Search the Community

How frustrating. Once it recognized you they should have let you restyle your hair and take another one. It’s kinda scary that we are so reliant on technology they don’t know what to do when there is an outlier like that.

Soooooo is it possible that with the weight change that our immune system slows down or loses effectiveness? I had an ingrown hair near my groin. Ive had them before but THIS?! It turned into an abnormally LARGE abcess within the matter of days. I went to the er. The doctors were in shock & asked me how i was managing. Anyway a nurse had to hold me as they lanced it. I screamed & cried. I also now have a weird irritation in my throat. Doctor said its probably due to the rapid weight change 😮‍💨

Hey you! So in regards to the weight loss - I'm actually down 22 lbs since my pre-op liquid diet. I think your results make a lot of sense because the low carb has probably kicked you into ketosis, and you did that pre-op diet for longer than I did! I had also read somewhere that if you get off track post surgery to return to a liquid diet and it will likely jump start the weight loss again, so I bet you've got combined factors going with that. Congratulations! I'm sure your surgeon will be happy with your weight loss as long as you're making or getting close to making your protein and hydration goals

I was one of those "model patient" presenters at my clinic for the three years before COVID! I loved doing that! I had a partner - a VSG patient (I was RNY). I'd had a stricture at four weeks out - she never had any complications. I'm hoping we didn't sound too "vanilla" - but neither one of us had any issues (other than my stricture - which is a mild issue and very easily fixed). We were both super happy with our surgeries and both lost a ton of weight (she lost 100 lbs, I lost over 200). Although I think people found us entertaining (we were quite a pair!) and most groups asked us lots of questions. We always told the groups about the three-week stall (since it happens to almost everyone, and very few clinics mention it to their patients, so people freak out when it happens to them). Also told them about how we ate a month out, a few months out, a year out (our clinic's plan wasn't low-carb, like many of them are - it was balanced - although even given that, the typical eating YOUR presenter does sounds carb-heavy even to me). We mentioned how we typically eat when we're at a restaurant. Talked about the extra skin (my partner even lifted her shirt to show them her extra skin). Also talked about our experience with hair loss (since extra skin and hair loss are huge concerns among pre-ops). Also talked about constipation (we both have chronic constipation) and how we deal with it. And how we dress to "hide" all the extra skin (although I've since had mine removed). We always mentioned how most people lose their interest in food and hunger for several months after surgery, and how they should milk that for everything it's worth since it's way easier to lose weight when you don't give a flip about food. Basically stuff they likely would not have picked up during the classes they had with dietitian and the health psychologist. when I went through the classes in 2015, the presenter was kind of underwhelming, like yours. I'm sure he would have answered some of the questions we addressed when we were presenters, but he didn't, and the "students" wouldn't necessarily know enough at that point to even know what to ask. Shelli and I decide early on to talk about the issues they SHOULD ask about, but wouldn't know to. P.S. now I'm sitting her wishing I was still doing that - it was great fun! But COVID hit, so everything went online, and they didn't have the "model patient" class. Since everything is in person again, they may have some people doing it, but the two of us are pretty far out now (nine years), so they may have gotten people who had their surgeries just a year or two ago.

My PCP has me recorded at 320 pounds 2 yrs ago at my highest weight ever. I saw her yesterday and she smiled and said well hello there tiny person. I laughed and said well I did lose half of me. She said you look like a small child. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad but I'll take it. LOL 🤔 Same here. I really like it. I hope you kept the pink hair.

It sounds like we’re on a pretty similar journey! It’s definitely encouraging to know others are losing at the same rate—it keeps things in perspective. I get what you mean about the weight loss feeling slow compared to others, though. It can be frustrating at times, but progress is progress, and our bodies are doing amazing things. The fact that you’re eating significantly less than before surgery shows you’ve come a long way. And I totally get wanting to reset after the holidays. Just keep reminding yourself why you’re on this journey, and once the holiday season is over, it’ll be easier to get back into your routine. You’ve got this, and it’s okay to allow yourself some grace during the holidays. Every little choice you make is still a step forward! 💪🎄

Oh it does. What a beautiful analogy @GreenTealael. The lunch is always very well done but it is such a mix of emotions as it deals with the loss of children. There’s a memorial slide show which is heartbreaking & a video with parents, grandparents & siblings talking about their loss. It is balanced with great MCs, entertainment & live auctions (men get so competitive 😁) and raffles drawn. Wha does your t shirt say! A walk up. You would have hit your steps in. Lol! Is this your baby leaving home?

