Selina1000

Just went in for my 6 month follow up on March 10, 2014.
I've lost 60lbs, and I feel 110% better than before! I'm finding that I can eat small amounts of anything I want, bread (Dave's Killer bread, thin sliced) is best toasted, and I've learned a sandwich with toasted bread, is really pretty good.
I did start to lose my hair, but found that straight boiten (?) works the best for me, not the hair, skin,nail combo pill. I am getting better at letting my old clothes go, as I still think "what if this doesn't work"? then I laugh and put something else in the Goodwill bag. Now I just need to get the bag to Goodwill! LOL.
I still don't own a scale, tossing around the idea of buying one, as my next appointment isn't until my 1 year date. Oh well, plenty of time to decide.
I will say, it has been hard at times, but the BEST decision I have ever made, and would totally make the same choice again.

I had surgery Sept. 10, 2014, and at my 3 month weigh in I am down 50 pounds. It was a vary welcome surprise, as I don't own a scale. I was still feeling so tired and when I spoke with my doctors about it, they suggested to have blood work done again. Found out that I was low on Iron. After adding a Iron supplement, I'm feeling better, less tired. I do feel that taking your Vitamins, B's, and other supplements is very important, you can really feel tired and sluggish if you miss one day of them.

I had surgery Sept. 10, 2014, and at my 3 month weigh in I am down 50 pounds. It was a vary welcome surprise, as I don't own a scale. I was still feeling so tired and when I spoke with my doctors about it, they suggested to have blood work done again. Found out that I was low on Iron. After adding a Iron supplement, I'm feeling better, less tired. I do feel that taking your Vitamins, B's, and other supplements is very important, you can really feel tired and sluggish if you miss one day of them.

I had my first follow ups on October 2nd, and was suprised that I was down 30lbs from my highest weight! So glad I didn't stress with day in and day out by weighing!
Never knew if I hit a plateu or not, it was a great feeling of BAM, see how much is gone!
Now I'm going to try and wait until my 3 month follow ups (late in December) to see what happens then, it's been years of "weight on" and now it's "weight off"!!

@ Beni,
I had the sleeve done, as I just couldn't think of my extra piece of stomach "floating" around in my tummy. I'm also not the best at taking my Vitamins, and found that there is a higher chance of becoming enemic with the bypass.
I have found that it was easier to tell someone that I had the surgery done, after the actual surgery. I can't express how impressed I was with my "team" of people to help me. They left no question unanswered. I too was calm through the whole process, I started with a seminar in May and finally had surgery on Sept 10, 2014. I did get a bit nervous as my surgery time (noon) came and went, The procedure before mine took longer than scheduled. I saw 1:50 go by, and then nothing until I woke up in my room.
As of right now, I was trying to eat some tuna fish mixed with mayo, got a couple of bites down, and for now, no more. Last night I had the same thing and went down fine.
It's a "cr*p shoot" on what will work, and what won't. One thing I learned the hard way, even I you think you need to pass gas.... Go to the bathroom!! This I learned within the first 10 days.

@ Beni,
I know what you mean about not telling anyone. At the time of my surgery, only 5 people knew, one was a women I work with who went through the surgery, and suggested I look into it. Another was a coworker who badgered me about it because she had spoken with my other coworker, and is now going through the process. I had to let them know a few times that I wanted to keep it private (tough to do at work, as I work with 3 relatives), My roommate knew, as she was to help take care of me. The person who drove me to my upper GI & surgery, and my chiropractor knew. I wanted to keep it that way, just in case I was not approved, because I didn't want to hear poor poor pity party speeches. After surgery, my relatives were/are a bit miffed, but I just said that It was my decision and I wanted to keep it personnel. Good Luck and see you on the other side.

