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That one person might lose weight on junk food but the health implications are not good at all spiking insulin and raising cholesterol levels plus others so this is why most of us chose a bariatric path and obviously our diet should be strict to get the most benefit out of it and the fact that our intake is so little post op we have to go for the most nutritional food possible! I've followed my doctors guidelines and was off multiple meds before I even left hospital and have lost over 100lbs and healthier than I've ever been before by being strict and following the doctors rules of high protein low carbs! Obviously "some" ppl have medical reasons that may interfere with their results but most of it comes down to those who work harder have the best results! But I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I wish them luck just don't complain.

I went to University Hospital in Tampa to have mine put in. The bariatric offices are right across the street from the hospital, and the doc comes to Lakeland once a week I believe. Hope this helps.

As far as exercise goes, my doc said to work toward 10,000 steps a day with a step tracker. I started walking within hours of surgery and was up to 10,000 steps by day 7 post op. I gradually added stair climbing and wall pushups. Then some leg exercises and very light weights for upper body. I worked up to walking 5K at least 3 times a week, and then got a bicycle. I finished a sprint triathlon (400 meter swim, 14 mile bike, 5K run/walk) 8 months after my surgery. Then I finished a 50 mile bike race a month later. I am currently training for another tri in March and the ultimate of ultimates - a one day rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, which will be 24 miles of all down and then all up. I currently ride my bike twice a week (30 and 16 miles), do 5 mile hill hikes twice a week, Elliptical machine twice a week. Daily routine includes pushups/arms/upper body weights, leg routine, 30 flights of stairs, stretches, and of course at least 10,000 steps. (At this writing I actually have over 19,000 steps today so far.) All of these numbers will greatly increase as the year progresses. I want to do a 100 mile bike race in November and will be gradually working up to at least 80 mile rides before then. The GC hike will be in October and by then I should be doing 70 flights of stairs/day, and working up to 20 mile day hikes. I am focused more on endurance events, but do the weights to keep muscle strength and tone. I am amazed at how fun and enjoyable it has been to see my body changing, becoming more fit, and able to meet all new challenges. My resting heart rate is now in the low 40's. I have no pain, stiffness, or soreness, even after long workouts. Once you are healed - GO FOR IT! There is no stopping you!!!! Be very careful to follow all recommendations for weight lifting. Do not cheat on this. You do NOT want to go back for hernia surgery, which will lay you up even longer and has its own set of complications. To your second question - bariatric surgery is the perfect answer for us who have yo-yo dieted for much of our lives. Doing so has wrecked our metabolisms and short circuited to stomach-hormone-brain connections that tell us when we are hungry and when we are full. Remember the contestants on "The BIggest Loser?" Most of them gained all their weight back, and with slower metabolisms as a result of the weight loss. They could not sustain, because they had to eat so much less. What is really neat about bariatric surgery is that the metabolism gets a change to reset. Your body gets a chance for a complete "do-over." You will lose the weight and finally have the best chance possible at keeping it off for good. WLS is only a tool - and the lifestyle modification is up to you, but it is a powerful new start to a new life for many of us. Personally, I feel better now than I did 30 years ago! I am more active, have less pain, and have eliminated every co-morbidity. I am determined that I WILL NEVER GO BACK. This is my chance for a new life, and I am grabbing it by the horns and not letting go. Sorry for the long reply. I wish you the best in whatever decision you make. For me, there was no yo-yo left. I just couldn't do it anymore. Maybe being a bit older (63) gives me a different perspective - I knew surgery was my last shot. Best decision I ever made. One of the biggest challenges for me was to find a way to eat enough calories to sustain my exercise without losing any more weight. With a small pouch and volume restrictions, I've had to change some things. I found a hydration/nutrition system that works for me during long rides or hikes. I also have moved to a whole food plant based (WFPB) diet which provides more carbs and a lot more energy, without compromising protein. I feel like Wonder Woman since starting on it! Watch "The Game Changers" on Netflix if you want to see how some world class athletes are dealing with nutrition.

