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Wow, the countdown is on! I’m so excited. I just can’t weight to rid myself of this excess weight. I’m still shedding my old favorite foods one at a time. I guess it really started to become “real” when I booked my flights. I’m no longer scared, well not really. Just excited. I had a financial issue that I thought my put the kybosch on my surgery. At least for a while anyway, but that will work itself out. I am flying south, like a bird in migration on 9/30. Off to Tijuana, Bariatric Pal Hospital, Dr. Illan and his wonderful staff. And there, I will receive a wonderful gift, a tool to help me recover that smaller, healthier person trapped inside.

I know this is old post, but it was brought back up by EdenDesired's reply. I thought I'd reply just in case someone else runs across this and has the same questions. I have bipolar type II. I've been diagnosed for over 20 years and have tried pretty much all drugs that was for BP/Depression or even thought to have a benefit for BP's. There was some cocktails that worked and would work for a good while. Other cocktails would make things worse. But such is the life of BP. I've had two bariatric surgeries. RNY in 2001. I lost 200 pounds and was stable for about 15 years. I gained it back due to what ever reason, divorce, having to take over the complete care of my father, depression/stress from work, etc... ya know Life. I had revision surgery on June 28th, 2019 from RNY to DS. I was able to go forward with this new surgery only because I had a Pdoc that knew about new drugs that are working now and was willing to work with me to adjust things till we got to the right recipe. There is one main new med, and then re-adding some oldie but goodies that i have tried in the past, but are working better with the one new med. It stabilized me more than usual. Didn't stop being depressed/manic, but it limited the cycles in a major way. As to what my Surgeon and Pdoc thought. Pdoc thought I was stable on the meds and had been for a year, so it was a good idea, but told me I should expect to adjust everything as I shrink. Surgeon didn't have an issue as long as I passed the Psych eval. As to the surgery and the meds, I took all my meds all the way up to the morning of the surgery. I was off of some of them while in the hospital, but as soon as I could swallow pills, I was released from the hospital and I was to continue my meds as normal. 1st surgery, they gave me liquid versions of the medication when I went home for a time. The liquid versions don't taste good. When I was having issues and the cocktail wasn't adjusted well, I looked into ECT and a bunch of other things. ECT was one of my choices if other things didn't work out. Have you considered Ketamine Treatments? It is being used for Resistant Depression and you don't need hospital stay for it. Its doing wonders for many. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-major-depression-new-tool-new-questions-2019052216673 Be mindful though when finding a Doctor that provides the treatment. Several clinics are setup by non-psychiatric physicians. _kimga_ I hope you're doing well and you are able to move forward with the surgery. Any questions, feel free to ask.

The bars would be so high in protein with the crickets, mesquite flour (a legume), and cactus seeds that a tiny bit of honey and/or dates, just to hold everything together would probably not be a problem for most. The marketing would be to those wanting a gluten free, high protein, energy bar, not necessarily for bariatric patients. There are so many people who are really into sustainable, eco friendly food sources and crickets tick every box. Besides, they really do taste good and you would never know you were eating them in a bar or cookie. When I raised them, my whole family was cooperative and never flinched at a new cricket recipe. The final test came when I made chimichangas with WHOLE crickets! Everyone ate them and asked for more. That's when I knew my family could survive any zombie apocalypse!

Im too shy to talk to anyone about this. I have not had my period for over a year now and today I was surprised it came back. I heard that having Bariatric surgery sometimes helps women get it. Does anyone know why? This may be TMI and if so sorry!! Today was just horrible day, I didn’t drink not even half of the water I’m suppose to and i know it’s a must. So I didn’t have to use the restroom till tonight (that’s how little I drank today, I know that’s bad). Who knows when I started because not even an hour ago (it’s 8:44 as I’m typing this) I had to use the restroom and that’s when I noticed. Thank Goodness I didn’t leak through my jeans at work. Because I haven’t had it in so long I couldn’t pin point why 1. I was craving sweets (had a SF popsicle to help with that since I’m a little over 2 weeks post op from VSG) 2. I was moody/emotional and lazy 3. Just uncomfortable

