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Hello group, I just wanted to let you all know that on 3/3/15 I had gastric bypass and I could not be happier or feel better! Since Tuesday, I have lost total of 18 lbs. With a grand total weight loss(including the weight I loss pre-op)of 49lbs. After few days, the results are incredible. I know everyone is not the same, but moments after waking from surgery I was up waking about. Though I had incision pains, I felt like a million bulks. Though at the time, it could have been the anesthesia talking . But really, I was walking about on the hospital floor feeling great. After being released, I've taken short walks, trying to be careful not to over exert myself, because yesterday I did and it was not fun. The only real uncomfortable part of the surgery for me has been the gas; that's no joke. But most of that has moved and I feel much better. I am so grateful that God has given me the second opportunity on life and health. For all of those pre-op. I know there are worries, I had my own and still have some, but nothing beats the feeling of knowing that this part of your life is changing for the better. I'm so excited for what the months and the years have ahead. This is the first time in my adult life I have looked positively towards the future with anticipated hope and expectation.

Hello, I've been banded for over a week now and I pretty much have no incision pains, but I do have a lot of gas pains. At first they were in my back and now they have moved to my left side. The left side gas pains started Monday night and it was soo bad that I almost shedded some tears. I had to leave work early Tuesday because I could barely stand up straight. I've took the gas-x strips and they really didn’t help. I'm now taking Mylanta and its ok but i can still feel the pains trying to start. Are there any other gas meds that you guys have used for relief? What did y'all do to get through the gas pains. I don't think my poor left side can’t take anymore shooting gas pain....its sore now.:thumbup:

It is "referred" pain where your diaphragm, agitated during surgery, presses on the phrenic nerve. It is very rare for it to last for longer than a few weeks. Mine happened when I did something that increased my breathing (like walking in the early days LOL) What helps people varies. Some lie on their sides and stretch their left arm out. Some use a heating pad. Some just take tylenol. What helped ME was having my husband rub my neck, because the nerve caused my neck muscle to cramp. When that relaxed the pain went away.

I'm a week and a half postop and I'm also having trouble with my protein shakes but its not the protein its the milk. Apparently lactose intollerence is very common after abdominal surgery. I switched to a lactose free, fat free milk (or light soy milk--whichever is on sale) and my Unjury mixes great and I tollerate it MUCH better. I had tons of gas pain and belching with skim milk. Yogurt and cheese have less lactose than milk-so thankfully they shouldn't bother me too much!

