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Welcome. Sorry to hear you're struggling. I want to touch on a couple of things you said since the truth may be different than what you thought? First, I want to hit on this idea of a "pouch reset". There really is no such thing. Your stomach expands and contracts normally, just like a non-surgical stomach. You can't make it appreciably smaller just by eating less for a few days or weeks. Sometimes people feel like this makes a difference because it mentally helps reset what it feels like to be full. (A lot of people overeat after a few years.) If you really want to go down this road, you certainly can, but just understand it's not going to magically reset the size of your stomach. It might help reset your brain a bit, but the effect won't last long if you go back to eating too much at a time. You can get the same effect by just reducing portion sizes. Second, I want to touch on you gaining muscle from going to the gym. There are a few things to unpack here, but let's start with the fact that scales are NOT your friend and I would strongly advise you to not use the scale as the thing you use to gauge your success. Let me give you a hypothetical situation: If I could give you a magic potion that overnight made you look just like a fitness model, but it also made you weigh 300 pounds, would you take it? I don't know what your answer is, but I'd guess that like most people, you probably would in fact drink the potion. I don't have a magic potion, but doing strength training in the gym is kind of the same thing. It just takes a lot more work and time. The point here is that muscle is a lot denser than fat, so you can in theory be even heavier than you are now, but still look a lot thinner because you've changed your body composition to favor more muscle mass. Keep in mind that most people find more muscle mass more attractive (well up to a point anyway). Also, you are NEVER going to actually lose weight from doing strength training. it's not a great way to actually burn calories, so thinking you're going to go to the gym and lose fat just isn't realistic. Cardio at the gym isn't much better, so don't think that's the secret either. It will burn more calories, but the reality is a couple of things happen when you do cardio (or resistance training) at the gym: You'll be hungrier, so you tend to eat more than you would otherwise (this might be why you're snacking more). It will seem subtle and may be almost unnoticeable, but you will move less the rest of the day because your body is trying to recover from the workout. This means you don't actually burn many, if any additional calories. Said differently, your body will do everything it can to keep you right where you're at, so it is literally slowing your metabolism down to make up for the calories you burned exercising. I'm not trying to discourage you from working out. It has a LOT of health benefits, but as a way to actually lose weight, it's not so great. Now once you get to your goal weight, working out at least 5 hours a week can REALLY help you stay at your goal weight, so keep that in mind as well. The final thing I'll add here since this post is already pretty long is that the one sure-fire way to lose fat is to eat fewer calories than you burn in a day. I know that seems fairly obvious, but people think sometimes they're special, or that it doesn't apply to them. I don't know how many calories you're eating right now, and it honestly does not matter. Right now, whether you're eating 1500 calories or 3500 calories, you're eating at maintenance for you. If you want to lose fat, then you've got to eat less. The way to do that is whatever way works for you. There is no secret diet that works for everyone. All diets can work if they have you eat less than you eat now. You've got to find not only what works for you, but what is a sustainable way of eating for the long term. Crash diets almost always fail, so I wouldn't look for something that works in the short term. What you need is something that you can do for the rest of your life. Best of luck.

Welcome! I was thinking the same thing as @summerseeker. I personally would try to quit smoking now, rather than wait. A complete liquid diet for 2 weeks is hard enough without having to go through nicotine withdrawal at the same time. To be honest, it would also be safer for you. Smoking puts you at a much higher risk of complications from bariatric surgery. The sooner you quit, the better off you'll be. You do you, but that was my thought. @summerseeker is also correct regarding your post surgery diet. They're all so different, it's hard to give specific advice. I could provide what my team had me do, but that might be completely at odds with what your team wants you to do. I'd start with what your surgical team has given you, but if you have questions about it that they can't answer, feel free to ask here. Alternately, if you want to post the plan you were given, we might be able to generate ideas for you that you can try. One thing to consider: it's REALLY common for people's tastes to change after surgery. Something you like right now, may become the worst thing ever, and vice-versa. I know if you're worried about the post-surgical period, it's comforting to try to plan out what things will be like for you, but please don't try to stock up on stuff. Many of us did that and ended up with things we couldn't or wouldn't eat. Best of luck.

