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@ms.sss Wow congrats on your surprise vacation. Get bikini fit before you go, You deserve to indulge and enjoy. You know yourself best. Try to be ok with a small weight gain. You can trust yourself to work it off after you get back. I am just checking in after a short vacation and family wedding. A fantastic time was had. I was 130 at the start of vacation and I’m now 143. A bit over my ten-pound bounce range. Clothing is tight. My body is not used to the craptacular food and alcohol choices over the last week. I feel sluggish and not myself. I appreciate how good I feel when I eat on plan. Looking forward to getting my weight back in range.

Ok. Soooooo Mr. surprised me with news that we are going on a trip and we are leaving next week. Our destination is basically the Motherland Of Carbs. While I'm super excited and grateful to go, I find myself overthinking a couple things, and am interested in how you guys would deal/have dealt: 1) I haven't had pasta/rice/"actual bread" since before surgery and am feeling wary of introducing them back into my diet. Since NOT having carbs in the Motherland is NOT an option, I told myself that the carbs that happen on this trip, stays on this trip, but I've got this annoying voice in my head that says DON'T DO IT! NOT WORTH IT! I'm giving myself anxiety 🙄. Question #1: How much carbs do you eat in Maintenance? What kind of carbs? Did you even track carbs??? 2) I anticipate weight gain as I plan on eating and drinking lots. It's not like the last vacay where the food wasn't very good anyway (I always find Caribbean all-inclusive fare this way, but that's just me). The Motherland of Carbs is also a Motherland of Good Awesome Food. Question #2: Do you plan for indulgences? I am thinking of going back on my weight-loss diet for the next 5 days to offset the inevitable gains during our trip. Thoughts? P.S. I don't really know why I feel so agitated over this! I mean, I've been on several getaways since surgery and managed just fine...

Hi everyone, I need a safe place to rant and get advice and opinions. Feel free to be honest! I’m posting here because I need to do some head work around this situation so that I don’t eat my way through it. Here is goes....I thought my sister in law and I are close, there is an age gap but she has been my side kick since she was 7 and she’s now 28 (I’m 43) she was in our wedding as a bridesmaid when she was 12, I do a lot for her (help with the baby, provide encouragement and advice, hang out with her because she’s home alone a lot) but I guess we’re not as close as I thought. She’s planning her wedding and apparently she has invited our other sister in law and her 3 soon to be sister in laws to be in the wedding but not me. My daughter is also a bridesmaid (23yrs old) and my niece (12 yrs old). We have a small family and literally everyone is in the wedding in some form other than me. My husband is officiating, my sons are ushers, daughter is a bridesmaid, brother in law is a groomsmen, sister in law is bridesmaid, and young niece is flower girl. Let me say that I’m assuming it’s the age difference but I’m fine with that, I just want her to address it with me like “hey I would like you to be a part of the wedding as well but......” she could have told me anything...that she knows I probably wouldn’t want to be a bridesmaid, that she thinks of me as more of a mom but would like me to sit with the mothers, anything to at least address it. She did invite me to go dress shopping but that was ruined because the prior weekend I made the mistake of bringing it up and it didn’t go well. I was very nice about it and felt like I handled it with tact. She went off of the rails on me and said that I’m selfish for trying to make her wedding about me. She uninvited me to go dress shopping, said that I’m cut out of her life, and hasn’t talked to me since. She’s now telling anyone who will listen that I’m mad at her because I’m not a bridesmaid and making up additional details that aren’t true and never happened. I know this because she talked to my daughter about it. I can’t forget the terrible things that she said to me in her ranting text to me, some of them were below the belt and so unnecessary for the situation. My husband was seriously pissed at her and now calls her bridezilla. He has talked and text with her briefly since this happened but nothing about what happened. No one has brought it up, everyone is just acting like nothing happened. No one is treating me differently other than the bride not talking to me. I guess that’s a good sign because it means that my husbands mom , brother and sister in law are not taking sides. I want to fix this but I feel like like we need a mediator. She and my other sister in law get into small arguments but my brother in law always steps in and fixes it. I’ve asked my husband to do the same or to even ask his brother advice on how he should navigate the situation but he hasn’t. I realized yesterday that’s I’m pissed at my husband for not doing something, for not sticking up for me. I’m confused by this entire situation. Should I have never have brought up that my feelings were hurt to her? Should I be upset that my husband hasn’t called her out for saying mean things to me? Why am i so hurt over this? Why is she spinning the story to make me sound like a selfish b***h? How do fix this so I don’t eat myself into a huge weight gain? Thank you all in advance for weighing in (pun intended lol)

