Ashlegal

Nothing or EVERYTHING may happen after you sign the consent forms. Regardless of a surgery date or insurance approval you surgeon's office needs those forms signed and on file with their office and with the surgical center. The forms are protocol and don't necessarily signal that you'll have a surgery date before you leave that day. Or it may mean they have an approval and once the forms are signed, they'll assign you a surgery date.

I woke up about five hours after surgery and in an immense amount of pain. I started crying, uncontrollably and sobbing as tears, snot flew out of my face. I cursed myself for going through with something so painful, then I cursed myself for getting so fat that I needed surgery for WLS, then I cursed myself for not having the self control to eat what was only necessary to be healthy, then I cursed myself for not exercising and before long I regretted the decision to have surgery, making me feel even worse as I knew there was no going back. A nurse came in to check on me, give me pain meds and get my vitals. She immediately saw how upset I was and comforted my fears. She held my hand and told me "it gets better everyday." I heard that line from friends, mentors, health care professionals, posters on here and in my own head. But out of everything that has been said to me during this ENTIRE journey, no words are more truer. It really does get better everyday. I am two days shy of being six weeks post-op and while I had a fairly easy healing process, everyday has made everything feel a little better. What you are feeling is an almost universal feeling among a lot of WLS patients. It is an overwhelming, emotional, sad, painful and sickening roller coaster. Some days it feel so intense that not only do you regret your decision but you are convinced the rest of your life is going to suck. IT WILL GET BETTER WITH EACH PASSING DAY. Call your surgeon's office, tell them about how you are feeling and let them help you be more comfortably.

Calm down it has only been four days, everything is still healing and all you are consuming is liquid. Even weeks after surgery, if all I do is liquids, I don't ever feel "full." Take it day by day, focus on your doctor's instructions and know that "things" change/happen with each day that passes. Don't try to push the issue of feeling full. It will happen and you'll need to pay attention to the feeling to keep from getting sick or risking future complications. I have days that my "pouch" doesn't want me to eat, it feels full after two bites. And other days I can get in all my Protein with just food and it handles everything I consume. Everyone is different and patience with the journey is what is important to remember. Are you doing Protein shakes?

I remember having similar conversations with people in my circle. In fact I had a couple of friends who were HORRIFIED that I was considering WLS. They were convinced that the surgery was "too extreme" and "not worth the consequences" or "there are BETTER ways to lose the weight" or my favorite "you just need to exercise and use self control." And to be honest, some of what I heard did make me question my decision and almost made me back out. But then I met with an old friend that I had not seen in years. About five months prior to our reunion, she had undergone RNY as did her sister. She looked fantastic, felt fantastic and gave me some serious advice about my decision. She didn't sugar coat the decision or glamorize the journey, she did however offer me the comfort of knowing that my decision would be the best, hardest, biggest life changer EVER. She was right and everyone else was totally wrong. As are those bending your ear with negativity. Even if there are complications, even if there are hardships, even if there are disappointments, it is still YOUR decision to make. Those that love you should only be supporting you.

What does she expect your surgeon to do about the weight loss? Stop it? I don't get why she would take it up with him. If you are healthy and there are no complications from the surgery affecting your health; I don't get what she hopes to transpire when she meets with him.

@@jillofalltrades203 That is what I take, 20 mg's and that was suggested (more like required) by my surgeon. I think honestly, if it something that sent you home with instructions to take, then you should probably do it. EVERY STORE, EVERY WHERE carries 20 mg generic Prilosec OTC. They are small pills (but half them if you feel more comfortable) and take them at the same time everyday as it makes them more effective with no break through acid to worry about.

What medicine was it (not to be nosy)? I take the generic Prilosec and it is delayed release. I was taking 40 mg's before surgery and was told by my surgeon to take half. He never mentioned any problems with it not being immediate release. I assume they want something that stayed in the "system" for 24 hours, which is what medicines like Nexium and Prilosec do. It is to protect your new stomach from acid.

I was able to "fit" into jewelry that I was never able to comfortably wear due to my weight. This morning I put on a bracelet bought by my husband two anniversaries ago, that was only wore once and a ring my mother bought me for graduation almost four years ago that was never worn. I can finally accessorize!

