Lissapmkn1

Hi, We all hit plateau's It's ok! Just check that you are getting in all your Protein, Water and that your caloric intake is upwards of 800 calories. Also, check that you are not "stopped up" and going poo-poo at least every other day. If not, dulcolax will help. I went through it about 1 month - 6 weeks after surgery and still have trouble once in a while. My plateau/stall lasted for a month, but then I started back up. Your body has to adjust to it's new idea of losing weight and an stall here and there, is to be expected. You are doing really well! Keep your chin up This is only a bump in the road! Clarissa

I have lost 96 lbs since June 30th. Initially, it consumes your every thought, but as time passes, it gets easier to work into your life and the weight loss is tremendously motivating! You can do it!

I too became lactose intolerant after surgery. I went to using Lactaid milk and it all cleared up. The weeks of Protein shakes and rapid weight loss can leave you super tired. Rest whenever you are tired and never think twice about it. Remember your body only heals when you are resting...the more you rest, the faster you heal. Your energy will increase as you heal. I am 4.5 months out of surgery and know that if I don't get enough rest, Water and protein, I am super exhausted and my weight loss slows..... It's your body telling you to rest. I've lost 95 lbs since June 30th and I feel great, but still need my regular sleep to combat fatigue and general crankiness! You're journey will always be unique to you, but it is still the VERY BEST decision I ever made for myself! Keep us posted! Blessings, Clarissa

Hi, I had a lot of gas after surgery and lived on Gas X strips - they were a lifesaver. I also had to use dolcolax and still do from time to time as I have a very "slow" system. When this happens my stomach feels very full. I still have trouble wanting to eat at all, but when my energy dips, I get cranky and know I need to eat. Still have trouble getting in all my Protein and Water....but we are a work in progress Hang in there

Way to go ladies! I believe this will be a really awesome experience for you! I only wish I had done this when I was younger. I had surgery on June 30, 2014 and have had no complications. Followed Dr. order's and all is well. I have lost 85 lbs in the last 4 months and life is good. I don't hurt anymore and can physically be more active. This is a great support network and filled with good answers to questions. Just know that not all Dr.'s follow the same procedures so be sure to double check everything with your Dr. or nutritionist. Looking forward to supporting you in your journey! Clarissa

No matter how it has happened, a baby is a blessing. I think through careful eating and monitoring by both your bariatric surgeon and your ob/gyn you will have it all covered. I do believe both need to be in contact with each other so that both you and the baby are healthy. Please keep us posted and know you are in my prayers! Clarissa

Hi I am almost 4 months post op and am able to eat all kinds of things. Each tummy is different and what works for one sometimes just doesn't work for another. I can eat about a cup of food - 8 ounces. I never finish a normal size portion ever. When I go out, I modify everything most of the time. I ask for sauces and dressings on the side and avoid anything fried. I take a lot home and eat left overs (which is something I NEVER did before!) Sometimes I order off the children's menu and that is just the perfect amount. My body does super well with all kind of veggies, chicken and fish. My tummy doesn't like anything fried or sugary. I avoid eating starches like potatoes, corn, bread, chips etc... I avoid anything that has refined sugar in it and I drink mostly Water, with an occasional unsweetened ice tea, cup of coffee. I don't drink diet soda's nor do I drink pre-sweetened anything. I eat my Protein and veggies first and this helps me to stay on track. If you order from a menu that serves you in courses, eat 10 bites of salad, one leaf at a time, saving room for your protein. I eat 3 bites of protein to one bite of veggies. I save the bread for my treat at the end of the meal if I want one. As for going out with company, I eat out all the time. I have lost 80 lbs since my RNY gastric bypass on June 30, 2014. I am continuing to have a Protein shake every morning and it helps with my energy and stamina too! Don't be afraid to experiment with different foods when you start out, but go for food that is more "in it's original form" and plain. Don't be afraid to ask for it to be made a special way or without sauce etc... Hope this helps! Best wishes Clarissa

I am 3 months out and it is still the BEST decision I have ever made for myself. No medical problems, fewer health problems and I feel fantastic physically, emotionally and spiritually. So very happy and not one regret Clarissa!

