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So glad you found one you like! I meant to say that for the Iron + C vitamins, I take the Celebrate brand soft-chews in Pineapple. I like those even better than the black grape multivitamin chews. If you are taking calcium, I found that the lemon-flavored Bariatric Advantage ones taste pretty good.

The BariatricPal Store has a huge selection of bariatric friendly protein bars at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-bars.

Gotta, I just this minute tried the Bariatric Advantage soft chews--one grape and one strawberry-watermelon. Wow, what a difference! I have dreaded chewing my vitamins every day, but these actually taste sort of good. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I'm switching immediately and never looking back!

They're kinda pricey, but I used the Bariatric Advantage multi vitamins for pre surgery. I think they were $18 a month or something like that. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

The last Endoscopy I had on April 12, the anesthesia doctor noticed when listening with her stethoscope that I had a noticable heart murmur, did not stop my testing, she was present instead of the resident planned and did my sedation herself. My hospital Ohio State University- Wexner Medical Center as well as being a Bariatric Center of Excellence is a teaching facility affiliated with the College of Medicine at Ohio State. So I was special enough for special treatment. Everything went well, neither that or my Thoracic Aorta Aneurysm have any trouble. I am a Pretty Strong Old Chickadee, after All!

A couple ounces at first, maybe advancing to an1/4 then an 1/2 cup. It takes very little to fill your sleeve or pouch. And I have a very non-forgiving pouch I named Ms Precious Pouch, she is now 8 months old but she is an unforgiving tempermental little piece of stomach flesh. 3 nights last week she decided to repulse my supper, up and out everything came. And I swear much more came out than what I put in, because I usually measure everything. I am working through ulceration in my small intestine and a stomal opening stricture, showed up just 2 weeks after she was made. Don't worry , It really is rare although there are about 5 or 6 currently on Bariatric Pal, we give each other emotional support as we work through it, I think mine has been the longest in duration, but even I am improving and I can even see the sunshine ahead. Yes blended soups are one of my joys, that , protein shakes, broths and plenty of fluids keep me going. List 140 from my highest weight, 95 since my surgery last September 5th, and I am not over yet! So anytime you want to talk about things either I or another one of us are always here, okay?

No it is a wonderful NSV, and I am happy for you and me both. Mine is somewhat similar, always had to ask for the "hat" in the toilet and sometimes I missed anyway Now I can wipe well and give them a Clean Catch because I can reach things without straining so hard. And those little things mean a lot, don't they? Now I can sit in chairs, even climb stepladders because I am UNDER the 250 pound weight limit. Won't bust things to smithereens accidently. Remember my,late hubby sat down in his favorite fishing chair, one of those with a woven seat. He didn't even wiggle or anything but it let out a,metallic scream and it collapsed to the ground with him still in it. ONLY THING BRUISED WAS HIS EGO but I wish I had sent the cellphone video to ABC for America's Favorite Home Videos, It was a real winner, and he always said he wasn't,OBESE, only me! Ha ha to the max there, he was 6ft3in and 330, but in his heart he must thought he was 195 like when he graduated in 1960. Still have his grad pictures, Tomkitten looks a lot like him, but maybe not much longer. After seeing I could have success, and knowing now I am 30-40 pounds lighter, he is considering Bariatrics for himself. And maybe he'll be a sleeve instead, maybe not, his PCP said he has costochondritis but I'm not sure if. he might have inherited my GERD tendencies also. And if true, he'll become a kangaroo like me! Why are the bypassed kangaroos? Because we all have pouches. Sproing,sproing!

Congrats to all of your amazing losses you are all bariatric veterans. When i say full/satisfied I meant the same thing. Not on a PPI.

