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I had no intention to exercise. Exercise was boring and very painful. After about 2 months and 60+ pounds I felt lighter and wanted to try moving around more. I started walking about more. Went down on the strip, malls, museums, aquariums. Just around and people watching. Eventually we were walking about 8 miles several times a week. But exercise? No way. After about 10 months and 200+ pounds, I just felt like I had and abundance of energy. Almost floating, it seemed. I thought I'd see if I could run. I bought "Idiots guide to running" which had a program to run 30 minutes in 30 days, and managed to complete it. I listened to audio books to pass the time. But exercise? No way. Month 13 and 250+ pounds down, I was still running. Listening to the Dark Tower (7 books), so runs got longer until I was running 90 miles per week. Over the next year I ran 5 marathons. I never did exercise. Exercise is boring and an obligation. I didn't have surgery to live on a diet and do things I never wanted or enjoyed doing. Walking, then running, was a joy. Do you.

I hope it gets better too. It’s after midnight and I’ve had 5 incidents today. Something is wrong. Either meds or maybe my shakes or something. Purées is supposed to be easy and allow the body to heal. it is a little like the flu. I get sweaty on my forehead, I can hear and feel stomach gurgles, sometimes gas but not always and then full body chills. The entire experience is like a roller coaster for my senses. It leaves me drained and weak. I took at anti diarrheal finally and messaged my team. I can’t do this much longer. Day 9 or 10 straight. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Hi fellow October folks - Thought it would be fun to do a roll call and to see our surgery months/twins. I extrapolated as much as I could from our Surgery Thread but if I missed anything....feel free to cut and paste and repost and add your date. Good luck to us all! October 1 - @Panda333 @lingre @Lizzie @JessTucker04 @ypease October 2 October 3 October 4 October 5 October 6 October 7 @MwtRBP @Joyfuljourney @LaLasQuest October 8 @DaisyJane @aurilove @Ng4345 October 9 October 10 October 11 @alyons23 @Little Debbie 77 @Nonnaof4 October 12 October 12 October 14 @ANewHooze October 15 ) @pssk @sferen October 16 October 17 @Sheila62 October 18 @SassyTwin October 19 October 20 October 21 October 22 October 23 @JamieSH October 24 October 25 October 26 October 27 October 28 @Losing for Jack @Cherylmilla October 29 @ @Peggymacb @vanessalongano2 October 30 @Tiffgarcia22 October 31 @stacyguerra @ANewHooze says...I’m excited, scared, it’s getting real real now! Tomorrow is endoscopy. Wish me luck!

"Bariatric Surgery is probably one of the most effective interventions in health care." - Laurie K. Twells, clinical epidemiologist at Memorial University of Newfoundland [2] Are you lurking on these forums debating whether or not you should have surgery? Unsure about making a permanent change to your lifestyle and body, or thinking that since you lost x number of lbs before, you can do it again? Heard about all the horror stories of complications and regain? This was me, one year ago. I want to tell you about the study that changed my mind. This study[1] looked at three groups: 418 patients who sought and underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (surgery group), 417 patients who sought but did not undergo surgery (primarily for insurance reasons) (nonsurgery group 1), and 321 patients who did not seek surgery (nonsurgery group 2). They performed clinical examinations at baseline and at 2 years, 6 years, and 12 years to ascertain the presence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Let me highlight a couple images from their study. These charts graph the amount patients lost as a percentage of total weight (NOT excess weight) at 2, 6, and 12 years relative to their baseline. First, this graph is the individuals who did not seek surgery. This group lost only 0.9% of their total weight 12 years after the study began. Those empty triangles? Those are people who ended up getting bariatric surgery anyways. Lets look at the second group, people tho sought out surgery but couldn't get it. So at least we are aware that this group is invested in losing weight. This group fared slightly better, as patients lost a mean of 2% of their body weight at 12 years out. This excludes patients who got surgery (they lost an average of 10%). Lets look at patients who did get the surgery. Patients lost an average of 26% of their total body weight even after 12 years. I found this difference absolutely remarkable. To reach that average 26% body weight loss without surgery, you would need to be in the top 5-10% of losers. Think about that. I used to see getting the surgery as an admission of my own personal failure at willpower and dieting. But this study makes it clear that the probability of success for non-surgical options is astoundingly low relative to bariatric surgery. Studies [3], [4], [5] reinforce the positive impact on health that bariatric surgery has on patients who choose to go through with it. Reading these helped put my mind at ease. Bariatric surgery is one of the best decisions I could make for my health. I encourage you to skim through the studies to see other benefits I didn't outline here. The NYT[2] article is also a great read for seeing why bariatric surgery is so effective. It distills a lot of the studies into facts that you can use to arm yourself when speaking with family and friends who aren't supportive. Sources: [1] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1700459 [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/well/why-weight-loss-surgery-works-when-diets-dont.html [3] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11695-012-0718-9 [4] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oby.21322 [5] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2546331#Introduction

