newcomer
Hi everyone!<br><br>My name is Cherilyn, and I am
new to the group. I have resolved that I am going to
have WLS, but I have a few questions I wonder if any
of you can offer insight on.<br><br>1. I had my gall
bladder removed in ‘95. Will that negatively impact my
chances of having a successful surgery?<br><br>2. My
husband and I are interested in starting a family in a
few years. I don’t want to put off the surgery that
long, as I weigh nearly 300 pounds and probably
couldn’t handle pregnancy well at this size. How would
having a gastric bypass effect my
pregnancies?<br><br>Thank you in advance for your input!<br><br>Cherilyn
January 11th, 2004 at 6:20 pm
Cherilyn~ I also had my gall bladder removed in
] and I weigh less than 170!!! Amazing!! This was
‘95, and it just saved a step in this process. The
only bearing it had on this surgery was they didn’t
have to worry about it!! <br> My surgeon advised me to
wait 2 years after surgery to have a
pregnancy….although my husband and I are done adding to our family, I
thought it was good to know everything I could before
surgery. Check with your surgeon, he would have a better
answer on that, but I know people do have babies after
this surgery without added complications. <br><br>Just
for my 2 cents on the surgery subject…I had my
open-rny February 21,2000. I feel great!! My starting
weight was 237, and I wore a very tight size 20.(I am
5′4") Here I am now, nearly 4 months post-op, wearing a
baggy size 12 [ I can hardly believe it when I fold my
laundry that my buns can fit into these levi shorts!!!
the only way I was ever going to see results, and I
am thankful everyday that this opportunity was
available for me.! <br>I hope I was helpful. Good luck in
your quest! Kelli
January 11th, 2004 at 11:41 pm
Kelli, I had my surgery almost 4 weeks ago. I’m
trying to stay busy and do all I should do. I have a
hard time drinking the protein drink(yuck!!) At first
I seemed to be losing so fast, now I seem to be
standing still!!!! I hope I’m not eating too much because
it seems I’m hardly eating anything. What is a
normal day of food for you? Will we ever be able to eat
anyway around normal again? I’m so glad you have done so
well.<br>I hope in 4 months to be as happy. When were you
allowed to do exercise and how much do you do???<br>Sorry
for all the ????s. I hope you or others will write
back and let me know. Thanks, Barbie
January 12th, 2004 at 5:01 am
Hi, I’m not Kelli…so I hope you don’t mind
another response *s*<br><br>Have you tried adding
"extracts" to your protein drink? Or Yoplait yogurt…the
100cal/carton stuff…low, low fat…and low sugar, too. They
help lots.<br><br>I noticed that the weight didn’t
come off quickly until I started walking. I walk 40
minutes or so at least 4 times a week. I’m not quite 3
months post op (will be on the 27th) and I’ve dropped
48.5lbs…I’m just dying to lose another 1.5…and then I’ll
hit 50!! *g*<br><br>Good luck,<br>Linda
January 12th, 2004 at 3:43 pm
Hi Barbie!! Well, I am not an "old pro", but in
my opinion, you have done the hardest part already.
The surgery and first 2 weeks of recovery are the
hardest part of all!! I started walking on a regular
basis about 3wks post op. Monday - Saturday, 2miles a
day. At 6wks I began water aerobics (wonderful..no
jarring on tummy muscles while getting a decent workout)
I go to that class 3x weekly. I increased my walk
to 3.5-4miles each day now, and can go much faster,
and I feel better. (i am not an excercise lover!! it
is a huge effort to get going, but i feel guilty
when i don’t go, and feel physically good when i
do….)<br>I too am a queen of plateaus, and or slow losing. I
do see a difference when I cut out the salt and
increase the water tho….but I did put my scale away and
only allow myself to weigh in on Sundays..everyone
kept reminding me about the "watched pot"<br>I eat 4
times a day usually. I haven’t tried any protein
drinks, I suffered major dumping on protein bars, so I
try to get it elswhere. The only things I try to
totally avoid are..SUGAR,BREADS,&CORN. Otherwise I try to
eat as normal as possible, just smaller amts.
Breakfast is usually a scrambled egg w/cheese sprinkled on,
and a glass of o.j. about 30 minutes later. Lunch
could be 6 whole wheat crackers w/tuna(or canned
chicken breast) and a slice of cheese. Afternoon meal
might be deli meat (2pc) rolled and a 1/2 banana.
Supper could be about 1.5 hard shell taco (w/meat,
refried beans,cheese,lettuce) I drink a lot of water and
ice tea, and chrystal light lemonade, and take 2
one-a-day vitamins with iron before bed. I seem to react to
milk now, so I try to avoid that…my only really bad
habit right now is sunflower seeds(but they have around
7gr protein per serving, and I try to find the low or
no-salt ones)<br> I hope I kind of answered most of your
??, I guess I wrote a book.! :)<br>My surgeon told me
something that I think of often, and have posted
b-4….plateaus are your friend! That is when your body size is
shrinking to catch up to the weight loss…if you need a
pick-me-up on a slow scale week, take your
measurments(starting at your chin, working down every 5 inches or so)
you will most definitely see major differences…I
have almost hit the 100 inches mark!! woohoo!! It will
happen!! Good luck Barbie!!! Kelli
January 12th, 2004 at 9:04 pm
Thank you for your encouraging message. I know
its silly to want to lose so fast, but at first it
seemed I did. You have done wonderful!!! I am wanting to
take water aerobics, but was told to wait until 2
months. Thank you again, Barbie