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Everyone's experience is different, but I haven't found managing nutritional needs to be difficult after my sleeve surgery. I'm not cooking these days either but I'm able to get enough protein with basic things like rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, eggs, yogurt, cheese and so on. I eat a little weird because I don't often eat a whole meal but I'm managing to get my nutritional needs met (I know because I'm still keeping track of everything). And of course I take my multivitamin daily and B12 weekly as my doctor prescribed. My bloodwork always comes back fine, the only suggestion the doctor has given me was to start taking Vitamin D, which I did. And there's no malabsorbtion with the sleeve, so that's not a factor. I do find that my appetite is significantly reduced. I know hunger comes back more quickly for some people, but 20 months out I'm still hungry less often and less urgently than I was before. One of the BEST side-effects of surgery for me is that things that used to be "comfort food" for me no longer have that emotional kick they used to have. I can eat a pancake with syrup and it tastes good, but whatever that emotional hit was that I used to get, that's gone. And that's a VERY good thing for me. I mostly avoid the carby, sweet stuff but I do allow myself a treat every now and then. And then it's RIGHT back on my eating plan because I don't want to wake up cravings for all that stuff. I still don't keep sweets or junk food in the house. When I have a treat, I have to make a special effort to go get it and it's planned. And I only get enough for one serving. When that's gone, I'm done and it's back to protein, dairy, nuts, eggs, etc. I'm an apple shape like you, so I know exactly what you mean. I've lost 11 inches off my waist, which my doctor is ecstatic about. Only you can decide if weight loss surgery is right for you, but I wouldn't let malnutrition fears be the deal-breaker. Your bariatric team will give you a diet designed to meet your nutritional needs and they'll be monitoring you. All the best, whatever you decide! 🤗

you have been a member since 2009 I wish I would have joined this site years ago! I would not feel so alone on this that I am trying to do. I admire that you took all that money and invested it in yourself! I invest the least in myself and that is why I think I am in this struggle with my weight. this will be the most biggest choice and investment that I have made for myself in my lifetime. I know insurance covers 80% only because the deductible has not been met yet but it is worth it my health. I do like that I can make it a secret place like you said and just be able to not be judged. I love that you have a relationship with you band and named her tina! that is so awesome that you make it your own personal journey and have fun with it. I want to have fun with my journey also I will try to do like you and not see it so much as a sad, scary failure but a happy, exciting, renewed journey! thank you for your reply!

we started out at a similar weight and I lost 16 lbs the first month. I would say (and this is based only on my observations from hanging out on a handful of bariatric sites for the last six or so years) that most of us tend to lose in the 15-25 lb range that first month. Of course there are outliers on either side of that, but it seems like most are within that range. Well, unless you're talking about people who start out at much higher BMI's than most of us do (like people on those reality shows like "My 600 lb Life"). So you're doing fine!

My weight loss surgery story actually started back in early 2019, but I chickened out before my first appointment because I was worried that I would have postop complications and the cost would go beyond the base rate. I gave up on the idea of weight loss surgery at that time, and decided that I would do it on my own. I think everybody here knows how well that went. At the end of the year I found out my husband‘s job would be ending, and we took that as an opportunity to try to find a job where he would have insurance that I could go on that would cover weight loss surgery. He got a job that covered it, and I joined his insurance plan, and within the month I was set up with my first appointment. my first appointment ended up being converted to telemedicine because of Covid, but that actually worked out great for me because my doctors office is two hours away. We had a six month waiting period, and for the first two months I will be honest I was working from home in quarantine, and I made absolutely no effort to lose weight and I did not make any progress. My third appointment was going to an in person appointment and the Bariatric class, and I was terrified that I would be up in weight and be disqualified. So for 2 weeks prior to that I went on a low carb low calorie diet. And I don’t know if it was me telling myself it was temporary or the realization that the surgery was coming helped, but I just kept extending and extending the date on my low carb diet. I ended up losing 48 lbs before the liquid diet which was greatly needed because I started at 339, and my surgery weight was 282. I’m 5’10 and my goal weight is 165. The liquid diet was no big deal, maybe because my diet was already very low calorie. I think I ended up losing about 8 pounds or so on it. It was a full liquid diet, and I did not vary from the diet at all. I want this to be the part of my life where I’m not constantly having a “little extra” or “just this bite” and I figured it would be a good test of willpower. surgery was a bit rough. I was in a fair amount of pain when I woke up, and I felt very nauseous. I could definitely feel my stomach, and it did not feel good. I wasn’t able to keep any water down, and the pain meds made me very sick. I ended up throwing up the small amount of water I’d drank snd the pain meds up all over myself the first night. But the next day was a tiny bit better, and it got better every day until day 4 I felt great. I ended up being able to drink water totally fine, no problem with protein or anything. I think my surgeon is a bit old school because I have a 4 week post op liquid diet too. No mush or purée stage here. I’m currently finishing up week 2 of the post op liquid diet, and like the preop diet I’m not going to cheat or go off plan. It was a long road to get here and I am going to do everything in my power to make this work. So far I am down about 10 lbs post surgery, so I don’t think I’m going to get the dramatic 30 lbs weight loss in the first month or anything but that’s fine. I’m down close to 70 lbs from my high weight, and it feels great. I’ll try to follow up every month or so with progress. HW:339 SW: 282 CW:271 GW: 165

