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Hi @KellyMarie8288...congrats on the milestone!! Yay you! We have very similar starting stats, I'm 5'2", starting weight 235, (but am a good10 years older than you). We would be considered "low-weights" and cannot reasonably expect the same weight loss rates achieved by those heavier and taller in the first few months, or in the months following the initial drop. With that said, not counting the first two months post-op, when I had a higher than normal pound droppage for ME (compared to later months), I lost anywhere between 10 and 13 lbs a month until I reached goal by 7 months. I need to note though that I was doing pretty low calories throughout weight loss phase, as well as progressively more intense regular exercise.

As a former French fry lover, I've had about 10 of those little rascals after surgery and they were soooo not satisfying

I love the dancing girl. Good luck everyone. Just some more good motivational news I finally weigh under 300 lbs. I haven't seen that number in 10 years. So just remember the first few days are rough but it gets better and it is all worth it to hit a goal like this and feel so good doing it.

I'm actually going to NOT recommend this. Insurance benefits and coverage are a potential minefield of complexities. To venture into this arena as a lay person is not for the faint of heart. If your PCP and (proposed) surgical facility are part of the same system, I would rely upon them and their insurance experts and resources to handle all if the minutiae. After all, that's part of the service you're paying for. Only if you start getting pushback, denials, or nonresponse from the medical team, would I recommend getting involved with the process. At the same time, be aware of you medical insurance coverage, its deductibles, copays, in-network vs. out-of-network coverage. Once you are approved, ask what your out-of-pocket costs will be and make sure they align with your understanding of your medical coverage obligations. In my case I was NEVER involved in the insurance approval or documentation process even once. I never had any direct contact with my insurance company. The bariatric medical team/department handled all of the paperwork, the application and approval process, everything. My only involvement was after the fact when I got the bill for my copayment ($375 surgical copay was the only cost I ever incurred outside of $30 physician visit copays). In my case it was when I was diagnosed with (early stage) type II diabetes in June of 2019, following having been on high blood pressure medication for several years. I figured that at age 53 I was living on borrowed time if I didn't make some rather drastic changes... I'd kinda like to live to see retirement. I had looked into weight loss surgery in 2000 or so, but it was still relatively new, the options were limited, and the complication rate was MUCH higher. So I told my PCP that I was potentially interested in weight loss surgery and would like to re-explore options. He referred me to the bariatric department. I had an initial exploratory meeting with an LPRN, and once we tentatively determined that sleeve gastrectomy was the best option, they set me up an introductory meeting with the surgeon. Only after that consultation and pre-surgery weight loss goals had been determined did they initiate insurance approval. As was explained to me, the biggest factors in the approval process are BMI and comorbidities (exacerbating medical conditions). In other words, if your BMI is above X you have the best chance of approval, or if your BMI is X-10 but you also have an additional medical condition(s) (diabetes, high blood pressure, , etc.). So it can be somewhat of a sliding scale and will likely vary by insurance company. What followed was a 6-month+ process of meetings with dieticians, the surgeon, a full psychological evaluation, and proven attempt to lose weight even before surgery is scheduled. My surgery was originally scheduled for April of 2020, but COVID intervened and it was canceled, ultimately occurring in July of 2020. Lemme tell ya, trying to maintain a weight-loss/healthy(ier) way of eating while the world and society is collapsing around you and being prone to "stress eating" ain't fun. Remember, in March/April of 2020 we didn't yet know what direction the pandemic would take... this was the time of panic buying, overreaction, and just general freaking out. Our department started working remotely on March 17, 2020 and we were still adapting to the world of Zoom meetings. Looking back on things, I'm surprised things worked out... now I'm a heck of a lot lighter... and STILL working from home.

Awesome! I too have lost 60 lbs since my surgery 9/29. My weight loss has also slowed down but it’s about 10-12 every two months. I feel great. I’m down 2-3 sizes as well.

