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Ooof. Had my 6-week post-op appointment today and it felt a little like the Spanish Inquisition - my days vary so much that it was very hard to explain what my meals look like! (Mostly, frankly, I hate eating, so it's not a highlight of my day.) They finally satisfied themselves that I really have been drinking enough water and having enough protein and few enough carbs, though, so it went pretty well. All the bits seem to function. Only issue we're both concerned about is that my exhaustion levels are pretty high, especially if I try to exercise, so the doctor was like, "go have some carbs already!" After how hard they drilled into me not to eat them, the idea sounded pretty foreign, Not like they want me to go ham or anything, but just to eat half a piece of whole wheat bread (whole wheat bread here is pretty serious) with some protein on it before I exercise or something. Tried it this afternoon and it was like someone had flipped a switch on XD Also put on a dress that I haven't worn for 8 years thinking it was going to still be too small. IT LOOKS LIKE A TENT. Had to give in and actually admit I need new clothes XD Hope everyone else's week is going well...

Surgery day buddies, mine is Tuesday too! 🙂 My surgeon only requires a pre-op diet for a “few days” prior, no specific number, so I’m starting now. I’m just supposed to eat light and keep hydrated… I feel like I’m doing something wrong, I’ve had myself mentally prepared for the 2 week liquid diet since I started this journey almost a year ago. 😂

It’s almost like they’ve conveniently forgotten you’ve lost your pre surgical weight & are just telling you to lose more as per their set playbook. I also love how they’re telling you to lose weight but aren’t supporting & guiding you in how to do it. Where’s their pre surgical diet? Where’s the referral to a dietician?? Like @NickelChip, I would suggest the three shake a day pre surgical diet many are given. Or do two shakes & one meal of 3 or 4 ozs protein & 1/2 cup steamed vegetables or undressed salad. All the best.

Hi I am 3 months out and I am experiencing hair loss, but honestly, even people that do Keto or Code Red where you basically only eat protein (btw hard on the kidneys) lose hair, so I think it's unavoidable. Things will get much easier once you can eat actual food (you'll learn by trial and error what works for you.)

Sweet potato puree is still a go-to for me at 12 weeks out. Made with a small scoop of bone-broth powder and savoury herbs as a side dish or to act as a sauce for meat/pountry; or with a half scoop unflavoured protein powder with cinnamon as a sweet chilled summer dessert. Fat free / lowfat refried beans. I love it with taco seasoning as a dip for veggies or crackers, or as sauce for chicken. Add a garnish of plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a boost of protein. Mixes well with unflavoured protein powder / bone broth powder if you still need extra that day. Great for quesadilla with high protein wraps (or cut and toast those wraps to make your own nacho chips). Lentil puree or split pea soup. This is a great base for other soups or as a starter for curries (esp. haleem -- use extra lean ground turkey or chicken, cook some farro seperately so you can throw some in if you need a few more carbs that day -- and for a nice chew). A great thickening sauce for veg & meat casseroles.

Have you reached out to your team? What did they think? Are you still allowed to supplement with protein shakes? At 7 weeks post op I wasn’t hungry at all. But some people regain their hunger signals sooner/later. Also some people experience what they think is hunger and it’s either thirst or reflux. I can tell you that I’m 6+ yrs out and I’m hungrier if I don’t get enough protein but focus on carbs. It’s almost like I have to start my days properly (fluids then protein) or I’m hungry all day long. This does not happen If I front load my meals with a protein. I hope you find a solution!

Like the posts on here I go back and forth on this. I have imbibed. I do dump so hard liquor and wine hit me harder with sugar so then I feel it within 10 minutes then crash. The extra calories to counter the crash kill the buzz. Like 3 sips and I’m done. But beer is friendlier. I do enjoy nursing a good microbrew with a handful of almond or one ounce of cheese. It works for me for camping and baseball games and fun outings. I try to keep it for a once a month thing and have only one or two beers. I have been dallying with pot edibles too. (Can’t smoke due to asthma) One or 1/2 a gummy or taffy keeps a mellow vibe for 4 hours and I save them for special occasions and arthritis and pain relief. There’s less calories and dumping and a longer chill time. P.S. UP was my favorite place camping last summer!!!

