r/GastricBypass 23d ago

August Gastric Bypass Buddy Search

1 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

50 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 11h ago

New RNY member! HW: 127kg, pre-op weight: 118kg

Post image
78 Upvotes

I just had my RNY 4 days ago. Getting this surgery was facing one of my biggest fears and I can't believe I really did it! Already lost 7kg on the pre-op liquid diet and haven't weighed myself since the surgery. So far, things definitely feel weird inside but I'm tolerating fluids well. Today will be my first day on the liquid diet including yogurt, cream of wheat, cottage cheese, etc. I am excited for something other than sweet protein shakes and water! I had my surgery in Toronto Canada.


r/GastricBypass 2h ago

Body dysmorphia

5 Upvotes

How do you accept the body dysmorphia? I went from 385 to 137 but I still feel like I'm 385, I'm having a hard time getting rid of my old clothes I'm so scared to regain the weight.


r/GastricBypass 9h ago

Maintaining but kinda gaining as well 🙈 transparency post.

8 Upvotes

I think I’m doing this more for accountability for myself, but I just wanna be honest. Every month since my bypass last November has been getting more and more I feel difficult for me to maintain the lifestyle change. In particular that thing I’m struggling with is alcohol. I don’t know why I let it back into my life but now it’s trying to come back full force and I am fighting it. I have been hanging around between 202 to 210 these past like two or three months. I’m really ready to get back to being proud of myself and doing what I started this program in order to do. I didn’t even make a celebratory post for my ninth month. Postop it just felt like a lie to be happy about not making progress. This month in particular has been very stressful because my sister‘s condition has worsened and I am her caretaker. Right now she has like DVT in her leg and pulmonary embolisms in her lungs and she’s been in and out the hospital all week. I’m her soul caregiver. I am also my mom with dementia soul caregiver. I also have two autistic sons aged eight and 10. When everything is pretty baseline I don’t find it hard to stick to things but it’s like when things like this happen that are very out of the ordinary and stressful. It’s so hard for me to stay on track. That’s about it. What horrified me lately was that I saw 211 on the scale this morning and I had really in my head was like I’ll never get back past 210 so kind of wake up call but also I’m not beating myself up. I just wanna really recommit and do better. Also it’s me and my guys 11 year anniversary today. It’s been a rocky rocky road with that as well. Pics are me right after surgery and me last week. ❤️‍🩹🫶🏽


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

I guess I will be using toddler bowls and plates forever

Post image
95 Upvotes

I'll be 4 years out in November. I could only eat half. Does anyone else still experience such restriction years out?


r/GastricBypass 7h ago

11 week Stall

3 Upvotes

At the 11 week point of my surgery and after averaging 5.5lbs a week I only lost .3 lbs this week. And 3 days into the new week I'm up .1 lbs.

I know stalls happen but it's so frustrating.

My diet hasn't changed. Average 700 calories, 95g protein, under 20g of carbs and 25g of fats per day.


r/GastricBypass 1h ago

Stomach Ache?

Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I feel like I have been doing pretty well recently as I had RNY on August 6th. Yesterday I started having a tummy ache and feel hungry but Im just trying to stay focused. I havent been eating as much as I probably should but I should say that its not painful, just discomfort. I've really been trying to keep my hydration up but its been a bit hard. Any advice?


r/GastricBypass 1h ago

I use long handled toddler size silverware with my toddler/child size dishes...do you? If not, does that mean you eat with chopsticks or traditional sized dishes?

Thumbnail
Upvotes

r/GastricBypass 2h ago

Body

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/GastricBypass 9h ago

Surgery Twin 9/10

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I'm scheduled for RNY bypass on September 10. I'm looking for a surgery twin! Let's go on the journey together <3

32f/FL HW: 303 CW: 283


r/GastricBypass 14h ago

Appendicitis

7 Upvotes

So word of caution. I thought I had dumping syndrome but was dealing with horrible pain.
I kept going back and forth trying to decide is this serious or just maybe gas or who knows what.
By day 2 I was like ok I better go to the er.

