sjndestiny

I hear you! Went through this terror after my lap band quit working. Of course, some of the weight did come back on because I could eat more. Things to check into: What are you on for thyroid? Synthetic hormones just don't address everything. I found a Dr. who ran the full spectrum thyroid panel that showed the Synthroid was not affecting my T3 and T4 levels. I now take natural desiccated thyroid hormone and my levels are where they should be. You can read more at Stop the Thyroid Madness. Next, if you have insurance that will cover it, look into knee replacement. It's a huge thing, and scary, but will change your life. My left knee was bone on bone. Finally broke down and had it replaced. Changed my life. Finally, like you said, cut out the junk food and get back to the basics. Eat like you did right after surgery. Focus on grams of protein, fluids, and vitamins. Even being inactive (because I am, totally) you will begin dropping again. May be slow, but down is down, and that's better than up. I don 't know everything, but I know some of what you are going through because I"ve been there on my own path. My arthritis is so much better with the vitamin regimen and cutting out refined carbs completely. Get the good fats in (fish and olive oil---so good for arthritis). I hope some of this advice helps. These are the steps that helped me. Ihadrevision to bypass on April 18. Have dropped 50 so far. So glad I had my knee done 8 years ago. You can get back! You have the tools. Keep us posted.

After about 9 weeks, I am finally cooking again. Made egg salad for breakfast and this Thai Red Curry Stew for the rest of the day. It is a vegetarian recipe, but I loaded it with baked chicken breast and thighs. Very, very tasty. Really been craving some veggies! https://cookieandkate.com/2015/thai-red-curry-recipe/

I am 7 weeks out. The key is to take things VERY slow. Teeny tiny bites. Make sure one bite goes all the way down and settles before taking the next. Don't force too much at once. You may think you should be eating 3-4 ounces, but your tummy may only want an ounce at a time. Now, I'm not going to lecture, but will just say quit with the ice cream! You know why. Of course it goes down; it's a slider food. If you live on slider foods, you'll never lose the weight. Not being mean or bossy, but I want to see everyone who goes through this process succeed. You've sacrificed too much to sabotage yourself after surgery. :-) Also, protein, protein, protein!!! Try refried beans with a bit of shredded parm (parm is sharp and tasty but lower fat).

We had surgery around the same time. I relied on refried beans with a bit of shredded parm on top. That was a staple until I could tolerate more dense foods. Little by little, one food at a time. Also ate cottage cheese regularly. Still do. I find that in the morning I still can't stomach anything too solid, so usually have yogurt (plain Greek) or cottage cheese. Later on, you can add some peach or pear to those. Learning new proper portion sizes takes time. You are on the right track using smaller dishes and utensils. I have to measure everything because I have no sense of what 3-4 ounces of food looks like. I can usually eat about 3 ounces at a time. Like you, I was raised to believe that wasting food is a sin. I try very hard to make only what I can eat. It does get easier.

I use a Q-tip to clean and dry inside mine, then run another Q-tip with Bag Balm (basically Vaseline) inside to keep the skin protected and to keep it from getting irritated and red. I've done this for years and it seems to work.

Please ignore the negative comments. I know how people are. They don't understand what we deal with. That is why I told NO ONE. I made sure my husband did not tell anyone either. He told a few people I had to have my gallbladder removed. I also have not lost enough yet for people to notice any dramatic change, so when I go home in a few weeks, it won't be a big deal. Some will notice I've "dropped a few pounds." Most won't even notice that. It seems normal to be nervous about this surgery. It is a serious surgery and it is a life-altering decision. Really a good one, though. The first couple of weeks after can be rough, but it really does get easier. One step at a time.

Hi, folks! I began participating on this site a couple of weeks after my RNY. Somehow I got sidetracked to Obesity Help, where after a couple of weeks I found some of the members to be rude, opinionated, and otherwise not much fun to be around. It was like being part of a 12-step recovery program. I don't need that at this point in my life. Anyway, I'm here to share and support. Seven weeks out and things are going OK. I need to be more active. Still struggling to get enough protein each day. Would like to consume most of it through meat, but simply can't eat that much---which is GOOD, right? That's the whole point. My main concern now is focusing on losing fat and not muscle. Have been doing some reading on how to approach that. The first key is to get enough protein daily, and the second key is to maintain strength. I think I do need to build some muscle, though. My husband and I will be taking a three-week trip soon. I'm not too concerned about eating on the road. Just need to make sure I have enough protein shakes! Do any of you travel often? Any tips for sticking with program on the road? Thanks!

