Question:
I too am worried about taking my meds after surgery and being able to get them down
I have alot of health problems not just the obesity, I have arthritis all thru my body , degenitive disc disease bad, bulging, ruptured, herniated disc in my back , and also pinched nerve . I have had several knee surgeries , ( which doctor keeps doing to put off me getting artificial knee due to my age soon to be 39 ) I have high blood pressure , stomach problems, if I was a horse I tell my docs I would have been sent to glue factory long time ago, one of my problems is I'm preparing for surgery , classes , physc and so forth , but I keep gaining weight instead of losing and getting frustrated, they do understand I can't do alot of excersizes due to other med problems . but does anyone have any ideas to help me try and lose some of the weight before surgery? — therealfroglady (posted on March 26, 2008)
March 25, 2008
I am in the same shope pretty much and I "try" to walk and going
to pool to tread water. As for meds I called my pharmicist and took them a
list of all my meds. With the exception of your anti-inflammatories, which
you will never be able to take again (too hard on the pouch) I found that
all my meds, with the exception of Lunesta (my sleeping pill which is tiny
so can swallow) all of them can either be cut in small piese or crushed and
mixed with SF applesauce or SF pudding, jello, etc. I have severe fibro and
osteo arthritis with DDD in spine...I have cut way back on my use of anti
inflammatories over the past year as they will damage the stomach and
kidneys. My rhumatologist has given me several different perscription pain
patches. The newest one is Flector. It can be worn for 12 hours before
changing. However there is one that is over the counter called Salompas.
Most grocery stores and al drug stores carry it and it is inexpensive
espicially at Costo you get a big box for little money. I ordered protein
shakes from Unjury.com and have 2 a day to replace meals then eat a very
high protein , very low carb dinner. I have surgery on the 3rd and my
surgeon wanted me on the high protein diet (including high protein meats,
etc) as of today. Good luck to you and take it one day at a time.
— Gena L.
March 25, 2008
Wendy, I too have arthritis adn after surgery you cannot take anything for
arthritis except for tylenol ES. My doctor said that it would inflame the
pouch. Maybe down the road you can, I don;t know. WHat I have foudn to
relly help my arthritis is swimming atour local pool. I am taking a water
arthritis aerobics class and then swim 12 laps and then the whirlpool, it
helps a lot. THis is the best exercise for someone in your position
(arthritis, etc.) You have to do something, this is perfect for you! If
you ask at the doctors office or the local weight loss clinic they should
be able to direct you to a pool in the area. These are so theraputic in
your success. After surgery your blood pressure should stabilize. I am
off blood pressure meds and am no longer a diabetic. It has been 6 months
for me andi have lost 88#'s. Keep posting to let us know how you are
doing! God bless! Lori
— reretheplaylady
March 25, 2008
No data on your profile page, so we don't know much about you. My wife has
the same problem with her back and uses Fentenol (SP?) patches, which helps
with other meds. To lose wt before surgery: walk or use a rumberent
exercise bike for exercise, eat more protein and less carbs, drink 49-64 oz
of water daily, avoid sugary or sweet desserts. Many of us had health
issues prior to surgery. Surgery will help to resolve some of these, but
not all. My bp went down to normal post op, but I suffered dizzy spells
some 7-8 months after surgery. It took several months and 3 tests, but
they found out my pulse was low (documented at 38 and 45 at the cariologist
office) and a pacemaker was implanted on Feb. 12, 2008. I'm also back on bp
pills. But I do not have high cholestorol any more, no sleep apnea, and I'm
about 140 pounds lighter. I did what I recommended the last two weeks
prior to RNY surgery, and I lost 18 pounds.
