learn2cook

I’m so sorry for your postponement! It may be like my ulcers and hiatal hernia, the docs just want the condition stabilized before they shock your body further with surgery. Luckily you are heading in the right direction with surgery:)

My cousin had surgery in Burlington Vt. I think there’s only one hospital there. I had surgery through Beth Isreal Deconess/ Lahey clinic. Several of my acquaintances had surgery through Mass General Brigham. Both Boston hospitals have WLS centers in associated hospitals, like South Shore hospital in Plymouth and Weymouth have WLS centers associated with Mass General Brigham Woman’s. Yeah, the big hospitals are glomming together and branching outward making very complicated names. Where you go depends on your insurance, or where they take self pay.

I too am lactose intolerant and love fish as my protein choice! I found I got less picky after surgery because my choices become more limited for a while. I used OWYN protein drink. There are more choices on Amazon. I did not use shakes except to taste until the pre-op diet. I lost 75 lbs before the pre-op sticking to eggs, and fish for protein. My dietitian has a range of protein for me to eat daily. Your dietitian will probably have that for you too. It was very hard for my to loose weight on the pre-op and post op liquid phase. My dietitian (sounds so bougie) fingered out there was too many carbs in the drinks for me to loose, even though I was 900 cal. or less. (Irish potato famine and Holocaust descendant). Each person is unique so it’s really a trial and error experiment to find what works with you. Having a professional who’s seen this before has helped me figure out what is sustainable. You can do this! Making mistakes just means you learned a new way to try instead.

Congratulations on your milestone met!

Me too! Clear it with your bariatric staff first, or an allergy doc. I use the meltable kids Zyrtec tabs under my tongue, and the kids liquid Benadryl.

Yes, I’m so happy for you too, all of you!

I’ve started with the Flintstones with iron. I have B vitamins in a meltable tab for under the tongue. Then there’s chewable calcium citrate with vitamin D. I had a bypass, other surgeries have different requirements. I might have to change up my vitamins when I get blood work done. Right now I’m seeing if the Flintstones is ok for me. I would call your dietitian. At my center they kind of run the show.

Congratulations, you slogged through a long process. You’ve earned it!

I feel your frustration and worry. I just came off a 3 week stall. I think I was emotionally surprised I still have to work so hard at loosing weight. My mind knew the surgery was one tool, my emotions thought the first six months would have the weight slip off like water. I woke up and realized I still need to truly work it! The difference with WLS, when I try hard 2-4 lbs comes off versus 1/4 lb. I applaud your move to reconnect with the weight loss community. Maybe your dietitian can help? Does your weight loss center have a group to meet with? That helps me stay on track too.

Kudos to you! What an inspiring story.

If your arthritis is in your knees you can get steroid shots every 3-4 months. There is external cream for arthritis too, ask the pharmacist. Congratulations on your new life!

Congratulations on starting your journey!

I’m tempted to say, “anything you can do.” I still would consult a doctor. That’s what my doc told me. Flop around in bed, flop around the house, lift each arm or leg and do 2-4 lifts to get started, head too. Just ask your doc first!

I had peer review 2 days before surgery was due. It worked. The Tufts insurance doctor was a retired pediatrician and knew nothing about bariatric surgery. My surgeon is the head of bariatric surgery at Beth Isreal Deconess so he convinced him it was necessary. I think it may depend upon the “players” and situation involved. Keep your hopes up and fight for yourself. I talked to a bariatric therapist because it was pins and needles until 11 hours before surgery. I didn’t want to slide.

The nerd me researched body types so I could buy clothing at any size that was flattering. There is a body of work based on David Kibbe that I found interesting and there’s tons of videos on YouTube to help. Hair, makeup and clothes kind of follow your bones. You will see hints of it on The Makeover Guy on YouTube. Some people look their best self when they better match their bone structure. It was an enjoyable rabbit hole.

I’m sorry you are going through this. Have you spoken with a bariatric dietitian? An allergist? I might try an elimination diet to see what’s bothering you. I probably would see a therapist to get some emotional boost because this sounds so discouraging. Gather your emotional supporters to help you remember you are not imagining this. There is an answer for this, and it may take some serious detective work to figure it out. I found out I simply cannot have eggs after surgery and I always was lactose intolerant. Eggs and milk are in almost everything, even deli meats except Boar’s Head.

I had this happen to me several years before my RNY. It turned out to be a partial blockage in my lower part of my small intestine, a hernia. When it was blocked there was pain, so I wouldn’t eat for 3-4 days about once a week. As it progressed I had gastritis and malabsorption issues from regular vomiting. Only a GI doctor can fix this, give them all possible symptoms, endure the tests. Like others above said H. Pilori could be part of this too. There is a solution and eventually you will feel better. If you vomit granuals that look like ground coffee go to the ER right away. The ER will put you in the front of the line because that’s blood and can be serious.

“Hobbit legs” lol, me too! Knee length skirts keep the illusion. Love your mud race outfit! Leggings are great on your super fit running legs:)

When I had Covid in 2020 I gained weight because it gave me tons of inflammation ex. arthritis and asthma. It’s what propelled me toward WLS. Stress and lack of sleep could be holding the weight on too. Just stay on track as best you can and your body will right itself. Funny how drinking lots of water helps fight viruses AND helps weight loss!

If I were you I would call my bariatric office. You body needs water. This sounds very unusual, but something they can take care of, call now and be persistent. I’m not sure of Covid numbers in your area, but I’d probably go to the ER. I wish you well!

You know this isn’t right or you wouldn’t have posted. I believe in you, I know you can do right for yourself. You are worth it!

Ha ha ha! Actually, just be yourself. Most men have dad bellies and man boobs. If you are yourself he will feel better about being himself. If he’s not nice, kick him to the curb, or better yet make him dress up in the outfit above.

I’ve noticed that before too. I think that people who know us well, like family or close friends or coworkers, notice right away. They are the people who pay attention. To the rest we may be like furniture and they notice because the “furniture got smaller.” It has to be significant for them to notice. My son who experiences the world through touch said right away, “Mom, you’re easier to hug and you are smoother.” That was 10lbs lost. My current coworkers needed 80lbs to notice. I’m hoping it will help me get promoted…

Hi @timmytommy, I’m 53 , post-menopause, and lost 72 lbs pre-op which was 11 months. Weirdly no weight loss at all during the liquid phase before surgery, no idea why. As soon as I had surgery (RNY) the weight has peeled off. Just 13lbs the first month but I’m elated! I can move so much easier. I compare it to WW when .5 a week was a victory. I know I loose slowly, but I feel like all the tracking, measuring, and exercise NOW makes a difference.

I was miserable the first two days. Then I used spanx to keep the loose stuff inside still so I wouldn’t feel pulling. I’m four weeks out and still sleep with spanx. I avoided the couch because it was too low and couldn’t get up without pain. I also bought a raised toilet seat to be independent. It was $20 on Carewell.com . Do whatever you need to do to get through it, no shame. You will get through! Talk with your bariatric professionals. They know what’s normal.