hsalt

Hey December surgery buddies :)
I’m having mine on 1st December! So excited but also nervous. It’s been such a long time coming.
I know the next year will be a challenge but I’m ready for it!
Hope you’re all feeling good about your surgery’s

When I had my first Bariatric doctor visit and decided to do this, I told myself I was not going to say anything about it to my friends. Not close friends but groups of people we hang out with at times. Well, I've been telling a lot of people and I kick myself every time. I just can't shut up about it. Most people look at me like I have 2 heads and go on about how it's extreme and scary and oh "you better be aware that it will change your life a lot". I want to snap back and say, don't you think I know that and don't you think I've done a lot of research on this before I going in to it? Most don't have any clue about it. My fat friends look and feel guilty when I start talking about it, like I'm going to try and talk them in to it.
I guess, I'm just excited and I want to talk about it. Then I get disappointed when I get weird, uneducated, ignorant responses. That's why I love to get on this site. It brings me back to why I'm doing it and how great my life will be and that I'm not alone.

Omg you look AMAZZZZZING!

Heavy Weightlifting completely changes your body!!! I’m 8 years post-op and I incorporate 5-6 days of weightlifting into my routine. I ONLY do about 10 minutes of cardio (10 minute run) each workout day, which in actuality is my warmup before I stretch and lift. I also incorporate hypertrophy (higher rep, lower weight) training into my workouts to help with muscle growth, but the most empowering part is getting strong and hitting new PR’s (personal records).

When I first started lifting, I could not lift too much weight. The lower weight WAS my heavy weight. I would find a weight that I could rep 8-10 times before failure. My squats literally started with the bar (a standard Olympic bar weighs 45 lbs). Now, after 6.5 years of consistent training, I can squat 245 lbs, deadlift 320 lbs, bench 185 lbs, curl the 40 lbs dumbbells. I really wanted to fill up my arms & legs with muscle to lessen that loose skin (which I still have, but not so noticeable), so I worked hard. I researched, read, incorporated. I was—and still am—constantly learning, correcting, and incorporating. I learned how to diet for optimal muscle growth, which optimally includes 1 gram of protein per body weight and complex carbs, and good healthy fats. At first I didn’t know what complex carbs were, so I looked it up?, picked out foods I liked, and incorporated them into my diet. I’m not going to lie, complex carbs are the hardest to consume because of their density (and my sleeve still works when I’m eating the right foods—freak’n sliders!), but I make it work by eating small frequent meals throughout the day (I eat about 6-8 different times, including shakes). I also discovered a supplement drink in powder form called Karbolyn (by EFX Sports) that would help me hit my complex carb macro goal.

Anyway, long story short, when I first lost all my weight, I got down to 140 lbs, and a size 4-6. Now, I weigh between 155-160, and still wear a 6 (the 4’s are too small for my arms because they’ve grown with muscle mass ?????). I’ve literally shred the fat and have added muscle mass. And since 1 lbs of fat takes up way more space than 1 lbs of muscle, I’ve been able to pack on more muscle in the same amount of space. Weightlifting is where it’s at. Man or woman. I’m just trying to inspire women because women tend to fear lifting heavy and fear that they will look manly. I assure you, I do not look like a man. ??

The further out I get, the more I adopt the attitude of Never Say Never.
I have regular crap food in my diet. As I do healthier stuff (i love me some salad). I love food and can thoroughly enjoy eating in my much smaller quantities. Balance and portion control is key for me.
I started eating bread again (the regular, non-keto, full-everything kind WiITH butter) about 2-ish years post op…and surprise, surprise, I didn’t implode. Warm, fresh bread is THE BEST (my Mr. is the bread whisperer lol). Now, I won’t eat 5 slices anymore, I’ll likely just have 3-4 bites (as it is very filling for me), but still. Other than excess sugar, I can enjoy a wide range of foods with no ill effects nor unintended weight gain.
Im 3 years post op and been maintaining my weight consistently at 115-ish since reaching goal almost 2.5 years ago…non-healthy food choices (with portion control) and all. My most recent labs a couple weeks ago showed once again that i am the picture of health.
I do understand that for some folks, some foods are triggers or potential starts of slippery slopes. I guess just know what your boundaries are and strive to stay within them. You may not be perfect, but u can be perfect ENOUGH.
Indefinite denial and avoidance, especially if it causes you angst is a meltdown waiting to happen.
P.S. For those early in the process, for me it helped to tell myself: “Not right now, but maybe later”; or, “This kinda sucks, but it won’t always be so”. Making peace with the fact that nothing is forever helped with accepting my present circumstance.
and who knows? what u really want today may not even be on ur radar tomorrow or next week or next year. And if it is, you can always have it then.
Good Luck! ❤️

I'm having the ESG done 11/23 I'm excited!!!

