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I'm a planner too, I don't have a date yet, but was told ud get a call in the next 2 weeks and my surgery would be set 3 weeks out .... but I've already bought stuff, I like the premier as well, I found fruit drinks by them on Amazon too, as well as protine soups and puddings and such, type in beriatric must haves, alot of stuff pops up that we might not need need, but some I think will be very helpful... Sent from my SM-G996U using BariatricPal mobile app

I was on liquids a kind of long time from May 27th until 2 weeks after my June 7th surgery date. I never suffered or was outrageously hungry. I lived off crystal lite water, jello and protein Shakes. My surgeon had a very strict plan compared to some I've heard but I think it was good for me. I've learned I don't NEED food like I did pre-opp. I eat food too function. If I like it a lot that's a plus. I don't eat for entertainment anymore or reward or to fix emotional boo boo's, I eat too feed my body to function. Don't get me wrong when I had my first bite of scrambled egg with Salt my eyes rolled back in my head! It was the best thing I ever tasted but the time on liquids was easy for me. Just acknowledge it as a time that has to be. That helps. It's your first line in the sand for the new way your going to be eating for the rest of your life. Sent from my SM-F926U using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh thank you for this information! My current body fat according to my scale is about 50%. And you are right that is probably very unattainable. I have never been that low in my life. Except maybe when I was in THIRD GRADE. ha. If you could help me choose a new goal, that would be awesome. Thank you! I did quit soda a few weeks ago. Now I need to quit milk. That is like so hard for me for some reason. I drink up to 4 16 oz glasses a day. Not everyday. Some days is 1-2. But I know a lot of my weight comes from liquid calories. I am going to work hard on that this month. I am going to start my preop diet tomorrow of two shakes and 1 meal. Lots of koolaid with splenda to get me through lol

This forum should be open forever more! We will all need support in the coming days, weeks, months!!! My mother had the lap band as well with no results. Come to find out hers had been ruptured the entire time! We will all be here to support you through your journey!

I'm two years post-op, and my appetite has returned, but not nearly to the extent as before surgery. In the beginning, it was easy to lose weight because I wasn't hungry at all and physically couldn't eat much, but that has gradually changed. It feels upsetting at times to see the portions that I am able to eat because I think, "I shouldn't have room for this big of a salad," but I think my perception is skewed because I'm comparing my current portions to my initial post-op portions, not to what I used to eat pre-surgery. I remember pre-surgery often feeling like my stomach was a bottomless pit, and no matter how much I ate, I could still feel like I was starving. There are times now when I eat a reasonably-sized meal and still feel hungry, but even then, it doesn't take much to get all the way full. I'm probably doing it wrong because we're not supposed to eat to the point of getting really full, but I'm not perfect. And sometimes it's still hard to tell whether it's real hunger or head hunger. I can definitely see how people can regain a lot of weight after a few years, because I feel as though my stomach has stretched out quite a bit and I could over-eat if I'm not careful about what I eat. However, I have COMPLETLEY changed my eating habits and shifted toward low-calorie foods. I've been tracking everything I eat in MyFitnessPal for over two years, and I consider that the #1 key to my weight loss, other than surgery itself (in fact, I lost 70 pounds before surgery this way). I'm not stupid -- I know how to read a nutrition label -- but there's something about actually logging my food intake that makes me confront my choices and think about what is and isn't worth eating. I still track my calories in MyFitnessPal and I'm afraid to stop, but I suspect that I would probably be ok without tracking because I've gotten into good habits. I've also found that at times I've eaten more than I should (e.g., eating at a restaurant or getting hungry between meals and having a big snack) and think, "I need to limit my calories for the rest of the day," I actually end up not being hungry for the rest of the day, anyway. My tastes have also changed since surgery. I used to be kind of a picky eater, and I'm not sure if my actual tastes have changed or if I've just become more open-minded, but I eat all kinds of things now that I wouldn't have touched before surgery. I used to hate seafood and now I love it and eat fish almost every day. I used to hate a lot of vegetables, like squash, peppers, radishes, cauliflower, etc., and now I'll eat just about any vegetable. I consider cauliflower rice to be the greatest diet hack of all time because it simultaneously eliminates a high-carb food and sneaks a vegetable into the meal. Plus, if you buy the frozen stuff, it's faster and easier to prepare than actual rice. Before surgery, I turned my nose up at the idea of cauliflower rice, but now I eat it several times per week. I suspect that a lot of people who regain the weight rely too much on the restriction and don't change their eating habits, so when the restriction wears off, they're kind of back where they started.

