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Hi Everyone, I hope you are all doing well. I am making a list of questions to ask my surgeon in preparation for my first visit with him on 6/10/2019. This is what I have so far: 1. Am I a candidate for surgery? 2. What surgery do you recommend? 3. How is the surgery done? 4. How will the surgery help me lose weight? 5. Will my surgery be performed laparoscopically? Is there any situation in which my surgery would be open? 6. Will my gallbladder be removed? 7. How will I take my medicines after surgery? Do I take them regularly, or do I need to crush them? Will the medicine still work if it is crushed? 8. I remember something from the seminar about taking blood thinners while in the hospital, why is this? 9. What are the risks associated with this surgery? Am I at more risk for one factor over another? 10. What are some signs that things are wrong? When should I seek medical attention? 11. How could the surgery affect other health problems I have? 12. How much weight can I expect to lose? 13. I’ve been looking into vitamins and found vitamin patches. Are vitamin patches just as good as taking vitamins orally? 14. Can I still get pregnant? 15. What will my life be like after surgery? If anyone has any questions to add or things I may have forgotten, please comment your suggestions below. Thank you

Had my surgery on January 16th and I am almost 4 months post op. I have noticed in the past 3 weeks that my hair is really falling out. I have read tons of peoples comments and knew this was most likely going to happen, but when it starts to happen to you it can be scary. Just asking to see if other January sleevers are experiencing this as well and what are you doing to help with it? I take biotin and eat as much protein as I can (probably could eat more). Any tips or tricks? Thanks

Honestly my relationship with my mother. It’s too complicated to get into here, but my sister and I have always had to hold onto each other in the absolute chaos that our nuclear family was. When I had cancer 10 years ago she came to me in tears begging me not to die and “leave her alone to deal with our crazy family”. No matter how much I change myself, I will never be able to change my mother and that’s a tough pill to swallow.

I currently eat : Negative 10 oz of popcorn 😀😀😀 I gave it up, but go with what your team suggests

I could remember prior to my WLS I would feel the same way after losing weight. My enthusiasm subsided, I stopped physical activity and eventually I regained the weight and then some. Staying motivated is a key component to maintaining the weight loss. It is difficult over the long term as I have experienced (19 months out). I take it one day at a time. I plan to do my best for that one day. The key is to plan, I don't wing it. I plan my meals down to weighing them. I purge my home of the stuff that I know will harm my weight loss success. Most of all I keep reminding myself that I have failed miserably in the past and today will be a successful day. Whatever you do, do not give up. You are at the point where you can be successful just change your tactics. Take it one day at a time and make each bite of food count towards that success. Good Luck.

I am 10 days into my sleeve and this morning I have noticed my stomach starting to rumble which stopped after I finished my protein shake. Whats weird is how my brain is processing it and the best way to describe it is confused. I am eager to move to full liquid to see what my sleeve will handle with semi solids like yogurt. Is this normal at all? I have not deviated from the clear liquid at all yet. I havent felt that tingling or full sensation since day two when I first began to sip liquids. I can handle 8oz of liquid so far no problem but havent attempted to go beyond that. I have my first follow up on Thursday.

I am 5ft tall - and like so many here it seems, a goal weight was never discussed with my Dr. My own goal is 124lbs - if I manage to reach that, I'll re-evaluate from there. I remember being 19 and 119 lbs, and wanting to lose weight because I felt fat and wanted to be 112 *insert eye roll*. I'm just over 3 months out, and the weight is coming off very slowly for me because of my hormonal issues (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - but I'm hoping to be halfway to goal in the next 2 weeks.

I have Medicare and was sleeved 10 weeks ago. I had to do: 1. 5 nutrition appts-first one immediately and one each month for 4 months 2. Ekg 3. Bloodwork 4. Physc evaluation 5. Upper GI, some do endoscopy, but I had one recent to my surgery. I also had to take several classes along with seminar, meet the surgeon and pre-OP appt. It took me almost 8 months, but only costs $250 and no cost for the nutrition appts. Good luck!

