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Wow! I did not know that Mormons (SERIOUS LOL at autocorrect! I typed “normies” *snort*) could get twisted guts!!! It honestly is the most pain I ever remembered!! i was fortunate to get to my bariatric surgeon who knew what it was immediately and took action-saving my bowels and blood supply!! She put in 5 or 6 ports and did it laparoscopically lucky for me. The doc at the other hospital wanted to do it open! 😳🤪😥😲🥴

Thanks for sharing this. Even if the surgery works for almost everyone, even the "failures" need to be talked about openly. Im looking forward to hearing about how things work out. Since it's not a common procedure, your experience will be interesting to hear about. Just another side of the bariatric journey.

You soooo funneh! Was it open surgery or laproscopic? On a side note: When i was in the hospital during surgery, there was another guy in my room who had had surgery for a twisted intestine. He was a healthy kid in college. So even if it's more common in bariatric patients, twisted gut still happens to normies.

I was looking around in the bp store and saw one of these cards there. I thought that it may be helpful to those of you that do not have one. https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatric-patient-restaurant-special-menu-request-card

Hi everyone, newbie here and reality is setting in that my surgery will be scheduled really soon. I am 50 pounds over weight and 5’0, I will be having the sleeve at the recommendation of my doctors. My story is long, but I first want to say that you all amaze me! To do what you have to do and be brave enough to go through surgery to get your lives back! In my readings here, you are all beautiful inside and out and I congratulate you all for taking care of yourselves, not only physically but mentally as well that is no easy task but you’re doing it!! I never in a million years would have opted for surgery before facing the situation I’m in. Yes, my surgeon had to convince me that this was the best option for me. My story begins back in December 2017 when I had an open hysterectomy that became severely infected and put me in wound care for 7 months, in February the wound vac was removed because it was deteriorating my skin and had wet to dry dressing changes and I was told that I needed to be careful for the rest of my life because I would be prone to hernia’s, fast forward to March 2018, my Dad was sick with pancreatic cancer and he had taken a very bad turn for the worst within a week, I helped my Mom get him to the Dr. When we got him home he was so weak he almost fell and I caught him. He passed away the next day. I was still under wound care with dressing changes. I saw pictures from when family was here and was shocked by how much weight I had put on due to my limited mobility. I decided in May to join Weight Watchers and was doing well and lost 35 pounds after being cleared in July 2018 to start walking and light exercise. In December 2018 I felt a bad burning sensation in my belly and thought it was my skin disease flaring up. My Dr ran some scans and low and behold I had a large hernia that developed. I was sent to a local surgeon who told me that I needed to lose 50 pounds fast, that WW was not good enough and that my stomach is in such delicate condition that he would not fix my hernia, that I needed a specialist and he referred me to a bariatric surgeon locally. They to refused to help me because my BMI was to low and insurance wouldn’t approve. This completely derailed me and on went 20 pounds! If they didn’t care neither did I!! My saving grace came when my husbands company told me they carry an insurance plan for situations such as mine! The heavens opened up and I began my journey to bariatric surgery. I was sent to Atlanta to consult with a specialist that will not only do the bariatric surgery but fix my hernia as well! The hernia will not be fixed until 3-6 months after the sleeve to ensure the sleeve holds without complications and no infections due to my condition and being prone to infection. Needless to say, I am having this surgery to get to having my hernia fixed, and to prevent any further hernias recurring. I am petrified of what I’m going to look like, as my belly is pretty deformed now from scar tissue, fat and the hernia. I am scared of the complications that can happen and the risk of infection. My surgeon has reassured me that the sleeve is the least risky, but there is still a risk. I am back down to only needing to lose 50 pounds to put me at 135 although my weight for my height should be 110. They would like me to maintain between 110-135 wherever I’m comfortable. I feel that I will become under weight and get sick, or look sick. I’m not sure how to address these fears because for me it is the fear of the unknown. I was given the option of continuing with WW and exercise and he will fix the hernia at 135 but there is the possibility the weight will come back and I will be right back where I started so backing out is not an option, the pain of the hernia is too much. I’m sorry this is so lengthy but this is how I got here and facing my fears have really hit me and I needed to get this out somehow. Thank you to those that read it and thank you for being an inspiration to many like me. Best wishes on your continued journey. 😊

