terilynn112

Viactiv is calcium carbonate, which we do not absorb as an RNY'er.

You are exactly a year behind me. I hope you are doing well. The first recovery for me was easy. Then another surgery 6 weeks later made it difficult, then another major surgery in October, and my loss hasn't been all it should be. But I'm getting there. Slow and steady wins the race right?

You do know with a RNY you can't have soda... some say ever, some say for a year

Just keep pushing. It is your body. And take to heart the changes you really need to make. Are you ready to give up sugars? and that often includes sugar alcohols (which are found in sugar free candies)? And practice eating off a baby spoon and fork. They force you to slow down. IT does really help. I often walk away from food now because I'm tired of eating, because it takes so long, instead of because I'm full. I don't often have a full feeling. teri

That sucks you had to get so much before your RNY. But they just wanted you to be healthy enough to live through it:)

I had to go through all the pre ops of my band.... counselling, EGD, dietician, everything! Thankfully all but the EGD were quick and easy. However 3 months after my bypass I had another EGD and they nearly killed me. I had a toxic reaction to the numbing stuff. They gave me this blue dye and fixed it, but if they hadn't been on top of things I would have died. that said> I'm now a year post op. AND loving life with my bypass and size 12 butt I had my 1 yr check up, and got a lecture about my Vitamins. I told them honestly they're what is causing my nausea, and that's not acceptable (Not normal by the way). So they're testing a few things, and I will get B12 shots. I've been put on a special Iron supplement (less likely to cause nausea), and have to suck it up with calcium. But I'm down 83 pounds. And that's with less movement than I had with the band. I screwed up my knee running in June. I see an orthopedic surgeon Monday morning. Time will tell what's next for my knee then. But I have a referral for the plastic surgeon that works with my bariatric team for the 31st. They're looking at doing a panniculectomy removing that roll of skin in the bottom. That's the worst I have. I'd love to win the lotto and get the bat wings taken care of, and the extra on my thighs and calves but it isn't likely to happen. But I get yeast infections in my belly button from the binders I wear to keep it from bouncing around. The other thing that has changed for me, as a dumper I can't eat much of something sweet or carby. But when I do, I don't get hit as hard as I used to. That kindda sucks. But I still dump, My heart races. I get sweaty. I get nauseated. And later, sometimes a day or two later, I'll sometimes get diarrhea. Not always. Another thing that is kind of funny... my ring sizes have changed. I expected that some. But my shoes went from a 7.5 wide width to a 6.5 normal. WEIRD!!!! well time to get the boys ready for bed. Teri

Hi I'm Teri. I'm 40 yrs old. I gave myself the gift of a new start for my 40th birthday. Timing was perfect, I'd had my surgery long enough before my 40th birthday I started on puree's on my birthday. I went into my lap-band believing that was the tool that was right for me. Learned very quickly it wasn't. Started seeking a revision before 1 year was up. Had a long talk with my surgeon at one year. Said I had to wait until June (lap-band was placed 9-16-08) 2010. I started doing the appointments I'd need to get approved as soon as June started. Was approved for the bypass pending the results of an EGD in September. The EGD couldn't get done before November 17th. So then it was waiting on the results of the biopsy. Then it was scheduling. I could have been done the week of Christmas, but nope, I said no thank you. I had 3 small children I wanted to enjoy the holiday with them. So my magic date was January 11, 2011.... yup 1/11/11. Love that date. I went into revision surgery at 260.8 pounds. Most days I am at 183.0. So not quite where I wanna be, but 10000 times more healthy. My diabetes is cured. My sleep apnea is cured. My boarder-line high blood pressure is now low. I'm so much more active, and so much more able to enjoy my children. Have NO regrets. teri

I actually gained weight with the band. When I had the revision I had to have my band empty for 3-4 months pre op. So it was emptied in August, hoping for a fall surgery.... My revision was a year ago tomorrow, and I gained from 240 to 260 in those months. I'm at 183 this morning. I love my bypass. Life is so much more "normal". Other than the handful of Vitamins that make me sick each day. UGH! I found it to be the Calcium that's making me sick. To important to not take. if you have questions send me a pm. I'll answer you with honesty.

1. Were you able to do it in one surgery? yes 2. Did your insurance require any further 'pre-requisites' or did your band-pre work qualify? (I know all/most insurances will be different - just looking for examples) I had to do it all over again. All but the sleep study, which they have since added in for revisions. 3. What was the recovery like in regard to the band? I had an easy recovery, I was very tired. But was home taking care of my 3 kids within 3 days. 4. Was there a difference in the diet? I had similar diet to one of the previous posters, just longer with stages than with the band. I was 3 weeks liquids, 3 weeks puree's and 3 weeks soft solids, then gradually adding back in. Truth is I got stuck on the soft solids due to a second surgery (not related) and my pouch was super tight. 5. The Good and Bad of RNY for you? I can eat without it hurting. I don't puke. I do have nausea, almost daily. I have no regrets about my revision! teri

I take b12 sublingual 2500 mcg daily. D3 in a chewable (natures pride from walmart) in 400 units x 3 chewables. calcium citrate in 400 mg I take 2. I take ferrous fumerate 50 mgs for Iron with Vitamin C 500 mgs colace twice a day miralax daily and Fiber gummies. teri

I never did good with the band. I Lost like 30 pounds total (counting in loosing it multiple times). Then it slipped slightly, they'd empty it. Add back, it's slip again. I got tired of the routine. Ended up being empty the last 8 months I had it, I gained another 30 pounds. It wasn't pretty. But I feel great now that it's gone. teri