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Wow, heck of a year 2020 is for me and countless others. I had move on after truly trying everything last year. After 5 surgeries (only 2 related) and countless testing? I will qualify for my revision sometime in 2021. Maybe it was this knee pain that I am currently feeling [emoji16] I am so scared. I don't know why? I know that is my best way to improve my health and increase longevity. I talked to so many doctors and mental health professionals over the last year. Opinions vary! Can someone tell if they too struggled with this process and then achieved success after being revised! Thanks so much! Heck of a year! Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi all, I haven’t been here in over 5 years. I regained all my weight x2 by 2017. I have since lost it and I have 19 more pounds to lose to be at goal. Is anyone else at or close to goal? I would love to hear how everyone is doing. Life has been rough but I’m thankful to still be here and I feel blessed to have lost the weight I gained from being ill and on so many medications. HW 300 CW 169

140 pounds at 5'4" gives you a BMI of 24.0 which is in the normal range, so I wouldn't say you did badly with the surgery. It's good that you're trying to turn your regain around before it's gotten too large. Why not go back to eating the way you did soon after surgery? For me that was protein first, then veggies, no carby foods like rice, potatoes or bread and of course no sweets. My doctor's eating plan is moderately low carb, so I limited starchy veggies like sweet potatoes, carrots and corn. Although I can eat more than I could in year 1, I still don't eat nearly as much as I did before surgery (either in amount or variety), so I do still take a bariatric multivitamin. As far as types of protein, I eat lots of different things: yogurt, chicken, beef, a pork chop, Italian sausage, firm cheese like cheddar or jack, soft cheese like Ricotta, cottage cheese (I like large curd), lunch meat if I'm on the go and can't get anything else, turkey (whatever parts you like), beans of various kinds and on and on. I used to eat protein bars but they slowed my weightloss so I stopped, but you might not have that issue. When eating out I usually order a Cobb salad or Chef salad and focus on the protein (I generally can't eat much of the greens). Because you've lost 50 pounds, you might need to track your calories closely. I've lost 120 and I definitely eat fewer calories to maintain that than I did at my top weight. It's kind of trial and error to find the sweet spot where you don't gain or lose. As far as motivation, everyone has different ways of coping with the COVID-19 blues. I'm high risk for COVID-19 so I'm pretty much stuck in the house. It helps me to go for a walk every day. I get fresh air, exercise and sunlight that way and it's helped me keep my mood stable. I've also bought a few new clothing items that I really like. I'd hate to get too big for them so that motivates me to weigh myself regularly and adjust as necessary. I inherited a BEAUTIFUL dress from my Mom and if I gain any significant weight I won't be able to fit in it. Sometimes I just take it out and try it on again to remind myself of how awesome it is that I can wear it now. Maintaining the habit of weighing helps because you'll see any gain early on. I've set myself a "break the glass" weight of 135 and if I get to that weight, I will cut back immediately. At one point I did get to 133 so I cut back and lost 5 pounds to get to 128. I just find it so much easier to deal with a few pounds rather than a lot. You're in good shape since you've only gained 15. Go back to basics, get your protein, stay hydrated, try to find a physical activity you can do regularly and those pounds will be gone in no time. Hugs. 🤗

I mostly just listened to their thoughts and ideas, but I would plan on doing 3-5 consults if you can, because you may hear different ideas on how to do things from different surgeons. I did four consults - one with a well-known surgeon in Mexico (but I decided to have it done stateside instead, even though it was a lot more expensive), and three in my region. The first two in my region whom I talked to had such different ideas on how to approach it that I decided to get another consult to see if it was a tie breaker. So I went to a guy who's known to be pretty expensive, but is nationally known in working with massive weight loss patients. Before going, I really never seriously planned to go with him because of the cost, but I knew I would respect his opinion. Well, his opinion was the same as surgeon #2, so I knew that was probably the way to go - but I ended up going with the expensive expert anyway, because his estimate wasn't really that much more than the other two (and most of the extra cost was due to the fact that he'll only do his in a regular hospital, whereas the others do them at outpatient surgical centers, and he also makes you spend the night at the hospital to make sure you're OK to go home, whereas the other two send you home at the end of the day. I preferred to spend the night in the hospital, *just in case*). I don't know if there's anything I would necessarily ask each one about - although questions did come up at each consult (not always the same questions), but check pictures if they have them - and if they don't have them at their office, check their Web sites for pictures (but keep in mind they're only likely to post their best work). With the body lift pictures, be sure to notice belly buttons. Belly buttons are supposedly tough to get right, so if the person does good belly buttons, that's often a good sign. as someone else implied, some surgeons will recommend you to wait 6-12 months after your weight is stabilized to have plastic surgery. It's probably not a bad idea because unfortunately, a majority of us seem to have a 10-20 lb rebound after we hit our lowest weight. Although I did spend that time doing a lot of research on surgeries and surgeons, and creating my "short list" of surgeons I wanted to do my consults with...

