karenb4729

I think its important to have an honest discussion with your surgeon and they will guide you to what may work best for you. At the last support meeting for my surgeon's office I met a women who was being revised from the sleeve to RNY because she had gained back the weight from her sleeve surgery in 2007. She has PCOS and sometimes RNY works better for those with hormonal issues. I think there is a chance of regain no matter what surgery you choose, you have to be diligent and follow the plan - it really is only a tool and its up to you to choose to work with it.

I'm glad you are calling your Dr because the swollen ankles and weight gain doesn't seem right. Are you getting in enough water? Your body might be holding on to it if you aren't. Your weight loss is actually good, my 2nd month was my stall month and I only lost 3 lbs but since then my weight continues to go down. Unlike others, low carb does nothing for me, I have to up my carbs and put my calories to around 1000 in order to lose. We are all different and you have to find what works for you. Listening to your Nut is a good thing.

Hmm, I am 4 1/2 months out and have had zero hairloss. The only vitamins I take are a multi vitamin, no extra anything. However, I have very slow growing hair and that is what allowed me to keep my hair during chemo and may be why I haven't experienced the hairloss that others have experienced.

We all lose at different rates, some do lose fast and some of us are lucky to lose a pound a week or less. The good news about losing slowly is that your skin has time to catch up to your weight loss. I figure as long as the weight is going down or even staying the same its all good because its better than having the weight go up!! My Dr says that "its a marathon and not a race".

Oh I eat string cheese daily as it's an excellent source of protein. I buy the "light" version. If you are following a low carb diet this make a great snack. 2 is usually my daily intake. The only downside is the sodium content which is higher in string cheese than the babybel cheese. Can you tell, I know my cheeses! LOL

It was 3 months for me but I only do spinach salad with either chicken or shrimp. I can eat regular lettuce but prefer the nutritional value of spinach. This is what I take to work everyday for lunch.

I'm like you as far as bougie size and I was able to heal quickly and tolerate liquids pretty well. For the first two months when eating I could really wnly get in 2oz of refriend Beans etc but now at a little over 4 months I can pretty much get eat 6 to 8oz during a meal. I do get hungry, I mean really really hungry but I get full on much less food then before surgery. You do learn that you can't compare your journey to anyone elses!!

My Dr just does a low carb diet (under 30g total per day) for 1 month prior to surgery to shrink the liver. I only needed to liquid the day before surgery.

I'm going to throw in my 2 cents. I would wait until January and part of the reason for this is to work on a diet now so that you are use to eating less by the time of the surgery. My insurance covered my surgery and didn't require any type of 6 month diet beforhand so the only restriction on my date was getting in all my pre-op testing. March 27th was my initial consult and my surgery was June 4th. My surgeon required a pre-op diet 30 days before surgery which basically was 30g of carb or less. I started the diet the day after my consult and went from 258 to 229 the day of surgery AND learned about eating on a low carb diet. I'm so glad to have had that time because I think it might have been more of a struggle to go from eating like I was to eating like I do now without the chance to ease into it. Anyway, that's just my 2 cents - you have to do what feels right for you.

Dr Joseph Chebli - Check him out in Seattle Magazine, he has been one of the top local Bariatric Surgeons 5+ years running. http://www.northwestobesitysurgery.com/

Oh I'm always hungry too! I know it's not acid because I'm on an omeprazole and have dealt with acid reflux for many years. This is regular hunger and it's more frequent now than before surgery. I follow all the rules and don't drink anything 30 minutes before eating and 30 after, take in 80+ grams of protein, and drink all my water..... but am hungry all the time. I'm envious of those who lose their hunger pangs but... I'm losing weight well and am close to goal so I guess I will learn to live with the hunger.

I'm also on the same pill. My Doctor won't let me swallow pills - I have to open them up and put them in pudding to take them.

I was allowed regular foods at 3 months. So far I have tried small amounts of lettuce but what I usually eat is a shrimp salad with fresh spinach. I only do a small amt of the spinach in my salad, 1 mushroom, and about 2.5oz of shrimp along with Boathouse Yogurt Blue Cheese dressing which is really low carb. It tastes so good and sits well in my sleeve as long as I chew the spinach really well. I love that I can get in protein along with veggies and it satisfies that salad craving.

I'm surprised your NUT doesn't want you to eat cheese. My favorite snack is light string cheese - its lowfat and carries a punch in the protein department. Seems like each NUT is different as is each Surgeon.

I'm 3 months out and still have to open the capsules on my omeprazole and actigall. I put it in sugar free pudding to make it more palatable.

I didn't have a leak test. My Dr does a test in surgery to check for leaks. I'm 3 months out and no problems.

I'm almost 3 months out and 4 to 5oz is my max. Its nice because I can tell when I'm getting full because I start to burp. I have never really had an uncomfortable feeling when I eat but then I also chew my food to death!

I had it happen with peanut butter - not fun!

Well - maybe it's a Northwest thing but Dr C also uses a 40 bougie and for the same reasons, less problems with leaks. Again, I have done well with this size and seem to have had far less issues with drinking during the initial healing.

Are you going to Dr Chebli? That's who did my surgery and I'm so thankful. I have done very well with my weightloss and have not really had any complications. My restriction is good and I don't think I would want my stomach any smaller than what it is. Leave everything up to Dr C and you are in good hands!

Toes were ok, fingernails were a no.

I can totally relate! By far the hardest part of this surgery is watching others. I went to a wedding a week ago and they served dinner buffet style. There I sat with my little piece of salmon, and a slice of grilled beet. I'm sure everyone looking at my plate thought I didn't like the food. And, it didn't help that I was surrounded by people with loaded plates. Oh well, it will get better. Are you in the NW or just a Seahawks fan? I live in Seattle.

I eat a lot of fish, shrimp and crab. They go down well, sit well and are loaded with protein. Of course it helps that I live in the NW and my husband goes crabbing/fishing every weekend.

I could hold more at that time. I would take a drink every 5 mintues and could down my 11oz shake in about 1/2 hr. As long as you listen to your body you will be fine - if I drink too fast it will let me know but now, at 10 weeks out I'm able to drink like I did before surgery (I was never a gulper).

I quit smoking in 2004 and have never looked back. I used Wellbutrin and the patch. Check with your primary Dr about getting on Chantrix. Also, visit this website - they were a great help to me. www.quitnet.com