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I have a surgery date 10/18/2023!!

9/19 This is getting real!

Agreed, your temper-tantrum-toddler-tummy is likely to go back and forth on things. The slower you eat, the easier it'll be to tell when something is even beginning to irritate your insides -- hopefully so you can stop before it leads to cramping or other nasty symptoms. For me, the transition from purees to soft foods was (and still is) a bit of a battle. I couldn't handle tuna or egg salad (unless it was completely pureed with greek yogurt / light mayo) until... uh.... well I'm 12 weeks in and I still can't? LOL, my body gets angry at anything not exceedingly moist, so canned fish and any egg other than poached just won't go down. Mayo and yogurt have been fine though. Anyway, whenever you run into digestive issues, just take a step back. Eat some things you know you can handle for a few days, and try again -- or try a different method of prep. I've found that steaming most of my foods (even found an awesome microwave steamer) helps keep them moist enough 8/10 times. Healthy sauces or dips are your friend. Don't rush yourself, you'll be eating more satisfying textures soon enough. (I've also found that for egg salad, if I puree half of my serving and then hand mash the other half, the consistency changes enough to give me less problems. I also throw in some mashed avocado and more greek yogurt than is probably needed.) (Have you tried egg drop soup? You beat an egg or two, and drizzle that in a spoonful at a time to simmering / lightly boiling broth. Simple, but can be really satisfying.)

Yes! I’m scheduled for vsg surgery on 10/24/23. Super excited! Congratulations to you all!

same exact situation had sadi s 7/19 and at 2 months out i am down 34lbs so its slow but steady for now Good Luck!

Thank you all! One thing to edit/add is that I consider the "pouch reset" a myth also from the perspective of shrinking my stomach, but consider it rather a "mind reset" of what I did in the beginning and getting back on track mentally. As @Arabesque says, weighing myself daily - Another mental reset for me. I can easily stick my head in the sand if I'm not on the scale, so no matter how painful it might be (especially after my last cruise where I went overboard with the um... adult beverages like sweet martini's), sometimes it takes that dose of reality to get you back on track. I'm back down to my standard weight (was easier than I thought to lose 10 when I paid attention which is a problem in itself), I still want to hit my goal of 155 - One day.... One day at a time. Glad I stopped by here this morning - Getting ready to head out on the boat. Was initially going to pack the standard stuff, but inspired to change it up: Cut up veggies for snacks, more water and Gatorade Zero, less adult beverages in the coolers. Will make sure to take a picture and compare to a year ago so I remember WHERE I want to be vs. where I am. Thanks ladies and gents!

We’re scheduled the same day! I also start my pre-op diet on 10/9. I’m scheduled for 10/23 at 8am.

I had a running battle with my dietitian for 2 years about breakfast. To please her I actually tried multiple permutations. 2 years and 10 stones later and guess what? I re-discovered the fact that I don't like breakfast. I don't eat breakfast. Because I just don't do breakfast. 😂 Not everyone is the same. If your modified plan is working for you and your team is in broad agreement then I say stick to that. 🤩

Yes! In fact, my entire weight loss since surgery has been slooooow. I don't recommend kicking the scale - it hurts 😋 I even talked to my bariatric "team" who just didn't seem concerned. It only added to my anger..to go through all this to lose 4" lbs a month 3 months in and still at 6 months! Where did my honeymoon period go?? Only 80 lbs since starting the pre surgery weight loss portion... 80 lbs in 9 months, that's less than 10 each month! 😠 So yeah, I understand your frustration. I at this point wouldn't be to worried, you retain lots of fluids for several weeks following surgery, plus the standard response you'll read on here is the "your body is going through a lot and could be doing a self check reset reevaluating" at this point. I'd give it at least a month and as long as you're hitting nutritional goals and nothing feels off you'll be fine - (sigh) slow or not..its a downward trend. 😀

Anyone experience a worst case with your bypass? After my bypass, my small intestine decided to close off completely . I had to have an energy surgery to reduce my small intestines I aspirated during the second surgery and ended up on a vent . I ended up with sepsis, ARDS, and fighting to stay alive. 10 days on the vent and 23 days in the hospital. I’m home now trying to recover and figure out all this stuff. I’ve had to learn how to walk and how to use my arms and hands again due to prolonged time on the vent. I knew this was a life style change but I didn’t expect to be in this shape trying to figure it all out.

