How successful where you after bariatric surgery?

@ezas123, I'm glad you wandered around Mayo Clinic Connect and found the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/bariatric-surgery-weight-loss/.

I hope you'll explore the topics in the support group to discover where you might offer tips and an understanding ear. It is helpful to have someone like you who had gastric sleeve 12 years ago and who is doing well.

So let me ask, what would you like others who are preparing for surgery to know? What do you wish you had known?

Good morning. My daughter had gastric bypass surgery in 2005. Recently, she (for some reason) was starting to keep an eye on blood sugars (she’s non diabetic). Her readings are so low in the 50’s. When she eats they might spike to 125 but within 30 minutes they’re down into the 50’s again. This could have been giving her issues for years, but, no doctor was able to determine what was making her feel ill. She did have an A1C years ago, which was 4.5. I’m surprised the Dr. didn’t pick up on the fact that it was on the low side. Hopefully she can go forward and have these issues resolved.

I had bariatric surgery 20 years ago this September. I don’t regret it for one moment. Recovery wasn’t hard, it was trial and error regarding introducing new foods into my diet. As of today I’ve kept off over 100 lbs. the most important thing is to keep on top of your supplements. I take 2 multi vitamins a day. 1500mg Calcium daily. 10,000 U of Vitamin D2, twice a week. 1000ml. (Injection) of B12 once a month. Two years ago I was diagnosed with BAM (bile acid malabsorption). Got on the proper meds and I’m doing well. I’ve also developed Osteoporosis. With that being said, checking your calcium levels every 6 months is very, very important. I think maintaining your vitamin intake is the single most important thing. It’s easy to get off track, because you’re tired of taking them, but, do yourself a favor and force yourself to be diligent in this area. If you experience Dumping Syndrome the first time, you’ll be sure not to make the same mistake. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a walk in the park or the easy way out. If I eat too much sugar, or not chew my food thoroughly, I still get sick, which is a great reminder to don’t over do it. (even 20 years later). Good luck!

I am looking at sleeve gastrectomy being done but wanting to learn more about the good and bad sides from people who have had it. A sleeve seems the best for me and my lifestyle. I am a cattle farmer and out working daily. One of my concerns is drinking enough water. in the heat of the summer I will drink up to 3 gal a day

Hi, @dirtco, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

That is a lot of water you drink in the summer, but it makes sense if you're outside a lot.

I'd like to introduce you to others who may have some good and bad sides to report from having a sleeve gastrectomy or from watching someone close to them undergo this procedure. Please meet @ezas123 @deggerah @aliali @befarmer @grandmar @elkcg @wr61 @cntrlcoastgirl. I'd also love for you to meet @roch.

Wondering if you'd share more about what you've discovered about how the sleeve seems best for your lifestyle?

I went to Mayo Rochester for a hernia repair. After seeing the Dr and talking he suggested Bariatric surgery (Sleeve). It seems to allow the least amount of complications for me in my situation. Dm type 2 ,sleep apnea, bmi of 41. weight loss of 50 lbs in 2 yrs with monjero use. I have plateaued on my current weight loss. I started out at 310 and now at about 260 I would like a weight of around 200

@dirtco
Welcome to Mayo Connect and congratulation on losing 50 lbs so far. I am sure you have already notice an improvement with that weight loss.

You mentioned seeing a Dr at Mayo Rochester, do you live in the surrounding area. Both Mayo Rochester and Mayo Health System offer Bariatric surgery which starts with an evaluation to see if you’re a good candidate for surgery and talk about their program. If looking at other locations, make sure they have pre and post support. It is very important that the clinic you chose has a team to work with you.

What is your next step?

I am 10 hours away . I do have a internal med Dr who will work with Mayo for continuum of care. But there is no nutritionist that I know of . I have started my evaluation already and insurance requirements. I am still wanting to know about more peoples experience with this procedure. I am weighing the risk / benefit of having this done

Hi
I am 6 days post op gastric bypass. I started my WLS journey in July 2024. It was allot of work and organization and life changing going through the process. I’m glad I was able to go through the 10 week group therapy classes. I learned allot from the talks and especially the guest speakers. The appointments were very important. We found out I had sleep apnea and once I started that treatment I started to feel normal and get better sleep. Plus I know the rest of me is healthy. There were weeks where I was so tired of going to appointments, I am glad I had them they set me up to be successful.
Start practicing now on eating and drinking slowly. Especially practice no drinking 30mins before eating, take 30 minutes to eat your meal, and no drinking 30 mins after eating. That has been my biggest struggle. All my adult life from being in the military and now work I have gained the habit of eating and drinking fast. I’m doing good on breaking those bad habits. I only worry if I can keep it up when I return to work in 6 weeks.
Another thing, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of pain I was in after surgery. I knew there was pain but the worst of it was the gas they inflated your abdomen with so they can see to do the surgery. Once I managed to get rid of all that gas I felt much better. There is still pain in dealing with on my 6th day post surgery. I just keep up on my pain meds and stay diligent in my walking.
They send you home with many medications. I had to make alarms on my phone so I wouldn’t forget to take a dose of a medication. That has helped tremendously. When healing at home don’t push yourself to do housework. The day will come when you will be doing it again very soon. Even though I have a tough time not doing any house work my husband won’t let me even vacuum, which is a good thing.
It’s allot of work, it will take 6-9 months maybe a year to get to surgery, it is definitely worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I’ve leaned allot in my journey so far and met some amazing people and I love my bariatric team.
Good luck and keep us posted on how your journey goes.

please do I am trying to decided if to or not