SleeveToBypass2023

Ok, so my "healthy weight" is 145-155. Well, back when I weighed that in high school, people thought I had an eating disorder because I looked sickly. When I weighed 160, it was better, but I always thought I looked my best between 170-180. But I didn't dare dream I could get there, so I made my goal 200, which still seemed low, but at least seemed possible. Now I'm eyeballing that 180 and thinking I might actually be able to get there. It's ok to change your goal. Nobody said once you choose it, it's set in stone

I had my gall bladder removed back in 97 when I was 4 months pregnant with my son. I had absolutely no idea at all that there were issues until I had the attack in the middle of the night. I thought I was dying. Went to the ER, found out I had severe pancreatitis that needed IV antibiotics to get it under control before it was safe enough to remove my gall bladder, but also saw that my gall bladder was so full of stones it was literally about to burst. I was in the hospital on iv meds for 3 days before I could have the surgery. Then during the surgery, when they removed it, it literally burst as it was removed and a few stones got stuck and had to be removed. I was in surgery 2 hours longer than expected and spiked a fever. I was in the hospital another 3 days on more pain meds and antibiotics before I was allowed to go home. So in my humble opinion, get it outta there. Not worth the trouble you will inevitably have now that you know you produce stones. It's not likely to stop, so better to be safe than sorry.

THIS right here is what I was thinking. Who are we to decide, based on how someone looks, that are well or unwell? Maybe she has a medical condition of her own that she battles that makes her look that way. We certainly don't like snap judgements and assumptions about us, I think we should hold that same logic for others, including our doctors.

That's normal. You still have the gas they used in your surgery in there that needs to work its way out. Make sure you walk, walk, walk and in a few days to a week you'll notice the discomfort and swelling will be gone.

OMG congratulations!!! That is absolutely amazing!!! You must feel incredible. I'm so happy for you

When I had my revision from sleeve to bypass, I was on Omeprazole and was slowly weaned off. Just stopping completely can cause that rebound issue, so he had me taking the full dose every day for the first 4 weeks. Then every other day for 2 weeks, then 3x a week for 2 weeks, then I went off them completely. And I had absolutely no issues at all. I had to have the revision because I originally had the sleeve and had MAJOR complications (incredible gerd that required 80mg of Nexium per day, still had break through reflux so Pepcid was added as needed, and then pre-cancerous polyps developed all through my stomach and duodenum, requiring 5 surgeries for remove everything). My surgeon wanted me on the PPI and to do a gradual step down to wean off to protect my stomach and allow it to heal so there wouldn't be any additional issues. I would say maybe try stepping down gradually off the PPI and see if that helps.

I'm going to try and keep this from being too long, but there's so much to say!!! First I'll start with my newest NSVs. I'm officially in a size 18 clothes (from my original size 30), size 10 shoes (from my original size 11), size 6 1/2 ring (from my original size 10), 18" chain on a necklace (from my original 24" chain), and 2x jacket (from my original 4-5x). I can now comfortably fit on a massage table without fear of it creaking or breaking. I can now ride a bike because I'm within the weight limit. I now am able to hit my favorite thrift stores and walk out with seriously cute clothes that look nice, sit well on me, and actually fit comfortably!! My asthma is almost completely gone (I only have it when I get super sick now instead of all the time). My blood work came back and my hormone levels are almost in the normal range (I have PCOS) and my cysts that completely COVERED both ovaries are totally gone (without having taken any meds or done any hormone therapies!!) I did a 6 mile hike this past weekend with my son. I am completely pain free and am able to go full on beast mode with my workouts again. I can go up 5 flights of stairs before I need to stop and rest. Now for my new chapter in life and old dreams becoming new again. So years ago, I wanted to become a nurse. I completed all of the academics with a 4.0, aced all the labs, but couldn't do any of the clinicals because I couldn't do all the walking, I was 400 pounds, and my health/joints/back were way too bad. So I gave up on it. Then about 2 years later, I thought "well, maybe I can be a medical assistant. Surely THAT'S not as hard" and once again, I couldn't do the externship because I couldn't do the physical stuff. So I went into other areas for work, ballooned up to 421 pounds, worked remotely, and made good money. I loved what i did, but there was always a part of me that regretted not being able to go into the medical field. That was my heart's desire. So fast forward to now. I'm between jobs and miserable. I had to stop working because of all my complications from my first surgery. Now that I've been cleared, I can't get hired anywhere. So I decided that now is a great time to go back to my dream of working in the medical field. So on Sept 5th, I start school to become a certified pediatric oncology medical assistant. Most of my previous credits transfer over, so I only have about 6 months of academics to do and then the externship. Then I sit for my certification exam and then I get to finally FINALLY do what I've always wanted to do. By my 46th birthday next June, I should be right where I want to be, doing what I want to do, and hopefully at my goal weight. I'm sitting here in tears as I type this, because I thought this was something I would never see happen. I resigned myself to being morbidly obese, extremely unhealthy, and needing a cane to get around. I may not be at my goal weight (the weight comes off a lot slower with a revision, and also as your bmi gets smaller and you get closer to your goal) but I believe eventually I'll get there. But the things this surgery is giving to me, the dreams I can live out, the health and wellness and years of my life I'm getting back..... it was all worth it. The complications, the uncertainty, the pain and healing and stalls.... all completely worth it. We all start this journey wanting the numbers on the scale to go down. But there's SO MUCH MORE this surgery gives you. I will never, ever regret my decision. Never.

