mrsblues

Hi everyone, haven't been on for a long time but continue to receive updates on my smartphone, since I subscribed to the thread. I've been doing great. Enjoying every positive outcome, regarding the surgery. Enjoying my new life and all the health benefits the surgery has given back to me. Glad to hear that others are doing well on their journey. I no longer dwell on the numbers and don't discuss my totals anymore. I said more than anything I wanted my health back. When others ask how much I lost, I remind them that it is all about how I feel. Looking at me also speaks volumes as to the amount of weight lost, so I don't discuss my "numbers." Everything is normal and going as planned including the hair loss (lol). Couldn't be more thrilled (and keeping hair short)! Continued successes to all of you!

December Surgeries Clairelou lou Dec 1 Coventry, England jls2012 Dec 3 Greenville, SC lindamarie Dec 3rd Santa Rosa, CA NikiG December 3rd Christiana Hospital Newark, DE simply southern26 Dec 3rd, Dr. William Johnson, Johns Creek, Georgia charrison27 December 4th, Dr. Asad, Erie, PA msixkiller Dec 4th Bailey Medical Center, OK mrsblues December 4th Silver Cross Hospital (Joliet, IL) Wannabepintsized Dec 4th San Antonio, TX jpr99 December 5th, Rochester General, Dr Anthony DiBenedetto Kathmandu Dec 5th Highland Park Hospital, IL mkruit Dec 5th Akron, OH Vicki Loichinger Dec 5th St Francis Hospital Indianapolis, IN rarah Dec 8 uk Denyelle Dec 10th Traverse City, MI cogburn dec 10th Allentown Pennsylvania dr Leonardo Claros jodimc Dec 10th Fayetteville AR Dr. Roller kdl0452 Dec 10th Kissimmee, FL (brother's surgery same day redoableme Dec 10th!! Vista East in Waukegan, IL charlismom229 Dec 12th. Dr. Small in Hagerstown, MD TDee Dec 12th Edmonton, Alberta (CAN). Dr. Karmali jamicrow Dec 13th Madison, WI thisshizzibananas Dec 13th, Dr. Anthony Petrick, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA fireandice36 Dec 17th Irishone127. Dec 17th Dr S. Trang. Einstein Hospital, Elkins Park, PA Nicole K Dec 17th Boston, MA Joan VanDorn Dec 18 Bailey medical center owasso Oklahoma mommys2boys Dec 19 snow25 Dec 20 Greenville, NC

Wow, great weight loss, congrats! What a difference!

OK, not sure how to post a picture here under our post, but under my (mrsblues) profile in "My Gallery" I posted a three month picture! Finally can see what I look like...... LOL Cindee

You look fantastic! Congrats, Nicole!

I had RNY surgery in December. I had many of the same concerns as you. You won't be hungry for a while after surgery. I can tell you that it isn't easy getting your Protein and Water intake in during the day. Remember that ALL liquids count towards your water intake, even broths/soups, Jello, protein shakes/drinks, flavored waters, and decaf tea/coffee, etc..... I concerned myself mostly with getting the protein since it helps with healing and since the liquid with the protein counted towards my water intake anyways. I still recommend drinking water, sips in the beginning and in-between sips of the Protein Drink. I have experienced hair loss (thinning) within the past month. They always tell you it is due to the protein but I have read that it is normal, will usually stop on it's own and your hair will grow back. Now this is all assuming that there aren't any other underlying problems or conditions. Bringing food to work all depends on the food stage you are in at the time. I brought a variety and always more than I needed. You will have to make it a priority to get your fluids in just SIP, SIP, SIP! I returned to work after two weeks. For pain relief you are limited to tylenol especially while healing but since you are on pain medication after surgery there is probably something stronger you can stay on for back pain, just ask your surgeon. Summers and overheating can be an issue but again just learn to take water/liquids with you whereever you go. I have a small cooler I bring to keep water and ice in. Especially, when gone for a day of shopping, etc....better safe than sorry. Best of luck to you, it will all fall into place. Many things I fretted about never became an issue.

I use Body Fortress from Walmart (dry) and found it to be very good. I use vanilla flavored and mix it with fruit in the blender usually for breakfast. Then I use the chocolate flavored with a little decaf coffee (or just plain) to drink. I am able to use skim milk (not lactose intolerant). Each dry scoop adds 27g of protein not including the milk. I still have a shake or two a day, my surgery was in December.

Hi, had my surgery in December! There are some hormonal changes occurring and dry skin is one of the side effects. I used lotions and a really good moisturizing soap in the shower. Adding humidity to the house will help, too. If it continues to be a problem let you doctor know. Congrats!

Normal..... completely normal. Congrats on your surgery and continued success!

Impressive and exciting! Way to go!

I am getting to the point where I can no longer tell, either. Seems like when they put me on the omeprazole (generic Prilosec) I went from feeling everything digestive to feeling almost nothing. The biggest sensation I still feel is burping and as soon as I do, I quit eating. Since I don't get the signals like before, I use the portion rule. I'm glad I don't have all the sensations as before, they were quite bothersome, but lack of all I had almost makes me (from the digestive standpoint) feel like I never had surgery....... and that isn't good, either! I definitely feel hunger!

