Ashlegal

A stricture was my biggest fear during pre-op and again post-op. It was the one complication that when talked about freaked me out the most as there was very little anyone could do to prevent one from taking place. Yes, there are prevention(s) that every doctor recommends but even those who did everything by the book could still develop a stricture. Fortunately, it is the a simple fix and once fixed makes everything feel better. I try not to worry too much about getting one as I know it is a possibility no matter what. I have you find relief soon!

I have used Pinterest for many, many things but never for anything beauty solutions related. I have used it for tutorials on hairstyles, different make-up applications and hair color ideas. I have my staples that do me well and don't see the need to change my routine.

Slicing open a turkey sausage, removing the casing would be identical to cooking up ground turkey. Which is where I would start on the turkey spectrum. Casings on sausages can be hard for those without WLS to breakdown and digest. I would get a pound of ground turkey and cook it up as if I was going to make tacos or spaghetti. I would take a potato masher towards the end of cooking and mash it up into smaller pieces. That way all pieces are inform in shape and size, easier to chew and easier to digest. You might also see how you respond to canned chicken or tuna or even Salmon before trying ground meat. Baby steps.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch Exactly like kissing a bunch of frogs to find my prince!

A week before surgery I was 289. My highest weight was 294 and on surgery day I weighed 279. I am two months post-op and weight 240. I had a stall around week 6-7 and then started losing again last week. Some days it feels like I am not losing fast enough and other days it feel like I am losing too fast. Everything I own is too big, everyone that sees me that had not seen me since surgery is shocked at how I look (especially in my face) and I notice how more mobile I am everyday. Everything from taking a shower, putting on shoes, putting on a bra, painting my toe nails and even getting in and out of bed get easier everyday.

Did you have G.E.R.D. or any heartburn before surgery?

When your spine is slowly breaking down and your hips need to be replaced, you need support, support and more support. I have in the last ten years bought some outrageously expensive mattresses, custom built mattresses, sleep number mattresses, top-rated mattresses, doctor recommended mattresses and can tell you that none compare to the Tempurpedic I am currently using. I have bought more mattresses (and given away or sold) than my parents, my siblings and an aunt combined. It is not something I am proud of but it is the reality of being diseased. I get a great night sleep, plenty of support, plenty of comfort and everyone who lays on my bed says "oh, God is this is so amazingly comfortable, supportive and can I please take a nap?" on my Tempurpedic Tempur Flex-Elite. Worth every penny. It was worth every penny.

At just shy two months post-op, I don't count carbs because my focus is on Proteins first. I drink plenty of milk, eat yogurts, puddings and Nut Thins, Wheat Thins, 34 Degree crackers and the occasional Protein bar. My carb count in the very least is 40-50 grams a day. I lose weight every week and meet my protein/fluid and Vitamin goals daily. Dr. Sprunger told me not worry about counting carbs or calories or measuring or weighing for at least the first six months. Focus on proteins, fluids and eat until full. Small bites, chew well and stay hydrated.

@ Mine was similar. @@citygirl1962 My appointment lasted maybe 30 minutes, which surprised me but I feel part of that was how prepared I was for the meeting, the surgery, my decision, the research I had done, the questions I needed answers to and my overall attitude towards the process.

54 pounds in two months is awesome. I have lost 47 in the same time frame and have always been capable of getting in all my fluids/proteins. Granted I am not required 90 grams of Protein daily but I meet my requirement(s) no problem. I was at a support meeting this afternoon and there are a few girls who had surgery within a couple of days of me; one has lost close to 60 pounds the other only about 35. All three of us are on the same post-op plan, everybody is different. Obviously you should try to get in all your proteins/fluids/vitamins in daily but getting 90 versus 70 may not make you lose any faster OR it might.

Your doctor isn't making you go back to work, she is simply not writing you a note to keep you from having to go back. It is your job that is not allowing you to take the time off that you feel you need. Another surgeon isn't going to keep you from going back to work. The other option would be talking to your PCP about writing you a medical note giving you more time. thanks for your response. And yes, Dr made it clear that I needed to get back in the groove of things which will help with the recovery. It has been my goal to be back in the swing of things. Unfortunately bc of the govt job that I have I cannot return to work until I can perform 100%. Mainly my question/concern is can she force me back to work--not allow me the leave I need just because it's her way??? I honestly felt like she is not being my advocate, and pushing me out to work when I am not physically ready to perform. I let her know every time I had an appointment and she made me feel like it was my fault that I had so much nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. I'm currently looking for another bariatric surgeon. At this time I am safe to return, but I haven't returned bc I have a new health issue that has come up.

While I understand your frustration, I think being weak/tired and vomiting a couple of times is not a good enough reason to be off of work. I know people have said "I needed the whole six weeks off after surgery" or "I wish I would have taken more time off after surgery"; I just can't help but wonder, why? I know people who have had major back surgery, sliced open, in the hospital for 3-4 days that don't need more than a couple of weeks off from surgery. I have known a couple of people who have had brain surgery that didn't take an entire month off from work; it is hard for me to understand why needing more than 2-3 weeks after WLS is needed. *shrug* Being weak is part of the process, it gets better and you have to dedicate yourself to getting in enough fluids, Protein and a full night's rest or you'll always be weak/sleepy/sick to your stomach. It won't ever go away. You have to take on the mindset of "the only way I am going to feel better is if I am up walking, getting in my fluids, getting in my protein, taking my Vitamins, overcoming my discomfort and getting back into routine." This by no means should be translated as "push yourself harder" no, it means "work through the minor complications to keep yourself from running into major ones."

@@4MRB4PHOTO I know a good lawyer.