EVEN if one person lost weight on a junk food diet there will be huge health implications; I see people turning to those "studies" as looking for reasons to CHEAT on their diet... Bariatric patients have to follow specific guidelines compared to someone who is an athlete... I know multiple people who drink and eat whatever they want and never gain weight and that's because they're at the gym every day! Also being skinny does not always mean healthy if you're diet in high in fats your body will suffer! Also there's a lot of skinny fit people due to drug addiction!! If you're not prepared to change your life then you're not Ready for surgery!!!

I know this might sound counterintuitive but the fact that the ham and beans you ate felt like a lump sitting in your stomach for hours is EXACTALLY what is supposed to happen. The hot peppers aside, our new stomachs are designed to fill fast, and hang on for an extended period of time. Keep it up, but chew, chew chew and no water with meals. as for the family issue, I read recently than 1 in 4 successful Bariatric patients leave their environment. You can always hope

While calories are just calories, there is a conversion burn difference between protiens and carbs/sugars. 25% of the protien you consume will be burned off converting it to an energy source we can metabolize, while only 7% or carbs/sugars will be lost in the conversion process. But quite honestly, for someone on a 800 calorie a day Bariatric weight loss diet, the maximum difference between those two sources is only 144 calories of "extra" per day. So that means if you eat 800 calories of pure sugar per day, vs pure protein, you will conceivably lose 144/3500= .041 less conversion burn loss per day. That's a maximum 4% of one lb, difference, which is 4/10 of one oz. However If you were to eat pure carbs or sugar you would spike your insulin resulting in a sugar high "endorphins,etc.." plus it will make you want to eat more, but again that has absolutely nothing to do with calories in vs expenditures out. People do not fail at this because they encounter an 18% conversion rate difference on carbs vs protien. They fail because they eat too much or all types of food, and quite possibly they do so, because they don't understand the basics of nutrition.

Hi all, I have been participating in a medically supervised weight loss program for the past 5 months and I've nearly completed all the pre-op requirements to qualify for bariatric surgery. I've been really lucky and have already officially lost about 50 lbs (at my last weigh in a few weeks ago, it's probably closer to 60 now). My BMI is now probably 31ish. I have adhered to their guidance fastidiously and have made major changes to how and what I eat. I've learned a lot from these boards and I'm leaning towards going the surgery route. Far and away, my primary concern is my ability to be physically active short- and long-term after the surgery. Exercise is extremely important to me and has been for most of my life. Even at my heaviest and unhealthiest, I've still maintained some degree of regular physical activity. And for a lot of the time, I've been able to engage in quite vigorous exercise regimens (running half marathons, weight lifting, vigorous cardio 5-6 times per week). My weight gain has been almost entirely due to poor eating habits as opposed to anything else. Given the considerable calorie restriction post-op, should I expect to have enough energy to exercise vigorously? I understand if it may take some time after surgery to build up my conditioning to where it's at now given that I'll have to take time off and given how little I'll be eating, but say a couple months after should I expect that I'll have enough energy to work out intensely? My other question is how useful/effective is bariatric surgery for those who have been able to lose (considerable) weight historically, but haven't been able to keep it off. As part of doing my homework in preparing for the surgery, I actually obtained all of my medical records for the past 10 years. I charted my BMIs and weights (attached here). It was really eye opening for me to see the true "yo yo" that I've lived. I've definitely been able to have success losing weight, the issue always has been maintaining whatever changes I've made to keep it off. From what I can tell, the surgery seems immensely helpful for initial weight loss but it isn't as clear to me from what I've seen how helpful it is for those who've lost weight as part of the medical supervised plan (and who've been able to lose it historically) to help keep that weight off. I greatly appreciate any insight, advice, or guidance you can offer. Thank you!

