catwoman7

this is the first time I've heard of a case like this, and I've been on this site for nine years. I malabsorb protein so from the get-go I've had to be sure to get at least 100 grams in every day, but it sounds like your mother's case is more extreme. I still have a protein shake every morning so I can be sure my intake ends up at least 100 grams by the end of the day, but it sounds like your mother may need even more than. that. Maybe her liver issues are a factor in this, too. I've taken OTC vitamins all along and have never had deficiencies - and that's true of many of us. Usually, OTC versions are fine (although you usually have to take two regular multis a day, rather than one (which is true of many of the bariatric-specific multis). She may have to get prescription-strength vitamins (I know they have prescription-strength vitamin D, for example - not sure about other vitamins). hmmm...not sure what to tell you. This sounds like a pretty rare condition, so I hope someone can help her!

check with the dietitian. You're not the only person who has trouble with artificial sweeteners - they may have some suggestions.

it's like that once you get into the second year. I had months where I'd only lose a pound or two. I'd think "well, this must be it..", and then I'd drop a couple more pounds. I finally stopped losing at 20 months out. It can take some people a couple of years.

I think it was about two weeks for me.

I think it was about two weeks for me.

nope - that's the same thing I told people! (except for other obese people - they know the "diet & exercise" thing is a bunch of schlock, so I was more honest with them. A lot of skinny people believe that, though...)

that might just go away on its own, as others have said - but I'm glad you have an appt with the surgeon tomorrow just in case. If it's something that WON'T go away on its own, it should be a fairly easy fix.

we weren't allowed coffee on the pre-op diet, or for the first three or four weeks after surgery. After that, we could drink decaf. We weren't allowed "real" coffee until about six months out. But as others have said, programs are all different.

2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, and then annually after that (unless there's an issue). At around five years out, my clinic turns the reins over to our PCPs, unless the person is having issues.

that doesn't sound like dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome happens within an hour or two after you eat and involves sweating or chills, heart palpitations, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. if not gall bladder, it could be constipation or slow motility, I suppose - which is probably why they're ordering a colonoscopy. It's kind of hard to say until they get in there to have a look. Keep us posted.

summerseeker is correct - many women of childbearing age experience an estrogen "flood" after surgery that can cause screwed up menstrual cycles and mood swings. It should settle back down to normal once your rate of weight loss slows down.

I honestly don't think I've ever had my hydration level tested, so I have no clue about that one! Have you been eating any high sodium foods? Or started doing strength-training recently? Both can cause some water retention. Other than that...??? high WBC usually means you're fighting an infection - although I just googled albuterol, and you're right - it can increase white blood cell count. That could be what's going on. I would imagine that if you were early out of surgery and your body was trying to heal, that could cause an increase as well - but since you're six months out, then no - probably not that. More likely water retention or the albuterol. Let us know what they think...I'm curious.

ditto on what Arabesque said. They're very rare and they almost always catch them before you even leave the hospital. You're likely out of the danger zone at this point (although like she said, they're treatable). I wouldn't worry about it.

Bypass patients are supposed to take B12 supplements (either by injection or sublingual tablets) because our new stomachs lack intrinsic factor which is needed to digest it. You likely won't absorb the B12 that's in your multi or food. So keep taking it unless/until your clinic advises you to stop. As everyone said above, high B12 isn't dangerous. I wasn't told to cut back on my supplement until mine went over 2000.

High B12 is common after surgery. Mine is always over 1000. In fact, I know vets who swear they feel better if theirs is over 1000. The only time my clinic ever said anything about my high B12 level was when it went over 2000 a few years back. And even then, they just suggested I cut back a bit on my supplement. Otherwise, it's met with a shrug. weird liver numbers are also pretty common after surgery. Rapid weight loss is hard on livers. My liver numbers didn't settle down until I was a year (or maybe more) out...but they did eventually stabilize (i.e., in the normal range). P.S. those hemoglobin and MCHC levels are so close to normal that I wouldn't worry about them. Your doctor or surgeon will let you know if they're in issue, but I'm guessing they're probably fine.

