1. < Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss
Profile picture for hkramer

Starting Bariatric Surgery consult, Timeline questions

Posted by hkramer @hkramer, Jul 3, 2025

Hello!

I am just now starting my journey in the Bariatric program. I am going to be asking my primary to initiate the Start Point programs. I am an employee here within Mayo (La Crosse, WI) and I plan to have my surgery in Rochester, MN.

Has anyone, being a mayo employee, had any experience with this journey and what did the timeline look for them?

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

Profile picture for hkramer
hkramer | @hkramer | Jan 7 9:28am

Well, its all said and done! Surgery was on Dec 5th and the last month flew by as I am now back to work. My journey has been pretty smooth as of late. a was up and walking right after surgery and was discharged the following day. My program has me doing 1 week post op clear liquids, 2 weeks full liquid, 2 weeks pureed, and then 4-6 weeks soft, etc. I am currently winding down from the pureed diet and will be entering the soft food stage this coming weekend! Healing has been wonderful. First 2 weeks were rough with trying to get in liquids. That part is still a bit tough at times if I loose track of time especially with beginning to eat some foods now. Week 3 was when i started to feel back to myself-less tired, moving more, and picking up liquids. The only pain I had was the pull of the incisions and the nasty little anchor stitch on my right side. Week 4 was great and was able to finally lay on my side. Throughout the month, I had minimal pain, no nausea, no vomitting, and I am considered very lucky!

I did find 1 food that I can not handle as of this Monday...refried beans. It was listed as an ok puree but man do my guts hate me. Ate it Monday night and it went down perfect-no pain. Tuesday I started to feel the fullness and gas bubbling and thats when it started to build. Im assuming the added fiber was a system shock at this stage and since my system is slow to more, some fermentation has been happening. ( I know everyone is different). Currently staying hydrated and waiting for the gas pain to dispurse...but man...does it suck!! Will be doing full liquids until the pain has dispursed.

Otherwise, this journey has been great!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Laurie, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | 6 days ago
In reply to @hkramer "Well, its all said and done! Surgery was on Dec 5th and the last month flew..." + (show)
Profile picture for hkramer @hkramer

Well, its all said and done! Surgery was on Dec 5th and the last month flew by as I am now back to work. My journey has been pretty smooth as of late. a was up and walking right after surgery and was discharged the following day. My program has me doing 1 week post op clear liquids, 2 weeks full liquid, 2 weeks pureed, and then 4-6 weeks soft, etc. I am currently winding down from the pureed diet and will be entering the soft food stage this coming weekend! Healing has been wonderful. First 2 weeks were rough with trying to get in liquids. That part is still a bit tough at times if I loose track of time especially with beginning to eat some foods now. Week 3 was when i started to feel back to myself-less tired, moving more, and picking up liquids. The only pain I had was the pull of the incisions and the nasty little anchor stitch on my right side. Week 4 was great and was able to finally lay on my side. Throughout the month, I had minimal pain, no nausea, no vomitting, and I am considered very lucky!

I did find 1 food that I can not handle as of this Monday...refried beans. It was listed as an ok puree but man do my guts hate me. Ate it Monday night and it went down perfect-no pain. Tuesday I started to feel the fullness and gas bubbling and thats when it started to build. Im assuming the added fiber was a system shock at this stage and since my system is slow to more, some fermentation has been happening. ( I know everyone is different). Currently staying hydrated and waiting for the gas pain to dispurse...but man...does it suck!! Will be doing full liquids until the pain has dispursed.

Otherwise, this journey has been great!

Jump to this post

@hkramer
Thanks for the update. If you continue to have gas pain, reach out to your care team for suggestions. Even though tired, my post-op nurse suggested walking to help keep everything moving.

REPLY
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 1 day ago
In reply to @jlair "I am a Mayo employee in Eau Claire. I had my bypass surgery April 1, 2025...." + (show)
Profile picture for jlair @jlair

I am a Mayo employee in Eau Claire. I had my bypass surgery April 1, 2025. My time line was about 9 months. I could have had my surgery in February but work wasn’t able to allow me to take off at that time due to many changes going on. The next available was April 1. As soon as my primary out in my referral I was getting calls to set up appointments.
I will write more, my break is up and I have to go back to work. ☺️

Jump to this post

@jlair - just wondering how you are doing since your surgery?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.