Postop

I cook every couple of weeks (on Sunday). It takes several hours. Then I have weeks of hamburgers, steak, turkey burgers, lamb chops, etc. for dinners. lunch is either tuna or I buy something inexpensive like a cooked chicken and cut it up. Breakfast is yogurt, cheese, eggs or nuts so that doesn't take planning.

Yes I still have sleep apnea and high cholesterol. Hopefully in the next few days I can get a hold of the insurance company and see what can be done. I'd never wish them on you, but in this case they may actually help you out. They're impt. for the ins. co. to see and realize you're still having these issues that can and will cost them down the road if they don't pay for your DS.

With the DS it's multiple times per day. You need to do so to keep healthy.

Do you still have any co-morbidities?

I don't own a scale or I'd live on it. In the first year postop, I only weighed when I saw my surgeon. Nowadays, I weigh about once a month.

I had to crush everything. I mixed it in applesauce or yogurt (of course, at that time I could barely eat a tsp.)

I was lucky in that it was only 2 days of liquids. But I ate a lot of Jell-o. Is that permitted on your plan (not red, or similar colors, of course)

Physically, you'd most likely start to feel discomfort if you ate too much. Mine is around my breastbone. You might also barf. 9 years post DS, I still have much bigger eyes than my stomach. Other times I feel like I want to eat but feel too full to do so. That's the best description I can give you of how it works for me.

Very interesting plan. I'd be able to meet up at a support group a couple of times a year. Unfortunately, I doubt I could commit to more.

You're welcome. Anything else we can help with just ask.

No one knows I had the DS, either. As for flying, here's what I do. Obviously, I eat no carbs that day (honestly, I don't eat them during the day much, anyway). When I want them I eat them I do so in the evening so I can have my gas, etc., in the privacy of my home or hotel room. I'll sometimes eat what they give me on the plane, but I often bring tuna, roast chicken, stuff like that. Then I know I'm getting more than enough Protein and am able to eat constantly which if you go by the airline's food; it's only when they want to serve you and you're on a long flight. Oh, and always have tons of nuts with you. I also always carry certain things: I always carry a small vial of perfume in the back pocket of my slacks. It's a small metal atomizer and I fill it w/perfume. That's b/c I find my gas lingers in the butt of my pants much more than it did before I had the DS. When I know I can't hold in the gas or smother it in the seat (or at work against a wall; you get good at smothering gas, lol), I spray the butt of my pants quickly to mask the smell. If that won't pass through the TSA, you can just use a small clear spray bottle you find at the drugstore. Those should pass the TSA. For the bathroom. I use Citrus Magic orange spray. They also make small spray bottles and I use them in all public bathrooms. I carry it in my backpack & I don't have to worry about 'going' in public. Not sure about that passing through in your carry on with the TSA so I'd use the perfume atomizer in the bathroom. It should clear the smell up well. Oh, and I'll also say (if there's a person waiting in line for the bathroom), "You might want to wait a minute or two before you go in."

Do you mean flying right after the DS? Or do you mean flying, in general, as the years go by post DS?

Probably the same stuff you've heard before: Vitamins/minerals/protein are for life. Same with blood tests & other tests your doctors say you need. Ensure you want to make the time and financial commitment. Plus, really know your self. Are you compulsive/anal/conscientious enough (take your pick) to do it all? This isn't meant to scare you off. By no means. The DS offers the best chance to lose the most & keep it off. But it requires work and isn't always easy. There are positives and negatives. But the payoff can be great.

Hi, Let me address the dining out issue. It's not difficult. I promise. First of all, the salad dressing isn't often a problem. I get Russian. It's catsup and mayo. I eat that all the time (catsup everyday with my meals and mayo in my tuna). Remember, fat is not a problem with DSers. I also order pretty much whatever I want (bread/pasta/rice being the exception b/c I don't really want the carbs; it's way too filling & I'd never fit in the required Protein if I ate it as my stomach is too small). Shrimp with butter sauce, steaks, hamburgers, roast chicken, chicken alfredo (I usually don't eat the Pasta but the sauce is great). I'm a very picky eater, though. My DS friends eat a lot of different things. I just named some of the basics. Keep in mind DSers don't count calories. We watch sugar grams & simple carbs. Plus, I also always have extra for later. Meaning I almost never finish the meal at the table so I bring it with me: either home, or back to the hotel room for a snack (some people do finish it all, though, so don't worry if you are one of them, YMMV) . I try to get a room w/a refrig. but if not it stays well enough for when I eat again.

