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Is there a way to ask for a different dietician? Because she sounds like an absolute nightmare! My dietician is nice and encouraging and if I end up eating something off plan she just tells me that it won't hurt me if it happens as long as it doesn't become a habit or something I do all the time. She tells me every time she sees me (usually when I'm dealing with a stall) that I'm doing great and as long as the trend is downward that no matter how slow the loss is, I'm still losing and that's that what matters. My dietician has me eating 1200-1400 calories and I'm almost 19 months out. When I was 5 months out I think I was probably eating about 800-1000 calories. I think your own dietician is pushing you to eat too much too fast, imo. I would see if it's possible to ask for someone else. I haven't gone to my own bariatric clinic since my 9 month appointment because there is this front office lady that kept rescheduling my 12 month appointment and pissing me off. She made my stress go from 0-100 pretty damn fast and was bugging me about my labs and how they hadn't received them and how she wanted me to call the lab and have them fax my paperwork over, which I'd done, so I kept having to tell her to do it her damn self because I'd already called them and they'd re-faxed it twice already so something was getting lost on their end and they needed to deal with it. Her response was to tell me they needed to reschedule me so I just never rescheduled after about the 9th time because she pissed me the hell off! I get stressed with just the idea of having to call the bariatric doctor because if I get her on the line I will hang the damn phone up! That's why I never made my 18 month appointment and just relied on my PCP to do my labs because of that b*tch! I wish I'd gotten her name on the multiple times she'd called me so I could report her for her incompetence! So yeah, I'd ask for a different dietician, personally.

Hello! I hope some people can give some advice! I have been stewing on this for a number of weeks, and I am not really sure what to do. I will start by saying that my program is in Canada, and it is set up a bit different than most Americans. I go to a bariatric clinic that includes the psychologist, internal medicine doc, Dietitian, Nurse. The surgeon you are referred to after you have jumped through the hoops with the other professions. You are assigned the surgeon who does your surgery, for the most part, you don't get to shop for one...and they have little to do with the Diet/Medical Part (vitamins, labs, etc). The surgeons are general surgeons that obviously know how to do these surgeries, but they are not solely bariatric surgeons. So essentially, if I have questions I go to the bariatric clinic, and not the surgeon. The problem is, I hate my Dietitian. I don't feel like I can ask her anything without her being weird, and control freaky about everything. She has argued with me over my food logs (aggressively suggesting berries instead of the banana I ate everyday pre-op), She got upset with me for taking psyllum husks and omega 3 after surgery because "WHO TOLD ME TO DO THAT??!". I asked her about when my protein requirement would reduce (since I am losing weight obviously), and was told never because the protein requirement was based on my height, and not weight. (????). When I ask what calories I should be at, she won't answer and tell me my calories need to be higher. She also made a point to tell me that my weightloss will greatly slow down now (at my 3 month appointment). I was never a big/fast loser since starting this. Other than the first 2 weeks after surgery...I average out at about 2.5 pounds a week. In my program, regular food started week 4 after surgery. Once I went to solid food at week 4, I eat between 1100 and 1300 calories. I have yet to eat out, the 'worst' thing I have had is a very small bite of Candy to taste it. There is no forbidden food except for carbonated drinks...and obviously they recommend staying away from overly fried, processed, sugary things. Prior to surgery, the last time I had lost weight sucessfully was in 2016 when I went to the gym 6 days a week and tracked all my calories. I used MFP and fitbit. I ruined my knees in the process of that (a whole other story lol). I still use MFP to track food. So right now, MFP has 1300 calories to lose 2 pounds...and I am still a bit over 250. How in the world am I going to keep losing weight if I am supposed to eat more? Currently, my body is doing this thing where I lose 2.5 one week....0.7 the next....2.5 the next...I feel like I stall every 2nd week or so. The dietician doesn't help at all. She always rags on me to eat 5-6 times a day. I get all my protein in, in those 3 meals and I currently still don't experience a hunger sensation at all...so why would I eat more? She wants me to eat more and I feel like what I am doing is okay. I told her I would add more snacks if I need it, and she doesn't like that. I am at 5 months out...I feel like I am trucking along...but then I get really worried that I am not going to continue to lose weight, especially when she is on me to eat more and more often when I frankly don't want to. Everyone wants to believe that they have some tailored medical diet...and we don't. Every single program is done by an expert and they are all different from each other...and it really annoys me when people say 'follow your program'...when it seems every doc has a different idea of what would be successful., and nothing is standardized. Am I too set in CICO that I am frustrating myself? How can I continue to be successful and get to the lowest reasonable point that I can?

