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Sleeve recovery was easier for me. I was off 3 weeks only because I didn’t have confidence in my ability to meet my Fluid intake goals at a fast paced hospital job until week 4 started. For the bypass, I’m off 3 weeks because it’s needed. I’m still in pain. Bending hurts. Bowels aren’t regular yet. Fluid intake isn’t met yet. It definitely hurts worse and is taking way more of my energy. Weight loss so far is faster with my bypass. But I am currently in the famous week 3 stall. -25 since 5/6 🤷🏼‍♀️ But I did lose -110lbs with my sleeve so it can be done before GERD and regain. Keep up the research, I hope it helps you ❤️

I use to intermittent fast, the first time I lost a significant amount of weight I did OMAD but it lead to binge eating after a while and was hard to maintain. It helps now with the bypass that I don't feel hunger as intensely and can't physically binge anyway. I usually just do a shake and coffee. Sometimes though it's awkward, I've bee invited to brunch/breakfast and can't eat but usually I just get an egg a la carte and push it around to keep up appearances. I've never heard of the fluid thing but it would explain the extreme discomfort in the morning and virtually nothing in the afternoon lol. I will ask my doc. I'm personally not concerned. I don't mind not eating breakfast and have never been a breakfast person. I was just curious if this is a normal part of wls, i.e., restrictions going strong in the morning. Interesting perspectives tho! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have a three week liquid diet that starts 6/1. It is called a liquid diet, but I am able to have no starchy veggies as well. I've talked to friends that have used the same surgeon and had the same diet and they all admit to having lean chicken once or twice a week during pre-op. Unless you are out eating fast, fried foods for cheat meals, you should be fine.

I think we all find the way of eating that works best for us. It sounds like your body is leading you to eat like intermittent fasting (which a lot of people swear by). I eat almost every meal later than I ever did before (not as late as you though 😉) but then before when I ate was dictated by things like work. Now I breakfast around 9 because I’m not really hungry before then. I snack at 12, lunch at around 3:30 (sometimes later) & dinner around 6:30pm. If it works for you & you’re getting in your protein, other nutrients & fluids it shouldn’t be an issue what time you eat.

Thanks! To clarify, I think I meant panniculectomy which (from what I read...could have changed now) can at times be approved due to it causing back pain ext. That's great progress! I am about 10-15lbs heavier than your starting weight. I've been trying to be more active again the last month or two, but after you don't for so long it is hard getting back into walking and not exhausting yourself. Also not confident enough to do gym memberships or more public things short of us walking around where we live. Our insurance changed this year to one that isn't as good, I feel, but am hopeful if I can find an in-network option, I can move forward if decided. I messaged them today to see what info I could get on it. Thankfully, I stopped doing fast food a lot over the last few years...but that doesn't mean I don't pick up things that I binge on or that are quick to eat due to general laziness on my part and because I'm too tired after work to cook. Frozen items like pizza have been our go-to off and on weekly. As a stress eater, snacks are my downfall. Thankfully, never had acid reflux but that's good to know, something I hadn't read or seen!

You honestly are not as heavy as most when you started. same height as me. but you were only at 228lb. Those with less to loose typically dont loose super fast like those that start out at much heavier weights. I started at 317lb and i had my surgery a couple days before you and i have lost since about 40 but i was much much heavier than you. So you will loose but you wont loose a ton as quick as the heavier people. Just stick to your plan.

I really don’t mind at all, I’m the cook at home and I’ve adapted my recipes! He just gets a big bowl and I get a small one 😁 I don’t avoid pasta, rice or potatoes, but watch the fat and sugar content very closely. (Right now I’m 1.5 kg away of having lost 100% of my excess weight btw) Thankfully he doesn’t bring home or order take out/fast food, that’s a mutual decision that is working out well for both of us 😁 Re: supermarkets, I have only set foot in one twice since my surgery end of august 2021! I get my groceries delivered once a week and I absolutely love it. For me the service is money well spent, not only is food shopping a complete waste of time (imo) it is way too busy and frustrating to try to do your shopping outside of work, and everything inside the store is geared towards getting you to buy unnecessary things. It’s also really helped me disconnect from food in a way, by engaging with it less overall.

