What is this... The National Enquirer? Your title suggests that these are big, deal-breaking secrets that were hidden for some reason. Both are less than earth-shaking and have logical explanations behind them. I didn't have time to read the comments below your post, but I'm almost certain that others have addressed both concerns.

I didn't notice any putrid smells following my surgery.

I also didn't need to have any enoxaparin shots after my bypass, but I did have them after my full-knee replacements. The needle is so thin, you can barely feel it. I gave myself a week's worth of injections once home.

(Reuters Health) - People who have weight-loss surgery for extreme obesity may lose more weight with an older operation known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass than with a newer sleeve gastrectomy procedure, a small U.S. study suggests.

Article link:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-weightloss-surgery/type-of-weight-loss-surgery-matters-for-people-with-severe-obesity-idUSKCN1LM314

Study link:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039606018303180

I've had a barium swallow test before, which is how I know about my allergy. It wasn't that bad. You have to drink something chalky and then they watch the liquid (via technology that I can't recall the name for) run its course in your body. No salad tongs involved.

You are my hero, Frustr8! You, go, big sister! (big as in older, not big as in big).

I was never required to have a swallow test. Maybe it's because I'm allergic to contrast media with iodine. Then again, it was never even mentioned as a post-surgical requirement. I probably had one of the most hands-off bypasses ever.

I have several unused containers of good whey Protein. I just can't down that stuff anymore. It was easy BEFORE my surgery (during my pre-surgery fast), but now... can't do it.

I'm going to concentrate on meat.

4 hours ago, Matt Z said:

This is the biggest myth going around with Protein, it's false and there is plenty of information online about why it's false.

Info here including links to study's showing the absorption cap is a myth.
https://www.muscleforlife.com/the-truth-about-protein-absorption-how-often-you-should-eat-protein-to-build-muscle/

Thanks, Matt. Statements like "the body can only handle..." rarely sit well with me. There are too many unanswered questions associated with something so absolute.

3 hours ago, Coachthex32 said:

I was told the body can only handle 30 g of Protein per hour? Anything more is just wasted.

Do you have a link to a study or a scientific reference to support this statement? (I'm not being sarcastic; I'm just curious if it's documented.)

I ended up drinking less than half a cup. I thought this would be the answer to my problem. It wasn't. Protein by way of drink just doesn't work for me. Back to square one.

I've struggled with getting enough Protein since my surgery. I'm hoping to finally be able to get what my body needs.

I found this drink at Sprouts.

Brand: Shamrock Farms 19.7 fl oz (582ml), Rockin' Protein Builder Max Protein Shake, lactose-free, available in vanilla and chocolate. 50g of protein per bottle. Found in the dairy section, must be refrigerated.

I'm not a fan of vanilla or chocolate (wish they had coconut). Sprouts was out of chocolate, so I tried the vanilla. It tasted (to me) like melted vanilla ice cream. No horrible aftertaste either. Completely tolerable.

Do exemptions exist for medical reasons? It sounds risky for you this time around, not the food fasting... but the no fluids.

It could be referred pain.

I hope you might find something here. Because these are holistic approaches to flatulence, they may be cheaper to treat since many involve cures like apple cider vinegar and certain types of tea.

Body mass index, or BMI, is currently the most widely used method for assessing whether someone is overweight or underweight. But now scientists think they've come up with a new and improved alternative: relative fat mass index, or RFM.

https://www.sciencealert.com/new-accurate-rfm-body-fat-measure-could-end-bmi-body-mass-index

https://drbillsukala.com/fat-mass-index/

How useful is body mass index?

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/255712.php?sr=&utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Medical_News_Today_TrendMD_1

You're been too hard on yourself. You're in pain, and you're giving yourself an undeserved beating.

You may very well be addicted to food, but you could also be in mourning. I miss not being able to enjoy food. I can't eat enough of anything to feel as though I'm eating a worthwhile portion. Plus, nothing smells or tastes the same. I feel as though I'm missing out on something that brought me a good measure of pleasure.

I've lost weight with very little effort. True, I'm still not getting the Protein or Fluid intake required. For the first time in weeks, I'm probably consuming more than 250 calories. I'm pretty sure I've doubled my caloric intake, and I try to make sure that those calories are mainly protein.

I'm not prepared to swear off all junk food. Fortunately, I don't have a sweet tooth, but I do like plain potato chips. I think it's the salt I'm mainly interested in. I don't think it's terrible to have a few chips on occasion. I actually don't "want" more than a few either.

