Gastric Bypass Weblog

OMG! Gastric Bypass surgery makes your hair fallout, why??? I am all
about my hair!!!!
Andrea

I think obesity can cause heart palpitations. I know
I used to get them, but since have lost 75 lbs and
rarely get them now.
Shannon in WA

this is just a test.
Heavenly Scents Candle Company
Vickie Smith
523 Dickson Circle
Sherman, Texas 75090
903-893-3833
website: www.heavenlyscentstx.us
e-mail: rasmith@...

ARGGGGHHH. I'm still not getting them on my direct e-mail. Maybe
the moderator can help when she is online.
Vickie

Once again, some one repeated this myth . . . ,<You're really not supposed to
feel real hunger for almost a year.
This may be a few people's experience. It is not everyone's! I have never met
anyone in person who actually experienced this. Have you?
Why should we not be hungry? I know I had little hunger during the first 2-3
weeks after surgery, but still had hunger. All my peers, support group members,
most on-line contacts experience hunger. It's not head hunger, either.
For those who don't have hunger, good for ya! But this is *not* common. We are
still live, human beings, with normal responses to hormones, etc. Dropping
blood sugars. You can learn to control head hunger, and learned eating
behaviors, but physical hunger is *not* something you can control *with your
mind* - some ways/types of eating may help, but eventually you will get hungry.
Please stop repeating this kind of hurtful propaganda . . . like saying you will
lose 50 lbs the first month, lose all your weight and get to goal, etc.
Research the statistics, don't just read 1 book, by 1 relative newbie, and spout
it as fact. I don't think Barbara is even 2 years out yet, is she? Look at the

Hi all,
I just wanted to let everyone know that not only Deborah Norville returns to
NBC via MSNBC, but on Thursday night there is a report that I think we all
need to watch and perhaps discuss afterwards, Should GPS be offered to teens?
PLEASE watch Deborah Norville Tonight on MSNBC at:
FIRST SHOWING: 9pm EAST/6pm PACIFIC
REPETE 1am EAST/10pm PACIFIC
Yours in Weight Loss,
Jason

My doctor said if I am going to the gym I need to try to get a
protein drink in my diet. How do you make em? And I want a good
recipe, I heard some can taste awful. And are the Low cal???
THanks,
Andrea

<< From: "Alice Hardesty" <hardesty@...
Subject: Re: Patt asks what others are doing . . .
Rachel...You are an inspiration!!!!
Aw, shucks, Alice . . . thank you. <g
I do not feel like an inspiration - just a mouthy woman! BUt I have to keep
reminding myself that I have done this, the surgery didn't do it to me. It's
work, and committment, and it's also fun!
Continued success to you . . .
Rachel
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Andrea, I use the GNC 100% Whey Protein...it is powder that you mix with milk.
Personally, I like the vanilla better than the chocolate. It has 23 gms of
protein per serving,3 gms Total carbs, and 1gm sugars.....Hope this
helps,,,sherri

Hi Vickie!!! WElcome to the group!!!!!When is your appointment? Hope all is
well?...sherri

I use GNC 100% Whey Protein and make a smoothie! They taste so good
that I have friends that do not need to drink them but like them so
much!
Pamela
11/19/02
155 lbs gone!!
Miami
1 scoop whey vanilla
2 oz of crystal light (any flavor I have mixed in it the fridge)
1 banana
5 strawberries (or blueberries, rasberries etc)
or leave off berries and use 1 Tbs peanutbutter
ice cubes
and blend
or for a Snickers Bar shake!
1 scoop whey chocolate flavor
2 oz of crystal light (any flavor I have mixed in it the fridge)
1 banana
1 Tbs peanutbutter
ice cubes
and blend

Yesterday I went to a pre-operative seminar for Weight loss surgery.
Yes, you did read it right.
After 3 suscesses in our family, my youngest daughter has decided
that this is a vaible alternative to the medical problems she has
been facing. Our biggest concern was the NSAID medications she has
been taking for her Juvenile Rhumetiod Arthritis disqualifying her
from having a RNY. The surgeon told us that she could go onthe Cox 2
enzyme inhibitors, but her relief haas been poor with these
medications. It seems like a lap band may be her best, and possible
only alternative.
Here's the 2nd problem. As with many overweight women of child
bearing age, PCOS is also a problem. Having had 5 surgeries for
ovarian torsioning aleady, the have her on Depo Shots (DON"T YELL AT
ME!) it control ovulating. This is a hormone shot usually taken ever
13 weeks, but she needs them between 9 and 10 weeks or continues to
have problems.
Use of contraceptives is a surgical risk and you must be off oral
contraceptives for 30 days prior to surgery. Does anyone here in the
group have any experience with this medication and any complications
which they had pre-op or post-op from taking them??
I never said this would be easy, did I!
Peter

How old is your daughter? It seems like a lot of
these medical conditions that you are naming will go
away with the surgery. In the meantime, perhaps she
should try the different medication, just to get the
surgery done for her, even though its not as
effective. I'm sure once she loses the weight, her
problems will improve.
Shannon in WA

Andrea, glad you're seeing the doctor soon. Let us know the results.
Joan
LAP RNY 11/18/03
Dr. Higa, Fresno, CA
282pre-op/275surg/235/140
jclinton@...

Folks -
You gotta hear and understand, Drs. do not study nutrition in Medical School.
It is not included in the Core Curriculum.
Most of what Drs. know about nutrition is the USDA food pyramid routine, which
is typically 10 years out of date or more.
To learn the best nutrition info, you must read the medical studies (conducted
by researchers and scientists). These are available on MedScape.com or
MedLine.com.
Drs. study how to treat symptoms, how to "cut and paste" (perform surgery), etc.
They do not study how to prevent malnutrition, nor nutrition, nor even (usually)
preventative medicine.
The studies say that *any* low stomach acid population (bypass patients,
elderly, people on acid reducers, etc.) should use calcium citrate, as calcium
carbonate *must* spend 1 hour in stomach acid before it can be absorbed.
Without this time and acid, it forms kidney stones.
Prove it to yourself . . . do some research on MedScape. Prove me wrong . . .
but don't risk your bones and teeth!
Hoping y'all have skinny days, and happy nights! <evil grin
Rachel
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Patti,
That seems like a lot of calories to me. Drop the 2% milk and go to
either 1% or skim.
I'm eating 1% cottage cheese at three weeks postop.
Ray

Hi Marla!! Yes, im 6 foot tall myself. I was a 26 and weighed 346. I just
weighed today and down to 275 now. I work out 3 times a week, joined the
ymca. Im young 28 here and newly married, and im working so hard on losing this
weight. There are days that i cant keep things down, but for the most part, i
have learned how to keep things down. right at first, the first 8 weeks, I
threw up non stop! Had to be rehospitalized 3 times. I know that i am big
boned and will never be a size 4, but thats ok!! I would look great at a 12/13
i
think. What ever size i stop at is better than what i started out as, LOL.
Keep in touch..and how many weeks out are u?
Amanda in ks

I had my surgery on 1/22/04 at GWU Hospital in Wash DC. I had a Lap RNY. The
surgery went well. I hired a nursing student (who had a RNY 2 years ago) to
stay with me 12 hours at night. This was a reasl blessing. Having been through
all this she was so supportive and really did know what I was going through.
She was a great advocate for me with the nursing staff when they would bring me
the wrong food -- white bread & sugar jello. All went well until the 3rd day.
I'm not sure when or how, but I pulled a musle in my stomach. It still causes
very severe pain. My husband has to help me sit up or walk. The pain from the
pulled musle is like fire. I went back to the doctor. He did a CT scan to
ensure that it was not a leak. Nothing showed on the scan so he believes too
that it is a pulled musle. Any one out there have any experience with this? If
it were not for this, I would be in great shape. I have not had any nausea or
problems eating. I would love any advice on
coping with this musle pull.
Cathy

Hi, I had my surgery October 3 2002. The first
day of the rest of my life. To date I have lost 140 lbs, and 10
sizes. I have gone from a 24 1/2 or 3-4x to L or 14. I am so excited
about this. I chose Open. For me there was no other way, I feel that
if you were having your car fixed , you would want them to OPEN the
hood not do it thru the grill! AM I right? I have recently(Nov.
23rd '03) had a Gall bladder surgery and Hernia repair. All went
well and I am recovering nicley.
However, now I am expeiencing some emotional issues. All of the
issues I kept down with food are surfacing. I am not handling this
well, and am having severe stomach pains because of it. Now my
Doctor is referring me to a Psychiatrist. Hopefully we can get to
the root of the problems.
Has anyone out there had these issues with emotions?

