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I'm totally late to this party :D

But I had the DS on December 17, 2014. I started out at 297 and as of today I'm 214. I'm beyond pleased with my decision. :)

Last check up I had all of my levels were PERFECT. I just take my Vitamins, exercise, and stick with high Proteins and low carbs. I eat every 3 hours and I take my time eating as well. There are a few foods that are "off the menu" for me now. Grapes are a done deal as is any fruit with a skin on it I can't peel off. I stay away from all bread but really I don't even miss it. Although I did try a cookie a month ago and it was nasty - as hell. :D

Some down sides:

When you eat the wrong things your body lets you know pretty quick. You will either have diarrhea, awful gas, or vomit.

But overall things have been awesome. I'm really blessed to have a great family and good friends who are excited for me. Whenever we go out to eat they always say "I checked out the menu for you!" It's been really nice. :)

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Day 5 and the gas, swelling, and pain in my tummy have gone down some. Feeling so much better today. Had a small bowel movement which helped. I did have to take a little something to help that along though. Still very tired and do take my pain meds as directed every 5 hours. I have had no problem eating or drinking small amounts either. So far so good. I'm very pleased to have turned the corner today with the pain and bloating issue. Very excited for the future.

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I had the Loop DS in Feb. My Surgeon was Daniel Cottam MD. I struggled with walking and still fall occasionally. I also have trouble with meat so my main source of Protein has been Protein shakes.

Edited by Jace Miller

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Have you spoken with your surgeon about these issues?

I had the Loop DS in Feb. My Surgeon was Daniel Cottam MD. I struggled with walking and still fall occasionally. I also have trouble with meat so my main source of Protein has been Protein shakes.

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Have you spoken with your surgeon about these issues?

I had the Loop DS in Feb. My Surgeon was Daniel Cottam MD. I struggled with walking and still fall occasionally. I also have trouble with meat so my main source of Protein has been Protein shakes.

Yes, And the dietician working with the bmi. They tod me it was probably because I wasn't getting enough copper which I've increased my intake of. I just meant that it's been my biggest struggle, the falling I mean. The protein they told me would probably get better over time.

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Have you spoken with your surgeon about these issues?

I had the Loop DS in Feb. My Surgeon was Daniel Cottam MD. I struggled with walking and still fall occasionally. I also have trouble with meat so my main source of Protein has been Protein shakes.

Yes, And the dietician working with the bmi. They tod me it was probably because I wasn't getting enough copper which I've increased my intake of. I just meant that it's been my biggest struggle, the falling I mean. The Protein they told me would probably get better over time.

Interesting. I take a lot of copper because I need a lot of zinc (which I poop out). So the copper balances the zinc. I hope they're keeping a close watch on your copper via your blood work. Perhaps you'd consider using a cane until things go back to normal. You don't want to be falling.

As for the protein, they're probably right. I drank 1 shake per day for the first 2 years as I couldn't eat enough. Have your tried other things than meat to supplement your protein: chicken, yogurt, fish, cheese, nuts, etc.?

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Have you spoken with your surgeon about these issues?

I had the Loop DS in Feb. My Surgeon was Daniel Cottam MD. I struggled with walking and still fall occasionally. I also have trouble with meat so my main source of Protein has been Protein shakes.

Yes, And the dietician working with the bmi. They tod me it was probably because I wasn't getting enough copper which I've increased my intake of. I just meant that it's been my biggest struggle, the falling I mean. The protein they told me would probably get better over time.

Interesting. I take a lot of copper because I need a lot of zinc (which I poop out). So the copper balances the zinc. I hope they're keeping a close watch on your copper via your blood work. Perhaps you'd consider using a cane until things go back to normal. You don't want to be falling.

As for the protein, they're probably right. I drank 1 shake per day for the first 2 years as I couldn't eat enough. Have your tried other things than meat to supplement your protein: chicken, yogurt, fish, cheese, nuts, etc.?

Actually I drink two Protein Shakes and snack on nuts daily, I did try fish and chicken, chicken when I eat it more often then once in a while leaves me feeling very bloated even in small amounts. fish just made me nauseous. I had a black bean burger the other day which went fine. cheese if I eat more then a thin slice causes some problems. Any suggestions for recipes?

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Sorry, I'm the plainest eater you'll find. Plain steak, chicken and burgers (with catsup). I've always been this way.

Regarding the cheese, perhaps lactose intolerance has kicked in. It's not uncommon (esp. for the first year). You might want to use lactaid OTC pills or try lactaid milk, cheese, etc.

If you want recipes, I'll send you a PM as to where you might find them.

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One more thing I forgot. Walking issues can be blood pressure issues. It's not uncommon to have to grab onto a wall for a while with dizziness or lightheadness. I did.

Edited by Postop

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
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    • ChunkCat

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      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
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