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I needed to talk…
ChunkCat replied to Vanessa Correal's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi Vanessa! Is there something particular that has made you sad, or is this the weight loss blues (which are totally valid BTW)? I find empty theaters so soothing. I just wish they'd turn the movie down a little. I keep meaning to try going to see one with earplugs in, I hear that helps sensitive ears. 60 lbs that quick is amazing! My weight loss has been slower, but we all have our different paces... Have you struggled with depression before surgery? Sometimes surgery and the weight loss journey can trigger it. You are not alone. Thank you for posting and letting us know what you need. I will just say that if you were on medication for depression before surgery, you might want to touch base with your provider. Our surgeries can sometimes change the way we absorb our medications. I had to change mine around because I wasn't absorbing them properly and was slowly going through withdrawals, which was NOT fun! Thankfully all is well now, I knew to watch for that issue and we caught it quickly! -
It's easy to forget that "weight" and "fat" are not the same thing. You can burn fat and go up in weight, and it's normal for daily weight to fluctuate by several pounds. You've been really lucky so far that the scale has gone down consistently, but you're getting to the 6-month mark and that's when the surgery's fat burning effect starts to slow (not stop, but slow). In the past, you were burning enough fat quickly so that even if you went up in weight from water or the food in your digestive track, you wouldn't see it on the scale. Now, though, you might only lose a small amount of fat in a week, so you could see the scale become a little more erratic. It's totally normal and you aren't gaining fat. It's also very common to hit a stall around 6 months post op as your body recalibrates. You'll probably see slower weight loss once it breaks, but you'll still see the scale go down for many more months. And if I just base it on my own experience, you will experience this type of thing the closer you get to a number that feels important to you because the universe is like that. The moment I dropped below 200 lbs, which was such a psychological milestone for me, my weight bounced back up and it took another 10 days to get back into the 190s again. My third month post-op, I stalled and only lost a total of 3.8 pounds. The following month was my best month so far for weight loss. So don't read too much into a little wobble on the scale if your habits have been reasonable. If it takes 3500 extra calories to gain one pound, unless you can identify some really bad choices that would have led to a 14,000 calorie surplus this past week, it's not anything you're doing. Just keep following your plan and ignore the scale.
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Hello everyone, I’m 9 months out from my sleeve surgery. Had an easy post op without complications. However for the last 4 weeks or so I have moments where I get such bad gas (not flatulence, but painful, loud, trapped gas). I haven’t figured out exactly what causes it although the other night I ate some hummus and I immediately knew it didn’t go down well and felt full and like I had a rock in my tummy. After that happens it’s like 12 hours of pain and huge loud thumps and thuds. Then my insides feel like they’ve went through a war and they feel pain for a couple of days. I’ve now lost a little too much weight because I’m so scared to eat anything that will cause this. My hair is still falling out, I’m not eating enough and I’m usually in pain. I have an appointment with my surgeon but in the meantime I’m desperate. Anyone else have any experience with this?