I am a big fan of strength training. I lift 4-5 times a week, and do a dedicated run and Pilates on the other 2 days. I do legs (heavy) twice a week, back and chest, and arms (bis, tris and shoulders). I also do 30 minutes of cardio daily after my lifts (jogging, walking , jumping rope, agility/endurance training). While I love love love lifting, it isn't for everyone, and I would highly suggest that you don't force it if you don't like it, because chances are, you won't stick to it! Do something you enjoy. You can build muscle swimming, cycling, doing aerobics, whatever, do what you love! And don't overdo it with crazy macro/calorie counting. Eat well, move your body and have fun!

Wow, congratulations on being off all your diabetes meds and insulin already at just 7 weeks out! You're so right about the liver doing its own thing overnight, I'm still learning all these quirks. My morning numbers can be all over the place even when I eat the exact same thing. It's reassuring to hear from someone who's had such amazing results with their blood sugar. I'm still on a reduced dose of Metformin but hoping to get off it completely as I continue losing weight. Can I ask what your typical breakfast looks like now? I'm always trying to find that sweet spot between getting enough protein in and not spiking my glucose.

My name is Marisa. I’m having a gastric bypass surgery on August 7th. I’m starting my liquid diet two weeks before that and quitting smoking. I’m doing this for my health. I’m 60 years old and I’m looking for some encouragement from others who have had this done. I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I’m a little bit scared of the change and what I have to intake as protein to fill my daily intake. Is there anyone out there who follows a specific program? Please let me know. Thanks, Marisa.

Awesome! I am going to do these 3 times a week. Thank you so much. I hope this helps me! Amber and others have always given me good info too. And my husband just bought me some cards with instructions similar to this. He goes to the gym nearly every day and works a physical job. I just need to implement what I've been shown. I was walking and doing light weights here. But I need to commit to something more structured. I appreciate all your advice! Excited to get started! 🤩

