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I had terrible hair loss so started maintenance early. Now I'm struggling to get back on program. I wish I'd stayed on program but was freaked out and didn't know how long the hair loss would last. It was severe and lasted 7 months. I'm older so my hair doesn't grow very fast anymore.

I was self pay. My initial consult was in January 2020 and my surgery date was scheduled for March 2020. So it can happen pretty fast, depending on the facility (I used Cleveland Clinic) (Of course, COVID happened, and the surgery got postponed 4 months, but that is not likely the case now)

I agree with what’s been written. In addition, my dietitian told me that when it’s dumping, the urge will be for things to come out the bottom end. When you’ve eaten too much or too fast, the urge will be for it to come up and out. The first time is very scary. I, too, wondered if I needed to go to the hospital. I thought I was chewing enough and eating slowly enough. I wasn’t. I also needed to pause longer between bites and wait until the recommended 30 minutes after a meal before drinking (sometimes longer). It took me more times than I care to admit to really slow down as much as I needed to and to stop sooner. I learned to recognize that as soon as there was the slightest gurgle from my stomach, it was time to stop. A runny nose or hiccup is a sure sign of having gone too far. Also, since this can feel like something is stuck, my first reaction was to take a drink to wash it down. Don’t do it, it only makes it worse.

About half of that weight was lost in the preop diet phase. The other half was lost after the surgery. I just completed week 5. Had a pretty good normal stall at 3 weeks that lasted about a week. I follow the diet strictly, and i walk 3 to 6 miles a day. I avoid carbs as much as i can. Lots and lots of water. Just giving you some perspective to my numbers. Everyone is different. We are all losers, but the good kind. Whether it comes off fast or slow life is better 1 lb at a time.

What you describe is not dumping. It sounds like you ate too fast, you probably didn't chew well enough, and your pouch was mildly blocked. The dry-heaving is you trying to get rid of the blockage. Dumping occurs after you've eaten. It is your bodies response to eating too much sugar or fat in some cases. Your stomach / intestines put out a "We need water here" which your body responds dramatically. All this fluid in your intestines are what cause the Dumping symptoms. The symptoms include sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, gastric distress, cramps, and the forever popular diarrhea. Good luck. Tek

I had rny 2 weeks ago and I think I’m going through dumping syndrome. I think I ate too fast and had a sip of water. I ate ricotta bake. Can y’all please tell me what your experience is like? Mine is stomach feels like Charlie horse cramp in my stomach followed with cold chills. This is happening every few minutes. Then I feel nauseated and want to puke but I’m dry heaving. Any ideas or facts how to make this feel better should I be drinking water during this?? I don’t know. And it’s lasted 1 hour and a half. Help plz.

With my surgeons blessing I tried alcohol just recently (4.5 months out) keeping in mind that it is empty calories. My preferred drink was rum and Diet Coke so I had rum and crystal light. Well, it tasted so bad that I couldn’t even get it down fast enough to get a buzz. So for me, knowing that I was just drinking a ton of empty calories that tasted bad, it wasn’t even worth it. But no, it definitely did not hit me harder or faster??

As @AjaSlimtone said, your starting weight is quite low, so you will not be able to lose fast, like people who start at 300 or 400 lbs. Just follow your surgery center's instructions to the letter and trust in the process. Make sure you're getting your fluids and protein. You got this!

He's against it for reasons that have nothing to do with me. Mostly, he says he can't fathom having only 20% of his stomach or not being able to eat as much as he wants, when he wants. He thinks it's extreme and that I "just need to diet and exercise more" (as if I haven't already killed my metabolism with every yo-yo diet/calorie counting/fad diet/exercise pill/gimmick you can think of over the last 15 years). Granted, he's thin, has been thin all his life, and is blessed with a lightning fast metabolism and excellent health. So of course he thinks it's extreme and doesn't get it. Plus, we go out to restaurants for "date night" once a week, which we both enjoy, and he thinks that's going to have to stop completely once I get VSG. Though restaurants will have to be put on hold during the recovery period, I told him we can still go to restaurants like we've always done. I'll just have to make different choices. So yeah, those are his gripes. We have just agreed to disagree on the issue. He'll still support me as far as being there for me at the hospital and during the recovery period, but as far as all my pre-op stuff goes, I'm doing it on my own - I don't even ask him to come with me to appointments. Honestly, knowing how he feels, I kind of prefer it that way. Less stress. LOL

