Daisee68

You have been through a lot! This surgery brings up a lot of emotions - not just because of change in food but something to do with release of hormones as we lose. I would still suggest that therapy is a very helpful tool in this journey. I wouldn't have gotten so far without mine! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for the info! And the drive back is what I fear. I considered renting a house for 2 weeks and having different family come stay with me that way I would be there if needed and since I work from home, I could just work from there (the second week anyway ). I will check out Dr Kenkel but $15k-20k more is a LOT! I'm glad you have family in Nashville and found doctors there. That sounds like a great plan! Sent from my SM-T560NU using the BariatricPal App

While perhaps not the best reaction, I can tell you from these boards that it appears to be fairly normal. Are you seeing a therapist? If not, you might consider doing so (I was and am and still had a food funeral or two...) but it is still something at 9 1/2 months that I struggle with (which is why I am still seeing the therapist).

I am sorry you are having such trouble! Did they do an EGD or barium swallow to be sure it isn't a stricture? (A stricture is overgrowth of scar tissue at the connection but sounds like dr is pretty sure it is just inflammation that will go down?) I had a stricture but didn't figure it out until 3 months post-op. They did a balloon dilation (twice) and I felt better immediately as far as keeping food down, but I hate to tell you that I had nausea for about 6 months. I took Zofran off and on that entire time (though it got less and less as I went along). Finally at 6 months, it magically disappeared. Have they given you Zofran? If not, ask for some and ask about the EGD for stricture if they haven't done that. I understood they generally wait until at least 6 weeks post-op to check for that though.

I don't have any advice as I am not at that stage yet, but I just wanted to say UNBELIEVABLE JOB!! Congrats to you for such an amazing loss! I know you have worked so hard and this part is just the icing on the cake! I have thought so often about surgery lately (though not an option I think until I am at goal for a while). Right now, I would want done what bothers me the most - which is arms and breasts - but I may have a different opinion when I get there. As far as the hospital stay part, I find it so odd that drs don't keep us more now, but I have had a LOT of surgeries (4 shoulder surgeries, hysterectomy, RNY, 4 kidney stone lithotripsies - all which required major anesthesia) and I had no hospital stay except for 24 hours for the hysterectomy and 24 hours for the RNY. 2 of my shoulder surgeries were major where I had no use of my arm and was tied up in a sling where movement COULD NOT be made (i.e. could have torn the damage that was just repaired) and I was sent home each time. One of those was a 3 hour surgery which I was sure they would keep me overnight but did not. Anyway, I know the plastics might be different because of the drains, but I live alone and my mom stayed in the first night at home with me and then I was on my own - and I was fine. Of course I didn't have to care for anyone else which I know makes a difference. Still I understand your concern and I am very curious what your doctor will say if you ask for the night in the hospital. I like the idea of a recovery house as @@JamieLogical mentioned, and I am surprised they don't really have that option here in the US but I don't think I am interested in doing the Mexico thing (although I know what a great experience @@JamieLogical has had, I am too much of a momma's baby to go there by myself and go through a surgery by myself! ) I hope you get some great advice here to help you reach comfort level with it all!! Best wishes! PS - I see you are in Dallas. Any chance you would be willing to tell me which doctors you decided (even if in a PM?) I have really researched Dr. Peter Fisher in San Antonio but keep thinking that surely I can find a competent doctor in the DFW area so I don't have to travel as far (though Dr. Fisher's work is impeccable!)

Amen @@Dub!

