moose18201

Mine is similar to Andrew's story. I was lying in bed and felt a large bump at the bottom of my sternum. I called my husband crying, "There is something really wrong with me! I have this huge lump and I'm so scared!" Needless to say, I can be dramatic and start wailing about how I just started to live my new life and now I could possibly die. My husband leaves work so he can take me to the doctor. When he arrives, he says, "Let me feel it." So, I lie down and sure enough, he feels it too. He said, "Oh my gosh, this is really bad." In my shaky, tearful voice: "It is, right? I thought so too [sniffle]." My husband proceeds to feel it, looks into my eyes, smirks and then says, "Well, the good news is, you're going to live because you're officially suffering from getting to bone-y. This my dear is the tail end of your sternum, a bone and not some foreign bump that will cause you to die."
Lol!

My funniest moment post-op was something that happened a few months back after losing 120+ pounds. I discovered a bump under my chest on the side and my wife was pressuring me to go to the ER. I called our ins co nurse line and they said to go to the doctor if it's not gone in 2 weeks.
After hanging up I found a similar bump on the other side. When at a cardiologist appointment the next week he laughed and said that was the bottom of my rib cage.

I had a RNY on 16 May 2013. I recently came to understand that there is one more phase of recovery that I must transition through. So I have a few questions from those that have made this transition.
In the first phase, I lost a lot of weight. My meal size was extremely small and my body burned up my fat. I was consuming around 700 calories per day.
Then I reached my bottom weight and I entered the first maintenance phase. This occurred at 7 months after surgery. This was a happy phase. My meal size increased and I could experiment with different foods again. I was consuming between 1000-1500 calories per day and my weight stayed off. I used an accurate scale to measure my weight each morning and I kept it within 2.0 pounds each day.
But I understand there is a second maintenance phase that occurs at 18 months after surgery. In this phase the body heals and the stomach is able to absorb more of the calories from food. The body goes from a 70% absorption to 100%. So what can you tell me about this transition.
Does it occur abruptly or over several months or years?
Since it is absorbing more of the food, does my stomach also begin manufacturing some of the Vitamins my body needs. Does it affect my Vitamin regime?
Several individuals regain the weight they lost after surgery. Is this the phase primarily responsible?
Does your taste of food change during this phase?

I don't have answers and have only had my surgery this past January 2014. However, first, I am very interested in the responses. Second, my doctor and others have said that I have a window of about 1 - 1 1/2 years to lose the weight. After that, which sounds like what you are talking about, your body adjusts or something (can't remember the right words). You can still lose weight but it is much more difficult. That's why they want you to go all out and exercise like crazy at the beginning to lose as much as you can in that window of time. This could be similar to what you are talking about.
Can't wait to hear other responses.

At 2 weeks you'd be best to stick with greek yogurt and Jello. Anything like Cookies or wafers would be pretty tough on your tummy. I'm almost 5 months post-op if I REALLY want something sweet I reach for a piece of fruit. Cookies, wafers or anything else, even sugar free, would be like a gateway drug for me and it's just not worth it.

I'm only 4 weeks out and lost total pre and post-op 18 kg which people think it's a LOT and they can see the difference and I drop 2 sizes of cloths already but I myself really don't see the big difference. I'm just telling myself to be patient, it will come. I still have a long way to go.
By the way, If I lost as much as you have, I'd be so thrilled!

As a dietician working in a bariatric clinic I meet a lot of patients who over eat. This is far from surprising. However, what never fails to astound me is how many of these very same people are malnourished.
It’s easy for the general public to make the connection between malnutrition and starvation in the developing world, but when it comes to overweight Westerners being malnourished it’s a different story.
In the developed world, where obesity has reached epidemic proportions, we are seeing more and more people who are overweight or obese being diagnosed with malnutrition because they consume too much of the wrong foods; foods with little to no nutritional value that are low in Protein, Vitamins and minerals.
To understand this contradictory situation you must understand the different types of nutrients and how vital they are. This is one of the main reasons why so many Westerners are plagued by chronic diseases.
According to Joanne Slavin, a nutrition professor at the University of Minnesota, the main culprit of malnutrition is usually poor protein.
“If you don’t get enough protein, you might still get enough calories without getting enough nutrients,” says Slavin.
In my experience the main “shortfall” nutrients tend to be Calcium, Fiber, potassium and Vitamin D. Many overweight individuals have packed on extra weight over the years because they have poor diets that are typically high in refined foods. These highly refined foods are high in unhealthy fats and sugars and low in the aforementioned nutrients.
In this age of calorie counting, it’s important to consider all aspects of your diet. But let me tell you, calorie content is not the be all and end all. A calorie from a Mars bar is the same as a calorie from an Apple when it comes to energy exchange, however, an apple is much richer in vitamins and minerals.
As US based nutritional consultant, Carol Cottrill, points out “when we eat the empty calories found in processed foods instead of wholesome, real food, our appetite is curbed temporarily, and our stomachs feel full, though our bodies have not taken in the nutrients they crave. This is the setup for what's known as subclinical malnutrition. Not to be confused with the undernourishment experienced in famine-stricken countries.”
To keep our body healthy, we must fuel it with the necessary ingredients that can only come from a healthy, well-balanced diet. When we don't get nutrients, our internal functions don't work as well - and this is when we become vulnerable to diseases such as obesity.
Image Credit: Melissa Gruntkosky

