I'm sorry to hear of your medical troubles. I can tell you about my experience with getting sleeves a little over 3 weeks ago. I've had a few surgeries - ankle, shoulder, gall bladder and pancreas and this was by far one of the easier surgeries. Seven small laproscopic incisions that are already healed up. I was nauseas for the first few days but I am after every surgery. It was a one night hospital stay. I didn't take pain meds once I was home (they made me sick too). I was sore for about week but was back to my regular schedule after a week. I liked afternoon naps for about the first two weeks. Now, at a little over 3 weeks, I feel good, no pain, no soreness, no fatigue. I walk about 10 miles a week. And I've lost about 15 lbs since surgery (10 lbs during the pre-op diet.)

I don't think being allergic to soy will be a problem but a lot of the protein drinks are made with whey. Are you allergic to all dairy or can you have lactose-free milk and such? They do make egg-based protein drinks, you will just need to be careful about seeking them out. The first week or so post-surgery is clear liquids and protein, the 2nd week is full protein drinks, then you move on to pureed foods, soft foods, and then regular food. I am on about 700 calories now and aim to get at least 70 grams of protein. For example, this morning I had protein powder mixed with lactose-free milk, lunch was tuna and mayo, and dinner was some hummus. I don't think the nuts, seeds, red meet, or gassy vegetables will be a problem. Chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, egg whites, yogurt (if you can have it) are all good sources of lean protein.

I think a consult with a bariatric surgeon is your best move. S/he can address the diet questions and how they relate to your other medical issues. Good luck to you!!

There are rice and egg based protein powders. I know you say no gassy food now but when you eat as little as we do I don't think gas is gonna be a big problem. You may find that beans aren't problematic at all when you only get a few tbsp. There is also quinoa and kale. How are you with high biologic value protein like fish, chicken and turkey?

I started out at 5'6" and 235. I did have to do the 6 months of Dr assisted weight loss, (What a crock! After carrying 100 extra pounds for 30 years it should be clear that someting's NOT working). Anyway, it did give me the time to research and educate myself about the process. There were psych evals, nutritionist appointments, support meetings, an EGD, (where they found a hiatial hernia causing GERD) and a pulmonary exam to check out my "uncontrolled asthma", which turned out to be the GERD.

Surgery went exceptionally well. No surprises other than I was released a day early. I returned to work the next week. It's been a learning process as far as how much to eat and how slow to eat, but today, at 10 months out, I tolerate pretty much everything. I am compliant with my protein and vitamin requirements and ecercise daily. To say this has been a life saver is the understatement of the year. It doesn't seem possible that I could feel so good missing 90% of my stomach, but I DO!

Your diverticulitis will present a challenge for you in this, but not necessarily one that can't be overcome. You should chat with a nutritionist with experience in both as well as your bariatric team about you options. Best of luck to you!

Sounds like you have a lot to consider. I saw that you are going to a hospital in Pittsburgh. I had my sleeve done on 7/31 at MaGee and the whole experience has been excellent. I did have to go through the 6 month waiting phase, during which I attended Lifestyle classes once a month at the hospital. You basically weighed in and then read a module about diet, exercise and psychological changes and then answered some questions and set some goals. The insurance companies like to see you lose weight during this time, or at least not gain a lot of weight (that would indicate to them that you are not putting forth any change). The 1st info session that I attended, we were presented with the three types of WLS they do, with the lap band not being as highly recommended. I liked the sleeve option because it did not seem to have as many side effects as the bypass.

I did not have my first appointment with the surgeon until about 2 months into the lifestyle classes (you need to attend 6 in a row...if you miss one, you start over). At that appointment, they go into much more detail about what the surgery entails and answer any questions you may have. They will also give you all the scripts you will need for the different tests that are required before surgery, including an appointment with the nutritionist and therapist for a psych eval.

My surgery went well. They generally keep you for two nights (longer if you are not tolerating liquids). I went in on Thursday and went home on Saturday. Really felt pretty good but have to agree with an earlier post that I felt I needed a nap every day. I went back to work this past Monday (really missed that nap). I only had 5 small incisions, which healed very quickly and other than trying to find a protein drink that I don't gag on, things have gone very well.

Please message me if you want to know more about the program I went through at Magee. One big difference I have seen is that there was not 2-week pre-op liquid phase, they just wanted you on liquids for a day or two before the surgery to empty your system.

Thank you all for your replies. It has really encouraged me. I was stunned by my doctor's recommendation, but even more stunned when my sister and aunt also encouraged me to have the surgery.

There is so much to learn about the way life changes after the surgery. Where did everyone get their information? It sounds like the hospital will be a super resource.

Here is where I started
http://www.vanderbilthealth.com/surgicalweightloss/15825
I also cruised the web. I was most concerned with what caused WLS failure. That was just my personal thing. Many people want surgery details. I discovered more of what I had already found to be true. Obesity is mostly caused by medicating with food. Failure to stop medicating with food will lead to WLS failure. As my surgeon says "Anyone can out eat WLS"
Also you can go back thru all the old MFP posts and get lots of info.

ImaWaterBende, I too have diverticulitis, not as severe as yours, but still there. That said, I was sleeved 3 years ago and have not had a flare since the surgery. I eat red meat and occasionally nuts or seeds. I don't do a lot of nuts or seeds, maybe once a month or so. I get my fiber from vegtables, triscut crackers or quest bars. And I eat more chicken and pork than red meat. Avoiding constipation for me is the best way to handle my diverticulitis.

My suggestion to you is to look at all of the weight loss surgeries. Although I am partial to the sleeve, there are other surgeries out there that may be better suited to your diverticulitis.

I had the same conversation about a surgery I needed that they wouldn't do because of my weight. It is heartbreaking to have a doctor tell you you're too fat for something. As hard as it was to hear, it was true also. And since losing 162 pounds, I no longer need the surgery I was denied, so I'm not complaining either!

Feel free to message with questions if you want and good luck with your decision.

Pat