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I just wanted to say thank you to all y'all. I found this site a while ago and have been lurking and reading and learning. The honest talk helped me with a lot of the anxiety I was having about surgery. The photos inspired me so much—so many of you changed your lives and kept them changed. The folks who are really into exercise reassured me that it isn't over (I love my CrossFit, and I can't wait until my weight isn't the limiting factor). And just the fact that so many people's lives improved finally got me over the "shame hump". I called for a referral, had my initial consultation last week, and am tentatively scheduled for VSG in late August. (My insurance has been frankly amazing. So few roadblocks that I kept checking to make sure they were talking about bariatric surgery.) To say I can't wait for this is an understatement. I just want y'all to know you're changing lives for me and for other lurkers who haven't clicked that "sign up" button yet. Thank you.

Has anyone tried the chocolate pb. Meal replacement from bariatric fusion? Redoing another 10days & with it being expensive .. I would rather know beforehand if it’s worth buying or not ... Thanks

Depending on which Aetna plan you have. Reach out to your Primary care to see if you need a referral. Research some bariatric surgeons in your area and see if they are in your network. My surgeon asked what surgery i was interested in what i've tried in the past what my eating habits are my medical past and if I had diagnosed with any of the co-morbilities he weighed me twice then approved me to move forward with scheduling with a dietician, endoscopy and sleep study. I have had to find a psychologist to get a psychological evaluation to determine my mental readiness. Took about 15-20 to get cleared. But check with your insurance as this was an out of pocket expense for $310.

I may not have had surgery yet, but I have listened to what my surgeon and other surgeons have said. Fluid goes right through the stomach. It doesn't stay in the stomach. But I agree with @RickM ask your GI guy to talk to your bariatric surgeon and come up with a better plan.

About how many pounds do you have to lose to comfortably go down a full pants size (not snugly fit). Asking because I personally find the mythic 10 pound estimate to be way off but maybe it's just me? Also, any other bariatric discussion boards you can recommend to visit?

I’m so sorry that you got treated that way. I can’t say as mine ( follow up) will be much better. We will see tomorrow. We have a ‘portal’ to send/receive messages to the bariatric team, but this far the ‘answers’ I get are ‘short and not REALLY answering anything I’m asking’. It seems that since the surgery they are kinda ‘done’ w me, and that may be just my emotions talking, or I’m sure that’s what they will try and say, lol. I have only lost 7 pounds, and I know I shouldn’t be ‘on the scale’, but of course I am! I see all these other ppl loosing soo much more post op. My pain is ok, I haven’t taken anything since 3 days out, but I am having a ‘stitch pain’( from what I’ve read) when I move a certain way, raise my arm. It’s on the right side. I did have a minor hernia repair while he was in tho, I had no idea I had it. As far as bandages, I was glued shut, so I never had any bandages so I’m not sure about that. I started my vitamins back today. I haven’t had any trouble getting my water in daily. The first few days it was a struggle. I have not been nauseous or thrown up at all , knock on wood,. I have followed the diet ( mostly, I had some mashed potatoes) . I have NOT ate ANYTHING sweet, I’m scared of dumping syndrome. I drink the protein shakes for most of my protein, and just started yesterday on stage 3, adding ‘mushy meat’ to my diet and smashed veggies. The ricotta bake tasted SOOOO heavenly!! How are you feeling????

Hello fellow Bariatricals, I am 3 months out and wanted to compare everyone else 3 month weight loss. I have only list 13kg which is 28 pounds. I am not worried, as I am losing and Ive always had a slow metabolism. How were you guys at 3 months post op ( please only give me weight loss from surgery day).

wow - that is pretty awful. My reaction was the same as Arabesque's - have they seen your medical records and test results? Have they talked to your surgeon? How much research have they done on the various bariatric surgeries? I think a lot of people who haven't done much research on bariatric surgeries are remembering bypasses from years ago. Those WERE risky. But they do them completely differently now. They aren't much riskier than the sleeve nowadays (and honestly, neither surgery is very risky). I'm sorry you're going through this. I only told my immediate family and a few close friends before the surgery, so fortunately, I didn't have to deal with this. This sounds mean, but maybe you should just start ignoring them == as in deleting their texts without responding. That's what I would do at this point. You shouldn't have to put up with this.

