momof3_angels

Mine was only 2 days before. And the first day was kind of optional. But others in my preop class had to do 2 full weeks. For me it was because I was ata much lower bmi and than the others. They didnt want me to drop too much before surgery. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

BTW... At 6-8 weeks I lived on homemade chili and ricotta bake. I especially loved the chili. It had protein from the meat and beans, the broth helped the meat and beans go down. And I put a few veggies in (onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and celery).... so I felt like I was getting a real meal in. And the flavor just made me happy. Avoid the canned pasta! Nothing nutritious in it. But if you find any food that does satisfy you, dont be afraid to make a big enough batch that you can eat it for days. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hang in there! Right now your only goals should be getting your water and protein in. Keep striving towards those goals and the rest will improve with time. And remember... protein shakes do count toward water intake. As long as you are getting the protein shakes in, you are getting enough nutrition in to hold you until you are eating more healthy foods. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I wonder of you pulled some adhesions/scar tissue. But definitely let you doc know in case it is something more serious. Especially if it doesn't get better quickly. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Actually... a lot of us experienced this! Did your doctor prescribe Miralax? Many docs do prescribe this to get things moving again after surgery. Remember... you were probably on a liquid diet before surgery and you are on a liquid diet after surgery for a while. You are also probably struggling to get your fluid and protein requirements in. Your body is NOT going to work the same for the first week or so. It took me 9 days to have a BM, but only with the help of Miralax. Anyhow, don't freak out... just get the advice of your doc. If you don't hear back, then you may want to try the Miralax on your own. I also sometimes use Milk of Mag if I feel very constipated. Make sure you keep increasing your fluid in take as well. I know it is hard, but keep trying! Really only has a problem during the first 2 months post-op, and after that I have been "my" regular. BTW... that first BM I FINALLY had wasn't particularly hard or large or anything... it was just kind of normal!

Yes... this is something I am super excited for. Last summer I travelled Europe with my daughter and she could pack 3 times as many clothes as I could I'm the same size bag. This summer we are hiking across Spain and carrying all our belongings on our backs. My pants will still be bigger than hers, but tops and everything else will be the same size and for me, much lighter. I am also lookinf forward to fitting in train and plan bathrooms better and having a less cramped plane seat. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yep, doing that too! More fluids, more salt, no alcohol (not that I was drinking any anyway), regular exercise to promote blood flow, smaller more frequent meals... etc etc etc

Oh my. So, a few weeks ago I was getting very dizzy some days because I wasn't getting all of my fluids on most days. I knew I was somewhat dehydrated, but no matter what I did I couldn't get in enough fluids. Had an "attempted" medical procedure and convinced them to give me the full liter of fluids. Felt much better. We repeated this 2 weeks later when I had the actual surgery for the same (obgyn) problem. Felt better again. Then sometime a couple weeks ago... I was REALLY dizzy at work. Forced myself to drink even more fluids. The more I drank, the better I felt. Since then, I have been getting at least 60 ounces of fluid every day which is a vast improvement. Felt MUCH better. Fast forward to yesterday. totally dizzy. But this time I knew it wasn't fluids, it was my blood pressure. It was a different kind of dizzy that I had experienced before. See... I have never had high blood pressure, but I do take a "blood pressure" medication for my tachycardia (fast heart beat). I have taken a low dose beta blocker for years for my fast heart rate. My blood pressure has been a "low normal" for my entire life (however was creeping a little higher int he last year i was obese). After surgery, my blood pressure returned to low normal for me. I don't normally take my blood pressure before I take my medication. Never really had to as it rarely affects my blood pressure. Even when it does, I can FEEL when it does and I know when to monitor my blood pressure. I know my body very well. Well, yesterday it definitely did affect my blood pressure, and boy was I dizzy! This dizziness was way different than my dehydration dizziness and I knew it. I was busy at work, so didn't take my blood pressure until many hours later (when I was no longer dizzy) and it was 90/46, which makes me wonder how low it had been in the AM when I felt like total crap. Needless to say, today I took my blood pressure and skipped my beta blocker. My blood pressure was 94/64. Looks like I will have to suffer from my tachycardia for a bit while my blood pressure stabilizes, but I hate having to do that! I am so much more active when I take it. And no worries... I called my cardiologist and scheduled an appointment - but he can't see me for a few weeks. Doesn't matter... I know what he is going to say anyway! Days when my blood pressure is lower I need to skip my medication. Days when it is borderline I can take a half dose. But I am doing everything else, and there is no other medication he wants to try. Boo! Thankfully, my tachycardia isn't as bad as it could be... my night time heart rate has actually gone down and my day time heart rate isn't as fast as it used to be, but still fast. I think all of this will improve after my body stabilizes from my rapid weight loss. Time for a stall. My body needs it!

