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losing the last 5-10-20 lbs or so is always a BEAR. It took me FOREVER. But we're not the only people it happens to. I distinctly remember sitting at Weight Watchers meetings years ago (way before surgery) rolling my eyes at these normal weight or slightly overweight women bitching and screaming about how hard it was to lose 10 lbs. Now I totally get it!!!

I'm also a long hauler, LOL! Banded around 10 or 12 years ago. The weight loss was about what the doctor predicted... I do manage to go up and down 20 pounds when I fail to keep a food chart... but the band makes it easier to get back on track. I think it is very important to pick the best doctor possible, and to do the follow up visits! My doctor insists on 6 month to yearly visits to ensure that any problems are quickly resolved before they turn the band into a horror show. So far no problems. But if the band ever needs to be removed, I will be happy with what it accomplished for the time I had it. It allowed me to enjoy life, do cruises and travel and enjoy life.

Hey guys! I had vsg about 9 months ago (June 2, 2020) and I am so happy I did it!! HW 287, SW 261, and CW 158. My goal weight is 150 (so close!!), but I seem to be hitting a stall. I can’t seem to go below 154😩. Any advice? I’m so happy with the results that I just want to do everything I can to stay like this and NEVER go back to that weight! Does anyone else feel nervous about regain so early post op? Any advice from those several years out who have advice as to long-term maintenance? Any advice would be appreciated 😊

Interesting! Per a Peterson Method calculator, my ideal weight is 145. For the OP, my stats are 5’8” with starting weight of 264 (before starting pre-op diet, AND my highest weight), so pretty close to your stats. I did have bypass rather than sleeve due to pre-existing GERD. Based on the Peterson Method ideal weight, I have lost 104% of my excess body weight at my current weight of 140. I am a bit over nine months post-op. My weight is not entirely stable yet, so I expect some possible additional loss followed by a bounce back of 10-20 pounds, which I understand is common.

Even if it is.....the scale cant differentiate!!! 10 lbs is 10 lbs & F the haters!! YOU DID IT! CONGRATS [emoji3060] Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I completely understand, but start small so you don’t get overwhelmed. Start with 10 minutes of walking or some other exercise 3 times a week and you can increase from there.

I take BC pills and didn’t have to stop for the surgery but my first TOM after the surgery was so heavy and lasted for 10 days, completely zapping my energy. Thankfully the next month after that was more normal.

Went out to lunch with my sister for the first time eating at a restaurant since my VSG in Dec 2019 (had revision in Aug 2020 and a bowel resection in Dec 2020), so I was over ambitious to say the least. This is an after picture. I stole 3 small French fries from her and ate a bite of bacon off the salad. I think the melted cheese is what did me in. Next time I’ll order without the cheese. 😂🙃

i feel you! im out 3 years gained 20-25 pounds during covid.... i was so upset with myself as well... beyond upset! , so I called my surgeon and set up a meeting on zoom... I then explained myself. I know the carbs are what got me and less exercising during covid times. I was doing fine before that. So now I have been working really hard to lose the weight and get back on track the past 2 months and he wants me to do HIIT excessing 4-5 days a week. I have lost 10 so far but I was also put on phentramine to help but thats only short term ( 30 days to start) That seems to be helping me as well with my snacking. Just being honest here. Its so easy to get off track... I did and it scared me. I am feeling better but still need to loose a lot more in general . First i want to start with losing the weight I gained, then continue to work to my goal. Just call your doctor and keep your carbs low. I was told to stay under 50 carbs to maintain and under 30 carbs to lose. and to lose keep calories at 1200 a day. Now this is just what my doctors are telling me because they know I want to get this weight off aggressively. So call your surgeon and they will guide you and put you back on track. I felt exactly like you at first but now im feeling better not great but better than I was. I just want this weight gone! hope this helps.

