Search the Community

hi everyone. I'm beyond frustrated. I am just over 4 months post op with gastric sleeve. I have lost close to 60 lbs already so I can't really complain how ever, I have been doing everything right and have not lost ONE lb in over 10 days now. In fact, I gained 1 lb as of this morning. I am doing everything right. Has anyone gone through this? I thought a stall wasn't supposed to last this long??!! Thanks!

I’ve gone through all the hoops and my insurance has approved and now due to Covid 19 no surgeries are being scheduled. They said probably won’t be scheduling until June. I know it’s best but I just want to get this journey started.

Hi. I hope all my October 2019 surgery buddies (and everyone else) are doing well in these trying times. My surgery was on Oct. 24, '19 and I'm doing pretty well. I struggle with sloth I tend to not get moving daily now. Just like the old days before the surgery. I use the excuse of the gym being closed, but I don't walk like I should either. But I'm still way more active than I was before the weight loss, it's much easier to move now. How is everyone else managing their exercise/non-exercise habits?

On the other hand, I have carbonated water every day. We make it ourselves with a Soda Stream and it's not flavored. So it's not got sweetener or anything in it that makes it "addictive" in any way. I just like it for the less sweet taste and freshness. Keep in mind though that Im 10 months out definitely dont recommend this in the beginning.

I had a gastric sleeve over 10 years ago. I weighed 320 and was 5'2" and 54 years old. I also have asthma - life long and I needed a surgery that would allow me to take oral steroids and other life sustaining medications that also cause weight gain... but breathing is an important concept. I could not have a bypass surgery, as my pulmonary docs said that the surgery would make the use of oral steroids impossible and I am prone to pneumonia from years of impaired airways. (And yes, I am working from home right now !!!) I went from 320 pounds to 180 pounds. I unfortunately gained 40 pounds back in the last few years, mostly due to not being able to exercise much and well.... life. I got pissed off at myself last July and went back to high protein, and low carb and more veggies and cut out the slider foods... and I have lost 25 pounds. Yes, I am still obese, but for me, who weighed 320 pounds, I now weight 193. (27 pounds down actually) since this July. At 64 years old I will probably stick around the 180s to 190. Yes - it could and should be less, but my doctors are pleased and I have been pretty darn healthy for me. I take care of my critters, keep up a house, a career as a social work supervisor, I garden and am active. For me, I have kept off over 100 pounds and now am back to having lost 137 pounds and holding. I highly recommend it. Oh, I was in the hospital 2 nights after surgery. Mostly to stabilize my lungs. And I had surgery at 54 years old

I'm still around. I'm on again off again. Sometimes a couple of months will go by without me checking in - and then I'll hit a period where I'm checking in a lot (like now that I'm home all the time!). I've gained 20 lbs since my lowest weight, but 10 of it I really needed to gain. I don't want to get down that low again. But I'm working on losing the 10 lbs that I really WANT to lose. I'm just counting calories at this point. I've gotten them down to the point where I'm losing again, although it's ridiculously slow. I am - and am expecting to -lose 1-2 lbs a month. But I"m OK with that. To pick up the pace, I'd probably need to get down to 1000 kcal/day or fewer, and I'm not willing to do that. Besides, my current weight is actually OK for my height and age, so I'm not in a huge rush. I should add that it took some effort to lower my calories. You kinda get used to eating a certain way and at a certain level, and it's really hard to change. I'm pretty used to it now, though...it just took some white-knuckling. I feel like I'm back in control of my eating and I'm on my way!

So my Doctor’s office called me yesterday morning to set up my pre-op appointment. I went today at 8am and I’m scheduled to proceed with Gastric Bypass on 4/27 at 6am. Originally, things were postponed, but yesterday they called and told me my insurance approved my surgery and asked me what date I was looking at. I told them asap and they got me scheduled. We were asked to wear a mask and everyone in the office wore them as well. Only about 5 people were allowed in and they had the waiting room spaced out for social distancing. We were also screened for high temperature and any Covid-19 symptoms before we were allowed into the office. I’m excited, yet trying not to get my hopes too high in case I get rescheduled in the next 19 days.

