NatureLover888

8 hours ago, Cybie said:

Hello everyone! I just found this forum and I hope I can get some great support here! My RNY was December 14 and I’m doing okay. Preop weight was 190 and current weight is 164, but I feel like I’ve hit a stall! I’ve been 164 for over a week now! It’s frustrating so I’ve decided to stop weighing myself everyday and maybe doing it once a month. What do you think? I walk a lot but I think I need to start something more vigorous!

Hi Cybie,

Stalls are TOTALLY normal and expected. I KNOW they are a huge drag! I quickly lost 30 pounds post surgery in about a month, then I had at least TWO FULL WEEKS where the scale didn't budge at all...if anything it went UP a pound! I was so depressed about it...well the stall broke and I'm down 15 pounds more! So keep your hope! Don't allow the stall to cause you to eat sugar, carbs or other 'forbidden' things as we do this weight loss surgery journey! Stay on your path!

On 1/23/2018 at 11:21 AM, MARGAUX said:

• Sorry I haven't kept up. It has been a bit hectic. I had RNY on the 14th. Best thing I ever did. Starting weight was 279# 3 years ago. I was 231# at first Dr appointment, 211# day of surgery 221# day after. Lots of Fluid weight from IV'S. Today I am 190#. I had a 1 1/2 week stall at 194#. I go to Dr tomorrow for 6 week check. I have had several episodes of dumping. No fun. Still learning.

Thanks for sharing this, Margaux. I waited 14 years for this so I was expecting the weight to just drop off and to be super motivated. Lo and behold my father died after a relatively brief illness on January 7, as I was recovering from surgery still. It's been very hard. I have had what I consider 'small cheats' such as having 3 or 4 mini pretzels with a dab of Peanut Butter and jelly on top. It was very delicious but I was aware that jelly is full of sugar and these little treats need to be carefully guarded. So that perhaps a once a week treat doesn't become a daily treat. I need to have small rewards since my marriage is on the rocks and I'm lonelier than ever, family struggling with the death of my father and I'm the oldest 'functional' sibling so I have a lot on my shoulders. I think WE CAN DO IT! I've lost 30 pounds since surgery 12/29/17 and 45 pounds since being weighed in November. I also lost at least 30 additional pounds because at my doctor's scale I was almost 390 months ago...very bloated. So I feel as long as I keep moving in the right direction, whether slowly or not, I am going in the right direction! We are living and learning! I didn't have dumping but I had AGONY after eating some soft chicken and refried Beans too quickly. The pain was agoizing into my stomach, chest, back, even a headache! Is THAT dumping? Or just pain from eating too thick food too quickly? I was hungry and gobbled a small amount, but far too quickly.

Thank you both for the support! Yes, the doctor did NOT discuss sending me home on regular liquid Tylenol only--BEFORE surgery. I felt it was very strange...he ended up giving me 25 Dilaudid when he sent me home. So why did I have to suffer IN the hospital and get anxious about being sent home after 2 nights in the hospital with only Tylenol (which I have mentioned before really doesnt' work for my body chemistry. Pre-op I would take four Advil if I had a really bad physical pain or headache.)

Hi folks,

I had my laparoscopic RNY on 12/29/17 and the weight starting fall off rapidly. I know I tend to carry a lot of Water weight and I lost quickly what seemed to be about 30 pounds from my surgery weight of 360. BUT...I've had very low appetite. Not going to lie, I've been a bit lazy about taking my Vitamins. I only drink one Protein Shake a day because my formerly beloved Premier Protein is too sweet and artificial tasting. I'm about to start on mushy foods so I am thinking I will go for Protein heavy choices like my favorite, Breakstone's 2% Cottage cheese (so creamy and tight curd, not slimy and a good flavor with a dash of salt and pepper on top!) and I guess soon I will be allowed to have hummus and refried Beans. I want to ease into these soft foods very slowly so I can maximize my weight loss. I don't FEEL like eating since I'm not hungry! Though I must say I do feel tired and sometimes dizzy when getting up to walk around. Have done some bed exercises and late night hall walking a few times. Need to increase this. I just feel bummed because I though the weight would continue pouring off quickly if I eat little. The scale said 334.8 today so looks like a stall already!!!

