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My husband and I are on this weight loss surgery journey together. We have completed all our pre-op requirements, and now are just waiting. We will both be having the gastric bypass and are hoping for a 100 lb loss each. I have requested to have our surgeries same day or within days of each other - our adult children have agreed to help us out for awhile. I'm excited to finally post here after reading everyone else's news & questions. I've been gathering information, gadgets and containers in anticipation of our new lifestyle. We already have made big changes and lost some weight. So good luck to Mike & I, as well as, all of you 😀

Hello again, I just wanted to know if anyone with pcos and has have/had hirsutism how did/does it look did you have less hair on you body by a lot or just a little or what was your result of your hirsutism after gastric bypass?

Hi all. So I had my revision 4 days ago. A 45 -50 pound weight loss would be perfect but I am terrified of regain. I am so afraid I'll gain again. Is anyone out years from surgery and maintaining??

So Lizzie, I’m picking that you have been accepted for surgery and have a date in April? Me too! Part of the process I have been through is seeing both a dietician and a psych, and will have this support after the surgery? Do you have this support? If not then you need to take steps to put it in place so that you can talk through your issues with a qualified psych and not have to roll with all the (undoubtedly well meaning) judgement on a public forum. I don’t think that you will ‘get turned round for BMI under 30’ at the surgery stage if you have been approved and accepted. That would be really unethical of the surgeon if that is really on the cards. Regarding the liver shrinking diet I don’t think that this is negotiable, (you say you’d ‘like’ to do it…I’m confused about the process you are following). If your surgeon has told you to do it, then do it as prescribed and the weight loss that goes with it is coincidental, you are doing it to make the surgery easier not actually for weight loss at this stage. I’m also picking from what you say that losing weight isn’t an issue but keeping the weight off is? Is that right? In which case yes surgery is absolutely the right approach for a chance at a permanent solution to get off the diet merry go round of yo yo weight loss and gain, if that is what you want. You say you feel that you need to indulge in unhealthy eating to keep your weight above 30 BMI? My advice would be that if you have been accepted for surgery, and you have talked to your support crew (psych and dietician) and surgeon about your dilemma, and got some constructive advice, then stop jumping on the scales for the next few weeks, eat healthily, like really healthily, include some healthy carbs, eat real food, then just stick to the liver shrinking diet for the amount of time your surgeon requires pre op and stop stressing. Focus on your health not your BMI at this stage. Keep doing healthy exercise, be as fit and active as you can be before surgery. Follow the plan from your surgeon and dietician exactly as they say, and know your own mind. I think that you need to be very sure of your reasons for doing this very permanent, crazy thing to your body. If when you have done all the research you can you feel that this is the best and only way forward to get to a healthy BMI for the rest of your life, then go you!! If however you still think that you can lose the weight….and more importantly keep it off through diet and exercise then maybe that would be the healthier option, both physically and mentally, for you.

Hello everyone I am a post op for lap band on Jan 20 of this year liquid diet 2 weeks then I was getting hungry more often and my portions were bigger I lost 19 lbs so far but I haven't lost anymore and haven't gained I had my first fill yesterday my doctor filled it up to 5cc then told me to drink water as I felt alot of pressure drinking it he kept taking some saline out till about 2.5cc I was ok. Now I could drink water like nothing I don't feel much restriction I am starving and could eat a horse however my Dr told me to go back to a liquid diet for 1 to 2 weeks? Uhhhhh like the eff? How long do I have to wait for yet another fill? Is there a certain time frame? I don't have any motivation so yet another clear stupid liquid diet for 2 weeks I've lost more hair then weight 😂 I need some advice oh and I've read many times the fills don't go in affect for couple of days? I'm confused

Hello everyone I am a post op for lap band on Jan 20 of this year liquid diet 2 weeks then I was getting hungry more often and my portions were bigger I lost 19 lbs so far but I haven't lost anymore and haven't gained I had my first fill yesterday my doctor filled it up to 5cc then told me to drink water as I felt alot of pressure drinking it he kept taking some saline out till about 2.5cc I was ok. Now I could drink water like nothing I don't feel much restriction I am starving and could eat a horse however my Dr told me to go back to a liquid diet for 1 to 2 weeks? Uhhhhh like the eff? How long do I have to wait for yet another fill? Is there a certain time frame? I don't have any motivation so yet another clear stupid liquid diet for 2 weeks I've lost more hair then weight 😂 I need some advice oh and I've read many times the fills don't go in affect for couple of days? I'm confused

the band surgery is rarely done any more - the VSG (sleeve) has largely replaced it as the non-RNY weight loss option. I think there's a specific thread for band patients in here - you might want to post over there as more lapband patients might see it. Sorry you're having these issues - that sounds awful! yes - I just checked, and there are band forums on here. Here they are: https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/4-lap-band-surgery-forums/

