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May I vent for a second?, I’m nearly two months post-op from gastric sleeve surgery. I’m now 40 pounds lighter from when I started this journey at 278 lbs. I look amazing. But in the inside I feel like $#|%. I may be one of few people who Love and Regret my decision at the same time. I finally understand what some of y’all meant when you say you have to be mentally prepared and mentally strong. BOY!!!! I miss being able to eat at my own leisure without worrying if my body will accept it...or wondering if I’ll feel horrible afterward. I thought I knew everything there was to know abt bariatric surgery...but just like a first time parent finds out, boy was I wrong. I realize that for me it’s very difficult to separate myself from my love of food. For me, it’s very comparable to a drug addiction. Of course, I can’t physically eat as much as I want/used to but I long for normalcy! I miss the old me. Am I wrong for feeling this way? I dwell on this feeling everyday. Is there anyone else who feels the same? Is this normal? Honestly, I’m starting to feel some sort of self-doubt which I know can lead me back to bad habits. But I have to be honest with myself and at least acknowledge my thoughts, feelings and actions. I’m also struggling severely from having to cut certain people off. A few of my close family members, who are also over-weight, have started treating me differently. They constantly mention the fact that I had surgery. And say that I’ve changed...duh!!!! Ya don’t say????!? They say I’m always wanting to be seen, and the truth is that I have more energy to go out and try new things. I can now walk around the room instead of hiding in one spot for hours. They’ve since started delving deep into my personal life with the malicious intent to “discover” something else unflattering about me since weight is no longer a major concern. It hurts me deeply because my intentions currently do not align with my reality. I pictured pure happiness and laughter with my loved ones and friends...and now they’ve turned on me. I pray the good Lord blesses me with new and supportive people in my life who actually accept me as I am, as a person who wants to do better. My struggle with my loved ones make me regret my decision tremendously. I’m not sure what to do.

But I am only 7 weeks out and my Drs office said I should be between 500-700 per day. I emailed my Dr about this today in fact and he suggested being at 500 every day - sigh - so i am really confused especially since my bariatric nutritionist said 1300. I see so many conflicting pieces of information about this...

They are called IV Bars (the old name for them anyway) because they were originally opened to use IV fluids to treat hangovers. I do not think they are well regulated, but some have good oversight (have to do your research). They have expanded their businesses to hydrate for a multitude of reasons and many are overseen by actual medical professionals now. In general, they are a trendy waste of money because most people can hydrate on their own... and if they can't, they usually need medical attention. But... seeing as how bariatric patients can't always take in enough fluids, it kind of seems like a waste of medical resources to go to an urgent care/ER when you can just go to these places. Personally, I have the medical knowledge to know what to look for while there and proper procedures. Just don't know if I am ready to trust them lol

I go to the vitamin lounge here. I even went before surgery because I was fighting a cold and it helped reduce my white blood cell count so I qualified. . There are so many choices of IVs and it's a good way to get hydrated without having to actually drink. You can ask them to drip them slow. I took about an hour..you get to relax... My local IV lounge has several bariatric patients. you can get the famous yellow banana bag @momof3_angels My only complaint is that I wish it is a bit more affordable. I would take all of my vitamins and fluids this way if I could....

