Search the Community

I'm 43 and 5'5". My weight before starting the pre-op diet was 272.6. I am having surgery on the 21st and my current weight is 259. My BMI is in the 40's.

@catwoman7 My BMI is 31.1. I have heard the same from my doctors office. The lower the bmi the slower the weight loss. The reality is still hard to grasp. We will get to the finish line just turtle speed🤣

Broke my stall and hit 91 lb weight loss today! So close to the 100 club! Now wearing a womans XL top (was 3/4x prior and 22 pants). I actually bought my first pair of size 34 jeans last week. Still don't believe it. The pic in the black shirt was a couple weeks pre op, I was prob about 315 lbs there...249 today. Had my bypass in February so there's still a bit left to lose but I'm finally feeling energetic and happy. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

what's your BMI? The closer it is to normal, the slower the weight loss.

You could use this as a reward for reaching your goal weight if it’s something you are really looking forward to. Just a thought.

I am also not losing weight as fast as others but it is what it is. I just make sure I meet my protein and water goals and figured it will happen in its own time.

Yeah, I agree with everyone else, you're doing *really* well. Don't tie yourself to a particular expectation and don't get hung up on a particular rate of weight loss - it's so variable. I would say stick to the rules and the surgery will allow you to lose weight. Good luck xx

My programme only stipulated a pre-op liver-shrinking diet for 2 weeks. However, my first date for surgery got cancelled - literally the night before, so I kept on the diet (more or less) for another 6 weeks until I finally got relisted. I ended up losing 25lbs before I had my surgery and boy am I glad now that I did, because otherwise I would still have had those to lose! Best of luck with your weight loss journey and keep posting here - there is so much support and a wealth of experience.

So I've only lost 10 pounds in 3 months. I'm supper slow at losing but I have bit been eating enough the Dr said. So I'll try to eat more. I am able to. I just thought at 7 months only eat 700 calories. He said 1000. Wow.. With that being Said my loss since Nov has only been 56 pounds. But happy to lose it! Thr oddest thing is my body feels heavier, like it was before I lost weight Sent from my SM-A716U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Jelani, I primarily had bypass for weight loss but I am so excited to no longer have to take my acid reflux medication. Even if your surgery was primarily for acid reflux you still need some guidance on how to transition as your new pouch matures. I recommend seeking out a Bariatric Nutritionist to start and consider a therapist as well to support you.

Well I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and everything is a go for next Tuesday. The one question I totally forgot to ask the Dr. was, what will my goal weight be. I could barely sit still since I am so excited. Thinking about drinking shakes for another week and a half is still not that great, lol.

Disclaimer: I skimmed to see if I saw a similar post, and did not - so if this is a repeat, my apologies. I just wanted to create a thread for those of us who haven't yet received the surgery, and even those that are not far out post surgery to list our hopes and goals. I was reading the thread of NSVs and thought, ya know, it might be nice to have a thread where those of us not there yet can dream and hope and plan. Something to look forward to. Something that personally keeps us moving, even as the buyers remorse after surgery threatens to take our motivation and our joy. And this is for anyone, not just a particular surgery, so I didn't pick one when I created the thread. This is not to say we won't have many sweet and unexpected NSV's post surgery - but there are specific reasons we chose this route ... things we wanted back in our lives. Maybe things we've been longing for for YEARS. So let's make those known and focus on those. I'll go first - I have 5 big things I will be looking and waiting for: 1) Sex - for as long as I can remember I have been limited to damn near one position because of my weight. I can not WAIT to be able to experience more flexibility and be able to be more spontaneous for my husband. Poor guy has no spice in his sex life cause his wife is a whale. Sigh. 2) Booths - again, for as long as I can remember, I've had to make sure to ask for a table or ask if the tables in the booths are mobile before being seated at a restaurant. It's embarrassing. 3) Pain - Being able to stand for longer periods of time. Not have to go up or down stairs in a shuffle, having to place both feet on each stair before going further. Less back pain. 4) Medications - I want to come off my blood pressure medications. I'm on the lowest dose, twice a day. So I am hoping that shortly after surgery it will happen. That will make me feel so much better about myself and everything in general. 5) Clothes Shopping - I can't wait to get to go in any retail store and be able to find something to fit me, instead of scouring online trying to find things that fit 6x people. My wardrobe is pathetic because it is difficult to find things that large and when you do, it's usually made with such poor quality it doesn't last very long.

