angelface811

Congratulations!! You definitely need to be monitored much more closely for the safety of you and baby. So they may deem you "high risk" just because you require extra monitoring. I don't know where you had your WLS done but your bariatric surgeon could be an excellent resource. See how familiar your gynecologist is in caring for a pregnant WLS patient. A visit to the Nutritionist may be a good idea as well so they can suggest an eating plan that is good for the 2 of you. Hydration is more important than ever. I know you will do great! Listen to your body mama...

I agree with the other posts. I would seek out either another opinion or clarification of your diagnosis and treatment. Antibiotics are pretty hard on the stomach as well. Best of luck to you. I hope you feel better soon.

Wow! Great ideas please keep them coming! Really appreciated.

I agree some of the previous responses were too harsh. In the future hopefully you will be able to add the watermelon. Your body could have also been quite thirsty and watermelon has a high Water content. I actually experience some dumping with certain fruits but for the most part handle them very well. I am almost one year post-op. I reached my surgeons goal a while ago and am working on reaching a lower BMI and increasing muscle mass. Previously I saw that someone had said no carbs and no sugar ever. Incorrect. Our bodies need carbs and sugar for brain function and energy etc. We simply have to be quite a bit more restrictive with them. Also, as far as not being able to have pastries and such. Guess what? I make my own. Yep...they are many bariatric friendly recipes and I have been coming up with my own as well. I make delicious flourless breads and muffins which my family loves. You can absolutely live deliciously but it does require a bit of research and experimentation in the kitchen. People always apologize and say "oh I'm sorry you can't have that can you," pitying me. So, when the family gets together I make bariatric friendly dishes and don't tell them until after...lol. Yesterday I made an apple crisp (no sugar except what is in the fruit) and I made a buffalo chicken dip with Greek yogurt and reduced fat/calorie cheese with quinoa chips which have 8g of Protein per serving plus all of the protein in chicken, cheese, and Greek yogurt. I told them after they ate it all up, as well as a little for myself, it was "bariatric friendly" and they were shocked. Don't pity me people of the world I can still eat yummy foods...lol...but that is the stigma that comes with the surgery. My guidelines are also very strict. In my classes we had forever do's and forever don'ts concerning food and behavior. We never had to buy any shakes or foods from the University's Hospital I went to (personally I think it's a way to take advantage and make a chunk of change from patients) but in order to think the best of people it could also be because they care about what you ingest those first few weeks. Like it was mentioned before guidelines vary from program to program. Even from the most prestigious of places. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I think we can all agree we want the best for each other and want all to succeed. Sometimes we just don't put it as delicately as we should. But such is our dealings with the outside world as well. Don't let it scare you away please continue to share and contribute your triumphs and struggles. ????

Almost all of my female friends who have had bariatric surgery have experienced hair loss including myself to varying degrees. My hair was very fine and thinning to begin with because of my thyroid. I asked my hairdresser about extensions and she told me until the hair loss stopped the extensions they would install would come out. Clip ins might work but my hair is so fine the clip won't grab on. Having dark hair makes it more noticeable but coloring it is not an option for me. I have glazed it though. I do also have a wig which I love because it gives me a different look. I am only 38 by the way. I am a year out and I now have a normal BMI. Weight loss has slowed and so has the hair loss. A lot...for now I use wide decorative headband to cover the most bare spots and I love to use the hair Fiber product called Toppik. It's a powder and you can purchase an adapter so you don't have to worry about the mess of sprinkling it in your head you just point and squeeze. It works so good for me. I knew this might happen ahead of time but my mind was made up and I don't regret it one bit. Just had to become resourceful and creative. Sorry for the long post????

