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Hi everyone I’m currently just gone 7 months post op and just got my bloodwork back from the vitamin and minerals panel my surgeon had me do and it turns out i’m very low on Vitamin A. I realise i’m super uneducated on what vitamin A is/comes from and how to remedy it. I take a daily bariatric vitamin - one that was prescribed by my surgeon and it seems to be doing the trick on all other necessary levels of vitamins but A. I’ve tried to research a little but so far i’m not understanding how to manage this or where it comes from. All i’ve seen is that it’s common in bariatric patients ? I’m seeing my surgeon mid november so it’s a little far out from now and i kind of want to know a little about it before my appointment. If anyone has any insight it’ll be greatly appreciated !

I had a lap band placed in 2013 and ended up having it removed here in January. It up getting infected. Thankfully no erosion and just some scar tissue. The surgery to remove it was miserable for me tbh but at that time i started the process to revising from band to bypass. Thankfully that went through without a hitch and I had surgery on the 2nd of October. Initially with the band I lost over 100 lbs very quickly and felt so good. Went from 305 down to around 200. About a year after the band was placed I got my gallbladder out and I feel like that is when things kind of took a turn for me. I ended up having issues with the band so I just removed all the fluid after a year or so and just coasted through life with the thing. Things still getting stuck with it empty. Ended up gaining all my weight back and then some. Anyway, I just got the bypass on the 2nd and I am just overwhelmed with fear of not losing enough with the bypass as well as regain. Wondering if anyone has had similar experiences? On the pre op diet I lost 15 lbs and I have lost about 17 since surgery. I am almost 3 weeks. I read about people losing 30-40 right away. I worry im not on track even though I feel as if im doing well. I dont have any pain, my energy is good, i havnt puked at all since surgery (still on full liquids) and overall things seem to be doing well. I do need to up my protein (60-70 grams a day) but am able to get my fluids in. Time will tell I guess but would love to hear about others experiences. Thanks Brittany

Hi guys, my name is Anna and I'm really glad I found this site. I received approval from my insurance earlier this week, there's just one x-ray needed and then I will be scheduled. My mom had the same procedure over 2 years ago, but she's more of a cautionary tale of what not to do. I have friends who have had it done as well. The hardest part of this process for me has been giving up cigarettes, and trying to lose weight on my own. I started my umpteenth weight loss journey November of 2022, and finally went back to see my moms doctor in January of this year, after chickening out a couple times before. No matter what I've done I have no been able to get below 300 since 2016. My highest weight was 374. The smallest I've been is 230 in my 20s after losing 70 lbs and keeping it off 2 years. Right now I'm chilling at around 340, have been for almost 2 years. I love the gym, I love swimming, I love being active. But I have a lot of chronic pain from back and neck issues, as well as arthritis and between that and depression, it can be hard to get out of bed some days. Last time this year I had just finished a 16 week fitness challenge at a local CrossFit center, where I learned to do a real push up, deadlifts and other strength and endurance building exercises. It was great, and I got down to 315. Then the program ended and about 25 lbs reappeared out of thin air (psych, I know lol). I am hoping that this tool is the missing puzzle piece I've needed. I know how to track, how to measure, how to diet basically. And I know how to exercise. What I've struggled with more than anything is portion and hunger. It's hard to stay in a deficit when your stomach feels like it's gonna eat itself if you don't put enough food in it- That being said I do know I want to focus on protein and fiber for fullness, and I'm working on eating smaller and more frequent throughout the day which is helping some. I guess I'm as ready as I will ever be. Am I the only one who has struggled with being a bit depressed about it all? Like I am mourning the loss of so much, including my stomach and the ability to indulge in a meal. I understand I still can, but it's not gonna be the same having a jr popcorn at the movies, when i had a good portion of a large gone before credits were over- ya know? Like people who don't struggle with their weight take a lot for granted. My whole life I've been big, and it has always felt like a punishment I didn't do anything to bring about. And society punishes you for being overweight/obese/plus size. Part of me feels like cutting out a part of my organs is another punishment I must endure because I am fat. I hope this makes sense, and these are just fleeting thoughts and feelings, mind you. I have a wonderful counselor I see weekly, and we have talked about this, among other things. But I wanted to bring it up here because I am wondering if anyone has struggled with this line of thinking? And if so what are some good things about the process to focus on? I know the outcome of the weight being gone and my appetite under control, and I want those things very much. But it's the actual surgery and the discomfort I know is coming after that trips me up. Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and I wish you all well ❤️

I flew to Turkey for my procedure and I honestly don't know that it could have gone any smoother. The hospital in Istanbul was the nicest hospital I've ever seen and everyone was so incredible thorough. I am going on my 5th day post op mini-bypass and I was able to walk three miles yesterday. Going to see the Hagia Sophia today. So far, my only regret is that I wish I made the decision sooner. On another note, I didn't expect to feel hungry and crave food so quickly. Has anyone else experienced that?

