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Going to my first support group since surgery 6 weeks ago and DREADING it. My friend is going through the same bariatric pre-op program I did and they require you to attend one post-op support group before moving on and she asked me to come with her. I am really dreading this because most of the individuals in the group had very high BMIs, and many of them started at well over 300lbs. I feel so awkward, being a "lightweight" , and feel the stares, looking at the "skinny b*ch", in their eyes, of course. If it were not for my friend, I'd say screw it, because I get all the support I need here from you guys ????Just needed to release some of that anxiety.. Thanks for listening!

Hi Folks, So glad I found this forum ! I have less than 2 weeks to go and I am feeling very scared. I have one of the best surgeon's in the country. He has done more than 5,000 bariatric surgeries (both band and gastric) but I am still coming up with every bad thing I can think of in my mind ... I wish i could just let it go. I have no fear of the pain, I just do not like going under anesthesia. I have been overweight for the last 20 years and have lost and gained probably a couple hundred pounds in between. Now I am getting close to border-line diabetic, as well as mild sleep apnea, High BP, and knee pain. It's time ... I have to do something. All of my friends and family keep telling me how great things will be in the long run but I still can't get this fear out of my mind. I feel like I should get a grip. I am so glad to hear I'm not the only one feeling this way.

Hi again Latido I had my surgery done in Rochester, NY. Every doctor has their own post-op diet plan but to give you an idea, here are the diets for my bariatric center: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/highland/departments-centers/bariatrics/bariatric-diets.asp Please do exactly and everything your own doctor tells you. I used Protein shakes for at least 6 weeks - 10 days of nothing but liquids (soup and shakes) and then a month of using them as "snacks" to ensure I was getting enough protein. I like the MetRx chocolate (Trader Joe's) and the unjury vanilla (online & at Bariatric Center pharmacies). An unflavored one is very useful for adding to mashed potatoes, cream of chicken soup etc. Good luck!

I'm not taking a bariatric multivitamin. Just a regular one.

Call on me Teacher- I know the answer! Please Please Please! Extra urine sample is for,pregnancy rule'out Blood sample- my Bariatric hospitall will not operate on someone with blood sugar above 100. They rationalize- if you have been fasting for 8-14 hours and you are still THAT HIGH, it Bears more study. Happened to me, luckily I had been early, only had fasted for 5 hours, but my big bad self,laid there until they got one of 80 and became satisfied.

“I recently had bariatric surgery and am on a restricted diet.” I say it matter of fact, with confidence. If it’s someone I know well, I don’t care if they know. If it’s a stranger, well, what do I care if they judge me?

Haven't had surgery yet but how about those sites that send you clothes? Not sure if they are worth it, or if it works like I'm thinking but, maybe that would be a good way to try new clothes as you lose? Here is a site that has some tips: https://www.bariatricbody.co/post/12-step-guide-for-shopping-buying-and-making-your-clothing-wardrobe-work-after-bariatric-surgery

I was big time gassy on Slim Fast, Carnation, and others because of the large soy content. Also I am Lactose Intol. My nutritionist suggested Glucerna which only has 200 cal, loaded with Protein and does not give me gas at all. The chocolate ones are very flavorful. You can get them in the supermarket near the Slimfast stuff. Mine is in the cosmetics, health and beauty aisle. I am not diabetic, but the nutrition value is tops for bariatric patients. Glucerna - Products I hear of so many complaining about hair loss accompanying their weight loss because of insufficient protein. So once a day I add a measure of unjury protein powder(the unflavored) to my Glucerna as a precaution. I intend to up it to 2 scoops later on. UNJURY Medical Quality whey Protein Isolate. Great Tasting Whey Protein supplements for Everyday Health! High Protein and High Quality. /reg/protein_shake_drink_recipes.shtml

I am glad your surgery went well. re: sufficient nutrients: definitely check . When I was in the hospital the day after my procedure the nurse stressed that I was to only sip 30 cc's of liquid EVERY 3 HOURS. That is about 6 tsp every 3 hours??? I definitely knew that was wrong and in saying that she proved she was not a bariatric nurse. Things changed significantly when I got a new nurse when the shift changed over that evening. If that nurse only saw how much the xray tech made me swallow before I left she would definitely think about her insistence.