My BMI was 35 on the dot. But what BMI doesn't tell you is trend. In the last two years it had gone from 30, and in two years time it would have been at 40. A lifetime of somewhat successful weight loss and control had ended and I found I was simply unable to do it anymore. For whatever reason - I still couldn't tell you but I kept starting diets and periods of control that lasted 4 days at the most. My BMI has dropped under 30 now, 5 weeks post op. I'd also say two further things: 1. There's little in life more unhealthy than obesity. 2. The surgery is, on average, hugely less serious if you have a lower BMI, are younger and in better health/no comorbidities. That's me basically and I recovered very well with no issues at all, no food intolerances or anything. Wait 10 years, wait until your BMI is 10 points higher and you have diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension and WLS is no longer a joke.

It's unbelievable how many of us have had the same experience. Glad your stall has ended. Your stats are so similar to mine - identical weight loss actually. Race you!

Hi everyone, just checking in. I hope you're all doing well. I am loving my new life, loving my sleeve, and not really experiencing any downsides. Am losing pretty much 2-3lbs a week over the last couple of months after a period of big losses at the start. As long as that keeps up I will be super happy. And it's amazing how it all adds up. Seems no time at all since we were all here with our knees knocking worrying about what life would be on the other side of a sleeve. Turns out it's pretty sweet. I hope you're all feeling good.

Over the last maybe 6 weeks, though, I’ve lost nothing. OK - are you panicking and thinking - oh well, if I'm not losing weight whilst sticking to my plan, I might as well buy crisps and chocolate and SCREW THE PLAN - IT ISN'T WORKING ANY MORE!? That's happened during pretty much every diet I've ever done - all fab while the weight is coming off, but total catastrophe and throwing my toys out of the pram, when it stops. If there's a bit of this going on inside your head then maybe you need to work on that. How rationally you can talk yourself through it I don't know - there may well be a place for a discussion with a therapist if you can find someone suitable. It may be that you are approaching your new set weight - not all of us make it below a BMI of 25 after WLS. If so, you might be entering your maintenance phase. And it's perfectly OK to experiment with different foods - even chocolate and crisps - as long as you make allowance for that. I don't know whether you track food or calorie count, but it might be worth having a think about it if you don't. I’m worried about my portion sizes going back to normal and gaining all the weight back You will absolutely not do that if you're sticking to the plan you were given by your surgeon. If you start with protein and then have your veg you shouldn't gain significant amounts of weight. If you start with crisps and chocolate then you very well might. So don't start with crisps and chocolate if at all possible - use that tool you went to so much trouble to get. You have done so very well with this surgery, this tool - you've clearly made the most of it over the last 9 months. I think from reading here lots of people experience significant stalls, I can see that it's really worrying when you do, but lots of people come through those too and lose more weight, so you might be about to do that. You'll have read advice here about switching things up - increase protein, increase exercise or try building muscle as opposed to pure cardio, etc. I think your loss is amazing and an inspiration. If you can embrace that and be kind to yourself then you'll be absolutely fine.

I’m 3.5 years out. Started at 235 lbs. I’m a 5’2” 50 yr old female. I stayed “on plan” (note: MY plan NOT my NUT’s) which was low cal (<800 cals), ultra-low carb (< 20g Net Carbs) throughout weight-loss phase. I got to goal (127 lbs) around 7 months post-op and have stayed below goal ever since...almost 3 years. This morning i clocked in at 118.7 lbs I no longer eat to any “plan” other than to try to stay under 2000 cals a day. I am about 90% successful sticking to this. I eat basically anything just not at pre-op levels…think like 1 to 1.5 cups at a time. And this includes desserts, low-nutritional snacks, fried foods, alcohol and lotsa butter, lol. I also eat my fair share of salads, so it’s all good. Bread, rice, pasta and potatoes are not regular foods for me, but only because these things sit heavily in my stomach and gets me super full super fast. Plus, I just don’t really crave them all that much. you will find out what foods will work within your lifestyle as you progress. Good Luck! ❤️ P.S. I ate pork and red meat (and all things carnivore) now, and even during weight loss phase…they never went off the table for me.

