Search the Community

I am 20 years post-op and have maintained my weight loss. I took all of the vitamins and B-12 but neglected the calcium. Well, after 5 broken vertebrae, collar bone and toe, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. 10 months ago I started taking calcium citrate and extra D3 twice a day, and daily injections of Tymlos, I am close to normal with bone density. TAKE YOUR CALCIUM and VITAMINS!!!!

also, I don't think most patients end up with a sick look. Some do, but I don't think most of us do. And like I said, most patients never even make it to normal weight let alone get too thin - they end up "overweight" or "class I obese" (which is, of course, infinitely better than being super morbidly obese....). Here's me at my lowest weight - and where my body naturally stopped losing. I was at a normal BMI (still am), which if you'll look at stats, only 10-15% of WLS patients are able to make it to. So there'd be a pretty small percentage of people become too thin - smaller than the 10-15% who make it to a normal BMI. Again, yes, some - but chances of that are pretty low. I'd focus on losing as much weight as you can during the early months - but of course, while eating according to your plan. You need the nutrition.

I’m 10 days post op. SW 279 CW 250.4. I’m struggling with being able to consume more than 2-3 bites. My concern is the “sick look” most surgery pots have. I want my weight loss to look natural and healthy. I have a family member who had surgery last year she’s lost a lot of weight but it looks sick on her. I’m focusing on nutrient dense vitamin packed foods. I walk 7-8000 steps a day and have been eating Smoothie King mostly n chicken strips. Stay optimistic ❤️

I sincerely believe that we, as consumers of weight loss surgery, because we are or were grossly obese; need to be our own best supporters, and we need to advocate for ourselves, because no one else is going to do it for us. That means for me: 1. Find out everything about each possible surgical procedure and find the one that you can LIVE with - not the one that a particular surgeon likes to perform, or the one that your neighbor had, or the one that has a girl on Tic Toc. Or the one that a TV surgeon does. 2. Weigh the risks and benefits of each surgery and add in your PERSONAL medical and mental health history, support systems, possible issues 10 months out and 10 years out. 3. Work on the mental health part of it BEFORE surgery. Surgery only fixes tummies and intestines; not mindsets, and we should NOT expect it to have any effect on depression, anxiety, or anything else. And those of us who obsessed about being overweight will continue to obsess about it, or how imperfect we still may be. 4. Most people, who have a particular surgery expect to be "cured". Unfortunately this is not always the case. Just like treatment for any physical illness, not every medication works for every person , and not every surgical procedure for weight loss surgery will fix every patient who has it. That does not mean giving up. It means being stubborn and going back to your doctor or finding a different one and figuring out the next step. Be PRO-ACTIVE in your own care. Pre -Op, Post Op, and 10 years or 20 years down the line. Just MY thoughts today

It will be ok! 😀 My 3-week stall lasted 10 days. Stick to the plan and you will see the weight decrease! Good luck and enjoy the next phase.

How long does weight stall last. Or should I go back to the puree stage. I on l y need 10 more pounds for my goal weight. Surgery was 3 21 2021. 250lbs today and for last week and a half. Its 180 and 184. I go to gym 2 to 3 days a week. Cardio and light workout. Is this a stall or did I reach my limit.. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

UPDATE: So today is day 4 of my puree stage. I gotta be honest, I have seen others speak about how on puree stage they ate mac & cheese and mashed potatoes (something I can have starting this coming week in soft foods stage) but yesterday I DID try some mac & cheese and I chewed it up really well before swallowing. The problem is, I ate more than my 4oz portion recommendation, probably closer to 8 or 10 oz, and didn't really feel that full feeling at all. I actually stopped myself from having more thinking, hey, that should have been my threshold, don't overdo it. Not sure what to think about that. Why was it so easy to, not only have pasta.....something many claim they couldn't eat until many months out.....but also a relatively large portion of it (at least 10 oz)? I also tried several bites of pizza (another food many claim they couldn't do until months out) with no fullness or issues either. It wasn't a full piece but probably half of one, and of course I chewed the **** out of that too but still, HOW? How was I able to eat so much and no even be phased? This worries me going forward. And no, I didn't eat the two together but still.