Wow, I am glad someone else related the hunger thing as a myth, cuz i
tell you what i am almost 5 months out and I get hungry...and i
eat...i wonder where the whole "not supposed to be hungry for a year"
thing came from...i remember reading that in the beginning and
feeling bad that i was hungry until i talked to others around me and
they assured me my hunger was normal and good. How silly, maybe it is
that some food is just not appealing anymore and it is easier for me
to resist temptations, some days it seems like a hassle to eat, but
that is just me...
Hannah

Ladystone here..... this club , you become a member JUST by losing
the 100lbs? or do you have to join it?

Lori,
I never thought that I would do this well being in this darn chair and not
being able to get around much. But you know what? I have decided that I WILL
get out of this chair and eventually I WILL reach that 200 LB goal. I WILL, I
WILL, I WILL.
Mary A. B.
LAP RNY 3/22/03
Dr. Steve Weinstein, MD.
Mobile, Alabama
BMI 65/43
386/266-120LBS.
59 years old

I heard on the radio that they won't be doing the WLS in Florida cause of 8
deaths they said was do to this surgery. I just don't understand. The radio said
these ppl went in for plastic surgery tummy tucks and so on. But they had the
WLS surgery that is why they died. It should be they died from the tummy tucks
and so on not this surgery. (Which our doctor thinks you should weight at lease
2 years after the WLS surgery to have plastic surgery). But they fall back on
this surgery cause it is a major surgery. I think tummy tucks and other cutting
on the body to remove the skin is major too. I sure am glad I had my WLS
surgery.
Joyce

Joyce-I am sure you heard the wls wrong.What is happening is that 8 people
have died from complications of having both lipo and a tummy tuck done at the
same time in an office procedure.So, for the next 90 days there is a moratorium
on having tummy tucks and lipo together till they can figure it out.This has
nothing to do with wls,and to the best of my knowledge none of the deaths were
from wls patients,just regular people who had cosmetics.
Ellen(who had wls and a TT and lipo)

I feel like I'm in limbo. It's been almost 6 months since I went and
spoke to my doctor about having gastric by-pass. He was so upbet,
wrote the referral right there in front of me. Even had me do some
initial lab work. Things seemed so perfect, the required clinics
were calling the next day offering to set up appointments. After
some running around by one clinic ( i missed the appointment, then
rescheduled for the next month.....only they wern't there and then
they told me I needed a new referral from PCP) I've finally gotten
all but one done. The last one we were told not to call to
schedule...they would call us. So I've just been waiting.....for
what seems like forever.
Then yesterday I called in a script renewal and my PCP actually
called me at home to ask a question about my meds; and then asked me
if I had changed my mind about having the surgery. I was confused
and told him no, that I had seen surgery, nutrition, physical therepy
and even the psychiatrist and been cleared by all of them and was
just waiting for occupational therepy to call and give me an
appointment. None of that was in my patient file that he was holding
at the time!
I know I slacked for a bit in December between Christmas and my
husband deploying to Iraq (active duty army) and put my passion to
have the surgery on the back burner.....but now I'm ready and willing
to do any and everything I can do. But I can't do much without the
approval of this final clinic. I know it's against their
rules.....but I'm about ready to call them myselves and ask for an
appointment. I want to get to the top of that dang waiting list,
instead of just floating around the bottom.
They have so many silly rules between the Army hospital and the
insurance that they expect us the patient to follow, but don't follow
themselves. They did surgery the other day on a lady who hadn't seen
all the clinics yet....because she somehow got put on the "on-call"
waiting list. There were some upset people in the support group who
had been waiting for a year or more, some on the on-call list
themselves and yet this woman got to go first, just because she
answered her phone.
One the upside, my PCP told me last night that he'd look into what's
going on with my case today and see if he can find out what's holding
things up. We leave this post at the end of the year, and if I
havn't had the surgery by then, I have to start all over at the Army
hospital at the next post....which will really suck!
~Tanja

Hello Everyone!
My name is Jerri. I have been considering WLS for a while now. My
sister had it done about 6 months ago and is doing really well. Like
many of you, I have tried every fad diet out there. Some of them
worked for a while, but I gained back more than I lost. After my
sister has done so well, I thought hey.....why not. It has made such
an impact on her life.
I know that there is someone healthy under all this fat! I just
called my insurance today, and found out that they will cover the
surgery if medically neccessary. So, I guess it is time to make that
first initial appointment. I do have a few questions for all of you
and I hope you can help and give me some advice.
1. How do you find a good doctor in your area that does this surgery?
2. Do you have to have records to back up your failed attempts at
weight loss?
3. Is the wait long to be approved?
I guess that about covers it for now. i hope to hear from you all.
And I thank you in advance for any advice and help.
Jerri

Hello everyone. My name is ayanna and this is my first time posting.
I had my wls on Dec. 8th 2003 and I have only lost 37 lbs. In the
beggining i was walking on the tread mill but i've been so depressed
lately over losing such a little bit, that i don't do anything
anymore. i eat 2 meals a day but i sometimes find myself hungry. I
thought i would never be hungry after the surgery. Someone please
tell me if they have experienced the same thing or if they are not
losing weight fast enough. Thanx
Ayanna
WLS DEC. 8TH 2003
348/311
Dr. R.F. Capella

Thank-you for the wonderful list! I saved it and printed it out for myself.
I agree with all of your suggestions and will start to impliment some of them
today (ie wearing make-up to work, although my co-workers will ask if I'm
going somewhere. lol). I did finally threw out some pants that fit the
discription of the sweats you mentioned in "e". Thanks again :)
Take Care,
Julie
Open RYN 4-7-03
351/224/135

Well good news and bad news.......Well I am not 220 pds, I am 241
pds. I about freaked out, because I don't look any different, the
doctor looked at me when I asked about a gastric bypass and said I
wasn't big enough but then the nurse said yes she is her bmi is 42
she is 241. HIs mouth fell open and said I didn't look it at all for
being 5 ft 2. I told him I couldn't believe it. I have put on 35 pds
in only a few months. so he is checking my thyroids and all that
stuff. I am getting dizzy every time I eat and peeing 3 times every
hour I am starting to worry about diabetes. I didn't even know it
ran into my family til after I got back from the doctor. My family
doesn't really Keep in touch! The doctor said he could refer me to
the surgeons he knows but they don't take my insurance, so I have to
hunt a surgeon down that takes my insurance and call him to refer
me, or do I need the doctors referral?? Can't I just call the
surgeon and tell him I am 241 5 ft 2 with bmi of 42 and get me in???
I gotta lose muscle and fat to lose my weight, any ideas on how to
lose muscle....the walking actually put weight on me, that sux huh!
My blood pressure was elevated and he heard a heart palipitation.
Can anyone make any of this clearer for me!!!
Andrea

I finally have a date to see the surgeon. That's the last thing I do before
I start the 6 week pre-bariatric program!!!!! I'm almost there!! :):)
Let's hope I can do the bariatric program and have my new job! Prayers please??
Jessica in MI
Pre-OP

