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I am 7 months post op following RNY. I have been having terrible spine problems since the early 90's. I had my lower lumbar fused at L5/S1 in 2001. In 2003 I started having severe pain in my neck and shoulder. I was told then that I had severe arthritis in my cervical spine at C6/C7. Of course I went to PT and have had epidural injections several times per year to deal with the pain. Well, the injections stopped working about 1 1/2 years ago. Since my RNY the pain in my neck and shoulder has gotten much worse. I had some tests done and now I have 3 levels that would require fusion. C4/5, C5/6 & C6/7. After having that lower lumbar fused which was a very brutal surgery and recovery I am really concerned about having my neck fused but the pain is becoming out of control. I have done a lot of research on this surgery and of course I am not seeing a lot of success stories out there. Sometimes people just take the time to tell the negative stories and it is hard to come by positive stories. I am also worried that if I have this surgery it is going to set my progress backwards on my weight loss journey. That in itself has me very very concerned. You see I am very active now and I don't want to lose momentum. Has anyone had cervical spinal fusion? Has anyone had this surgery post RNY? What were your results and do you have any advice for me? I am really struggling to decide what to do here and I need to make a decision in the next week or so. Thanks so much!

I had trouble with this for about 10 days. Then I could not get out of the bathroom until I started puréed foods and protein. Once I started that phase, I ended up constipated for about the first 6 months, now that has resolved.

Honestly it depends on whether or not your body can tolerate it. I was one of those people that had to switch to Premier Protein shakes and lactose free milk. I just could not tolerate either of those things in the first 3 months post surgery. I still have trouble with regular milk but it is very mild now. Are you asking because you are struggling with it post surgery? If it is not bothering you, it will be fine.

I had surgery on a Monday, it was pretty much gone by the following Monday. I did walk a lot that first week which really helped to move it along. When I wasn't walking I was using a heating pad.

I am so happy that you are taking steps to improve your health! Please don't lose faith that you can do this! I would definately get a second opinion and try the other clinic. Make sure if you are expected to lose that much weight, that you ask for a food and exercise plan that will assist in you getting there. Like someone else said, make sure their program includes a nutritionist and physiologist that can help you work through your eating issues. You need a solid support system around you including your surgical team. In the meantime it sounds like you lost 76lbs last year. How did you do that? Most of us have no problem losing the weight, it is keeping it off where we fall down. It sounds like you have experienced this as well. I would work really hard to move to a high Protein low carb diet now. It will only prepare you for what is to come. Also like someone else said, if you are drinking any calories stop that now, you won't be able to after surgery and many times this is where a lot of weight gain comes from. I know you can do this, you have done it before. Don't let yourself get discouraged to the point you give up, it will only cost you more down the road. I wish you the best of luck! I hope you are able to find a clinic that will give you the support needed for a successful surgery and recovery. I will say a prayer for you!

I used to use ZZZquil all the time prior to surgery. I realized the Benadryl in it made me so groggy and more tired the next day that I don't ever take it anymore. Have no idea what happens post RNY.

It is so important that you are trying now. For me this was one of the things that was hardest to master. Obviously when you do not chew you basically inhale you food eating way too fast. Post surgery that can be one of the most painful experiences. I still struggle with it and it can literally ruin a meal. it happens mostly when you are eating and not paying attention. Usually that is when I am having a meal with other people and I don't pay attention. You will learn fast!

Hi Stayce5, It honestly depends how lucky nag since you are pot op. In the first few weeks it is really hard to get to your Protein and Water goals because you are still very swollen Realistically I started regularly hitting my goals by 5 weeks post op. The whole protein and water thing really is the most critical thing for you to focus on. As soon as you are able you need to get to your goals but if you are just a handful of weeks out, that makes it hard so you do the absolute best you can do. How far out are you at this point? Which surgery did you have?

I was already smoke, soda and caffeine free before surgery so my goals were related to my eating behaviors. - I stopped eating every meal in front of the tv so I could pay attention to my meals and my body telling me I was full - I started focusing on chewing my food like crazy - I started working on no liquid 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after each meal (this was very hard prior to surgery) - now, no problem - I worked on reducing my sugar intake - I worked on increasing my activity level by walking as much as I could All of these things along with, no smoking, no carbonated beverages and no caffeine are very important to the success of WLS.

