Prestonandme

In another thread, a poster wrote that this metabolic reset only lasts about a year and then our metabolism returns to what it was prior to surgery. (Creepy thought). Is this true or a myth? Any literature where I might read something about it either way?

I developed pimples on my back and shoulders awhile after post-surgery. My dermatologist looked at them and said they were nothing to worry about. They went away within about two months and never returned.

Since the topic of WLS, alcohol, and France was brought up, I looked through about ten French articles about the subject. In France, TEN TIMES more people (per capita) undergo WLS than in the U.S., most likely due to the fact that WLS is covered by their Securite Sociale. Only one article mentioned when patients could resume drinking alcohol. It mentioned between three and six months. But the French articles about weight loss surgery were much more precautious about the effects of alcohol post-surgery. Every single one warned that alcohol was much differently and more quickly absorbed after WLS. Here's one example: l’alcoolémie augmente plus vite, plus haut et descend moins vite après l’ingestion de la boisson. Du fait de la dérivation intestinale et de la petite poche gastrique, l’absorption de l’alcool après by-pass est beaucoup plus rapide : avec un verre de vin le seuil légal d’alcoolémie (0,5 g/L) est atteint au bout de quelques minutes (alors que ce n’était pas le cas avant la chirurgie). Translation: The blood alcohol level rises faster, higher and goes down more slowly after ingestion of the drink. Due to the intestinal bypass and the small gastric pouch, the absorption of alcohol after bypass is much more fast : with a glass of wine the legal blood alcohol threshold (0.5 g / L) is reached after a few minutes (whereas this was not the case before surgery).

Strangely, my surgeon's written rule for alcohol was wait one year, especially after his only fatality was a patient who binge-drank and died of alcohol poisoning. But when I went for my six month checkup, my surgeon had said "If you want to have an occasional glass of wine, it's okay." Nonetheless, I haven't touched alcohol. For me, it would be a slippery slope.

Has anyone else had increased dental problems post-surgery? I had heard several times that for a number of reasons, WLS patients experience more tooth decay and dental problems than the general population. Two days ago (eight months post-surgery), one of my molars cracked in half. I need an implant now. Rarely at night, I experience dry mouth. I shouldn't have a calcium deficiency because I am conscientious about taking my vitamins.

Another possible reason for post-WLS surgery dental decay is that the composition of saliva changes so that there are less good bacteria that protect the teeth. This is what happens as we age and is often why older people start losing their teeth. (This is from a dentist's posting at Quora).

I brush and floss regularly too. In fact, just three weeks ago, before I lost the molar, I had had a complete dental checkup and was told I was fine.

I've lost 80 lbs. and am eight months out. I've had to pay about $200 for jeans and sweatpants ranging in size from 42 waist at surgery to 34 waist now, since surgery. I've kept all of my larger tops and just wear them baggy. I know I could go to thrift shops and get more form fitting outfits, but it's an expense I don't need to make. I only got the jeans and sweatpants because the bigger sizes were falling down below my underwear, even with a belt. I'm older though -- 60 -- and so I'm not so focused on my looks.

I would like to block the post/poster above yours with the political content. How do I do this?

I'm 60 and my 83 year old mother has been absolutely horrible with me about how she perceives me post-surgery. She says I now have a wrinkled face (she spends a fortune on special facial treatments and creams so she gets constant comments about how great she looks) and if I don't "do something about my skin" I will really regret it. My face *is* more wrinkled as is my neck but I just intend to accept the aging process. I don't have the expendable funds to do all sorts of dermatological calisthenics that she does. I'll use a cream and hope people just accept me for who I am. When I was obese, I looked much younger than my age. Now I guess it has caught up with me.

They used several codes in order to cover all the bases. The original codes were declined because they were considered "not medically necessary" and "not a requisite lab test." So the surgeon's nurse added several codes that showed that my labs and tests were medically required by the surgeon in order to provide me with proper treatment.

I ran into this problem twice -- pre-surgery, the surgeon didn't code my labs and tests correctly and I was billed for nearly $1000. He re-coded the labs and tests and my insurance covered it all. Then at six months post, the same thing happened again with my labs. On the day I took them, I called my surgeon's nurse and asked her to add codes to the labs to be sure they're covered by insurance because of what happened last time. She added codes and once again my insurance covered them.

