Maisey

Hmmm....I don't know. "Earlier" is a relative term. I'm 56 and had surgery 7 months ago. Yes, I wish I had it earlier than that. I think I would have been ready in my early 40's. At 23, honestly, I would not have been ready to make the long-term changes that are required if the surgery is going to be successful. At 23, I was struggling with my weight but not to the extent that it would eventually become. Plus, I was not ready to accept that the long-term health consequences would indeed catch up with me. How long have you been in preparation for surgery? If you are not involved in a thorough program that provides education and preparation for what life after surgery will be like, you may want to consider delaying your surgery. If you've taken your time with preparation and feel fully ready, then you're just experiencing nervousness like most of us did prior to surgery. Good luck in your decision.

I agree with what’s been written. In addition, my dietitian told me that when it’s dumping, the urge will be for things to come out the bottom end. When you’ve eaten too much or too fast, the urge will be for it to come up and out. The first time is very scary. I, too, wondered if I needed to go to the hospital. I thought I was chewing enough and eating slowly enough. I wasn’t. I also needed to pause longer between bites and wait until the recommended 30 minutes after a meal before drinking (sometimes longer). It took me more times than I care to admit to really slow down as much as I needed to and to stop sooner. I learned to recognize that as soon as there was the slightest gurgle from my stomach, it was time to stop. A runny nose or hiccup is a sure sign of having gone too far. Also, since this can feel like something is stuck, my first reaction was to take a drink to wash it down. Don’t do it, it only makes it worse.

@lizonaplane....best quote! Made me lol!🤣

I had bypass at 56 for all the reasons you listed. Good luck.

I had both realistic and irrational fears: what if I don't wake up from surgery, what if this is a mistake, will I ever be normal again. It's normal. I couldn't have anyone in the hospital with me due to Covid. I was in the hospital one night. I was fine without anyone there. Having someone hover over me would have just gotten on my nerves. I texted and phoned when I felt like it. My parents dropped me off and picked me up. My husband stayed home with the dog (ours is also old and cannot be kenneled so I get that)

If you fill up quickly, cannot finish your portion and eating more causes discomfort, you are not hungry. You want more. Those are 2 different things. I only serve myself my portion. It takes self-talk when I want more to remind myself that I don't actually need it.

If you quit now, you'll end up right back where you began. And when you first began, you were desperate to be where you are right now. Keep up your work. This is a life-long marathon.

I had bypass in December 2020. I lost 50 lbs. prior to surgery and have lost 110 lbs. since surgery. It's worth noting that I started with a BMI of almost 54. I've struggled with my weight all of my life. Over time, I developed Type 2 diabetes (which was getting worse) and sleep apnea. Although I was fully mobile, it was becoming more and more difficult to move around. I knew should I ever need joint replacement or fall, the future would not be pretty. Somehow, my blood pressure remained normal. It has been a good decision for me. I still have 45 lbs. to lose before I would not be considered overweight. I don't know if I will ever reach that or not. My loss has slowed down, which is expected, but still trending downward. If I never lost another pound, I would be happy. Daily living is no longer a struggle. I have energy and feel well. I have been off all diabetes meds since surgery. There is no guarantee that this change will be forever but for now, diabetes is in "remission." I am on cholesterol medication and according to my PCP, will probably remain on that. I still use a CPAP although the pressure has been lowered. Whatever decision you make, my advice is go to into it as a well-educated consumer. Read, research and talk with your PCP and/or specialists. I attribute my success to a well-grounded program that did not cut corners. I hated every minute of the preparation process and hoops I was required to jump through. I vowed I would never track my food. I thought I was unlikely to start to regularly exercise. I just wanted surgery to fix my problem and I wanted it now. But I now do all of what I said I never would. And I still have work to do. Surgery is a tool that can help. But it doesn't fix your brain. If you don't actually use the tool they way it's intended, it won't work. I've found this site to be the most helpful with members providing accurate and helpful advice. Be aware of other sites. I also participate in some Facebook groups where I am amazed at the blatantly incorrect advice given. It has also made me aware that there are many programs or surgeons who will be happy to take your business but offer little preparation or long-term support.

I haven't even thought about cauliflower rice. 🤦‍♀️

I've had good luck with Mexican, with modifications. Spice does not bother me post RNY and Mexican gives me my flavor fix. Of course, chips are not a great choice. If I have any at all, I break them into tiny pieces but it seems almost indulgent to not have to worry about how much pico de gallo I have with each little piece. If dining at home, I avoid chips entirely but still enjoy pico on salads and meats. Entrees are often meat/seafood and veggie focused. I just don't have the tortillas. If eating at home, I can used a carb counter tortilla or wrap. Beans are a plant-based source of protein and I've made different varieties in the crock pot. I avoid rice.