Yes, I am. I am actually hydrating very well right now. But I have had the tachycardia for years. This is my normal heart rate without the without meds (sometimes even with the meds)... Only difference is my BP is slightly lower, to where I can't take my medication. Anyhow... the tachycardia is why I have a cardiologist for the last 7-8 years in the first place! Anyhow... continuing to hydrate and experimenting with various methods for increasing BP... and this is where I sit. Not at all worried about the BP itself, I feel fine with that (and have dipped this low many times before... and my usual BP isn't much higher)... but when it is this low, I can't take the medication for the heart rate. Very frustrating. I can take my medication as long as my systolic BP is over 100, but less than 100 I can't take it without it dropping my BP lower and then I do become symptomatic. I do have an appointment for the cardiologist, but that won't be until the beginning of March, so in the meantime I can just hold or not hold my medication.

Regular sugar drinks are a definite no-no for me, and probably most of us. Definitely talk to the nutritionist and see was s/he says. I would say, at the very least... dilute them! It took me a few weeks to get used to the "zero" versions of these drinks. And they are definitely less "sweet" when you have the crushed ice start to melt in them.

Are you drinking regular gatorade/powerade? Or the "zero" verson? Definitely drink more water... but my nutritionist is OK with the "zero" versions of these and/or vitamin water. She does recommend putting crushed ice in them so it dilutes the drinks with actual water. And definitely no judgement!

It is fairly common to have a little post-op weight gain and take several days for that to come off. Try to increase your fluid intake, because that will help you start peeing out some of those extra fluids... then shortly after you should start losing actual fatty weight. Be patient, it will come! Oh... and walk as much as you can.

Definitely keep trying to get more water in. I know it is hard, but it is something we all have to try to do. If it doesn't improve soon, definitely let your doctor know. You might need some IV fluids to help you out. I have had two surgeries since my WLS... and both times I told them to give me extra fluids because I knew I was dehydrated. Both times it made me feel so much better!

I didn't pee very much after surgery, because I wasn't hydrating very well. As I hydrate better, I pee more. But I haven't had to pee at night except maybe once since surgery, so that part was fine. What kind of difficulties are you having? You should probably let your doc know, depending on what is going on.

It is not that salad is bad... my stomach just wasn't digesting it well at the time I replied to this. But... in the last week I HAVE been able to eat it just fine! Still smaller amounts... but it goes down easier. It is easier to start with soft veggies (steamed) and add more firm veggies as you tolerate them. And I think everyone has different tolerances for lettuces.

Just stick with the diet, and as you can, increase your activity. Keep a log of all your food and bring it with when you see the nutritionist. From there, the nutritionist can evaluate your diet and let you know what changes need to be made (if any). Are you eating anything that makes you retain water? Do any of your medications make it hard to lose weight? Do you need to use a CPAP (and wear it nightly if you do?)? But definitely track your measurements. I measure once a month. Even in my low weight loss months I am seeing ongoing changes in my body shape. And remember... you are TWENTY POUNDS DOWN! May not be what you hoped for, but it is progress!

I started off by eating every 2 1/2 hours... but now at 4 months out I go longer between meals.

Five days without my medication and my blood pressure is still around 96/48! Sometimes it still dips into the 80s/40s. Haven't been dizzy though... so that is good! But my resting heart rate is definitely up. I am currently just sitting in bed and typing this... and my HR is 90. Guess I won't be able to hike up any hills anytime soon... because that gets me to the 150's even WITH my medication!

The best source of protein is of course natural sources of protein. But nothing wrong with occasionally supplementing your diet with them... or use them to fulfill not only your sweet tooth with something that provides you with a little protein. My nutritionist wants me to get protein in whenever I can... and is more than OK with me using protein shakes and protein bars... preferably ones with less sugars. I use the Unjury Protein Bar "Mighty Bites" when I am hiking long distances. They give me a boost of protein, and boost of carbs, and fulfill my sweet tooth all in one. Not bad. What I do not do is eat them every day or rely on them as my primary source of protein.

