luvhermitcrabs

Thank you so much. That is what I needed to hear. I have made up for it! Yesterday, we had birthday cake which is my very favorite in the world. I did not have any!!!!! I also passed up a coke this morning. I am very proud of myself . You will be hearing from me Jessica . Have you had surgery? Will you tell me your story?

The "punishment" of the RNY is greatly overstated. I chose the RNY based on my doctor's suggestion and because I too liked the idea of the forced behavior changes, though i wouldn't put it quite that sternly. I am 6 days out from my surgery, and I am already feeling a lot better. I'm still sore and tired but I can walk more and more often, sit up and sit down by myself, etc. As for the restrictive diet, it's actually not as restrictive as, say the VSG. People who have the VSG can't eat Peanut Butter or Jerky, or a whole list of other things. People with the band possibly need adjustments, and there's the possibility of slippage. The RNY diet is essentially a diet every person should be following, surgery or no surgery: good amounts of Protein, low sugar/fat/cal, plenty of Water. After a certain amount of time recovering, your pouch would be able to handle a lot of foods you used to like, only in much smaller portions (which is important for health and maintaining a healthy weight anyway). There are certain foods you should never eat again, but that's the way with any person, with or without surgery. If you eat something spectacularly bad for you, your body will say NO WAY and you'll learn pretty quickly to steer clear of it or suffer the consequences. I also wanted the RNY because it greatly reduces the hormone that is produced by your stomach, called ghrelin, that is what causes a lot of people to overeat in the first place. Less hunger hormone, less hunger.
When all is said and done, your doctor and your own research, as well as what seems right and more comfortable for you is what is going to matter. There are lots of choices because people have lots of different lifestyles, medical histories, and health issues. RNY works for me because I definitely want to be held accountable for what I put into my body for the rest of my life, and in my mind, if i'm going to have my abdomen cut open and my guts rearranged, I want the most bang for my buck and I want it to be a permanent change. It's still only 6 days since my surgery but I can tell you now I have no regrets. Good luck! Hopefully the experiences and opinions of others here will help you with your decision. Regardless of which surgery you go for, or if you decide against it entirely, take care of yourself.

RNY surgery has been around for a while so it has a good track record. Of the available surgeries, RNY allows one to lose the weight the quickest. I choose it because it had the lowest rate of revisions. If I go under the knife once, I certainly do not want to go under it again. If you have severe acid reflux (GERD), this is the procedure for you. The sleeve will only make this condition worse. I had the RNY surgery 27 months ago. Two days after surgery when I left the hospital, I was off all my blood sugar medicines and haven't taken any since. Two weeks after surgery I took myself off all my blood pressure medicines because my blood pressure was dropping too low and I haven't taken any since. My Gerd is gone along with sleep apnea. No more profuse sweating or frequent urination. The only medication that I take now is for my Asthma. I consider this surgery to be a good decision.

Hi guys! When I went for this, I asked what he felt I could be at risk for post surgery, how this would effect both my medications and the way pain meds work. I asked that they note in my surgical plan that I have high anxiety and wanted a sedative pre surgery, I asked about recovery time and going back to work. I also checked to be sure I had a good number for the nutritionist and his nurse and also the after hours on call number. Hope that helps!

This is one of those situations that can only be described as........It sucks !!!
I'm very sorry to hear your situation and share a lot of your concerns. There is hope and evidence that it will get better.
I have a work associate that lost a tremendous amount of weight two years ago....1/2 his bodyweight.
He did it at a time when he said his life was a whirlwind of stress......huge debts, marital problems, job issues.......
His weight was worse due to stress-eating......one more big meal or snack would make everything better, but we know the story with that.
He said he realized there was almost nothing in his life under his control at that point....nothing except what was going into his body.....and how much his body moved. He keyed in on this and made it a focal point every day....and nailed it down tight.
I ran into him last week and couldn't believe this guy. He doesn't even resemble his old self. It's been a few years since he started yet he looks 20 years younger, no kidding.
He said he ate Proteins, no sugary stuff, lifted weights and daily cardio. The guy is ripped now. The only way you can recognize him is from his fingerprints. No kidding.... it is the most unreal transformation I ever seen.
I figure if a guy who succumbed to the same food & drink addictions that we do.......for decades, yet can make that huge of a change.....then the rest of us have a fighting chance with our surgery.....once we start feeling better we can do more exercise and hopefully the desire to sabotage our progress with bad eating habits will diminish.
I've got to talk more to the fella and pick his brain some more.
There is hope and evidence that it will get better.