Call your insurance company and go over it with them. Take notes and be sure you understand it. Policies administered by the same companies differ depending upon the contract they have with specific employers.

Another site to check out is junoactive.com It's more costly than WW but higher quality. I've found WW swim wear to be low quality material that was quite thin and wore out quickly.

I also came across this quote recently. I saved it as well to remind myself to make "good decisions and healthy choices"--my daily mantra and prayer. Sometimes I lose sight of the progress I've made and lose motivation. I need to remember that daily sustainable changes have gotten me to this point and I need to continue those changes most when I least feel like it.

I am currently losing hair. Probably not noticeable by anyone else, but it is to me. I had new low lights put in 2 weeks ago with no problems. The added darkness seems to cover a bit of the pink scalp that I notice.

You explained very well what my problem is: I chew forever but am way too fast between bites.

For many people, a runny nose or hiccups is a sign that you have already eaten too much. I also get a gurgle in my stomach. I went through a stage similar to what you are describing. I THOUGHT I was eating slowly enough and chewing thoroughly enough. When I examined closely what I was actually doing, it turns out I was chewing very well but I was still eating too fast and therefore, eating too much before I realized it. I had to make a very conscious effort to pay attention while I was eating and eat less than I thought I wanted or needed. Chicken was involved more than once even though I had successfully eaten it often before. Another mistake I was making was not waiting long enough to drink after I ate. Drinking before meal time does not seem to have an effect for me. But drinking too soon afterwards seemed to contribute to my problem. And my immediate reaction when I start to feel uncomfortable, was to drink something to "wash it down." Big mistake, that only makes it worse.

I never had much of a butt, it was always flat. At my heaviest, I had an extra "shelf" on top of my butt. The shelf is gone 😊 but I have also lost weight out of my butt. Now any pants I buy sag on the rear and thigh. The butt pain is REAL. I'm not sure if it is being caused by a bony butt or extra skin (although I don't think there is all that much extra butt skin). A cushion helps but does not eliminate the pain. My boobs are gone. I've had them from young on, even before becoming morbidly obese. What is left has migrated to the Deep South 😪 It's way too soon for plastics for me.

I had bypass in December. I did not have much pain. I know it's hard to wait once you have your mind set on something. My advice is to use the time to learn all you can. Surgery changes your insides. It does not change your brain, your habits and your coping mechanisms. Am I glad I did it? Yes. Somedays it's easy. Other days are harder.

Lose It

Yes, has happened to me. It did not start until 3-4 months post surgery. It does happen frequently with chicken. It is lessening as I get better at remembering to eat very slowly. I am also better now at sooner recognizing when I need to stop. Waiting to drink is very hard for me but I am now absolute on waiting a minimum of 30 minutes. If I have the slightest suspicion of any discomfort, I wait an hour. Fortunately, I get more than enough liquid throughout the day.

Keep eating the meats that work for you. Make sure other meats are not dry and/or are in sauce. I ate a lot of chicken breast early on and had no trouble. But I was running in through the food processor first to make sure it was in small pieces and I chewed it forever. I no longer use the food processor and it sometimes now gives me trouble. My biggest issue is eating too fast. That will lead to tons of saliva (like what happens before vomiting) and foamies. It happens less now that I am better at watching myself and recognizing the signs earlier. But I had numerous unpleasant episodes in my 3rd and 4th month after surgery.

I'm watching this with interest as I also have been experiencing tail bone pain. A cushion helps but does not eliminate it. There is even pain when sitting for any length of time on a padded surface.

Google is your friend. I've made a lot of beans in the crockpot since surgery. It's very easy and you can control the ingredients and make them to your taste.

There is no need to research anything. I simply wanted to provide a background for the advice and to make it clear that it is not something I am making up. Giving a loved one advice to seek a legal remedy when she is in a highly emotional state, is questionable. Well intended, I’m sure but likely not realistic unless there is factual information to support it. All I am suggesting is that she take the time to work through her emotions and then make the best decision.

I should have been more clear in what I wrote. Your feelings are not relevant to a decision about any potential legal action. Your strong emotions are a normal reaction to an immense disappointment. Emotions don't just exist. We create our emotions by what we tell ourselves in response to an event that occurs. Emotions result from that. Of course, it's not quite that simple. Read about cognitive behavioral theory if you are interested in more details. Take the time to identify all of the problems/obstacles, brainstorm solutions and your final goal. Then act on the best solution once you've evaluated your choices. Good decisions are rarely born from emotion.