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I never lost feeling hungry. But very little filled me up. Like a teaspoon of minced chicken salad every two hours, once I got to semi solid . Even now, 12 years out, I can eat a very small baked chicken thigh and a couple ounces of sweet potato, and 1/3 c of applesauce for dinner and i am soo done. What I realized when I gained back some weight, was that I NEVER learned in my entire life how to maintain my weight - I was always either losing weight or gaining it. BAM ! total mind blowing experience. So I started losing the weight I had put on, and after 10 pounds gone; I purposely stopped losing weight even though I wanted to lose 30 more pounds. And I maintained that 10 pound weight loss. I ate more, I ate higher calories. I found out what I needed to eat/how much I needed to move to stay at THAT weight. MIND blown. After a couple months, I purposely. With INTENT lost another 10 pounds. Slowly. Then stopped again. 2 months at that weight. And so on. Then I got to the down 40 pounds which was my goal. I stayed with in 5 pounds of that weight for a YEAR !!! A few months back, I decided to do 5 more pounds. That was harder. But I did it. And another 5 pounds. Right now I am a pounds under that, and pretty happy. Might do another 3 pounds but very slowly and carefully because at 67 years old I haven't weighed this since the 1970's !!! And I am loving it, I eat well. I have some dietary limitations and eat low fiber and low residue as a medical necessity. Darn. But I had to figure out what would work for ME. Took me most of a lifetime. But so glad.

It’s all skin that has been over stretched much like an old well used hair band or old well worn knickers. Your skin will bounce back a little but factors like age (we stop producing elastin in our early 20s), how much weight you carried, how long you carried it, genetics, etc. impact how much loose skin you end up with. There’s nothing you can do about except have it surgically removed. Exercising works on the muscles not the skin so the scaffolding underneath might be better but the skin will still be loose except for what you fill out with muscle. Collagen & retinal creams won’t really help with the laxity (certainly not how much we can have). They will make your skin smoother, even out skin tone & texture. Same with collagen supplements. Honestly I’ve tried a few things for various periods of time and I still have loose skin. I’d give it 4-6 months & if no change I gave up on it. My skin quality has improved & my arms are nicely shaped but I still have bat wings, marionette lines on my face & a little waddle. Initially after my loss I had a number of fine lines that ran from under my chin. They’ve reduced dramatically but whether it was RF, collagen serums, collagen supplements, UV lights, my remaining body fat resettling & a better diet I don’t know but there’s still loose skin. I had some filler put in the side of my face just in front of my ears - was sunken there as I had no fat left in those pockets at all. Thought we ‘d try it to see if I got a little lift too - not noticeable if it did give a lift but my face shape is better. I’m trying dermal needling RF (Secret RF) at the moment. Predominately for acne scarring but if I get a little tightening that’s a bonus. I know it won’t get rid of it. I mean I am almost 58 & naturally should have some laxity & saggy skin. Aging & gravity are hard to beat … except with surgery. The loose skin is way better than being obese.

Oh, yes--along with drooping jowls. I look so much older than I did before surgery. However, that's a small price to pay for the overall benefits of weight loss. As a man, I'm not so interested in plastic surgery on any other part of my body, but I've been looking into a lower face and neck lift. Perhaps later this year.

Freezing all the time here too - after 100+lbs loss. The room I'm currently sitting in is 21 degrees but I have four layers on on top and my hands and feet are like blocks of ice. It's one of the biggest changes I've experienced after surgery. Cannot get used to it.

Mainly because the levels of hormones vary by person. Some people may experience different hormonal change from others and perhaps why people lose and maintain different rates of loss.

