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I am pre op and will be starting my pre op diet officially in September. (3 weeks with 50 carb limit a day) Just curious about how much, if any, people lost during their pre op diet - and what their plan entailed…. (As of today 8/10/222, i have already lost 61 lbs from my highest weight last year just through changing my lifestyle and dealing with my binging and emotional eating - am excited for every ounce lost that gains my ability to actually live life)

Your loss is really impressive and you should be incredibly proud of yourself. I started at 385, though my highest weight ever was at least 400 lbs (my scale didn't go higher) and am now at the same weight as you (not losing nearly as fast as you have - and really slowly now). On the one hand, I feel so amazing. Physically, I feel so much lighter than 271. I feel spry. Things are so much easier and I don't automatically feel limited. I am enjoying physical activity and exercise. I have SO MUCH ENERGY and have been so productive in my personal life. Medically lots of things are better. But, even with that, I know I am still fat and that's how everyone around me sees me - as the fat lady. It's tough because on the one hand, I am so proud of what I have done and how hard I am working, but on the other, I still have SO MUCH FURTHER to go and I know society as a whole still sees me the same way as it did before. It's like being in mile 13 of a marathon... so proud of managing 13 miles but dreading and a bit depressed about having 13 more to go (and worried I won't make it). I'm not sure that I feel significantly differently in public situations, since I am still obese. But, I feel more "normally obese" if that makes sense. I don't always feel like I am automatically the biggest person in the room. I am not paranoid about sitting on chairs (will they hold me? can I get on the stool?) like I used to be. I'm less worried about what my butt is running into (I have a booty, it is/was a real concern). But, I am still obese and I know judgement abounds. Not sure I am helping in any way, but it is a weird place to be in.

I'm at a sort of midway point after the 168 pounds weight loss and still have more to go. I'm at a point were i'm making my way back into society starting a new job, I feel human again. I can do so much more than i ever use to be able to do. Just to feel the wind on my face and the grass under my feet. Being able to stand on my feet for hours at a time without the need to sit down or feel the burning sensation under my feet. I feel in a sense "normal". Planning vacations and know i'm going to be able to travel and fit in a plane seat that now i dont have limitations it's a good and also a strange feeling. That might sound strange but for me it means everything and i know it's only going to get better and better. For those who started out as large as i did, how do you feel now or really anyone whos gone through a huge weight loss but still has more to go. How do you feel in public situations now? Still being over weight there are still people who look and look away. I can handle that now because i honestly don't care i think to myself how far i've come and nobody can take that feeling away from me.

My bypass was 6/8/22. Here’s a quick update. I went into surgery at 208 lbs. I had started the liquid pre-op at 222. I came home from surgery on 6/10 at 223… IV FLUIDS from the hospital caused that. On 6/30, I weighed 192. It was my 3 wk visit with the surgeon. We talked about stalls and not weighing every day. Today is 8/10, 2 months 2 days post op and I weigh 178. Historically I am a slow loser, so I’m over the moon at how this is going. I’m averaging about 1/2 lb loss a day. I found meeting my hydration and protein goals challenging and I had to focus to meet them. It took me a few weeks, possibly 5 weeks even. I made sure I made hydration goals first and then I focused on protein. I found that large amounts of anything with artificial sweeteners (crystal light, etc) stalled my weight loss. Except for 2 s/f ice pops per day, I steer clear of artificial sweeteners. I stopped drinking protein shakes when I made the connection between stalls and artificial sweeteners. I put PRO-T (17 G protein) in a bottle of water a few times a day to meet my protein goals. I buy it on Amazon and I used it after cosmetic surgery a few years ago with great results. I was slow (intentionally) to progress through food stages by choice. I have not been hungry, I have to remind myself to eat (I’m thrilled), and I eat what I feel like eating if it’s something allowed I go through phases: cucumbers, hummus, soup, zucchini, pickles, egg salad, tuna, peanut butter. A couple of bites and I’m full. I walk 3 miles a day, 4-5 times a week. I take vitamins my surgeon has prescribed. I am always drinking water. I have one cup of coffee a day and have essentially lost my love of it. UNPLEASANT: I’ve had 3 vomiting episodes. All my fault because I ate too fast. They were basically uneventful and I was immediately fine. One dumping episode. I didn’t realize buttermilk has sugar in it and I made a dressing for zucchini spirals. I never needed pain meds in the hospital post op probably because I was given a 3 day nerve block in the abdomen by the anesthesiologist. I NEVER had a single gas pain. Ask me any questions: I will try to organize this info and perhaps make it easier to follow. In no particular order, my go-to foods are: ricotta cheese, lettuce with skinny girl dressing, tomatoes, zucchini, chicken-crust pizza (recipe from Sugar Free Mom-Google it-its TDF), many recipes from Bariatric Kitchen on fb. There are SO many recipes…more than I could ever hope to prepare in my lifetime. LOL My attitude has reverted to what it had been most of my life: eat to live. The emotional eating is an issue I have dealt with personally and I dealt with it by removing myself from the kitchen and drinking a bottle of water. When you are sipping, it takes awhile to drink a bottle of water and that’s a good thing. Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions.

