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What one thing do you wish you'd known before having surgery?
HealthyLifeStyle replied to FutureSylph's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
That I wouldn't be able to stop losing weight if I wanted to. I am having a lot of trouble maintaining, and keep losing. I am too skinny and look sickly now. I know people have told me I will gain some back hopefully in the next few yrs. but right now I look awful. My face looks older, my eyes are sunk in, and also black. I am not happy with the way I look. I think I looked better when I was heavier. -
Revision completed
Tracyringo replied to Tracyringo's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Well well well, its been 1 year ago today had had my revision to bypass !! I weighed in this morning at 154 !!! I still am on my dexilant 60mg for the GERD. I talk half in morning and half at night and it keeps me from burning. I dont see myself ever being able to get off of it at this point but that is okay because my last EDG showed esophagitis D down to an A. I had so much anxiety about doing this revision because I liked my sleeve so much and I missed the restriction I had with it. I wasnt sure how I would maintain my weight loss without it. Well I will tell you that the dumping has been no joke for me and I have to watch it. I also think my metabolism had to have changed and the malabsorption of calories did something also. I started at 180 the day I had the revision and lost 12lbs that first month. I lost 25lbs around 7 months which was 151lbs total and I started at 311. I have pretty much maintained without too much effort, which I never could have done with VSG. I ate around 800 calories just to stay under 170 !!! I would have gone with RNY to begin with had I known how much easier it would have been for me. Good luck to all of you on your journey !! -
Stats for petite people! I’m 5’0 with BMI 40
BriarRose replied to HealthyN'Fit4Life's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I started at 5'3 and 320 pounds over BMI of 58 - I didn't go in to get weighed until I lost 10 lbs on my own! After 10 years, I am now 65 years old and am about 5'2" lost over 140 pounds and weigh 172 to 175. My BMI is (adjusted for age) 31. I am still considered overweight/obese. But this is as low in weight as I seem to be able to maintain and be healthy - My doctors are pleased. I am active and healthy ! I know, for some, this may not seem like a "VICTORY" - and I have been criticized even HERE for not losing more weight. I am more than thrilled with my results. I am as excited about buying size 14/16 petite clothing as someone buying size 2 clothing. (Well, I think I am as thrilled !!) I have zero desire to have plastic surgery to remove the extra skin - I have had enough surgeries to not want any more. I am over the moon thrilled with keeping it off and with my results. DO YOU. -
May Surgeries - check in!
Losing in in 2021 replied to ChunkyCali's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Maybe I’m expecting too much too soon. Had my bypass surgery on 5/19. Weight myself this morning, 5/22 and only lost 0.8 pounds. Is this normal? Also, has anyone’s eyes gone “batty”? It’s like I can really focus on what I’m reading. I told my nurse at discharge but she didn’t seem concerned. Any help/comments/etc. is appreciated. -
What one thing do you wish you'd known before having surgery?
blackcatsandbaddecisions replied to FutureSylph's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Surgery is a weight loss assist/boost, but it’s not going to do the work for you. I hate seeing posts of people who are back at fast food, candy, pastries, chips etc within a few months of surgery. Just because they “can” eat some of this stuff doesn’t mean they should be at this stage in the weight loss phase. Focus on your goal of weight loss, not testing your surgery limits. Your surgery might allow you to eat almost anything without trouble, but at the end of the day you’re still responsible for what you eat. Don’t live off a diet of protein shakes and water only, but also take this opportunity to reinvent your eating habits so you don’t end up back where you started in a few years. I was in my preop class with a guy I know who kept saying he was going to eat exactly how he did preop but just let the surgery limit his portion sizes. He stopped losing weight only a few months post surgery and never even got close to his goal. -
Sounds similar to my story. Pre-surgical weigh-in on May 11 was 246.0. (Taken at the hospital, I forgot to weight myself at home prior to leaving.) Home weigh-in on May 14 was 249.2. (Due to IV fluids and/or a discrepancy between the hospital's scale and mine?) Today's weigh-in, May 22, is 240.2. I've decided to count my weight-loss pounds from my post-surgical weight of 249.2... so at 240.2, that means 9 pounds lost in 8 days. 😊 (It's much more encouraging than 6 pounds lost in 11 days.)
