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I had VSG surgery December 17 2019 and I’m wondering is it too early to have a glass of wine

So my surgery was 2/25. I started on the day of surgery at 345. I am now down to 306. I feel a little discouraged almost 10 weeks in and having lost only about 40lbs. I am slowly, SLOWWWLLLYY losing weight. I do not feel very thirsty ever, and initally I was not very hungry. But now I do get hungry. I don't even feel that much different.

Hey all! I haven't been as active on the site recently, due to the virus and just focusing more on life. But i'm coming up on 10 months and i did some transformation pictures. I hit my goal in month 7 and since then ive been trying to maintain a balanced diet that helps me put some muscle on. ive been getting in 1500-2000 cals a day, but that means im eating pretty much every hour or two and still drinking my 2 protein shakes a day. But i'm starting to see results so im really happy with that. I still have not had bread, and honestly i dont see why ill ever need it again. I do treat myself here and there. Once a week i will have ice cream, (its my favorite and i dont want to deprive completely) and i allow myself one meal where its kind of a free for all as far as not worrying about protein, but i naturally finding myself not wanting junk anymore. I crave veggies and fruit more then ever. I hope everyone is staying safe and continues to fight the good fight. I hope you all have a great Friday.

I completely understand your frustration. However, I can tell you from personal experience that this is real and the area you were in, may not have Covid-19 patients. My best friend is a nurse and we talk daily about this pandemic and how scary it is. Now I can say, the hospital where I’m scheduled for my bypass was quiet and dead at my last appointment a few weeks ago. But when my husband severed his finger about three weeks ago, there were constant Covid-19 patients arriving at the ER. It was unreal. But again, I understand. My surgery would’ve been this past Monday, April 27th and now I’m still scheduled for May 15th, but I’m in TN where they’ve decided to reopen the economy, and our numbers are shooting up as more testing becomes available. I just want to have this surgery and be happy. I’m two, almost three years into my journey due to insurance changes, and the practice switching over where I lost my advocate. Just stick in there and keep your fingers crossed. And feel free to contact me directly if you just want to vent. I’m really struggling right now not to eat everything in sight, and I’m supposed to start the liver shrink diet AGAIN, tomorrow. Don’t give up, just keep checking in and hopefully people will continue to social distance long enough for us to make our surgery dates!

I am so pissed right now. I have done everything and the only thing left is 3 months dietician and nutrition. smh no one is taking patient therapy and I have tried to do Telehealth but they won't accept that insurance won't. I am so f**king over this covid 19 everyone is getting their surgery and I am literally sitting her stuck. wtf so close in a minute I'm just going to go to Mexico and get my surgery cash

Hello all so yesterday I weighed myself and I.T look like I have gain weight instead of losing .. went from 193 on April 24 to 198 on April 30th . My nurse friend told me could be water weight or the fact I haven’t poop ? I’m not gonna lie feel like I’m failing and I’m a bit paranoid .. this COVID -19 has made me stressed eat only at work . Btw I work at a hospital on a covid floor.. Help ! I need some encouraging words

I told 5 people: the Mr., the Kid, my Mom, my sister & my BFF. Of course, as the weight started falling off, others would ask how I was doing it; I told them I was severely restricting calories & carbs, as well as exercised daily. All of which was true. After about 9-10 months, people just got used to seeing me smaller and eating differently and they stopped asking questions/commenting. It's been 1.5 years now, and me and my weight are old news. P.S., I did, however, tell people I had plastic surgery to remove excess skin. I had PS over Christmas, and I had to explain to friends and fam why I was all hunched over and unable to lift my arms. Plus they would see the scars on my arms/tummy eventually (sleeveless tops!), so I couldn't really hide it anyway.