Monster is checking in to report she is at 221 pounds so far (surgery was April 1, 2019), and I discovered today by going to the thrift store I can fit into size 12 Lululemon yoga pants. The black ones. You know the ones! They fit!!! Plus a gorgeous velvet dress I would have never gotten into two months ago, or even one: bought it today for $10 and........ IT. FITS. ~swoon~ A girl could get used to this 😄 Transparency: what I am able to eat now, one month into the pouch: Almonds and other roasted, salted nuts - the pouch loves them Brussels sprouts - boiled until soft, then salted and/or roasted - the pouch loves them Cooked beets - a little touchy but can handle them in moderation Those little protein packs that contain almonds, Colby Jack cubes and ham/turkey cubes at Ralphs - loves em Sardines - it likes them, can handle in moderation - very high protein though so I make sure to eat them Red Bull and I know I shouldn't - pouch likes it Red wine and I know I shouldn't - pouch OK with it but no buzz. Alcohol has no effect (disclaimer this is unusual, do not use alcohol unless your surgeon and nutritionist say you can). Very weird. Pouch treats it as Kool-Aid and I am unsure why. But I cannot overdrink. About an ounce is far as I can go before pouch fills and stops me. V-8 tomato/veggie drink: recommended. Almost nothing makes body and pouch both as happy. Cheese - pouch likes cheeses but finds cheddar a bit tough to digest, prefers Colby Jack etc What the pouch cannot stand: Prunes which is sad: they loosen me up and I like the taste. Pouch says firm no Eggs of any kind, again which is sad. I loved them Most meats, but I'm a former vegan, I can do without as long as I find sufficient replacement protein Most vegetables so far. This makes me ANGRY. Will continue to test, try, and gently adapt the pouch to em Things pouch looks sideeye at me if I even consider eating, so I have not and will not: Anything crunchy/salty with points and edges such as chips, pretzels and my beloved avocado Triscuits 😭 Milk of any kind Sweets, but then I hated those anyway, good riddance Eating more than about 400-450 calories per day. It's difficult. It is truly HARD. I have a big day of what I think is eating then measure everything, check the calories I had and find I just cannot reach 500 calories. Can't do it. This is a work in progress. Every day is an opportunity to trick the pouch into accepting a healthy food. It's very cunning. It knows what it wants (450 tops) and will manipulate to get it. Nobody warned me of this. Seems ideal doesn't it? Wait until you get here. The low calorie intake will worry you. Taking vitamins like crazy to help. Stuff I used to love but mysteriously do not crave now: Coca Cola/Pepsi and similar products, sugar free or not. For some reason the taste for this is just not there. Breads, chips, salty crunchies except nuts, or sweets. No desire whatsoever. Hamburger type meat, burgers, steaks, hot dogs, chili - no desire for em Sushi. This was my big one. My super crave. Now I drive right past a sushi joint and don't care. Scary But new yoga pants in skinny girl size FIT. Vintage 1950's cocktail dress at thrift store FITS. Everything fits. I'm over the moon. God bless this surgical procedure. Report out! EDITED TO ADD: And this is just 36 days after the surgery!!!!

I'm 10 months in gastric bypass and lost about 80 so far, and haven't last anymore since October. I know I'm eating wrong and what to change and eat things I know will make me sick. I'm ashamed of myself and want to change. I drink with food and over eat because of that. If I don't I can only eat about 4-6 of depending on what it is.. I look at calories and carb and try to stick it out at work. Shake in the morning an Adkins meal for lunch by then it's like 500+ plus and feel that I've over eaten by then and then get home and stress over it and eat more. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using BariatricPal mobile app

Good Evening, I am well on my road to WLS. However, I get the results back from my pre-op tests and the only negative that came back was my ecg. It said it was abnormal. 😥 I just want to know if this is going to holdup or even cancel my surgery at all. I have been thinking about having WLS for at least 8 years. Now I have come so far only to possibly be setback forever. Has anyone had this happen to them? If so, what was/were the outcome. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated. My surgery is scheduled for 06/03/19. Thanks in Advance (Sigh)😨

