MSWMike

I am almost 9 months out from surgery and here's what my weight loss has been like: months 1-3: 22 pounds lost per month months 4-6: 10 pounds lost per month months 5-9: about 4 pounds lost per month The rapid weight loss in the beginning comes from your body not getting much nutrition, so your body uses your fat stores for energy- thus causing weight loss. As you progress post-op, your pouch size increases and you can take in more food- which naturally slows the process down. Think of it as an inverse relationship: as you lose weight, you don't need as many calories to sustain your weight....and as you progress post op, you can take in more calories. Eventually, you want to be taking in less calories than you burn in a day to maintain weight loss.

If you aren't getting in the minimum of 64 ounces of liquids per day, you're at risk for dehydration. As others have suggested, talk to your nutritionist. With all of the information that's thrown at us as we are going through the process of having the surgery, we are bound to get things mixed up and forget some things. If you aren't able to get in your nutrition and liquids, it could indicate a potential issue that needs to be addressed.

The amount you lose varies from person to person and depends on what surgery you had. By the time I was 5 months post op, I lost 85 pounds (125 since I started the program 4 months prior to my surgery). You need to follow the advice and guidance from your bariatric team. 1- Follow your nutritional guidelines 2- Get your fluids 3- Exercise 4- Vitamins

I'm almost 9 months post op and still use Miralax daily. I only take about a half dose, but it does the trick. I tried other softeners- colace, senna, etc....and they did nothing. Thankfully, a bottle of Miralax lasts me about 2 months. It's a bit more expensive than the other softeners out there, but it's what works for me.

My surgeon recommended vitamin e oil. I used it and helped out a lot. I just had to make sure that I didn't use it while I still had the dermabond on my incisions (I didn't have stitches or staples). I used it twice a day and it helped out. Now that I'm about 8 months post op, I switched over to using Mederma for the scars. It's expensive (about $20 for a tube), but a little goes a long way and it really does work.

I don't dump either. When I have sugar, I typically get dizzy and lightheaded...and that's about it.

Like the poster above me said, you're likely not going to have any bowel movements for some time. You're not taking much of anything in that can be formed into a solid mass. I think it was about 2 weeks after surgery when I had my first movement....and it wasn't much. Tip: don't strain and try to force something to come out. This can cause some issues "down there!"

On Tuesday 7/28, I had RXY surgery. While recovering in the hospital, I noticed that my right hand was a little bit numb. It wasn't bad, but noticeable. Today, 5 days later, I have feeling back in my thumb and index finger, some in my middle finger, and my ring and pinky fingers are still pretty numb. I am sure this is related to the surgery as I didn't have this before. Has anyone experienced this?

I started to see my chiropractor again. He believes that the numbness is coming from subluxations (misalignments) in my spine. After only one adjustment, I have noticed that the numbness has already improved. He told me that post-operatively, it will be important to get adjustments on a regular basis due to the weight loss. This will be something enjoyable for me!

I forgot to post an update after my appointment the other day! The numbness is still there, but I now have different sensations (hard to even describe what they feel like) depending on what I am doing. My surgeon says that this is a good sign, as it is a sign the nerves are waking up. It's now been 16 days since my surgery....I think my nerves should have had enough time to wake up already. I go back in another two weeks for a checkup....and I'll be sure to follow up with him again if the numbness hasn't improved.

If your surgeon has an on call number, I suggest you find out what it is. I have used my surgeon's number twice already and it has been very helpful. Since I don't know what's normal or not- it's nice to be able to ask the surgeon directly. It's definitely helped to put my mind at ease.

I saw the surgeon this afternoon. He said that the numbness in my right hand is due to 2 things. 1- the way in which I was placed in surgery 2- the fact that my hand and forearm were used as a pin cushion! He said the feeling should come back as the nerve "wakes up" after another week or so. In the meantime, I'm supposed to keep it elevated, iced if desired, and to use my hand as much as possible. As far as the numbness around my outer left knee, I was also strapped there during surgery and that he and others were leaning into me there during portions of the surgery and this too should go away relatively soon. I have another follow up next week, so we will see how things go then!

I feel like moving around would help me with the numbness. Thankfully now that I am a week out, I feel better and I feel like I can walk more.