I take Bariatric Fusion Vitamins 2 in the am and 2 in the pm and 1 B12 5000mg on Mondays because of the high dosage. Surgery was in June and I will have my lab work done in September to see if they need to revise it.

I just take drug store vitamins. I've been taking Centrum Silver (or the generic equivalent from Walgreens or CVS) since my surgery six years ago. I took the chewable version for the first few months, then switched over to the tablets. You have to take two a day to meet the requirements. as long as you're meeting the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery requirements, you should be fine. Here it is (you may have to scroll down a ways to find the chart with the requirements): https://asmbs.org/app/uploads/2017/06/ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf

I currently am taking fusion bariatric vitamins after being sleeved 10/27/2021. I take 4 a day but I see on here they have very affordable vitamins on here which ones are more effective I'm trying to switch brands?

The BariatricPal Store carries a huge selection of Bariatric friendly Calcium at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium. Check out the newly released BariatricPal Sugar-Free Calcium Citrate Soft Chews 500mg with Probiotics at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium/brand_bariatricpal+vitamin-form_soft-chews . They come in 6 AMAZING flavors: French Vanilla Caramel, Chocolate Mint, Belgian Chocolate Caramel, Orange Creamsicle, Strawberry Watermelon Twist, and Wild Grape.

I take ProCare calcium chews and LOVE them! They are like a tiny dessert. 😂 They have vitamin D and probiotics in them. They have a free sample pack you can order to try them out before you buy. I also use their bariatric multivitamin and like it MUCH better than the Bariatric Advantage.

Interesting thing about vitamins is that after about 6 months I had to switch from bariatric vitamins because some of my levels were too high, specifically iron and vitamin d. So my costs aren’t high at all. My husband never even stepped foot in the hospital. Dropped me off at the door and picked me up, due to covid. I was fine, and I’d probably do the same thing even if covid hadn’t been a thing. I was worried I’d never be able to eat normally again, I would have a leak, and that I wouldn’t lose weight. I’d say I eat very normally now (9 months out), I had no complications, and I’ve lost 158 lbs, so all fears were unfounded. My advice to everyone in life is to stay far away from Facebook. Your life will be better for it! This site has great advice.

I know everyone’s Bariatric surgeon’s practice is different. I was able to eat eggs and baked fish two days after surgery. I couldn’t really stomach to much at first maybe 1 to 2 ounces. I was definitely a bit nervous but my surgeon wanted me to start semi soft solids ASAP for protein in take along with the shakes. I need to get 90 grams daily. I am almost 3 weeks out and can eat about 3 ounces a serving. I can’t even finish a whole egg. lol.

I did gain weight, about a 1 month before I was going to get my surgery scheduled they added on an additional month visits. The doctors wanted to make sure I was living the bariatric life style. I t was all good. I managed to drop about 10 lbs. and we moved forward

I"ve never been told I couldn't take capsules - just gummies (I was told not to take gummy forms of anything - not just calcium) and yes - Caltrate is calcium carbonate, which we don't absorb well. We're supposed to take calcium citrate. Although one of the other posters doesn't like Bariatric Advantage chews, most people do. You have to order them online. Bariatric Pal carries them, as do a few other Web sites. I've also taken "petite" calcium tablets, which are smaller than the standard ones. I also used to use a powered calcium citrate that you mix into food or beverages - Upcal D. You have to order it online.

I can't tell you the best calcium chew, but I can tell you I'm never putting a Bariatric Advantage calcium chew in my life ever again. I got a few as a sample from the bariatric coordinator at my clinic and tried one this morning (only five weeks out, so surgeon just prescribed it). It was absolutely vial. Everyone says they are like candy--and they look like starburst, but the one I had was so gross I had to spit it out. There is no way I was going to be able to chew it long enough to swallow. I can't even describe it. The taste was ok-ish, but the consistency was like eating dried rubber cement with a coating of latex.

