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This is so incredibly sad. My heart goes out to you. The medical community often discounts patients based on their biases - if you are woman, your age (too old or too young), if you are a person of color, if you look different, if you are overweight, whatever it may be that doesn't fit their perfect mindset. At my heaviest, I started having difficulty walking without losing breath. My dad had congestive heart failure, so I freaked out and went to urgent care. The lady tried to tell me it was allergies. Allergies! My legs were swollen, which is one symptom, but that had also been happening for a very long time (previously disclosed to primary, who told me to 'put my feet up more') due in part to my blood pressure meds. Still, allergies was what I was told. No instinct to look further and consider that this was something serious, esp given family history. Fast forward to a month later, allergy meds aren't helping, and I go to my primary. I had to meet with the PA, and some random student assistant. The assistant told me I needed to exercise more. You know, when I can't breathe walking down the hallway - when I typically could do a 45 min hard workout with a trainer, even at nearly 400 lbs - I should totally be getting to the gym to deal with that not breathing thing. They then tried to tell me it was anxiety. My EKG was fine, other than a high heart rate, but they referred me to a cardiologist because of my family history. Cardiologist was appalled by everyone and the fact no one took me seriously. He did, and we quickly realized I have dilated cardiomyopathy. He got me on a great med regimen and after a few tough months, I saw rapid improvement. He was the one who really pushed me to consider WLS, though he gave me time to get there emotionally and mentally. I lost weight on my own after all this happened, but couldn't keep it off, which is why I am where I am now. Thank goodness for that man. I'd be dead without him, because no one was listening when I knew something was very wrong.

I had my RNY and hernia repair on May 11th. Reflux stopped immediately and I spent one night at the hospital. I started my protein shake as soon as I got home and on May 14th, I woke up with excruciating stomach cramp and diarrhea and thought that I was dying. The doctor on call called me back and told me to lay off the protein shakes and take Imodium. He said it was lactose intolerance and I should only sip water for 24 hours. I had to throw away 6 boxes of premier protein shake and have now switched to fairlife which is lactose and gluten free. I seem to be tolerating this well. At my clinic, it is full liquid for 7 days as soon as you leave the hospital, 1 week of purée, then weeks 3-5 of soft food and you can begin to introduce solid food one at a time after week 5. Pre-surgery was just liquid only 1 day before surgery. I believe that lactose intolerance is usually with bypass patients. I did not have any problems with the sleeve in 2018, but was one of the few who never lose weight after the sleeve; just 45Ibs and very bad reflux.

That’s awesome! Us thyroid warriors have to stick together😊. Don’t worry the scale will move again. I had a stall at 3 weeks and I think I have stalled 3 more times since then. My latest labs show that my tsh has dropped with weight loss so I have been cutting back on my meds. My endo says it’s a good thing because it means my thyroid is doing more of the work on its own and doesn’t need as much help.

@Woodstock23 Hi [emoji3059], I'm not too bad thank you. My surgery went well but I'll be honest it's been a tough journey for me so far. I'm now nearly 8 weeks post op and the smell of meat of any kind revolts me. I'm struggling to eat more than a few teaspoons of food and am no where near my protein and water consumption that I should be yet! But saying all that, I know things will get better with time and I do not regret surgery. I have already lost 34lb, I haven't been this weight since I was 23 and I'm 50 this year! [emoji16] My surgeon has told me that I have responded extremely well to the surgery and that the change in my hormones has caused the extreme sensitivity to the taste and smells of meat proteins. Would love any tips you can give me on emotional eating. I still find myself reaching for food and then feel disappointed when I can't have it. I'm trying to distract myself but sometimes I just go to bed to avoid the emotions, which I know isn't ideal. Ask as many questions as you want, I'm more then happy to support you in anyway I can. Good luck for your surgery [emoji3059], it's the beginning of a new you x Sent from my SM-G980F using BariatricPal mobile app

I weigh four times weekly (Mon Tue Thu and Sat) and track my average rather than individual weights.

Don't eat past your hunger cues. One of the things that I want to beam into everyone's head is that for a LOT of us, aftercare is pretty horrible. My surgeon's bariatric nutritionist lit into me for eating 800 calories a day 3 months out - I work outdoors and work out for an hour a day. My surgeon actually skipped two check-ins in a row after that. So I went and got a nutrition coach (whom I absolutely LOVE). I could always eat more than they said I'd be able to. But as long as I ate slowly, the restriction kicked in eventually. I lost weight hand over fist (it has since slowed down, but I'm 8 months PO and not far from goal). I wouldn't worry about it. But do watch out for stalls. They happen, they suck, and they shouldn't derail you.

