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February 2022 Surgery Buddies
mmsackett replied to MeganMyers's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Started my pre-op liquid diet today and it has been hard. I got lots of sample packs of different protein shakes and waters to try. My pre-op diet is 2 shakes and 1 can of broth based soup and 1-2 Sf jello, yogurt or cottage cheese. I have a water jug for bariatric peeps that holds 64 ounces. It has times on the side so you can keep up with getting it all in. It has little encouraging phrases along the way. Im having trouble finishing it all now. Im scared of how difficult it’s going to be post surgery. I guess practice makes perfect. I had my last pre surgery appt with nutritionist this morning. I am trying to keep myself busy to stop thinking about food. -
I am sorry you are feeling so regretful about your surgery. I wonder how much of your despair comes from your medical team not fully informing you of what to expect as you progress through the process coupled with dealing with your inability to turn to the food that used to offer you comfort & working through the issues you are dealing with in regards your health. @sleevemealone suggested, a therapist may be very helpful. Ask your medical team for a referral to one who specialises in eating disorders & bariatric patients. There are many people on this forum who have benefitted from the support of a therapist. As you progress, you will be able to eat more food (portion size will increase until by maintenance you are eating about recommended serving sizes) & a broader range of foods. Many still eat some of their old favourite foods - just not as often & in smaller portions. Having a sleeve does not limit your social life at all. I went to a 60th birthday party two weeks after surgery. Sure I didn’t eat or drink any of what was provided (I took my own drink) but I still had a great time being with friends. I go out to dinner often. I socialise with friends & family often & did from pretty early out. I just make better food choices than I used to before my surgery. I have weekends away with girlfriends & family. My sleeve doesn’t stop me living my life. It helps me live it better because I’m fitter, physically & emotionally healthier & happier. I wish you all the best.
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February 2022 Surgery Buddies
SoCalEm replied to MeganMyers's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi @freckledmegan! I started chewable multi on day 1. I got the Bariatric Advantage brand and they are tolerable enough. I start the calcium chews 1 month after. The same brand and the variety flavored pack. Those are actually tasty. This was the surgeon’s suggestion following the VSG. -
Have you had bariatric surgery? If so when, and what type? Can you fill in the stats in your profile - that can help other people see what stage you are at. Good luck with your weight loss journey anyway - however far along you are. 🤩
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Hi ! So I been doing so much research on the ESG procedure. I much prefer it to VSG . I found that Mexico Bariatric center will start performing this in March . I was able to get a date and I read up on the doctor who will be doing the procedure. While I am nervous I do like the idea of no scars and quicker recovery, I’m more nervous about having it done at at this facility. Please share any experience you’ve had at Mexico Bariatric center . Thank you
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PNW Recommendations?
blackcatsandbaddecisions replied to blackcatsandbaddecisions's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Oh man, now that I am hearing others combined the surgeries that might be a deal breaker for me. I want to just take care of it all at once if I can, because getting time away from work/taking care of my parents will be hard enough for one surgery much less multiple. As it is I feel like getting time off for my bariatric surgery took about my entire 6 month waiting period to coordinate. It’s funny because in terms of where the loose skin is, my stomach is obviously objectively worse, but my arms are what bother me the most. I dream of wearing a sleeveless top someday, or waving at someone and having my arm not make a “thwack, thwack” noise. -
you won't be eating 4 oz meals for the rest of your life - that's only early out. I had bypass (not sleeve, but it's the same for sleeve patients) and although I eat much less than I used to, I can go out to dinner and eat enough that no one would ever expect that I had bariatric surgery. I'll usually order an appetizer - or I'll order an entree and eat half of it, and take the rest home with me. Honestly, that's about as much as many of my never-been-obese women friends eat. As I said, no one would ever guess at this point that I've had surgery.
