Search the Community

The only person who knows is my husband. I have set some big fitness goals (ironman etc) and been vocal about them. I'm exercising a lot, basically I've done a full 180 to my lifestyle (cycling daily, swim lessons) and I think when you do that, people just don't ask questions because they just assume it is parallel to the lifestyle change. As to why I haven't told anyone other than my husband.....it's private. I don't know the medical details of anyone in my circle so why share mine? I have a food psychologist I work with and I am part of a bariatric support group that respects privacy so the support I get is very healthy and good.

That is not something every surgeon or program believes http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/drinking-soda-after-wls-debunking-the-myth http://drmatthewweiner.com/bariatric-surgery-myths/

And you,guys and gals don't realize how thrilling I it is to ,have a namesake thread. It means i, have arrived! Yo7nsee i,spent much of,my,life nameless. I was,somebody's daughte, somebody wife, mother or,grandmother. Do,you,know,how i,feets to,be merely an appendage, not a real,person! Now I am,I really,am! Green Tealael,says I shouldl change my pen name since I have nothing to be upset,about. Oh,G. Tealael, you don't know the backstory to my life. Unless, a miracle happens 2 weeks from today, I will be facing a eviction hearing, and I financially cannot avoid it. Social Security pays you back for your life abysmally. My utilities and insurances and cable- which take care of internet and ☎ land'- line phone. Water which I pay and owner does not. Oh and. I almost forgot Rumke , my trash company. This varies a little, If I pay all my utilities $477.83. he wanted 400 every month for rent, that leaves me with $79.37 for transportation , food and an occasional Wendy 🍔 for Tomkitten. Averages out to $17.63 per week, need to buy milk, eggs, and meat out of that.Try going to food pantries, their choice dispersal, Kraft macaroni and cheese flavoring aka Carbo's Happy City. And as a bypass the direct pathway to DUMPING! How did I get in this Mell of Hess? Well I am persueing final settlement of Workman Comp case . As long as I was getting paid my temporary partial, I was chugging along pretty fine, when I reached maximum Medical inprovement, it dried,up worse than a post-surgical bariatric patient's 👄 mouth. So I immediately,filed paperwork , each,form has a name "C9 "for example. Lawyer's Secretary/paralegal said " Oh these usually settle& disburse in 30' 90 days. Oh my case was adjudicated already, Industrial Commision granted me the WIN. But let's resume the saga of Greedy Mr McGurk, the man I have paid between $46,000- 47500 in rental fees and hasn't done repairs since he first inherited from his Grandfather. Let him know as soon as this happened, went to St Vincent Society,since they are active,in my town, got a grant to pay that months bill. Did this make him happy? Not much if at all! Next,month I called , he said send me the 💰 money you have left,at the end of the month. Well next month was no better, still demanding, told him I can't do this, he said Pay Me first then you can think about,utilities and food. I said,i can't feed Tomkitten and myself on less than $20 a week! I don't care how you get it, go rob a bank or something. No , not robbing banks, but I went to one of those check into cash places which are still active in my state. By this time I was mentally calling it BLOOD MONEY, but I remitted his stinky moola to him. Next month, it still was not warm enough to go without gas, electric and water to pay him.Next month another one was tapped to get him what he wanted. Didn't have any other way to get that much money, all my friends are fighting similar events on a less crucial level, the rest are DEAD! Told him I would pay up any arrears when my monies came thru. Now back to the settlement, other party is self- insured , oh you think you are dealing with one, but it's an wholly owned subsidiary. And they are sitting in their main location with hands in their pockets, so no 💰 settlement happens. I think they are hoping I will die! And I hear from lawyers "Bye and Bye it will come through. Bye and Bye don't pay my current bills. Now for the maraschino cherry on. my ice cream dish, they plunked a FOR SALE plackard in my front yard. Mrs Ladylady convinced him they needed to unload this house and land, the lot size is bigger than average, the house mfft. How would you do if someone refuses to repair you, perhaps he thinks God will magically heal it? Okay I applied for utility help, was turned down because of the For Sale sign. That was July, in August I tried again, tried to explain I needed to have them paid or I couldn't get utilities connected in another place. Besides you are helping me not the dadburned house! I did get so assistance from a source I shall not name, it paid for my protein shakes etc, but not much left over there. Labdlork Mc Gurk said if I would pay him $1,900 August 31 he would drop the case , No way I know to get the 💰 and I told him so. Reminded him I was having Bariatric Surgery September 5th, he had known that since July 17th when I got my date, and this was poorly timed. Two days later,I got summons to appear in court September 24th. I have,been in my county courthouse twice, once to obtain a marriage license, once to obtain a certified copy of that to submit to Social Security. Now you know why I have gotten 9 hours sleep in 3 nights. Sorry to,burden everyone.😪🍀👋

