Search the Community

That was me. Fixing that alone was worth getting the bypass. I didn't need to exasperate it further by getting a sleeve. But another major reason I opted for bypass was hearing that some sleeve patients were only seeing a 30–40-pound weight loss. I struggled to lose that much anyway with diet and exercise and wasn't willing to go through major surgery to find out I was in that category. My GP confirmed this to me when I went to her for a release signature. She asked which procedure I wanted. I told her bypass. She said good because she has a close friend who had the sleeve and helped her through all of the process. Said she did everything right (that she knows of) and could only lose 30 pounds. Now after all that she's taking Ozempic injections. I told her I don't have the time or money to try one first to see if it works. So yeah...I went for the "gold standard." Probably so but mine is pretty young. 30's maybe. And oh so handsome. LOL I went to him specifically because his office was the only one approved by my insurance as in network in the state. He's smart and funny too. When I asked him if I had stiches or staples, he said titanium. You will have them forever and no you won't set off metal detectors at the airport. xD Here's the video that helped me to decide between the gastric bypass and the sleeve. It's lengthy but informative and hopefully helps anyone trying to decide which procedure to get. Make sure to consult with your primary care physician as well. I chose what I felt was best for me. YMMV

When we loose this weight as females our hormones go haywire. Even old me has nausea around food and I can tear up at any slightest thing, just like a pregnant woman. This is also something you will need to factor in because this could make you extra emotional. I do agree with your husband, you are sabotaging yourself if you are eating wrongly. I also know you are in a bad place and are grabbing comfort where you can. Try and give yourself a set time to mourn your marriage and try to eat as best you can. You may never get what you need from this man, will this be enough? only you know this. I have a man who doesn't tell me he loves me [ except when I am thousands of miles away on holiday alone ] He loved me fat and now he loves me thin, my intuition tells me this. In the 50+ years I have been with him he has never complimented me on my appearance. [ or said a negative] Its enough for me, it took me years to grow that skin though . Whatever you do from now on forwards, make sure its for yourself and your children.

Hello BlessedMomma, You have had everything fall on you at once and its overwhelming. As we say here ' you have been sh*t on from a great height' You are not being dramatic or shallow. TBH, your husband is a very cruel liar and for what ever the reason he has said, he has used you. Did you loose weight for him? your children ? or just you? Please say you did this for yourself. Try and eat well and be strong in front of your children. Missing working out for a while is ok if you can eat fairly well. Reach out to family and friends and ask if they can help. You need a shoulder to cry on at the moment. It can be me. Massive hugs

Hey, I'm about 6 months out from my sleeve. I've lost about 90lbs from my surgery date. I have been working out and eating my best. However, my life has changed dramatically in the last 2 months. So it was already difficult to find time to workout. I felt like my weight-loss goals were starting to be pushed back for other obligations such as my new job, my kiddos sports schedules, summer break, and such. So finding the motivation at 5am or at 10pm to workout was tough but I was doing it. Then about 2 weeks ago, my husband and I got into an argument. He confesses that he isn't attracted to me and never was. He said he loves me for other reasons and he was emotionally invested before we met in person. We've been together since 2007. I know I should be working out and losing weight for myself and my kids but I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me. All my motivation is gone. Why workout if the man you'll be with forever isn't satisfied either way? I feel heartbroken and betrayed. Am I being too dramatic or shallow? Sent from my SM-S115DL using BariatricPal mobile app

