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Great answers here. I actually got the stomach flu the first few days of my pre-op diet which was hell, but in some ways, an easier way to kickstart the process. The caffeine withdrawal sucks and I actually eased into that a bit pre-op (with approval from my nutritionist). But was fully off caffeine by surgery. Listen, this is a really tough process. It’s okay to be sad and scared and depressed. Remember tho your “whys”. Why are you doing it? Because if you stick with the program, it *will* result in weight loss and will change your life for the better. Some days will suck, especially at the beginning, but you can do this!

Just have faith. I have lost approximately 80 pounds (includes pre-surgery loss). My surgery was Oct 3 2022. I get slightly frustrated if I look at the scale too closely. I rely on measurements and how my clothes fit. As well as pictures. Knowing I've lost, I'm still amazed when I look at side by side pictures. I've been stuck between 164-166 since the beginning of April. But if I look at my weekly average, my total loss has stayed at an average of 1.5 pounds per week. Remember the recommend loss for standard weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. The first stall I had was 3 weeks long then I loose for about 4 weeks before my next stall. Each stall lasts between 3 to 5 weeks for me each time. Then again, I don't have regular bowl movements (never have). Usually, my stall ends after a movement. LOL. Just keep your head up and stay strong. You are doing great. The closer we get to our goal the tougher it will be.

I’m about eight weeks out and the withdrawals are real. The preop diet sends you through the physical withdrawals. After surgery you go through the mental withdrawals. Missing the pleasure of simply eating food in larger quantities, experiencing the tastes over and over, as opposed to simply having 5 to 6 ounces per meal is a real kick in the mental gut. But the alternative is a life of being fat, increased, comorbidities, and a life of fat misery. Does your surgery team offer any counseling? If so, it might be good to talk to someone. I know I am thinking about it myself due to the mourning and mental withdrawals of my food addictions. It is my opinion, and just mine, that this represents the hardest part of this entire journey and is what ultimately leads to failure and the regaining of weight. I wish you all the best as it is definitely worth it on the other side.

This comment has me reeling and questioning everything up to this point. I've always attracted both men and female attention. I was a very confident person. I never had a weight problem, I spent 8 years in the army and I exercised and ate pretty good. When my bestfriend of 15 years forced himself on me.... I lost myself, a few years later I was obese. I was relieved to become invisible. The attention that once gave me validation, was the source of my anxiety. I thought I'd worked though my issues and I had the sleeve surgery in 2018, lost 50 pounds, however after a miscarriage and poor eating habits quickly gained the all the weight back. I recently decided to go to Turkey to be re-sleeved. Not for attention but for my health. I'm set to be re-sleeved in 14 days and I'm trying to figure out how not to self sabotage my weight-loss. I wrote all this to say you're beautiful inside and out. You deserve to be healthy. Losing 125 pounds is AMAZING, don't allow depression and anxiety to rob you of the beautiful life you deserve.

After having read through that thread I'm wondering if people have different understandings of what is "attention" or "male attention", e. g. for me male attention would be referring to something sexual. An innocent flirtatious conversation with the guy two floors up the office building doesn't really count as "male attention" for me. That being said I wonder if I myself might have been the woman one or the other time some men who've lost a lot of weight are complaining about ("all of a sudden I'm getting female attention"). Err. 🤔

There’s never a stupid post here. We have different experiences & no one’s experience is more right or more wrong than another’s. Yes, we tend to receive more attention when we initially lose weight from family, friends, work colleagues, etc. It’s because they are happy for us. Some seemingly negative comments (those you’ve lost too much weight ones) come from their vision of us catching up to the reality of what we’re like now. (Just like it takes us time to truely see what we look like physically with the weight loss.) Once they accept the changes those comments don’t continue. Actually most/all of the comments about our weight loss eventually go. The comments that are left are mostly genuine compliments: great dress, you’re looking lovely today, love your hair cut, etc. (The unwanted flirting & requests for your phone number aside of course.) Personally I enjoy giving people compliments. (I like receiving them too.) Be it about how they do their job, how they interact with others, how they look, etc. I do it because on your lowest day someone telling you you look nice or you appreciated their help or whatever does make you feel a little brighter. Maybe a therapist would be of benefit especially if how you are feelings is affecting how you view others & their comments, your day to day interactions with people, & how you live your life. At least they may help you develop strategies to cope with those situations that make you uncomfortable. All the best.

