Search the Community

I found the interview helpful. My psych had bariatric surgery 10 years ago so I had as many questions for her. About 30-40 minutes but basically just a chat.

I guess it depends on the complication. You're right in that some could just be contributable to age, or not related to WLS at all. I have osteoporosis, but I have no idea how much of a factor bariatric surgery was in that. I'm also in my 60s and osteoporosis runs rampant on both sides of my family, so it could have been age and/or genetics, too. I have no idea. But there's not much I can do about it now other than treat it (which they're doing...). I certainly don't regret having bariatric surgery even if it DID play a role, because at almost 400 lbs, I probably could have been dead right now if I hadn't had it.

Hi guys, so here goes... if you are wondering why, if you are thinking this is far reaching this far out from gastric bypass reux en y surgery than this whole message might be of interest to you... if not ... no worries... just responding and hopefully clarifying as best as I can. Not sure what you mean by my question being far reaching, can you let me know what you mean, Im honestly just looking for anyone who might have experienced some health challenges that they are curious if there surgery could have been impacted, worsened or created by the surgery. Im not looking to blame my health on weight loss surgery nor am I saying its a good or bad choice for anyone, that's a personal decision for sure. Im just looking for possible answers in several places (other than bariatric as well) to find answers so I can live my healthiest life that all and if someone else has had complicated health issues or is several years post op and health in many areas has weirdly changed in not so positive ways, what they may be and did they find a specialist or find a solution/decrease in symptoms or cure and what that is. I know its a needle in the hay stack but I am also doing due diligence post surgery as I did presurgery to look for all possible ways to make the most healthy choices for my life. I started to have one thing after another happen starting in roughly 2014 and increasing to the point of 5-6 years later involve multiple systems of my body. The follow up here in Ontario with a gastric surgeon specialist or any gi for that matter, nutritionist, specialized nurse practitioner etc. is not covered by OHIP (our medical coverage in Ontario) past 5 years. I did get a consultation at about year 7/8 when things started to accumulate as far as symptoms, diagnosis's, and medications, specialists etc. But he was just please I kept my weight off and did a general food diary check, supplement check that I was using and just said Im not sure, all these things aren't directly related to gastric bypass and all the best as he said we only follow up for 5 years as a way of gathering data, research, and statistics, once the 5 years are up, its up to your GP (general practitioner) to follow you. In Ontario we have a severe shortage of GPs and mine retired and soon after I moved out of the area and cannot find a gp to even do regular blood work and keep an eye on all the health stuff, let alone gastric bypass related regular check ups, that just now up to walk in clinics that I wait to see whoever and check my own levels online if they will do the test and as they remind me I need a gp and when I ask where would I find one, they go silent. Am I saying its related not necessarily yes and not necessarily no, all I know is our gut is our second brain and controls so many functions in all systems throughout our bodies, even often telling the brain to release or decrease certain hormones, proteins, chemicals throughout our body to attain a delicate balance of homeostasis. So I don't think its a huge leap to say the gut controls a very substantial amount of systems in our body directly and indirectly and when manipulated may effect what seems to be a totally unrelated system. Am I saying this is coincidental or due to life stressors maybe, maybe not... I just don't know and I don't think even most or any gastric surgeons know yet either because to be honest I don't know if that's included in their 5 year max research and stats before your on your own. I know its probably for most gastric surgeons, in there best interest to say no, it can't be connected to gastric surgery and be blown off for many reasons that don't need discussion as far as Im concerned. could it be the accumulation of the perfect storm of gastric bypass surgery, chronic unforeseen life stressors AND heredity, age, all of the above yes I think so.... Im trying my best to seek for answers and do what I can in the area of management of my life stressors, self care, living a healthy life style according to my surgery requirements and and what's best for me, could it be bodily changes just due to aging + all the factors that make aging a more challenging journey than it needs to be, could it be hereditary or just coincidence... I think yes to all of that. Yet if I am willing to seek answers in all areas of my life that could be having an impact on my life, I feel that not seeking answers in this area would be irresponsible to my health and sticking my head in the sand... I think its all important and contributing factors for me. Im just looking to see if others have some commonalities that may give me clues as to what may be part of a complication directly or indirectly related to the surgery or supplement brands/types/ways of administration to provide best deliverance of vital minerals and nutrients. Im sure everyone researched very deeply into surgery just like I did. Does it not make sense than for me to ve researching deeply into possible connections that may be simply modified that could have an amazing cascading positive affect on my health in many areas, may be to something very simple and overlooked by me or specialists yes... because I want to live fully, be healthy, enjoy my life... so searching for every possible way to improve my health is vital... I am worth it. Hope that makes it a little more clear as to my question and why I am seeking some answers here. Even if slim... fit me, every possible help from anyone, is much appreciated as a community of people who have been through this process. We are here because of a common bond, common fears, questions, concerns and victories. I am just coming from a different point in my jouney than most on here... yet I have hope by seeking I will find answers and even though Im post surgery by quite sometime I can also add value to this community of things that have been absolutely changed my life in so many great ways, yet also valued enough to ask the questions... I want answers and my health complications in some or many areas has been somehow caused or contributed to my complex health struggles in any way than that's important information for not just me, for all of us... is it not?