Thank you for your supportive responses. Have you found any insight into my question regarding general "aging with the sleeve" or chronic malnutrition inquiries? The latter of which was brought to my attention by a therapist I saw recently to help out with this choice. However, although she practices counseling bariatric surgery clients her thoughts are totally rooted against WLS and she holds many erroneous beliefs; E.G. "One month after WLS the majority of patients will need to return to the OR to have their galbladders removed as surgery will place one at risk for stones." However, being obese and middle aged, I am presently at risk for gallstones. I assume this risk will actually decrease if I lose the weight. She also stated that due to chronic malnutrition my cognitive acuity would decrease (as in I will "get stupid"?). Needless to say I am shopping for a new therapist.

I ams so sorry to hear of your dear child's struggles.....have you spoken to your pediatrician for advise.....? Perhaps, seeing an adolescent therapist might be of help at this juncture ? A child of 13 is still developing on every level and it would be worth checking out every other possible medical evaluation...including seeing an endocrinologist to see if there is an underlying medical problem.....? How did she gain the weight? Was it s sudden onset or did it develpop over a period of time ?Running to a so called surgeon in Mexico to have this most serious surgery done would be difficult on every level......the so called surgeons in Mexico do not have the Post Graduate training as do physicians in the USA.....should something go wrong....as they often do......there clearly is no recourse.....none ! There are plenty of fine bariatric programs geared to children that are connected to teaching hospitals.....and, often, they are funded so that you could get the assistence that you might need,,,,even in the USA....it is a long process.....it takes time......and it should....there should be clearance done by a psychiatrist,aocial worker, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist,cardiologist,primary care physician.....an adult who goes through the surgery often has some set backs.....and it is not easy......a person must be emotionally and physically ready to go into that journey.....it is not a quick fix.....I thought ot going to MExico for this procedure and after doing my due diligence.....and lots of research.....I decided to find a program in the USA with a Post Graduate trained surgeon at a teaching hospital that had ALL of the Safeguards built into the program.......I understand how hard it must be as a mom to want to help your child......I have experienced the very same issues with one of my own children.....there is help out there.....but, not in a so called 'surgeon's' office in Mexico......much too risky....and much too dangerous......there must be a teaching hospital where you reside......? Wishing your child all the best for good health.......

wait are you guys saying that if primary doesn't have bariatric coverage and the secondary does, that secondary wont cover it since primary denied it?

I've watched a great documentary on bariatric surgery. It's mainly aimed at the uk healthcare system but the statistics and benefits are so compelling

I've been in a bariatric program since May. Got everything done on my checklist....one problem ; not making weight. They have you do south beach diet. O.k. been doing that since January. Losing 1-2#/month. My God , this will take forever. Have to loose 14#. So frustrating. I've always lost or maintained, can I get credit for that?? Lol. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

In baseball terms, you are a "dying quail". An unexpected gift of an opportunity to "score". A bariatric patient who is ready to fall into their lap and have surgery without a 3-6month "sales time line" to wait for the $$$. Any doc can fit another surgery into their schedule for the month, especially if they are a private insurance situation where they actually get paid. So that makes you "HIGHLY DATEABLE". Most surgeons would fall all over themselves at the opportunity you present to them. So be sure you present and explain it that way to the receptionist/nurse/office manager/bariatric coordinator--whomever you have to jack with to get what you want at the new office! But the important thing to know is that time is valuable and the clock is ticking. I'd personally go pick up your records and take them with you in hands. That way no one can say they got lost.

I read an article on a bariatric web site that said that hair loss was farily common, but after the weight stablizes, it comes back to normal. Seems like a RNY patient would REALLY lose their hair because of the malnutrition. I knew someone who was in Africa in the Peace Corps who lost almost all of her hair due to malnutrition. She has tons again now. Oh well, I'm a hat person anyway!!!