Well, this certainly went in an unexpected direction. I think the OP basically wanted us to tell her that there was some way for her to both lose her weight and make no further changes (because "sacrifices suck"). I did want to add one thing, though, for the future people who read this. Your body can carry an INSANE amount of poop. So the OP, starting her post-colon-cleanse weight, already was down as much as ten pounds (I 💩 you not!) just from having it all out of her. And it doesn't matter which scale you use as long as you use the same scale every time.

The picture on the right was yesterday; the one on the left was me close to my fattest. I'm eight months post-op and still losing weight, albeit much more slowly now. I was wearing size 46 pants that barely buttoned around my waist on the left; size 32 on the right. Size 4XL shirt on the left, L on the right. (The left is blurry because I had to crop and it didn't do it nicely. You can still see puh-lenty!)

I was an almost 10 lb baby….I was literally born fat. 😂. I was a fat kid, a fat adult, I was able to achieve most any goal I set out to do but I could never overcome obesity. I finally had to just tell myself if I could have, I would have. It wasn’t a lack of willpower, or knowledge, or anything. I simply could not maintain a weight loss on my own. Losing weight didn’t magically make everything in my life perfect, but it sure fixed the weight related problems…and I had plenty.

Has anyone here had a gastric sleeve and also has Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)? I just need to know that someone else safely had it done and didn't have a major multi-systemic reaction to the surgery or in post-op. I'm prone to anaphylaxis but I've had other surgeries (knees and shoulder) since diagnosis and with my surgical team being cautious I made it through surgery without having a major reaction. I previously had a consult with a bariatric surgeon and she said she wouldn't touch me; that it was too risky. But that was maybe three years ago and I'm definitely more stable now than I was then. My pain doctor wants me to get a second opinion so I'm going to meeting with a bariatric surgeon in a few weeks and also meeting with my mast cell doctor. I was just hoping that someone who it has experience with it could reassure me that it can be done safely. Concerns I have: - my diet already has to be restrictive because of the MCAS. I worry about getting enough protein in when I have to avoid tree nuts and all meat products. I can have milk (lactose free) and eggs. - I read that my meds have to be crushed or split post-surgery. Is that for forever? I have some capsules that I take that can't be crushed or broken. I also have liquid medication I take that gets diluted I'm about a cup of water. I use that water to take all of my pills, and there's a fair amount of pills. - exercise is an issue for me. I've anaphylaxed during an easy yoga class before. I've built up to be able to do seven to ten minutes on a seated elliptical or seated stepper. But I'm not going to be running any 5ks anytime soon. Is it still an effective surgery if my workout options afterwards are extremely limited because of my MCAS? - if I'm on meds that have caused weight gain for me, is it possible to still lose weight while being on the med? I can't safely go off of the meds unfortunately. I think I'm just scared to get my hopes up that this surgery could be a safe and effective tool to help me lose weight. I'm 5'4 and 400 lbs. I need help. The likelihood that my surgeon will be familiar with or educated in mast cell diseases is really low and I know that I'll have to do a lot of advocating for myself. If you've made it this far thank you for listening. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi JUNE friends! I get notifications when there are posts and how emotional I was to see all the NEW 2022 Junies posting! Made me reflect on everything that has happened to me in the last year. Recorded my highest weight in NOV 2019 at 305 at 5ft1in at the doctor's office. Cried and talked with her about surgery. She was all for it. Let that sit and fester for another year, what was the rush? I have only been thinking about this for the last TEN years. Finally, Nov 2020, my levels were prediabetic. I was on two high BP meds. I knew I needed to stop this. My insurance sucked and conventional route was not going to happen. MANY MANY insurance companies DO NOT cover bariatric surgeries any more. WHICH is ridiculous since it is the only elective surgery that reverses or ends so many mortal diseases. Why wouldn't they pay? Between HBP and soon to be diabetes, probably need knee replacements, and on and on!! I had to find self pay. I was too nervous to look at Mexico, and found Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. I started my Pre-Op diet May 25th, 2021. Surgery was June 15th, 2021. Best DECISION I EVER MADE! We have all been there. Should have done it sooner, hmmm-ed and hawed for months and months once my doctor and I talked about it. Then there was covid. The delays never ended. But to all the new people.....TRUST THE PROCESS, LISTEN to your body. It will know what to do. If you do the work, it will follow. I consider myself a SLOW loser. I was not, will not, and won't ever be an exercise lover. I couldn't fathom doing any exercise when I was 305lbs. It was a terrible cycle. I can't walk and move my body because my knees hurt, my back hurt. I didn't walk much when I started this journey but then, after the tiredness subsides, you think wow, my knees don't hurt. I can go for a walk with the dog. Then, I WANT to walk the dog. For me, everything was baby steps. BUT, suddenly the pants are looser. You start to see your face change. Then, those close to you start to notice. Slowly, but SURELY, it comes off. The ONLY WAY to lose this weight is by calorie deficit. It is the ONLY WAY we can all do this. It is NOT EASY. Having surgery is NOT easy. We still have to change the way we eat. We are still have to fight those old habits and desires. I read everything I could, joined this group, and a couple on FB. I read all the advice. I am here to tell you a few of mine. I HATED pictures of any kind. I didn't take many before or after surgery. DO TAKE PICTURES!!! I love seeing people's before and afters and transformations and I just can't go back. and POOP. No one talks about the POOP or lack of it. It was my biggest side effect and still an issue. HAIR LOSS, it happens, just start those biotin pills NOW! SO, sorry for this long post, it was kind of emotional and I needed to just write it all out. You took the first steps. You got this! I still feel like I just did and am in the stages you are. But, as I close in on my first anniversary, I am overwhelmed. I hit the 100 pound lost mark. Then, this week, I hit ONEDERLAND. Lots of milestones all at once. I am anxious to see what my pounds lost will be on June 15th! Trust yourself and the process. There are NO steadfast rules. I hate when I see posts and people are so adamant and actually rude about stuff. In the end, you make the rules. I'm an open book and will answer any questions. You can message me or post. Literally remind yourself, it's ONE day at a time. Best wishes Junies!!

