WendyJane

@Selena333 I wish you well on your journey!!

With ADHD, your focus is get something in and get moving to the next task. You need to learn mindfulness and remember as a bari patient forever, you need to know your true hunger cues that happens below the neck. Sometimes you have hunger that is in your head. Head hunger is very true, and sometimes you need to take a pause and figure it out. When taking that pause, you must decide if the hunger is above or below the neck. If it is head hunger, which the Contrave will help with, you still need to make the decision to eat or not to eat. If the hunger is below the neck, then eat slowly, small bites and mindfully as well. Emotional eating is one of the biggest problems that bari patients have, and one must slow it down a bit and think and be mindful. This is really hard when you have ADHD but hopefully your doctor has you on ADHD meds to help you focus on your person. And I would be remiss to say that community is important and therapy can be done in a community with like minded and like surgically changed people. I would suggest some mindfulness though about joining BariNation and attend some of the groups they have run by professionally licensed people to help us through the rough times and learn mindfulness when it comes to food obsessions. I tried the Cinnamon Premier Protein shake and loved it, took my sugar urge away. Be well.

You should find out what your diet plan is before buying and thinking about food for the post op period. Some have liquids for 11 days then they are on full liquids, then they go to puree foods and then there are others that are on protein only diets before they are checked out by their nutritionists. There are a wide variety of diets, and several people are giving you food choices and advice, I refer you to your team for the post op period of time, it takes a bit of time before you can eat all foods, in smaller amounts. So be careful with other's advice.

@Dub That was an incredibly moving story. One thing I have learned is that therapy is important and community is therapy. To deal with being mindful and keeping the focus, I attend groups several times a week through BariNation. It has my people, like this forum does but with medical/psychological experts and meet ups with others. Just being and sharing helps keep from the regain as well. I spend less on food now, so I use that for my membership. My health has improved, I feel better mentally and emotionally, and feel useful again as I get treatment, and am helpful with my fellow Bari Friends at BariNation. I have yet to get what I get from BariNation anywhere else, and believe me I have searched and today I am calm and happy because as I said, community is therapy, and once you find your people, you know you are where you belong. This forum is good, but it isn't live. There is so many life lessons we will deal with as we live our lives and we need the capacity to handle those that come our way. Have some love for yourself and just try it. Be mindful and help to minimize stress through compassion and fun through BariNation.MN.CO

Never lost anything from drinking tea instead of coffee. After my surgery, I did drink Green Tea made by Crystal Light and there is no caffeine so it was satiating, but not giving me any energy like something with caffeine would. Never lost weight with tea.

I can tell you that my nutrition consults were easy, more educational than not. I have no idea what an NHS Tier appointment even is, let along the difference between a 1, 2, 3 or 4. How many tiers are there and what is NHS mean?

I have aetna, getting plastics is not in my policy. I'm also not ready for skin removal but, wow, if they pay you must have an expensive plan. I don't with Aetna, and getting the surgery was hard enough.

I use Isopure. That's the brand name. As SpartanMaker, it does clump if you dump it into a hot cup of anything, and it is hard to unclump. Warm water is okay, but better in room temps or cold foods if you are adding it. You can also sprinkle it on top of meat and cheese, and there is not any flavor. I got mine through Amazon, like I do most of my protein. Best of luck.

If you want to talk about it, join www.Barination.mn.co it is only $40/month and there are nutritionists, movement specialists, Licensed social workers, counselors and there is a lot of community and support groups that can help you through this difficult time. Something to think about anyway. I now pay less in food, so I put it towards my membership and knowing that Obesity thrives in Isolation, I joined the group and has been great. Just another way to obtain information, knowledge and deal with your fears. They do not make decisions for you, but asks great questions. Try it for one month, see how you like it. Just another option for discussions.

@BigSue, What a great idea to use ChatGPT, I hadn't thought of that!! Excellent way to get some questions to ask your surgeon!

I have been keeping up with this thread and vitamin supplements can easily be confused. I can only tell you what I know. I took advice from my surgeon's team, including the nutritionist. Initially I was told to take 45 of iron, then later to take 18 due to my age and being post-menopause. I was also told that the over the counter medications for the multivitamin may not be enough as the bariatric vitamins. Bariatric vitamins are specifically made for the bariatric patient, so it follows the ASMBS standards usually, but you need to look at the "fine print" and look how many mcg, mg, IU, etc of each of the vitamins are in each of the multi-vitamins. Iron, B12, B50, B1, Calcium etc. should be based on your surgeon's recommendations. I have had the RNY Gastric Bypass 2 weeks ago, and I had options to choose from regarding my vitamins, but I followed what my surgeon's team recommended. At my 1 month appointment I am to bring my vitamins with me for the nutritionist to review, and to ensure that I am taking what I am to be taking. As for what is considered a by pass and what is not....Sleeve is not a bypass, but it is the first part of the SADI. That's all I know because a SADI patient told me this. Otherwise, I don't think it matters. I don't like to get into arguments online. I wish you well as you determine what vitamins that you should be, or not be taking.

