NovaLuna

They're likely concerned that since you already have issues with heartburn and thus stomach acid that the VSG would make it worse. Some 30% of people who have VSG end up having acid issue and many end up having to get revisions to a Gastric Bypass. But then the other 70% either have no difference or nothing significant changes. I have acid issues from my EoE so my gastroenterologist was pushing for the Bypass, but it was MY decision in the end and I went for the Loop Duodenal Switch which has a VSG stomach (just with the intestinal malabsorption bit added) and my acid issues hasn't got any worse. In fact, I believe it's slightly better than it was. So just weigh the pro's and con's and choose whatever makes YOU happy because it's your life and YOUR choice in the end because you are the one that will have to live with it. Not your doctor or anyone else.

2 1/2 what exactly? Weeks? Months? Either way you shouldn't be eating salad. Both my nutritionist AND my surgeon said digesting lettuce isn't easy and to wait at LEAST 3 months before eating lettuce and to add something like butter lettuce first which more easily digestible then say... iceburg or romaine. As to the pain... maybe it's air getting in that's causing the discomfort. Air can get in if you're eating too fast or drinking too fast. Either way, definitely get your surgeons input! Hope you can figure out what's causing it and it gets better!

Find out what your insurance requires. Some insurances don't require monitored weight loss, but most do. From 3 months-1 year. Some insurances that don't require the monthly weight loss instead have a percentage you have to lose to be approved (though some of the monitored weight loss insurances have this too). My insurance was different then yours and it required a 6 month monitored weight loss program, but did not have a requirement to lose weight (you just couldn't GAIN weight). You can actually generally ask the insurance coordinator at the bariatric office what your insurance requires if you don't want to call your insurance yourself. After they send the paperwork in to the insurance it takes 2-3 weeks to approve and then they'll give you a surgery date. So really it depends on 1. your insurance, and 2. how long they're scheduled out for (because I got approved at the end of November 2019, but my surgery was scheduled 2 months later on January 23 2020. So my wait from my first bariatric consultation until surgery was 8 months). The time actually goes by pretty fast. Or, at least it did for me. I ended up losing 68 pounds in that 8 month period so... I was productive lol.

Well, I'm confused because they never hospitalize me when my potassium gets low... so that's kind of weird. And I also live in California (technically Central California, but in the portion that's also apart of the Sierra Foothills). I just had blood work last week and my potassium is 3.5 and I'm still at home. Also, it's not the first time my potassium has been like this. It plays the up and down game and every other blood test it comes back low, but is normal with the next one (I'm almost 17 months post op btw). I can't swallow pills so I just try to eat more potassium rich foods like a banana, cucumbers, avocado, spinach, nuts, yogurt, etc. but honestly, they don't seem that concerned about it (likely because the only other issue with my blood work is extremely high B12 that I'm working to try and get down).

I am very sorry you went through a health scare like that. I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been to hear about your kidneys and having to hope they were able to fix things. I hope things get better for you from here on out and that the heat doesn't worsen things.

Oh hun, I'm so sorry that happened to you! I can't imagine how heartbreaking that must be! If you DO decide to eventually try for surgery again, try another doctor. The surgeon you had doesn't sound like someone with good bedside manner nor someone who tried at all to comfort you and seemed to come down on you instead. That's just unacceptable behavior! I know that it's going to be hard to get passed this so I'm going to suggest seeing a therapist. They really do work wonders and it really helps to talk about your worries and about the disappointment and fears. No matter what decision you make from here and out, I hope that things get better for you and I wish you the best.

18 hours ago, Wahinebythesea said:

Vanity sizing. As people have gotten bigger, the manufacturers have dropped the sizes on their clothing without actually changing the measurements (the idea being if you are a size 16 in one brand and a size 12 in the other, you'll buy the size 12 just because you feel better about it).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_sizing

Except it's not. Literally every pair of jeans I've tried on I wear a 12 unless it's skinny jeans, then it's a 14 (except for 1 pair which fits and is a 12). And when I was this weight before I was a 1xl in tops, but that fits like a TENT on me. I wear either a medium or large depending on the shirt. XL and 1x are HUGE on me. The only thing I can think of is maybe when I was this weight before I was more insecure so I bought bigger sizes? But it's been 20 years so my memory is a bit shaky...

