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I think my dog has put on 10 pounds and I know she has become a horrible beggar! (Only with me, thank goodness!) When I get full, I need the food gone or I will continue to pick at it until I am uncomfortable...and I don't want that, ever!

This happened to me. I was scheduled for April. It was put on hold with no new date. They called in June and I had it done 10 days later. I had to scramble at the last minute to do the pre-op diet and make arrangements etc.

I have binge eating disorder and identify the feeling of needing rules. I used to have a very all or nothing mindset. Like other posters have already said, I have come around to more of a goal of “rule following” (making wise choices) more often than not - I’ve seen people refer to this as something like a 90/10 rule, where you don’t beat yourself up for not adhering perfectly to the plan 10% of the time. I previously had success with restrictive diets because I was good at “following the rules” and drinking only shakes, eating only X, etc., but I inevitably gained the weight back because they were impossible to keep up and doing nothing to help me learn better habits. I do think it’s important to figure out what works for you without causing stress. For example, I felt overwhelmed by meal planning, but have figured out some simple options that get me close to my protein goals daily. Those things became my basic grocery framework for the week, and I can easily swap in other meals for variety and slip the occasional treats in there without blowing up my whole plan. I also agree that a nutritionist is a great idea and is something I plan to do in the new year as well. Good luck!

I have them I started my journey October 1st 2020. I originally need 6 visits, psych evaluation, 1 dietitian visit, bloodwork, and medical clearance, but a week after my first visit it went down to three visits because I am a diabetic. I completed all my requirements before my last visit on 12/10 now it’s just the waiting game.

Me too! I hope I'm not hurting my stomach! I cannot make this tiny bit of food last longer than 10-15 minutes!

Yes, but only for 5 days, They had to rush my surgery because of the Covid, Dr said he wasn’t sure he would be able to do it, if he didn’t do it now. So just liquids until Thursday. Normally it would be a 10 to 12 day pre op with my Dr. he said he wants that liver to shrink pretty good before the surgery. I don’t think with 5 days it’s going to shrink much lol

I would have lost weight if I'd have eaten 1600 kcal pre-surgery. Did it many times. And during my more "successful" attempts, I'd lose 50 or 60 pounds, and a few months later, I'd start putting it back on, until I was back up at my original weight (in my less "successful" attempts I'd lose maybe 10 or 20 pounds before putting it back on). This went on for decades (I'm 60 years old). Again and again and again. I had over 200 pounds to lose, yet I couldn't even keep 50 off. Or 20. Until I had WLS. THEN I was able to lose those 200+ pounds. Like someone else said, you still have to do the work, but WLS gives you a huge boost. I did regain 17 or so pounds (after hitting bottom) during year 3, which is not uncommon, but since then, I've been able to maintain. Never could have done that without the assistance of WLS.

Although not entirely outpatient, I was sent to the Hampton Inn with a nurse attending about 10 of us overnight. I think I could have gone home (and may have preferred it, frankly!) The nurse came in every four hours and ground up a pain pill in warm water and I drank it and I was fine. They left at 7AM, and I went to see my surgeon at about 10AM (I had to Uber there!). He said he had done the test the prior day and I was fine and I have been fine. I think staying in the hospital would have been good for the IV drugs, but other than that, I was perfectly fine. I was also their best (least needy) patient.

The issue for me is, I have had sleeve surgery 10 years ago. Which worked but weight came back on. So then I had a SADI, which failed completely and even gained weight. So the DS which I had last week hasn't caused any additional restriction with eating, because the stomach reducing part was done years ago. It wasnt the amount of food i wanted the DS for, it was the type. What I was looking for was: Eat healthy you'll be fine. Eat crap, you'll know about it, cos your ass will fall out" LOL. My surgeon told me a story about a woman patient who went back to him stating "This DS youve given me, it's ruined my life.... i can't get off the toilet, all I eat is Jacket Potato", so my surgeon scratched his head wondering what could be the issue, until he discovered that she was smothering the Jacket Potato with lashings of butter. This is what I wanted to happen. If i eat the wrong thing (not the amount) I wanted to end up on the toilet, so i know it's best not to. But at the moment (although I haven't really eaten anything too naughty since the DS), i've not had a single twinge. Literally ZERO ZERO difference. 😞

