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a lot of plastic surgeons want you to be at a stable weight for 6-12 months before getting plastic surgery. Reason being is a lot of us experience a 10-20 lb bounce back after hitting our lowest weight. Gaining or losing more than 10 or 12 lbs after plastic surgery can affect your results. I actually waited two years until I was absolutely sure I was at a stable weight. also, it's good to get someone who specializes in people who've had massive weight loss, or at minimum, someone who has done a truckload of these surgeries. It's supposed a pretty complicated subspecialty, so you want to make sure you have someone who's had a lot of experience with it. Keep in mind that the pictures they post on their Web site are probably going to reflect their best work, so look at sites like realself.com, too. Check belly buttons - those are supposedly hard to do. I've seen some crappy-looking post-surgical belly buttons.

All this support is awesome! I'm also fresh out of surgery (2 days). FFmedicgrl, I'm sorry to hear about your throat pain. I've experienced that in other surgeries, and it's a terrible complication. Hopefully that part improves soon. I am having a hard time taking in liquid too, but it's because every time I do, my shoulders and chest start hurting terribly. Yesterday, I tried to get in an ounce of Gatorade every 10 minutes, but only reached about 12 ounces before it gave me bouts of diarrhea. Since then, I can take in very little without pain. Could I have messed something up yesterday?

I started off at 315 pounds in October of 2017. I list 35 pounds in almost two years on my own before surgery. In August 2019, I had gastric sleeve surgery and have lost another 90 pounds so that I am down a total of 125 pounds. I only have the two headshots but can’t get over the difference. (I used to avoid getting my picture taken). I lost a second chin and discovered my clavicle. I have gone from a 3X to a L in clothes. My only regret is that I didn’t have the surgery sooner. The second picture is from my 6th month follow up and I was at 205 at the time. I am averaging about 5 pounds a month weight loss.

My weight just kept going up. I put on 15 lbs... I know why. I ate. A lot. But I was surprised how quick it was. Things that haven’t helped physically and mentally are perimenopause... I started taking progesterone to help my symptoms and it did not work. The lock down - just threw me for a loop suddenly having my autistic daughter at home 24/7 and having to be mum, teacher and therapist. And my husband losing his job of 10 years just like that. No warning, no severance. Just gone in a 5 minute zoom call. I’ve managed to get a grip and I’ve lost two of the gained pounds. Just have to keep on doing what I’m doing, but I’m SO mad at myself because those 15 pounds were HARD to lose. I’m a bloody idiot.

I started to obsess and then COVID-19 came along the way, lol.

-Highest weight was over 250 lbs (I stopped weighing myself after that) -Lowest weight 140 -Currently, I fluctuate between 150-155 -I exercise 5-6 days a week. MOSTLY weight lifting. I lift heavy weight (meaning: I rep until I hit failure, between 8-12 reps; if I can lift it more that 12 times, I go up in weight). Very little cardio, maybe 10-15 minutes before or after a workout. Sometimes none. -Food: I track my macros and calories. I make sure to hit my protein goals everyday (so important for muscle growth/maintenance), and my carbs vs fats will fluctuate based on my activity. Higher carbs on intense workout days, lower carbs on off days or low activity days. So, calories stay the same, protein stays the same, how many carbs or fats varies based on activity. Biggest Lesson Learned: In your first year of guaranteed weight loss, take the time to change your habits & lifestyle. THIS HAS TO BE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE! Get rid of the trigger foods. Most of those trigger foods are sliders! As your stomach stretches and you get passed that year mark those sliders will slide right past your sleeve much easier than your proteins & veggies. Those slider foods become your “grazing” food, too. Then, before you know it, despite your restriction, you’ve grazed your way into a calorie surplus and you’re no longer losing & start gaining. Plan 5-6 meals a day so that you feed your metabolism and you are never starving & risking over eating. Also: EXERCISE. Incorporate that exercise. Go for that walk. Bike ride. Treadmill. Weights. SOMETHING. Tired, not tired, make exercise a habit and JUST. DO. IT. I mean this literally: SUCK IT UP & DO IT. You might just find—later down the road—something that you enjoy and become passionate about. This was my experience with powerlifting 2 years post-op.

