Smanky

I absolutely feel you. If I had the financial means, I'd get my loose skin removed. I do not feel confident out of clothes, and have absolutely developed a whole different body insecurity. So I know how you feel!
Because plastics are out of my reach, I just have to keep my sense of humour about it, and know that I'd still much rather be skinny with loose skin than morbidly obese again. Also, and I think it's important to remember this: you can't become morbidly obese and expect no scars. We've come from one extreme to another and while it would be lovely to achieve our "dream body", the truth is you don't get things for free. There's a price, even if that price is the scars of loose skin. But it's a price I ultimately am happy to pay. Have to look on the bright side, and every time I try on a new item of clothing and look fabulous, or run without breaking a sweat, or catch my reflection and *still* marvel that it's really me (this one doesn't get old!) - I know I actually got a bargain.

We've all been here, and we've all proven just how unsuccessful that route is. None of us would have had WLS if if it were as easy as just complying with the pre-surgery program - it's too restrictive and meant to be temporary. When you're not mentally ready for a change like this, your head is absolutely going to be throwing up every reason not to do it, so I'd consider seeing a bariatric therapist to help you before starting the program.
As for on-the-go nutrition, there's nothing wrong with taking a packed lunch, or indeed a fanny-pack of nutritious Snacks. I take a handful of small apples and individual high-protein yoghurts with me to work, which I snack on whenever I get a second (my second job, which is a cook in a cafe with barely a break over a day's shift - so I'm surrounded by food I shouldn't and don't touch - hence my little pile of apples).
And as Tomo said - Vitamin supplements are essential, for both bypass and DS, though I think DS requires more. But it's just a matter of adding it to your daily routine. I take mine every evening before bed.

We've all been here, and we've all proven just how unsuccessful that route is. None of us would have had WLS if if it were as easy as just complying with the pre-surgery program - it's too restrictive and meant to be temporary. When you're not mentally ready for a change like this, your head is absolutely going to be throwing up every reason not to do it, so I'd consider seeing a bariatric therapist to help you before starting the program.
As for on-the-go nutrition, there's nothing wrong with taking a packed lunch, or indeed a fanny-pack of nutritious Snacks. I take a handful of small apples and individual high-protein yoghurts with me to work, which I snack on whenever I get a second (my second job, which is a cook in a cafe with barely a break over a day's shift - so I'm surrounded by food I shouldn't and don't touch - hence my little pile of apples).
And as Tomo said - Vitamin supplements are essential, for both bypass and DS, though I think DS requires more. But it's just a matter of adding it to your daily routine. I take mine every evening before bed.

I absolutely feel you. If I had the financial means, I'd get my loose skin removed. I do not feel confident out of clothes, and have absolutely developed a whole different body insecurity. So I know how you feel!
Because plastics are out of my reach, I just have to keep my sense of humour about it, and know that I'd still much rather be skinny with loose skin than morbidly obese again. Also, and I think it's important to remember this: you can't become morbidly obese and expect no scars. We've come from one extreme to another and while it would be lovely to achieve our "dream body", the truth is you don't get things for free. There's a price, even if that price is the scars of loose skin. But it's a price I ultimately am happy to pay. Have to look on the bright side, and every time I try on a new item of clothing and look fabulous, or run without breaking a sweat, or catch my reflection and *still* marvel that it's really me (this one doesn't get old!) - I know I actually got a bargain.

This is really lovely. Thank you for the kind and loving response. I agree wholeheartedly.
Reminds me of a lyric from Sondheim's Into the Woods: "Wishes come true, not free."

I absolutely feel you. If I had the financial means, I'd get my loose skin removed. I do not feel confident out of clothes, and have absolutely developed a whole different body insecurity. So I know how you feel!
Because plastics are out of my reach, I just have to keep my sense of humour about it, and know that I'd still much rather be skinny with loose skin than morbidly obese again. Also, and I think it's important to remember this: you can't become morbidly obese and expect no scars. We've come from one extreme to another and while it would be lovely to achieve our "dream body", the truth is you don't get things for free. There's a price, even if that price is the scars of loose skin. But it's a price I ultimately am happy to pay. Have to look on the bright side, and every time I try on a new item of clothing and look fabulous, or run without breaking a sweat, or catch my reflection and *still* marvel that it's really me (this one doesn't get old!) - I know I actually got a bargain.

