Daisee68

Time released meds are supposed to be tough after bypass. I can tell you that I take Trintellix (was Brintellix) for depression (though it is apparently immediate release) - 1x per day at bedtime. I did increase my dose post-op, but I don't know if that is so much to do with the malabsorption of med as it has to do with just general additional emotions that come with the rapidly changing body and release of hormones as you lose (plus I got laid off which really was a blow to my ego!). Anyway, I still wouldn't change the surgery for a moment. They can adjust your meds, but it will take some time and adjustment.
Good luck with your decision.

@@PatriotFan
I would definately work with your surgeon on this. I am sure they have come across it alot over the years. I know there are few medications that really do have absorption issues but the time released ones can be a challenge.

Tyvm Daisee68. Great advice. You bring up another another good question for me to ask the Dr. I never considered the amount.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Time released meds are supposed to be tough after bypass. I can tell you that I take Trintellix (was Brintellix) for depression (though it is apparently immediate release) - 1x per day at bedtime. I did increase my dose post-op, but I don't know if that is so much to do with the malabsorption of med as it has to do with just general additional emotions that come with the rapidly changing body and release of hormones as you lose (plus I got laid off which really was a blow to my ego!). Anyway, I still wouldn't change the surgery for a moment. They can adjust your meds, but it will take some time and adjustment.
Good luck with your decision.

Time released meds are supposed to be tough after bypass. I can tell you that I take Trintellix (was Brintellix) for depression (though it is apparently immediate release) - 1x per day at bedtime. I did increase my dose post-op, but I don't know if that is so much to do with the malabsorption of med as it has to do with just general additional emotions that come with the rapidly changing body and release of hormones as you lose (plus I got laid off which really was a blow to my ego!). Anyway, I still wouldn't change the surgery for a moment. They can adjust your meds, but it will take some time and adjustment.
Good luck with your decision.

Oh, and re sweats or feeling cold .....
The only time I felt cold was during European winters, many, many years ago.
I have a thyroid disease, and I always did sweat when I was slim, when I was obese and sweat again now, when I am heading back to being slim again.
My thyroid has been doing cartwheels before, and is still making me sweat now, after my 3rd med dose adjustment.
I live in air-conditioning, other people freeze, but not me
I long to feel cold! Can always put more clothes on, turn up the heating.
With feeling hot so much, even sitting naked would not fix this for me ......
And I live in the hottest and humid state in Australia ......
And summer is coming .......
Check your thyroid ladies, it does affect the internal furnace.

If you'd rather vacation in a desert greenhouse this summer than get your bloodwork done, you're obviously not a fan of WLS labs. Are all those labs really necessary? Bariatric Dietitian Elizabeth Anderson helps you decide if it's time to fast or pack the sunscreen.


“Do you think I should keep taking my sublingual B12, Elizabeth?” Roxanne* is 3 years post op from her gastric sleeve and is wondering if the expense of the meltable supplement is worth it.
“I’m not sure, what does your latest B12 lab show?” I respond.
“Uh…..I haven’t had labs done in, well...years,” Roxanne admits.
And she’s not alone. Scores and scores of WLS clients intend to keep up with the required post op labs but life gets in the way.
People, I am here to tell you, if it has been a long, LONG since you’ve had your specific bariatric lab work done, run, don’t walk, to your nearest phlebotomist.
Every few years, the Obesity Society (TOS), the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) update medical guidelines for bariatric surgery patients. They have a list of labs that need to be done at 3 and 6 months and those that need to be done annually. Yes, every-single-year, after surgery.
Why? Believe it or not, vitamin and mineral deficiencies increase over time—regardless of your WLS procedure.
I know many PCPs push back against ordering these regular labs--whether it’s the cost to their practice, the patient or both, many providers don’t understand the necessity for the work-up.
What concerns me the most is that the damage from some vitamin and mineral deficiencies cannot be undone or corrected. The damage is permanent.
A psychiatrist speaker at a recent convention I attended, talked about patients he’s seen that were 6-10 years post op that were suffering from mental health issues--sometimes incapacitating problems.
When he looked at their lab work, he was shocked to see that for some patients, vitamin and mineral deficiencies were the sole cause.
If your provider pushes back against these labs, I’m happy to provide you with the link to the scientific paper citing which labs need to be done and when. You can share this with your provider and insurer.
Roxanne is off having her B12 checked as we speak. Armed with those results, we’ll be able to determine the most affordable and healthful path forward, specifically for her.
You deserve the same so make that appointment today. I thank you.
*names of clients have been changed

Do I need to cut you???

