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Eight pounds away from healthy BMI is tremendous! Well done. You must be really happy with your results. I'm working on getting to your starting weight, since I'm 199 pounds now, and I still have 40 pounds or so to lose to reach a healthy BMI. My weight loss is slowing down too, as I've only lost a little more than one kilo so far this month or 2.4 pounds. I was hoping to continue to lose 3-4 pounds a month, so that I would have a chance to reach a healthy BMI this year, but it may not happen. Still, I'm exactly at BMI 30.0 now, so I will soon be in the "overweight" category and not obese, which is something.

Hello all. I'm new to the group. I had my surgery 16 months ago. My surgeon is starting to push for me to start weight loss medication. My insurance will not cover any revision surgery. What arw your thoughts? Sent from my SM-G991U using BariatricPal mobile app

Honestly, the thing that keeps me here is that I never, ever want to be morbidly obese again. NEVER! Everything is so much better now! I don't know that I'd say it's necessarily difficult, but I know I will have to monitor my weight and my eating for the rest of my life so the pounds don't creep up.

I think the victories continue but in different areas. You may now have the mental space to focus on other things besides weight loss and that itself can be liberating. I’ve seen some amazing posts where people are climbing literal mountains, changing careers, running marathons, having children, traveling, beginning or finishing school, becoming novice mechanics (me), starting to date, ending suboptimal marriages, buying homes, etc. The new victories are countless. Congratulations and Good luck ❤️

Not really. The only thing that's sometimes difficult to manage now and then are the "I'm feeling fat" days. However, I don't believe in an "old me" and "new me". Of course we all change and evolve as time goes by (or hopefully we do) but the distinction between an "old me" (usually the fat one with all the undesirable and bad attributes) and the "new me" (usually the now thin, "good" one) can IMO be problematic if not to say quite toxic. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "transition" so I can't say anything in regards to this. Regarding the focus and motivation: why would you need that? After reaching a normal BMI you most likely have already settled into a lifestyle that enables you to maintain your weight (and hopefully health) and there should be no need to have to keep any special focus or motivation. That's something you need when you're white-knuckling something. The slight vigilance you might most likely need to maintain your weight (and I personally know practically no one who doesn't need that past a certain age so I don't consider it something "WLS-specific", mind you) should not be something that drains your energy significantly. If it does, maybe have an honest talk with yourself why that is. The feeling of "being thin" though has in fact the potential to vanish into thin air. That's when the "I'm having a fat day" can settle in. As I said that's something I tend to struggle with.

I'm at goal now and reveling in the compliments, the stellar labs, the fashionable clothes, and all the benefits that come with dramatic weight loss. I know, of course, that will all die down as this "new me" becomes the "new normal." People will just expect that I'm no longer fat. I'll get used to being a smaller size. Life will be about maintenance with fewer "victories." Those of you who have been in maintenance for awhile, how did you handle the transition? What keeps you focused and motivated when you no longer have the external validation? Have you found it to be difficult?

Ah now that’s a complicated question & there is no definitive answer. There’ll be those who tell you sleeve is the best or bypass is the way to go, etc. The thing to remember is that was the surgery that was best for them. And yes there’ll be those who say they wished they’d chosen another surgery. There are some issues that can make one surgery a much better option over another. For example if you have pre existing reflux/gerd sleeve is not for you or you have a lot of weight to lose bypass may be a better choice. There are other pre existing conditions that may need to be taken into consideration too. As well as factors like your weight loss & gain history, lifestyle, eating style & preferences, etc. Best advice is to do lots of reading & gather information like this yourself & then have a long conversation with your surgeon & see what they recommend based on your medical status, general health & with consideration of the factors mentioned above & then make your decision. As for the long term effects of, I presume maintaining your weight, it really comes down to you. The changes you’re willing to make to your eating, how compliant you are in the long term with your new way of eating, the activity you choose to add to your lifestyle, etc. The surgery is a tool & it’s success depends on how you use it & the sustainability of the changes you make. My surgeon recommended a sleeve after going through everything with me & answering my questions. I was leaning that way anyway as I didn’t want as major a change as with bypass. My weight had only become a serious obese issue with menopause before that I bounced between a BMI of 23 healthy & 29 overweight). I had some existing food sensitivities. I dislike taking medications. Didn’t have any co morbidities - my general health was good. Was fairly controlled about a lot of my eating & was aware of food choices, portion sizes, etc. Didn’t want the increased possibility of dumping (already had random episodes of hypoglycaemia) or absorption issues (especially calcium & iron as a menopausal woman). And yes, it was the right choice for me & my situation & needs. I lost all my weight & more. I’m only 3.75yrs out but have pretty much maintained my weight except for a very fast 2kg (4lbs) gain after my gall was removed in June 2021 which reduced my absorption of protein (so made a dietary change) & we also recently discovered my HRT. I had lost about 0.5kg of the 2kgs over almost a year but since I went on a HRT patch 3 months ago I’ve lost a kg without trying (Damn hormones - or lack of in my case.) Will be interesting to see if the last 0.5kg goes too & I end up where I was at 49kg. That’s my story anyway. All the best whichever surgery you choose.

