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Keep me posted on your date. What type of foods are you eating now? Are the gas pains gone? TIA Honestly I didn't have much gas pains. I stayed on water only for 2 days post op though. It was my choice to do so. I didn't feel hungry and water worked for me. I have bloating issues but I have had them since way before I had my surgery. I am Hashimoto's Hypothyroid and bloating, constipation and other gut issues are a norm for me. As far as gas, I get it on occasion but feel it is due to my hypo. As for food.....I am slowly introducing solids to my diet but only at night. I have a protein shake for lunch and breakfast and some type of solid soft food at night at home that way if my body doesn't like it I am where I need to be to deal with it. Protein drinks are a huge staple for me. Getting enough protein is pertinent and with just 2 a day, I am getting 86 grams of protein. What shakes are you using?

What type of foods are you eating now? Are the gas pains gone? TIA Honestly I didn't have much gas pains. I stayed on water only for 2 days post op though. It was my choice to do so. I didn't feel hungry and water worked for me. I have bloating issues but I have had them since way before I had my surgery. I am Hashimoto's Hypothyroid and bloating, constipation and other gut issues are a norm for me. As far as gas, I get it on occasion but feel it is due to my hypo. As for food.....I am slowly introducing solids to my diet but only at night. I have a protein shake for lunch and breakfast and some type of solid soft food at night at home that way if my body doesn't like it I am where I need to be to deal with it. Protein drinks are a huge staple for me. Getting enough protein is pertinent and with just 2 a day, I am getting 86 grams of protein.

I spoke with Bariatric RN at Aetna regarding my VSG Approval concerns. I just feel like I'm going to get denied, and I can't allow that to happen. I have a BMI of 41, but had a 38 BMI the previous two years. The RN said I wouldn't be denied outright for this, but that it would go to to the Big Boss for review. I am getting a letter from my PCP, stating that I have been attempting weight loss and management for 10 years. I'm also including this letter. Thoughts? To whom it may concern: My name is XXXXX. I am 43 years old and have been obese since early childhood. At age 13, I weighed 200 pounds. At age 17, I weighed 225 pounds. At age 23, I weighed 245 pounds. At age 33, I weighed 215 pounds. At age 42, I weighed 232 pounds. In the last 10 years, I have fluctuated between 200 and 255 pounds. Regardless of how much or how hard I exercise, no matter how strict my diet, I cannot seem to get down to a healthy weight and to maintain that weight. I am writing this letter to ask for your help. I have been consistently dieting and exercising all of my life. I spent 3 years on the Atkins plan, faithfully eating less than 20g of carbohydrates per day, which allowed me to maintain an average weight of approximately 200-215 pounds. I spent 6 months on Nutrisystem, which resulted in a 5 pound weight loss. This past year, I paid $130/week for 12 weeks of 1,200 calorie per day meals from Diet2Go and, from that, lost one pound. I was exercising a good amount during all of these weight loss attempts, and I still continue to move each and every day. I don’t give up. But it seems that, no matter what effort I make, the number on the scale continues to rise and, the older I get, the more difficult it is to stop that number from its seemingly steady incline. I have been on a high-Protein, low calorie diet for the last four months, and I have been recording my diet and exercise and meeting with a nutritionist, who seems to agree that I am doing a good job of staying on plan. 10 weeks ago, I ended a pack a day, 30-year smoking habit and, while I haven’t managed to lose a substantial amount of weight during this quitting process, I have not gained a single pound. Of this, I am proud. At 43 years old, I weigh 251 pounds. My BMI is over 41. My body is straining to support this extra weight, and I am greatly feeling the effects of this strain. I am experiencing pain in my knees, in my back, in my feet. Despite remaining physically active, something as minor as climbing two flights of stairs leaves me winded, sweating profusely and with an alarmingly-rapid heartbeat. Without medical intervention, I fear that these existing maladies will only deteriorate with the coming years, and that more ailments will soon join them. Should my condition continue to deteriorate, I fear that I will require a succession of reactive surgeries. I have an immediate family history of Diabetes, of Heart Disease, of Heart Attack, of High Cholesterol, of Hypertension and of Cancer. I know that my weight and my propensity to hold the majority of this weight in my midsection increases my risk of Heart Disease, Cervical Cancer and Diabetes and, as a morbidly obese person, this is of great concern to me. I recognize that weight loss surgery is not an answer, but a tool. I feel that I’m well-prepared, dedicated and disciplined enough to effectively use that tool and to become a Weight Loss Success Story. I hope very much that you’ll give me this chance to do so. Best regards,

