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I know everyone’s Bariatric surgeon’s practice is different. I was able to eat eggs and baked fish two days after surgery. I couldn’t really stomach to much at first maybe 1 to 2 ounces. I was definitely a bit nervous but my surgeon wanted me to start semi soft solids ASAP for protein in take along with the shakes. I need to get 90 grams daily. I am almost 3 weeks out and can eat about 3 ounces a serving. I can’t even finish a whole egg. lol.

I did gain weight, about a 1 month before I was going to get my surgery scheduled they added on an additional month visits. The doctors wanted to make sure I was living the bariatric life style. I t was all good. I managed to drop about 10 lbs. and we moved forward

I"ve never been told I couldn't take capsules - just gummies (I was told not to take gummy forms of anything - not just calcium) and yes - Caltrate is calcium carbonate, which we don't absorb well. We're supposed to take calcium citrate. Although one of the other posters doesn't like Bariatric Advantage chews, most people do. You have to order them online. Bariatric Pal carries them, as do a few other Web sites. I've also taken "petite" calcium tablets, which are smaller than the standard ones. I also used to use a powered calcium citrate that you mix into food or beverages - Upcal D. You have to order it online.

I can't tell you the best calcium chew, but I can tell you I'm never putting a Bariatric Advantage calcium chew in my life ever again. I got a few as a sample from the bariatric coordinator at my clinic and tried one this morning (only five weeks out, so surgeon just prescribed it). It was absolutely vial. Everyone says they are like candy--and they look like starburst, but the one I had was so gross I had to spit it out. There is no way I was going to be able to chew it long enough to swallow. I can't even describe it. The taste was ok-ish, but the consistency was like eating dried rubber cement with a coating of latex.

I recently looked into this and am at the stage of deciding which surgery I want: Re-Sleeve or Bypass. I'll preface the following by stating you can research many articles on "pubmed.com" to read published papers by physicians. There is a re-sleeve procedure and it's either done by plication or utilizing Overstitch; key difference is that part of your stomach is NOT cut and removed, as is done in the initial sleeve. The stomach is made smaller by suturing to make it smaller. In my case, revision, even if it is to a re-sleeve, would be covered by my insurance. Re-sleeves can be done endoscopically (through the throat, no incisions on the abdomen); this is the approach I am being offered. Bypass would require abdominal incisions as it is performed laparoscopically. Bypass would yield a greater overall weight loss, initially. There's a study that indicated the long term weight loss between those re-sleeved vs. conversion to bypass levels out and is similar. Articles: Re-sleeve Gastrectomy - An Efficient Revisional Bariatric Procedure - 3 Years Results Re-Sleeve Gastrectomy for Failed Primary Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Short-term outcomes of revisional surgery after sleeve gastrectomy: a comparative analysis of re-sleeve, Roux en-Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch (Roux en-Y and single-anastomosis) Laparoscopic re-sleeve gastrectomy as a treatment of weight regain after sleeve gastrectomy Weight Regain After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Look at the Benefits of Re-sleeve Reverse: Laparoscopic revision of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to sleeve gastrectomy: A ray of hope for failed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass As to which procedure has higher risk, in general, risk increases with every subsequent surgery. In this case, it would depend on the approach your physician would take to re-sleeve; endoscopic or laparoscopic. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case-matched study If both options would be performed laparoscopically, then it would be a matter of you deciding which procedure you feel the most comfortable with to achieve the long-term results you are looking for. Endoscopic surgery is performed using a scope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip, allowing the surgeon to see inside and perform procedures without making major incisions, allowing for easier recovery time and less pain and discomfort. Laparoscopic is performed by making several small incisions in the abdomen, which increases risk when compared to the SAME PROCEDURE performed endoscopically (no incisions). The approach with the highest risk is open. Bigger incision. Bigger incision, bigger risk. One type of surgery that has taken off in the last few years is minimally invasive spine surgery. Many spine surgeries can be done laparoscopically versus open -- even fusions. The difference? Patients that have it done laparoscopically can have it done in an ASC (ambulatory surgical center), meaning they leave the same day, no hospital stay or large incisions in the back. And...always remember, whichever surgery you have, it's a TOOL, not a magic pill (those don't exist either). Hope this helps!

Ask if they recommend a good bariatric therapist in your area. Have a consult, or file the contact away for later if you need it. Research the surgeon's credentials and reputation. Research the hospital where the surgeon does surgery. Make sure you like what you learn. Make sure anyone on staff who will be giving you dietary advice is in fact a registered credientialed dietician. If you're planning a surgery this fall, talk about the potential impacts of Covid19.