His professional set up is just that, professional, but with the addition of zero bs and jumping through hoops, that’s why I give glowing recommendations. Yes, I can see why the cash thing would put you off in fairness but it’s not the only way to pay. I paid by bank transfer. It needs to be received 10 days in advance.

most people don't see the loss right away because they pump you full of fluids while you're in the hospital. And that fluid has a lot of sodium in it, so it can potentially stick around for a few days. I've heard of people gaining up to 10 lbs while in the hospital! It's been awhile for me since surgery (five years) that I don't remember how long it took for me to start seeing a loss - but maybe a week or so? It may have been a little longer - but suffice it to say, many of us don't see a loss right away.

I went 10 pounds below my original goal weight by the end of the honeymoon phase. I was worried about being able to get enough calories to stop losing. Nine months later, I've gained back about 12 pounds and everyone says I look just right. They thought I was too scrawny before.

Felt finally human again after trips to the salons this week for hair, nails and pedicure after 10 weeks. Tried on this new toile dress (with two belt styles) never worn, but purchased for several winter/spring charity events. So wonderful to learn the giving remotely actually exceeded that of the actual fund raising venues, like the food bank. Essential service to many who never conceived they'd be waiting in line for their next meal. Sobering, indeed.

Hello! My name is Cynthia and I am 56 years old. I had the Duo Switch surgery on February 14, 2019. My highest weight was 301 lbs. My surgery day weight was 270lbs. My current weight is 175 lbs. Up until the age of 19, I was slim and in good health. Once I turned 20, the emotional overeating started and I began to pack on the pounds. At the age of 21, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. I became very sick and depressed, leading to even more emotional overeating. I tried every diet ever invented and even became bulimic for a year. I would lose and gain the same pounds for years. Finally, in 2018, I began researching weight loss surgery. I started the process of approval in November of 2018. My surgery was performed February 14, 2019. It’s been 15 months of ups and downs, but certainly the best decision I’ve made in a long while!

As the title suggests, I am having to do a liquid pre-op diet for 3 weeks, I’m getting sleeved 6/9. My diet started on Tuesday, 5/19 and it’s now Friday, 5/22 and I am HUNGRY! I haven’t been hungry like this any other day. My stomach is rumbling and even though I can have broth and sugar free jello / popsicles, it’s not helping the hunger. My diet is as follows: 3 protein shakes, 2 protein bars as snacks + unlimited low sodium broth, SF hello, SF popsicles. Any tips or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. My tummy would appreciate it i’m sure!

Looking at all your salads pictures is making me shiver. A rather chilly 13degrees in Brisbane at the moment (feels like 10). Not as cold as some of your experiences but damn near freezing when summer here is in the mid thirties or higher. And it’s not even winter yet. Brrrr. Thanks for your brisket recipe @ms.sss. Here we corn (salt) our brisket cut & simmer the meat very gently on the stove for 3 to 4 hrs. Our family recipe adds brown sugar, vinegar, garlic & mustard to the pot. I sometimes add fennel & coriander seeds and a bay leaf for an earthier flavour & use balsamic vinegar. Made one last week. Couldn’t be bothered making the traditional white sauce (with carrots & onions) to accompany it. Just stuck with the other traditional accompaniment: mustard pickles. 😁

Yesterday while searching for some stored picture frames under the bed - WA LA, I came across this skirt! I wore it on our first meet and lunch date with hubby February 27, 1993 in Tallahassee, Florida while in graduate school. 27 years later, a little big and a bit prim + proper Prairie school teacher look... LOL. What fun trying it on again after all these years. It would not have even got passed my thighs 15 months ago!!! And, while dressed after 10 weeks quarantine, I experimented with all the new belts yet to be worn out of the house. The skirt brought back very fond memories. Fashion will do that. Anticipating our 25th wedding anniversary gala next May, if safe and sound to do so. Does anyone else have any sentimental pieces left in their wardrobe? Might you post them? Fun! ;]

