Tomo

That's fantastic. Great job! Your post is a good reminder that our tool is there for life, and we can count on it to do its job if we do ours.

Can add collagen with no problem but just don't count it in your total protein goal since it is not a complete protein. Another thing, don't buy too much because the liquid stage will go by fast and you will be stuck with tons of extra you "won't want to look at for a very long time" type of stuff lol. I still have tons of protein powders, bariatric soups, shakes that are sitting in a box.

Interesting question, Kim. A good one. I don't think anyone has asked me that before. I didn't have any different physical sensation with either the vsg or revision except a feeling of tightness in the morning meal only, especially in the beginning. That was solved by drinking a warm drink, like coffee or tea, first to loosen it up a little. There was/is no pain whatsoever otherwise.

Before my vsg surgery, my surgeon gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant. I can't remember the name of it now though. But I'm guessing that it is a common occurrence since it was one of the meds that was prescribed. I did have some abdominal spasms on the second day. The medication was very helpful. I only took it as needed.

I think you are doing great. I'm like@catwoman7, I lost a whopping 15.6 lbs my first month. lol.

I had VSG revision to bypass due to gerd over a year ago, but my experience with the VSG and restriction for 6 to 7 years was the following: I didn't have alot of restriction either but had enough to be successful. With meat, about 3 ounces. Everything else about 1 cup. The great thing is... Even years out, I was never able to truly "pig out" again. If and when I ate too much, my heart would pound like crazy. I did have to work to stay away from slider foods since the end result of that is very little restriction. As long as you don't get gerd, and you eat protein first, it is a wonderful tool for weightloss and lifetime restriction but it takes work and commitment.

I gained like 10 lbs by post op day 3. lol but I expected it though, I had to get of my bp meds for a couple of days before my surgery (diuretic) and they really pumped me full of liquids (IV).

I don't formally exercise. I never did. I am not a gym person. I feel too guilty if I fall off program. So I just make extra efforts to walking back and forth around the house/work. About 6K steps a day (fitbit watch tracks it for me). I use ankle weights and wrist weights quite a bit for daily activities. I keep 5 lb dumbbells on the couch next to me and when watching tv, I will do arm, chest and shoulder exercises. I like to stretch a lot to stay limber. That's the extent of it. I mainly do it for health not for weight loss.

When I eat cabbage, I get more gas (so I chew on mini Mylanta fruit tablets). Otherwise, no. Broccoli and cauliflower, I experience the same thing but not as bad. I think it has to do with the raffinose in these types of foods. Still healthy though, so I still eat them. Never diarrhea though.

I have experienced a strange phenomenon when it comes to being cold. When I went from 300s to 160 (and stayed there for many years), I was constantly cold. Like to the bone cold. Painfully cold. Last year, I had a revision to RNY for my gerd and have been 110 lbs. +/- 3 lbs. range for the past few months, and I no longer feel "cold" 24/7. I even kick off my blankets at night, something I haven't done for years. I had thought I would be even more cold. Confusing. lol It's more normal now but still leaning a little to being cold but not painfully so. I think it's totally weird BUT maybe others have experienced it. I haven't researched it at all.

I have really low blood pressure too, and my heart rate is in the low 50s most of the time. My surgeon isn't worried about it at all, neither is my PCP as long as I don't have any other symptoms that go along with it. My surgeon said to up my coffee and tea if I like those types of drinks (I do), make sure I am really hydrated and eat more salt (I like pink Himalayan salt). I think it is common and others will share their experiences like they did when I was very concerned and made a post about it.

Post-op diet is the same. No severe gerd anymore (yay). Restriction is different for me too as@GreenTealael mentioned. I liked the way she said "boredom with eating". I experienced that too! lol. To me, I feel a lot more restriction and control compared to the sleeve. But it's not really physical. It's a satisfaction feeling. Hard to explain. It also feels more natural (like before any WLS) once you learn your body's clues.

I have that habit too. I haven't found a way to stop it though. I tend to use food as a sedative. On a good note though, studies have shown that eating protein like string cheese or Greek yogurt before you go to bed helps build, repair and nourish our muscles, and maximize our workouts. Pistachios and cherries are good at night too. Those help with sleep

I have a Fitbit charge 5. It's been reliable with my calories in and out as far as weight loss. Been trying the maintenance program the past month. So far so good. It helps with my sleep patterns and tells me how long I am in each of the sleep stages for the night, week, month. Also my heart rate variability, skin temperature...Etc. I like the ecg scan too. The battery lasts a week or more. I also like that I can set goals for steps or whatever. I don't have any other experience with any other watches but I am very happy with this one.

