lunadreams

Thank you so much for all the details of what it’s really been like!

Update: I decided to go with the sleeve, after a consultation with my neurologist. She had said that the risks for neuropathy are higher with bypass, and since I already have it and don't want to do anything that could exacerbate it, I just feel more comfortable with the sleeve. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I just got a voicemail from the surgical coordinator to schedule my surgery, so I'm assuming insurance has approved me!

I'm looking at mid-July, and...I know in my head and heart that the sleeve is the right thing and I definitely want to move forward, but am also feeling super anxious about the pre-op diet (I have difficulty choking down Protein Shakes and get queasy without solid food), and even more so, about the recovery and all the long-term changes ahead of me, as well as the whether or not this will be sustainable over time. It's scary to read of stories of people's hunger coming back and regaining weight after all the effort. I just really want this to work.

Any words of wisdom? 😊

Thanks, I know D deficiencies are common, but just worried that I had B12 deficiencies before as a vegetarian that did not respond to supplements...they only normalized after I started eating eggs and fish. Just wondering if I may be more inclined toward deficiencies and may run into a problem if I don't absorb supplements well...

Hi, I'm trying to decide between sleeve and bypass, and I know the Vitamin requirements are more stringent with bypass. Are the Vitamins you need to take after bypass all available in chewable/liquid/small tablets, or do you have to take capsules or large tablets? I can't swallow capsules and struggle with larger tablets.

Also, how common are vitamin deficiencies after bypass? If I've had B & D vitamin deficiencies before (I had a B12 deficiency when I was vegetarian that did not improve with supplements...had to start eating fish and eggs to correct it, and have to take at least 10,000 IU of Vitamin D daily to have normal levels), am I more likely to develop vitamin deficiencies if I get bypass? I'm afraid of the malabsorption if I may not respond as well to supplements...

My endocrinologist told me that people with lower BMIs may be covered, but only if there is a serious medical issue.

Thanks, everyone, for the thoughtful advice! 😊

It seems difficult to get a consensus amongst my doctors (and myself). It seems like they feel either would be appropriate, and that switching to bypass would be a toss-up between a somewhat increased chance of resolving diabetes and losing a little more weight versus an increased risk of long-term complications and Vitamin deficiencies (which I've struggled with in the past). I don't think any of my doctors feel there's a really clear answer, and that's what's making this decision really difficult. 😳

I've been planning to have the sleeve, and have done all the pre-op requirements. If all goes well, I want to do WLS over the summer. I've been planning on the sleeve, as it's what my surgeon recommended for me, but now I'm wondering if I should go for the bypass.

I'm in my late 40s (done having kids, so fertility/pregnancy is not a factor in my decision), have a BMI of just over 35, with PCOS, diabetes, hypertension, and recently diagnosed with small Fiber neuropathy (we're not sure of the cause, though I've read a study showing WLS improves symptoms). When I asked my surgeon why she recommended the sleeve, she said it's because I have relatively less weight to lose, and, although it will require work and being vigilant with diet, she thinks it will be successful for me, and is less invasive and risky, though she also said she would be willing to do the bypass if it's what I want.

My endocrinologist said that the bypass has additional mechanisms by which it can resolve metabolic issues, but she'd suggest asking my surgeon about her rate of complications with bypass. She also said she'd be less inclined to push bypass for me, though, because my diabetes is well-controlled on one medication (A1c is usually between 5.7 to 6.0). My cardiologist strongly advised me to go with the sleeve, because she has a number of patients who were a "hot mess," medically, after bypass.

I want to resolve my cardio-metabolic issues, but the risks of bypass also really concern me. I've never been anemic, but I've been deficient in other Vitamins and have experienced Hair loss and other issues as a result, so I'm concerned I may be at greater risk for deficiencies and other unwanted consequences with the bypass.

I'm not sure how to decide this...help?

Thanks so much...good to be aware of those issues, will definitely discuss. One is an anti-inflammatory that is less corrosive than the NSAIDs that gave me an ulcer, but I’m supposed to take it for another couple of months. I may just have to delay my surgery until I’m done with it.

What do you do for the first couple of weeks after surgery if you have a medication that is supposed to be taken with food?

I’d definitely be open to an LGBTQIA+ forum, here or elsewhere.

What is the rationale for not drinking Water before eating? Isn't water digested quickly on an empty stomach?

Also does this mean you can't even have a small sip or two with meals? Is that permanent?

I just met with the one at my program last week and was also really disappointed. She mostly just asked questions for the insurance and went over the pre-op and post-op diet. She seemed very rote and not at all interested in why I was there or what support I may need.

