Hop_Scotch

That's great! Perserverance wins!

I don't know how much weight you have to lose, but if its a lot I doubt a lotion or cream is going to help it retract as you lose weight. It may help with the look of some of the stretch marks. It can take up to a couple of years for skin to retract as much as it is likely to, and that depends on many things - age, weight lost, history of yoyo dieting/big weight losses/gains, genetics, environment. Look to the most expensive cream/lotion you were going to buy and starting putting that money away into a savings account (maybe once or twice a month), at the end of a year or more you will have some funds for new clothes or the beginning of a savings account for skin removal (if it is needed).

Perhaps the issues arose before post op - some people undergo at least a six month program before being approved for surgery, if they making changes in that time those changes could trigger issues.

Well done! Looking fabulous

Yes in October 2018. Restriction is holding out well so far (though not as restrictive as it was) and I rarely feel hungry. Like all bariatric procedures its a tool and it works well if we work it well. Compliance of post op diet guidelines particularly volume of food is important to ensure the sutures/anchor points/stomach melding/scarring heals properly to ensure the accordion effect is durable and as long term as possible. I am a member of a some esg facebook groups and some people haven't had success in different ways. Some feel they haven't lost as much weight or lose weight as fast as VSG or RNY - which is to be expected as the ESG doesn't reduce the volume of the stomach as much as the VSG and there certainly isn't any bypass. Others possibly through overeating and/or not following the post op diet guidelines in the first couple of months have lost restriction. Then there are the ones whose doctors possibly through inexperience didn't do a good job of the ESG - insufficient sutures, loose stitches etc. Finally, there are those that despite how well the ESG was done, how well they followed/continue to follow all the guidelines just don't feel the restriction and haven't had much success. Some people have already had revisions to VSG or RNY and some others are also using saxenda or other appetite reducing drugs prescribed by their doctor. Despite all the above there are plenty of success stories. I chose ESG because I liked the non surgical aspect of it, reduced complications and quicker recovery time. I knew that weight loss would be lower and slower than the surgical options but I was happy with the trade off. I continue to struggle with sugar/sweet cravings/head stuff. I am still working on replacing those mindless eating habits by replacing them with better/healthier habits. I would like to lose another 5 or so kilos by October, if I don't its not the end of the world, I am much healthier and fitter than I have been in a long time even if my BMI is not in the healthy weight range. Are you considering topping up your sleeve with an ESG to help with further restriction? I don't recall that any of the members of the ESG groups I belong to have had an ESG following a surgical weight loss procedure but a few have asked about it. Sorry for the waffling

A couple of great non scale victories for you, well done. You won't miss those meds at all.

Did you eat while on the clear fluid day pre surgery? Or was it before the clear fluid day started?

Have you been allowed clear liquids with calories eg apple juice or broth, these may help? That said the dizziness and weakness may not be related to calories but lack of fluids how much fluids have you been getting? Clear liquid diet post op is to allow time for the stomach to do some healing immediately following surgery (it will be inflammed and swollen). it may be only 12 hours before you can have full liquids but best to check with your doctor, I imagine you'd hate to do something that compromises your health and the surgery.

Trial by social media is never a good thing. I am not even in USA so don't have a vested interest in this matter. I have watched the video and also watched the video from the CEO (or owner of the company?), from what I can gather two of the employees involved had already been terminated by the company for their treatment of animals prior to the video being made known to the public and the company. Anyone else has had their employment terminated and the company has put in place processes to ensure it doesn't happen again. It wasn't the company's actions but some employees.

Potentially you won't be doing any exercise for the the first two weeks anyway I would have thought. That leaves four weeks and that will be over before you know it. Ask the surgeon what they consider to be strenuous exercise and what you can do as an alternative. Focus on what you can do.

I dislike spelling or grammar rants as they serve absolutely no purpose but to attempt to shame people who for whatever reason mispell words. I hope they don't discourage people from posting when they are in desperate need of support.

I can't find the original article I read but here a couple of others. https://www.verywellfit.com/high-protein-diets-cause-dehydration-3120674 https://www.sharecare.com/health/water-and-the-body/why-water-high-protein-diet There are other reasons why it is important to ensure sufficient fluid (the usual reasons for everyone), but perhaps the good old standard of the colour of urine is the best indicator of hydration/dehydration levels. Dark yellow - drink more water/fluids No or very little colour - could probably get away with drinking less Pale yellow to light gold - just right Using colour of urine as indicator may be difficult though when we are on vitamins that can change the colour of urine. Points I bear in mind, first pee of the day can be typically darker, later on in the day - if dark and no vitamin odour drink more fluids, if dark and with vitamin odour carry on as usual with normal fluid intake. Edited to add: It isn't clear whether you are pre or post op, but as we progress through the stages it can be critical that proper hydration is maintained. I can't answer all your questions, and you may need to touch base with your surgeon or nutritionist again, but if you have reached your goals for the day and have a appetite you are probably best to drink small amounts of plain fluids, or do something to distract you from your appetite, do something that occupies your hands and mind.

