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Does anyone who is pre-op or post-op watch YouTube channels that talk about WLS? During my research, I have watched a few people's channels, and they have been very informative for a person like me who is in the very beginning stages of WLS. If anyone has some YouTube channels they watch, please feel free to share. Just passing along the information.... Dr. Duc Vuong Clusie L Dr. Matthew Weiner (more of the technical and medical perspective about WLS) Ipaintprettyfaces Minnie Me in TN Chrysalis - With Kelsey (Bariatric Beauty & Finishing School)

Hi! I live in the Inland Empire and also have kaiser. I will be going to see my primary doctor today and will be asking to get a referral to get bariatric surgery. Do you have any advice as to what type of questions I should ask and is Kaiser in the IE fairly easy to get an approval? Also, what is the process for the surgery? I have high blood pressure which recently I ended up in the emergency room. I have other health issues related to my weight and have tried several diets and I am currently on weight watchers for the past year but have done weight watchers on and off since 2009.

you'll have to ask your insurance company where you can have it. Some companies restrict you to surgeons in their network. I only had one choice, but luckily my clinic had four surgeons, so I could pick between the four. I was allowed to do my six-month supervised diet anywhere, not just at my bariatric clinic. In fact, I could do it anywhere as long as it was within the last two years and was supervised by a doctor or a registered dietitian. It just had to be well-documented (I think my dietitian had to submit the notes from our meetings). But all insurance companies are different, so check with yours. I did my six-month supervised diet before I was admitted to the bariatric program (I had to change insurances to one that covered bariatric surgery, and they said doing my supervised diet under my former company while I was waiting to change was fine as long as all my dietitian meetings were documented). So I spent six months doing that, and then once I got admitted to the bariatric program, I had to go through all the classes and clearances, which took about three months. So I could have had the surgery three months after being admitted since I already had the supervised diet out of the way (I waited longer, though, since I worked in education. I waited until the school year was over). But if Medi=Cal or your bariatric clinic wants you to do the diet through the bariatric clinic, it could take longer than three months 'til surgery time.

**sorry this one's a long one!!!!** Hello everybody, I had an appt with my doctor a few days ago for follow up on my bloodwork and ultrasound on my gallbladder because she thought I might have needed to get my gallbladder removed. Turns out all my labs were perfect, no gallbladder problems but I did have a little bit of a higher cholestoral and I found out that I also have Fatty Liver [emoji45][emoji45] we discussed how it happens and how you treat it and basically... She said I have to lose weight. I finally brought up weight loss surgery to her. She wrote down everything she could to try to get me to get approved. She wrote down how long I've tried diets, what diets I've tried, morbid obesity (she said if she just out obesity it wouldn't get approved), body pains, asthma, etc and she put in a referral for surgery. Since I have medi-cal I guess the referral goes to a referall center then it goes to the bariatric surgeon or bariatric program or something like that and I'm supposed to hear a call back within two weeks. My doctor said the program is going to take 3-4 months and that I can't do it through her, I have to do it through the bariatric office I guess. Like my nutrition appointments and things like that can't be through my personal doctors office. Anyways, I am super excited and hoping I get good news soon! On a side note the bariatric office/surgeon that the people in my county get reffered to (I'm in the central Valley of CA btw) has horrible reviews and someone who went to him is dealing with horrible complications. I do not want that to be me... Is there anyway that I can go to a different county to get surgery but still have it covered by medi-cal? If that place is my only option then I will hold off on surgery until I move or until I can pay out of pocket I guess [emoji45]🤦🏻‍♀️ If anyone has any info that would be great, thanks so much.

