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I am 7wk post gastric bypass surgery and I been getting muscle twitching/spasms. Have anyone gone through this? Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

For me personally I had my gastric bypass surgery April 29th 2019 I reached goal before my one year anniversary. I ended up going for plastics in June. My weight was at the lowest that it ever would be, the lowest I’d ever been able to reach actually. It’s still stable I knew going in to expect a range within a few lbs of fluctuations and try to keep it in check due to hormone issues. But I don’t regret jumping in when I did. I saw the opportunity and grabbed it. I’m still in the recovery process wearing Faja. I had a belt lipectomy/butterfly lift with stomach muscle tightening, thigh lift, and augmentation. It helped that my BMI was low.

It’s tough, I hit a lot of walls because I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis from age 9, it’s lifelong and is one of few medical conditions that exertion and exercise are damaging. I found out the hard way and the medical community didn’t call it post exertional malaise until recently. So I ended up with many other medical conditions. I’d hoped to not get over 200 Lbs again but before my gastric bypass surgery I did. My BMI was over 40 which helped qualify me for my insurance but it was hard. Eating similar healthy foods to my mom, maybe even less calories yet gained weight. I was At a point that I knew what to do, I had studied holistic health and nutrition. I knew how to eat low carb. Holy heck I let loose and ate a kale salad with Gardein crab-less crab cakes that was my version of cheating 🤣 or Gardein Fishless fish filets with a few veggie tots. I just couldn’t be quite as strict low carb with my gallbladder acting up. But the rate my weight was going up was crazy. so I was on the verge of giving up. It was all or nothing. I knew that I needed the tool of gastric bypass surgery to help me reduce calories, the bypass would help as well with the hormones. At least that’s what I hoped. I kept to extremely strict low calorie after surgery and my main goal was protein. And I was grateful when I finally saw results. I think RNY might have more of a hormone impact but I don’t remember the exact science of it. I know I wouldn’t have gotten here without it. I’m struggling with a few issues but that’s the life with chronic illness. I hope you have. A good doctor. Mine hasn’t a clue. I had to do my own work. I begged for help as I gained. And her response oh your weight is fine, even at my heaviest. I’m only 5’ 208lbs is a lot to carry on a already exhausted body with severe muscle weakness and fatigue and chronic pain. I didnt have any hormone therapy because I had surgery for endometriosis and the hormones would just cause it to grow. i think you can succeed because you know the right tools to get there and along with the tool of bariatric surgery It’s another tool in the box to get ahead. It helps to find the right balance of protein and calories. I have log of my protein and calories and weight not quite from the start but as soon as I realized it was beneficial. all the best to you

I had sleeve in 2016 and then developed GERD which resulted in a hiatal hernia. On 8/3/20 had a revision to bypass and fix the hiatal hernia. So far I’ve been doing great and walking 5 miles a day. I have lost 25 lbs so far

Im assuming this was a typo you mean 1.25 YEARS after surgery...? My own experience (may and will differ from others): I had my plastics surgeries (Tummy tuck/Breast Lift/Arm Lift) 14 months after my sleeve surgery. I would’ve done it earlier, closer to my one year mark, but my preferred surgeon was booked up (I had hit goal at 7 mnths post op). My surgeon did not have a time requirement to being at a stable weight prior to surgery. He did say though that LOSING “alot” of weight would affect the results more than GAINING “alot” weight. He explained that that scar tissue does not stretch as well as regular skin, and is even worse at shrinking. He said I should be prepared for this especially since I tend to scar badly historically (keloid and hypertrophic scarring). His example of “alot” was either losing 10-15 lbs OR gaining 20-30...but these numbers were for MY frame (I was 5’2” and 127 lbs at the time of consult), others with different body types would have different numbers. Anyhoo, fast forward to my surgery and I was 12 lbs less than the date of my consult 6 months earlier...so I guess it was good he was booked up (although I did lose those 12 lbs BEFORE my earlier date I originally wanted, but I digress...) I’ll be 2 years post-sleeve next month, and am 9 months post-plastics today. I am basically still the same weight as plastics surgery day: 115lbs (give or a take a couple lbs, depending on the day). Had been this weight for months before plastics, actually. I am thoroughly happy with my decision. There were people who told me I was rushing it, that to just exercise more and I can firm it up naturally (sounds familiar to my obese days when I was contemplating WLS, lol). But I knew what I wanted and was prepared to take the responsibility to maintain what I worked for...and should I eff it up, am prepared to take the responsibility for that too. Everyone is different, and only YOU know if you are ready to take the plunge or not. But I will say that plastics was a total game changer (at least for me). Would do it all again, in the exact same way in a heartbeat. Good Luck! ❤️ P.S. This may or not be helpful: Even if you do gain or lose weight after plastics (whether you wait 2 months or 2 years), to the point that your results become undesirable, who’s to say you can’t get a revision to correct? Obviously, it would be ideal that one wouldn’t have to, but who says life is always ideal? Do what makes you happy and is in your means and ability to acheive. P.P.S. Sorry this was so long!!

