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Hey everyone! Sx date was 11/19 Discharged yesterday 11/20 around noon. Only did a one night stay. I am feeling better than I imagined. No serious gas pains. Stomach tight/slight discomfort. I think my throat is the worst of all.

I am so glad I found your post! I was sleeved on 10/21 and lost 24 pounds in the first month. Today is my 1 month since surgery and I have not lost a pound in 5 days and between yesterday and today, I have gained 2.5. I know it is a marathon, not a sprint... but it is still discouraging and disheartening when I am following the plan and see the scale going the wrong way. I also know that the stalls are normal and expected, but it still doesn't take the sting away from the small uptick on the scale. Gonna try to keep the faith that this IS WORTH IT and we WILL be successful!! 💜

Thank you, ladies, for you're honest and sincere input! I respect and value everything each have said and the insight your experience renders. I will definitely compare all the pro and cons. (I also love playing scrabble, and am a big To Do List girl, too!) Whenever I need to make a major decision personally or professionally, I literally write out two columns, one pro and one con. It's a great way for the subject matter at hand to become crystal clear on paper. That said, I absolutely bonded today with the female plastic surgeon and her staff. I never sensed they were selling surgery. I asked for a thorough exam with an honest evaluation and answers to my concerns which were raised here on the thread. I expressed my goals were not for a body beautiful. I'm now 60 and realistic. My hubby and I joke, I'll be like Mrs. Frankenstein 2020! The current severely sagging, elongated breasts (boy, now that's a pretty picture) are now causing back pain; a bit of a hunch back is forming; and two rolls of abdominal skin causing posture imbalance, rash and bones to protrude now that my frame has become relatively small. None were issues before when I was big and plump, as the weight balanced out everything proportionately, surgeon noted. With careful examination of my entire body in the raw - she did not wish me to loose much more weight feeling I'd crossover to gaunt. Nor felt the weight on the scale was an accurate measurement of my body frame and type. She concluded, I was an excellent candidate with a great underlying structure in good health, and addressing the loose skin now was a good thing. We met for over an hour discussing this, good nutrition and other relevant topics. My appointment lasted 2 ½ hours. I felt them professional, thorough and attentive to the sleeve nuances. The surgeon was quite confident and enthusiastic about sculpting me to my personal finish line. She loved and was inspired by the 25th gala gown design sketch for May 2020 - I had shared on the OOTD thread. Call me rebel, guinea pig, stupid or a trail blazer - but I scheduled my breast lift and a fleur de lis tummy tuck for this winter, January 2020 with exparel pain medication to deaden nerves that first week. They were most forthright to my questions for recovery time + post surgery pain + uncomfortableness given the sometimes precarious vertical and horizontal lower abdominal intersection that can sometimes cause healing complications. Hopefully, that will not be my plight. I am to use a walker and not stand erect for the first few weeks until that particular incision shows healthy healing. An arduous endeavor. Hubby and I will go to pre-op appointment. However, we will continue to proceed with caution and remain attentive. As a super responder (Dr. Weiner's term) as I think many of us are here - I was actually a very jovial, active in my field, former professional full-figure model, fit, sturdy overweight who ate fairly healthy (until reading the obesity code, a real eye opener to the toxic foods we thought were good for us like 21st century breeds of brown rice, whole wheat bread and wheat pasta + all white powders, like cocaine, just kidding!...) and exercised regularly. No real obesity issues accept left knee joint pain from previous injuries (ergo, the penchant for flat shoes) as a runner exasperated by too much weight. Even heavy, I strived to be my best possible self BUT no doubt, my good fortune would eventually run out moving into older adulthood. The sleeve has addressed the metabolic disease beautifully. I remain cautiously optimistic about this next phase. My former Miami modeling agency has asked if I'd be interested in registering as a relatable, older adult petite woman. Absolutely, of course. You often get to keep the clothing you model. Fun! Just no high heels... Oh, and I thought this definition + history was way cool: Plastikos - Greek root to mold or give form. Egypt 3000 BC first historical evidence of plastic surgeon pioneers caring for facial wounds via duels and jousts. 1800's better tools and techniques invented. WWI becoming prominent for wounded soldiers. 1950's thru today, an established art and science with continuing advances with modern technologies. My surgeon is 10 years practiced, yet on the cutting edge. Not too young or too old. Interviewed three surgeons, will cancel the last two interviews. Did not mean to write a novel...

