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yes - all of the above. It's pretty common to have high liver enzymes the first year or so after surgery. Rapid weight loss is pretty hard on livers. They'll usually stabilize when your weight loss slows way down - usually during the 2nd or sometimes the 3rd year (mine stabilized the third year). We hear about that every couple of months on here, it seems. When my PCP noticed my liver enzymes, she freaked - but the bariatric clinic knew what was going on. And they were right - they did stabilize and have been normal ever since. My ferritin level is usually in the 200s, which is definitely higher than normal, but it's always been met with a shrug. I don't know about levels like 600 or 1022. If there's nothing else going on with you, they may just assume it's the supplements and have you cut way down on them for awhile. I wouldn't freak out yet, though. It may or may not turn out to be anything serious.

I started using the bariatric pal protein shots. I couldn't stomach protein powder or the premixed creamy shakes. You can get a sample pack at the store to see if you like them before committing to a larger order. I have spent so much money on protein. Also, Fairlife milk has 13g protein per cup, which could be a good option as well. It's also lactose free and may be easier on your stomach.

Here's a few I found on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Multivitamin-Natural-Multi-Vitamin-Vitamins-Absorption/dp/B071CNR16Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=Bariatric+Liquid+Vitamins&qid=1686336306&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A1FGZPZGA6G2M5&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMFJaNEs2RVk2MjAzJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzM2MjE5MVcxTENHRUtISk9VUyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTIyNDYwMVFQOVNZR00yQzdTQiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= https://www.amazon.com/Bariatric-Multivitamin-Iron-Liquid-Supplement/dp/B0BDFJC8MS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Bariatric+Liquid+Vitamins&qid=1686336306&rdc=1&sr=8-5 https://www.amazon.com/Tropical-Oasis-Mega-Plus-Multivitamin/dp/B000JZWL30/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?keywords=Bariatric+Liquid+Vitamins&qid=1686336306&sr=8-14-spons&psc=1&smid=A1FGZPZGA6G2M5&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMFJaNEs2RVk2MjAzJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzM2MjE5MVcxTENHRUtISk9VUyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTIyNjE2MzBDVDNVMlJaMFM2VSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

So I have been really quiet on here because I was just trying to get rid of the last of the health issues I had going on. Polyps are gone and uterine fibroids are gone. I had an appt with my bariatric surgeon today and we discussed getting the revision now that I have a clean bill of health. Looks like it'll be mid July sometime. BUT...my revision is a little more complicated. Here's what I was told: Normally they leave the bottom part of the stomach when they do the bypass because there might be a need for a feeding tube at some point, or something like that. HOWEVER, with my situation, the part they would normally leave is where all the polyps were. So the surgeon is going to completely remove the bottom part of the stomach (making my stomach about 2oz instead of the 4-5oz it is now) during the bypass surgery. He said that's not ideal, but given my situation, it's the best course of treatment for the GERD, esophagitis, gastritis, and getting me back to being able to work out and live a normal life again (which is really all I want). He said it does present a problem later on if I need a feeding tube or whatever, but that's a big "if", and considering all of my issues right now, it's worth the risk, if I agree. I agreed with him and I'm waiting for the coordinator to call me to schedule the surgery officially. I'm so close to this being over. I can see the finish line FINALLY!!!!!

Has anyone been able to find a Bariatric Recipe Book with color pictures? I need to see what the recipe looks like before I make it and I cannot find one for the life of me! TIA!

Any ideas for a good Bariatric trail mix? I used to mix peanuts, raisins and M&Ms to snack on at the lake. Would dry fruit be too much like candy and cause dumping???

I am already terrible at swallowing pills, so I know it's going to be an issue when I have my bypass in August. Does anyone have any liquid vitamins for bariatric patients that they recommend?

that doesn't sound like dumping. I know of someone else who has SIBO - (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) that sounds somewhat similar to what you have, but I'm NOT a medical person. I've also heard of people having issues digesting carbohydrates (not necessarily WLS patients, but I've heard about it in WLS patients, too) who have to eat a low FODmap diets (or at least very low carb diets) to control it. I would see your general PCP - and if they don't know, maybe they can refer you to a G/I specialist. These kinds of things aren't really common, so it could be that the people at your bariatric clinic just aren't familar with it. EDITED to add: I just re-read your message and noticed you said you've had liver problems, too. Maybe it's related to that? I would see if you can get a referral to someone who deals with these kinds of things (G/I person or maybe a hepatologist (if it's liver-related). At any rate, I'd probably start with my primary care covider.

