Search the Community

Hi! I was banded back in 2008. I'm 5'4" and my weight before surgery was 290-something. I lost about 130 lbs in the first year, and maintained at around 165-175 (for me this weight equated to around a size 10, which I was fairly pleased with) for almost 10 years. I had a tummy tuck in 2016 and believe that my band was nicked when the plastic surgeon moved my port. In any case i suffered a 'slow leak' in the band that my surgeon Dr. Elariny could not pinpont, even under fluoroscopy, and have not really had any restriction for the last 5 years. I have sloooowwwwlly gained back up to 215 lbs during that time. Last month I had a consult with Dr Elariny to explore options for another weight loss surgery. He asked me a million questions about my eating habits and ultimately said he believes I'll be most successful with the DS. At first I was completely against it, as the malabsorptive procedures have always scared me. But after voraciously reading this and a few other DS forums, I have decided I want to go forward bc it seems like this is the most successful, most foolproof procedure. Ultimately I want to go back to the way I felt when my Lap-band was working perfectly for all those years....when I finally wasn't on a diet, for the first time in my 37 year life. I didn't have to be obsessed over every bite I put in my mouth. I wasn't constantly beating myself up over eating too many calories or eating the wrong things or eating between meals or after a certain time at night, etc etc etc. For many years when my band was working, I felt like I just ate like a "normal" person. It was so incredibly liberating. If I felt like eating a burger i ate a burger. If i felt like eating a salad i ate a salad. I just ate when I was hungry and didn't have to think about it alllll the time. I want to go back to occasionally getting on the scale out of curiosity, rather than getting on it every morning and feeling desperate and ashamed. I do think that in addition to the lack of restriction, that menopause and hormonal changes are working against me now, at age 51. I haven't changed a thing about my exercise routine. I still workout every morning, 5-7 days per week, doing a combo of weight lifting and HIIT. But nonetheless i've just steadily put on weight, year over year. So, to bring this to a question of some sort...I guess I'd like to know if any of you long-time DS'ers feel like you eat "like normal people" now? And don't have to think about it so much? Or must you be extremely focused on what you eat bc of the ill effects the malabsorption causes? It is sort of confusing that my doctor tells me that if I eat high fat foods after this surgery I'll be rewarded with many urgent trips to the bathroom, and that if i eat carbs I'll experience terrible and potently malodorous gas. But many posts I've read have said something along the lines of "fat is your friend after the DS". I understand that Your Mileage May Vary, and every person is different. And my other question is whether I'm crazy, with a BMI of 37, to consider such a "drastic" procedure? My insurance has already approved me, for what it's worth. Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts!

Hi everyone I have an appointment to meet with the surgeon June 3, does anyone knows the next step after that.

Im actually doing much better than what I was when I made this post. I have had to adjust how I was doing things. Now by about 1130am I have half of the water drank. So things are looking up a bit good in that respect. I should imagine after surgery Ill be right back where I was struggling to get it down lol Does anyone have a particular protein powder they could suggest for the first week after surgery in case my tastes change?

I couldn't choose which vitamins to take. The Dietician recommended Bariatric Fusion Complete. And if I want to try something else, she has to approve it. So this vitamin that I take, you chew two in the morning and two at night. And that's it. It's complete. I asked her about the ProCare Chewables with Iron... she said I would take one chewable plus I would have to take calcium citrate chews 2-3 times a day beginning a few hours after the vitamin, and also the calcium has to be spaced out throughout the day. Your body can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time and you can't take it at the same time as you take any supplement containing iron. So I decided to stick with the Bariatric Fusion Complete, because it's easy and I don't have to buy extra calcium. It seems like less of my life would be revolving around supplements all day long too. So the regimen column is indicating how many vitamin chewables you take, then how many calcium chews you have to take also. B12 is included in the multivitamin.

I was told not to eat raw veggies until 3 mos post op. I eat cooked veggies with no problem (bypass on March 3)

I use the Bariatric Advantage Multi Chews and Calcium Citrate Chews. They arrive pretty quickly so if you order today they should be there when you get home from the hospital no problem. I wasn't supposed to start my vitamins until 2 weeks post op because they are strong and can upset your stomach. First day I found them kinda gross but they have "grown" on me and I tolerate them no problem.