I live in Canada where the average wait for bariatric surgery is two to three years. The first thing my surgeon ordered when I entered the program was bloodwork and a colonoscopy. He said he wanted to take a look at my stomach, make sure there were no hidden issues before we went to far. Maybe your doctor is just careful and its not because of the iron issue, its in addition to the iron issue? I was worried about having the procedure as it sounded god awful but it was fine and I dont actually remember the procedure itself. They knocked me out. In hindsight Im glad he did it because now I know there are no ulcers or other problems waiting in the wings to get me. Lol

That’s pretty much it exactly. I don’t want a whole loaf of bread, but once in a while I would like to go to a restaurant and actually be able to have a burger with the bun. Or a slice of pizza. My office tends to get sandwiches when we have lunch catered. I’ll look at the RNY as an option. My aunt had one and lost a lot, but put almost all of back on cause she ate around it. My fear has been the dumping problems she had and other issues. Of course, she had other issues (Lupis, knee issues, hip problems and so on). At least I stay somewhat active with TKD. I will admit, I had some commitment issues when first looking at bariatric which was why I chose lap band (could always be undone, right?). Before the surgery and since, I committed to changing my lifestyle, but still miss the freedom to have options when eating. Eggs. Bread, rice. All those kill me even when the lap band was normal.

Nothing wrong with being over prepared. I'm making a list and checking it twice, lol. My Bariatric Dr. called me to follow up with in regards to the last 10 pounds I need to lose and prescribed something to help me due to the deranged hormone imbalances that plague me. I was so nervous about my surgery being canceled, but I'm honestly doing right and eating right. I was reassured that I will have my surgery, just stay the course and it will be here soon. I started this journey in September 2018, I'm so excited for all of you and myself. I never saw this in my life or even knew this was needed, the closer the 31st gets the more emotional I'm becoming (in a good way). I still have supplies to purchase and cleaning to keep me occupied. I need a surgery journal, lol but seriously.

I'm sorry for your troubles! I'd talk to your bari team for sure and get their recs. @elcee is totes right! If it were me, I'd also do the band to bypass route as quickly as possible. Gaunt face happens. It comes with rapid weight loss. But after a year it kinda evens out and you no longer look drawn. Try not to listen to people's opinions and just do what you KNOW must be done. Now for this...the quote. This raises a HUGE red flag to me. Why? cuz it tells me you are emotionally really tied to your food. I'd sure suggest a bariatric counselor so you can work through the headwork this time through. I get wanting a revision just so you can have food without feeling crap after and vomiting. Perfectly natural!!! ((hugs)). But this isn't magic bean surgery. It isn't everything in tiny portions cuz you WILL end up having more room in your tool and you will also learn to eat around it. In my opinion there are very few people who are successful in keeping it off long term without changing their head. I know of some people here who are successful at that, but they HAVE still changed some of the things that they do...

So I was banded back in 2012. I was about 420 Pre-Op. At one point, I was down to 250, but my wife said my face looked too thin. Anyway, I had plastic surgery to remove loose skin and had a complication from it leading to a MRSA infection. While recovering from it, my Bariatric Doctor took all the fluid from my band to let me heal. Afterwards, we could never dial it in quite right again. Always either too tight or too loose. Since the skin removal, I've put back on about 100 lbs. Fastforward to a few months ago. I started having weird GI issues (Diarrhea every 13 days with severe nausea). I would get very strong dry heaves (nothing coming up because of the band). I go into the Hospital a few weeks ago and a CT says my band moved. Since the heaving, I cannot sleep through the night and vomit at 3 am even if I ate little to nothing. I had a Upper GI done and the doctor said there was a much larger pouch above my band than there should be and it drains slowly (even though my band is empty completely right now). I know something wasn't right since I lost 11 lbs with my band empty because of the "Involuntary Bulimia" I had. So now I am trying to decide what to do. I have read if a lap band slips once, it is more likely to slip again. When I was having trouble getting the lap band right again after the MRSA issue, I asked about conversion to a Gastric Sleeve. My doctor said I did so well with the band before the problems, he wanted to stay with the band. I'm debating if I should just ask him to fix the band or to remove it and convert to a GS instead. I am so tired of never eating bread or other foods because they block. I would love to be able to eat anything, just be full sooner because of the GS. Any one here have advice from being in a similar situation?

