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Loridee11, just got a call from bariatric office wanting to move my date up to December 10th! Woohooo! She said pending insurance approval since I have met all of my pre-requirements! If not it will be moved to Dec. 31st instead of 30th

@336Mike how much was your TT and how was the recovery from that compared to the bariatric surgery?

I never worried about carbs and fats while losing, as if the calories are low enough to promote the desired weight loss, and the protein is appropriate maintaining your muscle mass (typically somewhere around 60-80 g per day for women, 80-100 g for men), then the carbs and fats will be functionally very low. A good default for calories seems to be in the 600-800 range (some with stronger metabolisms can get away with more, but it's good to start low because it's very hard to cut back once you're used to one level). RDA for fiber is around 25 g per day, and that seems to work well for most on a bariatric diet. Sugar should usually be minimized, particularly added sugar in processed or packaged food; that which is naturally occuring in our fruits and veg are less of an issue, and has a purpose for us (or nature wouldn't have put it there - the added stuff in the packaged foods is just there to sell it to us and make up for the flavor stripped out by the processing.

Hello I hope you find your procedure everything you hoped it will be, I can tell you about my experience and hope it gives you some peace going into yours. I had my surgery 9/11/19 Can you run down exactly what you went through whilst in hospital? - Surgery check in was normal and pre op was as expected. registration, Started IV, medical history, then the surgeon came in and told me the would be giving me a sedative before going to the operating room. After the medication was pushed I remember waking up in my room with a dry mouth and being thirsty. The pain notice of pain didn't happen until a few hours later, but just a word to the wise stay on top of your medications and advocate for your medicines while they have you up and walking after surgery. Take small sips of water and walk. They gave me a 1 oz "shot glass" and told me to fill 3 to 4 an hour while in the hospital How did you feel in the first few days to weeks.. Where you able to drink much Water? Did you feel hungry much?- I am now a few weeks post surgery and have just noticed 2 days ago that I was hungry for the first time, but I was full almost immediately. I think I have associated hunger with thirst too, so I realized I was behind in my H2O. I don't think hunger is a big factor, at least at first. I hope it is a long term thing, but that would be too good to be true. Was the pain bearable? - I will be honest - sometimes the pain took my breath away - but that was my own fault. I was trying to be brave and not take the medications provided. I would recommend not doing that. You don't have to suffer if you stay on top of it. I made sure I had some liquid Tylenol on hand too so I could transition off the strong stuff without too much of an issue. I was told nothing bigger than a tic tac for the first 6 weeks as far as medications go, so follow what your docs say. It sounds like other docs don't give that same advise. And in the first weeks or months are you still feeling restrictions on how much you can eat or drink in one go? I always have a Protein2o or a shake in my purse. I am happy with the restrictions, and love the fact that I can go virtually all day without having to stop for food somewhere. how we're meant to get enough Protein if unable to drink much liquids? protein shakes - post surgery I used protein shots I found on Baritric pal store. these were strong in flavor so I diluted them with 1 oz of water so a 2oz 16g protein shot - https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-predigested-protein-liquid-protein/products/liquacel-liquid-protein-1oz-packets-available-in-5-flavors -

Meal prep for the bf (non bariatric portions) Pot Roast with Carrots & Onions, Cheesy Cauliflower Rice, Broccoli

https://www.laparoscopic.md/bariatric/bypass/changes

It's not necessary to view "food as a friend" to miss it sometimes. If you can't eat certain foods you always liked anymore it's quite normal to miss them. Taking a look outside of the weight loss/bariatric/eating disordered community is quite helpful to get a feeling for what is seen as "normal" or not regarding food. I can remember my own surprise when I realized that everyone eats emotionally to a certain degree. I know no one who "eats for fuel only". If anything people are in abusive relationships with themselves not with a piece of cake or pizza.

