jj7481

I have found that most of the setbacks I've experienced (vomiting, dumping, etc) were my own bone headed mistakes. lol The feeling of nothing going down, even Water, started to get to me. I think I was more freaked out about the possibility of having to get an upper GI scope done to clear the blockage.

Everything is an experiment as now to people will be able to eat the same things. You have to keep trying foods and find what works for you. Keep an open line with your nutritionist for different ideas. pureed meats were never that appealing so I never tried that. I just masticated the crap out of every bite of meats. Have you tried tuna? How about ground turkey?

No two patients will ever be the same nor will their body chemistry. The general rule is the bigger you are the more/faster you will lose in the first year. There is no magical number. However, don't fixate on the numbers. Focus on the plan set forth by your surgical team. As long as you stick to the plan you're doing exactly as you need to be. My numbers are in my ticker just to give you an idea of my loss.

I had nutrition counseling for 3 mos prior to surgery. Over that time I would have regular phone conversations and the primary objective was to improve eating habits and cut away processed sugars in preparation of post-op. I didn't have a traditional diet but had a guidebook that made suggestions on things to improve over several months (mainly breaking habits and start healthy living lifestyle). My pre-op diet was 2 weeks prior to surgery that was the liquid diet. Every nutritionist and surgeon is different. But, follow their recommendations as they all have the same intentions: improved health and wellness.

Prior to surgery I felt like my weight was holding me back from so much. I didn't like the body I had created and the problems it was causing. I had HTN, Type II Diabetes, elevated cholesterol. In addition this was driving my anxiety even higher with the constant thoughts of what I was doing to myself. My breaking point was the day I was trying to play outside with my daughter. I was winded after just one round of "catch me daddy!" That was it....no more. I looked it as if I was being selfish in NOT having the surgery, and not doing everything possible to be the father she deserved me to be. My HTN has resolved, my A1C is dropping, and I'm amazed at the increase in energy I have already in just 2 mos post op. Hats off to you for making this decision. Best of luck in your journey!

Very much so. Bariatric surgery post op is definitely an experiment and continual learning process.

A good friend of mine loves to say "Slow down turbo." Lol You're doing great. Do as you're doing and if you need to increase your walk time then do so. Did you surgeon give you date to start working out? If not I'd call and check to make sure they are ok with you resuming a workout routine (or it may have just been forgotten to mention)

Questions: 1.) Are you following your diet to the letter? 2.) Are you getting in all your Protein? 3.) Are you getting in all your Water? As long as you're accomplishing all three of these you are doing EXACTLY as you need to be. I was able to resume regular workouts 2 wks post op. I do a combination of cardio and strength training. In your mind what do you think you should be doing in regards to exercise?

Aetna was who we had before our employer switched to BCBS. Their requirements were about the same as BCBS, but our employer had pretty specific requirements to begin with. Ask questions of your surgical team. Call Aetna direct and convey your concerns to see if you would qualify for a provisional approval. Outside of that your surgical team has someone who works with insurance companies EVERY DAY. Try to get ahold of them and ask their experience with Aetna and if they think you would be approved or rejected. It is better to front load the process rather than wait 3-6 mos only to find you aren't covered.

Sometimes people forget you can "just keep scrolling."

To expand on this point: as you increase your protein make sure you are also increasing your Water. The more protein you intake the harder the kidneys work. Water eases some of the stress.

(Just like) Starting Over - John Lennon

How has your Fluid intake been post op? This is one area my nutritionist and surgeon couldn't stress enough: Water. Get at least 48 oz (with many recommendations being 60 oz daily). My BM's are always more difficult to move the day after I haven't taken in enough water. Once you can progress to yogurt I would do so. The live active cultures will help your gut flora.

Yesterday was a fun experience for me. I found myself being unable to drink even the smallest amount of Water without feeling full and subsequent nausea. The night before I was preparing my meals for the next day (like I do the days before I work). I had boiled some eggs and took a bite into an egg I thought was cooled....it wasn't. Instinctively I swallowed about a 1/3 of an egg that was maybe chewed 3x. For some reason I immediately thought "Man, I hope that doesn't cause a blockage." As yesterday progressed I knew in my head what was going on, but couldn't bring myself to calling my surgeons office (the NP is on call 24/7). Finally after not being able to keep even water down I made the call. The NP advised me to get Papaya Enzyme tablets and follow our guidebook recommendations (4 tablets - wait 2 hours with repeat x1, then 4 tablets and wait 3 hours). The third dose and time ended up working like a charm and I'm back to water and soft foods until I can tolerate more. Word of caution: make sure your food is cool enough to eat. Your instincts may kick in and cause you to swallow food that will obstruct your outflow.

The gummy Vitamins I know of are not complete Multivitamins. Most gummies lack Iron, thiamin, folate, and B12. There are many vitamins out there but I'd recommend one specifically formulated for post-bariatric surgery patients. Your nutritionist and surgeon should have plenty of examples (as well as others found here). The ASMBS put out guidelines for nutrients that all post-op RNY patients should follow. Here is a complete pdf: http://s3.amazonaws.com/publicASMBS/GuidelinesStatements/Guidelines/bgs_final.pdf Be cautious when selecting Multivitamin making sure it's as complete as possible. Deficiencies can lead to serious health problems. For example: a thiamin deficiency can cause a burning sensation in the feet, numbness and tingling in the feet then hands, and can advance to mental confusion, peripheral neuropathy, and visual problems. A deficiency can be corrected and symptoms cured, however some symptoms can be permanent if not caught early. Caution should also be taken with children’s formula. Kids vitamins can also be a problem as many of them are also not complete. I use Optisource as it is a true complete multivitamin including Calcium and iron.

Are you required to get a letter of recommendation from your PCP & your therapist? Just trying to clarify. I know I did a psych eval for which results were forwarded to my surgery team as to whether I was a good WLS candidate or not. This is a new one on me. Did your surgical team recommend this therapist, or is there one they prefer that you could consult with? I'd stay with the surgical center you're at rather than changing up the entire process.

Fatigue is normal but you should remain vigilant of your Protein intake and your Vitamins with Iron, folate, and B12.

I only had intermittent GERD prior to surgery, but haven't had any issues with it since my surgery. As illustrated above RNY isn't just a weight loss tool, it is a body transformation and health tool. Take your doctors advice.

There is a delicate balance that must be maintained by medical providers. Fat shaming is abhorrent in any fashion. Most of the time this this seen as a societal issue. Medical providers have an obligation to recommend the healthiest lifestyle for their patients regardless if the patient takes their advice or not (i.e. stop smoking, etc.). In my experience my physicians have provided me this information and not fat shamed me.

@@claddagh66 no ma'am, neither required anything more than an EKG. Granted I'm under 40, have had no heart issues, etc.

Regain freaks me out especially when I hit that stall. But, I've always been told to "get back to basics."

I never had a stress test but did have an EKG done. I remember the weeks leading up and scheduling everything in 1 day because I hate dragging in out. It was, uh, a loooong day.

Here's to a speedy recovery and the beginning of a new adventure!

I never looked at it in terms of skinny as much as I did "healthy." The excess weight I was carrying was already taking it's toll on my body and something needed to be done before too much damage had occurred. Already with my 50 lb weight loss I can tell an immense difference in my energy, my work out ability, new clothes, drop in BP, and hopefully an A1C that is under 6.

Glad to hear it and here's to a speedy recovery!