I'm currently taking a graduate-level nutrition course on obesity and weight loss, and this article is pretty typical of the stuff we have for readings - i.e. written in highly specialized language that you'd practically have to have a chemistry degree to understand! Fortunately, I'm not taking the course for credit, because I sure wouldn't want to be tested on these articles! at any rate, I do know that with sleeve, the fundus part of the stomach is removed, and that's the part where most of the ghrelin is produced, so hunger levels go way down (because the ghrelin level is what lets the brain know that your body needs food. If the level is low, your brain knows that you need to eat, and you feel hungry. If the ghrelin level is high, then nope - not hungry - don't need to eat). Ghrelin is produced in other parts of the stomach as well, but a majority is made in the fundus, so levels automatically go way down - and stay low - once that part of the stomach is removed. the fundus isn't removed in RNY (in fact, none of the stomach is removed - it's just sectioned off), but I don't know how just having the major center of ghrelin production in the part of stomach that is no longer used affects ghrelin levels in your blood. I don't think researchers necessarily know that, either. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. Although most RNY patients lose their hunger as well. But they think it could also be due to the actions of some of the other hunger-related hormones, like leptin and GLP-1. They do know that RNY causes leptin levels to increase (and leptin is a hormone that causes a feeling of satiety. I can't remember what exactly GLP-1 does, but it has a role in hunger and satiety, too). At any rate, there have been research studies on RNY patients who are a year out, and their ghrelin levels are very low compared to "normal" people. So suffice this to say, ghrelin levels are abnormally low in RNY patients, too - but not for the same reasons that they are in sleeve patients. It could be that the major ghrelin-producing area is now in the remnant section of the stomach - or it could be that changes in some of the other hunger-related hormones could cause changes in the ghrelin level. (Or maybe it's due to a little of both...)

pretty normal fear - I'm guessing most of us had similar thoughts before going under the knife. However, the mortality rate on RNY is 0.3%. Those are actually excellent odds - lots of common surgeries - like hip replacement surgeries, for example - are less safe than RNY. Years ago weight loss surgeries were pretty risky, but they're just not anymore. Techniques have changed, and they're so common it's almost become a routine surgery. Anyway, at those odds, you have a 99.7% chance of sailing through just fine - and you will. your chances of a premature death by staying obese are actually much greater than dying from the surgery.

It is also important to remember that weight loss surgery is not a quick fix and requires significant lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, to achieve and maintain weight loss. Your healthcare provider can help you develop a comprehensive plan for long-term success after surgery. In general, prior to surgery, your healthcare provider may recommend a low-calorie, high-protein diet to help prepare your body for the surgery and promote healing afterward. This may include lean proteins such as chicken, fish, and tofu, cucumber sandwich recipe as well as vegetables and fruits. It is important to avoid high-fat and high-sugar foods, as well as foods that are difficult to digest, such as fried or greasy foods, tough meats, and raw vegetables. Additionally, you may be asked to avoid caffeine and alcohol in the days leading up to surgery. Make sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions closely and notify them of any changes in your health or diet prior to surgery.

The long term success of either surgery depends upon you. Many of the initial benefits of bariatric surgery fade over time. Your hunger comes back, your restriction can soften, it is possible to eat around your smaller tummy & your body’s new set point, etc. What the surgery does do is give you time. Time to make changes to your relationship with food: the why you eat, what you eat, when you eat, how you eat. Time to understand your cravings & develop strategies to better manage them. Time to establish new habits about eating & exercise. Time to work out how you want to eat in the future & what works for you & your body. Regain occurs for many reasons: psychological, physiological, behavioural. Bounce back regain (usually 20%+/- of the weight lost) around the third year is common. It can be because your body settles into the weight it is happiest at (your set point). Medication changes. The crap life can throw at you (employment, relationships, health, pandemics). Complacency. A too restrictive way of eating or too demanding exercise regime. Not dealing with your relationship with food. And for some it can be a deliberate choice as they themselves feel happier at a higher weight or they make adjustments to their food choices to better suit their life. Not failure of the surgery but the impact of outside factors. The average weight loss for both sleeve or bypass at the three year mark is about 65% of the weight to be lost. Of course as with all statistics there are some who lose more & some who lose less. If you are considering revision surgery of sleeve to bypass as a sign of the failure of the sleeve, remember many who have revision surgery do so because they developed GERD not necessarily weight gain. I have a sleeve & lost more than my goal and have pretty much maintained though at only almost 4 years post surgery I’m still somewhat of a bariatric baby. I settled at 49kg (48.5-49.5). I unexpectedly gained about 2kgs about 18months ago (50.5-51) but recently we discovered I wasn’t absorbing my HRT meds. Changed to a patch & my weight is slowly decreasing (49.2-50). Small numbers I know. Has it been difficult? No, not really. It was very obvious what I had been doing wasn’t working for me & I needed to make changes. I put myself & my health first. I changed my relationship with food. Made a decision to change what, when & how I ate. It became a new mindset. The changes have been sustainable & haven’t restricted my life. I still enjoy food & eating but my desire is for healthier, more nutritious foods. And no I’m not running marathons or spending hours in the gym just some at home stretching & resistance bands. Sorry long post.

