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Hello everyone. My name is Tom and I have been a lurker for years. I had my surgery 11-22-22 at 471lbs. I weigh 214, for the moment, as I continue to lose. What a powerful tool this has proven to be! I am so blessed and thankful I couldn't possibly articulate it. With that being said, I feel I could help anyone that needs it just based on my own research for years into nutrition, fasting, and the many diet plans out there. I would be happy to give my own anecdotal experiences as well through losing the 255 lbs so far. But the point of this post is for me to lean on some of the vets of duodenal switch. I am approaching maintenance phase in around 35-40 more lbs. Does anyone do low carb in maintenance? If so what does that look like? Am I right to assume for us keto is out correct? The fat would be an issue or maybe someone has tried it? My concern when asking about low carb, for me specifically, I have protected my pouch size. I can still barely eat a few ounces of meat or whatever. I could, and may consider, actively stretching it a little when I get to maintenance, but as of right now I am not sure I could sustain on just meat once I am down to maintenance. I have Bilateral knee surgeries coming starting in Jan. I have lost all this weight in the recliner due to health issues. I am lifting, once I hit 300lbs weight, hard 4 days a week. But 0 steps for the most part. That's important because my exercise will skyrocket once I am healed from the surgeries and I will need more calories eventually. Carbs and fat are obviously the most calorie dense so.. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!

Well you should be able to if you don’t mind cooking. I have been trying all sorts of new recipes. Trying new veggies and fruits every week, different fish and turkey meals. New ways to use chicken Ways to reduce the calories from meals I liked before. It’s easier to do while your hunger is gone so the thought is that you will have found some healthy things you do actually enjoy and have better habits if the hunger returns. It does for many people but to varying intensity. I won’t lie I would still like to have pizza and pasta, but since surgery the healthy stuff is far more enjoyable to the point that I am able to resist temptation a little easier and I have found quite a few dinners that I actually look forward to.

@pinkneymm@aol.com Another AOL account? Great, have you had it for a long time? I’ve always had mine. Anyway I’m on my 2nd week of pre op diet and having a hard time with it because I don’t know why?? I’ve lost a lb a day so far and my esophageal hernia started really acting up and it hurts to swallow anything. But other than that it’s great to already be losing weight. I can even fit into some clothes that I couldn’t before. My surgery is 10/21…really looking forward to it! Yours is not too far away! Yay!!! Best to you!

No, quite the opposite. I had my gall bladder removed about 6 weeks before my pre-op diet and my bowels had not returned to normal. Btw, my surgeon did a hernia repair when he did my sleeve. I’ll be thinking of you on the 21st!

@Kimberly740 My surgery isn’t for another week 10/21 on 2nd week of pre op diet. Not doing the perfect following of it though. Did you have problems with having a BM during the 2nd week of pre op diet? Swallowing is hard because of my hernia. Just started a couple of days ago with this difficulty. How are doing now other than wanting something more substantial?

Hi everyone! New on Bariatric Pal. I had GBRNY September 4th, 2024. Almost six weeks in and lost 18.8 pounds. Slow & steady…

Yes - I have that. Or at least that is what my physician thought after I had occasional symptoms like that and they couldn't find anything else wrong with me (had the workup about four years ago). She said to eat something about every three hours - preferably a protein or something paired with a protein. It works - I rarely have those symptoms any more. P.S. any kind of protein is fine - even a thing of yogurt.

