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Gastric Bypass Patients
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Posts posted by 🅺🅸🅼🅼🅸🅴🅺

  1. Posted

    3 minutes ago, Frustr8 said:

    And when you are a bypasser you don't have the full projectile vomiting, mine is a cross between choking and a cat heaving up a giant hairball, and I kind of burp before it actually comes rolling up. I have a stricture and ulcers, so I do do a lot of urpie-durpies myself. And I am 4 months out, don't do it as frequent because I am on TPN, to let my pouch and intestines try healing. But 🐺

    What's TPN? (sorry...I keep meaning to ask you) :P

  5. Posted

    2 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

    Topamax is the devil tho. lol.

    LMAO! I'm just scared, man. After my daughter was born back in 2010 I had post-partum depression and they pumped me full of everything. It was the worst time of my life. I trusted doctors that turned me into an even more non-functional monster than I was before meds. As long as I arm myself with info instead of going in blind like I did before, I feel better because I know what questions to ask. We'll just see what happens...💓

  6. Posted

    17 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

    Phentermine is an amphetamine derivative, like Adderall. I don't have addiction issues, so I didn't find it addictive. I don't think it has the potential for addiction like Adderall does, but you can have withdrawal and that sort of thing from it. It won't make you hyperfocused like Adderall can, but it will keep you awake. If you had issues with Adderall before, I probably wouldn't risk Phentermine.

    Turns out I can't take anything...phentermine, Belviq, Qsymia (which is the brand name for the phentermine+topamax combo)...they all severely interact with Trintellix. Basically combining any of them with Trintellix increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. That's some scary stuff so...no meds for me. Nope, nope, nope...

  7. Posted

    7 minutes ago, Sosewsue61 said:

    There is diethylpropion that only lasts 4 hours in your system and it doesn't make you buzzy or a b!+@$ - like phentermine will. Phentermine stays in your system 21 hours and after 3 days I could NOT sleep, had muscle twitches and leg cramps and was a snapping turtle.....and that was on a half dose! Neither however interfered with Wellbutrin.

    Yikes! To be honest, now I don't want to take anything after all these stories! :wacko:

  8. Posted

    3 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

    Just watch your heart rate on Phentermine. It helped the first time I took it; lost about 13lbs fast but I NEVER ate. Then I stopped due to my heart rate. Started it again like 2 years later, but it didn't do anything that time.

    Noted. Was the phentermine addictive?

    This next appointment can't get here soon enough...looks like Contrave is bupropion+naltrexone. I tried Wellbutrin (which is bupropion) before I was given Trintellix. It messed me up. Mainly didn't work so they upped the dose. I found myself just sitting and staring, numb, but wanting to cry. NOPE! No thanks! LOL

  9. Posted

    15 minutes ago, elcee said:

    At this stage of the process I would be listening to what they say and not trying to second guess them.

    Not second guessing anyone. I also have a hernia and can't deal with dense, heavy Fiber type foods without pain and gas. I bloat up like a blimp when I eat grains. This is no different than a vegan or a vegetarian. I've been on a specific diet for a long time and I want them to know about it.

  12. Posted

    1 minute ago, mousecat88 said:

    I did not do well on Topomax. I was given it a few times for weight loss (alone and part of another medication) and for Migraines. It made me pretty depressed. I take Lexapro, Valium, and Guanfacine for anxiety and don't really have depression issues, but Topomax was not goooood. Personally, anyways.

    Yes! I was given Topamax along with Lexapro many years ago. The Topamax effed me up! I was at work one day and all the sudden I couldn't speak. It was the scariest crap in the world so I quit all my meds cold turkey after that and Lexapro withdrawl was pretty awful. Brain zaps...not my idea of a fun time LOL

    Zebby67 reacted to this

  13. Posted · Edited by Kimmie K

    50 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

    It may not be phentermine. There's a lot of other weight loss medications... Topomax, Belviq, Qsymia, Contrave... all of which I was on before and none of which do anything. LOL. It is weird he wants you on weight loss medications... you aren't going to medically managed weight loss... that's what they do there... Medifast and rx meds.

    I used to take Adderall. I don't know if you've taken Phentermine before, but it made me much more strung out the first time I was on it than Adderall ever did. The second time I took it, it did nothing. But my resting heart rate was 165BPM. It was bad.

    I bit the bullet and emailed the lady to ask what she thinks he has in mind so I'm sure she'll get back with me shortly. I've bothered the hell out of this poor woman :P But they DO work for me and I DO deserve an upfront answer. I'll report back once I have the deets LOL

    Weird is definitely right...I honestly don't want anything and the way you describe phentermine, I sure don't want any of that either! LOL I'm too old for that kinda junk now. My main concern is I already take my Trintellix anti-depressant. If anything were to interact negatively with that...oh man...it has helped me SO much.

  14. Posted

    2 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

    I was 222.4lbs the day of surgery. I was circling the drain at 5'4" and close to going under the 35BMI level. Everyone was a bit nervous. Just fair warning. But it sounds like you've got it figured out...so I'ma jump off the thread.

