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Dee your story sounds similar to mine. I had my original surgery done in 2005. I have spent the last 15 years trying to figure out what my issue was. Unfortunately, I was having lower bowel pain so I never got to the right doctors to have the right testing done. I moved to a new state in 2021 and had a bad episode is what I call it so I went to my primary doctor who sent me to a GI doctor who finally ran the right test and saw I had a fistula. She then sent me to a bariatric doctor who saw like you that I basically had food and whatnot going in two different directions. So basically like I never had the surgery. I go on 3/28 to figure out next steps and a surgery. How has your recovery process been? I am curious on what to expect.

tl;dr at the bottom I could use some advice. I went to see my dietician today (not a bariatric surgery dietician, I can explain why I am seeing her if you want to know). She knows I am going to have weight loss surgery as long as I hit the goal weight my insurance told me I need to be at. I have to be at the goal weight by June 24, 2023, in order for my insurance to pay for my surgery. I had a weigh in the doctor's office a couple of days ago and weighed 301, my scale at home said 302. However, on the same day, the scale at a friend's house said 313. I knew I had this Dietician appointment two days later and I knew she would weigh me. I continued to weigh myself at home (after getting new batteries) and I was at 302 then 299 and today at home I weighed 303, right before my appointment, when I got to her office I was weighed and it said 313. I am concerned about what to believe since the doctor's office and my scale show similar numbers. I also bought a new scale today and it said 313. The Dietician told me I needed to eat more protein, which honestly I struggle with. she said I needed 150 grams!! I said are you kidding? that seems like a lot. She used my weight to come up with this number. Should I really be trying to eat enough protein for a 300-lb person or should I be eating protein for a goal-weight person (mine is 170)? also, my clothing is loose like I lost the 20 lbs mine and the doctor's scale shows, and not 10 lbs like everyone else's scale shows. Also, I have always naturally been more muscular even when I was 120 lbs and did not eat any protein aside from what is in plants. tl:dr- should I be eating enough protein to support a 300lb person or should I be eating protein for a "normal" sized person? AND should I trust the Doctors scale more so than the Dietician's scale?

Thanks for your response and the links. I am about 5 weeks out. I am typically a fast eater but I use a bariatric app now to time my eating. (Which felt so silly until I realized I needed to take more time) I track everything less for the calories and more to make sure I hit that protein goal so I know I am usually hitting the 60g or slightly surpassing it for 3 weeks straight now. Fluids was a struggle and hitting 60oz is hard for me. I get into that range most days like it might come out 50ish oz a day on average for the past two weeks so maybe that is the problem (I did admit this to my doctor as well) I don't drink at all after eating I figured out quickly that was a ticket to barftown. Meats are just not my friend. Chicken specifically my stomach just automatically rejects it in any form including pureed. Fish will stay down but I'm only gonna get a couple of bites from that. Most my protein is coming from eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and protein shakes. So I think when I said that to my surgeon that was her red flag for gallbladder but I guess I'll find that out in April. I am not on the strict only three meals a day routine they set for me and my surgeon is okay with that because I'm only getting a few bites for meal times unless it straight up broth then I can do 4oz. I kind of just eat every 4 hours and use a food scale to figure out how much I ate each time. However reading your post I think maybe I'll stay away from the scale until I can hit the water goal more consistently. My next appointment is 6 weeks out (I don't think I can wait until then to see where I am because if I step on that scale six weeks later and I'm still 199 my heart will just shatter) and because I go through the VA I think that might be my last or I have to pay out of pocket so I am panicking more that I'm not on track. Like if I was progressing better I would feel more confident without that support and I know when I only have the VA to lean on then I am pretty much on my own no one is going to help me trouble shoot there. Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! I have met with the surgeon, had a psych eval, did some online courses and have set a date of June 5th for my surgery. People keep asking me if I’m excited about it and honestly I am not. I have never had surgery.I’m not excited because I have had so many failures with weight loss that I feel skeptical. I am anxious for the outcome, that’s for sure. I’m ready to teach my boys how to ride bikes and ski, I’m ready to travel with them on an airplane, I’m ready to jump on trampolines and climb trees. Those are the things I’m excited for, not the surgery. I’d love to read how y’all prepared for surgery. When did you start the bariatric diet? I was thinking after Passover I’d start weighing my food and eating the things that are recommended (almost two months to get in a habit of bariatric eating). how drastic of a change is your taste buds? What do you wish you knew before surgery that you’d like to share with me? I hope to build some relationships and a great support group here. Thanks for taking your time to read!

