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4 years post-sleeve, yes, I do regret it. The sleeve has a pretty high rate of revisions to gastric bypass in the long run due to either really bad acid reflux or inadequate weight loss. It also makes you more likely to get a hiatal hernia post-operatively, which may not sound like a big deal, but it has had a real effect on my quality of life. I didn't have a hiatal hernia until after the sleeve. Knowing what I know now, I would have never had bariatric surgery in the first place, because I was quite healthy in spite of being fat and bariatric surgery made my quality of life worse instead of better. However, if I did want to go through bariatric surgery, I'd rather get the RNY. At least the RNY has stood the test of time over many decades and cures acid reflux instead of making it worse like the sleeve does. Personally, I would only recommend bariatric surgery to people who already have health issues from being fat. Then it is worth the risk that the surgery might create its own problems.

Hi all. I believe for my insurance BlueCross blue shield of Illinois (I have blue choice ppo) they need a letter of recommendation for weight loss surgery by my main doctor. My main doctor is just my obgyn/gynecologist that I see every year. Does she count as a primary doctor, would they accept it from her or I need to find a family doctor general practitioner?

I'm sorry for the loss of your father. I lost my mother during the pandemic and I know exactly the mental state. But give yourself some grace. The weight gain isn't who you are, it's something that happened in response to some insanely tough stressors. Anyone who judges you doesn't deserve your company—people who truly love you just go, "That's my friend Thunder7, he's awesome," not some Mean Girls "zomg did you see Thunder7?". You know what you need to do to lose it, because you did it once before, and you've already started. Just know it isn't going to happen in two months, and it's gonna take work. Get the beer out the house right now, and don't go to bars. (Probably sage advice anyway in much of the country given the spread of the virus...) As for the loneliness factor... I get that too. I joined a small gym where everyone is very friendly and made friends there. Or if you're into singing (or anything else), just join activities and friendships will follow.

I'm sorry for your loss. You went through a lot of trauma in the past 2 years, many people would have struggled with that too but you should be proud of yourself that you've already taken some steps to turning things around. While weight loss is harder after the first year of surgery its absolutely still possible. Your restriction is still working which is great and you have a plan to start exercising. Therapy will be a big help as well to keep you on track. It sounds like you've taken the steps needed and you're reaching out here for support and accountability. Give it some time and I'm sure you'll see the weight start to drop off again soon. Good luck!

I'm sorry for the loss of your father, and challenging times you have gone through. You should be proud of yourself for taking the steps you already have to get back to where you want to be. You achieved your weight loss goal before, and can do it again! Wishing you luck in getting where you want to be.😊

First, sorry for the loss of your Father. I know how hard that can be especially being in an area where you have no support from family or friends. I've heard that people who have the surgery often pick up other vices that can be bad for them. But IMO, sounds like you're already taking the steps you need to in order to turn things around. You recognized you have a problem, stopped the drinking, joined a gym, eating better and more importantly are seeking help from a therapist. I think those are all things most people here would suggest. I personally don't think 215 is so far away/too far from your previous weight/goal. I'm confidant you will get down to that again and most likely in not much time at all. I really don't have anything else to offer in way of advice but I do wish you luck in getting yourself back on track.

Hi everyone. I have been following this forum since 2018 when I got sleeved but never had the courage to make an account and post. Well, I got the courage today because I feel like my life is spinning out of control. I will try and keep this as short as possible for brevity but I really need some support and encouragement. I am a male, early 40's who got VSG in 2018. I lost approximately 125 lbs. I was happy, my life changed. I was motivated, more social and felt like I was on top of the world. I got down to 170-175 and felt great. Then, the pandemic hit. Before it hit, my family left my state and moved. Then my father passed during the pandemic and I ended up moving out of state and trying to start my life over. My remaining family lives about 3 hours from me. I never really had a problem with alcohol until the pandemic and the loss of my dad. I put on about 40 lbs in a year between drinking and eating horribly. I don't think I stretched my sleeve because I can feel restrictions, but the carbs from beer are what's doing it. I just joined a gym, and I stopped drinking a few days ago. I also have an appointment with a therapist. People say that it's hardest to lose weight after initial weight gain from VSG. I don't really know anyone in my state or town where I moved, so I need to keep myself accountable. I got the courage to sign up. I also am going to do high protein low carb and see if I have results. I am about 215 right now and I dread seeing people, I am even avoiding seeing my family because of the weight gain.

I count total weight loss. Heaviest weight was at 1st consult with surgeon 10/31/20.

