Bricam20

Heyyy yall! RNY is scheduled for Monday August 1st, the surgeon said I will be staying 1 or 2 nights, what are some things that will come in handy during my hospital stay and what are some things I need once I'm home?
Thank yall in advance. 🥰

Hello! Finally got my date today, I will be having the gastric bypass on August 1st!! I am both excited and nervous. Trying to make a list of things I need before then. I start the two week pre op liquid diet Monday the 18th!

My date is August 1st! So excited to start this new journey. My required insurance visits were three months long as well.

I see you're in Texas. Do you happen to be anywhere near Houston? My tastes have changed, and I have some Protein Shakes and maybe one or two other things that I no longer care for. It would be great if I could find a good home for them. Please let me know.
Having said that, if you have a Protein Shake for breakfast, even at $1.50, it's not that much more than what a pre-surgery breakfast might cost.

I think the item that most needs to be budgeted is the Vitamins. I still use Protein Powder (even now 8 months out) but lots of people don't continue with them, after the first few months. I just like them so I still have them. I don't care for the prepared ones, though I keep some on hand when I am on the go. I try to buy the prepared ones at costco to save some money vs. other retail options. I like the Unjury Protein powder with soy milk - the chocolate Splendor is delicious.
You are eating so much less food, though, the costs might get balanced out by reduced grocery bills and restaurant eating. I know it is true in my case, but of course that depends on your current lifestyle and other factors.

You will be eating a LOT less after surgery, so you will save money in the end. BUT more importantly, your body is worth it.
Reduce costs elsewhere in your life, don't sacrifice your nutrition (especially don't skip Vitamins - if you the Pro-Care health one a day it's like a dollar a day - you're WORTH IT!!!!).
I know that for some people a $3 Protein Drink (the cost of a core power at a 7-11) is expensive, but so many of us are used to spending more than that on a Breakfast sandwich.
You will probably only drink one Protein Shake a day after the first month, and eventually you might not drink any.
You will have to try different brands. For me personally, I can't tolerate the powders and buy only the premade shakes. I like the Fairlife core power chocolate (tastes like chocolate milk!) and they are available a lot of places.

So there are many ways to look at this. One is that the food you will be eating may cost more but you'll be eating less food overall, therefore not increasing your grocery or food budget. Another way is that the cost of medicine and health vs the slightly increased cost of healthy food calculation, It's not a barrier, really.

I prefer Protein powder over ready-to-drink shakes, and powder tends to be less expensive. My favorite brand of protein powder is Ideal Lean, but it is really a matter of personal taste. For ready-to-drink shakes, Equate brand is pretty much the same as Premier Protein but priced much lower. I am almost 2 years out now and I no longer drink Protein Shakes. I get plenty of protein from food, and I'd rather eat food than drink a Protein Shake.
It is really important to budget for what you'll need post-op, and don't forget about Vitamins. The best value in bariatric vitamins is the BariatricPal brand Multivitamin, which is $99.99/year for a subscription (I recommend you buy a smaller bottle first and make sure you like them before you subscribe; also, you'll probably need chewables for the first few months after surgery). Depending on your program/bloodwork, you may need additional vitamins (I take Calcium, chelated Iron, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, and Biotin in addition to the multivitamin, and I also use pre-workout and essential amino acid supplements). Vitamins are super important for gastric bypass patients, so you have to make sure you're prepared to buy them before you have the surgery.
In the early post-op stages, I was eating so little that the costs balanced out. Now that I'm eating regular food and larger portions, though, I am spending a lot more on food than I was before surgery, even though I'm eating less. I used to shop sales and buy cheap food. Things like chips, crackers, Cookies, candy, frozen meals and Snacks, baking ingredients (sugar, flour, oil, butter), etc., can be very inexpensive when you buy them on sale. Now, I buy a lot of fresh produce, meat, fish, herbs, and spices, plus some healthier substitutions (sugar-free sweeteners, Protein Bars, low-calorie Salad Dressing, sugar-free Condiments, olive/avocado oil, coconut flour, etc.) and prioritize health and taste over price. I'm sure I could spend less and still eat healthy if I really needed to, but I have invested so much into this surgery and losing weight that I'm willing to spend more money on food that helps me stick to my plan.

Fairlife, Premier Protein, Boost, ensure ect... there are tons. They are not that expensive. you can get ready to drink or get the powder and make your own. But yes taste buds can change so i wouldnt get a bunch. Just enough for the pre op diet and a little after then you can buy what you like after surgery.

