catwoman7

well never mind all that - I just googled them, and they don't contain sugar alcohols. Not sure what it was you were reacting to...

you may have been reacting to the sugar alcohols (that some sugar free and low sugar products contain). Some people do - it makes them gassy and have diarrhea. I don't react *that* badly to them, but I can't eat more than two sugar free popsicles because they really bother my stomach. Some people aren't bothered at all by them. YOu can tell if the product has sugar alcohols - the names end in -itol

I can eat them *now*, but I couldn't until I was a few months out - the acid bothered my pouch.

my insurance required a letter from my PCP as well. What you wrote to her is fine - I'm guessing those are the kinds of things they're looking for in the letter from her - that you've been overweight for awhile, that you've tried various diets, that you're having some obesity-related issues, and that she recommends the surgery. The details you included in your message are great - if she includes those in her letter as well, I would think your case would be even stronger. Perfect!

as I mentioned earlier, my dentist also said it could be due to acid/vomit, and he did prescribe one of those specialized toothpastes as a precaution (it's really high in fluoride - I use it before going to bed to give my teeth a fluoride bath all night). But your comment made me think of something ... I used to have a *ton* of tartar every time I went to the dentist. I really don't anymore - even my hygienist noticed. I'd been thinking maybe it was because I've been eating a lot fewer carbs since surgery - but could it be that my saliva is more acidic now? Interesting thought.

p.s. I only lost 16 lbs that first month - and six of it was during week 4. So I was right where you are. But like I said, I've lost 153 lbs, so don't worry - it'll come off as long as you follow your plan!

I hit my first stall during weeks 2 and 3 post-op. Then I dropped six pounds during week four. It's not uncommon at all (in fact, do a search for "three-week stall"). your body's going to do what it's going to do. Some people lose weight fast, others lose it slow and steady. So many things can affect it (I'm definitely a slow loser, but I've lost 153 lbs in total). Just stick to the plan and you will definitely lose!!!

almost everyone has that - not just right after surgery, but forever! You got some good suggestions here. From here on out, you'll have to figure out treatments (or combos of treatments) that keep things moving for you.

I've had some - when there were chunks of it in fruit salad. It's a really acidic fruit so probably not something I'd want to try until I was a few months out of surgery.

I talked to my dentist before I had surgery because I was really concerned about this. He said he hasn't seen this problem, but for all I know, he may only have 3 or 4 bariatric patients, and decay may not be all that common a problem. But he told me to keep up on my calcium and Vitamin D, and he also wrote me a prescription for a high-fluoride toothpaste in case the problem is due to acid/vomiting. So far no problems - but then, I'm only nine months out.

like other posters, I can also tolerate small amounts of sugar - like a small cookie or a bite or two of cake. I ate about half a piece of cake once and never again - I felt really gross afterward.

it happens to everyone - it's just Water weight from the IV. Wait a week or so after surgery before weighing yourself - it'll be gone by then

unjury makes an unflavored. It does have a slight taste, though, so it works best in things that have some flavor. It would probably be fine in oatmeal. Not sure about cottage cheese - but you could give it a shot.

more looks from men - but fewer of those "look at that freakishly fat woman" looks when I walk into a room. I feel like I "fit in" better. So I'm more invisible in good ways, and less invisible in bad ways. I also get offered senior discounts now, which I never used to. It was really bizarre at first. I actually *do* qualify at a lot of places, but I always looked young for my age. Evidently, not anymore. That fat evidently plumped out my wrinkles!

some of the other posters may be right - that particular surgeon just may not be comfortable doing RNY with patients with higher BMI's. I *have* heard of surgeons who won't do them on people with a BMI over 60 (I'm guessing they might refer those patients to surgeons who specialize in higher risk surgeries), but I haven't heard yet of a surgeon who won't do one on people with BMI's over 50. Lots of people on these boards have had an RNY with a BMI over 50. Just talk another surgeon if possible - there are evidently a lot of surgeons out there who will do it with your BMI.

interesting that they don't recommend periodic bone scans after RNY. My surgeon said given my age, he'd recommend that. Maybe it's different with older people - or maybe he's not quite up on the research.

it seems to vary a lot between people, but I really had no pain at all. I felt nauseous the first day and my abs were pretty sore for about a week (making it a challenge to get out of bed, walk, etc), but that's about it. They sent me home with something for pain, but I never even opened it.

I could drink regular coffee once I hit the six-month mark. Some surgeons allow you to do it sooner (and some allow it right away). I think those who want you to wait do it because of the aforementioned reasons - it's dehydrating, it can be hard on a healing stomach, etc.

my BMI was over 50 and I had the RNY

@@Katherinedj - a lot of people use the Vitamin Patches on another forum I'm on. They say they're a decent substitute for the multi-Vitamins, but some people still have to take some of the extras like D, calcium citrate, and B12.

there are *many* different styles of yoga - some have very little in common with others, so if you try one and don't like it, try another. I've been practicing for 15 years. For a beginner, I'd recommend something like a Yin or a gentle Hatha. We're about the same age - lots of us middle-agers in those types of classes to boot. They're gentle, the poses are fairly easy, and they're *great* for stretching.

I'd bet it was sugar you were craving. When I crave it, I eat sugar free popsicles. Not real sugar - but it works!

btw - you can get samples of both Syntrax and unjury products - and samples from some other manufacturers as well. You might want to do that to make sure you like it before buying a huge tub of something you might end up hating.

I like unjury and Syntrax products the best. No Protein aftertaste.

I put cauliflower (and pretty much any other vegetable I find in my fridge) into stir fry dishes all the time.