Yes after revision surgery weight loss is slower than with your original surgery, Also remember you are starting at a lower weight this time so your loss will be a little slower from that perspective too. However, there’s nothing slow with your rate of loss. Three to 4 pounds a week is nothing to be concerned about. Enjoy every pound you lose.

You have done amazingly well. 😊40lbs is awesome. Take time out to celebrate that fact. Get yourself a gift. Like others have said please stay off the scales. Maybe weight yourself once a week or month. Get a tape measure and record your stats. In another 6 weeks do it again and see the changes add up. I have never heard of losing 50% of weight in the first three months. This may be true for some but not most. Starting at a higher weigh will also affect what happens. I am speaking from personal experience. When there is a very long road ahead it is easy to lose sight of the horizon and feel discouraged. I am nearly at a year post op and I am only now beginning to see a big change. I found it helpful along the way to celebrate the big little milestones. Milestones included being able to have a shower and not get exhausted. Walking further and further each month. I could only manage to walk past 3 houses at the start and now I can walk 5km and feel okay after that. Going shopping and not having to plan a trip around being able to sit every 5 minutes. Start setting other goals. Exercise. Holidays. New clothes. Having fun. You get the drift. Focus on the here and now. You will get there. Baby steps every day.

I had a similar experience in my mid-20’s and now, six weeks post op, I worry it might happen again. After my first baby, I lost 40lbs and started getting more of the attention you’re talking about. I didn’t realize how worthless people thought I was until the weight came off. It made me angry. I was angry at men for their stupid comments, unwanted stares and for thinking I would be even remotely interested in them. But it wasn’t just the men. It was cashiers, bank tellers, services I wanted to hire, flight attendants, etc. They looked me in the eyes when speaking to me. They stopped at my seat faster on the plane. I negotiated a better rate for a car repair when previously, they would tell me they don’t “offer discounts.” Oh, I see now… you DO offer discounts; just not to overweight people. I let the insecurity get to me and started to sabotage my own progress. I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone. At least when I am heavy, I can see who you truly are because you don’t see me. Being heavy suddenly felt safe, and it wasn’t long before I was back over 200 again. 15 years later and I’m still worried about what will happen when the weight comes off, but I realize that my worth is not defined by other people. It can only be defined by me. We can be angry at these people, or we can pity them. I can feel scared to be seen or I can take control of my presence, own the space I occupy and refuse to let other people make me feel uncomfortable. Yes, easier said than done but I’m getting better at it. I hope you’re able to come through this and own your own space, too. The insecurity stems from a deep rooted sense of low self worth (in my case), so I’m working to believe that I deserve to be here. Sending you the best of wishes. We are all here for you.

This post really resonated with me (my surgery was relatively recent and I am just tipping over from obese to overweight - so not talking about men but just people in general). I never thought of myself as fat (until I looked in the mirror or saw a photograph) so it was not an ingrained part of my identity. I did however feel like always being the heaviest person in the room made me stand out and be more noticeable - and that made me uncomfortable. Now I really don’t like it when people compliment me on how I look - or treat me nicer - it’s like I wasn’t a human being before but now I am. They noticed me before but didn’t see me or want to know me - and that makes me sad for the person who I was and still am - and a little resentful (like if I wasn’t good enough for you before please don’t bother). I use to dread headshots - and now how we look is part of our profiles everywhere. We all make such quick judgements about each other based on looks. There are so many people struggling with their weight who will never have access to this surgery and will live their personal and professional lives being looked down on by others.

