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I went through the same, muscles need to adjust to not having the same bulk to carry. Doing weights helped me strengthen up

Yep check with your team & watch the sugar alcohol sweeteners. Also you may find things become so super sweet & you can’t eat them when your taste buds temporarily change. I loved that phase as I never went back to sweet foods or drinks & broke my desire for it - I loved a sweet treat after dinner & on weekends. I keep my sugar intake low (less than 10g a day) and avoid artificial sweeteners or sugar alternatives wherever possible. They only feed your craving for sweet & research is showing that artificial sweeteners actually lead to weight gain, mess up your immune system & cause inflammation so I choose to avoid them. Now if I want something sweet I have some fruit.

yes - all of the above. It's pretty common to have high liver enzymes the first year or so after surgery. Rapid weight loss is pretty hard on livers. They'll usually stabilize when your weight loss slows way down - usually during the 2nd or sometimes the 3rd year (mine stabilized the third year). We hear about that every couple of months on here, it seems. When my PCP noticed my liver enzymes, she freaked - but the bariatric clinic knew what was going on. And they were right - they did stabilize and have been normal ever since. My ferritin level is usually in the 200s, which is definitely higher than normal, but it's always been met with a shrug. I don't know about levels like 600 or 1022. If there's nothing else going on with you, they may just assume it's the supplements and have you cut way down on them for awhile. I wouldn't freak out yet, though. It may or may not turn out to be anything serious.

This made me smile today because I love nature. I even got a job at a nature camp this summer which I would not have been able to do without WLS. Funny could be off during weight loss faze if the hormones are really out of wack, maybe? You’re still you after surgery lumps and all, just less physical lumps!

Hello All, I'm pretty scared, so bear with me on this. I am now 7 months post op RYGB and at my 3 month post op, my liver enzymes were mildly elevated but my ferritin was around 600, at 6 months now, my enzymes are AST 96, ALT 105, Ferritin 1022. I am with a doctor now and watching them every 2 weeks, I'm also getting a liver biopsy on Monday, and to say the least, what I read on the internet is scary as heck, about liver failure. I had a rough first 6 months with a lot of nausea and was not able to get as much protein as I wanted and I lost on the high end of the weight loss curve. I know I had fatty liver before the surgery for some time, but again, liver enzymes were upper end of normal. Can you all let me know if any of you have had this experience? I heard they can be elvevated for some time due to the rapid weight loss, but mine are not coming down as of yet. Thanks. Laura

Music makes me smile...going to concerts makes me even happier. This modern day Led Zeppelin was amazing to see live. Since my weight gain, I quit going to shows because it was too hard to get from the car to my seat. But someone bought me a ticket so I went. 7/22 No regrets. I plan to attend many more in the near future as I become more mobile "We need some healing...♫"

Yes, everything you are going through is normal. Yes, it does get easier. Make the most of this time because certainly doesn't last forever. My surgeon told me once you get to the 2 years mark it's up to you to make sure you don't put on weight because you will be able to eat normal amounts of foods, and this happened for me at the 12-month mark and now I am getting close to my 2-year mark I can eat a lot more than I ever thought was possible after having surgery.

@Arabesque- I get it. I was told to revisit all my prescription medications with the various prescribing doctors within 2-4 weeks. I had not expected such a dramatic change so quickly after surgery. I'm taking this step by step, following the liquid diet post surgery and taking the pills to reduce potential pain (I have suffered very little and they now have a protocol that involves Gabapentin, Celebrex, Tylenol). The sleep problem has been a long running issue for me, but I figure if I'm getting a parts overhaul, I might address that too. I feel pretty positive about this whole experience- I do get hungry- but my wife pureed a cream of chicken soup which filled me up and I had a protein shake later in the evening, so I feel like I can get through this--I won't be able to do much gym work for a while- I like lifting weights. I go back to the surgeon on the 20th, so I'll see what he says on that score. Walking here is fine, except it gets really hot- I'm in Texas now and the heat is a beating. But, otherwise, I wanna get into shape to be more active. Appreciate the note. Regards to you.

