KatieMc

Thank you all so very much for the heads up, will have to let you all know how it goes! The receptionist gave him the phone, I could hear her telling him, "bariatric patient wanting to schedule, can you take the call?" He responded, "Yes, I'll take it!" That to me was personal within itself! Again thank you all so much!

Good luck! My surgery is today and it’s already been a very long journey, but what sticks out most to me is how many people say they wish they had done this sooner.

***BIG RANT***
2.5 months out are you training to compete in something??? or to lose weight???? Did you tell him your workout goals???
Am I reading this correctly?
How many hours a day? Why is he having you workout every day and some of it returning to the gym for 2 to 3 times each day? No rest days? Look into building muscle...It builds on rest days. I would love to see if he is certified. and what type. ACE or ACSM? Your trainer may have worked with other patients. Ask what type of education he has in bariatrics. Majority have none.
https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/make-the-most-of-your-rest-days.html
Only you can gage if what your experiencing is normal DOMS or needs medical attention.
None of us here are medical professionals. I don’t give medical advice. Trust your professionals. Check in with your Dr. for medical issues, dehydration or unusual inflammation. Dehydration is nothing to mess around with.
You are 2.5 months out. We all start out with a lower fitness level and work our way up.
I would caution against upping your calories this early. The last thing you need it to sabotage your weight loss. Talk to your dietician for nutrition advice due to increased work outs. Give them your calorie burn and your workout schedule. They will advise you if you need to change up your diet plan to support your workout, May advise you to seek a different training program.
Many of us here are competitive lifters, power lifters, and endurance sports, I am a distance runner. - If you choose to become an athlete look into a sports medicine dietician -

I think this is such a potentially bad idea. I get when your insurance won’t pay and going to Mexico but to have major surgery knowing you don’t have insurance for follow up care is crazy. What if something goes wrong, even people with the best surgeons and medical care have complications. I 100% get wanting the surgery, but why not wait until you have health insurance so you know you can seek care without going bankrupt. Plus you are way more likely to seek care early because you know you will get billed.

I think it's great that you're preparing ahead of time! There are other media types where you can find information as well like YouTube and Podcasts. I watched a lot of Dr Matthew Weiner videos on YouTube and enjoyed them quite a bit. He also has a book called A Pound of Cure which I haven't read. I'm just now looking at Podcasts to listen to so I can't recommend any. If you are looking for meal ideas on the different post op eating phases Pinterest would be a great place to look.
Good luck on your journey!

First post, be gentle with me...
I spent Saturday reading a ton of stuff in the forums here, and now I can't find something after 3 days of trying on and off...
Someone kindly posted a pic of their doc-provided, very specific exercise guidelines for each of the post-op recovery weeks/periods. It was the most helpful plan I've seen in all my clicking around the internet. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, a re-post of that sheet or a link to the thread it's in would be much appreciated. Thanks!

@Orchids&Dragons - Thank you, I'll make some more calls until I succeed!
@FluffySaysForkIt! - I know of a doctor about 30 miles from me who will see patients who had their surgery elsewhere, but I didn't think to look into hospitals. Thanks!
@Zemi - Thanks for the extensive list. I've had my eye on a couple of those.

@Orchids&Dragons - Thank you, I'll make some more calls until I succeed!
@FluffySaysForkIt! - I know of a doctor about 30 miles from me who will see patients who had their surgery elsewhere, but I didn't think to look into hospitals. Thanks!
@Zemi - Thanks for the extensive list. I've had my eye on a couple of those.

And thank you SublimeLemons f9rvasking the question, you may have helped another person with your questions.

@Orchids&Dragons - Thank you, I'll make some more calls until I succeed!
@FluffySaysForkIt! - I know of a doctor about 30 miles from me who will see patients who had their surgery elsewhere, but I didn't think to look into hospitals. Thanks!
@Zemi - Thanks for the extensive list. I've had my eye on a couple of those.

I live a ways away from my surgeon, though not Mexico far by any means!
As far as post-op surgical support -one thing I have done is figure out, God forbid, where I would go hospital wise if there is a true emergency issue that would keep me from making the long trip back to my surgeon's hospital.
I picked a hospital that is close to me and also has a true bariatric program. While any hospital can deal with emergencies, I figure it is better to go where they would have someone familiar with the surgery and complications.
Not likely to need it, but a good back up for a worst case scenario and a best plan B if I do.
Just something to consider as a pre-game plan for you. Congratulations and good luck!

