Newbie!

Hey, guys, I have been "lurking" on several of the forums for a couple of weeks, but just discovered the April board--Yea!! I had Lap RNY on April 12. It has all gone pretty well, no real complications. Unfortunately, due to my weight, I don't have anywhere convenient to weigh and have to wait for appts with my surgeon. My pre-surgery weight was 488. I had to lose some of that prior to surgery, so my weight on the day of my surgery was 459. At 3 weeks out, I was 424. Not a spectacular weight loss, but a very nice positive reinforcement. Now, I am 8 weeks out and do not have another appt until July, so may not get to weigh again until then--bummer. I can, however, see the changes in my clothes and even in my body--I have arm and wrist bones I can feel now!! I don't know when was the last time I was aware of feeling bones without all that padding. I am looking forward to the future and regaining my life. Hope to be an active participant on this board in the future, too. Have not posted a pic yet--not even sure if I have one!! Will try to do so before too long. Nice to meet you all and look forward to sharing with you. Vicki

Glad you joined us, Vicki! I lurk on the Calif board, but really love this one. It's so nice to be able to "talk" to others who are pretty much at the same point in my journey. Most of the April's are ahead of me, and I come here to see what I can expect. Please continue to come around and LURK no more!! Judy(whosebirthdayisapril12)

Welcome, Vicki..this is a great place to get support and lots of information. Take a picture now..you will want it later. I am going to do a scrapbook of my journey..so I am taking photos and journalling in my profile so I will have much to include. And by the way, 35 lbs in 3wks is FABULOUS, darling!! Julia

Julia, I am also a scrapbooker, but have virtually eliminated most photos of myself over the years. I either don't allow them to be taken, or I destroy them when I see them. I do, however, have a full length one in my file at my doctor's office should I ever want to see it (and they show it to me every time I go there!!), but I know I should take one for myself to see the progress. I need to get on that!

Hi Vicki , My fiance and I had our surgeries done on the same day. He was at the 500 mark before surgery, and we were having a hard time getting him weighed also. So we talked to our pcp and he typed up a letter stating that my fiance is a gastric bypass patient and he gives his permission to go to our 2nd floor of the hospital and be weighed when he wants. Talk to your doctor and see if he could do something similar. Stormy 346/295/151

Hi Vicki, Welcome to our April board I had my surgery on April the 29th I had the fobi pouch, and have had a pretty good recovery for the most part. Congrats on your weight loss isn't it great?!?!?! I was 353 pre-op and down to about 305 now This board is so supportive everybody here is so informative and we all help each other out if we can. I'm looking forward to seeing more I mean less of you of you around here. Kriss

Welcome! I had my surgery on 4/13/05. I too am frustrated about not being able to weigh myself. I have to wait until I have a Dr. appointment as well. I did a lot of research and found a scale on Amazon.com that is supposed to be wonderful, I am waiting for delivery. Congrats on your weight loss! I have lost 23 pounds but have not noticed any changes yet. Keep up the good work! Brenda

Brenda, thanks for the heads up on that scale. I went right to Amazon and ordered one today. I had researched them on the internet several times, but not at Amazon, and the only ones I could find with my weight range, began at about $200. I figured since I wouldn't be this weight forever, I didn't want to spend that kind of money. But, at Amazon, I found several in all price ranges. I have wanted to weigh myself, but also have some fear of being governed by the scale. I don't want to get in the habit of needing to weigh myself incessantly. I am going to try and fight that!!

Hi Vicki, I had surgery April 11th, 1 day before you. I unfortunately can weigh myself and I do it way too often so you might not have too bad of a thing going !! I am down 50 pounds, I am happy with my success but I just recently realized what I had done !!! I have a very hard time with solids, I am nauseous most days and I eat way too fast still!!! I try to stick with liquids because those flow through the "pouchie" nice and easy!! I guess I just didn't realize what this would be like after surgery and it has not been fun or easy!! A lot of people have the "idea" that this is an easy way out and it has been anything but easy for me !!! This board is wonderful I am glad you decided to participate !! Welcome !! ~Jennifer

Jennifer, have you spoken to your surgeon about the nausea? My daughter had her surgery in January and she went through a long period of nausea and she had a potassium deficiency, a thiamin deficiency, and her stoma was closing. She had to have 2 EGD's (scoping) to stretch the stoma. This has helped considerably. She is a bit haphazard about her vitamins and she can tell if she has missed three days or so, because she starts to feel nauseous a lot. --something to think about.