I have Graves Disease and had my thyroid ablated with radiation about 4 years ago so I am what they call post-RAI hypo (I have no thyroid function at all on my own.). My endocrinologist said I will need to have it checked fairly often in the beginning because the med will not absorb the same as before (I had RNY). So I actually had to increase my dose twice at first and then have started reducing it slightly. I am able to tell from the symptoms when something isn't right (I get restless leg syndrome and muscle cramps in addition to hair loss when I am hypo). But I was able able to tell when it was a little too much med as I lost weight and had it checked. At 9 1/2 months post-op, I am still taking more Synthroid than I was pre-op. I can tell you it has not hindered my weight loss (I am down 100 pounds since surgery last June and 130 pounds total). My endocrinologist requires me to wait 8 weeks in between dosage changes before testing. He says at my age (48), it can take that long for the body to adjust and as you get older that time increases. It sounds like you know your symptoms pretty well and know when to get tested but I would say to treat it a bit like after your pregnancy for the first year at least until you get it stabilized. I haven't had mine tested since November but I adjusted it slightly on my own about 2 months ago and feel pretty good. I'm having it tested again in a few weeks. As for metformin, I was taking it pre-op for Type 2 Diabetes and was taken off of it by my endocrinologist during pre-op liquid diet with close monitoring of my blood sugars and then taken completely off by my bariatric surgeon in the hospital day after surgery and haven't taken it since and my blood sugars are perfectly normal and my diabetes is in remission! I know you are taking yours for PCOS but I would think you will need to go off of it at least in the early stages of taking in such little food given it can lower your blood sugar. I would definitely discuss with the prescribing Dr as well as your bariatric surgeon. Best wishes on your journey!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Wow that's awful! Glad you weren't hurt worse! Best wishes for a quick recovery! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I weigh daily and have been fine with it, but I will say now that the losses have slowed, I am not sure I will continue to do it as I can see how it could start to mess with me. Prior to though, I found it quite exciting to weigh every morning and see the new changes! BUT I will say the most encouraging part is the measurements which I do every 3 to 4 weeks only and that is really motivating.

Hopefully your PCP will understand and make the recommendation. If you do not get the response you want and you happen to have any other doctors (such as endocrinologist which is who did mine), you might ask them. Maybe even an ob/gyn? There was someone else here recently who had to change PCPs to get the letter and I think their bariatric surgeon had a recommendation for them to go to. That would be beneficial long term too - to have a PCP that was aware of the changes a bariatric patient goes through and is supportive of same. For what it's worth, not sure my PCP was totally onboard (which is why I didn't ask her) but she is wonderfully supportive and proud of me now! Good luck!!

@@goplay94123 - For what it's worth, I had the same very frightened emotional experience. I swear I stared at those refried Beans forever before I was brave enough to take that first bite! But as you found today, it does get easier. Congrats!! And Happy Birthday! Mine is Sunday!

@@CowgirlJane - Yes it is a lovely color. It is the same as AZO which you can buy over the counter for urinary tract infections. The other I recommended is a lovely shade of blue and if you remember from your childhood, the color that blue and yellow make when mixed together? Yep, it is a lovely shade of green which is quite appropriate for you I think given you had the procedure on St. Patty's Day! Hope this day was better as you adjust and that you will survive the weekend with it. Well I know you will. You are tough!!

@@ResizingRebecca - Ok, so first at only 3 weeks out, it is confusing and your stomach likely won't really register "full" or "satisfied" yet as the nerves are still healing. For now, you will just need to measure your food as you are doing. 1/4 cup at this point is good. You could try 1/3 cup but I promise you that it will feel like too much if you push it. I am 9 1/2 months out and some days I can eat 1/2 cup and some days I can eat closer to 1 cup. I promise you will figure it out eventually. One of the clues some people get is either hiccups or burps (because the vagus nerve is stimulated is the explanation I have heard). Secondly, the scale is a good idea, BUT please remember that volume and weight are not the same (i.e. 4 oz volume is what your stomach can hold - 4 oz weight of say fish would likely be way too much). You have to think about the volume of your stomach as chewed up food. I use the scale though so I can more accurately track my food since most trackers are by weight on some food (such as meats). When you can move on to a more solid diet, start with 1 oz weighed of Protein (for example turkey deli meat sliced very thin) and then if you tolerate that, you can try 1.5 oz next time and so on. I am just now at 9 months able to eat 3-4 oz (weight) at one sitting and still get in some veggies with it. Are you still drinking shakes? (I am still drinking one per day.) The Premier Protein ready made shakes are 11 oz. At this stage, it would probably take you 45 minutes or so to drink that but very soon, it is likely something you can finish in 30 minutes. (No need to push it faster than that.) I hope that helps!

