Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Search the Community

Showing results for 'Complications'.


Didn't find what you were looking for? Try searching for:


More search options

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • Weight Loss Surgery Forums
    • PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
    • POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
    • General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
    • GLP-1 & Other Weight Loss Medications (NEW!)
    • Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
    • Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
    • LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
    • Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
    • Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
    • Insurance & Financing
    • Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
    • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
    • WLS Veteran's Forum
    • Rants & Raves
    • The Lounge
    • The Gals' Room
    • Pregnancy with Weight Loss Surgery
    • The Guys’ Room
    • Singles Forum
    • Other Types of Weight Loss Surgery & Procedures
    • Weight Loss Surgery Magazine
    • Website Assistance & Suggestions

Product Groups

  • Premium Membership
  • The BIG Book's on Weight Loss Surgery Bundle
  • Lap-Band Books
  • Gastric Sleeve Books
  • Gastric Bypass Books
  • Bariatric Surgery Books

Magazine Categories

  • Support
    • Pre-Op Support
    • Post-Op Support
  • Healthy Living
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Fitness & Exercise
  • Mental Health
    • Addiction
    • Body Image
  • LAP-BAND Surgery
  • Plateaus and Regain
  • Relationships, Dating and Sex
  • Weight Loss Surgery Heroes

Find results in...

Find results that contain...


Date Created

  • Start

    End


Last Updated

  • Start

    End


Filter by number of...

Joined

  • Start

    End


Group


Website URL


Skype


Biography


Interests


Occupation


City


State


Zip Code

Found 17,501 results

  1. PapillonMomma

    DON'T DO IT

    What the hell? I hope your wife gets better, but wishing other people complications is not nice.
  2. Hello. I had my gbs on May 27th! I have lost a total of 40# since 2 weeks presurgery. I have had no complications, other than eating too fast! Overall I am happy of this life changing decision!
  3. Lanie992

    DON'T DO IT

    Sorry that happened. It sounds dreadful. There are definitely risks involved, especially for cases like your wife's --which clearly was very complicated with other things going on. Please keep in mind that saying "don't do it" isn't very helpful. Being overweight can shorten people's lifespan like risk of a heart attack, stroke and diabetes. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol and was on the verge of being diabetic... The insurance approved my surgery because the benefits of surgery outweighed the risk. I hope you and your wife have an easier time and things begin to improve for her. Good luck to you.
  4. colormehappy

    DON'T DO IT

    The risk of gastric leak is around 1 in every 200 surgeries. Patients are explained the risks. I signed a paper before being wheeled back acknowledging that I realized I could have complications and potentially die. I did end up with a massive GI bleed and the beginning of sepsis. Would do it again.
  5. catwoman7

    DON'T DO IT

    she sounds like a very complicated case with all that was done - both with her WLS and years before, too - so I doubt many people on here can relate to this. Or ANYONE, for that matter. Sorry it happened to her - but complications with bypass surgery (and sleeve surgery) are rare, and when they happen, they're almost always minor. This is one of those one-in-a-million cases, so I would NOT discourage others from having WLS. The vast majority of us don't have issues with it. there have been cases of people having tragic complications...or dying...from tonsillectomies and wisdom tooth extractions, too, but how often does that happen? Almost never. Same with WLS.
  6. beaker27

    DON'T DO IT

    i feel like i need more information... what were all the 6 procedures she had done after the initial bypass surgery? Were they all from having bypass, or some other complications?
  7. colormehappy

    DON'T DO IT

    I’m so sorry you and your wife have been through so much turmoil. I also had a serious complication, although it was resolved much quicker than hers. I do think it’s unfair to tell people not to go through with surgery because of the risk of complications. The risk is always there, but it’s very low. People should always be aware of the risks though, so thank you for sharing your story. I hope your wife makes a full recovery soon.
  8. Don't Do It