Hello! This is my first time posting, I have been lurking for a while. I hope I am posing in the correct section!! I am from Canada, and was referred to the Bariatric Program in my city. I know that the USA and Canadian programs are similar in terms of requiring time with a dietitian, psychologist, internal medicine doctor etc. In April, I was booked for my first class in June. As a smoker (now ex-smoker!) I planned to (and quit) a few days before the orientation class. In the orientation class, immediately we are informed that being in the program or class isn't a guarantee of surgery (which is completely acceptable!), it is posted everywhere, and we are reminded of it pretty much all the time. I had an appointment with the Nurse case manager in August. She was great. In each appointment, you book your next appointment with another discipline you need to see throughout the program. I was then booked for a nutrition basics class for the end of August, then with the dietitian in September. The nutrition class I didn't find particularly useful (personally), as the things that we covered, I was already practicing. I was excited that the dietitian wasn't the type to roll in there and tell everyone they had to eat a certain diet. In the class (there was about 20-25 attending) she had said that they started doing the nutrition basics class because they felt that they often had to go over basics with so many people...they thought one class for everyone for the basics, and then when you meet with your dietitian, it is more individualized, and targeted to your needs. I was very excited about this, and it turned out the dietitian that was teaching the class, was who I was booked with in September. Then I rolled into the appointment in September (the day before my vacation - a cruise) for my first appointment with the RD. I feel like we immediately started off on the wrong foot. I had blood tests done (as requested) and I don't think she liked them. Everything on the blood tests were fine. Whenever I get tested for my white blood cells they come back 'slightly high', and it's been like that for years and I chalk it up to obesity, knee arthritis and the steroids I take for asthma. My family doctor is not concerned. The other thing was my triglycerides were boderline high (the rest of my cholesterol is good), and I have spoken with my doc about that and he is not concerned. She didn't seem to like that I wasn't running to my doctor about my white blood cell count. I felt like she was snippy about the triglycerides, even though my doc wasn't concerned. She looked at my food tracking (every day religiously for 6 weeks), and looked at one day. I eat 1 banana and 1 apple everyday during the work week. She started telling me about substituting berries instead of a banana. She also suggested that I walk around the buffet a few times on the cruise ship before deciding what to eat. When she asked how much wine I was going to drink on vacation (I stopped all alcohol for over a month at this point), and I said "Maybe 1 glass per day at dinner...?" that was the WRONG answer...and told me to try again. So I said...I guess 1 glass every 3 days....? Then she suggested I use smaller plates to cut my portion sizes. I left there...and my poor husband...I came home in a flurry of tears, and frustration. I didn't ask how to reduce my portions on vacation...I already know how to do that. I didn't ask her to help with with my cholesterol, I have a doctor for that. She wanted to know why I was taking Omega 3 ...and seemed skeptical of my answer that most people don't get enough, so I figure it would help to take some. I am still so discouraged by this. A few weeks ago I went to the psychologist. There was a questionnaire I had to fill out (essentially about being compliant after surgery). I told him I struggle with exercise now because of my knees...so he suggested yoga. Really? I am obese, with painful knees....if I have a hard time on the treadmill or on the elliptical, why would kneeling on the floor help...? Oh. because you do Yoga. Noted. I tried to create some discourse: The link to obesity and sleep is something I notice...I started to tell him I notice my appetite increases if I haven't slept well because it's like I need to stimulate myself to stay awake. And that turned into getting tested for sleep apnea. I don't have sleep apnea. He mentioned smaller plates to me again (it just seems out of context) So I am feeling like because I am not a total trainwreck, they don't know what to do with me. I totally get that people need more help than 'read a label', but I feel like I have spent a lot of time researching diets, weight loss, obesity etc etc for the better part of 10 or 15 years...and they have not taken the time to find out what I do know. I feel like if I say certain trigger words like 'tired' = Sleep apnea! Wine = Alcoholic! So I don't know what I am supposed to be doing. I feel like I don't know what they want from me. If they want me to lose weight, then I want them to say it. If they want me to stop this or start that, then say it, and have a purpose. I have read all sort of literature about WLS and Set points etc etc and when I go to these appointments I don't want to walk away feeling like they think I am obese because I opted for a banana instead of blueberries (hate them) all these years. I want to get more out of this, but I am also very tempted to just try and tune it out and tell them what they want to hear so I can get the surgery. I am just a number, and I somehow have to fit in their flow chart...not the other way around. Does anyone have any advice? I just feel super discouraged and criticized and not looking forward to another year of appointments every month feeling this way. Thanks for your help!

It might just be your stomach still making noises just because. That is what mine seem to be. But when I think they might be "hunger" related, I drink something. Thirst is often confused with hunger... even for non bariatric people. We just were never taught to try to drink first to see if it is really thirst or hunger, so we usually go for food.

Wow really? My surgeon sells many different brands in office so I don't think she would write an rx for them. Is Bariactiv the brand name? Or was that short for Bariatric Advantage brand ?

Nutrition can still taste good and be long term sustainable. Decide what school of thought works best for you. (strict or moderate) I was on the stricter side in weight loss phase. If I denied cravings, I just wanted them more. I found healthy options for sweet and salty. Many great bariatric recipes for deserts. I read food facts labels on products. I log recipes in MFP. If things fit in my calories/macros for the day, I lose consistently.

