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Some of the unsung benefits of losing excess weight: A CDC info sheet on the association between obesity and 13 specific cancers it can cause. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/obesity/index.htm The NIH’ s National Cancer Institute fact sheet on obesity and cancer https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/obesity-fact-sheet Hope you find this interesting!

I haven't had revisions, I just had DS surgery 6 weeks ago. But I have seen a fair number of multiple revisions around here and elsewhere... I'm sure if your doctor approved you for the surgery then you are good to go! But any surgery can be scary, so I understand the worries. Sleeve to Bypass revisions are pretty common. It is likely your surgeon has done a fair number of them. The weight loss is slower for revisions, but I have seen many end up reaching their goal weight, it just takes a bit longer the second time around. You don't say what your starting weight is or what you hope to lose... Advice is just like for any of the surgeries---take it easy. Trust your team. Drink your fluids in baby sips and get in as much as possible, this will keep you out of the ER hopefully. Stay ahead of your pain. Ease into food gently. Walk as much as you can. Rest when you feel tired and give yourself extra rest for the first few weeks because surgery can take it out of you! Remember that a lot of nerves have been cut and have to heal, so you may not feel any restriction for a while. Stick to the portions your dietician advises for the first few months until you are getting accurate communication from your healed tummy! And whatever you do, do NOT let yourself get constipated!! Take the stool softeners, take Miralax if you haven't gone in a few days and are concerned. The most common complications I see are nausea, dehydration, and constipation! Most of all, good luck! Have a really routine, easy surgery and an uncomplicated recovery! ❤️

This is a hard one because on the one hand, it's fairly easy to advise how to change your diet and lifestyle. Here are some basic things to try: drink at least 64oz water per day remove all processed foods and sweets from your house and diet and replace with fresh fruit and nuts/seeds (this includes artificial sweetener and protein shakes if you're past 3-6 months post-op) make sure you hit your protein goal (probably 80g) with high-quality lean protein every meal, every day (meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, beans) decrease or eliminate your grains/starches and always opt for whole grain when you do have it eat only at mealtimes increase your vegetable consumption increase physical activity (for example, get 10k steps per day) keep a journal that includes both a food journal and an emotions journal, and use this to see if you can find patterns or triggers in your behavior The motivation is a whole other issue. None of these changes are likely to stick if you don't have the motivation and mindset you need to do it. Personally, I found a lot of information and motivation from reading Dr. Matthew Weiner's books, A Pound of Cure, and also the one that explains how weight loss surgery really works. I also get a lot of inspiration from watching YouTube vloggers and podcasts. Here are a few of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisesJourneyxo https://www.youtube.com/@apoundofcure https://www.youtube.com/@nicoleislosingit https://www.youtube.com/@kakisrnyjourney5376 https://www.youtube.com/@thistothatlife Finally, if you can, get friends and family involved in supporting you by checking in on your progress, going for walks with you, maybe cooking meals together. And post here for support!

Funny thing ---- I was all bummed out about my 3 month long stall - I even Gained 4 pounds when I saw my doc a couple days ago. I finally did something I was so scared to do ..... I took out the tape measure. I was seriously shaking when I measured myself for the first time. I lost a total of 15" since this whole program started ! I knew my clothes were loose - but 15 inches ? ! ? ! Wow ! In fact ...... I feel SO GOOD ,this is the going to be the first time in YEARS that I'm putting up a Christmas tree The hell with that scale LOL !!! My mental and physical health is better than it's been for years and I stopped focusing on that darn number !

Officially 2 weeks post op as of yesterday and i feel like i’m finally in a groove : i can serve food and know if it’s too much. I’ve mastered what my new normal portion is. I have also managed to make sure my water intake is ok (not great, around 1.5 litres per day should be a little more). I feel much better and have even had morning or afternoon snacks on the go which is great as i feel i’ll be able to manage once i go back to work next week. I’m not getting enough protein in daily yet because i can no longer stomach protein shakes, they feel heavy on my stomach and have made me throw up the last 2 times i’ve tried them. I have a couple more brands to try and hopefully one of them works. I tried protein water but honestly i can’t stomach it either (taste wise) - everything seems so sweet … I don’t have much room for vegetables and i’m craving some so badly. I’m going to try and incorporate some but i have to prioritise the little protein i’m getting in so it won’t be easy. One thing i’ve learnt this past week: some days i can eat more than others. It almost scared me one day but the next few days i ate so much less than i realised we just need more sometimes ! Weight wise i’m at 10.9 kgs (24 lbs) down which is great so far :) I know a stall is near as everyone mentions the 3 weel stall so i’m’trying to be reasonable and weigh in less ! My new goals for the week are to make sure i reincorporate vitamins and minerals that will help me fight any fatigue next week when i go back to work. And also, to up my protein intake ! Hope everyone is doing well :)