Your worry is going to give you a stroke or higher blood pressure if you are not careful. I'm concerned about that so here are my thoughts. At 61, I finally had the RNY. Initially I wanted the GSleeve, but was educated by my surgeon about RNY and that made the most sense, it is well researched, it is done laparoscopicly and if you need the other part of the stomach removed, you can ask your surgeon to do that. The Y portion of the RNY might need to be attached somewhere else. I'm not sure. I had no pain and have been able to tolerate all of my walking and light housework during my 2 weeks off work. I tolerated the clear liquids and the full liquids well and now I am on solid foods and doing well. With RNY you tend to lose more, but it is dependent on you and what you eat. With RNY, I was taken off more than half of the medications I was on, and taking none of my diabetes meds and insulin. Having a fear of the GERD with GSleeve, I also opted for RNY. Because you are already on pantoprazole and still have issues, I would suggest the RNY because there is a higher risk for those who already have indigestion issues or suffer from too much stomach acids. RNY you can't have NSAIDS, but with my arthritis, I am allowed to take it only as needed, and I take a capsule of Celeobrex, and it works fine for my painful arthritis. Just talk to your surgeon about that. Being down 40 pounds already with the GLP1 medication is good, and it will reduce fat on your liver as a side effect. I too have renal problems, stage 3, but was encouraged by my kidney doctor to have the RNY, and yes, the kidney doc also doesn't want me on NSAIDS, but allows me to do so. I need to get down in weight so I can have a hip replacement. Then, I might not need NSIADs any more. I hope I have been able to give you some information and encouragement to re-look at the different surgeries. RNY is just one step further than the sleeve, and with the history of your family, I'm sure the surgeon will be able to compromise and do a revision to the typical RNY as needed. Having stomach cancer history in your family would be one reason to just take the stomach out that is cut off, like in the sleeve and attach the Y end of RNY elsewhere. A modification should be easy to contemplate and do. Just another thought, your surgeon may want to meet with you because the ulcer in your stomach is evident on the series of pictures taken, and wants to move quickly to get that part of the stomach taken out? It is possible? Already having an ulcer starting may also be the reason they postpone the surgery and put you on healing meds, and get you to "calm down" because worry makes ulcers worse too. There are all kinds of reasons and things to factor in, but I would say you definitely need to find out what the surgeon wants to talk about, and go in with some knowledge. I suggest you take a look at some of the YouTube videos by BariNation. You may find out that they help you. I wish you the best, keep us posted after you talk to your surgeon.

Sometimes there are dehydration problems but if you are meeting the goals, you should be fine. You may have excess protein, but that won't last long, it is only a short time since your surgery. If you haven't talked to your doctor yet, I would wait before I get all worked up about it, this may very well be normal. My first tests are not until I am 3 months post op, so I can't say that I experienced this, but I have had kidney issues prior to surgery and my BUN and Creatinine are always a little off. Good luck!

That is great for you!! Your size is smaller, and you feel good too, right? How has your health changed since your surgery? I did it for health reasons and would not ever want to go back. Best decision I made and I'm looking forward to see my new life emerge. Congratulations!

Not the same starting weight, but have been obese all my life and this has been the best decision of my life, other than the man I married. He loves me no matter what I look like. But, I did this for health reasons and not to be skinny. I feel healthier, and my diabetes medications are no longer. I had the bypass, because I didn't want to deal with the possibility of GERD. I had some issues with it, but not any more, and mostly because I'm eating the right food. I wish you well.

I chose to go with the bypass due to the risk of GERD that I just hate. I have had no issues and I'm only 2 weeks out, never had any pain and just a bit tired following surgery but able to walk with no problems from the beginning of my new life. I must agree, I wish I did it long ago and not wait until now to have done it. I was on the verge of cancelling, but post op I have no hunger and the pounds are leaving quickly. I'm the lightest I have been in years and years and already feel better and I'm off all my diabetes medications. If you need extra support in your journey, I would recommending looking up some YouTube videos by BariNation, they have experts and experienced people with bariatiric patients and the mental part of decision making, it might be helpful. Wishing you well.

