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Thank you! For most people that is totally true. I really did think about all the complications that might happen! I have worked hard to get to this place in my life. I even lost twins will in grad school and still finished. I am a extremely strong woman. I always push forward. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Except you cannot anticipate complications in the middle of a semester... Money time and effort could be lost But as always the choice is yours

August challenge was great!! I sincerely think I accomplished my goal! Successful surgery with no ounce of complication, following surgical team's meal plan without deviating and easing into a new and healthy lifestyle [emoji108][emoji108] Wanted to make sure I concluded. Now back to September. 🧡🧡 Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I, too, chose Bypass because of GERD, and I'm glad I did. Taking the vitamins is no big deal. I take a chewable multi vitamin in the am and pm, 3 chewable calcium citrate chews a day, and a vitamin B-12 under my tongue. Easy peasy. Not something to prevent me from having bypass!! Yes, the surgery may be "more complicated" but it is called the "gold standard" for a reason, and has been done for a long time. Good luck!

Cost of complication. So my 3 surgeries were local and in DC. Self pay. My health insurance covered labs, prescriptions and pre-surgical insurances Final surgury was a thigh lift with a 50 to 75 percent complication rate. I ended up with a seroma infection and a wound separation. Met my surgeon at the ER and there was no charge for his procedure but of course the ER was about 1250. I submitted to my health insurance as it does cover wounds but have not heard back. Another 2 procedures were done to control seroma drainage with infection in office. No charge. Countless e-mails with photos. I ensured from jump that the PS would cover complications from first surgery with no additional service charge for something like 6 or 12 months. While healing. I get facilities like OR and ER charge. I had no problems with LBL BL or arm lift. For me I wanted to stay in the states have access to the doctor and yes a focus on body contouring When a doctor treats another doctors complications they assume a ton of liability and risk. The ER doctor I saw while I waited for PS was clueless as to the groin wound. Needed the tools and morphine of the ER. I hope this helps. I would choose the same doctor if I had it to do all o Er again. Same procedures

Vent warning! So, yesterday I worked my last shift at work, I have the weekend and the holiday off normally, then Tuesday I am off for another doctors appointment (unrelated). Surgery is Wednesday. I am ready. A little nervous, but mostly excited and anxious to get this done. Hubby is home for his normal day off. All he is doing is giving me crap about the unnecessary surgery and how I can lose all the weight if I just diet more and walk at least 5 miles a day. He conveniently has forgotten that I gained all the weight when I hit 40 and was doing EVERYTHING RIGHT! Including also walking EVERYWHERE. He also conveniently forgets all my failed diet and exercise attempts and how my health has been steadily going down hill with the weight gain. Or how many times he has helped to sabotage me. He is TRYING to be supportive, but he is berating and mocking me at every chance he gets. I know this is his stress talking. He is so afraid of surgery and he thinks of this as an elective/unnecessary procedure. HIS surgeries have complications. Mine are always fine thus far. I see it as a necessary procedure to help me regain my health. Anyhow... he was awful this morning. I finally got angry and nearly broke down in tears. When that happened he finally got his **** together and said he is supporting me. If he wasn't supporting me he would now have gotten time off of work to help me or drive me to/from the hospital. But that doesn't change what a jerk he is being. Just so frustrated! And of course, time feels slower now that I am so close. Need to move the clock forward. I desperately want to get past the surgery so he can stop freaking out and I can start recovering!

I’m in Boca Raton and some people in this area speak highly of Dr. Shillingford. He didn’t work out for me but they offer a flat rate all inclusive package that covers everything for gastric sleeve at $10,500. I had a hard time with my insurance due to not meeting their comorbidities even though I have plenty of medical problems. I have metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, bone and joint problems, I couldn’t prove my sleep apnea, (the list is long) I fought my weight gain so hard but In the end I ended up qualifying based on BMI, though no one ever told me exactly what qualified me. After a long fight they finally did. What made things work better was when an endocrinologist referred me to Cleveland Clinic, and I already had record of my weight loss efforts with her and my general practitioner for months. The endocrinologist and surgeon wrote letters for my insurance as well. I was referred to Cleveland clinic because the process is not as complicated. It’s hard for me to travel but I don’t think it would have happened without my dr at Cleveland Clinic. BariatricPal actually has a surgery center in Mexico if you can travel. Compared to Dr. Shillingford, sleeve is $4,900 flat rate all inclusive in a highly rated facility. If I could possibly even consider it at some point, I would go there for dealing with excess skin. It looks like an excellent hospital that’s an affordable option for self pay. https://bariatricpalhospitalmx.com/weight-loss-surgeries/

Michael S, can I ask why you would eat pizza? I am genuinely curious and not trying to have a go at you at all, but it seems crazy to me when you have just had a major operation (i know it is a lap but still 80% of an organ has been removed) to help you get control of and lose weight to then not only risk complications such as a leak or infection but sabotage-your weight loss at this stage. Do you think it is 'head hunger'? Do you get support from your surgical team with the psychological aspects of this journey? How did you feel about eating the pizza?

