Ginger Snaps

The amount of Protein you need per day is something your NUT and/or doctor would decide for you. It's based on your height and weight (and probably sex, too). My goal is 60 grams a day. I haven't heard of anybody with a number lower than that. I'm only 5'4". Do you have any brochures or booklets or paperwork from surgery? Could you just call your NUT or doctor and ask them? I've seen a lot of people on the boards who have much higher goals.

My criteria for telling people is: Do we have a relationship already (close friends, close coworkers, etc.) and are they genuinely interested. I only told 2 people at work presurgery but now I tell anyone that asks that seems sincere and interested. This topic is discussed over and over on the boards and it comes down to what you feel is right for you. Personally, I would feel dishonest if it's someone I know well who asks and seems genuinely interested and I gave some answer that didn't include the fact that I had bypass surgery.

I did a lot of lifting weights before surgery but didn't have a pre-op diet. Now that I'm post-surgery (YAY) when my doctor cleared me to start lifting again he and the NUT added in some carbs because you need them for quick energy when lifting. I think you're doing too much while on the pre-op diet. I know you're trying to increase strength now but the pre-op diet is tough on the body and you probably won't have enough energy to lift a lot of weights. Give yourself a break!

You should be eating/drinking the amounts the doctor said. He told me that at first you might feel like you can have a lot more because all the nerves in the new pouch aren't necessarily firing right just after surgery. He warned me that even if I felt like I could have more it is important not to do more than about 4 oz of liquid an hour for the first 2 weeks. Even if you feel like you can have more, you shouldn't because you could damage the staple line. I'm 6 weeks out now and just started having the full symptoms (running nose, little pain to the right of my belly button) after I got on food. Never felt it on liquids or purees.

Thanks for sharing your story! Hope you stay around on the boards so we can all learn from you.

First -- congrats on the weight loss! What do you mean by up and down? Emotions? Weight?

I think it's very common if you look around on the boards and very temporary.

I think it varies so much how quickly/slowly/erratically people lose. People with more to lose may lose faster in the beginning but I also have a friend who just had surgery that is much heavier than I am and I lost faster than her in the first two weeks. I'm a relative lightweight but my loss after those first two weeks has averaged about 2 pounds a week. Slower than I'd like but it's going the right way and I can manage my eating, something I've never been able to do before. Don't set yourself up for disappointment by comparing yourselves to others. If you're very concerned that the weight loss is too slow (10 pounds in 2 weeks is not slow) talk to your doctor. My doctor probably thought I was disappointed in my weight loss because when I went in for my 1 month appointment he said 'if you had come in here at 300-400 pounds, I would have expected a 50 pound weight loss... 22 pounds is more than 10% of your total body weight -- that is GREAT!" Try to avoid comparing yourself to others and know that the scale will keep moving if you keep to the plan -- food and exercise.

You don't break it... you wait it out. You stay on plan. You eat what you're supposed to. You keep on exercising. You focus more on what you have control of (fingers/eating and feet/exercising) and less on a number on the scale.

I chose not to tell too many people before surgery because I really wasn't interested in their opinions. I wanted opinions from the doctors and the people in the support group who had the surgeries and from people on these boards who have gone through it as well. I told my best friend who wasn't completely on board at the beginning (wanted me to try more 'natural' ways) but she said when she saw how prepared I was, how much I had researched and how determined I was to do this, she jumped 100% on board and took me to the hospital and stayed with me the first day. I told the 2 candy pushers at work who used to leave candy on my desk when they knew I was stressed or feeling bad. I told them because I didn't want to arrive back at work with stacks of Reese's on my desk. They were both very supportive and interested in the surgery itself. Since surgery, I've told anyone who seemed genuinely interested and some of my closest friends. I've gotten nothing more negative than an occasional "Oh, you aren't that big". I do feel a little shame that I had gotten so out of control that I needed surgery in the first place but I'm also proud of how committed I am to taking charge of the situation.

