DLCoggin

So do I and that's ok IF you are maintaining the AVERAGE calorie intake that is right for you. Your pouch doesn't count calories, Protein, carbs or fats. It's entirely possible to eat quite a large volume of food that totals 900 calories and quite a small volume of food that totals 1600. "Listening" to your pouch is important. Very important. But it only tells part of the story. Your log gives you much more information. If you're struggling, make small, realistic adjustments to your calorie goal that will bring you back to your AVERAGE goal over a period of time. Avoid the dramatic changes that invariably leave you hungry. It's about control, not denial. React quickly to small increases in weight (1-2 lbs) with small reductions (100-200) in calories. Let your log be your guide!

I would agree that an eight week stall at five months out would be a good reason to contact your medical team. And though it sounds like a cliché, weight loss or gain is usually directly related to calorie intake. Are you logging your food? If not, My Fitness Pal is a fantastic app that is free and highly recommended by many (myself included). It's easy to use and has a huge food database that has just about anything you can imagine. It also has a bar code scanner that makes scanning in packaged foods a snap. Research has repeatedly shown that folks who log their food are more successful at losing weight and at maintaining their goal weight. Stay focused on following the protocol as closely as you possibly can, stay active, and stay away from the scales for at least a week and two would be even better. You're gonna love the new you!!

The question to postpone your trip is a difficult one to answer. I would definitely recommend that you ask your doctor and follow his/her advice. Three weeks post-op you're likely to still be pretty sore and probably will have very little or no appetite. Trips home also tend to be synonymous with food. Be warned that yielding to that temptation at three weeks out would almost certainly be something you would regret. As you can see from the responses you already have, weight loss will fly all over the place. The fact that your weight loss might be different from mine, or anyone else's, means absolutely nothing. Everyone is different. There are just too many variables. Setting your expectations to someone else's results can be self sabotaging and frustrating. You're much better off focusing your energy on trying to relax and letting your body find its own way in its own time. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! You're gonna love the new you!!

Heather, how long have you been using MFP? I used a different app for over a year and then decided to make the switch. Love MFP. It has the largest food database I've ever seen - everything is in there! Lol. Although I try to follow "doctors orders" to the letter, at 13 months (my weight was 155 lbs) my surgeon recommended that I increase my calories to 1800/day. That felt a little high so I increased to 1600/day. I've been doing fine, blood work is spot on, and I've maintained my goal weight for the past seven months. Weight goes up a pound or two over my goal, I adjust my calories down for a day or two. Couple of times weight has gone down a pound or two under my goal, I adjust my calories up for a day or two. At six to twelve months post-op, I'm not sure any particular calorie number is as important as whatever number of calories produces the results you're looking for (within reason of course). MFP is a great tool that I can't ever imagine not using.

About half of all RNY patients never experience dumping. Sometimes pre-op folks go into surgery counting on dumping to help them lose weight. And then become concerned if they are in the 50% who do not experience dumping. That's unfortunate because there is absolutely no scientific evidence that folks who do experience dumping are any more (or less) successful than those who do not. Dumping is simply not a factor in predicting anyone's success. Logging everything you eat is, in my humble opinion, the single most important thing anyone can do to help you achieve your goal weight, and then maintain it - long term. Logging gives you confidence - you don't "think" you met your calorie goal today, you "know" you did. Logging puts you in control - expecting to eat exactly XXX calories every day for the rest of your life is ridiculous. It's not sustainable, it's not realistic, and it's not "living" your life. Maintaining an AVERAGE calorie intake of XXX is sustainable, is realistic, and allows you to enjoy all of those special moments in your life which involve a delicious meal. Logging your food puts you in control - you KNOW that you can have a 2000 calorie day and enjoy every delicious bite. Why? Because you KNOW that all you have to do is make a 100-200 calorie adjustment for a day or two and you're right back on track with your AVERAGE calorie goal. I lost 130 lbs over 13 months AVERAGING exactly 1294 calories a day. And I have maintained my 155 lb goal weight for the last seven months AVERAGING 1638 calories a day. I'm not suggesting those goals apply to everyone. I am suggesting that logging your food will allow you to KNOW that you are meeting the calorie/protein/carbohydrate/fat goals your doctor has recommended. And logging works exactly the same way regardless of where you are in your journey - pre-op diet, rapid weight loss stage, maintenance stage. That's power. That's confidence. And that's control. If you haven't done so already, make the commitment to try it for 90 days. You're gonna love the new you!!

