RNYDawn

I agree with @@HELLCATT81 - you all look amazing and are so inspirational! So excited for all of you!

In my opinion (and my surgeon's) there isn't much other than time and patience that will help Hair loss associated with wls . . . but those things do help just about everyone!
In the meantime, check out Toppik or Nanogen fibers to cover the thinning parts of your hair. They work great! I used them for years prior to surgery because I lost most of my hair just due to bad genetics.

I have been on my preop diet for 9 days. My doctor uses Bariatric Advantage (BA). I have to drink 3 shakes and eat 2 BA bars. I can have 1 banana and 3 servings of sugar free Popsicles and 3 sugar free Jello. I can also have no sugar beverages. I drink tons of Water.< /p>
My pluses:
1)I know longer need/want coffee. I now drink Decaf hot tea and unsweetened ice tea along with water with lemon. I am not craving bread, Cookies, donuts or cake. I loved my lightly sweetened ice tea prior to this process.
2) I survived two social functions that included pizza, burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, dips, chips, ice cream cake and cheese cake.
3) I am 7lbs down.
Minuses:
1) I have only gotten 3 shakes a day down only twice
2) I do not like, repeat do not like BA. I chose Banana, chocolate, and Orange Cream. The only one I can tolerate without gagging is Chocolate. The bars are okay.
3) I chose to eat a piece of low fat mozzarella cheese stick. I confessed to my Nutritionist.
4) I am terribly constipated.
What I have learned in nine days:
I feel so much better (besides constipation). I have more energy. I am living, surviving. My body is getting what I need. food is such a social part of my life, but I can survive the party without eating. I do not like eating or drinking artificial sweeteners. Plain water with Lemon will do just fine. I AM ADDICTED TO CHEESE!
By being honest with my Nutritionist today I felt in control. She told me I could have broth with no starchy vegetables or a hard boiled egg. I honestly felt like I won top prize.
I am all set to go for surgery on 10/21 at 1:00 PM.
I urge those that are on preop or will be on preop to think about what you are feeling. Write it down. Talk about it. Process it. My husband and I normally go out to eat for date night but we have found other things to do. Occupy yourself. I started shopping for my surgery needs. Read other peoples preop experiences. That has helped me tremendously. Last but not least, realize this phase is temporary. Each phase will come with its challenges. Focus on today, as it prepares you for tomorrow.

ahhhhh! This got me teary!
"I told very few people I was having gastric bypass because I felt that way myself. I honestly thought, it will work for everyone else, but not me. It will just be another one of my diet failures. After all, that's what's always happened to me in the past. " - I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has had these thoughts. But I am determined to make it work.
@gbveteran4d - you can do it! Please believe in yourself and know you have the power to do it!

I wish I could give you a high five. This is the kind of stuff us newbies need to read. I haven't even had surgery yet but am so thankful to read the tough love and honesty that you provide. Thank you @toasty.

@@cendella170 that's great news!! I'm hoping to submit for approval in January after my 90 day nutrition requirements are met.
@@Djmohr I can't wait to feel like that too!

Congrats!!

I have told my husband and MIL and a handful of close friends who are also either trying to lose weight or have lost weight. Everyone has been really supportive so far. I have to tell my own parents at some point since I'm going to ask my mom to come stay with us for the week following surgery.
I am not telling my boxing coach because he's kind of a jerk about weight loss and diet and anything medical. He thinks he knows it all so I just don't talk about it with him.

I have told my husband and MIL and a handful of close friends who are also either trying to lose weight or have lost weight. Everyone has been really supportive so far. I have to tell my own parents at some point since I'm going to ask my mom to come stay with us for the week following surgery.
I am not telling my boxing coach because he's kind of a jerk about weight loss and diet and anything medical. He thinks he knows it all so I just don't talk about it with him.

I agree with @@HELLCATT81 - you all look amazing and are so inspirational! So excited for all of you!

I discovered something great. You can shop at costco online without a membership!
I went on to check it out and ran thru the order. I got 4 -18 packs with no shipping charges and no membership.
That's how I do it now.

@@cendella170 that's great news!! I'm hoping to submit for approval in January after my 90 day nutrition requirements are met.
@@Djmohr I can't wait to feel like that too!

Hi @@wilkinsmgc - I asked about comparing c-section pain to gastric bypass in this thread and got a lot of great answers!- http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/352335-can-anyone-compared-rny-to-c-section/
I wanted to know the same thing!

Hi @@wilkinsmgc - I asked about comparing c-section pain to gastric bypass in this thread and got a lot of great answers!- http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/352335-can-anyone-compared-rny-to-c-section/
I wanted to know the same thing!

I agree with @@HELLCATT81 - you all look amazing and are so inspirational! So excited for all of you!