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Anyone Annoyed with the "Stop losing weight"
SleeveToBypass2023 replied to AmberFL's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
YEP!!! I'm getting this literally right now. I have people that I've known for 15, 20, even 25 years that have never seen me below 250 pounds. So to see me at 185 pounds is understandably jarring for them. But once the compliments stopped the critiques started. "You're starting to look sickly, slow down the weight loss" and "you're going to look like you have an ED if you keep losing weight" and "your sagging skin is going to get so much worse if you don't stop losing weight". I mean...seriously????? My body FINALLY found its new set point and is happy where it's at and now the weight is resettling and redistributing itself. There's nothing I can do about it. Your comments are UNhelpful and UNnecessary. Ugh..... -
26 Months since Bypass and my appetitie is out of control
SemperVeritas replied to Possum220's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Hi, sorry to hear about your struggles 😔 it can be so tough! I'm 17m post op bypass, and although my team was happy with my loss at one year post op, I wanted to lose more and was really aware of how much I wanted to eat, like I never stopped thinking about food. I started taking compounded semaglutide in April, and the low doses didn't do much for me, but I've recently reached the therapeutic dose, and it has been great! Just this morning I hit a normal BMI, something I thought I could never do. I've been thinking about posting about my experience with it, because it was made a huge difference in both my physical appetite and my thoughts about food. I weighed 157 at my one year post-op, and 144.8 this morning! And most of that has come off just the last two months. Any drawbacks - I have had a few "learning experiences" like I did post-op, but overall it's been fine. If your doctor thinks it might be worth a trial, maybe give it a try. ☺️ I know it's making a big difference for lots of people. -
What you should know about WLS they don't tell you
Lilia_90 replied to BlondePatriotInCDA's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I am 4.5 months out, still early but lost the weight very fast and kept changing my goal weight, here is what I noticed: - I feel cold ALL THE TIME - My butt hurts when sitting down, because all the fat is gone - My whole life being athletic, I had an hourglass figure even when overweight the past few years, now I'm linear 🤣 - I am much much weaker to the point of struggling to lift my skinny 5 year old (weighing 16 Kgs) off the ground, I can't open water bottles, jars or even the protein chips bag (which is pretty tough to crack if I say so myself) - I have this weird type of digging pain under the right side of my rib cage, feels like something used to be there and now it's hollow and it's uncomfortable, it's weird I can't even explain it - My period pains have decreased significantly and my cycles went from 35 days to 28 days, go figure Ha! - My boobs remain perky thank goodness, but can't say the same about my rear as mentioned - My hair is falling like crazy, which freaks me out because it's not something I ever experienced, even postpartum - My body hair growth has slowed down drastically - My voice is softer (it's weird but I swear it's true) If any other weird phenomenon's come to mind, I will be sure to come back -
Good Day All, Long story short, I'd like to know if anyone has heard of a class action lawsuit that has been started? If you haven't but would like to be, I would like to start a petition of sorts so I can get a ballpark of numbers to give the lawyer. There is a good lawyer in London Ontario that I have contacted previously, but unless there are numbers, there's no point. In Oct 2013 I had the band placed in a rush of fury by their lies and pressure tactics. After 6 months of not being able to drink water without it coming back up, they finally agreed to remove it. Shortly after the removal I found out I was pregnant (not expected I could even get pregnant because of the malnutrition), but because I couldn't keep any nutrients down before and after removal, the baby never stood a chance. I had to have a emergency dilation of my esophagus twice and still can't have thick liquids without it coming up. I also just applied to have correct weight loss surgery, and was denied because they won't touch patients that have previously had a band. Now I've reached my limit and reading all of these other horror stories, something needs to be done. Signing on the dotted line in this case is bullshit. The clinic was shut down it was so bad, so clearly these signatures should be null and void too. I am not asking for extensive information, but if you would like to see how far this could go, please just leave your name and year Slimband screwed you over./ Much thanks, and power to us people ;) Holly M - Waterloo Ontario
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Holiday Clothes Shopping