Do you mean 2025 for your op or a year ago? If only four weeks ago what you are feeling is totally normal and your body is recovering. Hopefully you will soon find a routine that works for you with regards to being able to take a bit more food and fluids but take your time with sipping and eating, baby steps for now and then it will get easier. Try to get your vitamins in, especially now as you are eating less. For me after the op I couldn't stand the smell of certain foods, even the smell of coffee turned my stomach but now all is back to 'normal' and I thankfully am able to drink coffee again. With regards to the weight loss, it is different for everyone, I put on a few kg in the hospital immediately after the op and then slowly started to lose but I didn't see it on the scale or physically for quite a while. It will happen when your body is ready. You have got this, it is early days.

Thank you so much!!! A trick was to have the hair dresser do layers in my hair. Adds shape, depth, and fullness. And the shorter length really helps. I wash my hair twice per week. I blow dry it with a diffuser so the heat isn't directly on my scalp. I add leave in conditioner for curls and a tiny bit of curl defining mousse and then blow dry it. Once it's all set, I run my fingers through it a few times and that's literally it. Think about doing layers when you get it cut. It's hard to part with the length at first, but once you see your hair looking fuller and healthier, and it's a lot easier to manage, it takes the sting out pretty quick.

Everyday Win: I am the crazy lady who gets up @ 4am to work out. I credit a lot of the rapid weight loss to MOVEMENT. I have always enjoyed movement even when larger. My most enjoyed Movement consist of being outside on the walking trails. I have yet to step foot in a gym, but will next month as I have a personal trainer for strength training 😩🙄. Do you enjoy movement? I know it's hard! IMG_6212.mov

Happy New Year! 🎉 I absolutely love your mindset and energy—it’s so inspiring! It’s such a huge shift to leave behind those weight-loss-focused resolutions and instead embrace the positives of where you are now. You've already accomplished so much, losing over 40 lbs is incredible, and feeling lighter and better in your body is such a win. 🙌 Focusing on the present and living fully is such a beautiful way to approach life. You deserve to wear that dress, enjoy those experiences, and celebrate yourself right now, not just when you reach a certain goal. Your journey isn’t just about the destination, it’s about living and loving every step along the way. Here’s to a year of living authentically, celebrating every win (big or small), and feeling great in your own skin. You've got this! 💖

I am coming at this thread from a slightly different perspective. I'm not a long termer (whose experience I know you were asking for) so please do place more weight on those people's posts. I do rely SO MUCH on the stalwarts here to be my guiding stars and four of them have shared their wisdom already. I have struggled a bit to maintain my loss. I reached my original goal weight about a year after my surgery. The second year or so I lost much more slowly but ended up about 20lbs under my goal. In my third year I slowly regained 16lbs. I eat pretty well I think. I cannot, and never have, eaten breakfast. Coffee only before about 11am. Looking at the link above I do wonder whether I should just start stuffing something down. I think my regain has been due to bits of sneaky sugar creeping in, and alcohol (totally empty calories - if you can do without then this is the smart way forward, I simply cannot completely LOL). I reached a point a couple of months back when I was unhappy, thought I'd gone beyond the well known third year rebound and decided to cut out the sugar and (mostly!) the alcohol. Since then I've lost 10lbs of the 15 I gained. Still loosing now. My maintenance calorific intake seems to be 1500 or a little less. I am pretty tall and moderately active. It's weird because I lost large amounts of weight consistently on much more than this a year ago. I think some people get blessed with a new set point weight that is easier to maintain with a much higher calorific intake and some get cursed with a lower set point so that inhaling a random breath of air containing just a whiff of bacon can disrupt. Sadly I appear to be in the latter category now. Take home message - everyone's weight loss in the initial and the maintenance phases seems to be individual to them. Yes we can look for patterns and try to emulate those in order to maximise our own losses, but it doesn't mean our own loss will follow any particular trajectory. Sugar and alcohol are our enemies. I wish you all the best after your op OP. Keep posting, it's endlessly fascinating to hear others' experiences.

This is a major WIN! I love this happy surgerversary! And good job on your weight loss! It's HARD but it's REAL! Everyday is something new!

Ooh I'm so thrilled for you. The single anastomosis (one connection instead of two) also makes your surgery considerably safer since there is only one place for a leak instead of two. That is the reason the SADI is safer than the Duodenal Switch and since the weight loss is considered comparable they are doing it more often. My guess is that’s the same thing with the mini gastric bypass. Keep on doing what you’re doing. You are doing so great.

It might be because the reality of this particular surgery is that it's not permanent, the expected weight loss if you are completely compliant is between 12-20% of excess body weight and we typically need to lose a lot more, and insurance won't cover it. It's around $10,000 and people tend to want better results for that kind of money.

