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Tshine01 I'm just curious where you are at now. Has a date been set yet for your surgery? Are you still going strong with your pre surgery plan? Talk to us lady! I hope and pray all is well with you. Don't you dare lose your resolve during this long wait! My conspiracy theorist part of me can't help but wonder if insurance companies torture bariatric patients with this long wait hoping they'll give up the dream of normal weight. Don'tcha dare do it!

I know what you are saying. After so many years in the program, meeting all the requirements etc. I do see a "just give me a date" mentality. I was told by experts "this is your only option" so why would I question it. My CBT counsellor through pain mgt hinted that this was a bad idea because he felt CBT could "cure" fibro and CFS therefore my mobility would return and the weight would go back off naturally. My bariatric team are not supporting me now. I have met all the weight loss goals so am ahead to them. I will have a colonoscopy in a few weeks and my surgeon will tell me what's next for the colitis. A triage nurse is contacting a microbiologist now and will inform me if how the GP wants to proceed. The sleeve is now way down the list with all my healthcare providers. I assume that the team will want to see me at the six month mark but who knows. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

And my point is proved! Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App My bariatric team admit that none of my problems were created by my actions. I monitored my temperature every day post op. I was in telephone contact with the hospital from the moment my temperature spiked. I presented to the post surgical ward continuously. I followed up continously or I would be dead now. No one followed up with ME! I did contract c dif from the NHS healthcare system, an abscess did form that should not have, serious errors were made and the PALs system here agree and are going to try to work on my behalf to better my care and others. I am not the only one. If it bothers you that I think "some" people could lose more weight naturally, that's your problem. Check out "people's" pre op diet weight loss stats. I do NOT blame my surgeon. I DO think the NHS should review my LOCAL hospital's bariatric, post op and c dif care regimes. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I couldn't stand the smell off coffee for about the first 5 months. I'm 6 months out now and I have 2 cups a day. Things change. Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App That is great for you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App This wasn't a comment for you Gina Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

I read some interesting comments today and I wanted to make something really clear. Out of all these people around the globe that are on this website, there are going to be some of us that have found post op, that this surgery was the wrong decision. If you want this website to be honest and truthful, a source of good solid information for people considering surgery and a source of support for people post op, then everyone's experiences should be welcome. The reason's I think this surgery was wrong for me has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with my post op complications! And as for comments about people who regret their surgeries and have complications because: • "houses were dirty" • "they didn't follow instructions" • "they haven't seen the great results yet" • "they are just negative people and negative people are more vocal So, just let me tell you this, some of us simply made a mistake. We thought this was a good plan, we took advice, did our research, attended the seminars and weigh ins (in my case, two years attending). We met our surgeons, we discussed our pre existing conditions, we spoke to our family and friends. I myself have a counsellor, did CBT counselling for the entire two years pre op and am deemed emotionally and mentally sound. (just as an aside, my NHS CBT counsellor did not agree with this surgery). I checked with my pain mgt team about the efficacy of my medications post op. And it was still a mistake! And so what? It happens. And people like me should be able to explain these things without others trying to negate our admission of this mistake by offering excuses as to why we are unhappy with our decision. I could have floated onto a cloud, had magical unicorns lick away my stomach, and woke up in paradise fully healed, sipping a cocktail in the sun and I would still tell you that this was a mistake for ME. And for many of my friends. It doesn't matter how many years post op I get, I will consider this a mistake. My house is not dirty, I followed instructions to the letter, I consider my bariatric discharge booklet my life guideline and I never variate. I keep in touch with anyone and everyone in my medical care stream that might be helpful. And complications happened. And yes, to many of us in our bariatric system. But again, it was not the complications that disturb us. We all have different reasons for regretting it. Most of us feel that we were misinformed, which doesn't help. My neighbour regrets her bypass because of her now permanent diarrhea and no improvement in her diabetes. She tells me that she has to think about food most of the day just to keep herself fed (choosing the right foods so as not to vomit), and she could have simply dieted harder if she had known she would have to think of food all day. She is three years post op and she still struggles with dehydration. Her hair never grew back after the initial drop out. I myself am only 9 weeks post op and have had complications so I can't know what my future holds. I miss eating quickly and simply in a way that doesn't have to be well thought out. I want to be able to eat a full salad, maybe even with dressings, without worrying about which component might not agree with me. I want to be able to eat any kind of meat I want cooked how I want in the quantity I want. I want to drink beverages with my meals. I miss a morning coffee or afternoon tea. I miss ice tea. (I know other people can drink it but I can't now). I don't want to have to plan my food day meticulously or be different from others around me eating. I want my medications to work again in the way they did pre op to control my fibromyalgia symptoms. And I have definitely seen weightloss results. As I was lying there starving to death for seven weeks, I have lost all but 20lbs of my expected and required excess weight to satisfy my healthcare team. ( I am still only getting around 500 cals a day in, but have constant diarrhea so who knows how much stays in). I now look "normal" except for the grey pallor in my skin and the nappy I now have to wear because of fecal incontinence (my IBS-d was totally controlled before surgery). I am six dress sizes smaller but can only leave my house if I don't eat anything and wear adult protection in case of Water causing an "accident". Or in case I become faint from lack of food and fall. So I do actually feel that had I read a forum entry like this, I might have thought twice. And that's a good thing. If people are scared, that's okay. Let them hear more than just "don't worry, I was fine, you will be too!" Because maybe they won't! So this is not about complications, it's about people. One size does not fit all. Some of us should have simply accepted our weight, or worked harder to diet it off. Had I taken in only 300 to 500 calories a day for 9 weeks pre op, I would have lost all this weight anyway. If you are happy, well done! If you are dead set on going ahead, ignore this. If you are a high BMI person (think 600lb life), God bless you, this may save your life, if you are a food addict, I feel your pain. You will still have to diet post op! You will still have to exercise. If you are undecided, then simply take a breath, think about it, really examine your food issues. Could you do more to lose weight? Could you move a bit more and eat a bit less? Anyway, I am where I am and I plan to make the best of what I have left. And I intend to keep making sure that pre op people have a good think and post op people like me have someone they can talk to. Thanks to everyone who is supporting me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Whatever you say. Thank you for stopping by to highlight my difficulties with the NHS to raise awareness for other NHS bariatric patients! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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

