loridee11

Well, I've officially scheduled an extended arm lift as well as breast lift with replacement of my implants (going down from DD to C) at the end of July. This is likely step 1 as at some point I think I'll want a tummy tuck and maybe thigh lift, but my arms bug me the most, and my chest just feels out of sync with the rest of my body now that I'm down (not to mention they have a TON of extra skin). Very excited but also very nervous! For those that had these surgeries, recommendations? I know I'll need a couple good garments that cover me from elbow to waist but open to additional feedback too! Lori

Agree with others - check with your doctor as it could be a number of issues. I had them so bad my foot would curl under itself. Added a magnesium supplement and drink an electrolyte drink a couple times a week and am much better.

Good luck! I am sure it will make a huge difference in how you feel even if the inches don't change.

Surgery is next Friday. I'm excited and nervous... I'm trying to get ready around the house and my to do list is below. Anything I'm missing? - Nurse will be with me for the first 24 hours - Meal prep for 1+ weeks following surgery - Clean house (including new sheets on bed) - Dog walker booked - Meds picked up and put within easy reach - Everyday items put out on counters so I don't need to reach (in bathroom and kitchen) - Garment and scar tape ordered

Hmmm, I can order for the ribcage, but would have no idea how to adjust the arms I guess I'll order and if it doesn't' fit send it back.

For the arm compression garments, it looks like it is sized based on your ribcage, not your arm diameter. Am I seeing that right? Did you have any issue with it being too tight or too loose?

I had RNY on 12/31/2019. Since then I've lost over half my body weight. I've focused on exercise and building strength and stamina. And in June, I went to Tanzania where I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on June 24th. I truly believe the surgery made this possible. I just wanted to share with others who may understand. Next up is plastics and then I need to figure out my next big challenge. Any suggestions? Lori

Hi Tek, The hike itself was pretty amazing. I did an 8 day Lemosha route - the longer route allowed for greater acclimatization to the altitude which caps out around 19,500 ft on Summit day. Most days we hiked between 5-8 miles with lots of elevation gain --- hike high and sleep low. You pass through 5 different climate zones, from cloud forest to artic, so each day looked a little different. You are camping, so tent sleeping in mummy bags the whole trip which was it's own challenge. Summit day was definitely the hardest. They like to have you hike it at night, so they woke us up at midnight to eat a little something (you are already at 15,500 ft so not much of an appetite) then start hike around 1:30 am. It's cold --- I think when we went it was around 15 F and windy as you get higher. It's only a little over 3 miles, but due to the steep climb and elevation, we didn't reach the summit until around 8 AM and we were a pretty fast group. The sunrise on the mountain was just beautiful (see pic). Once you reach summit you stay just long enough to get pics, then they hurry you as they don't want you at that elevation for too long. The climb down was really hard --- you are already tired and it's steep and hard on the joints even with hiking poles. Once you hit base camp, you rest then hike down further. I think we did another 6 miles and stayed at high camp that day. Last day was about 7 miles down which was again pretty hard on the joints, but at that point you just want a shower and a bed so it's not too hard to push yourself. I was fortunate to be able to stay in Tanzania and do some safari's and go to Zanzibar to relax on the beach for a few days before coming home. Definitely a once in a lifetime trip. In terms of training, I did lots of local hikes, but I'm in Northern California so while I could do distance (10+ miles) elevation was hard. So in addition I joined a gym about 4 months before the hike and started taking weight training type classes and yoga classes to build strength and stamina. Then after the hour class I would do an hour on the treadmill at a 12-15 incline. I feel like I was in pretty solid shape for the hike.

I liked protein shakes at that stage. Premier was a favorite, although I also liked to mixed unflavored protein in my coffee or make a green smoothie. My favorite is spinach, blueberry and pineapple with unflavored protein and collagen. I am also a fan of Oikos triple zero greek yogurt. Depending on where you are with healing, you may consider adding a little granola. In fact, those two plus eggs are still pretty much what I have for breakfast even now.

