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Didn’t get them after my surgery but they could be growing because a lot of hormones & enzymes, etc. which were stored in your fat are released into your body as you lose weight. Will your GP remove them? My previous GP removed moles, sebaceous cysts, etc. in his surgery but my current GP doesn’t. She sent me to a parasitic surgeon to remove my papilloma, cysts & the skin tag on the side of my nose. (Should have hit him to do a little facial tightening at the same time 😆.) He literally just shaved that tag off. A little local anaesthetic, slice, a tiny dot of blood, no sutures, no bandage & it was bigger than a traditional skin tag. Dr Pimple Popper likely would have had half my head bandaged 😆😆😆.

It has been 4yrs since my (initial) WLS. Within that time I made great new friends, found love, had a revision, lost a parent, witnessed a pandemic from one of it’s epicenters, had plastics, had new additions to my extended family, relocated, had one child graduate from high school and more. Almost none of these things were weight related but somehow everything else in my life seemed easier to focus on without worrying about weight. My weight has been stable since I hit goal a few years ago with only minor fluctuations. I’m proud to say I will always identify as a WLS patient. I thought I wouldn’t feel like one years out but I find I am consciously honoring this lifestyle in the majority of my choices. I’m grateful we have this forum and I’m especially grateful to everyone in the WLS community that make it a positive and supportive environment to thrive in.

I’m with the give them a miss until you’re at or close to your goal team. Sticking to your plan will help you take the most advantage of your surgery. When you get closer to goal you may start to look for healthy substitutes for your traditional choices. Try air fried or oven baked not deep fried. Try vegetable based pastas (you can eat zucchini noodles & cauliflower rice from solid foods). There are keto friendly low carb high protein breads you could try later on. If your desire to eat these ‘non bariatric friendly foods’ is driven by emotions, finding a good therapist may be helpful. Recognising the causes of your emotional eating, finding ways to manage them better & identifying other means of coping with your emotional needs than eating, etc. will only help you be more successful with your weight loss & maintenance. A benefit of avoiding those foods while you’re losing is by goal you may actually reduce or lose some of your desire for pizza, pasta, & the other foods you currently want & depend on. Which will make it much easier if you chose to have the odd slice of bread or pizza, etc. now & again in the future. Personally, I don’t eat pasta (only fresh zucchini noodles), rice or bread & avoid sweet things & fried foods. They were all things I ate regularly & enjoyed but I don’t really miss them at all now. I was able to break my need for them & I was eating them for a lot longer than you’ve been alive 😉. It can be done. Exercise will only contribute to you losing a maximum of 20% of the weight you have to lose. Of course it has lots of other benefits so I’m certainly not saying exercise is a waste of time but don’t rely on it to loose your weight. But it’s really up to you & you discovering what works best for you. Good luck.

Omg I gained almost 7 lbs!!!! I was like wtf?! This is NOT supposed to happen. Lolol. But yes it did come off.

I was wondering this very same thing - if the pre-op weight loss is indicative of the post-op loss. Appreciate the answers.

