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Greetings, So as most people do from time to time - I fell off the wagon for about two weeks while on vacation and in the process of that, I noticed that I was able to eat more without any discomfort. I wasn't gorging on food like I did to gain the weight that I had, but I was able to handle bigger portions or that 3rd slice of pizza. I screwed up and I know that. I actually feel guilty, especially considering all the weight I have lost. It was just the first time where it was harder to stay focused as I wanted to enjoy my vacation. I know next time I have to plan better. Now I am aware that the stomach does stretch again, but it is my understanding that it takes years for that to happen per what I have read from doctors - which is why some people who have bariatric surgery tend to gain some or all the weight again years later if they haven't maintained their better eating habits. I am only 5 months out from the sleeve, so I was just curious why I was able to eat more than usual at this early point. I am back on track now, but just wanted to ensure that this is normal - that the stomach can stretch temporarily in the short term and things should be back to normal now that I am eating smaller portions again/proper foods. That I haven't already stretched out my stomach a bit. I would appreciate any feedback here. Thanks, HM

First, great job on the weight-loss. I've noticed I can eat more and I'm starting to get my appetite back. It's so important to follow the plan... get in your protein (and some extra if needed). I aim for 3 oz per meal or about 80+ grams per day. Keep it lean- chicken, fish, shell fish, and plant protein. Make sure you're getting your veggies in. Cut up a veggie tray for the week and enjoy with a tablespoon of hummus or guac. Low fat cheese and yogurt. Keep measuring your food. It's so easy to overeat. Fluids are really important to stay on top of. Another thing that helps is to stay busy and keep your mind off food when you're bored. Exercise is also helpful to boost your mood and metabolism. Just be careful of the after workout munchies. It's totally a thing for me. A once on awhile treat is important too. My nutritionist said that if we always deprive ourselves, we'll regress back to old eating habits. So, for example, I love onion rings. And we we go to dinner that my husband orders them, I'll have one... or whatever I may be craving. Small amounts of something special once a week is totally within the plan. Everything they taught you before surgery is for life. Focus on not deviating from that too much.

Hi, I am looking in to arm surgery too. I would like the boob done but a t my age is it really necessary ? At a Spire hospital near me they charge £5.000 for that. A friend has just had the boobs done and that cost £9,000. There is lots of bad press about Turkey and I think I would be too scared to try it. The arm surgery alone is big surgery and my friend couldn't lift for 6 weeks after her surgery. The thing thats holding me back is not the cash its how long I will need to rely on someone else until I heal. Good luck with your journey and please keep me posted, I am very interested

@SleeveToBypass2023 workout routing is 4-5 Times a week. 1:30hours cardio one day and 1:20 hours cardio for 3 days (40mins jogging 20mins hill walk 20mins elliptical) 5th day is more strength training and it’s up to 10 variations with 20mins cardio strength training mostly arms back core and I do a variation of 6-8 different upper body and core 4-5 sets of each variation 10-15 reps minimum weight is 15kg. had always been doing weight training when I got the all clear a month after surgery until 3months ago when I started elliptical on,y calories I drink is my protein water. Which isn’t up to 500ml per day. Along with 2.5-3liters of water 1 liter is usually covered during workout I noticed I don’t eat up to 21oz of food through the day mostly protein

I’m 10 weeks post op and after a very normal start to recovery other than very pale stools- I seemed to have developed very active bowel movements. im eating normally, small meals but nothing excluded and I am waking in the night to use the loo. just want to check if this is normal - I’m going at least 5-6 times a day where as before I was lucky if it was once a day. I have converted from baby to bypass so I’m used to the process - just can’t get my head around this side of it as never experienced this before - except when I was on orlistat years ago

You can use whatever protein shakes you want. I used ready made the first 2 weeks, then I bought protein powder from Arbonne and made my own. You can take liquid vitamins as long as they have the same amount of vitamins as bariatric vitamins do. I wasn't told not to take capsules or any kind of pills with the sleeve when I had it, but I WAS told that when I had my revision to bypass. It took a little bit but I'm able to take all my normal pills and supplements like normal now.

Today was the 3 month anniversary of my bypass/hiatal hernia repair. I've done ok on the calorie restricted diet--still can't eat certain meats (I've stayed away from steak which I love, haven't eaten lamb and even a moist pork chop is a little tough for me- instead, I'm eating. lot of fish). My portions are small-- -protein say three tablespoons, veggies, two tablespoons, mashed or sweet potato- 1/2 a small sized one. Today I weighed myself- I went from over 271 to 221 which is kind of crazy! (I am around 6 feet, used to be taller but I'm a geezer so I'm shrinking). Hooked up at a new gym that I can walk to from my house, so I will go more frequently and won't need to spend money on ride shares (I prefer not driving in town). I was shocked at how weak I was--It is going to take some time to strengthen and I'm being very cautious about torquing my gut given the surgery (even though the surgeon cleared me for weight lifting). I'm doing my supplements. I guess this is a good news/bad news thing- not that I live by the scale but I was amazed at how much I've lost so quickly. And a little disappointed in how weak I am. My wife said, "dude, you went through major surgery, take your time." She's probably right. There is no question that the surgery + pretty strict adherence to the post-op diet does work. Now I just have to rebuild my strength over time.