I was so very fortunate and very impressed with my program at Blossom Bariatrics. They leave no stone unturned and no question unanswered.

I am in the getting close to my bariatric surgery! I am feeling excited, nervous! I just have so many feelings I can’t describe. So here is my story… my surgery will be in December and although some might think it is the worse time to get it done because of all the Food and Festivities that are happening around that time, I see it as the perfect time because during the holiday seasons it is when I see everything so nice, warm and I am truly happy, with all the festivities. I start being thankful starting with Thanksgiving, on Christmas the same I count my blessings and on New Year’s I take inventory of all of my family and my successes always hopeful for the New Year that awaits! Life cannot be any more perfect…… but the reality is that it can be! If I would just lose my damn weight! That is why this is the perfect time because of New Year I always see it as a time to let go of the old and in with the new! This time it will be a New me! Other feelings I have are of letting my family down and myself for not having the willpower, not being able to do it on my own, and now left to having to do this surgery as my last resort. it is overwhelmingly exciting and nerve wrecking as I first noted. At the moment I feel that I am ready, but am I? That is why I am here in this bariatric group website I want to see others success story. I want to make online friends with others who have success stories and weight issues same as me, that I can relate. I also want to finally get the backbone I need to go through with this life changing surgery, as I have heard and seen from others. I am hoping I can also be motivation and help others I plan to make it a life goal to help others who have the same exact fears as I do, to make them feel more at ease because as far as the way I feel right now I get adrenaline rush just the thought because I do want to do this surgery because entering 2021 I want to be able to welcome the new me. I don’t have many friends I can talk to regarding my fat issues because it is so very personal and I don’t know how confidential it would be. Plus I been threw a lot of fat shaming done by people I know and I always want to be seen as strong and unaffected but I am very much affected. If there is another reason to get this surgery done other than the many amazing health benefits and longevity, and having a complete circle as far as my happiness, it is to shut all the haters and fat shamers up. The number one reason still remains always Definitely my family, myself above all!

I have BCBSMS. I would think that they would cover the sleeve since they would only be approving that 1. They also have a 90-day bariatric program. 4 meetings with the nutritionist and 4 with the surgeon. I just signed my final clearance papers with the surgeon yesterday and am just waiting to hear from their office on a date. Good luck to you.

I know I heard from other fellow bariatric patients on instagram that surgery will usually bring on your period. I know for me I got my period 2 days after surgery. It was a real dark blood heavy flow with a bit of funk to it and then moved onto something more normal after a few days. I wasn't due for a period for 2 weeks so I knew it was because of the surgery. I also had terrible night sweats and hot flashes the 2nd and 3rd days after surgery. So I think what happened to you is pretty normal. Hang in there it only gets better! I'm 6 days post-op! Sent from my LM-V600 using BariatricPal mobile app

I did not do fasting after talking with my nutritionist. Since I have had bariatric surgery it would mess my metabolism up. Look up liver shrinking diet. That might help you.