I'm close to your timeline with similar surgery. I had RNY with hernia repair on 3/29. I'm 3 1/2 weeks out, down 14 lbs so far. I'm 5'2" and weight day of surgery was 203.8. I feel we are both well within "normal" range for progress. I'm pleased with the results honestly...it would have taken me 4-5 months to lose that much before the surgery. Lol. My energy is also pretty low, I know how you feel. You start wondering if it will ever get better. But based on what I have heard from others, it definitely will. I'm still in pain on the left side and near the belly button. My surgeon ordered a CT scan this week, but it showed nothing significant. I just have to accept the fact that recovery will take longer this time. I've had 2 c-sections and this is most definitely worse. Lol I stared back to work this week. Honestly, I'm grateful to have a desk job and work from home. But the mental fog and fatigue is real. I asked my manager to ease back into projects and such, knowing I won't be mentally sharp for a while. I move to soft foods at the end of this week. I can't wait to feel normal again! I wish you all the best. Please give yourself grace, as others have said. There is no right or wrong way to heal...we just have to do what is necessary for our personal needs. Take care! [emoji8] Sent from my SM-F926U using BariatricPal mobile app

Welcome! It sounds like you have a couple of issues going on that could definitely affect your weight loss. Not to worry, the weight will eventually come off. It's just a bit slower for some of us.

A little backstory: I had a sleeve back in 2015. I went from 450 to 190. I kept it off for 5 years. Enter pandemic, job loss, and alcohol abuse. I gained 130 of the 240 back. My little sleeved stomach also grew and I was eating full size meals again and I developed severe GERD and a hiatal hernia. My esophagus was constantly sitting in acid and was scarring and narrowing and the hernia was so bad, food and pills were constantly getting stuck. Fast forward to the present, I had a revision to a gastric bypass to fix the GERD and hernia. Those things have been 100% resolved (thank goodness), but the weight hasn’t been flying off like it did with my sleeve. I lost 40 pounds my first month with the sleeve. An average of 1-2 pounds per day. Right now, with the bypass I’ve slowed down after exiting the liquid diet stage to where I’m losing .3-.5 pounds per day and loosing about 3-4 per week. I know I should be happy that I’m losing, but I’m disappointed that it’s not flying off like before. Especially because my activity level and calories burned is much higher than it was with my sleeve at this stage. I’ve gone in circles trying to wrap my head around it. I know I’m 8 years older (36 now) and I have developed chronic insomnia over the last year, so I only get 3-5 hours per night. I’m absorbing less, so maybe I’m in starvation mode? I’m at a loss Anyone have any encouragement or experience with this?

My revision surgery was April 19, 2023 and I also have BCBS. my original sleeve date was 11/2016 and I lost 100 lbs the first year and half. My lowest weight was 135 and I’ve maintained that for the last five years. Around my second year post sleeve I developed acid reflux and heartburn daily. When I would eat, shortly after I’d need to either throw up the acid trying to come up or I’d have to sit and tolerate the acid burning until it subsided. Daily omeprazole and tums did very little to counteract the symptoms. If I ate, it was happening. 2020 I had another EGD performed that showed Barrett’s esophagus had begun to form in my esophagus and there was a hernia. The surgeon wanted to move forward with a bypass revision but because I didn’t want to lose any weight or have another major surgery I asked for other medications to try before we went straight to surgery. 2023 in March I had another EGD performed that showed three ulcers, the hernia and worsening Barrett’s. Nothing had worked so far and my quality of life just wasn’t good. Considering I love to cook and eat, I knew I couldn’t just live with this much longer. I agreed to do the surgery. The doctor sent over an EGD result, CT scan and upper GI to BCBS who approved the revision surgery. (My plan has Bariatric benefits) if your plan doesn’t have Bariatric benefits I would check with your insurance coordinator to see if there is another option. I am now three days post revision- no heartburn or acid reflux at all. Painful, but on the mend.

