sassy14

I had RNY 2/28/13, lost 136 lbs and have struggled with constipation. I had a second hernia repair 4 weeks ago and was told I can't be constipated. It will undo the repair. I now take two scoops of benefiber (costco brand) with coffee in the morning, one scoop in the evening and 4 colace. I drink about 100 ounces of fluid and eat as much fiber as I can. (Usually one slice of whole wheat fiber filled bread, berries, a clementine or apple and a salad every day). It's not easy and I still use milk of magnesia if I feel things are slow.

I have had two hernia repairs- one emergency operation at 7 months post RNY. The second one was four weeks ago and part of an abdominal wall reconstruction. I had 2 c-sections (29 and 25 years ago), emergency gall bladder removal (28 years ago and a 10 inch scar), two laparoscopic abdominal procedures 15 and 10 years ago and RNY 23 months ago. All the surgery and pregnancies (3) caused weakness in my abdominal wall. My guess is that so many of us who have been obese for so long (30 years for me) have had experiences that make us more hernia prone. Also, any surgery in our abdomen and pregnancies can increase hernia risk. That said, ask your doctor to help you figure out your risk.

I'm 23 months post RNY. I do get hungry sometimes, but I am able to deal with it by good eating choices. I can eat a lot of salad-- maybe 2 cups with some protein if that is my meal. I chew it to nothing and it is one of my favorites. I can eat 4 ounces of meat in a meal, a few bites of a sweet potato or baked potato, maybe a few bites of veggies. I do eat three meals and two snacks (hummus and carrots or cheese and apple or ww bread with peanut butter) to keep my blood sugar in check. I feel like a normal person!

23 months post op, lost 136 lbs and no change in my synthroid dose- 88mcg. I get my blood checked every 6 months-- no change.

I had low blood sugar at 14 months post op. My doctor had me eating a small meal of some protein and some carbs-- apple and cheese, whole wheat toast with peanut butter, soup. It seems to have worked and my bs is much better.

I love subway's chopped salad with turkey. I put oil and vinegar and eat it slowly. It's good and loaded with protein and you can avoid any veggies that are too tough.

Wow--your story is so much like mine! It was both my parents who made the cruel statements. They see me infrequently and do not know I had surgery. When they saw me at 1 yr post surgery when I visited my mother in the hospital after hip repair, her first comment was "you have a lot of wrinkles". Yup. Down 100 lbs. I am 58 and they are 86 and their comments still bite me.

It's tomorrow!!! After a month and a half delay after a spider bite, I am good to go for surgery tomorrow morning. I'm going to have the BARs procedure--realigning of abdominal organs and a plastic screen attached to my pelvis. I've had a big issue with recurrent hernias and this will solve that problem. And, all the icky skin will be gone. Goodbye panni! I will lose my belly button and I am just fine with that! This is the best Christmas gift ever!

Thanks! I had mesh this time too-- I'm not sure why I have such a restriction--maybe a super cautious doc!

Scamp-- as I understand it, the muscles are weakened as a result of the hernias. Dr yesterday reiterated the ban on lifting and on straining (constipation) because it can undo his good work. Lilmis- apparently replacing the belly button is very difficult as there can be insufficient blood flow which can lead to infection. The way I figure it, I can get a tattoo if I want!

Two weeks and two days post surgery-- thought I'd give an update. I am only taking one half a percoset for pain at night. I am so pleasantly surprised by the level of pain. It was not nearly as awful as I anticipated. The plastic surgeon did a pain block during the surgery, but I had repair of a bunch of hernias, removal of lots of skin and fat and sewing of diastasis recti muscles and mesh. I had two drains for 1 week and gave myself blood thinner shots for two weeks and took antibiotics for one week. I can sleep in my bed--have from the first night home from my one night stay at Hosp. But I have to sleep on my back still. (I like my side) After 8-10 days I had no problem getting out of bed on my own. I am still swollen-- my waist was 33 inches the morning of surgery. Today it is 35. The plastic surgeon said it takes at least a month of recovery-- wearing the binder 24/7-- to go down. Starting today I will take 1 aleve with a protonix twice a day to help with swelling. (No worries-- my bariatric surgeon approved this too, but for only one week.) The binder is wonderful. But buy some sleeveless men's t-shirts to wear under it. I only take off the binder for a shower. I am slowly gaining back strength. I am 58 and notice that my body is just needing a lot more rest than I would have thought. I have gone to the store with my hubby and that is a lot for me. I can't lift anything more than a half a gallon of milk for a long time. Never more than 35 lbs. I trust my abdomen will firm up-- it's better today than it was but it's never going to be great. I had two c-sections, emergency gall bladder repair that gave me a huge horizontal scar and emergency hernia repair last year that left me a huge vertical scar. My belly button was taken--too many surgeries through it to save. I no longer have the dreaded "front apron" and I will have a normal tummy for a 58 year old. All in all, so glad I did this as a combined hernia repair, panniculectomy, abdominal wall reconstruction.