128 oz+ Of Water could be toxic for some people. I would consult a doctor before attempting to ingest that much water on a daily basis. 64oz is normally the recommendation given for any Bariatric patient. Hydration is important but water toxicity is also a real risk as well.

I don’t know how far out you are from surgery or what labs your doctor is ordering but we have many in our support group in town and all of them within two months of switching to patch vitamins had significant decline in lab results. Neither my pcp, who is also Bariatric, or my surgeon recommend Patches. They simply don’t have enough SPECIFICALLY for the Duodenal Switch patient.

I started the process to have bariatric surgery last year when I was 23, I’ll be 24 on surgery day. Surgery was my last option, I was sold on it after a younger friend who also has PCOS experienced success with the sleeve. Honestly I finally became fed up, I shouldn’t feel this bad at this age smh. Had I known how difficult losing weight would be for me I would have pursued surgery when I was 21/22.

I am very sad and depressed right now.. half way through the six-month pre-bariatric program at my hospital, I finally met with the surgeon a month ago. He determined : 1) because I was still living on Prednisone for my Myasthenia Gravis, and had had surgical complications 4 years ago after an automobile accident left me with a perforated colon; and 2). a knee injury which left me in a wheelchair for 3 months this spring created DVT blood clots- that I was not a candidate for elective surgery at this time. I cried for days afterward. In my car, in the grocery store, in my art studio. I could not stop crying. I live with a rare neuro-muscular disease, and finally had to be placed on high dose steroids for it (100 mg/day) 19 years ago. Or should I say, 140 lbs ago? Steroids down to 10 mg/day now with IVIG infusions every 4 weeks. Evidently IV immunoglobin doesn’t effect surgical healing the way that Prednisone does. Dr. pointed out that even if I had been otherwise healthy, the DVTs alone would have postponed the surgery by 10-12 months. We made a loose date for reevaluation in June 2019, if my neurologist can get me off of the steroids completely six months prior by increasing the frequency of the IVIG doses. I was looking into this surgery 4 years ago right before the bus accident, and the possibility of finally having it got me through the multiple horrific resection surgeries. I am still eligible for the sleeve gastrectomy, but know that it will take fortitude to stick with the ‘non-surgical weight loss program’, rehab and exercising and prednisone tapering until my reevaluation in the Spring. It just feels like a dream slipping away, and I am having trouble staying motivated with my program. Has anyone else experienced surgical postponements for underlying medical conditions? Very much looking for motivation advice. Thank you.

I, I'm a newbie to this whole idea. I am a 310lbs, 6ft. male. I have very bad back painn, sciatica and a afib. Five spine surgeons have said no to surgery on my back because of my weight. They want me down around 225lbs. I'm 65 and have not been 225 since college. I'm retire, played golf and love to eat good food. I'm a trained chef but retired as a chief engineer. I know what is good food and what is not and how to prepare it. How can I ever change my feeling toward food to limit myself to such small portions. I go for my first visit with the bariatric team on Wednesday. Scared, depressed and in pain.

Congratulations on your BP/DS. I'm almost 6 months out from my Bilopancreatic deudonal switch with double anastomosis. If it helps write down your liquid intake and protein. The most important thing right now is to stay hydrated. As far as supplements when your Dr allows you to swallow your vitamin check out Bariatric Advantage. They have a vitamin specifically for BP/DS patients and I only have to take two a day plus my iron and calcium. My Dr said NO to vitamin patch so check with your Dr before purchasing. This surgery has changed my life. Wish I would not have waited so long. Good luck. Sent from my Pixel XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Vitamin Patches will not be effective for you. Look for chewable, not gummy, Bariatric formulated Vitamins. It’s so very important. If you have trouble getting them in just stagger them. Remember don’t take Calcium and Iron supplements together. At this early stage for you the most important thing is to STAY HYDRATED! Second is to get as much Protein in as you can and then get your Vitamins. There are liquid vitamins but it’s difficult to know what you are getting with each dose. Don’t fret over what’s happening on the scale, your body is going through a rapid and dramatic transformation, it is chaotic. I use Celebrate Brand Bariatric vitamins but Bariatric Advantage is good too.