Bypass2Freedom replied to Bypass2Freedom's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hmm, that is true actually! It feels as though we have skipped Summer here 😅 I shall hold off from buying anything just yet, as I am conscious of how fast the weight loss is right now! I think I am suffering a bit from imposter syndrome right now - I feel like a fraud if I were to buy smaller sizes if that makes sense! Like my body won't actually ever fit into them (which I know is insane, given that I am and have lost weight) but my brain hasn't caught up yet. I have heard nothing but good things about M&S - I may create a holiday wishlist on there! I admit I have never even worn those kinds of trousers before! But I think that was just due to me not feeling like they'd suit my shape! -
I was one to think the purée phase was awful too. In fact when I had the sleeve I at the same two things over and over just because it sounded so repulsive to me. This time I got a food processor and was so glad. I still wasn’t a fan of the meat being puréed but I did purée almost everything else and after all the liquids some of it actually tasted pretty good. You can do it either way though. It will fly by. Ugh, teenagers can be so stupid sometimes. I remember doing some pretty disrespectful things as a teen that I am still ashamed of when I look back though. They just don’t get it yet. I’m glad that you didn’t let it stop you. I am one to worry about what others think which is why I am only starting to exercise outside now because I finally decided that this is for me and only me. If someone doesn’t want to see me trying to get healthier they can look away. Good call on the recipe books. Someone in my August surgery group also posted a really great website for recipes. I will share that one too. Most of it is free but they do have a subscription deal so some of it is blocked. I have been scrolling through since they shared it. There are over 600 recipes it says but like I said some of them are blocked unless you pay to be member. The lady is a dietician that creates the recipes so they really are good and healthy. Good Luck at your appt with the surgeon. 🩵 https://www.bariatricfoodcoach.com/weight-loss-surgery-recipes/
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Sleeve revision or go ahead with bypass
ShoppGirl replied to kezbeth's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I am pending revision to my sleeve and my dr said he does not do resleeves because of the high risk and occurrence of leaks and low weight loss. I am pending testing to see if I will be getting bypass or SADI. Not sure if that helps or if your doctor feels the same way but it may be a good thing to ask about. -
August Surgery buddies
Singingbarista replied to Averdra's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi @Mandalynne - I'm getting the RNY. It was suggested by my surgeon. What surgery are you having? How did you choose? The liquid only diet is no joke. I started this journey at a weight clinic, and the doctor there put me on one to jump start my weight loss. It's a bear. Still, if I see a broccoli after all this, I'll be running for the hills. I hear you on the grocery shopping. I ended up taking a friend to Costco to stock up on my 3 LSD things, making sure I didn't browse. I've bought the little silverware, jello, 4 oz. containers, water flavors, protein shakes. Need some SF popsicles and broth. Shelf-stable things. That'll get me through the post-surgery liquid phase. It's a week for me. Are you telling people? All I've said is that I'm having a major surgery. I have a public job, so I'm not sure what to say when they see the weight coming off. This whole thing is so real now. I'm super nervous about the surgery and recovery. But I already know how it feels to be the way I am now and can see where I would end up. This is something different. I'm excited to see what happens next. We got this! -
Don't think of a 39lb loss as 'only', that is really good going in under three months. If you do a search in the forum you will see just about everyone has experienced a stall after a few months (some a few weeks) post surgery as our bodies cope with the changes. It is a question/concern that is raised almost weekly, if not more frequently, so you are not alone by any means. My stall lasted approx. 4 weeks and since then the loss as continued as a slow but steady pace, some weeks I lose nothing but I know I have done nothing wrong with my meals and it is all about the body trying to cope with and working out what is going on. I am sure this stall won't last much longer for you so don't worry and also don't worry if you have another stall in a few months time again.
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8 months post, 3 months of stall and poor circulation
JennyBeez replied to Anomalia's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Honestly, I woke up from my surgery (gastric bypass RNY) feeling cold and it just never went away, LOL. Did your doc do a full bloodwork panel, with iron and all that, and check your blood pressure? Other nutrient deficiencies can have the same symptoms. I've been told by many that it's normal after weight loss and/or WLS. Yes, sometimes it's thyroid related and it's good to check that semi-regularly just in case, but you can also just legitimately be cold from the weight loss. Think about whales and blubber -- they use that fat to keep them warm in the ocean, our fat cells do the same. My hands, feet and nose are frequently cool now, and always seem to be the first places I notice the temperature around me changing. My dad (who has thyroid disease) usually has the coldest hands in the house -- but not anymore! -
What’s for dinner? The non cooks version.
