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Cleared for pureed stage! Enjoyed my cottage cheese this morning and ordered a bariatric recipe book.

It's common to feel nervous about stretching your stomach after bariatric surgery, especially in the early stages of recovery. However, it's important to listen to your body and trust the process. Slowing down between bites and being mindful of the foods you're eating can help you better identify feelings of fullness

It's not recommended to chew and spit out solid foods, even if it's just for the flavor, as this can disrupt the healing process and negatively impact your weight loss progress after bariatric surgery. It's important to stick to a clear liquid diet for the first few weeks post-op and then slowly transition to pureed and soft foods as recommended by your doctor or dietitian. It's important to follow their guidelines and avoid any foods that may not be suitable for your specific type of surgery.

Thank you all for the in depth and very helpful responses. I think my biggest hurdle is my current state of loneliness and lack of self worth. The fear that if I can’t stick to no sugar now, how can I trust myself not to slip and use slider foods. I think I have to find some faith in myself. I am also exhausted all the time. I think I can handle the alone part as I am excellent at handling things that most people think they can’t do alone, probably because they have people in their lives. I do see how it would be very helpful for the first year post op. My friends are supportive, but visits to family are another story. My mom encourages overeating. I actually have to pay for the surgery myself. I work for a great company and have great insurance with a Bariatric surgery exclusion. Since it is private insurance, there is no getting around it. I can contribute to my FSA and confirmed that I can use that to help pay, even if I have surgery in Mexico. A little pre-tax help at least. This is definitely a big financial commitment for me. I actually have a before picture from 2017. I was a different person. I don’t recognize me now. I have to find the me that is hiding inside of me. I am actually afraid to post pictures online of what I look like. I am so physically uncomfortable. I remember the girl that had energy and laughed and did things. It feels so far away. I am going to keep reading and start coming up with ideas for my post-op care box if I make the decision to go forward.

Hello All, I had my RYGB surgery on 2/14/23. I am just wondering if anyone else had or has issues with brain fog since surgery? If so how long did it last? The only thing I am taking is OTC Tylenol, my bariatric vitamin, Wellbutrin, Colace, Phillips colon health and just started the actigall today. I am also getting 62+ ozs of liquids in me daily since Sunday.

check with the insurance company or your employer. It looks like they generally do not cover bariatric surgery, but there might be some exceptions. With some insurance companies, employers have the option to purchase "riders" for various services that aren't covered by the basic policy. If this is true in this situation, it could be that your company may have purchased the bariatric surgery rider, but there's no way of knowing that unless you check with them (your employer) or the insurance company. If the company doesn't offer an optional rider to the employers, then it could be that they just don't cover bariatric surgery except in specific situations. If that's the case, only the insurance company can answer that question for you.

Welcome! You have some very good questions, and the fact that you are thinking about these things is great. Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone, and I think it's really important to make the decision with your eyes wide open and be prepared for the good, the bad, and the ugly. This forum is a great place to read about other people's experiences with WLS so you can know what to expect. Pay particular attention to catwoman7's posts -- she is a great example of a WLS success story, who lost all of her excess weight and has kept it off long-term (and she is a true bariatric guru with lots of excellent advice and insight). Just about all of us have had many failed weight loss attempts in the past. Most insurance companies require evidence of failed weight loss attempts before they'll pay for surgery, because surgery is a pretty drastic solution and few people would want to go through it if they could lose and maintain weight loss without surgery. But many of us who have failed so many times before have been successful with WLS. It is true that some people gain back some or all of the weight (or don't lose as much weight as they need to) after WLS because, as you've figured out, WLS isn't magic. It still takes a lot of work and commitment and (as much as I hate the term) lifestyle changes. I get the impression that in the early years of WLS, the emphasis was on the restriction (and, to some extent, malabsorption) of surgery -- the physical limitations that made it impossible to overeat and/or that made the patient ill from eating too much fat or sugar. Patients mainly relied on eating smaller quantities to lose weight. This works in the short term, but the restriction loosens up over time (so you can eventually eat more in one sitting), and if you continue eating high-calorie foods and/or get in the habit of eating around your surgery by eating smaller portions more frequently, you can easily increase your calorie consumption back to the point of regaining weight. For me (and many others), WLS made the initial weight loss much easier than dieting alone because I had no hunger for several months after surgery, but I do get hungry now and it's a challenge to stick to my plan. I think that these days, most WLS clinics have a more comprehensive approach and provide more guidance on dietary changes. After WLS, you pretty much reboot your eating patterns, almost like a baby. You go back to consuming only liquids, then pureed and mushy foods, and tiny bites of soft foods before you get back to eating like an adult. I think this process is the turning point for your long-term path after WLS. You can either take advantage of this opportunity to get into good habits of eating nutritious food, or you can get back into your old eating habits once you are physically able to eat normal foods again (which can ultimately lead to regain). As far as how WLS affects mental health, that is very dependent on the individual and not necessarily predictable. I think it's safe to say that most people's mental health benefits greatly from weight loss because living with obesity is incredibly difficult, but of course there are instances of unexpected negative results. If you have a history of mental health issues, that's something to discuss with your provider as part of your decision (and most insurance companies and clinics require a psychological consultation to make sure you are mentally/emotionally prepared for surgery). I did my surgery completely alone. I'm 2.5 years post-op and haven't told any family, friends, or coworkers about my surgery. I live alone and had no help after my surgery. I was fortunate to have a pretty easy recovery, so I had no problems taking care of myself (although I later developed bradycardia due to the rapid weight loss and had to get a pacemaker). In a way, I think living alone makes the post-op life easier because I have complete control over the food purchasing and preparation in my house. I simply don't buy foods that don't fit in my plan, so it is easy to avoid temptation. I encourage you to continue to research WLS and read about other people's experiences as you make your decision. Good luck!

