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Definitely ask your medical team about vitamins and other medications. My team had me take my bariatric vitamins pre-op to test them out, others wait until post-op to start them. You don't need much for recovery. How long will you be out of state? And will you have someone with you who can shop for you? Hospital: You only need the comfy pair of clothes that you wore to the hospital to get you home. I also brought a pair of shorts. And I had a small firm pillow that I left in our car for the ride home. I didn't use ANYTHING else I brought to the hospital lol. OK... maybe my phone and charger, but that is it. Afterwards you need your clear liquids or full liquids depending on what the doc sends you home with. My doc sent me home with clear liquids, but for him he added my protein shakes. Broth and tea are great post op, as are jello and popsicles. I don't think I had anything else the first couple days post op. Bring any of your prescription medications with you, then your doc will send you home with a bunch more for pain/nausea/stomach protection etc. Some docs will give you liquid medications post op (including your normal prescriptions). My doc only gave me a couple liquid prescriptions, the rest were pill form. I couldn't swallow any large pills, but had no problem with small pills. I had 1 pill I had to break in half... so make sure all your medications can be broken in half if you have larger pills. You will definitely be told to stop most if not all your medications the morning of surgery. You may be asked to stop some longer. Anything potentially blood thinning you will stop a couple weeks before surgery (Aspirin/NSAIDS and such usually). But each doc is different. I only took a medication for my heart rate the morning of surgery. Most everything else I took until the day before surgery. But there were some meds I don't take routinely that I was told to stop before that.

She says it’s because sticky foods and gummy vitamins are harder to digest and can cause build up. I cringe every time I chew the chewable ones because they’re too sweet for me now. But I do understand about gummies expanding in the belly cause I used to eat them nonstop!! Probably why I gained twenty pounds in two weeks before seeing a bariatric surgeon. lol

I purchased the Bariatric Multivitamin with Iron from this site. I bought 12 months worth for $99, so that seemed like a deal and the vitamin/mineral amounts met the guidelines I was given by my surgery team. They are a capsule, but easy to swallow for me.

Hello All I Need Some Input and/or advice, Had Lap band in 2007 did really well on it and lost 122 Pounds 288 down to 166! Last 18 months My weight has gone up, but was unable to be adjusted, Radiology MD said I was to tight and would not adjust me. I attempted multiple adjustments and every time the Radiology MD said no Im to tight. Went to my Bariatric surgeon and he finally removed all the fill and said rest 30 days and lets try a fill. That was before Thanksgiving. From then until Mid January I packed on 30 pounds! Finally got a fill of 1.5 CC (my band holds 4CC) and... nothing. It should be noted that I have no problems with GERD, reflux or any other issues - just no weight loss. Went to a new doctor (only changed because he is closer to work/home) recommended revision to BY-Pass, but I was thinking sleeve. He says if I want to get back down to 166 by-pass is the way to go. I know some people that had By-pass started off great and then gained weight. Here are my questions: Which way to go Sleeve or By-Pass? If you converted from band to sleeve how much did you loose in total? Did you loose as much as you had with the lap band? If you chose By- pass how much did you loose in total? Im not worried about the surgery or recovery - Im just worried about living with my choice how it will affect my eating and possible weight gain - I do not want to have a third weight loss surgery. Thanks in advance for your help.

I’ve completed all of my pre op appointments and test My patient advocate from my bariatric clinic emailed me last Tuesday and told me that she would be calling me by the end of the day to schedule my surgery but I haven’t heard anything should I call her and ask if something is wrong?

Hi everyone, this is my very first EVER post on ANY forum. I am planning VSG for this June and am in the process of researching options in Mexico. I like what I’m finding on Dr. Illan but I’m confused about which hospital he works out of. Oasis of Hope, Bariatric Pal Team MX, or Hospital BC?? Also, I read that he doesn’t include hernia repair in the package price. I believe other doctors do include it. Anyone know how much that costs in addition to the $5000 vsg package?