Update went to my first appointment and everything went well but found out my insurance only covers 80% and I have to pay 20% that would be 5,800 out of pocket ! Right now I can’t pay that 👎🏼 but they have a non surgical Bariatric program that has Ozempic pen and Gobee something like that so I made an appointment to see her ! Thanks everyone appreciate all of you ❤️

I'm so sorry that happened. And I know how much hurtful words from your spouse can really shake one at their core. Could you find a marriage counselor who does online video calls? I think therapy is the only viable option to get to the root of what's going on. Or maybe a bariatric surgery support group for partners. Someone had mentioned that he may feel threatened by your weight loss. That is not an uncommon problem; especially if the partner is insecure. Maybe try to build up his security. Men normally respond to verbal praise. For example, in the first few weeks after my surgery, my husband was a very grumpy person to be around. When I commented on it, he blew up and said how overwhelmed he felt with work, taking care of a large portion of the home responsibilities, that it's been all about me and my recovery, and a few other things. I took some time to process, and in the right timing, I thanked him for all he's doing and told him that it did not go unnoticed. I reassured him and built him back up. Since then, things have been going really well. Your therapist may have some other ideas.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, anytime, but it's hitting you harder right now! First off, I really think you need to talk to a bariatric psychologist because they are neutral. They can help you work through some of these feelings without any judgement. This is just my opinion, but, I think your husband is already feeling threatened by your weight loss. He's trying to make sure he can keep control of you by complimenting you and then turning around and saying hurtful things to you! No one deserves to be treated like that! Please talk to someone, you are worth way more than what he's giving you. If you're not happy, your family is going to feel it too. You need to be strong and not let anyone take the joy out of your life!

I first considered bariatric surgery about 15 years before I actually went through with it. I considered it off and on at various times in my life, but kept deciding against it, until 3 years ago when I couldn't keep living the way I was and realized that I had to do something drastic. Like you, I spent a lot of time worrying about the worst case scenario and I specifically sought out stories of people who have regretted having bariatric surgery. These are hard to find! Bariatric surgery is very common and safe nowadays and serious complications are rare. Of course, that's not much comfort when you are one of the unlucky few, but even when I found people who had horrible complications, most of them still said they would do it all over again. I think the main reason you don't find a lot of bariatric surgery veterans on this forum or other WLS communities is that the first year or so is really rough and requires a lot of lifestyle changes and attention, but eventually, you get used to the changes and find a new normal (plus, most people can gradually return to a relatively "normal" diet) and get to a point where your life no longer revolves around your surgery. One of the biggest factors that made me hesitant about getting the surgery was that I didn't want my life to be ruled by my pouch. But I got to a point where my life was severely limited by my weight, so I took the plunge and had the surgery. I've lost 200 pounds and the world has really opened up to me. I'm 3 years out and have completely changed my diet and lifestyle, but I can eat a "normal" portion (not as much as when I was 300+ pounds, of course, but I'm not limited to half a cup of food anymore). I can drink water as much and as quickly as I ever could before surgery. I haven't told anyone, even my family, that I got surgery. Like a lot of people I wish that I had lost weight earlier because my weight was holding me back in so many ways, but it was probably a good thing that I wanted until I was really ready to change my lifestyle before I had the surgery. There are people who gain back all the weight, and I suspect that this is because they rely on the surgery alone for weight loss, and once the effects wear off, they are able to go back to their old eating habits and regain the weight. I do not experience dumping and I have only had one day of vomiting since my surgery. I kind of wish I would get dumping syndrome because it would be a good deterrent to eating things I shouldn't. If I eat something with too much fat and/or sugar (e.g., a slice of cake), I get super sleepy and feel like garbage for the rest of the day. I actually have had a serious complication, not directly from the surgery, but from the rapid weight loss, and that is bradycardia which required me to get a pacemaker. That's a bummer, but I'm sure my overall health is better off now than it would have been without the surgery.

I developed post-bariatric hypoglycemia. So, I got one of those MyID sleeves to wear on my step tracker band. It just says that I had a gastric bypass and that I have hypoglycemia. I didn't get the ID until I developed the blood sugar issue - if I hadn't developed that, I wouldn't've gotten it.

I developed post-bariatric hypoglycemia. So, I got one of those MyID sleeves to wear on my step tracker band. It just says that I had a gastric bypass and that I have hypoglycemia. I didn't get the ID until I developed the blood sugar issue - if I hadn't developed that, I wouldn't've gotten it.

Do your research locally. I found a very competent bariatric surgeon close by. He even taught other surgeons how to do many of the procedures. Being far from home, especially when things seem so new and different, is probably not a good idea. It sounds like you have your heart set on these two doctors. May I ask why? Have you fulfilled all the pre-op requirements (usually insurance carrier requirements)? The requirements are often different depending on the insurance company, the doctor---maybe even the state. (Michigan must have many fine doctors to chose from.) I'm starting to equate my gastric bypass with my four childbirth deliveries. I know I was there and went through everything, but I have a hard time remembering all the details. I just know that I am happier, healthier, and a lot thinner after having my gastric bypass. My only ongoing complaint is that my sense of smell and taste never returned to my pre-surgery status.

