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Usually they say to boost your metabolism you should exercise more, weight train, sleep more, eat more protein, drink more water, drink green tea, eat spicy food, eat regularly & don’t skip meals. You likely still are drinking lots of water & getting in lots of protein. I’ve been drinking green tea for 20 years - never helped me lose weight. 🤷🏻‍♀️ You can’t exercise but can you do some upper body weights or resistance band exercises? You could do these sitting down so no strain on your hip or knee. Spicy food would stir up your gerd so that’s a no - it certainly stirs up my reflux. I try to keep my metabolism burning by eating regularly( meals & snacks) which I never did before (was a big meal skipper). I don’t exercise as such just do stretches & use some resistance bands but it all helps. What is it about bypass that specifically concerns you? Maybe some with bypass will share their experiences & alleviate some of your worries about it. Your Gerd does seems quite severe & has already done damage I would think eradicating it would be a good reason to try a bypass. But that’s my thinking.

Wow, very noticeable difference!! Nicely done and I hope you find that visual progress encouraging! 😁 A few thoughts- 1) you've just passed a month since major surgery and your body is working hard to recovery, repair and get you back out there to your active life 🤗 I'm just a couple weeks from my bypass and working on talking to myself/honoring my body, sometimes with humor 😅 but acknowledging "my body is amazing, and strong, look how well I'm recovering", stuff like that. 2) your food plan looks good to me 3) while you can't actually build brand new muscle without being in a calorie surplus, I wouldn't be surprised if getting back to working out after a lull could cause some micro tissue tears and some water retention 4) need new scale batteries? Lastly, I don't know if you'd have access to one somewhere, but a BodPod uses air displacement (something like that) to accurately measure fat vs non-fat. It was so enlightening to me to see that pre -surgery, I legitimately could burn 3000 cals on an active day, even at 5'4 😅 because of my build. Anyhow, I just needed to know that, so when the scale wasn't moving I could say "science!!" If I'm eating 500 cals and burning even just 2000, I will eventually see it on the scale or tape measure. The body is just going to process weight loss and healing in its own sweet time. All that to say, it must really be disheartening to not see the numbers change after all your hard work and I hope you find some answers. Maybe for now frame your loss since Christmas or New Year's, because you've lost so much! Good luck to you!

Hello, I just had my fistula surgery on 3/13 like you, my original surgery was in 2007. I did awesome for the first 5 years then I started gaining. I just figured I was a failure and accepted it. Fast forward 2022, I have a 9 cm umbilical hernia. Went to UPMC and they told me they wouldn't repair it and go back to where I got the bypass. I went and through all the testing and that's how they found my 2.5 cm fistula. Lot of drama with the insurance company and I ended up having to pay out of my pocket. When I woke up from surgery, I found out it was a bigger mess than they expected. They had to remove a bunch of adhesions, I actually had 2 fistula, my stoma at the bottom of my pouch was completely closed and that part of my intestines were attached to my remnant stomach. Essentially it was like I never had the bypass. They had to remove part of my pouch and intestines and remove almost all of my remnant stomach. Sent from my SM-G973U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi and welcome. I know it is scary to read the negative, but there are so many positives! I have knee issues, a torn meniscus to be exact. I have lost almost 100 pounds since I started this journey and now rarely have pain in my knee, to the point that I do not need the surgery. My numbers on my blood work are great, I have energy and over all just feel better. Are there times its a pain to eat a certain way, yes. Could I need a revision for an issue later, yes. Do I have to take fiber religiously, yes... But then I remember all the positives I mentioned above and its not an issue anymore. If you think there's no other choice, and this is needed, do it. It's been life changing in all the best ways possible. I would do it again in a heart beat.

