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Jamielogical thank you for your inspiring words of motivation I had the VSG about 3 years ago and regain weight to the point I was thinking there is no way to get it back off. After reading your story I have the motivation I needed to not give up the fight and reclaim myself.

another day, another (clone-like) salad. this is my first meal of the day (at 3pm) cuz i decided i needed help with my handstand so i went to a "handstand workshop" this AM. everyone was super cool and nice so i ended up hanging out at the studio afterwards and totally lost track of time! anyway got home and realized i actually ran out of leafy greens, so this baby is just chopped carrots, apples and cucumber topped with bacon pieces and an entire burrata ball! (with balsamic glaze and a homemade vinaigrette) 463 calories for the bowl, ate ALL the burrata (yum!), and maybe 2/3 of the rest of the stuff.

I haven't checked in in a while. I got super busy with haunt season starting and getting into the groove of working weekends. So far, everything has been going well. I haven't had any dumping, overeating, etc. I'm on regular diet now with a daily goal of 64oz of protein but I blow through that and usually hit over 100. I am still supplementing with a Fairlife either for breakfast or a snack before going to the gym. Last night was my first time eating out out (I've done Sunday breakfast but it's always an egg). We went to BJs and it's crazy how hyperaware you become of portions. In the past, we would get an app, entree, and dessert. My kids are having "sympathy pains" and have started eating smaller portions so we only got entrees. In the past, I would have gotten a burger or sandwich with fries and eaten the whole thing. I ended up getting a chicken breast dish and brought enough home to have lunch for the next two days. The weight loss has been up and down since I weigh daily right now. I won't say I've stalled because if I just looked at my Monday entries, it shows a consistent loss. This week is the first week that people have noticed and I can see a difference when I look in the mirror. I donated almost half my closet of size 18/20 items that were just too big. I'm in a size 16, almost a 14 and I went from a 2XL shirt to a large.

I have not mastered the adding of protein powder to other foods. I tried to mix Isopure in my soup last week and it got weird. Luckily I've been hitting my protein goals with food but I do supplement one Fairlife a day just to give m that extra 30g. When you get to soft food, chicken salad is a game changer. I was eating it at least once a day. Now that I'm on regular foods, I love those snack packs that are like adult lunchables. My starting goal was 64oz of protein and between the waters and Fairlife I was able to hit it pretty consistently.

I think my reasoning is because I am low key freaking out because I am *done* losing weight and maintaining and I have never ever ever ever been in this position. Always losing or gaining. So eating close to 2000 calories a day and only being 8months post op, my mind is telling me that I am going to start gaining and this is not sustainable. I have never stayed this active this long either lol Its just a new life that I am not used to, and this week I am panicking (WEIRD!) I am sure that I need to talk to a therapist LOL but you guys are it for me at this moment. 🤣

Hi all I’ve had to take a laxative as it’s been over a week since I went to the toilet. This painfully moved everything along. Today I passed a stool with blood in it. Not too much but enough to scare me. I’ve obviously had stomach surgery but this wasn’t mentioned. Is it normal? My sleeve was 6 days ago. My last bowel movement before laxatives was 8 days ago. Tia

soooo question:...why do you think you need to be in the 1500-1700 range if you are maintaining fine in the 1800-2000 range? logic would dictate that you would lose weight given your current exercise regimen if you dropped cals...are you looking to lose more weight? or maybe decrease activity levels? if so, then yeah dropping down a few hundred cals would do the trick. but if not, then why try to fix something that ain't broke? I am a good 7 inches shorter than you and i maintain with 2300 cals a day...been at this level for about a year, and my weight has hovered around the same number +/- 3lbs the entire time. i don't count nor manage macros anymore, but a quick glance at MFP show that i'm well over 150g of net carbs every day this week and protein about 80g more or less; as for exercise, from what i've read from your posts we are probably about the same activity expenditure range. you wont "ruin everything" if you keep on top of things and watch whats happening (which sounds like what you are already doing), if you do that you would have plenty of time to adjust and make changes before it all goes to shite. you're doing great! keep it up

Hi all! So I am working on Maintenance, I feel good, I *think* I look good, health is great, I am eating anywhere from 1800-2000 calories a day. I am burning around 500-700calories for my workout and walking over 10k steps a day usually hitting 11,500 steps. I am maintaining which is great! I am hungry or I get lethargic which when I eat helps a lot! My obese mind set is slightly freaking out. and I am scared because I'm still within the year of my surgery I am messing it up. I have tried all week to stay within the 1500-1700 calories, 140g carbs, 40g fat that my bariatric packet tells me, and its IMPOSSIBLE. I know I have done well on this journey, I am just terrified of going back and eating too much and ruining all this progress. My approximate daily macros: 1700-2000 calories 100-150g carbs 130-175g protein 65-80g fat Just need reassurance I am not alone in this journey.