@BlueParis Still stalled I had my 3-month appointment yesterday. It seems I'm on track based on the numbers my doctor wants to see, which is losing at least 10% of your day-of-surgery weight at the 3-month mark. For me, that would be 22.3 lbs, and I've lost 22.4 lbs. So, I just have to trust the process, I guess. I have to go in Friday morning to have blood drawn for iron and B-12 check, and I need to redo my TSH (thyroid) from my physical earlier this week because Biotin messes up the results! So I have to stop my multivitamin and my biotin supplement for 72 hours before retesting. And @Noelle74it's so true that the weight does not just "fall off." Maybe the first few weeks, but after that? It's a struggle. Lots of ups and downs. Lots of frustration. I think a lot of trial and error, too, until you find what works for you. My plan is to just keep tracking protein and water, as directed by my dietician, for the next month. I have a vacation at the end of June. If I get back from that and don't like my progress, I will try limiting carbs to under 50g per day until my 6-month check-up at the end of August. If I'm worried at that point, I will talk to doctor about adding GLP-1. But hopefully there will be no cause for concern. My next thing is to learn how to use my resistance bands! That's my goal for the coming week.

Well but I'm lifting weights I'm gaining muscle. I do a seca body scan every four to six months and after losing muscle because of a car accident and a year in a half in bed my doctor told me I'm in danger of heart failure so I started lifting weights. But I'm not gaining muscle instead my fat is going down .. so I do understand my body wants to maintain this weight but there is this thing called cutting and bulking and I'm trying to get into a bulk.. Just based off the fact that I don't absorb half my calories I would think of I eat enough calories eventually I'll gain weight.. it can't be impossible can it? I was 19 when I had the surgery 20 years ago. I don't really remember what they told me. I don't recall specifically being told I won't be able to gain weight.. but ok. I'll keep this in mind. Maybe I'm just stuck here. My doctor prescribed my enzymes though he told my my gastric bypass doctor wanted me to gain weight he thinks I should be 190 for my safety 🫤 any more thoughts? I'm still weak my muscle is normal but on the low end still so I can't stop trying to gain weight imo. For my health.

I'm 10 weeks post op and I did eat a fry, just one, and I liked it a lot. I've also eaten a small piece of pizza crust and my body doesn't tolerate gluten. Both times I was ok, but I'm afraid to try any more than that. Which is just the way it should be I think. I've had times when I felt voracious, ate more than usual, felt bad about it, then realized I just ate 1/10th of what I would eat previously. It's ok. For those times that I may not find anything to eat and I'm out and about, I keep roasted soynuts (The only bean comes in .9 oz packets, fits in any purse and is very satisfying) or protein bars with me. Just saying, I haven't learned all this from the surgery, I've been on very restricted diets for a long time due to GI issues, where it was unlikely I would find something I could eat outside my house. Clearly I wasn't restricting the quantities, just the specifics.

I get where you are coming from. I'm on day 10 of the two week liquid (surgery on 1/15/24). I got super depressed for a while so I made myself go to the gym and do walking around days 4 or 5. Right now I walk about an hour at a quick pace to just distract myself. Allowed 4 protein shakes a day, sugar free Jello and Gatorade Zero in between (others on the list but I wasn't interested). Started this on January 1st and so far I've lost 21lbs. But I'm going crazy when my husband makes food or tells me what he's doing for supper. Hang in there.