What’s normal? One thing I’ve learnt since my surgery is there is no normal or only one right or wrong way about our recovery, weight loss, food & eating just what is right or wrong for you. There will be similarities & there will be differences too because we’re not the same. And yes it will be different from what was right or wrong or usual for you before surgery because simply what we did before did us no favours. Will it get easier? Yes. Does it take time to meet all your goals? Yes. As long as you’re making an effort & getting closer it’s okay. Will you have good days & bad days? Yes. Will your tummy be sensitive & fussy about certain foods for a while? Yes but that’s the healing process. Will it take time to learn new eating habits? Yes. Will you learn all your signals for real hunger, fullness/satiety or feel your restriction? Yes. Nerves were cut during surgery & they have to heal. Your signals take time to register & they may be different than before surgery. Will you be able to drink more than sips? Yes though how much & when is individual. Will you be able to reduce the amount of time before & after eating to drink? Yes but again when & how long is individual. Will you eat your old favourites again? Yes, once your weight has stabilised. Though it won’t be in exactly the same way. You’ll work out variations, & how much & how often is right for you. I’ve made quite a few changes to what & how I eat. Like I don’t skip meals anymore & there are certain foods I don’t or rarely eat. Some are my choice & others because they don’t sit well in my smaller tummy. I don’t feel I’m missing out on anything I chose not to or can’t eat. It did take time to work out what was right for me - food choices, calories, nutrients, portions, frequency of eating. Once I reached maintenance I slowly added new foods, recipes, adjusted portions, etc. to see how I’d go & made modifications for probably a good year after I reached goal. I did keep losing for about 11 months after goal while working it out but have basically maintained since then. I’m four years out from surgery. I’ll make further adjustments as I need - lifestyle changes, age, health issues, etc. PS There is an exception to the no one right way to eat & that’s in the first weeks when you’re following your staged return to eating. That plan supports & protects your healing tummy (remember all those sutures & staples holding it together). Check your plan on what you’re allowed to eat. Yes, plans can be different but being allowed eggs & peanut paste three days out from surgery sounds highly unusual. All because you managed it doesn’t mean you can do it again or it didn’t impact your recovery in some way. Be careful.

I had the gastric sleeve in 2013 and lost 110 lbs. I didn't fix what was wrong in my head that made me overeat. I've gained 75 lbs back. I'm so disappointed in myself. I have since worked on my issues. I am having trouble losing any weight on my own though. I am thinking of a revision to the sleeve or a lap band. Has anyone been in my position and had either the revision or lap band and lost again? Will insurance cover it? I have Anthem. Any advice would be welcome.

Hi Everyone! I am new here, I am having my surgery on 12th June so only 2 days out! Very excited for the weight loss, I know its going to be a big lifestyle change but I'm ready to get fit and enjoy the rest of my life!

if there is one single piece of advice i could dile out to the newly wls-ed, it would be not to sweat what u can or can't do first couple weeks. you just had major surgery and recovering from it, try to to expect to go running straight out of the gate, it'll come eventually. i didn't meet my water goals for the first two weeks. i didn't make my protein goals until well after a month or two post op. in fact, i couldn't even reach my DAILY protein goal amount in an entire WEEK of eating the first 2-3 weeks. like u, i also had serious food aversion and just didn't want to eat anything. at all. it was really bad the first couple months but still persisted on and off throughout weight loss phase. even now, at over 4.5 years post op, i still turn up my nose to eating every now and then. not as often as before, but still. despite all that, all my labs came back just fine (and still do) and i lost all the weight i wanted, and did NOT end up underweight nor mal-nourished. as for when i started eating "normal" food, it was probably after maintenance...and not because i couldn't, it was a conscious choice cuz i was prioritizing weight loss. speaking of "normal"...others would probably see how i eat and think its NOT normal (volume and amount-wise), but its a (new) normal for me. so yeah, many of us went through what u are going through now and turned out just fine. hang in there and know this is not forever, and u'll be alright ❤️

I take collagen (all 5 types), biotin, and hyaluronic acid. Helps with skin, hair, nails, joints, and muscles. I lost 116 pounds in a year and have A LOT of loose skin. Trick is to keep that skin as healthy and hydrated as possible so there's no issues when getting eventual skin surgery (I'll be having that once I hit my goal weight). Not sure there's really anything to prevent the loose skin. Just do what you can to keep it healthy.

Hi there!!! I just got my revision surgery date today. It's June 28th. My hospital pre-op appt is June 12th and my pre-op appt with my surgeon is the 13th. Super excited to finally get back to my life!!! I actually loved my sleeve, but the horrible GERD, esophagitis, and gastritis it caused pretty much brought my health, weight loss, working out, and overall happiness to a screeching halt. BUT....now that I have my surgery date, I'm super excited to get my life back and finish my weight loss journey!!! Happy June surgeries everyone!!!!

I don't know how high your nicotine % use was but I started vaping at 12mg and over time reduced down to 3mg. I quit vaping nicotine, 2 months prior to surgery by mixing my juice at 0mg. I never gained any weight in those 2 months, and I was tested a week before surgery for levels. Main reason being tobacco hinders healing and can cause ulcers. I was honest with the doctors from the start and none seemed to have a problem with my plan since I ended up cutting out all nicotine use in the end. Good luck with the weight loss and quitting the nicotine!

