Possum220

13 hours ago, SemperVeritas said:

Hi, sorry to hear about your struggles 😔 it can be so tough! I'm 17m post op bypass, and although my team was happy with my loss at one year post op, I wanted to lose more and was really aware of how much I wanted to eat, like I never stopped thinking about food. I started taking compounded semaglutide in April, and the low doses didn't do much for me, but I've recently reached the therapeutic dose, and it has been great! Just this morning I hit a normal BMI, something I thought I could never do. I've been thinking about posting about my experience with it, because it was made a huge difference in both my physical appetite and my thoughts about food. I weighed 157 at my one year post-op, and 144.8 this morning! And most of that has come off just the last two months.

Any drawbacks - I have had a few "learning experiences" like I did post-op, but overall it's been fine. If your doctor thinks it might be worth a trial, maybe give it a try. ☺️ I know it's making a big difference for lots of people.

Really appreciate your kind words SemperVeritas. It is good to hear that taking semaglutide was a helpful and positive experience for you. Yes, being obsessed with thinking about food is horrid and is driving me battier. I just want the thoughts to stop. Even now I think that my doctor will say no just because he can. I am still classified as obese (Loathe that word) and doubt that I would lose any more weight but maybe if it can help you it can help me. Kinda scared to try it and scared not having it too. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow - about 12 hours from now. Thanks again.

23 hours ago, pawsalmighty said:

You want to do whatever possible now before regain happens. Go back to the basics. Make sure you are eating high Protein, low carb! Use a calorie counter for a few days and see what you are generally taking in. I had a bypass in August of 2002. I ended up at one point due to mental health struggles going back to eating badly and regained about 100lbs, not all I had lost but most. One day I had just had it and changed my diet and did walking daily until I could power walk and complete 5k at a time which was huge for me. I haven't medically been able to work or go on walks this summer and I miss it. It helps my mental wellbeing to be out in nature with my favorite tunes. Setting small goals helps me the best. Then I feel good when I can meet them and am encouraged to make a new one. Virtual 5k programs really motivate me. Find what motivates you! I'm sorry you are struggling with bad depression. I've been there until I did a genetic test and found only 1 antidepressants works for me after decades of trying new ones, some obscure one was the winner. I feel so much better and way less SI.

I don't know if this is allowed but you are welcome to add me somewhere if you would be interested. My heart goes out to you. I'm very non judgemental and open minded! I hope you have the best day you can!

-pawsalmighty

Thank you for replying -pawsalmighty . Hugs to you. I certainly do want to stop the rot before it takes me back to where I was. I cannot afford to go back. Life is so much harder to live when you feel trapped inside your own body. Even the basics like taking a shower or walking around to do the grocery shop was confronting every single day. Even now, here it is winter. I have never experienced such cold. I need to wear gloves over my hands but I would rather this than sweating on a mild day plas all the other garbage that comes with it.

I have stopped focusing of Protein and switched to chocolate but I need to do better. I like the fact that I have more strength where before I could only walk part three houses and I was done. My weight has been a life long issue. Richard Simmons passed away recently. I remember working out to his album in the 80's. I played the songs and my body remembered the exercises. I am not new to this game but the struggle continues. I suppose that is a little aside.

What do you mean about genetic testing? How does this help to find the right anti depressant? Sounds so much better that the p'doc trying the hit and miss method with medications. Have many people found it to be helpful?

I really do need to find a new way to set small goals. Not sure what they are yet. But I am going to see my doctor tomorrow. Hmmmm, Wish me luck.

Top effort. Life has got to be so much easier to navigate. 🧡

I had my bypass in May 22. Happily and I needed to,\ I have lost a decent amount of weight after the bypass. My diet has been much improved. I go for walks most days and attend a gym once a week. On the down side depression has been kicking my butt and I have recently been hospitalized because of it. I spent a month inside and tried a new medication but it didnt seem to do anything for me so My P'doc said to stop taking it.