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So I was diagnosed with PCOS and could not get pregnant. I became very symptomatic and desperate. I was told bariatric surgery could resolve infertility issues related to PCOS. After I had the sleeve I became very regretful. I know it seems ridiculous. I was so sick of dealing with PCOS. My periods were not coming and I was on a pill to create an artificial period so the lining of my uterus would not thicken (causes cancer) but the thought of only eating a 4 ounce meal for the rest of my life makes me regret the sleeve. I know how it sounds…I just wanted to know if there’s anyone out there that has stretched it. I’m still in the early stages…
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I went with the sleeve because, fundamentally it does the same thing as an RNY - amount of weight loss, regain resistance, etc., but "costs" less in terms of trade offs and potential problems. The sleeve is predisposed toward GERD problems (that simply means that more people in that population will suffer from that problem than in the genera; population. In contrast, the RNY is predisposed to marginal ulcers, dumping and reactive hypoglycemia.. It is also fussier in supplement need - you can get into more trouble if you are lazy about your supplements with an RNY, while a sleeve can be closer to that ideal of getting all of your nutrition from your food, if one is so inclined (and your natural body cooperates.) Even with all the supplements in line, there is still a greater risk of iron issues or osteoporosis with the RNY as its malabsorption is focused on minerals. And, the marginal ulcer risk makes it more limited with some medications (it is the origin of the "no NSAID" rule in bariatrics - the sleeve based procedures are more tolerant in that area. If I need something stronger than the VSG, then the DS is readily available, as it starts with a sleeve and adds a stronger malabsorbing component than the RNY offers, so there is better weight loss and most importantly, regain resistance provided there if needed. Finally, there is the "Plan B" factor of what if it doesn't work for me and I have/want to revise? The sleeve is readily revisable to either the RNY or the stronger DS, while the RNY is something of a dead end procedure which is very difficult to revise (it can be done, but there are few surgeons around who are qualified to do so.) Overall, that is why I would start with the VSG and move up later if needed (or if I was starting from a very high BMI or otherwise challenging metabolic situation, I would go straight to the DS and avoid the risk of having to revise the bypass if it wasn't strong enough.)
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My bariatric surgeon says she's completely in charge of my stomach now, so when I needed an endoscopy to check for GERD, instead of going to a gastroenterologist, my bariatric surgeon did it.
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I had my VSG on 4/8/2013. I lost @50 pounds and gained back about 20. I have several underlying medical issues which complicate my exercise but overall I am usually good with my food intake. Over the last year, I have developed what I think is acid reflux. It is so bad that I can't lie down and my healthy eating is now becoming more bland carb-focused because that's what I tolerate best. Even drinking a protein shake can be bothersome. I have NEVER experienced this before, not during any of my 3 pregnancies or at my heaviest weight. I am miserable! I have tried over-the-counter acid reducers and eat tums like candy. I finally talked to my PCP about this yesterday, she is sending me to a GI doctor. She mentioned she wasn't sure what my anatomy would be like now. That caused me to wonder if I should actually see a bariatric surgeon? I of course started to google and found that this can happen even so long out of surgery and that sometimes revision can fix it. Honestly, I don't hate this idea as id like to lose more weight but more so I just want to feel better. My BMI is 32.1 and I have the same insurance as I did 9 years ago. I'm clearly jumping ahead of myself but was wondering if anyone has experience with anything like this?
