catwoman7

I've only had alcohol twice since my surgery four years ago, and it goes right into my blood stream - as in I'm feeling it badly after just one or two glasses of wine. I can't remember if I felt sick afterwards or not, but I stay away now. Could be the alcohol, or as the above poster suggested, it could be the sugar you're reacting to, too

it wouldn't be a risk for esophageal cancer - untreated GERD is what can cause that - but they think it CAN be risk for things like renal issues, as someone else mentioned. And a few other things as well (I think I remember reading that there may be some risk for dementia, too - but I can't remember. At any rate, several things). They're still researching this, but right now the thought is that short-term use is OK, but not long-term. Those days of putting people on them for years & years are over...

not me - I don't feel any different than I did before (well, other than I'm not obese anymore, of course - but my innards feel the same)

it depends on your plan. Surgeons are all across the board with this - there seems to be no consensus. Some never want you drinking it again - some are allowing it as soon as you're out of the hospital. Some say it's OK once you're three months - or six months - out. Some say it's OK in limited quantities (e.g. one or two cups a day). Or some combination of the above. My guess is given the lack of consensus, it's not the worst thing you can do (unlike taking NSAIDs or some other thing everyone agrees on), but you might want to check with your surgeon to see what he/she thinks.

I've always taken Centrum or the generic equivalent (both CVS and Walgreens carry generic equivalents) my clinic did recommend Flintstones, but I know the ASBMS (Amer Soc of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery) does not recommend children's vitamins, so I decided to go with Centrum. I asked the dietitian about Centrum before I started taking them, and she said they were fine (I take two a day). As long as your vitamins meet the ASBMS standards, they should be fine (mine do...)

Yes, but I knew that would happen and I tried not to let it bother me (and mostly, it hasn't). Too many other things to worry about. But yes, I do get it.

as far as nutritional deficiencies, they're usually not a problem as long as you keep on top of your vitamins. There are some people who don't absorb oral iron well and have to go in for occasional infusions, but that's not all that common. Most of us do fine on oral iron supplements. As for the other vitamins, again, deficiencies are really rare as long as you take your vitamins. hair loss - I didn't have any. That can be an issue with any surgery, from what I understand - not just RNY and not just weight loss surgery in general. It's due to the anesthesia, supposedly. I'm guessing you see it more in weight loss surgeries than other types of surgeries because we're taking in so few calories those first few weeks and months, but I've heard of people losing hair from other surgeries - or from giving birth, too. Whatever, not everyone loses their hair, and for the majority who do, you're really the only one who notices it. It's kind of rare for it to come out in huge, noticeable clumps. If you didn't lose hair with your lapband surgery, maybe you'll be OK. Loose skin - again, you're likely the only one who'll notice. I had mine removed three years after surgery because I didn't like looking at it anymore, but it was easy enough to hide from the world. I had most of it on my abdomen (I was, and still am, apple-shaped). I'd just tuck it in my jeans or "tummy-control" leggings and wore slightly-oversized, long-ish tops to cover any lumps. Here's a picture of me before plastic surgery. I had *a lot* of loose skin on my abdomen. It's not even noticeable in these clothes:

if you've had GERD, I'd go with bypass

I think I started up on mine right away, but some people are advised by their surgeons to wait a week or so. You might want to call their office and ask just in case..

if you are following your surgeon's plan, the weight will come off, either fast or slow. I was a slow loser from the get-go, and I ended up losing 100% of my excess weight. Your commitment to your program is MUCH more indicative of your ultimate success than your rate of weight loss is.

I've been on bariatric boards for about five years. Based on what I've seen, I would say most people have little to no pain. There are some who do, yes - but a majority do not.

the above poster is right. Also, with tacos, you're probably dealing with sodium as well. That makes a lot of people retain water (including me!!)

many people never have complications - and for those who do, they're usually pretty minor (like a stricture - which is an easy fix). Major complications are pretty rare. These are very safe surgeries.

we went out for pizza - but I only had a piece or two. I wanted to taste it again because I knew it would be awhile, but I didn't want to blow it.

is Caltrate calcium citrate? We were told to take calcium citrate.

it happens to a lot of people - you'll find a ton of postings about it on this site. It supposedly happens because estrogen is stored in fat cells, so when they "melt", the estrogen is released, thus flooding your system. Your cycles (and possibly your moods) can be kind of wonky for awhile, but they'll eventually regulate again

I can relate. Most people I interact with or bump into with now either have seen the "new" me, or never knew me as obese. Once in a great while I'll run into someone I knew a few years ago, though, who hasn't seen me since before surgery. I kind of dread that because of all the questions and comments. Luckily, it doesn't happen very often anymore.

some people become lactose intolerant after surgery (sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently). Others can't tolerate artificial sweeteners, especially sugar alcohols (names of sugar alcohols end in "-ol", like xylitol). Maybe one/both of these??

you'll have to take vitamins for the rest of your life with either surgery

if you have GERD, strongly consider bypass. The sleeve often (but not always) can make that worse. Bypass often improves or cures it. Otherwise, either one is a good surgery. I've known people who've had great success with both.

could be - not sure since I'm an RNY'er

I don't know much about MGB, but I would guess it would be similar to RNY with respect to GERD. But check it out for sure, because again, I don't know much about MGB.

if you have GERD, I would strongly consider RNY. RNY often (but not always) cures it. VSG often (but not always) makes it worse. I had GERD pre-surgery. I didn't want to take the risk of having it get worse.

mine drops after surgeries as well (not just WLS - it's always dropped after I've had a surgery - any surgery)

not sure about on this forum (although I'm guessing there are some on here), but there are lots of people who have had a sleeve to bypass revision (mostly due to GERD). Most of them I know of were glad they had it done since it resolved their GERD. Weight loss is quite a bit slower with a revision, though - but it can still be done.