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I'm allowed to take pills after my recent surgery. I think I am coming down with a dreaded UTI. Has anyone had any problems taking Kelfex (Cephalexin) after a gastric bypass?

Want to read what has been the experience of people who had either sleeve or bypass with All the comorbities (HBP, daíbetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, acid reflux and asthma) 1. what surgery did you do and why? 2. Has the surgery resolved all or some of your comorbities? I am a candidate myself but unsure 😐 of what surgery to choose. Looking for some feedback thank you all

Exactly. My surgeon told me 60-65% of excess weight was what to expect. She recommended sleeve for where I was (around a 40-41 BMI when I had my first consult) and for the fact you are unlikely to have dumping issues or absorption issues. However, before she made the final decision I had to do an endoscopy to show that I didn’t have reflux issues or that would mean bypass. As Luna Girl said, you have to commit to follow the plan and change you eating habits. I did not stray from the pre-op or post-op diet stages, and only ate the things that were appropriate for each stage. Now I’m not going to lie - I’ve had a cookie here or there or a small ice cream a few times - but I log everything and I have one on occasion as a special treat - I don’t eat 6 cookies in one sitting - actually, I don’t think I’ve even had 6 cookies in total since surgery! And I was probably 5 months along before I had any of those things in small doses. Surgery is a tool - not a magic bullet - and I think sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of that. The last thing I will say is that my only regret is not doing this sooner. You’ve already done the hardest part in taking the first step - stick with it and good luck on your journey!

Hi friends! I am brand new here and also in the process of WLS. My first appointment with my weight loss surgeon is on 9/1/21 to start the process! I am looking at the sleeve surgery since it seems the best from the research I have done. My concern is how much I can lose with the procedure's assistance. I know it's a tool, but I need to lose approx. 126lbs and from the calculators and estimators I have used online it says I would lose only about 70lbs with the sleeve or 85lbs with the bypass. These numbers seem really low compared to the results I see on the forums and other websites. I just wanted to know if anyone had more information on this? Is anyone similar to my stats who has lost more/less? Thank you in advance!

I'm several years post surgery, it was in November of 2016 (wow). SUddenly the last coupe of weeks, my torso/stomach area have just felt odd. I'll feel twinges in my back, or in the front, and my stomach is just...laying weirdly? I'ts hard for me to define what I'm talking about, but maybe somebody has some experience. I lost over 130 pounds following the surgery to get down to around 270, and I've put a little bit back on in the last year and a half or so to where I'm hovering between 292 and 300. Any tips? My GP said it's nothing to worry about, just with rerouting the system thre will be oddities. I'm not in pain, but it just feels odd and uncomfortable. I shouldn't say I'm NOT in pain, I have back pain the last 5-6 months or so, predating the belly issues

Hi all, Well i survived my revision. I was in the hospital for 4 nights. There was scar tissue from when i had my gall bladder removed 35 years ago and working with the gastric bypass i had 15 yrs ago made it a 5 1/2 hr. surgery. I have a slight pain going on yet and still move a little slow. So, i am on the mend, listening to everything my doctor is telling me. I see the doctor and nutritionist august 26. i will finally go on to pureed food on Monday and i can't wait. i'm kind of tired of eating the same stuff on this liquid diet stage. Taking one day at a time. Thank you to all who have thought of me going into this surgery. It was a little rough at first, but each day gets better.

I'm doing the same as you ( band to bypass) and scheduled for surgery 8 Sep. I met with my doc today and asked the following: 1. Will I have a drain? 2. How long will I be admitted? 3. How long is the surgery? Can I have visitors? Do I need bandages for wound after are? What and how many medications will I be on immediately after surgery? When can I start my vitamins again? Is there a danger of COVID infection or other infections after surgery? Do I need to limit contact with others? When can I start getting massages after surgery? Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone I’m curious to know what everyone is using for calcium supplements after having gastric bypass surgery. I am three months postop doing very well but had been using Caltrate chews until they recently discontinued them after further research I found that the calcium carbonate was not a good choice and that the calcium citrate is recommended so I ordered some chewables on the BariatricPal website my dietitian said I will never be able to take calcium in the capsule form again after a bypass and I’m curious if others were told the same thing. I understand we cannot take any kind of calcium gummy’s either. These calcium chews are the way too expensive to keep purchasing long term so I hope in the future to be able to find something much cheaper and would love to hear others feedback on the subject thanks in advance!!

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!

I live in Mansfield, near Arlington. Just had gastric bypass on Aug. 5th. I know it's not Dallas, but close enough right? I don't know a lot yet but I'd be happy to share what I do know. Which surgery are you going to have and when?

Because you’ve already have a staring point of reference because of your band, I’d probably ask about the differences between having a band & the bypass. Are there differences in the foods you can eat or may struggle with? Are there differences in specific nutrients you must include in your diet? Are there differences in how you’ll recover post surgery? Are there differences in how you’ll manage the bypass versus the band. Will you require different or additional supplements? What are the possible issues you may encounter after surgery & in the long term - what to look out for or be aware of. What should you expect the recovery time to be? How will your digestive system work with a band versus a sleeve? What are the dos & don’ts post surgery & the staged return to eating solid foods? Etc. Sure others will come up with more. Hope it goes well.