She may have called it a DEXA scan, but it wasn't. That was definitely a BIA scanner. Here's the workout: 3 times per week, please dedicate time to do the following workout. It should take no more than 45 minutes and hopefully closer to 30. For all of the below exercises, I want you to start with the first variation of each exercise. Week 1: Do variation 1 of each exercise for 2 sets of 10 (or the max you can do if you can't do 10) In between each set, rest for ~1-3 minutes. The exact time doesn't matter that much, as long as you feel ready to begin again Week 2: Now I want you to do 3 sets of 10 or your max if you can't do 10. Week 3 (and beyond): Continue doing 3 sets, but now I want you to do the maximum number of each exercise that you can, up to 20. If it's 12. do 12. If it's 15, do 15. If you can get all the way to the point that you can do 20 of the exercise for 3 sets (a total of 60 repetitions), then stop there. Next time you do that exercise, I want you to move to the next variation listed to make it harder. Be aware that some of these may feel like big jumps, meaning you may go from being able to do 60 of version 1, to only being able to do 5 or 10 total of the next one. That's perfectly fine and to be expected. Just keep working at the new version until you can do 3 sets of 20 at that level. At that point, move on the the next version. If you get all the way through one or more of these, there are even harder variations available. Reach out and I'll give you more. That said, after doing these for 2-3 months or so, we might want to switch things up a bit? Doing the same thing over and over can get boring and we also want to fight any potential muscle imbalances by changing things up with different exercises. Be aware that you may feel sore a day or 2 after doing these exercises, especially at first. That's perfectly normal and should get a bit better over time. Here we go!: Exercise #1: Glute Bridge – Primarily works your glutes and lower back, as well as various smaller hip muscles How to progress: Standard Glute Bridge -- Both feet on Floor Single Leg Glute Bridge -- Do a single leg at a time with the other leg held straight out. Be sure to work each leg! Weighted Glute Bridge -- Time to add weight across your pelvis. How much is up to you and you can also progress here by adding more weight. Dumbbells work, but short of that, it can really be anything. Sandbag, milk jug, small child get creative! Hip Thrust. This is a very similar exercise, but allows a higher range of motion, so actually works your glutes even better. Ideally you'd also add heavier weight than you were using for the glute bridge Exercise #2: Push Up – Primarily a chest workout, however it also works the arms, shoulders, core and upper back as well. How to progress: Wall Push Ups -- It's what it sounds like, do a push up against the wall. Start by standing just over arms length away from the wall. You can change the difficulty a bit by moving further away Elevated Push Ups -- Another push up motion, but now you're using something lower to support yourself. You can also gradually move to lower and lower surfaces. For example, start with a kitchen counter, then progress to a coffee table Knee Push Ups -- Move to the ground in a basic push up position, but on your knees Regular Push Ups Exercise #3: Squat – Good leg exercise that hits the quads, hamstrings & glutes How to progress: Box Squat -- This is basically squatting down to sit on a box or chair, but DO NOT use your hands to get up or down. Ideally, the chair/box will be about the height where your legs are parallel to the ground Supported Squat -- No more box. Now you'll hang on to something for balance. Again, try to shoot for getting your upper legs parallel to the floor. Also try not to use the support to aid you in standing back up. It should be there mostly for balance Deep Supported Squat -- Now it's time to go as deep as you can, ideally with your butt hitting your calves Unsupported Squat. Time to let go of the support and do a proper squat Exercise #4: Row – Primarily a back exercise, but also can work the arms to some extent, especially the forearms. How to progress: Wall Pull -- It might be a little challenging to find a place to do this, but the idea is you'll find something sturdy like a stair rail, or something firmly attached to the wall that you can pull against. When you did the push ups against the wall, you stood further away. Here, I want you to start by standing maybe a foot or so closer to the wall so that you're leaning back when your arms are fully extended. Wall pull with a towel -- We're going to increase the difficulty by using a hand towel wrapped around your stair rail or object. You'll hold onto either end of the towel. This will allow you to lean further back. If needed, you can progress even more by moving to a bath towel instead of a hand towel. Inverted Row with Legs Bent -- Now things get even more complicated. Ideally to do this you'd have something like a suspension trainer, but it's possible to do this with a heavy wooden or metal rod suspended between 2 sturdy chairs or kitchen counters. Some city parks may also have a low bar that would be ideal for this, but you might have to look around? Inverted Row -- Same as above, but now you keep your legs straight NOTE: It may not be easy for you to find a way to do the inverted rows. If you're struggling, another option might be a "Plank Row", but this will require dumbbells. Simply progress this by adding more weight. If you go this route, you may want to go easy on the Leg Raises below or you may torch your core muscles.) Exercise #5: Lunge – Another leg exercise, but these are done one leg at a time. This will continue to work your legs, will help with balance and will engage your core as well. How to progress: Supported Rear Lunge -- I suggest just googling all these as they are easy to do, but harder to describe. In this one, find something to hang onto for support. Rear Lunge Front Foot Elevated Rear Lunge Bulgarian Split Squat Exercise #6: Leg Raise – Primarily a core workout How to progress: Lying Knee Raise -- Another one I suggest googling. These are all done from the floor Lying Knee Raise to Straight Leg Lower -- the idea here is you’ll raise your legs with your knees bent, but then straighten out your legs and slowly lower them down. Lying Leg Raise Seated Knee Tuck Good luck!

Yes I'll do it! Send me what you think will help me build some muscle! Ty! And I had a Dexa Scan. At at nutritionist office. But stood and held handles with like cords attaching to the bottom? While it scanned.. ? She definitely called it a Dexa Scan but doesn't sound like what you described. This was way before surgery for me. Thanks for all the info! By the way I am SURE genetics has a lot to do with it for me. Nearly none of us are muscular at all. They aren't all like me, heavy since 3 yrs old, but some of my cousins have had surgery. Even if it's genetic, I am determined to be as healthy as I can while I age.

