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I'm having RYGB on January 3rd, starting the 2 week liquid diet in a few days, and really feeling this also. I keep having these moments where I want to eat everything in sight, then sad about the changes that are coming, then I realize that this is a choice and it's the right choice, and I'm in control of that. That seems to help, and remembering that there aren't any foods that I won't ever be able to taste again, I just won't be able to eat a whole pizza, or whole sub sandwich, that's ok. I'm also feeling a bit scattered, it's harder to stay focused but at least I'm not bored?

I'm curious what you had instead of the protein drinks, or if you just weren't getting much protein those first weeks. Was there something that worked better for you than whey?

So today was day 11 and my symptoms are still that pull and tug or twist? When im drinking protein shakes or trying watered down soup juice ( cream of chicken thinned out with water then strained ). It feels like something squeezing my insides for a heartbeat then it finishes going down its uncomfortable and makes me NOT want to swallow anything besides water. A few of my incisions are healed up but puffy on the inside ( no pain or anything though ) and a few are painfully hard to ignore when im sitting up a certain way and sometimes when walking. I feel like the weight of my stomach is causing these aches because when i hold my stomach up with my hands pain is gone. Im going to see my surgeon for my 2 week follow up on the 31st so hopefully he can tell me whats wrong if anything. Also i still cannot stop spitting like it has decreased but not gone away completely it is SO annoying you have no idea. And i still get this pain at the roof of my mouth where the bone is right before your throat. Its not as painful as before but it still throbs on and off. I will update when i have news fingers crossed for me.

VGS 10/16 and I’ve lost about 32lbs since the surgery. I’ve definitely hit that weird zone with no weight loss that everyone has been posting about. I’ve been bouncing around +\- 3lbs for the last four weeks. It’s hard to not be discouraged and cheat on the diet (I’m an emotional eater). So I’m looking at other wins- smaller clothes, walking the dog, going up stairs, better movement in general. I have to keep telling myself- It doesn’t have to all be based on the number on the scale.

Oh thank goodness it's not just me! I lost 19 pounds the first 2 weeks, and I've been stuck ever since -- stalled for 2-1/2 weeks so far. I was convinced that I had done something wrong and have been very frustrated. I talked with my doctor about it and he was completely unconcerned and said "the scale will catch up, don't worry about the scale." Here's the explanation, which makes sense and gives me great comfort: Those first 2 weeks post-op when you are just consuming liquids and lose a lot of weight really fast, that's all pretty much water weight that you lose. Then as you start to add back real food, you gain back the water weight. So even though you are gaining back the water weight, the scale is not moving because you are losing fat (which is the real reason we are all here, to lose fat). So until the fat you lose eclipses the amount of water weight you originally lost, the scale won't move. But that is not a bad thing, because it means that you are still losing fat. So in my case, until I lose MORE than 19 pounds of fat, the scale will stay at about the same spot. But once I pass that 19 pound mark, it will start going down again. At the same time, I have not had to take any diabetes medicine or blood pressure medicine since the surgery. I sleep great, I have more energy, I can briskly walk 2 miles at a time without back pain (which was a major problem for me before!), I don't really mind when I have to park farther from the door of the store than I'd like, and my clothes all fit significantly looser. I can see in the mirror that my body has changed dramatically. So even though the scale is not moving, it's very clear to me that this IS working! I'm just impatient to see a lower number on the scale, which is actually pretty silly considering all of the other benefits that I can clearly see and measure and feel. So we just need to stick together strong, keep the faith, and trust the process! We will get over this hump together!

I'm constipated. Like really bad. I've taken laxatives (miralax, Smooth Move tea, milk of magnesia and docalax) for the last 3 days. I take a probiotic, Prebiotic, and stool softener regularly. I'm very bloated, some pain, I feel full easily, and just all around yucky. I do have very tiny poops, like the size of a small grape, but thin, like a pencil. This makes me think the laxatives are working, but things can move. Im also very gassy. I'm worried about a partial bowl obstruction, but my symptoms don't all fit. I don't know what to do. I'm 7 months post-op.

