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I'd contact your surgeon, especially since you were "fine" beforehand. It might not or might be stricture, I'm not a doctor so contact your surgeons office. Stricture presents symptoms that can "include nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, feeling fullness in the upper-middle abdomen, and trouble eating" "The patient may also experience pain when swallowing or experiencing difficulty swallowing." ** This is what you're describing!? "Generally, when a patient complains of feeling like food is getting stuck, or they are throwing up, we immediately assume it is an anastomotic stricture. An anastomotic stricture after gastric bypass is the most common complication. "Near 60% [of patients] present a mild stricture (with a diameter between 7 and 9 mm), [with] 28% asymptomatic. This complication is easily treated by endoscopic procedure if it is diagnosed early (3 to 4 weeks) after surgery. Routine endoscopy 1 month after surgery is the only objective scientific way to determine the real true incidence of this complication." You are better off directing your concerns to your doctor just to be safe!

The water amount was just a recommendation from my team. They seemed to have a more relaxed attitude towards my goals. I drank what I could. I was only thirsty the first few difficult weeks. Now I just drink what I want, when I want. Before surgery, I detested eggs and just looking at them would make me heave. Now my body craves them. Isn't that strange. We cook all our meals from scratch and I decide on the weeks menu so I adapt them too suit my diabetic husband and my low carb life. If I fancy Thai food, I have it but with a Tom Yum soup vibe with a few fork full of noodles. It does satisfy my craving. If I want lasagne, I eat around the pasta as I can not tolerate it. I eat all the crispy burnt edges though I log everything that I eat and drink so if I want a biscuit and I have already got my protein in, Then I have a biscuit Food should not be boring. I just do not live to eat it anymore.

I hope I’m not doomed!!! I ate more than I should have Christmas Day. Got on the scale and it says 2.6 pounds up. What have I done!! I have been working so hard the last two weeks to get it right!! Surgery is tomorrow and I don’t want to hear it isn’t happening anymore. I mostly over ate on meat. However I did have the carbs (in moderation) I didn’t set myself up better for success and now I am mad at myself.

I made it down to 144 on my own but I finally reached goal thanks to plastic surgery. I'm still recovering from my surgery 3 weeks ago. I actually went to mexico because I found a great Dr that I loved his work and he is board certified in the US as well as Mexico and Cuba. He is known for being very safe and I had to be pre screened medically twice before he would even operate on me. He also works out of a hospital so I thought I had all of my bases covered but my luck is always bad lol. I had complications but I still received amazing care. My only symptom after surgery was a fast heartrate. They brought in all the guns and had a cardiologist, the surgeon himself, a radiologist and the surgeons partner all come in and test me and discuss on my care. My blood came back with a hemoglobin level of only 6.9 and the ultrasound showed a large hematoma. So they immediately wrapped me in a compression garment and then taped me even tighter and I was given 2 blood transfusions through the night. Early the next morning at 7 am I went in for a second surgery to remove the hematoma and to see if I had any active bleeds which I did end up having an arterial bleed which they then fixed. I was also given one more bag of blood. I have the pictures of me opened all the way up during the original surgery and you could not see any bleeding at all so I don't know how this bleed happened but they acted quickly and I felt safe and taken care of the whole time. My dr always has everyone stay at least 1 night in the hospital and I think that is what saved me. So many people go home right away and if that had been me with no other symptoms, I am afraid to think of what could have happened. I was never dizzy or nauseous or even really tired. Just a fast heart rate of 120 with spikes to 150. Unfortunately because I had to have 2 surgeries my front tummy tuck scars are taking forever to fully heal but they are still doing great. No infections, just slow healing. I had a lower body lift which is the cut that goes all the way around and is great for tightening the front and the back. Lipo to my back and flanks, a small bbl and breast reconstruction. So I did have a ton of stuff done and with hind sight I may not have chosen to do it all at once because I wonder if that was increasing my chances of complications After the fact though I'm so glad to have it all done and not have to face any more surgeries. They removed about 8 lbs of skin and 2 in fat. I haven't weighed this little since middle school and I'm still swollen so who knows what my final weight will be. I'm so happy with my results and will have to share pictures once I'm fully healed. My youngest daughter and I went shopping this week and bought crop tops to wear together to celebrate. I've never worn a crop top ever. So I'm looking forward to wearing it in the near future. Gastric bypass certainly has changed my life in amazing ways