Received a call at 8.30am this morning to be told that I was discussed in last Fridays MDT meeting and was accepted for surgery 🥳🥳🥳 I was then told I would be having a ‘One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass’ - huh?? The nurse repeated herself and I was still none the wiser. She said that she would ask a specialist Bariatric nurse to call me to discuss and would send me the info out. I asked for it to be emailed, which she did. I had a read through and did some more research on the internet, just to familiarise myself with what had been suggested. It’s the mini gastric bypass. The specialist nurse rang me just after 9am and explained that it meant that my ‘pouch’ is slightly bigger then that of a Roux-en-Y bypass and there is only one connection or ‘anastomosis’ which is from the pouch to the bowel. Apparently it’s not as complex with the op taking around 1.5hours and recovery just the same as the normal bypass plus the weight loss is expected to be the same. I was recommended it because of Fibromyalgia and the chronic pain I have with RA and osteoarthritis as it would be easier for me. That made sense, thankfully! The specialist nurse said it was a relatively new procedure to the hospital which is why it wasn’t discussed in any detail at the first education session I attended a few months ago. Fair enough, I’m happy to go ahead with it. The wait is around 4-6 months - oh 😒 I was honest and said that I was concerned about losing focus while I’m waiting and gaining weight once again (we all know how easy that is) She went through everything again with me - 3 meals a day, 20/20/20, use a portion plate if I have one (I do) focus more on my protein etc. She also said that if I do begin to struggle, to contact her and they would fit me in with the dietitian to go through things with me. I felt better for her saying that. I did reiterate that I am happy to take a cancellation. She said they do get cancellations but would have to make sure that I had at least 3 weeks notice to complete the LRD. I’ll be honest and say that I’m really, really hoping that the 4-6 months is on the outside and that the surgery is sooner! I know that whatever will be will be, so just to keep on keeping on. Gym is going well, 3 visits last week and I’m hoping for 3 more this week. I’ve upped my levels and weights and I’m burning around 600-650 cals in around an hour or so workout or so my Apple Watch tells me! I can feel muscle, it just happens to be deeply buried and camouflaged with fat 😮 I tried my smaller sized gym stuff on yesterday and, while I can get it on I wouldn’t say it actually fitted, so a few more pounds to go before I would feel comfortable enough to wear it. I bought a new black trench coat from Costco at the weekend. It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve been able to fit into clothing from there so that was a nice boost. It will definitely last me a reduction of a couple of sizes too. My weight is steady at the moment but I do hope to bring it down a little bit more before I have to do the LRD. Bloods to have taken yet again on Wednesday. If my liver is off this time then they will have to think of something else. I’ve not had my weekly jabs for 7 weeks, I’ve missed my other jab for 4 weeks plus no pain relief for 4 weeks either and it’s all wearing really thin with me now. I’m finding that I’m snapping at hubby because of pain and it’s not fair. The gym is really helping my range of movement but the pain remains. We’re out for belated birthday drinks on Friday (postponed because of blood tests ) and that’s about it. I’ve decided to crack on and make a start on wrapping Christmas presents this week. Thankfully my Christmas shopping is almost finished - hurray for sales! Wishing everyone a happy week 🥰 Onwards and Downwards!

Working out real hunger from these hunger is a major learning for us all. Takes time though to work out which is which. Unfortunately you won’t get proper or true signals about hunger, fullness, etc. until you are fully healed (about 6-8 weeks) cause all of the nerves that were cut during surgery. As someone arise who really ‘ate’ two meals a day in the beginning, I too had that dizziness or wooziness, ensure up you have something before you do anything active. It will help ward if possible hypoglycemia episodes too. You may find too that your blood pressure drops which will make you dizzy, woozie or light headed, doughy in the head, find your vision narrows (lasts a couple of seconds) or at worst you may faint. Try adding an electrolyte powder to your water or take an electrolyte drink with you when you’re more active. It will give you a boost. I found it very helpful. For most people none of these things last once you are eating more regularly, eating a wider range of nutrients and are eating a little more. I’ve always had a tendency to low BP and had random episodes of hypoglycemia. Since surgery they’re more frequent. (The low BP is an every day thing now.)

Well I read that like 26% of sleeve patients end up revising whether it’s because of GERD, inadequate weight loss or regain. My surgeon said that it’s less risky and it’s a very good surgery that works fine for many people but it’s just not enough of a metabolic change for some. I honestly think he leaned towards it because my BMi was low (for this surgery at least). I was barely 35BMI but I tried telling him that was only because I was literally dieting my whole life and even then I didn’t eat that bad. I just ate a lot of food. I’m sure he hears that a lot but I think I just needed the bigger change from a more drastic surgery. From day one with my sleeve I felt like I was on a diet. I never did find healthy foods that I enjoyed, I ate chicken breast and one of the three veggies that I liked and downthe road I ate a tiny portion of something not so good for me (nothing terrible but not good either). I also never felt the spurt of energy that I felt this time so I never got into the exercise. It just wasn’t the whole lifestyle change. It was like any other diet when my hunger came back and my portions got bigger but it was healthy food at first. Then I started gaining and it just made me so depressed I was trying so hard and I was gaining already. I went to my surgeon and asked about bypass and he said he didn’t think it was a good option for me. I still don’t understand why he said that and later changed his mind. Anyways, after that I stopped following up with my team, stopped posting on here and I never went to in person groups. All of my friends and familY had already told me how big I was before thinking it was safe to say because I was thinner then so as I continued to gain I knew what they were thinking of me so my confidence just plummeted and that just snowballed into my gaining all of my weight back and then I just said forget it I guess this is just my life and I didn’t even try anymore. Finally one day my doctor said that I should really go ask him why it is that he doesn’t think it’s a good idea because they felt I was a good candidate and he said he would do it and asked me if I ever heard of the SADI. He sent me home to do research on that surgery and come back and tell him which one I wanted. I said I think the SADI and he said he needed tests to make sure I was a good candidate. He did an endoscopy, a barium swallow study and a gastric emptying test and then he said I was good and put me on the schedule. Then at the last minute they figured out I needed the nutritionist visit and the psyc eval that they didn’t think I needed so I did those in a hurry and started my preop diet. This time I told everyone about my surgery. Even though I have terrible fears that I will regain again I know that I need them cheering me on to keep me going as well. I started the In person support groups before I even had my surgery and I started posting here again as well. I have done so much more with finding healthy foods that I don’t dread and adding exercise so I can have things other than chicken breast macro wise as well. I also know this time that even if I don’t reach my goal weight or my secret goal weight that I already feel so much better and hopefully I can keep that In mind and not get caught up trying to do this just to be skinny because that isn’t the most important thing. Last time I reached the first goal I had set for myself but I never did reach the goal that I secretly wanted to get to. But I was only 18 pounds away and I let that make me feel like a failure. I would give anything to be that weight now. I just lost perspective I guess. Being healthy is really why I did it then and now and I’m already on the road to being a lot healthier so if I do lose more that’s really just icing on the cake. I just have to remember that and I think I will be okay.

