KimTriesRNY

What is your current weight or BMI? Have you been obese most of your life? There a few other things to consider than comorbid conditions, including your own comfort level with either procedure. Many people have good results with sleeves. If you have a BMI greater than 50, and have been obese since childhood though you may strongly consider gastric bypass. Do your own research on the surgeries and decide what you are comfortable doing. Good luck.

I’m a registered nurse working twelve hour shifts on a busy medical surgical floor. My surgeon cleared me to return to work after four weeks with weight restriction of 20 pounds. My supervisor did not accommodate the weight lifting limit so I ended up with the full six weeks off. It ended up being for the best. By the time six weeks passed my diet was almost progressed to normal and I was feeling much better. No one took it easy on me when I went back so if I were you take as much time as you can. Even after the six weeks I had to be careful lifting these people, and if you work in healthcare you know how these people want to pull and tug on you. You may qualify for short term disability through work as well so don’t rush going back.

My surgeon advised against gummy vitamins and flintstones. If you look at the recommendations the flintstones vitamins fall short on a few things. The Bariatric vitamins are a bit more expensive but I’m willing to pay a bit more for my vitamins as long term it is easier to prevent deficiencies than correct them once they occur. I had a bypass though so it may be a bit different. I order through here sometimes and use the Celebrate Vitamin chewable with iron. I use sublingual b12, chewable vit D, calcium citrate, and extra iron as well.

I don’t tolerate artificial sweeteners the way I did before my surgery. They never bothered me pre op but now I just taste this horrible bitter type taste and it leaves an awful aftertaste in my mouth.

Congrats

There are a lot of changes you need to accept and adapt to with weight loss surgery, but let’s be honest...being super morbidly obese has lots of challenges you need to adapt to as well. You are going to reach a point in your life when you are going to have to choose what you are willing to adapt to. At 24 years old, maybe you haven’t hit the bottom yet. Many people that have weight loss surgery struggle with diabetes, degenerative joint disease, sleep apnea, heart problems, depression, social anxiety, etc. Do you think your quality of life now is as good as it could be? If you don’t have any of these issues now, how much longer do you think they will be avoided? One thing we see on these boards time and again is people wishing they had done this sooner. Will you occasionally wish you could eat more but you just physically can’t because of your altered stomach? It is likely. But I think you should consider the risks of staying super morbidly obese. It is a disease you can treat, and if your insurance will pay for the surgery you should do it now, while you are so young and can gain such enormous benefit. Best wishes to you whatever you decide.

I’m six months out. I average 800 calories a day and am trying to work up to 1000 but that has been challenging. I eat three meals. Sometimes two meals and a snack. I stick to less than 50 carbs most days, my surgeon wants me under 100 carbs daily. Five small meals would be hard to do I think and get fluids in. Sometimes after I eat it is hours before I feel like drinking water even though I can drink after one hour. Your meals will naturally be very small in the beginning anyways. 4 oz of dense protein and I’m done. Good luck and let us know how you do!

Chronically constipated but I had this before my surgery. It’s only gotten worse since then. I’ve never had diarrhea.

You can do what you can to try to prevent hair loss but to some degree over 90 percent of people that have this surgery will experience hair loss. In the long term, the health benefits of losing the weight and no longer being obese will be more important than hair loss. I agree it is upsetting, I have been losing a good bit of hair myself. For most people though this is temporary and it will eventually grow back.

Hunger is a normal feeling. You were on liquids most likely pre op and now post op that is continuing for some time. It is normal to want to physically eat something. Once your diet progresses and you move along you will likely feel better about your decision. Hang in there!

The more weight you lose the better your pain will get. You should get motivated to do the stretches, especially if they were provided by a physical therapist. A recumbent bike may suit you. Water aerobics, or just walking in the pool could help you for exercise and be easier on your joints if this is an option. Good luck!

Sometimes I take with a tiny wee sip of water directly after a meal, if it’s small. A larger pill I take immediately before eating. I don’t have any medications that require this though, only I like to do this with my iron pill.

