Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss: Meet others & Share

Posted by Amanda Burnett @amandaa, Jun 24, 2022

Welcome to the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss group, a space for support, practical information, and answers to your questions from members like you about bariatric surgery, weight-related medical conditions, weight loss and healthy living. I am Amanda and I will be your moderator for this group. I have had the surgery myself and have a very real and close connection to the topic.

Pull up a chair and a healthy snack and let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What’s your story?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss Support Group.

leelou03 | @leelou03 | Aug 17 8:05am

In reply to @roch "@leelou03 Any surgery can be scary and there are always risk, but many of us have..." + (show)

Thank you. I feel better after your reply

dlc1953 | @dlc1953 | Aug 17 12:14pm

I had Bariatric Bypass 18 years ago. Currently I had lost 115 pounds and holding steady. I might go up 5 pounds then back down. It is a life long commitment and no easy way out. One of the most important things to remember is be diligent with your vitamins/supplements. I wasn’t too disciplined in the first couple of years, and I believe that is why I have Osteoporosis now. (Low levels of calcium over the years). Since we have Malabsorption Syndrome it’s easy for your bloodwork levels to tank. I’ve kept in touch with my surgeon (U of P) and he updated my supplement intake. I take 1,000 ml. Of B-12 injections/month; 1500 mg/day of Calcium; 50,000 U of Vitamin D twice a week (100,000); 2 multi vitamins daily; as well as Iron, Magnesium and Potassium. I have developed BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption) which caused a lot of digestive issues for years, until I was correctly diagnosed by a GI doctor. It is a side effect of Bariatric Surgery. Having your gall bladder removed also contributes to the condition. After being given a new medication, my problems have disappeared. So, if anyone has ongoing digestive problems I would discuss BAM with a GI doctor. It’s the best thing that I ever did. Good luck to all.

dlc1953 | @dlc1953 | Aug 17 12:19pm

In reply to @nova1976 "Stomach expands in time. I had the RNY. Was 320 in 2016. Now 185 RNY works..." + (show)

My surgeon said that it’s really rare for the stomach to stretch. Gaining weight is due to poor food choices, or little or no exercise. We have to do our part, each and every day. Having the surgery isn’t, “one and done”. It’s a lifelong commitment. (Down 115 pounds since 2005).

srwildcard | @srwildcard | Aug 29 11:36am

Hi my name is Shaunna and I am just starting the Mayo clinic bariatric program. I am looking forward to a new start. Any advice is welcome.

Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Aug 29 2:55pm

@srwildcard

Welcome Shaunna, there are many members in group both pre and post surgery that have experience.

My best advice is drink plenty of fluids and start moving more. Even small increase in exercising makes a difference.

Can I ask what Mayo location your program is at?

joysmiley64 | @joysmiley64 | Aug 29 6:20pm

In reply to @srwildcard "Hi my name is Shaunna and I am just starting the Mayo clinic bariatric program. I..." + (show)

Hi, my name is Joyce from Barron, WI. I started my weight loss journey back in Feb 2024. I weighed about 270. I started by going through the requirements that the nurses, doctors, and Nutritionist set up for me. You will find that the 10 week online meetings with a small group of others wanting to lose weight also, is very helpful and you will meet people that have gone through the surgery for weight loss and they share their experiences. If you have questions, it is a good time to ask in these meetings besides talking with your doctors, etc.
I started my pre op with a 2 week liquid diet to help shrink my liver. I had already lost about 30 pounds before that. I finally had my Roux NY surgery done on August 19, 2024. My surgery took a little longer than normal, as they had to remove scar tissue, mesh, and staples from a previous surgery from 20 years ago. I was in the hospital from Monday to Wednesday. I had limited pain and was only given tylenol in the hospital every 4 to 6 hours, and went home on a blenderized diet for 2 weeks. I am currently down a total of 8.4 pounds after surgery. I am off my long acting insulin and only taking fast acting on a sliding scale. I have had days where I didn't have to take any insulin at all. My suggestion is to EXERCISE. Even if you can do chair exercises, which I have/had some back issues and a bone spur on my foot which prohibited me from walking very far, but I made an effort.

srwildcard | @srwildcard | Aug 29 8:53pm

In reply to @roch "@srwildcard Welcome Shaunna, there are many members in group both pre and post surgery that have..." + (show)

Eau claire, WI and thank you for feedback.

srwildcard | @srwildcard | Aug 29 8:57pm

In reply to @joysmiley64 "Hi, my name is Joyce from Barron, WI. I started my weight loss journey back in..." + (show)

Thank you very much for the detailed response on how things went for you. Congratulations on your life changes and hope you the best. Which campus did you go through?

misssuezq | @misssuezq | Aug 30 6:58am

In reply to @dolsgirl "Had Roux-en-Y in August 2020. Have had severe nausea & vomiting since. Have had n/v issue..." + (show)

I take zofran and know it can cause drowsiness and constipation. Letting you know as you mentioned your fatigue and gastroparesis it may affect that.

joysmiley64 | @joysmiley64 | Aug 30 10:01am

In reply to @srwildcard "Thank you very much for the detailed response on how things went for you. Congratulations on..." + (show)

Thank you and sorry I forgot to mention that I went through the Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire for everything.

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