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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.

snc1989 | @snc1989 | Feb 17 6:50am
In reply to @lakegirl1964 "I had Ru-en-Y 6 weeks ago tomorrow (Jan 6). Go through the pre-surgery program. Mayo has..." + (show)
@lakegirl1964

I had Ru-en-Y 6 weeks ago tomorrow (Jan 6). Go through the pre-surgery program. Mayo has a great program. You can't just go in and say, "Where do I sign up for surgery?" I had to meet with the several members of the bariatric team, I don't remember how many visits I had with the psychologist, twice with PT, 2 or 3 visits with the dietician, the nurse at least twice, the surgeon twice, plus my primary care. Plus labs and other specialists. This was all Prior to the surgery. It was over several months. You will be prepared and knowledgeable. Also, you can change your mind at any time. I did. I was probably a couple months out and had an injury and decided to postpone for over a year.
How am I doing now? I honestly thought I would lose weight faster, but the nurse says I'm doing "remarkably well" I am having nausea and vomiting since probably the 4th or 5th week. I was doing some research and think I am advancing my diet too quickly. I can still only eat about 1/2 - 3/4 cup at a time and if I go 1 bite too much I end up vomiting. It isn't dumping syndrome, I don't mind keeping the portions small at all. Honestly, the hardest part for me has been dealing with my medications and the new supplements. I hate swallowing pills and now, because some of my prior meds were large I have to use the pill cutter, so I have a hand full of pills, and my stomach can only hold so much water. Once I get that figured out I think I'll be going strong, I really think the surgery will be worth it for me in the long run. I always told myself I would Never have bariatric surgery. That it was for weak people.... Finally I realized that I had been trying to lose weight on my own for over 30 years and yes I lost weight, a lot actually, a couple times but it didn't stay off. I feel like I wasted 1/2 my life sitting on the sidelines because I couldn't control my weight. I'm 60! years old and I truly believe the next decade is going to be my best. You'll make the right decision for you. Follow your gut... (pun intended!)

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Thank you so much for this response. It's very helpful and detailed. I am in the pre-op phase and loving it so far. So much work! I definitely don't think this is the easy way out, but I, too, used to have that misconception.

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Feb 17 7:06am
In reply to @lakegirl1964 "I had Ru-en-Y 6 weeks ago tomorrow (Jan 6). Go through the pre-surgery program. Mayo has..." + (show)
@lakegirl1964

I had Ru-en-Y 6 weeks ago tomorrow (Jan 6). Go through the pre-surgery program. Mayo has a great program. You can't just go in and say, "Where do I sign up for surgery?" I had to meet with the several members of the bariatric team, I don't remember how many visits I had with the psychologist, twice with PT, 2 or 3 visits with the dietician, the nurse at least twice, the surgeon twice, plus my primary care. Plus labs and other specialists. This was all Prior to the surgery. It was over several months. You will be prepared and knowledgeable. Also, you can change your mind at any time. I did. I was probably a couple months out and had an injury and decided to postpone for over a year.
How am I doing now? I honestly thought I would lose weight faster, but the nurse says I'm doing "remarkably well" I am having nausea and vomiting since probably the 4th or 5th week. I was doing some research and think I am advancing my diet too quickly. I can still only eat about 1/2 - 3/4 cup at a time and if I go 1 bite too much I end up vomiting. It isn't dumping syndrome, I don't mind keeping the portions small at all. Honestly, the hardest part for me has been dealing with my medications and the new supplements. I hate swallowing pills and now, because some of my prior meds were large I have to use the pill cutter, so I have a hand full of pills, and my stomach can only hold so much water. Once I get that figured out I think I'll be going strong, I really think the surgery will be worth it for me in the long run. I always told myself I would Never have bariatric surgery. That it was for weak people.... Finally I realized that I had been trying to lose weight on my own for over 30 years and yes I lost weight, a lot actually, a couple times but it didn't stay off. I feel like I wasted 1/2 my life sitting on the sidelines because I couldn't control my weight. I'm 60! years old and I truly believe the next decade is going to be my best. You'll make the right decision for you. Follow your gut... (pun intended!)

Jump to this post

@lakegirl1964
Welcome to Mayo Connect and sharing your story. From your other comment I see you went through program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. All Mayo locations have program that includes a team of providers. Because it is a lifestyle change, it is important when looking at options that you find a program that includes a multidisciplinary team that provides pre and post surgery care.

I can relate to pill situation, first week after surgery I tried to take a pill that was large, provider told me afterwards, nothing bigger then size of pencil eraser.

Keep us up to date on progress.

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cheryl4mgk | @cheryl4mgk | Feb 18 12:06pm

@lakegirl1964 I so appreciate your sharing your feedback and experience!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 20 11:15am
In reply to @spkgrl "Hi, I'm Anita and I live in Wisconsin. I am just beginning the process to potentially..." + (show)
@spkgrl

Hi,

I'm Anita and I live in Wisconsin. I am just beginning the process to potentially have a gastric sleave. At my highest I was 435lbs. And am currently about 350lbs after trying to lose with medication, diet, and exercise over the last two years. While I have had some success it has been hard fought and as I have a lot of arthritis and mobility issues a more direct, rapid approach to weight loss seems to be the logical step. I would appreciate anyone who has had this procedure done sharing with me how they have felt after surgery and any struggles they have had. Thanks

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I add my welcome @spkgrl. I can imagine you are both excited and nervous about getting started on the process and getting the procedure done.