I'm 6 years post VSG. Had some early regain but got it under control and have maintained decently. It takes a lot of work for me though, and because of another diagnosis I have to follow a pretty severely low carb diet. I too have slider foods like popcorn, crackers, etc. I had to literally give them up and walk away. A few times a year my hubs and I will PLAN for a few days where we eat what we want (pizza, pasta, etc) and we have absolutely NO guilt about it but after the very specific amount of days, we hop back on our plan and just keep going. We don't obsess over the scale during the few weeks afterward knowing it will go up a tad. My original surgeon was AMAZING but I changed jobs and insurances about 2 years post op. So I have to see a different guy now. I usually check in every 18-24 months with him and am due this summer. My original surgeon told me that if I could maintain within 8-10 lbs of my very lowest post op weight that was considered a success. While I AM within that range, I really do still have about 25 lbs to lose to be considered normal BMI, and I am still bound and determined to get there. Next Monday, because my surgeon and another doc are focused on this metabolic 'thing' that I have, and they want some very specific things to happen for it, I'll be starting a 3 week 'pre op' style diet with shakes, 1 small meal, raw veg, broth, and sugar free jello. While I KNOW my sleeve is still working, and I have GREAT restriction, I am looking forward to seeing what both my weight and my labs do after that 3 weeks!

For the past ten days, I have been experiencing constant dull nausea in my lower abdomen. It worsens when I eat (so I'm only getting about 400 calories a day) and sometimes I have to lay in bed because sitting and eating can increase the nausea. I messaged my bariatric surgeon last week and only heard back from his nurse on Monday. She was rather dismissive, saying that I might have the stomach flu and I should write again in a few days if I'm not feeling better. I also messaged my PCP who does not have a bariatric background, and she hypothesized that it might be heartburn (I don't think so -- I have no pain in my chest or upper abdomen) but said if the nausea continued, she would see me in her office. But again, she's not familiar with the surgery and possible complications, so might not know what tests to order. I spent time researching through Dr. Google and got worried about internal hernias, which could be life-threatening if left untreated. Apparently, sometimes the only symptom is mild nausea. Or maybe I have an ulcer. Am I worrying too much? Has anyone else had a long episode of nausea (lasting over a week) that resolved on its own? Or was from another cause? As you can see, I am already seeking proper medical advice, so only would like to hear anecdotal information and suggestions. Thanks.

My suggestion to you is to start the process yourself. Call your insurance provider and ask what the requirements for WLS if any. This can help get you in the right direction. My old insurance required a 35bmi w/2 comorbidities or a 40bmi. I didn't have any co's so i had to have a 40.... which i was just shy of back then. So before i even went to the seminar, i put on 10lbs. (gained 10 to lose 89... hell yes). I knew i would be approved.... My Dr. arranged all the appts. to heart, lung, phyc., sleep test, NUT... etc. After he got ALL the results back he submitted as one packet WITH a SX date. I was approved in three days. I had already researched the band for months before, but from the day i went to the dr and SX day it was around three months. I got my GYN to submit info on my health and weight gain over the years and i also has my logs from WW to show my dieting attempt.

You know someone was going to ask.... so i'm asking.... Why did you revise to GB? I org had the band for 8 years, went 3 years without any WLS, was sleeved Aug, 28, 2019. I did great with the band. 5'2" SW 232, got down to 143 and stayed there till my band was removed. then regained about 10lbs per year with no WLS..... So i got back to 173.5..... Today i'm happy to say im at a steady 129. I was a slow loser the first time and still think im a slow loser, but i have to say the sleeve was faster in comparison. Hope you are feeling great. 18lbs in 4 week is just amazing.... keep up the great work.

