ChunkCat

I would get the drinks with the sweetener of your choice and just add the unflavored protein to them, or brew tea and add the erythritol to it, then add the protein powder. I hate artificial sweeteners but I have decided part of my journey to surgery is learning to tolerate them as this is a lifelong change and I don't do well with sugar alcohols like erythritol. My surgeon requires the 2 week pre surgery liver reduction diet to be done with the Premier Protein premade shakes and those are sucralose based... I think I have like 10 flavors of them now. LOL I still cringe with the first few sips but having them ice cold helps. With fruit drinks I find a sour component helps cut the artificial taste and sometimes watering them down more than the package states. I like adding cold brew coffee concentrate to the shakes, the bitter component balances out the sweetness. I'll have to get decaf for after surgery! But really, the pumpkin spice flavored one with coffee concentrate makes a pretty decent pumpkin spice latte!

I'm sorry you regained, that is so frustrating! 80 lbs in 3 months is a lot, I'd talk to your doctor about checking your thyroid and your fasting glucose level... Most of us gained weight during Covid due to less physical activity, comfort eating, and more time and accessibility to snacks. Snacking is notorious for gaining weight back after surgery. The hard thing is we don't feel like we've changed anything big in our eating habits but unless you are tracking literally everything you put in your mouth you really won't notice how much extra you are eating. Changing drinks from water to other things is a big culprit too and easier when we are at home next to the fridge. And tasting things/snacking while cooking. There is no shame in regain IMO, life happens in unpredictable ways. Covid was a huge hit for most of us and caused a lot of changes in living habits just to get through! I haven't had surgery yet but I gained about 50 lbs in the years around Covid, I'm immune compromised so was on strict lockdown for forever. Converting to a DS can help with more weight loss and maintaining weight loss better, it has the highest statistics for total excess weight loss and weight maintenance. However since it is a conversion for you (not a virgin surgery) the weight loss will be slower than it was with the initial sleeve surgery. You will still lose weight with it if you are diligent, you can still get the weight off if you got it off before, but in order to do that you need to figure out what is causing you to gain weight so you can correct it and help the surgery work. Revisions can be game changers for some, but they aren't miracle workers, they still require hard work and effectively using your tool.

Ugh, I'm so sorry that you have to have another surgery! I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago (cancer) and the doctor is right, it IS major surgery and man do you have to for real do nothing...and more nothing...and get really good at rolling out of bed and not clenching your abdominal muscles for things! The recliner was my best friend, along with a small pillow to brace against my tummy and an abdominal binder helped a lot! Oh and post partum underwear because you don't want anything tight on your tummy... Feel free to message me if you want some tips for surgery and recovery...or just to vent. I had reproductive issues for years before the cancer. I don't do nothing very well so I had to take up diamond painting and adult coloring books to keep my brain occupied. But, like with bariatric surgery, you only get one chance to heal well so best to go along with it. You have had so many other procedures I can't imagine this will keep you down for long. I was upset I had to have one, but now I am honestly soooo glad. It is fun to pack for travel without period gear! LOL I was one of those women who would bleed for months on end and no longer dealing with that is a huge relief...

I'm on Rexulti for depression along with a few other things. It is an atypical antipsychotic. I haven't had surgery yet so I can't say how it affects weight loss but my psych feels it is pretty weight neutral so shouldn't be a problem. She said most of her patients lose the weight on their meds, it just takes a bit sometimes. I'm guessing some meds can slow the process if you know they are contributing to your weight already, it just depends on the individual, as with most things.

Echoing RickM, bile reflux is different than acid reflux. Make sure you are dealing with a doctor who understands the difference, it matters a lot because best treatment and best course for revision are different between the two. I believe they should have you on something like cholestyramine for the bile reflux, it absorbs the excess bile. And yes, if bile reflux is the main issue, a traditional DS would be a useful revision because it cures it... So I'd research that and talk it over with your surgeon!

Bypass is pretty amazing for GERD sufferers. There are a fair number of those that have had revisions from sleeve to bypass on this site. That said, my surgeon says there is a way to make a sleeve that is less likely to cause GERD if they already know you have issues with it. Something about the top being a bit wider? I'm most likely going with the DS which causes much more malabsorption than the bypass. The way I see it though, I'd rather trade my meds and chronic illnesses for daily vitamins and stable weight maintenance. It is important to remember that each person has a surgery that is right for them. I have gone over the medication malabsorption issue with my psych several times. But she says that in the end it comes down to the individual. Sometimes even sleevers need med adjustments after surgery. And sometimes bypass and DS people do fine with no adjustments. It all depends on the person and their individual system. Things can be adjusted, there are always options. I'm lucky that my ADHD meds are a disintegrating tablet because its most often given to children. And I have always chewed my benzos so they kick in faster (I only take them in emergencies). My biggest worry is my anti-depressant but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. DSers tend to absorb tablet vitamins well so I'm hoping the tablet anti-depressant will do equally well!

