Lydarose

Congratulations! What an accomplishment!

That is great! I passed that milestone a couple of weeks ago myself. What a shock, in a good way, to see my after-visit summary from my primary care doc to say “overweight,” instead of “class 3 morbid obesity.”

Once completed the required "medically supervised weight loss," I had a tentative surgery date set. The info was then submitted to the insurance company and it took about 2 weeks for approval. The tentative date ended up becoming a scheduled date. That was nearly 6 months ago and I am down 61 lbs. Good luck to you on our journey!

Non-scale victory. I’m at the doctor and the REGILAR sized blood pressure cuff was used on me with no question! In the rememberable past, I’ve only had the large or extra large (leg) cuff that would fit around my significant arms. Sometimes, if a larger cuff was not available, my pressure would be measured on my forearm or wrist.

Guess who reached one-der-land today? I did! Highest weight: 371 Weight when I started Bariatric Program (6/4/19): 314 Surgery day (12/16/19) weight: 258.6 Today’s weight: 199.6

I agree that you need more dense protein. By this stage, most of your protein should be coming from food, not shakes. I usually have only 3 meals a day starting with 1-3 ozs of protein and either a small fruit or small potion of veggies. I may occasionally supplement it with a shake or protein bar, if it seems that I didn’t eat enough protein for the day. You may also want to contact your dietician or surgical team for suggestions. That is what they’re there for.

I was told by my bariatric practitioner that UNTOASTED bread an get gummy, ball up in your pouch, and cause trouble. Toasting the bread makes it more crumbly thus making it easier to make it’s journey through the narrow passage. I was allowed 1/2 slice of toast when I transitioned to a general diet, about 7 weeks post-op.

I’m doing well. Started a general diet on Sunday, January 26 (my birthday). I went out for my birthday with my husband for lunch and ordered a grilled chicken avocado . Ate half of the grilled chicken (about 1 1/2 oz) and avocado without bread and 3 small chunks of fresh fruit. It seemed to sit heavy with me the rest of the day and I did not eat again, but did a protein shake for my birthday dinner. I had made a slow cooker pork roast for dinner, but couldn’t eat it. I tried to eat a bit of reheated pork roast for dinner tonight but after about 4 tiny bites and 2 bites of roasted carrots, up it came. It’s probably too soon. I’ve done chicken, fish and eggs without a problem.

I would like to thank everyone for their sincere thoughts and prayers for my surgery Monday, December 16. I woke up from surgery in relatively little pain, the procedures ended up being very routine and uncomplicated. My problems came the day after surgery, when I attempted to take in any liquids. Any liquid going down, would cause my digestive system to go into painful spasms. My surgeon decided to keep me hospitalized for an additional day to see if they could convince by body to tolerate liquids and keep me hydrated with IV fluids. Muscle relaxers were administered to help with the spasms. Additionally, my blood sugar weirdly went up and I was administered 2 doses of insulin. Never before had blood sugar issues and no family history of diabetes. The second day after surgery, Wednesday, I was feeling much better, could sip without pain, and was cleared for discharge. That night, in my own bed, I slept an unheard of, for me, 10 hours.  I have had 4 previous abdominal surgeries, 1 open, 3 laparoscopic and this is, by far, the least painful. I have not needed any of the prescribed narcotic pain relievers sent home with me. Had to go back to the hospital Thursday for a blood test. There is history of DVT blood clots, so I have to be on injectable blood thinners for 3 weeks. The blood test was to check the therapeutic level of the medicine. I spent the first few days at home taking in clear liquids and soon moved on to full liquids. Today is my 4th day on puréed foods, and I’m doing OK. It was a bit difficult, mentally, during the holidays, but I made it through. Tiredness is an issue, but I have to be gentle on myself since I’m still healing. I’ve still not had any real pain except, when I accidentally take too big of a drink or a deep breath, I get a pain in my left shoulder. At my post-op appointment, the surgeon explained that the hiatal hernia repai must have irritated a nerve that runs through the shoulder. It should go away in time. I’ve also been dealing with constipation, but just started with Miralax. I get to go back into the pool for water aerobics on Monday (can’t wait), but was ordered back to the gym to walk, do the treadmill, and recumbent bike on January 1. Weight wise, I am down 16 lbs since surgery, 72 lbs since I started the bariatric program, and 129 lbs from my all-time high weight. I have no regrets. I go back to work Monday, January 6.

Sitting in pre-op awaiting my gastric bypass this morning. Pray and wish me luck!