I do these from time to time. They're tasty and super filling! https://www.barilife.com/blog/10-single-serving-meals-you-need-in-your-bariatric-life/

Hi i had my surgery 14/10/19. I have lost about 70lb so far. Feeling good and on track. Sometimes I forget and eat too fast or too much and have episodes of foamies and pain. I’m trying to stop this. Hope all of you are doing well xx

Sorry to hear of your setback with your WLS. Let me try to put things in perspective for you. My good friend contracted the Corona Virus. At first he thought he had the flu, then bronchitis and finally hospitalized with pneumonia. It wasn't till he was hospitalized and tested that he was diagnosed with Corona Virus. Unfortunately for this hard working soul a day after checking into the hospital he had to be placed on a ventilator. Mind you there are no visitors allowed in the hospitals these days. His family could only call the nurses station and hoped the line wasn't busy, someone picked up and if they did pick up would get back to them with information on their loved one. ( In the best of times hospital care is a little above average) . The news is always bleak and after a week and a half my friend passed away. The family had to visit four funeral homes. Each one saying we will service you but by appointment only. After three funeral homes not calling them back they finally found one that could "process" his body for burial. They paid for a full funeral despite the funeral home only picking up my friend at the hospital and placing him into the casket with out being embalmed or having proper clothes on. The casket remained closed due to health concerns and they don't know if the person in the casket is their family member. They could not have visitation due to the virus. At the cemetery only a handful of people were allowed to attend once again due to the virus. This Covid 19 virus is cancelling a lot of planned events (I also had to cancel my vacation) but there are those who like my friend suffered and died alone. Who like his family can't be there for a sick loved one and who had to endure an Odyssey just to lay a loved one to rest. I was going to put a post on the boards of my two year Maintenance - versary. But after writing this it just doesn't seem important anymore. Please don't take this as a criticism of your reaction to having your surgery cancelled. You have every right to be disappointed. You will get your surgery, you will be much healthier and all of the things you wanted to do will be a reality. Unfortunately, in these tough times the reality of many isn't what they envisioned or hoped for. To all my fellow WLS friends. Stay safe, healthy and please be kind to others it really makes a difference.

Quest Protein Chips. 19-20g protein, 140 calories... I'm more than a year out and they're still a part of my routine.

I had my sleeve done 1/15/19 and I’m a very slow loser. I averaged two pounds a month for the first year (after an initial 16 lb loss the first month). They told me 2lbs a week would be ideal, slow and steady. As of my anniversary date 2.5 months ago, I’ve lost 2lbs. I’m only 1/2 way to my goal, 273lbs to 216. I battle the discouraging feeling everyday. I’m afraid I’ve reached my maximum weight loss. I tell myself “I’ve never been able to lose this much so think positive”. But I wonder why is it so hard for me. I even stopped coming here because it was difficult to hear the great success stories. When I do come here I look for people struggling like me. It’s hard to find. The PA has no reason other than my body is resisting the loss but I feel a year out it should give up the resistance. Anyway, try to stay positive no matter what rate you lose the weight. I have my internal battles every day trying to keep positive and know “I will get closer to where I want to be”.

I call is "wantpower"..... I want to be healthy. I want to be at a healthy weight. I want to be able to enjoy life. I want to play with my grandkids. I want to fit on a plane seat. I want to ride the rides at an amusement park. I want to not have to take all the meds. When i was first banded back in 2009, i felt the same way. I was a slow loser. I said "i only lost"...... hundreds of times. Then some friends said, but chris, have you ever been able to keep them off? Well that was a big NO..... With WLS i was able to keep them off for YEARSSSSS..... Then i lost the band and put back 30lbs. So i had the sleeve. I started at a low weight of 173.5 back August 28, 2020. Today, i'm at 128-129. A few things that help me. I know it's hard to do, but you have to stop comparing yourself to others, even your sister. We are all different. We all gained weight differently and for different reasons. This is your journey and no one else's. Trust in the process and it will happen.... I wrote on my mirror where i started as a reminder of how far i came.... SW: 232lbs (2009) Size: 18-20 pants 2x-3x shirt 44H bra. Today: CW: 129 Size 4 pants, sm-med shirt 32FF bra. Then i write words of encouragement on the mirror and on the fridge.... This week's words for me: TODAY IS A NEW DAY, MAKE GOOD CHOICES. (dry erase markers) I surround myself with positive people. If someone is negative around me, i just walk away... don't need that in my life, don't need that negativity coming into my heart and head. TAKE PICTURES!!!!! if you haven't already... take them. take your measurements also. Then once a month retake your pictures and measurements. You will be amazed. I still don't see a size 4... I see size 10-12. But pictures don't lie.

