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I can relate! It's hard to understand my body's cues right now and everything happening in my belly area feels so weird. For the first month after surgery, I didn't feel hungry and didn't have desire for food. I am now starting to have hunger feelings again, but it also feels different (wanting specific foods) so it also feels like cravings/head hunger. It's confusing and I'm struggling a bit with feeling hunger/food desire and fear that I will slide down a slippery slope and ruin my surgery. I'm also in the soft food phase so I'm eating a greater variety, which is nice but also feels scary like I could accidentally reintroduce a food that I can't control myself with. This is compounded by the fact that I'm at the point of weight loss where, with every pre-surgery weight loss attempt, I stopped losing weight, got frustrated and quit dieting, and gained everything back plus some. It's a triggering time for me. I guess this is what everyone means when they say the surgery is a tool that you have to work with rather than just rely on.

are you a pre-menopausal woman? If so, a lot of women have hormone spikes the first few weeks after surgery. Mood swings and screwed up menstrual cycles seem to be fairly common. It's supposedly because estrogen is released from fat cells during the rapid weight loss. It does stabilize after awhile though, so this won't last forever.

Hi All, Just wanted to know what others have experienced. For some reason I am having daily anxiety. I absolutely can't stand it as it hits out of nowhere at all. I am only 17 days Post-Op, take my vitamins daily, and still taking my Metformin until I am blood tested again. I do not want to go on an anti anxiety medication. I had been on Lexapro for 4 years at which point I put on a lot of weight going from a size 4 to 1-2X. I lost all motivation on working out as well. I went off the Lexapro completely 2 months before surgery and started actually caring about myself which is why I decided to do this surgery so I could get my health back on track. Following my weight gain, I developed diabetes, Apnea (now using a C-Pap for a year) and NASH of the liver. I notice exercise helps with the anxiety for sure but I cant seem to get a decent response from the medical community to help me feel better about this. I asked my surgeon why this sudden onset of anxiety that hits for what seems like no reason at all and his response was if I am eating right and exercising that this could be the cause because of sudden change and that maybe people are treating me differently and all of this is causing anxiety. I then told him no - people are not treating me differently. My family is amazing with all of this and I am working out of the house so have not been around others for them to treat me differently. In my case this is absolutely not the case at all. I pressed on asking if chemical changes in the body could be happening due to the surgery that may be causing this and he said yes. Wondering why I had to keep poking to get that response at all and yet because that was not the first response I am even doubting that. Why not just tell me that since I made it clear I am having these spikes out of nowhere and can't figure out why. I am finding myself overthinking everything right now honestly. Wondering how I will tolerate eating anything at this point or will I ever be able to. My doctor keeps his patients on a 5 week post-op liquid diet before you go on to a pureed / soft food diet for another 3 weeks. So unsure of myself right now and considered I made a huge mistake and so very much want to get passed this feeling more than anything in the world. Part of me is happy I did the surgery for my health and the results of weight loss I have seen thus far but another part wonders why I could not get back on track on my own and worried about long term complications. Like once I start eating will I have a sudden stomach leak, will I have no ability to hold down food or end up on liquids for the rest of my life? Will I ever be able to enjoy a glass of wine again and comfortably get on with life in a better more healthy way. Will I end up with Gallstones that cause another surgery or will I have stomach blockage in the future and how will I know if I do? I want to celebrate my choice to have done this and enjoy the weight loss but instead I am having so much self doubt and it's making me miserable. My liver health alone was cause to do this along with the diabetes so what is my damn problem? It is really hard to deal with this and I'm frankly pissed at myself for letting the anxiety get to me. I am considering going back on a lower dose of Lexapro again at least until this simmers down as I am hoping this is a chemical change in my body due to part of the stomach being removed and all the dietary changes just concerned it will make me not give a crap again and go lazy. IDK, if I knew factually this was all going to be a temporary reality then I would do it until the body goes back to normal.