I am so proud of you! It takes a lot for someone to say they have a food addiction. You are even taking steps to help yourself. That is extremely courageous. I think we just need to learn to take it one meal at a time. I am right there with you! I love food. I love eating it, I love thinking about it, I love talking about it, and I love cooking it. It is so hard to make healthy choices when eating is such a normal part of life. We have to eat to live, that's what makes food addiction so difficult. I know for me, I have to make a choice at every meal. Am I going to let food control me or am I strong enough to say that I make the decisions. I completely understand where you are coming from but we can do this! So many other people have taken control of their lives and we can too. I think seeing a therapist is such a huge part of this and can really help you become successful. Best of luck to you! I am rooting for you

Hi everyone. I just had my bypass at St. Marys in Saginaw. Just got home about an hour ago, and I'm glad to be in my own chair watching some Tivo and sipping some Water and New Whey. It's good to see so many from Michigan on the boards.

I am 27 months post-op RNY gastric bypass. I have lost 115 pounds which equated to a weight loss of 44%. I have been in a maintenance phase for 20 months. As far as keeping it off, I don't seem to have a problem. Still practicing Portion Control. Using fats to control any hunger.

Just found this app and I'm already finding it beneficial to read everyone experiences and stories. Anyone out there with surgery on Sept 1st? My 2 week Protein diet starts Aug 18th and boy am I nervous. I hope my husband can bare the crabbiness because without food I don't know how I will cope my doctor said I don't have to lose any certain amount of weight before surgery but I do need to do the pre diet. Through my blood work, a stomach infection was found...can't remember what it was called but Dr plans to biopsy my stomach at time of surgery to figure it out and then I will be on antibiotics. I'm getting nervous as I get closer to surgery date, my life is about to change forever. I can't wait to not have to squeeze into a chair anymore, getting a seatbelt on will be no problem, not have to shop for clothes in plus sizes, and most of all being physically active right along with my kids. I don't want my weight to control me anymore, so come on Sept 1st!!!!!

I don't see harm in starting your liquid diet early, I've not heard of the Protein you are trying though.
The weeks before surgery I focused on getting my house prepped. Deep cleaning, meal prep for the family and myself. I set nerves aside to make sure coming home was stress free.

I'm Connie from Oakland county. My sleeve date is Aug 31st at Huron Valley Hospital.

I'm near Saginaw. Having my surgery on Monday.

I had a food funeral for my absolute favorite food the night I started my Pre op diet. I have loved spaghetti since I was a tiny little girl. I remember when my parents would take us out to eat the first thing I would look for on the menu was spaghetti. It's not like I didn't get it at home, we are Italian and my Mom made it at least once a week.
As an adult I would make spaghetti at least once a week. I could eat it until I made myself hurt because I loved it so much.
Then I had my surgery and yes about two months ago I tried it. Guess what, I could care less if I ever have Pasta again. I no longer like the texture or taste of Pasta and I especially do not like how it makes my new tummy feel. Much like bread, I don't care if I ever eat it again.
The night before my surgery, I took a long beautiful bath while listening to my favorite relaxing music. I was determined to go into surgery fully relaxed and feeling very positive about the future. I practiced some deep breathing exercises.
For the first time I went into surgery without having even the tiniest nervous feeling, I was so very ready. I had a complication free procedure and recovery and have been living my whole new life ever since.
I wish you all the best for a safe surgery and speedy recovery.

I am supposed to take a extended weekend trip to Louisville KY w/ my best friend to see her daughter who I am also very close to. I have been hesitant b/c I don't want to go on vacation feeling 'fat' but I think this is something I need to do...try southern foods and fine whiskey (which I am a huge fan of)!! This is supposed to be the week before my surgery so it's a prime time. I also plan to make a bucket list for each 10 pounds I lose of things I have stopped doing for myself- manucures, a massage, a day trip, etc. I am so ready for this journey!!

Yes! I'm sorta ashamed to say, I did the food funeral! Mine took place the day before my post op diet began and was held at an amazing brazzilian steak house, ended with a chocolate souffle all to myself! After that, I made a list of things I will do for myself at each 10lb loss and things I avoided for years that I would tackle as soon as I was medically clear. Like, wear a bathing suit, go to a Water park, wear real shorts to Disney, wear a dress with no sleeves and so on. All things I had been hiding and not doing for many years like someone in witness protection! I vowed I would push my limit's and stop saying. ..I'll do it when...and I really have. I'm living life and pretty happy with how I feel and how others seem to react differently to me as well. I hope you do something special too, it's been a long time coming I'm sure!

