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Hi yalllll, So I’m rlly just wondering if I’m fucking this surgery up 😞 I am able to eat a yogurt (6oz) in like 20 mins and I don’t feel gross after. My brother who also had the surgery two/three years ago is telling me I’m eating way too fast, but I don’t like understand how or what he means? He won’t rlly help me understand either 😞 I just don’t want this all to be in vain, I’m a worry wort as you can probably see but I have lost 12ish lbs and I wanna keep the momentum, and make sure I’m not doing anything dumb to jeopardize my success. Any input would be helpful! Xx

Hi Dolly - I'd love to share my experience. I did the travel program through Alabama Bariatrics. My surgery was scheduled on a Tuesday. I had to be in Alabama for an in person consult and final labs on Monday, surgery on Tuesday then I stayed overnight at the hospital until Weds. I was discharged to a hotel and had to stay local that night then I was able to drive home on Thursday. All of the pre-surgery labs were done through my primary care physician. My initial contact with Alabama Bariatrics was at the end of November 2021 and my surgery ended up being March 2022. It could have been much sooner but I didn't have a primary care physician so I had to wait almost 2 months for a new patient appointment which delayed things. Also, I could have gotten surgery in mid-February but I chose to wait until March so I could have it done the week my kids were on spring break so my parents (babysitters) didn't have to worry about taking them back and forth to school. Here's their website: https://alabariatrics.com/ feel free to ask me anything! I would highly recommend them, the entire process was super easy.

Hey all, my wife is looking into the gastric sleeve surgery, of course I am the one with all the questions about it. Hoping maybe someone could help with any anecdotal evidence at least. I'm trying to reduce the "I wish we knew x before doing this" ... Anyway, for obvious reasons we are looking at Mexico. The first one she sent me was Elias Ortiz out of Tijuana. So I looked into him more, and read about some very poor (in my opinion) things about him, I think mostly when he was with ALM (or whatever it's called). Of course the first surgeon we look at giving me the eebie geebies is not a great start. He's not officially out of running, but we have looked into the following now. Odd that there didn't seem to be lists of them. Haven't looking into everything equally, our spoken to the coordinator on prices or anything, but these are probably in order of what we like. Endobariatric in Piedras Negras with Guillermo Alvarez LIMARC in Tijuana with Liza María Pompa González Obesity Control Center in Tijuana with Ariel Ortiz Elias Ortiz & Co in Tijuana VIDA Bariatrics in Tijuana with Gabriela Rodriguez Ruiz So I guess the questions are the following. If anyone could answer whatever question you may be able to add to, that would be great. Thanks!! 1) After deciding on Mexico, what was the overriding determinant in picking a surgeon, was it only price? 2 Did you get to pick the bougie size? I read a study (odd that I only found one) about bougie sizes - apparently 32 fr and 40 fr are the 2 commonest sizes? Anyway the study said that there was no materially significant weight loss difference between the two sizes, but there were less complications with the 40 fr size. Also in her situation, she's 5'10", and her general body type is such that her most healthy weight is going to be more than others her height, so I fear something too restrictive could come with problems of their own. 3 I've read about issues where people's Drs don't support post op care for out of country surgeries. This was old info though. Have people found this to still be the case? Is it only for the primary doctors, or only bariatric doctors? Or both, or is that not really a thing anymore? 4 What about complications during surgery. I have to imagine they send you to an ER in the states. I understand at that point our insurance will cover the emergency internationally, but not sure the MX hospital would be adequately staffed, and may have to send us to a place in the US. Any issues with transportation delays having to cross border? 5 Complications after you return home... I assume no, but are there any that, if we are about to make it back out, would fix the problem for like no cost or reduced fee? 6 Post op care. Like weeks/months/years... Is there a type of support you wish you had but was not provided? Nutritionist, or type of PT or psychologist/psychotherapist that focuses on mental issues that may arise after the big life change, to avoid body dysmorphia from moving to a different body part... I know the OCC place mentioned 5 years worth of support. Not sure if that is worth it, or if it's just something out there for fluff because it seems like something that would be useful for patients, but actually patients after the fact realize it's not helpful. 7 anything you know now, but would've been really helpful to know beforehand? Whether generally, or issues that would be specific to MX vs going to a place in US? 8 wondering the success of people with situation like her... In my opinion her problem isn't with overeating/the size of her stomach. She doesn't eat because she's hungry, so I'm not sure the impact this has on ghrelin will be a huge help. She invites an environment where she keeps low metabolism, skips meals, snacks on crap, drinks artificial sweeteners, takes medication that has been shown to lower metabolism. I tell her she needs to eat more protein, fiber, and 'eat like a diabetic' and when she works out (which she doesn't even do anymore), it's more of a benefit to go shorter sessions, but with more intensity, as that is best for your metabolism ... She says "Believe it or not, I actually learned this in college (for her nursing degree) and I know what I need to do" but yet does not do at all what she needs to do - and yet also simultaneously complains that she's tried everything to lose weight, even though that's not the case, particularly in last few years when she's out on anywhere from 20-40 pounds (guess). Looking at all the pre and post op diets, it looks like there's a focus on protein (as one would expect). So she's like, addicted to the dopamine I guess that she gets. She eats because she knows it's there. So while I am sure she will lose a bunch of weight offer the first 6-12 months, I tell her I'm more worried about being back where she is now 5 years after the fact, due to her behaviors that have put us in this situation in the beginning. There have been a handful of things that she's done (each successive thing being more expensive), where she's like "if I get x then it will force me to do y" and that's basically her 'argument' here. 9 related to above, how does one stay hydrated while exercising, esp in heat? Or even being sick? Is it recommended to drink warm water, due to the quicker absorption than cold?

