armywife79

Hey Cheri, Congrats! I felt really great right after surgery also, once I was past the no liquids by mouth thing in the hospital. I was up walking and feeling pretty normal right away. I DID end up having a bout of C-diff that really hit me at about a week post op. That was a bummer, but, I got over it quick and that was really the worst part of my recovery. I also did very well moving through the stages of eating. Just a couple of things I would caution you about...first, don't get to cocky too fast! I thought I was doing super great with my chewing and eating and a couple of times I got way too comfortable, forgot myself and had some bad regurgitation for a couple of days because of it. I was just eating too fast and trying too much too soon as far as food textures go. Also, I don't blame you for putting your hand near the flame with the dumping thing. I just would not ever try again because if you keep on trying, your body can slowly acclimate to sugar again and loose that reaction. If your a hard core sugar addict, don't even attempt more, you don't want to become immune! I'm glad to hear you are feeling so well and I hope your journey continues to be all smooth sailing!

Hi Nikki, You should never get down on yourself for a stumble, now or down the road! This is all about learning how to live this new life. Nobody is totally perfect, especially at first. You will have lots to learn over the next several months and it's all going to feel new and weird and first but, you'll get it in no time! Don't ever beat up on yourself or call yourself a failure, your human, we make mistakes! In the future, if you don't feel comfortable with your nutritionists advice, the nurses typically know what the do's and dont's are. Also, this forum is a good place to brainstorm once your past your first few stages of post op eating. I had band before this for 3 years and it was STILL and huge change for me! When I mess up, I just think "well, that wasn't the best thing ever!" and keep right on going! This surgery is one of the hardest ones a person can have, your doing such a tremendous thing for yourself and your life, keep in mind how much strength that takes. Not everyone who is obese could do what your doing, your already strong, confident and awesome just for taking this step! Also, your part of a very exclusive club now, and you should feel super proud of that and all the hard work it took to get there! Remember that, and no more bad talk about you! Your going to rock this thing, its just a learning curve! NO more debbie downer talk..CONGRATS!

I know this may be a silly thing to say so late in the game but, maybe your office might consider calling you in a few Xanex to your pharmacy? No need to be so full of worry if your doctor may be on board for that. I was allowed to take mine the day before and morning of too. Give them a call and check that out.

Hey Paula, Congrats on your big day tomorrow! You have to just really try and focus on the trust you have in the medical team you have chosen. You picked them because you felt comfortable with them and know they have preformed many many successful procedures before yours. Also, it might calm your nerves to know that most complications would be unlikely, and usually minor but you would know about almost anything that would be amiss before ever leaving the hospital. While I HIGHLY doubt anything will go wrong, at least you know if anything did, you'll still be admitted and right near all necessary medical help! Also, you can ask for a nice shot of sedative as soon as they have you prepped for the OR. I always ask, it just puts you at ease and lets you go under with no worries! I know your worried but, you have made (I'm sure) an informed decision for your life and all the waiting is really the worst part. Nothing we fear ever ends up being as bad as what we imagine. In no time you'll be all done and on your way home. Good luck to you, I wish you all the best!

Hey Erin, I'm sorry to hear your having such a rocky start but, it's really normal in the beginning. Even though I had band before this, I still felt very isolated at first because it is a much more serious surgery. As to the family issues, I had something similar with my in laws. I think sometimes some people view people like us as out of control. They think we did the surgery because we are emotionally weak and could not do this on our OWN and thats how they treat us. You may hear this lovely phrase either put that bluntly or mildly suggested many times over the course of your new life ( post WLS). You have to lean on your new peers like us for support, trust in your choice and understand that this is a problem with their world perspective, not a problem with you. We as a WLS community seem to have to suffer many fools and tons of questions and comments that people would never dream of asking or saying to others. I know you don't feel this way today but, this will make you a stronger person.Yes, even the hurtful B day thing! Several months from now, you will have some time and experience under your belt and these little jabs wont sting as much. It will be you on the other end of the key board offering the shoulder ( a much slimmer shoulder! lol) If you feel your family may be open to talking, then say how you feel but, sometimes only we get all the emotions that go along with this ride. Give yourself some time to get your own head around your new self and life and then see how you feel about how your family is behaving. If you still feel it's worth a talk, then def, talk it out. Also, were always here to bounce stuff off of too. This all gets easier, this is the hard part, I pinky swear! Keep your head up! HUGS!