Hi Kaki68 - You are definitely a STAR at any weight or stage! Please excuse my delay in reply here. I have a project deadline by the end of the month, but will definitely follow-up with the mindset + strategies that helped me make it to the penthouse as Dr. V refers. Meanwhile, the books I've posted here are a worthy read and a wealth of information on food science that may just apply to your current situation... Keeping in mind, each body is unique to one's self and one size plan does not fit all. Productive efforts, positive changes and advances internally do not always show up on the scale or inches, at first glance. Your body will sense your frustration and shut down. Give to yourself grace body, soul and mind. Looking into possible hormone issues is great step towards self care and self love. And, remember when our parents use to say, Rome was not built in a day! Hugs. @Kaki68 I’m not very good at this but hormones play a very big role. I’ve fought my weight far too long. Changes in body chemistry can send things spiraling. I found out the hard way. Diagnosed with lifelong chronic illness and disability along with multiple medical conditions. I was diagnosed late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, pcos in my 20s that was the only explanation they could give as to why my weight skyrocketed from nowhere. I was so distraught it went over 215lbs at the time. I fought hard with strict low carb and low calorie and i slowly lost weight got to 124lbs. Didn’t stay but a few weeks and settled at 134lbs. Fast forward through surgeries including hysterectomy and some stressful stuff and moving to a new state and it was climbing. I tried to “batten down the hatches” because I was on beta blockers and needed to reduce calories and carbs. Got it to that higher baseline. But then out of nowhere it skyrocketed again despite 800 calories and eating healthy foods. I looked for help, my gallbladder was tanking (turned out to be chronic inflammation) I fought for gastric bypass surgery. long story short it wasn’t until I had gastric bypass surgery and gallbladder surgery that I was able to reduce calories and Actually lose weight, still low carb not exactly counting but counting protein (I calculate my protein based on my weight 0.36 grams protein per 1lb body weight) and calories and logging my daily food and weight. I reached a goal I never thought I could. i think the surgery does help with hitting the calorie goals and also altering the hormonal balance to your favor. ended up needing my ovary taken out in pelvic surgery I had before my gastric bypass and then the other one had to come out in a second surgery after my gastric bypass ... so now I’m in menopause. It still scares me that I could gain again despite all my efforts. but I do my best to keep up the work. Because it’s a lifetime change ...

Amazing surgeon! He explains everything very well, and completely honest. No sugar coating anything! I'm in the process of getting a revision done.

I definitely had my share of complications (nothing life threatening) over the years and had more than one revision because of this but I don't regret it. The only thing I regret is that I postponed revision from lap band for so long. I don't know if hesitating bought me some complications that could've been avoided but in the end it's speculative so no reason to mull it over in my head. When it comes to "regret": I don't think you will get many "I regret it" answers for several reasons. 1) Most people on here are relatively early out. They're still in the weight loss phase when rewards are rolling in big or in early maintenance phase. That's too soon for e. g. long-term nutritional deficiencies or transfer addiction to roar their ugly heads. It's also too early for regain struggles. 2) There is high selection bias on internet boards. Here you either see "surgery newbies" or very successful people who want to celebrate their success and maybe make sure to stay on track by posting here or simply continue hanging around because they want to stay in contact with certain users. 3) People having serious ongoing complications or insufficient weight loss or major regain and therefore feeling regret don't tend to hang around here. Maybe they meet elsewhere or suffer in silence, I don't know. Once in a while you see a new user posting about regain and "wanting help". They make a thread, get several answers and seem to vanish into thin air again but they don't hang around so you can e. g. follow their journey for some months to come.