I will see if I can dig up an article I read some time ago regarding higher protein diets and fluid consumption, from memory more fluid was required because the kidneys used more fluids in cleansing the body when higher protein was consumed. I can't remember if there was baselines for volume of fluids vs protein intake. If sufficient fluid was not consumed with high protein diets it could lead to dehydration. If the above is correct, someone with recent WLS is probably not already consuming their normal intake of fluids coupled with a fairly high protein, I can see why doctors encourage keeping water intake up.

Our bodies are not machines and weight loss for most of everyone will vary from week to week, for most of us there never will be a consistent number each week. It is related to many factors including hormones, levels of activities, fluid retention / dehydration, calorie intakes, calories used, volumes of food consumed, bodily functions. There will be times with losses, gains and no movement... It isn't madness, its just the human body. If it helps weigh monthly only or average out loss over a month. As long as the overall trend is downwards its all good.

Contact dermatitis? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/contact-dermatitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352748 I tend to get contact dermatitis after using a bandaid/plaster or something with the same type of adhesive for a a couple of days. The itch and inflammation can be quite intense sometimes.

Great to hear from a vet who has achieved success with weight loss and achieving long term maintenance, thank you, and best wishes for achieving your ultimate goals!

Alvinchicago joined on the 28 May, posted on 28 May and hasn't been back since. A one post wonder or perhaps a troll or flame baiter. Regardless, there will be be people who regret their surgery for various reasons...some perhaps related to the type of WLS procedure, others related to complications or others related to their lack of ability to change their behaviours. That said in this age of the internet; even if your surgeon or program' or surgery overseas where there isn't a pre or post op procedure doesn't provide such programs; there is absolutely no reason anyone should be unprepared as to what happens pre-op, during the surgery or post-op, the information is out there, many doctors show their programs online, there are online forums, there are facebook groups, there are local support groups, the list goes on. Don't rely on someone else to spoon feed you the information you need to know, be accountable to yourself, be proactive, take responsibility.

I can't remember if there is a email confirmation we need to do, if that's the case you could forward that. Otherwise, start posting questions/support and you could screen shot your posts and use them as proof. You could verify those who need the proof as what they will actually accept as proof.

Nope, weighing in I am usually dressed in my winter nighty and slipper/socks. It's was -2 (deg celsius) this morning and it was mighty chilly in the bathroom.

An interesting read from The Guardian (UK) -Bariatric divorce: why extreme weight loss leads to break ups https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/17/bariatric-divorce-why-extreme-weight-loss-leads-to-break-ups

Some people do a five day reset, it doesn't reset the pouch, but it would give some weight loss plus may help you get back on track for the longer term. You will lose more weight initially by reducing carbs (it will be water weight). Have you thought about going back to basics from when you were first allowed standard foods after pureed/soft foods? Protein first with some non starchy veges and a small amount of complex carbs. No snacking. if you can't reach protein goals maybe consider supplementing for a while. Protein will help you feel satisfied for longer. Once you achieve the desired weight loss you can look at calories and macros for maintenance. A follow up with your doctor/diectiican would be beneficial they could help get you back on track. Myfitnesspal is a good calorie counting site...set your profile for weight loss (with a reasonable weight loss goal) it will give you the daily calories you need to lose weight based on your personal profile. Your can plan your daily menu in advance (with some flexibility) so you know where you are at.

Well done on your weight loss so far. While I don't know your body fat percentage your weight is in the healthy weight range for your height. Weight loss from here on is going to slower and lower, that is, assuming you have sufficient excess body fat to lose. Your calorie and macro intake will need to be on point for your weight and activity levels (plus other factors), you won't have a lot of leeway. If you don't actually have excess body fat to lose you will lose lean body mass if you continue to lose weight. You don't want to lose lean body mass. If you are in a position to get an accurate body fat percentage reading eg DEXA scan they are useful to see what your body composition is like. You may benefit from weight/resistance training..increase lean body mass while losing body fat...you could well end up the same weight but be physically smaller and wear a smaller size. Weight for weight muscle takes up less volume than fat. You will lose weight if you get back on track...maybe a follow up visit with your dietician/surgeon would be beneficial for you.