My message to you today is short and sweet...


Slow down......
Take a Deep Breath......
and Enjoy the Journey.....
You are exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you are meant to be doing in this very moment.. You are perfect right here, right now.......Be kind and be gentle with you.....

I went in there last night. jamielogical was there but then she left. I thought it was all about me, but I remembered what my therapist said...and let it go... Maybe I'll see some of you in there tonight or tomorrow night.

@@Katnroyal
I'm happy to crack y'all up...
@@CowgirlJane
Nah, no flouncing...
I was so angry at myself that I left the chatroom, sent myself a stern email and then went to bed...
Of course, I couldn't sleep until I was once again talking to myself, so I got up and dealt with it...
Never let the sun set on an argument with a loved one...
And let's face it - I'm one of my own favourite loved ones...

I had a look...
I was alone...
Talked to myself for a while...
But then I got bored and started to troll myself...
So I yelled at myself and left...

I've not read all the replies and I will when I have more time, but my initial response is that the whole "movement" is ridiculous. Bullying or discrimination of EVERY flavor should talked about but I do think Tumblr and other social media has created some very special snowflakes that think they are entitled to feel "shamed" or "bullied" over the smallest of slights instead of just manning up and moving on. They have completely watered down the meaning of both words taking away from the terms when they really matter.
There is a BIG difference between told you can't do something because of your size and expecting special allowances (ie two seats on a plane for the price of one) because of your size. When I was at my heaviest, I expected to pay extra for my bigger clothes. I didn't demand that amusement parks make special accommodations because I couldn't fit in all the attractions. I knew trendier styles would come with a big price tag and would be few and far between.

I have mixed feelings on it myself. On the one hand, I want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin. I don't think anyone should feel ashamed of their size. Everyone should be able to find flattering, comfortable clothes in their size. We should educate people who have never had a weight problem that obesity is not a choice. We should fight the lazy/clumsy/stupid stereotypes of obese individuals... all that I support.
But there is something about it that rubs me the wrong way... I think it's the push to ignore medical advice and tell doctors they're being fat-shamed for being told to lose weight.
I'm just curious. Do you think it's ultimately harmful or helpful to obese folks?
Discuss

Love this thanks for posting!
Nice to see someone speaking the clear honest truth about it. I admit I clicked expecting to find someone touting Vitamins and creams and was ready to point out that age, genetics, how much you've gained and yoyo'd was more to "blame" and that exercise didn't really tighten skin it just filled out what was underneath.
So glad to read that she said exactly that!

Thanks donali .
I'm glad that my journal was helpful to you...it's been quite a ride!!!
My arms and thighs aren't too bad. They absorbed pretty well. They certainly aren't wonderful but I don't think I'll need plastic surgery on them to be happy. My belly was just an atrocity that needed to be dealt with!
Good luck to you with your own journey .

Thanks @@JamieLogical! You look great! That makes me feel so much better! Did you have the same kind of depression those folks did or do you suppose the show just exaggerated it for dramatic affect?

That's because their "after" video was still so soon after surgery. It takes literally MONTHS for the swelling to go down and YEARS for the scars to fade. I'm over 4 years post plastics and you can see pics of my scars here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/349852-tt-scar-pics/

I just want to reply in that it is not true that skin removal is guaranteed replacement by hideous scars. Skin removal surgery has made leaps and bounds over the years, especially now that more and more people are having WLS and needing this once they get to their goals. There are many very skilled plastic surgeons who specialize in excess skin removal and the scars are almost non existent. They are very well placed and look like a small line after awhile of healing.

Wow - what an ordeal you've been through.
I admire your grit and determination and willingness to move on.
With an attitiude like that, you are sure to succeed.
Good Luck, Best Wishes, and know that you'll always be a Bandster at Heart!

Regain glasses suck.
The moment regain becomes a problem we put on those regain glasses and NOTHING looks good.


