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Wow that's very interesting! Did your weight loss slow down significantly? I think it's great that your surgeon is concerned about your last 100lbs. I've seen amazing things on these newer weight loss medications. Keep us updated!

My surgeon is pushing it too! I don’t know if it’s a result of new research, or research they want to publish, or they want their stats on weight loss to look better. I’m still loosing very slowly and am happy with that (18 months out). So, I’m researching the side affects, and searching my odds. The minute you go off the meds the weight comes back. What’s your end game? It might be the right medication for you. Do you have a stable income and insurance that would support the medication for the rest of your life? Are you diabetic or COPD or something that loosing more weight would help you control? There’s a lot to consider. It’s a personal health decision each person would need to make for themselves.

Hi Expert Member ☺️, You know you mentioned thick saliva, I have had that happen when trying food, maybe that is thing. I will now have to research that! I do miss carbs too. I have been low carbing forever but every now and then I crave a potatoe chip LOL. Great job on the weight loss to date. I am trying not obsess on my weight but ITS HARD! I debating joining a gym but my husband says no. What's a girl to do lol he says we have it all here. Well keep in touch hope to hear from you soon! 😀

Sleeved 9-1-22. Hope4NewMe, you are doing great. I have lost 40+ pounds. I am at 158 today. Had several stalls but I guess that is to be expected. My hair is shedding right now, too. My bloodwork levels are good. It does feel good to put on smaller sizes, doesn't it? I gain weight all over and am losing it the same way. Which is good, I guess but it makes it hard to actually SEE changes. Hmmm, smaller but the same shape. You said, "you're brain still thinks I am the same size". Maybe my brain is doing the same thing! I, too, am so glad I had this surgery. Have fun on your cruise!

Before surgery, my surgeon put me on Ozempic, to treat my diabetes and jump start my weight loss. It worked great!

Don't know how many of us are still left reading these forums but I miss you all! Just hit my 4 month mark and I'm down a little over 50 pounds, yay! Before surgery I was just hoping that I could hit that goal before my cruise and I did! I have another month before I sail so maybe I'll hit 60 pounds down and that will be the best. Weight loss has slowed down but I did expect that. I'm hoping to keep losing at about 10 pounds per month now which is what I did this month and I also lost 7 inches. My hair is definitely thinning so I cut my almost waist long hair to shoulder length and I actually love it. Scary to see the loss at my temples but I know its temporary so I'm trying not to stress too much. I had my blood tested and all of my levels are good but they do want me to take a little more iron because they want me to be above average. I finally tried on a smaller pair of pants and was surprised to see that I could fit into a 14 and its not even tight. I haven't been this size in over 10 years. My brain still thinks I'm the same size to its nice to be able to put on clothing and see proof of loss. I had to buy ring adjusters because my wedding ring was getting scary loose so now its tight and safe again. I can't believe how much has changed in just 4 months and I'm so happy I had the surgery. I hope you all are well and come back and visit sometime lol

Eight pounds away from healthy BMI is tremendous! Well done. You must be really happy with your results. I'm working on getting to your starting weight, since I'm 199 pounds now, and I still have 40 pounds or so to lose to reach a healthy BMI. My weight loss is slowing down too, as I've only lost a little more than one kilo so far this month or 2.4 pounds. I was hoping to continue to lose 3-4 pounds a month, so that I would have a chance to reach a healthy BMI this year, but it may not happen. Still, I'm exactly at BMI 30.0 now, so I will soon be in the "overweight" category and not obese, which is something.

Hello all. I'm new to the group. I had my surgery 16 months ago. My surgeon is starting to push for me to start weight loss medication. My insurance will not cover any revision surgery. What arw your thoughts? Sent from my SM-G991U using BariatricPal mobile app

I think the victories continue but in different areas. You may now have the mental space to focus on other things besides weight loss and that itself can be liberating. I’ve seen some amazing posts where people are climbing literal mountains, changing careers, running marathons, having children, traveling, beginning or finishing school, becoming novice mechanics (me), starting to date, ending suboptimal marriages, buying homes, etc. The new victories are countless. Congratulations and Good luck ❤️

My iron levels have been fine and I still got hair loss so I think the doctor is telling fibs

I'm at goal now and reveling in the compliments, the stellar labs, the fashionable clothes, and all the benefits that come with dramatic weight loss. I know, of course, that will all die down as this "new me" becomes the "new normal." People will just expect that I'm no longer fat. I'll get used to being a smaller size. Life will be about maintenance with fewer "victories." Those of you who have been in maintenance for awhile, how did you handle the transition? What keeps you focused and motivated when you no longer have the external validation? Have you found it to be difficult?

