Anybody having RNY in the near future in Brisbane

[justright66 19]

It seems like we have not a lot of action in our Aussie forum. My date is 8/3/16 in Brisbane. Would love to meet other Australians having surgery around this time

[ElizabethA 5]

Hi,

I am post op, but if you want any support or have any questions feel free to reach out - more than happy to share my limited experience!

I had the surgery about 18 months ago in Sydney and have lost about 90kgs to date. I am now about to start the next stage of my journey and have surgery scheduled for 29/03/16 to have the excess skin in my abdomen removed.

Good luck! and let me know if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to about the challenges. It isn't easy, lots of changes but I really believe you will feel the results are worthwhile.

Elizabeth

[justright66 19]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I would like to know what some of the products you used during the first 2 weeks of your post op diet. I read names like Crystal Light and sugar free Popsicles that I don't think we have here in Australia. Also what range of Vitamins do you use and what are your tips for brands of Protein ect..... Grateful for any advice :-)

[ElizabethA 5]

Hi,

I didn't use any particular brands post op - made most things myself. Stuck to Yoghurt and the Optifast shakes / Soups. The Optifast chocolate pudding is also pretty good, and high Protein. If i recall I also ate the Weight watches jelly - although this isn't going to give you any Protein. My doctor had given me a list of acceptable foods and I pretty much stuck to that. I know there was baked Beans and scrambled eggs in there but I think that was at about week 2, If you want me to send it to you I can probably find a copy?

For the first couple of months I kept a journal to record how much protein I was getting, but now I don't really bother - just try to ensure that I eat protein as the main component in each meal. I also try and keep my Snacks protein based (i.e. nuts or protein bars) but I don't let it rule my life. For me the idea with this surgery was that it wasn't a "diet" and that the changes needed to be sustainable, which yes means changing what you eat but also allowing yourself to have those other things in moderation rather than trying to eliminate them completely from your diet.

For protein - I don't take the powder supplements, I do eat Protein Bars for Snacks and generally just buy the one's from Woolworths or Coles - MILK brand are good - low carb and very high protein. Also the "Lo-Carb" brand, particularly the mini one's are good. If I am going to the gym and don't mind the extra carbs I eat the "Tasti" brand, love the Salted Caramel.

Let me know if you have any other questions or just want some support.

Elizabeth

For Vitamins, I take a Multivitamin and Calcium supplement twice a day, have Vitamin B12 injections every 3 months and take a prescription Vitamin D supplement (I had really low Vitamin D before my surgery). According to my blood tests my Vitamin levels are pretty good so I don't do to much else. For me the best brand of Multivitamin I have found is the NutriVital Premium Everyday Multivitamin, and I take Citracal with Vitamin D for Calcium.< /p>

[justright66 19]

Thanks Elizabeth, are those Vitamins chewable and have you tried the sublingual spray?

How are you going generally?

[ElizabethA 5]

The one's I take aren't chewable. I did use a chewable Vitamin immediately post-op but didn't like the after taste so within a few weeks switched to a normal tablet. So long as I only take one tablet at a time I don't have any issues. I haven't tried the sublingual spray. I did have to order the chewable tablets online as I could not find any stores that carried them (most had no idea what I was talking about)

Generally things are fantastic - I occasionally get vomiting after meals - particularly with dry meat / chicken. I try and make sure that the meat is either very tender or has a sauce with it to help it pass through more easily. I also have to avoid the leafy green vegetables - broccoli / spinach as they can also cause me issues, feels like the food is stuck and won't move through.

But these are small things and you learn to work around them as you figure out what foods your body will and won't tolerate most easily.

I definitely don't regret having the surgery - just wish I had done it 10 years ago!

[ChunkyMonkey76 5]

Hi, I'm having surgery on 4th March on the Gold Coast, although I live in Brisbane. Feeling scared and excited. I can't wait to start my new life and break free from my fat shell. My RYN is revision surgery after a lapband worked for me until after I had a Bub. Then we could never find the sweet spot again...the band had actually slipped and caused a few issues so I won't be doing that again. Who's your surgeon?

[ChunkyMonkey76 5]

I also have to just get this out....I decided to start the pre op diet early and I am at day 4 without sugar or caffeine and I'm struggling. I have a headache and feel very lethargic. So tempting to have a Pepsi max drink or some lollies to ease the pain but I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger so I'll just try to push through it. When are you starting your pre-op diet?