— Dave Chambers
March 25, 2008
OK< you need to calm down. We all have had concerns before surgery. I
was so fat, I could not tie my shoes. I could go on from there, but
everyone has their own list. I could not walk a block, so I did not
excersize before surgery. I did loose some weight. I went to the
nutricion classes and I took the after surgery diets and tried varrious
parts to see what I would like, and I bought books on after surgery meal
plans. I found I could stick to a 1000 cal. diet for three weeks before
surgery and took of 15 lbs. That is enought if you are worried about the
fat on your liver. Now talk to your doctor, as if you are having a RNY,
you will not be able to handle anti-inflamatory drugs, or drugs with a lot
of asprin. I have to take 4 baby asprin over the corse of the day because
one asprin at bed-time was burning a hole in my pouch. He needs to look at
your list of drugs you now take and see what can be done. Also time
release will not work with an RNY. Taking the drugs after surgery is more
dificult for the first 4 weeks, and I would sit there and take my 15 drugs
over one hour to get them down one at a time. I later found out I could
crush many of them and put them in applesauce (sugar free of cource) and
they went down easily. Today, less than 4 months later, I am almost 80 lbs
lighter and only take 3 drugs. My knees are so much better, that I don't
even think about the knee replacement they were pushing me to have on both
of my knees. I started excersizing for 10 mintues and each day did a
little more until today I go 7 days a week for one to one and one half
hours to my gym. I feel great, and look even better. Best of success to
you.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 26, 2008
These reasons are why we have the surgery to help us. Just do your
best...the doctors will understand and it will be ok. Do the program they
present to the best of your ability and try to stop beating yourself up.
We have a disesae and we need help treating it...Its great that finally
that is being recognized. Do what they say and don't blame yourself if it
doesn't work.
If dieting always worked everybody would be thin. If a calorie was a
calorie the same way to all my great friend wouldn't be able to eat 10000
calories or more a day and never have his weight fluctuate in 20 years. we
know better...Science will catch up and you will be healthier later...
Let the doctors help you with your meds and such..change is good Don't be
afraid you will be ok bless your heart!.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 26, 2008
I reading your concern looks like I wrote it. I am approx 16 mos out and I
am off all my bp meds I still took them after my surgery they weren't that
big. I still do take Celebrex for my arthritis it is in capusle form 200
mg twice a day (morning and night) I don't have any problem with capusle
pills. Even my tylnol is capsule and I also take ambien cr at night to
sleep with no problem. Just check with your Dr. and go over the meds that
you are taking. As you lose the weight you will most likely be off of them
anyway. Best of Luck
— niecie54
March 26, 2008
There are a LOT of differences in the different types of surgical
procedures. There are a LOT of differences in different SURGEONS. Some
surgeons require more of their patients than others. Some PROCEDURES
require more of the patient than others. You need to do some research and
find the BEST fit for YOU. I just had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy 3
weeks ago. My surgeon did NOT require me to lose weight. I had a BMI of
43.6. Now that isn't NEARLY as bad as many people. Had I been HEAVIER, he
may HAVE required it. I don't know. What I CAN tell you is that I was
having problems with arthritis in my knees and my shoulder. That was three
weeks ago. Now it is almost GONE. There is just a TWINGE every now and
again but NOTHING NEAR the constant agony that I was in before! I was also
a Diabetic 3 weeks ago. I have had to DROP all of my diabetes medications
a few days ago because the ONE glucovance pill that I was taking caused me
to have my blood sugar to DROP to 53 POINTS! My sugars are still a LITTLE
high, but under 150 and WITHOUT any medication! In a FEW weeks with some
MORE weight loss, I figure that my diabetes will be in COMPLETE remission!
I have lost 36 pounds in a little over 3 weeks with my surgery and it was
done WITHOUT feeling HUNGRY!
From what I have learned, your MAIN options are the LapBand, the Vertical
Banded Gastroplasty, the Gastric Bypass, The Duodenal Switch and the
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. There are other options, I am sure, but these
are the most common that I have found. There are also combinations of
these options ALSO available such as the Banded Duodenal Switch, the Banded
Gastric Bypass, and the Banded Sleeve Gastrectomy. The Banded options are
basically the same as the Regular surgeries but they have a LapBand added
as additional insurance in case of future need.
