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I think I hit a stall earlier than I was hoping. I was 109.6kg on the morning of surgery and went down to 103 a week later and I'm hovering there. It's just frustrating! I know the stall will break, but I'm constantly thirsty, still wearing compression socks and doing the blood thinner injections and not seeing any progress. I know it will fall off eventually, I just want to rant for a moment.

I'm post post post menopausal lol and I still have serious cravings for about a week. My appetite goes sky high, I feel like a bottomless pit during those times. Our bodies continue to go through hormonal changes even without a menstrual cycle. To manage this, I use a period tracker to stay prepared for these fluctuations.

Hi guys, my name is Anna and I'm really glad I found this site. I received approval from my insurance earlier this week, there's just one x-ray needed and then I will be scheduled. My mom had the same procedure over 2 years ago, but she's more of a cautionary tale of what not to do. I have friends who have had it done as well. The hardest part of this process for me has been giving up cigarettes, and trying to lose weight on my own. I started my umpteenth weight loss journey November of 2022, and finally went back to see my moms doctor in January of this year, after chickening out a couple times before. No matter what I've done I have no been able to get below 300 since 2016. My highest weight was 374. The smallest I've been is 230 in my 20s after losing 70 lbs and keeping it off 2 years. Right now I'm chilling at around 340, have been for almost 2 years. I love the gym, I love swimming, I love being active. But I have a lot of chronic pain from back and neck issues, as well as arthritis and between that and depression, it can be hard to get out of bed some days. Last time this year I had just finished a 16 week fitness challenge at a local CrossFit center, where I learned to do a real push up, deadlifts and other strength and endurance building exercises. It was great, and I got down to 315. Then the program ended and about 25 lbs reappeared out of thin air (psych, I know lol). I am hoping that this tool is the missing puzzle piece I've needed. I know how to track, how to measure, how to diet basically. And I know how to exercise. What I've struggled with more than anything is portion and hunger. It's hard to stay in a deficit when your stomach feels like it's gonna eat itself if you don't put enough food in it- That being said I do know I want to focus on protein and fiber for fullness, and I'm working on eating smaller and more frequent throughout the day which is helping some. I guess I'm as ready as I will ever be. Am I the only one who has struggled with being a bit depressed about it all? Like I am mourning the loss of so much, including my stomach and the ability to indulge in a meal. I understand I still can, but it's not gonna be the same having a jr popcorn at the movies, when i had a good portion of a large gone before credits were over- ya know? Like people who don't struggle with their weight take a lot for granted. My whole life I've been big, and it has always felt like a punishment I didn't do anything to bring about. And society punishes you for being overweight/obese/plus size. Part of me feels like cutting out a part of my organs is another punishment I must endure because I am fat. I hope this makes sense, and these are just fleeting thoughts and feelings, mind you. I have a wonderful counselor I see weekly, and we have talked about this, among other things. But I wanted to bring it up here because I am wondering if anyone has struggled with this line of thinking? And if so what are some good things about the process to focus on? I know the outcome of the weight being gone and my appetite under control, and I want those things very much. But it's the actual surgery and the discomfort I know is coming after that trips me up. Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and I wish you all well ❤️

Reporting my win for the week: Since surgery on 4/11/24 i have remained with steady weight loss about 2 to 2.5 pounds per week. I do not own a scale and went to my parents to visit this weekend and stepped on their scale im down another 13 pounds from last month. I think my walking about 5 miles daily also helps if not helping with weight management definitely helps with my mental health. I feel so good after working out! 🏋️‍♀️. Let's us all win for the future weeks ahead!

I had my gastric sleeve in Turkey on 1/10/24 couldn’t believe have smooth it went, 2.5 weeks post op and not loosing anything this week 😕

I am on the exact same diet. It is not easy at all. My surgery date is on Tuesday. But girl, look how far you have come. This will all be worth it!! I keep telling myself that. It doesn't help my hunger pains. I have just been trying to keep really busy. Most days, it seems impossible and I'm not gonna lie, I had 1 bite of my daughters macaroni and cheese last night. It was amazing!! Sticking to this diet for 2 full weeks, is probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. And I have been through a lot! Why aren't you son's wife and kids speaking to you? You don't have to tell, but I do understand. I don't speak to my boyfriend's son's. I even kicked them out of my house. My boyfriend is "supportive" of my choice of surgery, but isn't going with me when I have it(surgery is 3 hours away). Because it is the last 2 days of hunting season, and he has to watch the dogs. All I can say, is I am doing this for me. Whether he or anyone else is around in the end, I am choosing to get healthy for me. I will be around longer for my kids and live a happier, more fulfilling life. You are not alone, even though it feels like it, especially when this world revolves around food! From every ad, song, conversation, anything. Just know, you aren't alone. You are beautiful! You are worth it! and I am proud of you! You have already come a long ways, and taking this step is courageous. Don't lose hope!

