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6 yrs out, highest weight 410lbs 1 year after surgery Dr told me to stop losing at 235lbs. I had zero pain. In fact, when I came through, I asked doctor if my liver was to fatty, and he laughed and told me I was all done. I got up and took a walk around the hospital floor with him. I had gastric sleeve. I had zero complications. I hope the best for you all. My secret for keeping it off, I hover from 235 to 245lbs... I ask myself am I eating to live or for fun. It helps me

When we first got together we played with the kids at the parks (we both had one from previous marriages) , went out all the time, then the pandemic hit and we both got bigger, I worked from home and he started working 4 day weeks. We did not keep up with the activities, then we had our son and as you can imagine its just so during the day. We don't get to eat until they are in bed by that time we just want to veg out. Its awful. He took control and has lost weight but he doesn't have the same issues I have. He can eat well during the day and not be tempted plus works a job that is pretty labor intensive. I have a sit down desk where I eat out of complete boredom. I do try and think if I was more active and eating better would he follow suit, I do think he would. We have soccer/basketball for the older kids and I would loveeeee to coach them and their teams but at this weight I would be embarrassed to put myself in that. thank you so much for your advice!

I've had it for YEARS. I thought it was because of my weight, like "well, I'm over 400 pounds. Of course I have a big belly" but as I've lost weight, it's not going away and looks more pronounced. Whether it's because it's getting worse or just because I don't have a big belly anymore, I don't know. But I'm hoping I can get some answers and get it fixed.

I take a general glucosamine and chondroitin supplement from BJ’s. It seems to help with joint pain and inflammation because I can’t take Aleve or ibuprofen anymore. It took about a month to feel the difference but between the weight loss and this, I can avoid shots to the knees and surgery a little longer. I still lost significant hair because I do not absorb iron well and that takes some detective work and time to figure out precisely what is going on with YOUR body. My friend who had a sleeve done found out a year after surgery, her hair issue was related to hypothyroidism. You can try all the supplements you want, but you need to be a detective for yourself. Watch carefully which supplements can be taken with what foods and other supplements and medications. My hair came back eventually. I decided I would rather be bald and strong any day over being fat and falling apart.

I take a general glucosamine and chondroitin supplement from BJ’s. It seems to help with joint pain and inflammation because I can’t take Aleve or ibuprofen anymore. It took about a month to feel the difference but between the weight loss and this, I can avoid shots to the knees and surgery a little longer. I still lost significant hair because I do not absorb iron well and that takes some detective work and time to figure out precisely what is going on with YOUR body. My friend who had a sleeve done found out a year after surgery, her hair issue was related to hypothyroidism. You can try all the supplements you want, but you need to be a detective for yourself. Watch carefully which supplements can be taken with what foods and other supplements and medications. My hair came back eventually. I decided I would rather be bald and strong any day over being fat and falling apart.

Thank you, @PNWGAL. From your mouth to God's ears! I'm almost 8 weeks post-op and still struggling. They said I'm losing weight too fast. Still, I didn't do this surgery for weightless. I did it to help my health and some complex issues. But it's not working out the way we thought. Hopefully we will see great results soon. Take care!

Well it has been close to 1 month since I last posted... My struggles continue.. I will give the short cliff notes;; had Endo done, they tell me all looks ok.. Same day I had endo I had to get my 2nd PIcc Line removed from the left arm, it failed just after 3 days of being placed. They now tell me I have multiple blood clots in my left arm and shoulder area. GREAT!!! Now I get to be on Blood thinners for who knows how long.. So I leave hospital after removal and getting dosed up on blood thinners , With no guidance on what I'm going to due about my nutrition and hydration, ( I still cant eat/drink more than 2.5 oz every 6ish hours... A week passed and I can tell my body is fighting. fatigue, dizzy, extremely tired. Sept 4th I get my self to the ER.. they know who I am, I have had to make muilt trips there over the course of all this.. they fill me up with saline and 8 hrs later sent home. I gets a call from my surgeon's office, a PA got my report from ER, and he tells me to get to Hospital ASAP.. doing a direct admit, and i will be having a Central Line put in my chest for my TPN and fluids. I follow doc order,, they inserted Central line into my chest. I I then spent the next 6 days in hospital in awful pain, vomiting uncontrollably, chronic nausea, still cant eat or drink. hooked to 6 different IV bags trying to get my system back on track.. I gained 7# during my stay, YUCK!! anyway I get discharged in same predicament as i was when this all start after my VGS.. So here it now Sept 14th I'm sitting here writing this while hooked to my TPN for the next 18 hours.. I have decided that I will give this nightmare 1 more month, and no matter what condition I am in, I am going to have my Central Line removed and fend for myself anyway I can to keep going, Evens if I fail I will NOT go back on TPN.. What a great life... NOT!!!!!!! I pray no one on here has to deal with the nightmare that I am in.