you might have to decrease your calories or increase your exercise to get the scale moving again. Caloric intake can vary widely among people depending on so many factors. There are people on here who have to eat 1200 kcal to maintain, and others who can eat 2000. To lose weight, they'd have to eat fewer than their maintenance level (or bump up their activity). My maintenance level is around 1600, but I can go up to 1800 or so if I'm exercising most days of the week. BTW - the lower your weight, the fewer calories you have to take it to maintain the lower weight. So your calorie limit at 19 stone would be lower than what you'd need to maintain at 21.9 stone.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me all this! How long were you off work right after surgery? I told them 1 to 1.5 weeks is my guess. But one lady here said she was back in a few days. I don't want to push it if I need to heal more though and my clients are all understanding. My dad passed away last year after 25 years of congestive heart failure then also diabetes and lost one leg then the other. It was extremely heartbreaking and don't want my kids to see that happen to me if there is any way at all I can be healthier. So going to do this. Have 12 dietitian appts. Done two. Already had psychological and was cleared. Have endoscopy Oct 11 and last dietitian appt on Oct 30. Surgery after final approval so they estimate Nov. Hopefully early Nov. Doesn't bother me at all about the holidays. One year I lost 5 lbs from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It's all mindset. But it's when I go back to eating like everyone else I always gain! Sucks. Thank you again! I'd love to be able to text with you if you'd consider that! It's ok if you'd rather not though. Lol! I know I'm a stranger. Lol! You look great and I'm so happy for you. And yes when I'm even at 200 I have the energy for the gym and remember only being able to do the stairmaster for seconds and worked my way up to 20 or 30 minutes. I was so much stronger. It was years ago so can't remember but think I got up to 30 mins and now I love esp the machines and esp the leg machines. Leg day is my fave! Can I ask you, did you grieve your clothes? Even though they are big now I like them. I remember when I lost before I grieved them because I'd raised babies with them all and kept some just as memories. Lol! But will just alter what I can and the rest will buy new. Bet no one ever asked you that one! Lol! Unless you've been there and dropped several sizes before you wouldn't understand. 💗 And do we need to add quote when replying because won't these get too long? Lol! Have a great Friday!! ⚘️ Wow! That's awesome. I'd take even half that loss and be happy. But would sure be nice to lose quite a bit so my low back can calm down. Severe osteoarthritis there. About 240 lbs now. 277 was my highest many years back. Lost 100 through diet and exercise and slowly came back. Then end of 2021 was 265. So did it again. Ate less, moved more and lost 64.5 lbs about 2 years ago and got to 200. Felt sooo much better even there but slowly back now to 240! Blah! Surgery most likely early Nov for sleeve. Said bypass will cause ulcers since only ibuprofen helps my back. Can I ask you about exercise you did? Also that you do now? And did you have any skin removal? May need that around my middle later on. Heard someone with our insurance got that covered also. Praying for that but will save up for it if I have to. Thanks for any advice and info! You look great and I know you must FEEL better. That's what I want. I never sought surgery to look better but hopefully will. I just feel terrible and need some relief and want the weight to stay gone. Using this tool to help me remain smaller.

Wow, you look great @Char V!! You have obviously exceeded his expectations of your weight loss!! Yeah, I grew up pretty poor and finishing the food on my plate was a huge thing. My parents were excellent at food guilt and money guilt. But I've put a lot of hard work into letting that go because it just wasn't a healthy mindset for me... My fridge is full of leftovers like most bariatric patients, and we actually eat most of the leftovers (my partner too has weight issues and is diabetic). I try to order things that can be leftover and still taste decent. But every once in a while I set that aside and just get what I want, even if it won't be finished. My mindful eating coach challenged me to do that to teach myself that eating more than what I need is just as much a waste as throwing it in the trash... None of us can avoid food waste. It is fine to try and mitigate it as best we can while at home, if that is what our values dictate. But when eating out I need to sometimes practice leaving food on my plate and being okay with that... It was hard, but I'm working on it!! Still, I would be unpleasant if someone opted to point out my "wastefulness". 😂 Traveling all around AU working is definitely stressful on the body AND the diet! I recently opted not to go on a business trip with my partner because I didn't want to deal with attempting to eat for a week out of my hotel room without a fridge. Even I have limits regarding food wastage. LOL If we were driving there and I had a fridge it would be different, when we travelled for the holidays when I was 2 months out I was fine. I got a lunchbox that fit a fair number of shakes and protein snacks, cheese and such, and made sure to carry protein snacks wherever I went. But this gets considerably harder if you are flying around to places...so I decided to stay home with the cats. LOL Are you flying to various places or driving?? Sydney is such a lovely city, I really enjoyed my week there. Though it wouldn't be as much fun in a moonboot!!

