AmyC65

Gallstones are a very common post-RNY issue. I had my GB removed during RNY surgery, another friend did not and ended up with terrible gall bladder issues, septic and in a coma. So keep an eye on that GB!

I don't know when your surgery was. I think your biggest issue would be the juice. But it's such a small sip, I think you would be fine.

Hi Tanya! I know time in the hospital feels like it will never end. I'm sorry you're in pain and having to be there for so long. But trust your Dr. to be making the best decisions for you and your health! Try to remind yourself that you made a big decision that will improve the rest of your life - and that kind of decision is an investment that takes time. My first few months were really rough and it felt like I had messed myself up forever. But I'm 8 months out now and I barely remember that time now. I feel great and life is pretty much normal now. So, try to be patient with the process. When you're in the middle of it, it feels like forever. But it's a short time in the big picture. Better days are coming! Just do what the Dr says and hang in there!

I'm not a stylist but I can tell you from my experience and the 4 friends and husband that have had the same surgery - everyone is different! On friend drove herself home from the hospital and went back to work at 3 weeks. I didn't even put on pants for 2 weeks. I was very uncomfortable (also had gallbladder at same time, which may have complicated things). Another friend took 5 weeks to go back to an office job. I know this doesn't really give you an answer. If you can schedule in advance but change clients at the last minute if you need to, that might be a way to go. Hope for the best with a backup plan just in case?

ha ha, ok. So you're REALLY "upstate", not one of those Duchess County people who say "upstate". My daughter is going to Ithaca College next year - in your neighborhood! Do you see a surgeon up here? I do think colitis is usually a prescription. Maybe modified diet? I guess you'll find out more after your tests.

You're right, it is discouraging. But even if it is 6-8 months, it is still a short period of time in the big picture. And you are regaining your health for the rest of your life! I was so discouraged in the beginning - my recovery seemed brutal and I couldn't eat anything without diarrhea for months. I would cry and think I'd ruined my life. But when I turned the corner and started to get better, those negative memories faded quickly. They will for you, too, over time. I'm in Syracuse, btw. Will your insurance cover ulcerative colitis? What would the treatment be for that?

Let me know what the Dr says. My mornings are usually very "poopy" hee hee. I've lost 55, I'm at 165 now and I feel like I'm almost "done". Unless I want to go to spinning class 4x's a week, which I do not! Where in NY are you?

I was thinking of you last night and wondered if it might be something you are eating? I know it feels like you're past the stage of foods suddenly bothering you. But my surgery was September also and for the first 5 months I could eat sugars with almost no trouble. And the scared me and made me really happy at the same time. But suddenly in the last 5-6 weeks, I am having obvious reactions to sugars. I was surprised that it happened pretty well after my healing process, but it is definitely happening. So, could there be something you've been eating all along but suddenly it's bothering you? Mayonnaise? Fats? Sugars?

How soon will you see the Dr?

I get it in the organic section of my grocery story. costco sells a big jar of it, but the one I like is unscented and Costco's has a coconut smell. Which is nice but I don't do well with smells in large doses. It's hard sitting at room temperature, it looks like crisco but it melts in your hand. I just scoop a little bit out with my nails or a spoon and melt it in my palms before I spread it on.

My surgeon took out my gallbladder during my RNY, my pre-op scans showed preliminary stones. A friend had another surgeon and didn't get pre-op gallbladder scans. 18 months post-surg she ended up with septic gallbladder and in a coma for 4 days. Talk to your surgeon - or a different one? - about what "sludge" means and if you are on your way to a gallbladder removal. Maybe sooner than later. Sorry you're having such difficulty, I hope you get some answers and relief soon.

Yup, coconut oil! I live in Central NY. Snow capital of America. The heat is on all the time, the stress on my skin of going outside in bitter cold, then into dry heat - I started using coconut oil post-shower about a month ago and I am in love with the results. My skin still feels soft 2 days later, whereas with lotion it was dry within a day.

