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Most insurance requires at least 3 and often 6 months of monitored weight loss attempt in addition to the psyc eval, nutritionist visit and medical clearances. Once approved, it just depends on how busy your surgeon is. I had to do the six months of weigh ins, labs, psyc eval and nutritionist. My surgery was about a month after I completed all my requirements.

It really depends on your budget whether you should buy clothes. I mean it’s best to love the skin your in and of course that’s easier to do if you at least have clothes that fit you appropriately at every size. You will most likely drop a chunk of weight during pre op and then the first few pounds come of pretty quickly post op so if you buy new clothes you won’t be wearing them long. You may want to consider consignment or thrift stores for a while if you don’t want to invest a ton of money in clothing. But I say that we usually feel better about ourselves when we look our best so if the budget permits then buy a few outfits to carry you through and donate them or give to a friend when you are ready to size down.

If I were you I would start planning that wedding asap. Sounds like you have an amazing partner. Most of us put life on hold far too long because of our weight. You have come so far already and truly deserve to start living your best life again right NOW!! Congratulations on your loss so far and on your engagement.

Agree with others. Everyone is different and your body does not work linearly. I mean, I'm no where near goal and I have slowed to a crawl the past two to three months, without changing my eating (might be all the exercise, but hard to know, I'm just keeping on keeping on). Other people with my same stats could be dropping 2 or 3 times the weight I am - until their bodies decide not to and stop. It's not predictable and I find comparing myself to others does nothing helpful or useful.

Thank you… I’ve struggled during that loss (putting weight back on, resetting - going back to what I know works to get it off again). I’m hopeful that will help me do the same after surgery if I slip up.

I stopped pre-surgery and just put up with my fat clothes getting loose until they were really like wearing a tent. I had smaller clothes in my wardrobe from when I was smaller and/or had previously lost some weight, so I had a range of clothes to "move into" as the weight came off. Once those clothes started turning into tents, I bought second hand jeans and tops off Ebay and at op-shops/goodwill. I'm still doing that, but now that I'm almost at goal, I've bought a few items that should last me to my goal. If they look a little big, they're only one size different so I should get away with keeping them in rotation.

I would talk to a bariatric surgeon and have them see how serious your reflux is and if it they believe it warrants a revision, they will tell you. As far as the poor choices and no weight loss, it could be due to having gerd. I didn't get reflux from my sleeve till years later, long after I had lost most of my weight. I saw a few surgeons, and they all said that I have to get a revision to RNY, otherwise I was risking getting esophageal cancer. I also started having difficulties keeping the weight off. I couldn't sleep at all, hence I ate more for energy. Other times, I ate when my stomach hurt just to temporary pacify the gnawing pain... Etc. It's all related.

Hey all, it's been a bit since I was on here last. So, I figured I'd talk about the appointments so far. I'm still pre op and don't have a surgery date yet and I more than likely won't for awhile. Which sucks🤷‍♀️ but oh well, we all know it takes time. I had my first official appointment last month with my first official weigh in! They gave me a weight loss goal to reach which they want me to be in 150 to 155. According to the BMI chart that still makes me overweight, but that gave my that goal so that I dont get discouraged and its more realistic.My ultimate weight loss goal is to get down to 125. I've been overweight/obese my whole life and I just want my weight to be considered a normal weight, you know? Probably not a good mind set right? I already had one of the classes I need to take required by the surgical team. Which was the importance of exercise. Which went great. I also met up with the bariatric psychiatrist for a mental health evaluation. This week I have a huge appointment coming up on Friday. The appointment consists of a bundle of testing. Blood work, EKG, chest xray(I believe). I meet up with the nutritionist, I meet up with the physical therapist too (I think that is what it is) and after all of that I have a regular followup appointment to go over the bundle testing that day. So Friday is going to be a long day haha. The next appointment after that is another follow up and lastly I have a behavior modification class scheduled for October. After those appointments I think all that's left is another appointment with the nutritionist, another class and follow up appointments. What are the appointments you guys have to go through before even getting a surgery date? sorry for all the writing, but this is the only place I can really talk about it since I want to keep this journey to myself. Until I am ready to announce to people. Which that won't be until I lose a significant amount of weight. Thanks for listening!

it's a very individual thing, because it depends on so many factors, such as: gender, age, starting BMI, metabolic rate, whether or not you lost a lot of weight before surgery, activity level, how closely you stick to your clinic's program - etc etc etc for your other question, yes, most people drop the most weight the first month or maybe two, then it slows down. The closer you get to goal, the slower it typically goes

Looks like we are surgery twins… and I’m right there with you on that surgery anxiety. My liver function numbers were not great and my liver was VERY enlarged. That’s what finally made me agree to even look into WLS. I have more to loose than you but knowing the weight loss I have had leading up to this has already made a difference, I know I’m on the right path. I’m scared… anxious and a little overwhelmed right now. The closer it gets the more those feelings flood me. I know that this is the best thing for me (and my family). My pcp sat me down and said - are you committed to going forward? I said, yes - I think it’s the right thing to do (kinda hesitating). He said no… if you are sure this is the right thing and committing to it - then you go into with a positive attitude and go forward with confidence, it will make all the difference in the world. So I’m trying to be confident and positive. I’m scared - and it’s ok to be scared, but we all have more reasons to go forward than not, make the most out our new tools and find success no matter how many or few pounds that is. Together we can get through this! Deep breaths… we got this!! 🥰

Can you update your latest weight? I am not sure if you're at a normal BMI. It took me almost 6 months post-op to get my period naturally and ovulate (also a fellow PCOS-er). So I suppose it's different for different individuals.

