LosingItForMe2011

wow..37 days....glad you're feeling better. What happened to cause all the issues? Were there complications with the surgery? Infection? Wishing you the best for a speedy recovery.

most medical insurance will approve some plastics but, the basic ones and only with documented proof the extra skin is causing medical issues such as infections, rashes etc. They pay for the skin to be removed on the tummy but, not the tuck part. That part you have to pay for. Breast implants aren't usually covered but, if there are rashes under the breasts and documented some will pay to have a reduction done. Lower body lift or butt lift.....thinking again unless medically proven with documentation that medical issues are occuring it's probably not covered.

Yup the hormone levels are all wacked when you lose weight especially as fast as we do with RNy. My period was good for years...then the last year it's been hit or miss.....every 4-8 weeks. I was due for mine the day after my surgery and didn't get it so there went the 4 week mark...I didn't get again until 1 month post op...8 weeks. The next one came right at 4 weeks...looks like I'm back to normal. I was even tested last year for menopause just because it was so nuts but, they said I had no signs of it. 48 years old so I'm thinking it's starting. Anywho.......the hormones we are releasing with the stored fat will do some funny things to us.

springerboy - did your surgeon give you an anacid to take? Mine prescribed prilosec and I have to cut it in half before taking it. I have to take it for 6 months. Call your surgeon and get a prescription for the heartburn/indigestion. It's the weekend so it might be hard to get your doc but, there should be a bariatric fellow on call that can perscribe it for you. In the meantime....if you can't get a hold of anyone...ask your pharmacist for help. Let them know you had RNY surgery , how far out you are and see if they can recommend tums or a liquid form of antacid that doesn't have too much sugar.

Mizzlaw glad you're home and starting to feel better. I know for me the narcotic pain meds made it hard to breath. I started using it less on my 3rd day and they gave me a different pain med for home. I only took the pain med at home for a few days then started weening off of them because of the breathing. I too ended up with an incision infection that needed to be re-opened in the surgeons office. It was painful but, got through it. My surgery was 7/11 and after two rounds of antibiotics...I'm finally feeling great and moving along Glad you had a heart to heart with hubby too. My hubbys says when I'm thin I'll be dumping him for a younger guy but, he knows how much I love him and I keep reminding him every day. I'm so thankful for having a wonderful, supporting husband.....there is no way I'd trade him in

number 7...you're be sleeping alot in the hospital Until then...it's normal to be nervous. But keep thinking about how you're going to have the help you want to lose the weight you want. Yippee! Good luck with your surgery and let us know how you're doing.

I had the lapband as well but, I had issues with mine. It was put in 2/2006, revised doe to a slight prolaps in 12/2008 and then ultimately removed in 1/2010 because of a severe prolaps. My lapband was no longer facing my left shoulder it was facing my left foot. Not good! The first year with the band was good, I lost about 80 pounds but, then the trouble started. Slowly but surely the weight came back because we never got the fill correct after the first revision. I went unfilled for so long. After it was removed......it took a long time to adjust to not having it anymore. It was a tool for so long even when it didn't work right. I had to heal up at least 6 months before they would consider doing another surgery. Basically.....I got the lapband because I was nervous about my organs being reorganized. But.....it's been 6 years since 2006 and the surgery has come a long way and fewer complications. AFter seeing more weight come back on, I decided RNY was for me because I did well with the band and it's small pouch area....so I knew I'd do well with a RNY size pouch. I actually like that fact that dumping can occur and I won't test that ground. I don't want to dump and I don't want to find out if I don't dump. A healthy fear of it keeps me away from fats and sugar which help me get fat in the first place. I thought of the sleeve as well but, my surgeon said there was more chance of an ulcer and the sleeve hasn't been around long enough for the long term studies. RNY has been around for many years now and it's proven to work. So I decided to have the RNY. Everyone has to make their own decision though. Good luck and I hope my answers help a bit.

I'll be flying myself in a week. I'm planning on drinking fluids before and water during the flight. I swell up terribly from flying and thinking it will be no different now after the surgery so I'm preparing for it. So just in case I retain fluid and can't drink much....I'm drinking most before I leave.

Depends on the stage of eating you're on. Did they give you a list of acceptable foods, liquids? 5 days out I was still on liquids....protein shakes, cottage cheese, sf jello and pudding, greek yogurt.Pretty much it. Some docs allow blended soups but, mine allowed those during the mushy stage at 3-4 weeks postop.