There are lots of statistics about weight loss after bariatric surgery. But as with all stats they’re just average. We all lose at our own rate. Some lose more quickly while others lose more slowly. Some lose all the weight they wanted. Some lose more & some lose less. And there is no timeline as to when you have to lose your weight. Statistics only give you an idea of what might happen not what will happen. I lost more than double my 3 month weight loss (16kg at 3 months & 42kg when I stabilised). Though it was about half of what I lost when I reached what was my goal (to lose 31kg). Forget any self imposed or external timelines. Celebrate every pound you lose because regardless of how much you lose or by when you’ll lose it, you’ll be in a healthier place.

Can you please let me know where can I get the pretty chart with weight loss information under your message? I saw it around this forum and would like to create one for myself. Thank you!

If you are concerned about loose skin, don't get the surgery. If the possibility of loose skin outweighs the health problems you want to resolve or prevent by getting weight loss surgery, you are not ready to get surgery.

Totally the same experience as Catwoman7. I am approaching 18 months post sleeve and still losing a very tiny amount - way less than half a pound a week. Took me more than 5 months to lose half my excess weight. But we are all different. I wish you all the best with your loss. Stick to the plan and you'll get there xxx

I lost no where NEAR 50% of my excess weight in three months. That is bizarre - I imagine very few of us have lost that quickly. I'm not sure I understand your chart, but most of us lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month, then 10 lbs (give or take) for a few months, and then it drops...and drops...and drops. By the end (I finally stopped losing weight in month 20), I was losing like 2 lbs a month. EDIT - never mind - I get it now. So you've lost about 30 lbs in two months? That's absolutely normal. I started out heavier than you, and I'd lost 29 lbs by then. Just stick to your plan and the weight will come off. I ended up losing over 200 lbs.

I would say that these are very valid concerns, and one of the things that i struggled with in the past with weight loss, and it caused a lot of self sabotage— im working on it now with my therapist, and its a struggle. I don’t want to be noticed- and im my case, noticed for my body- and there are underlying factors that im working to uncover. My body is not something anyone should be commenting on- good or bad, imo. I would rather be noticed for something that is not fading, like a nice personality or a kind heart. Perhaps finding a counselor that has experience in body/weight loss issues would be beneficial. And you are safe here too- Im like you- I was self pay and having to come home to find resources like a counselor, dietician etc on my own. Build your team to support you, you deserve it. The hair loss was expected, as I had that when doing keto— it does turn around though, so keep up the faith there.

How quickly do you get full after eating? You can stretch your sleeve out if you drink carbonated drinks, that's what my Dr. told me. I know how you feel, I've been there and struggle with being really hungry at time and other times not wanting to eat at all. I would say try to focus on something else, keep busy don't let the weight loss worry consume you. Keep busy.. Stop thinking and over thinking or getting bored, that can lead to being hungry as well.

I say give it time and stop focusing on how much you have lost each day. After I stopped weighing myself and stopped being hyper focused on how much I lost daily things changed. A week or more then I waited longer to weigh myself. I think I didn't attempt to weight myself for a couple of months and the weight loss was much more dramatic when on the scale. For me focusing daily on the loss of weight didn't help me to, that's me personally. You can focus on your weight, just don't let it consume you. Also, don't get sad if it's not coming off as quickly as you thought it would. Give it time, find something else to focus on and just continue moving around and eating healthier than you had in the past. This is my take on the situation, I don't know if my advice is the best as I have shifted from weight loss worry to other concerns. It's hard to stay positive at times, but for me it helped to try and distract myself and keep busy. I would also say, start to plan on your clothing choices and what you would like to wear. That was the most exciting time for me. I could finally dress more like a girl and not stuck in the clothes that were only in my size.

You are loosing a lot, I never heard that 50% of your weight is lost in 3 months, but I know the first 3 months are the fastest. Slow and steady is best, your body has to adjust. You will definitely lose if you stay on track, you just might have to adjust your expectation of how fast.

