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I know you might not have lost a lot of weight but how do you feel? Everyone always asks how much weight have l lost. I don't weigh myself regularly my surgery was on April 15th but I went from 11 meds to 4 meds, I can walk my dog at the park without getting out of breath after a few steps. My A1C is almost normal. You have to not stress the actual weight loss but the good things that come with the surgery. Hang in there.

no - this is the surgeon's requirement. There are surgeons who won't operate on patients who have BMI's over 60 because that's considered "high risk". The insurance company isn't going to consider that particular piece when deciding whether or not to approve your surgery. In fact, they'd probably prefer you get under a 60 BMI as well so your risk of complications is lower. I was initially worried that if I was too successful in my six-month supervised diet that was required by my insurance company that they wouldn't approve the surgery. But that's not what they're looking for. They're looking to see if you're capable of following a plan long-term, since that's what you'll need to do AFTER the surgery. They don't want to fork over thousands of dollars for someone who's likely to not follow rules and just gain all the weight back. So if anything, this 80-lb required weight loss is likely to improve your chances of being approved -- not disqualify you for being too successful. I lost 57 lbs before surgery by working with a dietitian and gradually improving and shaping my eating habits to align with what I'd be eating after surgery (gradually increasing my protein intake, gradually weaning myself off caffeine and simple carbs, gradually reducing my calorie intake, etc). If you don't think you'll be able to do this on your own, then find a dietitian who's had some experience working with bariatric patients. I was really surprised I was able to lose all that weight pre-surgery - but I think it was a combo of wanting to do whatever I could do get the surgery -- and the accountability of working with a dietitian (i.e, knowing I'd have to report to someone every month on my progress).

Yes, fun…but definitely NOT for weight loss phase!

Hey, how is everyone weight loss journey coming along? Sent from my SM-G998U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had surgery March 12th and have only lost 43 pounds. I’ve been stalled since the end of July and hope I can finally reach a 50 lb loss or more for the holidays 😩.

Real food definitely felt different at first. I got over mourning the loss to eat a big volume. Once the weight loss kicks in I started to enjoy the ability to control my portions more than the desire to eat large portions. I also try to figure out healthy substitutes for things I miss. 20 lbs in 4 weeks is amazing.. it will really start to add up if you stay focused and on track. Keep strong!

That is fantastic to hear!! I have very recently started eating all real food and I am definitely seeing and feeling the difference now!! It ALMOST felt like I didn't even have surgery until I started real food! I'm currently mourning the loss of my ability to "tear up" delicious food!! 😆 LOL but I'm down 20 in 4 weeks and hoping to either sustain that pace or maybe pick it up a little! So far I'm incredibly happy with my decision to get this surgery!! Thanks for sharing your inspiring experience!! 😊

I have always thought to myself this is too easy… I had vsg 2/24/21 I am down 80 lbs since surgery and 104 lbs overall since 10/31/20. Some of it is luck and some of it I feel is good choices and embracing the lifestyle changes as well as mindset. I listen to a few wls podcasts and belong to a few wls groups. I go to support meetings offered by my surgeon’s office and spend a lot of time researching. Celebrate the NSVs and keep making new goals. Tracking helps me meet my goals, measuring everything helps me learn proper portions. Walking and weightlifting are also contributing to my weight loss. I did have 1 hiccup- gall bladder had to come out 5 months after vsg- but I did have a history of gallstones and the rapid weight loss probably was what caused my gall bladder to become inflamed. Hoping it continues to feel easy and I can stay on track for the long term.

I recently had a month long stall but the loss picked back up. Hopefully yours will too.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you are, say, 5'5", getting from a BMI of 60 to a non-obese BMI of 30 would mean an additional weight loss of 180 lbs. (on top of the other 80 lbs.) which even the most hardened insurance company would see requires surgery. But definitely ask your bariatric center for guidance and access to a nutritionist/dietitian to help you get those 80 lbs. down.

Most bariatric surgeons require some amount of weight loss or compliance with a pre-op program before surgery. That is very, very common. Its highly unlikely though that insurance would use that as the basis to deny surgery, given that even after the weight loss, your BMI would still qualify you. Additionally, if you have any obesity related health issues (diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc.) than it would further justify the need for surgery. I would say go for it and use the pre-op process to prepare your heart and mind for the life long changes that will come post-op. You're going to do great!

