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It's been a long while since I first posted these questions and received so many helpful answers. For my insurance to pay, I had to get to and remain at a bmi under 35 for a year. I was able to get there and remained for longer than a year (plus had to wait scheduling with two surgeons, etc.), but it's done now. HolyMotherOfPete was the pain bad. Not all the time and not the incision, seriously, all numb there, but the abdominal pressure and spasms. Coughing/sneezing are murderous for a few days. I had some complications with a few things, but also a big reaction to the bandages--blisters everywhere. Apparently, I'm allergic and didn't know it. Anyways, as so many great people have shared theirs, I'm sharing my results. Thanks again to everyone.

@BajanSleeve Excellent suggestions! Coconut chapstick in my purse! Darn, no oral hydration gel. Good thing I'm bringing my pharmacist daughter with me. I'll let her pick up my OTC supplies. Good idea about the patch. Unfortunately, the adhesives in medical patches don't stick to me. Hyperhidrosis. I tried Fentanyl patches with two different kinds of adhesives from two different drug companies and neither one stayed on more than a couple of hours. Ondansetron is the prescription med (in tablet form) that I take for nausea. I was told that I'd be staying one night after my surgery --- unless, of course, there are complications, which I don't expect.

Complications are scary. You never imagine yourself having them...and when you do...it kinda gives you a jolt of reality...that this thing that we're all doing is very serious. I think your reaction is very understandable. Wishing you an uneventful recovery from here on out:)

Depending on where you work, you only need to notify your boss of when you will be off and notify your HR if you are taking FMLA (which I suggest everyone do because it protects you if complications arise.) i was open with my boss and coworkers so it was fine. My work is also flexible and it was easy to get coverage for me. But you do not have to reveal you’re even having surgery unless you will have restrictions post op at work. Some people say they’re having hernia surgery which makes them feel more comfortable about the take off process and in case people ask questions.

I had my surgery May 7th. I'm not sure if that would put me at 4 or 5 weeks out. My starting weight was 180lb. I am down 26lbs. I am 5'2 and my bmi was 32. My surgery was easy and without complication. I am feeling very blessed to have had no issue. I am just where I can eat real food. I still take a protein shot everyday. They are really sweet tasting so I do delute them. I have thrown up a couple of time because I ate something probably sooner then I should have. I am going on a 2 week vacation this Thursday. I am hoping I will make smart choices. If anybody has any suggestion on how to stay on track while on vacation, please let me know.

Good healing for you Annie 93, you're going into yet another facet of this complicated WLS journey, now you put the good things you have learned into your post-surgery life. And as you keep it moving along you become a beacon for all of us following that samel trail into a healthy future😝

