catwoman7

it's usually due to GERD or perhaps dry mouth (if you have that). I've been on Prevident (that ultra-high fluoride toothpaste) since I had surgery six years ago. My dentist said that can go a long way toward preventing damage from acid. As far as dry mouth, things like Biotene products (or the generic form - sprays, mouthwash, lozenges) can help - so can things like gum or breath mints with xylitol in them. And be sure to keep well hydrated, too. P.S. there's some thought that people who've had WLS have more acidic saliva than normal people - but that toothpaste should help with that. I also get a fluoride varnish brushed on my teeth every six months (by the dental hygienist)

I don't think so. Our crew all got the same message regardless of surgery. Plus I've been active on internet bariatric forums for six years and have never heard a year - it seems like most people are told a few weeks or maybe a couple of months (and a few of us never crush our pills even from the get-go). It's probably like caffeine - surgeons opinions differ.

btw - I'm not sure why she told you a year. The first few weeks, your stomach is swollen so that does make some sense (although luckily, I was given the go-ahead not to crush them), but I have no idea why she told you to crush them for a year. I've never heard that. You can swallow food particles larger than that at a couple of months out (if not before), so....???

I never crushed pills. The PA at my clinic said if the pills were smaller than a pencil eraser, I could swallow them. I only had two pills that were bigger than that - one of those calcium horse pills and one other that I can't recall. I got around the calcium one by buying chewables. For that other one I can't remember, he said I could hold off on taking that for two or three weeks. At that point, I could swallow it regularly.

I don't know of any surgeon who would approve alcohol during the first 30 days post-surgery. Mine said to wait a year, and then only indulge occasionally. Some say it's OK after 3 or 4 months. Be aware, though, that transfer addictions can be a huge risk. I know of several people (on internet forums) who've become alcoholics after WLS because of transfer addiction. and yes - people with RNY are more prone to ulcers than people with VSG.

I eat meat in general, but I haven't knowingly eaten ground beef since the Mad Cow scare started up c. 20 years ago. Mad Cow disease hasn't been a problem in the US for several years, or not that I know of, but there seems to be an E. coli breakout every year or two from tainted ground beef, so I avoid it. I don't miss it overall (I use sausage in things like lasagna, spaghetti, and chili now - which I actually like better than ground beef), but I do miss good burgers. So now I can have them - with Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger. they're great!

most of us don't feel the restriction until we move to solid foods.

I drink alcohol - but not a lot (never really have because alcoholism runs in my family, so I never wanted to risk it. I definitely have an addictive personality, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if I have the genetic predisposition to become alcoholic). I'll have a drink maybe three or four times a year, though. But only one or two at a time (you get trashed very quickly after surgery, so one or two is pretty much all it takes....) I don't do nicotine because I was a heavy smoker for about 15 years. It was HORRIFIC to quit, so I don't even want to take a puff. It's WAY too tough to quit. I once bummed a cigarette from a friend after a one-year quit and was back to smoking full-time within a couple of weeks of that, so I'm not doing that again. I know I'd be back to smoking in no time, and after being cigarette-free for over 20 years, that would be awful. Weed - well, I'm in my 60s. I don't think I've done that since I was in my 20s. NSAIDs - nope. I take Tylenol now. The PA in my surgeon's office said a very occasional NSAID when nothing else is working might be fine, but as a regular thing, no.

those must be your particular surgeon's requirements, because I don't think that's universal - except maybe in the early weeks or months. I have a virgin RNY (not a revision), but I didn't have any restrictions at all once I get a ways out. I don't drink a lot (maybe three or four times a year), but I eat tacos every time we go to a Mexican restaurant. There's literally nothing I can't eat (although I watch my portion size)

I'm RNY, but it's similar. LIke others have said, you'll notice the restriction when you start on solid food. I still feel it six years later when I eat something dense like a chicken breast.

I'm RNY, but the diets are pretty much the same. I haven't worried about any macros except for protein since I hit maintenance. We do have to meet protein requirements for the rest of our lives, but beyond that...?? I just try to stay within my maintenance calorie range at this point - and have for a long time.

what they went through is pretty uncommon. For most of us, the hair does grow back - and also, most people don't lose enough for others to notice (YOU'LL notice - but again, for most of us, it's not enough for others to notice). Some lucky folks don't lose any hair at all. I Just want to say that most pre-ops (and early post-ops) are super concerned about hair loss (and loose skin, too), but I think I can speak on behalf of the vast majority of "vets" when I say that in retrospect, both of those are a small price to pay in exchange for finally getting rid of excess weight. I would take temporary hair loss and loose skin any day over weighing over 300 lbs again. ANY DAY!!!

