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So as not to hijack an existing thread, I thought I'd start a new one. Since I began looking into bariatric surgery in 2019, I've done much research and reading. On the internet, I limited myself to sites that I knew were reputable and were evidence-based (i.e., Mayo Clinic) rather than sites that were trying to sell surgery. Once I was accepted into my program, I watched videos suggested by the program (i.e., Dr. Matthew Weiner) and took to heart the information I was given from my program. I came into the program with a lot of pre-existing knowledge on nutrition and diet having grown up with a Type 1 diabetic father and myself a Type 2. Despite that knowledge base, I obviously wasn't applying it or I would not have been to the point where I was considering surgery. One of the hardest things I had to do throughout my surgery preparation appointments and meetings was to go in and actually listen. I accepted that my way wasn't working and if I was going to proceed with a body and life-altering surgery, I needed to adopt what I was being taught. As you can see in my stats, it's worked. But I know I'm not done learning, maintaining and working on making good decisions and healthy choices for the long-term. In my classes, the dietician warned about social-media, weight-loss surgery groups. I admit that I move in and out of some groups. The overall lack of information and sharing of misinformation boggles my mind. It certainly proved that there are programs and doctors simply out to make money and there are patients willing to believe anything they are told without doing their own research or taking accountability for their own actions. I was grateful to find this site and have a source of information rather than opinion. I was happy to hear from WLS veterans who have gone through the process and how they are successfully maintaining. I wanted to hear what those experiences were so that I can learn from them. I did not want them to sugar-coat the truth and I did not expect unmitigated "support." If my understanding or behavior was counterproductive, I wanted to hear that. I needed to hear that. I still do. There seems to be a misconception that in order to be supportive, someone needs to say your choices are ok. Being truthful with someone, does not always mean saying what and how you are doing things is ok.

@@OKCPirate, thanks for the link to the article. There is definitely something to be said for believing one has the power of choice. I think it may be similar to self-efficacy, or how capable we believe we are at doing something. At some point, as you and @nyteacher12 say, who cares? Regardless of how we got to be obesity, we (at least those of us who decided to get bariatric surgery) know how we’re going to lose the weight: with WLS and changes in habits. Yes, the human mind is a complicated thing, @@OKCPirate! @@Inner Surfer Girl, I agree 100%!

And I hope all of the above posters are doing well with their pist-surgery lives! Happy campers make Camp Bariatric more fun, don't you think?🎪

Honestly, this thought scared me too. At 28, there is nothing in my life that is PERMANENT. It's hard to think about 60 years down the road. However, WLS supposedly began as a treatment for stomach cancer so we aren't the only ones who have been down this road. But, because of this, I was leaning towards the band for a while. I'm indecisive and I like reversible. Then when someone described the band as having a foreign object in my body, possibly forever, that changed my mind. Plus, two different bariatric surgeons recommended sleeve over the band. It's scary, I know. That's why I'm so glad I found this place!

In a bunch of products for post-op? Everything is sealed and within date. I have calcium chews and multivitamin chews in sealed canisters/bags, high protein shakes, gelatin, soups, oatmeal... ALL bariatric brands. Please contact me directly for more info. I bought a lot post-surgery during my recovery and then moved shortly after and I didn't even realize how much I had until now (a year post-op)... I was unable to get through it all and would love to see it go to a good home. Ideally I'd like to just have it as one big package and we can negotiate out the price. You will NOT find these products online for a quarter of the price. Email: brookebonic@gmail.com Will ship via USPS. Serious inquiries only. I'll list out the inventory for anyone interested and send photos to anyone interested once I'm able to. Payment via Venmo or PayPal only and you must pay for shipping prior to shipment as well.

