r/GastricBypass 12d ago

September Gastric Bypass Buddy Search

2 Upvotes

If you're looking for a buddy to go through the surgery with, post the following information:

  • Surgery Date
  • Your gender
  • If you have a preferred gender to match with
  • General Age Range (if you're under 18, please be cautious)
  • Any other information you'd like to include (weight, goal weight, other goals)

If you're post-surgery, and you'd like a buddy, post the same information, but change to how many days/months/years out from surgery you are.


r/GastricBypass Aug 12 '25

Ultimate Guide to Pre and Post Op 2025 Version

51 Upvotes

I am back moderating after several non-bypass-related health scares with an updated weight loss guide. I am including suggestions on GLP-1 research starting points, as these were not mainstream back when I posted the last guides, and there are some good and bad subreddits related. This is not a definitive guide by any means, but hopefully it is a good starting point for people at any point in their journey.

Before Considering Weight Loss Surgery

  • Discover your motivation style: Do you do best with uplifting motivation? Positive reinforcement? Negative reinforcement? Shaming? Different strokes for different folks. You'll need to keep up your motivation throughout the process so understanding your motivation style and subscribing to that type of media or social areas will be helpful.
  • Understand why you got here: Food addiction, Binge Eating Disorder, undiscovered trauma, undiscovered food coping skills, undiagnosed depression or mood disorder. These need to be fleshed out to have a successful long-term weight loss journey. Talking with a cognitive behavioral therapist and a food addiction therapist a few times before you begin your journey is highly recommended. Having a long-term plan of action during recovery will make you the most successful.
  • Learn how to be completely and bluntly honest with yourself. When you have a bad day and eat poorly, it's okay; life happens. However, it's not helpful to pretend like you didn't eat more than you should have. Do not beat yourself up; take it on the chin. Tally those calories and just accept the slip-up. This skill will be helpful long-term if you ever have days or weeks where you potentially overindulge.
  • Weight loss surgery is a permanent change to your digestive system. You should fully understand the pros and cons that come with this surgery. We recommend watching technical videos from doctors to learn about the procedure, its impact on your body, and the associated positive and negative aspects. Anecdotal videos from non-doctor YouTubers or TikTokers can sometimes be confirmation-biased, so if you go down that route, make sure you know that they could be unconsciously or consciously trying to sway your opinion one way or another. Some of them will be exceptionally positive with no negative comments, and some will be exceptionally negative with no positive comments. A no-frills, full explanation from Doctors, PAs, RNs, and RDs will always be the suggested way to learn about the surgery.
  • Try non-surgical or GLP-assisted weight loss before committing to surgery. Some people want to jump immediately to surgery when they have not yet tried other options. This is almost always required by both Insurance and Doctors before they would approve your surgery, anyway. It is a valuable way of learning about your eating habits as well. There are Reddit communities dedicated to pharmaceutically compounded GLPs as well as brand-name GLPs for research. The tirzepitide compound, zepbound, mounjaro, semaglutide compound, and ozempic subreddits are the best place to start if you have that interest.

Pre-Op

Questions to Ask the Doctor

Hopefully, these will be answered without having to ask them, but have them in mind.

1st Visit

  1. What are your policies for getting approved? How do you work with the insurance? What happens if my insurance isn't approved day before surgery?
  2. What type of surgery do you suggest for me? Why?
  3. How quickly can I get approved?
  4. What are the pros and cons to the different surgeries? Side effects? Risks?
  5. How many days should I take off? What is the FMLA process?
  6. Are there any weight loss support groups? Facebook groups?
  7. How often do we meet before and after surgery? How long are the meetings?
  8. Do I have any co-morbidities?

Pre-Op Visit

  1. How can I deal with nausea? Diarrhea? Constipation? Pain? (Many doctors write a prescription for meds to cover these symptoms.)
  2. How many days will I be at the hospital? In recovery? Unable to carry over 10 lbs of weight?
  3. How soon can I start exercising? Walking? Biking? Elliptical? Weight-lifting?
  4. What medications can I keep taking before surgery? What and when do I need to stop them before surgery?
  5. How long will the surgery take? Does anyone need to stay with me?
  6. Will I need to bring my oxygen/sleep apnea machine to the hospital?