So sorry they’re not being supportive. I didn’t tell anyone in my family but my mother & one brother & his wife because I knew they wouldn’t judge & would understand & be supportive. Have you turned it back on them & asked what research they have done & where they got their information? Is it from recognised & legitimate sources? What medical people have they spoken too? Have they looked at all your medical test results & history? How many people who’ve actually had weight loss surgery have they spoken too (they’ll never be able to compete with the number of people on this forum)? Do they understand the reasons why bypass is the better option for you? Do they think you’re not intelligent enough to make a rational, informed & logical decision about your own health? Why can’t they just say they’re concerned but offer support & willingness to be there for you? Honestly, there are risks. But there are risks with all surgeries & they are pretty low for bariatric surgeries. It can be a struggle to get used to how your digestive system works post surgery but you’ll get used to its idiosyncrasies & discover how it works for you. I hope they can see your position & can be encouraging & not negative.

I went with RNY over VSG because the RNY has been around (in roughly its current format) since the 60s; there's half a century of long term follow up. The long term follow up with VSG is shorter. I always choose the devil I know Fun fact: the earliest reported example of bariatric surgery was performed on Sancho the Fat (the King of Leon) in the 10th century!

My surgeon has his patients do the Multivitamin Patch plus a B12 Patch for the first month then switch to the chewable Celebrate ADEK (or other brand of bariatric vitamins) and chewable calcium citrate with D3 and chewable iron (if needed).

I went to mexico bariatric center for a gasteric sleeve surgery in on June 11th. Dr. Louisana Valenzuela was my surgeon. I would recommend them to anyone interestes in going to mexico for surgery. If you have any questions let me no. So far i am down 35lbs from when i started the preop diet. No complications either.

I would definitely give some push back and ask for a different prep - there are many. Does he know that you have had WLS since your last scope? I just had one last month and they prescribed SuPrep, which is a low volume, two step prep - two 8 oz (IIRC) bottles that you drink fairly quickly, followed by a couple of bottles of water the next hour, done the night before and then again the morning of the procedure, and that seemed to go well - for both me and the doc. Should be little problem for a 1 year post op. My wife had a bad scope some years ago despite being compliant with the prep, It turns out that others with the DS like her reported similar problems - it seems that the wacky intestinal configuration needs a bit more time to clean out, as we discussed in one of our support group meetings. One of the other vets in the group who had a similar problem worked out a revised routine with his gastro that basically involved doing the clear diet for two (or possibly three) days before the bowel prep, and that did the job. When it was time for my wife's next scope a couple of years ago - new gastro since we had moved - we hit him up with the problem, and while he was focusing mostly on the WLS needing a low volume prep, which he prescribed, she did the modified longer liquid (not strictly clear the first day, just liquidy) and all went well with that one, too. So, while I am not an MD, it is clear that there are several ways to get the job done, and you gastro should be sensitive to your needs as well as his own. It kinda sounds like he is punishing you for what he may interpret as non-compliance the last time, or maybe this potion is what he is most experienced with for a more challenging case, and while he may be aware of newer preps on the market, he isn't experienced with them and goes with his old tried and true. Again, I would push back at this, tell him that you can't comply with this and why. Discuss what other options there are to get the job done that works for both of you. Your medical care, as with most things in life, are a negotiation and you have a say in this. If the doc doesn't want to comply with your needs, then it is entirely within your rights to go to a different doctor to get what you need. Ask your PCP or your bariatric practice for a referral to someone more bariatric friendly, if necessary. Good luck,

Folks, PLEASE check the education credentials of the person giving you nutrition advice. In some states, there is absolutley zero education required to call oneself "a nutritionist" and give people dietary consultations. Many bariatric groups will use lay-trained staff to push a particular doctor's dietary approach. Don't use these people. They are unqualified and it's dangerous. Nutrition is complex and individual and it's a SCIENCE. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dietitian-vs-nutritionist#nutritionist Check the laws in your state: https://theana.org/advocate Ask to see the credentials of the people treating you at appointments.