Saw my primary care today. She is concerned that I've lost 15lbs in 5 weeks. My bariatric surgeon's office said I should be at 7-10lbs loss every 4 weeks at this point, so I'm not TOO much higher. She is concerned I am not eating enough protein so she ran my labs a month early. Will know Monday. I lost 4lbs this week alone. I am 3lbs from goal weight and actually concerned I am losing too fast and will be underweight or just look weird. I have an appointment with my dieitian in October to work out a meal plan to maintain. My trainer wants me to stop cycling, but I am like addicted to it. He doesn't think my muscles are as defined as they should be because I should get 120g a day with the stuff I do, which is physically impossible with my tummy. I would need to add in a shake and it would just be a lot to stomach - literally. I am at about 700 cals a day at this point, so at a large deficit. But I am full. I can't eat more. Odd to be in this conundrum. I'm not going to cut back exercise until I see the dieitian. If I lose another 15 by then, then I know I have a serious issue because I will be 128 and look WEIRD. I FEEL good. I don't feel weak or tired. I feel functional and healthy. I'm not mentally ready to stop exercise or to try some carbs that may not make me sick. It is such a slippery slope. I don't *think* I'll be the type to give into cravings and regain... but I am scared to risk it. Carbs were my vice and I conquered my cravings. I don't want them to return, so I keep them away from me. I also have a very sensitive tummy. BUT I also don't want to be a weird stick figure, either. I am still healthy-appearing now, but another 15lbs will be no bueno. Another 10 is pushing it. And this is without the skin removal which will shrink me much more. Kinda actually worried. How does this stop. Where is the equilibrium. I know I will be at GW by Monday. =/ I should be happy, but I am worried because it isn't slowing down. I am hoping it levels out over the next month and you don't see that ticker drop dramatically as it has been lately. I feel like I got in this routine and it has been so successful, but now it is time to switch it up and that is scary. I don't want to fail so bad that I am failing in a new, unexpected way. Sorry for the ramble. TLDR I can't stop losing and it's becoming excessive. The rate has actually increased lately, rather than slowed. Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

This was my outfit to the Rotary luncheon today. I will need the seamstress to lower my shirt sleeves, though. 😕 I'm hoping the last 30 pounds to goal will address the large waist + muffin top + bust disportionate with the other shrinking parts! Haha! And, ms.sss, this is me Sophie! That beautiful svelte lady in the size 4 gray floral dress (I wish) is an attendant for upcoming 25th. She's 62 - so I'll pass on your compliment! :] That's her puppy Coconut, and Bobby's girlfriend. Bobby is below modeling his fall sweater. He's our wire fox terrier. Yes, I did the dress sketch. Hoping I'll have that smaller waist by May 2020?! Definitely share with us that awesome dress you have in mind for that awesome destination vow renewal party! You have a gorgeous figure, and will look absolutely delish in your new gown of choice... How exciting! Whether married, single or have a significant other here at OOTD - I think we each deserve a wonderful over the top evening out, dressed accordingly in our own personal style and taste. Let's model and share some of our fab cocktail and/or evening wear!?

I'm going to my first appt at my doctors office on the 16th to bring up bariatric surgery. Any questions I should ask or things I should mention?

Hiya Ellf! Today is My FIRST SURGIVERSITY,AND I am now half the weight I started this Last Segment of Bariatric Life ( I fought for over 3 years to receive IT) at 365+ and I am ( Drum Roll Please) 182.3. And lest that sounds impossible, I DID IT ALL at 72 years with the Natural BMR of a Seasick Sea 🐌, took Work, took Stubborness and , no matter what the People I encountered tried to Say, I Did IT RIGHT and like the song Paul Anna wrote and Frank Sinatra made His Own---' I DID IT MY WAY! And I am remodeled, realigned and renovated! I think I am now smaller than my High Graduation 56 years ago this Past May- and It Does Feel Fine! People seem to recognize me by my voice because my Exterior is NOT THE SAME! I finally radiate what I always have been inside- One Heck of A Woman, and pretty doggone Good to Know. And the Rest of My Life has Become The Best of My Life and I Do Wish It for All reading This! 😛❤ from Your Frustr8