**sorry this one's a long one!!!!** Hello everybody, I had an appt with my doctor a few days ago for follow up on my bloodwork and ultrasound on my gallbladder because she thought I might have needed to get my gallbladder removed. Turns out all my labs were perfect, no gallbladder problems but I did have a little bit of a higher cholestoral and I found out that I also have Fatty Liver [emoji45][emoji45] we discussed how it happens and how you treat it and basically... She said I have to lose weight. I finally brought up weight loss surgery to her. She wrote down everything she could to try to get me to get approved. She wrote down how long I've tried diets, what diets I've tried, morbid obesity (she said if she just out obesity it wouldn't get approved), body pains, asthma, etc and she put in a referral for surgery. Since I have medi-cal I guess the referral goes to a referall center then it goes to the bariatric surgeon or bariatric program or something like that and I'm supposed to hear a call back within two weeks. My doctor said the program is going to take 3-4 months and that I can't do it through her, I have to do it through the bariatric office I guess. Like my nutrition appointments and things like that can't be through my personal doctors office. Anyways, I am super excited and hoping I get good news soon! On a side note the bariatric office/surgeon that the people in my county get reffered to (I'm in the central Valley of CA btw) has horrible reviews and someone who went to him is dealing with horrible complications. I do not want that to be me... Is there anyway that I can go to a different county to get surgery but still have it covered by medi-cal? If that place is my only option then I will hold off on surgery until I move or until I can pay out of pocket I guess [emoji45]🤦🏻‍♀️ If anyone has any info that would be great, thanks so much.

Hi, I went back and asked a completely different bariatric surgeon on why I am to have a protein shake a day until I meet goal weight and how/why/if the liquid protein is absorbed differently and faster than protein from our food intake. He stated that because “the liquid protein is definitely absorbed better because the small surface area of the stomach” Since we eat so little in the beginning my surgeon \ nutritionist wants to make sure I get the proper nutrition as some of the solid foods isn’t easily absorbed. I hope this makes sense to people and maybe it can help someone. I have psoriatic arthritis and almost lost my liver due to meds the Dr. put me on. I told him what was going on and he dismissed me. I have an excellent Primary dr. Called her my ast/alt numbers were 1800 and close to 2k. Should be less than I think 35-40. So I do verify information a dr. Gives me that I do not feel is correct. I appreciate your response and I hope this information makes sense to others as I am satisfied with the answer coming from my surgeon, nutritionist , bariatric nurse, my unrelated primary care physician and a completely unrelated bariatric surgeon. I have absolutely no problem if someone does not agree or thinks something is wrong or different\unusual. Just don’t dismiss the information / make fun of it and put others on the wrong track. Medical stuff changes everyday as they learn and drs have different opinions and approaches. That’s why I came onto this site to learn and see what others were doing. I just don’t like being trashed if you have a different experience or opinion. anyways thanks for your post and again I hope it makes sense now.

Yuck... I can barely stomach the prescribed Bariatric advantage multivitamin (taking two that are so huge and chalky when you chew them is nearly impossible and I’m beginning to literally gag). Ant recommendation for an alternative that palatable ? Thank you, in advance