1. Could you feel your stomach? No, not really. I felt the incisions, but honestly there was so much gas that I didn't feel anything. I worried about this too, especially as I started to drink my liquids, but it was fine. I did feel my stomach about three weeks post-op as the nerves re-grew, but it truly wasn't even pain, just sort of "what on earth is that sensation..." Now I'm fine and doing sit-ups and tuck-ups and kip swings off a bar and bracing for heavy weight lifting no problem. I never took any of the serious pain drugs, and only needed 4-5 doses of Tylenol the first week. 2. Did you have a drain? No. There was a tiny bit of discharge from the largest incision (where they withdraw the stomach), but only for one day. 3. How long on clear fluids? Not at all. I was started on full liquids literally in the hospital. I had to have one day of clear fluids pre-op in order to clear my system so they could see what was going on. 4. Cold, tepid, or warm fluids? At first, tepid or warm fluids felt better. Cold ones were a shock. Now I can drink whatever (8 weeks out). 5. Sipping? I took trepidatious little sips in the hospital. By the time I got home later that day (I didn't even stay overnight), I was taking small but normal sips, at least 3/4 ounce. By three weeks out I was able to take nice little gulps. Now, 8 weeks out, if I want to (if I've been running, f.ex.) I can take 3-4 real gulps in a row. 6. Can't drink for the first 24 hours? Absolute b*llocks. I literally was handed a tray with broth, unsweetened cranberry juice, and cream of rice as soon as I was transferred from the recovery room to my hospital room. That said, I did have dry mouth even drinking. Get you a thing of Biotene at any drugstore and spray it in your mouth. It's the weirdest sensation but it helps immensely. 7. Sleeping? I spent the first night on my back because I would have to wriggle a bit to get on my side. I went back to side sleeping on Night Two. Oddly, as I've shrunk (down 51 lbs from surgery weight) I feel more comfortable sleeping on my back despite having been a side sleeper for decades.

From 1 month lost op to 6 months post op. I am 130 lbs down from my start weight and 110lbs down from my day of surgery weight. AND 153 lbs down from my highest weight. I am still struggling with all this change, it is hard to believe the way I look. Then when I stalled I was so upset and afraid until my hubby pointed out that while I stalled on the scale I was winning in other places. My face was changing, he could wrap his arms around me and he had to hold higher up on his forarm to close completely around me. My arms are smaller, I have more stamina and strength. Thank God for his support, helping me to be strong and keep going.

well I'm 6 weeks post OP, lost 41 pounds so far, and I feel great, i thought about retiring early, because i had spinal stenosis, and couldn't walk but 50 yards with out having to sit, because the pain was so bad, but now I'm walking 5 miles per day, not at one time though, i feel like a new man, everyone notices but me, I cant see the weight loss, but i can feel the difference,

I'd be really careful the first few months and follow your clinic's program. Yes - the time will come when you don't have any restrictions and can eat most/all things in reasonable portions as long as your stomach will tolerate it, but the first few months are pretty critical. You're in that magical period when it's not that hard to lose weight as long as you follow the rules - so take full advantage of that!

There’s a lot going on here. I agree with the posters above. I would also talk with a dietitian and knowledgeable pharmacist. They would know more about medication/vitamin interactions and the brain. I had bypass so our vitamin requirements have us separate the daily vitamin and extra sublingual B vitamins (all B’s together) and calcium citrate w/D chews. I would talk with professional med/vitamin/food people and explain your depression as a symptom. I would also bring this up with whoever prescribed your depression medication because they should also be updated on blood/brain barrier interactions with vitamins. Many people on this forum and on YouTube have difficulty finding their balance emotionally after loosing significant weight. You are not alone, this is a known side affect. There is an emotional effect, but also a brain chemical effect. Please keep us updated on your progress. I love how you are curious and fighting for your health by asking good questions.

I’m three months post op and feel absolutely great now. You will feel so much better too after your body heals. Likely you will surprise yourself each day with another activity you couldn’t do before. Like doing a lunge in yoga or walking up the stairs without getting winded. Focus on your goals. I kept in mind that during the actual surgery I was going to be asleep. I wasn’t in charge of doing the actual surgery. It’s silly but it calmed me down. All I had to do was go to sleep and wake up, and I did. I was still me and felt like me afterward too. You will too. I also use a piece of jewelry as an anchor to remind myself to keep my focus on weight loss and self care. (WW idea) I have a ring. I couldn’t wear jewelry into the hospital but tapped my finger to remind myself of self care when I got scared. My old WW leader had a charm bracelet from her MIL who had died from diabetes complications. I still use my ring to refocus after missteps like Halloween candy lol.