Ooh I'm so thrilled for you. The single anastomosis (one connection instead of two) also makes your surgery considerably safer since there is only one place for a leak instead of two. That is the reason the SADI is safer than the Duodenal Switch and since the weight loss is considered comparable they are doing it more often. My guess is that’s the same thing with the mini gastric bypass. Keep on doing what you’re doing. You are doing so great.

Hi, I am almost three weeks out from a bypass and started experiencing the feeling of liquid coming back up into my throat after drinking, similar to reflux. I had a couple days where I vomited and I think that is be ause I was putting too much in my stomach too fast. (Only took 3 sips to do it). I saw my surgeon yesterday and he explained that there is still swelling inside the stomach and that I need to take the drinking a little slower, but to keep with it. I may get some IV fluids for it, but I just keep woking on sipping fluids to get my liquids in. I have to remind myself it is a marathon, not a sprint. Hang in there!

I had the Gastric Bypass but had issues with keeping foods down and carried nausea bags around just in case. My nutritionist became concerned thinking I was developing a blockage perhaps, but for me it was just certain foods and textures that didn't agree with my tummy so I stayed on liquid/soft foods a lot longer than most do. I was fine with it. I learned over time what to eat and what to avoid and tried them again further on down the road. Some things I still struggle to eat like raw veggies, heavy meats and some fibrous fruit like oranges. Loose bowels can become a problem if you get dehydrated. Otherwise I think it's just part of the process. Your body getting rid of what it needs to and detoxing. But if you aren't keeping anything down and dehydrated, contact your doctor. Best of luck to you!

Received a call at 8.30am this morning to be told that I was discussed in last Fridays MDT meeting and was accepted for surgery 🥳🥳🥳 I was then told I would be having a ‘One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass’ - huh?? The nurse repeated herself and I was still none the wiser. She said that she would ask a specialist Bariatric nurse to call me to discuss and would send me the info out. I asked for it to be emailed, which she did. I had a read through and did some more research on the internet, just to familiarise myself with what had been suggested. It’s the mini gastric bypass. The specialist nurse rang me just after 9am and explained that it meant that my ‘pouch’ is slightly bigger then that of a Roux-en-Y bypass and there is only one connection or ‘anastomosis’ which is from the pouch to the bowel. Apparently it’s not as complex with the op taking around 1.5hours and recovery just the same as the normal bypass plus the weight loss is expected to be the same. I was recommended it because of Fibromyalgia and the chronic pain I have with RA and osteoarthritis as it would be easier for me. That made sense, thankfully! The specialist nurse said it was a relatively new procedure to the hospital which is why it wasn’t discussed in any detail at the first education session I attended a few months ago. Fair enough, I’m happy to go ahead with it. The wait is around 4-6 months - oh 😒 I was honest and said that I was concerned about losing focus while I’m waiting and gaining weight once again (we all know how easy that is) She went through everything again with me - 3 meals a day, 20/20/20, use a portion plate if I have one (I do) focus more on my protein etc. She also said that if I do begin to struggle, to contact her and they would fit me in with the dietitian to go through things with me. I felt better for her saying that. I did reiterate that I am happy to take a cancellation. She said they do get cancellations but would have to make sure that I had at least 3 weeks notice to complete the LRD. I’ll be honest and say that I’m really, really hoping that the 4-6 months is on the outside and that the surgery is sooner! I know that whatever will be will be, so just to keep on keeping on. Gym is going well, 3 visits last week and I’m hoping for 3 more this week. I’ve upped my levels and weights and I’m burning around 600-650 cals in around an hour or so workout or so my Apple Watch tells me! I can feel muscle, it just happens to be deeply buried and camouflaged with fat 😮 I tried my smaller sized gym stuff on yesterday and, while I can get it on I wouldn’t say it actually fitted, so a few more pounds to go before I would feel comfortable enough to wear it. I bought a new black trench coat from Costco at the weekend. It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve been able to fit into clothing from there so that was a nice boost. It will definitely last me a reduction of a couple of sizes too. My weight is steady at the moment but I do hope to bring it down a little bit more before I have to do the LRD. Bloods to have taken yet again on Wednesday. If my liver is off this time then they will have to think of something else. I’ve not had my weekly jabs for 7 weeks, I’ve missed my other jab for 4 weeks plus no pain relief for 4 weeks either and it’s all wearing really thin with me now. I’m finding that I’m snapping at hubby because of pain and it’s not fair. The gym is really helping my range of movement but the pain remains. We’re out for belated birthday drinks on Friday (postponed because of blood tests ) and that’s about it. I’ve decided to crack on and make a start on wrapping Christmas presents this week. Thankfully my Christmas shopping is almost finished - hurray for sales! Wishing everyone a happy week 🥰 Onwards and Downwards!