I am the same...mini gastric bypass on Nov 19 and down 10. I’m hoping it’s our normal. My dietitian says it’s normal and not to concentrate on the number but rather on quality food, portions and recovery and all will happen. Hard to not be focused on the weight loss but i am confident we will all get to where we want to be. ❤️

a lot of us seem to start regaining during year 3 and our bodies eventually settle at around 10-20 lbs above our lowest weight (and unfortunately for some, they continue to gain a lot more than that and "settle" higher than they'd like). My BMI got down to around 21, but it's now 25 (give or take a couple of decimal points, depending on the day). There's part of me that would love to be down to a 21 BMI again, but I still sit here at c. 25 and have been here for about two years, so I'm clearly not willing to do what it would take to get me back down there. I can eat 1500-1700 kcal/day and maintain my current weight, and that's very do-able to me. I'm sure I would have to cut my calories quite a bit to lose weight, or pretty much live in the gym, and I'm not sure that's sustainable for me at this point.

I had my sleeve/switch 11/20. I’m being completely compliant in every way and 3 weeks out and I’ve only lost 10 lbs. is that normal?? I’m freaking out 😩

I had the gastric Sleeve in 2013, I went from 265 down to 155. Fast forward to today, I'm weighing in at 215 and now I'm going for a revision to the MGB (mini gastric bypass) Your sleeve definitely will stretch. I was able to "eat" real foods 2 months out with the sleeve, however, it was 2 teaspoons and I was done and that lasted through my 4-6 month mark. You will be able to enjoy a lot of different food but remember to make healthy choices and count calories, carbs and protein basically for the rest of your life. If not, the regain will happen. If you're on the fence about surgery but want to lose some weight, try a liquid diet for 7 days. It's called a sleeve reset. You will drop anywhere from 5-10 pounds. Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 10 months (almost 11 months) post op Loop DS which involves a sleeved stomach (this particular surgery also has an intestinal bypass as well as shortening your small intestines). I'm able to eat between 6-7 oz. If I eat 8oz I feel nauseous, so that's not a good idea. I've been able to eat 6 oz since about 5 months out. It upped to 7 at around 8 months out. Your stomach CAN stretch back out. I wouldn't advise doing it on purpose though because it kind of defeats the purpose of the surgery, but you won't necessarily be stuck eating small amounts forever. As to eating foods from other countries it honestly depends on how you tolerate certain foods. For example, I can't eat wheat anymore because I dump. And it's not worth feeling like that. Even the smallest trace amount of wheat in something gives me unbearable nausea for a good hour. Also, moderation is key. When it comes to drinking with food they tell you not to because it makes the food go through you too fast and then you'll be hungry again sooner. Farther out I don't think it'll be a big deal if you drink on a special occasion but that fluid is going to take up space and won't be able to fit as much food.

Long post alert!! SW 212-225 LW 164 CW 185 5’ 2” I was sleeved 10/2017. I lost weight well and fairly quickly. I wasn’t done yet. Then I didn’t follow the rules. I didn’t sit down to meals, I didn’t take my time, I didn’t chew my food- I started inhaling it again, then the slider foods. I’ve never been a really junk foodie but pastas, bread, chocolate, etc. I stopped drinking all the water. I stopped taking vitamins (Lost tons of good muscle mass). Never exercised. I’m on the fence about the stomach stretching thing. At 3 years I can eat a surprising amount but the restriction is definitely still there. I know it is because I still get nauseous if I eat too much. I still feel extreme pain if I eat too much. So much dumping still (no gall bladder). I am food obsessed. I think about it constantly. I google recipes all day long. I eat until I am hurting & in such pain, it’s scary. I don’t stop when I’m full, I only stop when it hurts too much. And as soon as it doesn’t hurt anymore, I eat again. That’s usually within the same hour. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt a hunger pang. I’m sober again and using food as a replacement for alcohol. COVID has me depressed and turning to food. Sheltered in place = solitude, boredom and loneliness. Laziness. Don’t give a sh*t...Excuses, Excuses, Excuses. I have tons of unresolved issues (ya think!!!?) and I was on a great path back to good healing and “something” happened almost 2 years ago and I’ve been derailed ever since. And, as ridiculous as this may sound, I have forgotten how to eat per my VSG. Fat & carbs or no fat, no carbs? Seriously I am so lost about what to eat and what not to eat. (I think thats from Keto, Atkins, WW, Paleo overload...WHAT DO I EAT?) Please don’t berate me for failing. Please don’t tell me to get my butt to therapy. I’m in a program and working through things but my eating is out of control right now and it’s starting to frighten me. Please offer some good suggestions, a solid regimen to follow to get me back on track. I need rules again. Thank you so much and Stay Well Everybody