Thanks! Still need that brachioplasty + abdomen scar revision to pull the dress off without a shawl. Re-scheduled surgery for November due to client/project needs early Fall. Need my arms and hands fully operational right now to draft up floor plans, elevations, architectural details etc. effectively. It will be wonderful someday to wear a short sleeve dress or blouse without the need to cover the bat wings! Pretty scary, right? Skin is so heavy on my small frame now. Each arm probably weighs one pound in loose skin. Oh boy. Until then - wiggle jiggle at the drafting board we go... Haha. ;]

Statistics show better long term results with DS. I’m revising from sleeve to DS for this reason. In retrospect I wish I had the chance to do it all at once instead of sleeve only. I’m not a super high BMI. Then again at the time I had sleeve done 6 years ago, I didn’t think there was any way that I would ever regain so there’s that. 🤷‍♂️

I was August 20th for g. bypass. Also have a CPAP. My loss is good but I’m also living off like 350-500 cal, 50 G protein and about 40oz water daily. I can’t fit much more in me and I’m so tired I don’t have the energy to care much. I go back to work soon and I’m scared.

@scoutmom... hi we are very similar. I had the sleeve in 2015. I had also gained back 40lbs because I had such bad GERD which turned to Barrett’s Esophagus and all I wanted to eat was comforting carbs. So I just had revision surgery 8 weeks ago to the bypass. I have lost 29lbs so far. The eating seems easier than after the sleeve, I’m progressing really well, even eating chicken. I don’t have that hard stop that I had with the sleeve so I weigh and measure everything. I did get thrush after surgery which was something I was told was common after that surgery, so be aware of that. I can drink very well, unless I gulp too fast or too much. You’re going to do great and I’m sure you may be nervous but all will go well. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. Good luck!!

Ok I’m on my last month with dietician visits & last doctor visit. Bloodwork, psych done & Doctor letter of approval finished. The end is so close! I started this journey thinking only about the sleeve. Delays from Covid made this process longer and the more research I did, the more I came across sleeve conversion to bypass. I’ve had a change of heart and looking more into bypass because of the long term success rate. I’ve spent this entire year reaching for this goal and suddenly I’ve changed my mind on surgery type. Anybody else feel this way? Love any feedback right now. I’m 36 years old, can’t have anymore kids and I want the long term help to be successful at weight loss.

I'm not sure what you think I lied about - I didn't lie about anything. I went thru the entire program at one hospital, then changed hospitals 3 weeks before surgery. The reason for that is because I found a hospital much closer to my house, and the original surgeon was pushing me to get gastric bypass when I didn't feel that I needed such invasive surgery and was more comfortable with VSG. I only met with the dietician ONCE pre-op and that was 10 days before surgery for 30 minutes, as they were already aware I completed all of this at the first hospital. At the first hospital, Premier Protein was not only approved, but it was also encouraged, so that's what I was drinking. While the new dietician wasn't a fan of PP, she didn't say I COULDN'T have it. My entire pre-op diet, I drank PP without issue. I never went "awall" (it's actually AWOL - absent without leave) as you seem to think. Please don't comment, especially so rudely, when you obviously don't have the facts about my situation and are comfortable making false accusations. If you didn't want to answer my original post, you could've just scrolled by without being so insolent.

Hi everyone, I’m hoping you all can help my partners. I’m looking for resources directed at people who are supporting their significant others through wls. It can be a book (or even just a chapter), pamphlet, website, YouTube channel, podcast, or forum. Heck, even if you just have a bit of advice for them from your lived experience I’m sure they would love to hear it! I plan to get gastric bypass. Both my partners are very supportive and want to be as helpful as possible. One of them will be able to attend the informational class my bariatric department has me go to but the other has to be working. Thank you!

I just had my revision from band to sleeve in July due to band slippage and weight gain over the past few years. I was in the same boat where I assumed that my insurance wouldn't cover it to the point that I initially was going to join the non-surgical weight loss program as I didn't think I could have another bariatric surgery. The PA I met with assured me that was not the case and that revision surgery is common and approval for them is not that hard to get. The fact that your lapband is in complete failure due to the damage sustained to the port means it should be easy for your doctor to provide all of the documentation needed to your insurance provider that the revision is medically necessary. Most bariatric surgeons are going to know how to "dance" with the insurance companies in order to get the needed result for their patients.

I'm not a revision, but I've been hanging out on various forums for the last six or seven years. A lot of people lose about 20-ish lbs after a revision, but it depends a lot on how much weight you need to lose. There are some people who've lost a lot more than that.