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. I really appreciate it! Quick stats: Started 280. Now 195.5 this morning, 5’8”, currently fitting into size 10/12 pants and medium/large shirts. Today was my 3 month post op visit with my surgeon. This morning I weighed 195.5 and weighed in at 199 on the doctor’s scale. Not bad! I plan to ask my dietician about weight swings during the day. I can’t be the only one that weighs themself in the morning and evening..right? Does anyone else have 3-5 lb weight swings? I went in today with two concerns: I feel like I’m losing sooo slow and my hair is falling out like crazy. I went through surgical menopause when I was 31, so I already have very thin hair to begin with and I feel like I am pulling clumps out in the shower everyday. Regarding losing so slow, the doctor reminded me my BMI day of surgery was 34 not 50+. Losing 10 lbs a month the first three months is totally normal. He told me MY normal is 5 pound loss per month. He saw my confused expression and said that I’ve been obese most of my life, so my bones are denser than thin folks because I needed the stronger structure to carry the weight. I don’t have much fat to lose as someone going in with a higher BMI so I need to give myself some slack. I asked him what his goal for me is and he said a BMI of 27 which for me is 178. My goal is 160-165. He told me I will get to my goal and may even exceed it but warned me after a few years I will gain some weight back. If I can keep a 27 BMI or lower I will be successful for life. It’s hard to wrap my head around that I have about 20 pounds until his goal already. No wonder I have only been losing 1 pound a week lately. It’s all normal and I just need to accept that. I get caught up in others who are losing 3-5 pounds a week. I need to remind myself I don’t know where they started. It makes sense for a higher BMI to drop weight quicker as they have more to lose. It’s a good lesson for us all. Don’t compare! Regarding the hair, Dr told me to start taking 50 mg of zinc sulfate everyday in addition to my biotin. I’m going to pick some up today and report back next month. I know it will grow back eventually but it’s so depressing to see the hair fall out. Moving on- I can eat pretty much whatever I want if I follow some rules. Red meat in small portions and chew it to death and then rest my stomach. My stomach doesn’t care for it much but we’re trying to come to an agreement because I like steak I allow myself to taste desserts on occasion. It’s not often but I won’t eat a full serving again. My last post I talked about vacation and I did eat a full serving and was so sick afterwards. Never again. I began weighing my food again. Turns out I wasn’t serving myself enough. Crazy! I was trying not to eat too much! It works because I felt my restriction during dinner last night. I was able to get 3oz of chicken and a few baby carrots but that was it. I had been eating my full meals lately and worried it was slowing down my weight loss because I still wanted more. I was under eating! My advice don’t slack on weighing and measuring your food! Oh funny thing my nose starts running when I am full. I thought it was allergies but nope every single time I am “done” my nose (right nostril to be exact) starts running. I must admit I am not doing so hot on using my elliptical. I haven’t been on it in two weeks. I am talking 20 min walks every night. Saturday I deep cleaned my entire house and it took me 3 hours. I only stopped for water and my watch told me I hit my goal for the day. I will count it. This is awful but I really don’t have much time. I’m slammed at work and can’t get into a groove to get on that dang machine. It’s in my house and I work from home so I feel like I have no excuse. Ugh. I had to goto the dept store and get a work outfit last weekend. Would you believe I needed a 10?! I couldn’t believe it. Still don’t actually. Last topic because this is long! This is all mental but I can’t shake it. I see myself in the mirror but I don’t recognize her. I study my face for a long time and I don’t see me. I see someone who is older than I used to be and has different features. To be fair I am (almost) 40 and losing weight has caused some wrinkles. I can’t describe it. Does anyone understand?

Hi guys! I just have to ask this question, because the only thing I'm reading here is "I followed my plan 100% the first year", and other likewise statements. Does this mean that none of you ate a cookie the first year/during the weight loss stage?? I've been craving a chocolate chip cookie since the surgery and was looking forward to trying a bite once I can have solids. Does this make me crazy/abnormal? Sent from my moto g(6) using BariatricPal mobile app

CKmommy & Bronx cutie, you both look amazing! Congratulations on your weight loss. I'm so inspired by your progress. 🤩😊🥳

I am five month out and I eat about 8-900 calories per day. Like catwoman said, The loss has slowed a bit but I am still losing.

I was eating around 800 calories a day at that point. 500 is very low for that far out - most people only eat that the first month post-op. And no, you will not gain weight on that. You'd likely still lose even at 1000 cal a day. Yes, your weight loss may slow down a little, but you're still going to lose - and at this point, I'd be more worried about your health than I would losing slightly faster/slower.

