DLCoggin

Severe pain always means call your doctor. No exceptions. The cause may very well not be serious, but pain itself is always a concern. Call your doctor.

Another possibility is some doctors use drains for the surgery and they are on the left side. Possibly because they are somewhat larger than other instruments used for laparoscopic surgery, it seems to take the drain site a little longer to heal. Usually resolves itself in a few weeks. Just keep in mind that you will want to call your doctor for any pain that is or becomes severe. Congratulations on your surgery! You're gonna love the new you!!

With only one exception that I'm aware of, you don't want to rely on protein shots for getting your daily protein. Almost all of them on the market are made with collagen protein which is virtually indigestible. It doesn't matter how much protein is in it if it can't be digested. The only exception that I've ever seen is Yes Whey which is made with whey isolate. I've never tried one but those who have say the taste leaves a lot to be desired. But it is a healthy option with a highly digestible source of protein.

For me it's coffee. I love coffee and fluids (certainly doesn't have to be coffee) are a great way to bridge the gap between meals. Or in your case, to fill you up before going to bed (if you go with coffee you probably want to drink decaf). It has worked for me since 6 months post-op (which is when my surgeon OK'd decaf) right up to this day (almost two and half years post-op). I never eat less than two or more than four hours apart. If I'm hungry in between, it's head hunger and drinking something works like a charm!

You're discouraged because you're judging your success by the scale. I understand. We ALL understand. And it's still a bad idea. You're getting all of your fluids, all of your protein, managing your calorie intake and have lost 60 pounds in three months. That's how you stay motivated! You are successful every day. Celebrate every day that you follow the protocol. Regardless of what the scale is saying, the laws of science and the universe cannot be denied. Continue following the protocol exactly as you have been and sooner or later there is absolutely no doubt that you will lose weight. Sometimes you'll lose quickly. Sometimes slowly. And yes, sometimes not at all. But your response is always the same regardless of what your weight is doing - follow your plan. No matter what - follow your plan. Forget about weighing for at least a week and two would be even better. Focus all of that energy on - following your plan. Stay positive. Stay patient. Maintain your food log. And follow the protocol as closely to the letter as you possibly can. Do those things and you're gonna love the new you - guaranteed!!

First time I've ever heard of it. Would love to hear more information.

Obesity is a progressive, life-threatening disease. Treatment for life-threatening disease is not, should not, and can not be a question of easy or hard. It's a question of effectiveness. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment known to medical science for obesity and more than 30 comorbidities associated with obesity. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning. But anybody can start today and make a new ending.

You are certainly welcome and congratulations on your surgery - only four days to the beginning of the new you! You are going to be amazed!!

Great job! It just keeps getting better!!

I'm almost two and a half years out and still follow the 30/30 rule. I'm so used to it as this point that I really don't think much about it. As of the last time I tried it (probably close to a year ago), white rice and I don't get along (late stage dumping every time). No problems with bread but it sort of hits the pouch and sits there in a lump. Not painful but I get "full" very quickly. So I don't eat it often and when I do I can only eat small amounts. I usually eat sandwiches open faced so there's only half of the bread. No problems of any kind with Pasta and potatoes. Baked potatoes are delicious and with a little creativity you can add healthy toppings. French fries are obviously out but the problem is calories, not anything to do with the pouch. Folks are sometimes under the impression that there is a long list of foods that you'll never be able to eat again following RnY. In my experience (and most veterans agree) that is simply not true. I have problems with rice and popcorn (bummer!) but for the most part I eat anything that I choose to eat.

Done!

It is probably fair to say that us guys are not as in tune to our emotions as the gals are. But having said that, how do I feel about my weight loss? I'm almost two and half years out and it's even more exciting today, and every day, than it was two and a half years ago. Every day is a new adventure and if I need a reminder of how delicious my life is - all I have to do is look in the mirror. I savor every moment of my new life. A life that, not that long ago, I believed was simply beyond my reach. I'm thrilled with the most ridiculously mundane things that most never give a second thought. Putting on my 34" pants - how cool is that? I have medium shirts in every color of the rainbow - how cool is that? I love walking two to three miles and knowing that I just walked two or three miles - how cool is that? I still feel absolutely great and got plenty more in the tank. Amazing. I recently purchased a Total Gym and started strength training for the first time in my life. I cannot tell you how much fun I'm having with it. Every day I discover new strength, new flexibility and new stamina that I have never, in my entire life, known. Astounding. Get this - last night a friend told me that he has lost 31 pounds - and I was his role model. I don't even have a word to describe that one! I am in control. Every day. And I know it. When you experience a change this profound, you take everything in, but nothing for granted. There is nothing that I cannot be, do or have. How do you put all of these experiences, all of these feelings, all of these emotions, all of this excitement, all of this joy, into words? It's the dawn of a new day and I'm looking forward to celebrating every single moment of it.

Welcome back on the right track Jennifer! Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies is not silly at all. Lots of members have read it and raved about it. You might want to check out "The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" by Colleen Cook as well. Excellent!

You'll be amazed at how fast that time goes! You're gonna love the new you!!

Are you maintaining a food log? Do you have a daily calorie goal? Have you gained any weight? How far out are you from surgery? If you can share a little more info with us you'll get some great responses. It's just a bump in the road and folks run into it all the time! You'll be back on track before you know it!