Hello, post-op friends, who are further along their journey and from whom I hope to glean wisdom from..... here’s my story thus far. On Monday, December 16, I had RNY bypass surgery along with a hiatal hernia repair and removal of a small suspicious abdominal mass. 3 years ago, I had a large abdominal mass that turned out to be a borderline malignancy. My oncologist had been watching this new spot for a little over a year and when I told her that I was going for bariatric surgery, she said that she would come in at the same time and remove it. I woke up from surgery in relatively little pain, the deed being done and the procedures routine. My problems came the day after surgery, when I attempted to take in any liquids. Any liquid going down, would cause my new little pouch and digestive system to go into painful spasms. My surgeon decided to keep me hospitalized for an additional day to see if they could convince by body to tolerate liquids and keep me hydrated with IV fluids. Baclofan was administered to help with the spasms. Additionally, my blood sugar weirdly went up and I was administered 2 doses of insulin. Never before had blood sugar issues and no family history of diabetes. The first day after surgery, I finally tolerated 1 oz of broth, 1 oz of diluted juice, and 1 oz of Water. The second day after surgery, Wednesday, I was feeling much better, could sip without pain, and was cleared for discharge. That night, in my own bed, I slept an unheard of for me 10 hours. Sips of liquids went down with ease, though I could immediately tell if I sipped too much due to an uncomfortable pressure. It seems that herbal mint tea is agreeing well. I also had sugar free Jello, broth, and some clear Protein Drink. I have had 4 previous abdominal surgeries, 1 open, 3 laparoscopic and this is, by far, the least painful. I have not needed any of the prescribed narcotic pain relievers sent home with me. Had to go back to the hospital yesterday for a blood test. There is history of DVT blood clots, so I have to be on injectable blood thinners for 3 weeks. The blood test was to check the therapeutic level of the medicine. So, I don't have to return to work until January 6, so I’m going to enjoy my staycation and holidays.

Well, surgery twins and December friends..... here’s my story thus far. On Monday, December 16, I had RNY bypass surgery along with a hiatal hernia repair and removal of a small suspicious abdominal mass. 3 years ago, I had a large abdominal mass that turned out to be a borderline malignancy. My oncologist had been watching this new spot for a little over a year and when I told her that I was going for bariatric surgery, she said that she would come in at the same time and remove it. I woke up from surgery in relatively little pain, the deed being done and the procedures routine. My problems came the day after surgery, when I attempted to take in any liquids. Any liquid going down, would cause my new little pouch and digestive system to go into painful spasms. My surgeon decided to keep me hospitalized for an additional day to see if they could convince by body to tolerate liquids and keep me hydrated with IV fluids. Baclofan was administered to help with the spasms. Additionally, my blood sugar weirdly went up and I was administered 2 doses of insulin. Never before had blood sugar issues and no family history of diabetes. The first day after surgery, I finally tolerated 1 oz of broth, 1 oz of diluted juice, and 1 oz of water. The second day after surgery, Wednesday, I was feeling much better, could sip without pain, and was cleared for discharge. That night, in my own bed, I slept an unheard of for me 10 hours. Sips of liquids went down with ease, though I could immediately tell if I sipped too much due to an uncomfortable pressure. It seems that herbal mint tea is agreeing well. I also had sugar free jello, broth, and some clear protein drink. I have had 4 previous abdominal surgeries, 1 open, 3 laparoscopic and this is, by far, the least painful. I have not needed any of the prescribed narcotic pain relievers sent home with me. Had to go back to the hospital yesterday for a blood test. There is history of DVT blood clots, so I have to be on injectable blood thinners for 3 weeks. The blood test was to check the therapeutic level of the medicine. So, I don't have to return to work until January 6, so I’m going to enjoy my staycation and holidays.

Monday, December 16 for me with a RNY. I'm on day 13 of the pre surgury liquid diet. Just finished my last day of work for the year. Got all my vitamins and post surgery protein mixes. I'm a bit anxious, which is normal, but looking forward to getting on the other side of this.

I am scheduled to have a Roux en y gastric bypass procedure on December 16th at 7:30am CT. I had originally wanted a gastric sleeve, but the endoscopy that I had showed that due to a condition in my esophageal flap (Hill Grade 4), that would not be possible. Anyway, I am excited and scared. My 3 week liquid liver-shrinking diet starts on Sunday, November 24th.

I was originally scheduled for gastric sleeve surgery, but it got switched to a bypass due to issues found with my endoscope. I'm returning to the dietician next week to get the new plan of eating post-surgery, right before I begin the 3 week pre-op diet on November 24. My knees desperately need replacing and my surgeon said I could start getting my knees replaced 6 months after my bariatric surgery. Yesterday, I was able to get an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in February to evaluate and make a plan. I know you will do great! I have a friend in Florida who had a gastric sleeve last December and is down about 70 lbs. When she was feeling discouraged about the restrictions during the holidays, she reminded herself, "I'm getting a sleeve for Christmans!"

December 16th for me to have RNY in Chicago.

I had my last visit with the bariatric team was October 23. I had completed everything the insurance required, which included 3 month medically supervised weight loss program, dietician visit, 2 psych sessions, 6 weeks group therapy, vascular surgeon evaluation, endoscope, and monthly mandatory bariatric support group. A couple of days later, I was called to set a “hold date” to get on the surgeon’s schedule pending insurance approval. The soonest I could get at the location I wanted was December 16. Approval came last Friday, just over 2 weeks, so date was finalized.

I’m 62 and will be having a gastric bypass procedure on December 16th.