Recidivist

I just want to say that it's not necessarily what you can offer us, but what we can offer you. I'm nearly a year out and have found this forum to be a tremendous source of support, information and inspiration when I needed it most.

I don't mean to alarm you, but I had a leak after my surgery and did experience the left shoulder pain you are talking about. (I was still in the hospital when they found the leak.) The good news is that the leak was fixed quickly and easily and I did very well after that.

That was from the big ferris wheel in Melbourne (Australia), where we were attending the Australian Open!

I do wish I had been prepared for the saggy skin, particularly on my neck (which can't really be disguised). The other big thing for which I was not prepared was the how much of my social life revolved around eating and drinking. It is still awkward to go out to dinner with people and only order an appetizer, with people constantly urging, "Oh, come on--one piece of cheesecake isn't going to make a difference--you are so thin!" I've also given up alcohol completely, and since we can't do carbonated beverages, that basically leaves tap water as my drink of choice when everyone else is having wine or champagne. I don't mind, but I get tired of telling people I really don't want anything else, particularly when they don't know I've had the surgery.

I was 59 when I had bypass surgery. Prior that I had moderate to severe pain in my right knee, particularly when walking up stairs. After losing 110 pounds it has essentially disappeared.

Sorry to disagree with Fatboyslim, but I don't think your issue is going to resolved by trying different types of food. I would recommend that you talk to a psychologist, since you seem to recognize that this has more to do with where your head is and your relationship with food in general.

I wanted to note that my surgeon and nutritionist said it's fine to drink water right up until eating,, but definitely not for at least 30 minutes after.

Hi, all. I haven't posted in the maintenance thread for a while and just wanted to check in. I'm coming up on a year since surgery and am very pleased with where things stand. I've been holding steady at 140 for nearly two months, after reaching a low of 132 (which was frankly a bit too thin). One thing I notice is that I don't really enjoy eating any more. I'm almost never hungry, and my main concern remains getting enough protein and calories. I suppose that's a good thing. The one exception is fresh fruit, which I find I really enjoy now. I'm posting two photos as I approach one year--the first as I was recovering from surgery (not very flattering), and the second just two days ago. Quite a difference, no?

Now that's exciting! And how wonderful that you will be able to buy a knockout dress to show off your new bod. We will of course expect photos from the event!

This surgery is not about being thin--it's about being healthy (although thin is a really nice side effect). It sounds like you definitely have health issues that would be improved or eliminated through surgery. My question is whether your insurance would cover the surgery with a lower BMI. If that's not an issue for you, then go for it!

Just wanted to share a photo taken hours ago from the giant ferris wheel in Melbourne, Australia (where we are spending the weekend at the Australian Open). Not a great photo, but it shows where I am physically.

I also gained almost ten pounds from my lowest weight, which was 18 pounds less than my original goal weight. As I've detailed elsewhere here, I actually found it difficult to stop losing weight when I entered maintenance. I thought I looked a bit emaciated at my lowest weight (132) and feel good after gaining eight pounds since then.

I see several of you mentioned B12, which my doctor did not recommend. I only take a multi-vitamin, calcium and Vitamin D. What is the B12 for?

Sorry--what is "BV?"

You could drink more water and see whether your condition improves. As Lesley noted, the color of your pee is a strong indicator, although I have noticed that there is a lag time between my getting enough water and a change in color. 🙂

I alternated between severe constipation and diarrhea in the weeks after surgery. I thought things would never return to some semblance of normal.

I love protein bars for breakfast, but I didn't start eating them until I was at least six months after surgery. As Kristie mentioned, they are too high in calories early in the process.

I think that's a question for your surgeon and/or nutritionist.

I honestly can't see how smoking marijuana would make any difference--unless you succumb to the munchies!

I have used Bariatric Advantage chewy bites for the last nine months or so: https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/multivitamins/products/bariatric-advantage-multivitamin-chewy-bites-available-in-4-flavors I have only tried strawberry/watermelon and really like them. I had originally used tablets but couldn't take them after surgery. They had to be ground to a powder, and taking them that way was completely disgusting no matter how I tried to disguise the taste. I then tried to chewable tablets and found them disgusting as well (particularly the smell). The chewy bites have worked well for me. (I also take the calcium chewy bites.) As for protein shakes, I'm also a big fan of Premier Protein, especially the caramel flavor. I love to put it in coffee, but I also drink it straight. I did not find it too sweet after surgery.

I turned 60 two months after having surgery. Six months before surgery, my primary care physician told me I was looking at a major cardiac event within the next ten years that I might not survive. That was the turning point that made me decide to have the surgery It was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I feel wonderful. My doctor says I've probably added 10-15 years to my life expectancy. I just wish I had done it 30 years earlier!

Sorry, I meant to say that my surgery was postponed until March 3!

My sister and a close friend (both quite obese) had extremely negative reactions to my decision to have surgery, and both relationships have become strained as a result. Both mentioned people who had the surgery and gained it all back. My interpretation is that they were extremely threatened by my taking this positive step and wanted to justify not having it themselves. But that's speculation on my part.

No, I haven't. However, my surgeon says that it's next to impossible to "stretch" the pouch. She says that's an urban legend perpetuated by non-doctors on the internet. I'd be interested to hear how they actually do that--please keep us posted.

As you may recall, I'm an "honorary" February member. My surgery was originally scheduled for February 25 but was postponed at the last minute until February 3. By then, I had already bonded with all of you! As for how I'm doing--better than I ever could have imagined a year ago! When I entered maintenance, I was18 pounds below my original goal weight, and I have now settled at 10 pounds below it. I'm also eating much more "normally" than I ever thought possible, although I now crave healthy foods. In short, this surgery is one of the best decisions I've ever made!