My thoughts, even with weight fluctuations, I see you as tiny in the OOTD photos. You are maintaining and it’s reasonable to enjoy the occasional indulgences. Is it weight gain? bloating/water retention? Insulin response? body image or TMI constipation? I have no idea. I’m older, I will never look like @ms.sss. I'll never have six pack abs. *laughing* You asked "Question for you...had you started weight loss shenanigans with food/sugar and booze at 137lbs?" The example in the photos is body composition. The link below will explain. https://8fit.com/fitness/weight-loss-vs-fat-loss/

I guess maybe I worded it wrong, My weight has a natural habit of slow loss then a stall, then it moves down again. But as for calories, my metabolism is so extremely slow that when I upped them past a certain point my body wasn’t happy. It really has no impact on my fatigue, which I’ve lived with nearly all my life due to chronic illness. I’m sticking to the plan and it might seem abnormal but I’m just not normal. I deal with brain fog and have a hard time finding words or explaining things. I didn’t sleep last night, just a bit towards morning and woke with a migraine. Our ride was late and we hit a traffic jam. I saw the nutritionist first, she is great. Their scale said I weigh less than my home scale. She used a fancy scale that showed body fat, muscle, water etc. she understands how I can’t exercise just encourages movement. Which I do my best. I showed her my weight tracking and explained my calories and what I eat. I explained I track my calories and food and how when I increased to 470 I stopped losing and when I went back to averaging 370 it started to go down again at a normal pace, She does want me to try to add soft proteins like flaked fish or veggie burgers since I can’t seem tolerate dense foods like chicken or tuna. She said I’m doing good for weight loss. I shared some of the things that have helped me and she said she was going to share it with her nutrition class. She said some people just take longer to progress. And I need to deal with my health problems and as long as I’m getting my protein it’s ok. i didn’t see my surgeon, I saw a doctor that works with him. I had a hard time explaining the problems and forgot how to describe them. At some point when he started asking about exercise I blanked out because they should know my history. I tried to just stick to the main points, chest pain and still feeling the issues with the stricture and ask what the doctor recommends for the symptomatic hernia and Schatzki’s ring. As far as the surgery they feel things are going along ok. Some things are just all the separate health issues I have. That I’m dealing with the best I can. I told him I’m having a colonoscopy and since y surgeon wants another endoscopy he said my gastroenterologist can do the endoscopy at the same time if I wanted that. He gave me my surgical report to give to my gastroenterologist. I need to find out if my gastroenterologist can do the endoscopy since I’m already scheduled for the colonoscopy. I know surgically things are going as well as can be expected. I also knew my chronic Illness would get worse due to the stress on my body. But I knew going in it was either have gastric bypass surgery or not be able to fight the weight gain and give up. I’m not expecting pity and I’m sorry for posting such long rants. TBH living with M.E. Is worse than cancer, worse than HIV, because of how it impacts every part of me. Not just my opinion of it but how it is medically. After I get this colonoscopy and endoscopy done I’m going to try to add soft foods and soft vegetables. Like gardein vegetarian foods. I want to find out what’s going on first. I wish I could get some answers about the esophageal dysphasia besides it’s neurological. But honestly even if I knew the cause, nothing can fix nerve damage and I will have to learn to adapt. I appreciate the responses. Just writing this is like exercise to my body.