Thanks Summerseeker and Timeisnear for the support. I know the fluid weight will disperse but I was just surprised by that. I should have known that taking me of my diuretic would have me holding fluid though. Not worried just hope to see progress. i am able to walk very comfortably now. Yesterday I got in over 3500 steps and i enjoyed the walk. Getting in the fluids an ounce at a time is like a full time job, seriously! Hope all who have had their procedures are doing well and those on the varied liver diets hang in there.

Hey guys! I'm currently 5 weeks post op (30 Ibs down since my surgery date) and will be able to transition to regular foods at week 8. I was curious to know who hasn't had problems with eating foods we are all lectured about avoiding, in moderation (Pizza, bread, fried foods). I am 25 years old and a lot younger than most I've seen on this forum. My goal for Bariatric surgery is to exercise, and portion control while making better food choices, but I never planned on ruling anything out. I'm not an emotional eater or have a mean sweet tooth, my biggest problem with my weight was how much I ate. Is it possible to live a balanced lifestyle after Bariatric surgery without completely cutting out junk food?

Agree with @vikingbeast. You need to take a big step back. You’re stressed & emotional which only enhances those cravings. You crave the foods which offered you comfort in the past & you crave the familiar of being able to eat what you want, when you want it. And the more you worry the more anxious you become. You may find a therapist who specialises in supporting bariatric patients very helpful. Ask your surgeon for a recommendation. Constipation is part of the journey. I tried to keep on top of mine by taking Benefibre at least every second day, keeping my fluid intake up & taking a stool softener if I got to day 3 or 4 without movement. I also ate very mild instant rolled oats from purée stage. Took me days to eat a full serve but it was good fibre. You may need an enema since it’s been 15 days or a visit to the hospital for assistance. Being constipated does make it seem you’ve stopped losing or have gained. Get rid of it & your weight will be lower very quickly & you’ll feel much better. Stalls are very common. They can last 1 - 3 weeks, sometimes more. And you can experience a number of them as you’re losing. The first usually occurs around week 3 give or take. You just have to ride them out. They’re just your body taking a time out to come to terms with your weight loss. Changes to your sense of smell & taste are also common. They usually are temporary but how long it lasts is individual. Are there specific foods that upset you more you can avoid? The strong body odour is from your body being in ketosis - fat burning. It’s like every bodily secretion reeks. It passes too. I took deodorant, toothbrush, tooth paste & mouth wash & body wipes to work for refreshes during the day. I was someone who frequently skipped meals in an effort to lose weight (did that for 40+years) & tried all those very low calorie diets including one I did several times that was only 500 calories a day. I still lost all my weight & more. Stick as close to your plan as you can. It may take you a little longer to reach a stage recommendation for calories, portion size &/or foods you can eat but that’s ok. You’ll get there.

Protein is important for the rest of your life. Everyone should be eating protein regardless if they are bariatric patients or not. Your body needs it for healing, muscle & bone health, digestion, … https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/functions-of-protein#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9 The daily recommended amount is 0.8g per kilogram for a non bariatric patient. (I’m required to reach 1.2g of protein per kg of weight in maintenance.) My surgeon was ok if I didn’t meet my protein goals each day to begin as long as I was making an effort to be close. It gets easier when you can eat more. If you can’t tolerate the shakes try bone broth, well strained cream soups or consumes, wonton soup broth (no wontons or vegetables of course). I struggled with shakes too so would dilute them & just rode out one a day for the two weeks.

Oh yes. Most definitely don’t compare yourself to others. There are too many factors which influence our rate of loss: age, gender, staring weight, genetics, etc.. If you’re losing a couple of pounds a week on average you’re doing fine. As long as your weight loss trend is going down you’re golden & celebrate every pound & inch you lose. Don’t forget you likely will experience stalls along the way when you do t lose anything for a week or more. Watch keto. It’s very high fat & you may find your cholesterol levels are higher as your losing weight as it’s released from your fat. Better to look to low fat, low carb, low sugar high protein while you are losing. What plan did your surgeon & dietician give you? I’d avoid the popcorn too until you’re in maintenance. It’s very easy to overeat slider food. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

