learn2cook

Yaaaay! 100+ lbs off and KEPT OFF! You earned it!

Wishing you well! So sorry these very unexpected events are happening.

I’m so sorry this happened to you Fedup. I have very low iron levels and was ordered to take more iron from my doctor who just said, “take it with some acid.”? My dietitian and I came up with a more detailed plan that seems to work for me, it’s only three weeks now. I take 45mg in the morning every other day with 4oz v8 vegetable juice. I picked even days of the month to help me remember. I knew not to have anything with calcium, but she reminded me not to take PPI at that time either because of absorption issues. (I think that’s where I went wrong) stick to decaf drinks at the same time too because of irrigation. Some food prior can help with stomach irritation too. So far I do feel better. My oxygen levels are up (I check due to asthma) three points. My resting heart rate (Fitbit) dropped from 67 to 62, which tells me my heart isn’t working so hard to keep my body oxygenated. The rest of my job, life, diet stayed the same. The blood tests won’t be for another 5 months but some empirical evidence suggests the new iron tablets are doing their job. Wishing you well.

“Tiny big knickers” lol! My grandma convinced me to never hang them outside too. You know it’s real if you need smaller undies!

Oh, I only use them for recovery, like a month. They are too hot and restrictive generally. Best to you!

Oh I’m glad you got the help you needed. Some people like the binder, some don’t. I love using spanx and binders because the sloshing sensation and sqeegy sounds of moving internal organs makes me feel “disemboweled” from days of yore. I used them for prior emergency hernia surgery too. It’s a personal preference thing. Maybe you don’t feel, hear, or see sloshing? I wish you well and healing comfort.

I’m not sure what you’re experiencing. But, my mother used to react to nylon stitches like that. My cousin reacts to metal staples like that, so I agree you need to see your regular doctor. I’m not sure what your doctor used to close your incisions, or what you’re reacting to? My coworker went hiking nearby and got poison ivy in the midst of winter? I’m hoping for a quick recovery for you, and good sleep!

I do a lot of what SpartanMaker suggests and it does work! When I’ve gotten of track, I start with drinking water to visually see that I am taking care of myself. I also tell someone I trust. Sometimes just admitting problems makes it more real and then it’s easier to make that small tiny step. Then I hold myself accountable by talking with the dietitian at my center. I can go into the center and weigh in monthly or every six months and talk with the dietitian. Finally, I realized I was using food for comfort. I was thinking about snacks instead of how to improve my life/job situation. It was time for therapy because I needed a professional to coach me into healthier life choices overall. It wasn’t just about food, but food was a symptom that was easy to see. Only you know what amount/level of support you need. I hope that you make some changes to get the real live support you deserve. Starting here was a great beginning!

I’m so glad you stood up for yourself! You are worth it! @susanjane111 how’re you doing?

Dr. Werner addressed it on Level 10 life. He said after the first year, you should be eating more veggies and working out more. He actually said “a pound of vegetables a day.” I am eating two cups of veggies more per day and I can only say it’s helped me. My doc is trying to sell me on the medication. I’m hesitant about the side effects. You are not alone.

We are such individuals! I heard Dr. Yeo yesterday (Cambridge University weight loss specialist) explain that there are over 200 genes involved in obesity, so we all loose differently. I am loosing slowly and still loosing 18 months out. I am loosing differently than how I lost pre surgery. Lol, I’m not gaining it back like I used to do. It really is a different way of living and checking my feelings. There’s no magic weight elevator down. Weight loss does take sustained effort over time. I’ve had to really dig deep and get therapy and do the work. You have made great progress. If you’re still hungry, talk with your doctor. Get to the bottom of it. Is it your head hunger and need a therapist or do you have a medical issue like needing metformin? Does your center have ongoing support groups? Are you working through dropping other medications? There’s so much going on, you’re doing awesome weight wise!

Great work all around. When I get stuck, which is often, I try switching up a routine like replacing rowing for biking, or a new flavor for the water.

I wanted bypass and my doctor was pushing me towards sleeve. I had two friends that had sleeve and also easy regained weight. I knew one other person who had bypass and kept the majority of weight off 10+ years. The GERD was the tipping point for the doctor. He gets paid the same for sleeve and bypass but bypass takes longer for him to do. Yeah, I got the bypass!

