shortmocha

Anybody's doctor say the patches were okay to use. How'd your blood work come back? My doctor said no. Not because he believes they don't work but more so they aren't as tried and tested I guess. There's more certainty that I'll get the vitamins I need by taking them orally. However, there's so many of them. Not to mention I have other meds that I take that can't be taken with the vitamins. It's a struggle to space everything out and to fit everything in. I'm considering going rogue and trying the patches anyway and then just have my primary check my levels after a few weeks. I'd appreciate hearing some patch experiences good or bad.

I'm with you. I'm 2 months out and the last couple of weeks have been difficult. I was fine right after surgery. No problems with the purees and shakes and the weight was sliding right off. As I've started eating solids it's been a struggle. It's not so much that I want something I shouldn't have but even things that are on the list may or may not make my tummy happy. If I don't do tiny bites chewed very well I'm going to be in trouble. Lately I've gone back to more shakes cause it's quicker and easier. Even if I drink them too fast it's an issue. Don't get me wrong... I'm totally excited about 40lbs in 2 months. I'm able to do more at the gym. People come up to me all the time and comment on my weight loss. I've been able to reduce the insulin I use by half. There are already plenty of positives. I just wish eating wasn't such a chore. That and trying to get down the stupid vitamins frustrates me. It's still early in this journey and I'm hopeful that I'll settle in a little better in the coming weeks. Hope you guys find a happy place on this journey too.

Are you Type 2? Just wanted to make sure since you're on insulin. I'm Type 1 so my situation is a little different. I didn't go into RNY hoping to get rid of my diabetes, but I was hoping to cut way back on the amount of insulin I use. I'm 2 months out and my insulin needs are way down. I have a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) so that makes it easier to see what my sugars are doing. I was running into lots of lows so we just kept adjusting the insulin down. Right now I'm using about half the insulin I was. I was also able to reduce my blood pressure medicines down to 1 right after surgery but it's been running a little higher lately. My doctor was expecting that. He says a lot of times there's a dip right after surgery then it can bounce back up but as the weight continues to come off it will drop back down allowing further reductions in medication. He had my check my BP at home regularly right after surgery. They took me off my cholesterol med right after surgery. We'll see when I do my first round of labs next week how that's doing without the medication.

Leading up to my surgery, mine swore he was going to get on a program and lose some weight because he wasn't going to have his wife looking all fine while he was fat. LOL He's a big dude 6'4 so he carries weight well but he could probably get off 50lbs. Since the surgery, he hasn't changed anything. He's doing like other's partners and eating my leftovers. Unfortunately it's not just him, but the kids too. It's not an issue at home because I only put on my plate what I intend to eat, but when we go out it's a problem. It's funny because most of my immediate family (hubby, sister, mom) all hoped that me losing weight would inspire them to do better. So far they claim that I'm losing weight and they're just finding it. LOL.

I just got back from my family reunion in Texas. I stuck with things on my plan (meats and veggies). I took little bits of a variety of things and spread them out or grabbed a smaller plate which looked fuller. I was with my immediate family (hubby, sister and parents). They all know about my surgery. They would help eat stuff on my plate so it wasn't so obvious that I wasn't eating everything myself. In my hotel fridge I had my protein shakes and water. I have already lost enough weight for people to notice and that helps. When people see you're trying to lose and it's working, I find it a little easier to decline unhealthy options and have people understand. At the end of the day you made this big decision for you. So do what's best for you.

I just came back from trip. Travelling is doable. I did fruit, yogurt, turkey bacon for breakfast. If you like eggs that's a great one. I noticed even in the airport shops there were protein shakes (more calories than I would normally have in 1 but for on the go it worked). At lunch and dinner I did salads with chicken, chili, steak and veggies. In the Caribbean you've got options like conch salad and other seafood dishes. I'm going on a cruise to the Caribbean in November. I'll be 5 months out then. I'll be sticking to this plan. I still rely on protein shakes/water to get in all the protein I need. This weekend I threw a couple of waters and shakes into the suitcase to help me get through the weekend. I'm not a fan of the powders but on the 7 day cruise in November I'll probably pack some power and a shaker to keep the weight in the suitcase down. Have fun. You'll be fine.

