Recidivist

My gastric bypass was two years ago yesterday, and I'm happy to report that things are going well. I gained about ten pounds during maintenance, and in retrospect I think that my low weight of 132 was too thin. (I never dreamed two years ago that I would be saying those words!).
I feel like I am eating "normally," though in smaller quantities and without most of the junk I ate when I was obese. I still avoid sugar, carbs and fat, but I've gotten a bit more relaxed about indulging from time to time. I celebrated my two-year anniversary with a huge piece of cake washed down with an ice-cold Coke. (Just kidding--I ate my usual diet!)
I'm attaching a photo taken this morning to show what I look like these days. I think it's useful for those of you just starting this journey to get a glimpse of what life can be on the other side, particularly in maintenance.

My gastric bypass was two years ago yesterday, and I'm happy to report that things are going well. I gained about ten pounds during maintenance, and in retrospect I think that my low weight of 132 was too thin. (I never dreamed two years ago that I would be saying those words!).
I feel like I am eating "normally," though in smaller quantities and without most of the junk I ate when I was obese. I still avoid sugar, carbs and fat, but I've gotten a bit more relaxed about indulging from time to time. I celebrated my two-year anniversary with a huge piece of cake washed down with an ice-cold Coke. (Just kidding--I ate my usual diet!)
I'm attaching a photo taken this morning to show what I look like these days. I think it's useful for those of you just starting this journey to get a glimpse of what life can be on the other side, particularly in maintenance.

CONGRATS!

Congratulations on your two year anniversary, @Recidivist. You look great. And yes, an excellent motivator for those starting out.

My gastric bypass was two years ago yesterday, and I'm happy to report that things are going well. I gained about ten pounds during maintenance, and in retrospect I think that my low weight of 132 was too thin. (I never dreamed two years ago that I would be saying those words!).
I feel like I am eating "normally," though in smaller quantities and without most of the junk I ate when I was obese. I still avoid sugar, carbs and fat, but I've gotten a bit more relaxed about indulging from time to time. I celebrated my two-year anniversary with a huge piece of cake washed down with an ice-cold Coke. (Just kidding--I ate my usual diet!)
I'm attaching a photo taken this morning to show what I look like these days. I think it's useful for those of you just starting this journey to get a glimpse of what life can be on the other side, particularly in maintenance.

Okay, I'll play along! I don't have a "before" pic that really represents how big I was, because I generally avoided being photographed back then. My before is from a chorus concert I did--and I will admit that I was wearing a "man girdle" at the time. (Cringe.)
I went from 250 to a low of 132 before bouncing back up to 142.

When I had surgery, I said I would never drink again. At two years, I now have a half glass of wine every few weeks.
Regarding food costs: it depends. I obviously eat way less than before, but I do purchase specialized high-protein, low-carb products (including from the Bariatric Pal store), and they can be pricey. Also, skim milk is a regular part of my current diet--mostly in coffee!

This is the best possible reason to do it now. I had surgery at age 59 after putting it off for years, and my only regret is that I hadn't done it decades earlier. You are quite lucky to be dealing with this now so that you can have a long and healthy life ahead of you.
For whatever it's worth, I was having second thoughts up to the moment I was wheeled into the operating room. It's normal to feel that way before any surgical procedure.

No danger whatsoever--don't give it another thought. If you are generally compliant with the liquid diet, you'll shrink your liver. One little slip-up is not going to make a difference. (Full disclosure: I had two pieces of pizza at an office party during my 2-week liquid diet and everything was fine.). In fact, I've read here that some surgeons don't even require a liquid diet before surgery. Honestly, I would not even bring this up with your doctor.

24-year relationship here, and I agree with all of the above. I would say our relationship is stronger than before, in large part because my improved health has made me able to do more of the things we both want to do, and my self-esteem is also higher.
My spouse was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. He did a huge amount of research as well to be sure that he understood what to expect and what I could and could not eat (and to nag me when I was deviating from the program).
I would say that the fact you are asking yourself these questions means that you are going to be supportive of your spouse and sensitive to her needs, so your marriage should be fine. I would think it's the husbands who are threatened by the their wife's physical (and emotional) transformation who pose a threat to the relationship, as well as those who simply don't care and are clueless. Just keep communications open with your wife throughout her recovery and let her know you are there for her.

24-year relationship here, and I agree with all of the above. I would say our relationship is stronger than before, in large part because my improved health has made me able to do more of the things we both want to do, and my self-esteem is also higher.
My spouse was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. He did a huge amount of research as well to be sure that he understood what to expect and what I could and could not eat (and to nag me when I was deviating from the program).
I would say that the fact you are asking yourself these questions means that you are going to be supportive of your spouse and sensitive to her needs, so your marriage should be fine. I would think it's the husbands who are threatened by the their wife's physical (and emotional) transformation who pose a threat to the relationship, as well as those who simply don't care and are clueless. Just keep communications open with your wife throughout her recovery and let her know you are there for her.