Hello, my name is Kristen. New here. I'm 11 days post op. I'm on my protein weeks or phase 2 of 5 to weening back to normal foods. My nutritionist told me I should be able to feel full after 4-6 oz. I should drink a protein shake within 2 hours as my stomach couldn't handle it all at once. However, I'm finding out that I can eat/drink a lot more than that at once with no pain. I burp a little more but that's about it. I'm HIGHLY worried that this means I won't be able to control my food intake once I can have solid foods again and regain all my weight. I'm 11 days after and only down 4 pounds, which is another concern is that I'm not losing weight as fast as so many have told me I would, including the nutritionist. I do know that in some cases, inches fall down faster than pounds. I'm hoping that's my case but my pants so far fit just the same and the 4 #'s seems to be reflecting both pounds and inches. Has anyone also experienced this? Is this because I can stomach more than I was told I could? Am sorry eating too much? I have 2-3 protein shakes a day. I eat some chili or cottage cheese randomly these past 3 days. I also have protein20. A water/protein mix. I have around 40-60 oz of water a day (still working on my water intake) here and there I'll have sugar free popsicles. Have cut the popsicles mainly out as they have other bad things in the ingredients and I don't want a sweets craving. My nutritionist assures me I'm doing things right but I don't understand why I can eat a lot more than I'm supposed to and I'm losing weight very slow. It's super discouraging. I was looking forward to this surgery as a new life, new me and a better me. Not at all what I hoped for

2 lbs a week is considered "rapid weight loss". I know it doesn't seem like it, especially when comparing to others progress, but it is true... By 3 months you want to have lost 25% of your excess weight to be "average" and right on target, though even if you aren't at 25% lost there is still hope, because some people lose very slowly the first 3 months, then pick up the pace. If your surgery weight was somewhere around 286 and your goal is 150, your excess weight is 136 lbs. 25% of this would be 34 lbs. You have lost 43 lbs. So you have actually lost 32% of your excess weight! That is excellent!! You are ahead of schedule... Percentages IMO are much better to use than actual lbs lost because it is the percentages that really show you where you are! And on a funny note, I was exactly where you are at 3 months--43 lbs lost, 137 lbs excess weight, so 32% towards my goal weight! LOL Your team should be thrilled! Sorry your boobs are going south too... A good bra does help, I am losing fast in the band size for some reason, I have to buy a new bra every month! LOL

@BlueParis I don't blame you for wanting some sun! We've finally had some nice weather here and it makes such a difference. We're in that little sliver of time where it's nice and not too hot. I know that in another few weeks I'm likely to be desperate for air-conditioning, but today I have the windows open and a light blanket on my lap and it's perfect. I hope you get better weather soon. I had a great opportunity on Wednesday night to join in on a Q&A session with Dr. Matthew Weiner. It was a small group, like four of us, and we just got to ask questions. I filled him in on my weight loss so far, including highest weight, how much I lost with diet changes, how much with the pre-op diet, and then the much slower weight loss since surgery. He told me that even though it seems slower, he thought I was pretty much on track. Apparently when you're calculating weight loss expectations for surgery, it's better to use your highest weight (especially if it's relatively recent, I think) because it's more realistic. So, for example, if I use 251lbs as my start, it suggests a final weight of 166. If I use 238 lbs (the weight I was on day one of the pre-op diet), it suggests 157 lbs, and if I use 223 (the day before surgery weight), it suggests 147 lbs. Dr. Weiner said 147 lbs is most likely not a realistic goal because I wasn't really, metabolically, a 223 lb person when I had surgery. I was a 251 lb person who had lost 28 lbs, and that distinction is important. Honestly, seeing this range of outcomes makes me feel better about where I'm at. I don't have a particular weight I "must" hit as a goal. I'm happy losing weight in a sustainable way and being healthier, whatever that ends up being. I just wanted to have a goal in my mind, and I was starting to worry I was not going to succeed because it's been so slow. But, even though I've barely lost anything since mid-April, I've still lost 50 lbs since last summer, and that should be something to celebrate!

