Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss: Meet others & Share

@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?

@joysmiley64

Thanks for sharing, looking good.

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.

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.

@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?

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.

@christine5

Welcome Christine.
Gastric sleeve is definitely a weight loss tool when combined with lifestyle changes. It is important to find a program that provides education and support before and after your surgery.

Have you met with a provider about your weight loss options?

Hi, my name is.
Christine and I am looking at the gastric sleeve. I was told basically that I had to have it. Because I have to have total hip replacement and my BMI is too high for them to operate. I feel kind of forced to. I'm adjusting and feel like it could be a really good thing. I'm afraid of dumping syndrome. And I'm afraid of having a lot of hanging skin at the insurance company won't pay to take off. I don't want to look gross to my husband I only gained weight after 2012 after my aortic dissection. I was very thin before that. Having Marfan syndrome I was very thin all my life but after 30 days in a coma things just changed. I hope that this works for me. And I'm just terrified about the whole thing.

@melindanorman
I don't know your case, but did you go to Patient Advocacy?

Patient Advocacy can at least address this on your behalf. There is a patient advocacy at Mayo Jacksonville.

I have used them in past and found they will do everything to help solve the issue.

Hi Liz. My name is Melinda and I live in Mary Esther, FL. I, too, was a patient at Mayo in Jacksonville for about 1.5 years until they dropped me when I asked for a different doctor. It's been about a year and I'm struggling to find someone new. Local dr's don't know what to do or won't see me because I've been to Mayo. I have a family member who is going to inquire with her dr at Mayo in Minnesota and see if there's anything I can do. Your story intrigued me-especially with where you live (by me!). May I ask what you originally had the nissen fundoplication for and where you had that done? I have GERD and am having a terrible time with lots of different symptoms. I believe I will ultimately need some type of stomach surgery, but I have to find a competent dr who can evaluate me and my issues. Thank you for your time.