Some Tips

Here are some tips that I've learned since surgery..... Do not take all your vitamins at the same time. Take a chewable multi-vitamin in the morning, then take your calcium citrate (not carbonate!!) in the afternoon on an empty stomch (it absorbs better) and dont' have more than 500mg at a time because our bodies can only absorb 500 mg at a time. So space it out. Then with your dinner have your 2nd multi-vitamin. Then at bedtime have a sublingual B12. You can also add other vitamins that you take at breakfast and dinnertime as well, just don't take them at the same time as your calcium. Iron and calcium cancel each other out. So don't take those at the same time. Also, if you are throwing up or having the runs newly post-op, I highly recommend Propel fitness water or SMAR****ER. Both replace the electrolytes you lose when you or , so stock up on those. DO NOT ADVANCE FOOD STAGES!!!! You will only hurt yourself if you do. Get doctor's clearance before advancing to next food progression. FOCUS ON PROTEIN!!! Protein is VERY important. Your body is unable to absorb all the protein you take in, so the more you take in the better. I find that I lose more on days I have more protein. It's normal to gain weight in the hospital. I gained about 4 lbs in the hospital when I had my WLS. It's due to meds, IV, anesthesia, etc. So don't freak out. It's NORMAL . You'll lose that weight and a LOT more once you get home! WALKING is VERY important!! In the hospital and upon return home, you should be walking OFTEN!!! If you have to drive a long distance home after you are discharged from hospital, pull over and WALK for about 5-10 mins (or whatever you can do) in a convenience store or public parking lot. This prevents blood clots. Even after you get back home, moving your legs and feet are SOOOO important. So make sure you walk a few times a day a few minutes at a time to build up. A blood clot can hit you like THAT and you are gone, so do all you can to prevent that. And a blood clot is common for ALL surgeries that morbidly obese people go thorugh, not just WLS. So keep that in mind!! SUPPORT is very important. Your surgeon or hospital should have a monthly support group. GO TO IT!!! Even if you are down and thinking you aren't losing as "fast" as others, go!!! And when you see others on here losing fast, don't compare yourself to them. It's hard not to, I know. When I posted last week that I had lost 50 lbs, there were 3-4 other posts under mine saying "good job, i"ve lost 60" or "isn't it great? I'm down 65". Focus on YOU, not others!!! Every pound you lose is IMPORTANT!!! CONGRATULATE yourself! Otherwise it'll be easy to get down. Also, it's normal to stall a bit after you lose a lot of weight after the first week or two. I lost about 25 lbs the first two weeks and then I stalled for a week then GAINED 5 lbs. Body was in shock I guess from the rapid weight loss. But then body released the pounds. So it's normal! Hope this helps someone out there!

Thanks for sharing this. Great advice - even for Lap Banders. Barb in CA

Thanks Trisha, I love getting tips where other's have already been. It really helps to stop and read and reread going thru this right after surgery. There's so much to do. Trying not to get dehaydrated...get enough protien...excersice. Thanks, Tammy

Trisha Thanks for the tips!!! I am making a scrap book of my weight loss but I am also making an owners manual for my body. I got the idea from something I saw on Good Morning America. I am going to put your tips in this manual. With so much to remember, an owner's manual to this new me is a must I think. Also, as I find things that work, I will share with others on this list. Thanks again!!! Miliss

This is great advise, I'm going to copy it for later use. Thanks, Anastasia PS. Where did you find the little guy on the toilet? He's not on my list!

Dear Trisha, I really want to know how you are feeling? Your detailed message was so helpful and informatiove, especially for those of us who knew none of this. I will be having surgery on May24th, 2005 and I am desperately tryng to figure out what to prepare re: the Vit. and supplements. These details are not really gone over very thoroughly, so thanks again. Please let us know an update on how you are doing. How has your mood been and what has the reaction of family and friends been like? All the best, Robyn from NYC

Before surgery buy the following: *Centrum Adult Chewable Multi-vitamins (take two a day - one in the morning and one at night) *Sublingual B12 (must be sublingual to be absorbed, take one a day) *CHEWABLE Calcium CITRATE (found at health food stores) - take mid-day on empty stomach - it is absorbed better *Sugar Free Jello *Sugar free puddings *Cream soups (campbells okay) *Baby food *Italian Ice *Sugar free popsicles *Malt-O-Meal (add butter and salt - yummy!) *Protein mixes/drinks *Carnation Instant Breakfast - sugar free *Broth/Boullion (chicken, beef or vegetable) *3 oz dixie cups (you'll only fill them 1/2 way at first) *Water bottle with a sippy spout *Notebook (to write what you eat, how you feel and exercise each day) That's enough to get you started. I am feeling good. I'm down 56 lbs now and have not had one regret or misery since surgery. I did experience insomnia for a couple weeks when I returned to work. Body had to adjust to new hours after being off a month. I was "ready" to go back to work after a week, but surgeon and family told me no - takes time for body to heal after surgery. They were right. When I went from liquids to soft foods, my body had a hard time adjusting to some foods. I experienced foaming/frothing where I eat but throw it back up or mainly mucus (why it's called foaming) because I wasn't getting enough protein or water in earlier in the day. Protein is SOOOOOO important!! Family and friends have been VERY supportive. 100%. For mother's day we went to Cracker Barrell and I ordered from kids menu. It's fun!! It's so weird eating so small now when before I would - gosh - eat so much I'd make myself sick. Would have to go home and lay down because I ate so much. Ugh!! Never again!! Hope this helps!! Hugs, Trisha -56 lbs