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So one thing I’ve learned is that the dont’s vary WIDELY between each Bariatric doctor/clinic. The do’s are pretty much the same; mainly, focus on protein and water consumption. The dont’s and other instructions after surgery for me (per my doctor) includes NO ALCOHOL; no drinking from straws; no chewing gum; no carbonated drinks; no caffeine; no beef/red meat for the first year; deconstruct every meal; every meal to be low cal; no drinking liquids for 15 mins before and 30 mins after a meal; chew your food for 30 seconds before swallowing; eat your meal within 30 minutes; exercise/weights at least 3x a week. TAKE THE PRESCRIBED VITAMINS EVERY DAY WITHOUT FAIL - especially thiamin. Soooo - I’ve lost 140lbs - sleeved December 2019. ONE OF THE TOP BEST DECISIONS OF MY LIFE. Wish I did it sooner. I struggle now with the type of foods I put into my body - I have a hankering for chocolate and cookies. 😩 BUT! 99% of the time it’s because I’m bored and will mindless eat. I have to reel it back in. It will always be a recurring process for me.

Hey fellow Wisconsinite! I just had to say I can relate to many things you are saying. I had my band removed 3 years ago after 10 years. I was amazing to to eat a cheeseburger with a bun! I couldn’t have a revision at the time because my BMI was too low, but after too many cheeseburgers I am scheduled for RNY in October. I also had/have issues with acid reflux. If I could have done it 3 years ago I would have and not had to go through all of the weight gain.

I have BS of CA PPO and also got the gastric sleeve. If you have a bmi of 40+, then you qualify. If you have a bmi of 35 with at least one comorbidity, then you will qualify too. They require a psychological evaluation, nutritional support, proof that you have attempted to lose weight in the past, particularly within the past 3 - 6 months (primary doctor can provide that information - pretty much just showing weight loss and weight gain again). I also had to do multiple tests, but that was due to my surgeon's requirements, not insurance. My surgeon's office told me that Blue Shield of CA is one of the easier insurances to work with. They don't make you have to jump through as many hoops as other insurances. Once my paperwork was submitted along with all my requirement documentation, I got approved in less than a week. Here is a link to a pdf on Blue Shield of California's website. It shows the requirements for weight loss surgery, to help give a more thorough idea. https://www.blueshieldca.com/bsca/bsc/public/common/PortalComponents/provider/StreamDocumentServlet?fileName=PRV_PA_Bariatric_Surgery.pdf

My Surgery date is for 9/13/2021 8am I am very excited and nervous! I had a week of liquid diet which was very hard for me! Im praying my liver did shrink some. I'm just preparing my mind, body, and soul for tomm morning! Im ready to get rid of this excess weight, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol! Wish me luck! I pray for you and you pray for me🙏🏿🙏🏿!

Hi, I have had the lap band for a little over 10 years. I had lost 100 lbs but gained 30 back. I recently found out my band migrated. I was having severe acid reflux, regurgitation, and sleepless nights of choking and puking. I finally had some testing done & they found my band migrated and there was a hernia above it and my lower esophagus was having issues pushing food through. I got my fluid taken out on Friday & I am finally able to sleep again. I am really shocked about how strange it is to be able to eat things I wasn't able to for 10 years, I am also enjoying taking a drink while eating. I am going to revise to the gastric bypass surgery & was wondering if anyone has had better success after a revision from the band to bypass? I can't do the sleeve because of my acid reflux issues. I tried to avoid bypass, as to why I had the band to begin with. Something about moving my insides around didn't sit well with me. I also see horror stories about dumping and blood sugar issues. I don't want to gain all my weight back because of a band issue & also don't want to have a removal of one thing and nothing to replace it. I am not sure how fast this will all go, they said they could do emergency surgery if I was still having issues, or do it as a normal surgery. My insurance covers revision. Hopefully soon before I gain all this weight back. I'm enjoying trying different foods I had to avoid for the past 10 yrs. hahahaha.

I had lots of second thoughts. I was a lower BMI and I kept wondering if I should try one last time to lose the weight myself. But reality is I did just try one last time (I just didn’t know it was the last time) and I stalled and gained it all back as usual. Post surgery I didn’t have any regrets at all. Probably because I didn’t have a lot of pain of complications and I can eat everything I did before. Some people do have regrets immediately post op but that goes away the first month or so for most people.

