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@@Tootsietoes Are we all adult's here? I have no Idea why I'm even responding.. The goal healthy. Whatever that may look like for each of us. You asked..."Does it bother you that someone could choose to get the surgery based on the idea that portion control, not food, is what makes you fat?" Never bothered me. I'm not here to rescue anyone. Good luck to a person that ate all their meals as cheese cake. Restriction alone is not a one size fits all. Your food choice will effect your outcome. I see - People looking for permission to go back to old behaviors. As long as they are happy..... that's fine. You are happy with your outcome right? Others are not so happy with weight gain. Some come here to get back on track. I would never tell them to eat what ever they want and all will be fine. That's just me... The majority here are new. I will direct them to proven best practices.(Their program) Not a one size fits all. Off the top of my head. You will see a program changes with people with health issues, complications, above average fitness levels, mobility issues and maintenance ... I'm sure their are more reasons.

My only regret is not having the single incision operation, which would have cost only $1000 more through my surgeon and left me without visible scars. The coordinator I worked with when booking my surgery (I had it in Mexico because I didn't meet insurance qualifications for having it locally) had encouraged me to opt for the less expensive procedure, with the rationale that I'd probably have loose skin I'd eventually want to have surgically removed, so the scars would't be as relevant. She'd lost over 200 pounds after having the VSG and said the surgery to remove the excess skin removed the scars. I had far less to lose, and doing so at a slower pace resulted in having no loose skin, and therefore no need for a second surgery. The scars aren't horrific, but for they are visible. This summer was the first time since my early teens that I felt truly confident to wear a bikini at the beach, but the scars held me back. Still, I felt fortunate to have that problem, since for years I didn't want to go to the beach at all out of self-consciousness, despite living near it. I also wish I'd been less worried about all that could go wrong and instead more focused on all that could go right. I do think it's very important to make yourself aware of complications, and all the other potential problems or setbacks you might face, prior to having surgery, so that you're prepared. I've had no complications, no loose skin, minimal hair loss, and was able to lose weight as hoped. The coordinator was sincerely trying to be helpful in making me aware of what many other people have experienced. She'd asked me if I wanted to have my gallbladder removed during the surgery, free of cost, and said that if I didn't I'd likely need to have it removed within the year. My doctor disagreed, and I didn't have my gallbladder removed, and have had zero problems with it.

No. Nice man, but was pretty neglectful post op. He did his actual surgical job and considered it a success despite all of my post op complications. I was never angry at him but my initial weightloss was through illness and everything else I have literally done alone. I never see my surgeon. He is only called in if I actually need further surgery. The nutritionist and I do everything via text. But I am hopeful for a great future and leaving all the bad stuff behind. Following all the health issues of 2016, I am now planning a fantastic 2017. My plan is to get healthy, make my sleeve work for me and make my future bright for me. I wish him well because he is a nice man. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I actually dislike the Lap Band. I've never had it done, but I've heard of so many complications. I know of 5 women who had it done, and every single one of them (except 1) had to have it removed. The other woman, who still has hers, is on the verge of getting hers out because it's causing her pain. It's like the body is rejecting it. My surgeon is actually trying to have the Lap Band procedure removed from his practice because of all the complications. Sorry to keep asking so many questions, I'm just trying to figure this out, or at least give you some insight. Is the pain on the right side? And does it feel like a tight band that's wrapped around you? Is it tender to press on? Please ask for a CT scan when you get this checked out.

I had the VSG in August of 2015, reached my goal weight months ago and have continued to lose, and still do not have any loose skin. So it's not true that everyone who has WLS will encounter this issue. There are a lot of factors to it, such as your age, genetics, the length of time you were at your highest weight, how much you lose, and how rapidly you lose, in addition to lifestyle choices such as nutrition, exercise, and self-care. I lost weight quite slowly, and I think this aided in my skin's ability to adjust. I'd plan on following the nutrition guidelines about food and drink, exercising daily as soon as you're cleared to do so, taking care of your skin but not obsessing over it, and being optimistic. I never encountered most of the fears I had prior to the surgery - no complications, no loose skin, no gauntness or premature aging, minimal hair loss, and I reached my goals.