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One month tomorrow and haven’t lost a pound in three weeks
catwoman7 replied to ramirezchana's topic in Food and Nutrition
you're right - that "gain" in the hospital was because of the IV fluids. Some people gain up to 10 lbs with those. It takes a few days for them to work their way out of your system 20 lbs in two weeks would be an exception. Most of us lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first MONTH. Although I suppose you could find a few folks for whom this isn't true, I would guess anyone losing 20 lbs the first two weeks either 1) started out at a very high BMI (much higher than the average WLS patient) or 2) didn't have much of a pre-op dieting requirement as that kind of loss is likely mostly water (I lost 57 lbs between my six-month supervised diet and my two-week pre-op diet, so any water weight was long gone by the time I had surgery) I lost 16 lbs the whole first month, and I started out at 373 lbs. That's not unusual at all, in fact, it's right in the typical range, and yours will be as well. I think a lot of people's expectations of this come from shows like "My 600 lb Life", but you need to keep in mind that those people are MUCH heavier than the average WLS patient, so of course they're going to drop a lot more weight than the rest of us - esp the first couple of months. -
What one thing do you wish you'd known before having surgery?
WishMeSmaller replied to FutureSylph's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Exercise. I started with walking pretty much immediately after surgery and have progressed to running, weight training, HIIT, etc. I believe it has made all the difference in my physical and mental well being. I am happy and healthy. ☺️ -
What one thing do you wish you'd known before having surgery?
catwoman7 replied to FutureSylph's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
stick to your clinic's eating plan as carefully as you can, especially the first few months. I read posts on here a lot about people pushing the envelope, and that's a slippery slope to go down. In time, you'll be able to enjoy most if not all of the foods you currently enjoy (in smaller portions, of course), but let the program and your new tool work its magic during the weight loss phase. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lose a huge amount of excess weight - the first year after surgery will be the easiest time ever to do that - so take full advantage of it!! -
Lying about not getting surgery is awful
JCF replied to GinormousReislin's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I so agree with you. At first I decided not even to tell close friends because I too lean toward people pleasing (working on that though😊) and to hear negative comments when it’s already such a difficult thing to do, would not be helpful. However, the alternative would be to lie to my close friends when I started losing weight and I did not want to do that either. I finally decided to tell those closest and felt I would know who was who based on their response. Not only did I not want to live a lie, I also did not want to “feel ashamed”.... that I didn’t tell others cause I had shame about having surgery. Secrets can do that. So I owned it and told friends and was rewarded w tremendous support and good wishes!!!! I also felt better inside. To talk about it, helped me to get over any shaming stigmas that if I kept to myself would be really damaging to me. Of course everyone must follow their own heart and what’s best for them. -
Lying about not getting surgery is awful
nbw1220 replied to GinormousReislin's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I wanted to chime in here to give another perspective.. first, of course you don't have to tell anyone you had surgery...its up to you to disclose you medical history. That being said, I tell everyone who asks. The reason being- I was soooo super scared of having surgery that I put it off for years and everyone I ever talked to about losing weight said that they did it "the natural way"..IT WAS A TOTAL LIE. I had people come up to me afterwards and tell me they had it done too but never tell people. I would have loved to to speak to more people who had it done and I wish I had done it sooner. Now I tell people who ask "how I did it" the truth. I don't care how they react but maybe I'll help someone who was like me. Also I just had a revision surgery from sleeve to bypass and I plan on sharing that as well. Disclose what you would to who you like ...but remember how you felt before you had surgery & don't say it was "the natural way" if someone is looking for advice on losing their weight. -
Hey! Revision(ist), I want to hear from you! Tell me your experience: revision in June. Nervous
nikki19rl replied to nikki19rl's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Great! Has it gotten better? Have you maintained your weight loss? Did you lose any hair? Part of me doesn't want to go through this again, but at the same breath I can't handle this GERD anymore. One of my teeth actually broke it's so bad. Was it painful? I'm just nervous but your experience has made me feel better. Thankyou! -
Hey! Revision(ist), I want to hear from you! Tell me your experience: revision in June. Nervous
