Gastric Bypass Weblog

Mary Katharine-
I'd be happy to answer your question, if I knew what it was. What are you
talking about re: protein? I don't know what you mean by 40% and 60% protein.
I get most of my proteins from VitaLady.com. Inexpensive prices, only proteins
that are good for us, etc. We use 1.5 scoops of protein powder to get a 30 gram
dose.
The under the tongue B12 pills are sublinguals, and mine don't involve any
jells. They're tiny, about 1/8th inch diameter. They dissolve under the tongue
really quickly. Sugar, acacia gum. Leave a little paste in your mouth.
Rachel
From: VirginiaMountain@...
Subject: Re: Protein
Hi everyone, when we take the protein shakes do they have to be
40% or 60% can we get by with just 40% as I can get that here but no
higher
without going to San Antonio, Texas?
Thanks for the help,
Mary Katherine
PS would it be ok to use the kind of jell pill (B-12) that you put
under your
tongue?
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

hey i need info on financing.. i have no job cause of my weight..
and i have no insurance.. What are my options.. there must be some

hello
how are you all? I just found this awesome website. I had surgery two
weeks ago..feel ok. please write back ,mary

2 more things off your list.
best wishes,
lori h.

hi brenda. i applaud your candid sharing :-). it sounds like you're
on your way to improving your quality of life. keep digging deep, &
have faith, hunny.
lori h.

well tomorrow i go for the gall bladder scan and and endoscope.yeah fun!! i have
to drive an hour away but its the next step to doing surgery. i have had my 1st
dr appt and my insurance has been approved. i have these things done see the dr
and nutritionist and and that day they will make my surgery date i think. i dont
think i will get it tomorrow. they said it would be about 3-4 weekd from my 1st
appt which was april 1st. so i guess i am on my way!! wish me luck!!
Tracey

I hope you guys don't get this twice, for some reason it is not going through
right. Well this morning I had my first appointment with the surgeon Dr.
Bernsten from Tall Grass Surgery. I had a lot of questions and she answered
them pretty well. I am still worried about having the surgery but she thought I
would benefit from it. Mine might be a rush job since I talked to my insurance
company yesterday and they will cover the surgery up till Aug. 1., and after
that the policy is underwritten and they will no longer cover it. I talked to
the doctor about it and she said they can make special arrangements under these
circumstances since this may be the only time to consider it. They do the lap
Rsy and the band now. If anyone has any input on which is the better one please
let me know how you feel. I am supposed to go to a support meeting Saturday in
Topeka and they are going to turn my papers into the insurance company and see
what they say. So it sounds like they may really get
the ball rolling. I am really scared but the more posts I read the more
comfortable I feel. They have only lost two patients which they say were the
super obese. She can't guarantee anything but she thought my chances were
really good coming out of this in flying colors. I was really thinking about
backing out until they made me get on the scale and yes I had put on a lot more
weight. I thought I only weighed 320, well that was last year, now I weigh 347.
So it scares me even more not doing anything. If I keep putting on 30 pounds a
year in no time I Will be a big mess probably in a wheelchair. That wouldn't be
much of a life for my kids would it? I already have terrible back and knee pain
when I walk very far at all. I have a hard time standing up. So I keep trying
to tell myself if I don't have the surgery, next year,"How bad of shape will I
be in?" Probably a lot worse. They say the band has fewer complications but
they didn't know if my insurance company would cover
it or not. If anyone has had this I would like to hear from them. Actually
the summer would be a good time for me to have the surgery since my 11 year olds
would be here to help with the younger ones at first. I am scared of the
surgery but I am more afraid if I don't what will happen to me. Life has got to
get better than this. I hope. And I hope and pray that I am making the right
decision, but I really don't think I could lose enough weight to really make a
difference on my own and then I would probably gain it back next winter plus
more, we all know the vicious cycle, I know we have all been there. So I guess
I will find out more Saturday. They have a book they want me to buy at the
support group meeting. Does anyone know how much this book costs? Just wanted
to know ahead of time. Thank you all for listening to me and helping me make
the right decision. Also if anyone has had Federated Mutual Insurance Company
could you let me know how long it takes them to approve
this surgery or if you had to do a couple appeals. Thanks.
Brenda

Well this morning I had my first appointment with the surgeon Dr. Bernsten from
Tall Grass Surgery. I had a lot of questions and she answered them pretty well.
I am still worried about having the surgery but she thought I would benefit from
it. Mine might be a rush job since I talked to my insurance company yesterday
and they will cover the surgery up till August 1. , and after that the policy is
underwritten and they will no longer cover it. I talked to the doctor about it
and she said they can make special arrangements under these circumstances since
this may be the only time to consider it. They do the lap Rxy and the band now.
If anyone has any input on which is the better one please let me know how you
feel. I am supposed to go to a support meeting Saturday in Topeka and they are
going to turn my papers into the insurance company and see what they say. So it
sounds like they may really get the ball rolling. I am really scared but the
more posts I read on these lists the
more comfortable I feel. They have only lost two patients which they say was
the super obese. She can't guarantee anything but she thought my chances were
really good comming out of this in flying colors. I was really thinking about
baking out until they made me get ont he scale and yes I had put on a lot more
weight. I thought I only weighed 320 but now I am up to 347 and that was before
I ate anything today. So it scares me even more not doing anything. If I keep
putting on 30 pounds a year in no time I will be a big mess probably in a
wheelchair. That wouldn't be much of a life for my kids would it? I already
have terrible back and knee pain when I walk very far at all. I have a hard
time standing up. So I keep trying to tell myself if I don't have the surgery
next year, How bad of shape will I be in? Probably a lot worse. They say the
band has fewer complications but they didn't know if my insurance company would
cover it or not. If anyone has had this I would like
to hear from them. Actually the summer would be a good time for me to have the
surgery since my 11 year olds would be here to help with the younger ones at
first. I am scared of the surgery but I am more afraid if I don't what will
happen to me. Life has got to get better than this. I hope. And I hope and
pray that I am making the right decision, but I really don't think I could lose
enough weight to really make a difference on my own and then I would probably
gain it back next winter plus more, we all know the vicious cycle, I know we
have all been there. So I guess I will find out more Saturday. They have a
book they want me to buy at the support group meeting. Does anyone know how
much this book costs? Just wanted to know ahead of time. Thank you all for
listening to me and helping me make the right decision. Also if anyone has had
Federated Mutual Insurance company could you let me know how long it takes them
to approve this surgery or if you had to do a couple
appeals. Thanks
Brenda

I don't think it matters how much you consume. A can
of atkins is enough because once you open it, it only
takes about an hour for the protein shake to spoil. I
use a powdered shake and I mix it with about 1 cup or
less of water. You can add it to 1/4 cup of water if
you want. The idea is to get in your scoop of protein
powder. Good luck,
Shannon

so glad it was a breeze for ya. i also "passed" thankfully.
you're on your way!
lori h.

I read your post and wanted to chime in. I'm 3 mos post-op
lap r-n-y. I started at 332 and am now at 265. My first
month I lost 31 lbs. I think you're doing great! You
started at a lower weight and you have to take that into
account.
My experience - I'm one of the lucky ones. I really didn't
have many co-morbids except a family history of diabetes
and high blood pressure. I've never dumped except for
occassional nausea that doesn't get bad and doesn't last
long. I've never thrown up either (I wasn't much of a
puker before surgery either though). I'm still not getting
hunger pains yet, which is where you and I differ. Maybe
you're mistaking hunger pains for low blood sugar? I eat
when I feel like my blood sugar is dropping (or if it's
"time" to eat as I am a slave to a schedule).
I don't do juice any more just b/c I got tired of the chore
of diluting it. It's a good quick-fix though when I do
feel the blood sugar dropping and I can't eat or it isn't
time to eat. For ex: before I go to the gym I'll have a
cup of diluted cranberry juice (sometimes) for quick energy
for the cardio workout. I've never dumped from it or had
other probs.
I have a protein shake w/ milk for bfast, then a lunch and
dinner of high-protein food. I have very few carbs and
dairy. I watch the sugars, fats, and fruits. I've still
not had even a bite of a chocolate bar since the surgery.
I can only have about 1/4 cup of fruit with a meal at a
time, otherwise it's too sugary and I'll wind up in the
bathroom (although that hasn't even been really bad, I
don't have to set up camp in there at least). For example,
yesterday I had half of a burger w/ cheese (no bun) for
lunch, and the other half for dinner with asparagus. The
whole burger was about 6-8 ounces, so it was pretty big. I
have a lot of asparagus, it's my fave veggie. I have it
with almost every dinner.
If I snack at all, I've had Nacho Cheese Doritos now and
then. And I love Snackwells sf cookies. But those are
carbs so I don't get them too often. And for some reason,
some of them make me nauseous so I have to watch it.
I can down water pretty quick. But food takes about 15-30
minutes to eat, depending on how dense it is. It's hard to
go as slow as they want us to go, I know.
I seem to have a higher tolerance for sugar than I do for
fats/oils.
Like you, also, I have had a very easy recovery and felt
like the doc didn't really do the surgery. LOL
My main side effect is low energy. I'm told that will
increase with time.
This surgery has been so wonderful for me. I'm learning
all about nutrition. My latest obsession is teas. I'm
starting to really get into differnt kinds of teas as
alternatives to pills (for cramps, etc).
Anyway, I thought I'd share my experience with you, as we
have some things in common. Hope it helped you understand
yourself a little better maybe. Maybe you're mis-reading
what your body is telling you sometimes. Maybe you aren't
really hungry when you eat, it may be that your blood sugar
is low and you just need a little something instead of a
whole meal?
Kris :-)