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!

I had a revision for GERD/hiatal hernia repair/esophageal dysmotility 7/13. The goal with my revision was to continue maintaining my weight. I had been in maintenance for 7 months the day of my revision. I was 144 pounds the day of my revision. At two weeks post op my weight was down to 133. I met with my dietitian who gave me a goal of 600-800 calories a day initially and to work towards getting back to 1200. She gave me meal plans for puree and soft foods Week 3 I had gained back to 137. I was alarmed but thought maybe the initial weight loss was just water weight and it would even out. However it didn't stop. Week 4 I was back up to 139 and this week (week 5) 141. My fear is that if this continues i will be heavier than the day of my revision. I am not constipated and am having regular bowel movements thanks to miralax. I asked in a revision "support" group on Facebook but got mostly blame filled posts telling me to go back to my dietitian and that I must be eating too much or ridiculous suggestions to ask my doctor for phentermine. I am diligent about weighing and measuring food and tracking what I eat. I was successfully maintaining my weight post sleeve so it is infuriating to be gaining weight while eating less. I am still struggling with esophageal dysmotility and vomiting due to that. I can't get over 800 calories a day because of it and am weak and tired. I did see my gastroenterologist this week and was told I need a esophageal manometry done but we have to wait until I am fully healed from the bypass. I am still eating soft foods. I have a follow up with my surgeon next week. I want to add that I am not interested in losing more weight. I can't physically eat more and I do not buy into the idea that eating too little would cause weight gain. I just want to maintain my weight. I am really trying to eat as much as my dietitian has suggested but it's hard.

Hi rjan, I enjoyed reading your post. I was sleeved in July 2020, having a SW of 200# at 5’4”, similar to your stats. I am losing weight at a REALLY slow pace at this point. It has taken me 8 mos. to lose the last 10 lbs!! I figure it’s due to 1) a relatively low starting BMI, 2) my age (68), and 3) having the sleeve vs. the bypass. But your post is personally encouraging to me; I’ll keep plugging along!

Hi, My name is Trapper I had a Gastric Bypass about 3 weeks ago. I'm currently on the puree stage and start soft foods August 24th, My main concern right now(besides how annoying it is not being able to eat what I want lol) is when can I drink normal again? Before my surgery I was always thirsty and I still am, It takes a lot of willpower to not just chug a water or something. When does this "sipping" of drinks stop? Does it stop? I've tried to slowly see how much I can handle drinking but if I drink too much I tend to burp a lot or get a bubbling in my throat like indigestion or acid reflux I don't really know. Anyway it's uncomfortable because I'm used to being able to just drink and not worry about it, Not being able to drink as much as I want does really irritate me since I'm always thirsty I just want to drink more, Maybe it's just in my head? I'm not sure. Anyway I'd love to hear any tips you have for drinking or in general. Thanks!

i,m based in the UK and i was wondering if there is anyone who can recommend a responsible "finance company " that can help me so i can have bypass surgery hopefully this year. i,m hoping to hear from people from the UK only, seeing as i,m based here thanks.

The best augmentation was much more painful than the gastric bypass. And it definitely takes at least 4 weeks to feel normal.

I'm 11 months out bypass. Down 123 and stuck until I can quit drinking my calories. I get so dehydrated! I still have 38 pounds to go to my goal weight. Unless I decide I need to lose more. I haven't been that weight in 25 years, so I think that's a good weight for me. Congrats on your weight loss!

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’m 51, had Bypass 2/12/21 down 84 lbs. HW 315 lbs, SW 278 lbs, CW 194. 5 lbs. Next GW 180 lbs. Off all of my BP and BS now making sure I regulate both. Mindful of eating my protein and fluids.

Hi all, Ill be having the sleeve done later this year. Ive had my first appointment with the surgeon i want to go with, it was just with the nurse that time. I did tell her my private health insurance reaches that one year mark in the middle of October and with my sons birthday a few days later I'd be wanting the surgery to be around early November just so I'm not on the pre op diet on his birthday(a kid only turns 10 once!). They gave me my next appointments to be 19th October which is after that one year mark. Its with the dietitian and the surgeon. So im just wondering what the timeline is like with these appointments?? Im based in Sydney Australia. Would i start the pre op the day after that appointment? Are there other appointments i need to attend? Im really hoping for that first week or 2 of november to be the surgery date and just feel like the appointments that were made would push my surgery to late november or even december!

I agree with what GreenTealael said. For really severe cases that can't be managed otherwise, they'll sometimes suggest a revision to bypass (which often improves - if not outright cures - GERD)

Anyone out 11 months from bypass? What is your weight loss amount? Mine is 102 from surgery, 132 total. I'm far behind. My biggest problem is drinking my calories. Tired if water, but get so dehydrated.

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?

In reference to being re-sleeved, it is not feasible. I looked into this before finding out my only option was gastric bypass after having been sleeved. Some stated it was dangerous, and others felt that if it failed once, why perform the same procedure?