Good afternoon community, I hope you are doing well! I finally started my journey April 2023 after years of it being put on the table by my primary care doctor. It was hard seeing the scale reach 293 at 25 years old. I have days when I am really excited about the journey and finally being comfortable in my body but there are other days when I have doubts. My doubts don't usually center around food. I am ready for the lifestyle change and am researching the best proteins and recipes for when the time comes. I think about how some who have the surgery can't consume water the same. I think about the side effects, the nausea, the vomiting, dumping syndrome. I'm scared of possibly regretting it and think about the worst happening. I wanted more information on your journeys if you don't mind sharing. Your pros, your cons, if you had doubts and what helped you get over those? For those who had the surgery, do you have any regrets? is there something you would do differently? things you wished you knew before the surgery? On a positive note, what are the milestones and the good things that came with the surgery? I want to know, if anyone regretted it? Thank you in advanced for your replies!

I like listening to Dr John Pilsher. He seems levelheaded and up to date on current medical issues concerning WLS. Some of his videos seem to buck the system about things we thought to be true. Malabsorption with bypass for example is a myth according to him. What say you???

I started wearing bracelets about 8yrs ago for my mom, she developed dementia. I got them from ROADID.COM cute silicone, multiple colors, any inscription, I currently wear purple and lime green name DOB, emergency phone number and will be adding one "BARIATRIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY 5/2023, NO NSAIDS EVER". These bracelets are excellent for everyone, kids-adults-elderly, when my mom couldn't remember my phone number, that's when I got her a bracelet. Wearing 24/7, through baths and showers, never take it off, except when I had the sleeve surgery. It is a personal choice, but think about the worst case scenario, traffic accident, vacations, emergency, it may prevent something traumatic happening to you by EMS or ER.

That's how I feel about my support as well. I'm left alone all the time, never asked if I want to hang, but its all good. I found my bariatric pal fam, thanks for the support yall. I don't mean to spread my business either .

Vitamin patches are hit or miss. They work for some people but not for others. If you're not taking any multivitamins, patches are almost certainly better than nothing, so it's worth a try. Did the multivitamins that caused nausea contain iron? A lot of people experience nausea from iron supplements, so you might want to try a multivitamin without iron. For iron supplements, there are different forms of iron, and iron bisglycinate is supposed to be easier on the stomach than ferrous sulfate (which is the more common form of iron), so that's another thing you can try. I don't think it's particularly common to get a medic alert bracelet just for bariatric surgery. I do have one because I have a pacemaker, so in addition to my pacemaker info, I have "No blind NG tube" and "No NSAIDS." I wouldn't have gotten one just for that, though (and I didn't get one until I got my pacemaker). I don't have an actual bracelet, either -- I have a tag that attaches to my watch band (it's from a web site called Road ID). It is much more subtle than a separate bracelet, so if you want a bracelet but are self-conscious about it, you might consider something like that.

Hi everyone, I am considering gastric bypass surgery and have narrowed the surgeon selection to Dr Kevin Krause affiliated with Beaumont Royal Oak Michigan and Dr John Pilcher affiliated with Sage Bariatric in Texas. would really appreciate if those who have had their surgery done by either of these doctors provide input on their experience and if they would recommend the doctors and their teams. Working on making the best decision so looking forward to hearing from some of you.

