MsCook

Congratulations! Be proud and keep on going!

Wow! What a success story you are. Congratulations! Maybe you could do a week of the pre-op clear liquid diet that jump starts so many of us before surgery...

Well, I'm more than 2 weeks out now. Soreness is all gone, incisions are nearly healed, itching has subsided, and I'm eating regular food now. I was also happy to see that after I got off the mushy food stage and onto "real" food (protien and leafy greens), the weight began coming off better. It was seeming slow to me while I was on the mushy foods, probably because of the carbs and heavier soups, etc. things that Iwas consuming. Now, though, focusing on lean protiens and leafy green veggies has allowed me to jump start the weight loss. I came to a strange realization after my post-op visit. I always knew the RNY was going to be a "tool" for me to be successful in losing weight. But I guess it didn't really sink in how I would use that tool until after it was over with and I had the green light to eat again. I realized then that it's still up to me to lose the weight through my behaviors and getting more exercise, but the RNY removes the things that prevented me from being successful before (HUNGER! and a feeling of deprivation). I suppose I knew it intellectually beforehand, but the reality set in only afterward. I tried the Bariatric Advantage multi-vitamins and calcium. The vitamins are fine; however, I couldn't stomach the nasty mint-flavored Calcium Citrate chewables. I found that I'd much rather take 2 caplets twice a day and found a great alternative right in my local GNC store. Each of us is different and we just have to find what works. I'm starting to notice a difference in my clothing! Things are getting looser and I even had to take a link out of my watchband. It's the little things, right?! Starting: 317# Pre-Op: 296# Today: 283.5# Total Down: 33.5#

Katiebug12, I have an important tip for you regarding the insurance OOP. I always assumed that mine was based on a calendar year. Didn't find out until surgery time that it is based on the the policy anniversary date. Yours might be different, but it's worth checking out so you don't have any unexpected surprises. It's fortunate in my situation that it didn't make a monetary difference for me; however, I did learn that my husband had surgery on the LAST day of the "policy" year. Uggh! Had I known, we would have changed his surgery to a day or two later! Anyway... check it out...

The sooner you go for it, the better! I had a 6-month requirement to meet insurance guidelines but it truly went by very quickly!

I admit to being a daily visitor to the scale. I find that I need that day-to-day feedback to ensure I stay on track. If I see it go up a touch, I am extra good the next day to ensure it comes back off very quickly. Just me, I suppose.

My sense of taste didn't change, either, that I have noticed; however, I have noticed how GOOD healthy eating tastes. I guess it's all in what you get used to. Glad all is going well for you and that you are having great success.

Hey! Good to have you here! And congratulations on your decision to start on the new YOU! What a fantastic journey this is and you'll find such amazing and supportive people on this site. Good luck to you!

Yes, I've tried it. I didn't notice the carbonation if it had it and I LOVED it! I was probably only about 2 weeks post-op when I had it and it was truly an "oh thank heaven for 7-11" moment.

Couldn't agree more, juditha! I Iiterally did not make it to the restroom in time and was mortified because I had to have my hubby help me clean up as I couldn't make the necessary movements to do so myself yet! Uggghhh!

We're on almost the same track, with the same progress. My pre-op diet started 7-23 and I'm down 41 pounds too. I, too, have trouble feeling like I get enough to drink but I think that's the body's way of ensuring that we DO get enough hydration. Here's to our success!

Hang in there! Maybe try setting some intermediate goals with small rewards... like when you get to the next x5 or x10 milestone, reward yourself with a small non-food reward. I love to reward myself with a new shade of nail polish or lipstick, or even a new pair of earrings. It's the little things that really help move you along.

It seems one of the hardest things is to adjust your eyes to the size of your new stomach! I keep trying to remind myself I'm eating "in miniature" now. LOL!

At 9 weeks post-op, I would be surprised if you were limited in any way by the RNY. Definitely ask your doctor but don't be surprised if they simply say "cold medicine."

I hope everything works out just as you planned. Good luck!

Yes, welcome to the group. Lots of contributors and 'regulars' here so keep coming back. You'll find good advice and all the encouragement and reassurance you can stand. October 4 will be here before you know it. And just in the short time since my surgery (8/10), I can tell you that this is the BEST thing I've ever done for myself. Good luck to you!

It truly does vary from surgeon to surgeon. My surgeon released me from the hospital on full liquids--no worries about what had protein or did not. Then at my 2 week follow up appointment, he moved me on to "regular foods"--anything protein (meat, eggs, cheese, etc) and leafy green veggies (a lot like Adkins diet). I was fine with that. But you should follow your surgeon's plan.

Good for you! Nice to reward yourself for your hard work.

Fantastic, ShrinkingDee! You are indeed shrinking and making wonderful progress. I bought a few pairs of smaller pants this weekend... mostly because I had to! Gotta have something to wear to work that isn't falling off and huge! I can't wait to be able to shop in "regular" stores and not be limited by the plus-size store selections. Keep up the great work!

Hang in there! The first 3 days of the pre-op diet are the hardest; then it gets easier. You can do this! And the reward at the end of the process is SOOOO worth it!

Maybe try measuring out your food by weight and seeing if that will satisfy you with a good 3 meals per day. You don't want to eat and keep eating because you can. Also, be sure you are not drinking with your meals because my surgeon says that just washes the food on through and you don't have that full feeling for any length of time. Good luck.

Can't wait to be able to ride roller coasters again! That's what I'm going to do to reward myself at some future milestone.

Yes, I was in there this weekend, too, taking advantage of the sale prices. But sadly, store personnel did confirm that all Fashion Bug (including online) stores are closing by the end of the year. I think the online presence is closing even sooner. Still, we have some options to get us through until we no longer HAVE to shop at the PLUS size shops.

It might be worth a visit to your primary care doc just to ensure there's not something else going on that's causing the weight gain--maybe hypothyroidism or something. You may also want to keep a food and exercise journal to see how much is really going in and what you're really working off. It's hard to see it sometimes until you see in black-and-white on the page in front of you. It's certainly easier to objectively evaluate that way. Good luck to you!

Doesn't it feel great to hit those non-weight milestones?! Congrats on the weight loss and on the XL shirt-size. Keep up the great work.