I'm sure different psychiatrists have different approaches to this but some of the things my evaluator was looking for included: Understanding of the risks and possible consequences of surgery Commitment to making permanent changes to how I eat Realistic expectations Any pre-existing mental illness is being treated and managed well Any pre-existing eating disorder has been addressed medically and psychologically Any other addictions have been treated and managed The presence of an adequate support network I really didn't get the feeling that she was looking for reasons to disqualify me. It was more like she was doing due diligence to make sure I was of sound mind and mentally healthy enough for the challenges of bariatric surgery. It took 30 minutes, tops. I wouldn't stress too much.

Have your regular PCP run labs to check your vitamin levels. You may have a deficiency that's causing the fainting. If I can't get in to see the bariatric surgeon (who is an hour and half away btw) then I just call up my PCP. She's ordered labs for me twice already. Some of your symptoms (to me) seem like they'd be caused by a vitamin deficiency or even a malnutrition issue. It's important to find out what's going on so that you don't end up in the hospital if it gets progressively worse. I hope everything works out for you!

Hi! I take the Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate chewables and the ProHealth Bariatric multivitamin chewable. I bought both from the hospital pharmacy initially, but they were almost $60 together. So, I went online and price matched, each brand’s website was the cheapest VS all other retailers I could find, so I ordered thru each of them. I didn’t even think of using other brands... that is now my today’s “DUH” moment. They offer a slight discount if you auto-ship, so I’ve done that for both. For the multivitamin chewable, I H.A.T.E the citrus flavor; but since I’m past one month post-op, my NP says I can switch to the pill. Honestly, anything would have sufficed as long as I don’t ever have to taste, smell or see the citrus flavor chewable ever again! I like that the pill form comes in a 90-day supply, so that will be helpful in cost per month. I think the Calcium Citrate chewies are $35 if you autoship. I’ve tried the ISO-PURE protein waters, they are fantastic! I’ve also had the protein shakes, I don’t really drink them anymore, my tummy does not agree post-op. I struggle with getting protein in, but I use the GenePro protein powder, it’s the only one my program suggested that isn’t flavored. I figured that would be best because I can add it to anything or any temp of food. It is a little more expensive than the others but it’s great and I have no complaints. Hope that helps! I know it can totally be overwhelming at first. Please reach out if you ever need a support!

