Getting to Know youzzzzzzz

1.       What information did you not know before your surgery that you wish you would have known.  I think with my band, I was not prepared for “AS” slow of a weight loss and how hard Mentally it would be, especially seeing how fast others with RNY have lost.  I knew it would be slow, but going 3 or 4 months and only loosing 2 lbs. was quite traumatizing.

2.       Who, being friend, family or Medical person was the most informative for you, helping you through problems?  I definitely think OH was the best place for me.  As for support the Maine group was always there for me, but I learn so much about my band, and how different people, even with the band are just that “Different”.  My family is always there with love and support, just not the knowledge.

3.       What has been the worst part for you, either pre op, post op, infections, vit deficient, tiredness?  I have felt wonderful; the worst for me was post op, waiting to loose game.  Getting my mind into gear and keeping it there.  Like exercising and seeing no results, so I would stop.  Or drinking protein and water.  It’s so easy to go back to old habits.

4.       Exercise is probably the hardest thing for Overweight people to get into, what is the best encouragement or helpful solutions you can give to help a Newbie?  I would say to start slow, even if walking 3 times a day works for you, then wonderful.   Simple little changes, like dancing during commercial breaks, or parking in furthest parking spot (I know you’ve heard it before, but this time do it), or taking the stairs.  Make those little changes and stick to it. 

5.       What are the easiest and your favorite foods you recommend keeping on hand for post op patients?  Once off your soft food/mushie stages, I enjoyed sliced turkey (pre packaged are not as dry as deli) with ½ sl. Cheese and a pickle spear rolled up, I would eat 2 or 3 for my lunch daily.  Also, Wal-Mart frozen chic breast (again not as dry as reg breast) thrown in crock pot with 2 cans of reduced fat cream soups and 1 can stewed tom. Cook for 12 hours, so easy and so yummy, can cook pot or noodles for family, makes a great sauce to pour on top. (I’ve thrown in a can of mushrooms and frozen broccoli the last hour too if you like)

1.       What information did you not know before your surgery that you wish you would have known.  So far there hasnt been anything, OH has been a great source of info


2.       Who, being friend, family or Medical person was the most informative for you, helping you through problems?  I agree, Oh has been really good support, you guys have been here for me and very supportive, and my hubby and son are very supportive too

3.       What has been the worst part for you, either pre op, post op, infections, vit deficient, tiredness? getting used to the tiny amounts we eat now and eating SLOW

4.       Exercise is probably the hardest thing for Overweight people to get into, what is the best encouragement or helpful solutions you can give to help a Newbie?  I am terrible with the excersise

5.       What are the easiest and your favorite foods you recommend keeping on hand for post op patients? 
Cottage cheese with Pineapple, I love that now, and chilli, what can I say!!

Thanks Cheryl for the getting to know youzzzzzzzzzz I missed them!!!

1.       What information did you not know before your surgery that you wish you would have known.--  That my food consumption would be  as much as it is  now .


2.       Who, being friend, family or Medical person was the most informative for you, helping you through problems? The  Head  Dietician  of our  group  and  Barb

3.       What has been the worst part for you, either pre op, post op, infections, vit deficient, tiredness? Learning that exercise is  good and  very important and   not to graze

1.       What information did you not know before your surgery that you wish you would have known.
That someday (now) I would be hungry again and i would have to watch calories so much... 

2.       Who, being friend, family or Medical person was the most informative for you, helping you through problems? 
OH has answered most of my questions. I did have a friend that i don't get to see much answer some.

3.       What has been the worst part for you, either pre op, post op, infections, vit deficient, tiredness?

  I had a good surgery, no complications, no infections I am very THANKFUL.Now after two yers I am taking Vit D.

4.       Exercise is probably the hardest thing for overweight people to get into, what is the best encouragement or helpful solutions you can give to help a Newbie?  
Well that is hard for me. i have arthritis so bad and Fibromyalgia so bad. I do not do exercise but a lot of the times I can walk in Walmart now and I was in a wheel chair before.I think if i could exercise i would loose my 50 lbs easy.


5.       What are the easiest and your favorite foods you recommend keeping on hand for post op patients? 
Sugar free oatmeal always is good on my pouch, yogurt,now I eat fruits, love grapes, pears, apples and peanut butter,
I could not stand any protein drinks in the beginning. Now i get some from BE and love the different drinks and bars. I wish I'd tried them in the beginning when it was so hard to get my protein in.
My NUT said that 40-50 grams of protein a day was great. Well I tried 90 or more and boy do I feel better!!!! Wish i would have added more protein before.......

1.       What information did you not know before your surgery that you wish you would have known.  That I had a choice of programs available to me instead of just going with the first placed offered me - my surgeon was great, but the support groups are not work friendly times and I would love to be able to go for face to face support.

2.       Who, being friend, family or Medical person was the most informative for you, helping you through problems?  Overwhelmingly - OH - I can't begin to count the hours I spent reading and researching both pre and post op.

3.       What has been the worst part for you, either pre op, post op, infections, vit deficient, tiredness?  The first four months for me were hard, between the nausea 24/7 and having to deal with the emotional roller coaster....

4.       Exercise is probably the hardest thing for Overweight people to get into, what is the best encouragement or helpful solutions you can give to help a Newbie?  You've got to find something you like to stick with it - for me it's walking an my wii

5.       What are the easiest and your favorite foods you recommend keeping on hand for post op patients?  I can eat just about anything - so for me it's normal food - but healthy. I do make a lot of casseroles that I freeze individual servings so I always have something healthy available to grab so I don't have excuses to go back to bad junk food habits.

1.       What information did you not know before your surgery that you wish you would have known.   I felt pretty well informed.  I think maybe some of the long term effects on RNY patients might have been helpful.

2.       Who, being friend, family or Medical person was the most informative for you, helping you through problems?  Probably the surgeon and Crystal, the PA at Dr Loggins office.  Corinne, our nut has been helpful too.   OH has been THE BEST source of info though!!!

3.       What has been the worst part for you, either pre op, post op, infections, vit deficient, tiredness? Hmmm...probably the whole mental part of this process has been the hardest for me.  Still having a hard time with the mind not being caught up to what the body looks like.  Yeah, I've had a couple of other physical issues, but that stuff will heal.  The mental part is the toughest for me!!!

4.       Exercise is probably the hardest thing for Overweight people to get into, what is the best encouragement or helpful solutions you can give to help a Newbie?  As everyone else has said.....start off slowly and make sure it's something you like!  Change things up every once in a while!  Get an iPod and crank some cool music to keep you motivated or find someone to do things with!  It's A LOT more fun when you aren't going through exercise alone!