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6/22/22 - I received a call from the surgeon’s office that they got the go ahead from the insurance. I was instructed that I would need to complete some on-line courses, sign some paperwork and pay the $400 co-pay, prior to scheduling the surgery. I was able to print, sign and scan the paperwork and send back via e-mail. I took the online courses, which rehashed almost everything I’ve been told to date. My patient navigator says she had everything and will be moving my chart to the scheduling office and that scheduling will reach out to me within a few days. More waiting... 6/23/22 - Thankfully the scheduling office called back this afternoon and finally, we can schedule surgery. July 14th is the day I get my sleeve. I do not have a pre-op diet plan, although the day before surgery is to be clear liquid only. 7/11/22 - I went to the surgical center for my pre-op appointment. They did an EKG, Chest x-ray and took a few tubes of blood. No one told me to fast and no one asked me if I fasted, so hopefully they won’t have issues with my blood samples, since I had a few beers on Sunday. My weight is up from the weekend, but I am planning to be good for the next three days. Now that I'm caught up, I guess my next post will be on my surgery day.

Congratulations on all the hoop jumping and your upcoming surgery. Some advice you didn't ask for: The first weeks after surgery can be a pain, literally and figurately. Be prepared mentally, this too shall pass. You may have absolutely no issues, but be prepared for the worst. Follow your plan. I hope it is a rational plan and not a crash diet, but which ever it's the plan you signed up for, so follow through. Get off the scale. You don't need it messing with your mind. You know if you are following your plan. Just keep doing that. The scale will lie to you. Don't compare your loss to others. You will be losing weight faster than you ever have, yet it will feel slow. Celebrate your successes and forgive your failures. Good luck, Tek

3/30/22 - Weight 317. This is the highest I've ever been. I call my fried that has had the sleeve and revision (Duodenal Switch) surgery. I set an appointment to meet with his surgeon on April 12. 4/12/22 - Weight 313. It's my first appointment with the surgeon. They weighed me at 316 lbs with clothes on. The doctor suggests the Gastric Sleeve. The staff explained the process is somewhat determined by my health insurance. I will need to see the surgeon for a total of 3 office visits (each one month apart), and we scheduled follow-up appointments for May 10 and Jun 10. I need to lose weight before each visit. They said if I think I have gained weight to call and postpone the office visit until I can show a loss. I also need: Blood Work, Medical clearance from my doctor, a Psych evaluation, clearance from a Cardiologist, a visit with a Dietician, and An EGD to examine my esophagus, stomach, etc. Yikes. What did I get myself into?

It was two years after the pandemic started that I made this decision. In early 2020, I was at my heaviest and the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to work from home. By December I hit 300 pounds for the first time. Fast forward to March 2022 I was at my highest weight of 317. It's been two years of wearing gym shorts and t-shirts, working in the spare bedroom, and now we are starting to work a bit more in the office. My clothes do not fit me—my belt is too low, my gut hangs over and it’s difficult to keep my pants up and my shirt tucked in. It looks like I’m carrying a huge sack of something under my shirt. I don’t want to be in the office with co-workers seeing me like this. This was my “Oh Hell no!” moment. Hindsight being 20-20, I should have decided to do this a year or so ago. My friend was trying to sell me on the surgery, but I wasn't buying it at the time. I wanted to lose weight the healthy way and be a role model for my 20-something son. As it turns out, he's happy with my decision. And being (morbidly?) obese is not being a role model. Here are some issue I'm having. I'm sure most can relate to one or two of these: I can’t breathe when I bend forward. It’s really difficult putting socks/shoes on. I almost suffocate when I try to cut my toenails. I have to rock back and forth to get out of my recliner (or the toilet). My lower back hurts. Some is because I have had back problems, but I’m sure my weight doesn’t help. My knees hurt. Again some of it is chronic issues, but I am certain that I will get some relief by losing weight. My ankles are almost always swollen and sometimes my hips hurt if I walk any distance. My doctor’s office had to send me to another lab to get an X-ray because I was too heavy for the X-ray table in their office (WTH?) I’m wearing 3X T-shirts and they've started to get tight. My gut hangs out under the shirt if I wear anything smaller. I’m embarrassed to take my shirt off in front of anyone. I won’t go swimming. Even with my closest friends. As mentioned above. I look like hell wearing khakis and a polo shirt to work I am only on cholesterol medication at this point. No hypertension. No diabetes. I'd like to keep it that way. Off the top of my head, I know of at least seven friends/family that have had weight loss surgeries. I think all would or have endorsed getting the surgery. On the other hand, I’ve spoken to a few friends/co-workers that had never had the surgery and got mixed responses. I guess that’s how it’s going to be. Those that have not had the surgery are probably thinking that surgery is the lazy way to do this. I get it. I probably felt that way too. But I really don’t care at this point. So the journey begins,