I get pissy about the ones who reject answer after answer until they get the one they are fishing for.

I some cases, it may be a matter of ligitimate inability to comprehend directions provided. Maybe the patient has a learning disability. But I'd be willing to bet in most cases people are too lazy and have no interest in taking responsibility for themselves. They don't read the paperwork because it's just "so much". Or they aren't listening when the dr/nut is talking to them. I am a vet tech and believe me, even in veterinary care, client compliance is ridiculously low. I've even attend CE conferences with seminars designed to show us better ways to assure compliance.....all because these people are lazy (I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that it's not because they are that stupid) It doesn't matter how much time I and the doctor spend going over medication dosing or postop care instructions, people just DONT LISTEN. I feel it's a complete waste of my time and breath to even bother talking to them. So when they call with a problem, I go over it AGAIN And I explain that all of that is on the paperwork they got that they just "threw away" or "can't find". Or my favorite - "I know that's what you told me, but my friend said....." So let your expert friend take care of your pets and quit wasting your money and my time. I'm sure doctors and nurses experience the same frustration I do.
And really, with all of the information available on the web, there's no reason not to be fully informed of every twist and turn of WLS. I went to Mexico, so didn't have any insurance hoops, but I researched for months and asked tons of questions both from online strangers and the surgeon's staff. In other words I took responsibility for my decision...I didn't expect anyone to hold my hand through it. And when it came to pre and postop medical instructions I followed my doctor's advice only. If I was unsure about something, I asked them, not you guys (no offense)
Or sometimes these people know the "right" answer to their questions but want to try and find someone to help rationalize their bad behavior. Unfortunately I've been slammed for the "kick in the ass" replies that these people actually need. So I've learned to move on and let these guys continue to self sabotage and be miserable.
Good post. Glad I'm not the only one.

I use body fortress whey protien choc.with a little sf torrani caramel, it tastes like a caramel mocha latte. Also the van.protien and torrani rasberry combo is very good. I'm just trying them pre- op. My 2nd surgical class is on the 14th , I'm hoping for my surgery soon after. Good luck with your surgery

Arnold, MD - My GBP surgery was Wednesday 7/30 The surgery was 4 hrs and my recovery was 2 1/2 hrs. I do not remember being wheeled to surgery and I have no memory of recovery at all. I just remember sitting up in bed in my room. I had no pain just feeling sore and bruised my pain meds work great. I came home Friday I feel very tired. I have been walking around the house to relieve the gas. Tomorrow I will take a walk in the morning. I have my first post-op appt Wednesday 8/7 my dr is wonderful and so was the hospital. I would highly recommend him. So far this journey has been great. I love reading all the forums and learning new things on this site.

