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I currently have a BMI of 36.5 with comorbidities. I have to follow the 6 month pre-op diet as part of the bariatric program. My question is: what if I lose too much weight during this phase and fall below 35 BMI? Will this exclude me from surgery? I know I can be successful at a 6 month diet, but past experience has proven that I will gain that weight back. Any feedback is welcome!

I was referred to a long standing bariatric doctor. I found out that he does not believe in revision sugery despite the research (2019). I am now in the process of finding a new doctor with approval for the procedure. I am excited and scared as heck. I will never give up! So, here we start again! Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you so much for replying! I was especially interested in your thoughts because you have posted a lot about this subject. It's too bad not all bariatric centers provide this kind of resources. So, if I'm understanding what you're saying, it seems like you think I should try to find another therapist -- one who has experience treating WLS patients or at least disordered eating? I actually really liked the guy who did my pre-surgery psych eval and I've been thinking about going to him. It seems like it might be awkward, but I got the sense that he knew a lot about WLS and the issues relating to it. I had a session with my current therapist today and I wrote up a list of issues that I wanted to address, and I think that helped... But I don't want to keep wasting time and money with someone who is not going to be able to help me with what I need to work on.

Finding triggers is definitely the key. Tools also help as well. For me, I purchased the bowl and plate with all the measurements on them. Words cannot express how much they help keep me on track! I also heard of people doing "pouch resets" to regain their stopping points. I would suggest meeting with your bariatric nutritionist to discuss how to go about this if you feel the issue is no longer feeling full as quickly when you eat. If the issue is fighting temptation with forbidden foods, try looking up bariatric friendly substitutes or recipes. I've found that to be a God send. There's literally a healthy, bariatric-friendly version of every bad food out there! All it takes is a little research and recipe planning. If you're ever interested in swapping recipes or product ideas, let me know. Good luck to you! You've got this!

You've lost so much weight!!! That's something to be super proud of, definitely take a minute to pat yourself on the back and celebrate your accomplishment. I'm sorry you're going through this. 115 is a really low goal. Most bariatric patients don't get to such a low BMI. Maybe work on losing the 30 lbs you need to for skin surgery and set your final goal a little higher so you don't feel so disheartened? As for losing more weight right now, don't do anything drastic; just focus on the basics, like eating good food; veggies and lean protein. Try using an app like MyFitnessPal or Baritastic to track your calories. Don't beat yourself up for gaining weight during the pandemic - it happened to a LOT of people!! Wishing you the best!

Sounds like you have recurring strictures. What did your Bariatric surgeon suggest?

Sue, I wish I knew who to call in Tennessee, but I don't. I'm sorry. My group is affiliated with a research university and they do their homework. They have a few therapists that they have vetted and recommend to follow up with surgery patients. In addition to doing counseling appointments, our therapists also provide leadership for our support group meetings. It's kinda cool to see your therapist in the framework of working with several people you know going through the process. I know mine has heard a hundred bariatric surgery horror stories, success stories, has heard people just like me struggling through the process of making lifelong peace with food. If you're trying to find a therapist on your own, I'd suggest looking for someone with experience treating disordered eating, cross over addiction and food addiction. Find someone who can help you identify eating triggers associated with unmet needs. (they're usually linked). Those needs need to be addressed to ensure the habits don't backslide. Looks like the University of Tennessee has a bariatric center. It might be worth calling them and seeing if they have someone vetted who they work with....who is good....maybe you could do video visits? You are dead right that it's hard to find the RIGHT therapist for this niche. But I can't recommend it enough. Best wishes.

Jayali, I can think of three reasons why you are feeling so depressed and tired: post partum depression, carrying for an infant while holding down a job, and lack of vitamins and minerals. You need to get with the program. Take your supplements religiously and eat according to your food plan. I recommend that seek treatment for your addictions: medication and food. This may mean joining a 12-step program such as Overeaters Anonymous, AA, or NA. Avoid all sugar, artificial sweeteners, and flour. These are the things that trigger most of us. Otherwise, you will defeat your surgery and regain all that you've lost. If you've been prescribed a CPAP machine, find a mask that suits you, and use the CPAP every night. Getting enough sleep can make all the difference in the world. There are non-addictive sleeping pills that are very effective, such as Lunesta. I recommend reading Weight Loss Surgery Does Not Cure Food Addiction by Connie Stapleton and How Weight Loss Surgery Really Works, by Matthew Weiner. Please return to your obstetrician and bariatric surgeon and get help.

