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And it is not impossible from that info session you might be directed to a new sympathetic PCP. Yes that is backwards the way it usually happens. One of my new girlfriends had an unsympstheti PCP well unsympathetic wasn't so much as apathetic, told her I don't care if you seek out WLS or not. She asked her bariatric program if they knew of a PCP who they had worked with well. They kinda looked at her funny, gave her a list of 5 in her town , she lived in adjoining to the main city. Doctor #2 , after she and Doctor talked were a perfect match and she says Dr Doris will be hers even after surgery.😝

Spend the time getting ready--- Stop smoking, if you smoke. Wean yourself off caffeine and carbonated sodas. Start walking to get into the routine. Start collecting/trying out bariatric-friendly recipes. Start attending support group meetings. They are a great source of information when you're pre-op. See a counselor to help you start working through food issues. There are loads of things you can do to help yourself be successful. The earlier you start, the better. Good luck!

I found that the clear protein drinks II liked pre-op were no longer palatable to me post-op. This is not uncommon, that your taste buds change after bariatric surgery. Sometimes it is a temporary thing but sometimes not. My advice is to not stock up on too many protein products ahead of time; instead, wait until after WLS to taste test RTD (ready to drink) protein shakes and powders.

I’m hitting at least 60 protein daily, taking my prescribed Bariatric vitamins 2x day and fluids are good. It seems like when I transitioned from full liquids to soft foods, at week 3, I lost all of my energy. I was working out and doing a ton of projects and running around, now I struggle to stay awake every afternoon.

I would suggest Celebrate or Bariatric Advantage. I know for Celebrate you can order a sample pack and it is FILLED with everything! I actually did my Celebrate sample pack unboxing on youtube now that I think about it.

A Texan that ❤Taco Bell with all that good Tex-Mex around? For shame, we'll keep it a secret, only you ,me and a couple hundred people on Bariatric Pal know. My biggest beef, I ask for soft shell and they substitute hard-shells all the time . But I do enjoy a taco salad, high fat deep fried shell and all!!

Nice to have a standup desk! I have a sedentary job in IT. I get up at zero dark thirty and SSS (Do my bathroom duties). Then I head out to work stopping at the gym to get my blood flowing. I used to love basketball and spent much of my youth playing basketball, volleyball and tennis. I have renewed my love of basketball by checking out a basketball every morning. Then I dribble the ball a few times around the court and practice shooting for a minimum of 20-30 minutes. I finish with weight machines and towel heavily to minimize wet under garments. Change my under garments as needed and go to work. When I am home, I try to stay off the couch and do yard work, cleaning, ironing, cooking and housework. I try to keep in motion most of the time to make up for the sedentary job I have. I also am a Nintendo Wii fanatic, which I picked up doing rehab for my knee surgeries. You can buy a used Wii online for $40 and used games cheap. The Wii exercise will have you sweating good if done properly and builds bonds with your children. (Sitting on the couch doing Wii is no Bueno) I try to walk around a couple of minutes every hour at work. My point is I try to make moving fun as that is a key to success IMHO. You have to give yourself credit for housework, moving and all the activity you do that gets your heart rate up. I also document food, exercise and activity in a calorie counting myfitnesspal program.

Beware the hormone shifts. They can be insane after surgery. Some are caused by the surgery, some by losing fat (which stores hormones). On top of that, there are a lot of mental issues that you will be processing like your changing relationship with food, body image issues, changing relationships with friends, etc. Many of us find it helpful to meet with a counselor after surgery for a while to help with all this stuff. If not a therapist, maybe a pastor or someone similar. Although it does help to meet with someone with either bariatric or eating disorder experience, imho. Good luck and keep posting here. You will get a lot of support.