Duodenal switch surgery is a combination of a gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery, in simple terms. It decreases both the quantity of food that can be accommodated by the stomach and the number of calories that can be absorbed and used by the body. It is considered one of the more specialized weight loss surgery procedures and is only performed by bariatric surgeons who have successfully undergone procedure-specific training to perform it. WHO IS APPROPRIATE FOR DUODENAL SWITCH SURGERY? Duodenal switch revisional bariatric surgery is sometimes performed as a secondary procedure after a gastric band or sleeve gastrectomy surgery did not achieve the desired overall weight loss the patient hoped to achieve. This lesser know procedure actually offers the patient the highest opportunity to lose the highest volume of weight loss. DUODENAL SWITCH KEY FACTS: *It may reduce hunger significantly. *You may have nutritional deficiencies and must take multi-vitamins daily *You will not experience dumping syndrome if you consume sugar. *You will carefully monitor your diet to ensure you are consuming enough healthy foods. Duodenal Switches involve stapling about 70 percent of the stomach off and leaving the rest of the stomach connected to the first part of the intestine (the duodenum) which is then re-attached at a lower area of the intestine. This procedure prevents bile and digestive juices from processing food further down the intestine which results in less caloric absorption. Because of this longer period between eating and digestion of food, the food passes to the colon faster, and the patient doesn't process the full amount of calories he or she normally would have. The positives and negatives of DS Surgery Duodenal switch surgery has excellent results, with the average patient losing 70 to 80 percent of excess weight in the two years that follow the procedure. However, patients who choose this type of surgery are at higher risk for nutritional deficiencies than with other types of weight loss surgery. Nutritional supplements, including vitamins and minerals, will be necessary for the lifetime of the patient. If you are still considering your bariatric options, talk with your surgeon about the viability of this weight loss surgical option for you.

Hi, Bran and Miller you look great and it is good to see you on here. Tammy, the carbs issue is interesting isn't it. Hopefully it will go away again. You never know there could be some hormonal link as Erin suggests, despite being way past that. I am having the odd hot flush which is new and strange because my hormones are in such a state, and have been all my life. So I am waiting to see what happens next... The boobs issue I also have, and they were very small in the first place. Push up bras are everything, they look good on the outside and only we know there is nothing (or very little) in there! Someone in my bariatric group got wolf whistled by 3 men for the first time in years and she found it really funny because she thought what a shock they would get if she flashed her flappy non existent boobs at them. Take care all of you Claire

