18 Months Post Op Gastric Bypass/RNY Weight Loss Surgery UPDATE - The Ups and Downs

I CANNOT believe that it has already been 18 months since my life-changing gastric bypass! In this video I will tell you all about the ups, the downs, the good and the bad that these past 18 months have brought.
I will also update you on my plans for the immediate future - it's all about the travel!
If you are interested in following me on my adventures around the world, check out my travel KZbin channel - Go with Nicole - here: / @gowithnicole (more content to be posted soon!)
My Instagram here: go_with_nic...
And there will be a blog at some point - www.gowithnicole.com - but it's not active quite yet. I will let you know when it launches!
And here is the Amazon link for those crunchy edamame that I mentioned in the video: (I am part of the Amazon Affiliate program, I may earn referral commission from qualifying purchases)
amzn.to/3KmRRm5
**And you are not crazy - yes, this video is crooked. I packed up my tripod and I THOUGHT I had rigged up my camera so it was filming straight. I was wrong - there is definitely a tilt. My editing skills are not advanced enough to figure out how to fix it in post-production. Sorry!**

[@lauramartin1801]

I had my gastric bypass on October 25, 2022. My highest weight was 250 lbs, 228 at surgery, and now I'm down to 168 lbs. I am so thankful that I had the surgery, it's given me a new life.

[@heatherbaker3903]

My RNY was Oct. 10, 2023. I'm seven months out and 83 pounds down. I've really enjoyed your videos and following you. I really hope you keep posting.

[@thebatgurl10]

I keep coming back to your channel for inspiration and courage. 20 days till surgery

[@greeneyes92061]

Your video came up on my recommended this morning, not sure why……I don’t seek out WLS videos. Coincidentally, my surgiversary is this Saturday, May 25th…..2004…..20 years ago. I had open RNY. My beginning weight was 248-250 at 5’6”. I was 42 yrs old. One of my doctors once said that I was the perfect example of a post op RNY patient. No dumping, nothing ever got stuck, no problem with getting my daily protein, I had/have no gastrointestinal problems, I did not lose my hair after WLS. I went to the gym 5-6 days a week. I got down to appx 128. I developed an incisional hernia and had hernia repair June 2005. My WLS surgeon did my hernia repair and at the same time removed my excess abdominal skin. After that surgery I weighed 118 lbs and was wearing a size 4. I am momma to four sons, a wife of now almost 44 yrs, and now have two teenage grandsons. After my hernia repair, I got complacent. At Christmas 2005, I tried ONE praline pecan, that was the beginning of my downfall. If I tolerated one, why not two or three. Bad habits crept back in. Over time…..I yo-yoed back up to 248 as of January 2023. Yep, gained it all back……with several gains and losses along the way. I swore that I would never see the 200lb mark ever again. Well I did and then some. Eating right and getting a bit more exercise I was able to lose about 35-40 lbs last year and keep it off. I have become much more comfortable with myself more self accepting. Did my surgery fail? Absolutely not. Surgery is a tool and I didn’t use my tool properly. I do still take my vitamins and calcium for bariatric patients from Building Blocks. I have religiously taken large amounts of biotin since before my surgery and still have a head full of thick hair. Anyway, just another side of the story. I wish you the best in your journey.

[@zingisamalusi5032]

Thank you for your post. I will remember this for the future for any weight loss tool.

[@nicoleislosingit]

You are so right about this being a tool that we need to wield properly in order to succeed. I’m currently facing some challenges with bad habits creeping back in - your comment is a great reminder!

[@rtoldoya]

If you can take the flinstone chewables, they have everything in them that are needed for bariatric patients. I had RNY too. It was recommended to me by my bariatric team. I do take calcium and iron tablets, but the flinstone vitamins are so much cheaper. My labs come out beautifully!

[@wotiluv]

I’ve heard this from other bariatric patients. Where do you find the flintstones Vitamins?

[@rtoldoya]

@@wotiluv I get mine from Walmart. I actually use the equate brand. They’re about $9 for a bottle of 150. I just take 1 a day. Everybody’s vitamin needs vary after surgery. I’m one that eats from all the food groups. So depending on how you’re eating and how your body is processing the food would depend on how well you can tolerate those vitamins. Of course, it’s always recommended to do what your bariatric team tells you.

[@wotiluv]

@@rtoldoya thanks! Yes I totally agree. I’ll check them out in Walmart

[@nicoleislosingit]

I’ll have to check those out!

[@AnnabelleLeeTx]

I am again going to suggest probiotics for constipation. Any bottles for "digestive health" work for me. Also you look amazing and you have a great attitude. Im 9 months out and still have about 50 pounds to lose and you are inspiring me to keep at it. I'm so excited for your trip. Traveling was something I put off as well before surgery. It's incredible how life gets bigger when you get smaller. So far this year I've been to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, and plan on a cruise in July and NY for my birthday in December! Happy travels friend 🧡

[@monicarobinson7034]

Congrats on your success! Exciting that you set your intention to travel and you’re about to go! Realistic share for 18m update. I’m right behind you with RNY GB on 10/31/2022. HW 246 CW btwn 131-135. Weigh in 1x week on Wednesday and don’t stress NOW if I’m up and down. 1st few times it happened I did feel all kinds of emotions. Thankfully I’ve had no health issues and I feel great! Going for plastic surgery consult soon. I’m sure the $$ will propel me to love the skin I’m in. 😂. I’m seeing some definition also from strength training but I still don’t “love” working out. I’m think of you and get to it more. I use miralax @3x week to stay regular just add it to a beverage. Love love love the crunchy edamame! Very cool to hear your experience and relate to so many points. Safe travels! God bless and protect you. May your experience be all that you desire. 😊

