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I had the sleeve and chose it for these reasons: 1) I don’t have GERD, just occasional acid reflux, 2) the sleeve doesn’t re-route inner plumbing, 3) i have less weight to lose overall, 4) the sleeve has a higher absorption rate which I prefer and 5) I can revise to RNY if the sleeve doesn’t work, fails or causes GERD. This doesn’t mean RNY is bad. My mom had RNY and it worked great for her. She lost over 125lbs and it helped correct her GERD. She also deals with malabsorption issues, had her gallbladder removed last year and struggles with dumping syndrome. All of these are okay with her. To this day, she wouldn’t change her mind. She’s also kept the weight off for over a decade easily. I recommend talking to your doctor about YOUR specific issues/lifestyle and what you’re willing to live with.

I have not yet had surgery (RNY bypass) and am doing all I can to prepare (following dr.s orders, started exercise program). I have been reading the weight loss stories in this forum and notice a wide range of differences in "success." While I understand that if you go back to bad habits you won't meet goal (since the surgery is only one of the many tools we need), I am curious if there are things you have done (or not done) that you think helped you meet your goals. In other words...if I do everything I am supposed to, most of the time (knowing slips happen), is there anything that will prevent me from hitting the goal range my Dr. and I set for myself? I.e., genetics? Not exercising every day or hard enough? I am just so worried that even if I do everything I should that I will fail...once again... Interested in your thoughts (and encouragement!). TIA

exercise is only about 10% of weight loss. 90% is due to food intake (or the lack thereof). So being active does help a bit, but most of loss or gain is due to food intake. I know of several people who've lost a ton of weight with WLS without exercise, so you should be fine. not losing the first week is common, and Sigh is correct, it's due to the IV fluids you got in the hospital, which is essentially salt water. The sodium in it causes water retention in a lot of people, and it takes a few days to work it's way out of your system. Lots of us leave the hospital weighing more than we did when we entered. I've read about people "gaining" up to 10 lbs in the hospital! So no worries. You'll start losing weight soon..

Many of us on this forum have never told anyone else their surgery plans just for this reason. We walk in our own shoes, we went on our own ride to get to our weight. No body else knows how tough a road we lived and how unhealthy it has made us. Back your own judgement. If its time for you to go through this, then you will know. Yes the first 4 days of the pre op diet are brutal and then it gets easier [ well you get used to it] its a means to an end. You have done really well so far. My advice for what its worth is - do it. We did it, you can

My only regret was that this surgery was not available years ago. I had my VSG 12 years ago, in my mid 50's. I am now 67 years old ( next week !) and lost and gained back weight my entire life. I weigh less now what I weighed in graduate school, which was in 1980. I have lost half of myself. I started at 320 before my pre surgery weight loss. I am not skinny by any means. But I went from super morbidly obese to now in the (high) but NORMAL range of BMI - but more than that, I have learned how to maintain my weight loss. Can you lose 70 pounds without Weight loss surgery ? I don't know. Will you lose 70 pounds with surgery ? YES. Is it scary to have surgery ? Yes, especially thinking about it ahead of time. But having surgery in your 30's is easier than in your 50's !!! And By the way, having bariatric surgery helps us to lose weight NATURALLY. There is nothing un-natural about surgical intervention for a medical problem. Don't think of yourself as being broken. Think of this surgical intervention as a medical necessity for your future.

Sometimes random aches & pains occur simply because you’re aren’t moving much. As you lose weight your centre of balance changes - your body doesn’t need to hold itself in a certain way to compensate for your weight & you get pain as your joints & muscles learn how to move your smaller lighter body again. If you’re dehydrated your urine will be dark, you don’t pee often, you’ll have headaches, dry mouth, etc. How much are you drinking? (You can count your shakes, broths & soups in your daily total.) It doesn’t matter if you don’t hit your goal in the beginning as long as you’re close & are working at it. Pain alone is not a sign of a clot so breath. If you get additional symptoms like swelling, itching, discolouration, &/or warmth go to your local medical centre. Try adding an electrolyte drink to your daily fluid intake to help give you a little energy boost. Try to walk. It will help with getting rid of any surgical gas, get yiur body moving (which can help with any aches & pains from being sedentary. You didn’t have to walk miles at first. Start just walking around your home then to the end of your block & keep doing g more as you are able. I have stairs in my house so I walked up & down them a few times a day. All the best.