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Lapband to VSG now to RNY
liveaboard15 replied to southernbanded's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Yea my insurance specifically excludes bariatric surgery and any complications that it may arise including needing revision or whatever. It sucks. -
In 2012 I had lab-band surgery. My body hated the band from the start; nothing but problems. I lost about 82 pounds with the band but mainly only due to being unable to eat and vomiting. I developed acid reflux so bad that I slept sitting up for three years. I visited my doctor in 2017 and told him I could not deal with it anymore. He suggested converting to VSG. At the time, the surgery was not known for its acid reflux issues. I was converted in Dec 2017. Acid reflux left, and for one year, I felt normal. However, immediately after the conversion surgery, I never felt restriction. I felt I could eat normally. One year after the conversion, reflux returned. Now with a hernia, gastritis, and GERD. My bariatric doctor had passed away, so I went to a gastro doctor to have an EGD done. He sent me to a surgeon who suggested converting to RNY. I did not want to have a third surgery, so I put it off for another year as I thought the medications they prescribed would help. They didn't work. We just kept increasing the dosage. Fast-forward to this year, and I visited a new bariatric doctor who just completed another EGD on me this past Monday. All the same, issues are still there but now Barretts Esospogus. Insurance is denying the repairs as they were caused by bariatric surgery, which is ridiculous. I am a vocalist and truly worried about esophagus cancer as my lining has already been severely damaged. I will probably have to self-pay for the three-part surgery, and I am not happy about that. I am curious has anyone else had to have all three surgeries? If so, I would like to hear your stories and success. As I mentioned, I lost with the band. However, I gained most of the weight back after the band was removed and had to wait for the VSG conversion. I never really lost weight at all the sleeve. If you had all three surgeries, did you improve with acid reflux, gastritis, GERD, and were you losing any weight? Did any of you have Barretts Esophagus? I will know my fate next Friday, Feb. 11th
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Revision; VSG to RNY
southernbanded replied to EllieV's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Like you, I suffered from the same issues. I have Barretts Esophagus, GERD, and a Hernia. I have lab band in 2012, was sleeved in 2017, and will be converted to RNY next month. Even though medically necessary, insurance is denied due to being complications from bariatric surgery, which is absurd; they will complete a peer-to-peer next week. If not approved, I will have to self-pay. -
Revision from VSG to RNY with hernia repair
southernbanded replied to shriner37's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
This is very interesting and is a current issue that I have been battling for two years to have covered by my insurance company. I had lab-band done in 2013. Starting weight was 317 and got down to 222 pounds. However, I suffered from extreme acid reflux, causing me to sleep sitting up for three years. I was vomiting acid and sick every meal. When I spoke to my doctor about this, he immediately suggested conversion to VSG. While awaiting the approval for the VSG conversion, they made me do it in two parts. One surgery to remove the band, wait six months for the stomach to reshape itself, and then complete the VSG surgery. I gained 50 pounds back of my lost weight. I had the conversion done in December 2016. Everything went well. Acid was gone. However, I never felt restricted at all. I never really lost weight. Fast forward one year to 2017, and the acid returned. In 2019, after having severe complications from acid reflux and developing a nightly cough, I called my doctor only to find out that he had passed away. I decided to see an upper GI doctor who did an EGD and found me with Hernia, GERD, and Esophagus damage. He sent me to a surgeon specializing in throat cancer and bariatric issues. Submitted to have surgery was denied. We have been battling this for almost two years. I went this past week to another bariatric doctor familiar with my deceased doctor's work and also completed an EGD himself on me this past Monday. Same thing, Hernia, GERD, and now they believe I have Barretts Esophagus. They submitted to the insurance to repair and again denied. Insurance says these complications came from bariatric surgery and did not cover even if medically necessary; My new doctor is also a lawyer (go figure); he is completing a peer-to-peer next week to try to have them complete the repair one final time. If approved, I will only need to pay for the bypass conversion. So fingers crossed. I feel as if my insurance company would rather me die of esophagus cancer than keep me from dying from cancer. It is truly sad. -
February 2022 Surgery Buddies
MimmyMim replied to MeganMyers's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My surgeon just delivered a bear in honor of my Bariatric surgery. I am hoping to be ready to leave the hospital by 2:30! -
Vomiting is so tough. I had vomiting for two months and was only recommended to return to liquid for one day in the first month. The pharmacist recommended a slow-release iron pill that I took separately from a multivitamin (I use Bariatric Pal capsules) that had no iron. This did the trick, maybe try it?
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I was drinking three protein shakes a day pre-op. Now they feel heavy, 8 oz is a lot to get down, and I need to get at least two down per day. I was throwing it up every time I'd drink a third of one. I tried two others without any change. I gave up. I am not taking the vitamins with food because when I take them it feels like I've eaten a meal. I have the Bariatric Advantage choc chews. I loved them after sleeve surgery, not now, and one fills me up! I am drinking two glasses of FairLife lactose free milk every day. The office is closed today and tomorrow because of the weather. I will call Monday. Thank you.