You don’t have to make your own cream soup. Just buy them from the supermarket. That’s all I did those first two weeks. Made my own soups after then but honestly couldn’t be bothered to cook anything that first fortnight. Heat or shake were my cooking limits. 😁 Any broth works including the broth from wonton soup or pho (jus drain & strain the solids out). Bone broth is the best but it can be salty. Just watch any fruit chunks in the yoghurt. Strain it well after blending it with the milk. Chobani yoghurt was recommended to me but I found it too sweet. Found a less sweet one with more protein (20g) which also had a yoghurt drink. Think it’s only in Australia (Danone yopro) but the don’t do the drink anymore. Mine didn’t have to be ‘lite’.

May be it’s the type of carbs? From purée stage I was allowed carbs: rolled oats & vegetables (not potatoes), then fruit later on. So instead of saying ditch the carbs I should have said reduce the carbs & look for more nutritious complex carbs like in multi & whole grains (low processed), seeds & vegetables. If you’re able to eat bread & pasta on your plan look for the low carb, high protein & multi grain versions. And of course leave them to last when eating: protein first then vegetables & then carbs if you can. But maybe it’s a case of discovering what works for you and it may be reduced carbs or only complex high fibre carbs. Ketosis didn’t last for my whole weight loss phase, just in the beginning. (Thank goodness - those bad body odour, bad breath, keto flu, etc. side effects are awful.) You don’t have to be in ketosis to lose weight. That’s just one way. Continuing to be calorie deficient will enable you to lose weight. I haven’t eaten pasta, rice or bread since before my surgery three years ago. I go out often including to Italian & Japanese restaurants & haven't felt like I’m missing out yet by not eating rice or pasta. Plenty of other options on the menu. As for bread - I have 7 specialty bakeries & patisseries within a 2 km strolling radius of my home. Don’t feel I’m missing out with them either. It’s just how you look at it. But that’s me. You have to discover what works for you.

by light yogurt I'm guessing she means something like Dannon's Light & Fit (which you can get anywhere), Kroger's Carbmaster (at Kroger and Kroger affiliates), or the 100-calorie "protein Greek yogurt" that Aldi sells in a 4-pack. But there are others. There are others out there as well - but those three come to mind.

Hello all, according to guide I have from my doctor: this is what I can take week 1 below. I am confused on how to make a creamed soup as I don’t soup. Are there suggestions for a soup for week 1? Something that is easy to make? Can I have chicken broth instead of a creamed soup? My second question is about light yogurt blended with skim milk as that it was it listed in the picture I have posted. Any recommendations of a yogurt I can pick from target or Walmart to satisfy this requirement? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hubby grilled this tomahawk steak Father's day. It was amazing! We are enjoying the leftovers this week. Pair it with homemade broccoli and cauliflower salads - for a lighter touch side dish. Can only tolerate about 10 tiny bites of beef at a meal.

I think that's why they should have waited. The issue was because I had seen my PCP a week after surgery and my BP was fine so she was fine with me not being on any, wasn't until a week or two later that it rose back up. Hopefully mine will drop down as time goes on.