Congratulations on getting started on this path. Many people on here say it is weird, but somehow easier to lose weight once they have made up their mind to do surgery. I guess there is something to that. Less stress and cortisol or just more drive from being hopeful but it seems to help many people. Just one or two small changes and you should be able to drop 20 pounds eventually. How long do you have to wait? Do you have the 6 months monitored weight loss??

See if your bariatric group has a therapist they recommend who works on food addiction issues with folks who have had weight loss surgery. Get someone on the job who is better aligned and more knowledgable about your needs.

It really depends how much you like what your current therapist is doing outside of the weight topic. If you feel like you want her to be in your life, then just don't talk to her about weight loss and use bariatric support groups for that. If she's turning into one of these preachy, teetering-on-the-edge-of-anti-science types, maybe now's a good time to thank her for what she's done for you and find someone who aligns better with your goals. It is YOUR life and not open to anyone's—not even your therapist's—judgment.

My therapist didn’t agree with the surgery either. He thought it was the easy way out. I just told him we would have to agree to disagree cause I was doing it and I don’t really talk much about my weight loss with him. He did call to check on me after my surgery and he asks how I’m doing but when I was looking to talk to someone about boredom eating I went elsewhere.

I'm in the beginning process of my bariatric journey, had my information session a few weeks ago and my big appointment with the surgeon, nurse, nutritionist, etc. is coming up in 3 weeks. So excited! I've been thinking about this health and wellness renewal with bariatric surgery for several years now. I've also been on a journey with my mental health (anxiety & depression) for about 4 years and have made some wonderful progress. I have a good support system of doctors but lately my therapist is making me scratch my head. For those of you on your journey - or that have experience - tell me about your journey with your mental health along with the bariatric surgery process. What I mean by my therapist is making me scratch my head.....so, for the past several years, my therapist has helped me get to a place where I can work on myself and my relationship with my parents (suffered mental/emotional as well as some physical abuse from parents). I made so much progress in 2 years with this...true healing, feeling so much more confident and content with myself. This progress finally led me to go forward with realizing that I was ready to commit to wanting to help myself and begin my bariatric weight loss journey. So, when I brought this up to my therapist, her reaction was not exactly what I expected. (I've read about people's different reactions so I'm of course trying not to let this bother me and feel like I probably need to either move on or realize that's her opinion, not mine). Anyway, when I try to discuss my wants/needs regarding my request for help when it comes to emotional eating/overeating/breaking that psychological connection, she's not really wanting to go there with me. She gives me very little help and keeps saying, "maybe you just won't have this surgery"...and suggests calling local weight loss places that focus on holistic methods of weight loss, etc. that cost $$$. She keeps telling me I need to read all of these books on "miracle weight loss", "medicine is bad", etc. ...ok, so....I know if someone is offering you some "magic unrealistic" guarantee if you "buy their program" they will promise you guaranteed weight loss for life....Ok, that's not for me. I've been there, done that, time and time again. You know the story...the diets we've all tried, the books we've all read, the shakes, you name it. I'm pushing 50 years old...been around the block with weight loss, like all of us here and I'm just not buying it. But, I did try to hear her out. What I'm disappointed in is that I feel that this relationship with this therapist is not helpful. I think I probably need to find another avenue of therapy. I know my hospital offers some group therapy, which I plan on doing. I'm grateful for this website and forum for help and support. If anyone has any advice - therapy suggestions, books/podcasts, etc. to work on my mental health with the emotional eating connection - I would be so grateful. I am working hard already at trying to change these things for myself now so I can be successful. Thank you again for your help!!

I lost 30 pounds and four inches off my waist in 4 months (before even thinking about WLS) doing CrossFit, which is basically HIIT plus strength training. I can't speak for post-op progress since my surgery is this coming Tuesday, but honestly, I love the strength I feel from HIIT and strength training. And it will speed your body recomp. Make sure you're taking measurements and not just using the scale as a guide—muscle does weigh more than fat and so the weight loss might "stall" but the fat loss is still going.