I just had surgery on 1/4/24 and I am struggling. I never used to be obsessed with food and now it's all I think about. I am so sick of the Protein drinks and jello because everything tastes too sweet for me now. It feels/tastes like I am drinking sweetened condensed milk from the can. I am limited with broths I like, so that's an issue. I couldn't take it anymore, so I broke down and has refried beans yesterday (I'm not supposed to start pureed food until Tuesday). I regret having the surgery, and am resentful about not being to eat the foods I want. I have been on the liver shrinking diet 1 week before Christmas, which was awful watching everyone eat all those delicious Christmas treats, while I just watched. I think between that and the liquid diet post-surgery has broken me. I am emotional and miserable. Am I the only person to feel this way?

Yes, that's a big difference!! LOL You should be getting a shake about every 3 hours. I had to really keep on top of mine or I'd end the evening having to chug two! It gets you into the habit of eating 5 times a day, which you'll need after surgery. Good luck! Hope today is better than yesterday!

I sure did lol... I called and told them and I told them I was willing to reschedule and start the 5 weeks again, but they said we would not need to reschedule and to just keep trying and that I was doing amazing and not to beat myself up. I was quite surprised as they seemed at first that the 5 weeks optifast diet was a must. When I went in for my pre-op to meet the guy putting me under, I told them again as it made me nervous and he seemed rather unbothered by it lol. He said "oh we don't care about that, what I care about is you not having anything after midnight prior to surgery". He laughed and said I was not the only one, nor the last to have cheated. I still feel lousy for it though, and everyones bariatric team is different with what they want you to do prior to surgery. I would not advocate cheating on the pre-op diet, but I if you have please do not beat yourself up about it as you are not alone. I would let them know though just because I feel it is important to be honest. Hugs.

FullSizeRender.MOV Hey loves checking back in! My surgery was 12/18! Today im down 20lbs im feeling excited about this upcoming month and hope to get down. I downloaded an app thats been very helpful with keeping realistic goals. I been walking and dancing as my workouts. Yesterday was my birthday and I was able to go out fine and order food obviously couldnt eat much and focused more on the meat than anything else but it felt amazing to just feel normal somehow. I do feel like im loosing weight so slowly but im trusting the process and I know iM eating dramatically less than before. Little by little. I want to do some lifting weights but I’m waiting til my month appointment to ask. I’m feeling so much better and almost back to normal. Before surgery 240 12/18 220 as of 1/11 still have one more week til im exactly one month post op.

I had my gastric bypass 11/10, now 11 days post op. Feeling pretty good, excited about soft foods in another week.

I lost 33 pounds so far. Admittedly the last week or so I have been having more carbs than I should. I’m trying to reset and focus on protein.

Stories like this make me so sad... My condolences to her family and friends. She should not have been released to fly so early, the most dangerous post op complications usually show up in the first two weeks after surgery. It is absolutely ridiculous that people from countries like the US and UK are having to risk their lives going to places like Turkey for surgery because they can't get coverage for their surgeries thanks to **** insurance companies, or because they are on a waiting list that will take 5 years and require a crazy amount of hoops and delays. Obesity is a disease, not a moral failing. Bariatric surgery is life saving, life giving surgery that in the long run saves insurance companies and government healthcare a **** ton of money because patients who are successful with it often lose their pre-existing conditions, go off numerous medications, and avoid the complications of obesity in their lifetime... A good friend of mine recently had her company change insurance providers. She was in the process of getting her last appointments done for bariatric surgery. But the new insurance excludes all bariatric surgeries... She can't travel to Mexico even if she could afford it because of her complicated medical history. I'm so angry that ANY company or ANY insurance company can just decide not to provide coverage for these surgeries.