How are you doing now with weight loss? I’m trying to figure out what I should be doing. I had my surgery on Nov 19 (mini gastric bypass) and I have only lost 9 pounds. I am tracking 500-600 calories... sometimes less. I walk a lot. Not at the stage that I can do more than a lot of walking. Did you find you made changes or did it just start coming off?

I hit my 60kg goal weigh about 6 months after surgery. Since then I have continued to lose even though I’ve increased my caloric intake. I eat larger portion sizes (though still small) & have added snacks. I still avoid breads, pasta, rice & potato. No cakes biscuits, desserts, jams, etc. I just don’t have these foods in my house. I try to eat very much to routine because I still have days I don’t feel hungry and my diet is pretty routine too. I’m 19 months out and am sitting at about 48.5kg this week (about 107lbs) & 48.3 last week. My weight fluctuations are small less than 1kg but the general trend is still down. My surgeon’s team & GP want me to put in weight but I honestly can’t eat more than I do - it’s physically impossible & there’s no more hours in a day. I don’t want to add starchy carbs, sweets, etc. to my diet because I believe they contributed to my weight gain in the past. Mind you I tried some vegan soy pasta last week & it sat like a lump in my tummy which is what mashed potato did when I tried a spoon of that a couple of months ago as a test. So that helps me not to eat it. I believe my continued weight loss is because I’m still in the honeymoon period & my metabolism is going 100 miles an hour. I don’t know what the future will bring & how I will manage my metabolism slowing & appetite returning full time. I’m just going to take it day by day & try to continue to make healthy food choices. I tell myself I’m the one in control of my diet. No one is making me over eat or making me make unhealthy food choices. I do have the odd treat. Last night I had friends over for Christmas drinks. I had 2 half glasses of champagne & about 4 crackers with blue cheese & 2 slices of bresola over about 5 hours. (I also had 1/2 slice of the roast shawarma lamb I made.) The last time I did anything like this was about a month ago & 2 months before that. And I will have a sliver of Christmas cake on Xmas day. You may be able to get down to a lower weight but can you maintain it? You still have to be able to live & enjoy your life while maintaining a weight you are happy with. Finding that balance I think is the key. Good luck.

Yes! My Dr requested to start one 10 days before the Procedure, But I just got done with all my clearance’s from heart Dr, etc. And they scheduled my procedure really quick because of the Covid and I’m self pay. So it only gave me 6 days to prep.

I stopped losing after 4 months and maintained it until COVID and gained 10-12 lbs but have now lost 1/2 of that back. I eat meals perfectly with the right portions and right foods. But I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE am ADDICTED to chocolate and find myself grabbing it still when stressed, anxious, or bored. The struggle is real.

Yup - It will go away. Surgery 08/19 for me and I'll have days where I'm up 2-3 lbs, but then drop 4-5 overnight and seems to stabilize for another 2-3 weeks with losses. It seems that I'm a fairly slow loser, but a loser just the same. Follow your program and you should be fine.

OMG.....I know exactly what you mean about weighing yourself when you get home from the hospital. I was 10 lbs. heavier the day I got home compared to the day of surgery 2 days earlier. And I looked like I was about 7 months pregnant. It took a good week for all the fluid weight to come off. But, I knew they pumped me full of IV fluids while in the hospital!!

