BrandiBird

I am one year and one month post-op, and I have lost 90 pounds from my heaviest weight. I'm feeling a lot better, sleeping better, eating better, and moving more. However, since January, the scale hasn't moved at all. I spoke with my surgeon's assistant at my one year check-in, and she said I should still be losing about 3 pounds a month, albeit slowly, and to reduce my calories if I'm not meeting that goal (I eat between 1200-1500 calories a day, but usually closer to 1500). But, I've also noticed, the last few months I've been really struggling with sweet cravings. Before my surgery I'd like some sugary things every now and then, but lately I've had these really intense cravings that feel like almost every day. I try to choose fruit, or make a chocolate protein drink, but I'm more annoyed by the cravings than anything. I really wish they'd go away. I always feel awful after I eat something sugary, too, so I know it's not going to sit well in my stomach but that pang is still there. Can anyone offer advice on how to cope with this?

I did have my one year labs, and everything was in a normal range! I was very happy with that. It could be a change. I am wondering if I should go back to utilizing some of the protein drinks that I drank so much of in the beginning, because they were always sweet in flavor. I'm thinking maybe I got used to having that sweetness and now that I don't drink them as often, I'm wanting something sweet? The idea of making them into ice cream is genius! I do think a lot of it is mind hunger. Sometimes I'm hungry (usually in the late afternoon before dinner), but a lot of times I just want something sweet after a meal. Eating fruit can work for me, depending on the fruit, and it has a lot more vitamins and fiber than a "sweet", so I tend to feel satisfied if I'm actually hungry. I'm not against having sweets for treats, but it's just become almost an every day craving that I feel like I have to battle it out. I am worried about the slippery slope, though. I think I'll try the protein ice cream. Especially nearing summertime, that will be super nice to have. Thank you!

That's what made me nervous, too. People don't understand that the surgery doesn't make you lose weight, but that it's all the work you put in after.

I totally understand not wanting to tell people about having the surgery. I was very shy about it when people started to make comments to me, but I also just decided that I didn't want to carry shame around that conversation for myself. For the people that I feel safe with talking to about it (knowing they won't judge me), I'm honest and I tell them because it was a big deal to me. I'm so happy and proud that I made that decision. I wish there wasn't such a stigma around it. We shouldn't feel like we can't tell people, but if we choose not to, that's our right, you know? It's none of anyone else's business unless we want to include them. That's how I look at it. 😄

I was sleeved in March, and as of last week, I have officially lost 81. I started at 309, I'm currently 228, and I've noticed my progress has slowed down a lot. I'm anxious that I won't keep losing weight, because I'm only halfway to where I want to be. It sucks because I know I should be celebrating all of my hard work, but I'm scared I'll be stuck where I'm at and that my progress is over. I'm still tracking my calories, and I'm averaging about 1200-1300 a day. I walk at least 30 minutes a day, strength train 2 times a week, and I try to stay active on the weekend (5 mile hike & 1.5 hours kayaking yesterday). I struggled for so long to lose weight, and I'm scared I'll go back to struggling now.

I was sleeved on March 7th. I lost 80 officially yesterday. I'm a little concerned, only because I'm halfway to my goal but I feel like my weight loss has started slowing down. 😰 I should be celebrating my wins, but I'm really just nervous I won't get to where I want to be.

I go to the top and click on my name, then "My Surgery." From that page on the left, you should see "My Progress", and that will allow you to track your weight. There is probably an easier way to get to it, but that's how I do it.

I was stalled for like a month up until this past weekend when the scale finally reflected a lower weight. I'm four months post-op, and I've had 2 significant stalls (at least two weeks), so I completely understand. Focusing on non-scale things (energy, less appetite, how clothes fit, extra time to do other stuff, etc) helps, but I think it's completely normal to feel sad and worried. I was scared that I would only have 4 months of weight loss and that suddenly the surgery just stopped working. These are all normal things to feel, from what I understand, but you're not alone! You will weigh yourself soon and the number will be different and you'll be so happy. I promise! ❤️

I don't have a medical alert bracelet, but I did get a medical alert card to carry in my wallet. It's something you can give to waiters/restaurants to request to purchase lunch portions or items from the kids' menu because of medical reasons. I haven't used it yet, but I keep it on me.