I love this!! Studies that talk about WLS adding years to your life really miss talking about how it adds LIFE to your YEARS! I am so happy for you! It really is never too late to follow your dreams! How inspiring!

I missed pumpkin pie and all the pumpkin pie flavored things when I lived in New Zealand. They have pumpkin in everything but it is all savory foods, not sweet. Boggled my mind because their pumpkins are sooooo good and make amazing pies! But no one eats sweet pumpkin stuff. LOL I keep thinking maybe one day it'll catch on with the American food trend (they have actual bbq places there now!). But that's probably wishful thinking. 😂

I remember the first time I had anesthesia, I was a nervous wreck! But as soon as they put those happy meds in my IV line I was as good as gold and the OR nurse even had me yelling "Roll Tide!!!" as they wheeled me back, which was surely the meds talking as I'm not a sports fan. LOL Tell them when you get to the nurses that you are really anxious, they can give you meds to ease the worry a bit. My favorite technique for anxiety is to tell myself "Oh, I'll worry about that tomorrow." Then I put it in a box on a shelf in my brain closet for tomorrow and endeavor to keep it there! Every time it creeps in I tell it that it's not tomorrow yet and back in the closet it goes! Then I remind myself that the only thing I can truly control and affect in life is in the PRESENT MOMENT. So I bring my focus to whatever is in front of me in my day and take the next small step in the process towards whatever I am trying to accomplish. That paired with remembering my "Why" and envisioning the end goal I desire usually is enough mental gymnastics to keep the anxiety at bay. Worrying about these things is normal, just don't let it get so bad it incapacitates you. Talk it out with someone you trust or talk it out on a post here, there are plenty of listening ears who will get what you are saying. You can do this!!

I went to my nutrition thing today and they told us no blending things into our protein drinks for several months because of indigestible fiber bits? I don't know. I was bummed out, I like adding things to shakes! But every program is different so you might ask your dietician about it? They also said it is really important to progress the stages even if you have food aversion. To keep trying because the body needs more nutrition than you are getting in those shakes and the stomach needs to progress gradually towards normal foods. I thought that was really interesting. I hate pureed things so I figured I'd just keep doing liquids but after that I've spent the rest of the day thinking about things I can eat that don't have weird pureed textures. Like yogurt, protein puddings, sugar free puddings, blended soups and stews, instant oatmeal, more yogurt, etc... I think I can handle a week of that! Especially after all those liquids... I've also found a lot of good pureed recipes in bariatric cookbooks too! Things I never thought of like sugar free custard, blended lentil soups, eating hummus by the spoonful, cold soups like cucumber soup (the cooked kind) and the ever famous ricotta bake!

Yeah I've read this, you aren't crazy. I am sure it was something one person's nutritionist said and now it is everywhere on the internet. LOL I think it is the change in moisture content too, I can see how it would be a particular issue with meat early on. Otherwise it is just your tummy being sensitive. Food changes texture when it is microwaved! For instance, I loathe microwaved homemade mashed potatoes, it is just not the same and the texture gets weird. But I am super texture sensitive so that might be why I notice it. I really hope I don't have that issue post surgery!

Oh I agree with you, I'd be concerned something else was going on too. I think an ultrasound and labwork is completely within reason to ask for. The ultrasound can show the position of the IUD as well as the thickness of the lining, that should be useful information whether you leave it in place or remove it! I wish you much luck with this, I know how stressful it is when you are bleeding every damned day!

Oh good choice!! Maybe it really is just a combo of chewing, your tummy getting used to food, and maybe a little too much roughage in the veggies for so early on? It seems like a lot of people have issues getting used to food again, those new tummies have strong opinions! LOL

I'd hate for you to end up with an ablation for an issue that may just be caused by hormone fluctuations due to weight loss that will ease as your weight loss levels out. IUDs can be fussy things. My guess is that after surgery your hormones surged high enough to overpower the IUD's hormones and that's what caused the bleeding. It is also possible the lining hasn't shed properly either due to those hormones, or those hormones combined with the IUD and now you are stuck with daily breakthrough bleeding. Getting the IUD out might help or it may do nothing for the bleeding, it is hard to say. Did they do an ultrasound to see if the lining is built up? I'm really surprised everyone there is acting like they have no clue what caused this... This sucks! I can totally understand why you are miserable!

Yes! I forgot to add that! Everyone gets their own anesthesiologist or nurse anesthesiologist. They are AMAZING people, there for you and only you, from start to finish! They manage your breathing, your anesthesia, and stay with you through the whole procedure. I always love meeting the anesthesiologist before surgery because they check over everything so carefully and while everyone else is focused on the surgery itself they are 100% focused on YOU. Plus they are the ones with the happy drugs! 🤣

You may have to travel to a big city with more skilled surgeons, but I agree, I'd definitely get another few opinions. Skill varies a lot in the bariatric world and what one surgeon might not touch (and you wouldn't want them to!) another may be able to do with ease... It is worth a try at least!

