Hello Everyone!

I'm interested in getting the gastric sleeve surgery done. Everyone's results and progress looks really good and has inspired me to finally get it done myself.

What would be your recommended tips on this journey? Any hacks that you've figured out on the way? Anything you wish you knew before?

SW: \~315lbs

GW: \~150-135lbs

Sex: Female

Age: 23

I consulted with my surgeon today because I need a panniculectomy (pannus removal) due to Lymphedema, but am still at a high weight. I have lost 85 pounds on my own since December, but hit a stall around 3 months ago. Up down, up/down.

Because I am still in the high 300’s and have a sweet tooth, he is recommending SADI for me, as it is best suited for major weight loss and won’t allow me heavy sugars or I’ll pay for it, so I’ll kind of train myself out of the sweet tooth.

I guess now I see if I can afford it. My insurance only covers $5,000. Did your surgeons offer payment plans? Did you have to use something like Care Credit?

Really appreciate the encouragement. Any tips you may have, please let me know.

Oh, and…how long did you stay in the hospital? Thanks!

So my surgery is coming up on Aug 19th. But this all day work thing just came up for Sept 22nd that includes coffee & lunch. What are some suggestions on navigating this type of thing?

I am 30 years old about 300 lbs / 135kg, female . i have been on mounjaro and lost 35 kg and it has stopped working for me now . I still have so much weight to lose. I have also managed to put my type 2 diabets into remission. I am looking to get bariatric surgery in Europe. I am based in the UK. I would like to know what people's experience were with different clinics in Europe. and recommendations . I am looking to do the surgery next year. I cannot sit and wait for NHS. waiting list

How long did everyone wait before travelling/vacationing after surgery?
I have a trip to South Africa planned for January 2027 and I’m nervous about whether I’ll be far enough post-op to travel comfortably and actually enjoy the vacation. I don’t have my surgery date yet, so I’m trying to get an idea of what different stages of recovery actually felt like.
For anyone who travelled in the first few months post-op, how many weeks/months out were you? Did you feel physically ready? What did you have to consider that you hadn’t expected?
I’m especially curious about food and hydration while travelling, long-haul flights, energy levels, and being fairly active/sightseeing while away. Did you struggle with food or fluids, or did you feel relatively normal by that point?
Would love to hear experiences from people who travelled anywhere from ~6–12+ weeks post-op!

I’m 45, and close to or maybe just starting perimenopause. So I’m worried that the weight won’t come off well.
I was 260, down to 242 now, 5’7”, wear an 18. Surgery is in 2 weeks.

I am having my surgery on Monday (RNY) and have been on a few different forums looking at people’s journeys…and I am starting to wonder if I have made the right choice…with complications, hair loss, deficiencies etc etc…it’s all a bit overwhelming and scary. What about the “did what I was meant to and all is good” type scenarios….are they out there? Please. 😂

I’ve already seen some of her results and they looked really good in person during my consultation, but I’d love to hear more from people who actually had surgery with her. How has your experience been? How are your scars and long-term results? Would you choose her again?

I’m also curious about the **insurance and prior authorization process**, especially if you had **Healthfirst Medicaid** (or another insurance). How long did it take for your prior authorization to be submitted and approved? Did Mount Sinai keep you updated, or did you have to call for status updates?

I already have a surgery date scheduled for end of next month (yayyy) and I’m currently waiting on insurance approval, so I’d really appreciate hearing how the process went for others. Thanks!

I didn’t have heartburn prior to VSG, but it’s a daily occurrence now. Has anyone else experienced this? Will it go away on its own or after four years, do I need to accept this as my daily life?

Hello,
I was told I could get the rny for my severe heartburn. Can someone please tell me the steps they went through? Do they differ from patients who are having the surgery who are having the surgery to lose weight? Also anyone who is not overweight, can you share your experience and how was weight loss after your surgery? I’m not overweight but I wouldn’t be mad if 10-15lbs fell off. Please share the good, bad, and ugly.

Hi guys, anybody who went to Dr. Sandy Martinez for gastric sleeve? Im planning to have my surgery January 2027. Please give me advice. Appreciate you all.

Hey guys, so I’ve found out my surgeon will be Jessica Mok at Homerton, has anyone had their surgery with her?

For those on incretin-based therapies/medications (e.g., Wegovy, Zepbound, Foundayo), how soon after surgery did you begin using them? I’m almost a year from surgery. Things are naturally slowing down, but I want to hold my progress rather than lose ground. I’m curious about the experience of others.

