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Don't know if you're still working on this or not, but I just passed my 1 year anniversary of my surgery so thought I would share my numbers. 1. Basics: GENDER, AGE, HEIGHT Male, 32, 5' 6" 2. Total Weight lost in the 6 months BEFORE surgery (if any) 24 lbs. 3. Weight on DAY OF SURGERY. 389 4. Weight at 1 MONTH POST surgery 358 5. Weight at 3 MONTHs POST surgery 320 6. Weight at 6 MONTHs POST surgery 275 7. Weight at 12 MONTHs POST surgery 217 8. Type of Surgery (Sleeve, ByPass, etc...) Bypass

I have my revision sleeve to RNY as well on 1/22 and took me full 3 weeks to feel better. How are you feeling now? I loss 8.5/9 lbs after 1 week of surgery, week 2 and 3 I hit the plateau. Finally broke the plateau yesterday. So starting my week 4 and loss addition 1.5 lb. Total of 10 lbs or so.

I went out food shopping too about 8 days after surgery and let me tell you… I felt dizzy and everything was spinning around me. I went and sit in the car too. When I told my doctor, she screamed at me for going out. I had a revision RNY which is a major surgery. I didn’t expect it to have that effect with me. I finally feel better after full 3 weeks. I am glad I took 3 weeks off from work. From time to time I still feel dizzy. I think I need more liquid intake. How are you feeling now?

The PPI won’t cause hunger. It reduces the acid in your tummy. You’re ahead of the game if you can differentiate between head & real hunger. Yay! Those distraction activities will help when you are experiencing head hunger. If you feel hungry after you’ve eaten, that’s head hunger too. Try a warm drink instead of a shake. They’re a meal replacement not a snack. Many are advised to wait at least three or four hours between eating & only three meals a day & maybe a snack. I still have times I can feel liquids go down. It’s a bit weird at first but now it’s just one of those things like my vey noisy, rumbling, grumbling tummy. Your experience last night sounds like late stage dumping not the foamies. The foamies (frothy, thick saliva & bringing up what you ate that was stuck or too coarse or too much) occurs pretty soon after you’ve eaten the offending food. Dumping symptoms can include chills, weakness, light headedness, nausea, bloating, heart palpitations & vomiting &/or diarrhoea. Dumping usually occurs if you eat foods that are too fatty, have too much sugar. Even dairy can cause it. It occurs when these foods go through your tummy to your intestines very quickly (dumps through your system). About 40% of bypass patients can experience dumping. Once you work out what causes yours, you can avoid those foods. Some say in time they work out how much of those foods they can eat without experiencing dumping. Worth a conversation with your team to diagnose & management.

The incision area in the middle of my belly has a knot/bulge. I don't think it's a hernia, because the Doctor explained they would put mesh to ensure a hernia wouldn't be an issue. It's a semi hard knot/bulge. Doesn't stick out a lot, but it's definitely noticeable. It's not too sore or red. I have another incision that is similar, though it's not protruding as much. Anyone had something similar?

When I had my sleeve, I took 2 weeks off (desk job). When I had my revision to bypass a year later, I felt fantastic and only took a week off. I had a harder time with the sleeve than I did they bypass, but everyone is different. A week is absolutely essential, 2 weeks seems to be the average, some even take 3 weeks off. Personally, I had my doctor write a note saying I needed 2 weeks off, that way I knew I had it. I needed all of it with the sleeve, but I was able to go back after a week with the bypass so I just had my doctor write a new note saying I was cleared to go back after a week.

IIRC, vitamin E can cause some issue with blood thinning. Although the amount that's in a multi may not be enough to do that. They may just mean don't take a separate E capsule - but I'd check with them. Also, before some of the surgeries I've had, I've been told to stop taking all vitamins about a week before - although I don't think I was told to do that before my bypass, though. UPDATE: I just read on realself.com that the amount of vitamin E that's in multivitamins usually isn't enough to cause problems. another update - I don't know what kind of multi you're taking, but Centrum, for example, has 13.5 grams of vitamin E. Those vitamin E specific things are usually at least 400 IUs, which I just learned is equal to 268 mg. So yea - what you're getting in a multi is a really low dose.

