Search the Community

Hey - Hi CatLady - im similar to you; I had a gastric band in for 17 years. It was very successful but i had to have it removed as it had slipped. Im having my bypass on 1st June - im so hoping this is just as successful. I was told this was much easier to work with than the band so fingers crossed. Good luck to all of us xx

Hey All, I’m 12 weeks post gastric bypass and for the last couple of weeks have had gray/pale stools 😳 Not sure if it’s because I’m trying to give lots of new foods a go or something else. I had my gallbladder removed years ago and I’ve not got any pain or jaundice so I’m a bit confused! I’m waiting to hear back from my surgeon but just wondered if anyone else had experienced this?

I haven’t recovered. I’m still not able to eat I’m now 13 weeks out. I been in and out the hospital. Even with just dipping a spoon in soup and licking it irritates my stomach. Doctors keep focusing on Nausea which yes I’m very nauseous but the pain the acid not much. They keep prescribing me medication that I’m unable to swallow even if I tried I would throw up. I feel like I’m dying day by day I have dropped 38 pounds. I produce so much saliva I choke on it and acid heart burn none stop . They suggesting I might need a gastric bypass but I’m scared I’m reading bad things I already had a hernia repair not resolved anything for me I feel lifeless

Hi everyone, Remember we are all beautiful and one of a kind works of art the Lord has created. Just like diamonds, some were laying out easy and others required a lot of sweat and tears. I think you might be onto something CarolineLittle, and the type of surgery makes a difference. Oh joy (sarcasm dripping from my tongue). I am having a band revision to RNY bypass, plus I am hoping they repair my hiatal hernia too. I will pray for you all. By the way I am getting the feeling my hubby will try to over encourage my drinking.

@CarolineLittle Thank you for being a cheerleader and organizer for us May-surgery pals! I have one more day to go. Good luck to you in two days! I go in for a weigh in tomorrow and I think I’ll be down 13 pounds of the expected 20 (7%) however that puts me at almost 50 down since November - and I think it will be a good place. I can’t believe I’ve lost 13 in 13 days. Good luck to my May 9 buddies - @Ana83 @flasandollar @theProcess and @SNEESE

LittleRouxenyhood and Lindsay, I'm sorry recovery continues to be rough on you both. Big hugs. I wonder if bypass recovery is tougher as the sleevers checking in seem to be having easier recoveries. Then again everyone recovers differently. Two days left for me, definitely starting to feel the nerves.

I don't have a monumental update, but any progress is good progress in our world. 😉 I'm going on 6 weeks out from bypass & hernia repair. Ecstatic I can finally sleep on my side again! Lol. I'm down 19 lbs from day of surgery and 29 altogether from first consultation in January. I'm happy with the progress so far. I still want to lose 45 lbs, so we will see how the journey goes. I'm so anxious to get to regular foods stage, but I also understand the soft stage is one of the easiest food stages regarding choices. Just getting a little bored with it, but old favorites like blue cheese and feta cheese are rocking my world right now. 🤣 Kudos to all of you on here getting the job done and then some!

When you had the bypass you signed yourself up for a spot in a marathon in a number or sports. Running (what you eat) Track and field (how you eat and why). Stamina (Patience). Synchcronized swimming (Creativity). Discus (More patience). High jump (Exercise). It will take a long time of practicing all of these elements to get to the end of your race. It can feel very hard at the start to even see the finish line and that is why you just keep on showing up for yourself day after day. I struggled at the start with the length of the journey ahead. It has taken me a year to feel better about being in my own skin. Keep on doing what your team has advised. If you keep to new habits it will happen even though there may be hiccups along the way. Picture where you will be at in a year and looking back at the victories you will have along the way. 1 - Stay off the scales they will do your head in. Weigh once a week or month. 2 - Measure yourself once a month a see the changes. 3 - Set mini goals along the way and reward yourself when you achieve them. 4 - Be proud that you are doing the very best you can. 💖

I had gastric bypass 4/19 and hit my first stall. I know this happens and was prepared by my medical team to expect it but I’m still worried. My personal experience has been SO easy, I’m almost worried this is the other shoe to drop, so to speak, and 20lbs is all I’ll lose after surgery. Thoughts?

