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I think he was concerned about additional weight loss, malabsorption, etc. If this doesn’t work, he still plans on bypass as the solution. I was 45 pounds from his goal when I had my endoscopy and lost 20 since the hernia repair. I was just diagnosed with severe anemia too. I’m still not back to a regular diet yet. No reflux symptoms or meds needed so far. It took a while to get a diagnosis. I moved to another state shortly after my sleeve and couldn’t find anyone that would do my follow ups. I was on PPIs for 8 years and all my PCP offered was to try a different medication. She just was not educated enough on WLS to know something more serious was going on than just GERD.

If it's actually water weight (and it sounds like it is) then stay off the scale until everything is sorted out. You know it's not actual weight, but the numbers on the scale are messing with you. You're going back on the Lasix, and that will help. If you think sodium intake may also be the problem, cut it way down, eliminate salt, etc... And just be patient with yourself. This kind of thing takes time to get better, but it WILL get better. Just remind yourself it's not actual weight, and it will go away, and stay off the scale for a while.

It’s a big decision and one only you can make but I agree that you definitely will find tons of support here. Not to say that you don’t want his support but there have been many people who had unsupportive significant others. Most seem to come around to the idea eventually. taking them along to a couple dr appointments seems to help. By letting them voice their concerns and have the dr or NP explain things. I think it helps to hear from a doctor that it is a relatively safe surgery and also that your odds of losing weight on your own just really aren’t great after you get to be a certain size as well as their account of how many people have reversed some if not all of their medical issues by losing weight.

I just was sleeved on 8/16. I have been over 300 pounds for YEARS… but as long as I was able to do what I wanted and needed to - I didn’t see the need. Last year I hit my heaviest weight ever at 382… and I was like NOPE this isn’t happening. I worked my butt off to loose weight and had a good start. Then I got sick and we found out my liver was enlarged (like 3x the size it should be) and my fatty liver was progressing to NASH and my liver function tests were concerning my drs. Finally I was ready to consider surgery. I lost about 55 pounds from my heaviest leading up to my pre surgery diet (over about 9 months). I had a few set backs with having covid during that time. My endocrinologist was pleased with my liver reduction (through palpitations) and knowing I was scared about surgery told me if I kept making progress I could hold off on surgery if I wanted. But I was to worried that there would always be another “set back” and my liver wasn’t anything I wanted to mess with. I lost another 12 pounds on my pre op diet. I asked my surgeon how my liver looked after surgery (there was a chance I was also going to end up with a liver biopsy in addition to a hernia repair) and she told me my liver looked fantastic and to keep doing what I was doing - no need for the biopsy. There’s no guarantees that weight loss would reverse my liver condition - but it was my best shot. However I was told if I did nothing it certainly would continue to deteriorate. I’m not quite a week out. I’m sore - occasional movements hurt, at times a bit nauseous (not horrible) and I’m sick of the liquid diet … but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. I have confirmation I’m on the right track and that means the world to me. I’m not looking to be a particular size or weight, I’m working towards being healthy and that includes my liver, joints and over all well being. My husband was supportive right from the beginning to do whatever I wanted to do. At times I wavered because I was scared - but he was my rock and honestly I think not doing something scared him more that the surgery (he was scared too). He sat in my drs appointment when the dr explained what the progression of my liver from NAFLD to NASH meant and what to expect if I didn’t make some real changes. My only advice is find a bariatric program you are comfortable with. It took me two tries. Have your boyfriend come along if he’s able and if not take someone you trust to be objective and SUPPORTIVE. Having that support helps. Also if you have a therapist talk to them about it - your concerns, fears, hopes for the outcome. And if you don’t have one, consider finding someone who deals with bariatric health. I see mine every two weeks and we always touch on where I’m at in the process - it has helped. No one can tell you what the right decision is for you, but I do hope you have support whatever you choose to do. Best of luck and please update how you are doing no matter what you decide.

I think you may be being to hard on yourself. I say this because you know it's water weight, but you still find that discouraging. This is why lots of people encourage those on this journey to use additional tools like BIA scales & body measurements in addition to just tracking pounds. Weight alone is not an accurate representation of health, or even of how much fat you're carrying.

I'm right there with you. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the more severe form: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are both pretty common for obese people. Note that about 25% of people with NASH develop cirrhosis. Thankfully weight loss surgery is pretty successful in reversing NASH, as well as a host of other issues like GERD, sleep apnea, diabetes & heart disease. At the end of the day, only you can decide if surgery is the right thing for you. If you do go the surgical route, you'll find lots of supportive people here.