HI all, I am having surgery on July 10th 2018 and am struggling to find multivits in the UK. I know many surgeons (including mine) recommend to take Forceval but when I compared the amount of vits and minerals in it with that of Multivitamins designed specifically for bariatric surgery, the Forceval has much lower amounts of pretty much everything. I've tried shipping some vits in from Bariatric Advantage (from mainland Europe) but after spending £200 they never arrived and am struggling to get my money back. So for this reason I'm reluctant to order from another overseas supplier. What multivits are people taking in the UK? or are you just sticking to Forceval and maybe doubling up on them? Im a bit worried about developing deficiencies post surgery.

And OSU says No,Pickles, No Never Again. Big black,letters in my LIFE AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY handbook. Darn shame, I made wonderful,Bread and Butter Pickled baby,onions but the Pickled Beets were LL's ,Aunt Ruth's forte.

Reluctant veteran of arthritis since age 25, soon un-celebrating. a 48 year association with Mr Cripple Me Up, a painful one at that. And Hector, my itty bitty ulcer is from too much NSAID use, I can look at Bayer Aspirin, Aleve,Motrin. pictures I just can't ingest them anymore Walk if you can, swim, most everything wears out further what already hurts. Exercise,person with my bariatric program fave,me handout with easy exercises on it. OK I say, doesn't, look that bad, so I did 1 repetition of each,one, lamed myself for a week. So I will consistently do what,mild,little,things I can do and trust it wiii pass. The old carnival barker said "You pays your money, You,takes your choice" Pretty much my,life. But soon and very soon my surgery will come in July, although it won't solve mine or the world's problems completely, it is a good and valid choice.

Hi everyone, thank you for responding. Glad to see i am not alone in the difficulties reaching out. Yes, FMLA paperwork needs to be completed by July 6th as per my job for a leave date of 7/23. The insurance papers are not submitted yet for 8/6 date because they are still submitting July surgery date approval requests. In other words, after 2 emails and a phone call or two, I got a response to my email and a promise to follow up next week... Anxiety still through the roof but a little better. Now just the regular jitters of omg can I follow this 2 week pre-bariatric liquid diet without dying! Thanks all!!

Phosphoric acid is a major component in pop (Coke, Dr. Pepper, etc.) Phosphorus itself is an important bone mineral. If we're getting a disproportionate amount of phosphorus compared to the amount of calcium we're getting, that could lead to bone loss. Another possible culprit is caffeine, which experts have long known can interfere with calcium absorption. Both caffeinated and non-caffeinated colas were associated with lower bone density. Caffeinated drinks still appear to do more damage. Because gastric bypass (and to a certain extent the gastric sleeve) already causes malabsorptive challenges with calcium, for example, drinking pop just makes it even harder to get the calcium required. By the way, CALCIUM CITRATE is the form of calcium best for bariatric patients. Other forms of calcium, particularly CALCIUM CARBONATE and TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, can no longer be absorbed readily because we now lack the stomach acid to break them down. My feeling is that total deprivation creates a problem. An occasional can or small bottle should be enough to satisfy without creating unnecessary stress and tension. I have no plans to give up my Diet Dr. Pepper entirely, but I'll also take it slow and see how it feels first. It's too soon (only 2 weeks post-op) for me to return to some semblance of my old, wicked ways.

I think this "all over the map" way of doing things just confuses bariatric patients. You'd think after millions of bariatric procedures, there would be a fairly standard practice of sorts. Not even close. I think the pre-op all-liquid diet was a challenging time that also included a primarily positive boost. It felt good to feel successful even before my surgery.

I, too, have a thyroid condition. An autoimmune disorder that slows destroys my thyroid. It runs in my family, and seems to show up in my female relatives only. It's called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis https://www.thyroid.org/hashimotos-thyroiditis/ and it is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It's diagnosed with a simple antibody test, but only if your doctor specifically orders this test. My advice for anyone who feels that their thyroid is an ongoing concern, would benefit from seeing an endocrinology (who specializes in, among other things, the thyroid). Many family practitioners mean well, but they often prescribe the wrong doses for thyroid meds. My family doctor gave me an amount, according to my endocrinologist, that would have been more appropriate for "an 80-year-old man with a heart condition." (I love my family doctor, but she is not a specialist with a specialist's knowledge.) A study was done last year, that talked about the impact of bariatric surgery on those with hypothyroidism. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28255851 Essentially, there is a favorable effect of bariatric surgery on the hypothyroid bariatric population. This includes improvement of thyroid function and a reduction of thyroid medication dosages.

