BlondePatriotInCDA

Actually it is their business since being a smoker can cause surgical complications and its their jobs to assure their patients have as few surgical contraindications as possible for the best surgical outcomes. When you sign the consent to treat, its a contract between you and the surgeon that you've notified them of all your health stats. Longer stays and emergencies: According to a 2019 reviewTrusted Source, smoking is associated with higher rates of intensive care unit admissions, emergency readmissions, and longer inpatient stays after the procedure. Infections and complications: Smoking impacts your immune system, which can make it harder for your body to heal after surgery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, smoking raises your risk of infections and other complications. Perioperative morbidity and mortality: The previously mentioned 2019 reviewTrusted Source found that smoking boosts the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality or death that may occur within 30 days after surgery. The more someone smokes, the greater their health risks. Respiratory system and lungs: Smoking impairs the function of the heart and lungs. During and after surgery, this impairment can cause breathing problems. It can also increase the risk of pneumonia, lung collapse, or the need for a ventilator after the procedure. Cardiovascular system: Nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other toxins found in cigarette smoke may raise the riskTrusted Source of heart complications during or after surgery, including heart attack and stroke. Joints, muscles, and bones: Smoking can negatively impact your bones’ ability to heal. If you’re getting orthopedic surgery or another procedure for a musculoskeletal injury, your recovery may take longer. Skin’s healing mechanism: The nicotine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and other toxins in cigarettes negatively impact wound healing, which can delay recovery and increase the risk of scarring. Responsiveness to anesthesia: Though anesthesia always has some risk of complications, smoking increases this risk. In particular, smoking before receiving an anesthetic can contribute to respiratory issues, slower recovery time, and the need to use more anesthetics. I would especially be concerned about the last one since its a very delicate balance administering the correct anesthesia to someone who isn't a smoker and even more so on someone who has. Its your life they have in their hands, why chance it? If you truly want the surgery, you truly need it - start out by committing yourself to the best possible outcome and quit smoking... After all you're wanting to become healthier right? Why start out by lying to someone who wants you to succeed by giving them a fake urine sample? If you had hemophilia you wouldn't lie about it just to get surgery would you?

As the title says, I had my 6 month labs done a few weeks back (I'll be at 6 months post op Feb 21) and my 6 month check in is next week. My question is this; has anyone's lab come back hyper-hydrated? I told the dietician who called with the results (she wasn't aware my app was next week) there is no way I could be over hydrated I seldom meet my water goals much less go way over it. She said it was beyond her knowledge. I was told my white blood count was elevated as well along with my iron being too high. She told me to cut back to 18mg iron opposed to the 45mgs I was taking. The dietician never commented on my other labs so I'll have to wait for those. I'm concerned because my 6 month is with the dietician and if its beyond her she won't know. Anyone else have odd labs like this? Hyper (over) hydrated yet not drinking enough to do this? Is leukocytosis normal as well, seems my WBC's are always higher.. Although it could be my albuterol which can cause elevated white blood cells sometimes. I'm impatient and thought I'd ask here.. Unfortunately, everything I read isn't good - stupid internet but, I'm hoping its WLS related. So I thought I'd ask the experts - you! I know you aren't doctors, but you've been through WLS and know things sometimes WL clinics don't or just don't think to share. Thanks for answering!

Good afternoon all! I just was thinking of all the surprises I've experienced since WLS...and I wanted to ask others what's surprised them about their weight loss/surgery journey that they weren't told by their bariatric team?! I'll go first: 1. All the aches and pains in my hips and butt. My butt hurts now when I sit since I'm missing my butt padding! Also, since losing weight my posture and gait have changed so now I'm in PT for hip abductor pain. 2. The ever increasing and changing locations of skin irritation. The skin now droops in places I wasn't told to expect and I get red irritation under my butt creases from over lap - sorry for the unpleasant visual! 3. I've shrunk..so driving I now need extra padding to be at my former "sitting height" I feel like a kid driving my parents car now. 4. I've had to buy new glasses, mine were stretched out from digging into my fat head 😋 and now they keep falling off when I look down. 5. I've had to buy new shoes, all my old shoes no longer fit. They just flop around. I was expecting new clothing..not shoes. 6. I feel more clumsy and weak despite working out. My manual dexterity is horrible now. 7. I still feel hunger 😔 These are just a few of the changes I've experienced that my bariatric team never mentioned. Do you have any to add that can take the surprise out of it for people just starting their WLS journey?! I eagerly await your responses!

