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I was all set for gastric sleeve surgery but preop I was diagnosed with Barrett’s. My doctor would not perform a sleeve in a patient with Barrett’s. My only option was bypass. I debated whether to just cancel as I only had a little over 100 pounds to loose. I did have, however, hypertension despite 3 medications and horrible sleep apnea. I am so glad I didn’t back out. I have never felt better. I take no medications and am keeping my weight off. It’s not easy but it is so worth it. My surgery was a tool that help me lose the weight but it is up to me to keep it off. I am hopeful for the future. Good luck on your journey.

Just the other day I was recommending this site to someone beginning her WLS journey and in doing so realized how influential this forum has been to me. I do not post often; but I avidly read and take in the experiences of others. I firmly believe that knowledge is power and that my success thus far is because there were very, very few surprises thanks in large part to this forum. During my 6 month supervised diet phase, I educated myself every day about the surgery and the lifestyle changes that had to occur as well as the insurance logistics. My surgery date came and went with no surprises because I had read so many of the accounts of others. When my first stall happened it was no biggie. I read and reread the countless other posts of the exact same thing happening, again, no surprise. My focus now is maintenance and I still come on most days to be inspired and forewarned by the experiences of others who have reached goal and are maintaining. One thing that always helped me was seeing that WLS does work and real people lost real weight. I decided this morning to post before and after pictures not to receive any esteem boosting feedback but rather to encourage others who are beginning their journey or in the middle when the weight seems to be coming off slowly and the negative thoughts start that you will not make it. You will make it and it will so be worth it.

My coffee is one of the major ways I reach my protein goals. I could NEVER tolerate shakes. I just could not get them past my nose. I mix1/2 scoop of unflavored Protein Powder, 1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder in a large mug of coffee every morning with fat free french vanilla creamer and Splenda. It is one of the best mocha beverages I have had. Even more than 2 years out, I still start my day with a cup every day. I'm already looking forward to my morning cup tomorrow just thinking about it.

One of the BEST things I had while on the pureed phase was literally pureed filet mignon. I went to Longhorn and got a petite filet medium rare, brought it home and put it in the food processor with a little beef broth and pureed it down to the consistency of loose pâté. Oh my goodness it was heaven and high in Protein. Another yummy thing I did at this stage was to take ricotta cheese and mix in the preshredded Italian blend cheeses, an egg and salt and pepper and baked it in mini ramekins. I then topped it off with a little marinara sauce. Take the time with each phase to explore healthy options and try new things. Your tastes will change. Start your healthy new life from the beginning of this amazing journey. There are great options at every phase but choose the healthier ones. I know a lot of people use mashed potatoes on the pureed phase but for me, if it had no protein, I did not include it. Follow your plan but you can be creative within the guidelines. Eat to live rather than live to eat.

I would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat. I was one of the lucky ones. I never had any complications from my surgery and the weight came off slowly, steadily and a year or so later, it was gone, along with my hypertension, joint pain GERD and cameral shyness. (I kept my apnea but with therapy, I can live with that). It sounds simple and for the most part it was. I just followed my plan every day and did not try to eat around or cheat my tool. It has served me well. I am in maintenance and that quite frankly scares me to death. It has always been my contention that the big number to lose was the problem. If I could just lose it, I was sure I could keep it off. Well now I am at the point where I will have to prove that to myself. My tool did it's job and now I have to do mine. So far, so good but I never want to let my guard down. I will always be an obese person in a thin body and I am okay with that.

I had severe apnea diagnosed as part of my pre-surgery workup and began CPAP therapy. It made a world of difference in the quality of my sleep. I am currently 15 pounds under my goal weight and maintaining. I have been having difficulty sleeping with my machine of late and thought perhaps I did not need it any longer with the weight loss. I went without it for a few weeks but noted that I was getting really tired again. My pulmonologist just did a home sleep study and I still do have apnea, just not as severe. They switched me to an auto BIPAP machine and I love it. Therapy is nothing to be intimidated by and it really does make a difference. If I was starting out, I would have discussed BIPAP therapy from the beginning. Sleep apnea should not be taken lightly. We are all on this journey to become more healthy and this was a big step in my journey. Good luck to everyone.

I have my coffee routine down to a science. I take the large mug and put a little hot Water from the tap to dissolve the Protein powder. I add the liquid creamer and Splenda and mix it well. I then add the coffee straight from the pot stirring constantly. I have never had a problem with the protein clumping from getting too hot. I did when I tried adding it to Soup one time..eew not very appealing but I have never had that issue with my coffee. I guess the refrigerated creamer keeps it in a good range. I sometimes will even put it in the microwave for another 30 seconds or to make it hotter.

My coffee is one of the major ways I reach my Protein goals. I could NEVER tolerate shakes. I just could not get them past my nose. Not sure why I thought to try it but early on I mixed 1/2 scoop of unflavored Protein powder, 1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder in a large mug of coffee every morning with fat free french vanilla creamer and Splenda. It is one of the best mocha beverages I have had. Even more than a year out, I still start my day with a cup every day. I'm already looking forward to my morning cup.

I too wanted VSG in the beginning but with my reflux my surgeon wouldn't go forward. I had RNY on 11/22/13 and am 10 pounds under the goal I set for myself and could not be happier. I feel absolutely normal, just much healthier. This is definitely something I think I should be able to maintain. I am constantly on guard to not fall back into bad habits. My surgery has given me a new lease on life. Best of luck to you whatever procedure you decide to pursue.

The best meal I ever had on the puréed stage was a puréed medium rare restaurant filet. I brought it home and added a little au jus and blended it till the consistency of pate. I got a 3 meals out of it and a year later and at goal I still think about how yummy it was. Good luck on your journey.

I can't say enough good things about my experience with UPMC and my surgery. My surgery was done by Dr. McCloskey at Magee in Pittsburgh. I attended a seminar and began the 6 month lifestyle classes. (UPMC requires 5 momths) I received guidance and information every step of the way. They guided me through the various preop clearances and I was approved in only 2-3 days. My BMI was 39 with sleep apnea and high blood pressure. My hospital care was excellent and have had no complications. My surgery was 11/22. I can't wait for the future. Good luck to you.

I just had my last pre op appointment with Dr McCloskey this morning. Surgery is 11/22 at Magee. Excited but nervous at the same time.

I just got a call from my surgeon with the results of my endo (last of my requirements). I was so happy that I had a message thinking that they were calling to schedule. Nope it was to tell me that I had Barrett's and they would not do a sleeve. I had to choose bypass or band. I was shocked be because any occasional heartburn I have ever rarely had was taken care of with one Tums. I really didn't think I had a problem. Now I am scurrying to get info on the procedure like I previously did with the sleeve. I was so prepared and now I am anxious. Time to hit the books. Good luck with your procedure.