epiphani

I took 3 weeks off of work. That was plenty of time in terms of pain management, but rough returning to work just as I was struggling with the transition from liquids to solids. That, for me, was more of a challenge than the surgery itself.

I have struggled with what exercise to do for years. Even though I am a nurse and have studied exercise and nutrition for a long time... the generic training programs and even a few personal trainers still left me trying to figure out what worked for me. Then I found out about https://www.facebook.com/fitnesskigerplews?fref=ts. I invest $50 a month for Kiger to tailor a program that includes both strength training and aerobic activity based on the equipment I already have, my interests and my goal. After having had personal trainers at the gym who tried to pawn me off on others because they didn't want to work with me, I found someone who is genuinely interested in the people that he trains.... enjoys helping people of all body types... and texts me multiple times a week to see how I am doing. Because I was very out of shape, my strength training started with relatively simple exercises to strengthen core muscles. Even though I live in a different state than Kiger, I have a program that works for ME! It has made all of the difference, and I am on fire!

Let me share that it's not wise to try to keep wearing your old clothes. I personally was standing in the middle of a large local hospital's administrative offices recently. To my horror, I suddenly felt my slip slide down my legs and puddle around my feet. I was confused to look down and see my skirt still on. Then I started to laugh as I realized what had happened. I had tossed out my old large clothes, but hadn't gone through my lingerie drawer the same way. I had grabbed an old slip in my hurry that morning. Awkward, but amusing. I was able to step into a female executive's office and quickly fix the problem! Thank goodness it was just the slip, not the skirt!

A male friend was told by my very reputable surgeon that he would not do a gastric bypass on him because he loves to workout with weights. The surgeon said that he would do better with a sleeve so that he could keep up with his Protein absorption while working out.

I'd encourage you to follow the advice of a surgeon who does both surgeries, has a good reputation, and has reviewed your medical history. In general: The gastric bypass is usually the best choice for people with diabetes and/or gastric reflux.

Mostly it depends on what you are going to eat. There are a ton of bariatric cookbooks out there. But I did find this link: http://obesitycoverage.com/before-after/top-7-apps-after-weight-loss-surgery/

I didn't have a revision.... just gastric bypass. Most recommendations I saw were for 2-4 weeks off work. I chose to take 3 weeks off. It probably depends most on the type of job that you have... and perhaps on the post-op nutrition plan. 3 weeks was a good amount of time to take off except that my first day back at work was my first day transitioning to solid food. That was a struggle. Your doctor will likely support you in whatever time off works best for your circumstances. Share your preferences and thoughts with him/her.

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

It sounds to me like your second thoughts are completely normal! We all had them at one point or many points. It's one of the few good things about waiting... you have time to really be sure. Research is good. Reading the experiences of others is a really good way to have realistic expectations. Just recognize that we all have different challenges at different points. You need this. It will be better than you expect, unless you are in the unlucky 1% with complications. Even then it will be worth it. Honor your fears, but don't let them drive your decisions. I spent months with 2nd thoughts, but didn't stop the process of preparing. By the time I got to surgery I was so excited and thrilled that going in for surgery was practically a family reunion and party! I'm so glad I did this. One of the saddest things is being in a support group or reading posts involving people who decided not to go through with surgery after months of preparation and are back starting again.... miserable and with regrets. On the other hand, there is no substitute for being sure it is for you. Only you can decide that. Hang in there! You can do this! For me it helped to write down all of the miserable things obesity brought to my life. It really helps to read back through that now and see how many things I can check off as no longer a problem... and a few reminders of why it is important to keep working at weight loss!

I completely agree with James! Life doesn't have to be all Protein shakes or none. Tracking intake for protein and going by how you feel can help. If you feel better, having a Protein shake may be just the ticket. Just don't make it your primary source. You have some great questions for the dietitian at your surgeons office! Are you working out? It can be hard to keep us with your bodies protein requirements, especially for men and/or those who are working out.

An ulcer can be a really serious post-op complication! I am sorry you are part of the small percent to experience that! Hopefully you are on something to prevent stomach acid? I would encourage you to stay hydrated. You need medical direction not advice from us, but if you don't feel it warrants returning to the ER... consider giving your gut a rest with just liquids (clear or full) over the weekend. If you can tolerate Protein drinks.... all the better. Don't be afraid to return to the ER if you can't keep things down or you have too much pain. It's a hassle, but you need sound medical care. Gallbladder issues are not uncommon with people losing large amounts of weight, but it just sucks. It will eventually be worth it, but what a rough start! I'm sorry. Please let us know how it goes this weekend.

Everyone has slightly different experiences, but I would say most can/do vomit at some point. I thought that would be right after surgery, but it wasn't. They did a great job of proactively preventing nausea in the hospital. It was when I transitioned to solid food that I had trouble. Your pouch can only handle so much, but that doesn't mean that you are going to recognize right away when it is full. I experienced normal to extra hunger, was so grateful to eat, then struggled after a few bites. Eating slowly and chewing well is key, but for some of us.... it takes a lot of practice and unpleasant experiences before it becomes a habit! I have learned that I don't do well with fast food or highly processed foods or reheated leftovers or meat that was frozen and has dried a bit. That's not a bad thing! Eating fresh, unprocessed food is a great thing. I learned to have small, high Protein Snacks around that I thought tasted great and was fresh... smoked salmon, smoked oysters, prosciutto-wrapped soft cheese sticks (Walmart or Costco). Figuring out what works and tastes special is a great focus! There are lots of good bariatric cookbooks out there to help. Sometimes your tastes and preferences change after surgery... but mostly what you like before is what you will like after.