Oh I so understand about the eating coping strategy as that’s my default too! Thank goodness I found that my hunger went down after both surgeries, but I know that I can’t count on that forever. I need to learn a better way at coping. i had the SADI (Single anastomosis duodeno–ileal bypass) surgery. Sorry for the change in font size, but I had to copy and paste it here because I can’t remember the full name. Lol from what I’ve been reading, the surgery is most like the duodenal switch except not as severe with the malabsorption. I’ll see - I just hope it can help me get rid of my excess weight. ☺️

This thread was a wild ride. I also don't believe OP was trolling, but I think there are more issues going on here than just dealing with the weight loss stuff. If you're still reading this OP, I sincerely recommend you try to speak with a therapist about the issues you've been discussing. If you can find a bariatric therapist, great. Otherwise, any certified therapist should be able to help provide you with a caring ear. You seem to be carrying a lot more weight than just the physical pounds, if you get what I'm saying, and speaking to someone can help lighten the load. Regarding the specific things you've been discussing, a few thoughts. First, as others have mentioned, the procedure you chose is a tool like the other procedures, but it's a tool that statistically results in the least weight lost of the rest. That doesn't mean you can't be extremely successful, just that it might be tougher. You say you don't want to be one of those people weighing every gram of your food on a postage scale. Well, I'm one of those people and I've been lucky enough to have a lot of success so far. That said, I don't necessarily watch every gram, if I'm a little over it's not the end of the world. But most people have absolutely no idea what a portion of food actually weights until they actually weigh it. When I started out I was shocked on how small my 4 oz potions of food were, if I had been eyeballing them I would have had twice as much as I should have. So I would get a cheap scale (you can get them for $10 or less) and start weighing EVERYTHING. You say you don't have time, but it takes practically no time at all. Weighing all my ingredients takes at MOST 3-4 minutes per DAY. You just put stuff on your plate like normal, but first put the plate on the scale. I had some cantaloupe for a snack earlier, and I just put the bowl on the scale and watched the numbers as I filled it and stopped when I hit my limit. It took pretty much the same amount of time that it would have taken to put the cantaloupe in the bowl without using the scale anyway. You also mentioned you weren't interested in a sleeve because you believe the recovery time would be a month. I can only speak for myself but four days after my sleeve I drove 30 miles to visit with family, and I was fine. I took about a week or so off of work and went back with no problems. Everyone is different but from what I've seen posted by others, that's generally the experience most folks have. I'm not saying you need a revision, but don't let the potential recovery time deter you from a procedure if you and your doctor feel it would be appropriate. Best of luck.

It sounds like you’re ahead of the game! I’m gonna call the nutritionist soon to gain some perspective

Im so nervous that I’m going to go through this and it be for nothing! Meaning, I’ve tried so many things (like eating correctly, tracking food, exercising for a year, lost 40lbs then gained back) that im scared itll not work or ill mess it up some how! I believe ill do good because I’ll have the boost of surgery to help me once I start the exercising and tracking food again but just nervous. Especially since it’s coming out of pocket. Hopefully that’ll be a great motivator too!

