Hcat

There's a lot of great advice on this forum, both nutrition for your body & mental well being. I have been a very private person with my weight struggles, but have laid it all on the line in this forum, it's helped me immensely. There has been some really great suggestions so far, so forgive me if I repeat them. I always have a bottle of Water with me & sip it when I look at it. I also take my multi Vitamin, Calcium, B12, Vit D & get my my Protein in & try to eat when I am not hungry. When I go places I pack Protein Shakes & tuna pouches to eat. I have found that weekly chewable Vit D wafers work best for me, but that is def an individual thing. I know how frustrating it is when you are feeling as you do & the doctors tell you that you are fine. Hang in there & remember this forum is always here for you!

1 hour ago, Alsgal said:

Hello, I am new to this and also new to the by pass group... my surgery was oct 22, 2020. I have felt this feeling you are talking about, I call it "the twilight zone" it feels disconnected and my bp would be low also. I started feeling it some when I changed my diet, I thought it was Keto brain, but when I did the pre op 500 cal shakes only for 2 weeks it got much worse. Now that I'm (almost) 3 weeks post op I feel it less often but add being extremly exhausted. I worry after reading your post that this could be a long term problem. I lost from 365 to 273 pre op, I wondered if I should put the surgery off and do it on my own but I could only imagine regaining what I had lost, like I always have. Sorry this is so long.

I wonder if your bp is low during the times you feel you could pass out?

Your post resonated with me. My 10 pre op diet took it's toll on me, before hand I had read where some people would start to feel weak around the 5th day, I tired easily & was in a brain fog.

Hang in there & try to get your Water & Protein in. I also noticed if I had anything that had too much sodium I retained fluids & the scale didn't like that. I also freaked out & actually tested my scales by weighing a small 2 lb weight to make sure my scales were accurate, they were. Mother Nature wasn't nice to me, but afterwards the excess water weight dropped back off. I still take a stool softener as prescribed, just to help things out. Hope that wasn't tmi but those last couple of things did affect my numbers on the scales. I just went through a plateau & was grateful for all of the advice I read on this forum.

Good luck & remember we are all here for one another!

I am almost 8 wks out & will agree with some of the previous post, I feel full a lot quicker since I have progressed to more solid type foods. I try my best to wait drinking anything 30min before & after I eat, but sometimes that's impossible. I really appreciate all that post their experiences, it makes this path more bearable.

On 7/30/2020 at 9:11 PM, futurefinemama said:

I wont miss saying I don't like amusement park because I can't fit on most of the rides.

I wont's miss people saying, you cute for a big girl...

I won't miss my feet swelling.

I won't miss not fitting in a booth.

I won't miss not wearing all my cute shoes because they hurt my knees to walk in them.

I wont miss being out of breath while climbing a flight of stairs.

Omg, I can relate to your post! I always hated when people would say you have such a pretty face or you're pretty for your size! Arghhh, I always took it as you don't get to choose parts & pieces of me to like, my body is a 1 package deal!

Just wanted to update my situation incase it will help others. Of course no sciatica pain while in hosp under morphine. 6 days after I was home it was so painful I couldn't sleep, my pcp said getting a cortisone shot this early could hinder the incisions from healing & if all healed well I could possibly get the shot 4 wks out. In the meantime he prescribed a muscle relaxer & pain pill more potent that tramadol. But I can't take the pain meds, makes me nauseous, I never did do well with pain meds. It still acts up but is tolerable to get a short nites sleep.

On 6/5/2020 at 6:55 PM, over65 said:

I am a bit concerned that my pouch is too big. I never have had any pain or problems with swallowing. I was able to drink 6 oz Water at once first day after surgery with normal swallowing like before VSG. I can swallow large pills and tonight was able to drink 11.9 oz Protein Shake in 5 minutes. After reading all you struggling with 1-2 oz in 15 minutes, I feel very different. I am ONE WEEK post VSG.

I appreciate you posting this. I am 10 days post vsg & feel the exact same thing! Please keep us updated!

4 hours ago, olivian19xx said:

I was put on wellbutrin prior to surgery, and let me say it was a GOD SEND. That's why I clicked on this forum. However, that's not what this is about lol.