My surgical team decided that my post op abdominal pain and blood tests showing infection was definitely gallbladder issues and wanted to take it out. He poked my tummy, I winced in pain and he referred me for gallbladder removal. I was devastated after having had post op complications and was terrified of further surgery so soon after. I didn't have gallstones or gallbladder issues at all. I had a clostridium difficile infection in my bowel. So even though I lost a shocking amount of weight in 4 weeks due to illness, my gallbladder has not suffered, that we know of. Yet my daughter, who lost weight on a conventional diet, had to have her gallbladder out on an emergency basis. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would ask your surgeon to do a peer to peer review with your insurance company. They know exactly how to get around it if in fact it is possible. My insurance company said the same thing only one per lifetime.....thankfully I chose bypass in the first place so hopefully i will never have to worry about it. But I would ask your surgeon to push back given your complications.

I've told my husband, of course. Two of my friends, it sort of slipped out. A few of my friends that I strictly talk to online. They are all supporting me, particularly my husband who is very much my advocate and has told me a million times already "whatever you need to do or change, we'll do it." I have not told my family (my sister, and my Aunt...my mother passed due to obesity and complications from diabetes.) nor have I told my husband's family. I'm scared of being judged by them. It'll come out eventually...my husband and I go to his house with the kids (here in the same town) every Friday for Pizza. Still not sure how I'm going to handle that. It doesn't help that my sister is rail thin (though it's because she doesn't eat and smokes a lot, even while pregnant. ) my father in law is really healthy and lost lots of weight after his heart attack, my brother in law and his wife are physical therapists, each lost weight on weight watchers, and my other sister in law is Korean and can eat 10 gallons of ice cream and lose 5 lbs. I feel really insecure around them then it comes to my weight, and I honestly can't tell with any of them if they will be negative or not. I'm thinking once I have a date, I will let my father in law know (since we also might need his help to baby sit the kids, and I will tell him not to take it personally if I stop coming over as I adjust.) The rest of the family...we'll see. You'd think my sister would be supportive, considering my mother declined WLS out of fear a few years back, something I see as the beginning of the end of her life. If she had gotten it, I really think she'd be alive now. But who knows? Maybe I'll change my mind once I'm done and free discuss it.

I used Dr. Jamil Stetler at Emory Bariatrics. He was awesome. I had zero complications and my incisions look great. First visit was April 5 with a 3 month supervised diet for insurance and was sleeved on Aug 4. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You do and eat ...EXACTLY...what the doctors tell you to do. You follow that eating and drinking plan EXACTLY like the doctor says and let the doctor / doctor office know of any complications right away. That part is not optional. Even something as small as popcorn to early will damage your surgery incision. For me, it was an odd sensation of not being hungry but being thirsty and trying my best to get fluids down. A single cup of Jello was hard to take in all at once....you are re-learning how to eat and live. If you eat things to early you will hurt yourself and or be sick. Trust me, I did it once where I ate to much and regretted it about 20 minutes later in the bathroom at work. I cleared an entire shelf in my fridge and that was MY shelf, of ONLY things I can eat at that time, at my eye level, and all else was out of sight. I did mine during the holidays too, and its hard as the family eats all around you, but I stuck to it and have good results. Good luck!

Extremely smooth. I had my initial consult with Dr. Sherrod and met with the nutritionist and exercise physiologist at the same time. Long appointment, but knocked it all out in one go. I was then given a list of all my pre-op requirements (psych, blood work, cardiologist) and told once they are complete, call to schedule pre-op appt. with doctor Sherrod. In all I saw Dr. Sherrod twice before surgery then my two week post-op appt. I'm now scheduled to see him in three months. Also know, he's not big on invasive testing and procedures. He doesn't do drains nor does he test for leaks after surgery. He also wants you in and out of the hospital as soon as possible. My surgery was at 9am and I was out by 1pm. That was the plan all along because I'm self pay and he didn't want me to rack up unnecessary hospital bills. If I had any complications or just not doing well after surgery, I would have stayed but luckily, everything went as smoothly as it could have.

