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Hey guys, I just wanted to vent how I am feeling and see if anyone else feels this way or did feel the same before surgery. I already started my preop diet so I am fully committed to doing things right so I can have a safe recovery. Today was hard in that I got a lot of invitations for food related things that I'd usually be so excited about. My best friend called me and told me a new Cuban restaurant (my favorite food) was opening in San Diego and that we should try it as my "goodbye" meal before surgery. I know the intentions were good, but I politely declined and told her I already started my preop surgery since I am 3.5 weeks away from surgery. Later this same day, my sister who has been on vacation in Puerto Rico the past two weeks called me and told me that she brought back some delicious food she discovered there and if my fiance and I to would like to come over and try it. Again, I declined. The last straw for me today has been that a foodie club that I've been a part of and built friendships in has invited me to San Diego Comic Con this weekend to try out the new Sonic the Hedgehog popup Cafe. Food menu items are being paid for by the club so basically free food and meetup with some friends. This was the hardest for me to say no to, I even rsvped knowing damn well I can't go. As you can see, food has been a major part of my social life and source of happiness for the past years that I guess I am the go to that people call when they want to eat 🤣🤣 All of these invitations happened today and I can't help but feel really depressed right now and like I'm missing out. I am so done with the health problems I have and the chronic pain I'm in because of my obesity . I have been so excited that I've committed to this weight loss journey and my new diet for the past week talking nonstop about it and being hopeful and now this feeling of depression and feeling sorry for myself has hit me like a pile of bricks and I haven't even done the surgery yet which makes me feel hopeless like I've already failed just by feeling like this. Sorry for the long post, just feeling down and needed to vent
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Hey guys, I just wanted to vent how I am feeling and see if anyone else feels this way or did feel the same before surgery. I already started my preop diet so I am fully committed to doing things right so I can have a safe recovery. Today was hard in that I got a lot of invitations for food related things that I'd usually be so excited about. My best friend called me and told me a new Cuban restaurant (my favorite food) was opening in San Diego and that we should try it as my "goodbye" meal before surgery. I know the intentions were good, but I politely declined and told her I already started my preop surgery since I am 3.5 weeks away from surgery. Later this same day, my sister who has been on vacation in Puerto Rico the past two weeks called me and told me that she brought back some delicious food she discovered there and if my fiance and I to would like to come over and try it. Again, I declined. The last straw for me today has been that a foodie club that I've been a part of and built friendships in has invited me to San Diego Comic Con this weekend to try out the new Sonic the Hedgehog popup Cafe. Food menu items are being paid for by the club so basically free food and meetup with some friends. This was the hardest for me to say no to, I even rsvped knowing damn well I can't go. As you can see, food has been a major part of my social life and source of happiness for the past years that I guess I am the go to that people call when they want to eat 🤣🤣 All of these invitations happened today and I can't help but feel really depressed right now and like I'm missing out. I am so done with the health problems I have and the chronic pain I'm in because of my obesity . I have been so excited that I've committed to this weight loss journey and my new diet for the past week talking nonstop about it and being hopeful and now this feeling of depression and feeling sorry for myself has hit me like a pile of bricks and I haven't even done the surgery yet which makes me feel hopeless like I've already failed just by feeling like this. Sorry for the long post, just feeling down and needed to vent
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My Solgar Vitamin B12 Sublingual and vitamin C were 20-33% off for my preop! Solgar Biotin and vital Proteins Collagen powder both at 36% off usual price for my skin/hair/nails. Premier protein shakes cake batter and chocolate peanut butter were 30% off. Definetely stocked up! You're welcome for the reminder! It's temping not to buy more things 🤣🤣
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Thanks for the reminder! I got my vitamins at 32% off and a L'ange hair product at 50% off!😍
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I had a serious case of buyer's remorse during my second week post op. I even thought, "I should've just stayed the way I was!" But I am feeling better. I try to do a lot of reading about the bypass and revisions. I'm a sleeve to bypass revision. I'm 23 days out and at a weight stall. I'm finding it hard to consume more than 56-64 oz of water a day. I'm craving caffeine like crazy. And I'm experiencing constipation and not sure how to add more fiber without adding more carbs. It's tricky getting just enough of this and not too much of that. What's helping my mindset, though, is looking back at my very first pic (starting weight) and looking at my most recent. I haven't lost much (comparatively speaking), but I feel better. I can wash the dishes, cook dinner for my daughter, and bathe without running out of breath or having my back aching and burning. I can dress myself without having to sit on the bed. My skin looks fantastic. Focus on all of the things that have gotten better since your pre-op diet. Focus on the future weight loss you'll experience (even if it's going slower than you'd like). Focus on things you'll be able to consume in a couple of months. You can look up recipes and save them for month 2 and month 3 and so on. Also, I don't know if you pray, but if you do, pray for peace of mind. All of these things help me, and they may help you as well.