I am it the process of trying to have another. I was told wait at least a year
after the surgery to try. I was told I would have to take more folic acid and
calcium if I do become pregnant, I wont be able to take the sugar test because
drinking the soda tasting stuff will make you very sick and I am not to eat for
two. Thats where I am at and I would like to know more as well.
Kim
Melissa Soules <mks6610@...
Hi, I have been reading for about a week and decided it was time to
ask some questions. I am 31 and have a 2.5 year old. I really want to
have more kids but really don't see it happening at my current
weight. Are there very many young moms here who plan to or have had
babies after the surgery, I would love to hear your experiences, this
is really the only thing holding me back at this point. I don't want
my daughter to be an only child :)
~Melissa~

http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/medicalreports/C645/
& no he's not my reconstructive surgeon, sounds kinda pricey if he has
a hyberberic chamber, lol.
lori h.

Lori, et al -
This is true, but the much bigger danger is from not taking a good B COmplex
capsule. The Bs are all water soluble, and are depleted fairly rapidly. They
are also primarily absorbed in the duodenum, which we've had bypassed. We are
all at risk for B vite deficiencies and several of them (B1 included) can
causing disabling neurological damage.
I experienced it, unrelated to WLS. A couple of local WLS gals have had damage,
very early on. BUt it could happen at any time.
Just because you don't drink does *not* mean that you are safe. Take a good B
Complex cap (Stress B, or B100) to protect your brains, and nerves. Please.
Rachel in WA
<<wlslori <wlslori@...
everyone's different. i found that losing the weight was liberating,
never a downer. & btw, my nutritionist states that alcohol robs us
from B1.
lori h.
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

at 8 months i could eat about a small child size serving. I had a harder time
with meats, they
went in much heavier and filled me up fast but pastas and softer food I could
eat more of.
God Bless,
Robin, NorthEastern, NY
EDD- July 27th, 2004
IT'S A BOY!!!!!!
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 :)

Does anyone have an idea of how much food you should be taking in 8
months out?? HELP.

I have been so worried about the evaluation. But it was nothing. I
was only in there about 20 minutes. She asked questions regarding
my family medical history and if there was any history of psychatric
problems with me or my family. And that was it. She said that she
thought I would do well with this procedure. Now all I need to do
is the sleep study, see the surgeon and get approval. Wish me luck.
And thank you guys so much for all the information and support that
you give. You guys are just the best.

Dawn I know the feeling I thought about that last month. LOL. It gives your a
great feeling.
Joyce
dawn6ft@... wrote:
Just wanted to share,, this morning, i got out of the shower and wrapped a
towel around me ( not a beach towek either..) and it touched.....I could
actually tuck it just a hair...LOLOL
This was a big deal to me...lolo
Dawn

Hi, I have been reading for about a week and decided it was time to
ask some questions. I am 31 and have a 2.5 year old. I really want to
have more kids but really don't see it happening at my current
weight. Are there very many young moms here who plan to or have had
babies after the surgery, I would love to hear your experiences, this
is really the only thing holding me back at this point. I don't want
my daughter to be an only child :)
~Melissa~

Hi all, Been busy.
I wanted to post some information for those of you who use your doc
to appeal or go it alone. Make sure you point out that the CIGNA
diet history nonsense says SHOULD include weigh ins. It does not
say must.
And...the National Institute of Health did not recommend diet and
exercise. This is something CIGNA and other carriers have made up.
Good luck
Gary Viscio
www.obesitylawyers.com

I was told that calcium carbonate may lead to kidney stones and that
we should be taking calcium citrate.
Alicia
11/18/03
284/249 preop/184

due to the decreased gastric acid production in wls'ers, we only
absorb calcium citrate, not calc carbonate. check out the graduate
group & most especially the ossg osteoporsis group for tons of
medical literature on this. do not take my word on this, i'm not a
medical profesional. i care(d) enough to post this, not to mention
i have osteopenia, diagnosed @ 17 months post-op, w/ NO other risk
factor other than malabsorption.
lori h.
23 grateful months post-op

welcome to the group, nancy. yep, i'm approaching my 2nd anniversary,
though i don't consider myself a veteran of any sort;-) i'm satisfied
w/ the moment in time i had wls, i remember being 7 or 8 months
post-op & listening to a surgeon lecture regarding brand new wls
technologies. he was raving about some new staples & staple guns that
had just come out in the weeks prior to his presentation. so
apparently the wls is evolving quite a bit.
i've met longer term posties @ in-person support meetings, one keeps
in line by weighing herself each & every monday.
keep postin'!
lori h.

welcome lynn. welcome to the century, great job.
lori h.

Hi Deb,
I can't do protein shakes either. Never have. I do a protein drink that is
like Kool-aid. There is one called Isopure. It comes in flavors like fruit
punch and grape. The only thing it has aspartame in it, so it's sweet like
Hawaiian punch. I have bought this at my grocery store (near the slim-fast) GNC
and vitamin shops. My favorite is Protein ice. WOW is it good. Clean crisp
Kool-aid flavor. It's from a company out of Florida. I can not buy it locally
in NJ but I order on the web from www.wlssuccess.com They both have 40 grams
of protein in the drink.
Good luck
Colleen

Thanks Brenda,
Just hours before check in and I am counting on the prayers of my friends
both online and otherwise. I am still very at peace. I know this is the
right decision. And I'll love knowing I'll have the energy to chace my
eleven year old all over town if I need to. ( If you only knew her!) God
Bless you all and I'll see you on the other side!
~Sarah

Yay Dawn!! It would be a big deal to me too! I am still waiting for that
day. Congrats and thanks for the smile.
Claudia
2-10-04
404pre-op/358surg/324/160?

Just wanted to share,, this morning, i got out of the shower and wrapped a
towel around me ( not a beach towek either..) and it touched.....I could
actually tuck it just a hair...LOLOL
This was a big deal to me...lolo
Dawn

Whoo hoo!
I'm 10 weeks post op and down 71 pounds, I have not seen this side of
the scale for SIX years.
Thank you Dr. Thompson!

I take 3 of these a day. My doctor told me to use viactiv.

i have read that these are ok for us to take after RNY. but they
taste too good to be OK... does anyone have any info on this?

HELP! what is the MOST protein i can get in the smallest amount???
i HATE HATE HATE the protein drinks that are prepared (in cans). is
there any type of protein that is very concentrated so i won't have
to have a big drink to get it in me?
please help! i can only eat about one meal a day... and for the
last few days it's been diet jello with a couple tablespoons of
cottage cheese.
i know i need protein to heal - i'm one of the "lucky" ones that has
an oozing open wound on my belly that has to be irrigated by a
visiting nurse every day... it's gross and depressing. i know i
need protein to heal... but i just can't get a big drink in me...
the drinks they gave me in the hospital made me gag (i think they
were called 'opti source' or something like that - NASTY).
PLEASE HELP.