You hear a lot of stories of complications and terrible outcomes but it dawned on me that of course the most vocal people on forums will usually be people who have issues to discuss. People who have the surgery and have a really easy and smooth journey wont be online talking about it on a regular basis. So sure, there are horror stories but I believe they're rare

I saw the surgeon and nutritionist yesterday. They were both happy with where I am at. I stood on a scale that measures muscle and body fat etc. Luckily according to it I have only lost a half pound of muscle in 6 months. I just started back to lifting more weights last month so I am confident I will get back or improve where I was initially anyway. It said for peak ratios I should lose 3.5 pounds so I am not going to purposely try to drop weight but if a few pounds comes off slowly over the next few months I am not going to stress about it. I also am going to watch that the pounds don't go up. The scale said my BMR was 1300 calories. I am getting around 1000 now and have been the same 1-2 pounds for 3 weeks now but the nutritionist said my body is probably still in a starvation mode and will probably level out in the next few months. She anticipates that my level will be around 1200 calories to maintain long term. She said long term on 1200 calories I should be at 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. Right now that seems so high in carbs. The nutritionist suggested I start adding in some more carbs slowly. Things like a half cup of oatmeal or a half piece of grainy toast to get extra fiber. That just seems crazy to me at this point so I will have to test that. The hand outs all say to wean away from protein shakes but they were both fine with me drinking 1 a day indefinitely. Their concern is that it's a slider and if my appetite increases then it would be better to get protein from food that fills me up but at this point to get my calories and protein in it it's fine. I talked to the MD abut hair loss and he said there are so many probiotics etc that get destroyed with surgery as well as the low calorie and protein that it affects you for awhile. We talked about supplements and he said a probiotic would be beneficial. He also personally likes to Coromega liquid to get more Omegas in. Has anyone tried these? He said to come back at 9 months or wait until the 1 year mark. My blood work was fine so we will check it in Feb. and annually there after. I asked them about long term issues and complications. They both said when people stop vitamins or go into the hospital for other issues and don't get the vitamins it can cause issues but they felt like I had a handle on everything.

Hi! September 24. With just a few weeks to go, I'm simultaneously excited (massive weight loss!) yet scared (no complications please!). Round and round and all that...

Hello! My name is Grant. I had my gastric sleeve surgery on 11/13/2017. At that time, I weighed about 450 pounds. Since my surgery, I've mostly followed the program, changed my lifestyle and worked out. I've met with my personal trainer at least twice a week since 01/2018 and made it a point to go to the gym at least 3 times a week separate from that. About 6 months after my surgery, I switched to an insurance my surgeon didn't accept. So I haven't seen him since then. As of today, I weight 217 pounds, meaning i've lost somewhere around 233 pounds. It's absolutely changed my life and I am a totally different person now. But i'm concerned because...well...I'm still throwing up...like a lot. At least 5 times a week, sometimes without even eating. I can't keep like most meals down. I've gone from having my first ever cavity 18 months ago to having 16 + cavities. It's gotten to the point that I don't even attempt to swallow most foods when i'm hungry or trying to eat, i Just spit them up once I get a taste. I'm honestly not trying to do like a humble brag...I'm honestly concerned. I don't know why I'm still vomiting and gagging and such this far after my surgery.

Please follow your surgeon's and RD's post op progression diet complete with quantities. 1/2 cup at 12 days is way too much food and can damage your tool, or cause complications. Each doc does it differently. But at 12 days post op, I was on 1-2oz of food by volume. That is maximum of 1/8-1/4 cup by volume MAXIMUM at each meal. Do not exceed your rules hon. You are early out. And the nerves were cut. So your pouch won't/might not signal satiety right now. I think I was 3 months out before I felt cues from my pouch that I was actually full. Until then, I just followed their volume guidelines explicitly.

This is why I am going with my local guy. I was referred to a "bariatric plastic surgeon" that is over two hours away. I am notorious for complications, including with former plastic surgery, and that makes me incredibly uncomfortable. (Aside from the fact he didn't return two of my calls to consult with him). When I had my breast reduction, I had a nipple graft and my nipple started FALLING OFF... and being 25 minutes from my surgeon I could get there immediately and it is great to have that convenience. Complications are considered medical, not cosmetic, and are covered by insurance.

