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Hi Bariatric Family! Regarding post sleeve, what are your thoughts on this cauliflower crust pizza? Thanks!! Sent from my Note 9

Thanks for the link! I heard her on This American Life talking about fat acceptance, and it's really interesting to read her WLS experience. I thought this was crazy: "A nutritionist cautioned us not to visit online forums about bariatric surgery, and I heeded her advice" What kind of frigging advice is this? I understand doctors don't like patients to hear competing medical advice. But this is also a terribly emotional process, and the medical staff often don't understand those issues if they haven't been through them. So many of the issues she talks about are things people here talk about. I feel like Roxane wouldn't have to feel so bad and confused about how the surgery has changed her life if she had the chance to talk more with others going through the same things.

I began the WLS process 16 months ago at 292lbs. I lost 50 lbs during the 6 month wait for surgery by following a 1100 kcal/day whole-foods plant based lifestyle (which I'd already been following for over 6 years), and exercising at least 150 minutes per week (beginning with daily yoga and simply walking as far as I could each day, slowly working up to 10,000 steps/day and adding weight training, cycling, hill hiking, and indoor rowing). After surgery, I reached my goal weight in 7 months, and am continuing to lose rapidly without the slow-down that is commonly experienced at the 6 month mark. Currently, I have lost not only 100% of my EBW, but 58% of my entire body weight. I now expect to reach the weight I was in high school, 112-114 lbs, and to maintain long-term in the 115-120lb range. The rapid loss window after surgery is finite: only about 6 months. How much weight one loses in those 6 months is primarily determined by genes, but all gene expression is dependent upon environmental variables, so I did everything I possibly could to maximize loss during that time. For me that meant: protein first veggies second; eating only nutrient-dense whole, clean, plant-based foods (meaning no processed or packaged foods, no animal products, no nutrient-poor foods); staying hydrated; waiting 30 mins before and 45 mins after drinking to eat; consuming no more than 600-800 kcal/day; practicing portion control; being mindful while eating and chewing food extremely well before swallowing; no snacking or grazing or emotional eating; weighing and tracking all food; taking all of the required vitamin and mineral supplements; weighing myself daily; using a fitness tracker and logging all exercise; exercising upwards of 15 hours per week (because I really enjoy it; I never had to force myself); meditation; taking good care of my emotional and mental health, and sleeping 8 hours minimum per night. I still do every single one of these things, except now I eat more (not too much, but enough to healthfully support my activity levels) and exercise more (upwards of 25 hours per week training for eventual distance cycling and triathlon events, as well as many other sports including weight training and squash especially). Though it's all just my regular, everyday, normal life now, I'm still only 8.5 months out from surgery, so it’s all relatively effortless. I'm fully committed to doing all of these things for the rest of my life, however. I will *never* forget how disabled I was -- how limited I was, and how limited my life was -- because of morbid obesity. Edited to add: According to several bariatric experts that I've spoken with, the "honeymoon stage" basically ends when people resume some or all of their old habits: making poor food choices, eating too much, not exercising, and not following evidence-based best practices for long-term weight loss and maintenance (based on observing 5 and 10 year outcomes for hundreds of thousands of bariatric patients). Obesity is a disease and WLS is a treatment, not a cure. If you have heart disease and undergo a triple bypass but start eating burgers and fries again 6 months after surgery, you’re still going to die of heart disease because you’re not addressing the underlying cause of disease unless you change your diet and lifestyle. 50%-60% average weight loss after VSG is just that, an average. So if you don't want to end up with average results over either the short or long term, then definitely do not do what the average person does. Use the first year after surgery to entrench yourself in an entirely new way of eating and moving your body (including weight bearing exercises to build muscle), regularly examining what's working and what isn't, and adjusting or pivoting as needed over time to continue seeing the desired results.

The amount, and speed, of weight loss in the first six months after bariatric surgery is mainly determined by genes, so one person's results are in no way predictive of anyone else's. There are gender-specific differences in weight loss that you'll also likely benefit from. Genetic expression, however, is dependent upon environment, so we can all help our DNA along after surgery -- and for the rest of our lives -- by following key evidence-based bariatric rules such as no liquids 30 mins before or after meals, staying hydrated, practicing portion control, mindful eating, protein first veggies second, chewing food extremely well before swallowing, not slipping back into old eating behaviours and food habits, reading labels if you eat packaged foodstuffs, getting in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity per week, getting enough sleep, and taking all of the required vitamin and mineral supplements. Wishing you well with your surgery!