Nancy -
Go to VitaLady.com to see a couple of older posties. Michelle and Don are
almost 10, and almost 9 years post-op. You can also join

Hi -
I have some different experiences that what I've seen here. DH and I eat out a
lot. Have for a long time, and ate out for the first time post-op the day after
I got home from hospital. Went to chinese, and I had the broth from wonton soup
. . . best damn broth I've ever had! I eat mostly meats and veggies, salads,
but DH and I share a lot of meals in restaurants. I don't like to order a whole
meal, then eat 1/8th of it, and have to eat it again for a week.
We take turns ordering, or negotiate. "If you want the pasta, then order an
add'l skewer of shrimp for me, OK?" or "I'd prefer fish, but I can live with the
chicken." Even McDonald's and Arby's will make sandwiches w/o the bun, and
Wendy's chili is a good choice, as is the side Caesar salad.
And I drank a few onces of wine at holiday dinners, sometimes in Spritzers,
sometimes just sipping . . .
I'm 12.5 months out, down 160 lbs.
It's what you make it, guy . . . make the best!
Rachel
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Hey Ice!
I'm having mt surgical consult at the yipsi, MI BTC April 13th, yup they'll have
a list of support groups near you, the closet one to me will be a 30 - 45 min
drive one way... no biggie tho, I'm getting excited each day that gets closer to
the consult, I have sooooo many questions! (as you all know lol)
/where is your consult?
Cynthia

I'd contact your DR. anf let them inquire about that, I wouldn't this so tho, if
you had already had approval.
Cynthia

Just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Lynn and I am 8 months
post-op. I started out at 290 pounds and I am now down to 189, but
I think I've hit my first plateau. I really haven't been involved in
any support groups for a few months. I've been so busy at work and
then at home with my daughter I barely have time to do anything for
myself. But now I have made sure I put sometime aside to try to
catch up and meet some new people who are going through what I am.
Does anyone have any suggestions to break a plateau? It's been about
31/2 weeks since I last saw any movement on the scale. Looking
forward to everything I can learn from all of you.

I just got off the phone with Jessica. She's not being released until
Wednesday. She had a reaction to the anastesthesia (sp?) and spent
yesterday vomiting. She's better today, but they want to keep her a
couple more days. She still sounds really good :)
Shannon in Indiana
2/24/04
265/227/135

hi Tammy im from minnesota.i havent had the surgery yet but i m scheduled to
have it on july 29th:).
christie
Tammy <dollypin@...
Howdy folks!
Are any of you from Minnesota?
I'm pre-op (final pre-op appt with surgeon on apr 9-surgery scheduled
for apr 22), and I'd like to talk to some folks around here who've
had the surgery.
Please feel free to e-mail me, and thanks for all the info on this
site. It's a great resource.
Tammy S.

UPMC Horizon and the Greenville Surgical Associates are sponsoring a
talk by Barbara Thompson on "Reach for Success Through Weight Loss
Surgery," at 7pm, May 12th at Hempfield Station One, Greenville, PA.
Thompson, a motivational speaker and author, has had weight loss
surgery that helped her lose 125 pounds. She has written a book on
the subject and gives advice on the surgery and who needs it, surgery
safety, and living after surgery.
To reserve a seat, call Wendy Alfreno, with UPMC Horizon, at 724-589-
6675.

Nancy ,
The effects on the blood sugar and blood pressure were immediate. They stopped
all my meds the night before surgery and told me that they would give them back
as needed. I never needed them except for arthritis, and muscle relaxer that I
take for fibromyalgia and the pill I take for irregular heart beat of which I
now only take a half of one. I went to the doctor last week and my blood sugar
was 87 and my bp 108/78.
Mary A. B.

Hi Deb,
I am sorry to hear that your husband is being that way. To be
honest with you my husband has ALWAYS been like that. I don't know
where my head was when I married him. LOL Anyways, I do agree
with the rest of the posts that this is an emotional time for our
families as well as us. I'm sure he heard all kinds of stuff before
you had the surgery to scare him. Just try to have patience with
him and right now you need to focus on yourself. My hubby goes from
Jeckel to Hyde on a daily basis (and they said women are moody:) I
just wish I could get mine to do laundry like yours. That would be
something.
Hang in there Deb!
It will get better and keep us posted,
Bridget Northam

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Nancy. I have been
lingering around your group for about a week, reading and trying to
understand more about this surgery. Im 43, 260lbs, diabetic and have
high blood pressure. For the past 10 years I have been on oral
medicine for my diabetes and for the last 18 months have been on
insulin injections. My sugar is rarely under control even though Im
very severe w/myself and follow Drs orders and diet to the letter.
My Dr recently told me to think about gastric bypass surgery and that
we would talk about it on my next visit (in 3 months). So here I
am...
I do have a few questions though, I have noticed that most are
pretty recent post op people. Are there any out there that had the
surgery done a long time ago? Meaning at least 5 years preferably
longer? Longest I seen posted was almost 2 yrs. Think it was Lori
at 23 months?? and is there many that you know that absolutely failed
at this? Also, seen that Mary said she is no longer diabetic and her
b/p is ok now. Is that the norm? Do most of you who have diabetes
drop your sugar levels to normal and get off your meds/insulin? That
would be wonderful! And do you go to support groups in your area, or
just the online ones?
Now for a more personal note, my husband is very supportive of this
(as long as the insurance is willing to pay LOL ) as are my
daughters, aged 24 and 21. I have a friend that lives w/my husband
and myself that has some concerns (which Im grateful for) and has
helped me to think of the things I need to know going into this. So
as far as home goes I think everything is ok. To those of you out
there alone or w/o support of spouses or significant others....all i
can say is communicate communicate communicate! The more they know
and understand what you are going through (even if it hurts to tell
them) the better every one is in the long run. Well enough
rambling on, hope to hear some answers soon. Thanks in advance and
you all seem like a great group! :)

In a message dated 4/4/2004 9:50:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

Trisha,
What kind of surgery did you have? I am 2 months out with open RNY and I am
still not able to eat say 4 shrimp. I can not say the "full" feeling is the
same as before but it is a pressure feeling. I know when I have had enough.
Some are going to disagree with my next statement but here goes. If I were you,
I would not measure and eat until I felt full or pressure just to ease my mind.
Let me tell you, with my surgery...all you have to do is overeat once and you
remember that feeling of being full. I call it the pig in the python (I think I
heard that somewhere) It's very uncomfortable. You would definitely know how
much food to be eating.
Also, remember you have less common channel of your intestines so all that
protein you are eating can not be absorb like before surgery. That is why
protein shakes or drinks are recommended.
Good luck
Colleen

welcome back & thanx for the update on jess!
lori h.

Lori,
Thank you for taking the time to tell me a little about yourself and your
journey. I know exactly how you feel about being 99. My back just can't take
the weight anymore. I don't even have to walk very far and I am in extreme pain
in my lower back. If you don't mind me asking could you tell my how much you
have lost in the two years. And by the end of the two years does the struggles
get a lot better? Thanks
Brenda
Desperate to live again!
wlslori <wlslori@...
hasn't brought heartache &
pain & perhaps new sets of challenges, but guess what? i'd do it again.
to be able to recapture my quality of life was worth it, it feels good
to feel young, not 99 years old!
lori h.
23 months post-op

Still not getting all my emails in my in box from the group so please
forgive the delay here in thanking those who answered my questions.
Bridget, I will ask the doc thanks = )
Lori, I am SO looking forward to getting back into weight lifting (and not
the kind I carry around 24/7 LOL) and Yoga sounds like heaven to me... I
just can't get up and down right now..... but I promise I will try it as
soon as I am losing some weight so I can get back up off the floor LOL
Shannon, to take only a few bites and be done.... oh my! what a dream come
true that would be. I am so tired of being a slave to food. I want to eat
to live... not live to eat!
I think the first time I could eat a couple of bites and be done, I will cry
I can't imagine having second thoughts about this surgery....... I am soooo
ready to get a new lease on life and become the person I was born to be. I
have NO DOUBT that the risks will be WAY outnumbered by the pluses.
Just as when I had my children..... the happiness they have brought me has
far outweighed the concerns I had before I got pregnant and I don't regret
one moment just as I am sure I won't regret this.
Thank you all for helping answer my questions about it. I am not worried
about it but I do like to be prepared.
Today I called all my doctors from the past 12 years and asked them to find
my medical reports so that I can send them the release forms and get them
sent to me to document my weight journeys and other medical issues that will
help. I also called Physicians Weight Loss Centers only to find that they
closed the one I went to in TX so it will be a hunt to find those records
(which I think are important to document the medical part there)
My husband's info will be easier to obtain as he has lived here all his life
and they are all local where as mine are scattered out all over the US and
some in UK LOL.
But anyway......... thank you ladies for the help. I appreciate it much...
... and I will have to try that banana protein shake = )
ICE