Interesting question and one that I unfortunately don't have an answer to. My surgeon told me to continue Prevacid twice a day even though the ulcer is now healed. I didn't think to ask her for how long. I'm taking a number of Vitamins a day (for life) so one little capsule didn't make much difference. Lol!

My surgery was 10/20/11. Starting weight was 285, weight at surgery 250, current weight 154. I'm happy to share my experiences with anyone and everyone that's interested. Challenges do arise as you get further out but you can ALWAYS find a solution! It's all about control, not denial.

Yup, I agree with Kristy - make an appointment with your surgeon. Sounds like it could be a stricture (relatively easily treated) or it could be something minor that can be treated with medication. Either way, your doctor is the one to make that call. There is no upside to suffering needlessly.

I was diagnosed with an ulcer at the anastomosis at six months post-op. I was fortunate to not have any symptoms other than mild anemia. They did a stool test and picked up some blood which was followed by an endoscopy that confirmed the ulcer. My surgeon doubled my Prevacid along with some restrictions in diet and a second endoscopy five months later showed the ulcer completely healed. Ulcers at the anastomosis are relatively rare, affecting 7% to 15% of patients and can be caused by any number of things including alcohol, spicy food, caffeine, smoking, the use of NSAIDs and increased retention of stomach acids in the pouch just to name a few. Treatment options vary widely from oral medication to additional surgery in serious (but rare) cases. Ulcers are one more very good reason to do everything you possibly can to follow your surgeon's post-op protocol as closely to the letter as you can. But even patients who follow the protocol can develop ulcers from causes beyond our control. Regardless of the cause, ulcers are almost always treatable and can often be completely resolved.

Statistically speaking, RNY is the most effective treatment known to medical science for the treatment of obesity and more than 30 comorbidities associated with obesity including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea. Surgery, any surgery, has associated risks and RNY is no exception. There simply are no absolutes. Do the research. Choose your sources carefully - ASMBS, Harvard Health, National Institute of Health, Mayo Clinics - just to name a few. I think that you will find that the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor of having a life-changing experience that you will never regret. You're gonna love the new you!!

The nutrition label for the Body Fortress shot can be seen by going here - http://www.bodyfortress.com/SUPER-PROTEIN-SHOT and then clicking on "View Product Label". Labeling laws require that ingredients be listed with the most predominant ingredient first followed by the next and then the next, etc. The second ingredient listed is "Proprietary Protein Blend (Hydrolyzed Collagenic Protein Isolate)". The digestibility of various Proteins is published in the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS). The PDCAAS has been adopted by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. food and Drug Administration, and the World Health Organization. Proteins are ranked on a scale of 0 (least digestible) to 1 (most digestible). Protein "bullets" or "shots" are attractive to bypass patients because they contain very large amounts of protein in very small volumes - usually 3 to 4 ounces. Every product I have seen marketed as a bullet or shot, including this one, contains collagen protein. The problem is that collagen protein is an incomplete protein (meaning that it is missing one or more of the nine essential amino acids that your body requires but cannot manufacture) and more importantly, collagen has a PDCAAS digestibility score of 0.08. Compare that to Whey, Soy, Milk, and Casein proteins which all have a PDCAAS score of 1.0 and all are complete proteins. All the protein in the world is useless if your body cannot digest it.

If you're at the point that you have made the decision to have one or the other, your surgeon is the person to ask about the plusses and minuses of both surgeries. The best option for you may be decided on your personal medical history. In other cases, it may be something of a toss up. If that is the case, your surgeon is still your best source and the one that can share his/her personal experience with both surgeries and the outcomes. Either way, you're gonna love the new you!!

I'm 5'9", starting weight was 285, surgery 10/11/11, 155 thirteen months later and 154 Monday morning. You're gonna love the new you!!