I mentioned a while back my mom (non WLS) was basically following a post bariatric diet + IF to control hunger. She has found it to be the easiest "diet" she has ever been on, and has been wildly successful. She is non transitioning to mostly just IF, without the VLC diet in order to maintain. She is down 40 lbs in 6 months, and now is the same weight/BMI as I am (we are the same height). Here we are today! Me on the left, mom on the right

I lost a lot of hair starting 3 months post op and it was VERY upsetting even tho I knew it was going to happen. I had a hysterectomy in 2015 and also had hair loss after that surgery so I knew what to expect. My hair stopped falling around month 5 and I noticed a LOT of baby hairs sticking up everywhere. Now I shed the normal I usually would. I only took my regular bariatric vitamins prescribed. I don't really think all of the Biotin really makes a difference with stopping hair loss.

Yes, I had gastric reflux and gained wt. back not quite all of it and currently sleep with cpap. My Mr. Purchased me an adjustable bed because I would wake up literally choking while wearing my cpap. Once lapband was removed Dr. said I had a hiatal hernia. Reading some of the post op surgeries, I'm glad I have the bed. I am going to start off with the vitamins offered at the clinic and once I know what I am to have and that it is the right stuff I will utilize the discounts and products on Bariatric Pals. Will keep you posted as well!

Goody- mine runs 90/ 55 or 60, before Bariatrics I was border- line Hypertensive, now that I am smaller my Heart doesn't have to pump so hard to get the blood around ( You're Welcome 💓) I've learned to move slower in case I'm a little Dizzy, figure I could still topple over even at my oh So Lovely 180,pounds, last thing I'll hear is "There She Goes- Everybody give Her room to Land" but still,IT'S WORTH IT TO BE SMALLER, RENOVATED And closer to a healthy STATE!😝👍😝

Most likely. Shouldn't be a problem in a bariatric community though. I agree that ambivalent feelings are normal. They occur with many things and too many people respond to them with "Well, you knew it would be like that". What comes to my mind here is when people in the medical field talk about e. g. being on endless working hours, night shifts, 24 h duties etc. - of course everyone who've chosen working in the field knows about these things (duh!!), however, what nobody knows is how you'll be able to cope with these things a decade or more down the road when you're in your 40s or 50s.

I bit late on the reply, but for physically fit people, heart rates in the mid 40's are fairly common occurrence. Always have it checked by your doctor to be sure that is all it is, but once you know it is "normal" for you, I wouldn't worry too much about it. My son just lost some weight and became much more physically active and has noticed the same thing. And he was only a bit overweight... not a bariatric patient.

Thanks everyone for the insights you have provided! Unfortunately, I don't think I can just get another team. Since this is covered by healthcare, the Bariatric Clinic was a waitlist. Through the Clinic it is a team of Dieticians, Psychologists, Nurses, an Internal Medicine Doc(s). I have not met a surgeon, and won't until I am 'approved' for surgery. I don't believe there are actual specialized bariatric surgeons in Canada (I could be wrong), but everyone I have looked up in my city and a few others are general surgeons that do bariatric surgeries. I believe this is mostly due to our publicly funded system. I have thought about talking to the Nurse Case Manager about switching some people around...but I think I will wait until I see them again....I see the dietitian in 3 weeks, and the psychologist again in 6 weeks. I think this is where some of the intimidation factors come in. I cannot just 'throw my money around' and go somewhere else...Unless I wanted to fly to Mexico. If these people don't view me as compliant, and 'working the program', then I don't get surgery. If you miss any appointments, without proper notice, you are out. I get it...it's publicly funded...but I am also not really enjoying take time off for at least 2 appointments a month, and drive all over the city, and have them be dismissive and still possible not do what they want, and I don't get surgery. My frustration has been that...and then I am not seeing some of the correlation between what will happen 'after' surgery. I feel like I am on a weight loss program, not on a program to determine if I am a candidate for surgery, and how successful I can be. It's like the banana thing again: You are criticizing my fruit choice...I should have berries instead. The debate isn't between a double quarter pounder and a banana, it's literally a banana and berries! It just seems ridiculous. Or the 1/2 cup of haagen daaz I had one day (that I measured!!!!)...not really believing how much protein was in it, because it was ice cream. I guess I am just trying to regain control of the situation...and I don't like that I can't disagree with someone because they decide if I get surgery. That said, I can do my best to bite my lip if I need to. I just don't want to be so frustrated with them that I miss valuable information from them because they irritate me. I believe someone asked earlier...but my BMI is quite high, so I am not on the cusp of eligibility.