Well my friends TODAY IS MY FIRST SURGIVERSITY- and I may be waxing a bit philosophical. Goes with the TERRITORY- I'm older than Dirt, gives you a lot to reason with when You've attained 73 years 8 months and 10 days upon this Earth. What advice would I give the Newbies and the Stiil- Strugglers as this point? Don't obsess about YOUR YESTERDAYS- the Past has passed- Don't Cry for What you think You've Lost- Look forward to Your New Tomorrows. Life now has Many Happy Moments in YOUR Future. It has been a year of Some sorrows but Many Many Blessings. I WILL Never REGRET having Surgery- I did not Heal as I believed I WOULD- my pathway has had bumps, some bruised me, thought a few times I would fall off the Edge into Quicksand, twists, turns, A few times I thought I had gotten lost, Many Things changed for me, but more than CHANGE I finally found MYSELF- learned I was Still Strong enough. You Know we come into life a Blank Canvas, each of the portraits painted are unique. I have scars, been bumped and bruised but what I have encountered, I have survived, I have surmounted, And Each mar, each stretch- mark, each scar, and I have had some emotional Keloids, Those are my BATTLE RIBBONS, they show I have truly Lived and are STILL LIVING ! Like the line from the Big Lebowski- I ABIDE. And one of the Boasts, Brag and Acknowledgment? I AM NOW LESS than HALF the Person I was at my Highest Weight, I have gone from 365+ to Just Over 180, and although I HAVE LIVED IT, it still amazes ME, I Still have a Few Items Left from Back Then- tried them on and they LITERALLY FELL OFF! I am a loose 18- tighter 16 in SIZE- and although my Dr Needleman , my Bariatric Surgeon, promised I Could and Would Lose Weight- I didn't really believe It Could Happen. I had so Many People promise Me Things that never really Happened, after you cry and cry, You find yourself Still Numb- Not even Flinching Any more. I was Never Suicidal because I had No Courage Left to Actually Do The Deal, And My Fears THAT is a SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS. But Now having been a Subseviant Lump, because I was Told That was was Expected of Me- I was taught to Please my Parents, My late Husband, even the 3 children GOD had granted Me. Did anyone bother pleasing ME? NOPE for NOBODY thought I was Worthy, just behave & cause No Waves. Took Me YEARS. and More YEARS to realize Frustr8 was and is a Strong Enough, Worthy Enough and Deserving Enough to continue Living. I no longer believe I am An Extension of Somebody Else, I Am and From Now On will be Strong, Reliant instead of merely Reliable, My Own WOMAN and my Bariatric Surgery helped me to Affirmation of This Fact. So Bradley J Needlman,of The OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL- WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER- Thank You for MY Wonder Wednesday- MY Day of DAYS & I HOPE TODAY you are giving a New Group their Terrific Thursday- and Next Year They Too look Back with Joy at ALL THAT HAPPENED FOR THEM. And May BLESSINGS Be Theirs. So Celebrate wherever You May be and Face YOUR Tomorrows with Conviction and Strength for You Are Strong, Brave, Worthy , and if You Fear there may Be Trials and Rainy Days- DON'T! Everything you're going through TODAY does Bring A Bright and Sunny Future- AND IT IS WORTH IT ALL! MUCH 💘 LOVE. your FRUSTR8!!!!!

I was thinking about this last night and what is the difference between RNY and duodenal switch? I actually researched both when I started this and all I could tell was that DS looks like a combination of a sleeve stomach with rerouting of RNY and gallbladder removal. I had my gallbladder out due to chronic inflammation and low function. I had RNY due to GERD. I understood RNY to be malabsorption and why we take all kinds of vitamins vs simply being sleeved. I don’t think it totally doesn't process fat. Otherwise fat soluble vitamins wouldn’t be effective. And carbs and sugars still have a impact. The procedure bypasses a portion of the small intestine which means less of the food is absorbed and utilized by the body as calories and of course this means vitamins as well. So we supplement. A lot of medicine is largely not understood and (I can’t think of the word) anecdotal? Based largely on personal accounts and not necessarily research. With bariatric surgery they get information from patients yet how much do they understand about the process of what happens in the body except that it works. You have your risks but if it can battle obesity we accept these risks to have a tool to fight it. To say it’s not a malabsorption procedure when most doctors say it is, makes no sense to me. The sleeve procedure is a restrictive procedure but RNY is a combination of restriction and malabsorption bypassing part of the small intestine and alternating the body chemistry as well. How it’s altered exactly I don’t know. Except it alters the Ghrelin or hunger hormone. Ghrelin stimulates appetite while Leptin reduces appetite.