I can totally understand being upset by them suddenly adding an extra two months when you already worked your ass off to get where you are. You just have to remind yourself on how far you've come and how close you are to getting your surgery. Two months is nothing! It flies by! I did the 6 month weigh in thing myself and due to my six months falling around Thanksgiving my surgery got knocked back due to them being overscheduled so, for me, it was actually 8 months from my first appointment to my surgery. I, however, wasn't given a set amount of weight to lose. I was just told not to GAIN weight. I choose to try to lose as much weight as I could though and to try to get myself into healthier eating habits before my surgery and I was proud that I'd lost 68 pounds during that time. Now I'm almost 18 months post op and time has flown by! Right now two months seems like forever, but it'll go by fast! Try not to be discouraged! You'll get there!

Way to go! When I could finally eat soft foods, I felt like I had more energy. However, I get depleted fast and forget to eat or drink. I’m over protein drinks. 😑 they were making me bloat and I get sick on them. I’ve bought some new whey protein powders and I’m hoping they’ll be gentler on my stomach.

@bumblebee13 the stitches would irritate me too. Call your dr and ask if it’s supposed to dissolve soon. I hope your scars settle down and don’t keloid! soft foods has been great! I can’t eat regular scramble eggs. But I can eat egg bites from the instant pot. I make mine with ricotta cheese, mozzarella, seasonings, spinach, and diced deli turkey. A dot of hot sauce adds the kick I crave. Have you tried the ricotta bake, deli meat roll ups with a soft cheese, or deli meat “burrito”? Yummm! Im learning I need to eat slower or I get full too fast and blah.

Hey there. I wanted to just see what other people's experiences were with their consultation, especially those with either eating disorders or other mental health diagnoses. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have been on meds for about 2.5 months. My mental state has improved a lot and I have more cognitive ability to make good choices for myself. When I went in for my consultation for gastric bypass, I was incredibly candid with my doctor. I told him about how I've lost 70 lbs in the past by fasting and extreme workouts but sadly I gained it all back plus some because of the binge restricr cycle. I went on to talk about my rocky relationship with food and he stopped me short and asked me "has anyone ever told you that you have an eating disorder?" He then said that people with eating disorders can't have weight loss surgery and that I'd need to work out my problems before getting surgery. He's giving me 14 weeks to get my sh*t together so to speak but ultimately said it's up to me to get to a place where I've mended this relationship with food. I'll be on their diet plan during this period (have already started making conscious efforts and studying BED recovery on my own). So my question is this: when I told him about my struggles with my mental health and eating patterns he seemed to make it a point that if you have those issues, you don't qualify. While I understand that having untreated symptoms means you can't get surgery, I can't understand what being in control means if you have to still meet the BMI requirements? Besides wanting him to truly understand my history with food, don't most people going for weight loss surgery have moderate to severe disordered eating or mental health problems? Is he just testing me to see if I can show him I've worked on my problems? Or is it really that weird and rare that someone with mental health problems and a history with binge and restrict is going for a weight loss consultation? I thought thats what it's about? I know you stay on their diet plan and get used to that as kind of your new life but I can't understand what's "in control" enough to show the doctor I'm ready but still obese? If anyone wants to give me some advice and share their experiences telling their doc about their eating behavior and mental health struggles , I'm all ears. I can't stop thinking about it. I'm really working on self compassion and not trying to beat myself up. He made me feel that I'm not mentally healthy enough to even get help when I have been feeling stronger than ever with my new medication. Any insight and experience appreciated! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had GERD before my VSG surgery in 2014, and it only got worse over the next six years. Nothing helped, including PPI's. Fast forward to 2020. After a bunch of diagnostic tests to verify my GERD/Gastritis/Esophagitis, I had bypass surgery October 2020. I haven't had GERD since. I'm off all acid reflux medications. I've lost 56 lbs. since surgery and feel better than I felt in my 40's (I'm 64). I've got a ton of energy, walk 5 miles five days/week and do aquatic fitness classes 5 day/week. I'm loving my new, healthier self and so glad I made the decision to get the surgery. Yes, it is a life-long decision and I've forever changed how I can eat and process food, but so worth it! Needless to say, I would recommend the revision to anyone with severe GERD.