The LapBand is well known. It basically squeezes the stomach to make it
smaller and creates a pouch with a restriction at the top of the stomach
which fills quickly and empties slowly. The advantages of this surgery are
that it is reversible if needed and it is adjustable if needed. It is a
HIGHLY flexible procedure. This surgery is well known and excepted by many
insurance companies. It is best for people who have a history of cancer
either themselves or in their family and may need to take chemo-therapy and
for women in childbearing years who may become pregnant. There are also
other reasons for wanting this type of surgery, but I don't want to spend
ALL day writing this. There is an effective Excess body weight loss over 3
to 5 years of 50 to 60%. The PROBLEM with this option is that there are
sometimes complications with this device. Some people have a reaction to
the foreign object in their body. People with immune issues should NOT
have this device. Lupus and MS patients for example, can have a reaction
to the foreign body and it may trigger an immune system response. Other
issues with the LapBand are that it is common for the band to
"Slip" on the stomach and cause the pouch to enlarge thus causing
the person with the device to eat more and negating the purpose of the
surgery. Other times people have learned to "Eat around the
Band" and force the food PAST the band to fill up the rest of the
stomach and thus defeat the purpose of the band. Another issue with Banded
options is that occasionally the bands will erode the outside lining of the
stomach causing damage to the stomach that often needs repairs and calls
for a removal of the band and or a revision to some other type of weight
loss option. This happens in about less than 1% of the LapBand Surgeries
but it IS something that needs to be taken into consideration.
In the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty the surgeon makes a cut into the
stomach to create a pouch. He sews the pouch and places a band at the
bottom of the pouch. This banded option has less chance of the band
slipping since the cut in the stomach holds it into place. It also has the
advantage of being somewhat reversible but is not as easily reversible as
the LapBand. It is NOT as well known as it's famous banded cousin. There
my be difficulties in getting this option with some insurance companies.
It has many of the advantages and disadvantages of the LapBand surgery with
the exception that the Band does not tend to slip and let the pouch
expand.
The Gastric Bypass is made when the surgeon cuts the TOP of the stomach off
and creates a pouch. He then takes a length of intestine (I'm not certain
but I think about 10 feet) and BYPASSES it). He takes the LOOSE end that
is still attached to the intestines and sews it to the SIDE of the pouch
that was created from the TOP of the stomach. The BYPASSED intestine is
then attached to the side of the intestine that was connected to the pouch
so that BILE from the bile duct can empty bile from the liver into the
intestine. This option is often the DARLING of insurance companies. Many
companies that won't pay for any OTHER Weight Loss Surgeries will pay for
THIS one. THAT makes THIS surgery quite popular for many surgeons! This
surgery has the advantage of being a HIGHLY effective tool in the arsenal
of weapons against the foe obesity! It has an effective rate of weight
loss and maintenance of 60 to 80% in studies at 1 to 2 years. The
DOWNSIDE of this weight loss option is that there issues of malabsortion of
minerals and vitamins due to the bypassed intestine. This often leaves
the patient reliant on his doctor for the special supplements required to
maintain his or her health. Other issues are Dumping, nausea, vomiting,
gas and foul smelling stools. Dumping is basically when you have diarrhea
that is caused by the intestine's inability to absorb the food that was
eaten. Some people experience dumping with sweets. Others experience it
with fats. Each person seems to have their own issues but whatever they
are, they cause them to excrete the food that they ate before it was fully
digested. Nausea and vomiting, while experienced by many in ALL weight
loss surgeries is NOT experienced by ALL. It does seem to be MORE
PREVALENT in the GASTRIC BYPASS and DUODENAL SWITCH patients according to
the research that I have seen. The gas and foul smelling stool are also a
result of the shortened digestive process due to the bypassed intestine in
both the Gastric Bypass and the Duodenal Switch.
