Daisee68

Anyone heard of stricture coming back at over 1 year post-op? I am 15 months post-op and had balloon dilation exactly one year ago to fix my stricture. The last few days, I am having a terrible pain. It is like a spasm in my esophagus and I am having trouble getting food down (well good food - chips seem to go down too easy ) Anyway, the pain is pretty bad and not the same I had with my previous stricture but not be able to get food down makes me think stricture. I will call my dr on Tuesday and meanwhile try to eat when I can and supplement with shakes (which seem to go down fine). Just made fabulous chicken and 2 bites in, I simply cannot eat anymore - and I took small bites and chewed thoroughly. I just cannot figure out what is going on. Yesterday, I thought maybe an ulcer but now I am not so sure... Any ideas out there? Anyone have a stricture come back at this far out?

You have just been through major surgery. Give yourself a break. Your body needs rest to heal not to mention you likely have such low calorie intake. Hang in there. It will get better.... Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

So sorry you are dealing with this. I had 4 shoulder surgeries by age 43 so I quite literally feel your pain. Think of it this way - at least your shoulder injury is not weight related. And you have been doing so great with a workout that PT after a rotator cuff surgery should be easier for you and you will recover faster than most. It's not a fun rehab to go through but it's doable. I hate that you have to go thru it especially given the hip replacement. It's OK to feel how you do right now. Completely understandable. I hope they get it all figured out quick! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I haven't been on here much at all the last 4 or 5 months. No need to beat a dead horse but as so many are saying, some of the posts just got old. I am not sure if it is the same when I started this journey almost 2 years ago or not. I read every word a vet offered and was so grateful for all of them. I am 8 weeks post lower body lift / arm lift and struggling a bit with my food addiction and just this morning I thought "Hey I am 18 months post-op RNY. I qualify for Vet forum posting!" So anyway just thought I would pop in and say hello. My struggle is either I will binge on bad foods or get busy and not eat enough. I am still so very thankful for the miracle of WLS but I definitely need to figure out the "healthy living" part of it all and switch my focus off the actual weight (though that is much easier to say after finally losing my last 10 pounds of stinking swelling after plastics). Anywho, thought checking back in might be just what the Dr ordered and as @InnerSurferGirl has suggested before, perhaps it is tine for me to investigate OA... Hope all is well with you all!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@KristenVSG2014 - I was told I should wait longer to do my plastics. I realize now that I probably should have (but have booked the next one for February so I am a bit hard headed). Having said that, I am not sure I have a real plan other than making sure I am meeting with my counselor regularly (which I wasn't able to do when I was away for plastics). I see her again Thursday and we have been talking about strategies, one of which was tracking. I was so faithful to it for probably 18 months (including pre-op) and I just cannot get back in to it. Some sort of mental block. I might look up Whole30 (I have heard of it but not fully sure on details). Something like that might help get me back in to healthy eating. Meanwhile, I am generally making sure to drink my Protein shake every day again (though I missed it today of course...) Appreciate the support. I know I will get back. Oh and BTW, I just last week and week before (7 and 8 weeks post-op) dropped the 10 pounds of swelling weight I had gained so definitely stay off the scale! It will only make you a anxious (or at least it did me). @@catwoman7 - Your reply went in the Vet's forum. Not sure of the rules exactly but at one time this summer, I understand 18 months post-op was going to be the qualifier. Others can correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding was that all board members could see our posts but only those over 18 months could post / reply. @@LipstickLady - is that right?

I have been at goal over 6 months and still don't always understand it (and I even had lower body lift 8 weeks ago). It does take time to adjust. Having said that, I strongly encourage seeing a therapist. I have been seeing the one who had to do my psych eval before surgery for almost 2 years now and she is probably the most valuable tool in my arsenal. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend.

At almost 17 months post-op, I can say that sometimes I forget to chew enough and / or eat slowly enough, and I am miserable quickly. As @@_Kate_ said, if I can take the tine to eat slower and chew well, the meal is more enjoyable and my stomach hurts less and I am often able to leave food on my plate as opposed to shoveling food in my mouth and then getting too full and miserable. So, it does get easier. I'm. OT sure I can tell you exactly when but if you can build the habit and learn to hate that "rule" less, it is a great new helpful habit to embrace. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

What a beautiful way to look at this!! Congrats on your accomplishment in just getting the surgery! You have an amazing journey ahead of you! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I do and love them. I originally took BariActiv which came with my nasal B12 prescription called Nascobal. My insurance changed when I got laid off so I couldn't afford the spray B12 and they didn't sell their Vitamins separately. Low and behold, I find BariMelts a d they are identical to the BariActiv (same ingredients, Vitamin levels, taste the same, etc) and I was so excited. I have used these ever since and always had great lab results. I get mine on Amazon. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@OKCPirate - You really need to write a book. You have such great perspective and so well articulate it.

@kblanc - There are really way too many variables in plastics to be able to say what something might cost. It can depend on where you have it done, how many procedures at once, etc. I will say this though - when you get to that point - don't let price be your only guide. Excess skin removal (as is most if not all of plastics) is an art and you want to be sure to get the right artist. Check out realself.com if you want to do some more research on the plastics part of it all.

@@Elode - LOL! I prefer to be whiny baby on my own too! That jaw surgery sounds really tough but I agree having too much knowledge is dangerous. I went I. To picking the best Dr for me and the rest I have been blissfully ignorant of. I have post-op appt tomorrow mor OMG and once he can look at me and declare all is normal, I sure will feel better! Keep me posted on your jaw surgery! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@kblanc - People have had varying degrees of success for getting plastics covered by insurance. I did not even try. I just paid out of pocket. It is worth the hassle for some but the requirements are pretty strict to getting it covered and then sometimes it is only a small portion of the surgery.

