Roux-en-Y advice
How about this...Know the signs of dehydration. Twice I said if you are not sure, call your doctor. But there are many people who say the doctor (book) said to get in 84 oz of water a day, ( haven't looked at a guideline book for about 8 years...Just an example). So the person gets in 82 oz and wonders if they should call their surgeon. If they are sipping and sipping...Getting in 90% of their protein...They probably don't need to call their doctor. They can and should if they believe there is something wrong. But the number one issue people face post op is..."I can't get in all my water (liquid)...I can't get in all my protein". Also dehydration is the number one reason WLS people reenter the hospital...I was thinking of adding it to my post. But then that can confuse newbees who don't get in all their liquid and assume they are dehydrated. So as an add on...Know the signs of dehydration!! Happy?
Happier... 
most of the time they recommend 64 oz of liquids... and I believe everyone needs that - especially after a major surgery... not drinking enough can even cause blood clots.. and that can be fatal way before dehydration signs symptoms become clearly visible....
jus****ching for signs of dehydration can be too late for some people...
someone posted that...I kept it..as a reminder... Leilani is no longer with us .. but her message is still strong...
THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!!
By: Leilani
That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind sometimes when I hear some of the comments from people who've already had the surgery. In case you haven't made the connection, that's a line Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "A League Of Their Own." Resorting to tears or just giving up every time the going gets tough. Or your sick of taking vitamins, getting in protein is hard, water doesn't taste good, etc. That kinda' thinking is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. ENOUGH already! It's time to LOVE yourself enough to get "TOUGH" wtih your aftercare. Your longterm health is worth it!!
Success comes with a backbone, NOT a wishbone!
First and foremost, you have to keep it POSITIVE. As with everything in life, if you think you can't - you WON'T! Simple enough?
I have to wonder when "we" (as adults) finally take ownership for our actions, our life and our health? We have been given a gift, a second chance to actually LIVE life again instead of merely existing on the sidelines. It's up to each of us to do that as healthy and productively as possible.
We live in a spoiled society, expecting everything in life to come with a buncha really cool choices. Well, guess what? When it comes to your health, you're not always going to get a choice. You either DO IT and stay healthy, or you DON'T and your body pays the price.
The way I saw it, I had a 90 day healing and adjusting period after surgery. My 'super morbidly obese' body had more than enough stores to survive the learning curve. In turn, it gave me plenty of time to heal, adjust and learn. For those of you OVER 90 days Post-Op, the probation period is over - its time to get serious and LIVE what you've learned.
* You say you can't get in enough liquids throughout the day, don't like the taste of water, or just keep forgetting? -- TOUGH! It's not an option anymore. Find a way to do it, get suggestions and tips from others in support groups, message boards, etc. Read, learn and JUST DO IT!! Why do you think there is a choice here?
* You say you don't like the big horse pill type vitamins, or the tart chalky chewables? ... it's just too many to bother with? Or maybe you just can't remember to take them? -- TOUGH! You gave up the option NOT to take vitamins when you agreed to have your insides rerouted. FIND a way to get them in; crushed, minced, chopped, liquified, in a shake, etc. No exceptions, your health depends on it.
* Protein is a must. So you can't get it all in via foods and you don't like the way the shakes taste? -- TOUGH! Either get it through your meals (and there are a gazillion food choices out there) or supplement it with protein shakes and bars.
Trust me, I don't drink my protein shake every morning because I think it tastes like a chocolate blizzard from Dairy Queen. I've tried many varieties over the last 2 years. I'd even venture to say 25 of the top sellers/flavors have crossed my lips. For the record? I've yet to find one that is as 'delicious' as boasted by the distributor. So what. I still drink one every morning. My HEALTH dictates that I need "X" grams of protein per day. If I'm not getting enough from my meals then I supplement a shake. 'Nuff said.
This surgery is a gift, I owe it to me and everyone else fighting the approval process, to do it right! I will continue to choke down my vitamins, my water and my protein every single day, for the REST OF MY LIFE. Some days will be easier than others, regardless, no days will be missed.
It's all about discipline. Create a routine, set a timer, develop a pattern, tie a string around your finger, glue a note on your forehead, whatever it takes.
You're an adult - take responsibility! If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
You reminded me of one of my tips I have given over the years...If it sounds right.
Post op...Since you are sip sip sipping away. Before you go to bed put 1oz of protein shake (with milk) on your nightstand (small Dixie Cup). If you've been sipping, you may need to pee during the middle of the night. After you go to the bathroom, drink (slowly) your 1oz of liquid. It helps with both the protein and the liquid...During almost the last time you would think to get in your protein. Change cups every evening!!...So the product doesn't go bad. Leaving milk out for about 5 hours should not hurt you. If you feel uncomfortable about that then whey protein isolate (in water) may have a longer life...Just an idea. Brian
That is a good idea for early post ops.
I am over 8 years post op... I can "gulp" water... but I keep a 24 oz water bottle by my bed. If i get up in a middle of the night to pee - I drink at least 12 oz of it...some nights- when is dry - I may wake up to drink the rest..
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
Follow the 'rules' 60-80g protein minimum, 64oz fluid minimum, weigh and measure. record in some fashion- for some it is using My Fitness Pal, for me it is pre-planning my menu... start to get active- whatever that means. In the beginning it maybe a little bit and as you lose the weight you will probably do more- doesn't mean you have to go to the gym.
My Doc's mantra-
Protein first, then veggies and then if you have any room- fruits and carbs. Never says no carbs, just put them at the end of the list...
Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014
Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16
#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets
I love this site and IMO it was imperative to my success. And I don't consider myself an actual success - and I won't until I keep the weight off for years and years - I just mean that I met and went past my goal weight.
But I think what worked for me personally with this site was reading a ton of posts and observing who knew their **** And those people were obviously the ones who had been around a while.
The other thing that worked for me was finding people who started around the same weight I did and lost a lot of it. For me that really helped to see that it was truly possible to do. I had an extremely high BMI and when I would see someone with less than 100 pounds to lose it would seem like what I needed to accomplish was insurmountable but the people who went before me made it seem totally doable!
Melinda
HW: 377 SW: 362 CW:131
TOTAL LOSS: 249 pounds
You've received some great advice. The only thing I would add, is once you start Optifast if that is your preop diet, never trust an Opti-fart. I added decaf coffee crystals to the Opti to cut the sweetness.
CENTURY CLUB MEMBER at 6 months post-op.
Referral to Guelph Feb/13, Sleep study and all bloodwork and ultrasound May/13, orientation July/13. Nurse, NUT,SW Sept/13, 2nd NUT, nurse and SW, 3rd round and cleared for surgery Dec/13. Pre-op Apr 7/14, Surgeon May 2/14, Opti Jul 3/14, surgery Jul 17/14.