Hi there, I was sleeved on March 7th, and I am happily 4 months post-op today. 😁 My question is to those who are post-op in regards to the surgery scars. I was given a scar cream that I try to use, but I was wondering how long it can take for scars to fade / lessen in appearance. I know they won't go away completely, but mine are a deep purple, and as I'm very pale, super noticeable. I am wondering if there is anything else that I can be doing to help the fading process, and, for those who are farther along in their post-op journey, when you found the scars lessened the most in appearance?

Hi! I was sleeved on March 7th. My highest weight was 309 lbs, and my weight after the pre-op diet was 296 lbs. I'm currently sitting at 251 lbs. I'm very excited to make it to - 60 lbs, but I'm at a bit of a stall. I walk 5-6 times a week for 20-30 minutes (20 minutes moreso lately because it's so hot outside), and I also do resistance training 2 times a week. I have way more energy than I did pre-op, which is so far my favorite aspect. I'm struggling with trying to find the balance between harder and too easy workouts right now. I can eat most food, if not all food with no discomfort. I've been sick twice, but it wasn't bad and I think it was due to me eating too fast at the time. Bread doesn't sit as easily in my stomach, but I don't miss it. I don't miss sodas, but I do miss my sparkling water. 😪 I haven't been able to see a big difference on myself until recently. I still feel like I look the same, but everyone else sees a difference and that is very encouraging. I struggle with PCOS, so I am hoping that as I lose weight, my ovulatory and fertility issues will improve, too. I'm seeing a lot of small changes so far, and it's all so exciting. It's the best decision that I've ever made.

Did you have a goal weight that you got to before your hunger returned, or was it later?

These are great questions, and ones I'd love to know answers to, as well. I'm a week away from being 3 months post-op, and just recently (within the last week or so), I've been having a bare minimum of an appetite. It's kind of nice to not be hungry, but I'm not looking forward to this part of the journey, either. 😅

Hi there! I had my VSG + hiatal hernia repair surgery on March 7th, 2023. I am 13 days post-op today, and at my one week-check up, I was approved to eat soft foods, take medication whole, and start gentle resistance exercises. I am having moments of pain when eating certain foods. It hasn't been often. The first time was when I tried soft scrambled eggs, and I've since paused eating eggs because they just don't feel good going down. I've since eaten various types of soft foods - refried beans, pudding, soups, and tuna fish. The latter is one that I really enjoy and it goes down well. It's also how I try to get a lot of my protein in for the day. Today, though, I was eating some tuna and a little mayo, and it hurt. It felt like someone was poking me in upper center of my chest and it went through to my back. It's the first time I've had the sensation of feeling like food was "stuck" and that it might come back up. Luckily it didn't, but it was super painful for about five minutes of deep breathing. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and what might help? I can accept some foods not going down well for now, but I haven't had a problem with tuna until now! Any advice?

Hi Georgie! Thank you so much for your reply! I'm sorry that your healing was slowed by other concerns, but I'm glad to hear you're getting there. 🩷 I'm very happy with the food I am getting in and my exercise. I think I have a healthy balance right now where I get at least 80g of protein every day (usually more, if I'm honest). This is what I have to watch out for because too much protein seems to dip back towards too many calories, as my surgeon told me. I work with a dietician who specializes in PCOS, so I have specific macro goals geared towards that and my bariatric requirements. I'm losing weight steadily - I just got over a stall, and I'm getting closer to a 50 pound weight loss, which is exciting to me. 🤩

Hey March Sleeves! For anyone who counts their calories or tracks their food, how many calories do you get in a day? I'm so curious! I'm not being super strict with myself when it comes to calories, but I'm tracking my food and listening to my body to eat slower and only until I'm satisfied, not overfull and to focus on whole foods and eating intuitively. I was sleeved on March 7th, so I'm a little more than 2 months post-op. I eat around 900-1100 calories a day, give or take. (This isn't for comparison, but more out of curiosity. Sometimes I worry I eat too much, but I'm never grossly full or anything either.)

