oldoneyoungagain

Ice cream caused me to dump a few weeks ago, but that Chunky Monkey was darn good. Haven't tried the potatoes, rice, bread, as I had broken that habit with the band. Did have major dumping though, for years, prior to the bypass. Finally related it to salads, yet I love them. Didn't seem to have problems with any other high fiber food though. Now with the bypass it is like I have to use a fiber supplement because of constipation. Not allowed to eat salad yet nor any other high fiber food, but won't be surprised if I don't have the issue again, at least it will be getting me off the stool softner or the fiber supplement. I am also still having issues with Fluid and food, if I eat not thirsty. If I drink, I'm not hungry. Vicious cycle. Hopefully I will get to a happy medium in a few months and my body will adjust.

When I first had weight loss surgery (band) and couldn't eat, my husband (then alive and has since died)felt so guilty that he didn't want to eat in front of me. I appreciated his thoughtfulness, but he didn't have to diet, I did, and I told him that it was fine, that I understood but he didn't have to do that. I had this surgery for myself, to live longer and to be with him. The down side he died within 1 1/2 years after that surgery. I will always be gratful for his feelings and the fact that I didn't lose sight why I had to have this surgery and why I wanted this surgery. I took responsibility for my decision, owned up to it, and never held him accountable. If he seen me today with the bypass, and how much more weight I have lost, I know how proud he would be. I am sure he is giving me a high five from above, right now, and if he could he would be telling me how beautiful I am. Life is short, even if you live to 100. Always be gratful for the seconds you have with a loved one.

They use air to fill the gavity when doing surgery and it depends on how much they have to use. This travels up to the left shoulder as there is (what you might consider empty space)thus the pain. This eventually gets absorbed but walking definitely helps, and yes the recliner does to. Remember there is gravity, so if you are upright it will travel down, if you are reclined it is going to pretty much stay down. Passing gas or bleching also help. I have had both lapband and bypass, and for the first couple of weeks I slept in my recliner for just that reason. I was off pain meds within three to four days, also used gas x with the band, didn't have to with the bypass.

SoccerMomma73 you brought a smile to my face when you wrote "all sweet young whipper snappers that I adore", and I'm thinking to myself those 20 or 30 something's read this they wouldn't know what a whipper snapper is. I know you have read a lot of my post, or can even look at my age, but I am like you. As we grow older, we become wiser, more self confident as we have assessed what we want to gain from life and what we will settle for. We have found our path, our place in life and have become more settled. Thus my sign in name old one young again. People don't believe my age, to me I look my age, but everyone thinks I'm a lot younger. Once I got WLS, I got more energy and felt the age everyone thought I was and I love every minute. So I'm like you I wouldn't change my age for a minute, because it really doesn't matter as it is only a number on a piece of paper. Keep posting enjoy readings what you have to say. Also to another post you made, I think "needy" goes with that gender;>). Just saying.

I'm 71 and now have bat wings and of course very loose tummy muscles. Toning up these are not probably an option even though I can try. Surgery could be a possibility as my surgeon also does tummy tucks but does not do bat wings. Since I like new clothes I can cover the bat wings, and buy spanx for the other. My main goal was to increase my life span, as in 2009 they said it would be a matter of time (apx 5 years) before I threw a pulmonary embolism. I had to give my lungs and heart more room so I had to lose all the weight I had gained (100 lbs). So I actually am of the age spanx are cheap, Zulily has cheap blouses and for the cost of the surgery, I can have a new wardrobe for a few years. Even though I have another 36 lbs to lose, there isn't a day go by that I don't get at least compliment at how I look. The rewards are great and the best is HEALTH.

Stress is one of the contributing factors to elevated blood sugars. So with surgery you are definitely going through a lot of stress or lets say the body is. I've been a type II diabetic since 1995 and had gastric bypass. Before bypass, during the day, I could pretty much control my levels, come bedtime they would jump to over 200 upon waking. So had to go on Lantus along with regular insulin (quick acting). Well, my body is now calming down and I have gone from 125-150 units of insulin daily to less than 110 units in three days. Still not free but surgery has helped it. They say as I continue losing weight I should be coming off the insulin. I'm taking a wait and see attitude. Have only 36 lbs to go. (Also if I would excerise like I should I probably would even be using less insulin than what I am now, or probably none at all).

No, I won't have a problem answering questions. You won't believe this but when I first moved to KCK I lived in the Turner area so quite familiar with the Muncie. I just moved to Missouri, from KCK, when I remarried in 2000. But lost hubby in 2011 to bladder cancer. He went through the lapband with me in 2010 and he would be totally proud today to see me. Even though I have 36 lbs to go (for the doctors) about 50 lbs for me (hopefully) I come to work and get complimented daily. I understand the nervousness this is something new, but all will be be okay. My concern was pain afterwards, but since I didn't fill the pain script after having the band out, the doctor smiled at me and basically "that is what pain medication is for". The only thing I used the pain medication for (and I was on a pain pump) was to put myself back to sleep every two hours. Once I started walking felt a whole lot better. Had surgery on 9/11/13 and was ready to go back to work the following Monday. But that is me. I have never taken off more than two weeks for any of my surgeries and all have been major. I have a high pain tolerance, and surgery pain doesn't bother me for some reason. The gall bladder attack I had years ago, was different, that was painful. The surgery taking it out was nothing. So ask away, I'll help anyway that I can.

I think you are doing fantastic. Yes, we are still tired and will be for awhile. You're 57, I'm 71 and we definitely don't jump back from major surgery like we would have in our 20's, but with age we learn patience so we will get there. Exercise, sounds like you are doing what needs to be done and bowling is definitely exercise even though it is fun, anyway I think so. Keep up the good work and I always say hind sight is always better than foresight. But thanks to God he did give us the sight to get it done. Quite obvious he didn't want us just yet. Good luck on your journey, you are going to make it.