I wish there was a study on WLS failures. Where everyone would be honest about what they did and didn't do to contribute to the outcome of their WLS (band, sleeve, GB, MGB, DS.. etc) whether good or bad. I know when I had my band place in 2009 band and BP were my two options. My bmi was 42+ at 5'2" 232lbs. Sleeve was the "new" wls and not much was known. I did however work with about 200-300 women for a huge corporation and I saw firsthand some of the successes and failures in some. My journey began with my co-worker and friend got the band. She did an amazing job and I thought this is for me. I had also seen a few that had GB and didn't want to go that route. I also had a few friends and a cousin that did GB and I saw their struggles. In fact, they have all gained their weight back. Now my friend Paula, was not a very compliant bandster, but her wife was (wife and I got the band the same day). The wife lost and did a great job. She still has her band. Paula doesn't. Paula also learned to eat around it and gained, then blamed the band for not working. She then revised to the sleeve, I don't think she has lost a pound with the sleeve (we are still great friends). My friend Tami at the time was the only person i know that had had the sleeve done back in 2008. She did an amazing job but is now about the same size she was when she started. What I'm getting at..... is all of the WLS have risks of "not working"........ but they all have the "ability" to work if worked properly. I'm new to the sleeve (8/28/19) I had my band from 2009-2017. I know that the stress of going through a divorce and the fact that I got a very bad case of a stomach virus caused my slip. Up to that day, I never had a day's problem. I never go reflex at all. I of course got stuck a few times, but once I got stuck on something, I didn't eat it again. I maintained my weight of 143lbs. At the time I thought I didn't need another WLS and that surely I learned how to eat and I could just eat like I was with the band..........I WAS WRONG.... with the band completely gone it was HELL.... I was so hungry all the time. I gradually re-entered bad foods that I could not eat with the band. I was back on the sugar train, and the carb train... and over the next 2.5 years I put back 30lbs. I was so disappointed in myself, depression was really bad, and I also started menopause. A few times over the years I thought to revise, but no one would because I "didn't weigh enough". So if I were to do anything, it would have to be cash. I started looking into Mex... and had decided I would go there. But I still didn't have the money. $9500 was not just sitting in my bank account....... As luck would have it, in May 2019 my divorce property settlement was done. I also found a dr. here 10 min from my work.... Yes, it was 14k, I figured I'd pay the extra to be right here..... So I took 14k of that money and invested it in me. That day I was 173lbs..... Today I'm steady at 120-123lbs..... Praying that God keeps giving me the strength to keep going and keep being healthy. In July I will be 53 and feel I'm in the best shape and health of my life...... BG (Chris)

From what I have read in the couple years I've been a member of this forum, for a majority of people (mostly women) no, 1000 cals a day is not usually a maintenance calorie level. However, as indicated by @Jaelzion and @Arabesque above, they do exist...but they are already at a low-ish BMI (and on the short side - sorry ladies) so they wouldn't need alot of calories to exist anyway. As a 5'9" male, 1000 cals a day with moderate exercise for an extended period of time will likely put you in the "underweight" category eventually if you were to continue (barring any medical issues). I've read of many people (myself included) who had a meh attitude about food for months (But there are also others who did not). As people near goal, there are alot who worry about losing too much weight. But I have yet to read of anyone who have been in maintenance beyond a year who continued to lose weight to below a "normal" BMI range, AND struggling to put it back on. Of course they may be some out there who just aren't posting. Though I'm going to assume its on the rare-ish side. It is a bit of trial and error to figure out your sweet spot AFTER weight loss. I've read alot of folks post about their struggles/efforts to figure it out. It took me 3-4 months and losing a further 10+ lbs to figure it out. Even now, 2.5+ years post-op, I still go through periods of needing to re-figure stuff out, as changes in my activity level has an effect on my established sweet spot. But at three months out, with another 90lbs to lose, you still have a few months to find out how you will fare, and by then, the extreme restriction and aversion to food will likely wane. P.S. I went from eating 300-400 cals in the first 3 months to 700-800 cals by month 7 to 2000+ cals 6-9 months into maintenance. I was at 1200-1500 earlier this year (due to injury), but now that I am recently back to be able to exercise again, I am around 1800 a day. I've been within the normal BMI range the whole time. I'm female, 5'2", 110lbs. P.P.S. I realize BMI is not always the best indicator of health, but its the best we can refer to in an anonymous internet forum. P.P.P.S Good Luck! ❤️, and congrats on your weight loss so far!

