Barihopeful

Hello everyone, it has been a while since I posted or updated. Mainly because there isn't much to update. (Just over 9 months post-op)
First: I am going to go a head and admit that through the Holidays I sucked! I ate too much (not to be sick, but over my calories) and the wrong things at times. Reset- Holidays are over so I admit it and I am moving on from it and back on the horse and focused!
The worst part of this (or at least what I am calling the worst) is that I still lost some weight through it. I am saying this is bad, because other than knowing I shouldn't have done it, there was no "punishment" in my mind. Honestly, I wish I would have just gained a few pounds. But, it didn't seem to stop me from getting re focused and back on track so I will take it.

9 month update: No changes except weight and NSV's! I can eat anything (including what I shouldn't) I don't and have never dumped. I still track everything I eat and drink, still stay within my calorie range (less the previous comment). I had my 9 month follow up with my surgical team. They called me a rock star. I was very proud of myself and how well I am doing. I still don't exercise, they still don't care. LOL Well, kinda, of course it has other health benefits but they are not concerned for the weight loss aspect of it. I am well ahead of schedule, and my Nutritionist has already started talking about my maintenance calories and how to start upping my calories slowly and safely. I told him to slow down, I still want to loose another 43 lbs to hit my goal! He agrees that is achievable, but was merely explaining where my calories would likely fall when the time comes. Which, is about double what I currently eat so he wanted to bring it to my attention so I could mentally prepare for how much more I would to eat to stop loosing weight. He explained that some people struggle physically and mentally to increase so greatly so he wanted me to have time to process and prepare for it. He said I would fall between 2000-2300 calories a day WITHOUT exercising, more depending on the intensity and frequency of exercise. Yeah.. that's a lot.
I still drink a shake a day to maintain my calories and Proteins, 70g Protein or more a day and 80 oz fluids a day or more. Pretty much all Water, and usually 1 sugar free drink a day to switch it up.

NSV's are ENDLESS! Really, as we lose weight so many things change. Even some bad, like my bony ass knees when I sleep I have to stagger them so the knees are directly on top of each other because they hurt like crazy in the morning! I could go on for days about this subject! Body dysmorphia is real, like really real! When I was my heaviest, I knew I was fat but when I looked in the mirror I didn't see a 422 lbs person but when I saw pictures of my I did.. man I did.. I was sick to my stomach and so disgusted! Now, At almost half that size when I look in the mirror I still see a fat girl but when I see pictures I am like WHOA I am so small. I found out my cousin is 1 size smaller than me, but when I look at her I see someone very small and when I look at myself I cannot believe we are only 1 size different. I look so much bigger! I love to see pictures of myself now! I encourage them rather than hiding in the back of them. I buy shirts from everywhere, and really only because I can. HAH I have never been able to buy a souvenir shirt, they never fit. Not even close to fitting. Now I literally buy them everywhere I can, to an rate of just wasting money because I shrink out of them faster than I can actually get use out of them.

To finish up: I hope to hit my goal weight by my 1 year follow up but I know 43 lbs in 3 months will be tough!
My original goal was 225, which is much more reasonable to loose in these next 3 months. But 210 is my ultimate goal as that will be half of my starting weight which is pretty freaking cool!

422 down to 250
26/28 down to a 14
4/5XL TALL shirt down to a 1/2x regular shirt

Good luck to all!!!! [emoji3590]

Sounds like youre killing it!! Throw a pillow between those boney knees at night. It helps align the spine and should help with the knee pain too

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So I’ve been having back pain since last week- sciatica I think. I went to urgent care and they gave me injections which did nothing but it’s been a week so it is starting to heal on its own. Yesterday was my annual physical so I figured I would go ahead and ask about it. I asked what I am supposed to do next time this happens in terms of pain management since tylenol doesn’t do anything for me and the first day or two it’s pretty painful.

He started acting all weird immediately. Avoiding the Pain medicine part completely. He did an exam, wrote a script for lidocaine Patches, a referral for physical therapy and an order for an X-ray. I said nothing gonna show up on an X-ray is it? He said no you probably need an MRI but we have to do this first cause of insurance. But The whole time he just kept saying okay okay okay with one foot already out the door and never would talk about pain rx. I said I understand there are risks of addiction and transfer addiction and all that but there has to be a responsible way to treat my pain, right? I wasn’t looking for anything then, just the reassurance that if I do need it that my doctor will help me. Again, he just avoided the issue entirely.

