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I was one of the unlucky few that developed a leak. They are life threatening! I want to tell my story to be a resource for anyone who has this type of complication. My surgery date was 5/1/18. Non- smoker, good health, surgery went smooth. 3-4 weeks post surgery, something was definitely off. I had rigor, trouble regulating my body temp, foul smelling burps. I called my surgeon's office daily that Memorial week. I took myself to the ER thinking I was dehydrated. They ran a CBC and my WBC count was 30,000. They sent me home to follow up with my surgeon. Next day, took results in and according to the nurse, my surgeon wasn't concerned. Next day 6/2, had trouble urinating and pain under my diaphragm. So at 9pm, my husband took me back to the ER. They thought it was kidney stones, but the CT scan revealed a leak. They transferred me via ambulance to a larger hospital. My surgeon was out of town (I refused to be seen by him again- so it didn't matter), and I got blessed with the on-call surgeon. I was in the hospital 9 days. He did exploratory surgery 6/7due to the location of the leak. Mine high up like 85-90% are. Thank goodness, I did not have an abscess like the CT showed, but I did have inflammation that he cleared out. All of the samples they took were negative. He also installed a drain that remained in line 7/10.They did an upper GI on 6/8 that showed the leak was still there. Up until this point, I was NPO and on round the clock antibiotics, Saline bag, and potassium bag via IV. On 6/8 picc line was installed and began TPN. They sent me home on 6/12 with TPN, antibiotics and Home health. On 6/20 back into the hospital with surgery to place a stent. Discharged next day. I could have clear liquids, but had to remain on TPN for 1 more week until X-ray showed it had not migrated. 6/27 X-ray showed it hadn't so off TPN and allowed food. Living with the stent was tolerable. Your esophagus is open, so acid reflux is a big issue. I never took a pain pill and found heating pad helped with the upper back pain. I could drive, do small outings with my kids, etc... I even went on a girls trip to see Smashing Pumpkins. This made it easier on my kids mental health, because mom didn't look sick and could do little things with them. I took everything really easy. On 7/19- stent came out and leak healed!!! I'm now on liquids for 1 week and then can advance my diet slowly as tolerated. My new surgeon was with me every step of the way and family and friends were very supportive. They even took my kids out of town on fun adventures. My faith in God strengthened. Luckily my Insurance covers bariatric surgery and complications. I would easily be out $120,000 or more for the hospital stays, home health, 3 additional surgeries, TPN - $1000 a bag, etc...Thank goodness I'm a teacher- so I didn't miss any work. I'm down 50 pounds and regaining my energy daily. If you are diagnosed with a leak, please reach out to me and remain positive. This is a very isolating time, but they do heal. Be assertive, listen to your body, and switch surgeons if necessary. I messaged a recent leak survivor on here and she was a great resource. Everyone's story and experience is different, but knowledge is power. I would love to be a support for you.

Eventually you can drink larger volumes over longer or shorter periods of time, I'm 8 months post op, I can drink 16 oz in 30 mins casually or 10 mins if I'm thirsty VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

Sounds like you might have popped a stitch. I know they told you that you have no limitations... but that might not be the best advice. I was told the same thing, no lifting anything over 10 lbs for the first month. You've got several incisions in your abdominal wall, they need time to heal or you will end up popping stitches or worse, getting a hernia. Take the time your body needs to heal and just REST! Let someone else pick up the slack for a while.

I started off 237pounds at 5’6 (9/23/17) as of (7/19/18) I’m at 144pounds. Some may think this is great but I have literally started eating everything because I want the weight loss to stop. My butt,thighs and boobs sags like old socks. #idontknowwhattodo

I was also told to not lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for the first 4 weeks post-op, and to go slow with adding in activities. You may want to try that approach since your recent experience did not go well. Aren’t you just 2 weeks post-op? Be kind and reasonable with yourself; you just had major surgery.

I was restricted to no more than 10 lbs as well as no overhead lifting for a month

Hi- my guess is you probably shouldn’t be doing all that lifting and bending! Did you have any physical limitations from your surgeon? I had surgery on 6/11/18 and I was advised no lifting more than 10 lbs for 4 weeks.

I had my surgery on july 9th, so I'm still recovering too. Every once in a while I get what feels like a sharp poke (internally) on my left side. But - That was where my lap band port was, so I attribute it to that. For me, my left side is pretty pain free - my large incisions (two...I have 7 total) are on my right side. I can lay on my left side and pain is about (3/10). Right side is about (5/10). I'm a side sleeper, so I can't wait until I heal enough to tolerate it, this back sleeping is for the birds.

I had this. My research revealed it can also be nerves healing. My pain was gone from my surgery then I got this burning tearing pain around week 2.5-3. It lasted 10 or so days.

Lol. No! So I went shopping at Kohls like a grinning eejit....bought a clearance pair of Vera Wang jeans for $10 - SIZE 12petite. Still grinning.

I think it depends on where you are. Here in Connecticut you are required to stay at least 2 days for bypass. I had my bypass after 4:30pm 6/28/18 and was discharged from the hospital 10:30am 6/30/18

I’m on day 4 of my pre-op diet, I have a ton of cravings but other than that I feel like it’s pretty good so far. The weight loss has helped me stay motivated (down 7lbs as of this morning...) and I’m hoping that keeps me through the next 10 days! I had a big bowl of beef broth for dinner with some good seasonings in it, but since that was so low calorie now I’m starting to move toward bed and I’m only at 700 calories (even after my sugar free yogurts and a sugar free fat free pudding). I’m supposed to be having 1000 a day but I’m guessing being under one night is okay?