I’m not sure yet, as I do not physically have them yet. I am going to compare the label to my Bariatric Advantage, and take them accordingly. I only take one Bariatric Advantage per day, so hopefully just 1-2 per day. 😊

I take bariatric advantage multivitamin now, but I am going to switch to Flintstones chewables when they are gone. I also take bariatric advantage calcium chews in the fruit flavors, but think I am going to switch that to something cheaper as well. I get my B12 at Trader Joe’s and my D3 from Costco. I was deficient in D prior to surgery and have been taking it for years. I like the Syntrax Nectar product and drink the cappuccino flavor most mornings. Some of the flavors seem to dissolve better than others for some reason 🤷‍♀️ I have the lemonade, but it takes forever to dissolve completely(chunky), even in my shaker bottles. The cappuccino flavor dissolves quickly. Try the sample pack to see what you like. I have the lemon ice tea ordered now along with more of my beloved cappuccino flavor. ps. I do not take iron or probiotics.

I just get Centrum (or more often, the generic equivalent at CVS, Walgreens, or Costco) for my multi. You have to take two of those a day to meet the requirements, though. I have several versions of calcium - Bariatric Advantage chews (which I order online), Upcal D (a powder I mix into yogurt - also ordered online - through amazon), and generic calcium citrate tablets I get at Walgreens or CVS. yes - a lot of people drink (and like) Syntrax Nectar products. I like several of the flavors. I mix the chocolate and vanilla ones with unsweetened almond milk, and the fruity ones with Crystal Light lemonade (the lemonade boosts the flavor a bit more)

I buy soft chew multivitamins (grape) and calcium (caramel) from the Bariatric Pal and they both taste really good. I agree that the bariatric multivitamin tablets are god-awful. I take generic vitamin D gels from CVS. My favorite liquid protein is Isopure protein water (also grape flavor). it's clear and not thick at all, which I really like.

I bought Bariatric Advantage vitamins and Calcium Citrate chews at my physician’s office. The calcium chews taste okay but the vitamins smell god awful and I have a hard time gagging them down. When I need a refill, I’m getting a regular multivitamin, as my NP said that was okay.

Ok everyone I have questions!! My program requires me to take * Bariatric Multivitamin * Calcium Citrate * Vitamin B12 * Probiotic * Iron * Vitamin D Where does everyone buy their vitamins? Specifically the Multivitamin and Calcium?? Also, had anyone tried the Nectar fruity flavors? What do they taste like?? I read somewhere on here that they taste like juice rather than milky protein shakes. Can anyone confirm this?? I am so over milky chalky protein shakes. Sent from my SM-N981U using BariatricPal mobile app

For treating a regain problem, I prefer the DS as it is stronger metabolically than either the VSG or RNY - the RNY is too close to the VSG in strength to reliably offer a significant improvement in weight loss, from what I have seen over the years. Figure maybe 20lb loss on average - about what one would expect from going through all the intense dieting associated with going through surgery again. (There are some who do significantly better, bit it seems to be more a function of their determination to "make this work" or "not screw it up again" than the actual surgery itself. Call it something like a surgical placebo, lol.) By your surgeons not finding the codes for the DS implies that they are talking about the newer SIPS/SADI/"loop DS" which is a single anastomosis adaptation of the traditional BPD/DS (biliopancreatic diversion) which has been routinely covered by US insurance and Medicare for the past 14-15 years, but is a more complex procedure that relatively few bariatric surgeons perform. Some practices that do the SIPS/SADI use the BPD/DS billing codes which is technically insurance fraud, but if they're comfortable doing it, that's their concern. Revising the VSG to a DS, of either flavor, is straightforward as each use the VSG as its basis (some don't even consider it a revision, more a "completion" of the ultimate configuration.) The strong point of the BPD/DS is its regain resistance - regain is possible as it is with any of these procedures, but it is harder. I know many with the DS who are 10-20 years out (my wife included) who are still maintaining a healthy weight; some are up a bit more and working on losing their "Covid 19" - just like "normal" people but major regains are relatively uncommon. The SIPS/SADI type of DS seems to fall somewhere in between the VSG/RNY and the BPD/DS - I have seen a few in the various forums who have had it and seem to be doing well with it, but it doesn't have as long a history. Any of these procedures - the RNY, DS or SIPS - will be somewhat fussier and less care-free than your VSG when it comes to supplements and follow up; the RNY is maybe a bit less so, but one can get into some serious trouble with any of them if one slacks off. If keeping up with supplements and annual labs is not an issue with you, then any of them should be fine.