If you haven't run into this in your research, I found this to be an interesting point/counterpoint discussion of the LINX (the "Yes" vote is linked at the bottom). http://agaperspectives.gastro.org/is-linx-the-way-to-go-for-gerd-surgery-no/#.X7K6SWhKiUk I also found another source that indicated that LINX was not appropriate for bariatric patients, but didn't explain why (possibly simply because that group didn't have much experience with bariatric patients?) The "No" vote above did lift out the prospect of erosion from the foreign body, and given the history of the lapband, that is probably a good point of caution. I would suggest getting a second (and possibly third) opinion on this. I am a fan of second opinions, particularly when it comes to revisions and complications, as both the causes and solutions are often more varied than the original surgery, and hence the opinions as to the best way to go often vary more widely - what one doc is comfortable doing to solve the problem may not be the ideal for you, while another doc may have different experiences that allows him to offer something better for your need. Or maybe not - but as patients it is hard for us to evaluate, but one solution may make more sense to us than another. I have found that with the sleeve, being a relatively new procedure to most of the bariatric world, the solutions to problems that may crop up are often limited - some docs are limited to simply revising to a bypass as they don't have much experience with anything else. Most bariatric surgeons here in the States are fairly well experienced with the sleeve by now (as opposed to 6-10 years ago) but may not yet have that much experience in correcting problems with them, which is why it can pay to seek out alternate opinions. Sometimes there are shape issues with the sleeve, stemming from either the original surgery or from subsequent evolutions, and surgeons can vary widely on their ability to address these. Some can do fundoplications to address the hiatal hernia, while others can't (there isn't that much fundus to plicate after our VSG.) I would suggest a second opinion from Dr. Ara Keshishian, who does a lot of complex revisions (people come from across the country to see him, particularly as he is one of the few who can do the RNY/DS revision) and if anyone can get things working better without a major revision or devices, it is him. If one can avoid an RNY or an implanted device, that would be ideal. Conveniently, he is right around the corner from you in the Glendale/Pasadena area. I do have a hiatal hernia, though a fundoplication is inappropriate for my case, and as GERD is mild and well controlled with moderate OTC meds, and EGD shows nothing exciting happening, it is a wait and see thing for me at this point. Hope yours comes out well, whatever path you take,

I used CRON-O-Meter for a while. Most detailed tracker out there. You don't need an app with a "bariatric focus".

I just realized I didn't read your whole post... I understand chronic pain VERY well! ESPECIALLY nerve pain! I have TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia) and had brain surgery 3 years ago in an attempt to relieve myself of the agony even if it would likely be temporary (there isn't a cure for TN the surgery just stops the pain for a few years). I have atypical trigeminal neuralgia. It's on both sides and I had both type 1 and 2 pains on the left side and only type 2 on the right. I can handle the type 2 pains, but the type 1 pains... there is nothing comparable to it. It's the worst sort of agony imaginable. NOTHING has ever equaled or surpassed it. The best description for it I can give is most times it felt like I had a scalding hot poker jab into my face where it would twist and twist and twist and twist before pulling out only to repeat itself endlessly. I had the surgery (Microvascular Decompression) on the left side of my brain to get rid of the type 1 pain and it amazingly got rid of the flare ups and I had no pain for 2 amazing years. Around the time I started my weight loss journey last year I started having type 2 pains again on the left side. I couldn't stop CRYING! I was paranoid and panicking and CONVINCED that the type 1 pain was going to return. If my surgery hadn't worked to get rid of the type 1 pain I wouldn't be here. TN is called suicides disease for a REASON. It's recognized as one the most painfully excruciating conditions know to mankind. I was in absolute agony with my TN with a flare that lasted for 10 MONTHS before I had my surgery. I was barely sleeping because it was worse at night. Everything set it off. I was in a never ending world of absolute AGONY and I only held out for my family. I had overdosed on my meds on at least 3 occasions... 1 particular one I was incredibly lucky that I didn't end up in a coma because I'd taken 600mg over my dose (900mg was my dose and overdose for me was 1000mg, I'd taken 1500mg). If the surgery hadn't worked... I wouldn't be here. I was BARELY holding out for my family. I thought I was losing my mind from lack of sleep and pain and I wanted to cry all the damn time but I didn't have the energy or the tears because I'd cried myself dry months before. EVERYTHING set it off. Sleeping, eating, bathing, talking, touching my face, brushing my hair or my teeth. The happiest day of my life was my surgery day. I woke up with the worse headache of my LIFE and at that point the worst nausea I'd had in my life (only beaten by dumping syndrome), but it was 100% WORTH IT! When my TN came back in the form of the type 2 pain I felt like my life was over. I had been so strong and held out to make it to my surgery, but I just didn't know if I could have that kind of strength again. I didn't think I'd survive a repeat. So I fell into a very deep depression. My doctor put me on anti-depression and anxiety meds and when I saw the psyche doc at the bariatric clinic I told her my TN coming back to how it was before my surgery was my absolute worst fear. I honestly don't know how I even passed my psyche eval because I was a MESS! While I was going through that I read a lot. It DID help to take my mind off it a bit, even if it was still there lurking in the back of my head. I also watched quite a bit of anime to distract myself lol. I'm 33 and yes, I watch anime. It's an outlet and very easy for me to turn my brain off when reading doesn't work. Also like watching home renovation shows and anything that'll make me laugh and let me turn my brain off. I ended up getting a really bad rash due to the anti-depression and anxiety meds and had to get off them, but by that time my mind was in a much better place. I made the determination that the very SECOND I get the type 1 pains back I'm calling up my neurosurgeon and scheduling another surgery lol. I won't wait it out. I won't let it EVER get that bad again! And if for some reason he recommends me to do the Gamma Knife instead, I'll do that (my surgery was really difficult as I had a lot of tissue damage and my 3 hour surgery turned into a 6 hour surgery. I had a lot of brain swelling and there was talk of putting a stint in, but I didn't end up having to have one. I did end up with meningitus though... so I just have the feeling he'd probably want me to do Gamma Knife instead). I'm so incredibly sorry that you're going through chronic pain issues. I don't wish that kind of pain on ANYONE! It feels impossible and makes you feel so helpless. I felt so very, very, very alone. Like nobody understood it. Understood me or what I was going through... So that's the reason I told you about my own experience. I just want you to know that you are NOT alone in living with chronic pain. I really hope that the pain clinic gets back to you soon. My mom has fibromyalgia and they gave her Gabapentin for it (it also helps her neuropathy too and helps her sleep). I don't know what meds they'll start you off with, but I hope the first one they give you works for you!