You are doing great as well. 5k steps is awesome. As long as it’s more than you did before it’s amazing. It’s not all about being perfect all the time. Someone told me if we get it right like 95% of the time we’re gonna be fine. My loss is slowing down some but I’m going by how I feel now, not what the scale says. Would i love to be in the typical skinny fit body, of course but just being able to do things and have energy is still pretty incredible. Keep on trucking. We’ve got this.

In one of my groups I'm in a licensed therapist on the baratric team stated when we see ourselves gaining again, go back to the beginner basics the way we treated our bodies right after weight loss surgery: Go back to those high protein meals/ veggies getting full on that and not snacking and indulging. That stuck with me.

Is that restriction normal or does it depend on size of the sleeve? My doctor is going with a 40. I start my liver shrinking diet tomorrow. I loss almost 12 lbs last time.

I am looking at new hair cuts and go back to my hair lady in August. I am not her first bariatric client so she knows how to deal. Hoping I am not too fair gone where I have to go too short.

So we are at the middle of the week - how are we all doing? What is something that has gone well so far/or something that you are looking forward to? Anything you'd like to learn from/improve on? My week has been okay so far! I have a driving lesson and then I am getting my hair cut, which I am in desperate need of as my fringe is in my eyes 🤦‍♂️ I am trying to increase the amount I am eating, which is proving difficult, but I'll get there! I also start with a personal trainer tomorrow which I am excited about!

Thank you so much for sharing your journey—it’s really encouraging to see how far you’ve come! Your progress is amazing, and it’s a great reminder that the weight loss isn’t linear but still consistent over time. I definitely need to shift my mindset and focus more on my own path, like you said. I love that you're fitting into jeans from when you were 22—that’s such a huge win! Hearing how your weight loss has unfolded over the months gives me hope, especially knowing that you’re still losing at 7+ months post-op. I’ll try to keep that long-term perspective in mind, and stop stressing about how fast or slow the weight is coming off right now. Thanks again for the advice and inspiration! I’m feeling much more positive about my journey now.

Interesting to read the replies here. As a man, you get used to not receiving compliments (btw ladies, one of the easiest ways to get a mans attention is with a compliment. I promise you he will remember that 10 years from now). So when I began to receive recently compliments from friends and coworkers about my weight loss it was really awkward but it does feel good, and it helped with my body dysmorphia as I don't see myself that much different even with the 100+ pounds total I've lost and multiple clothing sizes I've dropped. I personally enjoy them now, and use them as motivation to push harder to my goals.

@BigSue is right on the mark. I will also add that not everyone reaches their goal. And that’s okay. The win is you’ve lost weight and are healthier than you were. Remember that your goal weight is an arbitrary number you chose not the weight your body settles at & is happiest at as your new set point the surgery has gifted you. The point people’s weight stabilises at is different person to person. You do tend to lose the most in the first 6-12 months but people can lose for another year. Not everyone but some do. It took about 17months for my weight to finally stabilise. Though I reached goal at 6 months I kept losing for another 11months & at a very slow rate. (Took 6 months to lose 31kg then 11 months to lose the final 11kg.) Your rate of loss will get slower and slower as you near your final stabilised weight. It could be ounces a week or even a month near the end. So you may not have finished losing yet. But do check your calorie intake. If you’re maintaining at the calories you’re consuming now you’ll have to eat less to lose more. And you will have to eat fewer calories than you are now if you want to maintain at a lower weight than you are now. Another consideration is you’ve likely built up a lot of muscle with the activity you do. Muscle does way a little more than fat and it will change your physical shape somewhat too which may explain some of the clothing size discrepancies you’re noticed. There are lots of averages and generalisations around weight loss (how fast, how much, when things will happen, how many calories you need, how much activity, etc.). We’re too different for the sane hard and fast rules to apply to everyone, You just have to find what works and is right for you, your lifestyle and your body. PS: Another average, but exercise only accounts for about 10% of the weight you are to lose. Better to look at exercise for the benefits it brings to your cardiac health, muscle strength, flexibility, bone density, etc. & not so much for weight loss.

Im glad to hear it hasn’t been a big issue for you. I have a family member who just died from it so it scared me a bit. I bet the pain is for sure the most difficult thing to deal with nowadays. Everyone is so afraid to prescribe pain meds. I guess what really doesn’t make sense to me, though, is that my liver enzymes were always normal pre surgery and now that I am 4 months post up exercising like crazy and eating great I have it?! Just seems backwards. I did read that “bypass” and “rapid weight loss” are risk factors but would that be something that’s just temporary and not the typical presentation I wonder.

New Week New Win! I say continued weight loss of about 2.5 pounds a week is a win being 5 months out it's still steady and that's good. I have until April which is my surgiversary to make it to goal weight I think I shall be there way ahead of time 👊🏅🏅