I am 48 years old. I have been morbidly obese for about 7 years and obese for 20 years. My mother died in 2015 of diabetes and obesity related illnesses which culminated in her dying while I prayed for her in the ER at only 65 years old. My grandmother died in the same hospital of diabetic complications and an amputated foot at only 53 years old. I am a type II diabetic and was in total denial. Was not controlling my glucose levels, was not eating right, not exercising and was developing the SAME issues that my mother experienced. Both of my feet were swollen, discoloured, pressure blisters and red dots all over them from poor circulation and diabetic neuropathy. I had constant pain in my body from sore joints and uncontrolled sugar levels. High blood pressure. No energy and could not stand up more than 5 to 10 minutes max without needing to sit. I was going on job interview after job interview for the last 2 years, qualified and experienced in the positions I was applying for, but not getting the jobs. I started to sense it was my weight - employers whether they will say it or not are concerned that your weight will impede your ability to do work efficiently and if your weight will be a health concern that will result in numerous sick days. I did not want to end up like my mother and grandmother but I was heading there FAST. I am at the age where my weight was so high, and my hormones so whacky in pre-menopause, that the idea of being able to loose 100 lbs on my own was completely overwhelming to me. I live in a small Caribbean Island and our dollar is lesser than other countries and really did not know how I could afford help. I have not been insured in 12 years because of the diabetes. I foster dogs for a local animal shelter and I also have 7 recuse dogs. One day the shelter represented came to visit a couple puppies that I had adopted and she took a few photos of me and the dogs. When she sent me the attached photo I cried and cried and cried that night. I always knew I was big but it was like I lived in a strange kind of denial of HOW big I really was. Seeing that photo opened my eyes and I had an 'ah ha' moment and knew that I HAD to do something to change the trajectory of my life, otherwise I would end up in an early death just like the women in my family. So from the next day I started to change my diet drastically. I began to cut out useless carbs, stop buying my snacks, cutting down my portion sizes, stop allowing myself to eat the sugar treats whenever I wanted them. I started to see a change in my glucose levels from the next week and until the end of March I was more in control of my sugar levels but weight was not really coming off. In April I started to FEEL better because I had changed my eating habits but knew I needed an intervention to help me get off the kind of lbs I need to loose. So I found great reviews for a bariatric hospital in Mexicali and the cost was SO CHEAP compared to other countries. I started researching and corresponding and booked gastric sleeve surgery the end of May 2018. It was a long journey to get to Mexico from Barbados but I never looked back. I would not recommend the kind of flying I had to do after surgery because its hard on your system (and blood pressure) but I did what I had to do. I think everyone comes to that 'ah ha' moment when you honestly are just sick and tired of being sick and tired and fed up of not being able to live a full life and being bound to medication. I view the VSG as an intervention and an opportunity to 'reset'. The year or so it will take to loose over 100 lbs will give me the time to learn new habits, get off of insulin, be mobile again to do exercise and LIVE LIFE again. The time for my body to heal from the inflammation, get my heart healthy again and to learn to eat to fuel living and not eat for the sake of comfort. We have the choice to take control of our future with the KNOWN obstacles that morbid obesity brings. Sure a car could crash into me but that is a different thing to dying from diabetic complications, heart attack and amputations because of weight! I was in a RUT!!! How my rut looks may be different to yours but the point is that WLS helps with the leverage you need to begin getting out of the rut. I'm looking forward to my healthier future

I started at 340, I’m also 5.7 I had the sleeve and heartburn constantly, my dr fixed a hernia and I have not had heartburn since either. I’m almost 3 months out and have lost 45 lbs. I chose sleeve because my dr said it had less complication rates and I also didn’t want my intestines messed with. You can lose as much weight as you want on either procedure it’s just always up to you. I also get all the benefit of my medicines I have to take for my arthritis.

Thank you everyone, I was worried I would get dehydrated. I’m trying to sip every waking minute lol. I also don’t wait 30 after 30 before, I just alternate when I finish a bottled water I start right up with protein shake. Doctors told me water, protein, walk, so I’m really trying hard to follow everything to a T! I don’t want to have ANY complications. Thanks again!!

Thanks for empathizing everyone, and for the advice. Funny @Creekimp13, I was thinking today that I wish my dog were still alive, she'd be loving all the proteins she'd be getting, and I wouldn't feel near as guilty! @Orchids&Dragons I totally love buffets. I feel like people pay far less attention to what's on your plate, and I create very little waste. And I wish I wasn't single right now. Then I'd be able to cook and send almost all the leftovers home with him! As for the work travel thing, it's complicated. When I'm eating alone I customize the crap out of my meals. But when I'm dining with others I do so only minimally. First I don't want to attract any more attention than necessary to my eating habits. It's also not viewed favorably at all with in my company to be "picky and demanding". I have a peer who customizes everything, but not due to any dietary issues, just because he is a self absorbed PIA. He is definitely looked down up by our management, and it is viewed as unprofessional. Being able to be flexible and go with the flow is highly valued where I work. @Pearldrop I unfortunately don't go any single place more frequently than quarterly. Even in the same city I don't have a lot of frequent repeats, unless it's the hotel restaurant, lol. I think the hotel chain I stay at sent me a summary last year saying I stayed in 54 different cities. Since I am traveling to my customers or collegues area, it is customary for them to pick the restaurant. Wine and dining is a requirement, I'm afraid. But it is not only customers, but colleagues as well. Going to a nice dinner with drinks flowing is a way to relax and break down barriers, and form relationships with people you deal with frequently but see infrequently. My company is very frugal in a lot of ways, but I have no T&E budget, and have never been questioned on a dining expense, so that's how important it is to our corporate culture. (Also part of why I needed WLS!) I'll definitely have to look into the shelter or Ronald McDonald House idea. I like it a lot, it's killing two birds with one stone. I've just never heard of any place being willing to take home cooked food. I think in the US we might be too afraid of liability for a charity to accept such a thing. I'll look into it though!

