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I had GERD before my VSG surgery in 2014, and it only got worse over the next six years. Nothing helped, including PPI's. Fast forward to 2020. After a bunch of diagnostic tests to verify my GERD/Gastritis/Esophagitis, I had bypass surgery October 2020. I haven't had GERD since. I'm off all acid reflux medications. I've lost 56 lbs. since surgery and feel better than I felt in my 40's (I'm 64). I've got a ton of energy, walk 5 miles five days/week and do aquatic fitness classes 5 day/week. I'm loving my new, healthier self and so glad I made the decision to get the surgery. Yes, it is a life-long decision and I've forever changed how I can eat and process food, but so worth it! Needless to say, I would recommend the revision to anyone with severe GERD.

I'm closing in my surgery date for my tummy tuck. I've had all the pre-op work-up and it appears I have a green light! I'm nervous, excited, scared, and happy all at the same time!

I hope this is not dramatic but I am sure it is LOL. I am two weeks post op and had a bite of spaghetti. It was just a bite, a size of a dime. I know it is bad. It went down fine but I am scared I have ruined everything. I just tried it to make sure it was the right temperature for my son. I am on a two week clear liquid diet and I am really struggling. I should be getting cleared for pureed tomorrow or Thursday and it can't come soon enough.

You'll live. No worries.

Everyone has already given you good advice, but I want you to know I felt like my surgery was a mistake the first couple weeks. I kept thinking "Why did I do this to myself?" This seems to be something a lot of people feel early on. It's such a big life change! I can tell you, it got better as I moved through the food stages. I'm a year post op now and my life is INFINITELY better than it was before and I'm so happy I had my surgery. Hang in there! It will get better! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

You’re doing so well. Congratulations. But I do understand that lethargy that comes when you’ve been so vigilant. Our will power & focus starts to waver & it all just seems to be too hard. I think most of us experience it at some time. As @GummyBearQueen suggested reflecting on your non scale victories can help regain your focus. Are you moving about more easily? Has your health started to improve? Have you dropped clothing sizes? Is it easier to bathe or do your hair? I loved looking at the graph of my weight loss. Watching that line going in a downwards direction was often more motivating than looking at a number on the scales every day. Also reminding yourself why you made your decision to have the surgery helps. Set yourself some staged goals (every time you lose another 20lbs, walk 3 kms, ...) & reward yourself with a new haircut or colour, a spa day, a new accessory or jewellery, etc. when you achieve them. How we feel when we’re full or hungry is different after surgery. One of my learnings was the difference between feeling full & having eaten enough. You don’t necessarily need to be full to have had bough to eat. I still ask myself do I need this bite or just want it. It was a bit of a come to Jesus moment for me. Seems like you’re meeting your water goals, increasing your activity & if you’re meeting your protein goals, you’re already ahead of the game. To begin you are really focussed on your food intake. You’re learning to eat in new ways & it does take a lot of effort to ensure you’re doing the right thing for your plan & for you. I’d like to say in time you won’t be consumed by what you eat (bad pun) but it does get easier. I know what foods I can eat & what ones my tummy doesn’t like all that much (like oily fish or char grilled meats). I’ve worked out what foods I don’t want to eat anymore (processed carbs) & what foods/drinks I’m happy to have less frequently (alcohol) or those I’ll have only on very rare occasions (desserts, cakes, etc.) I used to worry about how much I thought about food but then I realised I used to think a lot about food before surgery. Before surgery I was always thinking about what I could eat & when I could eat again. Now I think about good food choices, the nutritional benefits of a food & if I really need to eat. But it is so worth it.

You lost 55 pounds in six weeks (down 125 pounds total) and you’re questioning your decision? That’s an amazing weight loss already! Remember, the less you weigh, the slower the weight comes off. I definitely understand being obsessed with the scale but I encourage you to focus on NSVs also. And think about long-term goals. I know it’s going to take me about a year to lose 115 pounds, so I am taking it day by day. I recommend working with a bariatric therapist or seeking behavioral strategies from Overeaters Anonymous or a mindful eating program to learn to stop eating when full. It can be really tough especially when you love the food you’re eating. But, this is a journey and a battle and we have so many resources to help us. Good luck!

I told them if the test came back positive, they’d be witnessing the start of a new religion. They still made me take it.

Whew Dodged that Bullet, @saygrace Now a reminder saying from my younger years Question: When do you use contraception? Answer: Upon every conceivable occasion.

well i’m sure you’re all at the edge of your seats, but i got my period today (week and a half early). normally i’d be annoyed cause like, dude, i just got surgery you’re really gonna do me like this AND give me my period? but i’m relieved 😂