I'm sure you'll get many responses regarding favorites but I would echo Kristy - are you logging your food? Very, very powerful. If you are or if you start, you'll never again say "Perhaps I eat too little" because you'll "know" exactly what you are eating. Not only in terms of calories, but Protein, carbs, fat, and a myriad of other things. Slow weight loss can be the result of not getting enough calories which your body reads as a famine situation. Or it obviously can also be the result of too many calories. And in some cases a result of insufficient protein. Logging your food allows you to manage your weight as opposed to your weight managing you. I lost 130 lbs in 13 months averaging 1294 calories a day and 95g of protein. I'm not suggesting that those numbers should be your goals, just that you should have a way of knowing that you are meeting the goals your medical team has given you. My Fitness Pal has an excellent app that you can add to your phone. It's quick, it's easy and it probably has the largest food database on the market. Try it for 90 days and you'll never go back to guessing again! You're gonna love the new you!!

For reasons that I'm not sure anyone can fully explain, the way you're feeling pre-op and the way you'll feel post-op are dramatically different. For several weeks and up to a couple of months post-op, you are likely to have little or no appetite at all. I found it to be quite amazing and bizarre at the same time. Lol. Everything changes post-op. The first few weeks are challenging but it gets better, MUCH better, before you know it. food is an addiction not unlike drugs or alcohol in many ways. Your body and your mind are missing that "fix" and in response your emotions take you on a roller coaster ride. When you're feeling sad, discouraged, frustrated, angry or any other negative emotion - reach for a better feeling thought. Focus your thoughts on feeling a little better. It may not be a lot, but it will be enough. Because when you feel just a little better, other better feeling thoughts will come - seemingly from nowhere. With a little practice and before you know it, reaching for that better feeling thought becomes second nature and the results are quite amazing. So "I'm really hungry" becomes "I know I'm doing the right thing for myself, my family, and my health". Better. "I'm nervous about my upcoming surgery" becomes "I am so thankful that I have been given this opportunity to overcome this disease once and for all". Better. "Why is this so hard" becomes "I have read so many success stories - if they can do it, so can I". Better. You're gonna love the new you!!

Once you're on a regular diet there are many good sources of protein. In the early going, most folks go with some kind of protein supplement. And again, there are many good options. Ready-to-drink Protein shakes can have anywhere from 20g to 35g or more of protein. They are convenient for folks on the go but some have to experiment with different brands until they find one they like. And they are expensive compared to protein powders. There are also a number of protein options - whey protein is probably the most popular but drinks or powders made from soy or milk Proteins are also excellent sources of protein. Stay away from Protein Drinks often marketed as "shots" or "bullets". They are attractive to RNY patients because they have very high protein content (often 40g or more) in a very small volume - usually 3 1/2 to 4 ozs. The problem is that almost all of them contain "collagen" protein which is a very, very poor quality of protein that has an extremely low digestibility score. All the protein in the world is useless if your body cannot digest it. I personally have been drinking Pure Protein shakes for 18 months and to this day have one for Breakfast every single day. But taste is a very subjective thing and probably the best advice is to experiment until you find one that you like. Buy one can or the smallest container of powder available until you find one that you like. You're gonna love the new you!!

No doubt about it, the first few weeks post-op are challenging. But they pass quickly and it's gets easier - much easier - before you know it. Everyone is different so keep trying different things. Protein is important on so many levels - it's used to replace and heal tissue following surgery, reduces loss of lean muscle, used for energy when you're on a low carb diet, reduces hair loss, and helps protect you from bacterial and viral infections. Every cell in your body contains protein. Remove the Water from your body and 75% of what is left is protein. So... • Try drinking 3 oz at a time or • Taking one oz every 15 mins (or 5 mins, or 10 mins, or 20 mins) • Taking one sip every "X" mins • One oz one time, one and a half the next, two the next, etc. at whatever interval allows you to keep it down The bottom line is experiment and stay committed. It's important and you'll be glad you did. Water is every bit as important as protein. Dehydration can land you back in the hospital in a heartbeat. If you haven't already, try sipping water as often as possible all day long. Sip, sip, sip, sip. For many folks, that's about the only way they can come close to getting in 64oz (or whatever your doctor recommends) of water a day. Belching, growling tummy, gas - all perfectly normal and will slowly subside as the healing process proceeds. Well except maybe for the growling tummy. Mine still talks up a storm and I'm 18 months out! Lol. Congratulations on your surgery! You're gonna love the new you!!