As you probably know, PCOS can affect metabolism. This means you may be getting a double whammy from PCOS and your height that really pushes your metabolic rate down. As I mentioned earlier, without having an expensive metabolic test done, we can't know for sure how many calories per day you burn on average. If I had to guess, I think it could be as low as about 1000 to 1200 calories per day for your Basal Metabolic Rate. This is basically the amount your body burns just keeping you alive. If we add in a bit more to account for the fact we all burn some additional calories (even if we're mostly sedentary), then that could put you around 1300 to 1500 calories per day. If you're eating ~1000 calories a day, that means at best, you'd lose about 1 pound a week, but it could easily be closer to 1 pound every 12 days or so. If you do the math (I did ), then this would put you losing right about 2.5 pounds per month or 10 pounds in 4 months, which is right where you're at. Now for the record, I didn't factor in anything for the fact that as a DS patient, you are actually also benefiting from reduced absorption. These are all made up numbers anyway, so don't get too caught up in the hard numbers here. Remember: Even if you think you're super accurate in logging food, variation in caloric content from one piece of food to the next means your calorie counts may or may not be that accurate. Don't trust manufacturer calorie counts as accurate either. They can be as much as 10% or more off. We don't actually know how many calories you burn in a day on average. My guesses are just that, guesses. Bottom line, you've got a few things working against you here, but as long as you continue to follow your surgeon's plans, there's no reason you can't lose the excess weight. It's just going to take you longer than most people. I know that sucks, but it is what it is. Knowledge is power, so hopefully you'll come away from this with a little more knowledge. That should give you a little more power over your unique situation. All the best.

I opted for surgery over the meds for a number of reasons including insurance coverage, med interactions and life long use of the GLP-1 meds. I did manage to lose quite a bit on my own when I woke up to the trash I was eating. A very simple tool helped me here. A phone app. It doesn't matter what you use (there are many to choose from) but actually logging everything you eat and drink even over just a week can be very eye opening. Read label too. Portions in restaurants are WAY too big. When I started keeping track and cutting back to actually serving sizes instead of overeating it helped a lot. If you start with that it will give you an opportunity to continue with researching the weight loss drugs while being aware of what you are actually eating. It is a pain to weigh and measure portions, but it makes a HUGE difference. Best of luck with your health journey!

Sorry, one more point I should have made above: I'm not a fan of calorie counting for the very reason you're struggling. You seem to be stating: "I'm only eating 700 calories a day, why am I not losing?" As I mentioned, we all are horrible at knowing how many calories we're really consuming. The issue is actually even bigger than that. Remember, you have to eat less than you burn to lose weight. Since you most likely are overestimating your intake (we all do it), that's an obvious issue. The EVEN BIGGER ISSUE is that you only have one side of the equation. You have a rough idea of intake (even if you measure poorly), but actually have no idea whatsoever know how many calories you really burn per day. There is no reliable way to measure that unless you have a rather expensive metabolic test done. Sure, there are online calculators, but these are only good at determining rough amounts and they can be off by hundreds of calories per day. I won't lie. As a person of small stature, you have it a lot harder than most because the margins for error will be smaller. What I mean is that we know you personally need fewer calories per day just based on your height. Beyond that, it also means the number of calories you have to "play with" are also a lot less than a taller person would have. Let's look at a couple of examples to illustrate this point: Person A needs 2500 calories to maintain their current weight. This means they can cut their calories down to 1000 and all other things being equal, they can in theory lose ~3 pounds of fat a week. Person B only needs 1200 calories to maintain their current weight. They obviously don't have the "room" to cut by 1500 calories a day, and even 1000 is unrealistic, so they'd have to reduce by 500 at most, taking them to around 700 calories a day. This person will only lose about a pound of fat a week, even though they are eating less calories per week than person A. It seems unfair, but it is what it is. Person B is going to have a harder time being compliant with dieting (since they have to eat so little food), and is also going to lose a lot slower. Guess which one you are?

This is my first post here. I am Lisa. I am 42. I am six months post surgery (Duodenal Switch) and I have some questions. Did anyone just NOT lose the weight afterwards? I had to do a diet three months prior to surgery and I lost about twenty pounds doing that. However since surgery in February, I have only lost 9.2 pounds. Yes, you read that right. I am so frustrated. Even in the first two weeks post surgery where I religiously followed my liquid diet, I GAINED weight. From what my doctor told me, most people lose during that period. I have tried to follow my plan of 700 calories and no snacking since then but I haven't done the greatest at it. The PA and I have discovered I may have a eating disorder. I eat when I am not hungry. Sometimes when I feel full (never to the point of getting sick). I am an emotional eater. I eat my feelings so they are sending me to a therapist to try to help with that. I know most people would say "well that is why you aren't losing" but the thing is, MOST DAYS I follow my plan pretty well and I am still not losing. Especially not like I want to. I had hopes of losing big numbers and being way closer to my goal by now. Can someone please tell me there is still hope for me? Is there someone who has been there and went on to have a success story?