I'm having my operation at the Spire hospital Bristol. You're right they do give you lots to read [emoji1787][emoji23]. My emotions are all over the place at mo. Do we still have to isolate for a fortnight before the op or has that changed? I've been gardening all day to keep myself busy. You could put together a pamper box in readiness for after surgery ( face masks, bubble bath, bath bombs, hair mask, magazines etc). You could get a notebook and the first page could be a photograph of you now and list around it all the reasons why you want to lose weight. Second page could be your hopes and dreams for the new slim you. Third page could be a weightloss chart, fourth a no scale victory page etc etc. Just a few ideas to keep you smiling [emoji4]. X Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Are you tracking everything you eat and drink on an app like My Fitness Pal? I had a lap band for about 7 years and I did lose weight, but not all that I wanted to. So it was successful to some extent. On my post op journey while reading forums here, it was frustrating to see others who had RNY, DS or Sleeve losing weight faster than me. Lap band definitely offers slower weight loss results than the other surgeries. So I understand how you're feeling. While we spend months trying to get the perfect restriction (green zone) the other folks who have RNY, DS, Sleeve, and I don't want to leave out the MGB this time (for @MiniGastricBypassDude 😂 Sorry I left your surgery out up there ^ 😂) folks that had these surgeries were losing weight from day one. It's just harder for banders, we really in some ways have to work harder because we have more time from post op with less restriction. So hang in there, exercise if you can and track your food and make good food choices, optimize your protein. Best wishes!

I have so many things I would like to change , its a mixture of things I need to do or reward myself with: Sort my hair, changes glasses, get decent underwear and get clothes that fit! In terms of activities, anything really! I ve been doing day trips lately. Would like to go to the beach soon...But ultimately would like to socialise more.

I had a lower BMI I was told by many people “ your not fat enough to have WLS@ well I fought my weight for years now I’m at my lowest since I was 24 years old! The weight loss surgery is very successful with people with lower BMI (VSG) best choice I ever made I’ve lost 46 lbs. since my surgery 12/14/21 wish I did it a long time ago! I love not eating much it’s great! I felt same way wondered if I’d loose to much pre op I did put some on wish I’d not thought that way I’d be lower now then I am! It was a mental struggle for a few weeks follow surgeon and don’t follow your own plan there the pro’s ! I finely feel I will be done with my weight for life!

Thank you so much! I think some of my pain is gas pain. I try to walk to help release it. I’ve tried to drink a little bit of a protein shake but after 3 sips I just felt like I couldn’t hold anything more down without gagging. I’m really scared about hair loss/thinning if I don’t drink enough protein. I will def mix in some warm fluids too!

NJ, I'm in an earlier stage but I know I'll be where you are now down the line because I always read that plateaus (and slowed weight loss) are an inevitable, normal, and healthy part of the process. Wow, you've lost 93 pounds and are feeling great!? That's AWESOME!!!!! Maybe take some time to care for yourself, focus on and enjoy what you've accomplished. I'm taking an online workshop called "The Hunger Within" that focuses on the psychological aspects of eating and food choices. Maybe you would benefit from that course or something similar; I can't package it into a quick takeaway but it helped me notice that I often take either a strict or rebellious route with life's chicken vs. chocolate decisions, and that it would help me to develop and listen to a kinder and more rational voice that says something like "chicken and sometimes the little piece of chocolate." (I'm a vegetarian, so it's not chicken for me, but you get the idea...😊) If you are able to check in with your nutritionist, they'd probably have advice and be able to reassure you that you are on track! You are totally in control and you've got this!

Congratulations 👏🎉👏. How did your weight loss progress? Roughly constant or much quicker in the first couple months?

I didn't have a revision, but when I was doing the research on my surgery I ran across a few peoples posts about how they revised to the DS and their weight loss. I remember one lady was in the 350's prior to her original surgery (gastric bypass) and got down to the 190's but then gained all her weight back and so had a revision to the DS and went from the 350's down to the 180's (she got to 170's after skin removal). I was actually considering the gastric bypass surgery at the time and I just kept thinking 'what if it fails' I didn't want to go through another surgery so I chose the Loop DS as my main surgery and it's worked great for me so far. I figure by the revision comments that I had stumbled on in my research before my surgery choice that your weight loss will probably be about the same, maybe slightly less than it would be with a fresh surgery but you'll probably still likely lose 70+% of excess weight. Just might be a tiny bit slower than a first time surgery.

