A couple of years' ago, I posted about having severe GERD after VSG. After developing an ulcer and taking Previcid for over 15 years which created osteoporosis and stage 3 chronic kidney disease, my gastroenterologist ordered a barium swallow and they found out that my esophageal sphincter is almost nonexistent. So, surgery is definitely needed.

I had an esophageal manometry test last week (nope, never doing THAT again) to determine which surgery can be done to stop the GERD. Apparently, there are now 3 and the gastroenterologist said that they will hopefully be able to do the magnet ring one.

I've asked this question on here before and really appreciate the responses I got, but it is 2 years' later and I wondered if anyone has had the same issues I have had and which surgery you had. Did it help and how much weight should I be expected to lose because of the surgery? I am going on 11 years post sleeve surgery and while I do want to lose about 10 pounds, I don't know how much I may lose post op from having my esophagus fixed.

Thanks everyone!

Don't lie about it. It is really obvious and the people who think they're close to you will resent you for lying.

That is what happened when my sister-in-law lied about hers. We had both been struggling with weight loss and she started dropping weight quickly and consistently. When asked by anyone (not just me) about how she was managing it she would only say she was seeing dietician and being careful about what she ate. Though not a lie it was still deceptive.

She unfortunately started acting differently too and saying things like 'it's amazing what a healthy diet can do'. Her younger sister got so stressed that she wasn't able to replicate the weight loss as well, it was really sad. I'm more comfortable with my own weight now but feel like I've lost someone who I thought I was close to all because she wasn't honest. It's sad because I just can't see her in the same light any more.

I have friends who've had the surgery too and our relationships are great. They are happier and healthier for it. The difference was their honesty about it.

I'm not saying you need to tell everyone but the people close to you or other people around you who are genuinely interested about your weight loss for themselves and their own health shouldn't be decieved.

Good Morning!
I wrote this blog post for those of you that want to know why you might feel cold after your Gastric Sleeve Surgery.

Check it out here: https://www.endobariatric.com/weblog/2021/06/16/heres-why-yo u-may-feel-cold-all-the-time-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery/

Regards
Dr. Alvarez

Hi, I'm very glad that you decided to take such an important step as losing weight.

My suggestion: Instead of trying to overhaul your diet immediately, fix one thing at a time. Even when you're not coping with depression, I think this is a good approach to dieting. With depression in the picture, a step-by-step approach to any kind of change can help you from getting overwhelmed.

1. Track everything you eat.

As you track your eating, think about why you're eating. Were you hungry? bored? stressed? Just wanted the sensation of chewing or crunching something? Was it a social occasion and you wanted to join in? I've learned that it's perfectly normal and healthy to eat sometimes when you're not hungry. Everyone (whatever their size) does it. Instead of trying to white-knuckle through these urges, I find it best to plan for it by having foods on hand that are fun to eat and low calorie (or low carb, if that's your goal). Some examples: pomegranate seeds, carrot sticks, frozen grapes/cherries (suck on them to defrost a bit, then chew), sugar-free jello, sugar-free popsicles.

Also, for the less-healthy foods, why did you choose them? Were you stressed and trying to self-soothe? Before my surgery, I made a mental list of things that I could do when stressed out, like curl up under the duvet, drink some fragrant herbal tea, take a hot shower, snuggle with my cats, listen to music. Notice how these activities involve a lot of different senses, as do the fun-to-eat snacks I mentioned earlier. I find it helpful to remind myself regularly to engage other senses besides taste.

Too tired to cook? Personally, I hate cooking. I knew I should meal-prep, but that was never going to happen. So instead I looked high and low for healthy prepared meals. I was surprised at all the options available. I have to drive a little farther to do the grocery shopping, but it's worth it.

I found that my desire to eat varies from day to day, even when taking activity level into account. My high-hunger days are usually balanced out by my low-hunger days. Realising this was a game changer for me. Now when I have a day where I eat more than usual, I don't feel I've "blown" my diet. I accept that it was probably just a hungry day, and I only need to worry about it if there are a few days like that in a row. I've noticed that my cats do the same thing. Some days they'll naturally eat more than usual, some days they'll eat less than usual.

2. Identify one thing that you can improve about your diet without feeling deprived.

Look at the things you eat most often. Perhaps one of them would be just as satisfying if you chose a sugar-free version, or made some other small change. Perhaps if you had better options on hand, you would chose them. Perhaps meal-prepping would help.

3. Get comfortable with that one change. Then you can consider making the next change (if needed).

TIP:I find it works better to focus on doing the things I should do, instead of resisting the things I shouldn't. I try never to tell myself "no" when it comes to food; instead, I tell myself "later". How does that work? From the time I wake up, I focus on getting enough fluids (I have found I feel better if I have 2.5 litres) and eating a vegetable dish. Once I've accomplished those two things, if I really want something, I eat it. My exception to that is sugar; I never want to get addicted to that stuff again! I do eat sugary foods once or twice a year, but it always leaves me feeling a bit queasy.