Ever since then appetite has skyrocketed and it is causing me so much distress which I try to fix by eating. Yes, the cycle continues. So far my weight has not altered much but that wont stay the same forever. My psychiatrist has suggest that I ask my GP to prescribe Ozempic. Yes, I am a diabetic but since the bypass have managed my bsls with exercise and diet.

Has anybody added Ozempic to help with their wls journey? Were there any draw backs. WHat else have you tried to get help with food addiction.

If you had surgery 4 days ago then your insides will be a various stage of healing and are probably a little swollen from fluids that are a natural consequence of major surgery. Any concerns should be directed to your surgeon.

I have never heard if this before. What is your Fluid intake over the course of a day? Are your meals especially salty or sugary? Do you have diabetes? Have you been tested for diabetes. I do get thirsty when I have had too much sugary/salty foods but I am a diabetic. When I return to taking better care of my food and fluid intake it seems to get better.

58 minutes ago, Scaredloser said:

Hello everyone, I know that you've all seen a post like mine before. I'm exactly 9 days away from getting gastric bypass surgery. I've tried so many other things and have failed over the long term to keep off my weight. I'm at 436 (was 445), but the diet they put me on helped me lose a few pounds. I'm very, very anxious about the surgery. My mom had the surgery years and years ago when it wasn't as perfected and it didn't go well for her. She lost weight but had a ton of complications. My fear isn't really surrounding post op activities, but rather going through the surgery itself. I hope none of you think less of me, but I'm terrified. I'm even having nightmares about it. My wife got the sleeve a year ago and she didn't have outrageous pain or anything. She was quite doped up lol. I'm scared of going to sleep and waking up in immense pain. I guess that's the jist of it.

Certainly don't think less of you. This is major surgery. You are normal to be scared. Then again think of what life would be like long term if you didnt do this. Maybe that is more scary? I know at that time before I had my RNY I didnt want to go on living entombed in my own body. I had this surgery in May 2022 and the surgeon also repaired a hernia at the time. (A few years prior I had another hernia fixed and that was very painful on it's own). I woke up in lots of pain (so maybe some of the pain was from getting the hernia fixed) but I was given lots of pain medication. The staff dont want you to be in pain either. So yes it was very rough but pain meds and heat packs eased the intensity. High end pain killers were needed for the first few days and then less and less over the next few weeks. And for the record I would rather be a little sleepy if it eases the pain. I needed to remind myself that it would get better and it did. Short term pain for very long term gain.

Truly your journey will be yours and your alone. You may be in pain or you may not. You may have complications or you may not. I would also hope that the medical profession have learned more in the time since your mom had this operation. You wont know how it will be for you until you do it.

PS - I would go through this again in a heartbeat. There is freedom again,

On 3/16/2024 at 5:53 AM, Kat said:

Anyone else told their stall was probably caused by not eating enough calories I am 6 months out from bypass and eat about 700 calories a day. Have been in a stall for 3 weeks. My surgeon said I needed to start eating more not sure how I can barely eat what I do now

700 calories is not enough but that is easy to fix. Check in with your dietician for suggestions. Add a Protein Bar and a few nuts over the day or even a tube of yogurt. Small Snacks.

19 hours ago, alyssaajoan said:

Hey everyone i have a question. Has anyone been required to have a feeding tube after sleeve to bypass revision? Was it temporary, did it help? Any information anyone has would be super super helpful. Thank you!

Your surgeon would be the best one to ask that question due to their expertise in this area.

On 2/16/2024 at 12:04 PM, Ceasar10 said:

My gastric bypass is 2/21. I had a sleeve back in 2012. I gained weight back except that golden 25 I like to say not a total failure but not feeling great about it. I still do not have a large appetite but it was wrong choices. I been through breast cancer and I have reached a place in my life where I have had enough of self harming as I say. The surgeon puts me on pre op diet for Two weeks. I am having a bit of trouble with all the fruits and veggies. I have IBS. I stated this from beginning to all. Today I get the poops badly and called office to see if I can take imodium. I told them I was having a tough time with to much Fiber. They say well if you can’t handle it you may become mal nourished from bypass. I’m like wtf. We would like you and your hubby to come in Tuesday a day before my surgery to ask any questions you may have and then a decision will be made to go forward or not. I’m saying the decision was made already. You never had an ibs patient before. In a way I think there being careful and in a way why now? I gotta be on a liquid diet only on Tuesday. Now I feel is this going to be to much for me. I don’t want to stay fat. Maybe try on my own. I went to class I did everything that I was suppose to do but I can’t help if my tummy get sick if it’s just to much Fiber. It’s like 20oz of fruit and veggies combined a day. All advice is welcomed

