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I have the same issue with plain water... I used to love it but now, I get a heaviness when drinking it. Crystal light helps a lot. I know they push fluids but early on, I had issues taking in that much. I was bloated and uncomfortable from forcing fluids, my surgeon told me not to force liquids... I felt a million times better after that. Im 6 weeks post op and still can get in all my protein. The shakes have the same effect as plain water... its too heavy. My bariatric coordinator said the first 3 months is when u are really going to lose the weight so I should enjoy not having an appetite now.

I don't know how many are "many" (there is something called "adverse selection" that is common in online forums, where negatives outnumber positives because everyone with a complaint will post about it, but those with nothing to complain about are largely silent, so things tend to seem worse than they are,) but it does happen for a few reasons. The sleeve is predisposed do reflux problems due to its geometry and physiology. The volume of the stomach is reduced much more than the acid producing potential, so it takes a while for the body to adapt, and sometimes it doesn't. Also, the sleeve is considered to be a "high pressure" system in that the stomach is often closed off by the pyloric valve at the bottom, so excess gas, fluids or solids have no place to go other than back up; the bypass is a "low pressure" system as there is no pyloric valve in the system, so excess gas can vent down into the intestines. In contrast, the RNY due to its geometry and physiology is predisposed to dumping, marginal ulcers, reactive hypoglycemia and bile reflux. With either procedure, this does not mean that everyone will experience these problems, just that this is the natural result of the anatomical changes that have been made. Another compounding factor with the sleeve is the relative experience level of the profession - in the US, the sleeve has been routinely approved by insurance for about the past 6-8 years, while the bypass has been routine for around 40 years. This means that there has been some revisions needed due to inexperience in some of those early sleeves - the surgeons may have been well experienced doing bypasses and bands, but a new procedure, even a straightforward one such as the sleeve, brings along its own subtleties and nuances that take practice to master. Resultant shaping issues can promote or exacerbate the reflux problem. In the US, most bariatric surgeons are now far enough up the learning curve that most are now making routinely making functionally competent sleeves (one should always seek out a surgeon who has several hundred of whatever procedure one is interested in under his belt.) However, now the problem is, as it has been since early on, is that many are not very experienced in correcting any problems that may crop up with a sleeve, so the natural inclination is to stick within their comfort zone and revise to a bypass when a problem occurs, rather than correct the sleeve. So yes, the OP is correct in some respects that there are some unnecessary revisions being done, though not necessarily just for the sake of charging for two procedures. As time marches on and the industry gets more experience with sleeves, I would expect that the revision rate will decline as both the sleeves will be made better overall, and the surgeons learn how to repair them when necessary rather than revise them, much as the bypass has matured over time and some of its predisposed problems are less common as they have learned how to mitigate them to the extent they can (bile reflux isn't too common anymore as they have worked out techniques to minimize its occurrence, for instance.) Another factor that may skew the impressions some is that the bypass is a difficult procedure to revise - it is something of a dead end surgically speaking. If poor weight loss performance or regain is experienced, there is little point in reversing it and revising it to a sleeve as they are both so similar in performance that there isn't much to be gained. There are minor tweaks that are offered - tightening of the stoma or intalling a band over the bypass - but overall results are generally pretty poor. Revising it to a DS, which can offer improved weight loss and regain resistance, as well as diabetes remission, is a very complex procedure that only a handful of surgeons are capable of performing. So, we don't see a lot of bypasses revised for that reason, though sometimes they are reversed if there are significant complications that can't otherwise be resolved, though that isn't a trivial option, either.

Welcome Shoelace and Anita. Are there any questions you want answered, anything we can help with? If so, all you have do is ask.Don't worry about age Shoelace, I'm older than you (72) and I'm still going through with everything. Age is not a deal-breaker, we have people on here from my age on down to several 18 and 10 year olds. When we reach the point like me,that surgery is less frightening than continuing to live obese, we come here and we do find friends who understand. I hope this Tuesday. 7/17/18 to receive my surgery date when I have my pre surgery meeting with my Bariatric Surgeon. Scared? No Way! I am anious for the day to come, I like many others on here call it my REBIRTHDAY, a day to begin anew. with the adjustments to my body serving as a tool and a key to a thinner,healthier life. Keep tuned, I hope to announce my happy date soon.😛and😛🚩I invite you to celebrate with me.