some things i've eaten the past week... 1) ½ an oven roasted acorn squash with butter and seasonings: est. 150 cals. ate ½ 2) homemade cabbage soup with 5 homemade pork and cabbage meatballs: est. 400 cals, ate/drank it all except for 2 meatballs. 3) ben & jerry's coffee ice cream, sour cream and onion chips, and a dark chocolate Godiva truffle: est. 500 cals, ate it all. 4) beet salad (beets, feta, balsamic glaze, green onion, ginger, vinaigrette): est. 275 cals, ate it all. 5) 1/4 sesame bagel w/ cream cheese and feta, roasted pork belly slices w/ ginger onion condiment : est. 550 calories, ate it all. 6) raspberry (9%) yogurt cup with black pepper: 175 cals, ate it all

OMG! How did I miss you had Vegemite on toast last week @Starwarsandcupcakes. I didn’t think any non Australian could tolerate it. Mind you I can’t stand it - so strong - unless there’s heaps of butter & only a smear of Vegemite. I’m a promite girl (or was before surgery when I had it regularly on freshly baked white bread). That carrot soup looks delicious!

I can't afford plastic surgery so have had to make do without. My skin laxity has definitely improved in the almost 3 years since my surgery. I was also certain in the first blush of weight loss in the first year that never would I ever regain even a single ounce, but I did regain quite a lot despite my resolution not to. Haha that's all I have to say! My arms are still the most visible saggy skin I have and they look way better 3 years on. I would rather times a million have this 'problem' than my previous morbid obesity. No brainer. Stomach and bum and legs nobody gets to see and have saggy skin - but also seem better as time progresses. Breasts were the least unforgiving luckily, appearance wise. I know we're all different and we want different things as we progress. Hoping you all get to where you want to be soon. 💚

Hi, I am almost three weeks out from a bypass and started experiencing the feeling of liquid coming back up into my throat after drinking, similar to reflux. I had a couple days where I vomited and I think that is be ause I was putting too much in my stomach too fast. (Only took 3 sips to do it). I saw my surgeon yesterday and he explained that there is still swelling inside the stomach and that I need to take the drinking a little slower, but to keep with it. I may get some IV fluids for it, but I just keep woking on sipping fluids to get my liquids in. I have to remind myself it is a marathon, not a sprint. Hang in there!

Someone told me that even if we do what’s right 95% of the time we will be fine. You only had one meal that was off plan put it in the back of your mind and get right back on track. You are doing so good. It’s possible that your body was just craving something because you needed to eat a little bit more to fuel your exercise that you’ve been increasing. That was one of the questions you plan to ask next week, right?

Hi Karla, I'm 9 days post op. I had all the same worries. But the whole point of the pre-op diet is to lose weight quickly. As long as you stick to it, it's almost impossible that you won't lose anything. I know about cravings. Before surgery, I would have killed for a big mac. I was on a prolonged weight loss and lover shrink diet so it was 12 WEEKS (yes 12 weeks) of liquids. Once the first week passed, I got kind of used to it. Post Op, I just want anything solid becaue I'm so sick of soups. It does get better. You're on the right track and you can do this. We believe in you!

My pre-op diet was 12 WEEKS of milk, skimmed milk powder or protein powder and soup.

Yeah, smaller goals is definitely better for us mentally. And paying attention to how you feel instead of what the number is on the scale. I mean, I am still only halfway to the goal that I would like to reach but I am feeling so much better. I put a lot less stock in what the scale says these days. Plus, like you said, you can always adjust and set another attainable goal once you reach your first one. They will have you up and walking the same day as your surgery and encourage you to keep doing so. I started wearing my fitness watch again, which surprisingly was able to update after a lot of years being in the drawer and it’s really fun to be able to watch how many steps you take, calories burned and how everything is improving every day. I got an alert a couple of weeks ago that my resting heart rate has gone down like 7 bpm which probably isn’t a lot, but it’s headed in the right direction for sure.

Today I grieve fried chicken! I rode by Popeyes here in Texas and was literally salivating by the mouth! Some weeks are harder than others. Due to my addiction to food I do not have cheats days nor do I get to indulge. Much like a sobering alcoholic or meth/crack addicted individual one hit/sip leads to relapse. They don't get an opportunity to have a "cheat day". I am in the same boat I can not indulge. 1 day of pulling in to the drive thru will lead to 5 consecutive days of pulling in. Ahhhhhh FRIED chicken lmao

Winter approaching and I am cleaning out my closet. Realizing I have no winter clothing that fit me properly. I also clean out a whole box of clothing that no longer fits. I tried to look more throughly to see if I can find anything, but looks like the whole closet does not fit me anymore… over 10 years worth of clothing gone. Well, time for some retail therapy. lol I will have to try to refraining myself from getting too much new clothes. So far I bought myself 3 sweaters from Quince and 2 pair of jeans from Gap about a month ago, they are fitting loose already.

