Amanda Dutton LPC

100% normal right now. Oh honey, your body is already running off of the fat cells just to keep you upright, so you are getting a big old hormone dump.

Since we hardly get any nutrients early on, we are using way more calories than we take in just to think, breathe and keep our organs running. So our bodies are just throwing fat cells into the furnace and those hormones are raging.

It WILL continue to get better, bit I know that doesn't help now. Vent here. Rant here. Let us support you, cheer for you and Celebrate with you.

If you DO want to journal, don't think of it as a "dear diary" type thing. It can be your thoughts, song lyrics, doodles, or even a giant profanity scrawled across the page! LoL

Whatever you feel, feel it. Your experience is valid and real. Allowing yourself to feel thos stuff now will help you beat cravings later because you will know that you can live through the feelings without food. And you'll be a rockstar!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

There is a great website that we therapists use to list ourselves and makes it easier for people to find us. It's called Psychology Today.

You can filter the therapies by location, insurance, problem (there isn't one for bariatric surgery, but weight issues and maybe obesity are options) and even preferred gender of therapist.

Working with a psychologist or therapist is a huge help, and a letter from them should make your docs, surgeons and/or psychiatrist take you seriously.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

I love love LOVE this response! And love other pros chiming in! Bravo!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

100% normal right now. Oh honey, your body is already running off of the fat cells just to keep you upright, so you are getting a big old hormone dump.

Since we hardly get any nutrients early on, we are using way more calories than we take in just to think, breathe and keep our organs running. So our bodies are just throwing fat cells into the furnace and those hormones are raging.

It WILL continue to get better, bit I know that doesn't help now. Vent here. Rant here. Let us support you, cheer for you and Celebrate with you.

If you DO want to journal, don't think of it as a "dear diary" type thing. It can be your thoughts, song lyrics, doodles, or even a giant profanity scrawled across the page! LoL

Whatever you feel, feel it. Your experience is valid and real. Allowing yourself to feel thos stuff now will help you beat cravings later because you will know that you can live through the feelings without food. And you'll be a rockstar!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Especially the facility in Tijuana that BariatricPal setup. Those doctors chose to go work there because they support the need for affordable surgery and the US won't support it.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

It's definitely a personal choice. I think it's totally appropriate for you to do whatever makes you feel comfortable. You may decide to not say anything for awhile and then one day change your mind - or not!

Everyone in my circle knew because it had been a long decision process for me and I wanted the accountability. Eventually, the transformation was significant and it stuck, so it was something I was proud to share. Now, I've made my journey my life purpose, so I definitely share with everyone I encounter if the opportunity arises and it keeps me even more accountable (I'm a therapist and I coach bariatric surgery patients, too).

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

You are very welcome! I have the options set in my area, and also added bariatric surgery (we can add any specialties that aren't listed), but I don't know if many therapists think to do that.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Thank you SO much for responding to me. I feel much better. I found chewable Calcium that tastes fine so I’m good to take it for as long as I need to. Thanks again.

Therapist here, 14 years post RNY. [emoji1327]‍♀️

Definitely see a different clinic AND start seeing a therapist (preferably see the therapist at least once so you can tell the new clinic you are going).

Based on your post, nothing stands out that would indicate that you couldn't have surgery.

1) even if you were stress eating - not something that can't be dealt with in therapy (e.g. I think most of us stress eat at some point, TBH)
2) My original doctor said I "wasn't bog enough" for surgery (278lbs, 26 years old, arthritis in knees and high blood pressure) - so I fired him and went to another doc. She saw and heard me, so she agreed that I could have surgery
3) if all else fails, go ahead and see a psychologist for an evaluation. Find one in network with your insurance AND that is approved by the surgery group, if they have a list). Nothing like having a step out of the way AND validation that you are ready.

Hope that helps!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Therapist here, 14 years post RNY. [emoji1327]‍♀️

Definitely see a different clinic AND start seeing a therapist (preferably see the therapist at least once so you can tell the new clinic you are going).

Based on your post, nothing stands out that would indicate that you couldn't have surgery.

1) even if you were stress eating - not something that can't be dealt with in therapy (e.g. I think most of us stress eat at some point, TBH)
2) My original doctor said I "wasn't bog enough" for surgery (278lbs, 26 years old, arthritis in knees and high blood pressure) - so I fired him and went to another doc. She saw and heard me, so she agreed that I could have surgery
3) if all else fails, go ahead and see a psychologist for an evaluation. Find one in network with your insurance AND that is approved by the surgery group, if they have a list). Nothing like having a step out of the way AND validation that you are ready.

Hope that helps!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

There is a great website that we therapists use to list ourselves and makes it easier for people to find us. It's called Psychology Today.

You can filter the therapies by location, insurance, problem (there isn't one for bariatric surgery, but weight issues and maybe obesity are options) and even preferred gender of therapist.

Working with a psychologist or therapist is a huge help, and a letter from them should make your docs, surgeons and/or psychiatrist take you seriously.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

You are very welcome! I have the options set in my area, and also added bariatric surgery (we can add any specialties that aren't listed), but I don't know if many therapists think to do that.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

So very normal!

If we think about it like an addict (which most of us are, whether we realize it or not), we are in "withdrawal" after surgery from the carbs, sugar and fat our bodies are used to. So our brains start saying "hold up - where did it all go? Did you forget we like this stuff? Let me remind you!"

Drug addicts call these "using dreams." They can be so real, they will wake up convinced they relapsed. It happens to us too.

So look at it as your brain realizing that it's not getting all the "bad stuff" - not the lettuce, but the fatty things that would go with it - and Celebrate. You may feel like you're going crazy, but you're really going through detox.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

So very normal!