So I have a few things to update on. I haven't been super active lately because things have been crazy. First, I finally got rid of my size 26/28 clothes!!! I had them bagged up for a good week and a half and I finally pulled the trigger and got rid of them. All of my work clothes, shoes, and size 10 jewelry was donated to Dress for Success. My casual clothes and pajamas were donated equally between a local homeless shelter and a local domestic violence shelter. I'm currently in size 22/24 clothes, but they're starting to get big on me (I'm in like a size 21 lol But there isn't a size 21, so...) Once I make it to a size 18/20, I'll do it all over again. Second, I'm in another stall. I have been for the last 8 days or so. I know because it's following the same pattern as the last 2 I had. I gain 3 pounds and then sit there for weeks, then drop like 5 pounds when it breaks (first stall lasted about a week and a half. Second one lasted 2 1/2 weeks. I figure I might be looking at 3 1/2 or 4 weeks now). I'm used to it now so I'm not freaking out. BUT, my size 9 rings are too big. I need size 8 1/2 and like I said, the size 22/24 clothes are starting to be too big. So even though the scale isn't moving, I'm still winning!!! Third, I FINALLY got my appointment for the scope. The GI cocktail has helped me be able to eat some food, but I still have to be careful. I'm now on 80mg of Nexium daily and I take the GI cocktail 10-15 minutes before eating anything. I can actually sleep in my bed again, so that's good. Looking forward to this scope to get to the bottom of everything once and for all. Fourth, been working my tail off finishing my last 2 classes for my degree!!! I'm a little over half way finished, and it's been exciting. I've been working on this degree for the last 11 years, so to finally be at the finish line is amazing. I had been putting it off and as my health and weight started getting better, I just became super motivated to finish and finally have my degree. My graduation is in December, and I FULLY intend to be below 300 when I go. That's my new goal. I have 3 months. I think I can do it. I'm at 322 right now (remember I gained 3 pounds before just sitting at this weight?) so if I can lose 23 pounds in 3 months, I'll hit multiple goals at once. So excited!!!!! Well, that's about it for now. Hope everyone is enjoying their 3 days weekend. My daughter's birthday is Tuesday, and we're letting her miss school and we're taking her out to lunch and then to do a little shopping (she's turning 16). Have a good one

Me too. 3-4 shakes a day and clear liquids only for 2 weeks.

I hit my first stall at 6 weeks and my surgeons team had not said anything about them. That's when I discovered this board and I was saved! I didn't lose or gain for 2 weeks. It was frustrating but when I started losing again it was with a vengeance. Like the others have said stay on the plan, keep eating like you should and once your body works things out, you'll be back to losing weight. Deeeeep breaths this is all a part of the process. You are NOT messing up. Sent from my SM-F926U using BariatricPal mobile app

Good morning from broiling hot San Diego (100+ temps twice this week)! The scale finally decided to move a pound after a 4-day standstill. See, I knew it would show up eventually. Tomorrow is exciting because I have some real foods planned now that I can have soft foods. Vegetarian tuna salad + broccoli. Low-fat cottage cheese + peaches. Scrambled eggs + cantaloupe. All fruit skinless and mashed. Broccoli well steamed and mashed. I'm getting in plenty of activity with moving prep (under 3 weeks until the movers come) with regular breaks as I can't stand long thanks to a mobility disability. Doing what I can but not overdoing it.