Have you ever used a cauliflower crust for pizza? My WLS mentor/buddy from my group brought some to Brunch on Saturday and it was divine. I would have never known that the crust was made from cauliflower. Plus she added unflavored Protein powder to the cauliflower and the pizza sauce it ended up having 15 grams of protein per 3 ounces (basically a slice). And that doesn't include the protein from the toppings that include cheese, turkey sausage and chicken sausage.

I will not lie and say "after life surgery is easy and your problem with food disappears." Choosing surgery is not an easy fix and those that say otherwise are fools. Surgery is a life long dedication that comes with many ups and downs, trials, errors, joyous moments, frustrating events, overwhelming emotions, stress and victories. Does it get better over time? I can confidently tell you that it does but it never gets easy. Just easier. You will need (as many of us do) an excellent support system that may include a therapist, someone who can help you overcome your addiction and help develop better coping skills. No matter what, you make this decision because the good outweighs the bad. It is a definite trade-off and a chance at a whole new life. Be prepared for the journey is one you didn't think possible.

I am contemplating switching from DEPO to either an implant or an IUD. I am freaked about it all! I didn't worry about any BC prior to surgery and now it all I am thinking about. Gah! Being a woman is the pits (sometimes).

Relax. The purpose of pre-op weight loss is to shrink your liver. Why do they need to shrink your liver? So they can see more clearly while they are operating on you. A liver that is "too fat" makes it hard to get around when the laprascopic tools are in the area. I have heard stories of people going in to surgery and coming out without bypass. Their livers were too big to complete the surgery. Plus a lot of insurance companies won't approve your surgery if you have GAINED ANY WEIGHT during the six month pre-op supervised diet. I should know, it happened to me after only gaining TWO POUNDS in my last month of weigh in. Super frustrating. I don't want to sound harsh but you need to get a grip. The ride you are about to take is a roller coaster and even months after surgery, your emotions, stress level, anxiety, a feeling of being overwhelmed will still be issues to deal with. If you can't control those same emotional problems now, you will have one hell of a time over the next 10-12 months of your life. When you do the psych eval, you need to be COMPLETELY honest with them about what you are feeling. Let them help you, help yourself. I know (most of us know) how you are feeling and it is stressful, intense, worrying, overwhelming and induces anxiety. You have to work on making everything healthy not just losing weight. The complete package has to have a complete overhaul; your relationship to food, the way you handle stress, the activities you do when bored, what you do for fun, all of it needs a make-over. This process is not easy and it takes an immense amount of dedication, patience and discipline. With all that said, there is a wide variety of support on this forum. Many of us want nothing more than to see our WLS peers be successful. Asking questions, obtaining honest feedback and being honest with yourself are the first steps into WLS success. You can do this!

I don't know any thin people who don't work hard at being and keeping thin. As a pre-op dieter, I assumed all thin people just ate what they wanted then either worked out all the time or had fast metabolisms. Now while that may apply to *some* thin individuals it definitely doesn't encompass *all* thin people. My SIL is a very beautiful woman with a great body. She likes to drink her wine and have her gourmet dinners. She enjoys the types of foods I so often loved to cook, eat and share. The difference being, she would never consume in one sitting the amount of food I would. Never. She may have a couple of pastries for Breakfast but she would do that once or twice a month. I on the other hand would eat 3-4 pastries everyday if they were available. She works out, walks daily, has an active lifestyle and enjoys everything in moderation. In other words, she works hard to maintain her well sculpted body. I only worked hard at stuffing gobs of food in my body.

Oh, eff, seriously?! I am so freaked about taking any BC and haven't had to worry about it for three years. Then bam! Right after surgery had a period (that was missing for over three years) that last almost three weeks. My PCP said, "if you're going to be menstruating and ovulating and don't want babies, you need birth control." I didn't want an IUD as they kinda freak me out but I don't want DEPO to make me crazy. GAH!

