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We have another topic going about him too. He is my Dr. He is excellent and just as nice in person as his videos. He is so knowledgeable and does take the time to listen. His advice is different than most but if you think about it we really do need all the vegetables for health and antioxidants for healing. I am so grateful that I found him! Sorry you had so many complications. Hopefully this year will be great for you. I think with his videos and book you will be successful! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for this.. I'm an uninsured 9 weeks post op sleeve patient from Australia and have only had one folllow up appointment since my surgery. And that was with my dietician whom didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know lol. To she handed me a pamphlet and that was really it. I have found a lot of my diet and post op info from Pinterest and different forums like this one. Sometimes instagram and YouTube as well. I think it's because I was a self funded patient that I haven't really been given the time of day after my surgery. Thankfully I haven't had any complications but I have no idea about what supplements to take except multivitamins.. Annoying really Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App So sorry to hear that! These videos and his book are really informative. Message me if you want a buddy. I am no expert but I got through it and am happy to help even if it is just to listen! God bless, Gina Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for this.. I'm an uninsured 9 weeks post op sleeve patient from Australia and have only had one folllow up appointment since my surgery. And that was with my dietician whom didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know lol. To she handed me a pamphlet and that was really it. I have found a lot of my diet and post op info from Pinterest and different forums like this one. Sometimes instagram and YouTube as well. I think it's because I was a self funded patient that I haven't really been given the time of day after my surgery. Thankfully I haven't had any complications but I have no idea about what supplements to take except Multivitamins.. Annoying really Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 5 weeks post op. 209 day of operation and now 181. First 2 weeks had a good weight loss then week 3 and 4 I lost very little. Going into week 5 there was quite a good bump and big weight loss. I had post op complications too (ruptured spleen) so no exercise either. It will come don't worry

Hi. I had sleeve on 1/16/17, and I had zero problems. No pain and no complications. I am 68, and the main reason I wanted to lose a lot of weight is because of a bad back. I cannot stand for long, and walking is not easy. I am really hoping losing weight will help my back! Anyone with same problem? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@ze_vsg Wow! There are a lot of us. I don't find myself worrying too much about learning I'm not fit for the surgery. I do find myself thinking thoughts like, "Gee this could be my last day on earth and I'm doing laundry." I've just kept really busy doing exciting things for the last few weeks. I went to Washington on a bus with 100 other women, got a wood stove installed, and did a lot of post-op cooking. Today I made chicken soup. Then I went to a movie made about an amazing friend of mine who passed away a year ago, and ran into a lot of people I haven't seen for awhile at the movie. This was much better than staying at home worrying. Yesterday I went out and purchased a load of wood so I could come home to a cozy fire after surgery. I might feel like shit, but I'll have a fire to look forward to! When I was young, there was a lot of anxiety-producing chaos in my life. I learned that if something huge is going to happen, it's going to happen, so I think I developed a strategy of doing lots of stuff to keep my spirits up regardless of what might be coming. I had a mom with mental illness who was in and out of the hospital without warning, and we never knew exactly where or with what relative we might end up living. My surgeon has a great track record with fewer than average complications. He's been doing this for years and nobody has died on him yet. I figure I might as well get the most I possibly can out of today, prepare my house for convalescence, and hope for a speedy recovery without too much gas. sleeping it off also sounds like a sound strategy. I guess I'll see you all on the other side. Let me know how it goes for you.

Thank you! I can't take credit for that. All of my weight came off due to complications post op. I am determined to get healthy and maintain the weightloss though. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am an eight months post op gastric sleeve patient in the UK. I have had every complication going and unfortunately, have had limited support from my NHS bariatric team. So I have been learned alone how to manage my post op care, Vitamins and diet. Someone here recommended Dr Weiner's youtube videos so I watched every one of them. His advice has been fantastic. The video explaining how and why we lose so much weight in the initial post op period, then hit that wall around the nine month mark, was such a revelation. I have bought his book, a plan that he recommends to everyone who wants to lose weight, but very helpful to WLS patients. The plan is so different than my bariatric plan but so much better. I have to follow a low fodmap diet, plus a wls diet, so was really struggling to find a diet plan that suited me. I live alone so don't like to cook as I have no one else to feed but this book has me excited about my next year in this process. I have also bought a fitbit which has also been so encouraging for me. It means that I can track everything so I can keep to my diet and exercise program. I am quite housebound with a disability so the positive information from Dr Weiner and the data that the fitbit gives me has helped so much. Dr Weiner will do skype consultations. For people like me who are doing all of this alone without support, his videos and diet information are a God send. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

