Eagles8120

I'm 6 months post op this week. Surgery day, I weighed 310 and this week I was 245 - so minus 65lbs in 6th months and it feels surreal! I'm also down 87lbs from my heighest weight last May (trying to push for an even 90 by the time my "Get serious about weight loss" anniversary rolls around). What an accomplishment in and of itself!
But as many of y'all know, a lot of this goes beyond the scale, so I'm about to talk about labwork and measurements!
Labwork/Blood Health
I ran comprehensive pre-op, simple 3 month, and comprehensive 6 month labs. Here are those results!
Pre-Op Vitamin D was a dismal 15. I've taken a daily 5,000 supplement since starting Vitamins and I'm now close to 70. Normal Range.
A1C went from 6.1% pre-op to 5.4% six months out. Normal Range. Pre-diabetes off the table.
Fasting Glucose went from 121 pre-op to 103 at 3 months to 80. Normal Range
Cholesterol (total) went from 265 to 226 to 221. From high to borderline, but vastly improved.
LDL from 195 to 166 to 153. From high to borderline high.
All other labs were normal range prior to and post op.
Added blood health bonus: Taken off my Blood Pressure Medication completely.
Measurements (in inches)
Waist from 50 to 39.5
Right Thigh from 36.25 to 28.75
Left Thigh from 36.5 to 26.75
Hips from 69 to 52.5
Right Bicep from 18.5 to 14.5
Left Bicep from 18.25 to 14.25
Chest from 49.5 to 40
Neck from 15.25 to 13.5

Roughly a size 3x/4x, 22-26W to a about a 1x/2x, 14-16W
Moving Forward
I'm looking forward to what the future holds. I'm so happy with my progress so far! We often get hung up on the scale, but there is SO much more at play here. Be sure to track all your progress!

isnt Keto diet basically what most people go on after bariatric surgery? Basically we cant do carbs anymore so we do the healthy Proteins like chicken, Fish, eggs ect...

I had surgery 2.5 weeks ago. At first I could only take tiny sips but already I can take full swallows. I think many people can eventually take long drinks, but I don't think everyone can. I used to be able to drink a full 16 oz bottle in one breath, but I don't think that will be possible anymore. I'll live. I'm okay with my drinking pace now.

bypass patient here. We were also told never to drink carbonated drinks, but some surgeons are more strict about this than others. I've seen people on here who were told they could have them once they were a few months out, as long as the carbonation didn't bother their stomach. I've tried a couple of times - when I was about three years out, I think -- and the carbonation did bother my stomach. Plus I hadn't had diet soda in so long that it tasted like a bunch of chemicals to me. Ugh. So needless to say, I never went back.

Hi.
I'm not in your target demographic, but I dislike seeing posts asking for help that don't get a response.
At 3 months my program was 3 meals a day, no Snacks. Meals consisted of 3oz Protein, 1oz veggies, sometimes with a smidgen of a starch. The protein was usually chicken, pork, beef, often with a touch of flavorful sauce, but in a pinch things like cheese, Beans. While I didn't do snacks, if I got hungry I would do SF popsicles, this way I had flavor and 5 calories to give my stomach something to do. SF popsicles were a life savor for me early on, so I tended to lean on them a bit later too. Gosh, I think I'll by a box next grocery trip.
There was a time at about 2 years post-op that I was binge running (about 90 miles a week) where my plan was increased to 6 meals per day plus a Protein Shake. I hated it, I felt like you that I was constantly eating, about the only time I wasn't was when I was running.
Oh, I'm not saying you should do my plan. Many people I knew back in the day did 3 meals and 3 snacks. Many did Protein Drinks for a meal or even two. I think the primary thing is they ate to plan to be successful, just as you're trying to do.
You have a good goal working to conform your eating to plan. keep at it.
Good luck,
Tek

Just to make sure you are doing all the right things:
1. Are you tracking every single thing you eat?
2. Are you getting a minimum of 60 g of Protein
3. Are you drinking a minimum of 64 oz of Water (MINIUMUM)
4. Are you exercising atleast 45 minutes a day
5. Are you cutting almost all your carb out of your diet?
6. Do you take in any sugar? If so, are you keeping it super low?
7. Are you eating LOW fat?