I had my surgery March 2019. When I got home from the hospital I could barely choke down 2 oz of water or protein and my doctors office would yell at me during check in calls because I wasn’t being “compliant.” I cried so many times in that first week and wondered why I purposefully did this to myself. By the next week, I was a new person. Most of the pain subsided and even though it was still an effort to get the water and protein down, I was doing it and feeling much, much better. Each day/week got better. Sometimes there were setbacks but mostly good days. Learning to eat again was a challenge then and is still a challenge now. One year post op I was down 115 lbs and beyond my goal weight. My whole life has changed. My health and numbers are really good and I would go through all that again without a doubt. You took such an amazing step having the surgery and you will get through this and you will be glad you did. Hang in there and keep us posted on your progress.

Well hell..... husband tested positive for convid 19. Karma is coming for a bite of my ass. I have to go get tested tomorrow. we are doing fine. will keep y’all posted

I’m having so many mixed thoughts swirling around my head. I hesitate to post this today. I am grateful for having gastric bypass to have the tool to combat metabolic disorders and inability to exercise due to disability (post exertional malaise) and I was at the point it was all or nothing. All my fight was getting me nowhere fast. I know I’ve come a long way, I’ve also paid a hefty price physically and am still dealing with many health challenges. But I also know my body could not carry the burden of all that weight. And I will do everything in my power to maintain the weight loss. i reached goal Sometime last month. I overshot it a little. Although based on my height of 5’ I’m within my goal range. I haven’t been actively trying to lose for a few weeks. I raised my calories somewhat but not drastically. I started out at 208lbs with a BMI of 40.6 and today am 102.4 and a BMI of 20. its Funny though, I write my weight on a calendar daily, and write Daily log of my weight, meals, calories and protein to Track and plan what I will eat the best I can based on what’s available in the fridge, freezer, pantry. I haven’t given solid thought to my progress, I’ve just taken it one moment at a time. My weight fluctuates slightly and that’s ok. Other things weigh on my mind though. I hesitate to call it a celebration when even my birthday this month went unmentioned and Covid-19 will be around for the foreseeable future. It’s not impacted my odd daily routines of living with lifelong chronic illness and disability. I’m homebound much of the time as is. It’s risky going to get groceries but a necessity. But It’s had more of an impact on healthcare. i Had an early one year follow up with my surgeon February 11 and discussed continuing severe pain and spasms in left side under ribs along with other symptoms along with my history of ulcers in the remnant stomach and small intestine, they said I needed a double balloon enteroscopy. But I had to see a different doctor for the test. I couldn’t get an appointment until March 12 to see that doctor, I asked if they could schedule the test since it takes a while but no I had to wait to see the doctor first, who of course ordered the test. Which was then scheduled for April 27. And what happened, of course no one called until the last minute and it was then canceled indefinitely. And I’m left in pain, I sent them a message and they tell me I could go to the ER to be evaluated. First of all how is that a good idea? And evaluated for what? That’s why I saw the doctor and he ordered the test (actually both doctors did) I’m at a loss as to what to do and meanwhile I’m just trying to move ahead. i don’t even want to discuss this. I’ve other health issues that I’ve been waiting months to deal with. My doctor gives me attitude. Even things are obviously a problem. I saw my general doctor February after waiting a few weeks. I had sudden severe pain just lightly touching the front of my throat. I had a thyroid ultrasound. I also saw an endocrinologist. I was supposed to go to the hospital for further tests. But this was cancelled indefinitely. I’ve also been having nosebleeds and I don’t know why ... but it’s all been put on hold and none of the doctors care to follow up. I have been making plans about having skin removal surgery. Since it’s the only thing I can manage to do right now. The excess sagging skin is very problematic especially my thighs. A thigh lift, and Having a Belt lipectomy/Butterfly lift to remove excess skin might also help benefit strengthening my core which I can’t do with exercise. I’ve been working on this with Hospital BC that is part of BariatricPal and they are so helpful in the process. I’m trying to think of it as a vacation in Mexico with benefits. I’ll need financing of course. I’m far away from rich. It’s a goal to have a body I haven’t as long as I can remember. I haven’t been this weight as long as I can remember either. I could never reach this goal on my own before even as hard as I tried with strict low carb and calorie counting. I only managed 124lbs and it didn’t stay there long. So taking that last step of getting rid of ugly sagging, rashy problematic skin feels like part of the journey to finish. A crazy thing in times like these. I’ll be pinching pennies as hard as I can. But part of me is determined. And also ... trying to ignore the rest. I had wanted to deal with the other health issues first but looks like that won’t happen so I’m going to try to roll with it and see what happens. maybe it’s dumb for me to write this. I don’t know anymore. I’m exhausted. But I think that I want others to know that if I can do this with my chronic illness and disability And despite how hard it has been for me ... that others can succeed and reach their weight loss goal.

