Hi! My name is Cindi, I weigh 298 pounds, and I expect to do the surgery in the next 4-6 weeks. I am nervous...I have friends tell me that I can lose it by another method.....but I just want to get it off as quickly as possible and get healthy.

I have a couple of questions. What is the recovery time really like? How exhausted are you? If you had a desk job, could you work a few hours a day in the first week or so?

Also....I currently work out and I drink a lot of water. Is it really possible t stay hydrated by sipping water during a workout?

And how much hair do you really lose?

I am sorry I am throwing so many questions out in my introduction. I guess I'm looking for reinforcement from folks who have had the surgery instead of the physicians performing the surgery.,

Do any of you regret having the surgery?

Cindi

First off, for me, the weight loss has not been any "quicker" than it would have been if I had stayed on the liquid protein shake/sensible dinner I did before surgery. But, the surgery, for me, has been a blessing because they also repaired a hiatal hernia that gave me hell for years. I did the surgery for health reasons. I am a type I diabetic and the excess weight was killing me.
As for working, exercise, etc. I had a little pain in my left abdominal region, but nothing that would have kept from a desk job. I think that would be a question to ask your surgeon, though.
I manage to stay well hydrated with 64-80 fluid oz. of water a day.
As for hair loss, I have not lost any. I take my multivitamin, calcium, sublingual B12, and iron every day. Focus on protein each day as well, and you shouldn't lose much hair. If you notice that you are, try taking biotin--it helps.
As for questions, honestly, building a good rapport with your bariatric surgeon and dietitian (one who specializes in bariatric patients) is the best option.

Hi my name is Nicole, I am 32 and from San Diego, California. I am going on month 3 of my pre-op appointments. My surgery is sleighted for sometime in March. I haven't met my surgeon yet, I plan to in the next few weeks. I am having a hard time choosing which surgeon to use. There are two within the program I am involved with. I haven't always been a fan of the surgery. Mostly because I kept telling myself I could do it on my own. Sadly I didn't realize this until my weight got crazy out of control. I had made a promise to myself that if I couldn't make some postive change in a year I would look at surgery as an option. I kept my promise and in August I met with my primary care doctor who then sent me to the medical groups weight loss clinic. I would probably be having my surgery sometime next month had I went ahead and followed through with the appointment I had in august but I still found myself in a bit of denial. I finally went in October and now I am on my way. No regrets. I keep telling myself that because I don't want to feel like I failed. I am doing what I need to do now. I'm so glad I made that promise to myself because I was basically told there were no other options for weight loss other than surgery. They felt my BMI was too high to be sucessful on my own. I am having the roux-en-y proceedure for the same reasons. I don't think I am nervous, more anxious than anything. But I suppose as time gets closer I will be. I am trying to maintain a certain level of excitement but I often find myself frustrated with the lack of support and all from the same people who had been telling me for years that I should get the surgery done and now that I've finally made up my mind to do so I find a lof of those people are now telling me not to have it. I have had to walk away from many conversations because people have one thing or another to say that is directly against what I am doing or if they feel that what my doctor has told me is wrong information. It's gets pretty tiresome and I have pretty much developed and I don't care what you think I am doing this for me not you and my doctor is a doctor for a reason and you aren't attitude. If the topic brought up I try my best to change the subject.

Hello my name is Pinkie I am not new mfp but I am new to groups. Ok well a little about me I am a Wife and mother of 4, my surgery date is in January (day to be figured out later) I am ready, its been a long road leading to where I am, and it's time to get my health under control permanently. with that wish me luck!

Hi!
This is Carol, 54 yo and aiming for RNY surgery this summer. I'm halfway through the 3 month pre-op time with dr. and dietician. Very encouraging so far. Unfortunately I'm not a creative cook, and convenience is the key... and has also been a lot of the problem. Learning from all who have gone before me will be wonderful. Started at 270, goal maybe 170.

Hi Everyone! I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op. I used MFP for my 6 month pre-surgery weight loss program and am continuing to use it for for tracking calories and protein intake post surgery. I started pureed food this week and am doing pretty well so far. Down 19 lbs since surgery. )

Hi, my name is Carolyn from Everett, WA. I am going to have the bypass surgery next month, hopefully soon they will give me an exact date. I am having it because I have diabetes and a number of other health issues and this is a way to put diabetes into remission and of course to be healthy.
I am excited and nervous about this whole process!

Hi Everyone! I am Amber, 33, single mom and had my RNY April 1, 2013. I've been tinkering back and forth between 50-60 lbs. I've pretty much stalled for the last few months. However, I've not been doing as I am supposed to. I don't have dumping symptoms it seems with anything so I've taken advantage of that. My hopes are to start the 5 day pouch diet tomorrow and start anew. I've got Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism and a family history of heart disease. I quit smoking two months prior to my surgery so I've made really good progress towards living a healthier lifestyle and I want this so bad. I am here to get support from you guys first and foremost. But also, I feel if I track my food prior to eating it I can see where I'm making my biggest mistakes. I'm glad to be here and I really look forward to seeing that scale drop again.

Greetings all, I am Guardianwill and post op gastric bypass last sept - 2013. I am 7 months out and already surpassed the doctors goals and have 20 remaining pounds to lose. I hope with the 1 year window that I will have the opportunity to lose this 20 pounds. Hope to meet each of you to inspire and be inspired!

Hi, I'm Tiffany. I live in Arkansas. I'm a mother of 2 & 40 years old. I was approved and scheduled for surgery June 17, 2014.
I'm so nervous. I'm having second thoughts. I think it's because I'm on my liquid diet, things are getting real, and I'm hungry. I come in way under my 800 calories/day. I'm never really hungry, just thinking about food. Nothing ever sounds good, so I don't eat. Does this all work itself out?

It is all part of the process. Everyone gets nervous and worries. But every person I've asked is glad they did it, and wish they had done it sooner.