I've finished my Pre-Operative Program at Bariatric and General Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. I'd previously felt unsure about the program but it's turn out to be a very good experience. Now, I'm in the window where they will request prior authorization and then at some point I'll get a surgery date and be off. For me due to scheduling the gap is going to be about 3 months. Since I have the time I'm interested in learning what could be beneficial for me to consider in this waiting period. I will continue to lose weight with the goal of losing 8 lbs a month. I will continuing exercising, and seeing my dietician. I've eve reached out to setup sessions with a bariatric therapist. I've purchased six months of chewable multi-vitamins and calcium, an assortment of protein shake flavors. But I know there's more needed so please lay your wisdom on me.

Agreed we need both! BTW I did not do cardio after my leg days this week! Hoping for a bigger peach 🤣

I found pilates great as my first exercise to do regularly post sleeve. I did it once or twice a week for six months and it helped build up my strength. I would have stayed going but the place closed down and I joined a gym instead (can't afford both) .

@AmberFL thanks for this it's very helpful! Girl I'm over her cussing saying 🤬to myself that I am not getting no other work done 🤣. I think I mean it to. He done a phenomenal job with the auxiliary fat removal and my breast, but I'm like over it! We shall see what goes on in the weeks to come.

Last year, I got diagnosed with sleep apnea, and was made to start using a CPAP machine to sleep, I really disliked using it and I ever got used to it, and because of that, I made the decision to do the weight loss surgery My surgery team said I should make short term goals to keep myself motivated on my new journey Right off the bat, my only goal was to get rid of the CPAP machine, nothing else mattered, but after a few follow up appointments, I managed to really think of what I wanted to have After some thought, my goal list grew: 1. Give up my CPAP machine 2. Buy and wear a bathrobe from Macy's 3. Hit 200lb minimum I'm happy to report that today, my 1st goal has been met, my sleep apnea is under control and when sleeping my oxygen levels don't go below 92, my doctor said that if I wanted to, I can stop sleeping with it, and I happily left it behind with him 1st goal down, 2 more to achieve, I can't wait!

I think I'm going through what they call postop blues or postop depression. This is week three and my left side, which was my smaller boob and smaller side is perfectly fine but the right side where he had to manipulate it more and do my under arm fat is giving me hell. Well, I guess one good thing is I'm not turning to food. In fact I really don't feel like eating and it's really bumming me out. I think because I can't really work out and do the things that I normally do around the house, I think that's what it really is. It's annoying the **** out of me to be honest. And I really also hadn't had any surgeries in my life that requires a lot of downtime so this is new for me as well. With my bariatric sleeve hell I was up walking in the very next day. I think I walked like 3 miles and I walked pretty much every day ever since then and that was a year and a half ago so yeah.