After bariatric surgery 👍👍👍👍: Before bariatric surgery 😂😂😂😂:

Today was what I think will be my last consult. Planning to go with the doc in Port St. Lucie. However, today's visit left me quite emotional. The doctor poked, prodded, pinched (gently!) my abdomen, arms, and thighs. He asked "how much more weight do you think you need to lose?" When I told him my bariatric surgeon and I set a goal weight of 160 he said "nope. No more. You're done. All you have left is loose skin, no fat. You'll lose those last 16 during surgery!" I was stunned! He told me to stop restricting intake as of today, and to try to get my protein up from 70-80g/day to 100g/day in prep for surgery. I burst in to tears and felt so silly! This has been such a long journey for me, and although it was on my radar that I'm getting close it was shocking to hear him call "done". I've got my 1 year follow up with my surgeon next month, will be waiting to consult with her and my nutritionist. I feel like I need some time to process this!

Surgery is scary. Not only is the actual surgery and recovery a big thing to go through, but it will make a permanent change to your body and you don't know yet how you will feel long after the surgery is over. It would be weird if you were not freaking out a little bit. I just want to tell you to trust yourself. No one knows better than you why you decided to do this in the first place. You can do it tomorrow, wait a little while, or never do it. You are the best person to make that choice. However, I do want to push back hard on any thoughts you have that it should be easy to lose 100 lbs without surgery because you recently lost 11 lbs. Studies are very clear on this. Losing a few pounds over a short period is something almost anyone can do - losing a significant amount of weight for more than 2 years is very rare. Depending on what you count as success - your chances of doing it on your own are about 5%. And even if you do succeed, you will be fighting against your body the whole time - you will be hungry and tired because your body will think you are starving to death. In contrast, bariatric surgery succeeds 60-80% of the time, and comes with similar big improvements to diabetes, cancer, and long term mortality. A year after surgery, people end up with a metabolism that is fairly normal for someone of their size - the surgery really resets your body's weight set point. Don't buy into this weird moralistic view of obesity that says the problem is just lazy gluttons with no willpower. The data shows that surgery is the best treatment there currently is for obesity. That's why I decided to go ahead with mine.

For me, it was getting back to eating very intentionally - protein first and foremost then vegetables. Then fruit and a sprinkle of carbs. I was never able to do protein drinks - ever. i react to every kind of artificial sugar and artificial type ingredient with horrible digestive problems that put me in the hospital..... but YOU DO know what will work and what will not for YOU. Go back to what you were eating at the start - and start from there. You may want to see if another doctor took over your surgeon's practice or find a doctor who is knowledgeable about post surgery issues for bariatric patients. Mostly it is diet and getting enough vitamins and minerals into you and then exercise / moving more ! Personally, I started in the 300's had a sleeve 10 years ago. Lost about 140 pounds then gained back 40. I have spent the last year losing 5 pounds at a time. My first goal was that 5 pounds with a desire to lose 20 in a year. I have lost to date 36 and a half pounds. I am still "overweight" according to BMI for my age (64) and obese if you don't put in my age... but I am very pleased with where I am !!! One meal at a time, one healthy snack at a time, lots of water. Be safe out there !

So sorry to hear you're not feeling well! That bloating, and stuff is just such an awful feeling. I am a VGS person but when that starting happening to me, my dietician told me it might be the effect of a lactose intolerance that bariatric patients sometimes develop after surgery. Have you had milk products lately, like pudding or ice cream or cheese? I found out that even the protein drinks I was having every day are milk-based. Once I cut out the lactose, my symptoms improved immensely! Anyway, just a thought Hope you are feeling better soon!

it looks like the content of your original post is gone, but did you say that your glucose level is high? If so, that shouldn't stop your surgery - there are a number of bariatric patients who have Type 2 diabetes (and it often goes into remission after surgery)

Although I've never seen any actual medical research to back this up, just from hanging around on this and other bariatric internet forums for the last 5-6 years, I'd say the average bariatric patient loses 15-25 lbs the first month. I think we go into it expecting more because of shows like "My 600 lb Life". You have to remember that those people are NOT normal bariatric patients. In fact, I've been working with pre-op groups for the last four years, and I've never seen anyone near that big in the pre-op classes. Most of us are between 200-450 lbs. And as you've probably heard, starting BMI is one of the factors that affects your rate of weight loss. So although you will see some people who lose 30+ lbs the first month, they're the exception. Most of the people who lose that much start out much heavier than the majority of us. I started out at over 300 lbs and lost 16 lbs the first month, if that makes you feel any better... also, I should add that rate of weight loss doesn't really affect your ultimate result - your level of commitment to your program does.