oh - just so you know - it seems like the majority of us gain about 10-20 lbs after hitting bottom, and then we more-or-less stabilize there. So you might want to account for that "bounce back weight" and shoot for a little lower than your goal before calling it a day.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and suggestions. I am very grateful to have come so far so I don’t want to seem like I am whining. I’ve fallen into the trap of looking at before and after pictures of people on “Instagram” or blogs who look amazing and I can’t help to feel like a failure. Thankfully, I decided to have surgery younger (when I was 26) so I did not have health issues that Had to be reversed. Granted, fitting into a size 10 from a 22 has felt good but just expected for it all to feel better. The best way to describe it is that prior to surgery I was so far from any “normal weight” that it was like a football game I was losing 0-42. Now, I am so much closer yet far away. Now I feel like it is 14-14 and I just missed the field goal. The worst part is that these feelings consume my mind 24/7 and my friends really encouraged me to reach out to different online communities to share my struggles to see if it helps lol. Who knows.

I had mine for 10+ years and I lost about 80 pounds and mainly kept it all off but THE REFLUX after maybe 6.5 years of having it. Ugh. Crazy-bad. And it slipped once, which was just God awful. And I am pretty sure it was the cause of my hiatal hernia, which needed a MAJOR repair. I also know of several people who had enough of a food addiction that they were easily able to 'out-smart' the band. That being said, I thing until the addiction is addressed for these people, ANY WLS will ultimately end up as a failure... But, back in 2009, I was unwilling to get a bypass and VSG didn't really seem to be a 'thing' as far as I knew. At least that option was not offered to me. My surgeon tells me there are a several patients in his practice who absolutely love their band, even when it is giving them the same kind of problems I had with it and will not even consider removing/revision. So...go figure! Whatever works I guess

I like air fried tofu (just marinaded in soy sauce and garlic) although it might not be good for those with recent surgeries. But I'm 19 years out. Lol. It can be chewy.

I just want to share my experience with the Lap-Band. I had it put in in 2014 and removed in 2019. I had horrendous reflux, I was constantly clearing my throat, and I gained back almost every pound I initially lost. I had it filled, completely emptied to “start fresh” and give my esophagus a break from constant vomiting, and then filled again. My Bariatric surgeon told me how unusual it was for someone to return for a fill after 4 years with the band. What he did not tell me was at that point HE knew, as well as the rest of the Bariatric community, that the Lap-Band had been considered a medical failure. Very few surgeons will put them in. I did some research, figured the truth out for myself, and went to see a new Bariatric surgeon to remove it. Initially I felt like I failed the lap-band but now I feel it’s more likely that the Lap-Band failed me. I’m very happy some have had great success with theirs. I do believe it works for some. To those who have had bad experience with the band, it’s not your fault. Best of luck to all.

Same here. My family doctor had been suggesting the surgery to me for over 10 years now because he saw how hard I was working trying to lose weight with nothing happening (he had me in the gym, trying different diet programs throughout the years, keeping food logs, seeing an endocrinologist, etc) . And even at his suggestion, giving me statistics, etc. I was still scared of the surgery. So I would do my own research here and there through the years but still chicken out when it came time to do anything more serious with it. It was until this year that I got more serious in the research because my A1C was reaching Type 2 status. I had always teetered on the edge but I was scared to finally go over. I didn't want or need another problem (already have high BP, PCOS, Insulin Resistance) so I bit the bullet and reached out. I was even more on board with doing it once I got to speak with the surgeon and had all my questions answered by him. I felt so much better about it all. However, sadly during the pre-op testing I discovered I was now in fact a Type 2 diabetic. Something I did not want to happen and was trying to avoid. But this makes me want the surgery even more now. This is a very personal thing and you have to do it in your own time. I wish you luck in whatever you decide. It's not an easy choice either way.

