MoBariatric

Hello there,
Longtime lurker, first time poster here![emoji870]️ I had my stomach stapled (vbg) in 2003. Went from 320 lbs to 189, I don't remember in how long. But I was never comfortable eating, threw up most of the time(due to in part no education pre-op whatsoever back then, but also as it turns out a stricture). could not tolerate meats of any kind and soon after realizing how easy it was for me to tolerate "sliders", I started gaining weight. So over 15 years I gained back up to 276 lbs. I started being ok with myself, started buying cute clothes( well as much as I could) and stopped dieting.
Over the years I developed fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and a few other choice chronic conditions, so I decided it's time for me to get serious about my health(without dieting) and my biggest concern at the time was the ridiculous acid reflux, that would sometimes wake me up by rushing into my nose!! And I had started developing more severe symptoms that resembled gastritis .
Anyways, a year ago I started seeing a gastroenterologist, who after further exploration discovered the stricture and budding gastritis. He told me right then that the position of my stricture is not going to be helped by dilatation, and my only way is a revision.
Of course, 1- I did not think insurance would pay for it, so out of the question.
2- I did not want to have any more "elective" surgeries.
3- I had just started being ok with myself and advocating for big people, remember?
So, I chose to do a dilatation and my doctor was willing to try. Did NOT work! Big surprise!
My doctor made an appointment with a revision bariatric surgeon, without consulting me. Gotta love how things work out!
Anyways, long story short...er[emoji6], here I am jumping through insurance hoops to get approved for a revision to rny bypass.
My question is, in people's experience, did the fibro pain get any better after weight loss?
Thanks for bearing with me through the long post and thank you, all for the vast wealth of information on this website!

Hey Girl Hey!!!! Sorry for all your current limitations. You will get better! I have Lupus and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (Fibromyalgia), and was banded in April 2019. To include being a massage therapist for 14 years, to say that I have the highs and lows!

1. First thing, try to get moving more. Ease your way into it of course... Swimming then when you're ready, lift light weights. (Made a huge difference for me and my Fibromyalgia clients)

2. Find a massage therapist that you can trust and that will listen to you and your body.
For example, when you ask for a massage, say I want light to medium pressure, please dont use your elbow, thumbs to remove knots just your palm.

3. TRUST the process, I know pain is horrible and no one knows like us how it feels to hurt when someone hugs us.

Best on your journey! I hope this can help a little.
Mo

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7 hours ago, RickM said:

Doctors' philosophy on this vary from a few weeks to never again depending upon their experiences. The basic issues are:

Healing - alcohol is somewhat corrosive to the stomach lining so one needs to give things a chance to heal first,

Alcohol tolerance - rapid stomach emptying means it tends to hit faster, and with less (i.e., a "cheap drunk") so care must be taken there,

Transfer addiction - we can no longer satisfy whatever addictive tendencies we have with food, so it is easy for transfer that addiction to something else, like alcohol, drugs, shopping, gambling, etc. What was a casual habit of a glass of wine with dinner occasionally can easily turn into full blown alcoholism.

Liver health - starting as morbidly obese, or worse, our livers are not usually in very good shape to begin with (hence the "liver shrinking" pre-op diets that are often prescribed) and the liver is further stressed from its role in metabolizing all that fat that we are rapidly losing. It doesn't need any more stress from ingesting a known liver toxin like alcohol (not a judgemental thing, just our physiology at work).

My surgeon is also a biliopancreatic (livers and pancreas) transplant surgeon, so he is in the no alcohol as long as we are losing weight camp (and ideally forever) and indeed we sign a contract to that effect - he doesn't want any of his bariatric patients coming back onto his transplant table!

Those are the issues in play, and some aspects bother different surgeons to different degrees, so they have different policies. Check with what your surgeon's policy is, and decide for yourself - we are all adults here.

RS, thank you so much for explaining this to me... "Transfer addiction - we can no longer satisfy whatever addictive tendencies we have with food, so it is easy for transfer that addiction to something else, like alcohol, drugs, shopping, gambling, etc. What was a casual habit of a glass of wine with dinner occasionally can easily turn into full blown alcoholism." I would have NEVER thought of this, yes, I am looking for something to fill in my snack time!! WOW! but more importantly, when I do go out I more than anything want to be able to have a glass with my friends when I go out, which is maybe once every 2 months.