For me, eliminating all processed sugars and white flour...had an immediate impact on my weight loss. I lost like crazy just doing these two things. I still ate a ton of carbs, but I ate good whole carbs with dietary fiber...beans, potatos, chickpeas, nuts, whole grains, whole fruits and veggies....and stayed away from white bread, processed foods, stuff with added sugar and no fiber like juices and jellies. I also eliminated processed products with fats, fried stuff, and fatty meats. Learned to put low fat plain yogurt and salt and pepper on my baked potatoes....replaced butter and animal fat in cooking with extra virgin olive oil. Everyone has a different diet they prefer...I tend to follow Mediterannian or Mayo Clinic diet. Getting your steps is brilliant and will get your metabolism going like crazy. I started at 5000 steps a day and gradually increased in little baby steps to 12,000 a day. I get 20,000 some days now because I really enjoy walking and being active...but most days are 10 to 12,000 now. Being active will help you so much. Best wishes! You got this!

Good carbs with lots of fiber keep my gut microbiota in balance, and are a hell of a lot healthier for my kidneys than ketosis. I eat good fats, good carbs, high plant protien, moderate animal protien, high fiber. Sustained goal weight for over 3 and a half years eating a metric feckton of a carbs:) I'm extra careful with my refined carbs, though. Very little processed sugar or white flour in my diet now (huge change from before). Almost all my carbs are from whole grains, whole fruit, beans, potatoes, other whole veggies now....but I do eat a lot of them. The occasional treat of refined stuff, but not too often. Maybe 200 calories worth once or twice a week. Carbs are not the enemy

Same. During weight loss phase and several months immediately after, I would just log the whole thing whether I ate it or not. I figured it was better to over-estimate than under. Now, I just try to guesstimate what i actually ate cuz I eat ALOT more these days, and if i logged the entire meals I serve myself I would be waaaaaay over.

I lost around 70 pre-surgery (and I didn’t follow a specific program - was just trying to lose weight on my own - lost 50 before I even met with the surgeon). I was around 227 the day of surgery and by month 7 had lost all of my excess weight. It’s definitely slowed down in the last couple of months but I am below my initial goal weight (which was in the “normal” BMI range). I’m now hoping to get down to 135 but it’s really slow now and getting these “mini-stalls” where I stay around the same weight for 2-3 weeks then have a couple of weeks where I lose 1-2 lbs, rinse and repeat. I’m exercising a lot though so that may be part of it - incorporated weights after about 10 weeks post-op. I do take my measurements once a month so I can see progress there even though it’s slowing on the scale. Good luck with your surgery - you got this!

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. I had my Weight loss consultation on August 31, 2021. I am super excited and ready for this new journey. I’ve been overweight most of my adult life and now it’s time to regain control over my life. I’ve been given some guidelines to start implementing vitamins And at least three proteins shakes a day. I’ve been monitoring what I eat, making sure I get my steps in, and being mindful of my feelings and relationship the food. I was told I needed to lose 15 to 20 pounds prior to surgery. This is kind of stressful Being that I’ve been trying to lose 15 to 20 pounds for the past year and I’ve been unsuccessful. However, I’m going to continue to do my best, roll with the punches, And trust the process. Good advice is welcomed 🤗

I have never heard of anything like this. That is insane. I have just been approved and my BMI is around 39. I had my Lapband removed 3 years ago and my BMI was around 32 and I have steadily gained weight since then.

It took about 60 lbs before those that didn't know about my weight loss surgery to comment on my weight. One person even said to me, "um, I notice you've lost a lot of weight. Has it been intentional?" Now, I'm almost 3 yrs post op and just had my 2nd round of plastic surgery. I had a breast lift without implants and I'm sure the gossip is about that! I just went back to work last Wed and somebody already said to me, "they don't look any bigger!" I said to them, "see where my boobs are now? When I take my bra off, they stay in the same place!"

Still doing OK, in fact, better than OK. No more vomiting, and as long as I follow mindful eating, no more pain. Having the HH repair, instead of revision, has been amazing! I lost the 7 pounds I gained (and a few more) due to covid and am right back where I was, weight-wise, following my original surgery (FIVE years ago). I cannot imagine having had revision surgery, with the loss of the pyloric valve and risk of dumping. I am good.

