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If you have a sweet tooth and that is what is causing the overeating and possibly the weight gain, consider stopping all sugar. For many people, if they do not eat it, they do not crave it. Some people find they need to give up fruit and artificial sweeteners too, but I didn't find that personally. Keep the sweets OUT OF YOUR HOUSE! If someone else in your house NEEDS sweets, have them eat them somewhere not around you and ask them to put them in a certain cupboard that you don't go into, or keep them in their car or something. Probably you have not stretched your stomach. You don't need to "shrink" your stomach (and really, there is no way to do that). You need to find a way to avoid the foods that cause you to overeat. Can you distract yourself when you have a craving? Talk a walk, watch a YouTube exercise video, take a hot shower/bath, read a book, color, etc? For many people, once they wait an hour by distracting themselves, they usually can make it without eating. You may also consider meeting with a therapist who specializes in eating disorder, or call your original surgery center for help. I have noticed that not everyone has these options, but you do have the option to avoid sweets (I have a sweet tooth too, so I understand!) Good luck!

I got the sleeve in October 2017. I was down 135lbs and it felt great. Last April I started to gain a little back. I wasn’t surprised since I wasn’t being as strict as I had been. Unfortunately, it has snowballed and I have gained 35lbs back. I feel like I never had the surgery and my sweet tooth is out of control. Could I have stretched my stomach out back to the size it was? How can I shrink it? Help! Any advice is greatly appreciated.

You've lost 70+ pounds in 4 months and you don't think that's fast enough? That's FANTASTIC!!!! You're doing fine. Your weight loss is going to slow as you get smaller and that's perfectly normal. 8 pounds is still good in a month. My (unsolicited) advice is: (1) be realistic. you're doing GREAT, quit beating yourself up. (2) talk to the counselors as your surgeon's office or a private therapist about your food issues with head hunger and eating issues. But be kind to yourself. You've GOT THIS!

What are the challenges that you have encountered before and after surgery? How were you able to overcome these challenges?

Thanks guys for the advice. It’s slowed down a lot today so I think it was just my bodies way of getting rid of gas and and anything left in my bowel. That’s for reassuring me though x

My surgeon told me that it's really a lot harder to stretch that stomach back out than people think it is. We all gained weight during COVID, do don't beat yourself up about it. Just get back to the basics of tracking your food, getting in your water, focusing on protein, exercising if you can, and the weight will come off. I've just lost 25 lbs since Labor Day and it's possible. You can do it . . . I believe in you! Remember why you had the WLS in the first place.

Stalls are very common in the first month or so & can last 1-3 weeks. Also common is the change to our taste buds & some also become sensitive to smells. It does pass but in the meantime it is a lot of trial & error to find foods you can eat. Sometimes a change of shake flavour or brand is all it takes. From week 5 most plans start soft foods. Try some of the foods you’re allowed: maybe scrambled eggs, yoghurt, mince, slow cooked soups & casserole style foods, etc. The bigger concerns are the pain, low fluid intake & consuming very little. Contact your surgeon or go to your nearest medical centre. You shouldn’t still be experiencing pain and you could be dehydrated. All the best.

23 lbs in two weeks is actually phenomenal. You are ahead of the curve. It was probably six weeks before I'd lost that much. you're probably in a stall right now. Most of us have our first major stall during the first month or so after surgery. It's called the "three week stall" because it's usually the third week, but not always. Typically lasts 1-3 weeks. Just stick to your plan and stay off the scale for a few days. As long as you follow your plan the stall the break and you'll be on your way again. if you want to read more about this, search this site for "three week stall". Last time I checked, there were over 17,000 posts on it. And no, I am NOT kidding. It happens to almost all of us.

I've worked briefly with a therapist and I'm currently looking for another as well. The program I was part of no longer "saw the benefit" of using the therapy folks they were using so it was going to be all out of pocket. I know for sure I could use some help navigating the real reasons behind my addictive behavior.

Dianne: It’s normal to feel nervous. Your feelings are valid. What is every one’s name on Facebook? Add me. I want to create a group chat on Facebook so we can talk and support one another. My name is Marie Antoinette. Add me & send a private message.