BabySpoons

My BP shot up day 2 after surgery. I was worried but the nurses told me that it was a normal reaction following WLS. It stayed elevated for a couple weeks. Never dangerously high, then normalized. It's one of the medications I hope to be off of one day.

Also make sure you are staying hydrated. BP rises when dehydrated. Contact your doctor if it doesn't come down. GL

A person who uses smokeless tobacco gets 3 to 4 times the amount of nicotine as a smoker. A person who uses 8 to 10 dips or chews a day gets the same amount of nicotine as a heavy smoker who smokes 30 to 40 cigarettes a day.

The nicotine in smokeless tobacco is absorbed by the body more slowly than in smoking. But it stays in the body longer. As for hindering healing post-op, seems there haven't been enough studies done to be conclusive for dipping.

My unprofessional guess is that whether nicotine is smoked, vaped or dipped, it's still in your system...hindering healing. For those who choose not to quit, I've read to stop 6 weeks before surgery and 6 weeks after. But between the tars and acids you ingest with dipping, it will probably increase your future ulcer risk tenfold. Yikes!!

It's quite the conundrum. I have heard of instances where a person was denied surgery for losing weight pre-op and disqualified by insurance, but it depends also on your number of co morbidities which can allow for a lower BMI.

I may have seen the same video you are referring to and like you, was worried that if I lost too much weight, insurance may deny me. If there's any truth to it...IDK. But I had a very high BMI and lots of preexisting conditions, so I was worrying needlessly.

I say check with your insurance plan and ask your doctor for specifics. Good luck!!!

I thought I had found the perfect bariatric Vitamin from Walgreens (Optifast Post Bariatric) but recently found out it's either completely out of stock or discontinued. So now I am on the search for a good RNY vitamin as well.

I was told too by my nutritionist that taking a chewable multiple times a day was better absorbed than taking a bunch of regular pill type Vitamins. At least for gastric bypass patients.

I need to figure it out soon since I only have a couple weeks supply left. The last thing I need is to become vitamin deficient and have my teeth breaking off like chalk. If I have to, I guess I'll stock up on Flintstone chewables. xD

I am not a big morning Breakfast food person either, so I usually drink mine. I haven't tried mixing my Protein into my coffee yet though. Usually, will have my cup of caffeine then go workout. Try to drink my protein as soon as I can following. I use an unflavored powder so I can add to food or drink. I also buy in bulk.

New World 100% whey isolate Protein Powder, 26g Protein, Servings & Flavors Vary - Walmart.com

I really enjoy this brand and never tire of it since I'm always changing up my flavors using dark cocoa, Peanut Butter powder, crystal light flavors, Greek yogurt etc. Yesterday I mixed up a chocolate peanut butter shake that was really yum with skim milk. Sweeten with Stevia when needed. Not sure how this mixes with hot liquids though. But now I'm inspired to try it with a cold coffee brew.

I started walking day 1 after surgery to prevent blood clots every few hours for 5-10 minutes. I continued on with that until I was up to a mile once a day. Started inside on my treadmill and walking outside for now until it gets too hot. Today at 10AM it was only 70 degrees with a cool breeze so pushed myself to go round the lake a second time for 2 miles total. 😤

Not bad for someone who was almost completely sedentary pre-op,

My bariatric team advises nothing harder than walking until 6 weeks after surgery.

Weeks 2-4 light physical activity. Low impact walking and stretching.

Weeks 4-8 add cardio activities. Increase walking distance and/or speed. Biking, Water aerobics. Easier on joints. 5xs a week for 30 minutes and build from there.

Week 6 add strength training twice a week in addition to cardio.

I have yet to start the strength training. I had a hiatal hernia repair at the time of my RNY so I'm a bit apprehensive to start. But I do look at the weights as I pass thru the room to go sit in the infrared sauna. LOL

Good luck @Nicnak

My family has been so good in supporting me in my WLS decision. I was recently gifted a Smart Tumbler that reminds me when to drink but uses a straw. Everything I read before surgery said not to use straws post-op so my problem is... can I even use it? I didn't have the heart at the time to even mention that possibility. Just graciously thanked them.

Any experience out there in the straw department?

On 7/7/2023 at 8:02 AM, Possum220 said:

I had come to the end of myself

^^ THIS ^^

On 7/6/2023 at 11:58 PM, Mike.J.Y said:

Anyone have regrets?

No regrets. I am doing things now, I couldn't do for years. I told someone the other day, I finally feel free. Because before I was living in my own prison. WLS held the key. I am only 3 months out and still have a ways to go but even the 60 pounds off has made a dramatic difference in how I feel and move and breathe.

On 7/6/2023 at 11:58 PM, Mike.J.Y said:

Were you scared before surgery?

Don't fear the surgery. Fear doing nothing. I was nervous but not fearful. Good luck @Mike.J.Y You'll do just fine

2 hours ago, DrinkMoreRadium said:

100% through Tricare.

Great Military coverage. Thank you for your service!!!

Colace 2xs a day in the morning and afternoon seem to work well for me since surgery. Getting all my Water in and eating veggies and occasional fruit seem to keep me moving like clockwork every morning.

I still drink a 30g Protein Shake daily which frees me up to eat a bit more low calorie veggies and less meat that can lead to Constipation.

