Hello,

My doctor wants me to undergo Bariatric surgery because I'm 5'3" and weigh 289lbs. My BMI is 51 and I have been dieting and exercising all year without any results whatsoever (have not even dropped one pound). I have arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, a thyroid condition, PCOD and ulcerative colitis. All of which my doctor thinks can be helped by weightloss.

Part of the "preparation" I guess you can call it is I have to watch a bunch of videos explaining the different types (band, sleeve and bypass). I was wondering if any one could tell me what kind of success they've had with the different ones, and if possible, share their stories (I know it may be personal, so I won't try to push any one or anything).

I won't lie. I'm a bit anxious about all of this. I have never had any surgery before in my entire life, and this seems like it's a major surgery. But if it will help me get healthier and get some of my medical conditions under control, then I am willing to give it a shot.

Any help would be appreciate, thank you

I think if you do a search on fibromyalgia in here there are a few threads worth reading. If I remember correctly one woman had more pain after surgery but I haven't seen her post a follow up.

14 minutes ago, Joann454 said:

I think if you do a search on fibromyalgia in here there are a few threads worth reading. If I remember correctly one woman had more pain after surgery but I haven't seen her post a follow up.

Once I figure out how to do a search, I'll try that. Thank you.

I do have another question, that I just thought of. After the surgery.... Do you... Well feel different internally? I mean, can you tell something is missing, or rearranged or added or something?

Once I figure out how to do a search, I'll try that. Thank you.
I do have another question, that I just thought of. After the surgery.... Do you... Well feel different internally? I mean, can you tell something is missing, or rearranged or added or something?

I felt alot of pull in my upper and when I would lay on my left side the first week post op. That's it.


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55 minutes ago, skyewolfe said:

May I ask how long you were in the hospital for after the sleeve surgery? Thats also a concern for me since I hate being hospitalised. I understand that sometimes it's necessary, but i get very bored in them very quickly >.<

Also, what type of after care did you have to have? Was it difficult to adjust to the sleeve?

To answer your first question, it was an overnight stay. No big deal.

As for after care, there was none except for regularly scheduled follow-ups with the surgeon. I was a little sore for a day or two, had some diaphram spasms and one of my incisions got infected which took some time heal, but overall it was nothing I wouldn't go through again in a heartbeat. Yes you will be on vitamins for the rest of your life, but for me the vitamins replaced meds for diabetes and high blood pressure. It's a big step and an important decision which requires preparation and commitment, but there is no way I'd ever want to go back to how I was before the sleeve.

Once I figure out how to do a search, I'll try that. Thank you.
I do have another question, that I just thought of. After the surgery.... Do you... Well feel different internally? I mean, can you tell something is missing, or rearranged or added or something?

I couldn't tell at all. I did think about it though because it's weird! I truly can't even tell I've had surgery at this point (besides getting full fast).

2 minutes ago, Joann454 said:

I couldn't tell at all. I did think about it though because it's weird! I truly can't even tell I've had surgery at this point (besides getting full fast).

^Ditto^

1 minute ago, Joann454 said:

I couldn't tell at all. I did think about it though because it's weird! I truly can't even tell I've had surgery at this point (besides getting full fast).

lol thats good at least. I wasn't sure if some part of you would know something inside of you was different. It feels like something that would happen.

I did the search and it seems people had mixed results with fibro post op. So I guess it all depends on the person.

One thing I do know though. According to doctors my "ideal weight" is like.... 137? I'd be happy just to get to 200 or even a size 16.

I had the sleeve surgery on September 28, 2016. My insurance required me to do a six month pre-op diet program. I began that in March 2016. I lost 99 pounds (from 397 to 298) during the six months leading up to surgery day following a keto way of eating. I have continued that keto diet post-op (even during the food stages), and I have lost an additional 105 pounds, for a 204 pound loss total. I weigh 193 right now, and I am 13 pounds from my goal of 180 at approximately 9 months post-op.

I'll echo what some of the others have said -- the surgery (regardless of which one you choose) is only a tool and will only do so much for you. You have to have the grit, drive, and perseverance inside of you to win the mental game which is the really tough part post-op. There are ways to eat around any of the surgeries, and you have to get your mind in the right place to do what you need to do at all times. That is what brings success long-term. These forums are full of people who were mentally unprepared, never changed their relationship with food, and either never reached their goal or gained most of their weight back. Also, the journey is slow and arduous, full of stalls and plateaus, and requires patience and keeping the big picture in mind at all times.

Good luck as you make your decision! Any of the surgeries can be life changing if you put in the hard work necessary.

Thank you for such valuable information.

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lol thats good at least. I wasn't sure if some part of you would know something inside of you was different. It feels like something that would happen.
I did the search and it seems people had mixed results with fibro post op. So I guess it all depends on the person.
One thing I do know though. According to doctors my "ideal weight" is like.... 137? I'd be happy just to get to 200 or even a size 16.

How low you go is really up to you. I never let myself dream of being 137 either. But I'm starting to. Why not? I'll decide as I lose more though. I want to be a normal BMI.

Just now, Joann454 said:

How low you go is really up to you. I never let myself dream of being 137 either. But I'm starting to. Why not? I'll decide as I lose more though. I want to be a normal BMI.

You can definitely do it. I weighed 400 pounds when I started, and I am 9 pounds away from a normal BMI! The sky is the limit.

You can definitely do it. I weighed 400 pounds when I started, and I am 9 pounds away from a normal BMI! The sky is the limit.

I love your story! You have no idea how many times you've inspired me!

1 hour ago, skyewolfe said:

See, the strange thing for me is,, my thyroid disease is HYPERthyroidism (the one skinny people typically have. I mean, really, why cant I have THAT side effect?)

I, too, had hyperthyroidism for a number of years due to Graves disease. I still struggled with my weight while hyperthyroid and weighed 200 pounds at the time I had my thyroid ablated. Soon after the radioiodine ablation, I became hypothyroid.

Anyhow, avoid the lap band if you have PCOS. It simply doesn't induce the favorable metabolic changes needed for you to start dropping weight. My former coworker had severe PCOS at the time she was banded. She lost 20 pounds due to the shock of surgery, then regained it all plus more.

To be fair, she ate plenty of fast food since she craved starchy junk due to severe insulin resistance from the PCOS. A more powerful bariatic surgery would have helped the insulin resistance and tamed her hunger hormones, at least for the first year (a.k.a. the 'honeymoon period').

I had RNY just over 3 months ago, and only regret is not doing it sooner. I'm down 66.4 lbs, 12.3 lbs was during a 2 week pre op diet. I'm less than 40 lbs from normal bmi.

I did the surgery to try and prevent another back surgery. I am scheduled for one on October 3rd, and just looking at my MRI pictures, my surgeon would do it in two weeks. Then he looked at me, and what I have accomplished in the past 3 months, he postponed it, and thinks we don't have to do it at all.

I have had no problems since surgery. First day was uncomfortable, but I was quickly up and walking. My program had me on solids by day 4, and I haven't had dumping or food problems. I have had 3 foamies, but that was due to my stomach not ready to go off acid reducers after 8 week (almost all programs will have you on that for some time, no matter what). No problem staying on them longer.

I'm walking 15-20 000 steps on average a day, lift weights twice a week and swim with a team once a week. (2-3 000m)

I feel great, I sleep great, several of my aches and pains are gone or less. My health is just so much better.

I had the band and had to convert to bypass....sleeve mimics band in restriction only.....was to many problems with band...fill has to be exact and may not stay filled. Bypass big decision...so far the best choice made.

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