Lipoma? When I read your story and now that I see the picture I was thinking possibly a lipoma. I remember an episode of Dr. Pimple Popper where a lady had lost a lot of weight, and she had this bump on her back, I think it was her upper back. She had gone to a GP who was no help, eventually, she made her way to the show, and Dr. Lee removed it. Her previous excess weight made the lipoma blend in , but as she lost more and more weight, it just stuck out more. Definitely get it checked out for peace of mind though.

Unfortunately, those heady weeks of large weight loss after surgery don’t last. Sigh! We all eventually slow to what is considered a healthy rate of loss: about 2lbs a week +/-which is about where you are now. And even worse, those last few pounds can be a b**ch to lose. I’m talking grams/ounces a week & seemingly more fluctuations. But as long as your general trend is still downwards you’re doing fine (even if seems to be almost flatlining it 😉).

Congratulations. You look fantastic. The hair loss usually lasts about 3 months +/- so you are likely nearing the end of it. Yay! I cut mine to just above my shoulders so a year or so later it was back to what it as in regard to thickness. Our starting stats are very much the same - I’m just an inch taller & weighed 5lbs more. I reached my goal at 6 months - BMI of 23 too. (And it seems we had our surgeries at about the sane age - 53??) Yes, I lost more than my goal but it was what my body wanted - my new set point. I’m 4 years out & pretty much maintained my weight (apart from a med glitch which caused a 2kg gain of which I’ve lost half of that so am about 1kg heavier than my initial stabilised weight). To maintain, I really just kept up with most of the eating habits I established while losing. My portions are larger now of course but are what are considered recommended portion sizes of what I eat. Lowish carbs (about 2 serves of whole/multi grains), lowish fat, low sugar (avoid a lot of it & sweeteners too), predominately low processed foods, average 60g protein & average 2L fluids. I eat about 1500 calories a day which is about right for some one my age, height, weight & activity level according to BMR calculators. I don’t consider this a diet, this is just how & what I eat which changed how I look at my eating. I’m not punishing myself or restricting what I eat with a diet. I don’t exercise as such but started to use resistance bands & do stretches about 10 months ago I think - 4 short sessions each day 5 or 6 times a week. I didn’t want muscles as such just definition in my arms & legs which I am achieving quite nicely. Also wanted to keep flexible & to support my back & oozing discs. Am jealous your back pain is gone. Unfortunately, weight loss hasn’t improved my back issues 😩.

Thank you— I feel great! ( and the glow is strategically placed highlighter— I actually started wearing a little make up now…) Thanks for your kind words about the hair loss- I can assure you it is all smoke and mirrors—- wearing it wild helps distract the loss of volume, for sure. It will grow out, but I may be going for the big chop if I dont see it slow anytime soon. But, Ive been slowing letting the grey come in, so that will just help move that process along— so there is a silver lining (ha, pun intended) I guess. Biggest thing for me— My joints dont ache, my arms dont fall asleep at night, my plantar fasciitis finally healed—my back hurts less, i dont grind my teeth at night, etc, etc. I am no longer pre-diabetic and can breathe again! Wins all around. Legit question though— how does one face the fear of sliding/going back to unhealthy weight? I plan to make this a full time lifestyle adjustment- not just another yo-yo as in the past. Im really afraid this could be temporary— so working with therapist/team to make sure i keep up these good new habits— but tell me Im not alone in feeling nervous about it- and how to handle the (eventual) moving to “maintenance” stage… tips and advice appreciated.

So I found out I have a uterine fibroid the size of an avocado and one the size of a jumbo egg (12cm and 6.5cm), and my uterus is apparently huge (the size of a 14 week pregnancy, I'm told). Well today was my follow up appt and I was told that my fibroids are so big, the only option I have is an abdominal hysterectomy (they are causing issues with really heavy bleeding all through the month, not at specific times for my period). We're looking at about 5 weeks out for the surgery. Apparently this is going to be a MAJOR surgery, and my doctor said I will have to do nothing, just at home, for 2 weeks at minimum but prefers me to take 6 weeks. WHAT??? 6 weeks??? She said since it'll be abdominal and not laparoscopic, it'll be 2 days in the hospital, a lot of pain, inability to sit up or do much walking during the first 2 weeks, then very slow going for the next few weeks after that. I mean...what??? ALSO... there's a part of my stomach, just above my belly button, that has always kind of stuck out. No matter what I do, it doesn't go down or get smaller. There's not really any pain, but I always thought it was because I was fat. But I've lost a lot of weight and it's still there. The gyn said it might be a hernia, but my bariatric surgeon never mentioned it during the surgery. If I have a hernia that was never found, I'd like to get it fixed. If it's not a hernia, I'd like to figure out what it is. It makes me look pregnant, and it really bugs me. The part below my belly button is my (apparently) huge uterus and fibroids. The part above my belly button is....who knows..... I'm just mentally worn out. I really thought I was done. I thought everything was going well. I don't have pain, I work out all the time, I'm thrilled with everything. And then.....boom. More crap. UGH..... This isn't a bariatric complication, so I'm very thankful for that. But I mean, SERIOUSLY??? More crap??? Sigh.... By the time I finish all this, I'm practically gonna have a brand new body. So at least there's that....