I’m sorry for your loss and your frustration. I love the way you were able to find motivation to look ahead and find the positive.

Recognize and pay attention to the "effects" of eating too much for your sleeve. I got so close to throwing up twice. Once I broke out in a sweat and had a runny nose. The second time was like heart palpations, runny nose and being centimeters from actually throwing up. It was awful to stay the least lol. You would think it would only take once to recognize it but as with everything for me it took twice lol. I sometimes get skiddish to eat for fear of losing track with eating too much. By the time my nose starts running Ive already had 1 or 2 bites too much. Dont over buy all the "stuff" needed for post op. You more than likely dont need it and wont eat or drink it. I have a couple of bags of things I thought I could use but I never did. You dont feel like eating and its something to build up to. Ditto to what everyone else said about comparing yourself to others. Some will lose quicker and some will lose alot slower (this is me). It can be frustrating and discouraging but itis what it is and its your body's way of handling the weight loss. And ditto to measuring yourself you will see the difference. I was at my dads birthday party this past Saturday and my oldest brother was videoing and got me in the shot. When I saw the video I was horrified at how I looked and quickly realized I have just lost 52 lbs. A couple things went through my head: 1) if I thought I looked bad now imagine how I looked 52 lbs ago. 2) I could see the difference enough to realize I needed to keep going no matter how long it takes. So pictures and measurement help to put things in to perspective.

I've had 2 stalls already, and my weight loss has slowed considerably. I've had to train myself that if I see ANY loss when I do my official weigh ins each Tuesday, it's a win and to celebrate it. Keeping it off is also a HUGE win. I'm so excited to get under 300. I can't wait!!!

Awesome Job! You're killing it! Just be kind to yourself when the weight loss slows, as it inevitably will. It's all part of the process. Think about it this way. You're already 70% of the way to the 200's! You'll hit that before you know it!

Did I mention that having surgery in peak COVID sucks? It does. Now open heart surgery is hard enough, but I was in the hospital a 7 days and was not allowed any visitors the entire time. I think that was actually harder on my wife through. Especially the first few days. I had some complications, was in a lot of pain and was highly medicated, so I was unable to talk to her. My nurse was supposed to give her regular updates, but like most nurses, she was overworked and wasn't able to call regularly. Imagine a loved one in the hospital after major surgery, but you can’t see them, can’t talk to them, and have no idea what’s going on other than they are having “complications”. Now maybe I should explain these “complications” a bit. Basically I was having trouble breathing on my own and they thought they would have to reintubate me. For those not familiar with the term, it means they would have had to put me back on a breathing machine. They didn’t want that and though I didn’t know it at the time, I didn’t want that either. Some studies suggest the mortality rate of cardiac patients that are reintubated is over 40%. Not good odds. Thankfully they didn’t have to go there and I was finally able to make the staff understand that one of the drains in my chest was causing the breathing issues. They removed that drain and I was immediately able to take a nice big breath. Crisis averted. Once I went home, the story honestly gets pretty boring. The surgical recovery period was hard, but being a big fat dude made it harder. The important takeaway here is that my cardiologist said I’d need at least a year to recover from the heart surgery before he would even consider signing off on the weight loss surgery. So my hopes for WLS in 2020 were dashed, but at least there was hope for 2021! Those of you that realize it’s now 2022 (I know, with COVID, I lose track too), will also realize I’m still waiting for my weight loss surgery. Why I’m still waiting well over a year later is a tale for next time!