    DON'T DO IT

    I signed up to this forum solely to pass along our story in hopes others can learn from our experience. Please read (It IS a long read) As soon as I picked up the phone & heard her crying, I knew it was bad news. Her Specialist had diagnosed her with advanced Liver Fibrosis. Between her tears & what she said, I felt like I had the wind sucked out of me. So what now? Almost as quickly as I took in the news, a sense of defiance started to spring up within me. I had waited 45 YEARS to meet my soulmate & I was damned if I was gonna lose her now. "We have to tell Dr. Kantner" I insisted to her. Her Obesity Specialist. Yes, my wife is Overweight & has type 2 diabetes. And to be hit with this news on top of everything else... Through fate or fortune, she had stumbled into our specialist's care through me, as I was already seeing the specialist for my own weight issues & shortly, after we met, I told her about my Doctor & thankfully, Dr. Kantner took her on as well. Through her own program, Nancy was scheduled for Bariatric surgery. Specifically, Gastric Bypass. We prepared to wait up to possibly 2 years for her surgery, but now the situation had changed. Would she even be able to make it that long? She did tell Dr. Kantner & somehow, through her influence, was able to fast track Nancy to having her surgery within six months. Still a bit of a wait, but a lot better than having to wait two years! So now the waiting. And being the anxious personalities that we are, it seemed to take forever. But as the days drew closer to the date, it began to get more & more real, until finally that morning, when we were up at 4am, we knew this was happening. Finally! I had spent that last few months emotionally supporting her, reassuring her how everything was going to be just fine, while at the same time trying to convince myself of the same. It had finally reached zero hour & we were on our way to the hospital. Her surgery was scheduled for 7:45am, so we had to be there at least two hours prior to prepare. I gave her as much encouragement as I could until she was told to change into her hospital gown & I followed alongside her on the stretcher till the last possible second when our tightly clasping hands reluctantly separated and she disappeared into the Operating Room. For the first time, I felt helpless as her fate was now in the hands of the Surgeon. Perhaps I was being a tad overdramatic as the procedure usually takes anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes. Counting on this, I went over to the McDonalds across the street, where I figured I'd pass the time by having a long, leisurely breakfast. So, as I enjoyed my Sausage & Egg McMuffins & Hashbrowns, I watched the time go slowly by. 8:00, 8:45, 9:10... Still no word. I couldn't sit still any longer, so I went into the Mall & wandered around. 9:30, 9:50... still no word. Now, I was getting worried. Maybe she was already done & they didn't have my phone number to let me know to come & pick her up? 10:00. I stopped by the Pizzeria & had a slice & tried to make it last as long as I could. 10:20, I had another slice. Finally, at 10:40 I felt my phone vibrate. It was the hospital. "Well," The Doctor said. "It wasn't easy, but we got it done." Apparently, her previous surgery from 20 years ago for Acid Reflux had caused some "challenges" for them. But, even though it had taken longer than anticipated, it was finally done. I could pick up my wife & we could go home. But when I got back to the hospital, she still hadn't been moved to the Recovery Ward. What's going on? About an hour later, I'm let up to see her in a room that felt entirely too small & too hot. I looked into her exhausted face & when she opened her eyes, we both felt it. That mutual spark of joy we bring to each other. "Hi Honey," she said in a weakened tone. She HAD been through something. But it was finally done. Her Surgeon soon arrived & filled me in on the particulars. Because it had been a "complicated surgery" They would have her stay overnight for observation. Great. I have to go home without my wife. I stay with her till the evening & I go home around 8pm. I call a taxi & indulge in McD's Drive through on the way home. I wake up in the unfamiliar position of not having my Nancy beside me. I don't like it. I get up & get dressed first thing. I can't wait to pick her up & take her home. I call the taxi & return to the hospital & grab a Starbucks, conveniently located in the main lobby. I get upstairs & there she is. Looking much chipper than yesterday. She is understandably weak still, so we wait patiently for the doctors to give her the all-clear to go home. Once again, 11am..., 12noon... she ultimately wouldn't be released till 2:30pm. But, she was finally released. We taxi home & I assist her to our suite & I deposit her on the couch. She is still in some discomfort, despite having taken painkillers that morning. We both figured having a good night's sleep should help. The next morning, having barely slept & taking painkillers all night, she is still in pretty rough shape. Still sore & not even able to swallow even a drop of water without experiencing pain. In her recovery plan, it says to expect some "discomfort" immediately following surgery, but I'm beginning to wonder if discomfort includes burning dry pain whenever she even tries to take a breath. Fortunately, I had booked the whole week off work, so I could be home to help her through her recovery. But after 5 days, things don't seem to be getting any better. If anything, in fact, they were getting worse. The Doctor gave us his private number & encouraged us to update him every day, which we did. Despite our relating her situation to him, he dismissed it as being normal. Now I may not be a doctor myself, but I can tell when something's not right. Especially when it comes to my Nancy. By the time came for me to return to work, I was an anxious ball of nerves, as I checked in with her whenever I could, and whenever she wasn't napping to try & deal with the pain, she would tell me of how bad it was getting. Then... SNOWMAGEDDON 2019. It had dumped nearly 20 cm