Reminder Reminder from the Calendar of Gastric_Bypass_Family
Weekly Group Chat!!
Monday April 5, 2004
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
This event repeats every week.
Notes:

Hey Ice,
I talked to my dr about excess skin removal before I had my surgery
and the dr said that alot of it depends on your age, skin condition,
how much you lose and how fast. Losing it too fast makes it harder
for the skin to firm up. I know that in the past people had a hard
time getting the insurance to cover this surgery but if you talk to
your doctor about the problems excess skin causes such as rashes
that can make a big difference. Good luck!
Bridget

I'm beginning to think that perhaps my surgery was performed in
reverse and that instead of creating a small new pouch I received the
larger section of stomach and the small pouch is the unused portion.
Realistically I know this isn't true but I don't seem to ever feel
full. I'm afraid to eat too much so I make sure to keep measuring my
portions. My surgery was on March 1st and now I'm at the stage where
I can eat 5 meals a day of 1/2 to 1 cup each. I read postings from
so many people that say after 3-4 bites they can't eat anymore.
Well, not me. I can eat it all and I still want more. So when does
this "full" feeling kick in?
I'm really worried because this was the main part of the "tool" I
needed. If I have to keep measuring for the rest of my life to make
sure I don't overeat I'll be very disappointed. I just want to be
able to push away the plate and say - "no more for me please". But
that just isn't happening. I eat my meal and watch the clock for
when I can eat again. I wake up at night hungry.
I know I'm getting enough protein - that's all I eat. Tuna, cottage
cheese, chicken, turkey, salmon, yogurt.
Has this happened to anyone else? My dr says to just stick to
measuring and I'll be fine. Great. Not what I wanted to hear.
Trisha

More water, more protein, more exercise. Try some of
these things to see if it doesn't help.

Evette,
If I am not mistaken that as long as you were approved before the
date that your insurance decided to stop covering the surgery you
will be okay. The reason for their stoppage is that everyone is
viewing this surgery as a quick fix without taking responsibility for
their actions (look, I can eat all I want and then surgery will
remove it).
Patty

IM sorry your going threw this .... And YESSSSSSS I AM and have been going
threw this ... If you want to chat one on one PLEASE feel free to email me at
candlelady4u@...
HUGSSSSSSSSSS
Mary

Hi, I was approved for lap rny in december surgery date is april
16th, I recieved in the mail my new booklets from my insurance
company and saw that starting this year they will no longer be
covering WLS. Is this going to effect my approval?
Thank you for your help.

I have been looking over some of the feedback for Great West Insurance (our
insurance company) and it looks GOOD!!!!! (although my husband's company
said that they put a cap on like 25,000 a person for this surgery.......
will check into that).
The lady at the Bariatric Treatment Centers said that GW was a good one.....
.
with the supported info, I might allow myself to get more excited about my
own surgery.
My husband has more documented comorbidities than I do so I am not worried
about him being approved. (sleep apnea [on a machine], 3 blood pressure meds
Lipitor, weight, Nexium, swelling, short of breath, BMI, pain in weight
bearing joints) Only thing with him is that I am not sure that he will have
much in the lines of past weight loss efforts and most assuredly not medical
assisted ones where I have in the past.
Women seem to be more apt to seek medical help with weight loss than most of
the men I have known.
I have foot [severe], ankle, leg, and back pain, occasional swelling,
shortness of breath, cholesterol, depression, weight, BMI but the only
things documented by doctors are the depression, cholesterol slightly over
normal, weight, and on the 8th, foot pain. I have an appointment with the
foot doctor on the 8th.
I could also probably get a letter from my employer (I am a cashier) that I
am often red faced and out of breath when doing more than just standing
(don't know if that counts or not towards documentation). So as you can see
my co's are less 'life-threating' than his are but maybe enough especially
since my mother died of heart disease at 21 and my grandmother died from
heart failure as well. I just need to be able to show them that if I don't
lose this weight, that it could become more of the serious co's.
Oh gosh.... the more I read, the more excited I get.
I wonder how I will make it through the waiting periods = ) or worse yet,
if they don't approve me = O
The lady at the BTCenter said that the consult is $85.00 but since my
husband and I both want to do this at the same time, they will only charge
for one...... is that too cool or what?!?!?! That makes it only $42.50
each..... I like that! Too bad the surgery isn't a buy one get one free
hehehee.
Now all I have to do is locate a support group (a physical one) to find out
about but I am sure the BTCenter will have that information.
Can we say ***excited***?????? ~big grin~
ICE

Howdy folks!
Are any of you from Minnesota?
I'm pre-op (final pre-op appt with surgeon on apr 9-surgery scheduled
for apr 22), and I'd like to talk to some folks around here who've
had the surgery.
Please feel free to e-mail me, and thanks for all the info on this
site. It's a great resource.
Tammy S.

My RNY was 3/5/04. As I explained in previous posts, I have been
VERY sick since. Husband has not been very supportive (he's been
doing laundry and cleaning and such but not there for me
emotionally). He is now saying some really mean things to me
like "I don't even know why you had this stupid surgery".
I had this "stupid surgery" because, at 43, I weighed 357, I
couldn't walk up the stairs without being winded and having my knees
and ankles hurt, I couldn't fit in most seats, and I HATED MYSELF!
I think he thinks I am gonna leave him when I get thin... WHICH IS
SO NOT TRUE! I don't know why he's being so insecure... he is
attractive and NOT fat... he is being sooooo mean to me. I am so
sad... I feel alone... I don't have support from the one person who
should be supporting me.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi! I'm Shannon. I was a member of this group awhile back, had some
marital difficulties and thought I wasn't going to be able to have
surgery, so I left. I'm back now. I had my surgery Feb. 24 and have
lost 38lbs so far! I feel wonderful.
My best friend Jessica is a member of this group and she had surgery
April 2. She's still in the hospital, but she called me the evening
of her surgery! I was amazed. The night of mine, all I did was sleep,
lol. She sounds in great spirits. Her leak test came back fine. Her
gall bladder is still intact. I'll let you know more when I hear
more.

Thank your for the advice!!