@FluffyChix, @Sheribear68 @GreenTealael just a thank you for making me feel ok to write this post that I put off out of sheer exhaustion due to post exertional malaise from myalgic Encephalomyelitis chronic illness that effects my entire body life and self. And autism spectrum that makes me fear speaking openly in a forum. My words are not brief enough so I apologize in advance. And if I can’t stay on topic or veer in various directions too. This has been a long time coming a longer fight than my surgery alone. I was reminded of my mom saying how when I was little I said something like what do I do when I get big and my clothes don’t fit as if I’d suddenly be grown up. i had a very unexpected weight loss win that came upon me sudden and overwhelming. I’ve very little energy not due to surgery. that’s a long story but I’ve been trying to make my bedroom a real bedroom I’ve never settled in since moving and my bathroom finally is almost done being fixed and bought a nice MCM dresser for very cheap on Houzz but my ocd I needed drawer bins to organize myself. I had my clothes in plastic bins in the closet. (Another phobia) After surgery I started to wear compression Capri shorts or pants both because they fit a size range, for orthostatic intolerance aka pots benefits and to hold in jiggle. I also wore oversized men’s t-shirts. I was always a denim and tshirt person. I don’t usually have a lot of clothing. I had a bin in my closet for a long time with brand new shorts that didn’t fit Levis I think size 6 and size small men’s tops. I had another bin with size medium compression bottoms that I got after surgery. And then the bigger siZes that were much too tight by the time I had surgery, I got exhausted getting too big for my usual denim shorts so fast. I buy when I find them cheap less than $10 no more than $15. I’m on a tight budget. I found a pair of size 6 jeans in target and thought these will never fit me. But they were awesome for $10 beautiful matte black with buttons and short enough for me, I thought they wouldn’t fit. I thought My size smalls will never fit me. Even if they run bigger than usual. Which they do. I admit which is fine. I wore a large size xl on the size range and switched to the smaller size large and large men’s. In the past I wore tight size 16 jeans and plus size tops. I’ve been there before. a week or so ago I said I will try on the jeans and was shocked they fit and then all the clothes fit and my old bras no longer fit but I had back ups of undies and sports bras put away and now I’m glad I did. and I had to finally organize my clothes in my dresser kon mari style and I’ve never had this much clothes. Never. Might not seem like much but to me it is, That even the denim shorts fit so it’s overwhelming. I need to get them in a Smaller size for hot weather again. But needed pants for when it’s chilly. And I started looking at swimwear. I haven’t even done that ever in my life. Though I want Bermuda length bottoms and rash guard due to wrinkly saggy skin. All of a sudden my clothes are smaller than I thought they could ever be again. my body image I don’t feel small still. Just oddly bony in all the wrong places. And too big in others. And wishing for skin removal. And wondering if anyone has discussed this with their surgeon. I suddenly have the desire to be able to wear shorts that I probably didn’t since I was eight years old the last time I might have been considered thin and maybe a Tom boy. I want to be that kid and not how old am I? I know I can’t get it back but when you fight your body for so long you want simple things. Other people let it roll off their backs. Look away but we see ourselves every day. i think I feel if I post this it will jinx it that my weight started to go down a little faster than I expected. I’m still a ways away from goal at my height. But I’m ok with that. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed at the same time, my eating needs to be careful and calculating and I slip up in small ways. Find myself tempted by old habits developed because I was losing my ability to taste the food I was eating and having to back step from adding salt or butter or ketchup or carbs. And realizing some things can’t change and I have to keep adapting. I still don’t know why I can’t taste food properly one would think it would help I thought surgery changed it but it s going back to the way it was so I need to adapt again. You still want foods to taste good the bites you do eat. We struggle with our perception of food and nutrition. And not always fitting the norms while trying to succeed. I admit I added evening coffee because it helps things move along and sometimes sleep a little better but some days it’s not as effective at calming my heart rate or stress due to ADHD, orthostatic intolerance. I can’t be as active as most people either. gotta keep the gut moving. But I had some problems there too I’m still working on. My gastroenterologist is the only one in the area and tests showed colitis of some kind but not my colonoscopy. Plus he did the balloon dilation this time and tore my esophagus. And I’m not due to see my surgeon for a few months, I’m needing to see a new neurologist, spine doctor, cardiologist so I’m the opposite of most in needing more doctors. Weight loss isn’t a easy answer or a cure but don’t let it hold you back from trying, I am also dealing with crazy emotions and can’t process my weight loss. And can’t explain how I feel because this is a permanent change in a life where I can’t control anything else. I’m now in menopause due to recent surgery and need to manage new chronic conditions along with existing ones. and ones yet to be diagnosed. Ie. A neurological cause of dysphasia muscle weakness. my thoughts have been scattered and exhausting and I’m in a difficult head space because of where my life couldn’t go. And won’t. it was either give up and lose because of my chronic illness or keep gaining weight. And lose even more of myself. The surgery just exposed weaknesses that I didn’t expect but need to adapt to. The weight was killing me faster hurting me more. My mom has someone in her life and he needs to consider bariatric surgery he is 6’ over 330lbs has diabetes, high blood pressure is on a lot of meds, thinks he is eating healthy enough, thinks protein balances carbs and sugars, needs knee replacement. says he knows what’s right. But he judges me and my weight loss journey, comments how I look and how he thinks I should feel about it rather than focus on working on himself. And I’m finding that hard. Because he is capable but he wants the doctors and pills to do the work. And maybe because I never trusted the doctors or pills I see things differently. But it’s hard to be around people who watch how you eat or don’t eat and think it too strange for them to understand. ive spent my life on the outside and people can’t understand my chronic illness, or what my weight was doing to me overall, and that I will never be well but couldn’t continue on the path of gaining weight and the burden it put on my body. i wish someone could edit this so it could make sense. I write things and then panic about what I said. I hold back words most of my life and now I am trying not to in hopes it can reach the few people who feel as weird as I do. Struggle with health, body issues, life itself. And just want to have a body they feel good in for themselves and skin they can be comfortable in for themselves. Not just image but how we feel in clothes how we feel in our life whatever type of life it is. And not let the people around us define it or alter it yet not have to disconnect from them either. I don’t have much in my life and I’m hanging on as hard as I can to what is left. And my weight was part of this to try and have something I never could. I see my age I feel older and I’m trying each moment to stay on my feet upwardly mobile and not bed bound. Which honestly I am much of the time. Not by choice. And no one in the Weight loss journey talks about this side of things. The people that can’t be as active but struggle with food issues too. And that diet and exercise, especially exercise can’t fix. I haven’t had a normal life my body has been old before anyone else. I live around 90 year olds more active than me. ive been writing this over an hour and I’ve exhausted myself and Im putting it out in a public forum and that scares me. Especially since it’s scattered and long. Like all my other posts. I try to check in and answer what I can and took a while to come around to post my update. I’m shocked at six months and I’ve gone from 5’ 0” over 208 lbs BMI of 40, to around 130 lbs. I weigh myself dressed so I don’t feel shocked at changes. I weigh myself daily. Log my food the best I can. Do this for you and no one else, do this because you are ready even when you feel you aren’t. Do this for your health but also your wellbeing. Do this knowing that you need to still put in the work. Do this knowing each persons experience is different but yours is yours and as important as anyone else’s. im most resistant to changes but sometimes we have to adapt or die. Ignore the numbers or what other people desire, and do this for ourselves. I need a brain edit. I’ve said too much but only touched the surface. I know this is a public forum and I probably didn’t stay in a linear train of thought. My hormones are all whacked and I see life staring at me taunting me. We just want to fit. Even when we think we never will. I know my experience isn’t much and I’m terrible with words. If this needs to be removed that’s ok. I just felt I needed to say them.