It's been almost 3 months since my surgery, and I have to say that carbonation is the thing I miss the most. Even just unflavored seltzer water. I'd like to try it again at least 6 months out, but I'm afraid it'll lead right back to soda. Good to hear that at least carbonation isn't completely off the table.

Hi! I'm scheduled for this upcoming TUESDAY to undergo a gastric sleeve! Today is FRIDAY! I have NOT yet purchased my Vitamins. I have the paper sitting in front of me. I've attached a picture since I'm confused about the second column (regimen). Can someone help explain what the second column means? I take it to mean with this particular brand (in the middle column) take 2 of the chewables plus 2 calcium citrate chews (and each chew has to be 500 mg) and the B12 is already included or do I need to find a B12 vitamin? I was wanting to do chewables so I can use them as "candy"... I'm SUPER worried about the Hair loss aspect...I was told that the BEST vitamins on the market are the Bariatric Advantage Advanced EA Multivitamin. I was also told I could throw in a hair, nails, skin vitamin. What vitamins do you recommend as a first time surgery patient? I know the above ones I mentioned are the most expensive, but I was told they're the best of the best...is that true?

Hi y'all! I have my surgery (AHHHHH!) scheduled for this upcoming TUESDAY! Today is Friday. I have NOT yet purchased my vitamins. I have the paper sitting in front of me. I've attached a picture since I'm confused about the second column (regimen). I need to take a bariatric supplement that has calcium & B-12. Some of them have iron in them already. Can someone help explain what the second column means? I'm SUPER worried about the hair loss aspect...I was told that the BEST vitamins on the market are the Bariatric Advantage Advanced EA Multivitamin. What vitamins do you recommend as a first time surgery patient? I know the above ones I mentioned are the most expensive, but I was told they're the best of the best...is that true?

So great to hear that you are one the other side of week 1! Keep moving and sipping! Your weight loss is amazing! I hope you feel the difference in your body. For every pound we lose it is like 5 pounds for our joints! You are a Rock Star keeping the kids away from fast foods! It just sets them up for health problems as they get older. I found a couple cool Bariatric cookbooks on Amazon. 1 was a 5 ingredient, the other was a regular bariatric cookbook. There is also a bari air fryer. I am approaching week 3 so still on purée but looking forward to getting back in the kitchen for my hubby. He will just enjoy different portions. Be Well! T

Hahahaha well -- we were put on the SAME restrictions now because they removed ALL dairy products since we discovered I'm lactose intolerant! So at least you get the pudding which used to be MY FAVORITE SNACK!!!!!! Good luck on it. Honestly, it's hard but once I made it past the first week the rest of it seemed to be a lot easier. I'm almost done. Just need to make it to Monday as my last day before surgery on this liquid diet but then I get to add soups to it after surgery!

Hello everyone. I apologize for the late follow up. Surgery was successfull.. I weighted in a 397 before surgery. I was 450lbs at the beginning of this journey, on March of 2021. The first week was a bit difficult, buy I found ways to make my transition manageable. I cook many meals for my family, no fast food for the kids. I have been watching international cooking shows (food porn), which helped out a lot. Today I weighed in at 383, just 8days after surgery. I feel good. The pain I my abdomen, from the incisions, are less painful. I am looking forward to working out and playing basketball with my son, niece and nephews. Thank you all for the support, encouragement and advice.

Hello All! I had surgery on March 5th. Everything has been going relatively well regarding eating, and I'm on soft food for two more weeks. I was just wondering if anyone can eat veggies yet? I would love a salad!

The salad i made yesterday that i added some avocado to: 410 calories (remember people, if u want to up calories “healthily “, chow down on some avocados…calories made up almost 1/2 of this thing!) Ate about 1/3 at first attempt…rest in the fridge for later.

I've been eating these once or twice a week, too -- or plain water-packed tuna with a squirt of lemon juice. (I dislike fish packed in oil.)

Hello everyone. I am three weeks post op and I am doing well. Initially I had some serious set backs ( not due to the surgery itself) that had me in the hospital for two weeks in the ICU. I am lucky to be here as well as grateful. Please please listen to your doctors and follow everything they say. This procedure is a tool only and will not work if you don’t follow the rules. With that being said, I lost 35.6 lbs my first three weeks. That is a great feeling!!!