The Duodenal Switch is the STRONGEST tool in this arsenal of weapons! Many
surgeons think it shouldn't be used lightly and often only recommend the
procedure for people with a body mass index OVER 50! In the Duodenal
Switch, the surgeon REMOVES approximately 85% of the stomach including MOST
of the region of the stomach that produces the hormone grehlin. Grehlin is
one of the hormones that create HUNGER. Removing the section of the
stomach that creates hunger is a Huge feature of this procedure. The
surgeons then sew the rest of the stomach back together and create a tube
shaped pouch that resists stretching. The pouch varies in size depending
on the surgeon and the patient but can be anywhere from 2 ounces to 6
ounces. Perhaps more. The next step of this procedure involves bypassing
the intestine just like in the Gastric Bypass. Instead of attaching the
intestine to the SIDE of the pouch, it is attached to the BOTTOM of the
stomach where the intestine used to exit. The bypassed intestine is then
sewn at one end near the liver and the far end is sewn to the intestine to
pass bile to the intestine as it does in the gastric bypass. This
procedure is MORE efficient than the Gastric Bypass in losing weight. This
option has an effective rate of weight loss and maintenance of 70 to 90% in
those studies. The downside when compared to the Gastric Bypass is that
Insurance companies often do not know of this option and are often
reluctant to pay for it. This option has many of the same issues as the
Gastric Bypass. There are some severe malabsorbtion issues. There are
often issues with dumping, nausea, vomiting, gas and foul smelling stools.
The Many surgeons have been reluctant to perform this surgery due to the
severity of the complications that can arise. This is why it is often
reserved for those who are considered severely morbidly obese. Many
surgeons had looked for an alternative to this surgery which lead to what
was initially considered a "Half Duodenal Switch" or as it later
became known, the "Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy."
The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a GREAT tool to use in the fight against
obesity. While not QUITE as effective as the Duodenal Switch, it is often
JUST as effective as the Gastric Bypass without the severity of the side
effects of EITHER of those two options. The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
initially started as an attempt to create a safer Duodenal Switch
alternative. While early attempts were not as successful in weight loss
reduction, this was mainly due to the fact that the surgeons were relying
on the larger size pouch often used for the Duodenal Switch patients who
often rely on the "Switch" part of the surgery for some of the
weight loss. Once the surgeons started reducing the size of the POUCH, the
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy became a much more effective tool at helping
the patient loose weight. In the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, the Stomach
is cut and approximately 85% of it is removed. Just like the Duodenal
Switch, most of the cells that produce the hormone grehlin are removed.
This eliminates most of the hunger that the patient used to have, if not
all of it. The pouch that is made from what is left is turned into a tube
that is resistant to stretching. This tube is often designed to hold from
2 to 4 ounces of food or liquid. At this point the surgery is complete.
The surgeons just need to close up and the patient needs to recover. The
upside to this surgery is that it is simple and has one of the LOWEST rates
of complications of all the weight loss surgeries. It also has one of the
HIGHEST rates of excess weight loss with one study in California coming in
starting at 58 to 77.9% loss in a ONE to TWO year study and one doctor in
England reporting that 100% of his patients had a weight loss and
maintenance OVER 70% at 6 YEARS of living with the Sleeve. He also
reported that patients with hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose
tolerance, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, or arthritis were all cured or
improved after surgery. It has also been said that this is the ONLY
recommended option for people with immune system problems. People with
diseases like Lupus or MS can have this procedure because there is NO
foreign object placed in their body. This also is one of the few
recommended options for people with organ transplants. People with
transplants need their intestines to metabolize their anti rejection
medications. There are NO malabsorbtion issues with this surgery. There
are NO foul odors. There is NO additional gas. While nausea and vomiting
is common in ALL weight loss surgeries, it is NO MORE PREVALENT in the
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy than in most of the other options.
The Biggest DOWNSIDE to the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is that it is
considered "Experimental" by many insurance companies. While it
has not been practiced HERE in the US as a weight loss option for very long
(about 5 years or so) it has been done for QUITE a while in Central and
South America and in Europe for quite some time. The surgery has been used
HERE in the US for OTHER reasons for QUITE a while. It has been used QUITE
effectively to treat stomach cancers and ulcers with good effect. These
treatments have been done in the US for quite some time.
Options for getting surgeries that are not paid for by insurance can be
found if you are persist ant. You can sometimes petition the company and
get them to reconsider with a doctor's explanation. You can also self pay
or take out a loan. Many times, the surgeries are cheaper in Mexico or
other central or South American countries. Do some research to find your
options.