I had my sleeve April 4 in June I had an episode in a grocery story were I passed out. The episode happened twice in about a 45 min period. Went to the hospital all tests were normal. I chalked it up to waiting to long to eat but followed up with my primary care. She did a 3 hour glucose test and found within an hour my insulin level went from 10 at fasting to 211, for those not aware that's and unheard of level, which she has seen one other time and that was in someone who had also had Bariatric surgery but she was 2 years post op not 3 months. She put me on metformin hoping to regulate and I ate about every 3 hours. I thought it was takin care of until out of nowhere I had another episode a few weeks ago and have felt pretty poorly since. I can never catch a sugar drop at least not at levels I believe should make me pass out. I get a continuous glucose monitor this week to wear for a week and have an endocrinologist appt at the end of the month. I can't find much research on this issue but my doc did give me an article about it. Essentially your body thinks its starving so it over reacts to food it gets producing too much insulin dropping your blood sugar ( sort of reactive hypoglycemia but a more intense reaction). And can actually cause your pancreas to grow. I am so pumped about my weight loss ( 80 lbs in 5 months) but I did this to be healthier too and I have followed surgeons/ nuts instructions to a T and feel very discouraged by this development. Has any one else experienced this? Essentially it's nothing I am doing wrong it's just a negative reaction my body has decided to have following surgery. But again not much research out there so I thought maybe some of you may have insight.

I tend to agree with this. You’re not going to dump on water. I’ve never dumped but had the foamies countless times. The sides are very similar to dumping but take a look at what you consumed to know the difference. Also, I wouldn’t put much faith in ER doctors when it comes to bariatric surgery. Take this as first hand experience from working in an ER for 10 plus years as a nurse and being a bariatric patient myself.

Total Scale Victory and Random Observations: I now have lost more than I weigh. I have lost 190 lbs. from my highest weight of 374. The first 50 was using Victoza for Type 2 diabetes. My bariatric program has my starting weight as 343. SW=325. CW=185. My program doesn’t give goal weights. For my own satisfaction, 174 would give me a normal BMI. I’d like to end about 170 knowing that some gain/loss is possible as things settle. I’m 5’10”. I have gone from a size 30/32 to a 14. I haven’t been this size since early high school. I look forward to doing things rather than dreading them. I’ve been off all diabetes meds since surgery. I am still using my CPAP although I’ve had the pressure lowered twice. I see the sleep program in December and we will re-evaluate then. I suspect I will still have a need for it. My cholesterol medication will be re-evaluated in December as well. My doctor thinks it likely I will remain on that med due to family history. That is the only medication I take other than my vitamins and supplements. I track in LoseIt. I track every bite, every day. It keeps me accountable to myself and I foresee it as something I will need to do forever. Today is the first time I ever exported my progress to a spreadsheet. On other groups, I see so many questions that ask how much someone has lost at a given point. I honestly never knew what I did. These are my totals lost from first to current month: 16, 19, 17, 15, 15, 18, 4, 9, 17, 10. I exceed my liquid goals every day and never tracked that after the first week. I’ve never had any trouble with liquids and I know roughly what I drink each day as I know what my mug holds. I also ran my macros for the first time. Since surgery, I’ve kept protein to 40-50% of my diet with fat and carbs 25-30%. I’m still at 800-1000 calories per day. My program has said that is relatively low at this point but as long as I am losing and not feeling hungry, it was fine. My hunger has not returned. I am grateful for that. I’ve tried to build successful habits that will serve me for the long haul. I’ve been walking since coming home from the hospital. I started at 5-10 minutes per day. Now, I try to walk 45-60 per day at a moderate pace. I use 5 lb. weights and do toning exercises for 10-15 min. most days. I’ve started seeing virtually a therapist recommended by my program. I don’t have a history of trauma or eating disorders but I didn’t get to my weight by having a healthy relationship with food. Plus, I was very moody and short-tempered following surgery. I feel great and have more energy than I have in years. But This. Is. Work. I’m ok with that and try to keep my focus on progress and health. I follow what my program suggests and make my own decisions within that framework. There is no short cut to this. There’s no pouch reset, fasting, diet pills and how soon can I eat at McDonalds. I ranted on here one time about hating the word “pouch.” I still do. I hate pouch reset even more. 🙄😫 I don’t believe in it. We don’t need to reset. We need to make the best decisions and choices we can without needing to be perfect. Sure, you lose weight with it, but it’s simply because you are going back to not taking in many calories….and most of us have been down that road before. I continue to absorb the wisdom I get here from those who have gone down this road before me or are on it now. I still hate shopping even though it is not as difficult as it once was. I’m still not sure who I see in the mirror and am uncomfortable with focus on my weight loss. I could eventually benefit from plastic surgery, but I don’t know if that will be in the cards. Enough for now……thanks for reading.