It sounds like maybe you would benefit from a stricter routine. At least, I know I tend to flounder when I am just let loose without many rules. If I have to figure out what to do every day and each day is different, I get totally off track with stuff. But when I get into a routine, it's way easier. I haven't gotten off track yet simply by virtue of not being able to eat very much right now, but I know that establishing habits and routines is the most important thing for me to do before I get to the point where I could. Here are some suggestions, just in case they help! Put your full week's worth of vitamins in a weekly pill case (I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C6XZN1YH). It's especially helpful if you get the kind where you can take the day's box with you for those later in the day doses like calcium. Make the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day, or have a rotation of things you can do that are all close to the same in protein value. Plan a dozen dinners that are also roughly the same in protein. Add them up and make sure any breakfast, lunch, and dinner chosen from your repertoire will hit your protein goal. If not, plan for a snack or two in the same way. Don't eat things that are not nutrient dense, and if you do have a treat on occasion, make sure you're limiting yourself to once a month, not once a day! (And if you happen to love chocolate, consider this for one of your daily calcium supplements: https://procarenow.com/products/calcium-dark-chocolate-500mg-calcium-500-iu-vitamin-d) Consider getting something like the Portion Perfection plates and meal prep containers if you struggle with portion size Buy a bariatric cookbook to help with food choices and portions Put your gym or exercise time on your calendar and treat it like you would a doctor's appointment (I struggle with this so much) Or, if you hate the gym, choose exercises you'll actually look forward to. Going to a gym is not a requirement but moving your body is. Put all your reminders for vitamins, mealtime, snack time, and exercise time in your phone so you get reminders

Hey all, I am pre-op for a Gastric Bypass with Heller Myotomy due to Stage 3 Achalasia. I have read some posts about cigar smoking after surgery, but haven't seen many with what procedure I am going to have. That being said, I am not a frequent smoker and I do not smoke cigarettes. I do enjoy an occasional cigar, however my surgeon has stated that there is no way that I can smoke after my surgery. This kind of sucks if I will really have that many complications because of some traditions we have within my workplace as a Paramedic and Firefighter. My question is, has anyone had this procedure and if so, have you had any complications with smoking a cigar post-op. Thanks all.

One note on long distance hiking: I'm having to do serious rehab on my hips and core in order to increase my walking capability. While my aerobic capacity and endurance are very good, my hips start to physically give out at about 3 miles. My physical therapist isn't really sure what the issue is, but thinks that it's a combination of weakness and poor flexibility from the postural adaptations that happen with extreme obesity (my legs literally point in a different direction than they used to!) and some effect of fast weight loss on the muscles themselves.

@Char V - Sorry to hear you've had to deal with all of that. Hoping they can resolve it for you quickly! @sisyfitri - Hope you're doing well! I know what you mean about the appetite. My head keeps telling me to eat what I used to, but my stomach definitely throttles my intake if I overdo it. I'm getting better estimating what I can eat in situations where I can't measure, but still haven't perfected it yet. @ZeeGee - Glad to hear things are moving along well for you! My surgery date was Nov 20, and I was hoping to start hitting the gym with the rest of the New Years Resolution folks next week, but caught covid on Christmas Eve and still super weak. Hoping to get my strength back soon and get back at it later in January.

Orthostatic hypotension is common after the surgery. That is your blood pressure drops on rising & then resettles again. Did they check your blood pressure sitting & then standing? I had a tendency towards low blood pressure before surgery now it’s something I experience every day & am almost 5 years post surgery. Periods of low energy while losing isn’t that uncommon either. I remember at around the 3 month mark suddenly feeling so tired again. At the time I thought I really should get more active & started to walk on my treadmill. But I couldn’t do it. Was so tired I worried I’d fall asleep as I was walking & I was wreaked after a couple of minutes. That nixed that idea. Plus the doughiness in the head & inability to focus can last well into the second month too. However, what you’re experiencing could be related to having had Covid. Back in the day it was known as a post viral response: lethargy, low energy, cold sweats, blood pressure issues, etc, I used to get burning on the soles of my feet too. Could last for months after having one of the more severe viruses like glandular fever, influenza A, etc. I’ve had two bouts after having pityriasis rosea & then human parovirus. I remember struggling to walk up the two flights of stairs to my apartment & I had a chair placed in front of the white board in my classroom because even standing was exhausting. Now of course everyone calls it long COVID but it’s the same thing. My last thought is you’ve picked up the vertigo virus. It’s a parasitic type virus that attacks when you’re run down post another virus. I got mine after influenza A. The vertigo, lethargy, etc. wasn’t pleasant. Occurred randomly for a couple of years after the initial bout. Generally over the counter anti nausea meds manages the vertigo otherwise a script for stemetil or similar helps. I carried it in my bag just in case I had a vertigo attack. Just some suggestions. Hope you start to feel better soon.

