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It just happens. I have a bunch in the stomach area, and then a little bit of bat wing on my arms and legs, and I wouldn't trade it for the 125 lbs. I've lost or the health I've gained. Once I stabilize I can decide if I want it to be removed.

Just looking for anyone with experience going through this. Did it work? I'm 5'6 350lbs. LapBand 2009. Started at 300, lowest weight was 230 after LB. Need to lose the weight ASAP to get double knee replacement. I was looking to have LapBand revision to bypass, but surgeon said metabolism slows down after first surgery. And I need all the help I can get to lose some major weight. So he suggested and I agreed to the DS. Starting pre-op diet in 2 days for LapBand removal in a month. My liver is huge. DS should be 3 months later, if all goes well. Any journeys would be great to hear about 🙂

Hi everyone. Had my surgery June 5 2021. I’ve lost around 93lb and feeling great. Physically had no problems with the surgery which I’m very very grateful for. Over the last maybe 6 weeks, though, I’ve lost nothing. I can feel myself getting back into bad habits. I go to the supermarket and, instead of picking up chicken, I pick up chocolate or crisps. I also have found that my portion sizes are slightly larger now over the last couple months, even with protein foods like plain chicken with vegetables. A few times last year, maybe 3-4 times, I ate too much and was sick. Often I would feel that really full feeling like something is stuck in my throat. But this year, I haven’t had that. I don’t seem to get it anymore. All this to say I’m really bloody worried. I’m so worried about slipping back into my old ways. I’m worried about my portion sizes going back to normal and gaining all the weight back. I would appreciate any support or advice you can give. Did any of you feel like this and get yourself back on track? How did you do it? Can any of you confirm that eating more at this stage is normal healing and that my stomach hasn’t stretched back to normal?!? Thanks in advance NJ x

I believe in you! You can do this. Your goals are really good and achievable and realistic. I know 10lb feels like a lot, but think of how happy you’d have been at the start to be the weight you are now. I know you don't want to stay at this weight but awareness and those goals will help you change that, but don’t be too hard on yourself! You’ve smashed it!!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's your local Mini Gastric Bypass fan again! Yay! Someone asked the other day about MGB (also known as OAGB, Omega Loop, Single-Anastomosis Bypass) and I stumbled across this meta study. 26 studies were included (aka huge sample) Primary surgery was either version of the band or a sleeve gastrectomy (restrictive procedures) Mean BMI at time of revision to Mini Gastric Bypass was 45.7 Mean BMI at Year 1 was 31.5 Mean BMI at Year 3 was 31.4 Mean BMI at Year 5 was 30.5 That's right - they lost on average 14.2 BMI points in the first 12 months and kept losing weight up to the 5 year mark. So if you're considering revision, maybe give MGB a look? I love mine.

My weight has “gone up” several times now since having had my surgery 5months ago. In fact this is the weirdest weight loss experience I’ve ever had in terms of predictability. It’s happened four times now where I get on the scale and “suddenly have lost” 5lbs “overnight”. Then two days later I’ll “gain 3lbs” that will remain stubborn for a week. Then after that week I’ll lose 4lbs within 4 days. Then “plateau” again for a couple days. Some days I’ll lose 1lb a day. Other days I’ve stalled for up to 4 weeks. My highest “gain” was 8lbs, which I “lost”within 3 days. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to any of this. I follow my diet very very consistently. I could exercise more but I do move around a lot naturally due to where I live. My nut and doctor both agree it’s perfectly okay as long as the overall direction of the scale is to go down. I’m 5months post op and have lost 90lbs so (despite it still being super hard) I remind myself not to stress out over it. When the scale is giving me too much a headache I just stop stepping on it for some time. All that to say: dont stress out! You’re most likely doing everything perfect and your body is working hard! Good luck!

