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I’m in Kentucky and my surgery is next month. They gave me appointment for my COVID-19 test before I left the doctors office. I have to go 2 days before surgery. My fear is I will test positive. I don’t want to be put off.

I don’t consider myself a vet yet (20 months post-op last week), but I credit my weight loss to: of course the surgery, but also to being very strict about calories and ultra-low carbs (>25g NET carbs a day). And to a lesser extent, daily exercise. Starting at 235lbs 2 wks before surgery, I reached goal at 7 months post-op with a loss of 108lbs at the time (I dropped another 17lbs after that...I’m 115 now) I continue to stay away from most carbs (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, etc), but I love me some dessert, so I will occasionally indulge, lol. I also run almost every day and force myself to do 20-30 mins of strength training daily (i admit, i hate it). I also still log/track everything I put in my mouth and weigh myself every morning. I hope to maintain this weight for the super-long term, but only time will tell, I guess. In the meantime it’s working for me, so its all good. I think so long as you keep the on top of things, for like FOREVER (and understand and accept that this is your new normal, and not just a temporary thing) one could reasonably expect to achieve and stay at goal (give or take 10 lbs) Good Luck!

Am I the only one who loves purging my closet? I filled 3 large garbage bags today with all my size 14 & 16 pants, all my XL tops and a good portion of my size L tops, several dresses and a bunch of shoes that are now too big. All donated to a women’s shelter. Started a new bag for my 12’s and the rest of my L tops as I move out of those in to 10’s and M’s. Feels so good!

I probably like some or most have you had a surgery planned for sometime prior to June (For me, it was April 29, 2020.) and then COVID-19 came along to postpone it until a later date (Mine was June 17, 2020). Everything went well as far as the surgery went and the time I stayed at the hospital. We (myself, the surgen and surgical team) were not certain that the surgery was going to happen on June 17, 2020, until my surgeon's office got confirmation from the higher ups that they could go ahead with surgeries planned for June. When I was told to was a go, I was told on June 4, 2020, and instructed to start the Liquid Diet on June 10, 2020; do the COVID-19 Test on June 14, 2020 (Short but still not a fun test to have done sticking a swap up your nose); drink 1/2 a bottle of Gatorade the night before along with the 40 ounces of Carnation Instant Breakfast for the Liquid Diet and the other 20 ounces of fluids required each day; and on the day of the surgery drink the last 1/2 of Gatorade up to 2 hours prior to when you are due to have the surgery that day. After the surgery, I was in the hospital for roughly 2 1/2 days and instructed to log my Liquid Intake (water, jello, carnation instant breakfast, and broth) for each meal time; day after surgery and the day after, walk 5 times for the day and blow 10 times an hour into the Incentive Spiromenter. I must say that I did accomplish most of that before I left for home on June 19, 2020. I continued the Liquid Diet of Carnation Instant Breakfast and other liquid until I guess you could graduated to the Pureed Diet that I started on June 27, 2020. I can say that so far I am doing okay: with the diet; getting out and walking as much as my body will allow me to walk and the medications prescribed by the surgeon as well as my Primary Care Doctor. If they prescribe "gabapetin" for you keep in mind it tastes something like the blue-green Vicks cold medicine (Yuck!), so I suggest you take it carefully and quickly as possible. If you are able to order and pack a Bari-Buddy stuffed animal (I got mine from Teddy Tech Inc.) for the stay at the hospital, please do so because that first night you are going be hurting each time you make a move. Sorry that that this post was long but I felt that I should reply and let you know that you will not be stuck on the Liquid Diet forever even though it does indeed get tiring having only the same liquids day in day out.