Gail, you made me smile! We put such big expectations on ourselves as nurses, don't we? Everyone has different experiences, and different challenges at different points. Make sure that you are taking all of the pain medicine you are allowed if you are really hurting... ask your surgeon about taking more or something different if it's not working. This surgery is a really, really big change for our bodies to adjust to... whether we have a lot of post-op pain or not. Most people don't experience a lot of pain, but I promise it is worth it even if you do! You sound like a great mom. Take care of yourself so you can take care of yours!

You have room to eat more without "messing it up"! If you don't go over 1/4 cup until recommended by your surgeon, you'll be great! Be patient and trust yourself. You have a great tool and lots of great advice in this thread. We all eat different amounts on different days.

We are so used to watching calories, aren't we? Focus on the plan. 160 calories are not too many if you are getting 20-30 grams of Protein with them. Many people (me included) have found Premier Protein the best. It is pre-mixed. Not too expensive (I buy mine at Costco). Most don't feel like it has bad after-taste. Isopure is also an excellent choice. Wish you the best in figuring out what works for you. Please keep posting to let us know how it goes!

Like many, I am able to eat more on some days than others. There is no miracle cure. Hopefully they shared that from orientation session on. It takes work. It's not the easy way out. Different surgeries are done differently. Some involve removing parts of the stomach. Other types of surgeries, including gastric bypass, leave them in. If you have real doubts, get a second opinion. I would encourage you, like others have, to get back on the diet and fitness plan given by your surgeon. Focus on that and take advantage of the first year to year and a half when you can get the most benefit from surgery.

I have learned that I can't expect weight loss results when eating for maintenance rather than weight loss (including carbs in my diet). Increasing fitness can help. Going back on Protein shakes (at the direction of my surgeon) for two weeks also really helped shrink things back.

Sometimes weight stalls because you are not taking in enough! Even a year out, my nutritionist says to work on eating the right foods and hitting the nutrition goals (lean meats and veggies) rather than focusing on total calories. You also may be comparing yourself to others on this site. It's normal. We all do it. But honor your body and give it time to do it's thing. You ARE succeeding and on track. This isn't a race. It's a lifetime. I expect to spend the rest of my life tweaking nutrition and working for improved fitness!

Every time I tell the diet tech at my surgeon's office that the Protein shake I use is Premier Protein, she always says "Oh Good! I love to hear that!" I personally didn't care much for the strawberry. The chocolate was okay. The vanilla is just right... not too sweet, not chalky, not bland. Hmmmm.... maybe I am goldilocks?!?

Nothing that anyone can tell you without seeing you and knowing more about you before and after surgery can substitute for seeing your surgeon. On the other hand, the left side is where most of the work was done and where things are hooked up. It isn't unusual to hurt more there, and it sounds to me like your surgeon's office gave you sound advice. Since you are a few months out from surgery, I am wondering if this is coming as you transition from liquids to solid foods? That was the trickiest time for me. Your pouch is adjusting, the opening is tight and being challenged by solids, and nausea can come easily from eating too fast or too much (as well as from doing everything right!) I would encourage you to keep working on getting down what fluids you can, take the pain medicine, and wear the binders. Consider whether part of the issue could be constipation. If you start taking pain medicine like recommended, consider taking something proactively to prevent constipation. You can get through this and it will be well worth it! Please post updates so we know how you are doing!

The easiest way to get out of a flat bed after surgery is to lie straight, roll to one side, push up onto one elbow as you swing your feet over the edge, then push up from there.

It really depends on the shape you are in at the time of surgery... how mobile you are, etc., and the height/type of bed and other furniture in your home. I did not need a recliner. It may have helped that I started walking in response to everything right after surgery... while still in the hospital. If I hurt, I walked. If I was nauseated, I walked. If I was bored, I walked. When I got home, it was not a problem getting in and out of bed. I wouldn't (as a nurse) recommend elevating both ends at once. Let your blood flow without restriction. It is your head that may need to be elevated. Love the idea of asking friends about borrowing a recliner for a few weeks! It may be helpful and gives those that want to support you a chance to do so!

Congratulations! It will be a much smoother process than you ever imagined! The worst part is over already.... wondering if it can happen for you.

Vicki Sage - What a terrific update! I am glad that things are going so well for you!

I am very grateful that my surgeon looked me in the eye after surgery and clearly said, "It is going to take 3 months before you really get your stamina back and your energy levels start going up." That really set realistic expectations for me. You really need to strive for the goals that your surgeon's team sets for you, but know that every individual's experience differs. For me, I sailed through the first 3 weeks on a high, then slammed into a wall when I tried to make the transition into solid foods. Spent several weeks (okay, a couple of months) trying to adjust food volume, pace and tolerance. It evens out eventually. It gets better. It's worth it. Hang in there!