NeonRaven8919

I was alone. My family all live in the US, I live in the UK. It wasn't possible for anyone to come stay with me. What I did before I went for surgery was set up a space near my bed that I would be able to put all my medications and vitamins, phone charger etc within arms reach so I wouldn't have to bend over or reach. When I came back home, ( I took the bus because I don't drive) I opened my medications and set everything out. They recommend you walk as much as possible. The pain meds helped and as long as you go slow, it's ok. After the first few days, I felt more normal and it was ok.

I take a medication that I've been taking for years and it's small enough that I was allowed to swallow that one whole at first. The medication the gave me for post-op care and nutrition were given to me in liquid form or I was to use the pill grinder that they sent me home with. The multivitamin they gave me was evil though. The only times I've thrown up post-op was those damn vitamins. They were huge liquid capsules that I was told I need to break open and swallow the fluid inside *shudders from the memories* until I was able to eat solid foods. After the first two times I threw up taking them, I called my surgical team and they told me it was ok to wait until I could swallow them. I tried again at 4 weeks and swallowed it whole and it was fine unless I swallow it on an empty stomach, which is tricky because all the pills at first felt like a meal in and of themselves. Once you have your surgery, your surgical team will be able to be more specific about what they recommend FOR YOU as everyone's mileage may vary. I was given three different recommendations in case, one wasn't available when I went to refill or what have you.

I never got information about that either. I was just told the portion size and to eat the protein first. I'm 6 months post op and to be honest, I don't even think about macros or calories except to make sure I get protein in first. That's probably not good for me in the long run, I know, but counting calories has been to much for my mental health at the moment so I've been focusing on portion size and protein.

My pre-op diet was 12 weeks of milk with added skimmed milk powder, and one salty drink a day (broth) (This was the diet my doctor put me on as they are researching it, not some weird fad diet I'd heard about to be clear.) I lost quickly for the first 2 weeks, hit a plateau, gained weight, plateaued, jumped back down and repeat. It's not a straight path downwards, sadly. I did lose the required weight. If you stick with the programme, you will get there. The bus kind of drives it self in terms of where toi body wants to be at.

I've been looking for a new job, which has been stressful since I'm trying to fit interviews around my current job, getting rejected feeling really stuck. My weight is stuck too. Losing extremely slowly the last month. The same kg up and down. I'm constantly craving food because that was my go-to for emotional times. I've not given in, but ih that craving is stil there. The UK financial year starts April 6th so I'm hoping that will mean more companies have different staff requirements and that will food the market with new jobs and that will help my stress.

Same here! Overweight all my life. The only reason I had the surgery at 35 (5 months ago) was because the NHS here in the UK finally approved me for the surgery. They don't cover Wegovy etc for weight loss so this was my only option. I wish I had started the process of getting approved sooner, but it wasn't until I lost my mother and step-father within a year of each other (my stepfather died at age 62 from pneumonia and liver disease that certainly was aggravated by his extreme weight, and my mother died almost year later age 67 from a perforated bowel that they couldn't repair because of her gastric bypass ten years before). While I knew the risks, I knew I didn't want to go that young so I was going to take my health more seriously. I'm glad I did it and have no regrets.

Yes this is normal. Your stomach isn't producing as much ghrelin which is the hormone that tell us we are hungry. So your body is sending signals to the brain that you aren't hungry.

Oh I wanted to add, the people on Reddit are not always telling the truth, they post for points. We all know that one person who, when they find out we want to have surgery, will tell us about their friend's sister's husband's great-niece's dog who had the surgery and lost an oz and then put on 300lbs so it was a waste of time, or they have a vague story that they heard and "i know someone who had the surgery and they died 6 months later" and you find out, yes the died 6 months later because they were in car accident so it was unrelated. Some people tell you this because they are genuinely scared about someone they love going through a major surgery and all surgeries carry risks, and some people tell you this because they don't want you to lose weight and make positive changes for your health because they don't have the excuse to not improve themselves. They won't be able to say "At least I'm not as fat as NeonRaven". The best advice to take is from people who have had the surgery themselves and not someone who knows someone or heard about a guy who....

Yes, in a heart beat. I wish I had been able to do it years ago. I'm 75 lbs down and couldn't have lost the weight any other way.