Have they tested you to see if you are having issues with reactive hypoglycemia? This usually kicks in 1-4 hours after a meal, but since you've had a bypass it is possible it could kick in faster for you if your food is transitioning faster. I've seen FB groups for bariatric patients that have this issue. I've noticed it often happens years out from surgery... I used to have issues with this before bariatric surgery, even on a low carb diet. Eating small meals often with fat and protein paired with your carbs is usually what they advise to treat it, along with other dietary adjustments. Personally if I don't eat every 2-3 hours, I aggressively crash energy wise. It is very pronounced. I have to carry snacks with me everywhere to prevent me going past that 3 hour mark or I look like the Energizer Bunny without his battery! LOL

No that's fair to say! What kept you going on the day before surgery? When you felt you couldn't do it anymore? Thank you for your kind words, it means a lot. I have no one around me who understands and my partner is a fit, tall man who eats for England (literally 2 mains and 3 desserts style) and is a long-distance runner, so he will never understand. Really helps just knowing someone gets it, even if you're thousands of miles across the world!

Hello @New To This23 thank you so much! My current loss includes preop diet as well. I was only required to do a 3 day preop diet. I agree about the stalls or slow moving scales! I plan to only weigh once a month. I already was getting in a habit of weighing everyday...I don't feel that's mentally healthy. Anyways I feel good about the holidays. I current cook several times a week for my family and have already meal prepped my "bariatric portions". I may still make old favorites for family dinner... but there no pressure to do so. I may even try a little of normal food... but won't push it.

I can't see why the weight isn't falling off for you. Dang, you certainly are eating very lean and low calorie. Seems unfair. I'm clearly nobody to give advice since I ballooned to nearly 350. I only know for my body and if I hit a stall I have to eat a bigger amount for one day then back down to low calories and it seems to jolt my system into more weight loss. My sister had gastric bypass - lost 85lbs and starved herself on cabbage to get down to the 100lbs loss so she could get her knees replaced. Once replaced and she started eating a normal (for us) diet and gained the 15 lbs back but has maintained her weight for the past 3 years. Th beef gelatin has no flavor, none. I can't eat sugar free jello due to the sweeteners they put in it. Many sweeteners are inflammatory and due to my super bad knees I can't stand any inflammation of that kind. If those products don't bother you then you could do sugar free jello, add some extra unflavored beef protein and have a tasty snack. I should add some foods make me retain water - like any tomato product and any wheat or rice. I've no clue why but if I eat those my feet, ankles and lower legs swell. I've been eating mostly paleo for the past 7 years. Has the Dr given any explanation? Any advice? My dietitian keeps telling me we are losing inches not necessarily pounds. I call BS. All I know is I have 17 more pounds to lose to get new knees. After that I hope to lose another 60 so my hubby can buy me a face lift (he doesn't know it yet) SURPRISE DEAR LOL

