catwoman7

most plans I've heard of stress the importance of getting in at least 60 grams of protein and plenty of fluids, but there's a lot of variation on carbs. Some plans are ultra-low carb and want you to have fewer than 30 - or 40 - or whatever - and other plans are more balanced and will say 80 - or 100 - and some don't mention carbs at all. My program never mentioned carbs as they strive for balance, but that said, I was almost always around 80 or fewer the first year because after getting in all my protein (I need 100+ grams because my prealbumin level tanks if I don't...), I didn't have enough room left to get in more than about 80 grams of carbs. I'm kind of happy my plan was more balanced because I'm not crazy about ultra-low-carb diets - although I know people who are huge fans of those. I was just never able to sustain them for very long.

Sorry about all your experiences, but know that this is REALLY rare. The vast majority of us sail through with no problems

you're lucky you get to have a meal! I was on just clear liquids and protein shakes for two weeks. I'd say to white knuckle it and that it'll get better by day 3 or 4, but since you're allowed to have a small meal, you may be OK from the start (or at least more comfortable than those who have to suffer through a straight liquid diet!)

both can cause it - which is probably why it's seen more after bariatric surgery than it is after other major surgeries (because it can be a side effect of any major surgery). If you google telogen effluvium, you'll find lots of info about it and what things can cause it. Here's one article focused mainly on it as a result of surgery: https://drnichter.com/hair-loss-after-surgery-explained/

I'm sure it would be fine, but start with just a little. I became super sensitive to spicy and sweet things after surgery

I was going to ask where you got your MD degree or your PhD in Clinical Psychology, but even people with those credentials would never diagnose a stranger over the internet, as you just did.

I was told I could swim once all the surgical glue and scabs had fallen off, which was at about four weeks out.

I did bypass for another reason (i.e., I had GERD), but yes - there are people who've been very successful with the sleeve - even those who started out at fairly high BMI's. Statistics show that people can lose more with the bypass, but it's like 60 or 65% of excess weight vs 70% with the bypass - so it's not like it's A LOT more. And also, those are just averages. With both surgeries, you'll find lots of outliers - people who lose more or less than the average. It's really your level of commitment that makes the difference -- not so much which surgery you get.

I never had problems drinking things since day 1 and I was also worried about it, but I was fine. I didn't chug - but I certainly wasn't taking an hour or whatever to drink a protein shake. And it didn't affect my weight loss at all.

I still drink one almost every day. I like them - and they're convenient. Plus I have a higher need for protein than most WLS patients (100 grams a day), and if I have a protein shake as my morning snack, it's pretty easy to get to my protein goal.

mine did as well. YAY!

I'd be in real trouble if my cats figured that out!!

I don't share it with that many people . Although at this point, 5+ years out, most people have already seen me normal size or didn't know me when I was obese. I don't think that's really lying because you ARE dieting and exercising....so that's actually true.

I have a ton of protein powder - I'm sure I have 10 canisters in my cupboard and a bag or two in my oven (I store things in my oven when I'm not using it so the cats don't get into it!!)

Yes... those cases are almost certainly the exception. I've been active on various bariatric boards for the last six or seven years, and we just don't see many posts about major complications. Maybe a handful a year. Most people seem to sail through with no or very minor issues

I really think with your reflux issues, even though they're occasional, you should be considering the bypass. But if you are dead set against malabsortive procedures and will only consider lapband or sleeve, then I would go with the sleeve. The lapband is an old surgery that is rarely done anymore because of all the problems with it. Many people who had it back in its heyday having since converted to sleeve or bypass.

sleeve - yes - lots of people have been successful with that - even with fairly high BMI's. lapband - again, almost no one gets those anymore. I'm very surprised your surgeon still does them.

I was once a committee with a woman who probably weighed around 400 lbs. I ran into her at a party several years later, and she probably weighed about 130. I went on and on and on about how much weight she lost and how terrific she looked. She finally said thanks, but it actually wasn't a good thing. She died two or three months later of ovarian cancer. I'm always careful now when I comment about weight loss...(and I usually say they look great (which in this particular case wouldn't have been good, either) - or don't say anything at all)

that's really common with both surgeries. Rapid weight loss is really tough on livers. Your ALT number should go back down once you're at or near goal and the weight loss slows down.

I think it took me about that long before I could sleep on my side or stomach. Same deal after plastic surgery, too...

it's a big nothing burger. I've had three or four. I think they take about 30 minutes or so - depending on what they have to do. I remembered nothing afterward.

hardly any surgeons do the lapband anymore - too many complications. It's largely been replaced by the sleeve (VSG). RNY is still very popular, too.

thanks! Yea - I've been hanging around here off and on for probably five years.....keeps my head in the game!

post-op for sure. For the liquid pre-op diet, probably not - although it depends on what they're having you do. I had to have clear liquids on mine, so traditional sugar free popsicles were fine, but I'm betting these wouldn't have been.

actually, the infamous one is the three *week* stall, so you're past it! (most of us do experience occasional stalls along the way, so you may very well have one at the three month mark, but it's the three week one that's really predictable...)