I just had the lap-band procedure done less than 2 weeks ago. I struggled a lot with doubt prior to my surgery, especially since everything happened so fast for me. I had my consultation May 3 and my surgery May 26. I worried a lot about the side effects too. But i did a lot of research and talk to a few people who had the procedure and they said they had zero regrets, they feel so much happier and healthier and confident. I wasn’t severely overweight, i was 204lbs at the time of my consultation and i had only been gaining for months. I’m only 24 and told myself I’m too young to be letting my health go down the drain like this and thought about my future and the things I want to do one day. How weight loss will improve my every day life. The last time I felt healthy was when I was 135lbs, fit, and didn’t deal with acid reflux or achy joints or elevated heart rate and take meds for it. The first couple days were rough for me, but from the gas pressure in my body post op and not necessarily from my incision sites. But it’s all temporary. I’ve been drinking water and fluids and eating popsicles and jello, and so far so good. I move into phase 2 of full liquid diet later this week. Since the start of my journey on May 3, I’ve lost 19lbs. I am currently 185lbs. I was 192lbs at the time of my surgery, so I’ve lost 7lbs in the last 9 days. I already see a difference, and my reflux has already improved. So far, no regrets. Just staying patient and trusting the process.

I will post as soon as I can after the surgery. Thank you everyone for your support, it meant a lot and made my journey easier. I hope that this surgery will help me reverse diabetes, reverse atrial fibrillation (if the Aussies are right, weight loss can actually reverse this heart arrhythmia in the first year after diagnosis, this is a new discovery from Australia), heal the Barrett’s Esophagus (that is what the doc said, the pre cancerous cells will heal with time after the bypass), decrease the future chances of pulmonary embolism, and last but not least allow the sleep without a CPAP. All of these with one single surgery! Even if only one of these gets resolved, life is longer . Wishing everyone a wonderful peaceful night!

Hi Carla, I was on the same diet as you and I barely lost 4 pounds, so please do not worry. I think they recommend the number of protein shakes based on height and weight, some are on three, some on four. My surgery is in 6 hours and I will ask if the fact that I lost only 4 pounds is an issue, but I do not think so.

I have a sleeve and have never experienced dumping. It is as others have said not common with a sleeve and it is easy to manage - avoid a lot of sugar or fat. Some who have dumped with a sleeve say over time they can eat small amounts without an issue. Vomiting is different after surgery. I describe it as regurgitating whatever caused the problem/gets stuck. It’s generally described as the foamies - lots of thick saliva you spit up before you may bring up your last bite or so. Again this can be managed by not eating too large a bite, not eating too fast, not eating food that is too dry or coarse. Certainly at first we’re advised to wait 30 minutes before & after eating to drink but you can reduce this wait time as you get closer to your final weight. At first when you’re eating so little it’s to ensure you don’t get too full to be able to eat your vital nutrients or to flush the food you’ve eaten out to quickly for the nutrients to be absorbed. Nausea usually passes once you’re more fully healed though some vitamins can cause nausea. Most are given something to take for the nausea. If you weren’t ask for something if you experience it. Many/all of your concerns are things you will learn how to manage if you do experience them or they’re temporary. We all have our own digestive idiosyncrasies post surgery but you likely have some now before your surgery. I know I did. Personally I seem to be more susceptible to the foamies - stress or just my tummy deciding nope this is irritating me today. I also can’t gulp lots of water anymore. Two large mouthfuls & no more. Others can guzzle down gallons. But these are nothing. I deal with them if they happen. Rather be my weight now than what I was before. Rather have a low risk of diabetes, blood pressure, heart issues, etc. being than the high risk as they were before. My feet don’t ache - can wear my heels again. I have more energy. I’m more active. I feel generally healthier. I’m more confident. I have become more vain & have lots of beauty treatments. I loved clothing, shoes & bags (the designs, textures, fabrications, etc.) before & always dressed well but now my style has changed & I have so much more choice … & an even larger wardrobe. So much fun! Don’t get caught up with the number on the scale or the rate at which you are losing your weight. We all do this in our time & what is best for us & our bodies. You’ll see averages & stats but they just give you an idea of what you might experience not what you will. Sometimes it takes time for our head to catch up with our changing body. It takes time for other people to come to terms with our changes too. Give them & yourself time to see yourself in your smaller body. Enjoy all the opportunities ahead of you. All the best.

