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I understand your thinking, but dropsets are actually a very bad way to build strength. Yes, you will feel a pump from the muscle being engorged from increased blood flow, but that is not the same as building strength. Let's use squats as an example. You might be able to do 12 reps on the first set of the bench press but you should stop at 9 or 10. Stopping before muscle and nervous system fatigue will allow you to complete the full set. So lets say that you squatted 100 lbs for 12 reps, then 8, 6, and 4 for a total of 30 reps. That would give you a total volume of 3,000 lbs. However, if you dropped that to 8 reps for the entire set, you would have 32 reps for a total volume of 3,200 lbs. As you get further and further into your strength training, the disparity become even greater. All that being said, I don't do that many reps in any of my sets. Sure, I could probably do 12 reps at 185 lbs, but 3 sets of 5 reps at 245 lbs provides me with 3,675 lbs of volume work. As for the OP's question, 2 weeks post op I would focus on just walking. Your stamina is going to be very, very low. The threat of reactive hypoglycemia is very real, as is low blood pressure. Getting dizzy is common and fainting is not unheard of (as me how I know!). There is no time in your life when the weight will come off faster and easier than this point of your recovery. Capitalize on it. Once you are hitting your fluid and protein goals or more for the week, then start Pilates or resistance training. I actually liked Pilates in the beginning. Once that is no longer kicking your butt, start real weights. Squats and deadlifts are the two must important movements the we as humans need to do properly. If you are picking up small children or heavy bags, moving furniture, etc... you are using the same muscles, so start training them when you are able.

I'm going on Day 5 post op, have had no problems at all and felt great. I was off pain meds and I walked a mile today, but I decided to take a full dose of my liquid hydrocodone tonight at 8:30 after I put my kids to bed. I am still on clear liquids. I am starting to feel a little shaky, a little faint(the feeling I used to get occasionally when I would accidently forget to eat) and cured if I had a glucose tab or a quick sugar fix to counteract the low blood sugar. I've never been diagnosed with hypoglycemia but it has happened a handful of times in the past. My question is.... if this feeling continues to get worse and I feel like my blood sugar is dropping, can I take a glucose tab or an ounce of apple juice with sugar to bring my blood sugar back up? I'm starting to freak out a little bc my kids are all here asleep. If I knew I could have regular apple juice that would set my mind at ease but I know Im not supposed to have sugar??? Will it cause me to have a leak or is it only for losing weight reason. What will happen if I need to dissolve a glucose tab to prevent passing out? Like I said, I have been feeling 100% great, getting pleanty of proteins and liquids in. I'm afraid maybe walking in excess, taking care of kids while my husband traveled today and having a full dose of hydrocodone was a bad combo for me. Any advice please??? Thank you, any help appreciated.

Hi again - its me with the interesting questions! My friend who is also considering surgery has Hypo- Thyroidism - does anyone know if she is a candidate for surgery or not? kind regards M:)

Hello, I'm 42 and had the lap band surgery back in Jan. of 2005. Recently had issues with reflux and not being able to eat. I had the fill removed from the band. Gained lots of weight. I have celiac, thyroid issues and I'm worried about of all things with gastric bypass surgery is the hair loss. I have beautiful thick hair. I'm in the approval process right now. Wanting to know what anyone knows about hair loss and if there is anything to prevent this from happening. Anything prior to surgery I can stock up on Biotin in my system. Just thought I'd ask this crazy question. Also, want to know how soon a person can drive/go to work after this surgery. I will have the lap band removed and the gastric bypass done in one surgery.

I'm 2.5 years out. I find it really helps to reset once a month. For two or three days I drink Protein shakes and green juices and have a really small dinner. I stay at or below my goal of 175 (I'm 5'10") most of the time. If I go above 175, I start watching what I eat more closely. @@CowgirlJane ... really not much more than what I said in my post above at http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/330902-what-are-your-differences-between-year-1-year-2-and-year-3/?p=3824614 Over at www.gastricsleeve.com there's a woman named "Grace" who really suffers from this problem. To find her posts, use the Advanced Search function and look for Keyword "hypoglycemia" and User Name "Grace." Her posts have generated some good discussions on that board. I'm also having a really hard time with reactive hypoglycemia. I wasn't a low carb fanatic at any time since my surgery. I have episodes around 11:30 if I don't drink a Protein shake for Breakfast or if I have anything with excess sugar in it. I also have episodes in the middle of the night. I thought I was having night sweats, but I have the tremors and ravenous hunger as well.