I'm scheduled to have gastric bypass on August 4th, and so I'm finishing the pre-op testing. My EKG came back abnormal. Possible left atrial enlargement, and borderline arrhythmia. They want me to go see my PCP to clear me for surgery, and my appointment with him is on Monday. But now I'm freaking out! Firstly, is there something wrong with my heart?? But mostly, is this going to tell me I can't have the surgery? I have been working towards it and looking forward to it for so long now. I mean, I think that he'll approve me, considering I don't have any history of heart problems... But I also don't know how he feels about bariatric surgery in general. I've just been going to the surgeon's office for all my tests an appointments because it's easier. Anyone have this problem in the past?

check the blog "The World According to Eggface". She's a long-time bariatric patients who loves cooking, and she has recipes for every stage.

I've been taking BariatricPal Multivitamin One capsules for six months. I've had my blood work done twice and everything is fine. I've had no problem tolerating the capsule. Also, BariatricPal's Multivitamin annual subscription (four bottles) costs much lower than most other bariatric multivitamins.

yes - lots of us experience hair loss. It's actually not all that uncommon after surgeries, although I'm guessing you see it more often after bariatric surgery than some of the other types of surgery since we're taking in so few calories those first few months. It's also not uncommon after giving birth. Anyway, here's an article about surgery-related hair loss. The good news is, it just lasts a few months and it grows back. And in most cases, you're the only one who'll notice it https://drnichter.com/hair-loss-after-surgery-explained/

I take 1 Bariatric Complete multivitamin and 2 Celebrate multivitamins (without iron for the Celebrate) a day. And 2 Calcium Citrate from Bariatric Advantage (my calcium was high last test so I cut back to 2, I was taking 3). The Celebrate multi's are the easiest on my stomach.

Very dramatic story, very detailed, NICE TRY to dupe people. So many details piled up together (grenade-looking drain, colostomy bag, stomach stent, many bags taken out of the taxi on return from hospital - like returning from Caribbean vacation etc etc). BTW there is NO Dr.Kantner as bariatric specialist anywhere in Virginia...hehe...and another 20 or so discrepancies i found in this story.

I just take two Centrum Silvers (or the generic equivalent) every day. I also have to take B12, B1, D, calcium, and iron in separate pills on top of that since we need more of those than are in standard multivitamins (at least gastric bypass patients do). It could be that the bariatric specific multivitamins include most/all of the extra we need - but I'm not sure. I've never take bariatric specific ones.

Hello. Gastric Bypass June 24 2020. Ordered the Bariatric Advantage Multivitamin. Don’t know if I can tolerate. They are very strong. Any suggestions on what you take and tolerate