[@Sanniz]

Sounds like an awesome adventure you will have. Myself is now 8 months postop and everything goes well. I am just over normal BMI, only 0.22 pounds from it. It's unbelievable! Have a safe travel! Love from Sweden 🦇💜💜💜💜🦇

[@ejc139]

i really don’t get why ppl bully bigger ppl going to the gym 😭 it’s why i stopped going. as a preteen i went, and there were grown adults shaming me. it’s crazy. i’m starting the surgery program in june, hopefully operating in december. i love your videos and how open you are with everything

[@wotiluv]

Amazing you are finally getting to do your dream travel I’m so excited for you and I look forward to seeing updates on your journey . Good luck. I was surprised to learn you are having gastrointestinal problems I thought bypass surgery usually eliminates gastritis , Gerd etc. I can’t believe you have ulcers. Have you tried getting rid of dairy? it really helps with eliminating gastric problems probably one of the worst things to eat when you have ulcers I know you love your yogurt, but getting rid of processed food really really helps with gastritis and can potentially get you off omeprazole. Try a low FODMAP diet it has gotten me off medication for GERD. . Faux meats are processed food so they would hurt more than help. I recommend edamame in their shells as a snack. You can get them frozen they are slightly salted and high in protein easy to digest and low in FODMAPs. I’ve had gastritis several times, and the only thing that has got me off medication was to do a low food map diet which consisted of eliminating all processed foods, sugar, white flour, just bread in general. And of course it goes without saying that you can’t take NSAIDs that is actually what gave me the latest bout with gastritis- it didn’t take much -just one pill a week and I was getting those attacks in my esophagus.

[@goldenretrievermom7945]

Your travels sound amazing! Have a blast!

[@beotggot]

Hi Nicole, I've been watching your videos for a while now, and I just want to tell you what a huge inspiration you are. I'm having SADI-S surgery on May 31st, and your videos have helped me know what to expect and feel 100% confident in my choice to get WLS. I feel so much more prepared now. Also, I just wanted to add that you are stunningly beautiful! Thank you for everything

[@jenniferholmes6644]

Fascinating and informative. Thanks and I’m praying for your safety on your trt

[@MICHIGANGAL007]

Love your updates!!❤

[@abby1545]

Congrats on your upcoming travel! It's be awe-inspiring to watch your journey!

[@susanneolsson7729]

Love your channel!! Had my operation the 6th of may :) If you ever come to Sweden I would love to meet you since I live here! Have a fab travel and take care of yourself!

[@kimmyer7069]

Great info. Thanks

[@xxabsxx31]

My sleeve was 2 months ago I love watching your vids. You mentioned a pot luck at work. Where I’m from in the uk we call it a fuddle lol. I really hope you have a wonderful time travelling and I hope we get to see some of it xx

[@mjmsdcs]

Appreciate your videos, they helped me make the decision to follow through with bypass and now I’m 22 days post op and feeling better than I expected to. Fingers crossed for the endoscopy to go well! So excited to hear you’re traveling! Enjoy enjoy enjoy! You’ve definitely earned it. Definitely something I’m looking forward to as I lose weight too!

[@user56gghtf]

I can't believe your world trip is only 6 days away... Yay!!! Do you plan on having a meetup in Orlando?

[@rtoldoya]

I love your videos. I look forward to them. You and I are so similar in our stats. I’m 5’1 1/2”. My highest weight was 209. I’m currently 115. I fluctuate between 113 and 117. I’m so healthy. I love to walk. It feels so good! I feel good! I’m 15 months po.

[@MICHIGANGAL007]

what procedure did you have? TY

[@rtoldoya]

@@MICHIGANGAL007 I had RNY in march 2023.

[@MICHIGANGAL007]

TY

[@belinda9696]

Thanks, I'm going to try the edamame. I have been starting to crave salty things like chips or nuts but not really craving sweetness yet. (which surprises me, but it's fine with me) I am almost 4 months post-op and eggs did the same to me and now I can tolerate them better if I eat them occasionally, also greasy type meats or processed make me sick too. Things have changed and meats from before surgery I didn't realize were greasy then, taste sickly greasy to me now. I have not tried tofu yet though or like Morning Star, not sure if I should or not. I eat mostly cheese, yogurt, beans, etc for protein sources, but I know meat has more protein in one serving though and sometimes I need that for my day. I keep trying.

[@braunschweigjrgensen1092]

Hi Nicole, I think this is one of my first comments on KZbin ever, but I have been watching your videos since I had a gastric sleeve surgery about 5 weeks ago. I wanted to say they have meant alot to me and I hope you keep posting. Thanks for all your honesty and vulnerability. I hope your travels will be everything you have hoped for. If you visit Denmark and need help with finding supplements, or anything I will gladly help all I can. Best wishes Jannie

[@nicoleislosingit]

That is so awesome - thank you!

[@livingmybestlife9697]

New friend to your travel channel too❤

[@itsamerrylife9128]

I would guess it isn’t either or but some of both… people treat heavy people with less respect. AND when we’re heavy we show up differently….

[@Mamajiggle]

Please Film your travel

[@ghoulicorn]

These videos helped me decide to have wls, however this video, you look and sound miserable. I’m having surgery regret and this vid made me even more depressed to hear how unhappy you now speak.

[@nicoleislosingit]

Oh no! I don’t feel miserable - I’m so surprised that I’m coming across that way. I’m so sorry you are having regrets - is there anyone you can reach out to irl to discuss your concerns?