[Gleek17]

Hello, my name is Lisa and I am 26 years old. I have been overweight my whole life and it just never seems to come off. On all the diets/programs I have tried, I usually lose 10 and then gain some back, ending up weighing more than I began with. I have been considering surgery for awhile now, probably the gastric bypass since I am allergic to alot of materials and don't like the idea of the band as much. Anyways, I asked my pcp back in january and she said no. So I kept coming back and she kept saying no. Now i am in the middle of changing doctors and thought I would bring it up to my new doctor but I had some questions first. But first I will give some history on me.

I had my gallbladder out a couple of years ago. There were no stones, it just stopped working/contracting so they took it out. I have heart disease in my family and with 2 heart murmurs from a leaky valve, I am very concerned about my weight. Also, I have all kinds of arthritis in my joints now and I can't bend or my knees will actually give out on me. When I walk around, it sounds like a marching band of sorts as my joints are popping everywhere. My left ankle is swolen and sore every day, I attribute it to weight. I have severe lower back pain, sciatica, and moderate upper back and neck pain, unsure of the cause yet but most likely due to weight. I have problems walking even just a couple of steps and have trouble sleeping at night due to this pain. I have a rollator but it's just embarrassing to use at my age. I've also been diagnosed with a thyroid condition,hypothyroidism, making losing weight tough. I also have asthma which I am sure is worse with the weight. Blood sugar wise, I have hypoglycemia since a child but lately sometimes my blood sugar spikes with meals with carbs, still undiagnosed but all of my aunts and uncles have type 2 diabetes, so I am a little worried there. I have had high cholesterol before but got it just barely under the maximum normal range although my triglycerides are high. Both of my parents passed away from cancer at the age of 58. All in all, I am very concerned about my weight issue and feel as though I need to act now before I get worse. I just want to be healthy.

Anyways, now to my questions lol sorry if this is a long post.

1. I read that I might have to get an endoscopy. Is this required always? How bad is it? Is there any alternatives to it?

2. How bad is it after surgery to have to say no when friends/family ask to go out to eat? (my family goes out alot) Or do you go out?

3. I know protein is an issue after gastric bypass. Do I have to eat alot of fish for protein or is chicken alrite? Also, is pasta ever okay? I know sugar isn't well tolerated but is it always like that?

4. Is exercise hard at first since you are on a low calorie diet or do you find you have enough energy?

Thanks in advance for reading/reposting to this.

[pmajsmith]

Welcome here Lisa - RR is a very special place to hang out!

My answers to your questions -

1. Endoscopy depends upon your surgeon - mine didn't require it.
2. I still eat out - just not as much as before. You'll find it's not the treat it used to be and it's hard to determine protein levels in foods.
3. You'll probably progress into different food groups depending upon time from surgery - for example, I'm out 5 months and haven't had beef yet, but that varies from surgeon to surgeon. I was told to try pasta and since it's low in protein, I don't eat it often.
4. I wasn't allowed to exercise for 3 months due to having a hernia. My energy levels even at 3 months were low, but they've since gotten much better.

Good luck on whatever choice you make. I know it took me several years to come to the surgery decision and I have yet to regret it.

Aimee

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Good luck with your process.
(((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

[goingtobethinin2010]

Welcome Lisa. My doctor did require the endoscopy but they give you medicine and you are not even aware of what is going on there is no pain at all. I do still eat out just not that often. There is usually something on the menu everywhere you go that you can have. I nalso do eat pasta but very sparingly. It does go down easy so it is easy to eat but I try to stay away from a lot of carbs so limit it to may once every 2 weeks. I must admit I have not started exercising yet I am a little tired after working all day and cleaning house and keeping my 3 year old granddaughter every weekend. I do plan to start exercising very soon as my boss have given all of us a free gym membership. I have lost 82 pounds since mid April andcould not be happier with my decision to have this surgery. I have no problems with food hurting or anything and do not have any cravings and do not ever get hungry so I am very pleased. Also my knee no longer hurts and I am off high blood presure medicine and cholesterol is perfect now. Best of luck to you on your decision. Michelle

[wishing]

I havent had the surgery yet, but I did have the endo and it was nothing...dont feel a thing...just a lil groggy when I woke up.