Yesterday I was hanging out talking to my husband in the front yard while he trimmed the palm trees and later he said to me that it’s funny that I am so oblivious to it but just about every guy that went by was checking me out. I said it’s probably the neighbors wanting to know if you traded me in for another woman since I lost so much so quickly and he said don’t sell yourself short, your hot. It’s also our 20th anniversary this week so thats nice to hear once in a while.

-jumped right up on the tailgate of the truck today!
-fit in the space between the stairs and the wall in the barn to chase baby chicks. Always had to call the kids before.
-RAN from spot to spot at my son’s cross country meet
-couldn’t move a heavy piece of furniture that I’ve always moved by using my weight. Just stood there confused until I figured out the why.....then I started grinning.

Back with more NSVs and LOVING reading all of yours. Here we go:
I am fitting into the smallest "skinny pants" I bought back in June. When I bought them I couldn't get the zipper even close, but today I am wearing them. My mom is at my house rehabbing and I am giving her a lot of intensive round-the-clock physical care. There is no way I could have done this without the weight loss I've had. I have so much collarbone and a lovely visible jawline. I can't stop looking at them every time I pass a mirror. Space between my toes. I can cross my arms across my waist and still fold forward, in fact it turns out that without a big belly in the way this is a very comfortable position. I can also cross my legs or sit on the floor in a resting position with one leg comfortably crooked up into a bend. my balance, it is so much better.

Today it has been a full month that I haven’t had to get up in the middle of the night to pee!! And no waking up with headaches either.. I was never tested for sleep apnea, but I suspect I had it and it’s gone now! 😁

Whole bunch of non-scale victories lately.
1. I am no longer morbidly obese because my BMI is under 40. Combined with the resolution of my comorbidities, I no longer qualify for surgery. 😁
2. My A1c is 5.1. A physician friend of mine said he hasn't seen anyone under 5.4 in a long time.
3. I needed to get into the bed of the ranch truck today and the tailgate was blocked off... so I went over the side using the (not small) tire. My balance is so much better!
4. I can do burpees like I'm on springs now, at least 10 in a row. Before I would do what are popularly known as "grief burpees" (look it up on Google Video search).
5. I got in trouble with my sleep doctor. It took me 6 weeks to get a video appointment and my CPAP (technically APAP) was choking me with all the air it was putting out. It's locked down, so I found the manual (in Russian), translated it, guessed the password, and reset the lower bound. I sleep better now (and my suspicion was correct, previous range was 10-20 cm H2O, now that I've lowered it, I average about 8 over a night).
6. I ran a mile for the first time ever in my entire life. It wasn't very fast (10:26) but it was a real mile and there was no walking or stopping.

Aah, yes. Commonly known as bony butt syndrome. I eventually had bony shoulders, elbows, wrists, hip, knees, ankles, … Any joint that you put pressure on. Used to wake every 90mins or so because of the shoulder, knee & ankle pain (I’m a side sleeper). Glad to say this does improve considerably - must develop some callouses on the non padded joints over time.

I have always worn shirts and sweaters that were a little big to cover up my being overweight (atleast that was what I thought was happening). This Christmas my wife bought me some sweaters. A year ago I was wearing 3X, probably could have done 2X. She bought me medium sweaters which I was ready to be embarrassed because I figured I was too heaving to fit in a medium. We damn...I fit in a medium. What a feeling.

My mom is in assisted living but mentally she is great I stopped in to bring her some adult diapers the other day and I walked in her room - I had sunglasses on - she said Hi and I said Hi! She said can I help you with something? I lifted the box of diapers and showed them to her. She said Oh! Did my daughter drop those off for me? I said what?! She said why didn’t she come see me? She just dropped them off with you? I took off my glasses and said mom it’s me! OMG she said I didn’t recognize you! Well open the blind honey I want to see you in the light! I’m only 5 weeks out but back into a size 14 jeans and lost 32 pounds. It really made my day. I’ve seen her once right out of surgery but didn’t feel well enough to stay long. I felt like I wasn’t loosing really so it meant a lot to me for her to not recognize me at first it made me realize I am progressing

Newest NSV - Carrying concealed all day without it digging into my side!! OMG Awesome!!

I have had to take a total of five links out of the band to my watch since Christmas when I got it…I had surgery in September. I’ve lost almost two inches off my WRISTS since December :)

Got some pics!! Of the race... not the towel wrapping!!