I’ve bought the enchiladas locally at Publix grocery, but recently placed an order online since they had a special offer to get free choczero syrups. Also if anyone uses the link I posted they get $10 off. It’s free shipping with $50. It seems like a lot but I shopped the flash sale and the special deal. I got chicken enchiladas, beef enchiladas and breakfast sandwiches. Plus You do earn rewards buying online. I’m trying to avoid the grocery too often. Check out their Facebook page they have a ongoing contest to win a gift card. I haven’t tried their ice cream yet. But it’s got great ingredients that I know wouldn’t bother my pouch. I just wish it were less calories. It would be more of a meal for me. Then again my dinners are plain Fage Greek yogurt with protein powder, a baby banana and some sf whipped cream.

Some people do a variation of ice cream with frozen bananas...(if you google no doubt there will be a few different recipes...I have seen some with banana, peanut butter and a little cashew milk. But simply...peel and chop a couple of bananas, freeze them, and then blend. Here are a couple of recipes I copied yesterday from the pound of cure website with the intention of trying them somewhere down the track. Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream Serves: 1-2 Ingredients: 4 ripe Bananas, peeled 2 ounces Peanut Butter 2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Directions: Peel 4 ripe bananas and place them into the freezer for 2 hours. Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Scrape down the bowl if necessary. Enjoy! NOTES: Depending on your blender/food processor, your nice cream may become too soft. If that happens, just pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes. If you have a hard time creating a creamy consistency, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of cashew milk. Peanut Butter and Banana Nice Cream Serves: 1-2 Ingredients: 3 ripe Bananas, peeled 2 ounces Peanut Butter Directions: Peel 3 ripe bananas and place them into the freezer for 2 hours. Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Scrape down the bowl if necessary. Enjoy! NOTES: Depending on your blender/food processor, your nice cream may become too soft. If that happens, just pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes. If you have a hard time creating a creamy consistency, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of cashew milk.

The ASMBS held a webinar yesterday for bariatric surgeons discussing the topic of how and when to resume bariatric surgery in the COVID-19 era. You can watch the webinar at https://asmbs.org/resources/restarting-surgery-issues-to-consider If your surgeon called you tomorrow to schedule surgery within the next 1-2 months, are you comfortable having your surgery?

I agree with @catwoman7 on all points and include one additional perspective on the "pouch reset". The "pouch reset" has little to do with the size of your pouch. There is little scientific evidence that it shrinks the size of a stretched pouch. The reset may temporarily shrink it but more importantly, it is a "mind reset." https://www.livingwithasleeve.com/pouch-reset/ So, as you say, you still feel as if you have restriction. It's just that you've returned to bad habits. If you choose to do the "pouch reset" use those days to break your bad habits. These resets are usually 4-6 days, some up to 10. Here's more info: https://www.obesitycoverage.com/the-pouch-reset-losing-weight-after-weight-regain/

I found this, it explains how it supposedly works https://estetikland.com/en/weight-losing-with-stomach-botox/ ps it written by someone whose first language isn't English Effects of stomach Botox Botox is applied to stomach muscles and it is effective on smooth muscles of stomach. Muscles with Botox have decreased contraction capacity. For example, since contraction of stomach muscles that process food in 2-3 hours and discards this processed food in 4-4.5 hours slow down, this process can take up to 10-12 hours. With the help of injection to stomach part where hunger hormone ghrelin is segregated, level of this hormone is significantly decreased. This way, appetite of the patient can be decreased significantly and sense of fullness can be maintained for a long time.