I gained about 60 pounds back about 7 years out. It didn't happen all at once, but gradually over time. I had a couple of knee surgeries and I stopped exercising as much. Over the last 2 years my lifestyle changed again and I started moving more in general and walking with friends. I lost the 60 pounds I had put back and another ten pounds as well without really trying to lose weight. You have to be gentle with yourself and forgive yourself if your weight fluctuates. We can be our own worst enemy if we beat ourselves up too much.

I still weigh myself most days. I'm almost exactly 6 months post sleeve. I expect when the weight loss slows down and I can finally trust I'm not going to suddenly put it all back on again I'll do it less often!

Dont forget this tho......it doesnt matter if your fat or thin, tall or short there will always be something a bully will pick from to cause a person grief. They may not like your hairstyle or the way you dress. There's always something they will find.....we have to learn to not sweat the small things. There are much more important things to focus on like celebrating the weight you have lost, planning your next big whatever a trip, a shopping spree or just something as simple as finding shoes to fit so you can walk more. Focus on you and the things that bring you happiness. Dont worry so much about others nothing you can do about them except ignore them. Live, Laugh and Love yourself, thats your goal 😁

I went with the exact remedy you're describing and it somewhat helped. The only difference was I sent with tart cherry pills then moved to the liquid extract as I felt it would absorb faster. I'm not sure if it worked but it did provide relief. Fast forward to now and I am only taking Allopurinol daily(when I remember). Weight loss has slowed so flare ups have subsided and I feel alot better. I did alot of research and spoke to my doctors and found that the flare ups are directly tied high uric acid caused by excessive weight loss. Hence my comment about weight loss slowing and flare-ups calming down.

Before my surgery I dreaded getting on the scale. After my surgery I weighed myself every day to see what I had lost. When I stopped losing, I stopped looking. Some of the weight came back about 5 years out when I stopped exercising because I had trouble with my knees. Then I became very stable and my weight just stayed the same for about 15 years. I relaxed about it and just got weighed whenever I went to the doctor's office. I retired 2 years ago and moved back to where I grew up. I reconnected with old friends and because of Covid, we'd meet outside and go for walks. The change in my lifestyle from extremely sedentary to moderately active made the weight I had gained back drop off again. Now I weigh myself about once a month.

Thanks so much for sharing your story! We hear so seldom from people so long after their surgery, and it's particularly good to hear from someone who managed to keep the weight off. So sorry to hear about your kidney issues, however--and thanks for letting us know what can happen. Wishing you the best.

I have lost 30 lbs so far I was on a liquid diet for a bout a week than went to soft foods. Now i am on a high protein with little to no carbs. The weight is coming off slow now but I had lost 20 lbs before procedure.. I have gone from a size 24 snug to a 14/16 or extra large.. ALready taken off 2 of my diabetes meds and have had my blood pressure and thyroid meds cut back..

No I dont believe you are. Hang in there! You are stopping when you are comfortable and that is what you are supposed to be doing. You've lost a good amount of weight in a short period of time, so failure; nah I dont see that. I see it as a victory!! 28 pounds down in 2 weeks thats awesome! Ive only managed 14 lbs and I tend to look at it as thats 14 pounds I couldnt do on my own before so to me its a win win . Keep doing what you are doing and your body will conform

It's been a long time now since I had the gastric bypass. I've lost 187 pounds. I lost most of the weight in the first couple of years. I slowly regained some (70 pounds) beginning about 5 years out because I had trouble with my knees and couldn't exercise. I've lost the regained weight in the past couple of years by just gentle walking several times a week. I'm no longer obsessed with eating and just eat for nourishment. I weigh myself about once a month. I stopped going to my support group because of the distance after the first couple of years. I lived about 4 hours away from where I had the surgery done. There was a 2 years wait list to see a surgeon closer to home. One thing I regret about not going to the support group is that I became complacent about keeping up with my mineral supplements. Now my kidneys are damaged and I need a transplant. The transplant surgeon tells me I need a panniculectomy before I get the kidney transplant. I couldn't afford the plastic surgery and didn't want to jump through all the hoops to get it covered. But now, since I've been told there's a medical reason for doing it, I'm starting to look into it.

I’m 4 years out. At home I still weigh my food. At dinner I eat around 1-1.5oz veggies & the rest is protein. The whole meal is 3 -3.5 oz. If I eat more then that I get too full & I’m uncomfortable for a while. When we eat out I eat a little less then 1/2 of the meal, my husband & I usually share an entry. If I’m eating out with a friend I ask if I can order something on the kid’s menu. At about 1.5 years out I started eating over 4 oz & I put back on 30 pounds! I used The Fast Metabolism Diet & I did great & I actually got to my goal weight!