I'm almost at 6 months and mine really only started falling out at around 4 - 4 1/2 months. I take the same Biotin dosage as you. When I saw my stylist this week, she said I have loads of new growth, about 2-3" long right now. So I'm encouraged that it is coming in. Mine is about 2' long, so when I lose even a few, it feels like it's everywhere! I've been in a ponytail 24/7 for months now to keep it from being all over the house!

Are you able to make your own hours? My stylist had surgery last year (different surgery but equally difficult) and when she finally went back to work, she started with short days and built up to full days after 3 weeks or so. You'll probably want to have some appts scheduled in advance so you have income. Ask your surgeon, I usually hear people going back to work at 3 weeks. You could start with a few short days, maybe with days off in between?

ryn2bthin - I can't speak for the original poster, but what I experience is not head hunger. My stomach hurts. Really, really hurts. Not everyone's experience is the same post-surgery.

When I have too much sugar, I get a bloaty/nauseous feeling. You listed a few sweet foods, I wonder if that could be it? But it could also be your system isn't quite ready for thicker foods yet. I didn't have as much of a problem but my husband had his surgery 2 yrs ago and he went back to liquids a few times before he was ready to progress.

Yeah, I'm hungry a lot. And maybe it's b/c I never let myself get empty enough to feel hunger before, but it is a really painful hungry now! I have friends who have had surgery who say they are never hungry! That's not me! I probably eat 5-6 small meals on an average day.

avocados, eggs in every form. My grocery sells an instant oatmeal that also contains quinoa and other ancient grains, has a good bit of Protein in it. (I think Special K makes one in pre-serve cups). Cottage cheese with fruit spread. pureed Soups (but this is tricky b/c creamy soups are fatty soups. I thought I might die after a few bites of Panera's baked potato soup!) Refried Beans mixed with salsa.

I had a rough 7-8 weeks post-surgery. Partly b/c I also had gallbladder, but eating anything resulted in diarrhea and I was just discouraged all the time. I didn't even care that I was losing so much weight because I felt miserable. Around 6-8 weeks I was wondering if I would ever feel normal again and I was regretting my choice. But I turned a corner very quickly and I'm at 4 months now. I feel great and have lost 50 lbs. I feel like my relationship with food has and is changing and I am very glad I had the surgery done. I hope you're feeling well at about 1 week out now!

I'm going to look into it. Thanks!

I know how you feel. I lost fast in the first few months, then it slowed to about 1.5/week. Now I've been at exactly 50 lost for a full month - 4+ months post-surgery now. I would like to see 20 more, but now I'm at the point that I have to do more of the work. Back to the gym in January (like EVERY OTHER JANUARY! ha ha). I have an acquaintance who had surgery after me and she is always checking in on my loss, like it's a contest. I might not end up a size 4 like some people do. I'm at a 12/14 right now. Some days I am discouraged and other days I think I look hot. But I definitely know I would NEVER be able to lost 50 lbs. on my own without the surgery, so I am thankful for where I am. If I can go further, that will be a blessing.

Maggie, what does standing up have to do with dying hair? I'm confused on that one.

I am not having the same issues as you, but one thing I have learned is that we have to advocate for ourselves and listen to our bodies. I complained about heartburn feeling late afternoon everyday, so they doubled my omeprazole. It just kept on, though. And a few days that I forgot my omeprazole, I felt better than usual. I emailed Dr. and asked about pulling off omeprazole. She said OK, I could try it. Turns out, that heavy dosage was making me sick. I ended up putting myself back on half of my original dosage (which is 1/4 of what they bumped me up to!) and I feel great. She thought I was crazy, but no one knows my body better than I do. If you suspect you need meds, get some over-the-counters and try for a week or so.

Great job! And, yes, it does get better. I'm 4+ months out now and the first 2 months were ROUGH. But now I don't even think about how hard those weeks were. I'm stuck at 50 lbs, I'd like to see 20 more gone. Off to the gym in January, that should help. Very little upset stomach or sickness anymore. Like you said to the new kids, just hang in there. This too shall pass!

I do 2 things - either whipped ricotta with vanilla extract and splenda in it (old Atkins recipe) or cottage cheese with fruit spread on it.