Year three was brutal - not for the reasons I have seen from any other sleever out there. In my third year I was taken off my b12 injections and moved to oral b12 - it turns out I don't absorb oral b12 even at high doses. I do not fully understand why, but the method of testing for b12 deficiency is highly inaccurate (if you are getting sufficient dietary b12 you get a falsely high reading, the test itself is accurate 40% +/- which is a huge variation, and it when your b12 level dramatically changes the test somehow "reads" the b12 in your body 6 months previously rather than the current level). Due to my undiagnosed deficiency I spent three months in a wheelchair, saw 9 doctors in numerous specialties, and was ultimately hospitalized for a week before a doctor figured out the correct test to order. The result didn't come back until I was home from the hospital because it takes two weeks to process, and during that time I was incorrectly diagnosed and told I would never walk again. For anyone wondering, the truly useful b12 test looks at MMA levels! I have permanent nerve damage to my hands and feet, have some level of constant pain, but am walking up to a couple miles on good days. The other development was constant fatigue, nearly fainting on a regular basis, and becoming underweight (of all bizarre things!!). I saw doctor after doctor, was in the ER a few times , and couldn't figure it out. Finally the nutritionist recommended monitoring my blood sugar based on the stats about sleever complications. It turns out I have very severe hypoglycemia. It isn't the typical reactive hypoglycemia that sleeves are prone to - where in response to food the pancreas overproduces insulin. Instead, my pancreas overproduces insulin day and night. My blood sugar never gets very high, and randomly drops low - in my sleep, watching TV, in response to exercise, etcetera. I spent a week on a 24 hour blood glucose monitor and found that my blood glucose drops below 55 every day repeatedly, and often drops below 45 and even into the 30's. I am still figuring out why. The important point for other sleevers is to be aware that reactive hypoglycemia occurs around 18 months post-sleeve in 18% of us. I am here to say that hypoglycemia can be a HUGE problem! My research says that most sleevers will have hypoglycemia unawareness, which means won't realize they have low blood sugar until there is a true medical emergency. I recommend to be on the lookout - that is 1 out of 5 of us, and the effects can be pretty severe. As sick as I have been in the third year I would still get the sleeve again. I am happily remarried. My relationships have improved with both friends and family. I know that I can conquer things that I never though possible, and where I would have given up in the past I have the confidence to continue today. I hold my head high, no longer look away when I see someone, and have stopped the negative inner dialogue that followed me everywhere. My preference is that year four is a year of health and healing - and if I could put on some muscle and gain a little weight I would be thrilled.

Today I am embarking on a mission to lose hopefully 14lbs in 3.5 weeks... in reality if I just lose 8lbs I will be very happy - but probably won't accomplish what I am hoping for... as I will be back where I started at 4 months ago (pre-christmas) - I have my appointment with my surgeon on 6th May and he told me that if I lost X lbs then he would put me forward for skin surgery - at the time I thought it would be well manageable... in reality though these lbs are even harder to shift than pre-surgery...That said he is happy with the weight I am at now - its just the powers that be stipulate that I need to be a certain bmi before getting the skin removed. So today its protein only - I've done this before - I can do it again.. and hopefully now that I'm off all diabetes meds it won't be so hard to control - ie, I won't keep going into hypo mode due to lack of carbs.

Hey, ya'll!!! I'm a November sleever, too, and just found this site!!! It's encouraging to me to see how others are doing who had their surgery about the same time as I did. My surgery was done on 11/10/14. So far I'm doing quite well, although the weight loss is a little slow right now. Several days after surgery and while at home, I began experiencing some complications. I we admitted to the hospital again with pleural effusion (reactive fluid collecting around my left lung), infection, hematoma in the gut, and bile collecting under the diaphragm. Spent 13 days in the hospital and another 6 days in inpatient rehab for some intensive physical therapy. Even though I had to deal with all of this, I'm glad I had the surgery and would do it again. I've joined the Memorial Day Challenge with the goal to break under 200 lbs. I'm so close, but keep bouncing around within about a 5 lb. range. I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing - tracking food, keeping within calories, carbs, and protein goals, and exercising (all more days than not ). I'm hoping this challenge will get me into Onederland .