Has anyone else suffered any emotional problems while on the pre-op diet? I did it for 7 days before learning that my surgery was moved back 2 weeks. By day 3, I was a wreck. I cried at the drop of a hat. Really...I started bawling after hearing a song on the radio...it wasn't even a sad song. I had to leave work one day because I couldn't stop crying. I was also very irritable...to put it mildly. Normally, I'm a relatively laid back person...but I was clenching teeth and slamming doors at the littlest things. Last, but certainly not least, I got stupid. Really stupid. I would lose my train of thought mid-sentance and frequently walk into a room without any idea why I'd entered. In general, the word I'd use to describe my emotional state during this pre-op diet is rollercoaster...without the ups. Oh, there were physical effects. I lost 6 pounds in four days. I was shaky, nauseus, and cold all the time. But I expected most of that. The emotional symptoms caught me completely off guard. I kept track of what I was eating and realized that I wasn't eating nearly enough. I know the idea is to lose weight, but 500 calories a day is simply not enough. Although I was really bummed that my appointment was moved, I am seeing it now as a chance to capture the lessons learned and do it right the next time...which starts Thursday, 10/23. Lessons Learned: Buy Protein powder! I picked up Ultimate Nutrition Protein Isolate in chocolate creme at GNC. It was $19.99 for 57 servings. It tastes great and mixes up pretty well. I'm going to pick up vanilla before the 23rd so I can mix it with juice (I'm allowed a few cups a day). Start the day with a Protein shake. Do not attempt to survive on a cup of sugar free fat free yogurt. Eat every 3-4 hours. I ended up going 5-7 hours between "meals" because nothing sounded good to me. I will force myself to consume SOMETHING every few hours to keep myself from getting shaky. Take a Multivitamin. Every day. I bought chewable ones since I won't be able to swallow the traditional, massive Multivitamins. Don't cook for the family. During these two weeks, they're on their own. Not that I cook a lot for them...but making eggs and toast every morning for my son was torture. Coming home to the smell of garlic bread had me ready to gnaw off a limb and eat it. Along those same lines...avoid family meals if at all possible. I will be spending a lot of evenings at the library. Have a plan for how you'll spend your time, when you'll eat, and what you eat. Here's my plan (yes, this is more for me than for you): My son has karate or cub scouts on Tuesday and Thursday evening. Even if I don't take him...we don't eat a "normal" dinner on those nights. It's just sammiches or Soup and we don't usually eat it together. I have therapy on Wednesday nights...which means I'm not home til after 7. That gives the boys plenty of time to clean up dinner. This Friday will be a challenge...but we usually go grocery shopping on Friday nights. On the way home, we pick up fast food (I know, I know). I am planning on picking up a bowl of soup from Panera. That way I can feel like I'm eating out without messing up the diet. We play D&D on Saturdays with a group of guys. We don't snack at the table (everyone has a weight issue) and dinner is pretty solo. This coming Sunday, we're spending most of the weekend at the local zoo "Spooktacular." Costumes and animals...and $8 hot dogs. We never eat at the zoo and you can bring your own food. So I plan on eating beforehand, bringing protein Water, and a cup of Soup at Hand. Next Monday, I've got another appointment in the evening. Which means I won't have to watch the boys eat whatever delicious, carby-goodness they plan on preparing. I am taking off Halloween to go to my son's fall festival at school. I know that sounds like torture, but the parents really don't get to eat much at these things. I plan on eating right before hand, bringing protein water, and eating right after. We're having family portraits taken on the 2nd. That will be a challenge because we're going to a friend's house where there will be food and schmoozing. Thankfully, my husband hates this woman and the visit will be brief. I've never been so happy about his feelings toward her. The following Monday will be the hardest night for me since we have absolutely no plans. I'll have to book a client call or something for that evening. If not, I may go to the library to work instead of doing it at home while the boys eat. Whew...I feel like I wrote a book here. :biggrin: If you made it this far, I'd love to know if you had/are having emotional issues during the pre-op diet and if you have lessons learned to share with us.

My doctor recommends American whey Protein. I get it online at Bodybuilding, weight loss supplements, Protein shakes, fitness supplements, muscle building supplements. I like the Double chocolate. They also have protein bullets. They are liquid Protein in 25grams and 45grams of protein. I am on a liquid diet this week before surgery and have to do 2 protein shakes a day. So, it helps to have something a little different. Alot of people at our support group uses stuff from GNC or Vitamin Shoppes. Good Luck! Mary

Saw a few weeks ago someone posted coffee flavored protein shakes that were awesome!! Anyone have any idea what brand they were and where we can find them??