Hi everyone! I hope that you all are staying safe and doing well. Since I'm taking some days off, I thought that I would catch up and touch base. I think I was among the last of the people whose surgery went as scheduled before everything shut down due the Coronavirus. What a different world we live in today. I do hope that those individuals who were scheduled in late March and in April had their surgeries re-scheduled -- don't give up! I'm here to tell you that it IS worth it in the end! I'm well on my journey to a transformed life and I would like to share my experiences to date. So far, I'm down 63 lbs. from when I started this journey and 70 lbs. from my highest weight. When I look in the mirror, sometimes I can hardly believe that I'm even doing this, but I am! My blood pressure has improved to near normal most days and my BMI has gone from 43 to 35. Also, I'm coming up on the halfway point of my journey! Because I see these questions asked often (and believe me, I had many of same questions myself), I will give my account from my personal experience. Pre-Op Following the instructions of your doctor does make a difference. I managed to lose about 20 pounds from October 2019 - March 2020 -- the more you lose, the better for your surgery. Strictly adhere to your 2 week liquid phrase and drink your water! Surgery My surgery was scheduled for March 17th and then it got pushed back to March 18th (I think my surgeon had scheduled a long weekend because he does his surgeries on Tuesdays). However because elective surgeries was due to be shut down during that week due to COVID-19, it was returned to the original date and my surgery was the first of the day. In addition to the by-pass, I had a hiatal hernia repair. The surgery took longer than normal because I was a bleeder (whatever that means) and scar tissue from when I had my gallbladder removed many years ago. But the Dr. and his team did their thing and it was a success. Post-ops was a bit disorientating and I was in a bit of discomfort, but by the time I was wheeled to my room, I was fully alert. What I didn't like: Not having anything to drink for 24 hours! That sucked. When I was able to drink, I could only have a few sips at a time. I had to do breathing exercises (in a little breathing tube thingy which was not a bad idea given COVID-19 was starting to get out there) and hours later, I got myself up and walked. I was determined to get up and walk! What you must do: You must get out of the bed and WALK! I stress that because when I had my gallbladder surgery, I stayed in the bed (it was done the old fashioned way where they hack you in 2 to get it out and I was in the hospital for a week) and did not get up until it was time for me to go home. Talk about the gas and the pain! Whew! I was not trying to feel all that again, so I got up and walked. Basically, post-op, I was fine and did well. 2 Weeks Post-op (Liquid/Strained food Phase) I didn't have much of an appetite and I did struggle getting in the protein. I mostly tried to get in the fluids first and foremost. My sis made me a LOT of ginger tea and that helped and I walked around the apartment and did a little walk outside. Soft Food Phase So for me, once I started eating food again -- my appetite came ROARING BACK! I mean roaring back and that caused some problems when I got into the regular food phase. I'm not a dairy person, so it was a struggle for me to eat eggs, cheese -- I just couldn't do the plain yogurt (yuck). I did manage to have some chili and beans, but I don't like beans either! Somehow, I got thru it though. Regular Food Phase You want to test drive your pouch? So here is what NOT to do: DO.NOT.OVEREAT. Because I wasn't one of those people who had to force themselves to eat due to a lack of appetite, I had to do a LOT of trial and error before my brain clicked. What I wish I had done: I asked my bari-nutritionist if I should get any special tools and she said no -- yet if I had to do it all over again, I would have purchased the bariatric plates and flatware. Even though I was using small plates, the servings were still not small enough -- typically out of prior habits -- and I would go to eat, then suddenly I felt food stuck in my throat and I wanted to throw up (but I couldn't). After that happened more than a few times, my brain finally got itself together and realized what was going on. I also was not used to leaving food on my plate -- like EVER. I was forcing myself to finish eating even though my body was giving me clear signals that I was DONE. Also, you learn very quickly which foods you can eat fine and others that you can't (Of course it's all of things that I like to eat...); those foods you have to eat in little portions. Suddenly I found myself (GASP!) throwing food in the trash! Who knew! Me! Being full and leaving fricking food on the plate and throwing it away! What!?!?!?! Yep, that's what Bari-by pass will do to you! Now I make smaller portions up front and I make sure that I eat the protein before I get full. I tend to eat only when I get hungry and when I'm full, I'm DONE. That is a big change from before when I kept right on eating and eating and eating and -- well, you get the drift. Continuing Challenge: Getting the water in. At best, I get 1 liter in/day. Between my heavy work load and knowing that I can't eat and drink at the same time anymore and I can only drink so much at one time! -- I have to choose on most days whether I'm concentrating on getting the water in or getting the protein in. That is a work in progress. I finally was able to get in a long walk today - 5 mi. I just have to go early in the morning to avoid the folk who don't wear masks, but it was great and I hope to re-start my walking routine (it will be a long moment before I return to a gym). So, if you have any questions, ask away!