Hey oakbay, it's Frustr8, how are you doing now? I have had I think 13 endoscopies, first one my ENT did transnasaly, we kind of b tricked my insurance on that. See I had a pretty severe pre-aurical cyst, right in front of my right ear opening, this kooky anomaly runs in my family through my daddy. His never gave him a moment's trouble, both my daughter and I had flare-ups where it would get infected, gather into a boil type thing and then skin would break, and pus would come out. I know TMI, too much info but there is a reason I'm relating this. My daughter had to have her one, we both had pinholes on both ears,only one flared, but she was only 5 years old.c Mine I kept longer, clear into late adulthood, okay at this time July of 2014, I had a pretty bad flare. United Healthcare which I had at this time,regarded such cyst removal, even if I had a chance to develop septicemnia as purely cosmetic, just a vanity surgery. But they would cover an Endoscopy happily. So offically that's what it was billed as. The next one was done June 2015. as a follow-up to acute pancreatitis. And the last in my home town was done December 2017 as part of my pre- surgical testing with different specialities. I. am told I had another one during my RNY surgery,by Dr Needleman , guess he wanted to make sure I had not changed anatomically from the previous one, I must have passed because I did get my surgery, those were my EGDs, subsequent to bypass surgery , the duodenum can no longer be visualized. So from then on they are technically EGJ, the surgical endoscopies look now at your jejunem. So the rest of them started October 12, 2018, a month and week after my RNY. Attempts are made each time to stretch and dilate the opening, my pouch was so inflamed and had 3 ulcers present next to the opening which was shrunk to a tiny pinhole opening. First 2 were 2 weeks apart, and then at slightly longer intervals, but on November 28th I was so inflamed still and the 5 ulcers on the back wall of the small intestine looked much worse, although I had been taking Carafate every 6 hours around the clock since October 12. And I ended up with a PICC line, being fed for 12 hours daily through my vein in the upper left arm, my testing showed I was malnourished and protein- anemic , although I had been trying hard to do things correctly I was vomiting more than digesting food and using the nutrients. And I had this PICC intracath for 3 months. The month after it was terminated I lost 30 pounds, that made up for what I missed losing while on the TPN. So each time they tried it seemed to snap back shut. On the last one, April 12th , she put in her notes she felt she had stretched it enough that good could pass through, my diet would not have to be liquid or pureed, okay maybe that day things were fine but I have lost meals 4 of the last 6 days, if there is any joy there it is that I vomit so quickly there is no nasty odor to what comes up. And when I awaken in the morning I am still nauseous until maybe 10 AM, then I can start drinking fluids 2- 3 oz every 15 minutes, Good thing I am retired ,I could not do this and work at Wally World. And I still have pain, the pouch , the last little bit of my sternum and 2-3 iches below, usually feels like a clenched fist, and right subcostal pain which is my, pesky jejunal ulceration. I was told last clinic visit May 1st, we will do one more endoscopy, tenatively scheduled June to Early July, they believe the pouch has decreased in redness, but the 5 nasty evil intestinal ulcers remain. At that time ( I think 8 to 5 odds) more surgical intervention of another kind is done. But,i have lost 140 pounds from my highest weight,84 or 95 pounds since my September surgery, gone from a 28-30 W to a 20, ready to drop into an 18, where clothes selections improve dramatically. So that is Lovely Lovely Lovely but a heck of a way to get there!

Hey Everyone! I have recently embarked on my weight loss journey by attending a seminar last month at REX Bariatrics in NC. I have since been back for orientation and a nutrition class. I will be meeting with my surgeon on 06/10/19. I am 424 lbs, 5'6", and have a BMI of 68. I am considering the duodenal Switch procedure. I feel mostly excited, but apart of me is nervous for the surgery. I feel confident about doing the right things after surgery. I'm already in a good workout routine, and I have been seeing a dietitian and therapist for emotional eating. I am mostly nervous about the procedure itself. What if I am part of the percent that something goes wrong? Also, I haven't told anyone except for my husband and mother. I'm hesitant to tell other family members because I don't think they will be supportive. At some point, won't they catch on? I don't want them to be mad later that I didn't tell them. Does anyone have advice over to tell or not? Thank you

Hi guys, new to this forum. I will be getting gastric sleeve sometime between Sept-Oct 2019. I am on month 3 of my 6 month Doctor monitored weight loss per my insurance. I was told that I needed to start taking vitamins pre and post surgery witch ones do you guys like or recommend? Also needing recommendations on a pre-workout drink mainly for energy and or recommended food for energy. I am in Phoenix Arizona, so it gets pretty warm during summer so trying to find lighter options that will sit well on my tummy while I work-out!