Not every surgery is going to be right for every person. Frankly, for ME,
if I were an obese male with a BMI under 50 (which I am) or an obese woman
NOT of child bearing age, I would choose the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.
If I were an obese male with a BMI OVER 50, I would get the Duodenal
Switch. If my insurance company would not COVER it, I would get the
Sleeve. If not THAT, then the Gastric Bypass. If I were a WOMAN of child
bearing years or a person facing the possibility of chemotherapy or some
other health issue like that, I would want the flexibility of the LapBand.
The short of it is, Do YOUR RESEARCH and CHOOSE the right surgical option
for YOU!
Hugh
— hubarlow
March 26, 2008
You sound like me exactly. I had my surgery in August of last year and I
can say that I was taken off my highblood preasure meds the day of surgery.
My blood preasure has not gone about 114/68 since the day of surgery.. It
used to be 150+ over 90+ and like I said the day of surgery my meds were no
longer needed..
I also was unable to do any exersizes due to my arthritus, degenerative
disc disease, bulging, ruptured herniated discs.. So what I did was, while
sitting in a chair I would do some leg lifts (obviously not to high) and
some arm exersizes, I would use a can of soup and just lift it as much as
possible with each arm.. No it didn't do to much, but it gave me the sense
of doing something.
Several months before surgery I started changing my eating habbits, I
started using those "special K meal bars" and "special K
waters" when you up your protein it takes the "cravings for
sweets and carbs" away.. I stoped drinking regular soda.. only diet..
I was able to lose 30 pounds right before surgery, and man was I glad.. It
made the surgery that much easier..
I have now realized that watching your carbs really does do you good... If
you can keep the carbs under 19g per meal that would be great.. When
exersizing the first thing that comes off is the carbs that you have eaten
for that day.. Meaning if you go over the 19g's per meal the exersizing you
do do only takes off the carbs and no weight.. Less carbs=more weight loss
no mater how little you exersize.
This is all from personal experiences, by the way.. I am not a dr or
anything of the sort.. Its just something I have realized works.. :) Get
more water or sugar free drinks in as possible.. :) that also will help you
feel fuller and will help with the cravings... Its so hard but so worth
it..
I hope this helps you..
God bless you
Paula
— japaad
March 26, 2008
Take it easy. We have all been there. Most of us have all the things you
talked about minus one or two and plus three or four others. All of that is
the very reason we take this journey. Do the best you can. Before my
surgery my Dr. suggested the Atkins diet for 3 weeks to shrink my liver.
This gives him more room to work when he gets in there laproscopically. I
was 344 when I started my journey and managed to take off over 30 lbs prior
to surgery. It has been just a little over a year and my weight is down to
224 making my total loss 120 lbs. Amazing. You can do it too. Just pick a
plan and stick to it. If you falter, move on and keep going. Just keep
going. Good luck and God Bless. Norma
— njkbutton
March 26, 2008
Try to take deep breaths and relax!!! I know you are in pain, that is
something you need to seriously think about because you will never be able
to take steriods or anti-inflamitory pills again. You can however take
shots, other forms of pain releavers etc. I have a pinched nerve in my tail
bone (which I broke). There is a new patch out that I am allowed to take,
talk to your doctor about it, it really helps and is an anti-inflamatory,
it is called Flector, it is a pretty big patch that you can cut to the
right size and place anywhere. I cut mine in half and found it works pretty
good, not as good as celebrex but close. You wear it 12 hours on and 12
hours off. Please remember that alot of things will improve as you lose
weight!!!!!!! I would look into some water therapy for exercise and have
you tried slimfast for your pre-op diet? The reason that most doctors want
you to lose 10% of your weight is so your liver shrinks a little bit, makes
it easier for them to move around but my doctor said, even 5 lbs makes a
difference, so they are all not the same with their pre-op regimen. Best of
luck to you, it will be better soon! See you on the losers bench!