In my family, I have only told my husband and my daughter who still lives at home. They are somewhat supportive, though both don't understand WHY I am doing this, and do give me occasional flack. For my husband it is more about the need for what he calls "unnecessary surgery" and his fear of complications (all his surgeries are complicated, but mine historically have been just fine). For my daughter, I am sure she is more "embarrassed" by the though of it than anything else. Hubby and I are both nurses, so we have the post op care covered. He has 2 days off work plus his weekend, so I will have care for 4 days (sort of... he will probably sleep more than anything lol). My daughter will begrudgingly help too lol. I say that because she is a teenager still and in a very "moody" phase lol. I haven't told my oldest because he lives far away and he will worry and probably tell the family members that I don't want to know ANYTHING about what I am doing. I haven't told my middle son because school just started (away at college) plus I don't want him worrying. Both boys would probably feel obligated to come home, which would be silly since I will only be in the hospital one night. I will tell them eventually, just not until after the surgery. I don't want anyone else in my family to know. Unless my daughter (or later sons) blab. I live 13 hours or more from everyone else in my family, so this would be easy for me to keep a secret. As for other support? I have a co-worker who did this a couple years ago. She has been an amazing help. She is even stepping up and helping cover my absence. I also have let in a handful of other co-workers in on what I am doing. They have been great. My bosses don't know exactly what I am having surgery for (unless someone blabbed to them), but they are totally supportive of me doing anything I need to get healthier. I am sure the rumor mill is going to start up if it hasn't already. I am mentally preparing for that. I think my biggest challenge will be potlucks, which happen at least once a month. And when others just decide to bring in food on their own. Thankfully my cubicle has been moved. Last year I could smell the delicious food all day long from my desk. this year I will be further away. I have also asked that I be left off of the potluck groups list. I told the person who schedules it that I am happy to donate money so that I am participating, but I can't bring in food or hardly any of it. She was fine with that. I doubt others will notice I am not on the list, but if they do... oh well! Putting my health first above co-worker relations lol

Gosh! What a wild ride!!! What caused the extreme pain? I'm so sorry you had to go through this terror! And so glad you are doing so well! ((hugs)) FYI? I didn't have any complications or problems with pain and my abdomen looked like your's after my surgery too. Lovenox. Gotta love it. It puts on quite a "color show". Luckily most of us can absorb it. And you don't have to "love" the protein period, you just have to figure out a way through it. Try cutting your protein with things that take the sweetness away: 1. Decaff Coffee 2. Decaff Tea 3. High Protein Milk (like Fairlife milk or Fat Free Milk + Skim Milk Powder) 4. Greek Yogurt thinned down with milk to a pourable consistency 5. Water Add unflavored protein to soups. Get soup from the market (fresh) and strain it and drink the liquids. Hang in there and heal well! Walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip!!

I was a bit concerned about that - esp going out of the country - in case local MD's refused to treat complications (I'm guessing most will probably treat them, but with my luck...). So I did go out of state (Illinois), but Chicago is only two hours from here, so it was do-able if I had any complications. Plus I've been able to go to all my follow-up appts, too (if I'd have gone to one of the coasts - or to Mexico - I probably would have only stayed two weeks so would only get a couple of follow-ups) the other thing that I was a bit worried about - infections. If I had gone to a surgeon in the US - even if he/she was 1000 miles way - they could call a prescription for antibiotics into Walgreens or CVS, and I could pick it up here in town, since they're chains and on the same computer system. I don't think a doctor outside of the US could call in prescription to a US pharmacy, though - but I'm not sure about that. anyway, I decided to just not take the risk. I wanted to go to someone who was within two or three hours from here, so I could get there easily if I needed to.

Do any of you guys worry about having plastics out of state or the country or anywhere not local? What happens if you have complications or need follow-up? How do you handle that or how does your insurance handle it? TIA!! Loving learning from you all! What a wealth of knowledge!

I don’t know when you had your weight-loss surgery but I’m going to assume February? You sound like the rest of us. It sounds like we are all in a stall or weight loss had slowed dramatically. I had my gallbladder out via emergency surgery just like you did but I had it done two years ago prior to weight-loss surgery. I lost 7 pounds during this because they had me hospitalized for over a week. I had some kind of complications and I was NPO for seven days. Nothing but ice chips and IVs. I came out the hospital feeling pretty slim! Everyone reacts differently. Most of my friends who had the surgery were in and out in a day. I situation was different. It actually made me gain weight afterwards because I have been experiencing a lot of nausea prior to the gallbladder removal.

Ok, yes! Be hard on yourself. WTF? Seriously. Call your surgeon and get a referral to your RD and to the bariatric counselor. Start therapy now. This may sound harsh? But you are 4 WEEKS post op! This is the "easiest" and the "hardest" you will ever have it and the time you will feel LEAST like eating in your entire journey. Cuz barring complications like it sounds like you're asking for, your restriction will get increasingly less and less as the months go by and you continue to heal and evolve. You either take care of your food/behavior problems now? Or you could be doomed to either never see goal, or regain. Tough? Fu*k yes. I am being tough and shocking. I hope it shocks you into getting a grip and getting real with your bad choices. It begs to be asked...Why did you have this life-changing surgery if you weren't ready to get serious about living a new life? Ask yourself, WHAT IS YOUR WHY? WHY did you want the surgery? WHY did you want a new lease on life? How important are YOU? How important is your marriage? Your LIFE? (Seriously one of the saddest posts I've ever read and I've read a bunch including a post-op eating pizza at 4 days.)

