Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Annette,
I am 8 1/2 months post op lap rny and I share your concerns. I feel I can
eat too much, and yet I am happy with the amount I eat, because it is about
1/3 to 1/2 of what I ate preop, yet enough to make me feel that I have
actually shared in the meal. What can I eat? Two slices of a size medium
pizza, or 3/4 of a large potato burrito, or 2/3 bag microwave popcorn, or a
whole apple or similar fruits, or 2/3 to a whole of a chicken breast (I
guess it’s really the half breast, the whole breast is two pieces), or 1/2
to a whole cup of starchy foods (like rice or pasta). Right now I am
trying to cut back on the starches and snacking, which were my downfall
before surgery. I easily find myself getting in the sugar routine and
snacking on chocolate and doughnuts. I’ve also noticed my eating seems to
go in cycles: I go for a couple of weeks eating a lot less, then I’ll go
for a couple of weeks eating a lot more. I’ve been thinking about formally
going on the Atkins diet plan to restart the losing machine. And when I get
(more…)

Hi friends
After a 100 pound weight loss, I have the dreaded batwings. Winter
wasn’t so bad since the long sleeves covered my arms. I am thinking
about surgery but my insurance won’t cover it. Has anybody had the
surgery and paid? How much did it cost?
Anybody have any remedies for the extremely dry skin on my batwings?
I use baby oil, while my skin is still wet from the shower, and then
follow with lotion and baby oil mixed together. What else can I do?
Thanks
Gwen
Open RNY, 10-23-01
235 to 135
Size 24 to 10
Walking and talking at the same time!

As an incentive to exercise I bought some really cool rollerskates
last spring when I was about four months post-op. I tried to skate
and my center of balance was so way off from being heavy I couldn’t
even stand up in the things. They’ve been gathering dust for almost
a year and on a whim I thought I’d try them again yesterday. I CAN
SKATE!!!! I skated for about an hour, up and down the hallways of
my apartments and then through the corridors and out to the parking
garage and all over the sidewalks. I’m a skating mad woman.
Also three days ago I went with a friend who was golfing and I was
just going to drive the cart. I’ve tried golf before surgery and my
big boobs got in the way of swinging the clubs and I was so self
conscious I couldn’t do it. Well, after much cajoling from my
friend and her other golf partner I was talked into playing and I
played a whole round of 18 holes and did surprisingly well. I
parred a couple holes and chipped in once and was playing right
(more…)

O.K., I am taking a poll of Lap RNY post Ops. Did you have drains after surgery
and did the doctor do a leak test before you left the hospital (or just right
after surgery in the O.R.).
One of the surgeons I met with does NOT usually use drains and ONLY does a leak
test in the OR, not again in the hospital. This concerns me- are they really
necessary?
Thanks for your help once again guys!
Kris in PA

Ok..I keep hearing people say..including Al Rocher..”I could eat any
thing I wanted, and the weight just fell off” And..”you can pretty
much eat the first year and no matter ..you will lose”…
Now I have dieted my whole life and I still feel like I am dieting,
no sugar..lower carbs…cutting way down.on fruits and vegs…may be
too much (is this going to SLOW me down????) low fat.. A thought
came over me would I lose no matter?? Help me out here, but my
logical side says I want to lose AS much AS POSSIBLE…so does it
make a difference on how slow or fast??? Or will I lose at the same
rate?no matter the foods..at first. I really hit plateau’s… I am
trying to increase the excersize..and water… But I havent hit
the “intense “exercize phase yet..just walking so far. Again I see
some folks who are droping way fast.. Also I hardley ever get
sick..I now alot of things contribute to differnce wl rate. It’s
been 5 mo and I’ve lost 65..adding the 24 I lost the mo. before wls,
(more…)

Hi Everyone,
I just got home for the hospital. I had my open RNY done on April 15th.
Other than being really sore and having some pain, I am hanging in there
waiting for to feel a little better each day.
Thanks for all the support you have given me.
Shirley

I’m 10 months out from surgery and have HUGE batwings. It wouldn’t be
so bad if they just hung, but they’re often also wrinkled
and really ugly. Fortunately, 3/4 sleeves seem to be all the rage
this spring; I just bought several blouses and tops, both casual and
dressy, in that length. I wish I knew what size I’d finally settle
into so I could risk buying more, at least until brachioplasty is in
sight. Like everything else in fashion these styles tend to come and
go and if you like something, you’d better get it while it’s still out
there. Remember the ankle socks that bunched and gathered? Those
were great for MO legs, I bought a lot of those when they were
popular a few years ago.
Celia

Hey everyone!
I am still having problems with constipation (distal rny 1/10/03). Saw my
surgeon 4/10. He told me to take 1-2 tbs of MOM with my iron daily. This has
helped a little (3 X in a week), but not like it should. I am worried about
daily laxative use. On the other hand, I am probably not getting the benefit
of the malabsorption part of the surgery according to my surgeon when I
questioned him.
Found out today that my iron is low (not critical yet- guess I should be glad
here). I was taking Ferrous Gluconate also. Thanks Barbara, I switched to
Ferrous Fumerate - My surgeon also said this is the right iron to take.
Problem is, my surgeon hoped my iron was ok and was going to decrease it some
to help my other problem.
Anyone else had this problem? How long and what did you do to correct it? I
am drinking over 64 oz of water daily.
Anyone found a good Ferrous Fumerate for us to absorb? I am having trouble
(more…)

Does anybody have trouble with controlling passing gas? I seem to not
be able to control any gas, and am worried that this will be
permanent. I am about 5 months out, having had an RNY on Nov. 21. I
have lost about 80 pounds.
I read that I might need to cut out dairy, which is what I eat a lot
of, like yogurt and cottage cheese. Does this type of thing last a
long time, or will it pass (hee hee). Thanks for your help!
Ellie in Oregon

I’m trying to find a salad dressing–homemade or otherwise –other
then the old vinegar & oil stand-by– that has NO sugar in it.
What does everybody dress their salads and raw veggies with ????
Anything with yogurt won’t work for me… Maybe something with a
fresh tomato base ????
TIA,
Madamspinner