You had your surgery on the 7th? So not quite a week ago which is very early days. This is major surgery, so it can take a while for the pain to ease and we all heal at our own rate. I felt like I'd been hit by a bus for a good two weeks. Can't say if it would have been the same if I'd had a sleeve, but the Mini Gastric Bypass/ Omega Loop is a shorter operation than the RNY but still took me a while to recover.

You had your surgery on the 7th? So not quite a week ago which is very early days. This is major surgery, so it can take a while for the pain to ease and we all heal at our own rate. I felt like I'd been hit by a bus for a good two weeks. Can't say if it would have been the same if I'd had a sleeve, but the Mini Gastric Bypass/ Omega Loop is a shorter operation than the RNY but still took me a while to recover.

My close friend who's a nurse practitioner posted this on my Facebook post about it: "IF you need a feeding tube in the future, they can bypass the stomach and give you a J tube (in the jejunum) below the stomach, or for a short term issue, give you TPN, directly to the veins". So this just made that major concern not really a concern now. I'm feeling even better about this. I can't wait to get this over with and get back to my life!!!

So I have been really quiet on here because I was just trying to get rid of the last of the health issues I had going on. Polyps are gone and uterine fibroids are gone. I had an appt with my bariatric surgeon today and we discussed getting the revision now that I have a clean bill of health. Looks like it'll be mid July sometime. BUT...my revision is a little more complicated. Here's what I was told: Normally they leave the bottom part of the stomach when they do the bypass because there might be a need for a feeding tube at some point, or something like that. HOWEVER, with my situation, the part they would normally leave is where all the polyps were. So the surgeon is going to completely remove the bottom part of the stomach (making my stomach about 2oz instead of the 4-5oz it is now) during the bypass surgery. He said that's not ideal, but given my situation, it's the best course of treatment for the GERD, esophagitis, gastritis, and getting me back to being able to work out and live a normal life again (which is really all I want). He said it does present a problem later on if I need a feeding tube or whatever, but that's a big "if", and considering all of my issues right now, it's worth the risk, if I agree. I agreed with him and I'm waiting for the coordinator to call me to schedule the surgery officially. I'm so close to this being over. I can see the finish line FINALLY!!!!!

I do not think that this is a thing.

first of all, only about 30% of bypassers dump (I never have - and I know lots of others who never have, either). It's caused by eating too much sugar at one sitting, so you can prevent it by....not eating a lot of sugar at one sitting.
the issue with restaurants is temporary - just the first few weeks. Once you're a couple months out, you'll be able to find things on practically any menu that you can eat - and once you're about six months out, you'll be cleared to eat any food item (you may still have some intolerances, but nothing will be off the table). My new normal (well, not so new anymore since I'm eight years out) is either ordering an appetizer or two, or ordering an entree and having them box up half of it to take home. Honestly, most of my never-been-obese women friends do exactly the same. At this point, no one would be able to tell I've had weight loss surgery - they'd just assume I'm a "light eater".
and what are you throwing your cookbooks out for? I never threw out a single one - and I've since added a few more to my collection! I enjoy cooking and I cook a lot. I just eat smaller portions now, and I only occasionally indulge in something like chips or dessert.
honestly, the eating that people often associate with weight loss patients doesn't last forever. It's tough the first month or two (well, esp the first month), so I tried to avoid going out to eat. But after that you can eat more variety and should be able to find things you can eat at any restaurant. And then, as I said, after about six months, there won't be any food restrictions.
It takes about 1600 calories/day to maintain my weight (although that varies a lot among people - I know women who can only eat around 1200 and others who can eat 2000), and I eat very nutritiously most of the time. Yes there are days when I overeat or splurge on some junky thing, but it's not very often - and I'm back on track the next day. There are times when I wish I could eat whatever I want and however much I want every day, but very few people can do that - and it sure didn't work for me since it got me up to almost 400 lbs. I think I'm eating much more like a "normie" now.