Diane
— noboat4u
March 26, 2008
one thing is that you will get better after surgery and go off alot of your
meds. I had the same problems as you do and right now I'm off all but two
of my meds. Just one of them I was on before surgery and the other they put
me on after I was post op over a year. One health problem was never found
until then. My bp went to normal about 3 weeks after and I don't have any
GERD or acid reflex now from the surgery. If you have any questions just
email me @ [email protected]
— Sheba
March 26, 2008
I have djd severe nerve damage on right side and moderate on my left. I
have a torn disc in lower back as well as 2 herniations and 1 bulging in my
neck. I have arthritis in my right knee and some ankle probs on my left
foot. I go to the gym 5x week and do classes..the teachers are aware of my
probs and always show a technique for those of us with injuries. Also My
chiro, pain med Dr. and my spinal specialist have stessed how important it
is to exercise and stregthen the areas of my back which will lessen teh
pain in the long run, just sitting and doing nothing will actually make
things worse. I am not telling you to go and start some boot camp program
at the gym but they have recumbents which are bikes that you sit in and
they have a back support like a chair and there is no stress on your
knees,another machine is the elliptical which will really get you burning
some fat without putting any stress on your joints or back.The YMCA for me
is the best place because tehy offer so much and one last exercise is doing
a workout in the pool where there is absolutely pain free other than the
muscles getting stronger. YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN EXERCISE! If not you will be
doing more harm than good. Go to your local YMCA and talk to them. I
almost forgot that they have programs for seniors which are at a slower
pace but do the same thing strenghtening and just moving, I am only 36 but
have gone to them and have seen other young people in the classes as well.I
don't know what your diet is like now but cut out all sugars and sodas and
really start with healthy alternatives and start with protein shakes they
will feel you up and help you as you rebuild your muscles! I wish you all
the best and yo will be amazed at how good you will feel once you start
working your body!!
— KristinaSilvasy
March 26, 2008
Many meds are available in liquid form or can be cut/crushed. Talk w/your
pharmacist or Dr. You don't have to do without.
— Donna O.
March 27, 2008
If you NEED the NSAIDs like tylenol etc then perhaps you should consider
the DS?
In the Duodenal Switch procedure you can still take NSAIDs because rather
than a "pouch" you retain a functioning stomach.
Good luck!!
— SameButDifferent
March 27, 2008
I have been able to take all my meds. I have the disc problem plus I have
had to hip surgeries in the past 4 months and have taken all pain meds and
all regular meds including vitimians so don't worry to much
— jonicorona
March 27, 2008
My bariatric nutrition program provided a low calorie, just about no carb
eating plan to follow before surgery. If you would like copy, I can send it
to you via e-mail. I lost 21 lbs the month before surgery with no
exercise. I'm so happy to hear you are doing something to help your
health and I wish you all the best! Regina ([email protected])
— Bigwyfan1964
March 27, 2008
I am waiting for my RnY while we jump thru hoops for the insurance company.
Losing weight before this surgery is so hard but I am trying my best.
This is such a drastic step that I think we all fight doubts and worries
that this is the right path. Each of us has to weigh the benefits and
negatives of weight loss surgery and choose which one will give us a better
chance at a "normal" life. I have sincerely tried to lose and I
know that this will be necessary for me to be healthy again. I have
difficulty excercising also (due mostly to Fibromyalgia) but I've found
that I can excercise in water so much easier. I swim and do water aerobics
and would suggest that to anyone who has trouble moving. Good luck to you!
— DebbeeS
March 27, 2008
I was in that shape before surgery. Three knee surgeries to be
exact...degenerative disk disease...bulging
disks...arthritis..fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue...the list goes on...It's
been 8 years now...and no more knee surgeries or even
replacements...although I know one day it will happen...just losing the
weight put it off. My situation may be different. I always ate out of a
sense of obligation to whoever was "feeding' me. My mother...who was
obese..and always forcing food on me from childhood...I never had much of
an appetite..but I'd have to sit hours at the table until I finished
everything....ugh...then....a husband who LOVED his food..and needed me to
be his partner in "crime"....then...when I learned about the
surgery...it gave me the backbone finally to say NO!! because I COULD! It
was a liberation for me. What I did that may be helpful, was to buy a baby
spoon. I did protein shakes before surgery to build up a lagging protein
level...and even if your protein levels are not lagging..it's good to get
them higher...you heal better with higher levels and it helps with muscle
which burns more calories, ergo..weight loss. When I'd fix a meal...I'd
take a very small amount on a smaller plate...and eat with the baby spoon.