Sorry for the long response. Pre surgery, I don't think I had a sensation of full. Hunger and cravings were intense. Post surgery - Many of us experience times of real and head hunger. I'm not " really hungry all the time" Five years out, My hunger is manageable. It normal to have less sleeve restriction years out, ( my sleeve is not stretched or back to full size) I can fill the extra space with real whole foods, stay within my maintenance calories, and feel satisfied. There is no reason to eat weight gain calories just because I can hold more food. Only my experience, (you most likely have herd these things before) Real hunger happens when I skip meals, eat the wrong food, eat under my calories, and working out. Head hunger happens when I'm bored, around temptation or stressed/emotional. I know theses things about myself. I learned how to satisfy hunger when it happens. If I deny cravings, I just want them more. I keep healthy low calorie options for sweet and salty on hand. In weight loss mode, I avoid certain things. I cant stop at a small amount of chocolate or a bag of chips. *laughing* I know myself. My husband hides them from me. Life should be lived in maintenance. I have times I indulge, take vacations, and carb load for sports. Afterward, I have cravings and hunger. I eat my bariatric plan and carvings/ hunger go away. I eat dense protein, veggies and other items on my plan. (They stay in my sleeve longer than slider/soft stage foods) peppermint tea calms my sleeve I spread my meals out five/six a day, Schedule a protein snack before bed. Head hunger and night snacking -I keep a veggie tray and fruit in the fridge, I allow my self to eat as much until full. If I try to bargain for other items I know its head hunger.

<! -- Begin Random Brain Dump --> So....there was a post on another thread that brought up the existence of studies that proposed that WLS patients who have plastic surgery to remove excess skin after massive weight loss are more likely to keep the weight off further down the road than those who didn't. I remember reading something to that effect a while back, so I did a little digging, and yep, there are studies that suggest this idea. Here is is just two that were on the first page of my search results: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131001104541.htm https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(15)00850-3/fulltext So as I often do, I went down the research rabbit hole. I wanted see what other theories were out there that isolate certain behaviours or circumstances that increase the likelihood of long term weight control after bariatric surgery. The regular stuff that we already know came up about the positive co-relation of the following with short & long term success in weight loss: daily weighing (of body, not food, LOL) logging/tracking food intake weight training to maintain or increase lean muscle mass the above-mentioned body contouring Then there was one that sort of resonated with me, for some reason. That the likelihood of long term success is related to the amount of (or lack of) sedentary activities a person participates in. Those who spend less time watching TV, sitting at a desk, or spend time on their devices are more likely than their sedentary counterparts to keep the weight off longer term. And that this was the bigger indicator of "success" than the 4 points made above. Since the PS, I have been pretty sedentary. I looked at my steps and I averaged less than 1000 steps a day the first 10 days post op. I felt ick and lazy and tired and really just didn't want to move (mind you, I was in recovery so there's that). Then I purposefully made the effort to walk around every couple of hours and felt better. Then I started going outside for longer and longer walks and started to feel normal. After yesterday's 2+ hours outside and this morning's 1 hour (with more to come throughout the day) I feel aaaalmost awesome. The more I moved, the more I wanted to move; and on the flip side of that I realized that the more I stayed still the more I didn't want to move. Funny cuz this is probably obvious to some/most of you, but it was like a light-bulb moment for me, duh. 🙄 So moral of the story: Keep moving, people. <! -- End Random Brain Dump -->

Did your doctor do a HIDA scan with CCK? This would indicate how well your gallbladder is functioning. a lot of doctors will suggest gallbladder removal for gallstones as a preventative measure to reduce risk of future blockage of bile ducts. for most people any gastric issues after gallbladder removal is temporary, you can help with fat digestion after surgery with use of bile salts and digestive enzymes, which most people should be taking anyway with harder to digest foods. for me my HIDA scan was borderline low function, I had no stones, but had constant pain and symptoms. At first they didn’t think I needed surgery but when I had my gastric bypass surgery the doctor did the gallbladder removal at the same time and it turned out my gallbladder had chronic inflammation. likely it had been an issue for years. it is extremely common for bariatric surgery patients to later need their gallbladder removed due to the rapid weight loss.