This got way longer than I expected, so let me start with the TL;DR: If you have gotten counseling that has helped with your WLS success, can you please give me some tips for how to find a good therapist? And what I should be discussing with that therapist? I'm looking at you, @Creekimp13 and @catwoman7 (since you've both mentioned the importance of therapy in your long-term success), but I would love to hear from anyone who has gotten this kind of counseling... I've seen so many people say that therapy is really important for long-term success with WLS. I'm almost a year out and I've been struggling lately, and I've had a hard time finding a good therapist. I searched my insurance company's website for therapists who treat eating disorders. I reached out to a practice that had a few therapists who had eating disorders listed as one of their specialties, and they sent a very curt reply saying that they don't have anyone on staff who treats eating disorders. I called another practice and explained that I'm a WLS patient looking for counseling on food and eating issues, and they assured me they could help, but the therapist they assigned to me knew nothing about WLS. I had a few sessions with him and it was useless. I had to keep explaining basics about WLS (like food restrictions, dumping syndrome, not eating and drinking at the same time, loose skin -- which he thought would go away on its own if I exercise enough and when I explained that the only way to get rid of it is plastic surgery, he suggested I ask my bariatric surgeon to do it at my next follow-up). He didn't seem to understand my issues at all. In hindsight, I probably should have walked out of the first session. When I started telling him my WLS story and mentioned that my highest weight was 341 pounds, he interrupted me: "Sue?" I stopped and said, "Yes?" He replied, with a big smile on his face, "Sue, you were FAT!" and then busted out laughing, like it was cool to make fun of how fat I used to be just because I'm not that big anymore. When I told him I wanted to get counseling to address my food and eating issues to make sure I don't gain the weight back, he replied, "You won't gain the weight back. If I had a $100 bill right now, I would bet $100 that you won't gain the weight back," and then we never discussed regain again in the next 3 sessions. I think he was under the impression that regain was an irrational fear and he did his job by reassuring me that it's not going to happen. Then I found another practice that has a whole paragraph on its web site about the support they offer for bariatric patients both before and after surgery. I called to make an appointment and said that I had bariatric surgery last year and I was interested in the post-surgery counseling they described on their web site. The receptionist told me she needed my surgeon's office notes from my most recent visit, and was oddly insistent that the notes come directly from the surgeon's office and not from me downloading them from my electronic chart and sending them. I had to sign release paperwork for the surgeon's office, and when the counseling practice got it, they called me and said they were confused because my surgeon's notes said I already had the surgery so there was no need for me to get a pre-surgery evaluation. I guess they thought I was asking for a psych eval for surgery approval and couldn't understand why I would need counseling after I already had the surgery. I cited the paragraph on their web site and they sent me to a seemingly random therapist (probably the first one with an opening) who had no experience with WLS patients. She's better than the last guy, but the sessions have been pretty generic -- basically, she asks me how my week has been, I talk about things that happen (usually relating to WLS issues), and she asks me how I feel about it or how I handled it. Doesn't feel like I'm getting anywhere -- just feels like a WLS patient Q&A. I told her this and she suggested I think about what exactly I want to discuss and tell her next week. I'll give that a try, but to be honest, I don't really know -- she's the therapist, so I was counting on her to provide that kind of guidance!

I just wanted to say thank you to all y'all. I found this site a while ago and have been lurking and reading and learning. The honest talk helped me with a lot of the anxiety I was having about surgery. The photos inspired me so much—so many of you changed your lives and kept them changed. The folks who are really into exercise reassured me that it isn't over (I love my CrossFit, and I can't wait until my weight isn't the limiting factor). And just the fact that so many people's lives improved finally got me over the "shame hump". I called for a referral, had my initial consultation last week, and am tentatively scheduled for VSG in late August. (My insurance has been frankly amazing. So few roadblocks that I kept checking to make sure they were talking about bariatric surgery.) To say I can't wait for this is an understatement. I just want y'all to know you're changing lives for me and for other lurkers who haven't clicked that "sign up" button yet. Thank you.