It's not really a matter whether it hurts or not but that it is quite dangerous to eat solids too early on because your sutures have not healed until about the 6 week point. It can cause serious damage either now or in the future. I would speak to your surgeon about this.

I am about 11 weeks out from surgery, and i was told that everyone's body is different. And that everyone has different tolerations. Like you, i knew other people that had the prodecure with other physician groups, and they were able to move to other stages more quickly. I know for myself i did cut a few days (i think 2 -3) moving to that pureed stage. And i did handle it well. But not everyone does. I do think those are guidelines, and to trust and know your body, and just be cautious. And if anything doesn't feel right, revert back to the documented plan from your nutritionist. It seems most people have had success by reaching out to them and asking them their questions also.

FWIW, dehydration will cause at least half the things on your list... I know it is hard, but you really have to hit that 64oz minimum as soon as possible. Dehydration is a major complication after WLS and it will do a number on your skin, make you tired and nauseous, contribute to dizziness, and worsen head hunger... You are only a few weeks out from a major surgery, low libido can take a while to rebound and the rapid weight loss releases bursts of hormones that cause mood swings, sometimes impacts our libido, make our cycles weird, and caused a few meltdowns in our house early post op. 😂 For the constipation try stool softeners combined with Miralax. These are non-stimulants so your system won't get addicted to them like it can the stimulant laxatives. Also, try increasing your fat a little. That might help with the dry skin and dry lips too. The post-op diets are extremely low fat, which made me super fatigued too.

It honestly depends on your clothing budget but I would want to have at least a couple outfits that truly fit at each size. Consignment shops and thrift stores are your best bet (the church ones tend to have better prices because they price each item based on brand and condition rather than making all jeans or all tops a set price. Im sorry but a worn out camisole shouldn't be the same price as a silk Michael kors blouse with the tags still on it. Yet at goodwill, you will find them next to each other both marked $4.99 (or whatever price they have on tops). This is great if you find the nice top with the tags in your size but I usually don’t. lol. I would rather go to another store that prices based on quality and pay $10 for the nicer blouse. I wish I had more consignment stores near me because that would’ve been a great option. They would most likely buy back everything as it becomes too large so you would always have a credit to apply to your next visit. Plus, consignments stores tend to sift through and not take that really worn out camisole plus they organize the clothing by sixes a bit better. Tjmaxx, Marshall’s and Ross are good too. Especially their clearance sections. Clothes shopping becomes so much fun as you begin to really lose and I is not deny myself that but I did keep my real big splurges to accessories so they wouldn’t be too big in a few weeks. Whatever you do. Don’t forget to budget for a couple overhauls of your bras and panties. Because as mentioned before those will need to be sized down a few times as well.

Thanks! I did get evaluated for Orthostatic Hypotension and POTS with my primary care doctor doing the tilt table test and with the balance specialist, but both tests were negative. I used to have the Orthostatic hypotension previously but it was caused by my blood pressure medicine. Since I've been off of it, that particular dizziness has gone away. Now its more of a persistent feeling of motion, almost like its someone jiggling my glasses. It's just frustrating because I keep trying walking to exercise, but I'm stuck to using the treadmill or sidewalk and not going too far from the car. I'd prefer walking in the woods on trails, but I don't want to get stranded where my wife couldn't help me back. The brain fog is no joke. I had a lot of trouble with it before the surgery, had a one month or so break, then after covid, it came back even worse. Regarding other viruses and vertigo, I'll check back with my doctor when I go back next week to see if they can prescribe anything for that. Hoping you're doing well and feeling better yourself! Thank you again for replying!

