Recidivist

I was not aware that caffeine was off-limits after surgery either. I know that I have to detox from my severe Diet Coke addiction before surgery, but I had hoped (and planned) that I could have a cup or two of black coffee every day. I'll ask my surgeon at my next appointment, but I'd love to hear whether anyone has received direct guidance on this.

I am sort of on the border when it comes to BMI. My surgeon weighed me on my first visit and is using that number for the insurance prequalification so that it won't matter if I lose weight before surgery. She is encouraging me to lose as much weight as possible during the 30-day pre-surgery liquid diet. My surgeon's office is actually taking care of the prequalification process and is communicating directly with my insurance company. I'm not sure whether that is unusual, but I'm certainly glad to have them do it!

Thanks all for these tips. My surgery is in February and I find these quite useful. I'm so grateful to have found this forum, because I'm learning so much more than my doctor has told me!

I'm a newbie here with bypass surgery scheduled for February 2019. Like many of you, I've never been big on exercise, and I know that will become a big part of my life post-surgery. I can definitely commit to walking every day, but I can't see myself going to the gym. Would a brisk walk every day be enough, or is it going to slow my weight loss? I'd appreciate insight from those on the other side!

Thanks, WJGO. I'll play it by ear and see how it goes. I'm turning 60 this year, and the gym has just never been my thing, in large part because of all the young, fit bodies around me and the occasional competitive atmosphere. Perhaps I just need to find a gym that is more laid-back where I won't feel so self-conscious.

I will have bypass in February 2019 and have about 90 pounds to lose to be at my goal weight. I don't think it's harder for people like us to lose weight--I think that it might just be a bit slower and we won't have spectacular losses in any given month. In the end, we'll all get where we need to be and we'll all be healthier.

I'm in Silver Spring and will be having my bypass surgery at Sibley Memorial Hospital in February 2019. I believe they have a support group, and I would definitely like to participate. I would like to know about other DC area support groups that have worked for people. Perhaps we could organize a monthly informal meetup?

I actually have clothes from four different sizes of me as a result of previous diets that worked temporarily, before I gained all the weight back. So, I have wardrobe options on the way down. (My bypass is in February 2019.) I've decided that I will go out and treat myself to a new wardrobe once I'm at or near my goal weight.

I'm going to a high school class reunion in August 2019. It's not the reason I'm doing this, but I will admit that I'm pretty excited about great I will look by then! 🙂

Thanks to all for your advice and insight! I think walking will be my primary form of exercise, but I might try out a gym at some point. To be honest, I've avoided gyms during past diet attempts because my size embarrassed me, but it might be a different experience after losing weight. We'll see!

I also have a six Diet Cokes a day habit, and I think that might be harder for me to quit than some of my favorite foods! I have gastric bypass in February 2019 and am hoping to taper off slowly until then.

This thread is so reassuring! I have not yet started my pre-op liquid diet, and I am making sure I eat all the things I will never be able to eat again--especially sweets. I know I should probably be getting used to eating healthy, but I figure that I have the rest of my life for that. I just hope I'm able to stay away from the foods I crave after the surgery. From what I've ready, it will be fairly easy for the first year, and more of a challenge after that.

MikeII, I understand what you are saying--I had certainly not heard about many of the issues that can arise after surgery. (My gastric bypass is scheduled for February 2019.) However, it hasn't caused me to have any doubts. I'm grateful I've found this forum because it will make me better informed about the process and I can hopefully avoid some problems as a result. It's also incredibly reassuring to know that so many people have been through this and are doing well, in spite of a few bumps in the road. I no longer feel so alone!

I have bypass surgery in February 2019 and have been wondering the exact same thing! My family and close friends know what I'm doing, but my issue is work colleagues. I have told my supervisor that I will need two weeks off for surgery. She didn't ask for details, but I have no doubt colleagues will once I get back--and I do not want to share it with them.

I have been thinking about surgery for years and keep second-guessing myself. Everyone around me says that I just need to "try harder," but I'm the one who has been yo-yo dieting for decades and always gaining the weight back. Unless you have struggled with weight issues yourself, you can't understand what it's like. I finally pulled the trigger and am having gastric bypass in February 2019, and I'm going through with it this time. This is for me, my health and my future, and I don't care what anyone else thinks.

I'm turning 60 this year and am having bypass in February 2019. The turning point for me was when my primary care doctor told me I likely wouldn't live to see 75 if I didn't do something drastic to get healthy.

I am scheduled for surgery in February 2019, and drinking water is one of my biggest post-op concerns. I drink a LOT of water, and I can't imagine taking tiny sips all day long. I'm glad to hear that it might be possible to drink like a normal person during maintenance. And how does it work if you are doing something or going somewhere that makes it impossible to drink for a few hours?

My surgeon seemed to be trying to talk me into the sleeve instead of bypass, and asked me to defend my decision to do bypass. I told her that the long-term weight loss seemed better with bypass, and she said she was more concerned with health than weight loss. (Easy for her to say--she is stick-thin.) I then said I felt that bypass had been around longer and was better understood, and that I was also concerned about GERD with sleeve. She seemed satisfied. 🙂 I will see the nutritionist, psychologist and do a pre-op support group on January 8; then I'll get my surgery date.

Hi, there. I'm brand new on this site and am scheduled for RNY sometime in February, but I don't have an exact date yet. I see my surgeon again on January 8 and should get a surgery date then.