Azlanie

Everyone's body works differently. While I had a different procedure than you did, I can tell you that I have periods of stall, plateau, followed by a loss. Sometimes I only lose weight 1 or 2 weeks out of the month but those losses tend to be significant. If you stick to the program, follow your surgeon and dietitian's plans...it WILL come off!

I was sleeved when I was 34, now 35. I'm still within my first year and learning something new about myself and my pouch every day. I did not have any issues with recovery outside of the normal pain and swelling the first few days post op. I even surprised my boyfriend's primary care doctor when I accompanied him to an appointment less than a week later! I have sagging and loose skin in the usual problem areas: upper arms, stomach, back and upper thighs. I have found that being sure to get in my fluids and moisturizing has been critical in reducing itch and how dry the extra skin folds are becoming. If I miss fluids by 8 or more ounces a few days in a row I FEEL it! I'm a shut in socially (even before Coronavirus) but I have found myself looking forward to social outings more when I have the opportunity. My clothes fit better (and are much smaller than they were before). I have more energy. I just feel "better" than I have in a long time. My coworkers have been extremely supportive, as have the few friends and family that I associate with on a regular basis. My advice would be to really take advantage of any nutritionist appointments you can get through your physician's office and insurance. I feel like I wasted some of my early time in navigating what I could and could not eat and my loss has been slower than anticipated. I know this is directly correlated to some of my not so balanced choices. It really sucks questioning how much of each nutrient you should get in a day after a certain stage. Get active when you can - I have been doing low impact walking and resistance training since 2 months out when I was given the go ahead to really move around more and I feel like it has done me *so much* good. This has given me so many more opportunities for the future and I am SO happy I did it!

I have struggled the past few weeks, being cooped up. My body has always been "slower" to lose weight and I am very happy with my progress so far. I imagine I am someone who will not get 'close' to goal until 18 months out or more. A few weeks ago, I went back to basics. I tossed out all of my full fat condiments and cheeses. I started getting in more cardio (winter had not done me any favors) and I bought some new resistance bands so I have no more excuses. I am super close to one-derland so I have lots of motivation I started out wearing 24/26 clothes and I comfortably fit into 14/16s. I felt my collarbones for the first time since probably grade school a few months ago. I can see the outline of my muscles underneath the sagging excess skin. I can absolutely see my face gains! So glad to see so many success stories - August was a great month for us! Can't wait to hear how you all are doing a year later =D

I've purchased several! I love the "everything" and the ranch! I put it on my chicken with a little bit of cooking spray and saute away. It gives it an almost saucy mouthfeel when done in the pan. Also great on veg. I was not impressed by the cheese one, sadly. I also have the pumpkin pie one...I add it to Fage total 0 all the time and it is AMAZING. I highly recommend! Absolutely give these things a try, but your tastes will differ from mine.

Woo!! Congratulations, SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

Hi Machalo! I'm six months out, and a little over 70 lbs down. I started shopping in the standard sized section a few months ago, and I bought my first pair of size large pants about a week ago! I still wear baggier tops when I am wearing my more form fitting bottoms, but if I am wearing a generous sized pant, I will wear something a little tighter on top. Slowly but surely getting used to the changes in my body and can't wait to go shopping again!

We all lose at our own pace! The first full month the weight generally flies off...you have to remember, you are releasing all of the fluids from surgery, you are on a liquid and soft diet for the majority of it...there are so many reasons WHY the weight loss slows down. I like to remind myself when I am feeling disappointed in my losses that I would not have even come THIS close if I were trying to lose weight on my own. I think back to all of my prior attempts through Atkins, Weight Watchers, exercise...and realize that this tool is a miracle and I need to give it time. If you stick to the rules that your program has set forth the weight WILL come off.

I use unflavored isopure in many of my recipes (puddings, yogurts, soups, even meatloaf etc) to give myself an additional protein boost where I can. For the most part I am drinking premier and six star protein as mentioned above - in the premade, single serve shakes. I am looking to spice it up a bit since I am starting to get bored with the flavors I have had so far.

Premier came out with a Pumpkin flavored protein. I ordered it off of Amazon, hopefully it tastes good. I've had some of the six star protein items as well, and they are "ok". I feel like they have a stronger aftertaste than others. Any other brands (premade is best, however I am willing to try a mix!) worth giving a shot? I am still relying on protein supplements to even get close to my daily goals.

Research both options. You have to be honest with WHY you are having this surgery. I went with sleeve for two reasons - I was a chronic over eater and never felt "full" enough after a meal, so I crammed more into my mouth, and I wanted to avoid more long term complications. My surgeon was extremely thorough when he was going over the options (Bypass, SIPS, and Sleeve). He said that he recommends the sleeve for all patients unless there is something intrinsically wrong with anatomy or another major concern (I do not remember them all, do not want to misrepresent why I made the choice I did). The surgery is easier on the body (no complete rerouting of your plumbing) and when guidelines are followed the difference in weight loss is less than 5%. Most people that have complications have them within the first three to six months. Complications with bypass can occur even years out. There is no malaborption, but a vitamin is mandatory with both procedures. No matter what decision you make, be sure that you are thinking about your future - your long term goals, and how this surgery will change your life! No matter what you decide you will be happier and healthier for it if you follow the rules =D

Yup! Most of us have a stall around the time you start introducing more and more solids. Make sure you focus on your protein and water goals, walk and exercise when allowed, and follow your guidelines. The stall seems scary but if you work the program, the program works for you!

I was ok within 2 weeks as long as there was no pressure on my abdominal area. I felt back to "normal" in roughly 4 weeks, where normal activity was resumed.

You can still submit a written request for your medical records, you have a right to those. I would call around to the bariatric offices (or whomever you are seeing) in your area and inquire if they could help you out. If you find one that works with your insurance (if you are insured) make an appointment and get their phone and fax number. Provide that information to your old surgeon's office and they can fax them over so you do not need to worry about carrying to the appt

I am very recently post op. My surgeon sent my PCP a very detailed letter on how to care for me for the rest of my life. He stipulated certain things like what vitamins I should be taking and when, what sort of long term effects I may experience and any disorders that may occur due to certain complications. I am not sure how many other surgeons do this, but if you can call your surgeon's office, you can request that they send documentation and any long term care instructions to a primary care doctor or other practitioner you have been following up with. I would also ask them about the side effects you are having. I would highly suggest having your doctor also send copies of your medical records in the event they are not a part of your chart at your new doctor's office.

I went to my one month post op appointment earlier this week. I was terrified that I was not losing weight fast enough. Well, apparently, I was pretty wrong! I was shown the graph for the first time. There was a line for an estimated 70% of excess weight (the average that this surgeon expects from his patients), another line for 100% excess weight. and then there was a line for me...aiming for greater than 100% of excess weight. While I was very surprised that I was well ahead of the curve, the prospect of losing *that* much weight is pretty terrifying to me. Outside of that my energy is great, I have been cleared to exercise, have solid foods as tolerated, and pretty much go back to my every day life, minus binge eating, carbs and sugars. I am so thankful that I had this done well in advance of the Holidays! I have so much time to practice self control, to train my mind into making better decisions. I hope everyone else is doing just as fantastically as we move into 1 month post op and beyond!