Thanks for replying! I suppose that many people have their bariatric surgery and gallbladder removal at the same time, so there may be fewer people who have the two surgeries months apart - and therefore fewer people to answer my question. The results of my googling have suggested a couple of theories.... The first theory suggests that the removal of the gallbladder means that fat is digested less efficiently, leading to weight loss. The second theory suggests that the removal of the gallbladder leads to the removal of pain when fatty food is consumed, which consequently leads to the unconscious consumption of more fatty foods. Both theories sound plausible.....

i drink diet soda every day no issues. and still losing weight...also i take nexium every day... just in case,,for any heartburn issues...my bariatric doc said i can drink diet soda i have to live my life he said.. just don't overdue it.. he also said on occasion i can take nsaid for pain..i had the sleeve 8 months ago...

@WinterFish I can relate to what you wrote. I also became reclusive as my weight increased. One of my oldest friends is renewing her vows after 25 years in the Bahamas late next spring. I want to go, made the reservations to go, but I am not sure I will be physically or emotionally ready. I have lost over 90 lbs in the past few months, but I still feel reclusive. I do not drink either and its going to be weird being around a lot of people who do....actually it will be weird being around a lot of people at all. I am not sure what it will take to be ready or even if I will go next May. I still have a lot of healing to do before then.

If you look at the Whole Food Plant Based forum you will see a ton of resources and cookbooks. Personally, as a bariatric patient I don't have any problem at all adjusting plant based recipes. In fact, I don't think I adjust anything except to avoid gluten. Most whole food plant based (WFPB) recipes rely on legumes, whole grains, and lots of veggies. That fits my bariatric eating plan just fine. I have no problem getting in enough protein. The only limitation I have as a bariatric patient is that my volume restriction is sometimes an issue if I am exercising heavily. On those days, I add some more concentrated items like "Think Thin" bars which are plant based and have enough protein/carb calories to keep me going, but without a lot of volume.

I meant to answer earlier than this but just am not feeling well at all. I saw my PCP and she did the CBC the bariatric appointment needed plus thyroid levels. I have the thyroid/neck ultrasound tomorrow. I'm not scheduled to even see the gastroenterologist until March 12 which means more waiting for the actual test. No one has called yet about the CBC results. My levels are off. All of a sudden my T4 thyroid level is low ... it’s so hard to find local doctors that accept my insurance since I’m on a *** special needs plan. And any specialist has to be on my doctors panel. Or I can’t see them even if they do take my insurance. Plus don’t they need to specialize in weight loss surgery skin removal? I thought of asking my PCP for a referral but she tries to play devil’s advocate instead of being my doctor. She was very judgmental about my surgery when issues came up afterward. I still don’t regret having it. I knew that it meant putting pressure on my chronic illness, even making it worse, but it was my last hope of having the tools needed to lose weight. Funny you say my demeanor is calm and even happy, thank you. I try. The last thing my sister said before she cut me out of her life is she thinks I live life too negative. I didn’t think I did, not sure about the elusive unicorn called happy but it’s more about living life exactly for what it is in the moment you are in and taken it one step at a time. i am not quite in the best place at the moment, and it’s not even my health getting me down. I went with my mom and her boyfriend to a celebration of life memorial for a friend who passed recently and on the way back we saw An Egyptian goose By a lake with chicks. My mom asked me to get out to take a picture with her phone. It was then I spotted a smaller chick laying lethargic on the sidewalk. Poor thing didn’t look alive but was. I tried to put him near the mom but he couldn’t move to walk and she rejected him. We took him home and called for help. To come take him. I carried him home on a small towel but he was so weak, he let out little chirps every so often when I talked to him. I got him to drink a little water. But his head kept rolling back and I knew he was too sick. But he was fighting so hard to live. We took him inside, I got him to drink a little more water and he chirped to me, but just when I tried to get some nutrition in him. Suddenly the life left him and I took him down to bury him under a favorite tree. Not the first time I’ve had to bury a baby bird. But they are all precious to me.

