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Thank you all for your responses. I have been lurking in this forum for past 6 weeks, and have read most of your stories here and I appreciate it when people share, so I will do the same with my progress. Thank you all again.

I could reintroduce caffeine at 5 weeks post-op. I quit drinking coffee long before my WLS due to the hiatal hernia that I didn't know I had. But was having massive acid reflux whenever I drank it, so I stopped. Now with surgery and hernia repair, I can enjoy again but my Nut was adamant about me waiting the 5 weeks.

The last pounds can take ages. In the end I was losing grams (ounces). Have a chat with your surgeon & dietician & review everything. This may be your new set point so losing less than this and maintaining a lower weight will be very difficult. It could also be an extended stall. You’ve been doing so well I can understand you being concerned.

That was me too. I bounced between 60-75kg (healthy weight to overweight range) most of my life but peri menopause then menopause & suddenly I was obese. Could lose a couple of kilos but would take several weeks & that as on those extremely low calories diets of 500 calories a day too. I’d gain the weight back like in days. The surgery boosted my metabolism & I keep it burning by eating regularly now - no more meal skipping for me which was how I used to try to maintain my weight. The fatigue will improve as you begin to eat more each day. Try an electrolyte drink to give you a boost on days you need a little more energy. You may be able to start some fruit soon. I think I could from my third month. Check with your dietician. The sad news the weights won’t help with your loose skin. It will only help with the muscular structure under your skin which has been stretched out. My arms are quite nicely toned from using resistance bands. I even get compliments which I think is hilarious as my loose skin is still there but then I don’t wave my arms about too much 😉. Only way to get it rid of it is surgery. All the best with your progress.

Hello, I'm pretty new to this website and maybe I don't know how to optimize the search function yet but I'm looking for people who have had experience with the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health at UCLA. what little I've seen on Bariatric Pal is about 5 years old and would love to hear about more recent experiences. How was your overnight stay? how has the post-op care been? I'm about 3 weeks out and I'm getting nerves. Thanks!

I think that if you are doing everything right, watch your sodium and water intake to see if you are retaining fluids. Otherwise just keep going and don’t get discouraged because you could just be in a stall.

My losses slowed down about the same times as yours. Once I went nearly three months before I lost again. I tend to go down in blocks of 5lbs at once. I try and walk more. I am thinking of going swimming again but the loose skin is holding me back. Try and change things up a bit. Finds some new foods. Expanding my diet like being on holiday has really been good for my weight loss. I think that at some point we have to call it a day but I am sure you will go further than you are at the moment, My problem is that I am not too bothered if I stay at this weight.

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm new here. I was looking for some kind of forum where I could interact with others like me. I think I may have found it. I live in South Texas, and I had a sleeve gastrectomy in Mexico in 2009 when I was 35. I initially weighed 340 lbs and lost 149 lbs. and went from a size 32 to a size 14. My goal was a 12, but I was really happy. I was exercising 5x a week on the elliptical for a whole hour nonstop! I kept the weight off for approximately 6 years. Unfortunately, all kinds of tragic events started changing my life. In 2014 my father passed away, and I took it really, really hard. I ended up on Xanax and Ambien. In 2015, I got divorced. In 2016, my mother passed away. In 2017, I was transferred from a job I really enjoyed to a brand new location with all different people to work with. Then the COVID Pandemic kept me teaching from home for a year and a half. It was literally one heartbreak after another. Rather than looking for actual help, I helped myself... to pills, alcohol, and crap food. Over the past 9 years, I regained all my weight. Even though I still felt restriction in eating (i.e. only half a burger or 1.5 slices of pizza, with no sides or drinks and I was done). I was 10 lbs away from my original weight before my sleeve. Last year, though, my school district sent out an email stating that WLS was now covered by our insurance. I was so excited! I looked into it, made many calls, and thought coverage was out of the question because I had already had a surgery. Our insurance covers "one surgery per life." However, since my first surgery was private pay, they went ahead and accepted covering my revision to a bypass. Today is my 18th day post op. I've lost 42 lbs altogether since May 11, but only 10 of those lbs since the surgery. I feel a little blue because I was hoping for more than a 10lb loss in 3 weeks. I lost more weight at the beginning when I started a semi-liquid diet to prepare for surgery. I was doing 3 shakes and one solid, no-carb meal. I know that revisions are slower than virgin surgeries. I am doing as much reading and research as I can. I just can't help it, I guess. After my sleeve, the weight loss was phenomenal. Right now I am consuming 450 cals, 60 g protein, and keeping my carbs under 40g. I am walking around my house (not outside because South Texas) 4x a day and was told I could start on the treadmill this coming Monday. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I'm also trying to find ways to consume fiber without a lot of carbs. I've eaten 1/2 cup of pinto beans twice but, man, that's a lot of carbs. I wanted to try raspberries, but I'm afraid of the little seeds getting stuck in my sutures. Any advice, thoughts, suggestions?