BUT, with my smaller tablet pills, I cut them into 6 or 8 pieces, so it would be like swallowing tiny pills with my Water, rather than eating them. I'm sure this is frowned upon, and not great, but it was the only way I could get my blood pressure medicine in.

I have not been able to "eat" any of my medicines, and (I sound like a child here oops) I refuse to take liquid medicine so sitting through the pain was my only option.

I am on Bupropion , but unfortunately my mail order subscription didn't arrive before my surgery(maybe covid19 delay or just lost in mail). I've went without a few days before surgery & now it's 6 days after surgery. I plan to call my prescribing dr asap tomorrow & ask what she wants me to do & if my dose will need lowered & how to take since vsg.

By the way olivian19xx I am from Southern Indiana, not far from O'boro. Almost went with Dr Ravi Alapati, but instead used my VA care. Heard good results from Dr Alapati's surgeries.

8 hours ago, mommyof3girlies said:

Okay guys, I have surgery on July 28th , it is 4 days away, I am supposed to have liquids only. I ate a few times. I feel so bad, please tell me someone else knows what I'm going through! I need someone to talk to that won't judge me!

Sent from my LML212VL using BariatricPal mobile app

Also be kind to yourself, that is so important! And don't push yourself physically during the liq diet, I did & I regretted it, I felt real weak on day 5 & 6. Take care of you!

8 hours ago, mommyof3girlies said:

Okay guys, I have surgery on July 28th , it is 4 days away, I am supposed to have liquids only. I ate a few times. I feel so bad, please tell me someone else knows what I'm going through! I need someone to talk to that won't judge me!

Sent from my LML212VL using BariatricPal mobile app

8 hours ago, mommyof3girlies said:

Okay guys, I have surgery on July 28th , it is 4 days away, I am supposed to have liquids only. I ate a few times. I feel so bad, please tell me someone else knows what I'm going through! I need someone to talk to that won't judge me!

Sent from my LML212VL using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm still in hosp post OP. I was on 10 day liquid diet, my surgeon told me I could cheat with little bit lean Protein, chicken, beef cheese, etc. But only if I felt I had to. That along with my shakes helped so much. I had lean beef day before surgery & nothing was said to me. But always follow your surgeons orders. You got this! Def no judgements here! Keep us posted

4 hours ago, Lillimint said:

Did my COVID test today and already got the results (negative). It wasn’t too bad at all. My doctor just emailed and said I was good to go. My surgery is scheduled for Thursday. I’m definitely nervous with wondering if I’m doing the right thing. I keep reminding myself of all the things I hate about my present weight, and all the things I can’t do. I just wish I could skip this next week or so.

Lillimint, so many of us have those thoughts. Keep reminding yourself of the reasons why you chose to do this. I had to reassure myself several times. Earlier today when my knees & back hurt, my husband said well I guess doing anything today is shot, that strengthened my resolve to do this. Remember you got this! You're almost there!

6 hours ago, Amanda0911 said:

Good Luck tomorrow! Wishing you a safe surgery and fast recovery. My Surgery is on Wednesday so I'll be right behind you

Thank you Amanda0911, thank you for the kind words. Wishing you a safe & fast recovery as well. Please keep us posted on your surgery!

Tomorrow morning is the day! Every one's posts , experiences & questions on these forum's have been very helpful to me while I've agonized over decisions & prepped for my vsg. I just want to make a positive note to everyone about this. Even with having a small corner of people for support, they don't offer the same support or knowledge as the people on this site! That I'm truly grateful for.

Some of the information my surgeon gave me says, post surgery 60-80 grams of Protein daily. I was also given a formula to calculate your daily protein needs. Of course your active lifestyle would play a huge factor in determining your daily needs.

Bet he isn't loving all the TOUGH LOVE we've given him! LOL!!!