    Good luck!

    Bahahaha "circling the drain" :D Girl, I have nothing figured out...at least not in the bariatric world LOL

  15. Posted · Edited by Kimmie K

    9 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

    Keep in mind they may have their own goals for you...such as they may not want you to lose too much in the next 6 months...Some report on weight at the 1st visit to compute BMI, and some report at the end to compute it. If you are below 40BMI, you have to have 1 comorbidity that is recognized by the insurance company as a comorbidity.

    Yep, here's what the surgeon's office lady said, "Insurance reviews what we send in based on the weight/BMI you were on your first visit. The only way that you would not be approved for losing weight is if your BMI ends up under 35 (and surgery wouldn't really be appropriate at that point any way). However, you are likely to lose about 25 pounds in those 6 months and insurance will look at this in a good way because it means you will be successful with surgery so they won't be wasting their money paying for it."

    So I doubt they expect me to lose too much on whatever meds they have in mind considering I'm so close to 40 BMI already.

  16. Posted

    52 minutes ago, toodlerue said:

    Just curious, what sort of things were in the diet pack that you don’t agree with?

    It sounds like you have been paying attention to your body and know it very well. Share your concerns with your nutritionist & trust that they will listen.

    Well, I won't say "disagree"...I do know that overeating Protein can cause weight loss stalls (in the pre-op world). What's not used by the body during protein metabolism is converted to glucose by the liver. I don't work out or powerlift and I know once I reach about 100g of protein for the day, I've over done it and better chill out. I know fat satiates me, not just protein. The idea of a high protein, low fat diet (without having surgery) scares me. I don't believe in calories in/calories out (CICO). That's an antiquated method of achieving weightloss (for the pre-surgery people), it's not sustainable, doesn't work for everyone especially those with insulin resistance and it eventually ruins metabolism. Soo...that's the kind of stuff I'm afraid will bite me in the butt in conversations LOL However...I did email the dietician and let her know my eating habits. Hopefully she'll message back with some supportive words.

    PopsFury reacted to this

  17. Posted

    41 minutes ago, James Marusek said:

    I think you are overthinking it. You are already showing a 55 pound weight loss in the pre-op stage, although this may be spread out over a couple years. You seem to know how your body works. I only lost 20 pounds pre-op, so you are far ahead of me at that stage. So in the pre-op stage, what works for you WORKS.

    But post-op, this is where you will need to follow their directions to a tee if you want to see the dramatic results. I lost 80 pounds in 6 months without much effort on my part. For me it was easy because I lost my hunger.

    :) That's what I figured. I do that to much so I figured that was the case. I'm just so scared of sabotaging this process and not ending up getting surgery.

    Post-op will be a whole new world. Definitely aware of that. 80lbs in 6 months is awesome!!!!

  18. Posted · Edited by Kimmie K

    33 minutes ago, 2shea said:

    No idea about the meds, but I would be finding out how much weight you are expected to lose over the next five months and workout if its doable by 'diet'. If you are expect to lose 10% of your body weight for instance, that's 23lbs (going by your current weight) = approx 5lb per month, which initally isn't too onerous...more you have to lose the more you likely lose initially but as time progresses (and there is no more Fluid weight to lose) weight loss will slow down.

    To keep weight loss on track you can expect that they will want you to possibly do meal shake replacements and go fairly low carb.dea about the meds, but I would be finding out how much weight you are expected to lose over the next five months and workout if its doable by 'diet'. If you are expect to lose 10% of your body weight for instance, that's 23lbs (going by your current weight) = approx 5lb per month, which initally isn't too onerous...more you have to lose the more you likely lose initially but as time progresses (and there is no more Fluid weight to lose) weight loss will slow down. To keep weight loss on track you can expect that they will want you to possibly do meal shake replacements and go fairly low carb.

    I am assuming you are pre-op as you don't have a date, but you have lost a good amount of weight already, and there have been a couple of instances here (or perhaps on the facegroup I am on) where people lost significant weight pre-op and their BMI reduced below the threshold and insurance was denied. I would definitley be finding out how much weight loss expectative over the next five months.

    Yes, I am pre-op. The weight I've lost was a result of 2 years strict keto....you probably saw that in my other post.

    I don't believe there's a set expectation for weight loss. The lady at my surgeon's office said with the meds, they expect me to lose approx. 25lbs which should put my BMI around 38.5. I gained a good 5lbs during the holidays which they're unaware of. I can lose 13.5lbs at this point and be right at a BMI of 40. I just need to get to that appointment and find out what they're wanting me to take. I'm guessing it's phentermine which I highly doubt will effect me since I used to pop Adderall like Skittles. No matter what, I'm going to make sure this surgery happens...

  19. Posted

    17 minutes ago, James Marusek said:

    I was a little confused because I didn't know where you were on your gastric bypass surgery journey. It appears that you are at the very beginning in the pre-op stage.