@Mspretty86 I am satisfied! I want to work on shaping my body and getting strong. Then hoping that the boobs will make me look curvier. I am a small A where Victoria Secret told me I am an A but I still have gaps because I am all skin LOL I am ready to be a full DD. I am doing my breast aug 3 weeks before I hit a year (I know I know its a no no) but my surgeon only wants maintenance. and the date is perfect since my hubs is taking off to be my caregiver and it happens to be the same time as the kids winter break so I could not pass up the timing. but I am so ready to wear a bikini, tank tops and all the shirts because I look like a teenage boy right now LOL

This is something I'm still pretty strict about, almost 3 years after my sleeve. I can drink pretty quickly now. I can (and do) drink right up until I eat with no problems. But after I eat I don't drink anything for at least an hour - normally much longer. When I drink my stomach seems to empty out my last meal too and that leads to getting hungry sooner and eating more than I would otherwise. I know some folks find it really hard to get enough fluids. I still find warm drinks much easier to drink in quantity than cold. I have an insulated mug of tea beside me all day at work. Flavoured water goes down quicker than plain. Similarly sparking drinks better than still (I don't have bubble issues). Otherwise revert to actually setting a timer every 15 minutes to remind you (if you can stand it)?

Oh, that’s so awesome and really great that you were able to get someone else to pay for it!! Im so excited for you. It Definitely feels like me time plus I think I’ve mentioned before but after I’m done exercising and I get home I really do not want to put any garbage into my body. It makes me want to eat healthy and it just gives me energy and improves my mood. Hopefully it does the same for you well, I got the all clear from my surgeon at the support group meeting last night to start my yoga class so probably Tuesday I will be starting that and one of the girls that’s further along in my support group had asked me if I wanted to walk with her at our meeting last month and I never reached out to her, but I told her last night I was trying to work my way up to where I wouldn’t slow her down too much but we’re going to start walking together like once a week just for different scenery and a chance to chat. I figured that once a week is enough to be on a super strict schedule. I will still do my walking in between, but I don’t do it at the same time every day and my schedule fluctuates so much. It’s hard to think of that with another person’s schedule. But between the yoga class and walking with her once a week and if I do the group fitness class that will be five days a week right there and then I still do my walking by myself in between that’s a lot actually. I’m just starting with the yoga, though the group fitness says in the description that it’s cardio and I don’t know if I’m ready for an hour of cardio quite yet

THIS ^^^^ I never dropped a lot of weight in a short time. I averaged 1-2 pounds a week and as long as the scale was moving in a downward direction I was happy. If I hit a stall, I stayed off the scale to preserve my mental health. LOL I kept telling myself slow and steady wins the race. Distracting myself with moving and thrifting. I found that I breezed through clothes sizes way faster. Which was sooo much fun. Almost 1 1/2 years after Gastric Bypass. I'm still losing pounds and inches. Not sure where I will end up and people are telling me to stop but I'm letting my body dictate that. For now. I walk a couple miles a day. That's it. Today I am 5 pounds from goal weight. And I personally know someone who had WLS GB many moons ago and regained the weight back and more. She's a bad reminder of where I don't want to end up. Enjoy the journey and WL and mentally prepare yourself more so, for the maintenance part when it comes. GL

You've gotten some good advice already, but reading your post, a few things stood out to me. These are in no particular order: 1200 calories sounds high for 15 weeks post-op, but if that's what your plan calls for, who am I to question it? I think the bigger question is does this 1200 number include all the alcohol? One of the reasons alcohol is not recommended post bariatric surgery is that it's got a ton of calories and will definitely slow weight loss. The other huge concern on alcohol is that a substantial number of post-op patients develop alcohol use disorder. (Some estimates are as high as 20% or even 30%.) You didn't actually specify how much you drink, but when I see "active social life", I interpret that as "I drink a lot". Maybe try drinking non-alcoholic drinks when you are socializing? If you find that you can't give it up the alcohol, this is a major red flag and you really need to seek help. Taking another approach here, I noticed that you are being more active, which is fantastic! I did want to make sure you knew that changing your activity levels like that (starting a couch to 5k plan), will cause your body to retain more water. This means you may not see the results you are expecting on the scale, even if you are still losing fat. Keep in mind that the your weight is made up of lots of things other than just fat, so variations are normal and are just part of the process. If you are eating less than you burn in a day, then you are 100% burning off fat reserves, even if the scale does not show it. Best of luck.