Honestly, I don't know how it works. When I was in the 180's last time (when I was 12, almost 22 years ago) I wore a 16 in women's jeans. I'm a 12 in women's jeans at this weight right now. Honestly, I don't know why that is...

2 minutes ago, fitgal2021 said:

Thanks love! I am very strict with my diet, but unfortunately due to the nature of my job and a lack of time I haven't been able to get much exercise in I hope that changes by the end of this month!

Just get what exercise in that you can. I'm partially disabled due to osteoarthritis and two back injuries so I can only get walking in 2-3x a week and that's it. Just do what you can and I'm sure you'll do great!

I, personally, think you're doing great. Everyone loses at a different pace and you started out at a much lower weight than many on this site and yet are losing a good amount. I wouldn't worry so much. Also, those weight loss calculators are all about average statistics. That includes the people who don't follow the diet guidelines as well as the people who do. As long as you stick to the dieting guidelines and get your exercise in then I don't see why you wouldn't be able to meet your goal. I wish you the best on your journey!

I think there are some people on this site who had success with a sleeve to bypass revision. I think it depends on the person. Also, there's also the option of sleeve to duodenal switch... depending on why you're having the revision of course because if it's for GERD then the DS isn't an option. But the sleeve is literally the first part of the DS procedure. It used to be separated into two parts so it's another revision option if your insurance covers it (and you don't have GERD)

When I chose 180 pounds as my goal weight it sounded incredibly unrealistic to me, but that was the weight I knew I would be happy with so that's why I chose it. I was actually surprised when the surgeons office said it was a realistic goal weight and told me I should be able to get there. I'm 16 months post-op now and in a two week stall that has my weight bouncing around 186-189 so once my weight loss picks back up I'm still only less than 10 pounds from my own personal goal weight.

In my own opinion, your goal weight should be where you think you'll be happy at. Where you'll be happy with your body and your weight.

I chose my goal weight because that was the weight I saw myself happy at. I was 13 the last time I was in the 180's (I'm 33 now). I'm currently in the 'overweight' BMI at 29 with my goal only being 1 point lower at 28, but I'm no longer obese or morbidly obese or super morbidly obese like I used to be. I used to be 389 pounds and I've lost more than 200 of that which still blows my mind! I used to be a 32-34 in womens jeans (depending on brand and cut) and now I'm a 12. I used to be a 6xl (34-36) in womens tops and now I'm either a medium (8-10) or large (12-14) depending on the shirt. I'm far happier in my body now then I ever was. Yes, I still want to lose those extra few pounds to get to goal and it'd be amazing if I could even lose a couple pounds past that and get into the 170's, but I'm happy with my weight now for the first time in more than 20 years.

My initial consultation was at the end of May 2019 and my surgery was at the end of January 2020 (January 23rd). So 8 months. It took them about three weeks to approve it after it was submitted, but my surgery was delayed a month due to them being over scheduled in December 2019 and so they shoved me into January lol

I went on a two day road trip with my sister this last weekend. I brought Protein Shakes, yogurt, graham crackers, Protein bars, nuts, banana's, and applesauce for Snacks. We ate out twice and the first time I got a salad that lasted me for both lunch and dinner and the second time (on the way home) we stopped at Red Robin's and I got a chicken sandwich and fries that lasted me for three meals lol (I'm not used to eating bread because of my wheat allergy, but Red Robin's has an allergy friendly menu if you tell them you have an allergy so they can take measure so that you don't get cross contamination on your food and they have gluten free Buns and fries if you ask and I got full after eating only a third of the sandwich and four fries). Admittedly, road trips aren't easy with diet restrictions, but it IS possible to work around them and find things that you can eat.

I would ask your nutritionist. At 4 months out my nutritionist had me on a 600-800 calorie and 60-80 carb diet plan. But every person is different and so is their plan. Also, my weight loss slowed after 3 months. The first three months I lost fast. Then the following three months I averaged 8 pounds a month. The next 5 months following that I averaged 5 pounds a month. My average lately is about 3 pounds a month.