SO i have been following the boards for a bit but this is my first post. I am having the sleeve tomorrow 1/30. i am excited but also scared. was anyone else scared of complications during surgery....any advice post op would be great

Being so new to BP I gather you are not aware that there is a GUY's Room group on this site. This is a place for men to discuss everything from Weight Loss Surgery complications, diet, and concerns, to any other off-topic subjects Perhaps this link will help you. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/431-the-guys%E2%80%99-room/

I'm 39 and my Bday on Valentines Day. I'm 3 week post surgery. My BM are different. I suppose it is normal so my body can adjust. No complications Thank GOD. I do have way more energy now. I still track all the food I eat with my S Health App as I started Jan 16. My skin is starting to sag a lil. I can go to the Gym yet, but I walk about 2 mikes a day so my legs are firming up. My cousin wife is 1 year post surgery. She has some sag but not as much. She is considering surgery (You know women) to get her ideal look. Tie Hill Samsung S6+

Dang, that seems super long! We have a 6 month diet to follow and only 1 day of liquids to not complicate the anesthesia process. I'm going through UCLA's COMET program and it's been amazing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Had mine in TJ over 6 years ago. Great experience, quality medical care (I'm a retired RN so I know the difference), easy recovery, no complications. However, there are good and bad surgeons/facilities on both sides of the border, so without knowing your surgeon, there's no way to compare my experience to what yours will be. Congrats and good luck!

I think this is a little more complicated than just getting on with it. Have you spoken to your therapist about having WLS? When are you due to have the surgery? One bit of personal advice though, don't focus on what you can't do - focus on what you CAN do. Really wish you the very best and please come here to vent so we can support you Kate

I am 5'10 and I started at 540 pounds in October of 2015. I had surgery 5/29/16 at 480 pounds. Today 1/29/17 I weigh 324 pounds! This surgery saved my life! Before I had surgery I had to be on oxygen because I was so overweight it was pushing against my lungs. Even with all the complications I had after surgery I would do this again in a heartbeat! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you so much. I have read so many posts on here, but it seems that MOST are younger. I am not as worried about hair loss as I am about skin and complications. I have NEVER been comfortable wearing a tank top/sleeveless shirt, and it is one of my hopes that I will be able to someday, I know that sounds dumb, I guess it's just that I see everyone else wearing them and I want to be "normal"Good luck on your journey!!!! Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

Hi, Mainly just saying hi and letting you know that I am 45 and had the sleeve in November. I am only 11 weeks post op, so I can't say much about the extra skin, except that I have lost quite a bit of weight and my double chin is about gone. I was worried about the skin under my chin, but it's starting to bounce back. Also have quite a bit of skin on my arms, doing hand weights to try and help with that. And using lotions. Anything to try and help. I didn't have any complications with the surgery itself. I am just about at the time where my hair might start falling out. I expect that it will... most people lose some hair. Of course someone further along than me can help you more with your questions. Good luck with your surgery!

Hi. I am having my surgery in June, and I was just wondering if there is anyone out there that is around 44 yrs old that had the surgery. How did you do? Extra skin? Complications? Hair loss etc? Thank you. Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

@lisylooby. I've had band to bypass two seperate surgeries. Two years of herendous complications forced removal of band. All was going well with bypass till week six when I started throwing up everything including water Ended up in hospital with stricture. Now three months later I've had five dialations I'm holding on till last minute as it's closing again next step is stent. If that doesn't work. Revision Hang in there There is a fix good luck