He, Ice -
I eat peanut butter regularly. DUmping is a very individual thing. I'm a very
distal patient (I have 5' of working gut left out of 17-22'). My friend has 5'
bypassed. She can dump on fat, I don't usually. I had one episode where I put
one bite of cauliflower salad with mayo in my mouth when I was *really* low -
protein and blood sugars - and I dumped. BUt usually, I eat fat with impunity.
Since I'm really distal, I absorb very little fat, and in fact, take fat
supplements. (Coromega, from VitaLady.com)
No, you don't want to eat separate courses - you should finish eating within 15
minutes or so. Not scarfing, but you'll eat a small amount, and it doesn't take
long. EAting like you describe is grazing, and allows you to eat what is a huge
volume for us, and is *bad*. Why don't you put the food on the table and then
call the family? Or rip their arms off if they touch the food before everyone
is seated? :o) I like the arm ripping idea, myself . . . You are talking
about kids and DH, not in-laws, right?
You need a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day, as a normie, according tho
FDA. And they're really conservative. I use 180 grams per day of pre-digested
whey protein, that's 6 - 30 gram shakes, made with water, ice, only. Check out
VitaLady.com for why, what, etc.
If you get your protein this way, you don't have to worry about eating enough
protein, and can eat nothing but veggies, if you'd like. I prefer to eat meat
with my veggies, as meat makes me feel full, veggies don't. YMMV.
Lots of fiber from veggies is a *good* thing . . .
Does that cover it? :o)
Rachel
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 14:56:50 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
From: "ICE @--
Subject: Re: question from a new member
I presume that there would be too much fat content in peanut butter.....
would this be a correct assumption? I would not wish to have anything that
would make my system go into a freak mode LOL.
Does a great deal of fiber (through fruits and veggies) violate the pouch
rules? Or is it good for the open RNY?
Sorry for all the questions but I had so many come up after going over so
much material last night. I don't know that I will be approved (I sure HOPE
so though) but I do know that without much doubt at all, that my husband
will be approved as he has several serious medical issues- so I will still
need to know this information.
I have never been a big follower of the Adkins diet and I am not too
interested in living it as a lifestyle. I know that I would need less carbs
but I don't want my meals coming mainly from meat sources. I have been
trying to wean my family off of meat for a year now and it has not been easy
and the progress has been slow but I think that with the surgery, it might
be so much easier since there won't be as much room and meat can be a very
small accent to the "meal" rather than a pound main attraction LOL
Does anyone serve meals like in small courses or just all at once?
I know that you have to eat slowly but I was curious if you could
effectively serve like a small salad, wait a bit, then veggies, wait a bit
and then the meat or whatever?
Would that just take too long or mess up the timing?
One of my main concerns is that my whole family seems to inhale food and by
the time I have them served and get to the table with my own food, they are
taking their last bites....
it is very disheartning but was how they were brought up. I just got
married in December of 2003 and am trying to change some really bad habits
my husband and step son learned in the previous marriage......... inhaling
food, eating out all the time, fast food, junk food, soda pop, candy........
. ~sigh~
I did good before I moved here.......... not really in losing weight but not
gaining it but when all the junk is around, I eat it..... and I hate that.
I am not blaming them...... it is just that if it is here, I eat it. I did
not have junk foods in my house prior to moving here.
I was trying to eat vegetarian and no sugar and mostly raw before I moved
here but it has mostly slipped since I have been surrounded by their bad
habits and it seems so much easier to be outnumbered and go back to my old
bad habits than to change everyone over to the new ones........ But this
time I am determined that if we both have this surgery, we won't have a
choice but to change some habits and I am soooooo very ready to make some
changes and really start living again....... instead of barely existing.
I have rambled on so much and I am sorry but I have not talked to anyone but
my husband and daughter about how I feel about all this and how excited I am
at the prospect of making these changes in our lives ..to be healthy again,
and to be able to walk for more than a block without hurting.
You should be getting 50-60 g of protein in a day or at each meal?
Which shakes do you all like the best? I have not tried any yet but will
before any surgery happens so that we can be stocked up with what we like
the best. Do you make them with water or milk?
I will give everyone a break now and let you get to other emails LOL
Thanks for the time you have given me to read this ....... I appreciate it
and I appreciate all the emails I have read so far. This seems to be a very
good group to find info with. Still reading and learning = )
ICE
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Hi Brenda, I too am new to this list. And welcome to the group. I joined a
while back and I just love it here. I too am going to have the surgery. I am 5
foot and 6 1/2 in tall. And I weight about 300 pounds. I have gotten up to 325
and yes it is embarrassing when I can't fit behind my seat on my bus (I am a
bus driver). I also have diabetes, I don't have high blood pressure now but, at
one time I did. And I have sleep apnea where I too wake up and can't breath.
I have had 4 back surgeries and now my back is still killing me with pain. I
can't walk very far or sit very long without having lots of pain. I have
irregular heart beat too. I have just now gone to my Dr. and he is going to get
appointment with a surgeon from Seguin, Texas and I will know more about that on
Monday. And I will let you and the rest of the group know when it will be.
Oh, yes my hubby is against me having this surgery as he thinks that I will
die on the table. But, then I could dye of a heart attack too of being too big.
But, I told him I am doing this for me not for him.
So, keep me updated when you will have surgery.
Take care,
Mary Katherine
PS I hope that I can have my surgery this summer so I can get better when
time comes to go back to school this fall that way I wont lose any time.

I am far from unhappy, I did go though a rough period but I feel thats normal
for anyone who has the surgery because you do change. I am almost a year out and
I have a drink of wine but its very rare you are not going to be able to drink
all the time. I eat out a lot. I love a Japenese Steak house we have here where
I live I eat my protien first my meat then if I can I will eat some rice or
veggies. I have two kids so I dont get out much without them but I feel I am fun
still.
Kim
grabby772003 <scott.smith@...
I am considering a gastric bypass. My wife knows that eating out and
occasionally drinking alcohol at parties are very important to me.
She is very worried that I will have the surgery, but be so unhappy
about that lifestyle that my personality will change negatively. She
does not want me to have irreversable surgery that will forever make
me unhappy. Could someone who had the surgery reply with your
thought on this topic. Are you unhappy? Are you less fun than you
were before? etc. Thanks

I have lost 122 pounds in 11 months.
Kim
BRENDA BECKER <heartlandmama1993@...
Kim,
Thanks for taking the time to email me. That was another thing I wanted to
hear. That once I had the surgery I would start having more energy to be with
my family. How much weight have you lost in a year? I hope I can get the
surgery, I look forward to taking walks with my children again.
Brenda

I am considering a gastric bypass. My wife knows that eating out and
occasionally drinking alcohol at parties are very important to me.
She is very worried that I will have the surgery, but be so unhappy
about that lifestyle that my personality will change negatively. She
does not want me to have irreversable surgery that will forever make
me unhappy. Could someone who had the surgery reply with your
thought on this topic. Are you unhappy? Are you less fun than you
were before? etc. Thanks

Kim,
Thanks for taking the time to email me. That was another thing I wanted to
hear. That once I had the surgery I would start having more energy to be with
my family. How much weight have you lost in a year? I hope I can get the
surgery, I look forward to taking walks with my children again.
Brenda

Sarah,
I enjoyed reading your story. I related to it so much. My heart and prayers
will be with you Tuesday when you start your new life. Please let me know how
everything goes for you. It amazes me how much at peace you are with your
decision two days before surgery. Your kids won't know what to do when you lose
some weight and get very active again. So please keep me posted on how you are
doing every step of the way. I do care.
Brenda

I don't think it all could be excersiced back into shape. I think if the skin
is stretched enough to give you stretch marks from the child birth then you
will not be able to get that skin back in shape. i ahve the exact same problem.
The top portion, above the navel, has been going in well but the bottom, no
way, not for me anyways. I wish you good luck with the insurance. SOme will do
it on the belly and breast due to back issues and skin rashes so tell your doc
you ahve these problems now even if you do not.
God Bless,
Robin, NorthEastern, NY
EDD- July 27th, 2004
IT'S A BOY!!!!!!
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 :)

Nora,
Your pictures just looked wonderful. Thank you for putting them in the album.
They are such an inspiration to those of us that are considering this surgery.
Please keep me posted on how you are doing.
Brenda
Desperate to live again!!
Lenora <noratrulock@...
ALBUM. CHECK IT OUT..NORA

SORRY THE LINK DID NOT WORK..SO I MADE AN ALBUM. CHECK IT OUT..NORA TRULOCK

I am 255 and 5'7". Nobody believes I weigh what I do because I carry it
well.......
my question is...... the talk about loose skin...... is it possible to
exercise it back toned without surgery to remove it (in case insurance won
t cover it)?
I know my husband will need something as did my brother and sister in law
but insurance will cover my brother and sister in law so long as they don't
have a belly button (since that would be considered cosmetic).......
I will ask during the initial consult if our insurance will cover that part.
I know that our insurance put a cap on the surgery and will only pay X
amount and we will have to do the rest but not sure about skin removal. But
skin removal would be nice for me since it would take a lot of my stretch
marks away from child bearing LOL
ICE

I can not get link to work even if I copy and paste.
Alice hardestyal hardesty@...

hi all, i have new pics of me before surgery and now at 3 months..