I didn’t know what to title this. My surgery was April 29th, I ended up in the ER the day after my release from the hospital with pneumonia, critically low potassium and acute UTI. I was also diagnosed with esophageal dysphasia. Because of that my follow up appointments got thrown off course. I had two appointments close together. The second appointment he had me go for a upper gi fluoroscopy and endoscopy. Which found stoma stricture, Schatzki ring, sliding hiatal hernia and ulcers. TBH after the endoscopy I didn’t want to schedule my next follow up appointment. And the doctor hadn’t said when. It should have been 2-3 months post-op but it’s almost 4 1/2 months. I see my surgeon on Thursday and because I need medical transportation it turns into practically an all day affair. I am actually dreading this appointment. He is a great surgeon but my communication skills, especially when I’m fatigued are sorely lacking. I’m at a loss what to say since I feel like I can’t do anything right. While yes my weight has gone down (rather slow) and I think I’ve hit around 53lb loss - I haven’t been able to progress in certain things and have to keep my calories very low otherwise I stall. Due to the esophageal dysphasia I’m not drinking a lot of water. I haven’t attempted purées again and should probably even be into regular foods by now. The most I’ve been able to manage is yogurt mixed with protein powder for breakfast (sometimes a shake) cottage cheese, BariatricPal protein soup (if I have any) juice flavor protein mixes, and sometimes soft boiled egg but I get kind of sick from it so not too often. It’s more an allergy thing with that. My surgeon never really said anything after the endoscopy. I read on the results that he balloon dilated the stricture which it seems to me he did it too much at once and I don’t feel better. The fluoroscopy showed it at 3mm and he dilated 10mm and assumed it was ok because the scope passed? I find it perplexing. And maybe they think the other issues too minor? I don’t. I don’t want to be stuck on proton pump inhibitors. They cause constipation and are not safe long term for things like magnesium, bone density etc. which I have enough bone density loss as is. I told My gastroenterologist about new issues with this of course they said talk to the surgeon and also my PCP. I’ve been having crushing chest pain. And weird strong spasms below my ribs on the left side. Of course I forgot to mention it to my PCP I was too annoyed by her attitude when I caught her up on the surgery and everything after it (she was on maternity leave a few months) well that’s a long story I won’t bore anyone with. My gastroenterologist scheduled me for a colonoscopy the end of this month to rule out possible colitis (a ct scan result said colitis) I was supposed to have had it before my RNY but it didn’t work out that way. I’m not sure how I’ll manage prep. They gave me a prescription for one that is less to drink but I’m allergic to it. Ill have to do clear liquids two days prior to the colonoscopy. Does clear protein count as a clear liquid or do I not have protein? I’ve had colonoscopies before but this is my first after RNY. Also. I have endometriosis and it’s possible he won’t see the problem in the colonoscopy since that won’t show up if it’s on the outside. I worry it won’t answer the problems there. As for endometriosis. I saw my uro/gyn because of hemorrhagic cysts on my one remaining ovary. Which also has endometriosis on it. I guess it’s time to have it out now and I’m scheduled for that October 14th. Which means .............. menopause. But I’m hoping it will ease the endometriosis and pcos symptoms. He had removed my other ovary that was covered with endometriosis during other procedures he was doing at the time. I’m too chicken to ask him about an issue with one of the other procedures he did. Just like my follow up with my bariatric surgeon. I’m at a loss what to say and when I’m exhausted I lose my words. Also doesn’t help that I speak to several people before he enters the room. I feel like they expect me to be cured of all my ailments after surgery, even my pcp had that attitude but with lifelong chronic illness it doesn’t work that way. In fact I knew things likely would get worse for me but this was my last chance at a tool to fight my out of control weight gain. You can only eat so little calories without help of some kind. My surgery wasn’t reliant on comorbidities since my BMI was 40. I have them. But most wont just go away with weight loss. But it doesn’t mean I regret the surgery. (My pcp had the attitude of why did I have it if it didn’t help those things ... well I was already at least 208lbs and BMI 40 (height 5’) like isn’t that enough of a reason? Im sorry I just wrote a very long rant. My memory is so terrible I don’t remember when my last two appointments were and what was discussed at the last one. I don’t think they even mentioned my bloodwork. All I know is that was when he scheduled the tests. Now I’m following up on that. I almost don’t even want to go. I feel like I won’t be able to explain anything. And honestly surgeons just want to hear that you lost a huge amount of weight and that you’re doing great not “it’s complicated. “