Hi, I would absolutely LOVE to see Alaska! All the wildlife. Yes I am a July sibling lol. July 8th, 2019. I am doing well. Went from start 203, surgery 198 to 166 today. I could... should be better.. I am 53, an do enjoy a little wine etc. I feel so much better. I have fine but a whole lot of hair. At 3.5 month I did have some come out more than I wanted. It appears it may have slowed down now at 4.5 months, I think me and my husband are the only ones to notice. I am going to cut my hair medium length in the next couple days as it isn’t as full. I started bariatric vitamins months prior to surgery, I take the bariatric vitamins, biotin, hair skin nails with vitamins, sublingual d3, sublingual b complex, collagen, msm, protein either shake or powder daily. It is frustrating. I guess it is normal to lose up toll 6 months. Hoping it doesn’t last that long. My nails are ruined from my psoriatic arthritis so I couldn’t tell you if that is affected. the issue with my liver was 10 years ago when I was just diagnosed with my autoimmune disorders. That is why I try to double check everything from my doctors. I made certain I hit my goals. It is confusing because some say you cam only absorb a certain amount at a time. I added peanut butter powder, collagen powder to my shakes etc. So all of that may have been a waste. hope you hair loss stops ASAP as it sucks. No other way to say it. Hope you are hitting all your goals!

Revised sleeve to bypass last week due to GERD. Sleeve w/hiatal hernia repair 6/2016. 2nd hernia repair 10/17. 3rd hernia repair w/bypass, although originally the surgeon said he wasn’t going to fix it this time. I guess it was so big that he had to. I revised because I was aspirating acid into my lungs. I wish I had pushed for the bypass for the original surgery. I had asked for it because I already had GERD. I was told that I probably had a hernia, he’d fix it, and I’d be fine. Yeah... This recovery is harder from a pain perspective. The incisions are larger. It hurts to cough, sneeze, laugh, sit up, etc. I don’t remember this happening the last time. The surgeon said that he “did more damage” this time cutting me open. 😳 I do feel better every day but it it is different from last time. I also find that my appetite is the same as before the surgery. Last time I didn’t even want to look at food. However, I get nauseous when I eat so I am dropping weight, which I’m please with. I don’t mind losing about 10-15#, but I’m going to have to be careful not to get underweight (now that’s a first for me!). Good luck with whatever you decide.

I was 330lbs. I lost about 70lbs the first 6 months., I had my surgery 1/29/2019. Today 11/30/19, I was at ths doctor and I weighed in at 217.2lbs. The past month its really slowed down. If you can get in 80-100g of protein and lots of fluid you can lose more weight and not be so hungry. I wish you the best of luck. You got this! I shouldve taken more before pics so I could compare. Don't have very many. But this is 1p3lbs gone I think...

I read somewhere that the first few weeks it's 5-10 lbs a week then 2-3 pounds a week on average (of course most of us had the expected 3 week stall). I initially lost maybe 8-10 total in the first 2 weeks then it dropped to 3/week then 2 a week steadily unitl the 6/7 month mark when I hit my goal of 70 lbs. Everyone is different.

