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I feel like my appetite is getting bigger and my weight loss is slowing down. I gained 3 pounds I’m scared. After a 100 pound weight loss I’m nervous had this happened to anyone. Can anyone guide me?

Wow - What a week I've just had! Due to COVID, we haven't had our yearly work conference with customers since 2019. I've been with my company for 20+ years (and overweight the majority of that time) and haven't seen most of our customers post surgery. This past week was the first one and the reactions I had from co-workers (we work remotely so I haven't seen many of them since 2019 either) and customers was fantastic! I had folks who didn't recognize me at first and others who were just amazed at the transformation. I haven't been shy about how I lost the weight. Hell, I'll tell anyone how and why. I'd like to see the stigma of it gone. I waited so many years because intially I also believed I simply needed will-power to lose weight and keep it off. Like most of us here, I'd lost weight and gained it back plus some for a good part of my life. I tried everything and yup, I was still fat. This week I had several folks who were overweight ask me REAL questions about the surgery and life afterwards. It felt great to be able to explain the pros and cons of it all. I used what I've learned from both my experiences and this site (THANK YOU ALL!) to explain what it's like and how it affects you. Here are some of my thoughts and talking points: If you're an emotional eater, stress eater, or triggered eater, then this may not be the right answer for you. You definitely have to get that under control BEFORE surgery, Of 3 people that had surgery at about the same time, 2 of us have been successful (all sleevers). Another has only lost ~50 lbs. He simply wasn't ready for the changes and has managed to out eat the sleeve with junk food. If you're a social eater (that's ME) who has problems with primarily with portion control, you'll probably be more successful. You have to be prepared mentally for the changes (see bullet point 1). It's a roller coaster. The first few months are overwhelming. Hormones are out of control, you find you can do things you haven't done in ages as the weight loss, people are commenting, and sometimes you feel like your life will never be the same again. Many of us CAN eat anything we want after we heal- Just in smaller portions You will always need to be aware of this and try to make smart choices. I try to be smart about it. If I know I'm going to be tempted by junk food, I try and eat some heavy protein (chicken, beef, fish) FIRST so I really don't have any room left over for the temptation. Other times I just say F-it and eat the chips, crackers, dips, etc. I don't make it a habit, nor do I feel guilty when I do. You CAN out eat the sleeve. Yep, I drink. Sometimes to excess. Most of the time I don't. It's a social thing and I enjoy it. If I were doing to escape, I'd be worried. I get on the scale often. As in daily if I have it with me. This keeps me in check. If I don't, I find myself being far less conscience of what I'm eating or drinking. I know me, and if I don't I'll simply convince myself that the dryer must of shrunk my clothes! I have a 5lb threshold that I adhere to. If I get near that, I go back to tracking immediately so I can't lie to myself. If you're mentally and physically prepared for the restrictions and the lifestyle changes then this really can be the "easy way out" (I am fully aware that for many it is NOT easy so please don't take offense if you're stuggling). I'm one of the lucky ones. This surgery is life-changing in so many ways and I'll stress again, you need to be mentally prepared for those changes. If you're married or in a relationship, be prepared for how this affects your significant other (mine has been very supportive). Be prepared to take a good hard look at yourself and what you want out of this. People treat you differently - even ones you've known forever. I did this 100% for me. Frankly, a lot of it was for vanity and comfort. I was tired of being uncomfortable on a plane and not being able to experience things that had weight limits. I wanted to wear clothes that didn't come from Omar's tent factory. I find myself to be more confident and outgoing. This can be a shock to those around you. People may feel that you've changed (you HAVE). Be aware if you're becoming toxic and critical. Surgery is the right thing for some people, and the wrong thing for others. Don't be judgemental.

Hi all, Really happy to have found this space. This is my first post. I have recently undergone the gastric sleeve procedure and opted to tell only my partner and my parents. I am really struggling today with how isolating that feels - to be going through such a huge life change but to not yet feel ready or able to open up to my closest friends about it. It is so lonely. It means my wonderful partner is bearing the brunt of my not so good days, for which I’m feeling very guilty. I’m also having to make excuses to wiggle out of social invitations from friends which feels uncomfortable. I really feel like having a network of people who understand what I’m going through currently to speak openly with will really help me, so thank you to whoever sees this. I’m not sure why I have such a block about opening up about my choice to have surgery. I suppose I worry what others will think, that there is still some stigma around it, that some believe it to be an “easy way out”. I am fully at peace with my reasons for having the surgery, but fear others just won’t get it. I also know via conversations with my Mum that my Dad was not entirely on board with the idea - he is quite old-school with a sort of “why don’t you just eat better and exercise more” mindset. He never spoke to me directly about his views (perhaps as he knew it would upset me) which has again compounded this sense of not being able to be open about my procedure. Whilst I know I should own my decision and not care what others think, I do hope in time he will understand my reasons as we all want our parents’ approval / blessing. For me it truly was my last hope. I definitely do not want to tell colleagues about the nature of my operation as it feels like a very private thing to me. I want to keep work and my personal life as separate as possible. I was wondering if anyone has experienced similar anxieties about telling their nearest and dearest and how you overcame that? What was the outcome if / when you opened up? How did that feel? Really look forward to hearing your thoughts and thanks again for taking the time to read this :) x