Ultimately, it's no one's job but yours to figure out the best stuff to put in your body. People will always eat awful stuff because it's readily available and tastes good. People will equate offering food with offering affection, support, etc. (even though for someone trying to lose weight, this is backwards and crazy...it's just habit and they don't think about it) For some people it's a manners thing...I can't eat in front of someone else without offering to share, regardless of what I'm eating. Doen't matter if I'm eating a protien bar or a donut...if you're hanging out with me and I think you might be hungry...I'll offer you half. You can always say no. Sometimes, I make a mindful decision to eat junk food. I budget for it in my daily calories and I like proving to myself that I control food and food doesn't control me anymore. I like eating junk now, because I don't enjoy it as much as I used to and I don't feel out of control. I know that sounds crazy....but seriously...there is a satisfying victory in consuming 200 calories of something I used to be totally out of control with...and go...you know what? That's good, but I can take it or leave it now. I LOVE that I can take it or leave it now. And I really love that I'm being dead honest about that, because I have spent a lifetime lying to myself about food. I very honestly am not as reactive about food as I used to be...and that's a HUGE victory. Yep, I still like fat, sugar and salt. Most people do. But I can take them or leave them, and I can budget a sensible serving and not have my nutrition day ruined. I credit part of that to revamping my eating habits and microbiota due to the surgery, and part to food addiction work with my bariatric therapist. Both have been incredibly important.

Hello everyone, I'm having a consult with a bariatric surgeon on August 24th for a gastric bypass (and lap band removal). I have already had one consult with another surgeon and did not prepare questions ahead of time. The visit did not go well and I didn't like the surgeon but that's another story. For this new consult, I'd really like to go in with some questions prepared in advance. To those of you who are going through this process or have been through it, what are some questions that you recommend I ask? Anything you can think of that you wish you had asked before surgery? Thank you!

Straw advice is one of those things that vary wildly by surgeon - some say to never use a straw, some only restrict them for a few months, others actually recommend them when patients are having trouble getting enough fluids. There's not actually any scientific evidence that straws are an issue for bariatric patients. See this thread: https://www.thinnertimesforum.com/topic/92638-straws-forbidden-by-my-surgeon-anyone-still-use-them/ It seems like if you get a Camelbak with the flexible bladder and burp the air out first, and have a bite valve on the end of the straw so it only opens when you take a drink, you'd actually get very little extra air in your mouth from the straw.

My guess is that it may be related to medications, as many of the mental health meds have weight gain or increased appetite as a side effect. There are some that are considered metabolically neutral-check in with your psychiatrist about that. On the other hand, 16 lbs above “normal” BMI is really not bad! Many, many bariatric patients never reach a “normal” BMI and their surgeon will tell them that going from obese to just over weight is a success. Congrats on all you’ve done so far!

I've never heard that about bipolar disorder's effect on weight loss. There are a lot of WLS patients who are bipolar, though - I've seen MANY people post about being bipolar in the seven or so years I've been hanging out on bariatric forums. my weight loss finally stopped at 20 months out. Those last six months or so my loss slowed to a crawl, though - we're talking like two pounds a month some months. So don't give up yet! You may still have some loss and get down to where you want to be. But it's true that the closer people are to a normal BMI, the tougher (and slower) weight loss becomes...

Hi PCOS mama94, welcome to this great site. I am in the Uk and the huge amounts of Covid here mean that for the last 16 months all hospitals have only dealt with that and the most urgent surgery. 15 months on we have a huge back log of people needing medical care. Here we have little to no chance of NHS bariatric surgery. Four months ago I decided to go private and have done psych evaluation, seen the bariatric nurses and signed for the surgery. Every day I hope for the 'date' Then I will have to do a milk and veg diet for three weeks.

I don't know what happens in Australia, but here in the US most private insurance requires a series of prerequisites. I had a very low number of these, and it was still a round half-dozen steps before they could even request that insurance pre-approve it. Some insurance requires a 3- or 6-month medically supervised diet. But then after the insurance bit, there's a bunch of other things that need to happen, like medical clearances (cardiovascular, pulmonary, scans, etc.) and the pre-surgical diet. My center also has a timeline for when certain medications and supplements need to be started or stopped, so I'll be on bariatric vitamins for three weeks before surgery and have to leave off caffeine two weeks before surgery, etc. It's definitely not a fast process. I will say this, though, I'll be crossing the holidays soon after surgery and I'm taking this as an opportunity to learn to celebrate without a giant plateful (or multiple!) of food. It's likely that I'll only be able to take a few bites of food at Thanksgiving (late November here). This is going to be a lifelong thing, re-learning to eat correctly, so I'm not trying to schedule around it (no "food funerals").