It’s been a good week all told. Lots of positives, which I’m really pleased about. I’ve rejoined the gym to begin at the start of September. I’ve made my first payment so no shirking now! I cannot fully explain how happy I am about this. I’ve even said I’d go to aqua fit with hubby (he used to go a long time ago, only bloke in a pool full of women, all enjoying it until some arse of a pool guard asked why he was doing a class with, and I quote, ‘old ladies’. This completely destroyed hubby’s confidence and he never went back, even though it really helped him with his back pain) So, I’ve offered to go with him, even though I hate swimming and only do the pool when I’m abroad and it’s hot! Anyway, he’s having a think about it. Had a clothing clear out this weekend. I’ve definitely come down a size so all the bigger stuff ether went in a bag for daughter in law or charity shop. I’ve also go rid of a lot of warm weather stuff too as I have absolutely no intention of being this size come next summer 😎 Hubby also voluntarily went through his things and got rid of a load of shirts and tops as he has slowly been losing weight and so had lots of things that were too big. I will admit to being a horribly bitter wife at this point as his diet is atrocious - doesn’t eat all day, has sandwiches/wraps etc for dinner, with loads of crisps, chocolate, biscuits, cake etc during the evening and the weight is coming off. I have a frigging biscuit and 4lbs appears out of nowhere 😡 Yes, I know, I’m a horrible cow but at least I’m honest! I tried on some smaller sized things (next size down) Again, the stretchy stuff fit, which was a bit of a boost. I also dug out my gym stuff and tried that stuff on. I’m OK for the size I am now and also for when I drop a size or 2 as well, so that’s sorted out the next couple of months at least. Off to see Fat Boy Slim at this coming weekend, another ‘wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care’ show, and I had a pair of skinny, black sparkly jeans in mind but I wasn’t sure if they would fit (have never worn them) I tried them on and they fit!! Obviously the material is as stretchy as hell but I will take it! I’ve now sorted my outfit out, and feel very excited about it. The top I’m wearing will hopefully mask the tummy tire (only surgery will ever get rid of that) and I’ll be throwing some shapes with the best of them 😉 Had physio this morning and it hasn’t killed me, which is all good. I discussed the gym and the physio was all for it. I came away with some exercises to do at home plus I’m booked in for a double physio session in September so I can go through some things in their gym to see what works. It’s the dietitian appointment this week. I’ve completed my food diaries so I’m hoping all goes well and I can move on to the next stage of this WLS journey by getting an appointment with the surgeon. I don’t know if it’s surgeon first or if it’s the multi-disciplinary team get together where they decide if I’m a good ‘fit’ or not. I am chomping at the bit a little, I’ll be honest, but it will take as long as it takes I guess 🤷‍♀️ I ordered a book this weekend called ‘52 Small Changes’ (free on Kindle Unlimited too) I want to make other changes to my life without feeling overwhelmed. I remembered the book from years ago so thought I’d have another little look. It’s a years programme (for want of another explanation) where you make a small change every week eg getting off the couch, getting enough sleep, eating whole grains, drinking water, stretching, explanations of food labels and how to read them etc. It’s all little, positive steps that I think , in the main, would work well with my WLS journey. Obviously there will be things that need tweaking or adjusting to fit in with the food and drink requirements after surgery but I’m happy to at least start. So, this is pencilled in to begin when my gym sessions start again. I’ve downloaded to my iPad via Kindle Unlimited as there are lots of hyperlinks for additional information plus I’ve ordered a physical copy too as I find it easier to follow and, more importantly, absorb! I think that’s enough waffle for today 😉 Onwards and Downwards Everyone!

I had surgery on 12/4/23 and I’m currently down 58 lbs. I’ve hit a few stalls and it seems like I’m not losing much at all anymore BUT it’s the non scale victories for me honestly. Like clothes fitting loosely. Joints feeling wonderful. Energy levels finally returning. Stairs being easy!! Confidence levels rising!! I’m feeling happy and healthy. Honestly choosing to enjoy this whole journey to better myself and my habits has been the biggest key. You have to change your mindset. I think the stubborn belly fat is the last to go for most all of us. I got a facia roller… I use it about every other day on my stomach, thighs, and batwings lol and I think it helps break up the tissue and my skin is appearing smoother. As far as others not noticing… it sucks but sometimes when you see someone daily you don’t notice changes. It takes time away that creates the shock. Don’t let that deter you or make you feel like this whole process has been worthless. You’re doing this for you! No one else! Also, my doctor seems to be the only one that would prefer me to fast and only eat once a day. He says to focus mainly on protein, but never gave me a daily goal. I eat what fills me and then I put whatever’s left away. Feeling the need to always finish my plate is what got me in this mess in the first place. That’s why we are suppose to be taking our bariatric multi daily. To help assist with nutrients we can’t fit. You’re doing good. Keep up with your routine. You won’t be disappointed!

Applesauce? Are you not on a liquid diet for 2 weeks? Did it hurt? That is a little low but honestly mine is usually about that low normally so I wouldn’t be super worried about it being that low. Are y’all having to do the Blood thinner shot? That thing is a *itch!! It burns….does it for y’all?

Just placed an order for $118.40US for 2 households (mine and my mom’s) the following- 5 English cucumbers, 3 12pk 12oz of gatorade zero, 4 6pk Diet Pepsi, 1/2 gallon chocolate milk, 1/2 gallon skim milk, Texas toast cheese bread slices, 1 jar Classico pasta sauce, 100ct paper plates, 1 tub sugar free vanilla ice cream, 1 3pk Sargento balance breaks (cheese and almonds), 1 30pk capri sun drinks, 4 red/orange bell peppers, 2 Keebler fudge stripe cookies, a bag of US smarties, 2 6pks viva paper towels, 1 gallon dill pickles, 1 bunch vine ripe tomatoes, 2 broccoli crowns, 1 pint blueberries, 1 skinny pop white cheddar, 2 6oz blackberries, 2 8ct gogurt tubes, and a bag of takis. And I’m absolutely hating that it’s costing that much. 😭 5 years ago it would’ve been half that.