I had RNY 12/9, inspired by GERD. I know “inspired” is an odd choice of words, but that is truly what brought me to this process. It’s only 10 days post-op but I feel so good!

I had sleeve to bypass as well but in 2019. Having problems with leg cramp as.

I am about 10 lbs from goal, so I decided to splurge on some nicer tops since 1- you can only see my tops on my work video conference calls and 2- I don't think I am going to go down another size. NSV 1: I'm in a freaking MEDIUM! at 5'10 - holy cow!!! And this isn't a "in specific loose cut tops I can squeeze into a medium" - I ordered a bunch of nice work tops and I fit into ALL the mediums. NSV 2: I bought a pair of knee high boots. They are wide calf, but a narrow wide calf if that makes sense. My legs have always been where I carry a lot of my weight so I've never really been able to wear true knee high boots. They fit perfect (even over pants) and they look GREAT!

Had a revision & second hiatal hernia repair done per GERD so bad damaging vocal chords and cancer risk. 10 weeks post op and very happy with results! No GERD , can eat things I wasn’t able to before . Liquid goes down easier than it did with sleeve and I am losing more weight and am now closer to goal weight (8lbs to go) which I never was with sleeve. No complications. No more GERD or acid reflux, so happy and feeling 10xs better!

Are you nervous? I wasn’t but getting there....so much info. My sister had the sleeve Nov 2019 amd I thought it would be a great resource, although she has been, her experience seems different from what I’m hearing and seeing feom others....

I've heard of the 3 week stall. But I stopped losing weight at 1 week. I lost 10lb during my 1 week pre op diet and 10 lb the week after my surgery. My surgery was 11/30. I haven't lost anything since 12/7. I use a Bariatric app to track all my food/water/vitamins. My calories have gone up over the past 2 weeks (as expected) from around 300 to 600 and my carbs are higher than I would like (around 35 avg), but I'm finding soft foods are limited. I am not meeting my water goals of 64 oz. I'm getting about 30 oz. If I do too much moving around, my incision sites get really sore so I have not started walking but I do a lot house work and go into my office a couple days a week (not just a couch potatoe, like week 1). Anyone else experience this? Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

THIS MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE AND THE COSTS ARE CRAZY I am going to share this wasn't going to but there may be a few out there going thru what I was. I am male and you can see by my stats lost most of my body muscle and mass, I suck at eating correctly and find eating to be a pain in the ass. Drinking water is not my thing either. So I mastered the art of Smoothies loaded up with tons of Vitamins protein and minerals. All home made with the best of the best ingredients and for the last year and a half have made these my main diet and try to eat when I can. So now what. I have dedicated this Covid time to getting back some muscle and pushing the health thing to the next level. At First I thought this was a gimmick but I joined a Group called IHealth Naples. Free Free to google them. I have been taking IV blasts every 10 days for the last 3 Months. I am amazed at the results. These blasts have pushed me up to the next level of health. So if you are trying to push the health even further I will tell you this is a great option. These little bags of health will change you - Prior to me starting I had issues with the hair on my head hurting, Dehydration and just feeling sluggish. Not any more. There are these types of therapy locations all over so you may consider it. Let me warn you It is not covered by insurance and is costly. But for my I ate more then the cost of a Blast prior to surgery so I feel i Deserve it

YES! I was sleeved in 2012. After my GB I was hungry for 4 weeks! it’s like okay yes I don’t have reflux which is SOOO nice but sometimes I think wow I should have just stayed w my sleeve. But now that I’m losing weight I’m good lol okay try hard boiled egg smashed w lil light Mayo, avocado, fat free beans, cauliflower mash. Measure 1/4 cup. Use baby spoon. Set a timer or stopwatch so you can see how fast you are eating. Set it for 20 min. You need to take that long to eat. Best wishes to you, your energy will return. Since my surgery date I’ve lost 19 pounds too but yes yours is fast! Hope you feel better. Walk daily.