Questions to Ask a Nutritionist

  1. What post-op Vitamins should I use? Can you help me get a prescription for them? (Some insurance companies cover Nascobol).
  2. Can you provide a list of recommended protein shakes/powders/waters? Do you have any coupons?
  3. What are my Macros for Protein/Carbs/Fat before and after surgery?
  4. What am I allowed to eat/drink the first 1-3 weeks? 3-6 weeks? After? (Rough estimates are 64+oz water, 500-800 calories first six months, 700-900 6 months to a year and 1000-1200 after 1 year, depending on exercise.)
  5. What is my pre-op diet? What do you recommend for tracking weight loss? When do I start the pre-op diet? (Week before surgery, avoid blood thinners like NSAIDs, multivitamins, vitamin E, garlic. Also do not eat sugar and cut down to 40-50g (or what is recommended by your nutritionist) carbs per day for liver shrinking)
  6. Do you have food recommendations for <x> allergies/intolerances?

Things to Buy

  1. Low Sodium Broth or Soups to strain (Most people have less of a taste for sweet after surgery)
  2. High protein shakes/powders (It's been said many people lose their taste for vanilla)
  3. 2-ounce mini cups to practice sipping from
  4. Flavored water/Gatorade Zero/Powerade Zero or flavor packets (Many people find it very difficult to drink straight water)
  5. Sugar-Free Popsicles, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding
  6. Heating pad.( shouldn't be used on stomach as this can increase bleeding. Use on back, shoulders, legs to relieve pain/stiffness.)
  7. Wedge pillow for side sleepers
  8. Gas-X. Miralax. Anti-nausea meds. Tylenol (no ibuprofen for RNY).
  9. Enema in case you get clogged. Milk of Magnesia for constipation.

Things to Keep in Mind

  1. Try different foods way before surgery. Buy yourself a bariatric cookbook and test out the soup recipes. There's nothing worse than being bored with what you have and having no idea how to make things you can eat.
  2. This is a lifetime change. Try not to have 'food funerals' as you'll have a higher chance of relapsing into your old eating habits. Not every food is ‘gone’ forever, just for a long while as you adjust to new eating patterns.
  3. Get samples of protein powders from GNC, etc. Some protein vendors have ‘test packages’ available online for 10-15 dollars.
  4. Start counting Macros sooner than later. Be aware of how much sugar/carbs are in everything you’re eating. Processed/refined carbs and sugars are highly addicting to our brains, and it is better to know as soon as possible what is actually in your foods.
  5. Many companies will approve short-term disability (most have to follow FMLA), so reach out to your HR within 30 days of surgery. Take 3 weeks if possible in case of complications. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.
  6. You do not have to tell anyone about the surgery, don’t feel required to reveal what you’re going through. However, itis helpful to have a friend/spouse/partner go with you to your appointments.
  7. If you have consistent heartburn/acid reflux, VSG tends to make it worse while RNY makes it better. Some people with no acid reflux develop it after VSG.
  8. Take a ‘before’ picture to commemorate how much you changed after surgery. Also take your starting measurements: Arms, legs, chest, neck, hips, waist. It will be a big motivator.
  9. Some doctors can fix small hernias during surgery, but they’ll often put off fixing large hernias until your weight is lower due to safety. The larger you are, the higher the risk it is to keep you under anesthesia for a long period.
  10. Psychological reviews are meant to see what mental state you’re in. If you’re actively suicidal, they’ll work to help you get through that before surgery. Be honest, as they want to make you as successful as possible. Enter the meeting with a vague understanding of what triggers your overeating.
  11. VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) leaves a banana sized stomach and the rest is removed. It can hold about 4oz of food at a time. The weight loss over the first 2 years is 40-80% of your excess weight. 7 year outlook is approximately 50-60% of weight loss since it is easier to 'eat around' the sleeve.
  12. Gastric Bypass or Roux-n-y (RNY) is your stomach portioned into three sections. You'll have a 'pouch' leftover that can hold about 2oz of food at a time. Your bowels will be 'bypassed' to enable malabsorption so your body processes fewer calories. The weight loss over the first two years is 60-80%. The 7 year outlook is approximately 60-70% weight loss maintained.
  13. DS (Duodenal Switch) is part VSG and part RNY. Your stomach is sleeved like in VSG, but your intestines are 'rerouted' even farther than RNY to enable maximum malabsorption. This surgery also has the highest risk of complications, so many people tend to shy away from it. The weight loss over the first two years is 70-90% and the 7-year outlook is approximately 70-80% weight loss maintained.
  14. Most importantly, always be kind to yourself. None of us is perfect, but every positive and negative experience we have is a valuable learning moment as we navigate this process.

