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Thank you for the encouraging words. It’s hard not to compare. I’m 5’5. SW 262. Current 246. I know 16 pounds is good. I just feel like the my surgeon thought it should be more at my first follow up visit. And with my 6 weeks coming up I am anxious. I thought the scale would have moved more. I will try to stay positive. Thank you again!!!

Thank you for the encouraging words. It’s hard not to compare. I’m 5’5. SW 262. Current 246. I know 16 pounds is good. I just feel like the my surgeon thought it should be more at my first follow up visit. And with my 6 weeks coming up I am anxious. I thought the scale would have moved more. I will try to stay positive. Thank you again!!!

I lost the same amount (16 lbs) the first month and ended up losing 235 lbs (I've gained back a few since then). Most of us seem to lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month post-op, so you're in the right range. If you're getting your expectations from "My 600 lb Life", remember that those people start at over 600 lbs - that's way above where the average WLS patient starts from, and starting BMI is one of the factors that determines what your rate of weight loss is (other factors are age, gender, how much of your body weight is muscle, whether or not you lost a lot of weight prior to surgery, metabolism rate, other genetic factors, etc). The only two factors that play into the rate of weight loss that you have much control over are how closely you're sticking to your clinic's food plan, and how active you are. If you're doing well with those, you'll lose the weight, whether fast or slow. the other thing you may be dealing with is the "three-week stall" that most of us experience. It's not always the third week post-op - sometimes it's the second or fourth or fifth week post-op, but it's most commonly during the third week, hence the name. It's basically the first major stall after WLS. Most of us go through this. It generally lasts 1-3 weeks. I had mine during weeks 2 and 3 (so two weeks). I lost virtually nothing during this time, but once week 4 started, I dropped like 6-8 lbs within just a couple of days. so anyway, long way of saying, there's no reason to feel defeated. Sounds like everything is pretty normal...

@SuziDavisI basically had the same problem before surgery. I would loose maybe 4-5 pounds a month. I was doing keto and basically working out 5-6 days a week. I know I shouldn’t worry so much about the scale but it’s hard.

Sounds like you might just be a little bit of a slower loser, and that's ok. As long as you're losing, and following your plan, and exercising, and changing your eating habits you're doing everything right. If you were at a lower bmi and weight than others on here, you will also lose slower. But again, as my surgeon says, "as long as you continue in a downward trajectory, you're doing great". Stalls happen, everyone's journey looks different, and you're still early in yours. Your body is only like 4 weeks post op. It's still healing. Give yourself some grace, and time, and you'll see the results you want.

How much were you losing a month before surgery? 16lbs in a month is great, and you will hit stalls while your body adjusts.

Hi everyone. I am 33 days post op and lost 16 pounds. I’m so frustrated bc I’m doing everything they told me to do and the scale is barely moving. I’m walking 1.5- 2 miles a day. I am literally weighing and tracking every single thing I eat. I am getting my protein 95% of the time. I am getting my water in. I know it’s about more than the scale, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t depressing to see it move so little. This week I lost 1.6 lbs. last week it was 1.2. When I went back for my 2 week check even my surgeon looked surprised that I had only lost 7 pounds in the first two week. This has me feeling so defeated. 😭😭😭😭😭

Thank you everyone, I will take 4 weeks off to be sure the incisions are healed

You are only 30# more than me. I am 5'1, 240 lbs. I have High Blood Pressure and Low Thyroid, I am considering the surgery because I am tire to lose the same 5 lbs in the last 2 years, I remember when I was fat at 190 lbs, it was 10 years ago. I wish I had asked for the surgery before, I jus asked few months ago. I got my 1st consult couple weeks ago. sometimes we need to think or weight our choices in one side stay the same in the other side few months of discomfort ( while we heals and get into our new style) but gaining quality of life, gaining help. Wish you the best, GO FOR IT!

