The 56 Bypass

Hi Ed. Today I weigh 201. [emoji4] I have settled into a bit of a routine. About 3-4 days per week I follow this regime and about 3-4 days per week I'm off of it and follow my normal diet, then back on, etc. I'm now maintaining a steady weightloss. The first year after surgery is our golden opportunity for weightloss, no hunger, no cravings. We shouldn't squander it, but use it to our advantage.Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

Your stomach is still swollen from the surgery. You're not going to get a lot of things in and if your surgeon had advanced you to puree, then puree it is. However, hasn't your surgeon also explained that it will take you very long to eat right now? This is how you get on what you need, by setting adding 40-60 minutes for a meal and very slowly taking it in. This is very very very very early in your surgery. Be very very very careful and especially be patient. There is no need to cry over anything at this point. Instead, be thrilled you have a new tool the will serve you well so long as you follow your SURGEON's direction and not your friends! Be in daily contact with your surgeon's dietician. This is where your anchor can be found. Not here on Bariatric Pal and NOT your friends. Your anchor is in the program at your surgeon's office. Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm about 30 minutes east of Pittsburgh, you?

Yes, 28 does suck! I'm in Westmoreland County, just east of Pittsburgh.

I'm actually 30 minutes east of the bugh. You?

Dr. Courcoulis was my surgeon, too! Are you going to the monthly support groups? I was there for the first time this past March meeting. Were you there??? I am located actually 30 minutes east of Pittsburgh. You? As for the surgery, I originally wanted sleeve and wasn't eligible because of a hiatal hernia. I am so grateful for the bypass! What is causing you to hesitate??

You're so sweet. Thank you! My plan is working. On the day of that video, I weighed 219. Today I weigh 210!! ?

Yes. I have been using Genepro to break a weight loss stall that began about 8-9 weeks post-op and continued through to 11 weeks. I'd still be in it had I not changed what I was doing. I came up with the solution described below to break my stall/slowed down weight loss as I was thinking about the days right after my surgery. My surgeon has her patients on clear liquids for 14, yes, 14 days!!!!! following surgery. No protein, no vitamins.....ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS and medications for 14 days. I lost a pound or two a day on the regimen. Since my weight loss had drastically slowed, I was significantly behind on the amount of weight I am expected to lose by my next surgeon appointment and decided I would go back to post-surgery basics, but with protein, meds and vitamins added. I began this regimen on Thursday, March 14th, weighing 219lb. Today, I weighed in at 210 pounds. Here is what I do: I take three 16 ounce bottles of water and to them I add 1 scoop Genepro, which is flavorless, 30g protein and only 60 calories. You can drink it plain or flavor it however you,d like, just don't add calories more than 20, perhaps, with whatever you choose. I add sugar free decaffeinated ice tea powder to mine. These three bottles become my "meals" for the day, breakfast, lunch, supper, giving me 90g protein for the day and only 180 calories. In between these "meals" I drink another 16 ounce bottle of water, giving me a total 96 oz water for the day. Additionally, I take all my meds and vitamins as I am supposed to throughout the day. Once I reach 209 pounds I will be at the bare minimum of where my surgeon expects her patients to be at 3 months post-op, which puts me at the 50th percentile. I plan on continuing this regimen for the entire 14 days in order to get as near to 201 by the end on March, early April, which will put me in the 75th percentile, which is a MUCH better place to be. Anything below the 50th percentile is considered to be a weight loss surgery patient failure. This info is taken from a Duke University study conducted to discover early weight loss predictors for success or failure among weight loss surgery patients. I explain this study and provide links in the video I've posted here in my status update on Bariatric Pal. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. :-)

Is there anyone here from the Pittsburgh PA area? I don't know anyone, personally, whose had Gastric Bypass.

I ended up not being eligible for the sleeve, due to a large hiatal hernia. So I ended up getting the gastric bypass on Dec 26, 2018. Our insurance plan doesn't cover bariatrics, so I had to pay $25,000 upfront. I don't have that kidnd of money laying around, so I cashed in my IRAs and had just enough. I was doing so poorly before the surgery that I knew I wasn't going to be around to enjoy that IRA money. I sure am enjoying it now! ? Uncle Sam will be wanting his cut, tho. ?

You'll know it if you gulp water. It WILL HURT! I am 6.5 weeks post-op rny and only now can take swallows, rather than sips, but NO GULPING because I know the pain it causes. I've noticed that if I take my regular swallows too close together, it can hurt. If you are just sipping and even sipping back-to-back, you are doing fine. I have found my gulp mistakes have been made when I have been distracted (same thing with eating mistakes). If there are people around and I am in a conversation or in front of a screen, it is very easy to forget our present selves and revert back to old behaviors and boy, do we pay for it! That's when I am in danger of gulping my fluids or eating foods too fast. Suffering soon follows to remind us of our new self and the changes we've made and are making. We must also change our default, non-thinking mode by consistent practice so we eventually no longer revert back to our old selves. Happy losing, my dear! ?

I'm 6.5 weeks out from RNY and find myself with the same problem. I will be discussing it with my therapist today. Are you in therapy for your good addiction? This is a major symptom. Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

If I read correctly, is it that u you had a leak? Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

I am mixing one TBLSP of Genepro (30g protein) in my yogurt, cottage cheeses, etc, to get in the needed protein. Its available on Amazon and worth it. Absolutely no taste. I can't drink the protein shakes....ugh! Genepro is my life saver!

All clothes being too big is way better than then all being too small. [emoji23] Good for you! Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks post surgery. I thought I was going to die of starvation! But alas, here I am! I am now on a 4 week stint of pureed/soft foods. I see the surgeon again on Feb 7th. I have no idea what's coming next. I am down 25 lb post surgery at the moment. Its never been so easy to so consistenly lose weight. Really amazing!

SO glad its progressing well for you. How is it going now, 1 month out?

A month out, I am starting yo understand the new inner me. I had a few uncomfortable moments the first week I was put n purreed. But I've figured it out and don't hurt myself anymore. ? YOu?

Hey, twin sister! How are you doing?

I'm down 25 last time I weighed )a day ago, I think). Since surgery was a Wednesday, I'll be weighing tomorrow. We shall see!

I'm struggling with protein and water, too.

Me too! I'm down 25 pounds. You're doing awesome!

I had bypass on December 26th and later this week will be able to transition to full liquids.....not a moment too soon! Anyway, I'm looking for recipes for this phase. Any website suggestions? Thank you!

Yep. I've told some outside of my trusted inner circle that I'm having surgery and no one has asked why or what for. If they would ask, I would tell them it's personal and would rather not discuss. They know they're not pray of my inner circle of completely trusted people. Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

Yep. She's considered the best in Pittsburgh. Had RNY December 26th. Happy! [emoji16] Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app