VDB

I am six weeks out, but when I was two weeks, the food I could eat was cream of wheat Cereal with a scoop of EAS (Target) vanilla Protein powder, and a bit of skim milk/powdered milk mix (cold). I can eat other foods now, but this is the way I got my Protein early on. Good luck!

At six weeks, my incisions are healed, which means I can start back in the pool tomorrow.... a big day for me. At two weeks, they were far from healed, sounds normal. At two weeks, I was still sore rolling over in bed, sitting up, walking. At six weeks, no soreness at all and can once again lift over ten pounds.

Thanks for sharing this. I smiled -- have been buying special clothes since I was labeled a "super husky" as a little kid... I had my bypass on April 20, and have gone from 52 waist to 48 waist, lost 50# already in six weeks. I predict that I will walk into a regular clothing store and buy my first non-fat guy clothing in about August... that will be the greatest day for me!!! I already think about it... I know it will be a XL Long T-shirt, I am quite the rural fashion plate! Ha.

You will buy those skinny clothes!!!

My surgeon and my nut. said to start taking Vitamins and calcium citrate two weeks after bypass....after liquid part and when mushy started...

I bought, but hated, the chewables. I switched to a bariatric multi Vitamin with Iron, three caps a day, spread out. Also went to a Calcium citrate pill rather than chewable, those were ghastly!!!

I went bypass over sleeve for one major reason: Bypass has better control over diabetes. In most it causes complete remission, immediately, and my diabetes was getting worse every year even with good control. The day after surgery I went from five diabetes meds to none, but added one back after a few weeks. I fully expect to be diabetes free when the weight is gone.

I went bypass over sleeve for two lesser but important reasons. First, long term sustaining of weight loss is better. Second, due to the rerouting of the small intestine the surgery gives two ways to keep the weight off -- restriction and malabsorb factors

There are a number of people in my local support group who have had the sleeve and are happy with it, so it could be the right thing for you.

It has now been 6 weeks, and was never really sick past the first two days -- I have only thrown up once, had severe pouch pain twice due to forgetting to chew into paste -- that will learn you! Ouch. I have only had one episode of dumping, over some regular fat cheese. It took me four weeks to get normal coloring back, but still don't have full energy yet, it is improving every day. I am 64 year old, younger bypass folks often get it all back in 6 weeks. But am satisfied with my progress, 50+ pounds off and easier mobility --- working in the garden, etc.

Congrats! Mine was moved from June 12 to April 12 -- now that ended up being great for me, got it done and hopefully all healed and spiffed for my kid's wedding on August 1. I will admit it did take some adjustment to get mentally ready for the surgery....

Me, too, I like mixing vanilla Protein powder 50/50 with powdered milk, mixing it in the blender and chilling overnight. I drink it straight or put on Cereal.

I am allowed oatmeal (6 weeks out). I use regular (non-instant) oats and soak them overnight. I then cook them very mushy, with more Water, and let them sit for an hour or two on a warmer burner. Then, I put in a scoop of Protein powder and one envelope of Splenda, mix it good and then use a bit of skim milk. I can have 3/4 cup (slightly larger pouch due to size).

My (very competent) nut. from the bariatric clinic says I have to have 1500 mg of calcium citrate a day, taken in three pills, morning afternoon and night. Otherwise, taking a good bariatric multi with Iron and B-12.

My major post-surgery depression lasted just a few days. I have had some that (I think) is tied to the rapid changes in my body...over 50 pounds in less than 6 weeks. I feel like I am strapped to a roller coaster heading straight out, when in the past weight loss was more like bumper cars.

All I know is that due to having lost food as a crutch and solace, it is forcing me to do some intensive personal work. Writing, thinking, solitude -- my head is changing as my body changes.

Good topic and question. Surgery this major is going to cause emotional and mental changes, one way or the other. In this case, I am working hard to stay on top of it and learn. Otherwise, I am too vulnerable to regain the weight after the two year mark...

Harley, strongly agree with those who said only you can decide. I honestly think that those who discourage are reluctant to see you change. Probably because they enjoy you, love you, have fun with you just the way you are. I know that even though 150#+ overweight, I led very successful life and was nationally known in my field. I was strong, very active, and all that worked until I turned 60. Then "Arthur Ritis" move into my ankles. Bob Diabetes came to visit, and then good old heart attack. I could see my mobility leaving, and a much shorter life.