54 minutes ago, MN_Meg770 said:

You have been through WAY too much crap at that hospital! I work at a hospital system and you absolutely need to let the patient rep and administrators know what you went through. It sounds awful!! I hope you’re doing much better. Take care of yourself! Megan

Thank you for the support, Megan! Unfortunately, the hospital's answer has been to sweep it all under the rug. They have stated that they will not reimburse me for the cash stolen when my wallet was deliberately separated from me and I was waiting for transport for well over 30 minutes. They have not had the gossiping nurse apologize. I have received one standard form letter saying they are 'investigating the matter' or other such rubbish. I will leave them a very honest Yelp review. Not ALL the people were horrible. I had some great nurses and techs in the last day I was there. Too bad the time when I was most vulnerable, and in pain, I was neglected and treated like I was demanding 'too much' just for my medication to be dispensed at the times the NURSES wrote on the board!

27 minutes ago, kakatlady612 said:

I would start by walking the halls and build up,each day, walk,a little bit longer and farther and soon,you can try up and down a flight of stairs. You won't be walking a,lot but,you will be making a positive effort. I should listen to this advice,i'm giving , it's snowy,in Ohio and I don't relish walking on ice but I could be exercising inside. I know there are some senior citizen exercises on cable, do them when you're ready. You can do it girl, I know you can. And I'm about your size and I have marched in place when nobody can see me.

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Thank you, Kakatlady! Yes, I will start in the halls. I can go to a floor where I don't know anyone. I need to overcome my mental block against walking in the halls. They are nice and warm and I am safe there. If I run into anyone, at least they will probably congratulate me mentally for working out, as it were. I always admire big people at the gym or out jogging, walking, biking. They are TRYING to work on themselves, which takes a strong mental motivation. :-)

Hi, folks!

I am feeling the need to get up and work out a little. I've been extremely sedentary for the past year or so due to my weight skyrocketing. I am 5'8 and my highest weight ever recorded (when very bloated, but STILL) was almost 390. I got down to 375 for first doctor visit, and then 360 for surgery about a month later. Now I am 16 days post op. I feel extremely embarrassed to go out and exercise. Today, I actually tried an exercise video for bed-ridden patients on YouTube! Believe it or not, these simple exercises I could FEEL were working my muscles. Ironically, I used to be a 'big yet active girl.' I remember hiking a 5 mile trail less than 10 years ago with my sister and my dog...climbing up a lot of boulders. It was GREAT to be active and I miss the exercise causing me to loosen my joints and muscles, and overall get the lymph flowing. I really need to EASE myself into exercise. I live in a condo so I COULD walk the halls or even the STAIRS yet I feel nervous about running into anyone. It seems like a lame excuse to me, too. I perhaps need some comfortable headphones so I could listen to upbeat music and good excuse not to talk to neighbors! Any and all advice welcomed!

16 hours ago, KatFight said:

Hi. How are you feeling now? You have every right to be treated with dignity and respect. Based on your post, the nurses were late with your meds. You weren't asking for more of something - you were asking for what should have already been given because you were in pain. With that in mind, I can understand why you were upset. As a former addictions counselor, any theories potentially in nurses' minds about you being drug-seeking were just that - theories and opinions. Funny how it may have been thought of as drug-seeking when you're "seeking" a medication that should have already been given per doctor's orders for pain. (But, many people think like that about people in pain who need medicine when not all people in pain who need medicine are addicts nor will they become one. There's an epidemic, sure, but all pain sufferers end up getting lumped together - it's very unfortunate.)

You deserve to have received compassionate medical care. To be talked about by your nurse in a degrading way weighs on the human spirit when you're recovering under his care and was beyond unprofessional. Be good to yourself and write an email or letter (or call) to the hospital with applause for the good and criticism for the horrible. There are hospital visits that I've had where I was treated poorly by nurses and I just wanted to go home & move on. I wish I had complained.

You know who you are and what you're about. Soak in what's life-affirming and positive and avoid letting judgemental/negative messages take up precious real estate in your mind. Wishing you much success.