@Kimberly740 I’m a little older at 67 and at first I thought I was too old but my surgeon didn’t think so. He was concerned more about the weight causing so many of my health problems. I went to him for my esophageal hernia to repair and he suggested the sleeve also. Two for one! How are you doing now going on two weeks? Hope everything went well with your surgery!

@julie. I think it’s weird that everyone’s pre op diet is so different. My nutritionist told me that it use to be all shakes before surgery but she asked the surgeon to include something chewy to help us not quit. I have to say it’s not simple. My surgeon is one of two drs at University of Miami hospital who does Bariatric surgery. He told me my husband could stay with me because the floor is his and he can specify a lot of things. I’ll be staying 2 nights because of distance and my age. Just liquid the day before surgery for me and two weeks after also. Then every 2 weeks the next step. I would love a slice pizza or a grilled cheese sandwich right now. It hasn’t even been a week yet:)

I won’t get into details but I survived my first really stressful week and still managed to maintain my fitness and stay on track with my food plan. I’m sure it was a bit easier without actual hunger but it was my first real test because I seriously wanted to turn to food like I would have in the past. I am so proud of myself.

I drink matcha every day and I also have mushroom coffee. It comes out to about 60mg of caffeine total per day. Less than a regular cup of coffee but juuuuust enough to give me a little bit of "get up and go". I stayed away from all caffeine for about 6 months, then had matcha twice per week for 2 months, then added the mushroom coffee twice per week 2 months after adding the matcha. Now I drink them daily and it's all good.

Ah 2 weeks ago I did an inbody test and today I did it again to just see if I am going in the right direction. Well, I've lost "weight" but I think i only lost water and muscles I'm down 1 kg muslce and actually gained 300g fat! Ahhhhhh why does everything have to be complicated? The coach in the gym told ne to up my protien and take PT classes to focus on building strength and muscles but is she right or is she just trying to sell her services? I'll sit n discuss with my team on the 15th and decide what to do. On another note, I tried the power stretch class today and I stretched muscles didn't know existed hahaha it was amazing but tiring like I burnt almost 400 cals. P.s. attaching my 2 weeks and today inbody results

Five years out and the poltergeist in my tummy is alive and well. It was grunting this morning after breakfast. And I mean grunting. I asked the doctor who does my follow ups about it a couple of years back because all the grumbling, rumbling and whining was so loud. She said it was my digestive system doing what it’s supposed to do: digest food. It differs person to person & I believe surgeon to surgeon (some are just more rough), After my sleeve I had very little bruising. Though others have posted some pretty significant bruises here after theirs. Can’t recall after my gall but I’ve had more with my recent surgery. (My poor belly button is so tiny now with the 3 laparoscopic abdominal surgeries I’ve had that have used it.) Each time the wounds were different. This time I even have a little lump from a pleat in my skin from the internal sutures. And one I swear looks like the Enterprise from Star Trek. And one can be more tender one day and the next another one is. Took into the third week for the bruising to be fully gone this time. The incision they removed your stomach through is usually a little longer than the others & is the one on the right of your belly button.