So my surgery is scheduled for 12/29 and I'm feeling all the feelings: excited, nervous, concerned etc. But the worst thing is that because of Covid-19 my hospital is reviewing and cancelling/ rescheduling elective surgeries on pretty much a daily basis so that I won't know if I'm actually going to have surgery until xmas. I have 3 more days until my pre-op liquid diet and I'm not looking forward to the possibility that I'll have to stay on that without the surgery well into January if I get bumped. I'm also scared that I might get Covid while I'm there. This is so ridiculously stressful! I should be excited that I'm getting what I worked so hard for. Just gotta keep my fingers crossed I guess. =(

My surgeons nutrition guidelines is probably similar to yours where mashed potatoes aren't allowed until you've lost 70% of excess weight (I've lost just slightly over that at 71%). But every surgeons guidelines are different and many allow mashed potatoes in puree stage. Not the greatest choice imo because it's really filling, but doesn't have much nutritional value. But it tastes good, I agree. However, when you do get off track, and it WILL happen, beating yourself up over it isn't the right way to go about things. The more you beat yourself up the more you stress and the more you may fall back into that bad habit and then start the cycle over again. A better tactic to take is just to get back on track because it's highly unlikely that small instance of indulgence is going to have much of an effect on you weight loss. I'm 10 months out so the very few times I DO indulge myself I try to fit those indulgences into my plan via counting carbs, sugar, sodium, and fat (my plan doesn't count calories) so that every now and then I can fit something like a cookie or a CarbSmart Ice Cream bar in as a snack so that I don't indulge in things that are worse for me like chips or cake or a muffin or a donut (none of which I've had since I started dieting 19 months ago). After surgery I DID notice that I'm even more conscious of my choices as I don't want to be the one that fails this or puts weight back on because I took the surgery route BECAUSE I couldn't do this on my own. I've notices, at least for me, that it's easier to say no. My family eats out a LOT. Like 3-4x a week. They ask me constantly if I want something and 90% of the time I say no. I only say yes if they go to the Mexican restaurant that I like and they get me a mini taco or an enchilada (I eat half) and they only do that once every other week. Though they have gotten a to go order of Chicken Marsala a few times (3x) since my surgery from one of my favorite restaurants and it has steamed veggies ala carrots and zucchini and my Mom gave me some of it (there is a lot and I don't eat much so it worked out lol). For me, the way I eat has to be sustainable. This is the way of eating that I plan to stick with so that I don't put that weight back on. So everything I do I do with the mind that this is permanent. I don't miss fast food because it always made me feel slightly nauseous after eating and made me feel bad about myself so that makes it easier for me to say no. Sticking to the plan isn't always easy. The farther you get out and the closer to your goal weight I think is probably where you will struggle most. For me, Thanksgiving was a day I wanted to indulge and it was only me telling myself 'you came so far and lost so much, don't ruin it' that made me take smaller portions to indulge. I had 1TBS of gravy, 1 TBS of stuffing, 1 TBS of mashed potatoes, and 1/16 of a pumpkin pie (very tiny sliver, but it was delicious). That was my Thanksgiving indulgence and I lost 3 pounds when I weighed myself the following week so not going overboard helped in that I believe. I'm proud of how far I've come and that I'm only 26 pounds from my own personal goal (41 from the doctors goal as they want me to get to 165). You are doing great with you weight loss and use that guilt you felt and think back on it when you get tempted so it'll make it easier to say no or make you even more conscious of what you put in your mouth, but if again, if you do indulge just get back on track and don't beat yourself up too hard.

Don’t know how spicy your shrimps were but a friend had issues with spice to begin. Mashed avocado no problems but add chilli big problems. Something to consider especially as you’re still healing. It could be the carbs from the noodles too. Most plans advise to avoid all bread, pasta & rice & that includes noodles. (Little nutritional value & take up too much space in your tiny tummy.) I tried a small amount of a vegan soya pasta the other night & it sat like a lump in my tummy & I’m 19 months out, 1 yr maintenance. I’m going to stick with my zucchini noodles. Our tummIes are pretty sensitive to begin & often foods we used to be able to eat taste terrible, smell bad or upset us. Go slowly introducing foods again to begin. Stick to your plan guidelines. Your digestive system is not as it was before. Good luck.

I would purchase exercise bands and maybe a big exercise ball. You can google a lot of exercises to do with each. Just start slow even if it feels too easy. then increase your reps by 10% a day until you feel a little sore but no pain. Make sure you do a lot of core. You can modify planks and bridging exercises. Again if it seems too easy just increase the time you hold a position and slowly increase. Be gentle with stretching.