ajmsp8879

Yogurt, string cheese, Protein Shakes ,eggs, turkey chilli and if all else fails Protein chips, protein Cookies and protein crackers. But I advise you speak with your surgeon or nutrition to discover the problem... Can't eat that way forever...

I wonder why they are only sticking to Zoloft when there are dozens of other options to choose from. I've been on the med merry-go-round before, and it sucks, but look at these options:
Effexor: LIFE-SAVING for me. I take 150 mg. I will take the regular release when I get sleeved to ensure no issues.
Celexa
Lexapro
Nefazodone (everyone freaks out of the liver failure possibility for this, but READ THE STATISTICS first. It's rare, rare, rare!!!)
Trazodone (great for anxiety, but knocks you out)
Cymbalta
Pamelor (older, but a works)
Moody stabilizers (Topamax, Tegretol, Trileptal, Lyrica, lamictal, Geodon)
Buspar
NAC - Amino acid available OTC that is being tested in clinical trials for anxiety disorders and addiction. Comes in liquid.
Memantine (used off-label for OCD, GAD, and migraines) It's a dementia drug that has found some limited mainstream success in off-label uses (doctors still get weird about this one, even though it's pretty benign, old, and safe).
Time to take a step back and put your mental health first. The rest will fall into place after the fact. Get stabilized, even if it means going inpatient. Fire the psychiatrist who "can't help you." That's absurd. Getting stable can take a few months, but you'll get there. I believe that you can reap the benefits of your gastric bypass and still take meds.

If your doctor called you a "fat pig" RUN- don't walk - to a new doctor. I would never want a doctor to cut me open who treats their patients like that. That's not firm; that's abusive.
I like the firm approach form my doctors. Not mean, but straight to the point without sugar coating anything. However, I would be mortified if my doctor called me a "fat pig."

First appointment with the nutritionist and met my surgeon today. He's AWESOME. Aiming for a May or June surgery date!

First appointment with the nutritionist and met my surgeon today. He's AWESOME. Aiming for a May or June surgery date!

First appointment with the nutritionist and met my surgeon today. He's AWESOME. Aiming for a May or June surgery date!

First appointment with the nutritionist and met my surgeon today. He's AWESOME. Aiming for a May or June surgery date!

i would find a new doctor

If your doctor called you a "fat pig" RUN- don't walk - to a new doctor. I would never want a doctor to cut me open who treats their patients like that. That's not firm; that's abusive.
I like the firm approach form my doctors. Not mean, but straight to the point without sugar coating anything. However, I would be mortified if my doctor called me a "fat pig."

If your doctor called you a "fat pig" RUN- don't walk - to a new doctor. I would never want a doctor to cut me open who treats their patients like that. That's not firm; that's abusive.
I like the firm approach form my doctors. Not mean, but straight to the point without sugar coating anything. However, I would be mortified if my doctor called me a "fat pig."

If your doctor called you a "fat pig" RUN- don't walk - to a new doctor. I would never want a doctor to cut me open who treats their patients like that. That's not firm; that's abusive.
I like the firm approach form my doctors. Not mean, but straight to the point without sugar coating anything. However, I would be mortified if my doctor called me a "fat pig."

Thank you so much! Calling doctor tomorrow! Your so kind

I can't remember exactly what company did it. My doc ordered it for me. The test is to determine what drugs you metabolize best through the CYP system. Your doctor will know what this means, as it's like pharmacology 101. You need to find out if your insurance covers it. My didn't, but the company had a financial assistance plan. I'm gainfully employed, make about $60,000 a year, and I only had to pay $20.00 for the test after applying for the program. The test is just a TOOL tho (much like our sleeves and bypass!!!) It was interesting, because I had a VERY bad reaction to only 20 MGs of prozac a few years back. When the test results came back, Prozac was in RED under DO NOT USE. The meds I take now fall right in the middle (use with caution and monitor dose). It's not a perfect system. All it did was give us something to start with for guidance. The best indicator is what medication actually works for you (obviously :-) )

Hi. It's common to be scared, anxious, or both. It's a big decision. Cheryl, what are most afraid of? Potential risks, pain, recovery, dietary changes, or all of them? Is your surgeon off-putting?
I had sleeve surgery on 12/28/2017. This is not the case for everyone BUT it was easier than I thought it would be. I didn't have nausea or vomiting in the hospital. I walked fairly easily with a folded blanket held against my stomach. I went home 22 hours after being admitted. I had a few fleeting moments of nausea the first 2 weeks and nausea all week on the 3rd week (lost 9 lbs. that week) but no vomiting. My pain at home was controlled with Tylenol and a large ice pack. And, other than getting enough fluids and Protein, the food progression has been easy to follow. My surgeon told me that it's 50/50 - patients who have an easier time and patients who have difficulties.
We don't know on what side of those odds you'll land. You know yourself and only you can know if you want to move past your fear and take a chance to be healthier with consideration to all that decision entails at this time in your life.
I wish I had done it sooner.

Hi Karen25! I too suffered from depression and extreme anxiety. The best thing that I ever did was to check myself in to an inpatient mental health unit. There I got all the help I needed, and got hooked up with one of the best psychiatric doctors available in my area. I see him monthly now after 3 years. I take venlafaxine (Effexor) 150mg daily, and that's it! I have noticed a little depression post RNY surgery, but it's getting better already. Bottom line is think about inpatient help.

