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I had a lot of TRUE hunger right after surgery and everyone told me it was just "head hunger". I felt so dismissed and gaslit. Finally I talked to the bariatric therapist at my surgery center and she said about 20% of her patients don't lose their hunger after surgery. But, you might be suffering from head hunger. With head hunger, you're usually craving a particular food, likely something sweet or salty or fatty. With "true" hunger, you would be happy to eat ANYTHING. Also, once you eat solid food it might get better (it didn't for me; I'm still hungry all the time). Talk to your surgery center. Good luck!

Very few people have actual hunger post surgery. It’s possible it’s real but not as likely as it is that it’s head hunger. If it’s head hunger you can get past it by keeping yourself busy. Taking a walk or doing a craft. Getting involved in a really gold movie or book. Whatever you enjoy doing, really. Just learning to ignore the desires to eat because of boredom or emotionally eating. Some of us need to see a bariatric therapist to learn to deal with this. If it is truly actual hunger, people have said that hot tea helps.

I think if you frame the reason you want a revision as "weight loss" it's likely you will not have much support, because weight loss from revision is often not much. Your best bet is probably to work with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and bariatric issues. Especially since you developed pica after your first surgery. While it makes sense to get a revision if you have GERD (not sure about the hernia!), you should keep in mind that you may not lose very much. Also, you can try some other remedies for GERD, like not eating 3-4 hours before lying down, sleeping with the head of your bed elevated, etc. Good luck, and mega-congrats on losing 225lb!!

Welcome to the bariatric community. Feel free to browse around the forums and threads and you'll find lots of helpful information and advice. Your current situation is very specific. Be sure to ask lots of questions. I had the sleeve and I have regular daily healthy bowel movements.

I'm 7 days post op and I can empathize with those feelings. It hurts, you feel lonely without food, and not being able to drink a lot. You definitely experience buyers remorse but I have to keep telling myself it's not permanent. It's a healing process that might take some time but ultimately we come out a really great version of ourselves. I so wish that bariatric programs did a better job at addressing the mental struggle. Some things that help me is seeing my weight go down and following people on Instagram or youtube who have had successful bariatric journeys. You can also search by hashtag on Instagram if you want to see particular content from other people. It helps me stay motivated and know there's light at the end of the tunnel. I will admit I'm feeling a little ill still with constipation and getting a high heart rate from little activity. The sickness and recovery period makes it really hard to enjoy the results and the journey at first but it passes. I promise. Sending healing prayers to you. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, I'm having it done in Vegas with Blossom Bariatrics. I've read that some have a liquid only diet. Blossom has 2 protein shakes and one small meal with emphasis on protein. Mine is a two week diet. I'm doing the fast track so I've never met my surgeon. In fact, I can't choose which surgeon. That did concern me, but I really liked everything else, especially the attention to detail. To be honest, I have had 3 surgeries that I didn't get to choose my surgeon. one emergency c section, one emergency Cholectystectomy (gall bladder) and an emergency Salpingo-Oophorectomy (ovary- fallopian tube). At least this one is laproscopic and planned. No huge scar and unplanned.

My guess is that there haven't been enough people with a partial bowel removal who have also had bariatric surgery to be sure what the results will be. I have had IBS with both diarrhea and constipation during my life due to medications I take. Diarrhea can make your life really complicated, as I'm sure you are aware. When I had diarrhea predominant IBS, I was told to eat more carbs and less fat, veggies, and meat. I don't know if that is true for UC, but I know that would be really hard for me now - I am supposed to do pretty much the opposite! I would get second opinions from another GI doc and another bariatric surgeon at a bariatric center of excellence. Personally, I'm not sure I would take the risk in your situation, as the sleeve is not reversible. Maybe instead of trying to get thin, focus more on healthy activity and things like therapy for binge eating, if that's an issue for you. I'm not saying these will make you lose a lot of weight, but losing weight is not the end-all be-all in life. Being able to live your life without always looking for a bathroom is pretty important, too.

That's odd that they would call out the sleeve as a concern, rather than the bypass, which actually bypasses some of your intestines. A sleeve just reduces the size of the stomach, and is not mal-absorptive. Most people will report constipation after surgery, but some/many have periods of diarrhea, perhaps caused by constipation remedies? I don't know much about UC, but I think I would get a second opinion from a GI doc, and ask the bariatric surgeon about your concerns. I calculate your BMI as 36, which is only qualifying for a WLS if you have other co-morbidities like diabetes, apnea, etc. While you can have WLS at a lower BMI if you pay out of pocket, I would warn you that you may not lose as much weight as you think, and the risks for you are almost certainly higher than for people who aren't in your situation.