thanks! I'd like to lose about 10 lbs, though. I did need to gain some weight, but these last 10 lbs I could do without. My doctor says to quit worrying about it because I look fine, but it's a mental thing with me, I think. I liked seeing those low numbers!!

first of all, only about 30% of bypassers dump (I never have - and I know lots of others who never have, either). It's caused by eating too much sugar at one sitting, so you can prevent it by....not eating a lot of sugar at one sitting. the issue with restaurants is temporary - just the first few weeks. Once you're a couple months out, you'll be able to find things on practically any menu that you can eat - and once you're about six months out, you'll be cleared to eat any food item (you may still have some intolerances, but nothing will be off the table). My new normal (well, not so new anymore since I'm eight years out) is either ordering an appetizer or two, or ordering an entree and having them box up half of it to take home. Honestly, most of my never-been-obese women friends do exactly the same. At this point, no one would be able to tell I've had weight loss surgery - they'd just assume I'm a "light eater". and what are you throwing your cookbooks out for? I never threw out a single one - and I've since added a few more to my collection! I enjoy cooking and I cook a lot. I just eat smaller portions now, and I only occasionally indulge in something like chips or dessert. honestly, the eating that people often associate with weight loss patients doesn't last forever. It's tough the first month or two (well, esp the first month), so I tried to avoid going out to eat. But after that you can eat more variety and should be able to find things you can eat at any restaurant. And then, as I said, after about six months, there won't be any food restrictions. It takes about 1600 calories/day to maintain my weight (although that varies a lot among people - I know women who can only eat around 1200 and others who can eat 2000), and I eat very nutritiously most of the time. Yes there are days when I overeat or splurge on some junky thing, but it's not very often - and I'm back on track the next day. There are times when I wish I could eat whatever I want and however much I want every day, but very few people can do that - and it sure didn't work for me since it got me up to almost 400 lbs. I think I'm eating much more like a "normie" now.

it all depends on backlog for surgeon and OR. It could take 2-6 months depending on if you have to attend classes etc. It won't be a slam bam done deal. My surgeon and insurance required a mental health evaluation to review my expectations All your labs tests have to be completed and EKG [within 30 days of surgery]. He may put you on a diet restriction for 30 days to see if you can lose weight on your own. This will be a test to your discipline, and also prep you for the surgery.

My hubby has started the Atkins diet and seems frustrated he isn’t losing weight faster

there's probably some things that aren't well understood about weight loss surgeries in general, so he/you may be right. It is different from what I've heard elsewhere, though. Eight years out, and I'm definitely not malnourished! (although there are times I do miss the months when I was at my lowest weight - which was admittedly too low for me....but it was a kick being told I needed to gain a few lbs (for the first time in my life..))

Hi Maggie - its so very nice to have you join us here. Of course you are feeling a sense of loss; we have had a long standing relationship with food and food was reliable and available if we wanted it, despite it ultimately making us so very miserable. You are grieving the loss of a deep and complicated relationship. Let it go - its a bad relationship and your surgery will support a much healthier union between you and food. I had my surgery on 1st June, having completed a two week liquid diet. Its hard - there is no getting away from it. You are going to have to dig really deep honey; its only 2 weeks and you will soon be there. You can do it - believe you got this. Dear Carla - try not to spend too much time worrying about the weight you are not losing at this stage. Maybe follow the advice your medical team has given you without your own modifications and see what happens honey. Relax beautiful girl - don't stress at this early stage xx For all of you who have surgery tomorrow, I am so with you in spirit and prayers. Can't wait to see you on the other side - 🤗

Exactly Carla this is an extremely difficult diet to follow as long as your following your drs requirements don’t worry about it everyone’s body is different everyone’s body carries weight different, idk how your working out I feel fatigued just living right now haha

Girl then don’t worry and remember the scale doesn’t always tell the full story! Take this time to be kind to your body and get ready for surgery … we are also holding in so much liquid so I’m sure we are loosing but have a lot of water weight

Maggie, I wasn't told that I needed to lose weight, I thought with just the liquid thingy that I would, plus everyone was saying they were losing while on the liquid that's all and it had me worried.