nikki19rl replied to nikki19rl's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Dang! Yeah. I was the same way. I had issues not even a year out from my sleeve and was also on Ragland and Prilosec for a year after my sleeve. Nothing seemed to help long term. Unfortunately, my surgeon who had been working with me since 2017 knew after nothing else worked that I needed a revision. I had maintained my weight loss so she believed me when I was seeking help for reflux and severe dumping. Plus one of my teeth broke and another one isn't far off. Once I showed her my teeth she realized something was really up. The issue was we had to prove to my Insurance that it was medically necessary and that my symptoms could be proven on a series of test to prove it wasn't elective. I had to have a HIDA scan done to test my liver and gallbladder function, which was normal. I had to have a flouro swallowing study done, which was normal except for the hernia. I had a ambulatory swallow study done that showed my esophagus wasn't emptying properly and that I had severe GERD on top of a failed gastric emptying test. The most important test was my GERD test out of all the above. If I didn't get a positive test for GERD, my insurance wouldn't cover my revision. The other test just helped build my case. I'm not sure what your surgeon will require but if your acid reflux is as bad as mine you'll need that GERD test. I also had and failed the BRAVO . so as a alternative I had to have a 24 hour ambulatory ph test thst i originally denied, where they put a tube down your nose into your stomach with a monitor you wear the entire time that monitors your swallowing and acid reflux . It's more accurate than the BRAVO, and as awful as it sounds, it wasn't fun but it's doable. I'd suggest getting that test done and eating badly and eating spicy food w wine if you have it done lol. if you are paying out of pocket it may be up to the surgeon. But if you need to prove your case with insurance you'll need that GERD test . The 1st surgeon didn't listen to me so I saw one of his partners who was a women, who listened and helped me out ALOT. You know your body. Just do not go in complaining about your weight as the main issue for revision, . Make sure that it's noted as your last concern so they'll hear you out, and how even eating properly causing you discomfort.It was a long process. Hopefully it's worth it. Just be consistent and like i mentioned , that Ph test will be the determining factor and most important test to have if all else fails.. -
How Much Weight Loss During Liquid Diet
StratusPhr replied to PhenomenalWoman's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Did you go from a sleeve to RNY? If so, how are you doing, did it eliminate the GERD? Any more weight loss? How much? Good luck!! -
Before and After Pics
jami.1992 replied to Roserie's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Not yet....probably going to wait another year to make sure my weight levels off then start looking into it 🥰 -
Did revision due to weight gain actually work for you?
froufrou replied to JulieCab's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
He didn’t give me figures but the gastroenterologist said he was surprised I lost any weight at all. The stretching came from all of the stents they tried to place (about 4 until they went in and SEWED one in place!). I don’t think there is any stretch this time round. -
Great new job with lousy health BCBS of AL insurance policy - no bariatric surgery coverage?
SkinnyKathy replied to SkinnyKathy's topic in Insurance & Financing
Ugh. I see I will have to lobby the head of HR to include more insurance options next year. I don't mind paying more for better health insurance to get bariatric surgery covered. I just wanted to get it done in 2021, not wait until 2022. I wonder if I should start documenting the 6 months of medically supervised weight loss now in anticipation of hopefully a new medical insurance option in 2022 that will cover it. Or would the six months have to start once the policy is valid? -
Not Yet Decided: NEED HELP
Peanut120 replied to Peanut120's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yes, the Doctor told me about this (and I've read about it as well) but I have been at a healthier set point for a very long time (10 years) and am confident I can get back there again. I know it takes a long time to "reset" your set point, but I know it can be done and I'm willing to really work hard to avoid the surgery. I like that my surgeon is challenging me to lose the weight so that I don't have to have the surgery - I really appreciate his honesty. (He said that although the two surgeries are frequently done together, it still means there is more risk, and having only one of the surgeries is preferable.) Thank you for your response -- everything everyone has said has been excellent "food for thought" (ha ha). -
Great new job with lousy health BCBS of AL insurance policy - no bariatric surgery coverage?
SkinnyKathy posted a topic in Insurance & Financing
I had a lap band under United Healthcare PPO in 2008, lost 250 pounds, then had to have it removed in 2018 due to terrible acid reflux, Kaiser insurance. Have gained over 100 pounds back. Now I want to have RNY gastric bypass, and was set to get this going through Kaiser but got derailed due to COVID. Now I just started a great new job which I am very excited about, but the downside is that they only offer one insurance option, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. I have to start the whole insurance process all over again, in fact find new doctors again, but today I called the customer service number for BCBS of AL and asked about bariatric surgery and they told me that it is not covered on my policy! Has anyone ever had this experience, and were you able to find a way to get bariatric surgery covered under appeal? I really want this surgery but the out of pocket costs are pretty bad. I can't believe that this isn't covered in any form. Help! -
March surgeries
selflovejourney00 replied to Hopefulin2021's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am discouraged. My surgery was March 30th, I lost 28 pounds but this week somehow gained 7 pounds. My cycle is on but I don't understand. I'm feeling so depressed. Sent from my STK-L21 using BariatricPal mobile app -
POSTPONED Again - 3rd Time A Charm? 🌈 Anyone Else Deal With Postponed Date?