Yes, my blood sugars go down when I am feeling hypoglycemic. Here are my "numbers" that were tested in the hospital and are where I cannot go: Blood sugar of 190 - I begin to shake and have rough hypo symptoms Blood sugar of 170 or below - I pass out (Most do this when blood sugar is 130 or so) So, in my first nutrition meeting today, they said they are sending me to the Joslin Diabetes Hospital, which is luckily right across the street from the hospital I have chosen for my surgery. Hypoglycemia has been a huge problem of mine since I was a kid. Diabetes is new, and all over my family history.

Hi Selene, Those of us who have been on VST for a while (I'm about a 1 yr veteran) see this type of post a lot! I'm going to repost a mix of many different responses I've given to this type of question. Hopefully you'll find some of it useful! Here goes........... This is a VERY common time for your body to stop and take stock of what's happening. You've had major surgery and are in active healing mode (and will be for several months more to come!). Generally speaking, the body is constantly adjusting to it's environment and reevaluating what it needs to do biochemically to adapt. So if you're losing weight in "patches" (as most of us do), it's because your body is reacting to fewer calories, changing food amount/type intake, hormonal shifts, exercise (or lack of), etc. You are not a static human being that is identical all the time, so your body needs time to "catch up" to the current situation. By the time it does, you've moved on and are introducing whole new set of variables. If you look at my signature line below, you'll see my weight loss record and how many pounds I lost each month (and still losing). It starts out quick and then slows down. Many stalls along the way (had my worst one yet last month......about 4 weeks stalled!). In March I lost 3.7 lbs over the entire month and I was happy because it did actually move down! As long as you stick to your plan consistency will get you to your goals. This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Use this time to build up your new good habits, work through frustrations with a balanced approach and try not to be reactive to the scale. I know it's exciting to finally see the weight drop off, and you want to be at goal NOW! But we didn't get up there fast, and we're not going to lose it overnight either. I'm more than 11 months post-op. I have about 50 lbs left to lose and I suspect it will take at least another 6-8 months to lose those last 50 lbs. I'm okay with that! After about 6 months you will be adapting to major lifestyle modifications regarding your food intake type and of course quantities (and probably have incorporated significant exercise into your lifestyle as well). Your physiology and metabolism needs time to adjust. Measure your progress in other ways (fitness level, clothing fit, body measurements, stamina, quality of sleep or energy levels, etc.). The scale can be deceptive and demotivating at the best of times. So keep your eyes on the prize, stick to your plan and don't let stalls stop you. You just keep on "keeping on". The stall does break (believe me). You just have to not give up! Your overall trend will be down and if you can find a way to measure body fat, it is a much more accurate picture of what is happening. I recently purchased a body fat analyzer which will help me know better what is going on with my weight loss (I want my muscle % to stay or increase!). It's not a sprint..........though it's hard not to be excited for this major change and want it NOW! It's a marathon and we'll get there as long as we keep putting one foot in front of the other, stay informed and actively aware of what we're putting into our bodies, how we're burning off calories and what we need to do to achieve our weight loss and fitness goals. You can do this! Take body measurements, and if you MUST weigh yourself daily (I get it....), then remember to take the ups and downs with grace and stay on your eating and exercise plan, regardless of what the stupid scale says (good or bad!).