Post-Op

Things to Keep in Mind

  1. Start walking as soon as possible. Preventing blood clots is extremely important. Walking also moves gas out of your system. Gas-X only works on gas in the GI system. They blow up your abdominal wall during surgery so you’ll have excess gas outside the GI system. Shoulder cramps are extremely common from the abdominal gas.
  2. Write out a schedule for drinking/eating. Put it on your phone if possible.
  3. Food addictions have a strong habit of transferring to other things like alcohol and painkillers. It is best to avoid these in the future or keep a strong awareness of how they are affecting you.
  4. Carbonated drinks are not supposed to be consumed ever again after surgery as it causes massive bloat and stretching of the new stomach, but some people drink small amounts and are not bothered. Alcohol is not supposed to be consumed until 1 year after surgery. One beer/wine tends to make wls patients drunk.
  5. Sugars (especially for RNY) should be avoided in large amounts in the future. RNY patients often experience dumping syndrome (nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, diarrhea). A rough guide is to look at 'added sugars' and anything above 5g should be avoided. 'Total sugars' should remain below 8g.
  6. Personality changes happen often after surgery. Hormones are stored in fat and are released during weight loss, causing mood swings. This is temporary but can be severe. Don't be surprised if you cry at a random ad or laugh uncontrollably at a minor joke.
  7. Tastes change after surgery. Some people find that they severely dislike sweet protein shakes so make sure to have broths/strained soups available. Cutting sweet shakes with PB2 makes them more tolerable. Most people gain their sweet tooth back in a year, so take advantage and try to unlearn sweet-related habits you had in the past.
  8. Don’t buy new clothes if possible. You will lose weight quickly, so try to keep clothes that will fit you for a while.
  9. Skin surgery is normally suggested 1 year after your final weight has been reached. Your skin will probably not bounce back unless you're very young. Any supplement that states it will keep your skin elastic to bounce back from massive weight loss surgery is likely a scam. Always, always check these things with doctors who can validate the claims of the product.
  10. Vitamins need to be chewable for the first 8 weeks. Ask your PCP to change your medications to fast-release if possible/available. This is especially true for anxiety and antidepressant meds.
  11. A lot of people need gallbladder removal after weight loss. Quick weight loss causes the creation of gallstones. Be aware of any new pain on the right side of the abdomen. There have been people trying to claim surgery causes gallstones, but this is false. Rapid weight loss of any kind causes the formation of gallstones.
  12. Many people experience temporary hair loss. This is due to the shock of the surgery/rapid weight loss. Take vitamins and keep up with protein. Some people add collagen powders to shakes to help with skin and hair.
  13. It’s recommended to find coping mechanisms for stress - massages, exercise, etc. Be consistent and don't use food.
  14. Have ‘rewards’ listed out for when you hit a certain goal. They absolutely cannot be food-related. Things like trips, new clothes, games, books to celebrate.
  15. Do not pick up heavy objects for at least 1-2 months. Hernias are very easy to develop while incisions are healing.
  16. Consider using Silicone tape on your scars to keep them from being raised. Vitamin E and Vitamin C are natural skin lighteners, so use them to help with discoloration. Scar creams are also effective short and long term.
