Before and After Bariatric Surgery – A Patient’s Point of View
On March 30, 2016, the direction of my life changed. I was given a second chance to be healthy, and it’s working. I had gastric bypass surgery and threw myself into the process. A year and a half later I am 130 pounds lighter and my physical health has drastically improved.
Medical ID Bracelet for Gastric Bypass
Q: Do Gastric Bypass Patients Need to Wear a Medical Alert Bracelet or Tag? A: It is not necessary to wear a medical alert bracelet, but there are certain things all medical providers must know before giving any treatment to someone who has had gastric bypass surgery. Some gastric bypass patients wear bracelets or ID […]
The Limbo Between Approval for Bariatric Surgery and the Day of Surgery
The Long Process People who contemplate bariatric surgery have experienced a life defined by their weight. They’ve fought it by trying all kinds of diets, exercise, supplements, maybe even prescription drugs. It is emotionally exhausting and it is not unusual to feel defeated and hopeless from the years of failure. Then, to make life even […]
Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.
Bariatric Q&A – Avoid Food Funerals Before Surgery
Question: I’m approaching my surgery date and I feel an incredible urge to eat all of the things I will never eat again. How can I possibly get through any kind of liquid diet with those urges constantly pulling at me? Yes, food funerals are common temptations. Most of us feel the need to […]
Enjoy Dining Out After Bariatric Surgery
Dining out with friends after bariatric surgery is not the stresser most of us assumed (and feared) when we started this process. Most restaurants have healthy options these days and staff is accustomed to requests for all kinds of dietary needs. In fact, restaurants are offering options to attract people on popular high protein/low carb […]
Thinning Hair and Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery
Question: Does Bariatric Surgery Cause Hair Loss and Thinning Hair? Yes, hair loss is relatively common in WLS patients. It doesn’t happen to everyone. For some people it is a frustrating and visible change. For other people it can be stressful to see a big pile of hair in the drain, even if it never […]
Eating Slowly After Bariatric Surgery
Question: I still eat too fast. What can I do to eat more slowly? Several months after surgery, I had lunch with a friend. I ordered well and remembered not to drink while eating. As the conversation went on I realized that I was shoveling in bites of my salad like I always did when […]
List of Things to Bring to the Hospital on the Day of Bariatric Surgery
Question: What do I need to bring with me to the hospital on the day of my surgery? Depending on the type of surgery, the hospital stay is typically 1-3 days. Most people spend the first day or two recovering from the anesthesia while dealing with the fog of pain medication. The patient’s main job […]
CSAs Regularly Supply You with Farm Fresh Food – An All Around Win!
CSAs are small farms which have subscribers or members. Subscribers pay for their share before planting and receive small portions of the harvest throughout the season. It is a win-win for those of us who enjoy eating fresh, local and responsibly grown produce as well as for small area farmers trying to grow their businesses.
Average Rate of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
These numbers are averages, so your results may vary widely. There are a number of factors that contribute to the amount of success and how fast an individual’s loss will be after weight loss surgery, including type of surgery, preop program participation, diet, exercise, overall health and persistence. Calculate your average projected weight loss here […]
How Much Total Weight Will I Lose After Bariatric Surgery?
Simple answer: it depends, but here are some guidelines and averages. Many factors determine how much weight an individual will lose after weight loss surgery, including: How well you stick to your nutrition plan The type of surgery you’ve had How much excess weight you have to lose The type of pre-op diet your nutritionist […]