It has been a long time since I posted on this forum. I was sleeved in October 2018 and immediately began suffering from reflux/GERD (which I did not have prior to sleeve). Fast-forward 2 1/2 years later, loads of PPI's, EGD's, barium swallows, scans, scopes and referrals, I was finally advised by a surgeon that my best option is to have revision of the sleeve to the bypass. I have a mid grade hiatal hernia and severe GERD. It's gratifying to finally get some answers and while I am looking forward to some relief, I am a bit anxious about the surgery. I relocated from Houston to Dallas, TX in May. I consulted with a new bariatric surgeon on May 26th. Once the ball got rolling, everything went pretty quickly. After thoroughly reviewing my previous surgery and medical records along with additional testing, she determined that in addition to the hernia and GERD, my original pouch from the VSG wasn't as small as it should have been! That explains why I had such slow and minimal weight loss. I lost about 40lbs total, and have regained 20lbs back since COVID. Has anyone had revision from VSG to RNY with hiatal hernia repair due to GERD? If so, has your GERD improved and how has the weight loss been?

I had gastric bypass on 5/7/2021. I began my weight loss journey in August 2020 when I attended my hospital’s bariatric seminar. My insurance required 6 months of diet before surgery approval. My fist dietitian appoint was mid-October 2020. Prior to this appointment I had very little motivation to lose weight. I was 280+ pounds (5’ 7.5”) and depressed. My ankles swelled every day, I had trouble moving, none of my clothes fit well and my wedding rings didn’t fit at all. I had gone off the rails. Between October and March 21’ I managed to lose 45 pounds. I attribute my success to my husband also taking charge of his health and being a great partner. My packet was submitted in March and approved 1 week later. My surgery was scheduled 7 weeks form the approval to my disappointment. It was a long 7 weeks! I didn’t gain or lose weight during my wait. I was officially 237 at my pre-op appointment. I managed to lose 10 pounds prior to surgery on the liver shrink diet. I was 227 the morning of surgery The surgery went fine. I had some nausea and dry heaving the first few hours. I was able to get water down but not much else. The drain really caused me trouble so it was removed 12 hours later. I ended up only staying 1 night in the hospital because I was determined to get released early. I walked all the time and really kept my RN on his toes. Thankfully the doctor agreed with me that I would recover better at home. The next evening I was discharged and could sleep in my own bed. I followed the diet exactly for nearly 8 weeks. I went on a cruise with my family and 95% ate to plan. I would have a taste of dessert but let me tell you I sure paid for it. Dumping is real and it affects me. I seem to dump if I eat too fast, too much, or an item too high in sugar (hello chai tea!). I learned many lessons that week I’m thankful for. The surgery did exactly what I needed it to do- deter me. I have had trouble with constipation. I am taking 3 colace per day and benefiber each morning. Seems to help but my body likes to hold onto waste. I might go back to miralax to help move things along. I’ve always had trouble in this area but now it’s more consistent. On Saturday I hit “onederland” and weighed 199. I never thought I would get here. I weigh myself each day and I am fluctuating between 198 and 199 this week. I have a heck of a lot more energy than I did a month ago. I am moving my body every day and using my elliptical at least 3 times a week. I have changed sizes! Last summer I wore a 20 and now I need a 12. It blows my mind. It’s hard to describe how I feel. I can see the change but I don’t believe it’s me. People I haven’t seen in a year take a look at me and their mouth drops and tell me they didn’t recognize me or make a comment like “omg you have lost so much weight!” In a way it feels good to be validated but at the same time I hate the attention. Honestly if I didn’t lose another pound I would be happy. I am under 200 and I feel/look great! I can move without pain and I have energy. Heck I mowed the yard today! I’ve had some negative comments too- mostly from my parents- “you’re starving yourself, don’t loose too much weight, and I think you’ve lost enough” It’s painful so I don’t speak with them much. I feel my weight loss has been slow but I remind myself how far I’ve come. 80+ pound weight loss is nothing to bat at! I’m doing a great job! I hope to be better and update this thread monthly! Thanks for reading.