When I was getting ready for surgery, my surgery center said no carbonation ever again. HOWEVER: right after surgery they announced that based on new research, we could have carbonation starting one month after surgery. I had been a huge diet soda drinker before surgery and was so excited, but I have to say I don't drink much anymore because it has to be a little flat for me to drink it, plus I really liked drinking it with my meals, and I definitely can't drink with my meals anymore. I do have maybe two diet sodas a week. I basically switched to iced coffee, diet juice, and drink packets, because now plain water is hard for me to drink.

I went into this firmly believing I would be getting the sleeve but after my pre op testing and research I ended up getting the bypass. I discovered my frequent heartburn was actually GERD and a hiatal hernia. My surgeon had no problem with me switching to the bypass even though my BMI was exactly 40 (I am 5'-3" and my highest weight was 236). She did make the comment that I was on the low end of patients she would want to do a bypass on. I did not want my GERD/heartburn to worsen. I had bypass on March 3 and have been taking pepcid twice daily. I think this is for only the first 3-6 months. I have had NO heartburn since surgery. I would get a second opinion.

Doesn't it feel good to be a '200 rather than a 300.' I did a happy dance as soon as I saw that. Drinking so much liquids early on seems like a mountain you will never climb but eventually you will get there. Its the same with the protein but you are early on. I had to sleep sat up for 3 weeks but the day finally came when I could lie flat. Pre op I would go to the loo at least 3 times in the night, now its once. A bonus I never thought of. Take care of yourself and just do the best you can.

I've had nausea throughout the 4 weeks to be honest. It does get worse when I try to drink/ eat but even the smell of food is setting me off at the moment. I will speak to my medical team about it too. Hope you are all healed and okay now!

Just do the best you can. My team says you should be hitting goals by 2 weeks. I just kept track and made sure I beat yesterdays goal even my 1g or 1oz every day until all a sudden I was hitting my goals. You definitely have to drink constantly at first to hit it though. Luckily I had bought a new couch (with recliners) and it came in the weekend before I had surgery so I had a new comfy recliner to sleep on for a few days. Took me about a week to be able to lay flat and then I laid on my side with a pillow holding my belly up so it didn't "pull" to make it more comfortable. After a few days of that I was sleeping normal but toss and turned a lot like I couldn't stay in the same position too long. 4 weeks out, I am good with sleep now probably since week 3. It sucks in the beginning, but it really does get better quick. Good luck and keep it up.

I love tuna. Before surgery i would eat this specific one is what i liked but there are so many different choices. Great for 2 days a week. Not suppose to eat tuna more than that due to mercury.

Hi, Laura. I had really severe nausea and couldn't eat or drink. I was full of buyers remorse, I paid to suffer like this. I was miserable. I had problems over the Christmas period getting through to any doctor, due to Covid. The helpline 111 was swamped and it was a full 6 weeks before I got help. I was very wobbly, dizzy and weak I finally got help via my own doctor and got prescribed Lansoprazole capsules twice a day to begin with. I would have one in bed about 6am. It coats my stomach and really works. The second one I took about 5pm so it had time to work before my evening meal. I only take the morning one now. When I got to about 9 weeks, things really improved for me and I am getting on great now. I have occasional nausea but it passes. I have always loved Heinz chicken soup, so I strained it and tolerated it really well early on. I had Bovril, milk, fruit ice lollies and milky coffee when ever I could tolerate anything. TBH I have only recently reached my liquid and protein goals. I am walking every day and getting better at it. I am 62 so a late starter at this. My husband was really worried about me early on but I think it was so worth it. No matter that I was so ill, I would do this again in a heartbeat. Ask me anything. I am here for you

Weighed myself last night after a shower. 298lb. When i started the preop diet i was at 317. Exciting. I dont weigh myself everyday. I do it like every two weeks or longer. Scales will drive people mad if they weigh themselves everyday. So far recovery has been blah... Sleeping is the hardest because i cant sleep in my own bed, Its painful and i cant get up on my own, Recliner started to hurt my back after 2 days. so been going from chair to chair couch to couch. One good thing is the hunger is pretty much gone for now. I do not feel hungry at all through out the day. I have alarms set to make sure i am getting in the protein and water but thats proven to be difficult to get it all in but i do my best.

in addition, no, PPI's are NOT perfectly safe. There has been a LOT of publicity the last couple of years about the dangers of long-term use of PPIs. They're fine for the short term - maybe a few months - but not for long-term use. My clinic used to put patients on them for a year (like back when I had surgery in 2015). But no more. Most clinics limit them to 3-6 months now.