ShoppGirl replied to ShoppGirl's topic in Food and Nutrition
Just found a recipe for chicken that uses a glaze made of honey, soy sauce, garlic and red pepper flakes called 15 minute honey garlic chicken. Thinking of doing that tonight with a little cauliflower rice and some broccoli. I’m still looking for ideas though. I don’t know how to cook that many things to begin with so when I try to go healthier I swear I have to eat the same like 5 things over and over. I’m curious if the honey will cause issues post surgery though. It’s only 3tbsp for a pound and a half of chicken I haven’t ever looked at the carbs in honey though.Yikes, one tbsp Is 17g carbs. I guesstimate each serving will have about half a tablespoon?! Not certain if this will work in weight loss phase or not. I need to get the number from my surgeon at my post op because the nutritionists are incompetent but that’s for a whole other topic. -
Bypass Revision due to pouch opening being widely dilated?
KarenLR75 replied to KarenLR75's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
Congrats on the loss, Warren! Tomorrow is my scheduled 'peek'. Luckily the doctor doing this is a bariatric surgeon that specializes in revisions. Things at work and home are so stressful that I'm ALMOST looking forward to anesthesia simply for the temporary 'rest'...lol.... If there is nothing wrong 'there', then I'm going to have a long talk with my new 'GI' doctor. I hope this doesn't sound bad but after chasing this pain for almost 2 years, I really want them to find 'something' and hopefully minor, but I'm running out of options and I'm still completely salty on my primary doctor's response. -
August Surgery buddies
Greekmom4 replied to Averdra's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
@ShoppGirl my biggest incision is kind of dented in also. My surgeon said it will flatten out. It is also where they removed my stomach. Steristrips: I did not have them, or staples. My incisions all have stitches and a strange purple glue covering them. It is slowly wearing off. Food: We had a vegetarian potluck at work today and I did have a small teaspoon of ranch dip, one bite of a very spicy hummus, and a bite of a veggie meatball. I knew I could tolerate the food and did not want to punish myself by not having anything. Today I am 3 weeks and 2 days post-op and wore jeans for the first time. Not the brightest idea but I survived the day. LoL going to change as soon as I get home. I have lost 16 pounds since my surgery day. I am a slower loser and have had a couple of 3 day stalls. I like to weigh daily to see if a certain food or activity affects my weight loss. It also keeps me accountable. I know this may not be good for all people. I can’t wait for my 6 week checkup so I can be cleared to go to the gym. We have a large department move at work coming up in a couple of weeks and know that may pose some problems with my weight restrictions. Hope everyone is doing well and it seems like we are progressing along from all the posts. Keep up the good work. We’ve got this! -
I realized this might help others post - surgery
ShoppGirl replied to SleeveToBypass2023's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It’s funny that you posted this now. I have my psyc eval this morning and I know the drill from last time but I always kinda wondered why they don't just require ongoing therapy with weight loss surgery until the dr feels we are done instead of making us walk on eggshells afraid we won’t pass some one time evaluation proving we don't have any eating disorders when the reality is most of us could still benefit from some expert help when it comes to our eating habits and the mental aspect of it all. Maybe not for diagnosable eating disorders but for disordered eating behaviors which every human who says I’ve had a bad day and I want chocolate to feel better has to some degree. It just seems like it makes more sense to throw all the tools into the mix. They probably would have less revisions to pay for that way. -
When did your weightloss stop ?
Arabesque replied to Star1234's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Your weight loss is not over until it’s over. Losing for 18 months to 2 years isn’t that uncommon. Your weight loss will naturally slow as you’re able to eat more (this is supposed to happen) & you get closer to your final weight (your new set point) & closer to consuming the number of calories your body needs to function effectively. When it happens to you depends upon those things & some other factors. I reached my goal at 6 months. Like @ms.sss, I too took a while to work out what my maintenance calories were & to be able to eat that much so also did not intentionally mean to lose more. I continued to lose for another 11 or so months. Definitely noticed slowing down at about 5 months (maybe a little before & it got slower & slower. I lost another 11kgs over those last 11 months & in the last of those months I was losing grams in a week and maybe half a kilo a month. So I lost for about 18 months in total but it was obviously where my body wanted me to be (my new set point). I ate a bare 900 calories at 6 months. Got to around 1300 at 18 months. I eat about 1600 calories a day now yet I still weigh the same as I did when my weight stabilised at 18 months. -
More medical reasons to take GLP-1
JennyBeez replied to ShoppGirl's topic in GLP-1 & Other Weight Loss Medications (NEW!)