overnight. NOTHING was moving. Even the busses had been grounded. I figured I would get a pass from work due to the situation, but when I called in & pleaded my case, they were so determined to have me show up for work, the president of the company himself drove out to my place in snow chains to drive me to work. I was not only astounded they would do such a thing but genuinely enraged. That they would put such effort into manning their shift, when the rest of the world had pretty much shut down. On this particular morning, Nancy was in more pain than she had ever been in. I really didn't want to leave her to go to work. I explained this to the President, to which he turned a blind ear. So, after an hour's commute which by taxi would ordinarily take about 20 - 30 mins, I am deposited at my site, to which anyone around was astounded there was someone working the shift. Trying to hold my anger at my company at bay, while dealing with all the problems that the snow was causing, & would continue to cause throughout the day, I soon found out that I would be working a double shift because my relief was unable to make it to work? Strange how the president wouldn't also give that person a ride to work... When I finally was able to check in with Nancy at 5pm. She was NOT doing well. She was in so much pain, she couldn't stand it. We both agreed something was VERY wrong & we called the Ambulance. So. Now I have the prospect of working still another 7 hours in the WORST snowstorm I had ever been in. My wife was home waiting for an Ambulance & I'm stuck here. Helpless. I call my boss pleading how I need to leave because my wife was on her way to emergency. After he practically cut me off in mid-sentence with an abrupt "NO. You have to stay till the end of your shift!" I snapped. I couldn't hold back any longer. I BLASTED him, screaming obscenities in a rage-filled tirade telling them how they were a bunch of heartless fucks who only cared about making money & how they didn't give a flying f**k about their employees. I got home just as the Ambulance had arrived. I have no idea by what miracle she was even able to get one as it was a frozen tundra outside. But an ambulance did show up, festooned in chains & 2 saints who would answer the call of duty on this disastrous night. My Nancy was doubled over in pain sitting on the computer chair. So much pain that we had to move her in the chair, into the elevator & down to the lobby as there was no way to get the stretcher upstairs. Not even a stokes could be used. But with the help of some god-sent residents, we are all able to transfer her into the stretcher outside & finally into the Ambulance. To give you an idea of just how bad the snowstorm was, ordinarily we would be no more than 5 minutes max from the Hospital as we lived not even 2 blocks away. But even with chains, the Ambulance struggled through the impassable road & we got to Emergency in about 15 mins. As we unloaded her, the inevitable throng of Crachkeads, Junkies & other Mentally Ill people that clog up our system was crowding the area. But again, we were fortunate enough to be fast-tracked & she was in the ward within the hour. I never spent a more uncomfortable time than when I sat with her there. I stayed as long as I could, but was exhausted & could no longer stay awake & trudged through the snow back home. I really didn't sleep a wink the rest of the night. How could I? My Wife was in Hospital, & I was alone at home for the first time in 5 years & I hated it. I couldn't think straight, I couldn't even eat. I certainly couldn't sleep. In some ways, I was worse off than she was. For the rest of the night, I sat anxiously, wondering if/when I should phone to find out her status. Finally, around 10am the next morning, I called, only to find out she had been transferred to Richmond Hospital. Holy ****. What now? I called the Taxi immediately & raced out to Richmond Hospital. Like everyone in this life, I too have had my share of sadness & sorrow. Even Heartbreak sometimes. I don't know HOW to label the feeling I felt when I got to see Nancy in her own tiny room in ICU. But seeing her there, with all kinds of tubes & wires running in & out of her looking like something from Star Trek. I felt weak. PHYSICALLY weak. Like I was going to pass out. I had never seen my Nancy this way. My mind couldn't process what I was seeing. Quickly, I stepped out. I couldn't hold back. Tears just exploded out. I never knew a person could feel this depth of sorrow. I told myself, Snap out of it man! You've GOT to be strong! If not for your sake, then for HER sake! I don't know how, but I gathered myself together & re-entered her room. Her eyes were closed. The nurse told me she was heavily sedated & that she might not recognize me. But when Nancy weakly opened her eyes & she saw me standing over her, she knew. WE knew. that look of love we share was there. Again, fighting back the urge to bawl my eyes out, I said: "Hi Honey." My hand around hers, she weakly gripped my hand. I closed my eyes & just sat with her while she came in & out of consciousness. I had never felt such sorrow. Such a feeling of helplessness. I stayed as long as I could until it became clear she needed to rest. Taking the Taxi back into town, I stopped by McDonald's & loaded up on comfort food. I didn't care. I needed something, anything to feel better. To at LEAST, not feel what I had felt in that room. I won't even speculate how much money I was throwing away on Taxi rides to & from Richmond & the West End. I only know that with an average of $30.00 per trip, I was rapidly cutting into our bank account. Needless to say, I returned the next day. Although still upsetting to see her this way, it wasn't as shocking as yesterday. I still felt like crying, but I was able to at least put more of a brave face on. Although I knew she knew what I was feeling. I returned again the next day, only to find she had been moved to the Recovery Ward. THANK GOD! The first positive since this whole thing began. This time she was in a bigger room with 3 other patients. When I saw her sleeping in her spot, I quietly as I could pulled