FitFunFamily

Before my surgery, my surgeon said “if you do anything….lift weights.” I lost weight so easily I didn’t think I “needed” to workout. My strict diet was going enough! However….I wish I had known WHY my surgeon said that. He didn’t finish the though….”lift weights because….your metabolism will dramatically slow down to a crawl to ‘preserve energy’ and your weight loss could slow - or stop, or being to regain - after a year or year and a half.” Lifting weights and eating your protein could preserve lean tissue loss and help preserve your metabolism. I’m 7 years post op. I gain weight SO easily. I can eat 1/3 of the calories I used to when binging before WLS and gain weight. My metabolism has slowed so much. I no longer have the same restriction as I had immediately after VSG surgery. It’s a struggle to lose re-gain. I wish I had focused on preserving (or gaining!) lean muscle while losing fat.

I was also prescribed b1 after surgery. My surgeon said it is one of the more important vitamins to take after surgery because a small number of people with b1 deficiency report some serious side effects. I can't remember them all, but neurological issues like tremors, memory loss, speech problems. And those issues are permanent....so once you ARE showing those symptoms, you can't just start taking b1 again and go back to normal. You will have those effects for life. It is a very, VERY small percentage of bariatric patients that develop these issues due to b1 deficiency (less than 1%), but the side effects are so severe, it is important to prevent them. I'd say my cognitive ability is worth taking b1. I have no idea why doctors don't talk about it like my surgeon - perhaps it is just too small an occurrence, but it's so important! .

I eat about 1500/1600 calories a day. Like you, sometimes 1800 if my fats are high, but always 20 carbs - no more than 25. I also limit sweeteners like Splenda to just a couple times a week. My surgeon was completely opposite in mindset from my Bariatric "program" - he said absolutely stick to dense Proteins and low carb for the rest of my life (with the occasional treat, maybe once a month). My Bariatric program emphasized "low fat" and low calorie. I knew I didn't want to do that - I would be stuck trying to maintain later at a very low calorie mark! I have been eating low carb to avoid that, for 16 months or so, even before surgery. However, stalling for so long has been frustrating! I might try dipping a little lower in calories, but still maintain low-carb. Perhaps 1200 or so.

This is almost exactly me! HW 371, Surgery Weight 323, CW 234. Installed about 1 year out and have been stalled since then, about 7 months. I eat low carb, very strict, and nothing! I was beginning to think that maybe I'm eating too many calories a day, despite being low carb. I did some research and found that individuals over 300lbs who were successful at reaching goal weight were eating about 600-800 calories a day (not working out, perhaps more like 1000-1200 if working out religiously). I was shocked at that low calorie count! But, I really want to break this stall and get closer to my goal, at least below 200!

Agree that it is likely just gas, however, left shoulder pain (like shoulder blade area) can be a sign of gallbladder stones. I had terrible left shoulder pain and only occasionally had right side abdominal pain when I had my gallbladder out (same time as VSG surgery). Gallbladder issues are common after WLS because of rapid weight loss. Ever feel nauseous?

My surgeon told me specifically to take B1 Vitamins because the stomach helps absorb (or prepares it to be absorbed) this particular Vitamin and after VSG, we obviously have less stomach. B1 deficiencies can have very severe symptoms and are NOT reversible! Tingling in hands and feet, problems with nerves, cognitive/memory problems. Not all people with B1 deficiency gets the symptoms (only about 3%) but you don't want to test out to see if you're one of them! It's good that you found this deficiency early and are getting shots to bring your levels up! Keep monitoring it and you should do just fine!

It WAS really steady, 8-12lbs a month till I hit 6months. I've been eating low carb, totally on my plan...but I'm just stuck. Actually stuck at 234 for 2 months. It's so frustrating! I know I need to do more workouts/weight training.

I had my VSG surgery on 7/29/2015. I'm 10 months post op, down 132lbs (including 50lbs lost pre-op). I'm 5'7", goal weight is 160-170. Weight loss has really slowed the past two months, but I'm trucking on!

I'm 5'7". My height st weight was 371, got surgery at 325, and my current weight is 235. I'm 9 months post op. My surgeon suggested VSG.