It was hellish without the medication and treatment but my body can’t tolerate meds. I need something for orthostatic intolerance aka pots but that does a number on metabolism too. I don’t fit anywhere, either in the autism spectrum, myalgic Encephalomyelitis community, or here. But more people have a very normal experience with bariatric surgery with calories and protein. and should not be afraid of it and learn to adapt to their personal needs.

Thank you, loridee11 and MJinNorCal for the info! I just got off the phone with the bariatrics depart over at Kaiser Richmond and they scheduled me for this Thursday for the orientation. That was quick. My doctor just sent in the referral yesterday afternoon. Well, I did call the department but only to find out if I had an options program to go to (like my doctor told me) or an orientation. So with you two's guidelines (thank you again) and speaking to them now I know what's happening.😁

Hi StrongButterfly, I am a pre-op Kaiser patient in Nor Cal out of the Fremont office and I just got my date (12/31). The process at Fremont at least is: 1) orientation: A group session where you hear from a surgeon, phsycologist and nutritionist. Kind of Bariatric 1:1 2) consult with a surgeon: You can pick one in the office or they can fit you in with whoever has an appointment at a time that works for you. 3) Surgeon talks to you about surgery choices (Sleeve or Bypass), why you are interested, risks, etc... They also set a pre-surgery weight loss goal. They may also ask you to do some tests (blood, EKG, etc....) 3a) Same day you meet with a nutritionist who talks to you about what the diet will be, etc.... 4) Each month you need to call in and report your weight. When you are 5 lbs from goal you need to go into a clinic to make it official, then call and schedule an appointment with the psychologist 5) Talk to the psychologist and same day nurse. Nurse may assign some additional tests. Assuming both are good packet goes back to your surgeon. If they agree, scheduler calls you to schedule the surgery.