One of the things you need to be is patient. It does not fall off over night. Now you have spoken to your surgeon you need to look at what you are eating. You didnt mention how far out you are and water and protein as well as PORTION go hand in hand. If you are not getting enough water and protein your body will return to starvation mode and hold on to fat. You mentioned "holding food down". If you are drinking when you are eating that is one thing you need to stop. Get a 20-30 minute timer and use it for your eating and drinking. If you are fairly new post op then you need to be taking 20 min at a minimum to eat. Then wait 20-30 min before you drink. EAT SLOW...i have always been a fast eater and large bites and this was my focus. Stay off the scale. its more defeating than it needs to be. Weigh in at your appointments only. I am a nurse and I love to research things. I found this for you to read. This indicates that bariatric surgery should be considered in helping PCOS sufferers that are struggling with obesity. I think you need to look at your patterns and habits first. Keep a diary and log your food. You will be as surprised as I was!! Be kind to yourself, this is not a race, its a life changing event that takes work and commitment. Take it one day at a time. Things like sugar free popsicles count as water too as does sugar free jello. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7538203/ There is more research that needs to be done in this area of course. But Obesity and insulin resistance feeds PCOS. In a nutshell gist of the article is "Surgery successfully mediates the regression of PCOS"

I just got back my blood test and everything was good but my AST was almost out of range and my ALT was out of range at 35. I noticed it climbing every blood test. I'm at 1 year 7 months after my RNY revision. I was so concerned so I did a search here and found this. Thank you. I don't drink or do any of those "don't do this or it'll hurt you liver" things, even the diet no nos are not foods that I normally like, so I wasn't sure what is causing this. I have a check up with my bariatric team in a couple weeks but seeing this calmed me. Thanks again!

So sorry you are experiencing this. I think you need to find another bariatric surgeon & discuss your options. A revision to bypass will help you lose more weight (maybe not a lot but some) so yiu can look into knee replacement surgery in the future & it certainly will help with your gerd. You can not survive on shakes & protein bars. Besides not getting the nutrients your body needs to function effectively, the low calorie diet will be slowing your metabolism down more. You did lose 100lbs. That’s almost a third of yourself. That’s something to celebrate. Remember the average weight loss is about 65% of the weight you have to lose to put you in a healthier weight range. So, not knowing your height or what would be your healthier weight, I’d expect you may have been pretty close to that statistic. So your stall, which are very common & can occur many times, may have been you reaching your new weight set point & stabilising. I find it ironic that your surgeon complained your sleeve was too big. I mean they did the surgery so if the sleeve is too big that’s on them not you.

Just found these two articles about iron malabsorption you may find interesting. Basically it’s more common with bypass than sleeve & with post menopausal woman. Also said one possibility as to the cause is your reduced diet after surgery while you are losing. To absorb iron you need a range of nutrients which you may not be getting. You are eating much smaller portions & many struggle with beef which is considered an easy source of iron. Worth a conversation with your surgeon & the experience of their previous patients & whether it will be a permanent issue for you https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/r/risks-of-bariatric-surgery-anemia.html https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/iron-deficiency-after-gastric-bypass-surgery