Ok. First of all for all the post ops...do you actually see your surgeon at
your checkups?
I had a checkup at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. I have not seen my surgeon
none of these 3 times. All they do is weigh me, take me to a room and his
little teeny bopper I guess Assistant comes in. Ask how I am doing. Any
questions....Well every time I ask her a question she gets this deer in the head
light
look and doesnt really answer my question thoroughly. Today my question was
about light headedness. I have it EVERY day but some days worse than others. So
I
asked if this was normal with post ops...Her response was..Well I know I do
that every once in a while when my blood sugar goes low so you need to just have
something handy to you can take a bite of. well....The discussion before that
was that I am living on protein drinks. I can hardly eat any "real" food at
all without getting the tooooo full feeling or throwing up...so how is having a
bite of something gonna fix my light headedness. Also, I asked about post op
blood work..they dont do it till 6 months so I asked what i needed to have run
because I would go to my PCP and have it done now so i can stay on top of it
...she never answered that one....just bypassed it all together...At this
point i ws FUMING because here I am asking her stuff and she is dodging them
like
bullets. I do have to admit my nerves were already a little unsettled because
i had to take 2 three year olds to the visit with me so i knew if i told her
something i would lose it so i just said thats all. Thank you and walked out...
UUUGHHHHHHH what do i do? am i wrong? if so please tell me!
Thanks
Crystal
365/290/2nd mini goal 250...(his scales are 5 pounds different than
mine....uuuuuuggggggghhhh)

joyce, here's some clarification:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/health/7915815.htm
lori h.
21 grateful & intrepid months post-op

hi everyone i am new here but not to the surgery.here is my story.in
dec.1999 i had a roux-eny 6 months out i was pregnant had baby in
2001,had baby in 2002, moved 6oo miles from ohio to iowa, in 2003 my
mother passed away.but i did manage to go from 350 down to 220.i am
at 260 now and am not happy.I am ready to do it again.we payed cash
for my first surgery in ohio.and i will have to pay cash for this
one.i am 40 with a bmi of 38. as i said i am in iowa and no
insurance does anyone know of any help with this surgery or any good
doctors in iowa.any information i can get will help and any
information that i can give just ask.it is time to take my life
back.and will need all the help i can get. Thank You Pam

Hey Ayanna, My name is Beth I haven't had my wls yet. I will go in on either
2-18 or 2-25 so no I haven't been there done that, but have you talked to your
Dr. Just reading e-mail today I guess that protein is very important and if you
don't get enough that may be the problem. My Dr. also said that if you don't
get the protein you will lose muscle mass so you need the protein. Please don't
get me wrong i'm not trying to be a no it all. I hope that everything works
out. And I'll pray for you.If you instant mess my screen name is wrightwithus.
dancehallqueen718 <xbigbuttnasmilex@...
ayanna and this is my first time posting.
I had my wls on Dec. 8th 2003 and I have only lost 37 lbs. In the
beggining i was walking on the tread mill but i've been so depressed
lately over losing such a little bit, that i don't do anything
anymore. i eat 2 meals a day but i sometimes find myself hungry. I
thought i would never be hungry after the surgery. Someone please
tell me if they have experienced the same thing or if they are not
losing weight fast enough. Thanx
Ayanna
WLS DEC. 8TH 2003
348/311
Dr. R.F. Capella

Hey everyone, I'm 2wks post,lost 15pds so far.Just went back to work
and I am really tired. I'm bored with (what little) food I'm eating,
can anyone please send me some food suggestions and for protein,cause
I don't want to lose my hair.Peanutbutter crackers and scrambled eggs
w/cheese seams to set the best with me. Please help. PHYLLIS

I would call and amke another appoiontment with the DOCTOR. Tell them you
have concerns and want to see the doc because the assistant knows NOTHING and
you
have had several questions needing answers and got NOTHING. Or if this does
not work call you PCP and ask them to run somet tests for the blood sugars,
ect. When i went for my recent blood work my blood sugars were low which did
explain my dizziness, that and I am now pregnant :) Good Luck to you,
God Bless,
Robin, NorthEastern, NY
EDD- July 27th, 2004
Mommy to:
Benjamin & Jonathan
(twin boys 7 1/2),
Madison, daughter, 5 years and
Wife to Pup 15 years (October 31, 1988)
Gastric Bypass Surgery-
October 18th 2002
Start-378, current- 246(pregnant)
goal 170 after baby :)

Ok I am going to SCREAM!!!! I called MAxwell AFB and said I wasn't
in the program, I called DEERS and they said me and my family was
eligible i just needed to enroll. I told them I alreay enrolled 8
months ago, and they said I needed to enroll. I asked if I wasn't
enrolled then how come it paid for my doctor visit yesterday, no
clue. So I called tricare Prime to reenroll and there computers are
down till 11 am. Such BS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Candi, what else did you have, as co-morbities? If you don't mine
telling me.
Andrea

This is not the normal course of traumatic hair loss. This is prolly a balding
pattern that Lynda would have experienced whether she had surgery or not. DO
NOT expect that this will happen to you . . .
I've met dozens of post-ops, and currently participate in at least half a dozen
online groups. The only people I've seen/heard from who did this were already
thinning and/or losing hair *before* surgery.
It's not even typical of nutritional deficiency losses.
Both nutrition related and traumatic hair losses are fairly even, all over the
head. Universal thinning.
Rachel
<< From: "lnurenberg" <lnurenberg@...
Subject: Hair Loss, etc.
Jayne, I am able to answer the question about hair loss as I seem to
have the extreme of what can happen to your hair.
I had major surgery many times before and each time I lost some of
my once thick straight hair. So to prepare myself for this surgery,
I cut my long permed black hair very short, and decided to let it
grow in with whatever natural grey it now had.
I had surgery 4/28/03 and continued to loose hair the past 9 months
later. Currently, my hair is very thin on the top in the front, the
sides are not too affected and neither is the back. I wear it short
& natural around home or out casual shopping and I really do not
mind it being thin.
<buncha stuff snipped
So there you have the facts, if you need any more information, I
will be glad to discuss this with you. Lynda
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Thank you for having this site. Maybe someone can help us, or point
us in the right direction for more information to help my mother in
law
My Mother-in-law had a Bypass (Staples) about 6 years ago. After
she had the surgery, She did everything possible wrong. Her diet
was horrid, no exercise, 12 pack of Coke a day, had dumping from day
one..etc etc etc.
She did loose weight, but was always sick (Ya can't imagine why can
you? )
Well..December 17 2003, she had a (I know I am going to mess up on
some of these terms so please bear with me) Fissure at the site were
the stomache was closed. (Staples pulled away in the pouch? or
something like that) She had that fixed, lost alot of blood and had
to be in ICU for 5 days, then on a regular floor for another few
days. When she had the repair work done, which was basically a
whole new Gastric bypass redone, she kept the stretched out pouch
because she wanted to continue with her unhealthy lifestyle.
Well....She was sent home, and popped open a Coke on her way home
from the hospital. (She has a daughter who doesn't belive the Coke
could be the Problem and bought her the pop) The hospital nor the
dietician stressed to her about her diet and the importance of
healthy eating...
She ended up back in the hospital on December 26th dehydrated and
never told the Docs she was drinking the Cokes or tried to
eat "normal" food. She figured (Even after being told) that since
she didn't get her pouch reduced the second time that she could just
continue with life the way it was before December 17th. The
hospital rehydrated her and sent her back home. Before she was
discharged, I explained to her hospital staff about her eating
habits. The nurse went Nose to Nose with her and STRESSED the
importance of NO CARBONATION, NO SUGAR etc...
She again choose not to listen....and she continues to have the "bad
stuff"
Well I just found out last night,(As she called while waiting for
her Pizza to come) that she again has infection and the mesh is
coming thru and will have to undergo the surgery for a third time
next week!! That is 2 By-passes in less than 2 months
How do we help her? How do we get the doctor to stop performing
these Fixes when she is just going to continue slowly killing
herself?
We are at our wits end with this. I don't think she realizes the
seriousness of her situation.
I am looking for Facts, Things that say "YOU CAN NOT HAVE CARBONATED
DRINKS RIGHT AFTER SURGERY BECAUSE..." "YOU HAVE TO WATCH YOUR DIET
BECAUSE..." will happen.
I found all kinds of things talking about Dumping and how you are
not supposed to have Carbonated drinks, but I need information on
what happens to your body after you have the items and what can
happen to you. The consequences like tube feeding and even death.
I am sorry this is so long winded...
Amygoose3

Kelly, good luck. Sometimes the process takes quite some time. Try not to
get discouraged. Before you know it, your day will be here.
Joan
LAP RNY 11/18/03
Dr. Higa, Fresno, CA
282pre-op/275surg/235/140
jclinton@...

