8.5 years post-op getting back on track:)

I had my RNY in 11/04 and did very well the first year.  I got to 137lbs and the smallest I've been since probably 6th grade.  I got preggo at 1 year post-op (approved).  When the baby was 4 months old, we got permission to try for for post-op baby #2.  When she was 9 months old, we got permission to try for post-op baby #3.  That's when the deficiencies started popping up in a serious way and my health deteriorated quickly.  B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and lowing calcium levels.  I was sinking into a very deep depression, battling extreme fatigue and in a lot of pain all the time. I have had 7 surgeries in the last 7 years, which didn't help.  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in addition the other issues and it took quite a while experimenting with different meds to get me to a place of reduced pain.  My highest regain weight has been up to 204.  I was 258 the day I had my bypass surgery, so you can imagine the guilt and distress it was seeing the scale go up so high over the last 7 years. 

I'll save the very dark sob story and suffice it to say, pouch rules were the least of my worries.

I found a doctor 1.5 years ago who has helped me so much.  He switched the type of B12 injection I got and increased it to weekly instead of monthly.  He gave me a ton of other supplements to add and they have been slowly working to help me.  I moved from the state I had the bypass in and there weren't any bypass doctors in my new area.  Thankfully, I just learned of one in our area now, so I'll be working on getting established with him now.

A childhood friend of mine told me on Monday that she was scheduled to have gastric sleeve surgery on Wednesday and I jumped at the idea of supporting her by starting over.  I offered to go back to day 1 with her and act as though I had just had the surgery too.  So, I'm on day 3 and doing great.  I feel so much better just doing liquids right now and I'm actually surprised to not feel hungry.  I had no idea how much of my eating was being done emotionally and I'm so incredibly grateful my pouch is still working!!  That is a huge relief!  My weight on Wednesday was 198, so that is my new start weight for this leg of my journey.

So, I'm following her post-op food plan which is:

2 days clear liquids, 12 days full liquids, 1 week pureed, 1 week soft foods and then back to regular food.  I thought for sure we were supposed to have a 6 week phase of titration when I had my surgery, but apparently, her doctor only recommends 1 month. 

I hope I can be a source of support to you guys and I hope you'll feel comfortable being a source of accountability for me.  My goal is to get to about 145 and conform to abiding to the rules of my pouch.  I want to be a long-term success and while the last 7 years haven't been pleasant and I've fallen off the wagon too many times to count, today is a new day and a day to reclaim my life.  I'm glad to be back at OH and look forward to getting to know you all.  God bless!

Erica

258/137    198/193/145

Erica,

Congrats on making a new commitment.  I was six years out from my RNY in November.  I was a poster child of compliance for about two years.  Then the health of my husband declined and I was eating emotionally again.  You name a bypass rule and I can tell you a time when I broke it - Please don't ask me to count them though because they are too numerous to count.

I too have had a friend get a sleeve and am inspired to work with the tool I've been given.  I have been doing strictly protein (mostly drinks but I have also had some quest bars, turkey, cheese (light) and boiled eggs.  I can't tell if I still have the restriction but I do know I am not getting physically hungry.  That said I don't believe physical hunger has every been my real problem.  Today is day number six for me. 

I have found that I must keep being healthy as a top priority because it requires so much mental energy for me.  If I take my eye off the prize I'm doomed.  I plan, log, and make posts in order to maintain the focus I need.  I have also been texted back and forth with my sister.  We are using each other to keep us accountable and encouragers.  

You know this journey is possible you have done it before.  You and I know it can be done and to me that is a lot of the battle.  When I began I weighed 358.  I thought I would loose like to a size 14-16 and I was totally OK with that.  When my doctor told me that I would be a 10-12 when it was over I actually laughed in his face.  But now... I can dream that dream because I KNOW it is possible.

My motto is NEVER GIVE UP!

Trudy

I got down to 137 and was a solid size 8, but could squeeze into some 6's.  I honestly felt too thin and didn't like the feel of my hip bones when I would sleep at night.  I looked sickly, but at 145, I think I looked right.  So, that's my personal choice for a goal.  Most importantly, I just want to be healthy and I hope the weight loss will aid in dealing with my depression and fibromyalgia.  I also hope that this will be a time of purging the yucky starches and sugars out of my system. 

My friend who had the sleeve surgery on Wednesday is not doing well.  She is allergic to almost every pain med, so she is throwing up a lot and they just re-admitted her into the hospital this morning.  Please pray they can help her because the throwing up cannot be good for her new tummy.  It's so sad to have a rough start to a new life:(

I am as almost 5 years post op RNY. I deal with RH, nausea, pain , depression, etc. Just recently I was able to get to see a brilliant endo doc and she run bunch of tests on me that show adrenal insufficiency. My body does not make enough and symptoms may include fibromyalgia depression, Lowe blood pressure, pain, nausea, etc. I am not sure why, but further tests may show more. Maybe you need to check you adrenal hormones?..

Good job Trudy!! That is one of my many MOTTO"s too! Keep up the good work!

You've got the hardest part behind you...you've taken the first step to getting your health back. Welcome aboard and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Feel free to vent, discuss, comment and celebrate. We're here for you.

- Iris

Iris,

    Thank you so much!  That is so sweet.  I'm honestly doing a lot better than I thought.  I've been drinking Calorie Countdown chocolate milk with my pills that require food and other than that, it's been crystal light, ice pops, jello and broth.   I do have a question if any of you remember...  during the full liquid phase, do you only drink the full liquid for the 3 meals or are we able to eat full liquids freely until we move to pureed foods? 

What I love about this forum so far is there are no "holier than thou" personalities, but rather a feeling of united "wisdom" after what we've all been through.  We know we won't die if we eat popcorn or our pouches won't explode if we drink soda.  For me, there really isn't a single food I can't eat after surgery that I ate before surgery.  Some go down a little more differently or make me feel a little icky, but I know if I take my time, I can eat just as much Halloween candy as I did before surgery.  I kind of wish that wisdom was out there when I was so focused post-op.  Unfortunately, when I didn't die after drinking my first soda and I was able to eat popcorn with movie theater butter, it began a period of "how far can I push this pouch."  I know it's wrong, but that's what it was.  Especially having 3 full-term pregnancies within 3.5 years post-op.  Now I have the knowledge that yes, I can eat it, but is it worth it.  I prefer to look at it that way now. 

Very thoughtful and unselfish gesture you are making in supporting your friend, Erica.  I wish her well, and pray that she has very good outcomes after this setback.  Welcome aboard!

Hi Erica:

 

So glad to have you join us in our daily search of a better way to lose our regain.  On the liquid portion of the diet you can drink as much as you want, it does not have to be three meals only.  I think we all figure out sooner or later why we need to take our vitamins.  Defects usually don't show up until 2-3 years out from surgery when we have depleted all our stored up vitamins.  Congratulations on your 3 babies, they make having surgery all that much sweeter.  Hope to hear from you daily.