Roxine

Good Morning MGBGers! I just passed 4 weeks post-op and can now start incorporating more strenuous exercise into my routine! This weekend, my family and I went on a 5 mile bike ride and a 3 mile walk. It felt good, although I was tired that evening. I also started taking Calcium with Vitamin D along with my standing regimen of Protonix, multivitamins, and Vitamin B. Food intake has been progressing nicely. I've yet to experience any regurgitation or vomiting - though I did struggle one morning when I think I forgot to chew slowly and was only able to take a couple of bites of scrambled eggs before I felt stuffed. I am waiting for 30 days post-op to take a new photo - figure I'll do it at 30, 60, 90, 120, etc - to represent a true month's worth of losing. I kept the same outfit I took before pictures in so I'm looking forward to seeing changes. In overall weight loss, I'm down 34 pounds. In sizes, I was previously in a size 20 and now can fit comfortably into a size 14. I actually shopped in a "regular store" and was able to purchase some large sweats/t-shirts and they fit comfortably. So changes are happening all over my body. I can now put on my husband's shirts (Men's large) and they look cute - loose and comfy - and he no longer gets upset because I no longer stretch them out - now he likes me to wear them... My shoe size has gone down 1/2 size. Was in an 8 at SW and now in a 7.5. I used to wear a 7, so it will be interesting to see if I get back to that size or if 7.5 is sufficient. My incision scars are looking much better - I've finally gotten rid of all of the tape residue and with my decreasing belly size, they are disappearing before my eyes People are definitely starting to notice and make comments. And while this can put me in an uncomfortable head space - I'm learning to smile and say thank you and not over analyze hidden agendas or intentions (particularly with men). I'm averaging 450-550 calories per day, 30-40g protein and around 40 net carbs. My sugars are typically below 10 and I'm meeting my 64oz of water intake per day. Calling all March Gastric Bypass Peeps - How are you doing?

Hello - Had Gastric Bypass March 5, 2018 - turned 50 March 10, 2018.

Thanks for the tip - just put it on my husband's shopping list

First not so good night/morning. But I think it may be because I'm not drinking enough water. I was trying to replace some of my fluid intake by adding two cups of coffee per day, but I think that's not working well. I'm going to go back to drinking water for the next few days and see if I can get things moving. Had a bout of stomach upset last night with a little bit of diarrhea. I haven't had a good bowel movement in about 3 days so I can feel that I'm constipated. My plan is to revert back to a very soft diet, increase liquids and see if I can solve the problem. This morning I woke up and in an effort to increase my protein had hummus for breakfast. Well, that didn't settle well and for the first time I'm actually nauseated. I did eat it with a Wasa crisp flat bread, so that probably didn't help my feeling of constipation. It's a learning curve at this point I guess. I'm trying to resolve without resorting to some kind of laxative. But if I don't have a bowel movement soon, I will call my doctor's office and see what they want me to do. Anyone else experience something similar once you moved to more substantive foods? Thanks for listening.

Thanks! I was able to figure it out once I logged in from a computer. Apparently on the mobile ap you are very limited in what you can and can't do. Thanks for the follow-up!

My journey begins over 45 years ago. As a child, I was groomed from the age of 5 by my maternal Grandfather and suffered at his hand for over 8 years. Child sexual abuse is something most never talk about. I never spoke about mine until November 5, 2011 - when the news of the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky scandal broke - I remember my heart breaking as I sat in my car listening to the news account and later reading the presentment. It too closely mirrored my own experience - child sexual abuse - and people knew - and did nothing. My pain was too much to bear. I sat at my desk that morning at work and penned a piece entitled "I am the face of child sexual abuse." What followed next was a whirlwind - a local news station considered interviewing me after reading my piece - I was invited on Anderson Cooper's show - however while I had written I was the face of child sexual abuse - I wasn't sure I wanted to be "the face." I reached out to the Dr. Laura program to simply ask her how do you go on the air and talk about something so personal - She asked me to read my piece to her - I was then invited back the next day on Dr. Laura to read my piece and answer questions from callers. I met other survivors on a site called Daily Kos and started what would become a charity for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse that I ran for about 6 years - I wrote another piece for the Penn State University Newsletter on campus entitled I was a kid, you were a man - I co-wrote a book for the young men who testified at the Jerry Sandusky trial entitled "Bearing Witness" - attended every day of trial - from Jury Duty to Sentencing - in support of them and delivered the book to either the young men, their families, or their attorneys. I was included in a book entitled "To Believe a Kid" by Sylvia Kurtz - and had finally stepped out of the darkness and into the light. My last battle - the last victory in my journey - is my weight. I have succeeded both professionally and personally - but I have carried my weight as a shield all of these years. I felt that it protected me. I know intellectually that is irrational - but for me, it allowed me to control who, when, and what. If I wanted someone to get to know me I said who, when and how close they could get. Each and every time I successfully lost weight, I would be triggered as soon as outside attention returned. When men started commenting on my looks, I would become uncomfortable. But not any longer. I am ready to be the person I was always supposed to be. March 5th I had gastric bypass. To date, I have lost 32 pounds and several sizes (had to go shopping this weekend!). I am eager to begin working out (can begin next week - 4 weeks post-op) and will not squander this opportunity. I turned 50 on March 10th and plan on living out the remainder of my years un-apologetically. I want to wear cute clothes and strappy sandals and pretty undergarments for my husband. I want to ski and run and be comfortable in a bathing suit on an island every summer. I want to dress up and show off my curves, not hide behind the layers of fat I've been carrying. I want to celebrate who I've become in spite of the difficulties of my childhood. I have not only survived, but thrived. Just a bit about who I am...looking forward to taking this journey with all of you. Roxine