No horror story here, but my heart goes out to those that have had complications from the band. I too was banded in 2010 and didn't have any problems, lost 40 lbs. and feeling 100% better than I had in fifteen years. On to 2013... Then I, because of the lack of caring at the clinic that put in the band, ended up switching doctors and his first response was "when did they fluroscope you last"? My response "day of surgery". Onward to the scope, one week later endoscopy, two weeks later band out. It had slipped. Had I not switched doctors, and the lack of any problems, by the time I probably would have noticed any problem I would have been hospitalized due to an errosion and infection. Did I love my band, you bet. I went into a grieving mode when it came out, lost an additional 7 lbs, but had to accept it was no longer for me. Ended up having RnY as it has a better remission rate for diabetics but I was given a choice of either the sleeve or RnY. The band for me, was a start on a journey to a healthier me and I'll always be grateful.

Before surgery I was the "old one" after surgery I became "young again", actually my name is Chari and I'm 71 going on 39. LOL. Then it could be I'm going through my second childhood that is why I feel so young. LOL

Totally agree the forum is somewhat dead. Hopefully more will come back once they get use to the site and the bugs are worked out. Since I work nights I like using the site as a support group and rather missing the post. I'm hanging in there though, Alex hasn't let us down in the past, so I have faith things will get better.

I am still around, and read the post, and agree with all of you. Just don't care for this site as much as the other. Hanging in there though to see how it works. The one thing I don't care for, is once you log in, you can go out to the other sites and see what they are saying, which I really don't care what they say, but I can invision some arguements brewing. Just going to take a wait and see attitude.

Love your story made me chuckle. Doesn't it make you feel super? I know I love the new me and I haven't reached goal yet.

Can tolerate pretty much anything that I have tried including bacon, ice cream. The two big no no's. Fat and sugar, it is in moderation and I mean moderation. Also had hard bread and was able to tolerate that. Had surgery 9/11/13. Now with all that said, I'm going to have to stay away from those, that was the issue that got me to the point of being overweight. So going to have to slap my hands when I reach for those particular things.

I actually started on Biotin in May of this year when I knew the band would have to come out. I am noticing some hair loss from that surgery, but also see a lot of new growth. Now I'm only two months out the 11th from bypass, so will see what December brings. I also use a very special shampoo and conditioner and if need be minoxidil liquid to put on the scalp, which came with the shampoo and conditioner, which is suppose to help. I do know that some blood pressure medications have minoxidil in them because of facial growth and the doctor I worked for actually teased me about growing a mustache, I didn't but did develop facial peach fuzz.

The infusions are even worse. I had a patient who had to have them and they took four hours and hurt. The doctor finally told her to discuss with her surgeon to have the bypass revised.

Didn't have much of a problem with the pre-op diet and actually don't mind the shakes. But was looking forward to eating actual food after bypass. Had my two month post op appointment yesterday, have 38 lbs to lose and I'm to continue with protein and water, no carbs, no veggies, no fruit. UCK. Thanksgiving I'll only be able to have meat. This is really a challange. About the only thing I can say positive I don't mind the different flavor of shakes I make, but I'm not going to ever crave shakes again in my lifetime, once this is over.

So that is ruled out. Don't see how it could be the pouch as it is actually located below the left breast, but definitely wouldn't rule it out. Pain is strange and radiates to different parts of the body. It could be what One Day At A Time says she has and that would be worth a try to see if it works. The only other thing that is close to the area you describe is the liver and pancreas. Just hope they find an answer for you. Good luck.

Yes, I had to go through another three months hoop jumping before they would do bypass, even though they approved to have the band out. But somewhat happy it was done this way, because of the complications from scar tissue caused by the band. I'm sorry you had to go through this, I was informed prior to having my band out, so started jumping through the hoops so ended up only waiting ten weeks. Haven't had a single problem, yet. It will be 2 months the 11th since surgery. By the way I'm not under the Federal Program, but close, Medicare.

I actually lost weight when my band was removed, dropped 7 lbs in ten weeks. Just stayed eating what I ate when I had the band. It can be done, and I was afraid that I would gain, but continued like I still had the band and was taught to eat with it. But I might add I was at a stall with the band for over a year not losing anything. Since bypass have dropped a total of 25 lbs since surgery. You are going to love your journey.

Do you have your gall bladder?

Just seen my surgeon today for a two month follow-up (not quite 11/11/13) down 25 lbs. Starting weight in May was 218 in August it was 212, surgery day (9/11/13) 211. But the surgeon told me today that it is slower for people who don't have as much weight to lose. Doctors all want me at 160 and todays weight is 187, but I want 140. So we'll see how long this takes. As long as it comes off, and no problems, I'm happy.

My doctor wouldn't even consider removing the band and doing the bypass. So had the band removed, and ten weeks later had the bypass. Never had to have pain meds (even though I had a script) when the band was removed on a Thursday, went to work the following Tuesday. Then when I had bypass on a Wednesday only took pain meds until Sunday and was ready to go back to work on Monday (but had to get a doctor release) so stayed out for two weeks. Your doctor did the right thing, let the stomach heal, this way you probably won't have any leaks because the staples will hold. Where as, they couldn't have torn away from weakened area of the stomach and you would have complications. God works in mysterious ways and when he is in your life you are in good hands. Very sorry you have to wait but think it is the right thing.

I actually had one with the band, it was small, but he repaired it then. I actually only had four holes with that, five when they took the band out and another five with the by-pass. Actually, didn't know any difference other than I haven't had heartburn since. Which I totally like.