Here is an web site on bariatrics and reactive hypoglycemia (reoccurring low blood sugar) http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2010/10/reactive-hypoglycemia-after-bariatric.html. Since I have lost the majority of my weight. My blood sugars have been hitting mind numbing lows in the 50's. I found some resources that have information on diet to manage blood sugar levels. Examples of meals and snacks that work well for stabilizing blood sugar include: lowfat cheese and whole grain crackers slice of whole grain toast with peanut butter sandwich made with whole grain bread fat free plain Greek yogurt with a small piece of fruit or 1/2 cup berries large salad with abundant veggies and a source of protein (chicken, tuna, beans, egg) Keeping a food and lifestyle diary may help you determine which foods and other factors lead up to a blood sugar crash. First and foremost, you want to follow a diet designed to regulate your blood sugar level. This generally includes eating small, frequent meals spaced evenly throughout the day, such as every 2-3 hours. Meals should consist of moderate portions of high-fiber whole grains (such as 100% whole grain cereal or bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, sweet potato), some lean protein (such as turkey, ham, fish, egg, beans, lowfat yogurt or cheese), and healthy fat (such as nuts, nut butters, olive oil, avocado). Sugars, especially in the form of beverages (juice, soda, etc.) and sweets (candy, jelly, table sugar, syrup, honey, cookies, cakes), should be avoided as much as possible, as they stimulate the pancreas the most because the sugar rushes into your bloodstream rapidly. Starchy carbohydrates digest down into sugar as well, so it is important to eat these in moderate amounts Starchy carbohydrates digest down into sugar as well, so it is important to eat these in moderate amounts (such as 1/2-1 cup), and choose whole grains over refined flours. White pasta, rices, breads, and cereals are more or less guaranteed to make you feel lousy after eating them as they are digested quickly and raise insulin levels. Fruits also need to be consumed in small amounts, as they contain the natural sugar, fructose, and are best consumed with a source of protein, such as cottage cheese or nuts. Even though fruits are an excellent source of fiber, the sugar content is enough to cause your pancreas to over-react if eaten on an empty stomach. The goal is essentially to not eat carbohydrate foods without including a source of protein or fat at the same time. Proteins and fat help stabilize blood sugars by making the carbohydrate digest more slowly, as proteins and fats take longer to digest and do not convert into significant amounts of sugar. Strenuous exercise burns sugar out of your muscles and bloodstream quickly, so you may be more prone to low blood sugar during extended periods of activity as well. Eating a snack contain a small amount of carbohydrate and protein (such as yogurt or trail mix) within 1 hour of strenuous activity may be enough to keep you going strong. Developing a habit of eating small, frequent meals and taking healthy foods with you for work, school, and when on-the-go, is your best weapon against suffering the symptoms of low blood sugar. If you find incorporating the above suggestions is still not improving your symptoms, you may need to sit down with a dietitian to develop a personalized meal plan to meet your schedule, food preferences, and overall lifestyle needs. Contact your dietician for more information. There is no point in living day-in and day-out with symptoms of hypoglycemia when there is a common sense way to tackle the issue and regain your quality of life!

I can't say yet that I've been around the block on this journey but I can talk about my experience with dumping. I started in the hospital during recovery when they gave me two cups of Apple sauce. Me thinking it was ok since I was in the hospital ate it. After that time I worked on figuring out how much sugar I could have and it worked out to around 3 to 5 grams. Not much and it did catch me sometimes when I didn't read a label. It wasn't long before it figured out that dumping was a great way to loss weight and stop the hard bowel movements. I progressed this way for around six months and then the dumping stopped. In its place came reactive hypoglycemia. It's a terrible sickening feeling and forces me to stay away from strong sweets. I'm not saying this will happen to you because many of us don't get dumping I'm just telling you my experience. Best of luck to you.

Hi everyone. Just wondering any of you stop taking your diabetes med? Any hypo episodes? I work in a dialysis center and I walk almost 5miles a day in a 12hr shift. I been having problem with being hypo all the time. Anyone else work in a hospital and having problem? I cant eat fast during my break so i just live with a few bites and just candy every hour.

Hi, I'm also Type 1 diabetic on an Insulin pump, have been diabetic for over 25 years and I had RNY Gastric by pass 12 January 2015. I'm doing well, I have lost so far 33 pounds! I had the same worries as you about having hypos after the operation. I used small Apple juice cartons (without the straws) and also the chewable dextrose sweets that you melt in the mouth, they both didn't cause any problems, BUT I had to sip the apple J very slowly so it took time for my blood sugar levels to rise! My HBA1c is so much better now (2 months later) must be because I don't many carbs. My Basal changed dramatically straight after the operation, I take half the amount of Insulin then I did before. I will always be an Insulin dependant diabetic, don't kid yourself that it will magically disappear ! It only disappears for Type 2's. Am here for you if you have any questions, am happy to help ????

