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I'm not sure this is allowed but I have watched almost all of Dr. Cywes's videos on surgery. I found this video very informative. I did not get the bypass but after I saw this video, I am happy with the sleeve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6TOVd0LEbk

I have a bypass booked in Turkey on the 13/3, travelling from the UK on the 12th, and looking for buddies to share the journey with

My surgery date is 3/8/2023. Bypass here. Getting nervous but excited.

As everyone has said stick to your plan and try not to compare yourself to others. All surgeons have different plans, and you will see the most weight loss from those that were on a liquid diet for longer periods. For example, my sister had the sleeve done in April and I in November, her weight loss is higher than mine at 3 months post op even though she was 215 at the time of surgery and I was 268, but she was on liquids for a full month, pureed for 2 weeks and softs for 2 weeks. I was allowed pureed food 10 days post op. We can see how much weight someone has lost but everyone's journey is different. Know that if you do what you are supposed to be doing and put the effort in, you will lose the weight.

Hmm. Sounds like lots of us had significant weight regain or never met goal. I also found out that my severe GERD that started immediately after the sleeve surgery is due to a hiatal hernia (also not there pre surgery). My choices? A sleeve revision, bypass, or be content with where I am. I’d love to hear what choices you all are making. thank you 😊

Hi. i am new here and I am having my Bypass on the 20th of February. Any surgery Buddy who wants to share notes on how they are managing the pre-op weight-loss? Sent from my 2201116SG using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi. i am new Here and I am having my Bypass in the 20th of February. Any surgery Buddy who wants to share noted on how they are managing the pre-op weight-loss? Sent from my 2201116SG using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello. I am new here. I'm already finding this forum very informative. I have my first initial consult with the bariatric surgeon next week. I know I have to tell my wife and frankly I do not know how she will react. Knowing her she will say I don't need surgery, I just need to stop snacking particularly at night. I really want her support if I decide to have WLS, probably the original gastric bypass. I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. I am now 67. I was on the original Atkins in 1971. I have yo-yo dieted many times. I don't think I am morbidly obese and I hide my weight well but my BMI is 37%. I have enjoyed bicycling and at one point about 20 years ago I was riding a lot 2-3 hour 4-5 times a week. Even then I was not able to lose much and always struggled up every hill. I take medication for high blood pressure, cholesterol, GERD and type II diabetes. My other main motivation is to get off my medications. I understand this will be a transformative procedure if I choose to have it and will radically need to alter the way I eat. I think I am prepared for that. Any suggestions on "selling" the idea to my wife would be appreciated. I know I would enjoy bicycling much more and probably ride more. I do still work some, about 20 hours a week. I work at home. Thank you.

Hi All I was recently sleeves on 1/26/23. I was very excited and anxious for the procedure to jump start my progress. Fast fwd since surgery I have been having a hard time. When I graduated to semi soft foods It been rough. I haven't been able to keep anything down. It's been so bad that I was informed that it would be best that I go back to the previous stage of liquids only. I'm starting to feel down about getting the procedure. I been vomiting, having heart burn, discomfort trying to drink water, stomach pains, unsuccessful attempts to belch. I've been so frustrated trying to explain this to my Dr. She look at my like i'm crazy and it's hard telling someone the complications I'm having who have never experienced it. Have anyone else had this issue? Like water hurt when I drink it.. it's like so rough when trying to go down like i feel pain while it's traveling and when it finally settle. I'm going crazy please help. My Dr said she will order a upper GI so we will see. I feel like I may have dumping syndrome- although I haven't eaten anything sugary or with fat. I was told dumping syndrome mostly only occur with bypass patients. As in I shouldn't be having that issue but I feel like I do. If i try something as simple as yogurt it come right up like fast within a few minutes and I experience all the issues notes above. I be bent over trying to deal with the pain when this is happening. Any suggestions, tips or advice is welcomed.