I am 7 years post VSG. I lost 145 pounds and kept it off 3-4 years, had plastics and looked and felt great, and then life happened. I cared for Sick parents, husband with early onset dementia and dearth subsequent death, a year of grieving....then one day I woke up and faced the truth of a 55 pound weight gain. September 2019 I began focusing on my health and goals again, and I’ve lost 22 pounds. I had a barium swallow which revealed I have a normal capacity stomach, so really, no restriction. I never had the restriction others describe. Anyway, as much as I hated to do it, I joined WW. I basically eat like a Bariatric patient, using WW as guardrails. I also have increased my exercise and am totally in the Peloton “cult”, which is great because I am loving exercise for the first time ever. I never thought I’d be here..yet here I am, living proof that stomachs DO stretch and even smart, determined people can end up with regain. I believe it will take me until June or July to get back to goal, but every pound lost is a great feeling of accomplishment.

Im new i havent had the surgery im still waiting for my nicotine test to come back negative people still keep smoking around me but. My my mom finally stopped smoking next to me a week or so ago so im hoping next time it will be negative. Then i can move on with visits to the doctor i already quit smoking i changed my diet so i just gotta do what the Bariatric docs want me to do. Sent from my SM-T380 using BariatricPal mobile app

Howdy, my name is Michael. I’ve just joined the site. I had gastric sleeve surgery four weeks ago on December 2nd and I’ve found that half the questions I’ve googled have led me to these forums. Figured I might as well join up. Below are many words just establishing where I’m at, and an issue I am seeking advice on. Today is day 52 of the lifestyle change—I don’t want to say diet, because this is a permanent thing. Not temporary. 52 days ago, I started the Bariatric eating plan given to me. I have most 55 pounds in that time—about 23ish of that post surgery. I am not getting my thirty minutes of exercise in a day due to having jacked up my back, but I’m trying really hard to do just thar and my doc will clear me in two more weeks to resume using resistance bands and home gym equipment. I admit I’m a bit worried about that low number. I feel perhaps it should be higher, but I’ve ultimately decided not to let it get to me. I’m keeping to the same dietary suggestions post op as I did pre op—60-80 grams protein, 50 carbs, 1000 calories. I rarely go above 500 calories, and was told to make sure to hit 50 carbs and 60-80 protein a day, so I do. I am on phase five, soft diet, for reference Every day I wake up nauseous, and today I’m struggling with this fatigue-like feeling. I feel so weak. I admit, the last four days I’ve not hit 60-80 protein. I’m so sick of the sweet sugary (even if sugar free) protein drinks and eating anything solid makes me feel so bloated and uncomfortable. I can stomach sugar free popsicles, which if I had to guess might be because they melt? I’m not having issues keeping fluids down but last night I kept throwing up and today I’m having liquids come out the other end. I feel so damn tired. I abhor writing by hand but have been journaling everything I eat in a composition book for this entire journey. I can see that I’ve not been hitting half my protein quota per day. I am trying to stomach down protein shakes today. I’m already fifty ounces of water in (over a period of 7 hours—I tend to sip 2-3 ounces every fifteen minutes). So thirsty, so I’ve been focusing on water. Well, that’s enough words from me. Any advice or tips are greatly appreciated. Our support group only meets once every two months so I’m hoping some nice folk on here will be kind enough to impart some wisdom on me. Thanks for reading, and for any advice or tips you may have, and y’all have a happy New Year’s Day.

Happy 2020!🍾 I'm five years post op. Starting weight was 254 Lowest 125. I maintained pretty easy in my first two years. My honeymoon ended when I had a regain in my third year. It was an emotional freak out moment. I came back to this site for support and worked the weight off. I maintain in the 130's. I give myself a ten pound bounce range to work up and down the scale. So far so good. We will see how I do in the years to come. I identify as a weight loss patient but, life is normal and mundane this far out. People no longer comment about weight loss. Most have no Idea that I was obese. I am vigilant about my weight. I indulge and take diet/exercise breaks. When the scale moves up, I go back to bariatric weight loss diet. I looked into plastics my first and fifth year out. I backed out both times. I'm done with people judging my body at any size. I'm comfortable in my loose skin *wink* I will never be a bikini model with the damage I did being obese. *I was not a bikini model before surgery.* Before and after.