As an ex smoker, I can tell you that giving up smoking is not the cause of weight gain. Smoking takes up a lot of time in the day and you have to fill this time with a healthier habit. You have every reason to want to stay on the right path. Its going to be tough for a few weeks but it will be worth it

Once you loose some weight and begin to get more active you will tire yourself out. You may have a lower sugar diet than before and less carbs so you will naturally have less energy. Your meds may not be absorbing the same as before. Its all a new learning curve and some people think its a easy option! To change your status - Go to the top to the page, where your name is. Click on the little down triangle. You get some options, choose surgery.

Hi, So I am a former smoker/vaper I quit about two months before I decided to enter the program. My insurance would not cover any part of the program if I was still using nicotine. I can tell you that starting up exercise really helped me with not smoking/vaping, like, it helped me a lot and I did not gain any extra weight, in fact I lost weight. I quit cold turkey, but that was because I wanted to get past the nicotine withdrawal as fast as I could. I do not know the program you are on but I would ask the Doctor to clarify about weight gain during your 6-month period and not go by what your friend said, even though they had the same Doctor. Your journey and your friend's journey will probably be similar having the same Doctor and all, but they won't be exactly the same. So, just give them a call or send a message if you have that option on your portal, which should help ease your mind. Hopefully this help.

It's best to get clearance from your doctor. That said.. my program suggests starting weight training 6 weeks out. 2xs a week and advance from there. No maxing out or pushing to muscle failure. Lift enough to feel a burn but stop if you feel any sharp pain, experience chest pressure, nausea or extreme shortness of breath. I haven't started weights yet myself but have been cleared to. I had hernia repair same time as RNY. So I'm pacing myself. I am easing into exercise with walking on my treadmill or outside, weather permitting. Also just started using my exercise bike today. 6 miles. I do cardio 5x a week but eventually I will shift that to concentrate more on strength training since I think we will benefit more from that in the long run. I used to drink an ACV drink daily before surgery to help control reflux and blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar is actually not acid once consumed. Instead, it has an alkaline effect on the body when taken internally. Post-surgery I will still pour it over a salad but no longer really feel I need it. As for loose skin, I still believe autophagy/fasting can repair cells and improve collagen production but that is no longer an option for me diet wise. I chose RNY and so will rely on my new tool and follow those guidelines. For now anyway. Good luck and stay strong.

I'm going to be getting my revision sometime in July. My surgeon said that with the revision, expect to lose about 40-45% of the weight you would have lost if it was your original surgery. So he said I could expect to lose about 60-65 pounds in a year for my current weight and BMI. I lost 116 pounds in a year with the sleeve, so if I can lose another 65 pounds in a year with my revision, I'll be ecstatic. I'm really good at watching my diet and working out, so I think my "dream goal" is to lose 75 pounds in a year with the revision, but my "realistic goal" is the 60-65 in a year. We'll see. I would be lower than I am now if I hadn't run into so many complications and health issues. But this revision is going to get me back to living my life so I can refocus on my health and weight loss.

I would think so too. I'd hate to think my doctor or anyone else not find me funny anymore after I drop my weight. LOL It's referring to the video. I've heard it a million times people saying that people are no longer funny thin. Usually, actors or comedians. I myself think it's BS. xD

So after how long should i start doimg weights. My aftercare is absolutely rubbish. Please advise

Hi! I’m Emily, new here, so pardon me if this question has been answered more than once, or not in the right category. I swear I’ve looked all over for answers prior to asking. I have my first appt. With the surgeon Monday to begin the 6 month pre op program. I vape, well, stopped yesterday and I’m using patches and gum to wean off before end of July. I was doing well mentally until I learned that quitting almost always causes weight gain. Minimum of 5-10 pounds. I was told by a friend that I cannot gain any weight during the 6 month process but don’t have to lose a certain amount ( she went to the same surgeon I’m seeing) I am also learning how to eat better on top of all of this, and I’m so scared that when I quit nicotine all together, it’s going to inevitably cause weight gain. I don’t want to be kicked out of the program as soon as I start because of this. Would it be better to wait until I absolutely have to quit? Maybe that’s a stupid question. I just need encouraging words, anybody that has been down this path of quitting, whether you instead waited to quit a month or two before surgery, etc. I am so serious about taking my health back, and it’s hard enough to learn to cool and eat right without having to stress about this too. please help 🥺 thank you in advance! ps. Maybe this is trivial, maybe it’s not a big a deal as I’m making it, but even a fraction of a pound I gain could get me kicked out of the program.