I’m almost done with the dreaded 10 days of liquids and about to start the puréed phase. As others have said....surgery is a change to your body, not your mindset. I find myself dreaming about all the little cups of puréed foods I can make as others have suggested here: tuna salad, little taco/refried bean cups, Buffalo chicken dips (wout chips of course). A i’m just so scared that once I start eating real food and not just proteins shakes and yogurt I’m going to see the scale stall! I try not to weigh myself every day because obviously as I’m sure you guys can relate it becomes obsessive if it doesn’t go down! Any advice on how to overcome this and be able to eat in peace when I am finally allowed to have some thing other than liquids and yogurt! 😔

Hi there liz!While I know everyone is different, for me at 35 I was not comfortable with a permanent surgical option. Perhaps if I still need help in 10-20 years time I would opt for surgery, but for where I am in my life currently, the balloon is most suitable. Alongside that, the cost for surgery was well and truly out of my budget (Just doing quick conversions, around 20-22k US for surgery here in New Zealand, not including initial appointment costs or extra and hidden costs, compared to about 7500 US for the 2 balloons back to back that I have). To do something now it has to be this otherwise it would probably take me a decade to save up for surgery, and as I don't even own my own home... well. Money definitely was a huge consideration for me. While I do hope to lose more in the long term, getting below 100kg is my goal for the year while I am using the orbera balloon and it is a milestone that I feel I will be comfortable with if I am unable to lose any further weight. I say a year because I opted for the orbera b2b - back to back. One balloon for 6-8 months, then a second balloon immediately after which can have more liquid in it if you have reached a plateau with your weightloss at that point. I was a very active person when I was younger so I feel that for me the balloon is a way to kick start my health journey and regain control of my health and my life - I am excited to feel physically able to get moving again, perhaps return to martial arts which I loved as a teenager. I've lost almost 20 pounds now in just over two weeks (about 9kg. Constipation has been a recent problem and my usual bloating during my period, but I am glad to still have lost weight despite those things!). This means if I lose 1 pound per week over the next year I will be on track to reach my goal! Getting below 100kg is, I feel, a realistic goal for me, and it's also one that will allow me to shop in regular clothing store sizes again. If I am able to continue my journey beyond that, I will certainly try to, but I will reevaluate after the balloon phase of my journey is complete Thanks for your questions! Sent from my SM-G965F using BariatricPal mobile app

I had band done 8 years ago and lost 50 pounds. Slowly went back up to starting weight of 332. Had bypass done on May 19. Lost 10 pounds during liquid pre-op and another 14 pounds since bypass. I had no complications from surgery, no pain after and feel great! I am supposed to be on puréed food until Wednesday, but the site of puréed food makes me gag. I’ve been eating mushy turkey and chicken breast and have handled it well. I had reflux from the band and major swallowing problems but that seemed to have disappeared. I do take omeprezole and something so I don’t get gallstones along with multivitamins. Keep us posted on what you decide.

Novo Nordisk’s newest injectable drug Semaglutide (Wegovy) is now approved as a treatment option for obesity. It was previously approved and marketed (at lower doses) as Ozempic in 2019 for diabetes. Novo Nordisk is the same company that offers Saxenda (liraglutide). The CDC states 42.4% of all adults in the U.S. suffer from obesity, defined as having a body mass index at or above 30. A 2019 study in the New England journal of medicine predicts that 1 in 2 adults will be obese by 2030. This could be a step forward in fighting obesity because of the modality. According to Dr. Anastassios G. Pittas, chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Tufts Medical Center, “Semaglutide is a paradigm shift from other obesity medications, because it targets the gut as opposed to the brain." (Sounds familiar?) As with all new treatments the hurdles to access includes: steep price tags, insurance approvals, imbalanced clinical trail demographics, medical gatekeepers and lack of long term outcomes. sources: https://www.novonordisk-us.com/products/chronic-weight-management.html https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMsa1909301 https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/novo-nordisk-s-semaglutide-snags-hotly-anticipated-greenlight-obesity https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/Health/newly-approved-drug-heralded-game-changer-growing-national/story%3fid=78065574 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-semaglutide-gets-us-fda-approval-obesity-treatment-2021-06-04/ https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.detroitnews.com/amp/7549263002

that's really odd. Those who give you a goal (and not all do) often give you one that's right around the average weight loss (which is about 70% of excess weight - which, statistically anyway, is about where you'd expect to end up). There are definitely people who make it to a normal BMI, but my surgeon said only about 10-15% of his patients do, and the statistics I've read appear to back that up. Your surgeon giving you that number as a goal seems unrealistic. Possible, of course, but not terribly realistic.