I am cassey new here. I had a revision Sleeve to GB. My Sleeve was in 2010 and my GB was 11/30/2020. I am out of breath alot and went to get checked out in ER today. They said I have no clots and I am happy about that. I cant eat or drink much and so I am not getting all the fluids needed. I really hope this gets better. I am not sure if the fact I lost 19 pounds since surgery has anything to do with my symptoms. I just need some support and need to know that I will feel better soon. And I have experienced dumping I think and that is no fun either, and that sometimes makes me not want to drink or eat.

Hi everyone so my revision from sleeve to GB took place on 11/30/2020. I had my sleeve in 2010. I feel hungry all the time, and feel like there is nothing I can eat. I am on the mushy food stage, I can have tuna, soup, applesauce, warm cereal etc. But I am so week and out of breath, and actually went today to ER to make sure I did not have any blood clots I am all clear thank God. I am also having time getting all my fluids, and maybe the weakness is from the weight loss. I lost 19 pound since surgery on 11/30. And from reading other posts it seem like alot. I just want to get my energy back.

Hi All!!! News update, I am feeling good! A little bit of discomfort in my stomach, but on a scale of 1 to 10 it’s like a 8 without painkillers, but as soon as it starts to kick in, you barely feel anything. For the ladies... it’s comparable to period cramps. Everything went great! Good luck to you all

Spitfireash I made broth and put mushrooms and green onion in it just to give myself something to chew on. The mushrooms and green onion has very little to no calories....even my son snd hubby loved it. I lost 11 lbs in 10 days before surgery. I also purchased Genepro protein and put it in everything!! My soup, water bottle, and even the jello I made. That seriously helps with hunger! Drank about 3-4 protein shakes a day so with all the protein I never felt hungry although I’m not going to lie, the first week was tough just because my brain wanted to eat although I wasn’t hungry. Let me know if you have additional questions. Im two days post-op and this is the worst I’ve felt so far. Terrible headache (yes I’m getting all my water in and then some)....I hope it gets better throughout this week.

Even if you DO stretch your stomach a bit as long as you're making healthier choices for foods I don't see you regaining much. I mean 5-10 pounds is pretty much normal for regain so if it happens just try to work to get it off and I'm sure you'll be able to do it eventually. Rice swells though after you eat it so it can potentially lead to your stomach stretching. That's the reason my surgeon advised us to not eat rice anymore (I use cauliflower rice as a substitute). But if rice is something you don't want to give up you don't have to. Just know that it CAN stretch your stomach out. It was ADVISED anyway. The choice on whether to add rice back into our diet is very much our own. For me I eat mostly in the morning as I get sooooo hungry after taking my thyroid meds, but the rest of the day I basically have little to no appetite. I talked to my nutritionist on Monday and we went over my diet and I unloaded about how I ate mostly in the morning and I ate a LOT in a 3-4 hour period and she said that I was doing fine and stressing over nothing as my weight loss has been steady and I'm not going over my carb, fat, sugar, etc. limit and I'm getting my protein in like I'm supposed to. Apparently my metabolism is most active after I take the stupid thyroid meds and decides to sleep the rest of the day lol

I am 9 days (well it’s after midnight, so 10 days now!) post-op and I feel a little better everyday. Walking, drinking, resting. Not losing much yet but I hear that is normal due to all the fluids they pump in you at the hospital. So exciting - a few more days and life will change!!!

I had five incisions in line with my belly button. They were small 10-15mm. They healed over a couple of weeks. I used bio oil too & now I have to look hard to see the scars: they’re little faint lines. Yes, you’ll have saggy skin. It stretched out carrying your weight. Factors like your age, gender, genetics, how long you were at your highest weight, how overweight you were all impact how much sagging you’ll have. As catwoman7 said saggy skin is better than being obese & unhealthy & you can have skin removal. I didn’t have much loose skin when I reached my goal weight but I do have more on my upper inner thighs & upper arms now that I’ve lost more. I just don’t wear short shorts or strappy or strapless tops. I’m just wearing ordinary cotton hipster briefs under this dress. Oh, & my breasts are pretty deflated. Walking is excellent post surgery. Start walking at the hospital to help get rid of the gas they fill your abdomen with during surgery. Your surgical team will probably advise when you can start to increase your activity or introduce other options. I was put on a keto diet for 2 1/2 weeks pre surgery so I can’t advise on what your diet requires. Your dietician or surgeon should have given you a plan to follow. Good luck.

