Hi there

I haven't been on this forum for a long time. I had my surgery with the wonderful Dr Marchesini in Brazil in 2006 or 2007, I am not sure which. I lost 120 pounds initially, was down to 127 pounds. Then I gained about 20 back. Didn't worry about it much, and one day I went to put on a pair of jeans that I knew would be too small but everything else was in the wash. And (without making any effort to lose weight) they fell off me. I had dropped 20 pounds without ever even knowing it. Since then (2.5 years ago) I have lost a bit more, again not trying, but settled in about the 114-119 range. I am tinier than I have ever been. I basically eat whatever I want, although I do have to pay attention to foods that I know will give me trouble. Not too many foods are problematic, and I decide when I am willing to pay the price. These days my tummy is not fond of alcohol, either, which is a shame, because I enjoy having a drink while making dinner but am not doing much of that any more.

I have struggled with anemia, which is a little complex to deal with. You aren't supposed to take iron with either thyroid meds, calcium, or antacids because they interfere with one another. I do have serious IBS and reflux (and I have a hiatal hernia but I don't want any more surgery if I can help it). I am careful about all my supplements but struggle with iron. I take thyroid and stomach meds in the morning, calcium at lunch and supper, and antacids at bedtime, and it is a real juggling act to figure out how to get the iron in. I just ordered some new vitamins that do have iron and do not have calcium, this my solve the problem. I can take the thyroid meds and pantaprozole, wait an hour and eat breakfast, and take the rest of the morning meds and supplements after that. I will give it a try, anyway. I tend to stay low on protein, vitamin D, and iron.

I am about to turn 67 years old at the end of this month. I walk 2-3 miles 5 days a week in the cooler parts of the year, do water aerobics with my neighbors in the hot season, and do yoga sessions in between. I love to cook, and tend to like to cook healthy stuff, so my diet is, although obviously protein heavy, pretty good. The weight loss journey was a wild one, and even though I am very small, I still don't picture myself that way in my mind. Maybe I never will. But I am SO grateful for Dr Marchesini and for this surgery. I would have been 400+ pounds, wheelchair bound, and at high risk for stroke or heart attack without the DS.

So truthfully, I have no idea how I got back to my desired weight. It kind of just happened. I wondered if my DS had sort of "kicked back in" again, but I really don't know.

I'd LOVE to hear from other people who are a way out from surgery about their experiences. And I have suggestions/tips/ideas for newer folks too. :-)

Blessings to you all

Hi Stacie

I can't believe Dr M did to do a leak test. He would not let me leave the hospital until that had been completed, and I had my surgery in either 2006 or 2007 (I lose track). I a sorry you had to deal with all that post surgery stuff!

Unfortunately the formula has been changed since my original post -- this particular vitamin now has 250% RDA of B6. :( I have had to go searching for other vitamins ... I did locate one that has NO B6 so that's perfect for me! YES! :) Woohoo it was a happy day when I found these LOL.

I have been taking this for the past year+ with stellar results for my B6 levels

https://www.desertharvest.com/multi-vitamin-90-capsules.html ?category_id=247

I also note they have a B-complex w/o the B6 (I have NOT taken this)

https://www.desertharvest.com/b-complex-without-b6-90-capsul es.html?category_id=247

Originally I ordered several bottles (on sale!) then had my labs done. Once good results were in I joined up with their subscription program. They have sales several times a year.

I noted from their site that people with Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome use these supplements so a few searches for vitamins for that condition might net some additional sources?

Don't be too aggressive up front with the diet or you'll fizzle out quickly with no results or be more inclined to cheat. Start with incremental improvements (cutting out fruit juice, eating earlier so you digest before bed, more veggies, less sugar, etc) then once you get in a rhythm and feeling better, seeing some small improvement, try ramping it up a little at a time.

French fries & white bread are my weaknesses, but I don't want to deal with horrible gas so I'll have to let them go! Lol

Thanks for the well wishes! I'll definitely stay in touch. ?