I’m in Australia and my clinic had a post op support group and I’ve never actually been. It’s hard enough to catch up with my bariatric doctor, nutritionist and psychologist every few months. I rely heavily on this site so I don’t feel alone in this WLS business!

Found these statistics, etc: The average age of a bariatric patient is 42 (AJN, Sept. 2012, Vol 112, 9). 83% of patients are female according to the same study. Many bariatric surgeons may not be willing to operate on patients over 60 years old. There are inherent risks for older patients regardless of the procedure. Bariatric surgeons put their reputation on the line every time they perform surgery. A surgeon’s results affect their ability to get new patients. And many surgeons are not willing to take on additional risk to help someone over the age of 60.

I love the convenience of premade protein drinks. My favorites are 1-premier protein chocolate 30g protein 2- protein H2O 20g protein juice like (coconut flavor tastes just like piña cola without alcohol) 3-. Eas carb control 17g protein (cold brew coffee flavor). I make my own shake every morning using half frozen banana, 3-4 frozen strawberries, 5oz unsweetened almond milk and 2 scoops of brand bariatric fusion vanilla flavor - 27g i have some unflavored protein that I use inside my pudding & mashed potatoes.....but don’t really cook with it

So in the last 5 months I have learned a few more things. In the beginning of March my hip injection only lasted a week so my Ortho said I would need to have a total hip replacement ASAP ( which was scheduled on May 29th, lol) He was willing to do the surgery because he knew I was still planning to go through WLS. The last two weeks were horrible - not allowed to take Aleeve since it is a blood thinner and Tylenol doesn't really work for me. I had my fair share of shots of Scotch just so I could fall asleep. When I woke up in the recovery room, the hip pain was gone. Yes I had muscle soreness (Anterior approach so they stretch the muscles in the front instead of cutting them in the back). Recovery was a breeze except that I gained some weight. Through all this I am still seeing my primary physician so my insurance will approve RNY. He went from being really leary and unhappy with my choice to total understanding about WLS. He has not had much experience with this and of course wanted to refer me to his hospital's bariatric surgeon. While I was very happy with them for my hip, I wanted a surgeon who only does bariatric and will be around for long term aftercare. My primary is now on board with that choice as well so that has been a wonderful improvement. As for my Mom, I don't talk with her about bariatric surgery. There is no discussion with her after she makes up her mind. It is her way or your wrong. My Aunt (her sister) and I have a great relationship and she also knows the pains of trying to lose weight (which my mother never dealt with). After a long discussion on my reasoning and choices, my Aunt is all for it. I had Stage 4 osteoarthritis in my right hip which is now replaced but the post x-ray showed Stage 2 in my left hip. I can expect osteoarthritis in the rest of my joints as well. I explained that in order to preserve my new joint and to help the rest, I need to lose some serious weight fast. WLS will be the tool that will jump start my new lifestyle of healthy non-processed food and exercise. What is really amazing to me is all of the support that I receive from work. Most are men who hear that I will be out on Medical sometime around September so I can have WLS done. The small amount of women that I work with have already had the surgery or understand why without me spelling out my reasons.

Goody another July sparkler booked in, this is going to,be a great great month for bariatrics, isn't it?

Mobile app doesn't show gender I guess her legs then? Although PCOS is pretty common in bariatric patients...