Dear deblynn620, Don't reach for the cheetoh's because you probably can't eat
them anyways since surgery. Just remember your not alone and there are alot of
us in this group to help or just listen. I have big shoulders if you need one
to cry on. Also I'm a good listener. If you need someone to talk to just
e-mail me.
316/237/145 11/24/03
eblynn620 <deb62060@...
before surgery... i've lost
33 pounds (probably more - that was the data from a week ago)
i had my surgery 4 weeks ago. mine is a bit strange because i had 2
stomach staplings done (in 1989, and 1991)... THEY NEVER WORKED. i
initially lost about 60 pounds each time and then gained it back.
i started having so many problems about a year ago - i started
trying to get approved for a bypass... but it was a big problem
because of my previous surgeries.
to make a long story short(er) - i was finally approved for
the "revision" - change to roux n y (spelling?).
because of my prior surgeries a laproscopic surgery was out of the
question... so i had a HUGE open proceedure. i was in surgery for
7.5 hours (the first 5.5 hours were spent removing scar tissue). i
was in ICU for a day and in the hospital for 8 days. i watched the
laproscopic patients going home after 2 days. i needed a blood
transfusion because of all the blood i lost in the looooong surgery.
so i get home and am trying to get help and sympathy from my husband
and kids (good luck) and am in HUGE pain... then a week later my
incision (huge - from my chest to my belly button) EXPLODES with
this toxic oooooze (it was so gross - tons of fluid came gushing out
of my belly). so the doctor orders a visiting nurse to come every
day and irrigate the wound... i have to change the bandage every few
hours... it's soooooo gross.
anyway, i'm depressed because my husband is being mean to me... i
think he thinks i did this to get pretty and leave him.... WHERE THE
HELL DID HE GET THAT IDEA FROM? i'm also depressed because my tummy
hurts... not inside... all that is OK... but the wound that is still
ooozing (YUCK).
i'm almost never hungry. i drink crystal lite and water all day. i
eat when i think about it. cottage cheese feels good. some
strained soups (i add some soft tofu for protein)... i can't do the
protein drinks - they taste like poop. i have sugar free popsicles
when i think about it. a bit of sugar free jello. i tried a soft
scrambled egg and hated it. i had a few tablespoons of fat free
refried beans with a bit of melted cheese and some water to make it
a bit soupy... that was good. i had some string cheese the other
day and liked it. all my "plumbing" is working fine, it's just this
darn incision wound that has me down.
i'm depressed. i feel alone. i miss food... i used to drown my
sorrow in a big bag of cheetoes when i felt like this.

Joanne,
I had lap surgery and one of my incisions opened on the same day as my
surgery. It happened as I got to my room and started having the dry heaves.
Serrous fluid was leaking from my abdomen where bandages had to be changed 3-4x
a
day. It seemed like a lot to me, even though the nurses would say it was a
"moderate" amount in my chart.
I asked the doctor what we should do about it. I asked about stitches or a
drainage tube and he wanted it to heal on its own without assistance. He wasn't
worried about it because it didn't look infected and I didn't have a high
temperature. He said it would heal from the inside out on its own. I was in
the
hospital for 6 days before it finally healed closed.
I was all ready to have hospital home care come to my house to check in on
how it was doing and to help with changing the bandages, but luckily, it did
close on the day I was leaving.
I'm only 2 months post-op so it's hard to tell if there will be any long-term
scaring. It's about an inch long, and looks like it will take a couple years
before it fades.
Ask that your daughter calls her doctor's office to get recommendations on
how to care for the open incision. Perhaps she has done that already. I know
it's scary when there is fluid leaking that originates from inside your body.
I was very upset by it. Life is hard enough recovering from major surgery!
Good luck...wishing you the best...
Patti T.
SMDC, Duluth, MN
Dr. Jon Krook
Lap RNY
2/3/2004
8 weeks post-op
308/266/140
-42

I hate my loose skin, but my husband has shown me the difference between fat and
loose skin, My insurance will pay for most of it to be removed.
Kim
wlslori <wlslori@...
very lucid question, can't say i was thinking that far in advance
when diving into wls 2 years ago. i can only speak for myself---on
occasion that loose skin plays w/ your head. kinda the feeling that
that there's still more to achieve, that even if the scale
says 'normal', hmmmm!
very thorough list of ?s, btw.
you're off to a great start.
lori h.
23 grateful months post-op

very lucid question, can't say i was thinking that far in advance
when diving into wls 2 years ago. i can only speak for myself---on
occasion that loose skin plays w/ your head. kinda the feeling that
that there's still more to achieve, that even if the scale
says 'normal', hmmmm!
very thorough list of ?s, btw.
you're off to a great start.
lori h.
23 grateful months post-op

Joanne -
Did the doc call this a seroma? That's what it sounds like. If so, these are
*not* dangerous, nor serious. It's just that fat doesn't heal fast, and it
"weeps" serous fluid (plasma like liquid). If it's not infected, it will heal
from the inside out, and shouldn't make a really ugly scar or anything. Just
takes some time.
I believe that protein shakes help speed the healing a great deal. You can get
good quality whey protein from VitaLady.com. These are very low to no sugar,
when mixed with water and ice. They provide good quality fuel, and I do 6/day.
I had a huge seroma 15 years ago, when I had a hysterectomy. None with RnY, and
I had been doing about 4 protein shakes/day. I also found vitamin C, about 3000
mgs./day to be helpful in healing. Divide it up, not all at once.
Seromas are a pain, but not a *big problem*, if you take care. No soaking in
tub, keep it covered, etc. Follow your doc's recommendations - I'm not one.
RAchel
From: "joannemansell1" <joannemansell1@...
Subject: Open incision
I had laproscopic GBS in October, and am doing fine. My 33 year old
daughter had an open surgery March 10, 2004, and her surgical
incision is comming open. Right now, it is open an inch, and leaking
clear fluid. Her doctor does not seem very concerned, and says there
is no infection. The opening looks deep and it is very upsetting to
her. Has anyone gone through this? How long did it take to heal, and
what was done? Apparently, it can not be reclosed. Will she have a
really ugly scar? More complications? Please answer to
joannemansell@.... Thank you.
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

welcome ice. the only palatable prot supp i found (through this
group actually) is pure whey stack from champion nutrition, mixed w/
unsweetened soy milk. there are different samples available from
wlssuccess.
lori h.
RNY april 2002

trying to loose weight before surgery doc said i really should since i am so
huge .. 439 when he said that.. so ok i am working out like hell got a
great freind that is training me, walking the tread mill, doing water
arobics, lifting weights.. eating cabbage soup and high protien and low
calories to 1200 or less and trying no carbs or sugars.. even inspride my
200 pound ma to help me out and diet herself..
so in 2 weeks now only 7.5 off..arrrrgggggg.. went on my doc's lunch break
since the scale there is the one i have to go by.. what a disapointment..
any ways.. i have my sleep study and one more time with the phyc and i
should be schedualed.. the doc thinks because i am 29. "young" he
said..laughing at that.... he thinks i will have the party mentality and not
be a success years to come so he askedme to get a I-zone camera and take
pictures of the food labels and memorize how man caleries are in every
thing.. like a egg 60 caleries 6 protien.. got the camera.. not used it for
that yet just of me fishing.. lol.. feel wierd of taking pictures of food at
the stores..
well me fellow weight lossing freinds i hope you all are well and O.K. i
hope some one can reply to say hello been a while since i could get emails
.. so have a wonderful night.. off to go fishing now .. starlet

As an open RNY patient, we absorb protein better from protein drinks then from
meat because of the malabsorbtion. So I would think there would be no problem
being a vegetarian. There's also tofu.

Why are we talking about religion? I thought this was a gastric by pass
list.. We can go to church for God..... Or Alah or george or who ever you
choose. KEEP THIS SEPERATE PLEASE.....
Come on.....
Jewels
Size 28 .... Size 2
304.... 106...
4/29/01
R/Y Jupiter Medical Center
Florida

Thanks Rachel, I saw the difference...Mimi
Rachel Hawkridge <rayehawk@...
Mini Gastric Bypass . . . Nope, it's a loop configuration, rather than a "Y".
You can see pic at clos.net. It's generally considered to be dangerous, and for
some time, Rutledge was the only doc doing it in US.
Most hospital and ins. co. have excluded it . . .
Rachel
<< From: MIMI RODRI <needprozak2000@...
Subject: RE: WL predictor, and juice, etc.
That's what i understood as well...lap rny..Mimi
Dora McCary <dora.mccary@...
show my stupidity, but what is MBG. Is it the mini gastric bypass? If
so, what is that. I just thought it was the same when I saw it.
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

Jinners,
why don't you have your last and favorite meal...(a way of saying good-bye-to
big meals) eat slow and enjoy...and take this opportunity to sort train yourself
to slow down and chew food a littlte longer, smaller pieces..that's what i am
doing, i feel it's working because i've been eating more carefully now and it
has maintain me at my same weight--actually i lost 5lbs. this way and that is
from december'03.---NO, i haven't had my wls yet, still on the works--i have my
1st. consult w/ dr. on 4/16...Mimi
jinners2004 <domn8trx1@...
Yes I am nervous. After many years of failed diet and exercise. I am
glad to have found this board and will post after the surgery. I am
having the open roux-en y. I am amazed at how every surgeon does
things differently. My surgeon won't let me eat food for three weeks.
Strictly liquids. Then one week of pureed then onto soft foods then
finally to regular stuff. A guy I work with his surgeon had him
eating soft boiled eggs and toast the day he left the hospital. He
has lost about 92lbs in 5 months. I get so confused on what is right
or wrong. I trust my surgeon fully. He is suppose to be one of the
best in the country. My hospital has low problems. Soooo, with all
that I am about ready to go. My only problem is wanting to eat
everything in the world. They want you to first lose weight than stay
your current weight or the surgery will be cancelled. Yikes. I did
lose 9 lbs. It is taking all my engery to stay away from all the
fatty good nummy foods and buffets. Tuesday is my last day at work
and I won't be able to eat all day that day. Help me... I will have
to chew gum or drink a load of water... Thanks for letting me vent.
Wish me luck. Your posts have been wonderful and informational.
Jinners