Many people have had successful bariatric surgery in Mexico. I believe this site has their own forum for it as well. One of my co workers went to Mexico for a sleeve. She had no complications. It’s a valid option if you do your research.

It is not unusual to lose 25-30 pounds the first few months after gastric bypass if your starting weight is above 300 pounds. Everyone is different though and will lose at their own pace. Its best to compare your progress to your past progress and not compare to others or people on tv shows. Sometimes our bodies need a little break during the process, and you won’t lose as quickly. It’s normal. Just look at the big picture. My surgery weight was close to yours and I met my own personal goal of losing 100 pounds in six months post op. Is that slow for some people after gastric bypass? I’m sure it is. But when is the last time I have been so successful at weight loss, or lost 100 pounds in six months? Well, never! Follow the plan and the process and you will succeed!

I’m not a member but they have an Orange Theory fitness gym close by where I live. One of my friends went and really enjoyed it. If you read the reviews just be careful as it is a business and it does seem a few people have had bad experiences as far as billing concerns and being charged for extra things. They have a free workout you can go to before you commit to anything. I’d like to try it once I’m I need a bit better shape myself.

I wouldn’t weigh yourself daily if the scale helps to dictate your mood. Try a weekly weigh in instead.

Make pinto beans: Put into blender: One can pinto beans Taco seasoning to taste Cheese-1-2 servings 2 tablespoons broth Blend it up until smooth. Put it in microwave until warm. It keeps well for leftovers. You should get at least 3-4 meals out of this.

It gets easier. Focus on fluids first, then your protein in the beginning. Walk as much as you can, but if your body tells you to rest, then take that nap. Most of us had laparoscopic surgery but this is still a major surgery and your body needs time to heal and recuperate. You should see small improvements day by day. In a few weeks you won’t believe the difference in yourself. In six months, you will be astonished. Hope you feel better soon.

Many sleevers on here that have revised to bypass due to ulcers or GERD. Best wishes for you on moving forward with your surgery. We are here to support you!

What are you eating? If you are not eating dense protein first at your meals your feeling of restriction will be less. This may be causing you to believe the sleeve is failing.

I definitely get more cravings around that time. I used to get really bad cravings for sweets around my cycle, especially for anything with a peanut butter and chocolate combination. That does seem to have passed some. Whether that is because I’m not eating the same or because of my surgery I am not for certain. When I was heavier I would retain 5-6 pounds of water weight. Now I retain 2-3 pounds or maintain. The week after I have had decent losses of 4-5 pounds though. I think it’s just a normal part of our cycle. I am not on any hormones or birth control, and I know sometimes these can affect it as well.

That’s why I told no one except my immediate family. Everyone has an opinion on weight loss. They likely wouldn’t try to tell you how to cure cancer if you had it, or say hepatitis. But obesity, yes they can cure you if you listen. Just do what’s best for you. I wouldn’t tell anyone about your surgery that really doesn’t need to know. Enough changes going in without putting all their negative energy into the mix.

Do be careful if you take biotin. It can cause hair growth on your face, most undesirable for us women! I started losing lots of hair around months 3-5. It’s levelled off now, still more than usual but seems to be evening out. Luckily my hair was very thick to begin with. Most people seem to start noticing regrowth around months 9-12 from what I’ve seen.

Best wishes! See you on the other side!

I’m not sure why people feel it’s okay to comment or approach others on what may or may not have been medical procedures. I have gotten to the point now where people at work comment every single day on my weight loss. There’s just no hiding it. Being nurses I do wonder if some of them suspect if I had surgery but no one has been rude enough to come right out and ask. I would just respond to the person that you are under medical supervision and you prefer to discuss your medical care with your physician. It sounds rude but sometimes you just have to set boundaries with people. If this person was an expert on weight loss they likely wouldn’t still be morbidly obese their self. It’s an uncomfortable situation for sure. I’ve had a few very obese people ask what I’m doing, and I’ve been tempted to tell them but the information is out there for everyone, just as it was for me.