Hi everyone! My name is Anthony and I'm 31 years old. I've struggled with being overweight all of my adult life. I am just about 5'9" and currently weight 245 lbs. It may not seem like I have to lose as much as some others and a lot of people tell me that I don't look like I weigh that much, but I know that I don't like the way I feel or look. I have back and knee pain, especially when I am standing for too long. It's also difficult for me to exercise at this weight. I've lost weight in the past via diet and/or medications but it always manages to come back on. I'm strongly considering the gastric sleeve. My only worry is that I did have my colon removed when I was 16 due to severe Ulcerative Colitis. I now have what's called a "j-pouch", which is basically when they form a new bowel out of your small intestine so that you don't need an ostomy/colostomy bag (I did have one for 3 months in between the 2 surgeries - first surgery to remove the colon, second to reverse it and make the pouch). I've checked with my doctors and one of the colorectal surgeons said he doesn't recommend the gastric sleeve and a couple of others said their only concern would be having urgent bowel movements due to having less of a digestive tract, but told me to check with the bariatric surgeons to make sure. The bariatric surgeon said he thinks it would probably make me have LESS bowel movements since I would be eating less and the food would be moving slower through my system. Wish me luck, I am having another virtual consultation next month!

Oh I think that you will have a long wait for the NHS but it cant harm to ask can it. Due to Covid there is such a backlog of cancer and other urgent surgeries in my area that Bariatrics have been put on hold, It depends where you live in the country. I paid £11, 000 at Spire Hospitals for a 2 year package and am happy its done and I am getting into the swing of my new life

Welcome to our bariatric community. Take some time to search through the threads and forums and you'll find answers and advice for just about anything and everything that could ever come up for you. Good luck on your WLS journey.

I have came to the same conclusion as you! Unless I'm drinking 10 cups of tea, I'm not going to get dehydrated. Its not like I can lose 5 pounds of water weight by having a cuppa. My bariatric Dr Even said a cup of tea here and there isn't going to hurt anything. I normally have one cup of tea in the morning and one can of diet soda. Because of the carbonation, I will have to quit the soda for awhile.

This is in response to the person whom posted the article, I hope your brother is doing ok and I would like to emphasize I am in no way saying you should attempt what I'm about to tell you however it was a shot in the dark as well and I was lucky enough to save my fiancee from a horrible fate...... My gf/fiancee had a duodenal switch surgery which was very successful inside of 2 years her weight stabize at 160 lbs down from 300lbs. Shortly after her target weight was obtained she started having severe depression with suicidal ideation when she had been a very happy person her entire life. After a 6 day stay in the psych ward she went back to work and soon after developed back pain sever enough to leave her screaming in pain at times she had muscle spasticity, difficulty swollowing breathing, peripheral numbness, muscle wasting in legs and arms. I had to put hand rails in our home so she could get around. Incontinence and difficulty swollowing, breathing, and speaking came next.....after much reading and a near refusal to do any mris by the hospital that did surgery.(I suspected they feared a large lawsuit) The reumatologist and neurologist we were referred to both said they suspected als. I became obsessed with finding a way to heal her save her from what was already horrifying illness. I had a lot of trouble sleeping because her breathing scared me and I just sat and read listening to her shallow strained breathing. I swear I read enough studies and articles to have completed medical school. I accumulated almost 220 pages of hand written notes in 2 weeks time I came up with a plan there are many vitamins and antioxidants said to be imbalanced in the brains of pals the problem is supplemented antioxidants take to long to get into the Central nervous system so once the imbalance is bad enough to cause motor neuron death its like a snow ball rolling down a hill getting bigger and bigger that can't be stopped by ingestion due too the blood brain barrier making absorption slow and difficult this is made harder by malabsorbative aspect of surgery. I needed to get large doses into the brain and fast. I have read many article how methamphetamine exposure in small amounts stimulates brain cell growth and protects against cns and brain diseases by causing a small amount of damage stimulateing a neuroprotective effect as well as making the blood brain barrier more permeable these are the supplements I used in order of imprtance. I am not a Dr. I have no medical training please don't think I'm saying I truly know why or how thos worked but it did all supplements taken 3x a day with a small smoked dose of approximately 50-100 mg of street grade methamphetamine. N acetyl cysteine 600 mg Alpha lipoic acid Acetyl l carnitine Curcumin with black pepper Magnesium chileate Coq10 Vitamin e Creatine B vitamin complex (especially folic acid) Egcg Dhea Tart cherry extract Zinc pico lineate As well as a gluten free diet and several other listed in linked article. A full dose of bariatric vitamins 3x a day as well here is a link to a article written by a world renowned neurologist going over all these compounds how they could work and why as well as how they help THE USE OF METHAMPHETAMINE TO FERRY LARGE AMOUNTS INTO THE BRAIN IS DANGEROUS...... It's been hard just getting her to take all supplements 3x a day caused conflict but slowly she got better now the only symptoms she has is occasional incontinence and a mild parkinsonism when she sleeps as well as mild spasticity. She is a bit slow but walks fine talks perfectly and breathing is normal as well as respiration normal and blood [pressure went up too normal range.... https://drcgolding.co.za/integrative-approach-motor-neuron-disease/

This is one of my pet peeves. There's no scientific reason for you not to have caffeine and the normal bariatric patient can have caffeine in any reasonable quantity. You know why they think it dehydrates you? Because yes, caffeine is a mild diuretic on its own ... ... however, unless you're snorting it, it comes with the fluid it takes away and plenty more. SUMMARY: 1. Follow the science 2. Don't snort caffeine 3. Don't make this harder than it should be - if a cup of tea gets you to goal easier, have the tea. https://time.com/5192272/coffee-tea-dehydrating/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3886980/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/caffeinated-drinks/faq-20057965 Oh, and: know there's a perfection spiral happening in many communities focused around a common goal. The perfect ones burn out fast, while the sensible ones make it in the end. Don't listen to people projecting their own need for max control - it's usually because they don't have it.