Has anyone tried the chocolate pb. Meal replacement from bariatric fusion? Redoing another 10days & with it being expensive .. I would rather know beforehand if it’s worth buying or not ... Thanks

Depending on which Aetna plan you have. Reach out to your Primary care to see if you need a referral. Research some bariatric surgeons in your area and see if they are in your network. My surgeon asked what surgery i was interested in what i've tried in the past what my eating habits are my medical past and if I had diagnosed with any of the co-morbilities he weighed me twice then approved me to move forward with scheduling with a dietician, endoscopy and sleep study. I have had to find a psychologist to get a psychological evaluation to determine my mental readiness. Took about 15-20 to get cleared. But check with your insurance as this was an out of pocket expense for $310.

I may not have had surgery yet, but I have listened to what my surgeon and other surgeons have said. Fluid goes right through the stomach. It doesn't stay in the stomach. But I agree with @RickM ask your GI guy to talk to your bariatric surgeon and come up with a better plan.

About how many pounds do you have to lose to comfortably go down a full pants size (not snugly fit). Asking because I personally find the mythic 10 pound estimate to be way off but maybe it's just me? Also, any other bariatric discussion boards you can recommend to visit?

I’m so sorry that you got treated that way. I can’t say as mine ( follow up) will be much better. We will see tomorrow. We have a ‘portal’ to send/receive messages to the bariatric team, but this far the ‘answers’ I get are ‘short and not REALLY answering anything I’m asking’. It seems that since the surgery they are kinda ‘done’ w me, and that may be just my emotions talking, or I’m sure that’s what they will try and say, lol. I have only lost 7 pounds, and I know I shouldn’t be ‘on the scale’, but of course I am! I see all these other ppl loosing soo much more post op. My pain is ok, I haven’t taken anything since 3 days out, but I am having a ‘stitch pain’( from what I’ve read) when I move a certain way, raise my arm. It’s on the right side. I did have a minor hernia repair while he was in tho, I had no idea I had it. As far as bandages, I was glued shut, so I never had any bandages so I’m not sure about that. I started my vitamins back today. I haven’t had any trouble getting my water in daily. The first few days it was a struggle. I have not been nauseous or thrown up at all , knock on wood,. I have followed the diet ( mostly, I had some mashed potatoes) . I have NOT ate ANYTHING sweet, I’m scared of dumping syndrome. I drink the protein shakes for most of my protein, and just started yesterday on stage 3, adding ‘mushy meat’ to my diet and smashed veggies. The ricotta bake tasted SOOOO heavenly!! How are you feeling????

Hello fellow Bariatricals, I am 3 months out and wanted to compare everyone else 3 month weight loss. I have only list 13kg which is 28 pounds. I am not worried, as I am losing and Ive always had a slow metabolism. How were you guys at 3 months post op ( please only give me weight loss from surgery day).

wow - that is pretty awful. My reaction was the same as Arabesque's - have they seen your medical records and test results? Have they talked to your surgeon? How much research have they done on the various bariatric surgeries? I think a lot of people who haven't done much research on bariatric surgeries are remembering bypasses from years ago. Those WERE risky. But they do them completely differently now. They aren't much riskier than the sleeve nowadays (and honestly, neither surgery is very risky). I'm sorry you're going through this. I only told my immediate family and a few close friends before the surgery, so fortunately, I didn't have to deal with this. This sounds mean, but maybe you should just start ignoring them == as in deleting their texts without responding. That's what I would do at this point. You shouldn't have to put up with this.

So sorry they’re not being supportive. I didn’t tell anyone in my family but my mother & one brother & his wife because I knew they wouldn’t judge & would understand & be supportive. Have you turned it back on them & asked what research they have done & where they got their information? Is it from recognised & legitimate sources? What medical people have they spoken too? Have they looked at all your medical test results & history? How many people who’ve actually had weight loss surgery have they spoken too (they’ll never be able to compete with the number of people on this forum)? Do they understand the reasons why bypass is the better option for you? Do they think you’re not intelligent enough to make a rational, informed & logical decision about your own health? Why can’t they just say they’re concerned but offer support & willingness to be there for you? Honestly, there are risks. But there are risks with all surgeries & they are pretty low for bariatric surgeries. It can be a struggle to get used to how your digestive system works post surgery but you’ll get used to its idiosyncrasies & discover how it works for you. I hope they can see your position & can be encouraging & not negative.