It will happen soon don't worry so don't spend a lot of sizing down as I have found that I buy something and then a few weeks later it is too big already. Buy cheap if needed, belts have been great.

Ok, so the grocery shopping this week- $76.20 after sales, coupons, and rebates. Half the strawberries are gone already and the raspberries got made into jam. We’ve had pasta salad and rice bowls for dinners and they’ve had danishes, cereal, and crescent rolls for breakfasts. And about 2lbs of carrots from a previous week, a random bunch of celery in the fridge and a huge chunk of ginger got prepped for smoothies later this week and is in the freezer. My total would’ve been $13.40 less if I hadn’t taken a child with me- they asked for the kimchi and banana pepper rings. And pointed out the caramel apples.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner today. Breakfast- wheat toast with laughing cow cheese, strawberries and a protein coffee. Lunch- a mini raspberry danish. I actually made 2 dozen last night. Baked a dozen and the other dozen are in a freezer bag ready to bake when I have surgery in a couple weeks. There’s leftover jam in the fridge for toast/french toast later this week. (That’s what I get for using all 36oz fresh raspberries I’ve bought the past week!) Dinner- I picked up some vegan chicken on clearance so we had that in rice bowls. I ended up eating about 3/4c fluffed rice, a total of 1 cup cucumbers, about 1/2 cup carrots, and little less than 1/2 cup of the stir fried “chicken” with onions, epis, and garlic in it and 1/2tbsp of sesame seeds. I didn’t eat the seaweed and the grandbaby ate what I didn’t. Also had a protein fiber bar as a snack. Might have another protein shake before bed but honestly, I’m not hungry.

🤔Does anyone have any advice for tomorrow's brachioplasty surgery... Down time? Function of your arms, hands, etc. the first week? Comfortable sleep position? Not sure what to expect? Many thanks! Sophie

I couldn’t see anything on your mirror but your mentioning it reminded me. I did a very similar pic in my mirror to show a friend some shorts to ask if she thought they were too short and I couldn’t figure it out because the shorts and my top were black and looked like they had lint on them (a lot of lint). I kept looking down and there was nothing but when I looked into the mirror I would see it again. Well I finally figured out that it was my mirror that hadn’t been cleaned since the day before my surgery because I was a model patient and didn’t do anything like that requiring bending for. 6 whole weeks. I was like OMG that’s my mirror!! Now i’m not Suzy sparkle by any means but it’s never been so bad I thought I was covered in lint. 😆

Yea. She can prep some things for you. At first you will be on all liquids and once you get to puree you will be eating tiny portions. By the time you get to regular food you will have dropped a significant amount of weight and may be surprised at how much better you feel. I have a tremendous amount of energy now. I haven’t exercised in 20 years but now I’m walking daily, doing yoga twice a week and just tried a cardio/strength class today that I think I’m going to keep doing as well. I started at a lower BMI than you so you may not be doing rigorous exercise right away but you will be able to do more than you can now for sure and each day you will be able to do a little more and more. You can always supplement with protein shakes anytime too. Sometimes if I’m on the run I will have a shake for lunch even though I’m back to regular foods and I have one mixed with coffee every morning (that’s pretty good by the way if you like iced coffee I make mine with decaf). Perhaps you and your wife can cook together once you’re physically able and while you’re learning. I did that with my husband for a while before he got too busy with work and it was actually kinda fun. Anyways, I’m really excited for you on this journey. This surgery is life changing. It takes a great deal of work and commitment but it’s well worth it.

yeah I'm glad my program at least lets us have lean mean and no fatty meat, I'm also doing the no sugar Jello which is actually ok lol, but after surgery comes the 2-week full liquid diet i heard bone broth is actually good but have yet to try it

Yes. 5-6 Protein shakes and clear liquids. Sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles and low sodium broth(which is disgusting). That is it! I think it is ridiculous. I am trying my best, but it is not easy. I would love to have just a bite of anything!! They said I could have 1 bite of protein, but I know I won't be able to stop at 1 bite. Especially after not eating food for a week now.

That’s probably not a bad thing to have a bit of a break in between your first and second session. It feels pretty incredible when you’re done, doesn’t it? I started with walking and then I added yoga twice a week and today was my first cardio/ strength class. I thought I was in trouble when the teacher says so are you guys warmed up yet and I was already tired. Thankfully we didn’t do too much more cardio before we changed to the strength stuff. My legs are tired but I’m not limping or anything. It’s great when you find a workout that pushes you some but not so bad that you hurt yourself. I never thought I would ever enjoy exercise like I do now. I just feel so incredible when I am done. I love it.