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I had my revision from band to sleeve on June 4th in Mexico. I started to have an odd feeling where the port used to be I just thought phantom pain no big deal. Then I noticed on the 15th that my incision felt weird, I had a co-worker feel it and I said man I am going to have a lot of scar tissue she couldn't believe how wide the scar tissue felt. It was almost 3 inches wide and went the length of the insicion. RThe next morning I got out of the shower and I had a pinhole in my incision that was gushing blood and wouldn't stop. I was filling up a 2x2 gauze pad in 2 minutes. I went to a clinic still bleeding like a stuck pig and the PA I seen was thrown for a loop. I was bleeding the color of iodine just dark as could be. She called their bariatric surgeon and he wasn't sure what was going on so they sent me to get a CT scan. Where my port had been had pooled with blood and had made a canal to the surface and pushed it's way out. Luckily it pushed it's way out and not in and caused an infection. The PA ended up cutting a larger hole in the incision and pushing all that "old blood" out. I guess when it turns that dark it's old blood, odd. The PA pushed out 10cc's she figured I had already leaked out 4cc, she then packed the hole with what looks like a shoe lace, 2 feet was packed in there. Twice a day 1 pull out 2 inches and cut it off. On weds I go see the surgeon for a check up and to see why this happened. Has anyone else had this happen to them or heard of this happening??

Nerves are normal, just keep in mind that you made the decision to get healthy. And its removable. Not that, that would be a choice f mine, but that seemed to help me before the surgery. I also spent time researching post op menu plans. I found this to be very helpful http://www.pvsurgical.com/bariatric/LB_Diet_Guidelines.pdf It goes along the same guidelines as my surgeon told me, but this is spelled out for you. I found it to be very helful.

Weight loss has been slow and steady at the ol' ranch. Officially down 62 pounds as of my five month post-op mark. Pretty darn happy with that. My body feels so different! I even started bowling again, after 20 years!!! I can get down on my knee without it collapsing under my weight! I am having a blast!! The last time I saw my surgeon, he took out about .2 cc's from my band. I was way too tight, unable to eat much of anything. Since then, as long as I eat reaaaaally slow, and take itty bitty bites, I've been doing pretty good. On the down side, I had to visit my primary care physician for the regular check up. He was busy that day, so I had to see his partner, whom I can't stand! First she feels my neck, and tells me I have a goiter. WHAT? So she sends me off for labs and an ultrasound on my thyroid. Whatever. When I get my labs done, she calls me and tells me my liver enzymes are abnormal, go have an ultrasound on IT. Okie dokie. I go have my neck and belly ultrasound-ed. Few days later, she calls asking if I am having stomach pain. Ummm, no, why, I ask. She says my liver ultrasound was abnormal. I ask what the problem is and she says we will discuss it at my next appt. FIVE weeks from now. Real nice. :thumbup: So the next day, I happen to have my appt with my bariatric surgeon. I tell him about the sitch and he can't believe she called and worried me, without giving me any information. So, he hops up, goes to his office and accesses my results. He is sooo my hero. Anyway, he comes back and tells me I have friggin gallstones! WHAT? Since I have had no symptoms he tells me he isn't worried, lots of people live with gallstones, with no problems. COOL! I decide I will be one of THOSE people! So, Murphy's Law being what it is, a few days later, I have the most God-awful pain I have experienced since being in labor with my children. The next day I google, and viola..... gallbladder attack. I have had four attacks so far. Sigh. I know I need to tell my doc, but I really do not want another surgery. I went forty years without a single surgery and now, I'll have two within five months. Major bummer!!

Hello! I work for a medical market research company called MedQuery. We have an opportunity for individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery within the past year. If you would like to participate, this will be an online community taking place between May 14th and May 18th. You would be asked to participate in online forum discussions with other people who have similar experiences. In appreciation for your timewe are offering $100 to participate. The aim of this research is to understand the needs of patients post-op. In order to sign up please click this link and answer a few qualifying questions or call Pilar Gosha at (312) 6984388 http://www.medqueryi...startsurvey.asp Code: 3110 This is for research purposes only and your name and contact information will never be shared. This will not result in a sales call and you will be paid $100 for your participation. Thanks!

