MayMarie

TCU nurse, 7 months post op. I definitely struggled with hydration on work days (and still do) but I've found that taking three 16.9oz water bottles and three crystal light packs helps me get the fluid down easier and I know I'm getting at least 1.5L in during my shift. L&D is probably much different but we do one assessment q4 hours (7-11, 11-3, 3-7) so I try to get one bottle down before I go back for another round. Some days are crazier than other but you have to take care of yourself if you want to be your best for your patients! As time goes by and healing occurs you'll be able to drink more at one time which helps. I was off work for 6 weeks and needed every second of that recovery time. The exhaustion was real when I went back to 12s.

I'm interested in hearing people's experiences getting exposed with new partners after WLS. Do you bring up your excess skin before getting in the buff? How has it been received?

I'm 24 and what you described is what I fear.

I have always been confident naked, even at my biggest. It was always what you see is what you're gonna get. Now what you see on the outside isn't quite what you get unwrapped.

In my pre-op lab work my B12 was normal. Now it is high (>2,000). The things I've read online say that supplements don't really affect your blood levels because B12 is water soluble and high levels may indicate liver or kidney issues. Anyone else experience this change post-op?

Thanks! Broke through 185 today unless my scale is lying to me. Hopefully this means my stall is over

As of 7/18 I am 6 months out from surgery and down a total of 110lbs (80 since surgery). I have hit my first real stall and I'm not sure how many calories and carbs I should actually be eating at this point. I work 12 hour shifts 3x a week (on my feet for most of it) and work out with a personal trainer 2x a week for an hour (mostly lifting/weight training). I'm working on adding in cardio/more exercise in general.

Nurse here - It sounds like you are experiencing orthostatic hypotension <- fancy way to say your blood pressure drops when you stand. You may be dehydrated. Really work on upping your Fluid intake and see if that feeling improves. 1L is not enough. 2L is my daily goal. I don't always hit it but i try to get at least 1.5L As for feeling sleepy after eating, I am much more sensitive to those post surgery. Anytime I eat I get sleepy for a little while

I'm 6 months out and have been shedding like crazy. Chopped my hair off and it's a little less noticeable now

SW: 297.6 (6/2015) Surgery: 267.6 (1/2016) CW: 185.8 Been sitting at 185 for a week or more

Unflavored powder in sugar free pudding was the only way I could really stand it. Add a little at a time to make sure you're not making the flavor/texture too unbearable to consume! Also I bought the isopure rtd in fruit flavors and bought corresponding Powerade zero flavors. I'd mix some Powerade in with the protein drink to make it have less of an after taste

I am a TCU nurse. I didn't go back for 6 weeks. Don't know if I could have physically done a 12 hour shift any sooner than that.

They are all very complimentary and don't realize how many other people are commenting on it (I work in a hospital) but it gets a little old and a little uncomfortable.

Definitely the comments from coworkers. Tomorrow will be exactly 6 months since my surgery and I don't think I've made it through one shift since without someone commenting on my size.

Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

186.4 !!

23 (just a few weeks from my 24th birthday) when I had surgery in January 2016. Highest recorded weight 297.6lbs Current weight 187.4lbs 110lbs lost and still losing!

189.2 almost to my goal!!

I did pureed meats and I liked that a lot. I did chicken with gravy and I did shaved lunch meat with mustard. People rave about eggface's ricotta recipe that works on pureed stage but I was not in the mood to cook during that time lol Oh and mashed potatoes And pureed Wendy's chili!

Even if you aren't experiencing reflux the PPI meds will reduce acidity in the stomach to promote healing. Take them until your surgeon tells you not to even if you don't have reflux issues Unfortunately I definitely do have reflux now and I never did before [emoji58]

A few days after surgery and I have had issues with constipation on and off since then! I bought a bottle of over the counter stool softener and pop one every now and again when it's been a day or two. The more water you drink and the more you move really helps keep things regular

That 6 months is your time to change your habits and increase your exercise level so that you are prepared for surgery. The less you weigh, the more you exercise, and the better your nutrition all adds up to being less likely to have complications from surgery and anesthesia. It also adds up to being more successful after surgery! The more you lose now the faster you'll get to goal after surgery! I was definitely not perfect during my 6 months but I did lose 30 pounds and mentally prepare for the changes I'd have to make.

How is her health otherwise? Is she able to walk and care for herself independently? Does she have heart disease or heart failure? Lung issues? I have a feeling most doctors would be reluctant at 79 unless (and maybe even if) she is 100% strong and independent and without heart failure or respiratory issues Then I suspect insurance approval would be the issue.

I couldn't eat the pureed cottage cheese it was awful [emoji87] lol. When do you go back to work?

We have really similar stats. I'm only out almost 3 months so I'm at 226. How tall are you? My HW 291 SW 279 CW 226 GW 150 Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App I am 5 foot 6.75 inches according to my surgeons office! Lol