It's my tailbone and thoracic area..my GP had me get two MRI's and yeah multilevel "spondylosis" was determined, but for the most part its very common in anyone (especially females) to have it at 40+ years old. I'm hoping you're right and the pain will subside after a year out..I've seen others mention the year mark a few times when their pain diminished! Thanks for confirming the 1 year PO timeframe, I have 3 more months give or take..here's hoping!

I was looking at my weight scale app and so far for this year, 2024 I've lost 23.2 lbs total or 5.8 lbs a month from January 1st to May 1st; 5 months - 23 pounds! That's my total weight loss for months 4 - 9 post op. I understand everyone loses at different rates, but isn't this too slow for only being 4-9 months post op? I'm almost at only a pound a week! I was under the impression that about 2 lbs a week is normal at 9 months - 12 months. Then after 12 months po1 pound a week is normal... I could also understand if I were eating more calories, I'm sticking to 800 max a day - what I've been told to stick to by my dietician, 80grams protein, under 50 net carbs, under 20 sugar grams... Anyone have any ideas, comments etc!? I don't mean to complain, but heck I was hoping to lose more than a pound a week following surgery at this point in time, Most can accomplish that without surgery! Again, anyone have the same problem at this point in their timeline? But if so, did they continue to lose or am I getting to that point my body says I'm done? Anybody?

I spoke to my dietician today and 800 calories is normal for 9 months PO until I hit goal for my bariatric clinic. I was told this; if I'm hungry all the time I can go up to 1000 per day but no more than that until I hit my goal and go into maintenance. I agree 800 is restrictive, but apparently its normal for everyone at my clinic. I figured I'd let everyone know with an update. 🤷🏼‍

Glad you're doing better! My hysterectomy was by far way worse than my bypass (was in the hospital for two weeks) so I understand the issues one can have from removing lady plumbing! You're on the backside now and things are looking up for you! Take care of yourself, looking good!

I eat Yasso bars.. I highly recommend them. They're Greek yogurt, decent protein and have 100 calories and taste just like ice cream - mint chip and fudge brownie are delicious. I also have a iCreami and make "ice cream" protein shakes. But if all else fails - fudgcicles at 40 calories low sugar.

I completely agree, most likely it is the WLS hormonal shifts but its always recommended to check with your doctors when there are changes just to be sure! Also, this can assure your SO that you know its a concern and since you still feel the same about them it surely must be a medical change!

I completely understand your frustration, in the last 8 weeks I've lost and regained the same two pounds. I'm 9 months in..so very close to your timeframe. I read in my bariatric clinic handbook to contact the clinic if weight loss stops longer than 4-5 weeks. I have an appointment next week at which time I will be asking for answers. Like you, I am always at a calorie deficit, I watch every single calorie, fat, sugar and carb gram sticking to my 800 calories a day, 80 protein grams, 50 net carbs a day. My labs are "perfect"... So yeah I do understand, I'm sorry you're going through this, especially for longer than I have. What did your doctor recommend/say? As far as being cold, there are numerous posts here on the forum with other WLS patients discussing being cold all the time - do a search to find them. In fact, as I type this I have a heating pad on my back and an electric blanket on in front - its 56°F here too cold!!! Before surgery I would have been fine, I kept my heat on during the winter at 55° and was comfortable where as everyone else was chilly. So, its completely normal. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt in 76° sunshine the other day and was still chilly. So rest assured your being cold is completely normal! Let us know what your doctor said and keep us updated!

Thank you! My doctor said when I told her about the rash "lets start the paper trail to get you the tummy tuck!" She's a bypass patient and understands having been there! Thank you again.

Its funny, or not but I didn't have any fold/skin rashes before surgery..but boy am I getting them now! No matter how much I shower, powder and keep dry all the extra skin on/under my pancake butt and thigh creases - ouch!! Its making walking painful. 😔 On a side note..I fit in the MRI easily now, before WLS I touched the edges.

Congratulations!

Ask to see their medical degree, after all your medical doctor says you are right where you should be and since he/she's medically trained their diagnosis has more weight - perhaps if they disagree they should debate them about (my - you) your healthy weight...and ask them if they'd like the doctors number!?

Agreed. "Detox diets" are pretty pointless since the body has its own mechanisms for detoxing itself. I personally would go back to when you first started full solids after your surgery if you're concerned about weight gain and fell into not eating as healthy. After bariatric surgery you should never give up protein. Just my two cents! Good luck!