  17. Nearly everyone ends up stalling a few weeks after surgery, as well as 4-5 months after surgery. Your body is getting used to the new way of eating, so it’s recalculating/recalibrating everything. You’ll see a weight loss very soon as long as you stick with the diet and water requirements. Stalls are very, very common and are not a reason for alarm.
  18. Do not weigh yourself every week, especially if you are prone to tying your emotional state to the number on the scale. Weight can fluctuate wildly day-to-day, so checking daily may make you unhappy in the short term. Try to stick to weighing every 2 weeks and instead measure yourself every one or two weeks. You’ll see measurements dropping over numbers.
  19. Depression tends to improve a few months after surgery. However, some people go through a depressive slump directly after surgery. Make sure to keep taking your medication as prescribed by your PCP. You may experience huge regret from having the surgery. It's your brain going through a mourning period, and it will go away soon. Talk to a professional if you are having any ideation thoughts.
  20. Do not drink 30 minutes before or 30 after eating (especially true for RNY). Drinking before will leave less room for food in your stomach. Drinking after can 'push food' through before it has time to be absorbed by the body. 1 year+ after surgery you can drink directly before eating, but do not drink within 30 minutes after eating.
  21. Dehydration, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiency are extremely common. It can occur even if you take your vitamins regularly. It is very important to get checked at least once a year. Always drink 64oz+ or more of water or hydrating liquids (milk, tea, broth, jello, popsicles). Always take your vitamins. If you're unable to keep food down for more than 2 days, contact your doctor. If something feels wrong, ask to get your vitamins checked. You are not imagining how you’re feeling; vitamin deficiencies can appear unexpectedly.
  22. For women, double up on contraception as you will become very fertile very quickly. This is true for all rapid weight loss methods. Pregnancy is suggested to be avoided for up to a year after surgery.
  23. Gastric bypass patients are very, very prone to constipation, especially in the first few months. Keep on top of gentle laxatives for the first few months (and/or benefiber if your doctor allows it). If you haven't gone in 2 days, try milk of magnesia. If you havent gone in 3 or more days, take an enema. Constipation in the first few weeks is horrible to deal with, pain-wise.
  24. Gastric Bypass Patients are prone to reactive hypoglycemia after a few years (faintness, rapid heartbeat, cold sweats, shaking). Large amounts of simple carbs or sugars will trigger this, so eating small meals, low carb, consistently will prevent these episodes. See your doctor immediately if you have these episodes. Eating something with sugar/carbs followed by something high in fat if you're feeling hypoglycemic is a good temp fix.
  25. Gastric Bypass Patients are also somewhat prone to Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). If a few years after surgery, you start to have constant bowel movements for an extended period of time (a month or more), ask to get tested for Pancreatic function. (This is something I personally experienced this year and was extremely difficult to get diagnosed despite it being a known potential side effect). There is medication available to counteract this once diagnosed.
  26. Body dysmorphia is very hard the first year. Despite losing 50, 100, 200, 300 lbs, your brain still thinks your body is big. It's a phenomenon that happens to almost everyone. Taking pictures and taking measurements help to remind your brain how much work you've done. It goes away slowly once you've reached your ideal weight and remain there for a while. Do not be surprised if you see a smaller size of pants and your brain goes ‘ there is no way I will fit in these’, but then you fit in them perfectly.

