Cheri_j

Something I learned from therapy - you have to live with your decisions, not these other people. You are not seeking their approval. If they don't like it, tough titty. I know I did this to save my life. And more than likely, you are doing it for the same reason. You can tell them that you are informing them of your decision, that you are having a life-saving surgery, their approval is not needed, and this is what you've chosen to do with YOUR life. End of discussion. I know, easier said than done for most. Confidence is not "they will like me" "I want their approval" Confidence is "I'll be fine if they don't"

I have had type 2 diabetes for almost 25 years and have been taking insulin for about 5 years. I am almost four weeks out. Before surgery, my A1C was 11.3 and was told I had to get it down below 9.0 before the doctor would do the surgery. I was taking 2000 mg of Metformin and 120 units of Lantus (insulin) daily. I worked really hard to get my A1C under 9.0 and in just before my surgery, it was 6.8. I was told that since I've had diabetes for so long that it was very likely that I would still be on some sort of medication after the surgery. I left the hospital with instructions NOT to continue my metformin or insulin and to check my blood sugar three times a day. It should be between 100-160. If I see it going over 160, then I'm to start taking my metformin again. So far, I'm having trouble even getting above 100. When I up'd my exercise last week, I dipped to 71 and had to take a glucose tablet. I am hoping when I move to soft foods on Wednesday, that I will be eating more calories and that my blood glucose will be more stable. I also see my NUT on Wednesday and this is on my list to discuss. With or without my medications, I will always be labeled a diabetic. Even though I am no longer taking medications, I don't consider myself in remission, because I always have to think about it and be mindful of low/high blood glucose every day. And now, carry glucose tablets with me where ever I go. Funny situation - Fat girl studying nutritional information on lifesavers! I got the glucose tablets. One good thing about having to give myself insulin shots - I now give myself B12 shots once a month and I don't have to worry about taking it every day.

Hi ChooseHope No sleeve for me! Because I WAS an insulin-dependent diabetic, by-pass was my best option. Also, I suffered from GERD for years and years and the sleeve, again, was a no go. The biggest advantage of having this surgery after 50. Hmmm....besides having maturity and wisdom? Well, we've had 50+ years of eating behind us. Been there, done that. Also, my diabetes is in remission, I won't be having those knees replaced, and I feel good. As I inched closer to the retirement age, I secretly knew that with all my health issues, I wouldn't be around. If I was lucky enough to be around for retirement, I probably wouldn't have feet because of diabetes. What a fun retirement I had to look forward too. Dead or an amputee. Can I have more motivation than that? Biggest disadvantage: My mental demons. But the demons are there, if I had surgery or not. I just have to apply everything I learned through the years and from my five years of therapy I am strong. I am worth this. And the biggest one: My wit and intelligence are my shield, not my fat. Biggest struggle: Not getting discouraged when the honeymoon period is over. I am working on healthy habits now so that when that time comes, I will be mentally and physically ready. Struggles are opportunities to overcome and prove you can do it. I love the feeling of accomplishment over a challenge. I'm glad you started this thread. We aren't the majority, but we can relate to each other.

I'm in the pureed stage and I still can't tell when I'm full. My NUT said it will take a couple of months to get that feeling of fullness. I usually eat to when I'm disinterested in my meal. I generally eat 3 ounces of whatever it is and I'm done. I'm allowed up to 3/4 of a cup, but like you - I'm afraid of eating too much. I see my NUT on Wednesday and am going to ask if I'm doing this ok.

Hope your surgery went well. As you can tell, everyone has a different experience. Yours will probably be different as well. As for me....Mine was easy peasy. My only complaint was that I was tired. I was working from home (4 hours) after day three and went back to work full time on day 10. I had a little discomfort, but I wasn't miserable. I'm 23 days out and back to walking four miles a day and feeling great. Five more days and you will find me out on the golf course. I'm ready!

Count me in with the rest of the group. I'm a Premier shake fan all the way! Walgreens is expensive - over $8 for four shakes. Walmart is a little more reasonable, a little over $5 for the four. I don't know about the clubs - not a member. My favorite is the strawberry Cream. These are really good. I couldn't handle the powders. Oh...and a lot more convenient since they are premade. I like mine over ice. Nice and cold.