A protein shake can do the trick before or after weight loss surgery, or any other time you need a boost of protein beyond what you can get from your foods. How do you find one that has the amount of protein you need, tastes great, and is low enough in carbohydrates to be good for any weight loss diet? Stop looking, because BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein is a match! BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein delivers 25 grams of high-quality whey protein in each scoop. It is made with real Dutch-process cocoa or classic vanilla and it tastes rich and creamy, but it has only 1 gram of sugar. The total carb count is 1 carbohydrate, meaning this shake can be part of your low-carb or keto diet. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein Highlights: 110 calories 25 grams of protein from Grass-Fed Whey 1 gram of carbohydrates 500 million CFU Bacillus Coagulans Patented Aminogen® protein-digesting enzyme 10% of the daily value for calcium Suitable for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric band, and BPD-DS patients Suitable for pre-op and post-op liquid, pureed (mushy), semi-solid, and solid foods diets Gluten-Free Lactose-Free Non-GMO Each tub of BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein contains 15 servings. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein has other advantages. It contains patented Aminogen®, an enzymatic blend to support the digestion of protein. Plus, the shake has 500 million CFU of Bacillus coagulans, a probiotic which can promote a healthier gut environment. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein can be used anytime. Start the day off with a low-sugar burst of protein for breakfast, or have a quick shake for a snack or small meal later. Just mix a scoop with water or your favorite beverage, such as milk for extra protein, or almond milk for creaminess. With BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, you can get the protein you need to tide you over, without taking in excessive carbs. What exactly is Aminogen® and how is it beneficial? Aminogen® is a special patented protein-digesting enzyme blend that can help you get the most out of your whey protein while eliminating any bloating or constipation. The addition of Aminogen® to whey protein, such as is done in BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, is scientifically proven to improve digestion and retention of protein within the body. Another benefit of Aminogen® is that it reduces some of the gas, bloating, cramping, and constipation that can occur when some people eat a higher protein diet and include whey protein products. As some people know, this protein “gassiness” is not a pleasant side effect, so Aminogen® is a sought-after addition. Overall, Aminogen® is a valuable component to whey protein products, like BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein. It can help you digest and absorb more amino acids, which will then assist you in building and repairing your precious hard-earned lean body muscle. Available online at The BariatricPal Store https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-clean-whey-protein

Hello! My name is Meagan, I'm 34 new! I've struggled with my weight since...well...pretty much as long as I can remember. I've always been plus size but was an athlete in high school so I was really fit and toned at 150lbs, but would still dread going clothes shopping because 9/10 times it resulted in me crying in the dressing room. Since HS, its been a non-stop struggle to lose weight. I've tried every diet there is to try, gym memberships, work outs, trainers, medical fitness programs, supplements. You name it, I've tried it. Not only am I dealing with genetics (my paternal side of the family is very much overweight and has a host of medical problems because of it) but I also was diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 10 years ago. My current weight is the largest I've been at 265. I'm tired, y'all. I'm tired of working so hard, of following the meal plans and doing the work outs and seeing zero results. I've always struggled with my self esteem because of my weight and this past year it hit an all time low. I started to research bariatric surgery options a few weeks ago and am ready to start the process. However, I just found out that surgery is not covered by my insurance (through my job) and the bariatric program I want to go through, requires insurance before I can start the program. What insurance company have you all seen that covers surgery? Supplemental plans? Help.

Yes I think it finally clicked for me today, and I felt absolutely terrified and alone. Had to pull myself together and distract myself a bit.. starting 10 day milk diet tomorrow. Pray for me haha

I am having a different kind of abdominal pain in the last day or so near the biggest incision. Everything looks normal, it feels like soreness under the skin, like a dull pain. It's not very strong pain, 2/10, but it's different from what I was experiencing before (tearing/burning feeling around the incision when I made some movements but not this dull feeling). Almost feels like a muscle strain or something and it's freaking me out. I was thinking it could be gas but it's just on the right side of my abdomen. Is that something any of you experienced?

I wish I had suggestions but sadly I don’t. I’m 10 weeks post op and I have zero hunger and zero desire to eat. I’m eating very little. I often wonder if my surgeon removed 99% of my stomach instead of the 75-80% LOL. If I approach 2-3 oz of food at a sitting, I can feel it in my chest and stomach. So I simply stop eating. I’m not getting in the protein that they recommend so I’m trying to work on that. Of the many things I’ve learned throughout this entire process, the one that sticks out the most is that everybody’s journey and situation is unique. My only suggestion is simply Just try your best to stick to the plan. I know you’ve heard that a million times but I think it’s the best course of action. Good luck!

I'm almost 10 months post-op and am down about 80# give or take, which is 30# from my goal. I was stuck at about 163 for several months and am still struggling to get enough protein in. I've been in contact with my RD and she suggested smaller, more frequent meals to try to get closer to my daily protein goal. The problem is, I'm finding that since following this routine, I'm gaining weight and am now up to 169. I reached out to her again, and she is now suggesting adding a low-dose Rx med to the mix. I'm not sure how I feel about this. She wants me to eat more small, frequent, protein-packed meals yet is suggesting an appetite suppressant? Doesn't make sense to me. I've tried things like Builders Bars and can't finish one in one sitting. I've added Unjury Protein Powder to things like cottage cheese, yogurt & salsa, but that's only 22g - IF I can get the whole scoop in one day. I snack on stuff like string cheese (9g protein), but it's not enough. I walk 2 miles daily and am taking up swimming next week. I'm starting to feel like I'm never going to get over this hump. Anyone else ever been in this conundrum? On the bright side, my hair has stopped falling out and is growing back!