Which med is that? If it is just phenzopyridine (or pyridium) and it doesn't work, there is a different one they can give you that will help with the cramps (which is likely your bladder spasming due to the stent) called Urised. I found that Urised really helped me. Also take your pain med and keep Fluid in your bladder to keep stent floating in the bladder. Unfortunately, it may feel like that until you get it out.

Hang in there sassyfrass23!! Once you get past day 3, it gets easier. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Oh girl I completely understand!! I am a planner too! I was so overwhelmed at first and honestly that lasted for a couple of months while getting in the groove but I am down 100 pounds since surgery (130 total including 3 month supervised diet and 1 week liquid pre-op diet) and I would not trade the experience for anything! The people on this board have been so great to help me with this so keep checking back here all the way and feel free to PM me with questions if you want. I will answer as best as I can!

Agree - EGD was very easy. You will be asleep and then awake in recovery before you know it!

Delete - duplicate

Oh and I didn't answer your question about Vitamins. I am kind of stumped on that one myself. I have been using Nascobal which is a prescription B12 nasal spray and they send vitamins with the B12 and they have been great and are covered by insurance. I have new insurance now though with a $5000 deductible and I am not sure I am wanting to put out that money. The most important thing is once you find one, is to take it EVERY DAY. You have to do this like it is a prescription and is as important as eating the right foods. Your NUT should give you guidelines on amounts - typically it is sublingual B12 1000mcg per day (MUST GET SUBLINGUAL). Calcium citrate (be sure to get citrate - I don't remember the dosage on this one as I am not taking calcium due to long history of kidney stones and instructions from my endocrinologist - will see how this level is doing next month). Iron - 24mg per day. Multivitamin - I was told to look for a complete Vitamin and then take twice the dose (i.e. if bottle says take 1 pill per day then we are to take 2 per day). I like Centrum Chewables and may stick with those. Again, hope that helps!

You will find a lot of suggestions on shakes. My favorite is Premier Protein ready made shakes (they have chocolate, vanilla and berry - I like the chocolate). They are only 11 oz of Fluid and pack 30g of protein. Some people don't like these, so try one out and see what you think. You can find them on sale at Sam's and costco occasionally (on sale at Sam's this month for $14 I think for 12 shakes?). Walmart carries them in packs of 4 so you can try them. For powder, I use Precision Engineered whey Protein Isolate (be sure to get isolate - it processes better supposedly). I love the chocolate and the vanilla - and these are also low sugar and 30g protein. Best advice I got about shakes is to find some sugar free flavored syrups (Torani is one of the brands - you can find the at Walmart, World Market and on Amazon). I LOVE the salted caramel one added to vanilla! Oh and one last suggestion if you like orange flavored is get Orange Crush single packet flavored powder, add it to the vanilla powder and then milk or Water (I generally use 2 oz of milk and 4 or 5 oz of water and the 3 or 4 ice cubes if I am mixing it all up in my blender). (Fairlife milk is great - more protein and lower sugar. Try that also if you haven't.) Some other brands talked about on here are unjury and Isopure and Matrix. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, they have some individual packets so you can buy them and try them. Hope that helps!