Well I read that like 26% of sleeve patients end up revising whether it’s because of GERD, inadequate weight loss or regain. My surgeon said that it’s less risky and it’s a very good surgery that works fine for many people but it’s just not enough of a metabolic change for some. I honestly think he leaned towards it because my BMi was low (for this surgery at least). I was barely 35BMI but I tried telling him that was only because I was literally dieting my whole life and even then I didn’t eat that bad. I just ate a lot of food. I’m sure he hears that a lot but I think I just needed the bigger change from a more drastic surgery. From day one with my sleeve I felt like I was on a diet. I never did find healthy foods that I enjoyed, I ate chicken breast and one of the three veggies that I liked and downthe road I ate a tiny portion of something not so good for me (nothing terrible but not good either). I also never felt the spurt of energy that I felt this time so I never got into the exercise. It just wasn’t the whole lifestyle change. It was like any other diet when my hunger came back and my portions got bigger but it was healthy food at first. Then I started gaining and it just made me so depressed I was trying so hard and I was gaining already. I went to my surgeon and asked about bypass and he said he didn’t think it was a good option for me. I still don’t understand why he said that and later changed his mind. Anyways, after that I stopped following up with my team, stopped posting on here and I never went to in person groups. All of my friends and familY had already told me how big I was before thinking it was safe to say because I was thinner then so as I continued to gain I knew what they were thinking of me so my confidence just plummeted and that just snowballed into my gaining all of my weight back and then I just said forget it I guess this is just my life and I didn’t even try anymore. Finally one day my doctor said that I should really go ask him why it is that he doesn’t think it’s a good idea because they felt I was a good candidate and he said he would do it and asked me if I ever heard of the SADI. He sent me home to do research on that surgery and come back and tell him which one I wanted. I said I think the SADI and he said he needed tests to make sure I was a good candidate. He did an endoscopy, a barium swallow study and a gastric emptying test and then he said I was good and put me on the schedule. Then at the last minute they figured out I needed the nutritionist visit and the psyc eval that they didn’t think I needed so I did those in a hurry and started my preop diet. This time I told everyone about my surgery. Even though I have terrible fears that I will regain again I know that I need them cheering me on to keep me going as well. I started the In person support groups before I even had my surgery and I started posting here again as well. I have done so much more with finding healthy foods that I don’t dread and adding exercise so I can have things other than chicken breast macro wise as well. I also know this time that even if I don’t reach my goal weight or my secret goal weight that I already feel so much better and hopefully I can keep that In mind and not get caught up trying to do this just to be skinny because that isn’t the most important thing. Last time I reached the first goal I had set for myself but I never did reach the goal that I secretly wanted to get to. But I was only 18 pounds away and I let that make me feel like a failure. I would give anything to be that weight now. I just lost perspective I guess. Being healthy is really why I did it then and now and I’m already on the road to being a lot healthier so if I do lose more that’s really just icing on the cake. I just have to remember that and I think I will be okay.

You're probably right; the InBody is likely more accurate than the smart scale, but it’s definitely not 100% either. I totally get where you’re coming from—I’ve also decided to move on from stressing about the numbers. I think I might be barely hitting my protein intake, and that could be part of the issue. Honestly, I feel like I should just be snacking on chicken breast to get those numbers up! I appreciate the reminder about protein and carbs; it’s helpful to know that our needs can change with activity levels. It sounds like you’re really on top of things with your goals. Keeping track of our intake can be tough, especially with everything else going on! f you don’t mind sharing more about your regain, I’d love to hear about it! I understand if it’s too personal, though. I’ve also been curious about why it seems more common to regain after sleeve surgery compared to bypass, especially since so many people still opt for the sleeve despite bypass being around longer. What do you think contributes to that? Thanks for any insights you can share!