Hello... my name is Rhonda and I am a 38 yr old lady from NW Pennsylvania. I live with my boyfriend and have a 13 yr old son. WLS was always in the back of my mind, but the ignition point was my gall bladder crapping out in late Feb of this year. My doc wasn't the general surgeon I had requested, but rather his partner. They say things happen for a reason & my finding Dr. Kalim this was def divine intervention. Yes, it's his business, but he was very tactful in addressing my weight even before I had my lap chole. Upon my post op from the lap chole, Dr. Kalim again mentioned my WLS options. I have to tell you, I work at the same hospital and the bariatric program is relatively new. I had worked with some of the key players in various roles before. So when he asked me to go to a seminar and walked me into the program coordinator's office... I felt I HAD to go out of professional courtesy!! Eventually I got my mind right and realized that I wanted to pursue this for ME!! My gb issue and being assigned to Dr. Kalim was the path laid before me. I have to say it's a joy to be so close to my care team!! They work extremely hard to make EVERYONE feel comforted and secure. At the 1st visit we mapped out the first three months and all of the extras (ie EGD, psych, dietary, sleep study, etc.) At the 3rd month we mapped out preads, consent and clearances and surgical date. I have one more nutrition class (out of 3), preads, my 6th monthly visit and final pre-surg visit with my doctor to go. I would be lying if I didn't claim my fears of all this not working or my OWN failure, but I am trying to stay positive and keep working hard now to adopt good healthy lifestyle changes!!

I just had mine done at Ft. Riley. The bariatric program just started here and I was in the first group to have it done here. The surgery went as I expected. I had a lot of post op complications right after and was in the hospital for 6 days. The staff on the surgery floor were fantastic!

Hi everyone. I am a AF veteran and a spouse of a (AF)military retiree. I am in the Bariatrics program at Camp Pendelton. I live about an hour away but tricare sent me there. I don't live near an active base and my pcm is a small private Dr office. I addressed my weight concerns at my yearly physical (my first with this new Dr. as my hubby only retired about 18 mo.(at that time). I braced myself for the negative comments I had experienced in the past from military Drs. you know the drill.....eat less....exercise more....with the looks of pity. I have definitely had a few "winners". now I admit I am sensitive about the weight issues so some of these things could have been how I perceived them. When I had my physical this past January I carefully broached the subject with my new PCM and he asked me if I had ever thought of surgical options. well.....yeah! of course I had but I honestly didn't know enough about it to make an informed decision. That is what I had told him and I was so grateful that he said he would be happy to start the process for me to get a referral to speak with someone so that I could learn more. He said it in no different way than if I had asked him for a referral to see the dermatologist. I so love him for that! He sent my referral request to the insurance company for me to see a specific Dr that he likes to send his patients to. When the paperwork came it was for Camp Pendleton...an hour away.....I was very upset that I would have to go that far. (later I realized it was a blessing in disguise). The date came for the the info session and the one on one consultations. when I was called into the consultation, the surgeon matter a factly, having reviewed my paperwork and medical history, stated that based on #s I needed to lose 10 lbs and that VSG was the best option for me and that my surgery would be in 6 mo.....any questions?! I was so ready to justify why I felt I needed it and what my medical history was. I thought I would have to convince him I needed it and wait for insurance approval. I walked out stunned and happy. I am about half way thru the process and reading and educating myself as much as possible.

I've seen a lot of your posts and I have to agree with a few others. Maybe having another session with the therapist will help to calm the anxiety you feel. It doesn't mean your not ready by taking that step, it just means...hey, I need to talk with a professional that deals with bariatric patients all the time. No harm in that. I've been in therapy for 8 years, and I count on it now as my outlet to get out whatever is worrying me. That said, I've got a 4 & 6 year old at home. I'm not scared to die in the or from this..I'm scared to continue living the way I've been for 6 years and fearing the outcome for THEM instead. See, for me, I'm doing this for me yes...but I'm also doing this for them. I'm at peace with it. I hope you can get to that point also. Good luck.

