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I’m so sorry your having problems with your preop weight loss. It can be frustrating when taking this huge step forward in your health journey. i don’t know what surgery you’re going to have but with bypass not only does it restrict but your body doesn’t absorb all of the calories you take in. So that also helps. I don’t know much about the sleeve cause I knew I wanted the bypass from day one. also please don’t be worried about the future. With your surgery if you follow the guidelines set by your surgeon and nutritionist then you are going to see results more than 10lbs. Keep a positive attitude and the faith. Also give yourself a hug and pat on the back for coming this far and taking charge for a healthier life.

I had VSG surgery 5/2020, I stopped completely losing weight in November 2020, and I have not lost any since. I have been put on Saxenda, and Phenteramine (at different times). I fluctuate between 165-170. my height is 5'2. I stated at 210, so I have successfully lost 40 # but thats it. I am NO WHERE near where I thought the surgery would allow me to lose. I feel like a failure. I only consume about 1000 calories a day. I started CROSSFIT but have stopped since about a month ago. I'm just over it. I'm over trying I'm over the whole thing. I'm so frustrated and mad at myself for even allowing myself to have the surgery. So my question is has anyone else been through this and if so what did you do about it and get successful results. I don't know whether I need to do a VSG to RNY conversion. I don't know if I even have that option to be honest. For my height to be at a normal weight I would need to be at 135 but I would love to lose another 20 lbs.

I had my revision DS surgery last June 3 20201. Had a blockage from surgery on June 4th stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks. Just had another blockage 2 months ago and had surgery again. This time he removed the blockage and a ton of scar tissue. Well, my big problem is I have lost 215lbs. I started at 565lbs and am down to 350lbs. I am going nuts, I can't loose another pound to save my life. I tried the whole Krispy Kreme thing it was a no go. I am doing premier protein shakes. They told me to do 80mg of protein a day, but I cut back. I don't feel like I have lost a thing. I had plans by now. Skin removal, boob job, and neck fixed. Now I am a failure. I feel like my family looks at me as if I wasted my chance, like I did with the gastric bypass 10 years ago. I haven't. I take my vitamins and do everything right. Is there a diet pill or something someone recommends? The only weight I lost was a month ago when I got direaha for 4 days straight. 😪 thanks Jamie

You are ABSOLUTELY not alone. My bypass was on the 9th and I'm struggling to figure out hunger, fullness and the gurgling. And I keep taking sips that are too large. I used to gulp water and I really have to stay mindful so I don't feel sick. I've heard from others that its hard to gauge with liquids and things will be easier to understand once we get to puree and soft foods. Hang in there!

Hello! I’m scheduled July 9th for bypass. I’m sure each surgeon is different so do what yours tells you. But mine wants me on a two-week diet prior to surgery in the hopes that I’ll lose 10-15 lbs and help shrink my liver for an easier operation. my nutritionist needs me on two protein shakes a day and one light meal, with some snacks. Salads cauliflower cucumbers etc are unlimited with lite ranch. Some mother snacks were on the list. My clinic is extremely thorough and even gave us a shopping list and discount codes for certain protein shakes and vitamins. They want me to also change behaviors prior to surgery, such as no alcohol, no fizzy waters, hew food extremely thoroughly, so I’m used to it by my surgery date.

Hello, everyone! I am scheduled for VSG on July 14th pending insurance approval. I have an upper GI scope on Monday to check out the condition of my stomach. I had a Lap Band for about 8 years and it had to be removed 6 years ago via emergency surgery when it slipped. Hopefully everything will look okay in there on Monday and I will be set for surgery. After that I just have one more meeting with my doctor and my pre-op meeting. I'm not really sure what my pre-op diet will be. I guess I will learn about that next week. I'm definitely ready just to get this over with, and I hope it is less annoying than living with a band was all those years. I had originally wanted the full gastric bypass, but my surgeon said he is more comfortable with a sleeve after the previous band. I'm glad to have a support group, and excited for us next month!