Yep, still waiting for my surgery date @Spinoza The dietitian had warned me that I could end up doing the liver reduction diet over Christmas and I was wondering if anyone else had managed the same 🙂 When I had my appointment with the surgeon, we both agreed on having a bypass so now I wait for the date for the op! Definitely glad I’m over Covid though 🥳 @FifiLux isn’t it odd how the there are so many different approaches to WLS? Some have no pre-surgery diet, some have a couple of days, mines 3 weeks plus there are longer ones etc. It’s hardly surprising that some people end up totally confused with what they are supposed to be doing! Oh, how was your break? Did you take your travel scales? Did they help if so?!

Just had the SADI 1 week ago today and I could not be happier with my choice!

My win(s) this week... being able to tie my shoelaces by bending down, rather than crossing my legs to reach them walking up the stairs and not feeling out of breath sitting more comfortably & realising I am more flexible without my tummy in the way realising that I FINALLY need to get new clothes...I have put it off for as long as possible 🤣

That's tbd at this point. My current plan is week to week keep a low dose in my system that quiets food noise and gives some suppression that makes it easier to IF, but not so much I'll continue to lose weight.

Do you track (weigh and measure) everything you eat and drink? Are you following the plan set by your surgeon and dietician? Are you meeting your fluid (alcohol doesn’t count) and origin goal every day? Are you focussed on eating protein rich and nutrient dense foods? Yes, alcohol will slow your weight loss. Did your surgeon really say live your life? Did they mean alcohol? Did they know how much you drink? Did I drink alcohol while I was losing? Yes. I had a gin & tonic at around month 3 (nursed it for hours) and then a couple of single glasses over the next 6 or so months after that. This first 6 months to a year or so are a gift. You want to embrace this time to lose the majority of your weight. So yes, you will have to make some sacrifices but for these few months it’s so worth the lifetime of future benefits. Doesn’t mean you can’t go out and socialise. It just means you have to make best choices you can in whatever situation you’re in and put yourself first. The reset diet of returning to the liquid stage is an old wives tale. You’re not trying to reset your tummy but reset your head, your thinking. You can do this.

Thank you so much for this perspective! You're absolutely right—losing almost 4 pounds a week is something I’ve never been able to achieve on any diet before, so I should really appreciate that. It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers, but you’ve reminded me that the mental work is just as important as the physical. I need to let go of the comparisons and focus on my own journey. I'm definitely guilty of stepping on the scale too often, so I’ll try to step back from that. Also, hearing that the gym has made you feel so good is really encouraging! I’m excited to start building a routine and hopefully experience that same boost in energy and mood. Thanks again for the advice and for helping me keep things in perspective. I really appreciate it!

Thank you for your message! It’s really reassuring to hear that 10 kg in six weeks is within the normal range, especially from someone who’s been through it and had such amazing results like you. I also appreciate you pointing out that a lot of things are beyond my control, and I need to focus on what I can control. It’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap, but you’re right—I need to stop doing that and just keep going. Your story is super inspiring, and I’ll hold onto it whenever I feel doubtful. I’m definitely motivated to stay consistent with my eating and gym routine now. Thanks again for sharing your experience and for the tough love! 😊

You tend to experience constipation &/or diarrhoea post surgery. The constipation will often remain a regular occurrence. Initially it’s because of the surgery (blood and digestive irritation from the surgery and then because you’re on the liquid diet & consuming so little & not having much to poop out. Best advice is to try to keep on top of it. Add some soluble fibre to your diet, set a routine for a stool softener or similar. For example I’d take a stool softener (coloxyl)or similar if I hadn’t gone in three days. (Going every 2nd day was pretty common for me especially while losing.) Now 5 years out, I’ll take one if I haven’t gone for 2 or 3 days. (I’m on Creons and they tend to firm things up and slow the progress through the intestines which doesn’t help.) Some people swear by smooth tea, or regular miralax. You may have to try a few things but you’ll discover what works for you in time and it may change as you progress and eat more and a greater variety of food types.