When I saw my doc at my 2 weeks post op check up he told me to expect a stall at week 3 as the body is still trying to balance out it's new reality. He was right. Weeks 3 & 4 I saw much of nothing as far as weight loss. The only thing that kept me sane is that I had been warned by the doctor to expect it. I have a scale that does % body fat and it was going down even though my weight wasn't. My clothes were feeling better. Heading into week 5 the scale is moving again and I've dropped down into Onederland. Remember this is not a sprint but a marathon. While disheartening when we stall out, this process is about the next year+ not these couple of weeks.

I wasn't worried that I couldn't get the surgery but that it might have to be done open not laparoscopically. Prior to WLS I had 3 c-sections, a tummy tuck and an umbilical hernia repair. There were no issues I was able to have the surgery and it was laparoscopic, just 5 little incisions. Definitely talk to your surgeon about it. I had discussed my previous surgeries with mine and he was able to reassure me before hand that there was very little chance that the surgery would have to be performed open. Good luck

Before bypass no problems. 2 weeks after no problems. The last 2 days just shoot me. I had 3 c-sections but I was beginning to believe these last couple of days that I was somehow experiencing natural child birth. Finally a combo of Dulcolax and Milk of Magnesia did the trick, just wished I'd had an epidural. I'm now adding sugar free fiber chewables to the million vitamins I'm already taking in hopes of avoiding having to go into labor again. LOL

My guess is that if it's only been 2 months, you have not given your changes enough time to totally be reflected in your A1C. A1C is roughly a 3 month average. Obviously it's moving in the right direction which is great. After a full 3 even 4 months of doing what you're doing now the A1C may be what you need. My doctor won't even check mine but every 3 months. When I first decided on the surgery I was at 10.3. I got a CGM and when we checked again in 3 months I was down to 8.3 and when we checked again in another 3 months I was down to 7.0. I'm Type 1 so my endo was thrilled with 7. For me, my issue was not checking my sugars enough. Getting the CGM and having the info to make changes and corrections throughout the day was key. If you're eating and exercising like you should then checking your sugars more often might help so you can get a better idea of when you are having spikes. I could've had my surgery at 8.5. What's your goal?

I just finished pureed and I'm now on soft. During pureed, I ate a lot of greek yogurt with an oz of pureed fruit. I pureed various meats and had the stage 2 baby food veggies. My yummy favorite either for breakfast or evening snack (low fat ricotta cheese, cinnamon, 1/2 packet truvia, nutmeg, vanilla, 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (for an extra protein boost) and diced peaches). Taste like the filling of peach cobbler, especially when zapped in the microwave for a little bit. Apples would probably work too. On softs now, I'm really enjoying chili.

Funny. Thanks for the laugh. I shared with my mom. She swears since I got on the losers bench she's been finding every pound I lose. Maybe she can start using Dawn. LOL

I think it really depends. You can tell by all the different variations of the "pre-op diet" that there's no hard and fast answer about what should and shouldn't be eaten. Some people only have liquids, some have liquids with a lean and green. If you're only on liquids then a lean and green would be a cheat. If I'm allowed lean & green then rice or potatoes might be a cheat. I think 1 cheat isn't going to kill anyone if you can stick to ONE cheat and not let it escalate out of control. I went to Disney in the middle of my 2 week pre-op diet. The nurse flat out said if I'm going to cheat go ahead and do it then, don't wait til right before the surgery. I didn't go crazy at Disney but I wasn't as lean as I should've been but I did hold the carbs at bay. LOL After surgery my doctor said my liver had been fine. I think that's the key. If you're more over weight with a higher chance of a large fatty liver then sticking to the diet will help with surgery.

I just had my surgery 6/26. What I used... robe, shoes (merrill sandals with rubber soles), gum, extra pillow, headphones and go home outfit. Most important was my power strip. The outlet closest to the bed was full, but I was able to plug in my strip and have enough outlets to plug in their stuff plus mine). I like to sleep with music so I needed my ipad charged plus my phone and I have a CPAP. Power was crucial. LOL.