Sorry if this is TMI but did anyone else have diarrhea trying to increase calories? I am not sure if it's the general increase in fat or carbs. I thought I had a handle in trying to stay at this weight or maybe lose 5 pounds over a few months. It was working but now I am back to losing 2 pounds in 5 days. I am 5' 2.5 and now 129. I know I can still lose more and be ok however I have a lot of muscle and excess skin from prior weight gains and loses. I feel like I am getting too skinny. My face looks tired and gaunt, my wrists are so bony. Here's what I eat and I am trying to increase calories but heavy meats fill me up for hours. I have to graze all day to get this in: meals: premier shake and 5 oz of milk (1-2%) 1 egg with 1c sauté spinach using olive oil, 1-2T cheese 4oz. premade chicken salad (130 cal with 3.5f, 13g protein) 1.5 oz ground beef with 1/4 c veggies (green beans or broccoli) 1-2T cheese snacks: 1T peanut butter 1 cup of milk 1/2 c berries (divided up all day long) 1-2 servings (5 oz cups) of low sugar yogurt sometimes the one with nut butter mixed in 1/4 c pumpkin seeds or walnuts lentil crackers, nut thins crackers, or 1 sheet of graham cracker harvest snaps green pea crisps --- it all averages to 25% carbs (80g), 33% protein (97g), 40% fat (44g) for an avg. of 1100 calories I know some of the processed snacks are not the best but I am trying to increase calories and carbs without the volume. I have a hard time getting in water since I always feel like I am eating but I figure the milk and yogurt as snacks helps somewhat with fluids. Any suggestions?

How much did or are you eating at 3 weeks post op VSG? Tomorrow will be my 3 weeks post op. I’m curious if I’m eating too much (I can eat up to 4oz). The pictures attached are all the guidelines I was given and even on the example meal plan seems way too much. I wasn’t given a calorie goal or anything. My mom was curious on how I was doing so she had me go on the scale Thursday and I had gained 1.6lbs. I know it’s not much but because I’m only on week 3. I make my protein goal of 50-60 grams a day but I’m always short from my 64oz of water by 20oz. I been back to work for 4 days now and I make it a priority to walk home from work since I live not even a mile from my job. Some NSV I have had since surgery are that I can almost touch my thumb and middle finger together around my wrist, I can sit on a conference room chair comfortably without the arm rests going into the sides of my thighs (now it still does but not as much as it use to), I see my face slimmer and as well as my stomach, I can wear jackets I had to put in the back of my closet because my arms were too big and I couldn’t zip them up.

GERD, gastritis, hernia and some weight gain. Most days my GERD is so bad that I feel like heck. I just want to get it done and over. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

I am a Botox junkie and I can answer any questions you have about it. I stopped doing it about a year ago and just had it done for the first time two weeks ago because like yourself I had some concerns about my face. I have kept the fullness in my cheeks but I just didn’t feel pretty. So I have 54 units stuck in my face. In fact just today they sent me a buy one get one free coupon for fillers so that will be my next task although I will say after the Botox I look pretty freaking good relative to how I did before. Very very happy with the results. I say, if it feels good - do it! I think you should stop reading the horror stories about weight gain. Everybody is so different. Celebrate those 60 pounds and don’t worry about them coming back but of course you need to stay mindful of your caloric intake just like the rest of us do. It’s not a problem till it’s a problem right?

I mostly stayed on the stouts and I was fine - about 6 pints is my limit for the night. No hangovers, no throwing up, no weight gain. It was a grand time!