That seems about bright. I was eating about a cup at 6 months which is what my surgeon advised. Slowly I was able to eat more until I am where I am now. So about a good cup of vegetables and about 3 or 4ozs of protein. My portions fit nicely on an entree plate (9inches/23cm). Doesn’t matter how large a portion you eat you can still enjoy and try a variety of foods. Five years out and my restriction is still there too. Not as tight as it once was but it can still shout no stop when it wants too. But yes, picking is the devil. So easy to lose track of how much you’ve actually eaten and because it’s usually such small portions, whatever you have left of your restriction, isn’t going to kick in. I have specific times I snack and I generally don’t snack or pick outside of those times (of course there are odd times or situations when I don’t stay the course perfectly). @SleeverSk did you speak to your GP or your bariatric surgeon about GLP -1 meds? Wonder if your surgeon may be more open to you trying it if you only spoke with your GP.

Wanted to share my experience and echo the other commenters here. I am 9 weeks out of my gastric bypass and I am right where you are almost exactly weight loss wise- Pre surgery and liquid diet I was 260lb (117kg) After liquid diet in surgery day I was 244lb (110kg) Now after 9 weeks I am 99kg. I haven’t weighed in a few days so I may be a pound or two more but I’m trying to limit myself to only weighing every few days so I don’t hyperfixate. I definitely feel like I’m losing slow- but last week in my bariatric programs’ support group on zoom, almost EVERY patient had that same feeling. It was very validating and most of us were feeling disappointed and impatient. After hearing that it made me feel a lot better. I keep reminding myself that I haven’t even been this weight in a long time and that it’s going to keep going down on its own schedule, when it’s right for my body. Keep fighting the good fight and showing love and kindness to your body and we will all get there.

You must be so incredibly frustrated! Which type of surgery did you get, the sleeve or the bypass? I'm at about 7 weeks post op from getting the sleeve + intestinal revision and my calorie consumption ranges from 500-700/day, with my carb intake less than 35/day and a protein goal of 60/day with fluids of at least 48oz/day. I agree with others - it seems like a good idea, regardless of any advice you get from this forum, to revisit your surgeon. That said, I do believe you hit the nail on the head for one with the alcohol, and secondly I'd ask how many of your calories are coming from carbs. It's ok to include carbs in your diet, but really, this early, unless you are very physically active there isn't cause for many of them. At this stage it's typical to eat no more than 1/2cup - 1 cup of total food per meal, three times a day (or spaced out into 4 meals if needed). That's including your protein, which as someone else said should be the first thing you eat. Another thing about alcohol - it tends to cause dehydration - so you'd need to be consuming even MORE water throughout the day to compensate for that, just like caffeine. If you aren't hitting your hydration goal (PLUS, because of alcohol) then your body will struggle to convert your stored fat into energy, which is what causes most of the weight loss. An example of what my diet looks like at this stage is a single serve yogurt for breakfast (I have been getting the Aikos zero sugar or 2Good ones) - Remember no drinking 30 minutes before or after, and your meal should last at least 20-30 minutes. For lunch I might have a 'tuna melt' - which I make out of 1/3 can of tuna in water, a zero net carb small tortilla, and maybe 1/8 cup of shredded cheese or a low fat string cheese (I cook it folded over like a quesadilla) with maybe 1/8 cup of low fat cottage cheese, then for dinner a serving of one of the many bariatric recipes - there's a ricotta bake (lasagna with no noodles, basically), unstuffed cabbage rolls (Kind of like egg roll filling), or maybe chicken or tuna salad made with low fat mayo and a dab of relish with some cucumber slices/2-4 saltine crackers. I use the free Baritastic App to track my food and fluid intake. Using a tracking app increases weight loss significantly from what I've been told because you can see and understand what exactly you're putting in your body. The good news is that as far as I know, it isn't too late to backpedal and reset yourself! I'm NOT a doctor but my understanding is that if you get off track after weight loss surgery, especially this soon, one way to 'reset' is to go back on a liquid diet for a week or two, with zero-sugar jello, zero sugar pudding, and protein shakes (less than 5g of sugar each) to hit your goals. After that, work your way back up to puree foods for a week, then soft foods for a week. I strongly recommend eyeballing the nutrition information on any shake you think of buying, too, because there are some that are loaded with sugar and have as many as 22g of carbs EACH. After weight loss surgery it's also strongly discouraged to have fried food at all for the first 6 months, and after that maybe once per month. The same goes for sweets and baked goods. I hope this helps, and again - I feel like you should really follow up with your surgeon and a nutritionist! Best wishes!

"Has anyone done the LRD over Christmas, just out of interest?" Again, I'm really sorry but I don't understand what this means. My first xmas post sleeve was 7 weeks in. I have plenty of experience to share of that's what you're going to need ❤️