of nausea related to eating to much and once after yogurt. Well, last night I had sugar-free vanilla pudding and about 2 hours later a chewable Multivitamin (first time for both). All of a sudden I started gagging and tried to throw up, nothing there but once I it was over I felt great. Weird!!! I will put both of those on my No No list for now. Maybe I was pushing a little but I will stay with my soft mushy Protein and try to be a good girl. (lost 11 pounds since surgery WOW)

The Doc: Post-ops – this one’s for you! (However, if you're a pre-op, you'll benefit a bunch by reading this before your procedure!) A friendly warning for everyone reading this article – pre- or post-op – these words are not for the faint of heart! You're going to be asked some questions and also asked to be 100% completely honest with yourself as you answer the questions! Don’t worry too much. The questions are few in number. You don’t even have to tell anybody else your answers, but if you tell yourself even a “little white lie” you’ll be doing yourself a great disservice. The reason? Recovery from obesity requires being completely honest with yourself about what you are doing and what you’re not doing to manage a healthy weight. Then you have to honestly decide what you are willing to do if you want what you told your weight loss surgery medical team you wanted: your health back and to be able to do things you couldn't when carrying an extra 100 + pounds.


The Post Op: Sounds ominous, doesn’t it? Just what are these questions? Can you flunk the test? The good news is, this isn’t a test, but the questions can test your patience a bit, and might be challenging to answer. The goal is honesty, so just do your best and don’t worry, we’ll go easy on you. It won’t take long to figure out that there are many more questions where these came from (and the answers will likely be the same!)
What the Nutritionist told you (and hopefully the psychologist, your PCP and the WLS surgeon, as well):
1. In some way, shape or form, during your pre-surgical preparation, the dietician told you that in order to keep your weight off over time, you are going to have to eat “healthy” portions of the right foods (and by “healthy” we do not mean “healthy” = huge; we mean “healthy” as in nutritionally healthy portions = measured/reasonable amounts of food).

Questions:
a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS?
b. Did you agree that you would, indeed eat “healthy” portions of food after the surgery (with an implied, forever more)?
c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to maintaining “healthy” portions of the right foods after surgery? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.)
d. ARE YOU DOING IT? Are you maintaining “healthy” portions of the right foods ever since you’ve had WLS?
a. If not, what’s up???
b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? 2. In some way, shape or form, during your pre-surgical preparation, the dietician told you that in order to keep your weight off over time, you need to eliminate or reduce/minimize the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, Pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, Cookies, etc.).

Questions:

a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS?
b. Did you agree that you would, indeed eliminate or reduce/minimize the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, cookies, etc.)?
c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to eliminate or reduce/minimize the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, cookies, etc.)? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.)
d. ARE YOU DOING IT? Have you eliminated or reduced/minimized the simple carbs that you eat (meaning white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white bread, most “baked goods,” “junk food,” and sugary foods (most “baked goods,” candy, soda, sweet tea, cake, cookies, etc.)ever since you’ve had WLS?
a. If not, what’s up???
b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? What the Physician told you (bariatric surgeon and/or primary care physician):
3. It is important that you utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise.

a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS?
b. Did you agree that you would, indeed utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise?
c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.)
d. ARE YOU DOING IT? DID YOU DO IT? Are you/Did you utilize the first 12 – 18 months (the “honeymoon period”) to establish healthy lifestyle habits regarding food and exercise?
a. If not, what’s up???
b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? 4. It is important that you engage in and maintain some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss.

e. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS?
f. Did you agree that you would, indeed engage in and maintain some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss?
g. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to engage in and maintain some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.)
h. ARE YOU DOING IT? Are you engaging in and maintaining some form of physical exercise (keeping in mind your physical conditions) more days of the week than not, in order to maintain your weight loss ever since you’ve had WLS?
a. If not, what’s up???
b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? What the Psychologist/Mental Health Provider told you:
5. It is important that you fully understand that unless you do what the doctor and nutritionist tell you to do for the rest of your life, you can (and most likely will) regain your weight. Are you willing to follow through with the nutrition and exercise guidelines after surgery in order to keep the weight off? (And if you’re lucky, they encouraged you to seek therapy if you struggle).