I know this is a horrific time for so many people, and I grieve for them. But in most every other way, I'm personally enjoying this time tremendously, actually. I appreciate not being immersed in the turmoil of daily life, and finally having time to pursue many of the intellectual pursuits and interests that are meaningful to me but that I never could find the time to engage in. This is the sabbatical I’ve longed to have. I'm healthy and fit. I have an extremely active life of the mind, am skilled with being in relative solitude, am emotionally pretty experienced with managing change and disruption, and deeply fortunate about not having to be fearful about my career. Each day I learn more about myself, the needs of others, and do what I can from home, as well as delivering groceries each week for several family friends who are seniors. When I'm part of the world again, there will be additional opportunities to be a better friend and citizen. Prior to the lockdown I was training for a sprint triathlon and have continued to even though it was obviously cancelled, so am doing 10-12km per day of walk/run intervals, cycling 40km per week, and swimming 2km daily. I still do twice weekly weight training and 20km per week of indoor rowing or solo outdoor hill hiking, and am trying to do yoga a few times a week. Occasionally I throw in stretching, core exercises, or an online or dvd exercise class just to mix it up a bit. In terms of diet, I'm still not particularly interested in food per se, though I really enjoy preparing food and looking at it/eating it. My rate of weight loss hasn’t slowed, so the average loss of 12-14lbs per month seems to be continuing and likely will as long as I stay the course with current diet and exercise levels. For those who have lost a loved one, or their job or income, it's impossible to relax and enjoy the free time. A sustaining hope for me is that a more equitable and humane society might emerge from this struggle. A guaranteed national income here at home so that everyone has food and shelter, additional wealth taxes, a greener economy, and stronger national public service (and for Americans, universal health care for every citizen). All of these are things that many have long dismissed as panacea, and I hope they now seem more like pragmatic necessities. It gives me a sense of optimism to imagine society getting through this together, and to people working together to be an active part of an emerging, improved new reality.

Hey guys, I was scheduled for VSG on 3/30, but was delayed to 5/11 when the hospitals stopped doing elective surgeries because of COVID-19. My insurance requires a 6 month program, plus I had some travel that pushed surgery out a few more months. All in all, I've been at the pre-op routine for 10 months now. I'm down 63 lbs so far (382 -> 319) and am feeling like I can do this, but am nervous for the surgery. Not specifically the procedure and recovery, but the lifetime of change this will mean for me. During this 10 months, I have enjoyed going on vacation or a holiday, eating what I want, then losing all the weight in a week or two. My preference is no WLS, but am afraid I can't be disciplined enough to stay on the pre-op style program for the rest of my life. Anyone else have these thoughts prior to surgery?

Running Shoes. I had 3 pairs of Asics with treads in almost-new condition (courtesy of my orthopedic benefit included in my health insurance) that I probably used less than 10 times each the past several years. Now I rotate through them twice a day to actually RUN, lol.

My hair started falling out (ALOT) around the 3 month mark, and I think it probably stopped at the 7 month mark (about the time that I stopped losing weight on purpose). I lost quite a bit. Cut my hair super short pixie when it started to try to minimize the visible scalp look. Started to notice the sprouting of little itty bitty chicken hairs around month 10. I'm 1.5 years post op now, and I've got a TON of these chicken hairs all over my head, and they are about 3-4 -ish inches long now and still stick up when I don't style my hair, so it looks pretty funny. But I'll take em. Once they grow long enough to lay flat I will probably look close to normal again...though I dunno if I want to grow it back to the length it was before...we'll see.