I have Sunshine Health medicaid and I have had to have a few tests done that they require, and am still in the process. An endoscopy, a chest X-ray, EKG, sleep study, that nasty swallow test, a stress test, and I have to see a hematologist because I have a bleeding disorder in my family so they want to make sure that the blood thinner won't make me bleed to death and that I also won't get blood clots. They have to figure out exactly how much they can or can't give me when it's time. I've had quite a few surgeries already and have been fine, but this one you get blood thinners after it. I already have the history of dieting, pills and exercise. I'm 53 and have gone from 350 to 245-250 on my own over the years. I also have to see the nutritionist two or three times so I can learn how to eat properly. I don't think my surgeon requires the liquid diet, but I do have to be on a portion control diet with high protein. I can lose weight but I'm stuck at this weight so I need a bit of help. I have already changed my way of eating. No fast food, no fried food, way less sugar, but no sweet treats at all. I mostly eat the way I'm supposed to, but I have cheated a bit with a few sodas. After surgery I'm never going to drink them again. Nobody needs that stuff in their body anyway. My surgeon said if all of my testing is finished and ok that I can have my surgery in November. I've already done some of the tests and Monday I will get my appointments for the rest of them. I'm so excited to be getting the testing overwith and getting started on a new journey. I'm 5'3 I am 250 approximately. Highest weight was 350 Type 2 diabetic but A1C is 5.8 down from 7.2 High blood pressure High cholesterol (should be lowered by now) I used to have sleep apnea but had my tonsils and uvula removed (when I was 50..talk about the pain) I have figured out that one of my new exercises is going to be hunting for pokemons or whatever they are called..lol I just started playing that darn game and now I'm addicted. I'll be going to the gym too of course.:)

Congratulations. That first time someone notices is so wonderful & so motivating too. My first time (apart from my mother) was a friend who’d known me big & small. I hadn’t seen her for a couple of months & she didn’t know about the surgery. I was wearing a slim fitting dress that was looser - when I used to wear it it would pull across my butt & I’d wear a jacket. I’d lost about 15 kg (10 post surgery) & it was early month 2. I loved how she hugged me in greeting (remember how we used to do that all the time - sigh!) & whispered in my ear I was looking great, then looked into my eyes & nodded her head. I knew she understood the battle weight loss had always been for me & was honestly happy for me & being really supportive. So much more meaningful then the loud ‘have you lost weight’ comments I got later & then the ‘you’ve lost too much’ ones.

weight loss is never as fast with a revision as it is with a "virgin" surgery. I think 22 lbs in seven weeks is pretty good, actually. you say you're watching carbs - are you watching overall calories as well? When I'm trying to lose, I weigh and measure everything - or most things, anyway. I also track my intake - although I've done that every day since my surgery 6+ years ago, regardless of whether or not I'm trying to lose. if you're already doing everything you're supposed to be doing, then it's probably just a long stall. I don't know if they're more frequent or longer for revisions - but I know mine became longer and more frequent when I got close to my goal.

Hair loss is an recognised side effect but it is true that not every one experiences it. Those that do start & finish at different times & lose different amounts. That’s due to our own physiology but there are average times frames like it starts around month 3 or 4. You’re almost 3 months so pretty close to the average. Your body reacts to the stress of the surgery, change of diet, reduced caloric intake & general emotional changes you’re experiencing by accelerating your natural hair loss cycle. So the hair you’re losing would have fallen out at some time but it’s just happening faster & sooner. The good news is that it does stop & your new hair is still growing (you just don’t notice the new growth until it has some length to it - look for fluffy bits). I lost a fair amount but I had heaps to begin & as @catwoman7 said often no one else really notices it (only my mother & hairdresser did). Best thing I did was cut my length to just above my shoulders. My hair was bouncier because I didn’t have the length pulling it down & the new growth reached this shorter length sooner. I didn’t take any additional supplements or vitamins or use treatment shampoos, etc. & my hair stopped shedding at around 3-4 months which seems to be the average time frame the excess hair loss persists. I know our hair can be an important part of how we present to the world & the loss can be scary & worrying but that only adds to the stress we’re already experiencing which is contributing to our hair shedding. I decided to look at it as a short term annoyance I had to go through. I felt the whole weight loss period was me transitioning & transforming (mutating???) into a better me.

Workout Regimen?? Hey all! I am 3 months post op (35F, HW: 280, SW: 250, CW:210) and have been consistently walking, doing yoga, and some strength training for over 2 months. I would like to incorporate more strength-based workouts so tried a HIIT class yesterday which I really enjoyed (super sore today 🤣). I keep reading that doing heavy cardio can stall weight loss so I am hesitant to go frequently even though I am more interested in the strength days. Anyone have a similar experience? Did intensifying your workouts slow your progress at all?