I signed up to this forum solely to pass along our story in hopes others can learn from our experience. Please read (It IS a long read) As soon as I picked up the phone & heard her crying, I knew it was bad news. Her Specialist had diagnosed her with advanced Liver Fibrosis. Between her tears & what she said, I felt like I had the wind sucked out of me. So what now? Almost as quickly as I took in the news, a sense of defiance started to spring up within me. I had waited 45 YEARS to meet my soulmate & I was damned if I was gonna lose her now. "We have to tell Dr. Kantner" I insisted to her. Her Obesity Specialist. Yes, my wife is Overweight & has type 2 diabetes. And to be hit with this news on top of everything else... Through fate or fortune, she had stumbled into our specialist's care through me, as I was already seeing the specialist for my own weight issues & shortly, after we met, I told her about my Doctor & thankfully, Dr. Kantner took her on as well. Through her own program, Nancy was scheduled for Bariatric surgery. Specifically, Gastric Bypass. We prepared to wait up to possibly 2 years for her surgery, but now the situation had changed. Would she even be able to make it that long? She did tell Dr. Kantner & somehow, through her influence, was able to fast track Nancy to having her surgery within six months. Still a bit of a wait, but a lot better than having to wait two years! So now the waiting. And being the anxious personalities that we are, it seemed to take forever. But as the days drew closer to the date, it began to get more & more real, until finally that morning, when we were up at 4am, we knew this was happening. Finally! I had spent that last few months emotionally supporting her, reassuring her how everything was going to be just fine, while at the same time trying to convince myself of the same. It had finally reached zero hour & we were on our way to the hospital. Her surgery was scheduled for 7:45am, so we had to be there at least two hours prior to prepare. I gave her as much encouragement as I could until she was told to change into her hospital gown & I followed alongside her on the stretcher till the last possible second when our tightly clasping hands reluctantly separated and she disappeared into the Operating Room. For the first time, I felt helpless as her fate was now in the hands of the Surgeon. Perhaps I was being a tad overdramatic as the procedure usually takes anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes. Counting on this, I went over to the McDonalds across the street, where I figured I'd pass the time by having a long, leisurely breakfast. So, as I enjoyed my Sausage & Egg McMuffins & Hashbrowns, I watched the time go slowly by. 8:00, 8:45, 9:10... Still no word. I couldn't sit still any longer, so I went into the Mall & wandered around. 9:30, 9:50... still no word. Now, I was getting worried. Maybe she was already done & they didn't have my phone number to let me know to come & pick her up? 10:00. I stopped by the Pizzeria & had a slice & tried to make it last as long as I could. 10:20, I had another slice. Finally, at 10:40 I felt my phone vibrate. It was the hospital. "Well," The Doctor said. "It wasn't easy, but we got it done." Apparently, her previous surgery from 20 years ago for Acid Reflux had caused some "challenges" for them. But, even though it had taken longer than anticipated, it was finally done. I could pick up my wife & we could go home. But when I got back to the hospital, she still hadn't been moved to the Recovery Ward. What's going on? About an hour later, I'm let up to see her in a room that felt entirely too small & too hot. I looked into her exhausted face & when she opened her eyes, we both felt it. That mutual spark of joy we bring to each other. "Hi Honey," she said in a weakened tone. She HAD been through something. But it was finally done. Her Surgeon soon arrived & filled me in on the particulars. Because it had been a "complicated surgery" They would have her stay overnight for observation. Great. I have to go home without my wife. I stay with her till the evening & I go home around 8pm. I call a taxi & indulge in McD's Drive through on the way home. I wake up in the unfamiliar position of not having my Nancy beside me. I don't like it. I get up & get dressed first thing. I can't wait to pick her up & take her home. I call the taxi & return to the hospital & grab a Starbucks, conveniently located in the main lobby. I get upstairs & there she is. Looking much chipper than yesterday. She is understandably weak still, so we wait patiently for the doctors to give her the all-clear to go home. Once again, 11am..., 12noon... she ultimately wouldn't be released till 2:30pm. But, she was finally released. We taxi home & I assist her to our suite & I deposit her on the couch. She is still in some discomfort, despite having taken painkillers that morning. We both figured having a good night's sleep should help. The next morning, having barely slept & taking painkillers all night, she is still in pretty rough shape. Still sore & not even able to swallow even a drop of water without experiencing pain. In her recovery plan, it says to expect some "discomfort" immediately following surgery, but I'm beginning to wonder if discomfort includes burning dry pain whenever she even tries to take a breath. Fortunately, I had booked the whole week off work, so I could be home to help her through her recovery. But after 5 days, things don't seem to be getting any better. If anything, in fact, they were getting worse. The Doctor gave us his private number & encouraged us to update him every day, which we did. Despite our relating her situation to him, he dismissed it as being normal. Now I may not be a doctor myself, but I can tell when something's not right. Especially when it comes to my Nancy. By the time came for me to return to work, I was an anxious ball of nerves, as I checked in with her whenever I could, and whenever she wasn't napping to try & deal with the pain, she would tell me of how bad it was getting. Then... SNOWMAGEDDON 2019. It had dumped nearly 20 cm overnight. NOTHING was moving. Even the busses had been grounded. I figured I would get a pass from work due to the situation, but when I called in & pleaded my case, they were so determined to have me show up for work, the president of the company himself drove out to my place in snow chains to drive me to work. I was not only astounded they would do such a thing but genuinely enraged. That they would put such effort into manning their shift, when the rest of the world had pretty much shut down. On this particular morning, Nancy was in more pain than she had ever been in. I really didn't want to leave her to go to work. I explained this to the President, to which he turned a blind ear. So, after an hour's commute which by taxi would ordinarily take about 20 - 30 mins, I am deposited at my site, to which anyone around was astounded there was someone working the shift. Trying to hold my anger at my company at bay, while dealing with all the problems that the snow was causing, & would continue to cause throughout the day, I soon found out that I would be working a double shift because my relief was unable to make it to work? Strange how the president wouldn't also give that person a ride to work... When I finally was able to check in with Nancy at 5pm. She was NOT doing well. She was in so much pain, she couldn't stand it. We both agreed something was VERY wrong & we called the Ambulance. So. Now I have the prospect of working still another 7 hours in the WORST snowstorm I had ever been in. My wife was home waiting for an Ambulance & I'm stuck here. Helpless. I call my boss pleading how I need to leave because my wife was on her way to emergency. After he practically cut me off in mid-sentence with an abrupt "NO. You have to stay till the end of your shift!" I snapped. I couldn't hold back any longer. I BLASTED him, screaming obscenities in a rage-filled tirade telling them how they were a bunch of heartless fucks who only cared about making money & how they didn't give a flying f**k about their employees. I got home just as the Ambulance had arrived. I have no idea by what miracle she was even able to get one as it was a frozen tundra outside. But an ambulance did show up, festooned in chains & 2 saints who would answer the call of duty on this disastrous night. My Nancy was doubled over in pain sitting on the computer chair. So much pain that we had to move her in the chair, into the elevator & down to the lobby as there was no way to get the stretcher upstairs. Not even a stokes could be used. But with the help of some god-sent residents, we are all able to transfer her into the stretcher outside & finally into the Ambulance. To give you an idea of just how bad the snowstorm was, ordinarily we would be no more than 5 minutes max from the Hospital as we lived not even 2 blocks away. But even with chains, the Ambulance struggled through the impassable road & we got to Emergency in about 15 mins. As we unloaded her, the inevitable throng of Crachkeads, Junkies & other Mentally Ill people that clog up our system was crowding the area. But