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On the 3rd

Hi!
I’m scheduled for December 10th. I will be having the sleeve done in Mexico. I have insurance but it does not cover this type of surgery. I too am worried about my future after this procedure but from what I have researched, the sleeve helps control portion sizes and desire to eat as much. I’ve been eating healthier and drinking water and protein shakes in hopes of losing weight before the procedure and getting used to eating better. I’m so tired of yo-yo dieting. I just want to look and feel better. I can’t wait to buy the clothes I want to wear and feel more confident in my own skin. Good luck. I can’t wait to hear how you are doing after December 1st. ☺️

Well I have a date for December set. Hopefully everything goes through with insurance since my nutrition class for December is a little earlier in the month, but otherwise things seem to be on track. Just wondered who else might be a December RNY out there???

I am having the sleeve done on 12/1/2021 and I am very excited! Would love to text with people who will be going through the journey at the same time.

Thought I would give an update here. VSG was done 9/14/2021, today is 11/14/2021.
THE GOOD:
Down 55 lbs from surgery, 64 lbs from the start of the pre-op diet, and 94 lbs from my heaviest weight. Hypertension and asthma diagnoses were officially withdrawn. Hypogonadism is under review. CPAP average setting went from 16 cm H2O to about 7 cm. Have an appointment soon to see if I need it any more. Depression has almost completely been put in remission. Went from 52/34 to 36/34 in the same cut of jeans, and actually need to go see if they have 34/34 at the outlet. Went from 4XL or even 5XL shirts to L or XL (mostly XL). Went from 15EE boots to 12D; my arch has returned, which shocked my surgeon and my PCP. Running and enjoying it for the first time ever. Way too many NSVs to count THE BAD:
Still occasional bouts of constipation which mess up scale results, but then it all, um, resolves and the number on the scale goes WHOOSH. Had to fire my NUT for being a horrible person. Found a new NUT who is amazing and who does the same fitness I do. The extremely restrictive diet (especially under the old NUT's "guidance") caused a massive drop in strength, which did not help at work. It also caused me to stall out. The new NUT increased my intake from 600-800 to 1000-1400 cals a day, and WHOOSH went the scale once again. It actually hurts to sit down because my butt is bony. I'm cold all the freaking time, even when it's objectively-by-any-sane-standard not cold. Needed a chiropractic adjustment because my hips are not used to carrying 25% less of me and were hurting badly. Had to replace expensive work boots because they were giving me blisters. Clothes I can get from the Goodwill and Ross Dress For Less; work boots not so much. THE UGLY:
Eating too fast or even one bite too much means spending the next 30 minutes to an hour in great physical discomfort. It takes time for the full signal to arrive in my brain. Eating lettuce salad was, in hindsight, a really, really bad idea. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Some gnarly skin tags as my fat melts away, and the beginnings of some loose skin. Added in a daily dose of collagen peptides to help. One incision is still quite visible, though it's healed over. Starting to notice a little more hairfall, including head, beard, and chest. Still the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Thank you both so much, this has already helped me.
Smanky, you are right, I do just need to keep my eye on the prize and remember why I’m doing this. I’m doing this for a healthier happier life.
I’m not overly worried about the purée stage and I know all these stages are just a temporary thing which helps.
I think the most part I’m worried about is the socialising with friends.
I think I will take you’re advice catwoman and avoid going out for meals and just meet for teas or coffees. Luckily I am in my final year of nursing school next year so I won’t be able to see my friends as much as I usually would anyways which I think will help.
I’m about 10 days into the pre op diet so I have 18 days to go.
Myself and my friends are usually social butterfly’s and enjoy a few drinks so that will be a little strange but I know I can do it. I’ve done it prior when I did the Keto for a year.

That’s a good idea with the plastic containers :)

Yes I’m extremely lucky to have my partner and you are right, it is no one else’s buisness, I was just unsure if I tell a few people or no people. I’m still undecided and suppose I will wait until the time.