up a seat to her bedside & within a minute, she opened her lovely eyes and when I saw how they lit up, I felt like crying all over again. She still had all her tubes, including Breathing in, but now she was able to speak. She was still heavily sedated & communication was difficult, she looked a whole lot better & at this point, this was all I could ask for. I stayed with her until around 8pm, althewhile the Nurses tended to her as I could never imagine. I'd like to mention here just how special these people are. As I write this, we are in the midst of the COVID 19 Pandemic, and living just 2 blocks away from St. Paul's Hospital, we are privileged to be able to not only see & feel the love for the incredible Medical staff, but we are able to lend our small voices to the raucous applause in appreciation every night at 7pm. As nice a gesture as this is, I still don't think it's enough. These people are heroes in every sense of the word. I was already blown away by how well they took of my wife through the entire ordeal, but seeing these brave souls risking their lives each & every night. There is simply no possible way to ever thank them enough. But back to my story. I won't outline each & every visit I made out to Richmond during Nancy's Recovery. Only by the time she was FINALLY released, it had been nearly TWO MONTHS since her initial surgery, which was supposed to be a day surgery with an overnight for observation. During this time, she had undergone a total of 4 surgeries & 2 "procedures" SIX bodily invasive procedures in total. Not the least of which included the placing of a Stent on her stomach, due to a rupture caused by the initial surgery, which would end up causing leaking from her stomach to further complicate things. But today, this was it. She was finally coming home. There was no particular time set for her release.. I didn't care. I was there before noon & as soon as I got there, I packed up all her belongings & sat with her anxiously on the bed, just waiting for the word. 1 pm. No word. 2 pm, 3 pm... she ultimately wouldn't be released until 10 pm. The Taxi Driver was most courteous & helpful in assisting us with our many bags, including a Walker. I held the lobby door as she hobbled in, escorted her to the elevator & when I opened that door to our apartment and she crossed the threshold, an indescribable sense of both joy & relief washed over me. My wife, my Nancy was home! BUT... Our story wasn't over. Not yet. Despite the stent being applied to her leaking stomach and having to carry around what can only be described as a miniature Colostomy bag that more looked like a grenade than anything, her suffering was STILL not over. Along with the awkwardness of carrying around the bag, who's smell is something you have to experience to believe, she now had to contend with not only being able to physically FEEL her stent inside her but the resulting gas, nott o mention involuntary heaving due to her body trying to reject this foreign object would make the next several weeks nothing short of challenging. Imagine having to put up with the urge to throw up, several times a day, but never projecting anything, but waking up in the middle of the night because of it. This, accompanied by substantial gas pains, which also added to her struggle. Yet through it all, she bore it. I could tell just how much pain & discomfort she was in & at some points, wondered if maybe she had been released too early. But somehow, this exceptional woman endured for weeks. To their credit, the Hospital didn't leave her high & dry. She was being checked in on & her doctor had even given her his private number, asking her to text him every 2 days with an update to how she was doing. She even had weekly appointments at the Wound Care specialist, to ensure her leakage bag was functioning properly. Weeks later, her drainage bag was not only NOT slowing, but seemed to be getting WORSE. Bad enough so that once AGAIN, she had to go to Richmond Hospital. Although this time, not only was the procedure successful, but they even removed her stent, which only made sense as she was already there. She has been 1000 % better ever since. She is STILL leaking from her stomach, but there is considerably less now & most importantly, she is pain-free for the first time in months so she can enjoy the rest of this Pandemic Lockdown in peace. BUT... Our story isn't even anywhere NEAR done. It's now March and not only do we have to deal with this Pandemic/Lockdown, Nancy's tube had become dislodged. Another trip to the Doctor. One positive that came from this, was that they decided to not only remove her colostomy bag but to ALSO remove the stent, despite it not being scheduled for a few weeks. With the cursed thing FINALLY removed, she instantly felt %1000 percent better. At LAST. The whole ordeal is finally over. Or was it? Of COURSE not. After her stent was removed, Nancy would get the best news yet. She would have to GO THROUGH THE WHOLE DAMN THING AGAIN! Yes. You read that right. Whatever sport god was having with my Nancy, he STILL wasn't done toying with her. In short, the sleeve around her stomach had come loose, in effect, undoing the entire surgical procedure! I couldn't believe it. My sensory perception can only process so much. Are you f**king KIDDING??? At this point, I'm convinced I'm just having a nightmare. Because there's just no way possible this much bad news can happen to anyone. It's just not humanly conceivable. As I resign myself to this, we follow the plot of this terrible dream who's storyline now plays out that she will have to re-book a new surgery date sometime within a year, so with little choice, I submit my will to my apparent dream-state & can only hope I, that WE wake up soon to escape this nightmare. SO, Why do I tell this story? Simply as a warning to all those who are considering undergoing Gastric Bypass, or any other kind of Bariatric surgery. Granted, this is probably an extreme case in the negatives column, but it DID happen & I ask you to please read this before you make your decision whether Bariatric Surgery is an option for you, or not.
  9. angryspice