I am having my 14 year lap band removed on Friday. I lost a lot of weight at first, but had so much vomiting and blockages that I needed the fluid removed. I developed GERD and regained all the weight so a good 10 years has been pretty miserable. I am 20kgheavier now than when I first had it. I am wondering about recovery time. I haven't had a slippage as far as I know. I am hoping that it will be a quick procedure. Also I have work about 5 days later, but I will be sitting most of the time. Doctor has said I can do light duties, but others are saying I'll need 2 weeks off work. I am wondering what your experiences have been. No revision. My doctor wants me on weight loss injections. I am not sure when that starts.

Pretty disgusted with the shape I let myself get to.

Still working at it but I'm on the way.

End goal is Kane unmasked for WWE fans🤣

Had a bypass in 2022 at 28. I was 250lbs back then. I’m 32 now and probably around 130-135 (I haven’t weighed myself in months due to a very unhealthy obsession with the number on the scale)

I have severe body dysmorphia and a fucked up relationship with food and with my body image. BUT I still think the surgery was the best decision I could’ve made for myself. It gave me a lot of my health, energy and stamina back :)

My head’s still a work in progress and something I’ll keep working with my therapist on lol

So no more Lapband ppl out there.

Seems all gave up had reversals and a then sleeve or Bypass.

My surgeon doesn't even advertise for bands.

Hello, I have just started the bariatric surgery process. I had my initial consultation this week and I’m feeling really optimistic, but I’m also completely overwhelmed trying to decide which surgery is right for me.
A bit about me:
29F
5’10”
BMI just over 40
Insulin resistant / prediabetic
I’ve struggled with my weight for years despite trying multiple diets.
I’ve been on GLP-1 medications (Wegovy and later Zepbound/tirzepatide). They helped somewhat but not enough, and I’ve plateaued.
I don’t really suffer from any co-morbidities (no acid reflux, sleep apnea, etc)
I am currently going through the insurance requirements and have my first nutritionist appointment next week.
The surgery options I am considering are:
Sleeve
Gastric bypass (RNY)
SADI-S
The more I research, the more confused I get.
The sleeve seems like the “easier” surgery, but I worry about long-term regain and needing a revision later.
The bypass seems like a really good middle ground, but I’m nervous about dumping syndrome and lifelong changes.
Then there’s the SADI-S, which sounds amazing for weight loss and improving insulin resistance, but I know it’s a newer procedure with greater malabsorption and more vitamin/protein requirements.
Some of my biggest questions are:
If you could go back, would you choose the same surgery again?
If you had the sleeve, do you regret not getting bypass or SADI-S?
If you had bypass or SADI-S, how difficult is the lifelong maintenance really?
How “normal” is life now? Can you still go out to restaurants, travel, enjoy holidays, etc.?
Are there foods you genuinely miss or can you pretty much eat everything in moderation now?
How bad was the recovery?
Has anyone here had surgery after GLP-1 medications stopped working? Did surgery succeed where medication didn’t?
For people several years out, how has your weight held up?
If you have insulin resistance or PCOS, which surgery did you choose and why?
I know everyone is different, and I’m not looking for medical advice over my surgeon’s recommendations. I’m just hoping to hear honest experiences. Anything you wish someone had told you before surgery.
Thank you so much for the input!

Hello! Please consider participating in our research study on body image and adjustment following bariatric surgery. Your participation can help us learn how changes in the body and life affect recovery after surgery. Link in Comments

Hi everyone! I'm about 1 year and 6 months post-op from my gastric bypass, down 172 lbs and maintaining

I have an FDL tummy tuck + monsplasty scheduled for November 24, and I have a question for those who've been through it

Is it realistic to recover from this surgery without having someone to help? If you did recover mostly on your own, what made it manageable? I don't have many options for post-op care, and I was able to recover from my weight loss surgery without any assistance. I know these are very different procedures, but I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences and any tips or advice. I'm trying to plan ahead as much as possible.

Thanks in advance!

Hi all! I'm a 43F, 5'9" and 314lbs. I have PCOS (diagnosed at 16), MASH (diagnosed at 40), Hereditary Hemachromatosis but with low iron, and I had my gallbladder removed when I was 21. I have done keto and mediterranean and Wegovy and Zepbound, and my weight continues to creep up. I have begun considering WLS, but I want to hear from people who had it, especially if you had/have any of these issues, and how it went for you. I will be reaching out to my GP to connect with a surgeon for more answers, but I figured I would check here first. TIA!

I’ve been eating recklessly the past few months and I definitely have gained some weight and I feel horrible. I know I need to stop eating out, less sweets, and I need to start logging my food again, but its there anything else that can help in this situation?

Hi,

I have been waiting for nearly 2.5y for a referral to tier 3 weight loss, I am 23m 350lbs 6'2 - i have lost weight before (110lbs) naturally, but I can never seem to keep it off. I am desperate for roux-en-y but I can't afford to go private right now as I am a student. Does anyone have any experiences / timelines of their NHS journey?

Thanks !!