I know this wasn't directed at me, but the original post was from six years ago, so not sure if the person is still active on the board or not. But I just wanted to say that high liver enzymes are not uncommon after bariatric surgery. Rapid weight loss can be tough on livers. My enzymes were high for the first year or so - after that, they went back down to normal. My PCP at the time didn't know this and thought I had "fatty liver" - but I checked around on the internet and on bariatric boards and found that this is actually fairly common. And mine DID go back to normal once my weight loss slowed down (she had them checked again at that point --- normal).

we didn't get calorie goals, but I've been hanging out on bariatric forums for the last seven or so years. 300 calories seems pretty common the first month when you're doing liquids or purees, but after that, most people are eating around 600-800 calories/day until they get to about 10-12 months out.

At two months out from a mini gastric bypass I was just trying to get enough calories in to be able to function at work and the rest of life! I found it really hard to consume anything, even enough fluids. I was probably around 400 calories at that point, some days up to around 800. From a healing and metabolism point of view I am not sure much below 800 is very helpful, in my opinion. Could you get a second opinion from an independent nutritionist with bariatric experience? Edited to add: in the UK actually it would be a dietician rather than nutritionist, I don't know if you have that distinction where you are from?

Honestly, I was eating less than 300 calories a day but that was when I was at the liquid & purée stage so first month. It slowly increased to almost 900 at 6months & then 1200 for me to maintain at about 18 months or so. But that’s me. Your needs will likely be entirely different. I was never given a caloric goal just portion sizes which I was advised to slowly increase as I was able. I was also encouraged to snack from about 2 months (?) usually twice a day. I ate yoghurt &/or cheese &/or fruit. As I was adding more vegetables to my diet, the snacks ensured I was still meeting my protein goals & eating some fruit too. Broadening my food options for a more balanced diet was more important to my nutritionalist from soft foods. As with most things bariatric, those who are given caloric goals seem to be given a variety of calories to aim for as they progressed. A lot of people are successful eating several small meals like @Bluebonnetgirl versus 3 meals a day. Or they put the leftovers in the fridge to finish later which I often did. You’ll work out what works best for you. Personally, I think your nutritionalist is not being realistic or sensible. Part of this process is to make us more aware of what, how & why we eat & introduce healthier ways of eating & more nutritious foods. Then when you get to your goal weight you have adopted a sustainable nutritious eating plan. How can you introduce fruit & vegetables into your diet if you can only eat 300 calories a day? All you are eating must really just be protein. An extremely low calorie eating plan is not sustainable nor healthy in the long term.

I’m on Bariatric Advantage, for the dose I need to take, the multi is only $23.75 USD for 45 days. The chewable calcium is a bit pricey, but the non-chewable isn’t much.

Hello, I was pretty set and OK with spending like $100 a month for vitamins that are specifically for bariatric patients until I wrecked my car. I have to make car payments on the totaled car, and the new car until the GAP insurance goes through and pays for the remainder of the loan. So basically I'm hard up. What is the cheapest way to do vitamins? My understanding is that I will need: complete multivitamin Vitamin B12 Calcium with Vitamin D Iron with Vitamin C What can I do to keep costs down, maybe for just three or four months until I'm no longer shelling out an extra $420 a month for a car I no longer have? Thank you for your help, and for listening to me complain.

Good morning Vanessa, I went though all of those same feelings about 1 year ago. At first it was a lot to think about, but take each day one at a time. You will get through this just fine. 1) stick to the diet the doctor and nutritionist give you and follow it to the letter. This is critical for the stomach to heal. And less side effects. 2) The nutritionist is there to help and guide you through the readjustment of your new eating habits. Don’t be shy to ask for guidance from the Bariatric team. They want you to succeed as much as you do. 3) Gas pains only hung around for a few weeks for me, but you may have a different experience. 4) Bear in mind that once you are able to eat solid and semi solid food, that one bite too many “may” cause pain but eating slowly helps immensely. 5) I find drinking tea with Vanilla Protein shake as the creamer/sweetener calms me and soothes my tummy when I feel hungry. I have been doing this since before my surgery. If you shake the protein drink a lot it makes it more like a latte. 6) WATER! H20 is your friend. I have water at my side ALWAYS. Pretty much all I drink now is water, protein shakes and tea. Everything else is empty calories. Sugar is not your friend. 7) You have taken the huge first step of a great journey and you will be so happy you did this for yourself. So proud of you!