There's a couple of things you can do. 1) You can continue at 40 grams per day. 2) You can go up to 50 grams per day. 3) You can get some ketostix to measure your ketones and see at what level your body actually stops producing ketones, then back down about 10 below that level. The ketostix method is the best when you first start low carb , and they are somewhat reliable, but not always. If you have been on low carb for a while ketostix lose their accuracy. I found an amazingly detailed blog post about this at: http://ketopia.com/w...-your-ketostix/ In a nutshell, here's the highlight of what it said: So I think that 40 grams or 50 grams either should be fine, with a few caveats: 1) If you start craving carbs, even a little, you are eating too many carbs. 2) Try to minimize starches, or anything with added sugar 3) At every decision point, choose the lower carb option if you will get as much satisfaction out of it. As an example I use the Heinz sugar free ketchup, which has about 1/3 or 1/4 the carbs or regular ketchup. 4) If you are going to splurge on carbs, try not to exceed about 20 or 25 grams at a time 5) The worst combination of food groups that you can possibly eat is a fat and a carb at the same time. Items such as french fries and cake frosting are examples. If you are going to eat 20 or 25 grams of carbs in a meal, let it be just carbs, or a Protein and carb combination, without much fat. If you are getting 10 grams of carbs in a meal then it won't matter as much if it is combined with fat 6) If you are still using chewable Vitamins or supplements, or gummies, switch over to the pills if possible. You should be far enough along to take the pills without crushing them.

I wish I had done this years ago. It was a perfect fit for me. I have never been a snacker only a binge eater, my brother had gastric sleeve two weeks before I did and he lost about 30 lbs right away but has struggled ever since because he is a snacker eating often and also drinking calories. If you are a snacker and can't deal with that than gastric sleeve is not for you. I am happy with not having a great deal of loose skin, but I do have some in my lower belly and groin area. Gonna have that skin removed. Skin over my back and arms and legs is just a little loose but not sagging like my lower belly, but I think I am one of the lucky ones with that.,

29lbs in 7 weeks is amazing, especially because you were a lightweight to start...

Well I made it through day one. It actually wasn't as tough as I thought it would be. I had four protein drinks, drank lots of water, and had a sugar free Jell-O cup. Not to share TMI but I just started my period so we'll see how this next week goes. How's everyone else? I know there were several of us starting this liquid diet on the same day or around the same time frame. How are you guys holding up?

I was told the point is to drink liquids/shakes. The liquid process is for the liver to shrink, so that they can perform the surgery more effectively. Additionally, to train you to survive off of liquids post-op. I was told that even though you are on a liquid diet you should still try to drink as close to 1,200 calories as possible. so 3 shakes at 160=480cal. And last thing they also told me that I can have some limited things; like vegetables (once a day), yogurt, cottage cheese. oatmeal, everything has to be plain. no butter, seasonings, salad dressing, sugar, etc. I got a lot of info from the internet also. Search "shrink liver" Lastly, NO soda or caffeine.

I'm 5 days out from my surgery. Everything went perfect during surgery. After surgery I struggled with severe pain, and continue to do so. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days and then begged to go home... I now regret that. I am weak, exhausted and in pain. The painkillers give me moments of peace but barely. I am struggling through drinking fluids, protein, and cream of wheat. Every swallow results in a sharp, almost unbearable pain that shoots through my chest. I walk a tiny bit and need to sit down. My headache is going on 3 straight days. I thought this entire process would be smooth and easy for me. I'm healthy with no co-morbidities, young, and not extremely overweight. This is something I thought about and committed to for 6 months, and it feels so disappointing now. I'm losing weight...12 pounds in the past 5 days, but I feel like complete crap. Please tell me it gets better! Am I doing something wrong? Suggestions?

So, I had the psych eval today and I think she will recommend me for the surgery - at least that what it sounded like. There was an interview and then I had to take two questionnaire tests. But based on the interview she said that she would recommend me. I also found out that my referral letter from my PCP still had not been received. So, I spent the afternoon working on that. Made about 4 phone calls to my PCP's office and finally got them to fax me the letter along with 5 year weight history. I just faxed it over to my surgeon and called to make sure they received it which they did. YAY! One more item off my checklist! Just the EGD now on Friday. I'm getting nervous about that for some reason. I know that he's just basically going to knock me out and put a scope down my throat to get a visual, but still, I'm getting nervous. How weird is that? Then on Monday I get to sign the consent forms, do the pre-op teaching and get the "package" for the pre-op diet that will have to start the next day as that will then be 2 weeks before the surgery. In just 3 short weeks from today, I will be undergoing the surgery and starting my new life! Wow - this is going quick!