I had my consultation with the nurse (sadly the surgeon wasn't available) this afternoon. She booked me for an appointment on Wednesday to be evaluated by the surgeon to see whether anything needs to be done. Based on what I have seen people report on here and from outside research, this seems to be a fairly normal thing after surgery- but on occasion can be an indication of other problems. I'd rather be safe than sorry, so it's off to the office I go!

I had IV's in both hands (my left was only stuck once). My right hand got butchered. They failed to get an IV line started in the right hand at one site, then they placed another IV in me during surgery, once that IV was removed, I was stuck 2 more times in the right hand for blood draws and twice in the right forearm. I suspect that has something to do with it!! I also found that I have numbness in my left leg near my knee on the outside part and below the lowest incision and above my belly button spanning about 4" on either side of my belly button. I am thankful that I have a consultation in the morning with my surgeon, so I will be bringing this up to him!

After getting my surgery date of July 28 a few weeks ago, I have been a big ball of emotions. I knew in my heart this is what I was working towards- but surgery is just scary! My ultimate fear is dying during the procedure for whatever reason. After I met with my surgeon for the 3rd time, the practice nurse, and an anesthesiologist from the hospital, I feel more at ease. All three described the typical routine that is followed before/during/after surgery and what I can expect. I even asked my doctor for a video of my surgery and he's going to see whether he can record it for me (yes, I know that's odd...but I like medical stuff!). I've had my last big weekend of eating whatever I wanted. Tomorrow starts my 2 week liquid diet. I can have 8oz of a protein drink for my 3 main meals. I can also have 2 snacks during the day- sugar free yogurt, jello, or popsicles. I can have as much to drink as I want so long as it's not a caloric beverage. I have been asked many times what my goal weight is and I give the same answer every time: I have no idea. I'm 5,10" and at my highest I was 445 lbs. I am currently 425 and hope to be around 410-415 at surgery. If I could get down to 220, that'd be amazing! I figure if I get down to that, I'll be happy. If I go beyond that, that'll just be a bonus. I am also thinking that when I get my skin removal surgery in about 3 years, I will probably lose another 15-20 just with the skin, etc that will be removed. All in all, I feel like I am in a good place mentally. I know what I need to do, I have the supplies I need to do what I need to do, and I have the supports I will need. I know this is going to be a hard journey with some rough spots along the way, but I am up for this exciting journey so I can get on with my life and live it up!

Some of these pre-op diets sound wonderful! I am day 10 into the diet- 4 more to go before surgery. Mine has been nothing but liquids! I need to get in 90g of protein daily (my particular protein goal). I can get that from shakes or up to 1 Greek yogurt a day. I can also have as much non-calorie drinks as I'd like- so long as I get in at least 64oz every day. I'll admit and say that I cheated- but it was 2 pieces of lunch meat that I stole from my roommate! At least it wasn't a pizza...or a cheesecake...or a cheesesteak...or cake! I'm 5 days out from surgery, so I am being a good boy!

I had this concern as well. When I looked at everything that I will be gaining from having this surgery, I can handle taking an extra pill or two a day when the need arises.

I'm on day 6 of 14 of my liver shrink diet. All I can have are protein shakes, any no calorie drinks (as much as I want), and sugar/fat free Greek yogurts. I'd love to have something to chew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with the idea of the probiotics. They give you so many antibiotics in the hospital that it wreaks havoc on your GI system. Probiotics help to re-establish order. The last time I was in the hospital and on antibiotics, I was surprised that they also gave me probiotics as well! Green poop can also be from an imbalance of electrolytes in your body. It could be from being sick, not getting enough of a particular electrolyte, or possibly from another serious medical issue. If it persists, I'd see your doctor and bring up your concerns.

Congratulations!! Keep your mind focused on what you'll get out of the surgery in the long run. :-)

I think this is completely normal! I'm scheduled for surgery on the 28th. I'm all over the place with my emotions, but I know that I'm doing this for a reason and I'll come out better in the end.

I just started my 2 week liquid diet today. I was warned about headaches. So far, I found that having a protein shake helped with it immensely.

Each psychologist is different. Some do a quick 15 minute evaluation as @@The Candidate mentioned. My experience was different: I had 2 1-hour sessions and took a depression screening test (which took 5 minutes). The psychologist isn't "out to get you" as many people think. They want to see what is giving you the motivation for the surgery, what supports you'll have, etc. They are there to help you and want you to be successful!

Way to go! Keep us updated!