catwoman7

I don't know if you've had RNY yet or not (your profile says VSG, so maybe you're thinking of revising?), but most RNY'ers don't dump. The statistics I see thrown around is that only 30% dump. I don't know if there's any research behind that, but I do know a ton of RNY'ers who don't dump and never have. I don't, either. Sometimes I wish I did...

I was so heavy that I doubt my loss was noticeable until I'd lost at least 70 lbs or so. Even now, having lost 230 lbs, some people I haven't seen in a long time don't say anything - although it's pretty obvious by their facial expressions that they've noticed. I think they're afraid I might have cancer or something and don't want to say anything - or else feel it's not appropriate to mention it.

might be it, then. Contact your surgeon and let them know what's going on. I had my first one at four weeks out and my second one at eight weeks out.

I had two strictures. The balloon dilation is nothing - no pain - and yes, I was sedated. I felt better almost immediately. Symptom for the person who asked is not being able to keep anything down. At first its some things - then gradually, you can't keep *anything* down, not even fluids. They're most common in the first three months of surgery. They're pretty rare after that.

p.s. muscles do retain water - and they also weigh more than fat does.

you'll need to lower your expectations a bit. You're probably reading about these people who lose 30 lbs the first month, and 20-25 lbs after, but those people are rare birds. Most people seem to drop 15-25 lbs the first month, and then 10-12 lbs for the next six months or so, then it drops even further. But as long as you're committed, you'll lose the weight. I've lost 234 lbs and I never had any huge drops. I lost 16 lbs the first month and 10-12 lbs a month after that (then, as I said, it starts slowing down after month 6 or 7). It adds up over time. You just have to stick with it, and the weight will come off.

mortality rate is ridiculously low on weight loss surgeries - 0.3% for RNY, even less for VSG. They're one of the safest surgeries out there - even safer than a hip replacement surgery. People have died, yes - but people have also died getting their tonsils out. It's extremely, extremely rare. You have almost a 100% chance of surviving the surgery. Those are some fantastic odds! I wouldn't worry about that *at all* (I know it's easy for me to say, two years out, but it's not gonna happen. You will pull through just fine!)

a lot of people like carbonyl iron. It's easy on most people's stomachs, and it's fairly well-absorbed. My iron and ferritin levels went up pretty considerably when I switched over to it (I'm an RNY patient). Heme iron is the most well-absorbed of all, but it's pretty pricey.

all plans are different - some are ultra-low-carb, some are moderately low carb (mine was one of the latter). However, most successful people I know rarely if ever eat things like bread, potatoes, or pasta. Some people are really carb-sensitive, others not so much. If you're really carb sensitive, I'd personally stay away from that stuff.

almost every day. But I only record it once a week.

I eat steak and have for quite awhile. Maybe not during the first 4 or 5 months, but I absolutely eat steak now.

I lost way less that by that point, and I've lost 234 lbs altogether. people lose at all different rates due to all different factors, so it's really pointless to compare yourself to others. your level of commitment to your program will have a MUCH greater impact on your ultimate success than your rate of weight loss. Just put blinders on so you can't see how fast or slow other people are losing, and go full-steam ahead!

I didn't lose any. Didn't do anything different other than to make sure I got all my protein and vitamin requirements in. You'll either lose it or you won't - I don't think there's a lot you can do about it. For most people, it's only noticeable to you, though - not to others. And it grows back.

I'm at a normal BMI (23) after weighing almost 400 lbs, and I can tell you that the last 40 lbs or so were tough to lose. And so is maintenance. I have to weigh or measure everything I eat and track it religiously. It is SO easy to go off the rails if I'm not monitoring it pretty closely. So it can be done, but it takes dedication. I'd just go back to your plan and try to really stick to it.

at Chinese restaurants I order something with non-fried meat and veggies and just eat about a cup of that (with no rice). I then have them box the rest up and I take it home. There should be lots of menu choices you can have if you follow those guidelines (beef & broccoli, chicken & veggies, etc)

things can go wrong with *any* surgery. People have died getting their tonsils out. But like tonsillectomies, this is one of the safest surgeries there is. Mortality rates are extremely low - something like 0.3% for bypass, even lower for sleeve. It's much safer than a hip replacement surgery, and they do those every day! re: getting too thin: far more people don't make it down to their goal weight than get too thin. I wouldn't worry about that one *at all*. Plus you can always stop the weight loss by adding more calories.

recovery was easy I had almost no pain I didn't lose any hair (although most people lose *some* - a majority just heavy shedding and they're the only ones who notice) when I now see things like giant restaurant meals (even entree salads), all I can think is, "how the hell could anyone eat that much?" you'll do fine and afterward you'll be really glad you did it

it's not *always* the third week, but it is for most people. I had mine weeks 2 and 3. I started dropping weight quickly again during week 4. Just hang in there and stick to your program. The stall will break.

it seems like I could start having decaf a month or so out. I had to wait six months before starting back on caffeinated, and we were limited to 1-2 cups a day (decaf was unlimited, though). Surgeons vary quite a bit on this, though. Some allow caffeinated coffee right away - others ban it for life.

we were told not to take gummies

nope. Do a search on this site for "three week stall". Almost everyone has it.

you're in the "three week stall". Almost everyone has it - do a search for it on this site

it's hard to say because people's calorie needs are different. That said, I think I was eating 1000-1200 at that point. I always felt that was a bit higher than what a lot of others were eating at that point, but then again, I was still losing so.....??? since about my third month out, I've had to get 100+ grams of protein in a day, but that's because I malabsorb it, and my blood protein levels tank if I get much lower than that. "Normal" WLS patients usually get 60-80 grams a day. Carbs: I never did ultra-low-carb because it makes me feel like crap and I can't sustain that long doing that, but when I was in the losing phase, I usually got under 80 grams a day and almost never went over 100.

the first three days were the worse for me. It got a lot better after that (not great - but better)

I was eating about 900 at that point, which I was always worried was too high. But then, I was losing weight, so....