Fine I updated my profile. Happy? SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 229 GW: 135-140 range

Hi. Just checking in. How’s your fluid intake? How’s your pain level? Do you know when you will be released? I hope you are doing well. SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 229 GW: 135-140 range

frust8 - thank you for sharing as well. There are far too many of us out there. 1 in 4 girls/1 in 6 boys are sexually abused by the age of 18 - 90% by someone they know, 68% by a family member. Most just never tell. Many combat their abuse through addiction - dissociation - drugs/alcohol/illicit sex - they continue to abuse themselves for it makes the pain bearable. Dr. Judith Herman, in her book Trauma and Recovery, states: “Many abused children cling to the hope that growing up will bring escape and freedom. But the personality formed in the environment of coercive control is not well adapted to adult life. The survivor is left with fundamental problems in basic trust, autonomy, and initiative. She approaches the task of early adulthood――establishing independence and intimacy――burdened by major impairments in self-care, in cognition and in memory, in identity, and in the capacity to form stable relationships. She is still a prisoner of her childhood; attempting to create a new life, she reencounters the trauma.” And on the subject of why people often don't believe the victim - but rather side with the adult - “It is very tempting to take the side of the perpetrator. All the perpetrator asks is that the bystander do nothing. He appeals to the universal desire to see, hear, and speak no evil. The victim, on the contrary, asks the bystander to share the burden of pain. The victim demands action, engagement, and remembering.”

I had to buy new clothes over the weekend. Actually got to shop in the "regular women's" side of the store. Still stretchy pants (like palazzo pants) but my incisions are still healing so avoiding anything too tight across my stomach right now. Also needed all new under garments. In about 2 months, I'm going to get professionally measured for a bra to make sure I start purchasing the right size.

I think this is what is referred to as "head hunger" not actual hunger. I have not experienced actual hunger - like my stomach growling kind of depleted feeling. For the most part I feel full all the time (probably the 55 gallons of water I'm drinking!) <------ exaggeration of course The only time I "thought" I was hungry was when I prepared dinner for my son and husband and the recipe called for carmelizing onions in oil with some sugar - the smell was out of this world! I snuck a burnt piece of the caremlized onion and chewed on it for awhile - and it did taste good I must admit. But I wasn't tempted to just eat and eat and eat. Many people say this is the "honeymoon period" - I don't view it that way. I honestly view it as the time to equip ourselves to combat temptations when they do come - say 8-10 months down the road. To say not "no" - but "hell no!" I've come too far and worked too hard to let that <fill in the temptation blank> derail my progress. I'll eat some lean proteins, followed by some good carb/fibers, drink my water 30 minutes later and go for a run instead. Roxine PS - how do you get those cute tickers in your signature line? I want one!

I'm sure that's from the nasal canula they had in during surgery. My throat was super sore after surgery as well. Ice chips made it feel much better! When do you go home?

Ok - had my 3 week follow-up with Dr. Fitzer yesterday - everything went well. Incisions are healing nicely - verified my weight loss on their scale "YAY!" - I have to add a Calcium with Vitamin D to my regimen starting next week and follow-up again in 3 months. BP was amazing at 110/78, pulse was slow and steady at 62, no temperature. Have not had any issues with regurgitation or nausea - overall it's been a relatively easy recovery (knock on wood!) I will see my Primary Care Physician and get all of my labs redrawn and see how my body has reset prior to my next in-office visit. I have a call with my dietician in about 3 weeks - at that point I will begin introducing foods of my choice and off the "green sheet" at the start of week 7. This week i get to introduce flaky fishes and soft cooked vegetables (as well as soft fruits, hummus and other goodies). I broiled a salmon last night and made some cauliflower mash - it was AMAZING! ate about 3 ounces of salmon and just a little bit of the mash but it was so yummy. I will definitely have that again. Today went to lunch with a co-worker - went to Au Bon Pain - ordered a smoked salmon wasabi on a skinny bagel (extra toasted). Ate all of the smoked salmon, and about 1/4 of the top of the bagel (it was crispier!) - the flavors were incredibly delicious! It's nice to be able to eat things with seasonings and textures again. I am perfectly full and am now working on my fluid consumption (I've started having coffee in the morning and afternoon to help break up the monotony of just water.) I hope you guys are doing well - check in and let us know how it's going. And we still have a few days - if you're a March Gastric Bypass Groupie *grin* - come join us! Roxine