    PCOS: What's the Verdict?

    This was one of the reasons I chose to have surgery, along with a host of other potential health problems based on my family history. Weight loss is one of the "treatments" for PCOS, but anyone who has PCOS knows that is a lot easier said than done. My pcp said that the surgery not only helps you reset your metabolism to lose weight but it also fixes a lot of the hormonal issues. Obviously, it's a very complicated thing, but I can honestly say that without the surgery, my chances for losing all the excess weight AND KEEPING IT OFF were very slim. I add emphasis on keeping it off because that is another important factor when trying to control your metabolism and abnormal hormones. Yo-yoing can make these problems worse so it actually gets harder every time you try to lose weight again. My surgeon said he would rather I make my goal 160, which is considered a little overweight for my height, and stay there for the rest of my life than try to get down to a size 0-2 and end up yo-yoing again, even if it's only 20 lbs or so. My nutritionist also informed me that it is possible that I would not lose as much weight as what I read or hear about others who have had the same surgery and that exercise would play an important role in breaking stubborn plateaus as well as maintenance. So you should make sure you find an activity that you like doing and can do it consistently for the rest of your life.
  10. Arabesque

    Beginning BMI 35 or under

    A BMI of 35 tends to be the minimum requirement for many surgeons in Australia at least and a lower BMI with high BP, diabetes, etc. (think my surgeon’s min was 32 with these health complications). I had a starting BMI of 35 as did my friend. I didn’t have any health concerns but my friend had a few minor issues that will be alleviated with weight loss. The decision to have the surgery is yours. It’s not an easy choice and certainly not an easy way to lose weight. It takes a lot of commitment, effort, reflection & lifestyle changes but the benefits are huge. Out if interest, are your friends slim or do they carry weight? Just wondering what might be motivating their comments.
  11. 2Bsmaller18