I was too large for any scale but my surgeons so it really wasn't a choice. But it was a tremendous benefit. I *never* saw a stall but rather consistent weight loss month after month. When I got to a weight where I fit on a home scale (which was a goal) I used it for a couple weeks, then got bored with it. I learned that my surgeon really didn't care about my weight but was concerned with how I was doing on the plan, how was my life, was I having issues. In point of fact, my weight never came up unless I brought it up. I took all this to heart and stopped worrying about my weight but focused on my plan, how I felt, how my life was going. I still don't weigh myself. I get weighed at my annual physical and that's it. I stay on plan and that aspect of my life takes care of itself. The rest is where my head is. Good luck, Tek

I lost my gall bladder after rapid weight loss, and I can no longer digest fats properly meaning I have chronic diarrhea. Stats differ but I’ve read that one in 10 people have severe problems like mine after losing their gall bladder. Nobody even told me that there was a high risk of losing my gall bladder with rapid weight loss. I have difficulty leaving the house. I feel doctors gloss over the possible problems of losing your gall bladder. Turns out, I did need mine.

Oh, how insensitive is your doctor. After weight loss surgery, you are unable to take nsaids. (Sleevers are eventually able to take the odd nsaid but not regularly.) But there are alternative pain relief & RA management drugs for rheumatoid arthritis than nsaids such as steroids and dmards (like methotrexate which 2 friends take). Chat with your surgeon as to whether you’re able to take these drugs as it will depend upon where in your body they are absorbed. Hopefully you may be able to take one of those. Plus as you lose weight some of the pressure will be taken off your joints which should offer some reduction in pain too.

Great post @MandoGetsSleeved. I’m sure many of us go through the same thing or similar. It’s the old habit thing. In the past, we ‘d lose weight, feel good about ourselves & then let it all sludge away & go back to what we used to eat. So we do it again this time. It’s wonderful that you realised what you were doing & committed to going back to the new better habits you were learning. It is a constant battle though. Congrats on your weight loss so far. You’ll at your goal in no time.

My gallbladder was remove when they did my bypass I’m crying because I don’t see weight loss looool 😂😂😂😂😤😤😤

i had surgery on july 27, now aug 1 i was 352 , now 356, i do 80 oz of water, and about 90 protein im lost

It’s my 5 month surgiversary today!! Best decision I have ever made! I have lost 81 pounds in total, 68 post surgery. Not only do I feel so much healthier but there are so many non scale victories too. Only real downside has been losing so much hair but I would still have gone ahead with the surgery. I set my goal weight to 165 pounds because I actually don’t know how I would look at that weight as an adult. I may revise it when I get there, but it feels pretty good to be so much closer to that goal. I really hope you’re all doing well and are happy to have had the surgery. I’d love to hear about your journeys to date, the good and even the not so good 😊. Below is a before picture and one taken yesterday. I hated being in photos so I didn’t take one just before surgery but I now wish I had.

I haven't had weight loss surgery yet, but one of the requirements before surgery was to have an upper endoscopy. I had that last week and during it they found a hiatal hernia.

They happen. Just stick to your plan & they will break. Your body is taking a break to catch up with all the changes - diet, weight loss, surgery, etc. It’s been through a lot. I never changed a thing I was doing (why stress my body more) & I always started to lose again. You will too. Good luck.

It’s my 2 month surgiversary. Down 33.6lbs CW 211.4 (SW 245; BMI 36.3). Stalled out most of this week, but when I looked at last month I noticed it happened then to…the culprit, my period 🤪 I will still have a loss this week, because I was down .6 today. (I use Mondays as my weekly weigh-in for calculation purposes, since my surgery was on a Monday) Restriction still going strong …one of these days I’ll actually be able to eat all of my breakfast (1 egg, 1 egg white, 1oz cheese) I get hungry if it’s been more than 2 hours since I last ate. Today is my first day not taking a PPI…so hoping no side effects from stopping that.

@angel22 Are you a weight loss patient/future weight loss patient?

Yeah, one of the things I like to remind those starting out is to take regular pictures throughout the process…its really cool to look at them all side by side later! 😂 I was pretty much normal-sized up to about age 30. Started packing on the pounds after I popped out the Kid. I’m guessing i got to obese level in my mid-30’s, and morbidly obese level in my early 40’s. I’m 49 today. Lol, there’s no secret: i ate ALOT less and moved around ALOT more (i was lucky to have no known medical conditions that would impede weight loss, so my body operated on “calories-in-calories-out” pretty predictably). Oh, and i was on Team Very-very-Little-Net-Carbs throughout….i know the carb topic can get “lively” on here, so I’ll just leave it at that, lol. Good Luck!❤️