Hello. First, CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss and maintaining it! My surgeon explained to me that it was very likely for Bypass patients to end up Anemic and to need iron transfusions. Especially if already anemic before surgery. Before surgery I was already slightly anemic but managed with OTC iron supplements. I now take a multivitamin with iron and so far so good but I am only 3.5 months post op so who knows what the future holds. I also believe the 30 minute rule is life long, at least with my team it is. Sometimes if I feel like I just REALLY need a drink while eating I will eat 1 ice cube and it seems to do the job.

You are over thinking it as we all did, I had gerd before surgery I was on 40mg nexium as well as gaviscon liquid and tablets just to keep on top of it. I now take 20mg nexium and that's it and I am not sure I even need that but haven't been game to come off it yet. My surgeon said weightloss would help my gerd which it did. I have noticed the people who get gerd and revise to bypass also had a substantial weight gain as well. I have had zero issues with keeping food and drink down, had a few little omg I shouldn't have eaten/ drunk that so quick but after a few minutes it's all good and you don't do it again lol but honestly I a a week away from 12 months and I have zero problems. At the moment I am recovering from covid and I am suffering from lack of desire to eat or drink and have a bit of nausea but that's from covid not surgery.

This will be a very individual thing. Our bodies are all different & how one person’s body responds is not how your body will necessarily react. Will your blood sugar drop? Yes. How long will it take is anyone’s guess. How low it will get again is anyone’s guess. Just know it will decrease. Unfortunately, if type 1 is a genetic consideration, you can’t diet or lose weight that away. Though your changed diet will go a long way towards helping you manage it if you do develop type 1. Hopefully it may skip you.

Could just be how your body works & how it reacts & respond to different things. I sometimes weigh more after I poop than I do immediately before - weird. Yes, exercise only contributes 10-20% of the weight you have to lose (though I read recently it’s only 5%). Personally I never exercised throughout the my whole weight loss journey & I lost all & more of my weight. I’ve tried all sorts of exercise programs over the years. Never really enjoyed any of them & they never helped me lose or maintain weight. Hate sweating & have never reached that exercise high people talk about. Never felt great like you do just icky & exhausted. More likely to have a drop in my blood pressure & a hypoglycaemic episode. ☹️ I do a few minutes of gentle stretches at night more for my back than anything else. Wouldn’t burn 20 calories 😆. I do do incidental activities like park further away from where I’m going, take stairs not the lift, make multiple trips up & down my stairs when I could do it in one or two trips, etc. but that’s it. Yes, I know there are lots of benefits to exercising and with all things you have to do what is best for you. PS - Glad you’ve found a therapist.

Hi!! Brand new to this forum! Was wondering: I had my gastric bypass in December of 2014. I have lost 120ish pounds and have NOT gained back (it's a life change--not a "miracle!' I have a few questions. 1--the past 2-3 years my hemoglobin has dropped to a 7 (January) and 8 (a month ago.) I've been recently referred to a specialist-in which I go on the 20th of this month. Has anyone had this problem? BTW--extremely addicted to Sonic ice!! haha. 2--are gastric bypass patients still supposed to wait 30 minutes after eating to drink anything? I know we had to in the beginning. Asking these questions because my dr who performed the surgery (in Texas, btw) - I didn't see him but maybe 2 times post-surgery. (LONNNGGGGG STORY!) What does anyone think? PS--I've still kept the weight off--and have even lost a couple of pounds the past year. Thx!! 2--

For a short while perfectionism isn’t a bad thing. It’s pretty important that you follow the post op phases to protect your healing tummy. Most of us do our best during the weight loss phase as well but in maintenance you definitely don’t have to be perfect all of the time. You can have some of your favorite foods in moderation.

Hi there! I got my VSG surgery last week on July 7th. After two days of gas pain (woof I did NOT love that,) I have been having, honestly, a pretty easy go. The biggest complaint I have is my incisions are itchy haha! However, I have been having a LOT of anxiety over aiming for perfection: eating exactly what’s on my meal plan, exactly the right amount, and doing everything exactly right. Today, it stressed me out, which caused me to have a mini caving moment of having half of a gluten free cracker (chewed very slowly). Now, I don’t think that’s a huge deal, or will stretch my stomach and stitches open, but I am wondering do others struggle/struggled with following the rules to a T? And if you fail at doing so, what do you do. I think I’m freaking mainly because I’m internalizing my weight gain as not following rules, and now to get the results I HAVE to. thanks