Yep! Had no idea! I have one on each thigh, one that goes all the way to the back of my knee. They are only really noticeable if you look hard, but I still have some weight to lose. So I'm sure when I'm closer to goal they will be very visible! :-( I think the extra padding was hiding them. I know being overweight increases the chances of having them (and genetics).

B1 is as important if not more than B12 after surgery. My surgeon says B1 deficiency can lead to permanent cognitive and sensory/nerve damage. It's not reversed all the way by bringing up your levels, some nerve/cognitive damage can remain so it's important to always take B1 as a preventative measure. B1 deficiency is rare though, even with surgery, only about 1-3% chance.

I know that for leaks, one true solution is to convert to a gastric bypass. For my surgeon, he tries several options first and if they are not successful, he concerts to a bypass which solves the problem. My surgeon also said late leaks (over one month post op) are harder to heal than one only a few days out from surgery. Personally, it sounds like your husband has been through a lot and if this is the second leak in the same spot, I would not want to put him through more treatments/hospital stays again (that could end up not working anyway) and ask for a bypass. I am not a surgeon, just how I feel knowing what the options are. I would definitely consult with a Dr to see what the best plan of action is!

YES! I was also sleeved on 7/29. I lost 21lbs the first two weeks and have stayed the same since (plus or minus 1lb). I'm worried that at my 1 month check up my surgeon will think I've not been doing my plan! I have done everything to the letter - Protein first then veggies, get my Water in, very low carbs (20 grams a day). Ugh!! I know it's the "three week stall" but it is just really playing with my emotions! My highest weight was 371, surgery weight 324, current weight 302. 69lbs lost in total, 22lbs since surgery. I think we just need to keep on with the plan and we'll break through!

Agree with other posters - it's the "3 week stall." Do a quick search at the top of the page for it and there are tons of great threads!

Same issue, getting out of bed was very painful for about 4/5 days. My husband would hold my hands and pull me to a sitting position and then I could get up! But honestly, once I tried to do it on my own, even though it hurt terribly, it got better. It got better and better every time I used my muscles. Moving around (walking) and using those muscles (but not lifting) will make them heal faster.

Yes! For the first two weeks I had horrible insomnia. I bought some melatonin and it seems to be helping. I also just think being almost 3 weeks out is helping. I've read that difficulty sleeping is common after WLS.

The first 24-48 hours after are the worst - but it gets better! Just hang in there! I had to stop taking the dilauded because it made me vomit. I'd throw up almost instantly. Glad you're on morphine now - which is actually less strong. Dilauded is 8 times stronger than morphine, but it does wear off quickly (for me anyway).

Yep! Though intend to stick with Powerade Zero since it has less sugar.

I would still go through with it if it were me. I was back at work in two weeks (though I could have at one). My energy was a little low, but nothing I couldn't handle. By the three week mark, I had more energy than ever! There will ALWAYS be "something." Always. When is life ever perfect and predictable? I trust you'll be able to take care of YOU and your needs and still be there for your daughter. Babies in the NICU will not be able to be held much the first week to few weeks (depending), so just being there for support is the main thing. And that can absolutely be done after surgery. As for meal prep - remember, most of the first few weeks is getting in Water and Protein shakes! They are sold everywhere and ready to go.

I personally think the c-section pain is worse! Not that I didn't experience ANY pain with my VSG, but it was less. Though I slept on my back and was not able to sleep on my side till 4 days post op and on my tummy about 8 days post op.

Also it really depends on the person's starting weight. If someone has 200lbs to lose, they typically lose faster than someone who only has 100lbs lose. BUT, percentage wise, they are on track with each other.

I was approved 7/3 and surgery date is 7/29.

I think your starting weight/BMI makes the difference. If someone only has 80lbs to lose, 50lbs will make a huge difference in their appearance. If you have 200lbs to lose, 50lbs doesn't translate the same because it's a smaller ratio.

@@MichiganChic you look amazing!! I'd say a size 8 and medium top is success to the max! Thank you for posting, you had a lot of meaningful and eye opening reminders. I'm 5'8" and my highest weight was 372, current weight is 330. I'm starting my pre-op diet next week for two weeks with surgery on the 29th. My goal is to be 320 on DOS. That's similar to your stats and i would love to be where you were at 14 months out!!

I am also on 7/29! Looking forward to seeing how it goes for both of us! I'm having the sleeve.