I was going to say the same thing - it sounds like the infamous "three week stall" (most of us have our first major stall within the first month or so after surgery - it's usually the third week (hence the name), but not always. Sometimes it's the second or fourth week (and occasionally even a little later). The best thing to do is make sure you're following your plan to a "T", and stay off the scale for a few days if you have to. Stalls usually last 1-3 weeks, although occasionally they'll last a little longer. But it WILL break as long as you stick to your plan. as far as exercising, you might want to check with your clinic for their recommendations. I was allowed to walk (and ENCOURAGED to walk) right away. I was cleared to do most other exercise ( other than weights) at about a month out. I was able to do weights at eight weeks out, I think.

Welcome! Its interesting that you say there may be a corallation between TBI and weight gain. My son in law was always slim until he fell and had a severe head injury. He gained a huge amount of weight and developed diabetes because of it. We just thought it was because he wasnt able to be as active and because he sleep eats in the middle of the night. He is also looking into WLS. Good luck to you. I hope you get to have your surgery soon. I am also just waiting for my Echo and my EGD and hopefully will have a date too.

Your body is adjusting, just follow your plan and it will pass. There is an iconic "3 week stall" which you seem to be right around there. Around 3 weeks post-op a lot of people hit a stall. Basically staying at the same weight for a little bit, just still to your plan and it will pass.

Hi, I would like to know if it's Ok that I've been on my same weight for the past 4 days. I lost 21lbs (I was Oped with 239), yet I'm stuck. In fact, my food portions (as assigned by the nutricionist) sometimes are way too much and I can't eat it completely. Ive had some issues with my liquids (since they don't feel good when I take them). What should I do? Is it ok? Should I exercise since now? Help please

Hello everyone, today it has been 7 weeks since I got my surgery (was November 30th.) Since then I have lost 30 lbs. 54 lbs total from the pre surgery weight that I lost. My bmi was 42 now it is down to 32. Half way to my goal weight! Started at 241. Am now 187 goal weight 135!

Has a doctor ever ordered a glucose tolerance test for you? I have PCOS but with mostly normal ovaries. I was diagnosed by a progressive endocrinologist based on my GTT and other symptoms. My insulin resistance was the cause of much of my inability to lose weight. After I was put on metformin, I was able to lose weight (but, obv, not able to keep it off long term). I saw numerous doctors who told me, "just stop eating so much", until I finally landed on the endocrinologist who was willing to listen. Good luck.

What you are describing sounds like a high androgen level....."High androgen levels lead to symptoms such as body hair growth, acne, irregular periods -- and weight gain."

Hi everyone, I had my Gastric Lap Band done 17 years ago. I lost 60kilos over the first 2 years. I fluctuated between putting on 6 kilos and losing it again over the 17 years. ATM I am under my goal weight. I’ve been quite ill for some months. Severe reflux, stomach pain, nausea, back pain, no appetite, night vomiting, (into my airway) night coughing and general feeling unwell. I underwent an endoscopy yesterday, it was suggested my band has slipped? And the band is very tight. I have not had an adjustment or seen a surgeon about my banding in over 8 years. Th Dr performing the Endoscopy is recommending my Dr refer me to to a Gatric banding specialist ASAP. His suggestion was, they may have to remove the band? I don’t see the Dr for a week, then there is the wait to see a specialist, and then????? That’s all a long wait while I feel so ill. Anyway my question is. If I have to have my lap band removed. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DAMAGE. Can they replace it immediately with mother Lap Band. I m 68 years old and don’t want a Major surgery of Gastric Sleeve.