Hi Everyone! I am suppose to be taking a pre opt multi vitamin with minerals 2 weeks before surgery. Then it says on same sheet at bottom stop taking vitamin E. Well everything has freaking vitamin E in it. I’m going crazy and my surgery is suppose to be on 21st. I may have to postpone because of this. I’m still taking my multi vitamin that has E in it. Just doesn’t make sense. Can anyone share what pre opt brand of multi vitamin they took before gastric bypass? Thanks so much!

Had my gastric bypass on the 7th. Spent one night in the hospital. The gas pain is real. From my experience it seemed more intense than others have had. I have to be on a 2 week full liquid diet before I can start the puree phase. I can only get a bite or two of Jello down before I'm done. I could only get one protein shake down until today. Seems like I can take in more water than I should be able to. But, that's good. So that I can get the minimum of fluids in so I don't get dehydrated. I had glue, no staples. Overall, still sore nothing too painful just uncomfortable.

Hello! I was just approved for revision surgery / Lapband to RNY / and am waiting on a surgery date. Just wondering how much time some of you took off work?

Yeah, so I chose the RNY gp because I liked that it has a stronger metabolic impact than VSG while not being too malabsorptive like DS. Based on the risk calculator, there was a somewhat higher likelihood of addressing/resolving my hypertension and blood sugar issues, and I didn't want to risk developing GERD and requiring daily medications or a revision. I need this to be a one and done surgery if possible for financial reasons. Given that a full 20% of my surgeon's practice is revision (mostly to RNY, but they also do DS), this revision issue felt like something that is common enough with sleeve patients to give me pause. Also, my brother had the sleeve 15 years ago and while his overall weight is still well under where he began, his weight regain has been significant. I wanted the additional threat of dumping syndrome to keep me in line where sugar is concerned. And also, the more I thought about it, the more I preferred the idea of rerouting instead of removing parts of my organs. As for not telling people, I was tempted to do that, too. But the more I thought about it, the more I decided to just own it. A lot of people out there mistakenly believe obese people can "just" eat less and exercise more to lose weight and keep it off. How many of their real life examples are people who quietly got WLS and then credited their diet and exercise for their transformations? I don't want anyone using me as an example in the future to tell some other obese person what to do. Thankfully, I turn 50 in a few weeks and have therefore reached the age where I officially no longer give a fig about what anyone else thinks and am happy to direct naysayers to a wide selection of their own body orifices where they are welcome to stow their unsolicited opinions. Also, luckily, my close friends and family are very supportive, which helps immensely.

I made it down to 144 on my own but I finally reached goal thanks to plastic surgery. I'm still recovering from my surgery 3 weeks ago. I actually went to mexico because I found a great Dr that I loved his work and he is board certified in the US as well as Mexico and Cuba. He is known for being very safe and I had to be pre screened medically twice before he would even operate on me. He also works out of a hospital so I thought I had all of my bases covered but my luck is always bad lol. I had complications but I still received amazing care. My only symptom after surgery was a fast heartrate. They brought in all the guns and had a cardiologist, the surgeon himself, a radiologist and the surgeons partner all come in and test me and discuss on my care. My blood came back with a hemoglobin level of only 6.9 and the ultrasound showed a large hematoma. So they immediately wrapped me in a compression garment and then taped me even tighter and I was given 2 blood transfusions through the night. Early the next morning at 7 am I went in for a second surgery to remove the hematoma and to see if I had any active bleeds which I did end up having an arterial bleed which they then fixed. I was also given one more bag of blood. I have the pictures of me opened all the way up during the original surgery and you could not see any bleeding at all so I don't know how this bleed happened but they acted quickly and I felt safe and taken care of the whole time. My dr always has everyone stay at least 1 night in the hospital and I think that is what saved me. So many people go home right away and if that had been me with no other symptoms, I am afraid to think of what could have happened. I was never dizzy or nauseous or even really tired. Just a fast heart rate of 120 with spikes to 150. Unfortunately because I had to have 2 surgeries my front tummy tuck scars are taking forever to fully heal but they are still doing great. No infections, just slow healing. I had a lower body lift which is the cut that goes all the way around and is great for tightening the front and the back. Lipo to my back and flanks, a small bbl and breast reconstruction. So I did have a ton of stuff done and with hind sight I may not have chosen to do it all at once because I wonder if that was increasing my chances of complications After the fact though I'm so glad to have it all done and not have to face any more surgeries. They removed about 8 lbs of skin and 2 in fat. I haven't weighed this little since middle school and I'm still swollen so who knows what my final weight will be. I'm so happy with my results and will have to share pictures once I'm fully healed. My youngest daughter and I went shopping this week and bought crop tops to wear together to celebrate. I've never worn a crop top ever. So I'm looking forward to wearing it in the near future. Gastric bypass certainly has changed my life in amazing ways