do they have to be in person? Unjury (the protein company) offers weekly virtual support groups and they do send receipts to you if you attend. They have one group for people pre-op to one year post-op, and another group for people over a year out (although people sometimes attend the "wrong" group - the leaders don't really care...). You can check to see if your insurance company or surgeon (whoever is requiring support group attendance) will accept that. I would imagine some do since they send people who attend a receipt afterward. Here's the info: https://unjury.com/resources/weight-loss-surgery-unjury-cares/

you can gain weight with any and all types of weight loss surgeries if you let old bad habits creep back in. Weight loss surgeries are just a tool, and you have to keep up with your part of it for it to work. And they work extremely well as long as you follow the rules. a rebound weight gain of 10-20 lbs during year 2 or 3 is VERY common. That's more your body settling in to a weight it's comfortable at. If you're diligent, you'll stabilize there - or you may even lose some or all of the rebound if you work at it. But when old habits start up again, you can definitely gain weight again - sometimes a lot of it. And sometimes all of it. what WLS mainly does is control how much you can eat AT ONE SITTING. This is an example I've used a lot: Before I had surgery, when my husband and I ordered a pizza (always a large...), we'd each eat half of it. I can't do that anymore. I can eat 1-2 pieces. It's physically painful for me if I try to eat more than that. But it would be very easy to eat 1-2 pieces at 5:00 pm, and another 1-2 pieces at 8:00 pm, and yet another 1-2 pieces before bed. So....half a large pizza. THAT is the kind of stuff you have to watch out for - that, and mindless snacking (planned snacks are fine - but mindless snacking has consequences...). so to respond to your question about whether or not maintaining after two years is difficult, yes, it is. I constantly watch what I eat. If I notice the number on the scale starting to head north - esp if it gets above my "oh crap" number (the number I do NOT want to ever go over again), it's all hands on deck until it's back under control. So yes. Obesity is a very complex, chronic condition, and we do have to keep working at it to keep the weight from coming back. But the surgery DOES make that easier. There is no way I could have ever lost over 200 lbs and maintained that loss for several years (well, mostly - I did have a rebound) without this surgery.

I don't think this is true across the board; I am 18 mos out and while my weight loss has slowed considerably, it's because I am trying to maintain and still losing. I was ready to stop losing 8 pounds ago. My hunger has not returned, if anything I am completely disinterested in eating at all and have lapsed back into forcing myself to eat shakes and bars just to keep myself nourished.

I am seeking support groups or meetings of some sort that keep receipts for my records. Does anyone know what I am talking about? Sent from my SM-A125U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

It appears that VSG is quite successful, with weight loss well over 100+ pounds common in the first year. But I've also read that maintaining that loss after the 2 year mark is difficult, and gaining weight back is common. This doesn't appear to be the case with the bypass so what causes this? I know it's a TOOL, but why is the tool so successful for 1-2 years and then not? What changes and why and what can be done to prevent it? Obviously maintaining healthy habits and continuing to work at it, but what physically or mentally causes this shift? I've heard the stomach stretches out so there isn't as much restriction, but then I read where that is not possible? Having experienced regain after countless diets I want to set myself up for success.

I would re-open discussion with your medical team. There are lists of medications flying around the internet that claim to be medications Weight Loss patients can't or shouldn't take. "Everyone" knows you should not take NSAIDs. Nonsense. Only your medical team has a say in what you may or may not take, and even that should be based on your personal situation. I am able to take NSAIDs as long as I treat them like every other medication I take: Know the negative side effects and monitor carefully. As with every other medication, there are ways of mitigating negative effects, which I also do. On the flip side, Tylenol (generally declared safe) is one of the few meds I was warned to be very careful of because of liver issues. I still have leave to take it occasionally. Often it's better a risky medication that helps than no medication that doesn't, especially with pain inducing situations. Good luck, Tek