Looks like everyone is doing well, no matter how small the loss, it is a loss. Well done all. Like everyone, isolation is harder when the kids have so much rubbish in the house to eat, but I have adpated to having smaller versions of what they eat, so we may have hot dogs, but I don't have a bun, I may have a corn wrap, and if they are having fries, I will have 3 or 4 and no more. Had a stall last week of -0.5lbs, but back to losing 3-3.5lbs a week every week as of today. So 83lbs down since the op, feeling strong, cycling loads, doing so much gardening and lifting etc, I feel great, my body looks so different and lets just say my wife is very very pleased, says it is like having a new man!! Pic on the right was NYE 2019 (4 months ago in fancy dress Run DMC gear at an 80's party), the pic on the left is me today. So shirt off pics I am afraid, didn't do that. The best thing I have ever done. As a big drinker before, I have not had a sip since NYE and I feel great. I will have another drink soon, but at the moment I am not bothered even though my wife is having a G&T or fruit cider most nights. Just being a better me. Love it. Stay safe all.

Hello, I am new to the forum. About a year ago (05/17/2019) I had my gastric sleeve, I lost 90 kilos in a year, the doctor is very happy, but not me because I have lost almost 90% of my hair, after two months of my operation it started to fall and never stopped. I should have bought a wig. It is very sad, before I did not want to go out because I was very fat (170kg) and now because I have no hair. Even with the wig I feel observed and I feel insecure. Everyone tells me that "you are so well", but I know they realize that my hair is not mine. At home I always wear a hat. I take multivitamins, but there are no changes. It's hard, really hard.

Its been 15 years and 10 months since my surgery and I have lost 196 lbs and kept it off. I have a goal for this year of getting down to 164 lbs from 199 lbs where I'm at now. I was 24 lbs heavier just over 2 months ago. I've been using an app called myfitnesspal.com to lose the weight. It took my a little bit to get the hang of it but now I'm comfortable with it. I pick my foods and it gives my the serving size and calories and deducts the calories from my daily limit. It sets up your plan by diet, starting weight and goal weight. As you lose the weight you change your current weight and it adjusts your allowable daily calories to keep you losing weight. I tried it free for a month and was shocked at how much I had lost so I purchased a one year plan and it wasn't expensive. I have the app on my phone and it is easy to use. I hope that this information is helpful for someone.

My “6 month” check in was scheduled for mid-March, but was canceled due to COVID-19. My weight loss had stalled at about 50% of my excess weight and I was feeling really down about it. I started Noom about 5 weeks ago and have slowly lost 10 more lbs. Too slowly. Now I’m ratcheting up my exercise with HIIT and body strength training on the Peloton app. Free for 90 days.

I had the best one this morning, half a banana, half a cup of baby spinach, 1/4 cup frozen mango, 1/4 cup frozen blueberries, 1/3 cup kefir, water as required. I make it with my 10 month old granddaughter, as it is part of her routine. Then we divide it between myself, DIL and bubs...…..she loves all smoothies! We don't usually have blueberries, its usually strawberries or passionfruit with the same of the other ingredients (frozen because it keeps your drink cold). You can use anything really. I use it to swallow down all my vitamins/minerals, which is 8 capsules. I always have a really sore tummy after and feel full all day after having it, but I still think that getting that in with all its nutrients is better than nothing at all. I think we have about half a cup each. Kefir has more protein than milk and lots of probiotics too, so I think it is an improvement on my 3 crackers with cheese...…….that I now dump...…... but used to be the only thing I could keep down. I had some roast pork and roast carrot last night with some thin gravy. It was lovely :) Still lots of issues with dumping, stomach pain after intake, diarrhoea, zero energy and being puffed just walking/getting dressed...….but right now that's the norm for me and I know its just trying to learn my new system! Best, L x