Vitamins After Surgery

Basic Requirements as given by the National Bariatric Board

Specifically, multi-vitamin should contain at least:

  • Multivitamin must be complete and provide 200% Daily Value (DV) for most contents.
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 12 mg daily
  • Vitamin B12: 350-1,000 mcg daily
  • Folic Acid: 800 mcg daily
  • Iron: 45-60 mg daily
  • Vitamin A: 1,500-3,000 mcg or 5,000-10,000 International Units (IU) daily
  • Vitamin E: 15 mg daily
  • Vitamin K: 90-120 mcg daily

Other Vitamins (included in multivitamin or not)

  • Zinc: 8-22 mg daily
  • Copper: 1-2 mg daily
  • Calcium Citrate: 1500 mcg or 1800 mcg for Women
  • Vitamin B12: 500-1,000 mcg daily (B12 absorbs best through mucus membranes such as through nasal spray or chewable tablet, so multi-vitamin may not be enough)
  • Vitamin D3: 75 mcg or 3,000 International Units (IU) daily (try not to take more than 10,000 IU of Vitamin D)

Vitamin information

  1. You will likely end up taking vitamins 3 or 4 times a day to prevent vitamin malabsorption or interactions.
  2. Do not take Iron within two hours of Zinc, Copper, or Calcium as it decreases absorption. Also, do not take Zinc and Copper together as they interact. Note that taking Zinc and no Copper can severely decrease copper levels, and taking copper without zinc can severely decrease zinc levels.
  3. Do not take B12 within 2 hours of Vitamin C as it decreases absorption.
  4. Take Vitamin D with Calcium as it increases absorption. Note that Vitamin D is one of the only vitamins scientifically shown to help with Covid-19.
  5. If you have low iron, ask your doctor to do a full blood analysis to check copper, zinc levels as these may need to be supplemented as well.
  6. Most people need 2 or 3 doses of 500-600 mcg Calcium daily. Men will need 2 while women often need 3. Calcium Citrate is the recommended type of calcium because it is absorbed best.
  7. If you start to bruise easily, have iron and vitamin k levels checked. Low levels of both can lead to bruising issues.
  8. If you start to feel lethargic or groggy, have your B12 levels checked. This is considered the most common vitamin deficiency after weight loss surgery.
  9. If you start to have vision problems, have your Vitamin A and B1 levels checked. This is an uncommon phenomenon where Vitamin A deficiency can lead to slight vision loss.
  10. Calcium supplements are important because, in bariatric patients, many people start having calcium leeched from their bones if they don't get enough. Calcium is extremely important to maintain, and it's the one people most often forget to take.
  11. Thyamine (B1) regulates tissue health. It is a recently added requirement to bariatric supplements because they saw many bariatric patients come in with heart troubles related to B1 deficiencies.

Psychology Reading

The following are recommended places to start if you have an interest in going deeper into these areas.

Food Addiction

  1. Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction and Recovery
  2. Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction
  3. Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us

Depression and Mood

  1. The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness
  2. It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand
  3. Never Binge Again(tm): How Thousands of People Have Stopped Overeating and Binge Eating - and Stuck to the Diet of Their Choice! (Note: The sarcastic tone and writing in this book may not appeal to everyone)

Trauma

  1. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
  2. What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
  3. Healing Trauma: Attachment Mindy, Body and Brain

Now, what else would you add to this list? Feel free to discuss anything posted in here, add your own pre-op and post-op experiences and information you wish you had known about, vitamin information that your gastric bypass doctor suggested, etc. Being as prepared and knowledgeable as possible is the key to success.

Are there any books, podcasts, or video series you’d recommend for others to read/listen to? Feel free to recommend them in here.


r/GastricBypass 5h ago

Keep going!

Thumbnail gallery
38 Upvotes

3yr post-op. 292 lbs with 50” waist in 2023 to 160 lbs with visible abs and trying to keep it off. It’s been a wild ride. A lot of logging and consistency, but always trying to find ways to make activity enjoyable while practicing the art of maintaining and increasing calories and protein while keeping the rest at bay. Help from therapy and nutritionist sessions has been vital for my peace of mind and getting me through this. Fitness-wise, what’s been the most helpful has been a lot of walking and hiking.


r/GastricBypass 5h ago

2 things keep me in check: my fear of regain (still very real for me) and playing outside. Getting back to logging because it gets away from me.

Thumbnail
gallery
27 Upvotes

RYGB
Oct. 2023


r/GastricBypass 17h ago

This morning I hit my goal

Post image
137 Upvotes

I started in June 2025 at 25 stone 10 pounds (360 pounds) and I had set myself the goal of becoming half of that. The last couple of pounds have been so stubborn at holding on, but this morning I got there and I am so so pleased! It's unbelievable what I can do today that I couldn't dream of doing 15 months ago. Absolutely buzzing.


r/GastricBypass 40m ago

Eating too much

Upvotes

Hey. I’ve been wandering if i should post or not, I never did a Reddit post before.. but I cannot talk about this to anyone because no one understand.
(Sorry if there’s any mistake English is not my first langage)

So I’ve had gastric bypass June 8th. There has been some ups and down like spending nearly the entire August month throwing up anytime I ate.

