wildGoose

Once I finally decided, it took me a year. On the way, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, had a hysterectomy, and then had to wait. By the time i made it to the OR for my RNY, I was really ready. I could have let my frustration stop me, but I just kept on going. Every step was a learning. I read everything I could find. I lurked around this site, read blogs and all kinds of statistical research. I had diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension, so i had no trouble qualifying. Having WLS is not an instant gratification thing. It is a learning. I still learn every day. Only 50% of the people who start the process actually make it to the ER. Hang in there.

Once I finally decided, it took me a year. On the way, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, had a hysterectomy, and then had to wait. By the time i made it to the OR for my RNY, I was really ready. I could have let my frustration stop me, but I just kept on going. Every step was a learning. I read everything I could find. I lurked around this site, read blogs and all kinds of statistical research. I had diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension, so i had no trouble qualifying. Having WLS is not an instant gratification thing. It is a learning. I still learn every day. Only 50% of the people who start the process actually make it to the ER. Hang in there.

I am so grateful for the re-emergence of Bronx. Please all of us remember that if there is is black stuff coming out of our butts, it is about blood. My mom used to say, "if they don't listen to you, have a fit." Boy was she right. The October group is my fave part of BariatricPal, and I thank Beni for starting it.
I have been doing well, but very tired. My PA says that is because my body becomes very tired from losing weight very fast. I was losing about 4 lbs a week, which is too fast. In addition I was not getting enough Protein. Now, I am taking more calories/protein in the form of a Premier Protein vanilla drink. It is so funny that I have to break it in to two meals now because of my "new stomach" being so small. When I was on my liquid diet, I would drink them down in less than a minute.
From the first time I saw a surgeon about weight loss surgery, it took me seven years to make it to the OR. If you are lurking around here trying to make a decision, please hang in there. From the day I went on the liquid diet, I have lost about 50 lbs. I have many more to go, probably 75, but I already feel like a new person. My biggest question, is why did I wait so long? I guess you can't really change your life like this until you are really ready,
I am not baking this holiday season. I am grateful that nobody has asked me to bake. I will find another thing to do for the holidays.
Thanks to everyone who posts here. And happy holidays to all of us.

Here is a funny, got pulled over by a cop today, he takes my driver's license, and checked it out and said "200 POUNDS, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU WEIGH 200 POUNDS" in a very snarky tone, almost like I was 400 saying 200, and with a big grin I responded, Yep, I have lost 79 pounds, course that was from 225, didn't need to tell him that.

Wildgoose, me too..so.addicted to Diet Coke! Ive lost my cravings for the stuff as well! Such a good feeling!! I only drink Water and fat free milk! I'm grateful for these changes in my food plan.

I am so grateful for the re-emergence of Bronx. Please all of us remember that if there is is black stuff coming out of our butts, it is about blood. My mom used to say, "if they don't listen to you, have a fit." Boy was she right. The October group is my fave part of BariatricPal, and I thank Beni for starting it.
I have been doing well, but very tired. My PA says that is because my body becomes very tired from losing weight very fast. I was losing about 4 lbs a week, which is too fast. In addition I was not getting enough Protein. Now, I am taking more calories/protein in the form of a Premier Protein vanilla drink. It is so funny that I have to break it in to two meals now because of my "new stomach" being so small. When I was on my liquid diet, I would drink them down in less than a minute.
From the first time I saw a surgeon about weight loss surgery, it took me seven years to make it to the OR. If you are lurking around here trying to make a decision, please hang in there. From the day I went on the liquid diet, I have lost about 50 lbs. I have many more to go, probably 75, but I already feel like a new person. My biggest question, is why did I wait so long? I guess you can't really change your life like this until you are really ready,
I am not baking this holiday season. I am grateful that nobody has asked me to bake. I will find another thing to do for the holidays.
Thanks to everyone who posts here. And happy holidays to all of us.

Oh. One more thing. I used to be totally addicted to Diet Coke. When I went on the liquid diet, I totally stopped with the diet coke. Today I was out doing Christmas errands, and I was very thirsty. So instead of getting a bottle of Water, I got a fountain Diet Coke. I had two sips. It was totally disgusting. My taste buds have really been changing.

I am so grateful for the re-emergence of Bronx. Please all of us remember that if there is is black stuff coming out of our butts, it is about blood. My mom used to say, "if they don't listen to you, have a fit." Boy was she right. The October group is my fave part of BariatricPal, and I thank Beni for starting it.
I have been doing well, but very tired. My PA says that is because my body becomes very tired from losing weight very fast. I was losing about 4 lbs a week, which is too fast. In addition I was not getting enough Protein. Now, I am taking more calories/protein in the form of a Premier Protein vanilla drink. It is so funny that I have to break it in to two meals now because of my "new stomach" being so small. When I was on my liquid diet, I would drink them down in less than a minute.
From the first time I saw a surgeon about weight loss surgery, it took me seven years to make it to the OR. If you are lurking around here trying to make a decision, please hang in there. From the day I went on the liquid diet, I have lost about 50 lbs. I have many more to go, probably 75, but I already feel like a new person. My biggest question, is why did I wait so long? I guess you can't really change your life like this until you are really ready,
I am not baking this holiday season. I am grateful that nobody has asked me to bake. I will find another thing to do for the holidays.
Thanks to everyone who posts here. And happy holidays to all of us.