I went with RNY over VSG because the RNY has been around (in roughly its current format) since the 60s; there's half a century of long term follow up. The long term follow up with VSG is shorter. I always choose the devil I know Fun fact: the earliest reported example of bariatric surgery was performed on Sancho the Fat (the King of Leon) in the 10th century!

My surgeon has his patients do the Multivitamin Patch plus a B12 Patch for the first month then switch to the chewable Celebrate ADEK (or other brand of bariatric vitamins) and chewable calcium citrate with D3 and chewable iron (if needed).

I went to mexico bariatric center for a gasteric sleeve surgery in on June 11th. Dr. Louisana Valenzuela was my surgeon. I would recommend them to anyone interestes in going to mexico for surgery. If you have any questions let me no. So far i am down 35lbs from when i started the preop diet. No complications either.

I would definitely give some push back and ask for a different prep - there are many. Does he know that you have had WLS since your last scope? I just had one last month and they prescribed SuPrep, which is a low volume, two step prep - two 8 oz (IIRC) bottles that you drink fairly quickly, followed by a couple of bottles of water the next hour, done the night before and then again the morning of the procedure, and that seemed to go well - for both me and the doc. Should be little problem for a 1 year post op. My wife had a bad scope some years ago despite being compliant with the prep, It turns out that others with the DS like her reported similar problems - it seems that the wacky intestinal configuration needs a bit more time to clean out, as we discussed in one of our support group meetings. One of the other vets in the group who had a similar problem worked out a revised routine with his gastro that basically involved doing the clear diet for two (or possibly three) days before the bowel prep, and that did the job. When it was time for my wife's next scope a couple of years ago - new gastro since we had moved - we hit him up with the problem, and while he was focusing mostly on the WLS needing a low volume prep, which he prescribed, she did the modified longer liquid (not strictly clear the first day, just liquidy) and all went well with that one, too. So, while I am not an MD, it is clear that there are several ways to get the job done, and you gastro should be sensitive to your needs as well as his own. It kinda sounds like he is punishing you for what he may interpret as non-compliance the last time, or maybe this potion is what he is most experienced with for a more challenging case, and while he may be aware of newer preps on the market, he isn't experienced with them and goes with his old tried and true. Again, I would push back at this, tell him that you can't comply with this and why. Discuss what other options there are to get the job done that works for both of you. Your medical care, as with most things in life, are a negotiation and you have a say in this. If the doc doesn't want to comply with your needs, then it is entirely within your rights to go to a different doctor to get what you need. Ask your PCP or your bariatric practice for a referral to someone more bariatric friendly, if necessary. Good luck,

Folks, PLEASE check the education credentials of the person giving you nutrition advice. In some states, there is absolutley zero education required to call oneself "a nutritionist" and give people dietary consultations. Many bariatric groups will use lay-trained staff to push a particular doctor's dietary approach. Don't use these people. They are unqualified and it's dangerous. Nutrition is complex and individual and it's a SCIENCE. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dietitian-vs-nutritionist#nutritionist Check the laws in your state: https://theana.org/advocate Ask to see the credentials of the people treating you at appointments.

Impossible to say. They're all different. They might measure you, take pix, weight. They will talk about your history with diets. They will talk about your comorbidities. They will talk about your surgical options. They will all have a different list of what they require. The good ones will require you see a therapist, a dietician, and attend a support group meeting. They will offer access to things like exercise classes and healthy cooking classes geared to bariatric patients. You'll likely need a lot of medical tests. Blood panel, upper GI, chest xrays, ekg, presurgical stuff. Typically, you get a date after you do all or most of your prereqs. Wishing you the best.

I'm with you all it's the unknown. I am in my preop phase now day 7, my surgery is July 7th but so far I love drinking Fairlife. I bought the bariatric fusion but it's the same as Fairlife except I have to mix it. To be honest I was not getting enough calories thus far because I use almond unsweetened milk so didn't add up to enough in Day so I increases to 5 shakes a day to get at least 850-900 calories. I've been reading alot and trying to prepare dinners for family and with mine I puree. I bought 1 oz icecube trays and froze. So it's convenient. I love Dr Voung on you tube hes a bariatric surgeon he helps with alot of questions.