I was in soooooo much pain the first few days, but it definitely gets better as the days go by. I am 10 days post-op and can still feel the change in my stomach but am not in pain anymore. I can drink water normally but no chugging obviously. Hang in there! Go slowly with your diet. Anything other than clear liquids takes time to go down and makes me feel sick if I consume it too fast. And by sick, I mean tired, weak, and slightly nauseous, although I have yet to actually throw up. I usually just end up laying down for a loooooong time.

I was in soooooo much pain the fist few days, but it definitely gets better as the days go by. I am 10 days post-op and can still feel the change in my stomach but am not in pain anymore. I can drink water normally but no chugging obviously. Hang in there! Go slowly with your diet. Anything other than clear liquids takes time to go down and makes me feel sick if I consume it too fast. And by sick, I mean tired, weak, and slightly nauseous, although I have yet to actually throw up. I usually just end up laying down for a loooooong time.

Hello everyone, I have found a lot of information and helpful support here. Surgery is tomorrow. June 29th, 2020. I was ordered to do Covid 19 test to clear me for surgery. I was really nervous about the test as I heard and read so many stories saying it hurt. It did not hurt, it was quick, they swabbed both nostrils it was a weird feeling, a bit awkward like a fruit fly going up ur nose, n my eyes watered. I had to do 6 months of nutritionist visits, and since I'm near my goal weight for surgery I was told to do 3 days liquid pre op diet. Reading about how others have done for 1 and 2 weeks on liquid diet has given me strength to do my 3 days. I'm excited and nervous of what's to come. I plan on taking pics tonight for my own before and after as well as keep an eye on my diabetes type 2 and high cholesterol and improvements.

Texas has stopped all elective surgeries due to high hospitalizations due to Covid-19. I suspect other states with big resurgence of cases will do the same, Hope it doesn't happen to any of you but be prepared. Your surgery date may get postponed. Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree with the others. Most surgeons will give you a goal of around 70% of excess weight loss since statistically, that's where most people are likely to end up. Only about 10-15% make it to a normal BMI. That's not to say you can't - there are plenty of people on here who've done that - but it takes A LOT of work and commitment, and it's also not realistic for most people. I did make it (although I had the year 3 "bounce back" and am now four lbs "overweight"), but to be honest, at the beginning of my journey, even being under 200 lbs was a pipe dream. I would have been ECSTATIC to end up at 199.

@jrt mom, thank you!!!!! I really appreciate it! I’m going through a bit of an identity crisis transitioning from High school to getting a job, having my entire group of friends betray me, and having my summer plans canceled due to COVID-19... thanks for putting this all into perspective

I don't see where to put my profile. My highest weight was 245. BMI 44. My weight on day of surgery was 211. My weight on postop visit was 200. Seemed to take a long time to make 199. For 3 weeks I have been between 196-198. I have lost inches down to size 16 jeans from size 20. I had VSG on May 28 so one month out. I lost 11 pounds within 10 days of surgery. But then stalled with caloric intake 400-500 calories per day. I have been lifting 3 lbs weights to build up biceps hoping to minimize bat wings. I easily lost 30 pounds before surgery. And have been walking 30 minutes 4 times a week. Been frustrating to see plus 1 lbs and minus 1 pound for 3 weeks. I just started soft stage yesterday after 2 weeks pureed stage.