Thanks for this insight. Lol, so even though we desire different body types, we can agree that plastics are the final “reward” for all of the hard work and dedication that we’ve gone through. Confession: when I was 13, I first learned about cellulite. I learned about it when I was in a changing room with other middle school girls and I was literally the only girl to have it—massive amounts to the point where one of my friends legit asked me what in the world was “all that”. I was 5’6” and probably not even 120 pounds and I had cellulite on top of cellulite. I also had DDDs, which garnered all kinds of attention I didn’t want and never asked for and quite frankly it overwhelmed me most of the time. At the time I was playing volleyball and that’s probably one of the very last times I wore short-shorts in either public or private. Meanwhile my cousins and siblings are all long-limbed, naturally lean, and have zero weird pockets of cellulite on their limbs. After a much-needed facelift, I’m going to get these damn thighs/knees worked on and I don’t care how painful the procedure is or how long the recovery process it. I’ll be damned if I get to a size 6/8 again and still have shame on half my body. Lol, waiting will be tough, but I do know I need another 10-12 months (outside of a facelift) for anything else. Sigh..., yet another summer of not being able to wear shorts or a swimsuit. 😔

I agree with all of this. So many people seem to drop 10-20 lbs below where they think they're going to end up - or at least temporarily, anyway, and then there are lots of people who have a 10-20 lb rebound once they think they've hit their goal weight....and often that doesn't occur until c. 3 years out. Plus things do sometimes shift around for many of us, even if we manage to stay the same weight. I think you're better off waiting - although I know how you feel - I was impatient, too (however, I didn't have plastic surgery until I was 3 and 3.5 years out (I had it in two phases)). At that point, I figured I was safe.

These stalls suck and do a number on your head. After hitting GW last month, I too decided to just kind of play things be ear for a few weeks and then this last week I’ve gotten a bit more serious bc I want to get a couple pounds below 150 to give myself some wiggle room for vacation. I too think I set a high-ish GW (155, 5’7”) and I’m okay with it bc I’m older and I’ve always had a lower RMR and I want to be able to eat 1200-1500 calories some day and quite frankly I could kill myself to try to get below 140..... but why? I guarantee if I did, then I would immediately gain 5-10 pounds the moment I started eating >750 calories/day so why stress it out? I think your lifting goal is awesome and where I plan on changing my body later is through plastics (for sculpting and skin removal) and through Pilates and running. Okay, so my GW has now shifted to any weight

No worries about hijacking this post, it's all good! I agree if anyone wants answers from a broader group then is participating in this thread, then their own post would be advised. Isn't it funny, we all have our ideal body type. Mine is total 50's pin up, wasp waist and curves for days! I wasn't put off at all about what my pcp for the day had to say. It was just annoying he would presume to know more than I do about my body or plastics. Just a bummer to choose another dr.'s office. I've never been to this one in 3+ years, but it is walking distance from my house! As far as timing of plastics. My answer now is very different than it would have been a year ago. I was super impatient for plastics, as I am about most things in life 🤣. I am grateful I am having this surgery at 22 months out vs. 10 months or even 18 months. First, no one can really predict where their final weight will end up at. We've seen it repeatedly in the maintenance thread, people think they are permanently stalled out, or have happily reach goal but then drop some more. And for me, those last 15-20 lbs made a HUGE physical difference. (RIP boobs & butt ) Getting a breast aug when I was 10 lbs heavier would have been disasteroius. Also even though I have been within a 5 lb range for 10 or so months, my body has shifted and changed. I can't put my finger on exactly how. But I know my butt has kinda slid down, in a not very attractive way 😂. Also my waist has gotten smaller, potentially also having slid into my pooch? I can mainly tell because some of my favorite clothes from 9 months ago are now a little baggy So my advice from an (incomplete) study of 1 ... I'd really suggest being at a stable weight for at least 6 months. I really think the result will be better if your body is more settled.

I went with stretchy and comfy today. My weight loss is legit stalled out, which after some soul searching, I’m ok with. I’m solidly out of plus sizes and feel pretty dang good. My plan is to maintain in the 160s (another 12-22lbs), which still has me “overweight”, but will have me in 8s-10s, and that’s a good size for my figure. I won’t be “skinny”, but I never really wanted that anyway. As a result, I’m adding in some snacks and increasing my cals up closer to 900. I’ll still lose, but will feel a lot better and be able to really focus on weightlifting again. I lifted Monday and am not thrilled with how weak I am, so that’s gotta change. anyhoo - here is today’s work outfit. I went with a slight western vibe.