I'm doing my surgery at one hospital, which requires bloodwork, endoscopy, psych assessment, nutritionist visits, and six months of visits. Because it's not super-convenient for me to get to, I decided to do my endoscopy with a doctor that is in the hospital's network, but closer to where I live. She was really surprised that I didn't need a sleep study, pulmonologist clearance, stress test, and cardiology clearance (and, oddly, repeatedly asked ME why all of this wasn't required, even though I am definitely not the one deciding on what the program's requirements are or knowing what their rationale is?). I imagine, they'll do whatever clearance they need at the pre-op testing once the surgery date is set, like I've had done for other surgeries. But I'm curious if others have had to do sleep studies, go see a pulmonologist, and a cardiologist, prior to the hospital's regular pre-op testing?

She did tell me, after questioning why I was having the surgery because my BMI is borderine (I have other health issues) that I would have to have the endoscopy at the hospital (a different one from where I'm having the surgery) instead of as an outpatient because I'm "pre-bariatric," though someone else I know who saw a different doctor with similar BMI within the same network who was not "pre-bariatric" was able to get it done in the their outpatient center. She told me it was a liability issue. Have others found the same?

I spoke to the surgeon again today. She entered a ton of info into some kind of calculator, and I said I will probably end up around 160 (just an estimate, of course). She said, because of my PCOS, it may go more slowly. I hope I can lose more, but I would be happy with that, if I could maintain it.

I have to go for an endoscopy before surgery, and have my first visit with the GI doc on Monday.. When I was talking with my surgeon today and expressing concern about nausea on the liquid diet, and I shared with her that I tend to get really nauseated in the morning before I eat and at night if I don't have a little something before I lie down, she said it sounded like "classic gastritis" (as well as some GERD).

I wish I'd asked her...does having gastritis and/or GERD rule you out for sleeve, or can it be treated/managed? I really don't want the lap-band, which is the other surgery she suggested for me, and I was hoping to avoid the bypass, as well, because of malabsorption issues.

The soonest appointment the surgeon I consulted with had was about two months out.

5 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I'm not sure if the 50% they quote is after the initial weight loss or if it factors in the 10-20 lb rebound weight a lot of us seem to gain after hitting bottom, although honestly, it's just an average. There are a lot of people who lose more or less than that. If you work hard and are really committed, you could lose more than that - and maybe a lot more than that...

Thank you...that's good to keep in mind.

8 hours ago, Katiebal_Lecter said:

I have PCOS and got bypass 3 months ago. I’m currently 223 pounds, down 32 pounds from my highest weight (255 at 5’9”) and 24 pounds since surgery (247). I believe the slower loss is due to the PCOS. My hunger has been slight to nonexistent, and I’m really hoping the loss picks up, but I worry about being a failure. I don’t feel like I’ve had huge issues with any foods or dairy.

Hopefully, it'll be slow and steady for you. I understand that worry, though...

3 hours ago, Elahnen said:

I am in a very similar situation that you are in. I have pcos and high BP. I am done with my requirements just waiting in a date. I actually just asked the dietician these questions. She told me something I didn’t realize after all these years with PCOS. She said that I should try to be as dairy free as possible bc dairy causes inflammation with pcos. I was drinking Premier Protein shakes and she said stop bc those are dairy based. She recommended a really good plant based Protein Powder to mix with almond milk. Hope this help! Your not alone!

Interesting! I met with the nutritionist yesterday, and she seemed kind of clueless when I asked about plant-based Protein Shakes. I'm not totally dairy-free, but I limit it because it messes up my sinuses.

Curious to know what plant-based Protein Drinks and/or powders you like? I'm a little wary of plant-based powders, because they can be gritty...

Hi, I have PCOS (as well as Type II diabetes and hypertension), with a BMI of just over 35. The surgeon recommended the sleeve for me. I hear some say bypass is better for PCOS, but I don't really want to do that, because of the risks. My fear, though, is not losing weight with the sleeve because of my PCOS, or hunger coming back to the extent that I end up going through all of this, only to gain back whatever weight I lose.

Also, I've heard that most people end up losing 50% of excess weight. Does that mean initially, or after the honeymoon period when many people gain some back?

I'm taking Ozempic for my diabetes. I will speak with my endocrinologist before my surgery, but I'm curious to know if those of you who were taking Ozempic before surgery for diabetes (not for weight loss) continued the Ozempic through/after surgery, or if medications were stopped, or if the injection was replaced by something else? I'm on Ozempic because Metformin caused major Hair loss for me, and I don't want to take it.