Oh I’m not going to break the diet. I fear having complications too much. But, at 10 days I can have puréed foods as well such as tuna and cottage cheese and I am stoked!!! I am just ready for savory foods. I’m tired of eating sweet stuff. I tried some broth last night which I liked prior to surgery but cannot do now. I have been drinking sugar free Gatorade for the electrolytes because I don’t want to get dehydrated

been there done that but better now than post op. lots of us here test positive for this and have to take the meds before moving on to the surgery. With your new very small sleeve you do not want any issues making things more complicated.

@PCOSSUCKS - First, I am so glad you are doing better and are seem to be out of the woods. I'm thinking of you and your recovery. How scary for you and your family. Secondly, thank you so much for sharing your story here. Any surgery has risks, but I think with WLS we tend to forget (or overlook) the risks because it's a surgery we all want so badly. This is an important reminder for us to be realistic and be prepared for any and all outcomes. Personally, I updated our will and added a living will just in case. I also had a very honest conversation with my husband about my medical wishes should something go terribly sideways. It's also an important reminder to keep your perspective in check. We all want our surgery as soon as possible and none of us want to hit a delay or have our date rescheduled. But sometimes that happens. Keep in mind your physician has your best interest in mind and only reschedules, requires additional classes, or insists on you losing more weight prior to surgery because he wants you to have the best possible outcome. It's easy to be disappointed in these setbacks, but it will all work out in the long run. The whole point of this board and this group is to support one another. We will all have successes and failures and complications are a part of the process. I hope everyone here will feel comfortable in sharing what is going on with their recovery and progress so we can all provide support, prayers, laughter, and love. (I know that sounds cheesy, but this is what we're here for!)

Hi again guys! I’m able to get down some soft foods. Not meat sits well other than slow cooked shredded chicken. I’m sticking to veggies for now. And cheese and yogurt. That’s been all good! Because of my complications, I lost a little over 30 lbs between May 10 and a week ago. Now I’m stalled. Ah the good old 3 week stall! But I’m not freaking out since i lost so much initially from basically starving. As long as I stopped being stalled in the next 2 weeks, I’m ok with it. I’ve dropped from a morbidly obese BMI to obese BMI. Who would have thought I’d be so happy to just be obese 😂 I’m going to do the measuring tonight because all my clothes are falling off. I hope everyone is doing great!

Yes people have had their surgeries cancelled for not following the diet. Most don't, but you've stated you've got a fatty liver that needs to be shrunk. If they get in there and the liver is too big or in the way... they will close you up and not continue the surgery. The bigger issue is (and I'm sorry if this comes off as callous, but it's a reason why we all have to do psych evals before hand because not being able to control what we eat past surgery can cause *MAJOR* complications), what's going to happen after your surgery? Yes the pre-op is hard. But post op is just as hard for a while too. Why do you want the surgery? Don't answer here, but you need to ask yourself this. When you feel like cheating, you need to ask yourself what's more important, that piece of pizza, or your life. Honestly, only you have to answer to you and your actions. But it doesn't seem like you are taking stock of how important this change is... that's a lot of food, that's not "cheating".... cheating is "oh I had a bite of something" not, "I haven't been following the diet for a week+". Sorry for being blunt, but, what you posted here is a major problem, and you **NEED** to come clean with your surgeon, surgical staff, nutritionist and psych. Odds are post bypass there are going to be plenty of things you can't eat... what are you going to do then? None of your choices were even smart "cheats"... pre-op is when you need to start figuring out the better choices to make, Yes we are all human and we all make mistakes, but how many mistakes does it take to realize you need to stop? Normal stomachs can take over 15 mins to realize you've eaten, pounding half a pizza and then 2 donuts 2 hours later... IS.NOT.HUNGER. That's compulsion / addiction / "head hunger". You should be nervous. These actions are major red flags. You need to make the hard choices for yourself and your health. No one else is going to do it for you. Even post surgery, it's not going to be some magic wand that gets waved and you never get real or "head" hungry. Doesn't happen. Cravings are still going to happen. Desire to eat that pizza is still going to happen. But ***YOU*** need to say "no". YOU need to decide to eat something better. YOU need to decide that you don't want to be fat anymore and only YOU can decide that you want to live. So here's what you do. Stop. All of it. Stop all of the excuses. Stop all of the disappointment in yourself. Stop giving in. Stop giving up. Stop caving in. Now, today. Start following that diet to the letter. Start making better choices. Start exercising. Start getting in 64-128oz of waver. Start realizing that food does not control you. Start realizing that if you don't change, your health is not going to improve. Start changing into a better you. Each day, you should look in the mirror before bed and be honest with yourself. Did you do what you were supposed to? Did you do the right thing? You **CAN** do this. You just have to MAKE yourself do this. Stay Strong.