Well, all I can say is that bariatric surgery was the right decision for me. I am no longer diabetic! No longer have high blood pressure! Can walk up stairs without dying, and feel so much better. My weight loss is not fast, but I have lost 90 pounds since my high weight, and 73 pounds since surgery. I still have a ways to go, but it's progress! Good luck to you!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi, K. Lee, and welcome. Do lots of reading and educate yourself. I chose bypass because I had GERD, and I know I'm crazy, but I'm a recovering sugar addict, and wanted the fear of dumping that comes with bypass!! I'm very happy with my choice. Diabetes is gone, high blood pressure gone, knees feel better, etc. Of course the same would hold true if I'd had the sleeve, I'm just happy I had bariatric surgery!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Oasis of Hope is also a cancer hospital so don’t freak out when it comes up as a cancer treatment hospital 🤣 They do bariatric surgeries and cancer treatments. It is in Tijuana

Walking to my testings instead of having to be pushed in a Wheelchair! If my 2 artificial knees. didn't bawl and squall from how much I was pushing them, I was too Out of Breath to make it in a dignified manner. And that is embarrassing being an Object of Pity- i was confident that I was ugly- I was disgustingly- obese, OH I wanted to hide- thought I was a festering sore on life. It took my last teeny shred of self- respect to seek out Bariatric SURGERY- and I was certain I would DIE before I COULD receive it- but thought if I DIE from it, I will at least know I Tried . And those who know my story know it took 3 + heart- breaking years to get my SURGERY done. BUT Now I am less,than 1/2 the size I started at, I now can look at my profile as well as straight- on in the mirror, doesn't take a Triple- paned one to get ME all in! And I now radiate to the World that I am a Wonderful worthwhile person to KNOW, see inside I knew I always WAS- but nobody gave ME the chance to prove it- i was 1/2 the Red- headed Stepchild in the Attic, and the other 1/2? The Fat Blob everybody avoided , to many I didn't exist. Am I being too demeaning to ME? NOPE because Honey I Lived it! Took my last little bit of Self- Preservation to even seek Bariatric Surgery, took 3+ years, not many surgeons are willing to take on a 72 year old who had been in the Obese ranks almost from birth- call it FLUFFY, say I had Big Bones- trurh

Hi I had my Gastric Bypass surgery on 08.08.19, I wasn't nervous about it but excited to finally be getting it done. Hospital was fine, walked into my operating theatre and met the army of doctors and nurses, it was all very relaxed, music playing in the background, my surgeon came over and spoke to me and then the Anaesthetist came and told me what was happening and that was it, I was probably only in there for a few minutes before going to sleep. The surgery went well, I actually felt very well after surgery and went home after only spending 2 days and 1 night, I didn't feel much pain at all, it was a little uncomfortable and had to watch how I stood up or got on and off the bed etc but nothing out of the ordinary and what you would expect after surgery. Sleep as much as you can when you come home and walk when you're awake. The pain after surgery was totally bearable, while in hospital they gave me Oramorph which was fabulous and then told me to take pain meds for the next week, I actually stopped them after 2 days, didn't feel like I needed them, but everyone is different. With regards to your food intake what I would say is follow the plan with food, don't rush any of the stages, I didn't push how much I ate as I was scared that I may stretch my pouch (even though have been told this would be very hard to do) or something worse. You will know when you have had enough, it's a different kind of full, it's not in your stomach, you feel full in your chest/throat (hard to explain) but literally you will feel like you cannot get anything else down. You will learn to stop before you get to this stage as its uncomfortable. If it does happen lay down until it passes. I found it difficult eating if I was bent over, you need to be upright for the food to pass. The eating phases that you will go through become very tedious and you really want to rush through them but don't, these are what help you heal better and quicker, I know for myself after being on the milk diet for 2 weeks pre op all I wanted was some' normality' but you actually don't feel like eating much. Im now 10 weeks post op and can eat 'normal' food but in very small quantities. I had a follow up last week with the hospital and had been feeling very nauseous, this is apparently very common, I was prescribed anti sickness meds which have stopped it now. My nurse told me that it's better to eat 5-6 small portions every 3-4 hours when feeling like this, which I have started doing and the sickness has gone. I have tried different foods and some have not agreed with me so I know not to eat them again just yet. You have to adjust to your boundaries and what you can and can't eat anymore. If you're having the Gastric Bypass, which is what I had you have no cravings and you don't get any hunger pains, this was the first thing that I noticed after the surgery. I was told that I wouldn't feel hungry but as someone that has had a weight problem most of my life it was hard to believe this but it's 100% true, I love the fact that I don't get hungry but this you also have to pay attention to and make sure that you eat enough protein otherwise the day goes by and you realise that you haven't eaten, especially if you have a busy or demanding job. I get mine from High protein Greek yogurts, eggs, chicken, high protein peanut butter. I eat very low carbs and fats. On the 2nd phase i started drinking protein shakes, I hated them but they were so high in protein that at least i knew i was getting enough, try mixing with milk if too thick. The hardest part for me is not being able to drink much and not drink while eating, this is what I find the biggest challenge is getting the fluids in but I think most people will tell you this, it's important to keep your water bottle near and constantly sip all day, try adding some 'no sugar' lemon or blackcurrant, this helped me. I still don't think that hospitals give you enough information regarding eating after surgery and most of what I have done has been through my own research, have bought a few Bariatric cookbooks to help too You will be fine, just follow the doctors orders, good luck for Monday