[Gleek17]

Do they completely knock you out for the endoscopy? Like are you asleep during it? I am just nervous about the possibility and I really don't like things in my mouth/throat. It's even very hard for me to open my mouth at the dentist, even with valium.

[Perfesser]

Don't worry about it. They've done a bunch of these, and they've seen it all. They have ways to deal with your problems. You will be in a drugged haze, maybe vaguely conscious of occasional fleeting impressions, but probably you won't know anything about it when you wake.

This is not general anesthesia. They put some happy juice in your IV and suddenly it's all over and you're done.

CT

[Weigh2GoSteph]

1. I read that I might have to get an endoscopy. Is this required always? How bad is it? Is there any alternatives to it?
My doc didn't require one of these...but if he'd had've... I'd have done it in a heartbeat in order to get the surgery. I've heard they're no big deal.

2. How bad is it after surgery to have to say no when friends/family ask to go out to eat? (my family goes out alot) Or do you go out?

I still go out to eat with the family all the time. The key is portion control and smart choices. Even in the beginning, I could go. I'd just split a meal with the hubby. I'd order grilled chicken or something and give him the rest of it. Now, I'm almost 2 years out and I still have PLENTY to bring home after I'm finished, but it's no big deal at all.

3. I know protein is an issue after gastric bypass. Do I have to eat alot of fish for protein or is chicken alrite? Also, is pasta ever okay? I know sugar isn't well tolerated but is it always like that?
MY doc says "never" to pasta. There's really no nutritional value in it for us. BUT, I occasionally have a little. As long as you get your protein in (later down the road) it's ok. As for fish, I hate fish. Very rarely eat it. I eat chicken most of the time. People all handle sugars in different ways. It's best to avoid it as much as possible, as it's just not good for us...but like I said, every now and then.. as long as you've got your protein in, it's ok in small amounts.

4. Is exercise hard at first since you are on a low calorie diet or do you find you have enough energy?

I waited about 3-4 months after my surgery to begin an exercise routine. Part of the reason was due to an incision that didn't heal properly. But more than that, I was just tired. But once I started the exercise, I loved it. I just began slowly and worked my way up to a decent work out. Some days, it was only 15 minute on the bike...but that's better than doing nothing. You just do what you're comfortable with. It's all a learning process.

Best luck to you. Welcome to the board. Feel free to keep asking questions. It's a good group of people to learn from.

Steph

[Tami]

I was totally knocked out for my endo. Totally. Didn't know or feel a thing.

[mommashart]

1. Did not need it.

2. We dine out ALL the time. My husband jokes that I'm a cheap date. We have always shared a meal. Last night we went to Chevys and feed our family of 5 on just one order of Fajitas. Don't drink with meals, and find someone to split a meal with. Or request a half order and take the yummy leftovers home.

3. We eat a lot of pasta in our home. I didn't eat pasta until 18months out. But I tolerate it well. Our pasta is usually whole wheat or made of a veggie. Shop trader joes or whole foods. Zuhunni pasta or Spaghetti squash is great too! First rule is to always eat protein first. Pasta or other sides are that. A side item to enjoy. In my opinion nothing is an absolute condemned food. Lite desserts will one day make an entrance again too. But again, my rule is that all water and protein, exercise, vitamins are to be taken first!!!

4. Energy is created by energy. Eat your protein and get out and move your body! You'll love it. My energy has taken many a nose dive because of anemia. But hitting a pool or going for a short walk can make a huge difference. Truthfully I remember my first year I had a lot of lightheaded moments as my workouts increased. But carrying a water bottle at all times and having a protein bar on hand really helped. Before workouts a protein drink really helped too.