Hey there, I am 25 and I can relate to how you are feeling. I have always struggled with my weight, except it is out of control now. Two months ago when I went to my doctor, I weighed 442 lbs- the heaviest I have ever been. I am 5'6", now at 424 lbs, with a bmi of 68. I honestly wish I would have followed through with WLS sooner. I talked to my doctor about bariatric surgery and have since been researching different places to get it done. I have settled on REX Bariatrics (I live in NC). I have gone to a seminar, orientation, and nutrition meeting. I have my first meeting with my surgeon on 6/10/19. I am doing the research to make an informed decision. I have high blood pressure, I'm asthmatic, and I am prediabetic. Having this surgery can change all of that for me. I know what got me to this point. I became depressed and ate my emotions. Now that I have been through and continue therapy, I am in a much better place emotionally, but I'm stuck with this unhealthy body from the depressed behavior. The frustrated side of me wishes family could understand that I am doing this to better my health, and that it is not something I decided to do on a whim. Like many of us here, we have tried it all. We've tried the diets and different diet pills. We've tried eating less and working out more, and for some reason, it didn't work. Unlike most family members, I have more than 20 lbs to shed- more like 250 lbs to go. I think it is really hard for them to understand because they haven't been in our position. It's hard to support something you don't understand. Gently remind them you are doing this for your health and that having support will help you. I know it's important to feel their acceptance, but at the end of the day you are an adult and can make your own decisions. You are making informed decisions and have put in the research and hard work to get to where you are. Try to shake off negative comments because it doesn't change what you are doing. You can do this! I wish you the best of luck in your journey!!

I went to Beltline Bariatric. They have several offices in Newnan, Atlanta Howell mill rd and now I think stockbridge. They work with you on self-pay although my insurance covered it. This is the same doctor as on TLC's Family by the Ton. (I didn't know that until after I started going to nutrition appointments.) Dr proctor and his staff seem to have everything worked out and a really tidy process. I didn't have to do a lot of administrative things. The followup is a planned schedule for a year or more. They say "for life". https://beltlinebariatric.com/

I don’t think most nut are Bariatric patients & realize how hard it can be for some of us.

So, my bariatric office gave me a referral to a plastic surgeon on Monday. This surgeon is about 2.5 hours away, though. Given my history with complications (with regular surgery and previous cosmetic surgery) it makes me really nervous to go to someone so far. They said he deals with bariatric skin removal all the time, which is a plus. But I am considering just going to the guy who did my breast reduction since he is very close by and did an excellent job. In the event there was some kind of complication, I don't know how I would get to the other guy being so far away! I'm going to set up a consult with my guy in July and schedule this surgery out for November-ish.

Thank you. This gives me an idea of how I might feel, and I appreciate that. How long did it take you to finish your pre op appointments? My doctor has sent referrals out for everything but I haven't heard anything back yet. I was told that if I had everything done by October then I could have my surgery in December. I'm really striving to have everything done before then since my insurance renews at the beginning of the year.

Also, see if your doc can get you into a trainer/or PT who specializes in bariatrics and understands the metric of how to add muscle safely without using stacking enhancers etc. Cuz what you probably really want is not "weight"--you don't want fat. You want muscle. @BigViffer might also pop in and give you advice on how or where to go to increase muscle. Congrats on your weight loss btw!!!

I recommend Dr. Carlton at Lonestar Bariatrics. He does all of the surgeries! My surgery date is 5/20 and I will be revising from the sleeve to the dswitch.

This is quite profound. So many of us want a quick fix and then go back to the same behaviors that got us needing bariatric surgery to start with. As frustrating as my loss is at times, I’m glad it’s going a bit slower because my brain gets the opportunity to catch up with my body. It’s also a great opportunity (lol, I know this sounds a bit like corporate-speak) to develop and hone new behaviors and habits. Anna.... I’ve seen you identify some trouble spots, address them, then go on to success. Kudos for that because it’s a great step in the right direction. I’m so very sorry that some of us are still battling extreme nausea and I’m hoping and praying that everyone here gets answers to all of their health issues soon. To you guys who are smashing your goals: CONGRATS!!!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I’m excited because tomorrow marks my 90 day surgiversary. Gonna celebrate by weighing in and having hubs take progress pics.