24-year relationship here, and I agree with all of the above. I would say our relationship is stronger than before, in large part because my improved health has made me able to do more of the things we both want to do, and my self-esteem is also higher.
My spouse was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. He did a huge amount of research as well to be sure that he understood what to expect and what I could and could not eat (and to nag me when I was deviating from the program).
I would say that the fact you are asking yourself these questions means that you are going to be supportive of your spouse and sensitive to her needs, so your marriage should be fine. I would think it's the husbands who are threatened by the their wife's physical (and emotional) transformation who pose a threat to the relationship, as well as those who simply don't care and are clueless. Just keep communications open with your wife throughout her recovery and let her know you are there for her.

If it makes you feel any better, I was never able to eat as slowly as I was "supposed" to. I almost never got an upset stomach, and I was very successful in losing weight.
I definitely ate more slowly after surgery than before, and I did that by making sure that I chewed everything very thoroughly before swallowing. Still, I could not make a tiny meal last 30 minutes or longer.
I think the key is making sure that you stick to the program and don't eat bigger portions just because you can. As long as you are losing weight, you are good.

If it makes you feel any better, I was never able to eat as slowly as I was "supposed" to. I almost never got an upset stomach, and I was very successful in losing weight.
I definitely ate more slowly after surgery than before, and I did that by making sure that I chewed everything very thoroughly before swallowing. Still, I could not make a tiny meal last 30 minutes or longer.
I think the key is making sure that you stick to the program and don't eat bigger portions just because you can. As long as you are losing weight, you are good.

If it makes you feel any better, I was never able to eat as slowly as I was "supposed" to. I almost never got an upset stomach, and I was very successful in losing weight.
I definitely ate more slowly after surgery than before, and I did that by making sure that I chewed everything very thoroughly before swallowing. Still, I could not make a tiny meal last 30 minutes or longer.
I think the key is making sure that you stick to the program and don't eat bigger portions just because you can. As long as you are losing weight, you are good.

Okay, I'll play along! I don't have a "before" pic that really represents how big I was, because I generally avoided being photographed back then. My before is from a chorus concert I did--and I will admit that I was wearing a "man girdle" at the time. (Cringe.)
I went from 250 to a low of 132 before bouncing back up to 142.

It is very likely dehydration. I experienced that as well shortly after surgery because I was not getting enough Water.
Check your blood pressure if you can. You might need to get IV fluids if it is dangerously low. My surgeon told me I should go to the emergency room if my systolic number (the top one) got below 90.

It is very likely dehydration. I experienced that as well shortly after surgery because I was not getting enough Water.
Check your blood pressure if you can. You might need to get IV fluids if it is dangerously low. My surgeon told me I should go to the emergency room if my systolic number (the top one) got below 90.

I did a 2-week liquid diet (protein shakes) with no solid food at all. As others have said, it gets easier after a few days. Also, you won't feel this hungry again for months after your surgery.

it happened for me during a routine physical. My doctor told me I needed to lose weight, which of course he always said (and I responded with my usual "I know, I know...."). This time he was quite blunt: he said that I did not take drastic action, I would likely have a major cardiac incident within 10-12 years that I might not survive. (I was 59 at the time.). He referred me to a local bariatric surgeon, and the rest is history.

it happened for me during a routine physical. My doctor told me I needed to lose weight, which of course he always said (and I responded with my usual "I know, I know...."). This time he was quite blunt: he said that I did not take drastic action, I would likely have a major cardiac incident within 10-12 years that I might not survive. (I was 59 at the time.). He referred me to a local bariatric surgeon, and the rest is history.

Nash, exactly the same for me! I watched it from time to time before, but now that I'm scheduled for surgery (March 4), I find it much more compelling. For one thing, I now understand the procedures they are having (and I'm horrified at how poorly some of them eat after surgery).
I talked about the show with my surgeon, and she hates it because it's very hard to relate to the people on that show. She would like to do "My 300-Pound Life" that shows normal, relatable people getting surgery to de-mystify the process and inspire people.

It'a amazing how often I agree with Catwoman.
My story is similar. I also told only immediate family and close friends. (One family member and one close friend were extremely critical when I told them of my surgery plans.) I took annual leave for the surgery. When the weight loss started becoming obvious, I said that I was doing a medically-supervised weight loss program through a local hospital, which was technically true. However, when seriously obese people asked me about it, I confided in them about the surgery in hopes they might be inspired to look into it themselves. In one case, a woman did subsequently get the surgery and has done very well, so I'm glad I told her about it.
At this point (two years out), I've been at a normal weight for quite a while, so nobody asks about it any longer (or in many cases didn't know me when I was obese).

Okay, I'll play along! I don't have a "before" pic that really represents how big I was, because I generally avoided being photographed back then. My before is from a chorus concert I did--and I will admit that I was wearing a "man girdle" at the time. (Cringe.)
I went from 250 to a low of 132 before bouncing back up to 142.

I did a 2-week liquid diet (protein shakes) with no solid food at all. As others have said, it gets easier after a few days. Also, you won't feel this hungry again for months after your surgery.