make sure you're sticking to your plan and stay off the scale - maybe just weigh yourself once a week. also, keep in mind that the closer you get your goal, the harder it is to get the pounds off. It took me 20 months - and after the year mark, there were months when I only lost a lb or two.

if you've been following your plan and haven't increased your eating lately, then yes, you may be in a stall. Mine tended to last longer the closer I got to my goal. I'd give it a couple more weeks. If your weight hasn't started dropping by then, then you may be in maintenance (at 11.1 st, you're almost at a normal BMI). You can always lose more by dropping your calories or increasing your exercise (or both). But I'd give it a little more time.

I agree - that's a question for your team. In my case, I was allowed to everything BUT weights once I was four weeks out. I was cleared for weights at eight weeks out.

I'm not sure what she actually meant by that, but I know I take certain comments differently now that I'm normal size than I did when I weighed almost 400 lbs. If I was eating dessert now and some friend or relative called me a "piggy" (that is, if they said it in a joking manner), I would have just assumed they were teasing me was because I was eating dessert. Before my surgery, I most definitely would have assumed they were referring to my weight. I also remember my mother-in-law teasing my 20-something niece once when we were having pizza for someone's birthday. My niece was wearing some new outfit or something - can't remember - and when she grabbed her third piece of pizza, my mother-in-law jokingly said "you'd better watch it or those pants aren't going to fit" (or something to that effect). She said it in a joking manner and I knew she wasn't referring to Sarah's weight, but Sarah is obese so at the same time, I knew exactly how she (Sarah) would have taken it - and she did. My mother-in-law has never been obese, so she wouldn't have understood how that comment was taken. When I explained it to her afterward (when the party was over and it was just me and her and my husband), she felt terrible about it. I knew she did because she brought it up several times over the course of the next week or so (she also apologized profusely to Sarah)

my first stall was during weeks 2 and 3 post-surgery, so it started one week after my surgery, too. Just stick to your plan and stay off the scale for a few days if it's messing with your head. As long as you stick to your plan, the still WILL break. It usually takes 1-3 weeks.

I took three weeks off (desk job) but could have gone back after two. I was pretty tired the first few weeks after surgery, though...

IIRC, vitamin E can cause some issue with blood thinning. Although the amount that's in a multi may not be enough to do that. They may just mean don't take a separate E capsule - but I'd check with them. Also, before some of the surgeries I've had, I've been told to stop taking all vitamins about a week before - although I don't think I was told to do that before my bypass, though. UPDATE: I just read on realself.com that the amount of vitamin E that's in multivitamins usually isn't enough to cause problems. another update - I don't know what kind of multi you're taking, but Centrum, for example, has 13.5 grams of vitamin E. Those vitamin E specific things are usually at least 400 IUs, which I just learned is equal to 268 mg. So yea - what you're getting in a multi is a really low dose.

blood tests. My pre albumin level was too low the first couple of blood tests I had post-surgery, so they had me increase my protein intake to 100 grams. I still have 100+ grams a day, and my pre albumin level has been in the normal range for years, so I've kept up with the 100 grams. I'm afraid if I dropped back down to 60 grams, my level would tank again..

Keep in mind that a shake also counts as liquid. That could be another reason why he recommended drinking two shakes a day - that way you can get both protein requirements AND fluid requirements met. I still drink a shake a day after nine years, but it's because my protein requirements are 100+ grams. I can probably do this with food, but I would rather drink a protein shake as my morning snack and therefore be assured I'm going to meet my goal by the end of the day, rather than obsessing all day about how much protein I'm getting and whether or not I'm going to hit my goal..

if you're having your surgery in the US, the bariatric clinic usually includes post-op care, at least for the first year. My clinic provided it for the first five or so years - after that, patients who didn't have any issues (which is most of us) were referred to their regular PCP for their yearly exams/bloodwork. if you're having your surgery abroad, It depends on your US doctor if he/she will do follow ups. Check with them before your surgery. If it's an emergency, I can't imagine a hospital turning you away. Although that said, emergencies are pretty rare.