Hello, November peeps! How are you all doing? I'm frustrated and struggling. I've been stuck at 69 lbs down for 3 weeks. I've only lost 5 in the past 6 weeks. I know it's partly my fault because I've not been faithful go my diet. I can do good while at work during the day, but the evenings are my worse times of temptation. Now my thyroid is fluctuating from hyper to hypo and the doctor is trying to adjust my Synthroid dosage. I've been tearful, moody, had horrible hair loss, and tired. I'm sure it's a mix of thyroid trouble and changes overall. I've found that I don't always get sick after eating poorly, which I wish I'd never found out. I need to get my rear in gear and get back to the gym. I had some pretty bad center abdominal pain twice last week and I called my surgeon's office. The oncall doctor suggested possible hernia and to see my surgeon. I'm honestly embarrassed to go in without losing more weight first. Aahh! I'm babbling, what thoughts do y'all have? Thanks!

GOOOD morning everyone! David here with an update i guess now over 2 years post op! ! Pretty exciting things have went on and continue to go on in my life and i really appologize for the delays in posting. Let me first start off by saying you are all too kind with you posts here. It's wonderfull to know that this post has at least helped a few people. Let me give a little update and brief recap for those of you wondering. I had RNY done in Bismarck ND with the only complication being some post op gas pain even after walking my legs off! 3 days after surgery i was home and realized a few things. 1. I am glad i know enough medically to realize that 5 weeks post op when i stood and felt like i was going to pass out it was likely my BP meds continuing to drop my BP when it was not needed anymore. Check my BP and sure enough i went from a 150's bp down to 90's without medication. A quick conversation with my PCP (primary care provider) and i dc'd my blood pressure meds. A word on reactive hypoglycemia now since I am one of the lucky individuals that has this wonderfull little side effect. My pancrease works really well, that being said when i eat high carb foods it releases plenty of insulin but the food moves thru so quickly that TADA my blood glucose drops. Lowest i have been so far is 38. I can tell you, not a fun experience. That being said go back to square one if you find yourself struggling with this. I re-evaluate my food choices and find EVERY TIME that i am eatting things i know better than to eat. Ok so here is the update.. Starting Weight : 330lbs Pre op weight : 299lbs RNY: 7/24/2012 10/13/12 : 233lbs 3/22/15 - 179 lbs I currently work as a Flight Paramedic (something that has always been a dream but always too large) I am almost done with my nursing progam and am pretty much just lovin life! I still love to cook and bake I just do so in moderation. I will post a few pictures in a few minutes so yall can see the changes. You can be successful. You can make positive changes and be the you that you need to be. Please know that this surgery is a tool that when used correctly can have life changing, mind blowing effects. I can run up and down stairs, i can get on the ground with my patients and get back up without hurting. If you have questions ask away i will be checking back for a few days to answer any questions you have. Nothings off limits ask away =-)

everyones differant thats for sure..I have hashis..Im on armour for thyroid. 1 side of thyroid is dead and shriveled up the other is enlarged..I was going back on forth from hypo to hyper...now stable on ty med..increasing my calories with non ff items and mainly proteins have worked for me. my plan is more ketogenic with high protein...so far so good. I feel for us with sluggish metabolisms . the ff/low fat/sf diet is what got myself where I was but this isn't the case for everyone though. have you had a complete thyroid panel done lately? I get mine done throughout the yr...just throwing this out there not for sure it'll help or not. I understand the physical limitations I struggle with several autoimmune diseases including fibro it can be brutal some days. I noticed you said a sf/ff greek yogurt? I have been settling for the chobani greek it was the lowest on sugar per serving organic and I eat the kroger carbmaster brands their really good. the chobani is what I make the hubs protein shakes/smoothies out of. I'll have one here and there but barely theres to much sugar for me. the only fruit I keep on hand handy is the green grapes their easy to have. Do you use MFP? maybe start using it again to add up everything and kinda see where your at? maybe? IDK...Im sure you are...just throwing that out there..do you think maybe cutting out the rice cakes even though you dont eat often might make a differance in not such a struggle? I can't have grains or white processed items they were my worst enemy for me. another suggestion thats all...congrats on maintaining I hope I'm as successful as you are! thats wonderful! keep us posted