I am so grateful for the re-emergence of Bronx. Please all of us remember that if there is is black stuff coming out of our butts, it is about blood. My mom used to say, "if they don't listen to you, have a fit." Boy was she right. The October group is my fave part of BariatricPal, and I thank Beni for starting it.
I have been doing well, but very tired. My PA says that is because my body becomes very tired from losing weight very fast. I was losing about 4 lbs a week, which is too fast. In addition I was not getting enough Protein. Now, I am taking more calories/protein in the form of a Premier Protein vanilla drink. It is so funny that I have to break it in to two meals now because of my "new stomach" being so small. When I was on my liquid diet, I would drink them down in less than a minute.
From the first time I saw a surgeon about weight loss surgery, it took me seven years to make it to the OR. If you are lurking around here trying to make a decision, please hang in there. From the day I went on the liquid diet, I have lost about 50 lbs. I have many more to go, probably 75, but I already feel like a new person. My biggest question, is why did I wait so long? I guess you can't really change your life like this until you are really ready,
I am not baking this holiday season. I am grateful that nobody has asked me to bake. I will find another thing to do for the holidays.
Thanks to everyone who posts here. And happy holidays to all of us.

Oh. One more thing. I used to be totally addicted to Diet Coke. When I went on the liquid diet, I totally stopped with the diet coke. Today I was out doing Christmas errands, and I was very thirsty. So instead of getting a bottle of Water, I got a fountain Diet Coke. I had two sips. It was totally disgusting. My taste buds have really been changing.

Oh. One more thing. I used to be totally addicted to Diet Coke. When I went on the liquid diet, I totally stopped with the diet coke. Today I was out doing Christmas errands, and I was very thirsty. So instead of getting a bottle of Water, I got a fountain Diet Coke. I had two sips. It was totally disgusting. My taste buds have really been changing.

Oh. One more thing. I used to be totally addicted to Diet Coke. When I went on the liquid diet, I totally stopped with the diet coke. Today I was out doing Christmas errands, and I was very thirsty. So instead of getting a bottle of Water, I got a fountain Diet Coke. I had two sips. It was totally disgusting. My taste buds have really been changing.

I am so grateful for the re-emergence of Bronx. Please all of us remember that if there is is black stuff coming out of our butts, it is about blood. My mom used to say, "if they don't listen to you, have a fit." Boy was she right. The October group is my fave part of BariatricPal, and I thank Beni for starting it.
I have been doing well, but very tired. My PA says that is because my body becomes very tired from losing weight very fast. I was losing about 4 lbs a week, which is too fast. In addition I was not getting enough Protein. Now, I am taking more calories/protein in the form of a Premier Protein vanilla drink. It is so funny that I have to break it in to two meals now because of my "new stomach" being so small. When I was on my liquid diet, I would drink them down in less than a minute.
From the first time I saw a surgeon about weight loss surgery, it took me seven years to make it to the OR. If you are lurking around here trying to make a decision, please hang in there. From the day I went on the liquid diet, I have lost about 50 lbs. I have many more to go, probably 75, but I already feel like a new person. My biggest question, is why did I wait so long? I guess you can't really change your life like this until you are really ready,
I am not baking this holiday season. I am grateful that nobody has asked me to bake. I will find another thing to do for the holidays.
Thanks to everyone who posts here. And happy holidays to all of us.

Yes it is. I wouldn't even consider the thought of drinking for many months out. I don't drink and of course haven't drank since surgery (even drinking Water is a challenge) but I know that my narcotic painkillers used to take an hour to work, and now work in ten to fifteen minutes. Alcohol will go through you like a truck.
I would not have this surgery if you can't accept that you may never be able to drink much again.