I had the sleeve and get dumping. Not from sugar, but from liquids, like protein shakes, milk and soup. It's not all the time, and very scary and frustrating. I've almost passed out from it. I did read that bariatric patients should treat it with protein vs carbs. Carbs will cause a rebound blood sugar issue, where protein is more stable. I now keep emergency jerky in my purse and have felt much better. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Dr. Sanders at Samaritan Bariatric & Metabolic. I had surgery at Samaritan. She was/is great! Who are you going to and what hospital are you having it done at?

I am getting extremely frustrated. Please let me know if this experience is unique to me. I am 2 weeks post op, and I have not lost any weight in the second week. I know there is a 3 week stall is it possible to have a stall in the second week. I am not getting consistent information from the surgeon about my nutritional requirements and I am concerned because I am not feeling restricted on liquids and maybe I am over doing it. I was not having regrets, but I am starting to now. Also, I am able to start purees tomorrow and not sure what I can and cant have. I have another weird situation. My primary care doctor is the director of a nutritional and weight loss program. I got cleared for surgery by his nutritionist, however she does not specialize in bariatrics. Now I need a nutritionist that does specialize in bariatrics, and the one recommended by the surgeons office says she cant treat me because I did not do the initial evaluation with her. I am at a loss because I don't know what I should and should not be doing. My surgery was uncomplicated, however getting information I need to be a success has been very complicated. My doctor's office has given me contradicting information both pre and post op, and I am beyond frustrated and in tears. I want to be a success but all I see is failure in my future. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I do not know of any surgeons in the Villages that practice Bariatrics. Surgeons at Ocala Regional, West Marion, and Munroe Regional all in Ocala, Florida have bariatric programs. I do not know if Leesburg hospital has a bariatrics program. Naturally there are bariatric programs in Tampa, Orlando, and Gainesville.

I am generally staying under 1200, But i am suprised to see how fast calories can mount up even eating tiny meals! I have been using the baritastic ap and frequently see calories go up to 1,400-1,800 I'm never 100% sure if I've added the right amount as a lot of foods are either not on the list or brands i haven't heard of or my grams to oz conversation isn't very accurate, I always err on the higher side to compemsate for errors and also i sometimes don't eat all of the amount I've calculated. I went out for dinner the other night and had a macaroni cheese starter as my main course and immediately 750cals on my plate, I AM losing weight slowly so it is coming off but just wondering how everyone copes with meals? can people take a look at my average diet please... 8am Breakfast: 1 x toast OR 1 egg cheese & mushroom omelette OR Pancake made with slimfast 8:30am Coffee with semi skimmed milk 11am Snack: 1 piece of fruit OR kids raisins box 12:30 Lunch: half a small chicken breast & salad OR 2 babybel cheese and 2 crackerbread 3:30pm Coffee (ss milk) 6:30pm Dinner: small chicken breast with vegetables or salad OR slice of Gammon with 1 small potato and broccoli OR chilli con carne or bolognaise in a ramekin size tapas dish 7-8pm Possible (not everyday) a snack of handfull of nuts or handful of berries or a low fat yogurt I don't have many or any bread/pasta/rice type carbs after breakfast apart from the occasional crackerbread at lunch or maybe a potato with dinner maybe once a week. I eat off a side plate or a bariatric portion control plate. Take a look at my food and give me your opinion please, I think im eating too much but im hungry so it's hard to cancel a snack time, but maybe i could swap something out??

Hi all. Suger-free popsicles and ice have helped me keep hydrated. I'm 3 weeks post op and it does get difficult because you are so limited on how much your new tummy can take. What also helped was I got some of those 2 oz shot glasses that look like the red solo cups and if you drink one of those every 30 mins you can get your fluids in. Make sugar free popsicles and ice your new besties...lol. Also be prepared to be an emotional wreck. You will hear people say they have or had buyers remorse. Which your bariatric team doesn't mention. I had a major meltdown the first week I was home and was telling my husband why did I do this. Just be patient and take it one day at a time and you will get through this. Good luck to you.

I would contact your bariatric team and see if they have recommendations for local therapists that are familiar with disordered eating.