Hi everyone. I’m new here- got my lap band on Sept 1. I lost 8 lbs leading up to surgery and then another 12 in about a month and a half… but then the loss stopped and I gained 5 back. I just had my third fill and my doc wants me back in a month to make sure I’m in the green zone. Its been six months and I feel like I’m never going to lose this weight. Virtual hugs accepted 🤗👍💕🙏🏽

So, I am scheduled for my rny revision on March 21st. Had my pre-op today. It's going to be out patient, a simpler procedure than my original bypass. Still have to do the modified liquid diet pre-op for 14 days: 2 meals protein drinks, 1 light meal (3 oz lean meat, 1 cup veggies) or another protein drink. Have to get pre-op testing... bloodwork and an ekg. I'm excited and ready for the 21st to be here! I quit smoking two weeks ago as part of my surgeons requirements. I am making the changes needed to make the most of this. I know weight loss will be slower, but I'm also in a better place to stick to the plan. My revision is not due to regain, just a boost to get to goal and to help with digestive and slow motility issues. Original surgery was over 21 years ago,I starting weight was 475. I lost 100lbs down to 275 gained some weight when I got pregnant but then lost that regain, and kept it off. Last 17 years I've bounced between 245 and 275. Due to medical/digestive issues, I go through periods where I can barely eat and then go back to maintenance diet. This surgery is not only to help me get to a goal of 175ish but also to help settle the digestive issues. Any other revisions going on this month?

My weight has “gone up” several times now since having had my surgery 5months ago. In fact this is the weirdest weight loss experience I’ve ever had in terms of predictability. It’s happened four times now where I get on the scale and “suddenly have lost” 5lbs “overnight”. Then two days later I’ll “gain 3lbs” that will remain stubborn for a week. Then after that week I’ll lose 4lbs within 4 days. Then “plateau” again for a couple days. Some days I’ll lose 1lb a day. Other days I’ve stalled for up to 4 weeks. My highest “gain” was 8lbs, which I “lost”within 3 days. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to any of this. I follow my diet very very consistently. I could exercise more but I do move around a lot naturally due to where I live. My nut and doctor both agree it’s perfectly okay as long as the overall direction of the scale is to go down. I’m 5months post op and have lost 90lbs so (despite it still being super hard) I remind myself not to stress out over it. When the scale is giving me too much a headache I just stop stepping on it for some time. All that to say: dont stress out! You’re most likely doing everything perfect and your body is working hard! Good luck!

UPDATE: So I had my meeting with my dietician this morning. She said based on the log I provided her from the Baritastic app for the last two months she did NOT see that I was eating anything that I shouldn't or in quantities that I shouldn't. She still seems to think I was/am still being a little inconsistent when it comes to protein. She said that based on a few missing days and some days where it may have been lower. But I tried to tell her overall, I think I HAVE been pretty consistent regardless of those few days/logs. Anyway, she said at one time the 800 calories a day was probably good enough for me but now that I'm working out more regularly that maybe now I should up my calories and protein. Calories to around 1000 to 1100 and protein more than 80/90. I feel like she's guessing, in a way, on what could be wrong too because of the fact that she said she does not see anywhere in my food logs or workout routine where I'm doing anything wrong. She also mentioned body composition. She said maybe I have actually gained more lean muscle over fat and whatnot and that I should pay more attention to that. I told her I DO have a scale like that and, even though I weigh regularly, I DO NOT log the actual weigh ins unless there is a loss so I can't or haven't seen if there has indeed been a change because it doesn't log it on the app unless I allow it to. So, I need to start logging those slight gains too in order to MAYBE get a better idea of what is going on. My husband and I were talking last night and we still think that my cut in Metformin dose still may be playing a part in this long stall. I had my dose cut in September and October was my last real loss. Also the last time my period was normal. So, I brought that up to her and she doesn't seem to think that's the reason. She said it was right that my dose was cut because my sugars have been improving and warranted it. Like the doc said, she also said the weight loss itself could be causing the irregularity in period and stall. That there is no way to know for sure if it's due to the weight loss in general or the Metformin. But I don't know. Just awfully funny that it was cut down and suddenly I stop losing weight and my period has been jacked since too. Anyway, I think I'm gonna go back to my old dose for the next few weeks and see if anything changes. If it does I will then discuss that with my family doc who I see in two weeks. Because, if the scale starts moving again, then just maybe I need to go back on it for now. I know my goal and point of having the surgery was to GET OFF this medicine but who knows. Maybe I still need it for now. I still feel so confused. She said she understood but that I DO seem to be doing everything right and that I should stay the course. Anyway, that's that.

This isn't unheard of. As long as you follow the plan (otherwise, different issue), you're probably due for a big loss soon