Hi Jeelena, first off... YOU LOOK FABULOUS!!! Congratulations! You had such a pretty smile then, and now - It simply radiates. You are stunning in your new gown. Nice arms, too. Thank you for sharing your process and specifics with us. Inspiring. I, too, have accumulated a lot of loose skin on my upper arms (¾ sleeves are a God send!) and very sagging breasts (another God send - a great supportive bra!) LOL!!! Wearing a size petite 8 or 10 jeans (2-3X before) but the mid-section droop does get in the way. The slight stretch in new generation slack/jean fabrics does help hold it all in!!! Petite medium to small tops with a 38C from 40DD. Experimenting with body foundations for the first time for wearing dresses. I rarely wore a dress before. I plan to start preparing, saving$ and interviewing plastic surgeons for a tummy tuck, hopefully before my 25th anniversary vow renewal + gala next May. I want this defined waist for my gown design below. :] I have not tried Pilates yet. I must follow-up on your recommendation for it as a new exercise routine. Actually, loved water aerobics even hovering at my highest of 298. Oh boy. Remained pretty active + happy despite all the weight and baggage I carried. For now, I walk with my dog and remain very active with work. I am meeting with a physical therapist next week to review my back posture, gate and balance before starting any formal exercise. Adhering mostly to The Obesity Code way of nutrition. 80-100oz.+ of water or hot tea per day. Add propel and Isopure. 21 pounds until my final goal BUT others who have already had plastics say 5 - 8 pounds can be attributed to the weight of loose skin. Factoring that in, I'm only 16 pounds to goal. LOL. Probably as a petite 5'0" and shrinking with age (turned 60 past May) - losing too much weight, not really. Some research says I should weigh 105 - 112. Will cross that bridge when and if I get there. Jeelena, how are you finding maintenance? Are you still losing? Keep up your wonderful achievement. Sending posies in way of celebration with you! ;]

Today I had my first meeting with the Bariatric Center and the experience was fantastic! They asked me what I was looking to have as my target weight. I am currently 338 and 5-8” y’all. Have a question for the group. He mentioned the sleeve and the bypass as the two options. He stated that the bypass would get me more results as weight loss goes at around 135 pounds loss. He stated the sleeve would get me about 110 pounds loss. He stated Sleeve issues: Some patients experience lists of acid reflux He stated bypass issues: Your body wouldn’t absorb the vitamins and nutrients as much Would love recommendations from the group. Anyone out there get the sleeve and wish they got the bypass? My first post

I live in Central Texas and my surgeon was Dr. David Provost at Baylor Scott and White in Temple. He is a bariatric surgery pioneer in TX and has been doing bariatric surgery for many years. After meeting him and checking his credentials (I am a nurse practitioner so I investigate every health care provider I see 🙄) I felt very comfortable with him and had absolutely no post op complications. I had the sleeve in May 2018 since I never had any significant reflux. I think the reflux is the main reason people get conversion since you don't want to be on prilosec long term and you don't want chronic inflammation of your esophagus. There are a couple of others on here in maintenance who had the sleeve converted to bypass and have done very well so hopefully one of them will respond.

One of the reasons I had surgery was my bad relationship with food. I had failed so many diet attempts in the past. Pre surgery, I questioned if bariatrics was too good to be true. Pre surgery anxiety is normal. Many of us felt this way. Be honest with yourself about food addiction. Would you benefit from therapy pre/post-surgery? One of the best gifts out of this process was overcoming my old behaviors. For me, this has not been like my diet attempts of the past. Logging my food, exercise, making healthy choices, buying groceries and cooking have become habit. Having the support on this site helped so much. WIsh you the best, Jennifer

I’m scheduled December 11 excited and so thrilled it’s finally happening. It’s been a long time happening I started this journey in December of last year. Was going to a Bariatric center that my insurance company didn’t approve unknown to me. So I had to start over at a different one that they did approve thank goodness it only took them 3 months to approve me once I completed their requirements. So ready!!!!