I started my journey to weight loss in 2019 at 389 pounds. Had my surgery January 23, 2020 at 321 pounds and today February 14, 2021 I finally hit ONEderland! I weighed myself this morning and after a 26 day stall I lost two pounds and weighed in today at 199.6! Never thought I'd get here to be honest, but I'm incredibly happy! For anyone starting their journey at over 300 pounds, it's possible to reach ONEderland, no matter how impossible it may seem! I just wanted to share that.

SURGERY SHOUT-OUTS FOR THIS WEEK (DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....)!!!!!!!!!!!!! MONDAY, 2/15 - @Sleeved_in_MN WEDNESDAY, 2/17 - @MidnightCat and @addicted2food THURSDAY, 2/18 - @M4rlene FRIDAY, 2/19 - @BostonRiley

Hi Y'all. I'm at a loss & don't know where to go. I'm hoping someone here will be able to give me some advice? Here's my story. I had a weight loss surgery clear back in 1982, and it was called, Gastric Exclusion, or more commonly, Stomach Stapling Surgery. I am nearly 40 years post op!! My results were fair, but for sure not worth what I went through & continue going through! Approx. 12 years ago, I had been fighting a stomach ache for weeks. It wasn't horrible, just nagging. Then I went to visit my daughter in southern California, and something about getting on that flight, turned my "nagging stomach ache", into projectile vomiting, & it did not let up until I ended up in a San Diego ER, & they gave me some Protonix, & sent me on my way. Well, that lasted less than an hour, & I was trying to get to my daughters, 80 miles north... well, this projectile vomiting was so bad, and nothing would stop it! Well, the 4 day trip I had planned to go get to know my new grandson, was extended to 10 days, 9 of which were spent in a lovely hospital bed with palm trees outside my window view. They had me with a Naso-gastric tube, the one that goes from your nose into stomach to drain all contents of stomach continuously. On the 8th day, they finally scheduled me with a gastro enterologist, (really?? duh!!) and he did a scope on day 9, and found that one of my staples, had dislodged, and was floating around in my abdominal cavity, and had began boring a hole in my stomach wall!! The doctor who performed the scope dislodged the "staple", and took it out with the scope itself, at which time, my nausea, projectile vomiting and all pain magically went away along with that staple! Well, I was just so happy to have the issues resolved & be on my way back to Colorado, that I didn't bother getting much information about what was the cause & effects, or what to do in the event that I started having similar symptoms again! (finally bringing this to today!) Yeah, you guessed it. I've been having the same type of pain for the past week or so, & I fear it's going to be the same problem rearing it's ugly head again! I actually ended up in the ER a couple days ago, because of horrific abdominal pain, WAY worse than the pain I had 12 years ago, & they admitted me for a night & day for observations & kept me NPO while I was there. They did a CAT scan, & said they "THINK" I have an obstruction that will resolve on it's own. I attempted to tell these ER docs & nurses about my surgery in 1982, but they looked at me like I was from another planet, & just excused the topic. So, my question is, has anyone ever heard anything about this type of complication or ANYTHING 40 years post op, and if not, does anyone know where I could get information on this subject?

I've had tuna, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and cream of wheat. I don't find anything appealing to eat even when I'm hungry. Are there any savory food choices to make this phase bearable?

Feb 4th! Almost 10 days in now.

My surgery was 1/28. My recovery was AWFUL. I threw up basically non stop for about 36 hours. Dry heaving after that procedure is so much fun. None of the nausea meds worked. I had to beg them to knock me out so I could sleep. So I got off to a really bad start. Now I’m more than 2 weeks out. I have not been able to tolerate much in the way of anything. I can only sip an ounce of a protein shake at a time and then I have to lay down until my stomach stops hurting. It’s essentially easier for me to just not eat. Best guess, I’m getting maybe 300 calories a day. Nowhere near 64oz of water or 60g of protein. I’m closer to 36oz of water and maybe 20g of protein. I’m eating yogurt and blended soups. Super watered down retried beans. I’ve nibbled on some crackers with a sip of water and they actually seem to go down way easier than anything else. I guess carbs are easier to digest. I don’t need a lecture on following the diet. I’ll worry about where the calories are coming from when I can actually eat. I’m definitely losing weight as the calorie deficit is so huge right now. I’m just wondering if anyone else is having such a hard time getting anything in. I don’t throw anything back up. I just cannot take more than 3 tiny bites or 1-2 sips at a time and then I have to lay down for 10 mins to digest. I cant spend all day repeating that cycle.

