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Congrats !! I had mine yesterday at 11 am. Wasnt nauseous at all. Kept all liquids down. The worst is the gas pain but walking is helping. Now im going home at 3 yay Sent from my LGMS330 using the BariatricPal App

Hello, I have a 9 year old daughter and 11 year old son. I would love any feedback or advice on how you told your children about your surgery. I want this to be a healthy experience for all of us. I am concerned my daughter will be worried about my surgery (just the pure physical description of cutting off your stomach), and I also want to send the most positive message possible about healthy choices and what bad choices can do to your body. My husband is naturally slim and can eat large pizzas three times a week and never gains a pound. I, on the other hand, cannot. I am doing this surgery to insure that I correct my bad habits to illustrate to my children what healthy eating can do for a healthy body....and how I communicate my choice to them is part of it. Thanks in advance!

Glad to hear you are doing well! I'm day 3 and was discharged last night. I was miserable at home and couldn't sleep. I finally found some comfort laying on my side so I did sleep a little bit. Today has been progressing much better! I took a shower earlier which made me feel better, walked around the house and then spoke to my surgeon's assistant who told me I can up my pain meds if need be. I also drank a cup of hot peppermint tea which helped a little.

I'm 2 weeks out. I had planned to go back to work after a week (work from home some and in the office some) but I had a little setback and ended up in the hospital again with pneumonia. That really wiped out any energy I had. Last week I had to take a long nap in the middle of the day and would frequently fall asleep watching TV or when trying to work. So I ended up taking some additional days off. I was back in the office yesterday and today (2 weeks from surgery) and feel better, but I'm still taking about 30 minutes in the middle of the day to go take a quick nap on the couch in the nursing mothers' room. You might be OK with going back to work so soon, but you also want to have a backup plan in case you can't. Just in case you hit any little bump in the road or need a few extra days. Better to be prepared for it than to stress if you just can't make it back that fast.

Just had all of my information sent to the insurance company. I have blue cross blue shield. My health advocate there said we should know within a week or two. Wow this is about to get real. ... getting nervous

I am supposed to go Thursday for my final weigh-in and my nut class. I was supposed to have lost 10 lbs. by then and I have not.. I have only lost 6 lbs. and am so scared they are going to postpone my July 19th surgery. I know when I start the 2 week pre-op liquid diet that I will lose the rest but I am afraid they will post pone because I have not lost the 10.

"only" 9 lbs in two weeks? Your expectations are very very high! Yes, it is completely normal to stop and start your weight loss, at any time, but particularly in the first several weeks after surgery, when your body is focused on healing after major trauma, not on obeying whatever mechanical weight loss expectations we all have When you say "soft solid protein only" does that mean you are not allowed protein shakes? I was able to get my full 75 grams of protein every day starting within 24 hours of surgery, but would never have been able to do it without protein shakes. Frankly I doubt it is realistic to expect anyone to get in their full complement of protein without shakes so soon after surgery, unless maybe if you are just constantly eating -- which to me does not seem like a healthy habit to build up.

We will all tend to see the most rapid weight loss at the beginning, no matter what our diet may be (assuming that it does have the requisite caloric deficit to trigger weight loss!) When we first go into a caloric deficit, as when we start a weight loss program, or get into a famine, that deficit is made up with our quick energy reserves of glycogen (basically carbs) which burn fairly rapidly at a rate of about 2000 calories per pound. When our body gets the idea that you are into something serious and the caloric deficit is not going away anytime soon, then it starts tapping into its long term energy stores of fat, which burns more slowly at about 3500 calories per pound. It typically takes 2-3 weeks to get to this point, which often coincides with a change in diet phase in post op WLS programs. This is also when many people experience their first stall - the dreaded third week stall - when the body has to take a rest and rebuild its glycogen reserves to more normal levels, which involves some hoarding of Water to keep it in solution. I was on mushies and soft Proteins from the outset, and also experienced my most rapid loss those first three weeks after which is slowed down as my body moved into fat burning mode. So, it really doesn't matter if one is on clear liquids, thick liquids, mushes or steak and potatoes those first couple of weeks, you will lose quickly assuming that the caloric deficit is there. On the original question, I typically ran in the 90-110 g Protein range (appropriate for the metabolism of a guy with relatively high lean body mass,) carbs were in the 80-120g range (workable and at times essential for a relatively high activity level,) simple carbs & sugars were minimized, though some fruits, berries mostly, worked their way in over time, and calories averaged around 1100 during my loss phase. The 50g protein level quoted by the OP is on the low side of typical recommendations (normally in the 60-80g range) but is in the ballpark if the OP is a relatively short and small framed woman (say, 120lb or less of "should be" or ideal weight.) Many find that 600-800 calories to be something of a sweetspot for weightloss with the sleeve, and at that level, if one is meeting the protein goals, there isn't a lot of room to go wrong on fat and carbs with the remaining calories.

