TisTrue

@STLoser, I honestly don't even take as many vitamins as recommended, nor do I eat as much protein as recommended. I have done so much research and have learned so much after having this surgery, I was told that I would never really be able to eat many veggies, that was bull, I eat more veggies than anything and I suppose that might be the reason that I can get away with taking a bariatric vitamin every other day as opposed to 3 every single day. My labs/blood work always comes back as normal. My only issue is that I am anemic so I do have to,take more iron than most people do. It wasn't the surgery though, I have always been anemic off and on for as long as I can remember. By the way, I am not promoting not following doctors orders, especially since every doctor has different instructions for their clients. I have learned that there really needs to be more research about these types of surgeries. I know that the moto is protein first, but I have learned that animal protein is horrible for humans to consume from a health perspective and it is not necessary. So many veggies, beans, pasta made out of beans and legumes have so much protein. I do have to say that my taste buds and tolerance of certain foods changes continuously. Many food choices are trial and error. Even the vitamins, for me I would say, has been trial and error. I am glad to find others that have had the surgery, it seems to be rare. I opted for this surgery because it gives a person a better chance at sustaining ones weight-loss. What made you go for this particular surgery?

Hello @Minxpetite & @STLoser, it is great that you all had the courage and the ability to care for yourself enough to go through such a serious surgery! I had the same surgery, I think? I'm not great with the short version of the surgery's name. I had the duodenal loop switch, whatever the order is, I think that is the SADI or sipps or something... it was done a bit more than a year ago. I am always amazed at everyone's experience, for instance, I had the surgery and was sent home the very next day, no drains. Sounds odd, I know! My taste buds changed as well, it was very bizarre. I have no regrets! Keep following your plan and happy weight-loss to both of you!🙂

@kossde, I have noticed the same issue. I only recently, during this horrid COVID-19 pandemic, realized that my monthly cycle is a surprisingly huge impact on the numbers of the scale. For my sanity, I no longer weigh myself as often as I did before. Honestly, I rarely even look at myself in the mirror. If it wasn't for all of this loose skin....aiyiyiiiii. smh🙄

@catwoman7 I don't think that it necessarily gives the wrong impression. If someone is not willing to do the research and figure out options that is bad on them. I'll admit, I did a lot of research before getting WLS and even after having it done, until I joined this WL site, getting more insight from those that have been through it thereby being able to do more research on what people have said, I realized that there is just so much that we don't know. I mean, even the Dr.'s that perform these surgeries really don't know all that they probably should. As for people that are above 300 lbs, when I went to meetings before I had the surgery there were a ton of people in my community that were over 300lbs. Honestly the first orientation that I went to had people that were so morbidly obese that I really thought to myself and was very afraid that I would not be approved for the WLS. At the time I was definitely morbidly obese, but was "small" compared to many of the other people that were at that first meeting. Reading a variety of discussions on this site has had me come to the conclusion that no one at all has all of the answers when it comes to these types of surgeries. As far as "weird issues" goes and facing mental health issues, if it has not already happened it is being taken into serious consideration to classify being obese as a mental illness. What is normal anyways? Hhmmm wrong impressions? Most of us are or were overweight because of our horrible eating habits and I would even argue that if we had a camera following us around all day for days on end along with editing the video to put all of our eating together to possibly make it have that "wow/whoa" factor for ratings, we probably would not be too far off on how those on the show look. Just sayin. Editing is amazing and ridiculous all at the same time! Yes, I agree that showing people half dressed, on the toilet, in the shower is a bit much, but that is what they signed up for. Side note- this is also what I absolutely hated about the show "the Biggest Looser". That is a whole other story (smh). We have to research more and realize TV needs ratings. There might be truth, but also a lot of bull crap along with it and we are all individuals with different experiences including the Dr.'s and nurses that treat us. They too have different outlooks on the do's and the don'ts and their own personal agendas at times. I am grateful for the surgery and for this site that has connected me with so many different people with a vast amount of re-searchable information!

