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July 8 2019 Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh shoot! Cant seem to find the other August 2019 thread

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! 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.

Hubz & I are now 10 days post op. Surgery wise we’re doing great but last night we ended up in the ER with Hubz for kidney stones. He’s now in bed snoozing and I’m barely holding my eyes open dreaming about an iced coffee with double espresso lol. VSG wise we both get abound pretty well. He was able to cut the yard yesterday and we are able to do everything around the house and for the kids that we need to. We have left side pain but we have pretty good pain tolerances and rather breathe through it than take pain medicine. Don’t QUITE make our protein every single day yet but if we don’t we are pretty close, it will come in time. Counting down the days until we move to purées/soft at day 15. We’re pretty over Liquids at this point. As of this morning he’s lost 28lbs and I’ve lost 24. *This little update is cross posted to the pre-op thread, I wanted those who hadn’t gone yet to get it too*

Hubz & I are now 10 days post op. Surgery wise we’re doing great but last night we ended up in the ER with Hubz for kidney stones. He’s now in bed snoozing and I’m barely holding my eyes open dreaming about an iced coffee with double espresso lol. VSG wise we both get abound pretty well. He was able to cut the yard yesterday and we are able to do everything around the house and for the kids that we need to. We have left side pain but we have pretty good pain tolerances and rather breathe through it than take pain medicine. Don’t QUITE make our protein every single day yet but if we don’t we are pretty close, it will come in time. Counting down the days until we move to purées/soft at day 15. We’re pretty over Liquids at this point. As of this morning he’s lost 28lbs and I’ve lost 24. *This little update is cross posted to the post-op thread, I wanted those who hadn’t gone yet to get it too*

10 days on clearer liquids not even full liquids I find out late next week if they will advance me quicker but I'm in no rush honestly, no appetite.

I have Anthem BCBS too. Your doc is right. They have a quick turnaround. However, my doctor's office did not send the referral to Anthem the day I finished my 6 months requirement. My doctor's office probably took 10 days to complete the paperwork on their end and forward to Anthem. Hope this helps. And hood good luck!! Hoping it all falls onto place for you. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had gastric bypass 3/27/19, so right around when you had yours. Not in So. Cal. Though. And not African American. I do, However, understand the surgery!! You're doing great! I know it's a struggle sometimes. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello I had my gastric bypass 3/23/19 I've lost 57lbs since surgery. Any of my sisters in Southern California? I need peers who understand what goes along with this surgery.

And I'm 10 in some, 11 in others, Just my Size or Hanes for me, Fruit of the Loom in a pinch. I have so many pantyhose that are getting marginally big , bought a Size 10/ ×Large,honest that's how that company billed theirs, Got a little stretcher fanric, wear it,over the skooch bigger pantyhose like a mini- girdle and it keeps the hose from creeping down my legs. Kind of like you would look as a toddler with a Full Diaper/nappy! Hey,nobody knows what sins,my clothes cover and let's keep it THAT WAY!

Well, Sandra at 9 months I was much thinner, wearing much smaller clothes, the Bad Parts- I thought I had poor skin color, looked like Road Kill and wondered if people were lying or making fun of me for my surgery appearance when they said " GOSH YOU LOOK GOOD" because. I thought I looked pretty okay back when I was obese too. But Happy to say, it's 10,5 Months now, I have c9me to terms with the fact I may never LOOK quite the SAME as I used to, but the NEW ME is still quite cool. Although I am quite fair, a curse of Celtic heritage, I have developed a little light freckling and tan, don't go out walking in the high sunlight between 10 AM and 2-4 PM, but if Shirley Mc Claim and the Late Doris Day could rock it, why not ME? My hair , the other Celtic gift, since it is Strawberry Blonde and naturally thin, as long as I use warm water, no mousses, gels or hair spray to mat it down, looks passable fair. And it went into a pixie style when I first saw hair on my comb or in the shower. Praise God I didn't go completely bald, but if it had gotten worse I might have shaved it bald like the guys do, 3/4 of my ex- friends thought I was really losing weight and hair due to chemo and wasn't being HONEST with them. They just couldn't accept someone over 70,could actually seek and be successful with Bariatric Weight Loss. Their error, you are NEVER ARE TOO OLD to make positive changes in your LIFE, and if I had been on Chemo, hey I do respect those people too, but it wasn't any of " their beeswax" as my youthful peers used to say. And those downers , if they can't accept truth, they are NOT what I want in my life in the first place. So this month, I put a Big Smile on my face, rock my new colorful size. 18 clothes, for the first time in my adult life I'm wearing leggings, capris, maybe a pair of shorts or 2 before summer is over, spent TOO TOO MANY YEARS wearing gray, black, Brown or navy to be in the background where I thought I belonged, now if it fits I'm going to wear it, my skin looks a lot less MUDDy in flattering shades. And if I can accept the changes, exude confidence, then I will be a pleasant person the RIGHT PEOPLE will be drawn to, if not, plenty other fish in this Big Blue Sea, aren't there?😝Frustr8, the former Shrinker Back into the Woodwork person who finally herself, and likes Herself more for IT!