Look on the websites of therapists in your area and often they will have listed their specialities and experiences. If you can't find someone who understands bariatrics look for someone with experience with food issues, disordered eating or whatever seems to reasonate with you. If you don't feel like it is helping don't be afraid to switch until you find someone who is really helping

I agree with so much of what's been said. If you have another option for a surgeon without having to start over, I think I'd take it, just on principle. That said, I think this attitude about muscle might be kind of common among the WLS/bariatric community. My insurance company has WLS patients have health coaching by phone, and one session with someone with a background in exercise had a comment that "they" (meaning at the clinic) won't like it if I build too much muscle because it weighs more. I was really put out thinking it's MY body, and I'll have as much muscle as I want thank you very much. I suspect that clinics keep stats and maybe they are worried about what percentage of weight lost they can tout as their average. Regardless, my clinic also offers a post-op exercise program, and I mentioned it to the instructor, and she dismissed the concern completely stating that as a woman, we are naturally not going to build too much muscle due to the nature of our hormones, and that people who exercise, including lifting weights, are shown to do much better in terms of overall weight loss. She cited an example of a doc who recommended she stop exercising due to high blood pressure. She offered the opinion that there are a lot of medical professionals who know precious little about exercise.

Thank you for your kind words and your candor. I appreciate it! I've been doing well so far. I also appreciate your offer for support and the periodic ass-kicking, because I'll probably need it. It's nice - my son and my mother now are using the app I use for food track and we formed a group where we can share our daily tracking as well. The app I use is Lose It! and my mom and I use the iOS version and my son uses the Android version. As for how the foods I can eat will impact the WLS surgery and life going forward, I'm assuming you mean the foods that I can eat also with having the ileostomy. I cannot eat nuts, any raw veggies, anything fried, popcorn, and things of that nature. Luckily, the bariatric diet is similar and the progression from surgery date to eating a full diet will actually help my new ostomy heal faster. Once I'm back on a full diet again, I will be able to eat everything that the bariatric diet says I should eat within my diet for the ileostomy, except for the raw veggies and fruits. Those still will have to be cooked to eat them. Thank you for asking. {{{{{ hugs }}}}}

I had the gastric sleeve first. My situation is different than yours medically but I found that the bypass allows me to hydrate and eat much more freely than with the gastric sleeve, (which was a problem because I had a narrowing and scar tissue in my sleeve so I never really experienced hunger after I had the sleeve and then once the scar tissue was bad enough I couldn't really hydrate or eat much at all and what I did try to get down would sit in the top of my sleeve. ) Anyways, my point is that you will need to have your mind straight and nutrition straight no matter which surgery you have. A bariatric nurse told me once that she has seen patients eat themselves around every sugery. Even the DS. I hope this is successful for you but you should know that there is no way to predict how hungry you will be or what you will crave after the revision -that will be up to you to hold yourself to task. You might dump, you might not, etc. People end up back in surgery having revisions to bypass frequently enough to tighten their stomas, lengthen their bypass, etc. It is just a difficult journey, this bariatric life. Period. I wish you the best with your revision

And I also consider it a gift, a present I thought was unavailable to me. You see I am 72 and 2/3 years old. I was afraid life had passed me by, I was doomed to die obese , lonely and in pain. Then I heard of the lifeline of Bariatric surgery, was I strong enough to grab a hold on that line or let it go by like some things in my,life had? But I reached out trembling in August 2015, and although many twists, turns, roadblocks ensued. last Wednesday at 7AM my RNY,bypass was done, God Bless Dr Needleman and even more bless the principles of Bariatric medicine that gave me a chance I almost missed out on. As I recover, I am a little sore from,my 5 little holes and the intestinal prodding that went on. But,it friends, it is bare-able, every day that passes I will regain more strength, my days changed from gray and dismal to sunny and full,of hope.FYI,I did it under Medicare and Medicaid no deductables, no co-pays. Things are going to be good for even great grandma aged person. if I can rock it all you youngsters should be able to, come join me, Frustr8 in the journey of life!

@Ed_NW does your son qualify for medicaid? Medicaid pays for bariatric surgery. Is he married? If not doesn't the ACA allow him to be on your insurance until age 26? Can he move to a nearby state that mandates insurance cover bariatrics? He is young enough to recover from moving/ changing jobs after he gets surgery to do everything possible to get surgery. Good luck to you both.