I agree with True North, and congrats on your weightloss! You re moving right along. I am moving slower, but in the right direction.lol and I’m prolly a lot older. It’s all good, as they say. I’m just glad I am learning to stop eating before I eat too much and keeping my portion sizes at 1/2 cup. As for your blood work, this really bothers me that you have to wait 6 mos. before they request bloodwork. (Bariatric, I mean) that is way to long to have to wait to find out what’s going on. I’m so glad your PCP requested it for you! I hope my PCP will do that when I go back. I won’t be getting it done for Bariatric til MAY! Hope you get normal results from your blood work tomorrow. Keep up the great work! AWESOME!

Hi everyone! I recently purchased protein smoothie mixes from Bariatric Pal and am wondering if I can mix them with frozen fruit or ice? The consistency is too much like pepto bismol for my taste!!

Every doctor/program is different. Here is what mine was. Stage 1 liquids for two weeks. Stage two, purees for two weeks. Stage 3 was soft foods for 2 weeks. Stage 4 was to reintroduce regular foods. For purees I could have refried beans and ricotta bake. I could eat regular food, but it had to be blended with no chunks. Soft foods could be things like eggs, cottage cheese, etc. Here are some sites I like and use that has recipes for each stage. If you do a search for "bariatric xyz stage" where xyz = liquid or puree or soft you will find lots of information. Just be careful to make sure it fits with your program. If in doubt call your doctor or dietician, that's what they are there for. https://www.bariatricfoodie.com/recipe-index/ https://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com https://www.bariatriccookery.com/recipes-2/

Soooo I've been thinking A LOT lately about a few things....particularly when hearing about people's experiences with some issues post-surgery. Things like acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, SHARTS, dumping syndrome, feelings of being cold, and scars after skin removal.... I'm an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, and these are all things that can be treated super effectively using this medical paradigm. I'm kinda considering reaching out to people who have had bariatric surgery in my area to see if acupuncture and herbs could possibly help with these side effects.... All of these issues arise due to the structural change and trauma to our organs, so there's a possibility that acupuncture and herbs won't help at all, but I'm so curious to see if it would! In my clinical and professional opinion, I really think there's a strong possibility it will! Even if acupuncture isn't effective for treating these things in WLS patients, it will DEFINITELY still help with softening scars from skin removal. That is just fact. For those of you that utilize Chinese medicine in your lives...have you heard of any practitioners offering these kinds of services? Have you ever sought out acupuncture or herbs to help treat any post-operative side effects? If so, would you mind sharing your experiences? So this WLS journey of mine is kinda opening up a whole world of what I can specialize in and help people, which is awesome and inspiring and could shape up to be my capstone for my doctorate!

Well, BLOSSOM didn't get the chance to earn my business and I wanted them to. I have MEDICARE and found out earlier this month whenever I inquired with BLOSSOM that they don't take it. Their cash price for the Safe Gastric Sleeve is almost $17,000. I was going to look at buying an INDIVIDUAL health insurance plan the 15TH OF FEBRUARY through BCBS here in Florida, since the market opens back up then, so I looked at them online last night. I called Blossom back today to talk to them about it and they handed me over to one of their insurance professionals. I had previously been told that they bill all of their procedures OUT-OF-NETWORK if your insurance doesn't cover Bariatric surgery. Which is fine. Get this...... Now they tell me that they ONLY ACCEPT Employer health insurance plans. They DO NOT accept INDIVIDUALS health insurance plans. What is up with that? Luckily I had previously found Dr. Shillingford in Boca Raton, Florida that does an All Inclusive Self-Pay Gastric Sleeve for those that insurance doesn't cover of $10,000; and, that includes two (2) days in the hospital. He has done over 5,000 Bariatric procedures over his career and this was my "Plan B". Disappointed in Blossom here. Wanted the experience. As they say, everything aligns for a reason.

re: that article - I've been hanging out on bariatric forums for six years. I've never seen anyone lose 15 lbs a week. Maybe 5 lbs a week for the first two or three months. I never lost that much, though. I was 16 lbs the first month, maybe 12 or 13 for the next two months, and then gradually down from there...

