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Something you wish you knew prior to bypass surgery that you know now?



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So I'm having surgery in less then 4 months and I'm soaking up all the info I can...but I also know some things I won't know until I actually experience . so my question what's something good or bad you wish you knew that you didn't prior to surgery??

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Hmmmm... This is MY experience, and not typical, but I didn't know that I would/could not care LESS if I ate again...believe me, I eat, but it is truly an eat-to-live situation. I just have no desire to do so--- and get no enjoyment from it. It is a task to me. Much akin to brushing my teeth, taking a shower, etc.

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Hmmmm... This is MY experience, and not typical, but I didn't know that I would/could not care LESS if I ate again...believe me, I eat, but it is truly an eat-to-live situation. I just have no desire to do so--- and get no enjoyment from it. It is a task to me. Much akin to brushing my teeth, taking a shower, etc.

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@ Lisamergs thanks for your response... So do you think its the surgery itself that leaves you with the desire not to eat or its more so a mental change for you?

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Hmmmm... This is MY experience, and not typical, but I didn't know that I would/could not care LESS if I ate again...believe me, I eat, but it is truly an eat-to-live situation. I just have no desire to do so--- and get no enjoyment from it. It is a task to me. Much akin to brushing my teeth, taking a shower, etc.

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@ Lisamergs thanks for your response... So do you think its the surgery itself that leaves you with the desire not to eat or its more so a mental change for you?

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Well...I'm not sure lol. Likely a combination of both. Definitely do NOT feel hunger on any regular basis. Early on, if I was "late" for a meal, and got too far out, and then went to eat, I'd be in pain. Odd thing isn't it? And again, I do not think that was a normal reaction. I learned that if I found myself in a situation where I was going to miss a meal, and knew I'd end up in pain then as soon as I COULD eat, having a Protein shake was a better choice than, say, meat and veggies. I also found that if I was experiencing actual PAIN from not having eaten, a simple forbidden pretzel or cracker chewed well was able to quell it. Those were the few only times I ate carbs... And I'm not prone to being a binge-eater, so I could literally eat just the one or two. As soon as my pouch settled down, I'd have my yogurt or cottage cheese. Most meats, on most days, still do not set right with me. I'm more likely to have a triple zero Oikos (15g protein) with a scoop of Protein powder added to it (20g protein) for most meals... Boring, but I hit my Protein goals, and today I hit my goal weight. 132 lbs lost since my surgery date.

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Hmmmm... This is MY experience, and not typical, but I didn't know that I would/could not care LESS if I ate again...believe me, I eat, but it is truly an eat-to-live situation. I just have no desire to do so--- and get no enjoyment from it. It is a task to me. Much akin to brushing my teeth, taking a shower, etc.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@ Lisamergs thanks for your response... So do you think its the surgery itself that leaves you with the desire not to eat or its more so a mental change for you?

Sent from my SM-G530T using the BariatricPal App

Well...I'm not sure lol. Likely a combination of both. Definitely do NOT feel hunger on any regular basis. Early on, if I was "late" for a meal, and got too far out, and then went to eat, I'd be in pain. Odd thing isn't it? And again, I do not think that was a normal reaction. I learned that if I found myself in a situation where I was going to miss a meal, and knew I'd end up in pain then as soon as I COULD eat, having a Protein shake was a better choice than, say, meat and veggies. I also found that if I was experiencing actual PAIN from not having eaten, a simple forbidden pretzel or cracker chewed well was able to quell it. Those were the few only times I ate carbs... And I'm not prone to being a binge-eater, so I could literally eat just the one or two. As soon as my pouch settled down, I'd have my yogurt or cottage cheese. Most meats, on most days, still do not set right with me. I'm more likely to have a triple zero Oikos (15g protein) with a scoop of Protein Powder added to it (20g protein) for most meals... Boring, but I hit my Protein goals, and today I hit my goal weight. 132 lbs lost since my surgery date.

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Wow that's awesome I can only hope to have a similar experience and congrats on your goal????????????

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1) I got a surprise $3k bill from the anesthesiologist, even after specifically asking to know all charges ahead of time.

2) I really enjoy pooping since I get to do it so rarely. I never knew what a huge part of my life poop would become.

3) This process has been so pleasant and easy. I had no complications, no food issues, no illnesses. I was back at work the Monday after surgery. I feel fantastic in ways I never would have expected: physically, mentally, socially.

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Gas pain when waking up in recovery... I wasn't prepared for it. I have a high tolerance for pain, but until I got up from the bed it was absolutely no fun. But it really helps to move around. Pain meds did nothing for my gas pain.

Drinking Water, who knew it was so difficult? Cold beverages make me nauseous, room temp makes my tummy gurgle and burp, but warm liquids go down much easier without any problems.

Nilla

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Gas pain when waking up in recovery... I wasn't prepared for it. I have a high tolerance for pain, but until I got up from the bed it was absolutely no fun. But it really helps to move around. Pain meds did nothing for my gas pain.

Drinking Water, who knew it was so difficult? Cold beverages make me nauseous, room temp makes my tummy gurgle and burp, but warm liquids go down much easier without any problems.

Nilla

I just had surgery on the 28th and your right the gas pain was unbelievable. I also have a pretty high tolerance for pain but that was like nothing else I had ever experienced. The walking and moving around really helped. The pain meds didn't help. It was so bad that I was crying so they increased the dosage and frequency and that really really helped.

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1) I got a surprise $3k bill from the anesthesiologist, even after specifically asking to know all charges ahead of time.

2) I really enjoy pooping since I get to do it so rarely. I never knew what a huge part of my life poop would become.

3) This process has been so pleasant and easy. I had no complications, no food issues, no illnesses. I was back at work the Monday after surgery. I feel fantastic in ways I never would have expected: physically, mentally, socially.

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Where did you have your surgery?

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1) I got a surprise $3k bill from the anesthesiologist, even after specifically asking to know all charges ahead of time.

2) I really enjoy pooping since I get to do it so rarely. I never knew what a huge part of my life poop would become.

3) This process has been so pleasant and easy. I had no complications, no food issues, no illnesses. I was back at work the Monday after surgery. I feel fantastic in ways I never would have expected: physically, mentally, socially.

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Where did you have your surgery?

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Legacy Good Sam in Portland, Oregon

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- Drinking or eating ice cold food - It took me a long time to figure out that my stomach just simply doesnt like it at all. I knew about cold Water because every morning i have to drink room temp or warm Water to wake my stomach up. But even now 2 years, 2 months post op i have really trouble with drinking ice cold milk, even yogurt....it just needs to warm up slightly and then i dont get a gut ache.

- The amount of time spent on planning my meals/snacks. I find if i dont, then i end up going off plan. So, i need to make sure that I have the right foods in my fridge and pantry always.Traveling makes that harder to do. I have to be on purpose about water and Protein or i lose track. If i eat crap, i feel like crap and i crave good Protein and good carbs. If i do take a day where i go off plan and eat more carbs, It is harder to get back on track.

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I wish I knew that abdominal pain is very common after surgery. Often the cause is not diagnosed. This is a late surgery symptom. Many forums exist about abdo pain and how it lasts for months or even years.

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I also wish I knew how common low blood sugar problems would be. I have to have dextrose tabs in every room, in every purse and every car. I was not diabetic before, and am not diabetic now. But for some reason, my body puts out insulin for a 340 pound person, not a 146 pound person.

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

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      1. NickelChip

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      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

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        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

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