You are only 30# more than me. I am 5'1, 240 lbs. I have High Blood Pressure and Low Thyroid, I am considering the surgery because I am tire to lose the same 5 lbs in the last 2 years, I remember when I was fat at 190 lbs, it was 10 years ago. I wish I had asked for the surgery before, I jus asked few months ago. I got my 1st consult couple weeks ago. sometimes we need to think or weight our choices in one side stay the same in the other side few months of discomfort ( while we heals and get into our new style) but gaining quality of life, gaining help. Wish you the best, GO FOR IT!

Before surgery I had a hard time drinking plain water unless it was flavored/sweetened with Crystal Light. After, I couldn't drink sweet and preferred cool clear water till about 3 weeks after surgery. I set out three 20 oz bottles and start sipping throughout the day with a goal to finish them all before bedtime. If not, if I woke, I'd drink more and hopefully finish by morning. But I never forced myself to meet goal. I just did the best I could without allowing myself to become dehydrated. The remaining ounces I got from my protein drinks, milk, broth etc. Early on if you have to choose between drinking or eating....drink.

Once I knew how my stomach would react, I stopped doing the 30 minutes before rule. It didn’t bother me to drink prior to eating and it didn’t seem to impact the amount I could eat either as long as I wasn’t gulping down water right before a meal. Cutting out that 30 minute block really helped to get in more fluids. Other than that, it’s just a matter of carrying the water everywhere you go and sipping constantly. If your stomach isn’t ready, no worries. Work up the best you can. I wasn’t hitting my goal right after surgery, but about 2 weeks later, I was up to 80oz. My sister had the sleeve and she still can’t drink that much 2 years out. Just go at your own pace and watch the color of your urine closely.

Hello. I'm relatively new to these forums. I had my VSG surgery on July 10th, 2023. I weighed 450lbs on my surgery date, but gained 13lbs during my two and a half days in the hospital. It was water weight because they kept the IV on non-stop pumping liquids into me without giving me my diuretic that I've been taking for nearly 10 years, Lasix(furosemide). I am at 410lbs now, a little over 5 weeks since surgery. My treatment team has a rather slow and careful recovery diet plan, starting with 1 full week of clear liquids + protein shake only, 2 weeks full liquid diet, 2 weeks pureed diet, 2 weeks of soft foods(where I am now), and then on to introducing regular foods starting the 8th week after surgery. I am extremely thankful for the surgery. I'm feeling better, and am thankful that they cut away the hunger along with 85% of my stomach. I still don't have much of an appetite, but I understand that my stomach is still healing and it is going to take months. Right now is the time to learn new good eating habits. I've been following the rules set forth from my treatment team closely. I haven't thrown up, nor have I really felt nauseous. My stomach seems to be handling everything I've been putting into it. Although at work today my stomach let me know it was not in the mood for egg salad. after 2oz of it I felt a pressure and ache in my stomach so I stopped eating. It might have been stress or I still had some liquid in my stomach. I follow the 30:30 rule, but work was hectic and I loose tract of my liquids. Its frustrating having to stop to take a sip every 10 minutes. I forget to sip more than I actually do. Thanks for reading my short little intro. I need to go back and catch up on the previous 24 pages of posts.

i think i only sipped water for maybe 2 weeks max. then one day just forgot to sip and guzzled down a whole bunch of water and was like: !! haven't had issues with drinking any amount of liquids since (i'm almost 5 years post)

Well that makes me even more concerned since it's now been over a week, and I still have pain. It is decreasing every day, but I everything I've heard and read makes me think I should not have pain and should pretty much be back to normal. Did you happen to have complications, or did you remove the band by choice?