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https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/argon-plasma-coagulation-for-weight-loss
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I understand the “let me eat it all now, because I won’t be able to eat it after the surgery.” I’ve done it, too. I know you’re scared about the surgery. The only thing I can suggest is for you to think of the reason for the surgery. You’re not having “weight-loss surgery.” You’re having a surgery to fix another problem. Actually, that’s how we got the Roux-en-Y. It was for a different gastric problem, and the patients and doctors noticed the weight loss. Then they started using the surgery specifically for weight loss. You’re fortunate to have a very supportive husband. It will be helpful during your recovery and the weight loss that accompanies it. You can do this!
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August 2023 Surgery Buddies!
kayhay0714 replied to kayhay0714's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm so excited for us all! I had to look up what Barret's Esophagus is, and that sounds like it would be really uncomfortable. I am sorry you have had to deal with that, and here's to hoping for relief and weight loss for you! -
4 months out, having a bad day. Ate an entire 10" pizza
Arabesque replied to Jonathan Carlson's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
It’s okay. Everyone slips at some point. As long as you don’t keep doing it you’ll be okay. Look at it as a learning opportunity. We all have to work out why, how much, often often or when we’ll eat certain foods. Why did you keep eating the pizza? Craving, emotions (happy, sad, angry, frustrated.), boredom, habit, diet fatigue, testing your limits, etc.? What can you do the next time you’re in this situation or mental place? Portion out a slice & put the rest in the fridge, only have it when you can share with a friend so they eat most of it, mange when you choose to have it so as not to compromise your weight loss, make a more nutritionally beneficial low cal version (cauliflower base, etc.) -
Doing Better Than I Thought
GreenTealael replied to Victoria Wank's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Did you have this procedure? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/argon-plasma-coagulation-for-weight-loss If so, pretty interesting! Please add more information because someone might be very interested and not know it’s even a possibility. Congratulations on doing well. -
Surgery Date 08/07/2023
MasonMoonGirl replied to MasonMoonGirl's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
My office is really relaxed, maybe too relaxed I wish I had more support from them. I never had to go to any weight loss seminar. My nutrition classes consisted of me texting any questions I have to the nurse and she doesn't get back to me unless I remind her a day later. Haven't been offered any nutrition or counseling services aside from that. They emailed me a list of foods that I can eat right now but no portion sizes. I'm learning how to eat by reading gastric bypass books and on youtube. All I have to do is blood tests a couple days before and did my ekg test and heart xray already. I'm seeking therapy and joining the gym on my own. Mine is pretty much just the dr performing the surgery it seems and the rest is up to me. I'm so thankful for this group and hope that they offer more support after. Never had to do any in person weigh ins or lose a specific amount of weight they just said don't gain weight. I wonder if the lack of requirements for me is a good thing or a bad thing. No nicotine test but I'm not a smoker. I believe my liquid diet is 1 or two days before the surgery -
Recovery from bypass vs sleeve
Spinoza replied to SleeveToBypass2023's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
STB so pleased to see you're out the other end of this! Did they get rid of all your polyps? Do you think this will be your last procedure? 💪 Wishing you a smooth smooth road for the rest of your weight loss journey xx -
Doing Better Than I Thought
Victoria Wank replied to Victoria Wank's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Not only follow-up, pre-surgery education about what to expect in terms of weight loss, and that there is a series of surgeries to be done before the revision is complete. -
August 2023 Surgery Buddies!
