The Greater Fool

I would do anything to avoid an injection. I guess I'm out of the loop as I thought an Iron infusion is an IV affair. At any rate, I avoid such thing as they leave me with a huge bruise. No thanks, if I can avoid it. Regular iron plugs me right up. Not a desirable result. My Doc recommends Slow-FE. Slow-FE is a time released iron, so gentle on the stomach and bowels, no constipation issues. In spite of the fact that Slow-FE is time released, it works well enough to keep my iron up. Good luck, Tek

Welcome to the forums. That's a good tip. Thanks and good luck Tek

Welcome to the forums. Congratulations on your progress toward getting your WLS. Many, dare I say most WLS folks had health issues as part of their consideration for having surgery. It is not at all unusual. Surgeries have complications. Living has complications. As with all things, you need to do the math to determine which is the riskier option: WLS or no WLS, that is the question. Nearly the last thing my Doc said to me before wheeling me into surgery was "You know you can die from this surgery? Do you want to continue?" I had already done the math. I was gonna be immobile and a burden to everyone around me within 5 years. Even death on the table was preferable. I spoke with my spouse and parents about it and we were all on the same page. I don't want to spoil the ending of the story, but I didn't die. Since the surgery many of my health issues self-resolved. I'm on fewer meds now than I was pre-op. I've done things I never imagined I would do. Since you're well into satisfying your requirement it seems like you did the math. Good luck Tek

Welcome to the forums. WLS Research: Continue your research on WLS surgeries. Read journals. You might consider participating on message boards like https://www.bariatricpal.com/. Pay attention to the different WLS types. Different folks have had different surgeries for different reasons with different success and failures. The BIG Decision: The decision to get WLS is a big one. Having our plumbing rearranged is the very definition of 'drastic.' It's a 'last resort' for some folks. For others its recognized as the solution right away. Some realize that WLS is not for them. Many of us question our choice several times. It seems like you've been successful with diet and exercise only to have it fail for one reason or another. WLS may help. Pain: My RNY was done 'open' meaning the Doc made a big incision and got a good view of my innards. They took out most of my Gaul bladder, fixed a hernia. I had a magic button that helped make the pain go away. With those new fangled laparoscopic surgeries the pain thing is quite different. But, it is still there. It's not fun. BUT, it's also only a week or so. One thing I always say to myself when I have to deal with something unpleasant: "It's only a day. I can do anything for a day." I always use day. You know, one day at a time. Future: As you learn more about WLS and start asking questions we will learn more about you and your specific issues. Then we will be able to share our experiences and help you understand how WLS may or may not help. The future is where all the cool stuff happens. Good luck Tek

I've been looking and simply can't find any posts by anyone that claims 110% compliance, or even 100% compliance. I wonder if you can provide a source. Such [false] claims reveal much about you. Since honesty = ego, anything else would be a waste of time. It's not worth banging my head against this wall. Tek

There are all sorts of protein drinks that can help you continue following plan. Every time someone says protein drinks are hard the good folks here pull out options I never would have contemplated. Let them work their magic on you. [ETA: I misread 'skip the puree' as 'skip to the puree' stage. You have even more varieties on the puree stage. You can puree any protein you like (along with the seasonings/sauces) and you can make it as thin or thick as you like. Folks here are brilliant at all of this, let them help] As Pandemonium says: Do not go off plan. Talk to your Doc and if the plan needs changing, it's something you do together. Then stick with what you decide. Losing weight without surgery was hard. So hard we all failed at doing it. WLS is also hard. It's just hard differently. Both do share one feature, it can be easier to quit. Don't quit. Here you've encountered an issue but you're not asking us how to solve your protein problem. You're asking how to abandon your plan. Give it a chance. The folks here will give you protein ideas that are amazing. You have the best minds on your side to help you solve your problem. Give them a chance. Our biggest challenge in this whole exercise is to get our thinking right. Good luck, Tek