In three days, July 14, 2022, I am scheduled to get my sleeve. My insurance company had me jumping through hoops for over three months to get to this point and I am excited to get this thing started. I've lost weight before by restricting calories and carbs, but I would eventually lose motivation and the weight would come back. Twelve years ago I dieted and went from 250 to 198, before I gained it all back. Nine years ago I went from 250 to 184, and I gained all of it back, plus a bunch more. In 2020 I was at my highest weight, But two years of working from home, I had gained another 25 lbs. Wearing gyms shorts, t-shirts and flip flops has been great, but there's no motivation like having to put on some khakis that don't fit and a tight polo shirt to drive into the office. My pants won't stay up and it looks like I am carrying a sack of groceries under my shirt. Embarrassing. That was the end of March and that was when I decided to talk to a surgeon.

I'm just starting to think about maybe dating again. I've been happily single for a really long time -- just me and my dog -- but I know that ultimately I'd prefer to be sharing my life with someone. I'll be 51 in a couple of months, so maybe it's time to get on with it! I definitely have a bunch of loose skin, along with bags of sand where my boobs used to be. Sex and relationships have always been totally separate things for me: I don't look either my age or my weight, so these days I could most likely attract someone casually, but I don't know if I'd want to given that I look so different with clothes on. I don't plan to ever wear a corset or serious compression garments, but even simple jeans and a bra hide a lot of sins...LOL! I guess I'd be ok with waiting for the physical part. I think I might actually mention the surgery in my dating profile: I tend to be pretty straightforward, and I figure it's likely to come up fairly soon (between food being so integral to socializing and me not being willing to drink yet). I wouldn't immediately tell a guy who I met randomly, but I don't remember the last time that happened...dating sites feel different.

If you think you're going to sleep with them, you gotta let em know ahead of time. They see you looking one way, then all of a sudden BAM, the skin monster comes out and they're like WTF??!?! If it's a serious relationship, they will understand and hopefully it won't change anything. If it's more casual, well, there's a better chance they won't like it. Just pick wisely and hope for the best. Or get skin surgery and don't deal with any of it lol My husband and I have been together for 17 years, but I'm with you. Ya just never know. I'm getting ALL the surgery once I hit goal weight. I'm working too hard to get healthy and smaller just to continue to have issues with my body and be embarrassed of it.

You are not alone! I fear that tremendously. I am having revision surgery, which means I’ve been here before (or something like this) and I lost over 130 lbs from my highest weight and have gained a ton of it back. Now my gain was pretty much due to the pandemic/getting COVID but I gained it none-the-less. I will say I personally am preparing for this surgery in a way I never could the first time around. These many resources did not exist when I got my lapband. But I joined this app/group for support and if we’re not supporting each other even through our worries and fears how supportive are we really being? So know you’re not alone or being overly negative, you can’t work through your fears if you don’t acknowledge them! And, you can make this work, it’s possible. And I believe it will happen for me, so there’s no reason for you to not believe it will happen for you. There’s nothing particularly special about those who succeed beyond their determination to use their tool and make themselves succeed.

Thank you everyone!! I really appreciate it so much. I like the exercise I do and really don't want to change it. I may hold back on increasing anything else, though. I work up a good sweat now and feel great afterwards, so I think I'll just stay here for a while. I'm still trying to get my eating right (I eat too little and have major issues when I try to eat what I'm supposed to because I'm paranoid I'll gain weight...I found a therapist for that, so I'm starting to work on it, too). I honestly didn't know any of the things you guys mentioned about the inflammation and water retention and all that. That's why I love this forum. Thanks again!!

How do people date after massive weight loss? Regardless of surgery or not. I am married, and don't plan to date but you never know. If it goes South, it's me and great dane for life! Still even self conscious after being together for 18 years! But, my point is in regard to all the extra skin? I have lost over 100 lbs and have 90-100 more to go! I have already had extra skin removed 10 years ago after loosing 140lbs but then gained it back. Now my skin is different. I gained it differently. I have a flat tight lower belly but the top is like an extra pair of boobs now. And frankly, bigger than my actual boobs! I hate my skin but I hate being fat more. I don't know if I will get more skin removal surgery or not. I watched a video of a woman using a body suit after loosing almost 200 lbs. Her body with the suit on was slim, tight and curvy. So, you're wearing that on a date or multiple dates with a person and it goes further. Then what, just take off the body suit and let it all out? Do you have a conversation with the person before it gets to that point? How do you address these things?

