Considering revision to Bypass. What is bypass life like?

The best thing about being a postop is that we never need to go back to dieting again. No need to go back to liquids or even to the different stages we went through. No need for a pouch test or a "re-set". It's so much easier to just eat protein forward since that's how we will need to eat indefinitely. Much easier than feeling deprived on some kind of diet.

I'm really glad you ditched the wine. Honestly there is nothing intrinsically "wrong" with a glass of wine or any alcoholic beverage. But I think we don't realize how many calories we are actually drinking (as you found out). Those calories can go to nutritionally dense food. Or they can be skipped completely if you're in weight loss mode.

Good luck to you, I know you're going to do great!

And also....I used to exercise like a FANATIC....I"m going to give myself a few weeks to adjust to the food, water and no alcohol, then pick that back up. I can't do two hours a day like I used to (would go from 5 am to 6 am every morning to gym then 6 pm to 7 pm every night, five days a week) but I can do four times a week in the mornings if I push myself and get four hours working out in. I feel so much better when I work out first thing in the morning and I make better decisions all day long.

Thanks Amy I needed this! I fell off my wagon in July and having a hard time getting back on after losing 26 lbs of a 40 or so gain.

i need to stay connected here and I did not. What you write here is exactly what I did last March thru June and lost 26 of my gain. I felt great and it worked , felt so good and clear. Struggling back up 10 of that loss need to get back to these good habits and support. Your post is perfect and I will reread it this week to keep me strong. Get off my recent 10 and the rest. For me staying off sugar, carbs, occasionall wine is key to success. I did not crave and it was easy in time until I got off track again. Now in fog land again. Trying not to beat myself up!

Glad it helped and please don't beat yourself up. Most of us either have been there or are there right now.

I'm actually dealing with regain myself - about 12 pounds. At first I was really discouraged about it because honestly, how may times do I have to regain before I figure it out? But then I was reminded that I caught it at 12 pounds this time and not 40 or 50. And I know exactly what to do to lose it so there's that.

Congratulations on re-losing the 26. I'm sure you'll get the last ten off shortly.

Thanks Amy. Unfortunately wish just 10 lbs... I regained since July ...10 lbs of the 26 I had lost... so bit more ... more like 24/25 to get back off.

you are right, I know what to do. I noticed you had your surgery in 2008 .... me too. May 2008. I still have 105 lbs off so that is great I tell myself 9.5 years out.

Thanks again for post kept me perfect today with pure protein!

Thanks again for your reply. It's the things that pop in my head, to which the answers are not so easy to find that I end up thinking about the most. I really do appreciate all the responses I am getting. It's good to hear perspective from various people. As far as being too long of a response, it didn't feel as if it was. This is all information I am looking for, and I am glad to be getting from a person I can dialogue with, rather than a webpage.

once you're a few months out, there really aren't any restrictions. I can eat anything - but I (usually...) choose not to. I eat mostly high protein, moderately low (but not ultra-low) carb. I have no trouble with sugar (unfortunately....). I do watch everything I put in my mouth, though, because I know the risk of regain is real. I count calories like a hawk (didn't when I was early out, though - back then, I just counted protein grams and fluid intake. I wasn't eating enough to worry about calories - but not so *now*...). Other than that, I can't really say I feel any different. I just eat less food than i used to. But then, my stomach is a lot smaller now, too.

once you're a few months out, there really aren't any restrictions. I can eat anything - but I (usually...) choose not to. I eat mostly high protein, moderately low (but not ultra-low) carb. I have no trouble with sugar (unfortunately....). I do watch everything I put in my mouth, though, because I know the risk of regain is real. I count calories like a hawk (didn't when I was early out, though - back then, I just counted protein grams and fluid intake. I wasn't eating enough to worry about calories - but not so *now*...). Other than that, I can't really say I feel any different. I just eat less food than i used to. But then, my stomach is a lot smaller now, too.

P.S. Lurk on the RNY menu board once in awhile if you're interested in what people typically eat in the different phases.

in my experience bypass life just feels like being normal. the band was torture, needing to avoid certain foods, only eat certain times of the day etc. Bypass is totally different. I wouldn't know I had bariatric surgery 1 year later...with the exception of not being starving all the time and not being able to eat as much.

I actually found surgery recovery easier than from the band (maybe because i knew what to expect and knew to walk walk walk)

once I was recovered I felt completely normal. I could eat like anyone can pretty much...but i don't. What RNY did for me is finally give me the mental shift I needed which is that food is about nourishing my body. because i need to do this. I only have limited tummy real estate and cannot waste that room with low nutrient food, for my health.

The band did the opposite...it did not allow me to eat healthy. it would not let vegetables and dense proteins through (except on occasion and it isn't like it would tell me in advance when that would be).

Re: dumping the way my surgeon explained it, it is not designed to make it impossible to digest carbs/fats...he said I'd be able to eat a bowl of pasta if so inclined (I don't). but if i ate a bowl, waited 30 minutes and ate another...i would dump.

I have dumped twice two days in a row because I didn't know my trigger...what made me dump was one large gulp of my protein shake (to fini**** off). now I know don't rush...don't gulp and I don't dump.

I have only had tiny slivers of sugar (a couple of tbs of pumpkin pie after thanksgiving dinner). I was fine.

Honestly, I wouldn't want to test it...dumping is not a feeling I want to repeat.

Life for me with RNY is pretty much the same as before. I don't dump but avoid sugar because I am allergic to it. It makes me break out in fat.

A little secret most don't know until it is too late. If your surgeon also will sever your vagus nerve you will lose all hunger sensation. You will also sneeze, or have a runny nose if you eat too much or too fast.

That was a small price to pay for ten years of never being hungry.