LAJ23

Hello all, I had GS in Aug. 2020. I lost just over 100lbs, but never made it to my goal weight of 125lb. I got down to 138lb, which actually almost seemed a little too thin, and people thought I was starting to look sickly. That was at the end of October 2022. Since about December, I have gained 20lb, and I have NO idea why. It's so incredibly disheartening. I'm 50 years old, so I think menopause could be a real issue, as nothing else has changed with my eating/drinking/exercise habits in that time. I don't know if I should reach out to my surgeon, my OBGYN or my regular PCP. I'm also under an INSANE amount of stress, so I'm guessing cortisol is a contributing factor as well. Has anyone else been down this road? What's the best way to address it? Soooooooooo depressed!!!!

Thank you both. I spoke to a relative regarding the bruising - he's a retired oncologist and hematologist. He thinks it's likely a vitamin K deficiency, but also suggested bloodwork, which I fully intend to request during my physical. He also asked if I take Ibuprofen on a regular basis (which I do due to the aches & pains) and he said that could cause it as well. Hoping that's all it is. As for the brain fog, memory loss, and mood swings, I totally agree that it could be hormones. My biggest concern though is the weight gain. I've worked so hard to get where I am...I got on the scale this morning and I'm up another .5#. I just want to cry.

Well, as the title says I'm about 21 months out and now starting to gain. I got down to 143 (my goal was 130, but I was comfortable in the 140s). I'm now back up to 155. Over the past year, I've also developed a bruising issue and have multiple bruises on my arms and legs, mostly on the left side; random but moderate/severe aches & pains; brain fog; severe fatigue, and other idiopathic symptoms. I have a physical scheduled for mid-June, but I'm wondering if any of these things are common after surgery. As for my weight gain, nothing has really changed. I still eat very clean, limit myself to two low-sugar/low-calorie alcoholic beverages a week, and really try to take care of myself. With the aches, pains & fatigue, I'm finding it difficult to keep up with working out, but to be honest, I probably wasn't working out as much as I should be anyway. Mostly walking & biking. I'm also at the age where hormones are likely changing (I'll be 50 in two months). Any idea what might be going on or how to restart the weight loss? Thanks.

Hi all, I'm 16 months post-op and down almost 100lb. While I'm still about 20lb from my original goal weight, I'm not sure I want to keep that goal. I'm down to 150lb, size XS-M / 4-8 (depending on clothing styles & cuts), and feel comfortable where I am. Also, my husband (and others) think if I lose any more weight, I'll start to look unhealthy. I've been at my current weight for about 6 months now and this extra skin is really starting to bother me. It's visibly "bulky" under my clothes and makes me a bit self-conscious. I'm really only interested in a tummy tuck/panni. Just wondering how long I need to/should wait. In order to have insurance pay for it, do I need to wait a certain amount of time? It's almost my understanding that insurance will likely pay for a panni, but not a tummy tuck - is that correct? How much additional weight is typically lost from skin removal surgery? Lastly, any recommendations for a top-notch surgeon in the Chicago area? Thanks, Linda

I'm almost one year out and down 89#, which is 28# short of my goal weight. That said, I already look "thin", to the point that family & friends - and now me - are questioning why I'm trying to lose the additional weight. I'm 5'6" & 158#. I'm wearing a size small/medium and a size 6 in pants. I'm also planning to have skin removal surgery in the next year or so. While I'm still going to stick to my post-op diet, I no longer feel the need to continue losing. Is this a common thing?

I'm almost 10 months post-op and am down about 80# give or take, which is 30# from my goal. I was stuck at about 163 for several months and am still struggling to get enough protein in. I've been in contact with my RD and she suggested smaller, more frequent meals to try to get closer to my daily protein goal. The problem is, I'm finding that since following this routine, I'm gaining weight and am now up to 169. I reached out to her again, and she is now suggesting adding a low-dose Rx med to the mix. I'm not sure how I feel about this. She wants me to eat more small, frequent, protein-packed meals yet is suggesting an appetite suppressant? Doesn't make sense to me. I've tried things like Builders Bars and can't finish one in one sitting. I've added Unjury Protein Powder to things like cottage cheese, yogurt & salsa, but that's only 22g - IF I can get the whole scoop in one day. I snack on stuff like string cheese (9g protein), but it's not enough. I walk 2 miles daily and am taking up swimming next week. I'm starting to feel like I'm never going to get over this hump. Anyone else ever been in this conundrum? On the bright side, my hair has stopped falling out and is growing back!