If we think about it like an addict (which most of us are, whether we realize it or not), we are in "withdrawal" after surgery from the carbs, sugar and fat our bodies are used to. So our brains start saying "hold up - where did it all go? Did you forget we like this stuff? Let me remind you!"

Drug addicts call these "using dreams." They can be so real, they will wake up convinced they relapsed. It happens to us too.

So look at it as your brain realizing that it's not getting all the "bad stuff" - not the lettuce, but the fatty things that would go with it - and Celebrate. You may feel like you're going crazy, but you're really going through detox.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

This is what everyone is taught. It's a controversial topic. I found this online
"The absorption of Calcium and Iron is a controversial topic in the realm of bariatrics. Research has shown that
Calcium does not interfere with non-heme iron found in supplements. Calcium does interfere with heme iron found in meat. For instance, you should not take a calcium supplement before or after eating a steak. NON-heme iron is the iron found in Vitamin supplements. The medical professionals behind Bari Life feel that other vitamin / pharmaceutical companies require patients to take calcium and iron separately because it increases sales.

There are virtually no studies performed with patients who have altered digestive systems by means of weight loss surgery (WLS). However, the New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery has a study that is pending publication for bariatric medical journals that proves NON-heme iron absorbs just as well when taken with calcium, as opposed to the iron being taken by itself.

The study comprised of over 300 gastric bypass patients. Each patient was evaluated before their bariatric surgical procedure, then again at 6 months and 12 months after the procedure. The patients were evaluated for deficiencies in iron, Vitamin D, B-1, B-12, and Vitamin A. The vitamin deficiency rate of patients taking Bari Life Multivitamins was compared to the deficiency rate of patients taking other leading bariatric vitamin brands (non-compliant patients)"

I take one of the Bariatric Fusion Multis (it doesn't have iron in it) twice a day and just take my iron separately, about 2 hours later. I agree about the calcium absorption, Alex. The BF multis have a good amount of calcium, so I haven't had to take a separate one.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

I take the Celebrate capsules without iron or calcium, then take calcium separate. At bedtime, I take the iron and 1 extra Vitamin C.

I take one of the Bariatric Fusion Multis (it doesn't have iron in it) twice a day and just take my iron separately, about 2 hours later. I agree about the calcium absorption, Alex. The BF multis have a good amount of calcium, so I haven't had to take a separate one.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

That's the one! As a side note, it also doesn't seem to cause the Constipation issues that regular iron does.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

I also take Feosol Complete, and it was recommended to me by my Hematologist. I ended up with a serious Iron deficiency several years ago, despite taking iron (my ferratin was a 6 - anything under 10 is considered "critical") and had to have an infusion the day after I met the Hematologist.

She recommended the Feosol Complete because a poly/heme iron absorbs further down the digestive tract and iron salts (the usual iron supplements everyone takes) are absorbed in the duodenum, which RNY and DS patients no longer have access to.

I had one other infusion as my body tried to regulate itself, but haven't had a low ferratin level in over 5 years since taking Feosol Complete.

And it DOES have to be the "Complete" version. The regular Feosol is not a poly/heme.

Hope that helps!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

I also take Feosol Complete, and it was recommended to me by my Hematologist. I ended up with a serious Iron deficiency several years ago, despite taking iron (my ferratin was a 6 - anything under 10 is considered "critical") and had to have an infusion the day after I met the Hematologist.

She recommended the Feosol Complete because a poly/heme iron absorbs further down the digestive tract and iron salts (the usual iron supplements everyone takes) are absorbed in the duodenum, which RNY and DS patients no longer have access to.

I had one other infusion as my body tried to regulate itself, but haven't had a low ferratin level in over 5 years since taking Feosol Complete.

And it DOES have to be the "Complete" version. The regular Feosol is not a poly/heme.

Hope that helps!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

100% normal right now. Oh honey, your body is already running off of the fat cells just to keep you upright, so you are getting a big old hormone dump.

Since we hardly get any nutrients early on, we are using way more calories than we take in just to think, breathe and keep our organs running. So our bodies are just throwing fat cells into the furnace and those hormones are raging.

It WILL continue to get better, bit I know that doesn't help now. Vent here. Rant here. Let us support you, cheer for you and Celebrate with you.

If you DO want to journal, don't think of it as a "dear diary" type thing. It can be your thoughts, song lyrics, doodles, or even a giant profanity scrawled across the page! LoL

Whatever you feel, feel it. Your experience is valid and real. Allowing yourself to feel thos stuff now will help you beat cravings later because you will know that you can live through the feelings without food. And you'll be a rockstar!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

There is a great website that we therapists use to list ourselves and makes it easier for people to find us. It's called Psychology Today.

You can filter the therapies by location, insurance, problem (there isn't one for bariatric surgery, but weight issues and maybe obesity are options) and even preferred gender of therapist.

Working with a psychologist or therapist is a huge help, and a letter from them should make your docs, surgeons and/or psychiatrist take you seriously.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

So very normal!

If we think about it like an addict (which most of us are, whether we realize it or not), we are in "withdrawal" after surgery from the carbs, sugar and fat our bodies are used to. So our brains start saying "hold up - where did it all go? Did you forget we like this stuff? Let me remind you!"

Drug addicts call these "using dreams." They can be so real, they will wake up convinced they relapsed. It happens to us too.

So look at it as your brain realizing that it's not getting all the "bad stuff" - not the lettuce, but the fatty things that would go with it - and Celebrate. You may feel like you're going crazy, but you're really going through detox.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

First 2? "Thank you for your feedback." Last one? "That's not an appropriate question." All said with a neutral and calm voice.
All of the above? Walk away after the reply. It is the perfect "end of discussion" statement.
It's their jealousy talking - they are projecting what they AREN'T doing at you. They see you are accomplishing something and it reminds them they aren't.
Keep up the good work - it means you're doing the right thing!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."