oldoneyoungagain

I use splenda also.

No, I also sweat under my lower stomach and have even developed yeast infection a couple of times. So now I always powder which curbs the sweat issue or moisture issue that develops. If I want my insurance to pay for a tummy tuck, once all my weight is off, will have to forego the powder in order to develop a rash or my surgeon does it for $5,000.00. So, I have to figure out which way I want to go.

For me, I think it was about the third day, then a breeze since. The most discomfort I had was pulling myself forward in my recliner to get up. I finally switched to my other recliner which is a lift recliner, then all things settled down. Only problem I am having now is that I can't eat things like deli meat which is on my list to try, so I eat like tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad, Wendy's chilli, cottage cheese, string cheese, sf puddings, and I can eat crackers with the chilli and T & C salads, but limited. Anything that is moist goes down quite well and stays. Otherwise, I slime and then it comes up. Uck.

This may sound dumb, but it might depend upon your pain tolerance. Some people have a lot of pain, some don't. When I had my band removed in May, I didn't even fill the prescription for pain medication and gave it back to the surgeon on my follow. So when I visited him the week before my RNY surgery, he asked if there were any concerns. I said yes, I'm worried about the pain after surgery (I remembered I was in a lot of pain right after surgery when I had the band put in). The surgeon looked at me and smiled and I quote "that is what pain medication is for". But actually, I was wide awake once I got to my room. Had a pain pump, but the only time I administered any pain medication was every two hours. That is when the nurses would come in, take vitals, blood sugars, check the cath., check the drain. Plus with pain meds I usually sleep for about two hours, so I was using it more for a sleep aid. My take home pain meds prescription I filled and took half of the bottle and quit. Surgery was on a Wednesday 9/11/13 and I actually drove to the vet with my dog and then went grocery shopping the following Monday. I actually could have gone back to work then, but my supervisor was unhappy when I had the band out, as she thought I returned too soon. So I actually took off two weeks. I will suggest that as soon as you can get up and walk, do it. I found I had less pain upright than lying in the bed. In less than 24 hours I was up moving all around. But we are all different, to me the surgery wasn't bad at all and haven't had a problem yet.

You are quite welcome. You are going to love the new you. I use this forum because I can't get to the support groups my clinic offers because they are days that I work. Hope to keep reading your post. Plus let us know when you get a date set.

I get a venti decaf, non-fat, latte. It gives me 16 gms of protein and only 170 calories, 23 gms of carbs, but since I drink it slowly over a couple of hours, it doesn't bother me.

Because I'm never hungry, even before surgery, in the mornings my surgeon told me to drink a protein shake when I get up to start the metabolism as it is sleeping also. So that is my go too every morning. A couple of hours later I'll eat something else, usually an egg. I find it strange that they say protein shakes don't fill you. In my case I could live on them and never be hungry for actual food. I was even that way with the lapband. I know there isn't anyway I could get 60-70 gms of protein in eating actual food. My pouch just won't hold very much so I have to supplement with protein powder.

Congrats on the approval, think you made the right decision. Nothing against the sleeve, but it is newer than the lapband and the research is coming in fast and furious on the failure rate of the band. Bypass, this is my opinion, is the one that has been studied over the 30 years it has been around. Remember though this is just a tool, there is a lot of work that goes with it. But you'll see great results on the road to a newer you. Keep posting, it helps newbies and if there is a problem someone on the forum will be more than happy to help or guide you in the right direction.

I had it years ago and back then it was treated with 24 tablets of tums per day and an antibotic. This course was for two weeks. My nurse told me when I had my endoscopy that since I had it before, I probably wouldn't have it again. I didn't. So lets hope, yours comes back all clear. Normally they can see little ulcers or red spots because that is what this will do. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that all is well.

I had my band out May 23 and had bypass 9/11. My doctor wouldn't do both at the same time, he wanted the stomach to heal. Amazing had less pain having the band taken out then I did when they put it in. And the only problem I had with the band was that it slipped. But I love my bypass and wish I had it done to begin with.

