Tina 2.0

58 minutes ago, Tami10 said:

I have been reading through these they are great by the way. I'm going through some of the same things.
1. I couldn't take my rings off without a huge effort and plenty of lotion. Now I can yeah without issues or lotion.
2. I can get up off the couch without rocking.
3. Not having to go in the big girl section for clothes
4. My daughter asked me what happened to my hands I was oh they just aren't fat anymore lol. She thought something was wrong.
5. Towels fitting right
6. Being able to walking longer and more often.
7. Being more flexible and energetic during sexy time.




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Tami, Re #1, the rings. Windex works so much better than lotion. It sounds crazy, I learned that at a jewelry store years ago. I have used it since then and it really works better than anything else.

Hope your list continues to grow w/ NSV!

1 hour ago, Tami10 said:

You know I've been going though clothes sizes pretty fast. It would be cool if there was a place for bariatric patients to share and swap clothes. Just because we go through sizes so fast. That way we didn't have to buy clothes in a size we only be in for a few weeks or months.

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We do clothes swaps in my local group. I also like Poshmark to buy and sell. Just listed a ton of stuff in sizes I will never wear again. Do you have any consignment stores to trade at? It’s a very cool predicament to be in! Welcome to the loser’s bench!!

2 hours ago, Goldengirl321 said:

Out of curiosity, are you consuming a lot of sugar free items? I find that for some reason when I do I cannot get rid of bloat.

BINGO! That really could be the culprit. I would look at diet. Try to keep as close to nature as possible. Not a lot of artificial sweeteners. Also if you are eating eggs, Beans, broccoli they can cause gas. IF you find after a day or two nothing has changed then I would suspect that you are now having a dairy or whey intolerance. Things change with the RNY! You might need to go to a almond or other dairy alternative, And go to a plant based Protein Powder. Read labels to be sure No Whey if that’s the case.

4 hours ago, Rachel_Hannah said:

Hi everyone,

I had surgery April 14th, so this Wednesday makes 3 weeks post op.

How is everyone doing? How are you feeling?

I had surgery on 4-5. I am amazed every day how ‘normal’ I feel. I am still on 2 tbs of purée and lots of fluids. I have good energy and walk most days. I return to work this week, thank goodness because I’m so bored! I am down a Jean size. As I put winter stuff away I am listing if for sale on Posh. I will not be wearing the same size this fall. Astounding!

16 minutes ago, tkkilen said:

Hello everyone I am new here. I found this site and found it very helpful during this process. I got gastric bypass on 4/18. I was so scared before the surgery. Now I wish I had this done many years ago. I would say problems I had were constipation ( no bowel movement for 11 days. I always had Constipation but this was extreme. I am on linzess and now lactulose solution 10 ml 3x daily. I also had problems consuming enough Protein liquid. I got 2 flavors of Isopure. Yuck… I hate it! I forced myself to drink at least 1 bottle per day. Now I am on purée food. I am still trying to figure out what to purée and not. I am not much of a cook so this part is very hard for me. So far puréed cod fish, yam, green Beans. Cottage cheese, triple zero yogurt, premiers Protein shake….( also yuck! ) I miss my Korean food! I have only lost 10 lbs. pre liquid I lost 13 lbs in 5 days. I am confused why I am not losing any weight at this point hopefully someone can give me some feedback. Thank you everyone for your posts and I am glad to be here.

Hi and welcome ! If you don’t like the Protein Shakes then get the Isopure unflavored and put it in something. I use it in V-8 6oz can and never know it’s there. You really need to meet your protein and hydration goals daily for healing. The Isopure is best in cold drinks or fluids below boiling, If you add to a sauce put it in right before you plate. As far as food perhaps some sauces from your favorite Korean food? Watch the labels, not to exceed 5 GM of sugar. I used a lil mayo and balsamic vinegar with canned tuna and canned chicken. It was great. The purée phase is temporary, it is a time to learn portion and texture. Most important is protein, hydration, and moving. If you want cooking ideas you can find bariatric cookbooks on Amazon for ideas. Best of Luck!!