Lemme see here....what order to roll with....I'll start with the No-Can-Do List. Gonna sound cornball...but then again....cornball is my wheelhouse, lol. Okay...here is the Top 5 that come to mind over my morning coffee: skydiving. hell to the NO. Added to that anything that involves heights. It wouldn't be cool for them to see me pass out from terror......although I did have a great conversation with a gal yesterday afternoon who has professional live saving medical skillz. So....she could probably take me to death's door....and bring me back. But no planes, roller coasters, wall climbing or the like. Wind tunnel is about the best I can consider.... Years ago she took me out for margaritas...took my arse out. We found solace as two souls in marriages that were struggling, no sharks. I grew up near the coast...snorkeling and scuba diving frequently.... continued it through college. At some point in my mid-20's I began to have sinus troubles equalizing the pressure when diving...made for painful surface intervals between dives. My Uncle had been through the same a few years prior. He tried surgical remedy....but it didn't help. My late wife, her brother, his wife and some other friends all took their diving certification stuff....and then for various reasons,...each of them dropped out of the class. I'd resigned myself to give the sinus surgery a chance....surgeon was also a diver and he felt like success was most probable. During my years diving I've been close....crazy close....to sharks a plenty. It was all good as I was most often near rocks, reefs, shipwreck structure, etc. Cover was close, if needed. The exposure and sketchy periods were when getting to the bottom & when resurfacing....there I sometimes felt like bait on a hook. Since then I have had some close calls when I was simply swimming on a beach day.....going for a swim to cool off from the sun. One time I had my early teenage son with us....We saw a sand bar a couple hundred yards off shore.,...there were surfers out there. He was deadset on making it out there. I finally caved in and told him we could go but he had to listen to me...currents and such. He agreed and out we went....all was well until it wasn't. I found out the scary way that baitfish were schooling in spots between the sand bar and the shallows. We were swimming amidst the schooling baitfish....joining them on the freakin menu. I saw one, two then three sets of dorsal fins surface in between waves. Then one came too close....got my son's attention and lied to him....told him to get in close with me and we were headed back to shore because I was cramping. He was pissed, but he did what he was told and then gave me a dose of ribbing later on...."Dad you wanna hand me a drink.....oh no...don't do it....you'll cramp up", "Dad....you want me to take the cooler back to the car....don't want you cramping up", etc. My favorite kind of vacation is to sandy places. Don't want to become baitfish again, though....ever. Never thought it would be an issue until recent weeks. Met a gal who is a diver....kept my shark aversions quiet, lol No yoga....period. Could be the greatest thing ever.....but I'm sidestepping. Same could be said of other types of group excursive. I'm a no-class sorta dude. Not going to line up and get into some torture. I prefer to do my torture in solo....lick my wounds and gain the benefits results. I have to protect my shout out knees and right shoulder and keep pre-habbing them until I can get schedules aligned to have joint replacements done. My geriatric-bariatric sorta gym stuff would likely have younger womenz laughing their butts off. So yeah....the gym is where I need to go it alone....for now, at least. Nothing illegal...or at least keep it mostly legal. I'm not robbing banks...but if she asked really nicely and had a killer smile....I may be her getaway driver and lookout. Snakes are off limits. So if they are into snakes as pets.....it is gonna take a HEAP of Dr. Phil-esqe counseling to make that something I can ease up on. My time in the woods has me averse to snakes. The part of Georgia where I live has many varieties of rattlesnakes, copperheads, moccasins, etc, etc. I've had some sketchy moments with 'em all and I went to guns every time. Probably wouldn't go over well with a date who had pet snakes. ......................................... Note that karaoke is now off the list. I'm averse to it. Averse as all hell......but developments yesterday have me sliding that one off my radar. I met someone who sings. I mean, sings at a high level, in formal events, etc. When the subject came up in conversation I was coy....thinking, "here we go with the freakin karaoke silliness"....but I kept my mouth zipped as she was discussing things she enjoyed....music...making music via singing wasn't a hobby....but a passion. My coy arse ...when asked about likes...simply said something cornball regarding singing. "Well...it is highly ironic that we have met...you being a singer, and all." Winked and nodded...knowingly (even though I no nothingsss...strong is my ignorance). She bit and wanted to know more. I deflected and said something about having a small bit of singing experience.....at a professional level....but didn't want to bore her with details....wanted to find out more about her. So it went for a few minutes until she went back to my singing and pressed the matter. "Well, young lady....here is the cosmic irony on this matter....you are clearly impassioned & talented with your voice.....so very odd that we would meet.....you see...you are now looking at the WORST singer on the face of the Earth.....or at least in this county.....I suck.....I've even been paid to NOT sing....had dollar bills tossed at me to put the mic down.....so there it is....I am in awe of your courage to stand up and rock your voice......I am in awe and I'm hardcore untrainable in that area". She laughed and took it all in stride. "So what can you be trained to do....." Mr Cornball here replied with something dumb like, "For starters, I am housebroken...errr mostly housebroken. I can bark...or not bark...roll over, shake and play dead, fetch....you know, stuff like that". She laughed again...but not laughing in the way of "somebody come save me from this nerd....somebody, anybody". Humored laughing....dare I hope, acceptance laughter....is that even a thing ? When I say we laughed....I mean throughout the afternoon and eventing we laughed. Either this gal is challenged or she was actually amused at my dipshyt self. I was intrigued of everything she volunteered about her life, likes, loves, views. @GreenTealael had recently stated major bigtime advice that was THE SURE 'NUFF TRUTH. it pertained to core values being integral to compatibility. Not realizing it was occurring, this lady and I spent hours yesterday covering so much ground that it was unreal. By dawns light this morning I am still shaking my head in amazement. Without me realizing it had occurred....we'd checked off a pile core belief simpaticoisms....yep that is now a word. Simpatico-isms. I was open and honest and simply went with it. Each topic was a new discovery of our views and feels about stuff. Been down this road a good bit lately....and there were always stumbling issues or categories where divergent views may be a red flag. I'm not talking about politics or stuff like that. I couldn't give a rip about that. I appreciate different viewpoints. I mean the bigger issues... Here are some of the hurdles or outright roadblocks that I've had recently in this bachelor living...and this is with even short term fun: No married women. As tempting as a couple have made it...No-Can-Do. I am NOT about to go there. DO NO HARM is the hill I will die on....regardless of the temptation. No coworkers...or at least within my work "zone". There is an engineer and another administrator in another "zone" where some interesting recent conversations have occurred. Even then, I waded much more cautiously than other situations. My sobriety will not be compromised. Long story...shortened version: haven't had a drop since February 2019. Quit for practical reasons to be a responsible caregiver 24/7. Considered myself a casual drinker...social drinker.....but in the years since I saw where I'd used alcohol as a crutch...a tool...a mechanism to distance myself from work stress....or marital stress... I later acknowledged it was a simply delaying those stress & ultimately combining them. So, after my wife passed in 2021...I maintained the sobriety...realizing it was in my best interest. Since then I have benefited hugely from it. I can go out with a girl and am A-Okay with her having a drink or three....I'll have my coffee, water and am just fine. I won't open a bottle or pop a top again, though. Matters of the soul. Didn't seem like this would be an issue for initial attraction and such. But I found that even in casual contact it can and does surface and diametrically opposing views are a non-starter....even if physical attraction is main the component the main draw. Back to yesterday's first meet with lil' Miss Singer....it--was--wonderful. Wunnerfull....I didn't want to be pushy,....or forward....but....wow. So refreshing, I was thirsty for more....and it was shared, clearly. She even stated such....boldly. Stepped up and put it out there....interest demonstrated. She made the first commit. I had been keeping my desires reserved...she was... different. I was having different feels and did not want to rush into anything. This was someone that, yes, major physical attraction is there...but all my no-can-do stuff were non-issues...taken in stride....acceptance. She probably has guys hitting on her all the time and I didn't want to be another schuck trying to come on to her. I mean...I DID want to...but there seemed to be "more than that" taking shape. Everything was.....different. Yeah, I know I said that already...having difficulty finding correct verbiage to accurately describe. Your ever had the thought that you'd love to go back in time and slap the cowboy shyt outa your past self..and do so at a most specific moment and change the outcome and improve the trajectory of past self ???? Yesterday at some point after an hour or so...it was almost as if I felt a hand on my shoulder....a warning hand...it was telling me to slow the roll...be real....look at the bigger picture....and boy howdy, there is a strong hint there is possibly healthy structure for a bigger picture. The hand on the shoulder clenched down more than once....the physical desires needed to be reminded of the cosmic slap that was needed. Dumb as it may sound.....and for whatever reason I can be grateful for....I was calm and didn't blow it....wasn't "that dude". It was rewarded with hours more talking, laughing, disclosing, supporting, etc, etc. --------------------------- So.... we have an actual, real deal, no kiddin' super official date next week...Wednesday. We had to plot through our work schedules to figure it out...but it is set. A date. Not a hook up.

