Over the years, gastric bypass surgery has rallied up quite the bad rap; rightfully so. When they first started doing gastric bypass many patients years after had absorption issues later on down the road and I believe this is where some of the negative stigma comes from. My bariatric surgeon explained it to me many times during my pre-surgical visits. He said that they used to remove the entire stomach when rerouting and now they leave it so that the stomach can continue to secrete certain enzymes to help breakdown certain types of food and aide in absorption. This helps to prevent absorption issues later down the road. Long story short, everyone has their own opinion about gastric bypass surgery and “weight loss surgery” and that is okay. Gastric bypass surgery has saved my life and has given me a second chance at living and I want to share with you what I believe it is and what I believe it is not.
what gastric bypass surgery is not
• A quick fix to your weight loss problems. Gastric bypass is an extremely invasive and life altering surgery that sometimes takes months and/or years to get approved for by your surgeon and your insurance company. I personally went through months of testing and screening from multiple disciplines to make sure that I was medically and psychologically ready for this surgery.
• The easy way out. I still wake up each day with the decision of what I am going to eat each day for every single meal. I have to make correct choices for my body and for my health, just like everyone else. Sometimes I make the right choices and sometimes I do not. I am human just like everyone else. This has been the most difficult “lifestyle” or “change in my diet” that I have ever made. The fact that my stomach is much smaller does help tremendously in losing weight, but it is not a cure all in keeping weight off forever.
• A permanent solution. Over time it is possible to stretch my stomach back out. This is why I am very caution of what I eat and how much I eat. Some people think I am over the top and urge me to eat more, but most everyone in my life is very supportive and trust that I know what I am doing. Over the past 10-15 years, they use the lower portion of the stomach when rerouting and there is very “stretch” in that area. This means it is tougher for gastric bypass patients to stretch their new stomachs but it also means if we overeat, we are more likely to throw up (thank goodness that has not happened to me in almost two years). Right when I am feeling the slightest bit full, I STOP eating.
What gastric bypass surgery is
• A chance to get your life back – if you are willing to work HARD. This surgery was one of the hardest things I have ever been through. I decided that I was going to change my entire life, COMPLETELY. If that meant changing the people I spent time with if they did not support me, I was willing to do that. Luckily, every single person in my life (at home, at work, friends, family, etc) all decided to jump on board and support me during this crazy new life journey.
• A real eye opener of who you are surrounded by. I am very blessed to have had a positive support system during this crazy time in my life. Going through something like this is not easy, even when you are surrounded by amazing people. I can not even wrap my head around what it would have been like if I would have been circled around people who were not supportive of the path I took. I chose to sit people down individually and tell them of my choice to have gastric bypass surgery and it worked for me. Everyone reacts differently but I had a 99% positive reaction rate. To this day, those 99% have stuck by my side. Some have cheered me on from afar and I am grateful for everyone who has had a part in my journey. And to those who have people who are not supportive, do not worry, there is always going to be that 1%. Prove them wrong. Show them that you can do it.
• A process that messes with your head. Almost two years post gastric bypass surgery, I still go to grab for two sizes bigger than I am. I have no idea why. Maybe I am not wanting to feel disappointed when the size small or medium does not fit. Maybe I am trained to grab a size large or extra large. I’m not 100% sure. But this entire process does kind of mess with your psyche a little bit. Maybe it’s the fact that I have lost more weight than what I currently weigh right now. Honestly, I will never know why it does but it does. It is a lot to process and it is not a terrible thing, but something to be mindful of.
• One of the best things I have ever done. This surgery has given me my life back in so many ways. I have more energy for my friends and family. I am able to do things that for a short time was unable to do anymore, like run and hike and bike. I can run fast to bed alarms at work! Haha! My health is the best it has ever been. I will never regret making the decision to have this surgery. It has given me my life back.
If you are thinking about having gastric bypass surgery and have any questions about the process (pre/post surgery) please reach out to me in the email box below.
I am going through all the pre op stuff right now and I feel like the more I think about the surgery the more scared of it I get. I have a great support system and my boyfriend is so supportive he started the dieting with me and is all in but I guess I just don’t know what to expect from it. I’m scared that I will be sick all the time and never find anything to eat that doesn’t make me super sick.
I remember being so nervous during all of the pre-op things! I am so happy to hear that you have a great support system! There are always unknowns when it comes to surgeries like this. But I was always more scared to not have the surgery and always wonder “WHAT IF” I don’t do it! Best of luck with all your pre-op things!
Hi from Austrarlia, my name is Dixie I would like to thank you for putting your story out there for me to read and learn from. I have enjoyed your recipe, still waiting to work out my fashion. I had my Bypass in 2018, lose 62kg. it was slow for me to see in the first year but going from size 26 to 14 in two years I am happy. I still have days when i think what have i done, good and bad thought. But then i think you did this for you not anyone esle. This year 2020 I had strated my journey with skin removal, strated with my arms then next year my tummy. Wish me luck
Hi!! I am so happy for you!! It is definitely a hard journey at times! Best of luck to you during your skin removal surgery!!!!
I had mine 1r years ago and wish I could get back on track. But it was amazing thing to do I got my life back and was able to raise my children alot better
Your results and determination are inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing! I have my appointment next Friday and I’m super nervous! I really hope we can make it work! Keep up the great work, you’re helping tons!!
Thank you so much Kayla!!!! I hope things are going well in your pre-op preparation! You got this girl!!!!
Hello I am Janet I am two months after surgery and I have to say it’s really hard for. I am still trying to see what I can and can’t not eat but I been losing pounds fast and inches real fast… I have heartburn like crazy. I am proud that your journey is going well for you thanks for sharing .
