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Those of us who had a hiatal hernia repair with our WLS need to start a club, we'd have so many members! And Ooof - how it adds to the post-op pain. It took a good couple of weeks to not hurt when I breathed in deep. Even though things haven't been smooth sailing for me, I regret nothing and couldn't be happier that I've had this done. As frustrating as it felt at the time, the year long wait I had to do for my health cover was actually a boon as it prepped me mentally for it. It doesn't erase the pre-surgery nerves though. It's a BIG change, but once out the other side it's not so scary. This is a tool that helps, even down to changes in taste-buds. What I will plead with folk for is to get bariatric psychologist support if you have emotional eating issues, or binge eating disorder. I'm super fortunate that I've never had those issues and got to where I was purely through gluttony and boredom - but from others' stories on this forum, it can really affect folks post-op and it's heartbreaking.

Hi all. I'm new here (obviously lol). I met with my surgeon for the first time a couple days ago. It was INCREDIBLY discouraging. Honestly, I'm not even sure if he was trying to discourage me or if he was attempting to make me see just how much I'll need to do to take care of myself. He asked me what kind of surgery I wanted (btw, I'm with Kaiser Perm in NorCal, they only offer two types: Bypass or Sleeve). I told him that I'd read about both types but wasn't entirely sure which would be best for me. I'm a former smoker who quit 2 years ago. He replies with, "Honestly, I wouldn't recommend surgery at all for you." He went on for the next 45 minutes essentially telling me that my PCOS is all in my head (I was diagnosed with insulin resistant PCOS in 2009 NOT by Kaiser and they refuse to acknowledge it because they didn't diagnose it and refuse to test for it) and my continued weight yo-yoing over the years is simply a result of me being lazy about exercise (tell that to my wallet and the gyms I've joined in the past) and make poor food choices. In the end, it felt like he was attempting to talk me out of doing the surgery because my weight issues were all my own fault because I've "self-diagnosed" myself with PCOS to blame it on something other than myself. Yep, he told me I'm self-diagnosing. He also indicated that I've likely put on enough weight just to meet the requirements of the program. Now, I'm struggling to decide if I want to continue with surgery or if I should just crack down on myself and follow a strict diet/exercise plan for the rest of my life. But to be clear, this is 100% a surgery I want to help with my PCOS (as research shows it does). My previous doctor told me that due to the insulin resistance, my body is holding on to the weight because it thinks I'm starving myself. So it craves carbs like crazy and I have to exercise 3 times as hard as the average person to lose the same amount of weight. I'm feeling very discouraged and spiteful. I felt, after that conversation, that I want this surgery just because of how rude the surgeon was. Part of me doesn't want it because what if he's right? What if I AM just lazy and putting blame on something as a result.

I created a blog entry with the same content below here, but I feel like no one ever reads BP blogs, so am posting in the forums for good measure. Sorry for the dupes! Also sorry this is so long! ---------------------- It's been 3 years, y’all. I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet. Didn’t lose any weight prior. I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.) Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am). I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month. I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive. I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout. I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly) Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery. I had zero stalls. I had a tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op. Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish) I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance. Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even. Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL. These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly. Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now. I average 1800-2000 cals a day. I drink alcohol and carbonated water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs. I love desserts. At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense protein & fluffy bread). I will barf if I eat too much or too fast. I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel. Life is good. Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster. Ummmm, no thanks. Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO. Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got. Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below). But I mean, really, I’m just nit-picking at this point. This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends. Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol. Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.

So I have a lot of experience with surgeons because of my career, and honestly some of them are just that way. If you don’t have an option to change surgeons I’d just move on and tell him you’re sure you want the surgery (if that’s the case) and use the forums as much as possible for your support. The surgeon will supply you with the tool- it’s up to you to use it appropriately. If you believe in yourself and know that you’ll make the commitment and do what it takes to utilize your surgery then he can think whatever he wants.

I would like your Korean BBQ ground turkey recipe plz and thank you

Thanks all for the encouragement and wisdom! You all helped put my mind at ease and I truly appreciate the input. My dietician is in agreement with all of you, that I'm on the right track and should stay the course. No need to strive for "goals" that my body isn't ready for, just focus on fluids and protein and expanding my food options based on the program. She did suggest trying 3 smaller meals a day, instead of 2 larger ones, just to help get in the habit of eating more times a day, even though it won't have an immediate impact from a calorie/protein perspective; more a behavioral change than nutritional. So, I'll give that a whirl for a few days and see how it goes! ETA: First post-op labs are next month. Nothing pre-op was a concern, so we'll see if I'm holding steady when I check in.

Yes. I'm 18 months out from VSG, and had a gallbladder pain attack. Scheduled for the gallbladder removal this Friday (11/5). It will be laparoscopic, but for some reason I'm more stressed about it than I was bout the sleeve.

Congratulations. You look amazing.

Congratulations!!! I am 25 and also a shortie haha I'm 5 feet even. I am 2 weeks post op today, and like you I feel well. No complications so far. My surgery weight was 264 ( in the beginning I was 274) and I am currently down to 245.I hope my journey is as good to me as it is to you.

It took me about 2 years postop till I decided it had been the right thing for me.