Good morning y’all...just came to thank you all for the support and also to share my progress so far. Almost 9 months pp and down from a size 18/20 to a size 8/10! I am in Brazil because my mother had some serious medical issues and don’t have a scale around but last time I weighed I was 90 lbs down and have 28 more to go to reach my goal. I am beyond happy! Hope you’re all doing great!

That's tricky. If you had more time i'd suggest doing a bowel cleanse to get a bit more weight off. I'd think 10 lbs would be fine but it depends on how strict your Dr is about that. I'm crossing my fingers that all goes well and that you have a great surgery and recovery

Hello! Tomorrow (or today.. it's 12:30 am), the 18th, I will go for a final weigh-in before my surgery on the 22nd. My last visit was on the 2nd, and I was at 387. They said I would have to be 370 by next visit but I just check and I'm at 377... While I lost 10 lbs since last visit, I'm anxious that they'll say it wasn't enough. Has anyone experienced this before? I need some reassurance! I've been on liquid diet the past week just to make sure I'd be at my lowest and I'm so unbelievably frustrated I'm not at 370 yet. Help!

I was very excited to have the surgery (rny 6/24/19). Took many years to finally get the courage to go forward with it. I can say emotionally the first 2 weeks were so hard for me. I had regret but I realized after the 2nd week my regrets were stemming from my food addiction. I started thinking of all the foods I can’t eat, the poor me feelings came out as they had with every diet before. But now with this tool I am limited by how much I can eat at one time. It is still up to me not to snack or nibble all day. It’s not hard though because I’m not that hungry. I do have head hunger but I don’t give in to it. I only want food that will keep me healthy so the cravings although still there do not outweigh my desire to be healthy. That is the main reason for my surgery. I am 3 weeks 2 days post op and I am down 16 lbs. I have more energy and feel so much better in my clothes. After getting past the 2 -3 week hump I no longer have regrets. I still miss the food I used to eat at times but that is something I have to work on on the inside. The surgery will not “fix” that.  It’s an individual decision and with the right research you will make the best decision for you. Good luck on your journey!

Today is my 9 month anniversary. I was sleeved on 10/17/18. I am down over 110 pounds (100 from surgery date) and have met my doctor's weight goal for me (165). At 163.8 this morning, actually, and I'm now on to my first personal goal of 150 (I'm 5'5" and this weight puts me at a healthy BMI), which was my original "ultimate" goal but has now shifted to be stopping point to my new "ultimate" goal of 135. I've changed my eating habits entirely and I battle my binge eating disorder regularly, but I did it. I'm doing it! I've recently finally started working out as the weight loss has slowed significantly, but I can't believe I'm here. This seemed so far away and impossible in those first post-op weeks, as well as during every stall, including the 2 week one I just broke earlier this week. 9 months from now I plan to be maintaining my goal weight of 135 and researching plastic surgery options. Where will you be?

Hey everyone!! I am 19 years old, weight 319lbs, & my height is 5’81/2 (my BMI is 45 I think). I’m really nervous over my insurance not covering the surgery due to the fact that I don’t have any comorbitities. I’m generally pretty healthy aside from the fact that my feet hurt from carrying so much weight. My health insurance is healthfirst through Medicaid & I am on the last month of my “6 months weigh ins”!!! Do you think I might have a problem not getting covered?

Ok, I will post pictures tomorrow. 06/07/19 290 Surgery 06/20/19 Today, 254 pounds, off blood pressure and diabetes meds!! Seeking consistent energy and trying to be consistent with 90 g protein and 64oz water. Not quite, but, this is AMAZING! For newbies, keep the faith, you made a great decision!!! Seeing my surgeon 06/25/19, back to prison 06/29/19 (As a psychologist.) At Costco, or Amazon, get the Growler. 64 oz and keeps water or any liquid cold all day in hot temps. I love this group!