I had my bypass surgery on 4/13 still trying to build my energy levels.

Hi Mil I feel for you my daughter has eds so I know what you going through she has had the sleeve done and loosing her weight very slowly I had the bypass 2yrs ago and have regained about 8lbs it's hard to stop the gain but I guess we need to move back to the basic things we did in the beginning hope you get lots of advice and encouragement Jan e t

Superrrrr late to this entire thread, but I have a med card and use weed for sleep/anxiety as well.....I had two doctors tell me different things. One said to stop smoking 6 weeks before pre-op, then afterward only edibles after 6 weeks post-op. Another said stop smoking and eating weed entirely. I don't understand how edibles can mess up your gut afterward, and I somewhat understand how smoking can cause ulcers, but I want to know if anyone had gastric bypass and after the 6 weeks post-op started vaping and eating edibles.

I am 5.5 months out from mini bypass and wondering if I am in a stall. I haven’t had one yet but it’s been 15 days since I’ve lost anything. I’ve also noticed my restriction not kicking in - is that normal? Does that mean I’ve stretched my stomach?

Hi! Was wondering if anyone has used Hero Bread or tortillas after their Gastric Bypass and what their thoughts were? Also how soon were you able to have it?

I had gastric bypass and hiatal hernia repair last month. I was in surgery 4 hours, kept overnight and released the next day. I was up walking off the gas which was minimal and going to the bathroom with assistance but most of that first day I slept and rested. I also read all the horror stories so was surprised how well it all went. First week there was some pain but nothing that I felt was severe. Mainly just from standing up, sitting, bending etc. I think 2 days of help at home from your husband should be sufficient unless you encounter more pain than what is considered normal. As for dehydration or standing... they won't release you from the hospital if you can't keep water down or stand up. As least mine wouldn't. Good luck on the 15th!!!

I have told not one single person that I had the surgery— I took off thursday to fly to Mexico, had surgery Friday, stayed in hospital two nights and flew home sunday. I drove myself home from hospital that night after 4 hour flight home- and took one day off work. I worked from home for a week- that’s it, but I have a job that allows for that anyway. I didnt need any extra care past those two hospital days- but I’ll admit i had no real pain and have a high tolerance for it if i do- but i took no pain meds at all. I’d had hysterectomy in November (my VSG was march 1) and knew the incisions wouldn’t be terrible. I probably just looked tired to my kids- but they pay no attention to me anyway, so there is that. (Teens). To date, they have not said a word about my weight changing either. LOL!

May 11 for bypass

My surgery is June 1st and I start my pre-op diet in 2 weeks. I am a lot less nervous now - just cant wait as my eating is out of control (I'm told by my surgical team this is normal at this stage). I had a gastric band for 16 years which was very successful. I had it removed last year and the weight has been climbing at great speed. I'm hoping my bypass will be just as successful - I am counting down the days guys. I cant wait to recommence doing the things I could physically do a year ago. Obesity is so cruel - I'm going to do all that I can to make this bypass work for me; I'm going to give it my all ❤️

Depends. Are you being treated as a day patient and sent home the same day or will you be able to rest in hospital for a day or so? I had the bypass and a hernia repair at the same time. I was in heaps of pain and being hydrated on a drip. Four days in hospital and then I was allowed to go home. I live in Australia. I felt very sore and sorry for myself but treated myself with care. I live on my own, Whatever facility is treating you should have a back up plan to help you if you find yourself in difficulties. Check in with them to ease any worries. When you do get home and things are okay then your hubby may be needed for a couple of days just to make sure that you are okay. Hope every thing goes goes well for you on preop. 😊

I hear stories about dehydration fairly often (so try to keep up on your fluids if at all possible!!) - but not stories about not being able to stand. It's a bit painful getting in and out of bed - but once you're up - or down - you're fine. It really wasn't a problem for me. As far as someone staying home with you, my husband took a week off but ended up going back to work after two or three days - i just didn't need him here. It was nice to have someone bring me beverages and stuff, but it really wasn't necessary. I should add, though, that I didn't have hernia surgery - just the gastric bypass - so hopefully someone who had both will respond.