Hi I had Gastric Bypass 4 years ago, lost 120 pounds, kept it off. Now in the past year I have noticed that I have been getting extremely sleepy after most meals. In the evening its ok because I just head to bed, but after lunch, at work, it can be a bit of a problem. The effect only lasts for 30-40 minutes, but I'm so groggy I can barely function. Is it dumping? Sometimes I feel flushed and my heart is a bit fast, but It happens for all food, with sugar or not.. Is it age, I'm 62 now.. Something else? Anyone else have similar issues?

So I am a USNavy Veteran. I am getting help through the VA Hospital. They don't offer injections for weight loss help due to the need for those medications to go to Diabetic patients which is what they were made for initially. So not having a larger BMI, the only option available to patients like me is the bariatric balloon. They do not do lap band or anything else similar here in the United States anymore with the VA health system. They offer gastric sleeve/bypass to patients with higher BMI- they said if I was just 10lbs heavier when I was referred to the specialist, they would have approved it 😕 which made me a little upset- if my primary would have known....maybe I would have waited for those extra 10lbs ? Well, any who- I am willing to try what's available to me- so Gastric Balloon it is So they will insert surgically a balloon filled with blue dyed saline solution. Basically, a breast implant in my stomach this will take up a majority of the stomach space- leading to feeling full and staying full feeling for longer. Basically, it is like the injection medications results, but not needing the injections monthly.

I had no idea gastric balloons were even done any more. Unless this is a different procedure from the days of yore? I think most surgeons abandoned balloons for the safe and considerably more effective sleeve and bypass options. I know those mightn't be an option for everyone of course. Best of luck and I hope it works for you OP. Sounds like you're in a good mind space and that's worth a lot.

So I went on vacation with my hubby- caught some kinda cold...getting to the almost better part of the cold- however still have a cough- and sometimes my chest hurts with it. So please if you are one to pray- pray this is done and over with by my surgery date ❤️ I did my preOp appointment, doctor heard me coughing- didn't really question anything....so I didn't either. Did covid test- it was negative so thats good. Started my PreOp 2 week diet per my doctors orders. I also started watching my portions before this so it feels very manageable. Oct 24th is my go date for Balloon procedure. I know people that did gastric bypass however I did not qualify for that. So fingers crossed my lifestyle changes will get me to my goal. Thats my intro- looking forward to hearing from people as we progress through this journey together

Yeah nobody can control the snow except God. I'm not worried about the snow. It usually does snow in early November here in upstate NY but lately over the past 3 years or so it hasn't started snowing until Janurary. Hoping this year is another repeat of that. Time will tell. They gave me a whole booklet that my surgeon gave to me when he explained the various different surgeries to me and a bunch of other people about 7-8 months ago. It has everything that I need to know in it like what I'm supposed to be doing 2 weeks before my surgery 2 weeks afterwards ... everything. I just haven't had much time to give it a good going over its been a busy 7-8 months. They always ask me at the end of my appointments if I have any questions and I think I have some for my surgeon that I'll probably be asking him the day of my surgery so if I have any I can always ask. Most of my questions are medical questions though that I think only my surgeon can answer because I'm curious how my mental illness is going to affect my surgery and my weight loss journey after my surgery. It's definitely going to be more of a struggle than usual. Do all of your hunger pains and cravings usually go away with the surgery? Or do you still have to worry about the urge to eat?

So I called this afternoon and they got the results back apparently she didn't find anything too concerning and they're not delaying the surgery. I will know more on my followup on the 30th when the nurse goes over it with me but for now I'm being told that everything she found was totally normal and not concerning. I'm guessing that she just addressed concerns that I didn't know enough about the surgery and that they should go over everything again. I'm assuming. I'll know more in 3 weeks. But I feel so much better now because I was worried that they'd delay my surgery. Now let's hope it doesn't snow in upstate ny in November this year lol