I recently looked into this and am at the stage of deciding which surgery I want: Re-Sleeve or Bypass. I'll preface the following by stating you can research many articles on "pubmed.com" to read published papers by physicians. There is a re-sleeve procedure and it's either done by plication or utilizing Overstitch; key difference is that part of your stomach is NOT cut and removed, as is done in the initial sleeve. The stomach is made smaller by suturing to make it smaller. In my case, revision, even if it is to a re-sleeve, would be covered by my insurance. Re-sleeves can be done endoscopically (through the throat, no incisions on the abdomen); this is the approach I am being offered. Bypass would require abdominal incisions as it is performed laparoscopically. Bypass would yield a greater overall weight loss, initially. There's a study that indicated the long term weight loss between those re-sleeved vs. conversion to bypass levels out and is similar. Articles: Re-sleeve Gastrectomy - An Efficient Revisional Bariatric Procedure - 3 Years Results Re-Sleeve Gastrectomy for Failed Primary Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Short-term outcomes of revisional surgery after sleeve gastrectomy: a comparative analysis of re-sleeve, Roux en-Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch (Roux en-Y and single-anastomosis) Laparoscopic re-sleeve gastrectomy as a treatment of weight regain after sleeve gastrectomy Weight Regain After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Look at the Benefits of Re-sleeve Reverse: Laparoscopic revision of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to sleeve gastrectomy: A ray of hope for failed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass As to which procedure has higher risk, in general, risk increases with every subsequent surgery. In this case, it would depend on the approach your physician would take to re-sleeve; endoscopic or laparoscopic. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case-matched study If both options would be performed laparoscopically, then it would be a matter of you deciding which procedure you feel the most comfortable with to achieve the long-term results you are looking for. Endoscopic surgery is performed using a scope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip, allowing the surgeon to see inside and perform procedures without making major incisions, allowing for easier recovery time and less pain and discomfort. Laparoscopic is performed by making several small incisions in the abdomen, which increases risk when compared to the SAME PROCEDURE performed endoscopically (no incisions). The approach with the highest risk is open. Bigger incision. Bigger incision, bigger risk. One type of surgery that has taken off in the last few years is minimally invasive spine surgery. Many spine surgeries can be done laparoscopically versus open -- even fusions. The difference? Patients that have it done laparoscopically can have it done in an ASC (ambulatory surgical center), meaning they leave the same day, no hospital stay or large incisions in the back. And...always remember, whichever surgery you have, it's a TOOL, not a magic pill (those don't exist either). Hope this helps!

Ask if they recommend a good bariatric therapist in your area. Have a consult, or file the contact away for later if you need it. Research the surgeon's credentials and reputation. Research the hospital where the surgeon does surgery. Make sure you like what you learn. Make sure anyone on staff who will be giving you dietary advice is in fact a registered credientialed dietician. If you're planning a surgery this fall, talk about the potential impacts of Covid19.

Ultimately, it's no one's job but yours to figure out the best stuff to put in your body. People will always eat awful stuff because it's readily available and tastes good. People will equate offering food with offering affection, support, etc. (even though for someone trying to lose weight, this is backwards and crazy...it's just habit and they don't think about it) For some people it's a manners thing...I can't eat in front of someone else without offering to share, regardless of what I'm eating. Doen't matter if I'm eating a protien bar or a donut...if you're hanging out with me and I think you might be hungry...I'll offer you half. You can always say no. Sometimes, I make a mindful decision to eat junk food. I budget for it in my daily calories and I like proving to myself that I control food and food doesn't control me anymore. I like eating junk now, because I don't enjoy it as much as I used to and I don't feel out of control. I know that sounds crazy....but seriously...there is a satisfying victory in consuming 200 calories of something I used to be totally out of control with...and go...you know what? That's good, but I can take it or leave it now. I LOVE that I can take it or leave it now. And I really love that I'm being dead honest about that, because I have spent a lifetime lying to myself about food. I very honestly am not as reactive about food as I used to be...and that's a HUGE victory. Yep, I still like fat, sugar and salt. Most people do. But I can take them or leave them, and I can budget a sensible serving and not have my nutrition day ruined. I credit part of that to revamping my eating habits and microbiota due to the surgery, and part to food addiction work with my bariatric therapist. Both have been incredibly important.

Hello everyone, I'm having a consult with a bariatric surgeon on August 24th for a gastric bypass (and lap band removal). I have already had one consult with another surgeon and did not prepare questions ahead of time. The visit did not go well and I didn't like the surgeon but that's another story. For this new consult, I'd really like to go in with some questions prepared in advance. To those of you who are going through this process or have been through it, what are some questions that you recommend I ask? Anything you can think of that you wish you had asked before surgery? Thank you!

Straw advice is one of those things that vary wildly by surgeon - some say to never use a straw, some only restrict them for a few months, others actually recommend them when patients are having trouble getting enough fluids. There's not actually any scientific evidence that straws are an issue for bariatric patients. See this thread: https://www.thinnertimesforum.com/topic/92638-straws-forbidden-by-my-surgeon-anyone-still-use-them/ It seems like if you get a Camelbak with the flexible bladder and burp the air out first, and have a bite valve on the end of the straw so it only opens when you take a drink, you'd actually get very little extra air in your mouth from the straw.