@Sheribear68 Hopefully we didn’t jack the thread from @sillykitty though I think no matter our starting weight we all will face this sometime in the journey. I’m still sorting through a lot of issues and the prospect or hope of removing saggy skin is one of them but not the biggest issue. I hide it with compression Capri, pants or shorts which had a main purpose of being recommend for orthostatic intolerance aka pots or what other name it goes by, but you can’t wear that in a swimming pool. Or make you feel better about excess weight still in thighs and belly. Along with sagging skin. They put my height too high at 5’ 2” at best I’m 5’ 0” at most half inch more ... my mom is only slightly shorter. She weighs 100 lbs. she is able to be more active. I posted middle of the night last time and then jerked awake thinking but this site isn’t private and neither are our conversations really but nothing is private and we all are dealing with similar issues. Not all the same but sometimes similar. i actually wanted to start a thread on unexpected or overwhelming wins but losses at the same time. And can’t decide if I should. it wasn’t this topic but ... has anyone discussed plastic surgery with their bariatric surgeon? I think unless it’s a huge amount of skin they don’t see it has an issue? But for us it is. I know someone who could benefit from RNY but he isn’t in the head space to do it. But he has very high BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, needs knee replacement, etc, but he comments every time he sees me about my surgery and how he thinks I should feel. my journey isn’t a normal one to compare to. all the best to sillykitty on your journey too. I look forward to seeing how it all turns out.

I love that you are finding different studies. It’s important to find a long-term sustainable way of eating that works for the individual. Healthy eating studies change and evolve over the years. Advice for your nutritionist is better than my two cents. *smile* I’m reading fast food genocide. lowering protein macro’s. Taking advantage of healing and protective properties in adding fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans with a combination of vegan and animal protein. I think we can all agree that processed and fast foods are crap and will compromise your health. If your goal is to retain or build muscle, your protein macro will be higher. The bariatric mantra of protein first. I question if it applies when you are maintaining. Most of us can easily get our protein goal in with real food as we progress. It applies if you have tight restriction and its hard to hit your macro. Not all carbs are created equal. My carbs are higher and mainly plant based. ( I will eat processed packaged carbs on occasion.) flexible works for me years out.

I put in a call to my nut. to check in and ask about macro percentages now. in the meantime I came across this study: http://bariatrictimes.com/carbohydrate-fat-and-protein-what-do-we-know-about-the-macronutrient-composition-of-the-diet-following-bariatric-surgery/ I am now at 1500-1600 calories. I seem to bounce around between 126-127 pounds but still have trending down so my guess is at this rate I will be 125-126 in the next few months unless I can increase my calories a bit. I am logging everything with an updated goal of 1600 calories. I had a goal of 1500 calories for the past month but would really like to stay closer to 128 pounds and not drop to 125. I am anticipating plastics in the spring and the 3 surgeons I saw said I don't have a lot of fat left and what I thought was still fat ie love handles was just loose skin. I am anticipating I would lose another few pounds after plastics too. So at 1600 calories my marco goals are: 40% carbs (159g), 30% protein (120 grams but usually hit closer to 110), and 30% fat (53g) but seem to go over that due to whole milk and high fat nuts just to get calories in. I am going to ask the nut. if that protein is too high. I eat a lot of high calorie nuts to get calories and protein in vs lean protein. Any thoughts? Does that seem like a lot of protein? The carbs seem so crazy high since 3 months ago I was at less than 40 grams of carbs a day. I am actually eating a little bit of triscuit crackers or granola type of cereals to get fiber and carbs in.

Is your stomach feeling queasy? Or are you having acid come up into your esophagus? You may want to check with your bariatric team just to be sure there are no problems.

I'm thankful that my spirit lead me to give you some words of encouragement. You do know that you've got this, if you don't know consider yourself informed. Your task now is to calm down because it's a hard task for the body to heal while under a lot of stress. We need you to heal for your son and husband, they need you around. Don't be mad at yourself or hard on yourself for making this decision to have wls. Cry, get it out and then breathe, repeat until it gets easier. My friend had revision surgery in July with complications that scared me from almost not having my surgery this upcoming January. She has recovered nicely, we've attended the Obesity Help Conference and I have met wonderful people like you. We deserve a second chance at an amazing healthy life. Bariatric Pal has been my mental and emotional support, because I'm private and less than a handful of ppl know I'm having this surgery. Emma, anything you want to talk about this is a great platform.