My recovery was longer than expected because of the surprise hiatal hernia repair (a surprise to both myself AND my surgeon), so that made my recovery more painful and longer. I agree with Arabesque - it's hard to answer and it's best to just have a plan to ease yourself back into it.

Anyone can get blood clots. I hear it can also be hereditary. Stay active, put your feet up, compression socks... Etc.

The stomach is still there making the necessary juices, acid and enzymes, needed for digestion.

👆🏼Full. Stop.
I had Hair loss (now my hair is flowy, full and fab at 4.5+ years post op).
I had regular foamies, still do on the rare occasion, when i eat too fast or too much...but thats my own fault.
I would dump, again my own fault, by consuming too much sugar...so i try not to do that.
I had nighttime reflux, now controlled by going to bed on empty stomach, and taking the lowest dosage anti-reflux med.
No more HBP nor cholesterol pills. No longer pre-diabetic. My liver is normal sized. My joints don't hurt. My feet nor back don't hurt. I am no longer always catching my breath.
I am the fittest and healthiest i have been since my 20's (im 50 now).
I have the confidence of a stuck up, the patience/chill of a zen master, and the energy of someone half my age.
I am often front and centre in pictures (if i can help it lol.)
I eat whatever i want (mind u what i want is sorta different now), in smaller quantities, and am perfectly happy with it.
Life. Is. Good.
So yeah, pros > cons.
Good Luck! ❤️

Stop reading the horror stories is my my advice. Yes there can be side effects of the surgery but the ones you mentioned are temporary or can be managed. And yes it’s good to be aware of them but best to ask your surgeon about them. Ask about what they’ve see , many instances their patients have had, treatments, management, etc.
Hair loss often starts at around month 4 +/- & lasts about 3months +/-. How much you lose or if you do lose is an individual thing. It’s just your natural hair loss cycle accelerating. This hair is dead & you would have lost it at some time anyway. Your new Hair growth is still occurring just at it’s usual rate. Hair loss can occur for many reasons not just bariatric surgery. Pregnancy, stress, any major surgery, any weight loss, ill health, or dramatic change of diet can result in a temporary loss of hair.
Foamies. Many only have a few experiences of it. It’s usually caused by eating too much, too fast or eating food that is too dry or too coarse & gets stuck. I had a bout last night - damn stringy bit on a sugar snap pea - I could feel it. I’m more susceptible to them but it’s more a idiosyncrasy of my tummy & digestion than anything else.
Clots can occur after any surgery. At hospital you’ll be given compression stockings to wear and some also use those pulsing compression machines on your legs to keep your blood pumping. Walk, walk walk. Little & often is best & it will help you breath out the surgical gas too. Be aware of the symptoms but I’ve never heard of any one getting a clot post bariatric surgery on this forum in four years or with people I know.
A little temporary hair loss, the odd bout of the foamies, are nothing compared to having lost the weight & the benefits that has bought to my life & health.

Definitely doesn't sound normal. I do get some of the cramping/pain and general sensitive gut issues, especially when I have an ulcer developing, but what you're describing sounds extreme. I'd be going to the ER, and letting your surgeon know to move that July appointment forward. They need to investigate this.

Hair loss is temporary, and foamies can be controlled by being mindful of what/how you eat. Neither are terrible "complications" when it comes to the benefits of WLS vs staying morbidly obese and suffering much worse health issues down that road.
Post surgery, I've been very prone to developing stomach ulcers which are 100% no fun at all, but can be controlled by Pantoprazole which I was taking pre-surgery for GERD anyway. I consider that a post-surgery complication, but it's no disaster, and like Summerseeker said - I'd do this all again in a heartbeat because even with the constant ulcer threat, my life and health now is so much better. I also went in armed with as much knowledge as possible about what might go wrong and what to honestly expect and I was still so ready because living the way I was had me on a downhill trajectory. I was FAR more concerned with the complications that lay ahead of me if I didn't have the surgery.