Impossible to say. They're all different. They might measure you, take pix, weight. They will talk about your history with diets. They will talk about your comorbidities. They will talk about your surgical options. They will all have a different list of what they require. The good ones will require you see a therapist, a dietician, and attend a support group meeting. They will offer access to things like exercise classes and healthy cooking classes geared to bariatric patients. You'll likely need a lot of medical tests. Blood panel, upper GI, chest xrays, ekg, presurgical stuff. Typically, you get a date after you do all or most of your prereqs. Wishing you the best.

I'm with you all it's the unknown. I am in my preop phase now day 7, my surgery is July 7th but so far I love drinking Fairlife. I bought the bariatric fusion but it's the same as Fairlife except I have to mix it. To be honest I was not getting enough calories thus far because I use almond unsweetened milk so didn't add up to enough in Day so I increases to 5 shakes a day to get at least 850-900 calories. I've been reading alot and trying to prepare dinners for family and with mine I puree. I bought 1 oz icecube trays and froze. So it's convenient. I love Dr Voung on you tube hes a bariatric surgeon he helps with alot of questions.

I take the bariatric advantage chewable and they are pretty good. They have samples. I got mine from my nutritionist but if you’s did not have them I imagine the company would send you some?? I take their chewable multi and calcium citrate chews.

Hello @blueslily, I started out with the bariatric specific chewable multivitamin from bariatricpal. They was so nasty and had me nauseous. So I was relieved when I was told I could take the tablet form. The bariatric specific multivitamin tablet is kind of big. But i rather take those then them chewables. You can always crushed the tablet and put into applesauce. However, I still do take the calcium citrate chewables and sometimes the tablet. They are really big but can be crushed as well.

Hello everyone, I'm writing to ask for your help. I still have not found a daily multivitamin that works for me. My program recommended that we use chewable for the first 2 months, starting after 2 weeks. So, at Week 3 I started the Bariatric Fusion chewable. My tummy did not like the first kind I had. So, I ordered a different flavor. Stomach was ok with second flavor, but I hated the chalky taste. I talked with my program about it at my 2 month follow up. I could move to capsules. So, I ordered capsules from Bariatric Fusion. I was already using a supplemental vitamin from them and just adding it to my protein shake. That was working from the 1 month mark. So, I got the multivitamin in a capsule, added it to a protein shake, oh no. Totally horrible. The multivitamin stinks like crazy and is so nasty. Odd, because the supplement is fine. So, before I spend even more money on multivitamin option #4, I'm writing to ask what is working for you all. What are you using that is not upsetting to your tummy and goes down easy. My program does not want me swallowing any large pills until month 4 so that's part of this adventure also. I can't just buy a multivitamin that comes in big pill form and they say it must be bariatric specific, not just a regular multivitamin. I'm considering Barimelts next. Just tired of wasting money. Plus, scared of the impact of not consistently taking vitamins so far. Bloodwork is not until Month 4 check up. I feel fine. Just want to be doing the right things during this journey. Thanks!

Good evening. I have my evaluation appointment scheduled for Aug 13 and I am trying to get an idea of best bariatric tracking apps for andriods. medical2013

See a bariatric therapist. What you are going through is pretty common. Two years out, a lot of the real mental/emotional work happens. You've fixed your body, now you need to fix your brain to maintain. Identifying your triggers and coming up with alternate ways to get what you need (and fix what you're using food to medicate)....is essential for maintenance. Least it was for me. Don't panic. There is time to figure this out, but you need to take baby steps toward doing it today. Don't go into a denial spiral and ignore your hard work coming undone. A lot of folks do that...when therapy could have really helped keep them on track. Wishing you the very best.