Hi everyone. I had my sleeve on June 3rd. My weight loss is slower than many people, but the scale is still moving. I do cheat here and there, so I'm happy with my progress. I am hungry a LOT. Sometimes I attribute it to head hunger, but often it's physical stomach rumbling. Drinking water helps a little bit, but not always and never for very long. That's when my restriction tool saves me. I can only eat a small amount, where in the past, I would have stuffed myself. Still feel like this is one of the best decisions I have ever made!

I am on my weight loss journey with the support of a dear friend who is on a weight gain journey. Honestly, she hears more rude comments on a daily basis than I do. People are awful. I would never make a comment to someone regarding their weight (unless it was a close family member and I knew they needed intervention) because you just don't know the situation. I was molested as a young child and dealt with a lot of death throughout my life. I ate to feel better. My friend had cancer and lost a lot of weight. While she has always been small, she just can't seem to keep up with her own metabolism. Different situations, different issues. Yet people want to judge. I'm sorry you are dealing with this. Just know that people make comments when they can't seem to control what is going on in their own lives. They feel like they need to bring you into their misery.

Hi all! So great to see so many successes! I had my surgery 6/11 and am down 61 pounds so far. I have shrunk out of a lot of my clothes at this point and have lots of overflowing bins to donate. The challenge is really trying to find clothes that do fit! I go into stores and feel like I don't know how to shop and I don't want to spend too much on clothes that won't fit for very long. I've also been experiencing hair loss for the last month. I'm hoping it either slows down or stops soon as it gets kind of annoying to be shedding so much hair everywhere not to mention I'm not sure how much more covering up I can do. I am so incredibly pleased with my weight loss so far. Being able to fit in smaller spaces, sit in chairs without worrying about if I will fit or hitting my hips on the arm rests, being more active, being able to bend over easily...there are just so many things that are better!

I am currently going through the same thing. I have been stuck for about 2 weeks now. It is very frustrating even though you know it is somewhat common. I am barely eating anything (less than 800 calories) drinking plenty (80-90 ounces) and exercising 45-60 minutes per day, walking. I am keeping protein around 80 or so per day and virtually no carbs. It really gets discouraging when you do these things and do not see the scale move. Yes, I know, don't weight yourself every day.........it is still an issue, even more so if you wait a week and still see no losses.

Like @Hop_Scotch said, stalls are common and a normal part of any type of weight loss, not just with surgery. Sometimes you just have to keep doing what you are doing. Sometimes it can be helpful to track your intake for a few days to see if you're eating more than you think you are - like on MyFitnessPal. Make sure you're drinking enough, following all your surgery center's guidelines, etc. Plus, weight loss always slows down as you get further from your surgery date and closer to your goal weight. You can't expect to keep losing at the same rate as the first month. Don't Panic!

I feel a pain on my right side near the largest incision whether I'm walking or not... I feel like the weight loss is slower than expected, but I know it depends a lot on your starting weight. I have lost 15 lbs in the 3 weeks since surgery, so I think that's fine. My surgery BMI was 40 I believe, so I think you won't see huge weight loss unless you had a really high BMI. Plus, if you lost a lot of weight prior to surgery, you won't see much weight loss right away. Also, this is not a race... many people who lose slowly can lose all the weight they want to, it just happens over time.

Just stop or slow down? Neither is unusual...there will be stalls (that can last weeks) and as the weeks/months progress and you body weight is reduced continued weight loss will slow down a bit. It would be useful though if you completed your profile (not that you have to but gives people context when responding) - date of surgery,type of surgery, surgery day weight, current weight, height etc.

Had VSG surgery 9/14 in Los Gatos, CA…did have 10-day preop diet of prescribed high protein shakes/soups/liquids plus hearty salad daily until clear liquids only day before procedure. Full three weeks out and trying to find my way with transition to blenderized foods and more than just liquids/purées, but definitely find some items don’t sit well and feel very heavy. Was walking too much and experiencing burning sensation on right side near largest incision so I backed off, but feeling like weight loss is slower than expected.