Curious. I have seen a couple of sleevers over the years have that problem, but doe seem to be unusual, particularly compared to acid reflux (isn't it nice to be "special"?) but it doesn't seem to be any more prevalent with us than with the general population. It seems that most anyone can be subject to it on an occasional basis; it's the chronic condition that is problematic, so I guess that you continue to monitor things and see how it goes. There are tests that they can do to determine if this is a chronic thing and if something needs to be done, so keep on them about it if it continues to be a bother. There was one gal a few years ago whos surgeon revised her to an RNY to treat it, which seemed odd given its' predisposition toward it, but it seemed to work (at least initially - like most, she dropped off the forums after a few months) so presumably the surgeon did everything in the RNY toolkit to avoid it. The better approach if things are that bad is to revise it to a DS as that is as good of a cure as one can find (it puts the stomach and bile ducts at near opposite ends of the GI tract, so it's virtually impossible for the two to mix), but most bariatric surgeons don't know how to do that one. Hopefully, you don't need to go so far as a surgical solution. Good luck!

I'm sorry that you have so much to deal with - it sounds miserable, and sending you virtual hugs. I hadn't heard of liver issues being caused by bariatric surgery, like you I'd been told that a fatty liver would be helped by the surgery. But looking at this article here it seems to be a potential outcome from the surgery, and some of the symptoms you mention (pain, nausea) are listed as known signs & symptoms in the article. https://sites.kowsarpub.com/hepatmon/articles/86078.html If your bariatric consultant isn't really taking on board what you're saying about this could you ask for a consultation with a hepatic consultant or find another bariatric consultant, preferably one who is very experienced (as they might have more knowledge of this area) and who would be prepared to consult with hepatologists about your care? Good luck.

1. You will wake up, believe It! own it! In fact, you may even ask did you have surgery yet because it will feel like you just your eyes! 2. You absolutely will lose weight, believe it! own it! * subtle disclaimer: Do not be surprised if you leave the hospital heavier than when you entered. This is not a failure of anything, it’s just your body retaining the fluids that were given to you. It’s an artificial inflation of your weight so IMHO don’t even bother thinking about it. 3. Loose skin be damned! Even it with it you’ll be smoking hot with a new slimmer silhouette plus renewed confidence (you can fix loose skin later if you even have any) 4. You are likely to have low possibility or no possibility of complications at all (if you look at statistics that are published) And if you have any complications great or small, please immediately contact your doctors ! don’t wait or ask the Internet. 5. Work with your team to make sure you have a pain management schedule put together before you even go into surgery. It’s possible to wake up feeling no pain. These fears are all completely normal, I had the same ones plus a few more, You can do it! Good Luck ❤️

I’m almost 3 years post op and 17 weeks pregnant (it was an oops, did not plan to get pregnant but losing weight and getting healthy can apparently make someone who was never going to get pregnant, get pregnant). Doctors are all much more concerned about my age (39) than my history of gastric bypass (way healthier now than I was 15 years ago), but I am seeing my bariatric surgeon regularly to ensure nutrient levels are good and adjust vitamins. So far age and WLS history just means a bigger team of doctors involved and more appointments. The only differences I’ve found between my experience and friends who haven’t had WLS is the insistence of seeing a Fetal Medicine doctor in conjunction with the OB (due to age and WLS) which has really just meant way more ultrasounds than normal, and I won’t be able to do the typical gestational diabetes testing (sugary drink and blood test) and will have to do two weeks of blood sugar monitoring (finger pricks, ick).