@MarigoldSky Is Weight Loss Surgery just a medically approved way into disordered eating? For me, Obesity has been disordered eating. Working with my bariatric team and dietitian has been eye opening. I have a much better relationship with food. A psychological exam is a part of the screening process for bariatirc surgery. Some may be denied surgery until eating disorders are addressed/resolved. How much of this is health based vs. fat phobia? I'm really struggling to reconcile what is truth and what is fat-panic. Has anyone else had these thoughts? I guess it depends on your definition of fat phobia and fat panic. Do you base major medical decisions on appearance or what is socially acceptable? Obesity is a treatable disease. The truth is, I care about my health and being around for my family. I'm five years out from surgery. maintaining weight int he 130's and I'm in the best shape/health of my life. Unfortunately, It took a major health crisis for me to admit my weight was slowly killing me. Weight loss has resolved my health issues. I am off many medications, My A1C is in the non diabetic range, I no longer use a CPAP machine, My mobility and quality of life is improved. I've only told a few people in my life I'm considering surgery. I want to get really smart about it before I roll out a plan to friends and family. Any hot tips would be great! Research and decide if this is a good choice for you. Offer friends/family to join you at bariatric appointments/local support group for facts and information. Keep people that are supportive close to you.

I had surgery 2 weeks ago. Before I even considered the surgery, my PCP mentioned it to me. I then began a 6 month journey preparing for the surgery. I was very lucky, because the hospital I went through (Brigham & Women's in Boston) has an excellent process. I had 2 meetings with the nutritionists in a group, and 3 one on ones. I had an hour long interview with a psychologist who specializes in bariatric surgery. I met with my surgeon 3 times. B & W has a whole lot of on-line resources. I also did my own research. I read all the medical information on the success rate of sleeve v. bypass, side effects, etc. I did a lot of research on what my eating would look like after the surgery. I encourage you to, also. While the amount of food and calories you eat during the phase when you are losing the weight very rapidly is an extremely low number, once you transition to maintenance you will eat more calories, which will also take into account your activity level. You will work closely with a nutritionist to find the right way to eat in maintenance. It is not "medically approved disordered eating", in fact it is the way healthy weight people eat naturally. I did this for my health, but I am not dishonest enough to suggest I don't also look forward to being thinner. I am 61, married for over 35 years in November, and a well established professional woman in my community, so I am pretty comfortable in my own skin, but not feeling uncomfortable sitting in a booth or in an airplane seat, or just being able to shop in non-plus size sections are things I look forward to. I don't think, however, that I came to this decision based upon fat phobia. If you are asking if the medical community offers this surgery as a result of fat phobia the answer is "no". Most people on here have one or more co-morbidities, including diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. I have avoided those, but I have pretty arthritic knees, and the extra weight keeps me from being able to walk any distance or enjoy the things I want to. You are undoubtedly aware of the health risks of morbid obesity, which are absolutely based in science. You don't see a lot of 300 pounds 80 year olds. I want to echo everything @TheAngryMeow said, above, about this being a tool, on a journey. There are lots of support groups for bariatric surgery patients, and that may be a good place for you to start. This is the opposite of easy, it is quite difficult. I am hoping and I believe it will be worth it in the long run, as I want to enjoy my future grandchildren and get to travel with my husband as we approach and get into our retirement years. I took a very different approach to telling people about this; I have been transparent and honest with mostly everyone, except for people who I only know professionally, I have merely told them I was taking a short medical leave. If they were rude or bold enough to ask, I told them. But everyone in my office knows, my friends and family, my neighbors, and many people who I consider friendly acquaintances. I decided I am treating a disease, obesity. I felt and feel uncomfortable at times about this, but only one person (my SIL) gave me much pushback. Most people seemed genuinely interested and wished me the best of luck; some people complimented me on taking this step to be healthy. The more often I tell people the less uncomfortable I feel. I did not want to have people think I was dying when they see me after a mysterious "medical leave". And, it has been my experience that lying, even through omission, has never been a healthy decision for me. But everyone should make their own decisions about their medical care, including how much to share with others, and what other should have information shared with them. Good luck to you! However, I don't think