Hi! I also had VSG on Feb 10. I was just discharged a few hours ago. I was on a morphine PCA pump until 2200 last night. The gas pains subsided, but the actual surgical stomach site/muscular pain is really rough. I vomited over 40 times post-op. The pain was absolutely excruciating. My doctor did not send me home with ANY medication for pain. He told me I could take 2 Tylenol every 6-8 hours. I am staying positive however, as I know this was the right choice for me and my future and my health. As I’m sure that played a huge part in your decision to go through with the surgery too! Just try and remind yourself you just had major surgery, your body went through a lot of trauma, and don’t compare your recovery to anyone else’s! Healing is a process and a lot of factors go into it! Best of luck, we can do this! +1 for the ice packs on the incisions! Just be sure to not leave them on too long at once!

This! I get you 100%. I too struggled with PCOS since my early 20's. I was able to somewhat manage the weight, but ultimately gained 50lbs over 10 years. I was able to lose weight for occasions but only by ridiculous elimination diets and exercise. My body was very efficient at gaining and fought me every step of the way to lose. In my early 30's I lost my thyroid to thyroid cancer. I gained another 50lbs over 3 years despite constantly dieting and monitoring my intake. I often said over the years I could tell when my metabolism was working, usually just for a few days. I just felt better. After my thyroid was removed it was a hard stop. Nothing I did mattered. My Endo started my on a combo therapy of thyroid medication after determining I had 'post-thyroidectomy hypothyroidism' (despite my labs showing as slightly hyperthyroid). With the combo therapy I was able to lose 19.2 lbs over the 8 months prior to my VSG. Within 4 days of surgery I felt my metabolism kick back on and it's been going full blast ever since. Sent from my Pixel 3a using BariatricPal mobile app

I understand. My right side hurt more than anything, and the stitches did itch as they healed. But---this isa life-changing surgery. I am still happy I did it. I hope you feel better soon. Talk to your doctor about the pain. My doctor told me to use ice-packs on/off for up to 10 minutes each time. It helped.

Thank you!!! I’m into weightlifting! Very little cardio. I lift 5-6 days a week. I train for both strength (heavy weight, low reps; i.e. failing at the 10-12th rep) and hypertrophic (low weight, high reps; to add muscle mass) results. My cardio is actually my warmup, which is a 10 minute jog/run. Weightlifting completely recoups your body. It filled up the loose skin in my arms, and I still have some! But it’s no where near what it was before I started lifting.

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I think it’s normal to have buyer remorse in the first week. However if you don’t have pain meds prescribed, I would suggest you seek medical advice. My surgeon said any solid foods during the liquid and purée phase of recovery could cause the staple line to open. He said a previous patient who ate solids early ended up in hospital for 3 months, being feed through a tube as he ruptured his new stomachs staple line. I am 10 weeks post op and I can now have a piece of candy and only need one to satisfy my sweet tooth. Like a normal person!

I’m starting get depressed with me with all this pain I’m dealing with thinking about did I just did this surgery feb 10 why I have deal with all of this pain I’m not resting it’s hurts whole lot I can’t be mom today my son I don’t have energy I’m hurting

a lot of plastic surgeons recommend that you be at a stable weight for 6-12 months before getting plastic surgery - but not all do. I think it's a good idea, though, since many of us have a 10-20 lb bounce back after hitting our lowest weight.