My surgeon told me i could take tums for my calcium...but isnt that
carb....not citrate??
I have heard soo much about us not being able to absorb calcium carb...is
there a website or something about this?
Also, I have been taking the bariatric advantage supplements but am looking
for something "cheaper"..Anyone have any suggestions for mulitvitamin, b12 and
calcium chewables??? that are cheap??? if so where do you get them??
Thanks
Crystal
11/18/03
365/295/2nd mini goal...250

exactly, ellen. these are primarily from the so-called "assembly
lines". NOT the procedures performed in ambulatory centers or hospitals.
lori h.
still waiting on the bleeping insurance comp, lol.

Thanks, Mimi, and no, I'm not a nurse. I'm just a regular person with an
interest in nutrition (I was brain injured as the result of a nutritional
deficiency). I spent 6 month researching this surgery and the nutritional
implications of it *before* I decided to do it, and have continued the research
since my surgery 11 months ago. I've lost a total of 145 lbs., and am about
25-30 lbs from my goal of 150 lbs (I'm 5'10" tall).
Also, re: the hair loss from trauma - I've been thru it twice. Ten years ago,
when I was brain injured, and a few months ago, after my surgery. Talked to
several docs about it then, and researched the surgical aspects of it. Normal
stuff, happens to many, but not all.
Rachel
320highest/305 pre-op/180?now/150 goal
<< From: MIRIAM RODRIGUEZ <needprozak2000@...
Subject: Re: Jayne and hair
RACHEL, THIS IS MIMI I JUST WAN TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOUR
COMMENTS...WHAT DO YOU DO? ARE YOU A NURSE, I ALSO LOVE LORI, CANDI, MINDI,
RAY'S..ETC.. COMMENTS--IT SOUNDS SO DETAILED...I WANT TO THANK YOU
ALL..I'VE REALLY LEARNED ALOT HERE..MIMI
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Thank you Julie
God Bless and keep up the good loses
your #'s are great
Maria
300/238/150????
Lap RNY
10/1/03

HI Guys;Just wanted to come on and tell you what has happened to a
friend of my friend.She went in st.lukes hospital yesterday for
gastric bypass.She came out perfectly fine from the operation but
today she died from internal bleeding.Now what i need to know is if
this is comman?My friend tells me they forced her to walk,but aren't
we soppose to walk to prevent blood clots which could also kill us?
Now i am but to square one. I was felling better about doing this
surgry and turned all my fear into excitment but now i am scared
again I have 3 babies and it would be very hard to keep them together
if something was to happened to me.WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

I just have to share this with everyone its been the biggest compliment since
I have had my surgery. I still cant get this smile off of my face.
Before surgery I use to frequent this Chinese buffet here in our town. So
much that the owner would come and sit at our table and play with my cell phone
and totally knew me by voice when I called in my order lolâ¦anyhow I have not
been in since surgery and I went in while ago to get the DSO some wonton soup
and the owner treated me like he didnât know me. I was like wow what did I do
and I looked at him and I said you donât recognize me do you, he looked at me
and kept looking I said âLindaâ..he said âLinda, hummâ I laughed and
said yes
Lindaâ¦then he yelled âLINDA..OMG, and took his little Chinese hands and made
the âfrom HUGE to SMALL gestureâ and started telling everyone else in
Chinese âits linda its lindaâ he totally did not recognize me..i never ever
thought
not being recognized could be such a complimentâ¦I smiled all the way home and
am still smilingâ¦although now that I think about it its really sad the owner
of the Chinese rest knew me so damn well LOL
Just had to share, thanks for listening.
Linda
10-21-03
332-260-150
LapRNY

I don't think you can help her. The surgery has to be
re-done. Afterall, what can you do about it now? If
she's not willing to change, that's her problem.

Hi Amy,
Sorry to hear of your friend. Yes, it is scary isn't it? With any surgery there
is of course that risk, and only a small percentage die from complications, more
often after surgery.
It is a hard decision to make and I know this doesn't make chosing one any
easier on you or anyone going through surgery. I wish you well and keep us
posted!
Steph
AMY <kikigabysean@...
HI Guys;Just wanted to come on and tell you what has happened to a
friend of my friend.She went in st.lukes hospital yesterday for
gastric bypass.She came out perfectly fine from the operation but
today she died from internal bleeding.Now what i need to know is if
this is comman?My friend tells me they forced her to walk,but aren't
we soppose to walk to prevent blood clots which could also kill us?
Now i am but to square one. I was felling better about doing this
surgry and turned all my fear into excitment but now i am scared
again I have 3 babies and it would be very hard to keep them together
if something was to happened to me.WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

CAFFINE! :( Not to good for us! Sorry...

=====
Blessings,
*~*Vickie*~*
Proud Mom to Dakota, Collin, Olivia
CHECK OUT MY AUCTIONS AT EBAY, SELLER NAME: googlymom
~*~The Best Thing A Father Can Do For His Children Is To Love Their Mother~*~

dEAR pATTI
THANKS FOR THOSE GREAT WORDS. YOUR RIGHT NOT EVERYONE NEED TO KNOW AND TO SAY
THAT I HAD A MAJOR LIFE CHANGE IS PUTTING SHORT SIMPLE AND ENOUGH SAID. I
SOMETIMES HEAR PEOPLE AT WORK SAYING " oH I THINK SHE HAD THAT FAT PEOPLE
SURGERY BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY SHE COULD HAVE LOST ALL THT IN 3 AND HALF
MONTHS"
THIS IS THE KINDA THING I CAN'T STAND ABOUT PEOPLE. IF SOMEONE LOOKS GOOD JUST
SAY SO AND MOVE ON. OR DON'T SAY NOTHING AT ALL. SOME PEOPLE HAVE TOO MUCH
TIME ON THEIR HANDS TO ALWAYS BE WORRYING ABOUT HOW MUCH AND HOW I LOST THE
WEIGHT. THE ONE FRIEND I DID TELL WORKS WITH ME AND SHE TELLS ME THAT WHEN
I;AM
NOT THERE OTHER CO WORKERS COME UP TO HER AND SAY " YOU MUST BE F---ING CRAZY
NOT TO THINK SHE HAD HER INSIDES STAPLED LOOK AT HER SHE IS GETTING SO THIN
AND ANOTHER ONE SAID THAT OH I THINK I SAW HER SCAR. tHIS IS WHY I JUST KEEP
TO MYSELF AND BE A VERY HAPPY, GETTING HEALTHIER MOM, WIFE AND LOVING ME!!!!!!
bEST OF LUCK TO YOU ON YOUR SURGERY. YOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS.
MARIA
LAP 10/1/03
300/238/150???

Every insurance is different as far as the wait period
to get on the list to the initial surgery. The same
with proof. It is a good idea to document all of the
diets that you have tried and failed at. Anything
documented from a dr or weight clinic is especially
good and look on obesityhelp.com to help find a
surgeon in your area. It will also list the types of
insurance they accept.

