I am going to have Gastirc By-Pass surgery...

[riddle]

Haven't been on in a while but I had a sleeve done 10/26. I am now a little over 2 months post op and am down 48 pounds. I am thrilled.

 

We just booked a cruise for the end of February. At first I was concerned but came to realize that eating on a cruise will be much easier than going to a restaurant. There are always a lot of choices and if you only eat a little bit of it so what. I am tired of taking food home from restaurants because I can only eat a small amount of it. Cruising for me!

 

I hope to be down another couple sizes by the time we leave. I feel like a new person. I do not get as many comments as I thought I would - I guess people are afraid to say anything for fear you may be ill.

 

Most of my physical problems are gone or almost gone - I think diabetes is almost gone, blood pressure is great, knees and other joints feel much better.

[GHarkness]

Congrats on your sleeve - I have a friend who had a sleeve done just a few weeks ago and he's doing wonderfully well (the sleeve was done after his lap band failed).

 

Yes, people probably think you have cancer or some terrible disease; at least, those who don't know you well. I had a LOT of people think that of me...but I soon set them straight, once they got up the nerve to ask "you look great, but .....are you OK?"

 

Do realize, too, that your sleeve - and your new body - are forever. However, people will soon get tired of remarking on your appearance, whether positively or otherwise, and eventually, most people will forget the "old" you and move on to the next novelty. You will appear....normal! YAY!

 

I just got back from our Christmas cruise. Had a wonderful time, sent lots of food back uneaten, because there's just no reason to eat past satiety, even though I am FIVE years out (!) Congrats to you, and keep us posted, yahear? :D

[Let'sGo!]

I literally just read every post in this thread, because for the longest time, I was contemplating WLS. I explored the band and the traditional bypass. I even contacted my insurance company to determine if I was a candidate for them to pay for it. (I am fortunate to have insurance that includes bariatric services if you meet certain BMI guidelines).

 

I opted to try losing weight on my own before undertaking such a radical surgery. Just reading the posts of all of you who have had it, reinforces my idea that it is radical surgery. I figured if I wasn't successful, then I would persue the surgery.

 

I lost 66 pounds in a year and a half through traditional diet and exercise. When you haven't exercised for 20 years, just doing anything jumpstarts your body. Ironically, I no longer meet my insurance requirements. I am no longer in the obese category. I'm also about 50 pounds away from my goal weight.

 

For those of you who are struggling with the financial aspects of weight loss surgery... at least just try doing it the old fashioned way first. You might be surprised at your inner-strength.

 

Ann

[GHarkness]

With respect: Are You Serious?

 

Do you really believe that none of us actually tried (and succeeded) losing weight before resorting to surgery? Many of us have been up and down the scale so many times, it's embarrassing. Do you really think that - if only we discovered our "inner strength" ...we'd be skinny as a rail!

 

Come back here in five years, ten years, and fifteen years, and tell us how well you've done. I sincerely hope that you are able to finish - and maintain - your weight loss. Reality says that if you do, you will be in the scant 5%.

 

I truly hope you do make the 5%, but I do believe that a little less condescension is in order. We are talking about people who might not be alive today if they had not had the surgery...and that is NOT because they didn't try doing it the "old-fashioned" way.

[Cruiser Crystal]

Hello All,

 

I too, had Gastric by-pass surgery. Mine was done 5 months ago and I am down 60 lbs and working on the next 60 lbs.

 

Congrats to all that have reached their goal. I really know just how hard it is to use this tool to get to your ideal weight.

 

QUESTION for all surgery patients that have cruised:

 

I will be cruising in March 2012 and am looking for tips or advice on how you managed your portion control and getting in all your protein????

 

This will be my first cruise after surgery. There is no problem on my daily routine to get in the 60-80 grams per day of protein, because I have it all mapped out, however, on the sea I will really have to plan accordingly.

 

Thank you in advance for your time and advice!!!!

[Let'sGo!]

GH - thanks for the really kind and unnecessary response.

 

I didn't think I was condincending at all. In fact, I said I HAD explored WLS. AND it was during the pre-surgery counseling I was required to attend, I learned that many -- yes many -- turn to surgery before really putting their heart into something else.