Hi! New here! Bypass scheduled for Feb 19! Preop is low carb, high protein, no sugar etc. 10 more days!!!!!

Hi everyone! I had my surgery on Tuesday! I stayed two nights because they did two procedures. Taking out my lap band and doing the gastric bypass. He removed a lot of scar tissue, but that was expected. The pain isn’t as horrible at this point. I’m only on Tylenol because I’m allergic to opiates. In the hospital they gave me IV and pills to drink. Heparin and antibiotics. I’m really bruised up on my arms and generally sore from the neck down. Even my thighs 🤷🏻‍♀️. There is absolutely ZERO interest in any kind of food. I am able to drink more than I should. They want a few ounces at a time, so I need to slow down. Walking helps get rid of gas above and below. It’s uncomfortable so far not painful. I have meds for that and nausea and reflux. All to take as needed. Oh! I also had a Foley catheter for the first day. No staples, I have glue. So I can’t shower until Sunday! 🫣they sent me home with bath wipes. I’ve had some broth and most of a protein shake today so far… I’m promising my self not to weigh myself at home. I’ll wait until my follow up. Any questions, I’ll answer if I can!

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. On the advice of my therapist and my surgeon's nurse practitioner, I stepped away from bariatric social media for a bit before my revision. The surgery went OK - it did take 6 hours, as my surgeon found a considerable amount of irregular tissue on my sleeved stomach that had to be removed and biopsied. Thankfully it turned out to be benign - probably was scar tissue from my sleeve surgery. I did have more pain and nausea immediately after surgery this time than the first time around and ended up staying a second night in the hospital until that was under control. It got much easier from there, and I only took 2 of the oxycodone they sent home with me (right before bedtime on the first two nights at home), and then minimal Tylenol for the next few days. I've been able to get all my fluids and protein in from the start. Pain is now minimal, my incisions are healing well. I'm starting to get my energy back albeit slowly. I'm now on soft foods and have tolerated each new food I've introduced without any problems, My biggest issue is constipation - I don't remember it being this bad after my sleeve. I'm using Colace, Benefiber, and Miralax. I wish I could drink coffee, that would help! 😫 My surgeon also left my pouch a little on the larger side, saying she doesn't want me to lose TOO much weight. I'm pretty disappointed about that, since I had 40-50 pounds to lose. I'm definitely already on the upper end of the amount I'm supposed to be eating at this point - 4oz. per meal (3oz. protein + 1oz. fruit/veg). I am down about 10lbs since surgery at 3 weeks post-op and just got back out of the OBSESE category. Hopefully I'll continue to lose at least something over the next few months.

