1. < Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss

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)
@roch

@leelou03
Any surgery can be scary and there are always risk, but many of us have had the surgery and everything went fine. I do not regret having it done, and that was 13 years ago. It is a lifestyle changes and need to follow your care team instructions to help prevent problems.

I see by your profile you are 70, if your provider approved surgery, they do not think your too old. If the surgery and weight loss will give you a healthier more active life, then you're not too old in my opinion.

Is there anything specific your concern about?

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Thank you. I feel better after your reply

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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.

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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)
@nova1976

Stomach expands in time. I had the RNY. Was 320 in 2016. Now 185
RNY works better over time.

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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).

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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.

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1 reply
Mentor
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?

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1 reply
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)
@srwildcard

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.

Jump to this post

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.

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2 replies
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)
@roch

@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?

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Eau claire, WI and thank you for feedback.

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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)
@joysmiley64

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.

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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?

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1 reply
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)
@dolsgirl

Had Roux-en-Y in August 2020. Have had severe nausea & vomiting since. Have had n/v issue since 2007 when I was hospitalized for dehydration & the n/v never resolved & has been much worse since my surgery. I take Zofran 8 mg 2-4 times a day. It was 4 mg 4 times a day prior to the surgery.
I also have debilitating fatigue. On blood thinners for atrial fib & am having a Watchman procedure 7.12.23 & the blood thinners will be discontinued.
I dont know if the extreme fatigue is related to the gastric surgery or the blood thinner medication. Or if they're related at all. I need sleep more than anything though.
Since my gastric bypass I have developed gastric paresis. That explains some of the n/v. The diet w/the gastric paresis is very difficult to reconcile w/a post gastric bypass surgery diet. For instance, the dietitian told me that the Cheezits & potato chips which seem to go down easy are ok. It seems that anything w/o nutritional value goes down easily. I had to give up my daily salads which about killed me bc I love salads. Before surgery, you never would have guessed that salad was an everyday staple of my diet but it was. People don't associate salads & fat people at all. They just assume you're shoveling sweets & fats down your throat. I can eat a meal one day but the next, can only be a bite or two & cannot eat it for that moment. It's been very difficult finding what works & what doesn't bc it's ok one day but not the next.

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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.

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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)
@srwildcard

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?

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

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