A few things that may sound familiar and affect many of us during the holiday season are: Family traditions and ethnic backgrounds with food memories that have followed us through life. Trauma, hardships or losses that make holiday cheer tough to enjoy or even tolerate on some levels. Falling back on a diet mindset and thinking it’s ok to eat recreate old habits from October 31-January 2. Awareness of mental and emotional struggles feeling more acute during the holiday season. For bariatric patients, an immediate fear presents itself: “How can I survive all the parties and family celebrations while embracing my post-surgery food choices so I don’t lose control with holiday eating and drinking this year?” The practical answer: Prepare for it, just as if the surgery was ahead of you. Think and plan for success with the least amount of guilt and destruction possible. Holiday foods are not “rewards” or “treats” or a reason to fall off the mindful thinking that you use every day. We all have family and cultural traditions of holiday foods, and the meanings behind them; that often follow us into adulthood. The connection is to people, not food itself. Holiday time often intensifies many people’s mental and emotional struggle with life issues. Food can often be an immediate distraction and way to receive immediate gratification in tough times. The trouble is, the stresses and issues remain after the food is consumed. Often, alcohol consumption increases at holiday time as well, so mindset is altered by allowing more uninhibited behavior to prevail. Using good judgment often decreases as well. So, if we can use the model of being prepared and accountable for ourselves, what would it look like? Think of the season on your terms. Where can you plan and take the lead on making good choices for yourself while still feeling the holiday spirit? Find control where you can make food to bring to others parties or meals. Host at your home to take pressure off of yourself. Be honest and ask to be considered when food is being prepared and served so that you can also taste but be flooded by the excessive choices and behaviors all around us. Find ways to relax and refresh so you are not overwhelmed or drained by the holiday madness. Keep a journal of your thoughts, fears, successes and challenges to remind you of the proud journey you are on now. Use meditative activities to bring a more even and peaceful attitude to the business of the season and the potential for burnout and self-destruction. Give of yourself to others that need to be uplifted. Find a community, group hobby or counselor if the season is troubling of extremely unmanageable. Many times the holiday triggers are too hard to handle alone. Ask for help and know that you are being proactive (helping yourself) instead of reactive (always behind and at the mercy of others decisions and actions). The key is to stay connected to the resources, the people, places and things that bring successful experiences to us, and avoid harmful or undermining circumstances that reinforce low self-esteem and bad, and often destructive, behaviors. As a bariatric patient, being accountable is helping yourself stay focused on a positive and productive mindset with help provide a fulfilling and peaceful holiday season each and every year. Yes, this is you, enjoying your life during the holidays.

Sounds like symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia. Might want to do some research on it.

I don't have reactive hypoglycemia, but I have been suffering from hypoglycemia for over a year. I do have occasional issues with reactive hypoglycemia if I have things like protein bars. I also have issues with low blood pressure. My body has never fully adjusted to a lower weight like I hoped it would.

Go Shirley, you are doing great with your weight loss! Hang in there hypo bandsters!

i have had hypothyroidism for almost 15 years...I had my surgery 13 months ago and I am down 148 pounds. My low acting thyroid has not slowed my weightloss down so far. I have 32 left to lose to reach my goal. I hope that it doesn't decide to kick in now! Have faith...I am one success story of someone with hypo!

I have been hypo for the past 10 years. Before I got my band i was on 2.25 sythroid, now I am down to 1.75 sythroid now. So I think the weight loss has helped with my thyroid problem.

I don't mean to be a nitpicker, but I want to be sure that newbies researching get accurate information. When I was researching the sleeve in 2011 it was clear even then that there are some long term complications associated with the sleeve. #1 is reflux/GERD. in fact, it seems to peak about 3-6 years post op - I recall reading that about 30% are impacted. Most people can manage it well though... a few have to revise to bypass because it is so bad. I had to ask myself if I was willing to risk this. #2 regain. This is a risk of all WLS and the sleeve has very comparable stats to the bypass, but it is still a long term "risk" #3 Less common, but real problems like: ulcers and other "problems of the stomach". This seems fairly uncommon, but there is a person on this forum who developed a "leak" a year or more post op from an ulcer. Reactive hypoglycemia, vit B deficiencies and other very uncommon type problems can show up. I don't say any of that to scare people - just go in with your eyes open. I, like most sleevers, have no complications and am very happy with my choice, but there are long term concerns to be aware.

One of the problems that individuals that undergo RNY surgery sometimes experience is called "reactive hypoglycemia". Individuals experience low blood sugar within a few hours after eating. This link might help. http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/Handouts/hypoglycemia_nutrition_reactive.html Also get back on your Vitamins. Your body, because of RNY gastric bypass surgery, no longer synthesizes vitamins from the foods that you eat. Therefore it is easy to become Vitamin deficient without taking supplements and thereby open the door to a slew of medical conditions that are caused by vitamin deficiencies. About a year after surgery I encountered a stomach flu. I didn't feel like eating and if I did, it generally led to diarrhea. I lost a pound a day for a week and then the flu was gone and life returned back to normal. I looked at the additional weight loss as a plus and tried to maintain this additional weight loss.

Oh thank you for mentioning that. I am actually hypo-thyroid and I am not taking any other antidepressants. I have in the past but they really started messing me up after a while. I started looking for whatever I could find to improve it naturally. I knew I was Vitamin or mineral or something deficient because my diet for many years consisted of doritos and Mt. Dew. You don't get very many nutrients that way but it sure was good while it lasted. I'm just paying for it now............giggle.