I'm truly sorry your attempts to be a birth mother but you have other options. With your health status you may not have as many options to regain your health. I chose not to tell anyone about my surgery except my 28 year old daughter and my younger brother. That's my 'team '. They aren't on board. I didn't expect their skeptical disapproval. We are very close. I didn't tell them until I was scheduled for surgery. Maybe they will be supportive as the results are obvious. The same thing happened with me and my PCP. I was in a wreck in 2011, gained a lot of weight. I became depressed because of my weight and my weight caused depression. I was a mess for more than a year. In the Spring I started not feeling well. I was sick of being sick. I didn't know what a sleeve was. But once I started seeing the labs and other testing I had no idea how much my weight was affecting my body. My Dr suggested I attend the seminar. I startled the 5 month process for surgery approval. I said many times to the Drs and nurses I was moving forward but in my mind I wasn't absolutely committed. This is not plastic surgery. It's an opportunity to begin living again instead of existing. I had started not going out of my house. I didn't want anyone I knew to see me. If you're not prepared to make changes after surgery, you may not be on the right track 2 months before surgery I started having a Protein shake every morning and only drinking Water. I paid close attention to what I was eating and smaller portions. I didn't deprive myself. I became more aware. I know those changes made a huge difference to any questions I had. I had my surgery on Wed 25th. It's hard to explain how different I felt only a few hours after surgery. I felt a sense of hope being proud to be me again. I had lost myself along the way. In all our lives family and friends may not agree with our choices, for sure! We all have health issues or we wouldn't be Bariatric patients. We are living with those. Not them. My brother has a 5 year old and a 7 year old. I told him, strap your children on the front of your body then walk up and down the steps, get in and out of your car a few times a day, shower, get dressed with all the extra weight. It's true until you walk in someone's shoes you don't understand them. Another big factor for surgery was seeing the look in the eyes of my daughter and brother. They had gently said a few times they wished I was more healthy. I made the choice for surgery to stop and try to reverse medical issues. When I did tell them, I asked them to stay off the internet. I gave them Mayo and Cleveland clinic sites. I offered to answer any questions they had specifically to my health and surgery. They opted not to engage with me about anything. I had even planned to Uber to the hospital but I was scheduled as the 1st surgery at 7a. I had to be there at 5:30a, Uber was out. My daughter did drive and drop me at the door. It's only about 15 minutes but it felt like 15 hours. She never spoke a single word and you could cut the air with a knife. I'm ok with it. I can't change it. You do you, to both of them. Going to support group was awesome! You meet pre op and post op patients. Everyone heals differently but you don't have to reinvent the wheel. They have great tips. In a genuine way, tell those who aren't supportive you are making the best decision for you. Facts are convincing. Surg approved from 17-73 years old. Complications during surgery is 1% of all cases. And so on........ If you were diagnosed with cancer would they be opposed to treatment? You have a medical diagnosis. You deserve the best possible medical care. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey, I had My Sleeve done at st. Francis hospital on the 25th with no complications (thank God) I'd love to chat and i wish you a successful operation and a healthy and speedy recovery. ???? Sent from my SM-J700P using the BariatricPal App

Hi, Last month my PCP recommended that I contact the bariatric center. I am 5'4 and have a bmi of 50 which is about 290 lbs. I have sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Two years ago I never thought I would be in this place. I was always obese but had lost 70 lbs the all natural way. I weighed less than I even weighed in high school. I did all this while suffering from hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, my husband and I decided to try and get pregnant. We really wanted a baby...because I never had one and I always wanted to be a mom. I was being treated for hyperplasia with an IUD at the time. I lost the IUD...and we attempted to get preggers...within 3 months I was hospitalized 2 times and had to have blood transfusions because of my periods. We then found out I had pcos and precancerous hyperplasia. Physically, I was done.. I could not do it anymore...and my husband could not stand watching me suffer anymore. So we decided to have a total hysterectomy. Shortly after I had a nervous breakdown...and severe depression from not being able to have a baby. That is where the current problem starts. While I had a very bad relationship with food my entire life...I never gained weight like I did until after having the hysterectomy. 200 turned into 250 and 250 turned into the heaviest weight of my life. I was under my PCP watch for well over a year trying metformin and everything under the sun...and still I would gain. I can't get it under control...and the weight I do manage to lose comes back with vengeance. So finally my PCP had enough and said its time to call bariatrics. I trust my doctor...and I trust my hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, so I gave in and attended a seminar. After researching, and deciding that wls was a good option...I applied and got accepted into the program. I am scheduled to see the shrink in two weeks, and start the pre op process. Since then I I have told just my immediate family...mom, dad, sister, brother, one cousin, and a good friend about my decision. One has been supportive the rest are scaring me to death. Talking about complications..and people that their friends know dying from the operation. I know the risks, but now I am terrified I am making the wrong decision. Help! Sent from my SM-G360T1 using the BariatricPal App

