Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
Good evening,
I've completed 6 months of pre-surgical supervision (required by my insurance company until just recently) and have been approved by my clinic as well as my insurance company for a VSG. My pre-surgical appointment with the surgeon is next Friday (10/30) and I asked the insurance gal at the office to reserve the Monday before Thanksgiving for my surgery date due to work responsibilities.
I'm 5'5" and 235 pounds at 35 years old. I'm married but no children (infertility). We are hoping to adopt very soon, though.
I have a few questions I would like to ask of those who have been 'here' before:
1) To the married folks: How did cooking change in your home? I'm the wife and I do most of the cooking but I am 100% certain that my husband is not going to be thrilled with the idea of pureed chicken for dinner. Did you just prepare to separate meals? Or have him take care of his own meals for a few weeks?
2) I'm hoping to go back to work (desk job) in no more than 2 weeks. Is this realistic? I have the time to take off, plus short-term disability and FMLA, but it's not a good time of year for me to be gone for the sake of my company and my department.
3) How soon after surgery is it realistic to start personal training? I already go to the gym 4-5 days a week to do cardio and some core training but I will be starting with a personal trainer after surgery in order to improve my habits and have that accountability.
4) Ladies: What should I expect about changes in bra size? And how soon might those changes start being noticed? I'm a 38D or 40C (depending on the brand) right now but a lot of it is dense or fibrous tissue more than fat cells.
5) For the veterans: What's it like to vomit after a VSG - like when you get the stomach flu or something like that?
6) Another one for the ladies - particularly those who are still having cycles: what should I expect from my hormones and periods? I'm very regular now so I'm just wondering if things will be thrown out of whack. We are not going to use hormonal birth control so I just wondered if I should stock up on OPKs to make sure that I don't accidentally get pregnant because my cycles got messed up and I didn't time things right to avoid fertile times.
That's all I can think of for now.
Thanks!
I've completed 6 months of pre-surgical supervision (required by my insurance company until just recently) and have been approved by my clinic as well as my insurance company for a VSG. My pre-surgical appointment with the surgeon is next Friday (10/30) and I asked the insurance gal at the office to reserve the Monday before Thanksgiving for my surgery date due to work responsibilities.
I'm 5'5" and 235 pounds at 35 years old. I'm married but no children (infertility). We are hoping to adopt very soon, though.
I have a few questions I would like to ask of those who have been 'here' before:
1) To the married folks: How did cooking change in your home? I'm the wife and I do most of the cooking but I am 100% certain that my husband is not going to be thrilled with the idea of pureed chicken for dinner. Did you just prepare to separate meals? Or have him take care of his own meals for a few weeks?
2) I'm hoping to go back to work (desk job) in no more than 2 weeks. Is this realistic? I have the time to take off, plus short-term disability and FMLA, but it's not a good time of year for me to be gone for the sake of my company and my department.
3) How soon after surgery is it realistic to start personal training? I already go to the gym 4-5 days a week to do cardio and some core training but I will be starting with a personal trainer after surgery in order to improve my habits and have that accountability.
4) Ladies: What should I expect about changes in bra size? And how soon might those changes start being noticed? I'm a 38D or 40C (depending on the brand) right now but a lot of it is dense or fibrous tissue more than fat cells.
5) For the veterans: What's it like to vomit after a VSG - like when you get the stomach flu or something like that?
6) Another one for the ladies - particularly those who are still having cycles: what should I expect from my hormones and periods? I'm very regular now so I'm just wondering if things will be thrown out of whack. We are not going to use hormonal birth control so I just wondered if I should stock up on OPKs to make sure that I don't accidentally get pregnant because my cycles got messed up and I didn't time things right to avoid fertile times.
That's all I can think of for now.
Thanks!
Everyone finds that when to go back to work is different for them. I know folks who went back the next day, and others who were off for 3 months. I am almost 25 years older than you - and I have a desk job but was a complete couch potato before surgery. I was out for 3 weeks, and then back part time for a week. I could have been out longer, as I was quite tired alot.
Your surgeon will tell you when its ok to do what physically after surgery. I think I was ok'ed at around 8 weeks (but can't remember).
The boobs are the first thing to go... yes really. I have lost 140 pounds, and I think that I really only bought new bras twice believe it or not. I started at 44DD (although they were stretched out and I probably should have worn a bigger size) then bought a 42 and have been in a 38D now for many months.
Vomiting - I'm afraid that I can speak to this. Before surgery I could probably count on my fingers how many times in my life I had puked. After surgery - well let me say if you eat too fast, or the pieces are too big, or you eat too much - lets just say I made friends with the toilet bowl ALOT. TMI warning: I always hated the idea of throwing up, just thinking about it made me want to do it. What I found after surgery is that the worst feeling is that which is between the time that you eat the one bite that you puts you over the edge, and the time that you can just puke it up and move on and be fine. Sad to say I got used to it there for a while - but now its been a long while since I have experienced it.
I live alone, and am long past having periods... so I'll leave the rest of your questions for others to respond to. Best of Luck ! !
I was approved to return to the gym at six weeks. Again, I'm older, so.....
1. I told my husband I would be making Healthy food and that if he wanted junk it was up to him. It is not my job to provide for his food needs. That is an outdated belief system that I need to cook for him. He can get his own junk food. Incidentally he shed weight along
with me.
2. If you are at a desk job two weeks might be reasonable. Everyone is different.
3. In my opinion 6 weeks with caution is reasonable for personal training. Just listen to your body.
4. You will notice changes in bra sizes quickly. Gotta love being able to wear VS bras. (Victoria Secret)
5. I don't get the stomach flu or get sick because I support my immune system. However if I eat the wrong thing all I can do is wretch. I don't throw up with RNY.
6. I am post menopause thank god so I don't have to think about hormones. I learned a long time ago that I have the ability to make choices with my experiences. My monthly experience was as easy as I want it and I easily changed my focus around it. FYI many women get pregnant post weight loss so if you don't want to get pregnant please use birth control. Pregnancy is not recommended for some time post surgery.
Hope this helps!