@@MissB1982 Glad you are seeing your Endo. I have Graves Disease (Hyper thyroid). It is genetic, but I was diagnosed with it pre Sleeve, as part of the tests pre op. I've walked around with it for decades ..... This put my surgery back for 9 months to get my thyroid stabilised. I tried anti-thyroid drugs but this was taking too long, so I was on Beta Blockers and had RAI done last year (radioactive iodine) to destroy my thyroid. 4 months later I went hypo, and was put on Thyroxine (Synthroid) 100mcg. After my sleeve early March 2016 I started noticing that I wasn't sleeping well again, and my bad headaches came back. In May my Thyroxine dose was reduced. I was OK for a while, but with continuous weight loss, the Hyper thyroid symptoms came back: bad insomnia, awful headaches, high blood pressure and racing pulse, sweats. My TSH was back to less than 0.01 again! I saw my Endo last week, and she reduced my Thyroxine to 50 mcg (half dose). She told me to have a week off Thyroxine, to stop it completely, and re-start it at 50 mcg this coming Friday. I also had to go back on Beta Blockers to lower down heart rate and blood pressure. She confirmed that with weight-loss, this affects the med dose. It is very weight sensitive. So far I am starting to sleep better, and my vitals have improved, rare headaches now and still bit hot at times. @@MissB1982 I hope you get your answers from your Endo. You sound quite Hyper thyroid to me. It can put a strain on the heart, and the whole condition is very unpleasant. There are anti-thyroid meds, such as Carbimazole, plus Beta Blockers to slower the heart rate, and there is RAI: Radioactive Iodine Tx. Good luck, and let us know how you went.

Definitely regular icecream and not much of it on an empty stomach. I stole about 3 or 4 spoons of my hubby's Ben & Jerry's at the movies once and about 20 mains later I got the shakes, feeling faint, nauseous etc. Haven't tried more than one teeny spoon of ice cream since. I once had a petrol station machine mocha and a small can of Pringles and oh my that made me dump AND throw up with 20 or 30 mins. That was about 4 mths after surgery, haven't done that again. Those experiences were enough to make me very cautious about sugar. Nowadays 10 mths out from surgery I have had a few reactive hypoglycaemia attacks when I ate stuff I shouldn't have. A scone with a teeny bit of jam and some nice cream gave me a hypo two hours later. As did a whole packet of cheezles I stupidly ate in one sitting. Also if I eat sweet (white or milk) chocolate I have to be very careful or I'm hypoing two hours later. Basically if I break the rules, I suffer, which is what I (well, technically the Health Service) paid €7450 for!

Was banded yesterday. Everything went well with the exception of getting the damned IV's going. My veins are really tiny and they roll. After five tries I asked them to just put it in the crook of my arm. Other than that, pretty uneventful. They took me in at exactly 1pm but didn't get done with me till 4pm because of a "monster" hernia plus the doc dealt with a bunch of adhesions. Actually, when I woke up the only place that I had pain was in my chest. Felt like an elephant was sitting there. They gave me a hypo and sent me home. That shot lasted way into the night. Took some liquid Tylenol and slept really well. My DH wedged a pillow behind me so that I could somewhat lay on my side. (Stomach sleeper and have NEVER slept on my back). Swallowing is going good and have gotten in quite a bit of Water since I got home. I was told I could start with cream of wheat, Soups (non-chunky) tomato juice tomorrow. Thought that was quick but doc says with new band it's OK. Next Tuesday I can start with scrambled eggs, soft veggies, tuna, cottage cheese. July 1...onto real foods. Seems like a pretty fast transition to real foods but will test the waters as my doc gives me the OK. I am so excited to think that there may be a chance that I no longer need to take medication for acid reflux. I took nothing last night and it went well. Will have to see what today brings. That's it for now. Going for a walk and then back to the couch. Hope everyone else had as easy a day as I had yesterday.

Several people have developed reactive hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery. This can affect individual even if they were not diabetic prior to surgery. I find it confusing that your doctor is treating the condition by prescribing Metformin. Metformin is generally used to treat high blood pressure but reactive hypoglycemia is a low blood sugar condition. Here are some links that describe the condition and how to minimize its affects. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass/ https://www.stjoes.ca/patients-visitors/patient-education/f-j/PD 7972 Reactive Hypoglycemia after Bariatric Surgery.pdf We had one individual in our bariatric surgery support groups who had developed this condition. It kind of through him for the first time he fainted, but then when he understood the condition he felt it was very manageable. He could detect when he was about to experience the condition and just took a little food or juice and he was good to go. He didn't need any prescription medicine to treat the condition - just awareness and the proper response.