Hey all - I will 2 years post op in June! I have lost a total of 350
pounds and I am feeling great! I am in the process of switching
surgeons due to the one who did my operation is so far away I am
unable to get there all of the time when I need to. NOthing else
has been happening.
I need to ask you all for a favor - my brother and I belong to this
one site and I just need you all to click this link.. and then close
the page... that is all.. click the link and be done with it...
Thanks to those that will do this for me.
http://www.outwar.com/page.php?x=2007482

Thanks, I guess that is what we all have to accept, it is just a
bitter pill to swallow. If it had to be re-done once, I could
accept that, but this is going on the 3rd time!! (in less than 2
months!!)
I think I am more worried this time for her safety #1 and 2nd, I am
worried for selfish reasons. I am worried that the 3rd time around,
she is going to need more after care than what I am willing to give.
She has her doc so buffalo'd that it has been of little use to talk
with him. I was just hoping I could get some worst case scenario
things to scare her before she gets out of the hospital this next
time, so we wont be going thru this a 4th or 5th time.
Thanks

Very well put. Thank you.
God Bless,
Robin, NorthEastern, NY
EDD- July 27th, 2004
Mommy to:
Benjamin & Jonathan
(twin boys 7 1/2),
Madison, daughter, 5 years and
Wife to Pup 15 years (October 31, 1988)
Gastric Bypass Surgery-
October 18th 2002
Start-378, current- 246(pregnant)
goal 170 after baby :)

Hi Sharon!
I count all the protein.
Brenda
Missouri

Some get off to a slow start and then BOOM, it just takes off. It WILL come
off, don't worry about that. Plus if you are excersing alot you may be building
up some muscle which I was told is heavier than fat so it make a little
extra. you will do fine.
God Bless,
Robin, NorthEastern, NY
EDD- July 27th, 2004
Mommy to:
Benjamin & Jonathan
(twin boys 7 1/2),
Madison, daughter, 5 years and
Wife to Pup 15 years (October 31, 1988)
Gastric Bypass Surgery-
October 18th 2002
Start-378, current- 246(pregnant)
goal 170 after baby :)

I am interested to know what post-ops are taking for your
vitamin/supplement needs.
Originally, I was prescribed a pre-natal vitamin called Nutrinate,
B12 sub-lingually daily (or monthly in a shot), liquid calcium twice
daily...I think that's it. HOWEVER, this was killing me! It was
such a pain to take everything...take THIS a half hour before meals,
take THAT an hour after THIS, but don't take THESE together. Oh!
It was awful for me, and I just wasn't doing it.
Then I found Isotonix which is a liquid vitamin all-in-one, once a
day thing and it's great! BUT- at $60 a month, it's a little steep.
So, here I am almost out of Isotonix and searching for a new great
vitamin regimen. I'm looking at Essential Daily which will run
about $25/month, but it falls a little short in B12 and Iron
compared to my original plan. I'm wondering though, since this is
also liquid (powder mixed w/water) and designed for bariatric
patients, maybe it doesn't matter.
Please tell me what you all are doing.
Thanks!
Gina in CA
LAP RNY 07-17-03
324/225.75/130?

Hi,
I am unable to keep up with the email messages. Please unsubscribe me. Thank
you.
Margee

Do you mean in the same manner as before surgery? We were just
discussing this Monday at a post-op support group. The answer was
NEVER. Although the opening to your stomach is probably not as
tight as it was in the very beginning, it is still very small.
Pills should always be cut if they are not already small. Plus, we
still have absorption issues, always will have absorption issues, so
to get the most of what you take, liquid should always be your first
choice. Also, if you take multiple pills, and don't cut them, they
could "pile up" in your stomach and cause a blockage that way.
Gina in CA
LAP RNY 07-17-03
324/225.75/130?

I don't mean to brag, but I have lost another pound cleaning out those
closet. That makes 7lb in 7 days
Mary A. B.
LAP RNY 3/22/03
Dr. Steve Weinstein, MD.
Mobile, Alabama
BMI 65/43
386/268-118LBS.
59 years old

You can do a number of things, but even that will take a little time for

Tonight I decided to give my piggies a splash of color. I was in
the bathroom prepping my toenails, bent over cutting and filing when
my husband walked by and asked, "Don't you want to sit down? Why
are you doing your toes like that?" And I happily answered, "I
don't know...because I CAN!"
Thank God for small blessings!
Gina in CA
LAP RNY 07-17-03
324/225.75/130?

hi diane, welcome. are u able to get to an in-person support group,
you'll be able to pick some brains there too. part of my wls
decision was to prevent illnesses too;when an older brother,37, was
diagnosed w/ diabetes during his hospital stay for quadruple heart
bypass---that was it! & i was tired of feeling 90 years old.
keep posting.
lori h.

Mary, congrats on your goal. I'm sending imaginary balloons!! Can you see
them?
Joan
LAP RNY 11/18/03
Dr. Higa, Fresno, CA
282pre-op/275surg/235/140
jclinton@...

I am new to this group. I had my Open distal RNY on December 8,
2003 at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Scottsdale and am
currently down at least 33.5 pounds. I say at least because I am
backing off the regular weigh-ins now. I will be 55 on the 23rd of
this month and am looking forward to having many healthy and slim
years ahead of me. I decided on gastric bypass because I have Type
II diabetes (no meds since surgery), hypertension (I do expect to
get off medication as my body recovers from what I did to it),
severe sleep apnea (I have not been able to tolerate my Cpap since
surgery because it drys my mouth too much), fibromyalgia, very sore
knees if I walked too far, and etc. I had an easy recovery from
surgery, no issues with fluids or solids, and am now feeling like I
am pretty much past the small speed bump in my life.
The most difficult time that I had was due to stopping BP medication
that I had been put on pre-surgery and the withdrawal was not
pleasant - it is now on my bad drug list. I had a bit of a problem
with electrolytes because I was drinking water and not getting in
some stuff I evidently needed. That has been resolved with Propel SF
sports drink. So, now I am finally exercising as I should and hope
to see continued progress over the months ahead.
Sandra

Hi, my name is Janet, and I am waiting for insurance approval for the
RNY. I have been busy reading posts, trying to get as much
information as possible. Tons of good info in the posts. One lady at
my job has had the surgery and lost quite a bit. She is 2/3rds of
what she was 5 months ago. I plan to have it done at the end of May
for various reasons, but talking to my supervisors at work lead me to
believe I can have it done sooner. I was planning around work, and
they are looking after me. I am very happy about the support the
people at work are giving me. I plan to read as much as possible here
in the posts and as many of the links and refernces possible. I have
nothing but questions at this point, but will try to refrain as I can
probably get all the info I need from the posts. I am very happy to
have found this group. It is wonderful. Janet

I take motrin for pain and I go in next week, should I stop taking
it? Also Amy I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, it does my you
think thats why I'm asking about the 800mg pills of Motrin that I
pop for pain.

Welcome aboard Janet!
Ask away! You may have questions no one else has thought of. There
is alot of valuable information here. Good Luck!
Kathy
Pre-op Lap RnY
1/30/04
327/?

I found with the docs & nurses so busy its up to you to make sure they stay on
top of it. Call them and remind them !!!!!!!!!!! If you want this done you gotta
keep the ball rolling they wont remember for every patient they have !!!!!!!!!!
tonnabear1 <tanjayoast@...
almost 6 months since I went and
spoke to my doctor about having gastric by-pass. He was so upbet,
wrote the referral right there in front of me. Even had me do some
initial lab work. Things seemed so perfect, the required clinics
were calling the next day offering to set up appointments. After
some running around by one clinic ( i missed the appointment, then
rescheduled for the next month.....only they wern't there and then
they told me I needed a new referral from PCP) I've finally gotten
all but one done. The last one we were told not to call to
schedule...they would call us. So I've just been waiting.....for
what seems like forever.
Then yesterday I called in a script renewal and my PCP actually
called me at home to ask a question about my meds; and then asked me
if I had changed my mind about having the surgery. I was confused
and told him no, that I had seen surgery, nutrition, physical therepy
and even the psychiatrist and been cleared by all of them and was
just waiting for occupational therepy to call and give me an
appointment. None of that was in my patient file that he was holding
at the time!
I know I slacked for a bit in December between Christmas and my
husband deploying to Iraq (active duty army) and put my passion to
have the surgery on the back burner.....but now I'm ready and willing
to do any and everything I can do. But I can't do much without the
approval of this final clinic. I know it's against their
rules.....but I'm about ready to call them myselves and ask for an
appointment. I want to get to the top of that dang waiting list,
instead of just floating around the bottom.
They have so many silly rules between the Army hospital and the
insurance that they expect us the patient to follow, but don't follow
themselves. They did surgery the other day on a lady who hadn't seen
all the clinics yet....because she somehow got put on the "on-call"
waiting list. There were some upset people in the support group who
had been waiting for a year or more, some on the on-call list
themselves and yet this woman got to go first, just because she
answered her phone.
One the upside, my PCP told me last night that he'd look into what's
going on with my case today and see if he can find out what's holding
things up. We leave this post at the end of the year, and if I
havn't had the surgery by then, I have to start all over at the Army
hospital at the next post....which will really suck!
~Tanja

HEY I AM BACK STAYING AT MY SISTERS IN NORTH GEORGIA AND I AM HAVEING
A LOT OF PAIN AND GAS BUT I HEAR THAT IS NORMAL. SO I AM HERE AND
DOING WELL.