I have been on 3 trips since my surgery at the end of November, I always bring powdered protein shake usually unflavored and some fruit one to mix with crystal light. I do take some premier shakes, you can pass them through security and they will do an extra screening, have not had an issue with them, only once they asked and I told them I recently had surgery but they will assume you are diabetic. Once at location I purchased baby bel cheese and greek yogurt to supplement with the shakes and the rest of the meals were just sharing an appetizer or splitting a meal and taking leftovers for the next day.

i was originally scheduled for outpatient but was ultimately admitted for one night, released around 11 a.m. the next morning. I was also nervous about being outpatient so I wish they would have just planned to have me over night in the first place. The recovery was a lot harder than the sleeve, which I had done outpatient. I was told the hospitals are full so they try to get you out of there day of surgery if possible, but after I was admitted I noticed my floor only had like 3 of us up there, so I don't know what the logic is. I think bypass is too serious of a surgery to go home same day.

Hi everyone, I am going on my first trip since having my surgery at the end of November. At this point my meal plan includes most foods, but I’m anticipating having some challenges with meeting my goals and tracking. I’m planning to bring some protein bars to have with me as I don’t think much time will be spent at the hotel - I’ll be sight seeing most of the day. I’m flying so can’t bring any protein shakes with me and won’t have a kitchen to do any cooking. Does anyone have any travel tips?

Have to admit I’m very surprised by your PCP’s attitude about this. If your post surgical plan says not to swallow meds or take slow release meds for a period of time, you would expect your PCP to be supportive. The main reason slow release meds are avoided is because of possible absorption issues (more common with bypass but can happen with sleeve). Many, many people successful change their meds to non timed release. It is possible. What will your doctor do when you need to reduce your BP dosage as you lose weight?? I’d ask my pharmacist too about alternatives so you’re more informed about options when you go back to your PCP. As @The Greater Fool said it’s highly likely your meds were first formulated as non time released.

I think it's because our pyloric valve is bypassed, so the med will just go through the stoma and into our small intestine once it's small enough to pass through. So they don't stay in our stomachs long enough for that (extended release). At least, I think that's why...

Hello. I am new here. I have my first initial consult with the bariatric surgeon next week. I know I have to tell my wife and frankly I do not know how she will react. Knowing her she will say I don't need surgery, I just need to stop snacking particularly at night. I really want her support if I decide to have WLS, probably the original gastric bypass. I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. I am now 67. I was on the original Atkins in 1971. I have yo-yo dieted many times. I don't think I am morbidly obese and I hide my weight well but my BMI is 37%. I have enjoyed bicycling and at one point about 20 years ago I was riding a lot 2-3 hour 4-5 times a week. Even then I was not able to lose much and always struggled up every hill. I take medication for high blood pressure, cholesterol, GERD and type II diabetes. My other main motivation is to get off my medications. I understand this will be a transformative procedure if I choose to have it and will radically need to alter the way I eat. I think I am prepared for that. Any suggestions on "selling" the idea to my wife would be appreciated. I know I would enjoy bicycling much more and probably ride more. I do still work some, about 20 hours a week. I work at home. Thank you.

Thank you I'm a little concerned about the revision because I have MS meds that are extended release that my surgeon said will need to be changed out. But my neurologist said I'm stable on them and the only med I can take is a stronger injectable, but he's not inclined to put me on a stronger med that I don't need. So this is kind of a problem right now. The pills are capsules and can't be broken or crushed, but that's not really the issue. It's the malabsorption that's the issue because I guess extended release meds are a no no with the bypass, which is why I didn't want the bypass to begin with.

History: I had a revision surgery from sleeve to gastric bypass on 1/31/23. I had all the normal gas pain issues (fun). Then, I had something weird happen - I got a severe, sharp pain directly in the middle of my upper abdomen. Lasted a day, then, when I was walking, I took a gasp breath and it rattled and went away. Doc thinks maybe mucus plug? That was insane and I’m so glad it went away. Current issue: Today, 11 days PO, I developed a severe, sharp pain in my lower left stomach (below/under the big incision - not the same spot). When I try to go to the bathroom (even just trying to urinate), it is killer pain. I can barely walk. The only way I can make it feel any better is stretching back and leaning to the right. Oh, and I’ve also felt vomit/bile at the top of my throat most of the day, too. Any ideas???