That's normal at 5 days out. You still have the surgical gas in your system. It took me about 10 days to get rid of all the gas (you have to walk a lot, and for the first 2 weeks after the sleeve, I really struggled with that) and the fluid retention from the surgery doesn't help. Took me a good 7-8 days to lose the water I was holding on to from the surgery. Within 2 weeks, you should be back to normal.

Had my RNY & hernia repair done on Monday the 11th. After Friday's scramble and near cancellation of my surgery because insurance hadn't answered the prior authorization and wouldn't escalate it. Ended up getting approved at 4:45 EST, they were literally in the process of rescheduling everything for me before canceling everything out when they finally got the call saying it was approved. I think that was the most stressful day of the whole process. I ripped some of the internal sutures trying to get out of bed to go to the bathroom the first night I was inpatient so that was not a happy time. Still a lot of incisional pain and pain around where the muscle was pinched and torn. But the Dr. was happy with the results and once I put on a binder I was able to move a lot more comfortably. Especially since it helped with the feeling of gravity pulling at incision sites when it was wrapped tight enough. Still having some gas issues have a bubble in my upper chest it feels like and it just isn't budging. And the gas coming out, lord help me. Lord help my husband. I'm not ladylike at all ever but even now farting is embarrassingly loud and obnoxious. And it's OFTEN! I was supposed to be allowed to leave on Tuesday but with the suture issue and not being able to manage my pain effectively, they kept me an extra day which greatly threw off our game plan. But we made it home late Wednesday night after a 5-hour drive home from the hospital and I've been doing a little better each day. I can't go too long without wearing the binder or else standing begins to pull and hurt too much. Showering is about the only time it's off, I've been alternating between the one I asked for at the hospital and the one I bought off Amazon and left at home when I packed my post-op bag. While the one I got off Amazon is soft and stretchy, it's neoprene or something like it so it gets HOT! The one the hospital gave me is pretty much all elastic banding and I prefer it over the one I bought because it also covers more of my abdomen heightwise so it feels like it stays in place a little better. And you'll KNOW if it shifts when you move. I'm trying to get myself back into the swing of things though and trying to get caught up on everything I missed last week while I was tuned out. Today is the first day I have actually gotten online and done more than just buy something I needed at the moment on Amazon. Today is also the first day I didn't wake up hating myself for putting myself through it. I knew it was going to be rough and I knew it was going to hurt, but even in all my overthinking, I didn't think I'd hurt as badly as I did. Don't hesitate to ask for pain meds and go to oral meds as soon as they'll let you while you're there if you want to get out of the hospital with a quickness.

With my sleeve, I had major pain for almost 2 weeks. With my revision to bypass, I had very little pain. Mostly, it was uncomfortable for about 4 days. Wish I had just done the bypass to begin with.

I had lymphoedema because of my weight and I also had major problems when walking. I would be so out of breath and my heart would hammer in my chest. I was classed as disabled. I relied on a stick. Housework was difficult, It would take a week to clean my home, a room at a time. I ironed a shirt and sat down, panting. Now since surgery I am super active, can clean the house in an afternoon. I can walk miles without stopping to rest. My lymphoedema was in my arms and legs, I was very embarrassed about the size of them. Although I do not have the most beautiful ankles now, I would say they pass. My arms have a great deal of loose empty skin. At my age, I am wondering if I should have corrective surgery or not. I have been on 3 overseas holidays in very hot climates since surgery. My ankles and calves have never swelled and they always did before, especially on the plane journey. Its good not to wear the ugly socks. Good luck with your decision making

So, I had a screening phone call from the nurse and surgeon weeks ago and got the go-ahead for sleeve surgery on sept 12th. I had my in-person pre-op appointments yesterday. I am self-paid, mind you (18 000$), and already gave my 3000$ deposit. So, I meet with this nice dietician that starts asking questions about my past, about how I got to the weight I am now, etc. So, being an honest and open person (and also being already very nervous about the surgery, so, yes, I'm crying profusely during this appointment, which makes me look even worst), I explain that I have been suffering from Binge Eating disorder for the past 25 years and that, yes, it's still an active issue. But I also mention that I have started therapy with a therapist specialized in eating disorders. That I understand that this is a tool, that it involves a lot of work, etc. She gives the ok, they take my 15 000$ check, give me the powders for the liquid diet and send me on my way. 2 hours after, the clinic calls me to say that the dietician spoke with the surgeon and that BED being a new info for him, he is requesting a clearance from my psychologist to go ahead. I've seen this psy only 3 times so far.... So, basically, he is waiting for a note from a therapist that has seen me 3 times to decide if he's doing the surgery or cancelling, or postponing. I'm very upset. I am very anxious about the surgery (being put under, the breathing tube) and have been trying to get mentally ready for the surgery for the past 2 months and now it's all up in the air. After taking my deposit. After having phone calls with me and giving the go-ahead (and never asking about any disordered eating history!). So I will know next week what is decided. I am not mad at the dietician, she's doing her job. I am not mad at the surgeon, he's being careful . But I am mad at myself for opening up, being honest when I'm sure a lot of bariatric patients would have said nothing for the same exact reason (fear of being refused). I should have known better............ I should have just shut my mouth!