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I recently had surgery, done by Dr. Bagshahi of Bagshahi Bariatrics in Fort Worth, Texas. My surgery was done in Plano, Texas. Dr. Bagshahi and his staff are outstanding. They're very polite and answer every single question you could ever have. Dr. B is very knowledgeable and professional and I've never felt rushed. Plano surgical center is also amazing. The nurses there have great bedside manner and make you feel comfortable on your big day!

Planned healthy meal eating out: fam took me to Japanese and sashimi is PERFECT for halal keto bariatric diet!! Had a brilliant time and was only mildly jealous of my daughter's veggie bento box (that General Tso's tofu is SOOOOOO good)

a 30-40 lb weight loss the first month is the exception with "normal" WLS people. That's more common among people on shows like "My 600 lb Life", who start at way higher BMIs than most of us do.. I've been hanging out on this and other bariatric surgery boards for at least five years, and I would say the average loss for the first month is in the 15-25 lb range. I lost 16 lbs the first month, and I started out at over 300 lbs. So I'm not sure where you've been reading that, but even though it happens occasionally with us more "normal" WLS folks, it is definitely the exception.

So a little bit about me, I was lap banded when I was 17 years old, got it taken out when I was 22 because of pouch enlargement. Now I am thinking of getting sleeve done. But the GERD part scares me, it's like exchanging disease states for one to the other. It helps get rid of Diabetes, but you acquire GERD, so severe to the point that people need revisions to another sleeve or another bariatric procedure. I would be scared to get an RNY or a Bypass, I am happy getting a Sleeve (and this was a decision I thought a lot over to even get to it), so the thought of so many revisions due to GERD scares me to even get this done in the first place. It makes me wonder if I will be one of those who undergoes this too, I don't have current GERD right now, sometimes I do get heartburn maybe three times a month, but I'm not taking anything for it chronically. Anyone have any thoughts? Thank you so much!

I think that’s great your surgeon is following ERAS protocols! That means they are up to date on current Bariatric surgery research and want the best outcomes for their patients. I would encourage you to ask about medications they plan to use pre-surgery and intraop too though (narcotic, non-narcotic, Long acting local “numbing” medicine). That’s a big part of helping to limit narcotics post op. Hopefully your surgeon can alleviate some of your concerns when you speak to them about it. Best wishes for a successful surgery and smooth recovery!

Ok, so this is still posing issues for me and i still need to know if anyone has a solution to this because it sounds like I should not just stop taking this medication. I should have explained originally that I am not taking this meds for blood pressure but a heart arrhythmia/palpitations that are pretty bad if I don’t take it. These won’t kill me but it wakes me up at night and sends me into a fight or flight response that is no good and keeps me from sleeping. I have asked the cardiologist and pharmacist and there just seems to be so much confusion about my options. I am finding it hard to believe I am the only bariatric patient that is on this drug and had to resolve this prior to surgery. Seems strange and hoping this larger pool of people can help me find somebody in my same position who can provide a solution! I have 3 weeks to figure this out but if I need to switch meds I sort of wanted to do that next week to give me time to adjust.

And it should have read "I Cannot drink more than 3 oz at a time" every since Ken the Internet Guru for Bariatric Pal told me downloading The Beta form of the Android App, I have lost the ability to edit after posting, it's " Look Quick Before You Submit" or Everybody will think You a Raving Loon if not a Poor Speller. And yes, I do know how to spell most things, only other excuse is: My mind runs on Overdrive and My Texting Fingers lag way behind! So the Great Brain is bouncing along to better Thoughts while I Post!

I am having surgery at the Multicare bariatrics center in Spokane,WA. Not nearly as exciting as Mexico - I wish I was going there instead!

I only had to get an EKG and then my cardiologist asked me if I could walk without being extremely out of breath. That was it and they sent that in to the Bariatric center as my cardiac clearance needed. I even have a slight heart arrhythmia I got diagnosed with last year but he still said I am clear and ready for surgery.

