LindyPablo

Hi- I have a very very big sweet tooth, as well. I was able to detox during my pre-op diet two weeks ago (my surgery is next week). I had a horrible Migraine for 5 days, chills, fever-like symptoms, and couldn’t be around ANYONE because of the grumpiness. And day 6, it all disappeared and I felt *amazing*. Haven’t had any sugar for a week and a half and I feel so good.

Perhaps it’s worth trying to detox and seeing how you do. You may find you don’t need the stuff anymore, which will take away some anxiety about the bypass (it sure did for me). Good luck! :)

Congrats!

From more than 40 years of yo-yo dieting, I know that I have to abstain from sugar entirely, at least during the weight-loss phase. It is a slippery slope covered with banana skins covered with ice for me.

Hi there I have to agree with the last poster, I had alot of hidden sugars in my diet that one had to work REALLY HARD to eliminate LONG before I even considered surgery. I actually stopped using sugar to start and then stopped eating foods that contained high amounts of non naturally occurring sugars then limiting those for special occasions. I Gave up juice completely. Doing that automatically stimulates a small reduction in weight and the need to always eat sweet foods. Sugar has been studied and found to have similar addictive properties as narcotics. It stimulates the pleasure center of the brain which does not sound bad unless you become dependant on the stimulus. You may need to detox to ensure the best possible outcome. Safe journey.

I'm aware of the migraine/magnesium link. I belong to a Facebook group about minerals and there are many there who use it for Migraines.
I still take Multivitamins but I have switched to raw Vitamins. I no longer take Calcium as I found out I have plenty on board, it's just not being utilized well due to the missing minerals.
I have not had any stomach issues with the trace minerals. You are only taking 40 drops a day and there is a variety of minerals in it. You aren't getting a whole lot of each one. A straight up magnesium supplement can cause issues. If you need it and it does cause problems, you can take magnesium transdermally. No any stomach upset that way.

Really glad you posted this... I get Migraines and have been told about trace minerals before (magnesium often helps migraines). Can I ask- do you still take all of your normal supplements in addition to the trace minerals? Also, do you find that it upsets your stomach?... I see that’s a potential side effect.

Thanks :)

I'd be worried about you if you weren't freaking out, a little.
Just remember to separate your rational fears from your irrational ones.
And stop using the word NEVER.
We'll be here 24/7 365 for you.
Someone always leaves the light on, so drop by whenever you need to.
This site was an amazing find for me. Use us! Vent! Share!
Start telling yourself how wonderful things will be after your surgery. (Not immediately after your surgery or even for the first month, but eventually.)

Relax! As my surgeon is fond of saying, this is one of the most routine forms of major surgery out there. Only a fraction of a percentage have problems which is statistically insignificant. There will be some foods that you may no longer like after surgery. For me, I cannot stand french fries, pizza, or soft pretzels anymore - those were some of my favorite foods. Just the thought of them is enough to make my stomach turn. I also don't like flour or wheat tortillas anymore - I just cannot digest them. I find I really crave the more nutritious of options. I haven't tried steak but I do okay with burgers and I like chicken. When you get to eating regular foods after surgery, you may be pleasantly surprised. I really like how I don't crave junk food anymore.

I have to agree that you need to figure out your priorities first before making an decision. However, I also think you need to attend an seminar on weight loss surgeries so you can ask questions and get the answers. It doesn’t matter what anyone on this forum says really. As you need to get answers and the info from professionals who know the medical side of the equation. There are on line seminars you can log onto at home on your smart phone or laptop.
My surgery is part of the ALSA GROUP IN FRESNO,CA. My surgery was performed at Fresno heart Hospital. They both have a lot of educational videos that you could benefit from watching.
By the way: I am a 62 yr old disabled woman who had a bypass performed on 5/8/18. I couldn’t walk to my mailbox prior to surgery. I walk a mile now and no longer take 9 meds a day! Good luck on your journey!