Man, I used to be somewhat addicted to that show. Very sad, and should be an eye opener for all , struggling with WL or not! As for do I think it is real. Yes I do think that it is real. I almost scheduled my surgery with Dr. Now but decided against it, then did more research and 2 years later had the surgery done free of charge through my insurance near my own hometown thank God! He is a bit harsh and I hope that his harshness is only for tv purposes. I also wonder, does he not require each client to do nutrition classes or have a psych eval? I mean, I only hear him require this after he has been very harsh, has made accusations, and has turned someone away due to their 'dishonesty" and/or unready/unwillingness. So the 15 pounds a month- that really depends on how much weight that a person still has left to loose for the height they are, age, etc. It also depends on which surgery they got. So a person might be 4 months away from the date of their surgery but if they are still more than 100 pounds overweight, depending on their height 5, 10, or even 15 lbs per month (again depends on the WLS that they chose), is probably not too much to ask. I will say that this was something that bothered me about Dr. Now, I feel like he had the same expectations for which client which is garbage. Some Dr.'s give goals before they will perform the WLS on anyone, others don't. I was very hesitant because of this and I don't think I would have been able to get the surgery so quickly if there was a special WL goal beforehand. I did inquire about this and the way my Dr.'s looked at it was they could give a goal but many people have a food issue and having to meet some goal is only prolonging a persons journey to health. So, yeah, "My 600-lb life" is probably fact and no I did not have a WL goal before surgery, although I had one after surgery (I was told that I was loosing too fast, in my research I am loosing at a normal rate for the WL, duodenal switch loop, that I had and I personally think as long as I am healthy and losing weight (not under or over), it is all good. Side note- I can't stand to watch that show anymore. It seems different than when it first started and I don't like that the journey isn't fully followed or explored the way that it seemed like it was back in the day. I think that there are also different versions with different names as well, which can be why it seems so different. I have always had many motivations for WL, and that show was a big part of it!

Hi, @NovaLuna, Sorry that you are having a bathroom issue. I know that its not fun or easy. I have the Loop done too, almost 1 year ago. I never had bathroom issues all that much until I started taking iron for the anemia that showed up a few weeks ago. I have always taken only 1 bariatric multivitamin for the past 7 months or so. I say this because for me I really think that the extra iron has been an issue. The only reason I went with one bariatric multi is because I didn't want to take anything more than what was necessary and all of my labs are great so, yea, take what is necessary based on Dr. and your blood work. Try lessening whatever has iron, especially if this was DR. orders, also how much protein are you getting? It could be a combination of too much protein, too much iron, and not enough natural/healthy fiber like veggies/fruit. Personally I had a diarrhea issue in the very beginning. then everything seemed normal until the added iron a few weeks ago. I was told that iron can cause constipation and that any WLS in general, constipation can be a side effect. It is all about trying what works for your body. Good luck!

Hello @Sabs211, Be careful with the cooking spray, as it is still oil. Honestly you might be getting even more fat/oil with the spray vs allowing your pan to heat up and swabbing the pan with a stick of butter (only so you can visibly see a glisten not enough to actually see the butter bubble up, hope that makes sense) better yet use a non-stick pan or cook with a tablespoon or so of water no spray, no butter, just a bit of water. Do you have cheese at any other time with other meals? You are not too far from the date of your surgery, there are certain things that might take a longer time before it can get introduced back into your diet. I did have this problem and I just gave my body more time once I realized that it still could not handle certain things. It has been almost a year for me and there are times that certain foods are not an issue and then they are again. It is really trial, error, elimination, time, trial again, when it comes to any type of food after WLS. But do research cooking sprays and their misconceptions, check the nutrition label, no sprays for 1/4th of a second or whatever its recommendation is. Good luck!🙂

This is interesting, so many people have so many differences in what each surgeon and/or what their insurance requires before they get surgery even what plan they follow after, to drink alcohol or to not, how often to have follow ups or not at all, how much weight one should be losing and at what rate. I feel that some of my complaints are not valid after seeing what so many other people have to say about certain things. Sorry, perhaps that was my rant for the day. It really is all very interesting though. I did not have to have a drug test only a test to ensure that I am not an alcoholic. But have you spoken to your doctors about the edible and if 6 weeks is long enough or even needed. I ask this because I had a conversation about alcohol and I was told that it is better to not have any in my system at all so after 2 weeks of no alcohol I was able to take the test but it was for insurance purposes and not really at the doctors request so, yea. I hope you are able to get your surgery and that everything works out for you. Keep us posted!

@VooLivre2017 Hi, It is okay too feel bad and/or afraid. Give yourself that time, but please do something that brings you some pleasure, happiness, or peace. Try not to stay in the space that you are in for too long. Feel bad for a bit, yes, but come up with a doable livable plan that you can feel good about in the process. What is a food that you can't see yourself not eating anymore? Have a small portion of this once a week unless you can't handle it then stay away from it. Are you okay with veggies now- if so have them in a way that taste great, experiment (most of us are trapped in doors at the moment so this is a great time to experiment with how to perfectly mix veggies and low fat protein on a way that hopefully your moth will crave or at least learn to tolerate. I don't think one protein drink a day is a bad idea for a few weeks for which ever meal you choose, breakfast is usually the easiest and you can have fruit or veggies in between breakfast and lunch. Have you ever tried Quinoa? If you add the right spices and even some veggies like onions garlic & sweet peppers to it....OMGoodness! -its bomb, yummy, fantastic I add other soft veggies like zucchini, mushrooms and green beans too, helps getting protein & healthy carbs such as veggies eat this with 1 piece of baked chicken and Yum! I am just saying, I am not sure what you are eating now and we all have our days, none of us are perfect, but try different things that are going to be realistic for you in the long run, stay hydrated, and try not to let yourself get hungry. Low fat protein, Veggies/Fruit -all being what taste good to you. Before WLS I would lose and gain, lose and gain often. I felt almost the same way, "what will work, or afraid, it wont work". The truth is like you said a mental block is just that, so just start doing what you know in the back of your mind will work. Fear or no fear, give it time because you might find that you are doing all the right things but the scale doesn't budge but it will eventually. To keep yourself honest with yourself, keep track/journal everything that goes in your mouth, including nibbles of whatever and liquids. Good luck and hang in there. Everyday is a new beginning! You got this! 😉