Congrats on five months out. I like that you divided your goals. I understand the fear. I had doubts because I would lose weight gain it back with extra pounds. I'm grateful that I’m still maintaining this far out from surgery. I wish there wasn’t pressure about choosing/achieving goal weight. I agree 100% It doesn’t matter where we end up on the BMI chart. Healthy is the goal.

Are you eating your maintenance phase food instructions to slow/stop weight loss? 1000 calories will keep you in weight loss mode. Glad you are slowly increasing them. I understand that you are sick of shakes. If you choose to get calories in with shakes, Read food facts on the back. Weight loss shakes - premier protein shake 160 calories – 30 grams protein, 5 grams carb, 1-gram fat. It won’t help you gain An option is a weight gaining shake: you decide how many scoops to add. 3 scoops = 1360 calories 198 carbs – 10 grams fat– 40grams protein. Choose a weight you feel healthy at. I’m sorry you feel too thin at 130lbs BMI of 24 = Goal weight is personal choice - 133lbs BMI 25 over weight zone for your height. BMI calculator link below: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm SIDE NOTE: I’m five years out – My BMI fluctuates from 21 to 23 It’s a healthy BMI zone. it's what works for me. I hope you find what works for you.

Prolly need to list both good and bad things I did, after all as one of you has reminded me this is great inspiration for all my surgery buddies here on BariatricPal... so here goes... The Good: I ate mostly veggies, and used tofu, chicken, seafood and occasional beef stir fry bits for my protein. Kept protein at the top of my mind 365: protein went in first ahead of everything. Remembered to drink milk, at least every few days. I take the bari vitamins religiously. Bought a scale and got on it daily: every morning just to check. Started walking as soon as my surgery permitted (for me it was one week which surprised me), eventually ramped this up to walking, squats, light short runs then bicycling, biking is the easiest and most fun. Absolutely stopped buying the bad things I used to eat before and did not allow them even into the house, this includes Baked Lays BBQ Potato Chips, white Asian rice for steaming Chinese style, and cut back on sushi, my weakness. I also gave away my rice steamer. Smartest thing I ever did. When Pouch signals I'm full -- hiccups, tightening chest sensation, nausea -- I stop eating. Late at night when I crave a salty snack, I eat either a little kimchi or a couple pickle slices, instead of the potato chips that I used to. Does the trick. The Bad (Naughty): I resumed red wine drinking after surgery and you are not supposed to. I retried beer and cocktails too. Eventually lost all taste for those. Cannot resist Reunite Lambrusco: it's fairly low in calories (but high in sugar). So far Pouch has taken to lambrusco fine but dislikes other alcohols. I enjoy it in extreme moderation, about two ounces an evening if that. No weight gained as a result. But other bad things, I do not exercise as much, as hard or as often as my surgeon wants. I also do not drink any protein shakes. Except for wine, I have always just kind of hated sugar and sweet things and all protein shakes taste gross to me, like a milkshake. So I have to get my protein in other ways and mine are tofu and cut up chicken thighs for the most part. Stuff the Pouch did and I had nothing to do with I think: My appetite died after my RNY procedure. I maybe eat a cup of food a day and that's almost forcing it. I have no sweet tooth and prefer hot, salty and spicy, so I never eat ice cream, candy, cake or pie. I do eat an occasional small piece of cookie when drinking my weekly milk. I have way more energy now so I exercise more than I did pre-surgery, but I believe it's because of my weight loss. I hope this is inspirational and helps!