It's called "Orthostatic Hypotension". Your blood pressure drops when you stand up, making you feel dizzy and light-headed. It's really common in people who have lost a lot of weight quickly. For some people, this goes away in time. I still have it, but then I had it before surgery, so... https://www.dssurgery.com/orthostatic-hypotensionintolerance/#:~:text=One of the possible side,a seated or reclined position. One of the possible side effects of rapid weight loss after undergoing weight loss surgery is orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic intolerance. These terms describe a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing from a seated or reclined position. Treatments may include increasing hydration, protein intake, changing medications and treating anemia. Also, allowing time for the body to adjust to the rapid weight loss if all the underlying issues are within normal limits. If symptoms persist, after all underlying issues are investigated, the patient will need to be diligent with hydration, protein intake, supplements and other treatments. Things that may also help is to slow down in moving from one position to the other, take a moment to adjust to your new position. Compression stocking and increasing salt intake can also help if all other causes are investigated. Post prandial hypotension can be avoided with low carbohydrate and small meals. Also, moderately increasing salt intake can improve symptoms.

My program calculates body weight for females as 100 lbs = 5 feet and then + 5 pounds for every inch above 5 feet. I'm 5'6 1/2 so my ideal weight is 132.5. However, they said realistically I should expect to end up 195-235. If you split the difference, it's about 60% of my ideal weight loss that they are projecting. So maybe go based off the above calculation!

Our weight loss tends to be "front loaded" with a chunk of water weight loss when we first start a major weight loss effort (figure 10-15 lb) Most people who have a pre-op diet will see that big drop when they start it; those who don't have pre-op diet will see that big drop soon after surgery; those, while those who lost it during a pre-op diet are often disappointed that they don't see a bigger loss immediately post-op. If you are doing an earlier diet than the week or two diet that many surgeons impose, then you will likely see that big drop when you start that, but less, if any, when you start the formal pre-op diet a week or two before surgery. And, you are right, that if if were easy for you to lose, you wouldn't need the surgery, yet some, but certainly not all or even most, surgeons have this type of requirement lose X lb or % before surgery, or at least threaten to do so (guess they think that it is in incentive for you to "try your best". Good luck,

Hi so I'm 12 weeks post bypass and my weight loss is not great at all. I'm only at 3 stone now since lrd. I've 3.5 st more to lose but it jst seems like nothing is happening. I go up and down the same 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks. I'm realy worried that this is it my weightloss has stopped already after paying all that money. I use mfp to track my calories and I'm still in a big deficit so why am I not loseing. I havent had a big loss in weeks I dont know where I'm going wrong Sent from my SM-A505FN using BariatricPal mobile app

Well done on your total weight loss so far. You probably being little unrealistic given a couple of things. Firstly you are in recovery mode, your body has inflammation, you are possibly still have some fluid retention due to the iv fluids and inflammation. Secondly you lost a lot of weight in pre-op. There is a reason some doctors say don't weigh yourself in the first few weeks or even the first month. If you are following your post op guidelines re food and fluid intake you will be fine, the scales will reflect your efforts soon.

Thanks for your answer and yes I understand all that will be involve.. I have lost already 15lbs before the pre op my hw was 296..today weight at dr. Office was 281.. I will be in full liquids...I don't have no more my period. I am trying not drink nothing with salt or sodium..the broth I have are low or reduce sodium..let see how much I will be able to loss before the date..

Hi! I had my first visit with the nutritionist yesterday and I will need to lose 20 lbs pre surgery. I'm really nervous and worried that I won't be able to do this. Does the 2 weeks of liquids before surgery help with a lot of that weight? I'm going to try as hard as I can but if it were easy I wouldn't need the surgery! Just makes me scared it might not work out. Did anyone else feel this way?

No, the pre-op diet is after the nutrition classes. I ended up making my weight loss only 5 lbs instead of the 9 I really lost. Now they're saying they only "encourage" weight loss, not require it. I wish I could get a real answer...

To calculate a goal weight we are supposed to use 60% of ideal body weight but WHICH ideal body weight should we use. I am 5’8” and I’ve used various calculators giving ideal weight of 141 up to 160’s. Which calculator did everyone use and did you use a 60% loss of excess as your goal or some other weight? Why??

I am 9 days post op and have only lost 2 lb in the last week. I lost 20 lbs before surgery and am frustrated that I haven't seen hardly any loss this week. I am making sure that I get my protein in each day. What am I doing wrong? Or am I being unrealistic in my expectations? Going through all of this and not seeing the scale show much is frustrating.

probably over 90% of us have our first major stall within the first 4-6 weeks after surgery (usually it's the third week, hence the nickname, but it's not always the third week). You're likely to experience a few more of these on your weight loss journey. Just stick to your program and stay off the scale for a few days if you need to. It'll break.