Hey everyone! I just got my surgery date for May 15th and assuming I would have more time I am in complete chaos getting everything together in two weeks! My husband is planning on taking a couple of days off when I get home from the hospital, but I keep going back and forth as to what is a good amount of time to keep him home with me? I know everyone is different, but I can't keep thinking of the horror stories of dehydration and those who can barely stand, and I just worry that would happen to me when I have no one around. I am taking a full six week off (I get fully paid through short term disability) so I am definitely going to be taking it easy, just wanted some advice from those who went through Gastric Bypass (with HH) surgery and how it went for you! Any advice would be helpful. Thank you!!

Hi all- I’d love it someone could help me understand what’s going on. I’m 4 days post op from gastric bypass/HH surgery. The instructions I received from the nutritionist and the hospital after visit summary was to begin chewable vitamins and tums the following day of returning home (ie day 3 post op). So, yesterday I took the chewable vitamins they suggest along with thin liquids and pain medication as needed. My wound pain has improved but this morning (day 4 PO) after taking the vitamins and good hydration on day 3 PO, I began to feel uncomfortable in my digestion. I kept away from any protein or drinks that weren’t water but progressively my new pouch started to reject all liquid. It got so uncomfortable that I called the on call doctor concerned about dehydration. The doctor, who was not my surgeon but works alongside my surgeon, said I shouldn’t start the vitamins until 2 weeks PO! I countered with that both pieces of written instructions say to start vitamins immediately and she acknowledged it says that but to not take them and wait for my follow up appt in 3 days. Meanwhile, try to get water down etc - although I’m still rejecting it. My basic questions are: when were you told to start vitamins following GB and have you experienced this severe discomfort early on or at all? Is it possible that I’ve done damage? I’ve read about “foamies” and recognize it as that. I will speak with the on-call doctor again if I can’t get fluids in tonight but it feels careless and easily solvable to correct the instructions. Any thoughts/advice? Thanks so much…

Born and bred in South Africa…. eagerly waiting for my gastric bypass op date. How I wish I could also meet someone I can travel this journey with.

That’s correct, sleeve surgery removes around 75-80% of your tummy but gastric bypass creates a much smaller tummy from your tummy & attaches it to your rerouted intestines. Your remaining tummy is still there after bypass but no food can enter it. Further conversations with your surgeon may be needed to help you understand the differences in the surgeries, how they impact your body & which may be best for your needs. It may help ease some of your nerves too. (Nerves before surgery are very common - fear of the unknown, uncertainty, etc.) With both surgeries your ability to consume large portions is reduced. Initially after either surgery when you start consuming purées you will only be able to eat 1/4 - 1/3 cup of food. This slowly increases. (By 6 months I could eat about a cup of food & now I eat about the recommended serving size or a little less.) And it is possible for you to eventually eat around your smaller tummy which of course results in weight gain & something to be aware of. Changing your eating habits, your relationship with food, understanding the nutritional benefits of food, etc. are vital aspects of losing your weight & maintaining the loss. This is the work you have to do & has nothing to do with the surgery. Many find the temporary changes to our sense taste & sometimes smell after surgery is an opportunity to try different & healthier foods. I have some food sensitivities so I recognise you may as well but are they legitimate food sensitivities or just you don’t like to eat certain foods (taste, texture, etc.)? A dietician can help with this as well. Often working with a therapist is very helpful to work through your relationship ship with find & what is behind your eating habits., as well as your hunger (distinguishing between head hunger & real hunger). Focus on eating your protein first at every meal. Then eat your vegetables. Finally if you are able eat any carbs. This will be the same advice you will be given after surgery & when your able to eat solid foods. There were many meals I only ate my protein & couldn’t or didn’t want to eat anything else. ( I still have days like this almost 4 years out.) Start tracking your food (portion sizes, calories, protein & other macros). There are some great apps you can use. You can be successful with either surgery but after the honeymoon stage when things like your appetite returns, most of your success depends upon you. You have to be ready for the surgery & the changes it brings & the changes you have to make. Surgery was the best thing I ever did. All the best whatever you decide to do.

Hi there, I had a sleeve back in 2016, and over lockdown etc manged to regain most of the weight, so I'm having a revision to a mini gastric bypass in August, I'll heading to Prague for mine. Good luck with your surgery