If you met all the criteria & your Surgeon’s office completed all requested paperwork, they should be able to answer this so you are not in “ limbo.” You can also contact your insurance carrier and inquire about your status. I doubt you would not be accepted, most insurance, not all, is paying for bariatric surgery. If you have not already done this to prepare for your new life, an excellent resource for now & in the future: “Obesity Action Coalition.” You May already know about this organization, the website: www.obesityaction.com When you access this site there is a lot of information preparing for Bariatric surgery, the resources offered are excellent for everyday, but also an excellent support system. They list 10 ways to prepare, I won’t list them all as it’s probably easier for you to read it on the website: 1. Start to Think about why you eat, 2. Keep a list of non- food ways to cope w/stress, 3. Don’t compare yourself with others, 4. Follow up, Follow up, Follow up, 5. Prepare to feel a little left out at dining & social gatherings. I referenced 5 items from the 10 Ways to Prepare for Bariatric Surgery. With each item is an explanation how to manage each one. You are not alone, there are many resources and groups on line & in your community. The OAC Community is an excellent, one of the best resources. You are in NC? I am from NC, excellent health care, exemplary hospitals in NC, whether it is Duke in Raleigh or Winston Salem - Wake Forest/Bowman Gray Center, UNC, Vidant Medical Center... You are in good hands with exceptional hospitals. Good luck, you will do great!

I’m scheduled for surgery with Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas on Wednesday November 25th. I’ve been sooo excited but haven’t felt great the last few days (no COVID symptoms just a basic cold) and am worried that they will cancel my surgery. And with everything in the news about the rise in COVID, I’m getting nervous about traveling. Anyone else a nervous nelly right about now?

As we all know, Bariatric surgery is a tool. We are still responsible for nutrition, diet & exercise. I had a friend who went thru a gastric bypass. She thought she could eat the same amount of calories at her former weight & continue at her reduced weight. I can understand that; your brain has not caught up to the change. What helps me is a strong support system, I need accountability. Post-Op support is critical for long term success. It is as vital as the surgery being performed. Bariatric surgery is very emotional, support is key. Ensure you have an exemplary health team, to guide you. This includes a therapist to understand your specific behavior & relationship with food, and a nutritionist. There is so much going on, biologically, emotionally & mentally. In time, fitness\exercise will become part of your regime. You do not need to join a gym or lift weights, or walk on a treadmill. Exercise can be walking, it can be gardening. So long as activity is a daily occurrence. The Health Team will guide you thru something which is new for you. Ultimately, developing new eating habits to last a lifetime. This is important to ensure your success. Change in regards to behavior does not happen in weeks or months, it takes time. Be patient with yourself. Usually, in 6-8 weeks you can resume a normal diet, it depends on the directives of your Surgeon. Each person is different. For me, I plan my meals, consume nutrient dense foods, protein in every meal, I exercise. Speak w/your Surgeon, nutritionist to understand the plan for you. You will get to where you need to be -

If anyone has MEDICARE...federal government insurance at age 65 or because of a disability, Medicare pays 100% for Bariatric surgery. However, check with your providers and with Medicare. UHC, also pays 100%, again you need to confirm with your provider as well as the insurance carrier; it is managed differently depending on region and type of insurance. I am a novice in the insurance arena. The only reason I know this, I checked with my insurance carrier and MEDICARE. This may not be accurate information for others. I suspect there are many on this forum who can answer this much better than me. Good luck -