I also have Tri-Care. You can go off base if they will give you a statement
of non-availability. I did go off base. Actually they would not take me on
base. They said I had too many other health issues and felt I would be too
difficult for them to manage. But I have to tell you I waited a year
(actually like 14 months) to get my initial evaluation appointment. So
waiting 5 months is really not that bad and actually for most people fairly
common.
Candi

I AM IN NORTH GEORGIA AT MY SISTERS. I HAVE A LOT OF PAIN AND GAS.
BUT I HEAR THAT IS NORMAL. WHOOO HOOO I AM ON THE LOSING SIDE NOW.
HOPE

Crystal,
I wouldn't let it go that easily. You need to let them know that you expect to
meet with the surgeon at your next appointment. You (or your insurance company)
pay a lot of money for those visits, and you deserve the care you need. Looks
like you're going to have to demand it.
I have met with my surgeon at each and every appointment, at he actually takes
the time to sit and talk with me and answer all my concerns. He always asks is
there anything else you want to tell me or ask about. We usually spend about 20
minutes going over things. Even when I have called with a question, the
assistant/receptionist would put me on hold while she asked the doctor. So, you
see there are surgeons out there who take the time.
Good luck getting this situation turned around.
Gina in CA
LAP RNY 07-17-03
330/223.25/130?

This same exact post is on another message board and a lot of them
answered saying it was a scam so don't bother going to the website!

Thanks Candi and Joan,
I am going to call my Tricare Service center, because I found this
on my insurance papers
TRICARE Fast Facts
TRICARE will cover surgery for morbid obesity. Morbid obesity means
the body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone
structure, according to the most recent Metropolitan Life table
statistics. Obesity has been associated with severe medical
conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with
morbid obesity. The morbid obesity benefit is limited to the gastric
bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, to include vertical banded
gastroplasty. TRICARE/CHAMPUS payment may not be made for
nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control,
or weight reduction
I bout fell out when I read that tricare will only cover surgical
weight loss procedures, I guess they don't like to waist time with
pills and all. SO I am going to see if I can either get a NAS which
is a non availability statement whichs will allow me to go to
whatever doctor my doctor refers because there are no available
doctors in my 50 mile rage that accept tricare, or see if I can go
to one of the basese I am near, Maxwell AFB or Martin Army in Fort
Benning, both have Family practice and do all outpatient surgeries
there, inpatient there send me to the hospital they work with.
Anyway, my soctor yesterday said he would refer me if I could find a
general surgeon who took my tricare, but I am going to call my
insurance and let them set it all up. I got a headache!!! Military
can be difficult!!
About the diabetes, I have had alot of folks tell me sounds like I
was getting that, omg scary!! And then I found out my great aunt and
grandmother has them, and I never knew that. And I a not sure my
doctor checked for that yesterdat. My mom said they have to do a
different kind of test to check. I have an appointment with him in a
month, should I wait til then to ask about the diabetes test or call
tomorrow and tell him about how I have been getting dizzy when I eat
and that I found out it is in my family???
Andrea

Wasai,
I haven't been given a specific number of carbs, but have been instructed to eat
protein first. So eat your fish or chicken, and then fruits and veggies or
starches. It's kind of hard in the beginning, but after a while you start to
know what your meal size should look like, and how much you can eat comfortably,
so you're able to eat more "normally" and have some meat and then some veggies
instead of finishing your protein first. Make sense?
I noticed Dr. Waldrep did your surgery. He did my friend's too.
-Gina in CA
LAP RNY 07-17-03
324/229/130?

I take a chewable vitamin (I use flintstones
still-they are cheap and good), a chewable vitamin c.
I chew those up, swallow my iron and then pop in my
b-12 under my tongue. I have no problems. Then later
during the day I take both calciums, then in the
evening I take my vitamins again. It is not a pain, I
don't worry about how many minutes after or before
dinner or anything else because they are chewable and
go down just fine.

In a message dated 1/14/2004 3:28:57 PM Central Standard Time,
lilcomfycouch@... writes:
I didn't realize diabetes was so
Diabetes is very serious. It affects your eyes, heart, every organ in your
body. That is why I am so thankful for this surgery. I had this surgery because
of my diabetes. I now have all normal sugar readings. I do not have it any
longer.
Wolfie
"Keep Em Laughing!"

Im getting tired of eggs, chicken, and yogurt. What other
high-protein foods are out there that I could have? And I
dont like beans and try to stay away from dairy b/c Im
lactose intolerant. Im 3 weeks post-op so Im still being
careful but I just started integrating real food into my
menu. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
=====
Mrs. Kris :-)

Hi Cathy,
I had lap-rny on 1/14/04. I am also having the most problem with my lower left
abdomen, which I keep pulling repeatedly. I may turn wrong in the night, and it
pulls, we all know what happens when we cough or sneeze. I was fortunate enough
that they sent me home from the hospital with a " binder" they called it. It's
just an elastic and velcro giant bandage I guess. It's about a foot wide and
about 4 feet long and it hooks to itself. I havent been without it yet. My pain
is coming from the area where I had a penrose drain. No pain or problem with jp
drain area. The pain is sharp and burns. But the binder is wonderful. I'm almost
functional with it. I had a thought this a.m., that maybe the lower abdomen pain
may be from how my belly hangs. Just a thought. I hope you get to feeling
better. I'm almost back to normal, except my darling littleones have given me a
cold. =)
You take care, Constance
Cathy A <cathysthecook@...
I had my surgery on 1/22/04 at GWU Hospital in Wash DC. I had a Lap RNY. The
surgery went well. I hired a nursing student (who had a RNY 2 years ago) to
stay with me 12 hours at night. This was a reasl blessing. Having been through
all this she was so supportive and really did know what I was going through.
She was a great advocate for me with the nursing staff when they would bring me
the wrong food -- white bread & sugar jello. All went well until the 3rd day.
I'm not sure when or how, but I pulled a musle in my stomach. It still causes
very severe pain. My husband has to help me sit up or walk. The pain from the
pulled musle is like fire. I went back to the doctor. He did a CT scan to
ensure that it was not a leak. Nothing showed on the scan so he believes too
that it is a pulled musle. Any one out there have any experience with this? If
it were not for this, I would be in great shape. I have not had any nausea or
problems eating. I would love any advice on
coping with this musle pull.
Cathy

WELCOME TO THE GROUP SANDRA, MY NAME IS MIMI. SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE DOING
GREAT..KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB..WISHING YOU GOOD HEALTH AND MANY LIGHT YEARS AHEAD
OF YOU..MIMI
Sandra <slkscb@...
on December 8,
2003 at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Scottsdale and am
currently down at least 33.5 pounds. I say at least because I am
backing off the regular weigh-ins now. I will be 55 on the 23rd of
this month and am looking forward to having many healthy and slim
years ahead of me. I decided on gastric bypass because I have Type
II diabetes (no meds since surgery), hypertension (I do expect to
get off medication as my body recovers from what I did to it),
severe sleep apnea (I have not been able to tolerate my Cpap since
surgery because it drys my mouth too much), fibromyalgia, very sore
knees if I walked too far, and etc. I had an easy recovery from
surgery, no issues with fluids or solids, and am now feeling like I
am pretty much past the small speed bump in my life.
The most difficult time that I had was due to stopping BP medication
that I had been put on pre-surgery and the withdrawal was not
pleasant - it is now on my bad drug list. I had a bit of a problem
with electrolytes because I was drinking water and not getting in
some stuff I evidently needed. That has been resolved with Propel SF
sports drink. So, now I am finally exercising as I should and hope
to see continued progress over the months ahead.
Sandra

