Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss: Meet others & Share

Yes, I've met with a provider, I am Currently in protocol, doing my visits and my behavioral health visits. And all that stuff my presurgical testing and I'm looking at a date of late January or February. My Doctor told me that the gastric sleeve is my only option.Considering that I had left sigmoid Resection years ago. I am really scared of this surgery because I had a surgery last year and it was supposed to be simple and I bled into my belly. But like I said, I don't really have a choice. Get my hip fixed or to get my sciatic area fixed. I need to have the weight off.

@svang26, welcome. It sounds like it would be best to start with a conversation with your doctor. Bariatric surgery isn't for everyone who is overweight. You may need to meet certain medical guidelines to qualify for weight-loss surgery. Here's more information from Mayo Clinic about bariatric surgery that might be helpful:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/about/pac-20394258

Here's more information on the types of surgery:
- Guide to types of weight-loss surgery https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/in-depth/weight-loss-surgery/art-20045334

Losing weight may help to increase the effectiveness of managing PCOS, and it can help with fertility. Have you talked with your doctor to find best weight-loss plan for you?

Hi Christine, my name is Joyce. I recently had the Roux NY surgery back in August of this year. I am type 2 diabetic, and wanted to have the surgery so I could eventually get off all my insulin. I was at 270lbs when I started my weight loss journey and lost 30lbs before my surgery by drinking 2 PROTEIN shakes a day and cut out a lot of high carb foods. I started doing exercises from youtube videos.
After my surgery, at present, I have lost another 39lbs. I had to cut out eating anything with a lot of sugar, or I would get dumping syndrome really bad. I have learned that if I eat healthy snacks throughout the day, that I will not feel really hungry and eat too much of a big meal. I eat my Protein first, and most times I get full and can't finish what I have on my plate. I have to continue using my insulin as my pancreas isn't producing enough insulin, but as I lose more weight, hopefully that will change.
As far as having loose skin, as long as it doesn't create other health issues, I don't worry about it, as after losing the weight I feel so much better and have more energy. It will help with your healing process after you have your hip surgery. Find a good Nutritionist to help you. I hope this will be of some encouragement for you, and stay positive.

I had my surgery 4 months ago and I am down a total of 72 pounds since February of this year, and 42 pounds is Post Surgery. I posted some pictures for you to see my progress and encourage you to all stay positive and I know you can do it!! The first pic is from a year ago and the second pic is from today, Dec 16, 2024. This is the same dress.

@joysmiley64

Thanks for sharing, looking good.

@joysmiley64, I'm so glad you shared your photos. Great progress. How did you do over the holidays? Were you able to enjoy festivities, treats, and still keep focused on the end goal? Any tips you'd offer about holidays?

Hi, I had a wonderful time with my son and his family on Christmas Day. My daughter in-law had a wonderful meal! We had Steak with Jumbo Shrimp Cabobs and Greenbean casserole and corn. I ate 1/2 of the steak, and 1/2 of the shrimp. I had about 3 or 4 bites of the veggies and left the desert alone. She was very thoughtful about making sure I got my protein in. I brought what I had on my plate home and had that for my supper. I received some sweet goodies from my neighbor, and I ate one now and then during the week. I was pleased with myself for not eating the whole tin at one sitting, LOL. I am still losing weight and have to start doing my exercises now that my ribs are not in so much pain after I fell before Christmas. My own fault. Will be going out to eat on New Years Eve, but I will be bringing home left overs for the next day. Will most likely be having steak or fish! Have a wonderful New Year and stay positive. I have to say, I handled the Holiday Season better than I expected. I get depressed at this time of year.

Good morning, my name is Brenda and I had gastric bypass in 8/2/21. I had no complications following surgery. My highest weight was 295 at the time of surgery. I got down to 208 and was stuck there. I hadn’t been able to break the 200 pound mark in the last 20 years on any diet program I was on. I maintained that weight for a while but of course, I found a way to eat through my gastric bypass. I gained back to 248 pounds.
In April I decided to go on an intermittent fasting program. I felt I had gone through surgery to be at an healthier weight and I was sabotaging myself. It wasn’t until this program and the daily educational tools that I was given, did I feel that my brain was finally caught up with my gastric bypass and I went from 248 down to 187. Breaking the 200 pound mark. At first I thought intermittent fasting wasn’t something that would work for me. But what did I have to lose. I’ve done pretty well at maintaining this loss and plan on another round shortly, to take off the little bit of weight I’ve gain after total knee replacement surgery.
October 12th my gallbladder had to be removed, along with a small intestine blockage repair. I figured the gallbladder was a given because of my decision for surgery. I went back to the same hospital and one of the bariatric doctors from the clinic I went to preformed the surgery. The small bowel blockage was caused by scar tissue and decreased adipose tissue in my abdominal region. Crazy how things move around, when one loses that abdominal fat.
On 12/5, I had a total right knee replacement, which I knew was in the cards and am currently recovering from that.
I don’t regret my choice for gastric bypass. But when the doctors tell you to take your supplements to help with bone health and to help maintain your vitamins and minerals at a healthy level, it’s best to follow their directive. I’ve got osteopenia and will be seeing an ortho doctor for my spine and one for my shoulder. That’s me in a nutshell. I’m 58 years old and working on myself to have a healthy and active life as I try and age gracefully.

Well done and congratulations. Little victories count, but that was a big victory.

@brenlee, welcome. Surgeries are hard at the best of times. Are you finding recovering from surgeries to be challenging with the gains you've made? Are you continuing with intermittent fasting?