I dealt with this when I had my lap band. (I can't speak to RNY because I'm still pre op for that) but this issue was notorious with lap banders. My surgeon said it was due to normal swelling. Fluid retention. Fluid settles upwards towards the stomach when we lay down to sleep. When we wake up and move around, the fluid starts shifting. Hence as the hours pass, it becomes easier to eat solid foods. Also with lap band, a lot of ladies noticed the swelling persisted all day long during the entirety of their cycles. So a lot of female banders ended up getting IUD's (Mirena) so they didn't have periods. So now even a year after having my lap band removed, I still am not able to eat in the mornings very much. I've become a natural intermittent faster due to the band. It's interesting that you bring this up as an RNY'er because I didn't think it was an issue for anyone except Banders. But the science is the same (the fluid retention). I'm curious if more RNY'ers notice this issue that you're having as well. I hope it gets easier for you! Best wishes!

That's funny you said that because I was thinking when I get to pureed I wonder if I could handle a few buts of pureed steak. Steak is something I don't normally crave. I normally don't have red meat but every couple of months. I eat chicken,turkey, fish and pork. I am learning to eat slower. I have always been a fast eater. I found eating slowly I can enjoy my food like I did when I ate a large volume. I was eating some yogurt and I took tiny bits resting in between. It was delicious. Learning to have a different relationship with food has been an emotional journey. I have never been one to enjoy cooking. I enjoying making my own creative smoothies. I put some avocado in my smoothie for the nutrition value and sweet cherries because I love them added my protein and some fiber, almond milk and non daily yogurt. I really found it tasted like a treat. Today I will make a different one with peaches and who knows what else. Trying to develop a relationship with food that engages healthy benefits. Thinking I am eating for my health gives it a different dynamic than to fill my comfort needs or just to fill up. Though I think treating ourselves occasionally maje it less likely we will cheat as much. Oh...I have sugarfree chocolate pudding, hmmmmm what can I do with that in a smoothie.

I have had three vasovagal syncope incidents since my GBS, but all were related to needing IVs inserted for medical procedures (cataract removal and gallbladder removal). I’m a breast cancer survivor though and had this — again related to blood draws / IVs — while undergoing treatment many years ago, well before my GBS. So I am predisposed to this reaction for IVs, and my doctors (since several were involved) think the fasting (including liquids) probably contributed to my predisposition. I have low blood pressure generally. The first incident occurred during my first cataract surgery prep, where I did pass out. Following that, I alerted the following two anesthesiologists, and they put me in the head-down, feet-up posture, which helped. I’ll have to check iron levels to see if that may be affecting my reactions.

Maybe 9 months out, I felt comfortable eating out socially. Buffets, fast food, wherever. Just keep a laser focus on what will be good for you, take smaller portions, and be prepared to leave some on the plate or take it home. I once took a weekend vacation, ate out (but supplemented with healthy snacks from home), and lost 3 pounds. There will definitely be options!

Yeah, she might. I'm not sure if she ever got it checked out though. Like I said before, she fell back into some of her old habits so that's a major contributor to her stomach issues. Not sure if she had those issues before though. I wouldn't consider her a fast eater.

Oh well done - that's an amazing loss over 2 weeks. I just came to see how everyone was getting along - we're all at the 6 month stage more or less - can you believe it?! I hit 6 months on Tuesday with a BMI of just under 28, weighing 13st 7lbs, and with 29lbs to go to my goal. I'm still eating around 1000 calories a day during the week and about 1200 at weekends. Walking (really fast walking) for exercise. I'm still losing about 2lbs at week at this point and so happy with that. I'm living in fear of my hunger returning in full force now. My stomach can hold noticeably more food than even a couple of months ago, although I don't push it at all. Still eating 3 small meals a day with a couple of snacks in between, and a couple of glasses of wine on Friday and/or Saturday night. I hope everyone else is doing well too.