I hear you Kristy and for some, I suspect including you, the scale isn't a problem. But for others, definitely including me, it can be self-defeating. Your emotions and self confidence yo-yo up and down right along with the number on the scale. I weighed no more than once a week for my first thirteen months post-op at which time my weight stabilized at 155. For reasons I can't even begin to understand, I suddenly started weighing myself every day. Not good. After three months of that and the emotional roller coaster that went along with it, I took my own long-standing advice and stayed away from the scale. I was 154 yesterday morning and I can't tell you how good it feels to be off of the roller coaster. I log everything I eat and I know that as long as I maintain an average of 1600 calories a day, the weight will take care of itself. I love the new me!

Your first two pound gain at six months post-op - totally irrelevant. Just relax and keep following the protocol as close as you possibly can. How much have you lost? What is your daily calorie goal? Are you logging your food intake? Stay active and stay away from the scales for at least a week and two would be even better. You're gonna love the new you!!

Persistance, along with absolute belief, can never be defeated.

19 months post-op, lost 130 lbs, stable at 155 for the last six months. Best decision ever!

At seven weeks out you should be cleared for a regular diet or if not you will be soon. There are tons of options for Protein - chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, cheese and most other dairy products are just some of the examples. It would be a mistake to under estimate the importance of getting ALL of your doctor's recommended protein in every day. Protein is vitally important for healing and internal healing takes considerably longer than external. Protein will also reduce loss of muscle mass, help protect you from infections and reduce hair loss. Very, very important. As important as protein is, Vitamin supplements are at least as important if not more so. There are some Vitamins that are available in liquid form, others can be taken sublingual (dissolves under your tongue), and some can be chewed. Failure is not an option. Malnutrition does not happen overnight but in the absence of supplements, it will develop and the results can be serious. Talk to your doctor about vitamin options, your nutritionist about protein sources and perhaps your psychologist about helping you with the psychological side of things. Once you commit unconditionally to doing what has to be done, it gets much easier! Stay focused on following the protocol as closely as possible, stay active and stay away from the scales. You're gonna love the new you!!

I was diagnosed with an ulcer at the anastomosis at about a year post-op. No vomiting but they picked up some blood in a stool test. Surgeon increased my prevacid from one a day to two. Second endoscopy four months later and the ulcer was completely healed.

Nursie, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you! Maintaining your weight is about control, not denial. And control starts with realistic expectations and a sustainable plan. I lost 130 lbs in 13 months eating an average of just under 1300 calories a day. I know because I logged everything I ate, every single day, no exceptions. When I hit 155 lbs (at thirteen months) my surgeon recommended that I increase my calorie intake to 1800 a day. That "felt" a little high to me so I increased it to 1600. Realistic. Sustainable. I've AVERAGED 1600 calories a day for the last six months and my weight yesterday morning was 156. Note that I said I've AVERAGED 1600 calories a day. Are there days when I eat more? Absolutely! Are there days when I eat less? Absolutely! Is eating exactly 1600 calories every single day for the rest of my life realistic? Of course not. Is eating exactly 1600 calories every single day for the rest of my life sustainable? Ridiculous. Is maintaining an AVERAGE of 1600 calories a day realistic and sustainable? I believe the answer is an unqualified yes. It's about control, not denial. There are going to be special occasions, holidays, vacations, dinners with that special someone - the list goes on and on. Managing your weight should not, can not, and IS not synonymous with giving up your life and all of the wonderful things that make your life so amazing. And that includes a delicious meal. I've had days when I ate 2200+ calories and I enjoyed every last bite! You have to allow yourself to enjoy those moments! THAT is realistic, THAT is sustainable, and THAT is so much fun! So what's the "secret" to managing your weight? I'm sure many of the folks here on the forum will share their ideas. For me, there is not the slightest doubt that the secret is maintaining a food log. My log gives me absolute control over my calories. I don't "think" I ate about 1600 calories yesterday. I "know" I ate 1464 calories yesterday. I "know" I had 79g of Protein, 83g of fat and 210g of carbs. I "know" when I exceed my 1600 calorie goal. And I "know" that all I have to do is make minor, realistic adjustments for a day or two and I'm right back on track with my 1600 calorie per day AVERAGE. It's realistic, it's sustainable, and most importantly - it gives me absolute, unqualified confidence that I can manage my weight, every single day. So those 2200 calorie days don't frighten me. They don't depress me. They don't cause me to question my ability to maintain my goal weight. Log your food. Enjoy those special moments when you indulge yourself. And marvel at your new found confidence that you are truly in absolute, 100% control. You're gonna love the new you!!

Just emailed!