I did a little research: Researchers at the University Hospitals of Leicester looked at the relationship between taste, smell, and appetite among 103 patients who’d undergone gastric bypass surgery between 2000 and 2011. Nearly half of the patients polled reported their sense of smell changed following weight loss surgery and 73 percent noticed changes in the way food tasted. Topping the list for patients experiencing taste changes is increased sensitivity to sweet foods and sour foods. Reduced tolerance and cravings for sweets and fast foods are common changes are reported by many patients. Some patients may become so sensitized that even protein shakes and powders taste overly sweet and are difficult to tolerate. (Some tips that may help include thoroughly chilling the protein shakes to improve taste.) Food aversions usually develop immediately following surgery and may lessen or disappear over time. In studies, animal proteins top this list with patients steering clear of chicken, steak, ground beef, lamb and cured meats like bacon, sausage, and ham. Eggs, dairy products including ice cream, cheese and milk and starches such as rice, pasta or bread also ranked high on the list of disliked foods. Interestingly, very few patients reported aversions to fruits or vegetables. Some patients even report loving veggies like broccoli or cauliflower even more. Patients may feel turned off to foods for a variety of reasons including smell, appearance, texture or consistency. Sometimes a change in preparation method can help improve tolerance. Simple adjustments like stewing meat instead of baking or grilling and poaching eggs instead of frying may prevent the often-reported feeling of food “sticking” on the way down. While the exact cause is unknown, many experts believe sensory changes occur as a result of fluctuating hormones in the gut and their effects on the central nervous system. This gut-brain axis as it’s known and its relationship to bariatric surgery is a subject of much research and speculation. In a nutshell, the nervous system relays countless transmissions about your hunger, satiety and cravings each day between your GI tract and your brain. Because the carriers of these messages are affected by changes in weight and the removal of a portion of the stomach, it is highly likely they have an impact on taste, smell, gratification and other sensory perceptions. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones that are known to have a prominent role in the relationship between hunger and satiety. Ghrelin also plays a role in determining how much of what we eat is burned for fuel versus stored as fat. Weight loss alone results in an increase in ghrelin, which explains why we tend to feel hungry as soon as we restrict calories and begin to shed pounds. Surgically induced weight loss, however, in which a portion of the stomach is removed or bypassed, reduces the production of ghrelin while restricting the volume of food consumed. This unique combination explains, at least in part, why bariatric patients are able to eat less but not feel hungrier as a result. Leptin also plays an important role in telling your body when you are full and how calories are stored. It is believed that weight loss improves the body’s sensitivity to the messages leptin delivers to the gut and brain. This in turn may result in greater food satisfaction with smaller quantities and less flavor intensity.

I second Matt's statement and add that most bariatric patients I've interacted with complain of discomfort with carbonated beverages. I gave up carbonated beverages years ago when I had the lap band and just got used to not having them, so it wasn't too hard to give up for the sleeve. That being said, a few weeks ago I had a sip of (mostly flat) root beer. I was on vacation and went to an old fashioned food stand that makes their own. It was delicious and I had no problems with the sip.

I am a life long MFP lover. But my nutritionist said something that really resonated with me. The Baritastic app is designed for bariatric diets in that it knows how little you’ll be eating. It won’t give you any negative feedback when your calories or macros are below the “normal” recommend amount. I plan on using both at first to see which one works better for me.