Hi Marie , I have to honest and say, some days yes. I have had some serious complications and issues after surgery (bowl obstruction and C DIFF). However, that is not the only reason I say yes. We all got here because our relationship to food is a problem. We lean on it, we love it and yes, hate it too. After surgery though, seeing people in my life just eat with wild happy abandon makes me seethe with jealousy at times. I know this is irrational, I wanted this, I even hired an advocate and fought for this! In my case, I have been through WLS once before for god sake! However...this is forever where as the band I knew, I could take off if I wanted. Having said all of that, I am only 2lbs away from seeing a 1 in front of my number on a scale for the first time in 18 years. I am no longer pre diabetic and look totally different and feel totally different. There are days I am happy I made this plunge to be sure, there are days I wonder if I made a good choice. However, I think that is the human condition isn't it? We take a road and then spend all of the time we walk it wondering what we missed along the other. I think if you are truly unhappy in this life you are in, its worth the grab for a new one, or at least that is the way I felt about my life. We are all on here because we wanted a new road with new things to see and I think for the most part, the sites have been good ones with minor bumps in the pavement along the way. That is what this forum will be here for, the bumps in your road, we'll be here for you when you need us! See you in a month, good luck!

Hey Stef, Don't get hung up on numbers at this stage in the game. At this point, your not even really on your journey yet! The most major reason we do this surgery is get a re do on our metabolism. To date, the gastric by pass is the only medical way known to man to do this. Right now, you still have your same insides so, your weight loss will go as it has in the past. Don't let that fact get you down though! Right now, your standing on the edge of your major weight loss high dive with a shake in your hand! In a few months you'll be on that same board but in a way sexier bathing suit! You will be the girl who does a double take in the glass door when you see your self I promise. This is the hard part; the waiting to be on the other side. Also, no doctor should be telling you what MOST people loose or do. If there is one thing I think most of us find out on this ride, it is that, there is no patient zero in this. We all loose at a different rate, exercise different , find that different foods work different for us (after the prescribed phases). We all find our own freak flags! lol I really hope you find everything you want and need and more. Don't ever worry about being in some box someone thinks you belong in, just worry about feeling proud of you and all your doing!

HI! I went band to bypass myself. I am about 4 months out and have not lost any hair. I had a bit of extra shedding right after surgery but, that's usually due to anesthesia anyway. My hair dresser even comments on how my hair hasn't been effected at all from the bypass. She sees several people with WLS and they have lost hair but..they also admit to not following diet too! It really seems that people who get in their Protein , especially from real foods (once you can) do the best as far as hair loss goes. I was REALLy worried about this myself but, my hair is doing great! In fact...my nails are longer and my eyelashes are longer and fuller! Even my nurse practitioner at the surgeon who had sleeve said she had the same effect after surgery. I think if you get your protein and take your Vitamins, this wont be an issue and you may even see improvements! Good luck!

Thanks Guys! I know I have to stop this crazy train now or it will just never stop. I need to remember that eating for me is emotional and I am not rational about things that fuel my addictive eating behavior. I think being open with my doctor and on here is a help. Keeping it secret so I can be alone with my disorder is the worst thing to do. Closet eating, sneaking and keeping secrets is how I got to almost 300lbs before surgery. I know I can turn it around, its just hard but, nothing worth having comes easy.

Hi Everybody! I am about half way through my WL journey and REALLY struggling with CARBS! I was a definite carb addict when I put all my weight on but, have had it under control for a while. I now see some old habits creeping back that I know will derail my WLS. I told on myself to my doctor yesterday and told her that its almost as if I have no clue how I got back here! Its like one day I said OK to a bite of potato and now...its "oh, ok ..a few pretzels or yeah sure..a bite of bread! I'm so disappointed in myself for doing this! Especially since we all know that the only way out is carb detox again! I just wanted to put this out there to all of you and see what your thoughts are and how you have dealt with this. I know this will be an ongoing issue for me but, I have to shut it down now or I will never meet goal! Thanks for hearing my confession guys!

Thanks Maria & KB, I was never a sweets person really but, the rice, Pasta, bread...those are killing me! So far, my weight loss hasn't suffered but we all know it will if I don't knock it off. Nothing is worse than going in for your check up and not having a good number and knowing its your own fault because you weren't all in that month! Also, I just had surgery for a bowl obstruction (emergency). So, I haven't been allowed to work out and these two things are a bad WL combo!

I'm with you, total food porn! lol I watch Diners Driveins and Dives like an old lady at Chip and Dales! lol If I ever meet Guy Fietti I may try to put a dollar in his pants! lol

Welcome Frankin! I am a band to bypass patient and so glad I did this for myself! I wish you all the best in your journey, please let us know how your doing!