I have had multiple complications since my RYGB on 7/18/16. I have had emergency kidney stone surgery, multiple hospitalizations for what was finally determined to be a marginal ulcer, and dysautonomia which is uncontrolled low blood pressure (60/40 or less). In addition I still have to vomit 2-3 times a month or more after a meal when I hurt for 2 hours & know whatever I ate won't go down. I am not complaining, but also I rarely (once every 3 months or so) have upper abdominal pain that is so intense that I can't breathe, let alone drive, walk, speak. It puts me down for 5-10 minutes and scares the hell out of my family, my patients, and my staff. The intense pain usually subsides after a few minutes of lying on my right side. The chief of the Bariatric Surgery dep't here thinks I'm having temporary small bowel intussusception. I know I don't have an internal hernia as my RYGB surgeon was very careful about that. Usually intussusception advances to bowel death requiring surgery, but mine resolves after a few minutes in the right position. Has anyone else experienced this?

You are absolutely correct in how bariatric surgery not only changes your eating, digestive habits forever, but there is also a huge mental impact as well. I do think we all suffer some form of regret and remorse. Everyones experience is different. I am 18 months out from gastric sleeve. I have lost 75lb, but goal is another twenty pounds and I have been stalled now for 3 months. Frustrating. Everyone tells me that I shouldn't get dumping syndrome, as "people who have sleeves don't suffer dumping". Well I definitely do and it's miserable. My husband and I are medical, so we know the condition. Seems to happen mostly when I eat protein (red meat, chicken, less so with eggs and fish). I become extremely sweaty, pale, dizzy and nauseous. I feel like I could lay down on the floor and pass out. It lasts about 30-45 minutes which feels like forever. One of the strategies my husband proposed was to view these episodes as similar to a "ice cream headache".. Only longer. If I stick it out, I will feel better soon. I am not dying, and this too will pass. We loved eating out at restaurants, having brunch, eating with friends. I am quite scared of food because I don't know how my stomach is going to react. So, now we don't do as much of that. And because we chose not to tell anyone (my decision), I do worry about whether people will notice that I have hardly eaten anything.. Especially if we are guests of friends. I hate thinking "what if they think I funny like their food?!" I wish some days I could be reconnected as well, but as I have dropped 5 dress sizes, have no loose skin (amazing but probably genetic elastic skin.. but I am thankful for that) my knees don't hurt anymore, I can wrap a standard size bath towel around me, climb stairs without huffing, cross my legs very comfortably etc etc.. It has been worth it. Just keep reminding yourself. Enjoy all the benefits, and try not to focus on the bad. Best wishes.

