ShellMilliner

I'm two years out from my DS with Dr. Jawad and ever so happy with my decision.

Hi all! So to start with I've ALWAYS had a tough to manage thyroid medication dose. Although I did have a couple years here and there where my dose would remain unchanged and even lowered on occasion. Since my surgery last year my dosage has required increasing every few months. We switched from Sythroid to Levoxyl and that hasn't made a difference. My last switch was in November to 200 mg Levoxyl with normal in limits blood work in February. I just had blood work last week and my thyroid function is completely out of range again. My TSH is 6.96 with a normal range of 0.40-4.50 while my T4 Free is in range. I have an appointment with my endo tomorrow morning but I was wondering if anyone else had this issue. All of my other labs from both the bariatric doc and my endo are nearly perfect my triglycerides are a smidge high and my D3 is in the low normal range. I always take my med before bed and the only other medication I take in the evening (within 2 hours) is Singulair and Biotin neither of which I've seen cause absorption issues. My Calcium is in the morning and my Iron mid-day. Eventually, I am going to max out on the dosage and I'm not sure what that next step is. Has anyone else gone through this? Thanks for reading! Best, Michelle

I've been told to take it on an empty stomach and no eating for 30 minutes up to 2 hours after. I could swap things up and readjust when I take the Iron and Calcium (none of the 3 can be taken within 4 hours of each other). I wonder what the difference is taking in the morning vice bedtime. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using the BariatricPal App

You will do great! Love Dr. Jawad!

My doc cleared me for it on the post op liquid phase eggs in it and all. He liked the idea of the added protien.

I took 3 weeks off. I work a desk job too and felt good enough that I could've returned after two week, but like others said I would get exhausted in the afternoon and need a nap. It took me about 1.5- months until my stamina was back in force. EDIT: Sorry just noticed this is on the VSG board. I had the SADI so my experience might be slightly different.

Like the other poster said, we all are different. I lost about 38 lbs in the first two months.

No carbs? Is that the advice from your NUT or something you're doing? Personally, I'm allowed 40 grams of carbs a day. Which should be healthy, fruit or veggies although I do have an occasional couple crackers or slice of bread depending on my meal.

Okay so technically not a food, but I miss beer. I loved craft beers. A month or so ago I had my 5 year colonoscopy and had to drink a small quantity of magnesium citrate. It is carbonated so I shook and stirred the heck out of it to get it flat before drinking but it still had bubbles and oh the gas pain. I've been able to handle most any food I've tried from just a taste to a small meal. But I don't think I would tolerate even small sips of beer (my best friends are brewers and are opening a brewery this fall) and who would want to drink flat beer, anyway. But like @@Bufflehead said the trade-off is totally worth it!

I'm about 3.5 months post. According to my doc if I keep my carbs and fat intake around 40g/day it keeps your bowels and gas in check. So far so good, usually only once or twice in the morning and I'm good to go. But if I go over especially with fat (usually if I opt for a creamy dressing or cheese) I do end up spending more time on the throne. I would love to have a SIPS group on here!

I had nausea the first couple of days that was well controlled in the hospital and with meds once I got home. I never actually vomited (to this day), just felt ill. Swelling (internally) really only relates to how much you can intake at a time. I could tolerate about an ounce of liquid every 15 minutes for the first two days and that steadily increased as the days went on. Yes, you do lose quickly, BUT, know when you return from the hospital you might have actually gained a bit because of all the fluids that thye pump into your body. Also, it is likely you will stall around the 3rd week for a short time as your body adjusts. To help make sure you are pushing to get all your water and Protein in daily (or as much as you can manage). Try different temperatures and/or mixing in crystal light or mio. I had a hard time drinking plain Water for the first month because the surface tension made if feel like I was drinking rocks. I mixed it with crystal light lemon tea and voila I could drink! And of course walk, walk, walk. Increase time and distance daily. Skin...some of it is genetic, some of it is age and the elasticity you have. It is important to drink and get your protein in to help. But depending on your weight and how you carry it, there will likely be skin. Of course working on toning will also help. Losing large amounts of weight (even slowly) will leave skin. Fortunately, there is always the option for plastics later down the road. Me as of right now, I just want to be healthy. I will deal with sags later if it bothers me. Energy does really ramp up once you start eating soft foods and solids and as the weight comes off. I'm about 3.5 months post-op and my energy somedays is through the roof. I feel absolutely fantastic. Does that mean I have energy everyday? No way, there are definitely days when I want to be lazy but that is normal for everyone. The girls. Again, body type, age, etc...all have to be taken into consideration. The girls may get you attention, but is that truely the attention you seek, or is it to be healthy and able to do things you never imagined being able to do. I have gone from a 50F to a 44DDD and still shrinking. It is nice to fit into an 18 top and not feel the stretch. Again, IF down the road you really desire plastics is always an option. There are several people on the forums that have had plastics done and can describe their experiences, costs, etc... Oh and being scared and wanting to cry is very normal. My poor husband had to listen to me go back and forth because I was scared. I can tell you my only regret is that I didn't do this years earlier. Good luck to you!

Sorry it's been a while since I've checked in on the forum. It looks like everyone is doing well. I'm almost 3.5 post op now and feeling fantastic! For those of you that are freshly post op or getting ready for your procedure, the most important thing to remember is you do improve everyday, trust me! I have absolutely no regrets and wish I had done this several years earlier.

I'm almost 3 months and so far all has been good. I've had no complications (knock on wood) of any sort. My weight loss has been pretty steady. Interesting how insurance differs so much. I have BCBS IL and not a problem at all. No three or six month observed period, just the standard pre-op testing.

The first couple weeks just do the best you can. Keep pushing to drink a little more than the day before. I found keeping a bottle of water with me all the time helped and drinking while walking too!

The nursing staff on the bariatric unit are amazing. I had two c-section at Winnie Palmer and IMO the care on the bariatric unit was more caring and helpful (and I loved my care at Winnie). You will be in great hands and Drs. T and Jawad (and their staff) are wonderful. Keep us posted on your progress!

It does get better! Keep at it. Try 1 oz of Fluid every 15-20 minutes. Vegetable broth worked best for me as did sports drinks, purple and blue Powerade, Water with lemon and iced tea. @@Katie K Kitt You will once you start on soft foods you will start getting more energy and feeling much better!

I'm sorry, but I'm absolutely appalled that another medical professional would have the audacity to make such a disparaging remark to you. We all enjoy food that is how we ended up here, but that does not define how we will continue to live our lives. I think nearly everyone in the days prior to pre-op enjoyed favorite sweets and savories that will no longer play a role in our daily diets. Everyone is different, but I had a big sweet tooth prior to my surgery. I'm close to 9 weeks out and I have no desire for sweets. I hope it stays that way. Maybe she was trying to scare you into a harsher reality, but the way I read it sounds to me like she needs to go back and do her research. Hang tough!

As mentioned in all the other posts. It is a personal choice. My bariatric surgeon no longer offers the band procedure as it has a significantly higher failure rate than the other procedures. They mainly perform RNY, Sleeve and the SADI(SIPS) in his practice. I opted for the SADI, a much newer procedure in comparision to the RNY because of my BMI (51) and co-morbidities.

Congratulations! Keep us posted on your progress.

In addition to what @@Djmohr said are you getting all your Water in? I find a warm beverage like tea, broth or lemon with honey in hot water to take hunger away. Make sure you are eating high Protein meals/snacks. The higher the protein the longer you will feel full. But sometimes we do just get plain old hungry, I do especially a day or so before TOM.

Fairlife is lactose free! What about almond milk or coconut milk? eggs, chicken and beans!