I was sleeved 08/2017. It's been a constant struggle. I was told by the surgeon that I wasn't progressing as well compared to others. That my sleeve is bigger than he wanted & my metabolism is slow & I needed to work harder. I do have severe GERD but I have learned to work around that. I found out I have tachycardia. Also then & even worse now mobility issues. I couldn't vigorously exercise due to having grade 4 Osteoarthritis in my left knee. I stuck to the program & went from 323 to 223. I stalled & went into a deep depression. I wasn't losing unless I ate 800 calories or less. I gained all of my weight back due to decreased mobility & depression. I fell off the wagon per say. I now need a hip & knee replacement plus my right knee is almost just as bad as my left. I'm in chronic pain. For me to have surgery I need to lose weight. Nobody would do the surgery a few years ago when I was thinner stating I'm too young blah, blah. My quality of life has dwindled the last 2 years and I gained it all back plus 20lbs. For the last 8 weeks I have been using my fitness Pal to login my food diary. I'm eating every 3-4 hrs mini meals. Substituting 2-3 meals with protein shakes/bars to obtain my protein goal. I would lose weight 1 week than the next gain back & forth. I don't understand. In 8 weeks I've lost 12lbs. I went from 343 to 328 to yo-yo 331. I have experimented & it doesn't seem to matter if I eat 800 calories or 1000 or under 1200. I gain/lose weight. I always eat no more than 1200 and no less than 800. Does anyone have any tips. At this point I am beyond frustrated. Sent from my LM-G710 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've said before, bariatric surgery is not a cheap hobby. LOL! Fairlife are expensive, but it's only temporary.

I have no idea what my actual initial weight was because I refused to buy a higher capacity scale, so my heaviest measured weight was 396. But I’m sure I was more than that. All those things you mentioned struck a chord with me. I remember having to ask for tables, not booths, and then having to size up the chair to see if I could actually sit. I didn’t have an aneurysm but I had uncontrollable hypertension and was getting precursors to heart attacks. So I’m here to tell you that it all changes, and very quickly. I’m 18 months post-op. I didn’t hit the goal I wanted but I did get below 20% body fat and am within 10 pounds of my lowest weight of 262. (I’m six feet tall and built like a brick sh!thouse even without the fat). I eat intuitively now (after therapy to help get me to have a better relationship with food) and I exercise a lot. I’m running a 5K on Sunday and it’s… just not a big deal. I fit in booths and I can run up and down stairs and jump to a 30” box. I am not on any blood pressure or blood sugar medicine, and I no longer need a CPAP. I wish I would’ve done this a decade earlier. Here’s the thing, though: the program where I had my surgery done was not that useful. I ended up with a nutrition coach I hired, who got me eating correctly while still losing weight hand over fist. I had already been doing CrossFit (yes, at 400 lbs—the coaches simply scaled the workouts so I was getting the same stimulus as the jacked beasts in the gym but at a level I could do) and building muscle helped with fat loss and body comp. I needed therapy and psychiatric help to resolve my anxiety and depression. You’re gonna do great. Write down all the stuff you can’t do now and use it as a checklist for later. You’ll be stunned how quickly it happens. Just make sure you have the support team with you, don’t rely on the bariatric program; they’re a hammer and everything they see is a nail. I’m happy to pass along contacts for the nutrition program I started at 3 months post-op, or give details about my exercise program, I just don’t want to look like a spammer.

When you’ve never experienced something before, it’s natural to be concerned & have some worries. Bariatric surgery is a very safe surgery especially when compared to many other commonly performed operations. And yes your team are experienced professionals. Don’t be afraid to tell them you are nervous or have pain, nausea, or whatever. They are there to help you. Your pain is easily managed with medication & many find by day 4 +/- they have little or none. Gas pain can persist longer though - up to a week but it’s more discomfort than pain - walk, walk, walk. Yes, the initial placement of the IV can briefly temporarily hurt but it’s more of a sting than pain. My anaesthetist was joking with me & asking what alcohol I’d like him to add to the drip which was a distraction. I had blood tests every month - alternating one for my GP & one for my surgeon. From my second year I was every three months & at three years I began every 6 months. Again just a little sting at first & looking away does help. I’m so used to them now, I dint even think about it. Big picture, the surgery is nothing really. Certainly when compared to the potential health issues & treatments & intervention you may need if you continue being obese. For example, the pain from this surgery is nothing compared to knee replacement or heart surgery. I had sleeve like you’re having & it was the best thing I ever did too.

