AZBlackhawk

I take Effexor ER (extended release) and I thought I needed to change it to not be extended release. My surgeon said when people change that drug to twice a day rather than one extended release pill, it has a different effect. I take Zyrtec, Effexor ER, and could take the day after surgery.

I'm waiting at the hospital for my RNY. excited for a new life and nervous and scared if I can do it! I know this next year will be tough, making good food choices, exercising, and getting in the best shape! Glad I have this support group! Excited for this journey.

You sound similar to me. After my first baby, weight came off then I had two more babies and after my 3rd, weight never left and I gained some. I've been super successful at other diets, for a while then I stop and regain. WLS is a tool. That's what I hear everyone say and I believe it is true. For the year after WLS, you need to work hard to change habits. The surgery does several things to help you with that. I never considered gastric bypass until an old coworker had it and I would see her progress on Facebook. If you don't continue with a healthy lifestyle, if you snack or graze during the day after WLS, the weight will come back. I suggest you listen to a hospitals online seminar regarding WLS. Or call a hospital and go in person to an info session on WLS. It helps to answer questions. Mom here in the hospital today, waiting on gastric bypass surgery. I know I made the right choice. I want to be around when my kids graduate high school, college, get married, etc. good luck in your decision!

I think that is normal, from what my NUT told me. You just have to eat based on a schedule with the specific amount. I'm new at this though and my surgery is Tomorrow, so it's what I've been told. Good luck.

I'm stocking up on decaf tea, sugar free jello, and broth for the week after surgery until I can have soft food. My surgery is 6/26 and I just had my pre-op class. They said a week of that during the liquid stage.

I'm having surgery later this month but my surgeon's office said at least 2 weeks and at my 2 week appointment doc will release me to work if everything is fine. I do a lot of walking and standing so I'm hoping 2 weeks is good. If I had disability I would probably stay home longer just to heal fully and not worry about fatigue.

I did a lot of research and based on the fact that gastric bypass is still the gold standard and the fact that I didn't want to end up with reflux, I chose RNY. I don't really have reflux but every once in a while I get it. I didn't want to have to worry about that. My surgery is June 26!!

Wow. You look amazing!! Great job! Very encouraging!!

What kind of pre op diet are you doing? I go to my pre op class in a few days and imagine I'll find out what I need to do then.

I have BCBS of Illinois. They took forever. I thought it would be quick because I didn't need 3 month diet supervision. Nope. They took full 15 business days for approval. That was for Pre-Determination. I was calling insurance every few days bc I started a new job and family was coming to town. When insurance said they sent it, I immediately called surgeon. Well, BCBS of IL mails it to surgeon. There went another several days. Ok. Great! My surgeon got the pre-determination. Let's schedule!! Nope. My surgeon's office then had to get Pre-Certification. Another 15 potential business days! All said and done, it took a month and a half to get all that and now I am finally scheduled for the end of June!! I hope your situation goes more quickly!!

I'm scheduled for surgery June 26!! So excited. A few months back I had planned a large tattoo and have an appointment 10 days after surgery on July 5. I was wondering if I should reschedule... It'll be a long day starting at 12:00. If I'm going to feel okay, no need to reschedule or will I be sore/tired??

Happy for you! I'm June 26- a month before you. Excited and nervous but ready for a new chapter in my life.

Wow!! Looking good!!!

I feel the same way. I'm waiting on insurance approval but since my initial visit with surgeon, NUT, psych... I've lost 15 pounds in about 24 days. Which I'm really happy with. And I think maybe I should try one more time on my own... But how many times have I done that?!?! I I know how you feel. But I need permanent help. A permanent tool.

I'm new here too and have met with surgeon, nutritionist, exercise person and psych. I'm waiting for insurance approval. I think these things too. What if I want wine to relax or what if info to a foreign country, how will I eat what I am supposed to? What if, what if?! What if I have a stroke or a heart attack or get cancer because obesity raises the risk of all of these? What if I can no longer travel because of a medical situation? i have to go all or nothing. I have to give things up 100% because I cannot just have a little taste. I'm willing to do this because I want to live to see my children get married. I want to go to Paris again. It is called "Morbid" obesity for a reason. I cannot believe I am here. I have lost weight and can do it very well!! But here I am. 44 BMI. I'm sorry that your family is not more supportive. That does make it hard. If anyone in my family is not, they haven't said. Try giving your family members facts about the surgery, weight loss in general, how it is a tool, not an easy fix. You will have to exercise and eat right afterwards so it is not a quick fix but a lifestyle change, albeit forced somewhat. Good luck!

I have my surgical consult next week so I'm still new. I am ready to be healthy and stop yo yo dieting. I have made great changes in lifestyle in the past, given up sugary food, for example. I like bread and chocolate and ice cream. I am 38 years old and should not have this relationship with food!! I get scared about the surgery because what if I eat something bad after. I know dumping can occur which may be a big deterrent. But will my constant thinking about food and giving in to that childish want, go away?!

Hi! I am super new at this and have my first surgical consult next week. At first, I didn't even tell my husband that I was thinking about it because I thought he would think I was crazy. When I told him I was serious about it, he was very supportive. I told my mother in law because I'd like her to come stay with us for a week or two to help with our kids. My MIL is quite the gossip, so I hope she doesn't tell everyone in his family. But even if she does I am okay with it and feel as though I can "defend" my choice. Although I don't think it needs defending, I think a lot of people have misinformation so maybe educating is a better word than defending. I told my best friend and she wasn't not supportive but she sited her aunt who had the lap band and complications....blah, blah, blah. So in short, I won't tell too many people, until after surgery, maybe and I start losing a lot of weight and if people ask. I am a pretty private person, though.

Yay! Congrats🎉

I am so sorry you are going through this hassle! I haven't yet had WLS, but had my ovaries out about 5 years ago (not a full hysterectomy). But man, I was 33 and surgical menopause and hormone craziness is awful! my only advice would be to go to a good Ob/Gyn who deals with hormone therapy. Even if you would not go on hormone replacement, perhaps there are more natural things you can do. I wasn't going to do hormones, but had to for my sanity. Breast cancer runs in my family and that's why I had my ovaries out. I think taking hormones makes it hard to lose weight too. Wishing you health and recovery.

I'm just starting out but hoping for June as well! Happy you have a date!

I'm still in planning for gastric bypass, but a webinar I attended said to avoid caffeine after surgery because it dehydrates. How do you do this? I have avoided soda and coffee (11 years ago) in the past but this was before kids. I drink 3 cups of coffee in the morning and a soda or coffee in the afternoon. I'm always tired. I'm hoping that Losing weight helps with fatigue/exhaustion. And I have energy to do things. I've not been diagnosed with sleep apnea but I really wonder if I have it. Has caffeine to no caffeine been an easy transition for those caffeine addicts??

Hi- I am brand new and considering WLS. I was scheduled for a seminar yesterday and didn't go because I am a little scared to start the process! Do most insurance plans make you go on medically supervised diet beforehand? My BMI is 43, what if I diet and no longer meet requirements?? Then why not just first and exercise in the first place (which obviously doesn't work in the long run) second question- I live in Arizona, I would like to start hiking again. I'm worried about whether after surgery, I'm thinking gastric bypass, I'd be able to enjoy hot outdoor activities and stay hydrated with a smaller stomach??