I'm 16 months out now so my diet plan is 900-1200 calories and 80-150 carbs per day (I try to keep my carb intake around 90 and my calories no higher than 1000 (though some days it HAS gone close to 1200). Also, my daily sodium allowance is 1200mg, but I try and get under 900mg because I retain Water like CRAZY!

Mine also went from a 10W to a 9 lol

3 hours ago, laurenantics said:

@novaluna My Consultation was kind of amazing. Mainly because my biggest fear was that I'd have to wait many months - but no, he wants to do late June. He wants me to lose 25 pounds before the surgery in about 5-6 weeks. Immediately my brain went "PROTEIN SHAKES"!! I ran to costco and bought four cases of Protein Shakes. Do you think that I can lose 25 pounds trying to do just a liquid diet of these shakes? I know you're not my doctor, but I was just hoping for your insight.

I lost 15 pounds in two weeks on the liquid diet so it's definitely possible. It's hard, but worth it in the end.

8 hours ago, Peanut120 said:

I am BRAND NEW so please bear with me!

I am 61 years old and 65 lbs overweight -- I have a BMI of 37 (not diabetic but have GERD, high BP and cholesterol, both controlled by meds). I have been overweight ALL of my adult life minus 3 years when I successfully lost 55 lbs on WW -- I kept most of it off for about 2 years. Since then I have gained that plus 10 lbs. I like WW -- I like recording what I eat and enjoy the meetings, but have not been successful since that one time in spite of re-joining eleventy-million times.... (I never got to "lifetime" when I lost the 55 lbs -- I just stopped going after the majority of the weight was gone. So in fairness to WW, I never followed through on their entire program.)

I have a hiatal hernia that now must be fixed by surgery -- I had an internal bleed that made me severely anemic and in the hospital for 5 days. While there I met with a Thoracic surgeon who confirmed I would need surgery -- and she asked me if I would consider Bariatric Surgery at the same time. What? YES! Of course! Let's DO it! And then... I found out about dumping.

I have a SEVERE fear of vomiting -- I literally have thrown up less than 10 times in my 61 years (many times I should have but I fight it -- which just makes me more miserable). I would almost rather die than barf.

I have read everything I can about "dumping" and I find myself asking: why would I do ANYTHING that might increase the risk that I will vomit? Granted, WW is slow and tedious, but I can do so without fear of dumping. Also, the thing that keeps coming through when I read about bariatric surgery is that it is not the SURGERY that makes you lose weight, it is the nutritional program and long term lifestyle changes that make you lose weight.

Anyway, I'm just super scared about dumping and also question having two pretty intense stomach surgeries at the same time. (Heck, I will lose weight from the hernia surgery alone -- maybe use that as a jumping board to really get back into WW?)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated -- and sorry to go on so about WW -- I know this is not a forum about other weight loss programs.

Cheers and thanks,

Peanut120

Dumping Syndrome is generally linked to Gastric Bypass. It's from your food going from your stomach to your small intestines too fast. There is also only something like a 25% chance of you even having it. Gastric Sleeve has far less chances of that happening because your intestines aren't messed with but if you eat too fast then yeah, you'll feel like vomiting. Doesn't mean you will, but you may gag a bit. Also, drinking will cause your stomach to empty faster and could 1. make you hungry faster and 2. cause a dumping episode because you sent the food too fast through your system with the drink. If you DO decide to go the surgery route, you have to decide on whether you want the 25% of getting dumping syndrome with Gastric Bypass or the 30% your GERD will get worse with the Sleeve