Had a successful gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico 8 days ago. Have had low blood pressure readings for the last 3 days. Between 100/60 to 86/45. I am not on blood pressure meds. I am still in the 10 day post op clear liquid period and to be honest I had to drink some Glucerna to help me survive!!! I also made some watery blended and double strained soup, real soup, not broth. I just could not handle plain broth with zero sustenance. I am a type 2 Diabetic but my blood sugar has been relatively low, and to be honest, I am afraid to take insulin when I am barely eating next to no calories. Does anyone else suffer with very low blood pressure after surgery and if so, what did you do? Did anyone else have anything to eat other than the clear liquid without complications? I figure I might as well be honest.

The question I wished I'd asked is: For the 4-6 weeks after surgery, what doctor can I call if I have problems? My surgeon only takes "surgery related" questions and there's no one else to ask questions. I'd also ask: Other than complications from the surgery (which I didn't have) what are the potential problems that could happen first 4-6 weeks and beyond that you should be aware of. And don't let them get away with "Everyone's different, it's impossible to say." because there are certain things that are more likely to happen and I wish I'd been aware so I could have prepared ahead of time. My specific problems are constipation and GERD since the surgery. It's been difficult figuring things out on my own. Thank God for this site!

All up to your surgeon. Complications are allegedly greater if it is elevated. Mine was 9 and surgeon didn't blink an eye. I had no complications. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Surgery 4/10/18 HW: 295 CW: 252 Slow start out of the gate. Surgery was complicated by adhesions from band and I was overmedicated recovery unit. Been on solid foods for a few weeks. I have to be careful with bread, but I don't eat a lot of it anyway. I do OK on my plan, but have had a few episodes of uncomfortable slime/foamies. Sometimes I can figure out the cause, sometimes I can't. Discovered last week that traveling can be a challenge, but I do the best I can. My weight loss is going much slower than I'd like. I'm told that it's because of my previous bariatric surgery/lap band. Guess the body has "been there/done that" kind of attitude. Happy I'm losing inches. Am down 2 pant sizes. Glad my energy is back. Started off on MD Patches, but developed sensitivity to the adhesive. Don't like the chalky chewables and the soft-chews are kind of expensive. I can take small pills, but the larger vitamin size caplets can be uncomfortable. Currently taking SF gummy supplements, which seem to work and I consider them my treat for the day. My skin is looking great. Not much hair loss. I notice a little extra in my brush, otherwise I seem to have that in check.

The answer to your question is complicated. I'd say, no. But let me explain, as to not discourage you. I had RNY, so I don't eat anything with added or processed sugar. I used to eat sweets now and again, now the sweetest I get is fruit. My whole diet has changed. I don't hardly eat anything I used to. I'm very focused on lean protein, whereas before, I would have eaten my potato and my salad first and barely touched my chicken. There is so much that I have to say, "no thanks" to. But I also don't crave things like I used to either. After time, you don't think about the things you can't have. It just becomes second nature, like someone who is lactose intolerant.

Ok...you messed up. Now get back on track. You don't want to have complications because you didn't do your part. It's all mental... you can do it. Sleeved on April 25, 2018 HW: 256 SW: 238 CW: 220 GW: 165

Rapid weight loss definitely has a lot of drawbacks. I have had a lot of health issues from my body being in shock. Feeling dizzy and light headed. I had psoriasis flare ups (in addition to a range of complications from my auto-immune disease). I didn't mention this before, but it's very strange, psychologically speaking to lose 100 plus pounds in less than six months. It's very disorienting. You feel like a stranger in your own body. It's uncomfortable. You don't recognise yourself. I had a bit of depression (which may have been related to the illnesses), but it also was in part because I was really freaked out by all the changes. How do you stay mindful and centred, when you're dropping 6 dress sizes in 6 months? There's no time to adjust! I am not complaining. I underwent this surgery as an investment in my future health and happiness. And frankly, I wouldn't mind some of that magic rapid weight loss again. However, losing slowly does have some benefits.