Hi everyone, Pleasure to cyber meet you all. So I got the Single incision sleeve 2/26. My surgeon is in Cali I'm in NY. Today was probably the most pain ive felt. I've also been in pain due to a supposed spasm by my neck that I had for 5 days. Which made it difficult to get up with my head and neck feeling like a bolder. So now I fear I have a Hernia or something. I'm also out of pain meds so can't tell the difference between normal and not normal. The ER told me to take 600 tylnol as they can't really prescribe me anything due to the surgery. Back to today, now my incision sites feel on fire and around the area hurts by my wound looks fine and I got tested for any infections 2 days ago. I'm worried and will be back in the ER in the morning since my surgeon is too far Anyone else experience this? I also been sticking to the post op diet I can drink and eat baby food fine no problems with that and no fever Thank you all.

I’ve only lost between 39-41 in total including pre op. HW 256, SW 244, CW 215-217. I had a stall at 6 weeks and also gained 2 pds. I went from 215 to 217. Since then I have been losing and gaining the same 2 pounds. I do get my protein in but struggle with water intake. I average about 50 oz a day. My dr put my calories at 800-1000 a day, protein at above 80. Nut told me not to be concerned about fat or carbs at this point. I just started to work out so no muscle gain at this point. I am very frustrated. Anyone have a similar issue or any advice to give ?????

Hey there everyone. New here, but I figure you all have more wisdom than I do. I am having such a hard time! I am currently sitting in the 170's. Usually around 172-174. I am 5'5", and an athletic build. For instance, I wear a size 6 sometimes a size 4. I started out my weight loss journey at 280, but my SW was 241. I workout often, and eat around 1200 calories a day, but for some strange reason I have literally not moved in over 2 months. I forget how long now, but basically since October when I hit the 170's. Im feeling very frustrated. I don't know what to do differently. I track, I drink my water, I do weight lifting, I follow my plan that my nutritionist gave me. (most days). And yet, nothing. Is it possible my body is at my set weight? I still feel like I have a lot to lose. I have a lot of loose skin, but I definitely have at least 20 lbs of fat left to lose. I don't know how I could do things any differently. Im thinking of trying Intermittent fasting, or maybe Keto. or both. But I just don't know. I am at a loss. Do you guys have any advice? I can't afford to reach out to my NUT right now, (I don't have one with a program, I have to pay out of pocket), so I am following her getting back on track program, which is high protein low carb. But even that isn't making the scale budge.

Hello everyone, I see as I read all of the recent postings that you all are pretty new to this new life you now have, but I would love to help anyone who needs advise on anything about whatever is on your minds. I had my surgery on march 28 th 2011. I was 422 pounds and today I am 119 pounds at 5 ft 7 tall. And since then I have not found a love in my life as most do not understand all of the things that comes with the new you. Anyone also having this problem? My name is Athena

I’m currently 10 months post op. I was sleeved March 12, 2021 at 200 lbs. I’m 5’3 and weigh 149 currently. These last two months have been the slowest months for me. Like 3-5 lbs per month. I know, it’s Heart breaking 😒. What I’ve realized is because I’m smaller, my body requires less calories to lose, so I googled a calorie calculator and I have to eat 680 CALORIES TO KEEP LOSING. That’s insane!! I would starve every single day and be miserable, but my goal weight is 110-120. Has anyone else gotten to my weight and dealt with the struggle of trying to continue to lose weight on such low calories? How did that work for you? I’m currently trying to substitute meals with tea, so I can manage 680 calories. I guess it’s working lol.

My first 9 days post surgery were quite traumatising. I was not ready for the sleep depravation and symptoms of a swelling in my new stomach. I had constant foamies, all day and night for 9 days. I was honking foam like a over powdered washing machine. I have been unable to take my medicines and vitamins In a fashion all I have managed to eat/ drink is squash, broth and coffee [ I am allowed] Day 10 arrives and I feel better. I tried some well pureed ramen broth with chicken and vegetables and later that day a banana milkshake with peanut butter added. I am allowed to drink milk instead of protein shakes, just adding extra dried milk powder and to it. Protein shakes are expensive in the Uk and unless I have to I will stay on milk. I need to work on getting a breakfast into my regime. At the moment it may be another milkshake but its getting my liquid content up too. I feel like I am a week behind my peers. So I will do a week of these liquids before moving to the next staging post. I have no hunger and get full signals on so little liquid, About 4 oz. Should I continue with the soup/ milkshake at a later time ? Or call it eating over Any help gratefully received

I am 10 days post op, down 22 lbs and doing great---pain gone after 5 days and actually enjoying the diet. Have been really dizzy last few days, was thinking it was dehydration, but dr thinks blood pressure may be dropping and with weigh dropping fast, may be causing issues. Anyone experiencing this?