You girls make me happy I'm years past "the CHANGE". But I got the mood swings, the "weepies", the "What did I do and why at my age (then 72) did I ask for this to happen?" & the bottom line " This was Elective surgery and I went and did THIS?", for a while I was a Storming Norma, eventually this flood of Fat containing Hormones melted and dissipated but TOMKITTEN ( my Son) said " Mama if I EVER get married remind me NOT to,pick a Menopausal woman with Teenaged Daughters- I couldn't live with another flood of Fem- min- nine Hormones!" Told him for the right gal He might do it but he just shook his head and walked into the Next Room. Its been a year yesterday and things stay pretty smooth at Chez FRUSTR8 but for a while he wasn't sure whether to speak or risk being murdered where he stood! Didn't want to send me to the "Gyno" but wasn't sure a psychiatrist and a Rubber Room weren't Needed. So I'll testify it rocks you on your ear or rear before everything settles down. And NOW when I am 1/2 the size I started, 180 instead of 365+, feeling so much healthier, in sizes I wore when I graduated High School 56 years ago, getting second looks and even a few Wolf Whistles from guys ( yeah should be offended but it's thrilling to be an object for a second or 2) Frustr8 is Not Sorry for her RNY, did for me what ALL THOSE DIETS never did and I have renewed life and a FUTURE when I was 7/8ths of the way to die sadly obese. And my new motto will always be THE REST OF MY LIFE WILL BE THE BEST OF MY LIFE- now and forever more!👵=😝👍🌈

It’s called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, it’s a type of immunodeficiency (neuroimmune) so I am susceptible to developing other medical conditions of which I have a long list. I knew bariatric surgery wouldn’t make it better, in fact I knew it might make things worse but I also knew not fighting as hard as I could to lose weight was leading to something much worse. Maybe that won’t make sense. I fought so hard to lose weight before but since I can’t treat my metabolic disorders with medication I couldn’t sustain it. For some reason despite all my efforts to keep my weight down it skyrocketed. I knew I needed to have my gallbladder out and decided to pursue bariatric surgery. Just trying to function it’s impossible to carry so much extra weight. Just to be able to have (I hope) better control of my weight and hopefully achieve a goal weight I couldn’t reach or sustain before is my reason to pursue this. It. Isn’t ease some pressure on my joints and spine and help a little with function. Overall given my chronic Illness I wasn’t expecting much just to manage the fact that my metabolism is practically nonexistent .... but honestly my situation is not the norm. I doubt anyone else with M.E. Would have gastric bypass surgery. Not that I know of. Most people do find relief from pain if it’s directly related to weight. Just like it can help with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.

I am 29 with a BMI of 41 and have been considering WLS for a while. I have OHP (Oregon health plan) so I needed to get a referall to see a bariatric surgeon. I just had an annual check up with my PCP and mentioned WLS. She didn't seem super enthusiastic about the idea and after mentioning I'd like a referral twice finally took the info to do so. I mean I do meet the requirements for approval with a BMI over 40. I'm just hoping my referral gets approved soon. I hate waiting but at least I've got things started now. Lol anyone with experience dealing with OHP? Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

@Milaa my psych appointment consisted of an test evaluation(which was a bunch of paperwork of questions to answer about history of medical family myself and mental health , relationship with food etc.) then I met with the actual psych doctor to go over she asked me questions and at the end she gave me clearance for surgery. Once I had the psych letter of clearance from her and from all the other required clearances all of those were turned in to the bariatric coordinator then she would file with my insurance once filed I believe it was thirty days before I heard that I was approved once approved I was able to schedule my surgery pretty soon after that but because my surgeon requires a three month nicotine free clearance I of course had to wait till I was three months free of nicotine so I am proud to say that my surgery is coming up on the 16th of Sept. I can say the it was a lil of a lengthy process just to get to the surgery date but it all depends on how quickly you get all the necessary clearances completed and how quickly your insurance responds. I know that feeling of being anxious so I understand completely I do hope that this information has been helpful I wish you all the luck on you exciting journey!!!

Well if you ever get into the market, let me know and I'll be your first customer! (aside from your family). There could be some creative ingredients for bariatric patients. These Exo ones definitely needs some crunch, though. But 10/10 would eat cricket flour products again.

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.