An oldy, but a goody: Mr. (effortlessly) carried me up stairs last night cuz i was being sucky about stubbing my toe 😂.
When he first did this a couple years ago during weight loss phase, I felt self-conscious and uncomfortable. Nowadays (3+ years out) im like: “Carry Me!” any chance i get 😇

So, I see a lot of people and nutritionists and surgeons saying you must cook all your food at home and restaurant meals are terrible etc. Well, sure, in an ideal world you would be a gourmet health cook and have an extra three hours a day for meal prep and exercise, but that's just not reality.
I travel 4-7 days a week for work, so I eat out almost every meal. I'm down 110 lbs total and 60 since surgery. Here are some suggestions for traveling/eating out:
1. Get a Protein Drink for Breakfast, like Core Power, which can be bought at drug stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and even some airports. This gets you a good chunk of your Protein for not too many calories
2. Go to the grocery store when you can to buy things like deli meat, sugar free Greek yogurt, washed/chopped veggies and fruit, etc.
3. Watch those coffee drinks! I love me some Starbucks/Dunkin' but I limit it to just iced coffee with milk (2% if possible) and Splenda. No Syrup, whipped cream, sugar, etc. I actually find that coffee and hot tea help keep me full.
4. Protein first: I've heard from lots of bariatric people that even years after surgery, if they start with low fat protein, their restriction kicks in and they can't eat too much. I try to order a protein forward meal, like grilled fish or shrimp. Sometimes I eat other kinds of meat, but I find I can't eat as much and I am more likely to get hungry later
5. Fill up on veggies. I have been hungry since right after surgery, but even if you lost your hunger, it will come back. Then, eat veggies with your protein. The Fiber will keep you full. salad is hard for me, but I still eat it because it just tastes so darn good
6. Figure out what your go-to restaurant meals are. These are things that you can get easily, like at chain restaurants. I like Chipotle bowls (no rice, Beans, barbacoa, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce, with a bit of hot sauce), chili from just about anywhere, cheese burgers with no bun (I don't like the lettuce wraps; I just eat them with a fork and knife), etc. Ask for what you need. Want double veggies/no rice? Ask for it. You might get charged a dollar. If you feel like you will eat the carb if it's put on your plate, ask for them not to bring it. You're the customer. Be nice, but you're allowed to have the meal work for you. And tip well!
7. Don't try to be perfect. Just aim for doing a good job 80-90% of the time. I eat occasional sweets, but small amounts and not every day. The other day I ate a biscuit with JAM!!!

I've been a huge fan of Premier Protein shakes for the past 3.5 years. Only 1-2 carbs/sugars and to me the best tasting. I've tried nearly every flavor, from your classic chocolate/vanilla/strawberry, to Cookies n Creme; Apple Cinnamon and Oats (which tastes great heated), and one of my favorites chocolate Peanut Butter. You'd think I had stock in the company! (I don't) but I highly recommend.
Another change of pace is to try Bone Broth. Swanson makes sipping broths in different flavors which you can just pop in the microwave for a warm and savory (protein) alternative.
Lastly, I discovered this late, sugar-free Popsicles and Gelatin (Jell-o) for both pre and post op (and beyond). Post-op, this will get you some hydration, sooth your insides, and a flavorful treat.
Hope this helps. The first few days are the hardest. You will do just fine!

I decided after a trip when I felt too big for the airline seat and was breathless walking through the terminal.

Hi there, Jamaro. I understand the back and forth issue. I struggled with getting surgery for several years before I finally got it. I was actually ready to pursue it a couple of years prior to getting it, but my primary said I wasn't psychologically ready. She wanted me to continue working with my therapist on my eating issues. I'm still doing that after the surgery as well. My doctor put me on Victoza for blood sugar (now normal and no longer on Victoza) and said it could also help me lose. But, what finally told me "this is it" was one day when I went to a casino with my family. I was walking around and couldn't keep up with them. I was also the youngest in the group. I felt like I had a small child hanging around my torso and got so out of breath. At the time, I was taking prerequisites for nursing school, and knew that there was absolutely no way I could ever be the nurse I wanted to be with that physical condition.
That was my moment. I made an appointment with my primary and told her I just didn't know what to do anymore. However, she surprised me when she said that she had seen my improvement with my eating disorder (binge-eating/purging), that she was recommending me surgery. I was ecstatic!! I immediately went home and started calling surgeons she recommended. Fast forward to now, I am currently in nursing school now (was floored when I got accepted), and I am feeling great on the hospital floor during clinicals. I'm also off most of my medication that I was taking due to my weight-related health issues. It was worth it for me, but I also knew I was ready for it. It's a big change, but so worth it when you're ready.
I wish you luck as you examine this journey for your own life. 😊