Vent warning! So, yesterday I worked my last shift at work, I have the weekend and the holiday off normally, then Tuesday I am off for another doctors appointment (unrelated). Surgery is Wednesday. I am ready. A little nervous, but mostly excited and anxious to get this done. Hubby is home for his normal day off. All he is doing is giving me crap about the unnecessary surgery and how I can lose all the weight if I just diet more and walk at least 5 miles a day. He conveniently has forgotten that I gained all the weight when I hit 40 and was doing EVERYTHING RIGHT! Including also walking EVERYWHERE. He also conveniently forgets all my failed diet and exercise attempts and how my health has been steadily going down hill with the weight gain. Or how many times he has helped to sabotage me. He is TRYING to be supportive, but he is berating and mocking me at every chance he gets. I know this is his stress talking. He is so afraid of surgery and he thinks of this as an elective/unnecessary procedure. HIS surgeries have complications. Mine are always fine thus far. I see it as a necessary procedure to help me regain my health. Anyhow... he was awful this morning. I finally got angry and nearly broke down in tears. When that happened he finally got his **** together and said he is supporting me. If he wasn't supporting me he would now have gotten time off of work to help me or drive me to/from the hospital. But that doesn't change what a jerk he is being. Just so frustrated! And of course, time feels slower now that I am so close. Need to move the clock forward. I desperately want to get past the surgery so he can stop freaking out and I can start recovering!

I’m in Boca Raton and some people in this area speak highly of Dr. Shillingford. He didn’t work out for me but they offer a flat rate all inclusive package that covers everything for gastric sleeve at $10,500. I had a hard time with my insurance due to not meeting their comorbidities even though I have plenty of medical problems. I have metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, bone and joint problems, I couldn’t prove my sleep apnea, (the list is long) I fought my weight gain so hard but In the end I ended up qualifying based on BMI, though no one ever told me exactly what qualified me. After a long fight they finally did. What made things work better was when an endocrinologist referred me to Cleveland Clinic, and I already had record of my weight loss efforts with her and my general practitioner for months. The endocrinologist and surgeon wrote letters for my insurance as well. I was referred to Cleveland clinic because the process is not as complicated. It’s hard for me to travel but I don’t think it would have happened without my dr at Cleveland Clinic. BariatricPal actually has a surgery center in Mexico if you can travel. Compared to Dr. Shillingford, sleeve is $4,900 flat rate all inclusive in a highly rated facility. If I could possibly even consider it at some point, I would go there for dealing with excess skin. It looks like an excellent hospital that’s an affordable option for self pay. https://bariatricpalhospitalmx.com/weight-loss-surgeries/

Yes. Before the weight gain I was a size 7. I went up to 8 1/2 - 9 . I’m 7 months post op and I’m in 7 1/2-8 now. It will go down.

I told NO ONE except my husband, brother, and my kids. My parents, friends and co-workers do not know I had surgery. When asked, I have two responses: 1) "Over 90% of people who lose weight gain it all back. Please ask me in a year and if I am successful in this process, I will share with you then." 2) "I am working very hard to lose and maintain permanent weight loss. You are welcome to do what I am doing: NO wheat, no sugar, no alcohol, no soda, no juice, no caffeine (by this time I have already lost them), no processed food, no refined grains, no artificial sweeteners/colors/flavors, low carb, high protein, lots of veggies, intermittent fasting, and a 1-2 hours of exercise a day." I would consider a heart-to-heart with an obese person who seems to be at rock bottom and willing to do whatever it takes. BUT... interestingly, no morbidly obese people have asked - only overweight people who need to lose 20 or 30 pounds. Surgery is not for them, but healthy lifestyle is what they need to focus on, so that is what I share. Some have appeared genuinely interested, but a couple of days later I see them eating cupcakes and junk, so it seems there are more curiosity seekers than those who are really ready to make changes.

Thank you! I appreciate it. Being that it was my first surgery & first time having an IV, I didn’t know about the weight gain, nor was I informed about it so it took me by surprise lol.

Tmrrw makes 1 week postop for me. I gained 4.2lbs while being in the hospital for surgery. I’m down those extra pounds & 2.6lbs on top of that. I know that the extra weight came from IV & probably also water retention. I woke up out of anesthesia burping & the following day, started to pass gas. I was finally able to poop this morning with the help of milk of magnesia. I’m able to get down 2 protein shakes a day, crystal light & other fluids. Can’t wait til I see the true weight come off. I’m big on taking measurements & celebrating NSVs, but it was a shocker to see the weight gain after surgery. You can keep up with my journey on IG @CurlyGirl_GetsFit