@BetterBelizeIt The feelings that you're experiencing are very normal. The comparison to first-time parents was spot-on. You can prepare as much as you want, but until you have the actual experience, you don't know $#@!. Surgery doesn't turn us away from our long-time coping mechanisms (i.e. food). It makes it more difficult to over-indulge, but certainly doesn't prevent us from doing so, especially once we learn how to eat "around" our restriction. I'm sorry that friends and family have not been there for you. Some react out of jealousy, others mistakenly think that you now look down on them. Avoid them for now, maybe they'll come around in the end. But you need to do what you need to do and surrounding yourself with supportive people is important. This site is absolutely amazing for that kind of support. Seek out and connect with others who are at a similar phase of weight loss to you and support each other. If you have a local support group, go and meet others who've gone through similar challenges. One-on-one connections can't be beat, imho. If you have access to a therapist, by all means take advantage of it. The results may be mixed, though. My experience has been that therapists who don't work with a lot of bariatric patients tend to lump us in with other "eating disorders" and I didn't find that helpful at all. There are also some books that may be of help to you: The Emotional First Aid Kit is the only one I can bring to mind right now, but maybe others will add favorite helpful books that they've read. Please reach out by PM if you'd like to talk more and good luck on your journey. Btw, where are you in Texas?

Well I. see. Mikeey's point, it is Valid but. yes Ambivilence is also more prevalent than many on here do admit. And if it helps , you have a Soul Sister in Ohio, almost 14 months out from my RNY, finally admitted to my PCP today, that although I am grateful my body size. is now one- half my HW, I am approaching a " normal" size appearance, now weigh 20 pounds less than HIM, deep in my inner- Frustr8 at least 30% I wish I could go to my surgeon, and request to be reconnected. I MISS my pyloric valve, I miss a smooth digestion, I am SO SO TIRED. of my frequent urp- up 1o Emesis, I yearn to feel a " FULL" sensation because I never really have one, I yearn for a day with no pouch, stoma or jejunem pain. Although I have been judged to have a patent/ open diameter there - I will carry to my dying day visible scarring with every endoscopy. I have just enough gastric acid prodution to ulcerate my upper small intestine but not enough to digest meat --not even highly ground or pureed stays down . It is my belief when my pouch was "stapled off" and devided, my gastric inervation was either destroyed or severely limited, my pouch drains, mostly by gravity instead of motility. But rationally I am aware I would have a 45- 50% chance of not surviving an open abdominal SURGERY, yes my Surgeon does have the skills, I chose the Chief of Bariatric. Medicine at The Ohio State University, after all. And I am LUCKY ( if you want to CALL,it that) I did not have to donate 3/4 of my natural stomach to either Medical Science or the Waste Incinerator. So everything still remained within ME, just rendered portions less or non- functional. But the ultimate irony- except for the first 14-15 days post- SURGERY before my pouch strictures and stenosed, I have not been pain- FREE, oh Tylenol does take it down to a dull roar, but like the rotten stepchild you receive in a Second marriage, yeah the very same one who tries getting in your face and stating " I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU- YOU'RE NOT MY MoM!" it just hangs around glaring if you try to make contact. I DID really think by now the Sunlight would be warm and welcoming, the Bluebirds singing and all the Flowers blooming freely and THEY'RE NOT. Tried to discuss my dis- ratification with my NP at the Bariatric Clinic only to be told " Quit Your Belly- aching- YOU know you are healed, there is nothing really wrong with YOU, you are just wanting to be coddled and/or pitied- it's been over a Year so you have been already " grandfathered" into health" Gee Thanks for such a " lovely" assessment- remind me to fill out that card that says how WONDERFUL you all have been to ME. If I had desired to be ignored, I wouldn't have travelled 50 miles to see YOU! I really wish I could go back to being rejoined- if I died at least I would return to my GOD the way He Made Me- rejoined in a proper manner sans the interior scars and exterior droopy skin. And forgive me, my last breaths would be at peace . Sorry but I didn't want you to feel an "outlier" there are OTHERS out here in Cloud Cuckoo Land, and I'm not going to Gild the Lily- there are pluses and minuses whether or not anyone admits it! Much love, stay as strong as possible and perhaps there is still a Brighter Day for Us Both!

@cupcake817 Dr. Weiner on YouTube has discussed African American women losing less percentage wise after bariatric surgery. They don’t know why. I found a Huffington Post story addressing the differences in weight loss. I found it interesting. Might explain why you maintain on a low calorie diet. link below https://www.huffpost.com/entry/african-american-women-weight-loss_n_4541535