I'm here!! I had my by pass a week after my 56th birthday! I consider the surgery one of the best birthday presents ever!

Thank you for your response. Now that my curiosity is quenched, I'm not about to do it again. The candy I ate so sweet I was almost gagging. I have no desire to do this again.

I am mostly a lurker and will add my opinion when it might differ from someone else's. That said, I love forum and all of the information that I've absorbed. I'm 15-days post op. I had a conversion from a stomach staple to a RNY. Before my surgery, I read everything I could and totally expected to have post op pain, issues with eating, and emotional days. This seems to the be the norm? Well, the day after surgery, the doctor came to see me and I asked him if they actually did something other than poke seven holes in me. He proved it later by having me take the standard "leak" x-ray. I saw the surgery and the pouch. I felt great - a little tired, but overall pretty good. I had surgery on a Wed and went home Fri morning. The doctors and nurses were amazed at how I bounced back from the surgery. The next Monday, I started working every day from home. The following Monday, I'm back at work (I have a desk job). Yesterday, I walked two miles and this morning, I already have one mile under my belt. I started my pureed diet yesterday and had a half cup of chili. I have had no issues with food tolerations whatsoever. I've also started enjoying yogurt - before my surgery, I hated yogurt. Now, I look forward to my yogurt and plan to have yogurt become a regular part of my diet. Has anyone else had a great recovery? Oh...I just thought - I'm probably jinxing myself by writing this. So now the stupid part. I would say that sweets, pastries, ice cream pretty much contributed to most of my weight gain. I'm an addict. Because I'm a diabetic (surprise!), my surgeon recommended the RNY surgery instead of the sleeve. This was good news to me because I knew that sugary foods caused dumping. From prior experience, I know that if a food makes me sick, I won't eat it - no matter how good it is. A week before surgery, I read that only 80% of people will dump. OH NO! My luck, I would be in the 20%. So, I had to test it out. I had to know! There was no getting around it. Did my research. I know that every meal should less than 10 grams of sugar. I found a candy with 14 grams of sugar. I didn't want to make myself too sick. I ate it. Good News! I'm a member of the 80%! I felt sick to my stomach, there was some stomach discomfort, dizzy, light headed, and then I started sweating. I felt terrible! I still have the headache. I felt like - wow, if this little candy does this to me.....never again do I want to feel this way. And I know I got a small dose of what could happen. So I'm good. I know. Will I tell the nut or RN at my next check up, probably not. Ok, am I the only one who had to test it out?

I find it amazing that we've all had the same surgery, yet we all have different guidelines/rules. I am following MY doctors plan to the letter, with the exception of my one experiment. I'm allowed 3/4 cup of food at this stage. I was given the green light on the chili as long as it was pureed to an applesauce consistently. Chili is on my list of approved foods. I am under the amount cap. So there is no need for concern. I'm not pushing it. I'm following my plan.

On my program, snacking is forbidden because it leads to grazing. Even before the surgery, I had to stop all snacking. I find it amazing that we've basically had the same surgery, but we all have different rules to follow!

I was just the opposite. When I got home, I wanted sex. I tried to initiate. My husband said no until I had my first check up a week later. I wish I had more to tell you. I'm sure you can ask your doctor's team at your next visit. I'm sure they've heard this before and have a good answer for it.

Congratulations! You've done great.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one. This morning, one of our vendors brought in donuts from this fabulous bakery. Just looking at them, the freshness of dumping over rode the desire to have a bite. This is a victory for me. My first NSV! I don't ever remember turning down a donut. Never. Ever. I'm the one who usually has seconds and thirds. GO ME! DJMOR - sorry that you are in the 20%. I know it must be hard. I had told myself that if I was in the 20%, it would just mean that I have to fight harder. I am going to stay away! I am committed to this lifestyle change.

I'm also almost two weeks post-op. I had those dreams right after getting home from the hospital. In my dreams, I was binging on food - a dozen donuts, a bunch of tacos, ice cream - the whole time thinking to myself that this is wrong. I asked my doctor if these dreams were normal and he said he never heard of it before! I thought it was just me! I too am craving any texture in my mouth - other than yogurt and pudding. Thursday will be the first day of pureed foods and I can't wait. My weight loss hasn't stalled yet, but I know it's usually around this time when it does. I'm mentally preparing myself for that!

July 29th here.