Maisey

I am 10 mos. post RNY and am recently diagnosed with Covid. I am well past the recovery time you are specifically asking about. I have lost all taste and smell. As a result, I need to be especially mindful of drinking and eating. It’s not usually an issue for me. Right now, I’m eating mostly shakes so I can maximize my protein intake. I can eat and am not nauseated but with no taste, have no desire for anything. I’m hoping I regain my senses sooner rather than later. I believe that’s happening as I’m starting to get tiny bits of taste here and there.

I noticed today that I actually weigh 5 lbs. less than the wild lie that has been listed on my driver's license for the past 25 years! 🤣🤩 I guess it qualifies as a NSV.

Total Scale Victory and Random Observations: I now have lost more than I weigh. I have lost 190 lbs. from my highest weight of 374. The first 50 was using Victoza for Type 2 diabetes. My bariatric program has my starting weight as 343. SW=325. CW=185. My program doesn’t give goal weights. For my own satisfaction, 174 would give me a normal BMI. I’d like to end about 170 knowing that some gain/loss is possible as things settle. I’m 5’10”. I have gone from a size 30/32 to a 14. I haven’t been this size since early high school. I look forward to doing things rather than dreading them. I’ve been off all diabetes meds since surgery. I am still using my CPAP although I’ve had the pressure lowered twice. I see the sleep program in December and we will re-evaluate then. I suspect I will still have a need for it. My cholesterol medication will be re-evaluated in December as well. My doctor thinks it likely I will remain on that med due to family history. That is the only medication I take other than my vitamins and supplements. I track in LoseIt. I track every bite, every day. It keeps me accountable to myself and I foresee it as something I will need to do forever. Today is the first time I ever exported my progress to a spreadsheet. On other groups, I see so many questions that ask how much someone has lost at a given point. I honestly never knew what I did. These are my totals lost from first to current month: 16, 19, 17, 15, 15, 18, 4, 9, 17, 10. I exceed my liquid goals every day and never tracked that after the first week. I’ve never had any trouble with liquids and I know roughly what I drink each day as I know what my mug holds. I also ran my macros for the first time. Since surgery, I’ve kept protein to 40-50% of my diet with fat and carbs 25-30%. I’m still at 800-1000 calories per day. My program has said that is relatively low at this point but as long as I am losing and not feeling hungry, it was fine. My hunger has not returned. I am grateful for that. I’ve tried to build successful habits that will serve me for the long haul. I’ve been walking since coming home from the hospital. I started at 5-10 minutes per day. Now, I try to walk 45-60 per day at a moderate pace. I use 5 lb. weights and do toning exercises for 10-15 min. most days. I’ve started seeing virtually a therapist recommended by my program. I don’t have a history of trauma or eating disorders but I didn’t get to my weight by having a healthy relationship with food. Plus, I was very moody and short-tempered following surgery. I feel great and have more energy than I have in years. But This. Is. Work. I’m ok with that and try to keep my focus on progress and health. I follow what my program suggests and make my own decisions within that framework. There is no short cut to this. There’s no pouch reset, fasting, diet pills and how soon can I eat at McDonalds. I ranted on here one time about hating the word “pouch.” I still do. I hate pouch reset even more. 🙄😫 I don’t believe in it. We don’t need to reset. We need to make the best decisions and choices we can without needing to be perfect. Sure, you lose weight with it, but it’s simply because you are going back to not taking in many calories….and most of us have been down that road before. I continue to absorb the wisdom I get here from those who have gone down this road before me or are on it now. I still hate shopping even though it is not as difficult as it once was. I’m still not sure who I see in the mirror and am uncomfortable with focus on my weight loss. I could eventually benefit from plastic surgery, but I don’t know if that will be in the cards. Enough for now……thanks for reading.

Looks like you got a good explanation from Hop_Scotch. FWIW, I’ve used a straw from about 2 weeks out. I use one all day, every day. I have no problems. My program’s advice was to try it. If it bothers you, don’t use it.

@lizonaplane, Tony's is pure heaven on earth Pre-internet where you can order anything, I had friends send it to me.

@moonbeam, if you're talking about shirataki noodles, IMHO, if you keep your expectations reasonable, they are ok in some cases. They need to be rinsed VERY well and then I heat them in a non-stick pan to further dry them. They take on the flavor of whatever you make with them. I like them best as spaghetti as they take on the flavor of the pasta sauce.

It's so frustrating to have something that you have eaten successfully in the past suddenly "revolt." Ironically, I had a similar experience yesterday. I ate a meal I have had multiple times in the past weeks. I did not eat too much, too fast or any of the other usual culprits. I woke up about 5 hours later and I could have sworn the monster from "Alien" was trying to escape my stomach. Like yours, the pain was in the middle of my abdomen. My stomach was gurgling horribly and I felt both nauseated and as if I needed to use the bathroom. I was not successful on either end. The pain lasted about an hour and then I was able to go back to sleep. I feel fine today but have limited eating to a few fresh berries, a shake and yogurt. I had no more pain, but there was more noises.

I don't believe what you experienced was dumping. Dumping is usually caused by too much sugar and/or fat. It sounds like you ate too much, too fast.

Overall, yes, it gets better as time goes on. But there will be setbacks along the way: days you don't feel as good, days things hurt, days a food doesn't agree with you, etc. On top of that, right now you are still healing and your body is wondering what the heck is going on.

