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I’ll be 5 years post op in October, and I was (and still am) an avid tracker so I log everything I eat, and my app figures out the cals and macros. During weight loss phase I focused on being ultra-low carb (under 25g NET carbs a day). I also went low-calorie but this sorta happened on its own cuz I didn’t really want to eat much anyway…I.e., by the time I got to goal, I was consuming sub-800 cals a day. lost all the weight I wanted plus a bit more, and looked like death’s older sister lolzzzzz. i eventually got over my fear of carbs during maintenance and by around 2-3 years post-op, was eating whatever carbs I want (not just good carbs, but the not-so-great ones as well…I’m looking at dessert and chips!) BUT I still make sure to stay within my maintenance calorie range1800-ish cals a day normally, 2300+ cals when I’m in an exercising phase. Its worth noting that I actually weigh LESS today (119 lbs) than I did when I was death’s sibling after reaching goal (127 lbs) yet I look waaaaaaay healthier (not so gaunt) now. I think it’s the carbs. While I really liked how my body looked back then when I was low-carbing, my face really suffered. Now, though my body looks less fit and “softer”, my face is also looking “softer” and is quite pleasing to look at in the mirror lolololzzzzzz. long story short, weight loss is ultimately down to calories in and calories out, however way those calories are comprised (carb, fat, or proteins). Stay under your maintenance calories and you WILL lose weight. The trick is finding out what your maintenance calories are at ANY GIVEN POINT IN TIME because it isn’t static and changes with age, activity level, health status, sleep patterns, stress levels, etc….which is why I’m a big proponent of food/body weight/activity tracking cuz all that data helps to figure out patterns and stuff. i get it’s not for everybody though. But I totally credit tracking to me staying under goal weight this entire time (5 years post in October). Good Luck!❤️

I don't have any experience with this specific device but as a general rule, weight can fluctuate from day to day and it is completely normal. I know for myself, if I weigh daily, I sometimes see a 4 or 5 pound variance. I would suggest maybe picking a day each week to weigh and try to stay off the scale otherwise. I know it feels counterintuitive, but weighing daily can actually be somewhat detrimental when we see those very normal fluctuations. I'm sure your partner is doing great!

Hi My partner had a Allurion balloon fitted 4 days ago. She has been losing each day but today she has put on 3 lb. She has been stringent with her diet. Is this normal when starting to eat pureed food?

If you count carbs you still have to be mindful of how many calories you consume. And if you count calories you have to be mindful of how many of those are from carbs. Fruits and veggies I don't worry so much about. I used the Baritastic app during my 3-month pre-op diet basically to show my nutritionist what I was eating and to make sure I was staying within my limits to lose the weight needed for surgery. Afterwards I don't use it. Logging and thinking about food 24/7 drives me nuts. But I do practice mindful eating and if using it helps keep you on track, then do it. I did like the recipe feature. Just add all ingredients and then your serving size. It does all the math for you. I pretty much know what foods to eat and which to avoid and the WLS restricts my amounts anyway. Portion control, I think is most important. By now I've gotten pretty good at eyeballing what I put on my plate. Some days I can finish it and others I push it away. As long as my weight continues to go down, I know I am on the right track. I'm hoping by the time the honeymoon phase is over and normal hunger returns, I will have formed new habits to maintain my losses and continue losing weight to goal.

It’s something we all have to face. Some have a little, some have a lot. All depends on factors like age, gender, starting weight, how long you’ve been at your higher weight, how much you lose, genetics, etc. Can’t stop it as your skin has already been stretched out. You won’t know how much you’ll have until your weight stabilises. If it does bother you, you’re self conscious /effects your confidence, it causes health issues like rashes,etc. or limits your ability to be active, there’s always surgery to remove it which many do. Personally I haven’t gone down the surgery path. I don’t have a lot of loose skin and I can cover it easily with my clothes & don’t need compression underwear to hide or control it. In some ways I feel I earned it - not as a punishment for being obese but because of my successful weight loss. Rather the loose skin than the fat.