I was stating that my pre-dieting before I could actually go through the steps of surgery put me out of range for insurance payment of the surgery. That's when the lightbulb went off for me.

 

I have several friends that are in that category of "wouldn't be alive today" thanks to their bypasses, sleeves, etc. I know they didn't take the easy way out. and I respect that.

 

So - to each his or own method. Do I want to cut open my body and rearrange what God put there? No. Does anyone? No.

 

I simply wanted to encourage those that are stressing (and likely stress eating) over the overwhelming costs associated with WLS to at least consider some alternatives. Unlike your post - I was not speaking for the masses, I was speaking for myself.

 

For what its worth, starting a post with "with respect" then proceeding to scold someone for voicing their opinion... really isn't respectful at all.

 

I hope I buck your statistics... thanks for the vote of support.

 

 

Ann

[GHarkness]

So - to each his or own method. Do I want to cut open my body and rearrange what God put there? No. Does anyone? No.

 

Then you should not. Whether you felt like it or not, your post wasn't about you, but what you thought others should do. Example:

 

at least just try doing it the old fashioned way first. You might be surprised at your inner-strength.

 

As I may have mentioned previously, people who resort to (and I use the words "resort to" advisedly) bariatric surgery do so because they already have tried everything else and find that nothing else has given them lasting results - for whatEVER reason.

 

So, while you may consider my response to have been unnecessary - and you certainly are welcome to your opinion - I could not have slept at night and left those who I know have been vilified already for making their choices - undefended.

 

As you said...it's an opinion. You have yours; I have mine.

[GHarkness]

QUESTION for all surgery patients that have cruised:

 

I will be cruising in March 2012 and am looking for tips or advice on how you managed your portion control and getting in all your protein????

 

I know that the first year after my bariatric surgery, I had the same concerns as you do, especially when cruising.

 

On my first post-surgery cruise, I used protein powder. In the morning, just bring your favorite protein powder into the Lido with you, get a scoop of cottage cheese and stir in the powder. Nobody has to know, if you don't want to feel "different." Or, if you drink it with milk, there is always milk available. Some stir protein powder into their water (not *I*). Some people use a shaker bottle so their protein powder will stir up well. Some people bring pre-made cans of protein drinks, but they are heavy and bulky and you will be subject to explaining why you are carrying all those drink cans on some cruise lines.

 

Eggs. If you eat at the buffet, there will be eggs, though I always avoided the pre-scrambled ones. You can almost always get an omelette, or eggs over-easy, or soft-boiled ones.

 

For lunch you can always get a hamburger patty. For dinner....there is always meat. Just be careful to get a meat that is moist and that you can easily swallow, because chicken can cause you untold misery in that situation - I know!

 

In fact, you should test in advance what you actually CAN eat that you already know will be available. And remember that although your food choices may be a little monotonous - it's no longer "all about the food," for people like us :)

 

Concerning portion control: Just don't eat more than you should, seriously. You can't expect the dining room staff or any servers to know or accommodate how much you should eat. Get accustomed to the idea of leaving food on your plate. If they serve something you shouldn't eat (I never eat potatoes, under any circumstance), then just leave it on your plate. Trust me: nobody cares. The only situation you might run into is if the waiter thinks you don't like the food....big smiles are in order here, and assure him you just really can't eat any more, and mention how much you loved it. That's all they really care about - that you won't come back complaining about the food or the service, which would get them in trouble. Don't bother using the words "surgery" or "gastric" anything....that is a concept that is pretty foreign to most people, it's TMI, and their eyes tend to glaze over.

 

Another dinner option is to order an appetizer (like shrimp cocktail) for your main course. If you have taken care of your protein needs already, then portion control should be easy. If you still need more protein for the day, order an additional shrimp cocktail. The servers are accustomed to that.

 

If you are concerned about being "different," don't be. You ARE different, but really - nobody cares! For myself, I know I am different and I don't really care whether others are okay with it or not, but it takes a little getting used to that first year.

[suezyq50]

QUESTION for all surgery patients that have cruised:

I will be cruising in March 2012 and am looking for tips or advice on how you managed your portion control and getting in all your protein????

