VDB

Just got on Craigslist and gave away my first wave of clothes which were too big now -- several coats, lots of T-shirts, blazers, etc. Two trash bags full of clothes I will never wear again. Felt great, and the bigger guy than me really appreciated the clothes. Wahoo!

I think depression is a natural and adaptive reaction to surgery as major as WLS. Unlike other surgery, this one brings up from the depths all of our "stuff" about being obese. In my case, I knew I needed this surgery, having been fat since age 3 (64 now), and that all the hundreds of attempts to do this on my own were going to be over. Honestly, I got depressed just contemplating my journey in this area, and was reacting to the huge changes coming. I am now 3 weeks post surgery, no depression, and am looking forward. Good luck!

Got to vote with the snippers! I used sharp sterilized nail clippers. I went to my regular MD for those I could not reach and she got all of them in ten minutes. One of my former docs told me that they were primarily genetic. I would never do any around my eyes even if I could reach them! I have had no success in getting my wife to snip them off, but can't really blame her!

One of the reasons for WLS is to deal with chronic diabetes, certainly was for me. I had read articles citing gastric bypass as having 25% greater results with putting diabetes in remission than did the sleeve, and the band had much lower than either method. This was the reason I went with bypass. I left the hospital on no diabetes meds, but will likely be back on one soon, which I may need for a few months until more weight comes off. My office no longer does the lapband due to problems including mechanical breakdown. It is no longer used in most of Europe for this reason.

Yes, vitamins have made me a bit nauseous... I am three weeks out and have learned to take a tablespoon of soft cream of wheat, then the vitamins and then another tablespoon of soft cream of wheat. Seems to prime the stomach pouch.

A man's point of view. I have no respect for men who treat their partners like that. I l always have to think that anyone who constantly accuses their partner of cheating is really pointing the finger at themselves. It is an incredibly courageous thing to do, moving on -- just be vigilant, men like that can be very apologetic and silver tongued devils, once they realize what they have done to themselves... those behaviors don't ever really change. Great work on your program as well -- good job!

I don't know, but that is a great idea. I live in a low population area of western Colorado, not too many people who have had surgery, but if anyone wants the next wave of extra tall 50 waist, 3xl shirts, they are welcome to them, I will even ship them to you for free!

Salonboi -- way to go, you got through the surgery. You have a terrific attitude, I think that is part of it. I am three weeks post-bypass, on the "mushy" phase of eating, down 36# already. My biggest barrier is the restriction against lifting anything heavy (over 15#) for the six weeks. Plays heck with being a gardener and woodworker, but only three weeks to go. Glad your 4 year old will see a new Dad (more active). Mine are all grown but I know that I was not nearly as physically active as I should have been due to the weight. But, my grandson will see the svelte me. Hopefully not the bald me, but I have a full head of hair and the hair loss is not normally extreme in months ahead. Good luck, be well. John VDB

Yes, my Ninja is loud, but Consumer Reports consistently rates it right at a level with a Vitamix, at the top of the blender heap. I just wrap a towel around mine, and it works very well for me.

I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes about ten years after I think it actually started. Prior to surgery, I was on four diabetes meds and blood sugars kept rising. Finally, saw an endocrinologist who put me on slow acting insulin. This got my blood sugars down, but of course is hard on the system. After bypass surgery, went home on no meds at all. This was great, but almost every day since surgery (almost three weeks) my waking blood sugars are rising. Have made an appointment with my Dr. but wanted to know if this has been true for any other diabetics who have had by-pass. I am hoping to avoid long term meds and hope that losing weight will help. Thanks!

No, it does not seem to be very sweet to me, but I know what you mean. The fact that it is the dry mix is half powdered milk cuts the sweetness considerably.

Echo the massive hug to you, just don't tell your husband My personal favorite is the physical therapist who had me take my shirt off (large belly exposed) in an open clinic, and who then took large calipers to measure my fat in the pinchers for some fat percentage test. It was humiliating because of the many people watching. However, it was also embarrassing for the therapist when I asked to meet with her supervisor, and I explained how her behavior made me feel. I got an apology.

Good luck Pinkie! It was wonderful to get off meds but I will likely have to start a small amount of them again, until more weight comes off.

Thanks everyone. Steve, good advice on patience. I know that being off the meds is great, but was concerned by the BG creep...

All I can say is that she knows she is in an unhealthy state. She will feel shame from any intervention. Over the years, so many family and friends would say concerned things, the outcome was always more shame and more accelerated unhealthy behaviors. What helped me the most was not intervention but rather, SUPPORT! My wife would say, "I am going to the pool, want to come?" She would make only healthy food, and never nag me about eating other food. She was my example, and when I finally got the courage to get the bypass, she was my cheerleader, but never suggested it to me.