Hi there I’m pre op for mini gastric bypass on the 17th I am allowed decaf coffee.....any ideas for creamer? Is powdered allowed? I was using a shake but it is so sweet

Update: I decided to go with the sleeve, after a consultation with my neurologist. She had said that the risks for neuropathy are higher with bypass, and since I already have it and don't want to do anything that could exacerbate it, I just feel more comfortable with the sleeve. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Well I’m now 3 days post op. The travelling was ok but long. I arrived in Belgium on Monday evening and was visited in the hotel by Bart that evening and was given instructions and directions to the hospital, it’s so close to the hotel, but because of COVID restrictions you could only use the front entrance of the hospital so was about a 15 minute walk. I didn’t need another COVID test as my one for “fit to fly” was still valid. Remember to take your passport to hospital. I had blood tests etc done on arrival and had my surgery about 11am, I was very sleepy all that day, but everything was fine, they removed my band that had been emptied a few years ago due to terrible acid reflux and performed the mini gastric bypass. The staff at the hospital were lovely, and most spoke sufficient English, a couple of them were fluent and they seemed to deal with me often, probably because of that, I heard often “the English patient” from the corridor (even though I’m Scottish) and someone would appear 😂 you get no fluid at all that first day, just a cup of water with a little sponge to wet your mouth, I found this part the hardest, I could have killed for a drink, but until you’ve had your X-ray the following day and Dr Chris has checked it, it’s nil by mouth, only iv fluids. After the X-ray you can drink sips of water that day, then on day 2 you move to tea, crispbreads, smooth yoghurt and clear soup, not all at once obviously. I was discharged back to the hotel after 2 days, they did a COVID test that morning and gave me a copy for the airport tomorrow morning. I’m managing fine on my own, although it’s advisable to bring stuff with you to eat after you return to the hotel as the hotel only does breakfasts. my suggestion is bring crisp breads, I’ll try to post a photo here, low fat margarine, low fat spreading cheese or low sugar jam, and low fat smooth yoghurt. This is what you’re given at the hospital so completely safe. There’s a fridge in the room, but no kettle, so I’d advise bringing a travel kettle to make clear soup too. so I’m up early tomorrow for my journey home, I feel good, managing my pain with just paracetamol, although I’ve been told that the majority of my pain is from where they removed the port from my band. I hope this helps anyone who’s due their op soon, I’ve probably missed out loads, so please ask any questions. i can’t wait to be home and step on the scales and start my new life! I was 17stone before starting all this, but was 16 stone the day I traveled here.

Do I understand this correctly? So this would be your second revision? I’m 3 weeks out from revision bypass surgery 4/18/21 so far so good so much easier then sleeve

This is something of a tricky situation, and the real experts would be your surgeon and your gastro getting their heads together on it. I'm not that familiar with your situation, but implicitly, there is some imbalance between your stomach acid and bile, and how they neutralize each other. Normally, your stomach acid is neutralized in your duodenum, (the part of your intestines immediately downstream of your stomach where the bile ducts enter the picture.) That will remain the case with the sleeve, as that part of the anatomy remains unchanged. Speculatively, it might improve things as with the sleeve we have some tendency to over produce acid (the stomach volume is cut down much more than the acid producing potential of the stomach) so this might better neutralize the bile secretions. With the RNY, the stomach is divided into two, with the small pouch that produces some acid connecting downstream of the duodenum, and the larger blind remnant stomach remaining in its natural place just upstream of the duodenum, wiht its acid still there to neutralize the bile secretions. The route from the duodenum down to the rectum will be a couple of feet or so shorter as the roux limb is brought up to the stomach pouch, and what acid secretions that you get from the pouch will be introduced a bit farther down. Another consideration to look into (ask your doctors) is the prospect of bile reflux - the opposite of what you are having, where it goes back upstream into the stomach and above. The RNY, and other allied procedures such as the mini-bypass and SIPS/SADI, have some predisposition toward bile reflux. This isn't usually a problem with the way RNYs are constructed these days, but it may be a consideration if you are starting out with an imbalance (again, this is amateur speculation, but talk to your docs about it.)