As @Starwarsandcupcakes said it’s only two weeks. Two weeks is nothing compared with the rest of your life. I wouldn’t worry about starting shakes now - you’ll be sick enough of them with the 2 weeks pre op & 2 week post op diets without extending how long you’re on them. Not sure what you’ve started doing airways but try reducing your caffeine, fat& carb sugar intake, drink more water, try healthier cooking methods, etc. Small changes do make a difference & may help with the withdrawal symptoms when you do start the shakes - they can be a struggle. I love how people say things do it yourself & just don’t put the weight back on. Don’t they realise if you could you would have done that the many times you lost weight in the past. They have no idea. Unless they’ve lived your life & experienced your battles with weight their comments are worthless. Congrats on your weight loss so far. I bet you’ve noticed an improvement in your health already. And congrats getting a surgery date. Yay!

I have a history of NOT keeping weight loss off long term*** oops

Congrats!! I'm glad you ended up looking into it. The idea that this surgery isn't for men is such a weird stigma, EVERYONE deserves to be at a healthy weight & I'm glad you get that now! Not going to lie, the liquid diet is difficult. It was the toughest part of this journey but in the grand scheme of things it was a tiny drop in a pool of water. The results are so worth it & you will look back on the liquid stage as just a crazy time you went through. I reccomend Fairlife protein shakes for that stage. They are genuinely tasty & good flavor makes that time a bit easier.

You absolutely CAN. I lost 95lbs pre-op. However, I have a history of keeping weight loss off long term. I got the surgery & it's helping me keep weight off & continue to lose. I only regret not getting it sooner. From WebMD: "Only around 5% of people who fall in the morbidly obese range are successful at losing weight without surgical assistance."

Yesss remember water weight is huge!

Hello, I am new to these forums. In March of 2022, while in my rheumatologist's office for treatment for my autoimmune disorder, I was sent to the emergency room with what turned out to be a heart attack. On the day of my heart attack I was 44-years old, 5'11" 351 pounds with a blood pressure of 214/103. A couple days later I had my first visit with a cardiologist, who told me he believes I am a great candidate for bariatric surgey. I looked at him like he was crazy, "thats for people on 'My600-lb Life'" I thought. I didn't need that, besides 'men don't get this kind of surgery." A few months later after some thinking, searching for information on the internet and watching my father, who was not as big as me, pass away at 67. I decided I should look into it, worst case scenario, I get some diet tips. So In October I scheduled my first consult. Five months later, last week I was given my surgery date of 04/12/2023. Due to my auto immune disorder, my Doctor and myself have settled on the Gastric Sleeve. Back in October I was given a pre-op goal to get down to 330 pounds before my surgery. As of today I am at 296. I am excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. On one side I have people telling me "you look so good, you lost 50 pounds, keep going you don't need the surgery. On the other side, I have been able to do it before, but never to the amount where my BMI was in a healthy range and I always gained it back. Their answer is always "don't gain it back." If it was only that easy, I think. What really has me worried is the 2-week pre surgery liquid diet I start on 3/29. While I have been doing good things, mixing in protein shakes, eating a lot of soup... I'm terrified of slipping during that two weeks. How has everyone else dealt with that?

I had my conversion to bypass surgery on 2/28 and have been spotting since. Has something to do with our hormones and the sudden rapid weight loss. I also have an IUD. Sent from my SM-G998U using BariatricPal mobile app

All of these responses are great and right on point! I believe we have had all had the same type thoughts and questions. I finally asked myself, after many times of losing and gaining: "Well how did that work out for ya?" Apparently not well! LOL Surgery was the best decision ever!!!! Best Wishes!