Hi Tela - Tomorrow will be one week for me post ESG. I had very little complications, nausea gone within 48 hours and back working already . Per my doctor, I don’t have any restrictions but I’m pretty tired. He thought it would take 2 or 3 weeks, but more about being tired. The restrictions are much less because there is not cutting. I have zero problems with getting enough water. I do mix in vitamin water zero, and crystal light lemonade. I have no problem with getting protein. The majority through fairlife protein shakes but I’ve started to do some unflavored isopure. Without solid foods, I think it will be hard to get much more calories. But I feel like I could eat solid foods but will follow the guideline Lets keep in touch. Good luck. Oh, i have a consult tomorrow. I’m going to be asking a similar question.

There seems to be no 'normal' when it comes to pre-op diets. Everybody seems to have a different one. Mine was two weeks of non-fat milk, 20oz, three times per day. Plus water..... Other people get meat and veggies. Most seem to get protein shakes.

So today is my weekly weigh in day, and I weigh 349!!! It's the first time in 2 years I have been below 350 (1st time was when I did keto, but as soon as I hit 320 it literally came back up and I never lost a single pound after I went back to my original weight). I'm figuring out the food portions, timing, measurements and I think I have it down!!! You guys have all been so amazing with all the meltdowns, crazy questions, doubting myself, etc I've done on here (I know, I was a bit loco lol ). But I seem to be losing at a nice steady pace (5-7 pounds per week) and I have to say, I'm really liking it. I feel like this is much more sustainable and maintainable than when I was doing keto (and surprisingly, a lot less restrictive! ) I'm 7 weeks post op today and honestly, other than my scars on my tummy, I would never know I had surgery. No pain, no more limitations, no problems at all. I still have to be mindful of how much I eat and how often, because as I have said before, I never lost any of my hunger hormone. But I make homemade smoothies with fruit or I drink a protein shake if I need a little extra protein, or I just keep busy until I can teach my stomach and body that I'm NOT hungry and I HAVE eaten enough and I will NOT be eating anymore because I had my allotted amount and that's it. It's harder when you're still hungry, but it CAN be done. Especially when I see the progress on the scale. So so glad I had this surgery. I don't regret it at all. Not even a tiny bit. I just wish I had done it sooner. But I guess we all do, don't we? lol

I only weigh once a week at most, sometimes every two weeks. I would drive myself nuts weighing every day, because a salty meal and I can gain 5 pounds! I learned not to do this to myself awhile back. Everyone is different, some people can handle the normal fluctuations.

I didn't miss anything at 2 weeks either. But I was also still on a clear liquid diet and in a lot of pain from them puncturing my liver in 2 places. It wasn't until much later that I really started missing it when I had something that was a little spicy or dry. Sent from my SM-A716U using BariatricPal mobile app

Sleevediva, you are doing wonderful! Congrats. My surgeon and dietician recommend just having carbs twice a week, When I say carbs I mostly mean bread, potatoes, pasta. I can eat fruit in small quantities and can even have a yam here and there. The twice a week gives me an out when I go to a restaurant, I can have what everyone else is eating and not feel left out. Its keeping track of the twice a week that gets tricky. Need to write it down on my calendar so I don't play games like "my twice a week starts today," and I say that everyday. ugh.

Carbs are, at least for me, the VERY worst thing I can eat if I want to lose weight. But it's not really possible to eat a balanced diet and cut out ALL carbs. My dietician said to consume 60-80g of protein per day, less than 50g of carbs per day, and less than 50g of fats per day. She said food should be half a cup or less per meal, and for those meals that I can't measure in a measuring cup, I bought a food scale and make sure not to go over 4oz per meal (I typically stay around the 3oz mark, just o be safe). When I had my stall, it happened at 2 1/2 weeks and lasted a full 2 weeks. I actually gained 5 pounds during it and then just got stuck. Now I'm 7 weeks post op today and I'm losing between 5-7 pounds per week (before my stall I literally lost 30 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks, it was crazy!!!) so while the weight loss has slowed a lot from pre stall, I like the pace I'm at. It's easier to manage and even with the dietary restrictions, I still get to order yummy stuff and not feel left out (and I end up with at least 1 or 2 more meals with my leftovers LOL. My husband calls me a cheap date).

