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Holy Moly it’s been a year this month! I have attached a photo and it’s actually hard to look at! I have some work to do yet and I have moved my goal weight around so I am not done yet but what a ride If I can do it at 50 anyone can !

I'm scheduled for surgery December 16th and I'm having second thoughts. I had a traumatic childhood (I am in weekly therapy) so control over food is important to me. I'm not a binger not do I necessarily eat too much, I gain weight because of what I eat. Will I be able to eat any foods I like after I'm through the post-op liquid/puree stages? I can't handle eating only low fat protein and veggies now and that seems to be what others are eating on chat groups. Should I not have the surgery or have others with emotional eating issues been ok? I really appreciate hearing from anyone willing to answer, especially those with psychological food reliance issues. Also, I'm told no caffeine, ever again. Is that what you guys follow?

Surgery changes your body but does nothing for your brain. Many people see therapists to help address issues regarding addiction and/or using food as a coping mechanism. Personally, surgery has done wonders for my body. My brain is a work in progress and I suspect that will always be the case. Your question is wise and shows you have insight. My suggestion would be to seek a therapist, preferably one with experience with bariatric patients, for guidance. You have nothing to lose by proceeding slowly to ensure you make the right decision for yourself.

Depending on what food you mean, and what procedure you're having, a lot of food that got us all obese in the first place isn't on the post-op plan (for good reason). Some people who are in maintenance are able to pretty much eat normally (though still a balanced diet), but bypass and SADI folks especially need to be mindful of making nutritious choices due to the malabsorption factor. High carb, high sugar and high fat foods can also bring on dumping syndrome. Thankfully the surgery really helps a lot of folks with reigning in cravings, and bad food loses most of its allure. As for coffee, I was offered it in the hospital along with my water and broth, whereas others are told never-ever. So it seems to depend on your surgeon's team. Hopefully someone with experience with emotional eating issues can help you out there, and I'm sorry for your trauma. That's rough.

One of the beauties of the TDS is you can eat anything. Just not as much. And if you eat things like too much sugar or simple carbs, you’ll most likely have foul smelling gas and/or stool. Of course, you can have caffeine. You’re also able to take NSAIDs & all other medications - which was important to me, in case I ever needed them. TDS 2005.

I am 7 weeks post-op and have lost around 45lbs from my highest weight. Recently, I saw some friends I hadn't seen since well before I started losing weight and who do not know I had WLS. They immediately noticed and commented on my weight loss, which made me terribly uncomfortable. They of course asked what I was doing and I simply stated I'm focusing on high quality protein and frequent, small meals because that's what my body seems to like best (all true). Then I quickly pivoted and asked how they were doing, blah blah blah. People LOVE to talk about themselves. Give them the chance, and they will run with it.

This surgery changes hormone levels, and it's a bit rocky for awhile. Our bodies have over 300 hormones, when one or more are altered our moods are greatly affected. And it's used to being insulin resistant - most everyone that is obese is suffering from insulin resistance and inflammation. Now add to that our abuse of food to alter mood, cope, and to socialize and it's a perfect storm. You have to replace those previous 'behaviors' with something else that satisfies those 'needs'. I believe exploring this in therapy or group support is a constructive option everyone needs to do. It is a HUGE process to make these changes, both in your head and physically as we have arrived in this situation after years of living with our collective experiences and relationships with food and people. Be gentle with yourself. Sometimes it also takes medication, ongoing therapy, exercise, and time. And you can't look back, push on and know that the physical health you get with this surgery is amazing. Good luck.

So far I have had good luck in revision due to weight gain. starting weight for sleeve 254 3 months out 204.5 weight loss of 50.5 ——————————— starting weight for bypass 245.5 3 months out I weigh 199 today (wooo!) weight loss 46.5 So the weight loss has been about the same but it has felt easier. I’m very glad I did the second surgery.

That’s amazing. I actually had the same issue but I considered it a great success because I went from 323 to 180. At one point, due to barely eating and exercising like crazy I got down to 160 but I was ill. Nonetheless, I’m guessing I’m back up around 215 now at this point postpartum and basically wanna lose another hundred pounds. I’m going to go all the way but I hear stories about people only dropping 30 pounds on their second surgery and I don’t think it’s worth it These questions are really helpful. Thank you. Your case, it sounds like it was perfect! Congratulations! But you know what I had the same fears the first time I had surgery – and I would be the one that didn’t lose the weight and it wasn’t true. I need to lose 70 to 90 pounds at this point and my concern is not the rate of speed but whether or not it’s worth going through a life-changing surgery the results may only be a third of what I’m looking for

Day 1 at home: Working on fluids all day long. Gotta practice what I preach. But also I notice these photos were exactly one year apart both post op and maybe 10 lbs apart... I'm wearing the same shirt!