I agree - set reminders to drink every five minutes take a sip, or if you can drink more at once, every 15 minutes. Keep a drink right next to you at all times. Getting dehydrated can lead to all sorts of problems, and is the most common reason people have to go back to the hospital after WLS.
You will feel better if you keep drinking those fluids.
You will loose less hair and muscle if you get your Protein in.
You will still lose weight.
Good luck!

yep. Water weight from the IV fluids. I've heard of some people gaining 10 or more lbs from it. It takes a few days for it to work it's way out of your system. In the mean time, if it's stressing you out, then just stay off the scale for a few days.

I didn't have to do it - they did it to me in the hospital, but I wasn't sent home with any. Bruising is pretty common with that, though.

Lol I remember caving in one day in the middle of my pre op diet and ate half a bag of cheetos. Then I started spitting them out after chewing them because I NEEDED the taste in my mouth but felt so guilty swallowing it...turned out just fine! I got back on the diet and remembered why I was even doing it in the first place. Having a healthy distraction helps too and if you really need to chew on something have a sugar free popsicle or some ice. As long as you get back on the horse and keep your digestive system clean 2 days before surgery you're going to be fine. Remember it's also a lot easier to follow these crazy diets once you're bypassed/sleeved.

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I’m shopping my pantry so I made Cake (semi homemade 😂)
I added pure SF glazed donut Syrup and cacao to half the batter to try to marble it (success? Idk) Everyone enjoyed it and didn’t even notice it was sugar free

set a alarm on your phone. you gotta get that Protein and Water in to be successful and not have any issues.

Hi everyone, I am writing with my postop update. Maybe it will help someone waiting for surgery or in the immediate postop phases. On 4/5/22 I had a lap band to gastric bypass conversion. My procedure was complicated by the fact that I had a hiatal hernia and then the surgeon discovered an umbilical hernia (previously undiagnosed and not seen during preadmission studies) which he also needed to repair. The complexity of the surgery led to a two-night admission. I was on a constant IV drip and had to use the bathroom approximately every hour - the entire time! It really hurt to prop myself up to get out of bed and I would work on developing those muscles preop if I could turn back time. I hardly ate any food (broth and sugar free Jello) in the hospital, and I am still struggling now because I am just not hungry. I walked three times during the two days in the hospital - not ideal but it was the best I could do at the time. My pulse ox dipped to the low 80s several times (my normal is 99-100), so I was using supplemental oxygen to help. My abdomen was incredibly bloated and bruised. It is now going down slightly which I credit to walking and Colace. I cannot stress how helpful I think Colace has been for me. I have to wear a binder around my abdomen, and I do not yet know for how long. It is helpful when I cough and do my breathing exercises. I am now super deconditioned, which really surprised me. I know some members of this forum have been able to bounce back fairly quickly, but everyone should consider the possibility that they might need more time. I still get winded every time I move (i.e., bed to chair, chair to standing, etc.). I need naps and I have never been a napper. I am definitely going to have to take at least an extra week off from work. I try to walk a little a few times a day now and it is very tiring, so I use a cane just for reassurance. All in all, I am so happy with my decision to have surgery!
I am extremely grateful to read everyone's stories and see questions and answers on this board and I hope April 2022 Surgery Buddies (and whoever else wants to participate) can move to the postop board next month so we can continue to share our progress. I wish everyone who is still waiting for their April 2022 surgery the best! I will be happy to answer any questions that anyone has. I hope we all keep in touch! Thanks!