Hi Janet! I am so sorry you are struggling after surgery with heartburn and things to eat. The first couple of months were the hardest for me. It did get a little easier once I was about three months out and I got into a “new” routine. I hope things get a little easier for you!! YOU GOT THIS!!!!
You story is inspiring, congratulations.
I have looked into the process and torn between both the bypass and sleeve due to so many negatives on the bypass. I sort of feel like I am going to back out. What’s your take on bypass vs sleeve? What made you decide bypass?
Great read!
I have surgery next Tuesday and I’m scared to death. Will they give anything to me before surgery to calm me down? I’m having the gastric bypass and the Dr said he was going to keep me overnight
Hi Penny, you probably already had surgery!!! But yes, they always usually give you something when you arrive! I hope your surgery went amazing!!!
Hi Maddie!
First – your sites inspire me! You are awesome 😉
I am having my gastric bypass on Tuesday. I started out at 323 lbs. I am now at 295. I have read through your posts – in your post-op, how long did you stay in the liquid (clear/full)? I know we will all have different outcomes but your weight loss and maintenance is again – inspiring! When you started on solid food, did you keep a low cal/low carb approach?
Thanks again for all you do for the WLS community.
Hi Debbie!! I stayed in the liquid phase for about 7 days. When I started on solid/regular foods, I stayed pretty low carb and low calorie for about the first year. I don’t think it was totally necessary to go as extreme as I did. But I do think I maximized my restriction to its fullest potential the first year and adopted healthy habits overall into the maintenance phase for life. I hope your surgery went well!!!
Thanks Maddie! Surgery went well – but unfortunately I having been starving since I woke up! It has gotten better. Think things are starting to level out. And of course I am finding that there is mental hunger attached as well. I am somewhere between full liquids and puréed food and am struggling with sweeteners. Did you get your protein from shakes early on?
Oh Debbie, I am so so sorry to hear you have been struggling. The mental hunger is so hard! And it can be so hard when you are having trouble with sweeteners because almost all protein shakes have sweeteners of some kind. Have you tried unflavored protein? I think Unjury has a good unflavored protein, also Quest has a good one that you can add to broths, etc. I got most of my protein from shakes early on! But that has to be so difficult. I hope things are starting to look up for you!
I am so very glad I found you! I had a RouxNY in 2010. I was not told everything the surgeon did at the time of surgery. Needless to say, I am have been suffering the consequences of extremely unpleasant problems with my health. Not everything has been bad though. I went with the surgeon that my family doctor found for me. I cannot blame him either. I was dying with severe health problems due to morbid obesity, heart problems and out of control diabetes. The gastric bypass literally saved my life. As bad as my health was, what I am dealing with is not worse than what I was dealing with before I had the gastric bypass. My diabetics literally disappeared within four days. Unfortunately, it has taken hard work and a lot of guess work and diet hits and misses to lose most of the weight I needed to lose. My poor body still has major health problems that have no cures. I eat and follow a fine dietary line everyday. However, I am in better health now than I have ever been in in all of my 71 years! I have found, and have told the doctors the best diet for me to follow. It is my own diet that I found by a LOT of study on nutrition and the dietary problems I have and will continue to have until I die. I am insulin resistant. I had to convince my doctors that I knew what I was talking about when it came to what I can and can NOT eat! And that was before insulin resistance was even something the doctors even knew about! I also found out after the bypass that I have a few very serious food allergies and intolerances. All of the health problems, hormone imbalances, cardiac problems, diabetes, and tricky foods I must avoid – sent me on a quest for my very own diet and life style that has let me live this long with increasingly improving health. The gastric bypass was totally worth it! I was alive to nurse my husband through two years of a deadly cancer until he recovered. And hel him with the resulting life long problems that that kind of Chemo does to a persons body. He was healed by God, no doubt about it. And we met an angel during the darkest days of our lives. We didn’t know this man was an angel until zI tried to find the man who came to the I U waiting room every single night to pray fore anyone who needed it.. When I tried to find this man, zI found he didn’t work in the hospital’s kitchen and had never been to the church that was on the card he gave me if I ever needed extra prayers. The pastor told me that she would remember a
Man as distinctive as the one I described. She said to just thank God that everyone in that ICU waiting room must realize that God ,does send us Angels when we need them. They look just like us!!! The spookiest part was that even though the people in the Kitchrn insisted that this man never worked there, I saw him TWICE! Both times I saw him standing in the back I the kitchen, chopping vegetables. I remember thing, this fellow had very, very good knife skills!!! our Preacher, and even the doctor said to accept it that God is our ever present help when we are in the most desperate need! This has gotten too long, and if
You don’t mind I will write more later. About how I discovered that food is for health and not only pleasure. The bypass changed my and my husband’s life and I am grateful, beyond measure!
Oh my gosh Virginia, What an incredible story and beautiful testimony. Thank you so much for sharing. You have been through so much and are such an angel to your husband and it is so heartwarming that you all have found an angel of your own along the way. I am so happy to hear your husband is recovered from cancer as well. What an amazing story. I hope you and your husband are both healthy! Love and hugs.
I am so glad I came across your blog this evening. I hope to find out my surgery date Monday and have told my surgeon I am going with the bypass. I initially wanted the sleeve but I have been treated for pretty significant GERD for several years and he does not recommend the sleeve. I just learned I will have to crush my medication. I’m on a ton, so I am not anticipating this to be easy. Anyhow, I can’t wait to read more. I just followed you on FB and will find you on IG too. 🙂
Oh my goodness Beth, I am so happy you found my blog!!! I am so so happy I went with the bypass!!! I have had zero regrets. It has been a life-changing and life-saving tool. So happy you are here!!!