I am looking to get a revision From the band to the sleeve. I got my band in 2009 and had went from 249 to 145. Had a pretty bad slip in 2016 and the ER doc didn’t know what to do so I had to guide him while take fluid out. He was a bit heavy handed and I think he damaged the port. They can’t refill the band because they think the port has disconnected from the “hose”. I’ve steadily gained and am back up to 220. My doc wants to remove my band and convert to the sleeve We are just now in the starting process and I’ve worried my insurance won’t cover it!! 😞

I am having a revision from VSG to RNY on 9/15 due to severe GERD....can anyone share their experience on weight loss post revision? A little history: I had my sleeve done in 2015 and loved it. Easy recovery and great results. For the past year, I developed severe ACID reflux and Gerd with a hiatal hernia. Unfortunately, I gained 40 lbs back. So much of this was due to the fact that if my sleeve was empty the acid was so much worse. So I started eating tons of carbs to keep the acid soaked up. I didn't catch it soon enough so the weight gain continued. I am very excited to get rid of the GERD, but also want to get a realistic weight loss goal in my plan. How much did you lose after your revision?

I started with a BMI over 60, and nobody even brought up DS as an option for me. To be honest, I thought DS was an outdated surgery that's not really being done anymore because of all the risks. I didn't realize it's still popular for high-BMI patients. The surgeon who did my RNY doesn't do DS. He recommended RNY to me rather than sleeve because of my high BMI, since RNY patients statistically lose a bit more than sleeve patients. My understanding is that the sleeve is basically the first step in DS, and that's how the procedure was developed -- surgeons would do the DS in two separate surgeries for high-risk patients, and a lot of them didn't even need the second surgery because they lost enough weight with the sleeve alone. So, that is one option: get the sleeve first and have it revised to DS if necessary. You could also have a sleeve revised to RNY. I remember seeing a bariatric surgeon on YouTube say that he recommends the sleeve to all patients because you can always get it revised, but to me, that's crazy because I don't want to have more than one surgery!

it's a more drastic procedure and yes, many patients lose more weight with it, but like summerset said, the more drastic the procedure, the more the risk of side effects. I would have considered DS if my insurance covered it (it didn't - only sleeve and bypass) because I started at 373 lbs (was 316 the morning of surgery), but I was able to lose all my weight with the RNY (I lost over 200 lbs). There are people on here who have lost all...or most...of their excess weight with the sleeve as well. It's easier to pull off that kind of loss with the DS because of the more extreme malabsorption, but you'll still have to work at it. I'm surprised your regular doctor didn't think you needed ANY surgery. With a starting weight of over 300 lbs (and I was there, too), the chances of you losing a significant amount of weight and keeping it off are pretty slim (they less than 5% of people can do it). 300+ pounds is about where some surgeons will start discussing the DS option, - although many (actually most) of us get the RNY or VSG at 300+ lbs. If you're committed and work hard at it, you can get a ton of weight off when one of those surgeries as well.

Sure seems like overkill to me. I was offered a sleeve or bypass, and we decided bypass was the best option because of my GERD. There are absorption issues with bypass and a lot more with DS. Most people lose all the weight they need with the sleeve or bypass. What is the actual reason your surgeon wants you to have DS? There needs to be some solid rationale for this. If you feel something is fishy or his motives are simple financial, please find someone else. You need to fully trust that your surgeon has your best interests in mind - not just his own.

Hi everyone, I’m 45 yr old, asexual, trans male, queer identified, polyamorous, and disabled. I’m married to one trans masculine guy (20 yrs now!) and we have a second partner, we’ve been with for 11yrs, who is also a trans man. We all live together in Portland, Oregon with four cats and a special needs chihuahua that, I believe, thinks she is a cat too. That is me in a nutshell! I’m on my second try to work towards gastric bypass. I backed out halfway through last year. I got scared, I think, But my health has started to decline rapidly so no backing out this time! Hope everyone is doing well!

Mini bypass. I told them what’s going on and they said I’ll be fine just go back to clear liquids until my stomach settles. I have regular bowel movements so they said it’s not blocked, but I can’t stop throwing up. No fever or anything though

chronic constipation is a very common problem among WLS patients - or at least sleeve and bypass patients. A lot of us take a capful of Miralax every day to keep on top of it. Others take stool softeners, or magnesium tablets, or things like Smooth Move Tea. Just figure out what works for you and do that. Sometimes it gets better as you get further along and can eat more fiber (fruit, veggies, whole grains), but for a lot of us, it's a chronic issue. I've been taking a capful of Miralax every day for five years.