Is anyone else afraid they will cheat and not be able to lose weight? Not trying to be negative, but that is my biggest fear that I will go thru with surgery and then not lose weight. I just know how I have been with diets in the past so I keep thinking about what if I fail at this too.

Hi Meshia, I had bypass on 6/21 too! I’m so sorry to hear you got sick on the purée phase. How are you feeling now? I’m vegetarian, so I’ve been sticking to cottage cheese, string cheese, low-fat yogurt and refried beans (soupy). No, it’s not weird to have cravings at all! I definitely have them, although I’m not really hungry. I’m dreaming of the day I can have a small slice of cheesecake again and a piece of pizza, probably on different days. Every time I really start thinking about food that I want but can’t have yet, I try to refocus on how much weight I’ve lost and how my clothes are getting baggier on me. I find this helps redirect my focus. I’ve lost 17 pounds since surgery so far. I hope this helps and gives a little insight to someone else’s experience who’s on the exact same timeline. 😊 Here’s what my doctor allows at this stage: • Thinly sliced deli meats such as turkey, chicken, ham • Low fat string cheese, Skim ricotta cheese, feta • Soft fish – not dry or overcooked • Canned chicken and tuna (you may mix it up with a bit of plain yogurt, mustard or low fat mayonnaise) • Boiled shrimp (try a little cocktail sauce but be careful of taking too much because the sugar in it might make you dump – see “Dumping Syndrome”) • Pan-seared scallops (lime or lemon juice is okay) • Real or imitation lobster and crab (no real butter, but try imitation flakes) • Egg salad (use plain yogurt, mustard or lowfat mayonnaise, or even salsa – the finely pureed kind) • Tofu • Low fat hot-dog (no bun) • Well cooked beans and legumes

On most things you strive for 'healthy' levels, just like non-ops. You'll find that 60g of Protein is what non-ops should get. The extra may be to compensate for malabsorption, but my plan called for 60g. Sodium, like non-ops, you want to reduce. 600 calories is a draconian crash diet in non-op life and like I said folks that do that have willpower that I don't have. For my plan from day 1 I was learning how to eat for the rest of my life. I basically ate to maintain my goal weight and lost weight down to that balance point. At any rate, for everyone losing all that weight is/was great positive reinforcement, telling our lizard brain "plan = good." All minerals, vitamins and other nutrients: you need what a non-op needs. Except you may need a bit more iron and calcium as our malabsorption seems to hit those hard. Again, fat is the same as for non-ops. Reduce it. Some Gastric Bypass folks (like me) dump on fat, so be careful. Just because we are eating less and consuming fewer calories, it doesn't mean we can reduce everything by 75% or 60% or whatever. Generally, we still need 100% of most vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Bottom line is you need everything a non-op needs to be healthy, you just have to do it in 600 calories. If your nutritionist shrugged on this question, well... Good luck, Tek

I think there are two parts to it. 1. As someone mentioned, exercise tends to increase water retention as muscles hoard it to help with inflammation. 2. Part of weight loss stalls is that your body adjusts to your routine. When you stop exercising for a few days, you change the routine, forcing your body to re-evaluate. I've experienced the same phenomenon with my exercise and have decided that I will live with the slowed down weight loss to be in better overall health (my blood pressure and resting heart rate numbers are great).

There is some water retention associated with exercise, particularly if you continue to challenge yourself and increase things over time, as inflammation occurs where tissues are rebuilding themselves after the exertion, and inflammation requires......water. So, yes, it is not unusual to see such things, particularly when people increase the amount of exercise they do in an attempt to boost their weight loss rate (and get the opposite effect, at least temporarily.) As noted above, exercise is great for your overall health and longevity, but doesn't seem to make a big dent in weight loss (the experts are still debating exactly why that is!) at least at the relatively moderate levels that most of us are working at.

Exactly right. You will lose weight whether you exercise or not. Personally, I did essentially no exercise at all for two years after surgery. I considered an exercise regimen as "Phase 2" of my overall health plan, which I started in year 3. I'm getting more toned and have more strength, but the impact on my weight even at this point is minimal.

I was told that exercise is important for your overall health and to aid in keeping weight off but it doesn’t really contribute THAT MUCH to weight loss. The biggest majority is diet. Perhaps you ate less while you had company and maybe you even did more activity around the house or around town than you normally do because you had company? I honestly don’t know, just speculating??

This calculator was encouraging to me, because even though the scale is not right now, it kinda gave me numbers to dream about. Of course there is no universal thing for all of us, and who is to say it is accurate lol, but it helped ease my anxiety now, thinking about the long term. https://sleeveclinic.ca/weight-loss-calculator/#:~:text=The amount of weight you,75% of their excess weight.