I bought a ton of stuff, most of which I didn't use. I bought those little 2 oz disposable cups and didn't use a single one.
Here is what I found helpful:
1. Use a salad plate instead of a huge dinner plate
2. I have some small (like 1 cup) freezer/dishwasher/microwave safe containers for portioning food into - many people swear by Souper cubes, but those are really expensive and don't seem very flexible when you have just one or two servings of something to freeze.
3. I sometimes use the toddler silverware, but it doesn't matter much
4. I use a regular glass, but I found that keeping a bottle of Water with me on the couch right after surgery (right in my hand) really helped me drink more. I switched the bottles out every few hours so they would stay ice cold (some people prefer room temp liquids after surgery, but I needed iced cold)
5. Many people love sugar free ice pops, but it wasn't for me
6. Before you go in for surgery, clean your home, do your laundry and dishes, and get some Protein Drinks in the fridge. You won't be able to do these things easily for the first few days after surgery.
Best of luck!

a lot of people have weird mood swings due to rapidly changing hormone levels after surgery. I suspect that's what's going on, but if you're feeling suicidal, you need to call a suicide hotline. Please get in touch with someone NOW!
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

P.S. the hormone changes are temporary, but if you're feeling this way, you need to talk to someone immediately.

I had to quit before they would even schedule me, It took me about a month until my test showed negative. Nicotine Cotinine (Urine) is what the test is, and you can get test strips on Amazon.
Unfortunately I stopped for 6 months and started smoking again. I am trying to quit for good
Good Luck

Is there a reason you do not want to do bypass in lieu of sleeve? I started down the sleeve route and switched to bypass due to the whole GERD/hiatal hernia issue (I already suffered and did not want it to continue or get worse).

I'm one day before you April 6 and was just given my surgery time. 3 days liquid diet for me with eight days of 1000 calories. I've ordered my Vitamins. Bought broths, Jello and such already. Trying to get myself mentally and physically prepared. I'm also having the gastric sleeve. I've taken my before measurements and pictures too. Also got appointments out of the way. dentist, eye exam, hair cut, etc... Yes, I am a planner. [emoji23]

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I doubt it would prevent you from having surgery. It's good for the doctors, and especially the ansesthesiologist (who is charge of your airway and oxygenation) to know prior to surgery about your diagnosis... so that they can take proper precautions prior and during surgery to keep you properly oxygenated.

My incredibly kind neighbors prepared my "last supper". It was unreal.
Filet mignon. Lobster tail. Cheesy potatoes. Roasted Brussels sprouts. And for dessert? Spiced chocolate pot de creme. I'm still dreaming about that meal...today is Day 3 of my 2-week pre-op diet.

Steak, baked potato with lots of butter, salad, several glasses of red wine. Cake for dessert. 😉

I had three sushi rolls and an avocado and crab salad for dinner, with a Hendricks Gin and Tonic for dessert.

Thank you. They didn't cancel. Anesthesia listened to my lungs and I'm on the other side of surgery about 10hrs out in recovery.

Your foolish and childish statement was referring to your overall point and anyone who discounts them is foolish and childish. Not to sound condescending but it does not take an English Major to see that this is consistent with the statement I made about YOUR condescension.
You are referring to texts when you probably should say "posts" or "replies" or "quotes". I get it.
The "text" you refer to was not me being condescending at all, it was a simple question to the OP whether they were counting their calories and meeting their nutritional goals so some perspective on their situation can be gained. That is something I see hundreds of times to a poster who asks a question or reaches out for help.
I can go back and forth with this all day. You are obviously internalizing this particular issue for a real reason and maybe you can get some help for it on here or elsewhere. I would be happy to help talk you through it and maybe give you some advice.
Good luck

Me condescending? You commented that anyone who does not agree with you is "foolish and childish". I am certainly not being condescending. Also, what "texts" are you talking about? I never texted anyone on here. I am being VERY supportive, I just do not agree with you that people should not get the VSG based on possibly getting GERD. You keep quoting one study when there are many studies that may have different conclusions than this one. A scientific study can prove that for instance coffee causes cancel but then you read another that says coffee aids in cancer prevention. Which one to believe? Fact is we disagree on your fears in this situation. Does that make me foolish and childish because I do not agree with you. I am not being condescending....i at no point attacked or called you names. Can you say the same thing? look in the mirror please.