Hi Mark, welcome. I noticed that you’re willing to treat other side effects of your weight with medications & tools - CPAP machine, meds for the high blood pressure, and knee surgery for the worn out knees… But you hesitate with GERD and constipation, both of which can be corrected with medications alone (over the counter options as well as prescription). Having the surgery could even correct your high blood pressure and sleep apnea, which would remove those issues from the list. Not to mention, weight loss in the long term is desirable for knee replacement. This leads me to ask, what are you actually scared of? Weight loss surgery is an extremely effective procedure for long term results, and the RNY gastric bypass is highly effective in treating or preventing GERD. I’m so glad you’re here, because there is a lot to learn and reconcile with when it comes to weight in our society. At the end of the day, getting to a healthy weight and keeping it off is what everyone here is working toward. You will never be alone in this if you choose to move ahead. Best of luck to you!

Hello, thank you for your feedback. I am 5ft 5in. I've considered a revision to bypass. I'm very concerned with the side effects afterwards. I have the Gerd under control for the most part. I stay a way from things that trigger horrible symptoms. I aspirated 3 years ago due to Gerd & almost died from pneumonia. I now have 2 spots on my right lung due to Gerd. They did the upper GI test 4 years & when I eat the food creeps up slowly than goes back down. I eat slowly anyway thank goodness. I don't have dumping syndrome. Do you have any tips on getting my metabolism to work? I can't exercise due to my chronic pain, mobility and balance issues. My left hip & knee is bone on bone. I use a cane to ambulate and can't stand more than 5 min without severe pain. I've been suffering since 45 & things have gotten worse the last 2 years. Now I'm 49 with no quality of life.

So sorry you are experiencing this. I think you need to find another bariatric surgeon & discuss your options. A revision to bypass will help you lose more weight (maybe not a lot but some) so yiu can look into knee replacement surgery in the future & it certainly will help with your gerd. You can not survive on shakes & protein bars. Besides not getting the nutrients your body needs to function effectively, the low calorie diet will be slowing your metabolism down more. You did lose 100lbs. That’s almost a third of yourself. That’s something to celebrate. Remember the average weight loss is about 65% of the weight you have to lose to put you in a healthier weight range. So, not knowing your height or what would be your healthier weight, I’d expect you may have been pretty close to that statistic. So your stall, which are very common & can occur many times, may have been you reaching your new weight set point & stabilising. I find it ironic that your surgeon complained your sleeve was too big. I mean they did the surgery so if the sleeve is too big that’s on them not you.

Just found these two articles about iron malabsorption you may find interesting. Basically it’s more common with bypass than sleeve & with post menopausal woman. Also said one possibility as to the cause is your reduced diet after surgery while you are losing. To absorb iron you need a range of nutrients which you may not be getting. You are eating much smaller portions & many struggle with beef which is considered an easy source of iron. Worth a conversation with your surgeon & the experience of their previous patients & whether it will be a permanent issue for you https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/r/risks-of-bariatric-surgery-anemia.html https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/iron-deficiency-after-gastric-bypass-surgery

I'm working on requirements for revision from sleeve to duodenal switch due to regain. Hopefully this will be better. More nervous about this one then I was about the sleeve. Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi I had a gastric bypass just over 10 years ago. I did fantastic and lost over half my initial starting weight. I have kept most of it off but 2stone is creeping back on and I am scared I do not want to go back to that place. Has anyone else had this challenge and what have you done to get back on track ?

I have completed all my classes, I see the surgeon on Thursday (3/23) then I am told my surgery will be 5-6 weeks out from there, I keep going back and forth on which one to have, Bypass or Sleeve. I have Gerd bad, and its been getting worse, and I am morbidly over weight and need to loose like over 150lbs, so the bypass was recommended, but I hear and have been reading so many stories about dumping and not being able to eat a lot of certain foods anymore and I am not sure I want to live like that the rest of my life. I am a very picky eater all ready and i am worried the things i do like I wont be able to eat at all and then what??? Maybe I am just thinking to much into this, I just don't know but I need to decide in 3 days!!