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch is the original. SIPS/SADI-S/Loop DS is the new version. The new version was created to mitigate some of the issues with the original i.e the diarrhea issue as well as lessen the malnutrition issue (still higher risk compared to Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, etc, but better statistics than original DS). However, the downside is you have slightly less calorie and fat malabsorption, statistically slightly less weight loss, and there isn't enough long term data to tell how patients are doing 10-20 years post-op, but that data is available for the original DS. However, statistically SIPS still has a higher weight loss percentage then Gastric Bypass even if it doesn't beat out the original DS. In the end it comes down to 1. if your surgeon even performs the SIPS version of the surgery (which is actually easier for them to perform then the original) 2. if your insurance even covers the SIPS surgery because some insurances consider it 'experimental' due to the lack of long term data and 3. which surgery you actually want. I chose the SIPS/SADI-S/Loop Duodenal Switch for myself because I didn't fancy having to deal with diarrhea all the time. Didn't expect that I'd have to deal with Constipation issues at times and my system trying to empty itself at others (at least twice a week my stomach is like "ohhh you're going to be in the bathroom for a WHILE" and I literally empty everything out. Diarrhea still happens on those days. TMI, sorry, but I thought you'd want to know all the nitty gritty stuff to help make your choice). Also, there is something like a 3% you will develop either Celiac Disease or a Wheat allergy. That's for any malabsorbative surgery (DS, SIPS, or Gastric Bypass) and they don't TELL you that. I developed a wheat allergy. I was tested for it after I had classic symptoms of dumping syndrome after I was TOLD that wasn't possible. I tested positive for a wheat allergy. Anyway, it's unlikely it'll happen to you, but I tell people because a 3% chance means 3 out of every 100 people so it's worth mentioning and I'm irritated that they DIDN'T mention it! I still would have had the surgery, but I would have like to KNOW! Also, they didn't tell me that it's possible to vomit old blood after the surgery. Again, doesn't happen to everyone, but it happened to me and scared the SH*T out of me! I was still in the hospital and panicked and the nurse came in took one look at the blood in the bag and was like "It's old blood. You're fine." and then walked out. Like WTF?!

Anyway, I'm almost 16 months post-op with the SIPS so if you do decide to go that route feel free to ask me any questions about my own experience and I'll do my best to answer. Hope things go well for you at your appointment!

On 5/12/2021 at 5:07 PM, Crisscat said:

Thanks so much for responding. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me your stories.

What was the final straw for you to finally make that move to go to a surgeon?

Did something happen or were you just fed up with being overweight and just decided to go through with it?

I guess I just have reservations about doing it. I know a few people who had the gastric bypass.

One is gaining his weight back 3 yrs in and the other a female seems to have put alittle bit of her weight back but she has had ALOT of Hair loss. She also had skin removal not long after her weight loss. Both seem deficient in Vitamins etc.

I just dont want to go through all this and ultimately end up gaining it back. Id like to think that I could say on target and make a change in my eating habits and the types of food I eat but seeing others starting to put the weight back on makes me second guess doing it.

I've been battling my weight since I was 6 years old. I've been big for as far back as I can remember. I did just about every diet there was and not a single one worked. Eventually I just gave up. I had looked briefly into WLS in my 20's but I didn't think I'd be able to change my eating habits so drastically. I didn't think I had that kind of willpower. Plus, potential complications scared me and the permanence scared me. So I stopped looking into it.

When I was 21 in May of 2009 my eldest niece was born. I was still in pretty good health despite being over 300 pounds. So I didn't really have the determination to go through with WLS. However, when her sister was born in February 2019 my health was very bad. I was 389 pounds, I have two permanent back injuries (one caused by my osteoarthritis), high blood pressure, tachycardia, hypothyroidism, the aforementioned osteoarthritis, I was pre-diabetic, have EoE (an autoimmune disorder), and I'd had brain surgery in May 2017 for my trigeminal neuralgia. When I held my new niece I was hit with the realization that if something didn't change, if I didn't find a way to get myself healthier and lose weight, then I likely wouldn't be around to watch her grow up. I cried, because watching my eldest niece grow up has been my greatest joy. It broke my heart that I may not be around to watch her sister grow up.

That made things more real for me, I suppose. It pushed me into making that change and taking it seriously. I was referred to a bariatric surgeon and had to do a 6 months of monitored weigh-in's per my insurance. I didn't actually have to LOSE weight. I was just told not to GAIN weight. But, I took the initiative to try and make myself as successful as possible by using that time to prepare myself for a new way of eating. I used the first month to cut out seconds and cut my portion sizes down. The second month I cut out soda. The third month I cut out rice. The fourth month I cut out Pasta. The fifth month I cut out bread. The six month I cut out potatoes and Beans. The last two months before my surgery (they were overscheduled and pushed me back) I just maintained that diet and on my surgery date I was 321 pounds, meaning I'd lost 68 pounds on my own. I'm still very proud of myself for that.

For me, the final push was my family. My family is my strength. They are what pulled me through the absolute worst time in my life (August 2016-May2017 when I had a 10 month TN flare that led to my brain surgery) when I KNOW I would have given up without them.