Thanks so much @BigSuefor this thoughtful and honest response. This is why I love this forum! I'm six weeks out from a planned gastric bypass and really struggling to wrap my head around the fact that my relationship with food will change permanently. I'm sincerely hoping that it's for the better, much the way you have described. Thanks for sharing, it does bring some comfort. 🙂

I'm 2.5 years post-op from gastric bypass. I think weight loss surgery can help make major changes to your relationship with food and eating, but it takes a lot of time and work to undo the habits and mindset you've developed throughout your life up to this point. I had read that a lot of people experience changes in their tastes after surgery, and I hoped that would be the case for me but was not optimistic. I mentioned this hope to the psychiatrist during my psych eval for the surgery, and he kind of laughed at this idea and told me not to count on it. I've always been a picky eater with a long list of vegetables and cuisines that I wouldn't eat. Some people say that after surgery, food tastes different (e.g., anything sweet tastes too sweet), but that was not my experience, so I figured I wasn't one of the lucky ones whose tastes would change. Well, fast-forward to now and my tastes have changed... sort of. It's hard to explain because foods taste the same now as they did before surgery, but my likes and dislikes have changed a lot. I used to hate seafood and now I love it. I eat all kinds of vegetables that I used to hate. I'm not sure if my tastes have changed or I just have more of an open mind, or maybe having to go through the pre-op liquid diet and post-op stages made me appreciate real food more when I reintroduced it. Either way, I'm eating healthy foods every day and loving them. Before surgery, I loved watching cooking shows like Top Chef and Great British Baking Show. For the first several months after surgery, I couldn't bear to watch cooking shows. I hated even seeing food commercials on TV. It just made me sad and angry to see foods that I could no longer eat. But eventually, I got to a point where I could see food and cooking without the emotional attachment. I can watch Great British Baking Show and appreciate the cakes and cookies they make without being sad that I can't eat them. Once I got to the point of reintroducing solid food, I put a lot of effort into recreating "bariatric-friendly" versions of foods I used to eat -- especially pizza. Pizza was my kryptonite, and before surgery, I could not get enough pizza. I could have eaten pizza every day and never gotten tired of it. After surgery, I tried chicken crust pizza, and making pizza with low-carb tortilla for the crust, topped with sugar-free marinara, low fat mozzarella, and turkey pepperoni. But I also started trying healthy recipes that I found on Pinterest, and eventually, I stopped craving pizza. I haven't had anything resembling pizza (even a healthy version) in well over a year and I don't care. If you put two plates in front of me, one with a slice of pizza and one with grilled salmon and roasted vegetables, I would go straight for the salmon and not even be tempted by the pizza. This is just wild to me because three years ago, I wouldn't have eaten salmon if it were the only food available, and I never could have passed up a slice of pizza. Sometimes I feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience because before surgery, I couldn't imagine being the health nut with a refrigerator full of fresh produce and no junk food in the house, eating grilled fish and cauliflower rice and salad with fat-free dressing, but here I am. I am constantly finding new, healthy, delicious recipes. Every single day, I eat healthy food and think, "Holy crap, this is delicious!" I honestly enjoy food more now than I did when I was eating whatever I wanted with wild abandon. It took me a long time to get here, and I can't promise that you or anyone else will have the same experiences after weight loss surgery, but my relationship with food has changed more than I could have imagined.