lizonaplane replied to You Are My Sunshine's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I know it feels hard now, but they've been telling me the time will fly by. I started this process at the end of January and I will probably have my surgery in July or August because of the insurance requirements and backlog of surgeries due to covid. In the meantime, I've been trying to "walk the walk" and lose some weight now. At least it gives me something to focus on. I also spend way too much time on these boards heh heh heh. -
Cleaning up diet Pre Surgery
lizonaplane replied to DareMightyThings's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I initially thought I had to lose weight for my insurance and I was really freaked out, but it turns out they don't require it; but I'm still going to lose as much as I can now, because then it's just less I have to lose after surgery. I'm not totally carb-phobic - I often eat steel-cut oatmeal with a banana and unflavored protein powder for breakfast. I'm not a big rice, pasta, or potato fan, except for risotto and french fries, which I don't eat too often now. I used to make dishes that were low in protein and higher in carbs, and I've just reversed it, and honestly, it was a lot easier than I expected. One thing that has helped me is to have veggies (cucumbers, red/orange/yellow bell peppers, etc) washed and chopped ready for snacking in the fridge so I don't eat something higher in calories like cheese or chocolate or chips (I don't have much chips or chocolate in the house, but I have a little bit left). I often eat the veggies plain, but sometimes I get bored with plain veggies and add tzatziki (you could use hummus too!). Also, I found that adding artificially sweetened drinks like Starburst No Sugar Packets (found at walgreens, walmart, and dollar stores - basically Crystal LIght) satisfy my sweet tooth. It also helps me when I THINK I'm hungry but I'm really thirsty and I am sick to death of water. -
Cleaning up diet Pre Surgery
SunnyinSC replied to DareMightyThings's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I'm still in pre-surgery phase, waiting to schedule a surgery date at this point. I've been seeing a bariatric therapist for a few months now after initially failing my psyche eval. I have made some choices to start eating better gradually. This hasn't included calorie counting or anything yet. It's just things like choosing not to eat out as often, using smaller plates, or keeping healthier snacks on hand that I know will still be friendly after surgery. Through therapy I've also been working on cooking more and making sure the meals have a portion of protein and a good bit of veggies. We're also focusing on addressing the mental desire to overeat, where that stems from, and alternate coping mechanisms. This has all resulted in sort of gradual change that is focusing on improving behaviors, but not in a way that feels like a "diet", and I have lost some weight while doing so. Not nearly as much as I know I'd drop via calorie counting and all, but what I'm doing now feels more sustainable. -
Cleaning up diet Pre Surgery
Maisey replied to DareMightyThings's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I thought all the weighing and measuring what a bit "too much" also, blah, blah, blah. What I finally had to come to terms with was that I needed to do something different. Now, having done it for months, it is easier to recognize what a true portion or amount I am eating if I am not at home. I can't say that I've heard about using volume measurements rather than weight. But Lizonaplane makes a very good point about calorie-dense foods like cheese and sauces. I am a sauce-o-holic. Measuring dressing or any kind of sauce keeps me accountable. It doesn't mean I am totally choosing to not have any, it just means I am not mindlessly bathing my food in it. I also use a smaller plate and a small salad fork and baby spoons (my old baby spoons have been repurposed at 55 years old). The smaller utensils help me remember to take smaller bites. -
Choosing between sleeve and bypass
SunnyinSC replied to lunadreams's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I haven't had surgery yet, but I had the same choice to make so figured I'd share my experience. Keep in mind everyone is different and my choice is just mine. I'm not suggesting that you should make the same decision or anything. So I have had issues with heartburn and I went into my surgery consult set on Gastric Bypass because of that. However, the surgeon recommended, due to my weight, Sleeve because it's less risk of complications. At my weight, the amount of actual loss would be about the same. My nurse then stepped in on my behalf and got an endoscopy to check out my heartburn issues. This was because I am self pay, and I can't really afford to do a sleeve, only to have to get a revision later, so she wanted to see if we could find a root cause of the heartburn/GERD. Endoscopy revealed I had a medium sized Type III hiatal hernia. While the hernia could be repaired during surgery, it also meant I had a good chance of needing a revision in the future if I went with Sleeve. Not guaranteed, but still a high probability. Since I'm self-pay and I definitely don't want to find myself in a position where my heartburn/GERD have gotten worse and I can't pay for a revision, we decided it would be best for me to go with Gastric Bypass. Gastic Bypass is a mal-absorption procedure in addition to just restrictive, so I will have to be extra sure my vitamins are okay, and it is more at risk of complications during surgery/recovery due to multiple incision sites. That being said, overall risk is still really low, it's just higher when compared to sleeve. Definitely weigh out the options, talk honestly and openly with your medical team about risks and complications. Hopefully you can come to a decision that works for you Best of luck!