I'm making progress: HW 194, SW 191, CW 157, BMI 24.7, GW 135. I had an ESG on 6/19 not VSG so my weight loss is not as great (as expected). I find myself not missing food but I tend to eat the same things so I have to work on adding some variety. I can now eat salad and non mushy vegetables. I've had just few "cheats" i.e. bites of hershey chocolate. Now it doesn't taste as good as I remembered. Same goes for bread, rice, etc. Thank goodness!!

I'm thankful I am almost 100lbs down from my highest weight back in Aug 2019. From now on, I'm taking all pics like this!!!

10/14, as well!!!

Hi there. I’m new to Bariatric Pal. Needing a community. I had gastric bypass 2006 top weight 301 current weight 165. My lowest was 138 intentional gained 10 lbs (with doctor’s guidance) bc I was getting very cold. However in 2018 I started playing around with carbs and now paying for it. What I remember was doing no carbs in the beginning. I think maybe the first year. The focus was protein. My belief and still is that the gastric bypass team doctor, surgeon, dietician are my guide. I ask lots of questions and keep food journals. The foods that got me to 301 I had to let go. And they are the foods that caused me the weight gain. Hope this helps some. sylvia

I definitely get how timing comes into play with plastics. My work schedule was the driving factor for my surgery date. I had originally planned plastics 9 months post WLS. Thankfully I wasn't able to arrange the time off work. I ended up dropping 15 lbs below my goal weight. 15 lbs doesn't seem like a lot, but my body changed dramatically. Most dramatically I went from a C cup to an A. Even once my weight stabilized it definitely continued to shift around, I seemed to continue to shrink. When I was able to have my plastics I was 21 month post WLS and had been at a stable weight for 10 months. I am a very impatient person, so I did not want to delay my surgery. But at the end it worked out for the best.

For me personally I had my gastric bypass surgery April 29th 2019 I reached goal before my one year anniversary. I ended up going for plastics in June. My weight was at the lowest that it ever would be, the lowest I’d ever been able to reach actually. It’s still stable I knew going in to expect a range within a few lbs of fluctuations and try to keep it in check due to hormone issues. But I don’t regret jumping in when I did. I saw the opportunity and grabbed it. I’m still in the recovery process wearing Faja. I had a belt lipectomy/butterfly lift with stomach muscle tightening, thigh lift, and augmentation. It helped that my BMI was low.

So, to me, that does seem like it's a bit more than one would expect from an immediate post-op diet. That said, I only have my own experiences from which to speak and if this is the diet that your doctor prescribed, then they may have a reason. For comparison, here is the diet I am on currently (I hit 10 weeks post-op tomorrow), which is not really standard for most programs that I've seen: 2 times a week: Breakfast - 9am - 2 scoops of Celebrate 4-in-1 in 8oz of unsweetened almond milk + 2 tsp Benefiber (185 calories) Lunch - 1pm - 1 scoop of Celebrate 4-in-1 in 8oz of unsweetened almond milk + 2 tsp Benefiber (115 calories) Snack - 4pm - 1 protein bar (18-20g of protein -Think, Pure Protein, or Built Bar) (160-230 calories) Dinner - 7pm - 1 protein bar (18-20g of protein -Think, Pure Protein, or Built Bar) (160-230 calories) 60+ ounces of water (usually Crystal Light) (40 calories if all Crystal Light) 1 time a week: Breakfast - 9am - 2 scoops of Celebrate 4-in-1 in 8oz of unsweetened almond milk + 2 tsp Benefiber (185 calories) Lunch - 1pm - 1 scoop of Celebrate 4-in-1 in 8oz of unsweetened almond milk + 2 tsp Benefiber (115 calories) Snack - 4pm - 1 bottle of Premiere Protein protein water (20g of protein in 16.9 ounces of fluids) (90 calories) Dinner - 7pm - 1 protein bar (18-20g of protein -Think, Pure Protein, or Built Bar) (160-230 calories) 4 times a week: (up from 3x/week as of this week) Breakfast - 9am - 2 scoops of Celebrate 4-in-1 in 8oz of unsweetened almond milk + 2 tsp Benefiber (185 calories) Lunch - 1pm - 1 scoops of Celebrate 4-in-1 in 8oz of unsweetened almond milk + 2 tsp Benefiber (115 calories) Snack - 4pm - 1 protein bar (18-20g of protein -Think, Pure Protein, or Built Bar) (160-230 calories) Dinner - 7pm - 3-4.oz of allowable soft foods (I've had ground chicken, ground turkey, pureed chicken salad made with hummus & greek yogurt, ricotta bake, baked/steamed whitefish, scrambled eggs) (210 - 250 calories) So I think there would be room to make adjustments to your diet plan, as long as you would still be hitting your protein goals, but that is definitely a conversation you would want to have with your doctor. Simply be upfront with them about your concerns about the slow weight loss and ask for guidance on how to make changes to your diet plan to facilitate better results. Some times you have to make those changes to the diet plan in order to keep your body on it's toes!