At about two weeks post op, I had the strangest craving for foods I had not had for many, many months prior to surgery. I craved fried Okra, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, white gravy, corn bread, tamales, flautas and just crazy combos of food. I wanted to dip cheese sticks in hummus and carrots in plain Greek yogurt. It has gone away some but not completely. I don't get it. Oh and when I eat like a thin slice of deli turkey meat with some cream cheese spread, I want Salt n' Vinegar chips. I haven't had Salt n' Vinegar chips in about two years. Weird.

I am getting ready to visit my SIL in Dubai at the beginning of next month; I have been constantly worried about my diet while there. She assures me that I will have a wide variety of food to choose from. I always stand by "if it is too good to be true, it probably is." I am thinking it is best if I pack my Protein shaker, some almond milk, bars and hope for the best.

I was given permission to eat Cottage Cheese (lowfat) on days 8 and beyond.

I think a HUGE problem is that a lot of people take on this vigilante idea of "no treats for you, you are a WLS patient!" and "if you can't get over not having ice cream, a little fast food (good menu choices) and treats, you'll fail at losing/keeping the weight off!" Which is total bogus BS. Having WLS doesn't make you incapable of having food and pleasure combine. Yes, for many people it is a slippery slope but that is an emotional problem that needs to be addressed long before deciding to have WLS. Knowing why you are eating a treat is the issue. Choosing to have a small 1/2 cup of NSA ice cream doesn't relate to taking a pint of B&J's Cherry Garcia to the couch and chowing down. Unless of course the 1/2 cup of ice cream is a emotional soothing technique brought on by stress, discomfort or sadness. There is a difference and people can learn better emotional support techniques that will allow all foods in moderation.

I am five weeks post-op and do one Protein shake daily. I am only requested to get in 50 grams of protein a day. My Premier Protein Shake has 30 grams and I get another twenty in from yogurt, cottage cheese, lean meats (canned tuna, salmon, shrimp, imitation crab) and soft cheeses. I eat 5-6 small meals through out the day and don't overwhelm myself with getting x amount in each time I eat. I meal plan the day before and that is how I know I am getting in enough protein. Some days if I am not feeling so hungry, I will up my protein shake to 1.5 giving me 45 grams of protein. Then I will eat an Oikos Triple Zero (15 grams of protein) the rest of the day. It is absolutely a chore to get in fluids, Proteins and Vitamins in daily. You just have to try different things and through trial and error, you'll get there! Good luck!

I would assume your PCP and OBGYN would adequately provide you with the right guidelines for nutrition, diet recommendations and supplement information. That is of course assuming your OBGYN is experienced in dealing with pregnant WLS patients. I would do some research (Google had some good reads) and make a list of concerns/questions/suggestions to take with you to your next PCP and or OBGYN appointment. Don't leave it the hands of your medical professionals, you need to educate yourself on what to expect during your pregnancy since you are a WLS patient. I wish you and your family the best of luck and an easy pregnancy.

May I ask why they don't allow powders? What was their reasoning? I am just curious as I have never heard powders being an issue. It still amazes me how different and varied Surgeon's post-op plans are!

I tried this recipe. I added diced turkey sausage and full fat cheeses. It was WONDERFUL! I didn't tell anyone that this recipe was bariatric friendly, I just made it and took it to a friend's house. Everyone gobbled it up and commented that they wanted the recipe.

@@StephOnTheMove I bought mine at the dreaded Wal-Mart and my local Safeway (Vons) and I kept my receipt(s); when I didn't like them I took them back for either an exchange or store credit. On Amazon they have the Syntrax (which is my personal favorite brand) sample packs, they come with a variety of flavors and then you can decide from there which ones you'd like to buy bigger sizes of. You will most likely go through a phase of ones you don't like and yes some money will be wasted. Whatever ones you buy, keep them ice cold and I even have a friend who warms her chocolate Premier Protein shake like hot chocolate. I have put mine in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, it makes it more palatable and it kinda feels like a treat. Isopure (damn expensive) has a variety of flavors, kinds, drinks, powders, pre-mades and what nots; they are all really good but like I said expensive (even on Amazon). You should also keep in mind that the powders can be mixed with unsweetened Almond Milk, Vanilla (unsweetened) Almond Milk, 2% Fairlife Milk and blended with a pump of SF Torani syrups. Yum! Keep an open mind and don't get discouraged. Protein is essential!!