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Heather_8.1.14

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Posts posted by Heather_8.1.14


  1. Oy. I am 6 years post op from my first surgery, and almost 2 years out post op from my band to bypass revision and I was successfully maintaining my weight for over a year and recently the scale has gone UP 10lbs!!!

    My husband asked me if that was bad (uh hello!) I was maintaining at 147lbs and now the scale said 158lbs. It scares the life out of me seeing it go back up. I know what my issues are and I need to remind myself carbs are NOT my friend and I have to keep myself more active. I used to spend 4-5 days a week working on a farm I volunteer but I've had to scale back recently due to home issues. And sadly because I've been so stressed out I've been looking at eating as my coping skill again.

    I know what I need to do to get back on track and I am damn determined to do it, I just need a little nudge and support from those who know where I am right now.

    Thanks!!


  2. I saw my plastic surgeon a few weeks ago and we went over everything that I want to get done, and he always starts with the stomach first, then move on to other problem areas. He told me that I am an excellent candidate for the abdominoplasty (as well as the others I'd like to have done) and he told me that I can actually have it done outpatient which will save me almost $3,000.00 This plastics is also my WL surgeons husband so I trust him whole heartedly and his work is AMAZING.

    So, my question is have any of you had an outpatient procedure? What was the first 24-48 hours like? I'm going to be self pay for this since my insurance wont cover it (also why I'm only doing one procedure at a time for now) and if possible I'm going to have it done in June or July.


  3. Not in a million years!!! I had the lapband done in 2010 and in early 2014 it had slipped. I was sick for months after my 4th child was born and I didnt find out until the beginning of July my band actually slipped. I had 3 wks to decide whether I was going to have RNY when they removed my band (sleeve wasnt an option and insurance wouldnt pay for another band).

    The recovery was much harder then I anticipated but once I learned to re-read my body and got into the groove it got a lot easier. I can now slip into a sexy size 6 and I am LOVING it! I am so proud of myself and the journey I have taken to ge here.

    It might be lame but like they say, no pain, no gain (or, in our case, no loss). Good luck to you and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me!


    How did it go?? How are you feeling?

    Thank you for this positive post, I need to read that it's all worth it. Tomorrow is my surgery.


  4. Good luck to you both! The first few weeks are rough, I wont lie, but you are going to be SO happy you did this, I promise!! Follow your doc's orders and rest as much as you can after surgery. Make sure you get your liquids in and dont rush getting back to solid foods too quickly. Please keep us posted!!


  5. The best advice is everything you used to do eating habit wise, never do again lol. Pushing your fluids and keeping up with your Protein intake are two very important things (along with taking your vitamins).

    And thank you, its been a long journey for me but it was worth it. If you have any other questions feel free to send me a message :) (Love that your a Steeler fan too! Representing Pittsburgh as well!!)

    Thanks for your comment. I am 5 weeks in and I began to do exactly what you mentioned. I am trying to be more aware of my drinking (instead of gulping) and I am chewing a little better and making sure it is very fine before I swallow. I have noticed that it has gotten much better. It is strange how your body makes you learn to change your old eating habits. Is there other things I should know along this path? lol 5 years out and it looks like you are doing well.

    Thanks again -Bobby


  6. Never, EVER let anyone make you feel like you've taken the "easy way out". To this day I still dont understand how WLS (followed correctly) is considered EASY.

    Its easy for those around us who still choose not to take a stand for their own health to "nit pick" or try to bring us down. As they say, misery loves company, in which you do NOT want to be a part of. Many of those who have bad things to say are enablers and will make this epic journey for you painful.

    You've taken a stand and chose to better yourself. Does your hospital offer support groups? I highly recommend attending if they do.

    Sadly I also have many friends and family members who are constantly saying "When are you going to stop losing weight?" "Dont you think you've lost enough? You're going to disappear." Or "Do you eat?" The last one hurts more then anything, but I shrug it off and I smile. I stand proud for what I've done, the journey I've taken, and the fact that I chose to really live and enjoy life.

    You're going to do GREAT! Change isnt always easy, but when the change is good, I can promise you it is SO good and SO worth it.


  7. I had the lap band surgery 2.22.10. I lost about 68lbs with it and stopped. After two pregnancies (lost all the baby weight each time) I noticed I still wasnt able to get much more off. After my 4th child was born (my 2nd band baby) I was having many issues with my band and come to find, it had slipped. I had the band removed and revision to gastric bypass this past August. I lost almost 60lbs since then and met and exceeded my goal weight, however it was a MUCH bigger change and a very stricter life style change then with the band. I would really consider talking over the options with your surgeon.

    Good luck!


  8. Your body just went through a huuuuuge surgery and change. You'll find that some weeks/months you'll lose more then others, but right now, dont focus too much on the numbers but letting your body heal and adjust. The first 8 weeks are crucial to heal, not so much losing weight. I've noticed that also between months 4-6 you may find yourself stalling or slowing down with the loss, thats also very normal.

    You'll do great! Baby steps. I always told myself that this process is a marathon, not a sprint :)


  9. Since I normally post in the "band to bypass" thread I'll try to make a long story short lol.

    I had the lapband put in on 2.22.10

    Band was removed and bypass revision was done on 8.1.14 due to band slipping and not being able to eat solid foods for months.

    Starting weight for band was 277, starting weight for bypass was 213.