B. Who do I resemble. It is an obscure actress, Linda Fiorentino. When the original Men in Black came out strangers would stop me to inform me of the resemblance. “You look just like the actress in Men in Black”. I think it happened 10+ times over a few months. I’m sure it helped that we had the same hairstyle and color. Even my husband mentioned it separately one day. I kind of see the resemblance, but not to the degree where I was stopped on the street. This was 20 years ago, so not so much now.

Day 1 at home: Working on fluids all day long. Gotta practice what I preach. But also I notice these photos were exactly one year apart both post op and maybe 10 lbs apart... I'm wearing the same shirt!

ahh good luck everyone, my path totally changed with my new bariatric group. I wont be joining the September team. Perhaps, I will be a December snowboarder or a January change your life high roller... No matter what the insurance protocols are, my doctor demands a 6 month weight in. Thus far I have 2 months under my belt. I wont be able to have my final surgery date until November, than I have to have labs done 30 days prior to surgery. I must say, I was disappointing at first but the group at Lenox Hill (NYC) hospital offers a lot of support and state that they do not want to see patients fail. I didn't have this support with my last surgery, need all the help i can get. Also I am scheduled for a host of new exams my 2nd surgeon didn't care for. Also I had to sign a document re: you will not receive a surgery date until all preop is completed! lol To do list: Pulmonary test--Friday, August 23, 2019 1:15 PM EDT Sleep Apnea consultation-Wednesday, July 24, 2019 1:15 PM Upper GI ----- August 26th 8am Nutritional class August 13th 1130am Nutritional one on one August 21st 1pm Completed testing: Abdominal ultrasound, psych clearance, endoscopy, echogram, PCP clearance and initial Blood work,

I’m actually 5.3 1/2. I always round up because I thought I was 5’4” my entire life! I have an athletic build and tend to look less than I weigh, at least that was the case before I gained weight over the past 10 years. I’m not really stuck on a number, I’m just getting my head in the right place.

Hi I had the sleeve may 1 2019..from Jan 1 2019 I lost 50 pounds on my own.i started at 299..and I have lost 30 more pounds since surgery. I'm down 80 pounds.i measure my food..I dont eat any unhealthy foods right now..just eating like your on a diet.im about 43 pounds away from my goal.. I'm 5'6 the closer you get it takes longer.you have to watch what your eating..some people think when you hav dr any of these surgery's that you can eat anything..but it's not true..this is only so you dont over eat. Right now I choose to finish losing my weight then see how I feel.this is a life time. I wish everyone fast and healthy recovery. God Bless Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I got sleeved on May 21. I'm a few days away from my 2 mth mark and I'm down 30 pounds. When I was cleared for a regular diet at the 6 week mark I gained 5 pounds but have since then lost it again. I've already hit a stall that lasted 2 weeks. I'm a really fast eater and it's been difficult to slow it down. My nutritionist said to separate my meals into halves and leave one half in the kitchen. After I finish the first half, time 10 minutes on the clock and go back for the other half if I'm still hungry. I messed up for a week and ate a few bad things plus eating quickly makes me feel gorged. I was afraid I was stretching my new stomach but I was reassured by my nutritionist that I haven't. I haven't had much of a problem eating anything besides dairy and orange juice. Dairy makes me feel yucky but oj makes me vomit. It's the only thing I've found so far that makes me get sick. My other problems are just due to getting too full too fast. I had been so scared that I messed up and that I wasn't losing enough but my nutritionist made me feel so good. I am clear to eat 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of food and getting a half cup down seems impossible most days. (Although twice I have eaten that much and felt so full I wanted to cry.) Basically I really worried for nothing. Sometimes we psych ourselves out and it's hard not to. Support from the right people goes a long way. I hope this can somehow help someone out there. We got this! Sent from my Z965 using BariatricPal mobile app

I just saw my nutritionist this morning. The one bit of advice that I found particularly helpful for eating too fast is to take half of your meal and leave the other half in the kitchen. After you eat the first half wait 10 minutes and then get the other half. I hope it's some help to someone. Sent from my Z965 using BariatricPal mobile app