Yesterday.....turned out to be a busy day.....and that hadn't been the plans. Was a scheduled day off work.....and zero work was done. I mean, it began as planned.....early morning, coffee mug in hand, world news on TV.....then local news....then made breakfast...eggs & sausage...vitamins.....shower.....clothes on....wallet in pocket....car keys in hand....out the door to run errands. Chaos occurred shortly afterwards. Fun chaos. Happy chaos. @GreenTealael. what you stated before, about compatible core beliefs.....it had been resonating in my noggin. More on that elsewhere.....but allow me to say a heartfelt THANK YOU. At some point after returning home early evening....in between phone calls, texts, family-work-and that fun chaos follow-up.....I remembered it had been 12+ hours since foodz. There were a pair of succulent little fillet mignon cuts in the fridge....and some portabellas, too, Bamsucka!!! Superfast meal came together. Was able to know it down....chewing like a responsible adult and was giving it a good 30 mins before inhaling a bottled water or 6. That steak was seasoned like a freakin salt lick, lol. Gotta slow my roll on sodium. I'd almost made it to that post-meal 30 minute mark before the phone rang.......fun chaos was summoning me back into the frey....and I didn't hesitate to roll wid it. 3 hours sleep.....and here I am...watching news and sipping my morning coffee.....sun is thinking about coming up. I don't know what this last day off work will hold in store.....but I'm packing a protein bar or something just in case.