Hi, Mine oozed until it closed completely - about 2 weeks after. Then it scabs and itches like crazy C

I am 3 months post op and mine has been coming out also. I understand that it can happen and that some of it has to do with anesthesia in addition to having the surgery. Most say there's comes back and some use Biotin shampoo and find that really helps. With chemo and surgery, I think you may be double whammied, so to speak. I would talk with your doctor and see if they recommend upping your Vitamin D3 and B12 in addition to adding Biotin shampoo. Bless you, Clarissa

When I was in the hospital, the day after surgery I took a swallow test to make sure I had no leaks in my intestine and that everything could flow through. When it showed I was fine, I took all my pills with little sips of Water, one at a time. The nurses bring them to you and you just have to go slow. I didn't start any Vitamins until I was cleared to go home but it was difficult to get them in the first two weeks after surgery along with my pills, but it got easier and easier as time went by and your pouch adjusted and healed. I now take 3 Multivitamins, 1 pro biotic, thyroid med, diabetic med, anxiety med, allergy pill and a gall bladder pill, each day with no problem. My surgery was on June 30, 2014 and I am feeling great and have had no problems. I am off all diabetic meds, and gall bladder as of this week. Good luck to you - I know you can do it! Clarissa

Many people who are post surgery have nausea. Call your Dr. and ask for Zofran or another anti nausea medication. It will really help. I had the problem of the smell of foods for a while too. Mine went away by the time I was allowed back on soft foods. Nausea can also be caused by constipation. Any chance you are having that problem? If you are dehydrated you could also be constipated - if you are try Dulcolax. I most definitely would contact your Dr. so he can provide some relief for you! Best wishes and keep us posted! Clarissa

If your incision is closed completely and has scabbed over, then I would put neosporin on it. You can put the hydrocortisone cream or I used Sarna lotion around the incisions which stopped the itch. You don't want your incisions to become infected. That would be my only worry. I remember that mine itched like crazy starting 4 days after surgery and lasted for a couple of weeks. But, that's how I knew I was healing! Good Luck! Clarissa

The narrowing can be stretched if it is presenting a problem. Keep talking with your Dr. and write down everything you feel! Best wishes! Clarissa

Look for soups or broth also! I always went out when invited and accepted the challenge to ask the waiters for what I needed!

Hi Suzie, I had RNY bypass on June 30, 2014. I had 2 weeks pre-surgery Protein shakes (lost 28 lbs) then 2 weeks post surgery (different kind of Protein shake = 4 oz at a time) shakes. I then went to soft foods for a month. After that I have been back on all foods with caution. Because carbs and sugar are my downfall, I have chosen to stay away from bread, crackers, tortilla's and anything with refined sugars or that's processed. I eat lean meats (chicken, fish, turkey, occasional ground beef) cottage cheese, greek yogurt, hummus, organic Peanut Butter, lots of veggies and fresh fruit and still have shakes with fruit and veggies in them. Even though I am cleared to eat anything, with the exception of yeast- soft breads as they can expand and clog the passage between your pouch and intestine, I am eating a more paleo diet. The hunger hormone in your stomach will be gone for 12-18 months, your pouch initially will only hold 3 - 4 oz of food at a time, you won't have cravings so it's a really good time to change all your eating habits for the better. I drink Water primarily and occasionally a cup of coffee or ice tea, but nothing else. (I have to be careful because caffeine dehydrates you and it's hard enough to get in the required 64 oz. of water a day!) I also eat Quest Protein Bars as recommended by my nutritionist because I have to get in 92g of protein a day! The bars have 20g of protein per bar and the 21 grams of carbs, such that when burned translates to 3g of NET carbs! Low in sugar (2g or less), actually taste good and are VERY filling. It's a nice treat to eat one that tastes like a brownie with none of the bad side effects of a real brownie! I am walking 20 minutes a day right now and see that I need to begin toning exercises due to being "jiggly"! This was, hands down, the best thing I have ever done for my body, mind and soul. It is a life changing experience and if you follow Dr. instructions to the letter, success is not only attainable, but fast and simple. I look forward to seeing your progress! Best of luck to you! Clarissa

Since you are getting Protein, Vitamins and Water I agree that it sounds like you need additional calories and rest. Bodies heal at different rates and I know that I was napping for a month after my surgery. (I had it in the summer so I could rest as much as possible as a teacher.) Now that I am back to work, when my calories are low, I am tired. I go home from work and eat and then literally rest and then get ready for bed. Our bodies are doing some amazing adjustments. I made some little switches which was that I didn't eat low calorie greek yogurt, but the regular kind, regular cottage cheese instead of non fat or low fat and that was all I needed to give me more energy and calories. You could be low in Vitamin B12 also. When mine was low I was so fatigued that I couldn't stay awake. Dr. put me on once a month injections and I have been fine with the food changes and added B12. It wouldn't hurt to ask about it! Let us know Clarissa