I always have and always will use Isolate. For me this is because I was extremely lactose intolerant before surgery (and surgery usually makes it worse). Isolate has no lactose, which makes it the best option for me. If you look at weight lifting forums and stuff isolate is generally looked upon as better in quality than other proteins. The biggest reason (in my opinion) not to use Isolate is because it's significantly more expensive than other protein sources, and your options are much more limited (of finding a flavor/texture/drink you like). I think it may be absorbed quicker than other proteins as well but don't quote me on that. The majority of the stuff on my surgeons recommended list contains lactose, and bariatric advantage makes me sick as hell. So whey isolate is the best option for me

Also the numbers your nutritionist sent you don't even make sense If you're supposed to have 35g of carbohydrates max, 20g of fat max. And eat 800-1000 calories a day this means you need between 115g and 165g of protein a day to reach those numbers. Now I'm all about the high protein thing and rarely think too much protein is a bad thing. But doesn't 165g of protein for a bariatric female losing weight sound insane? I mean it you're an Olympic weight lifter or something that's a complete different story, but it just sounds odd to me.

I also had the band. I was banded feb 10 2006 I had a slippage June of 2006 I lost 200lbs in 16 months. I followed the diet the doctor gave me to a T. I never wavered and I excercised the first year. I got bored after that. Finally got thin never had my band filled. But always miserable, always having periods of tightness always vomiting always in pain. Finally I moved from Florida to Ohio and the first 6 months I was back in Ohio my heartburn was out of control. Couldn't even take Zantac. Could barely eat was burping up a sewage smell, not to mention the complications from my gallbladder surgery because after losing all that weight that quick I had 48 stones and one was stuck in my bile duct. That surgery caused a dysfunction in my bile duct. Which causes severe pain and elevated liver enzymes yet I can't do anything about it. That's another story. So I finally found a bariatric doctor here in Ohio. They got me in ordered an upper gi just to see that I had slipped, bad! My band had to come out so after 5 yrs and 10 months my band was removed. I wanted a revision but the doctor refused during the process we found out I was 8 wks pregnant and he insisted I was thin and didn't need it. Well guess what after basically starving myself for 6 yrs and after the initial 15 months of my band eating like crap because that's the only way I could eat I packed on the lbs through out my pregnancy and once my band was removed. The band can be a great tool but you have to stay on it and be on the diet the doctor gives you always. To do it any other way will cause great pain and sickness. Plus when the doctor in Ohio went in he said my band was entirely to tight. So the original doc who put it on I guess he put it on to tight. I never had a fill in almost 6 yrs. now I'm trying to find a way to get the sleeve. Also my insurance didn't cover the band so I'm also out 14,000.

Hi Kim, Yes it is not a matter of if I have an embarrassing incident, but when, the way things are going. He suggested Infacol, which babies take for colic, for the wind and Questran (?) for the bile rush, preventatively if it is rally important that nothing untoward happens. I will see my GP soon and ask him to prescribe that. Otherwise all is good really. As for the skin removal. He is firmly of the opinion that for those of us who have lost a lot and have excess skin that this is not a cosmetic issue, but a medical one. Infections, practical toilet issues, skin soreness, sexual difficulties etc he identified as things that make the situation medical for us. I know he has supported the case for someone in my group over here to have skin removal on the NHS(under insurance for you I suppose). This man has lost 210 pounds and is due to have his surgery any day now. He says that I won't be happy not to have it done, and I think that he is right. He said that abdomen, pubic area, tops of arms and thighs would probably be necessary and I know that other people have had a fleur de lys type scarring, going round to the back as well. I think it depends what different people need, and how much of a case they can make that this is a medical issue. He feels that it should be a natural continuum from wls for those who have lost a lot of weight. He is a wonderful and highly empathetic bariatric surgeon and is highly supportive throughout whether people have had the surgery on the NHS or privately. I would try to make your case as strong as possible, and if you can get people to refer or back you up that seems to help, at least over here. I hope all is ok with you Kim, take care Claire

I got Genepro from the Bariatric Pal store, been blending into my cream soups to give a dietary kick and up the protein. So far so good. Only failure I had was the day I tried to put it in bone broth abdcended up with Genepro noodles instead.