Thank you again!

Everyone thank you so much for for all of the sound advice!! I greatly appreciate it!

Mo

Hiring one I am one month post-op and I would like to know when did you all start drinking cocktails and wine after your procedure? My doctor said that I should avoid alcohol for one year... I respect and honor my professional doctor's recommendations. Thoughts?!?

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Speak it in existence!!! You're surgery will be ACCEPTED!

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Tell them you're dieting... And if they are persistent tell them it's a private medical situation and according to HR I can report you if necessary...

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I've recently had lap band surgery. I go for my first fill today. I haven't lost much weight and feel a little disappointed. I expected differently. Will things change after my first fill? Did I make the right decision getting the band?

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Hey I'm here with you!! I have the lap band! I am only a week and 4 days post op... Was able to transition to Mushy foods!!

That's expected with the band you lose weight slower than you would with sleeve or bypass.

You will have to put in some work!

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Good stuff, I bought two cases!!

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I would highly suggest Pinterest!! Great food ideas!

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Try Swimming! It challenges you and strengthens your lungs!!

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Go ahead brotha! You look fantastic!

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I’m 4 days post-op, and while the pain is manageable, my energy level is not. I’m exhausted! Can’t stay awake for more than a few hours at a time. When did this end for some of you? I’m so worried that with so few nutrients I’ll feel this exhausted for a long time. :-( Im taking my Vitamins, getting about 40 oz of fluids plus about 40-50g of Protein Shakes each day.

Hi sdl2019
That is very normal, your body is healing! Give yourself at least a week. Take some B12. You'll be back to yourself in no time!

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Good morning beautiful people!!

I had my surgery 11 April Lap Band

Before: 3 weeks of liquids for preop and lots of anxiety!

Disclaimer, what is for my body may not be for your body...

Before surgery, I talk to so many professionals; anesthesiologists, doctor, family, nurses I didn't remember much! Lol... So just I prayed

After: the surgery was a success! I stayed overnight. The good: it was the best idea to stay overnight, the nurses help with the medicine Doses and getting used to walking breathing through and using the restroom. (Little things)

The bad & ugly: The anesthesia side effects-the gas is so uncomfortable (dont force it to pass, it hurts more). Incision pain only when things are on placed on them like pants or when its accidentally bumped.

Ladies, because of the locations of the incisions think about sports bras. I wear wire bras most of the time and they were on my incisions-painful... Here I am, 1 week post op and am finally able to wear a real bra.

Tips:

Take your time, LOVE yourself-speak your success in existence!

Stay hydrated!!

Walk!

Have a plan, for phase1, 2, 3 and beyond.

If you have any specific questions please let me know!

Blessings and you will succeed!!

On 4/13/2019 at 4:21 PM, amypel said:

What are your favorite Protein Bars? I

Hey, try Quest bars, they taste good!

On 4/11/2019 at 9:08 PM, Emmy J said:

Hey everyone...I’m finishing up day 2 of my liquid diet and have had killer headaches by the end of the day yesterday and today. Does this go away once your body adjusts?

I have terrible Migraines already...not liking this headache either.

It's the worst, I got mine the week three of the pre-op diet. What helped me was propel Water, and A LOT of fluids!

I'm doing alright. Ditto on the gas pain mine is right in my chest and my stomach. The what type of procedure did you get?

45 minutes ago, AlexE said:

Had my surgery yesterday! 4/11/18 just for discharged about 2 hours ago now at home resting and hoping I can get this left shoulder air out! So not in a lot of pain just discomfort the most and trying to keep drinking and staying hydrated

Yes me too! Hey surgery twinzie! Feel better soon!

Hi everyone!!! I had my surgery yesterday and was discharged this afternoon. Lapband is what I have.

On 2/20/2019 at 3:32 PM, CajunSam said:

Anyone else having surgery in April? Maybe we can find surgery twins here. I thought I could start it off by asking a few questions.

When is your surgery? April 4th
What kind of surgery? Revision from sleeve to Mini Gastric Bypass
Height? 5’8”
Starting weight? 285
Goal weight? 175

CajunSam!! You are not alone! I am here with you... (Sorry, I had to get that out) My surgery is 11 April 2019.