I was told at my 3 month post op I could take tablets.

Yes, very small slice. VERY thin crust and didn't even eat the crust crust BUT ... I haven't had my first fill yet. I expect much of that to change once that happens next week.

Well I'm at restriction and do not handle salad very well. I end up picking and eating at the toppings. For example a grilled chicken salad..I am done at 3 or 4 strips. I have been banded for 18months and have lost 108lbs. I can eat pizza, but my one piece is usually pushing it, Thin crust does go down easier but bread is not a huige stuck issue for me, its usually protein if I have eaten too big of a bite, Iusually shy away from bread but I am not going to eat pizza and gnaw a little bit on the crust, That's the best part. I don't really eat it or a lot of it but I will dip it in garlic butter and suck on it. I mean geez if you are going to eat fatty pizza you might as well enjoy it, after all I'm lucky to get one piece in compared to the 6 plus prior to banding, so I am going to enjoy it.

It is up to your insurance company how they determine the first visit. My insurance counts the first visit with the surgeon since we discuss weight, diets, and exercise. The only way to know for sure is to check with your insurance company. Sometimes also the insurance coordinator at your doctor's office is familiar enough with your policy coverage to provide an answer. The form my insurance company sent me for completion only has six areas on it to be completed. The visits per my insurance coverage have to be in six separate months but not at 30 day intervals. My first visit was 7/31, and my next appointment is on the week of 8/19. I checked with my insurance company and was told me that this was spread out enough to qualify for two visits. I plan to have my last visit in early December so I can possibly have the surgery before the end of the year. I have a prolapsed lap band and am undergoing some tests right now. Once they are complete I will meet with my doctor to discuss the results. Then it will be decided if my claim will be submitted for a waiver of the 6 month requirement. I am scheduling my visits in case the request is denied. Good luck in your journey.

I figure i will wait a couple more weeks before i tell them but i am so tempted now but i will hold off for now.

I'm almost 6 months out and beyond frustrated with the stall and very slow weight loss! I've started using fitness pal and I'm having a hard time staying with I the amount of fat gram I'm allowed. Any suggestions? By the way I don't like mushy foods only once with texture. Please help

I am on a 2 week diet of Optifast.

Congratulations. I had a RNY Gastric Bypass 11 months ago, and I remember the first few weeks were rough. There was so much complexity built into the meal plan, Protein supplements, medicine, Vitamins, Water intake, etc. But it does get better. I reached my happy state at 6 months, when everything started to work and all the problems melted away.

Some people do one week pre op diet, some do more. Not sticking to the pre op diet can be a way of risking surgery altogether as if you don't shrink your liver some surgeons refuse to operate. Others ask you to lose before you start the pre op to get you in the right frame of mind, cutting down portions as you'll have to cut them down afterwards bigtime with no choice at all. I did Weight watchers for 7 months before my surgery and lost 21lbs easily within about 6 weeks - but you have to want to do it. You'll still be able to eat everything after surgery so forget the goodbye food parties and get exercising to shift a bit more thru cardio. You might be able to lose some before your next appointment but I just hope its enough that he says he'll go ahead with it for you.

This is such great news for you "as well as for my hubby" Our insurance as of this moment is Aetna "my surgery is on the 21st" but starting in January we are switching to United Healthcare, but we weren't sure how well they go about covering surgery when weight loss is involved, but reading on here UHC seems to cover more then we were thinking. No matter which plan we have. When do you start your liquid diet? Mine started today for 5 days and then another week-2 weeks after surgery depending on how my body reacts to the reintroduction of food.. LoL I am holding strong and not feeling a bit hungry. Any way CONGRATULATIONS!! It's such a blessing when we recieve news we so want to hear..

I just had my surgery Feb 18, the first 2 weeks I lost 30 lbs and now for 2 weeks straight I haven't lost anything. I feel like I'm doing something wrong.