Yesterday, Tues, Nov. 19 Maintenance : 5'2" / 1yr PO Sleeve / 115.9 lbs ...ok, so I haven't slept yet. Minor crisis last night and the girlfriends rallied to support one of our own at my place. We stayed up all night with her and of course I had a food spread laid out (because it is ingrained in me to provide endless food and drink to everyone who walks through my door...why is that?!?). And I picked at said food all night. And I feel so unbelievably icky right now, like I need a cleanse or something. Or maybe I just need to sleep. Warning: yesterday's food log is not for faint of heart. I was considering not posting it out of concern of setting a bad example, but I decided I'm going to stick to full transparency. Look away if you have a tendency to judge or are prone to suggestive snacking... 8:00am - earl grey tea w/ stevia + coffee w/ stevia 11:30am - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 2.5 oz apple + 1/4 jalapeño pepper + 1 tbsp fried onion topping + 4 oz grilled chicken 4:00pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 2 oz apple + 1 oz almonds + 1 fl oz pumpkin seeds 7:30 pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 1.5 oz apple + 1/4 jalapeño pepper + 1 oz almonds + 2 oz ginger beef + 2 oz green beans w/ butter 11:00pm to 7am this morning - 2 Chocolate Coconut Keto Fat Bombs 1 Love Good Fats Keto Chocolately Almond Bar 1 Love Good Fats Keto Coconut Macadamia Bar 1 tbsp almond butter 1 oz almonds 1 fl oz pumpkin seeds 4 oz candied ginger 6 Toffifee candies 2 x 1/4 cup Haagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream 4 oz Brie cheese 1 oz Parmesan cheese 3.5 oz smoked turkey breast Totals: 2880 cals - 143g Protein - 179g NET carbs - 165g fat

One week and counting until surgery... VSG surgery date is 11-26-19! Is there Anyone else out there that is planning to have surgery early next week? I'm Looking for a few people to follow and compare our Journeys... Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My date was the 24th of September 2019. So, I'm definitely new to this journey. 😊🤗