You're actually not doing bad at all. You're averaging 11 pounds lost per month. That's above average. Typical weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week (4-8 pounds per month). So don't worry about the number on the scale. You're actually doing quite well.

Hello SammyGold, Welcome to the Bariatric Forum. I was on a GLP-1 since 2013 without knowing it was a GLP-1, and it changed over time. I was prescribed it by my endocrinologist for my diabetes. What I did once I started on Mounjaro was to lose about 70 pounds, and changed my eating habits to protein and veggies. That's all I ate. More Veggies than protein. I have a bad hip and decided I would take the next step and get the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery. While I am only 7 weeks out since surgery, I have seen a huge difference on the scale, and in the size clothes that I can wear already. My face doesn't even look like my picture anymore. I had to lose weight and get my BMI down so I can get a new hip, and I'll be getting that in August, I have exceeded the goal, and plan to keep on going. With the GLP-1s that I was on, I never experienced nausea, but that is a huge side effect for many. It has to be the right dose for you, so look carefully at the different meds, and find out what your insurance covers before you ask for a specific medication from your provider/doctor. Insurance companies are getting ridiculous about weight loss drugs and surgery. They deny due to the cost of the medications. 6 months worth of GLP-1s can cost what it would if you had a gastric bypass surgery!! So contact your insurance company to find out what they cover for weight loss. That is my big take away!

Welcome to the Bariatric Group! Diabetes is a strange critter. With diabetes, you have to remember that your liver will push out glycogen and convert it to glucose overnight, that is why you have differing numbers with the same breakfast. It is also dependent on what you ate the night before. I still get strange numbers, but I'm off all of my medications and insulin for diabetes and I'm only 7 weeks out from surgery. I haven't taken any meds or insulin since the day before my surgery. The highest I have been is 137, and I don't go below 83 mg/dl. I got rid of my Dexcom 7s to a needy friend, and will be giving my syringes and unopened bottles of insulin to my endocrinologist who I see next week on Thursday. Already, it has been quite a ride. From the hormones flying about, to not having to inject insulin and reduced medications, I'm moving better, walking a lot and recently was released to go back to the gym where I swim, cycle and lift weights. I can't imagine my life any different now, best decision I've ever made. Ask me in a year how I feel. LOL

Welcome Magicman, Here is where you will get a lot of answers to your questions that you may have. Feel free to ask anything and everything. I know that knowledge is power, and you want to be powerful going into the Metabolic Surgery/Bariatric Surgery. The last time I took my insulin and meds for my diabetes was the day before my surgery. I have not been over 137 mg/dl since that time and got rid of my Dexcom 7's to a needy friend since I don't need them anymore. I see my endocrinologist next week, and I already know that my A1C is 5.1 which is a lot better than it was before. I basically don't have the A1C to be called a diabetic, but it is in remission for sure. I just need to keep on the program and not regain weight. I'm only 7 weeks out from surgery, but already I have to buy a smaller swim suit and clothes, my pants keep falling down. I'm feeling better and know I'm healthier. Welcome to the Bariatric Club, you found a good spot for support and question asking!!