Hello, My starting weight was 250 and current weight is 124. I'm new to the forum. I want to remain anonymous at this point and I didn't want to post in facebook. I had my gastric sleeve done in May of 2022, I've lost a total of 125 pounds. The thing I didn't think about was how my self esteem has not changed. I was thinner in my late teens and 20's, but gained weight after having 5 children. I am now in my late 40's, I don't really regret the choice I made about the surgery. The thing I didn't prepare myself for mentally is the depression factor, I had depression prior to surgery and had been on med's. After my surgery I am still on meds, but I feel like things have started to get worse over the last 4-5 months with more weight loss. I find it very uncomfortable to get attention that I didn't before from males. It get's very uncomfortable to the point where I try to avoid places that have large groups of people. I'm married to a wonderful man for over 20 years, he is so supportive and loving. Once I lost the weight it has turned into more of a focus on my body and how great he tells me I look. Strangers like males coming up to me and asking me for my number, or flirting with me to excess. I don't like it, it makes me beyond anxious and has lead I think to me becoming more depressed. I just want to blend in and not be noticed like I used to be. I know how crazy this sounds but it's difficult for me because I'm very shy especially and I've never liked attention. Sorry this post may sound stupid or pointless but to me I didn't realize I would become more depressed and anxious after I lost weight. I thought weight loss was going to be an amazing thing, I paid out of pocket for the surgery myself. There is a downside to the weight loss that also no one talks about and it's the hair loss. Your hair get's very thin if you are not maintaining your vitamins. It still becomes thin and falls out due to the stress of the surgery. I'm okay with my hair but the hair loss was unexpected as well. I wanted somewhere I could vent about all this. I feel like the focus is more now on my body and how it looks, especially with my husband. Sometimes it's great but at other times it becomes overwhelming. I feel like something is wrong with me, I should be happy? I don't crave attention and wanted the surgery to feel healthy and for me. I fear the warm months coming, the summer I hated the most when I was overweight. Now that I've lost the weight I'm also just wanting to go back into that shell and become invisible again, especially around the opposite sex. This is not the part I expected to have to deal with, I forgot how to deal with this type of attention. Maybe this is something that others would love to have, but it can also become overwhelming, very overwhelming. Sorry I'm rambling, just didn't know where else to post this in case my complaining is unjustified and stupid?

Hello everyone I had my gastric bypass on 22nd February 2023 and although I am super thankful that I have lost weight, I am constantly worried I will not lose enough. One of the reasons I opted for the bypass (although there are other reasons) is because I do not have any children and I have unfortunately been diagnosed with premature ovarian failure and told that the only way I will possibly conceive is IVF, but I cannot get IVF on the NHS unless my weight is below 30 BMI. Some clinics do offer slightly higher BMIs (around 35) but they are all private and unfortunately I cannot afford to pay privately. For reference I am 5ft 5inches. I feel my weight loss has been quite slow for my starting weight and I read elsewhere that you usually lose 50% of your weight within the first 3 months, which has me worried as I think I am unlikely to hit 50% by 22nd May. I would be really grateful for anyone’s comments/experiences and have pasted below my weigh ins. PRE-OP DIET STARTS 7th February 2023 - 22st 5lbs 14th February 2023 - 21st 11lbs 17th February 2023 - 21st 10lbs 18th February 2023 - 21st 8lbs SURGERY DAY 22nd February 2023 - 21st 6lbs 26th February 2023 - 21st 3lbs 27th February 2023 - 21st 1lb 1st March 2023 - 20st 12lbs 2nd March 2023 - 20st 11lbs 4th March 2023 - 20st 10lbs 11th March 2023 - 20st 9lbs 12th March 2023 - 20st 7lbs 20th March 2023 - 20st 6lbs 24th March 2023 - 20st 5lbs 25th March 2023 - 20st 4lbs 30th March 2023 - 20st 2lbs 1st April 2023 - 20st 1lb 6th April 2023 - 19st 13lbs 7th April 2023 - 19st 11lbs 8th April 2023 - 19st 10lbs 15th April 2023 - 19st 9lbs 19th April 2023 - 19st 8lbs 21st April 2023 - 19st 7lbs My minimum goal weight for IVF is 13 stone.