@FluffyChix, @Sheribear68 @GreenTealael just a thank you for making me feel ok to write this post that I put off out of sheer exhaustion due to post exertional malaise from myalgic Encephalomyelitis chronic illness that effects my entire body life and self. And autism spectrum that makes me fear speaking openly in a forum. My words are not brief enough so I apologize in advance. And if I can’t stay on topic or veer in various directions too. This has been a long time coming a longer fight than my surgery alone. I was reminded of my mom saying how when I was little I said something like what do I do when I get big and my clothes don’t fit as if I’d suddenly be grown up. i had a very unexpected weight loss win that came upon me sudden and overwhelming. I’ve very little energy not due to surgery. that’s a long story but I’ve been trying to make my bedroom a real bedroom I’ve never settled in since moving and my bathroom finally is almost done being fixed and bought a nice MCM dresser for very cheap on Houzz but my ocd I needed drawer bins to organize myself. I had my clothes in plastic bins in the closet. (Another phobia) After surgery I started to wear compression Capri shorts or pants both because they fit a size range, for orthostatic intolerance aka pots benefits and to hold in jiggle. I also wore oversized men’s t-shirts. I was always a denim and tshirt person. I don’t usually have a lot of clothing. I had a bin in my closet for a long time with brand new shorts that didn’t fit Levis I think size 6 and size small men’s tops. I had another bin with size medium compression bottoms that I got after surgery. And then the bigger siZes that were much too tight by the time I had surgery, I got exhausted getting too big for my usual denim shorts so fast. I buy when I find them cheap less than $10 no more than $15. I’m on a tight budget. I found a pair of size 6 jeans in target and thought these will never fit me. But they were awesome for $10 beautiful matte black with buttons and short enough for me, I thought they wouldn’t fit. I thought My size smalls will never fit me. Even if they run bigger than usual. Which they do. I admit which is fine. I wore a large size xl on the size range and switched to the smaller size large and large men’s. In the past I wore tight size 16 jeans and plus size tops. I’ve been there before. a week or so ago I said I will try on the jeans and was shocked they fit and then all the clothes fit and my old bras no longer fit but I had back ups of undies and sports bras put away and now I’m glad I did. and I had to finally organize my clothes in my dresser kon mari style and I’ve never had this much clothes. Never. Might not seem like much but to me it is, That even the denim shorts fit so it’s overwhelming. I need to get them in a Smaller size for hot weather again. But needed pants for when it’s chilly. And I started looking at swimwear. I haven’t even done that ever in my life. Though I want Bermuda length bottoms and rash guard due to wrinkly saggy skin. All of a sudden my clothes are smaller than I thought they could ever be again. my body image I don’t feel small still. Just oddly bony in all the wrong places. And too big in others. And wishing for skin removal. And wondering if anyone has discussed this with their surgeon. I suddenly have the desire to be able to wear shorts that I probably didn’t since I was eight years old the last time I might have been considered thin and maybe a Tom boy. I want to be that kid and not how old am I? I know I can’t get it back but when you fight your body for so long you want simple things. Other people let it roll off their backs. Look away but we see ourselves every day. i think I feel if I post this it will jinx it that my weight started to go down a little faster than I expected. I’m still a ways away from goal at my height. But I’m ok with that. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed at the same time, my eating needs to be careful and calculating and I slip up in small ways. Find myself tempted by old habits developed because I was losing my ability to taste the food I was eating and having to back step from adding salt or butter or ketchup or carbs. And realizing some things can’t change and I have to keep adapting. I still don’t know why I can’t taste food properly one would think it would help I thought surgery changed it but it s going back to the way it was so I need to adapt again. You still want foods to taste good the bites you do eat. We struggle with our perception of food and nutrition. And not always fitting the norms while trying to succeed. I admit I added evening coffee because it helps things move along and sometimes sleep a little better but some days it’s not as effective at calming my heart rate or stress due to ADHD, orthostatic intolerance. I can’t be as active as most people either. gotta keep the gut moving. But I had some problems there too I’m still working on. My gastroenterologist is the only one in the area and tests showed colitis of some kind but not my colonoscopy. Plus he did the balloon dilation this time and tore my esophagus. And I’m not due to see my surgeon for a few months, I’m needing to see a new neurologist, spine doctor, cardiologist so I’m the opposite of most in needing more doctors. Weight loss isn’t a easy answer or a cure but don’t let it hold you back from trying, I am also dealing with crazy emotions and can’t process my weight loss. And can’t explain how I feel because this is a permanent change in a life where I can’t control anything else. I’m now in menopause due to recent surgery and need to manage new chronic conditions along with existing ones. and ones yet to be diagnosed. Ie. A neurological cause of dysphasia muscle weakness. my thoughts have been scattered and exhausting and I’m in a difficult head space because of where my life couldn’t go. And won’t. it was either give up and lose because of my chronic illness or keep gaining weight. And lose even more of myself. The surgery just exposed weaknesses that I didn’t expect but need to adapt to. The weight was killing me faster hurting me more. My mom has someone in her life and he needs to consider bariatric surgery he is 6’ over 330lbs has diabetes, high blood pressure is on a lot of meds, thinks he is eating healthy enough, thinks protein balances carbs and sugars, needs knee replacement. says he knows what’s right. But he judges me and my weight loss journey, comments how I look and how he thinks I should feel about it rather than focus on working on himself. And I’m finding that hard. Because he is capable but he wants the doctors and pills to do the work. And maybe because I never trusted the doctors or pills I see things differently. But it’s hard to be around people who watch how you eat or don’t eat and think it too strange for them to understand. ive spent my life on the outside and people can’t understand my chronic illness, or what my weight was doing to me overall, and that I will never be well but couldn’t continue on the path of gaining weight and the burden it put on my body. i wish someone could edit this so it could make sense. I write things and then panic about what I said. I hold back words most of my life and now I am trying not to in hopes it can reach the few people who feel as weird as I do. Struggle with health, body issues, life itself. And just want to have a body they feel good in for themselves and skin they can be comfortable in for themselves. Not just image but how we feel in clothes how we feel in our life whatever type of life it is. And not let the people around us define it or alter it yet not have to disconnect from them either. I don’t have much in my life and I’m hanging on as hard as I can to what is left. And my weight was part of this to try and have something I never could. I see my age I feel older and I’m trying each moment to stay on my feet upwardly mobile and not bed bound. Which honestly I am much of the time. Not by choice. And no one in the Weight loss journey talks about this side of things. The people that can’t be as active but struggle with food issues too. And that diet and exercise, especially exercise can’t fix. I haven’t had a normal life my body has been old before anyone else. I live around 90 year olds more active than me. ive been writing this over an hour and I’ve exhausted myself and Im putting it out in a public forum and that scares me. Especially since it’s scattered and long. Like all my other posts. I try to check in and answer what I can and took a while to come around to post my update. I’m shocked at six months and I’ve gone from 5’ 0” over 208 lbs BMI of 40, to around 130 lbs. I weigh myself dressed so I don’t feel shocked at changes. I weigh myself daily. Log my food the best I can. Do this for you and no one else, do this because you are ready even when you feel you aren’t. Do this for your health but also your wellbeing. Do this knowing that you need to still put in the work. Do this knowing each persons experience is different but yours is yours and as important as anyone else’s. im most resistant to changes but sometimes we have to adapt or die. Ignore the numbers or what other people desire, and do this for ourselves. I need a brain edit. I’ve said too much but only touched the surface. I know this is a public forum and I probably didn’t stay in a linear train of thought. My hormones are all whacked and I see life staring at me taunting me. We just want to fit. Even when we think we never will. I know my experience isn’t much and I’m terrible with words. If this needs to be removed that’s ok. I just felt I needed to say them.