I am five months from finding out I have issues with my liver. Seeing fatty liver clinc this month. They are suggesting weight loss surgery. I started swimming in Sept. 2021 and was at 260 now I an at 240. I have a history of Gerd, lymphedema, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, psoriatic arthritis too boot. Boyfriend does not think I need surgery. He comes from a family where his mom is very obese. I have a good friend who is 3 months out past surgery. Sent from my SM-G990U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

If it’s because if fluids and swelling that will fluctuate until you get the issue sorted. I know it’s hard to do but if you are truly sticking to your plan it’s not a real weight gain, Try to ignore fluctuations like that.

elevated liver enzymes don't necessarily mean anything is wrong. It's very common to have them the first year or so post-surgery. It's because rapid weight loss is really hard on livers.

you mentioned bad swelling in your feet and legs - sounds like water retention. That can definitely cause weight fluctuations.

Feeling discouraged. Sleeve surgery 7/20 and lost 30lbs by 8/3. Started having chest pains and neck pains- turns out to be pancreatitis. Admitted to the hospital 8/7 and got out on 8/13. While in the hospital, I gained 24lbs back in fluid weight because I was NPO for a week so that’s all I could have. I lost 4lbs the first day I came home then about 10 more in the last couple of days and now I’ve gained 6lbs. I haven’t changed anything except added more protein and eating more soft foods instead of liquids, so why am I gaining weight now? I was so excited to see the weight loss but now I’m discouraged because I saw a BIG gain in a weeks time. I spoke with my PA and Dr and both agreed to let me start taking Lasix again but a smaller dose to see if it helps get more weight off because I’m swelling something terrible in my feet and legs. I try to keep my sugar below 10g a day because I think sugar is the culprit but I haven’t had much and the only other thing I can think of is my sodium intake. Any suggestions? Any pieces of advice to keep my head up? It’s so hard because I saw such a quick drop in weight and now I’ve gained 6lbs quickly 🙁

I don’t have any experience with anything like what you are going through but want to just say I’m sorry that you are experiencing all that. They do have some newer weight loss drugs that are said to be good if you just have a few pounds to lose but they are still having a hard time getting them covered by some insurance. I guess they are really diabetes drugs and they would be covered but for that use. Hopefully they do cover them soon for weight loss but it’s worth looking into. Maybe your one of the lucky ones that your insurance will cover it now.

I was very close to your size when I had my surgery. My surgery was covered completely by my insurance because I had very difficult to control type 2 diabetes in addition to HTN, and dyslipidemia. For diabetes prior to surgery, I was taking metformin, Bydureon, 80 units of Levemir insulin twice daily and 20 units of Novolog with each meal & snack. If you are familiar with insulin, you know these are really high doses so we are talking extreme insulin resistance. After the surgery, I was immediately off of insulin and rapidly lost weight for the first 3-4 months and then stalled out after losing 50lbs. I stayed stuck between 160-170 for about 3 years and then when the Covid pandemic started, my husband was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer. My stress levels went through the roof (I work in a hospital and was watching people die left and right thinking that at any time, my husband would be next). Anyway, I wound up regaining back up to 185 and started requiring insulin again at low doses. Then last year, I started on Ozempic and wound up starting to lose weight again and came off of the insulin again. After several months of Ozempic, I am now below my goal weight. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised to find that you will initially lose weight very easily. The weight loss should help reduce but may not resolve your insulin resistance. Keeping the weight off long term may be more difficult but is still quite doable.

I’m 5’6 and 220lbs! Female, 30 years old. Surgery is Aug 29th and I’m SOOOO excited but so nervous that I won’t lose weight because nothing has worked for me in the past. I have PCOS, insulin resistance and MTHFR. Do I have anyone who has been sleeved at my height and weight with good results?! Bonus points if you have PCOS or MTHFR! Thanks!

I don't understand what he means by too many side effects if he did the revision to RNY. Do you mean he was worried that you may lose too much weight? I was told that if I had the revision all my side effects will go away, not make more. After my revision, every issue (bowel, gerd, esophagitis... Etc. went away) as I was told. I had put it off for a long time though. He had suggested the revision as soon as I first got gerd but I resisted and thought medication will be fine. I was wrong, he was right.

Ah - I just scroll down, get to the 'together we have lost...' thing on the right hand side of the screen, and update my weight from there!

I was 206 at the time of my revision. I maintained 160 for years but I had put on 40 lbs after getting uncontrolled gerd unfortunately. My weight was stable as long as the PPI worked but it got to the point no medication worked. On the day of my revision, I was still 120 lbs. less than my 2008 beginning weight 320 lbs (plus). I weighed 113.4 lbs this morning. I am still trying to find my maintenance level of calorie as I am still losing.

Were you down to 160 at the time of your revision surgery? My surgeon was originally recommending conversion to bypass. He decided that bypass might have too many side effects since I have already lost a significant amount of weight. He opted to repair my hernia and place a mesh to see if that gets rid of the GERD. He said we still have bypass as a backup option. I’m almost 4 weeks post op and it’s been a tough recovery. I haven’t had any reflux or had to take meds since surgery. Hoping this works!