Well I have had as far, as I lnow, still have a stomal stricture and ulcerations in my jejunem, the portion of the small intestine the pouch is connected to. Officially diagnosed October 12, 5 weeks post- surgery but I believe it started 2-3 weeks in, they kept saying I was merely swollen, I kept saying No Something is wrong! to shut me up , we'll by golly I was right. They might have the fancy,degrees, I have lived in this body for many many years, I had inate wisdom,on the subject. Why did it happen? They told me it was an unexpected occurance, no o e I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. You see my gastroenterologist had discovered gastritis and a small stomach ulcer I had named Hector while on Omeprazole therapy, he switched me to Dexilent and Hector went peacefully to sleep. Flash forward to September 5th 2018 when 8 had my RnY surgery, what did they started me on guess what, yep Omeprazole. I told them then We gonna have problems, it may be a lovely medication but it Is Not Gastroprotective for me. Nurse Practitioner stated the medical equivalent of Shut up and let me do what I do bestm So I was a good little patient, took what they gave me , and looky what happened! I have had 6 endoscopies, twice they have attempted to stretch out that opening, first time in late October it snapped right back shut, next endoscopy it was like Dr Noria had done nothing, okay last one I had January Senior Bariatric resident Dr Noah Switzer did it, he stated I dialated you part way but enough you can eat soft solids, ha ha diddly ha , both times I have had emesis , the first time I kept it down 15 minutes after still cheing it down to the smooth applesauce pulp consistency. And yesterday was the second attempt and it went worse than the first. I was so protein anemic and malnourished I had dropped 25 pounds in 3 weeks, and had my miserable self hospitalized at OSU for 6 days to try to build me back up, yeah at high 200s it wasn't GOING to be apparent to others but I was literally starving, they were afraid my body was going to start breaking down muscle to keep me akive, and guess what muscle they were most concerned about yeah , my ❤. The second day they put a PICC line in my arm and it remains there still. NPO, everything through the feeding catheter, immediately regained 13 pounds, but I was back on my road to healthy again. Lost 3 pounds mid December to Mid January, then dropped another 6 pounds in 2 weeks, on doctors scales, don't currently own a home one. I was to be rewarded with 1 token meal a day, odd days a Protein shake, do you realize I have been at liquid diet level since August 1st when I went on my liver shrinking diet? That is a LONG LONG time. Then even days homemade soup with extra protein powder, and if there are veggies line carrots I don't have to strain, just puree it in. But the vast majority of my nutrition is via TPN, 12 hours on,12 hours off. And every day or 2 I have a smallish greenish black sticky BM due to the extra iron supplement I routinely take plus I'm still on prenatal vitamins and there is iron in there too. Before all this I was fighting constipation, the one tiny blessing of all this, no more. And foods in the past came up so often I am not hungry anymore. I only ate yesterday because I was supposed to, not from any need. Have they checked you for C Diff? That's something your symptoms call to mind , my daughter has it and has been on Flagyl for flares. Is she on it? Can't say for sure, her code name in our family is RD for Rotten Daughter, she usually calls me when she wants something otherwise she doesn't talk, she will text her little brother when she's in the mood. WHEN I told her I was having major surgery, she said "whatever" and flat out did not care. Sure I still love her, she was my first child, but I don't much like her any more, she has hurt her little brother emotionally more than a few times, and that's hard to forgive. Eat as bland an diet as possible, and I hope you get some real answers soon, don't want you in the hospital like I was, it may be a good place for somethings but it is not HOME! Let me know what happens next, I do care.

Hi everyone, Just went to my surgeon to sign the papers and was given a bunch of papers about what to do 2 weeks before surgery and then after. Bought the bariatric Vitamins and shakes for pre-op. I have been on this web site for over 4 months faithfully reading all the posts and comments. I thought I knew what I was getting into but now I am not sure. I am really confused. It seems I will be eating and drinking all day long the first 2 weeks after surgery. Then heaven only knows. My husband is against this and said yesterday "Are you sure you want to do this?". Now I don't know. Since I left the doctors office I have done nothing but eat. Please help me.

Just finished my first round of plastic surgery. I have an amazing nurse friend taking care of me. The plastic surgery team is the best in class. It was worth every penny and every minute I had to wait for it (my doc has an over year waiting list) and every bit of pain so far. You are all worth the effort this part of our journey entails. Everyone should be given the chance to experience this. Stats: Pre VSG weight 350 Day of VSG 320 Pre plastic weight 200 I had a breast augmentation and extended tummy tuck. Here are some post TT and augmentation pics. I know how important this is to see by pre bariatric patients, post bariatric, during stalls, when you're feeling down from the excess skin. We are all capable of this. We are all worthy of this!!! Once I'm a week out and get my drain I will post another pic...I'll keep updating this topic!