@RonHall908 Sorry about your knee! I hope you manage to get the surgery as soon as you hit BMI 40. I'm notoriously bad at being active ... even when I wasn't overweight ( I put on 80 pounds 4 years ago over a year but before had always been circa 125lbs my whole adult life) I wan't active at all. Really, I'm the type to wait 7 minutes for the bus to do one stop which I could have walked in 5 ... I've been making a real effort since surgery and have walked a total of 271km ( 168 miles) in 32 days since surgery so an average or 8.4km a day (5.2 miles) - but even with a good playlist I'm just finding it so so so tedious. I'm also seeing the physiotherapist once a week (only 30 minutes - but still) to try and improve my balance and coordination ( I have mild cerebral palsy from a neonatal stroke which is why even a BMI of 32 was far far too high for me and my joints and tendons and why I absolutely have to get back to a bmi of at most circa 22-23 if I don't want to be in constant pain for the rest of my life ...). I'm sort of hoping the moving/walking gets easier/ more enjoyable or maybe when the days start getting longer that it not being dark when I'm walking home from the office. I live just next to a 50m pool but luck has it that it closed for emergency work on the roof the day my team cleared me to swim ....

Start weight 92kg Current weight 70.7kg Goal weight 58kg Hi all I’m 7 months post gastric sleeve op and wondering if my weightloss is slow ? My height is 5.4” my nutritionist is happy with my weightloss but losing 1lb per week is making me feel like I’m failing . Anyone else a slow loser like me ? I’m scared I won’t get to my goal weight . I have no regrets with the Surgury and not had any dumping ever . I’m also able to eat all foods . My only fear is not reaching goal as this was my last hope on getting slim 😢. Thank you for reading my post x

You both are doing great!!! I was sleeved 7/6/23 as well- the recovery went well. I do not believe my sleeve was too restrictive as I can eat small meals without discomfort. I do limit my caloric intake to under 1000 calories per day (I track) and I do not eat simple carbs. I have been eating some fruits which I am cutting back on. I weighed in 3 days ago at 187 lbs, so I am down 43 lbs post surgery, 80 lbs since my first bariatric appointment. I have been in the middle of stall for the last 2 weeks. Hoping it breaks soon. The weight loss has definitely slowed, but based on reading others' experience, I am not going to worry at this point. I wanted to be at least 167 lbs by the 6 month mark, but I've lost very little in the last 4 weeks- don't think I'll make it. Anyway, the goal is what matters. Good luck to you all!

I owned a home scale, but for the first 18 months or so I was too large for it. I did have monthly follow-ups with my surgeon, so I weighed in there. At my follow-ups the topic of my weight / weight loss was never brought up unless I brought it up, since there were more important things to talk about. The things my Doc paid attention to were how I felt physically and mentally, if I was having any issues or concerns, did anything significant change. The things I also paid attention to was how my clothes fit, my stamina, was I happy. Once I could fit on the home scale I almost lived on it for a couple weeks, as the novelty of it was just too much. Then the novelty wore off. Since then I only weigh at medical appointments when they ask me to do it. One does not need a scale to succeed at weight loss. Home scales can be had pretty inexpensively, I see one on Amazon for $16. If it's a matter of dire circumstances I'm sure your Surgeon or PCP or any of your other medical professionals wouldn't mind if you stopped by for a weigh in. Most department stores that sell home scales would allow 'testing' the scale before you buy or don't buy. Good luck, Tek

I forgot to mention this ^^^ The gas pain was worse than the procedure. My incisions and insides never really hurt, but that gas pressure was super uncomfortable. If its available where you are, pick up some Gas-X or similar gas relief medicine to take with you after your surgery. It will hang around a couple weeks, but the more you can walk and move your arms while walking (think over head stretches and other movement) the more it gets dispersed in your blood stream and your body forces it out. The more walking and arm movement you can do, the more it will ease up. Very annoying when the gas would build up in my shoulder area. I wouldn't call it a pain, but it wasnt' fun lol.