What do you mean by your guts are on fire? Do you mean heartburn/reflux/GERD type issues? Diarrhea? Are you taking a PPI? I did have diarrhea during the first few weeks while on liquid diet. Liquid in, liquid out basically. I added Benefiber and a probiotics powder and that helped lessen the issue. I never had pain tho.

What led me to weight loss surgery isn't what led most people here. I didn't (don't) have food addictions, etc. I had medically induced obesity due to auto immune disease and long term corticosteroid use. So, I got a Lap Band in 2013, and lost about one hundred and forty pounds. I never got to a "normal" weight. It's like I reached a new set point and stopped losing. I pretty much maintained that for about five years or so and then I developed GERD. As @Tomo said, the GERD associated with Lap Bands/Sleeves doesn't respond to meds and there's always a gnawing, hungry sort of sensation that makes you feel like you always need something in your stomach to stop the torment going on in there, and that led me to eating slider foods, because they felt the best to my GERD tormented stomach. So I regained maybe ten pounds during my GERD period. Then in 2021 I had the band removed, then I lost the ten pounds that I had gained, because the GERD eased up a bit and I was able to eat healthier fruits and veggies that my Band wouldn't tolerate before and kicked the carbs to the curb. I'm currently almost 7 weeks post op RNY revision and I've lost twenty-nine pounds. So the scale is finally moving after years of being stuck. I feel like I didn't regain weight even after my band was removed due to a change in eating habits and behaviors that I adopted when I got my Lap Band. I maintained those, and yes it was easier after my Band was removed because I could eat healthier again. My Band wouldn't tolerate fibrous, healthy veggies most of the time. So I would say maintaining success in the long term relies on a change of behaviors and eating habits. One other thing that I think helps a lot of people maintain success is lifetime tracking of calories/macros.

Early on I was constantly sipping on a protein shake. My doctor was more strict about eating though at 2 weeks I was just getting on pureed. Scrambled eggs were a God send! The flavor that I had been sadly missing and to actually be able to chew! Also if your tolerating Tuna, try Tuna salad, the eggs mayo and Tuna is a lot of protein but it might be too heavy on your stomach this early. Maybe try it? Dunno... it was another God send. Sent from my SM-F926U using BariatricPal mobile app

Do you even need to do anything? Programs vary all over the map from weeks of clear liquids to nothing at all other than the usual day before surgery thing. I expect that you have been told by now if your surgery is in October (or is that when they set the date for you?), as they tend to leave such bad news until it's too late to back out. Hopefully you have one of the more benign programs that does a better job of getting you ready for your long term life ahead.

I was a chain smoker for most of my adult life, and only managed to finally quit 3 years ago, so I totally get the addiction. Its hooks run deep. Even 3 years quit, my surgeon was adamant that I not only never touch it again, but also avoid passive smoking because of the risk of ulcers. And I developed one a mere week after I went of Pantoprazole 3 months after surgery, and... yeah, it's a real good idea to avoid getting one! They're not fun. So it's a great extra deterrent. Have a chat to your team, they may recommend something to help you quit. After years using the patches, they stopped being effective so I had my GP put me on Champix, and it worked. Yeah, you get wild dreams and that puts a lot of people off, and the nausea is unpleasant, but both were worth the result for me. Best of luck with whatever you do.

Pre sale ticket are available tomorrow for Hamilton in Brisbane. Guess what I’ll be doing. 😁 Going to a contemporary dance performance this week & saw the Chiharu Shiota exhibition at GOMA last week. I love being cultural.

