Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Frequently Asked Questions



Recommended Posts

I love this FAQ! It helped answer a lot of questions.

What is the general rule on fasting prior to surgery? 24/12/6?

I'm already on a liquid only diet, but do I need to fast without my Protein shakes for a certain amount of time?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Does anyone have tips on to wean off coffee? ??

try tea. Get a few flavors to try.

Some tea. Sleepm and B12 drops

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

great info!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, I am just starting on my journey. Have only attended the class on different WLS options. I really think I want the sleeve, however the Dr may have another opinion when I see him. I just want to say thanks for all the tips, advice, personal stories (good and bad), that I have found on this site. Because of the many people that are courageous enough to share their advice and experiences, I have been gaining a lot of knowledge going into this journey so that my eyes are wide open! My primary reason for doing this surgery is to get off of my many pills, 2 types of insulin shots, CPAP machine, and HOPEFULLY relieve my back and hip pain so I can also get off of pain medications. They wanted to do back surgery but that scares the bejezus out of me, so I am hoping to avoid it with weight loss. Anyhow, I am happy to be a new member of the Bariatricpal society! Do we get a secret decoder ring or something? LOL

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Katladee -

Congratulations! You have just chosen health and life over pain and illness. However, your decoder ring has been lost in the mail. A year from your surgery date you will wonder why you waited so long and will not give a thought to the decoder ring.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all! This is my first post but I've been lurking for quite some time. Today is my surgery. About to head out the door to the hospital. I'm a bunch of nerves right now but reading some the stories here in the 12th hour has helped calmed me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, I am just starting on my journey. Have only attended the class on different WLS options. I really think I want the sleeve, however the Dr may have another opinion when I see him. I just want to say thanks for all the tips, advice, personal stories (good and bad), that I have found on this site. Because of the many people that are courageous enough to share their advice and experiences, I have been gaining a lot of knowledge going into this journey so that my eyes are wide open! My primary reason for doing this surgery is to get off of my many pills, 2 types of insulin shots, CPAP machine, and HOPEFULLY relieve my back and hip pain so I can also get off of pain medications. They wanted to do back surgery but that scares the bejezus out of me, so I am hoping to avoid it with weight loss. Anyhow, I am happy to be a new member of the Bariatricpal society! Do we get a secret decoder ring or something? LOL

If your back pain doesn't go away for some reason, I highly recommended looking into Laser Spine Institute. My husband has been 60% disabled for over 15 years, had 5 back surgeries including a spinal fusion and a placement of a spinal cord stimulator (none of which gave him pain relief). He also couldn't feel his left leg due to nerve damage and walked hunched over with a limp. Every doctor he went to told him that since he had tried "everything" available he just had to "accept that this is how life is now". We tried out Laser Spine Institute and the day after surgery he was telling me his feet were cold - he hasn't felt his feet in 15 years! He walks standing straight up and out-walks me too! It was literally a miracle and his pain went from a daily 7-9 to around a 2 during recovery!

Edited by Half_of_Bri

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement! :( on the decoder ring! LOL Bri, thanks for the info on Laser Spine. If the WLS doesn't resolve it I will look into it. Congrat's to your husband! He must feel like a new man! Prayers to you all for continued success and good health!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×