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I'm a firm believer in celebrate yourself on this journey. You should take the word only out of your mind unless it's I only weigh this much. I feel like people on a weight loss journey "only" is just another four letter cuss word. I had issues with food and water also. The puree time sucked for me mostly because I found out that texture maters to me it felt like I was on the liquid diet forever. As with the water I had issues with making me nauseous also. I did some research and found that putting some flavoring in it could help but since I couldn't stand them anymore I tried every bottle water until I found one that didn't sit heavy on my stomach and didn't make me nauseous. Smart water was the one for me. It does get better. I'm almost 6 months out from bypass surgery and although I can still only drink smart water eating is better. Sent from my SM-A716U using BariatricPal mobile app

You’re losing around 4lbs a week. That’s a great rate especially with your starting weight. I hated protein shakes too & just suffered through the two week liquid stage. Soon as I was on purées I put those powders away & never had another one. Yes, it was a struggle to get in my protein eating ‘real’ food because my portion sizes were so small but as long as I was close I was happy & so was my surgeon. I found a great high protein yoghurt & yoghurt drink which gave me a good boost of protein (15-30g) every day. Worth a try. You may have to try a few to find one you enjoy - some are very sweet. Give yourself time to recover & heal. You’ll be feeling better & more comfortable about your food choices & options before you realise it.

your nerves are still healing, that's why it is important to stick to the post op diet until you are fully healed because the nerves may not give you the signals to stop because they haven't healed yet. you are only 19 days out you really shouldn't be eating chicken as yet. Try drinking more I found when I wasn't drinking enough I would be hungry and had this empty pit feeling even after I ate. Drinking more did help with this. also i wouldn't be to concerned with exercising just yet I did Zero exercise and it didn't effect my weight loss. weight loss is more about what you put in your mouth, in fact exercising could be what is making you hungrier.

Just curious, is there a reason you have landed on the sleeve vs bypass? Bypass does tend to lead to higher weight loss in more obese folks if folks follow their diet plans. I’ve had both now (sleeve to bypass) and wish I would have just done the bypass. But that’s just me! When I did the sleeve I was 225lbs so sleeve made sense, wish I would have given bypass another research though anyway. I ended up in the smaller percent of folks that get GERD and regain after sleeve. So bypass I went.

I’m a little further down the path than you but I haven’t had my surgery yet, but I did want to share one thing I learned so far. Listen to your instincts and find a program that you feel comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to stop the process at any point if that is what your instincts are telling you. Back at the end of 2021 I went with a local surgical program I’m familiar with and I had good recommendations for. My husband went to the initial appointment with the dr and we asked our questions. We left not feeling confident about the surgeon or the program but I chalked it up to nerves. Along the way I had more appointments - some went great … some made me feel uneasy with the program, like they were just pushing me through and not addressing my concerns. I met all my requirements, went through the required steps and I had surgery scheduled for early Feb. I was just two weeks from my surgical date and I canceled. Before I canceled I talked my concerns through with my husband, PCP, endocrinologist and the facilities practice manager. It just wasn’t the right fit for me. Since then I looked into other area programs, debating if I really should go forward with surgery. This month I found another I think will be a better fit for me. I just started the process but if all goes well I expect to be scheduled this summer - hopefully July or early August. It’s a little frustrating to be starting over again, but I’m much more at ease knowing this program is a better fit and I have been reassured that if I’m not ready at three months (my expected approval plan) they will work with me to make sure that I feel comfortable and confident with the process to have the very best out come for me. If I decide to not have surgery they will refer me to the medically supervised weight loss program as a plan B, if I decide surgery isn’t the right choice at any point. Although the idea of surgery still scares me somewhat, I feel much more comfortable this time around knowing I have support both outside the program and within - which is more likely to help me be successful. Best of luck in your journey, no matter what you decide to do.