honestly, there are more people who never make it all the way to their goal than there are those who lose too much, but that said, you can always increase your calories to either stop your weight loss or gain a few pounds if you think you're getting too thin. So I wouldn't worry about that at all. I lost 100% of my excess weight and yes, for a time I was "too thin", but I was also aware that a majority of us have a 10-20 lb rebound weight gain during year 3. And I did. In addition, even before the rebound gain, things (fat, I guess?) tends to re-distribute itself after a big loss, so even though I weighed the same for awhile, I started looking a lot better. My face filled out, etc - even before that gain. as far as it being hard - the first year, it wasn't too bad - esp before my hunger and appetite came back at month 5. For those first few months, for the first time in my life, I wasn't thinking about food at all the time. In fact, I didn't think about it much at all - and at times didn't even want any. Even though it was weird not to ever be hungry and to not give a flip about food, I found it very liberating! But things changed at month 5 when suddenly my hunger came back (and it does for most of us sometime during the first year). Then you're dealing with the hunger beast again, although it's not as strong as it was before surgery. But I wanted more than anything to lose this weight once and for all, so I really stuck to my program and lost it all (weight loss didn't stop until I was almost two years out, though - I had A LOT to lose!) it does get harder after the first year because diet fatigue sets in, as well as some old habits. You really, really have to watch yourself. And eight years out, I have to continue to watch myself. It's so easy to slip into old habits. But I have a "drop dead weight" limit - I weigh myself once a week now, and if I hit that limit - or come close to it - I cut back until my weight is safely within the limit again. But this really isn't any different from most of my never-been-obese friends. So many of us have to monitor our weight and to cut back when it starts getting too high. anyway, yes, it can be hard - esp when your hunger comes back and your motivation starts to wane, but unlike before, your effort actually pays off. You put in the work, and the weight comes off (or stays off). Before, the most I could ever lose is about 50 lbs (and even that was rare - most of my dieting ended up with a 10 or 20 lb loss). And inevitably, it will all come back. Happened every time. BUt this time, it worked!

at over eight years out, no one would be able to tell I had bypass surgery by looking at what I ate. At most they'd think I'm a "light eater". I'll usually order a salad - or an appetizer - or else an entree and have them box up half of it to take home. Same as most of my female friends who've never had a weight issue. I do, however, order "bariatric friendly" meals - entrees with protein and vegetables. I very rarely order things like pasta or dishes that feature heavy cheese or cream sauces (well, pretty much never). Although again, that's what my non-obese friends typically order, too. Like summerseeker, I check out online menus (most places have them) and decide what I'll order before I go. the first few weeks you'll be eating microscopic amounts, but that doesn't last forever.

I drink a ton of water - and have been able to for a long time. It's really just the first few weeks that it can be an issue.

a couple of corrections and comments on bypass. Strictures only happen to about 5% of bypass patients and they're very easy to fix (I had two of them). If they happen, it'll be during the first three months after surgery. They almost never occur after that. there are no food restrictions with bypass after about the first six months. Zero. Fruit with seeds and/or skins, dry meat, etc - all fine. Those are only restricted during the first few weeks or months after surgery.

My revision is scheduled for August 28th, I'm still waiting for insurance approval, supposed to be finished tomorrow sometime lol, taking over a week, as soon as i get it I'll start preparing

Lipman, you are killing it! Great job! Lindsay, under 200 is incredible and you're not that far-off your goal. Amazing! I'm still consistently losing weekly and haven't had a stall since the dreaded 2 week PO one. This week I lost 1.5 kilos (3.3 pounds), I had a similar loss the week before too. Usually they're less so it's been nice! So I'm 28.7 kilograms (63 pounds) down since the pre op diet. I've lost 18.5% of my total weight. They estimate you lose around 30% on average the first year, I'm well on the way there at 14 weeks PO. I'm eating really well and had been getting over 70 grams of protein a day consistently but that's dropped the past week. Some of it was due to little hunger and feeling more restriction. Need to make sure my main meals are a bit higher in protein. I really need to do better with fluids, it's always been an issue. And exercise needs to become a habit, I bought an exercise bike so no excuses now! Overall though I'm doing great. A bit low energy this week and for some reason I've thrown up my dinner 2 nights in a row? Eating too fast perhaps or my tummy rejected potato that was airfried? First time I'd been sick since surgery. Lindsay I highly recommend the Ninja Creami if you love your ice cream as you can make your own healthier versions. I've had mine about a month and love it. I have a bowl every day of homemade frozen yoghurt. Last night was vanilla sprinkled with raspberry and coconut granola, 20 grams protein. I made a strawberry one earlier this week using strawberry yogurt and fresh strawberries that was soooo good, hubby and 19yo loved it too, definitely making it again. I hope everyone here is doing well, especially @Synlee.

