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I have noticed lots of people coming to the forums in distress because they regret having the surgery, I too was one of them. I wanted to share some of my own experience to reassure those going through regret that for some of us this is completely normal and part of the journey. Its awful, you feel like crap and wonder what the hell you have done to yourself and for some we wonder if we will even survive this life changing decision we made. You may feel like you have ruined your life, you may feel like you will never eat or drink your favourite things again. You may think you will die of thirst or even starve to death, I am here to say you will get through it, you will feel better and you will eat/drink your favourite things again (even if you shouldn't 😉) I had my final check in with my mental health care worker the other day and to hear her read back my "statement" and how I was thinking 7 months ago made me cringe, was that really me, was I really down that dark hole ? Yes I was but thankfully I am a long way from that place now. What we go through is a number of things first and foremost grief, yes grief and you will go through all the stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance and for good measure throw some anxiety and remorse in there too. Then there is our hormones omg the hormones what a rollercoaster ride they send us on so hang on tight !! I remember a few bad moments, one that stands out is standing in the shower feeling incredibly weak from not eating or getting my fluids in screaming "why, why me why do I have to feel like this" (some of my friends had breezed through the surgery) lucky no one was home and I did feel a little better after.....so don't be afraid to cry, don't be afraid to shout and scream. Another outburst was at the family dinner table for fathers day screaming why did I do this ? why didn't anyone stop me? I told my team that they shouldn't have approved me and they hadn't screened me properly and they had failed me 😔. I could tell of many more "moments" but I think you get the picture. Some people especially those who have had an easy time after the surgery or haven't had the surgery wont understand why you feel like you do I mean you chose to do this right ? The hardest thing is even we don't understand why we feel the way we do, we wanted this, we paid the surgeon to have this done. Yes its normal to go through a whole range of feelings and some are really bad but it gets better and easier everyday. It might start with 1 good day in a week then 2 until eventually good days out weight the bad you will feel like you are going 1 step forward and 2 steps back but you are still going forward. Be Kind to yourself let people around you look after you but also make an effort to look after yourself even though you don't feel like it. Soon you will get to a point where you no longer have that deep regret and you finally arrive at acceptance and from there you realise you wouldn't have lost the weight without surgery, your life is going to be fine, you can have that coffee and cake with friends , you can eat a meal with your family and your health has improved and you post your weirdest non scale related victory !! You made it!! You got through it !!! There is no more regret !!!

Aww well I hope it improves as the weight falls off! 🤗

I would ask your surgeon why they want you to lose weight given that your BMI is below the cutoff for most insurance, and tell them your concerns. Many doctors don't think much about costs for patients. Talk also to the insurance coordinator at the surgery center and ask their opinion. They aren't a medical person, but they deal with getting insurance approval. Do you know if your insurance will cover surgery if your BMI is 40 or higher? If you are self-pay anyway, it's not a bad idea to lose weight because the lower your weight, the easier the surgery is on your body.

Well that's interesting. Any idea if losing weight will help improve the severity of the diverticulosis?

True keto is high fat, moderate protein, low carb or ultra low carb. So I think most bariatric patients don't really hit the actual macros to be considered real keto. We're told to do lower fat, higher protein and complex carbs only if we're still hungry after we eat our protein and veggies - well that's a generalization, it does vary widely. But I think weight loss patients do low carb if anything at all but very few do actual keto.

I'm a recovering keto bro. Whatever happens, on <600 cals a day you'll be in ketosis. Further on, after the first couple of months, I've made it my business to incorporate a little pasta, fruit etc. Why? Because the problem with keto is that it isn't forever. It can't be. And if you rely on being in the state of ketosis for health and weight loss you are doomed to fail. The reason I got this surgery is to be as normal as possible because it is only through normalcy that I can be successful long term.

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has some insight into losing weight before surgery and your BMI being too low to qualify. My BMI is 39.9. The doctor would like me to lose 10-15 lbs. That would bring my BMI down to about 37. I don't have any other medical conditions (High blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea). It seems like 40 BMI or higher is required to be approved by most insurers. Has anyone else run into this situation? My BMI was 50 when I had WLS 20 years ago so losing the pre-surgery 15 wasn't an issue. Sent from my Pixel 4a using BariatricPal mobile app

What insurance do you have? I have BCBS of Illinois, and I also have MS. I know once I've reached my goal weight I'm going to have to get the skin removed or else it'll make my back and mobility have issues. It never occurred to me that I could get insurance to cover any of it.