I know what you mean, I'm on puree'd Soups, greek yogurt (which I don't care for), Protein shakes. I want to chew! I did cheat and make a soft scrambled egg with some low-fat cheese. Not the best of moves, I didn't throw them up, but they felt like they were stuck in the back of my throat for the rest of the day. Same with trying refried Beans, even though I thinned them down a bit. One thing that has helped on the Protein side is the unjury brand has both a chicken flavored Protein powder, and a unflavored Protein Powder. chicken one tastes like Soup, and with the unfavored I can add it to most anything, like V-8 juice, XXX zero Water, real juices, even coffee products. Check them out.
I think everyone's surgeon follows slightly different rules on how long to be at which stage, make sure and check with them when wanting to move on. The main reason for the early stages, is to reduce the chance of "leaks" in your new tummy. Just think of what a downer that would be :0(.
Don't forget you still get everything from the eariler stages, like sugar free pudding & Jello, etc.

I totally dislike almost all of the pre-made Protein drinks. They are WAY to thick for me. I do use the Premier brand, but add 1/2 cup of skim milk to thin it out (also adds protein), to the chocolate, I add a couple of Tbsp. of creamy Peanut Butter, helps a bunch (and more protein). to the vanilla, I add frozen real juice concentrate, a couple of Tbsp.
My saving grace is the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein, not only to they have the regular vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, but they have chicken and unflavored!! I have them both, in canister & packet form (so I can take it with me). The unflavored works in anything, V-8 juice, XXX Zero Water, crystal light, you can even use it to make sugar free instant pudding and Jello.
The chicken flavor is just like having Soup broth, but you get 21 grams of protein!

@@Selina1000 hey. Same DOCTOR and Same SURGERY DAY, that is so crazy. we definitely need to keep in touch!!!

I was sleeved on 9/23. I also decided that I'm not going to weigh myself until my first post opt.

The Protein is to help with healing your "new stomach" was the way it was explained to me. Plus your stomach is swollen because of the surgery, and liquids are easier then the solid food to digest, plus not get stuck on the way in or out. My steps were as follows for being "sleeved':
Needing to drink Water & Protein after surgery, 1 oz every 15 minutes while you're awake.
After going home, for the next week, Clear Liquids, Protein drinks (the amount of protein per day depends on your weight at the date of surgery).
Then for weeks 2 & 3, I was able to add puree'd Soups to the list. As long as they were lump & chunk free. for this I have a stick blender (it blended canned Soup up great). I can also have yogurt.
Then on week 4 I will be able to add in mushy meats, like tuna fish and canned chicken, mixed with low fat mayo, I just need to make sure everything is moist, and chewed VERY well into small pieces.
After that, I can start to add other things back n, being very careful, as it might go down one day, and it's a "no go" on a different day. I have found that I had to slow way down on putting food in my mouth, and chew, chew, chew. Or else it will feel like it is stuck in your throat, or it comes back up.
I will say, that in checking different web-sites, there are different time lines on how long you stay on what. check with your surgeon, they have their plans set up for a reason. But you can always ask questions. Good luck, and see you on the other side :0)

I'm rith there with you! Sleeved on 9/15 and won't hop on a scale till my post-op appt 10/1. One reason - I've never found two scales that were the same. I wanna do my first post-op weigh in on the same scale I did my final pre-op weigh in. Then my next weigh-in will be when I return to work (i work in a hospital) and will do my monthly weigh-ins on the same scale every time. Maybe weekly...but as of right now, I'm set on the 15th of every month:).

A friend I work with was sleeved in the end of April 2014. She weighs herself every day. I was sleeved September 10th, and have decided to wait until my first follow up appointment (October 2nd) to find out what my weight is now. I feel as though I have enough on my "plate" with trying to get all my Proteins, RX & liquids down, along with adding in walking. Am I crazy to not stress about checking the scale?

I agree, the hernia repair was very painful and completely unexpected.
I've also heard about an unflavored Protein from unjury. I'm going to try that. I just hope I'm not too late to where it affects the hair loss.

I read somewhere that it's important to keep a record of times that you have to visit your doctor for problems caused from the excess skin after you've lost a lot of weight. This proves to the insurance company that it's medically necessary and should be covered. I'm scheduled for surgery in November and I hope to lose a lot of weight so I'm sure that I'll have tons of extra skin. I'm going to make sure to keep good records in case I should need plastic surgery.

