readyforanewme3

@up4challenge
you are at low BMI, (33) this does make a difference
in how quickly you will lose weight. this is not a race,
don't compare yourself to OP here that lose at a
faster/different rate of time.
it looks to me that you aren't eating any food!! don't be
scared to eat, of course you are hungry. no food/no
energy!!
MUST up your calories!! eat more food. this probably
sounds strange to some newbies - but it's a proven
fact that OP have said.
i'm sorry you are still having problems drinking
your Water. You must must force yourself
to drink moire fluids. (easier said than done)
sometimes drink water at room temp works for some
OP. try it. other liquids like crystal lite are good.
"they" say you can go without food for awhile,
(if you must-but of course that's not good to do)
BUT you can't go without water!!
you have lost 11 LBS pre-op - 60 lbs post op - that
is a great amount of weight - butttt please eat and
drink more. (especially the drinking)
take care
kathy

For me, I've rarely experienced Dumping Syndrome. I had my gastric bypass 9 months ago. I had more issues with the "Foamies" but haven't had that issue in at least 4 months or longer ("Foamies" is when you regurgitate what you've just eaten and you over-produce saliva and start vomitting - for me this was a very slow process and not pleasant - it happened if my pouch couldn't break down what I was eating - i.e. I had a hard time processing chicken breast even if it was so small, etc - this was during the stage of real food, not purees or soft ....anything stringy like kale, spinach, celery, etc. And...if I ate too fast).
As far as Sugar & Fat, I never had that issue and I never went Fat Free/Sugar Free either. However, that being said....I don't want to eat fat - especially animal fat, as it made me pretty sick even before my bypass....but I don't necessarily eat Fat Free Yogurt. I tend to look at Nutritional Labels focusing on Protein, Fiber, Carbs. For example, it really depends on the product and it also is a lesson for everyone going through Weight Loss Surgery in Trial & Error. So, you have to see how your body does and if you have any doubt, don't do it. But at the grocery store, I might look at the labels and see what looks like a better fit for me and see how my body does - the Siggis Icelandic Yogurt has less sugar higher protein and my body does great on it. Say for a cheese stick/snack, a regular piece of cheddar is easier for me to digest than fat free.
With fresh fruit, I think it's so important to incorporate, along with fresh vegetables. As far as worrying about the sugar content of fruit, I don't think that's an issue at all. I think it's smart to incorporate fruits into your diet - whole fruits whether fresh or frozen, because it's a good, healthy habit that's so good for your body. I've never had ill effects from eating bananas, berries (some of the best fruit for us!), citrus, you name it. Mind you, I'm a former Type 2 Diabetic.
One thing that I have had issues with is sugar free products. I think that could be with anyone - I find that Monk Fruit and stevia are so much better on my body. Most definitely too much sugar free products (ethythritol, xylitol, etc.) can have major negative effects on your system. I have learned to proceed with caution - before and after surgery - with sugar substitutes. Also, your taste buds definitely change after surgery as well.
I love using olive oil for cooking. I try to stay mindful and definitely tracking (Baritastic App is my favorite) helps create good habits. Avocados are wonderful, good fats and I try to eat these. I will tell you that my body has "learned" what makes it feel good. For me, the things that make me feel good are oats - just regular, plain oats (not packet) and steel cut are my go-to. Fruit does make me feel good too, I love adding in smoothies with Protein Drinks and ice and helps me feel great. Greek yogurt does the same. Nut butters without added sugar helps me feel great also. Veggies sautéed in olive oil help me feel good, a light salad and most fish (easy for me to digest and good source of protein). It's all a matter of trial and error but honestly, this is the best thing I've ever done for myself!!
I hope sharing my experiences helps you and best of luck to you!!

For me, I've rarely experienced Dumping Syndrome. I had my gastric bypass 9 months ago. I had more issues with the "Foamies" but haven't had that issue in at least 4 months or longer ("Foamies" is when you regurgitate what you've just eaten and you over-produce saliva and start vomitting - for me this was a very slow process and not pleasant - it happened if my pouch couldn't break down what I was eating - i.e. I had a hard time processing chicken breast even if it was so small, etc - this was during the stage of real food, not purees or soft ....anything stringy like kale, spinach, celery, etc. And...if I ate too fast).
As far as Sugar & Fat, I never had that issue and I never went Fat Free/Sugar Free either. However, that being said....I don't want to eat fat - especially animal fat, as it made me pretty sick even before my bypass....but I don't necessarily eat Fat Free Yogurt. I tend to look at Nutritional Labels focusing on Protein, Fiber, Carbs. For example, it really depends on the product and it also is a lesson for everyone going through Weight Loss Surgery in Trial & Error. So, you have to see how your body does and if you have any doubt, don't do it. But at the grocery store, I might look at the labels and see what looks like a better fit for me and see how my body does - the Siggis Icelandic Yogurt has less sugar higher protein and my body does great on it. Say for a cheese stick/snack, a regular piece of cheddar is easier for me to digest than fat free.
With fresh fruit, I think it's so important to incorporate, along with fresh vegetables. As far as worrying about the sugar content of fruit, I don't think that's an issue at all. I think it's smart to incorporate fruits into your diet - whole fruits whether fresh or frozen, because it's a good, healthy habit that's so good for your body. I've never had ill effects from eating bananas, berries (some of the best fruit for us!), citrus, you name it. Mind you, I'm a former Type 2 Diabetic.
One thing that I have had issues with is sugar free products. I think that could be with anyone - I find that Monk Fruit and stevia are so much better on my body. Most definitely too much sugar free products (ethythritol, xylitol, etc.) can have major negative effects on your system. I have learned to proceed with caution - before and after surgery - with sugar substitutes. Also, your taste buds definitely change after surgery as well.
I love using olive oil for cooking. I try to stay mindful and definitely tracking (Baritastic App is my favorite) helps create good habits. Avocados are wonderful, good fats and I try to eat these. I will tell you that my body has "learned" what makes it feel good. For me, the things that make me feel good are oats - just regular, plain oats (not packet) and steel cut are my go-to. Fruit does make me feel good too, I love adding in smoothies with Protein Drinks and ice and helps me feel great. Greek yogurt does the same. Nut butters without added sugar helps me feel great also. Veggies sautéed in olive oil help me feel good, a light salad and most fish (easy for me to digest and good source of protein). It's all a matter of trial and error but honestly, this is the best thing I've ever done for myself!!
I hope sharing my experiences helps you and best of luck to you!!