My team said walking only until six weeks post op. But as SpartanMaker stated, always get the clearance from your surgical team.

Probably a good idea to postpone your appointment. I'm skeptical as well based on the study on the web site. I would focus on your personal health and wellness and less on the physical look of your body. Your body will end up being what it is when you finally meet your goal, which you have met from your scale. Body sculpting or plastic surgery is probably the next thing you should look into but it is not necessary for a healthy and well body. Remember that it takes more than just physical beauty or thinness, it also takes a mental health well being too, so focus on your mind and realize how much you have lost, if you are healthy now and can move like never before. Obesity is a disease that never goes away with the loss of weight until you deal with the loss in your mind, and look in the mirror and see someone who is healthy. This is just my personal point of view, but then again I don't care what others think about my body, it is my mind and quick wit that people enjoy about me. I didn't lose me, I only lost weight and don't care that I have some sagging skin or dimples here and there. My beauty is on the inside, right? You might also have a body image issue and might need to talk to someone about it. Having Lymph edema is different than lipo edema, one has compression to assist with the circulation of the body, the other is fat fat cells. You are saying you have fat fat cells, but you have compression devices, which is confusing. Which do you have? Problems with your lymph in your lower legs, or fat cells that have swelling?

Great job, keep up the good work you are doing for you!!!

Weight will fluctuate but should not be that big of a difference, I would toss the scale you have and try another one. But then again, I don't weigh myself very often, I wait for my post-op weigh-ins because it is the same scale, same place, same lack of dust, etc. If your scale is on wood one day and carpet on another day you will see a different weight too. On the first floor or the 7th floor, it can make a difference, and don't forget with vs. without clothes. These are typical differences. My scale is about 10 pounds off from my doctors office. Remember that there are NSV (non-scale victories) that you should be focused on too, like the size of your clothes, how well you walk now than before, if you measured your waist, thighs, arms and the rest, are they going down in numbers? Celebrate the 43 pounds that you did lose and look for your win that you did have. You should remember that your body is different than others, and your wins will be different than others as well. I know you have other wins you can share from this last week post surgery. Mind work is just as important as physical work.

Hi Tanneshia, I would contact your team and ask about the pain. You said that the tests were normal, are you eating small bites? Are you chewing 30 times before swallowing? Are you waiting to drink both before and after meals by 30 minutes? I am not an expert on detox or cleansing, but that is not something I would consider being only 6 months post op, you are still healing. What does your physician say it could be?

Wishing you a smooth, easy and minimal pain surgery on the 26th Henriette. Mine was on the 12th and had no pain after, still don't believe they did anything, other than my lack of appetite, and desire for liquids. Keep your fluids going, and remember protein is most important. You got this, we go this, we all got this with each other to support each other. Go Team!!

I strongly suggest you see a fertility doctor and have both you and your partner checked so you know where the problem is. That doctor could prescribe medications that may help you get pregnant. I have tried, and never had children unfortunately, but I have adopted. Having your own is very meaningful, and very different than adopting but I love my kids so much. I know the feeling, after trying and even trying IVF for several cycles, it never came to fruition for me. Don't give up, don't get frustrated. When it is right, it is right, and if you are overly critical about things, emotions do affect the ability to conceive. I wish you the best.

Awesome, my surgery was on the 12th of May and I'm doing great too. Not too much pain, I'm on a liquid diet, but it is full liquid, so no real food for me yet, just drinks. So far I have not had Nausea or vomiting either. I'm still swollen, so I'm not stepping on the scale for a while. I'm doing a lot of walking, and resting, and drinking plenty of fluids to stay healthy as possible. I am surprised how little pain I have had, just achy but no cramps or sharp pain at all. Glad to have BariNation on my side, they are an online support group that I pay to be a member of, and love the support of my online friends, and those that I keep in contact with by phone, and someday will meet. They have nutritionists and social workers, and Bariatric Pal is one of their co-sponsors, which is nice. Might want to check them out. Glad you are doing well, keep up the great work, and don't look at the weight, do other measures. Hope you took lots of pictures of you before, you won't regret that!!

Thanks for the information. I'm a Gym Rat, but my surgeon told me I had to wait 6 weeks before I go back to swimming and cycling, and I have a personal trainer working with me on strength training so I lift weights well. I'm getting in over 80 grams of protein with my protein water and doing a lot of walking and only 3 days post op now. It has been a wild ride so far, and the surgeon called me last night to see how I was doing and checking my glucose numbers and pain...that was a shocker, who does that? My surgeon does!! He is a people person, that's way cool! Anyway, thanks again for your support, and everyone's support. I'm starting my new life happy.