I'm so sorry you're having to consider revision so soon after your original surgery. Do you think it might be useful to think about the weight loss you've managed to achieve with your current surgery, and the reflux you've unfortunately experienced separately? I have had reflux symptoms for years. They always improved when I lost weight, so after a long discussion with my surgeon I decided to go for sleeve gastrectomy as opposed to bypass. In my case the gamble (calculated) paid off. I DID in fact improve as soon as I lost a significant amount of weight again. With regards to losing weight after a VSG that is an issue you might want to address completely separately. If you can eat around a sleeve then you may be able to eat around a bypass. Do you have food addiction issues or other psychological issues that might benefit from discussion with a bariatric therapist? Having had my sleeve 9 months ago I can't imagine how I would have approached it other than how I did - as a tool to help me lose weight if I stuck to certain (hard) rules. I wish you all the best in your journey. There are many many roads to successful long-term weight loss. Seems like you've already taken a big step along one of those roads.

Hi Shannon, I live in Pennsylvania, and I am scheduled for surgery Tuesday (16th)… I’m 48 and have similar goals as you. While I’m not a veteran, I have friends who are 7-15 years out and I grilled them about several of these things so I will share my experience this far and some of theirs. Let me just say there are tons of people who will help with their experience also… and one of the things I learned from this board is everyone is different. (I love this app and the people on here - they are so awesome!) 1) I have IBS (largely well managed) and dealt with constipation after my c-sections as well. The high protein pre-op diet made that flair up for me. In addition to water (I struggle with that) and hitting my other liquid goals, I add miralax once or twice a day (depending on my needs) to help keep things moving. Also moving around - walk, walk walk… even puttering around the house. Moving helps keep things moving. At the first sign of things not cooperating I take an approved laxative by my program. That’s my last resort (because that is never fun) but I know my body and I know when it’s necessary - so if I catch things early enough a partial dose (I prefer liquid to pills) is usually enough to keep things productive. 2) I have digestive issues with artificial sweeteners. So I like Sodastreams water enhancers (Bubly) zero calories, zero carbs. But lately I’ve enjoyed my zero water filter enough to not bother with the flavor. I can easily work 3 20 oz bottles of water (some days 4 or 5). Keep in mind I’m pre op… but I’m hoping that post surgery I will be able to get back into that habit after surgery, because I too have kidney stones and am eager to avoid that. Right after surgery they all warned me I won’t make my goals most likely - but to do my best. With time it will come. Broth and bouillon have been helpful in hitting (and exceeding) my goals. So I will use those to work towards my daily goals. 3) Depending on your surgery - will depend on the long term possible side effects, one of the reasons I’m having sleeve (shorter potential list). However my surgeon balanced it by saying the potential side effects of not doing it the surgery or taking other steps to loose weight (prolonged joint deterioration, effects of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiac disease, elevated risk of cancers and although I’m not diabetic - eventually I’m likely to be, liver disease, etc) are equal or greater. On balance the surgery is a toll that helps me improve more than it risks in my case. 4. Hormones can be real - hunger, menstrual, general emotional. I was told that some women who stopped menstruating, would start again… (also warned to watch out for later in life babies), some women who have fertility issues, see a reversal… weight loss - especially large amounts, can result in an estrogen release (hormone swings). There’s no guarantee of if my hunger hormone will be gone - or how long. Everyone is different in that area. My hubby and I had a talk of what to possibly expect after (throw back to postpartum depression). Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I have Virtual appointment already scheduled with my therapist for the week following surgery and recurring every two weeks after (with the options to call if I need to see sooner and ability to cancel if I need to rest and not up to it as long as I check in). I’ve been seeing him for a while now to adjust to life after a car accident. I also have my pcp follow up scheduled and my endocrinologist scheduled within a few weeks after my surgery so I will have those check-Ins to help with anything non-surgical that might pop up. I have some help lined up (kids, husband and one friend I told what I was doing) just in case I need a little extra help right after. However the rest of my family (siblings, parents, extended family and others) know only that I’m getting a hernia repair and that I started working with a nutritionist pre-op and will continue post op due to some other health issues … which is not untrue, just not the whole truth. I’m taking care of me first for the pre-op and the post-op recovery. I’m hoping by doing that, I can reduce my stress and help manage any of the hormone fluctuations that MIGHT pop up and well as focus on meeting my nutritional and water goals. I hope this helps!