That was me pre-op and at my heaviest weight which was 320. I was on anti-depression meds years ago for a short time but found they made me worse. So don't be quick to get on any unless you find you can't shake the blues. And even then, the right type and dosage is very important. For me... I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired, it didn't matter how shitty I felt after WLS because I knew better days were ahead. I powered through the nausea. And yes, I had a few down days too. Recouping from major surgery. Hormones shifting. I can't relate to the reflux because I had RNY and hernia repair so that resolved my issues with it. At 10 months out, I feel like a million bucks. I'm hoping the same for you. Congrats on losing the 35 pounds and GL going forward.

I started at 373 lbs. Two years later, I was down to 138. I had the expected "bounce back" regain in year 3 (unfortunately, I went over the expected "bounce back" weight of 10-20 lbs - but then, I'd lost a crap ton of weight - more than a lot of people) as GreaterFood said, 65% loss of excess weight is average, but as with any average, there are lots of people who fall above or below that. It all depends on how compliant you are with your plan, and your motivation. I was more than ready to get rid of that weight once and for all. I didn't originally set a goal of a normal BMI; I told my surgeon that I wanted to get to 200 lbs, which at the time seemed like a pipe dream - but I blew through that. I switched goals a couple more times, the last one being a normal BMI. I was told that was a bit unrealistic as only about 10-15% of their patients manage to get there, but I made it (and btw, that 10-15% stat is backed up by some of the research articles I read, too). but even if I'd only made it 200 lbs, I would have been overjoyed. I looked 100% better at that weight than I did at 373, of course - my health was much better, and I could finally do all the things I wanted to do but couldn't while I was super morbidly obese. life is absolutely terrific. I wish I had done this YEARS ago - and I would go back and have it done every year if I had to. I never dreamed I could be at this weight and I am really enjoying my life as a "normal" person again!! excess skin - I had a ton of it, but it was easy to hide in clothes. However, I eventually had it removed because I hated looking at it. But I'll attach a picture of me from BEFORE I had plastic surgery. You'd never know by looking at the pictures that my torso, especially, looked like a Sharpei puppy, but it did. Other than the scars, I have a normal-looking body now.

Hi! New here! I had VSG previously and I'm going to have the Overstitch procedure this week. If you've had this done or are thinking about it, I'd love to hear from you! I have not met my surgeon in person (phone consult) and there is a long list of medications. I'm pretty nervous about this non-invasive procedure in a way that I never was about the VSG! It could be the extensive medication list- I didn't need any prescriptions after VSG. Prilosec and Miralax daily 7 days before surgery, Zofran, Emend, and Betyl for nausea and cramping, starting the morning of surgery, and ibuprofen rx for pain. I had VSG in 2017 with no complications. I lost 115 lbs. Fast forward to 2023, 1 years after hysterectomy, I experienced about 30 lbs regain. I was having trouble losing with increased workouts and diet modifications, so I tried Mounjaro. I lost 30 pounds. I felt nauseous and fatigued the entire time I was on that, I subsisted on gingerale (I did not drink any carbonated or sugary drink before this) and cereal or saltines. I went off because I wanted a break from the side effects. I rapidly regained all that I lost and 10 more. After attempts to moderate diet again failed, I went back to my doctor. I'd read about Overstitch, but the information out there is pretty vague. Basically, I know what it is and that it's available. I can't find any decent experience reviews. My doctor expects that I can easily lose between 20 and 40 lbs. Not the significant loss of VSG, but on my small frame, that's a large amount and it would bring me to a much healthier place.

VGS Surgery on 10/16- finally starting soft food stage today!!! For anyone who has never had cinnamon in their cottage cheese- it’s a game changer! Soo yummy I added some peaches and it was like eating dessert for breakfast.