I didn’t have to count carbs or calories either. Just told to keep my carbs (sugar, fat) low & given a list of carbs to avoid (bread, pasta, rice, etc. - anything low processed). Portion size was what I had to focus on (& protein & fluids of course). 1/4-1/3 cup from purée increasing to a cup at about 6 months. I still watch my portion sizes. I used to randomly check calories just out of my own interest while I was losing & I still do this. Simply because if you are consuming more calories than your body needs to function effectively you will gain weight. (An additional 100 calories a day equates to 10lbs over a year 😱 yikes!) But yes working out calories for complex meals like salads, soups, stews, etc. you cook yourself can be challenging & never completely accurate. I tend to focus on the protein content only then. I check the weight of the protein in the soup, casserole, etc. & work out about how many portions that would be of the finished meal. Hard to weigh meats with bones to work out the calories too. I go to recommended serving sizes then to help guide my portion. To eat carbs or not in the long term is really up to you and what works for you in regard to what types, how often, how much. I only ate rolled oats while losing and then could start adding other whole or multi grains carbs from maintenance. The carbs in vegetables & fruit were always okay & were a free pass. I only eat two serves of multi/whole grain carbs a day & still don’t eat bread & similar products, pasta, rice. They sit heavily. Don’t miss them & I do feel better without them - no bloating, less wind, etc. but that’s me. There’s nothing stopping you counting your own carbs & keeping them at a level you’re happy with while you’re losing if you want. As long as you monitor, the best you can, the calories your team is asking for. Remember once you work out the calories for a specific salad, soup, etc, you don’t have to do it every time you eat those recipes. As long as your portion remains the same (adjusting for the increase in portions as you progress) the calories will be pretty accurate.

I do both. Actually, I log my calories, carbs, protein, and fat. I'm so used to it at this point that it's second nature. One week I'll work out 5 days and rest 2. Then the next week I'll work out 4 days and rest 3. I also stick to my routine, but switch up the actual exercises within the routine so I "confuse" my body and what I'm doing continues to work. Workout days (alternate between heavy cardio, weight training, core/strength training, wall/beginner pilates): Calories: 1200-1300 (depending on what I'm doing that day) Carbs: 35-40 Protein: 90g Fat: 45-50g NON workout days (rest days): Calories: 900-1000 Carbs: 20-25 Protein: 60-70g Fat: 30-35g

I do both. I use the Baritastic app, and I set my calorie and carb goals and try not to exceed them. I think some people take issue with carb counting because there's good carbs and really, really bad carbs. For me, carbs are really important to monitor because I really don't like vegetables. I can eat a bit of fresh salad, but that's about it because I have texture issues. I can't stand cooked veggies, to me it's inedible slime. Lol! Obviously, good carbs are necessary for vitamins and minerals and proper digestion, but carbs with no nutritional value (junk food) only "nurture" us emotionally. Ironically, after we eat crap that makes us feel good momentarily, we start to feel like crap, emotionally (guilt, mood swings) and physically (joint/muscle pain). I stand by my carb detoxes. I never realized how mood-altering crap food can be. I was starting to use junk food like I was using alcohol, just for instant gratification and distraction, alcohol and carb hangovers be damned. However, I was extremely frustrated, and easily irritated all.the.time. My joints hurt when I eat crap. My sleep suffers too. Once I went below 50 carbs a day, my whole attitude changed. I felt better physically and emotionally. Very healthy proteins are moderately high in calories (beef, chicken, seafood), but protein is very necessary with our bariatric surgeries. This is why I give myself more leeway with calories than carbs.Bad carbs, on the other hand, offer nothing but momentary satisfaction. Momentary satisfaction is good once in a while, but the problem with loading up on bad carbs again is that, like a drug, the more we ingest it, the more we crave it. The less we have it in our system, the less it calls our attention. People think I'm being dramatic, but I know how I feel when I detox from carbs and when I start eating crap again. It just snowballs, and eating junk becomes more and more "important" as the day progresses. Using the app really helps me keep a realistic awareness of my nutritional goals. Because I'm only 3 months out, my goal settings right now are 750-800 cal, 70-80g protein, and <50 carbs. I have good days when I hit only 600 cals, 30 carbs, but 85+g protein. I also have my bad days when I consume 875 cals, 60 carbs, but only 65g protein. I think they really go hand in hand because the more carbs I eat, the more calories I'm consuming (and the less protein I get). I worry more about my carb intake because when I go over on my carbs, I know it's because I had bites here and there of junk food (not good carbs). At the end of the day, it really all comes down to what kind of carb intake you have. If your carbs are coming from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, then it's great! But if not, then maybe take stock of them. Either way, I wish you the best always on your continued weight loss journey! P.S. Prior to my surgery, my doc wanted me to lose weight (so he could help me lose weight) so I did a semi-liquid, hyper-low carb diet and lost 32 lbs in 38 days. Didn't count or give a flip about calories. I only drank 3 shakes a day, they wanted me to drink 5. Tan locos! I couldn't drink 5. I did 3 shakes and a hearty all protein dinner.

