BlondePatriotInCDA

Perhaps, but you are entitled to believe what you believe and their getting upset is on them..we all have our own feelings and are entitled to them ..we're all different and should all be willing to let everyone feel the way they do....but I understand - time and place thing!

Thank you for answering my questions!

Congratulations!!!! No such thing as "ugly crying" when its from your heart! Btw..love the campaign poster in the background on your computer! 😋

"However, once you meet the right person, they will look past that to the person that you are. Yes it will take effort and bravery on your part to put yourself out there, but you've been on this journey I'm sure to live your best healthier life to the fullest which includes companionship." THIS /l\ exactly this! Even if you're "weird" there are others (such as myself who used to be the Pom Pom cheerleader type) who ended up falling deeply in love with a comic book gaming geek who was so not the type I dated. When I first met my now husband he said he was too "weird" and (stupid for saying this) not "in my league" but because of his squishy weirdo heart I fell for him. There is someone out there who will love you for all the right reasons - have faith you're adorable "weird" self! You deserve to find someone who will see all that you are and embrace your self perceived "faults" and see all of you!

I'm 10 months post op and have been in a stall for months and I've been contemplating starting a semiglutide. I've never not been hungry, nor have I been able to stop the constant food drum beat in my head even a few weeks post surgery so I fully understand the "white knuckling" it part. I've spoken to my surgeons office dietician and the psychologist at the clinic who actually was the one who suggested it after I told her the "food chatter" is so bad that its become my walking cadence "I am still hungry" over and over. I spoke with the psychologist because I wanted help with my anger, anger over the fact I went through all this to get healthy, stop the constantly thinking of food ...I've done and have been doing my part: I'm still "hungry" and no matter how much protein (80 grams) I eat, sticking to my 800 calories, drinking my water....my brain says eat. I'm tired of the constant battle. I'm angry because I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do...and yet I'm right back to the diet mind games I have to do ...work out instead of eating, clean the house..hoping the chatter will be blocked off or side tracked....etc.. I'm tired of this battle..I don't mind IF the weight is coming off, its a battle with results but it hasn't been for two plus months now the same two pounds over and over. So I understand what you're saying wanting it to help..and why you tried it! I'm glad to hear its worked for you! I have an appointment with my GP in 2 weeks to request the prescription as recommended by the psychologist and dietician. We shall see because there is NO way I can afford to pay $1000 A month. How long before did it shut off the brain chatter? At this point if it can stop that I can quit being angry...and continue to do the right things ..healthy things without the wondering why and if its worth it!

Exactly, would they ask someone who's putting weight on?

If its any consultation, I don't have fibromyalgia and it hurt sleeping too - not as much fat padding! Having fibromyalgia must make it horrendously painful for you. I'm sorry to those who suffer with this disease.

Actually it is their business since being a smoker can cause surgical complications and its their jobs to assure their patients have as few surgical contraindications as possible for the best surgical outcomes. When you sign the consent to treat, its a contract between you and the surgeon that you've notified them of all your health stats. Longer stays and emergencies: According to a 2019 reviewTrusted Source, smoking is associated with higher rates of intensive care unit admissions, emergency readmissions, and longer inpatient stays after the procedure. Infections and complications: Smoking impacts your immune system, which can make it harder for your body to heal after surgery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, smoking raises your risk of infections and other complications. Perioperative morbidity and mortality: The previously mentioned 2019 reviewTrusted Source found that smoking boosts the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality or death that may occur within 30 days after surgery. The more someone smokes, the greater their health risks. Respiratory system and lungs: Smoking impairs the function of the heart and lungs. During and after surgery, this impairment can cause breathing problems. It can also increase the risk of pneumonia, lung collapse, or the need for a ventilator after the procedure. Cardiovascular system: Nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other toxins found in cigarette smoke may raise the riskTrusted Source of heart complications during or after surgery, including heart attack and stroke. Joints, muscles, and bones: Smoking can negatively impact your bones’ ability to heal. If you’re getting orthopedic surgery or another procedure for a musculoskeletal injury, your recovery may take longer. Skin’s healing mechanism: The nicotine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and other toxins in cigarettes negatively impact wound healing, which can delay recovery and increase the risk of scarring. Responsiveness to anesthesia: Though anesthesia always has some risk of complications, smoking increases this risk. In particular, smoking before receiving an anesthetic can contribute to respiratory issues, slower recovery time, and the need to use more anesthetics. I would especially be concerned about the last one since its a very delicate balance administering the correct anesthesia to someone who isn't a smoker and even more so on someone who has. Its your life they have in their hands, why chance it? If you truly want the surgery, you truly need it - start out by committing yourself to the best possible outcome and quit smoking... After all you're wanting to become healthier right? Why start out by lying to someone who wants you to succeed by giving them a fake urine sample? If you had hemophilia you wouldn't lie about it just to get surgery would you?