Thanks! To clarify, I think I meant panniculectomy which (from what I read...could have changed now) can at times be approved due to it causing back pain ext. That's great progress! I am about 10-15lbs heavier than your starting weight. I've been trying to be more active again the last month or two, but after you don't for so long it is hard getting back into walking and not exhausting yourself. Also not confident enough to do gym memberships or more public things short of us walking around where we live. Our insurance changed this year to one that isn't as good, I feel, but am hopeful if I can find an in-network option, I can move forward if decided. I messaged them today to see what info I could get on it. Thankfully, I stopped doing fast food a lot over the last few years...but that doesn't mean I don't pick up things that I binge on or that are quick to eat due to general laziness on my part and because I'm too tired after work to cook. Frozen items like pizza have been our go-to off and on weekly. As a stress eater, snacks are my downfall. Thankfully, never had acid reflux but that's good to know, something I hadn't read or seen!

You honestly are not as heavy as most when you started. same height as me. but you were only at 228lb. Those with less to loose typically dont loose super fast like those that start out at much heavier weights. I started at 317lb and i had my surgery a couple days before you and i have lost since about 40 but i was much much heavier than you. So you will loose but you wont loose a ton as quick as the heavier people. Just stick to your plan.

I have looked into the surgery a lot in the past but I'm a bit more serious now into considering it. My husband is concerned and wants me to keep trying to lose it normally so I can somewhat relate, though he hasn't been as insistent yet anyway. Glad he came around and I hope things are going well! I think it's important to know this is for your health as I have also been working with my husband on. Moving to a healthier way of life and managing our weight and becoming more active. These are life changes and I think it's important to support your SO if they're considering this change to a better/healthier life. We need to do things for ourselves sometimes.

Make sure you don't miss your chance with some of them - a long time ago (before my first surgery) I bought a cool jersey from the movie Slapshot, it's a Charlestown Chiefs jersey that has the name Hanson on the back. It was too small when I bought it so I stuck it in my closet and forgot about it. After my first surgery when I lost a lot of weight I found it and tried it on - TOO BIG! So I figured I missed my opportunity to wear it and put it back in the closet. Anyway, when I put back on the weight and started losing it again after revision surgery, I managed to start wearing it at the perfect time when it fit, and was able to wear it for about a month or so before it got too big again.

Hey fam, New here and strongly considering gastric sleeve surgery. I found this site from a helpful youtuber who documented their journey and spoke highly on it. Been looking more into it to be sure my insurance covers or at least will pay for the majority as well. I'm mostly looking for thoughts/suggestions/pointers for those of you who have gone through it. Things you wish you had known before going into it to better mentally prepare myself (or anyone considering ) before making the leap. Currently, I'm 35 5'3 and a bit over 300lbs struggling with weight most of my life as I know many do. I know my stress eating is something I'll really need to work on prior to also making that leap as I sure do not want to go into this, have it help, and backslide. I'll likely see someone about that before committing to anything in hopes I can jump-start working on myself in that aspect. I have watched a lot of videos and read quite a bit on experiences, but I'm really interested to get more information and absorb as much as I can as you all know, this is life-changing surgery. Also curious for those with so-so insurances if they covered skin removal, not an immediate concern but trying to take in everything. Truthfully, I think after being heavy ones whole life, I think I'd be happier just feeling healthy and being more active over that but this is also why I'd like thoughts. Any guidance is much appreciated, whether it be before surgery prep, a week, or a year+ after. I read a bunch the other day joining and am looking forward to the wisdom anyone would be willing to share. Thank you!!