I am sorry for your experience and how you feel this affected your family. That said... weight loss surgery did NOT cause any of this. Mental health problems and addiction were not because he had surgery. They would have reared their ugly head even if he didn't have surgery. He didn't do the work to get through the mental health issues that probably lead to the obesity and additions in the first place. He would have to WANT the health to deal with those mental health issues. He would have had to have a good team of docs to address his issues as a whole. To blame the surgery is just wrong. And why come on our site now... 13 years later... to tell people you hate the surgery? It is not helping those who are looking to make their decision. It would be much more effective to warm them to deal with their mental health issues that MAY have caused their weight problems in the first place. And BTW, I do NOT have an unhealthy relationship with food... other (medical) issues triggered my weight gain and other issues prevented me from losing the weight. and as a whole, the process of approving individuals for surgery and taking care of their physical and mental health needs have improved drastically over the last 13 years. For example... most of us have to have a complete psych eval to be even considered for surgery. Most of us have to see nutritionists regularly. And many of us are referred for mental health treatment. I hope he gets the help he needs, but again... it isn't the surgery that is to blame, and he has to WANT to get better before he will get better. That is how addition recovery works... with a lot of help from the mental health professionals.

My doc and nutritionist dont have issues with the actual straw... there issue is people tend to use straws with drinks we ahoukd never have. They aren't so concerned with the gas unless the gas is an issue for you. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My nutritionist recommended unjury protein bars. The ones in the bag are a smaller size and perfect when I need them. A lot of others I have tried are way too sweet and too big for me to finish. Started eating them occasionally after I advanced to a regular diet (minus carbs and fat) Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

First . The gas pain is worst right after surgery... but doesn't last long for many of us. The other things you listed may come and go during rapid weight loss... but there are ways to mostly prevent them. I haven't experienced hair loss. And endoscopy is really nothing... you are sedated so you dont feel or remember it. As for the mandatory weight loss... depends on doc and insurance requirements. I had to loose at least 1 pound a month. I was worried because of my low bmi... but I did fine. I transitioned to their diet more slowly than they would want most people. And the nutritionist gave me tips to comply without disqualifying myself. But sorry... I work in AZ so dont have your other answers. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Listen, vertical gastric sleeve is now a very safe procedure with a very low complication rate. If you select a good doctor, your risks for complications are fairly low. There ARE risks, but EVERY procedure has risks. Do your research, find a good doctor, and it is what you and your doctor decide is best for you... then don't let anyone talk you out of it! Your best friend... well, as an ER Nurse, she is seeing patients that have complications. She is not seeing the many many more who do NOT have complications. Her view will be slightly skewed as a result. And she is your friend... she is likely overprotective. My hubby and I are both nurses. He was against me having surgery out of fear of losing me. Nothing rational about it. I chose to have the surgery despite his feelings because I wanted to regain my health and my life. It has only been 4 1/2 months and I am fortunate to say I have surpassed my surgeons expectations with weight loss. The only "complications" I have had are very minor "side effects". First was dizziness due to dehydration. So I worked to improve my hydration. Now I have a different dizziness because I take a medication for my fast heart beat that happens to also be a blood pressure medication. So now my BP is low. The fix? I hold my medication and won't take it unless my BP is higher or my doctor tells me otherwise (waiting to see him). Even still... I am SO grateful I was able to get the surgery and I feel and look great! I also work with others who have had the surgery and they are all doing great as well. None of us regrets doing it. And BTW... a few weeks ago my husband admitted that he is glad I got the surgery afterall and he is so proud of how far I have come with regaining my health. Feel free to use this group to get feedback from others as you need to... but again, your life, your health, your decision.

For best results, I would do it 2-3 times a week if you can. Is it good for weight LOSS? Maybe maybe not. But it is great for toning and strengthening your back and core... and depending on the workout, your arms and legs as well. With that, it helps tighten muscles and promotes a leaner body. I love Pilates. There are some pilates workouts that mix in some cardio... those are more likely to help with the losing of weight. But I think I prefer to do Pilates a couple days a week, and cardio other days. Right now that means a lot of walking/hiking.