again, we were fortunate enough to be fast-tracked & she was in the ward within the hour. I never spent a more uncomfortable time than when I sat with her there. I stayed as long as I could, but was exhausted & could no longer stay awake & trudged through the snow back home. I really didn't sleep a wink the rest of the night. How could I? My Wife was in Hospital, & I was alone at home for the first time in 5 years & I hated it. I couldn't think straight, I couldn't even eat. I certainly couldn't sleep. In some ways, I was worse off than she was. For the rest of the night, I sat anxiously, wondering if/when I should phone to find out her status. Finally, around 10am the next morning, I called, only to find out she had been transferred to Richmond Hospital. Holy ****. What now? I called the Taxi immediately & raced out to Richmond Hospital. Like everyone in this life, I too have had my share of sadness & sorrow. Even Heartbreak sometimes. I don't know HOW to label the feeling I felt when I got to see Nancy in her own tiny room in ICU. But seeing her there, with all kinds of tubes & wires running in & out of her looking like something from Star Trek. I felt weak. PHYSICALLY weak. Like I was going to pass out. I had never seen my Nancy this way. My mind couldn't process what I was seeing. Quickly, I stepped out. I couldn't hold back. Tears just exploded out. I never knew a person could feel this depth of sorrow. I told myself, Snap out of it man! You've GOT to be strong! If not for your sake, then for HER sake! I don't know how, but I gathered myself together & re-entered her room. Her eyes were closed. The nurse told me she was heavily sedated & that she might not recognize me. But when Nancy weakly opened her eyes & she saw me standing over her, she knew. WE knew. that look of love we share was there. Again, fighting back the urge to bawl my eyes out, I said: "Hi Honey." My hand around hers, she weakly gripped my hand. I closed my eyes & just sat with her while she came in & out of consciousness. I had never felt such sorrow. Such a feeling of helplessness. I stayed as long as I could until it became clear she needed to rest. Taking the Taxi back into town, I stopped by McDonald's & loaded up on comfort food. I didn't care. I needed something, anything to feel better. To at LEAST, not feel what I had felt in that room. I won't even speculate how much money I was throwing away on Taxi rides to & from Richmond & the West End. I only know that with an average of $30.00 per trip, I was rapidly cutting into our bank account. Needless to say, I returned the next day. Although still upsetting to see her this way, it wasn't as shocking as yesterday. I still felt like crying, but I was able to at least put more of a brave face on. Although I knew she knew what I was feeling. I returned again the next day, only to find she had been moved to the Recovery Ward. THANK GOD! The first positive since this whole thing began. This time she was in a bigger room with 3 other patients. When I saw her sleeping in her spot, I quietly as I could pulled up a seat to her bedside & within a minute, she opened her lovely eyes and when I saw how they lit up, I felt like crying all over again. She still had all her tubes, including Breathing in, but now she was able to speak. She was still heavily sedated & communication was difficult, she looked a whole lot better & at this point, this was all I could ask for. I stayed with her until around 8pm, althewhile the Nurses tended to her as I could never imagine. I'd like to mention here just how special these people are. As I write this, we are in the midst of the COVID 19 Pandemic, and living just 2 blocks away from St. Paul's Hospital, we are privileged to be able to not only see & feel the love for the incredible Medical staff, but we are able to lend our small voices to the raucous applause in appreciation every night at 7pm. As nice a gesture as this is, I still don't think it's enough. These people are heroes in every sense of the word. I was already blown away by how well they took of my wife through the entire ordeal, but seeing these brave souls risking their lives each & every night. There is simply no possible way to ever thank them enough. But back to my story. I won't outline each & every visit I made out to Richmond during Nancy's Recovery. Only by the time she was FINALLY released, it had been nearly TWO MONTHS since her initial surgery, which was supposed to be a day surgery with an overnight for observation. During this time, she had undergone a total of 4 surgeries & 2 "procedures" SIX bodily invasive procedures in total. Not the least of which included the placing of a Stent on her stomach, due to a rupture caused by the initial surgery, which would end up causing leaking from her stomach to further complicate things. But today, this was it. She was finally coming home. There was no particular time set for her release.. I didn't care. I was there before noon & as soon as I got there, I packed up all her belongings & sat with her anxiously on the bed, just waiting for the word. 1 pm. No word. 2 pm, 3 pm... she ultimately wouldn't be released until 10 pm. The Taxi Driver was most courteous & helpful in assisting us with our many bags, including a Walker. I held the lobby door as she hobbled in, escorted her to the elevator & when I opened that door to our apartment and she crossed the threshold, an indescribable sense of both joy & relief washed over me. My wife, my Nancy was home! BUT... Our story wasn't over. Not yet. Despite the stent being applied to her leaking stomach and having to carry around what can only be described as a miniature Colostomy bag that more looked like a grenade than anything, her suffering was STILL not over. Along with the awkwardness of carrying around the bag, who's smell is something you have to experience to believe, she now had to contend with not only being able to physically FEEL her stent inside her but the resulting gas, nott o mention involuntary heaving due to her body trying to reject this foreign object would make the next several weeks nothing short of challenging. Imagine having to put up with the urge to throw up, several times a day, but never projecting anything, but waking up in the middle of the night because of it. This, accompanied by substantial gas pains, which also added to her struggle. Yet through it all, she bore it. I could tell just how much pain & discomfort she was in & at some points, wondered if maybe she had been released too early. But somehow, this exceptional woman endured for weeks. To their credit, the Hospital didn't leave her high & dry. She was being checked in on & her doctor had even given her his private number, asking her to text him every 2 days with an update to how she was doing. She even had weekly appointments at the Wound Care specialist, to ensure her leakage bag was functioning properly. Weeks later, her drainage bag was not only NOT slowing, but seemed to be getting WORSE. Bad enough so that once AGAIN, she had to go to Richmond Hospital. Although this time, not only was the procedure successful, but they even removed her stent, which only made sense as she was already there. She has been 1000 % better ever since. She is STILL leaking from her stomach, but there is considerably less now & most importantly, she is pain-free for the first time in months so she can enjoy the rest of this Pandemic Lockdown in peace. BUT... Our story isn't even anywhere NEAR done. It's now March and not only do we have to deal with this Pandemic/Lockdown, Nancy's tube had become dislodged. Another trip to the Doctor. One positive that came from this, was that they decided to not only remove her colostomy bag but to ALSO remove the stent, despite it not being scheduled for a few weeks. With the cursed thing FINALLY removed, she instantly felt %1000 percent better. At LAST. The whole ordeal is finally over. Or was it? Of COURSE not. After her stent was removed, Nancy would get the best news yet. She would have to GO THROUGH THE WHOLE DAMN THING AGAIN! Yes. You read that right. Whatever sport god was having with my Nancy, he STILL wasn't done toying with her. In short, the sleeve around her stomach had come loose, in effect, undoing the entire surgical procedure! I couldn't believe it. My sensory perception can only process so much. Are you f**king KIDDING??? At this point, I'm convinced I'm just having a nightmare. Because there's just no way possible this much bad news can happen to anyone. It's just not humanly conceivable. As I resign myself to this, we follow the plot of this terrible dream who's storyline now plays out that she will have to re-book a new surgery date sometime within a year, so with little choice, I submit my will to my apparent dream-state & can only hope I, that WE wake up soon to escape this nightmare. SO, Why do I tell this story? Simply as a warning to all those who are considering undergoing Gastric Bypass, or any other kind of Bariatric surgery. Granted, this is probably an extreme case in the negatives column, but it DID happen & I ask you to please read this before you make your decision whether Bariatric Surgery is an option for you, or not.