OK, was on Day 13 of pre-op diet when I changed dr's. Had 2 or 3 days off...and back onto pre-op diet. By time surgery date comes around, I'll have been 'pre-op'ing for 30+ days. WHY is it harder this first week of starting again...than the ENTIRE 13 days I had been on it before. I was never as hungry as I am now even though I'm following same pre-op. I am not having the 1 lb a day loss I was having during my first pre-op attempt. Is it my body resisting me playing starvation games already...or maybe my mental mindset? Probably both. Trying to think, within the bounds of the pre-op items I'm allowed, if I can come up with some happier combination where I won't feel within an hour the deep growling, grumbling and that sick/nauseated feeling you get when you haven't eaten. My mind and/or body thinks it is not getting ANYTHING. I'm guess I'm surprised that I"m struggling already on just...Day 7 or 8 of my 2nd pre-op diet. The Premier shakes that usually always keep hunger at bay are not working, sugar free popsicles and jello...my body has its 'BS detector' out in full force...I think it literally just laughs when I desperately grab them from my fridge/freezer...like 'Yeah, right...not having it..nope...give me some REAL food'. I had done Keto for 15 months prior to mid-June when 1st pre-op started so I don't think I'm detoxing, etc. And I work such long hrs that I have often relied on Premier Protein drinks to keep me satisfied for HOURS upon HOURS. I even tried some Bariatric Fusion bars my dr's office uses...nope. The soup I ordered from bariatricpal isn't cutting it for more than an hour and it has always been very satisfying..plus it tastes good..but tummy still not happy (tummy going to be REALLY unhappy on 7/25..lol). I will say the Cocoa Variety pack from bariatricpal is the ONE thing that literally seems to make my stomach happy this time around still! @Alex Brecher I ordered more boxes and am giving you a pass on harassing you about API's, etc. to resolve the auto-renewal items in 'cart' situation since you are still recovering from MAJOR DANG surgery! Besides, I gotta have more cocoa!! (and my point total will continue going higher which is GREAT!) Ideas anyone? So bizarre!!

They just checked my weight, blood pressure, asked if I had any sores/rashes..if I had been out of the country, etc. I also brought in all the meds I take on a regular basis..also brought along supplements & they weeded thru those and told me to discontinue most of the supplements (except my bariatric multi-vitamin, calcium, etc. type things). No more gingko biloba for a while but that is fine. One of my prescription meds, they don't carry @ the hospital so I'm to bring that with me. They gave me some Hibiclens wash (wash they use in the hospital) to 'shower/bathe with' the night before surgery (and the 'night' before that as well). They took the usual 5 to 6 vials..basically like what you'd get at your primary dr's office - whole CBC panel, etc. They talked the time I should report prior to surgery, etc. Most of the time the pre-op visit is a fairly easy thing and I've always had the luck of having nice ppl. Oh, and they talk about any monies you are going to owe, how you are going to pay, etc. but they did not take the payment then.

I'm going to see someone on the 16th hopefully she's knowledgeable about Bariatric diets. She says she has experience. My fingers are crossed.

I wasn't told to stop losing but was told that BMI for bariatrics was different from people who didn't have the surgery because of the excess skin, so maybe that is why ? Our stats are about the same I am 5 6 and 165. Size 10 and med tops

Congratulations on reaching your goal. And some say that bariatric surgery is the easy way out!! BOO on them.

Chicago, IL - Would love to do a Midwest/ Chicagoland Bariatric Buddy Meetup! 😊

And speaking of sloth- like behavior, I finally heard from my Bariatric Clinic at OSU. Maybe they were off in the jungle somewhere just hanging from a tree. Told me my August Appointment will be my Yearly Checkup, haven't decided if they want another Endoscopy or Blood Labs before then. Perhaps they may bring me into the loop about this? Very sloth- like reasoning there.

An bariatric thought for us in this group. For what it's worth It's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope You live a life you're proud of. And if you find that you're not I hope You have the strength to start over.-----F. Scott Fitzgerald

Count Your Blessings, my dear one. I have a RNY pouch, which I named Precious Pouch, she is as inflexible as wrought iron. I would ❤ to move past 2-3 oz at a time! I have a Bariatric Clinic appointment next month & I will be 11 months out, planning something up to and maybe including a full- scale tantrum. What can it hurt? They have been ignoring me and my requests for help or someone to talk to, so there is nothing to lose.