Same! Had my surgery on the 17th as well. Lost 10 then started my period the next week and now I'm stalled but it seems common. I've been told repeatedly (even by my dr) not to get to wrapped up about them. -Em [emoji3478] (she/her)

Yes, tomorrow I finally get to eat soft foods [emoji4] but with my weight gain I got worried. He actually wanted me to go on a liquid diet for another week since I was Dehydrated and was vomiting But he said if I felt better I could eat soft foods Sent from my SM-N976U using BariatricPal mobile app

Did your doctor tell you to remain on liquid diet for so long? Three weeks seems like a lot. They had me eating soft/pureed foods starting day 1 after surgery.

Please dont let the doctors fob you off if things havent gotten better. I hope the tests that you had this week have been able to locate the cause of the issue.

I have, the 2nd week after surgery was brutal. I was basically doing the same. Hope Flow doesn't last too long for you!

I’m actually 4 weeks post op with my surgery and prior to the surgery like 4 months prior, I was told NO caffeine whatsoever. I know from experience coffee can cause ulcers and it’s an irritant to the stomach. I know this from experience and I’m also a nurse very in tune with gastroenterology. I didn’t stop drinking until I was 1 day pre-op. After the surgery , I drank whatever agreed with my stomach. Remember everything is a mental game. Your brain tells you; you can’t go without caffeine but you can. It’s not easy finding the best decaf and sometimes drinks you had before just taste weird. If your doctor told you to keep drinking coffee, I’d ask the possibility of it being an irritant and see if it’s a risk worth taking or just enjoy your cup of coffee peacefully!

Not in January, but hopefully Dec 21st. ( I work in a school so I wanted to make sure I have 2 full weeks before going back to work)

I had a 10 day clear liquid diet. Clear fruit juices, like apple and white grape juice, broth, jello, lemonade. It was miserable. Early on, I just told myself not even think about food for 10 days. Others in my program, who were much heavier, had to be on it for 3 or 4 weeks. I guess I counted my blessings it was only for 10 days. Longest. 10. Days. Ever.

Good morning! It has been a few days since my last update. I've been stalled at the same weight for the last 3-4 mornings, but I'm not worried--it'll show up eventually. As I mentioned in my reply above, I get to move to phase 3 (soft) in 2 days! Everything is going well with phase 2, and I've followed instructions. The other day, I went to visit my primary for an eval. Incisions look good. My BP was 128/80 (an 80-point improvement over immediately post-surgery), so it's being controlled by meds, though I'll keep a close eye on my BP with my home cuff so I can alert her when to cut back on my meds.

Aside from the damage smoking does to your lungs and heart, it does a number of other harmful things to your body. Some of these are important when talking about bariatric surgery. Fast facts: Most surgeons won't operate on you if you have smoked within 4-6 weeks of the surgery. Some want you be smoke free even longer. Smoking significantly increases your recovery time because it causes your blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow. It also reduces the amount of oxygen your red blood cells can transport. Well oxygenated blood is critical for healing. You will have at least a 30% increased risk of complications over a non-smoker. (Blood clot, anastomotic leak, pneumonia, etc.) Your mortality risk due to surgery is double or even triple that of a non-smoker. Smoking can cause esophageal strictures post-surgery that would need emergency care and possibly another operation. The chances are extremely high that you will develop an ulcer even years later, especially if you take up smoking again post-surgery. A complete perforation due to an ulcer is a life threatening emergency due to sepsis. Your chances of reaching your goal weight are much lower than non-smokers. Much of this is attributed to the fact that smoking reduces your ability to exercise, and numerous studies have shown people that don't exercise post-surgery are significantly more likely lose less weight, or even return to their original weight, than those that exercise regularly. If you are expecting bariatric surgery to reduce your cravings for nicotine, I wouldn't count on it. It's extremely common for smokers to restart post surgery. In fact, there's even an elevated chance that non-smokers start smoking post surgery as they replace one addiction with another. Best of luck. I hope you can kick the habit now and if possible, wait a while before having WLS. The longer you let your body heal after quitting smoking, the lower the risk and better your outcomes will be.