I have a 2 questions.
Is it normal to have sleeping problems afterwards? How long does it take to
go back to normal?
My face is so broken out its raw, is this from the gastric bypass or from my
meds, (B12, vitamin, protein shake, calcium.)
Becca in Bama
01/13/04 Lap RNY
335/310/130

Kris,
Have you tried chili? Hormel chili without beans is good. I just
made sure that I chewed up the meat really good. I also ate the
individual size of Chef boyarde beef raviolis. Of course I could
not finish all of it.
Tuna fish is good, and peanut butter is also good. I know that we
are not suppose to have the pasta in the raviolis but I figured that
I was only eating a few bites and it had been sitting in the sauce
for so long that it was over cooked and should be ok. I only ate it
a few times just to give me variety. I do not eat it now. I am
over 4 months out and stick to protein, veggies and fruits.
Good Luck
Shelley

Andrea, glad you got some info regarding insurance and the surgery. About
possible Diabetes, I personally wouldn't wait a month. My feet were
numb-ish for 3 years prior to the main symptoms showing up....all this time
doing nerve damage. I even had my doctor look at my feet because I was
concerned....apparently he wasn't concerned. The lab work I get is a
fasting test, blood sugar, H1AC (long time blood sugar), and recently an
insulin level. I would call the doctor's office, and tell them your concern
about possible Diabetes, and request a blood test.
Leaving it is not good. As I had no clue that most of my family had
Diabetes (no real contact with most of them), I hadn't a clue as to what was
wrong with me. For 5 months, I put up with all of it, until I found out
about the family history, and immediately made an appointment. For those
that know what blood sugar levels are, mine was 596!!
Joan
LAP RNY 11/18/03
Dr. Higa, Fresno, CA
282pre-op/275surg/235/140
jclinton@...

RACHEL, I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING- WHAT WAS THE NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY?
SOUND LIKEEVRYTHING IS GOING GREAT FOR YOU...WISHING YOU THE BEST...MIMI
Rachel Hawkridge <rayehawk@...
nurse. I'm just a regular person with an interest in nutrition (I was brain
injured as the result of a nutritional deficiency). I spent 6 month researching
this surgery and the nutritional implications of it *before* I decided to do it,
and have continued the research since my surgery 11 months ago. I've lost a
total of 145 lbs., and am about 25-30 lbs from my goal of 150 lbs (I'm 5'10"
tall).
Also, re: the hair loss from trauma - I've been thru it twice. Ten years ago,
when I was brain injured, and a few months ago, after my surgery. Talked to
several docs about it then, and researched the surgical aspects of it. Normal
stuff, happens to many, but not all.
Rachel
320highest/305 pre-op/180?now/150 goal
<< From: MIRIAM RODRIGUEZ <needprozak2000@...
Subject: Re: Jayne and hair
RACHEL, THIS IS MIMI I JUST WAN TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOUR
COMMENTS...WHAT DO YOU DO? ARE YOU A NURSE, I ALSO LOVE LORI, CANDI, MINDI,
RAY'S..ETC.. COMMENTS--IT SOUNDS SO DETAILED...I WANT TO THANK YOU
ALL..I'VE REALLY LEARNED ALOT HERE..MIMI
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Hello everyone. I had my lap RNY surgery on 2/3/04 and I have a
question. I am on the fat free, full liquid part of my diet. I am
very faithful to it. However I am finding myself able to eat a lot of
the liquid. I can eat almost a whole container of yogurt and still be
hungry an hour and a half later. Is there something wrong with me? I
am hoping it is just because it is liquid so it moves right through
the pouch. Is that it?

hehehehehehe, it's the little things!! It's great! I feel the same
way I just do things because i can, i no longer have to accomodate
for my big belly anymore...Yeah!!!
Hannah

Becca, I had sleeping troubles post-op, I think for about2 months or so. I am
guessing that you breakout is from hormonal changes. sheri

Lots of prayers and good thoughts for you, Jessica!
Jamie
Open RNY 10/13/03
303/233/160

hi everyone
I have my first app on Wed and I am really not sure what is going to
happen
any advise

I was told to stop all meds 2 weeks before surgery.
Pam

As to grams of protein, it's going to vary, depending on the doctor, and my
doctor said also depending on the length of intestine removed in the
surgery. I asked again on Monday as to how much, and the doc said 50-60. I
have the feeling that this is on the low end of what many on here have been
told. The doctors handbook addressed the protein need in that this
particular group removed the least quantity of intestine possible.
Joan
LAP RNY 11/18/03
Dr. Higa, Fresno, CA
282pre-op/275surg/235/140
jclinton@...

What supplements are you taking? How much protein? In what form? I was
having a problem with the dizziness and have since added Propel SF sports
drink to my daily regimen (2-4 a day depending on the day) and that has
resolved the dizzy problem.
I am late responding to this because MSN was dumping all of the list digests
into my junk mail folder. I hopefully have that fixed now.
Sandra

Hi all! This site is a wealth of information, really glad I found
it. I am doing some research for a friend of mine who had gastric
bypass surgery about 1 week ago. She really seems to be doing great
except for a few minor problems - I was hoping someone could answer
a few questions for me.
1. She is only on a liqued diet for now (she is starving) lol -
anyway, when she is able to eat do any of you have examples of
things that will be easy on her tummy??? Maybe things she shouldn't
eat? Any ideas..............
2. She is having pain still in her stomach - we are assuming from
the healing of the pouch. They have prescribed pain medicine - does
anyone know how long the pain will last? The pain is fine as long as
she is on the pain medicine.
3. How long after surgery does it take to start excerising? She is
so worried about skin - but does not want to hurt herself.
For now I think that will do it. Her doctor is extremely hard to
get a hold off - thats why I am asking questions here! LOL
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Is this to me??
Tanya T.
Lap RNY 6/20/03
432/270/170
Houston, Dr. Adam Naaman
Visit my homepage at http://users3.ev1.net/~leeds/
"I will find my way, I can go the distance. I'll be there someday if I
can be strong, I know every mile will be worth my while, I would go most
anywhere to feel like I belong."

Cathy, did you also have your gall bladder removed? I got
a sharp pain on my right side just under my rib cage on the
3rd or 4th day also and came to discover that it was from
the gall bladder site. It went away after a week and
lessened every day. Just get a refill on your pain med and
take it easy.
Kris
Lap rny 1/8/04
****************
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 13:30:13 -0800 (PST)
From: Cathy A <cathysthecook@...
Subject: Re: My Surgery was 1/22/04
I had my surgery on 1/22/04 at GWU Hospital in Wash DC. I
had a Lap RNY. The surgery went well. I hired a nursing
student (who had a RNY 2 years ago) to stay with me 12
hours
at night. This was a reasl blessing. Having been through
all this she was so supportive and really did know what I
was going through. She was a great advocate for me with
the
nursing staff when they would bring me the wrong food --
white bread & sugar jello. All went well until the 3rd
day.
I'm not sure when or how, but I pulled a musle in my
stomach. It still causes very severe pain. My husband
has to
help me sit up or walk. The pain from the pulled musle is
like fire. I went back to the doctor. He did a CT scan
to
ensure that it was not a leak. Nothing showed on the scan
so he believes too that it is a pulled musle. Any one out
there have any experience with this? If it were not for
this, I would be in great shape. I have not had any nausea
or problems eating. I would love any advice on
coping with this musle pull.
Cathy
=====
Mrs. Kris :-)

The surgeons office called and had all my stuff together and were
faxing it to the insurance today. Now I guess I wait for the denial
as I do not have the 26 weeks of supervised dieting then I get the
attorney to appeal and keep my fingers crossed. At least it`s moving
forward now.
Alice

as a new year dawns, we all want to increase our physical activity. here's
lesson # 1:
scroll down
down
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
end of lesson #1.
(whew! i'm pooped after that workout.)
lori h.
(could not resist the cheesy joke).