Good morning - I am at the hospital now waiting for 5:30am check-in (boyfriend picked me up super early). I lost weight on my own in 2012 - 2016 (lowest weight 132 pounds). I struggled to maintain this weight due to being clueless about food choices (protein vs Carbs/fat) & 2017 I had a slip/fall accident (weigh at time 160 pounds) and this totally took me over board through the nextt 2.5 years to 215 pounds. Going through therapy, steroid shots and daily back pain due to weight gain, my Primary care doctor put in referral for me to start WLS program in March and I'm having surgery today!!! My weight as of Saturday was 197 - will see this morning what my final weight will be day of surgery! I feel this program will assist you in making better food choices long term through working with a nutritionist & your WLS team, something I didn't have before. I would definitely do it if I were you and follow your plan to the T. Listen to the veterans in this group which have tons of advice and experience with this (most thankful to them). Best of luck to you and follow me to see my journey!!!! Hope to post something later after surgery if I'm feeling up to it. Surgery at 730am!!!

I'm combining this, with your comment on the IF thread (I missed it in my reply on there, but I think it fits here better anyway) "My 5lb window will be set between 130-135lbs. I know that sounds like it's only a "reframe" of goal 130lbs. But it's baby steps. I may later decide to make my 5 lb window be 135-140. I just know I feel better under 135. (Yes, I can feel those extra 3 lbs lol.)" I think your maintenance window is too low. You are at 133.4 now and got there at least partially as a result of your twisted bowels and subsequent "reset" type diet. I REALLY REALLY don't think you should set window so low it will be a constant struggle. It will be far too easy for you to go over 135, and then you'll feel like you've failed. You want to stay below 135, but your body doesn't seem to agree. I think the only place you feel those extra 3 lbs is in your dysphoric head Why fight your body, your MD & RD, to get to this mythical weight that you will finally feel like a success at? Another reason why I think you need to raise that upper maintenance limit is gaining and losing a couple of lbs overnight is completely normal and expected, as you well know. It isn't real weight gain, as you also know. I'm afraid you're going to drive yourself crazy fighting false gains. You need some room to play with your diet, upping your cals etc.. I think there is a good possibility your body doesn't want to get to 130, and is fighting it tooth & nail. So even if you dropped down to 400 cals/day, you'll still maintain. The other side of that coin is you very well may be able to increase your calories far above what you think you can. But you need some room at the top of your range. You're going to bounce up, and you need to be ok with that. The test will be if it bounces up and sticks around. To me, it then becomes quality of life issue. Do you want to fight your body everyday to stay under "goal". Or can you be happy, and feel like the rock star you are, at a slightly higher weight, that you know is a healthy BMI? We've established you need a goal & and challenge. How about a goal of shattering that dysmorphic fun house mirror. I guarantee you that everyone now sees you as a thin person. Can it be your goal to see yourself that way? Tough love I know, but still love! ❤️ 😘

Good luck! I had my surgery on Aug. 20. 5’6 age 56 1st. Surgical consult 374# April 2019 preop 328# August 20, 2019 Weight 346# on August 22, 2019 (post op at home) 2 days later The weight GAIN was a surprise as I thought I would have lost at least a couple of pounds, however, I was pumped full of fluids due to dehydration. Current weight 343# You’ll do great!!!!

ryguy - are you tracking your food? You cant fix anything you dont measure. track every bit of food for 7 days and then look at those macros. will you see carbs leading the way. The desire to eat after eating is driven by your insulin rising quickly after carbs and sugar and when it drops 2-3 hours later you will feel hunger again. this up down cycle of your insulin is the driver of the weight gain train. after you track your food for a week try this- Zero sugar for 1 week - none of the fake sugars this week no bread no flour for this whole week no starches this week no fruit this week get your carbs from veggies No snacking - eat 3 meals and take at least 20 minutes to eat your meal - if you eat to fast then try eating 1/2 the plate of food then stepping away for 15 minutes then return and eat the other half good luck and dont give up

I had my surgery when I was 58, so I doubt that's it. Do you take any medications that cause weight gain?