I'm thankful that my spirit lead me to give you some words of encouragement. You do know that you've got this, if you don't know consider yourself informed. Your task now is to calm down because it's a hard task for the body to heal while under a lot of stress. We need you to heal for your son and husband, they need you around. Don't be mad at yourself or hard on yourself for making this decision to have wls. Cry, get it out and then breathe, repeat until it gets easier. My friend had revision surgery in July with complications that scared me from almost not having my surgery this upcoming January. She has recovered nicely, we've attended the Obesity Help Conference and I have met wonderful people like you. We deserve a second chance at an amazing healthy life. Bariatric Pal has been my mental and emotional support, because I'm private and less than a handful of ppl know I'm having this surgery. Emma, anything you want to talk about this is a great platform.

This is a great thread and a topic I've been thinking about personally, because I'm not sure what my answer is. I think my doctor's goal for me is somewhere between 120 to 135, which would put me in the normal BMI range. I'm currently about 165, so only 30 pounds to go to hit the high end of that goal. The highest ever recorded weight for me was 303. I started the program at 284 and had surgery around 243. When I was 15 I weighed 150 after unhealthy dieting. I think mentally, I'd like to reach 125 to prove to myself I can do it and to give myself a 10 lb leeway to the top of that range. But I think honestly, if I could maintain at 150 I'd probably be happy. We suspect I probably have about 10 to 12 pounds of excess skin. I don't yet know if I'll have surgery to remove it. If money and pain were not part of the equation I would 100% fix all my terribly saggy skin. And I'm too early to decide about skin anyway. I've hit a plateau, which is frustrating. My NUT wants me to consider doing the bariatric shakes for two weeks to try to break through the plateau. I told her I wanted to give it a month before considering it. It's been 3 weeks and no changes, so I think I'll try it when I see her next week. My husband is going to enter the medically supervised program with my NUT office, so I think it will be easier on both of us if we're doing it together.

Interesting! I truly want to start off right! My sis had the bypass 3 months ago and says she has some stuff I can start with. I was just cruising the Bariatric a product site and saw them

I used PatchMD multivitamin patches for 3 weeks after surgery to avoid swallowing huge pills. I bought these patches from BariatricPal store.Then i tried chewables, their taste was horrible to me so i switched to ProCare bariatric multivitamins with iron (pills).

Hello! I have some questions regarding the process for the desert region. I was referred by my PCP to their "weight loss specialist," Dr. Provonsha on Thursday, and received a call from his office on Friday scheduling me for a meeting with him on 11/26 in Palm Desert. Does this mean that I'm part of the Options program? I have no idea what to expect, or what is going on, really. I specifically told my PCP I wanted a referral to the bariatric surgery program, and that's what she sent. However, when I spoke with the specialist scheduler the next morning and mentioned that I wanted to speak about surgery, she said "Oh you'll have to speak to him about that." Maybe I'm being sensitive, but I'm really hoping this comes through for me. My BMI is 40.1, I've been fat my whole life, and I just want it GONE! Any advice or guidance would be a big help.

Okay so one of my friends almost died earlier this year and she’s currently needing to get on a heart transplant list, but they won’t even put her on the list due to her super-MO ( if I had to guess, I would say she’s at least 350+ pounds, and that would be a conservative guess). The answer her docs have come up with? Bariatric surgery to get off a hundred pounds or more, then she can be on a transplant list. Her prognosis without transplant? Not good at all. She’s 46 years old and they are telling her she’ll likely not see 50 without it. Her response? She’s still freaking “undecided” bc she doesn’t want to “lose her current relationship to food” It was an extremely rough convo for me to have bc she’s a highly intelligent woman, but I just can’t believe that she’s honestly thinking about allowing food to literally kill her. For the record, all I did was go over the pros and cons of WLS, and tried my best to not sound like I was trying to convince her, but dang it was tough bc i know what will happen if she doesn’t do it