I am also allergic to codein and my doc gave me
Hydrocodone. The nurse told me the only thing stronger is
morophine. It worked pretty well but I still felt a little
pain. I tried not to take as much though in order to space
it out so it would last longer so I didnt do the full
dosage 3 teaspoons every 4 hours. I only took the full
dosage before I went to sleep so it would get me through
the night without having to get up to take another dose.
Kris
******************
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:46:41 EST
From: MichiganFRS@...
Subject: Re: Re: Approved
Hi
Thanks. Was wondering what pain medication everyone got
after surgery? I know
my doctor gives the stuff with codeine and I'm allergic to
Codeine. Was
wondering if anyone else was allergic to codeine if so what
did they take? I take
Darvocet for my arthritis but that doesn't come in chewable
or liquid. Does
anyone know if worst comes to worst if it can be crushed
up? Thanks

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Are you having it done there
in Arizona? After I started this process in California I then began
to think that I wish I had looked into Arizona as my sister lives
there and I could have recovered at her house for a few days. In
California I will be totally alone and won`t know anyone there and
have never been there. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us informed.
Alice

Hi Alice,
Try not to be discouraged. I have CNN insurance and even with a BMI of 51, I
was denied the first time for two reasons. First, my high blood pressure was
responding to treatment, second, I did not have proof of 18 months of a
medically supervised weight loss attempt. I appealed, writing my own letter,
refuting their decision with the fact that, yes, blood pressure was responding
to
treatment but only because my drs continually added new medications to keep it
stable (currently taking 3 different meds). Secondly, regarding the weight
loss attempts, even though Weight Watchers isnt MEDICALLY supervised, I copied
every WW weight recording booklet I had ever used (they spanned a couple of
years), sent them in with the appeal, and within 4 days, the insurance company
reversed their decision.
I am having laproscopic RnY surgery next Thursday (the 19th) and I can hardly
wait, even though the past week has been my first experience of a few jitters
since I started this journey 13 months ago. At a Pre-Admission workshop on
Tuesday, the psychologist assured me that is perfectly normal when one is
facing major surgery.
That works for me! :)
I'll keep you all posted when I make it over to "losing side".
Becky from AZ
In a message dated 2/12/2004 10:05:03 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
hardesty@... writes:

Amy ,I'm really sorry to hear about your friend. Like joy said my Dr. ran alot
of tests like I spent all day monday at the hospital doing everything from blood
work,chest x-ray,upper GI,ultra sound of my gal bladder,and of the veins in my
leggs to make sure that there was no clots. Then in the after noon I went to
pulmanologist to look at the chest x-ray and the breathing test that I had.
They also checked the oxygen in my blood. I go in for surgery on weds 2-18-04
and I'm a little nervous BUT I PRAYED AND ASKED GOD TO GIVE ME PEACE ABOUT IT IF
IT'S HIS WILL. I got up last weds AM and had a peace about it SO I KNOW THAT I
KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE FINE BECAUSE GOD WILL BE BY MY SIDE. BETH
Joy Muns <joy_ms@...
are to walk so you can keep your functions work and no blood clots. This is not
a easy surgery. Things do happen. My family doctor ran all kinds of test on me.
I mean a lot of test done. I am glad she did. Cause when I went into surgery I
was in good health. I knew just what was wrong with me.
Joyce
AMY <kikigabysean@...
HI Guys;Just wanted to come on and tell you what has happened to a
friend of my friend.She went in st.lukes hospital yesterday for
gastric bypass.She came out perfectly fine from the operation but
today she died from internal bleeding.Now what i need to know is if
this is comman?My friend tells me they forced her to walk,but aren't
we soppose to walk to prevent blood clots which could also kill us?
Now i am but to square one. I was felling better about doing this
surgry and turned all my fear into excitment but now i am scared
again I have 3 babies and it would be very hard to keep them together
if something was to happened to me.WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

She can eat pureed foods (no sugar added). IF she can make it the
consistency of apple sauce she can likely eat it. Here are some of the
things I was able to eat:
Skim Milk
Carnation Sugar Free Instant Breakfast
Fruit Juice (No sugar added brands-I also cut them half and half with water)
applesauce (no sugar added)
Canned soup (strained) or broth
Sugar free drinks (Crystal Light, Kool Aid)
Sugar Free Pudding
Sugar Free Jello
Sugar Free Yogurt
Instant Mashed Potatoes W Gravy
Cream of Wheat
Oatmeal
You can also puree canned fruits and vegs (no sugar added on the fruits) and
cottage chesse. I was told you could puree chicken and such but the way it
looked all pureed just turned my stomach.
The pain lasts different for everyone. Some people come home from the
hospital not needing the pain meds and others (myself) were in pain for 4-5
weeks after surgery).
I was able to start walking immediately after surgery (actually t was highly
encouraged). Even if it was only 5-10 minutes at a go. The more she can do
the better. But more strenuous exercise (weights, stomach crunches...things
of that nature) she should seek advice from her own doctor. Mine said 10
weeks before I did any ab work work but you will get as many different
answers as we all had doctors.
Hope this helps a little. Try to encourage her to join us. She will find a
lot of help here and we are all in the same boat.
If you need more help just let us know.
Candi

Bethany,
Are you certain that you are really hungry? It is most likely "head hunger". You
may want to think about it. A lot of us find ourselves wanting food, but real
hunger generally is not supposed to rear its ugly little head until about a year
post-op from what I've heard and read.
Keep doing what you are supposed to. You won't be getting the "fullness" feeling
until you start eating solids. Be sure that you eat very slowly. It will take
time until your pouch gets full and lets you know it. It's not really a feeling
of fullness as we are used to it, but a feeling that no more will fit in. That's
why it's so important to take a long time to eat. If you rush it or even eat at
a normal pace, you will not have time to stop when you first start feeling full
until you've eaten too much and will most likely get the dumping syndrome, which
is not fun at all.
Good luck and keep up the good work. It is difficult, but you can do it.
Linda
Message: 15
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 04:16:04 -0000
From: "Bethany" <Bethyrae@...
Subject: Post Op Question
Hello everyone. I had my lap RNY surgery on 2/3/04 and I have a
question. I am on the fat free, full liquid part of my diet. I am
very faithful to it. However I am finding myself able to eat a lot of
the liquid. I can eat almost a whole container of yogurt and still be
hungry an hour and a half later. Is there something wrong with me? I
am hoping it is just because it is liquid so it moves right through
the pouch. Is that it?

I just can figure it out,Since I was 4 weeks out I have been eating Wendy's
chili with absolutely no problem,then all of the sudden ,the Wendy's chili just
wont go down or sets there like a rock..
I cant figure out why it goes down so well so many times then one day ,it just
don't go down well.
Any help would be appreciated.
Allan
Lap Rny
12-15-03
312 / 265 / ?
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.564 / Virus Database: 356 - Release Date: 1/20/2004

I heard today that effective June 1, 2004 Humana will NOT be
covering any "morbid obesity" surgical claims. This means that Humana
will not cover gastric bypass surgeries of any sort. If you are
contemplating this surgery and have Humana I suggest you contact your
Plan Administrator ASAP. This info came to me from my Plan
Administrator who knows I am waiting for my date.
Karyl

Hannah, normally I wouldn't eat salmon out of a can, but this recipe sounds
tasty! I just may have to try it.
I get my salmon at Costco. It's individually vacuum sealed, frozen salmon
steaks. Very convenient for a small appetite. I really like it!
-Gina in CA
LAP RNY 07-17-03
324/229/130?

Dear G B F,
I did it, I finally did it. After all the Optifast and driving 3 hrs
to the clinic and 3 hrs back for 12 weeks. I finally have a SURGERY
DATE!!!!!!! As of April 2nd, I will be on the losing side!!!!!!! I am soo
happy and
excited!!!!
Jessica in MI
320 Pre-OP

Okay, it's not much of a big deal so far, but I had my first complication
post-surgery
today. My incision (staples) has been draining pretty much continuously, though
less
and less, since a few days after surgery on Jan. 9th. This morning I took the
gauze off
after waking up and found an odd thing: the only rema