Holier-than-thou isn't what this forum is about. I've read many posts that has seriously helped me! I think it's great to have a place to reach out to when one has a difficult time, I've read some terrific advice . I've read responses to people that they may not be ready for surgery yet, that they need to work on preparing their selves better, but not running people down in their time of need. My weight has been all over the spectrum, when I was in the military & worked construction I never saw myself becoming obese one day, but it sure happened. We all have faced a lot of hard facts to get to this point. Since you're so good at succeeding, why did you need wls surgery! I wonder how your psych evaluation went prior to surgery, bet you didn't show your ugly side! You know that old saying "I may be fat, but your ugly, I can always lose weight" Well, your judgement is UGLY!

On 7/15/2020 at 11:07 AM, futurefinemama said:

This WHOLE ENTIRE POST IRKS ME. Funny how, a person who has been Obese, has the audacity to get on WLS Forum to ridicule people on their journey. You are still in your honeymoon phase of your surgery and Good For You, that you lost your excess weight, and Good For You that you had the "mental stamina" to achieve your goals and Good For You that you are "healthy and skinny". But without your WLS surgery, would you be able to stand on your high horse and scream down to the people who were once in the same boat about their struggles? This Forum, from what I know, is to help people on their journey; good, bad or indifferent. I personally, like the authenticity of posts, where people are brave enough to admit their struggles and downfalls. At least, they are willing to admit their faults and seek help. You never know what post can help somebody with the same issue. Everyone that has gone through a WLS are well aware that this road is NOT easy. This community already receives, judgement, criticisms and ridicule from other people. It's just a hard pill to swallow when its one of our "own".

You nailed it!

Congrats! Keep doing your Hoosier Happy Dance, it's a lot of work & stressing to get to this point. My happy dance was sorta robbed by Covid19 like many others, but I finally have my date & am on day 5 of my 10 day liver shrinking diet!

Thanks so much for all of the tips. I am going to try to tuff it out until after surgery. Surgery is definitely my primary focus. In the meantime I may try a massage therapist , I have one in the family, so maybe that will offer some temporary help. Steroid shots alone didn't affect my appetite, but holy crap the prednisone pack sure did!

Im scheduled for vsg on July 21st, I am currently on my 10 liquid liver shrinking diet. My sciatic nerve pain is horribly painful & costing me sleep. Would I be allowed to get a cortisone shot this close to my surgery date? My situation is a little different, I am a veteran & my wls will be performed by a VA surgeon about 350 miles away. Separate from the VA, I also have private insurance & would be using a local provider that has given me a cortisone shot about 9 months ago. I just want to make sure it's safe & wouldn't hinder my wls date.

The surgeon himself called today & scheduled me for the 21st! I'm excited, nervous & dreading the 10 day liquid diet, although I did feel better when he said I could cheat occasionally with lean chicken, fish, beef or cheese. Now I pray I don't hear my husband complaining the entire time about taking me to Chicago. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences, it really has helped me a lot!

I may have a June date! I'm a nervous wreck! The nurse from the VA Med Ctr called today. They need patients who have completed all of the VA program requirements, pre wgt loss, psychological evaluation, etc & are ready for surgery now, which I have been since Feb. She scheduled a video apt on Fri so she can complete an evaluation & submit it to the surgeon. I am a nervous wreck, I hope the surgeon approves me.

That is fantastic news! Thank you for the optimistic update. Continue to recuperate & keep me posted on your healing & journey forward.

Thanks for keeping me posted. I am happy for you, I can't wait to hear from you post op! I am progressing in the va system, fairly quickly, I expect to hear from the surgeon this wk, then we'll sched a surg date & any last testing that needs completed. I'll be sending positive thoughts your way & can't wait to hear how your post RNY is going!

Bucky0126 & Tamarita - I hope you 2 don't mind me jumping in here. I am a veteran as well, I was reading your posts & I feel better knowing others on here are familiar with the VA system. I am located in IND. I completed the Move prgm & my pcp submitted a referral for wls, Community Care called me the next day to sched with a surgeon of my choice! No outside surgeons would accept the Move prgm & req'd their own 6-9mth wgt loss prgm. Long story short, My Va dietician made some phone calls & I am going to have my wls at Jesse Brown VA Med Ctr in Chicago in 1-2 mths. I am very optimistic this time, because within 30min of speaking to her I was called to sched an apt for my psyc evaluation 3 days later. So the ball in rolling now. Please keep me posted on both your progress & good Luck!