I go through periods of self-hate, too. You're not alone, E.S. If you'd like to talk privately, I'd be happy to talk to you. I'm sure several other people here would be happy to talk to you as well. Let us support you. Let others in and give you some comfort. You are a worthwhile person. I'm glad you posted your feelings. That's a healthy step in the right direction. (Keeping negative feelings to yourself is not healthy.)

OMG. You're as cute as cute can be.

I wish you'd post a photo. Cover your face, is you wish. My hair is thinner, and I've noticed almost a "combover thing" going on, but it's still workable. You're about two months out longer than I am.

1 hour ago, Separ1418 said:

No, he was definitely kidding

Well, now I feel foolish. Sorry for subjecting you to my silly admonition about changing your mind while on the way to the OR. I just didn't want to take the chance that your doctor's words might be horribly, horribly true!

@Separ1418 I'm hoping that your surgeon was mostly kidding about allowing you to change your mind up until being wheeled into the operating room. I wouldn't trust myself to be in the same frame of mind once I'm in that high-anxiety environment of a hospital on the day of my surgery. Besides, you may or may not have been given something to relax you, which may affect your judgment. Arrive the day of your surgery knowing what you want and what you'll wake up having had done. This is too important a decision to leave up to a last-minute change. Yes, it sounds like it's a powerful option being able to swap out one procedure for another while taking a wild, breezy ride in neon footies to the OR, but don't do it. Make up your mind beforehand and stick to it. It's that sticktoitiveness that will get you through the days and weeks ahead post-operatively.

Try to maintain a positive outlook. It's normal to feel down, to second-guess yourself, and to think that you (or your surgeon) made a big mistake. You are healing not only physically but mentally. It takes a while to adjust to your new self. Give yourself permission to express some sadness (after all, we gave up a very comforting lifestyle) and for that, we may need to mourn. Alternatively, we are also embarking on a journey... which can be exciting and scary.

I'm still scared at times. Superheroes are fictional. As real human beings, we do the best we can.

Avoid statements like "Some say..." or anything that has to do with what other people think or do. They are not you. You are you! I know that sounds corny, but when you are able to tune out other people (who may mean well), you will be happier.

Again, try to be positive. Respect your own decisions, and try not to be overly influenced by what others think or do.

My surgeon recommended the bypass for me, even though I went in thinking that I was the ideal sleeve candidate. I am confident EVERY DAY that I made the correct decision to go with the bypass. Vitamins aren't a big inconvenience or hardship. Once I understood my deficiency-risks and found the correct forms (ie. calcium citrate instead of Calcium carbonate and the best form of Iron, sublingual B12) and dosed my supplements according to "semi-established" guidelines, I felt assured that I made the best choice for myself. My goal is to lose weight and maintain that weight loss while also living in a healthy body. A gastric bypass seemed to fit that goal.

No one can make your decision for you. You live in your body. Hopefully, you understand what limitations you can handle. An informed decision is ultimately going to steer you in the right direction. Don't skimp on researching your options, and go with your gut instinct. Don't be swayed by what other people have done or plan to do. Typically, people want to convince you to go with what THEY would do or with the procedure they have done, which, in a sense, is validating their own choice. I'm no different. I'd probably try to sell you on a bypass. Don't be fooled by me or anyone else. Have faith in your own decision and feel terrific about your choice!

9 hours ago, ShimmyShade said:

I have had so many experiences with these diet preachers, but they're not as annoying as the "Why don't you just love the way you are" preachers. Loving myself doesn't prevent diabetes and heart disease.

You nailed it with this comment. I like the way you think.

Has anyone noticed that people who preach ad nauseam about this or that, rarely accept the same manner of preaching directed at them? They're good at dishing out one-size-fits-all advice but are often prone to react with hostility if their methods are challenged. Hard-core diet preachers can ruin a good day fast... if you let them. And that's the key. Don't let them get to you. You will be tested by people who want to bring you down; resist. You will be belittled by people with questionable agendas; don't let them get to you. Stay away from negative people. And if you can't stay away from them, figure out a way to tune them out. Be strong. And if you're a woman, be twice as strong. Girl power!

@AshAsh1 Your words continue to be inspiring. Your progress is jaw-dropping. There's an unmistakable glow about you. For someone so young, you have a lot of wisdom. I'm proud of you. And so very, very happy for you. You deserve all that is good and wonderful.