Isn’t it bloody frustrating @NickelChipwhen you cannot get a consensus on what you actually weigh due to the scales being all over the place??? My own scales at home is trying my patience this week as the weight keeps bouncing around for no reason 🙄I’ve changed the battery but it’s still faffing about. I guess I will have to look for some new ones at some point but will wait to see if any appear in the sales. Any holiday clothes shopping will honestly be a last minute thing. One thing - smaller clothes mean lighter cases 😉 @SleeveToBypass2023i wish I could be as honest with my hubby re my weight. I still don’t know how he can be in any way attracted to me. I hate seeing myself naked and it’s my body. It really does affect the ‘intimacy’ side of our relationship, especially when you’ve lost your self-confidence too. I will tell him when I hit target etc, just not yet. @NeonRaven8919Yes, NHS too! I hope mine is just as quick. Apparently my trust has a fair few cancellations when it comes to WLS so 🤞🤞🤞Is there ever a good time of the year for WLS? The dietitian said that the colder months seem to lend themselves to more choices come the puréed stage post-op and I do tend to agree…you can’t purée a salad can you??

I worked out of town all week, so every meal was at a restaurant. Even the sandwich place we went to, I just told them to keep the fries, and only give me veggies and the meat, no bread. I got strange looks, and it was discounted at all, but it works. I also had a birria taco, and just scraped out the meat/cheese, and left the tortilla. Grilled chicken at the steak place. Luckily I talked them out of a burger joint But if we would have gone, i would have got the burger, just no bun etc. I was still able to keep my calories under 1K per day!

You can do this!! You are a beast woman!! If you need any support after the hysterectomy feel free to message, I've lived that recovery. Honestly with all the other surgeries you've had, I hope this one will be par for the course and you'll be back on your feet in no time, feeling better than ever. I highly recommend you get the disposable mesh postpartum underwear from Amazon, they are the only thing I could tolerate on my abdomen for weeks. Also, yoga blocks or something to prop your feet up a bit on when you go to the bathroom will make those bowel movements easier post op when you aren't supposed to bear down at all. I lived on prunes for 12 weeks because for me they work gentler than laxatives! But you are probably an old hand at the post surgery bowel game by now... For me the hardest thing was to stay down and REST!! You wear out much faster than you'd expect for the first few months, and honestly it was pretty close to a year before I felt back to a normal normal. All the changes in the body are weird. Feeling my bowel drop into the space when I rolled over one night was VERY strange! LOL But I'm sure you know all this. I'll be sending you tons of good juju! You will be amazed and delighted at how light your pelvis feels once those fibroids are out of there! I am still amazed at how light my lower abdomen feels. I didn't realize how accustomed I had become to feeling that boggy heaviness in that area all the time...

I'm experiencing the same as you, but I'm only 6 months post-op. This past two weeks I've fallen off the wagon and am having a hard time climbing back on. I think I'm just rebelling because I'm so tired of having to watch everything so closely this past 15 months; it really does get old! Oh, I'll get back on the wagon soon because I don't want to embarrass myself when I have my 8-month check-in with my surgeon. But it's hard. It's just hard.

Nope you didn't ruin anything. Your journey will be all ups and downs and it is really best to get used to it. Throw in lots of stalls and you will be worrying like crazy if you don't believe your teams advice. You should be in a calorie deficit. Once you are on real whole foods as against puree your restriction will kick in big time. Then you will be on reduced calories again because you just can not eat much. You could have gained three pounds because of a few reasons. Have you been eating salty foods, Having a really stressful time, Have a full bowel or is it just the time of the month.