I’m so happy to hear there are minimal complications for most.

Thank you both for all your advice and support :)

One more question, it seems it has been a while since you have had your surgery. How did you find the regain period and keeping off the weight and have any old habits tried to creep back in?

Thanks again

there are food restrictions the first few months, but after that, there aren't any limitations as long as you can tolerate whatever the food is (I can no longer tolerate really high-fat meals - and it's not uncommon for people to develop things like lactose intolerance after surgery - but you won't have any restrictions per se. I'm "allowed" to eat anything - and have been for a long time).
I was never a big drinker even before surgery - I'd just have an occasional glass or two of wine. We weren't supposed to drink for the first year (according to my clinic, anyway), and I didn't at all for the first three years. Now I'm back to having my occasional glass or two of wine - by which I mean, maybe four or five times a year. So for ME, I don't notice any difference...other than alcohol hits me a lot faster than it did pre-surgery.
taking vitamins becomes pretty automatic after the first few weeks. I don't even think about it anymore. I take a small handful when I get up in the morning, a smaller handful around dinner time - and my iron and vitamin C before I go to bed.
complications aren't common and most are minor and "fixable". The most common one with sleeve is reflux, which in most cases (if you happen to develop it) can be managed medically. In severe cases, there's always the option of revising to RNY - although I don't know how common it is for it to get to that point. Might be worth asking if you're concerned.
I didn't mind the puree stage. It was a relief after being on all liquids. If you're not crazy about the puree stage, just keep in mind that it doesn't last very long. You'll be on soft foods - and then solid - before you know it.
it'll be pretty obvious to others the first month or two by how little you can eat that something is "up". I mostly just tried to avoid going out with people so the question wouldn't come up - or I'd suggest meeting up for coffee or tea or some activity instead of a meal. After that, for several months I'd just claim I wasn't very hungry and order an appetizer or some soup or chili. Now I'll sometimes still order that - or if I do get an entree, I'll eat half of it and have the rest boxed up. Pretty much the same as a lot of my never-been-obese women friends. No one can tell anymore that I've had surgery.
Basically, this will all take some getting used to - it can be overwhelming at first - but after the first few weeks, it really isn't. And you're right - pre-surgery nervousness is pretty common. I've had four surgeries in my life, and I get nervous every time - but they've all gone off without a hitch!

I don't think anyone goes into surgery without the ol' pre-surgery nerves! We are permanently altering our digestive system, so it's a big life change and that really hits like bricks in the weeks leading up! Stay busy, and keep your eyes on the prize, and keep the "why you're doing this" in your mind. Look at clothes you'd love to buy when you're smaller. Play computer games. Read. Excercise listening to podcasts or audiobooks.
The puree stage was fine, but I was definitely grateful to be able to move onto solid food, even if my portions are absurdly small. Being able to chew on something was a boon. Just remember - the puree stage is only about 4 weeks, you'll be done and dusted in no time. The hardest part is the pre-op liver shrinking diet!
I won't be touching alcohol for at least a year, and I'm okay with that. I socialised with friends two weeks ago and was the only sober one (sat on still water with a twist of fresh lime all night), and I still had a lot of fun. I've yet to eat with people who aren't my partner, but honestly it's no-one's business, not even my nearest and dearest. I take a plastic food container with me to cafes and restaurants and I pop what I can't eat in it and take it home. I've embraced being the Takeaway Queen. ?
That you have your partner's full support is wonderful - yay for them! As for everyone else, it's not their business unless you want to tell them. I've told my immediate family, in-laws, and closest friends. No-one else needs to know.
Good luck!

Hi everyone,

My surgery is creeping up fast and I’m starting to feel a little nervous.
I’ve been reading on what to eat and what to avoid post surgery and it’s a little scary thinking about somethings you will never be able to eat again, or always taking tablets, rarely consuming alcohol, possible complications….
I’m sure most people get to this stage pre-surgery.
So far I’ve been nothing but excited for my surgery and a second chance at life and treating my body well.

Just wondering from those that have had surgery if they have any tips, advice on how they managed leading up to surgery and how it has been since?
How was the purée stage and how long until you could socialise with people without being questioned about how slow or little you’ve eaten?
Also I know it says alcohol on special occasions, so just wondering how people cope with alcohol since surgery?