I have had depression and anxiety all of my life and was diagnosed about 5 years ago. My psychiatrist was great in prepping me before surgery and I got switched to a Non-Extended Release on my meds. It was a very easy switch. The medicine isn't coated and was hard for me to swallow (and still is some days) - so I learned to take with a swig of Protein Shake or no sugar applesauce or the like.
My mental health did have some changes post surgery - as in 3 months after. Mind you that the hormonal shift was pretty emotional - and no matter how much I knew that, I didn't understand fully until after it happened. I go to therapy (and upped how often I see my therapist) when I needed to and if I had an issue - and did when I started having more anxiety - I called my psychiatrist.

I have had depression and anxiety all of my life and was diagnosed about 5 years ago. My psychiatrist was great in prepping me before surgery and I got switched to a Non-Extended Release on my meds. It was a very easy switch. The medicine isn't coated and was hard for me to swallow (and still is some days) - so I learned to take with a swig of Protein Shake or no sugar applesauce or the like.
My mental health did have some changes post surgery - as in 3 months after. Mind you that the hormonal shift was pretty emotional - and no matter how much I knew that, I didn't understand fully until after it happened. I go to therapy (and upped how often I see my therapist) when I needed to and if I had an issue - and did when I started having more anxiety - I called my psychiatrist.

Everyone is different, I suffered post surgery took about 3 months to come good. But you are aware of it, so you are a step ahead. It totally blind sided me

Any concerns about mental health issues post-surgery? I'm already treating depression and anxiety, and am very stable. Just curious if it is something I'll need to watch closely.
Thanks
Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

OH man being able to easily float in water was definitely the best part of being big hahaha

Yeah!! Collar bones rule!! And crossing legs....amazing especially since I've never experienced this until this past year post op...amazing! Sitting in a booth at a restaurant, and the weird but amazing feeling to shop for clothes that are not plus size!

I just checked MyChart for my liver enzyme levels from a few years ago (I had surgery in 2015) - I had my liver enzymes checked a couple of times until they stabilized. My alkaline Phospate level was normal, but my ALT and AST (also liver enzymes) were way out of range (again, they stabilized at a normal level during year 2, once my rate of weight loss had slowed down to a crawl). But see what your surgeon says. It may be perfectly normal for the alkaline phosphate level to be way out of whack during the weight loss phase, too. I Just know it's pretty common to have crazy high liver enzyme levels that first year out of surgery.

My B12 is always high because I take a B12 supplement, and the doctor is not concerned about it. Don’t be too worried about your labs being outside of “normal” values because those values are generic, and as a bariatric patient, your results might be different from what the lab considers “normal” and still be fine. Your surgeon is an expert on bariatric patients and can review the results to see if there’s any reason for concern. I have also noticed that different laboratories have slightly different “normal” ranges for some things, so even then, if your results are slightly outside of what one place considers normal, they could be within the normal range of another place.

it's common for liver enzymes to be high that first year or so out of surgery. Rapid weight loss is really hard on livers. Mine were really high the first year - then they went back down to normal sometime during year 2 (I was still losing weight during year 2 since I had over 200 lbs to lose)
how high is your B12? mine is always over 1000. It's met with a shrug at my clinic. Once it got over 2000, and the PA at my surgeon's office just said I should cut back a bit on my supplement. He didn't seem alarmed by it at all. I know several people who say they feel better when their B12 is around 1000 or higher.

this is a good video to watch on it (until someone actually answers your question)

Seeing my collarbones for the first time in decades

Fitting into a seater vest my mom bought me the very first week of high school. We went to pick up my grandma right after buying it and took her to dinner; this was a few months after my grandpa passed. I was so proud in my new togs.