Since my weight loss surgery? I have a new niece (from my brother and his wife) and my first and only nephew (from my sister and her husband). Now that I've lost over 200 pounds I don't worry so much that I won't be there to watch them grow up. And when I see my 2 year old niece light up when she see's me I know I made the right choice, the best choice, to have this surgery because now I get to watch her and her brother grow up just like I've got to watch her 12 year old sister grow up and just as I'll get to see her cousins grow up.

Everyone has a different reason for why they do this. Sometimes it's for family, like myself. And sometimes it's personal. Every person who goes through this has a different journey, different experiences, and a different story to tell. And I wish you the very best on your own journey.

I don't remember when I started eating oatmeal either. I think maybe I was 5 months out, but don't really remember. Just check with your dieting guidelines for your surgeon to find out when it's okay to add it. They might be fine with you adding it now, or they might not, so it's always best to check. I haven't had oatmeal in a few months (two or three) now as I'm addicted to Protein waffles and pancakes right now lol. They're wheat free so I can eat them! (I have a wheat allergy so it's hard to find foods without wheat since flour tends to be wheat based unless it's a specialty flour like gluten free or almond or coconut flour).

3 hours ago, Crisscat said:

Greeting 🙂 I am new to this forum and have alot of questions I suppose as many of you probably did when you were just starting out. I am morbidly obese (I hate that description even tho its true) it just sounds awful and degrading. Anyway, I have had a weight problem for years. I just never addressed it I guess, well now is the time to do that.

My questions Id like to pose is:

how many people who have had the gastric sleeve have experienced long term complications from it and how long has it been post op? And what were they?

Did the benefits far outweigh the complications in your opinion?

If you had it to do all over again would you elect to have the sleeve or would you have picked gastric bypass instead?

Being a gastric sleeve patient what would you say to me knowing that I am 52 yrs old and have a BMI of 58. What sort of things would you suggest or tell me about gastric sleeve surgery? (tid bit of information about me. I have no known illnesses or problems outside of obesity. I am borderline high blood pressure but not on any medication. I am borderline type 2 diabetes no medications but have blood sugars between 130-155 usually)

Your thoughts, answers to questions, and opinions would be much appreciated because I have not scheduled to see anyone yet about bariatric surgery but I am hoping to soon.

Technically I didn't have the gastric sleeve surgery as I had the Loop DS/ SADI-S/SIPS surgery instead, BUT my surgery INVOLVES a gastric sleeve stomach. It just has the added intestinal bypass bit. I don't know if that counts for what you want to know though lol. But I'll answer anyway about my own WLS experience.

I'm 15 months out. I had only one complication. That complication? I developed a wheat allergy. Any surgery with the malabsorption bit has something like a 3% chance of developing either a wheat allergy or Celiac Disease. I just happened to be one of the unlucky ones, but the bright side of it is that it keeps me on track because I can't eat 95% of the foods I used to love now due to the allergy lol. If I had to do it all over again I'd either stick with the surgery I chose or go with the old fashioned DS (but only because I really hate Constipation issues and with the old DS you have the opposite problem, which is a problem in itself I guess lol).

I was told the best WLS options to help with diabetes or pre-diabetes are ones that have malabsorption. And those are the ones that involve the intestinal bit (this was what my surgeon told me, btw because diabetes runs in my family). Those surgeries are Gastric Bypass, Duodenal Switch (DS), or Loop Duodenal Switch (SADI-S/SIPS). When I first went in for my surgery consult in May 2019 in which I'd had my mind set on the Gastric Sleeve I was told that since I had a BMI above 50 (it was almost 61 at the time) I was in the highest class of obesity and classified as 'super morbidly obese' (I cried). They recommended the DS or Loop DS to me because statistically they have the highest weight loss percentage and because I'm partially disabled (due to back injuries and osteoarthritis) I needed to really rely on average statistics (if you're not disabled and can exercise and follow your surgical and dieting guidelines then you can by all means surpass the average so don't get stuck on statistics if you don't have those issues). However, I also bounced around with whether I wanted that or Gastric Bypass due to potential GERD issues with the Loop DS because of the sleeved stomach (my gastroenterologist wanted me to do the GB lol while the surgeon was pushing for the DS or Loop DS). I ended up choosing the Loop DS after months of going back and forth between that and the Gastric Bypass. I had high blood pressure before my surgery and because mine is genetic (literally my sister is the only adult in our family who doesn't have it) I still have it. I was TOLD if my high blood pressure is genetic then the surgery likely wouldn't help it. It did improve it though. I used to take my BP meds every other day, but now I take them every three days and my blood pressure has been perfect with that.