I had my RNY surgery on May 4th, 2004 to be exact. Like everyone on this site, my weight had been an issue for many, many years and this surgery seemed to be the only option I had left. In fact, a close friend of mine had the surgery before me and it was due to her positive experiences that I began looking into it.
Ironically, at the time time I began investigating this surgery, my mother was a nurse working in bariatrics, working for the doctor I would later have the surgery from.
I will be the first to tell you, that choosing surgery is a very personal choice. I do not think it is for everyone and feel one should look at all options before choosing surgery. I have not always been open in talking about it, as I was fearful of others negative comments and even more so, my own fear of failing. What if the surgery did not produced the results I want?
Before deciding on her surgery, I will admit I was just completely lost. I hated what I looked like and felt just completely out of touch with my inner self as compared to my outer appearance. I would lie to my friends and family about my work schedule simply to miss having anyone see me. I would often times avoid phone calls so that I could not be available. As with any family, I had major issues with facing certain people because it was never good...or made me feel worse. I have a number of family members who never suffered with weight issues....my brother for example has always looked great....my mother and aunt always looked great....my grandparents too. There were people in my family who tried to diet with me, or point out every food item I was eating, saying, "that is your third dinner roll" or, "do you know how many calories are in that?". It was just one comment after another. I was ashamed of what I looked liked, and angry/jealous of others who were skinny or seemed to have no weight issues. Being overweight, simply sucks! Being the fat girl, the one with the great hair and funny personality Sucks! I was sick and tired of being the third wheel, the girl who had a lot of male "friends", or the one who was just a great person to talk to. I had enough! I wanted to change.
When you are heavy, there are common comments you tend to hear day in and day out. Some are self generated, while others are said directly.....of course, those comments become our daily motto (at least for me they did). Instead of, you are so beautiful....I would be told "I love your hair", "you are just big boned", "you have your dads figure" (by the way not a compliment...love my dad, but really!". The comments people make are really unbelievable.
Ok so I finally decide on surgery. I was approximately 220 pounds before surgery. At this point, I was told by some in a support group I was not heavy enough to have the surgery! Such a crazy response to make in a Support Group session. I stayed 5 days in the hospital....and my weight loss process began. The first year after surgery had its moments. I cannot say it was always easy. Yes, the weight came off....incredibly fast. I was so happy with the results. Eating, that was different and often times a big struggle. I had a very hard time keeping food down...and finding food I was able to tolerate. Overtime, this improved. So much so, that I no longer suffer from the same restrictions as I did in the beginning. I think this was something to expect, but am now facing some realities I truly did not think about as the beginning stages of my weight loss were so successful.
My lowest weight was 124 pounds, but that only lasted for half of the day. My stable weight stayed between 132-140. After approximately 3 years after surgery I began gaining weight. Each year there after seemed to be more and more difficult. I remember weighing 138 pounds and visiting my grandfather. Spent a long day with him, only to have him tell me at the end of our visit that I was getting fat! Truth be told, I was gaining weight, I just hated hearing that I was fat! After all, I had a surgery to help with my weight. At approximately 5 years after surgery, I weighed 150. Not a horrible weight, but something definitely needed to change. So, I started running. And got into swimming again...and eventually took up triathlons. I completed 5k's, 10k's, sprint triathlons, half marathons, a swim around the florida keys, half iron-man...the list goes on. I just readjusted my life.
Well now, 10 years out from my surgery, I am at an overwhelming weight of 172! I am getting back to the basics....And trying to get back on track. I have joined this site for additional support and to find others just like me. I knew I would gain some weight back, I just never expected to get to where I am now. Yes, I have taken the liberty to eat the wrong foods, to eat too much, to snack...and just simply stop doing what I am suppose to do. I have allowed outside stress and daily life stuff get in the way of my past successes. I am now focusing on me, and what I need to do to get healthy! I want to lose this weight and am determined to be successful.
**quick advice for anyone in the beginning stages or ones noticing a weight gain.....
Weight loss is not magic, the surgery only works as successfully as You follow it! Be mindful of what you eat, and never take it for granted that it will be the solution you are seeking. I am learning this and am taking full accountability for where I am now.
Sorry for such a long post....but thanks for letting me share....

Walmart.com has a deal on whey protien from body fortress. 3 tubs for $43 free shipping at $50 so i order a couple sf torrani flavors and have it shipped for free

Walmart.com has a deal on whey protien from body fortress. 3 tubs for $43 free shipping at $50 so i order a couple sf torrani flavors and have it shipped for free

Just an update!
I had surgery on the 30th of July. Today is my third day home (dc on the 31st in evening) and I feel even better then the days before. Each day gets better and better. Yesterday was my first full day home and had to drink minimum of 42 ounces or 84 half filled medicine. I didn't have any troubles with that. I was really gaseous yesterday and the gas build uo was making me somewhat nauseated. Today I am taking gas-x and so far it has been awesome. No gas bubbles that I can feel. Today is 54ounces of Clear liquids.
Energy level wise I was tired yesterday but not as much as thr day before. I just let my self nap in between the 15min timer for drinking. Yesterday went on 5 15min walks with no problems.
Slept through out the night pretty well. I try to get all my fluids in during the da so I can have a decent sleep at night.
Pain meds are working good I didn't need the last dose at bedtime as much so I was able to use only half.
I am back and side sleeper and for the first time this morning I was able to lay on my side
My incisions are looking great! They are getting somewhat itchy so I believe that means they are healing.
Lastly I did jump on the scale and I had only gained about 4lbs from surgery and today i have lost a pound from what I weighed in on surgery morning. Dont get caught up in numbers and the scale. I am just practicing all the things the suregon and my bariatric team wants done and I know the weight will come off.
One more last item- people around me have been eating "normal" food. Mostly unhealthy stuff. This hasn't bothered me yet. It looks good and I acknowledge it but remind myself that part is no longer who I am taking daily strides to be. I told my husband he can eat whatever he wants and that I will not control or put him down for things he chooses to eat. After all I am the one that decided to have this surgery to help me change my life I am sure there will be harder days ahead with this but I am hoping my daily changes will be enough to help me through.
Hope this helps anyone with what to expect!