    Plastic Surgery Cost

    I had a modified TT (no muscle tightening and had some lipo conturing and an extended brachio (incision went from elbow all the way under the bottom of each breast) for 15K. My consults quotes ranged from 12-17K. Check out the real self website for prices and it may give you links to surgeons with a free or a discounted consult in your area. My surgery was more complicated due to prior surgeries/scars so the surgeon I chose proposed a different technique to get the best result. I am so glad I went to several consults because after each one if left me with some thoughts and new questions for the next consult. You probably would not test drive one car and buy it so it's worth the time and $$ to get different opinions.
  12. Hey! Long time no see. I know I was here a lot right before and after surgery asking lots of questions but work got the better of me and I've switched jobs and just haven't had the time. However, I wanted to check back in and let everyone know how I was doing. Recap of my stats below. HW: 353 (measured but I'm sure I was in the 370's before) SW: 327 - Surgery Date 10/22/19 CW: 204 GW: 190? Yup - 123 pounds down since surgery and I'm still losing. My original goal was 210 so I would be overweight and not obese (by BMI) but after doing research and realizing that most people hit a low number and then settle about 10-15 pounds up from that I'm now shooting for 190 or below by my 1 year anniversary so I can hopefully settle long term around 200. I've gone from a 3XL shirt and size 50 pant to a L or M in shirt and size 34 pant as of last week! The pandemic and quarantine has actually helped me - I've taken up running and I've almost got my 5k time under 30 mins! I used to take 30 mins to walk 2 miles (which was still a fast pace). No complications and it seems there's nothing I can't tolerate food wise. I'm back on coffee without issue and dairy and red meats pose no problem. I've had pizza, pasta, rice and more post-op - just in smaller servings and AFTER I eat my protein. Tips? Do your research! I'm amazed at some of the questions - both on here and on a FB group. I swear some gastric sleeve surgeons and groups just herd people in and teach them nothing! Water and protein from day 1 - focus on getting them in. My water intake is around 128 oz daily, sometimes more. It helps a TON. Simple is best - don't over complicate things trying to get protein in. I'm lucky that I don't mind eating the same thing day after day so that's kinda what I plan out. I'm here for any questions anyone may have! Thanks!
  13. Babcocktyler18

    F it I'm going to smoke

    I am going to get sleeved out. And the net is blowing up a bid deal about smokeing and surgery. Were still only talking a 2% death rate and 5% complication rate, I like my odds. And dont want to here it from people giving me a high horse opinion. This is for the somkers info.
  14. a lot of people travel - some even go across the country - or out of the country. There are no plastic surgeons in my area who either specialize in massive weight loss patients or have done a truckload of surgeries on them, and I felt that was important. Supposedly plastic surgery on massive weight loss patients is a complicated subspeciality, so I wanted someone who has does them all the time (or better yet, specializes in it). So I had to go to Chicago for that, which fortunately is only a two-hour drive from here. I was OK with that. I figured if I had some complication after I got home that no local MD wanted to deal with, at least I could drive back down there fairly easily. P.S. those quotes you got were about what I was finding. I was told both here and on another forum to expect about $8K-10K per procedure, with an LBL counting as two procedures (since they do front & back). I found that rung true. That was a couple of years ago, but it sounds like your estimates are in the same ballpark.
  15. Hello everyone, I got my Slimband back in October 2011... I have had complications the whole time... I paid over $27,000 for this procedure hoping it would be the beginning of a new life... well long story short it did NOTHING! I would like to be part of this if it becomes a lawsuit, I still have all my papers.. I am going for a removal of the band July 9, 2020... If your all getting together for lunch sometime, I would love to join and meet everyone
  16. colormehappy

    Thirty-year-old sleevers

    I’m 37 and was sleeved 3 weeks ago. I had a major complication with a GI bleed, but once that was under control my recovery has been smooth sailing. Today I’m about 95% back to normal, just holding off on the lifting. I was tired in the afternoon the first two weeks but that has eased up too. Including my one week pre-op diet I’m down 30 pounds!
  17. Guest