Shan0 replied to kayhay0714's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It’s great that there’s a cohort of us! I’m not on any sort of pre-diet yet really, but it will be starting soon. I’m happy about this, even though weight loss is only part of the reason I’m doing it. They’re addressing my Barrett’s Esophagus too, which will be a relief. How are you all feeling? -
Hello all. I am excited be on this weight loss journey. I had my VGS on July 6, 2023, so I am a less than a week post-op. I started this journey at 267 lbs- consult day. The day of surgery I was 230 lbs. My surgery went well, I spent one night in the hospital. My incisions are still sore but manageable, I feel great. Today, I weighed in at 226 lbs. I live in Florida. It is so great to have a place to share my experience and get advice. I hope I can be helpful in some way and my words can inspire someone.
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3 Days Post Op - Just Documenting My Journey
doubleJointed replied to doubleJointed's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Just responding to my own post to have everything in one place. General Down almost 60lbs after surgery on May 18th. No complications. I followed the rules exactly on the diet, but continued to push the exercise because that's my personality. In fact, I would say I've become a little obsessive with the exercise, walking/running/biking everyday. I have also experienced a lot of ups and downs since the surgery. Food The first week after surgery I was fine with the limited clear liquids, however, near the end of the first week I was sick and tired of the clear liquids. The second week was the same. First part of the week was good because of new liquids, but near the end of the second week I was sick of the limitations. Basically I was excited every time I got new foods, and was sick of it by the end. This was not so much because I was having cravings for fatty or sugary foods, I just needed variety. Now I'm opened up to try whatever I want, except carbonation. I'm still not trying bread, but have had really small tastes of pasta (really small) or eaten really small keto tortillas without issue. I'm still keeping a daily log of all food eaten and hitting my macros on most days. I'm really focusing on my protein (100+ grams a day; I've really been aiming for 130+ grams, but it's tough) intake as I don't want to lose any more muscle. I do notice that I get the hiccups when I'm full. Sometimes my nose runs when I'm full as well. I did get the "slimes" once. I was trying to eat a breakfast taco on the keto tortilla and I guess it was too dry. I only got half down (the tortillas are only about 3.5 inches across; really small) and it felt like it was stuck. So what do you do when food is stuck, DRINK! That was a mistake. Got the slimes and eventually threw up. That's the only time that has happened. Fortunately, it was like 5 weeks after surgery, but I was worried I had done something to my stomach. Went out to eat with the family a week ago and tried ghost pepper wings (which I'm normally fine with). I also put ghost pepper hot sauce on my refried beans, without issue. The spicy wings did not go well. It was much spicier than normal and I ended up drinking water and almost threw up. Prior, I had eaten 3 wingstop wings with blue cheese and was fine (mango habanero). We went out to dinner again last night and I had a few bites of salad, about 2 ounces of chicken breast with BBQ sauce and a few bites of sweet potato and was stuffed. I used to get a 16 ounce ribeye with mushrooms and onions, mashed potatoes, veggies and a couple of tall beers. I did not feel like I was missing out, which feels kind of weird. My kids got a dessert and I wasn't interested in it. Sugar free popsicles taste really good and are almost too sweet now. I was really worried about eating out (what I was going to eat; how it was going to go, etc). I feel more comfortable now for when we go out with friends. Bonus, I have saved a TON of money on food and alcohol. Like a crazy amount. I did have a glass of bourbon on the rocks last week. Drank it slow and it went down just fine. Zero issues. I'm not going to start drinking though, and will just stick to an occasional drink. Exercise I started walking very soon after surgery, 10K steps a day, and pushed it too far too early. I dialed it back for the first two weeks, but then picked it back up. Now I either walk for 15K+ steps a day or ride the bike for an hour. Every day. I get a more intense workout on the bike plus it's better on my joints. Walking seems to hurt my hips and back, but I'm powering through. I'm going to a physical therapist on Thursday to try to figure that out. As I said above, I'm definitely obsessive about my exercise. Sometimes to the point