To be honest I rarely feel full. I still have to weigh and measure everything because I don’t feel it. I know I can eat the equivalent amount as my clenched fist, which in volume is about a cup. The first few months I could only tolerate 2-4 oz of anything or it got stuck (hiatal hernia repair healing). Most days I use an app to track food. I also prep in many toddler containers. I found what works for me, but now is your opportunity to find a method that works for you.

Hooray, you lost a quarter of a cheerleader! Who are you comparing yourself to again? You are doing the work and results are showing.

There are three wealthy towns nearby that have a Savers, Salvation Army, and Goodwill plus a well off consignment store. Everything in our house gets thrifted except intimate items. I found tops the easiest to find. Pants need to be a name brand that I know fits me or my son well. When I lived in the Rockies, I would wait for a Denver or Phoenix trip to thrift in the cities.

I find that I graze on Saturdays. So, to keep my weight in check, I prepped all the snacks so I would make healthy choices and know every lick, bite,and sip. It took the pressure off the day and made me feel more normal? I also take a break from logging food that day.

I was tired of being happy to find clothes and hairstyles that were “ adequate.” So I went down the rabbit hole of Kibbe typing, finding my “essence,” and getting my colors done. By the time my hair got disastrous I had a plan with a new hair dresser to get a shorter style that flattered me. Yes, I do miss my long silver tresses, but my overall look is so much more feminine and professional. Weekend warrior style is just as easy. You can turn this into a wonderful adventure into living your best life both internally and externally. (Sorry, I’m a special need’s teacher and mom so I’m paid for positive thinking.) There’s a million YouTube videos waiting for anyone of any potential to discover!

Great weight loss results! I had only the bypass but continue to talk with others at my practice who have had both. There are some with lots of pain, and a slightly longer recovery, and some with less. Like anything, adjust to your needs, it’s not a comparison. Remember the whole surgery and recovery is very very temporary. I wish you the best.

Constipation and general digestive disruptions are very common with weight loss surgery. Many of us go out of our way to eat green leafy vegetables and/or take fiber supplements daily to keep things regular. If you do a search for constipation you will find many many threads with helpful tips.

I had bypass and I dump on sugars mostly. I agree with the above posters. I have an early warning system of seeing halos and then spots before my eyes. I find it helpful to get protein quickly to cut the sugar reaction. It happens 15-45 minutes after eating the offensive food. I’ve also had a delayed sugar reactive episode from eating a cup of ramen. It was 2 hours later and felt like dumping. Basically, your body will tell you what you need and what to avoid.

I had those same struggles. Of course each person is different, so I’m glad your team is checking it out! Mine was because I’d had GERD with Barrett’s esophagus and a hiatal hernia. That poor old esophagus had a lot of healing to do from all the repair work. It just took longer to heal. Some things like boiled eggs and communion wafers still get stuck at 18 months out. My tests and biopsies come back ok, my doc said that it’s common for that to happen in women of my age (less saliva) with that amount of previous damage. We keep a regular eye on the esophagus, but it’s okay and normal. I hope your tests come out normal too!

I had bypass and my surgeon oked alcohol for occasions, which was all I do anyway. One or two beers on a hot 4th of July was fine. I ate a handful of nuts in the middle so I wouldn’t dump. Beer is straight carb with little nutrients so when I’m actively loosing it’s not a good choice. No problems with the carbonation, and there are active fermentation probiotics if you get a good microbrew. I kept up with my water intake all day too, so no dehydration issues. Just stop if you feel icky, that’s pretty much true of most things. I would try it at home first in case you have a problem with dumping from sugar or the different way your body will react to alcohol or carbonation. I’d hate to be at the beach with a super stool softener!

It looks like you are 4 days post op. You should be on liquids at this stage. Please call your doctor’s office. Healing is slow and you need to take care of yourself. There is a process of adding kinds of food textures every two or three weeks. You should have booklets and pamphlets on this, or watch the WLS videos on YouTube to get an idea for meals and sipping water constantly.

So sorry to hear it , but stick with it. Your surgeon wouldn’t have done all this work with you if you didn’t need it, (or he/she didn’t think they would be paid for it). My surgeon had to have a phone conference with the insurance doctor, then it got approved. Keep up your good habits because the surgery will act as a sort of lock on your pre-surgery weight loss (not scientifically proven but I chose to believe it.)