What @catwoman7 said is accurate. Also, if your starting BMI was lower, you rate of loss may be slower as well.

I think it is trial and error. With that being said, I make a point to try new foods for the first time at home. That way, I don't ruin an evening out or being with others. I haven't had real pasta other than a single noodle or 2 since surgery in December. I still struggle with chicken breast but have no problem with other pieces of chicken or other types of meat. I've lost about 190 lbs from my HW. I have very saggy skin. It's too soon for me to even think about surgery. I'm not sure what I'll want to do. For now, I dress to disguise it.

I was pretty vigilant about keeping my bites small and chewing thoroughly, BUT...........I struggled greatly with pausing between bites. That led to me eating too much, too fast more times than I care to admit. You are correct, it's a learning curve!

Surgery alters your stomach, but it doesn't change your brain. Programs and doctors' directives vary wildly.

9 months post RNY. Down 135 since surgery. Down 184 from HW. ***I've begun actively selling and getting rid of my old clothes. It's hard. It's a thing. I was attached to that wardrobe and there was a lot of time and money invested in finding clothing that fit, clothing that was for different weight fluctuations (or ever increasing), fit my needs and was as flattering as possible given being morbidly obese. There was clothing for work, special occasions, and travel. I should have gotten rid of items starting long ago. But I notoriously hang onto things "just in case," and then when I finally get rid of them, I want them a week later. And there is the ever present fear of failure of needing big clothes again someday. But, it was time........I'm also being selective where my items go, and I'm lazy. I would like to get some money where possible but will donate to the right cause. Despite hearing over and over that places gladly accept plus-sized clothing, I'm not finding that to be the case. I don't live in a metropolitan area where there are lots of options. The one women's shelter in town was not interested as they have no place to store clothing. Our one consignment store is a bit sketchy. You get the idea. I posted some items on social media (even that is more work than I am really interested in, so Poshmark, Mercari or the like is off the table). Long story short....a lady purchased some of my favorite items. I didn't ask for much money for them. I'm sure I could have gotten more but by this point, once I've made the decision to clean out, I just want them gone. I also let her take a great many items that had been altered but not professionally. Items that I didn't feel that I should charge for. She was so grateful and so excited. I was thrilled to see someone as excited by the nicer items as I once was. Having some of the clothing gone is liberating and I'm glad to be moving forward. I think the clothing was a security blanket of sorts that I just needed to be ready to let go of. ***I had my first appointment with a therapist. So glad I did that. I had some very specific qualifications I was looking for as well as having experience with bariatric patients. She is a perfect fit and was able to help me process some of my feelings and progress. ***As always, am grateful for the level-headed and accurate advice received here.

I dropped into the 100's this week. I'd been looking forward to it for so long that it almost seemed unreal that there was no trumpet fanfare when it happened 📯. I haven't shared it with anyone and am savoring it. The last time I remember being this weight for certain was just around high school graduation. But just so my ego didn't get too big, surgery kicked in the next and gave me foamies and pain when I didn't eat slowly enough. That hasn't happened in a long time. I think it was a poetic-justice reminder. On a slightly less exciting note, "the girls" have dropped to a size I don't recall since early high school . I've always been well-endowed, even before being morbidly obese, so it is quite a change. I have broken down and purchased some new clothes. I realized for myself, despite being told, that I look terrible in all my too-big clothing. I think it was a security blanket of sorts. For so long, nothing was ever too big or too loose. I still hate shopping. I have no idea what size I need from what store. I asked the doctor in my program for a suggestion for a therapist. I couldn't get an appointment until February. But I was able to get into a cancellation next week. I'm excited as I had some very specific criteria for a therapist, experience with bariatric patients was only one. I'm looking forward to having someone to process changes with as well as the road ahead. I again want to thank all of you on this board for the ongoing advice and support. I'm grateful for having found you. I belong to a few FB groups and am astounded by the misinformation and lack of preparation/education that is out there. That's all ❤️

Glad you're making progress!

Lose It

I have a call into my dentist regarding a noticeable increase in staining. Surgery related, I don’t know? I’ve always maintained proper dental care and hygiene. My teeth have yellowed over time more than I like but I drink a lot of instant iced tea and coffee, so that is not unexpected. Two possible new staining culprits could be my daily chocolate protein shake and an increase in iced tea made from brewed tea? Otherwise, no GERD or excessive vomiting. Sounds like the prescription toothpaste may be in my future.

I can drink up to beginning a meal. Then I stop until at least 1/2 hour afterwards. I have some unpleasant experiences if I don't.

I'm 9 months post RNY. I have diet soda or sparkling water occasionally when there is no other no-sugar, non-carbonated option available other than water. They do not bother me.

Beware what you read on those FB groups. Misinformation and/or lack of information is beyond belief.

I didn't drink much soda before surgery (diet or regular). I have had diet soda on occasion since. I am 8 months post RNY. I've had it when there was no sugar free, non-carbonated choice other than plain water. I had no problem with it.

So you have a way to access your policy online?

You will begin to feel it as you move to more solid foods. For now, don't go over the amounts your program recommends.

What matters is what your policy with the insurance company covers, not the company in general. For example, for years my insurance company covered weight management services and surgery in many policies. However, policies negotiated between my employer and the insurance company specifically excluded it. Therefore, even if a doctor affiliated with the insurance company recommended surgery, it would not be covered for me. Seeing how you are already getting conflicting information, I would make sure you get everything in writing going forward.