Hi everyone. I'm Bella and I'm starting this thread for those of us having our surgery December 2014.

How is everyone doing? Tell a little bit about yourself and how your surgery went, or if it's coming up still.

Let's keep in touch as we progress throughout the next phase.

A great way to kick in the new year!!

My surgery was December 4th and although I had some rough moments all in all I had no complications.

I had this surgery because of back pain issues and I was already on pain meds so that part was harder for me, I had a lot more pain that usual.

My stats are 5'6, sw 240, cw 224, age 34. 2 kids, single, have been overweight since my first pregnancy.

I am about 12 days or so out and went out for the first time today. Felt like a baby calf learning to walk. My incisions are healing up nicely!

I have been eating some protein shakes, yogurt, tea, crystal light, and strained soups. The mental need to eat has been a little rough but it seems to be going away somewhat. I find it hard to be around food or see someone eating. My biggest craving has been for a sandwich! Today I had decaf coffee and it was Wonderful.

My goals this year are to get to goal weight, start working out again, and get off pain meds.

Introduce yourself!!

Edited December 15, 201411 yr by bellabloom

It's the incision on my left side. The doctors said it was the one that they used most so it gonna be sore. Also it is pretty big compared to the others. I also use those shakes but holy cow they are getting alittle thick!! I can take 1 for sure per day but the second causes me trouble.

Yeah I only use one because it's 30g of Protein itself. I then try to get the other protein with Greek yogurt, eggs, and canned tuna or salmon. I don't use the canned, but the foil packs. You don't have to strain them. I only get one egg in, which weighs 1.5oz. I get 1-2oz of tuna later in day. Those have decent protein.

I feel my two incision pain points later in the day as if I've been working them too hard and need to rest. I start the day off pain free.

How about you? Is it constant or comes up later in day?

@KittyKatt. I am now almost 14 weeks post op. I also had my heart set on the sleeve until I learned that bypass would likely cure my uncontrollable Gerd and the sleeve could make those symptoms much worse.

I have not had to take any reflux medicine since 30 days out and the best part, I don't get reflux or even heartburn any longer! I even made homemade stuffed peppers, stuffed with ground beef on wed. I was able to eat a very tiny portion and even the green pepper! No heartburn or Gerd!

Woot woot! That dish used to cause me to be up all night long with reflux.

Once you get through recovery, you are going to be so glad you did this!

It comes n goes. For the most part its a sharp pain when I move from one position to another. When I try to eat i can only get about 1 - 1 1/2 tablespoons. After that I'll start hurting a bit. This is a little much for me but I knew what I was getting into!!

@@Djmohr omg thats great! Is it normal that im as excited for u? Lol im so looking forward to doing this. Others comments about major hairloss and dehydration along with dumping kind of gets to me often but I know in the long run it will pay off. Did u experience any dumping? Oh and those stuffed peppers sounds so good right about now..sadly I cant have that because of my gerds =(

@@Djmohr wow look at that..I even have restrictions without the wls. Not being able to enjoy those mouthwatering dishes. I take one bite of a turkey & avacado from togos and it kills me all day with my acid levels. Guesa it contains oil vinegar and lemon with the avacados. Guess having the ryn will be much easier and better.

Hi All! Question for you... I had my bypass of 12/15 and I have lost 14 pounds so far but the strangest thing is that my jeans are still snug around my belly? Anyone else have this issue?

My belly hasn't budged much either, but other places have. I'm sure the healing process may cause some inflammation in the area as well as we can't work out that area much now. I'm sure when we're cleared to workout more the belly will begin to go.

Mine was 12/9.

Hello Everyone, I'm Leanora and I had my surgery on 12/15. Everything went great and I was home the next day after my surgery! While I was in the hospital I didn't have much pain, but when I got home it really started to bother me, but now I only have pain in the middle of the night! My highest weight was 443, my day of surgery weight 382, and my current weight is 372. I'm glad I found this post because I am dealing with the same things as everyone else and don't feel so alone.