Before Surgery: 1 B12 1 Vitamin C 1 Viatmin D3 3 Fish Oil 2 Iron Metformin Lisinopril Hydrochlorthyazide First 3 Months After Surgery: 2 Flintstone's Chewables Complete Vitamins 1 B1 1 B12 2 Viactive Chewable Calcium w/D3 1 Iron Metformin Lisinopril Now: 1 One a Day Multi Vitamin 1 Magnesium Metformin Lisinopril I had the sleeve. When it comes to what I'm taking now, I just started that regimen like a week ago. I have switched to ProCare Health Bariatric Once-A-Day Multivitamin w/45mg Iron. When I ran this new vitamin by my dietician and surgeon for approval, they told me to STOP taking B1, B12, and Iron as an extra. That everything is provided in the new vitamin. At the same time I told them that I never took Calcium prior to surgery but that after surgery at some point I remember being told to start taking it. Looking back on my records I could NOT find where or who told me that so I told them this. It could have just been the discharge nurse who said it. Not sure. Either way they looked into it and couldn't find it in my paperwork from any of the doctors either so they told me to stop taking that too. So now I'm down to the stuff listed above. Come the middle of next month I will have my blood work done again and guess I'll see where we go from there. If what I've been doing is enough or not. My guess is that I'm not getting enough iron due to my anemia. I usually almost always need more than the daily recommended but I figured I'd just take what they said for now to see if it is indeed enough or not. I can adjust accordingly if not. I'm also hoping to be taken off or cut back when it comes to my two remaining prescription medications. At least that's what my family doc said we're gonna be looking into once I have my appointment with him next month.

I lost my sense of hunger for about five months - and I could have given a flip about food. In my case, I saw it as a positive - it was never in my life easier to stick to a program and lose weight than it was when I honestly didn't care about food AT ALL. In some ways, I wish it all had never come back. And btw -- loss of hunger after bariatric surgery is very common - and it usually comes back sometime during the first year. however, I'm not sure about the twisting sensation. Some of the things Arabesque mentioned may be what's going on - but I'd check in with your medical team on that just in case - if nothing else, for peace of mind.

The surgery changes things. During the surgery, a lot of the area that signals hunger is removed. After surgery our sense of taste & for many the sense of smell are temporarily altered & some things taste or smell awful. Plus liquids go through our digestive system more quickly & some nerves have been damaged so you don’t really feet that full feelings while on liquids & into the purée stage . Once the nerves heal & you’re eating solid foods you’ll start to feel full again. I wasn’t hungry or really wanted to eat for ages. I first felt hungry about 8 months after surgery after a busy day when I hadn’t eaten much. But it felt different - actually didn’t know what was wrong at first. Real hunger feels different to hunger that is driven by our head, emotions & habits. To combat not being interested in eating I tried to eat to a routine, still do. I I ate to my plan & to ensure I met my protein & fluid goals. I didn’t care if I didn’t eat the full portion as long as I was eating something. And honestly, to begin my food choices were pretty narrow because of my altered tastebuds. It did get better & easier after a couple of months. I actually enjoyed this period because it gave me the opportunity to really assess the food I used to eat & decide how I wanted to eat in the future. Not sure about the twisting feeling. My first thought was it’s your restriction but that’s usually a tightness or heavy weight across your upper chest. Do you want to thump your chest to move the food? Foods that are too dry or coarse can cause that tightness, foamies (gluggy saliva) or make you gag &/or bring it back up. As can eating too quickly or eating too much. Speak to your medical team to be sure. Did you have a therapist assigned to you during your pre surgery process or did you have one to support you through your eating disorder? Many weight loss patients continue to seek the support of a therapist after surgery. If you didn’t or don’t have a therapist look for one with experience with bariatric patients &/or disordered eating. Your medical team should be able to give you some recommendations.

So, I have gained 40 lbs back since my surgery five years ago. I find myself eating for comfort again and have basically forgotten (and broken) ALL the rules of the bariatric diet! I welcome any encouragement, tips, and advice. I remember the keys to early success were: protein shakes, water, extremely small portions, balanced healthy diet, walking, and taking supplements. I quit taking the bariatric supplements after a couple years and uh... well the small portions have gotten bigger (I no longer vomit). I crave sweets and I allow myself to eat them! Ugh... I still take regular multiple vitamin but nothing else other than prescriptions for depression, thyroid and a blood thinner for clots. My legs absolutely hurt ALL the stinking time so there is that. I am seeing doctors to try and figure that out. I've seen my primary doctor, a hematologist, and a cardiologist. It does interfere with my desire to walk or exercise. It is just too painful. I think I am at the point I am ready to start again though to work through that pain.

Well the bariatric center at my hospital offers support groups every month and nutrition classes. I haven’t gone cause they were virtual because of covid but may go now that they’ve started up again. But I bet if you asked there for someone to be a surgery support buddy you would have a nice group of people that all want to help.