For those who just got it done how was it I'm scheduled for the bypass on Monday 9/18//23 and not going to lie I'm second guessing it right now I'm 35 years old is this what I want for my life Im only 320 pounds yes the weight sucks and my quality of life sucks but I don't know if I'm ready for all the medications vitamins etc idk I'm just thinking. Any input

Tomorrow will be my 1 year anniversary since my gastric bypass surgery. I have lost 86 pounds. I’m not going to lie, I honestly thought I would have lost more by now. Although weight loss has slowed down tremendously, I have yet to see a gain on the scale so I take that as a win. I would like to lose at least another 50 pounds so I have to remember this surgery is not a cure-all, it’s simply a tool. I’ve been extremely lucky and have had no complications whatsoever. I don’t experience dumping syndrome at all (well I did once when I ate some ice cream and have steered clear ever since) but other than that there really isn’t anything I can’t eat, I just eat a whole lot less. I can definitely be better about my diet, like always, but one thing I’ve incorporated into my life that has stuck is exercise. I don’t feel good unless I exercise so it’s become addicting (in a good way). Anybody who is reading this and contemplating this surgery, or is in recent post op and struggling, I have absolutely no regrets about having this surgery. The first 2 months were rough, but I got through it and so will you!

Gastric sleeve on 01/06/23, Loss a significant amount of weight the first few months but only about 12 lbs in the last 2 months. I have less then 30 lbs to get to goal but I feel like this may take awhile. Any suggestions besides the obvious (consuming recommended protein, drinking water, counting calories, weighing/measuring food, exercise, etc.)

I'm going to Planet Fitness today for the first time to lift some weights. But if my fat cells scream it might set off the lunker alarm. It goes off if anyone is making too much noise. Banging weights, grunting or in this case screaming. LOL too funny!!!

I had my VSG back on 3/3/23, with a heavy weight of 195. (Im 5’2”). Surgery day, I weighed in at 184 after a two week liver shrinking diet- two shakes a day/one meal. Yesterday I had my 6 month check up, an things are going really well. Weighed in at 129- and BMI in healthy range. Hair loss has been significant, but hoping that turns around soon… fingers crossed. Since I had my surgery in Mexico, this was my first meeting with Bariatrician and he says that im having really nice success- and that 8-10 months is about how long someone would expect to see results from VSG. (I’d heard longer). He also took labs, and all seems to be in good range- saw the results this morning. First two pics from today, last pic is before (I hated having picture made and can’t find one really near that time except this one. My goal this next few months is to take up a more structured exercise routine to build some muscle— so much of the pain I was having pre-surgery is gone. So glad to have taken this step for my health!

I never really had any pain at all. In fact, I wondered if they'd actually done the surgery! I was groggy that first day, but that's about it. if you do have pain, let them know (some people do, but most of us do not). I had a lot of pain after two of my skin removal surgeries, but they took care of that right away (put something in my IV line). most people experience little to no pain with weight loss surgeries, though.