Hey Everyone! I have recently embarked on my weight loss journey by attending a seminar last month at REX Bariatrics in NC. I have since been back for orientation and a nutrition class. I will be meeting with my surgeon on 06/10/19. I am 424 lbs, 5'6", and have a BMI of 68. I am considering the duodenal Switch procedure. I feel mostly excited, but apart of me is nervous for the surgery. I feel confident about doing the right things after surgery. I'm already in a good workout routine, and I have been seeing a dietitian and therapist for emotional eating. I am mostly nervous about the procedure itself. What if I am part of the percent that something goes wrong? Also, I haven't told anyone except for my husband and mother. I'm hesitant to tell other family members because I don't think they will be supportive. At some point, won't they catch on? I don't want them to be mad later that I didn't tell them. Does anyone have advice over to tell or not? Thank you

Hi Tia, I totally empathise with you. I am 8 years post op, and I suffered complications within months of my op. I experience pain in my chest, like you after eating food. Even though you are many years post op, your stomach pouch can still change. Scar tissue and adhesions can occur, causing a restriction. It does sound like the entrance to your pouch is restricted. I totally understand that terrible feeling when you are hit with pain, your body temperature and heart rate go up... Don't think that complications can't occur even many years after the original operation. Its only with time that problems are arising in GBP RNY patients. My bariatric surgeon has no interest in helping me, the doctors don't want bariatric surgery to be seen as a failure. You need to see a bariatric or Upper GI specialist. At least an MRI is called for. But not all problems show up on scans. I suffered internal hernias and scarring- none of which showed up on MRI, ultrasound etc. I was called a liar until I was opened up and the problems were found. I underwent many corrective surgeries and now live with constant pain. I was passed on to Pain Management, who are only concerned with getting me off opioid pain relief even though no other medications help. Anyway, in my humble opinion, I believe you may have adhesions blocking entry to your food pouch. The fact that you can not tolerate soft foods, inducing a blockage and subsequent pain; you definitely need medical attention. Get yourself to the ER- induce the pain by eating so that they can see what happens. Don't take no for an answer! I wish you the best of luck, please report back as I would really like to know how you get on. Please feel free to message me if you prefer a personal chat/support. Becks

Anyone try this? I know they sell it at the BariatricPal store, but I want some perspective from other bariatric patients before I make the purchase. Is it any good? Does it sit well with your pouch/sleeve?

Hey! Seeing this a little late, but Dr. Bagshahi (Bagshahi Bariatric in Fort Worth) is amazing!! He specializes in complicated revisions and also does the duodenal switch. He actually does the DS in one surgery rather than two separate surgeries like some do, if possible. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and did his surgical internship at the Mayo Clinic. He did my sleeve in March and my husband’s last week! Very thorough. Love him!

According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present.