Whoa Nellie! Oof. ((burp)) excuse me. Hello Post Op Day 18! So I had 2 oz of well-chewed chicken last night (Hawaiian Brothers Huli huli well rinsed) and it went down well so I thought I'd do it again this afternoon. Not sure what was different. Maybe I didn't chew as well. Maybe too close to vitamins. But it felt stuck up high. More than I've ever experienced. I've done enough research to know this is fairly common and my body would want to throw it up. But I thought I'd try and fight it. Not pleasant. I walked around my first floor burping the food up but not allowing it to fully come up. Then I went outside for a slow walk. Then I thought I would just give in and headed to the bathroom and got what I've heard sleevers call the Foamies. But I felt marginally better after that. SO I decided to keep up the fight and hop in the shower. I soaked for a about 10 minutes. That was about 20 minutes ago. No Barf! It's still kinda high but I no longer feel "in danger" of tossing it up. I'm burping a lot of air. But I believe the crisis is averted. I'm glad I knew what was happening or I might've freaked out a little. I'll be waiting until much later this evening for "dinner" and stick to a poached egg. Currently I'm suppose to be eating 3-4 servings of soft but solid proteins a day starting with 1oz each and working my way up to 3 ozs by week 6. Guess my body isn't ready for 2 oz. At least not of chicken. Otherwise feeling good. I always wake with a lot of gas and cramping. Then feel better after my morning protein shake. Very little pain except some aching behind the big left incision and some wash of nerve pain across the front. Still walking each night for 20 minutes. Tried to increase it last night and pooped out. Still struggling to get 64 oz of water in but I'm usually around 50oz. I'm bored out of my mind and there doesn't appear to be much of an end to that. Things are closing down again here in MO. How's everyone doing today? Careful of Chicken! ONWARD!

To you both, congratulations! As far as the reflux goes, I never had AR before my surgery, now I take Omezaprole every day for it or I literally can’t eat or drink anything. My surgery was on 6/10 where I weighed in at 360, and I weighed myself this morning and I’m down to 326.

So funny. I experienced the exact opposite. I used to wake up in the morning hungry and the first thing I would do is make coffee and eat something. Now, one month post-op, when I wake up I'm not hungry at all and not interested in eating for the first few hours. Unfortunately, I'm always hungry at night. Around 9:00 or 10:00 pm I just feel like I really want something and usually wind up drinking a protein shake or eating some soft cheese. I really want to break this habit tho because late night eating was something I did a lot before surgery and I know it's a bad habit.

I am having the sleeve done on July 1st . I am 2 days in on my liquid diet which is the worst thing ever. I have noticed all pre op diets are different , most are allowed to have jello , soups, popsicles. I’m not allowed to have any of that! Just water, shakes and broth. Well needless to say I’m starving and very very weak. Just want to sleep and do nothing , I get exhausted going to the bathroom . I’m very lightheaded and extremely irritable constantly. I have 4 more days to go yet and I’m questioning my ability to be able to go that long. If I could have soup or something that would help a little I think, but I have asked and the answer is still no. But I am very excited that it’s almost here I started this journey back in October 2019, things got put on hold with corona but it’s finally here ! Any words of wisdom or advice is gladly accepted and appreciated!

I told only a couple closest friends. My adult daughter who lived with me at the time knew. I took time off work for some surgery. HIPPA NO one needs to know at work. I am a therapist. I do not think you need to declare - if you are normally a private person why would you decide to "tell" people - It is a medical procedure. And you ARE ALREADY dieting, and you are making life-style changes In no way was I or am I, 10 years later embarrassed about it or anything else. It is a decision my doctors and I made. I continue to live that same lifestyle - I eat healthfully. I eat intentionally. When I see people who knew me 130 pounds ago, and they say something, I tell them that I made some drastic lifestyle changes. And I have. I don't lie. If someone asks me directly, I will tell them. (well, most the time - there are just some humans who do not need that information or any personal information !) I completely OWN the decision I made. the surgery was a one day thing. It gave me an important tool. Tell who you want to. Or don't. Everyone at work assumed I had a hysterectomy - I had that a few years before and didn't announce that either. Your body. Your life. Take control of all of it.

I'm just over 60 and was told several times by both my nutritionist and surgeon that the best way to boost BMR is to build muscle. AARP currently is hosting a "Get Moving" video series for strengthening the body, something that we older people need to do. Here's a link to the first videos: https://campaigns.aarp.org/getmovingLP1/?cmp=IM-HEALTH-HL-LPTWO-2020-Previous It requires a time investment of as little as 10 minutes a day.