I’ve also decided not to tell people and just have the support from my partner who has been amazing. He is fully supportive. I just don’t want alot of critical people trying to tell me I shouldn’t do it or shouldn’t have done it?

Hugely appreciate any help and guidance :)

Thanks :)

I had exactly the same thoughts... if I can drop this weight like this during the pre-op diet, why can't I just... continue?
But I couldn't have, and I talked to my surgeon's staff about it.
The pre-op diet (not that I had one necessarily, I put myself on it so I didn't go from nought to sixty in one day) is meant to be a crash diet. It is meant to shrink things and get a little visceral fat off you so that it's safer to do laparoscopic surgery. It is not sustainable long-term without surgery, and it is not meant to be.
The other thing is—all or nearly all of us have binge-eaten in our past. Whether we have a healthy or unhealthy relationship with food, we've all overindulged. Well, after surgery, you literally CAN'T binge... and, bizarrely enough, most people don't WANT to. The first time you take ONE BITE too much, you will really feel that restriction and the resulting sensations (for me, it's massive chest pressure, and terrible gas that causes me to spit up) will make sure you learn what "full" feels like.
I was a pizza eater. I could demolish an entire pizza myself in one sitting, because once I started I couldn't stop. Yesterday (just over 7 weeks post-op) I delivered pizza to my daughter's dress rehearsal, opened up the box, took a slice, had one bite, shrugged, and threw the rest of the slice away. It's like my body's been given this tool and it is forcing my brain to reckon with how I eat/ate.
I wish I had found this site and gone for this surgery ten or more years ago. When I was nervous about the surgery—I had exactly the same thoughts as you—my family reminded me that I had tried REALLY hard, and never gotten below 330, then gained it all back until I was two cheeseburgers shy of 400 lbs.
I went below that 330 mark 13 days after surgery. I'm now closing in on TWOsday, and I honestly feel like a different (and happier) person.
Ultimately, only you can make the decision, but I think you'll find the ratio of yeasayers to naysayers here at BariatricPal to be massively tilted in the "yes do it" direction.

You've lost 95 pounds in six months and you think that's slow? How much were you expecting to lose by now? I'm not trying to be snotty; I'm seriously asking why you're devastated rather than thrilled.

I am 10 years out from a sleeve. Sleeved at about 300 lbs. Started at 320. 5'3" and I was 54 years old. I lost total of 150 pounds to 170. Then life happened. Lost my mom, then my younger brother then my dad.... and divorced and single parenting and moving and working and well.... I gained back to 220.
About a year and a half ago I decided I needed to make changes. Small ones. and little by little I got control back. I didn't do a major diet, I didn't do a fast or liquids only. I just started eliminating one lousy food and then another... and replacing one bad habit with a good and positive one. No cheap chocolate. Only good expensive chocolate. And one or two pieces is enough when it is really good chocolate. No potato chips. Air pop popcorn. Salads. Fruit. Veggies. Protein. More water. I have never been a soda drinker so that was not it for me. Just rebuilding good habits. I lost 45 pounds in 14 months. Not fast. But steady. And I took breaks to see what it would take to maintain that weight. Since September when I got back to 175 I have lost another 2 pounds. I will be 65 in two months. I know I will never be THIN. I don't need to be. But I am stronger, healthier, happier and maintaining my weight at a level that I can for the rest of my lifetime. Eating well. Moving more.
You can do this. Figure out what will work for you. Then do it.

This is so worth a full quote!