Hi, great job thinking it through as far as extra support to help with all of this. I’m trying to find some additional people as well and finding it hard finding those with bariatric surgery experience; finding online dieticians and other support might be good. i hope things go well with this new therapist

Some of the books i’m reading include:
The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve: Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
by Alex Brecher

The Emotional First + Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery
by Cynthia L. Alexander (seems helpful for what i wanted so far)

The Weight Loss Surgery Coping Companion: A Practical Guide for Coping with Post-Surgery Emotions
by Tanie Miller Kabala

Your Complete Guide to Nutrition for Weight Loss Surgery
by Sally Johnston

I'm scheduled for the sleeve on July 2. My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery, so while I didn't have to jump through approval hoops, I get the bonus stress of having it done in Mexico. Actually the only real point of stress for me there is flying 5 hours home 3 days after surgery.

My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery, so I've decided to get it done in Mexico. That's not the "wrong" part though, believe it or not.
I do feel there is value to the pre-op hoops you jump through to get approved and other preparatory and follow-up work that I'm worried I'm not even aware of. Like everyone else here, I want the best possible chance at success and I feel like I'm already behind the curve. Here's where I stand with my own attempts to get the right support network in place:
DIETITIAN - Do I need one after surgery? I'm not currently seeing one, but I used the services of an RD for 2 years, 2006-2008, so I've got all the knowledge regarding portions, balance, nutrient density, etc. I tried to find one, both locally and remotely, but the bariatric specialist RDs are all affiliated with surgical centers and only deal with those patients. I will try again if I need one, I just don't know if I do.
THERAPIST - I've tried therapy five times before and never got anywhere. I'm currently getting medication management by a psych nurse, who is on board and has changed my anti-depressant scripts to regular not extended release. Anyway, I'm utterly convinced that this surgery won't succeed without 'head work' and I'm giving it another shot. Unfortunately my first appointment isn't until 2 weeks before my surgery, but at least I'll have it in place for afterwards. He does bariatric psych evaluations for insurance companies, so I'm feeling positive about this choice.
POST-OP SURGICAL SUPPORT - I get follow-up support via phone afterwards. My primary doc where I live is on board with ordering the Vitamin level tests and such afterwards. This is, unfortunately, all I have figured out...I simply don't know what else I need.
BOOKS - I've read Bariatric Mindset Success by Kristin Lloyd, but it didn't really resonate the way I hoped it would
Feel free to recommend a book that takes you through all the steps, or a dietitian who does skype sessions, or even just write a bit about a valuable piece of the puzzle I'm either understimating or missing completely. Thank you.

Everything you learned before won't help you much after surgery, at least until you're quite a way out. In my opinion, you need to (at least) start with a bariatric dietician for a while after surgery. The amount of food that you consume is so restrictive that it will be difficult to get your macros in. Bariatric dieticians know lots of tricks to get the best bang-for-the-buck with the little amount of stomach that you'll have to work with. And, if you have any issues (which you can't predict ahead of time), you'll already have a resource ready to tap.
What you said about a therapist sounds spot-on to me.
Best of luck!

I worked to get my RNY surgery for almost a year. As the date approached, I got more and more nervous. It is a big deal - choosing an elective major surgery. As I was lying on the pre-op bed, I started crying and thinking maybe I should get up and leave. My surgeon came in and assured me that it would be OK and that none of his patients had ever come back regretting the procedure. My PCP previously had told me that if I had been able to do it on my own, I would have by now, Both doctors were right.
This is about the best thing I have ever done for myself. Yes, I had a complication of a blood clot and am still on a blood thinner, but after 70+ pounds gone I feel like a new person. I am doing things I have not done for decades. I wish I had done it sooner in a way, but I really did need to come to a place in my life where I was willing to make the needed lifestyle changes first, and for the right reasons - health. And my commitment needed to be total. My life slogan now is "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" If that means no more sugar, wheat, soda, coffee, alcohol, or processed foods, then so be it. My health is worth more than any of those things.
Yup, my skin is getting saggy - but I am 63 years old, and the collagen just aint what it used to be. But so what? I am happier and healthier and saggy skin is just a badge of the journey. Haven't lost any hair yet, but again, if I do, so what? It will grow back. (have been taking Biotin 10,000 mcg since week 2 and nails are super strong so I hope it will also prevent hair loss). I have so much energy and stamina, my mental health is better, my sleep apnea is nearly gone, asthma improved, no GERD, my back and joints don't hurt anymore, I am not embarrassed in public, and I actually feel cold instead of sweating all the time. What's not to love?
Being scared is normal for a lot of people. It just means you realize the risks. But you will never realize the benefits until you get to the other side. And this is the chance you have to take. If you could have done it on your own, you would have, It is still going to be a lot of work. This is not easy, but WLS is a tool that can give you the jump start you need for health and happiness for the rest of your life.