Ah now that’s a complicated question & there is no definitive answer. There’ll be those who tell you sleeve is the best or bypass is the way to go, etc. The thing to remember is that was the surgery that was best for them. And yes there’ll be those who say they wished they’d chosen another surgery. There are some issues that can make one surgery a much better option over another. For example if you have pre existing reflux/gerd sleeve is not for you or you have a lot of weight to lose bypass may be a better choice. There are other pre existing conditions that may need to be taken into consideration too. As well as factors like your weight loss & gain history, lifestyle, eating style & preferences, etc. Best advice is to do lots of reading & gather information like this yourself & then have a long conversation with your surgeon & see what they recommend based on your medical status, general health & with consideration of the factors mentioned above & then make your decision. As for the long term effects of, I presume maintaining your weight, it really comes down to you. The changes you’re willing to make to your eating, how compliant you are in the long term with your new way of eating, the activity you choose to add to your lifestyle, etc. The surgery is a tool & it’s success depends on how you use it & the sustainability of the changes you make. My surgeon recommended a sleeve after going through everything with me & answering my questions. I was leaning that way anyway as I didn’t want as major a change as with bypass. My weight had only become a serious obese issue with menopause before that I bounced between a BMI of 23 healthy & 29 overweight). I had some existing food sensitivities. I dislike taking medications. Didn’t have any co morbidities - my general health was good. Was fairly controlled about a lot of my eating & was aware of food choices, portion sizes, etc. Didn’t want the increased possibility of dumping (already had random episodes of hypoglycaemia) or absorption issues (especially calcium & iron as a menopausal woman). And yes, it was the right choice for me & my situation & needs. I lost all my weight & more. I’m only 3.75yrs out but have pretty much maintained my weight except for a very fast 2kg (4lbs) gain after my gall was removed in June 2021 which reduced my absorption of protein (so made a dietary change) & we also recently discovered my HRT. I had lost about 0.5kg of the 2kgs over almost a year but since I went on a HRT patch 3 months ago I’ve lost a kg without trying (Damn hormones - or lack of in my case.) Will be interesting to see if the last 0.5kg goes too & I end up where I was at 49kg. That’s my story anyway. All the best whichever surgery you choose.

I am still pre-op so do not have first hand experience with the surgery/hair loss battle but, I wanted to pass along some info I saw on a video from a large bariatric surgery group concerning hair loss. The doctor said recent research has determined that excessive hair loss can be attributed to a deficiency in iron.

What you are describing sounds like a high androgen level....."High androgen levels lead to symptoms such as body hair growth, acne, irregular periods -- and weight gain."

I highly recommend this video (which another very kind member shared a little while ago) which may help with your question. The thing about weight loss is there is a lot of averages & the stats you mentioned are an example. There are averages for how much weight you’ll lose, how long it will take, how fast or slow you’ll lose, etc. They’re averages because there are so many factors which influence those stats: age, gender, starting weight, weight loss before surgery, weight loss & gain history, health issues, medications, your new set point, how closely you follow your plan, the lifestyle changes you implement (food choices, activity, …) & so on. As with all averages some will exceed them others won’t reach them. What averages give you are an idea of what might happen. Not a rule but a guideline of what might happen. I’m one of those who exceeded the average. At 12 weeks from surgery I’d lost about 15kg. I’d lost 31kg (including the 5kg pre surgery so about the double amount & got me to my goal) at 6 months. At 12 months I’d lost a total of about 41kgs (not intentionally but it was where my body wanted to be - my new set point). I bounced around there for another couple of months before settling about another kilo lighter (total 42.5kg lost). This was my experience.

I've heard that as a rule of thumb, but it's not true for everyone. I'd lost 40 lbs at 12 weeks, and 129 lbs at the year mark (so in other words, an addition 89 lbs). and no, I wasn't done losing at the year mark, but my weight loss was pretty slow after that mark. I didn't quit losing until I was 20 months out.

I had VSG over a dozen years ago. Started at 320. 5'3" and 49 years old. Had surgery at about 300 lbs (sorry, don't remember exactly !) But I count EVERY DARN POUND ! I lost to 165; but never could hold that. No plastics or skin removal. Maintained at 175 to 180 for many years. Then had major surgery, lost my mom, younger brother.... working, raising my own child, and caregiving. I gained to 220. After losing my dad.... I kind of gave up trying....for a while. 5 years later, I decided to lose 10 pounds in a year. That was about 4 years ago. I lost the ten and then another and kept going.... but slowly. Every 5 pounds I would stop and just figure out how to maintain that loss. Because I realized what I missed.... in all those years was HOW TO MAINTAIN - I could lose, but not MAINTAIN where I got. So I would add in a small piece of cake as a treat. Did that do it ? NOPE. A small treat every day ? NOPE. I had to learn what would add a pound or two. We have to adjust to our new insides, and to our bodies and to our new ages and stages of life. We are not static. We change. Our medical needs change. See your doctor. Meet with a nutritionist from time to time. Pay attention to not feeling well. Get it checked out and bring up your surgery and what you are eating and drinking. I did lose back to 173 -175 and kept it there for more than a year. Spent the last 6 months losing another 10 to 12 pounds. For whatever reason it has come off easier this time. I haven't weighed under 165 since college in the late 1970's. I am almost 67. You can get through this. Slowly and do not compare yourself to anyone else. Put on those pants you wore when you started the journey and see how big they are on you now. YOU HAVE moved forward. You ARE doing it. On your own time. Which is always the RIGHT TIME.