Ok I'm 47 years old and perimenopausal. I reached my goal weight. Yay! But the last 50 lbs. off I didn't lose a single inch of my waist. I would still like to lose about 10 or 15 more pounds, mostly from my waistline. But you can't target weight loss. I'm thinking the odd way I'm losing weight is due to my being perimenopausal. And think that maybe a low dose birth control might help. Or hormone replacement therapy. I would also like help with regulating my cycle as it's very short right now. Anybody have any insight or knowlge about this? Perimenopausal women on BC that are losing from their waistline? BC suggestions? Any help would be very appreciated. Thanks!

I had my surgery on April 16, 2019. These are all the clothes that were too big on me so gave it to goodwill.

I had my surgery on April 16. Lost 10 pounds afterwards and been on a stall for a week now. My weight has been exactly the same for the past week. I’ve read many articles that say this is normal but I’m still worried!!

It seems that the doctor wants to help you out in getting in an ealry date because .. they already know how long it takes to get the approval... Imagine if they didn't schedule till you got approved... 1 to 3 weeks for the approval.. then to see if the Dr is available for surgery.. now you have to wait 2 to 3 months for him to be available.... I got scheduled the day after my insurance said ok but that's because my insurance approved 3 days later.. I choose 8-2-19 because I wanna enjoy summer with out restrictions and I don't wanna get too dehydrated during the hottest June/July months of the year..Goodluck and stay positive Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using BariatricPal mobile app

Oftentimes, people don't post when things are going well, but I thought I would chime in with my good experiences for those still researching. Today I am 8 weeks post surgery and weighed in this morning at 199.5, a number I haven't seen on the scale in more than 27 years. I've lost about 31.5 pounds since day of surgery and I think 84.5 since I began the 6 month supervised diet with my surgeon. I feel GREAT! I wouldn't say I have tons of energy, but I do have more than the early weeks after surgery. I go to the gym each morning and workout for 60 minutes, which has been helpful both physically and mentally. I haven't had any complications per se, other than constipation, which my nutritionist has suggested chia seeds and spinach added to my protein smoothie and it seems to be working. I had a month off after surgery, which surprised me, but my surgeon insisted. I'm glad I did because it gave me to opportunity to focus on healing, getting better, getting to the gym, and figuring out how to drink and eat. I'm hoping to lose 10 pounds this month, prior to my next surgeon visit. And my fitness goals include getting back into weight training, in addition to the cardio I've been doing.

Good Morning All! I found out about this surgery a few months ago when running into a friend I had not seen for 10 years. I did not recognize her at all. After chatting with her and then doing research on Dr. Google I was feeling like, " HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS WAS A POSSIBILITY FOR ME"???? I have been a high level athlete since my teenage years who has tried every single diet to stay lean enough, and barely succeeding at that, with a collar coaster of loss and gain. I am beyond excited to have this done, slightly terrified at the huge change in my stomach and intestine, and embarrassed to actually tell people what I am doing. I have had to do it privately because I don't qualify through healthcare because I don't have a high enough BMI, not enough health issues, etc.. I am 43 years old, 244 pounds and 5'9". This is unhealthy and causes me joint pain, limits my abilities in my passions, and has always been " THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE"! When I told my sister, she CRIED with joy for me! She knows I have spent my whole life fighting to try and stay a reasonable weight. Well, my surgery is booked for June 6th and I am BEYOND excited!!!! I start the shakes on May 23rd. Good Luck to everyone! I love reading about everyones journeys. It is a privilege.

Yeah I was once in 13-14s myself, now at my weight it's a 10 maybe an 11 in the cheapies. Never thought I would be able to say THAT! Be so obese so long I feared I would die THAT Way, thank you God, thank you Surgeon, and most of all thank you strong woman spirit that has kept me following along with my Care Plan! Like the late Mary Tyler Moore theme song " I'm going to make it after all!"

I called BCBSIL yesterday to check. I was told that the policy changed in Feb 2019. They no longer have a requirement for a set number of visits. They will leave the number of visits for your doctor to decide when you're ready for surgery. The insurance coordinator for my surgeon's office will submit on the day of my last visit, June 3. They have given me date of pre-op class and two tentative surgery dates- one in June and one in July. Surgery depends on when they receive an approval from insurance.