Sorry you are going through this. I was hyper thyroid and went to hypo thyroid so they changed my meds but only by a 25mcg and I make them check it every month to see if I'm on track don't wait. However, I think it is why I have stalled in my weight loss no loss or gain for 3months

I was one of match's original members. Have a lifetime membership. Met my ex husband on there. Will reactivate once i finish my year of ME

Did they check you for over active thyroid? My family is notorious for going from hypo(slow) too hyper(superfast) thyroid. My sister had been almost 400 lbs her whole life and now she is about 150 and dropping. Good luck hope it gets worked out

Hi there! I had planned on having sleeve and was switched to bypass after learning that the sleeve could make my reflux worse. I am so happy I had bypass. All of my co-morbitiies are gone now. I am off medications with the exception of hypo thyroid replacement. I feel fantastic! It is hard work and a new way of life. I think both surgeries require a lot of lifestyle change. The most important thing you can do for yourself is feel very comfortable before you go in. You must have a positive attitude in WLS or you will struggle to make the necessary changes. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

Dizzy spells could be reactive hypoglycemia ...if you eat heavy on the carbs. As the previous poster mentioned start exploring new foods. This is the time to be devoting a whole new way of eating. You may be grieving and comparing foods to old processed, high fat, and or sugar choices and bottom line newer and healthier foods aren't initially glamorous at first. Use spices etc...and over time you will see a difference. Even though I am newly postoperative I lost 130 pounds and kept it off until a injury. I learned to savor foods I never thought I would like. Also check out this blog..she has wonderful ideas..... The World According To Eggface.

I seemed to have developed hypo thyroidisym after surgery. My PCP didn't put me on anything yet. I just reached gaol and she wants to recheck it in a month.

From what I have read Reactive hypoglycemia is something to be aware of. Google it...can't post link here.

Interesting that you are losing hair with hyperthyroidism, I thought it was with hypothyroidism, which I have had since 1995. Hair loss was a big issue for me and as one of my major symptoms. It resolved itself quickly once I went on the Synthroid. I wonder if you have had the thyroid issue prior to your surgery, but were just unaware, as these things tend to creep up very quietly? I have read that a lot of folks have (especially) hypothyroidism, but aren't aware of it, and attribute a lot of their symptoms to other things. Did you have your levels checked prior to surgery? Might want to ask about that. My sleeve surgery was 12/3/14, and as I have had the hypothyroidism AND hyperparathyroidism (including surgery for both issues), I am checked every 3 months. I have not had any changes in either case because of the sleeve surgery. Just was checked about 2 weeks ago, all is well there. The meds they prescribe for both hyper and hypo seem to take care of the issues, from what I have experienced, and from what I have heard from others, as well. Good luck to you!

Thyroid meds can be tricky, especially when you don't take them consistently and properly. My thyroid was taken out due to having thyroid cancer. But I've always made sure to take my meds at the same time everyday, on an empty stomach, with nothing to eat for an hour afterwards. I lost 60 pounds prior to surgery following a less than 1200 calorie diet and exercising 4-5xs/week. So while being hypo is a challenge, losing weight is very much doable if you are disciplined and consistent.

Don't now and never have focused on low carbs ... am only concerned not to go so low-carb that I wind up among the very small minority of VSG patients (3%) who suffer from post-bariatric reactive hypoglycemia. It's a low risk, but you do NOT want to have that monkey climb up on your back. Google it.

I'm a diabetic, and yes it does sound very much like how I get when I am having a hypo - I think you should go and get checked out for this as its not good to let it go on. Also buy yourself some dextrose tablets and take 3 or 4 of those when you are feeling like this - if it makes you feel better quickly, you will also have your answer... Take care. this isn't something to be ignored.

Just saying hello to fellow Feb 2013 buddies. How is everyone doing? I'm down 136' to 155. That's where my body wants to be. I had two problems-- hernia with small bowel obstruction and reactive hypoglycemia. The hernia was repaired and then it was found I needed abdominal wall reconstruction and a re-repair of the hernia. That I had done with a panniculectomy in Dec. I have the hypoglycemia under control by eating right. I wear a size 10-12, down from a 24/26. I can wear high heels and have energy and feel great! Best decision ever to have RNY.