tons of questions

Hello everyone!

I'm a week into my three month pre-surgery diet, basically just starting out, and I have a ton of questions about weight loss surgery in general that I was hoping some of you might be willing to answer.  I realize that the info is probably out there on the net somewhere, but since you all have gone through this I thought you'd be the best people to answer these questions:

1.  After the surgery, is it hard to not eat like you used to? 
2.  Do you have to be really careful what type of medications you use after surgery? 
3.  if the answer to number 3 is yes, how do you verify that you aren't taking something you should take? 
4.  How much trouble do you have finding doctor's that can help you when you are having trouble related to the stomach surgery?  I ask this question mainly due to how much trouble I had finding a doctor who would support my wanting to get weight loss surgery, I'm just wondering if it's also hard to find doctor's familiar enough with the procedure to help when/if problems arise.
5.  As you get older (I'm 34), does the fact that you can't absorb nutrients (if you get the gastric bypass) cause any problems, if so, are there ways to prevent that?

I'm going to probably have a lot more, I hope you guys don't mind my asking!

Thank you!

I hope that I can help you some. I am almost 6 1/2 years post op for RNY.  For the answer to question #1.  You will not be able to eat like you did before surgery.  You will only be able to eat a few bites and you really need to eat your protein first and not worry about getting in veggies or other stuff.  You will be able to eat more after a period of time but you will never be able to sit and eat a big overflowing plate like we used to. 
#2.  Yes there is meds that you should not take.  NSAIDS which is antinflamatory drugs.  I will look for my list and post it later. Your surgeon will also tell you what he does not want you to take.
#4. Your surgeon will do follow up care for you.  And if it has anything to do with the surgery he most likely will take care of the problem.
#5.  Your surgeon will tell you what kind of vitamins he wants you to take.  It is very important  that you do as your surgeon tells you.  This surgery is a lifestyle change. Take these questions with you to your surgeon and ask him. You should follow his advice. Each surgeon is different and has different protocol they follow.
We don't ever mind answering any question any of you may have.  We have all been there.

Howdy ...

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that I had weight loss surgery.  Congratulations on making this decision.

to answer your questions:

1)  There are behavior crutches.  I still like to chew when I am mad or frustrated and have had to adapt because the surgery won't allow my tummy to take what it used to.  Happily, the tool works and I have am developing other techniques besides eating to deal with those emotions.

2)  Yes.  I wound up with a bleeding ulcer because I didn't think about it and took excedrin for two weeks.

3)  The surgeon should give you a list of no-no medicines that you should never ignore (trust me!) and your doc should get smart enough to help monitor. 

4)  I have a medialert bracelet (that is cute but obvious, thank you) that says "no NG tube" and that I am an RNY patient with my name since I do not have any relatives near me.  If you find a good doctor, which is important for so many things besides weight loss, you will find one that is willing to do research and consultation to provide excellent care for you and knows when they've reached their limits and will refer you.  Also, your surgeon should be available for follow up care.  I have moved from the state where I had surgery and am still able to call into my surgeon and ask questions AND have found a local surgeon who is willing to see me for follow up care and is willing to take questions as well.

5)  That's what vitamins and menu planning (in the opposite order) are for.  :-)  You have to be aware of what you need to do for your health AND you have to do it.  :-)

Ask away.  THat's what this board is for!

Janice

i had an intestinal bypass in 1976, lost 140 lbs, and kept it off over 20 years. due to a chronic back problem, major surgery, and a sedentary lifestyle, i gained it back. i am alomst 7 months post-op with a lapband. i'll try to help with your questions...
1) i've had no problem with my eating. as long as my band is adjusted, i can only eat about 1/2 cup of food at a time. if i even take 1 extra bite, i literally feel it in my upper esophagus. not painful, but knowing it's there. some say they have problems choking on meat, but i'm not much of a meat eater. i find as long as i thoroughly chew (20x per bite they say), most everything goes down fine. i do sip a bit of liquid as i eat (they say not to), and have found no problem doing that. oddly, i've done fine without my daily coke! i've settled on sugar-free lemonade and unsweet tea with the 'blue pack' sweetener.
2) i cannot take a pill larger than a tylenol. i was already on several meds, so a pill cutter (about $5) has been a lifesaver. i can't take ibuprofen. they said it would erode my band. that's the only one i know not to take.
3) i am on 8 meds for chronic health problems. i'm taking them all. the ibuprofen is the only adverse one i'm aware of, but that's with the lapband.
4)  i used dr zaria murrell in huntsville and loved her. she's since moved away. you can look online. most drs have a place for patient comments. that's how i decided on dr murrell.
5)  i had the intestinal bypass when i was 25. i took b-12 shots for a while to boost my energy, but i never had any problems. i am now 58 with my lapband. i take a good multi-vitamin and extra b-12 tablets. as long as you eat healthy foods, you should do fine.
hope this is of some help to you!