I feel like something always goes wrong when things seem to be going in the right direction for me. I turned 30 this year. My husband planned a romantic trip to Paris together for my birthday weekend to celebrate. That was mid-March, so it ended up being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and our country closing the borders. I was honestly looking forward to it -- a weekend where we didn't have to worry about the kids, where we could just enjoy each other, be intimate, go on an adventure, and be able to forget about everything else going on in our lives right now (which is honestly a lot of ****). I figured that we didn't need to leave our country to do that, though. We could figure out something at home since we would still have the weekend alone, and I got comfortable with that idea. That is, until our babysitter canceled on us completely, refusing to watch them for even a few hours. Great. It didn't turn out to be a bad weekend, but it wasn't what I had wished or even planned for. 😕 Anyways, I still had my surgery at the end of April to look forward to, so forget my birthday. No big deal. I've managed to keep my weight below where it needed to be in order to get surgery (down roughly 50lbs). I have stopped smoking completely & picked up nicotine-free vaping. I was really excited that this next chapter was getting started for me.. And I really hoped that it wasn't going to get canceled with how soon it was, that maybe things wouldn't have escalated as much as they have by now, and I would be okay.. But no, I got the email.. The email from the hospital telling me that my surgery is going to be postponed, that they would let me know by July 1st when I can expect my next date for surgery.. Another two months before I even hear back on when my next surgery date is, and even that isn't promised.. We don't know how far or how long this COVID-19 pandemic is going to take to be over with, or even to just where it can be managed to a point where hospitals can return to a normal routine. It's really getting me down and it's been hard to stay positive. I've stopped posting on here.. I am not sure why. Maybe I was ashamed or felt like I had no reason to be posting here.. These forums and having a set date was what was keeping me on track and motivated to keep going. Instead, I've turned back to food as a source of comfort. My diet has done a complete 180 and I am over-eating all the **** I shouldn't be eating in the first place. I've gained 8lbs back already. I hate how easy it is to put on weight. I hate how weak I am, how easy I can cave and give in to bad habits. I hate seeing myself sabotage all the work I've put into losing the weight I have. It's so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes.. My head is not where I need it to be.. I feel stuck and I am just overall unhappy.

I had my surgery on 3/13/20, so a week before you like rjan. I am definitely doing more then 5 oz an hour (or so) I am struggling a little with remembering to drink all the time. I agree speak with your surgeon or RD and see about that wait time, I only have to wait 15 minutes after drinking before eating, and to be honest I only been doing 10 as I was mistaken about the time, but all in all I have been fine with eating 10-15 minutes after drinking. I also only have to wait 45 minutes after eating before drinking again. I did download the baritastic app.. it has a timer on it that I find useful to help me keep track of when to eat and drink. Hope this helps!

Thankfully, my friends and family have not gotten covid 19. It is so surreal how much all of our lives have changed in such a short period of time. I hope that everyone is okay and finding healthy ways to deal with the stress. I noticed myself stress eating. I have not even reached my goal weight yet! Trying very hard to hold myself accountable and log all foods.

Updated Progress! Surgery 2/21/2019 i started at 306lbs andi am down to 187lbs as of 4/4/2020. YAY nothing can stop me now....i feel amazing.

I had my surgery on feb 10. I had lost about 20lbs on the 3 week pre-op. I gained almost 10lbs from iv fluids and medicines. It took me over 2 weeks to lose those 10 lbs. I’ve since lost another 18lbs - in 5 weeks. I’d love for it to be faster, but any loss is great. I am also eating 600-700 calories a day. But I’m also not quite as active a I was in feb and March, what with the extreme cold weather and everything locked down. Sadly, some of us lose slower than others. That was the case for me before surgery. I always lost slowly, so continuing to lose slowly after surgery isn’t really all that surprising.