I consider myself lucky that my insurance covered it with a local surgeon. But I'd have done the MX route if I'd needed to. What I would have done if that had been the case was meet with my PCP and see if she was comfortable doing followup care/testing. If she wasn't, I'd have asked her for a referral to a gastroenterologist and met with that specialist and explained the situation and gotten their agreement to do the followup. A lot of surgeons don't like to do followup for another surgeon but I think when you are proactive and get things arranged in advance it tends to go better. Most of the followup, even with minor complications, is going to be something a PCP can handle if they're willing. Only a serious complication would need a surgeon, and then most experienced gastroenterologists would be capable.

For me, the pre-op diet was 100 times harder than anything post op. And I didn't have to do a full liquid diet. I had to do 3-4 Protein shakes a day with one "healthy meal". It was *SO* hard, I didn't think I'd get through the 2 weeks, seriously. Some people say if you can't get through the pre-op without cheating you shouldn't do the surgery. I'm not sure about that. Before the surgery, you have all that stomach tissue flooding your body with hunger hormones and all the things that have driven you to eat for all the years that have gotten you to the place you're at. After the surgery, that tissue is cut out, and those hormones are GONE. I know it doesn't happen this way for everyone, but for me and a lot of people, the hunger drive is just GONE after surgery. For 2 months after surgery I literally had to set a reminder on my phone to eat and drink. Now 4 months out I have days where I get hungry, but most days I still have to remember to eat. So I personally don't think struggling pre-op is an indicator that you can't do it post-op. Now, that's not to say I advocate cheating. The evidence is unclear about the benefits of the pre-op diet. The surgeons that require one say that it reduces the size of the liver. The liver has to be lifted out of the way for the surgeon to be able to do the laparoscopic surgery. If your liver is too large, they either have to convert to an open surgery (HUGE incision in your belly, MUCH longer recovery, MUCH higher chance of complications) or they have to cancel it and try again after some radical diet changes to reduce the liver. So if those surgeons are right, cheating on the pre-op diet can increase the chances of complications and such with the surgery. For me, my doc didn't see any evidence of enlarged liver, and said in her experience without evidence of an abnormal liver the pre-op diet just didn't make that much difference, so she didn't have as strict of one. But my medical case is not your medical case, and my doc isn't your doc. It's important to follow your doc's instructions. If you're struggling so hard you just can't, then call your doc's team and see what they advise. I've seen people's stories here that when they called and talked to their team about their struggles, the team said they could add salads or other specific foods that wouldn't compromise the pre-op diet but would help them get through. I think too often people struggle so hard with things the doc says and fail and are too afraid to call the team. That's what they're there for. You won't be the first person to struggle seriously with the pre-op diet. They should have some advice or options or tools to help you. Good luck, and if nothing else, remember that this is a short period of time, just get through it as best you can, because it DOES GET BETTER.

Send her my love. I thank you are for sharing your daughters story. We hear so many great stories of people's journeys but there is another side. Some people are scared to open up, especially, on social media BUT I have found your story informative and it has really upset me the struggle your daughter is continuing to face. Ive been there to a degree and I'm sending all my strength to her. I hope the kids are ok to. I had little ones when I had complications so I know how Mum must be feeling. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent from my SM-G925I using the BariatricPal App

Quest chocolate....with PB2 sometimes! It is great for shakes and you can bake with it as well. I make chocolate mini cakes with it. I have a band, but converting to sleeve after Christmas. 85 lbs down (was 100, but gained 15 with complications!) 90ish more to go! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was in surgery for 7hrs due to complications and I felt the same, especially the hot/cold flashes which I think might be to do with all the hormonal changes that go on after surgery. I'm 15 days out now and feeling much better. My advice would be if you are still taking painkillers try get off them as soon as is comfortable - i felt much better once i had stopped mine xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just got back from Tijuana and my gastric bypass surgery. I went through BariatricPal TeamMX and Bill Yanez. Dr. Illan is one of the best bariatric surgeons in the entire North American continent! And the other doctors, nursing staff, and valets are the best. Oasis of Hope Hospital is a great place with spacious rooms and the nurses come quickly if you push the nurse button. A doctor comes in to visit you at least two times a day to check how you're doing, check your incisions, and answer any questions you may have. Then, you go to Puebla Amigo Hotel and Casino and the rooms are wonderful. One of the doctors you already have met comes every day to check on you. The valets are available to help you during your stay there. They will take you out to tours and shopping and to eat. I have had zero complications since my surgery. I also like the post-op diet phases. I have 9 phases. I feel it allows me to slowly get back to a normal diet, while allowing my pouch to heal. I know I can call the doctor or send her an email if I have any questions. I can also call or email my nutritionist there with any questions. I have two weight loss sisters and I know we will keep in touch. I just wanted to share my experience. I hope this helps. Please get in touch with Bill Yanez if you have any more questions. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