I am short 5'2" so my starting weight of 235 put me at 43.0 BMI, which is classified as Morbidly Obese. I did not have GERD/acid reflux prior to my sleeve surgery, but I developed it after. I take/took the lowest dose PPI to control it, as well as adhere to a couple self-imposed rules to manage symptoms (sleep on empty stomach, etc). Having it did not seem to affect my weight loss: By 6 months later I was 130 lbs...(lost 105 lbs) Weight levelled out at at 10 months post up and I clocked in at 115 lbs (lost 120 lbs total). 5+ yrs later I am 116.7 lbs this morning...and i still have GERD/acid reflux.

Firstly, you are NOT a failure! I am 6 years post vsg, and it's a marathon, not a sprint. You are still 20kg under your start weight, which is fantastic! I regained 5kg two years ago, and felt I was on a slippery slope again. I went back to the basics, started on my shakes again, really counted all my food and managed to lose it again. But I am still 10 kg from my target weight! Has your nutritionist got you keeping a food diary? We often underestimate our portion sizes, or we are drinking calories we don't realise (milky lattes, a cocktail, thickshaks or sodas). But please, don't beat yourself up. A sleeve is just a tool to help you, it's not a win or fail. Best wishes.

Well I’m feeling the same way. I lost so much weight in order to get the surgery now I’m hardly losing. I’m very frustrated I feel like I’m starving for nothing. I can’t hardly drink now I have to go get Hydration through IV 2x per week. I gained 10 pounds of water weight in one day. I’m almost 5 weeks out still waiting for that rainbow or not to regret my choice of having surgery.

I had sleeve surgery July 2023; 1. What was the best part of surgery for you? Everyday things, like my backside no longer taking up more than one seat on the bus, being able to comfortably close belt on plane seat, being able to walk with a bounce in my step, I now love clothes shopping etc. 2. What was the worst part of surgery for you? Severe complications from the day after the surgery which went on for months 3. Did you have any complications (minor or major) during or after your surgery? Yes, suffered from severe pancreatitis, had a leak in my stomach (twice), allergic reaction to medication given to me in hospital, blood infection. Ended up spending three months in hospital over a period of four months. Had to have another procedure last month also. 4. How has adjusting to your new life been for you? Life after so many months in hospital meant it took a few months to get energy back and was on a sick cert so not able to do anything but rest. Now almost 11 months later I feel great for the most part. Have found it difficult at times to cope with the food choices but now that I am on regular food I just have to try and stick to the smaller portions, eating slower and only an occasional alcoholic drink. I don't let anything stop me now, always carry a protein bar with me just in case I end up some place where the food isn't suitable. 5. How long did it take you to feel comfortable eating food? Months as I was on a feeding tube in the hospital and then the times they took me off it I had to go back to liquids and start the reintroduction phase all over again. Since February really that I am comfortable and now I am even trying foods I never ate before (I had homemade egg muffins today - used to hate eggs). 6. Is there anything you can’t eat anymore that you used to enjoy? I used to consider popcorn a food group in its own right and ate way way too much of it so now just have had it a couple of times. I love potatoes but try to stay away from them. But these are my choices, not a case that I can't tolerate them anymore 7. What was your recovery like? Any vomiting or dumping syndrome? Vomiting a lot when ill, couldn't even hold down water, but as part of eating only a few times and I know that it was because I ate too quickly. No dumping syndrome. 8. How long did it take you to feel semi-normal after surgery? 10 months 9. Did you experience higher energy level post surgery? Yes but only now 10. Did surgery affect your mental health? Yes, I fully believe I suffered PTSD as a result of the complications 11. Do you regret it? Would you recommend it? I regretted it for approx 9 months post op and was very annoyed with myself for deciding to have the op but that was only because of the complications and crap-fest I went through. Now I am through the worst of it I am starting to feel better about it all, I no longer blame myself (but haven't really forgiven the doctor yet) and I would recommend it if it is something you need in order to achieve a healthy long life.

10 months out, 15 more pounds to reach my goal (61#’s down)

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.