Hi there, Newbie here. My surgery is March 10 and I'm starting the liver reduction diet tomorrow. I have a few questions... Should I start taking bariatric vitamins now? Should I reevaluate my anxiety meds due to the possibility of nonabsorption? What should I bring for recovery? (My surgery's out of state) What should I expect as far as mobility immediately after surgery? Thanks in advance!! Amanda

I'm still pre-op, but my surgery is Tuesday - so maybe I will magically come up with better answers after. Just based off of what I know and think now though, I can try and answer some of your questions. 1. Weight loss surgery has been described to me as a "tool" - Just as a diet is a tool, it's all about how you use it. Sometimes certain tools are not meant for certain jobs. You can't use a philips on a flat head screw. So think of weight loss surgery as a tool to help you lose weight. You have to still do the work, it just helps you along. Once you have the surgery, it's not over. It's just beginning. You will still have to overcome the food addictions, binging, or "cravings". Many people (myself included) have struggled with the psychology behind it. It's tough, and that's why pretty much everyone has to go through a psych eval to figure out if they are ready for such a huge commitment. Even then, there's no telling. If you are still unsure, I'd recommend a bariatric psychiatrist. I see one. 2. If you are doing this surgery because you are scared or have a "phobia" of weight, then I personally don't think you will succeed. You have to go into a mindset of "I'm doing this to better myself, one way or another". I first told myself, "I can't wait to no longer be fat!" now I try to tell myself, "I can't wait to be healthy". It's crazy how you change verbage and change your thought process. 3. Again, you have to think of this as a journey to wellness and wholeness. Not as a way to escape from being overweight or "fat". You are still a human being right now, with all the worth in the world. Being skinny, doesn't change that. Come to the realization that you are a whole person, right in this given moment. 4. I initially only told close family. Not even friends. I was ashamed because there is still a stigma attached to the surgery. Over time, I finally "came out" to my friends and even strangers! I was proud of the decision to get healthy and I didn't mind sharing it with the world. The only people who would have a problem with it, are probably not the people you want to support you anyways. I don't go to the mountain tops to scream it, but when I tell people that I'm having surgery, I have no problem filling them in when they ask, "Oh what kind?" If you have any more questions, you are more than welcome to message me directly and I can try and provide some guidance and reassurance! You deserve to feel confident about your decision. Good luck! 👍

Hi Shawna, Are you pre or post op? This is only from my experience and information from my dietitian. Protein shakes, bars, bariatic store processed food supplements are for first stages when you can't eat enough food to hit your protein goal. My dietitian does not want patients dependent on protein shakes, bars or bariatric store products long term. Once you can hit your protein goal with real food there is no need for shakes etc... My hunger is not satisfied with protein shakes or add water meals. they are slider foods. They easily break down and slide through your new stomach. Real whole food keeps my hunger under control. All of us are busy. Some of us use a day off work to meal prep. Below is a link to the low to no cook thread for meal ideas.

You might want to contact your team for professional advice. rule out medical issues etc.... All I can offer is my personal experience. What works for me may not work for others. I went back to bariatric real food stage. The calories that once worked to put my body for weight loss stopped working. I used myfitnesspal to dial in my diet, I started at 1200 calories. then dialed my calories back by 100. ( dial calories up or down to find your own weight loss calorie range) I did the same for my carbohydrate range.

pain is all across the board. Some people have a lot, some people have none at all. I've been hanging out on bariatric internet boards for over five years, and it seems like a majority of us have little to no pain, however. They'll send you home with something for the pain. I never opened mine because I had no pain. But if you're one of the unfortunate ones who do, the meds will help - just take the meds to keep on top of it.