I have a card, but I never use it. I just order off the kids menu - or an appetizer all the time. Or I share. What I mean by all the time too is like over past year like 6 times hahah. I haven't eaten out much since my surgery in Jan 2020 because COVID-19 and living in California that had nothing open but takeout for a long time. I've never had a waitstaff person say no you can't order off kids menu yet, but if they did give me a hard time I think I would tell them I have dietary restrictions and ask to speak to the manager if it really became a problem. I tell as few as people as possible about my surgery - it's no one's business our medical condition.

Hi friends, A bit upset and sad. I’m at day 20 since my VSG and have only lost two lbs since April 3rd. I’m eating the 800-1000 calories my doctor asked of me but I’m not losing any weight. I feel like I’m doing something wrong or made a mistake. I lost 20lbs in the first 9 days but now I’m at a standstill. I’ve heard of the 2nd or 3rd week stall but 10 days sounds a bit much. I’m starting to wonder if I made a mistake. It’s really getting to me. I hear of all these people getting full after three bites of food and I’m not one of them. I’m constantly hungry and snacking on the meals I’m allowed to have Please help I’m really going through it right now. Mark

Hi friends, A bit upset and sad. I’m at day 20 since my VSG and have only lost two lbs since April 3rd. I’m eating the 800-1000 calories my doctor asked of me but I’m not losing any weight. I feel like I’m doing something wrong or made a mistake. I lost 20lbs in the first 9 days but now I’m at a standstill. I’ve heard of the 2nd or 3rd week stall but 10 days sounds a bit much. I’m starting to wonder if I made a mistake. It’s really getting to me. I hear of all these people getting full after three bites of food and I’m not one of them. I’m constantly hungry and snacking on the meals I’m allowed to have Please help I’m really going through it right now. Mark

I think this is great topic and am learning lots. It is making me focus on the amount now instead of waiting for what I used to feel when full. Though I am getting a little freaked out that any restriction could damage my new stomach. tonight I tried fish. Now on my list of textured foods. After just a few small bites my chest felt so uncomfortable- I think it was just too dense. I can’t imagine my stomach was actually full - I kept burping to try to relieve it without success (we’re all friends here, right?). Took about 10 minutes to resolve. It was the most uncomfortable feeling I’ve had. So I will probably go back to purées for a day or two.

I am five years out and did fine till “covid” year. I gained 5 lbs and it scared me...lost it by going back to no unhealthy carbs and increased exercise. I have lost the mindset I have had since then...since surgery really. I gained the 5 back plus 10 more in the past 13 months! I am ashamed and scared. I want my weight-loss mindset back..the one where I couldn’t imagine eating “white carbs” ever again. I am depressed.

Hello everyone, I'm also checking in to see how everyone is doing. I had VSG 10/16/20 with a surgery day weight of 213, today I am 162. My weight loss seems to be slowing down. Is anyone else having this issue or is it just me? I'm not sure if it is the norm but I have only lost 3-4 lbs in the last month. I grateful for that but was used to more weight loss. I must say that I am trying more foods and wonder if that is why the weight loss has slowed. Looking forward to hearing back, be blessed y'all 🙏

My first thought was that you’re perhaps trying to be more active and/or lifting things you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t be lifting anything over 10 Ibs for 6 weeks. But if you’re following advice, perhaps some incisions are taking longer than others to heal. When my steri strips came off, after week 1, all incisions were healed with the exception of one which was slightly open and more sore. It’s closed and healed now. When you have your surgeon follow up appointment, if the pain hasn’t resolved then , bring it up. But if it’s keeping you up at night and making you uncomfortable all the time, I’d bring up now.

Howdy folks Day 19 since my VSG and I’m on my purée diet and looking for some guidance. Did you guys use any sauces to make this bland chicken salad taste good, I’ve seen some sugar free bbq sauces but wanted to see if anyone used anything else. Thanks! Mark