riverwaters

Just thought I'd post about how this process has gone for me over the past "almost" year as today I crossed a big milestone (at least big to me). 198.8 - which when I think about it - I haven't been this weight since 2007 when I was doing weight watchers and had lost 40lbs. I think back over this past year it's still a little surreal. At this time last year, I was finishing up my insurance pre-reqs of meeting with a nutritionist and therapist for 6 months. I had already started to transition my diet to two protein shakes for breakfast and lunch to prep for my pre-surgical diet. I was nervous, scared and not 100% sure that I wanted to go through with bypass but also beginning to realize that I couldn't lose the weight on my own or I would have already. My surgery was at the end of August and the two weeks of fluids before hand was really hard, but honestly - I was really proud of myself for doing it and grinding through what I couldn't imagine doing before. Those two weeks, to me, helped to set me up for what I could expect after surgery. The day of surgery I almost told my husband to drive me back home. It was my first time anywhere since COVID hit and that alone was kind of terrifying to me. I remember being wheeled back to surgery and the anesthesiologist talking to me and asking me if I was excited. My response, "No. I'm terrified." But he gave my hand a squeeze and kept reassuring me that it was going to be ok and the team was great. Once I got in the surgical room it seemed to have the same kind of vibe - the team was more excited for me than I was. I just don't think I could get my head wrapped around this procedure working. That I would lose weight and that my life would change. I think it all still felt very unreal - even as they put me to sleep. Recovery - overall wasn't the most awful thing but it wasn't great. I ended up in the ER a couple days later due to dehydration. What helped me the most was an abdominal binder that they gave me when I left the hospital. I left this on for about three weeks until things stopped feeling like they were shifting or pulling. While the pain wasn't too unbearable, the reality that drinking, eating and for a short time peeing was a chore. Trying to get enough fluids was hard. Drinking the amount of protein I needed to afterwards was impossible for me. I had to measure out 3oz and a time and set timers throughout the day to help me remember no to drink water for a half hour before and a half hour after. Once I started solid foods it was also difficult for me. Trying to figure out what I was ok to eat (that didn't completely turn my stomach) and learning that crab, tuna, salmon would be my go to food for awhile. Adding in cheeses, eventually chicken and turkey on top of the protein shakes I was still doing. After three months things started to get a little easier for me, my check up with the Nutritionist went well although she wanted me to get my calories way up. So I started to incorporate things with more fat into my diet. Nuts, peanut butter, avocado were just a few things that I started to try. I think it was around this point where I realized, ok... this is starting to work. I was seeing weight come off and while food was a struggle I was walking around the block and having an easier time of it. My breathing was easier, sitting on the couch was easier, my back was hurting less, my clothes were starting to fit better. As time went on I continued to add things to my diet, fruit, veggies, and eventually some carbs. Were there things that did not agree with me, absolutely, but I learned from trying them and adjusted my diet. I waited to buy clothes until about two months ago. I had to go into the store to try on pants because I had no idea what size I was. I fit into a 16 and 14... which blew my mind. At my highest I was a size 24 and even that was tight. I've since ordered a bunch of new things which also helps me to see the difference in weight. Things I still struggle with - drinking enough water. Losing hair - I still have a good amount but had a 2 month stint where I lost a lot. I still am freaking out when I see more than 10 hairs coming out on the brush but I have a ton of new baby hair growing back in. Making sure I'm focusing on eating enough protein and not drinking with meals. Going to the bathroom - it's either all or nothing for me. 😂 I usually weigh in after I go though - seems like a solid strategy in my mind. The things that worked for me: ProCare Health Bariatric multivitamins with Iron (1/day). Their sea salt caramel calcium chews (2.5/day). Biotin gummies - no idea if they helped but considering that I didn't lose soooo much hair I'm just going to keep taking them. And if you're still with me - A big thanks to everyone who posted on here before my surgery. I was definitely a lurker but your stories helped to prepare me and give me confidence as I went through this myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now on to celebrate being in ONDERLAND again and I'd still like to lose another 30-40lbs - which I know the surgery won't get me there for the full amount (at least from my doctor's perspective) but I'm going to keep working at it and chipping away to see where I end up.

Thank you!!! I think the main thing is gardening is so much easier for me. It's a big hobby of mine (so much so that I started a cut flower business this year) so being able to bend and work longer without being tired is fantastic. Not worrying about if I'm going to fit at a table, or seat, or walking between aisles has been another thing I've noticed. As for exercise... with COVID I stopped going to the gym so everything I lost has been without working out really. I do walk about a half hour a day a few times a week but that's really it. I think we're going to start looking into the city gym here soon as I could use some strengthening.

Ah... yeah - I thankfully fell in between the hospital stopping procedures. I barely got two weeks notice - I wasn't prepared. ha. But took the first date they gave me so I couldn't waffle on it.

I'm sorry! I take it it's your insurance that's part of the problem? I met someone on here when I was prepping and was supposed to go before me but had issues with insurance and ended up going about a month after.

The wait was hard for me but also somewhat comforting. I went through a lot of emotions over those 6 months waiting for a date and I do think talking with a therapist was invaluable. Eating for me was really tied into my emotions and I'm still working on trying to separate the two. Hang in there! Hopefully you will get a date soon.

Same. I’m just over three weeks and having sporadic issues eating in general. What was fine one day I can’t stomach the next. I’m trying to just hit at least 60g of protein a day and supplementing with shakes when I need to.

I've been too scared to try chicken yet, but so far crab, salmon and cheese are ok!

I mentioned this to my nutritionist and she said that it's probably the smell of the whey. She wanted me to focus more on my water and really getting in the 64oz and then protein. She also suggested doing a non flavored protein and mixing it with chicken broth instead. I picked up a can of Vital Collagen (I'm hoping the Collagen will help with the hair loss as well) and I couldn't taste/smell it at all so I'm using that to supplement.