I am five months post-op and have chronic sinusitis. I asked my surgeon if I could take Flonase (an inhaled corticosteroid) and he said I could. I was very concerned about potential weight gain but he simply told me to take the Flonase. Has anyone else post-surgery used inhaled or topical corticosteroids? If so, did you have any weight gain or other side effects?

For about four months after surgery, the ear popping happened either when I was working out or driving to a lower elevation into town. My ears would stay clogged for a long time and then finally clear up suddenly. But this seemed to have stopped altogether two months ago.

I'm six months post-surgery and have been doing resistance training using my gym's weight machines for several months. However, I haven't made any progress -- I've been stuck at the same reps and weight resistance on all the machines for months. I've tried to up the weights by small amounts but haven't been strong enough to utilize them. I fatigue at the same number of reps, too. Yesterday my nutritionist advised me to increase my carbs because I'm on a very low car diet. She said I need to do this so my muscles can get stronger. This terrifies me because I don't want to stall or, worse, gain back weight. I'm older (60) so maybe that is part of the cause. But if anyone else has had similar problems -- or knows of a possible solution -- I'd love to hear about it.

I had mild sleep apnea pre-surgery and was told I didn't need CPAP. I had a sleep test done last month and my sleep apnea remains unchanged. The neurologist suggested I get a dental device (like the other poster mentioned) to keep my lower jaw from sliding towards my tongue, but I was quoted an exorbitant fee (around $3000 -- even my copay would be high) so for now I am opting to put that off.

Do you crush your meds together or do you take them one at a time? Be sure to take each crushed pill separately and rinse each down with a chaser of your choice. I use grape-flavored Powerade Zero Sugar sports drink. I haven't had any problems with bitterness while drinking it.

My hair changed color after surgery. I used to have very auburn hair, but as I got older it slowly turned more brown and dull. After the surgery it grew back auburn again. An unexpected bonus!

I've had sushi (two orders each time) three times by now, starting at my fourth month out. I've had no trouble eating the rice, but because of that, I have to be careful. Some of the Japanese restaurants here don't offer sashimi, but only chirashi, which is raw fish over rice. You can just eat the raw fish (there's plenty of it) and leave the rice.

I was told the same thing but mine stayed tight on until four weeks post-surgery, when it mostly flaked off and then the rest easily stripped off.

I took a cab and stayed overnight at a hotel across the street from the hospital because my surgery was going to be at 6am. My surgery went much better than expected (no pain or nausea at all post-surgery) and when I was released, I was met by an LVN who signed me out and then visited twice over the next 48 hours to make sure I was okay. As for belongings, yes, the hospital staff transported my backpack and clothing bag to my recovery room.

I drove the day after surgery. I was not on painkillers and felt awake and energized. I was one of the fortunate ones who awakened after surgery without any pain. My only weakness was walking. I tried to move around as much as possible post-surgery but my muscles felt weak for about five days.

I was a Type 2 diabetic who couldn't stop eating sugar. I ate donuts and junk food every day, knowing full well my blood sugar count was climbing, even with medication. I chose RNY because I *had* to give up sugar unless I wanted to risk dumping, which has been described as a near-death experience. Now I can look at sugary products and maybe feel a little urge to taste them again, but I now have the willpower to not do so.

I'm concerned for you. Our first six months post-surgery weight loss is due partly from the help of the surgery and partly due to our own adherence to our dietitians' plans. If you are just nearly five months out, and have already started snacking and stress eating and almost stopped losing weight, you are not getting to enjoy the weight loss benefits of the surgery or from your own good habits. Speak to your dietitian and be honest. S/he can help you come up with ways to return to good eating habits and to find substitutes like sugar-free popsicles to satisfy cravings. If you do this, you will find that the pounds start slowly coming off again. Best of luck to you!

When I've had trouble tolerating water due to nausea, I've eaten sugar-free popsicles, which provide fluids -- not a lot, but still better than foregoing.