Going through process to get approved for Bypass after Sleeve. Sleeved in 2012 and have regained the 70 lbs lost. Acid reflux is returning, though it never fully went away. Just turned 55 and wondering about process and healing now that I've gotten older. I was a nervous wreck prior to getting gastric sleeve and once again find myself in that space. Same surgeon so that makes me feel better. He is one of the top bariatric surgeons in country but surgery is surgery. Woke up this morning thinking about bowel obstruction, and long term issues. Anyone over 50 have any issues post conversion?

Hi, sorry that you are disappointed. I had a gastric bypass on 3 March 2017 and the surgeon noticed a lot of scar tissue and tissue adhesion during the surgery. The surgery was twice as long as planned. I had to pay for my surgery, (very little is covered by the public health system in New Zealand, and private insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery here), I'm wondering if I hadn't paid, whether the surgery would have been aborted. I have M.E. and Lupus as well. This journey has turned out to be a lot harder than I mentally prepared myself for.

The sleeve is also invasive. It cuts up your stomach. And fyi there ARE more than 3 types of bariatric surgery; maybe he just does 3, or something. There's the duodenal switch (VERY high success rate), Vertically banded gastroplasty...others. I wanted something reversible if necessary. I didn't want my insides cut up. And 3 years out, loss rates for bypass and band are comparable (in Australia, anyway!) Each person has to pick the right path for him/her, but I wouldn't want a surgeon to push me into one. They all have pros and cons. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

It may be hard..but u are taking care of yourself. Your health ..your appearance and your energy. Is there a way u can politely ask those who live with u to be aware of your needs right now. I am at a point that my husband eats anything he wants in front of me. However, he did consider me till I to this point. Keep your hands busy so that the noise u hear in the kitchen is taken away by what u are concentrating on, read a good book, read bariatric pal articles yo inspire you, go to your bedroom if u need yo till your head hunger passes. You have control over this situation more than u think. As for as eating out..limit your visits to restaurants. You have options..u r in control of your environment.. Also ask for that consideration.

I just made up the whole packet at one time and sipped on half odf it one day and half the next day. I got mine from My Bariatric Pantry at http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/SYNTRAX_NECTAR_PROTEIN_POWDER_SAMPLES_p/nectar-sample.htm They have the sample packs at $19.99 for ten. My favorite was the Grapefruit nectar mixed in Crystal Lite Lemonade because it tastes just like Fresca soda without the bubbles. There are a total of 15 flavors to choose from (Roadside Lemonade, strawberry Kiwi, chocolate Truffle, Double Stuffed Cookie, Caribbean Cooler, Lemon Tea, Fuzzy Navel, Strawberry Mousse, Vanilla Bean Torte, Twisted Cherry, Apple Ecstasy, Pink Grapefruit, Crystal Sky, Wild Grape, or Cappuccino Latte*)

I just don't think that it is healthy or good for my metabolism to do 800 calories a day for any length of time. I've been told by more than one doctor (including two bariatric physicians) and two nutritionists that anything less than 1200 calories per day and you're unable to get even the basic nutritional needs. From my research and things that I've heard from other doctors I just don't believe it is healthy. I also cannot tolerate a fill level tight enough to be satisfied with 800 calories per day. If I am that tight I end up sliming and getting things stuck. I've been there and I know that's not healthy.

