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- GLP-1 medication Zepbound, Wegovy, access, side effects, progress, and support.
- Before surgery Compare procedures, plan ahead, and get honest pre-op answers.
- Post-op Recovery, food stages, symptoms, and support.
- Long-term Regain, labs, habits, and life after the honeymoon.
- Revision Explore revision options, complications, and next steps.
Everything posted by MarinaGirl
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Iron & Calcium
Iron and calcium can also interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication. Be careful about taking calcium, calcium-fortified orange juice, and calcium-rich antacids at the same as thyroid RXs. Allow at least 3-4 hours after taking your thyroid medication, so that absorption is not affected.
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Mashed potatoes
Is this a legit post? Are you pre or post-op? Are you trying to lose weight or in maintenance? Mashed potatoes are considered a slider food, with low nutrition, so for most bariatric patients and normal eaters, not a regular food staple.
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4 years post op and can’t lose a pound
I have Hashimoto’s that is well controlled. My endocrinologist says that too many people blame hypothyroidism for causing weight gain or hindering weight loss. He says the #1 factor with his healthiest/normal BMI patients are that they all walk everyday, more than the average adult. Not crazy miles but consistently everyday. You do not need to go back to a liquid diet to jump start your weight loss. That is crash diet mentality. The post-op diet was necessary to heal your stomach and prevent staple leaks. Now you need to eat fewer calories and focus on dense protein to fill yourself up.
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Poop and age
Never heard of that. I don’t think that is a common belief among bariatric surgeons. I think some surgeons recommend sleeve over bypass because it is an easier surgery for them and takes less time, so their guidance may not actually be what’s best for the patient and instead go with what’s best for them.
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Belly rumbles
I don’t have a noisy belly and the diarrhea I had right after surgery resolved within 1-2 weeks.
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Reconsidering Goal Weight
My goal weight was my healthy slim weight in college and now I’m below it and very happy. I’m no spring chicken either; it is possible to go lower than your original plan depending on your eating habits and lifestyle.
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Biotin & Hypothyroidism
I have Hashimoto’s and the last thing I would do is take an ineffective supplement like Biotin, which can negatively affect thyroid tests.
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Biotin & Hypothyroidism
Biotin does not help with hair loss and it can impact blood tests. FDA Safety Communication: FDA Warns that Biotin May Interfere with Blood Tests
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Nausea 11 months out post op
Perhaps you’ve developed lactose intolerance post-gastric bypass, which is not uncommon. When do you feel nauseous? What makes it better?
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Which Procedure is Right for Me
Many folks that select VSG either don’t reach goal, do not get resolution of diabetes long term, or develop GERD and end up revising to gastric bypass. I recommend RNY so you don’t have to have a second WLS down the road. Good luck!
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Where to go?! Please help!
Dr Esquerra at Mexicali Bariatric Center
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Multivitamins
You also need to take iron and calcium separately because taken together will impair absorption of both. It is easier to find multivitamins without iron than without calcium so get one of those and then take iron and calcium citrate at different times. I also buy heme iron as it has better absorption and less side effects than other types of iron. My multivitamin of choice is One A Day Women’s 50+ Healthy Advantage, which I buy at Costco. I take 2 per day, at lunch and dinner.
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PROJECT LAST CHANCE! 3rd Bariatric Surgery Scheduled...Sleeve to RNY Anyone?
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. There are many stories on the Internet of people being successful after Lapband->VSG->RNY. Do not be scared. You need to set yourself up for success with surgery by following ALL pre-op & post-op instructors. Do not have a pity party or food funerals. You can do this. But please keep in mind that bariatric surgery does not necessarily curb psychological cravings for food. Nor does it necessarily change emotional eating patterns. Emotional eating after WLS leads to LESS weight loss and can lead to weight regain. So make sure you’re doing the work to address the mental side of obesity - don’t be afraid to seek out assistance from a bariatric-focused psychologist. Good luck!
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4 years post op and can’t lose a pound
If you’re not gaining or losing you’re in maintenance mode. In order to lose weight you need to consume fewer calories. Go back to basics and eat dense protein first, followed by non-starchy vegetables, and do not drink during meals and 30-60 minutes afterwards.
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4 years post op and can’t lose a pound
What kind of WLS did you have and what was your starting weight?
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Going on all inclusive vacation...need some tips!
I went on a European river cruise 8.5 weeks after gastric bypass and I did fine following my eating plan. At the buffet, I portioned our small bites of dense protein, veggies, and fruit, and when meals were served, I did not eat everything on my plate and didn’t feel bad about leaving food on the plate to be cleared away. It is up to you not to overeat even in the presence of an abundance of food. This is true post-op and long term. And this is also true for non-obese people.
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For those having a bypass revision weighing in at 155?
GERD is a serious issue so doing what you can to address it is the right decision. Taking PPIs may mask symptoms of reflux BUT acid/bile will still be damaging the cells in your esophagus, which puts you at risk for Barrett’s Esophagus and/or esophageal cancer. I think you should trust your doctor that your body won’t end up malnourished. Even if you get to a low normal or underweight BMI initially, the chance of it lasting long term is low. I speak from experience. I’m “model thin” right now as I’ve been struggling with GERD (for 10+ years), a hiatal hernia and a diagnosis of Barrett’s Esophagus 4 months ago, even post-MGB. But I’ve recently had hernia repair surgery with Nissen Fundoplication so am very optimistic of my long term outcome, as are my physicians. I will not be eating crap or large quantities of food to gain weight as that could lead to poor eating habits and gaining too much weight. I take all of my required vitamins and minerals and everyone should do the same post-gastric bypass; otherwise, you could cause an untold number of health issues.
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How do you tells others about your transformations.
Don’t be an over-sharer, especially with people at work. You do not need to tell anyone you’re having surgery (of any kind). Many people transform themselves, with or without surgery, and how you did it is not something you’re obligated to divulge.
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Everything i eat goes to my chest!
You’re eating too big a bite, or not chewing it enough, or eating too fast. Stick to VERY small bites that you masticate to consistency of applesauce.
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None of Your Business!
Do you go around sharing details of every surgery or medical procedure you’ve had? I don’t think you need to tell most people about your medical history and doctor-approved treatment(s). TMI. Do you expect all the men you know to divulge issues with their prostates or hearts, or women with their ovaries or other internal organs (for example)? It is no one else’s business but your own. As well, people don’t need to know why you eat the way you do. Again, none of their business. I advocate that you be as circumspect as possible.
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Starting to Freak Out (Hair)
Biotin is a waste of money, doesn’t aid hair regrowth, and taking it may interfere with lab results per the FDA.
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Choosing between bypass and sleeve
IMO, someone with pre-existing conditions of GERD and hiatal hernia should go with RNY instead of VSG. Note that the purported surgical risk differential between the two surgeries is very small.
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Please hlep! Bad Pain in stomach 8 months post op
Could it be GERD-related? Have you had an EGD lately? Have you been evaluated for a hiatal hernia?
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Desperate - Please help! Fighting Prilosec Withdrawal for third time
Have you tried taking H2 Blockers while trying to wean off PPIs? I’ve heard that can help one get over rebound reflux while tapering down.
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How about Dates?
Try some dates and see how you feel. I am able to eat dried fruit, including dates, post-gastric bypass. They do not cause bloating, GI distress, or dumping for me. YMMV However, are dates a trigger food for you? Can you eat just 1-2? If not, then you may want to abstain for awhile. You’re still in the weight loss phase, instead of maintenance, so you will need to determine if for you they’re a hindrance or not to dropping more lbs.