I had surgery in July 2011 and my cruise after surgery was in Oct. I was real concerned. I ordered an omlet for breakfast and ate about 1/3 of it. I tried yogurt, but it had too much sugar. For lunch, I could usually find grilled chicken and put it on a salad. I would have cheese or meat from the salad bar as a snack. For dinner, I split off half of the portion when I got it. This gave me a visual. Sometimes servers would ask if everything was ok. I just smiled and said wonderful.

[BillOh]

I had surgery in July 2011 and my cruise after surgery was in Oct. I was real concerned. I ordered an omlet for breakfast and ate about 1/3 of it. I tried yogurt, but it had too much sugar. For lunch, I could usually find grilled chicken and put it on a salad. I would have cheese or meat from the salad bar as a snack. For dinner, I split off half of the portion when I got it. This gave me a visual. Sometimes servers would ask if everything was ok. I just smiled and said wonderful.

 

 

Well done.

[kj304]

Me and my wife both had the sleeve done hers was October 28th she is down 75 pounds mine was done November 11th I am down 108. We are going on our next cruise April 14th on the Carnival Dream. Does anyone have any tips for not over doing it? and has anyone done the chefs table since surgery? if did it feel rude for you not to eat everything that was prepared.

[valancy1]

Me and my wife both had the sleeve done hers was October 28th she is down 75 pounds mine was done November 11th I am down 108. We are going on our next cruise April 14th on the Carnival Dream. Does anyone have any tips for not over doing it? and has anyone done the chefs table since surgery? if did it feel rude for you not to eat everything that was prepared.

 

For what it's worth, last year was my first year taking a cruise after having Roux-en-Y surgery. I am not sure, but I think RNY patients might have a more restricted diet? Anyway, I went being 5 lbs. from my goal. I treated my cruise as ANY OTHER DAY AT HOME when it came to dietary concerns. I gained NO WEIGHT while I was cruising--none. But I worked out while I was out on the cruise and ate the right way.

 

My personal opinion is it is not worth going to the chef's table. It is a LOT of money to not eat the food... so why bother?

 

My hope for you is that you do what you normally do now. I am strident in my compliance with my eating and I don't let events dictate what I eat.

 

BTW, CONGRATULATIONS on your successes!! I wish you a lifetime of no re-gain!

[debandbruce]

I am so glad that people on here are discussing WLS. I am having roux en y in May, after my April cruise. I have tried my whole life to lose weight and have done every diet imaginable. I do not eat a lot and I am not a big sweet eater, even with this I do not lose weight. I suffer from chronic pain and can't exercise very well, just walking and swimming.

In Canada we are fortunate that if your Dr recommends WLS and puts you on the registry it is paid for by our health system. It takes awhile to get it done and you undergo a lot of tests to make sure you are a candidate. I went through all of this, it has been a 3 year process.

There was someone who was upset because they felt another person was talking badly about lap-band. I don't think the person meant to come across the way it was taken. Our health care system will not cover lap-band because they feel that lap-band does not produce the same success rates as the RNY and sleeve. Not saying that it doesn't work for some people but our government feels if they are putting out the kind of money they are it had better be a success. I believe with all of the surgeries it truly is what you do after the surgery that will determine it's success. If you follow what you are told then you will be successful.

I know I have a long road ahead of me but I am looking forward to the journey. Nothing that is worth it is ever easy and this will be worth it.

[valancy1]

I am so glad that people on here are discussing WLS. I am having roux en y in May, after my April cruise. I have tried my whole life to lose weight and have done every diet imaginable. I do not eat a lot and I am not a big sweet eater, even with this I do not lose weight. I suffer from chronic pain and can't exercise very well, just walking and swimming.

In Canada we are fortunate that if your Dr recommends WLS and puts you on the registry it is paid for by our health system. It takes awhile to get it done and you undergo a lot of tests to make sure you are a candidate. I went through all of this, it has been a 3 year process.

There was someone who was upset because they felt another person was talking badly about lap-band. I don't think the person meant to come across the way it was taken. Our health care system will not cover lap-band because they feel that lap-band does not produce the same success rates as the RNY and sleeve. Not saying that it doesn't work for some people but our government feels if they are putting out the kind of money they are it had better be a success. I believe with all of the surgeries it truly is what you do after the surgery that will determine it's success. If you follow what you are told then you will be successful.

