Cicumferential lower body lift scheduled Feb. 12th--need advice

Aloha  Donna-

Yes, your economic situation is definitely challenging. But no matter how hard it was to save for surgery and then deplete your savings account to pay for it, it won't mean squat if you don't heal from it! Protein is KEY, and if you don't have much muscle stored now, you won't have anything to fall back on.  That should be your main focus for weeks to months post op. 
 
I'm also not doing my thighs - the hardest part to recover from pain and healingwise is the circumferential body lift because it goes all the way around your body, and there is tension all around your midsection-  a 360` incision. That's the incision that causes the most debilitation. The boob part isn't done concurrently unless you are a good candidate for both the LBL and BA/BL at the same time.

Just so you know, some Proton Pump Inhibitors such as Protonix are prescription. Many people find much more relief with them than antihistamines like phenergan, that do nothing to stop your stomach acid production or protect your stomach lining. Even though your surgeon is in India, your PCP should be following you on this. I hate to keep coming back to this, but it really doesn't sound right that you are so intolerant and uncomfortable this far out - is it an RNY thing- or dumping with simple sugars or fats- or what?  And yes, you are still right- the processed foods are cheaper- but some are so processed they are not considered "whole " foods by any means so they are lacking in what your body needs- hence you have to eat more or supplement with more vitamins, etc. And the amounts of sugars they add ( seriously, check the peanut butter labels sometimes) make them bad choices if you dump or need to restrict carbs.

Control what you can- water and protein intake- cut back on the narcotics if possible pre op - stack your pillows- but don't break the bank if you are not going to be able to heal. That could be catastrophic. I wish you all the best! XOLori

I have serious concerns for trafficdonna.

These problems are NOT a normal "rny thing" -- really, NOT NOT NOT.

I am worried about

-- protein intake
-- quality of food (a lot of processed food ... jeeeeeeez)
-- adequate intake

Who si the surgeon, has she said?

My surgeon was Dr. Kriplani at Apollo International Hospital in India.  I have e-mailed him just recently about how I am doing but so far he has not replied.

I have an appointment with a NEW primary care physician on Jan. 22nd before my surgery is scheduled Feb. 12th.  My former doctor has moved to Iowa--god I will miss that man!  I have not met the new one yet---they say he is one of the original doctors who opened the practice more than 25 years ago--so he is much older than the previous one. 

Yes my food is "processed"--yogurt , cottage cheese, canned tuna, canned soup.  I do try to eat raw veggies (taste better to me than cooked) when I can, fresh fruit versus canned, etc.  Tilapia is frozen fillets.  I get the lowest sugar peanut butter I can find on sale and stock up when it is on sale.

I appreciate your concern---I get concerned myself about all of this.  I don't believe I have a stricture--if I did would it not affect my ability to eat anything at all?  Somehow junk food like pretzels, snack crackers, handfuls of almonds, etc. have not trouble getting down at all!   I do get queasy if I eat too much of anything but I am used to that.   Yes, I still dump on too much sugar which seems to be more than 18 grams per serving---my lite yogurt is only 10 grams.  The same thing goes with any carb---too much and I get queasy and sleepy.

I do have some protein liquid bullets sent to me two years ago by a friend.  They are 40 grams of protein each---saving them for post-surgery.  They have been kept refrigerated so I suppose they are still good.  I will have to see if they have an expiration date on them.

Thank you for all of your help and advice.  I really am so glad that you care so much.  This website is my only support---and I really love all of you for helping me.

Donna, I really hope you don't mind my observations here -- but it is NOT normal for a RNY patient to only be able to eat puree-consistency foods.  This is a major problem, and while I am not a medical practitioner in any way, I strongly, STRONGLY suggest that you see a roux-en-y surgeon to evaluate your well-being.  

Truly, this should be evaluated well in advance of surgery of any other kind.  There is a problem here, I believe.

Really and truly.  

It is not enough to be followed up by a general practitioner.  You should really try to be seen by someone who specializes in follow-up for WLS and is familiar with eating issues.

Best of luck!

I cannot follow up with another surgeon--weight loss surgery and issues are not covered by my insurance.  That is why I am following up with primary care physician.  My husband has been out of work for a year and is on last extension of unemployment.  I need to get whatever I can paid by insurance.

I DO understand your concern and I love you for it.  I DO eat "normal" food--just in tiny amounts.  I don't think that 1000-1200 calories a day is all that low since my body weight is now 118.  I'm really proud that I get in 1200 now---for a very long time I was at 700 calories a day.  Weight loss was still very slow for me---my metabolism has always been slower than normal people's.  In fact my resting heartrate is 48 beats per minute---even during stress tests they had to medicate me to get it high enough for actual results.  I am sure that is why I do so well on so few calories---very low metabolism doesn't need much.

So don't feel that I mind your observations.  I will follow your advice to the best of my ability to do so.  And that will be by starting with my primary care practitioner and going forward from there.  Thank you!

Okay then, one more time and I'll drop it, I promise!

Is the PS covered by your insurance, or are you partly or completely private pay?

I understand that money is tight.  But under the cir****tances, would you consider -- please -- consulting with a surgeon's practice that is familiar with RNY -- at your own expense?  If PS is private pay (and I don't recall what you said here) then . . . any reconstructive work is a luxury relative to the importance of straightening out your gut issues.  

Best wishes, truly -- unemployment sux!

keeps you regular, you don't have to take laxatives.......

My daughter's take chewable enzymes. It helps them process and break down processed food they get at school or when we're out. It helps amazingly with attention span too.

Donna I am also concerned about the soft diet at 2 yrs out. That is not good... and having plastic surgery, in order for you to heal quickly, you have to be in really good health (nutritionally.) If your surgeon is in India... hell, find another one willing to do an endoscopy on you to see maybe you have a stricture or something.
To not be able to eat any meat... I have some difficulty with steak, but fish goes down well... so does shellfish... and chicken is my mainstay.
I think before you move onto plastics, you have to get your eating in shape.

I do eat meat---I just cannot eat very much of it at any one sitting.  I can eat 3 ounces of pork roast but have to chew thoroughly and make sure it is moist enough.  Same thing goes for chicken, ribs, steak--if hamburger is ground up in a meat sauce for pasta, I am okay and same goes for chili.

I can eat a whole can of tuna--but I get very tired of eating tuna by itself.  Mayonaise, mustard, or anything added to it makes me nauseous.  I can eat a 4 oz fillet of tilapia but again--I get tired of eating it.   Sometimes it is really the boredom of yogurt, cottage cheese, small amounts of fish or meat that make me want to just quit eating altogether.  But I know I can't do that--so I reach for handfuls of almonds, soynuts, peanut butter on a few crackers to keep me eating--to keep me striving for more protein.

My surgery is scheduled and I cannot forego the non-refundable $500 deposit.  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  I will let the surgeon know all of this before we go forward.