Watch the high fat content of the keto diet when you are losing. As you lose weight the fat dissolves into your blood stream & many find their cholesterol level goes up & your liver function is affected because it has to work harder to try to get rid of it without addicting additional fats to your body. The increase in protein (animal) you will be consuming will be enough extra fat for your body to cope with. Most diets while losing focus on high protein, low carb, low fat, low sugar. Maybe look into keto when you get to maintenance. But talk with your dietician.

My surgeon said in general, sleeve patients lost about 10% less weight than gastric bypass. But he also said that's the average. He said he has seen patients who are really motivated and disciplined actually lost the same or even a little more. Depends a lot on the person.

Had my sleeve done 12/23/2021 and I am currently down 66 pounds from highest weight. Starting weight was 337 and am now at 271. I can’t really tell a difference when I look in the mirror but my friends and family can. Starting to feel a lot more energized and motivated to start exercising, but I still am a little afraid to step into a gym so I excercise at home. I can eat pretty much everything just in small proportions and no longer crave bread. Some days I have this little thought in the back of my mind that says “why did I do this? It can’t be reversed!” But all in all I am glad I made the decision to get the surgery because I know I needed that extra help or tool to help me live a healthier life.

That's what I'm aiming for - not having the numbers on the scale ALWAYS be going up or down drastically. I mean, I don't want to stay at this weight particularly, but my whole life my weight has never been stable.

I'm struggling with internalized fatphobia. I am getting much better as I've lost weight, actually. I was bullied growing up, and my grandmother, whom I loved more than anyone, would tell me I had "such a pretty face"... which we all know is code for you're fat. I had a guy break up with me (after I had lost 100 lbs) because I wasn't his ideal body type. Now I'm terrified to even consider dating. (Although there are a lot of issues there...) My family and friends have always been supportive, but my mom always has been a bit of a "concern troll." ("I'm scared for you!")

I bought some of these, but they're not really "thick" enough for the amount of weight I've lost from my fingers. I might have to try something else. Not quite ready to re-size.

I have been really hungry since right after my surgery. I talked to my surgery center and they put me on Metformin and Topamax. I've lost weight really well, but it's so frustrating to be hungry all the time. I find that drinking a lot, especially tea and coffee (I use splenda a low fat milk), helps. Being distracted, eating lots of fiber from veggies, and eating 5 times a day vs. 3 is what works for me. Good luck! PS - I'm eating about 900-1200 calorie a day now at 7 months out.

I felt ( and still do at times) that I'm not good enough therefore i will fail or others will fail me , i just wish i could get this appt over with because it is pretty much all i think about and then once i have it and it goes smoothly i will think about the next one so its a vicious cycle we go through, i know it ties to my low self esteem but i can truly say i have gotten so much better with accepting that i have made mistakes and will continue to make more of them but i know i am NOT a failure but this weight thing i just cant accept because its been an issue for most of my adult life and it drags me down emotionally however like i said i am much better at accepting me for who i am and this sx will play a big role in my life anyway i am rambling if you ever feel like chatting i will be here babbling my Irish head off...LOL take care and i will talk with you soon. Coop

12/14/22 doing well very happy best thing I’ve ever done wish I’d done it 10 years ago! I love the fact I eat very little! I tried this for years just to feel starved! I’ve lost 55 lbs. 70 from highest weight! Feeling real good!

Hey all, I had my procedure on Dec 11. I’m down 59 lbs. starting weight was 236lbs and I’m 177lbs as of today. The last week has been tough for me. I’m craving chocolate and chips and all the bad stuff that put me at my highest weight. I also struggle to get enough water in and protein. Overall I’m so happy with my decision to have this surgery but I now find myself searching for plastic surgeons for tummy tucks and other skin removal procedures.