    Alcohol 😳

    soda water..... Oh, and you asked a very open ended question 😋 The soda thing varies from Dr to Dr. I am 10 months out and dink it on occasion with no complications. But, everyone's body is different, I would not drink it until you are a few months out in order to let your body heal.
  18. During the first 5 months, it was a full-time job - and a chore - meeting those protein and water goals for me, too. The first 4.5 months, it generally took 12 to 14 hours per day - and sometimes 16 - to get it all down with those extremely tiny sips. Things improved slightly between months 4 to 5 in terms of volume: at some point I turned a bit of a corner, and it didn't take quite as long to get it all in. Looking back at my notes, I fell short on protein only 4 days during the first 5 months, but most days were such a struggle. As long as you're getting in anywhere from 46-75 for the average female (though a min. of 60 is best during the first 3 months when you're not able to eat much whole food), or 0.8g per kg of your ideal body weight, you'll be just fine. I found it encouraging that in 23 years of WLS, my program has never had a single patient that was protein deficient, even the ones who had severe, ongoing complications. If you Google around, you'll find loads of recipes that incorporate protein powder: pancakes, puddings, soups, bars, balls, oatmeal, etc. Unflavoured powders such as Nectar Medical can be added to virtually any food. One resource that I found especially helpful was the book "Protein Ninja: Power Through Your Day with 100 Recipes that Pack a Protein Punch" by Terry Hope Romero. Most of the recipes in the book incorporate protein powder. You will get through this 😊, even if it doesn't always feel like you will!
  19. PollyEster

    Hello Everyone

    Welcome and congratulations on making such a smart decision about taking control of your health and well-being by having bariatric surgery! What's helpful and what's not in terms of prep (and on an ongoing basis) will depend on your personality type and how you prefer to learn, but what I've found to be most useful and beneficial is staying away from social media for the most part, and instead engaging in a great deal of on- and offline research. I read A LOT of scientific papers and studies prior to surgery (and still do), and was careful to seek out evidence-based information and data on types of surgery, outcomes, complications, expectations, etc. from scientists, obesity specialists, bariatric surgeons, bariatric dieticians, and other medical professionals working in the field. What a lot of quality, realistic thoughts and suggestions you're receiving in reply to your question here! I would add that for me, taking maximum advantage of the first 6 months -- and particularly the first 3 -- after surgery has been *crucial* to my overall loss and success. If you're not hungry after surgery, take full advantage by keeping your calories very low, because the honeymoon phase is finite. Begin entrenching good food habits right now (if you haven't already) and work to sustain the changes over the long term by cutting out processed foods, highly palatable foods, and sugar and instead focusing on eating healthy, whole, nutrient-dense foods once you've passed the fluid stage(s). Start an regular exercise program if you haven't already. Look for ways to keep increasing your NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) and act on them daily as your ability increases over time. Contact your bariatric team immediately with any concerns that may arise around potentially significant physical or psychological issues because social media absolutely cannot help with those. Wishing you all the very best with a successful surgery and recovery, and much ease as you pass through all of the bariatric stages and into your new life 😊 Highly-Palatable-Foods-slides.pdf
  20. Morning! What do you think? (Back story - sleeve 2015, revised to RNY due to GERD and two hernias. Revised 5/27/20, was fine and had a complication. “twisting” and had reflux.... vomiting bile and bowel 🤮 on 6/6. Opened up again 6/8. Lasted 2 days home from hospital and had to be revised 6/17. Moved first revision to mid intestines, surgeon claims. One scare Sunday night. Thinking I had a bad protein shake and vomitted but wasn’t the same Bile reflux.) My abdominal wall is on constant fire. I know it’ll get better. Being opened up 3x in 3-4 weeks isn’t fun! Same incisions too plus a few more. I cannot or don’t want too drink or eat. No desire... I know I have too. Horrible taste in my mouth. D Gross. Shakes are like death this time around. I used to love many different kinds. No way now. Popsicle ice pops repeat on me. Dye related maybe? What to do!? I have to get something in. Water has been an issue for me for years with the sleeve. Now I dont wanna touch it. Gatorade tastes 🤮 Hope everyone is well!!! 🙂
  21. diabloogre