The lactose in the shakes can cause people to poop badly. There is something to take to help with lactose intolerance but I dont know what it would be called in the US. This might be something to ask at your meeting. There is also another preop diet to follow for those who are lactose intolerant. But that would normally be suggested by the dietician. Not sure why it wasnt suggested for you. Again another question for the meeting.

I was not allowed fruit in my preop. If you have IBS you may find that certain fruits/foods may not agree with your tummy. Its all trial and error to find out what the culprits are that are affecting you. Fruit/vegies that have a high seed/fiber content were a no no for me before my RNY. Kiwi fruit, Zucchini, stone fruit, grapes etc are a bit of a problem but after you have the bypass you may find that you have the opposite problem and these fruits/vegies will help things to move along. It is all a bit of a learning curve.

If you were to go an do it on your own these are issues that you would have to face anyway with having IBS so there no point is ditching the op at this stage.

It is not part of their remit to even say "well if you cant handle it you may become malnourished". This statement smacks of shaming. It is their job to educate you in navigating it all.

The RNY job is to make our bodies less capable of absorbing nutrients/calories from the food. This process is called malabsorption. This is the reason that you will be taking bariatric Vitamins for the rest or your life. You will require blood tests on a yearly basis for the rest of your life to check that your body is being given the correct amount nutrients and head off any long term issues. Eating well and taking care of your body is something to focus on.

I have been listening to the podcasts of The Bari Chronicles. You may find the Vitamin episode helpful. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-bari-chronicles/episodes/Multivitamins-Nutrition-For-Weight-Loss-Surgery-e2eduqv (Also available on apple podcasts.

I hope it all goes well at the meeting.

Thanks for the hug @summerseeker I very much appreciate the hug. Hugs are so much better than food.

@catwoman7 I have tried Trulicity (same as Ozempic) some time ago. I had serious side effects and couldnt continue on it. But that doesnt mean that I cant ask my doctor about any other options.

@BigZ- I do believe I need to see a psychologist/therapist. i have an appointment with a dietician tomorrow. Maybe they can point me in the right direction to the right person.

@NickelChip I took your advice and weighed myself this morning. I will face 2.7 kg. So much easier to face this gain than trying to ignore a much bigger gain. I went for a walk for 30 minutes. @BigSueI will check out the podcast.

I really appreciate ALL the responses. There are some really wise words in all this. @ChunkCat @Arabesque @Jeanniebug This is a journey that really doesnt end hey? I need to take care of myself in a good way. The self talk is something that I have always struggled with too. The honeymoon might be over but I determine where this marriage is headed.

If it has to be a lifelong struggle then I would rather do it without all that extra padding. I am not giving up without a fight. I will be coming back to this page to pick more gems. Thankyou.

I had heard about the honeymoon period at the start of it all. Didnt really think much about it at the time. But this has smacked me hard.The honey moon period is well and truly over. Reality is kicking back in. I had the RNY back in May 22. Since then I have lost 60 kg or 132 pounds. I had Covid for Christmas. I have managed depression and anxiety for decades now. In the last month my anxiety and depression have flared up something chronic and I am stuffing food into me as if I had never had the bypass.

I am loathe to weigh myself and I can feel my body change again. Food addiction is real and I am terrified that I am going to regain all the weight I had lost. I dont want to be trapped in my own body again. I want my muscles to be strong. I dont want the panic attacks to dominate me again. Right now I feel distended and hopeless.