Guess what, I thought I had heard all the weird and pointed remarks against us and surgery. Well I've got a new dig. Do you know why I'm planning surgery? Because I lack, committment. Look I have been chasing the sparkling elusive Butterfly of Bariatric Surgery, up the hills, down the hills, around the bends, across the swamp of "You're old and foolish" with it's quicksand of doubt on either side, through the briars of "We think you should consult another specialist" and even across the rope bridge of " Don't call us-We'll call you" and now when I think I can see my finish line ahead, you tell me surgery means I have faulty committment? And now before I finally have to go through a liquid diet that wouldn't keep a hamster happy and not be proved to throw things? When I start throw things I've already planned my first target? Who will it be, take a good look in the mirror! Now kindly move to one side so I can get on with this mission.

Only my husband and oldest daughter know. I’m not ashamed I just don’t need negativity and bullshit in my life. Plus, I’m a private person.

I think about women who get an abortion, are they taking the “easy” way? I don’t think so, still they get to make a choice about their body. Why can’t obese people have the same consideration?

I have lost weight the “natural” way. Several times in fact. It always comes back though, and brings along some friends! I can’t even exercise anymore because the joint pain is unbearable. I’m getting this surgery instead of a scooter chair! I’m keeping this private for self preservation.

I spent a number of years struggling with infertility/recurrent pregnancy loss and the same stigma haunts that community too. The number of times I'd hear comments about 'natural' versus IVF/assisted reproductive therapies... I swear I'd want to strangle folks. People think that if something was easy for them, it automatically must be easy (natural) for everyone else. This is a medical situation that needs to be treated medically.

UGH. I read your post and got irrationally mad. It's the reason I didn't tell most people about my surgery beforehand. I don't need your unsolicited opinion on how *I* should handle *MY* body.
Maybe for them eating small portions and exercise worked. For me, I had a medical condition which wouldn't let my body lose weight. So despite eating right and exercising, it wasn't enough.
Next, it isn't about being skinny. It is about being healthy. My body is a car. I want what is under the hood to work well so I can drive it around for years to come. If good maintenance results in a good looking exterior, awesome. But that isn't the main goal.
Finally, f**k her for thinking it is the easy way out. The easy way out is doing nothing. The hard way is:
* Accepting you need help. This one may sound easy but I know that for me, this was admitting that I couldn't handle this myself. It was admitting defeat.
* Saving money for the doctor. Going to classes and education sessions for months to qualify for a major surgery.
* Going on a strict diet prior to surgery.
*Staying on a strict diet after surgery.
*Staying on a strict diet and Vitamin routine for the rest of your life.
So the "easy" way out is an insanely strict diet and major surgery to get a tool installed?
Screw her. Sorry, you touched a nerve here. One of my husband's friends lived with us for about 6 months. He had gone from 350lbs to about 150 after getting diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. How did he do this? He switched from drinking a 12 pack of regular soda daily to a 12 pack of diet soda. Seriously, that was it and the weight evaporated off of him. I had to live with 6 months of watching him drink a gallon of milk a day, 12+ sodas daily and nothing but fast food, while he'd preach to me about how easy it was to lose weight if I just put in some effort. Meanwhile, I was weighing all of my meals, not touching carbs (or soda) and working out with no results.

I keep thinking of the same thing being told to someone with obstructive coronary artery disease...
"Did you do it on your own and correct your diet to avoid a heart attack? Or did you do it the easy way and have that pesky triple bypass they said you needed. That's not natural! You must have low self esteem!"

So, the conversation went like this. Person who I’m sure I want in my life moving forward, “ ummm well, if that’s what you want to do. You know, I lost 50lbs the natural way but eating small portions and walking.”
Me: “ I’m glad you’re happy with your results. There’s no hard way or easy way, there’s only the permanent way and however means you choose to get there is the right way.”
The person I no longer like, “ well, sorry you don’t like what you see in the mirror that you want to mutualize your body to be “skinny” that’s really low self esteem”
WTF. by now I wanted to b***h slap someone but I took the high road and responded. “ you don’t have to understand or even agree with my decision but I ask that you respect it and me. “
End of conversation.
My rant goes: why the stigma of wls vs the natural way. I get so annoyed when I hear that statement. The perception that going the surgical route is not by any means the easy way to go.
End rant.

100% natural, human nature. Perfectly normal.
In fact, if you didn't get scared/worries/anxious about surgery of this magnitude... I'd be more concerned.

I'm going to agree with Kim... if those answers are what the therapist is telling you... they don't get their job at all.
The surgery is actually much safer now than it was years ago, so the percentages of deaths or complications are skewed by the older figures.