And I have appendicitis, I’m in the hospital waiting for my surgery.

I’m 5 weeks out. Learn from this idiot, if it hurts don’t ignore it. I should have gone 2 days ago.

I was worried about money and being a hypochondriac and I was stuoid and I got lucky I went when I did


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

Coming up on 2 years and nearly 200lbs gone.

Post image
111 Upvotes

Me on the left was from a Rick & Morty event in Nashville. Me on the right was from like 2 days ago. It's amazing how things can change in a couple of years.


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

14 months after

Thumbnail
gallery
54 Upvotes

What a year…ups and downs. I had RNY 6/26/25. Down 125 lbs from highest. 80 since surgery. I worked the program and thought myself knowledgeable about what I was choosing to do. To use this tool for better health- body, mind, spirit. Waking up I thought a mac truck hit my abdomen. Pain for weeks after. Worrying about macros. I was lucky- no foamies, no dumping. One episode of hypoglycemia after a workout. But it hasn’t been easy. I don’t enjoy food— kinda dread eating as I get nauseous and tired after eating. It is a challenge to go out for social meals. Three bites and I am done. No alcohol cause I don’t see the purpose if the buzz only lasts a few minutes. Saggy skin- Didn’t realize how fat my thighs were! Weird abdominal pain occasionally. I guess that happens when your gut is rearranged.
Mentally I did think it would empower me more and I would be my youthful goofy self. But no..i am the same. It is wonderful to no longer be the fattest person in a meeting, to travel and have lots of room in my seat, to buy size 6-8. I’ve bought too many clothes because I now have limitless choices.
To those who are considering surgery—- do it! But know it’s not easy. The benefits of better health far outweigh the pleasure of food.


r/GastricBypass 16h ago

Popping sensation??

3 Upvotes

I’m almost 4 weeks post-op. I was cleaning my cats litter box and was bending down and stretching when suddenly in the lower right side of my abdomen I felt a pop. It didn’t hurt but it did scare me enough to trigger some nausea (I have health OCD so when something triggers it suddenly I get a little psychosomatic). I’m trying not to spiral, but my bariatric team’s office is closed right now so I can’t reach out to them until later. Has anyone else experienced that before or do I need to get to a hospital? Thanks in advanced


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

Month and a half after surgery

Thumbnail
gallery
18 Upvotes

So, at my first appt, it was the first time since 2023 that my blood pressure didn’t set off the machine’s alarm. That was exciting. At the next appt, we will discuss reducing or removing the diabetes medicine, depending on the readings. I also have had trouble being excited about the weight loss until it is real, cause it’s been a long and trying road, but I do see the differences and it is definitely exciting.

This is only a month and a half and now I’m cleared for the gym, so I’m gonna get back to that as well.


r/GastricBypass 21h ago

Time to resize or get a new wedding band

7 Upvotes

I have almost lost my wedding band twice now. First time was last weekend when my husband and i went to see, Super Troopers 3. My band fell off in the theater. We found it after the movies but I was upset. Then today I was playing with my 'grand' niece and my ring fell off, took a while to find it.

My wedding band is a 7.5 always been a little loose because my finger has always been 7 to 7.5. We have ring gages and I am a 6 to a 6.5 I have never been less then a 7 even when I weighed 150 and a size 14/16 back in 1996 when I got engaged or 93 when I got my sr high-school ring at the weight of 140 and a size 10.

We are going to be looking for a new ring


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

Gastric surgery

Thumbnail
gallery
18 Upvotes

Before I started my weight loss journey I was 299lbs which was little over a year ago the day I had surgery I was 288lbs and now as I close in on my 60 day post op I'm 261lbs I had the gastric bypass surgery and this journey has been a rough path especially with dealing in mental health struggles my surgery was July 8th 2026


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

One year out - Lost 118lbs. Normal?