I was on a 10 day preop liquid diet and lost 13lbs total.

I would not worry about it. Many times when you see people struggling with eating it is sometimes because the don't get all their Protein in and they are healing much slower. Or they have a stricture. From what you described and your weight loss, you are right on track. Everyone is different and heal at different rates. I was like you, completely healed and able to pretty much eat anything at 7 weeks. I have lost nearly 100lbs in 7 months. I have never gotten sick although I have eaten too much on occasion and come close. Good luck with your continued journey!

How do you report them from an iPad? Does anyone know?

I think it is absolutely amazing that vegetables I really did not care for before surgery, I love now. Carrots, zucchini, acorn squash. The list goes on and on!

Va Va Va Voom! Your legs look fantastic! Congratulations!

Most people are shocked to see you if they have not seen you for a while. Some have not even recognized me and only did so because I happened to be with my husband. Your good friends are simply so happy for you that you get great big hugs, the people you thought were friends but really are not will usually ask inappropriate questions. Or if they know you have WLS because you told them, they will always have some story of someone they knew that either had horrific complications or gained all their weight back. For me, I simply ignore these people and simply show up with my positive attitude. When they see the transformation they usually shut right up. Most of the time they are jealous that you are doing so great and don't know how to handle it. Many do not understand that obesity is actually a disease and needs to be treated for long term success. I do my best to educate them and sometimes that works and other times it doesn't. In the end I really don't care what people think, say or do. I did this for my health and I have accomplished that! I win!

Gas x worked like a charm for me too!

I suffered with constipation the first 6 months post op. What I found was that even though I was getting in 50oz. Of Water a day, my body actually needed more. I started regularly getting in 64 or more and suddenly my constipation resolved. Also making sure you get in enough vegetables with your Protein should help to. I do not take any softener so any longer and the only time I have a problem is when I travel and don't get my water in.

Welcome! I am so very glad to hear you have made a decision that will lead you to better health. I was 310lbs when I had my surgery in September. I am down 96lbs so far. Another 50 to go. I no longer have diabetes my high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux/Gerd and my stage 3 kidney disease has resolved. All of this in just 7 short months! I can walk long distances, jog, race up and down the stairs, fit into an airplane seat with no extender and keep up with my grandchildren. Having gastric bypass was one of the best decisions of my life! Congratulations and I wish you a safe and speedy recovery!

Good luck! You are well on your way to a whole new life!

Hi there! Is it possible for you to change RNPs? If you are not connecting well with her, you might consider a change. You need someone that is supportive, informational and someone that can challenge you. It sounds like yours simply wants to challenge you and stress you out. It looks like you are able to power through it anyway but there will come a time when you need the support. Good luck!

I have been having trouble as well. I have lost my behind, literally! I bought two new pairs in two different sizes from lucky brand that fit well. I am close to fitting in the smaller size now comfortably. I might have to try the buckle but would wait until I get a little closer to my goal. Lucky brand jeans are $100.00 per pair the way it is. The buckle is much more expensive. I used to have lots of curves even when I was young and skinny. Now I have no butt and my boobs are shrinking too. I just look like a boy. Very straight. I am definately not complaining, just learning how to dress all over again.

I just turned 7 months post op. On average I lose about 2 lbs per week however I have to really work a lot harder at it now otherwise I will remain the same for a week or two. I am pushing to get these last 50lbs off. I am down 96 as of this morning, I have noticed that if I miss a day of exercise, I don't lose for that day or will go back up a half pound or so. I am so thankful I am losing though.

I am always cold now and am 7 months post op. It usually starts with my hand and feet. Once they are cold, the rest of me is freezing.

Hi there. I am nervous about the same thing. I just moved out of state and need to find someone in the Waukesha Wisconsin area. I loved my bariatric center of excellence in Minneapolis. I just hope I can find a group that is as great as mine was. Yes, you should absolutely look for a new one if yours is not responding. Good luck!

They definately will drawn blood the morning of surgery. They watch to make sure you don't have a potential infection before doing surgery. Also they check your blood count as well as some other things. Good luck on your surgery. I wish you a safe and speedy recovery!