QUESTIONS???????

Dear Sharon,

Just read your post at work this a.m. [no computer at home] and want to add my good wishes and welcome.  I am 2-1/2 yrs post RnY and loss of approx 90 lbs.  I was 61 at surgery, with type 2 diabetes, felt like I was about 85 and not optimistic about seeing age 70.  Now I am 64 and will be darned annoyed if I don't live to see 80!  Diabetes is gone and life is good!!!

My surgeon wanted me to use Carnation Instant Breakfast sugarfree variety, but it gave me the worst runs--and this was before surgery.  [sorry if this is tmi.  But all sorts of things happen on this journey]  He said it was lactose intolerance, even though I reported no problems with milk in any other form.  I recently tried some Special K protein beverage; it was tasty but gave me the runs, too.  Not sure what ingredient is the trigger-maybe maltodextrin, sucralose?  I stopped trying to figure it out.  I have had good luck with something called Muscle Milk [it does not actually contain any milk], no sugar added variety [100 cal, 15 g protein].  Also, I eat Chobani fat-free Greek yogourt [100 calories and 18 grams protein].  Don't hesitate to try a variety of products.  And you got good advice regarding not buying a huge quantity of anything just yet, because even when something agrees with you now and is good to your taste buds pre-op, things might very well change post-op. 

You should not have any difficulty finding the vitamins you need.  CVS, GNC, Vitamin World, and more have what you need.  One name brand of calcium citrate with D is Caltrate, which I take for my bones on the advice of a bone endocrinologist.   But be careful--after surgery you may not be able to take the big pills.  I grind mine in a morter and pestle and add to above-mentioned yogourt, but the nurse in the endocrinologist's office tells me there is a powdered variety, which I will investigate once I use up my stash of pills. 

Also, it is good to keep in mind that many physicians don't factor in the changes in absorption that result from bariatric surgery, so you have to advocate for yourself with your health care providers over things like size, route, type of medications.  I was hospitalized for kidney infection, and they tried to give me whopping big antibiotic pills until I set them straight and they went to IV.  Also, some vitamin levels [in addition to the expected B12] can fluctuate with changed absorption, so always bring that up if a doctor mentions it. 

I have found the OHH community very helpful, inspiring, and supportive, and hope you will, too.  All the best of luck and my prayers are with you today and on 4/11.  You are starting a fascinating, life-changing journey--not always easy but worth every  minute!!!!

Judy G of Waltham, MA (aka Shelto1946)