Found this in OH forum, hope they don't mind me sharing it here, but it is such a great explanation for why we all go through the inevitable stalls! I take great comfort in knowing this information, so that I don't blame stalls on what I am eating or not doing etc. This explanation is courtesy of Diana Cox. A "stall" at this point is inevitable, and here is why. Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a sabertooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

It's all in the mind sweety, once you start really losing the weight -- in about another 2 weeks, you'll be sooo motivated that these food cravings won't be the center of your mind anymore, you'll see.... For now remember to keep hydrated, keep walking and occupy yourself with other things... Good Luck, it does get better!!!

I just cut mine all off last week!!!!

I was told walking to the bathroom was good for the blood clot issues. I went out to day to a couple of stores, took it very slow but was hoping to help the gas and I WAY overdid it.Not only did it not help the gas, I am exhausted and feel horrible. Normally I could go hrs walking in stores but not today. (my surgery was Thurs the 13th so today is day 3 postop)

I'm a week or so past my 3 mo post op. As I was warned, I am experiencing hair loss. My hair is dropping out like crazy - I keep expecting to find total bald spots on my scalp; luckily not for now. I made sure I took over 60 mg protein, 2000 mg biotin & 30 mg of zinc daily trying to forestall this hair loss obviously to no avail. My question is what was your experience? How many weeks did you have hair falling out? Did you find that it grew back eventually?

It sounds like your not chewing enough. As far as the bowel movement you might need more water or liquids. Good luck. Monday I will be three weeks post op. So at I am doing great. I haven't had any food or drink issues. I know I'm not getting all of my liquids and protein in but I'm trying very hard.

Yes. Patience. I dropped weight like a rock before surgery, and immediately after. I am two months out and have hit a stall. I try not to think about it. I just keep doing all the stuff I am supposed to do, and behave myself. It will pick up again.

Well, my weight loss has been bouncing for the last 2 weeks. I have started going up a couple of pounds and then down a couple of pounds. I know the problem isn't so much my calories eaten as it is my excercise level. I started to swim again, and got a terrible cold for the last week. I think with some regular excercise this week, I should be able to push through this. I really want to lose another 20 pounds in the next two months, so I'm going to have to get some excercise to get my metabolism going. I will start today by walking for a couple of hours, and maybe a short swim.

So this morning I headed down to Lahey at 0-dark-30 before the morning commuter traffic and settled in to wait...nervous as a cat, I realized, and excited at the same time. There were 3 of us. One was a woman who currently has the lap band, has had no complications in 6 years with it, but had lost 80 lb. but it was not successful to get the other 50 or 60 lb. she would like to achieve; she is wanting the by pass procedure. The other woman wanted by pass surgery too. I was thinking sleeve or band...and vacillating between the two, having done my due diligence and thought with my family history I might one day need my "absorption" of medications and nutrients to be intact and may need access to my stomach through my mouth for testing...I was correct in my self recommendation...I should not have by pass surgery, for just those reasons. I met with the dietician, and then the nurse practioner...and then a psychologist. Great experience! Wonderful team there...I felt like I was in good hands. The nurse practioner remembered me from the info session a couple weeks ago...she had noted I had asked really good questions...and noted today I had really done my homework and knew the procedures and possible complications well. I am a really good candidate for the sleeve (assuming my upper GI series does not show I have GERD or a big hiatal hernia. And if that all goes well, and assuming the surgeon makes that recommendation as well, that is the surgery I will likely have...hopefully before the end of September. I am also a good candidate for the lap band...BUT...I might not be such a low risk candidate in 10 years when I am 80, if I were to have a problem with the band requiring another surgery...so that is what I am thinking today. And all this is, of course, predicated on my insurance covering the surgery. My BMI is high enough but I don't know that I can have documented proof that I have been seriously obese for these last 5 years...because when I went to the doctor I would decline being weighed!!! So we will see. I have an appoinment in 1 mo...for the GI series and appointment with nurse practioner...and then a morn later the last week in August I meet again with the dietician and finally with the surgeon...and get a surgery date! I left really "UP" and relieved...and confident that this is the right thing for me. So whether I have the sleeve or band...I think I can do this and do well. Christine

I never saw a NUT either, I am cash pay also, so I think they do things differently for us. I would love to see a NUT. The doctor never mentioned a goal weight, and told me not to worry about exersice yet. I am 9 weeks out, and since 2 weeks out I felt great . I never felt like I had surgery other than the scars on my stomach.