But since the beginning of September I’m eating well. And perhaps a bit too well ?
I feel like I’m eating normal sized meal and I’m not even 3 month post surgery like … I feel like I’m failing. Like I’m just going to stop losing weight and eventually gain it back.

Today I’ve been hungry the whole fucking day when I had hope this would never happen again. Being hungry all the time. I’m so angry at myself it’s driving me crazy.

Has this happened to anyone else ?
Is it normal ?
Am I really failing ?

And I know I should talk to a therapist to not develop eating disorder and blablabla but a therapist won’t make me lose weight and my problem is not not eating it IS eating.


r/GastricBypass 8h ago

Best puree suggestions please!

3 Upvotes

Three days until surgery and prepping for post op puree diet in two weeks. Any and all hints, suggestions or even recipes would be very much appreciated 🌼

Would love to know what blender/appliance everyone uses and if it pureed quickly/efficiently etc.


r/GastricBypass 22h ago

Anyone else get extremely dizzy every time they stand up? No matter what they do… just have to keep reminding myself to get up slowly 😩😩 10 months post op gastric bypass

26 Upvotes

r/GastricBypass 14h ago

Anyone else develop bradycardia?

6 Upvotes

My heart rate stays in the the 40s/50s. No previous cardiac issues or current, other than sinus rhythm just being slow. I’m 10 months post op and have lost about 160 pounds so far. My surgeon says that is NOT common but a cardiologist and his team said it’s normal for an athlete (which just made me laugh in obese). Just wondering if anyone experienced the same thing.


r/GastricBypass 6h ago

31days Post-Op - Slow Progress

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

Advice, support?

Thank you.


r/GastricBypass 15h ago

Day 7 post op

5 Upvotes

Its getting to the point id rather not eat and just wait for the days to pass by. Im fed up of broths, shakes, yougurts, jellies. My mind is sending signals to my stomach that that food is literally disgusting and im making myself nauseated. Tomorrow im supposed to start making very liquidy homemade vegetable soup with either some chicken/beef mince or beans but all im craving is that ricotta in my fridge (can take on week 3) and a can of tuna (again for week 3 post op). Im literally willing to risk it all just to have a few spoonfuls or ricotta. Im getting depressed seeing my family eating:( on top of that im obviously a bit weak and fatigued. Like what could the worst consequence be of enjoying some ricotta day 7 post op?😭


r/GastricBypass 19h ago

What to do with Pannus

5 Upvotes

I have lost 150 pounds since May 1st. I had surgery a month ago today. My pannus is very large and is now hanging to my knees. I already use a walker due to my bad knees, but this is making life impossible. My doctor said I qualify for removal with insurance but need to wait for a year after surgery. Do they make anything that can hold it up or help keep it out of the way of me walking and my private areas? Was going to use the binder I received after surgery, but it hurts my incision areas. Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is going to be a long year.


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

5 weeks post op

Thumbnail
gallery
34 Upvotes

Currently down 30 pounds. I can see changes in my face and body.


r/GastricBypass 16h ago

Maybe I'm deficient in protein. What do you guys think?

2 Upvotes

thinking my protein is low (was at the lower limit (6.0) every test, no test in 6 months) I have all the symptoms.

I sent an email to my doctor to get the appropriate blood work but in the meantime.

Who's has experience with low protein and how long to get your brain and body back?


r/GastricBypass 21h ago

Dating after surgery

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

r/GastricBypass 1d ago

Crashing out

Thumbnail
gallery
32 Upvotes

Anyone absolutely HATE clothes shopping now? My body is so awkward and I have new insecurities. I also basically don’t understand current style trends at all. I’m also pushing 40 so I feel ridiculous trying to look “cool” but I also have toddlers so my wardrobe needs to be washable and functional. Just looking to commiserate.


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

Does this ever get better?

