FlowerChild6200

The process can definitely feel like it moves super slow. My insurance required a six month program before approval. I also felt like I dieted my whole life and had trouble getting something to stick. I also felt like I always did well for awhile and then gave up. This is the first time in my life I've stuck to something. I also have this horrible fear of giving up my dedication and sliding backwards every single day. I think thats what keeps me in check. I have a horrible fear of putting the weight back on eventually.

My bariatric team supported my choice to go on a GLP1 and even has a compounding pharmacy locally they suggest if I didn't want to use online providers. I no longer use hers. I use Patiently now (best monthly price I've found and they accept HSA/FSA card as payment) Nausea is the only side effect I deal with but only when I eat too much sugar or too much fat. Appetite suppression is a huge plus with GLP1. I plan my eating around my protein goals so that hasn't been an issue for me. And I haven't ever had an issue with dehydration before or on GLP1 meds. I drink ALOT of water in addition to coffee, iced tea and diet coke. 213 pounds down and surgery was the #1 best thing I've ever done for myself. Starting a GLP1 is #2. I've changed my life.

My surgeon required an authorization from my primary care doctor before I could schedule a consult. My surgeon also requires you to call your insurance provider to see what their specific approval process is for surgery.

thanks for asking! I wasnt expecting much pain but wow was I sore and hurting the first 2-3 days. they sent me home on pain killers and muscle relaxers thankfully. finally feeling more back to normal today

Hi Renee & welcome! I was the original poster of this topic three years ago. Everyone is different but be prepared for the haters! Sometimes people NEED a reason on why you've been successful at loosing weight and maybe they haven't. People are quick to say you cheated or you only lost weight BECAUSE of XYZ, (surgery, GLP1, etc) Some people will discredit your hard work almost to make themselves feel better. "She only lost weight because she had surgery" "She didn't loose it naturally" Loosing weight will make people around you insecure. Some of my biggest cheerleaders in the beginning turned into my biggest critics after the weight came off. People find security in you being bigger then them. I was the fat friend, now I'm smaller then most of them and it makes them insecure. People who once praised me have the nerve to make comments like "I hope this doesn't turn into an easting disorder" Just be prepared for some people to possibly be disappointing.

Update.. I ended up in the hospital in HORRIBLE pain. Cat scan showed my intestines folding into itself like a telescope. Going for surgery July 9th to correct a hernia and "whirlpool swirling" of my bowels. Thankfully the pain went away when I was admitted into the hospital. Surgery was put to the back burner then because of another unrelated health concern had to come first. This could have contributed to my issues awhile back.

Just wanted to update again in case anyone is looking for GLP1 stories after surgery. I'm now using Patiently and I pay for my Semaglutide with an FSA card (nothing out of pocket!!) I will die on the hill that GLP1 after surgery (after a certain point) is a lifesaver. When you feel like you cant get more weight off or regain starts creeping I couldn't suggest it more to see your dr about trying a glp1. Semaglutide helped me get off another 112 pounds after a plateauing for a year. It helps me not obsess over food. It helps me stick to a calorie deficit. It helps me intermittent fast when I interchange that in. It helps me feel normal. It helps my PCOS symptoms.

Scheduled for surgery July 9th. My surgeon is concerned my intestines way twist up again. He said there was likely alot of fat surrounding them before and now they are free flowing and moving around too much. He said three small cuts and a couple small stitches internally. They are almost considering it like a hernia repair he said even though it is categorized as a revision surgery. I fully trust his decision and am not too worried.

Up until last week I have never had any issues related to my bypass surgery. Three years later and 206 pounds lost. Last Monday I ate lunch like normal and had immense pain in my abdomen come on out of nowhere. Like level 9 (and I have a very high pain tolerance usually). I threw up from the pain but it really felt like bad gas mixed with really bad period cramps. Because of the kind of birth control I'm on I rarely have a period. I had not had one in about five months and I was on day three of an out of the ordinary cycle. I contributed the intense pain on my lunch not agreeing with me and giving me gas pains mixed with just horrible cramps. I was in the fetal position on my office floor. I work with mostly all men and was embarrassed to let anyone know what was happening. At four I drove home in crazy pain and immediately got out my heating pads. I took two gas-x pills hoping to get some relief just to end up throwing them up. Before I knew it I was on the bathroom floor in level 9-10 pain crying and retching extremely hard. My husband said over and over again lets go to the ER, this seems way more then period pains. But I was so worried about people at the hospital thinking I was over reacting for coming to the ER for period issues I wouldn't go. I kept thinking the pain would pass. I hardly slept all night. I couldn't be flat or lay straight. I needed to be the smallest ball or hunched over in the sitting position. The next morning I went to urgent care and they told me I needed to go to the hospital. Yes I'm hard headed. Yes I should have listened to my husband the day before. After lots of bloodwork and a cat scan it showed part of my intestines were pushing in on itself. Intussusception.. the definition reads "a serious medical emergency where one segment of the intestine slides into an adjacent section, folding in on itself like a telescope. This telescoping blocks food and fluid from passing through, swells the tissue, and cuts off blood supply, which can lead to severe tissue damage if left untreated." I was shocked and scared. My ER Dr put in a call to my surgeon and he requested I be taken by ambulance to the hospital he works at/ where my surgery was done for him to perform surgery if necessary. By time I was taken (around three hours) it was like someone flipped a switch and all the pain disappeared. He believes it corrected itself but in a few weeks he wants to make three small cuts in my stomach and double check all my intestines and correct anything that may need it as an outpatient procedure. Scary stuff but I'm happy I'm on the other side of it now.

Thank you for all the suggestions! I started eating dates here and there as well as dried figs. I also bought Psyllium husk in capsule form but I'm not taking it every day. The problem is soooo much better.

In the end you need to do what works best for you and your new stomach. If liquids is all you can handle just do that. Just make sure your getting your protein. In moments of desperation in the beginning I remember the only "solidish" food I tolerated some days was some mashed potatoes with gravy from KFC. Was it the right thing to eat, no, but it worked to get something in my stomach without feeling like crap. I also relied on sugar free jello alot. The powder unjury protein soup was my saving grace more then anything. I got tired of sweet protein shakes really fast in those first weeks. My body tolerated savory protein way better. YOU GOT THIS!!

Try to get a little extra protein in if you can it will help so much with your tiredness and give you a little more energy. When I felt like I couldn't eat in the beginning I used unjury protein soup (you mix the powder into warm water) and they really helped me get by. Just remember it will get better and this IS THE HARDEST PART!! You got this! Good luck!

I'm three years out and am STRUGGLING to have normal BMs. Early on due to iron supplements I had to incorporate stool softeners. They did the trick no issue. Now all of a sudden it just seems to not work for me and I'm struggling. Anyone add in fiber supplements or something similar? I drink coffee and eat kiwi and it makes no difference. HELP I need ideas

My best suggestion is to start the day already prepared. Protein shakes on hand, high protein low calorie snacks in your work bag, prep lunch and bring it with you. Its so easy to make the wrong decisions and choices when your hungry and all the bad options are staring at you.

Did you have it? How are you feeling?