NewAngela

I had no problem once I was off narcotic pain meds. I drove to my one week appointment. After a few days I had very little pain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My understanding is, ferretin is an iron containing Protein. Iron saturation a percentage calculated from blood serum levels over iron binding capacity. Anyways, if your ferretin stores are going down and iron up, your body may be using the stores to replenish blood iron. It is also a calculated value. If your total iron binding capacity goes down, you saturation will go up. The total iron binding capacity is a measure relative to ferritin protein, so mathematically less ferretin means higher saturation. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Also, they probably didn't test your nutrition in the er. Things like Vitamin D and B. You can always request a copy of your bloodwork. They also probably didn't do a lipid panel or other important tests. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If all else fails, use Protein supplements, get 60-80 grams of protein a day, and track calories. You want to loose fat not muscle. Back to basics. Getting enough protein is always essential. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow. I am 63 pounds in five months. I tell them I am behind, and they tell my I am right on target. It seems that some people's bodies just drop weight quicker that others in the honey moon phase. If you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, there isn't much more you can do. I mean, I am far from perfect with my calorie intake, but I exercise a lot. Having a few higher calorie days that I don't do too much exercise does seem to break my plateaus though. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I choose bypass because my gastroenterologist suggested it due to a combination of hiatal hernia and previous lap band. The weight loss is slightly better on average, and I like that it would make eating sweet foods harder. The biggest reason was the increased pressure in the esophagus that the sleeve has versus the bypass. I didn't want to feel that pressure I had with the band. I am pretty happy with my decision, but I have no idea what the sleeve would have been like. Type 2 diabetes and gastric reflux and excellent reasons to choose RNY. A sweet tooth also pushed me towards RNY. I definitely can't overindulge on sweets, but I can still enjoy the occasional small servings. My practice also seems to push the sleeve, so I figured the bypass might be a better choice (I was annoyed they didn't even suggest RNY at the initial appointment.) Sleeve is the new, hot thing. It hasn't been time tested the same way, are though all indications show it is comparable to the bypass in weight loss. I would just rather have the most studied surgery, and my surgeon was top tier so I didn't really face any additional surgical complication risk with bypass. Oh, the chance of me getting a revision with RNY is less. That is a big reason I went with RNY. This is my 3rd and hopefully last wls. As far as actual experience, my weight loss wasn't very fast, about 62 pounds at 5 months, from 282 to 219. I am on target, but it isn't as fast as some people. I am a woman and my metabolism has started to slow. I definitely think I would have lost weight quicker when I was younger. I have had minimal restriction issues for the past month. Sometimes I doubt they even did RNY and mistakenly did the sleeve (jk) except that I have mild dumping syndrome with sweets. Mostly just a little dizziness and sweating, enough to earn me, but not enough to compromise my function. My Vitamin levels/bloodwork were all fine. I take a lot of pills without any issues, although I only take chewable Vitamins. Vitamin pills made me feel sick pre surgery, so I am not going to risk it. I even take ibuprofen a few times a month, although I have to take it with nexium. I am able to eat most foods now, including pizza occasionally. I do tend to pick bypass friendly foods on a daily basis. It is just nice to know I can eat out socially without too much planning, although I did have mild dumping after Thai food yesterday. I think they used a coconut cream product for a Soup that had sugar. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My cycles have been shorter and my periods heavier. I had only 21 days between the start date of my last 2. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can use a bouillon, boil whole chicken parts (with the skin) and add fresh herbs and seasoning to make home made broth. It is really good. Someone made me some in the crockpot. I also got wonton soup broth, but I had to take off the top fat layer. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Better than bouillon, either turkey or chicken. It is a paste you add hot Water to. Making your own is even better. (I would strain these two when I was still on clears with a fine mesh tea strainer( Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would have mashed potatoes and cream of wheat in moderation, besides the normal refried Beans, ricotta cheese (with tomato sauce), yogurts, etc. I also would get some of Amy's Soups and purée them. They worked well. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

After the first 24 hours my pain was pretty minimal. I guess there was some pain, but it was so much less I barely remember it. I had pain meds with codeine for the first few days too. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The lap band was an interesting experience for me. Mine not only slipped, but tightened in such a way that no food could pass through my stomach. My surgeon said it was like a rubber band separating a balloon that twisted into 2 compartments. It had to be removed right away (well after 1 day of iv fluids, pain and morphine. The band worked great for a year, although it may have slipped pretty soon after surgery, so my experience may not be the norm. About 5 years after the band was removed I had RNY. It is a much better experience, although the post operative recovery was a lot harder. No pressure in my chest like I had with the band, and much less hunger. Even though I couldn't eat a lot with the band I was always so hungry. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The premeire protein actually has a blend of protein sources including caseinate which isn't absorbed as well compared to whey, although it is good in some circumstances, it makes sense that a whey or almost lactose free isolate or a high quality whey would be preferred during the early pre op phase. http://www.nutritionexpress.com/showarticle.aspx?articleid=787 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Don't quote me, but whey concentrate is ok and varies in quality, but hydrolyzed whey protein or whey protein isolate are considered highest quality, and unjury is one of the "gold standard" type products. Also, the isolate and the hydrolyzed have very low lactose and higher concentration protein, gram per gram. My nutritionist pushed me towards Baritrack, and although it is a good shake mix, the business is associated with my bariatric center. They are pretty yummy though. I heard Bariatric fusion and Bariatric Advantage mentioned a lot too. My two friends who are sleeved are both on the Isopure one (not the clear, but the protein shake mix). The premeire protein has a blend, but it is great for me to boost my daily protein intake, but I did use a different shake early on. Now that I am healed I followed my NUTs suggestion to get a lot of protein from various sources including lean meats, dairy/whey, soy, plant, etc. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I also had a lap band and they recommended RNY for me. I could have had a sleeve, but they would have needed to fix my hiatal hernia. The sleeve leads to higher esophageal pressure, so if you have GERD or an issue with your esophagus from the band, and RNY might be suggested. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Like others, I went through that period, and after a month I am back to normal, pre op smelling abilities. It actually stated during my pre op week. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had it within a week or two post op. I used tea or crystal light with caffeine before that. I use Fairlife milk or cream with Splenda or stevia in my coffee. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It is risky to take NSAIDs after RNY. Midol contains ibuprofen. My surgeon said I can take NSAIDs occasionally, but I waited 3 months to reduce the risk of ulcers. Now I am taking a few low doses (300 mg) of ibuprofen at that time of the month, but it is still risky, and I am going to be following up with the doctors soon to see if this is really ok to do every month, I really can't function at all without the medication, so it is a risk versus benefit situation. The main risk is you can get a marginal ulcer from taking an NSAIDs, mainly after RNY, although sleevers still may have risks. You are better off taking just acetaminophen/Tylenol and you can purchase liquid for children and take the big kid dose. II tried crushing an alleve once and the taste made me really sick. Ibuprofen is pretty nasty too. If you can't get by on Tylenol which is usually ok post wls, I suggest calling your doctor. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I found the banana at Walmart today. I can't wait to try it tomorrow, maybe with a 1/2 banana blended in. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Very soon after RNY. I didn't want to take anything but liquid, since my stomach was so sensitive, but I was told I could take small pills within a few days. I take capsules and pills smaller than an M&M without issue. Some larger pills I cut in half. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Personally I don't judge. I do believe everyone has a process, and we all need to decide what is the best way to deal with life's challenges. Yes, at her weight her health and quality of life are compromised. At the same time I have been fat shamed so much in my life, especially in childhood and early adulthood, and I have literally never felt truly attractive because of it, despite evidence to the contrary, and being a normal or healthy BMI during most of my teens and at times during my 20s. I was always curvy with a bigger frame, and that used to be considered fat. I wish someone like her was around during my formative years. I can fix obesity. Fixing the deep seated issues I have with my body are a lot harder. I really respect her message. Surgery isn't the answer for everyone, and changing your body and your behavior is difficult. She has the courage to let people film her life, and her struggles with self image and obesity. Yeah, she isn't perfect, but neither am I. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Strained or blended soups, cheeses, refried Beans (taco bell pintos and cheese was a NUT approved staple), guacamole, hummus, yogurt, ricotta cheese (part skim) with tomato sauce. I also ate avocado with hard boiled eggs and occasionally mashed potatoes or mushed sweet potatoes. It took me a bit to tolerate tuna fish and scrambled eggs. They were too textured for me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The feeling of having energy is more than your basal metabolic rate. I would venture to say as long as thyroid hormone is in normal range, low energy would not be a definite symptom your diet. This is assuming your BMR has slowed. After wls a lot of metabolic imbalances are corrected. Obesity goes hand and hand with inflammation, depression and insulin resistance. Wls and/or weight loss has been shown to improve these issues, so an increase in energy level and overall quality of life is expected. Remember also that if you stress your body too much you may get a burst of energy. In the short term stress can increase energy as a survival mechanism, but chronically this takes a toll. If you are eating very little, weight loss can slow down a lot. If you are exercising too much, weight loss can slow down. Sometimes you need to let your body recover to see the weight loss. If you are almost manic in energy you may having an acute physical stress response and that can stop weight loss. Think cortisol weight gain along with adrenaline energy. At 6 weeks after RNY I was at 252. I was 282 before pre op diet, and around 276 at the time of surgery. My doctors were fine with my loss, but it definitely has slowed down. The expectation was I loose about 15-20 in the first month and 10 pounds every month after. Also, watch portions and track your foods. I have to weight things to get accurate measurements. Alternate hard exercise days with easier days or rest days. Exercise works best when you allow recovery. Getting your diet right is the most important, but if you get too much physical activity on too little calories, it can really slow you down. You are still pretty early on, so your body might still be struggling to find a balance. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The criticisms on Amazon are worth looking at. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/1771641258/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_hist_3?filterByStar=three_star&pageNumber=1 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I used the sugar free puddings too. As long as I made sure to strain the soups, they were fine. Tomato was my favorite. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App