I was in a similar boat where my surgeon told me that either RNY or VSG would be fine and left it up to me. I considered the pros/cons and worried about the effects of RNY. I ultimately went with RNY because I wanted the surgery that gave me the best chance to lose the most weight. If you know you will be self-accountable for your Vitamins, you have already drastically reduced the chances of long-term bad effects. Obviously, there are no guarantees that everything will turn out OK (and that weighed on my mind when I was on the gurney, waiting for my surgery to start). But long-term complications are relatively rare in people who are committed to taking their Vitamins, hitting their Protein goals, etc. And taking the Vitamins isn't difficult -- get a good bariatric multivitamin and find a workable routine for taking it (I keep mine at my desk at work and take it when I get to work). I am very happy with my surgery. I am 41 and am in the best health/shape/weight I have been since college (it has been at least 20 years since my weight was so low). I was also a sweet tooth and addicted to food. But I have to say that not being addicted and not being constantly tempted by sweets is such a liberating feeling. The surgery definitely changes the hormones in your stomach in ways that change how you feel about food. I am 6.5 months out and here is my response to most foods: meh. It's there. It has nutrients. It will taste fine. As someone said in another thread, I no longer feel like my body is fighting against my efforts to lose weight.

Welcome to the three week stall! It is probably the most discussed problem on this message board. Just keep doing what you know to do (follow your surgeon's dietary guidelines, keep walking) and it will work itself out. It is very frustrating when you are in the middle of it, but when the stall ends, you will lose weight FAST.

UPDATE: So I had my meeting with my dietician this morning. She said based on the log I provided her from the Baritastic app for the last two months she did NOT see that I was eating anything that I shouldn't or in quantities that I shouldn't. She still seems to think I was/am still being a little inconsistent when it comes to protein. She said that based on a few missing days and some days where it may have been lower. But I tried to tell her overall, I think I HAVE been pretty consistent regardless of those few days/logs. Anyway, she said at one time the 800 calories a day was probably good enough for me but now that I'm working out more regularly that maybe now I should up my calories and protein. Calories to around 1000 to 1100 and protein more than 80/90. I feel like she's guessing, in a way, on what could be wrong too because of the fact that she said she does not see anywhere in my food logs or workout routine where I'm doing anything wrong. She also mentioned body composition. She said maybe I have actually gained more lean muscle over fat and whatnot and that I should pay more attention to that. I told her I DO have a scale like that and, even though I weigh regularly, I DO NOT log the actual weigh ins unless there is a loss so I can't or haven't seen if there has indeed been a change because it doesn't log it on the app unless I allow it to. So, I need to start logging those slight gains too in order to MAYBE get a better idea of what is going on. My husband and I were talking last night and we still think that my cut in Metformin dose still may be playing a part in this long stall. I had my dose cut in September and October was my last real loss. Also the last time my period was normal. So, I brought that up to her and she doesn't seem to think that's the reason. She said it was right that my dose was cut because my sugars have been improving and warranted it. Like the doc said, she also said the weight loss itself could be causing the irregularity in period and stall. That there is no way to know for sure if it's due to the weight loss in general or the Metformin. But I don't know. Just awfully funny that it was cut down and suddenly I stop losing weight and my period has been jacked since too. Anyway, I think I'm gonna go back to my old dose for the next few weeks and see if anything changes. If it does I will then discuss that with my family doc who I see in two weeks. Because, if the scale starts moving again, then just maybe I need to go back on it for now. I know my goal and point of having the surgery was to GET OFF this medicine but who knows. Maybe I still need it for now. I still feel so confused. She said she understood but that I DO seem to be doing everything right and that I should stay the course. Anyway, that's that.

It is just water weight and your body adjusting to the lack of food. It is hoarding both water and calories for now. Keep the faith, it will start to come off. I know it is frustrating, it was that way for me too....it actually still is frustrating when I plateau for a week or two....I am down 93 pounds and I still get frustrated after 6 months. Hang in there.

as long as you're following your clinic's plan, you should be fine. The gain could be due to water retention or constipation.

I had my surgery (sleeve) on 2/14 and recovery is going relatively smoothly. I’ve been following the dietitians guidelines and starting to walk 30 minutes a day. Over the last few days the scale has been going UP not DOWN 😫. Has anyone experienced this? My thought is that I didn’t get enough protein in the first week following surgery and my body is balancing that out. Thoughts?

Congrats....keep trying on smaller clothing...You will be surprised that even though you don't think the weight loss is high enough to move sizes, your body is changing and you are getting smaller in places you do not realize. Your sizes are going to change rapidly. It is exciting to see the clothing sizes drop and extremely motivating.

I mean, we know why people can't keep their losses off. It's not an individual failure, we're built for weight gain. But otherwise, I agree.