where I wear myself out and am exhausted for the rest of the day. Some of that is a mix of the intense exercise and limited calorie intake. I've also told myself that I was not going to obsess about the scale and I was only going to weigh once a week, because the weekly/monthly trend is the only thing that matters (my weight fluctuates up and down daily, but trends down weekly/monthly). However, I find it really difficult to avoid weighing myself multiple times a day. I'm obsessed with the scale as well. Mood Overall, I'm OK. Weight loss is really good. Hit a couple of short stalls. No complications, but my mood is really up and down, which is not normal for me. So much so, that I have scheduled an appt with a therapist next week (first time in my life). The doldrums are real, especially after VSG, so take care of yourselves, physically and mentally. Meds I'm completely off my BP meds and it's currently averaging 120/80. I have GERD with a history of Barrett's Esophagus, and I'm currently taking 40mg omeprazole daily. I was really worried about it getting worse after surgery, but I have had zero issues. I have a follow up appt with my VSG doc next week and I'm going to see if I can test 20mg. I would love to get off all meds. I tried the barimelts at the suggestion of my doctor, and they were OK the first couple of days. Then they totally grossed me out. I mean, like I was about to vomit and dreaded taking them every day. I only made it about a week before I gave up. I'm back on regular vitamins for now and tolerating them just fine. I'm going to ask the doc about that next week as well. Misc Because of the connective tissue disorder, my shoulders are really messed up. My right one especially. I'm glad it's not affecting my exercising. I just saw an orthopedic and she described my shoulder as "gnarly". Reverse shoulder replacement is in my future, but in the meantime, I'll have it scoped for labrum and rotator cuff repair, plus Bankart repair with the remplissage procedure. I am looking forward to relief from the chronic pain, but not the recovery. I hear it is brutal. TLDR Wished I would've had the surgery sooner. Plan for some ups and downs. Follow the plan. Take care of yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help. -
Doing Better Than I Thought
Victoria Wank posted a topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I had the Argon-zapping revision surgery in June 2022. I started losing weight, to the extent that people noticed. I lost 40 pounds from my pre-surgery weight. My 16th-century dresses fit better. I noticed that I would get stuck at a certain weight. I also got constipated. Getting unconstipated helped with the weight loss. At 40 pounds lost, I got stuck for a long time. I got frustrated. At one point, I got an appetite for pastries, and I went on a tear. I gained 20 pounds. I thought that perhaps the revision wasn’t working. I have lost 13 of those pounds (being poor-ish helps). I just had a telehealth visit with my surgeon. She said that I am at a better place than expected! She gave me more information about revision surgery. One procedure isn’t enough, and I should have been scheduled for the second procedure and been followed by their obesity surgery team. I will be scheduled for the next surgery in August. If you’re frustrated about weight loss after revision surgery, speak with your surgeon, and ask if there are further surgeries that are part of your plan. One surgery isn’t the end-all of your plan! -
Ozempic being investigated for suicidal thoughts…
Fred in Pa replied to Fred in Pa's topic in Protein, Vitamins, and Supplements
Behind paywall, here is verbiage: Ozempic is under review by European drug-safety regulators after they received reports of suicidal thoughts linked to the popular weight-loss drug and another medicine in the class. The European Medicines Agency said Monday it is evaluating the safety risk for patients who take the drugs, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, after learning that three people who took the medicines reported thoughts of self harm or suicide. Suicidal behavior isn’t listed as a side effect for Ozempic—and a related drug called Saxenda that is also subject to the review—in the European Union, the EMA said. Novo Nordisk said the company’s studies of Ozempic and Saxenda, as well as its continuing monitoring of their use, haven’t shown a link to suicidal thinking or thoughts of self harm. “Novo Nordisk remains confident in the benefit risk profile of the products and remains committed to ensuring patient safety,” a Novo Nordisk spokeswoman said. Depositary shares in Denmark-based Novo Nordisk were flat in trading on the New York Stock Exchange midday Monday. Ozempic, Saxenda and other drugs targeting a gut and brain hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, have exploded in popularity after studies found they can help people lose significant weight. Companies initially developed the class to treat people with diabetes. Ozempic, which is approved for diabetes treatment, has a sister drug named Wegovy that is cleared for chronic weight management in people who are obese. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it doesn’t comment on external research or individual reports, but may evaluate them. It said clinical trials for Wegovy didn’t support an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Prescribing information for Wegovy, however, includes a warning and precaution for these risks because it has been reported in clinical trials for other weight-management drugs, the FDA said. The EMA said it would consider whether to expand its inquiry to other GLP-1 drugs. The agency said it began its review after the Icelandic Medicines Agency reported suicidal thoughts by one user of Ozempic and similar thoughts by a user of an older drug in the class called Saxenda. A third case reported by the Icelandic agency involved thoughts of self-injury by a user of Saxenda. Write to Melanie Evans at melanie.evans@wsj.com -
New to Revision (Sleeve to Bypass) Seeking Advice
RickM replied to CarmenG's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
The good news is that this seems to be fairly normal - our weight loss when we start a major effort, surgical or not, tends to be front loaded - lots of initial loss, mostly water weight, and then slows down. Plus you are just getting in.to the "three week stall" window where weight loss typically slows or stops for a bit while the body absorbs what has happened to it, and then resumes (though usually at a slower rate.) The not so good news is that as a revision, weightloss is typically slower and less than with the original surgery. My simple minded thought on this is that originally, our stomachs will hold 32-64 oz, but now after your original WLS and whatever stretch and adaptation it goes through over the years, it might hold 4-6 oz, yet you have adapted to that (learned how to eat around your sleeve/pouch) and still regained. So things will be slower. And, the biggest loss tends to be around surgery time when we are stuck with the highly restrictive pre- and post-op dieting. Additionally, the RNY is metabolically similar to your original VSG, so it doesn't provide a big change over what you had - so it is much slower going the second time around. (The DS, duodenal switch, is stronger metabolically than either of the others, so does work somewhat better on regain, but few surgeons offer it, or mention it.) Those who I have seen who have done really well with revision weight loss are those who take the "I'm not going to let that happen again" attitude and really knuckle under and get, and stay with, the program. -
Insurance and the Pre-Op Diet
GrannyMaggie replied to GrannyMaggie's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thank you. I do understand the reasons and how necessary the pre-diet is. Not doing it is not a question, I do understand the need to get the liver as small as possible. My concern was I’ve been doing the pre-diet in sort of a “Light” version, trying to figure out ahead of time (with my nutritionist’s encouragement) the flavors I like and the mechanics (like what blender works best, powder vs premix, etc etc). I want to know what I like, get the shopping out of the way and be ready to roll when the time comes. I was surprised to see the scale dropping, thought to myself Wow, I can lose weight just drinking one protein shake a day? Might want to rethink this whole thing- and then I started taking my glucose readings. What I’m worried about is it’ll be 2 more months minimum before the surgery, mandated by insurance prerequisites, and my diabetes has taken a turn for the worse. Up to this point, it’s been borderline but OF COURSE now my numbers have started spiking and I’ve started losing weight. My insurance has a BMI of 40, or of 35 with health issues. I’ve bounced around between 37 and 42 over the past few years, have the health issues (diabetes, heart, high blood pressure). I’m seeing the endocrinologist this week to probably be started on medication and I hope that gets things under control quickly. My worry is the weight I’m losing has been unexpected. I know from family members that weight loss was one of the first signs of diabetes. They regained the weight eventually, but it was rather dramatic, and muscle, not fat so there wasn’t even a silver lining there. So. That’s my worry- if this weight I’ve lost (and will possibly keep losing for a little while until medication and diet modification stops this) added to the weight loss from the 2 week liquid diet could slam the brakes on the bypass surgery at the last minute. -