The Eagles are coming to Denver. MUST HAVE TICKETS!!!

I could reintroduce caffeine at 5 weeks post-op. I quit drinking coffee long before my WLS due to the hiatal hernia that I didn't know I had. But was having massive acid reflux whenever I drank it, so I stopped.

Now with surgery and hernia repair, I can enjoy again but my Nut was adamant about me waiting the 5 weeks.

I met my out-of-pocket yearly spending limit of $4200 before ever having my WLS. EKG, Ultra sounds, Cat Scans, sleep study, Stress test, Endoscope, Pulmonary lung testing. The pre-op heart Cath erization procedure put me over the top. Anything medically needed through the end of the year is now covered 100%.

Through testing, I found out I never had COPD, no artery blockages and a hiatal hernia that was causing breathing problems and acid reflux. Fixed. I can breathe again. Exercise, Walk, Shop, Do yardwork, garden. No longer sedentary. So happy and so worth it.

Good luck @FlowerGirl44 with your journey.

Most of my scars/stretchmarks fade to white eventually and are hardly noticeable in about a year for me. My post op scars are still pink at 3 months. Planned to use Mederma on them but wanted to avoid using anything topical and risk getting an infection before they were completely healed.

I did start cryotherapy yesterday and was told my scars will fade to white quicker with continued treatment so I may not even need the creams.

Quote

This gives me ideas haha

6 hours ago, DaisyAndSunshine said:

I was always wary and voluntary detached

I got so good at doing that...

6 hours ago, DaisyAndSunshine said:

Boyfriend made me smile today -

2 hours ago, loras68 said:

he no longer has the situations or comments as a larger person.

Very true.

3 hours ago, loras68 said:

I know I am more grumpy right now adjusting

I totally get it. I have my moments too. And when I am grumpy, happy shiny people just annoy me. LOL

Spent the last 4 days at the lake. I tried a few new foods with no nausea. I was released to drink alcohol at 3-month post-op, so I tried 1 shot of Vodka mixed with sugar free cranberry juice at the recommendation of my nutritionist. Fresh air and sun. Boating, fishing. friends and family. Great fireworks show Sat. night. Sitting around the firepit till 3 am nursing my drink. I had 2. Nice little buzz without getting drunk or passing out as I've heard some WLS patients have experienced.

Weighed myself when I got home and dropped 3 more pounds FTW.

Happy 4th of July!!!

I'm starting targeted C02 Cryo therapy next week. A friend runs the business and wants to document my progress for advertising to local bariatric patients so she's offering it free to me. Otherwise, it's pretty pricey. I still have a ways to go with my weight loss, but she wants to treat me as I lose instead of waiting to see how much loose skin I'm left with at goal weight.

Despite the cost, people are willing to pay. She can't keep up with demand and recently had to hire a second tech. The before and after pictures that I've seen are amazing. Face , batwings, tummy etc. I'm willing to give it a go. Hopefully with good results.

I craved salad during my soft food stage. When I was finally cleared at 2 months to eat raw veggies, I made myself one and used Skinny Girl FF, SF Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing and hard boiled egg for Protein. It tasted wonderful and despite the fact that I chewed well and sloooowly, it just didn't set well with my tummy.

I will continue to try them again off and on. Some days it's OK but another it's a no go. I won't give up though. Salads are just too good.

Funny.. baby carrots go down way easy with no problems on their own. 🥕

28 minutes ago, Sigh said:

As a mom to a son who was hospitalized due to vaping lung injury-

I'm really sorry to hear that. I'm curious to know if he was part of the 2019 EVALI outbreak? The CDC has since confirmed that the majority of lung injuries and deaths were caused by users vaping illicit THC cartridges that were mixed with Vitamin E oil.

I'm assuming there are still black-market cartridges being sold somewhere out there. I just had this conversation with a family member yesterday. Not to buy from an unknown source. Mine was purchased at a licensed dispensary in Denver.

I opted for Gastric Bypass surgery, knowing it's not recommended to "consume tobacco" ever again. But cannabis is not tobacco, And vaping is not smoking.

3 months post-op I vape 0mg nicotine and I also have a CBD/THC vape pen for when I experience any pain or nausea. It's medicinal. No one can convince me otherwise.

This podcast addresses OP questions.

Baggy clothes are like loose skin. It reminds you just how far you've come. LOL

I bought a bright yellow shirt at Goodwill and was wearing it when my husband came home. I wore nothing but black for the past I don't know how many years. He was shocked and all he could say was, "Well hello sunshine." 😏

Most bariatric patients should avoid sugar six months to one year after weight loss surgery. Many stick to this plan because they have experienced the impending sensation of doom. (aka dumping syndrome) Depends on which procedure you have done and even then, some don't even experience it.

Also, there are a lot of sugar free ice cream options out there too, but I prefer to add those type of things after reaching my weight loss goal and during maintenance. I do allow myself the SF popsicles for now when I feel a need for a sweet treat.

1 hour ago, Possum220 said:

When you had surgery you automatically signed up for a marathon event.

^^^Great quote^^^

I stayed off the scale till my 2 week and 5 weeks follow up. So if I had a stall I was oblivious. LOL