Thank you so much for all the great advice! I live alone so I am worried about trying to do much. I'm trying to find someone to stay for the first couple days, and my plan is to have at least a week worth of meals cooked and in the fridge. I'll also have someone come in to walk the dog for the first week or two (fortunately I have a backyard so it's just for exercise). I will move a small step stool into the kitchen and invest in a shower stool ( and probably use dry shampoo for the first couple of days at least). And yes, I'll share pictures when I get closer

Hi whispers, I lost most of my weight with band (333 to 183) but then I gained it all back. When I started my weight loss pre- RNY I was back at 333. I'm now down around 160 and I lost it over a little over a year. What made bypass better for me: Food doesn't get stuck. I don't throw up. I don't have acid reflux (well, much. I'm one of the unfortunate ones that still has some). At 2+ years out I eat a "normal" amount --- normal for normal weight people, not my pre-surgery normal. That can be good or bad as if I eat the wrong things I will get too many calories. But it is better than with band. With band, if I was retaining water, or on my period I may only be able to eat a bite or two some days. Other days it felt like I could eat anything. For what it's worth, I also really embraced exercise and walk almost every day, hike multiple days a week, and hit the gym a few times a week now that they are open again.

This week I'm going to make: - Chicken Pot pie - minus the pie --- so kind of a chicken stew. The one I like has Thyme and Dijon as the base flavors. - Vegetable au gratin: It's cauliflower, broccoli, leek and chicken dinner sausage in a Sour cream (I replace 1/2 with greek yogurt and use lower fat versions) and cheese sauce. - Thai chicken salad for lunch's.

Hi All, I know oral NSAIDS are not permitted. Does anyone know about Topical NSAID? I injured my back yesterday and the Urgent Care doc prescribed one and I can't find a clear answer online. I'll check with my surgeons office tomorrow but would like to use it today. thanks for sharing! Lori

One thing I try to be really conscious of is avoiding "dieting". I believe fad diets, eating too little, etc... can destroy your metabolism and I think that was part of my problem pre-surgery. Years of yo-yo diets meant my metabolism (aka Calories Out) was destroyed. I am really trying to not do that this time around. I did have a little weight gain over the holidays and am trying to eat around 1700 a day with working out and the little I gained is slowly coming off in what I hope is a healthy way.

Thanks all! I used the topical NSAID for a week and it greatly helped with my back pain. I am slowly nursing my back back to health. First week I walked (first couple days I couldn't even go 1/2 a mile, but eventually got back up to my regular 2). This week, I have been swimming and also using the stair machine/treadmill on an incline (training for Kilimanjaro). Next week I'm going to attempt some yoga again and hope by end of week 3 I'll be back to full strength and can add some weights back in. It's odd for me to say, but 2+ years out from surgery, I am itching to get back to working out. Pre-surgery the back injury would be an excuse to stop working out and just eat too much. Still not perfect, but its amazing to come so far in both physical and mental ways.

I did band to bypass (band out about 5 months before my bypass). Bypass is SO much better than band. Although I did very well with the band originally, it got to where I'd wake up choking on stomach acid even when I was mostly unfilled. For the bypass I was fortunate to have a very easy recovery. I followed my Surgeons orders exactly, especially in the first couple of months. Drink as much water as you can (I found if I sipped everytime someone on TV or around me did or at all commercial breaks it helped in the early days). I also did lots of premier protein shakes (and still do green smoothies with protein for breakfast quite often) Once healed and on "normal" diet I found meal prep was key. I don't like to eat a piece of meat and veggies, but I do well with casseroles or stews, so I'd find and make healthy meals, portion them out in microwaveable bowls. I'd do 2 or 3 different meals each week (freeze extras if needed) then I just have to grab and heat and I got the right amount and good macro's.

I have recently had issues with my shoulder, seemingly out of nowhere - not sure if it's weight loss related or just hitting the age when things start to fall apart 🤣 I've been seeing a physical therapist, but Yoga is what has helped the most.

I have two bucket list items planned for this year: 1) I am going to Galapagos in Feb. It's a fairly active tour with snorkeling, hiking and kayaking. 2) I am going to climb Kilimanjaro, then do an animal safari, and then go to Zanzibar and scuba in Jun/July. I am hiking and exercising to get ready for this as it's going to be an immense physical and mental challenge but I am SO excited!

I agree this is pretty common. I actually think I had it before surgery --- I didn't realize I was as big as I was. Looking back on pictures now (there aren't a lot of them) I'm surprised how big I was. Having lost over 170 lbs, I still feel like the biggest person in the room a lot. I know I am not in my head --- at 5'10 and wearing small tops and size 10 pants I'm probably thinner than most, but I just don't see it. I'm not sure if eventually my brain will catch up or I'll have this issue ongoing...