Thank you so much for all the answers. catwoman 7 - you’re totally right. So much more goes into it than imagined. Over the years I would lose 20lbs and then regain it. No idea why I never stick to the diet that’s working for me Summerset - haha you’re right, a WLS forum was probably a weird choice for my question but it was the only forum I could think of at the time. Jeanniebug - yes I am planning on still going to the appointment. You’re right I’ve also heard that the waiting list could be up to two years and that they might put you on a weight loss program first. That would be so ideal. pintsizedmallrat - two things did work for me in the past. Kettlebell workouts and intermittent fasting (mainly OMAD) but I just very stupidly gave up after a month of trying. I think my bigger problem is I get lazy and stop. No idea why. I’m gonna try combining the two soon! Summerseeker - Wow that’s amazing, 10 stone on slimming world! Perhaps I should join them.

I saw Dr Pablo Fok Russell. I was very particular about where I went and it took me a very long time to decide. I do not have one negative comment at all. .. .NONE. When researching for a clinic to get gastric sleeve I looked on Tik Tok, and online. I knew what I did not want. I did not want to go to a facility that only did weight loss surgery. I did not want to go to a "factory". I think at larger facilities that only do one thing, like weight loss surgery, you get complacent in how you work. And can become only about profit. I wanted a physician whose main concern was my health. When I came across Dr. Pablo Fok Russel what impressed me the most was his career was not only bariatric surgery. He is well versed and knowledgeable in all areas of anti aging, weight loss, hormone therapies, hair loss, stem cell therapy, plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, addiction medicine, etc. I was intentionally seeking a talented and intelligent doctor and I felt that I found one. I contacted the facility and had many emails with someone asking a multitude of questions. I never once felt pressured. i never once was told I had to put a deposit down to get answers. At other facilities I was told both. At other agencies I was pressured to put money down in order to speak to them. Money that was non refundable. Before I paid any money I was able to have the date I needed guaranteed. That was important to me also. I made my deposit, scheduled my date and prepared. When I arrived to San Diego my driver had contacted me the day prior with his picture and car information. He was waiting outside the airport for me. I was able to get off the plane, walk straight to him and was waiting at the car, I was inside the car in less than 5 minutes. It was effortless. We drove straight across the border, we were not stopped. We drove straight to the clinic. I was met by a woman with a big smile who opened my door and welcomed me by name. I was very impressed by this. I desired a personalized friendly environment and I was receiving it. Once inside to my pleasant surprise things were done quickly. I was given an EKG, blood work, x-rays, etc. The lab results from my blood test were back in less the 2 hours. Maybe even less. The anesthesiologist read them to me and I was impressed that they were received that quickly and accurate. In my first two hours, I meet the internal medicine physician, anesthesioligist, the X Ray technician, the nurses, and maybe more, because things moved quickly. I was SO happy that I was not just sitting around. I was in surgery that day. That evening was my most discomfort. I had two nurses that were very compassionate and kind to me. I was up all night long and they both were with me helping me. Helping me stand, walk, use the bathroom, etc. I was always with someone when I needed someone. The rest was very easy. I had an assortment of different nurses. Everyone responds different to surgery. I was tired and slept. My nurse Deigo would wake me to remind me to walk. It was not intrusive, and i was grateful. He was kind, polite and showed me compassion, his english was great. I was very thankful for him. All my nurses were good. Some stood out more then others. I liked Deigo because without him I would of slept all day and not done the things I needed to do. My night time nurses the first night, they deserved medals. Brenda and Clio were amazing. There was another, but I dont know his name. He was awesome! All were amazing!!! I have worked closely with Doctors in my profession. I am in behavioral health and I admire an intelligent, compassionate doctor with a good work ethic. And I found one. He was amazing. I am so impressed with his knowledge. And grateful that he shared some with me. In the United States as a patient, I do not get attention from Doctors. I only got their time as a co worker, never as a patient. Dr. Russel gave me attention as a patient and it was appreciated. And I learned a lot from him . I could not give a high enough rating and I am extremely impressed.