Wearing a suit and FINALLY understanding not everyone is uncomfortable wearing one

And this is a guy thing and TMI, but … it got bigger. Not actually, but having less fat in the pubic mound made it look bigger 😅😅😅

Most surgeons and dietitians agree that "pouch resets" are just crash diets. They don't actually reset your pouch (and nothing will, its an organ, its doing what its supposed to and doesn't need to be "reset") or do anything for long term weight loss. What WILL help, is tracking what you eat and staying in a calorie deficit, hitting your Protein goal, ensuring you are getting in plenty of Water and staying hydrated, and moving your body regularly. Go back to the habits that helped you lose the weight to begin with.
Additionally, some amount of regain is completely normal. Most WLS patients find that their lowest weight isn't their healthiest weight long term. If possible, maybe check in with your surgeon's office and get their insight as well.

Thank you so very much for your reply! That is amazing and gives me so much hope and inspiration! Congratulations on your weight loss and your liver enzyme numbers - that is fantastic!!

Thank you all for your good advice. Getting help for my mental health is so important for me. I plan on talking to my bariatric surgeon and center for a referral for a mental health professional to help me. Thank you again for sharing your stories and suggestions.

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. I had my Weight loss consultation on August 31, 2021. I am super excited and ready for this new journey. I’ve been overweight most of my adult life and now it’s time to regain control over my life. I’ve been given some guidelines to start implementing Vitamins And at least three Proteins shakes a day. I’ve been monitoring what I eat, making sure I get my steps in, and being mindful of my feelings and relationship the food. I was told I needed to lose 15 to 20 pounds prior to surgery. This is kind of stressful Being that I’ve been trying to lose 15 to 20 pounds for the past year and I’ve been unsuccessful. However, I’m going to continue to do my best, roll with the punches, And trust the process. Good advice is welcomed 🤗

not everyone is well-versed on food issues or bariatric surgeries. If you want to switch therapists, your bariatric clinic may be able to recommend someone - or they may even have someone on staff.

See if your bariatric group has a therapist they recommend who works on food addiction issues with folks who have had weight loss surgery. Get someone on the job who is better aligned and more knowledgable about your needs.

It really depends how much you like what your current therapist is doing outside of the weight topic. If you feel like you want her to be in your life, then just don't talk to her about weight loss and use bariatric support groups for that.

If she's turning into one of these preachy, teetering-on-the-edge-of-anti-science types, maybe now's a good time to thank her for what she's done for you and find someone who aligns better with your goals. It is YOUR life and not open to anyone's—not even your therapist's—judgment.

My therapist didn’t agree with the surgery either. He thought it was the easy way out. I just told him we would have to agree to disagree cause I was doing it and I don’t really talk much about my weight loss with him. He did call to check on me after my surgery and he asks how I’m doing but when I was looking to talk to someone about boredom eating I went elsewhere.

I originally thought that I would have Gastric Bypass, but after meeting with the doctor and discussing it with him, we thought that the sleeve was a better choice for me as it was less invasive.
Like you, I had high blood pressure, PCOS, and already had my gallbladder out years ago. I was pre-diabetic.
I did not get heartburn/acid reflux and that was one of the criteria that would have made him suggest RNY instead. I think that he also looks at diabetes & A1C levels to help determine which surgery to recommend.
It may be helpful to discuss your options again with your doctor after all your testing comes back & after you continue your research on both surgeries. Asking people on here about their surgeries is a great way to hear about personal experiences.
I wish you success with whichever surgery you choose! Lots of luck!😁🍀

Hi there,
I just started my bariatric journey and am awaiting my one-on-one appointment with my surgeon.
My basic healthy history is High Blood Pressure, NAFLD, PCOS, sleep Apnea, Anxiety/Depression. I had my gallbladder removed 5 years ago, just had my colonoscopy and was just diagnosed with Type II Diabetes (A1C was 7.8).
The 2 options for surgery are either gastric sleeve or RNY. According to all the charts, etc., looks like RNY may be best but of course it's more invasive. My surgeon only does RNYs laparoscopically, not open.
Not sure what the final outcome will be but...would like anyone's 2 cents about which surgery they chose if they have a similar medical profile.
I just changed my diet - and rather drastically - because of the diabetes. As low carb as possible, lots of Water, veggies, etc.
I'm hoping to bring my weight down as much as I can before surgery and then of course, there's the liquid diet yet to come....
My largest concerns are my liver - I've been taking Organic Milk Thistle for quite a while, not sure it helped much according to recent bloodwork - guessing my diet is what's going to help? I've also had a liver biopsy when I had the gallbladder removal. Second concern is getting that A1C down. Diabetes came as a surprise as my A1C had been in the 5 range for the longest time. Of course, I gained weight over COVID...and have been stressed, you name it. Going through perimenopause, etc.
Any advice, I'm all ears! Thanks!

RNY is still the gold standard for WLS, especially if one is diabetic, pre-diabetic, have GERD or reflux, or are super-sized. It is the more complicated surgery, but also has the best results, and it does not involve removing most of one's stomach. Some surgeons do only VSG, or prefer to do VSG because it's easier. I'm glad you found one who does RNY.