I think it is normal to feel scared and worried. Try to relax and occupy yourself with things that you like and hopefully that will take your mind off the surgery. I had my surgery (mini gastric bypass) a year ago and thankfully everything went smoothly with no major complications. This was my first surgery so I went in without any prior experience. I watched some videos on YouTube to be prepared tho. They put a cannula in my arm and it was used for the anesthesia and the IVs afterwards. I was on pain killers for the first few days while in the hospital and the pain was generally tolerable. The only discomfort I felt was because of the drains and I felt much better after they were removed on the third day. Good luck and I hope all goes well with you. Think about your health and how you will look like after the WLS. That always helps

How exciting! It's a big, personal decision. I started my process in January of 23' and my surgery is scheduled for April 24th. I decided on bypass because of my preexisting GERD. I, too, am ready to get healthy.

If I could give one piece of advice/lesson learned, it's to push as hard as you can during the first 3 months post-op. That's the "honeymoon" period when weight drops off the fastest. Weight loss progressively slows down each post-op month, and by month 6 has typically slowed dramatically. Most people stop losing 9 to 12 months post-op. So, you have a short window in which to really take advantage of the "magic" of weight loss surgery. Research has shown that weight loss at 3 months post-op is a strong predictor of weight loss success. https://www.sages.org/meetings/annual-meeting/abstracts-archive/weight-loss-at-three-months-post-operatively-predicts-weight-loss-success-at-one-year-for-roux-en-y-gastric-bypass-and-sleeve-gastrectomy/

@Nifer72 thank you for your quick response to your revision update. Wow 8 hours in surgery I’m glad you had an experience surgeon. I go 3/24 im having Gastric Bypass revision using the TOR(e) method it may also be referred to ESG. Keep up your progress.

My revision was a bit more... complicated than most. Due to unforseen issues (basically one anastomosis was not done right), the surgery in March had to be aborted after 3hrs. New surgery was scheduled for June to allow for healing. 2nd surgery, the surgeon discovered another surprise. My common channel was only 25cm and the configuration of my intestines was not the rny configuration. He had to back my common channel to 300cm, cut out a portion of my pouch and small intestines due to necrotic tissue. This surgery took 8hrs! So almost 9months post op, I do have better restriction than I did with my surgery 22 years ago, but I'm absorbing more. I'm down 50lbs so it's been slow going, but I'm still losing. Thanks for asking, Hope you are doing well on your journey.

I agree that you could be building muscle. Measurements might help allay your concerns. I had my bypass 2 days after you. I don't mean this as a criticism at all, but I am wondering how you can eat 4-5 oz of chicken? The most I can get down is 2 boiled eggs, or half a can of chili (200g). In terms of your protein it's a good thing, especially since you are working out so much. Calories probably don't matter too much either, even though i think that's more than a standard serving size. When's your next visit with the nutritionist? I'm curious what they might say? Hang in there!

I had bypass on 2/13, I've always followed the plan very closely. I managed to lose 70 pounds pre-op on the dieticians plans and working out and then 20 pounds on the liquid diet. Since surgery I've only lost 5 pounds. I thought I was doing very well but I guess not? I stick close to the diet plan, though I admit my calories can go over but my main goal has always been to get to my protein goal before anything else. I've been working out 4-5 times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes. I do a lot of strength training because I am into strongwoman stuff, so its been weird staying in the weight restriction. I also hit my water goals alongside my protein goals. I made the mistake of posting this on a facebook support group and.. wow. I don't think I've ever felt worse about myself, there was almost no support and a lot of telling me I'm doing something wrong obviously. A lot of people there were blaming the scant amount of bbq sauce I use or the single string cheese. Most were telling me I'm eating far too much. Others were telling me to stop working out entirely? I don't want to be skinny, I want to be healthy and I want to be strong. Am I eating too much still? When I don't work out I get 600 calories, and when I do its usually more around 800 to be honest. I don't feel like I'm making the wrong decisions. Meal 1: Oikos Triple Zero yogurt to take my meds with. Meal 2: Fairlife elite core protein in my coffee. Meal 3: 3 oz turkey lunch meat 1 oz of cheeze and mustard. Meal 4: 1 String cheese. Meal 5: 4-5 oz of chicken with bbq sauce (its not sugar free, I live in the country and the rural grocery store doesnt stock sugar free and the next closest is over 50 miles away). I'm so confused and heartbroken.