Once upon a time, eggs yolks were the bad guys in heart disease. What’s up with eggs, these days? So, what’s the good news? 70 calories. 13 essential vitamins and minerals. 6 grams of a high quality protein. All of the essential amino acids, which are the ones we have to eat because our bodies can’t make them. 210 mg cholesterol in the egg yolk. 5 grams total fat, mostly unsaturated. Zero carbohydrates. Less than 20¢ per egg. Once upon a time, eggs yolks were the bad guys in heart disease. What’s up with eggs, these days? So, what’s the good news? 70 calories. 13 essential vitamins and minerals. 6 grams of a high quality protein. All of the essential amino acids, which are the ones we have to eat because our bodies can’t make them. 210 mg cholesterol in the egg yolk. 5 grams total fat, mostly unsaturated. Zero carbohydrates. Less than 20¢ per egg. Brown eggs are not healthier than white eggs. Omega-3 fats are present only if the chickens eat a special diet. The yolk contains a robust array of nutrients that help with our health from when we are conceived to when we are old. Protein and nutrients in an egg can aid in muscle strength, brain development and function, weight management and eye health. Not bad for a food that’s about the size of your new stomach pouch after bariatric surgery. Research now points to genetic and lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, smoking) factors having a much greater impact on the development of heart disease than how much cholesterol from egg yolks you are consuming. Newer research indicates about a third of us need to limit cholesterol. Tracking your labs is a good way to find out if you should avoid eggs or enjoy them. Those with an egg allergy need to avoid eggs. Weight loss after bariatric surgery is one significant lifestyle change that improves cholesterol numbers. More information and recipes are available on www.incredibleegg.org or www.eggnutritioncenter.org. For bariatric patients, you can start having eggs again when you start the soft/puree foods. This means 1 week after RNY gastric bypass and 2 weeks after sleeve gastrectomy. Image: Incredibleegg.com - Easy Hard-Boiled Eggs

Now that I am "approved" for surgery and this is becoming a reality, I figured NOW is the time to post my story so far. I am 49, 5'7 and 235 at my highest weight. (Can't believe I actually wrote that down for public consumption!) That made me a BMI of 36.8. I had considered weight loss surgery off and on throughout the years of yo-yo dieting. My last good weight loss was about 30 pounds back in 2009 and I was lighter then. So that means I have put on about 40 pounds in four years. (Less than a pound a month, not too bad, right??!! Ha!) I have some lung problems, high blood pressure (if you would only lose weight, you wouldn't have to take these pills anymore....) and hypothyroidism. Too much for someone my age I decided and started considering the lap-band. I am a nurse and considered that to be "least invasive" and "easiest" to have done surgically. On November 28, 2012, I signed the hubby and I up for an informational seminar. While hubby wasn't interested (I'm hoping to change that), I listened to the doctor present the band, sleeve and RNY options. To his credit, he didn't try to sway anyone to any one procedure, but I had changed my thinking from lap-band to sleeve. I submitted my "insurance verification" form and left. In lateDecember/early January, I was contacted by the doctor's office and told that my insurance (CIGNA) did provide WLS benefits. I had started a post-holiday "kind of" diet about mid-January with Weight Watchers. I saw my surgeon for the first time on January 28, 2013. We discussed all the usual things and agreed that the sleeve was a good procedure for me. My only beef with the process was that the coordinator told me "All your insurance needs is the evaluation and 3 months of diet history. Just print out Weight Watchers and it will be ok." More on that in a minute.... From there, I had: EGD (endoscopy) on 2-4 and found to have a small hiatal hernia. Psych eval and nutrition eval on 2-13. In the mean time, I had researched CIGNA's bariatric policy and found out that I needed a lot more than "Just 3 months of Weight Watcher history." Rather than chance it, I went and got clearance from my PMD and met with a nutritionist for 3 months of a supervised diet. (2-20, 3-16 and 4-20...boy am I glad I started that "kind of diet" back in January!) Am now at 222 (fluctuating pounds.) My coordinator submitted my packet on about May 10th with a comment of "everything looks great...should be no problem." On May 17th, I was notified of denial...based on two points. My physician had failed to state that he BOTH recommended me for the surgery AND cleared me (he only recommended me....despite the fact I had asked him to do both.) The nutritionist did a summary report that detailed all three visits, with all of the components required, but CIGNA wanted it in three separate notes. At least it wasnt because of medical criteria! So...my coordinator got all that together and on May 21st, she submitted again, stating it could take up to 90 days, but probably not that long. The waiting is the hardest part!!! Well, today I got the news I was waiting for...APPROVED! It took 7 business days for the appeal. Now we are in fast-forward mode: 6-10: Pre-op meeting with surgeon to sign consents, etc... 6-15: Start of pre-op diet! (Not looking forward to it....) 6-17: Pre-op lab/x-ray work at hospital 6-25: Surgery I travel for my work (I am a healthcare consultant) and will be out of town three weeks between now and then, so it will fly by! I am so excited. I think now that it's a reality, my husband is concerned. I got the "If it makes you happy, it makes me happy" but I am not convinced. I know he is supportive of my decisions, but probably a bit insecure at the same time. food has always been a big part of our life and I have been slowly withdrawing from that over the last few months. Thanks for listening! I am so darn excited I just needed to share it with someone. I have told very few people. I will update after the surgery.