In the end the choice of what surgery you choose is very much your own. Do your research. Weigh the pro's and con's. Ask the surgeon questions. If you actually go to the office and SEE people (damn Covid may make it so you don't see people) ask if they've had surgery and ask them about their experiences (I did). Just choose whatever surgery you feel comfortable with. Every surgery has their ups and downs and everyone's experience is different.

Also, congrats on the start of your journey and I wish you the best! You can do it!

I was excited about my surgery so I told literally everyone lol.

My sister's grandmother (we have different dads) passed away due to the emergency people not knowing she'd had gastric bypass and when she was intubated they went through her stomach and she was on blood thinners, so she died. Because of this I ALWAYS wear either a medical alert necklace or medical alert Bracelet when I leave the house. I don't wear one at home because everyone I live with knows about my surgery so if something happens they'd be able to tell those who need to know. I, personally, think people have the right to keep quiet about their surgery, but believe they should always have a medical alert necklace or bracelet so that if something happens then at least the medical emergency people would know. I'm paranoid like that because of what happened to my sister's grandma.

It sometimes helps to share your worries with someone who'll listen and give advice, so definitely make that appointment with the psychiatrist because if you feel like you need to then chances are that you do.

I put off my surgery for many of the same reasons you listed. I'm 15 months out and wish I had done it sooner. Admittedly, I did develop a wheat allergy after my surgery but there is literally only something like a 3% chance of developing a wheat allergy or Celiac Disease so don't worry about it happening to you because chances are you'll be fine. Plus, I've gotten used to eating wheat free which generally consists of gluten free options (gluten is from wheat, rye, barley, and... some other grain, I forget lol. Most foods have wheat due to most flours being wheat based). I even found some restaurants that have gluten free options on their menus.

In case of the foods you'll miss for most things you can just find substitutes. For example: Cauliflower rice instead of rice. The texture is different, but it takes on the flavor of what you add, be it herbs or sauces. Just keep in mind it has a lot more moisture in it so some recipes that have rice in them have to be altered slightly. For Pasta, I eat chickpea pasta noodles which are found in the pasta aisle. They have the added benefit of having high Protein. Also lower carbs (not a TON lower, but much lower than regular pasta). For ice cream you can substitute Carb Smart or No Sugar Added ice cream by Breyers. It's 70-160 calories, 16-23 carbs, 4-9g of sugar per 1/2-2/3 cup depending on flavors (I have No Sugar Added Salted Caramel Swirl in my freezer. It has 120 calories, 21 carbs, and 5g of sugar per 2/3 cup. I only eat 1/3 cup so it's 60 calories, 10.5 carbs, and 2.5g of sugar every serving I eat.). So you won't forever have everything beyond you. You can substitute or eventually eat some of the foods you love in moderation.

You're likely in a stall. They happen and typically last between 1-3 weeks (I've had few that lasted longer though and the longest was 30 days, but in the week following that stall I lost 6 pounds so... it sometimes makes up for it). Everyone loses at their own pace. Stalls happen. Some people deal with them more than others (I'm one of those who has gotten them CONSTANTLY though my whole journey starting in month 3). You can try and adjust what you're eating to see if something different will work. For me, what broke me out of my 30 day stall (which ended just over a week ago) I cut my sodium down. By a LOT. And it worked.

Body dysmorphia really sucks, but it's something many of us deal with after rapid weight loss. I still have issues with it myself and tend to see someone much bigger than I actually am when I look in the mirror. I have been surprised though when I see pictures of myself and I'm always asking "is that really me" because in the pictures I look much smaller than I see myself when I look in the mirror. I'm sorry that you're dealing with relative like that! My own have been incredibly supportive through the whole process. Even the ones that are overweight have been surprisingly supportive (I didn't expect that).