I wish now I knew how boring a prolonged liquid diet can be. Sometimes I hate my body for not. behaving better, no I don't hate my surgron, I don't hate that I had the surgery or even the type of surgery it was, just the fact of structuring/ulceration. NP assured me at appointment last Wednesday that my stomal opening was " patent"(medicalese for open) albeit still narrow, well I will concede it might have been. on THAT day, my point is- it did not remain that way. The tenderness of my pouch, which I feel most at and just below my sternum, and my right subcostal. pain which Dr Noria has told me is my jejunal ulcerations are still twingy'paining me. And 4 out of the last 6 days I have vomitted up my evening meal, 3 of those next days I woke up nauseated enough to not be able to keep anything water included until noon. And I am precaious with my fluid levels when that happens. If things are are calm enough gastic-wise that I can do 2 at minimum of fluid in my little baby shot glasses every 15 minutes, I will make my 64 oz quota, before last endoscopy I was doing 3oz instead, that made it to 72 oz which was better. Then if I had my soups, which I have been brewing myself instead of relying on prepared and canned, the fluid from them would make me up to 84-87 oz, that would be enough to keep #1 tickety-booming and #2 soft enough to pass well. And yes I do have 2 doses of Miralax worked into fluids and protein- enrich the soups. Made myself some sugar-free - made with stevia tapioca pudding. When Precious Pouch behaves very very good, I reward her with a couple ounces of that. But mostly I spend my evenings curled into an ball over the wastebasket or with one of my emesis bags I got at the hospital. I never expected this kind of grief this far from surgery. I really feel I have followed all the directives to the letter. Thursday I have an appointment with dietician, let's see if Roy and I can formulate something. And I have another niggling thing, I am husky- voiced, my ENT Dr Suzie says my vocal cords are bowed so I will be having speech therapy. There are 3 possible reasons for it, #1 A normal consequence of aging #2 pressure from my thyroid nodules doing it- this she doubts and #3 and this is the one I believe, so many endoscopies- I am up to 13 lifetime and 10 of them at OSU- that it has traumatized my vocal cords and speech as a consequence. So I guess I resent how long it is taking to heal to a "normal "state, it is wearyin g/boring and feeling futile most days. Do I wish I could be revised back away from my pouch? Not really, it would be a traumatizing long open surgery, not easy to endure maybe at my age even fatal, not easy- peasy like laparoscopy was. I do like the fact I am now even smaller than I was when I delivered Tomkitten, 40 years ago the 12th of June, yeah if you look only at my weight loss, 100 pounds in 8 months, you could say "Good on YOU Frustr8" it's just the miserable way, with PICC lines, Total P Nutrition, and the minor setbacks, this was not what was advertised in pamphlets, pre-surgery consults and even the Post-Surgery clinic visits, I did not request to be this "unique" maybe it is good I am One of A Kind as most practices do not deserve more than one. But , like the happy child singing in a room full of manure, with all this, there has got to be a pony somewhere! Your bewidered but comitted for the journey friend, the 1 the only--- Frustr8

How cold I get Needing a pillow between my knees when sleeping My tailbone would hurt Sitting on a hard surface would hurt Realizing I bought a lot of clothes when I was heavy (All given away) The amount of money I spent eating out 3-4 times a week I'd look so much younger. My kid brother (10 yrs younger) used to introduce me as his Father and people believed it. Now when he does it people tell him how can he be your Father, he looks younger than you. How much I took good health for granted, now I cherish it.

Highest weight: 315 June 2017 Got down to 265 on keto then developed rheumatoid arthritis Spring of 2018. Regained back up to 305 after being on prednisone for inflammation and pain. Stopped gaining once I was taken off fortunately. Was 303 at my consult appointment with the bariatric surgeon on 2/15/19. I am currently 290 as I'm back to calorie and carb counting for the past month. My surgery date is June 3rd My program doesn't require a liquid preop diet but wondering if I should do it anyway. My surgeon set a goal of 168 but haven't been that low since 9th grade so not sure if it's possible.