Frustrated, I took my stack of referrals to the front desk and she said he wanted to see me back. I asked if I could see a different doctor next time because I don’t feel like this doctor really listens to me. She said she would have to call me to set that up. When I got to the parking lot I called my surgeons office. I asked the nurse do I need to just see a pain management doctor or something? She said that the pain management doctor would probably ask for an MRI too and it wouldn’t hurt to find out if it’s something chronic since if it is pain medication long term can’t be the answer anyways. That made sense so I went and got the X ray.

When I called to ask about my appointment she said that the other doctor refuses to see me. I said I was confused and asked why she wouldn’t answer and gave me the number for the office manager. This morning I finally got through to him and he says he has to call the dr and see what’s going on.

in the meantime my X-ray results had come back and the nurse called me. Basically said one thing was from normal aging and another thing was cause my back was in spasm when they took the film. I said maybe cause I was in pain lying on that table she said most likely. Then I said well what is the next step. She was going back and forth with him and he said physical therapy. I said well yesterday you said I needed MRI and maybe surgery or ablation. He says no you don’t need that yet you need to do physical therapy. I said well the radiologist report says they recommend it too. He basically says well I’m the doctor. I just keep thinking that if I have a MRI in another week or two, this episode will be healed and nothing will show and I will just be wasting tons of money. Frustrated again I said okay thanks and got off the phone.

I’m guessing he is ticked off cause I want to see a different doctor and I have no clue what he told the other doctor to make them not want to see me but The only thing I can think of is that he got the impression I was just trying to abuse drugs?? Or am I crazy. That’s the only thing that makes sense right? I mean we also talked about my cholesterol and I asked about my hormones so he ordered a lab and referred me to an endocrinologist but that can’t be it. I thought they can check under your social and make sure you’re not doing anything wrong. If they did they would see pain meds one time in like the past five years. Post surgery and I didn’t even need them.

I am so confused and frustrated. I feel like now I am stuck in limbo. I tried calling a new dr and they are sending paperwork but can’t see me till December. My back is gonna be fine soon I’m sure. This time. But I need to have a doctor if this happens again or if something else happens. And I sorta want another opinion as to whether I really do need an MRI. I mean of course I don’t want to throw away money if I don’t need it but he said yesterday I needed it and then the radiologist said same thing. I don’t even know what anyone can say about this mess. I just needed to vent I guess. I am mostly just really really afraid that I am going to be in severe pain and end up in the ER cause no one else will help me. That’s gonna get really expensive really quick. Especially if this is a chronic issue.

I actually called my old doctor just now and they are gonna get me in Tuesday. Now I am just worried about how to explain why I am switching doctors without them assuming the same thing about me. This is a nightmare.

I'm sorry your going thru this. Sadly, I can relate. One of the reasons I got WLS was because of back issues and sciatica. It took me 18+ months of complaining to get an MRI ordered thru my doctor. If you want one I would suggest taking your chances with the emergency room as they are usually more willing to do expensive tests. I can't help but wonder if some of my back problems could've been prevented had my doctor found the herniated discs, bulging discs and stenosis sooner. Pain management hasn't been terribly helpful for me either. Noone will prescribe me anything since my condition is chronic. Surgery isn't likely to help, so my only options are PT and epidurals. The first one didn't help much. I hope you get answers and help sooner. Do not assume it will heal on it's own. You may need to switch to a different doctors office altogether.

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Nov 9th Bypass over here. How is everyone doing with post op so far?

Same surgery date!! Had a lot of post op pain probably related to previous back problems. Had to get stronger pain meds once I got home. It took about 8 days before I could get up from laying down by myself. Doing much better now. Went back to work thanksgiving day. How are ?

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Hi,
I’m going have my surgery in less than two weeks November 7 - looking for a few pals with the same surgery date or month. I’m going to have the bypass.

Had gatsric bypass on 11-9-22. Down 25lbs total (including preop diet weight loss)

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My biggest hope is to have a reduction my chronic back pain! I'd also like to get my mobility, flexibility, strength and confidence back. I'm tired of sitting around the house all the time afraid to go hardly anywhere cause I'm not sure I can manage the walk without needing to stop and sit due to pain and fatigue. Also I'd like to go back to work asap as I am currently unable to perform my job duties due to the pain when standing/walking for more than a few minutes.


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Hello all. I am in the process if trying to get approved for RNY. The more I read the more I think my husband should consider GB as well. His BMI is only slightly over 30 but he had apnea, diabetes, and Hypertension. He exercises a ton and although his diet is far from perfect, I would say it's much better than the standard American diet. We would it his diabetes and HTN would resolve however the bug question is.....is that likely to happen if he has a strong family history of both conditions on both sides of his family? The studies I've seen made it unclear if remission is possible and hinted that perhaps diabetes would return in few years.