It sounds like you’re doing everything perfectly! But don’t worry. The weight will start to drop again. Summerseeker mentioned weight loss like a staircase and I found that to be true for me. Keep up the great work. You’re really doing well! 40 lbs down is great! 😁

As of today, I am exactly 3 1/2 months post sleeve surgery and have lost 61 pounds!!!! I can't believe it!!! I still feel like I'm fighting for every pound, but I also knew PCOS would do that to me. Still, I'm so so happy that I hit that weight. I know it's going to get tougher the more time that goes by, but the fact that I'm losing and not putting the weight back on is huge!!!! I'm so excited. My next goal is to hit 320 (that will officially put me at a lower weight than I was with keto - even though I lost 100 pounds then, and it'll only be 67 pounds now, because I went into the surgery a lower weight than I was at when I started keto). After that, my next goal is to hit 299 and be under 300 for the first time since 2005.

Thought I would share some photos of my progress. First image is December 2021, second is today (August 9th 2022). It's been a very difficult journey. Anyone who says surgery is the "easy way out" don't have a clue what they're talking about. Right now im still struggling with low energy levels and getting in enough calories. I now weirdly have the opposite problem of trying to slow down weight loss so I don't become malnourished - the weight loss can feel out of control at times. Just trying my best to eat clean and eat lots of healthy proteins and fats. Hope everyone else's journey's are going well. x

My resting heart rate got down to the high 30s, and I did end up getting a pacemaker. The cardiologist said that it is rare, but bradycardia can result from massive weight loss. He also said that it wouldn't be a major concern on its own, but the symptoms I was experiencing (fatigue, weakness, edema) warranted a pacemaker. I had the dubious honor of being the youngest patient in whom he has implanted a pacemaker. Anyway, I don't say this to alarm you, but that a low heart rate is not necessarily a problem per se if you are not experiencing symptoms because of it. However, definitely mention it to your surgeon and/or PCP and get it checked out because you don't want to mess around with heart problems.

I was wondering, do you have a “target weight” to achieve? I’m 5’4”. I’ve arbitrarily decided on 75kg/165lbs as my target for the year so that I can get a referral to the assisted reproductive tech clinic (there’s a max BMI of 25 to subsidised procedures where I live). My surgeon just says to continue with losing whatever weight I can. But I don’t know if I setting a target will work for me. I’ve lost about 40kg/88lbs these past 6 months. The weight loss has starting to slow down because I’ve started to eat things other than protein and it’s frustrating. I don’t want to backslide. Oh also, how’s the hair loss? Mine was TERRIBLE in June/July.

First, congrats on your weight loss. Yay! If you’re losing at a great pace why do you want to lose faster? We all lose at our own rate & what is right for us. And you’ll end up at a weight that is right for you too. Sure you may lose a little faster at the beginning with a bypass but it slows just like any other surgery as you progress. So at this stage you’d probably be losing at exactly the same rate. You also didn’t start at a very high BMI so your rate of loss wouldn’t be like someone weighing 400, 500+lbs. But their rate of loss slows too. In five months you’ve almost reached your goal. Can’t complain about that. As @RickM said the average weight loss at about 3 yrs post surgery is about the same regardless of whether the surgery is sleeve or bypass (about 65% of the weight you had to lose). I’m glad I got the sleeve. I exceeded my weight loss goal & happily sit at a weight I never thought I would weigh as an adult let alone to have basically maintained. And to me that’s the biggest win: maintaining. Generally I’m healthy. I don’t need to take any vitamins like you would with bypass. And while I have a malabsorption (protein) issue, which are possible with bypass, it occurred as a result of my gall removal last year & had nothing to do with my sleeve surgery 3 years ago. I had mild managed reflux before surgery & I still have reflux now. It manifests differently but again it’s managed through diet & meds. If it worsens & I need a revision in the future I’ll deal with that then. I have to be careful to eat slowly & to avoid dry or coarse food but that’s me & my sleeve. I had a bit of a fussy digestive system before anyway so there’s nothing that’s harder to manage or limits me in any way. Celebrate every pound you’ve lost & enjoy the life you can have now. Don’t worry or question how fast you’re losing.