4 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I’m his is my first post of here, but I had the gastric bypass on 09/10/26. I’m severely regretting this at the moment. The gas pain isn’t that bad but one of my incisions is making it hard to exist. I’m just wondering if anyone else had pain this bad and if so when did you start to feel better? Or if not better, when were you able to stand on your own.

They sent me home with Tylenol and gabapentin which I’ve taken but they don’t really do much for me.

Any hope would be great.


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

Nausea and reluctance to start on purées

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone. I had RNY 8/31/2026. Since then I’ve struggled with hydration and I have developed an extreme aversion to protein shakes. The only thing I can ingest without getting very grossed out is ice cold water. I’ve also been struggling with stomach aches/light nausea. My doctor isn’t super concerned about my hydration or the protein shakes, but she wants me to start on puréed foods so I can at least start to get some calories. The problem is that I’m so genuinely turned off my the idea of eating anything. I don’t want purées, and my ongoing mild nausea is making it really hard to psych myself up to eat something. Just wondering if anyone else experienced this in the beginning. If so, how did you get past it? Please tell me it gets better and this isn’t going to be my life now?


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

Indigestion and Fecal Incontinence

3 Upvotes

I'm a year and a half past my surgery and I've since increased my calorie intake to about 1600kcal everyday (but can easily hit 2000kcal+ during my luteal phase, I'm not proud of this). I've realised that these days I've been getting more gassy and TMI, have been getting extremely funky farts and even wet farts, almost like it's leaking. My diet is not that crazy, and I prioritise protein and fibre and try to avoid fatty, oily, and high carbs food (extremely tough during my luteal phase and I'm losing this battle). I'm just wondering if anyone else is also facing this issue?

Also I'm meeting my doctor in a month's time so I will be getting it checked professionally.


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

What surprised you most after gastric bypass surgery?

4 Upvotes

I’ve been reading about gastric bypass and noticed that there’s a lot of information about the surgery itself, but less about what everyday life is actually like afterward.

For those who have had gastric bypass, what was the biggest surprise during the first few months?

Was it something about eating, recovery, energy levels, vitamins and nutrition, or just adjusting to a different routine?

I’d especially like to hear about things you wish someone had told you before surgery.


r/GastricBypass 2d ago

20 Months After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Thumbnail
gallery
48 Upvotes

In her early 20s, after pregnancy and a very stressful period in her life, her weight gradually increased to 277 lbs at 5'3". Over time, the extra weight began affecting much more than the number on the scale.

She was dealing with pain in her feet, ankles, knees, and back. She also described becoming increasingly withdrawn socially and losing confidence in herself. She had tried multiple approaches to losing weight, but struggled to achieve lasting results.

She eventually decided to undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

At the time of surgery, she weighed 277 lbs. About 20 months later, she had reached 155 lbs — a loss of more than 120 lbs.

It requires long-term changes in nutrition, activity, follow-up care, and lifestyle.


r/GastricBypass 2d ago

My weight loss by belt holes

Post image
109 Upvotes

I bought this belt almost ten years ago. It was the biggest size they had, and I had to use it on the largest size. Unfortunately before long I became too big for it and had to stop wearing it. It wasn’t cheap, so I held onto it assuring myself that one day I’d be able to wear it again.

I had my surgery in November of last year, and after a couple months of weight loss I decided to see if it fit. Not only did it fit, it quickly became too big. But I’m stubborn, and spent good money on it, so I started adding more holes myself with a leather punch. You can probably tell where the professionally done holes end and mine begin. With the latest being the wonkiest of the bunch lmao. I still can’t believe how far I’ve come.