I buy the Bariatric Fusion meal replacement powder. It is intended/sold as an actual meal replacement product - i.e. just add water and that's your meal, but I started out getting it because they sell it in single serving packets and I wanted to try something without spending $40 or more on a huge tub, in case it tasted awful. I figured out that each tablespoon of it has 7 grams of protein (I figured out all the macros for my food journal, but don't remember off the top of my head). At first I just added one tbs to various things to test out the texture/flavor. I put it in Vitamin Water and while it didn't add a texture or different flavor, I feel like it may have made it taste a little sweeter or something - I'm not exactly sure but I didn't like it. But I can add it to literally everything else - yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, homemade frozen protein pops & fruit pops, and it has no added flavor or texture to me whatsoever, and being up to 3 tbs per serving, has really made it easier to get my protein in. I'm buying it by the tub now. Everyone is different, but I highly recommend it.

I take the Bariatric Advantage Cinnamon Calcium tablets and they taste amazing. I got some free samples at the hospital, tried a few other kinds, then bought these. I got mine on www.dietdirect.com. Their prices were better than the Bariatric Advantage site. They also sent me some free samples, which caused me to send them another order. I'm getting BariWise protein bars and hot chocolate too. But that's another topic - sorry to digress!

Novant Bariatrics in Charlotte is awesome. Sent from my SM-N900T using the BariatricPal App

I just dont know what to think anymore...major anxiety over whether I should even do this sleeve surgery. I literally am thinking I will have a complication that will kill me. I know the dark side of bariatric surgery because i am a nurse and a have seen alot of the complications. how can I get this out of my mind and do it... I need it!

I used the Bariatric Advantage as well. I'm a chocolate lover, and I have to say, I did not love the chocolate but the vanilla was very palatable especially if you add sugar free Jello or flavorings, ice and the like. And if you actually have all you are supposed to (4 with milk or 5 with water) your body will be very happy with the complete nutrition it is getting. (Your brain is something else entirely). I did not have a choice in the matter, as my surgeon likes a level playing field. Everyone gets BA or Optifast. I had Optifast years ago and did not care for it. My brain was REALLY hungry until around day 9 when I had a total emotional meltdown. Then the next day and from there on out, I was fine. I just didn't care any more. After surgery I had three more weeks of that, so I was on liquids for a total of 5 weeks. (one week of that was Clear Liquids post op.) If you go with B.A., you will need 3 canisters (about $200). Also, If they haven't told you yet....if you drink coffee, get detoxed well before surgery. You don't need to go through caffeine withdrawal while you're trying to recover from surgery. (you can have it back later, don't worry ) My two cents.

I have my pic on my drivers licence and pass port...both were taken when I was 380...Even my costco card has one of those pictures on it.....Everyone always asks me for other ID and I hand then the other cards with my picture on it....I think it is hilarious!!!!!!!!! They really don't know whether to believe that is me or not...They will have to wait for renewals...Because I'm not paying for a retake

Your dietitian is not specialised in bariatric it seems... I'm 2 months out and still around 4-500 cal a day...

Me 2. Exactly. I reached goal in 9 months I think? Dr. Jason Fung believes there is NO such thing as starvation mode when you are morbidly obese or even in the overweight category. That it happens ONLY when you've depleted all your fat stores. Most of us have weeks and months of extra calories vis a vis fat hanging around on our body. Satisfy your protein goals. Drink your fluids. Take your vitamins. Eat a few veggies (or a lot), and get a bit of healthy fat in you each day...But follow your program. 256lbs the day I started my program at the bariatric center. I'd alreay lost down from 287 in the previous 3 months leading up to it by mimicking the diet you follow post WLS. I'm 130.4lbs this morning. I average 1100cals/day over a week. Some days I still eat 700-900 of nutritionally DENSE foods, but other days I have 1400-2000!