Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Can someone inform me as to what the consequences are when taking liquids
with meals. Postop protocol for me requires never again to drink beverages
with meals.

Clear DayI saw a surgeon yesterday for the first time. He performs the
Roux-en-Y operation laparoscopically. He would create a 4.5′ Roux limb from
the pouch to the connection with the biliopancreatic limb. The
biliopancreatic limb would be 1.5-2′ long. The common channel would be 7.5′
long. I did not misunderstand him; I’m looking at the drawing and
measurement lengths he wrote on the drawing he gave me. These measurements
don’t even add up to the total length of a small intestine, so I don’t know
where the rest of it goes.
I am quite upset because I protested to the surgeon that the common channel
he planned to give me was too long. I would have too much intestine for
absorbing food mixed with bile. I have read on the Internet that it is
better to have a common channel as short as 3-3.5′. This does increase the
amount of diarrhea and malnutrition but you just have to be very vigilant
regarding your blood tests, seeing a nutritionist, and most important,
taking daily vitamins. You also must watch your carbs very carefully.
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I am wondering, How many calories should i be consuming?? Right now I weigh
214, but I would like to get to 199. I have lost 158 pounds in 7 months, but
that was due to complications ectera…
I tend to eat about 1000-1200/day.
Also, Water…HOW MUCH?? I drink about a litre or water and another litre of
other beverages. Is this enough??
Thanks for everything,
})i({August St. Amand- Maine})i({
Lap RNY Oct. 15, 2001
Dr. PA Aslam- Augusta Maine

I’m 5 weeks post op from an open rny and I am so weak it’s making me
nervous.. I am getting at least 60 oz. of water in daily but not much in the
way of food. I can’t seem to get a protein shake down (zero carb vanilla
isopure) because it’s tastes so sweet it gags me. I just do not want to eat
but I know I need to. I get so out of breath walking from the bedroom to let
my dog outside that I have to sit down. I called the dr office and they said
increase my protein. I don’t have any pain in my legs so I don’t think I
have a blood clot, I am taking a chewable prenatal vitamin. Has anyone else
gone through this stage and did they get the same response from their dr. I
think I’m going to order some proteinex. Please respond with suggestions or
let me know I’m not the only one whose been in this boat. Thanks

Missy,
I read your post about talking/getting councel from your pastor
regarding your wls. I remember the day that my endrocrinologist
recommended that I have wls (it was a Wed.). He basically told me
that not only would this help me to loose weight, but it might keep
me from having a hysterectomy (I have PCOS and absolutely NO
treatment has helped). That night after church I talked to my ass’t
pastor about it. His first response was “well, right now I would say
no, however not because I don’t want to see you healthy, but I don’t
want anything bad to happen to you because I love you. Get more
information because my gut response may not be what God wants for
you.” Those were just about his exact words. Now understand that in
the year before this day, they thought I had lupus (I don’t), then
and even now they are not sure what is going on physically with me.
I chose after LOTS of counsel and prayer to have wls. I kept my
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Hi Again,
I did the cottage cheese test tonight, but used mashed potatoes in
the place of the cottage cheese, because I don’t like cottage
cheese. I was able to eat 9 ounces of mashed potatoes.
I’m totally freaked out. I have had trouble with eating for the last
4 months, not eating enough. My calorie count usually was about 500
calories. I was barely able to get 30 grams of protein a day. I
threw up often and was nauseous many times a day. Then just this
weekend all of a sudden I was able to eat more. I don’t understand
this at all.
I really thought I would have a 4 ounce pouch for the rest of my
life. I really need the physical reminder not to eat too much.
That’s why I had the surgery.
I’m horrified now that I won’t be able to lose my weight. I have
over 100 lbs. still to lose.
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I have not posted in about a year but I need some info on alcohol. I had
LAP WLS 8/23/00; TT+BR+Hernia repair 12/11/01. I went from 275 to 120. I am
54 years old, This change and the resulting new image has been challenging
to say the least Much of my life has been spent as a recluse. Last week
I was invited to a evening social function with many prominent social
service individuals attending. I had several glasses of wine; had dinner of
tofu/beans before I went and a few nibbles of fruit while I was there. I
was pulled over for OUI…I did not feel intoxicated, my associates did not
sense this either. Is there a alcohol content level or difference since
surgery that affects this situation? I think I have read of others
experiences on OSSG-groups Does anyone out there have info?

Hey all-
The recent post from Cathy about being taken out for a movie instead of
dinner for Mother’s Day (great idea BTW) got me thinking about food rituals
and socializing and what kind of things we can to replace, or at least
circumvent some food-based friendship/family rituals especially early in the
post-op stage.
I’m still pre-op (34 days…not that I’m counting) but already I’ve had weird
interactions with even close friends about social events. My best friend when
I called her with news that my pre-certification came through said “uh..well
we can go out and celebrate with water. or something.” (as if I will NEVER
eat again. oh well, educable moment)
So, movies are a good suggestion. Active stuff (walking, or as someone
suggested, bungee jumping although I suppose that’s nto recommended early
post op ;0) would be great. Also, one other thing I thought of was doing
volunteer work together. I know for myself, sometimes doing volunteer work
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Hello, I’m a post-op RNY’er and I had my surgery in the states, but
have moved to Canada.
Is there anyone on the list who has had the surgery here in
Vancouver, BC? Do you have a PCP you prefer or a surgeon that has
referred you to a specific Doctor for follow-ups? I need to meet
and talk with a doctor here for my follow up visits and regular
health care who really understands and knows about the surgery and
can communicate with my surgeon back in the States.
Anyone who’s near here that could suggest a local PCP, I would
really appreciate it.
I already checked out obesietyhelp.com and they do have a few
listings for surgeons (not PCP’s) that perform WLS, but rather than
picking out of a hat at random, I though It’d ask the group first.
Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone
I have a question for post-ops. I was told that I couldn’t take
anti-inflametories after surgery…like Advil, Celebrex, Ibuprophen…if
so…what do arthritis patients do? I have painful osteo-arthritis in my hands
and was just wondering if anybody else had this problem and what medicine are
you able to take?
Thanks,
Bluebonnet120