Coming up on 2 years post op and life has never been better. The gastric sleeve opened up a world to me that i thought would never exist. Ive learned so much about health, nutrition and exercise, that i wouldnt have if i didnt take the first step with the sleeve. I have a healthy relationship with foods now. I try to keep myself to the 80/20 rule. But i probably am closer to 90/10. Make good choices 80% of the time, and enjoy some of my favorite things the other times. Its funny tho, a lot of my favorites have no become healthy choices. So that makes life easier. I started this journey first just focusing on losing the weight. So for the first year i ran a lot and set a goal to run a half marathon. i completed that last may and then began to switch my focus to putting on muscle. This was hard because it meant i had to up my calories which for anyone in our situation, is a scary thing. So i bought a WHOOP strap and really dialed in how many calories i was burning and spoke with my nutritionist about a plan to get where i wanted to go. (whoop strap is apparently the most accurate fitness tracker out right now and ive found that my apple watch says i burn 800 more calories then the whoop says. just a heads up. IT wasnt easy but ive been doing it and got on a great routine. My lowest weight was 208. i now hover between 225-230. i weigh every few weeks but dont get too obsessed with the scale anymore. i know that if i stay within my calories that im fine. Its been a process and i had to learn a lot. it wasnt all easy but 110% worth it. This surgery opened a whole new life for me. I am extremely greatful.

after 10 years I still avoid a lot of breads, pizza, French fries, any dry meat I only eat ribeye steak , hamburger tends to be difficult again has to be a good cut of meat. sometimes its the combination of foods like I have to be careful with meat and mashed potatoes. or a tomatoes sandwich with mayo something about the consistency doesn't work. watermelon can also be tricky i can have it but nothing else with it.

lots of people have gone through that (luckily, I only have 10 lbs that I'd like to re-lose, but even that's been a bear!!). Are you still tracking your food intake? If not, I'd start there. And go back to following the rules - as in eating the way we were supposed to be eating once we were a few months out - focusing on protein and non-starchy vegetables, with an occasional small serving of fruit or whole-grain carb. if you're a calorie counter, then track what you're eating now (without making major changes yet) for a couple of weeks to figure out what your average daily calorie intake is. Then cut back by 100 calories or so for a couple of weeks. If that's not working, then cut by another 100 calories. Rinse and repeat until the scale starts heading downward. But know that with only 35 lbs to lose, that scale is going to move pretty slowly. You could also try drastically increasing your activity instead - or in addition - to cutting calories, although that method is usually a lot slower. a lot of people have had luck with formal programs like Weight Watchers, Keto, or intermittent fasting - so those are options as well... good luck with it - it's not easy, although it's good you're catching it now while it's still not really out of control!

I go for a walk or a car ride with my dog. I go to this website every day. Sometimes to comment but a lot of times I just like to read what others have to say. I do crosswords. Watch YouTube videos. Listen to music. Read books. Now that it is finally getting hot, I will be spending a lot of time in my parents pool. They only live 10 minutes away. I love to organize, label, clean out closets, etc. My hubby doesn't like it when I do it because I am always getting rid of stuff. LOL For 2 months I raked my entire yard and burned leaves. I have an acre of land and did it all myself. It was very hard work, but I loved it. It kept me busy, gave me exercise and now my yard looks awesome. Now I can to start decorating outside.

It’s going to be hard. Very hard in fact. Make sure you absolutely want to do it. You will most likely have regrets shortly after surgery. You can’t know everything beforehand. You can only prepare so much. Having said that, if you really want to make a lifestyle change and can handle the mental battle, it will absolutely be worth it. I agree with the others, your journey will be unique. I’m only 10 weeks post op and it took me until about 2 weeks ago to stop regretting it. I just focused on day to day. I’m still never hungry, I have no desire to eat, I don’t get all my protein in each day but I’ve learned how to create a routine. As mentioned, everybody is unique. I think it’s important for people considering this to know that it’s not easy. It might be the hardest thing you’ll ever do. At least mentally. But as they say, the things most worth achieving are also the most difficult. Good luck should you choose this surgery.

I’ve been hearing different things like: you lose slower or you may not lose at all. I’m 9 days out and I lost 10 so far but I know of some friends who’ve lost 20 within the first week. So question for revisions from sleeve to RNY, How long did it take you to lose the weight you wanted?