Yes I am nervous. After many years of failed diet and exercise. I am
glad to have found this board and will post after the surgery. I am
having the open roux-en y. I am amazed at how every surgeon does
things differently. My surgeon won't let me eat food for three weeks.
Strictly liquids. Then one week of pureed then onto soft foods then
finally to regular stuff. A guy I work with his surgeon had him
eating soft boiled eggs and toast the day he left the hospital. He
has lost about 92lbs in 5 months. I get so confused on what is right
or wrong. I trust my surgeon fully. He is suppose to be one of the
best in the country. My hospital has low problems. Soooo, with all
that I am about ready to go. My only problem is wanting to eat
everything in the world. They want you to first lose weight than stay
your current weight or the surgery will be cancelled. Yikes. I did
lose 9 lbs. It is taking all my engery to stay away from all the
fatty good nummy foods and buffets. Tuesday is my last day at work
and I won't be able to eat all day that day. Help me... I will have
to chew gum or drink a load of water... Thanks for letting me vent.
Wish me luck. Your posts have been wonderful and informational.
Jinners

Mini Gastric Bypass . . . Nope, it's a loop configuration, rather than a "Y".
You can see pic at clos.net. It's generally considered to be dangerous, and for
some time, Rutledge was the only doc doing it in US.
Most hospital and ins. co. have excluded it . . .
Rachel
<< From: MIMI RODRI <needprozak2000@...
Subject: RE: WL predictor, and juice, etc.
That's what i understood as well...lap rny..Mimi
Dora McCary <dora.mccary@...
show my stupidity, but what is MBG. Is it the mini gastric bypass? If
so, what is that. I just thought it was the same when I saw it.
Rachel Hawkridge in Washington State.

FAQ about Islam
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Who is Allah?
Allah means God. It is a personal name, which Allah calls Himself in the Koran.
That is where we get it. It can also be found in an Aramaic copy of the Bible,
and even Christian Arabs say Allah.
Who is Jesus to us?
Jesus peace be upon Him is a true prophet. Sent by Allah like Moses, Abraham,
Lot, Noah, Jonah, Joseph etc.
Who were Jesus's parents?
Jesus is the son of Virgin Mary, and he had no father. Allah created Jesus.
Can Jesus, or Mohammed peace be upon them be worshipped?
No, Allah does not accept that a cow, a person, an angel, a prophet, a stone, or
anything be worshipped in place of him, or even along with Him. Worship must be
to Allah the creator of them.
Is Allah the same as what Christians call the father?
Allah is the creator who Jesus worshipped. He is the Creator who spoke to Moses,
and split the sea for Moses, and his followers. That is Allah. But Allah tells
us: "Say Allah is one, He is Perfect, He has never begotten, nor was He begott,
and there is no one equal to Him".
Is there a trinity in Islam?
No. Allah is perfect.
Do we believe that Allah created the heavens and earth in 6 days?
Yes, but He did not rest on the seventh day, because He did not get tired. Allah
is perfect He does not get tired, nor does He sleep, eat, go to the bathroom,
feel pain, or die for that matter.
Can we see Allah?
Allah is not like the sun. Anyone can see the Sun. But Allah is the most
beautiful. Nothing is as beautiful as Allah. Actually looking at Allah is the
greatest pleasure of the people in Pradise. This pleasure Allah does not give
anyone but the believers. So no one will see Allah before he dies.
Does Allah see us?
Allah sees us, and knows everything about us. He knows us better than we know
ourselves. There is not a leaf on a tree that blows away, or stays in its place
except that He knows it. There is not a dry spot, nor a wet spot, nor a grain in
the depths of the earth except that Allah knows it.
Do we have free will?
Yes, of course. Allah does not punish us for something we did not do on our own.
But at the same time, our will is not inspire of Allah's will. We cannot do
anything if Allah will not allow it. In other words nothing goes on in Allah's
kingdom without His will.
Did Allah create Evil?
Yes, Allah created the good, and the bad. Whatever bad happens to us is due to
our sins. We sin and Allah pardons much of what we do; however, when something
bad happens to us it is our fault, and we are to blame. Bad things that happen
to a person are a chance for that person to reflect, and ask: Why is this
happening to me? A chance for a person to return from his sin, and obey, and
worship Allah.
Do bad things happen to the believers (good people)?
Yes, they do. But they appear bad to the believers cause they are things people
don't like. Who likes breaking a leg? However, when a bad thing happens to a
believer this believer is patient. He praises Allah in all circumstances. He
knows Allah does not decree something unless it is for his own good.
But how can breaking a leg are good for a beleiver?
Because it is a chance for the believer to think about what he did wrong.
Also because Allah forgives much of what we do, but those things we are not
forgiven, they are forgiven due to our patience when we are struck by a
calamity. Allah gives us better reward when a problem strikes us on earth if we
are patient. This reward can be on earth, and it can be in Heaven.
Does Allah hear my prayers?
Yes.
Does Allah answer my prayers?
We know that Allah answers all the prayers of the believers. This can be in 4
ways:
1- Get what we are asking for!
2- Get something as good or better!
3- We get spared something bad that would have happened otherwise.
4- We get rewarded on the day of Judgment with a much greater reward than what
we were asking for on earth.
When does Allah not answer our prayers?
* When it is bad for us!
* When we ask, but not from our heart!
* When we say: I asked and asked and He did not answer.
* When we eat, drink, and wear unlawful, food, and clothes, and property that wa
earned either through interest from the bank, or that was stolen, or if the food
was pork, or the like.
What can I ask of Allah?
Any thing but don't ask Him to do things like make you a prophet. Cause He has
already said that there will be no more prophets.
You can ask Allah for guidance. Meaning you can ask Him to show you the correct
religion.
Who are my best friends?
Your best friends are the ones that care where you go after you are dead. This
is like the prophets. They cared that we go to heaven, even if it meant some
hardship on earth.
Who is my worst enemy?
That would be the devils, whether they are human devils (evil people), or Jinn
devils (like Iblis) The Arabic word for a devil is Shaytan (similar to Satan).
Satan wants us all to go to hell. He wants us to be bad on earth, even if we get
rich, or do lots of wrong things that we appear to enjoy, he does not mind that.
But he wants to make sure we don't go to heaven.
What is it that keeps us from entering Heaven?
Worship of anyone other than Allah is the greatest sin. It is called shirk, and
this is not forgiven except through repentance.
Where is Allah?
Allah is the highest. He is high above ALL of His creation. He is ascended upon
a Throne, which is greater than the heavens, and the Earth. Much much much
greater than the heavens and the earth. So much greater that the heavens and the
earth could fit in the footstool of the throne, and they would be like a ring
thrown into an open desert. Allah is certainly the greatest.
Does Allah look like us?
No Allah is perfect. He is not like any of His creation. He has told us that He
has Hands, Eyes, a Face, and Foot. But all of these attributes are befitting to
His might and Glory.
A Muslim does not say a single thing about Allah other than what Allah says
about Himself. We don't say He is like a clover, He got tired, He is Jealous!
Allah is Perfect, and Unique.
What does it mean to believe in Allah?
It means to believe in Allah in total perfection, and uniqueness.
It means to believe in His prophets cause they are His, and He sent them. We
cannot pick and choose. A Muslim must believe in all the prophets of Allah.
It means to believe in the Angles! We must love them all, we cannot hate an
Angel say, for example, to hate Michael who is charged with rain, and the
vegetation of the Earth, or Gabriel who is charged with revelation (brings down
the scriptures to the prophets).
It means to believe in Allah's predestination of good, and bad (relative to us,
but to Allah everything Allah does is good).
It means to believe in the last day: The day of Judgment.
When is the Day of Judgment?
Only Allah knows.
Are there signs for the day of Judgment?
Plenty, plenty, plenty. Many have already occurred.
To name a few,
Objects will begin to talk.
There will be much killing. The killer won't know why he killed, and the guy
that was killed won't know why he was killed.
The Antichrist will come.
Prophet Jesus son of Mary will return.
Gog and Magog will be set free.
The sun will rise from the west (after this one there can be no more repentance)
What about non-Muslims do they go to heaven?
Allah only accepts Islam. He says in the Koran: "Whoever seeks a religion other
than Islam it won't be accepted of him, and he will be one of the loosers in the
hereafter". I would rather loose anywhere, but not loose in the hereafter. This
is because Hellfire is eternal. It never ends, and we never die when we go
there, if we go there.
What about someone who never heard of Islam?
Allah is the most just. Don't even think that we can be nicer than Allah. Allah
is the Most Just, and He said in the Koran "We were not to punish till having
sent a warner". The "We" here is the majestic we used in Arabic. So if a person
never heard about Islam, and was never warned clearly Allah would have a special
test for that person that He knows is equal to the chance that person would have
had on earth.
How do we know Islam is the truth?
It is the only religion that:
1- Hold Allah as One, Unique, and Perfect.
2- A lonly worship of Allah, not Jesus, not an idol, and not an angel only
Allah.
3- The Koran does not contain contradictions.
4- The Koran contains scientific facts, which are 1300 years ahead of their
time. The Koran while revealed 1400 years ago contains scientific facts, which
are only now being discovered. It is not in contradiction to science.
5- Allah challenges the world to produce the like of the Koran. And He says they
won't be able to.
6- Prophet Mohammed was the most influential man in History. Even a non-Muslim
wrote a book called the 100 most influential men in History, and Prophet
Mohammed was #1. Prophet Jesus was #3. Note even Prophet Jesus was a prophet
sent by Allah. Would Allah allow a false prophet to be so successful? No. Even
the Bible says this in Deuteronomy 18:19. A false prophet would die!!! Yet
Prophet Mohammed did not die till he completely conveyed, and taught Allah's
religion.
7- He had many prophecies, and all of his prophecies have come true, or are
still coming true.
Most importantly is this:
Allah created us, and we know that we should only worship Him. This is an
instinct Allah has created us with. He did not just leave us, rather He sent
prophets for us. These prophets had miracles as proof. The miracle for us today
is the Koran. There is no other religion that worships only Allah, and believes
in Him as totally perfect, and believes in all of His prophets, and scriptures.
Can anyone become a Muslim?
Yes anyone can. There are two declarations, which are necessary:
1- To bear witness that no one deserves to be worship except Allah
2- To bear witness that Prophet Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah.
This makes a person Muslim. But it should be said in Arabic. Next a person takes
a shower, and He/She is a Muslim.
Then What?
After a person becomes Muslim he/she is taught about Prayers, Fasting, the Poor
due, Pilgrimage. These are pillars of Islam.
Then What?
Muslims are brothers. A Muslim should love for his brother what he loves for
himself. Allah's wealth does not run out, and Allah can provide for us all. We
pray for each other, and love each other, and love for our brothers and sisters
what we love for ourselves.
For more information about Islam:
http://www.geocities.com/toislamways/new3.html
To contact us:
iaslamq_a@...
To Request Free Islamic Books & Resources:
imanwayibaw@...

