Trayjay33

Wow! That's an incredible transformation, you look great. Congratulations.

Have they considered your gallbladder as being affected? Could you ask for an abdominal scan to make sure your gallbladder is ok? Also, tests to make sure your pancreas is functioning ok.

I'm sure you will do well on your journey. I'm happy for you, RNY is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I had my gastric bypass surgery done at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. My surgery went well overall but any complications and even general post-op care is not handled well. In my opinion there is no structure to taking care of patients after surgery. The trend seems to be get money for the surgery and then let patients fend for themselves. I see a lot of patients on this site who are able to reach out to their Surgeons office post-op for support. If you choose Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford don't expect for that to happen. It's very disturbing in my opinion. I wish I would have known this prior to my surgery I would have travelled further away for better care. Care doesn't stop after surgery in my opinion.

Hello, It must be difficult feeling that you have reached the end of your journey and have not accomplished your goal. But, there are several things you can do to help regain your momentum in the weight loss process. First, realize you have lost 75 pounds in the past year! That's a huge accomplishment and since you have done that you can go further. Set a new weight loss goal with reason why you want to reach that goal. For example, do you want to fit in to a smaller dress size before summer, get off of a medication, manage a chronic medical condition more effectively. Only you can decide what will motivate you to get back on track. The way you lose the weight is how you initially lost the 75 pounds. Things that work may be to start tracking your food and liquid intake. Use a food tracking device like My fitness pal. Eat protein first, fill up on meats, eggs, eat non-starchy, low carb vegetables. Even though you may be able to tolerate higher fat, higher sugar foods know that they will not help you reach your goal. Try to exercise as much as you can. This doesn't have to be running a marathon or circuit training but walking around the mall or park several laps. Even doing stretches can help burn calories. I wouldn't consider myself a seasoned mentor but October will be 3 years post-op and my weight has been stable overall. I have times where I crave chocolate, potato chips and just want to sit around and not move. I know what the outcome will be as I dealt with the morbid obesity for years. This is a second chance and I will do all I can to make the best choices to keep the weight off or take weight off that I have regained. I hope you can reach out to your Surgeon's office for extra support as well. Best wishes.

You look awesome, congratulations.

You look really good! Great job!

@@Lulu_RNY, congratulations on your recent surgery . The initial surgical process was not the issue it was the post-op support surrounding complications. I'm glad things have changed for the better. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wanted to update my post as it seems things have improved at Saint Francis Hospital. I went for a follow-up appointment and had questions several weeks after that appointment. I was very impressed with the care I was shown. While I was in the office I noticed information posted regarding Nutrition classes at a grocery store for post-op patients. These changes are commendable. I feel better about the hospital once again and my surgical team in general. Trust is important so as of right now I would recommend Saint Francis to those seeking surgery and with post-op support.

I have had issues with low Iron levels even prior to surgery and it actually has not been too bad after. I have had to get iron infusions at certain points due to the inability to tolerate oral iron supplements. I will suggest green leafy vegetables which are high in iron such as spinach and broccoli. Also, organ meat such as liver as well. Those work well to bring up iron stores and the vegetables help with constipation that iron supplements seem to help cause. Hopefully your iron stores go up soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Looks good to me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would suggest you just get back on track. Congrats on your upcoming surgery.

Colace is a liquid gel tab it should be ok to take whole...

I'm glad the health issues have resolved and you both look great!

This is my first time seeing your post but good job turning things around!

Wow! Looking great, congratulations on your success and enjoy the new you. [emoji322]

Looking great!!

Hi, I have not heard much about them. I would suggest you ask what support they provide post-op and what may be needed afterwards. This is where the real support is needed. Some questions may be if they prescribe injectable blood thinners post-op because you may have to get help administering it. What diet is required pre-op and post-op. What Vitamins are required and how do they deal with Iron deficiency anemia. Also, do they have a 24 hour surgical line that can be called incase you need advice. This a life long commitment, I just think it's worth it to know supports are in place. I wish you well.

@@vita428, sorry for the late reply. I had called the Surgeons office multiple times. They even have a patient portal where emails can be sent to the Surgeon. I tried both modes of contact with no response or inadequate responses. I can honestly say I did everything I could to seek the help I needed post op and I could not get it. I received a telephone apology and was scheduled for an Endoscopy with biopsy for one of the issues. After the exam I was scheduled to follow-up in office about 3 weeks later. My appointment was cancelled because the Surgeon wasn't going to be in and I was seen 2 months later with no report on my biopsy results until then. Also, no calls to see how I was doing by the office. I was also told I could only be seen during morning hours because afternoon is for sick visits and new patients. I would have to miss an entire day of work. That's why I had to wait for them to fit me in. My insurance company literally paid over $40,000 for my surgery. It is the worse post op program ever. They blame the office staff but the office manager and Surgeon as well as the administration is more to blame. I'm glad I lost weight but it's terrible not having support from the Surgeons office. Thanks for asking and I'm glad you are doing well!

I don't use it anymore but in the APP store they have a free APP called the Bariatric Timer. It's pretty simple but it does the job in my opinion.

@@Beni, if you find any arm exercises that work please let me know. It was very disappointing to notice I have jiggle arms and short sleeve tops are not an option for me as well. BTW, just get back to basics, cut out the snacks like you mentioned and I'm sure you will lose the extra pounds.

Wow! You look amazing. Congratulations!

You look wonderful and much younger!

Congratulations on your weight loss and what a beautiful smile you have in both pictures! I can relate to God giving me a second chance as well. Also I had to learn to stop obsessing over the scale and see beauty is more than a number. Thanks for posting.

Hi, Like the previous poster said, continue to work with your Bariatric team and take their advice. Discuss a healthy weight range with the team. I weigh myself the same time of day in the morning when I weigh in. Some people should only weigh in at the Nutritionist or Doctors offices. You should discuss the issues with your Psychologist and Nutritionist including what to do when you feel like weighing yourself and your anxiety. I'm happy you had another day that you were able to eat more. You are doing a wonderful job turning things around! If you think about it, it takes a long time for people to regain ALL of the weight they lost after surgery. Your concentration might be to continue eating healthy so you can start living and enjoying life again. The balance will come before you know it. [emoji4]