To Nebraska to take a piece of my grandmother's furniture to my cousin, then Wyoming to see family and attend a class reunion, then Idaho to see my husband's boys and their families, then Vegas BABY! I've never been. I've eaten out a few times, so I'm not too worried. I'm not tempted by things I shouldn't have---and if I want a french fry, I will eat one french fry. If I really want something, I take a bite. That is all it takes. I've eaten high protein and low carb for years, and am allergic to wheat, so for the most part, I don't struggle too much with avoiding bad foods. The issue was portion control after the band was removed. That's in the bag right now, for sure. I do need to be prepared. We are usually not hungry, right, but suddenly can feel dizzy and weak because we need to eat something. I'll have to visit the store and stock up on ready meals like tuna cups, etc. Thanks for the encouragement!

Actually, there is some research that supports that upping calories and then dropping them again helps kick start weight loss. One day and only 1300 calories should not set you back. Be kind to yourself and get back on track. That's all. Best of luck staying with your program.

I was really scared going in, but seven weeks out, I do not regret my choice at all. At first, I thought I wanted the sleeve, too. My doctor made my choice for me, basically, and now I'm glad he did. He knew best. I see so many who are having their sleeve revised to RNY because it no longer works properly, or they didn't lose, quit losing, or gained weight back. I had a lap band for 7 years that did not work and had to be removed in an emergency surgery. I'm lucky to be alive. Wish I had done the RNY back then instead of the band. That is my only regret.

Yep, one week out and it was so bad I could barely walk and was down for a couple of days. Also added Docusate to the Miralax (which is what they gave me prior to a colonoscopy). Took a few days, but finally worked. Like everyone else, I just take something each day to keep things moving.

Same experience here. And then again on week 6. It is maddening, isn't it? Try to focus on inches lost. The scale will move again soon.

I relate. Everything made me nauseous. The thought of any food was repulsive. I'm seven weeks out now. You do have to get that protein in, and the vitamins. Are you getting enough water? It is challenging to learn to fix smaller portions, to take smaller portions. I have learned to measure out what I think I "should" eat. Usually, I can't eat it all. At least I waste less that way. I am also having a hard time eating leftovers. I've eaten out a few times. Don't watch other people order and eat. Just order an appetizer or something ala carte. Sometimes I just take a few bites off of my husband's plate. It's that or be prepared to take home food and have leftovers. It does get better. The main thing for energy is getting all of that protein in. I still struggle with that each day.

You inspire me!

Good luck, Ladybug! It is such a disappointing setback when the band fails. Wish we could sue. You will be happy with the bypass. It is, in my opinion, so much easier to deal with than the band.

Hey DTrain! I don't think anyone participates in this forum anymore! Ha! Good luck with your journey. Two weeks out, I stalled for an entire week. Also severely constipated for that week. Everything is moving again. Hope all is well with you.

Hi, All! I am new to this site/group. I am 58. Band installed November 2007. Moderate success over the years. Just as I reached 30 pounds from my goal, the band quit working. Weight, of course, rushed back on. In the course of seeking band fills, the band became infected and had to be removed in an emergency surgery January 2015. I thought I had learned to eat and perhaps I could manage without the tool, but gained ten pounds a year. I decided to do what I should have done ten years ago and pursue RNY. Fortunately, my husband moved me to Missouri and close proximity to some of the top dogs in the bariatric field. I am two weeks out from surgery on 4/18/2017. Surgeons encountered minor complications due to scar tissue from the band, so the operation took twice as long. They kept me in hospital four days, for which I am grateful. Don't bounce back like I used to. I felt I knew what to expect after surgery somewhat due to the band experience. So far, I'm finding the bypass much easier. I don't feel "restriction" while drinking as I did with the band. I also don't feel hunger pangs or stomach growling. I am quite satisfied with the amount I can consume. In fact, it has been a struggle to consume enough protein drink each day. My main challenge will be activity. I am a sedentary person, so getting that walking in is a challenge. Tomorrow is my 2-week visit. Looking forward to losing the staples as my incisions are well healed. Looking forward to moving to soft foods. So far, I am happy with this decision. Other than wishing I had done this first rather than the band, I have no regrets! I look forward to being part of this support forum.

Neon, my experience is a bit like yours. I am 15 days post op from RNY. Firstly, I was surprised that they kept me in the hospital for 4 days. I recover a bit more energy each day, but I'm not running laps. I am older, so I'm chalking it up to that and the issues I had with pain meds. I think it took me the first week to get all of that out of my system. I don't feel hungry or that I'm lacking energy from calorie deficit (I know what that tired feels like). Everyone is different. We each have to listen to the body and be kind to ourselves. For those bouncing back quickly, KUDOS! That is wonderful, though don't overdo it. That is easy to do when you feel OK. I'm new to this forum and look forward to the support.