msmisaacs

WOW! You look fabulous! Way to go msmisaacs! Keep going. You can only get better looking!

I am one year out today!

Has anyone tried this? Results?

Hi all! I am 6 months out and live in the greater Boston area. I'm wondering if there is anyone in the greater Boston area who can recommend an Ob/Gyn who has worked with post-RNY patients. Disclaimer - I do NOT plan to get pregnant (if at all) for another year or so, based on guidance from my bariatric surgeon, but I want to plan ahead and do some research re: informed Ob practices so that I can discuss options with the practice. Any tips/recommendations/suggestions are much appreciated!

For anyone craving Pasta or looking for something good to eat alongside Protein, try Tofu Shirataki. I buy the angel hair variety from Whole Foods - 20 calories and 3 carbs for an entire package, which is one serving ( I eat about 1/4 usually). Tastes like the real thing, especially with some marinara sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese!

Here's my side by side. 5 months out and down 112lbs, wearing the same shirt but different pants (the old ones fall down). Keep up the great work every one!

I had RNY on 2/23 and have been on and off this site, hoping to connect with some like minded people for support. I am 34 (for another month, anyway) and have 2 little ones at home, and would love to have a couple of buddies to help keep me honest through this process. Kika - if you're still looking for a buddy, I am here!

Hi all -

Had RNY on 2/23 and would love to check in with others at about the same stage. I am down a total of 66.8lbs and am feeling great! I am not exercising as much as I would like to because I still can't get more than 800-900 calories a day, and found myself stalling when I was exercising on top of chasing my two kids around. I figure my regular life is fairly active plus adding in gardening, intense house cleaning, etc., and walking the dog, I am covering my bases.

Would love to hear where others are with weight loss, calorie intake, carb intake especially, etc.

Potentially stupid ? alert...does taking three Viactiv chews at the same time have any impact on weight loss? I have been told to take three - one in AM, one midday and one in PM, but my work/life makes that hard, so I take all three at the same time along with my chewable multi. I am 7 weeks out overall having good results but pretty slow progress recently, and just wondering if anyone thinks it could be related?

That must be so frustrating! What about tracking - does that make a difference? I think changing what you eat and how you're working out could help. If you're doing/eating the same things maybe you're just in a rut and your body isn't being challenged?

I have Biotin in tablet form - is yours liquid or do you crush the tablets?

Biotin 10,000 and Coromega 3 squeeze packets is the magical combo. It will halt Hair loss

Where do you get these?

I am 11 weeks post op and have craved pizza a few times. I use to eat the thin crust pizza before surgery and know one day I will have it again. In the mean time, I have gotten cheese bread or cheese pizza and just eat the cheese off of it; this way you get the taste of pizza and don't feel bad or in pain from the crust. As for the chocolate aspect, I have just turned to sugar free option. Russel Stover makes delicious Sugar Free Chocolates, maybe try that as an option.

The sugar free doesn't cause any issues for you?

The chest discomfort is likely because you are drinking too much in one sip or are full. The pouch is very high in the abdomen and what you feel in your chest is actually your new stomach!

Thank you both so much for being so honest, I know being in my shoes is far apart from being in yours so, thanks for shedding some light. I have a few nay Sayers in my life and like the comedian with a Colosseum full of laughing people, I am focused on the one person in the crowd who is stone faced! Why do we always do that? Have a hundred supportive people on our side and one negative Nancy but that's voice we cant ignore!? Its giving me a bit of cold feet but, I know, I have tried it all and I don't want to be trapped in this massive tomb of a body anymore. I want to live, just like both of you decided to do. Thank you both so much for your input!

I can relate so much to this. I just had RNY on 2/23 and I seem to focus much more on the very few people in my life who have been less than supportive, but trying my hardest to hear the many supportive voices all around me. This forum is great because it is really all positive and is a safe place for us to come garner strength and support from others who have walked this same path. I find it so helpful to talk with veterans and newbies alike.

How are you feeling so far, physically?

It is awesome to see so many Boston or close to it on this board. I'm scheduled for the Beth Israel in late May so I haven't had my RNY a yet. Just trying to gather as many facts as possible.

Thank you all for helping

Hi there - I just had RNY on 2/23, so Im not too far ahead yet but am happy to act as a resource and answer any questions you might have. I am only a week out but I am so glad I did this. It's hard work for sure, but I know it will be something that helps me make the changes I have needed to make (and tried to) for a long time.

@@msmisaacs I am in Hyde Park, right near Dedham.

I don't think the Shampoo really makes your hair thicker, it just FEELS like it! It's awesome. I would try the Biotin for sure though. I don't think there is any downside to taking that.

Where did you have your surgery? I had mine at St. Elizabeth's in Brighton. We have a support group at the hospital twice a month as well if you are ever looking for a group. I don't know if it's just for people who had the surgery there but I could find out if you were interested. Though you have to be prepared for the group--it's mostly about food addiction and not everyone is ready to hear those words.