I just had my gastric sleeve surgery on feb 10 can I eat chips candy or something like a sandwich

Came home yesterday from hospital I having these bad pain inside of my stomach when would this pain stop hurting part of me feel did I make this right decision on having gastric sleeve surgery in February 10

I was diagnosed with hypo at 10 years old. Weight has been a struggle all my life. I've been on Synthyroid (levo), Cytomel (lio), Armour and a combo of Synthyroid and Cytomel (best imo). In 2019, I had been on only Cytomel for 3 years and had heart, liver and kidney failure caused by Cytomel (lio) toxicity. It had been eating away muscle including my heart. When I was taken to the ER, my heart rate was 20 and they couldn't get a temperature because I had hypothermia. I was in my 30's, btw with no prior health concerns other than hypothyroidism. I believe it was made worse because I thought I had a virus for 3 days but my heart was failing. I went into a myxadema coma. After 11 days in ICU and 3 weeks in the hospital, I couldn't lose weight to save my life. After trying to lose for 8 months, my Endocrinologist recommend sleeve surgery. My loss has not been as fast as many on this board. I had surgery in July and my pre-surgery weight was 208 at 5'5". Pre-surgery diet was only a week long and I may have lost a few pounds. Since surgery I have lost about 56 pounds. My surgeon is fine with my loss. He says to hit protein and water goals but don't go below 1200 calories and eat whatever you want (after post-surgery diet, of course). I suppose I feel that surgery is pointless if I have to starve and restrict. I've done that most my life. I know many don't agree with that and I understand why. I found my tastebuds changed and sweets aren't as important as they were pre-surgery. I hope to meet my goal by 1 year. My periods have been lasting 2+ weeks and are super heavy so now I'm anemic and I'm sure it hasn't helped my weight loss. I am having a DNC soon to see if there is an underlying reason for all the blood. I can't be on normal birth control due to my heart. I went for an echocardiogram this past week and it came back normal! Considering I had cardiomyopathy, a temporary pacemaker, kidney dialysis, and liver failure less than 2 years ago (in my 30s lol), I am happy with my progress. I think having surgery with hypothyroidism is worth it.

Weightlifting can be achieved at any age (search up “Train with Joan”) and 55 years young is a good place as any to start. Machines are a great way to start the weightlifting game. I do not know how many days a week you attend the gym, but I highly recommend at least a 3 day split: day 1, upper body; day 2, lower body, day 3 upper body. As you gain more experience and familiarity with your muscle groups, you. An advance that into: day 1 - chest, biceps, triceps; day 2 - quads, hamstrings, and calves; day 3 - back and shoulders. Complete 4 sets for each exercise, and 10-12 reps per set. Your final reps should be difficult to complete. If they’re too easy, go up in weight. Rest 60-90 seconds between each set. Nutrition is important, too. Muscle needs protein and complex carbs for rebuilding and growth. Find foods and protein shakes that you enjoy. You should consume about 1 gram of protein per body weight. Search up complex carbs and see what you can incorporate into your diet. I love oats, beans, and sweet potatoes. I hope this helps! Good luck!

I wasn't hungry the first 10 days at all. Though, once I hit day 10, it all changed. Now, at 7 weeks out, I actually DO get hungry. I used to get gradually hungry before surgery. Now, it's either I am not hungry at all or I feel weak/nauseous from hunger and it hits all at once. Some say you can't be hungry after surgery but my surgeon said you could be. So, I guess each doctor has their own take. When you get to the pureed stage, it does get a lot better. It's even better than that when you get to the real food stage and can have good, nutritious food. Good luck! It's all worth it in the end!

I am only 10 days out, but I have been choosing eggs, cottage cheese, puréed chicken soup and refried beans. This weekend I am going to purée a grilled tuna steak. I am limited because of my stage and rely on my shakes also.

I had 3 month weight monitoring program with my primary care physician before WLS surgeon could submit to insurance. That was done First week of December 2019. Got approved 8n about five business days. Surgery was scheduled for January 16th 2020. It will depend on your requirements qnd surgeons schedule.