I didn't experience transfer addiction. I think I will always be a food addict. Hoping to be a "recovered" food addict for the remainder of my life. I am always aware, at any given moment, I could go back to it if I don't stay focused. Unfortunately, food has always been my thing. I have memories of eating my favorite things or the first time I tried a certain food. Even now, I still buy way too much food even though I don't eat it. I have been working to stop doing that as much. My refrigerator, freezer, pantry, foods bins are stuffed. For years now, I have been eating a cup of food at a time but why or why do I keep buying so much food? lol I still think of food most of the time. It's so hardwired... But addiction is addiction. My heart goes go to anyone who has addiction problems. I can totally relate to anyone who is addicted to anything, whether it is food, drugs, alcohol.

Life with a BMI over 60 was unbearable. I was in my late 40s when I had my first WLS. I waited far too long. I would've had a much better life, with better memories, if I had done it in my 20s. But I am a firm believer that "You are never too old to make things right. ~Anonymous". I'm in my 60s now and it has been the greatest ride of my life. I am so thankful WLS is available.

My experience, and mine alone. I had the lapband in 2008. Had it for 7 it 8 years. No WLS restriction is more miserable compared to what I had experienced with the lapband. The pain in my chest, the having to void in a public restroom because the pressure in my throat. When I had the lapband restriction, it was THE most unnatural feeling. With the RNY, you will live a much smoother and normal life. As long I chew well, I literally have zero side effects from the RNY. It has been over a year. Hard to explain, but for once, I feel so normal now. To me, when I get full, it's very similar to getting full before any WLS. You just have to learn your body's clues. If one doesn't want to dump, you stay away from those foods. One stays away from foods when they are allergic to them. Most do not dump anyway. As far as safety. This may help you out. RNY is not the same surgery as it was many years ago. It is laparoscopic, so much safer, so much so that many surgeons now do the RNY even as an outpatient procedure now. I was released within 24 hours. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2019/may/is-bariatric-surgery-safe

Yes, I did. Before my revision to RNY for gerd, I was suffering from severe gerd and as it progressed it gave me a constant hunger-like pain. I ate more and more small meals but the food in my stomach only helped the burning symptoms temporarily. I gained 1/4 of my total weight loss back after developing gerd, so my surgeon put me on Lomaira while I was waiting for my revision. The Lomaira helped a lot for appetite control. I only took it as needed, not daily, often in the afternoon or evening. Of course, it doesn't help with the gerd but it did take away that particular symptom.

Bacon isn't considered soft foods (as you know) and that his stomach isn't fully healed till 6 to 8 week later. As @Shoppgirl said it is about safety. One of the most serious complications of VSG and/or RNY is rupturing your suture line aka anastomosis and if you don't adhere to the post-op diet then you are risking serious complications. If he rips the suture line, like someone close to me did (and she didn't listen), his abdominal contents will spill into his peritoneal cavity and it can kill him.

I had the foamies in the first few months. Once and a lifetime now if I don't chew enough. I bought a GUM dual action tongue cleaner and when I feel like I have to get rid of the extra saliva/foam (chest pressure build up), I rub it 2 or 3 times towards the back of my tongue, promotes a gag reflex, and the fluid expels. It never makes me throw up, it is always just the extra mucus that causes build up pain. I forget where I read that hint but it had helped me.

I was told I could take pills right away but "be careful" with anything bigger than a pencil eraser.

My goal weights were rather simple: no longer morbidlly obese class 3, no longer obese class 2, no longer obese class 1, no longer overweight and healthy bmi. I've been kind of in maintenance mode the past few months. Still upping my calories but still losing. Tryng to find that sweet spot that is both sustainable and comfortable for my lifestyle.

It is natural for your sleeve to expand a little through time. 8 oz (or 1 cup of food) is what I was told. Some eat a lot less and others eat a lot more.

That looks divine!!!

Confused like the others. So they reversed the bypass and made a sleeve? I have read about it but it is difficult and rare. I'm surprised they didn't do a DS or even a TORe revision which are more effective and more common for RNY revisions. Whoever said the pouch or stomach (stoma and even the intestines, for that matter)don't stretch is wrong because they absolutely do if you constantly overeat. I have a RNY, and I can eat fried foods, junk food without getting sick at all. Not everyone dumps so one can't rely on getting sick if they don't stick to plan.