a. Did you get this message during your pre-surgical preparation for WLS?
b. Did you agree that you would, indeed, do what the doctor and nutritionist told you to do for the rest of your life, or you could (and most likely would) regain your weight?
c. Did you mean what you said when you agreed to do what the doctor and nutritionist told you to do for the rest of your life, or you could (and most likely would) regain your weight? (I’m fairly certain you did mean it.)
d. ARE YOU DOING IT? DID YOU DO IT? Are you doing what the doctor and nutritionist told you to do in order to prevent regaining your weight?
a. If not, what’s up???
b. If not, what are you willing to do in order to get back on track with this? ARE YOU WILLING TO GO TO THERAPY? The Post Op & The Doc:
Above we have noted five topics basic to nearly every surgical weight loss program in this country:

1) the need to eat healthy portions of healthy foods,
2) the need to minimize simple carbohydrates,
3) using the first year to learn and implement healthy habits,
4) engaging in, and maintaining healthy support, and
5) it is possible to regain weight after WLS if you don’t follow what you were advised to do. The Post Op & The Doc have seventeen years collectively working in this field. We have seen and talked with thousands of patients who have shared with us that they did hear this information before surgery, they agreed to do what they learned, and they meant it. Yet many have been unable to follow through. That’s normal. It’s difficult to make the behavioral changes needed to keep weight off. If you start to regain, you can catch yourself and get headed in a healthy direction.

Many people are doing what it takes to get back on track so that they can get and keep their excess weight off. They do what they set out to do when they decided to have weight loss surgery: Improve their health and have the ability to do more of the things they want to do.

The best way to get into the habits needed to maintain a healthy weight or to get back on track is to use the Gotta Do Em's. The Gotta Do Em's are what it takes to get and keep weight off:

1. Make Healthy Food Choices
2. Maintain Portion Control
3. Exercise Regularly
4. Drink Water
5. Eat Breakfast
6. Plan Your Meals and Follow Your Plan
7. Keep a Food Diary
8. Keep an Exercise Diary
9. Use a Healthy Support System
10. Get Individual and/or Group Therapy There are lots of excuses for not following the Gotta Do Em's. It would be easy to say that you were overwhelmed with all of the information you were given pre-surgery and couldn’t possibly understand everything you agreed to. It would easy to say that you were just trying to get your forms completed so you could qualify for surgery and you therefore agreed to whatever you needed to. It would be easy to say you didn’t know then what you know now, so you were committing to things you weren’t prepared to honor.

Well, none of that matters because, the truth is, you can do what you said you would do and, if you really want what you say you want (improved health and a better quality of life), you must do those things you said you would.

The good news? You don’t need to do them alone. In fact, as A Post Op & A Doc always say, “No one can do this for you, but you can’t do it alone.” We all need support to sustain the Gotta Do ‘Em's. So utilize the support offered by your medical team, your program’s support group, and the people who love you and do the things you said you’d do! You’ll feel great about yourself and will get the results you were looking for as you headed into weight loss surgery.
A Post Op & A Doc have a copy of the Gotta Do ‘Em’s (and a lot more free handouts for you) at www.conniestapletonphd.com/apod and on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/apostopandadoc .

Cari DeLaCruz (The Post Op)
cari@apostopandadoc.com
www.conniestapleton.com/apod

Connie Stapleton, Ph.D. (The Doc)
connie@apostopandadoc.com
www.conniestapleton.com/apod

So glad to hear you so happy. You've had your fair share of roadblocks and hope from now on you have smooth sailing.

Back from first post-op visit had surgery 2-4 and all is well. All my concerns like sore throat, normal, left side pain normal, tired and weak, normal. He wants me to have more Protein and food so off liquid diet on to mushy pureed meat and cheese. Had refried Beans and cheese (1Tablespoon) for lunch, so good!!!!
That first week is hard, the pain some times is very intense and sharp, you can't get comfortable, you depend on everyone else and you wonder if this is worth it, yep, before u know you will be up and about. Today I saw the MD, went out to eat, went to wildbird store to buy feed for my outdoor friends and went to the grocery, maybe that was pushing it, but had a great day!!!!
Patience my friends, baby steps and you will make.

