bluegirl216

I celebrate my 1 year anniversary of my RNY today and the difference a year makes. I'm healthier (losing over 100 pounds and lots of inches), I feel more confident, so much so that went to a fitness class yesterday and although I was still horribly uncoordinated (losing wight does not fix that!) I had fun. I'm not saying the journey was all roses (I'll fight with anyone who thinks WLS is an 'easy way out') - I had nausea, pain, a stricture, endoscopic dilution, I felt alone. The amount of times I despaired that I'd made a very wrong, expensive and irreversible choice are too numerous to mention, But every month I started to feel progress and i held onto that was such tenacity, it really helped. This forum at times was a life saver and I want to thank all of members who took the time to answer my questions and be so completely honest. You have no idea how important it was to me. To you all toying with the idea of WLS - I can't for one minute suggest it's the right thing for you, I can only advise that for me it's changed my life for the better, even with all the tough times One year on, I feel like the me who I'm supposed to be (still got a bit to go, but I'm enjoying the challenge now - despite the small slice of lemon cake I've just enjoyed! No longer am I the person who was ashamed, embarrassed and scared of who I'd become and the terrifying future that it held. Soon - I might even be brave enough to share some pics.

Thanks so much and congratulations to you too - doing so well x

You’ll go through every emotion known to man - just keep on with plan and the weight will come off x good luck on your journey

I lost about 50% of my hair 3-4 months in and it started to grow back about 9 months in. I’m approaching my 1 year anniversary and I have an interesting hairdo to say the least. Despite lots of challenges - my bypass is the best thing I’ve done. I finally feel like I have a new lease of life. I promise you all it gets better x

I’m sending you good thoughts and lots of prayers that this time they’ll sort you out. The constant nausea and vomiting was tough to bear so my sympathies are with you! stay strong and I’m sure you’ll get there. Please let me know how you get on x

Well after all the 'tooing and froing' back to my surgeon complaining about vomiting - they've booked me in for an endoscopic dilation because they now think I have stenosis. Anyone got any experience of this? Obviously - if it stops the vomiting then it's a good thing - but the thought of having to go through more 'stuff' at the hospital (especially cameras and stuff down my throat) is not filling me joy! You guys have all been amazing so far - hope you can help again!

Hi @frust8The endoscope dilation was the answer! It made the world of difference to my recovery and other than a few challenges with iron and vitamin D deficiencies I’ve been great since. I’m 104 pounds down and about 20 off target now. thanks so much for checking in 😀 hope you’re doing well too xx @Savagegirl hi to you too! 👋

I had the dilation three months post surgery and it was brilliant - saved my bloody life! Before the dilation I was sick 5-6 times a day and the only thing I could keep down was soup or yoghurt. Made the world of difference to me. Not going to lie - it was uncomfortable and I was aware of the procedure at the time - but recovery was speedy and the relief of being able to eat without fear of vomiting was palpable. Good luck getting this sorted.

I'm currently at 89.5ilbs down and I can honestly say for the first time since I had the op that I'm glad I did it. I was so happy last night when I measured my body and in total I've lost 153cm so far! I love walking, I love having small controlled portions and though my weight loss has dropped to 1-1.5lbs per week I know it's going in the right direction and I will get to target soon. This site and all you wonderful people who helped along the way was indispensable to the success of my journey, which I hope continues until I hit target.

Wow - you look amazing! I celebrate my 3 month next week too. Well done you

Me too! I can’t stand chewable ones but the patches are brilliant. I’ve also started with micro Vit D tabs which are easy to take - thank God for Amazon!

All normal - I’m 11 weeks out and I still have a few wobbles now and then. Manage your pain and if you can walk make sure you do - honestly the relief once that gas they’ve pumped you up with has gone is brilliant. Drink water and don’t stress if you can’t get your protein in right away - it will happen. The best piece of advice I got was to take time to heal - I’m still healing now but I know I made the right decision. Good luck with your journey xx

Hi all needing some help again. I’ve struggled with vomiting after eating foods since I’ve moved on from the soft food phase, so much so that I’ve gone back to soup being my primary intake as that’s the best chance I’ve got of keeping it down. There are no patterns to the types of food I eat and which can result in vomiting and pain. i went to see my GP and my bloods are showing iron deficiency and further issues with my parathyroid (?) which they are investigating. Just wondering if anyone has any insight or advice? it would be much appreciated - thanks 🙏🏻

Thanks for the advice - I went to see my surgeon last week and it was him who arranged the follow-up with my GP. I’ll give his office a call on Tuesday after the holiday weekend and make another appointment. Fingers crossed I’m just taking longer to heal than originally expected 🙏🏻

Congrats - you look amazing. Keep up the great work x

Thanks FluffyChix - I'm definitely taking a step back if only to get myself steady again. I'm going to do liquid for a week and then go back to fish (had little or no issues with that) and mashed root vegetables to build up again and hope that the vomiting stops. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Having a terrible time - food is making me nauseous and I’m so scared I’ve made the wrong decision. I’m just all over the place and my relationship with food is nonexistent. I’m still in pain on the left side under my ribs too. Is this normal? My family keep telling me that I shouldn’t be feeling like this - and maybe they’re right. would love someone to tell me that I’ll feel better soon and not hate my decision Thanks

Thank you. They’ve said the left side pain is due to lots of scar tissue from a previous surgery prior to my RNY. I will update how I’m doing xx I promise

That’s so reassuring- maybe I’m asking too much of myself 5 weeks out. Thank you so much

Thank you so much - I’ve been having a very bad day and I think going back to work this week was just a tad too soon x You are so, so sweet and I can’t tell you how much better this response has made me feel. I’ll be there if you need me x

4 weeks out and milk absolutely makes me gag! I loved milk too!

It’s for a month and I’m doing it myself! They’re vile hahaha! pureed foods are not too bad - Weetabix and Ready Brek are godsends, as are soups. Pureeing meats are less successful- they just don’t go down with adding fluid like gravy. Potato’s and carrots/turnips are good too - but the consistency is just so ‘baby food’ like it’s so samey that I’m desperate for texture! Roll on three weeks 😊 Fish in sauce whizzes down pretty well x my staples are are getting removed on Thursday and my stomach is still pretty much purple in colour. Bruising is shocking! Still swollen and haven’t managed to go to the loo yet either (sorry if I’m oversharing) Don’t think I’ll be back in work after two weeks which is what I hoped originally x

I had mine on the 15th and I went straight to puréed foods for 4 weeks before 4 weeks of soft foods. I was prescribed Adcal by my surgeon to take with the vitamins and I’m also on another daily pill for my stomach as well as Fragmin anti clotting injections for a month x its been a horrendous week I’m not going to lie - hoping I’m on the up now x how you feeling? X

Nice to meet you - my name is Natalie and I’ve not been told that I have to have protein shakes by my dietician - but she did say that if I was struggling to get my protein up to have Marvel milk powder in a glass of milk. I must admit getting protein in me is pretty tough at the mo x As for vitamins - I’m on chewable Adcal and Centrum chewable multivitamins twice a day. when was your op? X

Hi - I’m in the UK and I’m 1 week post op