I have had GERD off and on for my entire life. It seems to have "flare ups" depending on my diet, my weight, and my stress level. My doctor was comfortable doing the sleeve because he said my GERD was "situational" and the risk was low. I wouldn't put much faith in the psych consult's opinion on what procedure you should have. Their job is to make sure you're mentally stable to handle bariatric surgery. Have a serious talk with your surgeon, weigh the pros and cons of the procedures, and decide TOGETHER which one is best for you. Just a little info on my own terrible psych consult experience: My psych consult tried to dissuade me from the sleeve saying "I don't know if intractable GERD is worth the weight loss" and several other snide comments about obesity and bariatric surgery. The whole psych consult experience was a nightmare. She had me feeling worse about myself than I did walking in and had me convinced my 26 year marriage was completely dysfunctional. There is no guarantee that with a history of GERD, that you will or will not develop it after sleeve. Some scientific studies say that there is a greater incidence of it with the sleeeve and other say it's negligible. For example: I have a friend who had Barrett's esophagus from GERD. Had the sleeve and has had NO recurrence of GERD. Me, who seemed to have only occasional or "situational" GERD before the sleeve am developing a mild case of GERD.

Well congratulations, I hope when I see my bariatric Surgeon Tuesday morning I get such good news. You see I started on my bariatric trek in August 2015 and so very 😫. I just want it to be over so very very much. I have never wavered in wanting it, even when people said I didn't deserve it for many,reasons. I have heard I'm too old, in too bad a shape, too depressed, not committed enough, because I'm a widow, I'd have to go to the next big city instead in my town, by continuing to desire it I would knock a deserving younger person out of place, because I'm silly and foolish, because,God created me obese I'd make him mad, I selfish thinking,only of myself not the impact on the family. All these from people I once regarded friends or family. But guess what? I'm still going through,with it, I want,to do it for my health and a chance for a future. And if that makes them sad they'd better get a happy transplant cause I've had too much doom and despair around me to last a lifetime! When I get,my official date I will cry first and then celebrate. If that makes me emotionally unstable, so be it!😪😛

Of course, as much as I can. I had been researching weight loss surgery for about 5 years before talking to my doctor. He didn't have much information and was not fond of the idea, mainly because I don't think he knew of any patients or very limited few who had had it done. Anyway, reluctantly - he referred me to a local bariatric center and I signed up for the monthly informational seminar. I soon began the process of the 6 month requirements set by my insurance. So... I KNEW I would lose weight, I KNEW that I would get off at least some of my meds and I KNEW this could greatly extend my life. Honestly, had I not had this and with the weight and yearly gain... I don't think I'd be around another 10 years. I KNEW that it was a permanent restriction. It's all the things along the way once you've had the surgery that hit me unexpectedly, not in a bad way. I didn't realize how determined I could and would be. I didn't realize the growing confidence and how that would make me feel. When I say confidence, I don't mean ego... it's, for me... at first anyway, a feeling of deeper worth. The feeling of..."YES, I am doing this and I CAN DO THIS." It was a subtlety that others might not have even noticed but I did... and it was a fiercely powerful feeling, even if it wasn't roaring. If that makes any sense. It's all the moment that made and make up the journey. Starting at walking around the block and being winded to walking 26 miles eventually... not because I had to but because I could. It's hiking... actually with friends and not only keeping up but sometimes leading the way. Before, I stopped going with others because I felt as though I held them back and that made me feel very self conscious and guilty. It's seeing and feeling my body change. Each time I would have to get new clothes... I still automaticall walk to the big/tall mens and then I find my way to my regular sizes. When I get clothes now... I still think, "Damn, these look like kids clothes."... it's the wonderment of going through a second adolescents in may way. And ego does creep in a bit... which isn't always bad. I hadn't felt sexy ... maybe ever. I actually feel sexy at times... and it breaks my brain. LOL There are so many things tiny and large but all profound along the way... and those are the things that have really hit home. Its hard to explain but hope that makes a bit more sense.