I wondered fluid retention too. And I hadn’t heard of hyper hydration either. I do know drinking too much fluid can flush vital enzymes & nutrients from your body which can cause many side effects. Were you told 64ozs/2L of fluids per day? This is the recommended intake for everybody. I do average about 2L every day & pee continuously so I must be well hydrated. Personally I’ve often thought it’s a little too much for me. I’m not tall, not active & on the smaller size. How can I need the same amount of fluid as say a 6’ tall man with a BMI of 30+??? I mean I can’t give blood because I weigh less than 50kg - simply because there’s less in my body. My pee is generally lighter (which is accepted as a sign you’re well hydrated) on the odd day I drink less (1.2 - 1.5L). Hence me wondering more that 2L is too much for me & I’m flushing out nutrients & enzymes. Got me worried now. Will be interested to hear what you're told at your appointment next week.

I am having the gastric sleeve surgery Jan. 3 I start a one week liquid diet on Dec 27 I’m excited and a bit nervous as to what my outcome will be. I am going to adhere to all my restrictions and keep my weight off as long as I can. My back and my knees really need the help. Good luck to you! I’ll say a prayer on out surgery day!

just so you know, a lot of us have trouble with eggs the first few weeks or months after surgery. I did not - I could eat them just fine. But egg intolerance seems to be a common issue with people - at least when they're still pretty early out.

Hi everyone! Just got my surgery date of August 12th. Suddenly it's all so real. So it looks like we'll all be surgery buddies!! I am really excited, scared, hopeful, and anxious. But at this point, I just want it done. I started my liver shrink diet yesterday. It's going great except that protein shakes really don't agree with me. I found one that is not so bad, but when you're drinking 3 a day (that was my doctor's minimum) it's a lot. My husband is super supportive although he doesn't like the idea of me having this surgery because he doesn't understand why I can't just lose weight and keep it off. (I bet you all do, though!) The good news is that he is a great guy and he's been with me every step, which is good because he's the cook at our house. I had my pre-anesthesia call today and I have my last appointment before surgery with the Physician's Assistant on Friday. Two weeks to go from today. I have done a lot of things to get ready. Since I work from home, I got a treadmill and an adjustable desk, so I can get up and walk on my treadmill during meetings. My goal is to walk 30 minutes 3 times a day (I'm up to 2 mph so that's 3 treadmill miles, although I know it's easier to walk on a treadmill than on the street). I don't always get 3 in, but it's SO much more exercise than I have gotten in years. I want to be in the best shape I can for surgery and recovery. I also got a bullet blender, tiny silverware, an electronic food scale, new measuring cups and spoons, and tiny storage containers to put pre-measured portions in so I can grab n' go. (Amazon makes it TOO easy to spend money!) I have read The Big Book on Gastric Bypass and I got several bariatric cookbooks so I can plan meals that meet the post-op requirements. I think the biggest part of all this for me is the idea of eating differently for the rest of my life. I have failed SO many diets (or they've failed me...) that it's really difficult to think I will really be able to lose my excess weight for good. I know that it is all up to me, and I am really hoping that having a tiny stomach and the new, shorter path for food digestion will be the key I've been looking for. I think it will be, because if I have a reason why I must eat small portions of nutritious foods and cannot eat sugar, that will make it much easier. Before, I could always say, "Oh, screw it, I'll just try again tomorrow" and give in to "mind hunger". That is why, like many of you have said, I will definitely need your support, and the support of my surgeon's clinic, to be successful in the long run. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and may we all be celebrating our successes together soon!

hiya! i remember you from a post about a year ago I remember you were concerned about the number on the scale back then and were resolved to take measurements vs weighing since you are a body builder...did you end up keeping records? you didn't mention in this post what your current weight is, but at 5'6" (assuming age 25 and weight of 266lbs) your current calorie intake is well below your BMR, even if you sat on your couch the entire day...which you aren't. so if your calorie count is indeed accurate, its not an issue with your intake. besides the number on the scale, how do you FEEL? joints better? sleep better? move better? less winded? off any meds? pull out the measuring tape and compare from your measurements last year...like a poster suggested a year ago, as a body builder, the tape will tell you the truth more than the scale will. have you taken pics of yourself this past year? can you see a diff? i know its difficult, but really try not to go down any shame spirals, stress is not a friend of health and weight loss. ask your team for advice and guidance during your appt next week. good luck! ❤️