You are not alone, there are soooo many of us out here, looking for advice, support or just someone to listen, that understands what we have gone/are going thru. My bariatric team seems to ‘be done’ with me since the surgery. I’ll ask a question, and they will return the message with ‘you may need to see your PCP’. I feel abandoned by them. My insurance company even placed a call to them to return my call, and they still have not. I’m 10 days out, still bloated, minor pain, but I’m probably ok. 😊

Thank the Bariatric Gods! I gave birth to BM pebbles today! 😂 I bought suppositories today too just in case. I’ll pick up benefiber at Costco.

I'm late to this conversation and I think Hop_Scotch above is correct about OP's intentions, but I also wanted to say that sometimes it's NOT helpful to others when you're really open about it. A few years ago, I worked closely with a woman who had bariatric surgery. I wasn't ready to start considering it myself, but I felt like every time she told anyone, they immediately looked to me like "she's just as fat, why isn't she having surgery too?" So basically, you can't win either way and should decide to tell or not tell based on your feelings, not anyone else's!

Hey everyone! Gastric Bypass July 9th here. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and they were extremely thorough! For those interested, I wanted to go over the details of what my process has looked like so far: - My insurance required an EKG, blood work, and gallbladder scan. So, during my pre-op, they redid all of those to compare the previous values with the most recent results. normal EKG, no high cholesterol, no high BP, no gallstones, normal thyroid levels, higher-ish estrogen, and borderline pre-diabetic which was NOT fun to hear but will hopefully be resolved with Bypass. - I spoke with the nurse and my (very handsome lol) surgeon, who re-reviewed all possible risks and complications. He explained how he would do the surgery (five incisions, robotic) and what to expect before and after. He also checked me for hernias, which I don't have. - Met with my dietician to re-review my pre-op diet and just to check in with me. She provided me with info on how to set up future appointments if needed as I transition through the phases. - The clinic gave me information on how to get my family member informed on what was happening. The hospital I am using has an app and the surgeon's team will text updates periodically. - I'm expected to be in-patient and will stay for one night unless I have complications. - They provided me with the sterile soap, Hibiclens and instructions on how to use it. bathe with half the bottle the night before, the other half the morning of (they gave me a sheet i have to mark down the date and time of the wash and turn it in the morning of). wash hair, no products, no contacts, no invisalign, clean sheets, clean pajamas. - the doctor gave me my prescriptions, which include: Gabapentin, acetominaphen, ondansetron for nausea, promethazine syrup, ursodial to prevent gallstones (thankfully i don't have any), and prilosec (OTC). - I had a chest xray and was asked if I had any implant anywhere (i don't.) all came back normal. - spoke with the anesthesiologist who weighed me, took my height, and explained the overall process to me. i've only been under once for a 70-minute MRI a few years ago but i know approximately what to expect. I will also be getting a 96-hour abdominal block to help with pain along with my (very strong) medication. - They provided me with information on what to eat and drink the night before (light breakfast, protein shake, clear liquids, and then four hours before the surgery, 16 oz of water), day of (clear liquids) four days after, two weeks after, (heavy liquids) one month after (maintenance phase). - set up a post-op appt 10 days later, and another one a month after surgery. - The morning of the surgery i arrive at 7:30 am, am checked in and put in pre-op, surgery should last two hours, one hour of recovery, and then moved to my private room where my sister will be waiting for me. no overnight guests because of COVID but this hospital has a designated bariatric surgery floor so all of the nurses are specialized in this, and even nicer, all of the equipment accommodate larger patients. so, large recliners, large beds, laaarge gowns, large chairs, sturdy IV machines, belly bands. very comfortable. - i'm planning on bringing an ipad, books, lip balm, lotions, warmer socks, grippy sandals, button down pajamas, a small pillow they recommended as a "splint" when i get in and out of bed, and toiletries. I feel pretty ready i suppose, but it doesn't feel quite real yet! crazy to believe that in a few months i'll be down a significant amount of weight (hopefully) and look slimmer. I am on my two-week pre-op diet which consists of two protein shakes and one light meal a day, with "free" snack foods including fat free cheese, lean meats, sugar free jello popsicles and pudding, high protein yogurts, and non-starchy veggies with light hummus or light ranch. hasn't been super easy but I'm trying my best. and LOTS of water. Let me know if you have questions, i'll be glad to answer them.