Hello all! So glad to find these boards, and particularly a group of gays talking about this. I'm a 44 year old gay male and I've been heavy all my life. I've had the 3 or 4 times in my life where I lost 40, 60, or once 80 pounds, and eventually put it all back on. I haven't even been to see a Bariatric surgeon yet, but I have some questions that I believe could be best answered by other gay men who have gone through what I am considering. So, if you have the time, I'd appreciate any replies. I'll try to be as succinct as I can. I really could write a book here, but the crux of the issue is this. Assuming that the men that I'm attracted to are not generally attracted to me (I've literally only been on 3 first dates and had 1 sexual experience in my life), and that my assumption is that those same people aren't likely to be attracted to the extra skin that comes as a result of losing so much weight, also that I'm 44 and youthful in appearance, largely because I have a full face, and losing weight would impact my appearance in that regard, and the fact that by the time I lose the weight and maybe have the resultant surgery to deal with the extra skin, I'll be closing in on 50 years of age, is it worth it, or should I just do my best to continue to try and accept myself and keep praying that eventually someone will like me? There are for sure other health related concerns that would impact my decision, but I'm kind of terrified that I'll go through all of this and end up no different on the other side. I just want to be able to date!

https://obesitynewstoday.com/bariatric-surgery-reversibility/ "In addition to reducing the size of the stomach, the gastric bypass also rearranges the digestive system, which is why it is usually not reversible." https://www.realself.com/question/gastric-bypass-reversible "Gastric Bypass surgery is considered a permanent operation but can be reversed for medical problems only. The risks of a reversal are extremely high." So, "potentially" reversible, but reversing is almost never done due to complications. The band can be removed, the sleeve, your pouch can and will stretch out, but the bypass, the restriction plus the rerouting of your intestines, this surgery should not be considered "reversible" as a justification for getting it.

Not sure where you saw that the bypass was reversible... but as per https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/about/pac-20394258 Roux-en-Y (roo-en-y). This is a type of gastric bypass surgery, and is the most common method of gastric bypass. This surgery is typically not reversible.

@Herewego2018 Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I am on the 2 week -pre op diet as well. My surgery is July 25th. I can tell you Syntrax Nectar is some pretty decent tasting protein shakes. I believe the cheapest is actually bariatric pal. I've been updating my profile status with updates of how each taste. I ordered the variety samples (17 FLAVORS) and some have been "meh", and some are very tasty...but to each, his own. I also have had the pure protein bars. They are very good! The chocolate caramel is delish! As for the clear diet post op, my hospital included a grocery list in my weight program book. If you want me to share, I can. Best of luck to you!

I'm finally past my halfway point to my goal! I went from 311 to 234. I should be happy, but I feel like I still have so far to go to reach 160. At this point, I'd be satisfied just to get under 200 and might even be happy at 180. I fell off my diet for the last few weeks, and I'm totally feeling it. Not sure why I seem to lose focus. At nearly 8 months out, I know I have a limited amount of time left to keep losing - after a year and a half, it's all maintenance. Intellectually, I know all of this, but I've been allowing myself to cheat and eat poorly and not exercise. Got back on track a couple days ago and the numbers on the scale are beginning to fall again. I think I need to start attending the support groups at my bariatric center. I've had a few non-scale victories lately: Last year, I was wearing size 22 jeans. I just fit into a bought two pairs of size 14 pants! Last year, I was wearing size 3 and 4 tops. Now I'm wearing size 1 and 0 tops! I've been able to find cute clothes to fit into at thrift stores. According to my BMI chart, I'm no longer extremely obese - now I'm just regular obese! Sharing a progress pic - one is several months before surgery and the other one is a pic of me in my new size 14 jeans!