You will get to your fluid goals one sip at a time! Trust the process of healing. Start as soon as you open your eyes. Try a variety of flavors if you don’t like plain Water. Gatorade zero and Propel are my favorites after cold water. Also herbal teas and broth count. Before you worry much about food the priorities are Protein and hydration. There are tons of bari Vitamins out there. Immediately post op stay away from gummies as they can get stuck and they have sugars and not a lot of quality vitamins. Some companies have sample packs. Bariatric Advantage has them. You can also email company directly to ask. In a pinch you can take 2 Fred flinstone vitamins. Centrum has a liquid adult version. As you get more comfortable with your hydration and protein the rest will follow.

49 minutes ago, Jen83Atl said:

Hi everyone… I had my surgery April 13. Dr told me I could start eating foods after check up 5 days post surgery but I am having a lot of trouble eating much of anything. Drinking is hard too- don’t know how I will get to 64 oz. Also- anyone else having trouble with the Vitamins? chewable Multi Vitamins made me sick today. This is hard!

You are right this is hard! But worth the effort. My doc started me out sipping 1 ounce every 15 minutes, it seemed crazy at first but the small sips were comfortable. I am 3 weeks out (RNY) and drinking 52-64 oz a day comfortably now. I keep my drinks varied. Plain Water is of course the best. As far as food goes, go slow. Introduce 1 food at a time 1-2 tbls. at a meal. I was on Clear Liquids for 2 Wk post op. Most of us went from clear liquids to purée. I am using a lil baby spoon and a lil seafood fork to keep my bites small. As for Vitamins, they are very important post op because our nutrition is so limited. You can try a Bariatric High Protein Meal Replacement like Bariatric Advantage for a lil extra nutrition in your Protein Drinks. Talk to your doc or dietitian Re your challenges. This will pass. Keep trying, but go slow.

47 minutes ago, MonthOfMays said:

My surgery went well today. I'm sipping, walking, and trying my best to get rid of the surgical gas and pain. I should be going home tomorrow. I'm feeling anything but some pressure. If anybody has some tips or suggestions, I would be happy to read them.

Congratulations! The walking is really the key to getting rid of the gas pains. Move around in bed as well. It normally takes up to day 3-4 to really feel like they are gone. Keep sipping and just know this will all be a distant memory soon. My doctor wanted us to do enough laps around the nurses station to equate a mile before going home. I thought she was crazy until I walked beyond that and really felt stronger and less gas pain every time. I slept in my recliner night one at home then I was able to use pillows for comfort. It was no time and I am sleeping on my belly and side. My RNY was 4-5. I feel amazing!!

Congratulations!! So true about the gas pains! Walk walk walk!!! That will help dissipate the gas.

Happy Healing!

Be sure when you remove the patch behind your ear that you either wear gloves or wash hands immediately. Keep out of reach of children or pets.
So glad you are doing well! Keep walking and sipping! The patch will make your mouth feel dry. Just brush and sip.

I warm my plates and bowls in the oven before plating the food. I am using Corning ware salad plate and ramekin. I hate cold food too.

Family is hard! My family said much of the same..’why would you butcher a perfectly good stomach’ ‘ just show some will power’ and so on. Then as I lost weight the snide comments about ‘doing it the easy way’ and subtle sabatoge having slider food and sweets around. Develop your support system, and stay focused! If you have a local support group with your doctor go to it, if you are not a gym person see if there is a Meet Up walking group you can join. Buy a Bariatric cookbook for guidance as you heal and take on life long changes. Your family can eat the same healthy foods, just different portions.

Best of Health!!

Tina

7 minutes ago, Cara_luvnlite said:

That is such a good idea, adding Protein to v8!! Love it!!

Also might try Propel or Gatorade Zero packets for some variety. I get a 50 variety pack on Amazon for around $14. The unflavored Isopure melts well with a cpl shakes and I like theses flavors better than Crystal Light.