I finally gained weight!!! I'm officially at 180, and I like that. I feel better, I have more energy, and I don't feel nearly so run down and out of it. Still look super thin, but it is what it is. Now I'm going to work on maintenance since this is where I want to stay. I'm ok with 2 pounds in either direction, but I definitely don't want to drop below 178 again lol I got all the way down to 170 and it was just really bad. I literally don't work out at all anymore because I'm on my feet all day working 5 days per week. I increased my calories to 1700 per day (up from 1500), my carbs to 55 net per day (up from 40 or so), my protein to 100g per day (up from 80), my healthy fats to 80g per day (up from 50), my fiber intake to 30g (10 from supplements and the rest from food - up from 20) and upped my fluids to 120 fl oz per day (up from 90 - 100). I'll add my weekend workouts back in now (nothing crazy, just core and strength but on the lighter side, not heavy) so I don't gain too much now that I've figured out how to finally gain weight lol

my stomach had full on conversations with me for the first two or so years post op. it was pretty loud too, omg. i'm 6+ years out and on the rare occasions it may make a sound here or there...like maybe once every 2-3 weeks. i can't figure out the circumstances that makes it happen, these days, but i don't have any ill effects, so i'm not that concerned....

sooooo I am with you right now, there has been a lot going on this week, and I know I am going to start my period soon so its heightening everything I am feeling. But I told my boyfriend I feel fat...he looked at me and said "what part of you are you fat?!" I have maintained my weight for the past month and a half ish? upped my weights at the gym and cardio. Idk I have never been in maintenance so I feel weird. I keep wondering okay when will I start gaining again. I look in the mirror and I see 300lb me and start ripping my body apart. I wonder if I really look better or if I look worse. This journey is a total mind EFF!

i had my preadmission class yesterday and they spoke about what we can and can't have as well. they don't do the two-week liquid diet before they just have a green and lean diet basically healthy eating that we must do before the surgery and the liquid diet 2 weeks post op. my date is 10/29 so start the diet Monday. they gave us two shakes one we have to take 12 hours before surgury time and the other 3 hours prior to surgery . the day before surgery we can have a liht breakfast and after 12 noon all liquids .

Sorry I haven't reached out sooner - glad to hear you are out the other end and you are doing okay ❤️ Congratulations! TMI!: I had to have the pessary when I was in the hospital as I just couldn't poo 😂 It did work but I ended up having this strange explosive bowel movement that had lots of old blood in it - proper freaked me out but a nurse told me it was normal and was just residue blood from the surgery. I wish she had warned me about this prior to it happened so I wasn't so concerned about it, but IF anything like this happens, don't worry too much! But either way, apparently doesn't happen to everyone. Definitely keep away from the scales for a bit as a lot of people find that their weight is a bit higher immediately post-op so just wait until you have healed! My surgeon didn't want me weighing myself until at least 8 weeks pot-surgery (I lasted about 4 weeks 😂) Hope you are well ❤️

So I went on vacation with my hubby- caught some kinda cold...getting to the almost better part of the cold- however still have a cough- and sometimes my chest hurts with it. So please if you are one to pray- pray this is done and over with by my surgery date ❤️ I did my preOp appointment, doctor heard me coughing- didn't really question anything....so I didn't either. Did covid test- it was negative so thats good. Started my PreOp 2 week diet per my doctors orders. I also started watching my portions before this so it feels very manageable. Oct 24th is my go date for Balloon procedure. I know people that did gastric bypass however I did not qualify for that. So fingers crossed my lifestyle changes will get me to my goal. Thats my intro- looking forward to hearing from people as we progress through this journey together

No capsule wardrobe in my house. I’m guilty of having far more clothes than I need. A example of the proof of me having too many clothes is this dress which I found in my wardrobe recently and couldn’t remember buying it. Obviously worn (no tags) but where and when I had no idea. Wore it last weekend because of my guilt & than I remembered the last time I wore it - to my friend’s daughter’s hens party three years ago. Oops. Where did you go for your holiday?

So glad to hear you're out the other end of the surgery OP. My advice is prioritise your fluid goals for the first week or two. Honestly vitamins and protein goal and almost everything else can be caught up on later if you can't make them right now.

I know programmes differ hugely but my surgeon placed absolutely no restrictions on caffeine and I was hugely grateful. I have no idea whether there is good evidence that caffeine consumption affects weight loss after bariatric surgery but I suspect very much not. @GreenTealael do you have any evidence to share? I am a coffee, not a matcha drinker, but I know how much I valued those coffees in the weeks and months after my surgery. Might be worth drilling down into the actual evidence based practice with your team if matcha means as much to you!