dhrguru

I’m doing the Princess 1/2 marathon February. I believe the 5 and 10k are sold out.

Call me cynical- but I wonder if the help would have be organized if they knew the reason....

I have the mirena, had it since before WLS and still have it. It hasn't moved. It does seem logical that it could shift with weight loss, but coming out seems odd. That being said- I've never been able to feel my strings.

5'6" 194# size 12 or Medium, sometimes can fit a 10 too.

Highest weight was 337, size was 24 or 26

Hi dhrguru,

How has the journey been for you...are you settling into your new lifestyle now are it still all new? What has your experience been like? Any suggestion for post-op care and supplies? I would love to learn more. I am a bundle of nerves right now, 24 day before surgery.

My experience has been excellent. HW:337 SW:315 CW:197 Goal: 187. (But if I never lost another #, I'd still be content). This gets harder the further you are out. It's very easy to gain- or get comfortable and eat what you shouldn't . Weight loss aside- I'm most proud of the exercise regimen I do. I run on weekends, and hit the gym 2-3x/week- it's a sustainable regimen that I love.

I had no complications to speak of post op. There was pain, it went away. Drinking and walking are your main two goals post op. I took 3 weeks off of my sedentary job. Two to recover, a third to adapt to how I needed to eat. Re: Protein shakes: don't stock up, your tastes may change and you may not like the same flavors post op. Canned broth was nasty imo- I went to au bon pain and bought the broth from the chicken Soup they sell. I used chewable vitamins until I was able to tolerate pills at 4 months post op.

I was not nervous about my surgery- I was confident in the Bariatric team I was working with and just set my mind on the work ahead of me. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

I'm in Philly- I'm in my third post-op year though.

If you Had survey in 2013-- wouldn't that make you only 4 years out??

I had my thyroid removed 3/2104 and RNY 4/2015. I've lost and kept off 145#. My thyroid level has been normal by taking synthroid since the removal. Weight loss has not been a problem.
I didn't have thyroid cancer though- I had Graves' disease.

First- it's absolutely possible to gain. How- eating carby/non-dense slider' foods. I.e. Ice cream, potatoes, breads, chips Cookies. All those chew down pretty easily and move easily through your system. Read posts about regain- you'll see it's very very real. At 7 weeks out less so- but by a year +, totally possible.

You are only 7 weeks out everyone's body adjusts differently and tolerates food at different rates . If you don't tolerate something, leave it alone for two weeks then try it again.

You want to "reward yourself" ...now is the best time to learn how to not reward yourself with food. That's a very slippery slope- and often the root of our eating issues.

I had a total thyroidectomy in 2014 due to Graves Disease. Had Bypass 4/2015 and have lost ~145#. I don't feel my lack of thyroid or synthroid dose affected my weight loss. I do wonder if it has anything to do with trouble losing this last 15-20#, but I don't stress over it. I'm thrilled with my results.

My endo didn't see a point in adjusting my meds with my weight loss-- my levels have been stable so I just keep in taking it. (175mcg)

My stats were/are:
High weight 337
Surgery weight 315
Current: 193
Height 5'6.6"

I didn't need new sizes for the first two months- reality was that what I was wearing was tight.

Water, ice cold; diet raspberry Snapple; strawberry crystal light or diet lemonade.

I started a new position right after my WLS. When you work with people everyday they notice- but they see the gradual loss. My boss (who I couldn't stand- feelings were mutual) went to work at another location. She is an athlete, and weighs 100#'s soaking wet. I saw her recently and she paused, staring at me confused and said "are you losing weight." I responded "yeah, I'm working at it" but I was totally thinking "that's right wench- you aren't the only skinny b!tch"

From what I read here, you technically only have one co-morbidity-- apnea. The "usual suspects" for co morbidities include high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol and apnea. Depression and joint pain aren't co-morbidities, since neither in their own can kill you (debatable I know)

What was your insurance requirements? I think I would review the file with your surgeons office before the appeal to see if everything was submitted. Sometimes it's just a case of something not being received. Definitely File every appeal you can.