@Greyfaery For me, the decision was advised by my surgeon, she installed the Lap Band for me back in 2011 and when I discussed revision, she refused to do the sleeve on previously banded folks due to increased staple line complications. The sleeve has issues with reflux, and yes, you can *TOTALLY* "eat around" the sleeve, high sugar, high fat "sliders" are a real issue. Recovery between the sleeve and the bypass isn't that much different. In fact, the post-op process for the sleeve is actually harder than the bypass. Bypass patients are eating pureed food before they leave the hospital, sleeve patients are on liquids for a month afterwards. I've had the band, and now the bypass. The band and the sleeve are pretty much the same idea for surgery, restriction only. And both can be "eaten around", neither have any negative reinforcement / punishments for eating badly. So, once you start realizing you can get away with things you probably shouldn't be eating, there really isn't anything physically stopping you from doing so. Having healed both the band and the bypass now, I can say without any doubt that I really didn't notice a difference between the 2, if anything, the bypass was easier to heal, now that could have been because I knew what the process was like, or because I was thinner, but it was just easier. I'm *VERY* glad I went with the bypass this time around and not just another restriction only surgery. In fact, sitting here now, I truly wish I went with the bypass the first time I had WLS... And not after years of failing with the band. Either way, whichever you chose, understand it's ONLY a tool and will require lots of hard work and behavior modification, you *WILL* need to change everything about how you eat, your subconscious relation with food, any stress or comfort triggered eating habits will need to be adjusted or dealt with, for me, the bypass adds that extra layer of support, I can chose to eat a piece of cake if I truly wanted to, but I know it's going to really suck badly for a few hours or more if I do, so I really tend to not even risk it anymore. There are plenty of other things I can eat that are super tasty and good for me to chose from, it's harder when going out, but it's more than worth the added struggle! Good Luck in your choice!

Wondering if people wanted to share their experience / success stories / frustrations with losing weight at their personal pace. Some days i find it hard to not trivialize my success and i think its is because I am losing slowly, which can be VERY frustrating but i did not have any complications, a definitive goal set up yet or loose skin so i should learn to count my blessings. How do you maintain perspective?

Hello Midwest Girl and welcome to the site I just wanted to share my story a little with you, and hope that it can help in some way. I had the sleeve (not band) back in November of 2016. I lost a lot of weight, finally reaching my goal weight in March of this year. However, in January, I started having trouble swallowing, severe pain in chest and neck when eating, etc, etc. It just got worse from there and did a barium swallow, which confirmed GERD and a hiatal hernia. It took months for my gastro and surgeon to try different meds, tests, endoscopies, hospitalizations, etc. They really didn't want to do another surgery, because I had already had a long and painful history with several abdominal surgeries.... these have left me with abdominal pain that I deal with on a regular daily basis. I too, had mesh from an open incisional hernia repair late last year. When my gastro and surgeon told me that I needed the bypass, I was concerned. Lots of abdominal surgeries and the mesh, etc..... was worried about it. Like yours, my surgeon is very experienced, he is so skilled and I just love everything about him. Completely trust my surgeon. He went over everything about the procedures a few weeks ago with myself and my husband. He let me know that he could successfully do the hiatal hernia repair and the gastric bypass at the same time, however, he also told me that there was a good chance that my surgery might need to done as an open surgery. If that were the case, he would need to cut through the hernia mesh in my abdomen, perform the bypass, etc, and redo the mesh and sew everything back together. He put that all out in the open. I was scared of another open surgery and the thought of complications, but at the same time, the GERD was so awful that I decided the bypass had to be done no matter what. Couldn't go on living like I had been. Well, guess what? Here I am a week out of hernia repair/bypass surgery and my surgeon did NOT have to cut through my old hernia mesh! I had my surgery done laparoscopically. My surgeon said things went so smoothly. For the past two days I have actually had REAL food, not liquids only, and NO PAIN from GERD!!! What a relief! I suggest that if your surgeon is experienced, you trust him, you feel good about what he is telling you, that you GO FOR IT! I know it is easy to worry, be scared, etc. But you can work through those things. I hope this helps you even just a little bit. Wish you the best.