Hi, I had the sleeve in 2016. I lost about 30 or so pounds, which I have since regained. The sleeve was not very successful for me. On Monday (8/21/23), I had the SADI-S DS surgery. The doctor said that weigh loss will be slow. I am just worried of failing again. If anyone else had had the SADI-S revision, I would like to hear positive stories to inspire me and know that it is really possible this time. Thanks! Melody

I am going on 25 years post gastric bypass.. Back when it was open surgery. total weight lost- 140 Now maintaining average if 160

I never counted calories or carbs or much of anything else. Well, that's not true. I counted meals: 3. Each of which were 3oz protein + 1oz veggies. Most every plan has as the first rule: Focus on protein first. It's the rest that seems to vary. I often think that following your surgeon's plan is more important than what is in the plan. It's about learning to eat again with some form of discipline. In the early months you get the positive reinforcement of losing weight, which makes continuing the plan easier. Let's face it, doing it our way didn't work. Do it your medical teams' way. Good luck, Tek

I've done good doing both ...eons ago I lost 40 pounds counting calories and the year before surgery I've lost 30 pounds counting carbs. I gained back the weight counting calories , but not counting carbs. My team always stresses calorie counts .... and when I mentioned I count carbs,they kinda looked at me like I have 2 heads and went on talking about calories. LOL It's so hard to count calories,especially if there's an item with alot of ingredients in it . Ex; Broccoli salad " broccoli,sunflower seeds,cherry tomatoes,green onions,green peppers etc. " Dietician said weigh every ingredient ,add up calories and divide by servings. No thank you . I don't want to feel like I'm back in math class LOL. What do you count ? Have you done either and lost doing it ? I want to count carbs and protein ,but they have me questioning my choice.

I had the Gastric Banding placed in 2012. I've moved away from where I had the initial surgery to a place that didn't have a doctor comfortable with the banding procedure. I've gone several years without having it adjusted but keeping my weight maintained so I didn't think much of it, I figured it was doing it's job and so was I. I recently had severe abdominal pain after having some lunch, was rushed to the local hospital, which then had to be transferred to a hospital an hour away from home to find a doctor comfortable with the banding procedure. It turns out the band slipped some time ago and completely eroded though my stomach. I had an emergency surgery with 2 surgeons for over 4 hours. They had to remove some of my stomach and a piece of my liver that had attached itself to the scar tissue. I have months of recovery ahead of me now and could have died from this when I thought everything was working fine. If you are considering getting the band please rethink it. If you have the band and haven't been check in a while, PLEASE go the doctor and get a complete check up as soon as possible.

I'm pretty concerned about saggy skin. I've lost 55 lbs and my arms and breast have become deflated. Not a pretty sight. I have a lot of weight to lose still. I figured I better join a gym once healed and at least I'm older and nobody is trying to date me these days...thankfully. If I stay on course and lose all the weight I intend to I think I'll have to get the skin reduction surgery. I'd rather not but lets face it, at my age nothing goes back. My face has slowly been sliding down for the past 10 years. I often wonder if it ever stops. LOL All kidding aside - at least we'll look great in clothes.

I'm almost 2 weeks post surgery. I'm feeling much better and starting to tolerate food somewhat. I managed to find a protein powder made with stevia and none of the sucralose which throws my joints into chaos. As long as I drink my protein 3 times a day I'll feel alive the following day. Yesterday I ate something besides mashed potato's. Meatballs, spag sauce, ricotta and parm cheese all pureed into runny much. It was delish. Could only get 1/4 cup down at 10am and I stayed full the rest of the day. Tried to force another "feeding" in at 3pm and managed to bloat. Maybe ate 1/8 cup and had to quit. I hate the bloating. Burping seems a luxury these days. I have 2 more weeks of the puree stage. Weight loss is super slow at this point. I know that'll get better too especially as I can increase my "feedings". I look forward to a new life with new knees (I'm already halfway to new knees YAY).

Oh yes, plans can be very different @PennyinAL & we have different needs too which is why I suggested to the OP she contact her team about their requirements/expectations about snacking & what would be best for her. My plan was quite restrictive in some ways compared to others but it wasn’t difficult to follow. And my dietician adjusted the requirements based upon my needs as I progressed. Finding a way of eating that is sustainable, meets your individual needs & doesn’t restrict/limit your ability to live the life you want is essential. Certainly contributed to my successful weight loss & continued maintenance. 🙂 And yes it does take research & trying different things. It would be way easier for all of us if there was one way of eating that worked for everyone. PS. Out of curiosity what of the foods I mentioned didn’t you know?