Hey Everybody any 2/8/22 if so what was your starting weight and your weight now Starting 317 Now 256 Sent from my SM-A136U using BariatricPal mobile app

I lost 16 lbs the first month, and I started out at almost 400 lbs. unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life", you're not going to see enormous drops. Most of us "normal" WLS patients lose about 15-25 lbs the first month, and then maybe 10 lbs give or take a month for a few months after that (and it slows down more than further out you get). your weight loss is completely normal - you're doing fine! as for no desire to eat, also normal. It's very common to lose one's hunger and appetite for several months after surgery. Mine came back after five months, and honestly, I wish it never had. It was SO MUCH EASIER to lose weight when I was never hunger and didn't give a flip about food! P.S. of course, you will always find some "normal" WLS patients who lose more than 25 lbs the first month - but they're the exception. On top of that, you're starting out at a much lower weight than many of us. Starting BMI is one of the major factors in your rate of weight loss. The higher it is, the faster you're likely to lose. So don't worry - you are doing absolutely fine!

You have done so well. Thank you for the encouragement. Please may I ask whether you are still losing weight a year out or whether you're done now? Did you decide what your final goal was or did your sleeve decide for you??

I know other people who can't handle food in the morning (actually, even some people who HAVEN'T had weight loss surgery can't handle food in the morning!). My dietitian tells them it's fine to have a protein shake for breakfast.

I struggle with this too and you guys give some fantastic advice! Is just like to add a website that’s been very helpful for me: modelmydiet.com You can adjust an ‘avatar’ to kind of look like you at all sorts of weights and imho, it’s pretty accurate!! I like to return to that every now and then to get some perspective 😁

I really don’t mind at all, I’m the cook at home and I’ve adapted my recipes! He just gets a big bowl and I get a small one 😁 I don’t avoid pasta, rice or potatoes, but watch the fat and sugar content very closely. (Right now I’m 1.5 kg away of having lost 100% of my excess weight btw) Thankfully he doesn’t bring home or order take out/fast food, that’s a mutual decision that is working out well for both of us 😁 Re: supermarkets, I have only set foot in one twice since my surgery end of august 2021! I get my groceries delivered once a week and I absolutely love it. For me the service is money well spent, not only is food shopping a complete waste of time (imo) it is way too busy and frustrating to try to do your shopping outside of work, and everything inside the store is geared towards getting you to buy unnecessary things. It’s also really helped me disconnect from food in a way, by engaging with it less overall.

Hi Parisshel, it was very painful, scary and I'm just happy it's over and the band is gone and I'm still alive. The way he explained it is that when the lapband first came out, they made two different versions of it. One was made with hooks, where you can turn it easily to put it in and the theory was, if it had not slipped nor eroded, it would be just as easy to take it out. He said I did have the one with these "hooks" -- and I'm not quoting him on WHY it wound up having to be dug out - but I'm assuming because of the slippage that happened. Also, another possible contribution to this issue could be that I was not having it filled consistently because I felt it was already too restrictive and people were commenting on that I was losing too much weight. (I think some might have even questioned if I was "sick" with something). I filled it a few time in the 10 years I had it and towards the end had it loosened/filling taken out and then eventually, unfilled completely in Nov 2021--- and maybe that's when it really started to slip and all that happened to wind me up having it completely removed. My suggestion to anyone that has one -- is, even if you are not going in to get a fill - at least still visit with your doctor and drink the barium so they can check in on the band - ask about slippage, erosion, etc. At the beginning of the big "lap band surge" before they knew a lot of long term reactions --- the doctors and surgeons would say it is "VERY RARE" that it will slip or erode. Now, they are finding out -- it is MORE common than NOT for it to erode and/or slip. So, have it checked - mine was supposed to be checked every three months. But, because I wasn't interested in having it filled, I would not follow those standards. I had a very very reputable doctor too, so, it really was my fault for not having him check in on it time to time, regardless of fills. To address your last part, I am feeling a lot better, thank you! it has been two weeks and 2 days since the removal. I would say I was only "ok" after about a full week. I still have incision tape that needs to fall off, but all in all, worth it knowing now that it's out! I have to say, I have not gained any weight since the removal and do not see myself eating any more than I did with it in (but again, remember I wasn't filling it, and he it completely unfilled last November). Looking back, I think the one benefit I did gain from it - it gave a "kick start" on my weight loss but also forced me to realize and change my eating habits. !! Good luck with everything!