I had a revision to SADI two months ago (which is a modified DS) and I’m very happy with it. After the sleeve I always felt like I was just on a diet. I still craved unhealthy stuff and didn’t have all the extra energy that people explained. So I lost a lot of weight but once my appetite came back I gained it back. Since the SADI it’s different. I would obviously still like to have pizza and pasta but I still enjoy the healthier choices and I have tons of energy. I walk about 5-7 miles a day and just started YOGA twice a week. I want to do an aerobics/strength class that meets two other days but I’m not quite there yet. I have lost 48 pounds total in 2.5 months (which includes the two week preop in which I lost 13 pounds). Not all surgeons do the SADI yet and there is not a whole lot of help out there in terms of what you should be doing nutrition wise. I spoke to two different nutritionists and they just gave me the same info as they would give for bypass but the NP has been looking at my fitness and food log charts and helping me to adjust my macros and it’s working. I was warned about diarrhea and stinky bowel movements but I have not experience either. In fact I’m still weaning off the stool softener. My surgeon did a few tests first to make sure my sleeve was In good shape because he does not make adjustments to the sleeve. He feels the risks are too high. The recovery was a little tougher this time and you have to be disciplined with your portions because physically you can eat more but once I was healed I was able to tolorate all the same foods as before since they didn’t operate on my stomach. I am now back to pretty normal portions of healthy foods.

I agree. Four years out from a bypass it’s not very likely that it’s related (could be but less likely). I would give your family provider a call because it does sound like something is off. They will probably want to order labs at the very least.

A couple of things. I have never heard of anyone having a sleeve and not spending 1 night in the hospital. It was done as a same day procedure? And it should have been done in a hospital. Was it done in a surgery center and not the hospital? If so, why? When I had my sleeve and later my revision to bypass, BCBS paid for both. Why did they not pay for yours? Typically if you're self pay, insurance won't pay for any care pertaining to that procedure if it was something they already wouldn't cover. Have you reached out to the surgeon who did your surgery? What did they say about the complications? And I guess I'm confused about how an artery was knicked and nobody noticed for 10 hours. And yes, if you had a sleeve and it was billed as a lap band, it most definitely needs to be corrected.

This may not be related to your bypass. I suggest talking with your regular doctor for a sick visit. Your doctor can run more tests to puzzle out what’s going on. Just keep your fluids up by small sips (like a child’s medicine cup then wait 5 minutes before another sip) and push some Gatorade Zero to keep your electrolytes stable while figuring this out. There’s some nasty viruses going around. Let’s hope it’s something simple like that, but get checked out.

iron level is how much iron is currently in your blood ferritin is your body's iron stores. Your body taps into this when the iron level in your blood is too low. It's when the ferritin gets too low that people need an iron infusion however, this is more common in bypass patients than sleeve patients

I so love this! In November when I finally stop working like I have 5 children (mind you I only have a dog, just like to spend money)😂, I plan on trying hot yoga. I want to go YOGA and Boxing next month. We have a May weather gym here. Work these arms out! P.S take that trip! Even if you have to go solo or leave him in the room while you do the hot stuffs 😂😂😩

I had my gastric bypass in June of 2020. It was a revision from a sleeve due to GERD. I did really good after surgery as I went from 260 to 220 and than As of the past week I have went from 214 to 202lbs in a week. I have been soooo sick, throwing up everything I eat, I’m crazy restless and my chest feels tight. I feel like something might be wrong but I was in the hospital overnight and they couldn’t find anything other than some levels that were low but I’m still really sick, to be honest it is about as bad as when I first had my bypass. I would love to hear if anyone else has had this after 4 years or if you have any advice on how to get food and nutrients in me. I am getting kinda scared and desperate.

. Yeah she wanted to make sure I was aware of the side effects and what the procedures of the surgery that I wanted were because I told her at the beginning of the interview I wanted the gastric sleeve so she asked me to describe what the gastric sleeve consisted of. Aside from telling her that my surgeon was going to take out 70-80% of my stomach I couldn't tell her much because I was told about the surgeries, their side effects and everything else six months ago so i couldnt really remember. I didn't tell her that but I did tell her I wasn't sure on the side effects. Hopefully she doesn't give me too much to work on because I'm looking forward to getting my surgery in November.

I actually did tell my GP it was actually his idea. I am 440 pounds and was 435 ish when he recommended the gastric sleeve surgery. He did make my next evaluation in Janurary because he's expecting my weight loss surgeon to do the surgery sometime in November if I pass my evaluation. I'm all the way ready and just have the evaluation left to do hopefully all goes well this afternoon! Still a little nervous but I'm feeling MUCH better than i was several days ago. But anyway my GP did mention that if i got the surgery in November that I'd need to get labs done for Janurary. So I'm assuming he's going to adjust my meds then and my psychiatrist knows I'm getting surgery too although I told him I was getting it done in Spring because that was the plan then. I moved it back to November because my GP recommended i do so. I'm still gaining weight so he wants me to have the surgery as soon as possible.