I had my surgery when I was 37- high weight was 337, SW: 315 current weight is 200

weight fluctuates greatly, add in the variations differing scales gives you-- and it could drive a sane person mad. What time of day do you weigh at home? Are you dressed? What time of day was your appointment?

Is your home scale digital? If so make sure the batteries are fresh. Level flat surface is important too.

Fluctuation is the reason I take the average of my daily weigh ins.

15 months post-op RNY

High weight 337

Current: 198.6

Complications: none

Dumping: mild, & rare for me- I'd have to eat quite a bit of sugar or any amount of fried food

Regrets: none

Exercise: 4x week

My pearls of wisdom. Plan/prepare.Weigh/Measure.Track. Repeat--you have to know what's going in you to meet the nutritional goals you set (which dictates meeting the weight goals...) This is work. Even in that "honeymoon" phase of weight loss, it's work. Much more mental than physical-- but work none the less. There are days I whisper to myself "it sucks being a WLS patient", but that's usually when I'm faced with making a choice in the best interest of my health vs. what my head would prefer. The benefits far outweigh the trade-offs.

Pics below::

 

Does anyone have a thyroid issue since having surgery? I was diagnosed with Graves' disease about a year ago, I'm not saying it is related to the surgery but curious if anyone has any thyroid issues. Specifically Hyper.

Thanks!

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I was diagnosed with Graves' disease about 2 years prior to my WLS. I was very sick, symptoms came on very gradually but by the time I was Dx'ed I was in pretty bad shape. I was on meds for about a year- then tried radioactive iodine treatment. That didn't work so I had a total thyroidectomy. I've been on replacement hormones since and am doing get well. Being hypothyroid has not hindered my weightloss at all.

I chose bypass cause with the amount of weight I had to lose- I wanted the double effect of malabsorption and restriction. A large part of why I did not want VSG was because of the large possibility of reflux. It was never an issue for me before and I didn't want to come out Of surgery with new issues. I've lost 137# so far, zero complications . I'm happy with my choice.

That's awesome! Congrats! Would you mind sharing SW & CW?

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High weight 337

SW 315

CW 200

I've seen a few of your posts and feel badly for your complications and hope in the least that they improve. Though I see, even if they do improve - you will still carry your regret. That's totally your feeling that you can express; I think it's important others see the full gamut of emotions that WLS brings.

I don't regret my surgery-- but also don't share your perspective. I can identify- to a small degree with some of your reasons for regret. There have been times I've been in a Store- trying to figure something to order to eat- or food shopping and I've whispered to my self "being a WLS patient sucks". The planning, tracking etc can get tedious. It's Norm for me now-- but still sucks at times. I've gotten used to it and accepted it but the thought crosses my mind occasionally that it was 'easier' before. I have apathy towards food at times too-- one of the "this sucks" moments for me. Just tossing out there that, while this was the right & necessary choice for me, I kind of get your feelings.

I chose bypass cause with the amount of weight I had to lose- I wanted the double effect of malabsorption and restriction. A large part of why I did not want VSG was because of the large possibility of reflux. It was never an issue for me before and I didn't want to come out Of surgery with new issues. I've lost 137# so far, zero complications . I'm happy with my choice.

When I woke from my surgery my abdomen actually felt tight like I'd had a Tummy Tuck. I realized it was the bloat from the gas swelling. No shoulder pain like many describe- nor was did I have any nausea. My voice was hoarse. I was On pain pump- so didn't notice pain really. I had no issues drinking. Fairly simple for me.

I've heard of people doing it and I think it's a very, very bad idea. How far out are you? Why can't you eat?

I sorry that happened. At your weight/height I've heard of case were laparoscopic surgery isn't doable-- but I thought they would just convert to an open procedure. I think it's absolutely worth it to try again-- if you can find a new surgeon and discuss options is lap surgery won't work again. I'd also encourage working on Weight loss now to help make surgery Problem free.