Just wanted to say Hi to all! I have been coming to this site for the past couple of weeks and reading the posts and picking up some valuable information regarding my upcoming RNY (YEAH can't wait for October 22!).
I wanted to say how great it is that there is a place for me to come to talk freely about my issues/concerns/triumphs.
Looking forward to getting to know you all better
Have a great day!

Today is my last supervised visit and I have absolutely everything completed. The surgery coordinator will be submitting my paperwork for approval on Monday 8/17/2015. I am sooooo nervous and excited! I am hoping to get some good vibes sent my way to keep my nerves calm

I had RNY in early July and am just starting to be back to normal. I ended up pulling an internal staple the 2nd cause I thought I ok to bend and clean, laundry, ect. Just be careful for the first month.

Congratulations!
The work thing is a bit tricky. Depending on how you recover and tolerate pain you could make it back in a week. I went home on wed. Took my last pain killer on Thursday. So 4 total days on pain meds.
The hardest part was the total concentration to get my Clear liquids in that first week. I sat with it right by my side and had to literally focus and sip constantly and I was lucky to get half of what I was supposed to in.
When I went to full liquids the next week it got even harder. And by then I was very week and found myself napping every day for about 3 weeks.
For me, it was not the pain. It was how tired and weak I felt. About the start of week four things got much better and I was functioning fairly normal but still not getting enough Water or Protein in.

Congrats!!!

Congrats!

I went for a bariatric physical yesterday. I previously completed a six month supervised weight loss program, and I am back to where I started. I met with the insurance person, and since I already have most of the physical exams complete, she said I had just a few more requirements to do. Aside from the chest X-ray and blood work taken this morning, I just meet with the dietician twice, psychologist twice and fitness instructor once. From there it's a doctors visit, a pre- and post- op class, and surgeon consult. I may be cleared as early as - BAM - the end of October. YIKES
I am still in shock. I thought for sure there would be many months of additional hoops to get through. I guess I will believe it when I have the final approval in place. We are going to take a vacation to see family over Thanksgiving, so I don't want my recovery to interfere with that. Since I have an office job, Time off may be as little as one week. Everything is done laparoscopically.
I don't know if I will do RNY or sleeve yet, but the surgeon will be able to provide insight after reviewing all test results, etc.
Crossing my fingers, my toes, my eyes, my legs -- wait -- can't cross my legs just yet -- that I am cleared. I anticipate looking somewhat svelte for my 50th in May!

I went for a bariatric physical yesterday. I previously completed a six month supervised weight loss program, and I am back to where I started. I met with the insurance person, and since I already have most of the physical exams complete, she said I had just a few more requirements to do. Aside from the chest X-ray and blood work taken this morning, I just meet with the dietician twice, psychologist twice and fitness instructor once. From there it's a doctors visit, a pre- and post- op class, and surgeon consult. I may be cleared as early as - BAM - the end of October. YIKES
I am still in shock. I thought for sure there would be many months of additional hoops to get through. I guess I will believe it when I have the final approval in place. We are going to take a vacation to see family over Thanksgiving, so I don't want my recovery to interfere with that. Since I have an office job, Time off may be as little as one week. Everything is done laparoscopically.
I don't know if I will do RNY or sleeve yet, but the surgeon will be able to provide insight after reviewing all test results, etc.
Crossing my fingers, my toes, my eyes, my legs -- wait -- can't cross my legs just yet -- that I am cleared. I anticipate looking somewhat svelte for my 50th in May!

@@luvhermitcrabs Great News!

I went for a bariatric physical yesterday. I previously completed a six month supervised weight loss program, and I am back to where I started. I met with the insurance person, and since I already have most of the physical exams complete, she said I had just a few more requirements to do. Aside from the chest X-ray and blood work taken this morning, I just meet with the dietician twice, psychologist twice and fitness instructor once. From there it's a doctors visit, a pre- and post- op class, and surgeon consult. I may be cleared as early as - BAM - the end of October. YIKES
I am still in shock. I thought for sure there would be many months of additional hoops to get through. I guess I will believe it when I have the final approval in place. We are going to take a vacation to see family over Thanksgiving, so I don't want my recovery to interfere with that. Since I have an office job, Time off may be as little as one week. Everything is done laparoscopically.
I don't know if I will do RNY or sleeve yet, but the surgeon will be able to provide insight after reviewing all test results, etc.
Crossing my fingers, my toes, my eyes, my legs -- wait -- can't cross my legs just yet -- that I am cleared. I anticipate looking somewhat svelte for my 50th in May!