Looking for input and opinions from those who've been there. I'm exactly 5 months post op. I had severe complications from March til July which prevented me from eating much. So, I'm progressing slowly on my diet. I saw the Nut for the first time yesterday. I average between about 600 and 850 calories a day. Mostly 600-700. Which feels adequate and satisfying. Nut says in one breath not to track my calories, and in another breath that my goal for now should be 1000 calories a day!! I really don't think I could eat that much with my restriction, and I'm sure I'd gain weight. Now, I know she's the professional, but I live in this body!! What do you all think? Up my calories, or stay the course with what I'm doing? Thanks! By the way, for those wondering, I'm 57. 5'3", and have lost just over 60 pounds with 50 more to go. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I hate being the negative individual in any sense but my anxiety is currently ruling my life. I’m two days out from surgery and the panic is real. My concern is with surgery itself and going under. Im so afraid of complications and having to be alone in the operation room with strangers. I struggle with serious anxiety and ptsd normally. They are just completely revealing their ugly heads this week. Any advice?

When I started my journey I had a BMI of 41. Through the 6 month medically supervised weight loss required by my insurance I lost 15 pounds, then another 14 on the preop liquid diet. So the day of surgery I weighed 202 pounds at 5'4" putting my BMI at 34.6 that day. I am a year out from my surgery having lost 77 pounds since that day and my BMI is currently at 21.5. My weight loss shocked me and I can’t promise that you’ll have the same results. I figured at 5’4” that my ideal body weight is 120 and I had 82 pounds of excess body weight at surgery. The sleeve is supposed to get off 60-70% of excess body fat and mine nearly did 95% of the work. So I’m an above average loser and not typical I don’t think. I definitely dont have any regrets. I also dont have any complications. I closely follow my surgeon's eating program and keep to a low sugar diet.

Hi Marie! Hang in there. If you have done your research and ready to make this change and have surgery, then just focus on that. It is nice that your sister is showing concern for you, but it is counterproductive. Do what you think is best for yourself. I am fortunate to have a co-worker who went through this who is super supportive. She did hers about 2-3 years ago. Her husband is having surgery the same day as me. My husband is TRYING to be supportive, but he doesn't want me to do it. I say "too bad". My body, my life. I want to take back my health before I have anymore weight related complications. Hang in there!

Getting excited and nervous! Surgery approved and scheduled for September 4th with the possibility they may move it to the 3rd due to a cancellation. All my pre-op lab work and testing is done and without any concerns. Same for my psych eval, barium swallow, chest x-ray, EKG, and EGD. Did all my pre-op nutrition appointments (I was fast tracked, so there weren't as many as most of you had). Did the pre-op group class where they explained my pre-op diet and what to expect at the hospital and post op. Started my bariatric vitamins last week. Purchased any food/supplies that I think I might need for the first couple weeks post op (my husband even told me to get him a new bigger TV so I can have a TV in my room the first couple days lol... and he got a 65" screen out of it lol). Today I did my final pre-op weigh in and doctor visit. Saw another doc first (teaching hospital), then my real doc. Signed my surgery consent. Too my surprise, the doc also told me that it doesn't matter how much weight I lose now, I am totally approved for surgery (before I had to be careful I didn't put myself under a certain weight and disqualify myself). YAY! I also asked him about how much time I can take off work (I have 14 weeks of sick time saved up and a supportive employer- not that I actually want 14 weeks off, just didn't take all my sick time over the many years I worked there). He said a minimum of 2 weeks but up to 8 since I do have a fairly physical job. YAY! I could probably get away with going back early, but why push myself when I have the time and support? I would rather heal, adjust to my new diet(s) over the next month or so, and slowly build a new fitness routine before going back to the craziness that is work. Not sure how many weeks I will actually take off, but good to know I have options. And then finally, I went to a pre-op anesthesia appointment. Answered all of their questions and signed their consent. So... all that is left is to call and confirm the time of my surgery the afternoon before! And how did I celebrate? I got my last meal of my favorite Indian food. Yum! And my husband is TRYING to be supportive of all of this, but he really doesn't want me to have what he considers to be elective surgery. I understand where he is coming from, especially since every one of his surgeries has had some sort of complications. But my surgeries have all been routine and without complication. And I really need to improve my health and this seems to be the only way to get me there.