Hi SWW - I'm also pre-op (my gastric bypass surgery is on 31 August) and planning on following Dr. Weiner's diet in the future. Have you watched his videos on YouTube? Tons of content there, his explanations helped me to understand weight loss surgery and finally make the decision to go forward with it.

Re; being lighter. I especially love the extra motivation to lose weight that's goal oriented, not about aesthetics or some vague notion of health. Every pound of fat that I lose is a pound that goes up on the barbell, essentially for free. And that's something to cherish!

I think you sound like you are right in track. You were a lower BMI to start so your loss will be a little slower than some others on here and significantly slower than what you see on tv shows where people start at much higher weights.

If you have it this soon out I don’t think you will have as many issues getting revision. It’s when people all of a sudden claim to have it years out after they have regained weight that it seems to be more questionable as to whether they really have gerd or just want another surgery to lose the weight. (No I’m not saying that all those people are being dishonest it’s just that some have been and that ruins things for the rest). If you are still losing, though, why would you lie to get another surgery. Ya know? That’s just how I would look at it as a person who reviews claims. I would definitely make sure to call or see the dr and let them know everything though so there is documentation that it started early if I were you. Plus, the prescription meds were cheaper than over the counter for me and they are stronger.

I'm sorry you're dealing with GERD already! Been there, done that. It's a MISERABLE way to live. And I lived that way for several years. It gets to a point that the best prescription GERD meds can't touch it. Google foods to avoid when you have GERD, there's several: fatty foods, dairy, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, mint, etc. You may try sleeping propped up or in a recliner, that's what I had to do. I'd say reach out to your surgeon and get prescription reflux meds and see what the surgeon says about how to treat it going forth. Are you okay with revising to bypass? GERD is common after lap band and sleeve since your tummy is operating under a high pressure system. And I know tons of sleeve/band patients have told their stories on here, just as I have. I told my story hoping to help prevent another person from choosing a high pressure weight loss procedure and make a better choice. The lap band permanently altered my esophagus, and I have dysmotility and nerve damage. It caused me to develop GERD along with bile reflux. If I stayed that course I was destined for Barrett's esophagus and possibly esophageal cancer. I hope this reaches at least one person considering the sleeve. I know GERD doesn't happen to everyone who gets a sleeve, but if GERD and revision and another 2 week pre-op diet doesn't sound like something you'd be keen to experience, please reconsider getting a sleeve. It's not the only weight loss surgery option out there. @SleeveDiva2022 I wish you the best and hope you feel better soon!

Hi Amanda! My name is Nancy, and I'm new here, too. I'm in West Central Wisconsin. I just had my first meeting with my surgical team coordinator. As far as a date for my bypass, all I know is it will be in October. Definitely excited to be on this weight loss journey with this fantastic group of people!

Embrace those changes to your tastebuds that make everything taste sweet or overly salty. You can break a lot of any desire for sweet & salty in the future. Though as you are drinking soda you would be still feeding your sweet craving with artificial sweeteners. The changed tastebuds are also an opportunity to try different foods/flavours. If you can’t eat all of your meal, pop it in the fridge to have later in the day or tomorrow. I’d scramble two eggs & eat them over three days. A serve of rolled oats took two days. Cover with cling wrap & microwave the next day. Or freeze the leftovers. My freezer is full of leftovers I defrost & reheat. Handy for those days you don’t feel like cooking or have been busy. I sometimes think of it as takeaway food - take it out of the freezer & you have a healthy meal in a very short time. As time passes you will be able to eat more & more but you have to ensure you don’t exceed appropriate recommended serving sizes. Eyeballing or using body parts (palm size, fist size, length of a finger etc.) to judge portion sizes can be helpful especially when eating out, but it may be best to rely more on scales when home. It can be very easily to slip into overestimating, or misjudging the weight of denser foods. You’ll also learn to stop eating before it hurts. It may be little signs & reactions like a sneeze, a slight heaviness, runny nose, etc. Listen to your body. It can be very surprising what you learn about yourself & your body’s needs after surgery. Like I’ve realised if I eat breakfast too early I feel sluggish & generally feel blah. I believe the learning to listen to your body’s cues, being aware of your physical, emotional & mental reactions & understanding your thinking about & relationship with food & eating is one of the most important factor in your success. Oh & having drop in energy again at about this point isn’t that uncommon. I remember feeling so tired one afternoon, I thought I was going to fall off my treadmill (that’s when I briefly played with exercising 😉). Keep an electrolyte drink with you, especially if you know you’re going to have an active day. Don’t be afraid to stop & rest if you need. I often would stop for a quiet cup of tea if out & about or would just go home - can always finish those jobs tomorrow. Keep up your great progress.