I thought about this a lot when considering surgery. I talked to my surgeon about it and he said as long as I ultimately live in a city where there is at least 1 surgeon trained in my particular surgery (the DS), he'd feel comfortable doing the surgery. Fortunately I knew where I'd be moving in the next few years (New Zealand) so I can ensure that will be the case. I also tend to travel to major cities instead of obscure, out of the way areas. But my surgery is rather rare, so it does limit my options some. You however are getting the bypass. This is a very common surgery the world over. We have members here from all over Europe (and other places) and they don't seem to be lacking in care. Though their post op diets can be pretty entertaining! LOL If you were looking to go to a rural area like a small village in Africa, then I'd have reservations. But these surgeries are commonly done in the UK, France, Italy, and Spain. I don't think you'll have an issue getting care in any major city in these places. Again, I can't really account for rural areas, but I have met people in the UK, France, and Italy that have had WLS and while their options for shakes and vitamins may be a bit more limited than in the US (usually due to the artificial sweeteners allowed in that country) but they didn't seem to me like they were struggling to get care. I'd scout out a few bariatric centers in the areas you are considering and see if they offer your surgery. When you pick a place you could consider emailing to ask what their aftercare looks like for a client that may be coming to that area post-op and in need of follow-up care. Then have a look at the travel medical insurance policy you are considering and check to see what (if anything) it says about bariatric care. Keep in mind the medical complex in other countries is structured differently. Some places (like the UK and NZ) rely very heavily on GPs to coordinate care and specialists, even moreso than in the US, so they may ultimately be the ones monitoring things like labs, and then refer you out if you need more specialized care.

I had the Duodenal Switch, which is different than the most common two surgeries being discussed here. I picked it because I had type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, sleep apnea, etc... I also picked it because I knew a purely restrictive surgery wouldn't work for me. Portion has never been my issue. Pre-op I was eating about 1000-1200 calories a day, for about 10 years, and did nothing but steadily gain weight. My surgeon said it was obvious I have a metabolic disorder, so I needed a metabolically strong surgery. I also didn't want to risk gaining weight back and the DS has the lowest rate of regain. But as a trade off it can cause more vitamin and protein deficiencies if not managed well and the diet is a bit different than the others post op because of our malabsorption. However, diabetes was my biggest concern and the DS puts about 95% of T2 cases in remission, and most stay that way. Post op my blood sugar dropped to 82 within 24 hours of surgery and my high blood pressure normalized, so they took me off of my diabetes meds and blood pressure meds. I'm 3 months out and my a1c is 4.8 without medication!! My blood pressure continues to be normal without meds. My cholesterol and triglycerides are also normal without medication, which hasn't happened in decades! All this to say---consult with a surgeon who offers ALL the surgeries if you can find one in your area. Talk to them about your reasons for wanting bariatric surgery and consider your options carefully. The sleeve surgery is amazing for a number of people, but it isn't right for everyone. The bypass is a fantastic surgery for certain patients, but again, it isn't for everyone. And the DS is a powerful surgery, but it definitely has a specific patient profile. All are great surgeries, but not all of them will be the best surgery for you. Only you and your surgeon can decide that. And don't be afraid to get a second opinion. I went to two surgeons before deciding on one (though both recommended the same surgery). I needed that extra reassurance I was picking the right surgeon and the right surgery. I'm so glad I did this surgery, I just wish it had been an option available to me when I was younger.❤️

So, I am graduating this May with my bachelor's and applying to law schools for this coming school year (2024-2025). One thing I had considered is going to a law school in another country (and staying there after for work), but I will be having my bypass surgery this April and I am unsure what bariatric care is like in the various countries (in Europe). The majority of information I keep finding is about where to go for the surgery, but I am curious about if I have any post-op complications (since I will be less than a year out when I would go to school) and the choices for bariatric vitamins and meal replacements. What experiences have any of you had while abroad with dietary and medical needs being a bariatric patient? I am also considering applying for the dual degree programs with the American law schools I am applying at and law schools in UK/France/Italy/Spain that I would apply for while in my first year, so either way I would like to know.