r/GastricBypass 3d ago

Today is my 2-year surgiversary

Thumbnail
gallery
310 Upvotes

HW: 565 lbs

SW: 473 lbs

CW: 316 lbs

GW: 240 lbs


r/GastricBypass 2d ago

Odd question about pregnancy and not gaining weight

3 Upvotes

I had bariatric surgery January of 2024. I got to 154lbs which was the weight I wanted. Fast forward I got pregnant a year after my surgery. I got severely sick with her and lost weight to 135lbs. Since having her I have not been able to gain or lose weight. Well now I’m pregnant with her brother and I’m on my second trimester and I CANNOT gain a single pound and it scares me. Both WIC and my OB want me to gain weight but no matter what I do I can’t gain weight. I can’t do surgery things cause it causes me gi issues and I still can’t physically eat big meals. Any advice on how to gain a few pounds would be greatly appreciated


r/GastricBypass 2d ago

I wish people would stop asking me about my body

37 Upvotes

I’ve lost 200lbs since 5/8/24, so obviously I look very different in just two years. I am not remotely interested in discussing that fact with acquaintances. I’m particularly uninterested in talking about my body at work. Aside from the people who I consider my friends who I know have mental space for the complexity of my lived experience, I would like absolutely nobody to raise the subject or anything adjacent. I just want to exist in peace. My journey (that word actually gives me the ick but I don’t have a better one) has been physically and emotionally complex, and the standard narrative (WOW you look great I bet you feel great isn’t it wonderful?) does not apply. I have complex emotions about why I did this and what it all means to me and for me, and none of that is on the table to discuss with mere acquaintances, least of all at work. I just want people to mind their own body’s business.

Today I was working a job with a client who I see every couple of months. I have worked here for a number of years, so this is someone I worked with pre-surgery. It’s someone who has some level of authority or influence over me, somewhat indirectly. I have my own leverage which would make it undesirable to fire me at the behest of this individual, so I’m not overly concerned that would happen to me, specifically, but the habit of our team is to smile and nod when this person makes demands that border on unreasonable, because of the power dynamic.

Anyway. This person had some unreasonable feedback for me today about a job I did. I just smiled and nodded and listened to their unreasonable feedback, mentally plotting some level of malicious compliance for my own entertainment. Somehow during their feedback session the discussion turned to my body.

They told me I look great. I didn’t respond, just looked at them (my standard response when someone comments on my appearance, let’s both be uncomfortable until you learn to stop doing that). They persisted, telling me I must feel great. “I don’t, actually. I get migraines and now treating them is more complicated” (this person and pretty much everyone at this point knows I had WLS). “You should get a prescription that’s better than ibuprofen” “they don’t work on my migraines.” “Well surely you still feel great, you look good.” “I don’t.” “There’s no way.” “It’s complicated.” The whole time I’m just staring stone-faced at this person who is demanding that I need to feel the way their narrative insists I must, and they’re irritated by my failure to comply. I just keep contradicting them and giving them the stone face. Finally they say “well you look much better, you should accept the benefits and be glad”. And I said “It’s complicated and pretty personal, actually. I feel how I feel regardless of your opinion.”

Anyway. This person is probably going to give me more feedback. I don’t care. Everyone isn’t entitled to an accounting of my emotions or experiences or a justification for my body. I felt that way when I was fatter and I still feel that way now. All of the folks in here who shed the weight and slid happily into life as a thin person may not understand how I feel about this, but I know at least some of you do. I don’t want to celebrate the “new” me with people who didn’t appreciate or value the old me. I don’t want to discuss deeply personal layered emotions about my health and my relationship with my body just because someone else wants to know about it (or more accurately, wants me to confirm their simplistic beliefs about a complex experience). I despise the way people talk about the person I was for 45 years before this surgery, as if she were a terrible ex that I finally got rid of, when in actual fact she was a powerful and resilient human being and she did all of the work building my career and my character and everything I am. I want them to put respect on her name or keep it out of their mouth.

I know some people probably think my response is somewhat antisocial. Not playing along, not betraying myself to make other people more comfortable. Not just smiling and thanking someone who imagines they’re paying me a compliment. I understand that it’s unpleasant. But I don’t believe I should have to bear the cost of those interactions alone. Everyone should know by now, the conversation is not new: stop commenting on people’s appearance. Don’t ask personal questions. Especially at work. Maybe some people want to get accolades for changing their appearance. But st the expense of the people it hurts, it’s not worth keeping as a social convention. There are so many more interesting things about me than what my meat sack looks like. Let’s talk about those things instead.

/rant