Search the Community

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?

((hugs)) You are right on time for the "Sophomore Slump". Come join us in the Sophomores thread! Honestly, it's a tough time. And your tool is maturing allowing less restriction. It's part of why it's so important not to believe the myth of restriction/malabsorption. At some point, everything in moderation will have a different meaning volumetrically and that could be enough to either derail losses entirely, cause stalls, or rebound weight gain. The things that helped me: 1. Planning, weighing, measuring and logging my food daily--good and bad 2. Following my surgeon's basic guidelines for the forever-diet including the 1cup max per meal; 3 meals + 1-2 VERY small snacks a day if necessary, protein first then veg then fruit and a tiny bit of fat. 3. Mixing things up to make them fun again--I added IF/EF to my plan. 4. Find fun peeps to hang out with who have shared goals/paths. Hope that helps!

Congrats girlie!!!! Wooohoooooo!!! I think you look so healthy and vital and agreed! Weight gain after cancer is not so good for us! (psst-he's adorbs!)

Hello Dee2938, if it's any consolation, I went through a similar pattern of "food funerals" prior to my surgery and I sincerely wish I could say I regret it. I also had about a 10lbs to 13lbs weight gain within the span of 3 months due it. You are very lucky you only have 2 weeks more of crazy indulgence. My advice is that you focus on your absolutely favorites that you won't be able to have immediately OP or EVER and be mindful of portions.....ie don't go hog wild on every food you see, just your top favorites! Now the caveat for me doing this was the commitment I had with myself to follow my surgery team's plan to a T post OP and use this tool to lose 100% of my excess weight regardless of the expected weight loss of the surgery. I hope this helps center you some. Another alternative is to start a food journal and have your nutritionist keep you accountable if that's a possibility. Good luck🧡 Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I’m loosing it, and not in the good way. I have a little less than a month before my surgery and exactly two weeks before my liquid diet and right now I just want to eat everything in sight. I feel hungrier than ever and I keep thinking if I don’t enjoy it now I won’t be able to for a very long time. I’m worried I’m going to gain even more weight and weight gained is weight that needs to be lost. I want to get down to 130 and as most patients loose about 70% of their excess weight I won’t end up anywhere near my goal weight if I keep this up. How can I get out of this mentality? How do I keep it together. I have two more weeks before liquid diet and I cannot keep eating like this.

whey protein, cream-based soup, anything with flour in it, the majority of meat, including ground beef, fish, meatballs, sometimes chicken, sometimes steak. i haven't tried anything on my "no" list or my "you should probably be able to eat this now" list, because my stomach is so sensitive. i get very very hot/flushed and nauseous and a little dizzy and sometimes vomit. melted cheese (like in french onion soup) also gets a "stuck" feeling. i didn't know sleeve patients get dumping? TIL. my friend with sleeve can eat anything without consequence (except rebound weight gain, of course).

Alrighty. So am back from vacay. This was my first real "indulgent" vacation since going into maintenance. I've been on a couple road trips since deciding to stop weight loss, but those were weekend trips and not all-inclusive ones, nor was I surrounded with endless food and drink. So how did it go? Well, the lead up to the trip had a little fear-of-the-unknown going on. I worried that I would have nothing healthy-ish to eat and I'd strave, or, that I would eat everything I see like I did pre-wls. Turns out there was nothing to worry about. Was there a lack of healthy-ish choices? No. There were always choices everywhere I went that fit into my normal eating (salad, grilled chicken or some protein), whether it was on the resort or off it. So I didn't have to pack all those packages of beef jerky, chicharron and protein powder, lol. The kids ended up eating my jerky and chicharron and I gave the protein powders to a bartender. Did I eat everything I saw? Yes and No. I did sample many things that I normally would not eat (I'm talking to you sugary desserts, fruits and some bread-like products), but only bites, not full portions. My restriction took care of that. Also thanks to my restriction, I learned after the first day that I need to pick and choose what I want to sample, because I literally have no room to try everything (I had to hurl twice the first day due to eating too fast and too much). So I only tried the stuff I really wanted to, and if after sampling it, it was only OK tasting, I'd put it aside. Only really yummy stuff got a second or third bite. It's sobering to realize that a lot of stuff really only looks good, and just tastes meh. However. I drank alot of alcohol. I did limit myself to maybe 5-6 mixed drinks of the super sugary kind (I'm talking to you pina coladas and margaritas) for the entire trip, but I was basically a bottomless pit for skinny mojitos and tequila shots. Also, I formed an addiction to these mini chocolate chip cookies that they served in the coffee bar. They were like a version of a not-so-sweet, not-so-buttery shortbread-type cookie with chocolate chips in them. They were about the size of poker chip and I swear I must have eaten at lest 10 of them a day. Along with 4-5 Americanos a day.... I did log everything I ate (to be best of my ability...I had to eyeball everything), and according to the stats, I averaged about 3000 calories a day over the last 8 days. And roughly half those average daily calories came from my cookie and alcohol consumption, yikes. In all, despite the record-breaking calorie intake, I managed to weigh in exactly a mere 1 lb more than before I left. Which means I've at least found my upper calorie level, of sorts* *Though I did run way more than usual though, as well as generally burn more cals what with all the walking/water sports/dancing/heat-enduring, so need to take that into account... So what was the lesson learned? Well, that I'm not going to suddenly explode with massive weight gain if I indulge. But I WILL slowly gain weight back if the indulgence continues beyond a short period of time. 1lb a week over a year is 52 lbs. And that is not acceptable to me. So back to figuring out my sweet spot...

I don’t know if this will make sense to you but it worked for me. I was not eating enough to gain weight on 600 calories a day, that is impossible. There were times I would step on the scale and the number would be a few pounds higher. Logically I knew I had not gained weight. I changed my thinking and told myself, “I weigh more today for some unknown reason” I stopped thinking in terms of weight gain it was just fluctuations. I started weighing myself less frequently and only on mornings when I felt “lighter “. It really helped me and kept me sane. Best of luck to you!

A family member had WLS a month and a half ago. He as well as others (me included) stepped on the scale only to find a weight gain. Then when told not to step on the scale every day and weigh only weekly did he find his weight loss to return. In a nutshell, nothing to worry about and if weighing everyday STOP and weigh weekly.

Sorry for a late response. On the trip, I brought protein bars. In farm country, Creighton Nebraska, eggs, protein shakes, long walks. Avoided eating corn, pasta,; I had cottage cheese, string cheese. No aerobic exercise. no weight gain, only lost two pounds.