Wow, your family has been through a lot. Have they told you what the growth is from or what is causing it? I am anxious to hear what they say mine is caused from. ENT told me it's as if my vocal cords tripped and fell and have a big scab on them. Baffled him! Hope this surgery goes well and that soon your son will be free from having this growth and anymore surgeries. Has his voice stayed intact throughout all of the surgeries? I will also say a prayer for your family for continued strength.

A little stretching is common and I was told we will be able to hold about 1/2 to a cup of food eventually. Are you eating food that is easily digested? Might not be keeping you full. Sometimes you are thirsty rather than hungry so try and drink something instead of eating. Hope this helps! I had surgery in December (RNY) and am just now starting to feel hungry again. Could be more head hunger than actual hunger!

Been checking in but not posting.... Happy to hear that most are doing well, even if the weight loss isn't what you hoped for. Don't lose hope! I've been running around to doctors trying to figure out the laryngitis issue that coincided with the bronchitis I developed, early in February. Found out I have a mass on my vocal cords that has to be removed on the 22nd of March. The ENT went down with a scope and found it. Irritated because the physicians assistant at my primary doctor's office was almost angry with me for being so concerned about the laryngitis. So many medications later and still no relief but at least, we finally have a cause. It is covering 2/3's of my vocal cords (both sides) and is quite huge according to him. He doesn't "think" it is cancerous, but rather from prolonged acid reflux. He has put me on 80mg. of omeprazole which has helped tremendously with pouch pain I was experiencing. I never felt any burning in my throat, just an overfullness occasionally. My biggest complaint would be pain in the same pouch region every time I ate. I chalked it up to healing. So today, I had my three month RNY surgeon follow-up and nutrition class. He was pleased with weight loss and all blood work/vitamin levels, etc....normal! Explained everything that's been going on, healthwise to the surgeon, and he was not concerned about the GERD now, because the medication the ENT provided gave me relief from the pouch pain. Never suggested what it could be but by your posts it sounds like maybe an ulcer. I also agree with all the posts about the clothes shopping being so different, now. I hold clothing up and someone mentions I am buying too big, yep! Still trying to convince myself that I am smaller, compliments and all. I see it, but can't believe it! Wow! Don't always lose the pounds quickly but there always seems to be a shift in the fat cells somewhere! My average loss is only about 2 lbs. a week.

I was just given my second steroid shot due to this unrelenting plague I've had. Started my third antibiotic and now blood glucose is once again, all over the place. Having had really bad hypoglycemic episodes, I was actually told by bariatric surgeon to have small pieces of chocolate or sugared wrapped hard candy at my disposal. Although a couple of times I had to resort to using them to bring sugar up, I was petified I would dump. Never happened, thankfully! Still I do believe that just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't someday. So I don't get the urge to indulge at all. Been losing, albeit slowly, but consider that an accomplishment with steroids coarsing through my veins for the past three weeks. Usually they make you want to eat more but I haven't found that to be my case! Congrats on your weight loss, you are doing really well! I love noticing all the new things relating to weight loss and mine just recently was learning the new clothing sizes I was in!

I actually use the bathroom a lot more now because I drank far less, presurgery. When they told me how much I had to drink after the surgery, I laughed....uh, yeah, right! I still don't meet my quota and with being sick, I'm drinking less but it's more than I ever use to drink. Still like warm tea over any other. Cold fluids just go down with a "thud." Decided that eating foods is really miserable. My pouch seems to "attack foods" with the most absurd gurgling/ rumbling sounds which sometimes makes me think my pouch is gonna revolt which then makes me not want to eat much. Takes quite a while for all the racket to settle down and feel somewhat normal, but by then I don't want to eat anymore.

I take synthroid and it can't be taken with calcium or iron. I take all my vitamins in the morning and evening and take synthroid right before bedtime. Hope this helps!

I am so thrilled to hear your news Gen. Glad they are working on getting you back to normal and happy they found out the problems you've been having. Sounds like you are on the right track, but now you got to stay there. I still have my bronchitis (severe) and no voice. Just trying to talk sets me into coughing spasms and I've really had enough of it. Ending week two with this and I finally took some Benydryl to see if I could dry the sinuses up to avoid the constant drainage and coughing. On a better note, no longer have the UTI and feel so much better, the pain and pressure from that really sucks! Also went shopping today, finally, for new clothes. I was so amazed! Went from jeans/slacks 18W to 14 and 2XL to L in shirts/sweaters. I went to our local Goodwill and a couple resale shops and found some really nice items. Felt amazing! Highest price item for some really nice work sweaters was $4.99, looks like I found my newest clothing store, for now! As soon as I feel better I'll get around to posting pictures. Still need to eat more and get back to more protein. Hate eating or drinking, but if I go to longg then my pouch acts up even worse!

Are you kidding me? When the hell are doctors going to allow us to speak for ourselves and follow the information we give to them. Really? I am so upset, how awful for you to be going through all that! I'm sure your medical file must have the HYPOCHONDRIAC stamp on it somewhere.....NOT! Yeesh!

I agree, if I didn't have to eat anymore, and could get all liquids, I would be happy. Food----UGH! Nothing seems to go down the same way twice. Never know what to eat and most times I don't even want it.

That's great news on the weight loss! Congrats!

Wow Gen, you've been through so much. Hope you are feeling better! Thinking of you and hoping for a quick recovery!

Wonderful news, Gen! Hopefully you will be able to feel better soon. Onderland... that's quite an accomplishment!