My surgeon wouldn't let me travel by plane until one week post op. I live in Chicago and had my surgery in NC. I travelled about 2.5 hours away in a car to a friend's house by car to recover for the week. Everything was fine in the car and later on the plane. Just make sure that your seat belts don't touch any of your incisions.

Hi there citygirl , I went back to tennis 2 1/2 to 3 weeks later and i play doubles also. It felt fine i still ran around the court i was just careful with stretching up to serve as that was a little different but otherwise all ok i think i could of gone back 2 weeks after without a problem. hope this helps cheryl

Hello everyone. Haven't been around for a while--real busy w/work, etc. But I'll try to stay more connected. The revision went fine, did I tell you that they were able to use the same holes that were used for my band? The recovery was longer than after banding, 2 weeks home; 3 would have been better. I'm doing well. So far I've lost 35 lbs, which my doctors insists is good, but I feel like a slow loser. I know it's because I "only" weighed 210 lbs. at time of revision. Still, I'm pleased with my ability to eat, believe it or not, more normally than I did w/the band & I think if I stick to my food plan, which is basically the same as when banded, I can get to goal within a year. If you go back & read my posts, you'll see that I had an unusual condition that necessitated being unfilled, and even then I had problems w/a lot of foods (tuna, chicken, hamburger & others). So, now I'm on a full foods diet. I can eat chicken, chile, hamburger, sushi (no rice, I have it rolled w/cucumber), cooked veggies & most fruits. I haven't tried steak yet, but I will next time I'm around it. I need to get 60 grams of Protein a day & 2 liters of Water. I supplement my food a whey Protein Drink most days. Also must take bariatric multi-Vitamin & extra Calcium every day. A huge treat for me was a grilled tomato topped w/melted cheese on a piece of whole wheat toast. I would have PB's on that w/my band. I had one minor complication, a stricture, which is is caused by scar tissure & causes a narrowing where the stomach & intestine meet--2 painless endoscopies later (they use the scope & inflate a small balloon at time of endoscopy) , 3 weeks apart & I was fine. I'm not one of those people who gets full after a bite or two of food, but my portions are small. I feel satisfied after 1 scrambled egg w/melted cheese on top. The denser the protein, the faster I get full. One very interesting thing: things that I didn't find sweet enough before, i.e. sugar free Jello pudding, now is just fine. That's really the only sweet "treat" I have, I don't crave sweets at all. Not ice cream, not Cookies, not cake. gone. It has something to do w/the bypass procedure; not sure it lasts forever, but for now it's very good. I'll take it while it lasts! (that's not to say it doesn't look when I see a candy bar or ice cream, but it's a passing thought, not a craving at all.) I love my surgeon. He does bands too. All his patients love him, he answers emails within 24 hours & if one has an urgent problem, the office connects you to him or his partner AT THE TIME OF YOUR PHONE CALL. Amazing, huh? I go to a support group @ the hospital he & his partner operate ,and the group is split between bandsters & RNY'ers. And guess what? We all get along. So, that's my progress so far. Take care, my friends. Karen

If you're recently banded it is possibly thrush - that's what happened to me. I didn't recognize it right away, but I had diarrhea and smelly urine, too. I could taste it going down, too - really, really yucky. It happens because the massive antibiotics you get before/during surgery knock out some of the bacteria that live on you all the time and the yeast that live on you take over. My band surgeon gave me a prescription over the phone, but that may have been because I sounded like I knew what I was talking about and it was a holiday week (between Christmas and New Year's). I started with Diflucan but my primary care doc gave me a mouth rinse that worked better - very quick, just a couple days treatment. I had ketosis during the pre-op Medifast required by my doc - thrush felt a lot different.

My eczema is better too!! I had it all over my chest and it had made discolored Patches all over my chest...I got out of the shower just last week and realized they were gone! I have no idea how long they've been gone, but that's the least of my worries lol I do have the break outs on my face and neck, but I was prepared for that to happen. The eczema clearing up was a extreme bonus!!!

I never had any pain, some discomfort over the first week as all the surgical gas moved out of my system but while I was in the hospital I didn't feel a dang thing - that I can remember, ha ha! Here's to the liberal application of pain erasing drugs!! =)

I stopped losing weight with calorie counting for 4 months until I started counting carbs instead and am now down 7 in two weeks. It is the only thing that works for me because I was eating soft foods because they go down easier which are mainly carbs