Good luck Carol, my 2nd visit is the 14th. I'm hoping for a late Aug. or early Sept. date. It is very exciting getting this close.

Good luck Carol, my 2nd visit is the 14th. I'm hoping for a late Aug. or early Sept. date. It is very exciting getting this close.

My second surgeon visit is scheduled for Aug 13! I have completed everything so hopefully I will get THE DATE then! I am so excited! Please cross your fingers and say a little prayer!
Thanks,
Carol

Have you gotten off track and lost your "Bariatric Brain"? Maybe it's time to start thinking like a bariatric patient again!


Let’s face it - after bariatric surgery, life is not the same. Your diet will change, your body will change, and in many cases, your attitude will change. For many of us, however, a point in time comes when we find ourselves in a different state. In some respect, we almost forget that we’ve had bariatric surgery.
After our initial phases of being on liquids, soft and chopped foods, and transitioning into full solids, we spend some time reveling in our ability to eat a ton less and to be able to only eat certain foods. For the first 6-12 months, we are in a “honeymoon phase” of sorts - we’re losing weight easily, we have the assurance that we just CAN’T eat certain things such as rice, bread, Pasta, etc., and we’re in a certain mindset that I’ve dubbed the “Bariatric Brain”. For some of us, that mindset remains because we are never able to eat certain things without them getting stuck or without experiencing dumping syndrome. For others, that mindset all but disappears when we discover that we can eat certain foods without sliming or them getting stuck, or that other foods no longer send us to the bathroom for an hour.
From my own experience, the downfall out of the “Bariatric Brain” began 6 months after my surgery. I was told my my nutritionist that I was allowed to have carbonation from that point on. I was a little confused, as all of the other people I knew with the sleeve had been told they could never have it again, but my addiction to diet soda was stronger than my common sense. From that point on, I learned I could also eat bread (8 months), pasta (10 months) and rice (14 months). From there, it was no-holds barred.
Something else that happens with the sleeve that they don’t tell you is that at a certain point - your stomach capacity will increase after a time. This is because for a few months, it’s swollen to a point that you can only hold about ½ a cup of food at one time. After the first year, and it is completely healed, that capacity increases to about a cup. For someone that’s not expecting that, it can be a little confusing. For a food addict, it can be exciting and tempting. At that point, you are no longer bound by restrictions.
When this happens, some people begin to forget about their surgery. They begin to get back into a different mindset. One of “oh, I can eat this!” instead of, “Nope - gotta leave that off”. When this happens, the diet shifts to one of fast food, sugar, carbs, soft drinks, and alcohol (not every food in every case, mind you). It is that moment when the tool that we so greatly loved and admired begins to fail us. Or, rather, WE begin to fail our TOOL.
When this happens, it’s time to return to the mindset we were in during the first year. It’s time to think like a bariatric patient again.
This is no easy feat, after all, we’ve returned to our addiction - FOOD.
But at the same time, in the case of most other addictions - drugs, alcohol, nicotine, etc. - there is almost always a backslide. A heroine addict may sneak out of rehab for that one more fix, an AA leader might get depressed one night and get insanely drunk, someone trying to quit smoking might sneak a puff or two at a rock concert. These instances are normal and, some believe, even a healthy part of the healing from addiction. If this is acceptable in these cases, why is it not acceptable in the weight loss world?
When this happens, take a step back. Look at yourself from the outside in. It’s important here to remind yourself that getting off track is NORMAL and OK. Although not everyone has done it, many MANY people have - and some of those people have the most successful weight loss stories on the Bariatric Pal forum.
With that in mind, how does one go back to the “Bariatric Brain”?
Go Back To Basics
Remember what started the weight loss to begin with? Protein, Water, walking? Get back to it! Make sure you’re getting AT LEAST 60g of protein a day (even better is 80-90g!). Make sure you’re getting AT LEAST 64oz of water a day, and make sure you’re getting some kind of activity for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day (30-45 minutes is better).
Return To Liquids?
Some people return to a liquid diet for a few days (no more than 3). They feel that this helps “reset” their system and returns their mindset back to where it should be. One way of doing this is through the “5-Day Pouch Test” (designed for RnY or Gastric Band patients) in which you return to liquids for a few days then gradually return to solid foods.
For those that have the sleeve or the duodenal switch, the pouch test might not work for you as it’s not designed for that kind of surgery. That being said, if you feel the need, you can also return to liquids for a few days.
Return To Support Groups
Support groups are the #1 key to a successful weight loss surgery, regardless of your surgery or your stage. If you are a year or more out, consider returning to a support group. Hearing what the people in the early stages are having issues with, and helping them work through those issues can, in fact, help you work through yours.
Read, and Educate Yourself
Consider finding books, articles, cookbooks, and magazines on bariatric surgery. Do research on one aspect that really interests you. Immerse yourself in it again like you did in the beginning!
Remember Your Motivation
What was your reason for having Bariatric Surgery to begin with? Your health? Your family? Your looks? Looking at what you wanted from your surgery and where you are now might help you to refocus.
In The End Remember …
What you are going through right now is okay, and completely normal. Thousands of people are going through exactly the same thing you are. You are not alone!
Remember that if you’re REALLY struggling, you can always find help. Talk you your nutritionist or dietician, seek mentorship in a support group, or find a good counselor that has experience with food addiction and bariatric patients. And ALWAYS remember - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Thanks! I'll let you guys know how it goes so you can get a feel for what to expect! I write a lot and am usually pretty detailed so hopefully I'll be able to help someone else