When I started considering WLS, particularly VSG Surgery, I researched extensively. I read medical studies, case histories, personal blogs and watched hundreds of hours of YouTube videos posted by patients and bariatric surgeons. I cannot remember where I read or saw the European study called "The Three Month Marker", nor have I been able to find the article or video again. The "supposed" study was of VSG patients and their success rates. The results of the study indicated that the total average weight loss at 12 months post-op was double the amount lost at the 3 month post-op mark for patients who closely followed the bariatric guidelines. Has anyone else heard about "The Three Month Marker"? For those who are at least 12 months post-op, does this study relate to your experience?

There are so any different programs and guidelines, I’m sure someone has been able to skip ahead. I personally know a couple people who went to eating scrambled eggs on day 4. It really depends. Is it the right thing for you? Well, I think that’s up to you and your bariatric team. I’ve heard that liquid phases are helped by taking in saltier things like broths, thinned soups, etc. if those don’t go well, Gatorade or other electrolyte drinks could be helpful. Just some ideas to help in this phase 😊 I do know it will get better, but definitely follow your instincts and don’t let the bariatric team brush off your concerns. 🌈

My only regret was that this surgery was not available years ago. I had my VSG 12 years ago, in my mid 50's. I am now 67 years old ( next week !) and lost and gained back weight my entire life. I weigh less now what I weighed in graduate school, which was in 1980. I have lost half of myself. I started at 320 before my pre surgery weight loss. I am not skinny by any means. But I went from super morbidly obese to now in the (high) but NORMAL range of BMI - but more than that, I have learned how to maintain my weight loss. Can you lose 70 pounds without Weight loss surgery ? I don't know. Will you lose 70 pounds with surgery ? YES. Is it scary to have surgery ? Yes, especially thinking about it ahead of time. But having surgery in your 30's is easier than in your 50's !!! And By the way, having bariatric surgery helps us to lose weight NATURALLY. There is nothing un-natural about surgical intervention for a medical problem. Don't think of yourself as being broken. Think of this surgical intervention as a medical necessity for your future.

Hello, I am new to these forums. In March of 2022, while in my rheumatologist's office for treatment for my autoimmune disorder, I was sent to the emergency room with what turned out to be a heart attack. On the day of my heart attack I was 44-years old, 5'11" 351 pounds with a blood pressure of 214/103. A couple days later I had my first visit with a cardiologist, who told me he believes I am a great candidate for bariatric surgey. I looked at him like he was crazy, "thats for people on 'My600-lb Life'" I thought. I didn't need that, besides 'men don't get this kind of surgery." A few months later after some thinking, searching for information on the internet and watching my father, who was not as big as me, pass away at 67. I decided I should look into it, worst case scenario, I get some diet tips. So In October I scheduled my first consult. Five months later, last week I was given my surgery date of 04/12/2023. Due to my auto immune disorder, my Doctor and myself have settled on the Gastric Sleeve. Back in October I was given a pre-op goal to get down to 330 pounds before my surgery. As of today I am at 296. I am excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. On one side I have people telling me "you look so good, you lost 50 pounds, keep going you don't need the surgery. On the other side, I have been able to do it before, but never to the amount where my BMI was in a healthy range and I always gained it back. Their answer is always "don't gain it back." If it was only that easy, I think. What really has me worried is the 2-week pre surgery liquid diet I start on 3/29. While I have been doing good things, mixing in protein shakes, eating a lot of soup... I'm terrified of slipping during that two weeks. How has everyone else dealt with that?