I am new to all this. Has anyone else had the surgery using Bariatric Pal MX hospital? I am interested in having the surgery but my insurance will not cover it at all even though it is medically necessary. It is one of the things they will not do. My brother used Bariatric Pal MX Hospital and he said it was really amazing and the place was 5 star and so was the treatment. I still have some anxieties because I have never been out of the states. I have never flew on a plane and Mexico is so far from my family. I asked my brother is he ever regretted having it done and he said it was the best thing that has ever happened to him. I guess I am wanting to see how the process was for every one else as they started their journey and how it was after the surgery. I also worry that I already have thin hair because of my thyroid and that with the surgery I may end up with little to no hair? Do people grow their hair back after it sheds ? Any feedback would be great. I am excited to possibly have this done but I really want to weigh my pros and cons.

I am just starting to ease into this. There is more than enough protein. My weight will tell me if there are too many carbs, Right now I am having a hard time keeping weight on, especially when I exercise a lot. I am riding in a distance bike race next month and another triathlon in a few months. Also starting some great hiking in this wonderful weather right now. My carbs are all whole foods - cooked grains (teff, amaranth, millet, sorghum, steel cut oats, buckwheat, quinoa), legumes (beans, peas, edamame, palo verde beans, mesquite beans, lentils), and starchy veggies (Sweet potato, butternut squash, carrots, beets). Fats come from avocado, olives, nuts/seeds I cannot begin to eat the volume of fresh veggies/fruit that most people who follow this plan eat. My pouch just can't hold that much. So it is definitely an experiment for me. If I decide this is a good move, I will be consulting with a medical practitioner who specializes in whole food plant based eating, and who is also well versed in bariatrics. WLS throws a curve ball into any eating plan, whether it is Intermittant Fasting, Keto, or WFPB, My highest priorities are to get my protein in, take my vitamins, and eat food that is as nutritionally dense as possible.

I found weight stalls if I consistently went too high over 50-60 I usually get average 50 grams of protein but some days a little more or less than others. I did some research. I had studied nutrition and holistic health in the past but so much changes. There is new research on protein and how there are many misconceptions about how much we need. assumption that it’s best to consume protein before exercise yet I’ve read that it’s best at rest for muscle recovery. Fat seems to fuel better than protein. It’s my personal opinion that the bariatric protein requirements are very high. Also the type of protein makes a difference. It’s assumed 100% whey protein isolate is best but I find a blend of isolate and casein best. I still feel like I know nothing and when. I hit roadblocks I do my best to find a way past it. For example when I lost weight in the past with strict low carb and calorie counting I wanted to add more vegetables, yet my weight crept up with that simple change.

Not an empty nester, but I live alone. i cook a lot on weekends and freeze. One thing that has helped is getting a vaccuum sealer. I cook batches of food, freeze them in individual quantities in normal tupperware, then once it is frozen, I transfer the frozen block of food to a vac sealed bag. Lasts forever. I also tend to make 2-3 things at once, then I have about a month of food. Some stuff I make (I'm a pescatarian, so you could always add meat): Chili ricotta bake (I use eggface's recipe and add sauteed spinach) Sauces (curries, tomato sauces, etc) - freeze in ice cube trays and pull out a cube or two to put over tofu, fish, shrimp, etc. I really like the sauce for the fire roasted tilapia from bariatric foodie - I just make the sauce and add to individual fish when I make it Beans ( I don't like canned beans, so I made from dry and freeze) Lentils/dals, etc Some other easy stuff Eggs - I scramble an egg, add salsa and cheese, and eat with a single serve of guac; or make fancy baked eggs. I also like Shakshuka eggs - I make a big batch of the sauce, then freeze and can make a single egg in a small pan. yogurt with frozen fruit (yep - for dinner) Shrimp - easy to thaw just a few and really quick to cook Frozen fish from Costco - they're individually packaged, so easy to take out 1 filet.