Yay Kay, that's wonderful!! I'm ready to get rid of this HBP pill too! LOL I think changing food habits when there are cultural influences that add to the mix is challenging. My partner is Chinese and I can definitely see the cultural food influences there. As you change your food habits there will be new rituals to include supportive family and friends in, which isn't the same thing, but does help maintain that sense of community. In our house part of this looks like going back to the roots of true Chinese cooking and identifying the things that we can incorporate which support our health goals. Chinese food is often medicinal within their culture, which is not something we think about when consuming our version of Chinese food in the US! It makes me wonder what other food traditions have roots in good foods for the body and soul, but have gotten obscured by other traditions as time has passed, you know?

You can buy them in shops like Amazon. These are my favorite ones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0897RWF54/ The Zeta Plus Size Leg Sleeves. I wear them a lot when traveling and love that the foot is open so I can wear them with socks that actually fit in the foot, or sandals! LOL Every doctor has different opinions about wearing them and about abdominal binders. I find these comfortable but you need to be careful to measure and get the correct size. I like them but still look forward to taking them off at night to sleep!

I have pretty severe sleep apnea (though only when dreaming, weirdly enough) and have been under anesthesia multiple times. They carefully control and monitor your breathing while you are out. When you are awake just wear your c-pap when you are resting and think you might fall asleep. Definitely bring it to the hospital with you!!

Did you eat rice with the poke bowl? I've read on the forums that bread, tortilla, rice, etc...can all sit heavy early on and tend to clump together when you eat them which causes that lump feeling in your belly. I bet even certain veggies can do that. They are all on my "wait a while" food list.

New To This 23 is right, when you book your ticket you can request medical assistance like a trip to the gate and help with your luggage! Its a bit of a pain and it makes me self conscious but I have medical issues that make it impossible for me to walk all the way to the gate or lift my own bags so I always have to request this to have a wheelchair available to get through the airport. It makes travel much easier and much less stressful. Have you heard of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower card? Some airports participate in the program. You wear the card on a lanyard when traveling and it signals to staff you have disabilities that may not be apparent that can cause you to need extra assistance. https://hdsunflower.com/ You can order a card at that link! I've found it to be helpful when traveling... Also, welcome to the forum!!

I am on a number of psych meds for PTSD and depression. I had a hysterectomy with no changes to my meds for anesthesia, they adjust the meds they use to your own particular cocktail. I've been told there will be no issues with my meds and surgery. I talked with my psych about meds and absorption and she said that she doesn't usually have issues with sleeve patients, the most she has to do is a tweak here and there, but you might want to consider more weight neutral formulations. She said she's had more issues with RNY and DS patients, but again, nothing is impossible and there are solutions for even those patients, it just takes more work to maintain therapeutic levels like compounded liquid formulations for some patients. It really depends on your particular meds and what wiggle room you have. My surgeon wasn't concerned at all with my meds and surgery/recovery, so I think maybe your doctor isn't educated enough on the subject? Patients on psych meds have surgery all the time with no problems... ETA: I'm on other meds too and the only adjustment to those was to skip my morning doses as one of them could have interacted with the anesthesia they were using. I was able to take it that night with no problem. They go over every med you are on during your pre-surgical appointment.

This made me giggle, the picture paired with it was perfect!! The others are right though, it really is just spending a few minutes on your feet, getting your blood moving in your legs. I usually take this time to make the cats chase their feather toy which becomes a self perpetuating game because cats can tell time and will nag you to get up every hour so they can play. LOL It is amazing how quickly time adds up by the time you've used the bathroom, made a drink, and harassed the cats. My watch fusses at me every hour to get up and move!

It's nice to know not everyone has to avoid those things long term with the RNY. I was going by what I've read and heard from other RNY patients I've met, many of whom still avoid those things, especially dry meat. I suppose it is one of those things where there are a variety of experiences due to individual needs and the variety of plans from doctors and dietitians. I could have included the statistics for everything but it would have been a much longer post and probably a bit overwhelming to read. I find when comparing features of surgery that statistics don't matter to me much, a chance of something is a chance of something and still goes into my weighing and balancing of the surgeries overall, but I'm sure everyone differs on that. My goal was to write a post that was easy to understand and fairly neutral, as I've noticed most surgery patients are heavily biased to their own surgeries unless they are experiencing complications and have plans of revision. We have a lot of bypass patients on this board so I figured you guys would chime in. Sadly we don't have many that have had the SADI or the DS, which is unfortunate because these are really great surgeries for the right person. Thanks for chiming in with your experience Catwoman7, your weight loss and maintenance is truly impressive and you always add great things to a discussion!

Congrats on your appointment tomorrow! Good luck! I can't comment experience wise because I haven't has surgery yet and my BMI is MUCH higher than yours, but most insurance companies will cover weight loss surgery if you have a BMI of over 35 and a co-morbidity. It sounds like you have a few co-morbidities so you should be good! One liter of water sounds very doable after the first few days of recovery, so that should be easy for you to do with frequent drinking by the time you can go back to a physically demanding job. You may not be able to gulp it, but you should be able to drink it at regular intervals between meals just fine...