I’m in Houston, had my surgery in Pasadena. I lived in Plano for a little while, I love North Texas, it’s a lot more hilly and clean than Houston 😂 I have a couple suggestions (based on my experiences) try the Fairlife chocolate protein shakes (they sell them at Costco and Sams Club) and try the original Sabra Hummus, both are amazing after weeks and weeks of liquid diet! I had my first egg this morning, it was okay. I only got through about half of it though.

My plan cut out caffeine the first 2 weeks. I absolutely jumped back in the second I could! Thankfully, it never caused me any trouble, but everyone is different.

KNOW YOUR WHY & why you are doing this. You will have buyers remorse at some point, but it will be temporary. I've had days where I've literally thought, what have I done? I miss abusing food, ect. But it's short lived & then you remember, you're losing weight, taking care of this body you hold up a permanent residence in & after awhile, you don't really care about food like you used to. I use to live to eat! I could eat sooooo much until I was sick. I had binge eating in a bad way, now I can't believe how much I could eat in a single sitting! Would last me a week now haha! I am 5wk PO down 31 lbs since surgery. My starting weight was 248 lbs I am currently 217 lbs I want to be around 135 lbs is when I felt optimal but I felt good at 150-160 lbs in the past too. I am 5'6 See where my body puts me & how far I'm willing to go. I am not going to cheat on my diet until maintenance stage, it's just not worth it. The honeymoon stage you keep hearing about it real & you only get ONE so I'm taking full advantage of it. If you have any questions or anything you can message me anytime on here or my toktok @kno_ur_why.

.I had my sleeve done on May third. I am 60 and have been in menopause for 8 years. I have never been heavy til menopause happened. 3 weeks before my surgery i started my pre diet. I ate 540 calories a day of protein and very low carbs. On my surgery day I had only lost 1 pound :(. I feel that with age also comes the slower metabolism. I am doing okay with the weight lose. I am a vegetarian, so it is interesting not getting to eat any fruit. But I am sticking to the strict diet given by my doctor. Only 1/4 cup a meal. I have been lift 5 pound arm weights as I know my arms are going to have alot of excess skin. It is strange to see my skin as it appears I am like a deflating ballon :). It is alot to get used to. My fatique is off the chart, but I am doing the best I can. One day at a time

It's only been a month and a half. Way way too early to decide the surgery has been a fail. You could be having hormone issues, water weight, or it could be a natural fluctuation. I always gained 4-6 pounds when a stall hit and then when it broke, I'd immediately lose that weight plus an additional 2-3 pounds right off the bat. How is your exercising? How often are you eating? Are you dinking anything carbonated? How are your calories and carbs?

My sleeve surgery was 3/13/23 and I've been struggling with constipation ever since. I have been taking colace twice a day (approved by my doctor) and benefiber powder (recommended here) At a prior appointment, they said the benefiber would be ok. My PA approved the colace but mentioned yesterday that the Benefiber could expand and stretch my sleeve. So she told me to take Metamucil Fiber Thins instead. While I love the addition of a cracker to my day I am a little worried it may not work. Plus I'm going away for a week and hesitate to try something new beforehand but I'm scared about stretching my sleeve with the benefiber! Thoughts??

Hi there my June friends - I hop you re all well. I had my surgery on 1st June (bypass). my starting weight was 215lbs and I am down to 184lbs. I have been able to eat purees foods straight out of hospital for 3.5 weeks and am now on soft food (food that I can get a fork through). I eat about 4-5 small meals per day and try to drink a litre and a half of water. I have not had any problems so far and am enjoying a wider variety of things to eat. I've been swimming almost each morning since just under 3 weeks out of surgery. I think I am doing ok - just so glad to have had this opportunity to help me to manage my weight. There is still so much to learn about this new tool but I am going to enjoy the journey 🙂. I hope you are all happy with the decision to have weight loss surgery xxx

Had my follow up with surgeon yesterday after having done all testing and nutrition classes that he asked of me. He congratulated me for being so swift and for losing a bit of weight since last visit. He said I’ve been cleared with everyone but I have one more visit with the nutritionist before she can clear me in 2 weeks and then a final follow up with him!!! I’m so happy I couldn’t sleep last night. Thought I would have to wait 6 months that Keystone First requires but they have years of documented proof that my weight has been a problem and a huge factor in my health for over 15 years. Praying insurance approves me after next visit (fingers crossed)

There was definitely a moment or 2 where I second guessed my decision, but now that I'm on regular food and healed, absolutely no regrets. Those first few weeks are challenging. And be prepared for the mental aspect of all this. For me, that's been the hardest part; even at 10 weeks out. The cravings, food addiction, and stalls all have taken their turn. Therapy is so helpful for this. I was nervous before surgery more for the unknows and how my life was going to change, but I was not scared. I think that part is pretty individual based on many individual factors.