So my sleeve surgery is Monday but my very limited pre op diet of seven days gas been awful. I knew aspartame gave me mugraines so avoided that ingredient but got primere with sucralose and popsicles with the same as well as crystal light pure made with truvia which is stevia and a sugar alcohol My tummy has been hurting every day. I finally ate a bite of my mom's veggie omelette and was told if my blood sugar went hypo I could eat yogurt so my blood sugar wasn't quite hypo and I had nonfat Greek honey yogurt. Sure felt better but felt so guilty for cheating and like hope I'm not messing up my stomach prep for surgery Last night after crystal light pure, I threw up once with six episodes all this foamy stuff. Sorry tmi. Number two s been all the runs as well so called weight clinic nurse and they are having me quit all artificial sweeteners as they and I feel they are the culprit and allowing me Protein powder...found one with 25grams of protein and sweet with stevia which is a nature made plant and I can have it in skim milk!!!! Yay So stomach is already way happier and tge Protein Powder taste good not chalky Anyone else with similar problems... cheating, malabsorption??etc??

I'm due to go for my initial consultation in Derby next Monday (18th August) & I am hoping my concerns will be addressed there, but I thought I'd ask here too beforehand. I've had type II diabetes for the last 4 years (at least), managed by insulin (novomix 30 twice a day) & metformin (1000mg twice a day) since my heart attack 2 years ago. I've got on with the insulin very well so they kept me on it beyond the initially planned 6 months. Naturally I am hoping that eventually my weight will end up low enough for me come come off all diabetes medications, however my concern at the moment is eating so little post-op & knowing how much insulin to take. I've never had a hypo (luckily) so I have no experience of what it actually feels like & I live alone too so the thought of it happening is scaring me quite a lot. I'd love to hear the experiences of anyone else in the same position.

I was diagnosed about four years ago. I've been on synthroid ever since. It takes a couple of weeks to get into your system - and you'll need to get your bloodwork checked every month or so until they get you to where you need to be. Mine was triggered after giving birth to my eldest daughter - whom is now 8. My hormones didn't return to normal and my thyroid slowed tremendously. Your thryoid controls your metabolism - which in turn affects your entire body. hair, skin, nails, mental capacity (I got really forgetful), weight, attitude (I turned into a bi***). Seriously I thought I was bi-polar for a while. Your body can produce too much and you'll be hyper or not enough hypo. I was feeling really strange last week - had bad swelling in my ankles and felt light headed/dizzy. I went back to my doctor and they re-tested me. My level was too high. I hadn't had my blood tested in a few years (since it was regulated). Now that I'm 65 pounds down from my original testing - I didn't think of getting it rechecked. They had to lower my medication to get me regulated again. Once you are regulated - don't forget to get that checked yearly (with your physical) - it can change.

I am so sorry, but your venting made me laugh..So many things that we all experienced and the buyers remorse shining through your complaints. Hold on kid it is going to get better. I promise you. Life is going to start to hand you some pretty cool experiences called NSV. And then you will say I am so glad I did this. Mean while it takes time to get used to all the changes and rules..of our new life style. But it will become very manageable for you as well as routine very soon. Take the time to really enjoy exploring new foods that would be interesting to try. And then for sure you will have conversations about food. The whole reason you had this surgery in the first place was because of your addiction to the chemical reaction in your brain and lack of self control while enjoying the chemical reaction in your brain. But if you learn to make good, nutritional choices and make them tasty. There will be lots to talk about and you will be helping your body as well. I am never hungry either and have not been hungry all along...If i did not have Reactive Hypoglycemia I probably would not eat as often as I do and then I would be smaller then I am now...... Trust me girl it will all come together and you are going to be so proud of yourself!!!!!!!

Hello to All, I will be 6 weeks post-op tomorrow and have only lost 12 lbs. I know that averages out to the 2 lbs per week that my doctor wants me to lose, but it just seems like for the past week since I got my first fill that things have slowed way down. I am losing inches and that is a good thing, but would love to see some more lbs go away forever. I am measuring my food, eating between 800-1000 calories with lots of Protein, drinking almost a gallon of Water a day and working out in some way everyday. I go back to the doctor on June 14th, I assume for a 2nd fill. I am also hypo-thyroid and realize that this will affect my weight loss so my PCP is keeping a very good check on my levels and dosages to try and minimize my thyroid destroying this weight loss effort like it has so many others. Would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what I might be needing to change or add. Thanks in advance and thanks for all the great people on this forum for sharing their ideas and experiences with all of us newbies.