Brewski's mama

You look awesome!!!! Congratulations!

FYI, I drank beer out of a glass, not from the bottle.

I did fine. Beer sat a bit heavy and it took about a hour to drink one, but I didn't have any problems from it. I did catch a buzz quicker, but it didn't last long. I had no problem with a sweet, white wine either.

If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, they offer so many protein drinks. You can buy them individually so you can try out different flavors. I like Isopure Black Tea, it tastes like iced tea and a 20 oz bottle has 40g protein. They are expensive, like $4+/bottle, but they do go on sale often. It's worth trying. Good luck to you!

I have drank white wine and had a couple of beers. I drink VERY slow, especially with the beer (Miller Lite). I am a couple months post op and have only had drinks recently because of the holidays.

Try the ricotta bake....it was heavenly after having a bunch of sweet stuff.

I add cool whip and strawberry Jello powder to it. You can mix in mandarin oranges and/pineapple tidbits, too. I now use cool whip lite and sugar free Jello, which tastes exactly the same.

My surgeon told me that because my gerd was severe and I had it for so long, that this is expected. She switched around my medications a bit and if that doesn't help, then I have to have an EGD. The barium swallow didn't show any strictures. So far, the med changes haven't helped much.

I am almost 7 weeks post op and have intermittent reflux symptoms. I take omeprazole 20mg twice a day. It was really bad at about 4 weeks and lasted 2 weeks straight. It is lessening every day now.

I technically had gastric bypass for severe gerd, but was overweight with a BMI of 38. I did not have as strict of a pre-op regimen as most bariatric programs do, because I was considered "medical" not "bariatric". I had one visit with a social worker to determine if I was emotionally stable to have this life changing surgery and to make sure I didn't have an underlying eating disorder/compulsion. I had two visits with a dietician before hand who showed me portion sizes and nutrition needs post-op. And lastly, had a two week diet consisting of Protein drinks and one small meal a day. I was VERY unprepared for my recovery. I am young and relatively healthy, so I thought I would bounce right back. I was wrong! It took a good 4 weeks to get back to feeling good and having a decent amount of energy. I walk every day and follow the diet to a "T", I have not made poor diet choices once since surgery 6 weeks ago. I was also surprised how long the soreness lasted on my left side, again about 4 weeks. It wasn't bad enough to require pain medication, but I was uncomfortable. It was difficult to lay on my side and/or roll over in bed. I suggest having a bottle or two of liquid Tylenol on hand for when you come home, it helps! I was also surprised that it is difficult to get 64oz of Water in a day. Some days it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day! I find it easier to drink a few smaller water bottles per day (16oz) than it is to sip from a big 32oz one. It gets even more difficult once you transition to solid foods because of the 30-30-30 rule. Lastly, I am bummed that I still have gerd. I feel like I have a lump in my throat for about 3 weeks now. My barium swallow was negative for a stricture and even with medication it still lingers. My surgeon told me that because my gerd was so severe for so long, that it will take a while to heal. I had the surgery to correct the gerd, the weight loss is just a perk. I have made this lifelong commitment to change my eating habits and still am suffering from reflux. I wasn't told this was even a possibility! I am proud to say that I have lost 39% of my excess body weight since the day I met my surgeon and am down a total of 34lbs since I started my pre-op diet 8 1/2 weeks ago. It gets better every day. I have had good days and some very emotional days since surgery. Again, everyday it gets better. Yes, I miss certain foods and do get some cravings, but they pass. I have yet to dump or be intolerant to certain foods, but I haven't eaten anything that I shouldn't. I survived Thanksgiving, I ate turkey, roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and roasted sweet potatoes (small amounts but satisfying and filling). I did not disclose to my family that I had gastric bypass (except to my husband, sister, and 2 girlfriends). They simply know I had a hiatal hernia repair and surgery for my gerd. No one noticed my tiny portions at dinner, but kept complimenting my slimmer figure! I wish you the best of luck and my advice is to follow the dietary rules and guidelines, drink lots of fluids, and rest as much as you can, but walk daily, too. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful, Healthy New Year!

I take Flintstones complete chewables twice a day and 600mg calcium citrate with vitamin d twice a day. I make sure to take them at least 2 hours apart. I also take a vitamin b12 tablet that dissolves on my tongue once a day with my multivitamin in the morning.

I had that sporadically for about two weeks after surgery, I am 4 1/2 weeks post op. I think it is just things getting settled and beginning to heal. I wouldn't worry unless it becomes painful.

I am having an esophagram and seeing the surgeon tomorrow morning. I am still having the sensation of a lump in my throat. Fingers crossed it can be corrected easily and that it's nothing major.

Cleveland, Ohio

I have had a lump in my throat for two days now. I am four weeks post bypass. I have eaten only yogurt and cottage cheese since the sensation began. I thought it was from turkey that I ate that may have been too dry. I would have expected it to have dissipated by now. I am on ant-reflux medicine, so I don't think it is that. Any ideas?