Hi, Mel! Welcome to this group :)
I don't know it my reply will be helpful, but here it goes:
I did the Roux-en-Y exactly 6 days ago.
I'm doing great and already lost 7 pounds! Felt little-to-no pain. All solved w/ a few drops of tylenol.
Well about the bathroom stuff... yeah, I'm spending like half hour a day sitting there. It's a brownish-yellow-fatty yuck. Weird, because I'm on the liquid diet...
I vomited once, with 1/4 of a cup of coffee filled with lemon juice (very bland). Still, it was terrible for me. No lemons for a while now.

Hi, I had my ry the end of Jan. I've lost 70bs so far..I was at a plateau for about a month then it started to come off again. Here is a day in my life: breakfast is usually a light n fit or yulu yogurt with a little fruit or a smoothie I make myself with protein powder, fruit (berries, peaches, froz pineapple) and I always add a splash of juice and a big glob of greek yogurt making my shakes 30grm protein, I usually drink a shake 5 out of 7 days. I am allergic to eggs and turkey so none of that for me otherwise I would eat eggs. You have to get around 90+ grms of protein a day! I takes me at least an hour sometimes longer to drink a 12oz shake so no morn snack, just lots of water. lunch: cottage cheese maybe topped with pineapple, peach slices or tomato slices. a couple pieces of cheese with 1-2 crackers along with either canned tuna or chicken with a little mayo and mini chopped celery or I like to mash an avocado add garlic pwder, salt and lime and mix in the can chicken. I have also had thin sliced chicken or ham with a smear of laughing cow cheese rolled into cigars. If I am out running around I like the small chille at wendys, high in protein and easily tolerated or I get arbys, no bun and just eat the meat. Afternoon snack is usually a yogurt or string cheese or if I am on the go sometimes I eat 1/2 of a 20grm protein bar. Dinner is chicken, fish, meatloaf (still can't do pork chops, steak ect meat is tough) veggie (no broc,cauliflower, cabbage) and just a couple bites of a potato, sweet potato. evening snack is usually peanut butter on celery or 2 crackers or yogurt, I have now started to eat a little popcorn once in awhile and just a few bites of ice cream, it is summer after all, but I put a glob of peanut butter on top of a small scoop of ice cream. I have just started to expermint with making high protein treats a favorite is no bake cookies that contain oats, cocoa, peanut butter and I add 2 heaping scoops of peanutbutter/chocolate protein powder to those making them around 10grms for one. I have also found edamame pasta at costco it contains soybeans and water so I have gotten to have a little pasta for dinner, it has 24 grms in 2 oz of pasta, and 2 oz is a little much when adding sauce but at least I have found one to eat. I have also found P28 bread, bagels,flatbread and pancake mix. I have only tried the bread and flatbread, which a 1/2 slice is it for me, I can toast the bread and top with peanut butter and with 1/2 the flatbread I made a small pizza for myself very filling, high in protein and I don't feel left out. I can tolerate some salad, usually don't do soup as that adds to much liquid then my body can't absorb enough nutrients from the food since it passes by quick. With bypass you have lots of vitamins to add daily, at first it was hard to get vitamins and calcium all in with trying to eat a couple bites of food. Yes vomitting occurs, if you have eaten to much or not chewed your food enough...it is more like upchucking foam, I get a knot between my breasts and a hiccup when I know it is time to stop eating. everyone tolerates items differently but this is my day. I do still go out to eat on weekends with my husband/family, mexican sits good with me, I like a chicken taco but don't eat the shell and I will have a little beans and guacamole. grilled shrimp at red lobster or a shrimp coctail from anywhere is also a good choice for me. I do the burger patty only at mcdonalds and if pizza is it then I try and take a cottage cheese with me and eat the toppings and cheese off of one slice.I had bypass because of severe acid reflux, so yes I would do it again if medically nec but just to loose weight no. Hope this helps, feel free to message with any other questions, good luck!

Hi Mel, welcome to the forum.