It took forever...and either boredom...or a sense of satisfaction with the
food would make me end it before I was finished. I did lose a few pounds
before surgery. I lost 184 lbs after surgery....well past my goal
weight..and I'm still below my original rather liberal goal for myself.
Regards~
— Statuesque
March 27, 2008
I was in that shape before surgery. Three knee surgeries to be
exact...degenerative disk disease...bulging
disks...arthritis..fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue...the list goes on...It's
been 8 years now...and no more knee surgeries or even
replacements...although I know one day it will happen...just losing the
weight put it off. My situation may be different. I always ate out of a
sense of obligation to whoever was "feeding' me. My mother...who was
obese..and always forcing food on me from childhood...I never had much of
an appetite..but I'd have to sit hours at the table until I finished
everything....ugh...then....a husband who LOVED his food..and needed me to
be his partner in "crime"....then...when I learned about the
surgery...it gave me the backbone finally to say NO!! because I COULD! It
was a liberation for me. What I did that may be helpful, was to buy a baby
spoon. I did protein shakes before surgery to build up a lagging protein
level...and even if your protein levels are not lagging..it's good to get
them higher...you heal better with higher levels and it helps with muscle
which burns more calories, ergo..weight loss. When I'd fix a meal...I'd
take a very small amount on a smaller plate...and eat with the baby spoon.
It took forever...and either boredom...or a sense of satisfaction with the
food would make me end it before I was finished. I did lose a few pounds
before surgery. I lost 184 lbs after surgery....well past my goal
weight..and I'm still below my original rather liberal goal for myself.
Regards~
— Statuesque
March 28, 2008
I'm reading some of the comments and I don't know where some are comming
from saying no more antinflamitory. No one has told me I can no longer
take my Celebrex. In fact in the hospital, the first med they brought me
to take was my Celebrex, so don't let anyone tell you you'll never be able
to take antinflamitory's again. By the way, I have a lot of the same
problems you do. I've had two back surgeries, knee replacement, hip
replacement, foot surgery, and hopefully when I loose the weight I will be
able to have back reconstruction on L1 - S1. I too kept gaining weight
before surgery. My problem was ice cream. You just have to honestly
evaluate your diet. Cut out carbs, especially sweets, and stay away from
fried foods and fast food. Since you can't walk (me either) you can
probably do aqua. I found even though I can't walk, I can do the
treadmill, it's a lot easier on your back. I can also do a stationary
bike. Not a recumbent, they'll hurt your knees. And if your leg muscles
are strong enough try an eliptical. They're really hard, but if you take
it slow and work up, they're great at burning calories. Also try a lite
aerobic class that also emphasizes strenth training and doing lots of
stretches. I have a Master's degree in Exercise Physiology so I kinda
know a little about working out. If it wasn't for the fact that I teach
senior adult fitness, where I stress strength training and streghting, I
probably would'nt be able to get out of bed, my artheritis would be so bad.
And I fight the fatigue from my fibro every day. Keep this in mind as
you get ready for surgery. My blood pressure was like 200/100 before
surgery. Cardiologist put me on ace inhibitors and beta blockers before
surgery which made me feel worse than without them. But two weeks after
surgery my bp was 126/64 with no meds. Surgery really does help a lot of
your problems. Good Luck. Paula B.
— paulajaneb
March 30, 2008
As to what others have said, you cannot take NSAIDS for arthritis with the
Rny. Check out the DS instead. YOu CAN TAKE NSAIDS WITH THE DS. Check out
the DS forum and duodenal switch.com.
— KRWaters
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