My surgeon says liquids only for the preop diet so shakes must become your best friend also because you're on liquids post op as well for a while. I've started my own high protein diet before my preop just to shed some lbs. Cut out all fat and sugar and carbs. Gave up energy drinks and all junk food and count calories everyday. I've found with high protein I'm full quicker and for longer and already shed 20lbs in 8 days, I get that it was mostly water weight at first so it will get harder as the weeks go by but I'm doing everything in my power so that when I go see the surgeon next he will be impressed with me. I feel it is better to get into the routine of diet change before surgery otherwise you will suffer post op with falling off the plan and in turn causing yourself issues with getting the best results. We see all kinds of people with all kinds of results and if you ask those who lost 100lbs in 6 months it will most likely be that they were strict on themselves from the start. If you're having trouble adjusting you might benefit from seeing a bariatric psychologist or nutritionist to help you. Good luck everyone.

Next week I’ll have my first required nutrition/WLS group meeting and PCP appointment the next day to get my clearance letter sent to my bariatric surgeon. I’m getting more & more excited than I was a bit ago with my nerves flaring up. I’ve already been walking, watching my portions, trying to master the art of not inhaling my food (baby bites is hard for me 😳🤫) to try and get my body in the same place as my mind is. It also helps that I have been really busy lately to make the time go by faster. I love all the info I’ve gained from this site. It has really helped me start to work on some of the things I know I need to get a handle on prior to surgery. And, I’m not gonna lie, looking at that before/after forum is motivating as anything! I wish you all luck, everyone on here has been really wonderful, so thank you! 🍀

Found this article, though complicated. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/92/4/704/4597483 I do find it confusing trying to research the malabsorption aspect of RNY “gastric bypass is known as a restrictive operation as it restricts both food intake and the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.” you’d think bypassing part of the small intestine would cause less absorption of calories. yet I also see a quote which says: ”Mr James Ramus MD, FRCS - Consultant General, Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon at Berkshire Independent Hospital in Reading comments on a common misunderstanding in modern Bariatric procedures. 'The gastric bypass is not meant to be a 'malabsorptive' procedure. i.e. you do not malabsorb calories. The bypass works partly as a restrictive procedure but perhaps the main benefits in the procedure are the changes in gut hormones that occur afterwards' ... but is that just one opinion? How much does anyone really understand how the procedure works? I mean they don’t really know the true mechanics of it. Especially since surgeons don’t seem to mention changes in things like how medications are absorbed Or utilized post op. Another quote “You had gastric bypass surgery. This surgery made your stomach smaller by closing off most of your stomach with staples. It changed the way your body handles the food you eat. You will eat less food, and your body will not absorb all the calories from the food you eat.” im not sure there is a clear or simple answer out there

I am 8 years out, and I am just wondering what vitamins you all still take. I currently take Bariatric Fusion chewable multivitamins, iron gluconate, D3, B12 injections, and psyllium husks. I had to have an iron infusion a couple years ago, my surgeon says I don’t absorb iron sulfate anymore. So dealing with a normal MD was not helping my iron rise. I also have a vitamin D deficiency and B12 also. Another problem I’ve had is with my fiber intake, so the only thing that helps me is the psyllium. My labs are finally where they need to be. I’ve just been wondering where others are at and what is still important. I’m 8 years out of RNY and finally feel like I’ve figured it out for my body.

@Sophie7713 : First, you are a woman after my own heart with your obvious planning abilities ! and love love love your colour scheme. Did you draw the dress picture yourself ?!?!? Second, congrats on your 25th anniversary next year (which, btw, you look waaaaay too young to be having ) Third, yep, a couple months ago, I got Mr. to agree to some sort of vow renewal but no details or anything yet...lol. we had a destination wedding with close family and friends back then, and would love to go back to the same place and do it again. honestly though, I just want to wear an awesome dress and have an awesome party 😎 ...and finally, I looooove your dog. He/she looks just like my own own dog a while back *sniffless* Cock-a-poo?

Thank you, Deedee12, for your kind words. Fantasy is GOOD! Dream BIG! I really think you should start planning a wonderful 15th anniversary party! It can be intimate or grand. We are doing grand this time around (so excited to reunite + reconnect with old and new friends) as we did not have the time nor budget to host a more formal event in 1995. I'm planning a porch ceremony overlooking valley, wine + hors d'oeuvres piano reception - my roommate in grad school played at original and again now - Her sons will duo perform at the vow renewal. Then, a sit down dinner and dance (original flower girls all grown up now will give toast + blessing) with a live 10 piece-band. Love to dance! I was definitely a disco girl in the 80's! For our first dance from To Sir With Love by Lulu - An amazing 1967 movie starring heart throb, Sidney Poitier (watch it if you can!) - the band leader will invite all couples married 10 years or more to join us. How nice to be lighter on my feet. Sorry for rambling - just so excited! ;]

