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One year ago today was my gastric bypass surgery. Surgery went fine. Although I did not have a very fun recovery, but it is MAJOR surgery. I had stabbing pains while healing, couldn't drink or eat much of the required nutrition, so it was a slow recovery for me and all I remember was saying to myself "I just want to feel back to normal". Well....as the time passed....I got back to my "new normal". Today, I am 86 lbs less - basically at the goal weight I set for myself. I think if you are +/- 1-2 lbs of your goal weight = goal weight. I reached my goal weight at about 9 months after surgery and am maintaining so far. I still am not able to eat a whole lot at any given time. Dairy (except cheese) does not agree with me (bye bye ice cream...booo!). But I can pretty much eat anything - just in a very small amount; which I have now gotten used to. I'd rather be nice and thin then pig out on a serving meant for a family of four! I love to shop for clothes, because I don't wear anything larger than a medium, most things are medium to small. YAY! I do have cocktail hour a few times a week (just one). I have a very unusual condition as I only "feel a buzz" for a maximum of about 10 minutes; and do not get drunk at all. I think it's because it goes right through me and doesn't have time to absorb! My husband likes it because it makes me "designated driver". My husbands one year anniversary is next week on the 22nd. We did this together! He reached his goal much quicker than me - he's a guy - no fair! All of our medical co-morbidity conditions are completely gone! All in all, with some of the challenges it takes to get used to the "new normal" - I'm definitely glad I choose to do this. So if you're reading these forums and thinking about it - you will succeed and love the new you! Here is our before/after photo (taken in February of 2015 and 2016) I currently weight maybe 5 pounds less than the pic on the right.

I take gummy multi vitamins and gummy calcium everyday. No problems at all.

I suffered chronic constipation that was painful. I mix miralax in my morning V8 Fusion energy juice every morning. I dont like coffee so this is my morning drink. Surgeon is perfectly fine with it. Just beware some days you'll have looser than normal stool. But I'd rather be "going" than not.

I take miralax every morning. My surgeon said it is fine to do that.

Hi everyone! Does anyone else experience a high tolerance for alcohol after gastric bypass? I have a completely difference tolerance now than before surgery. I don't get drunk (not a bad thing). I can feel just a tiny bit tipsy for a very short period of time - maybe 20 minutes and then goes away. I even put it to the test this past week on our annual all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean when rum punch was flowing freely all day. Not that I need to be drinking and wanting to get drunk, but sometimes that relaxing fun feeling would be fine. Even my surgeon was stumped and said this is the first he's heard of a high tolerance as it's usually the opposite. So...just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same?

We had a trip to NYC one month out from surgery. My surgeon said "try it" and see it goes but always "try" at home first. We did, and had a few drinks on our trip and was perfectly fine. We drink cocktails on a regular basis (socially) and have not issues. NO carbonation. Just remember; quality over quantity.

Excuse my opinion but I think the BMI number is bs... For example, my son is a very fit, athletic, low body fat guy - and his BMI states he's overweight. Because BMI is only height and weight, not muscle tone/fitness or fat % - so how accurate is it really? So I take the BMI number with a grain of salt...and go by how I feel, my medical health, and fitness.

I have found that I now have no problem at all eating salad or steamed veggies - where at first I was afraid to eat them - but tried it and I do fine. I also can eat a snack size bag of baby carrots with no problem. I think because they don't expand like other foods. Just eat in small bites and chew chew chew!

I take all gummy Vitamins (it's like eating a treat!). Multi gummies 2x/day, Calcium gummies 2x/day, small swollable Iron 1x/day (don't take with your calcium), B12 2x/week. But I've been a Vitamin queen my whole life so not hard for me to remember. But, I don't use a pill container, I use those plastic little zip lock pill pouches (at Walmart) and pack a week's worth at a time so they are grab and go!

I had my first cocktail 1 month out from surgery - did just fine. I have cocktails on a regular basis now - no problems at all - I'm 7 months out. My surgeon says try it out and see what works for you. No carbonation though! ENJOY!

I am 7+ months out now. I have about 10-12 lbs to go to be where I want to be and am losing at a slower rate now. There are definitely plateaus but I have not plateaued for more than a week or so. I think some of suggestions above will help you. When I've plateaued I've taken a close look at what I was eating and have gone to Protein shakes only for two days out of the week and broke the plateau. Plus, exercising about 3 days a week helped as well.

Drink anything you like. Just try at home first so you know how it will affect you.

Thank you!! I was also wondering if Rogaine would help.

I take my protein and vitamin supplements - still have hair loss. I'm really thinking it's our bodies reacting to the rapid weight loss Hoping my hair stylist will be able to give me cut to accommodate until it gets better.

I can completely relate. I am 5 months out and every shower - clumps of hair come out. I also take hair/nail supplement like its going out of style! I am getting a haircut next week (current length: just past shoulders). My hair is thin and fine anyway, but having it long doesn't. help (breakage, etc). So we will see how it goes. Would be nice to hear from someone who has started to see regrowth and at about what month is that and did you do anything special to help it along?

It is probably fine as long as there is no carbonated mixer. My Dr. suggested to try things and see what works except stay away from carbonated and/or high sugar drinks.

I like drinking Reisling wine. For cocktails it's anything that is not carbonated as we don't drink anything with carbonation b My husband says it's about quality now not quantity - so he's all about his 15yr Glenfiddich.

So I had my first cocktail 1.5 months out from surgery. My husband and I both had GB within one week of another. We are now 4 months out and we have a cocktail regularly (not excessive by any means), but the usual weekend socializer. Now, everyone has stated that alcohol will hit you faster and harder than before. Well, well....not the case for me. I have had a couple glasses of wine a time or even a couple rather stout cocktails at a time - and well....NOPE - no tipsy, no nothing. I have a feeling it goes right through me now. In the past a couple drinks I would be feeling a little happy. So not sure what is different for me. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this...??

I am 6 weeks post-op today and I have only lost 1.4 lbs in the last 2.5 weeks. UGH! Frustrating. Back in the 'before' days if I hit a plateau; I'd go eat a double cheeseburger - and boom..broke the plateau. But can't do that now. So..I guess my body thinks it's not getting enough and fighting to hold on to what it has; but not sure how to break it to get back in losing mode. I'll just have to wait it out I guess by continuing to drink/eat Protein, etc. Any suggestions?

I think I'm afraid to swallow them thinking they'll get stuck or something? What kind do you take? Caplets? Liquid gels? Tablets?

Wondering how to take pain relievers. I'm one month out (RNY) and I don't think I can swallow a whole pill, right? The liquid Tylenol is absolutely nasty and makes me sick. Do we need to crush it up still?

At what week/day post-op did ya'll start eating this type of food and did you experience any discomfort or pain?

I feel like you...I had my surgery on June 16 so I am about 3 weeks post op. It is so hard for me to put anything down more less the required amounts. I had pain stabbing pains on my left side all the through week 2 (seems to have subsided now). But my system feels so sensitive about everything even Water. I can't even get my Vitamins in without feeling like I want to gag. I have no appetite, no energy, everything feels like an effort. I know this is all because I'm not getting my required fluids, Proteins, and vitamins in. I'm thrilled if I can get one Protein shake and one bottle of water down a day. Is it just me? How does everyone do it?