Hi! I had band to RNY in March. I think what your feeling is pretty normal. This is a REALLY tough surgery. I have had many and this was the hardest recovery by far. Maybe with the exception of having my tonsils out in my 30's! That was a bad ride too! I know how craptastic you feel now but, I promise it's worth it! Having had such a downer of an experience with the band, its great to have this and actually see results! I would say the first three months are the worst. You'll feel much better in a few weeks but, month three seems to be the turn back to normal for most. I know it was for me. Also, yes, your GASTRO habits will be out of wack for a bit! The loose stools are super common. They really messed around with our intestines so, they need time to reset, but they do. Now, I eat and drink pretty much like a normal person. I don't have to overthink every food move anymore you know? you remember how it was getting used to the band, this is sort of the same but, no constant food being stuck or always regurgitating. It will feel more normal soon, I pinky swear! lol You just have to hang tough for a bit, it will calm way down very soon. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery!

Hi Freelee, Congrats on your surgery but, sorry to hear what a tough start it has been. I had c-diff after surgery and did feel pretty bad for about a month or so. My sister had terrible nausea right after also but, it DOES go away and get WAY easier. For about two months I really had to work at eating and drinking. At first, your new insides are so focused on getting healed, it really can be hard to get in what you should all the time. Definitely talk to your doctor and nutritionist so they can help you work through this and stay healthy. It seems like most of us turn the corner about month three. I know that's when I actually began to taste my food again and not be nervous at every bite anymore. I know this is a really crappy beginning but, just hang in! It all gets better and really exciting as the weight begins to drop and you are more able to focus on living life as a healthy person and doing more fun things. I know I am much less focused on food in general as well. This will turn out to be a great thing but, like all things great..they don't come easy! Just keep focused on your new future and all the great things to come and you'll get through this! I wish you all the best luck and speedy recovery!

Hey Lyn! I'm so happy for you and want to wish you the best of luck! I actually just did the same thing this weekend. This has been like a rebirth for me too. The past month has been full of many things I had always sat on the sidelines for but never been a part of. I went to the beach, Water park, went tubing in a natural spring, hiking and even wore a SLEEVELESS dress to a wedding! I hadn't been in a bathing suit since I was 17 before this month. Then while I was way up high standing with my tube waiting on line for one of the water slides, looking out over the beach...I realized, there is no more someday for me, I'm finally living! I can't wait for you to have the same moment when you feel like just a regular person doing regular fun stuff! I wish you all the best!

Hey Freelee, I know your really afraid right now but yes, the shadow can be from many different things and the test is likely just a precaution. Once they see ANYTHING on a test, they have to do the CAT. My father is a doctor in family practice and I recently just had a scare with my husband that was similar. He had to talk me off the ledge as well, and it ended up being old scarring from pneumonia. Don't borrow trouble, often what we imagine is so much worse than the reality! I'm sure you'll pass all these minor hurdles many of us face and get your surgery and be on the road to health in no time! Also, benign is good! That means, not cancer, so..we want anything they find (if anything at all...which I bet will be nothing) to be benign! So see? it sounds more positive that you thought right?? Good luck!

I'm so glad I could share my experience with you and that it may help you with yours! These people not only help us but, are actively working to change insurance legislation to end the discrimination that makes it so very hard for the obese to be treated medically. If you or I had a heart valve that needed replacement would they hesitate??? NO! However, obesity IS a recognized disease and yet, these insurance companies are allowed to exclude coverage, deny procedures or revisions based on almost no medical evidence! Most of the time they don't even have doctors reviewing our cases! That is why we need to fight back and stop taking no for an answer. We pay our premiums in good faith and shouldn't be denied life saving surgical intervention! Tell Lindstrom You were referred by Heather Budd, and I wish you all the luck in the world! You are in a much better spot than I was since your band is still in place, it's easier to get a revision at that point. I feel good about your chances! Keep in touch!

YES!! I had the SAME exact thing happen! I hired an AMAZING obesity advocate group who is nationally known by all insurance carriers. They operate out of CA and the main advocate in a post op patient himself who not only fights our legal battles but travels the country educating the doctors and staff about how to best get us approved the first go round or how to fight if not! Don't worry about money, they will work any payments you can afford. for me, they worked almost six months and it only cost 600.00 and they broke that up over all six months! They spoke to me weekly just about, and they WON MY CASE! We went up against Tri care on a second denial! I am now 68 lbs off since pre op and so greatful! They are called LIndstrom Obesity Advocates, # 877-992-7732. I had to live without my band for over a YEAR! DON'T GIVE UP HOPE! Call them and let them help you, they win tons of cases every year for people like us, help is out there, don't let the insurance companies win without a good fight! Let me know if you ever want to talk, I know just how you feel right now but, believe me, with them, you have a great shot! GOOD LUCK!