I saw this on another forum and thought it worthy to share as it has all the great information and advice we all need for the journey! it is written by Mellissa Gangi and what I had wished I had been told from the very beginning. Sleeve Tips: I'm 10 months post op today and along this journey, so far, I've seen a lot of the same questions or concerns from many. I thought these tips could help! 1. Take preop photos... you'll want them! 2. Protein shakes...I used isopure protein powder and scooped it into 2 oz. of water (u can add ice and blend too) to drink in my immediate postop period. It was much less to drink at a sitting and you still got in your protein. It would take me over an hour to drink each one, but way easier to me. Plus, isopure has multiple flavors and it was reasonably priced. I bought off Amazon. Also, Genepro is an unflavored protein powder that is very popular. It can be added to pretty much anything. The scoop is tiny and it gives 30g of protein per scoop. I use it daily in my morning coffee but if adding it to hot liquids you have to add creamer 1st to cool it down or it will clump up or dissolve in a little warm water 1st then add... the directions are on the bag. It is not completely unflavored and it has a smell to it, but most of us get used to it quickly. Your body can only absorb up to 30g of protein per serving, so anything more than that at once will be wasted and it doesn't count towards your daily goals! 3. STALLS happen...stick to your plan and the scale will move again! You most likely will be losing inches during that time. They can last a few weeks...especially the 3 week stall. The further you are out they may even last longer and at that point you may have to shake things up a bit, maybe a day or 2 most increase your carbs then go back to your plan. Don't get discouraged and try to just be patient. 4. No NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, aleve, motrin, etc...) they can cause ulcers...tylenol products are ok and Excedrin Tension is ok (great for headaches) it has tylenol and caffeine in it, no aspirin like the other excedrin products. Also, peppermint oil rubbed on your temples help for headaches. 5. Fluid intake...atleast 64 oz of non caffeinated, non carbonated, sugar free fluids but the rule of thumb is drink half of your body weight in ounces. 6. Caffeine and alcohol...follow your surgeons orders. They both can dehydrate you and cause ulcers in the beginning of your journey. And alcohol may affect you differently postop, so be careful. Absorbtion changes postop. 7. Transfer addictions...a lot of bariatric patients give up food for other addictions like shopping and alcohol. Be mindful. 8. Increased chance of pregnancy after surgery. You can be much more fertile. Even if you had problems with it preop. 9. Increased divorce rates postop...I have looked into this because I was curious as to why. I have found that it does indeed increase, but the majority of the couples that do have had issues preop and the spouse that had surgery loses the weight, increases their self esteem and simply won't stand for the same behavior anymore. 10. Sugar/Carbs...1st and foremost, follow your plan. There are reasons why your surgeon and/or nutritionist gives you one, especially while healing and it takes approximately 6 weeks for your tummy to heal. After you are advanced to a "regular" diet, usually about 2 month postop, yes you can eat some sweets or carbs but in moderation. Always try to get your protein in 1st, though. I have chosen to stay away from sugar and certain carbs. I don't crave them, so why reintroduce them. I know me, and moderation is hard for me. 11. Everyone's weightloss journey is different. Try not to compare yourself to the next person. It's hard not to, I know! But their weight, height, sex, medical history all plays a part of it. If you do what you should be doing, you'll lose! 12. Dumping and The Foamies... Dumping occurs when your new tummy just doesn't agree with something you consumed. Dumping occurs more in bypass patients but it can occur with sleeves, also. Symptoms can include sudden vomiting, diarrhea, and increased heart rate and last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The Foamies... you'll know what this is if you get it. It's a lot of phlegm that is produced in your esophagus all of a sudden. It can happen if you eat or drink too fast, or take in too much, or drink right after eating...wait to drink atleast 30 minutes after eating. Plus, if you drink with eating or too close afterwards you flush the food through your belly too fast and you're not absorbing nutrients. 13. Take your vitamins and get in your protein daily! This will not only help your weightloss and prevent vitamin deficiency but it will help with the sunken in look when you lose weight. I was told 60-90g of protein daily, but follow your drs orders. I take 2 flintstones with iron chewables a day because I couldn't tolerate the prescribed multivitamin, in addition to calcium with d3, and magnesium and b12. 