It’s a long story over the course of my life, living with lifelong chronic illness and disability. I have myalgic Encephalomyelitis since age 9 at least which causes post exertional malaise. Exertion is exhausting And exacerbates symptoms, exercise is physically damaging. It led to developing many medical conditions including fibromyalgia. Metabolic disorders. I cannot exercise and my metabolism is slower than a sloth. I fought my weight since childhood too. I went to strict low carb and calorie counting fighting sugar addiction but over time it wasn’t enough, I could never get to a healthy weight, I’d always be stuck but I felt I had to accept that I’d be a higher weight 134lb highest 215lb. Lowest on my own briefly 124lb. But my weight got out of control again. I had feelings my gallbladder wa# making it worse but no doctor listened. My weight got to 208lb and I desperately fought for bariatric surgery. Finally I got to Cleveland Clinic where they listened to how for so long i ate low carb low calories and it stopped helping me. And I had gastric bypass surgery April 29th 2019 along with gallbladder surgery which turned out to be chronic inflammation. it did take a toll on M.E. but I couldn’t carry the burden of the weight either. I literally lost a small person in weight ... not a cure but easier to carry yourself without the burden. having the ability to keep moving helps fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. Catch 22 with me since it hurts M.E. But I will never regret having the tool of gastric bypass surgery. I hope you find success and relief on your journey.