Dumping Syndrome occurs when undigested sugars and fats are 'dumped' into the intestines. When this occurs we experience palpations, sweats, cramps, feeling full, gas, gastric distress, and diarrhea. I apologize to any other resulting symptoms if I failed to mention, it is a mere oversight with nothing personal and no intention to offend. Non-Ops: ANYONE can get dumping syndrome. Anyone with a working pyloric valve is generally unlikely to get dumping syndrome because it is the pyloric valves' job as gatekeeper from the stomach to the intestines to keep undigested food digesting in the stomach. My non-op wife got it once. She was not happy. Bypass (RNY): 20-50% (Mayo says 85%) of Bypass (RNY) patients experience dumping because they do not have a functioning pyloric valve between their stomach (now a pouch) and their intestines. In fact, it's called Gastric Bypass because the pyloric valve and a bit of the small intestines are bypassed. No gatekeeper means food and drink go pretty much directly to the intestines, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Good news is some sources say after 2 years only 15% of patients still get dumping syndrome. I'm lucky, I guess. Lap Band: Lap Band folks don't have much of a chance for dumping because lurking below the band there is a normal stomach and all the associated plumbing. Sleeve: Team sleeve have a sleeve which is remarkably similar to the 'pouch' of RNY folks. Unlike the RNY folks at the bottom of the sleeve is a working pyloric valve. However, if one over eats or over drinks, and follows up by over drinking the food can be pushed through. However the sleeve also reduces volume. So, it's more than possible that dumping in sleeve patients may be greater than with non-ops, however sources simply don't want to put a number on it. None of the statistics really matter. You either dump or don't dump. Once you have your answer for you, statistics don't matter. As in most matters we need to work with the hand we are dealt, which most of us do with beauty and grace, or like me, handsome and clumsy. Good Luck, Tek

Good news. Learning and following your plan is probably the best thing you can do that will carry you through to success. It would be hard to eat enough sugar or fat in the first couple months to get you to dumping, but continue your vigilance. You may never find out if you dump simply by working your plan. Not that working your plan is simple, just that it is a simple principle. Keep up the good work. Good luck, Tek

What does your plan say? When you are at an eating (chewing) stage it would probably be OK, aside from the fact grapes have a fair amount of sugar. Be sure to chew extremely well, because the skins may ball up and plug things. Good luck. Tek

Welcome to the forums. You might want to post over on either of these forums:POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums There are zillions of people here that have experienced what you have. Good Luck Tek

It's been so long ago I don't remember. Also, at the time we lived in Las Vegas, so a 'vacation' was sorta like it is for you: Stick your head up and pick something. My first couple attempts at eating out didn't go so well. It usually involved a quick trip to a restroom or other, closer, out of sight area I could deal with things. This had the effect of causing me anxiety about eating in public so the anxiety itself was likely to cause an issue. Further, I tend to get involved in conversations, which I know is hard to believe based on how withdrawn I am here. Focusing on conversation cause me to not pay enough attention to eating, again creating issues. Bottom line, while I am generally able to eat out, the anxiety is still dialed up so I only do it with my wife, and because she is disabled and mostly home bound, rarely. So, tip: # 1, focus on what your doing. # 2: Don't worry about eating off plan. All the now built in stuff is still in effect: Portion size, protein, doing all this is nearly automatic now. When you get home and back to plan, it will balance out; # 3: Vacations are active affairs and now you are able to partake more. This may stoke your appetite. I would listen and perhaps eat a snack or two when the urge strikes. You're on vacation, you're more active, it's OK. # 4: Don't let your new biology and habits take the joy out of your vacation. Allow it to enhance your joy. Beat it into submission if you must. # 5: it will balance out. When vacation is over, back to plan. Enjoy your vacation. Tek

Caveat: I'm a tall guy, so things may be different for me as opposed to you superwomen who are used to pain. I suggest a helper. My tummy tuck hurt more than my open RNY surgery. Any movement was agony. Non-movement was agony. Maybe two helpers. When you point at things you need done it will hurt. After your surgery perhaps I'll favor you with my tummy tuck horror story. Exciting times! They removed 12 pounds of flesh from me. When I was wheeled out of the hospital, I was surrounded by balloons my parents bought announcing "It's a Boy!" I got a lot of strange looks. Good luck, Tek