Funny, also cannot visualize myself at a normal weight, been fat since 3 yrs old. I had gastric bypass 5 weeks ago today. Already down close to 50#. Don't fret the goal weight. Just get in the neighborhood, get naked in front of a mirror and then set your own goal which is right for you.

You can do this. You and your family (even the naysayers) deserve a healthy you, and hey, the Harley will go much faster without that extra persons on the bike.

Mine approved in four hours, but it was highly detailed. I got a personal letter from the physician, that helped.

If you get your Water, virtually eliminate unnecessary carbs, eat lean Protein first and then a bit of veges/low sugar fruit, chew like crazy, you will lose. The plateaus are tough to get through, but already I am seeing lots of weight coming off.

I agree with all before on this thread --- really wish i had done this sooner in my life, but I had bad misperceptions about the bypass surgery and felt it would be a defeat. I am 5 weeks out, and very glad to have it done.

I like the idea of what Kelli said...experiment with foods. Some people can handle different foods than others. My pouch can handle hot sauce, low fat pepper jack, refried Beans, V-8. My pouch rebels at anything with sugar alcohols, mustard, anything with fat except olive oil and avocados.....

Good luck.

I am 5 weeks post bypass now. I thought I would be feeling much better than I am. I have good energy for about half a day, but then it is resting time, except when this yellow lab stares me down for his ritual several walks a day. Evenings, I am pretty toasted. I am retired so don't have to worry about going back to work. Before surgery, I had pretty good energy, run a small farm, orchard, etc.

So, for those in my age category (I am 64), what was your experience with getting recovered? BTW, I am really disciplined about Vitamins, Protein, and Water -- nail those every day without exception.

Just trying to see if I am just impatient... Any thoughts/advice/feedback?

I make savory green smoothies a couple of ways, this is approximate because I don't use recipes but rather make it up based on feel and taste.

1. Cook two cups of dark greens, either collards, kale, or chard. Cook until almost soft, makes about 3/4 cup of cooked greens. Cool to room temperature. Add 3/4 cup of low salt broth (I use chicken but vege works good). Salt and/or pepper to taste. Blend well.

2. Cook as with #1, but instead of broth, use Water and 3 heaping tablespoons of vanilla Protein powder/powdered milk blend, salt to taste. I use EAS Protein powder from Target and cut it 50% with powdered nonfat milk. (This eliminates the thick part of Protein drinks I don't like).

Ha! All I had left in my beer fridge when I had surgery is 10 cans of Coors light, 3.2 even! I am not sorry to miss drinking that!

My clinic nurse said that nothing stretches a pouch like carb. beverages. I don't know if a sleeve stretches the same way, but the bypass pouch can be stretched permanently over months of drinking. She demonstrated with a ballon over a bottle of pop she shook up...

One of the most common reasons for ED is being very obese, which has certainly been true for me. My question for those who have lost a lot of weight and who had ED -- did it get better?

I am one month post op with bypass, only one episode of dumping, I always have to tease the tiger and find out for myself if dumping is real or just a scare tactic! So, I was having refried Beans and all they had was regular high fat cheese, which I had been warned about. The Beans are fine, no problem, but I had been told only low fat cheese. I thought, well, that could not apply to ME! I am special. Whoa baby, it went right through me and out the back in 15 minutes, felt lousy. So, won't do that again!

I actually am grateful for dumping -- it is one's bodies signal that we simply cannot eat like we used to, ever again. Same with pouch blockage due to eating too fast, man, that is painful. But it happened once to me, very painful, walked it off and almost threw up. From then on, I take tiny bites and chew it to paste.

I am glad to have had the bypass... but know many whom did great on the sleeve.

BTW, SHMILY, I use Vitamins etc., but rely on lots of concentrated dark green veges, specifically colllards, mustard greens, kale, chard, and beet greens -- I grow them, but either juice them or put them in my ninja and add them to other foods. Like last night, made a collard souffle with catfish inside -- delicious. I do this for my eye health. I grow and then blanch the greens for the freezer. Don't know if you garden but greens can grow in containers, small beds etc.

BTW SHMILY, great job on the weight and bmi loss.... I am amazed how fast this weight comes off!

Ok, not a medical doctor, but better check with yours about "not absorbing Vitamins, just protein". With the bypass, you do absorb less, but still absorb some Vitamins, just have to supplement the rest of your life. I eat lots of dark greens well blended for this same reason, and expect it to work just fine.