Please be gentle with yourself ! Having any surgery is a shock to the body and to your brain ! Your body is telling you that it was cut into and it hurts ! Your body doesn't know that you needed this, or that in the long run, you will be healthier for it. I am glad you have a therapist to help you through the "thinking" part, but do not listen to anyone including yourself that tells you "it was JUST a few holes" or "it isn't a big deal" . NO ONE ELSE lives in your body except you. I have had some major surgeries, and I can tell you waking up from weight loss surgery VSG was the most painful experience I have ever had. Lasted all of a half an hour when I insisted on speaking to a doctor and getting a different pain med. Problem solved. Do you need to get in more protein ? Are you dehydrated ? Need more sleep ? Be proactive in talking to your doctors and your team. Expect to feel lousy. Let yourself heal. Be assured that this feeling and recovery will progress and you WILL feel better than ever soon !!!

To recover skin that has shrunk due to slower weight loss, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly to promote muscle growth and overall skin health. Additionally, staying hydrated and using moisturizing products can help to plump and hydrate the skin. Consultation with a dermatologist is also a good idea to know the best treatment to recover shrinking skin than using any powder.

Don't worry too much about 1st week weight loss, you're still carrying a lot of fluids from surgery & it affects the scale.

It's understandable that you have concerns about the possibility of gaining weight after having another child, especially after working hard to lose weight and reach your goal. However, it's important to remember that every person's experience is different and it's hard to predict how your body will respond during and after pregnancy. It's essential to have open and honest communication with your doctor and/or bariatric team before getting pregnant, they can help you establish a plan to ensure that you are getting all the necessary nutrients during your pregnancy and to help you set realistic expectations. They can also provide you with guidance on how to maintain your weight after giving birth. It's also important to remember that weight loss is a journey and it's not uncommon to experience some weight fluctuations. Even if you gain some weight during pregnancy, it's possible to lose it again with a healthy diet and exercise after giving birth. Keep in mind that your weight loss journey does not end after surgery, it's a lifestyle change that requires maintenance, and it's important to be prepared for that.

It can certainly be challenging to maintain a low-carb or sugar-free diet while traveling, especially in places where those options may not be widely available. However, it's not impossible to make healthy choices while on the road. One strategy that can be helpful is to plan ahead and research the area you'll be visiting to identify any grocery stores or markets that may have healthier options. You can also bring your own snacks and meals with you, such as protein bars, nuts, and low-carb meal replacements. Another strategy is to focus on ordering high-protein, low-carb options when dining out. For example, a grilled chicken breast with a side of vegetables, or a salad with protein like grilled fish or chicken. It's also important to remember that weight loss is a journey, and it's important to be kind to yourself. You can always get back on track once you're back home. It's good to hear that you were able to fit comfortably in the coach seat, which is a great reminder of the benefits of your weight loss journey.

It's understandable that you have concerns about the proposed revision of your gastric sleeve surgery, especially since you have additional medical conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and you are in menopause. It is important to have an open and honest conversation with your surgeon and discuss your medical conditions, medications and concerns before undergoing the revision surgery. They will be able to provide you with information on the potential risks and benefits of the surgery in your specific case. Regarding the use of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and folic acid, it's important to note that these medications may need to be adjusted or discontinued before and after surgery. Your surgeon and rheumatologist will be able to provide guidance on how to manage these medications safely. As for the bypass after menopause, it's important to note that menopause may affect weight loss and maintenance differently for each person. Some people may experience weight gain during menopause and have difficulty losing it, while others may be able to maintain their weight loss or even continue to lose weight. It is also important to have regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon and other healthcare providers to monitor your Vitamin levels, ensure that you're getting enough nutrients, and make any necessary adjustments to your diet or supplements.

So i just got back from a trip to Puerto Rico (work trip) and man that place is not for people who had weight loss surgery. 1st there is no sugar free anything. especially drinks. No sugar free gatorade, powerade ect... Nothing low carb. Bread is a huge huge part of everything. I even went to a walmart and nothing. just some protein bars and such. Only protein shakes i could find were just regular ensure and some other strange brand i have not seen. Best part was i finally fit in a coach seat without issue. before i would spill over to the next seat or be so tight it would be so uncomfortable. Now i fit perfect with plenty of room to spare. Got to say i am happy to be back.