For me, Miralax has never worked. I swear by Milk of Magnesia (if I have a drink nearby to wash away the taste) or Colace (I have to take 4 a day to get it to work, but once it kicks in, I'm good for 2-3 days lol). I was also taken off my bp meds as well as diabetes meds by by surgeon, the day I had my surgery. It's worked out well so far (I'm 7 weeks out today) but I did find it odd that the surgeon took me off and not my PCP. I had my stall at 2/2 weeks, and it lasted for 2 full weeks. I actually gained 5 pounds on it before I just got stuck. I wanted to cry almost everyday. I'm sorry you're dealing with that. It never occurred to me that stalls would be the worst part of the surgery lol I'm confused why they won't let you have your diuretic. Was it prescribed for something that had nothing to do with weight specifically? If so, the surgeon's office had no business messing with it. I have MS, and they were looking at what meds to stop and I called my neurologist from the hospital and told them and they contacted my surgeon and said in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that any meds related to MS are not to be touched in any way, and if they refuse to let me have them, he would come to the hospital everyday twice a day to administer them to me and bill the surgeon's office for the visits lol Needless to say, my MS meds were left alone.

🤔 That was 2 weeks ago tonight. I went to my nail place and had my nail color removed. My husband and I watched TWO episodes of Magnificent Century. I packed a bag the morning of surgery, showered, used eyebrow color and under eye concealer (in case they misplaced me and thought I should be in the morgue 😅😂🤣😅😂). I was due at the hospital at 8:20 and we got there at 8. They called me back at about 9:25.

Not trying to be flippant, but I truly miss NOTHING. I am 2 weeks post op tomorrow and I have never felt better. Nothing tastes as good as THIS feels!

Mine was June 8…gastric bypass. I did modified liquid (read occasional cheating) starting 3 weeks before. More modified liquid (almost no cheating) 2 weeks before. 100% compliant liquid -not even the thought of cheating- one week before. Two days before surgery, it was difficult, but I attribute of that to nerves. i am 2 weeks post op tomorrow. liquids since June 10 when I got home. I’m not hungry, and I feel better than I have in 25 years. I am meeting my liquid and Protein goals. good luck to you!

My surgery is July 7 and it’s only 3 days of liquid prior to surgery. 2 weeks liquid then 2 weeks puréed and then solids if I can handle it. I’m getting gastric bypass surgery

When I was going through all the pre op stuff I was told I could never have caffeine again EVER. Now that I am 7 weeks post op I was told no more than 8oz per day and thats only at 6 months Post Op. They've also uped the protein from 60g what it was initially to 80g or more per day so Im guessing per provider things seem to fluctuate. As catwoman7 says:

Thank you for the support! I appreciate the ideas and support. I think what I'm really whining about is that have to get rid of carbs, when I'm doing everything else right! I do walk as much as my body allows, I have physical issues which keep me from doing 3 miles a day like I'd like to. Still I'm eating very little compared to the average person. I walk everyday, plus weights, yoga, etc. I eat a small amount of carbs and throws me into non keto and I stall. I guess my body doesn't care about all this, it is what it is! So I've gotten back into just healthy eating, lots of protein!

Pretty regularly during weight loss phase, actually. I weighed every day (still do) and took measurements every week (no longer do). There would be weeks where i lost 4 lbs but basically no inches (or fractions thereof), and then there would be weeks where i lost like 0.2 of a pound, but then lost 1/4 an inch of EACH of my thigh, upper arm and breast measurements. Interestingly enough, on those weeks when I didn’t lose much weight but just inches, my waist measurements did not move…which led me to believe i was retaining water - or just bloated - which would account for the weight number not moving much. Either way, losing pounds or inches, both are WINS.

My experience has been completely different from the ones I read above. I’m in Wake County NC, and if coming here for surgery is an option, I would suggest exploring that option. I began the process in January with research and my surgery was June 8, 2022. My initial ZOOM consult with the Patient Administrator and the surgeon lasted 2 hours: 30 minutes with PA and 90 minutes with the surgeon. I went through EXTENSIVE pre-procedure testing: physically and psychologically. A massive hiatal hernia was diagnosed, and I was screened by a cardiologist (also extensive) before everything was sent to my insurance company. I also had a sleep study and a CPAP machine was prescribed. I went to a nutrition introduction and the nutritionist has been there since February to answer every question. I had a nutrition meeting 1 week prior to surgery, and the nutritionist conducted another class while I was in the hospital and came to see me 2 mornings in the hospital and I have another class in a week. The hospital and practice I used are CIGNA Bariatric Centers For Excellence. They practice ERAS- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. I was never given narcotics…only a nerve block and two mild pain meds prior to surgery. I did not need any pain medication either post op or when I came home. The care I received was absolutely top notch from beginning to end. The hospital staff was superb. If this is an option for anyone, I recommend it without hesitation. I am 67 years old and I intend to lose 100 lbs. i underwent a hernia repair for a massive hiatal hernia, my gallbladder was removed and I had gastric bypass. Hope this helps someone.