To be honest, early on I had lots of problems with nausea and vomiting eating normal solid foods when it was allowed for me. I stayed on liquids and soft foods maybe longer than most. But it was easier for me. I figured my tummy just needed more time to heal and really had no reason to force it just because I could have it. So, I prioritized getting my protein and liquids in first in the form of shakes, milk, yogurt, soups etc. I've said it here before, that you are better off staying hydrated if eating solid foods is keeping you from that, timewise. (30-minute rule) I simply preferred that to feeling nauseous and figured I had the rest of my life to eat solid foods. Becoming dehydrated can cause stalls and constipation. I also have trouble drinking plain water but found if I add Crystal Light I tend to drink more in a day., I also take a stool softener twice a day since WLS, recommended by my surgeon. Of course, like everyone else here said, periodic stalls are normal. Long term you have to question what you are doing. Now at almost a year post op, I can pretty much eat and drink as needed. I just came off a stall and since I'm nearing goal weight, those last few pounds are coming off slower. I don't weigh myself as often so as not to get discouraged. But I'm pretty damn happy with where I am. Try to get those liquids in... it's important. GL

Thanks for this chuckle @summerset. So true. There will always be these types of people and there numbers seem to be growing. At Christmas, my brother’s mother-in- law responded to my youngest brother’s Christmas half hug & greeting with ‘’You are grossly overweight.’ She actually greeted me quite warmly which was unusual but then when she was leaving she told me she didn’t know who I was (which explained the warm greeting on arrival 🙄). Sure I haven’t seen her since I lost my weight but for F’s sake I’ve known her for almost 40years which included many years I was slim. Hurtful but pretty much what we expect for her - insensitive, tactless, cold B.

I still can take up to an hour to eat though usually 30-45 minutes. It depends on what I’m eating. I stick to my appropriate portion size & stop if I don’t need any more. I don’t eat more. 4.75 years out & I lost all my weight & more & have maintained it. I can have a slow full signal so going slowly ensures I don’t accidentally eat past me being full & then only getting the signal at the oh my God I’m going to burst stage. It’s why I tend to eat until I’ve had enough & need no more & not rely on the full signal. However, the don’t eat for more than 20 or 30 minutes isn’t uncommon. I think it’s to stop you eating more than you need/too much. But surgeons have their own reasons for their requirements as we know.

Wow congratulations on the massive weight loss! Sorry to hear that you’ve had such difficulties getting there though, my heart goes out to you. I haven’t had any complications from the procedure, but my poo situation did change dramatically. I used to eat a ton of veggies and fruit, and had bowel movements 2-3 times daily on average before the operation. Obviously afterwards my diet had to focus on protein, so I lost most of the fibre in my diet. As I was taking Metformin, my stool was very soft and I didn’t notice at all until my Dr said I didn’t have to take it anymore (which was great), but then I quickly realised that I was constipated all the time. I started experimenting with different fibre supplements, and I’ve found a regime that works with my body. Nowhere near the problems you’ve experienced, but boy was it awful! I've lost 25kg/55pounds so far, and I’m definitely plateauing. Not sure if I’ll lose more, but my Dr is very happy and so am I. I’m walking every day and not calorie counting anymore as I have a good routine going. Hope you solve all your problems! Always around if you need any support or help!

Good advice above! I made a very very considered choice to have a sleeve despite being on PPIs for years for reflux. Only because I knew when I had previously lost significant weight my reflux had gone. My gamble paid off but I know that the recommended surgery for people with reflux is bypass. Concerned that your surgeon is trying to railroad you into anything else. My choice was very much mine after a long discussion of the pros and cons. This is too important a decision to get wrong.