All, I'm 8 months out and down 82.5# - still about 30# from my goal. I've noticed over the last few weeks (maybe a month or so) that I've had increased joint pain and a lot of bruising. The bruising isn't "severe" per se, but there's a lot of it. I counted 14 bruises all over my body yesterday - some worse than others. I have a big painful one on my left shin...almost as if I bumped into something, but I didn't. I also have dime-sized bruises under my biceps. Not sure what's going on. The joint pain is getting almost unbearable. Ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders, neck - you name it - I'm sore all over. I'm still taking all my vitamins & supplements (I added liquid iron months ago) so I'm stumped.

Unfortunately, the pain never got better. I ended up going to a hip specialist and found out I actually have an impingement. I'm supposed to go for 3 MRIs, but due to a hectic work schedule, my mom being in poor health and having to take her to multiple dr. appts. and just life in general, I haven't been able to go. The specialist put me on Meloxicam for pain, but it does no good. I'm sorry you're going thru this... check with your doctor. My hip pain didn't start until about 2 months after surgery, not a few days. Good luck!

I'm currently down about 74lb. (give or take, it tends to fluctuate) but in the last week or two, when I look in the mirror, I think I look "fat". I've never had an issue with body dysmorphia, but I almost feel like I'm developing it. My logical brain tells me not to be silly and it's obvious I'm smaller than I was (and I'm only about 35# from my goal weight), but I can't help but think I don't look as "thin" as I should, or even as thin as I did two-three weeks ago. Is it common to develop these perceptions? I keep getting stuck at plateaus all the time too, which doesn't help. Thanks for any feedback.

All, I'm 6 months out and getting so frustrated. After being stuck/bouncing between 180-186 for several months, I finally (and very suddenly) dropped to 174. No idea what I did differently to make that happen. I hit 174 about 3 weeks ago and it lasted a few days, but have since regained a few pounds and am now been bouncing between 176-179. Again, no idea what I'm doing wrong or differently. I've kept to nearly the same diet/same types of foods for months. High protein, low carbs, low sodium, low/zero sugar, lots of water, etc. Any suggestions on how to kickstart the weight loss again? I'm down about 70lbs and about 40lbs from my goal weight, but I'm starting to lose faith. 😞

Congrats & good luck! You'll do great. I've found that this group has been extremely helpful and supportive, so feel free to come back and post anything! You'll get awesome feedback.

I had gastric sleeve last summer (August 2020). I felt miserable for the first two weeks, then it was like almost overnight, I felt much better. I wasn't instantly pain-free, but there was a noticeable, huge improvement. I have to admit, I've been lax about hardcore workouts, but I started exercising (biking around the neighborhood, walking on the beach with my dogs, etc.) about 3 weeks post-op. I just had to take it easy. I'd say about 2 months post-op I felt 90% back to normal and probably could've done just about anything at that point. I'm now 6 months out and feel pretty great!

Thank you. I can't help but be depressed. There are other things going on in my life (work & family) that are contributing factors, so this mess with my stall & my hair doesn't help. I feel like if I had a full head of hair (which was thin & fine, to begin with!) and was continuing to lose weight, it might help and feel like progress. I'm trying to stick to things as best as I can, but when the surgical staff says "stop snacking, only eat meals", it's hard! I just can't do it. I get stomachaches easily and do better with frequent snacks. I'm pretty much on a keto diet as it is. I just hope this stall breaks quickly... I have 50lb to go to get to my goal. Even if I don't fully reach it, I want to get close.