I'm almost 13 years out and have faced my fair share of regains (including 2 pregnancies along the way) but have managed to nip them in the bud in the 10-15 lb range. I honestly think regains are just part of the process and we all face them to some extent and i'm sure i'll face them again in the future, so this post is a good reminder for me as well! So here are my go to moves to get rid of regain:
My go-to moves are:
Eat Meals (don't graze) - don't skip breakfast, even if it's small Eat Real Food, not processed slider foods like chips and sweets Stop eating after Dinner - get away from the kitchen after dinner. Evenings have always been my toughest time and so i make myself a cup of decaf coffee, take it upstairs with me, and don't go back to the kitchen under any circumstances. Focus on the food, not exercise - 80%+ of weight loss comes down to food Move for Mental Health - aiming for 10K steps works for me and calms my urge to stress eat Talk to someone about mental health - overeating for me is a sure sign that's i'm heading on a downward spiral and the weigh gain and guilt and shame associated just makes it worse...see a doctor, find a medication that works for you, find your way back to a good mental health state Things i that haven't worked for me:
Liquids / Protein Shakes - it's not sustainable (and really hard for even a few days...how did we do it pre- and post-op?), it makes me unbearably grouchy, and the minute i stop the weight comes back on Counting Calories - that is a trigger for me after a LIFETIME of dieting and i don't want to go there! Excessive exercise - it's too hard to outrun a bad diet with exercise and getting hurt would be a sure way to halt my progress. One more change that has truly been life altering for me is something i did after my last regain in 2018. My weight creeped up to 161lbs. That was 20lbs over my usual set point of 140lbs, which i had maintained for 10 years post-op (i'm 5'2" and started my journey at 200 lbs). It was starting to scare me and i knew i needed to do something.
I went back to all the things I listed above but i also did something i never had done before, i started eating plants for protein. I cut out the meat first and then the dairy (which seemed overwhelming until i found all my own plant based substitutions), and i started focusing on vegetables! I didn't think about portions (after all, i'm a WLS patient, how much could i really eat) and i found myself shedding weight effortlessly!
Not only did i lose the 20 lbs i had gained, but for the first time in 12+ years post-op, i hit a new set point of about 122lbs which i've been maintaining with ease for the past year! I didn't start a diet, i didn't ever go off a diet. I just focus on plants and i feel great and have never been lighter! And i know what you're thinking...where do you get your protein??? But there is more than enough protein in plants for anyone who's at least 6 months post op! The funny thing is, i eat more than i have in years, but i finally feel like i'm living the healthy life i wanted and it's easier than i ever though it would be.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, i'm just so happy with how this has been working and i know it can work for others too! Feel free to message me if you have questions. Keep fighting the good fight!!

Colonoscopies aren't normally needed (I've never seen anyone mention it being required for their program) as they aren't working on that end of things. An endoscopy (EGD) is sometimes specified as that can give the surgeon some advanced notice of what's going on where he will be working - some docs like to plan ahead while others take what you present to them. ( I don't think that an EGD is a bad idea, as it may give you some information that can sway the decision as to what procedure might be better for you.)
Liver scans, or ultrasounds, are sometimes done - this is also a doctor's preference as some docs are very sensitive to that (maybe requiring additional pre op dieting, etc.) while others are entirely comfortable working around a fatty liver - just another day at the office for them. Do what your doctor wants, and worry about what he worries about, and not what he doesn't.
Holiday meals are going to be different this year, no question about it. You might be able to eat a bit of some things, you might have to mash things up or puree them, or stick to soups, etc., depending upon how your doctor's program allows you to progress and how well your body allows you to progress. I went to a wedding (local) a couple of weeks after surgery without any big problem.
Liquids go through your stomach readily (unless you have an unusual amount of lingering inflammation in your stomach that slows things down) but will be collected in your bladder as normal. Most will often have some problem with constipation and/or diarrhea for a while as your system gets used to things,
Fatigue will be there for varying amounts of time as you recover. Your diet is mostly protein as a priority until you can eat more variety, and usually little carbohydrate, which helps provide you with energy; some people go overboard on low carb dieting which can compound the problem, while some programs encourage some early carbohydrate via things like soupy oatmeal, cream of wheat, mashed potatoes or some watered down fruit juice to combat the low energy.
Good luck in this adventure!

I'm an RNY patient, but most things are the same.
I wasn't required to get a colonoscopy. I don't think most people are. And what kind of scan are you referring to? I don't remember getting any kind of scan - but it's been awhile, so maybe I'm forgetting all the tests I had. I had a sleep study, and EKG, a cardiac stress test (because I was over 50 years old when I had surgery), various labs - I don't remember a scan, though.
coffee - or any beverage - goes right through you, so you're not going to feel full from it. No one will be able to tell you had surgery if you're just drinking something when you're with them. Eating is a different story. Although no one would be able to tell I've had weight loss surgery based on what I eat NOW, they'd definitely be able to tell something was up the first few weeks after surgery. I rarely met people for anything that involved eating those first couple of months unless I was prepared to tell them I'd had surgery, because most people would notice that something was up (although not everyone notices or asks...but be prepared if they do...)
many people tire easily the first two months or so after surgery, but that said, I took three weeks off of work but probably could have gone back after two. I felt OK - just tired.