UnderTheCaliSun

I don't think it smacks of mistrust at all. I think it shows an educated, thoughtfulness with regards to a patients decision for surgery. I didn't ask before hand because I didn't know there were different lenghts but length of bypass is an important consideration and choice. My surgeon spoke openly about it with my husband so that we would know what exactly was done during the surgery. I have no doubt he would have been open to the discussion before hand if I had thought to ask. I would not use a surgeon that was offended by the question. There are numerous good surgeons out there and as a patient, I'm letting them cut into my body and rearrange my guts so I better be able to ask specifics and not have a surgeon take it personally. It is a medical procedure, there should be nothing to hide. Having a bypass is a big decision. I say ask and discuss with your surgeon all you want. Most surgeons don't have a hard set length and will discuss the positives and negatives with their patients of the different length options. If they won't, find a surgeon who will.

I drink a Protein2o every afternoon. I love the grape flavor, especially cold. I also have some Clear and it has a bit of the whey after taste in it for me but I like the tropical punch one. I can't drink the Isopure at all.

I'm super frustrated. I lost 20 lbs the first 3 weeks and have been at a stall for the past 2.5 weeks. I lose a pound, gain a pound etc... keeping me between 232 and 234. I get my water in but it is hard since my doc said to increase it from 64 oz to 89 oz. That's a lot of fluid in between meals. I seem to have stalled since I introduced soft foods. I seem to only lose when on a liquid diet. I am trying to stay in Ketosis because that does seem to help so no carbs or low carbs. I am also avoiding sugar. I eat eggs, tuna, ground beef, soft chicken, salmon and protein shakes. Now, my doc wants me to increase calories but I don't see how that is going to help. I only lose on the days I go back to liquid. I'm discouraged that I went thru all this to only lose 20 lbs by straight liquid diet. I could have done that without surgery.

My bypass length was 7 feet. We did not discuss length prior but I trust my surgeon. Yes, the MGB does have a longer bypass length than GBP because there is only one connection.

So I have officially hit my Week 3 stall. I was losing about a pound a day and the last 5 days, nothing, nada, zilch... How do I break thru the dreaded week 3 stall? I'm still on pureed foods. I get in more than my daily amount of water. I meet my protein standards and take my vitamins. What else can I do?

You will definitely be taken care of. Remember to pack very light for travel. You can't lift anything more than 20 lbs after surgery so you will want to make sure your luggage is easily transported without lifting and use flight attendants to put things in the overhead for you. Make sure you walk a lot in the hospital and hotel day so that you are ready for the walking at the airport going home. Best of luck, you won't regret it. It was the best decision for me and I would make it again!

You will love Dr. Illan. He is really amazing and so very nice!

I had surgery in Mexico. In theory, I follow up online or by phone but I'm not good at that and it is just as easy to use my local doctor. My primary doctor is the one I see at 10 days post surgery and every 3 months to run vitamin levels and labs. That's all I need. My Mexico doctor and nutritionist sent home the post-op diet and I just follow it and email or call with questions. Plus there is loads of info online to help. I don't know why I would need to follow up with a bariatric doc here in the states unless there was a complication my primary doc couldn't handle. Hopefully, that won't happen!

FluffyChix, you inspire me! I'm only 7 days out from a mini-bypass but my favorite foods are salads, veggies and meat. Your recipes and journey give me hope that at some point I will be able to eat these things again! Thank you!

I'm a newbie and so happy to see these responses. I had a mini-bypass on 4/27 with Dr. Illan. I can drink as much as I want, hot or cold and any kind of fluid. I can gulp too. It freaks me out how fast I can drink something so I purposefully take it slow. I easily get in 80oz+ a day in fluid. My incisions and drain have healed nicely. I only have a bit itching and tugging if I twist too fast. I stopped pain meds in the hospital because I don't like taking them and they make me sick. I've been drinking clear proteins and bone broth to get in my recommended 40+ grams this week. I'm only taking in about 300 calories a day though. I gained weight after surgery but have slowly started losing it now. I'm really scared to try full liquids. I'm worried about lactose tolerance because I love the Premier Proteins and I'm terrified of dumping.

I would get them all fixed at once. I just had a mini-bypass with Dr. Illan and he also fixed a hiatal hernia at the same time. I've already had my gallbladder out so that wasn't an issue but it would be so simple to remove it too during the procedure. I'd just ask.