Lilla_90 "- I have this weird type of digging pain under the right side of my rib cage, feels like something used to be there and now it's hollow and it's uncomfortable, it's weird I can't even explain it." -I have a sharp pain right under my rib cage (think its a gallstones in my biliary tract - tho doctors say not possible since I no longer have a gallbladder although the pain feels the same as when I had it)! -The weakness opening things is annoying, simple things that were easy - suck now. My poor husband has become my opener of all things! -Yes, the cold weather is just stupid - cold cold all the time! - I'm also forgetful. I'm also forgetful. Oops already said that! 😉 -What I don't get is I have bones I didn't have before, I feel them now when I didn't before for my example my xiphoid process sticks out now and back when I was thin (108lbs) it didn't! -Lastly, I'm moody now, I attribute it to being weaker and clumsy now - I get sick of dropping things over and over, bumping into things and again not being able to open things - I'm looking it at you powdered Tylenol!

Sounds reasonable, I'll be asking my dietician exactly this believe me!

Thank you, this at least puts my mind at ease! It maybe slow but hopefully it continues!

Please do! I'd be interested in hearing what they tell you!

Unfortunately, yes I at almost 9 months out still feel fatigued - no burst of energy like a lot of people comment on after recovering and losing some weight..sorry to not being more helpful. I was told the same thing when I asked my doctor "follow the program" like I wasn't and its my fault for being exhausted! They did run my labs - I'm dehydrated.. "Drink more" that's it. If all your labs are good now that you're doing IV's job st hope it starts to help. I hope you feel better soon, do as I do and take one day at a time, one step at a time and hope the next day will be better, after all its all you can do if you're "following the program" just keep an eye on your macros/water, vitamins etc oh yeah and "drink more water"! 😋

No it was never explained its just the amount given since I went to solids. I even confirmed it at my 6 month when they increase my protein to 80 grams. I questioned how I was to increase protein yet stay on the same calories...I was told "make high protein choices." Thank you everyone for responding, I knew to keep keeping on..since as Ms.sss stated weight loss is weight loss. Its just frustrating, to be right back where I was before surgery; hungry all the time and only losing a pound a week despite eating healthy, cutting back and being hungry 24/7! Yes, I've lost 90+lbs since..I was just hoping the struggle would have been a bit easier ..at least have gotten the "honeymoon" period of not being hungry and losing a lot the first few months. Thanks again everyone!

Exactly, the only meds that won't absorb well are extended release meds. After surgery you're losing weight and hormones are stored in your fat which starts to release with fat loss making emotions fluctuate horribly. It's completely normal to be emotional especially when you add to the mix less calories than you're used to and surgery recovery! More emotional, tired, run down depressed etc.!

I agree! I never went through the not hungry phase and I hate hearing the its just " head hunger" statement as well. I know the difference between cravings and stomach growling hunger! I've been hungry from before surgery, weeks after and now 9 months ...I've just decided feeling hungry is better than being fat! I also don't understand dieticians and people here saying eat deli meats, most have nitrates, salt and water added to them - not exactly healthy! I guess in a pinch they're better than nothing...

I met my husband on Asherons Call 25 years ago and we still are major gamers! He was originally from NC and moved to Seattle once we met! We've played soooo many games I've lost count. Although, I prefer MMO's and survivals,/builders, husband pretty much plays anything and everything ACCEPT sports games - sorry Veritas! I'm currently alpha testing Pax Dai but waiting on Dune! You name the game system we have it.

I want to address those who might be struggling with the big decision on if they should go through with bariatric surgery, let me say this; 1. I have lost 33% of my weight so far. Even like you, I struggled with it having tried every diet known to human kind - I'd lose and gain..you know the routine. 2. I have officially been taken off all my meds; pre-diabetes and hypertension meds, this alone should convince you that having the surgery is a healthy choice and will help extend your life and reduce the drag on your wallets having to purchase meds for the rest of your life with the possibility of more being added. 3. You've probably tried everything else, what do you have to lose other than your weight? Its one of the most successful safe surgeries out there. 4. You'll have so much to look forward too in your life, I'm sure you have a mental image of how you'd like to see yourself if you were healthy and thinner. Having the surgery IF recommended by your bariatric surgeon will bring about that change. Let you be the thinner person you know is in there deep..waiting for you to bring the healthier you out! 5. Lastly, you will find the welcoming, understanding and empathy on these forums to help you when and if you reach out. There are years of experience here by people who at one time have been standing in your shoes and can help you, who want to help. I bring all this up because I know the doubts you're facing, but you'll never know the great outcomes available to you, unless you take the leap of faith that this life altering surgery will give you. I had a friend who self doubted and unfortunately she is no longer with us because she listened to those doubts and "taking the easy way out" nay sayers. Please take the leap and live the life you want to live before its to late. - End preach 🤗