THANK YOU, Katfight! I was really struggling in the hospital. I agree, it's ABSURD to label it 'drug-seeking behavior' when you are taking DOCTOR'S ORDERS small doses at certain times. I am quite sensitive to physical pain after suffering from pretty severe PTSD after a rape and a physical assault/robbery. I don't appreciate people judging me. I have NEVER abused any of my pain meds, ever! I am very CAREFUL with myself to never allow myself to take it in excess. And with me personally, if my dose of opiates is too high, my body gets SICK and I vomit. So...no excessive drugs for me, please. Just the right amount to get the pain down to a manageable level and let me rest and sleep. Thank you again for your support!

On 1/9/2018 at 10:46 AM, tankheadmommy said:

I'm not quite there weeks out yet, but I already have hunger. My doctor only wants me to eat Protein at this point, so no veggies yet.

My doctor prescribed me 15 milligrams of Phentermine per day to help prevent me from getting hungry and cheating. I thought that was VERY considerate of him. I have only used it for 2-3 days now but it's insurance that I won't possibly damage my pouch by trying to eat soft solid foods before week 3. I am following my diet strictly.

On 1/9/2018 at 10:48 AM, tankheadmommy said:

I think I have lost about 30-40 pounds since surgery, too. I'm really excited. Wait I was 360 a day or two before surgery and am now 333. So Almost 30 pounds. I hardly have any appetite and only eat about one Protein Shake a day, no solids for a few more days (will do cottage cheese as I love Breakstone's brand with the small curds and 2% fat.) I love it with salt and a little fresh ground pepper on top. It's very creamy and not slimy and lumpy like other brands of cottage cheese, BTW. It's the ONLY brand I will eat.

On 1/9/2018 at 12:42 PM, MissSimpson said:

I threw up a scrambled egg this morning. I can’t decide if I’m throwing up bc I’m eating too much or eating too fast. I know it’s not bc I’m not chewing enough.

I think it's the fast. I have been DRINKING too much too fast and getting some pain in my chest/pouch area. So I am learning how to take it slow. Most of us who were obese IN THE PAST (we are shrinking now! yay!) were used to gulping our food down pretty quickly without chewing much. It's kind of a stress reaction because may fat people feel judged if they slowly eat and savor every bite of their food. We must learn new habits, and we can!

10 hours ago, Elise24 said:

You can also buy a stool softener over the counter. You may need to use one of those Fleet enemas first. I stopped with those Protein Shakes because of the constipation! Yuck! Also, cottage cheese is a great source of Protein. You can eat that with canned fruit in its own juice.

I was just going to recommend Colace, which is a stool softener. It REALLY helps with softening things up to prevent Constipation. And if you are taking any pain pills at all, those basically 'freeze' your digestive system and prevent bowels from moving. Colace is great. My doctor recommended Metamucil, but it was disgusting...couldn't tolerate it!

You had your surgery 5 days ago? I know the surgeons generally encourage moderate pace WALKING but doing something like lifting weights and heavy workouts where you are breaking a real sweat...talk to your surgeon first. I saw a video on Youtube where the surgeon says DO NOT workout for a fairly long period post-op because working out DOES increase our appetites and it could actually lead to cheating!

No danger of that for me. This surgery I needed to save my life and nothing matters more to me than reaching goal weight (other than my family). I am so blessed that I have very little to no appetite...only head hunger...noticed I was obsessively reading Paleo/AIP diet recipes and pinning them...so I needed to focus more on positive weight loss stories, fashion, and comedy! food can wait! Right now I'm drinking one Protein Shake a day and lots of Water.

Talk to your surgeon. I'm pretty sure they said give it 4 weeks after surgery to let your body heal and rest. Walking is ALWAYS okay if you are going at a moderate pace and not huffing and puffing too hard. Ease into your workouts after you get approval from your surgeon. I think situps and such might be a no-no for a certain period post-op because of the internal sutures.

I was just going to ask this question myself, so thanks for doing so!

5 minutes ago, KimTriesRNY said:

My surgeon used glue as well. Some came off after 10 days and I had one incision the glue stayed on for two weeks. You’ll be ok, just observe for infection with your history of MRSA.

Thank you, Kim. How are you feeling? Looks like you had your RNY recently as well! I am very concerned about infection due to my history...so far the incisions are bruised looking but nothing red, no pus, no severe pain around the incisions area. They sure do itch sometimes, though!

Thank you all!!!!

Hi everyone,

Just had surgery on the evening of December 29. My surgeon did a laparoscopic RNY and instead of stitches, he used surgical glue.