I had the full bypass last month. The pain when I woke up wasn't that bad, for me it was a max of 6 on a scale of 10 and as soon as you tell your nurse you're in pain they're very quick to make you more comfortable. I won't lie, I got an IV. Thats of course to be expected, however it was entirely painless. I literally didn't feel it at all, when it comes time just look the other way and talk to someone or watch tv or look at your phone. Distract yourself and it'll be over in seconds. Even when they put me under, they gave me gas first and I just gently fell asleep. It was all in all not a bad experience, but I understand your anxiety. Its totally normal!

First the average weight loss statistic for sleeve or bypass is about 65% of the weight you have to lose to put you in a healthier range. Of course some lose more & some lose less. Now the why. The surgery will reset your body’s set point. This is the weight your body is happiest at & is easiest to maintain. Your set point could end up higher or lower than you’d prefer. Life. It can throw crap at you & make it more difficult to lose or maintain your weight (stress, emotions). Health conditions & medications. Some meds are notorious for increasing your appetite & causing weight gain & some health conditions limit your ability to lose all the weight you want e.g, restrict mobility. Personal choice. Some feel happier at a higher weight. Or they make food choices that better complement their life & how they want to live their life. Your body reaches a lower weight but resettles a bit heavier. A bounce back regain of 10+/- lbs can occur. And so on. I understand your fear of regaining. I mean we all have a lifetime of experiencing weight loss & the inevitable regain. This is the first time in my life (was almost 54 when I had my surgery) I have ever maintained my weight after losing for longer than a couple of months. The difference is I did not go back to eating in the sane way as I always did. I worked out a way of eating that I’m comfortable with, doesn’t make me feel like I’m missing out or making sacrifices, allows me to live my life as I want, is sustainable (very important) & works for me & my body. I changed my relationship with food. My choices may not work for you or others & some may think it too restrictive. I din consider it a die but just how I eat. I avoid as much sugar, sugar alternatives & artificial sweeteners as I can so no sodas & sweets only a couple of times a year (e.g. Christmas). If I want/need sweet I eat fruit. I prep & cook most of what I eat - mostly lots of whole foods & low processed ingredients. I rarely have takeaway & haven’t had fast food since before my surgery. I keep my carbs lowish & choose whole & multi grains more complex carbs. No bread or similar products pasta or rice (choice & also sit heavily in my tummy). I also chose not to exercise. I didn’t want to have to spend hours in a gym or run or cycle miles every week to maintain my weight. I’m happy with the stretches, resistance band exercises & sit ups I do. (Takes a total of about 25 minutes over a couple of sessions a day & wouldn’t burn 30 calories - LOL!). It works for me & my body seems happy at this weight (set point). I’ve basically maintained my weight since my surgery. Chat with your surgeon about a realistic goal weight after surgery & what you might experience & your dietician about how your future of eating might look. Research & avoid trendy diets - if they worked & were sustainable no one would have weight issues. You may find this video informative. You may find this video informative. Dr John Pilcher has many great videos on a variety of topics. Dr Matt Weiner is very good too.