Update: Gastric Bypass Date 8/16/2023 Starting weight 376 Current 295 Down 81 pounds. My heaviest was 387.

At first it was because, even though I completed my requirements in early October, the first available surgery date was end of December. And then my hospital abruptly cancelled all surgeries and closed the weight management center 3 weeks before my surgery, so I had to get established with a new hospital (one that is owned by the same big healthcare company that owns several hospitals in the Boston area). It was a real shock. The first available appointment was early January at the new place. Luckily, they've accepted all my prior appointments to fulfil the requirements, and they allowed me to schedule my surgery after one meeting with the surgeon and dietician, which I was able to do that same day last week. Now I'm scheduled for February 21 and am counting the days while fearing something will go wrong again.

For those of you that were dealing with some emotional trauma or issues that you were dealing with, did losing the physical weight help you lose the emotional weight you were carrying. For example, I don’t feel confident like I use to before I gained weight and I feel once I lose weight I will feel confident again and those thoughts of being unworthy will dissipate. Did anyone’s emotional issues go away after the weight came off?

Thanks for responding! No, wegovy doesn't work forever, and I had heard that as body physiology heals post bariatric surgery and normalizes (6-12 months post surgery) appetite returns. I'm more interested in that first 6 months when most weight loss occurs. I've been able to maintain my weight post Wegovy, so I'm not incredibly worried about when my appetite starts normalizing. I was just curious about the difference in how we feel post surgery vs medication.

I fully agree with you!! I have other medical conditions that have required treatment insurance has decided not to cover. Not for any good reason, just because they don't feel like it! I think one of the greatest tragedies in the US healthcare system is we let insurance companies make medical decisions that are supposed to be made by doctors and their patients. No corporate entity should be able to override my doctor when it comes to what I need for care. But, that's what you get in a capitalist society that thinks healthcare is a privilege. 🙄 If it is any consolation, there are a number of RNY patients on here who have lost an amazing amount of weight, DS levels of weight!! My doctor said that the sleeve usually takes off the weight, while the intestinal bypass in a RNY or DS is what keeps off the weight long term. You will still be getting some of that in the RNY. I wish you so much good in your journey!! Please keep us posted!

I really started noticing some bloating around middle part of October, which was after my appointment I had in September. I figured it was diet and I cut out the cucumbers and it took it down some of the bloat but not all the way. Then the tenderness started shortly after starting the Woman’s Probiotic. At first I thought since I increased my strength training at the gym at the same time that I was just sore and it would go away. Since then it just seems like it’s gotten a little more tender. I’m stumped too. The Nurse Practitioner wants to put it on gallbladder but I have a feeling it will get the same results as I had 10 yrs ago when I did the ultrasound and hida scan on it. I understand they have to go up the ladder on the testing to rule things out too. It’s just frustrating. I do know if the pain gets worse or new symptoms pop up to call weight management or go to the ER. I have been having soft formed peanut butter colored bowel movements and still do the 2 colace daily and the miralax once daily. If not I slow down and it turns into the kind of bowel movement the first one after surgery was aka what I call horse size poop. I don’t know if that helps with anything or not. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Throwing my anecdotal experience in the ring here, as well! I had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) at the end of November 2023. I was a "slower loser" the whole time, and then I hit a major stall about 6 months post-op, just bouncing around the same ~5ish pounds for months. I set up an appointment with my team for July 8th, discussed the issues I was having (mainly just being hungry and therefore eating larger portions), compared the different options, and we settled on trying out Phentermine. I did have to have a mobile heart monitor for 30 days prior to my surgery, as I had these weird heart "flutters" for YEARS and nobody could really figure out what they were (they ended up being PACs, or Premature Atrial Contractions, which apparently almost everyone has at some point and most people can't feel. I'm just unlucky! They are benign if they are not occurring in excess). My team had me do an EKG in-office that day, as well. They asked about any family history of heart issues, sudden death at early ages, etc. With a normal EKG, I was started on half of a 37.5mg tablet for 4 days, to increase to a full tablet after that if there was still residual hunger and I didn't have any major side effects. They said I'd know within those first few days if it was going to cause any issues. I did increase to the full 37.5mg after 4 days, and I've broken the stall (dropped 5lbs since July 8th, and part of that was spent at a music festival with few healthy food options), and I feel generally great! I do also have ADHD and Narcolepsy, so the stimulant properties are helpful for me. I'm feeling satisfied with much smaller portions and not experiencing cravings at all. I did have some mild insomnia the first few days, BUT I am already a night owl with a bit of insomnia due to the Narcolepsy, so it wasn't a big issue. Other comorbid conditions include depression and anxiety, which I am taking medication for, as well. The anxiety has not been exacerbated, which WAS an issue I had with previous stimulant use for Narcolepsy. Cost-wise, it ended up being roughly $7 USD with insurance. For me, trying Phentermine is definitely worth it, and I will follow up with my team later next month to see where I'm at. I had feared I was done losing after only 6 months post-op, and Phentermine has restored my hope that I can keep going to get to a healthier weight. It's important to remember that, while Phentermine will decrease your appetite, it does NOT cause you to burn any more calories than normal unless you also increase your activity. You have to decrease your portions - the Phentermine just makes it easier to do that, if it works as intended. So, your personal experience may vary, but it's worth discussing with your team if you feel stuck! EDITED TO ADD: My team said that I need to take a break from using it daily about once a month (like, not take it for a couple of days), otherwise I'll develop a tolerance and it won't work as well. This is pretty typical for stimulant medications in general.