Absolutely gorgeous and truly truly ROMANTIC!!!!![emoji7][emoji7][emoji7][emoji7] Love everything about that design and plan!! I told my husband about a renewal ceremony for our 15th anniversary 2020 and he just chuckled! Now I know I'm not crazy for the fantasy I have in my head [emoji5][emoji5] Can't wait to see pics next year Sophie! You are incredibly talented. And you look amazing too!!🧡[emoji169]🧡[emoji169] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Maybe time for a vow renewal ceremony and gala celebration, Ms.sss?! Perhaps, re-purpose and redesign this gown for the New You? I think that would be so cool... Your hubby must be over the moon. We are planning our 25th Anniversary gala for Springtime May 2020. This is the dress (lace, velvet, taffeta in neutrals) I designed for the occasion along with bouquet + cake. Two of my original attendants/best friends will stand with me again (we have no children). They will carry the pattern and color for the silver anniversary. I'll have my first muslin dress fitting in late January 2020 - Working diligently towards my final 30 pound goal and maintenance, hopefully by that juncture. As a bride in 1995, I too, weighed much more. Not this time around - 60 pounds less come goal! Just call me the die hard romantic.

2weeks ago, I went to see my Naturopath, has successfully helped me with an number of health issues through diet ( ie. yeast infections, urinary tract infections, anxiety). I had not seen her since before my Gastric Bypass procedure in May 2019. When I weighed in with her, I was down to 253 from 302. My presenting concern was I feeling very muddled and disorganized in my daily living. After tearfully describing my struggles, my Naturopath immediately told me that she wants me to start the Keto diet. She encouraged to be mindful of the guidelines I was given at the Bariatric clinic and incorporate them into the diet plan that I was encouraged to follow. So far so good, I have not been exactly perfect, however the majority of the food I eat is Keto friendly. I feel really good about this lifestyle and follow up with my Naturopath tomorrow. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

There are several bariatric cooking websites but my favorite recipe site is skinnytaste.com. It is geared more to Weight Watchers, but the food is wonderful. She remakes normal dishes into healthier versions. The sizes aren't bariatric, but she provides full nutritional information and since you'll have a normal size stomach, there shouldn't be too many leftovers. It's great that you like to cook. It's so much easier to know exactly what you're ingesting.

I love you, but your bar sounds like a date with dumping. "dates, honey, mesquite flour" are all so high in fructose so liver bomb. Cricket flour though poses a really neat option for bariatric patients. It has more iron per gram than any other protein source. I would think it would be pretty bioavailable too. It's just very difficult to wrap my head around eating crickets...*chirp*

Hey Kaiser crew, lol. I'm now surgery approved and called to get my date this morning for January and was advised to wait until November for my date. Kaiser doesn't book 4 months in advance, only 2 max. The scheduler was also able to answer a few questions for me. The surgeons generally have 5 surgeries a day, the bypass being first then up to 4 sleeves. My surgeon is the Chief of the Bariatric surgeons and etc., the sleeve w/o complications takes about 30-45 minutes. He does answer his emails , so any questions missed during our appointment he will answer via email.

This is exactly what I was thinking and why I started looking in the first place. I do a lot of the cooking so I'll have to learn to meal prep and reduce portions for an 80% stomach reduction. My wife and I would usually go on hardcore diets together. We initially decided to get bariatric surgery together but I opted out for two reasons. One, I didn't want both of us to be out of commission post-OP. Two, I love beer and I fear that I'm not at a point where I can completely cut it out. I wouldn't want to spend so much time preparing for it to be lost on wanting to drink. Since we are nearing the surgery date it sounds like it's time to purge the baddies from the fridge!

that's a super low BMI for a bariatric patient (in fact, I'm a little surprised someone did it for you). Most of us are 40+ - and many start at 50+. You're not likely to lose as fast as someone who starts at a higher BMI.

Actually, a lot of literature says that modern bariatric surgery techniques don't really cause all that much malabsorption - unless of course you get the Duodenal switch. The caloric restriction is due to small pouch size and hormonal changes that turn off the appetite switch. We still need to take our vitamins and get tested, but I don't think the caloric malabsorption is all that much. I may be wrong, but that is what I have read.