And 99,99/100ths Surgeon's give you the perfect size to help you live your life and lose the optimum amount you need. Its like the perpetual thread over on the Bypass side of Bariatric Surgery. HOW LONG IS YOUR BYPASS LENGTH? I always tell them- Just Long Enough that You Get Maximum Benefits and Short Enough that You Don't Suffer from Raging Malnourishment. Always do take your Surgeon's Advice; He or She are Professionals, been in the Business for a While and tend to know what things will work BEST for YOU!❤

A beautiful way to give yourself the gift of better health, a thinner body and a renewed Life Future! If. any of you want to talk more, I can give you the perspective of someone 10 months out from a RNY bypass, 125 pounds lighter, many dress sizes smaller, it hasn't been picture PERFECT a recovery but It Is What It Is, it's My Story and the Last Chapters are not yet Written, for I Am Still a WORK IN PROGRESS. And I am still grateful to my surgeon, facility, and most of all , to My God who has brought me yet this far. I'm usually positive, optimistic , been through a lot in my now 73 years of life, I live in almost in the Exact Center of my state -OHIO so just wanted to Welcome You All to Bariatric Pal, I believe you will meet a wonderful bunch of People here!

@Brent701 I listened to a Masterclass on the Calm app about mindful eating, I learned a lot by listening to it. I found the same Dr (Michelle May) on YouTube giving a Ted talk. She touches on a lot of food/psychology issues in a short period of time. Around the 6 minute mark she discusses eating fast. I wouldn’t recommend skipping ahead, it is only a 15 minute talk, but that’s up to you! It is not a bariatric specific talk so keep that in mind. Anyway, I thought you might find it helpful. Michelle May Eat what you love

Hi y’all! Fair warning, I’m posting PUI (posting under the influence) right now! 😳🥳🤩🤪🥰😂🤣😅😇 Seems I had a serious case of the fomos this week with @GreenTealael having her upcoming VSG to RNY surgery for GERD and @Alex Brecher having his RNY reversal for bowel obstructions/necrosis. I just had to wrap up a pending tri-fecta! LOL What I thought was a serious case of food poisoning — or as I like to say, “When good refrigerator roulette goes bad”...was actually a sudden onset of internal hernia with twisted gut. It came on so quickly Sunday night and by Tuesday I couldn’t eat. And Wednesday ended up curled up on a cold tile (filthy) floor in the ER convinced I was dying, moaning, sweating profusely and making quite a spectacle! My only regret is I didn’t have a tip jar handy to earn a few quarters!! It’s a risk of WLS that is part of less than 3% total for complications after surgery—so no need to fear complications from WLS. To put in perspective that 3% is lower than the national averages for all sorts of surgeries!!! I’m 17 months out from RNY and was just so super surprised by this new development! But initial surgery went very well! I went into surgery at 12 midnight and was back in my room after recovery by 3:45am! Woot! I have a rockstar surgeon and team who were able to do it all laporoscopically! She said if I play my cards right and am able to eat something later today and get my walking in that I can probably go home late this afternoon! Yeah, baybee!!! Now I just have to proactively start medicating to guard against having a Rosemary’s Baby sort of post op poo! 😞😥 i’m so grateful to everyone and for our Bariatric Pal Family! Thanks Alex for creating such a special place! (Oh and I don’t recommend doing it this way, but this morning was back to being only 3.4lbs away from final Goal #3 of 130lbs!!! Woohoo! With my post op plan progression in place I expect to shed this post surgical fluid weight gain in a couple of weeks and reach Goal #3!)

My GP made the referral last year for me to enter the Bariatric program after seeing my struggle for the last 6 years. I cried because hearing it out loud made it real that I needed help and at the same time, I felt internal relief that real help was on the way. My first appointment was last September a week after my birthday, I wasn't ready to accept surgery as a possibility yet; but, I was willing to give the Bariatric program a chance and open my mind to make better decisions regarding my health. Just this April, I came to my own decision that wls is a good choice for me to get my health and body back on track. Thanks to my GP, Bariatric team, this website, my small support group and getting my mental health in check this is really going to happen. It's not easy, but worth having and choosing SUPPORTING CAST MEMBERS to your movie called...Your Life...