Jane4180, Here are the Soups my MD recommends, Campbell split pea, condensed Beef Barley, chicken veg, chicken gumbo, clam chowder, Italian wedding, lentil.
Puree until all lumps out or strain. I love the pea Soup and clam chowder, I have only 1/3 a cup, if I have more I get sick.
Saw my MD for post op and he advanced me to puree mushy food. Had refried Beans and cheese for lunch, great Protein and tasted so good. dinner was pureed dark chicken with mayo and a little cheese. He was very pleased with my progress so I feel like I'm on the right track. He said the cheese sticks were good also.
Hope this helps, let me know!

Jane4180, I am 1 week post op and weigh more than I weighted 2 weeks before surgery, talk about depression. OK, lets look at your weight loss, 25-30# in 2 months, keep that up and it's 50# in April, 75# June, 100# in August. I think you are doing a fabulous job. Now go back to your diet instructions!!! No chocolate, Cut out as much of the carbs as you can, refried Beans is very good, have you tried pureed Soups, they fill you up. can you eat scrambled eggs, do not eat white meat, it is to dry. Use dark meat and gravy or a sauce to help it slide through.
Your diet history sounds just like mine, but I know I could not lose that much weight if I were to just diet. We all lose at a different speed so sit back re-examine your food and schedule that you eat and cheer up, we are all going through the same thing and we support you 100%.

I am 5 days post surgery and all my pain is the left side. This is where my surgeon explained he stands and does all the work, pushing and prodding. I also have a very very large bruise. I only need support there when I walk. I was also instructed to take only Dulcolax if no poo in 2-3 days once I start mushy food, Constipation is a "normal" side effect. Surgery site pain is also normal, nerves can remain irritated and painful for a long time so just give it more time (sorry). All surgeries are different and all people respond differently, I had a shoulder surgery many years ago that took 6 months before I could say I had no pain. Hang in there and just thing 6 months down the line, instead of () we will be )(.

cfergie911, I am so sorry you are alone and feeling so down. I have read that depression and mood swings are very common. Can you do what I just posted. Get on FB and e-mail, let them know you that you need a hug. I know they cannot be there but just knowing they care will help. Please call your surgeons office tomorrow and they should refer you to a therapist. Please don't feel alone, so many people do care about you.
I know your in Kansas and I'm in CA but I am sending you a big hug your way, right now!!!!!!

cfergie911, I am so sorry you are alone and feeling so down. I have read that depression and mood swings are very common. Can you do what I just posted. Get on FB and e-mail, let them know you that you need a hug. I know they cannot be there but just knowing they care will help. Please call your surgeons office tomorrow and they should refer you to a therapist. Please don't feel alone, so many people do care about you.
I know your in Kansas and I'm in CA but I am sending you a big hug your way, right now!!!!!!

Hi post-opers, I'm 5 days post surgery moving slowly along. Eating anything that will go through a straw but you sip it. Had sugar free Jello, blended pureed strained clam chowder, OMG, tasted so good. Found that I must stick to 1/3 cup and no more or my stomach really hurts. I also cannot sleep on my back so trying to adjust too back sleeping. I made the mistake of getting on the scale and was 12# over my pre-surgery weight, so stupid!! I was puffy and hands swollen, should have known better.
I told a very small group of close friends and family that I was having surgery cause I kept waiting for it to be canceled or for me to chicken out. Today I announced everything on FB and e-mail. I received the most heart melting responses from everyone, enough to make me cry.
This journey is a life long one. 2008 I had breast cancer, surgery, chemo, radiation and recovery was a pit stop which has pasted. If I can do that I can do anything. Glad to have all of you with me on our journey