I didn’t like the texture either. But one interesting thing is that it has no issues being reheated like some other ramen when eaten without the broth (which is how I liked eating instant - boiled, drained and with a bit of flavor packet). I added additional sauce to mask the texture though. Feels grainy, like the texture of grits or sand or something. The store I went to only had two of the three flavors available. I only tried the garlic chicken and I tasted more garlic than chicken. The garlic overpowered everything until I added the sauce that was being used to mask the texture 🤣 Shrimp is tonight so we’ll see how that goes!

Hello all,. I am a male, 37 years old….Living in Atlanta, GA. I’m having my first appointment tomorrow. I am about 5’8 in a half and I weigh 246. My BMI is about 37.4 … I am obese but do not LOOK obese. I have tried to get the weight down on my own. I have gained upward to 255 pounds in my life. I in my most recent trial to do it on my own have gotten down to 235 which took about 8 weeks to do so starting at 250 pounds. I have no gained 11 pounds back and back up there which has led me here to finally considering gastric sleeve. If I start the nutrition plan and lose 15 pounds before surgery, I will be at 230 and then my BMI will be at exactly 35. People will then look at me, maybe even the doctor who i have no met yet and say, “oh you look good, you dont need surgery”, I am afraid to start the process and have any kind of hiccups… I know how to “look slender” in certain clothes but to be honest, i need to be back to my 180 size. It’s better for my blood pressure and sleep apnea. At 230 pounds if I get there on my own, i still have BP issues. 5 years ago, i was able to get down to 218, but no lower than that. And now im back up to 246 again.I just dont know if this is right for me. I have a very physically demanding job which requires me to drink water very often to hydrate. My concern is that I wont be able to hydrate properly after my surgery because i can only sip water. I need to be able to drink at least 1 liter of water per day on my demanding job. (One liter is 2 regular bottles of water)…. How did you all who are water drinkers overcome your water intake and hydration issues for those who must drink water as a necessity because of their physical demanding job? Also, did anyone who is my height 5’8 - 5’9 get surgery around 230- 240 pounds? What was your results? What did doc say?

Hello all,. I am a male, 37 years old….Living in Atlanta, GA. I’m having my first appointment tomorrow. I am about 5’8 in a half and I weigh 246. My BMI is about 37.4 … I am obese but do not LOOK obese. I have tried to get the weight down on my own. I have gained upward to 255 pounds in my life. I in my most recent trial to do it on my own have gotten down to 235 which took about 8 weeks to do so starting at 250 pounds. I have no gained 11 pounds back and back up there which has led me here to finally considering gastric sleeve. If I start the nutrition plan and lose 15 pounds before surgery, I will be at 230 and then my BMI will be at exactly 35. People will then look at me, maybe even the doctor who i have no met yet and say, “oh you look good, you dont need surgery”, I am afraid to start the process and have any kind of hiccups… I know how to “look slender” in certain clothes but to be honest, i need to be back to my 180 size. It’s better for my blood pressure and sleep apnea. At 230 pounds if I get there on my own, i still have BP issues. 5 years ago, i was able to get down to 218, but no lower than that. And now im back up to 246 again.I just dont know if this is right for me. I have a very physically demanding job which requires me to drink water very often to hydrate. My concern is that I wont be able to hydrate properly after my surgery because i can only sip water. I need to be able to drink at least 1 liter of water per day on my demanding job. (One liter is 2 regular bottles of water)…. How did you all who are water drinkers overcome your water intake and hydration issues for those who must drink water as a necessity because of their physical demanding job? Also, did anyone who is my height 5’8 - 5’9 get surgery around 230- 240 pounds? What was your results? What did doc say?