Feeling helpless just got a call from my surgeons office saying bariatric surgery is not covered by my insurance! I'm so depressed right now when i first had my consult they called for benefits stating i had 85% coverage now they're saying i have no coverage i just want to cry! [emoji24]

I searched for Bariatric Centers near where I live in Fort Worth TX and a place called BETTER WEIGH CENTER came up with a lot of positive google reviews, but their website either isn't very compatible with Chrome web browsers as it acted funny when I tried to sign up for a consultation and when I tried to look at info on the doctors, the page didn't budge. I'd prefer not to go to see Dr. Kim's place....my own reasons. Anyone else know a great surgery team/bariatric center? I'm just wanting to at least dip my toes into the Water and get to an info night...

Is it egg itself or the texture? Maybe you could make an egg custard? Or mix ricotta and some no sugar pudding powder? Also the Bariatric Eating (bariatriceating.com) website had a slew of great recipes. Also Pinterest.

I have not, but have had good luck with Bariatric Choice at this web site: http://www.bariatricchoice.com/ I used their chewable vitamins, hot chocolate mix, crispy treats, etc. Good luck!

Even though we aren't supposed to snack I found these awesome crunchy krinkles. If you are like me and like to have something that crunches you should try these. They are found on bariatric kitchen.com. I also bought pancake batter. High Protein and ok on the carbs. The krinkles have 13g per serving size (can't tell u serving size since I cut it off...oops). They are really yummy.

What area are you in? I am in the suburbs too and my doctor was amazing. He NEVER rushes me and is happy to answer all my questions. If he has that attitude now, his bedside manner going forward when you need support the most may not be the best. I would seriously recommend seeking another bariatric center. Mine is through Central DuPage and has been amazing.

I do a lot of meal prep! I go shopping usually on Sundays (sometimes a separate trip to the farmers market). I get meat and veggies. I cut everything up in one day. I put it in zip-lock baggies and use them to marinade or spice the meat at the same time. Sometimes I do skewers, which are fun. I will mix up the veggies this way. I like to do a brussel sprout, chicken, and cherry tomato skewer. I make my own bariatric friendly marinades as well. I just play around with different options. I will cook more meat on Sundays and Wednesdays for lunches. I make salads as well, with added protein source. I usually use chicken or soy meat. The most important thing, I always go to the store with a list. I never allow myself to browse. In fact, I really don't go to the grocery store ever anymore. I utilize grocery pick up and order online. It keeps me from getting things I don't need.

One week out same problem for first four days I can now sip the bariatric soups and hot chocolate very slowly and keep them down 15gm protein each 6-8 not the most flavorful but the sweet flavors are too nauseating

That's a tough one....I'd be in the same boat, if I told my children. I chose not to tell either one of my children exactly for this reason. They also watched a program with me about a 693 lb woman who had bariatric surgery & died within a month of complications. The last thing I'd do now is tell them but I have told my oldest son (17) that I'm having "hernia surgery." My 11 y/o son is autistic so I'm not going to worry him so far in advance (still have no surgery date) but I will tell him of the "hernia surgery" maybe just a few days prior to my sleeve surgery. With all that said, if my children DID find out in advance of my surgery plans, I was going to approach it with before & after pics of the wonderful people on this site that have shared their photo's with us. This way it's "visual" proof that not only did they not die from surgery but that they all looked so healthy in their "after" pics. We've learned to do a lot of visuals in my household due to my son. So that would be my suggestion, especially being that he's so young still. Pics might do the trick! Good luck to you! I'll be anxious to see what some other responses are!

Actually, what I have noticed (as someone who has never cooked and is starting to learn so I can eat more healthy) is that good bariatric-friendly cooking seems more "Top Chef" and less "junk food". If you focus on great flavors and small portions he may be a great asset. I got a good cookbook from Amazon (can't remember the name) that has some gourmet recipes that look really good.