A few years ago I distinctly remember reading a post from a woman that went something like this.
I hate my hair. I don't like my face and don't know how to use makeup. I hate what I'm eating every day and I'm sick of it. Oh and I gained 5 pounds.
One of my most often repeated quotes...."we are rarely upset for the reason we think". Of course I assume you can guess what she was really upset about. I wrote her and told her to get a cute haircut, go to a department store and get someone to show her how to do makeup (free) or check out thousands of makeup videos on You Tube. I also told her she could change what she eats every day. Of course none of that made her feel better because she didn't FEEL like doing any of that because she was wearing her regain glasses loud and proud.
It seems that for most people everything looks pretty awful through those regain glasses. I want to help you take them off. You say "Yeah right…like I haven’t tried… and mostly..... I don't FEEL like it. I don't feel like doing anything." I have often pointed out that when you were at this weight on the way down you were ecstatic! Do you see how your perspective totally messes with your head? Why do we obsess about the lowest weight we ever reached instead of constantly realizing what our highest weight was and being grateful we aren't there? And if you choose to obsess about your lowest weight, doesn't it make sense to move towards doing something about it instead of continuing to walk down regain road?
Unfortunately we have this big adjustment to make after weight loss surgery because the first year we are wearing the "honeymoon glasses" and EVERYTHING looks GREAT! Remember how wonderful everything was when you lost your first 30-40 pounds? Yet you were heavier than you are now. You could hardly mess up at all the first year. It was all good!
One day you wake up and you can't find your honeymoon glasses. You start to take for granted the little things like being able to tie your shoes, paint your toe nails, fit in an airplane seat..... and the next thing you know it isn't enough anymore. Some of us hang in there for a while or even a long while and eventually something shifts and you start to think about how much you miss those honeymoon glasses.... you start looking for that feeling in other things like our old friend Mr. Food. He’s tappin' you on the shoulder every day..."Pssst....remember me? Remember how much fun we had? Oh come on... a little sum-um sum-um won't hurt you". All the while your old friend has some regain glasses stuck in his back pocket just waiting to slide them on your face.
One of the most extreme cases of the perspective meter being out of whack was a woman I met who had lost 485 pounds. Not a typo! She lost 485 pounds but she had gained 40 back. She was all out of sorts and literally more miserable than when she weighed her heaviest.
I asked her to imagine that 485 pounds sitting on the floor. Right next to it 40 lbs. I guess we could say it looks something like this. (For those with perfectly analytical brains please forgive me…I guesstimated it)

I told her not to give that 40 pounds the time of day and dust it off. We give that regain so much power and of course we can pile plenty of shame on top of that for good measure. Shame is toxic, shame keeps us down. Shame keeps those damn regain glasses cemented to our face.
Here's the thing....if you don't take off the glasses and begin to turn things around....chances are that you'll look up in another year with more regain. Get off the insanity train today. Of course you remember... “Insanity=doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome”
Everyone is different but here are a few suggestions. You can’t build Rome in a day but you can always do the next best thing. (Thank you Post-Op and a Doc for “the next best thing”)
Look at your before picture in the morning and FEEL what you felt like. Sit it that for a while. I do that every morning without fail. Remember the things you wanted so badly. BE GRATEFUL you aren't there. If I could put you back in that body for a week you would be SO grateful to be you right now.
Quit thinking about the perceived mountain you have to move and pick up the shovel and start with one scoop at a time. Instead of Nike's "just do it", change it to "just start". (Thank you Chuck for that one) It’s too overwhelming to plan into the next century. I can hear the questions now….how long will this take? It DOES NOT matter. Just move toward your goal instead of away from it..... just for today. Today is all that counts.
Get the crap food out of your house. I know many people who find creative ways to do this with a family that feels they have to have the crap food. Put it in a place it can locked up but you'd do your family a favor by getting it out of their reach as well. Sugar and junk food is as addictive as any drug and they will guarantee that you will still be wearing those regain glasses. See my “M&M” story in this post.
Find a way to move your body that you can enjoy. I LOVE to dance. I hate to run….I wanted to love it but I don’t. I wanted that runner's high and I just could not get it. I love yoga and if you think you can’t do it, watch this! I describe yoga as slow dancing with yourself. Abby Lentz from Heartfelt Yoga is a dear friend. Look her up, she has DVD’s.

http://video.pbs.org/viralplayer/2365170173


You won’t do anything for very long if you perceive it as suffering. When you eat healthier food envision how you are nourishing your body. Remember it will make you feel better and look better instead of putting on more weight which equates to depression, physical pain, more misery and a shorter life span. Again the most important part of this is to stop the bleeding that has begun with regain. Nothing in life is easy so here comes your choices…...choose your hard.