"Dont give up cause you' ve hit a wall, progress is progress no matter how small " - author unknown, aaannnddddd.......... my other favorite.......... "Comparison is the thief of joy " - Teddy Roosevelt

Got a friend, relative or acquaintance who thinks weight loss surgery's a cop out? Arm yourself with some easy facts that will enlighten the less informed about the brave commitment that's changed your life.



Weight Loss Surgery: The Easy Way Out?


Are you frustrated with diet and exercise? Feel like it’s too much effort for little to no payoff? Is weight loss surgery something to consider? Probably not. Why? The qualifying criteria for surgery is strict; the lifestyle changes required are extreme, and after surgical healing is complete… a healthy, low calorie diet must be followed. And exercise? That doesn’t go away either. In fact, the recommendation is about an hour every day.
Weight loss or bariatric surgery has become more common in the U.S. as surgical techniques and outcomes have improved and most insurance companies are covering it.As a bariatric dietitian, I see patients before, after and many years out from surgery. Sadly, there’s a common misconception that patients who choose to have surgery are taking the easy way out. Short story: going under the knife is copping out.
I find this comment uninformed and hurtful. I have never seen a patient who hasn’t carefully considered the risks of surgery or what they will have to incorporate and eliminate from their lives afterward. Proactively choosing a surgical tool, when all other measures have failed, is a courageous example of taking personal responsibility for one’s health…not a stroll down Easy Street.
Bariatric surgery is not for those with 10, 25 or even 50 lbs. to lose. Surgeons will only operate on patients with a body mass index or BMI that is 40 or greater. If a patient has a chronic disease as well as obesity, the qualifying BMI drops to 35 since the health urgency is even greater.
When an individual meets the BMI minimum and has had no luck with a long series of diet and exercise plans-- weight loss surgery could be the tool helping them regain their health.
Ironically, there’s a lot to gain from bariatric surgery but it comes with a high price. I always ask my patients considering surgery if they are prepared to do the following….permanently.
· Never drink with meals again
· Give up smoking, carbonated drinks and severely restrict if not outright eliminate, alcohol
· Exercise an hour per day 6+ days per week
· Take a minimum of 5 vitamin/mineral supplements throughout the day
· Chew food at least twenty times per bite
And there’s little margin for error. If patients push the limits of their new stomachs, they pay for it with intense physical pain including nausea and vomiting.
The journey after weight loss surgery is exciting, scary, motivating and hard. As more weight is lost, confidence grows but new challenges appear. Relationships can be tested; self-esteem may soar or sink. It’s no surprise that support during this journey is essential. Research repeatedly shows patients receiving professional, non-judgmental support after surgery lose the most weight and keep it off. Since surgery is only step 1 in the weight management marathon, it’s clear to me, patients choosing this option aren’t slackers at all—more like superheroes.