Hair loss is temporary, and foamies can be controlled by being mindful of what/how you eat. Neither are terrible "complications" when it comes to the benefits of WLS vs staying morbidly obese and suffering much worse health issues down that road.
Post surgery, I've been very prone to developing stomach ulcers which are 100% no fun at all, but can be controlled by Pantoprazole which I was taking pre-surgery for GERD anyway. I consider that a post-surgery complication, but it's no disaster, and like Summerseeker said - I'd do this all again in a heartbeat because even with the constant ulcer threat, my life and health now is so much better. I also went in armed with as much knowledge as possible about what might go wrong and what to honestly expect and I was still so ready because living the way I was had me on a downhill trajectory. I was FAR more concerned with the complications that lay ahead of me if I didn't have the surgery.

Hair loss is temporary, and foamies can be controlled by being mindful of what/how you eat. Neither are terrible "complications" when it comes to the benefits of WLS vs staying morbidly obese and suffering much worse health issues down that road.
Post surgery, I've been very prone to developing stomach ulcers which are 100% no fun at all, but can be controlled by Pantoprazole which I was taking pre-surgery for GERD anyway. I consider that a post-surgery complication, but it's no disaster, and like Summerseeker said - I'd do this all again in a heartbeat because even with the constant ulcer threat, my life and health now is so much better. I also went in armed with as much knowledge as possible about what might go wrong and what to honestly expect and I was still so ready because living the way I was had me on a downhill trajectory. I was FAR more concerned with the complications that lay ahead of me if I didn't have the surgery.

Hair loss is temporary, and foamies can be controlled by being mindful of what/how you eat. Neither are terrible "complications" when it comes to the benefits of WLS vs staying morbidly obese and suffering much worse health issues down that road.
Post surgery, I've been very prone to developing stomach ulcers which are 100% no fun at all, but can be controlled by Pantoprazole which I was taking pre-surgery for GERD anyway. I consider that a post-surgery complication, but it's no disaster, and like Summerseeker said - I'd do this all again in a heartbeat because even with the constant ulcer threat, my life and health now is so much better. I also went in armed with as much knowledge as possible about what might go wrong and what to honestly expect and I was still so ready because living the way I was had me on a downhill trajectory. I was FAR more concerned with the complications that lay ahead of me if I didn't have the surgery.

You have a tough regime. Most of us have 2 weeks of each phase. The liquid phase is the hardest because we naturally want to chew. You are also getting over really tough surgery. Its a hard learning curve and you will be so sore. Your hormones are doing summersaults just now. Its a full on smack in the face.
You have to white knuckle the liquid part that your team has set for you. You need to let your stomach heel. It will all pass very quickly. We all got passed it and we got fed up too. I couldn't do puree but I could do strained Soups. Just do your best. It would not do any harm to contact your team and ask if you can have a little leeway with your diet. Try hot cold and frozen Clear Liquids just for a little variation

P.S. the other option - staying obese - isn't good for your health, either. In fact, it's probably worse.

I have all three of your nightmares. I knew all about them. I did not know I would get GERD too, I hoped to swerve it.
My hair is growing back very slowly but I have begun to love the new me in a pixie cut
My Nausea and GERD are under control - ish, I still get bad days and nights where acid wakes me
Throwing up foam is called the foamies. Eat too fast, eat too much or eat a wrong food and yep that's a pain in the a--chest until its either vomited or it works its way through my stomach.
So knowing what I know now about all that and the frequency that I get it, would I have this surgery? Hell yes, in a heartbeat. My life has changed dramatically. I feel as if I have lost 25 years. I have a life. I don't hide away anymore. I am super confident.
Now what you must decide is - if the pendulum swings your way and you get these side effects, is it time for your surgery ? You are always going to mess with your insides, you are loosing most of your stomach. For lots of us with lots of medical problems its a no brainer and last ditch effort to save our lives. This surgery is not an easy option. I hope you work it out

I really co-sign both of these! I'm fortunately more addicted to thrifting clothes than buying new, but I still have to stop myself and consider if I really really need yet another pair of jeans (I absolutely don't!).
And #5 - oh boy, yep. I love how I look in clothes and in turn, how clothes look on me (I had no idea that under all that fat was a pretty good "coat hanger" body), but out of clothes is another matter entirely. The loose skin isn't super bad, but it's enough that I'm self-conscious, and I'm now also conscious of how bony I am. I suspect I'm on the cusp of being told I'm too thin, despite still being in a normal BMI. I've basically swapped one body insecurity for another.