I have this too (even before my bariatric surgery). All the same symptoms and triggered by the exactly same thing. In fact, I had a bout of it today, while waiting in line at the bank. Suddenly I became aware that I was feeling nauseated, weak, I broke into a sweat, my heart was racing, ears ringing, vision blurry and when I looked at myself in the mirror my complexion was gray. I was fortunate that the line moved quickly and I was able to complete my transaction and then sit down and elevate my legs. Within a few minutes up putting my feet up, I was feeling better. My doctors diagnosed me pretty easily because my presentation was so classic. Along with all the other symptoms my blood pressure usually drops suddenly, so I have orthostatic hypotension as well. My doctors recommended two things that have helped a lot: 1. I normally wear compression stockings when I go out. I didn't today because it was just "a quick trip to the bank" and that was my mistake. 2. Making sure I never get even slightly dehydrated. Dehydration exacerbates the symptoms considerably for me. When I do both these things, attacks are rare but as I saw today, they are inevitable if I fail to be consistent with both the compression hose and drinking frequently. Like you, I can't stand still at all. If I'm on my feet, I have to keep moving, even if it's just shifting my weight from side to side. It's a REALLY horrible feeling, it's honestly like you're dying. Fortunately a change of position usually sorts me out quickly but there are times when that's difficult or impossible.

Anyone else experience really big inaccuracies? My protein shake is off by A LOT. I have submitted for a change 3 times, with photos, and there has been no update. This has happened with other foods too. I had a day that had one food each meal that was wrong. If you use it and have not been paying attention to accuracy, definitely go back and check! They might leave out fat content, fiber, carbs, wildly wrong calcium content or serving size. I am so tired of it and thinking of switching. Does anyone else have an app they like that has a bariatric focus? Any other app suggestions?

Thanks for the input on my post. I have made baby steps - getting in the habit of riding the exercise bike almost daily and watching snacking. Best thing is I made an appointment with a new bariatric team. So, progress! Stay well in this challenging time everyone 😊

I’m in Vegas - hungry, sleep deprived due to jet lag and waiting for my first day of appointments at Blossom Bariatrics. Surgery on Saturday.

I wasn’t going to tell my work anything. I was using a week of annual leave, then returning to teleworking. Unfortunately, I ended up back at the hospital after a few days with dehydration. Totally fixable, but I realized my recovery wasn’t going to be smooth and I was going to need more time off. (I also had an absolute need to sleep like a hibernating bear.) I needed a doctors note and an ‘explanation’. I wish I had prepared for this possibility ahead of time. Anyway, I took the .pdf of the doctors note and erased where it said “Bariatric Center”, submitted it to my boss with a very terse explanation that I had a procedure that hadn’t gone as smoothly as expected and needed an extra week using sick leave. I added that it was not related to COVID. My boss just replied with prayers, and asked for no details , but I got the impression that he thought it might be something much more serious. Now I’m somewhat worried that I might have to squash some rumors of serious illness once I get back to the office. I kind of wish I had gone with the hernia or gallbladder explanation. Even if that’s a transparent explanation/code for WLS I hate the idea that I have given coworkers the idea that I am seriously ill.

I had my gastric bypass on Nov. 2. Before surgery I purchased some “Better than Bullion “ to use as broth. I also got vegan protein powder and several juices, bariatric vitamins and miso soup. The surgery was much easier than I expected. My doctor performed robotic surgery. I was nervous before surgery but it was so easy. I’m in the liquid protein phase now. I make my own shakes since I cannot tolerate commercial protein drinks and I vegan. I purchased 200 1 oz cups with lids to portion out my drinks and easy to take when I go out.

Do you have a psychiatrist or therapist outside of the bariatric office? What do they think? As long as you are not suicidal or self harming, I would move ahead. I also have chronic pain and depression and I'd rather have them without also being obese. How many pounds of ugly fat would you lose if you lost your husband? Good luck and feel better.

Tomorrow will finish up week two of 'back to basics' for me. I am drinking 3 bariatric specific protein shakes, eating 1 bariatric specific protein snack and 1 bariatric specific protein lunch and then I eat a sensible homecooked dinner focusing on eating protein first and if I am still hungry, vegetables. I have found that the amount I can eat has drastically reduced itself over the course of these past two weeks, and quickly. I feel full most of the time and when I start feeling hungry, it's time to eat/drink. I found a program on another website, which I will not name due to the possible conflict of interest. They also sell items and while they are 'okay', they are not the best tasting...which led me to this site. I am due some items from the shop here tomorrow and I am hoping for better flavor. However, I have already lost close to 4 pounds and I feel great. If you would like me to share more specifics, I can send a personal message (of course that is if we can because I'm new here and don't know lol).