I tried every diet I could for more than 10 years before I did the surgery route. It would take me an entire year prior to surgery to lose 20-30 pounds and if I went off track I would gain back what a lost with interest within a very short period of time. It was ridiculous and disheartening. Surgery has been the only thing that has helped me take the weight off and keep it off. It's not impossible to do it without surgery, it's just unlikely. My mom was one of the rare ones who was able to lose a significant amount of weight on her own and keep it off because due to all her allergies she can't have WLS (she's allergic to vitamin supplements. seriously, they give her hives). My mom was over 400 pounds and at her lowest weight she got down to 180 on her own. She's maintained in the 230's for the last 20+ years. I tried the diet route, but my weight would barely budge and then I'd get upset and go off track and gain what I lost and extra and so at my heaviest I was 392 pounds. I took the WLS route when my niece was born in 2019 and it hit me that if I didn't DO something that I wouldn't be around to watch her grow up. Now my weight bounces around 175-185 and I just lose and gain back the same 10-11 pounds since I hit maintenance back in September. I'm much happier now and wish I had just done this for myself years sooner.

I thought this exact thought for literally decades (I'm in my 60s). I can't even tell you how many times I lost weight - sometimes as much as 50 or 60 lbs - just to gain it all back again a few months later. And I had over 200 lbs to lose. How on earth was I ever going to lose 200 lbs if I couldn't even keep 50 lbs off? Yet I'd try again...and again...and again. And yes - that 3-5% figure you heard is what I've read as well. Without surgical intervention, supposedly only about 3-5% of people can lose a lot of weight - and keep it off (although honestly, I'm surprised it's that high). Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the 3-5%. It took me 40 years to come to that conclusion. yes - you absolutely can regain all of your weight after having weight loss surgery. But your odds of losing a ton of weight and keeping it off are MUCH better than they are without surgery. I never, ever, in a million years could have lost those 200 lbs without surgery. And I wouldn't be sitting here almost seven years later, still managing to keep almost all of it off (like many of us, I did have a rebound during year 3. Most people seem to regain 10-20 lbs after hitting their lowest weight). This surgery has honestly been a miracle for me. It's not that I didn't have to work at it - I did - hard - but I never could have done this without surgery.

My last thought before surgery was the two women I have met who had surgery and kept the 200 lbs off 10+ years. All those years at WW and I never met people who lost and maintained a 200lb weight loss the “natural way.” Even the “before” pictures at the gym didn’t compare to the amount I need(ed) to loose and keep off.

Did your provider give you pre surgery weight loss requirements? My understanding is it's a liver shrinking diet, it might Kickstart weightloss but it's about shrinking the liver to give the surgeon more room to manipulate. I would reach out to your providers office, let them know your concerns about the pre-op diet holding up/postponing your surgery.

You're very welcome. Honestly, bariatric surgery - even just being a person who needs that - was such a big thing pre-op, and it's such a minor thing in my life 15 months out. Do some digging into obesity studies. You won't doubt it afterwards. Check out (citing from memory, but it's a start for your googling): Harvard Health Biggest Loser study (shockingly, people's metabolism slows and is still much slower even after regaining all the lost weight) Studies on rat populations that have their calorie pool reduced (lowest social hierarchy rats do not starve as predicted, they get fatter!) Studies on how childhood stress and trauma alter your body's idea of a weight set point (trauma or stress = your body stops wanting to maintain a healthy weight, but wants to add weight constantly) Overfeeding studies (it turns out feeding people 1000 calories per day in a 100% controlled environment does not, at all, mean a similar weight increase - so calories in, calories out is dead as an absolute concept. Obesity is a chronic disease. It's one we have tools to manage. But we need to get rid of the idea that bariatric surgery is capitulation, an easy way out, or for losers. You two's feeling of We Can Do This! is spot on - but why do it without using the tools we know work? Best of luck.

It’s normal to be scared. Try to focus on how losing excess weight will help your physical difficulties. It certainly sounds like you’ve had more than your share. No one can guarantee that you won’t have any complications, but they are relatively uncommon. I definitely don’t think that you will come out worse. I know it sounds stupid, but try to think positive and hopeful thoughts. You have lots of support on this forum and you can do this!