Hi all! I am having my surgery 10/2. I want to learn from actual DS patients. Any and all advice is welcomed. ❤️

Im assuming this was a typo you mean 1.25 YEARS after surgery...? My own experience (may and will differ from others): I had my plastics surgeries (Tummy tuck/Breast Lift/Arm Lift) 14 months after my sleeve surgery. I would’ve done it earlier, closer to my one year mark, but my preferred surgeon was booked up (I had hit goal at 7 mnths post op). My surgeon did not have a time requirement to being at a stable weight prior to surgery. He did say though that LOSING “alot” of weight would affect the results more than GAINING “alot” weight. He explained that that scar tissue does not stretch as well as regular skin, and is even worse at shrinking. He said I should be prepared for this especially since I tend to scar badly historically (keloid and hypertrophic scarring). His example of “alot” was either losing 10-15 lbs OR gaining 20-30...but these numbers were for MY frame (I was 5’2” and 127 lbs at the time of consult), others with different body types would have different numbers. Anyhoo, fast forward to my surgery and I was 12 lbs less than the date of my consult 6 months earlier...so I guess it was good he was booked up (although I did lose those 12 lbs BEFORE my earlier date I originally wanted, but I digress...) I’ll be 2 years post-sleeve next month, and am 9 months post-plastics today. I am basically still the same weight as plastics surgery day: 115lbs (give or a take a couple lbs, depending on the day). Had been this weight for months before plastics, actually. I am thoroughly happy with my decision. There were people who told me I was rushing it, that to just exercise more and I can firm it up naturally (sounds familiar to my obese days when I was contemplating WLS, lol). But I knew what I wanted and was prepared to take the responsibility to maintain what I worked for...and should I eff it up, am prepared to take the responsibility for that too. Everyone is different, and only YOU know if you are ready to take the plunge or not. But I will say that plastics was a total game changer (at least for me). Would do it all again, in the exact same way in a heartbeat. Good Luck! ❤️ P.S. This may or not be helpful: Even if you do gain or lose weight after plastics (whether you wait 2 months or 2 years), to the point that your results become undesirable, who’s to say you can’t get a revision to correct? Obviously, it would be ideal that one wouldn’t have to, but who says life is always ideal? Do what makes you happy and is in your means and ability to acheive. P.P.S. Sorry this was so long!!

some plastic surgeons actually want you to wait a full year after you've reached your goal weight. Reason being is that a 10-20 lb rebound is unfortunately very common - and even for people who DON'T have a bounce back, things do tend to shift around over time (as in fat redistributing), so some areas might actually look better than they do now over time (I've heard a few people on here say they decided not to do thus-and-so procedure after all because things shifted around and that area actually looked a lot better than it did at first). They also say a gain or loss of more than 10 or 12 lbs can affect your plastic surgery results. So waiting awhile afterward for things to settle out is probably a better option - although there are some folks on here who've had plastic surgery soon after hitting goal, so that's not unheard of... I had plastic surgery three years after hitting goal. I'm glad I did because I've gained 20 lbs since hitting bottom (10 of it I really needed to as I'd gotten too thin - but the last 10, no. Trying to lose it now...). I gained the last 10 after having plastic surgery and my surgeon, at my one-year follow up, told me to do whatever it takes NOT to gain any more weight.