After three weeks post RNY, have lost many inches, also dipped into the skinny clothes. Over the last six months, started buying several sizes down in basic clothes (you know us country men, socks, underwear, jeans and T-shirts -- all we need) as a way to show myself that the surgery was going to get approved, and that the body would heal. I also have saved some jeans over the years which were ordered too small. I have one pair from 1988! Brand new, but those will wait until fall! I have on loose jeans that I could not get on pre-surgery. Wahoo! My wife got her skinny little arms all the way around me this morning!

K.W. How many weeks post surgery are you? I am just one week away from being allowed to get back in the swimming pool, but otherwise walking until my restrictions get lifted. After that will add in treadmill and hopefully by mid summer will be back on my ten speed. This "no lifting" requirement is keeping me from gardening -- I have a huge vegetable garden and orchard that is languishing from neglect. Glad you are allowed back to heavier exercise -- good weight loss, too!

Help, can't figure how to update the Ticker and put in the additional weight lost. I am tech challenged.

Thanks Teach! I appreciate the advice.

Hi, I think the reality is that this is major surgery -- for me, 3 1/2 hours of surgery and a huge change to your innards! Feeling the way you are is a completely normal reaction to such a life changing event. I had surgery on April 21 and had almost exactly the same pre-op emotions. I re-did my will, wrote "read this after my death letters" to all my kids and wife, but also read the mortality rate for this surgery (very very low -- my clinic has never lost anyone!), and knew that I had tried all other options to lose weight, and this would dramatically extend my life span. You and all of us who have this surgery are very brave people!

Rev. Del, also had surgery on April 21st. Losing weight very rapidly. Against advice, I don't weigh everyday, but rather once a week as I get too much in my own head if I gain a pound on a day. I agree about what to eat -- focusing on 75% Protein intake (mushy soft cooked turkey or chicken; cottage cheese, yogurt, string cheese) and 15% veges (canned green beans; sweet potato) and 10% fruit (no-syrup canned pears, soft applesauce), and as few straight carbs as possible other than an occasional tiny cracker to chew thoroughly. Of course, even dairy has carbs but does not concern me. I was addicted to straight carbs for 50 years, it is great not to crave them now, no room in the pouch!! You will get through this, and welcome.

I am about 3 weeks post bypass. The Water weight was gone within a week, and now am on the mushy food phase. I am losing weight very rapidly now, about 2+ pounds a day, and am not having any problem getting my Protein and other nutrients in. Strangely enough, my favorite mushy food is cream of wheat with extra vanilla protein powder/dry powdered nonfat milk mixed in it, with a packet or two of splenda. I made a salmon loaf today with well blended potato, green Beans, can of pink salmon, garlic, pepper, salt, basil, parsley, eggs --- all blended well and then baked. It was good and went down well. I aim for 65% pouch fullness --- several times the pouch filled up and immediately caused discomfort. You will lose weight -- with gastric bypass, in the first year, you will lose weight regardless --- after 18 months, a minority stretch the pouch and regain. In my support group there is one 4 month post surgery person who has started to gain weight but she was drinking lots of sugared soda, which rapidly stretches out the pouch, and then she added food capacity.

Everytime I have ever had major surgery, especially if under the knife for several hours, it results in my O2 levels being low for a time. I bought one of the oximeters which were rated high for 25 bucks on Amazon. I pound the spirometer every half hour to build my lungs. After surgery, I was down to 80, but am now (2 1/2 weeks out) back up to 94 average. I use oxygen at night for the first month home, and then I send it back when I am back to over 95 consistently.

I mix EAS Vanilla Protein powder (Target) half and half with non-fat powdered milk. I blend it with skim milk and add a couple Tablespoons of no-sugar applesauce. Very refreshing and not too thick. Sometimes throw in a bit of ice into the blender as well.

I agree with you all about disclosing weight numbers. I remember a person in the Minneapolis airport who came up to me and said "Can I tell you something?". I said ok. She said "If you lost 50 pounds you would be really good looking!". I thought "Boundaries, Lady" but also feel that when God gives you someone like this you should mess with them. So I put my head down, made myself tear up, and said in a small voice "I think I am pretty good looking right now". She ran off. Over the years when nosey relatives or others would ask my weight, I would just say "Oh, about 2........much" (I have been 400# or bigger for a long time). They always got the idea.