mngreeneyes

Hi Pammieanne, I am an admin at a university. I had my surgery one week before Thanksgiving. I took a full two weeks off. When I went back, I ended up working a few half days/partial days because I would just hit a wall and feel like I needed to go home while I could still drive myself. I only live about 20 minutes from work. I would then go home and sleep for several hours. It took about a week before I was able to work full days without being completely wiped out at the end of the day. pam

COngrats on your success! Keep up the hard work! pam

My NUT actually suggested chili because it has double meat. It also worked well in the puree phase. pureed chili still tastes like chili. That is not true of all things. pam

I live in St. Paul and had surgery at Fairview Southdale. I go to support groups both at Southdale and at the U of M. pam

Good for you for taking control of this part of your life. It is a lifestyle change. I am only 3.5 months into the change, but already can so amazing changes to my life. I have/had many of your same fears before my surgery. I had never had more than stitches when I was about 5 until the day I had my WLS surgery. I was so terrified of the post-op pain that I gave up my MUCH beloved Diet Coke addiction in July before my November surgery so I wouldn't have to deal with caffeine withdrawal too! I did the old "prepare for the worst, hope for the best" routine. I knew all of what could happen and tried to put a positive spin on all possible outcomes before I checked in to the hospital. As it turned out, I had almost no problems/complications from the surgery and I healed very quickly. I also was fairly active before surgery and started walking within a few hours of waking up from surgery. Again, I was so afraid of the gas pain that as soon as I was fully awake I was begging the nurses to let me walk! I am a planner and had planned out ahead of time my exercise goals. I walked my first 5k (3.1 miles) less than a month after surgery and walked another on New Year's Day. I will run my first 5K on April 9th and do a super sprint triathlon in August. I know you have mobility issues that I don't have (I decided to have surgery when I started to have issues with my knees- those issues are gone already), but you can still have a plan. Join a gym with a pool and start working out in the Water. Water walking/jogging, water aerobics, etc. are amazing ways to move without as much pain on your joints and can be solitary or group activities. Bike riding is another option that puts less stress on the knees, although I am not sure how it would be on your hip. As for gaining the weight back, I am still a newbie and can't speak about maintenance, but I believe in the plan. Low carb, drinking water, no food with drinks, eat slower, lots of Protein. If I start to gain, I know that going straight back to the plan should help get things under control. On the eat slower front, I highly recommend the app Eat Slower. I know I found it for my iPhone and not sure about other platforms. When I was first working on learning to eat slower, I used the app and when I catch myself not being mindful when I eat, I pull it out again. It tells you when you can take a bite! It times out 90 seconds between bites. Good luck with your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted on how it goes. You will find the people here are really great at empathy and advice. pam

I had a pretty major Diet Coke habit. I even have a Diet coke iPhone cover, a Diet Coke shower curtain, and a Diet Coke can and bottle collection from all over the world. I have given up Diet Coke so many times only to start back up again. I had my last Diet Coke on July 31st, 2015. The thought of going through surgery recovery and caffeine withdrawal at the same time scared the crap out of me and I started weaning myself off Diet Coke the day I decided to get surgery. It took me nearly a month to wean myself off, but it was worth it. I dont' miss it. I also have signed myself up for a super sprint Triathlon. I've always thought it would be fun, but until I had surgery it never seemed like a possibility. I haven't completed this one yet, but when I do, I am pretty sure I will cry happy tears and then sign up for a longer one in the future! pam

I attend two support groups a month. One with my surgeon/hospital and one at another hospital near my work. It has a two fold purpose. One I get the support and suggestions I need and also accountability. It also gives me an opportunity to answer questions for newbies and support veterans as we continue to work our tool. pam

I have a hand-me-down trek mountain bike. I added a gel cover to the seat which is wider. I also suggest padded bike shorts if you are going to ride any distances. They are a wonderful help. I used to buy Men's XXL because they were big enough. I might actually fit into women's sizes now! pam

Congrats. I have already started the clear out. I have two boxes overflowing with items I need to take to the consignment store next week. I have cleared out most of my sweaters and all the winter stuff that doesn't fit. I discovered yesterday that I now fit into the shorts that were too small but I was saving for someday so I may actually start summer with clothes that fit! I am going to need to hit the sales soon for workout clothes as even those are getting rather tent like! Next big purchase, new smaller underwear and bras. Its been put off for as long as I can! pam