Not much to add in the way of advice as the previous posters have made some good points. Just one thing, with the gastric bypass the malabsorption lessens greatly after the first year.

Welcome. I can't speak to the tumors, but wish you well. As for just DS advice, my biggest is take all your vits/minerals. And have your bloods done when your surgical team requires.

It gave me the best chance of losing the most & keeping it off.

Oxford. 35 BMI with comorbidities; 40 BMI. No supervised diet plan. This was in 2005, though. Don't know if it's changed since then.

Yes, I would. I was too concerned about the regain issues without the full DS. Is it easy? No. There are a good many positives, but there are also negatives. I'd say it took about 2.5 years postop till I decided I'd done the right thing for ME. It's a very personal decision that required a ton of research and soul-searching.

There are a couple of NYC DS luncheons planned for 1/27/14. PM me if you want info.

You're allowed to whine. It's very normal. You've made a very big change in your life. Do yourself a favor. Stop weighing. I didn't weigh till the doctor weighed me the first time. Then monthly. That way I didn't see the highs or lows as I knew I'd go nuts.

Our practice gave a packet of info. & in it were daily menu sheets. I photocopied them & tracked my Protein for 6-9 mos. After that, I was able to do it in my head. I only track protein, vitamins/minerals, etc. I do have a list of the vitamins/minerals [i take] but that's really only for doctors. I keep it in my knapsack to provide to a doctor when necessary (so I don't have to try write them all down on the patient forms). I just have the doctor's assistant photocopy it.

Here's a pretty good list. You can pick & choose what appeals to you: sleep Mask, or Eye Mask Ear Plugs Backscratcher Lip Balm Moisturizer Breath Spray Deoderant All of your prescription medicines in their original packaging CPAP machine and mask if you use one Own soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner hair brush or comb Hairdryer Toothpaste, tooth brush, mouthwash Cotton panties Warm socks (though many hosps. give you the ones w/treads so you can walk easily) Sports top/bra or bra with no wire Sleepwear Robe (even if you decide to wear the hosp. gown this is good for when you walk around the halls postop to cover your butt ) Loose clothes for the trip home Slip on shoes & slippers Ipod/mp3 player A book or magazine Glasses A small amount of money Possible credit card if needed for TV/phone rental Pillow- extra comfort and drive home. Cell phone and charger Camera for those attractive gown shots TV Guide or other mags/books Pen & paper Cardigan Portable DVD Player Laptop-especially for the bored but loving support person The best things I brought were Chapstick (it's incredibly dry in the hospital) and a large robe to put over the hospital gown.

Is it standard to get the blood thinning injections during your stay (and some given for your return home)? Not that I know of (unless you need them). Is it standard to get the blood clot prevention boots after the operation? (They are like huge blood pressure cuffs that squeeze your legs). Yes, wore them for days & had a Foley catheter for a couple of days as well. What were you offered by way of food and drinks? Was it bullion type broth, just Water etc.? Yes, liquids to sip the next day (water & Gatorade, also Soup which I didn’t eat) and a lump of turkey the next evening. My DS nutrit. had told me what to eat and drink (as the hospital wasn’t great with what it offered WLS patients). Are you given any meds to go home with, and if so what? Yes, Vicodin. Nowadays, I believe they give Percocet. Were you given information packs for your future eating, drinking regime? A lot of documentation before surgery so I could familiarize myself with it. If you PM me your email, I can send what I have in an email attachment [for gastric bypassers]. Were you allowed to wear your panties during the operation? Maybe paper ones? No, nothing. They want a clear path. No shaving, though. Does your nail varnish have to come off? Finger, toes or both? No, as they use pulse oximeter, it wasn’t necessary, but I did it anyway just to be sure.