Where are you in the process? Are you getting pre-surgery classes? What questions are whirling through your brain as you get ready?

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Feb 21 10:43am

Hi everyone, I want to share a blog recently posted in Weight Management BLOG: Mindful Eating: Can It Help with Weight Loss?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/newsfeed-post/mindful-eating-can-it-help-with-weight-loss-1/
If not familiar with Weight Management blog, it is part of Mayo Clinic Connect and you can find other helpful articles and recipes:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/tab/newsfeed/#ch-tab-navigation
Another good resource are the articles on Mayo Clinic Health System's blog on Weight Loss:
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health?topic=Weight%20Loss%20and%20Bariatric%20Surgery

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klch | @klch | Feb 22 11:47am
In reply to @amandaa "I'd like to invite these members to join in. @grandmar @karihammel @kaye4c @aprilarlady @sandytoes14 @fourof5zs @peacocks5577..." + (show)
@amandaa

I'd like to invite these members to join in. @grandmar @karihammel @kaye4c @aprilarlady @sandytoes14 @fourof5zs @peacocks5577 @motorcarrier @glassguy3 @diane69 @roch @nova1976 Can you share your Bariatric/Weight loss journey with us?

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Hi, I’m Karen . I am going to have bariatric surgery on March 4 type of surgeon I’m going to have is ROUXENY gastric bypass.
How bad is the recovery after the surgery?
REPLY
4 replies
Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Feb 23 7:23am
In reply to @klch "Hi, I’m Karen . I am going to have bariatric surgery on March 4 type of..." + (show)
@klch

Hi, I’m Karen . I am going to have bariatric surgery on March 4 type of surgeon I’m going to have is ROUXENY gastric bypass.
How bad is the recovery after the surgery?

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@klch

Karen,
Recovery after surgery is different for everyone. I did not have any complications, but I followed my pre and post-surgery instructions. I think my worse moment was post-surgery being transferred from gurney to hospital bed. Was semi-awake and felt every movement, once settled in bed, everything was fine.

If you were part of pre-surgery education program, you should know what to expect, type of food, etc…

This is a helpful discussion on what to bring with you:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-to-take-to-the-hospital-how-long-did-y9u-have-to-stay/
My best advice is follow care teams instructions and reach out to team if have any problems or questions. That is what they are there for.

Where are you having the surgery done?

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cheryl4mgk | @cheryl4mgk | Feb 25 6:29pm
In reply to @klch "Hi, I’m Karen . I am going to have bariatric surgery on March 4 type of..." + (show)
@klch

Hi, I’m Karen . I am going to have bariatric surgery on March 4 type of surgeon I’m going to have is ROUXENY gastric bypass.
How bad is the recovery after the surgery?

Jump to this post

Hi Karen,
I am most interested in following you along your journey. I will be having the same procedure as you, thinking in August or September. Please make regular posts as you recover post operatively. Good Luck and I'll be thinking about you on March 4th. I'll say a little prayer for you too. 🙂

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 25 8:22pm
In reply to @wendypace "How do you get through all of the complications? Wendy" + (show)
@wendypace

How do you get through all of the complications?
Wendy

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Hi @wendypace, have you had bariatric surgery? Or are you exploring options?

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1 reply
klch | @klch | Feb 26 11:18am
In reply to @lakegirl1964 "I had Ru-en-Y 6 weeks ago tomorrow (Jan 6). Go through the pre-surgery program. Mayo has..." + (show)
@lakegirl1964

I had Ru-en-Y 6 weeks ago tomorrow (Jan 6). Go through the pre-surgery program. Mayo has a great program. You can't just go in and say, "Where do I sign up for surgery?" I had to meet with the several members of the bariatric team, I don't remember how many visits I had with the psychologist, twice with PT, 2 or 3 visits with the dietician, the nurse at least twice, the surgeon twice, plus my primary care. Plus labs and other specialists. This was all Prior to the surgery. It was over several months. You will be prepared and knowledgeable. Also, you can change your mind at any time. I did. I was probably a couple months out and had an injury and decided to postpone for over a year.
How am I doing now? I honestly thought I would lose weight faster, but the nurse says I'm doing "remarkably well" I am having nausea and vomiting since probably the 4th or 5th week. I was doing some research and think I am advancing my diet too quickly. I can still only eat about 1/2 - 3/4 cup at a time and if I go 1 bite too much I end up vomiting. It isn't dumping syndrome, I don't mind keeping the portions small at all. Honestly, the hardest part for me has been dealing with my medications and the new supplements. I hate swallowing pills and now, because some of my prior meds were large I have to use the pill cutter, so I have a hand full of pills, and my stomach can only hold so much water. Once I get that figured out I think I'll be going strong, I really think the surgery will be worth it for me in the long run. I always told myself I would Never have bariatric surgery. That it was for weak people.... Finally I realized that I had been trying to lose weight on my own for over 30 years and yes I lost weight, a lot actually, a couple times but it didn't stay off. I feel like I wasted 1/2 my life sitting on the sidelines because I couldn't control my weight. I'm 60! years old and I truly believe the next decade is going to be my best. You'll make the right decision for you. Follow your gut... (pun intended!)

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing. I appreciate you honesty. I can really relate.

REPLY
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