I have found that books on tape can be great motivators for exercise. The first time I did the Couch 2 5K, more than 10 years ago, I would check out books on tape of Nevada Barr mysteries and only listen to them while i was running on the treadmill. I wanted to know what was going to happen next which really kept me motivated to workout. I was VERY diligent about not letting myself listen unless I was working out so it was a special treat when I worked out. I have since read Nevada Barr's books numerous time, so now I listen to other mystery authors instead. Its very helpful especially on longer runs. pam

Who you tell is entirely up to you. I have heard several great answers to nosey questions. The least confrontational was something like, I've been eating carefully and working out a lot. I am sure you will hear lots of great lines from the boards. I had someone who I haven't told about my surgery tell me the other day that I was shrinking before her eyes. I simply responded thank you. She didn't ask any questions, but it was kind of a pregnant pause after my thank you, but I wasn't going to tell her anything more. She may know, my department leaks like a sieve, but I know that I didn't tell her. I'll take the compliment and leave it at that. pam

Wow! What an inspirational story. Congrats! The customs officer is too sweet! Have fun at the new job! pam

I have been pretty normal over the years. Nothing too extreme except maybe Atkins. The craziest thing I let someone talk me into though was Topamax. My psychiatrist who was managing my depression meds decided I needed to lose weight so, without telling me any of the possible side effects, put me on Topamax. I lost weight but mostly because I had to force myself to eat because everything taste like dirt. It also made me druggy and sleepy and almost helped me lose my job all in the 2-3 weeks I was on it! I refused to continue to take it, although she really tried to get me to stay on it. It was an off label use for the med and was likely illegal. I felt like a guinea pig. It wasn't until I was in the throws of the side effects that I did a google search and found out about the drug. I never went back to her again. pam PS I know that they still use Topamax as a weight management drug and I wish anyone who is on it the best, but it messed me up bad and the dr. wouldn't believe me when I told her how bad the symptoms were.

I have sleep apnea. I am going towards 4 months out and I know that it has gotten better. @@Ryan TN so the cotton mouth is a sign of it being too high? I have noticed that a lot lately. Its obnoxious! I already wear a full mask so I suppose I should look into checking with the sleep dr. I will be so excited to get off my machine! pam

@@MnGirl40 Does your name mean that you are in Minnesota? I am just slightly older than you and heading toward 4 months post op. I carried most of my weight in my abdomen so I already have loose skin. I am finding though that especially with my chicken wings, weight lifting and exercise are making a huge difference in how loose the skin is. I don't believe exercise is going to completely solve the loose skin issue for me, but the more it helps the better. pam

I workout at about 5 p.m. after work. I usually have a Protein shake between 3:30 and 4 so that I am not starving when its time to go to the gym. That's too easy an excuse for me to skip the gym and go home instead. After the gym I go home and make supper. On nights when I have weight lifting class, supper can be as late as 8ish. This week I had support group after working out and didn't have time to eat a meal before group so I brought some beef sticks and ate them while I got ready at the gym. Otherwise, I don't eat anything but my regularly scheduled supper after working out. pam

You look great. Way to go! pam

My insurance didn't require a referral for WLS, but I eventually had to have a note from my PCP as one of the hoops. I knew I would get it because i had already talked to my PCP about the surgery, but I didn't need to do it before I started the process. Best wishes, pam

Roue n Y - Gastric Bypass. pam

Glad you are feeling better. What a scary situation! I can't imagine what I would have done in your shoes. (I live alone and far from my family!) I hope the treatment for the kidney stone goes well and you have no more attacks. My brothers and dad have had issues with kidney stones, thankfully, mom and I have not. Hugs! Be well, pam

My surgeon's office pretty much swears by Flintstones complete 2 chewables a day. I have found that I like the flavor better than generic ones so I stick with them. Good luck finding a good Vitamin. pam

Good luck! What a great team! Keep us posted! pam

Congrats! You've done amazing! You are inspiring! Keep up the great work! pam

I am heading toward 4 months post op. I was cleared to walk and encouraged to walk as soon as I woke up from anesthesia. I had to wait until 1 month before I could pursue any other kinds of exercise. I started swimming and treadmill running right after the holidays. Now I am training for a 5k and will start training in April for a VERY SHORT triathlon. I am also taking a weight lifting class two days a week. Part of my motivation for exercising is that muscle tone can help with loose skin. I don't' have any misconceptions that it will solve the problem, but I can already tell it is helping. I was pretty active before my surgery and am glad to be able to get back into it. All I can tell you is take it slow, but get moving! pam

I believe it is also acidic so it is hard on your new innards. As to coffee/decaf, my clinic says it is also too acidic for the first while. pam