RUN, don't walk, and get a 2nd opinion. And a 3rd. As many as you need to get to the bottom of this. This is your health and your life we're talking about. And it sound like these doctors are pulling a CYA (Cover Your A$$ ) instead of actually addressing what happened. Explanations for procedures performed don't change. They did what they did, and any doctor in the field should be able to look at your imaging and records and know exactly what was done AND communicate it to you the exact same way every time. This smells rotten to me, so definitely find someone else to tell you exactly what's going on.

I've never smoked, but my surgeon AND my insurance both required that smoking be completely stopped. My insurance said 3 months and my surgeon said 6 weeks. This is what I found as to why: "Nicotine can adversely influence the cardiovascular system, leading to irregular or unstable blood pressure (hemodynamic instability) under general anesthesia. Furthermore, the effects of nicotine have been proven to reduce blood flow, increase heart rate, and induce hypertension. Maintaining a good blood flow is important both during and after surgery, which is why nicotine is so dangerous to surgical patients."

What about it?

I'm almost 15 months out from my original surgery and 3 months out from my revision. These numbers are where I was at when I hit around 10 months out and I've pretty much stayed here because I'm used to it. I was told I could go up if I want, and I may go up to 1200 on non work out days and 1400 on workouts since I'm doing heavier and longer workouts now. But with the smaller stomachs that we have, and the frequency we're supposed to eat, and the kinds of things we're supposed to eat, it is actually a lot easier to stay at the lower calorie amounts. You definitely shouldn't be anywhere near 2000 per day.

I use extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil (I cut out butter whenever possible)

Actually, that's higher than mine. I stay around 1100 unless I'm working out, then I'm at 1300. If it's 1300-1500 for you, split the difference and try 1400. You would be surprised how filling another 400 calories actually is. Just make sure you're eating them and not drinking them.

Congratulations and good luck!!! See you on the other side

What surgery did you have? When I had my sleeve, I was so sensitive to temperature of liquids, amounts, had to sip very slowly. When I had my revision to bypass, I was able to drink an entire 20oz of water 3 hours after surgery and haven't had any issues at all. Some people on here had to take it slow when they got home, some were able to just jump in and drink however much they wanted. I was in both camps.

I live in Denver, and we have a Starbucks on nearly every corner, and none of them offer any sugar free options except vanilla. I love Jordan's Skinny Syrups. They have white chocolate mocha syrup that's no calories, no sugar, no carbs and it's AMAZING. I love all their flavors. I was told no caffeine because it dehydrates you, and we have to be very mindful of our hydration. Especially if we deal with constipation. But if I find I REALLY need the pick-me-up, I get it from tea or from Arbonne natural caffeine energy powders (absolutely LOVE them).

🤩💪😭😭

Thank you!! Yeah, he's pretty alright, I suppose lol

No problem!! I missed it, too. That's why I went on the hunt for one that was decent. It's not perfect, but if you have it with avocado on it, it's fantastic.

I get it at WalMart. They also have a few other flavors in this brand, but I just prefer white. I put avocado on it and LOVE it. I also put butter, cinnamon, and monkfruit sweetener on it if I want some cinnamon toast (I can only eat 1 piece since I have such a small stomach, but it's REALLY good).

But see? You actually ARE exercising your body. Just volunteering, walking, shopping, cleaning. That's moving your body, which helps. If what you're doing now is more than what you did before, it counts. Formal workouts aren't the only way to exercise your body. I think you're doing awesome, and everything you're doing helps AND counts.

Any kind of movement helps. Walking, shopping at the store, chair exercises, any and all of it help. I think you're on the right track, and you'll definitely get there

ALSO, what kind of exercising are you doing? If you aren't, definitely start. Either water exercises, or walks, or basic floor and chair exercises (lots of beginner workouts for free on youtube). You are FOR SURE going to have to exercise after the surgery, so you want to start that now, as well. And again, it will help you lose the weight you need to qualify for the surgery.

I'm no longer diabetic. My A1c is now 5.5 and my glucose tends to stay between 107-112 when checked. I'm no longer on any of the meds I was on because all of my numbers are normal. For a sugar substitute, I use monk fruit sweetener. I can't stand anything else. I hate the gross taste of everything else. Sugar free foods are actually really good these days. I don't use veggie curls to substitute pasta. There are keto pasta noodles (and keto bread, which is really good) that I prefer. Normal calorie intake is 2000 calories. I would work on getting yours down to 1600 by surgery time. You will eat A LOT less than that after the surgery, but lowering your calories and carbs will help you drop the weight you need to qualify for the surgery. I would also work on getting your carbs down to 70-80 per day by surgery day. Again, you will be consuming a lot less than that after surgery, but getting them down now will help you later.

I initially had the sleeve and was told I could maybe try it at 18 months out, but it was very heavily discouraged. I had a revision to bypass and was told absolutely no forever.