Hi All! Question for you... I had my bypass of 12/15 and I have lost 14 pounds so far but the strangest thing is that my jeans are still snug around my belly? Anyone else have this issue?

Mine was like that too and then suddenly huge difference. Your still bloated

@@kittykat,

I have not experienced any dumping. I sometimes with get pain in my chest if I eat too fast or nauseous if my pouch does not like a particular food. I can tell usually with a bite or two if that is going to happen and then I stop wait til it passes and get something else a bit later. I will tell you the first couple weeks of eating regular food (still high protein, low/no carbs, low fat) that are a bit tougher because you really have to learn how to eat all over again. Sometimes you go to fast or don't chew well enough you can get some discomfort. That usually happens when you are not paying enough attention. I never over eat, I measure everything at home so when we do go out I have a pretty good idea of the portion size I can tolerate.

You will have to keep us posted on your surgery date and recovery.

@@kittykat

But the way, I don't eat dessert any more at all. My taste buds simply do not like sweets. That was a huge win because I definately had a huge sweet tooth.

I have tried a bite of my hubby's just to see and the sugar tastes horrible to me.

Every Christmas we have a tradition that has been passed down for many generations. We have Strawberry Schaum Torte. I now make it because everyone else on my husbands side of the family who knew how has passed on. I am now teaching my granddaughter how to make it and it is her very favorite dessert. She waits all year for a piece. Anyway, it has a lot of sugar in it. I was so very proud of myself that I did not even taste nor did I want to and I did not even miss it. I would rather have some nuts or cheese.

Hello, shiela here...just had surgery on the 22nd. GNY. Doing pretty good over all. The pain is better. Like all of you trying to figure out how to stay hydrated is hardest!. I am down 14# already how exciting! Thanks for the great info! It helps a lot!

Congratulations on your surgery shiela! Had my surgery on the 19, can't get enough fluids in, struggling with the vitamins as well. Can't wait to eat cheese and nuts lol. Could you please give me ideas for puréed? Mix what? Thanks

@@naan

There are LOADS of recipes and ideas on pinterest. Central Market or Trader Joes have some great Soups - butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato, etc.

Is it difficult to get Water in because you forget or don't like the taste or is it that your tummy feels full? I found these little one ounce collapsible cups that I hooked to my water bottle so I was certain it would never be too much at one time. I drink 1 every 15 minutes. Some suggestions for flavor - boil water with cinnamon sticks until it is a light brown color then cool down and pour into a cleaned out water or milk jug and stick it in the fridge. This makes it sweet without adding calories, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. It has been my favorite way to drink water for years. Powerade makes a pretty good sugar free zero calorie sports drink. It has electrolytes in it. At least where I live, Racetrack gas stations are having a sale buy a core power shake and get a free powerade. I like the core power strawberry banana light - 150 calories, 20g Protein, 11 g sugar. It is a bit higher sugar, but it is a fantastic tasting ready made so I use it as a treat or when I am on the run but this way I get free Gatorade.

You can blend Protein powder into greek yogurt and then freeze it in mini ice cube trays for a high protein low sugar frozen treat or then use them to make cold shakes.

My MIL swears by the chicken apple baby food for the pureed stage, but I couldn't do the baby foods. If you find you want to puree meats for the protein - use sauces like Pasta sauce or low carb bbq sauce to vary the flavors.

I tried to schedule out of my food for the day the night before. I would make changes as needed for when my tummy wasn't up to par or when I ended up on the go. I spent Christmas week on puree and full liquid stage - planned around my family time. I made lasagna for Christmas for everyone else, then put a little cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings into tomato Soup and pureed it.

I hope some of these help. I have found this thread so useful since I started my whirlwind journey earlier this month. I normally spend months planning out big decisions and food choices and the universe felt differently.

Cheers!