Once you are healed and able to progress to normal foods you have countless options in regards to food. The key is proper education on nutrition before having surgery and not trying to "wing it" after surgery. Suggested post-operative eating after surgery in regards to all bariatric surgery is the same. Just because you have the RNY doesn't guarantee you will have dumping syndrome. There is a percentage of patients that will ingest sugary and/or fried foods and will not experience the syndrome. Unfortunately, many patients think dumping syndrome is simply having immediate diarrhea after eating. Diarrhea is only one of the potential symptoms of dumping. Other symptoms of dumping can be abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, hot flashes, feeling faint, confusion. Reference the Mayo Clinic's website they have a great description. In addition some patients have reported dumping after eating certain fruits. I am one of them. After all fruit does have fructose a.k.a sugar in it. The truth of the matter is until we have our surgeries whether it be the sleeve or bypass we don't know how our new bodies will react. I know this is lengthy but another point is that some of our loved ones think we can't eat very much because we can't eat the same foods they can. So they see us as poor deprived human beings who are being punished by having this surgery. We are choosing to live a healthier lifelong lifestyle. I love to bring bariatric friendly dishes and Snacks to gatherings not just so that I will have something to eat but to show them how many yummy foods we can have. Many people end up re-gaining weight after reaching their goal because they think I've lost it so now I can partake in everything or because they thought weight was the issue when in fact it was a symptom of something they haven't dealt with emotionally. Lots of things to think about huh? I am so happy with my decision to have gastric bypass and after losing the weight I continue to educate myself and others on nutrition and coming up with new dishes. After learning how to eat I don't feel deprived...I live deliciously!

Your doing great girl! Everyone is so different in regards to the pace of their weight loss. You'll get there...just stick to the guidelines.

Loma Linda holds a informational/support group on the second Monday of every month from 6:30 to about 7:45. Topics vary...it is rather large at this time and is currently being run by the professional staff. The last group was on transfer addictions, we have also gone over nutrition, and next month, April will be an ask the surgeon session. It is open to those thinking of surgery, pre/op, post/op, etc. Doesn't matter where you had surgery you are welcome. It is held at the Loma Linda Heart and Surgical Hospital located at the corner of Barton rd. and New Jersey. There are plans in the works for further support and programs. LLUMC is trying to become a truly comprehensive program. Not just a do your surgery and your on your merry way. Come check it out...

I would definetly encourage your doctor to run a full thyroid panel. I have hypothyroidism and when I had my 6 month check up my thyroid levels had dropped. So I went from 150 mcg to 175 mcg of levothyroxine. I have been taking 150mcg for years now. I don't know if the drop is related to the surgery or not. I agree with a possible need for calorie adjustment. You need to find your sweet spot. I have to up my calories if I am really active that day or I am on my monthly cycle. If I don't I feel a difference. Measurements are a great tool. I started from the beginning. I measure my neck, biceps, forearms, chest, waist, hips, the largest part of my thigh and the largest part of my shin. Phew! I re-measure every 4-6 weeks and I do the same for my best friend. My weight loss began to slow, but not stop at about 6 months. I am now 11 months out and I have hit not only my doctor's role but I'm on par to hit my personal goal. I am 5'4 large frame and my personal goal is 135 pounds. According to the "national weight charts" I should weigh between 113-141. I am currently in a 4/6. My next goal is gaining more muscle mass so my body burns more calories both at rest and when I work out. So I am shooting for the fitness range. Sounds like your doing great just need some adjustments perhaps.

Hi guys this is angelface. I am so glad to hear from you guys. My surgery was also May 5th, 2014. I have been doing great! I have already hit my doctor's goal (100 pound loss) and am currently working on my personal goal (11 pounds to go). I am trying to increase my muscle mass as well. I have been very involved with the Bariatric Center (university) I had surgery at. I love encouraging and supporting others. No deficiencies at all bloodwork looks great. Co-morbidities gone!