Im so excited I have surgery tomorrow. I can't wait to start this part next part!! I'll post updates.

I had my Laparoscopic RNY Gastric Bypass this morning at 7:30am and all I've been thinking since then is, how incredibly lucky and blessed that it all went so smoothly. I wish everyone's experience could be as great as mine has been. My insurance is great, had no issues getting approval. The surgery itself was straight forward. And, my recovery is going so well so far, even I am surprised. Pain is not bad. The worst pain has been in my back from lying down all day. So blessed. It should be so great for everyone. I went in for my consult weighing 229lbs, weight this morning was 217.5 thanks to 3 week pre-op diet (last week was liquids & veggies only). They only wanted me to lose 10lbs before surgery. Feeling no hunger whatsoever. Starting to feel a little gassy, but not horrible. I read on one of the threads someone recommended bringing a heating pad, which I did and it came in very handy. Chapstick is definitely a must. I've been sipping Water and it's settling well. I never got hooked up to IV pain meds, but they did give me morphine at first. Went to liquid lortab at 1pm and did well with it. Not needing full dose, so that's a good sign. No nausea so far, which is a huge relief because I don't tolerate nausea well at all. I'm a big baby about it. But, I do wonder if that's a good thing long term. Fear of nausea will definitely keep me on track diet wise. So, we will see. Just wanted to share my experience to show how well it can go. Everyone is different, but there is reason to be optimistic. :-). Good luck to all you pre-opers! Can't wait to read about your experiences as well.

@@sfie9669 I'm not a sleeved patient, but I want to encourage you NOT to compare yourself or your journey to anyone. You are uniquely yourself, and though we can all offer advice, inspiration and experience the experiences we share are purely our own.
To find what works for you, is to keep going and not give up. Try it and see and if not keep moving until you find what it is that works for you.
As for Protein, there are some pretty awesome Protein Shots out there by Body Fortress, they literally are 2 oz of liquid and you knock them back just like a shot. They give you 20 grams of Protein and they go so quick you don't have time to taste or smell it
Protein is important to your body and your health so try and get that in, and let your body work. It will figure out you need to burn some fat to keep your energy high. If your putting in carbs even if you are drinking them your body is going to choose that first, and you want it to choose to burn fat and not muscle.
Good luck sounds like your right on track!!!

This doesn't relate directly to weight loss, but they are words that I've held dear for a long time. They are words that got me through my divorce and all of it's aftermath. Words that got me through a lot of bad times.
"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it's the quiet voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow."

Contact your surgeon immediately to report this and ask what you should do.
Blood and oozing is not good.
Check to see if you have a fever or not also.
Take care and let us know what happens.