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.

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!

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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!

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@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.

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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. ☺️

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

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Hi Lisa,

Please forgive me for my late response. So far I’ve been doing great since my surgery. I’ve definitely have had to learn allot about my body and adjust and retrain myself how to eat and drink (slow down and not gulp water)
My starting weight was 238lbs and I’m down to 160 lbs.
I’m at 7 months post op the weight loss has slowed down and I’ve even struggled with being stuck in the 160s. I know that has had allot to do with the holidays and my beloved Corgi, Maiya was diagnosed with B cell lymphoma stage 4. That took me away from the gym. Mostly I felt guilty leaving her to go to the gym when I felt like I should be savoring every moment with her. It was even difficult to celebrate my weight loss successes.
I started back at the gym. The first week I went 2 times. This week I went 4 times. I strength train at the gym and then go for walks with Maiya (when it isn’t too cold) after work.
Maya, come here come here.
I’m glad the holidays are over and life can become more normal.

REPLY
Profile picture for jlair @jlair

Hi Lisa,

Please forgive me for my late response. So far I’ve been doing great since my surgery. I’ve definitely have had to learn allot about my body and adjust and retrain myself how to eat and drink (slow down and not gulp water)
My starting weight was 238lbs and I’m down to 160 lbs.
I’m at 7 months post op the weight loss has slowed down and I’ve even struggled with being stuck in the 160s. I know that has had allot to do with the holidays and my beloved Corgi, Maiya was diagnosed with B cell lymphoma stage 4. That took me away from the gym. Mostly I felt guilty leaving her to go to the gym when I felt like I should be savoring every moment with her. It was even difficult to celebrate my weight loss successes.
I started back at the gym. The first week I went 2 times. This week I went 4 times. I strength train at the gym and then go for walks with Maiya (when it isn’t too cold) after work.
Maya, come here come here.
I’m glad the holidays are over and life can become more normal.

Jump to this post

Hi, @jlair - great to hear from you whenever you were able to get to it. Happy to hear you've been great since your surgery.

I believe that @roch has talked about things like body retraining, too. I can imagine, with the changes to your digestive system.

I'm so sorry to hear about your corgi. When I was in high school and college, my family had a corgi. They are hard to pick up to hold in your lap, due to their unique shape, but they are just the sweetest dogs. We sure enjoyed our corgi. The thought of your dog being very ill is very sad. I know pets are also very important for many people for emotional support.

Congrats on getting back to the gym, even though you feel torn sometimes when doing so.

How have you been feeling about your body lately? Are you getting close or still a ways to go from your goal weight?

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