4 hours ago, Mariann812 said:

My file is complete per my surgeon’s admin. I’m going to start the CPAP tonight or tomorrow night. The admin will call Monday to set up my ‘Results’ appointment with the surgeon, and my paperwork will go to CIGNA on Monday.
Now I wait.
I’m so tempted to book a date in May and only give myself 5 days till I’m back at school. HOWEVER, I will most likely choose to do the more prudent thing, and have surgery June 9th or 10th-ish when school is out.
Yes, I am enjoying a food bucket list until I start the pre-op diet. My BMI is 40.9 and I’m hell bent on keeping it there till Cigna says yes.

I’d love to hear from the April Surgery Buddies regarding your immediate post-op recovery. I guess that this week (fingers crossed) I will be able to join the June Surgery Buddies Group.

FWIW, I began this journey on 1/15 with research into WLS. My zoom call with the surgeon’s office was 2/22. The pre-procedure testing (extensive) began in March. I started out thinking sleeve, but I have opted for bypass. I have a large hiatal hernia that will be repaired during surgery.

Wishing you all all the best! My RNY was 4-5-22. Every day just gets better. My energy is still a lil low on purée 2 tbs plus liquids and shakes so not a ton of calories. All of my surgical incisions have healed. My surgery was on Tue and I was driving on Saturday for a pedicure and store run. My only advice is to toss the food Bucket List! Start focusing on your goals of better health and go into your surgery as healthy as possible. It will help you heal and it sets the foundation mind and body for a healthy YOU. This surgery is only a tool, if you can’t wrap your head around what it means to have a different relationship with food you will risk regain and misery on the other side. My procedure was a revision after 23 yr. Pls know I would hate anyone to have my experience of regain, shame, and fear. I wish I knew back then what I know now!

Tina 2.0

The hydration is so very important for energy and recovery. Just think every time you go pee you are flushing fat away that will never return. If you are able to have V-8 you can add unflavored Isopure to it for a whopping 25gm of quality Protein. The protein is what we need to heal tissues and maintain muscle mass. I love to nap but I set an alarm so I can stay up on fluids. My RNY was 4-5-22. Each week has been better. Increasing my walks helped with my sluggish feeling.

44 minutes ago, Slim Brotha H said:

Hello everyone. I apologize for the late follow up. Surgery was successfull.. I weighted in a 397 before surgery. I was 450lbs at the beginning of this journey, on March of 2021.

The first week was a bit difficult, buy I found ways to make my transition manageable. I cook many meals for my family, no fast food for the kids. I have been watching international cooking shows (food porn), which helped out a lot.

Today I weighed in at 383, just 8days after surgery. I feel good. The pain I my abdomen, from the incisions, are less painful. I am looking forward to working out and playing basketball with my son, niece and nephews.

Thank you all for the support, encouragement and advice.

So great to hear that you are one the other side of week 1! Keep moving and sipping! Your weight loss is amazing! I hope you feel the difference in your body. For every pound we lose it is like 5 pounds for our joints! You are a Rock Star keeping the kids away from fast foods! It just sets them up for health problems as they get older. I found a couple cool Bariatric cookbooks on Amazon. 1 was a 5 ingredient, the other was a regular bariatric cookbook. There is also a bari air fryer. I am approaching week 3 so still on purée but looking forward to getting back in the kitchen for my hubby. He will just enjoy different portions.

Be Well!

T

My pleasure. I read this as well as another that my dietitian recommended. This one was a lil kinder and more encouraging. The one strictly about food addiction really got heavy handed about therapy and such like any addiction treatment. If that resonates better with you I can find it and photo it.

T

Can you consult with anyone else? There are huge differences between the two procedures. I have read several posts on here about folk’s revising the sleeve. If you don’t stick to the guidelines you can just eat less crap and still regain the weight. Tmw my con worker is going from sleeve 8 yr ago to a RNY. The doctor should really be looking at all of your needs and concerns to help you decide what is best for you.