Has anybody else tackled this point. I dont want to be overtaken by a Tsunami of food and shame and guilt. Who eats food off the floor? Who eats food out of a bin? I want the control back. Is it too late now that the honeymoon is over. Has anybody else tackled this time and won? Anybody? Anywhere?

Eat what you enjoy the taste of. That goes for all food not just cheese. I eat cottage cheese because I like it. I eat tasty cheddars because they have a little kick. No point in eating anything that you cant taste. I have shaved parmesan.

Our food is restricted. Enjoy the things you can eat.

Good that you caught it early. Maybe check back in with your dietician and get some support there. Try changing what you are eating around. Throw in new foods/recipes and Snacks. Our bodies get very efficient with the same old foods and learn to make the most of the energy that we put it and out. Change the type of exercise that you are doing.

Did you get blood testing done to see if you are lacking in any areas? Keep on top of this to stay ahead of any deficiencies. Your surgeon/gp can request these tests.

The title of this post made me laugh. Go with your gut oh SpacePossumSupreme ( love that name )

Some people cannot tolerate whey Protein and it is very hard to disguise the taste.

A mix of whey protein and collagen protein is recommended. I love Tasteless Protein Powder. I can put that in shakes, drinks, jellies, Soups and most things that you can think of. This one is collagen based and is great for our inflammatory system and bones.

Live long and proper.

I was consuming about the same amount as you at that stage and continue doing the same 17 months out. Stalls will happen. Drink your fluids and exercising helps. Our bodies can be quite tricky in how they manage our food intake. If you are continuing to eat the same foods then try changing what you are eating. Change the Proteins for other Protein. Change up your Snacks.

It really is a huge mental game from here on out. Reward yourself for the changes that you have already made. Start a new hobby to keep your brain and hands busy.

Not done by a long way. The loss may have slowed but it will continue to happen with you doing what you are already doing. You got this.

Not done by a long way. The loss may have slowed but it will continue to happen with you doing what you are already doing. You got this.

Have you seen an endocrinologist? Might be worth a look,

Hi Robert.

I have never heard the phrase "They operated on your stomach, not your brain" But it is oh so true. So much work yet to do on ourselves. Thank you for sharing this.

It has taken quite a few months to build up my stamina and muscles to be able to go on a decent walk. I have been asked to join a couple of walking groups though I just love the freedom of being able to walk where I want and when I want and for how short or long I want. Company would be nice sometimes but it's easy to be lost in your own thoughts or have some ear worm in your brain chanting along to the beat of my feet. Not selfish just mindful.

So very well done. Brilliant effort. It really takes determination to have made it to where you are. I love it when you said that we are going to tip toe back into the old life. This is so true for me. Old habits and poor choices snuck back in but got myself back on track this week and got some good results.

Yes. We fight the good fight. 💚

You are right it is a long term thing. For a little perspective - You will be eating something for the rest of your life. The choice is do you eat something that will nourish your own body or eat empty calories that do nothing for nobody and make your body be sick and have to struggle through life? You got this. Pick yourself up and rejoice in life. Start a new hobby or make a new friend. Do something that you enjoy that doesnt involve copious amounts of food.

Having the sleeve is just another stepping stone. It will provide you with more skills and more control with food. It will be worthwhile.

Health is a long term goal. You wont see changes every single day but they will happen if you take care of the body that helps you get around in this world. The days turn into months and the months turn into years. If your are trying to heal your emotions with food you will fail every time. Decide. You really can do this.

A year on from having the bypass - I can go for walks. I sleep much better. I can buy clothes in a normal store. I am more confident and I now more active in community groups. I have made new friends. I can take care of myself and not need to rely on others. I feel so much better in my own skin.

You really do want to give yourself the gift of life. You got this.

How many grams of Protein has your dietician advised you have per day? I find it easy to add a scoop of the tasteless protein powder to the shakes. It does help. Baked Beans slide down easily enough at this stage too.

It does sound creepy. Then again chances are if it is face to face appointment he is going ask you get on the consulting table and have a good prod around your tummy. Your call.