I had my sleeve on 12/22. I am down 55 pounds since surgery and down 79 pounds from my highest weight. When I don't have pneumonia like I do now, I walk the dog for 1.5 miles or more per day, I am working out - especially core exercises, and I am keeping to the protein-first plan. I slip occasionally, but I've never had dumping syndrome, so either my stomach is made from iron or I just know what to put in it. I am more that 50% to my goal weight and can feel it coming....

My surgery was on 3/3/21 (bypass) I am on regular foods except for tough/stringy meat, raw veggies, breads/rice/pasta, candy and fruits with skins. I am doing ok so far. Protein seems to have a weird/bland-like taste that I am not enjoying so some days I am having a hard time getting my 60+ gms in. Most days I just don't feel like eating...it has become a chore to do so. I have lost a total of 31 lbs (12 with the pre op diet and 19 post op) so I am loving that! Just wish food tasted better! I am happy to report that with the weight loss my feet don't scream at me when I get out of bed in the morning 😁

Hi!!! I had my sleeve 12/22/2021 I am down 43 pounds! Started at 227 today 183! My 3 month post op was last week Dr said I am loosing at a great rate. My waist was 32 inches around. Ive only gone down to a size 16 in pants i havent lost much on my hips and thighs but the top of me looks great. I have not started at the gym yet but walk daily now that is warming up i hope to be able to start working out daily. I added a new food over the weekend and gained 3 pounds i think its Water My diabetes is almost gone no meds fasting sugars 100-115 and during the day they run around 105. I am on no medication I have fibromyalgia and arthritis and my symptoms have improved 80% at least. I havent had a Migraine since about 2 weeks out of surgery. I feel great and people have actually asked me what face work i have done because I look younger! I tell them nothing I just changed what I eat - uhh true!!!! Hope everyone is doing great! Oh! 310 Nutritional Protein shakes with almond milk - silk sugar free - is amazing and so many flavors when i crave something sweet I grab one but its my go to Breakfast - try them out you will love them!!!

I've dug out a bunch of old jeans... some of which I've shrunk through the sizes already. Bought a pair of work pants out of necessity... BTW, the slim fit calf BS is never going to work for my legs no matter how much weight I lose. Nice thing is that I have a row of nearly new dress shirts in the closet waiting for the next 15 to drop off. Funny one... I went to put on a hat and had to adjust the size down, lol my head is getting smaller too!

Hey there! Very excited to meet you and hear how it goes for all of us. Do you think we can lose as much weight with the sleeve as those with bypass?

When some of your favorite outfits, that have been patiently waiting in your closet, start to come out and enjoy life yet again right alongside with you 🥰 😂 I had forgotten how easy a task it is to put on the socks at this weight. The return of the same feeling of ease. The joy is something else. Can't believe I had to wait this long for so many such little joys of life.

Two secrets: I not only withheld my surgery; I also withheld that I went to Mexico to have it done. I have kept it to a very small group of 4 -- my 3 adult children and my mom. My kids were my emergency contacts and they knew about the surgery before I went. I went alone to Mexico due to Covid and it took me 2 months to admit to my kids where it was done. It was 4 months later that I shared both with my mom, due to not being able to predict her response (she was charmingly supportive). My mom and children have shared it with some of their friends and significant others. I have not told my siblings, best friend, cousins, or close co-workers. About work: My students have not really noticed. Coworkers are a mixed bag - some ask - one in particular who I am not close to brings up my weightloss A LOT. Almost everyone else just ignores it or compliments my outfits. I have had people come to me about weight loss advice and they have told me about how upset they feel. With an honest heart, I reassure them that they look wonderful to me. Since I am a teacher and gossip is constant in our school, I have chosen time and again to not share my journey. The fallout: One of my three children felt betrayed that I lied about where I was having my surgery - honestly this has put a real strain on our relationship. She is hurting, but she has to come to terms with this in her own time. I feel guilty for not telling other members of my family, but I am standing by my decision. I work very hard to stay body positive and I believe that all sizes are beautiful in others - I could not give this grace to myself. Am I going to continue to hold this as a secret? Most likely yes. If I ever have a man that I am serious about, I may confide in him. As time has worn on, I feel even less likely to tell people, not more.