HI all, The surgery itself went well, the GERD is gone and my hiatal hernia has been repaired, however, I am dealing with terrible constipation (so much pain!), stomach cramps, and nausea (especially when trying to drink protein drinks or any zero sugar drinks). My surgeon has me on stool softeners, Miralax, and Smooth move tea, and Zofran for the nausea to help me to drink and consume more protein (they say I am in protein deficiency). They also want to get me an IV infusion to up my fluids intake with the hopes that will also help with the constipation. Mostly I'm just mentally and physically exhausted from it all. I know it will all be OK and a resolution will come eventually (whether it's a few weeks or months though is why I'm kind of worried about it all), but in the meantime I am at my job and uncomfortable sitting in my desk chair, feeling like I'm cheating my time because of how much I spend in the ladies room, and so close to a breaking point (there are other work issues) that I just want to quit so I can stay at home and convalesce in bed with my pets for a few more years. LOL I have lost a few pounds, which is a bonus (SW 286, last weigh-in was Sept 17 and I was 279, I think I'm probably below 275 at this point) since the surgery wasn't to lose weight but to fix the acid reflux issue. But I kind of feel like I just traded one problem (GERD) for another (constipation) and it's really dragging me down mentally. I hope everyone here is doing well and not dealing with any major issues post-surgery! Christine

Greetings, So I really hit a low point with some financial stress that I went through with a small business I have and reverted back to my old ways of dealing with things - very poor food choices over a couple of months. I feel terrible, but I am ready to get back on track. However I have some concerns. I am able to eat anything and even drink at the same time now - a year and a bit out from surgery. I don't get the "foamies" if I eat too much, etc. I don't get the full feeling that I was still getting right before my crash. What I am saying is - I am worried that the "tool" that was supposed to help me is no longer there to help keep me in check. I know the stomach can't be stretched to what it used to be, so I am fine with that knowledge after doing some research. However I am wondering once I go back to eating properly, drinking more water and getting my protein - will things go back to how things were prior to my 2 months of screwing up or is that probably gone forever now with feeling full, etc. Like I never had the surgery. I looked into a pouch reset - but it seems there is a lot of misinformation out there. That this is not a real thing from what doctors have said - like drinking just shakes for a week again or whatever will NOT reset your pouch. I would appreciate feedback on the above and if anyone went through something similar - what was your experience to get your sleeve back on track. Thank you very much. HM

I had surgery on 11/9. I’ve lost 20lbs since surgery 247 down to 227. I have stalled the last few days with no budge on the scale. Should I be worried? It seems pretty early for a plateau?? I’m tracking and getting between 300 and 500 calories a day. Is my weight loss over? I just can’t believe my weight is stalling already. I guess I just need some encouragement.

Yes the surgeon I met pre-op warned me at the time about hair loss but I was a bit dismissive as have (had!) such thick hair that I didn't think I would have as much fall out as I did. I am thankful for the thick hair as I think it is how I coped with it not being noticeable to others. My hair loss stopped after month six and the regrowth is strong and thick again not sure if that is luck or down to the fact that I added in the special bariatric hair vitamin, plus collagen on top of the other bariatric vitamins I take. I just don't know where the curl/kink is coming from now in the regrowth underneath. My hair is now long enough to tie back a bit but I will be getting it cut again next week to try and get closer to it all being one length at the back.

I was sleeved in March of 2015 (HW 405, SW 357, LW 238, sustained 260 for a few years), had some regain where I hit 315, so I went on a hybrid Optifast/Numetra diet through a program at Kaiser (my then insurance in California). It worked well, I dropped about 50 pounds and was happy with that, but then I had some mental health issues including some passive ideation, so I decided to move across country (technically back home) to Delaware and share a living space with my brother and his wife and pets. Since that move I've gained back the 50 pounds I lost, I have another hiatal hernia, and severe acid reflux/GERD so now I'm on the path to revision to bypass. Thing is, I never wanted bypass, that's why I had the sleeve in the first place, the reworking of my internal plumbing scares the heck out of me! I've known a ton of people who've had it with no issues, but I've also known a couple who passed away from complications (granted, that was 20 years ago, and I know things have improved medically since then). But the idea of having dumping syndrome, and malabsorption, and needing to take vitamins and supplements forever - UGH - I'm freaking out!! 😨😖 I have an anxiety disorder (SAD & GAD) and my anxiety has been through the ROOF the past few weeks! My surgery date is August 26 - 13 days from today! - and I started my pre-op diet the other day (Monday), but part of me wants to cancel everything! However, there is a part of me that can't wait for the relief from the GERD. I guess I'm not asking for anything here, mostly just venting my anxiety. 🤣