catwoman7

almost everyone has their first major stall within the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. It's called the "three week stall", because it usually happens the third week, but not always But it's almost always within that 4-6 weeks post-op time period. Just stick to your program and will break. Mine lasted two weeks. Grrr. But then once my weight loss started up again, I dropped like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days.

that first drop (pre-surgery) was probably all the "water weight" people typically drop the first couple of weeks after they start a diet. Since you had the water weight drop before surgery, you didn't have it afterward. That 20 lbs you've lost since surgery is all true weight, so you're actually doing great!! I had the same issue - I lost 57 lbs before surgery, so I only dropped 16 the first month after surgery, even though I was over 300 lbs. But with me (like you), that water weight was long gone by the time I had surgery.

yes - it's normal to have mixed reactions. If you're a menstruating female, you may also be experiencing the infamous "hormone dump" that a lot of people have. From what I understand, estrogen is stored in fat cells, and it's released with the rapid weight loss. It'll eventually stabilize - but I've heard the first few weeks can be touch & go with weird moods and irregular periods.

You're doing great! Just stick to your plan - the stall will break eventually.

I eat it - just had some tonight, in fact. But I'm pretty sure I was several months out before I had it at least six, anyway...

16 lbs (7.3 kg). But as you know, that's a very individual thing depending on so many factors, most of which you have no control over. The only thing you do have a lot of control over is whether or not you stick to your surgeon's plan. If you do, the weight WILL come off, either fast or slow...

I have what we think is RH (reactive hypoglycemia). My PCP suggested eating something every three hours or so. Seems to work for the most part.

I had horrible itching - but evidently I was having an allergic reaction to the surgical tape or glue. Since you're not having it in other places, though, then that's probably not it..

I had this one. I liked it although because of some issues I had with my incisions (e.g., suture spitting), I couldn't wear it as much as I'd planned to https://www.leonisa.com/en/products/post-surgical-arm-compression-vest-with-posture-corrector/?ColorSelectionId=12946

it seems like I could start drinking decaf fairly quickly after surgery - I may have been about a month out (I had to wait six months before I could drink caffeinated). Some surgeons aren't as restrictive - some let you drink both right away.

I lost 16 lbs the first MONTH and I started off at over 300 lbs. Your body's going to lose at the rate it loses depending on a whole host of factors, most of which you have no control over (e.g. age, gender, metabolic rate, starting BMI). All you can really control is whether not you stick to your surgeon's plan. If you stick to it, the weight WILL come off, whether fast or slow. I was a slow loser from the get-go, but I was very committed to my plan, hardly ever strayed from it, and ended up losing 100% of my excess weight. and yes - there are many who believe "starvation mode" is a myth.

I agree with the above posters. I had a stricture. It had to be dilated at 4 weeks out and again at around 8 weeks out (it was fine after that). Some people need even more dilations than that. The good news is, this might be the last time you have to do it - they're kind of rare after the first three months post-op.

I agree with the above poster. A lot of surgeons prescribe antacids for the first 3-6 months post-surgery. Call your clinic. Even if yours doesn't regularly prescribe them for all their post-ops, they're going to want to know if you have heartburn (and they'll want to treat it). That would be especially important while you're healing.

I drink mine that fast. I don't chug fluids, but drinking 24 oz over 30-60 minutes isn't chugging.

yes - but I haven't heard that term in quite awhile.

it's just the hormone dump people talk about. They'll be out of whack for awhile but will eventually normalize again.

most people lose their hunger sensation for a few months - and some up to a year - after surgery. Take full advantage of that because it'll never be easier to lose weight than it is right now! Once your hunger comes back (and it will for almost all of us), things will get A LOT harder. that said, do be sure you're getting your nutrition. But beyond that, be grateful for this period of being food averse and not being hungry. In retrospect, I kinda wish my hunger had never come back!

not to me personally (I was post-menopausal when I had my surgery, but I've heard this before. It's not uncommon.

^^ what she said. Surgeons and insurance companies have their own list of requirements. I don't know that he's trying to "milk" the insurance company - maybe he is, or maybe he just thinks it's a good idea for you to have to do that so you can start modifying your eating habits before you have the surgery - or so he can see how serious you are. If you don't like his requirements, then yes - find another surgeon. A lot of them don't have this requirement. Personally, I'm glad I had the six-month supervised diet requirement (it was required of my insurance company, not my surgeon). I fortunately had a very good dietitian and found it worthwhile.

ah - no. I've heard it's awful. I'll take everyone's word for it...

if you're following your surgeon's program faithfully, then you're just in a stall. I had some that lasted that long.

except for the first few weeks, I ate around 800 calories a day for most of my first year. After a year out I was pretty consistently in the 1000-1200 range. I didn't hit 1200-1400 until I was zeroing in on my goal. A lot of women eat that much in maintenance (luckily, I can eat more than that and maintain...). So eating that much at three months out seems like a lot. Of course, I don't know what her rationale is - maybe there's a reason for it.

for me, after that first week, it was really more discomfort than pain. That lasted quite awhile, as I recall. And as I said earlier, some of my sensation finally started coming back - about a year after surgery! So it can take awhile!

have someone take photos every month on your surgery date. There were times I couldn't see my progress, either, but when I compared photos from different months, yep - there it was. Clear as day!

I quit smoking 25 years ago. It was REALLY tough to do, but then, a lot of people have done it. Good luck to you!