Congratulations on your successful surgery and progress so far! Regarding your questions, it is common for patients to struggle with certain foods and fluids after bariatric surgery, especially during the early stages of recovery. It's important to follow your surgeon's post-operative guidelines regarding food and fluid intake, as well as to consult with a registered dietitian who specializes in bariatric nutrition to ensure that you are meeting your nutritional needs while promoting weight loss and healing. As for your specific questions: Fries: It's possible that you may be able to eat fries again, but it will depend on your individual tolerance and the type of fries you consume. Fries are typically high in fat and carbohydrates, which can be difficult for some patients to digest. It's important to start with small portions and pay attention to how your body responds. You may also want to consider air-frying or baking fries to make them a bit lighter and more bariatric-friendly. Bread: There are many bariatric-friendly bread options available on the market today, such as high-protein or low-carb breads. However, it's important to keep in mind that bread can be difficult to digest for some patients, and you may need to start with small portions and chew thoroughly to avoid discomfort. To promote continued weight loss after bariatric surgery, it's important to focus on making healthy food choices, portion control, and regular physical activity. Again, consulting with a registered dietitian can help you develop a personalized nutrition and exercise plan that works for your individual needs and goals. Regarding your dizziness and exhaustion, it's important to talk to your surgeon or primary care physician to rule out any medical complications. Walking is a great way to increase physical activity after surgery, but it's important to start slowly and gradually increase your activity level over time. Remember to listen to your body and rest when you need to.

I lost over 200 lbs but I had bypass. But I just wanted to say that it took almost two years for me to lose all that. My weight loss REALLY slowed down after I hit the year mark (near the end, it was like 2 lbs a month!), but it all came off. I was stalling a lot more frequently that second year, too. So many times I thought "well, this is it...", and then I'd drop a couple more pounds. Just stick with it! Your body might not be done losing yet.

that rapid weight loss seems to affect people's inner thermostats. Sometimes it's temporary, sometimes it's not. Mine was temporary - I think it just lasted a few months. But I know some people who are years out who are still freezing all the time.

we started out at about the same weight, and I didn't even lose that much in a MONTH (I lost 16 lbs the first month). So you are doing fantastic, actually. Most of us seem to lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month, so you're way ahead of pack... and yes, as summerseeker said, weight loss slows way down after that first month. The big initial drop is mostly water.

Hiya Lisa, Has your restriction kicked in yet ? I say this because I could eat a little more before my true restriction came. For a while I could only eat half as much as before. Even now I can only eat a half of a peeled apple and 30 grams of cheese or the same with carrots and hummus at one meal Carrots are too healthy to be slider foods after all they help us and rabbits see in the dark, or did my mother lie to me ? Is this why my hair is straight despite eating all my bread crusts ?

Everyone is different in the way they loose weight. Men on the whole, tend to loose quicker than women. You are doing really great with the weight loss and getting your protein and liquids in to you so well. The weight loss will slow down as you begin to eat more normal foods but then your restriction will kick in to keep you honest. After a while the hunger comes back and that's when all we have learned will be needed to keep us on track. Enjoy this honeymoon period you are in, be ready for the 3 week stall.

I had a successful surgery 12 days ago. My only complication was high blood pressure, so I was in Tobey Hospital (Southcoast) for 2 nights. I'm down about 28 lbs, which is a loss of 2+ lbs per day. Is this normal? I started at 386lbs. I'm not eating much. I get my protein from Fairlife Elite shakes (42g) and :Ratio yogurt (25g). Other than that, I have tea, jello, pudding and broth. Anyway, looking forward to stage 4 foods! Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

That's fantastic! Way to go! Hang in there, the hair will grow back, that 60 lbs is a great trade-off for the temp hair loss, although while it's happening, it's hard to see the temporary part of it, right? That was what bummed me out, too. Hard to see the upside - except when we look further down in the mirror!

I have Addison's Disease, which went untreated for a long time. I assumed I was just gaining some weight in my late 30's, which can be normal with Perimenopause and whatnot. And I was getting to that age. But I ended up with other issues connected to the disease and finally got diagnosed. I had a long road of medication trial and error before finding something that worked and added my surgery to push my weight loss. I was never obese or even overweight until I was about 37/38 years old. So while I understand that is an issue for many people. That was not my case, that is not my experience. Especially when I was gaining weigh while eating less than most people I know. I now eat more often that I used and I don't enjoy it.

Hi y’all. Recently changed insurance coverages , I wanted to know what requirements for weight loss did BCBS have for some of y’all im in NC. I uploaded a pic of my policy for reference I know they’re usually very different for requirements