Hi Beth, I am just over 6 months out and was on a plateau for about 3
weeks, then i got sick with strep(sp) throat, broke my plateau, but
what I remember is I was eating yogurt, soup and soft foods for about
4 days...lost 6 pounds in those 4 days...i of course prefer not to
eat like that because it wasn't very high in protein, but it was what
i could handle for those four days. After that I cut out all carbs
(except for one fruit a day), focused on protein and veggies. I have
to have one piece of fruit(for the sake of regularity)...and when i
say that i cut out carbs(i mean crakers)...i usually have a few
crackers everyday at mid day...so far i have seen results...i think
that i just needed to change up my menu a little...good luck!
hannah
9/29/03
288/186/150

Hopefully tomorrow will deliver emails to my in box so that I don't
have to read from the site.
I a on individual mail so that they should be coming through but

Hello :0)
I had my Open (revision from GB Banding in 1999) RNY Aug 03 and just this
week my Opening is starting to close ... It had been a VERY long road for me as
mine ended up getting infected (Celuiltes).... My opening started at 4 inches
and got to be 9 inches deep at one point where I needed a Home RN 2 times a
day to stuff it and clean it ... PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE keep your eye on it for any
redness/fever//Tightness/hot to touch/smelling oozzz...If this happeneds go to
the ER ASAP... don't wait !!!!
Its better to be sent home & have it be nothing than to be told what I was
and have to go threw this (hell)sorry I ended up on the OR table 2 more times
for this infection :(.....

ME TOO!
i am a 43 year old woman. i weighed 357 before surgery... i've lost
33 pounds (probably more - that was the data from a week ago)
i had my surgery 4 weeks ago. mine is a bit strange because i had 2
stomach staplings done (in 1989, and 1991)... THEY NEVER WORKED. i
initially lost about 60 pounds each time and then gained it back.
i started having so many problems about a year ago - i started
trying to get approved for a bypass... but it was a big problem
because of my previous surgeries.
to make a long story short(er) - i was finally approved for
the "revision" - change to roux n y (spelling?).
because of my prior surgeries a laproscopic surgery was out of the
question... so i had a HUGE open proceedure. i was in surgery for
7.5 hours (the first 5.5 hours were spent removing scar tissue). i
was in ICU for a day and in the hospital for 8 days. i watched the
laproscopic patients going home after 2 days. i needed a blood
transfusion because of all the blood i lost in the looooong surgery.
so i get home and am trying to get help and sympathy from my husband
and kids (good luck) and am in HUGE pain... then a week later my
incision (huge - from my chest to my belly button) EXPLODES with
this toxic oooooze (it was so gross - tons of fluid came gushing out
of my belly). so the doctor orders a visiting nurse to come every
day and irrigate the wound... i have to change the bandage every few
hours... it's soooooo gross.

Is there any way to be vegetarian after this surgery and still get enough
protein?
There are a lot of times that meat just does not appeal to me.
Are there any vegetarians on the list?
Thanks,
ICE

i am a 43 year old woman. i weighed 357 before surgery... i've lost
33 pounds (probably more - that was the data from a week ago)
i had my surgery 4 weeks ago. mine is a bit strange because i had 2
stomach staplings done (in 1989, and 1991)... THEY NEVER WORKED. i
initially lost about 60 pounds each time and then gained it back.
i started having so many problems about a year ago - i started
trying to get approved for a bypass... but it was a big problem
because of my previous surgeries.
to make a long story short(er) - i was finally approved for
the "revision" - change to roux n y (spelling?).
because of my prior surgeries a laproscopic surgery was out of the
question... so i had a HUGE open proceedure. i was in surgery for
7.5 hours (the first 5.5 hours were spent removing scar tissue). i
was in ICU for a day and in the hospital for 8 days. i watched the
laproscopic patients going home after 2 days. i needed a blood
transfusion because of all the blood i lost in the looooong surgery.
so i get home and am trying to get help and sympathy from my husband
and kids (good luck) and am in HUGE pain... then a week later my
incision (huge - from my chest to my belly button) EXPLODES with
this toxic oooooze (it was so gross - tons of fluid came gushing out
of my belly). so the doctor orders a visiting nurse to come every
day and irrigate the wound... i have to change the bandage every few
hours... it's soooooo gross.
anyway, i'm depressed because my husband is being mean to me... i
think he thinks i did this to get pretty and leave him.... WHERE THE
HELL DID HE GET THAT IDEA FROM? i'm also depressed because my tummy
hurts... not inside... all that is OK... but the wound that is still
ooozing (YUCK).
i'm almost never hungry. i drink crystal lite and water all day. i
eat when i think about it. cottage cheese feels good. some
strained soups (i add some soft tofu for protein)... i can't do the
protein drinks - they taste like poop. i have sugar free popsicles
when i think about it. a bit of sugar free jello. i tried a soft
scrambled egg and hated it. i had a few tablespoons of fat free
refried beans with a bit of melted cheese and some water to make it
a bit soupy... that was good. i had some string cheese the other
day and liked it. all my "plumbing" is working fine, it's just this
darn incision wound that has me down.
i'm depressed. i feel alone. i miss food... i used to drown my
sorrow in a big bag of cheetoes when i felt like this.