Hi. I've been suffering from pcos since teenage, having all the symptoms like weight gain, facial hair, irregular periods etc.. I have had my gastric sleeve in november 2020 and lost 25 kg in total. I have seen improvement with my pcos symptoms, for example getting a regular period cycle, less facial hair and obviously weight loss. Now, almost after 2 years my period cycle is getting irregular again. Increasing 2-4 days every month. For example, 30 days cycle in June, 34 days in July and 36 days plus (still missing) in August, and I'm definitely bot pregnant. Has anyone else had the same problem? I'm really worried that my Pcos might kick.in again. My weight is on a stall, as I'm not doing much at the moment. Please share your experiences Thank you Sent from my SM-N960F using BariatricPal mobile app

I was 335 in March. In anticipation of surgery I lost 55#, so at surgery (the day before yesterday) I was 280. My goal is 200 (okay, my secret goal is 190). What does the rate of loss look like? That is, do you lose steadily, or more quickly at first and then more slowly? How long should it take to lose the next 80#? My hope is to lose 50 in six months and the rest in the following six months. Is that realistic? As for exercise, I walk my dog about 1+ mile/day but hope to pick that up as I lose weight.

Will someone be so kind to tell me how to update my weight, surgery date, etc. I've done it once but I can't seem to do it now. *sigh*

I have BCBS FEP and aside from working with a previous nutritionist for nearly a year without success of meaningful weight loss, I only had to attest to trying to lose weight other ways. I was worried they wouldn't approve me, but it went through without issue.

Getting surgery in October. I’ve got some work events coming and my closet is pathetic right now. Would like to refresh it a little bit but I’ve got surgery coming up. I know the weight will take time to fall off but I’m in that weird area so not sure what to do. When did you stop buying clothes? Bonus: if you’ve had the surgery, when did you need to start buying new clothes?

I have BCBS Fed and I didn’t have any specific evidence of previous medically supervised weight loss interventions so I freaked out about that, but I managed to get approved. I did go over my history with my dietitian and there’s some indication of weight loss in previous claims so maybe that’s what counted.

I am still pre-surgery. I have to stop smoking at least 2 months. I just stopped. Well, I finished my pack so a day later I did. My thoughts on this is that I HATE to start **** over. So once I stopped and was in a few days, I did not want to start again! That gave me motivation to get past any urges. Although I have gained 12 pounds! I am at 48 days!

I am doing great. I am at my goal weight. Averaging around 185 lbs. I can eat whatever I want at this point but not much of it. No complications so far. Now I contemplating my ideal weight of 175 which I didn’t ever think would be possible. Life has been crazy busy with my career and home life. I am thankful for all the extra energy that I have now and with the heat wave we are experiencing I am loving not being drenched in sweat all the time. I find myself being cold at times which is not something people in Miami say often. I still enjoy hearing about all of the success my November surgery buddies are having. I think it has been a great experience for most of us. Keep up the good work everyone!

Finally went diving!! (First time since surgery!) Pleased to report that: 1) I went down from an XL BCD to an XXS! 2) Went from 18-20 lbs of required weights to 6! (8lbs if i wore a wetsuit) 3) Speaking of wetsuits…i used to wear a Men’s XL, and now a woman’s size 2 (though if they had a size 1, it probably would’ve been better) I was NOT all sweaty and tired lugging all my gear around on land, got in and out of the boat with little to no effort, AND was looked cute in pictures lol. WIN!

Hi, I’m looking for others who’ve had a revision WITHIN the first year of their original VSG? My reflux is AWFUL! And my weight has been at a stall since month 4. A lot of that due to food choices. The worst the reflux has gotten, the worse the carbs have gotten. Anyone had a revision so soon and was able to get back on track? My revision is due to reflux.

I usually wound up doing both - in the morning for weight (that's when it is most stable and less influenced by other day to day variations - and then before dinner to get the BF at its best time. So much for those who say we shouldn't weigh more than once a week! The key there is not to agonize over day to day variations and recognize that they are going to happen and are normal.

I was also told no on gum from my surgeon. Found this info online not to chew gum after their weight loss surgery. First, some gums can have a lot of sugar, which contributes unnecessary calories into the diet, making it harder to lose weight. But, even if they opt for a sugar free version, chewing gum can cause problems in bariatric patients. The act of chewing gum allows air to enter into your digestive tract. For people who haven’t had bariatric surgery, this may not cause any problems. But for bariatric patients having air in their digestive tract can lead to gas and abdominal discomfort. In the first few weeks after gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band surgery, some patients report excess saliva. Chewing gum can also lead to saliva production, potentially compounding their problem. Another problem with gum chewing after bariatric surgery is the potential for any swallowed gum to cause a blockage. After gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band surgery patients are educated to chew their food thoroughly to a paste like consistency. As much as you chew your piece of gum, it will never be such a consistency. The wad of gum can potentially lead to a blockage if swallowed. Most do not find the risk worth it. A great place