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Surgeon's advice after vomiting
ShoppGirl replied to lizonaplane's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Have you tried or considered the bariatric advantage chewable. It’s more expensive and I didn’t love the taste of it but I was able to take that one on an empty stomach and I was fine. My nutritionist had samples. -
What vitamins is everyone taking?
vikingbeast replied to Dcsjoc's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I also use the ProCare with 45mg iron. But I have to have it after there's something in my stomach or I get dizzy. I also take D3/K2, B12 (liquid), calcium citrate, and a few other things, but none of them are officially "bariatric" and yet my labs are fantastic. -
I lost 50 lbs before surgery and have lost 46 since surgery (4.5 months ago). I KNOW from everything I've read here, in my support groups, and in the information provided to me by my bariatric center that stalls are normal and inevitable. BUT THEY STILL SUCK DONKEY BALLS! I was losing about 9 lbs a month (rolling average) for the first 4 months, but since month 4, it's been just up and down the same two pounds. I'm TRYING to focus on the fact that I've gone from a 2x-3x to a large. I'm TRYING to focus on the fact that I can walk so much more quickly now. But I am so scared the weight loss has stopped. I am trying to do exercises, but I hurt my arm and my doc told me to rest it for a while. I was then doing more treadmill, but my hip started to hurt like it did when I did treadmill every day before surgery. My eating is decent but not perfect (I eat out a lot due to traveling for work, so I know my meals aren't low fat). I'm drinking so much I have to pee every hour. How long do stalls last and how do you know if you're in a stall or if your weight loss has STOPPED? (sorry for the CAPS 🤪)
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What vitamins is everyone taking?
Queen ApisM replied to Dcsjoc's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
The chewable multivitamins are terrible. Having said that, the Bariatric Advantage ones were way better than the Celebrate ones. I tried to switch to save money but it was bad and I just ate (no pun intended) the cost of getting more of the BA ones because the daily torture was not worth it. I switched to a one a day capsule for the multivitamin once I could do so (around month 4) and I have never looked back. I take the Bariatric Advantage Solo with Iron, as well as the BA Calcium (the same kind as you - I agree they taste like Starbursts but find them quite tolerable, esp the strawberry ones). -
What vitamins is everyone taking?
ShoppGirl replied to Dcsjoc's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I started with that brand but later searched for something more reasonable price wise. I now take the procare health multivitamin with 45 mg of iron and a normal calcium citrate pill that is not bariatric. So far my labs are great. I do not need the B12 so far either. I had the sleeve. -
Struggling DS Veteran. In need of support
GradyCat replied to Alostkey's topic in Duodenal Switch Surgery Forum
Find a counselor who deals with weight issues and/or bariatric patients. Both my counselor and my psychiatrist have heavy concentrations working with people who've had WLS, so they understand my issues. -
I am 4 years old and strict with getting in my protein first and foremost. Im having monthly period cravings. I can’t stop obsessing about weight and cravings and thoughts of food. Im not sure what’s going on with me but I have this instaiable hunger. I feel like my hunger is returning and its really terifying me. Im petrified of weight regain. I was in the hospital 4 times since my July tummy tuck with lower body lift. I went septic and required ICU blood transfusions. I was at my lowest weight of 190. I couldn’t eat when I was weak and sick. Now my body is healing a dehissed wound on my hip (from that surgery) its like my body is craving things it did pre surgery. Im terrified and get scared going up 2 pounds then down 3, im in a constant yoyo. Ive been talking to my counselor about it but I feel like they might not understand the disordered way of thinking about food. Thanks for letting me vent. Im hoping to see my bariatric surgeon soon and try to figure this out. However, I am out of state from him. Im honestly thinking that my hunger is stemming from a genetic condition. I was also born with mosaic turner syndrome (I did the testing and have the rare obesity gene) anyways 125 grams of protein daily and under 60 carbs should keep me full. I go to bed depressed and brush and floss so I don’t engage in eating. I can’t stop thinking about food and feeling constantly head hungry. This is miserable I just try to go to sleep and control my obsessing. This makes me feel like I’m just eventually going go regain it all. Thanks for listening. I hope my fears go away.