There is also evidence of higher incidence of alcoholism post surgery. Some of that may be due addiction transfer (food to alcohol) but some is also due to different methablising alcohol .
QUOTE: "Among RYGB patients, there was a significant decrease in alcohol consumption in the first year after surgery, compared to the year before surgery, but not in the second year. Thus, the increase in alcohol use disorder symptoms following RYGB surgery was likely a result of an increase in alcohol sensitivity following surgery combined with resumption of higher levels of alcohol consumption in the second post-operative year ... This is concerning, given the negative impact heavy drinking may have on Vitamins? What Vitamins do I need?" rel="external nofollow">Vitamin and mineral status, liver function and weight loss." See, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246775.php

I had some food issues in the last couple week and threw up a few times. I figured it out. I learned five VERY important things that I would like to share.
1. No matter how much I chew I can't chew enough and the chunks irritate my pouch, I think. For now, I place my tiny meal in a mini food processor to blend it. I do add a little Water to allow it to come together into a puree. However, I did place it back in the pot to heat up and evaporate the extra Water as it was too liquid. Last night it was white fish, black Beans and broccoli. It was a strange shade of grey but tasted nice. I was fine!
2. I have to make sure I don't overeat. I measure my 1/4 cup and place on plate. then I add a tablespoon to the side. I eat my 1/4 cup first and give it a nice break before I try another few little bites from the tablespoon pile. Because it takes time for my pouch to tell my head I have had enough I allow time for the last few bites. Works!
3. It is very important that what I eat is fairly solid and high in Protein. It's blended but not a Soup. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to eat. This combined with a fairly thick/solid meal fills my pouch and keeps me from not being hungry for the 4 hours needed. If I eat yogurt or anything too liquid I am a little hungry in a couple hours. It goes through my pouch too quickly.
4. I also do not drink after a meal for a full hour. Now that drinking is not as difficult I can do this and I'm still getting the min 48 oz per day. It preserves my meal in my pouch to keep hunger at bay and allow for proper digestion. I don't have as much gas as a result either. I was drinking too early and washing my meal down too quickly.
5. I have to have my meals at a fairly set schedule. If I'm all over the place, I mess up and Vitamins have to be taken at 2 am and it all falls apart. It's only 3 meals, hello! it should be easy but I get busy and forget. NOPE, have to think of me first or my WLS will not be as successful.
Hope this helps. I am 6 weeks post surgery. I know lots of people can eat chunky food. I cannot yet but I will start to try again at the onset of week 7 which is Thursday. I will start with 2 or 3 solid bites at first and build from that. It could not stop throwing up after my meals. It was making my life depressing and miserable. Sometimes you have to step back a little, right?

I got a glimpse of myself in a store window today and said "well I guess I have lost some weight". My husband keeps telling me I have, but I didn't believe him until I saw for myself. 50 pounds in 7 weeks, I'm ready to lose the next 50 just as fast!

While I was on my Protein drink diet, I told a few people who asked. Some of the responses were downright rude.
"Oh, my neighbor had it, she gained it all back." or "Eeeew!" I could go on. Now when people ask I just tell them what I am doing, but not about the surgery. That seems to work. Since I had uterine cancer leading up to the surgery, I don't want people to be worrying about my weight loss, but I don't want to defend the surgery, either.

I never thought the stuff was perfect, but I had to do it to get the Protein. I could find a zillion things to complain about, for sure. But mostly I'm so grateful Ive had the surgery and am down 40 lbs since the liquid diet.

During the first few months after surgery, you body is converting your fat into energy. As a result, the meals are the the primary drivers. Making sure you take the required Protein, Vitamins and fluids are the most important elements at this stage.
I found that home-made Soups and chili worked well for me. They went down easy and as I progressed to larger meal volumes, they were up-scalable. The liquid portion of the Soups can count for some of your required liquid requirements. My nutritionist recommend 3 meals per day plus Protein supplements (protein shakes). I am now 18 months post-op from RNY and consume a cup per meal. They provide me with most of my protein by giving me 65 grams per day.
I wrote a short article about my experience with WLS including recipes. It is available at http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

Hi: I live in California, but I have medicare/medicaid. Medicare is the probably the easiest insurance to get. What they will coverage varies from state to state, believe Michigan, after a quick Googal, covers the RNYGB and the Band. While I wanted the SleveGastrectomy because it would be easier, I had the RNYGB last week. So far, I am doing well. It took me a year from the first intro talk to the actual surgery. It is a long hard process, at least it was for me. But just keep going. Do what they tell you, and you will make it to the surgery. Good Luck.

Congratulations!!! I have not been in the one's since 1988. I was 35 then. It must be a great feeling.

I am 3 wks out, and from Calif. My doc said 1/4 c Water, Protein drink for 1 month. After a month I get a T Protein, 1T veggies, 1T of meat or fish or yogurt. When I read how much and how soon some of you can eat I get really jealous.
I just keep thinking slow and steady

I will, thanks!
It might be worth just calling in to run that by them. And the foaming...what is up with that anyway?? Drinking too fast? Too much? I get that too. SOOOO uncomfortable!!
I'm not earning my pay either, LOL---but getting done what "has" to be done. No energy to do more at this point.

I'm 5 weeks out and still a little sore, however I go to the gym mon, wed, and friday and then do the stationary bike on tues and thurs. I've been going stir crazy as well, but now getting out more. It might wear my out faster, but its glorious knowing im looking and feeling better. theres a light at the end of the tunnel!