PLS POST SUCCESS WITH BARIATRIC SURGERY

I had an RNY done in December 2008 and lost close to 200 lbs during that year. I recommend connecting with the people on ObesityHelp.com also. They have great support groups. I lost a lot of weight the first yelar. I never reached my goal, but I made significant health strides. Diabetes went away. COPD went away. High blood pressure went away. I think better. I was very very big. I maintained for four years, and then this last year/14 months, I started grazing and gained 40 lbs. YIKES.

So, I am backtracking and have started monitoring myself here. I've lost 18 lbs so far.

So about bariatric surgery...

The first year, you cannot eat. You do not want to eat. Eating hurts. You will have no appetite. And yes, the surgery hurts. Don't be afraid to take your pain meds. You may suffer a bit of depression.

If you eat the wrong foods, you will want to die. Trust me, you will test it, and you will feel it. Don't beat yourself up about it. Everyone pushes the envelope, and everyone suffers for it.

Dumping is not fun. You will never ever ever vomit again like a normal person. It comes back up the same way it went down. Your stomach no longer has bile in it (you digest in your intestines). Ever see a cat hock up a hair ball. That is what you will do. Basically, it is like pooping out of your mouth. You want to avoid this. It is not pleasant. Also, you can get what I refer to as the slimes especially if you eat something wet. You will hock up mouthfuls of slime. Just spit it out. It's beyond gross. You wanted honesty. But on the bright side, you will never heave or vomit nasty bile vomit again.

Things I suggest. Of course do what your doctor says and your nutritionist.

Do not ever drink with meals. It pushes the food through the stoma and can stretch your pouch. If you go to a restaurant and they push you to order a drink, just let them bring water.

Always eat protein first and eat little tiny bites. Remember you are digesting in your intestines now so do as much digesting in your mouth as you can. Otherwise you might find yourself doubled over with pain. Also, be forewarned you will have the nastiest gas you can imagine. Warn your significant other. Definitely get incense for the bathroom.

Eat vegetables after protein.

Avoid carbs if possible.

Do not drink any liquids with calories including juices, Avoid drinks with fake sweeteners in them. Get used to drinking beverages with no sugar. The sweeteners just makes the farting worse.

Do not drink any carbonated beverages -- can do awful things to your pouch. Seriously. DO NOT DRINK CARBONATED DRINKS.

Sugary foods will make your dump which is very unpleasant. Carbs can make you dump. The sickest I ever got was eating spaghetti. Thought I would die. Hoped I would die.

Be prepared to totally reinvent yourself -- that might mean changing jobs, changing friends, moving ... do what you have to do. One of the hardest things I had to learn was that people who loved me had a lot invested in me being fat. your feelings may be hurt. Also, people still act like schmucks when you are thin. The fallacy that people don't like you because you are fat is a fallacy. If they aren't going to like you, they aren't going to like you whether you are fat or a supermodel.

Also, because you will lose weight so fast your self image doesn't always catch up to the reality. Your body may become thin, but your brain may still process that you are fat. This is especially true when buying clothes. You will automatically try to buy clothes that are too big. Wierdest thing for me was when I could buy clothes in a regular store. I still have trouble with that and find myself walking around The Avenue or Lane Bryant. It's wierd. Also, as you get smaller you might feel vulnerable.

If you go out to eat -- ask the waitstaff for a takeout box immediately and dump half of it in the takeout box. It will probably be lunch and dinner the next day.

Do not drink alcohol. You won't have the tolerance you had with a full sized stomach and you will get stupid drunk very very quick. I made a complete *kitten* of myself at age 50 on a cruise around Manhattan dancing with a bunch of gay guys. Fortunately, they were drunk too, but the pictures my daughter took are embarassing. Just remember, you will officially be a cheap date from now on because it will be easy to get you drunk and you won't be able to eat much (that's a joke). Oh, and when you lose weight, those guys really are hitting on you -- they aren't just being friendly.

Always sip your drinks.

Your hair will fall out -- but that stops after a while and your hair will eventually be normal again.

Your skin will be dry -- same as hair. it will even out.

You will find you have SO much more money because you aren't eating. Go buy yourself new clothes and treat yourself. Learn to treat yourself with other things other than food. Be adventurous. Do things you never did before (just don't go on cruises around Manhattan, get drunk, and dry hump gay boys half your age -- or if you do, don't let anyone take pictures).

Do not graze (which was my downfall). I got a sedentary job and would munch on crackers all day. Weight came back with a vengeance.

One thing I have noticed that apart from the grazing, I am really not all that interested in food. I always tell people after the surgery, I eat what I want -- I just want to eat different things than I did before. I was always a sugar fiend -- now I like crackers and salty crunchy things.

So, there we go. I am sure I could think of more. Feel free to write back if you have any questions or need a shoulder. Mostly don't stress. Enjoy life. :-)

In reply to Kakes80:

I am sorry. I mean no disrespect for you either, but apparently your are not in the same situation. If other options have worked for you, that is great, but not every situation is the same. Besides, it seems like you are thinking that she is taking an easy way out, but that is not correct. Getting a vertical sleeve or any other bariatric surgery just gives you a tool to help you lose weight. You still have to work very hard to reach your goal by watching what you eat and exercising.