First of all, let me tell you that I am/was on the same boat. I had lapband in '08 and it was removed in '13 due to slippage. You have described my 5 years with the band to a T. I would skip breakfast most of the time and hated eating standing up. When my band slipped I also couldn't eat nor drink. Water would come back up immediately so my doctor unfilled it completely. I was told to wait three months and then we would gradually fill it again. Well as soon as the fills started my problem returned even worse. This time I was waking up choking in my sleep from inhaling the acid reflux. Again, i couldn't even drink water. I lost more weight from being unable to eat or drink so my doctor wanted it removed as soon as possible. I'm glad my insurance approved the removal immediately. The reflux went away but the heartburn remains and i'm sure my esophagus is still swollen. I can feel it when I eat and drink. Sometimes I can feel the liquids going down slowly like when I had the band. Anyhow, fast forward 2 years, I am now back to my original pre-surgery weight plus some. I was approved for the RNY which I will have next month. I am nervous and excited all at the same time....

I am thrilled you asked this question and can't wait to see the responses. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, best wishes for the removal of your band and your journey ahead with WLS.

Welcome Mel! You have come to the right place. It is very common for people who have bands to have problems and end up getting conversions to RNY or sleeve. My dr told me he did more conversions than bands because of the problems. I had RNY in 2010 and it has totally changed my life for the better. I had no complications and went beyond my goal.

I only have one bite of bread or pasta very rarely and don't miss it. I have fruits and veggies in my protein smoothies all the time. I make a vita mix container full and sip it all day. I'd never be able to get my fruits and veggies in other wise. Protein is usually the first thing I eat at every meal. It fills me up quickly. I sit and eat just fine. In fact sitting and eating with presence or mindfulness is recommended to pay attention to chewing our food thoroughly and stopping when our body signals that it is full.

There really isn't anything totally off my list but with that said, if I eat too much high carb food I feel sick. Again, it goes back to paying attention to the body. You know the saying "everything in moderation".

At almost 5 years I do not deprive myself but I do listen to my body. Alcohol is often a problem for gastric patients because of the cross addiction issue. It is easy to transfer addictions around food to an alcohol addiction. Even if you have never regularly drunk much before. It hits us much harder and more quickly.

I would do this again in a heart beat! I have never once regretted my choice. Some people experience buyers remorse right after surgery but I was so prepared and ready that I just embraced the journey and enjoyed every moment of shedding the weigh that was weighing me down. I celebrated not having to carry all that weight around.

I start every day with my protein coffee. I'm just not into eating first thing in the morning. Never have been. Lunch varies. Lately I pack ahead for my lunch for the week using multi compartment containers. I usually put some slided meat or tuna salad, grapes or some other fruit, some veggies like mini carrots, and some cheese. It lasts me all day for lunch and snacks. I make sure to eat my protein first. At dinner I like chicken, fish, tuna salad, and even pork chops cooked in various ways and I enjoy salads. Dark meats are too heavy for me but I didn't eat them before anyway. I had some sesame chicken last night. No rice. I do enjoy a couple pieces of sushi occasionally but normally stay away from rice.

There is a post called what newbies need to know that provides a lot of information for this part of our life's journeys.
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastric_Bypass_Surgery/forum/13157871-newbies-need-know

One of the most important needs of gastric surgery is counseling and/or a good support group. It helps us to prepare for surgery, helps us through the issues that come up during the shedding process, and helps to maintain by working through issues that come up later. It has been an extremely valuable part of my journey, and a positive attitude makes all the difference in how we experience our journey.

Hi Mel,
Welcome to the group. You'll find a lot of experience and wisdom here.
I had the gastric sleeve instead of RNY, but although I have fewer foods I cannot eat, and don't dump at all, our good choices for meals and snacks are the same: proteins first, preferably lean or vegetable based, low glycemic veggies and fruit, and if there's room, a bite or two of high fiber, low glycemic carbs; quinoa, low carb tortillas, wild rice, etc.
I have an occasional cocktail before dinner, I have a bite or two of birthday cake or a snack sized candy bar every month or two, but if I find myself indulging every week, I need to get back on track.
WLS is a tool, a great tool, but it's only helping us do the work. It won't do it for us, and it's very easy to eat around it; picking the wrong foods, eating too often, drinking calories in alcohol or juice or shakes.
If you need help working through head issues, it's easier to start before the surgery, as is practicing the healthy food choices. It's never too early to start.
Glad to have you with us!