I know I have a long road ahead of me but I am looking forward to the journey. Nothing that is worth it is ever easy and this will be worth it.

 

Deb,

 

It IS a vicious circle isn't it? I wish you the best. Having my surgery was the absolute best thing I've ever done for myself. I reached my goal 6 months ago and stay within 2 lbs. of my lowest weight for the most part. Two pounds is acceptable for me. I still eat the way I'm supposed to; I still work out. It really has become a way of life. If I can ever help please feel free to drop me a line--valancy1 AT verizon (dot) net...

[debandbruce]

Thank you Debra, I will most certainly take you up on your offer. Just having someone to chat to who has been through this will be great. My surgery could of been this past Monday but I am going on the Silhouette on April 10th so surgeon said after I come back it is! I have to drink optifast for 3 weeks pre surgery to shrink my liver. Don't know what it was like for you in the States but we drink this stuff 4 times a day and can only have water, decaf coffee or tea(no dairy, no sugar), sugar free jello and popsicles for the entire 3 weeks. 2 days before the surgery it is the usual clear fluids.

We can't have soda, alcohol or caffeine for 2-3 months before the surgery but I gave it all up last June when I first heard we had to, figured there was no point putting it off so just jumped right in. Looking forward to a nice holiday and then back home to prepare. I was actually told by my specialist last week that I need to avoid gluten and dairy for my other issues so I will have to be very dedicated to my diet for 2 reasons now. Guess it's just that time in my life for big changes.

[Bird in Jersey]

Me and my wife both had the sleeve done hers was October 28th she is down 75 pounds mine was done November 11th I am down 108. We are going on our next cruise April 14th on the Carnival Dream. Does anyone have any tips for not over doing it? and has anyone done the chefs table since surgery? if did it feel rude for you not to eat everything that was prepared.

I had RNY gastric bypass in March 2011 and went on my first cruise in July 2011. I did gain weight, because I thought I felt I had to taste everything. I did loose the weight I gained in less than 2 weeks by going back to all the tools that we were given to be healthy. I actually did very well with the buffet, because I controlled what I put on my plate. In rh past, when i was heavier, a buffet was not a good choice. Dinner and all the courses was the problem. It was too much food for my 4month pouch and my year pouch. When I ate fish dishes, I was fine, but by the 3rd night i was sick of fish. My suggestion is take protein powder if you wish to. Eat light at lunch and do not order the main course at dinner. I actually enjoyed the appetizer more than the main course. Because i was only 4 months out, it actually disturbed me seeing people eating so much food. I will be on a cruise in August and yes, I am preparing myself mentally,emotionally and spiritually. I plan on exercising like I am doing now, which is 5-6 days a week. I plan on keeping lunch very light and ordering an entree or appetizer, not both. Eat food that you normally do not eat at home. I am so grateful that i had this surgery and realize the surgery is not for everyone. I work constantly to keep myself on track. I am off of my hypertensive medication and am no longer pre-diabetic. I am 118lbs lighter and feel fabulous. :D Last word of advice Journal during cruise to keep yourself accountable. I have not done the chef table, but from the description, is sounds like too much food to handle. I would not pay extra money for a few bites of food.

[suezyq50]

I have to drink optifast for 3 weeks pre surgery to shrink my liver. Don't know what it was like for you in the States but we drink this stuff 4 times a day and can only have water, decaf coffee or tea(no dairy, no sugar), sugar free jello and popsicles for the entire 3 weeks. 2 days before the surgery it is the usual clear fluids.

It really depends upon the doctor. My doctor had me do what you are doing. Cut way back, but thats ok. I had my surgery in July. Had a visit today. I have lost 87 pounds. I am so excited. Doctor was pleased.

[BillOh]

Here is one I'll throw out for your consideration that I wouldn't dare mention in the main forums for the masses to criticize. You know that health form you have to fill out before you board? I normally follow rules, but this is one case, i know why the rule is in place and choose to circumvent it. They ask if you have vomited in the past 24 hours. This is done solely to determine if you might be suffering from any gastointestinal issues that could be contagious. My wife had the bypass and I had the lapband. We are sucess stories, but on rare occasions we do something wrong and things may come up. In the excitement of the day getting to the ship, she forgot her normal breakast and got something at the airport and then ate too fast. She lost it, but technically she vomited that day. There was no way I was going to admit that. I knew 100% why she did that and I wasn't going to chance being confined to the cabin or denied boarding. I can easily envision a ships doctor, "erring on the safe side".