I'm With Bcbs EPO also. I have some of the same stuff. -1 year of monthly call in appointments with a nurse to discuss nutrition, moderating eating habits. -psych assessment. I just did mine yesterday and it was a breeze, but maybe I just lucked out with my evaluator. -letter from my primary care Dr. (my Dr was OK with it as long as I said I knew the risks) -recommended support group classes for pre/post op patients at the hospital. -blood work, no other tests though. -one on one with nutrition at least once. I have six months left, then the surgery group will submit for approval *fingers crossed * I'll be eligible by February 2019. You'll do fine, just write it down, keep track of appointments and do as much add you can to show that you're committed to going through with the surgery. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Had my pre op appointment today! My surgery is in 19 days .. which seems like a lifetime away but I started the program in January and the time has flown by. I’m so ready !!! I have lost 43 pounds total Pre op... which was waaay more than asked of me. I wasn’t given a number of pounds to lose just a weight that I had to be within 5 pounds of. My surgeon said to me today, “remember when we first met you said you feel like the day is never going to come? Well it’s so close.. and it’s happening”

I'm a bit concerned about this myself. I was told at the beginning (in January) that I really needed to lose 10% of my excess body weight during the six-month supervised diet - which was about 10-15 pounds. I ended up losing 40 pounds thus far - which means I started the pre-op diet, that I'm on now, at 40.1 bmi. The pre-op liquid diet will drop me below 40, and there isn't anything I can do about it. My next surgeon's office appt. is tomorrow, and if they try to weigh me, I'm going to have to have a conversation with them.

Starting over is going to be, more than likely, your best bet. With that much loss, did you have any excess skin removed? If not, you could have quite a bit of weight hanging around (no pun intended) in the form of saggy skin. 10-20 lbs of excess skin isn't at all uncommon.

I have a desk job, I had my surgery on April 27 and returned to work on May 8th, so 10 days. I was fine. Really depends on how physical you are at your job.

My doctor said 10 lbs after surgery. Then, at my 2 week follow up they said I could increase to 25 lbs. and just continue to add more as I feel better. I'm 3 1/2 weeks post-op and don't feel ready for any weight lifting due to my left side incision pains and a pulled lower left back muscle. I think taking it easy for some time after surgery is best for healing. I'm hoping by 6 weeks I'll be back to all normal activities but I agree with @Matt Z and think it could be closer to 2 months. Our bodies just went through major surgery.

That’s what happened to me I lost my requirement of weight the first 3 months had to aimtsin the next 4 month and surgeon meet with me and insurance full approval. I have 6 weeks until surgery and gave the go ahead to lose again. So hope to loose 8 pounds now and another 10. On the 2 week liquid diet. I’m glad I had to experience the maintenance for 4 months it was hard and messes with your head. Check out some of the other topics about maintenance.

Vets- I have been following Keto for about 9 months, lost about 48 lbs. Feeling good. I hate the word 'diet' but want your opinions: I'm thinking about changing it up and going completely back to a post-bariatric type eating- low carb and higher protein. I've been tweaking my diet a bit but don't want to screw myself up. I have 10 lbs that I need to lose before some medical testing in about 4 weeks and wondering if going back to low carb/high protein vs Keto would be more successful (by successful I purely mean burn off some fat)?? thoughts?

WHOOP WHOOP!!! 4 years post op, I am finally getting the scale to move again and my regain is officially gone. I was doing some Keto type eating, but now I'm trying to cut back the fat so it's more like a 'bariatric' type eating, just a low carb, high protein thing. I had been losing nicely for a long time then the scale completely stopped. What I THINK was happening is that my body had adjusted to ketosis and I was probably taking in a little too much dietary fat so I wasn't burning my own fat. Now that I've tweaked it my regain has dropped off and I'm back 'on the move'!!!! Hoping for a good 7-10 lb loss over the next month before I have some medical testing

Nurse said it only add about 10 min more could be less of table time. Said it less invasive, less down time and less leaks. Want to ask dr. as many question as I can, why this will be a better way. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have to admit, several posts on this thread inspired me and reminded me of the things I could do when I lose the weight. So here’s my list, in no particular order: 1. Cross my legs 2. Sneeze without peeing 3. Rock climbing 4. Run a 5k 5. Be comfortable wearing shorts (and not capris) 6. Buy a swimsuit that doesn’t have a skirt 7. Get a tattoo 8. Waterskiing 9. Snow Skiing 10. Sex. More energy for it, more fun positions to try.

Hello everyone, I was sleeved on June 22, 2017 today my weight is 145.2, yesterday was my 1 year follow up apt with my surgeon weighing in at 146.6 I'm holding steady between 145 & 146 for the past month but i feel great just trying to enjoy my summer. I still drink my premier protein in the morning and afternoon anything else has to have a least 5 g of protein per for me to even consider to put in my mouth. I still have a hard time eating chicken, eggs no fruit and very little vegetables and i get sick if try to eat any type of cake or ice cream and yogurt i love as long as the sugar content is lower than 10 g. I have cut out all refind sugar and the carbs i eat if it's included with my protein which i try to keep no more than 50 g or less. Exercise 30 minutes a day walking and cardio 1 hour 3 to 4 time a week,

Hey everyone so I’ve been really depressed because my weight has only gone down 60 pounds I started at 330 and now 269 (it’s been a year) and I don’t know what to do I’ve tried Keto and fasting ... exercise is a bit tough because I always start off strong and lack later on. I don’t know if im just comparing myself to everyone else’s journey and weight loss and my mind is strictly on losing so I’m stuck. I just feel like a disappointment to myself and my parents. I got the surgery at 18 and I’m now 19 and I feel like a failure . Please please please help .. oh and any workout routine suggestions will help !