Turned 60 in November. I had my surgery Dec 28 and have lost 36 pounds since then. I had lost 60 pounds prior to that but had staled because my metabolism was so slow. I still have about 70 pound to lose. Doctor says I should be about 40 pounds from goal by my next appointment on April 20. This works if you are willing to do it

I have to have a revision due to sleeve complications (insane gerd causing high doses of PPI which have cased a ton of polyps all through my stomach, which make the gerd worse, which caused gastritis and esophagitis). I love my sleeve and am really sad to need a revision. I have to have half the polyps removed on the 17th, then the other half on March 10th. We're looking at a revision to bypass probably in May, which is ironic because that's my 1 year surgiversary for my sleeve lol The main things I experience is nausea after I eat anything, sharp stabbing pains in my abdomen that cause me to lose my breath and not be able to do anything but lay on the bed and cry, burning and churning in my stomach and up my esophagus, burning in my throat that sometimes makes my throat scratchy and my voice hoarse, spasming in my esophagus causing my throat to close and food to get stuck. I cannot WAIT to get better. Honestly. I love my sleeve, but this is too much. I just want to feel better. I didn't want the bypass because I don't want to deal with possible strictures, dumping syndrome, and I have 2 extended release meds that I can't stop taking (can't be broken or crushed) that will be an issue with the bypass. I never had any gerd or reflux issues, so all these problems came as a shock to me. I'm also really nervous this time around (I wasn't at all with the sleeve).

First, let me start by saying I now have to have a revision due to sleeve complications (insane gerd causing high doses of PPI which have cased a ton of polyps all through my stomach, which make the gerd worse, which caused gastritis and esophagitis). I love my sleeve and am really sad to need a revision. I have to have half the polyps removed on the 17th, then the other half on March 10th. We're looking at a revision to bypass probably in May, which is ironic because that's my 1 year surgiversary for my sleeve lol My ring size is now a 7 1/2 and my clothing size is an 18/20. My surgeon told me to expect to lose maybe another 60-65 pounds with the bypass (it'll be slower and not as much weight lost since it's a revision) but I'm ok with that. If I can lose another 15 pounds by surgery day, then the bypass will get me to goal within another year. I'm ok with it taking 2 years to hit goal, given all these stupid complications. My main thing right now is to feel better. I have to really watch how much I work out and what kinds I do because that can set things off. I watch my diet like a hawk. I still end up in pain sometimes, or sick to my stomach, or any number of things. But the revision will take care of that and then I can just get on with the business of living again. The main things I experience is nausea after I eat anything, sharp stabbing pains in my abdomen that cause me to lose my breath and not be able to do anything but lay on the bed and cry, burning and churning in my stomach and up my esophagus, burning in my throat that sometimes makes my throat scratchy and my voice hoarse, spasming in my esophagus causing my throat to close and food to get stuck. I cannot WAIT to get better. Honestly. I love my sleeve, but this is too much. I just want to feel better.

Great weight loss results! I had only the bypass but continue to talk with others at my practice who have had both. There are some with lots of pain, and a slightly longer recovery, and some with less. Like anything, adjust to your needs, it’s not a comparison. Remember the whole surgery and recovery is very very temporary. I wish you the best.

I was definitely in the high pain camp after my bypass, but I also had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time which likely made post-op pain worse. That said, even with the hernia pain, I've dealt with far worse (hi tibial plateau fracture! You were definitely a level 10!), and the post-op pain relief kept it all manageable. Took a good two weeks for the "hit by a truck" or "gut punched by a team of heavyweights" feeling to subside, but I was pretty zen about it because I knew it would eventually improve. I had some nausea post-op, but the drugs kept it in check. Everyone's experience is their own, however, so you'll never know until you're there how much or how little pain/nausea you'll have. Best thing to remember is it's temporary. As Catwoman said, the bypass post-op food plan is pretty similar to the sleeve, with the exception of the supplements. I hope it sorts out your Gastroparesis! Amazing transformation, BTW!

Had my bypass three weeks ago (presume you’re having bypass too) just prepare yourself for the mental roller coaster and remember why you’re doing it. (Most) people don’t feel much or any real pain, just some discomfort. I struggled mentally but am working through the mental aspect of it all. Best of luck, private message if you like anytime.