OK, this one: LOL Backstory--I have a now 30 year old granddaughter, who was a size 3. She got married, had a baby, who is a 6 year old. After she had the baby, she got what I (in my head) called a "mom body." Fluffy. Anyway, she got onto a healthy diet/exercise program, and has lost a lot of weight, toned up. OK now my non-scale victory-- I asked her what size she is now--size 2. What size were you when you started this program? A solid 8. I asked her for her old clothes!! 🤣 Lord that felt good.

hi-- I copied and pasted from my original post. "OK, anybody have persistent diarrhea? They are apparently just now connecting the loss of pancreatic function with WLS. Sometimes. Google it. I went for months to the GP, and they threw antibiotics at this gas/poop problem; while I ate yogurt to get it to stop. Horrible gas as well. BAD stinky gas, lol sorry. Nothing worked. I ASKED MY WEIGHT LOSS DOC TOO. "Oh no, no diarrhea reported with this." That was horse hockey as well. I then went to a Gastrointestinal specialist, who did a protease enzyme test. Turns out my pancreas is not working. While it is not life threatening, it is darn inconvenient. I am not posting this to have you not have the surgery -- I still would have done it, even if I had a crystal ball. BUT if you have those symptoms, Google it, ask your doc, and maybe even if your WLS doctor says nope, go to a Gastrointestinal one. It can be managed. FYI."

Lost 2 stone myself on a low fat diet I lost 5 stone with Weight watchers, put it back on in 2 years Lost 2 stone with the local doctors weigh in clinic, Tried prescription diet pills, hated them I lost 7 stone with Slimming world, put it back on over 10 years with stopping smoking and the Covid lock in. So I just couldn't face the whole diet struggle again. I just knew I wanted this surgery, I paid. I am overjoyed with my results. You and only you will know if you are ready to do this, its tough for some, me included. I had no pain with the surgery but had months of nausea and had trouble with my restriction. Would I have had this surgery in my 30's if I could get it on the NHS, hell yes. All my life has been ruled by the weighing scales, calories and feeling guilty if I ate something 'bad'. I now feel liberated

I went through this thought process before my procedure and came to the conclusion that my history said I could probably lose 30-40 pounds on my own with a ton of difficulty...but would probably NOT be able to keep it off, because I never have been able to before. This surgery is far from the easy way out but it's like having a diet coach living right in your own body to keep you on track. I may have only been able to lose 30-40 pounds without help, but I have lost 130 with help. The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over expecting different results. If you have not been able to lose the weight "on your own" this is probably the way to go.

Update: I had a really stubborn case of pneumonia and the pressure of my swollen lung was pressing on my stomach AND heart (it was in the lower left lobe of one lung). I've been on heavy-duty antibiotics for a week and I'm slooooowly starting to be able to eat again and have actually gained back 4 of the pounds I lost (that I DID NOT want to nor was I trying to lose).

Like most other people have said... Can I lose the weight on my own? Yes! Can I keep it off? No! I agree, surgery should be a last resort. It's a drastic step. From what I've heard, there is a pretty long waitlist for getting the surgery through NHS. So, you will probably have plenty of time to try to lose the weight on your own. And I would try, if I were you. Go to the appointments, but try to do it on your own, at the same time. Even if you decide to have the surgery, the lower your weight is when you're on the table, the safer you'll be.

Maybe a WLS board is way too biased to really answer this question neutrally. I personally think that even if it's possible to lose the weight and maintain it that it will most likely be much more of a struggle in comparison to having WLS. However, WLS has its downsides as well, e. g. possible complications both directly and indirectly linked to the procedure. What you can do is go to the appointment and follow through with the program/plan they have to offer. You can back off anytime if you want.

I agree with everyone else. I always thought I could do it on my own, and I lost weight - only to regain it - again and again and again. This went on for probably 30 years. Some people can do it - but according to statistics, it's about 5% or fewer. I wasn't one of the 5%. Surgery was the only thing that helped me lose my excess weight and keep most of it off. it's not easy. It does take work. A lot of work. But on that other hand, it does work as long as you do your part. Stick to the eating plan. Get and stay active. The difference is, you're no longer fighting biology - the strong need for your body to return to its highest weight. You can definitely regain a bunch of weight if you're not monitoring yourself, but because of the lower set point and changes in your hormones, it's a lot easier to maintain the loss. I couldn't have done it without the surgery.

as others have said, screwed up menstrual cycles are common the first few weeks or months after surgery due to the hormone surge. Some women report hormone-related emotional weirdnesses, too. It should all stabilize once your rate of weight loss slows down.