1 hour ago, mlortega said:

I feel you on the mourning the food addiction all I want is to eat until I’m full it’s crazy how fast you have to come to terms with your addiction. Many times I wish I had never done this but I also recognize that that’s the addiction talking and that I will find more fulfillment in choosing to be healthy. Just have to keep the mindset I know I shouldn’t be weighing myself but I think after all the dieting that never stuck all the working out and the weight I would shed and quickly gain back the fact I’m watching the scale consistently show me I’m dropping weight it’s helping me realize that I made the right choice. I’m dreading the stalling period already but I’m getting better and not checking everyday but I have a smart scale called Fit Track Pro and every time I weigh myself it keeps track of it and I can watch it decrease and it also measure BMI muscle mass Water intake and visceral fat of course not as accurate as the doctors office but it’s a very nice tool that I have I’m glad your feeling better if you ever wanna chat lemme know I’m always down for conversation ❤️

Here is a book I found helpful. There are also books about food Addiction specifically.

I added bullion to broth, got some miso easy for something different. Tried a variety of Bone Broth the Fond was my fav, lots of different spices to choose from. If you have a local ramen spot you could get miso and a soy based broth to pick up

You should take the basics, toothpaste toothbrush, hair brush, a book if u like and a charger. I Took my favorite neck pillow. Expect to nap between lab draws, nurses checking on you, and walking. It is hard to get a solid 6-8 but it won’t matter a week from then. Hope your surgery and recovery go very smoothly! I had surgery RNY on 4-5. I am back to All normal activities, bored, not working yet!! So happy with everything so far. I am still in 2 tbs purée 3x/day but I’m fine with that.Never Looking back!

10 minutes ago, Tina Jeter said:

I tried a failure shake today and it was the bomb compared to the Premier
My surgery is on the 29th. I started my liquid diet today a day early. I'm having the sleeve put in. I have a question? Will I be strong enough in 2weeks time after having sleeve surgery to have surgery on my foot? They have to.put screw in broken bone.



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Yes as long as the podiatrist is ok putting you under so soon. After 2 weeks you should feel pretty normal, just lighter and more hopeful about the future!

T

1 hour ago, mlortega said:

Day 6 y’all and oof i feel like the wind has left my sails, I’m very crabby today my incisions are scabbed over but are extremely itchy and irritating and you know what I picked a little bit and then was upset when they all started bleeding. Nothing is satisfying today and all I want is solid food I’m trying to stay positive and hoping for a better day tomorrow hope you all are doing well and keeping positive ❤️

Just hang on tight, this day will pass. I was crazy for solid food and got a lil hangry….. try and stay hydrated, find something to do. Boredom is not our friend. We are Re training our brains and our bodies in this excercise. Stay disciplined and know it was worth every bit of effort to get here. You are truly training for the Olympics of better health. Go for Gold!

21 minutes ago, Debsgr said:

My first post. My mini gastric bypass is scheduled for April 26. I’ve started my liquid diet + 250 cal of veggies per day. I should be doing a better job of counting calories. Feeling nervous 😬

Mmm! Veggies! I was clear leading up to my RNY, then 2 weeks of clear afterwards. That was hard!!! But today is my second day of 2tbs of purée. I am supposed to be doing a Protein of choice, cottage cheese, refried Beans, hummus, tuna. Veggies are down the road for me. I feel amazing, happy, excited, no regrets! I was in the hospital overnight, after coming home all I needed for pain management was 3 doses of Tylenol. Surgery was on a Tue, I was out driving Sat for a pedicure and some light shopping.

As soon as you are awake and comfortable, get out of bed!!! Go to the sink, brush teeth, wash face, and feel your belly to be sure they washed off all the surgical soap. I had really bad burns from the soap under my breasts and on the side. Then get walking. The walking helps in so many different ways, most important pain control from the gas they use in surgery.

Best of Luck!

Tina

Welcome and best of luck!! If you have had surgery in the past and struggled with nausea let the anesthesia doc know. They will medicate you a lil differently. Thankfully the RNY folks seem to have less of a problem with nausea than the sleeve patients. I am prone to nausea so the doc put an anti nausea patch on behind my ear before surgery, worked like a charm!! I am two weeks out now. I just advanced to a purée from Clear Liquids. I am walking everyday, zero pain, zero nausea, good energy level even with nutritional deficits. My only issue was Constipation. I will now be adding Miralax to a drink daily as needed.

Be Well!!