Carla ogwin do you need to loose weight before surgery or are you just are worried that your not? Also we’re surgery date buddies ❤️

I first considered bariatric surgery about 15 years before I actually went through with it. I considered it off and on at various times in my life, but kept deciding against it, until 3 years ago when I couldn't keep living the way I was and realized that I had to do something drastic. Like you, I spent a lot of time worrying about the worst case scenario and I specifically sought out stories of people who have regretted having bariatric surgery. These are hard to find! Bariatric surgery is very common and safe nowadays and serious complications are rare. Of course, that's not much comfort when you are one of the unlucky few, but even when I found people who had horrible complications, most of them still said they would do it all over again. I think the main reason you don't find a lot of bariatric surgery veterans on this forum or other WLS communities is that the first year or so is really rough and requires a lot of lifestyle changes and attention, but eventually, you get used to the changes and find a new normal (plus, most people can gradually return to a relatively "normal" diet) and get to a point where your life no longer revolves around your surgery. One of the biggest factors that made me hesitant about getting the surgery was that I didn't want my life to be ruled by my pouch. But I got to a point where my life was severely limited by my weight, so I took the plunge and had the surgery. I've lost 200 pounds and the world has really opened up to me. I'm 3 years out and have completely changed my diet and lifestyle, but I can eat a "normal" portion (not as much as when I was 300+ pounds, of course, but I'm not limited to half a cup of food anymore). I can drink water as much and as quickly as I ever could before surgery. I haven't told anyone, even my family, that I got surgery. Like a lot of people I wish that I had lost weight earlier because my weight was holding me back in so many ways, but it was probably a good thing that I wanted until I was really ready to change my lifestyle before I had the surgery. There are people who gain back all the weight, and I suspect that this is because they rely on the surgery alone for weight loss, and once the effects wear off, they are able to go back to their old eating habits and regain the weight. I do not experience dumping and I have only had one day of vomiting since my surgery. I kind of wish I would get dumping syndrome because it would be a good deterrent to eating things I shouldn't. If I eat something with too much fat and/or sugar (e.g., a slice of cake), I get super sleepy and feel like garbage for the rest of the day. I actually have had a serious complication, not directly from the surgery, but from the rapid weight loss, and that is bradycardia which required me to get a pacemaker. That's a bummer, but I'm sure my overall health is better off now than it would have been without the surgery.

I have cut back on everything everything that I put in my body is sugar free it's liquid is jello it's popsicles it's broth homemade broth and I even join the Y again so I can work out and I lost a pound no I'm not sure if that's enough and my surgery is on the 13th that is what I've been following and I just feel like why aren't I losing more weight than that I walk everyday

How is the weight loss going? Did the sleeve help you? I’m debating it but wondering if it will even help much.

Nougato, this is encouraging! which thyroid medication do you take? How much weight do you hope to lose? What is your age? Male or female? Thanks!

I watched it again to see if I missed something. He does mention a 6 -18 month period of greater weight loss with bypass but attributes it to the stomach healing, less food. Not to malabsorption. He also claims this myth originated as a marketing ploy to promote the Gastric band. Hmmmm. And now... the sleeve? If science proves what he is saying and doctors are using misinformation to steer us towards an easier procedure or one that might need a second surgery, then so be it I guess. For me it's good news because the last thing I need is to come out the other side of my RNY frail and malnourished

Hi guys! My name is Maggie I just found this site today and I am so excited! I am having my surgery the 13th and I am on my all liquid diet I am allowed 3 protein drinks a day, 1 egg, 1 yogurt, and unlimited sugar free non carbonated drinks and I am STRUGGLING, it’s so much harder then I expected, also I just went through this one page Carla I have not dropped that much weight either which I’m very surprised about… I am interested in what others say… also how are you guys surviving this no eating thing? I look forward to talking with you all ❤️