I am self-pay too. Surgery here in Texas with My Bariatric Solutions on 3/24. I started liquid diet today...I'm so jealous of other plans that allow for food pre-op! I can't even have yogurt or pudding. Good luck to you! Sent from my SM-S918U using BariatricPal mobile app

I saw Dr Pablo Fok Russell. I was very particular about where I went and it took me a very long time to decide. I do not have one negative comment at all. .. .NONE. When researching for a clinic to get gastric sleeve I looked on Tik Tok, and online. I knew what I did not want. I did not want to go to a facility that only did weight loss surgery. I did not want to go to a "factory". I think at larger facilities that only do one thing, like weight loss surgery, you get complacent in how you work. And can become only about profit. I wanted a physician whose main concern was my health. When I came across Dr. Pablo Fok Russel what impressed me the most was his career was not only bariatric surgery. He is well versed and knowledgeable in all areas of anti aging, weight loss, hormone therapies, hair loss, stem cell therapy, plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, addiction medicine, etc. I was intentionally seeking a talented and intelligent doctor and I felt that I found one. I contacted the facility and had many emails with someone asking a multitude of questions. I never once felt pressured. i never once was told I had to put a deposit down to get answers. At other facilities I was told both. At other agencies I was pressured to put money down in order to speak to them. Money that was non refundable. Before I paid any money I was able to have the date I needed guaranteed. That was important to me also. I made my deposit, scheduled my date and prepared. When I arrived to San Diego my driver had contacted me the day prior with his picture and car information. He was waiting outside the airport for me. I was able to get off the plane, walk straight to him and was waiting at the car, I was inside the car in less than 5 minutes. It was effortless. We drove straight across the border, we were not stopped. We drove straight to the clinic. I was met by a woman with a big smile who opened my door and welcomed me by name. I was very impressed by this. I desired a personalized friendly environment and I was receiving it. Once inside to my pleasant surprise things were done quickly. I was given an EKG, blood work, x-rays, etc. The lab results from my blood test were back in less the 2 hours. Maybe even less. The anesthesiologist read them to me and I was impressed that they were received that quickly and accurate. In my first two hours, I meet the internal medicine physician, anesthesioligist, the X Ray technician, the nurses, and maybe more, because things moved quickly. I was SO happy that I was not just sitting around. I was in surgery that day. That evening was my most discomfort. I had two nurses that were very compassionate and kind to me. I was up all night long and they both were with me helping me. Helping me stand, walk, use the bathroom, etc. I was always with someone when I needed someone. The rest was very easy. I had an assortment of different nurses. Everyone responds different to surgery. I was tired and slept. My nurse Deigo would wake me to remind me to walk. It was not intrusive, and i was grateful. He was kind, polite and showed me compassion, his english was great. I was very thankful for him. All my nurses were good. Some stood out more then others. I liked Deigo because without him I would of slept all day and not done the things I needed to do. My night time nurses the first night, they deserved medals. Brenda and Clio were amazing. There was another, but I dont know his name. He was awesome! All were amazing!!! I have worked closely with Doctors in my profession. I am in behavioral health and I admire an intelligent, compassionate doctor with a good work ethic. And I found one. He was amazing. I am so impressed with his knowledge. And grateful that he shared some with me. In the United States as a patient, I do not get attention from Doctors. I only got their time as a co worker, never as a patient. Dr. Russel gave me attention as a patient and it was appreciated. And I learned a lot from him . I could not give a high enough rating and I am extremely impressed.

Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. And even if you do lose it, you said yourself you have a lack of willpower. You would need to make solid, permanent dietary and lifestyle changes. Can you do that, and maintain it, on your own? And if so, why haven't you done it before now? I've lost weight several times, but I wasn't able to keep it off. Are you thinking about surgery because you have health concerns? Do you have comorbidities? Or is it just because you want to lose weight and drop a size or 2? Will you follow the bariatric diet to the letter and make all of the lifestyle changes that will be required? The surgery is a tool. And it's absolutely not easy at all to change your mindset, your relationship with food, and your eating habits. You have to go into it ready and willing to do everything required to improve your health and life. Surgery or not, you have to be ready for that. Can you say that you are?