Thanks! While I have very little pain, I have even less ambition. So I nap, read a lot, watch movies and read blogs! Next week, after doc appt on Wednesday I'm going to go to the library! Woohoo!

I'm doing very well. The drains came out today--not painful. I'm healing well with minor pain. I am eating and sleeping well. Only issue is I have take more Phillips milk of magnesia. I'm a bit constipated. I'm tired and very glad I took off four weeks!

Hi! All went very well and I did not need to have the BARs procedure. The surgeons were able to sew and reinforce my diastasis recti muscles. They had separated 9cm allowing the formation of lots of hernias. I had a lot of skin removal and it looks good! 2 drains until likely next week. The pain is not bad-- under control with one percoset every 4 hours. I am getting up (with help) and using bathroom. I'm eating and drinking and I go home today!! All good. Yes--insurance is paying. Because I have had recurrent incarcerated hernias the reconstruction was not considered cosmetic.

I'm waiting to go to the or now! I said not to bother with the belly button. And they are doing the TT-- all with the repair of the recurrent hernia and some additional ones that I got. Can't wait for it to be over!!

My doctor allowed coffee at 4 weeks. Regular with caffeine!

My migraines are better post op but I do have Botox and use maxalt for the occasional migraine. Maxalt is not a NSAID so it's fine for me.

Fiber one bread toasted well. 50 calories, lots of fiber and it tastes great. I need to have some carbs/grains to keep things moving.

I think you need a different endocrinologist. I had a period of hypoglycemia-- passed out and sprained my ankle. The doc I saw was recommended by my bariatric surgeon. He told me to eat a small protein/carb snack every two hours after meals. I wasn't eating enough at meals. If the diet changes didn't work, he told me there were effective medications. I was a complicated dance-- eat then wait an hour and drink water then eat. Upshot is that it did work for me. But if it didn't there are meds. You are a success. But sometimes it takes a while to convince your body!! Hang in there.

So sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how hard that is. I'm almost 2 years post RNY- so whole others have had great advice, I'd just like to offer a couple of thoughts. Don't try to eliminate coffee. Instead of what you're drinking have a hot or cold skinny latte. It's got the coffee and skim milk. You can add Splenda or truvia or even some sugar free syrup. I love them. Try adding some Fiber. It really helps. A yummy Breakfast for the breakfast disinclined is a chobani 100 Greek yogurt-- the coconut pineapple is great--- add a tablespoon of sliced almonds. Yum fiber and low carb high Protein. It's often my go to evening snack. You've got this and you will be good. Be kind to yourself.

Great list! I am 22 months post surgery and I use most of what you listed. I don't eat much red meat because I have Iron overload (what was a curse is a post RNY blessing!) I make meatballs with pork and turkey meat and eat those as a quick food. I also make greek yogurt panna cotta with sugar sub and have those with fruit. Yum. I do eat lots of Greek yogurt and add some homemade high Protein granola-- think nuts!!

Weight really is funny! I gained 2 lbs over thanksgiving-- no idea how-- but went down in overall size so that clothes are loose! I am having abdominal reconstruction dec 23 and will have my pannis and extra skin removed then. (Not exactly TT because the docs are fixing a bunch of recurrent hernias due to a huge diastasis recti). Maybe the extra skin is why my size is larger? I did put on a sz 12 Oleg Cassini bathing suit I wore on my honeymoon 31 years ago. It was big on me 6 months ago. Who knows what size I will be but it will be a normal one!

Botox works really well. After a while all the preventative meds stopped working or I developed a reaction. I have been getting the Botox for about 2 1/2 years and it is covered under insurance-- just pay my copay. I have fewer and fewer headaches. And when I get one--a dose of maxalt works in minutes. Btw-- maxalt is not a NSAID and helps works for non migraine headaches. And, I'm wrinkle free!

Tammy-- saying prayers for your healing and for good health in the days to come. I can only imagine how frightening this all has been and marvel at your strength and great spirit.

For me it was not bad at all. I had two nights in the hospital and then when I got home I just took it easy. I took pain meds on schedule for a few days and that helped. I sipped and sipped cold water and hot tea. I rested. I was back at work in two weeks. All in all, it was one of the easiest surgeries I had. Much less pain than c-sections, gall bladder or hernia. I'm 22 months post surgery down 135 lbs. Best decision yet!