there's quite a bit of variation between surgeons for food plans, so there aren't any standards. Some clinics have their patients on low carb plans, or ultra low carb plans, and some just have you follow a balanced diet. Your clinic will give you their guidelines sometime before surgery. For vitamins, I'll attach the ASBMS (American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery) list of requirements. You have to scroll down a little to see them - but they do have them listed for each type of surgery. Most clinics pretty much follow these, so these tend to be more standard across clinics than the food plans are. But here it is in case you're curious: ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf

My insurance already approved it before anything. I just had to do the requirements that the bariatric center requires (of course require by insurance too). Monthly appointments Nutritionist 2 times Psych eval Fitness class Behavior modification class A bunch of testings, blood work, ultrasound, xray, ekg I believe Once I completed everything, I thought I had to wait for my approval call, I waited until January and no one called so january 9th I think it was, I called the bariatric center and they said I didn't need to wait for an approval call that my surgery already approves it. They transferred me to the surgeons office and set up my surgery and post op appointment that day. I started back in june, so 7 months to get my surgery date.

I’m new to this and to give you some background I’ve struggled with weight for the past 20+ years. Tried a lot of diets and worked with my physician, but nothing seemed to work I was recommended for bariatric however, it took me almost 10 years to get insurance to help pay. It was a lot of work, and it makes the thought of failure scary. since my surgery, which happened on February 1, I’ve been lucky to have very few complications. I’ve been able to eat and drink without problems and I’m starting on the third phase however, I still am struggling with fear that I’m overheating, because it’s been fairly easy so far. It’s been difficult as well, because I can’t, or haven’t been able to identify, feeling full, and not having the negative Effects of made it hard to judge. Maybe this is just post surgery jitters, has anyone else experiencing this?

Call your insurance company. Confirm your coverages for Bariatric surgery. Then ask the for their policy, in writing, to be sent to you. Most insurance companies have written policy bulletins that describe the qualifying process. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Never feel embarrassed to ask your doctor questions. They are there to help. You are not a loser! I would say go back to your bariatric basics. Protein and hydration. But definitely ask your doctor and dietitians what they would suggest! Sent from my SM-G781U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello, all I just submitted all of my required documents for surgery. I have a BMI over 40 with no comorbidities. Insurance list they need this documentation: a description of the proposed procedure(s)  documentation of failure of weight loss by medical management  unequivocal clearance for bariatric surgery by a mental health provider  a nutritional evaluation by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or registered dietician I did all but I am a little confused, because many people are stating they have to do a diet for 6 months etc. Is "documentation of failure of weight loss by medical management". Does this mean they need a diet or just a letter from a PCP, because my doctor sent letter to PCP that stated, "the patient has made multiple weightless attempts and has been unsuccessful". PCP signed it and that was sent over to the insurance company with all other documentation. Just nervous and wanting to be reinsured I don't need a diet program to be approved.

I am having VSG surgery at Endobariatric with Dr. Alvarez on 3/3/23. Dr. Alvarez's fees are almost twice that of other sugeons in Mexico but his credentials, professional memberships/affiliations and surgical success/risk rating is among the best of bariatric surgeons internationally .... I am confident in my choice! You need to evaluate whether you are mentally prepared to make permanent changes to your relationship with food. Emotional eaters frequently go through a mourning period because it is harder to depend on food as a crutch to deal with life's problems and disappointments. WLS does not force a person's compliance. Adherence to a structured plan is essential to success. WLS is not a cure all or quick fix....it is a tool which can HELP us but we still have to be disciplined and put in the work. Not only do we need to physically prepare ourselves for WLS, but mentally as well. Drastic weight loss can cause fluctuations in hormones which can create an emotional roller coaster ride. If you are suffering with episodic periods of depression, i strongly suggest working with a therapist before pursuing WLS, which is a dramatic life changing event. Best of luck to you!

I am hoping to have the money for a gastric sleeve surgery this year. I have been reading and watching videos and trying to take it all in. If I have failed at low carb and other diets, how will the sleeve be different? It is a tool, but it ultimately requires lifetime compliance to food and lifestyle changes. So far I have a lifetime of failure at compliance. I am sure I need to spend some time on my mindset in general. If bariatric surgery resets the set point and helps change the metabolism, how do people end up gaining all of the weight back? Will this exacerbate depression? Will it help or hurt low self worth? I see that some people end up very depressed and others feel so much better. I am pretty sure I can't take being more sad about life and my weight than I am. I will be doing this totally alone. I have no friends and no family in the place I moved to. I am hoping that feeling more confident physically will let me feel better about joining art classes. I am also planning a move to a more populated area this year. Many thanks.