Only regret for me is not to go straight to the Bypass. Over a year ago, I had a revision from sleeve to bypass due to my acid reflux spiraling out of control in the later years of my VSG. Nothing worked. No PPIs, no H2 blockers, nothing. Nights were long from coughing up acid and days were longer from a literally constant burning esophagus. At first, of course, the PPIs worked but through the years it got worse, hence the need for revision. This past year has been a wonderful and easy going experience, in both weight loss and finally no gerd. I wanted to add that most RNYs do not dump and most VSG people do not get reflux as I did so I'm not here to bash either of the surgeries. They are a lifesaver for most of us.

Absolutely not one moment of regret here. I think the sleeve is the best of all worlds (but then I would say that because it's worked well for me too)! Not one for FOMO - life is far too short. Enjoy your loss OP.

I am Irish and I'm afraid alcohol is baked into my culture. I have drunk some wine most weekends since 6 weeks after I had my sleeve last November when my (Irish!) surgeon and nutritionist permitted it. Yes I do get a hit much quicker than I used to, especially if I haven't eaten much beforehand, and yes, it wears off much quicker too. I do count the calories and I only do it at weekends. It has probably slowed my weight loss but I'm accepting that. I totally get that mightn't be acceptable to other people. But IMO it hasn't held me back *that* much.

Hello, I am 6 Months PO, feeling very good today, I had issues with reflux, had a couple of endoscopies and seems like I am fine but for some reason my esophagus is still inflamed, but I feel a lot better now. Hair loss seems to be slowing down, I cut my hair very short because it was awful to see it coming off in the shower, now I can see baby hairs growing but they are very thin. I have lost 83 pounds, I used 2X and 1X size clothes and I still cannot believe I can use jeans size 10. Hungry is back, I cannot eat much at a time but I feel like eating too often, I need a to find way to control that, for now, I put my highest weight pictures in the refrigerator hopping they remind me what happens if I get just one more snack. I have to travel for work and that takes me out of any routine. I have to organize myself better during those weeks. No regrets, I hope everybody else is doing well.

Congrats on the loss! You are doing great!

Hi Everyone, I can't believe it's already been nearly 27 weeks since my sleeve surgery on Feb. 1. So far, I've lost 79.6 pounds since my starting pre-op weight. I feel so much better and energetic without the extra weight, and I love being able to fit into smaller clothes. I saved a lot of my work clothes from past years, so I'm now able to wear those clothes again. I still have a long ways to go before I reach my goal weight, but the positive aspect of this is that I feel so much better than I did before the surgery. My weight loss is slower than many others, but I still see the weight coming off regularly, so that keeps me going. I also went on a two week vacation and didn't do very well sticking to my eating plan, so that slowed me down for a while, too. Overall, though, things are really good. I hope others are doing well, too!

Good luck with your surgery in the AM. I got revised 4/15. Highest weight 311, Surgery weight 288, Current weight 243. I did good with my sleeve till the I fractured my spine. I developed a hernia and my GERD was rediculous. Then I got a pregnant a year later and only continued the weight gain with post partum depression. Doing great mentally and physically now, steady weight loss but I am right on par considering the meds I have to take slow it down. Sent from my SM-G973U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Same thing happened to me. I was worried as well and saw my cardiologist and said it was ok due to the weight loss... My normal resting heart rate is now around 50-55. it does go up when i do activities. My blood pressure also now is low-normal range. Before it was high.

Don’t panic! The same thing happened to me!! My heart rate is really low now since I had surgery a year and a half ago. My heart rate will even drop to the high 40s! I spoke to my doctor and he said as long as I don’t feel dizzy or weak then I’m okay. It’s just a side effect of the weight loss. I feel perfectly fine! I would still touch base with your doctor though and discuss it with them. Better to be safe! 💕

I have hard others talk about a mini-gastric bypass, not as often as sleeve or RNY, but I do recall reading posts on here. The best advice I can offer for the weight loss is to try to break your over all goal into mini-goals. For me those have been more “achievable”. 18.2 pounds is a great start, your almost 1/2 way to your goal! Start practicing the things you will need to do once you have the surgery… smaller bites, chewing more thoroughly, measured /weighed servings, portions on your plate, hitting your water goals, not eating or drinking 30 min before or after eating. Also remember to add in some exercise. I do simple weight bands and walking (alternating days). Those things helped me loose some extra pounds as I’m working through my pre-op. Before you know it you will be at your goal. My surgery is the 16th, I start my pre-op liquid diet tomorrow. I noticed that I feel fuller quicker and can’t eat as much just from implementing those things … and I’m gradually loosing weight as I go. Good luck!