Thank you so much, guys this has helped a lot :)

Hi! Welcome to the group!
I have to say that the RNY saved my life. I was a type 2 diabetic. I was taking pills and 2 types of insulin. And my sugar was out of control. My diabetic doctor told me the way the diabetes was progressing he would give me maybe 2 years if I didn't do something. He sent me to see a bariatric surgeon he knew.
To make a long story short, I got the RNY. I went from 7 shots of insulin and Metformin pills per day to NOTHING! The diabetes was gone in a few days!
I lost 130 pounds and feel great! I have no regrets. All I take now is a little blood pressure medicine and some vitamins.
There are a few things that I must avoid now because they will make me sick. Like ice cream, sugary stuff like doughnuts and greasy stuff. It is a small price to pay for health! That stuff ain't good for you anyway.
I read sometimes about folks having complications. I never had any at all. I had little pain. Kinda like doing too many sit ups or getting punched in the belly. Just stiffness mostly. I never took any pain medication after I left the hospital the day after surgery.

I could sell the RNY door to door! It was the best thing medically I ever did for myself!

Hello, Mel! Welcome!

I had my RNY in 2010 (after thinking about it for 5 years) and have never regretted it! I started my journey weighing over 300 lbs and hit my goal weight of 125 lbs a month before my 1 year surgiversary.

Typical day of eating for me:

Breakfast - double-scoop protein shake (I use water, protein powder, and lots of ice.

Lunch - protein bar, salad with chicken, or home-made chicken enchilada soup

Dinner - chicken, shredded beef w/ sour cream, etc - or protein bar

Snack - popcorn and possible some red wine.

I also drink a ton of water throughout the day.

Sometimes it takes me awhile to finish my protein shake and I only end up eating 1 additional meal (around 3-4 in the afternoon) and an evening snack.

Other stuff I eat with no problem: cottage cheese, chicken wings, lobster, crab, potato chips, Cheetos, guacamole, salsa, corn chips, french fries, potatoes (limited)

I dump easily so I stay away from yogurt and fruit. I'm allergic to egg whites and I don't like veggies. I don't do well with processed meats, fish, or cheese. Meat has to be very tender and very moist. I choose not to eat rice, pasta, sugar, and bread.

I had GERD before my RNY. Haven't had a problem with it since. I only threw up a handful of times after my surgery - haven't thrown up in over 4 years. I haven't dumped in over 3 years. I can't remember the last time I felt nauseated.

For the first time in my life, I've been able to maintain my weight (I'm still wearing clothes I bought 4 years ago)! I don't feel deprived.

Yup! Best thing I've ever done for myself!

JJ

Hi, Mel. I'm new to the group, new to the surgery. I too have type 2 diabetes, and that is the main reason I had the surgery. I suppose with metabolic syndrome, it was just a matter of time, but it was a real kick in the teeth when my doc told me I had it. My health was going from indifferent to downright bad. I am planning to retire in 2 years. So I decided to 1) live to retirement and 2) be able to enjoy it when I get there. I'm still in the immediate post op period, so it's not cream and roses just yet, but with the support of my family, and others, like workmates and the folks here, I am sure I will get there. I don't think I could have made a better decision for my health since weight is the major culprit behind most of my other other healthcare issues.

My son had the RNY about 5 years ago and I still have him. I am convinced he would be gone by now if he hadn't done this. That, as much as anything else, convinced me to give this serious consideration. I've been researching for about a year. As the data have mounted up, RNY has gone mainstream. More insurance companies cover it. There are hoops to go through, like dietary and psych evals, but they do help to ensure that you fit the profile for success. The program I am in has a support group that meets monthly. It's a new program with my providers in cooperation with my insurers.