I also can't speak to co-morbidities other than some arthritis in my hips and knees. That's definitely better now but it wasn't my main motivation to have my surgery. I wanted not to become diabetic or develop any other weight-related disease. There's a definite risk of developing reflux after a gastric sleeve whereas that risk isn't there with bypass so you need to take that into consideration. We all react to surgery in different ways and it can be impossible to predict accurately in advance so do discuss bypass with your surgeon too. They'll have up to date stats about the likely relative effects on your diabetes for sure. The sleeve has been everything I wanted and more. My only regret, as we often say here, is not having it done 20 years earlier. I hope your surgeon can help you decide whether it's best for you.

I am just over two weeks away from having surgery. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my 20s and have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and am prediabetic. Because I wanted the best shot at having those specific co-morbidities resolve, and because I have a family history of GERD, I decided to go with the RNY gastric bypass. But gastric sleeve is also a good surgery. Overwhelmingly, you will find that people who have these surgeries have no regrets other than wishing they had done them sooner. A small number will have complications, but even among those, most will have no major regrets. My brother had the sleeve 15 years ago and says without a doubt it saved his life. This is a risk calculator that will also help show you the chances of various conditions resolving within 1 year for the various surgeries: https://riskcalculator.facs.org/bariatric/ This is a video from a bariatric surgeon that looks at both surgeries and how to decide: I suggest watching all of Dr. Weiner's YouTube videos. He's very trustworthy and knowledgeable, and a much better source of information than TikTok videos! (Although I watch YouTube channels for several bariatric patients and do really love hearing the stories).

I'd really love to hear from other men who have had plastic surgery following weight loss. I am a year and a half out from my bypass now and for the most part am pretty happy with the results. My weight has held pretty steady for the last six months and I've been working with a personal trainer for a few months now and happy with the results, especially in my arms and shoulders. However, as is to be expected there is a lot of loose skin around my middle. I have tried wearing my trousers higher than I used to and for the most part it's okay, but still feeling pretty self conscious about taking my shirt off - especially when I lean forward and the skin drapes off my torso. I've been thinking a lot about surgery to remove excess skin - definitely around my stomach but possibly my upper arms, inner thighs, and butt. I'm trying to find more information, but a lot of first hand accounts here in the forums tends to be from women, and when I look on surgeons' websites they tend to feature before and after photos and testimonials from women. Are there any men here who would be up for sharing their experiences of surgery after WLS? I'm especially interested in the procedures you had, the recovery process, and photos of the results if you'd be willing to share. Also, any recommendations for surgeons in the UK would be really appreciated!

The revision was for GERD. At one week post op I may have still been on a PPI but it was pretty clear further out that the GERD was gone. I agree with your doctor to keep calm (but don’t hesitate to reach out to them) Try to allow yourself a bit of grace to fully heal. One week post surgery is very early so there’s likely a lot of inflammation. My advice would be keep your team in the loop about any changes, sleep propped up, don’t eat or drink anything besides clear fluids near bedtime, and avoid anything that previously caused your GERD to be worse. I know it’s boring advice but I hope it helps. ❤️

May I ask if the reason for revision was for gerd or acid reflux? Just curious because after my sleeve o developed gerd, and I also need to loss some weight. One week post the RNY which is when I introduced soft food, I can feel the reflux at night when I lay down. It’s like something in the back of my throat and my chest feel tight. I don’t know if the reflux is a imidiate fix or not. I have to ask my doctor when I see him again. And how long was the bypass was never discussed. I didn’t know there is actually the length that I can discuss… I feel like there is a lot I could have ask and didn’t. At my one week post op visit, I had many questions, and maybe I was showing some anxiety, and of course the doctor and nutritionist sensed it. They just told me to keep clam? Let my body heal and don’t think about the weight loss right now.

Just a little 10-15lbs mostly because of the stressor of surgery itself (but I regained it and lost it again) My surgeon was keen on me staying in the 26-28 BMI range so he suggested to not make the bypass length his standard 150 cm but 120-130 cm instead.

Good to know you are doing good! You said you did the revision at your goal weight, did you lose Ms more weight after the revision or stay the same?