The BariatricPal Store carries a nice selection of Bariatric friendly Collagen at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/collagen

what about seeing a bariatric nutritionist on a regular basis? To help keep you on track? Too many people revert back to their old habits, and that is just so heartbreaking, after all that hard work!!!!!! Video games as a distraction... sorry, that's just not healthy life habits. No way, that's just not an answer. We're not children, we're adults who need adult habits. Productive. Constructive. A bariatric nutritionist or a life coach or a therapist... that's worthwhile. I'm not trying to be harsh, but video games sounds like the road to self sabotage again.

Welcome to our bariatric community. You'll find a lot of helpful information about what to expect before, during, and after surgery in the forums and threads. Feel free to browse around and read and you'll learn a lot to be better prepared for your surgery. Good luck on your WLS journey.

I am surprised this wasn't brought up during any of your pre-Op appointments since most bariatric programs strictly recommend not getting pregnant at least until a year or two post-Op. My program recommends no pregnancy until 18 months out and they make sure patients are on double control protection if sexually active.

I worked with the pre-op classes in my clinic for about three years (until COVID hit and they went online). Yes - tons of people have their surgeries in the 300s. It was unusual to see someone who appeared to be 400+ (I saw maybe a handful the whole time I did it - and I don't think they were *much* over 400..or didn't appear to be. Certainly no one approaching anywhere near the size of the folks on "My 600 lb Life"). I'm guessing my clinic had a cut off, but I'm not sure what it was. I was over a 60 BMI at my heaviest, so I think my surgeon had a slightly higher ceiling than yours. Whatever they're comfortable with, I guess. But yes - I imagine at some point they refer patients to someone like Dr. Now, who specializes in high risk bariatric surgery.

I take naturelo bariatric and I've had zero issues tolerating them so far.

Welcome to our bariatric community. Congratulations on having your VSG and good luck on your WLS journey.

I had VSG in Tijuana, Mx. I did about 200 hours of research before my surgery and based on that research, finances, and other personal considerations, decided to go the Medical Tourism route and have been very happy with that decision. These hospitals ONLY do bariatric surgeries and are geared towards medical tourists. They run a VERY well oiled machine from intake to discharge. The process was so smooth, I was completely confident going alone. The surgeon I chose is highly accredited, has done thousands of WLS procedures, has relationships and mentorships with some of the most well known US bariatric surgeons for continuing ed, is board certified, etc. He is just as qualified, if not more so, than many of the bariatric surgeons in my area. The reality is, there are amazing surgeons in the US and just as many in Mexico and other places. Conversely, there are terrible surgeons here and everywhere else. There are pros and cons to each, and every person has different needs. Ultimately it boils down to doing your research, finding a surgeon you trust, and a program that fits your needs.

I did not have that problem after my surgery, but I also wasn't on hormonal birth control at the time. There are other posts on here talking about this symptom. Breakthrough bleeding (a small amount of bleeding between periods) is one of the most common side effects of hormonal birth control. I did have that as a symptom when I was on hormonal birth control. In addition, bariatric surgery usually causes your hormone levels (including lady hormones) to fluctuate, often for quite a while after surgery. This is because hormones like estrogen are fat soluble and get stored in your fat, so as you lose weight, those stored hormones are released into your bloodstream. If it's a lot of bleeding - ask your doctor immediately. If it's just spotting, then it's unlikely to be a significant issue and you could probably wait until your next appointment to mention it to your doctor.

I was in the same boat as you. I've decided to go with Blossom Bariatrics. My surgery is scheduled for 03/24. They do check and see if any portion of their costs can be billed to your insurance. I didn't ask, but I'm guessing the blood work, stress test, etc. My out of pocket cost is $9800. I'm using Care Credit for most of the procedure. I'm also bringing my mother for support. The hotel is included with your quote and I believe the hotel has all the bariatric patients on the same floor. Air fare is not included.

If i were going to go the Mexico route. I would have gone with Dr Guillermo Alvarez at Endohospital Bariatrics. The places is amazing and all they do is sleeves. He is a USA educated doctor. His hospital looks amazing and very very upscale. he post videos on youtube weekly regarding sleeves and his instagram channel is also impressive with constant stories on what he does. I think at his place a sleeve is just under 10 grand. Here is his youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Endobariatric . I am also self pay. Doing it in Florida and costing $18-19K. Insurance wont cover.