Hi, I too, have Type II diabetes and I had RNY gastric bypass on June 30, 2014. I have stopped my metformin, and continue to check my levels. I haven't been over 90 since the surgery. Occasionally, I have gone a little low, but nothing bad. My A1C is now 4.8, down from 7.0. I have lost 72 lbs and so many of my issues are disappearing My cholesterol was 114! Lowest ever I think the surgery will help you more than you can even imagine. I had little if any pain after the surgery and didn't take pain meds when I was released from the hospital because I didn't need any. It has been the best decision I've ever made! I think so much of it has to do with how your surgeon approaches everything and my surgeon was meticulous and has everything mapped out and down to a science. Good luck to you Clarissa

Dear Angela, I will be praying for you. As one with non specific auto immune disorders and Lupus, I am so sorry you are going through this. Please know that your support network cares about you! I too, thing 9/30 is too late….seek help now, be it through an ER or Urgent Care. Praying for you, C

My Dr. said no to driving myself home

James is right…the walking was the key to no pain. I came out of surgery around 4 pm and was walking at 7 pm and did walk every 2 hours, with no pain. The only "pain" was dragging the IV around. They will send you to have do a "leak" test and that required drinking a little Fluid so they could see if it went through without leaks. The beds aren't very cushy, so I sat up in a chair in the room a lot because the bed hurt my bottom. Made it easier to get up to walk also. While I had someone stay in the room with me, I found the staff to be really kind and attentive and sent my mom back to the hotel so she could sleep. My surgical location was 4 hours from where i live, so the journey home was a bit arduous - had to stop every 45 minutes to walk for 15 to prevent blood clots. Once home, my incisions never hurt (they were all laparoscopic and small), and getting up and down wasn't difficult either. I was on Protein shakes for 2 weeks after and I think that was the most difficult part. Everything tasted super sweet but I plugged my nose and drank 4 oz 4 times a day! I was also sent home with medication for my gall bladder (for some docs,it's standard procedure) to prevent any gall bladder issues. You will have some trouble getting in all the Vitamins, Water and protein to being with just because your tummy is so small. Just be diligent every 15 minutes or so to drink water and take a Vitamin or pill when you do. Once I was on soft foods (2 weeks out of surgery), I had to focus on getting in 92 g of protein. I had a hard time doing so because my tummy was so small - had to really plan! I went back on all foods on August 15th however, I have kept out of my diet anything but lean protein, fruit, veggies and sugar free popsicles. I was a carb eater and so I have left out bread, tortillas, crackers, Cereal etc..and my weight continues to decline. Started at 368 prior to surgery and am now at 298. I am eating Quest Protein Bars and have found them a great help in getting in all my daily protein. These were recommended by my nutritionist. I order them on quest.com and they are shipped to my door in about 3 days. They are made with sugar alcohol and can be pretty sweet. I eat half a bar at a time because they really fill me up and are so sweet. I did have some odd sensations when it came to smelling food because my appetite is gone. Some smells nauseate me and I don't like things I used to , but all in all it's a good thing! My head likes to tell me I am hungry when I am not, so I have been really paying attention to that issue. My goal is to be down 100 pounds total by Christmas and down an additional 75 by June. Again - good luck!! Clarissa

Good morning My gastric bypass was on June 30, 2014. I went in on Monday and came out on Wednesday. I could drive as long as I was not on any pain meds. I didn't feel any pain when I went home, except for a little gas, so I was off pain meds when I left the hospital. I waited a couple days but was driving by Saturday. It varies from person to person and I would anticipate at least one week. If you feel well enough, aren't on pain meds and are not exhausted, then drive Being that I am single, I didn't have any assistance at home and did just fine. No lifting 15lbs or more for a while though. May need to work with your children, so they know they will need to crawl into your lap instead of you picking them up Good Luck - I know you will do fantastically well! Clarissa

I switched to lactose free milk and my stomach issues disappeared. Never had a problem before surgery either! Hope that helps!

Keep up the good work! We all hit a stall at different times. Make sure you are getting in all your protein, water, vitamins and enough calories and it will move. Your body is adjusting and once it is sure you aren't starving it, the weight will begin to move. My stalls always occur when I am not getting enough rest, protein or water. Hand in there! You are doing the right things!

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