Standard bougie sizes in the United States range from 32-50F. The bougie size is not the same as stomach size, although it does influence the size of the sleeve. Generally, the smaller the bougie, the smaller the new stomach size, but the same size bougie does not always create the same size stomach. The finished sleeve size is determined by how close the stapler gets to the guide and whether the surgeon oversews the staple line and if so, by how much. While the gastric sleeve is now widely accepted as a primary bariatric procedure, there is not yet unanimous agreement on an ideal bougie size. The decision is trying to find the size that will provide the safest results with the most amount of weight loss. With a smaller bougie size, the smaller the sleeve and greater the restriction, but greater the risk of leak and stricture rate.

I would ❤to ever get that much in at a time, but you know ME, I'm the Case of Arrested Development over in Bypass-ville, and some Days I envy everyone else. August 14th I have my next Bariatric Clinic , haven't been seen there for 4 months, their Choice, not Mine and A Tantrum may be Thrown, Benign Neglect does not set well with Madame Frustr8 and. I am willing. to Tell Them So!

Hi Fluffy S.F.It, just checking in again to tell you both Tomkitten and I will be having in- hospital testing on July 25th. I have lost now about 170 pounds from my HW, that's when I got my C-Pap originally. Now when I try to wear it I may fall asleep with it on, but seem to remove it while sleeping. So I am being re-evaluated to see 1. To see if it still is needed or 2, my OSA has relented enough after surgery that I no longer need it or 3. that it needs to be readjusted so it does fit again. When I got it in late Autumn 2017 I had big puffy chipmunk cheeks, now my face is angular, looking hollow in my cheeks, cheekbones very obvious. Do I look prettier now? Well that is up for discussion, but at the very least I sure don't look like the preconceived notion of what I once did. There are a lot of people telling me " If I hadn't recognized your voice, I would not have believed it could be YOU ! I now look like an older more weary version of what I looked like at High School 🎓 graduation. And yes, before I went through surgery and the ensuing weight loss, I never would have suspected I would or could appear like this. Now that I weigh at least 50 pounds less than Tomkitten , I no longer get hasseled by PCP, his new one is TK, told him " I would like you evaluated for Sleep Apnea, you do know it runs in your family! Your mom and her Dad were both diagnosed with OSA" Fine , said TK , but if I do I want you to consider recommending me for Bariatric Surgery to Mom's Surgeon Dr Needleman in Columbus. TK' s BMI is nearly 40 now, he already has GERD, another co- morbid would be putting him in contention even if he is Sub-40. So since I was scheduled on July 25th they scheduled him the same night, that way we both should get answers on this subject. Neither of our insurances will pay for home testing, so in- hospital it is! Please think positive thoughts for us both!!! 😝&😝

OMG Thank you for the Info! I had just been looking over them at Wally World, think I'll save my time, save my 💰 money. Really hate crying POOR but I am on Social Security, Late Lamented had no retirement,plans, no retirement pension. It only stretches so far, lucky the gross amount of food has diminished since I have a hummingbird - sized pouch instead of the "Stuff it all In" original model, sure it still takes me a long time to eat but I am not any longer commited to eating All The Food in the Western World. Matter of Fact , nothing sounds exceptionally good, have to fight away the new compulsion. Now I have to force ME to take in enough food to keep my jalopy motor running. Do I need a Bariatric Psychological Mentor? Maybe, but I would have to commit to a 100 mile round trip. And I fail to see the feasibility unless They Were Awfully Awfully GOOD at what they do!

I have had 2 different bariatric surgeons tell me that the pouch and indeed be stretched. This is one of the important reasons that you should stick to plan and be sure not to eat more than what your dr tells you to eat at each meal. I too am able to eat more than I should. I feared that my pouch was stretched. I had an egd recently and found out that mine is not stretched.

Can you switch doctors?? If not, your mom's got it right, you do you! I'll preface my experience with: I got my gastric sleeve in Mexico, no insurance/approval hoops to jump through. My doctor was cautiously on board with me having bariatric surgery, but was wary about the Mexico part. He gave me all kinds of horror stories, personal "aftermath" ones that had shown up at his office after assorted procedures abroad. Then he thought about it...said at least Tijuana was super-close to the US, and all of the horror stories (abcesses, drain infections, etc) were from getting plastics overseas. He wished me luck, and today he took out my stitches. He was impressed with how neat, clean, and minimally invasive the work was and said he looked forward to seeing me for my post-op blood workup.