@@Elode - It does hurt. I mean different kind of pain each day. Had severe itching but seem to have that controlled with Hydroxyzine. Swelling is pretty severe and painful. Dr called in Lasix for that. Only taken one dose and seems to have helped already a little. Hoping next pill will help more. My last help left this evening so I am finally alone which is good. Between the pain pills and constant TV and someone hovering constantly, I am ready to be alone. Hoping for a good nights sleep finally. No pics yet but will consider when things looks a bit better ????. Surgery took about 9 hours but then took 4 hours to get in a room. I was glad I was there for 2 nights but I barely remember even when I try. So weird! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@Elode - So good to see you on here! Have been thinking a lot about you lately because I had my LBL and arm lift last Thursday ( 13th). Recovery has actually been pretty good or at least much better than I anticipated! Really hope all is well with you!!

Generally 5 days but you likely need to be taking stool softeners or Miralax or something. Call your Dr and see what they want you to take. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@@achappex3 - Hang in there!! It will happen! You are so close now.... Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

You aren't being whiny. I completely understand your frustration. I did my test at home - only 1 night. It was very easy but I suppose it depends on the equipment used. Mine just strapped on my head - none of those crazy electrodes like they do in the actual sleep lab. Turned out I did not have sleep apnea so I am not sure I can answer your other question. Do they just not have the equipment available until the 19th? Could you call your insurance and see if they could refer you to someone else for the sleep test? Mine was arranged through my insurance, Cigna. They told me who to contact and that company merely shipped the equipment to me and I shipped it back the day after I used it. Good luck! Hang in there!

I use BariMelts - I get them on Amazon (though they may be available on the BariatricPal Store also). I love them and have been using them since day 1 and have had no issues with any Vitamin tests at 16 months post-op. I also find them a bit less expensive than some. Actually, when I first had surgery, I took the Vitamins that came with my prescription B12 nasal spray (called Nascobal) - the vitamins were called BariActiv. I had to discontinue my B12 (my counts were way too high plus I lost my job and the cost was very expensive under my various health plans). I was distraught because I loved the BariActiv vitamins but you were able to buy them alone - only with the Nascobal. I went on a search for new vitamins with similar stats and then ran across these BariMelts. They are IDENTICAL - taste, texture and ingredients - to the BariActiv. They must be made by the same people and just sold under a different label. I was thrilled to find them.

Congrats! You are doing great and can definitely tell a difference!! Keep up the great work!

Time released meds are supposed to be tough after bypass. I can tell you that I take Trintellix (was Brintellix) for depression (though it is apparently immediate release) - 1x per day at bedtime. I did increase my dose post-op, but I don't know if that is so much to do with the malabsorption of med as it has to do with just general additional emotions that come with the rapidly changing body and release of hormones as you lose (plus I got laid off which really was a blow to my ego!). Anyway, I still wouldn't change the surgery for a moment. They can adjust your meds, but it will take some time and adjustment. Good luck with your decision.

I love it and have had no issues with it from early on. Some people don't tolerate spicy foods, so there is no way to know until you try it.

I have never been great at veggies but I have honestly tried since surgery. And made myself try some new things. I am only cooking for me and as you said, it is very small portions. Most everything I do is only a few pieces with some spray olive oil and spices and then roasted under the broiler in the toaster oven. It hasn't worked on everything but some of the things I do like prepared this way were roasted butternut squash (you can buy it already chopped and frozen and just put a few pieces in); roasted sliced carrots, roasted onions, roasted artichoke hearts. Other than that, I love tomatoes with onions and cucumbers and goat cheese (when you are ready for raw - which frankly never gave me much issue either). In fact I ate a LOT Of cucumbers (and still do). Something about them being cold and crunchy. Oh and I love avocado (though yes I realize it is technically a fruit). By the way, you are right that lettuce doesn't have much value. It shouldn't hurt you necessarily but I wouldn't make it your primary source of veg since it doesn't really give that much nutritional value. Good luck and enjoy!

@@northcountyr1 - I lost about 15 pounds in the 3 month pre-op diet. Then 12 pounds in the 1 week liquid diet. Then I was at "goal" at 1 year post-op. I have continued to lose just slightly since then (though I am trying to get it to stop). I had RNY on June 4, 2015. I ate probably 600 calories the first few months (mostly due to stricture which kept making me sick and once fixed was much easier). I increased to 800 calories where I stayed until probably 7 or 8 months post-op then increased to 1000 calories for a few months and then went to 1200 calories by 1 year post-op. My NUT says 1200 is where I should probably be permanently but I seem to be losing at that now, so I am trying to get my intake up to stop the loss. In the beginning, I drank 2 Protein drinks per day (Premier Protein Ready to drink which contain 30g protein) and at almost 16 months post-op, I still drink 1 per day. I have always tried to get close to 100g protein and now get closer to 115g-120g. My carbs are anywhere from 65g to 85g (usually) and even in fastest loss phase, I still ate at least 50g carbs. Fat is generally 45g-65g. And I am embarrassed to say this, but I didn't concentrate on exercise too much. I did some walking but not extreme. I did work out with a trainer briefly but I didn't stick with it. I can tell you now that I wish I had done more weight bearing exercise as I feel like I look a little too thin (though the high protein seems to have helped with maintaining muscle). No sure I have the perfect formula and maintenance is definitely going to be the tougher part, but keys to success for me were - 1) ongoing counseling (2x per month still - 1x per week in the beginning), 2) logging all my food - every single bite, every single day, 3) 1x per month follow up with NUT where she reviewed my food logs and made suggestions for changes and 4) great advice from this website. Just keep your eye on the prize and keep moving forward and you will get there!

Thanks all! I did give in and agree to let someone fly down and drive me home. I think that was making me (and my loved ones) the most nervous. ???? Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App