Congratulations @Lilnorms!! Keep up all the heard work. No starvation mode though, but good call on shakes. : ) Which surgery did you get?

LOL, I only realized that I needed a new bra size after this crazy COVID-19 pandemic. Don't get me wrong I wen down more than one bra size, but I truly thought that I was done once I hit 40 D. Several weeks ago, Walmart employees thought I was nutz asking if they still carried 18 hour bras. I couldn't find them... until 30 minutes or so later, I did and they did not have whatever size I probably am now. I was able to find a 38 C which is a little too big, but whats a girl to do. I can't stand not wearing a bra, I hate how it feels. As the character Karen Walker, from Will and Grace might say with her fists balled up to the sky, "Oh, the boobyness of it all" or "Oh, the my boobs look like I am a crappy ironer of it all"! I dunno, for anyone that watches Will and Grace what might their character's say? They are all hilarious to me, but I think that Jack and Karen might be my favorite! LOL, man the fact that I can still laugh with a 5 year old child, 12 year old child, a dog, a cat is home all while I am a full time student and I have to work from home at the moment. OMGoodness, they argue and eat so much. Yikes! Especially being in these crazy, unknown times...Laugter, Please, give me more laughter!

Hi rachedo. NovaLuna is right. I was 250 something at my heaviest and I am only 4ft 11. The first time I got to close to the weight that I am now was many years ago after 1st baby and I did not have loose skin. This time around with this rapid weight-loss I have a ton of loose skin. I will say I have been told by weight watchers (in the past) and by my nutritionist that you will lessen the chances of loose skin with a slower rate of weight-loss and with a higher mass of muscle. But there are no guarantees, you don't know until you know, meaning until you personally go through weight-loss yourself.

Hi Riva_G, thank you for sharing. You are losing weight and that is great but just keep in mind the reason that you decided to have the surgery which in your words was to become healthy, not lose weight. What do you think will or can motivate you? A person that is at a 'healthy' weight is not necessarily a healthy person. Same risks come with not having a mostly clean way of eating, heart attack, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, higher instance of brain issues such as dementia or Alzheimer, death or loss of limbs and quality of life due to all the negative side effects. I am sure that I am missing some stuff but hopefully you see where I am coming from. If you have Amazon Prime they have a ton of documentaries on different food choices, healthy eating, clean eating, and even a few on gastric bypass and following certain people thinking about gastric bypass. I had my surgery last year in June. By no means do I eat perfect daily. I was even told the ridiculousness of most likely not being able to eat veggies or fruit, which to me is absurd and not a healthful tactic. Add a few chopped veggies to your eggs, or some fruit that you are able to tolerate. Start with the softer options, as it might be easier on your tummy. I would start with one fruit or veggie at a time to make sure you know what you are or are not able to tolerate. Did you take a nutrition class before surgery? I would talk to who ever you did the surgery with so they can connect you with a nutritionist/dietitian and hopefully your insurance pays for it. Perhaps pack your own lunch if this is a possibility. I also, by my own choice, do a food journal. This can help you to know which foods to swap out, stick to daily eating times such as breakfast lunch and dinner with no snacking in between, making sure that you are adequately hydrated, and at the least can help you start to make healthier changes such as if you if you know you had a slice of pizza one day to not have it again for another 2 weeks, or something of that nature. Again, all about eating clean most of the time, protein first, and staying hydrated.

Yes, I am still overweight and I am in my range but the way that it has been explained is that I have hit this point too soon and should not be losing weight at this fast of a pace. I journaled on my own after my Dr. told me that I would most likely need revision surgery. All of my blood work, which is done every 3 months, always comes back great. I kept a food journal on my own and I was able to slow it down to a loss of 2-5 pounds per month. I was blessed enough that insurance paid for my surgery.

Thank you for your response, I had not thought of the fact that if I really have to have another surgery it will not be on my tummy. That is great that you know people who has had the surgery so that you can take note of the expected possibilities.