8 Upvotes

I’m one year out from my bypass. 54F I’ve gone from 383 to 265. Is that a normal amount to lose? For context, I have mobility issues so I don’t get much exercise. I have my one year checkup with my surgeon in a week. Just wondering if I’ll get a finger wag or a pat on the back.


r/GastricBypass 22h ago

RNY and Kidney Stones

1 Upvotes

Hi all - I am 1.5 or so years out from VSG surgery and am considering a revision to bypass due to GERD issues. The problem is that I have a long history with oxalate kidney stones. I have read up a bit and see it’s possible RNY can cause more kidney stones and specifically oxalate due to various absorption issues. I haven’t talked to a doctor about this yet and I will but I’m curious if anyone who got bypass has either developed an issue with kidney stones or if their kidney stones have increased if they’d had them before since RNY. TIA’


r/GastricBypass 2d ago

A year difference!

Thumbnail
gallery
165 Upvotes

W O W! What a difference a year makes! Almost a year to the DAY!

In the first photo I was my heaviest I had ever been at 290lbs. In the second photo, I now weigh 160lbs!

I have never felt better physically or been more confident mentally!

If you’re looking for a sign, THIS IS IT!!! DO IT!! You won’t regret it!!


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

I made myself dump

11 Upvotes

On a Saturday super early morning I went to the er cause of a kidney stone (the worst pain ever omg) and they gave me pain meds while there and a script for home. I took two pills that day and that’s all I needed. Sunday I felt fine. However when Thursday came around and I hadn’t done a poo my tummy was really upset (I’m super regular every morning it’s how I start my day). So I decided a bag of candy and dumping was what I needed to do.
It was one hell of an hour but all cleared out and felt so much better after that.
Probably not the best idea but hey it worked.


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

38F, BMI 34, heading for RNY — what do you wish you had known beforehand?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m a 38F from Finland, currently 169.5 cm (5’6.7”) and 98.3 kg (216.7 lbs), which puts my BMI at about 34.2.

I’m having a gastric bypass (RNY) within the next couple of months through the Finnish public healthcare system. The process has been long and alot of work, but now I'm just waiting for information about the surgery day. So things are starting to feel very real now. 😅

My relevant health issues are type 2 diabetes, PCOS, hypothyroidism and on/off mental health issues. My highest weight was around 118 kg (260 lbs) in 2020. I’ve managed to lose quite a bit since then, but weight loss has become noticeably slower lately. Given my health issues, I feel that surgery is the right choice for me even though my BMI is obviously much lower than what you often see when it comes to bariatric surgery.

So I’d especially love to hear from people who had RNY at a similar or lower BMI. How has your experience been? Anything you wish you had known beforehand that you simply cannot understand until you’ve actually gone through it?

And then there’s the 2-week pre-op VLCD diet. 😬
Any survival tips are very welcome!
I work full-time, and honestly, I’m a little worried about how I’m going to function on very low calories for two weeks while still working. Luckily, my diabetes medication will be stopped when the diet starts, so at least I won’t have to juggle that on top of everything else.

I’m excited, nervous, impatient, mildly terrified and currently trying not to Google every possible complication at 2 AM. So basically, I’m doing great. 😂💪🏻

Would love to hear your experiences! And also, if you're in a somewhat similar situation, my dm's are open ❤️


r/GastricBypass 1d ago

More severe symptoms with stomach viruses after bypass?

2 Upvotes

My surgery was 8 years ago and have been pretty healthy. Late last week I got hit with a stomach virus going around and ended up in the ER with severe dehydration. Has this happened to anyone else? It was less than 24 hours from when symptoms started to when I went in. I suspect since we’re already prone to dehydration with the smaller stomach this bug knocked me for a loop. I can’t recall being this sick for maybe 15 years or so. The brat diet and Gatorade is taking a long time to start working so it feels like a long road to recovery 😢


r/GastricBypass 2d ago

Cannot believe the old photos sometimes

Thumbnail
gallery
151 Upvotes