They have been itching a bit and looking 'dry' but was just touching the one on my bellybutton lightly because it was itching in that area and the glue CRUMBLED and collapsed.

I've had a history of MRSA from surgical wounds, two c-sections that turned into a NIGHTMARE. Any advice? I feel really like I shouldn't have touched it at all, and now very dumb!!

I will call my surgeon on Monday. In the meantime, not sure what to do. I was concerned about scarring and infection, but my surgeon said just to take a shower once a day and lightly wash without scrubbing or rubbing the incisions. I haven't. This was my first flub.

Anyone else experience this? Advice? Thanks!

On 1/5/2018 at 6:13 PM, Sarac said:

What is a stricture?

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Sara, a stricture is when there is a problem with the opening of the pouch, IIRC. It means the flesh inside heals incorrectly and people with strictures have to have a reparatory surgery to fix it and open it up more. Otherwise they have trouble getting down and keeping food and even liquids.

On 12/16/2017 at 8:39 AM, summerset said:

I wonder what she will tell you if her gallbladder really has to be taken out some day. That it grew back?

SCNR

If she ever has to have her gall bladder out, she can simply say she is having abdominal surgery...and leave it at that. I don't think nosy co-workers need to know every detail of your private life, including medical conditions or surgeries. She might have a Tummy Tuck after she gets to goal and maintains it. Some idiots feel qualified to judge you for 'cosmetic' surgeries...she should make up a story about going to see her Great Aunt Edna in Bora Bora. She doesn't have to explain herself!

12 hours ago, Losingit2018 said:

I am a chronic pain patient. I know for a fact that pain is MUCH easier to manage if you don't let it get ahead of you. I agree that you should have had your meds given on time in order to avoid unnecessary pain.

Also a proven fact that pain impedes healing. BTW- so does ice.

Hopefully you are home by now and this is becoming a bad memory for you. Hang in there.

Losingit, Thank you so much for the support! Yes it was VERY rough the first 48 hours or so post-op. I never had my pain managed...it's so bizarre to me that I HAD an IV in, but they insisted on giving me THREE oral pills of 5 milligrams each of something called Roxycontin, which was clearly giving me an allergic reaction...rather than just a quick IV medication of Dilaudid, which works well for me and which has never given me an allergic reaction...then chastised me for drinking more than a tiny sip with each *separate* pill. It's a very strange pain management protocol, and it failed for me. Good news: I'm OUT of the hospital, almost completely off pain meds, and feeling better each day! May 2018 be the year you "Lose it!" :-) <3

43 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

I do wonder if some patients get the "pain ball" at surgery and that's why they feel little pain after surgery? I know we each have different pain thresholds and prior use of alcohol or narcotics also jacks with the ability to manage pain after surgeries, but the way some sound in describing their pain after/versus how others describe no pain. The local anesthetic from a pain ball would certainly account for some of that difference!

Hi Fluffy,

Yes, I've heard of so many different methods of pain control post-op. Some people who are judgey about other people's use of pain medications were likely treated to a Morphine pump or another way of controlling their pain, rather than having to beg harried nurses for oral pills which take at least 30 minutes (for me, anyway) to dissolve and even begin to work, sometimes over 1 hour and 15 minutes PAST their scheduled time! Such a weird thing to judge people about. I have had a very difficult life and have been through a number of severe traumas and I have PTSD. I think that might also increase the physical pain I go through, as well as the fact that the fear and anxiety surrounding the physical pain is almost as bad as the pain itself!

I personally do not judge people for needing more or less medications. There is no Gold Medal for the Suffering Olympics.

10 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

Yes, needing every dose of narcotics on schedule 3 days out is unusual. Sorry, but it is. And it's raising red flags with the staff for a reason.

The nurses were likely not giving you pain meds immediately because they might have been doing you a favor trying to help wean you off. Particularly, if your surgeon does not send home any narcotic meds.

By asking for more meds, and demanding they be given as soon as possible....you are extending your hospital stay. You won't be released until you can go without them for longer and longer periods of time.

Also, all of those narcotics will completely stop your gut from functioning...creating other issues which will slow your healing.

You're shooting yourself in the foot.

Less is better. Want to go home? Try the Tylenol.