My husband Roger and I are celebrating 37 years of marriage! My, how time flies. This year we have attended many receptions for newly marrieds and have admired all of the great gifts they receive. We often joke about


My husband Roger and I are celebrating 37 years of marriage! My, how time flies. This year we have attended many receptions for newly marrieds and have admired all of the great gifts they receive. We often joke about how great it would be to have a reception and invite all of our friends so we could get new stuff to replace our old worn out stuff. You know, like the toaster that only does one slice, the dull knives, and the old, “lost their fluff” towels.
Somehow after 37 years, we feel that we have earned it! Then I realized that we do have “good” knives and “good” towels and “good” china, but I have been saving them for years in the dining room and in my mother’s cedar chest.
You know, the ones I have been saving for…??? Well, that’s the thing I realized; that I didn’t really know exactly what or who I have been saving them for?? So I did it! Just the other day, I used the good towels! The good towels are bigger, softer, and even smell better than the everyday towels I have been using.
Such a silly thing, but using the good towels made me feel better about myself, and proud that I felt worthy of such a luxury. Since then, I have identified a few other little things that simply help me feel better; like keeping my car windows spot free, replacing my gunked up make up bag, getting my hair cut more often.
I don’t know about you, but I am quite convinced that my self-esteem is deeply connected to my eating and health habits. Hmm, seems that when I use the good towels, I feel better about myself and when I feel better about myself I eat less. Makes me wonder what other simple changes I might make. How about you? May I leave you with a challenge to do something special for yourself today? Something small and simple, yet something that will make you feel well and cared for. Then, see if it makes a difference in your eating habits. Come on; get out the good towels!

Are you unknowingly following some of your old dieting habits? After decades of dieting it can be hard to let go of old beliefs and behaviors. But be careful, some of those old rules and tricks are downright dangerous after WLS.


Bariatric Dietitian Elizabeth Anderson unveils 5 common but Dangerous Diet Myths.
Today, myth #2--low calorie food don't count.
Let’s start with pure, innocent popcorn.
Popcorn is a great, high volume, low calorie, whole grain snack-- if prepared in a healthful way.
Dieters love air-popped popcorn! It provides a BIG feeling of fullness for very few calories. It can be a great tool for managing late night snacking when you’re watching your weight …
if you aren’t a bariatric surgery patient.
For weight loss surgery patients, it’s that feeling of fullness that’s the concern. After WLS, you’ve got to be very careful about high volume foods—even if they’re ‘healthy’ or low calorie.
Those neat little bags of baby carrots are a classic example.
In many diet plans, these low calorie veggies are the perfect ‘free food’ because they’re high in nutrition. I’ve had many clients tell me this is their go-to snack because ‘they really don’t count.’
Don’t get me wrong, we all need vegetables and carrots ARE super healthy. But WLS surgery intentionally left you with precious little capacity in your pouch or sleeve.
For the very best and most healthy weight loss/maintenance, you need to fill that tiny space very strategically. Protein, vegetables, whole grains—in that order.
Be careful not to override your surgical tool with very low calorie vegetables or…popcorn. Yes, they’re healthy but standard dieting advice is just one more of things that don’t fit after WLS.
Tomorrow dangerous diet tip #3: Fooling Your Stomach with Fluid.

Great article! Aside from my Premier Protein shake I drink every morning, I have been trying to eat as much clean, real food since my surgery. And you're right, it's really not as hard and time consuming as people think. But let's face it, losing weight and more imortantly keeping it off requires preparation and planning. I've never seen anyone be successful with either by just "winging it".

Hi everyone,
I'm Alexandra, gleefully looking forward to being banded on August 20. I live in Northern NJ and am an insurance broker, so maybe I'll be able to help with those types of questions.
My story is an old one--obese since early childhood I've been over 200 lbs. since reaching my adult height of 5'10" at the age of 14. I've long ago come to terms with my size, but with the birth of my two children in the last five years I have found a whole new reason to lose weight. I'd never considered surgery before but last summer, when I realized I couldn't keep up with my growing children I started to look into RNY with lots of trepidation. Then I found out about the band and have NEVER looked back. A year later through lots of insurance mishegas I'm finally on the road to bandland.
See you here!
--Alexandra