    I went through 6 months of physician monitored pre-op dieting and exercise program. At the beginning of the program, I decided to apply the rule of "no soft drinks, no caffeine". I figured that since I had to give this up anyways, I might as well implement this change at the very beginning of the process. So I ended by 6 diet coke a day habit. I suffered through a week of withdrawal pain (severe headaches and body aches). But then I was O.K. I think I lost 20 pounds pre-op on this change alone.

    During this 6 month period, I started to do journaling. I tracked everything I ate. This helped because I know how many calories foods had. It also showed me what fast food restaurants and which type of food to stay far away from.

    Another aspect of this program was exercise. I began hill walking for a half hour per day. The walking was very important because it is an integral part of the program. Right after surgery, you have a massive amount of gas locked in your body. This is the root cause of much of the pain that patients experience. I took no pain meds after surgery. I didn't need to. I walked every 2 hours around the clock after surgery and I experience minimal pain as a result.

    You diet will change dramatically over the next few years (pre-op phase, first couple years post-op in the weight loss phase, and then when you arrive at the maintenance phase). So be prepared for changes ahead. It is important to follow the dietary directions in the post-op weight loss phase. This phase is where you will achieve the most weight loss in a very short time. Don't second guess this phase.

    Yes, I am in the very beginning of pre-op. It sounds like you've definitely gone through it all!

    I have tracked my food in an app on my phone for the past 1 1/2 years fairly consistently to make sure I'm staying within my macros, so that data is definitely there for the dietician. I don't eat sugar, don't drink soda/carbonated stuff aside an occasional La Croix and use stevia sparingly in coffee. For drinks, I switch between Propel and Powerade Zero and plain Water. Don't eat bread, no Pasta, no grains, no beans/legumes, nothing inflammatory like certain oils and other ingredients. For the most part, I eat fatty meats, nuts, leafy greens, high fat dairy (sparingly) and I consume a lot of MCT oil - about 4tbsp + a day. My Protein macros are set at 60g a day (which I sometimes exceed accidentally), because I'm not a powerlifter and I don't work out. During protein metabolism, unused protein amino acids can convert to glucose which causes weight loss stalls so that macro is important to not blow. Keto is very strict and I've done well, but not well enough. My job changed insurance plans unexpectedly which happened to include bariatric for the first time ever so I'm jumping on to take advantage of it.

    In 2017 I had a bad car wreck and nearly lost my foot and broke a ton of other bones so I haven't dared to exercise. Things still hurts from time to time, but I can walk. Even before the wreck I wasn't actively working out so pretty much all I can do is walk.

    I expect dietary changes post-op, that's a given. I just don't want to sabotage everything I've done on my own so far just because the dietician doesn't believe in Keto/LCHF. I might just be overthinking and assuming too much which is why I was curious about other people's experiences with their dieticians.

    FluffyChix reacted to this

  20. Posted

    9 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

    I leveled with my real life RD and told her of my needs. She set up a low carb plan. And I followed it. And I lost around 60lbs or so while on the program?

    Well, that's refreshing to know! I've always found myself having to fight to back up my way of eating so I guess I'm going into this too much on the defensive.

    Frustr8 and FluffyChix reacted to this

  21. Posted

    My doctor scheduled me to visit Jan 14th and I was unsure why. I asked my contact person over there and she stated it's an appointment with the doctor because he's going to be prescribing me some weight loss meds to get me losing a little during the next 5 months of nutrition visits I have to complete. That was kind of shocking. I didn't expect to be given meds. Anyone know what they might give me? I had an addiction problem with Adderall for some years that I finally overcame and this kind of scares me. I don't want anything that'll make me speedy to remind me of the Adderall days. I'm already taking Trintellix for depression which has been AMAZINGGGG. Thoughts?

  22. Posted

    So I've arranged my first dietician consult, which is interestingly done remotely via WebEx video conference (not relevant to this post, but just interesting). Any who...I was given a lengthy PDF packet to read through regarding general nutrition and as I read it, I find I don't agree with some of the information. I've been living relatively strict Keto, High Fat/Moderate Protein/Low Carb for nearly 2 years and I'm afraid I'm going to get into this consult and butt heads with the poor person. Not on purpose, but I really don't want to change the way I eat because I know what happens when I eat the stuff that is considered OK. I get bloated, I gain weight, my face gets puffy, my feet get swollen...etc. My body likes keto and most "health professionals" aren't on that bandwagon. Any words of advice from anyone that's gone through their diet consults would be awesome. I know the best thing is to just smile and nod, but I know this girl is going to want active participation. :wacko:

    Kmama5 reacted to this

  24. Posted

    Finally got my Anthem Blue Cross policy requirements confirmed. Standard 6 months of nutrition visits (should be done in May), psych evaluation in April and a $3500 out of pocket maximum which I have no idea what that exactly means. Google describes OOP max as the maximum amount you have to pay out of pocket (copays/deductibles/coinsurance) before everything is covered at 100%...which makes sense. Benefits lady has me confused and they won’t be back in the office until next week. In her email she made it sound like I have to pay all that before surgery. Anyone have any insight and/or tips on this? Do I need to start saving $$$? 😖

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