Some discomfort after surgery is good. It reminds you not to do things that cause injury.

Hi Creekimp,

I've had two other surgeries--C-sections--and things went REALLY bad with those. I ended up with MRSA in my c-section incision wounds and was hospitalized for literally THIRTY DAYS post-op due to severe infections and agonizing pain--they had to keep my wound open and clean and stuff it every single day with big packs of gauze.

I have never had a problem with Opiates and have always been very cautious about never taking more than prescribed, nor allowing myself to become addicted. I have known people in the past with severe addictions to opiates and seen how they suffered. Some even ended up switching to street drugs because they got cut off from prescription opiates and sadly, one of them has ended up dead. :-(

I don't think the nurses are concerned, they were just overworked and spread too thin. At one point we had one nurse trying to help SIX patients all alone without even a tech to assist her, while she was trying to discharge patients and take them down to the car and outside in her winter coat in subArctic temperatures! and not one of them ever said that I was taking too much pain medication. In fact, IF they had adjusted the medication from the one that was giving me a horrible allergic reaction AND given it to me at the proper, PRESCRIBED intervals, I don't think my pain would have spiraled out of control to begin with. I was just researching this topic. Nurses in Pain Management say it's easier to blow out a match than it is to try to put out a forest fire.

In any case, I am hopeful and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I will switch to Tylenol as my surgeon suggests and pray and hope it works to keep the pain managed.

Every person's body is different and everyone metabolizes pain medications differently. What works for you might not work for me. I have never in my life heard of someone going through a major surgery and not going home with at least a minor narcotic pain medication...I'm not saying a huge 30 or 60 day supply, but perhaps enough to taper off over the course of a week.

11 hours ago, momin2005 said:

Ask for ice, icing your stomach can also help with the swelling and pain. Sorry you are having such a terrible experience! Try to at least rest tonight, and hopefully you get out in the morning.

Thank you, Mom! I never thought to ask for ice for my belly. I have the six incisions which have been covered by surgical glue...They look pretty gnarly but good news is that they don't seem to have any infection, Praise God!!!

9 hours ago, Biddynz said:

I stopped my opiates about 40 hours after surgery. I thought Tylenol was a waste of time as pre-surgery it never seemed to help, but they put it in IV and it did keep the edge off the pain as I got us and walking. Had the final one three days post surgery - I had open surgery (8 inch incision, breast bone to navel, plus rib cage cracked open, to clear up some gastric band complications. So I also had slow local anasthetic dripping into the wound for 48 hours which was great.

i was keen to get off the heavy drugs - to avoid the fuzzy head and especially the nausea associated with them.

All I can say, my friend, is every day gets better, and now is an important time to focus on you - Water sips in, Protein in, and your new life looking forward...

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Biddynz! I've been chastised for drinking TOO much water...I've been so thirsty after the anesthesia and of course pain meds tend to cause the dreaded cotton mouth as well...but I think things are finally looking up! Took a long walk today in the hall down to the end and then looped back around again to my room. I appreciate your support!

11 hours ago, TX_KB said:

I would ask to speak to a patient relations representative before you leave. Document everything, everyone’s name who comes in your room and what they do. I’m sorry this has happened to you!


Lap band 10/2007 revised to RNY 12/22/2017
HW 270
SW 263
CW 253

Thank you, TX. The first few days were really, really bad--the nurse 'not noticing' that my IV line was infiltrated was very frustrating, as in Post Surgical Recovery, I was extremely nauseous and in horrible pain. And the 'hell night' of them insisting on me taking a medication that was giving me an allergic reaction AND not ineffective at pain management.

Now that I am getting adequate pain management (since last night, the Charge Nurse and my own nurse were TERRIFIC about keeping the medication on schedule) I have been able to finally sleep and heal, and rest and even get up more often and walk longer in the halls.

I have a very kind nurse today, who is on time for all meds and also takes the time to teach and explain, which is rare these days, and very helpful.

We will see how I do with the Tylenol at home. It has not worked for me in the past, but surgery may have changed the way things are absorbed, so I might have a better result. Someone in another forum was mentioning *Liquid* Tylenol being prescribed by their surgeon for when they got home...has anyone else tried that, and if so, did you see better results with Liquid Tylenol versus the pill form? Thanks!!! M