I’ve recently discovered that when I eat/drink my protein, food from bariatric store or in cases where I just add water or pre-made protein drinks Ect, that I get hungrier faster than when I just cook up my own small meal, or even just have a small piece of chicken or protein Ive made or pick up from restaurant. I will be not hungry eating regular food at home that include the lean meats ect for like 4-6 hours. If I eat just a protein drink, snack, bar, bariatric meal however, seems like I’m ready to eat again no later than 3 hrs or even sooner..... anyone else ever notice a difference and know why? I’m so busy I often don’t have the extra time or energy to pre-make food or cook dinner so I just use pre-made bariatric protein food usually.

Yes been in hospital every weekend for UTI infection keeps coming back had u one test on Friday and showed clear. I’ve been eating to much at certain points do u think it could be dumping syndrome? But last faint on Friday there had been a two hour gap. I had the opp in turkey so I’m not in touch with the Bariatric team here but have been in and out and had every test. There was a problem after my surgery three days in and I couldn’t keep even a single drop of water down. The done an endoscopy and found I had oedema in my stomach. They drained it but said if it didn’t settle I would need the mini bye pass. Thank god it settled but can’t help feel it’s something to do with that. I do suffer a bit with low blood pressure so could be that. I do fed up I can’t face going to hospital again. thank you for your reply April

They will not leave you in your clothes before you have surgery. You'll have the IV prior to surgery and once you are out of recovery/awake and able to move would be the soonest you can change. Having worked in the medical field I know it is NOT that big of a deal to disconnect an IV for a patient to change, but you run the risk of ruining your clothes. If you're a bleeder, or if you have a drain tube, you can bleed through bandages and leak around tubes. If you have an emergency, they will cut your clothes. Honestly, you are better off to wear a nice loose hospital gown that does not get trapped under you and maybe pull against your stomach when you are in bed, and just take a robe you can belt around you and cover up your back (or ask for a 2nd gown to wear backward) when you walk if you're that concerned about how you look. Having been through major surgery before, though not bariatric surgery, I can tell you I could have given two shits what anyone in the hospital thought about how I looked when I was in the hall or anywhere else though. I plan to wear in a front-zip sports bra with a loose knee-length cotton dress over leggings and hard-soled slippers to also wear back home and take a clean pair of underwear and socks. I'll take my usual 'trip bag of bathroom necessities' along with biotin dry mouth spray and chapstick (for the dehydration/intubation), an eye mask and plug-in headphones (block lights and sounds), plus an extra-long phone charger, my phone, and wallet. I'll leave a pillow in the car for the ride home. Boom, one cinch sack packed, and I'm done. They'll give you anything else you need.

It's all about willpower. I got through it (and the food my roommates had) by looking up bariatric recipes for similar items that I could have once I had my surgery. Looking at all the good food I'd be able to have once I was done helped me through it. It's tough, but you've got this. I went to bed early and woke up late, started "eating" as late as possible, and was able to make it to bed not hungry. In eight days, you'll be on your way to a new you. Just hang in there, and you can do it. ❤️

I seriously doubt they have done the research and have a good grasp on both the risks AND the benefits of the procedure. If they have the gall to express their opinion about it, patiently and calmly say "I hear what your saying, but I did a lot of research about the procedure. Do you mind telling me what you know about bariatrics? I want to make sure we're on the same page if we are going to have a serious conversation about it." Bottom line -make sure they know this is your health, and your decision. Their approval is not required. If they needed or wanted a hip replacement or back surgery (both have higher risks of something going wrong and both irreversible procedures) you'd respect that and keep your nose out of their health care decisions.

I think you can go to Mexico for self pay bariatrics below the 35 BMI. I haven't heard of any in the states though. Just be aware that there is a reason that they have a minimum BMI. There is concern that you lose so much you could get close to underweight.

Here is a good site with some great bariatric recipes including smoothies/shakes https://www.bariatricfoodie.com/category/bariatric-recipes/protein-shakes/