Day 19: Biggest splurge item Years ago my husband bought me a new car for my birthday. (We knew we were going to get a car anyway, but he surprised me with one that day.) He had it done in custom leather and a few other cool features. I would never have gotten all the "fancy", but I did love it and drove it for many, many years. Interestingly, that is actually the only brand new car I have ever owned in my entire life. I loved driving it, but was less thrilled with making the payments on it. I now drive an old mini van! 😜

Banded back in 2009.... loved loved loved my band. She was removed in March of 2017 due to a slip caused by the flu/stomach bug. I knew when it happened... worst day ever. I love what the band taught me and with that knowledge I "only" gained 30lbs in the years after. But as I get older the ability to keep the weight off with diet and exercise and no WLS has been a huge battle. So 12 weeks ago tomorrow I had the sleeve done (8/28/19). SW this time was 173.5, Yesterday at dr. office for check up 143.0. I do see and feel the differences between the two. I feel hunger with the sleeve vs the band. I can eat stuff just now its 2-3 bites and done. I don't have port pain. The left-arm pain when full is worse. Of course, the no fills. I only had 1 unfill due to the TT (tummy tuck) I really wanted the MGB, but, my dr. doesn't do them. Before i found him i was going to head to Mexico($8800). But, i did the pros and cons and went with the sleeve here.... my dr is only 10 min from my work. It was the knowing if anything went wrong i was only a call away. I didn't weigh enough for the GB and had no other issues. So i was self-pay $14k. I will tell you the removal of the band was not hard at all. But the sleeve was by far the easiest sx i ever had.... (2) c sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, band, TT, band removal and now sleeve. The RN yesterday said she wished all her patients were like me..... hehe.... She said the band taught me well. I miss all the band members that use to come here......