I'm not sure what she actually meant by that, but I know I take certain comments differently now that I'm normal size than I did when I weighed almost 400 lbs. If I was eating dessert now and some friend or relative called me a "piggy" (that is, if they said it in a joking manner), I would have just assumed they were teasing me was because I was eating dessert. Before my surgery, I most definitely would have assumed they were referring to my weight. I also remember my mother-in-law teasing my 20-something niece once when we were having pizza for someone's birthday. My niece was wearing some new outfit or something - can't remember - and when she grabbed her third piece of pizza, my mother-in-law jokingly said "you'd better watch it or those pants aren't going to fit" (or something to that effect). She said it in a joking manner and I knew she wasn't referring to Sarah's weight, but Sarah is obese so at the same time, I knew exactly how she (Sarah) would have taken it - and she did. My mother-in-law has never been obese, so she wouldn't have understood how that comment was taken. When I explained it to her afterward (when the party was over and it was just me and her and my husband), she felt terrible about it. I knew she did because she brought it up several times over the course of the next week or so (she also apologized profusely to Sarah)

Since you've been doing your homework, you probably already know that your chance for any complication is just under 6% and your chance for a serious complication is about 2.5% with the RNY. On the flip side, you have about a 74% chance of curing your sleep apnea and a decent likelihood of reaching a BMI in the healthy range. I am scheduled for surgery next month, so I can't tell you about my experience with it yet. What I can tell you is why I am choosing it after almost 7 years in my hospital's non-surgical weight loss program. I am 5'6 and 49 years old, with 2 teen/tween daughters. At the start of 2017, I was 249 pounds and on blood pressure meds, no other co-morbidities. My primary care doctor referred to me to the weight management center. They said aim for 1500 calories per day, 30 minutes of exercise 5 days per week, and check in with them every month. I was motivated and started tracking my food and exercise. I went in for nutrition, psych, and medical meetings as directed. The weight came off. I was thrilled! I got down to 202 in 6 months. I was so close to being under 200, and I was certain I could easily get to at least under a BMI of 30 to no longer be "obese." Piece of cake! Or rather, some suitably healthy cake alternative. Like apples, maybe? And then I stalled for months. I never hit that magical 199 on the scale. I kept doing everything the same and my weight didn't budge. I ate a little less. I exercised a little more. I gained 5 lbs. I gained a few more. I became discouraged. Life happened. I would lose 10 lbs, gain 8, lose 5, gain 15... I tried various meds but couldn't afford them longterm. I lost health insurance for a year and couldn't afford to go to my regular check-ins, which I know were partially responsible for keeping me at least a little motivated even when the scale didn't cooperate. I got health insurance again, and went for my physical. My blood pressure had worsened and now I was prediabetic. My doctor urged me to go back to weight management. I had to wait 3 months for an appointment, and despite wanting to lose some weight in the interim (so the doctor there wouldn't be disappointed in me), I weighed in at 251, which tipped me over to 40 BMI. That was the most I ever weighed. When the doctor recommended I consider weight loss surgery, I knew that was the answer for me. One thing I learned in all this is people can lose weight, even a lot of it. The likelihood of keeping it off longterm without meds or surgery is around 10%. Between a 2.5% risk of a serious complication or a 90% chance of being obese and on blood pressure meds the rest of my life, and risking diabetes, I prefer to take my chances with the surgery. It's not the losing weight that worries me, but the keeping it off that I don't think will happen without it.