Forgive my daughter's disgusting room and mirror - I don't have a mirror in my own room (you know how that goes). But I guess I'll be wearing a Medium to Pride this summer when I'm home in Ireland!
I bought this in Old Navy on Black Friday last year knowing I would have the surgery in Feb - I wanted to hedge my bets and get a Large, but my daughter made me get a Medium. I hoped more than believed it would ever fit - but here we are! I could even need a Small by the time Pride rolls around in August - but maybe not with how slowly I lose, LOL.
(I'm not LGBTQ myself, but I am an Ally and my daughters and I take part in pride every year when we are home because equal rights mean so much!) 🏳️‍🌈

I would always see commercials for pillows and stuff where people are trying to get comfortable shoving a pillow between their knees. I'd chuckle to myself and say "who needs pillows between their knees?! That's weird!" Now thin me can't sleep on my side. Why? Because my knees bang together and hurt! I'm totally one of those people now that need some weird fancy pillow to put between my legs!
I also want to carry an inflatable donut around because I lost all my padding and my tailbone hurts sitting on a lot of chairs. Time to start a squat challenge and build up some glutes!
What has surprised you about your new body?

I have had an IUD for like 10 years and never did I gain weight with it

18 months post VSG
~155 lbs, BMI 27
Reflux (GERD) increased in intensity but I'm working on it. Mystery of dumping continues- c'est la vie... Gave up a few foods for a while to see if it helps both. We'll see.
Not many other changes from the prior month. This looks like maintenance for me.

I chose the sleeve because I didn't want to mess with the rearranging of the intestines in RNYGB. The research I read said that the complication rate was lower. Friends that just went ahead with bypass asked me why not just get the 'gold standard' since its reversible and some sleeve patients have to convert to bypass anyway. The way I figured it, I had a less than 5% chance of needing a revision to RNY from GERD. Then if I was that 5% and needed bypass then I would have a 20% chance of any complications from RNY. I didn't want to jump to that 20% complication risk right from the get go.
I didn't care that the sleeve wasn't reversible - why would I want to reverse it? Some people need to have their bypasses reversed because of malnutrition, but because the sleeve isn't malabsorptive the risk of losing TOO much isn't nearly such a problem. There are a lot of surgeries that aren't reversible and no surgery has zero risks involved.
Both surgeries are a TOOL. And your long term success is determined by how you use it when making a lifestyle change in eating habits. Those friends that had their "gold standard" surgery? They follow an everything in moderation diet and some are still working to get to their goal weight. I've eliminated a majority of sweets, breads, rice, potatoes, fried foods from my diet. I've reached my goal and have lost an additional 14 pounds beyond it.

How long after surgery did you wait/were told to wait till you were able to swim in a pool?

Within a TOPS group (I've been a member and Weight Recorder at one for 2 years), there is also KOPS - Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly for those who've reached their goal. I'd say they are pretty awesome at helping with maintenance, great success rate in my group. They offer support in and out of meetings, the entire group is a resource for advice, they run games for dimes and quarters to keep things fun. The average age tends to be quite high, but think of that as a greater wealth of knowledge - they've been on every diet, they've considered WLS. They're more open-minded than you might think.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using BariatricPal mobile app

I ended up switching my Effexor extended release capsules for the tablets. And I take them 3 times a day. Kinda a pain, but it works. Can't take extended release after surgery.

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I dont think 2 weeks ingrain a habit at all. I've stucks to plenty of 1000cal diets before for more than 2 weeks, as I'm sure a lot of us have, and they've never stuck, hence the surgery.
I'm going to try and stick to 1000 calories anyway, I'm presuming I've not been given a pre OP diet because I'm on the lower BMI scale than a lot of people getting surgery but I'd like to feel better prepared