I’m excited to get back on my bike as well. I live in a neighborhood with a ton of hardcore cyclists so it’s a little intimidating haha Thanks for the feedback. I’m going to have to break up with this overly enthusiastic trainer until I’m 100%. Everything just happened so fast lol

Oh man. So my plan says to do 8oz protein shake throughout the day (sip it). It’s 5pm and I hadn’t started it so I drank a little fast, over 30 min. My advice? Don’t be me. Ooof, the burps. My tummy saying “too fast child, too fast!” 😳😳😳

I refuse to spend a money on clothes because I'm changing sizes so fast. Old navy and target are as expensive as I get and only on sale walmart mostly. But maybe the size thing is there too along with the extra skin and my tummy being squishier. Sent from my SM-A716U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks for all the info. I don't know yet if I will dump or not, but I'm not going to push it. At two months cherries seem ok, but I have to spit out a little of the skin (sorry..) but 9-10 is max my stomach will allow. I have had the foamies a couple times, I have a bad habit of eating too fast, but know I watch the clock and wait a minute between every two bites, that seems to help. I'm going up to Napa for my birthday in July, I hope by then my stomach will be a little less sensitive by then.

I was... but I went too fast and managed to pull one of my incisions which kept me out a bit longer. So even though you're champing at the bit, go slow. And once you're cleared, don't go crazy. It will take time to build back up.

So I have MS. My mother has MS. I started showing signs when I was 39. I went to the doctor, was spasming right in front of me, and he told me it was nothing. I told him I wanted an MRI since I spoke to my mother and she said her symptoms and a MRI are how she was diagnosed. My doctor told me he wasn't going to order needless tests just to satisfy my need for attention. I called my husband into the room and went through it again with the doctor who repeated everything. My husband literally lost his mind on the doctor. So finally the doc said "Ok, fine, if it'll shut you up, I'll order the MRI. But your insurance isn't going to be happy, and you may end up paying for it anyway since they likely won't find anything." I begged for muscle relaxers and I was told no. Fast forward to the MRI and I was spasming the whole time I was in there. Get the results a few days later and MS was confirmed. 29 lesions on my brain, 5 black holes (permanent damage to my central nervous system), 4 lesions on my neck spine, and 6 on my chest spine. Once those results were sent to the doctor, his response was "oh, good. I'm glad you got answers." I was LIVID. My husband and I reported him and he was disciplined and I got a new doctor, who I now love.

This is so incredibly sad. My heart goes out to you. The medical community often discounts patients based on their biases - if you are woman, your age (too old or too young), if you are a person of color, if you look different, if you are overweight, whatever it may be that doesn't fit their perfect mindset. At my heaviest, I started having difficulty walking without losing breath. My dad had congestive heart failure, so I freaked out and went to urgent care. The lady tried to tell me it was allergies. Allergies! My legs were swollen, which is one symptom, but that had also been happening for a very long time (previously disclosed to primary, who told me to 'put my feet up more') due in part to my blood pressure meds. Still, allergies was what I was told. No instinct to look further and consider that this was something serious, esp given family history. Fast forward to a month later, allergy meds aren't helping, and I go to my primary. I had to meet with the PA, and some random student assistant. The assistant told me I needed to exercise more. You know, when I can't breathe walking down the hallway - when I typically could do a 45 min hard workout with a trainer, even at nearly 400 lbs - I should totally be getting to the gym to deal with that not breathing thing. They then tried to tell me it was anxiety. My EKG was fine, other than a high heart rate, but they referred me to a cardiologist because of my family history. Cardiologist was appalled by everyone and the fact no one took me seriously. He did, and we quickly realized I have dilated cardiomyopathy. He got me on a great med regimen and after a few tough months, I saw rapid improvement. He was the one who really pushed me to consider WLS, though he gave me time to get there emotionally and mentally. I lost weight on my own after all this happened, but couldn't keep it off, which is why I am where I am now. Thank goodness for that man. I'd be dead without him, because no one was listening when I knew something was very wrong.

I was told as long as I was meeting my protein goals, to just eat 3x a day. If I was hungry then eat again. Otherwise, the 6 meals a day are as needed. I currently do a shake for breakfast and then eat 3 other times through the day. I average 600-700 calories a day and 70 or more grams of protein. While maintaining 70 or more oz. of fluids. With all of the drinking and the no drinks 30 min before and after eating, I don't even know how you have time to eat every 3 hours. haha I am 7 weeks out and I can drink very fast now, but in the beginning it took all day to hit my fluids and I was barely hitting the goal. Although the goals got much easier when I got back to a normal diet.

Depends on what it is. The softer stuff (eggs, ground meats, etc.) disappear fairly quickly for me. How much of an effect it has on my stomach depends on how fast, but the food is usually gone in about 10-15 minutes, depending on whether or not I'm distracted by something at the time - i.e. right here at the computer. But I still keep up the 30+ minute separation of drinks, even if a small tidbit happens to go down the wrong tube for whatever reason.