I worked with a dietitian for six months. She had me gradually make changes so my eating looked more and more like how I would be eating post-surgery (not like you're eating the first couple of months post-surgery, but after that, when you can eat more types of food). We started off with having me stick to 2300 calories a day (that in itself was kind of a challenge since I'd probably been eating 3000 or more to maintain my weight). I gradually moved to eating more protein and fewer carbs. Three meals a day, plus two snacks. More fruits and vegetables. Less processed stuff and low-nutrient stuff. More fluids. Getting some exercise most days of the week - even walking was fine - but I also did water aerobics a couple of times a week. I lost about 40 lbs in that six months (knowing I'd have to meet with her once a month and get weighed (by her) helped, too - accountability!). Then I lost another 17 lbs in my two-week pre-surgery liquid diet (although that would have been mostly water, of course) . So down 57 lbs by the time they rolled me into surgery. the point of this is that they want to see if you can stick to a diet long-term, not so much how much weight you can lose (although they may be giving you the 10% goal since that's the only way they can objectively tell if you've been sticking to a diet or not). And unfortunately you WILL have to monitor your eating after surgery, too - as people say, it's just a tool. You do your part, the surgery does its part, and you'll succeed. It's not much different than being on a diet (although having a smaller stomach and losing your hunger (as most of us do) for a few months definitely helps!). The difference is, this time your effort will pay off. I could never lose more than 50 or 60 lbs on my own. This time I lost over 200, and have managed to keep most of it off for eight years. Never would have happened without surgery. P.S. and you will have to monitor your eating for the rest of your life. If I slack off for more than a handful of days, it shows up on the scale. But honestly, this is no different than a lot of my never-been-obese women friends. A lot of them have to watch what they eat, too, unfortunately. There aren't many people who can eat what they want and as much as they want and never gain weight.

Also the food choices I eat are nutrient-dense for example lunch or dinner is two slices of Daves Killer thin slice bread, toasted with hummus, sprouts, avocado, tomato and either 4 slices of turkey bacon or vegan bacon. I might eat rice with shrimp and asparagus, with strawberries. Breakfast is something like one thin slice of Dave's Killer bread, avocado, egg, and everything bagel seasoning. I found that I have a McDonald's egg McMuffin breakfast with coffee and no ham and it does not negatively affect my weight. I also on the advice of my bariatric nurse, who also had the surgery eat one big meal every once in a while, it helps me drop a couple of pounds by the next day.

TL;DR - more cardio, no snacking, eat on schedule 3 times a day. I had to do this, I have not had my surgery, I am just waiting to be scheduled. The surgeon has gone over all my labs and tests and approved me for surgery. I had to lose 5% of my body weight and keep it off while I wait for everything. I struggled like no other to do this, which was wild because in the past, and as recently as the last fall I had dropped at least 30lbs super quick. Basically, I changed my eating, but this time I wanted to learn how to eat food without being on some kind of restriction, like no carbs, or low fat, no sweets ever, cabbage only, two shakes a day, and a sandwich for dinner, type thing. I knew I did not want to live the rest of my life after surgery struggling with continued "diets". I started seeing a nutritionist, who was not much help, but she did get me on scheduled eating, having a meal within one hour of waking and then eating every 4 hours for a total of 3 times a day. I was already drinking 96 oz of water a day, but I bumped it up to 150oz a day. I lost 10lbs in 2 weeks doing that. Then it stopped losing and I still had not met the 5% goal. So I added exercise, I started weightlifting and swimming, 1 hour of weights, 1-hour swim and my weight did not change. However, my clothes started getting loose, but I needed to meet that weight goal. So I stopped swimming and just focused on weights for 45 min and 20 minutes of walking. still my weight stalled, but my clothes got looser. I had a week before my final weigh-in and I stopped exercising, drank less water, took laxatives and water pills, and basically ate air. I made the weight goal. After that I was like okay what is going on? I started back with weights and eating my weight went up 5 lbs. Finally, I learned that I was more than likely gaining muscle ( I was getting stronger) The muscle gain weight-wise was canceling out the fat loss, so my weight remained the same but my clothing was loose. This is great, but not so much when you need to be at a certain number in a certain time frame. I switched things up to 30 minutes of elliptical x mode and 30 minutes of stationary bike, put 30 min. dumbells for arms and my weight started dropping again. I am currently 10lbs below the approval goal I needed to be at and I have kept it off during the 2 months the incompetent office lady lost my paperwork, I would have already had surgery two months ago if it wasn't for her. So I have lost 9% of my starting weight. After surgery, I plan on resuming weightlifting since muscle creates a metabolism change.

I have my first consultation next Tuesday, and if my surgeon's office holds to the same rules as when I went in five years ago, they require you to lose 10% of your body weight prior to surgery. I'm really frustrated by this because I feel like I'm doing the surgery because I CAN'T lose weight by diet and exercise. If I could, why would I do it? How did you pull it off for those of you who had this requirement? I have to admit, it feels fairly impossible right now.

My partner had anxiety about my face pre-op. They were afraid that I would look like someone that they didn't know once I lost a lot of weight, and they even shed tears. Was this a subtle way to try to talk me out of surgery? I'm not sure; they really weren't behind my decision at first, but they at least saw that I was not going to be deterred by their nor anyone else's opinion. This is about ME. We haven't spent a lot of time together since one week post-op, because of travel commitments that they had. I do wonder if the relationship will change once we spend more time together.