A lot of us were told that, it seems. We're usually given a goal which more-or-less aligns with the "average" weight loss, which for RNY is about 70% of excess weight (more for DS - I think it's 85%, IIRC). According to statistics, only about 10-15% of us make it to a normal BMI, so he's probably being realistic and doesn't want to set you up for disappointment if you don't make it. However, people can and do make it - there are several examples right here on BP. Anyway, long story short, I was told that as well....as were many of us.

I’m 3 weeks out and am on the purée stage. Have followed it to a T and still dump occasionally. Although, for me, it is delayed. Usually in the morn, before my omeprazole or any foods/fluids. I get gurgles, chills and have to hobble quickly to the loo. Sometimes it lasts an hour sometimes 10 mins. I usually end up feeling queasy from the chills. I really hope my body acclimates as it is not something I can easily avoid when I’m back to work.

Thank you! It took 10 days to be ready, but absolutely worth it! The flavor blend is fenugreek, coriander, cumin, paprika and a ton of garlic, so it makes it so delicious. Wish I could send you some!☺

I take about 10 pills, and like you I'm used to just taking a handful at once. I'm 7 weeks post-op, and I'm able to do that now in the last week or so without a problem. So you may get to that point also. Sent from my moto g(6) using BariatricPal mobile app

I take 9-10 pills (meds, but mostly vitamins) daily. I use a pill reminder app, which has been the MOST helpful for me. Because there is a certain time of day I take my thyroid, and certain vitamins have to be taken so many hours apart (and because I'm super forgetful) the app has been a lifesaver. I have a lunchbag that I use as my medicine bag and just take it everywhere with me - literally everywhere. Work, car rides if I'm out shopping and don't know what time I'll be home, wherever. I've allowed myself to become forgetful and eventually fall completely off and stop taking altogether when I don't use a reminder and take my bag with me everywhere, so it works for me.

I'm not sure what you think I lied about - I didn't lie about anything. I went thru the entire program at one hospital, then changed hospitals 3 weeks before surgery. The reason for that is because I found a hospital much closer to my house, and the original surgeon was pushing me to get gastric bypass when I didn't feel that I needed such invasive surgery and was more comfortable with VSG. I only met with the dietician ONCE pre-op and that was 10 days before surgery for 30 minutes, as they were already aware I completed all of this at the first hospital. At the first hospital, Premier Protein was not only approved, but it was also encouraged, so that's what I was drinking. While the new dietician wasn't a fan of PP, she didn't say I COULDN'T have it. My entire pre-op diet, I drank PP without issue. I never went "awall" (it's actually AWOL - absent without leave) as you seem to think. Please don't comment, especially so rudely, when you obviously don't have the facts about my situation and are comfortable making false accusations. If you didn't want to answer my original post, you could've just scrolled by without being so insolent.

My dietitian was pretty adamant about not using Premier Protein shakes. I was given a list of close to 20 brands of protein shakes I could choose from after surgery. Before surgery I was on Optifast for a month. After surgery (the last 10 days) I choose to use some Optifast HP and Pure Protein. There is something in those Premier shakes that dietitians don’t seem to like.

I also don't like room temp/warm protein drinks. it usually takes me about an hour to drink an 11-12oz shake. a hydro flask or yeti or basically any insulted tumbler will keep it cool for at least an hour. I have multiple ones now because I use them so often. a lot of times i put my shake in the freezer for 10-15 min before I pour it in my tumbler.

I average 500-600 calories/day at almost 7 weeks out largely following my surgeon's diet plan- I tend to avoid grain-based carbs where the diet plan includes toast/crackers, and allow myself to cook with low amounts of healthy fats rather than pam only. I'm losing at a little below average pace (15 lbs first month, on track for 10 lbs 2nd month), but that could be due to a number of factors... relatively low starting weight as I'm only 4'11", some struggles with exercise which I'm working to remedy.

Pre-Op/Gastric Sleeve: 10/2013- 248lbs (also skin removal surgery 10/2019 of abdomen & thighs) As of today, 8/12/2020: 103lbs

I am about 10 weeks out and consistently eat 600 kcals per day, and some days up to 800. I get 60-75 G protein per day. Looking at everyone else’s intake, I guess I am eating a lot, but my weight loss is steady and I feel great. I exercise 30-60 minutes per day and typically get 10k steps per day. I have not had any stalls yet.