Waiting for my date - and three questions please?

Hi All,

I'm sitting by the phone waiting for my surgery date as all hoops have been jumped.  I've expressed a desire to do it sooner in July rather than later as I get really busy in August at work.  Anyhoo, some questions have come to mind that only you, dear lightweights, can answer for me, so here it goes:

a) I was talking to a young'un friend of mine (23) who had the surgery 18 months ago.  Now she was not a lightweight, she was closer to 500lbs, and has lost 300!  She mentioned that she ate some fried chicken the other day (which she knows she can't) and it put her flat out in pain for the rest of the day.  So, my question - do things like this still happen to you all?  Do you learn how to eat fairly quickly and then do well, or do you have periodic "oopses" which cause dumping and sickness?  When I had my band I'd do fine for weeks or months and then suddenly one day something would send me into puking (regurgitation) stage, and it would always surprise me.

b) I've also been reading about the loose skin issue.  Now I'm gonna be 50 next month, so I'm not that concerned with a bikini body, but I've also read that those who start as lighweights don't necessarily have the loose skin issue as those who have lost a lot more (like aforementioned friend).  Have any of you found that to be true?  I also read in a medical abstract that those who have an "even" shape don't have as much trouble (I'm assuming that means the fat is evenly dispersed around the body).  Thoughts?

c) This one is rather delicate and personal - so I apologize - but, my digestion and bowel movements have always been pretty regular and "healthy".  I am very in tune with my body and pay attention to these things.  Does the RNY change that much?  Obviously less food will make a difference, but with the actual cutting and reorganization I was wondering if made permanent troubles in the lower digestive track?

Thanks in advance for replies!

 

Hoping to have RNY in July - Dr. Weaver, Kalamazoo, MI - CW 232.

Hope you can get your date in July like you would like.  Welcome to the LW Board.

a)  I do really good most of the time, but I fixed a protein shake Sunday that had me laying flat out on the couch and thought about getting DH to take me to the emergency room - I'll be 4 years out in August.  I put things in that shake that I should not have and I paid the price....I don't know that I have ever hurt like that before - but I've also been very good since Sunday-LOL!!  I have eaten chicken tenders and fried fish- just not very much of it at one time.  They really haven't bothered me unless I eat too much.  That being said - not a good choice for anyone.  I'm usually not surprised when I get sick - I know when I'm eating or drinking that it is probably not a good choice and I could have to pay for it.

b)  I am almost 59 and have been overweight my entire life.  When I lost weight at a younger age I bounced back pretty good. My body looks good in clothes, but I do have skin issues in my upper legs especially.  I would take the skin any day over the weight I was before WLS.

c)  I had never ever had a problem with going to the bathroom until after WLS.  I now take 2 Colace (Walmart  brand) and Miralax every day and still have trouble sometimes.  I drink lots of fluids so I've just accepted this as one of the problems I will have, but like I said above - I'll take this problem.  It doesn't affect my day to day living or not allow me to do the things I now love to do so it is ok.

Are you having a revision and RNY at the same time or have you already had your band out?

Good luck and keep us updated.  Hope you will join in on the board and be active.

Linda

Thanks so much, I try to get on this board once or twice a week.  I had my band out in January - insurance wouldn't do a revision so I've been waiting to get the WLS.  I agree with you, I'll take saggy skin over the weight, I'm sure it will be an improvement.  Good to know what to expect.  Thanks!

 

I hope you get to start your new life soon!!!    It is worth it all!!!!!

a)  I am over 4.5 years out and I still dump once in a while.  Early out I learned that fats and sugars are not my friends.  I could only consume 7-9 grams of sugar at a time without dumping.  I don't ever remember being in pain from dumping. Just uncomfortable, shaky, and extremely tired.  I would have to lay down for a few hours.  I still dump (never pain) if I consume to much sugar or fats at a time.  I think that's because I am still  strict with how much of those things I have.  It use to upset me but now I count it as a blessing that I still have those symptoms to keep me under control.  Just the thought of dumping or being extremely gassy when I'm away from home keeps me under control.   The thing that causes me pain is the feeling that something is stuck.  Scrambled eggs are a killer for me and so is dry meat.  I did  have to go to the emergency room this past year  when a piece of pork was too dry and felt stuck.  They gave me a muscle relaxer and it went down after awhile.   Again...I count this as a blessing not a curse.

b) I was 55 when I had my surgery and I'm a LW.   I don't know how tall you are but I'm only 4' 11" so I think that makes a difference.   I do have a flabby belly but I wear a  lightweight panty girdle and that keeps it firmer.  I buy an XL which is very comfortable and doesn't feel like a girdle. My boobs are saggy but have bounced back some.  My legs are probably the worst (pictures on my profile page).  I have to wear everything mid knee (this isn't a problem since I'm so short). Jamaica length short**** me at the perfect spot.  My insurance won't cover PS and DH and I have both adjusted (accepted it)  and I look pretty darn good for my age when I have my clothes on..... so... Again....It's worth it!!!!!!  

c)  I have struggled with constipation since the beginning.  I take a Walmart brand colace. 

I got stuck many times when I had my band in.  And because I think the band expanded or contracted with different cir****tances (i.e., menstruation, air travel, humid summer heat, etc.) I wouldn't always know when I'd get stuck.  It was horrible.  I am 5'3".  Your goal is like mine - to look pretty darn good at my age!

Thanks,

Christine

Welcome. 

I haven't had a problem with any foods and i don't dump from fat or sugar although too much can make me not feel well.  I did over eat not long ago (almost 3 yrs out) and threw up for the first time since surgery.  I guess we never get too far out to have the potential for issues.

I was 61 when I had RNY and I have some skin issues.  Flabby arms and belly and loose legs.  But I look fine in clothes so oh well. 

I have always  tended towards being constapated.  I balanced that before with lots of veggies.  I take benefiber daily and still eat veggies a few times a day and stay regular.  Lots of fluid too. 

1)  Rarely do I get sick and I am over two years out.  I also don't go into unknown territory too often with food and havent tested the sugar boundaries.  I know that breading makes me feel better or fried and will STOP eating as soon as something isnt sitting right.   Early out it is OFTEN too late when this feeling comes and I experienced foamies at least 20 times.  Last night after eating some chicken sausage  I felt sick and spit for a bit...this rarely happens.  Papaya enzymes can work great and I chewed on a few and that helped digest the meat.

2) skin issues just seem hard to predict. 

3) i NEVER was constipated pre-surgery so this one came as a shock.  I would REALLY pay attention to this early out as I ended up in a very bad spot about two weeks post op.  I take miralax every other day and this keeps me good (miracle worker in my opinion).

Good luck....keep posting as this is a great, supportive board.  Revisions folks sometimes lose a little faster but it WILL come off. 

Blessings,

Jennifer

Thanks all for sharing - how can I access profile pages?

Just click on the name io view profiles

Yes I still make bad choices. Good thing I can't hold much. Sugar tempts me and I don't dump on any amount.

I am 43 and have loose skin on arms legs and lower abdominal area. I plan on having a tummy tuck later this year. Also my boobs have fallen and can't get up so they will get help at the same time. I am waiting on the arms and legs. I think I can live with the droop there.

I takecolace every day.