I like the thought of eating porridge better than actually eating it. I am always disappointed when I retry it. It just sits like a heavy alien in my stomach all day. I think this would be very useful if I need to loose some weight again. Two small bowls of it and I would be ok all day. I have never been a potato person. I much preferred rice, noodles or pasta. To me potatoes need lots of butter to make them edible, luckily that would make me get the foamies.

Thank you!! I had my first consult yesterday and was shocked that he thought I could have a tummy tuck now (thought I had to lose more weight). I ended up getting a quote for an arm lift, tummy tuck and breast lift… I’m leaning towards a tummy tuck and arm lift … do you mind me asking how long was your recovery and if any of the procedures were done at the same time? This surgeon will only combine the arm lift/breast lift and the tummy tuck would have to be a separate surgery even if i don’t do the breast lift.. I was really hoping to only go through this once .. I have a few other consults lined up.. I’m excited and absolutely terrified:)

I Know you will do Great!! Ty for your Kindness.Jo Ann age 65 North ,Florida.. i pray I can lose my Regain.. I am scared it can turn into more than it is..i was blessed for 8 years to keep my weight down between 115-120. today i am between 124-125. i am 5"2. Age 65..

Woohoo I hope I passed the stall stage for real! Ive been stuck at 241 lbs up and down for 2 weeks and it went down to 239.6 this morning. I am counting small victories. From 240s to now in the 230s! My surgery weight was 250.4lbs. So after 3 weeks 11lbs down. Yayyy This week I can add mashed or puree vegetables and grains like cream of wheat and grits. Sharing some image of my progress. Also the salmon, broccoli puree and cream of wheat was delicious as my lunch! Good source of protein too. My nutritionist advice for each meal now is 3oz of protein, 1 oz of vegetables and 1 oz of starch. Always try to eat the protein first. My daily calorie intake is between 600-800 including the protein shakes. I am drinking 1 1/2 bottle of shakes. I fell 2 shakes to be too much for me, and 1 1/2 is just right. Protein intake is about 85-100grams. I will ask on my next visit to find out if I really need that much of protein since they told me my daily goal should be 65-75 grams initially.