I didn't despise myself...it was more like I despised the medical issues that got me there. The tragedies I had endured. I had Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Metabolic Syndrome, Obstructive sleep Apnea and then some. I lost 102 pounds on my own and was on pace to lose the weight I needed to. The key to my success was exercise and I would work out faithfully at least 8 hours a week. Then I tore my right hip. At the same time my thyroid plummeted. I gained 40 pounds in a snap but managed to keep some of the weight I lost off. After that I saw several top orthopedic surgeons and found out that I not only had a labral tear, but bone spurs and the femoral head needed to be re-surfaced to fit into the joint. The doctor said he could do arthroscopic hip surgery but it was a minimum of 6 weeks on crutches. He was honest and said because I was overweight putting that much weight on my hip would be detrimental to the recovery and put me at a higher surgical risk. He recommended that bariatric surgery, which I previously looked into, may be a good option for me. It might take enough pressure off of the joint to relieve the pain I felt and put off surgery. If the weight loss didn't work at least I would be much lighter when I had the surgery and easier with the crutches. I am turning 40 next year so it's best for me to put off hip surgery as it could go very wrong and leave me with a limp. So far so good. I am currently 5'4 and 145 pounds. My doctors goal was 150 and my personal goal is 135 which would give me a little cushion. I am technically suppose to weigh between 113-141lbs based on current weight charts. My doctor fully supports me. I am a size small/medium on top and 6 on the bottom. My highest weight ever was 302 pounds. Emotionally I have had to work through being molested as a child, witnessing the horrific death of my first husband and having severe post-partum depression. I re-married and had a baby boy and apparently the PTSD put me at a much higher risk for developing that type of depression. He is now 12. These are the main issues I have had to deal with emotionally and have been in therapy for the last 20+ years. I currently help mentor others that have had the surgery especially the ones who were not properly educated pre-surgery. It's funny because they blame the doctors but this is an elective surgery and ultimately your choice. You have to do some research on your own. What is the good, bad, and the ugly of this surgery and how it can impact me? Lack of personal accountability is very present. But you being a nurse previously in the field I think you know the bulk of this information. I accepted the risks and rewards of the surgery. My Type 2 Diabetes was gone before I left the hospital...my high blood pressure gone in a week. Apnea is gone. I can't help the thyroid (just test frequently it did drop again during my weight loss and we had to bump up my meds)...but the hip is 90% better. My pastor came to visit me and pray with me even though I was 1.5 hours away. My anthem song was "I will never be the same again" He sang it to me at my bedside, he loves to sing. If you have never heard it take a listen. If you have any other questions ask away.????

I had gastric bypass surgery and am maintaining my goal weight. My advice to you would be to ask yourself why lap-band failed? That's not to be meant in an insensitive way but to search inside yourself for that answer. It could be the device, you never felt full, medical circumstances, or not following guidelines. Are you in need of working on some deep personal and emotional issues...I know I had to. By doing so before surgery for many years and continuing that therapy it has helped immensely in my success. So many people do it backwards. They have the surgery, lose the weight, regain the weight and sometimes it's as a result of not dealing with emotional issues or eating issues and turning to food for comfort. Also, do you need further education with nutrition. When it comes to gastric bypass nutrition and education is key and ongoing...Lastly, if you have all of these in line I would encourage you to have the bypass. For myself, I was watching my life go by and not being a full and active participant in it. I would avoid gatherings with my husband's coworkers because in his field let's just say it would be harshly judged. I wouldn't do certain activities because my weight got in the way but my heart sure wanted to do it. None of us know how many days we have but we need to live our days with as much happiness and joy as we can. Tragedy does occur...yes that was part of my problem. But I was determined to fight for myself and with God and the physicians he has provided I have been able to do so. Remember that losing the weight isn't going to solve all of your problems...but from personal experience it has empowered me and made me stronger in conjunction with the treatment I received previously. I hope this makes sense and I really do mean it in a loving way because I want you to succeed and overcome!!

I am now 8 months out of surgery and 6 pounds away from my goal weight. I developed some great relationships with the professionals I worked with at the "un-named" university I had my surgery. I was really flattered when they called me up to ask if I could represent the program as a patient. There will be over 1000 people in attendance. If you were a potential patient coming to visit our informational booth what would you like to here? I have mentored others and I absolutely love it. All opinions are welcomed...thank you with all my heart❤️

I agree...if you are eating correctly and getting in all protein and all liquids it could be a deficiency. But if you are not getting the nutrition and hydration you should be I would say there is your problem. Regardless I would begin journaling daily. Minimally include your liquid and protein intake and when you are taking them in. What time of the day you are most tired? Utilizing a Cpap?A vitamin checklist etc etc....commit to keeping a detailed journal for a week because either way it will help you or your doc pin down what might be behind that low energy.

I absolutely agree with the previous comment. My best friend and I both had the RNY at two very"prestigious" places. But there are differences in our diets. What is allowed and what is not. Certain foods she could eat I was unable to eat until much further out. Utilize the nutritionist they should have on staff. Foods may seem monotonous in the beginning but don't worry little by little your choices will increase. I think we can all agree that protein and hydration are key at this point.