Hi Janette, So glad that you are back home safely, it must seem as if you have been away for ages. It was great to see you over my side of the pond, hope to see you again too. I saw my bariatric consultant yesterday. He said that he was really pleased with my weight loss, and any more weight would have been worrying. He said that the diarrhoea issues are a bile rush which do go on for a few days once they start and suggested some things which is great. As Janette knows it is something that is completely unpredictable and hits very fast so it will be so good to have something to help with that. He thinks that I will definitely need skin removed and it sounded as if the weight loss at that stage will also be much more than I thought, and that is good news. Maybe that is something for me for this time next year or a bit later. So all good news. Take care all of you, and I hope that you are all ok C x

Thank you for posting the link to Bariatric Foodie! These recipes look amazing!! Can't wait to trying some on down the road!

I love Bariatric Chews (not chewable). The berry and lemon are like starburst and the chocolate is like a tootsie roll. No funky side flavor, after-taste, film, just a good chewy. I do have to say however, that I was eating all four at one time, and then my doctor told me to spread them out so that my body could absorb them better. GNC also has a carmel chew that I like...if I recall correctly, you take two a day.

Bariatric advantage chocolate or Caramel chews. I think they taste really good. I haven't tried the lozenges.

I like the Bariatric Advantage Chews as well. I have lemon and berry and they are great, like eating a starburst. I have never tried the caramel but I am a caramel lover so I may have find them and give them a shot.

My clinic does 3 surgeries bypass, sleeve and band. I read somewhere that 40% of all band patients have their bands removed due to one issue or another. I asked at the WLS seminar if this has been the experience at my clinic and the Nurse practitioner who is program manager said it is the case in our Bariatric program. With that being said 60% of our patients are maintaing their bands. For me a 40% revision rate is way too high!

I just had my passport updated to reflect my married name. From the time I mailed it off it took 19 days to get my actual passport booklet back. The passport card came in a seperate mailing about a week later. A month earlier I sent in my bosses' passport for renewal. He used the expedited service and got it back within 10 days. Expedited service is 60 dollars. Does your state offer an enhanced drivers license? Washington does. I don't know about other states. As another poster stated, I believe this mini govt shutdown had an impact on passport services.

How did you do that??? Please help. Honestly I can't get anything down except the bariatric soups, maybe some sugar free jello. I need to drink more water and get more proteins in. Lord its so difficult.

I wish it was a range of responses. The questions per my bariatric program are all short answer. It may even take 2 sessions to get through them all

In 2010 and at my highest weight (315 lbs), I was told by my primary care doctor that because of health conditions related to my weight, there was a big possibility that I would not see my daughter graduate from high school. I think of this as my wake up call and is when I asked about bariatric surgery options. After much research and discussions with my family, I decided to go with gastric banding and had the surgery in April 2011. It has been a bumpy road caused by issues with my port and even though I have not reached my goal weight, I know the surgery was the best decision I could have made for myself because I am healthier. I no longer have diabetes or high blood pressure, I can move easier and as I grow stronger physically, I am getting my self confidence back. Best of all, I got to see my daughter graduate from high school. Hopefully, my port issues have been resolved and I can continue on with this life changing journey.

Hi everyone. I am new here and wanted to introduce myself and tell my story. I have had such a journey. I feel I could write a book at this point. Basically im an old bandster since Feb. 2003. Banded by Dr. Horgan in Chicago. Anyways I lost 60 pounds then plataued for years then decided to exercise seriously lost another 50. I was still hungry but it did keep me from overeating and eating late at night because i developed reflux all night if i ate past 8pm. Gained some back exercised more again went back down. Anyways I was always dine because i could exercise. Well over a year ago i was diagnosed with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia and low thyroid. So now exercise is pretty much impossible. I feel trapped. Its a bit depressing and im never depressed ever. I started at 315 got down to 190 now im back i think about 280. Im scared to even weigh myself. This weight is making life even harder. So i found a hospital nearby that seems to have a good bariatric program. Im not sure if i will even qualify with lupus and anemia. I will be attending this saturday their seminar. The thought of going through approval for another surgery is exhausting. I had to fight a denial with my band since it was so new at the time. But I feel like I have to try at least. Im not sure which would be best for me. I have a bad sweet habit now that I didnt have before the band. But as all us bandsters know chocolate goes down so easy. If anyone has lupus or is looking to switch from the band I would love to talk. Thanks for listening to my story.

Hippiegirl... you're in luck! That week we're also meeting on the 7th at Polaris for a bariatric fashion show put on by the folks at Mt. Carmel. I'm not sure what time it is yet, but that's a Monday and I'm hopeful it will be in the evening. Maybe you can meet us there???