I count "net" carbs ( Carbs minus fiber ) I love the low carb lifestyle ! Before surgery,I lost 40# doing low carb and my body slammed on the brakes and said "nope " at 210 and wouldn't let me lose anymore. That's why I went for surgery ! Now that I'm 5 months out - my body is saying NOPE again ....*sigh*... I've been stalled for 3 & a half months !! I honestly don't think there's any real way to break it ,we just have to wait it out. There's so many videos about people that say they KNOW how to break a stall. I think it's all BS - especially the ones that try and sell you a certain vitamin or remedy. We'll get there . PS ......... I'm giving you a standing ovation for losing 100 lbs !!!!!! You're an inspiration

I am five months postop and think I am driving myself crazy. I have not lost any weight since November 11 right before the holidays and am terrified I messed my surgery up. I indulged a little too much with carbs during Thanksgiving and Christmas. I started this journey at 285 and am currently 227. I was 269 August 29th day of the sleeve. I followed my diet to the T until holidays How do I pick my weight loss back up?? Did I ruin this for good?? I def CANNOT eat as much as I used to but I can't seem to get back to starting point of protein and 5%carbs and 5%fat limits on food items. I'm embarrassed to talk about it with anyone except this forum. All my bloodwork is great. I am doing some cardio and weights 5 days a week but not much as I'm slowly getting into it. But I feel like I've messed up my sleeve or something!! What If I did all this just to lose almost 60 pounds but to be honest I do feel the best I have in years. I just don't wanna give up I don't even know what to think about not losing weight all these months. I did gain/lose a few pounds (was 224 then was 230 now I'm 227). Am I going to be stuck at this weight forever??? Its only been 51/2 months!! Advice please!!!!

Hi Iv rang up and got appt next week Portions are small if OH puts it out it’s bigger but I always eat same amount and leave loads anyway I don’t eat extra even if he’s put more than I have on so much waste lol Trying to teach myself to chew chew chew and cut small bites I will see if I can remember when talking to someone at same time! I’m adding gravy and seem to do ok with chvolled tinned tomatoes Yeah chicken is hard for me I’m ok with minced beef just not much of it lol Thanks I will try chicken thighs Iv got a few protein shakes just for mornings to up my protein a bit I will look into smoothies to actually do you make your own? Or buy them I got my B12 yesterday I had forgot all about it in December then I wasn’t well and also no appts u til now but glad I have it done. Yeah trying really hard to get all meds in I have to take so many i take like 15 a day of different meds and it’s hard on my tum sometimes and run out of time to get them all in as not meant to take all together but sometimes I have to. Thanks for reply and for suggestions 😊 xx

Hi everyone! So I am hoping to maybe get some recommendations from this lovely community. I need good walking shoes, I am supposed to be at 60 minutes of exercise a day, 6 days a week by the time I have surgery(I have about a month and a half left of supervised diet, 2 visits left!) The issue is I have been putting off new shoes for months but had my wake up call when I took my dog for a brisk 15 minute walk last night and today my feet and leg muscles hurt so much(I even tried my work slip on Crocs thinking I had issues from my sneakers due to support and it made zero difference last night). I can get the exercise in (I love hiking and walking my dog now that I no longer live on the surface of the sun) but shoes have to be addressed. From what the internet tells me, I have supination-I tend to walk on the outside of my feet(evident in the countless pairs of shoes ruined when I wore through the material on the sides). If anyone can throw me recommendations based on what worked for you personally I would be eternally grateful! I can only read so many "lists of best walking shoes for overweight women with supination" since they are all over the place...I plan to check out the Asics outlet store by my work and maybe Academy for New Balance(did I mention I'm on a super tight budget?[emoji51][emoji2360]budget for shoes is around 50-100) Thanks so much, y'all are the best! Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 2 weeks out and I think I have pooped a total of 4-5 times since the surgery; the first time was 3 days post-op. A couple of times it was a real struggle!