I have to admit, I weigh every day and I like it. Yes, I get frustrated when the number is the same or it's even crept up a little (YIKES) but it keeps me honest and makes me more focused on what I'm eating. When I went through a period where I really felt like I was in stall and I felt so frustrated. So, I did a little chart and figured out I've been steadily losing 2 pounds a week for the last 3 weeks. If I were weighing only once a week I wouldn't have felt like I was in a stall at all. So, even though I weigh every day and think it helps me, it would have also been good if I were only weighing once a week because I wouldn't have felt like I was stalled.

I agree -- it's a misconception that people talk about with bypass but sleevers have to take supplements too. On my doctor's plan, the only difference is that bypass should take calcium citrate instead of the other kind of calcium (can't remember what it's called) and sleevers might not have to do B-12. Before surgery, I had a round of morning meds and supplements (synthroid, antidepressant, D3) and a nighttime round (mood stabilizer). I've just added a multi-Vitamin and B-12 to the morning round and Calcium citrate chews and Biotin (not required) to the nighttime one. Not a big issue at all and I feel great!

I'm excited about buying clothes in regular stores especially those small, little boutique shops at places where I travel to.

Keep doing what you're supposed to do and it will pass with time.

I was only going maybe once a week maybe the first month. I didn't feel real uncomfortable from it but I didn't feel great in the gut either. When I saw my doctor at 1 month he told me to add more fiber into my diet (fruit/veggies) and to take a stool softener (recommended Colace) twice a day until I was more regular then cut it back to once a day. Worked good for me. I also started taking 2-3 gummy fibers before bedtime.

This website has some great information that shows the differences in surgeries and what to expect regarding weight loss and complications/risks: http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/wlsurgery.html There's also a nice unbiased comparison tool at the site for the Realize band. You put in your information regarding weight, height, comorbidities and it shows you stats for the 3 surgeries, how much to expect to lose, possible risks/complications. https://www.realize.com/do-i-qualify/potential-results It present unbiased statistical information to help you make your decision along with your doctor.

Regarding motivation and exercise, you JUST DO IT!!! Just like Nike says! Once you start building the habit, you will eventually get to the point that it starts giving you energy instead of draining it. Start with walking at a good pace. Or riding the exercise bike, or whatever your energy level can handle. I ALWAYS do at least 30 minutes if I'm considering it "intentional" exercise -- time I set aside to do nothing but exercise. I try all that park-far-away, take-the-stairs stuff, but I don't consider that "intentional" exercise. It's also fun to do some weightlifting. I'm guessing you are a female -- it's great when you start doing some body-weight exercises or lifting some weights how much stronger you can feel in the upper body... pushing open doors becomes easier. Anyway -- you just have to decide you're going to do it and then do it. Find something you enjoy -- it won't last if you don't. Get help if you need it (I see a personal trainer). Find a friend with a similar goal and walk with them. Get a dog to walk (only if you're desperate!) But find SOMETHING to do and DO IT! Best wishes

I chose bypass -- I wanted the surgery with the most history and the best results statisticis. I also had reflux pretty bad and didn't want to do anything that might make that worse (sleeve). I'm 6 weeks out today and very happy with my decision. The progression of foods was a little rough (Clear liquids, full liquids, puree'd then soft foods -- each a week) but I've been able to tolerate anything I've tried (plan foods only) and I've been losing weight. @beachgurl84 -- I take my Vitamins and supplements once in the morning, once at night. I'm not sure where you got the impression it's "every two hours" but it's not hard to keep up with. Multi-Vitamin and B-12 in the morning, sometimes a big dose of Vitamin D, then Calcium and Biotin at bedtime. It's very easy to keep up with. Sometimes I might have extra calcium chews during the day.