When I was getting worried about the "what ifs" of the surgery. I would counter those thoughts with different "what ifs". What if I don't get the surgery, how long are my knees going to last? What if I don't get the surgery, how long before I have a heart attack? What if I don't get the surgery, what latent weight related illness is going to rear it's ugly head? What if I don't have the surgery, how long am I realistically going to live being this fat?

I knew I wasn't going to last as long without surgery and I am going to now that I've had the surgery. I feel better, I'm more energetic, I'm happier. And my whole is benefiting from my changes as well. My wife goes to the gym with me when she can, she's losing weight and feeling better. My kids are eating better because I'm eating better and we don't buy as much junky foods. The choice is personal, of course. But it does have positive repercussions for those around you as well.

Whatever you decide, as long as it's what you want and what you'll be happy with, that's all that actually matters.

Good luck!

I probably would seek out a new therapist. Those seem like really unprofessional answers from a therapist to a patient in this situation. Maybe I’m just being harsh, but it sounds like something a friend would say to reassure you while you’re having coffee, they don’t sound like therapeutic responses to your concerns.
That being said, it is completely normal to have misgivings about surgery. I think most of us had doubts and fears before we went into surgery about the things that could happen. Fortunately I think most of us fear what will happen to us if we don’t have the surgery, and we stay obese more than operative risks. You are more likely to die from obesity further down the line from changing nothing rather than having surgery.
There are a few posts I have seen with complications from minor to occasionally severe but most of us go through the operation and come out the other side with no complications.
Don’t let your anxiety get the best of you. You jumped through the hoops to get this surgery for a reason!
Best wishes!

Hi, I had my gastric bypass in May 15th 2018 . I'm still in soft food stage and I can't eat more than half of cup of food.my mind thinks I can but my stomach tells me your full.just remember every buddy is different we all heal in our own time.after surgery take time to heal your body has been through alot.make sure you keep drinking Water and Protein .my weight is slowly going down. I've lost more in inches than weight.now I'm hitting the gym more to try to lose some weight.
Before surgery I didn't think negative thoughts only keep thinking I can do this. I only stayed in the hospital for one day because I wanted to go home and feel relaxed.and let my body recover.
Just keep yourself busy and you will be fine .before you know it your day will be here .and your new journey will begin.that's what you've work so hard for.
DON'T STOP BELIEVING IN YOURSELF. I wish you good luck and best wishes.

I hear you on the challenges of being on vacation. Wrapping up a trip to San Francisco and Los Angeles, where we made multiple stops at Randy’s donuts and Ghirardelli. That is torture. I did take a bite of an unglazed, plain donut, and yesterday I broke down, having a taste of my kids sundae. Both were amazing, as good as remembered. But, felt good afterwards when I realize that had I not had surgery, I would have had multiple donuts, and multiple visits to the ice cream shop during this trip. More weight, more money spent. As for food, I was pretty much able to enjoy the food I would normally eat, just in way smaller portions. I had my first piece of steak since my surgery two days ago, and I was happy that all went well, no issues with it. Hope everyone is having a successful journey.

Alex

I bought a medium dress because it was on sale for $6 , at that time I was still in a 2x but I figured I would fit it eventually. I now comfortably fit it.

Really really needed this today. Thank you.

I am only almost one month out and feel the same way. I don't see anything I have lost (other than weight!) but what I have gained in my life.

I have lost 57lbs and gone from a size 24 to a 16. My quality of life has improved exponentially. I am doing things I love again like playing softball. I hurt less and I can do so much more now. Today, I cleaned out my closet and promised myself to never go back and to keep moving forward. I am so glad I had the surgery.
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HW - 1/1/18 389
SW - 3/26/18 376
CW - 5/25/18 285
GW - 205

OMG it’s been a great 3 months. I have hernia surgery at the same time of my bi pass. So healing started slow. Kinda swollen for a while.
But in the last 2 months it’s been game on. Feeling fantastic !
Walking everyday and eating what my surgeon wants me to. Nothing more nothing less.
Getting on the bike tomorrow for the first time in a few years, can’t wait.

Hi all,

I’m scheduled for RNY on July 10. Started pre-op diet today. I’m irritable and exhausted lol... gonna be tough to get through these three weeks!