I know this is not really going to get answers but maybe someone might have some insight. I have lifelong chronic illness and disability. A challenge is being sensitive to medications and side effects and having allergic reactions (my list of antibiotics I am allergic to is growing) It started with Umbilical area pain that radiated upward to the right shoulder blade area like spasms. Admittedly I am also dealing with diverticulitis issues, bleeding and pain I'm not sure the source as well as Interstitial cystitis. My gastric bypass surgery inadvertently revealed a form of neurological dysphagia I have difficulty drinking thin liquids. landing in hospital with aspiration pneumonia a day after I got home, I found out that was why. started before surgery but I didnt know why I was having difficulty drinking water. normally i could chug it no issues. For a while I had trouble with eating which turned out to be stricture. I had history of ulcers prior to my gastric bypass surgery. and they found it afterward as well. I had dilations. and eating got a bit easier I just had to be careful what types of foods I ate. But then some weeks back it got really bad I found myself feeling sick just taking nibbles of my lunch. I always meal plan daily and prepare portion control sizes so I know how much calories and protein I am getting and what my portion is so its never too much for my pouch. But Id get partway through nibbling slowly and at times depending what Im eating Id just have to stop. and then feel the need to throw up but cant at times heaving but only a thick mucus comes up. I saw my general practitioner and had a CT scan and bloodwork. I also made some appointments. She told me to see my Bariatric surgeon. I had to wait until just recently to have a Endoscopy. I am just frustrated. because the CT scan showed Hepatic Steatosis. My one liver level is high it was not high when I was losing weight. Only when it was stable already. I did not have fatty liver prior to surgery. But they want to assume I did and that no one told me. But that's something they check for because its a co-morbidity! Also my gallbladder was checked at the time it had to be removed due to chronic inflammation. People have gastric bypass to get rid of fatty liver ... I have only read of maybe a rare case of liver disease post surgery. Anyway. back in June I had a enteroscopy to check the remnant portion of stomach and dilation. no mention of ulcer then. I have trouble with proton pump inhibitors not working and they just seem to deplete my vitamin levels too much. plus trigger my migraines. Ive had ulcers go away without the PPI and gotten ulcers while on them so they just dont seem effective. Then there is carafate. one side effect is constipation and with diverticulitis I cant afford that especially since the CT also showed inflammation and narrowing of my colon ... and I am trying to get iron and even the supposed non constipating kind in my whole foods based multivitamin is throwing my system off. so I had the Endoscopy this month and it showed Jejunal ulcer so the doctor just prescribes proton pump inhibitor and carafate (my insurance decided to not pay for carafate) but what other options are there besides these? and what could be causing the ulcers if Im not taking motrin or similar meds even though I do need them. Ulcer at the junction between the pouch and small intestine can happen in the first months post op and common treatment is PPI and carafate but not nearly two years out. Hard to believe April will be two years ... my gut keeps telling me its issue with my remnant stomach. perhaps even with the staples used. but I dont know how to get answers. I have seen when these things dont work doctors do a surgical revision of some kind. my surgeon is great but yet he seems to address it as it too simply and its not that simple anymore. Also I cant figure out the fatty liver aka hepatic statosis and the high ALT (liver enzymes) they assumed it was high before but no not really. Also I had blood transfusions in June and the levels went down due to the transfusion but then went back up again. so one would assume if it had to do with the weight loss the levels would have stayed down. I cant sort out what move to take next. I kind of sat on this post a while and didnt post it. I still hesitate. I know its probably not something anyone can answer. I am just getting frustrated. I am also retaining fluid in my abdomen along with a lot of pain.

It totally will depend on how your surgeon explains the need for the revision during the insurance submission and if your insurance requires the waiting period matter what. Call your insurance a d ask where you can find the information on Bariatric revision surgery. If possible ask for it in writing. Also find out if that particular revision procedure is covered. Good Luck ❤️