I did mine in reverse order... I left my ex 6 years ago after getting treated for depression and bipolar -- I finally got healthy (emotionally) and my ex didn't like the new me. I was enjoying life more and he was happy to sit on his butt and do nothing except contribute dirty laundry and dirty dishes to the family. This year, I realized I needed to get my health and weight under control. Now, six weeks after bypass, I'm feeling great, enjoying getting the body healthy, loving spending time with friends (shopping in regular size clothes stores...) One of these days I'll get it all together at the same time!

I'm pretty new to it (5 weeks out) but so far my experience has been great. I did develop pneumonia and got readmitted for 3 days just 2 days after being released, so that first week was no picnic. I started feeling a lot more energy around the 2-1/2 week mark. I've followed the liquids/food plan very faithfully and haven't had any problems with tolerating foods or anything tasting "off". No nausea and only 2 episodes of vomiting after eating something that was really too dry (chicken breast). At 4 weeks out I was cleared for exercise including lifting weights, so I'm getting back into that routine now. I'm losing weight at a good pace even though it was MUCH quicker those first 2 weeks. Pros -- I don't feel like I'm controlled by food anymore. I really don't feel any hunger. I don't walk by and snack on something just because it's laying there. I get full on the smallest portions of things. Cons -- There's a lot of planning and coordinating involved -- have I waited 30 minutes since drinking anything -- has it been 30 minutes since I ate -- logging everything that goes in my mouth so I can keep up with the Protein counts -- packing food in my purse and car everywhere I go just in case I'm out somewhere and it's time to eat and there aren't healthy choices around. I might sound a little sugar-coated but so far, my experience has been wonderful and dropping the pounds has greatly improved my self-esteem!

I'd try appealing. You can ask your surgeon's office how to do that -- I hear they have to do it a lot and also that many times appeals are succesfful.

I can't really do lunges either (not because of knee problems... just uncoordinated!). My trainer has me doing this step up thing... here's the closest thing I can find online that shows how to do it: http://www.simonfamilyjcc.org/exercise-of-the-month-step-up-high-knee-to-rear-lunge/ I don't really step back down into a lunge, just to where that foot lands on the floor. I stand beside another machine that I can hold on to to help with balance. Also, you could do some calf lifts to strengthen the calves. Are you doing anything for adductors/ abductors (inner/outer thigh)? I find when I do those I am usually pretty sore which tells me they aren't being used that often. Here's a link that shows some ways to do them with bands unless you have access to a gym where there's usually a machine to do them with. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/rehabilitation-exercises/resistance-band-exercises1/resistance-band-hip-adduction-exercise http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/rehabilitation-exercises/resistance-band-exercises1/resistance-band-standing-abduction-exercise Good luck!

Welcome! I had bypass June 7. I didn't take any pain meds after the night of surgery but everyone is different. If you feel like you've been on them too long you might want to talk to your doctor. My NUT recommended buying the fat free Greek yogurt and mixing in sugar free Jello. That gives you the fruit flavor without adding sugar. I still do it sometimes because it's really good. Best wishes!

I'm traveling to Belize 8 weeks after surgery. I asked my doctor before surgery (because the trip had already been planned) and he was fine with it. I talked over the plan with my NUT and I'm planning to take Protein bars, almonds and some of the single packets to make Protein Drinks (like the Syntrax Nectar ones that mix well with water). I'm hoping there will be grilled fish available everywhere since we're staying in a resort on the beach. But several of the tours we have planned include a "sack lunch" and having no idea what that might have in it, I'll need to have my own food options available. Try to enjoy the local food when it fits into your plan and have backup food for when it doesn't. Most of all, enjoy your trip!

My doctor and nutritionist also recommend snacking. I have 3 meals and 3 Snacks a day. My "meals" are pretty lightweight -- usually between 150-200 calories and my snacks are smaller -- maybe 75-150 calories. I don't always get all the snacks in -- if lunch is a little late I might not have the afternoon one, for example. Even just a plum or a spoonful of Peanut Butter for me counts as a snack. I can't imagine going 5 hours without eating even though I don't feel hunger, I think it would make my energy bottom out too much.