Yay a fellow Texan! I’m up in north Texas. I had my surgery in Plano, but that’s about an hour from where I actually live. I guess that amount of weight loss is normal? I started at a slightly higher weight not too far off from yours so we seem to be tracking about the same, but I bet you’ll pass me up soon. From what I’ve seen, the weight falls off of men a little faster. This week has been slower so far. I’m down about 5lbs. Food is still going okay. I’ve had yogurt, strained soups and a tiny bit of pureed beans. Nothing crazy and only very small amounts. I’m able to finish my protein shakes and I can drink around 65-70oz of fluids for the day. You’re so lucky you get to eat eggs. I’ve been craving them. My first post-op appointment is next Tuesday. Maybe he’ll let me then too.

I was soooo hungry 2 wk PO! I couldn't understand & was very disheartening.. I had buyers remorse, but it faded in a week or 2. I am 5 weeks PO now, down 32 lbs & have to force myself to eat & drink. My appetite is usually sleeping but wakes up around dinner I will get a hankering for a type of food, lately has been steamed veggies & chicken. Yuuum! It will get easier, day by day, stay positive, stay thankful for this tool & make small goals that lead to the larger ones! Best of wishes

I had my first post-op appointment yesterday. My surgeon told me to just keep following the stages on the handout and scheduled my next appointment for three weeks from now. He told me to go ahead and start eating eggs and other foods that I could smash with a fork (that was kinda broad, but I know what he meant, lol) when y'all make your eggs, do you add anything extra to them to make them softer? Usually when I make a scrambled egg, I'll use butter and heavy cream to get them fluffy, but I know that neither are a go right now. Y'all don't know how appreciative I am to have this group to be able to interact with people that are going through the same things I am. Thanks for your help!

Quick update… I had my first post-op appointment with my surgeon yesterday. Everything has been going extremely well. No nausea, no problems with the liquids, nor with the soft foods like hummus, cream of wheat, or grits. I had the staples removed from my surgical incisions, thankfully! My surgeon was kinda vague though. Told me that as long as I had no problems to keep progressing according to the handout and that he’d see me in three weeks. He told me to proceed to eggs and foods that I could mash with a fork, so I bought some instant potatoes and I’m looking forward to that. I bought the original Sabra Hummus and after about a month on liquids only, it’s been amazing! I weighed in at 339lbs, so to date I’m down 46lbs since starting my journey and down about 22lbs since surgery. I’m not going to complain about 11lbs a week since surgery, though I know it’s not going to last.

It's 6 months since my mini gastric bypass. I have lost total of 55 Kg or 121.25 lbs. My weight loss trend is still hovering around 6 Kg (13.2 lbs) loss/month. But from last 3 months, I have seen increase in my hunger. In terms of percentage, the increase would be 20 % as compared to the 3 months back. Is this normal? I am also spending a lot of time for workout - around 6 hours of cardio and 12 hours for strength training + HIIT + weights every week. Not sure if that along with muscle i am developing is causing this hunger? or maybe its normal? Also, lost my job to layoffs recently but finances are not an issue. So just trying to maintain calm and avoid any emotional eating. My current weight is 92.5 Kg or 203.5 lbs. Should I get my metabolism evaluated to see my calorie requirement or wait upto 1 year for weight to stabilize? I had my surgery outside country of residence due to surgery wait times. I do teleconference with bariatric surgeon every 3 months, but no in person visit option available. Please suggest. Thank you

Could be water weight, could be hormones, could be the day of the week, could just be...your turn to have a minor setback. You'll have some fluctuation here and there and as you lose more and the weight loss slows, you may notice it more. This is not a "failure" and it's destructive to frame it that way to yourself. It's part of the process. It's going to be ok. Don't beat yourself up. Don't sabotage yourself. Just keep going.

Hi, I am really at loss of words to express my concern. I had my surgery on may 24 and it's almost a month and half. I had 4 weeks of liquid phase and lost about 20 pounds. After which I was OKed to move to purée stage. I hit a stall ever since and that's not the worst, I regained about 8 pounds without any cheating or deviation from my plan. I am scared on what to do and currently super depressed about it. I know stalls are common and tried to get my mind of it, but regain is what upsets me most. Has anyone experienced it ? I don't know on how to proceed and food makes me scared. Appreciate any tips to get through this. 

Maintaining is half the battle when you're traveling; unless this is a trip that is going to last for months, just get back on track when you get home. There's nothing you can do in a week that can't be undone.