Since I'm not a skinny chick, rather a skinny...what?... di... no, let's go with guy. Skinny guy. As I was saying, since I'm not a skinny chick I can't really contribute here. For instance, I'm not going to say that by the time I reached a stable weight I also had way to many clothes with the tags still in tact. It was frightening. I tried to not over buy, but that really wasn't in the cards. Being able to be walk through a store and buy something right there was a new experience. I couldn't help myself. Another thing I might have added is that knowing that people in need really need plus sized clothing, and men's plus sized dress clothes were really needed. It allowed men straight off the street to go on interviews and such. So, I donated everything to charities that focused on getting people back on their feet. Bags and bags of clothes. In fact, I could rationalize over-buying as a way of helping people in need. My vanity became a virtue! Well, it's your loss that I won't be contributing here. Good luck, Tek

@Shaqsback! Hi! By now you would have had your surgery. How are you doing thus far? My doctor informed me that weight loss is possible and that I will have to work at it. I would say we have 6 weeks of liquid to pureed to soft foods on LCD so we should take advantage! I don't need more sagging skin so hopefully I can walk on the treadmill and when I can do some light weight training to avoid this. My surgery is in 2 days! Monday 8/28 Give updates when you can. My sleeve was in 2017

I have a lot of plus-size clothes that still have tags... There are items that were too small when I bought them, but I forgot about them and missed my narrow window of opportunity when they would have fit! I never bought really expensive clothes, so there's nothing that I think is worthwhile to have altered, especially when they are the right size for someone else out there. I don't have the time to sell items on my own (and really, I don't have anything that I could sell for much), so I plan to donate them. I'm embarrassed that I haven't gotten around to it more than 2 years after I shrank out of them. It is certainly annoying to think of how much money I spent on clothes that I never wore, but I look at it as a small price to pay for losing the weight. I've been binge-watching old seasons of Project Runway on Amazon Prime, and there's an episode in Season 4 where women who have lost a lot of weight bring in their favorite outfits from their highest weight, and the contestants have to use the fabric to make new outfits for them. I think it would be pretty cool for someone to start a business specializing in that! But it would definitely not be a practical or money-saving option.

I started my process at Maimonides, but the team wasn't responsive and I didn't feel I was going to get the best care, they basically handed me a paper, and told me I needed to schedule and complete appointments (no doctor recommendations or anything) and then come back when I had done all of those steps. I transferred to Bellevue and the process has been amazing. All of your appointments are scheduled for you on the first day you go in after they confirm you are a candidate (they take your height and weight, no self-reported anything). My surgery is Sept 27th, I started the process with them on July 14th. The surgeon, nurses, and surgery coordinates have all been so helpful. Would definitely recommend you check them out. They are really popular, so you may have to wait a bit before your initial appointment. I called them and maimonides the same day. Maimonides was able to get me in 2 weeks before Bellevue. Edit: My surgeon is Manish Parikh

Calories are always going to fluctuate a little anyway simply because you don’t eat the exact same foods every day. It’s why I focussed more on appropriate portions for what I ate & number & frequency of meals & snacks. I believe it always averages out. Like there’ll be days when you eat more protein & others when you’ll eat less. Same with fluids. Remember too though, your portions & calories are going to slowly increase as you progress until your weight stabilises & you’re in maintenance. I was told I would eat 1/4-1/3 cup from purée increasing to a cup at 6 months. You can always check with your team for additional guidance about what it appropriate for you at this stage. There are still days I can eat more than my appropriate portion or want an additional snacks. I tell myself I’m eating enough to meet my needs & if I want to eat more something else is going on (hormones, boredom, emotions, stress, etc.) & it’s not real hunger. Of course it took time to learn this. At times I still can’t eat all of my appropriate portion too. I’m simply not hungry, my tummy is being a bit odd or fussy, what I ate is sitting more heavily or is more dense, etc. I always believed it’s fine because I’m listening to my body which is more important.

Hi everybody! I just had surgery today for candycane syndrome and I was shocked at how much better the recovery feels vs the RNY I had 3yrs and 4days ago. Yeah, nearly had the fix surgery on the Surgiversary lol. My question is, what kind of initial diet did your doctors put you on for the first few months? I'm clear liquids moving into protein shakes while I am here in the hospital, but I am curious for after. I lost around 80lbs before I started gaining from this. Then, went from 135 to 154 literally in the blink of an eye. It's crazy. My phantom limb was huge! My stoma/fistula was over 10mm wide. It's crazy. How did the original dr not see it??

You've given me some hope. I managed to find some protein powder thats made with stevia and not the joint inflaming aspertame or sucralose. Cost an arm and a leg but I'm at least starting to feel better. Nana naps 3 times a day for me but today I've decided to get my butt out of the recliner and make some crafts. It's only 6 am so we'll see how that goes. Can't wait to drop this weight and watch my grandson play some football.

I have this Renpho scale and it's similar in what it measures compared to the one advertised in the video. Right now, it's marked down to $30. I like that it stores all my information through the phone app. RENPHO Body Fat Scale Smart BMI Scale Digital Bathroom Wireless Weight Scale, Elis 1 Body Composition Analyzer with Smartphone App sync with Bluetooth, 400 lbs - Black : Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care

I’m getting the sleeve Sept 1! Been on liquid diet a week tomorrow. Who wants to be weight loss buddies?? Anyone want to email - mine is tammydalcourt@msn.com