I had a non surgery complication while in the hospital. I was sick before i had the surgery and only took two days of antibiotics, unfortunately that ended in a C.diff infection. I ended up staying in the hospital for 9 days until i was cleared to go home. I lost about 11 pounds during that week.

Hey everyone, I posted a few days ago on this same topic, but my issue has gotten worse. Surgery date 1/19/17. Incision sites externally all healing fine. Thy could not look any better. They're itching and on the road to recovery. I'm having no complications aside from internal pain near upper left incision site. It's an unbearable burning and pulling sensation. I've spoken to the doctors at length. They say it's normal. You're only a week post-op. I've had two children and numerous kidney stones. This is up there!! I'm fine if laying or sitting back. To get up and walk or even go to the bathroom I'm holding my abdomen in agony. Also I was prescribed zero pain meds aside from Tylenol. Is that normal? I just needed to vent. I've been on the internet searching for answers, relief, just something to get through. I never expected this agony. I've had laparoscopic gall bladder surgery and did very well. I'm just so confused. Anyone going through or went through this? If so, how long did it last? Did anything provide relief? Much love, Melissa. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A fundal deformity is indeed an indicator of an improperly formed sleeve. There should be none of that thinner, stretchy fundus left from your old stomach. Sounds like your surgeon is trying to blame you for his/her lack of surgical skill. What 'previous follow-ups' did you have that confirmed your belief that your sleeve was done correctly? Here's a good read: Laparoscopic Repair of Hiatal Hernia With Dor Fundoplication After Sleeve Gastrectomy in a Patient With Intractable GERD and Retained Gastric Body Tweet 0Share 0Share Andre Teixeira, MD MBA MPH, Carolina Ampudia, MD, Samuel Szomstein, MD FACS FASMBS, Raul Rosenthal, MD FACS FASMBS. Cleveland Clinic Florida Introduction: Sleeve gastrectomy is one of the newest procedures and one of the fastest growing surgeries in the bariatric armamentarium. Technical details of the sleeve are important and failure to adhere to strict technical guidelines may result in complications. Materials and Methods: A 26-year-old female status post vertical sleeve gastrectomy performed in a different institution 2 years ago presented to our office with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to medical therapy. UGI revealed severe reflux and a hiatal hernia. The patient underwent a laparoscopic reoperation. Using sharp dissection, the sleeve was dissected off the liver. The liver is cranially retracted. Adhesions to the anterior wall of the stomach were sharply taken down. Right and left crus of the diaphragm were dissected and a somewhat large fundic remnant was identified, isolated and reduced into the abdominal cavity. The diaphragmatic crus was closed posteriorly with a running double layer of quills 2-0 Prolene sutures. Anteriorly another 2-0 silk suture was used to reinforce the hiatus. An Ewald tube was passed and the retained fundus was then sutured with 2 interrupted 2-0 silk sutures to the lesser side of the esophagus in an attempt to create a Dor type fundoplication. Result: The recovery of the patient was uneventful, with a normal UGI on POD1 without leak or obstruction. The patient presented to the office 2 weeks postoperative and she was completely off the PPI and no symptoms of reflux were present. Conclusion: Sleeve gastrectomy is accepted as an effective surgical option for treatment for morbid obesity. Strict technical guidelines and an excellent preoperative workup need to be followed in order to prevent complications from the operation. Sleeve gastrectomy creates a high-pressure system that can make GERD unbearable for patients with hiatal hernia and incompetent lower esophageal sphincters. The use of an anterior fundoplication type Dor can be a feasible alternative for patients with GERD.