it depends- what surgery are you having? and how much will you be lifting? I had a VSG and was back to work in a 4 days (though I was pretty tired for a week or so after that) and I avoided lifting anything more than 10 lbs for several more weeks. I was pretty surprised how fast I felt good and how easy the recovery was, almost to the point that I felt guilty for laying around and not doing anything productive right after. The most important thing is that you follow your doctors instructions, as none of us here are qualified to make those recommendations (at least not me). Start walking as soon as you are able and keep walking as much as you can. You'll feel better and it will help with the gas after surgery.

That looks so yummy right now! Lol. Glad it went well. Today is the day for me (hopefully). I am excited and ready to get this thing over with. I go in at 9:45am EST. I actually slept a little last night which I didn't expect. I made a mistake...I waited until yesterday to get several things done for today. That meant I was running around town doing errands and preparing on a totally empty stomach. I have done one or two day fasts before, but it hit me a lot harder this time due to the fact that I have been eating so few calories for the past two weeks. I was really worn out. I had to take a lot of time to rest, and I was pretty grumpy to my poor daughter who was stuck with me. I would recommend doing any of your work like cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping before the clear liquid day occurs. Well, I'm off to the hospital now! Good luck to anybody else going in today.

if you are following your program to a "T", the weight WILL come off, whether fast or slow. I was a slow-loser from the get-go and ended up losing over 200 lbs. I was super committed though - almost never went off my program for the first year.

I've lost much more than expected, but it has not been fast weight loss. A couple pounds a month for the past 6 months (more in the beginning months after surgery). My surgeon was very please with my overall weight loss when I saw him at 8 months post-op. The revision has been very, very different from sleeve surgery. I'm hoping that the slower weight loss will result in long term success.

As some others have said, if you're still having surgical pain, you should probably contact your doctor. We're all different, but for most, the surgical pain goes away pretty quickly (I never had to take a pain pill after leaving the hospital). With regards to eating and drinking - Yeah, the liquid phase seems like it's MONTHS and at first you feel like you'll never be able to eat/drink normally again. Part of that is true...you'll never be able to eat the portions you once could. We're all different, but after a few months, there are very few things that I couldn't eat or drink. After about a month, I was able to swallow fairly large gulps and can finish a bottle of water in <5 minutes if I'm really thirsty without any pain or discomfort. A few words of advice - When you do start eating purees and then solids - Go slowly - If you eat too fast, it can be miserable. You're probably going to do it.... seems like we all do... If you eat something that doesn't settle well with you, hang in there and try it again in a few weeks.

Hi everyone, I had my surgery on 5/18 and after working through some adjustments, I’m very happy to see the weight coming off. Not as fast as the first month, but glad it’s still moving in the right direction. HW 289 SW 260 CW 225 The gas experience is a lot to deal with…

Hi guys I’m a few days postop and I’m noticing every time I sip water or a protein drink or have a bite of anything my heart rate starts to get really fast has anyone else experienced this and do they know why?

You should be proud of your progress. Stress like last year's lockdown can cause many to resort to stress eating. Go back to basics, throw out all temptations, go to therapy if you can. Journaling your stress can sometimes help find what triggers you. Once you get back to basics, cravings will go away again. Then look into intermittent fasting. Look for Dr. Jason Fung's books or youtube videos.