Hey. I'm about 16 days post op from gastric bypass so I have yet to know how this will turn out long term but to be honest, with this post op stomach, my hopes are high. Someone made a good point in the thread, with the surgery, you don't feel like your body is conspiring against you while trying to lose weight. The pre op diet was so hard because of my actual old anatomy and physiology. Now post op, I first off haven't felt real hunger since my surgery and when I do eat, I can actually hear myself and my body. It tells me when to stop or take a break. Obviously we have the ability to gain weight back but you have to also have faith and discipline, like everyone says it's just a tool. Mental health counseling has really helped me understand why I binged so much in the past. I don't think I'd be where am I today without my psychologist and psychiatrist. I had a lot of moments in my life where I thought I can just do it on my own, but every single time I was still binging when I was having off days. I lost about 70 lbs naturally in the past and then gained 100 lbs back because I never worked on the important part, listening to my body and finding healthy coping mechanisms. The rest of the time was spent miserably losing 10-15 lbs at a time on unstable crash routines. When I reached my highest weight and injured my knee, I knew I needed medical help. I saw a psychiatrist who was able to diagnose me and get me medicated then did 8 intensive months of counseling with a psychologist on my eating behaviors in order to prepare for surgery. I only lost 25 lbs before my pre op diet (that was a 8 month time span) and that didn't matter because the weight comes off post op. I'm now down 45 lbs total and have about 70lbs more to go until I'm in my ideal range. As long as you feel ready, you've followed your surgeon's orders, and you understand the commitment that this takes then do it. It's seriously an amazing tool and a privilege to be on the journey. I wish you luck with it and sending love to you and your husband on your journey. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

This. People think about bariatric surgery in a way that's nowhere near close to reality. Surgery won't change your dieting behavior. Sure, it will in the short term, but if I wanted to gain weight at 15 months out, I probably could. Surgery will change your body's response to the diet behavior. It will stop fighting you. You'll need both the mindset of 'we can do this!' and surgery to make it happen. I hate to push surgery like this, but there's no real data to support any other way of thinking about this: Find out why you're obese. If disordered eating, fix that first. Make a plan. (This is the We Can Do This! phase) Choose a surgery carefully. Look at the data, lifestyle requirements, cost, recovery etc. Make plan for how you'll get the surgery and for how you'll recover. Start path and new lifestyle. Note: it's not about what you weigh now. Most bodies will want to get to their highest weight without surgery. We all know the high from having lost 20 lbs on our own. And we all know the "wtf happened?!!" when you gained it all back. The body is really that powerful. It will make you eat, eventually. That's why surgery works. It's not a behavior modification. It's a hormonal intervention to give you a second chance to be a healthy weight (whatever that may be for you).

It's much less, unfortunately. Even the new obesity drugs don't work once you stop taking them. https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/complicated-reality-weight-gain-weight-loss-and-weight-stigma

I don't know your age, situation, weight, other health problems, etc. If you think you can do this without surgery, then do it without surgery. I am not being sarcastic. It is a huge, life-altering decision and if I could do it without surgery, I would. But the surgery isn't just another way of saying, "Eat right and exercise." I understand what your husband is saying: with or without surgery, you will have to watch what you eat and stay active. But I struggle to explain to people how the surgery changed me, in terms of my relationship with food. Bypass/sleeve doesn't just make your stomach physically smaller; it changes the hormones from your stomach. My cravings for food are so much weaker and different; I don't crave rich foods (I am much more likely to crave saltines than cake). More than any time in my life, I see food simply as fuel rather than a source of pleasure/joy. I choose foods as much for how they will make my stomach feel than how they taste (my stomach will find it much easier to digest fish than steak, so I am much more likely to order salmon at a restaurant than sirloin). It's easier to stay disciplined when you don't even feel the same tug toward the foods that destroyed your old diets.

It is a difficult decision, and I can understand going back and forth. I certainly did, and I was very worried about all the things that could go wrong. Honestly, I wish I did this years ago now. The time I spent telling myself I could do it on my own could have been spent losing weight and living life happier. Having said that, I wasn't in the right place mentally before, and I certainly wouldn't have been ready to have success. I'm still in the honeymoon period right now, and I know things will get harder as time goes on, but I feel a sense of hopefulness which I rarely felt any other time I've been losing weight. I don't obsess about food, other than worrying if I will get to my calorie goal or not (when have I ever had to work to eat more, vs less?) It is also ok for you to be ready to do the surgery, and for your husband to not be ready. He may still be in the "I'm not sure stage." That's fine, but you are different people. You have to do what's right for you, whether that is doing it now or waiting and seeing what happens.