Day 19. I've heard people say they forget to eat and it has been such a foreign concept for me until this trip. I get so immersed in the activities plan that I literally forget about food!! (In the past, the reason vacations were pleasurable was SOLELY for the food!!![emoji3]). That being said, when I do eat, it's been not so clean. We were at an Indian restaurant and at the end, I couldn't resist saffron rice but could only have 4 bites and had that COMPLETELY stuffed feeling and it was over.... Splurge Item: After 15 years of marriage, my husband upgraded my wedding and engagement rings this fall. They are both exquisite and beyond measure a splurge that if I'd known beforehand could not justify. BUT, I'm extremely grateful for and LOVE it.[emoji176][emoji176][emoji176] B-Side Question: Does Thanksgiving/Banquets make you nervous now? This will be my first Thanksgiving and we'll be traveling out of town for it and while I know it will be semi stressful because I won't be on my own turf and my sister in law is probably one of the best cooks I know, I'm not worried about the food part at all. The major reason I'm thankful for the sleeve is knowing my capacity, I will want to eat/hit the high notes of the meal and WALK AWAY from the rest easily and easier than ever before........... like I said, first Thanksgiving post surgery, we'll see what happens years out[emoji6][emoji28][emoji176] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

No nsaids, no times release, tablets must be very small to have time to absorb. I am concerned about needing toprol but it’s timed release so I haven’t approached my dr about it. I am autism spectrum and adhd. I started drinking some caffeine in the evening again to try to help with that since I can’t risk adderal. My chronic illness causes meds to have serious side effects. I can paste an informative post about meds post op though. I hope it helps. my personal tip is to inquire about liquid forms of medication for the first months. 21 medication rules after gastric bypass There are certain pills that you should not be taking after surgery because they will either irritate your pouch, such as all pills in the NSAIDs catagory or pills that just won't be absorbed like they should. Any pills with enteric coating (kind of like a candy coating) or any extended release type med may not be absorbed like it is supposed to. If any of your meds do fall into those catagories you will want to get them changed. Those meds need the gastric juices to break them down and after RNY those juices just aren't there to do the job until well down your intestinal system which won't be enough time to break those meds down. So basicly, you want to avoid any meds that are extended release, delayed, controlled, sustained or any medication that is an NSAIDs. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are: Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Orudis KT, Ibuprofen, Excederin Prescribed NSAIDs are: Motrin, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Toradol, Lodine, Feldene, Indocin, Daypro, Relafen, Voltaren and Celebrex. There is the belief by some surgeons out there that even one NSAIDs can cause some kind of damage to your pouch and they strongly recommend staying away from them, if possible. If medically there is a reason to be taking them, such as the use of low dose asprin for heart conditions, it is okay to take them but you should also be placed on some kind of protectant such as Carafate or Cytotec. If you are unsure if any of the meds you are on fall into any of these catagories talk to your Pharmacist, they will know. It isn't a bad idea to let your Pharmacist know that you are a Gastric Bypass patient. They can list it in your information almost like an allergy so that if you are ordered a med that you shouldn't be on an alert will be generated. There are ALOT of physicians out there that don't know this kind of information it is our respondsibility to make sure they are aware of it. Here are 21 basic rules we should all follow in regards to our meds: 1. If side effects appear or increase, consult your doctor or your pharmacist about dosage or other medication options. 2. First-pass effect medications may not provide effective absorption at the currant dosages. Check dosage or check for alternative medications that do not have first pass effect. (your Pharmacist will know if any of your meds are "first-pass" meds) 3. Medications that are in a liquid or solution form will be absorbed faster than those that are solids. Check for liquid forms of medications. 4. No extended-release, sustained-release, controlled-release, timed-release or osmotic pump medications. 5. Many medications can also have gastrointestinal side-effects like gas, diarrhea, constipation or intestinal cramping. 6. Read the pamphlet attached to the prescription bag for potential side-effects. 7. You should not take any NSAIDs without a protectant such as Cytotec or Carafate. EVER!!!! 8. Be able to recognize an NSAIDs when you see one. 9. Use a protectant if taking daily low-dose aspirin for heart health or to prevent stroke. 10. Check all PMS over the counter medications (OTC) for NSAID ingredients. 11. Read all OTC medication packaging to check for NSAIDs ingredients. 12. Inhaled steroids for asthma are okay. 13. Taking steroids of any kind, even by injection, requires taking a protectant as well. 14. Medications commonly used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis such as Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva have the potential to cause gastrointestinal ulceration. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives. 15. Do not continue to take medications that have been discontinued. 16. If dosages have been changed, do not finish out a previous dosage just because it is there. CHange the dosage immediately unless instructed otherwise by your physician. 17. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your medications are fat soluble. If so, stay in touch with the prescribing physician and report your currant weight every month for possible dosage changes. (as the amount of fat in your body changes your dosages may also need to be changed) 18. Tell all medical providers about your status as a weight loss surgery patient. (Lap-Banders too!) 19. Keep all your scripts at one pharmacy if possible. 20. Meet and get to know your local pharmacists. They truly can be invaluable friends. 21. Remember to have everyone work as a team for you! You're worth it! (Used with permission of Little Victories Medical/Legal Consulting & Training. All rights reserved) One other word of warning when it comes to taking Tylenol. You MUST watch the amount of Tylenol you are taking. No more than 4,000mg in a 24 hour period. You can cause yourself liver damage with Tylenol overdose. You need to read your labels. Look to see if things have Tylenol or acetamenophin in them. Vicodan has Tylenol so if you are taking Vicodan or Lortab make sure you aren't adding a lot of Tylenol on top of it. That is why it is important to read the information on those pharmacy bags and on otc medications.