It's lengthy, but I hope this helps someone. Hi everyone, I am 11 days post op and wanted to share my complete experience in hopes of helping others since I couldn't find much info on Dr. Perez or the single incision gastric sleeve (SILS). SILS is where they only make one incision through your belly button and use a port to do the surgery. Less scarring and better recovery. I started at 191 lbs and a BMI of 35. My doctor was Dr. Hector Perez, hospital was Oasis of Hope in Tijuana Mexico. I did as much research as I could, even verifying licenses, board certifications and checking for malpractice claims. The doctor had great reviews, as did the hospital. I booked through Renew Bariatrics. My coordinator was Stella. She was knowledge and generally responded within 30 minutes of a call or text and still responds even though I'm post-op. I decided not to tell anyone but my best friend about this procedure. I was sure of my decision, but just wanted it to be private. I arrived by myself in San Diego and was picked up by their driver. He allowed me to take a pic of the vehicle plates and his identification to send to my best friend. There was another American patient. Driver took us to the hospital in Tijuana, which was a 25 min drive. Hospital is small by American standards, but very clean and modern looking. It is a fully equipped facility. Looks like a normal hospital but with tan nurses. There were also many other patients there for cosmetic, cancer and other treatments. The room itself was large. There was a hospital bed, futon, side table, closet and marble tiled bathroom. Room came with ROKU tv and free calls to US. The staff was incredibly nice and gracious. Like you've never been treated this good at a hospital before. Their English was good and I never had a problem (I speak Spanish but demanded that all convos are in English, since that's my natural language). Pre-op screening was labwork, physical exam, EKG and x-rays. There is a dietician on site, as well as a coordinator. I had an allergic reaction to something they gave me. My whole lower body got incredibly itchy. The response time was quick. I had a team of nurses and doctor at my side within a minute, literally a minute. After that they made sure to take extra care of me. Day of surgery started with a visit from Dr. Perez. He answered all of my crazy questions and took his time with me. His English is perfect and he is very personable. I was taken into the pre-op waiting area outside of the surgery room. It was a small section. I was a little annoyed with the surgical assistant and nurse flirting in Spanish feet away from me, but small issue. Anesthesiologist talked to me. They rolled me in a wheelchair to the OR and had me get up on their table. I did get a good look at the ER. Looked like an American OR. Then I was out. When I woke up, I was in recovery. Since I was alone, the coordinators did a great job of keeping my bestie informed through the whole process. So thankful for that! Recovery was tough, no joke. The pain wasn't so bad, but the gas discomfort was severe. So much that I almost regretted it. Pain killers don't work for that. You have to get up and walk. So I did, as much as I could. But boy oh boy was it terrible. That day was horrible. I had these terrible uncontrollable rapid-fire vomit burps. Pain and nausea were there and controlled with meds just fine. They kept me well hydrated. It took about a day and a half for the God awful gas to go away. I stayed in the hospital two nights and had a couple leak tests and diagnostics there. I had a drainage tube on the side of my abdomen. It was a yucky feeling getting it removed on day 2. Wasn't happy thinking it would leave a scar but it was so small and looked like a scratch and now its completely gone. The third night, they put me up in a very swanky hotel in Tijuana. Then our driver took us back to the airport the next morning. Took 3 hours to cross into the US! I decided to walk very slowly through the airport. I needed to walk anyway. I had packed super light and had a very small under seat bag with wheels, so no lifting needed. I put on huge loose fitting dresses and comfy shoes. Remember, comfort over style! I hung out in the AIrspace lounge before the flight, comfier seats and away from the crowds. I flew first class so that I'd be more comfortable. Flight was fine, no issues coming back other than I really wished I could've enjoyed some of that first class drinks and lunch they were serving! I managed to slowly walk through the airports just fine. I was very nauseous for the whole week after. I had my surgery Saturday and was back at work Wednesday. Not ideal, but didn't have the time to take off. I have a desk job and would just lay down in my car during breaks. After work, I just rested and nothing else. First week is tough cause you're nauseous and still hurt. Also I had some smelly gas which I was told is normal. I'm back in Houston and still get daily texts/calls from the coordinator checking on me. I have the doctor's email and personal cell phone as well. I've skyped with him. Now I'm 11 days out and down 14 lbs already. Holy smokes I can hardly believe it! My underwear even fit again! Ha! Diet has been ok. I do wish I could eat solids but I'm terrified of causing a line leak so I'm patiently waiting. And in case you're wondering.....I have NO visible scars. My boyfriend has seen me naked and didn't even notice anything different about me. I'm pretty sure I could wear a bikini and no one know I had this done! It was a little scary going to Mexico to have an organ amputated. But overall, the doctor, hospital and staff were great. The recovery was tough. The gas discomfort was extremely horrible, but only lasted less than 2 days. All I can say, is walk, walk, walk, walk even if it hurts. It's the only way. I'm pretty much back to normal at this point, just still on the special diet and so looking forward to the new improved ME