Struggled most of my life with chronic illness and many medical conditions. Of these I was diagnosed with late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, pcos, and eventually endometriosis. My body fights against me every step of the way. I initially lost weight cutting carbs, sugar to below 20 net carbs and also cutting calories. While this did work in the first go around I couldn’t maintain as well as I wished. Despite every effort. It doesn’t help that I am unable to exercise. But at some point despite eating 800 calories, counting carbs, being strict about little to no sugar, etc. my weight skyrocketed and I sought out help but doctors didn’t want to hear it. They assumed it was my fault, my eating habits. I fought my food addiction, my sugar and carb addiction in the past and I knew this time it wasn’t even that. But they didn’t want to hear it. Eventually I decided to fight for bariatric surgery. I wasn’t sure it would happen but it did. And while I feel like I will never be able to eat normal calories and by normal I mean even 800 calories. I. Grateful for the tool, I do the best I can to keep carbs and sugar down, and mainly I track my weight daily, and what I eat, calories and protein so I get at least 50 some days 60 grams of protein. I feel like too much and it just turns to glucose and pcos is glucose intolerance. My calories are 300-400 a day. Averaging in the middle. Some days less than others. My weight has gone down slowly but surely. But it still scares me. Especially with my chronic illness getting worse. And now I had surgery to remove my last ovary and remove what endometriosis the doctor could find and ended up with another chronic condition diagnosis in the process. Not all calories are the same. I think some part of me is worried I won’t continue to lose with regular foods. Seeing as how I was eating healthy and gaining before. But for now I just get the protein I need and take it one day at a time.

It’s been hard on me physically but I do not regret having gastric bypass surgery. I fought my weight alone before, fighting against metabolic disorders and total inability to exercise, while I did lose weight from 210 + to 124 lb I never met goal and despite making it a lifestyle change of low carb and calorie counting my weight wouldn’t stay stable. At some point even eating 800 calories and low carb didn’t stop my weight from suddenly skyrocketing again . When I found out I needed gallbladder surgery I started to read about bariatric surgery that I wished I’d had the first go around. Despite everything that threatened to stop it from happening it did and while I am exhausted with always fighting my weight and it’s impact on my lifelong chronic illness. I do not regret having RNY surgery and having a tool to help with the fight. for some people they can eat normal and exercise and lose weight easy so they can’t understand why anyone would have surgery. It’s hard to really get them to understand. Food is such a big part of people’s lives. i had people say I didn’t look like I needed to lose weight, of course I did at 5’ and over 206lb, it just happens to be some parts of me look bony. But remember, their words don’t change our own person journey for WLS and our need to take it.

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In complete agreement with above posters. Meet with Bariatric surgeon and team. Learn all that you can about the procedure. I was able to gain information by following medical twitter and the bariatric thought leaders that post some of the latest data on metabolic changes that surgery brings. Also I found a great podcast by Reeger Cortell ARNP, called "Weight Loss Surgery Podcast". In the past 6 months I only experienced one unprofessional encounter, and that was with Cardiologist during appointment for cardiac clearance. Was scheduled for this next Monday but got the call today to postpone 2 weeks as I'm just getting over bronchitis. Reset for 11/4. Good luck to you! Let us know how things are going!

I feel you 100%. Its like the the whole Bruce Banner/Hulk or Dr.Jekel/Mr Hyde dilemma. What I have to tell myself is there is no Fat/Thin me, it's just me. We are our own harshest judge. It will take time to process. My Surgeon told me bariatric surgery is being performed on the wrong organ, it should be on the brain not the stomach. It is difficult for us to comprehend in our mind the changes that happen quickly, it took us years of our lives to gain and maintain a heavy weight and literally lost it all in months. Funny thing is after almost 18 months for me, people around me forgot the Big Guy. My own kids were looking at pictures from a couple years back and said "Dad I don't remember you being that big". It's like the only person that remembers him is me. And I agree, these forums do help. I go to my local support group through my insurance, we have weekly meetings and it really helps. I have been going since I was cleared to go back to work. I find it as me time, and a place I can go and talk to people that relate to my situation. If you have a local support group for Bariatric patients I highly recommend going. If you don't maybe finding others locally starting one. Stick to it, you are doing fantastic 👍

I am a lap band to sleeve gastrectomy. My surgery is scheduled for 11/22/19. I have a nasty slip with my babe which I'm convinced happened after my gallbladder removal sx. I gained haha of what I lost after the gallbladder sx. Fortunately I have Tricare and all will be covered. I know a young lady who when to Mexico to Pompeii Bariatric. They seem to be reasonable and may work with you. Check them out. Can't hurt. You need to get that thing out if nothing more. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Here's the calorie recommendation chart from my bariatric patient guide:

So I've been "shedding" hair for a while. Now I wonder if it's because I'm not getting enough protein in my diet. Has anyone had hair grow back once the proper amount of protein is reestablished? It's one of the things I'm most concerned about with the WLS - losing even more hair. Any and all comments and advice are greatly appreciated. Thanks!