It's really, really unsafe to be smoking after bariatric surgery. The risk of getting bleeding ulcers is greatly increased if you smoke. I can't tell exactly what you're asking here but I'll echo what the others have said: NO. Why ruin your progress or severely harm yourself just for a smoking habit? Wishing you health and safety.

I would love to have something to chew! Doc has me on a liquid only diet. No sugar over 5 grams and 15+ grams of protein each serving. I can have clear broth and sugar free jello/Popsicles. That is all. The bariatric advantage multivitamins are also making me nauseous... I am not sure why my doc has such a strict pre-op diet but I lost 8 lbs the first week and lost 3 more so far this week. Guess that's a good thing! I just keep telling myself it is all worth it!! I know I can do this!!!

I am 3 years post-op RNY. For over 6 months prior to my surgery, I walked 30 minutes per day. This really helped my recovery process and reduced my pain level. I told the anesthesiologist that I did not want any pain medicine after surgery. So after I left the recovery room, I received no pain medicine. I didn't really need it because I had very little pain. I was up and walking the halls every 2 hours after surgery around the clock. I could not even tell when my surgery anesthesia subsided. It was a little difficult on the first day to walk the halls because I had to drag around a rolling stand that contained the IV. But by the second day they took this all away and it became easier. I was in the hospital for two days and I obtained very little sleep during that time. I could drink the Water because my taste buds changed and water tasted overly chlorinated. But they had a type of sugar free popsicles that were great. It was basically a waiting game until I was discharged. As I walked the halls, they had several before and after photographs of other individuals that underwent bariatric surgery. It is important to make sure they have a trapeze type bar installed over your bed. It makes it much easier and less painful if you have one.

Isqueezed the sleep study in between my last monthly class and my pre options appointment. It was crazy because the sleep study Dr said I didn't need cpap just an oral appliance but the bariatric surgeon insisted. Not sue why I had to have the study... I hate the cpap. It wakes me up constantly with this loud farty noise and thus far I have not woken up feeling at all "well rested and refreshed". The darn thing reports back to headquarters so I must comply. I plan returning it as soon as I can.