I wish for once someone would describe it as dreamily obese,instead of extremely obese. I still hope to be the answer to someone's prayers, but I'm not certain Dr Needleman,my future Bariatric Surgeon has been praying for the,likes of me. I hope her regards me as the Once In A Lifetime Experience that I am!😷&🏣&😛🚩

Oh I have been watching and studying this forum intently. Since I do see my Dr Needleman on Tuesday 7/17 at 11:15AM EDT I could easily be joining you July 30-don't get your feelings hurt but I hope it's sooner, I'd like this all over in July- August will mark my 3rd anniversary of seeking Bariatric surgery, a Mama Elephant could about had 2 baby elephants in that time! But life is as life is & I am grateful I didn't die waiting for this surgery, people my age do die you know. Still, for me, 72 is still young enough for surgery. If my story is not as quick and smooth as the 20year olds, it is still MT STORY and that is good and sufficent for me! 🏣&😷&😛

Ahh congratulations on the bump! It sounds like at this point, an obgyn’s perspective may be more helpful than your Bariatric surgeon’s. Stuff like this is why I went and got the Kyleena- because I could totally see this sort of thing happening to me. That said, as you mentioned, it is a super common phenomenon post wls... and from what I’ve saw- it usually ends up perfectly fine with a healthy baby and a healthy mom. My understanding is that the big reason why they don’t want us getting pregnant within the first two years is because this is when we can lose the most from the surgery and not so much that it’s dangerous to the baby. So take a deep breath, exhale and sip, sip, sip.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has a nice site. https://asmbs.org/patients/it-starts-now-video-contest With all the competing WLS sites out there, it's hard to go wrong with a site supported by the very profession created to help surgical weight-loss patients.

I feel so bad for you for your situation, so sorry for all this suffering. I have no medical answers to give. I try to imagine what I would do, a few things cross my mind - get another bariatric doctor's opinion, take ALL your records, tests, everything to another doctor NOT in the same practice. I might consider a feeding tube to give my stomach and esophagus a rest, vitamin infusions - I think a couple other posters with extreme issues have had feeding tubes - it sucked but they did improve. Yes that is drastic, so is reversal - and it has no guarantee either. The unused portion of your stomach that was left in still produces acid and can get an ulcer - it has to be checked laparoscopically, I believe - ask. I wish you the best possible outcome, relief, healing and (((hugs - lots of hugs)))

I am drinking bariatric Advantage meal replacement shakes they are good.

i did the same thing. My doctor had me drinking chicken broth instead of protein shakes until the nausea passed. Then he switched me to a bariatric protein shake. It was easier on my system and I was able to keep it down without nausea. Check with your surgeon and see what he says.

Just need to vent for a second. I’m so frustrated. My bariatric group requires 6 months of nutrition, psych evaluation and an exercise class. It won’t schedule surgery until after you’ve completed everything. As an attorney, it’s really hard to book things on my calendar with no real idea when the surgery would be. But I was told that surgery is often 4-6 weeks after the last nutrition appt. Mine was 6/25, so I was thinking late July to early August. I finish the last NUT and she tells me they’ll submit it to insurance. But then they come back and say, oh there’s all this blood work you need to do too. I was frustrated because I could’ve already done that if they’d told me I needed to. Especially since some stuff they test for, like H-Pylori, takes time to treat. I took the tests and thankfully everything was great...except my white blood cell count was high. Turns out I was diagnosed with a sinus infection the day after I went for the blood work. I just finished the antibiotics today, but the doc said I should be fine to be retested over this past weekend. I waited till Tuesday for good measure and it turns out it went up (only slightly), not down. My WBC was totally normal just in March, so it’s not that I “run high” as some say. I’m sure it’s just that I’m still somewhat fighting the infection and it’ll go down soon but it’s surprising it hadn’t gone down at all. And it’s so frustrating that I now have to get tested again. But I don’t want to go too soon and risk it still being too high. So how long do I wait? And I still don’t understand why I can’t get a date. Obviously if the WBC doesn’t come down, it’d have to get cancelled. But it’s totally screwing with my job and the people I work with to have no idea when this is happening. Thanks for letting me vent.