As the title says, I had my 6 month labs done a few weeks back (I'll be at 6 months post op Feb 21) and my 6 month check in is next week. My question is this; has anyone's lab come back hyper-hydrated? I told the dietician who called with the results (she wasn't aware my app was next week) there is no way I could be over hydrated I seldom meet my water goals much less go way over it. She said it was beyond her knowledge. I was told my white blood count was elevated as well along with my iron being too high. She told me to cut back to 18mg iron opposed to the 45mgs I was taking. The dietician never commented on my other labs so I'll have to wait for those. I'm concerned because my 6 month is with the dietician and if its beyond her she won't know. Anyone else have odd labs like this? Hyper (over) hydrated yet not drinking enough to do this? Is leukocytosis normal as well, seems my WBC's are always higher.. Although it could be my albuterol which can cause elevated white blood cells sometimes. I'm impatient and thought I'd ask here.. Unfortunately, everything I read isn't good - stupid internet but, I'm hoping its WLS related. So I thought I'd ask the experts - you! I know you aren't doctors, but you've been through WLS and know things sometimes WL clinics don't or just don't think to share. Thanks for answering!

Good afternoon all! I just was thinking of all the surprises I've experienced since WLS...and I wanted to ask others what's surprised them about their weight loss/surgery journey that they weren't told by their bariatric team?! I'll go first: 1. All the aches and pains in my hips and butt. My butt hurts now when I sit since I'm missing my butt padding! Also, since losing weight my posture and gait have changed so now I'm in PT for hip abductor pain. 2. The ever increasing and changing locations of skin irritation. The skin now droops in places I wasn't told to expect and I get red irritation under my butt creases from over lap - sorry for the unpleasant visual! 3. I've shrunk..so driving I now need extra padding to be at my former "sitting height" I feel like a kid driving my parents car now. 4. I've had to buy new glasses, mine were stretched out from digging into my fat head 😋 and now they keep falling off when I look down. 5. I've had to buy new shoes, all my old shoes no longer fit. They just flop around. I was expecting new clothing..not shoes. 6. I feel more clumsy and weak despite working out. My manual dexterity is horrible now. 7. I still feel hunger 😔 These are just a few of the changes I've experienced that my bariatric team never mentioned. Do you have any to add that can take the surprise out of it for people just starting their WLS journey?! I eagerly await your responses!

It's my tailbone and thoracic area..my GP had me get two MRI's and yeah multilevel "spondylosis" was determined, but for the most part its very common in anyone (especially females) to have it at 40+ years old. I'm hoping you're right and the pain will subside after a year out..I've seen others mention the year mark a few times when their pain diminished! Thanks for confirming the 1 year PO timeframe, I have 3 more months give or take..here's hoping!

I was looking at my weight scale app and so far for this year, 2024 I've lost 23.2 lbs total or 5.8 lbs a month from January 1st to May 1st; 5 months - 23 pounds! That's my total weight loss for months 4 - 9 post op. I understand everyone loses at different rates, but isn't this too slow for only being 4-9 months post op? I'm almost at only a pound a week! I was under the impression that about 2 lbs a week is normal at 9 months - 12 months. Then after 12 months po1 pound a week is normal... I could also understand if I were eating more calories, I'm sticking to 800 max a day - what I've been told to stick to by my dietician, 80grams protein, under 50 net carbs, under 20 sugar grams... Anyone have any ideas, comments etc!? I don't mean to complain, but heck I was hoping to lose more than a pound a week following surgery at this point in time, Most can accomplish that without surgery! Again, anyone have the same problem at this point in their timeline? But if so, did they continue to lose or am I getting to that point my body says I'm done? Anybody?