Hi all! I had mine on Aug 27 and overall minus some soreness and just trying to figure things out it went ok. I kind of felt like I wasn't doing the best job but had a talk with my nutritionist and she felt like I was right on track so I will take it. Started phase III yesterday and I have to say I was really nervous about it (dr. cleared me to start a day early). I have yet to throw up since surgery and I really didn't know what to expect. My first two meals went ok - I measured out a 1/4 cup and started there. I couldn't really tell if I was full and I never feel hungry - ever. I figure I'll just eat what I'm supposed to - put myself on a schedule and go from there. I'm down 31.2 since I've started, 19.2 preop and then 12lbs since surgery (2 weeks today). I guess I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I will lose weight... none of it seems real to me at the moment but I have hope that things will continue to progress over the next few months. I will say that I'm grateful for this forum - I scoured it before surgery and again after as I was running into different issues over the past two weeks. It's been so helpful so thanks to everyone who has posted their experiences! J

Hi all. Thought I’d check in. Sounds like most of you are doing pretty well. Mine was on the 27th and while the pain wasn’t too bad, I had a high heart rate and low o2. So ended up back in the hospital the weekend after (I called the surgeon and was asked to go back). Since then, I’ve been doing better. Trying to get at least 50+ grams of protein in (I’m honestly over shakes at this point but still have a few days until the next stage) and as much water as I can. I definitely haven’t been feeling great. Just low energy and not able to sleep all night due to my stomach waking me up. I also have been having diarrhea, which I thought the opposite was supposed to happen but after searching the forum, I guess it isn’t that uncommon. Thanks again for all of the encouragement (and yes - I was able to get my ring off before!) and I’m down 30lb total since starting the process, 12lb since surgery.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Right? Ha. I’m day 4 on the shakes (10 days left) and I’m already over them. The good news is I’m down almost 8lbs - so I’m hoping I can lose 15 before surgery with them. Hopefully that will be enough so I can get my wedding ring off before surgery (otherwise I’ll have to cut it😢)

Mine is the same. 64 oz water and 60-80 grams of protein for 2 weeks. Then I start back up my vitamins and hopefully progress to pureed food.

Me too! While I do know a couple people who have had this surgery - I'm not really comfortable talking to them so this forum has been great.

Me too. I’ll check in on you after. 😊

Just got a call that someone canceled for Aug 27 and I took the date. Excited and nervous all at the same time.

The Cleveland Clinic has a program for this. They shared the guide with me in advance- I can share that with you if you DM me your email.

Did you miss where she said this started with the sleeve? If she’s had that and is now looking at other options to try to help I don’t see how this is helpful? Maybe I’m missing something here.

Good luck with everything!

I originally had a 6 month plan (then my ins changed to 3). The Cleveland Clinic offers this as part of their program.

Early morning is key for me. If I wait it’s not going to happen. So now that COVID is here - I walk in the am with my husband. Started at 30 mins but now we do between that an an hour. We also just bought a rower-but that is going to take some time before I get going longer than 15 mins. They’re hard!

I haven’t had surgery yet but had known issues with Vitamins so to prep my nutritionist wanted me to start doing the vitamins I would need. I started with the Celebrate and couldn’t do it. Switched to the chewable ProCare 45 and started with 1/4 a chew 4 times a day, then half, then a whole one. They don’t taste great so I ordered the capsule form and so far so good. Not sure if I’ll still be able to take it after surgery but figure worst case I could go back to breaking the chew up.

Thanks all. Yeah I think that’s what I need to work on the most. Just not eating for comfort. My physiologist gave me some book recommendations that I’ve been meaning to check out and read. I think overall I’ve been doing better but night time is tough when I’m not busy. I also have a pretty fit husband who says he’s on board with this but also has terrible eating habits which make it hard for me sometimes and when I do comment about them he gets offended so it’s like I can’t win there. 🤷🏻‍♀️ My hope is that during my liquid diet phase he gets on board more and is more conscience of what I need to do to be successful.

Hi all! So I'm in the middle of doing my prep work for surgery - initially my insurance wanted 6 months with a nutritionist but recently swapped it to 3. I'm doing it at the Cleveland Clinic and they also have you meet with a psychologist to walk through best start guide of all the things I can work on ahead of time. Some of those have been: Vitamins - I'm currently on the Procare Now barbaric multivitamin, calcium chew and biotin everyday (I think the last is me hoping it helps the tiniest bit) Water - 64 oz a day (bought a water bottle to help with this) Daily food diary (where I track what I eat, how I feel when eating, what my thoughts are, and where I'm eating) Walking for at least 30 mins a day (now shooting for 45 mins +) - I'd go to the gym but COVID 😐 Drinking a shake for breakfast and lunch with a small snack in the middle, and then a protein focused meal Buying healthier snack food just so I don't make bad choices if I'm making the choice to eat something extra during the day Losing weight - 18lb goal, I'm down 5 so far Focusing on trying to eat more mindfully and eat when I'm actually hungry (which is probably the biggest struggle - I feel like this is such a mind game) EKG, Ultrasound, and chest x-ray are this Friday Is there anything else that I should be doing that I'm missing? I guess when they said I could now submit to the insurance (even though my weight loss isn't quite there yet) it freaked me out a bit... I think I felt like I'd have more time to prepare. But now that I've found the forums and I see how excited you all are and thankful that you've done this it's easing my worries a bit. I just want this to be successful and I don't end up going right into my bad habits - so I want to be as proactive as possible.

I’ve bought from ProCare (what the hospital recommended) and it seemed fairly cheap. I did the Bariatric45 with Iron and then the caramel Calcium chew (which is pretty good). Also - they have a free trial pack that you can get from their site.