Berry78

I am also a mother of an almost-17-year old daughter that is heavy. Thank you for being willing to help yours through the healing phase. She will need as much support as you can provide. I guess I'm a bit confused by your post. You say you are concerned she won't make the required lifestyle changes, but it sounds like more than that. You sound like you really just don't want her to have the procedure, and potential failure is just a convenient excuse. Your daughter has a broken metabolism. The surgery will fix it. Just think of it like this: if your daughter broke her arm, and the doc recommended surgery, would you balk at that? Of course not! And after her arm is fixed, is it guaranteed she'll never break it again? No, of course not. The metabolism is the same way. The only difference is there is a limit to the number of times bariatric surgery can happen. As many of us here have discovered, surgery makes it POSSIBLE to stick to a healthy diet. Please stick around the board and learn what it is about. Invite her to join as well.

You'll do great! Congrats!

It's called "the 3 week stall", happens to almost everyone during the first month. You are doing nothing wrong.. the scale just doesn't move for a week or two. Stalls will happen regularly on your journey. And you'll notice your weight will fluxuate a bit too. Scale going up by a pound or three is normal. It soon goes back down.

I had this, and turned out I was allergic to the antibiotic. Allergies usually have you itchy too. It also can be from dehydration, but either way, a call to your doc is a good idea.

My local surgeon also mentioned 120g of protein for DS patients. I agree with Outside. Eat more food, and look for more info pertaining to DS patients.

People regain like gangbusters when their bands are unfilled or removed. Why should this be any different?

Ah, I see scar tissue is probably a PITA for surgeons. I bet the bypass will fix you right up since the food can just drip right out of your pouch into the intestine. Be prepared to lose quite a bit of weight at first, even though you don't want to. It really can't be helped. But you can gain it back later. Be prepared for a change in tastes. Sweets and fried foods are frequently not tolerated. New lactose intolerance happens frequently as well. Has your surgeon mentioned "dumping"? If you eat sugar or fried food, it can make you feel really sick (but ultimately isn't actually harmful). Dumping decreases over the first few years and usually stops completely. You are going to find eating/drinking is a full time job for the first couple months. Long term, you'll be eating around 6 times a day. Each time is only a handful of food. Getting a digital kitchen scale will help you learn to eyeball your portions. (Overeating hurts, and overfilling your plate is frustrating).

It wasn't clear whether you purely need the surgery for the stomach or whether weight loss is also a goal. Either way, the healing period is the same. 8-9 weeks for diet and exercise to return to "normal". You'll start with clear fluids and frequent short walks, and progress to normal foods (small portions), and unlimited exercise. One question I would feel comfortable asking is why the open procedure? If your surgeon is not a typical bariatric surgeon (that specializes in the weight loss procedures exclusively), he/she may not be as skilled in laproscopic procedures. Find out if it is surgeon skill, or your own anatomy that creates the need for that type of procedure. (Maybe get a second opinion from a bariatric specialist).

Even people that have always been thin put on weight during/after pregnancies. I would highly consider waiting until after baby (s) before getting the surgery.. that way a pregnancy won't sabotage your once-in-a-lifetime surgery. On the other hand, healthier babies are always good... but there is no guarantee with that being the case, and malabsorption might be a problem for the baby too. Hard choice! But I still vote.. have babies first.

It is possible to start gaining this early out, so let this be a warning, even if it turns out to just be a fluctuation. Make sure you weigh at least once a week. This should be a life-long habit. Track your consumption. See if you can restart a regular exercise routine (even just walking).

I'd keep trying different solutions.. powders and slippery skin stuff made for runners, maybe even maxi pads placed in the bra to absorb moisture...

Peanut butter is ok. So is the ham. If you keep the crackers to a minimum, and they don't set up cravings, they might be ok. White flour is the devil for a lot of us, but your tolerance may vary. I wouldn't recommend crackers to be an every day thing.. but for an occasional splurge....probably ok. (Just keep it to like, 4-5 crackers, not a sleeve).

I feel like my scale is training me like a dog. When I do something right, it rewards me. At first, consistently. But as time goes on, even though I'm continuing to do things correctly, the rewards are spaced further apart. I never know when the treat will come, so I'm keeping the good behavior up. One day, the treats will stop coming altogether, but by that time, the behaviors should be so well ingrained, that they are second nature.

Do they have you on a good course of antibiotics for a couple weeks? Bellybuttons are over-rated! My skin around mine is starting to form a frownie face

Oh my gosh! I guess those things are more common than anyone would have thought! Glad you have an answer, but more surgery is the pits [Hugs]

I agree with 2 liter! Let them do the driving!

I'm going to hazard a guess that 10-15lbs will get you down to a size 10, which for your height, will be perfect! Loose skin can really play tricks on your perceptions. Love the idea of the dexa scan!

When does it seem to happen? When walking? When putting pressure on your elbows? Or just anytime without a cause? If it's anytime, you may have an electrolyte imbalance, and should get checked out. Regardless, run it by your doc.

They put pain meds in the IV at the hospital, and sent pills along to the hotel. I never took any of the pain pills. You'll need money for food/tips/souvenirs. A few hundred will be plenty. I hope you are comfortable with driving there. (I wouldn't be!) People walk right out in front of the cars all the time! Eek! The taxis didn't cost much.

I'm 2.5 months post op. I keep trying ice cream, but it all tastes like s***! One lick, and I can do without. I guess I keep thinking it is the type, but it's all the same way. I'm staying away from Hagen Daaz cuz I suspect that one will still taste good Ketchup is disgustingly sweet. Like tomato candy *gross!* I get a little pinch of pizza and it's nasty too! I LOVE eggs. Plain hardboiled was one of the first solids I ate, and it was sooo good! Beans are heavenly! They no longer cause intestinal/nose distress. Fruit is a mixed bag. Raw cherries, strawberries, and pineapple don't work well, but I love raw blueberries! I suspect cooked fruits won't be an issue, but am trying to limit fruit all together until I hit goal. Plain greek yogurt tastes good. (Plain.. like no added sweeteners at all!). Fage is super thick. Very filling.

In order to get my 70g of protein through plant based foods, I'd have to eat: 10 ounces of nuts/seeds or Seven 4oz servings of tofu or Ten 4oz servings of beans Granted, there is protein in green veggies too, but by time I eat 5 cups of beans, I wouldn't have room for a leaf of baby spinach! Vegan wls patients need to rely on highly processed protein shakes long term to meet their goals.

Oh, sorry... just noticed the "sleeve", didn't realize we were talking about a different procedure. Maybe that one should be called an endoscopic plication or something. I get a bit leary at the thought of stitches holding the stomach's shape long term. Any non-biologic material in the body has chance of failure over time.

Oh you poor thing! Glad you are ok now. How scary Pixie, so glad things went well. Gotta love 15 lbs! Lol. ~~~Quick healing vibes!

Sorry to hear about the less-than-desirable election results Now, maybe you have time in your schedule to take that vacation!

Check out Matthew Weiner on youtube. He's in Michigan.