    I had my 6 month appointment on the 3rd with my surgeon in which I weighed in at 145. I told my surgeon that my personal goal was 155 and that I wanted to learn how to maintain/stop losing. She agreed that I was in a good spot and gave me some suggestions. I've been monitoring my weight for the past week and the scale always reads (no matter the time of day) 140lbs. (My scale is spot on with my surgeons). I've lost another 5lbs and its starting to concern me a little. I know that your body will eventually level out but I dont want my body to think that being under 140lbs is acceptable. I'm starting to look "sickly looking" and the "when are you going to stop losing weight" comments are getting a little much.

    Has anyone else gone through this, going much further under your goal, did it bounce back or finally stop before you disappeared?

    Trust me, I'm not trying to complain, I love slipping into a size 6 jeans (from a size 24/26) but I'd like to keep a little meat on my bones! lol.


  10. While it's true that some complications are a result of non-compliance, others such as pulmonary embolism and stroke are not. As a group, obese patients already have underlying issues that can lead to complications. The best surgeons take that into account but cannot eliminate risk entirely.

    Agreed, with every surgery there is risk for complication, but these cases are rare.


  11. I didnt read any of the other replies but you're more likely to get hit by a car then dying of this surgery complication, HOWEVER if you dont follow your surgeons instructions then honestly, it is more of a concern.

    My stepdad used to try to scare me saying one of his cousins had died from complications with her RNY surgery, my first question was "What was she eating/drinking that she wasnt." He told me she was drinking 2 2 liters of pop a day and not following the diet....well, there's your answer.

    Dont let that scare you, those who die from WLS are the ones who were looking for a quick way out but didnt truly want to change their lifestyles, they signed their own death certificates long before the surgery :(


  12. I cannot wait to start hearing that question lol. I guess its easy when you dont hear it , to like it. I guess the polite answer would be, " When my body finds the weight it wants to be at." The snarky answer would be "When you stop asking," and the rude answer would be " When you mind your own business." , But you done great so far from what I see, so maybe its a Water on a ducks back type of thing?

    Keep up the great work!

    At first I was the same way Steve, I'm usually pretty good with my answers but at times I want to say "Well when are YOU going to LOSE a few pounds?" (I dont LOL) Most days Im like the happy little duck but some days it hurts. I'm happy and healthy so thats all that matters :)


  13. "When are you going to stop losing weight?"

    I don't know, when are you going to stop asking?

    "You're getting too skinny!"

    If you're implying I have an eating disorder, I don't.

    I'm SO happy with my progress, being healthy and smaller feels amazing, but I'm getting frustrated with the constant questions and comments about how I look now. I understand that I've never been skinny therefore its almost foreign to others how I look now, but sometimes I cant handle it. Why is it easier to make these comments now that I'm thinner but NO ONE ever asked me if I planned to lose a few pounds when I was morbidly obese. I can see now why a lot of thin people can have so many body image issues.

    I'm happy slipping on my size 8 jeans. I'll take these over a cheeseburger from McDonalds ANY DAY!


  14. Hey! Nice to see ya on the boards. My weight loss was actually pretty fast. I lost 45lbs in about 2 months. I'm about a week from being 6 months out and I've lost a total of 67lbs. I haven't lost any weight in about a month now so I think my body has finally hit its "sweet spot". When do you see your surgeon again next? I see mine next week to discuss what happens now and other things on my to do list :)


  15. I cant even imagine the stress you've gone through with 2 failed bands. At first I was truly afraid it was something I had done but after re-assurance from my surgeon I knew I wasnt alone and it wasnt anything I had done.

    Are you still on a liquid diet? Push your fluids as much as you can! I know its easier said then done, thats still one of my flaws, but dehydration is the worst. For me, sometimes its easier if I grab one of my kids smaller cups, fill it up and just drink a cup every hour. Looking at a giant 64oz bottle of Water is tough, but when you're almost doing "shots" of Water its easier to get all of it in for the day.

    Good luck and please keep in touch!!! :)

    Today I am 1 week out on a revision after 2 failed lap bands. My journey started in 2008 with my first band placed in March 2009 and slipped December that year. This past April I had another slip and had to have it removed. I had a few more surgeries in between in joint replacements but finally got my by pass last week. I have been dealing with nausea and had to make a trip into ER for IV fluids. All is well so far and I am looking forward to finally making progress on permanent weight loss without all hassle that comes with the band.

    Thank you so much for your post, it came at just the right time to know that I have made the best decision possible and that I too will be successful. Congratulations on your achievement, that is a wonderful gift.


  16. If you told me in August that I would be where I am now I wouldnt have believed you. If you told me not only would I have reached my goal but dropped a few more pounds I would have said its not possible. The choice to have my "malfunctioned" band removed and converted to RNY was not an easy one, and it was a decision I had to make quickly, but it was by far the best decision I've ever made (aside from having WLS in general).

    This coming Feb (the 22nd) it will be 5 years since I had my original WLS, it may have taken me a little longer (and two beautiful boys in between) to reach my goal, but it was worth it. The pain, the tears, the sacrifices I've made, all for the best.

    6 years ago my doctors told me that if I didnt change my lifestyles I would suffer a heart attack before my 30th birthday, and I needed to do something. I turned 30 this past October and I'm the healthiest I've been in so long. To hear how proud my doctor was and to hear that I was the "poster child for weight loss surgery" filled me with so much joy.

    I look so forward to the new year and for every year after.

    Happy Holidays to all of you! I wish you all the best of luck, and to the happiest, healthiest years of our lives!!

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