    What complications have you lot had

    I am about 11 weeks out had have had a weird complication so about a week and a half ago I got to where I couldn't pee anymore. I went to the Er with acute urinary retention they said it wasn't because of the surgery and put a cathater in I wore for a week. It was removed last thursday. They asked if I had been constipatied and I was like not really but acutally I really was very constipated. I am one that has never really felt it for some reason. I have started drinking milk of magnesia and its getting easier but still having issues getting it started. The urologist says wearing the cath a week probably weakend my muscles so I am trying to make sure I drink at least 64 oz of water a day, before I was lucky if I was getting in just over 40.
  22. @Groovymommy, sorry you are still feeling crappy. Just keep thinking about the end goal of all this and know it will get better. I am sure with the hernia repair, your body is using EVERY resource to heal and leaving you with no energy. Our bodies are greedy like that. 😜 I start my pre-op liquid diet today for my July 6th surgery. Hoping I can do it without too much misery. I had a very rough week last week including my 76 year old mom sustaining a brain injury and two broken wrists following a fall. She is going to be ok, but her recovery is slow. Then I had some unexpected complications with a dental implant causing swelling and a need for ten days antibiotics. It is always something, right? Last night my husband and I did a full set of measurements and photos of me. I plan to do it again the day before surgery and then every two to four weeks after surgery. Seems like a good way to remind myself why I have put myself through this when the days are not great. I might be looking at the photos a lot this week! Lol A big thanks to all of you leading the way with your surgeries! I appreciate all of the sharing! Sending out positive vibes for recovery and weight loss.
  23. Takoda

    VSG + Hiatal Hernia Repair

    Hi! I had a hiatal hernia with my vsg too. I actually didn’t even know I had the hernia lol! My surgeon discovered it during surgery and repaired it at the same time. No real additional complications. Only difference was she really didn’t want me vomiting due to the hernia repair. I’m about 3 weeks out and so far so good! Good luck to you!!
  24. Darktowerdream

    Obsessing about Plastic Surgery!!

    @GreenTealael I was trying to find your post that you had update surgeries and couldn’t find it. I wanted to say you look absolutely fabulous. How have you been doing these days? it’s a pain but I’ve sorted out the #1 squat and aim situation. I can sit just take a funny position. I suppose it came to my temporary benefit I have a bit of a weird issue in that things don’t go the right direction. The other has always been a bit ummm ... complicated for me. Need to get a squatty potty type stool but taller than the norm. im drained just from a “run” to the toilet to “pish” 🤣 referencing Outlander... Sorry that I will ever off on a tangent ... one benefit we have Netflix on the tv and have been binge watching Outlander. When I’m able. I had read the first book a long time ago. Only stopped because I developed a weird allergy to my favorite of things. Books and paper ... people think I’m nuts when I mention things I’m allergic to. At least there were audio books. I jut never got around to finish reading the series. It’s good but the End of the first season is Brutal. I love Scotland and have always wanted to visit and also now see the Scottish Osprey. @ms.sss I did mean to ask how you are these days on your journey of healing up from surgery. I’m wiped I better stop tiring myself before there’s something I need to do. I’m a bit upset there’s some leaking in a incision, They say it’s normal but soiled the Faja. I will worry every moment if I’m doing things wrong.
  25. Yeah I watched the online seminar video and he said that he does lap band, too. I know that when I started researching surgery options it was the one that turned me off absolutely. The sleeve and RNY sound so much better in reality. When he was listing the complications of all 3, the lap band said stuff like strangulated stomach...and I’m like...Say what now? No thanks! Thanks! Yeah I’m reading that this day and age there are significantly less complications with any bariatric surgery (specifically the sleeve and RNY). When I was a kid, one of my friends mom had “stomach stapling” done, and ultimately it ended up killing her somehow. I don’t remember the details, I was 8 or 9. All I remember is she got super thin and had complications the entire time. But keep in mind this was the late 80s or very early 90s. I am aware that with anything, as time passes we learn more about everything, and the procedures become easier to do and easier to recover from. I’ve had two C-sections, so I’m imaging recovery might be similar in ways, and not in others. My first C-section was pretty miserable after they tried inducing labor for 2.5 days. The second one, I went straight into surgery, no inducing. So recovery was quick with my second. By the 3rd day I was ready to go!

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×