Y'all hang in there!! The 3rd day is the worst and then it gets easier. You are almost there! Go to bed early and shut the door to stay out of the kitchen if you have to! ???? you can do this!!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Are you sure you aren't eating too much or too fast? Often the hiccups or burping is a signal you are full. Just a thought... Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Mirena is a great product once it is in but as someone else who has bit had children, I hate to tell u this but it hurts. They have to pry your cervix open which is worse since u haven't had children. It was definitely worse than the endometrial biopsies I had. It is brief pain (seriously less than a minute if that long) but during that time, it is intense. I took 800mg Advil before but you can't do that now. I would at least take 2 Tylenol before and maybe that will take the edge off a little. My sister was offered a muscle relaxer to take before the procedure for her 2ND one but had to have someone drive her. You might call drs office and see if they offer something like that (as long as u have someone to take u). During the procedure, try focus on a spot on the ceiling and concentrate on your breathing. It will be over quickly. I don't remember if it hurt a lot afterwards. I don't recall that it did other than just cramping. A heating pad will help. No way to know if u can go out that night but I wouldn't make any definite plans or make sure it is something you can cancel. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@CowgirlJane - I'm glad you have a solution! FYI, that stent is not fun. Sorry to tell you that. (Seriously for me it was worse than the pain of the stone, but to be fair, I had 2 stents - 1 in each ureter and then tied together in my bladder - and I had them for 3 weeks!! Oh it was awful!) Having just one won't be as bad, but let me give you the advice they finally gave me that worked - 1) a warm bath helps - a LOT! 2) drink lots of Fluid. The stent will rub against the side of your bladder when it is not filled with fluid which makes it hurt more. Even need to wake up in the middle of the night to drink if you can. 3) Ask for nausea med - get Phenegran if you can as it will help you sleep through it. 4) I know you are tired of pain meds at this point, but make sure you have plenty on hand. I would take 1/2 pill on the way to work so I could get through a few hours and then the other half when I left about 6 hours later (I could not get in a full 8 hours in that 3 weeks). You may not be able to go to work. Not everyone is able to (I was told) but you are a tough cookie, so it may not bother you as much as me. 5) Get them to give you a bladder spasm med - it relaxed the bladder and made the pain more bearable. Over the counter AZO did not work for me. I had to have one that was stronger (but I cannot for the life of me remember the name - it was blue - I will keep trying to think of it). 6) I will tell you the worst part was the anxiety of feeling like I had to pee 24/7 and when I did not having any relief. I got them to finally give me Xanax and that really helped me calm down. 7) when you go to have the stent removed, many people tend to get severe bladder spasms a couple of hours later - I thankfully did not - but I was advised to not go back to work on that day, go home and get in the tub with warm Water to try and get the bladder to relax and take a pain pill preventatively. 8) Depending on where the stone is located (if still in the kidney and not in the ureter - doc will tell you), try that thing I mentioned in an earlier post where you lean over and lightly pound on your back about 30 to 45 minutes after drinking an 8 oz glass of water. That is how I got my last ones out. The process is judged by some to be hooey but my endocrinologist (who was a researcher for kidney stones) recommended it and once I had success with it, my urologist now recommends it to many of her patients. I hope this info isn't overwhelming! Just trying to give some advice from my experience. Again, you are quite a tough cookie, so you may not have the same experience as I did. Remember that you will still have to pass the stones once it is broken up (or I should say the remnants), so you will still have to strain as you have been for a few weeks. It will not hurt to pass it because it will be broken down so small (hopefully - that is the goal anyway). Best of luck to you! If I can be of any help at all or you just need to vent to someone who understands, don't hesitate to PM me. I will happily commiserate with you!! Keep us posted!

Laser hair removal is AWESOME! Highly recommend it. The price really varies depending on where you are located. Success depends a lot on your skin tone and hair type (has to be dark) and getting the right equipment to treat said skin tone. I am fair skinned but had dark enough hair and was able to use one of the machines that is better for fair skinned people. I had 7 treatments about 2 1/2 years ago and then just started up again about 6 months ago. There wasn't really a lot of regrowth but the package I bought basically includes laser hair for 30 minutes, so I am doing my lower legs and underarms again. Not sure the underarms are even necessary but since I am there, might as well. It has worked great on my lower legs also. In Dallas, the prices seem to be around $300-$400 for 6 underarm treatments. Do a little research and look at the reviews of the places and give it a try. it doesn't really hurt too bad (depending on how much they turn the machine up). I am also using the stronger laser machine to do skin tightening on my chin/turkey neck. Not sure it is working by leaps and bounds, but there does seem to be some improvement. Now THAT hurts! Even with the numbing cream. With laser hair removal, they use a different setting and a small puff of cold air comes out afterwards (with each shot) giving a numbing sensation. For the skin tightening, they cannot use the cold air as the whole point is to at up the skin and stimulate collagen. I only bought 4 treatments of this. Just know that it is key for you to go every 4 to 6 weeks for the hair removal (depending on how fast your hair grows) so you can catch the hair in different stages of growth. Even for the hair that doesn't disappear though, it is much softer. Totally worth it and best money (other than RNY) I have spent!