I for one would love to see you start a new thread with what trials they're conducting and any information that may be available on the results of their studies so far. The success of bariatric surgery combined with the obesity epidemic has resulted in millions of research dollars being available that was simply was not there before. Many of the discoveries they are making are fascinating and almost always lead to the search for answers to new questions which result from what they have learned.

I totally agree with every word pookybear said. Great advice! I struggled with getting enough liquid in myself. Many doctors (including my surgeon) advise their patients to be sure to count things like shakes, coffee, tea, Crystal Light - most liquids other than alcohol - in their daily liquid intake. Coffee and shakes helped me enormously followed closely by my latest discovery of Nestle, PureLife Splash. This stuff comes in a bunch of different flavors with Acai Grape and berry being my personal favorites. And they're zero everything - calories, sugar, carbs, fat, Protein. Essentially they are just flavored Water with 25mg of salt. They come in 17 oz. bottles and I have them all over the house - office, family room, bedroom, bathroom - you name it. I sip on them all day long. Really helps!!

My Fitness Pal is a great app! I've been using it every day for well over two years and highly recommend it. And it absolutely was NOT written for the very specific needs of bariatric surgery patients. MFP, like nearly all of the food logging apps on the market, was written with a "one size fits all" point of view. And that applies not only to Protein, fats and carbs but to Vitamins, calorie goals, everything. Bariatric surgery folks have some very specific needs and especially in the case of RnY, calcium is a biggie. Fail to take a calcium supplement, for life, and you dramatically increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Serious stuff. Someone very near and dear to me developed it fifteen years after RnY. At the time of his surgery, doctors were not yet aware of the long term threat of calcium shortage following RnY. He is fifteen times more likely to break a bone than someone who does not have osteoporosis. The doctor told him that in severe cases it may not even be the result of a fall. Weakened bones can fracture simply from the weight of the skeletal structure of your body. Follow the protocol from your team as closely to the letter as you possibly can. For life. You'll be glad you did and you'll be lovin' the new you for a very long time!!

Your concern regarding recovery time relative to the nature of your work and 24/7 on call status is certainly understandable. Admirable even. But perhaps it would be useful to examine what role that specific concern should play in a decision as important as bariatric surgery (or for that matter any surgery). You obviously have committed to achieving the many and profound benefits that surgery promises. You are evaluating your options with an eye on relative risks vs. relative benefits. You have the medical opinion of one doctor. And certainly have the option to seek other medical opinions for comparison. What if? What if you consult with three doctors and all three offer the same recommendation for surgery X? And all three support their recommendation in terms of risks versus potential benefits, minor vs. serious complication rates, success rates of short and long term weight loss, resolution or improvement or avoidance of comorbidities, improved quality of life, the list goes on and on. And what if the recommended surgery potentially has the longest recovery time? Would the recovery time be the deciding factor in your decision? If your answer is yes, then you have at least somewhat simplified the decision process. If your answer is no, then you have consciously made the decision that one or more of the other considerations associated with surgery take precedence over recovery time. Either way, you have gained valuable insight. You're not ready until you're convinced. And you're not convinced until you have identified and accepted the risks - surgical, business and otherwise - associated with this very personal decision. Whatever decision you make, you're gonna love the new you!

Dee if anyone can do it you can! We must be picking up the same vibes from the Universe. I recently purchased a Total Gym and started strength training for the first time in my life. Hey, it's never too late, right?! Been working about five days a week for three weeks. I never in a million years thought I would say this but here goes - I am actually enjoying it. There, I said it! It really is quite fun. It is not professional equipment with each machine designed to do a very specific task. But it is well made and quite versatile in terms of the wide variety of exercises that you can do to work most if not all of the major muscle groups. Very weak in terms of cardio but I walk two to three miles four or five times a week so I don't need a machine for the cardio. "Buff", here we come!!

Carol are you maintaining a food log? If you maintain a food log every day, and weigh every day, you can see the results of your diet (calories) on your weight - every day. When you gain a pound or two you reduce your calorie goal by 100-200 calories for a day or two and you're right back on track. When you're in control, managing your weight and reacting quickly to changes, there's not much to worry about. Another in a long list of advantages of food logs! Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! Great job! Bet you're loving the new you!!

It gets better. And better still. And then even better!!

Truly a reinforcing "mantra" for making the right choices even in the face of temptation - "It's what I do."

Nicely put music and good to see you back!

Amyllf2 posted a link today to a presentation by a psychologist in GA. The presentation was actually intended as a pre-op video prior to meeting with the psychologist but the information in it is really excellent. You might find it helpful! Thanks again Amyllf2! http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13936175890868&key=6e4c13d9eae219a579d0623ec3e20905&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bariatricpal.com%2Ftopic%2F299333-pre-op-presentation-by-psychologist%2F&v=1&libId=b7ce64f9-4fdb-4ce8-84d4-cec19d9b833f&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindbodyhealthservices.com%2Fweightloss%2Fbariatric.html&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bariatricpal.com%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcore%26module%3Dsearch%26do%3DviewNewContent%26period%3Dtoday%26userMode%3D%26search_app%3Dforums%26surgery%3D3%26sid%3Df5bbc4b5c599dd31fd1f89965015d9a1%26st%3D25&title=pre-op%20presentation%20by%20psychologist%20-%20PRE-Operation%20Gastric%20Bypass%20Surgery%20Questions%20%26%20Answers%20-%20BariatricPal&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindbodyh...%2Fbariatric.html