Today is my first day back to work. I'm 2 weeks out from surgery (6/26). I'm down 15lbs, since the surgery. Still a little pain on the left side but all in all I can't complain. Eating and drinking fine though I'm probably not drinking enough. Looking forward to getting back to the gym, but I'm giving the left side another week to feel better. I feel like I"m constantly thinking about what I should be eating, drinking or vitamins. i can't wait for everything to become the new normal and not require so much thought. Hope everyone else is doing well.

I’m 5’2. Started at 226 and was 218 at surgery. I’m 5 days post RNY and I’m at 212. I’d like to get my BMI down to the upper end of normal so that would be about 135. However I could be happy at 145. I like some curves, but I think I should at least aim for normal. Even my doc agrees given my frame that much below 135 would be too much. I’m Thinking a nice comfy size 6.

I can’t deny I wake up more rested and have more energy throughout the day. I hope to get rid of mine once I’ve lost the weight. I’m required for the first 90 days to use mine 4 hours per night at least 21 nights a month for the insurance to pay for it. That allows a couple of nights off and if I happen to wake up and I’ve reached my 4hours I pop it off and enjoy the rest of my night in whatever position makes me most comfortable.

I’m sad beans aren’t on my list. I thought chili would be great on soft foods. My protocol has limited carbs other than fruits and veggies until almost maintenance phase. I wonder if the protocols depend on which surgery. With the dumping of bypass maybe some doctors prefer to put off carbs. For the poster that said potato soup was encouraged I’m so jealous. Love that soup. I do acknowledge for me I’m better off avoiding carbs til I get where I want to be. It would be a slippery slope. I do better on a tight leash. Lol.

I had my surgery 6/26 and got home 6/28. I’m down 6lbs in less than a week. Had a little nausea in the hospital, but so far so good with eating puréeds. Only complaint is a pain on the left side right under my rib cage. It’s fine if I don’t overdue. Went grocery shopping today and had to take something to take the edge off but it’s manageable. So far so good.

Survived day 1. Day 2 so far much better. Only ice chips since surgery but I’m not hungry. Waiting for my upper GI to check for leaks so I can go to clear liquids. Everyone is right about the gas. Yesterday the need to burp was so bad I was begging for someone to lean me over their shoulder and slap my back like a baby.

Today’s the day. Just got to the hospital. Surgery at 9:30.

I had to see a cardiologist and I had to have a chest x-ray. I did not have to see a pulmonary doc.

You can ask the hospital for a payment plan. They want to get their money even if it's over a few months. My son ended up in the emergency room a couple of months ago. I hadn't met my deductible yet. A few hours in the ER was almost $2K. My hospital has an on-line payment option and when I went on-line to pay it gave me the option to pay over time. I opted to pay $200/month for 10 months rather than wipe out my healthcare account all at once. I've heard other acquaintances say they've been able to work out plans with doctors/hospitals. It's worth a try. I just paid about $1100 to my surgeon for the program fee, that day's office visit, and for the surgery. Who knows what the hospital and other doctors and departments there will charge. My only comfort is I'm only maybe $1500 from my max out of pocket so I'm going to cap out before it gets too outrageous.

I just did my pre-op work up this week and no mention of anything gynecological. I've had a few surgeries and was never asked to have a pap as a part of the pre-op work up. There's usually an EKG, Blood work and normal stuff like listen to your chest/heart, check reflexes, eyes, nose, ears. Other than lifting up my shirt to listen to my lungs and to palpate my abdomen, I didn't even get undressed.

Oh if I would tell you what I ate the night I got my pre-op diet. I got the diet Wednesday and was told to start as soon as I could get to the store. That night I went to the store for supplies to start the next morning. I made multiple stops getting a little something from over here and a little something from over there. Went home and gave my mouth and tummy one last food party and washed it down with a shot of bourbon. I got up Thursday, food prepped and started my pre-op diet ready to be serious. What you did isn't really even an offense. If anything, I'm sad you didn't even really enjoy your last McDonald's. But keeping it real, have you read what some people are eating even when they're supposed to be actually on the pre-op diet? You have nothing to be upset about really. You've gotten it out of your system, now you can move on.