As we head into 2022, someone else started a thread on refocusing. To help with that I thought it would be great if we can share some recipes we all love that are healthy I'll start. 1) I do ground chicken taco's a lot! Easy make ahead that reheats well. 1 onion, diced 1 can green chilies 1 lb ground chicken 1 package taco seasoning 1/2 C chicken broth instead of water in the taco meat Flour tortilla - I get the fajita size. You could leave this out and put the mixture on a salad mix and it's delicious! Pico to top 2) Another one I do is a cold Thai Chicken salad like this one (https://pinchofyum.com/chopped-thai-chicken-salad#tasty-recipes-38805-jump-target). I buy pre-packaged slaw veggies (no dressing) to replace the cabbage/carrots, and I leave out the serrano's and blend the frozen mango into the dressing rather than having it mixed in. I also leave the sugar out of the dressing as I don't think it needs it. A little higher in fat with the sesame oil and peanut butter, but I eat about 2/3 of a serving and am stuffed and I keep it in the fridge in individual servings for up to a week.

Refocus is a great word! I'm 2 years out today and remain at goal (down from high of 336 to 160ish...). I've been eating more processed carbs than I want and need to refocus before I see a creep up in my weight. My goal is protein first, lots of veggies, and natural carbs including grains, veggies, fruits, etc... ~Lori

Me too! I'm only 20 months out but could really use some connection and support. I can feel myself going offtrack with diet and exercise and would love to get back into control before I regain. Heighest weight: 333 Surgery weight: 292 Current weight: Around 160 --- a few lbs in either direction

I had my band removed in August, and surgery in Dec of 2019. My surgeon had a weight loss requirement, so I had to lose weight in that time period. As others said, I began to eat my post surgery long term diet during that time and was able to lose weight. For my surgeon that looked like: - 3 meals, no snacks - 100 G of protein a day - Vegetables - Moderate carbs (between 100-150), avoiding processed carbs

Thank you so much for posting. I'm 20 months out and am falling in the category of bringing the 3 C's back and I've stopped exercising beyond walking this last month. I haven't regained weight yet, but I know if I don't get on top of it I will. Sadly, I don't have a support group for my diet -- I have friends I've been exercising with but we all fell off the wagon at the same time I appreciate any support and ideas from this group as I really, really want to be healthy. I don't want food to rule my life either in a free for all or too strict way.

I am just over 18 months post RNY surgery and am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity for this tool, and glad I made the decision to do it. Even with everything going on in the world today, I am feelling happier and healthier than I have in a long time. I am 5'10, just turned 43 year old women (41 at time of surgery). Highest weight was 334, day of surgery 292, today I am maintaining right around 160. So many non scale victories, but a few of my favorites: - I have a ton more energy. I used to fall asleep on the couch after work most nights, and weekends I did errands and chores and rarely had the energy for much else. Now, I use my evenings to chores and save my weekends for hiking or other fun activities. - My knees and ankles don't hurt. Before, just walking around the block meant pain, and my knees ached everyday (arthritis). Now, I walk between 1.5-2 miles almost every day and rarely have any pain. I can even do yoga poses like child's pose as I'm gaining flexibility back. - I am out enjoying life more. I have always loved hike, but even when my weight wasn't as high I had a hard time as I was out of shape. Now, I hike most weekends, going 10+ miles and 2K elevation gain without a problem. Last weekend, at the top of a pretty steep hill my heart rate was still below 100! As the world reopens I feel more comfortable going to restaurant's (chairs are so much more comfortable!) and I'm sure other activities will be easier too. - I started a new job in April, and hadn't met anyone in person. We had lunch the other day and I wasn't self conscious and worried that they'd be judging me for my weight. - I can fit into cute and stylish clothes. I'm still figuring out what works on my new body, but I can go into little shops and they actually have things that fit! I'm generally a S top and 8-10 in bottoms. I do have some work to do to clean up my diet. I've slipped a little in the last couple of months and need to get back to eating healthier before it starts impacting my progress. My goal is to not have to hyper focus on food and do regular meal planning with healthy foods and just eat until I am full. Hopefully, coupled with exercise that will help me maintain. Thanks for letting me share. Lori