Yes, I echo this. My uncle had to have a bypass because he had oesophageal cancer and extreme reflux as a result. He had insurance cover it.

Congratulations! I've never been in this situation, but I just wanted to say congratulations!

It's my 5 month anniversary from surgery. It's not been a good month. I'm trying to find a new job because I'm miserable to at my current one. I find that old habits are starting to slip in. I've gained a kilo in this month alone. I'm still heading in the right direction, and I'm kicking the old habits back out. I've not been as vigilant as I should have been. I just need to remember that I'm still better off now than I was 5 months ago and keep looking forward.

Good Point! I've already lost 75lbs and even if I added up all the time I lost weight on previous diet attempts it wouldn't equal this much. Since posting this 3 days ago, I've already lost the 3 lbs I gained know I have less to lose each time is helping me get back on track. I've already come this far!

Thank you! Yes, it's been a rough month but I'm definitely doing much better than 6 months ago! I still feel better physically than I did before the weight loss. I've always been overweight too. I still feel really happy that I'm a size 16 (UK) when I haven't been since I was 16 years old! Just got to keep looking at my progress overall!

Congratulations! You've done so well! I've loved seeing all your progress pics!

Today, I'm officially under 200lbs! only by half a lb but I'm counting it! I did a little weight conversion and had to remeasure due to disbelief! After gaining and losing the same kilo for the last three weeks, I'm so happy!

I set my goal at "healthy" BMI. (60kg or 132lbs) I realise BMI isn't really the best indicator of overall health or even healthy weight, but it's a good starting point. But to be honest, I never even really believed that I would lose any weight at all, it was just a Hail Mary pass that I thought I would talk to my GP about and to my amazement, it's working! I was a size 24UK (US 20) 7 months ago and just thought I was going to keep getting bigger. 7 months later, I'm a size 16UK (US 12) and went from 122 kg (270lbs) to 87kg (193 lbs) I never though this would be possible. I've hit so many goals I never even set! I still have that arbitrary number goal because my GP seems to have BMI tattooed on his brain and the number matters to him, but I'm just going to go along for the ride and see where I end up and where my body is comfortable maintaining!

The noises my gut makes! It's so loud! If I'm full, it's noisy. If I'm hungry, it's noisy! Is that a home intruder or my stomach? Who knows? And I echo the always cold part. Also, it hurts to sit for long periods like I used to! Bonier backside.

I'm tattooed myself. Just my saggy arms and one on my leg. I have no advice, but I'm commenting so I can follow this. I would imagine just make sure you are hydrated, well-rested and take more breaks if blood sugar and such dips? Interesting topic! Hopefully someone more experienced will chime in!

I have another one. I live in North London, UK. The North Alps some call it as there is a lot of hills. Some incredibly steep. Well, I cycled up one of these hills today. 6 months ago, I could only go halfway and had to stop. 7% gradient average, about 265ft. And I did it! I know it's an ebike and that might be "cheating" but I still couldn't do this 6 months ago.

This is probably the weirdest one yet. But I'm certain it's because of my weight loss. In my dreams, I've never been able to run. I always go faster by doing like a wheelbarrow type walk on my hands. But yesterday, I was dreaming and I was full on running. I think it's a mental thing to show I'm finally free of the weight and the expectations. But in actual physical milestones, I'm on the 5th hole in my watchband instead of the third when I had the surgery, and the 4th about 2 months ago.

I had to laugh react becaue, while I'm sorry to hear you're struggling, this descriptionis made me laugh! I had the same issue post op. They gave me lactulose liquid and told me to take it every night but it didn't really do much. Until it did! I honestly thought it would never stop! And then suddenly, I was down about 5kg (10lbs). Seriously. This is normal.

Exactly! That's how it was for me. I knew today was the day and nothing stopped me! It's really good that you're keeping up with the walking!

Outside the US, you don't have to sneak anything into the movies, you just walk in with snacks.

I recommend cycling! Mostly because I'm obsessed and I want to share my obsession, but also it's a method of transportation/form of exercise/easy to get into if you are out of practice. You could also cycle at the gym. Also, I really love doing pilates and yoga. You can do it in your own home, you just need a mat and a youtube video.