Insurance and the Pre-Op Diet
Arabesque replied to GrannyMaggie's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The pre op diet is also known as a liver shrinking diet. It’s in place to reduce the size of your liver to make it easier fir your surgeon to see where they’re operating. This is it’s real purpose. Of course losing some weight pre surgery also benefits your health & recovery, can help with breaking some habits & getting you in the right mind set for what’s to come. I’ve never heard of any one on this forum having been denied surgery because of pre surgical weight loss but that’s not to say it hasn’t happened. Check with your insurance company to be sure. All the best. -
Hi there. I’ve been watching a few videos on the 2 week pre-diet and was wondering… I am on the lower end of qualifying BMI, only qualifying with my insurance company because of other health complications. Can the weight loss of the pre surgery diet present a problem or is the insurance process already sealed before the diet begins? I yo yo between a BMI of 37 and 42, have been more diet conscious since starting with the nutritionist and am dropping a few pounds a week. With a minimum of 2 more months to go before the pre op diet, I’m worried I’ll be pushing the margin (though know I’ll never see a healthy weight without this surgery)
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Cleared for Exercise 3 weeks post op
CarmenG replied to Nicnak's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hi! I'm new here but I read this and wanted to reply. At my two-week appointment, I was told to wait one more week before getting on the treadmill. However, since the surgery, I was told to walk around inside my house (South Texas so too hot to walk outside after surgery) 4 times a day. I was literally counting 600 steps 4x a day. Tomorrow, I'm getting on that treadmill but still gonna take a slow stride. I'm freaking out because my weight loss is so slow. BUT, the PA told me I could use the treadmill at 3 weeks and I could start driving, just to be very, very careful because of the seat belt. Maybe start with just walking at a comfortable pace. -
I has my VGS about 6 weeks ago. I have always had a good appetite, was a chubby child. In my teens through to about 50, I was able to manage a good appetite with a lot of physical exercise and I loved it, loves my muscles. I ran, power yoga, spinning. some weights, never a body builder. I had my child at 35 and that was hard on my body. I had/have a lot of back problems so slowly my running was taken away, then spinning. I managed to keep up. Power yoga routine, but it was hard on me. Went thru menaopause and divorce at 50 and life unraveled. COVID hit and with personal issue I went to work and came home to lay in bed for two years. The weight piled on, muscle went away and I couldn’t find my motivation anymore. I felt like I had thrown away an adult lifetime of fitness that I had worked so hard for and had wanted so badly. I decided to go for surgery because I just felt at this stage in my life, I wouldn’t be able to get back to my previous fitness and weight loss at this age was just about impossible. I had the surgery, did well. I am getting plenty of protein, but all the plans I had for creating a new physical fitness rebirth haven’t gone nearly as well as I wanted. I am not giving up, but everything is just harder. Still trying to find my MOJO. I have lost weight, but maintaining and maybe building a little are my Quest. Getting older, losing your hormones is discouraging. It happens to everyone, but you can’t really prepare and “ be ready” because it’s like having a child, you just don’t know how it really is until it happens. I am really interested in any supplements or tricks, certain exercises routine a anyone has learned. I am trying to focus more on weight training. I have never really like just doing weights. That is one thing I loved about power yoga, it a lot of muscle work without feeling like just doing a bunch of boring reps!!I am researching EAA supplements. Would love some testosterone, but that is costly over time. Look forward to figuring out this journey with this group!!
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New to Revision (Sleeve to Bypass) Seeking Advice
Arabesque replied to CarmenG's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Life just sometimes throws crap at you & it sounds like you went through the worst of it. So sorry. Sounds like you are the right thing (& yes avoid fruit at the moment). Ten pounds is far from a bad loss & you’re certainly not failing. I’d lost about 11lbs at 18 days & my surgeon was happy with my rate of loss. Remember too that many don’t lose as quickly or as much after a revision.