I'll try to be as detailed as I can to help others about to go through this. My surgery was scheduled for this past Wednesday 12/21, I was told to go to the hospital at 7:30 AM. My wife had to take the kids to school so my mother brought me. No waiting, immediately they took me into the back to start getting ready, and my mom was able to come. They filled out some forms, put the IV in, gave me a shot of Heparin (blood-thinner) in my stomach (didn't hurt) and told me I'd get an additional shot every 8 hours until I got discharged. They gave me a few pills and some horrifically nasty stuff to drink (everything I had to drink in the hospital was terrible). Some of the nurses came by to introduce themselves, the anesthesiologist came by to chat. I had been concerned because I had been coming down with a cold but all I had left was a slight cough so it was fine. My doctor came by to let me know I would be going in soon. He had a busy day, at least 6 surgeries! I think I was number 3. So about 9:45 or so they wheeled me in. My mom was given a tracking number, and there was a monitor in the waiting room where you could find a patient's tracking number, and it would light up green when they were in surgery, and blue when they were in recovery. They said they'd call when I was out of surgery (they didn't). I went into the room and laid down on a very narrow table and got strapped in. My doctor wasn't in there yet, but they needed to prep me anyway. They put a mask on face and told me to breath deeply, and bam I was out. My next recollection was waking up in recovery with an oxygen mask (they give everyone oxygen via mask for two hours post-surgery) feeling very woozy and nauseous . I told them I was feeling sick and they gave me something that helped. Soon after, they brought my mom and wife back to spend some time with me, but I was really in and out. Shortly after, they had me stand up and walk around a bit, and then they sat me in a lazy-boy type chair for a while, then I walked around a little more. Walking felt OK, felt some tightness in my stomach around the incisions but it wasn't unbearable. Then they put me in a wheelchair and brought me to my room which I was sharing with another guy who got the same surgery from the same doctor that day (he arrived later). They put me in the bed and asked me a bunch of questions to get me admitted. After that it was mostly just sleeping as much as I could. Every two hours I had to get up and walk for several minutes. They got all the bariatric patients up together so every two hours it was like the world's worst conga line and we shambled down the hospital hallway. I made sure to go to the bathroom after every single walk so I wouldn't have to get up unnecessarily. They let me have ice chips and thank god for that. I didn't have a sore throat from the surgery although I'd heard some do. It was a long night, people kept coming in to check blood pressure, give me heparin shots, take blood once I think, maybe twice. The next morning some folks from the hospital came in to give me and my roommate a holiday gift of a poinsettia which was nice but I would have rather kept sleeping. In the morning they brought me down for a GI check. I had to drink some absolutely foul liquid four times while they took x-rays of my stomach (standing) to check for leaks. No leaks! So I was cleared for Breakfast. Breakfast was some Water, some orange Jello, and some Protein things to drink, they tasted completely disgusting and I couldn't finish them. When they saw I tolerated it well, they brought lunch, which was scrambled eggs, Powerade zero, and more horrible Protein drinks including one marked Prostat that I think I was supposed to drink but it was so awful I couldn't take more than a sip. I had noticed over the night that was having pains in my back and shoulder, I was told it was gas pains and they would go away, I just needed to keep walking. The surgeon stopped in at some point to check in, told me my surgery lasted just 26 minutes, amazing. He said I did a good job with the liver shrinking diet. About 2:30 or so I was discharged. I was able to dress myself which was nice. I had an appendectomy and umbilical hernia repair last December, and felt much worse after that, and couldn't dress myself when I left the hospital. The drive home was uneventful, when I got back I took a little nap, but I got up to walk every hour or so. For the first day or two I noticed some ankle and calf pain when I got up but that went away and today it's almost all gone. For dinner my wife made me some pureed tuna with low-fat mayo. I ate two ounces and could barely finish it. I drank about 2/3 of a bottle of Protein shake (the Premier Protein, same thing I drank on my two week liver shrinking diet), took me a looong time to drink it. Then drank some water, not that much, I was being very cautious. When I swallowed it felt very weird, like I could feel it settling into my stomach. Didn't hurt, but just weird. I didn't have any real unbearable pain. When I stood up it hurt where my incisions were. If I coughed it hurt a lot but that went away. Spent that day (thursday) just relaxing and walking and trying to get down some fluids. Sleeping was uneventful, I took some of the percoset they prescribed and that helped. I slept on my back the entire night which is rare for me. Friday I felt a little better. Ankles still hurt, and my neck was killing me, I assumed it was the gas pain. Breakfast was two scrambled eggs which took over an hour to eat but I finished almost all of them. I finished the Protein Drink and tried some powerade zero which was delicious. Lunch was the rest of the tuna (3.4 oz, ate the whole thing), and dinner was egg salad with low fat mayo, and a little bit or paprika and mustard for taste. I ate 3 oz and it went down pretty quick. At some point during the day I took a shower which was great. No problem at all standing for several minutes. Sleeping was again uneventful. Today I woke up late, so no breakfast. I had more egg salad for lunch and it went down fairly quickly with no adverse effect. Drank a protein shake (11 oz) and 16 oz of powerade zero, no problem at all going down. Before the surgery, the doctor said it should easier and less painful day after day, week after week, and that's been true so far. I had read about "sleever's remorse" and yes I've felt it too, starting with when I first woke up in the hospital, and it comes back several times a day. I think once I reach the point where there's no pain, and I can eat solid foods again, and get back into my regular routine and see the effects of the surgery it will go away. I know that this was the right thing for me to do, and even though maybe right this second I feel like I wouldn't do it again if given another chance, I'm pretty confident that I'll be happy with my decision in the coming weeks, months, years, etc. So that's the journey so far. I'l be happy to answer any questions anyone has, and good luck to anyone who is still pending surgery!