Hi everybody, I am back home in my own night gown and bed. Had surgery Tuesday and doing pretty good today. I know everyone has questions so here goes:
1. Admission went pretty fast, but long delays between pre-op to surgery, once in surgery was put under within 2 minutes. Woke up in a lot of pain in recovery, very nice nurse, tried very hard to keep on top of the pain. Room wasn't ready for 4 hours so Rosa made sure I was warm and I get very cold after surgery.
2. first 16 hours were very painful. Had morphine pump and pushed that thing as often as I could. Got very swollen from the gas injected to keep the stomach skin lifted off the organs and the amount of IV fluids given. Both of my hands were swollen. Got up to walk around the hall ways, shaky and weak but makes you feel stronger. I had a hiatal hernia repair which is a hole in the diaphragm next to the esophagus from the stomach fat pushing on the diaphragm, so the upper abdomen was very painful, also the left side is where the surgeon stands and works the instrument so that is hurting now. I had a ventral hernia previously and the scar tissue made the entry a little harder.
3. Later in the morning felt so good, foley out, walked easier, drinking broth (how do you make broth taste bad, love chamomile tea tasted wonderful. Got cranberry juice which I hate and diet lemonade was too sweet. called kitchen and was told they were all out of other diet drinks ??!!.
4. Someone decided the floors needed to be stripped and cleaned at 9:30 at night, by 10 to 10 I was exhausted, hurting and tired and wanted to sleep, called the nurses station and asked to talk to the night hospital supervisor and was told I had to speak to the charge nurse. 45 minutes later she came in and listened to my calm but teary complaint and told be that had been complaining for weeks that this should not be done at night on a surgery floor. She gave me the number to the supervisor and was very understanding, gave me a sleep kit and believe it or not I slept about 4 hours all totaled, of course had to have my heparin shots, compression stockings, and electric leg massagers which I actually love.
Need to take a break so will continue later. need a nap.

I was told Isopure is a good clear liquid Protein that was good for post op. 40gm Protein and lots of flavors. A little expensive about $4.00 for 2 servings. Also found New whey, 42 grams, several flavors. I have not tried any of them yet. Also you can mix the non-flavored powder in with these or crystal lite so you don't use milk.
I laughed after I read this because $4 for 2 meals of protein is nothing considering what we pay for fast food. I was instructed at my pre-surgery meeting yesterday to stay with whey isolate rather that soy. You should get this info at your dietician or nutritionist meeting before surgery. If not, ask to see one.

Count down to Tuesday, positive attitude!!! Had nails done, clear polish as instructed, pedicure and hair cut. Will color tomorrow with warm honey blond to get rid of that grey. I'm preparing for this surgery like I'm going on a date?!!! In a way, it is because this will effect the rest of my life. My son gave me a gift card to Kohl's for $100.00 to be used for skinny clothes, what a guy. I usually visit him in MI in May but this year I'm delaying the trip till the fall so I can model those clothes. He is really my main incentive, all for the love of a child, which he still is at 44!

OK girls, my surgery is Tuesday and I have a lot of the same thoughts spinning through my head but I'm 64, 65 in April! I'm not married but I know I will have chicken wing arms and wobbly thighs and will definitely going for a Tummy Tuck as soon as they let me. I plan on announcing to friends and family on FB when I get home from the hospital. To calm my worries I bought new pretty night gowns, no elastic waists, for home, new robe and slippers for the hospital. I have started to give some of my fat clothes away and all those loose baggy sweats with paint stains are gone.
I went to my Zumba class today for the last time for a while and watched myself in those mirrors and all doubt and fear was gone. Just the thought of seeing 1/2 of me some day is enough to give me courage and confidence that this is the right thing for me. I know people who have cancelled the day before their surgery, after working 6-9 months to get there. But we all have our personal feelings, fear and hopes. So guys, let's go for it and report back when we get home and feel up to sharing. Best wishes, hugs and happy thoughts to you all!!!!

OK girls, my surgery is Tuesday and I have a lot of the same thoughts spinning through my head but I'm 64, 65 in April! I'm not married but I know I will have chicken wing arms and wobbly thighs and will definitely going for a Tummy Tuck as soon as they let me. I plan on announcing to friends and family on FB when I get home from the hospital. To calm my worries I bought new pretty night gowns, no elastic waists, for home, new robe and slippers for the hospital. I have started to give some of my fat clothes away and all those loose baggy sweats with paint stains are gone.
I went to my Zumba class today for the last time for a while and watched myself in those mirrors and all doubt and fear was gone. Just the thought of seeing 1/2 of me some day is enough to give me courage and confidence that this is the right thing for me. I know people who have cancelled the day before their surgery, after working 6-9 months to get there. But we all have our personal feelings, fear and hopes. So guys, let's go for it and report back when we get home and feel up to sharing. Best wishes, hugs and happy thoughts to you all!!!!