Thank you! I really appreciate that. I had my surgery at Winchester Hospital. It's really close to home which seemed important since I wanted to make sure I stayed involved with my doctor and our support groups. I used the same surgeon who removed my gall bladder last year, mainly because he is really tough and expects strict compliance, and I knew I needed a bit of a drill sargeant. I researched and went to an info. session at MGH but the program just wasn't for me, even though I know it's a great one.

Love the recommendation for Texas Tea - I am a girlie girl who loves Sephora so any excuse to buy some cosmetics to treat myself works for me.

I am one of those folks that has lost a lot of hair and I am post op 5 months. I started losing almost right away and found that my thyroid was functioning better because of weight loss which was causing Hair loss, also I happen to be going through menopause. I have had surgeries many times in my life and the stress from surgery causes me to lose hair. And then of course rapid weight loss can cause it. It's like a quadruple whammy for me.

Now, The good news. First, there are no bald spots, it simply thins. It does grow back, I have sprouts everywhere!

I have been told that it should stop soon (6 month mark), I am hoping that is true. My husband is always cleaning up my hair and it makes him more nervous than me.

It is not as bad as people think in fact no one notices with the exception of my hubby who sees it on the floor, pillow etc.

I've also lost hair with each surgery - though mainly following c-sections based on hormonal changes following pregnancy. I think most of the hair loss with this is the same - there are definite hormonal changes following RNY.

Glad to hear it doesn't last forever! I figure I'll get one of those cute shoulder length hair cuts as a way to look fresh and save some strands. ????

I bought fast-dissolve Biotin from GNC and it's by far the tastiest and easiest medication that I take. I'm pretty sure it's this one. http://m.gnc.com/Healthy-Natural-Systems-TriSorb-Biotin-Delicious-Cherry-Flavor/product.jsp?productId=18437916

Is this pretty effective for you?

I am 9 weeks out and still get that feeling. I too have to wait a while. At first I was afraid to take another sip or bite because the feeling was horific, so I would cut that meal short and later would have just 2 small wheat crackers which I could tolerate better. My problem now is dealing with always feeling blotted after a meal. So far I have lost 52lbs since 12/17

Do you find certain foods intolerable, or some that cause this more than others? I am hoping to keep this feeling (to a point) because I think it will help keep me "honest," but also hope I can have some variety in my diet and just eat very small portions. I know I will just have to wait and see since everyone is different but I am curious to see others experiences.

p.s. so nice to meet another WLS patient who is local! Strength in numbers and all that. And yes, enough snow already! Hubby and I are seriously talking a move out west because we are so sick of the cold and being cooped up in the house makes being healthy harder.

I haven't really had much so far, just an occasional few spoonfuls of sugar free Jello, some sugar free Popsicles, and a premier Protein shakes. Today was the first day I was able to have a whole shake but I've been too full to drink Water since. So far I've been focused on drinking small sips of Water to stay hydrated but I've definitely felt pretty full most days. I was so surprised to know that this feeling was either fullness or drinking too soon, since I'm used to feeling full much lower.

Did people at work notice anything? I'm nervous about having "the" conversation over and over, although I think I will just tell them I drastically changed eating habits and am working with a physician and nutritionist to get healthy - it's all true!

I found some that are chewable. I think I got them at the grocery store. Nature's something or other. Or maybe at CVS? They probably both sell them. But it is definitely chewable. I try to still do as many chewables as I can.

I've also switched to a different Shampoo. It doesn't help with hair loss but it does make my hair feel a bit thicker and better but it's kind of expensive. It's called Texas Tea and I got it from Sephora. But, again, it doesn't stop Hair loss or anything like that. I just also have naturally thin hair and this makes my hair feel thicker.

If you are near Dedham, the Sephora at Legacy Place will be starting to sell it in their stores this month some time.

S

That is awesome - thank you so much! Are you in MA? You're the first I've met on here who is local, so I'm excited! I am in Melrose. I also have naturally thin hair so it's great to get your tips and tricks. Does the shampoo really thicken? Would love to try it out.

How far out are you?

I started taking Biotin before the surgery and still take it and I'm a year out. My hair slightly thinned out but nobody even noticed it, not even my hair stylist who I also saw on a regular basis for cut and foils. Some people do lose a noticeable amount, others don't. I haven't heard of anyone losing all their hair. Best of luck. Try to keep up with all your protein--that will totally help!

Do you take liquid biotin or crush pills? I had RNY on 2/23 and want to go back to my Biotin - I already have fairly thin hair and am noticing more strands falling than usual, just wondering how you're taking it. Thanks!

Please help. Today is my first day of preop diet and I feel very weak and dizzy. Headache. My instruction from the doctor says shakes or liquid between 800 and 1000 calories. I count my calories with myfirnesspal count 770. What else can I take to feel fuller? Help help please

My doctor is very conservative and also allowed chicken broth, sugar free pudding, sugar free Jello, sugar free Popsicles...that may help a bit but make sure you follow your doctors protocol. Also be sure to drink plenty of Water. Good luck!