14. Gas ex chewables, heating pads, and walking help big time for your gas pains. When I woke up from this surgery I thought I was having a heart attack because the gas was causing chest pains. Also, use the incentive spirometry in the immediate postop period. Anesthesia affects your lungs and it takes 72 hours to completely wear off so the breathing exercises help strengthen them and prevent pneumonia. 15. Heartburn...omeprazole works so well for me. My surgeon prescribed it from day 1 and I love it. 16. Postop hormones... your body almost goes into shock in the 1st 6 weeks or so after surgery from the major changes to it. You may feel different mentally...it does get better but if it's bad talk to your dr about it. 17. Medications... your body can change postop. The same medications you were on preop may be absorbed differently postop so if you notice changes talk to your dr. They may need to be adjusted. And extended release meds may not work as well. 18. Tracking your intake keeps you honest. I love the baritastic app. It also has recipes for all the stages and reminders. 19. Head hunger vs real hunger. This is a lifestyle change, your body needs much less calories postop but you have to retrain your brain. It may take time and that's normal. If you fall off the wagon one day...oh well...get back on it the next. We are all human. Don't get discouraged. Just pick yourself back up. 20. Complications can happen. If your body starts feeling different...new onset pains, nausea, vomiting, passing out, food feeling stuck in esophagus, etc...call your surgeon. You're always better safe than sorry. 21. Abbreviations... HW your highest weight SW what you weighed on your surgery day GW your goal weight CW what you weigh currently NSV non scale victory Nut nutritionist VSG vertical sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve surgery) RNY roux-en-Y (gastric bypass) DS duodenal switch surgery 22. Hair loss or thinning happens. But, it will grow back. I thinned starting at about 4 months. It can last months. Many take biotin supplements for it, I didn't. 23. Get ready to be cold! You're body is changing, it's almost in shock so invest in a Comfy, like me, or electric blanket to keep warm lol. 24. What to bring to the hospital for your surgery stay...a long phone charger, chapstick, your phone, comfy pjs, slippers, a robe, earbuds, and a list of your medical history, surgeries, allergies, and medications with dosages. Others add gas ex chewables but I'm an RN and don't recommend taking any meds from home without the nurses or drs knowledge. Some also say a heating pad to help with gas pains, but walking is best. Also, remember to hug a pillow if you cough or sneeze. It will help! 25. Constipation! It is a part of this journey, unfortunately. The only thing that helps me, and this is not conventional, is sugar free hard candies. A few of those babies (no more than 5 or you'll hate me) and you'll be going within 12 hours. The sugar alcohols do it for me. But, more conventional approaches are benefiber packets, smooth move tea, or miralax. And there's diarrhea in the beginning...liquids in, liquids out. But your 1st bowel movement may take awhile...its all normal. 26. Ketosis...when you cut out sugar and go low carb you're body goes into a state of ketosis. This is a metabolic state that now uses fat for energy, instead of carbs. It aids in weightloss, but has some side effects like bad breath, body odor, bowel changes, fatigue at 1st but then increased energy the longer you're in it, and insomnia. Those side effects will decrease over time so just invest in mouthwash for the meantime! I know this is a lot, but hopefully it helps! If I missed anything, feel free to chime in. Best of luck to everyone!

I just got this kind of "keurig" for vitamins. It's called Tespo. It blends all of my daily bariatric vitamins so I can drink them instead of take them in pill form. I'm supposed to take 2 servings a day, but when I try to take them I just end up puking uncontrollably and it ruins my whole day in regards to being able to eat anything. Has anyone had any similar problems to vitamins like this at all? Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Me too. It’s a struggle to get water, protein, & exercise in for me, too. I can’t stand the sweet shakes, whey powder, and bottled protein water that I loved pre-op. I looked around and found the bariatric pal store had powdered grapefruit, crangrape, lemonade, raspberry drinks that have 15 grams of protein per pack. This week, I put 2 packets in water in the am and I do the same in the pm and I’ve been able to get 60 grams in. But I am still short on the water and exercise.