I didn't bring any clothes. I wore the same clothes I went to the hospital in home. Heck I was only in them 2 hours before they had me in a johnny. I brought chapstick and did use it. I brought deodorant, hair brush, my cell phone which I can search the internet on and check email. That's pretty much it. I had my kindle but, left it with my husband because I wasn't in my room much. Didn't want to leave it around if I wasn't there. I slept alot and when I wasn't sleeping I was walking most of the time or watched tv. I had to stay 2 nights, 3 days. The more you walk after the surgery the quicker the gas they pump in you releases. I've had 4 bariatric surgeries and always walked lots after each...never had that gas pain when I got home. Thank goodness!

very loose bms that first week. Remember also you're only taking in liquids and nothing with enough fiber or carbs to bind things up. It's going to be loose for a while until you're on more solid foods. I know once I was into the 5th stage level of eating...meaning all solids including fruit and veggies....things were more normal so to speak.

I don't understand your question mary. Are you asking if you can stretch your pouch by drinking too much water? When it comes to thin fluids...water thickness fluids.....I don't think it would stretch rather you'd burp it back up if you took too much too fast. Since it's think it goes pretty quickly through your pouch if the stoma is without issues. If it's thicker liquid that will take much longer to go through the stoma, then you'll either puke it up or stretch the pouch a little. Depends on the thickness. Most liquids won't stretch it though I wouldn't think. Good question for your surgeon if you're worried.

I can't say that I crave anything anymore. I'm lucky I can get the protein in actually. I have to make myself eat and choose high protein foods. I think I'm so afraid of dumping and the foods I craved before would cause the dumping if I ate them now. It does get better though...make sure you're staying hydrated because when you don't...the cravings start. Your body will feel hungry when it's actually thirsty.

safest bet is to call your surgeon and let them know. There is usually a bariatric fellow on call if you're surgeon isn't available.

my doc says count protein and water ounces

doesn't sound related to the RNY surgery...you might want to call your PCP to have it checked.

I was using colace in the beginning with one time having to use Milk of Magnesia (spelling?). Since then I've been doing fine on my own.

Way to go Don!

tmorgan, I got a lot of my Vitamins at the pharmacies when they had them on sale. My RiteAid had them buy one get one free or 1/2 off for most of mine. I had to go online to buy my Calcium Citrate because most stores don't carry the citrate kind. Basically you have to price around because all brands and stores have different prices. You can catch them on sales though. Sounds like you got your approval already but, most insurances give an answer within 48 hours of receiving all the documentation from your surgeon. As far as personal trainers....I don't think that's even considered as part of your process for insurance approval. They want to know your physical history, how you'll benefit from the surgery, if you're physically able and strong for the surgery, your PCP's opinion and consent to medically release you for surgery and your surgeons plan on how they will do the surgery and what will be used etc. Many want a supervised diet and weightloss to happen for 3-6 months, some a year and yet others don't require it. Each insurance has their own requirements so it's pretty tricky but, your doctor's team will know what they need. Again...sounds like you already have your approval so that's great! Hope this helped. Good luck with your surgery. When's your date?

I have one. I got mine from Lauren's Hope. Google it. You can order the tag and put up to 5 lines on it and she has lots of bracelets to choose from. All different price ranges. I bought one and now I'm making other bracelets on my own.

ladybug it took me a while before I could look at food without being nauseous as well. It does get better. I have good days and bad as far as getting all my water and protein in....depends on a lot of things. But get your vitamins in, do the best you can with your water and protein. If both are really low...call your doctor and nutritionist. They can give hints on what to do to get it in. Hope you feel better soon.

How far along from surgery are you?

sometime when you're dehydrated your stomach makes you feel like you're hungry. Are you getting enough fluid in?

welcome to the boards! You're doing great and we're all here to help each other. Glad you posted.

Do all you can to work on the reasons why you eat when you're not hungry. Head hunger is one of the toughest to beat and the games it plays. I did work with a therapist before surgery and now even after. To learn techniques on what to do when head hunger hits....why it hits and how to recognize true hunger from head hunger. It's not easy but, do-able Lots of books out there that are helpful as well. Fortunately after surgery....the feeling of hunger does ease up. I don't have to fight it as much...now it's learning to schedule eating so I remember to eat.