My guess is that it may be related to medications, as many of the mental health meds have weight gain or increased appetite as a side effect. There are some that are considered metabolically neutral-check in with your psychiatrist about that. On the other hand, 16 lbs above “normal” BMI is really not bad! Many, many bariatric patients never reach a “normal” BMI and their surgeon will tell them that going from obese to just over weight is a success. Congrats on all you’ve done so far!

I've never heard that about bipolar disorder's effect on weight loss. There are a lot of WLS patients who are bipolar, though - I've seen MANY people post about being bipolar in the seven or so years I've been hanging out on bariatric forums. my weight loss finally stopped at 20 months out. Those last six months or so my loss slowed to a crawl, though - we're talking like two pounds a month some months. So don't give up yet! You may still have some loss and get down to where you want to be. But it's true that the closer people are to a normal BMI, the tougher (and slower) weight loss becomes...

Hi PCOS mama94, welcome to this great site. I am in the Uk and the huge amounts of Covid here mean that for the last 16 months all hospitals have only dealt with that and the most urgent surgery. 15 months on we have a huge back log of people needing medical care. Here we have little to no chance of NHS bariatric surgery. Four months ago I decided to go private and have done psych evaluation, seen the bariatric nurses and signed for the surgery. Every day I hope for the 'date' Then I will have to do a milk and veg diet for three weeks.

I don't know what happens in Australia, but here in the US most private insurance requires a series of prerequisites. I had a very low number of these, and it was still a round half-dozen steps before they could even request that insurance pre-approve it. Some insurance requires a 3- or 6-month medically supervised diet. But then after the insurance bit, there's a bunch of other things that need to happen, like medical clearances (cardiovascular, pulmonary, scans, etc.) and the pre-surgical diet. My center also has a timeline for when certain medications and supplements need to be started or stopped, so I'll be on bariatric vitamins for three weeks before surgery and have to leave off caffeine two weeks before surgery, etc. It's definitely not a fast process. I will say this, though, I'll be crossing the holidays soon after surgery and I'm taking this as an opportunity to learn to celebrate without a giant plateful (or multiple!) of food. It's likely that I'll only be able to take a few bites of food at Thanksgiving (late November here). This is going to be a lifelong thing, re-learning to eat correctly, so I'm not trying to schedule around it (no "food funerals").

I know this wasn't directed at me, but the original post was from six years ago, so not sure if the person is still active on the board or not. But I just wanted to say that high liver enzymes are not uncommon after bariatric surgery. Rapid weight loss can be tough on livers. My enzymes were high for the first year or so - after that, they went back down to normal. My PCP at the time didn't know this and thought I had "fatty liver" - but I checked around on the internet and on bariatric boards and found that this is actually fairly common. And mine DID go back to normal once my weight loss slowed down (she had them checked again at that point --- normal).

we didn't get calorie goals, but I've been hanging out on bariatric forums for the last seven or so years. 300 calories seems pretty common the first month when you're doing liquids or purees, but after that, most people are eating around 600-800 calories/day until they get to about 10-12 months out.

At two months out from a mini gastric bypass I was just trying to get enough calories in to be able to function at work and the rest of life! I found it really hard to consume anything, even enough fluids. I was probably around 400 calories at that point, some days up to around 800. From a healing and metabolism point of view I am not sure much below 800 is very helpful, in my opinion. Could you get a second opinion from an independent nutritionist with bariatric experience? Edited to add: in the UK actually it would be a dietician rather than nutritionist, I don't know if you have that distinction where you are from?

Honestly, I was eating less than 300 calories a day but that was when I was at the liquid & purée stage so first month. It slowly increased to almost 900 at 6months & then 1200 for me to maintain at about 18 months or so. But that’s me. Your needs will likely be entirely different. I was never given a caloric goal just portion sizes which I was advised to slowly increase as I was able. I was also encouraged to snack from about 2 months (?) usually twice a day. I ate yoghurt &/or cheese &/or fruit. As I was adding more vegetables to my diet, the snacks ensured I was still meeting my protein goals & eating some fruit too. Broadening my food options for a more balanced diet was more important to my nutritionalist from soft foods. As with most things bariatric, those who are given caloric goals seem to be given a variety of calories to aim for as they progressed. A lot of people are successful eating several small meals like @Bluebonnetgirl versus 3 meals a day. Or they put the leftovers in the fridge to finish later which I often did. You’ll work out what works best for you. Personally, I think your nutritionalist is not being realistic or sensible. Part of this process is to make us more aware of what, how & why we eat & introduce healthier ways of eating & more nutritious foods. Then when you get to your goal weight you have adopted a sustainable nutritious eating plan. How can you introduce fruit & vegetables into your diet if you can only eat 300 calories a day? All you are eating must really just be protein. An extremely low calorie eating plan is not sustainable nor healthy in the long term.