10000000% common and normal. Weight will fluctuate, stall, plateau, and do all sorts of other things. I'm 9 months out and it has NOT been linear. The most important thing to do is just stay the course and follow your plan. You don't need to exercise 5 hours a day, do a pouch reset, bulk up on laxatives, or any of that crap. You just need time and consistency. Hang in there, I know its frustrating but you're right where you should be!

So this kicks off month two post sleeve surgery and my weight loss has slowed down some. I had the three week stall; had a little movement last week and then nothing again. I havent changed much; the only thing I've added is veggies (zucchini, tomato, and mushrooms have been added back). PRotein is still the same, exercise is still the same or higher since now I can swim. I'm sure hormones are just f'ing with me, but is this common?

I have lost 100% off my excess weight, as I now sit at a “healthy” BIM. My loss just stopped when I hit 168. I thought, ok fine, maybe this is ever I was meant to land. 3 months later…the scale has started going down again. I didn’t really change what I’m doing food wise, just started walking more as the weather has improved. So a year out, things can still go down 😊

it would be the exception, not the rule, for someone at your starting weight to lose 30 lbs the first month. If you weighed well over 300 lbs, then yea - but I'm very surprised she told you that with your starting weight. Not that it couldn't happen, but it's not very realistic. I hate to question your doctor, but I've been hanging out on bariatric forums for over seven years, and also volunteered at my clinic for about four years. As I said, that's definitely not impossible, but it'd be the exception to lose that much weight given your starting weight.

I 100% agree with this. Pre-surgery (and pre-pandemic) I used to walk about 5.5-6 miles every other day, and I lost about 30 lbs over the course of a summer. I dislocated my knee right as the pandemic started, and gained a bunch of weight in recovery. But I’m hoping to get back to that once my stamina gets better.

At your surgery date weight, those are high expectations. Certainly puts the pressure on you particularly given a lot of people experience a stall 3 or 4 weeks post op.. You are doing great as you are and don't let your doctor tell you otherwise.

I promise it will get better. I’m 3 . 5 years post op and I eat pretty much whatever I want , just much smaller amounts . I do watch my sugar and carbs intake , I do eat them but only tiny amounts . I still enjoy going out to eat with my husband and I still love cooking . Thankfully I have maintained a steady 105 pound weight loss. Good luck and keep your chin up . You will come out of this phase soon , honestly. Try to find a new hobby as soon as you’re up to it . I discovered spin class 4 times a week and it helps me so much with my mental attitude , and allows the indulgences once in a while

I think it would be a safety precaution too - putting you in a better & healthier place for your surgery. My surgeon puts his patients on different diets based upon their weight, eating habits, weight loss & medical history. Some are on all shakes or 2 shakes & a meal (under the hospital’s weight loss clinic) or keto with a dietician which I was on. I did the 2 shakes & a meal for a good 3 months some years ago. My meal was at night. It is hard to begin because you’re breaking a lot of habits & addictions (salt, sugar, caffeine, etc.). The first week is usually the hardest but you will lose weight. You got this. Watch the pickles especially the number you eat. Those extra calories quickly add up. If you feel hungry, try a green or herbal tea. Also see if they have soups as well as shakes. (The hospital weight loss clinic program offered soup & shakes mixes as did the pharmacy brand program I followed.) Drinking soups can seem more meal like & can be more satisfying.

Sounds like your doing great. Just keep it up and the weight will come off before you know it.

At your surgery day weight, that isn't slow at all. Why did you think it would be faster? Your own expectations or someone else?