I spoke to my dietician today and 800 calories is normal for 9 months PO until I hit goal for my bariatric clinic. I was told this; if I'm hungry all the time I can go up to 1000 per day but no more than that until I hit my goal and go into maintenance. I agree 800 is restrictive, but apparently its normal for everyone at my clinic. I figured I'd let everyone know with an update. 🤷🏼‍

Glad you're doing better! My hysterectomy was by far way worse than my bypass (was in the hospital for two weeks) so I understand the issues one can have from removing lady plumbing! You're on the backside now and things are looking up for you! Take care of yourself, looking good!

I eat Yasso bars.. I highly recommend them. They're Greek yogurt, decent protein and have 100 calories and taste just like ice cream - mint chip and fudge brownie are delicious. I also have a iCreami and make "ice cream" protein shakes. But if all else fails - fudgcicles at 40 calories low sugar.

I completely agree, most likely it is the WLS hormonal shifts but its always recommended to check with your doctors when there are changes just to be sure! Also, this can assure your SO that you know its a concern and since you still feel the same about them it surely must be a medical change!

I completely understand your frustration, in the last 8 weeks I've lost and regained the same two pounds. I'm 9 months in..so very close to your timeframe. I read in my bariatric clinic handbook to contact the clinic if weight loss stops longer than 4-5 weeks. I have an appointment next week at which time I will be asking for answers. Like you, I am always at a calorie deficit, I watch every single calorie, fat, sugar and carb gram sticking to my 800 calories a day, 80 protein grams, 50 net carbs a day. My labs are "perfect"... So yeah I do understand, I'm sorry you're going through this, especially for longer than I have. What did your doctor recommend/say? As far as being cold, there are numerous posts here on the forum with other WLS patients discussing being cold all the time - do a search to find them. In fact, as I type this I have a heating pad on my back and an electric blanket on in front - its 56°F here too cold!!! Before surgery I would have been fine, I kept my heat on during the winter at 55° and was comfortable where as everyone else was chilly. So, its completely normal. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt in 76° sunshine the other day and was still chilly. So rest assured your being cold is completely normal! Let us know what your doctor said and keep us updated!

Thank you! My doctor said when I told her about the rash "lets start the paper trail to get you the tummy tuck!" She's a bypass patient and understands having been there! Thank you again.

Its funny, or not but I didn't have any fold/skin rashes before surgery..but boy am I getting them now! No matter how much I shower, powder and keep dry all the extra skin on/under my pancake butt and thigh creases - ouch!! Its making walking painful. 😔 On a side note..I fit in the MRI easily now, before WLS I touched the edges.

Congratulations!

Ask to see their medical degree, after all your medical doctor says you are right where you should be and since he/she's medically trained their diagnosis has more weight - perhaps if they disagree they should debate them about (my - you) your healthy weight...and ask them if they'd like the doctors number!?

Agreed. "Detox diets" are pretty pointless since the body has its own mechanisms for detoxing itself. I personally would go back to when you first started full solids after your surgery if you're concerned about weight gain and fell into not eating as healthy. After bariatric surgery you should never give up protein. Just my two cents! Good luck!

Lilla_90 "- I have this weird type of digging pain under the right side of my rib cage, feels like something used to be there and now it's hollow and it's uncomfortable, it's weird I can't even explain it." -I have a sharp pain right under my rib cage (think its a gallstones in my biliary tract - tho doctors say not possible since I no longer have a gallbladder although the pain feels the same as when I had it)! -The weakness opening things is annoying, simple things that were easy - suck now. My poor husband has become my opener of all things! -Yes, the cold weather is just stupid - cold cold all the time! - I'm also forgetful. I'm also forgetful. Oops already said that! 😉 -What I don't get is I have bones I didn't have before, I feel them now when I didn't before for my example my xiphoid process sticks out now and back when I was thin (108lbs) it didn't! -Lastly, I'm moody now, I attribute it to being weaker and clumsy now - I get sick of dropping things over and over, bumping into things and again not being able to open things - I'm looking it at you powdered Tylenol!

Sounds reasonable, I'll be asking my dietician exactly this believe me!

Thank you, this at least puts my mind at ease! It maybe slow but hopefully it continues!