Maybe I'm wrong in my thinking, even years ago with Weight Watchers I had a positive attitude even if I gained a pound or two. I would think okay, so I gained weight, now I know I definitely have to correct my mistakes. That is why I will not look at scales as being an obession. I use it as a tool, to see what I need to change. Does it bother me that I haven't lost in two weeks, yes, but I know it is to be expected and my food log tells me how many calories I am cosuming, so I know what is going on with my body. Nor do I measure myself, because my clothes tell me when I have lost 5 pounds, I go down another size. But this is me. I'm just a piece of work in process, and I will succeed, by always staying and having a positive attitude about this whole process.

Are any of you taking Biotin. I read on here several months ago about taking this which helps with hair and nails. I started taking it in April as they were going to remove my band in May and wanted to get this in place. So far I'm not losing any hair from that surgery, and I'm not far out enough to know if I will from the bypass. This might help if you are not taking this it is a OTC medication.

I actually stayed one night. Didn't have to pass gas, but did a lot of bleching. I had a fantastic surgeon, and a very good group of medical staff, that stayed on top of everything.

Since it washes the food out of the pouch you are not getting the nutrients that you need because they didn't have time to absorb.

Hopefully, the stall is over, I dropped another pound. Will just have to take a wait and see attitude. I know my problem is the metabolism is in starvation mode, because of my calorie intake. I am having a lot of problems trying to get in the protein, fluid, and food. So I do more protein and fluid. Pouch just doesn't care for solid food right now, still doing mushie foods and not much of that.

Research tells me that since I'm a revision from band to bypass, and have less weight to lose, that I will lose it more slowly. Research also tells me that I will stall through out. Now with that being said, to me the scales are good, I weigh every morning and they tell me what I might have to do different, little more excerise, increase calories, etc. Those scales to me are just like the bypass, a tool. It never means I'm doing something wrong, just that I need to change something. And DL is correct you need a food log, if you are logging too few calories and not losing, then your metabolism is in stravation mode, boost it up a little, increase the excerise, increase your calories. But just remember the scales are no different than the bypass, it is only a tool.

My favorite, even though you didn't ask me, is coconut. Also have irish creme & banana which I haven't tried yet. Also Kaluha which is okay.

I use Benafiber, sugar free, orange flavored mixed with water or with a packet of sf orange crush, it also comes in unflavored and you can mix it with crystal lite. This was suggested with the lapband and also by my surgeons office for bypass. Because we are consuming protein and not much, if any, fiber is what helps the bowels to move along with lots of fluid. Collace is a stool softner and if you aren't eating veggies, just protein, there isn't much to soften, so you body needs fiber. That is just a suggestion and how it was explained to me.

Head hunger is horrible, and if you give into it, like I have, you definitely know it. My pouch lets me know within minutes and thank goodness I have a waste basket next to me when it happens. Not fun, lesson learned. When your head signals you better stop eating, I now do.

May I join the group? I was 68 when I had the lap band, 70 when it was removed, now 71 and had RNY on 9/11/13. There aren't too many 70 people on here, even though there are many that have had this surgery. I want to live to be 100 and maybe see some great grandchildren grow. But right now my only granddaughter is more involved in working and going to college. So time will tell. My surgery went well, did great, still doing great, in stall mode right now, but had been losing a pound a day at the beginning.

For me, the saliva is more like slime, very thick, doesn't foam and usually once that stops up comes the food. If not then I have to force it, because the elephant isn't fun. Just eat slowly, small bites, and chew then chew some more.

Totally agree with you about the potatoes. When I had my band put in that surgeon said that I could kiss a potato but couldn't eat it. Have followed his advice every since, even though he is no longer my surgeon. I also try to eat eggs, chicken salad and tuna salad, also fat free refried beans, low fat string cheese (chewed well) and of course protein shakes to supplement since I'm still eating about 1/4 cup. I'm allowed deli meat, but that hasn't been sitting well so avoiding it.

You are going to be fine. I weighed 216 when I first met my surgeon 5/6/13. He removed my band three weeks later or maybe four, ten weeks later I weighed 211 and had RNY 9/11/13. I'm 71, diabetic, high blood pressure/because of a heart problem. My diabetes is under control and looks like I will be off insulin once I reach goal weight if not before. I currently weigh 196 but I am at a stall, but that too will pass. You are doing the right thing for yourself. On to a new you. Congrats on the approval.

Always remember, those of us that have gone through this, we are here to support you. You are not alone, please reach out. Someone will respond.

I can now put on a pair of jeans without an elastic waist.