 

My experience was once we were on the ship. With the lapband, eating too fast or not chewing properly can cause issues. I ate a piece of chicken that was too dry and I didn't chew. There was no way it was going to stay down and I was in distress. It wasn't time to get to our cabins yet and I tried to find an obscure bathroom, but a bunch of kids came in to play for 10 minutes and I didn't want to be heard bringing it up.

[GHarkness]

With the "have you vomited" question, I prefer to answer the question they really want the answer to, not the question they actually asked (e.g. Are you sick with something that someone might catch?") Although I have only vomited once in six years, I wouldn't hesitate for one minute to say NO if I **had** vomited as a result of something I ate that disagreed with my pouch.

 

Anybody over on the main board that isn't okay with that, well, they can just stay home :D

[valancy1]

Here is one I'll throw out for your consideration that I wouldn't dare mention in the main forums for the masses to criticize. You know that health form you have to fill out before you board? I normally follow rules, but this is one case, i know why the rule is in place and choose to circumvent it. They ask if you have vomited in the past 24 hours. This is done solely to determine if you might be suffering from any gastointestinal issues that could be contagious. My wife had the bypass and I had the lapband. We are sucess stories, but on rare occasions we do something wrong and things may come up. In the excitement of the day getting to the ship, she forgot her normal breakast and got something at the airport and then ate too fast. She lost it, but technically she vomited that day. There was no way I was going to admit that. I knew 100% why she did that and I wasn't going to chance being confined to the cabin or denied boarding. I can easily envision a ships doctor, "erring on the safe side".

 

My experience was once we were on the ship. With the lapband, eating too fast or not chewing properly can cause issues. I ate a piece of chicken that was too dry and I didn't chew. There was no way it was going to stay down and I was in distress. It wasn't time to get to our cabins yet and I tried to find an obscure bathroom, but a bunch of kids came in to play for 10 minutes and I didn't want to be heard bringing it up.

 

I am SO there with you. I would never admit to that either. I am like you--sometimes something that worked yesterday doesn't work today. NO WAY would I admit to that. And smart for you for understanding what they are asking!

[kanitter]

I'm afraid I'm as guilty as you. I also was a little sick to my stomach on the morning right before our first cruise. It hadn't been that long since my surgery and I still hadn't learned all the foods I needed to avoid. The sausage in the London bed and breakfast was something I won't eat again. :( There was no way I was going to miss our cruise because a doctor didn't want to trust me when I said it was because of surgery not the flu. The cruise was great, I even lost a couple of pounds. :D It's been a little over 2 years and I'm down 150 pounds. So far I've been able to keep it off and I plan on keeping it that way. So good luck to all that have surgery coming up or that have just had surgery. It's well worth it.

[fergusonvt]

Hello,

I would love to explore the possibility but without insurance, It must be for people that are financially secure. I do have a friend who had this done,she is very thin now. She told me her doctor told her most people never gain their weight back. She is 5 feet 9 inches tall and went from a 22 to a size 8 and her clothes hang on her. she still likes her sweets though.

 

JK

 

There is a woman at the gym I go to that gained all her weight back plus some. If you don't deal with any emotional reasons for overeating it is a possibility.

 

Sent from my LePanII using Tapatalk 2

[suezyq50]

There is a woman at the gym I go to that gained all her weight back plus some. If you don't deal with any emotional reasons for overeating it is a possibility.

 

Sent from my LePanII using Tapatalk 2

Yes, I agree, overeating is a real thing and is possible. This is what I am afraid of. I feel so good now. I don't want the weight back.

[valancy1]

I can't stress enough for those who are just starting their journey that EXERCISE is an absolute MUST for the rest of your life IF you want to keep the weight off. Even when you reach your goal, you will never have the same metabolism of someone who is a normal weight and never had a weight problem. So in addition to getting your head in order, you must come to the acceptance that exercise is key...