I got my sleeve done exactly two months ago, with a two week pre-op diet. I've lost 40 pounds, but it feels like it should be more. The last few weeks I've been fighting a stall where I'm not seeing much of a change on the scale. My energy is high, I tolerate almost all foods, and I get 8-10 cups of water a day. Lately I've been going over my protein goals, so I'm trying to get more fruits and veggies in to keep my calories lower. I walk 5 days a week for 30 minutes, resistance train 2 days a week, and I've been trying to get extra exercise through stretching or swimming on the weekend. I'm concerned I'm not strength training well enough because I'm never really sore. 😔 But I keep telling myself any movement that gets my heart rate up is good movement. I'm trying not to obsess over the scale (I weigh once a week). I've been getting a lot of positive comments from people I know that they can see a difference. I just can't see it myself. 💔

I'm so sorry you're having a mental struggle, and I completely empathize. I also have been experiencing a weird and nebulous relationship with myself. I've had clinical depression for several years, but my medication has always been able to help keep me afloat. Right now I feel kind of disconnected from my body, and I haven't seen the results that others see in me yet. A lot of times I find myself doubting if the surgery really worked, or if I'll ever get to my goals. I'm having a hard time processing the work and effort and the results I'm actually getting - I think, for me personally, it is because I've gone so long putting in work and never getting results. Now that I am (even if I can't see them), it doesn't feel right. So I'm getting in touch with a therapist to help me work through it. Can you reach out to your weight loss program and ask to be included in a support group? A counselor might also be helpful (something I also have experience with). I'm wishing you all the best. ❤️

I know the feeling of the "ball sitting your throat"! I also get pains every now and then in the middle of my chest (right on my diaphragm, so I think that has to do with my hernia repair, too). I don't and haven't had complications as bad as you, and I'm so sorry you're going through that. You may just have a longer recovery time. Chewing thoroughly is what helped me the most, and taking longer on soft/pureed foods. How are you doing now? I hope your doctors were able to help!

I understand this. I'm going through a plateau right now as well, but both of my dieticians have reassured me that if you're hungry, it means your body needs food. It may not need a full meal, but something small and satiating is better both for your stomach and for your mood/mind.

I thought my progress was slow going, too. Even this week I'm feeling a little down about it. But two steps forward and one step back is still progress (my daily affirmation lol), even if it's not what we're hoping to see.

Update! I am one month and three weeks post-op, and I've had some dramatic improvements. Chewing thoroughly has helped the most with the pain, though some foods still do not go down easy (smoked sausage, heavily fried foods, etc.), but not a whole lot. I got sick once when I ate some asparagus and tomatoes (cooked), but I think I ate them too quickly. It was not very bad, but it was unpleasant, as getting sick always is. I also had blood tests, and all of my numbers went down! I'm most excited for my cholesterol, as it's 185 and was over 200 previously. Most days, I start with a protein shake for breakfast, then a higher protein pasta with lots of fiber (handfuls of spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.), and some pre-cooked meat for lunch. Lean Cuisine protein meals are perfect sizes for me right now, though I don't finish them all. I don't want to overly rely on frozen food, but on the days I don't feel like eating what I cooked, it's a nice option to have. Dinner is usually soup - Proper Good is my favorite, made with lots of bone broth for extra protein, or Amy's soups. Snacks include mini Babybel cheeses, protein puddings, Greek yogurt, and Braniac brain bars. I have PCOS, so I try to eat to balance my hormones with an emphasis on protein and a healthy amount of good fats and fiber. I have lost 35 pounds so far, and I can't tell a difference yet physically, but my energy levels are SO MUCH BETTER. I don't feel like I'm constantly fatigued, and I've been able to do loads of spring cleaning after a full work day. I was cleared to start resistance training, so in addition to walking for 30 minutes 5x a week, I'm incorporating 2-3x a week of resistance workouts. They're small right now, and not very intense (10 minutes tops), but I like to think it'll still benefit me. 😅 Thank you to everyone who's been replying to me. I really appreciate it!

My weight loss was rapid pre-op, but post-op has been a lot slower. My surgery was on the 7th of March, too. I think - for me - it's been better to not weigh myself on a scale every day and just focus on staying hydrated and moving in small spurts.

So sorry to hear you're in pain. Small walks throughout the day are best. I do at most 5 minutes an hour or so. So glad to hear that you got your surgery done and that you're back home!

I'm in this boat, as well. I lost a good amount of weight from pre-op diet and from my first two weeks post-op, but since then the scale has barely moved for me. I am back onto solid foods now that I'm more than three weeks post-op, and I'm tracking everything I eat and even walking/moving more than pre-op. I've started some very light resistance training because I'm afraid of losing muscle instead of fat. But I was hoping to see a faster weight loss than what I'm currently seeing. I think because so many people tell you it'll happen fast, but in the moment it seems so slow. How are you since you last updated? I hope you're well.