being on these forums long enough i would assume that one should realize by now that everyone is different. we say/post it multiple times a day, every day. i don't like weight lifting . it's don't like olives. i don't like talking about my wls. others don't feel the same way. i get that. we are all different people getting our own versions of joy. i may not make the same connections to things as you do, and thats cool. i mean, some people have sex every day while others don't. some people weigh themselves every morning others don't. some people read books while others don't. why do people drink too much and become alcoholics? alcohol is so gross. this line if thinking is the close sibling to why do people eat too much and get fat? being fat is so gross. to paraphrase you: "but how did you get to the point where <eating> was enjoyable enough to do it often <that u end up being 300 lbs>?" the incredulity in your post is loud and clear...but really, if u think about it, its not that impossible to understand (especially from the point of view from a person who was morbidly obese) your intention may be not to sound judgy...but in my very insignificant opinion, you kinda do. but i mean, you are entitled to say whatever you want. i guess i just wanna ask you to take a pause and reflect on how ur post may or may not have come across. sorry. 😔 i don't normally weigh in this heavily in anonymous internet chats as i hate confrontation, but this touched a wee nerve for me. (i may just delete this post after i overthink it to death...we shall see...i have already edited this post a gazillion times in my overthinking, ha.)

So relieved to report I finally dropped to a new "lowest weight" after my 2-week stall. Weighed in at 198.6 this morning, a drop of 0.6 since yesterday. I really hope that might continue a few days at least before I hit the next rough patch. The cravings for sweets and carbs are real! I'm fortunate that I do feel a lot of restriction, or at least I do if I am eating the right kinds of foods. I can only manage about 2-3 oz (60-85g) of heavier proteins, which include salmon, poultry, beef, and pork. I also get full at around 4 oz (100g) veggies. Sadly, if I do eat bread or crackers, they seem to go down easy. Same with ice cream or candy. I had really hoped that wouldn't be the case. It makes it that much more important for me not to keep those types of things in the house. I'm struggling with what to eat, especially for breakfast. Nothing sounds good. I'm tired of plain yogurt and cottage cheese. I'm tired of protein shakes and smoothies. I was enjoying smoked salmon with cucumbers on rye crisp bread until last week when it made me violently ill. I've become repulsed by eggs. Plus, I don't usually get hungry until later in the morning. Today, I decided to wait, and I finally started to feel some real hunger at 10:00am. So, I'm having a leftover big Italian meatball from dinner a few nights ago. Lunch and dinner options aren't much easier. Cooking is a hassle when you can eat so little, and my kids don't like the kinds of things I can eat. But I worry it sets me up for grazing when I don't have a plan. I'd really like to do some meal prep and have a list of maybe 10 go-to meals that are bariatric approved and easy to make any time of day. I'd like to spend a few hours roasting a sheet pan of veggies and cooking some chicken to store in the fridge for the week and incorporate into meals. I need to clean out the fridge and pantry. I just don't seem to have the motivation to do any of it. It's like all my energy has run dry, although my bloodwork came back good so it's not an issue of something being off. Just my attitude, I guess! I'm feeling stressed and a little overwhelmed, and it shows in my environment because my house is getting cluttered and I have a pile of laundry that is quickly going to consume me. What I wouldn't give for a housekeeper to keep the place tidy and my own cook to make healthy meals and deliver them to me at appropriate times during the day.

Funny you mention that. I have seen a few people have gotten sick just before surgery. well, as far as the ones that passed neither of them was due to surgery complications. One was a drug overdose. She had so many issues after surgery and had to have a couple of emergency surgery to repair sutures. That however was on her! She did not follow the plan and less than three weeks post op she was eating Doritos. Well one c got lodged in her suture line and they had to repair it. She also over ate regular food and got some kind of blockage. the second one that passed she actually committed suicide. Now that MIGHT have been surgery related because your body goes through so many hormonal changes as well. So that is something that if you start feeling regret know that it is Normal but find a therapist to talk it out with. my other friend he had issues during surgery and they ended up putting him in a medical coma for two weeks. He was a large guy like me, well he was bigger by like 60 pound at around 450. I don’t know what all happened but I know he was having bleeding issues. But he was ok in a couple weeks and he was doing well the last time I talked to him. my other friend I think she just gave up and has gone back to “normal “ for her. So she is gaining weight. I do know I have to work on my mental health and stay disciplined after. And it shows how stuff we can control and some stuff we can’t. We just have to go into this knowing it is only a tool not a cure. so since you have kids I would really say make sure you have a therapist. It will be rough for a few weeks after surgery I’m sure. everything else is out of our hands. I know it is cliche but I follow the AA motto. Accept the things we can not change, Change the things we can, And may God grant us the wisdom to know the difference. all I’m in charge of is what food I put in my body and how much I exercise. Everything else is out of my hands.