Hello welcome to the forum! I’m new as well I made an account after google searching older topics out of curiosity and yes I’d like to have a team that is there for me but I realized he was only in it for the money he’s commercialized in my city I never noticed it until after I consulted with him. But I’m here on day 10 kinda of improving just not eating or drinking in fear of damage that could happen. I hope that you are ready and research this! I researched everything from top to toe and I still have some reservations after having the surgery. Good luck!

I finally have my surgery date scheduled for July 16! I started doing the WLM and the long list of insurance requirements back in September 2019. Due to Covid getting my surgery date was delayed right as I had completed everything I needed to have done. Yet, now that I have a date I have been a ball of emotions today. I’ve been reading everyone’s posts and am happy to be able to connect with other people that have gone through or will be going through with gastric bypass. I have to admit I did the Covid slide to the dang fridge from being cooped up with 3 kids that I suddenly was responsible for teaching, along with balancing everything else during these crazy times. I had to do my meetings over the phone with my nutritionist since our group could no longer meet. I felt like it was never going to happen given the circumstances in the world right now. Thankfully before I received the call that I had been approved by my insurance and received an official surgery date today I had already started the pre-op diet to get on track a couple days ago. Good luck to everyone out there on this journey! I am so happy that I’m about to join you all on the losers bench! 5’6” HW- 319 CW-288 Goal- Anything under 200 and healthy!

I finally received the call today that my surgery was approved and will be on July 16 for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. I’m a ball of emotions! I started this journey back in September 2019 to complete the long list of insurance requirements with different doctor’s & specialists, and attended WLM each month. Then Covid hit right as I had completed everything on my checklist. I have been in limbo land waiting to see what would shake out. Honestly, even though it’s overdue I was still surprised that they’re getting me in as soon as they are. I just hope nothing goes sideways from here to there with my date, because that would just be my luck at this point lol! I’m excited to get more active on here with a great group of knowledgeable people! Good luck to all you fellow July surgery patients! See you all on the losers bench!

I lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks and my doctor said that was good so 10# in 10 days is fantastic.

10 years more of experience is a big deal. Experience makes good doctors great.

I’m now 18 lbs from goal, which if I continue on my trend I should hit in October. I want a lower body lift, arm lift, and breast lift done. I met with two surgeons today, and have a third consult next week. I was very surprised in the different opinions/approaches of the two doctors today. Both were very nice, personable, and professional and per their photos have good results and good reviews online. Here’s what they had to say: Arm lift: Doc #1 said he could do all three procedures on the same day. He said my arms would have a great outcome, would require a compression garment for 2-4 weeks, each would have a drain in for the first 7 days. Doc #2 does arm lifts as an in office procedure under local anesthesia only! Internal sutures only with minimal steri strips, NO compression garment, said he often has people return to work after just a day or two off! Breast lift: Doc #1 pushed hard for implants, which I don’t want and don’t think I need. I’m a 36DD right now and wouldn’t mind if the tissue removed from the lift dropped me a cup size. He would do the lift/implant same surgery as the other procedures. Doc #2 agreed my breast size is fine, and would look great with just a lift. He would do the lift along with the LBL. Lower body lift: Doc #1 said he’d do a belt lipectomy and would leave in a drain on each side. Doc #2 said I don’t need a belt lipectomy, just a extended hip-to-hip incision. Again, NO drains. He uses a quilted internal stitching technique which he said reduces drainage to nearly none. Doc #2 is who I am leaning towards. He has about 10 years more experience. Sounds like his recoveries are quicker and easier. I’d say their photo results and reviews are on par with each other. The quote for Doc #2 was about $6000 less ($40,000 vs $34,000). Both doctors agreed a December/January planned surgery time frame is reasonable. I’m so excited to be starting down this road! Hopefully after my third consultation on Thursday I come away with a clear preference. I’ll update this thread as I go along. Bat wing photo for reference, I’ve lost about 10 more pounds since this was taken.