I work with a woman who had Sleeve surgery eighteen months ago. I would have never known she has had WLS as she is a large woman who eats whatever she wants, whenever she wants and takes no caution to her diet. During a luncheon last week she commented on my plate of food. A small piece of chicken, a few cubes of cheese, and some olives. A tiny toddler sized portion of food, especially compared to the loaded plates of those around me. She said and I quote "I'm glad your surgery is working for you, mine failed me and I am thinking about suing the surgeon." As she stuffed food into her mouth. I was so annoyed, I excused myself and went to my desk to finish eating my plate. It annoys me because this type of "behavior" spreads the misinformation already ignorantly discussed in our culture about WLS. Instead of her failing herself, her tool and her decision; her surgery is marked as the failure.

Have you had other cheeses? Outside of a few exceptions, most cheeses will be tolerated the same. If you can eat one, you can eat most. If you can handle a slice of sharp cheddar, you can probably tolerate provolone. Is the reason you ask these questions out of fear? You think if ten people say, "oh, yeah that was just fine for me, I'd eat it!" that you won't dump or have a bad reaction?

I used to love, love, love Aquafina Water. It was the only bottled water I would buy outside of using my filter at home. The day after surgery in the car road home I was given a bottle and yuck! It tasted like dirty water and left weird taste in my mouth. I thought maybe it was due to all the fluids, anti-biotics, pain meds and gas they pumped into me, so I thought I would try again in a couple of days. Nope, still gross. The same thing happened with Smart Water, Dasani and Arrowhead. Only bottled water I can drink now is Fiji and Evian. Weird.

@@sarahbethemails I started eating the antipasto mix about three weeks post-op. When I first started eating it, I picked around the peppers, the salami and the really big green olives. I focused the cheese, the little black olives and the really tender mushrooms. Now at two months post op, I put the little container on my desk, with a crab fork and eat everything in there throughout the day. Yum!

Once my paperwork was submitted it took about five business days. I have UHC and they handled everything with efficiency. I was super impressed! Be patient or you'll drive yourself crazy!

I some medical issues that were never linked to my obesity. Those "issues" have required pain management and I'll be lucky if I can make it to 50 and not be in a wheelchair (or at least need a walker to get around). With the management of my pain I am taking a semi-powerful narcotic and I have noticed after surgery it is not as effective. Prior to surgery I had asked (repeatedly) if any adjustments to my meds were needed after surgery. Not my PCP, my PM, my Surgeon or my Rheum had any concerns with MOST of the meds I was taking. A few adjustments were needed but my pain meds went untouched. Today I mentioned the issue of effectiveness to my PM and she said "it is possible, let me do some research." Okay, that's nice but in the meantime I am kinda in a lot of pain. Actually no, not kinda am in a lot of pain. There is a thin line in the Pain Management community between getting the meds you need and asking for more, or stronger or something different. I don't cross that line even though I am a legit patient. So I left her office and wondered, "has anyone else in WLS community experienced something similar?"

I am slightly torn between being happy I have not dumped and being irritated that it doesn't happen. I have had many things (small bites, small pieces, nothing extreme) that would have caused dumping and didn't. Does that mean it will never happen? No. Does it mean I can eat anything I want? Just because I can doesn't mean I should. It also always amazing to me what has made people dump and what others have no reaction to at all.

@sarahbethemails I buy a quarter pound of an antipasto mixture from the olive bar at the Whole Foods near my house at least twice a week. I can eat everything in the mixture; green olives, black olives, feta cheese, salami chunks, small pieces of artichoke hearts, diced red peppers, button mushrooms, mozzarella chunks and the "marinade" or "dressing" is always yummy! I have tried to make it at home but it wasn't quite the same. Just remember to chew well and take small bites. I started eating turkey sausage patties 12 days post-op. I usually have one or two a week with my eggs.

***UPDATE*** After meeting with my PM and then again with my PCP, it has been decided that as with many malabsorption issues related to having Gastric Bypass surgery, oral pain medications are no longer an option. I bring this to the attention of others because, I don't want anyone to suffer the way I have. I thought I was going crazy, my doctors looked at me as if I had gone crazy and I was scared. I was scared that my pain would always be the center of my existence and no one would understand. If you are experiencing issues related to chronic pain and the lack of relief you are getting from your prescribed pain meds, don't be afraid to bring it to your doctor's attention! There is a wealth of information online, in medical journals and in case studies that support evidence that suggests Gastric Bypass patients have issues with oral pain medications managing their chronic pain. No one deserves to be miserable, especially when you are trying to support a healthier, more active, more confident life.

Last night was weird. Not only was it Halloween but I saw people for the first time in six-seven months. Many of these people did not know I was considering WLS let alone have decided to have RNY. Over and over again I had to explain my "dramatic weight loss" which I suppose almost fifty pounds in six months is dramatic but not when you have another 100+ to lose. Each time I explained I had decided to utilize a tool to help me control my portions and help me lose significant weight faster than most, I received blank stares. I don't know what is so hard to understand about that explanation but for some, they could not let it go. Especially a few female friends who were "stunned by how different I looked", I don't look that f*&cking different but they hounded me for more details. I never gave in and I feel that I have offended several of them. I just don't think it is any of their damn business and instead of trying to get information out of me, I feel they should have accepted my answer, offered some words of encouragement and moved on. Then there were the males. These are the same guys that previously only viewed me as nothing more than "the girl they work with" or "know from an old girlfriend." Now all of a sudden I have sparked a different interest in them, making them act like their head fell out of their a$$. Annoying. And I'm not good at distracting male attention; I've never before had it! **End Rant**

I didn't have to take that medicine, ever. Are you just now after surgery taking something to ward off infection?