Hello, my surgery is scheduled for February 28th. I feel very unprepared as I didn't have the 6-month waiting period, nutritionist visits and such that others had. I'm also very nervous about the surgery itself and the recovery. If anybody has a date in your mind I would love to be bariatric buddies and encourage each other, compare notes after surgery and build a friendship with. Hope to hear from you soon Tanya Sent from my moto g stylus 5G using BariatricPal mobile app

Cardiac Clearance Passport Renewal Will be finalizing the March 3rd date with Dr. Alvarez at Endobariatrics on Monday!

here are the 17,501 previous posts on the 'three week stall" (and no, I am NOT kidding). Happens to almost all of us. I wish bariatric clinics would tell their patients about this, because we get at least one post every day from someone worrying because they're only a couple of weeks out, and their weight loss has stalled. It is normal and it happens to the vast majority of us. https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=three week stall

Great job. Thanks for sharing. Of the whole bariatric experience, saggy skin scares me. I know plastics is an option, but...

I found to help hungry was using vital proteins collagen. I mixed it with sugar free ocean spray juice. I also use the fiber powder from bariatric advantage. I still using it post op but add miralax to it.

So since losing 65 pounds since surgery Sept 13 2022, people say you lost weight?Then if I say, yes I had sleeve surgery, they say stupid $h!t like, you could have lost it without having surgery…Well, if that was the case would I have been overweight for 18 years out of 36? Or you didn’t really need surgery… 🙄 Tell that to the three bottles of pressure pills, I was on and my blood pressure was still too high! I don’t understand why people feel it’s their right to tell you their stance on YOUR body and YOUR health??! But, I don’t see a lot of judgement from people in my community when women go get bbl’s and lipo. People REALLY think that they know what it’s like to be obese. They act like I cheated. My daughter who is 18, (away at school), said but you kinda did cheat! I said how is being nauseous every other day, taking vitamins, not being able to eat anything I want and working out cheating? I said it was just a kickstart. She said well, she never really thought of it that way. I think people think you go get bariatric surgery because they are lazy and want an easy way out. There is no easy way out of obesity. The surgery doesn’t change your mindset. You still battle with food at times. It’s like I want to do something to inform people that, just because your obese, that doesn’t mean your lazy. If you were dying and the doctors do a surgery to save your heart or kidneys, then does that mean you cheated? Bariatric surgery CAN and HAS saved peoples lives. Including mine! Why is it still such a stigma around it?!

Google says oral birth control (including emergency contraception) are not recommended after bariatric surgery, because of malabsorption issues. Might want to get the implant.

I explain the small meals by saying 'OMG I ate just before I came out - I was starving, honestly couldn't hold out!!' or simply 'I'm just not that hungry at the minute'. Apparently these are actual things that happen to actual (thin) people. Never happened to me when I was morbidly obese, but people do seem to swallow this without question. Just makes social interactions around food a bit easier to navigate (for me). What I also do (and I know this isn't to be advocated in all situations, and certainly not with any frequency) is completely cheat on the rules by eating mainly carbs and drinking fluids at the same time on purpose so I can squeeze a bigger volume of food in (because it's clearing through my pouch quicker). Actually, usually I have to combine both these techniques in order to pass as eating even a close to normal amount when I'm really under scrutiny (I have a distant friend with a band and suspicions, LOL - she stands down when I eat several slices of pizza in one go with a beer, because that doesn't fit with her knowledge of bariatric surgery). That occasional excess is totally worth it to me but I stress that's just my way of navigating what I have to. Also when I don't have the confidence to sit tasting just bites in the middle of a 6 course tasting menu with other people, and I just want to deflect attention. It is absolutely AMAZING to me at this point how much you can dump onto other people's plates with a 'OMG you HAVE to taste this, it's amazing!' ending up with just the bite or two that you wanted in the first place. When people ask how I have lost so much weight I say I dieted very strictly for over a year. Which is factually accurate. I am very careful not to lie. I would find it really hard to answer the question 'did you have bariatric surgery?' but nobody has ever asked that specifically. I know it all sounds a bit cloak and dagger and in a way I am envious with those of us who can be more open, but I am done with people having opinions on my weight - even less so now that it's a socially 'acceptable' weight. I told my partner and two children - nobody else's business.

I stayed in a hotel nearby just in case but was told to by my bariatric team

I am new to all of this. I met with my bariatric surgeon last Monday and I have just begun my 6 month program. I was wondering about losing weight prior to surgery and then being "too skinny" for surgery. But I am curious....isn't losing 65 pounds on Ozempic prior to surgery a great thing? I have 100 pounds to lose. I would love to be prescribed Ozempic, lose 65lbs and skip surgery altogether. I'm not criticizing, just asking.....wouldn't Ozempic be preferred? Comments are very welcome.