Let us hope as I lose weight that reference goes away I've never really cared for Roseanne Barr - not sure why.

I have steered clear of soups until this week (starting week 4). I’ve had 1/2 cup tomato and 1/2 cup black bean soup. I believe they don’t like soups because it’s drinking while eating - so for the black bean- I drain the juice and chew chew chew the beans. SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 229 GW: 135-140 range

Great start! Stick to your doctors plan and walk as much as you can! How are you feeling overall? SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 229 GW: 135-140 range

Hello MGBGers! Happy Monday! I am 21 days Post-Op today and have my follow up with my surgeon this afternoon. Current weight is 229 which is 32 pounds down from my starting weight and 21 pounds down from my pre-op surgery date weight. I broke down and bought clothes this weekend. I have a business trip coming up and even the few clothes I saved I’m starting to drown in now. Big nsv- I was able to shop in the regular side of the store - even purchasing some Shapewear in sizes M (shorts) and L (tank - for breasts) No more XL or 1X or 2X! Also this week my diet expands to include fish and soft veggies and hummus and all different flavors and textures! I’m super excited! I hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to taking 1 month pictures next Monday and seeing the difference. Post how you’re doing! SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 229 GW: 135-140 range

I used my flavored protein drinks as creamer for my coffee. It worked very well. I am so happy to be done with protein shakes. Your plan sounds a lot like mine - Dr. Fitzer by chance? I have my first follow up appointment tomorrow. Looking forward to it. SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 231 GW: 135-140 range

Post-op I used flavored protein shakes as creamer to my coffee. Sometimes I’d add ice and make an iced coffee. It made getting my shakes in easier and also helped with my fluid intake. SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 231 GW: 135-140 range

The first few days I slept in a recliner. It stopped me from trying to roll over - I typically sleep on my side. The dreams should go away - especially as you add foods to your intake. Don’t worry - dreams (or nightmares) can’t stop what you’ve started. Deep breath - follow your plan, walk as much as you can - and let yourself heal. SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 231 GW: 135-140 range

SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 231 GW: 135-140 range

I work in DC which means dresses or suits every day. I am 3 weeks 2 days Post-Op and down 30 pounds from starting weight and 19 pounds from pre-op weight. Last weekend I went through my closet and tried on every single item. Out of about 30 dresses I think I kept 5 - one was a wrap dress, the other 4 are shift dresses that I CNS either let hang or throw a belt on for a few weeks. None of my suits survived - they were already swallowing me. I was fortunate that I had several blouses I had bought previously that didn’t fit but I just had to have. As another poster stated - they still have their tags! My plan is to purchase a pair of black slacks size 16/14/12 - wear the few blouses I have as long as I can, mix in my belted dresses and maybe add one new dress a week to mix it up. I refuse to buy another suit until at least 6-8 months - but may throw in a random blazer to change up my wardrobe from time to time. On Saturday I was going to watch a friend’s band play - so I picked up an outfit in a 1x. I wore it to work yesterday and it’s already too big. Soon I will be out of the plus size section of the store. Weird. SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 231 GW: 135-140 range

I had mine done March 5th also! How are you guys doing! Would love to compare notes. SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 231 GW: 135-140 range

Congratulations! Please join us in the March Gastric Bypass Group when you’re ready! I had my GB on Monday, March 5th and things are progressing on schedule. I am following my doctors plan to a T and am experiencing great results. I wish you an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery! Roxine SW: 261 Pre-Op: 250 CW: 231 GW: 135-140 range

Today marks 2 weeks Post-Op- and I am down 30 pounds from my starting weight, 19 pounds since my surgery! I went out of town this weekend and actually went out to listen to some live music Saturday night. I’ve been hitting all of my intake goals and am excited that today I get to STOP the protein shakes and get to introduce tuna and salmon - with a few crackers or 1/4 toast! I even get to use some condiments. While I still don’t have an appetite, it does feel good to have textural foods to chew with different flavors. Yum! I have my 3 week follow up next Monday. Look forward to getting feedback on BP, HR, and labs. Hoping for good news! Calling all March GBers / how are you progressing?