I heard it! I was intrigued, and honestly I think that any treatment that helps people improve their body and/or mental health is worth investigating thoroughly -- so I'd like to see how it develops. But that said, my question is, how do these studies take into account the people for which depression, eating disorders, etc all go hand in hand with being or becoming obese, low self worth, trauma, etc. Mental/emotional health and obesity / physical health & ability can easily boost each other up positively or send you into into a vicious downwards spiral when things are going bad. How many people on GLP-1s who attempted/considered suicide were already suffering from depression or suicidal ideation, etc? How many people who lost weight through GLP-1s had their mental health and self worth so intrinsically tied to their body image or the side effects of obesity that the resulting weight loss improved that aspect of their lives almost as a side-effect? Either way, the potential for improvement in both areas upon taking GLP-1s would be worth it, in my eyes, but I'm always a bit skeptical about how studies like this are framed. -
5 years out, tried semiglutide to restart weight loss
KarenLR75 replied to KarenLR75's topic in GLP-1 & Other Weight Loss Medications (NEW!)
Yeah, I worry that people, including 'us bariatric surgery patients' who haven't done the mental/headspace work (and I don't mean this in reference to the 2 people you know that have done the weight loss injections) that most of us try to look or are 'made to look at' at when preparing for gastric bypass will have to stay on them 'forever'. Of course, doing a sleeve or gastric bypass is a very permanent 'anatomical' decision that can, if we are not vigilant also not be successful in the long term for people who feel the surgery is the 'only fix' needed. Since all of my health issues are already under control after my gastric bypass - I NEVER had high blood pressure despite weighing almost 400 lbs and I was not a diabetic but I could tell the toll that being that heavy was taking on my body (my knees, sleep apnea, DVT's/PE's, etc.) I was leery of doing anything that would require 'forever' outside of the bypass surgery. I'm looking for a new therapist right now that specializes not only in anxiety and depression but in working with bariatric patients/weight loss as I know I can I have to be constantly vigilant with my headspace or NOTHING will work. I also am not willing to take the shots for the rest of my life for myself. For other people weighing risks versus benefits I can see this being a highly individualized and personal decision especially if weight loss surgery is not an option for them no matter the reason (leery of it, insurance won't pay, BMI not high enough, etc.). Everyone's journey is their own. The only thing I advocate is for everyone to be as informed as possible and to do their research and make the best decision for themselves. I need to do more research about long term implications of these drugs, but I haven't found much data out there (too new to have that much historical data yet). I'm within 10 lbs of when I told the clinic I'm going to that I would be tapering off and ending the weekly shots. Will try to remember to post more when I've been off the shots for more than a couple of months to talk about struggles or successes I have. -
Report Your WINS ..What is your today's win??🥇
ShoppGirl replied to Mspretty86's topic in Rants & Raves
Today was my one month post op appointment and I gave her my phone with the summary of all my macros for the past week since I’ve been on soft food and a “normal” portion size (3/4 cup) and told her my current steps and she was really happy. I was worried that since my stomach was not operated on and I can tolerate foods and the larger portion of the range that I was eating too much for a month out and she said that with my level of activity I actually need to increase my protein a bit and the carbs as well and that my calories were fine to go up with that. She said that my loss is excellent and to keep doing what I’m doing just to increase my protein to 90g. She even said that I can add more veggies and some other foods as tolerated. I was worried about trying like asparagus and corn or rice paper (I’ve been craving spring rolls since I seen a recipe while on purée). I had already done my grocery order for this week and was going after there to pick it up so I added them rice papers to my cart for next weeks grocery run. I went ahead and scheduled my appointment for next month but she said that if I am still doing this well I can reschedule to my three month for my labs. I’m pretty excited! I did not feel like this after my sleeve. I feel like I have a handle on this, I am actually enjoying the healthier foods and the exercise. My energy's and my mood have improved tremendously. . -
Weirdest None-Scale-Victory - I'll go first
summerseeker replied to chiquitatummy's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
The little things are sometimes the best NSV. Just going into regular shops will never get old to me. Congratulations on your weight loss and the NSV. -
After waiting an eternity for my therapist office to fax over my notes, my psych eval was cleared they sent my file to my insurance. It was approved within 24 hours. I honestly think it’s because I’m on year 3 of monthly visits to the weight management place here in town and I’ve been on medication to help with my weight loss for about 1.5 years. My next step is pre-op testing.