As @catwoman7 said both surgeries are good & will work to help you lose your weight. And you’ll hear from people who swear one or the other is the best. But remember it was best for them. Do lots of reading including people’s stories & experiences here, ask your surgeon lots of questions & for their recommendation. The decision will come down to your personal health & medical needs & history & your personal choice on how you want to live your life. Both share some similar considerations in regard to dumping & malabsorption, the post surgical recovery & plans (differences are more from surgeons or your specific needs). Dumping & malabsorption are possible with both but a little less common with sleeve - luck of the draw - but both can be managed. I don’t dump but I do have some malabsorption (protein & some meds) but it’s from my lack of gall bladder not my sleeve & I don’t need to take additional vitamins. I was leaning towards a sleeve from my research and after my conversation with my surgeon, who thought it would work best for me, I decided it was for me. I had mild reflux which I managed 99% with dietary choices (still do, it’s different, need meds every day but is manageable). Decided if I needed to (for gerd, extra weight loss help, etc.) I could revise to bypass in the future. I didn’t want to depend on vitamin supplements if I could. I didn’t have any co morbidities. I lost all my weight & more with my sleeve & have maintained (+ 1 kg). All the best whichever surgery you choose.

there's not really a best option. They're both good surgeries and you'll find people on here who've been very successful with both. there are some medical conditions that might make one surgery more appropriate for you than the other (for example, GERD), but if you don't have any of those conditions, it really comes down to personal preference. I chose bypass because I had reflux issues before I had surgery. There's a chance sleeve can make those worse, whereas bypass usually improves or even cures them. So I decided not to risk it and went with bypass. I've been very happy with my bypass and would make the same choice if I had to decide today. But you'll find people who are just as happy with their sleeve. I know it's a hard decision. Even with my reflux issues, I still went back and forth before deciding for sure. P.S. in response to the comment above, malabsorption issues aren't very common as long as you keep on top of your supplements (most sleevers have to take supplements as well - although the consequences aren't as severe if you slack off). Also, about 30% of bypass patients dump, but it can be controlled by limiting the amount of sugar and fat you eat at one sitting. So those issues really didn't affect my decision. For me it came down to my reflux issues - and the fact that at the time I had my surgery almost eight years ago, sleeve was still kind of new, and I was more comfortable with a surgery that had a lot of history and research behind it. The latter reason wouldn't really apply today because the sleeve has now been around long enough to prove itself, but I personally would have still gone with RNY because I didn't want to take the risk of having my GERD getting worse (it doesn't happen to everyone - and not even to the majority - but I was worried I'd turn out to be one of the unfortunate ones, and I didn't want to go there) I think the suggestion to talk to the surgeon about your lifestyle, etc, is a good one. It might help you make a decision. Good luck, though - I know it's not an easy decision.

I had the sleeve and chose it for these reasons: 1) I don’t have GERD, just occasional acid reflux, 2) the sleeve doesn’t re-route inner plumbing, 3) i have less weight to lose overall, 4) the sleeve has a higher absorption rate which I prefer and 5) I can revise to RNY if the sleeve doesn’t work, fails or causes GERD. This doesn’t mean RNY is bad. My mom had RNY and it worked great for her. She lost over 125lbs and it helped correct her GERD. She also deals with malabsorption issues, had her gallbladder removed last year and struggles with dumping syndrome. All of these are okay with her. To this day, she wouldn’t change her mind. She’s also kept the weight off for over a decade easily. I recommend talking to your doctor about YOUR specific issues/lifestyle and what you’re willing to live with.

I have not yet had surgery (RNY bypass) and am doing all I can to prepare (following dr.s orders, started exercise program). I have been reading the weight loss stories in this forum and notice a wide range of differences in "success." While I understand that if you go back to bad habits you won't meet goal (since the surgery is only one of the many tools we need), I am curious if there are things you have done (or not done) that you think helped you meet your goals. In other words...if I do everything I am supposed to, most of the time (knowing slips happen), is there anything that will prevent me from hitting the goal range my Dr. and I set for myself? I.e., genetics? Not exercising every day or hard enough? I am just so worried that even if I do everything I should that I will fail...once again... Interested in your thoughts (and encouragement!). TIA

I will be having surgery soon and I chose gastric bypass (RNY) because I was just diagnosed with T2 diabetes and the remission rates for T2 are better with RNY than sleeve. Also, I did not want to risk GERD with the sleeve and have to go through a corrective surgery later.