Generally, there are a lot of variables that go into how well medications work post-op. Variables like you, your surgery, how much was bypassed, where the drug is absorbed (which they probably don't know), and other stuff we'd never think of. It often just comes down to trial and error. Generally, time release meds MAY be a problem. I took some time-released pain meds that didn't work. They increased it to 8 times the appropriate dose, still nothing. Changed to non-time released and the appropriate dose worked fine. Other things, like Slow-FE which is time released iron works well enough for me. For me, meds generally last 1/2 as long as the should. So, work closely with your Docs, Lamictal is something you want to keep right. Good luck and take care of yourself. Tek

Hi, my name is Tek and I'm a dumper. Dumping is usually forever. We can dump on sugar or fats. I use dumping as a learning tool and it has helped keep me honest. Early on, I learned that my dumping meter is sensitive. It taught me to avoid sugars and fats. Now it's somewhat built into my decision making process I simply don't even consider the stuff that will make me dump. The length of time between dumps widens because, as I said, I learned. Now, dumping is generally pretty rare and usually require an unlikely set of circumstances. It's still a learning experience. Good Luck, Tek

You misunderstand my cryptic and leading question. I asked if you dump. Diarrhea is part of dumping syndrome. Thus, if you dump you have a solution to your problem. I dump. I have [rarely] added a sugar drink like orange juice to address constipation. I only do it in the most extreme situations as playing with dumping is like playing with fire. Good Luck, Tek

It doesn't seem you are a natural English speaker. The translation product you are using isn't doing well with just short thoughts. It may help if you tell us more, using several lines of text, then we might get the sense of what you're telling us. Gosh, I hope this translates decently. If you are an English speaker, then give us more complete information. Good folks here are anxious to help. Good Luck Tek

Congratulations. The pain, unfortunately, has to run it's course. When you see your Doc for you surgical follow-up, if you still in this much pain I would make sure he understands your situation. I admire your effort on walking 2 blocks, and am I reading this correctly, multiple times a day?. Until your pain subsides a bit, you might want to reduce it a bit. Walking uses abdominal muscles to keep you erect and balanced. At this point, I would run an experiment: Reduce my walking to 1/2 a block, just once, and see where my pain goes. But that's me, you do you. You've got an adventure ahead, a lot of learning to do things you thought you knew how to do. Enjoy! Good Luck, Tek

Welcome to the forums. I'm thinking now is not the time for surgical horror stories. I have moderate OCD, so when I have something like an upcoming surgery on my mind, it's on my mind all night long. This is my way of saying I understand what you're going through. With something as big as surgery it's hard to keep your mind from going to the dark place. If I had a magic bullet way of stopping this, well, I'd have used it myself. My 'go to' solution that at least helps is distraction. Immerse myself in something positive. So, in that spirit: Create a list of 50 things you want to happen or that you want to do post-op. My #1 was wake up after surgery, then there were things like running, kayaking, hiking. Also 'odometer' goals, like a weight beginning with 5,4,3,2, clothing sizes, lost weight. You get the point. If you like games, play games. I did a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). Very immersive. You get it, something, anything that can get your mind away from the dark place. You are at the beginning of a thrill ride. Remember to enjoy it, even the scary parts. Good luck Tek

I appreciate your take on things. Thanks for taking the time to discuss things. Tek