Hey Beth, I agree with you 100%! Other than the meeting with a therapist to fill out required questionnaires and reviewing it with the therapist (she then gave the OK to my bariatric surgery office), there was no emotional support. Oh, and they do offer a monthly bariatric support group. I think the emotional support piece is a majorly important part of the surgery process. I mean honestly, there is an underlying reason why we are obese and if we don't deal with the core issues, (in my opinion) we will regain the weight.

Thanks, Kitty! I just worry that I'm ingraining the wrong habits because I pretty much eat all day. But, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. (I do follow 30-10-30. It never takes me more than 10 minutes to eat because, for the most part, I don't chew!) On the plus side, I'm not brave enough to try many tempting foods to see if they'd be ok. I did talk with my therapist last night (her specialty is eating disorders, not bariatrics) because I'm concerned that some bad behaviors are starting to creep back in. She really didn't get it because the choices I made were "healthy", or at least not bad. Like, for instance, the last 3 days I had veggie Thai green curry for lunch. (One order split over 3 days, no rice). It was probably under 100 cal. per day, but I doubt there was any protein in it at all. (There wasn't enough liquid to stir in protein powder) To the therapist, this was perfectly fine, but I tried explaining how important it was to eat the protein first for meals. Especially those of us who are chronically short at the end of the day and have to knock some down right before bed. Oh, well. I guess she'll be more helpful when my issues are more mainstream.

And Lilo1 my darling child in Baiatrics, you are running your own race, not that of your sister or your Daddy, sure you will have your sucky moments, remember Bariatric Weight loss isn't like a rocket ship, more like a old jalopy, stopping, starting, occasional bursts of speed, but like the jalopy it is, if you keep control of your steering wheel, keep on the narrow freeway of weight control you will finally reach the goal line. As for your other problem, as your body uses your fat as fuel, all kinds of fat solvable hormones get released into your bloodstream and your moods get erratic. Let me quote what a wiser lady veteran told me. Its like puberty but you don't get zits, like pregnancy but you don't get a cute baby out of it and menopause with its temprature and mood variances and lucky,lucky you, they happen all at once! And a spot of depression is not possible but probable, it is bewildering to have a new body and sometimes it is hard to take it all in. Sorrow only is here for a short while but joy, weight loss, and better health can last forever if you only,let it be. 💦😛🌈

@ Nnoi it is the dawning of your REBIRTHDAY. God and Dr Rana will be performing a beautiful miracle today. And although I of course can't be there in body I will in mind be watching every portion of your operation. And our bat-bud CMD516 will be joining you on Riverside's Wall of Honor when. Dr Rana performs her later this year. And@mercmerc, my young friend if you haven't heard anywhere else on Bariatric Pal ---I meet this Tuesday 7/17/2018 with Dr Needleman for my own presurgical. We are,in a real-life Mario Kart race, although you will be probably be the winner I will be running my race right behind you. And by the end of the month all 3 of us will be renovated, remodeled and realigned for the future and I find it as wonderfully magical as anything Disney and Pixar could come up with. And into the future we serenely will go. Smile😛 my Bari-buds --OUR DAY HAS COME!

Carbonation, like straws and other such bariatric urban legends fall into the category that they might cause some discomfort, particularly early on. If they do, skip it and maybe try it again in a few weeks. If it doesn't cause any discomfort, it isn't going to hurt anything. No, it isn't going to cause your stomach to stretch, particularly with an RNY which is an open system (no pyloric valve), but the gas pressure may cause some discomfort as it passes up or down on its way out. The main thing that it could possibly do, with either procedure, is to stress the lower esophageal sphincter which is supposed to keep everything down in the stomach and not flow back up into the esophagus (reflux) making GERD a greater possibility (even with a bypass.)

I live in a high percentage obesity county in Ohio. It is hard not say something,to,people I meet about the hopeful future they could have with Bariatrics. I want,to jump,on a soapbox and start preaching,like a street corner evangelist. It is sad to see people my age and younger with the,problems it produces but the worst are the amount of teenagers and little children I see. 6 and 8 year olds shouldn't weight 150-175 lbs yet I have seen them just this week and it breaks,my 💔