Sooooo it's been a while. lol. Here is my confession of the stupid things I've been doing and their consequences or lack thereof. I stopped losing weight in January or so. My lowest was 112, but I am a steady 116. My face looks super drawn and thin. I am a size 2. I wanted to gain about 10lbs so I started adding in more calories. And then more calories. And then that didn't do anything so I started eating junk food again (what I can stomach). And more junk food. And now I eat a lot of (good) carbs and basically full-sized meals. And I still weigh 116. And I still look anorexic (yes, I realize the "BMI" says I am normal... but I am deffo too thin for my taste). My mother also is/was very concerned about my thin appearance. Some foods still make me sick so I don't eat them and eating too much of other foods makes me sick. But, for example, for lunch I had a pumpkin muffin, peas, quinoa, and an entire salami sandwich and it sat fine. I can eat a double quarter pounder with cheese if I wanted to. I crushed an entire box of Triscuits in an hour the other week. But I don't gain weight. I also haven't taken any vitamins since about November 2019. I had to stop them for my last plastic surgery and just never got in the habit of taking them again. So I had labs done this week. Totally normal. All levels are perfect. AND, my cholesterol which has ALWAYS been high (even before I was ever obese) went from 291 to 174 in the last 4 months. They are perfect for the first time ever. So, do I take the vitamins and risk my levels being TOO high? Do I not take them because apparently I am getting what I need from food? If I am absorbing what I need from food, why am I not gaining any weight? I haven't been exercising since last September I herniated my back and then had plastics and then the gyms closed... but plan on going back when they reopen next week. Anyways, a lot of weird crap. I started my vitamins again this week just because... but now I am wondering, truly, if I need them because my labs were great despite me not taking them for 6 months. A deficiency would have been reflected by now. When do people usually start regaining post-op? I want to get back to eating healthy, but it's hard when you fall off the wagon... ESPECIALLY when you aren't gaining anything from doing so. Nah, I don't need scolding... I know I am screwing up... but I am truly baffled as to why I can't gain and why my labs are fine. Which I guess I shouldn't complain about but.... weird. Also I have a consult on June 19th for my final round of plastics: butt lift, thigh lift, and implants. I did send an email to my PCP and my dietitian about the vitamins thing... I'll update here when I hear back.

Ok y’all are so nice I’ll throw my goal pic in. This is a Large shirt. I’m about 10 pounds away from it. This is my goal. To confidently buy Large shirts and stay in 34 inch jeans. Happy Friday Y’all!!!

Hmmmm....i have no idea how much it weighed! (i bought a giant brisket from costco and used about 1/4 of it). But size-wise, it was about 4-5 hands across, and about 3 inches thick, LOL. 10h hours on low. I put a rub on the brisket night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight: 1 tbsp brown sugar (or stevia & molases or swerve) 2 tsp smoked paprika powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp cumin powder 3/4 tsp mustard powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper Next morning, put the meat in the slow cooker with the BBQ sauce on the bottom, squishing the meat on top of it, fat side up. After the 10hrs, i put the sauce in a sauce pan to reduce, then put the meat on the grill for about 10 mins on each side basting constantly with the thickened sauce. If you try it, share pics, please! I love looking at pics of everyone's creations...

Recipe/Pics look Soooo fabulous! So I don’t mess it up, what was approx starting weight of your brisket? And 10 hours on which setting...i.e., high an hour then low? Hubby has been asking me to do something in the slow cooker and THIS will make him one Happy man! Thanks for sharing your extraordinary culinary skill!😍

10 months out. I’m still keeping my surgery a secret. Sort of. Besides for my parents siblings and two good friends I can trust. I don’t think it’s anyone’s business. When someone asks me what I’m doing I shrug it off or tell them I’m eating healthier- which is the honest truth.