Having stalls where you lose nothing or slight daily variations are all perfectly normal during the weight loss phase. You will lose more slowly the closer you get to your goal too. But is your weight still trending down? Are your clothes getting loser? Do you have more energy? I’m 19 months out & mine’s working fine. I still lose if I don’t keep my food intake up. My restriction is still there and I often am not interested in eating. Three years out seems to be the point people may start to put on weight. Why, I don’t know. It could be because their will power starts to fade or they start introducing more less healthy choices into their diet or they reduce their exercise or maybe life gets in the way. Maybe it’s just where their body wants to settle. Shrug. Your tool will always be with you. You just have to decide how you are going to use it, not just while you’re losing weight, but for the rest of your life. Good luck. You’ll be in ONEderland before you know it.

50 lbs 10 weeks. Couple weeks before liquid, 5 weeks pre-op, and 3 since.. they wanted 5/week pre-op they got it.

Did your surgeon not tell you that you needed to quantine before surgery? I had surgery recently (not WLS) and was told to it would be best to quantine for 7 to 10 days prior to it.

Hi! Congrats on your success! I am 6 years post with sleeve. I've lost 175 lbs and working towards an additional 25 lbs. I track my food daily with MyFitnessPal since 2014. I am too generous with myself to "eyeball" food, so weighing/measuring is a must. I weigh myself daily to stay on track/watch trends, but only record Saturday's weight. I work out 5x per week...a mix of walk/run intervals, cycling, yoga and kettlebell. I also use YouTube videos and subscribe to the Peloton app. FYI, there is a WLS Veterans board on this site. I've seen everything from 2-10 years of tenure. Worth checking out.

This is such an important topic and thank you for bringing it up. Some of you may relate to this or part of one of my experiences. About 10 years ago I joined "Medifast", I think they're known as another company now but i gave them about $1500 to go in once a week and weigh in, and chat. This did NOT include the cost of their food. I recall getting on their forums and watching people mention gaining it all back. I was fresh into the program and actively losing weight. I got on my high horse and started (wrongly) judging folks. How could you spend all that money then screw it up? Of course I know better now... but here I am 10 years later and I'm thinking.... "why go through 6 months of appointments, then 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet... then a major procedure only to gain it all back?" This is a VERY VERY valid concern. As many pioneers before us surgery n00bs have already stated.... surgery is a TOOL and that's it. It doesn't fix "stupid" or it does not fix "mental issues". I'm hoping by reminding myself this and working heavily on why I'm carrying around a "fat shield" or "fat security blanket" or [insert your addiction de jour here] in the first place, will keep me in check. I truly wish us all the best of luck. I'm a very big believer in working on the mental/emotional aspect first, and having the surgery is just a very nice tool to assist in the physical part.

A couple of years ago when I had surgery, I was really pushing for a December surgery date, for insurance reasons like yours. But, due to being denied by insurance (because my doctor office lost some reports and didn't submit them), I had to go through the appeal process (after I produced my own copies of the reports!), which delayed my surgery til Feb. I was not happy about that, but let me tell you, it worked out. Surgery cost is not the final expense. In my case, I had an ER visit for blood clots, a couple more scopes due to an ulcer and follow up from a Barretts polyp discovered pre op, and then there were more non surgery related medical expenses as well. So I met my deductable and OOP max in 2019 instead of 2018. I think you have to hang in there and just see it through to the end, whether that is in 2020 or 2021. You pay now or you pay later, but chances are you will meet your deductible one year or the other. Keep in mind the reasons why you want the surgery. The risks of obesity are life threatening, and the older you get, the less quality of life there is as an obese person. WLS is ALWAYS a royal pain on the pre-op side, but the end results are so worth it in the long run. I hope you get a negative test real soon and that you remain symptom free. Hang in there! The race does not go to the fastest, but to the one who perseveres.