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August Surgery buddies
ShoppGirl replied to Averdra's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It is so good to hear an update from you. I am so frustrated for you that you had to go through a stall because of conflicting information but at least you’re on track now. I am on a pretty similar plan my breakfast every morning is a proffee which is a caramel shake with iced coffee on top. Then I eat every three hours so luncheon dinner with two high protein snacks. this actually works well for me to remember all of my vitamins too because I have to take vitamins at five different times a day. that’s so exciting to hear about the clothes fitting and you were so lucky but you have someone to borrow. I think for me my most exciting moment was clearing out some of the things that are way too big for me now. I was actually thinking of asking my team if we could do a clothing exchange at the support group meeting. for the wheats, if you don’t have any look on marketplace consider discount stores as well. I checked several thrift stores for mine, and apparently they sell them separately because I found them in several stores but only one. I ended up finding some at a discount store for 599 for the set. Alternatively, check your library, city, and county websites for classes that use weights. Mine has all the weights there for you to use. And the group classes are really fun, Inexpensive and there’s no commitment. At mine it’s a really cool environment too. It’s nothing like a gym. The women are just average women that are there to get healthy. Nothing competitive whatsoever everyone choose each other on to beat their own personal best or just totally mines their own business. They even gave me my first class free to see if I liked it. I’m sure I mentioned that I started with yoga. I never in 1 million years would’ve considered myself someone who would survive one yoga class never mind love it. Of course I’m horrible and can’t do half of but it’s still a workout and I am getting more flexible and my balance is getting a bit better because of it anyways, congratulations on your loss and finding your groove. Keep doing what you’re doing and keep us posted. -
First Stall and I am scared
Arabesque replied to Lilia_90's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
First, congrats on your weight loss. Wonderful! Second, is it a stall, a very normal & important part of your weight loss, or is it just your body slowly down the loss to seemingly nothing as you’re nearing or at your body’s new set point weight? If it is your new set point, you will constantly be fighting it to try to lose more. This is where your body is happiest. If your weight loss has slowed/stopped at this weight that means you will need to continue to eat the 1000 calories you are eating now to maintain it. Or less to lose more. Is that sustainable? Is it healthy in the long term? There’s the weight you want to see on the scales & the weight your body wants you to be & is compatible with your life & lifestyle. This alone can take time to accept & wrap your head around. Just some things to consider. Not everyone has a bounce back regain. I didn’t. I still weigh about what I weighed when I first stabilised with the same fluctuation range of about a kilogram/2 lbs at almost 5 years out. And I consume more calories now than I did when I first stabilised (1300 then & 1600 now). I don’t do any real exercise, am a little shorter than you & quite a few years older than you I expect. Also, look at increasing your fluid intake. You should be aiming for 2 litres a day & more on the days you’re more active. Your weight loss isn’t over until it’s over. A stall doesn’t mean it’s over. Just your body taking a break to reassess your current needs.