Well, you really don't have to say anything to anyone until you want to ever. The hospital is obligated to keep everything private so, for all your family need know, you could be having any type of surgical procedure. If this is important for you during your process, discuss it with your medical team and be sure they know this and that they do not share information with anyone. You are by far not the only person to want this kept quiet. I am the polar opposite, I tell everyone and anyone who wants to know but, that is what I am comfortable with and I always hope people respect that, just as I hope people would respect me if I wanted privacy. Maybe you will feel more free to speak openly about your journey to health after you have a successful surgery and some significant weight loss but, it should always be your choice. That is what this is all about, you making new and good choices just for you and no one else. Above all else, I hope whatever you decide, it makes you happy and healthy! Good luck!

Hey Jenn, This is really common! I had my By pass in March and had the same issue. Nothing looked, smelled, or tasted good at all! In the beginning, it's all a numbers and learning game. It can be so much so that, we don't even enjoy the process of eating at all anymore. I can tell you that almost three months out now, I am enjoying eating a little again. Not so much the food it self all the time but, the ritual of eating and being social. I do go out to eat on date night, eat with family and went to a wedding this weekend and ate a bit and the food DID taste good. Now that I have some practice under my belt and don't have to think so much all the time, it is becoming enjoyable again. I think your at the stage when your still sort of swollen, and still recovering and eating is really a chore but, it WILL get better so, hang in there! Just don't give up on that Protein goal per day! It is a hard job but, eating IS your job right now, and you have to do it and I know you can! You have come too far to get healthy only to now be malnourished and get sick so, stay hydrated and full of good protein and you'll be feeling like your old self in no time! Also, do try to get onto real foods as soon as you can for Proteins, it really does make a big difference in how you feel and how your new stomach will work going forward. If you make it work hard now, it will be easier later. I can tell you from experience! GOOD LUCK!

I do understand that everyone has very different feeling on this subject. However, I tell everyone, even wait staff who wonder why I have only eaten a few bites! I am not ashamed of me, my decision to change my life or any of my WLS. If people who do not bear our cross of food addiction THINK this is the easy way out, I can not help that but, maybe I might effect a change in some person suffering as we all have by being open and honest. I share all about my eating disorder, the medication I take for that, my two WLS's , and my struggles and high points as well. I never shove it down anyone's throat but, if I am asked, I share my honest experience. I will admit that when I first had my band, I was a bit more effected by the people who spewed their negativity toward me but, I now have a much thicker skin. Also, having had such a hard journey my first go round, I wish more post op patients would have met me on the street and spoken to me about how they really felt sometimes, maybe I would have been on my correct path a bit sooner! I think the bottom line is, this is a whole new beginning for us all and you should do and be what ever you want! If you want to keep it private, or be an all out there advocate its all up to you and people should respect that and remember what we all learned in kindergarten....if you don't have anything nice to say...DON'T SAY ANYTHING! lol

Band07, you have the right idea too. Just keep the small meals frequent, every one to two hours if your only doing a couple ounces right now. Remember, you have to make that new stomach work or it will never learn and eating will continue to be really hard. Take it slow, see how you feel after each bite but, really make that effort to eat because, you don't want to rely on shakes too much, your body and stomach want food. I really felt much better once I was off shakes and got all I needed from actual foods and my Vitamins ofcorse! Even just two months out, I can tell the difference in the way my pouch is handling food and the scar tissue isn't so terribly tight anymore. Good luck to you both!

Your doing so great, I know it seems like you still have so much to go but, you will be there before you know it! I like to take mine in tens, like ok..now I'm out of the 250's, now Im out of the 240's ..you know? It's just easier if you do smaller goals like that. We all got the surgery because we had more than 100lbs to loose and that can be such a discouraging number when your in the throws of weight loss. But, just think of what great bragging rights your going to have when you throw your weight loss number out there later on in conversation! lol

Hi Spicy! Glad to hear you made a good decision for you and your life. I know its scary at first but, it will all be OK! As to the drain, I got mine out on day two in the hospital. really almost nobody I have spoken to has gone home with the drain but, it's not hard to empty if you do, or they wouldn't let us go home! lol As to the hair loss, you will loose less than when you had your babies for sure! The key is GET YOUR PROTEIN! Take all the Vitamins your doctor tells you, and get your Fluid and your hair loss should be really minimal. We all worry about that but, honestly...how well were we eating and being nourished before surgery, right? A lot of obese people actually have malnutrition! At first all of it seem just overwhelming, like all big life changes do, like the first time you take a newborn home or when you first learned to manage being diabetic but now your an old pro! Soon, this will be old hat too, just trust in yourself and the team you choose and in the process and take it all one step at a time. You won't believe you ever worried like this a year from now! Keep in touch and good luck!