@@gbveteran4d I don't think you asked this question to be personally attacked. However, it seems you may have opened up a can of worms. That being said, I'll just share with you what we discussed in our monthly meeting this past Monday. Our meeting was comprised of post-ops from 5 weeks to 11 months out. Our psychologist is the one who runs the meeting and she's wonderful. She wrote on the board "food Quality"! We all had our surgery at mayo. We all attended the same pre-op classes. We all were given the exact same booklet which I've posted pages from on this forum with what to eat at each stage of this process. Some of us read and studied the guidelines and some did not. Page 14 (shown here) is very specific when it states "Avoid these foods permanently: carbonated beverages, tough meats or meats with gristle, fried foods, crusty or doughy breads." Well a man in the meeting who's 3 months post-op proudly stated "I ate 2 slices of pizza (doughy bread) and a diet Coke yesterday and I was just fine. Why before my surgery I could eat a whole pizza". The Dr. didn't make a face, wasn't judgmental, but simply asked him his opinion on the food's quality. He didn't have an answer. This same man was in a wheelchair prior to WLS. Some people just don't get it. I don't think you're one of those people. I think you may be pushing the envelope because you don't believe in your heart of hearts that this tool you've been given will actually work for you. I told very few people I was having gastric bypass because I felt that way myself. I honestly thought, it will work for everyone else, but not me. It will just be another one of my diet failures. After all, that's what's always happened to me in the past. Then I finally listened to what we were being taught ... this isn't brain surgery, it's gut surgery. If we're not willing to change what we put into our mouths, we will fail once again. It's just that simple. That's why Mayo no longer performs lap band surgery because they found simply restricting food intake doesn't produce long term success. I made a vow to myself that I would do everything in my power to find and tweek recipes so I could enjoy the foods I love but with Bariatric compliant recipes. So far, so good, especially with my pizza (crust is made with ground chicken breast, is high Protein and tastes amazing). For the first time in 25+ years I feel there's hope for me. I encourage you to seek help and find your answer. Definitely NO judgement from me, only support and positivity because YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

The surgery you got is not a therapist. It will not stop your food addiction. You can definitely sabotage it. It was meant as a tool to help you lose weight, but it still requires hard work on our part. We have to change our pattern of eating. I was taught that 1/2 of the meal should be Protein, 1/4 fruits/vegetables, and if you can still eat, the final 1/4 should be whole-grain or complex carbs. Although having 1 (one) slice of pizza every once in a while won't kill you, making a habit of having that or other such foods (such as hamburgers) will stop or reverse your weight loss.
Grazing (eating small amounts throughout the day) will also sabotage your weight loss. Drinking high-calorie beverages will also sabotage your weight loss. Both of these habits get around your surgical restrictions.
For your food addiction, you should definitely see a therapist. Group therapy might work as well.
Your weight loss is up to you, not the surgery. It was not a magic bullet to lose weight.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I am not a big fan of ER doctors either. My then-2 1/2 year old was sitting on our coffe table and leaned over and fell - she caught herself with her hand and started screaming. I took her to the ER and they did x-rays of her neck. Turns out she had a broken collar bone which the ER totally missed but her pediatrician figured out within 5 mins of an examination!
I would definitely follow up with your surgeon and bariatric team and request that they write a script for an ultrasound or whatever else is needed to get you a proper diagnosis and care. hugs!

Hi all. I decided to join VIP too since I am in this for the long haul. I read a lot on here so wanted to finally say hello.
I'm 40, mom to two little girls, married for almost 13 years, and work from home full time as a government contractor. I had my first NUT/counseling appointment yesterday and hope to have my surgery in Feb or March...hopefully February!
Looking forward to talking to everyone!

I signed up for a boxing class that meets 3x/week. There are only three of us in the morning class and class is cancelled if 2/3 don't show up. I don't want to be why someone can't work out! Having accountability from my group is a big motivator, as is the monthly fee. It also helps that my Coach is pretty tough on us if we have lame excuses as to why someone missed a class.

Seeing the scale at 277 last night and watching my 3 year old play on the tablet because I am too exhausted to get out and play with my kids.
Yelling at my 8 year old to not eat junk for Breakfast knowing that I eat it and bought some of it.
I feel so out of breath and exhausted. I'm ready for change!! Lord help me get healthy and stay healthy!! Wls targeted for January/February 2016.

I started off in the Sleeve forum but after days of research, I believe RNY is better for me since I have GERD.

Hi all, I'm Dawn and just turned 40. I have been over 230 pounds since 2002. That's the year I got married and moved to Texas (San Antonio) where Tex Mex food became my best friend. I have been every size and have tried every diet. I got down to my smallest adult size when I was 21 and went from a 12 to a 4 in 2 months because I was a nanny at the beach. I walked, rode my bike, swam, walked on the beach, played with the kids and ate light because I was so busy...and the weight melted off of me without even trying. Why can't it do that again!?



I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2005 and have not been able to get it under control. I did lose about 35 lbs after I had my first child. I ran a half marathon, started yoga, and got down to my lowest weight (in a long time!) of 206. Then I got pregnant with my second and just let myself pile the weight back on. I've been at about 250 since 2013. Despite my weight woes, I stay active and go to boxing 3x a week, walk, and go to yoga when I can fit it in. I also do Beachbody Body Pump and other at-home workout dvds. It's the eating that is just not under control!



I went for a free seminar with a local surgeon in May but didn't continue after that visit. I meet with a different surgeon on Thursday for an actual consult and I am so freaking excited.



I have two little girls who are 4 1/2 and almost 2. My 4 year old has made innocent comments such as "is there a baby in your belly?" and "why is your tummy so big?" and I have had to fight to stay composed and not break down in front of her. I don't want her to think I am ashamed. I don't say the word fat around her and never want her to know that word...but the reality is that I am miserable and unhealthy and not a good example for my own daughters. The other night at bedtime, she called me a heifer/heffer. She has no idea what it means and I have no idea where she learned that word - but I started thinking "did one of her friends at daycare call me that?" I am doing this for ME but I do not want my children to suffer teasing or be embarrassed because they have a fat mom.



I work full time from home as a government contracts program manager. I work for a wonderful company that is flexible so now is the right time to get this started. I discussed with my husband and he fully supports me. He has loved me at every weight and I couldn't do it without his support!



Thank you all for sharing your stories and experiences so freely here. I hope to add to the knowledge and conversation as my journey moves forward. <3

@@irishaggie just wanted to check in and see how you're doing!

Great job! Five months and 71 pounds?! Amazing!

You are kicking so much butt! So happy for you!!