Welcome. It’s ok to feel scared & nervous. It’s surgery. Food likely is something you depend upon as an emotional support & that is going to change & you will be changing what & how you eat. Things like how much pain you will experience after surgery is very individual. You may have a lot of gas pain or nine at all (I didn’t after my sleeve) but there are things you can do to help the gas escape your body. You may experience surgical pain for a couple of days or a week but again you’ll have access to pain meds to help. You may have muscular discomfort & struggle to get up & down for a little while or you may have very little at all. Pre surgical diets differ a lot too. Some are two weeks, some are just a couple of days. Some are all shakes. Others 2 meals shakes & 1 meal protein & vegetables. Mine was keto so … (I have done shake diets before & for a couple of months at a time.) The first challenge to the pre surgical diet is the psychological loss of the crunch & chew comfort of solid food. This can increase your head hunger & cause a lot of emotional turmoil. The second is the withdrawal symptoms (headaches, nausea, tiredness, etc.) from cutting out caffeine & sugar. This usually lasts less than a week. These things are small & are only a couple of weeks in duration. Nothing when you consider the big picture of your whole life & your health. The surgery is an opportunity to makes big changes but you have to be psychologically & emotionally ready. Don’t be afraid to seek support from a therapist (one who specialises in bariatric patients & disordered eating are best). A lot of people have found therapy extremely helpful. Yes, you are on a low calorie restricted diet & eating small portions to begin. Initially it is to support your healing. Then to make you look at the nutritional benefits of what you eat but within a few months you’ll be eating more & a greater variety of food. By maintenance you’ll be eating the portion sizes we all should be eating (not those giant plates two & three times more than what we actually need & lead to our obesity). And you’ll be consuming only the calories your body needs to function effectively & maintain your weight. You’ll discover your relationship with food will change. I still enjoy eating & the taste & texture of food but I see it as something my body needs to function & not as something to comfort & soothe me emotionally - because I’m bored, sad, happy, angry, etc. I’m not continuously thinking about what & when I’ll eat next. It’s that maxim of eating to live not living to eat. All the best.

My insurance here in CA only covered half after the deductible. With all of the hoops and costs, I figured out that it would cost me more out of pocket than if I did self pay. So I went with a self pay option at Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm three years out and prior to surgery, I had a BMI of 50. My surgeon recommended the sleeve because I was still young-ish then, e.g. early 30s and nutrient absorption is pretty important. My surgeon felt that the calcium/vitamin D malabsorption may lead to bone density issues later on in life (and after obesity, people generally don't have great bone density and are prone to fractures). Most of bariatric surgery is relatively new, so there aren't a ton of long term studies, so my surgeon is just guessing. And most people on the bypass seem to be pretty good about taking their vitamins (which is something you should do with the sleeve anyway). A couple of months after my sleeve I was diagnosed with a range of painful, chronic autoimmune diseases and I'm very thankful that I went with the sleeve because of the issues with drug absorption with the bypass (I have to take a ton of oral medications). Of course, I did not deal with GERD, which means that the bypass is right for many people. With the sleeve, I was able to take my BMI from 50 to 25. Due to aforementioned illnesses and medications, I did deal with some regain, which I am slowly working on. At the moment, my BMI is about 29. I have never felt like the sleeve wouldn't be enough to help me achieve success. All that to say, you can definitely have success with the sleeve or the bypass. As commented by others, a lot of it is going to come down to what your level of commitment, and your ability to change your lifestyle and deal with psychological issues. And you have to educate yourself. You can't drink a diet of only protein shakes forever. At some point, you have to learn how to eat real food in the real world, go to work, socialise and interact with food, people and life. If you haven't dealt with your "issues", you will have regain with either surgery. It can be a tough decision, but I honestly feel that you can find success with either surgery.

Hi everyone, I have my surgery date on January 12th, 2015. YAY! I have been looking for shakes & vitamins/ supplements. The shipping and exchange rates from the American sites are outrages (158USD in product plus $40 shipping plus the exchange rates. So I am wondering where Canadian Sleevers buy their products?

Hi! I'm sure everyone is different but I had my informational session July 2. After the session I received a large packet of information and forms. My bariatric clinic would not schedule a consultation until I filled out all of the papers in the packet and I also needed my PCP to fill out several documents and compose a letter of medical necessity. I left the session feeling very overwhelmed. It turned out to be just fine, I filled out all of my paperwork in about a day. It ended up taking my PCP 3 weeks :thumbup: to do her part. After I mailed the packet in, the bariatric clinic called me the very next day to schedule my psych eval and dietitian consult. So thats how it worked for me. It seems like everyone is just a little different. GOOD LUCK!

Hi I'm new here I'm having my Bariatric bypass surgery Aug 26th

I'm not a doctor or pharmacist, but generally, the sleeve doesn't promote any particular issues with medications. The malabsorbing procedures like the RNY or DS can have issues with extended release meds depending upon the XL mechanism used, and the RNY can have issues with some meds known to promote stomach upset. Check with your bariatric surgeon or a pharmacist to make sure. el

I find it amazing that a Kaiser dietician would make such a ridiculous statement. With a very short list of exceptions, I eat anything I want to eat. The success of the surgery is not about what you can or can't eat. I find it unforgivable for a healthcare "professional" to suggest otherwise. It's about what you choose to eat. Or not eat. Lifestyle changes. Apparently Bariatric Pal should be required reading for bariatric dieticians - for life!