hey everyone. The name is Chip. I hope you are all well After years and two different states I finally received my gastric bypass on June first. I am having issues of buyers remorse I have read are very normal at this time so I’m looking forward to it going away. Not feeling hungry ever the last week and a half has been a new experience. My mind however just wants a big subway sandwich lol

they don't really bypass much of the intestine with RNY (not like they do with the DS), but then, I don't really know whether or not - or how much - of the intestine that they re-route is related to bile acids. I'd ask your bariatric surgeon, too. I've been hanging out on this and other boards for the last six or seven years, and this is the first time this has come up, believe it or not... P.S. if it would be an issue, then sleeve would probably still be an option, since that surgery is all on your stomach - they don't touch your intestines.

Hi y’all! I’m Shelly. I’m in Arkansas and I’m in the process of going through my 6 month of diet and exercise counseling that my insurance is requiring. I still have 4 months to go. I have a question though. I’m signed up to get the RnY but I have had pretty bad bile acid diarrhea for Years. So much so that I had developed rectal fissures that required surgery! I was talking to my gastroenterologist surgeon today at my last appointment and told him I was going to get the gastric bypass and would it Help with my bile acid problem. He is very Leary about me having the surgery since it is taking a part of my intestine that helps with the acid. He’s afraid it’ll make my problems a lot worse since there would be less intestines for the bile to travel and it would cause more diarrhea. Has anyone had any experience with bile acid diarrhea Before surgery!? Thanks

yea - that would be pretty rare - bypass usually improves if not cures GERD. Sorry you're dealing with this...that is awful!

Yeah I actually had a successful fundoplication 21 years ago and as bad as my reflux was then I never had ulcers. The bypass is usually the next step after a fundoplication if it’s just for GERD so I shouldn’t be having issues. I guess it’s really rare. I am on a PPI and also carafate which we just switched to the liquid today because I’m getting worse and not better. If this doesn’t work I’m not sure what they will do as far as the actual ulcers go.

Oh I am so sorry you are dealing with that now! I am pre-surgery and have problems with GERD and ulcers, so my hope is the bypass. The liquid meds that coat your esophagus helped me, and the Prilosec. I easily gave up tomatoes, citrus, and severely cut down coffee. I’m already lactose intolerant so avoid milk and hidden milk like the plague. That can make you vomit/GERD too. I wish you the best.

So I know people can have reflux problems after a sleeve, but I apparently am one of the rare cases of having severe issues after bypass. I currently have 2 large ulcers. They are talking revision surgery. Has anyone had this issue? I am only 5.5 months post bypass.

Hello everyone. So I had gastric bypass 6 weeks ago today and I am still miserable! I get sick every time I eat. I can’t keep my vitamins down. I have tried two different vitamins and both have made me sick. I do take omperazole everyday. I’m not sure what to do now, or if this is normal to still feel so bad after 6 weeks. At this point I’m regretting getting this done. If someone has some suggestions please let me know. Thanks!

I have read that since gas does not go into the stomach after bypass or stay in the pouch it travels directly to the small intestine which is below the ribs on the left side, try to avoid gassy foods and take digestive enzymes with meals (chewables) and see how you feel. It tends to get trapped in the blind portion of small intestine as well (at least from some reading I have done) if it persists then you investigate further.

So I am 1 month post op and am down 28 lbs. my starting weight was 245 lbs, My surgery day weight was 235 lbs and I’m now 217 lbs. I have no regrets. I had the gastric bypass on 5/6. My heartburn that I’ve experienced for years is GONE. It’s like magic. My sleep apnea is already better and I’m fitting into clothes that have been excruciatingly tight. I have more energy and can climb stairs at work without wanting to die. I have zero regrets. However, this decision was a risk benefit analysis. In my mind the risks of serious health complications secondary to my obesity were way higher than me getting the surgery. That’s not to say that this has been easy. I have a complicated relationship with food. I eat too much, I vomit. I eat something like candy (even the smart low sugar candy) I get dumping. Mashed potatoes, one of my favorite foods makes me dump. But I’m now craving healthy food like salad, fruits and veggies instead of Taco Bell and soda. If you feel like you’re ready and truly understand the risks than go for it. So far the best thing I’ve ever done.