Welcome to the forums. Tek

Again, to be very clear, I do not disagree with cautions against alcohol. There are a lot of things we should not be playing with in the first few months of which alcohol is one. The OP made no allusions to alcohol abuse or full blown alcoholism, we're talking a few sips, which themselves are not life threatening. What you are describing is a series of events each building on an unlikely result of the predecessor. The most common cause of staple line issues are too much food or drink causing staple line stress, which if constant and consistent start the series of events you are describing, which can then cause ulceration and bleeds, which can be life threatening. Pinning all of this on sips of margarita as the claim of a life and death situation is a stretch, at best. It's closer to scare mongering. Now, if it serves good causes, scare mongering can be effective. It can also itself be problematic. [Looking back, I realized you weren't responding to me directly. It's an easy mistake to make when you realize the world actually does revolve around me. ] Again, I'm not arguing that it's OK to drink in the first 6 months post op. As you say, I too have never encountered a program that said alcohol was acceptable in any quantity in the first 6 months. I've heard of at least one program where the surgeon asked patients to swear off alcohol forever. I am all about compliance and staying on plan. When it comes to the OP, the no drinking ship has sailed. It's water over the dam and under the bridge. It's a historical fact. All I am arguing is that sips of Margarita at this point in the OPs journey is not a "Life or Death" dilemma all by itself. Addiction and cross-addiction post-WLS is an issue. Ultimately, new addictions can turn into life or death dilemmas. No question. Kids at home, stay out of mom and dad's liqueur cabinet. Tek

Thanks ever so. Somehow I was expecting: Add Cheese; Bake; Oh well

[I quoted so that I could see more pictures of the Ricotta Bake] Since I have a tendency to be brutally honest, I don't see any point in changing now. Cheese being a source of pleasure in my life, I am sometimes overly critical about cheese products. I'm sorry if I step on any toes here. I must admit that I am a cheese freak. CHEESE FREAK. I'm one of those people that can eat ricotta out of the container. I like all sorts of cheese from the most flavorless American cheese to the Limburgers that peel paint off the walls. Don't get between me and anything cheese. Now for the cold, hard truth: 1) The size of this 'Ricotta Bake' is unacceptable for WLS patients. I'm willing to take the hit for the team, so just send it off to me. Give, give, give, that's me. 2) I assume there is a recipe around here somewhere? And I bet you expect me, of all people, to go looking for it? No, I say. No. This will not stand. If I were to go find the recipe, how will you learn? 3) It's hard to tell but exactly how many layers of cheesy goodness are there? This is important; 4) Portion size. Really, this must be considered. There is no possible way that this pan represents a single serving of cheesy goodness. It must require, 3... no 4 pans of this size to arrive at a single portion. You really need to think ahead on this sort of thing. This looks like something that is worth eating until I am sick. Shame on you! 5) It looks overcooked in the top picture, and undercooked in the bottom. Being the caring, sensitive person that I am, I simply cannot allow you to consume such substandard product. You need to gently pack it up, and send it to "The Greater Fool Laboratories" and my team will figure out what went wrong. Of course, to do it right we may need several samples a week for the foreseeable future. We're willing to put in the work to see this through, no matter how long it takes; 6) To help defray your shipping expenses, TGF Laboratories will help with some of the shipping expenses. We are committed to helping you get this done right. As I said before, give, give, give, that what I'm about.

I noticed it was old, and tried focus more on the more recent, only read the first 3 or so on the first page. The short cut cost me this time. I had no better word to describe the top as bread, and could only imagine what the whole thing looked like. Bread-like substance? I'll accept that my flippant "2 slices of bread" description was flippant. I still have no better description looking back at it now. I have a hard time believing that she did not receive ANY guidance. As I've said before, I've been in sessions where people came out with the exact wrong impressions of what to do. Others were just in a daze and overwhelmed. So, my biases force me to take such with a huge grain of salt. It's hard to believe that any practice would be this criminally negligent. I'm finding it difficult to even accept it as something that must have happened somewhere to someone, though undoubtedly it has. If the OP is the mythical unicorn, then I probably would have stayed my hand and just let it go.

I hate when that happens. I've never gotten decent information form a dietician. Dietitians are about creating menus. Nutritionists are about, well, nutrition. They are typically better educated and better informed. Sounds like you are doing well with your post-op life. It also sounds like you've done research into your situation, which I tend to value more that general knowledge a dietician might have. As long as not going doesn't impact your insurance coverage, you sound like you are in good hands (your own, if that wasn't clear). With all this support I'm giving you, I think 'Tek' would make a good name, don't you? Good Luck, Tek