Mari3997, Pre-op diet will definitely help you and helps get "your head" into the right place for your new fabulous healthy life. Support system? I have no one. My husband tried to talk me out of it, NOPE! My body, my life, I make my own decisions...autonomy. Find support groups here, Facebook, IG, etc, research youtube videos on bariatric surgeries. Some FEAR is normal but still wasted energy and can become crippling. Find a way to reduce fear to a reasonable concern. I responded to another post with this...it might help you, I hope so, just do it. Definitely do it! At 71, 100lbs overweight, in pain constantly, both knees destroyed by arthritis, peripheral neuropathy in both feet with hot burning pins and needles when standing and walking, back pain. My journey started in orthopedics with knees, steroid injections, worked well most of the time, but didn't stop the occasional fall [3 to 4 times a year]. I knew sooner or later something would break. I would have had knee replacement sooner except for covid & elective surgeries were cancelled for two years [socialized medicine ***] weight gain, but developed hypertension. Researched weight loss thru ***, and because I had obstructive sleep apnea, I would qualify, and found this bariatric surgery should be first before the knees. I researched, attended classes, youtube videos, surgeons, after care, supplements etc. I wanted the Roux-N-Y but at my age surgeon said no, VSG. The surgeon recommended to me, is EXTREMELY strict and no BS kind of guy, he canceled my first surgery date because he didn't like something I did, so I really buckled down to his protocol. I knew I would have nausea and vomiting from anesthesia so I told EVERYONE, to give me whatever so this didn't happen. Well...it happened, no medication, and postop recovery the uncontrollable violent projectile dry heaves started, nurse good, gave IV Zofran, the IV Reglan and within a few minutes it stopped, but it was bad. I went home the next day. I had all my foods for week two, supplements etc. I am keeping up with supplements and fluids but not hungry. Dr said eat 1/4 cup every 2-3 hours otherwise your body will try to hold on to everything and the metabolism shifts. I'm going to add the vitamin patches from Bariatric Pal to my daily regimen of chews and capsules, [ I am very fatigued] for a while and see how this works. I use Mira Lax/:axa Clear equivalent in my morning water bottle and use a stool softener at night. Find whatever works for you, the stool softeners alone did not work for me. Trying to find my new normal, I knew it would be a process. I have NO regrets, and would tell anyone considering surgery to 'go for it' and FOLLOW directions strictly. Once I pass the phase of full liquids and get into pureed foods it will be another advancement. During surgery found a hiatal hernia and did the repair. Who Knew?! I didn't, glad it's done. My significant weight loss will help me in recovery for total knee replacement. I'm looking forward to repairing the rest of my body in my older age. Best wishes to you. Surgery May 15. 

Definitely do it! At 71, 100lbs overweight, in pain constantly, both knees destroyed by arthritis, peripheral neuropathy in both feet with hot burning pins and needles when standing and walking, back pain. My journey started in orthopedics with knees, steroid injections, worked well most of the time, but didn't stop the occasional fall [3 to 4 times a year]. I knew sooner or later something would break. I would have had knee replacement sooner except for covid & elective surgeries were cancelled for two years [socialized medicine ***]. No weight gain, but developed hypertension. Researched weight loss thru ***, and because I had obstructive sleep apnea, I would qualify, and found this bariatric surgery should be first before the knees. I researched, attended classes, youtube videos, surgeons, after care, supplements etc. I wanted the Roux-N-Y but at my age surgeon said no, VSG. The surgeon recommended to me, is EXTREMELY strict and no BS kind of guy, he canceled my first surgery date because he didn't like something I did, so I really buckled down to his protocol. I knew I would have nausea and vomiting from anesthesia so I told EVERYONE, to give me whatever so this didn't happen. Well...it happened, no medication, and postop recovery the uncontrollable violent projectile dry heaves started, nurse good, gave IV Zofran, the IV Reglan and within a few minutes it stopped, but it was bad. I went home the next day. I had all my foods for week two, supplements etc. I am keeping up with supplements and fluids but not hungry. Dr said eat 1/4 cup every 2-3 hours otherwise your body will try to hold on to everything and the metabolism shifts. I'm going to add the vitamin patches from Bariatric Pal to my daily regimen of chews and capsules, [ I am very fatigued] for a while and see how this works. I use Mira Lax/:axa Clear equivalent in my morning water bottle and use a stool softener at night. Find whatever works for you, the stool softeners alone did not work for me. Trying to find my new normal, I knew it would be a process. I have NO regrets, and would tell anyone considering surgery to 'go for it' and FOLLOW directions strictly. Once I pass the phase of full liquids and get into pureed foods it will be another advancement. During surgery found a hiatal hernia and did the repair. Who Knew?! I didn't, glad it's done. My significant weight loss will help me in recovery for total knee replacement. I'm looking forward to repairing the rest of my body in my older age. Best wishes to you. Surgery May 15.

Whoop Whoop - congratulations and welcome to the other side! Thanks so much for sharing - i think its so important for others to hear the experiences of others who are now post op. I am so rooting for you all - it has been so rewarding to share with you., my June bariatric family 😘😘

^^^^THIS^^^^ ^^^^AND THIS^^^^ Please don't let fear keep you from doing one of the best things you can do for yourself, now. I wasted years telling myself I can get the weight off myself. Till I couldn't. Struggling and dieting over and over and over.... Interestingly enough, I had this convo with an overweight gal in my bariatric office. My first visit. She took me to the room and got my stats. We started chatting and she said she was considering getting surgery too but thought she was young enough to put it off and get it when she's older. I encouraged her not to wait till she had a list of meds and comorbidities like I have. I do kind of regret posting here about a few of my "fixable" moments with foamies etc because the last thing I want to do is scare anyone off from a lifesaving surgery. There are a few legit complications people have shared but they are few and far between. New studies show WLS compared to having gallbladder surgery risk wise, which is low. TBH I would be more afraid of doing nothing. Good luck OP and if need be have the hospital give you some calming meds, day of, to keep you from bolting pre surgery. You can do it!!!!