Hey, playin around with my new toy (portion mate rings from BP store) = seriously heart these things. I made a salad with them today. Plopped them on a bread plate and weighed salad into it. I thought I had the 1/2c ring but accidentally used the 3/4cup ring. I firmly packed the romaine into it and then just cut the other veggies into it, so all total the salad measures about 1 1/2 cups in volume which is about what I eat for a salad serving, give or take. And here's what fit into: Basic Chopped Salad: (1 1/2cups volume=2oz by weight) 3/4c Romaine (28g) 3/4c Mixed Veggies (40g cucumber, 14g cabbage shredded, 14g purple onion) Totals: 19 calories; 0g protein; 0g fat; 4g carbs; 1g fiber; 3g net carbs. I saved this in MFP as a meal for: chopped salad, basic (1s=1 1/2c vol) 3/4c romaine + 3/4c veg)(rom, cabb, po, cuc). Here's the meal with 1/2c volume tuna salad (112g). I accidentally made it too soupy, so more sliderish, but I will mix it up with the salad like a dressing. Will be interesting to see how much I eat. It's another magical meal with the cals. Meal Totals: 114 calories; 14g protein; 3g fat; 8g carbs; 1g fiber; 7g net carbs.

At my pre-op class yesterday, we were told that unless you have a physical job requiring lifting or pulling over 10 lbs that you would be fine in 2 weeks for work. They said it sometimes depends on your previous experience and that if you’ve never had surgery or a broken bone etc., you may have more difficulty than someone who has. Good luck!

Day 19: My car for sure. About two years ago I needed a new car and I began my search with a budget in mind. My dad told me about a car he thought I should get and once I googled it I fell in love. I went to my local dealership knowing it was wayyy over my budget and I bought it anyways. No regrets.

Try just sipping it slowly over say like an hour. I had RNY on 10/11 and I still can't drink a lot at once or I feel like its coming right back up. My protein shakes still take me an 1 - 1 1/2 hrs to drink. I struggle with getting all my liquids in daily as well, but its starting to get a bit easier. Just go at your pace and don't force it. Good luck!