*trigger warning if you are scared about gastric bypass this is not a good post to read also it is a long * (admin if I shouldn't have posted this please delete) I debated long and hard about whether or not to talk about my dad and how he died. I never want to scare anyone and tbh his death wasn't so much because of the gastric bypass he had but rather the prejudice and malpractice of his primary care Dr and the hospital he went to for emergency care. My dad came into my life when I was 28yrs old. I didn't know I needed a dad honestly. He started dating my mom and considered me part of the package. He protected her, he protected me...no strings attached totally unconditional regardless if I wanted him to or not he was going to be there for me. Turns out even at 28 I needed a dad. He was 6ft 5", almost 500lbs, tattoos, beard, and a biker. Dad never talked a lot, he preferred actions. If he agreed with something he'd say "No doubt". If he didn't well he'd just shake his head and turn away. He had had 4 heart attacks by the time he had his gastric bypass surgery in 2009, He went down to 190ish lbs. Everything was great. He did everything he was supposed to do. Crushed his meds, no alcohol, watched his food ..he followed all the rules. Fast forward to July 2021. Dad and mom had split a few years back but he was still my dad. Around July 30th, he started having abdominal pain and couldn't go to the bathroom. He did something he hated to do.. he went to the Dr. The Dr filling in for his Dr took one look him..biker with tattoos wearing a leather jacket and on Medicare and immediately ignored him. He told dad if it was so bad go to the emergency room. So dad did. Hospital er looked at dad...biker with tattoos, wearing a leather jacket and on Medicare and assumed..drug seeker! Told him there was nothing wrong with him. They did no test and sent him home. About 2am on July 31, Dad was in horrible pain and call EMS, they weren't part of the hospital he had gone to earlier, in the ambulance they did an ultrasound on the way to their hospital. One of the paramedics picked up his cell phone and called the first number on it...my mom. They told her to meet them at the hospital, it was bad real bad. She and his biological daughter got to the hospital about the same time. Dr told them there was 3 options...1 take him into surgery immediately ..he would most likely died on the operating table 2. try to get him strong enough to have surgery he would most likely never wake up or 3 give him morphine and let him die. They chose option 3 and less than 30mins later he was gone. So what did a simple ultrasound find? Dad's large intestine had twisted so badly that while he ate, food couldn't get past the twist. Imagine making a balloon animal and twisting the balloon then keep blowing up one side.. the inevitable happened. The food side popped filling his body cavity with food and stomach acid. He didn't have to die. Had the Dr listened, they could have found it and done surgery to fix it. The hospital and the Dr, naturally, claimed no responsibility it was obviously the 12yr old gastric bypass that killed him. I wish I could say they were sued til they cried but dad's biological daughter refused. Me, I wanted their heads on a silver platter but I don't look good behind iron bars. My mom isn't very happy that I am having bariatric surgery less than a year after my dad died. She is trying to be supportive but she is scared. I often wonder what advise would he have given me. I got my insurance approval letter in the mail today and said to myself "so this is really going to happen". I swear I heard "No doubt" Sorry this was so long.

Thanks for your well wishes🙏 we all need it I think, I've been cancelled second time was due yesterday for a RNY and hiatal hernia repair, well prepared! physically mentally & emotionally, I rock up at the hospital after fasting from 6 a.m. in the morning waiting for 1:30pm in my white gown and compression socks so I can be taken in by the anaesthetist. 2.30pm comes low and behold! one of the surgeon's approach me to give me the "bad news" that it's been cancelled due to covid cases resulting in no beds so second time round shatterd with disappointment (sigh) Oh well life goes on, it is what it is, I guess everything happens for a reason.😕 Wishing you lots of luck on Thursday with your surgery hope everything goes smooth for you and speedy recoveries🙏🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️

I am 14 weeks PO and I use a small plate and the bowl that they sale in this website store, I find the bowl very helpful to measure what I am eating, I use a baby spoon and fork to try to control my bite, I just can't eat slowly (unless I have company and I am non-stop chatting) eating fast makes me feel bad but I cannot find a way to control it, I feel bad after I did it not while I am doing it. So at least I try to control the bite size.