I haven't had any issues at all with ulcers. I've seen some posts about them, so they can definitely happen - but I don't know how common they are. It seems like we don't really see A LOT of posts on them, so I'm guessing they're not all that common. But then surgeons warn you about NSAIDS, smoking, and other things that can potentially cause them - so they're probably not common if you follow the rules. most can be treated medically - I think they usually use PPI's and/or something like carafate.

I drink unsweetened almond milk every day (not on it's own, though - I use it in most of my protein shakes)

I'm not sure if the 50% they quote is after the initial weight loss or if it factors in the 10-20 lb rebound weight a lot of us seem to gain after hitting bottom, although honestly, it's just an average. There are a lot of people who lose more or less than that. If you work hard and are really committed, you could lose more than that - and maybe a lot more than that...

we really like Beyond Burgers and Impossible Burgers. for sausage patties, they're all pretty good since most of the taste of sausage comes from the spices rather than the meat. They can be a bit dry, though - but then you won't notice that if you're just crumbling them up and putting them in something like chili or spaghetti or an omelet.

mine lasted two weeks. They usually last anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Just stick to your program and stay off the scale for a few days if you need to. As long as you're following the program, the stall WILL break - they always do...

I started drinking protein shakes right away (in fact, they gave me those in the hospital) - but I'd do whatever your clinic is telling you. Hydration is the most important thing the first few days after surgery.

Just stick to your program and stay off the scale for a few days if you need to. As long as you're following your program, the stall WILL break. It always does...

it seems like a lot of people become lactose intolerant after surgery - sometimes it's temporary, sometimes it's not...

your pouch is probably fine. Supposedly it takes work to stretch it - as in chronic overstuffing. You're probably just used to eating more, and it's hard to cut back once you've been eating at a higher calorie level. Regain is pretty common - but I know a lot of people who've managed to lose it. Some have gone to Weight Watchers, some start counting calories again, some do Keto, some do Intermittent Fasting - whatever works. But I would get on it now before it really gets out of control. It'll be a lot easier to lose 20 lbs than 50... If you're a calorie counter (I am...), then track your intake for a week or two to figure out what your current average calorie intake is. I find it hard to drastically cut mine, so I just try to cut it by 100-ish calories at first, then after a week or two, I'll cut another 100 calories - and so on if you hate calorie counting, then go back to following the rules we all followed the first year - protein first, then non-starchy veggies, and then if you have room, a small serving of fruit or whole grain carb. Or find a program that you like and can stick with for awhile (like Keto or WW), and try that...

this isn't specific to massive weight loss patients, but I know sometimes when people's breasts are so large and heavy that they pull on their shoulders and/or backs, or are causing some other medical issue, insurance will cover it. I didn't have issues like that so I had to self pay, but I'm really glad I had the surgery.

you're within a normal BMI. Being at a normal BMI, or within 10 or 20 lbs of it, means losing weight is REALLY tough. I used to roll my eyes at normal weight or slightly overweight women who'd b*tch and scream about how hard it was to lose 10 lbs. Ha! Now I totally get it! on top of that, what you're dealing with are normal weight fluctuations. Weight goes up and down a couple of lbs for lots of reasons - e.g., you had a lot of sodium the day before so you're retaining water - or you have fuller intestines that usual (maybe you ate a lot of fiber the day before - or you're constipated). Those two things can easily cause your weight to go up a couple of lbs. But when that's the cause, it's not true weight and it's usually gone in a day or two.

I'm three lbs over it right now! (and dying - I HATE THIS!!! But I'm working on it...). Last summer I was consistently about 5 lbs under it because I was out all the time (biking or whatever) - but I'd say maybe two or three times since then (??). Holiday periods and winter in general are a bit tough. This is the highest I can remember being over it - it's usually just a pound or so.

yes it does get a lot more challenging once you get a couple years out. That's when a lot of people start gaining. Just monitor yourself constantly - and set a drop-dead weight -- the highest you're willing to go - and if and when you reach that (which you likely will at times), it's all hands on deck until you get back comfortably into your range again. It does take constant work. I get so tired of it - but on the other hand, I never want to go back to where I was before, so I'm willing to do what I have to do.