I have found I can drink right before I eat, even seconds before and I am fine, but after eating protein or a meal I need to wait at least 30 minutes, otherwise I will feel pain when trying to wash down chicken or tuna or whatever. So for meals that I am eating soup, I will just eat the soup first and then can have the protein. My bigger issue is snacking on candy, junk. cookies, Its a constant struggle for. I realize my brain and body are not on the same page. My body needs to eat slowly and doesn't care to eat out since I would end up overeating and being in pain. But my mind is still thinking of eating out 3 times a day and in 3 more times and midnight snacks. I never cured my addiction, its tough, I find myself getting much quicker to anger at my wife or kids since i am having this internal struggle. I keep saying I need to see a good therapist or go to OA, get a sponsor and give it a good go. But i say I am too busy or its expensive. As is I am saving more than $1000 a month than before surgery. That is just for my restaurant bills , that I would go out and eat myself like lunch twice a day, like sushi with a friend and then Italian myself.... Its also tough since my energy levels are the same as before. I was always a high energy person. so i feel the same, except when exercising or walking I NOTICE A major difference. . I now weight 236 pounds( 107 kilo) and 6 months ago I was 366 ( 166 kilo) , like not out of breath, I started playing basketball twice a week and can play for 2 hours straight. But i lost that relationship that was my everything ( food) and I knew how addicted I was, I just didn't give a ****. It made me always soo happy. I did not get the bypass for looks or to feel good. I only got it so my wife is not widowed in 10-15 years, I am 35 and she is 31, and I owe it to her and my 4 kids to live another 40 years minimum. pre surgery my blood pressure was 175 /125, way to f**ing high!! Its just freaking hard as hell. Im venting since I need to right now. Im still the same funny as before, I know that and friends and family say it as well. But there is still a huge change. I am eating way to much junk but at the same time I dont even feel like I enjoy it close to as much as I use to, like only 20% as much ( If I could put a number) and that is because I cannot pound it. I used to love eating like 3 burgers in buns in 2-3 minutes, thats the part that felt so amazing when my mouth was stuffed and my belly filled. I cannot look to other areas, I already had a life of drugs from 13-23 , went to rehabs and now clean for many years, although I picked up smoking weed again right after surgery to help cope with the loss of my comforter, my right hand man, my happy self, my food... but I only smoke on weekends 1-2 times, since that is when I am not working. So not heavy at all. Cigarettes I stopped 16 months ago. But have had like 4-5 of them in the last 2 months, but wont let myself start again, so no wiggle room. I guess I am saying I need support, any support will be welcome. Its just hard. that is all !

Since you're so early out from surgery, I can tell you this is normal. Hormones are wacky because this is a MAJOR surgery. The first 2 weeks I couldn't drink very well at all. I was on an all liquid diet for 2 weeks post op and it really hurt to drink. But, and I know you don't want to hear this, but it got better. IT WILL GET BETTER. Once you get to the mushy stage, it'll be Heaven. I'm 6 weeks out, and I can eat normal foods. The trick for me, since I never lost my hunger hormone and don't have restriction, is to stick super close to my bariatric diet. But I can tell you, you will be able to eat normal foods again. Maybe not rice or breads or pasts (or if you do, extremely small amounts), but meats, veggies, etc will definitely be ok. You just gotta get there. I know it's hard, but the end results are so worth it. I've lost 33 pounds in 6 weeks (an average of 5 1/2 pounds per week). And I had a miserable 2 week stall where I actually gained 5 pounds. And since then, once the stall broke, I lost those 5 pounds plus more. So while it's tough right now, make sure you get in your protein (shakes, protein water, etc), and make sure you're walking everyday. It really will get better. It took 3 weeks before all of my pain went away, but now I can do whatever I want exercise wise, and I can eat what I want as long as I make sure A) I don't eat portions that are too big I don't graze throughout the day C) I only eat what my stomach can tolerate (lettuce is a no no for me), and D) I stick to 60-80g of protein a day, less than 50g of carbs a day, and less than 50g of fats per day. You'll get there, and you'll look back on how you feel right now and really feel proud of yourself for how far you've come.

Thank you! That does explain why people experience the stall without being constipated. It may have been a concurrent phenomenon, but all I know is that as soon as I got all that stuff out of me, my weight started dropping again and is continuing to. I also wish my surgeon had warned me. I’m going to ask if she agrees with the concept of the early stall.