I am two years post op (Gastric Bypass > Route En Y) and I do not regret my decision. I have lost almost 100 pounds and went from a size 16 to a size 4/6. It definitely has been a journey overall, but having the surgery for me put me back in control over my life. It forced me to identify the root/cause of why I was overweight and as I result I sought help mentally/and physically which has changed me forever. Granted, I still have moments where I do ask myself the same question just because I haven’t reached my target/goal weight and I have struggled with remaining consistent with exercise, getting enough fluids in (water) and having excess sagging skin. The ideal image after weight loss surgery that you may see on social media is not applicable for everyone’s situation because each person is different. I have found that theses images that are portrayed are sometimes helpful, but also can be hurtful because the content shared may not be 100% truthful. I am not sure if this is something that you have found to be challenging but for me it has been, because sometimes people on social media portray that sagging skin was completely tightened by exercise when it reality they had skin surgery to remove excess skin; for example. I have also found that after making such a great change, the people who said they supported me, have now began to ostracize me because they are envious, spiteful and refuse to acknowledge that change is necessary to be able to live a fulfilling life. Had I had known, that having weight loss surgery would reveal true intent of others as well, I would have had the weight loss surgery sooner! Regardless, I had the surgery for me, so that I can live freely! Being 2 years post op, I know only take vitamins and 1 maintenance drug to assist with some mental issues that I am still struggling with but besides that all of the health issues/conditions that I faced before have subsided. I also have identified specific food intolerances which I try to stay away from and I’m constantly reminding myself to slow down when eating to prevent indigestion and reflux. I do not eat or use dairy products because I have an dairy allergy/intolerance which existed before the surgery. I also do not have a galbladder, so I there are some foods my body doesn’t digest well. I primarily foods that are dairy free, gluten free, Non-GMO and have either low sugar content/low sodium content. I had a stomach ulcer last year; as a result of having the surgery and as a result I was hospitalized for a week. From my understanding it is common for weight loss surgery patients to have this issue post op. I also had kidney stones last year as well, which was a extremely painful ordeal, but I made it through. Even with all of the challenges that I have faced, I am still grateful that I had the surgery! Sharing my story with others has been liberating, freeing, and inspiring experience and has influenced multiple people to make decisions towards their own weight loss and one person even had weight loss surgery, as well. Overall, I hope that you don’t regret your weight loss surgery decision, because it’s your life and you live it the way you want to live it! I hope that reflecting on how far you have came will increase your inspiration and motivation, because having weight loss surgery is only half the battle. I start over almost everyday, but I refuse to go back to where I came from. I wish you nothing but the best in life and congratulations on your successful journey!

by revision, I bet she met gastric bypass (RNY). About 30% of sleevers develop GERD, and a minority of those get it bad enough that they revise to bypass (bypass often improves if not cures GERD). Although if it's mostly due to the hiatal hernia, she may be able to fix that when she gets in there.

I transitioned from a stapling to bypass and I’ve lost 100 pounds since January 20. Still losing.

I had band done 8 years ago and lost 50 pounds. Slowly went back up to starting weight of 332. Had bypass done on May 19. Lost 10 pounds during liquid pre-op and another 14 pounds since bypass. I had no complications from surgery, no pain after and feel great! I am supposed to be on puréed food until Wednesday, but the site of puréed food makes me gag. I’ve been eating mushy turkey and chicken breast and have handled it well. I had reflux from the band and major swallowing problems but that seemed to have disappeared. I do take omeprezole and something so I don’t get gallstones along with multivitamins. Keep us posted on what you decide.