Rocketman

Figured I’d check in. Started at 255 in Feb, Down to 169 this morning. I pretty much can eat anything these days. Life is good, had this surgery to fix GERD, and i have no more issues with GERD. The weight loss has been a solid positive side effect. I am very fortunate that I dont have any skin sagging issues. I guess being 37 helps with that. I’m wearing size med/small shirts and size 32 jeans/shorts. I’ve been fluctuating at this weight for a month, seems stable, and don't really watch what i eat, and am obviously limited on how much i can eat. Life is good, this surgery was life changing, and all my labs are way down in the good ways.

Been a while since I updated, and today was a milestone day for me. I weighed in at 199 today. 56 lbs down in 9 weeks. I’m averaging about 3-4 lbs a weeks still. A lot of that is diet and exercise, a couple weeks back I moved out of the “slowly working my muscles to prevent injury” to “ higher intensity super sets of multiple muscle groups” this type of weight training is what I enjoy the most and was what I was doing until I had significant life/career changes. It’s interesting that when you have substantial positive changes in one area of your life, things that were important change (like my fitness level) which leaves you exposed to more unhappiness. Through al this I’ve learned a valuable lesson, and I can sum it up by the below quote: “Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive.” -Andy Grove As you all strive to succeed in your wls endeavors, don’t allow the satisfaction you are gaining replace the satisfaction that you have in other areas of your life, only add to it. Finally, if the results you are having with wls are allowing for other greater opportunities for happiness/success in your life, don’t forget what you have had to do to get you to this point. I made that mistake, I’ve learned and now I will stay paranoid.

Hey was just checking In to see if you have been feeling better.

I’ve lived with gerd for nearly 20 years, I’m 36 now... this, in my case, is not gerd. this is a pain that I’ve never experienced before. It’s very similar to the dull pain that happens when the pouch is full, except it’s consistent even when I don’t eat. It’s not an unbearable pain, i is definitely not incapacitating, it only prevents me from having any true appetite, and sort of makes me feel bloated. I’m no doctor, but seems the most common complication of gastric bypass is ulceration sat either the stapled area, or where the small intestine is connected to the pouch. I’m sure the dr will most likely take precautions and have me go back on Zegerid daily, ( Zegerid is the best btw). It’s OTC now, I recommend you try it, basically it’s Prilosec with sodium bicarbonate ( baking soda). The sodium bicarbonate neutralizes any acid present immediately, and the prilosec does what it normally does, and prevents the acid from coming back. If you take that, and your pain goes away, most likely you’ve got an ulcer. but.... from everything I’ve researched, tests need to be done to diagnose and treat these ulcers correctly, so go see your surgeon as soon as you can, and explain it to them. Don’t take my word as gospel.

Seems like I’ve got some minor ulcer symptoms. The last couple weeks I’ve felt a dull ache under my sternum intermittently. It would get worse on days when I didn’t eat regularly. I decided to take my Zegerid to see if that helped... sure enough no pain nearly immediate relief. Logical explication is some ulceration being irritated by the minimal amount of stomach acid in the pouch, which is exasperated if I don’t eat. I was initially worried it could be gall stones.... anyways I’ve got a follow up with the surgeon Monday, and will run it all by him to make sure no additional precautions are necessary. Figured I’d fill you guys in.... I feel great, gym time has been amazing, and couldn’t b happier.

I didn't see much of anyone. I was ready to leave, and exhausted while there. I have a second follow up Monday. I like the staff, and the Surgeon a lot so didn’t mind the 30 min drive to get there. I’m happy with my choice for sure.

How interesting, we had surgery the same day, and we are treated by the same office. Dr. Domkowski was my surgeon though. He’s pretty incredible.

I was 35 BMI day of surgery. I believe lifting definitely is helping. I eat eggs and bacon every morning directly after the gym. I have never had an issue losing weight and getting fit when I decide to put the effort in. This surgery, for me, was to prevent esophageal cancer and allow me to finally get off the GERD meds. The hiatal hernia I had caused the worst GERD symptoms and it took a heavy role on my sleep schedule. Now I get 8 hours a night, have no reflux, and my energy levels are through the roof. No matter what, exercise/activity is always the key to being healthy and Diet is the the lock you put that key Into.

Hi folks been a while. i figured I’d check in let you know what I’ve been up to and tell my story. Start with Stats: 5’9” surgery date Feb 20th surgery weight 255 today’s weight: 208 47lbs gone forever. Activity levels. I’ve been hitting the gym lifting weights for 20-30 min a day every morning. Now, you guys aren’t going to like this part. After 3 weeks liquid diet I went straight to high fat low carb Keto diet eating solids meats. Mainly grilled chicken, steak, sausage etc. I emphasize high fat low carb. I average max 50 carbs a day from any source, period. That includes sugars and veggies. I have coffee with half and half every morning. I eat protein via meats, nuts, and supplements primarily. Daily calorie intake is 600-800. I weigh myself daily, and log the weight to track it religiously. I expect to have lost 50 lbs prior to my appointment with the surgeon next Monday. I don’t have so much of a goal weight, but goal measurements. The below pics are me 7 years ago prior to changing jobs and becoming more sedentary. I weighed 200ish lbs back then. I don’t have that level of muscle anymore, but the goal is to get back to being as fit as that, but much smaller. There is no way I’ll ever be able to eat the calories required to be that big again. Point of all this is to say, everyone’s journey in this started and will end in different places. Make the beSt of the choice you made, and know that there is always a way, when you have the will to make the change. Stay positive, stay healthy, and make smart choices. RocketMan

I’m on vyvance 60mg, in the morning and added all 20mg in the evening. Neither seem to be doing anything now.... that’s pretty much the only struggle I’m having with al this.

I went to my follow up on March 4th and everything was fine. I’ve lost 38lbs so far, and down to 217. Back to weight lifting the last couple of weeks which has been nice as well.

I had been on zegrid for years. I haven’t taken it once since the surgery. It is glorious!

Hello all. My route to gastric bypass is a bit unique I think. In December I called and scheduled an appointment with a surgeon because my hiatal hernia/GERD was not really responding to medication any longer and I tore a rib muscle coughing and choking after aspiration of acid while sleeping. I had officially had enough. I’m 36 years old, and have Barrett’s. I’m a pretty active guy, I play flag football and softball on work leagues and am out and about walking with the wife on the beach and in the neighborhood quite often. We only live a couple blocks from the beach. I am however at 35 BMI. Upon the first consultation with the surgeon on Jan 7th he recomended gastric bypass as the gold standard to cure GERD. My surgery was on Feb 20th. 44 days from initial consultation to in recovery. I had no pre op diet orders other than no food after midnight day of surgery which was at 7am. As of today, I’m 8 days post op and most importantly I have not had reflux once.... that is such a heavenly feeling. Also, I have dropped from 255lbs on day of surgery to 231 as of this morning. It is shocking to me that I’ve nearly dropped 25lbs in 8 days. My surgeon expects me to lose about 70lbs. I didn’t really look into forums to see other people’s thoughts on this surgery, and didn’t know what to expect regarding weight loss. I read countless research papers regarding gastric bypass and GERD, and studied up on what kind of foods I should have ready for meals after surgery. I’m glad to have found this site, as it provides a lot of helpful information and hope all other have results that are positive and all they are expecting.