catwoman7

a lot of people lose their hunger for a few months after surgery. It almost always returns sometime during the first year (mine came back at five months out). Take full advantage of that - it'll never in your life be easier to lose weight than it will be these next few months, when you're not dealing with hunger. I think it was about three weeks before I could sleep on my side again.

I agree, I've actually never heard of a program that doesn't allow Jello in the liquid stages until now, and I've been hanging out on this forum for seven years. I suppose they exist (well evidently they do since the above commenter is in one), but honestly, I haven't heard of that before. I think a vast majority of them DO allow it.

my loss slowed down to a crawl after the first year. We're talking like 2 lbs a month. Every time I stalled I'd think "well, this is it...", and then it would start up again. It finally stopped for good at 20 months out. So you may or may not be done losing...

it's not all programs - they actually served me Jello in the hospital! In addition, she's three months out....not just out of surgery. At three months out, people are eating solid food.

Somewhat related - for a few weeks before i had my surgery, I watched what my female co-workers were eating when they were having lunch in the employee break room. There were a couple of them who ate what I would have called at the time a "normal" lunch. For example, and sandwich, a bag of chips, and a couple of cookies. But almost everyone else ate these tiny lunches. A thing of yogurt and an apple. Half a sandwich and a container of baby carrots. Yogurt and half a bagel. I came to the conclusion that this is basically how most normal, never-been-obese women ordinarily eat (unless they're going out for an occasional restaurant lunch, of course), and that those who ate the more substantial lunches were probably pretty active or blessed with great metabolism. It was pretty eye-opening.

You've gotten some incorrect information. Just to clear things up: bypass usually improves if not outright cures GERD. In fact, it's the usual recommended weight loss surgery for people who've suffered from GERD. No NSAIDs (this includes ibuprofen) after bypass - and a lot of surgeons are recommending no NSAIDs after sleeve, either. about 30% of bypass patients have dumping syndrome. I've never had it - and most of us don't. It's caused by eating too much sugar or fat at one sitting, so if you're one of the 30% of patients who have it, you can control it by limiting or avoiding eating a lot of sugar or fat at one sitting.

the food aversion isn't uncommon - that goes away over time. I agree with Arabesque that it could be a stricture. They happen to about 5% of bypass patients (can also happen in sleeve patients, although it's much less common) and you're in the right window for it - they almost always occur 1-3 months after surgery. I'm really shocked your surgeon's office would respond the way they did. You CAN live without food for awhile (but not forever..), but when it gets to the point you can't even keep fluids down, that's a huge problem. People can't live without fluids for long. If you can't keep fluids down, I'd go to the ER. if this is a stricture, it's an easy fix.

UGH. That pre-op diet is so awful I'm not sure why you'd want to do it voluntarily, but then if you really want to...

I agree - not much. Most people sleep most of them time, and you'll be on your way home before you know it. Comfy clothes that are easy to put on (I just wore the same clothes I wore to the hospital). Phone and charger. I brought toiletries but shouldn't have bothered -- the hospital gave me a bag of them. Some people have dry mouth after surgery and like having Chapstick and/or Biotene spray. Other than that ...???

I know this doesn't help, but both good surgeries, and you'll find people on here who've been very successful with both. the discussion you'll have with your surgeon may be helpful - he/she may bring up some issues that you haven't thought of that may help you make your decision. it's tough, though. My decision was easier since I had GERD, but a lot of people have been faced with the same situation you're currently in. Hopefully your conversation with the surgeon will help you decide.

I was prescribed that for a year after surgery (that was seven years ago, though, before the new-ish research came out on PPI's. Now they usually prescribe it for 3-6 months). So yes - that should be fine. I didn't have to break mine open though (cant' remember if I had capsules or tablets, but I never crushed or open them)

yea - not a good thing to be eating three weeks after surgery. But then, you know that!!

my best advice is - STOP OBSESSING. You are doing fine! If it helps, stay off the scale..

I'm seven years out, but we were told not to count calories the first year. You're able to eat so little - and your protein needs are so high - that there's no way you're taking in very many calories.

I didn't have a recliner - I just propped up a few pillows. It worked OK. Although I know some people liked having a recliner. P.S. when I had my lower body lift (which was a lot more painful), I bought a wedge pillow - that worked pretty well, too...

if you're no longer measuring/weighing and tracking your food, I'd start with that - if nothing else, just to get a handle on just how much you're eating. then I'd go back to eating the way you were the first year or two after surgery. Not all the way back to the first couple of months, but the months after that - protein first, then vegetables, and then if you have room, a small portion of fruit or healthy carb.

major complications and dying from surgery are VERY rare. That was more of an issue 30 or 40 years ago, but techniques have improved tremendously since then. but yes - I had the same worries and went back & forth about having surgery for about 10 years before I did it. I think what decided it for me was the realization that I was more likely to die from complications of being obese than I was from complications from the surgery.

you'll lose fat from everywhere - just give it time...

some people don't lose ANY weight the first week. A lot of us come home from the hospital up to 10 lbs heavier due to the all the IV fluids they pump into you. that said, 5 lbs is pretty normal. Most WLS patients (at least normal ones - not the kind who are on "My 600 lb Life) lose in the 15-25 lb range the first month. So 5 lbs in week one is pretty normal.

I think I had to my nails unpolished. They watch them (or someone does) while they're operating to make sure they don't turn blue.

I just checked - ALK phosphate is also a liver enzyme. I wouldn't worry about that. Liver enzymes are usually high for about a year after bariatric surgery. It's because rapid weight loss is hard on livers. It'll stabilize in about a year when your weight loss slows down.

my ferritin is always high...occasionally over 200. They've never mentioned any issues with it. It's just stored iron that your body uses when it's getting low. At most they may have you cut back on a bit on your iron supplement. I don't think I've ever had my ALK tested - just my liver enzymes (ALT and AST). my MPV and RDW are also usually high - again, they've never said anything about it. most people lose their hunger for the first few months after surgery - and it almost always comes back. Mine came roaring back at five months out. Milk that for everything it's worth. It'll never in your life be easier to lose weight than it is right now - when you're not hungry and don't give a flip about food. I wish my hunger had never come back.

whoops - sorry - I think my cat stepped on the "Quote" button!!

can't see the scar at all!

took me 20 months. I started at over 300 lbs. the key is following the rules and sticking to your program. If you do, you'll get there - whether fast or slow.