After two months of my surgery, I notice that I'm not loosing too much weight. Any feedback?

@highlymedicated I’m horrified that someone would even ask you that. What if you had, my mind is blown at what people say. Geez. Callus. I’m glad that you have not had a mastectomy and am sorry for anyone who has or is going through cancer treatment and get asked a question like that. On the other hand congrats on the weight loss! That is AWESOME!! I lost all my girls too when I lost my weight. They have since been brought to life here recently (8 mos ago or so). Mine were D before weight loss. Lost my weight and went down to an A. Mine looked crazy when I bent over. Nat Geo for sure. For me I wanted to bring mine back to life again. Nothing big but just in line w my body and the firmness now is a big plus I’ll say lol

So glad for you!!! This is exactly the post I needed to see, as I am a little over a year out and very scared about maintaining my weight loss! I’m so happy with the results, I don’t ever want to go back to before and I’m terrified of regain! Any advice you can give on what worked for you?

Hello! So I had surgery last June and have just about made my goal weight. However, I am suddenly VERY anxious about re-gain post op. I just don’t want to have lost all this weight and then regain it! Is there any tips, help anyone can give me in terms of how they successfully maintained their weight loss post-op?

Hi Footballmom92! You can try to do searches in the forum to see if there are posts by others that started out at a similar weight. I found the article below about a young man that had weight loss surgery. He was close to 600 pounds. Have you started researching doctors yet? Perhaps you can see if your doctor or one you might go to has patients with similar starting weights so you can use the same nutritionist or be in same support group if they have one. Maybe there is a group on Facebook you can find so you can connect with others there. This forum is also a great support system, we all may have different amounts to lose, but can easily relate to, share advice with & give support to each other. https://www.treatedwell.com/i-would-not-be-here-today-kingsport-man-says-bariatric-surgery-saved-his-life/ Wishing you lots of success on your path to a healthier weight.😊

For years people would Comment on my weight...as a teen, when athletic, I was told I looked too masculine, or my grandmother would tell me (while underweight) that I needed to diet or I would end up overweight and over 300 lbs like my dad's mom....which, eventually, I got there. As an obese adult, strangers made rude comments in stores, restaurants, where ever. Their kids picked fun as they did too. And it only got worse the heavier I got and didn't matter if my kids were with me or if I was solo. Fast forward and now I get from strangers questions like "do you have cancer", "are you sick", and on 2 occasions the automatic store door wouldn't open and I was told if I ate more I wouldn't have that issue. Or one man said "let me show you where the cookies are, you need to eat those and not that rabbit food"... Recently I was hospitalized for 3 days incase of emergency surgery for bowel obstruction. My intestines had flipped, but flipped back on their own. I used to have chronic IBS-D now it's IBS-C. So after discharge I was prescribed an rx and 4 OTC meds to help me with keeping regular and avoiding bowel obstruction and surgery. While picking up the OTC meds, a rather large woman and her 18-22 y.o. daughter were on the same aisle...of course, observing my purchases and out loud the mother told the daughter "the reason why she's that thin is because she buys all that stuff to sh!t herself to death...she is anorexic ..don't let me ever catch you doing that. That woman is mentally ill." They walked away. I was left standing there in awe that , that even happened. My husband was like wtf? Well Saturday we had my daughter's 18th birthday. It was just us 4 and my dad. He hasn't seen me in like 2 months. And in front of my kids, he says "you do not look good. You look sick. You have taken this weight loss thing too far and you have got to stop. You're face and eyes are sunk in, your bones are sticking out and you need to gain about 50 pounds". I am 148 now. My HW 325. SW 311 3/9/20. I do not think nor does my bariatric surgeon feel that I've lost too much weight. Heck, his GW for me is 136. I am 5'6". I don't know what people are seeing but my point of this post, as long winded as it is, is that the negative comments just never seem to end. I thought for sure that I would lose weight, get healthy (point of surgery...healthy and save my life, not skinny) and feel great about myself. But it seems no matter what size you are, someone, somewhere always has something negative to say about one's appearance. Does it ever end? People suck. That's why I'm a cat person.