I have been lurking for a couple of weeks and finally joined today. I have gotten a tentative approval for VSG. Final approval is dependent on heart health clearance via results of echocardiogram, which is scheduled mid-February. Hopefully, I can set up my surgery in March. I view Gastric Sleeve and all bariatric procedures, as tools to help, not as a sure fix....it is not the easy way out as some would claim! I have been severely hypothyroid since I was 20 years old after having most of my thyroid removed because of Graves' Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroid). Although, I take thyroid replacement, synthetic drugs do not work as well as your own natural hormones. For the past 40 years, my weight issues have been cyclical "hills and valleys". I would normally stay slim about 12 years and then would go into a gaining pattern but never topping more than 163, lasting 6 to 7 years before dropping the excess weight again. In 2012, I suffered a head injury and my weight exploded. I went from 117 to 212 in 8 months! The medical community is now starting to study the relationship of TBI's (traumatic brain injury) and weight gain. I can relate a definitive change in my food cravings and appetite. This time, I couldn't get the weight off even though I had a history of successful dieting. My resolve was as strong as ever but something had changed with the head injury. What this proves is the path to losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is rockier and steeper for some than others through no fault of their own. The adverse changes to my health was the catalyst that motivated me to look into VSG. I recently had to start on HBP meds and have a been experiencing knee issues. I have always enjoyed an active lifestyle but the extra weight has elevated my fears of a stroke or heart attack due to heart palpitations and shortness of breath with even the slightest exertion. I am certain I will be asking lots of questions and am grateful for such a knowledgeable and supportive group.

At 12 weeks I had lost 36lbs from surgery, 56 from highest. At 1 year I was down 80lbs from surgery, 100lbs from highest. I reached goal (114lbs lost) at 14 months. I think this is HIGHLY variable depending on start weight, how much total weight you want to lose, metabolism, etc etc etc. It might be a helpful anecdote, but probably not something to take as fact.

There is usually a honeymoon period after WLS, and if you don't take advantage of that time, and instead, purposely try to slow down your weightloss when you are still benefiting from it, it may be very difficult to get the maximum advantage of your surgery and/or get to goal weight in the future.

I lost 53 pounds in the first 12 weeks and an additional 68 pounds for a total of 121 pounds the first year (not counting the weight I lost before my surgery). The second year I lost another 26 pounds. Then this year I gained back some weight and am up about 13 pounds from my lowest weight (but this is common to gain back in your third year).

I highly recommend this video (which another very kind member shared a little while ago) which may help with your question. The thing about weight loss is there is a lot of averages & the stats you mentioned are an example. There are averages for how much weight you’ll lose, how long it will take, how fast or slow you’ll lose, etc. They’re averages because there are so many factors which influence those stats: age, gender, starting weight, weight loss before surgery, weight loss & gain history, health issues, medications, your new set point, how closely you follow your plan, the lifestyle changes you implement (food choices, activity, …) & so on. As with all averages some will exceed them others won’t reach them. What averages give you are an idea of what might happen. Not a rule but a guideline of what might happen. I’m one of those who exceeded the average. At 12 weeks from surgery I’d lost about 15kg. I’d lost 31kg (including the 5kg pre surgery so about the double amount & got me to my goal) at 6 months. At 12 months I’d lost a total of about 41kgs (not intentionally but it was where my body wanted to be - my new set point). I bounced around there for another couple of months before settling about another kilo lighter (total 42.5kg lost). This was my experience.

I've heard that as a rule of thumb, but it's not true for everyone. I'd lost 40 lbs at 12 weeks, and 129 lbs at the year mark (so in other words, an addition 89 lbs). and no, I wasn't done losing at the year mark, but my weight loss was pretty slow after that mark. I didn't quit losing until I was 20 months out.

I heard that the weight lost from surgery day to the 12 week mark is most commonly half of what the patient will lose total by their 1 year mark? For example, if I've lost 30 pounds by my 12 week weigh-in, I will only lose another 30 by my 1 year surgery anniversary. For a total of 60 pounds lost in the first year post-op. How true is this for you guys? Are most of you done losing around the 1 year mark? I know everyone is different and each situation is unique. I'm just wondering out of curiosity. Sent from my SM-S115DL using BariatricPal mobile app

I’ve definitely deflated but the leftover skin still takes up an additional cup size than when my weight was here last time.

I've gone from a DDD at 295lbs to a C at 163lbs. They overspill a tiny bit but I assume they'll still fit on a C at my goal weight. Based on your current propositions I'd say you'd probably be left w some size at your goal weight!

Sleeved on Sept 1, 2022. Weight160, lost over 40 pounds. I did not like having bigger boobs when I was 200+. I kind of gain weight all over and am losing the same way. So glad the big boobs are going away! I want to lose about 30 more pounds and hopefully I will be a B cup or at least no larger than a C.