Firstly hi all, I'm new here. My name is Helena. Just a little backdrop - I'm 37 years old, from the UK. I'm 5'9 and weigh 270lbs/20 stone. I talked to my local doctor recently about getting weight loss surgery and then I few weeks later I suddenly get a letter through telling me that an appointment has been booked with a bariatric surgeon in a few months time! If I'm approved I will be getting the surgery done on the NHS which means I essentially don't have to pay for it. That sounds like a blessing. But of course now I'm freaking out, being the massive coward I am I have been binge watching vlogs and from everything I'm hearing - whilst the end result is great - I don't know if I want to or even if I CAN go through the operation. For many reasons. Firstly I have never been operated on. I've never had children so don't know what childbirth or a c section feels like. I've been pretty blessed, aside from a herniated disc I had a few years ago, I've managed to live a pretty pain free life. The second thing might sound a little bit selfish but in my 30s I grew to accept myself as a bigger person. Whilst I hate the size that I am I feel like I don't really care about getting down to my ideal bmi and that I would be perfectly happy being 220lbs or if I'm really lucky 200lbs (I told you, thats gonna sound selfish). I can live with a heavier me. Ideally I just want to lose some weight. But by some I don't mean 10lbs, enough so that I can lose a few dress sizes. Many years ago I lost just one dress size and felt amazing, so much more confident. But that was in my 20s and achieved from pretty much a starvation diet (about 700-800 calories a day, only lasted a few weeks and of course eventually put it all back on). I won't be able to do a starvation diet in my 30s, don't have the willpower now. So I want to keep the surgery option as my last, last, LAST option (without sounding ungrateful) but so far all the success stories I've heard of people who have lost roughly 50lbs-70lbs or more is that it was achieved through some sort of surgery. Do you honestly think its achievable to lose the weight naturally within a year (I need to lose it within a year) or do you think I should just prepare myself for the surgery?? Sorry if you think its a stupid question, I'm just kinda lonely with no one else to really turn to so I kinda need to get this off my chest. If you think it can be achieved naturally could you tell me what diet/weight loss plan I should opt for? Thank you for listening x

Greetings - I received approval from my insurance today and the Bariatric team informed me that I will be having a robotic surgery… my surgeon will be in the room but my sleeve surgery will be performed by a robot… has anyone heard of this?????

I had my surgery on Monday 3/13, so I’m 3 days post-op (my bariatric team considers surgery day to be “day 0”). Pain was manageable Day 0 and 1, but as soon as the anesthesia wore off, I could barely walk. Turns out I had gas putting pressure on my large incision. Increasing to the high end of the pain meds dose made everything so much better. I can walk now and started Protein shakes today. I’ve spent the whole day trying to get through the first shake while also drinking Gatorade with Miralax to get things going.

Hello, As of Feb 18th, I was 4 years out from surgery. Surgery went well, except for about 2 weeks after surgery I had sever GERD. The doctors weren't sure what was causing it other than I went from the Lap Band to Sleeve. It lasted about 2 weeks and then there after never had a issue until just recently. I was taking 1 Prilosec a day and now bumped it to 2x a day. Since that was not really working, I tried Pepcid and that has not worked that I can tell. I do have an appointment next week with my bariatric doctor and Im thinking they are going to order a upper GI. Im just wondering if anyone has experience this being this far out from surgery. I thought with being 4 years out that I wouldn't have this issue. Im scared to death that they won't figure it out and they will try to transition me to full bypass. Thank you,

I’m also really sensitive to the metallic, chemical flavor of protein shakes (Muscle Milk makes me want to vomit), so I tried dozens of different protein shakes before my surgery. My favorites: Fairlife Vanilla (melted DQ ice cream is the best way to describe it), Fairlife Chocolate (like chocolate milk), Premiere Protein Cake Batter (to me, this tastes like a vanilla shake should) I like these flavors blended with ice and banana: Fairlife Power Strawberry Banana, Premiere Protein Chocolate, Premiere Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate For unflavored protein, I use Bariatric Fusion. Can be mixed in with all sorts of things, like yogurt, sugar free pudding and Gatorade Zero. I’ve also heard that Unjury protein powder is good (but haven’t tried it yet).