I was sleeved Sept 10, 2014, and I know (I kept track) I couldn't get all of my Protein in daily (I was to get about 86 grams) nor could I get all my liquids. I just wanted to sleep! If you think about, you have just put your body through a HUGE upheaval, So I decided to cut myself some slack. First I didn't take any walks for about the first week, I just shuffled around my apartment and after that, they were not very long, just to get the blood moving. I did start to take a small bottle with me (14oz), so I could drink something along the way (that helped a lot). I do have a pedometer, and I let it keep track of my steps. I still have days where I don't want to walk.
With the pain, my left side (where they remove the excess stomach) hurt until just about 3-4 days ago. I sleep on my sides, so it really bugged me. I did find that if I used a bath towel (folded & bunched up) and stuffed it under my left side while laying on my back, it lessened the pain. I do still get a pain every now and then, mainly if I sit in a "soggy" chair or couch.
I wanted to get off my pain meds as soon as I could, because I found they just made me sleepy. I'd take a pain pill, then take a nap! (and not be drinking or getting protein), so I worked on cutting down the daytime pain pill, and tried to only use them at night. I would take one when I wet to bed, and One in the middle of the night (if I woke up). It helped a lot during the day.
I have the Premier brand of Protein shakes (pre-made ones), and I also have the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury brand of Protein. My 2 favorite flavors are the chicken & the unflavored. They have been life savers for me. I'm not a sweets person, I'm a savory person, so the basic vanilla, chocolate & strawberry, don't cut it for me. I have both the canisters & the individual packets. I use the unflavored in V-8 juice, XXXzero Water, real fruit juice, even coffee drinks. The chicken is like sipping chicken broth! Each scoop or packet is 21 grams of protein.
The 2 things I have had problems with are:
1) chewable Vitamins..... Sorry, but on what planet can you call them "berry flavored"!! I found that if I missed my Vitamins or my B-complex, I felt real tired all day. I finally found a liquid brand (Natures way), 1oz, in my little water bottle in the morning, and it is easy to sip!
2) I'm to the point of being able to add mushy foods (tuna fish & canned chicken) back into my diet. But after adding mayo to make them more mushy and softer, all I think about is wanting a sandwich!
Does anyone have any recipes for what I can do to switch it up, and not get bored!
It will get better, you just need to give yourself time to heal. We all move at different paces. I'm going back to work after 3 weeks, and my coworker (she was sleeved in May 2014) took 5 weeks off, and is floored I'm not taking more time off. I feel fine, and because I have a desk job, I will be fine. Just take care of you!

Weigh in once a week as weighing daily is crazy. Your weight can fluctuate each day based on foods eaten or exercise taken or even that time of the month!

A friend I work with was sleeved in the end of April 2014. She weighs herself every day. I was sleeved September 10th, and have decided to wait until my first follow up appointment (October 2nd) to find out what my weight is now. I feel as though I have enough on my "plate" with trying to get all my Proteins, RX & liquids down, along with adding in walking. Am I crazy to not stress about checking the scale?

Oh, I am a surgical coordinator (different specialty) and a physician/surgeon upping and leaving with no plan for patients does not surprise me one single bit. This happened to me just a few months ago. For some reason one of my surgeons was suddenly unable to operate at all, not even minor cases and procedures. It was my job as coordinator to figure what on earth to do with all these patients without having the details. Say it with me. "NIGHTMARE." Crazy things happen in the world of healthcare. That said, it sounds like your hospital has a insurance network for employees that included the hospital you worked in - not uncommon, especially in private settings. Good thing, bariatric surgery is NOT elective. If you've met the standards for approval, you should be given an in-network option through your plan. If may take time, DO NOT GIVE UP. This may not have been the path or direction you were intending and you have a lot of emotions (as one would) and security of having it all planned out. You will get this figured out in time.

@ Kindle,
Thanks for the support. I don't own a scale either, I like the fact of weighing in @ the follow up appointments, as that is where my starting number came from at my "welcome" meeting.
The lady I work with, stresses every time she doesn't lose some weight in a week.
Maybe I'll get a scale later, anyone have input on a good brand?

I vote don't weigh. It will save you a lot of stress. Better yet, you won't even know if you have a stall or not. You can concentrate on drinking, getting in Protein and making healthy food choices. Judge your success by how your clothes fit and NSV's. F... K the numbers on the scale. I don't even own a scale.< /p>
I weighed myself at the doctors office maybe 4 times in the first 2 months. After 4 months, I have stepped on the scale at work about once a week so I have something to post on my ticker. And I've always lost weight whether a I weigh myself or not.

A friend I work with was sleeved in the end of April 2014. She weighs herself every day. I was sleeved September 10th, and have decided to wait until my first follow up appointment (October 2nd) to find out what my weight is now. I feel as though I have enough on my "plate" with trying to get all my Proteins, RX & liquids down, along with adding in walking. Am I crazy to not stress about checking the scale?

So there are many hospitals in the nation who self insure. And when they do this their employees are given extremely good rates for seeking all care at that hospital and its employee physicians.
It's really unfortunate that they up and left and have no other options. However the situations sounds really fishy and perhaps you saved yourself a lot of heartache and complications in the long run