Watch some motivational YouTubes, read a new book on weight loss (Bariatric Mindset Success by Kristin Lloyd is a good place to start for making changes in the mental department, and for finding motivation). Get moving! Set some small exercise goals for just this week and get going. Make out a menu for the week, buy the food, and prep it.

I had my surgery at 57, also post menopausal, and I just take the supplements recommended by my bariatric team. Nothing extra needed because we're post menopausal. I take Bariatric Advantage multi twice a day, 500 mg calcium with D twice a day, and extra beta carotene because I'm deficient in Vitamin A. There is iron in my multi. I also take 1000 micrograms B12 every other day. Most folks take B12 daily, but my levels are high. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello everyone!!! I'm pleasantly surprised at all the love you all have shown me. I decided to give an update since im still receiving massive love. Turns out I not only received a below standards of care surgery, I had an underlying issue that I wouldn't have known about without the weight loss. It would have eventually killed me had I not been having such pain. No, not appendicitis. I had to have dilatations 4x by a wonderful dr that I have since fallen head over heels for!!! He single handedly guided me in the right direction while my mother nursed me back to life. I was in icu completely grey,devoid of color. I actually had an mri/ ultra sound done with and without contrast that revealed the main culprit of my pain. I had a 6hr major surgery on Nov8 and I return to work this Thursday, needless to say, I feel fantastic aside the long flabby breasts, i'm not doing anymore surgeries im done. I can eat everything forbidden period, my current bariatric dr is #1 in this area and has erased all of what the previous dr whom performed the surgery on me has said about what to eat and not to eat. Now it's not "you can't eat it", but more of what "you should and shouldn't eat". Im constantly hungry which i'm ok with because i'm eating super fancy healthy foods that i'm preparing from a cook book my mother bought me. Since I cook for us both she's lost 24lbs in a month and a half. Im down from 475lbs to holding at 171lbs,2wks prior i climbed up to 179, but back at 171lbs. I'm doing extremely well now. I thank all of you for your well wishes and positive light!!❤❤❤

You will love the bypass! With me, when I got full with my band the feeling as 'Yuck! I'm gonna hurl!" And half the time I did slime up some food consistently. Now that my band is out and I have a bypass (I was lucky and was able to get it done in one surgery) the feeling of fullness is the comfortable one I am used to prior to getting my band. I am also Medicare and I'm a bit nervous. The first bariatric office tried to tell me if you have had one weight loss surgery Medicare wouldn't pay for a second, even if they didn't pay for the first one! So I suffered with my band 6 months longer than I had to, and when I went to a different surgeon the new office said "That's crazy" and guaranteed Medicare would pay for the revision as long as you meet their criteria. I got the surgery 5 weeks ago, and I haven't called the hospital to see if Medicare picked up the tab yet...we'll see...

I did, in the beginning. I didn't tell my husband that I went to see a bariatric surgeon, until I needed help with scheduling procedures while I was going to be out of the country. I did not tell my daughter until just a few days before surgery (she lives with me). I told both of my sons a month after surgery.... when one was about to come home for a visit. I have not and will not tell extended family. At work, I had one friend who did surgery before me, so we talked a lot before surgery. I had 2 other friends I mentioned it to. My bosses were originally only told I needed surgery and that is it. I have since told the folks who work in my building and a few others I have worked with for a long time. I am glad I did. Most are very supportive. But I still will not tell my family (parents/siblings etc). They dont need to know and I dont need the judgement or them telling other extended family. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for the information as well, very appreciated for the protein information. I have plenty of bariatric vitamins, I went to a Obesity conference and was given so many freebies. I also had purchased a two month supply to get started.