[justright66 19]

Hi, so you will be 4 days ahead of me. I was also thinking of starting the pre op diet early with a big reduction in carbs and cut the caffeine as when I have done this in the past I have suffered headaches and brain fog for a few days. I'm from Cairns but having my surgery at Wesley. Going to try to stay in Brisbane for 2 weeks if finances allow, just for the rest and follow up. I too had the slipped band, 1st time had it replaced, 2nd time just got it out. Both times due to extreme vomiting. Who did you use as a dietitian? And what brands have been recommended. Australia is so much more laid back with all of this than the US. And looks like we have a helpful mentor in Elizabeth :-)

[ChunkyMonkey76 5]

My specialist just said to make sure I buy the Protein Shakes from the chemist rather than the supermarket and to look for whey based Proteins rather than soy as they are more easily absorbed. At the moment I'm using the musashi p30 shakes as they have 30g Protein per shake and don't taste too bad. I have also bought some Protein Powder and I add that to skim milk and blitz with a banana and ice cubes. It is yummy too. I'm using the nutrichew chewable vitamins from band buddies and also Iron melt chewable iron,folate and zinc tablets from the chemist. I'm just hoping that everything is ok and there's not too much scar tissue left from the band. I got the band because they said it was reversible, no one told me about the permanent damage it can do and I had bad vomiting in the end too. And sliming which is as gross as it sounds. What prompted you to come all the way to Brissie for your surgery? My GP knew the specialist he referred me to and as a bonus he uses gap cover for my insurance company so my only out of pocket is the anesthetist. Very happy about that!

[ChunkyMonkey76 5]

What shakes are you using? Are you nervous? I'm nervous and excited at the same time...

[justright66 19]

Hi, I have to use Optifast for my 2 weeks prior and I'm getting a Protein powder called Robb Jay On line which is a bit exy but highly recommended by someone I know.

I have heamacromotosis so I don't know if I'm going to need Iron supplements as my body already has too much. They don't offer this procedure up here and I have full cover so getting it done in Bris.

Yep I went through the fear stage, see my post in the general bypass forum. I got really good advice from there and I did the exercise of writing down all my fors and againsts so I have that all written out to remind me when I start to 2nd guess myself.

I haven't got a dietitian yet, best I do something about that!

How are you going?

[ChunkyMonkey76 5]

I have been researching this for quite sometime so I know I definitely want the surgery, it's just thoughts of recovery, will it work etc. I'm very desperate for a permanent change and I'm committed to doing everything I need to do at this end, but I did that with the LB too and in the end still had complications. So it's just the usual nerves. I've had a csection before and had a great recovery, the key was to get up and walk as much as possible. I'm hoping the same tactic will work this time too. I think I'm also worried that my hubby won't look after me like I need him too and I have a toddler...time will tell. I haven't seen a dietitian yet either, I was given strict instructions about the prediet and it will be the same diet for two weeks following, I'll then have a follow up with the specialist and then I'm also seeing the dietitian. I feel prepared I guess. I also have lots of loose comfy clothes ready to wear afterwards so the wounds don't get irritated. And I have witch hazel and bio oil at the ready to keep wounds clean and assist with scaring. I've also stocked up on degas just in case...lol. Do you have anyone coming down with you to support you? I found even with top cover most surgeons charge $4-$6k out of pocket so I felt really lucky when my guy says I won't have any out of pockets for him as he will use gap cover. Phew!

[justright66 19]

Yep I have a supportive partner but he will only be there for a few days. Where do you buy the Degas, is that it's only name?

I also read that Optifast do a range of Soups and puddings high in Protein so I will check them out for the immediate post op. I have got 2 weeks of fluids then 2 weeks of mush! I can't remember exactly but I think it was the same for the band.

[ChunkyMonkey76 5]

^{It sounds like we have been told the same thing. I'm going to take it easy and have Protein shakes I think for the first two weeks as I love spicy food and the specialist advised just easing into spicy Soups ect so as not to inflame my already aggravated stomach. I love Soup but only if its spicy so I always add chilli flakes to pumpkin and vege soups. It does feel like the similar experience with the band post op. Degas you can buy from any pharmacy, its near the gaviscon type products and is apparently good for helping to ease the pain from the gas after the operation. My hubby's trying to be supportive bless his socks, but he isn't very good with sick people and my daughter is very clingy with me so she will struggle t understand why I can't pick her up for a little while. I know it will be worth it though in the end. Everyday is one step closer! My favourite restaurant does an amazing seafood dish and I am going there for lunch this weekend. I don't know how long it will be before I can enjoy it again so this is like aI food funeral for favourite food! Its a Protein salad thing so I am justifying it that way. Then I will buckle down for the next three weeks and be super strict with the preop diet. I have been strict this week but this is a treat for myself. The caffine withdrawls from diet coke have almost gone now so I'm starting to feel better}