Hi! Welcome to the forums! How much weight you will lose in the first week(s) of liquid diet really depends on many things. Did you lose alot of weight already before starting liquids? Are you "full" liquids, or "only" liquids ("full" liquids includes soups, some cereals, yogurts, etc...). Is your starting weight on the high or low side? Are you on your period? Salt-intake? These and so many other factors will affect your weight/water weight loss that first week(s). My pre-op diet was for two weeks and consisted on 3 protein shakes a day (though sometimes I only had 2). Total calories per day for those two weeks were between 450-675 (each protein shake was 225 cals). I lost 8 lbs the first week, then 3 lbs the second. I started at 235, and had not lost any weight prior to starting the 2 week pre-op diet.

My program stresses strength training. While cardio is important for your overall health as well the strength training will contribute most to weight loss.

So I finish yesterday my first day of full liquids my date will be May 6..so I am still have a long way to go... My question will be how much water weight or weight loss you have during this step. I been reading it could be 10 or 20... Sent from my SM-N960U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Well, I just found out my surgery center requires a 5-10% weight loss during the period of the nutrition classes, so it almost doesn't matter. I don't know how I'm going to lose 5-10% unless they count the time since I first called them. I've lost 8% of my body weight in the three months since I called them.

Welcome. You’re likely experiencing what we call the three week stall which can happen before or after the three week mark. It can last 1- 3 weeks where you have no or minimal weight loss. It’s very common. I like to explain it as just your body taking a breath to come to terms with all the changes - the surgery, chance of diet, decrease in caloric intake, etc. It will pass but you’ll likely experience stalls again while you’re losing. Some people suggest increasing or decreasing your food intake or activity level to try to break it. Some of us just stayed our course & it still broke. Whatever you choose to do you will start to lose again. It’s just part of this weight loss journey. Congrats on your surgery.

Hi all! I’ve heard differing thoughts on what’s more important in the early stages of weight loss surgery. I’ve heard muscle training will help speed metabolism, and I’ve also heard if you do muscle training first it will only turn fat to muscle and you want all the fat to go away and then build muscle. Anyone have any input or advice on this? Thanks so much!

Hi all! I’ve attached my stats in this message. Can someone take a look and give me some feedback? I know everyone loses at different rates, but I’m kind of freaking out that I’ll be a super slow loser and won’t end up losing that much. I know I’m doing all the right things. I’m not sure what else to do. I’m getting about 1000 cals a day which I’m sure will only slightly climb as time goes on so then I’m sure my weight loss will continue to slow. Any help or insight is appreciated!!

Hi Rosie, Was wondering how you are doing. Sorry to hear you are having tough time. I had a little less weight loss than I had the week before only having lost 5lbs this last week. Hang in there - I have had similar thoughts.

If you are taking any medication whatsoever, get in touch with your surgeon and ask him/her to review the prescriptions in order to determine if any have weight gain as a side effect. In particular, there are several prescriptions prescribed for psychological/psychiatric issues that can cause great weight gain. There are other non-psyche meds that, while not causing weight gain, tend to inhibit losses. For example, in one interesting study, researchers found that WLS patients who took Metformin post-surgery lost much less weight and plateaued while those who didn't take it showed much more drastic weight loss.

"I feel better than I have in years."-- Congratulations on the weight loss and feeling better! You should be so proud of yourself 😁 and diabetes remission? Woot Woot! It's great to hear your recovery went smoothly. "I’m troubled sometimes by questions that I read on this board and it leads me to wonder about the quality (or lack of) preparation that other programs offer."-- It really is shocking and sad how some people feel abandoned, or mention a lack of support or resources from their programs/teams especially when you consider their teams know patients do better with an all-inclusive approach vs. a limited scope. Good luck! You're doing so great!

I don't feel depressed. I get irritable when I am manic/almost manic. That's how I feel now. And I'm taking extra medication after talking to my doctor and it's like they're not working at all! I don't even have the side effects from taking them I usually do. Since I haven't actually had surgery yet, I know that's not the problem. I'm just wondering if this is related to weight loss or just time of year. I'm glad you said you feel the same as before surgery. Maybe the surgery won't totally wreck the stability I've gotten (I still have mood issues, but haven't been in the hospital in a few years).