Yeah, I love popcorn too. I had some at a baseball game. It put me in a major stall because then I wanted some at home every night. At one month I wouldn’t try it because it’s so rough. Just remember it’s a carb, try it later after you’ve been given the all clear. Then test it for yourself and see how you do both digestively and weight wise.

I had some work things come up early on, when I definitely was not eating regular stuff. In one case, a work lunch was organized at a place that literally had nothing I could eat. That was an extreme situation, to be sure, but I found an appetizer that would probably work, in case I couldn't gracefully bow out. No one knew of my surgery, just that I had a surgery, and I explained to my boss that I had food restrictions as I recover. He was cool with that and I was excused from the event. My colleagues all asked why I wasn't joining, and the same answer worked well. I didn't have to over explain and everyone was cool with it. Since I have been on regular foods, it really has not been a problem even in some situations I thought people would notice. Most people are not paying attention to how much you eat. Just put stuff on the plate, and if you don't want it or are full, just stop eating. My first event once on real food again was an Indian wedding. The amounts I had on my plate matched what many of the thinner woman at the table were eating. I've become very good leaving food on the plate and not feeling guilty about it. I also had to cook for Thanksgiving which was about 3 months from surgery and it was totally fine. I was surprised at how much I didn't care that I couldn't eat much. I had tastes of my favorites, like stuffing, and even had pumpkin pie. It all worked out nicely AND I lost weight for once over that holiday! My greatest challenge was just recently, at Orthodox Easter. I have a huge Greek family that eats crazy amount of food. I was convinced someone would notice - nope! I put enough on my plate that I could taste everything I wanted to taste, and no one noticed how much I did or did not eat. I do think smaller gatherings like intimate holidays with people who know you will be tougher. I'd just put more food on my plate, move it around, and not eat it. It seems wasteful, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I

I love the clothing surprises. I recently found all the clothes that fit me well after my 2016 surgery before I relapsed and put most of the weight back on - now after my revision I'm close to where I was five years ago and all my old clothes are fitting again. I went from XXL shirts (which were starting to get snug), to XL, to L, and now even the L's are getting a little roomy.

I am scheduled for July 5th as well! I am super excited and not nervous at all. I don’t plan on losing any weight but just maintaining where I am at. 😀

Just tell them you are making changes to what & how you eat. Tell them you’re seeing or have seen a dietician & you’re doing this with your doctor’s support. I’d also tell them you hope they will support you too as you try to improve your health. They don’t have to know any more if you don’t want. You’re not lying. Just not telling them everything. I have friends & acquaintances who only know this part of the story & all accepted it. Oh & if they start sharing their weight loss stories & how you should try their diet, remind them you are seeing a dietician & want to stick to that plan as it’s working so far. Have a great time on your holiday.

I am really looking forward to that part. I have goals that I just can't reach at this weight, but give me 6-12 months.

I just started my program, and I’m on a 3 month schedule. The expectation is - if all goes as planned, I will be scheduled in July or early August. I have started working in small changes to hopefully help make the transitions after surgery easier (and to prove to myself that I can do this). The program nutritionist gave me a book to outline changes I should start incorporating and sent me some recipe suggestions to try. I was told that I’m not required to loose any weight but that I absolutely can not gain any. My personal hope is I will loose some. I’ve already lost about 40 lbs on my own trying to get into the right mind set for this journey … and figure anything I can loose between now and surgery date will be a benefit for recovery and help my over all health.

I know this is slightly off topic, but I'm looking for a medication post surgery to switch to for bi-polar. One of my doctors, who is not very familiar with weight loss surgery, is suggesting switching me from Valproic Acid Oral Solution to Lithium. Have you talked to your doctor about this medicine after surgery? Will it still be processed by your gastro system normally? Any expected changes to the meds that keep you normal and baseline? I appreciate you taking the time to read my post and let me know. Thanks and good luck with your journey to the best version of you!