My BMI is 35. With my insurance, I need to have a BMI of 40+. The only thing my bariatric doctor suggested was a balloon in my stomach for 6 months. After that time, the balloon would be removed. The balloon would be out of pocket. Cost $7000. In mid August I am going to Blossom Bariatric in Las Vegas for VSG. It is out of pocket, but covers hotel stay, testing, ground tranportation and surgery. Check out their website and reviews.

I like his videos, too. He's a bit of a loner in the bariatric field because he pushes a diet that differs quite a lot from what is recommended by other surgeons.

Hi I am in Los Angeles area as well. I had the lap band in 2009 but before I was banded I had my gallbladder removed. The lap band was awful so in 2013 I got a gastric sleeve. That worked fantastic until the acid reflux and Gerd. So to fix that I had a hiatal hernia repair and that did not work. So for the last 5 yrs straight I have been on prescription heartburn medication. It was so bad that I was in so much pain without meds. The medication controlled it but I didn’t want to depend on it. So I went to see My gastroenterologist and they did an upper G.I. and an endoscopy and it showed that I had a lot of acid and the only thing my surgeon said we can do with the bypass. So I just had to bypass this past Wednesday, June 24, 2020. I hope this was worth it I just read your story right now. I will be completely devastated if it wasn’t. My insurance allowed for me to have a revision. my gastroenterologist and they did a upper G.I. and an endoscopy and it showed that I had a lot of acid and the only thing my surgeon said we can do was a bypass. So I just had the bypass this past Wednesday, June 24, 2020. I hope this was worth it I just read your story right now. I will be completely devastated if it wasn’t. My insurance allowed for me to have it revision. I only stayed one night in the hospital. I am home and I’m doing well I’m on liquids but man I miss texture of food in my mouth. They put you omeprazole for three months so once I stop taking that and if the Hartmans not gone that’s it I will be devastated. I went through the Association of South Bay surgeons in Torrance bariatric program. Where do you go?

You should google "plastic surgery after bariatric surgery". The first hit indicated that it would be wise to wait up to 18 months after weight loss surgery to make sure your weight has stabilized. It does say you can visit your plastic surgeon guy for an evaluation prior to that. He can tell you what to expect at that time. PS. I'm beginning to think I may need to see a plastic surgeon too.