Yeah Palta, you have inside the size you think You are, it is not an happy Occurance when the scale proves you wrong. One of the reasons I chucked one in the dumpster years ago, one of those with a voice and I didn't like what I heard! Rationalized I was punishing it by dumping it, but I just threw away what it cost! No it is not a BAD IDEA, I am taller than you, much older than you but I could not accept 365 pounds, that's over a third of a ton, and I wasn't having fun being that way. I had tried every diet know to man and a few I think my doctor thought up while he had indigestion one evening. Maybe I dehydrated myself but the blubber remained. And when you are old (well I think well- ripened but it's a minority opinion) doctors do a little jig and they chant "You're Gonna Die!" in the same tone that bratty kid down the street you wanted to strangle,if you didn't get caught doing it! Shoot, most of the time you felt pretty good, your body was happy with all the food you had been feeding it, why do they have to rain on your parade? But at 70+ the good days are out-weighed by the painful & short of breath days. And you think" Well if I am going to die, I'm not departing without a fight!" and you know, unlike you 24 year olds, you don't have time to think about it or postpone it until later. Its hard to grab the gold to g on the merry-go- round when your eyesight isn't that good anymore! And after reflection I realized that the idea of major surgery with the body changes it would bring was much,less frightening than existing as I was, painful, obese and hating myself for letting myself to deteriorate to this point. If you go to the surgeon you may be told "Have you thought this over, are you sure this is what you want?" that's a possible reaction in your mid-20s. People my age you get " You got to be kidding! Do you realize what a surgical risk you are at your age? You could die!" Well H-E- double hockey sticks, I already got threatened THAT if I don't have surgery, so no big whoop there! Besides I have now summoned enough courage to even ask! And I was lucky to find a program for me, a surgeon who was willing to assume the risk, I had to go through many specialists poking, prodding and listening to areas of me I didn't know made a sound. And I proved. that although the calender said 72 my body was only 45 and healthy enough to withstand this kind of surgery. Oh I still had qualms, and the pretty pervasive thought of my friends, relatives and associates- No Fool Like An Old Fool- they joked, didn't believe I could be a success. Well I am a bull-headed old broad, I set out to prove THEM wrong. Oh, inside I wondered just how much I could lose this way, but I never let on! I am happy to relate I have lost 140 pounds from my High Weight, I believe 95 since my surgery 8 months ago, this with a post - menopausal Basal Metabolism Rate similar to a seasick See Slug. You youngins could do it probably faster than me with one hand tied behind your back. But I am proud of ME at this point, I now weigh less than when my youngest son was born 40 years ago on June 12th. If you have doubts, if you have fears you can always talk to me, I have a big virtual lap, I either have encountered anything you can think of or I know someone who has. And we live mentoring anybody new, we are still active because we want you to have a good experience too. I still have about 50 pounds to go until I reach the goal I set, oh my Bariatric Clinic would be satisfied with 20-25 more, but if I am going to compete in these Weight Loss Olympics why not go for the Gold instead of a Participation Diploma?

Maybe invest in a thermos to carry? I like the Bariatric Advantage B-12 little pills, black cherry taste, one under the tongue, usually do it noonish, resolves pretty quick, Vitamin A & D check with your Bariatric people, see if over-the- counter suffices or whether you'll need a script. Wal-Mart where I get my meds, not sure if it's their policy or Silver Scripts my Medicare part D provider, but I pay a co- pay equal to regular price for vitamins, even my special iron pills Ferrocite, which are not a retail type formulation. Most of their iron is Ferrous Gluconate, Ferrocite,is a different Iron salt. But I don't have all the answers, like most of us, you learn as you go!

Hi, Palta. Use the time during your 6 months to research your options and get familiar with gastric bypass. That's what I did. I had a whole range of emotions during my 6 months. I started out really wanting bypass, then waffling and thinking I'd drop out. Then back to being sure I wanted to do it. I am 6 weeks post surgery and glad I did it, even though I have had a setback. It is not a horrible idea! There are pros and cons to this surgery, and you need to be prepared for a lifetime of taking a multivitamin, B12, calcium, as well as supplementing with protein shakes for a little while until you're on solid food. I love my surgeon and his whole team. They are at a bariatric center of excellence and I had a lot of confidence in him. Take your time. Learn as much as you can, and weigh your options. The answer will come to you. Wishing you .the best Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Highest weight: 315 June 2017 Got down to 265 on keto then developed rheumatoid arthritis Spring of 2018. Regained back up to 305 after being on prednisone for inflammation and pain. Stopped gaining once I was taken off fortunately. Was 303 at my consult appointment with the bariatric surgeon on 2/15/19. I am currently 290 as I'm back to calorie and carb counting for the past month. My surgery date is June 3rd My program doesn't require a liquid preop diet but wondering if I should do it anyway. My surgeon set a goal of 168 but haven't been that low since 9th grade so not sure if it's possible.