500lbs pre-op + mental health + acid reflux

[algarf 5]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this wonderful community and wanted to say a big hello all the way from the Middle East!

At the age of 29, I have finally decided to have the VSG surgery. Last year was tough, and my weight, which I have always struggled with, is now almost 490 lbs ( around 222kgs for those like me ) I can feel myself dying, and surgery is my last resort. I will be paying out of pocket because insurance companies in the country I live in still consider bariatric surgery cosmetic (what rock are they living under?) And to wait for a government subsidised surgery, and pay much less, might mean waiting for another year or more. I just don't think my body can afford to wait that long.

My doctor said that if I quit smoking and try to shed around 20kgs, I would go ahead with the surgery. I am hoping for a late Feb surgery date and I am very excited.

Anyway, my questions are....has anyone here had surgery with their starting weight being so heavy as myself? What was your experience like?

Secondly, I've been struggling with depression and anxiety over the past few years. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that there is much psychological support for bariatric patients where I am at. I was wondering if anyone could recommend tips or books about dealing with emotions and mental health through thia journey? Obviously, like many of us, food was my go to comfort and I want to prepare myself. I know my quality of life will get better after the surgery, but I am always reminding myself that losing weight isn't going to be the answer to all my problems.

Thirdly, I have pretty bad acid reflux and I heard the sleeve could make this worse. My surgeon said he could strengthen some muscles to help while he is doing the sleeve (I forgot its name, it's the muscle that helps control upward flow of acid). Has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope you are having a fantastic day!

-Mohamed

[GmaDiana 81]

My Dr fixed my Hiatal Hernia when he did the sleeve in 2011.Evenually it failed and acid reflux was horrible.I had a revision to bypass on Nov. 22,2016.No more acid reflux.

[algarf 5]

My Dr fixed my Hiatal Hernia when he did the sleeve in 2011.Evenually it failed and acid reflux was horrible.I had a revision to bypass on Nov. 22,2016.No more acid reflux.

Thanks for the info! My surgeon did say that we will start out with the sleeve and after a year passes will assess if we should turn it into a bypass. Fingers crossed for the best and glad you are acid reflux free now!

[LittleBill 2,231]

I was as close as "don't matter" to you in starting weight. My high weight (as far as I know) was 481 lbs. I dropped 67 of those pounds just by going to a 2000-2500 calorie a day diet pre-op. Today marks three months post-op for me, and I am down 125 lbs. It does work, and it can work for you. And if it doesn't give you the results you need, the sleeve sets you up for the duodenal switch.

Losing 44 lbs (20 kg) by February might be tough. I started out losing a pound a day, but that slacked off fairly quickly. Looking back at my timeline, I lost at an average of 7.6 kg a month pre-op. But every one of us is different, so I say go for it. What do you have to lose, except weight?

I do not have any advice on books, or even reflux. I had a very slight case of reflux before I started this process. It required one Prilosec every two to three days to control it. My doc says he fixed a very small hiatal hernia, so small it did not even show up on the endoscopy, so that may help. Right now I am still taking one Prilosec a day as a preventative against acid as my stomach continues to heal. Good luck with it!

Edited January 11, 2017 by LittleBill

[trekker954 421]

I think the Beck Diet Solution by judith beck is filled with Cognitive thinking solutions you can apply to assist in losing weight. It's like a workbook. I found it helpful and I believe it's similar to what a psychiatrist in the field would suggest to bariatric patients.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

[Dashofpixiedust8 1,469]

I am 30 now and started my journey when I was 29 and 540 pounds. I had surgery in May of 2016 at 480 pounds. I am now 7 1/2 months out and am at 332 pounds. I didn't have an easy time with it but my case is unusual.

I used a few books and one workbook:

The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook: An Integrated Approach to Overcoming Disordered Eating by Carolyn Ross

End emotional eating by Jennifer Taitz

Food: the good girls drug by Sunny Sea Gold

Friends with the scale by Linda Spangle

Life is hard, food is easy by Linda Spangle

You are a badass by Jen Sincero

I do not have any experience with the acid reflux part of it. If you have any questions at all you can IM me too.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[woo woo 872]

Another book to try is The Emotional First Aid Kit

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[algarf 5]

I was as close as "don't matter" to you in starting weight. My high weight (as far as I know) was 481 lbs. I dropped 67 of those pounds just by going to a 2000-2500 calorie a day diet pre-op. Today marks three months post-op for me, and I am down 125 lbs. It does work, and it can work for you. And if it doesn't give you the results you need, the sleeve sets you up for the duodenal switch.

Losing 44 lbs (20 kg) by February might be tough. I started out losing a pound a day, but that slacked off fairly quickly. Looking back at my timeline, I lost at an average of 7.6 kg a month pre-op. But every one of us is different, so I say go for it. What do you have to lose, except weight?

I do not have any advice on books, or even reflux. I had a very slight case of reflux before I started this process. It required one Prilosec every two to three days to control it. My doc says he fixed a very small hiatal hernia, so small it did not even show up on the endoscopy, so that may help. Right now I am still taking one Prilosec a day as a preventative against acid as my stomach continues to heal. Good luck with it!

Thank you so much for your insight! Throughout these forums I've found you both inspirational andentertaining Yes, I am doing my best to drop as much as I can pre-op. Fingers crossed! Thanks so much again!

Sent from my SM-G928C using the BariatricPal App

I think the Beck Diet Solution by judith beck is filled with Cognitive thinking solutions you can apply to assist in losing weight. It's like a workbook. I found it helpful and I believe it's similar to what a psychiatrist in the field would suggest to bariatric patients.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Great! Will definitely check it out - thanks so much!

Sent from my SM-G928C using the BariatricPal App

[algarf 5]

I am 30 now and started my journey when I was 29 and 540 pounds. I had surgery in May of 2016 at 480 pounds. I am now 7 1/2 months out and am at 332 pounds. I didn't have an easy time with it but my case is unusual.

I used a few books and one workbook:

The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook: An Integrated Approach to Overcoming Disordered Eating by Carolyn Ross

End emotional eating by Jennifer Taitz

Food: the good girls drug by Sunny Sea Gold

Friends with the scale by Linda Spangle

Life is hard, food is easy by Linda Spangle

You are a badass by Jen Sincero

I do not have any experience with the acid reflux part of it. If you have any questions at all you can IM me too.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much for these recommendations and congrats on your weight loss so far! Do you mind me asking what was unusual about your case?

Sent from my SM-G928C using the BariatricPal App

Another book to try is The Emotional First Aid Kit

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Fantastic! Thank you will be checking it out for sure!

Sent from my SM-G928C using the BariatricPal App