It will be over before you know it. When I first awakened after surgery I was in a state of shock because I honestly thought the surgeon had somehow pulled out at the last minute and decided not to do the surgery procedure, because I wasn't feeling any kind of pain. My surgeon actually walked over to me and confirmed that he did indeed do the surgery and everything went very well. I eventually felt a little soreness at the incision sites but that was very bearable. Of course, I know people sometimes have complications, but what's a safer place to have a complication than an actual hospital. I believe you're gonna totally ROCK this!:-) Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

Hi all, hope you're all keeping well! I don't post much here but I read daily (one of the first and last things I do each day!) Your stories and tips have been great. I don't have a question as such, more so just sharing. I'm just over 6 weeks post-op. I didn't have any surgery complications luckily, went back to work after a week and a half, haven't had any issues with vomiting or anything of concern. I had the normal post-surgery "instant regret" and "what did I do I've ruined my life" moments for a couple of days, and then I battled head hunger for two weeks. Since then I've tried to get myself in a routine following the plans, tracking everything so I can start recognising amounts and portions. I've only weighed myself twice, both at surgeon appointment follow-up's, and been pleased, the loss has begun to slow down but I prepared for that. The only thing I need to do more of is exercise. I'm using daily arm weights but definitely need to get out more. At this point I feel more settled than I have done in a long time. In terms of making this decision, following through and then just dealing with what comes next. I am beginning to feel glad I did it, I can see the benefits, not in terms of weight loss but in terms of stamina, I can walk longer and faster without back pain, my heart rate is lower and I can feel it, and so on. What is now beginning to surface is all the "mental" stuff that I didn't necessarily realise was related to the issues I've clearly had with food. Food was a mask. It was there as a comfort I think. I also think loneliness has played a big part. I have experienced quite toxic friendships and relationships and lost willingness to trust others, and that led me to believe that I can't rely on anyone apart from myself. Which is probably not the worst thing in the world in itself, but it has led me to be emotionally disconnected, and lonely. I also let people walk all over me. All the time. I never choose to say no and normally my needs come last. Which is probably why I feel the need to comfort myself. This surgery doesn't take any of that away (shock!) But it has forced me to reevaluate not just my relationship with food, but my relationship with myself, and also others. For me, that is what needs to change before anything else. I know I'm still very early on in this journey and I have no idea where I'll be a couple of years down the road. I am hopeful that dealing with the "mental" will enable me to ingrain the new habits I am forming into my new "normal". Therapy is a must have. This has to come from me, I can only be accountable for choices I make in this. As I said, no real questions here, although if anyone can relate to this I'd love to hear your story! Take care all x

I'm your age too. I chose Rny because I had acid reflux and because Rny is the gold standard. I wanted the dumping aspect as well. I needed to lose about the same amount of weight as you. I've lost 72 lbs since my surgery 4 months ago. I'm about half way to my goal. I have had no complications so far. The best decision I ever made. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

I'm so sorry about your complications. I really appreciate you sharing your journey. I hope things turn around for you soon. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

I started at 609lbs. Loss to date is 319lbs. I was relatively healthy apart from the sleep apnea. And mobility problems. Post surgery I am the best version of myself I have ever been. I had no complications whatsoever. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was told by my doctor my body is rejecting the surgery that is why I am still having complications. I guess it can happen, didn't know that. Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

I haven't been back to work for 7 weeks, have taken the decision to go back the first week January. I have however had my fare share of complications. Best of luck. Sent from my HTC 10 using the BariatricPal App

Actually, the only difference is there's one anastomosis instead of two. The weightloss, Vitamin deficiency etc are the same as RNY. However, the surgery time is reduced and they are less complications, again because of the one join instead of two. Pre-surgury. HW: 126.3 kg (278 lbs) / CW: 123.8 kg (272 lbs)