Hello All 😊 I was sleeved 10 years ago. I will admit I did not get to my goal weight and have regained. Now due to GERD my surgeon is recommending a revision to bypass. As far as weight loss my surgeon states I should expect to possibly lose 20-30 pounds. Has anyone had a revision to bypass after a long period of time(7+ years) and lost more than 30 pounds. I feel like I should lose more than that. I also have concerns of hair loss. I didn’t really experience hair loss with my sleeve. Has anyone found a way to combat this issue? Thanks so much !😁

I would like to take a moment to share how I am feeling today. First, thank you to my Higher Power for being there every day on my weight-loss journey. I began the process at 285 in November. I had surgery December, 2019, and weighed 264 morning of surgery. Today 4 months and a week later, I am 215. I have more to go to reach my goal, and perhaps to some observers I might have lost the weight quite slowly because it has taken me 4 months, but I am very grateful for my own journey. I am feeling healthier day-by-day! Congratulations on your own successes, and be gentle with and kind to yourself. Thank you, and be well.

My gallbadder was removed laparoscopically and I had no pain at all. Was sent home with Rx for hydrocodon but never even filled it. That was more than 10 years ago. But incisions were very small and removing gallbladder involves minimal cutting. So maybe I'll be ok. Don't remember having any gas issues. The education class said specifically that not using narcotic was because opioid addiction problems in my state. When I had severe hip pain from goat bursitis, the ER gave me an IM injection of nonnarcotic pain med because I was allowed to drive myself home. So there must be options. Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

Beautiful room @Sophie7713 and snap re the Louis chair & French inspired fabric choice. I have it near a cow hide too (a lovely vanilla & butter caramel charolaise skin) so double snap I have two chairs which were the carvers from my parents’ dining table in the early 80s. I recovered them about 10 yrs ago. Finding the correct sized underwear is sooo frustrating. At my fitting I bought two different styles that worked for me then I went online & bought two more of the same ...for a reduced price. Yay!

it will provide the data that will be able to tell you more accurately, yes. Also, I didn't realize that your stall has been for only 10 days. If that's the case, I think its waaaay to early to worry about weight loss stoppage.

I started looking into this surgery because I was pre-diabetic and starving all the time. Like I just finished a huge meal, and my stomach hurt, but I still wanted to eat and eat and eat. My hunger has been increasing and getting worse over the past 10 years, along with gradual increases in my fasting blood sugar and other symptoms of metabolic syndrome like skin tags. My dad has diabetes (and got it when he was about 5 years older than I am now), so I knew what was coming. The thing that really excited me about the surgery was that it provides a mechanism to reset your metabolism, to actually CHANGE your hormonal balance and your set point so that you naturally feel satisfied at a lower weight, and eating less food with less hunger. Now I am 2.5 months out, and I really feel it working - with the smaller stomach, it gets full faster, so ghrelin (a hormone that your stomach makes when it is empty that makes you feel hungry) starts to DECREASE quickly after you take your first few bites. Studies show that ghrelin levels are about 50% lower after bariatric surgery than before. And that has an effect - you really, seriously, truly feel much less hungry, even though you are eating way less. In contrast, normally when you go on a diet, your ghrelin levels INCREASE compared to when you started. Studies show that after a 3-6 month diet without surgery, your ghrelin levels will increase by 50%. And that has an effect - you are much more hungry and so you want to eat even more and gain the weight back - it may even make you feel like an addict! Since before my surgery, I would often feel hungry even when my stomach felt full, I can totally see why you'd be scared that you'd still feel really hungry even when your new small stomach is full. And I can tell you from experience - being hungry with a full stomach feels miserable! I can see why you'd be scared of that! But I really want to assure you - the surgery works as advertised. You will feel satisfied, even when you are eating way less food than before. For me, the change in my hunger is like night and day - it's amazing!