Something else to consider... My doc had me take a test to see which drugs I metabolize best. Turns out I'm a poor metabolizer of CYP2D6 medications. Doesn't mean I don't take 'em, just means that we adjust the dose to go with my genetics. Lots of tools out there to help these days. I get so mad when I hear medical doctors not using resources available. Insurance companies as the worst of all though... They make it damn near impossible for docs to give their patients the most innovative and evidence-based medicine available,

You might consider Lexapro. It's generic now and the "cousin" of Celexa without the known heart issues. My mom was on 60 mg of Celexa and they pulled her off too once they found out about the heart stuff. She had good success with Effexor... Lexapro too.

Everyones experience is different. Personally, I burp and pass gas alllll the time. i only get acid reflux when i get hungry (i know its weird). The main thing that happened to me after surgey is it totally ruined my relationship with food. Which at first i was mad about but now i know thats really what i needed. My taste buds have changed and i dont enjoy eating or having sweets anymore. However, i feel good, im looking good! I sleep so much better, i dont get winded easily, back pain has decreased, i enjoy going out and doing things, i dont dread getting dressed in the morning. the pros outway the cons!

Bluedick, Anxiety, Fleas, enlarged eyeball, tummy ache, Rickets, Gout, Chlamydia, Wobbly feet syndrome, donkey breath, Units, Polshanks, East River Gorgonzola Drip (I don't know what it is either but it sounds nasty), Pink Pubic hair, scarring of the inner nostril, webbed fingers and webbed toes.

If your doctor called you a "fat pig" RUN- don't walk - to a new doctor. I would never want a doctor to cut me open who treats their patients like that. That's not firm; that's abusive.
I like the firm approach form my doctors. Not mean, but straight to the point without sugar coating anything. However, I would be mortified if my doctor called me a "fat pig."

If your doctor called you a "fat pig" RUN- don't walk - to a new doctor. I would never want a doctor to cut me open who treats their patients like that. That's not firm; that's abusive.
I like the firm approach form my doctors. Not mean, but straight to the point without sugar coating anything. However, I would be mortified if my doctor called me a "fat pig."

Hi Everyone! I know I came to these forums to help prepare me for the surgery, so this post is about helping you be as prepared as possible and know the nitty gritty.
I was sleeved Wednesday 1/24 in Chicago. Your mileage may vary.
The night before, I was NPO after 9PM and was the first surgery of the day, so I had to be at the hospital at 5:15 am. Have a backup ride ready because you might not know this until the day before, and my husband had to stay home with our kids. Pro Tip: You can reserve a cab or Lyft ride in advance, so I had a lyft scheduled at 4:30 AM.
They do weigh you at the hospital when you arrive. Pre-Op was a breeze. I have a high BMI so I had a shot of a drug to prevent blood clots, if you don't like shots, ask for it in the thigh. I had mine in my right shoulder both days and it was fine, nothing more than a flu shot feeling.
Post op your mouth will be DRY. DRY DRY DRY DRY DRY. Bring lip balm to keep your lips moist and you will, will, WILL get through it. If it's really bad, make sure you are not getting dehydrated. Late on the night of my surgery, my heart rate and blood pressure went way up, so they gave me a "BOLUS" for dehydration, which is a lot of IV fluids really fast, it did the trick and by morning I was fine.
WALK! Get up as soon as you feel able to. I walked and walked, and peed and peed. They will measure your urine so don't flush it, there will be a measuring thing in the toilet, don't put paper in it because you want credit for every ML of urine you produce! And did I mention walk? It's so easy. I was shocked that I was the only person walking around the floor. It really helps with that gas pain.
The morning after surgery I did a "water trial" where a member of the doc's team brought in two thimbles of Water. I had two hours to finish them and it took really about an hour. Go slowly. After that, I was not brought a tray of anything, just a FULL styrofoam cup of probably 20 oz of water and was told "this is what is between here and home." It took me about 3 hours to drink it, and then I was finally discharged around 3PM. Walking around in CVS on the way home is when the farting began. It hasn't stopped but I'll tell you I have zero gas pains!
Get the liquid Tylenol. You will want it when you are home, even if just one incision hurts (I have five "stab wounds" and only one is really bothersome at all - and the liquid tylenol is enough.) Now I am home and am slowly sipping Premier Protien Clear (yum) and water (yum) all day. TIP: Don't buy the orange Protein water sold at Target, order the Premier Protein clear online. They are vastly different.
TL:DR? You will fart a lot. That's good. You will burp a lot. That's fine. WALK A LOT. Stand up a lot. You'll do great.
Ask me anything!

Here's a reality. You have to prove that you have the self control to not hurt yourself and create a medical emergency. Surgeons fear non-compliant patients....because they have complications and it makes the surgeon look dangerous.
My surgeon was brutal. We had to lose 10% of our total weight...to get approved for surgery.
Took me six months, but I faithfully lost the 27 pounds he required to prove I could stick to a diet.
Surgery isn't a magic cure. If you don't get control of your eating habits and learn to eat the right things, you're dead in the Water. Surgery will not work for you.
Losing 30 pounds before my presurgical liquid diet....was child's play compared to the hell of the starvation diet both before and after surgery.
Don't for a second think that losing weight before surgery is "the hard part"....it's tough, but it's the tip of the ice berg compared to what's next...and if you're not up to it, you might want to reconsider.
Just being honest, folks. Wishing everyone success and good outcomes.

I started the process in July 2016, was approved January 2017 and had it February 20, 2017. I'm sure I could have had the surgery sooner, but I had some delay because I wasn't following through with the pre-op stuff consistently.

I really liked Dr. Krook and the rest of the bariatric staff are wonderful too. I first started my WLS journey at Park Nicollet several years ago and it never worked out because I was never ready, and I was hesitant about going to HCMC too, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the whole staff. The main reason I went to HCMC instead of going back to Park Nicollet though was because I work for the county and the surgery was 100% paid for by my insurance.