I had vsg surgery last November. I had the typical shedding of hair that happens with weight loss. I thought I was over the hump. But my hair feels even thinner now. I just bought bariatric fusion hair nails and skin vitamins as well as Olaplex. I haven’t been great with my vitamins, so I’m completely taking the blame. But I’m freaking out! Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

I feel really defeated and upset. Sorry this is gonna be a negative post but I dont know what to do anymore. I had my surgery (vsg) September 28th (in another post I mixed up September and October) and recovered very well, very fast. Hardly any gas pain, no incisional pain and so far no vomiting. As thankful as I am about all that that pretty much sums up all the good things there are. First of I’m hungry ALL THE TIME!! In fact my cravings have never been this bad. I think about food 24/7!! Then the moment I smell food or prepare food my hunger vanishes and gets replaced by feeling incredibly nauseous. I can only eat something once then it grosses me out. Because of this I avoid eating and - as stupid as it sounds I’m well aware of that - I get scared to eat because I dont want to be miserable. I can tolerate everything fine but the smell is just awful! Speaking of awful I have the worst and most disgusting bad breath of my life!! No matter how much I brush my teeth and floss my mouth my family can smell me from down the hall. I feel so gross! If only I was loosing weight I’d accept it all but the kicker is I’m not losing any!! The first two weeks I lost 25lbs. Week 3 and four I lost 3lbs and since then (two weeks!!) I’ve been stalling. I’m so frustrated!! What makes matters the absolute worst (sorry this is tmi) I can’t 💩!!!! I havent gone in 15 days!! I’m seeing a nutritionist, who has prescribed me stool softener but nothing happened. I’ll probably have to go back to the hospital over the weekend to get a stronger laxative (talked to the surgeon on the phone today). I didnt expect to have regular bowl movement as before but feeling constipated for two weeks is really no fun. I’m telling myself at least once that’s out maybe my weight will finally drop? Some more context: My surgeon’s plan calls for regular food after day 4. I didnt follow that guideline because it scared me and ate soft foods till aprox. week 5 focusing on my protein intake. I weigh my food though I feel like I can eat a lot. So far I consume around 300-400kcal a day. I had to eat out once for work where I had bread with cheese. Other than that I’m very diligent with my diet. My water intake could be better but I’m constantly sipping on water and cant get more down than 1 maybe 1 1/2L a day. I feel like I’m being punished because I lost (and gained back) 100lbs three times before with very restrictive diets and my body is so used to “being starved” so it’s not playing along. I keep reminding myself my main goal isnt weight loss (though I need and want to) but to stop yoyo dieting in such excess. It’s hardly comforting though because I’m really really frustrated. I’m sorry to be so negative! And I’m sorry I wrote so much but I need to get it off my chest. Have any of y’all had a similar hard beginning? Does it really get better? At this point I can’t imagine it

august 2021 weight 125.1kg november 2021 weight 102kg 9 weeks post op and im now anemic and getting alot of sickness after taking my Forceval supplement, has anyone else suffered like this? I also randomly get a sharp pain in my left side that i never had pre op. Comes on randomly and is worse when sitting up.... i cant seem to link it to any food. Consultants just seem to be happy that im losing weight not these things im now living with, anyone else got these issues?

The liver shrinks by lack of sugar/fats. The protein is to help you keep your muscle mass.. If you lose muscle (alongside fat), then your metabolic rate decreases, and you lose less and less weight. Another goal of the liquid diet is to get your body (and you) prepared for what comes after surgery (clear liquids, full liquids, puree, etc).. Try switching the shakes you are drinking. At first I liked the Peanut Butter from Permier Protein, but after 2 days I couldn't stand it. End up with plain Vanilla. Tried the oens from Fairlife.. too sweet for me.. Search in the forums, there are lots of ideas on how to deal with this (add whey protein to broth, etc), depends on what your diet allows.

Hello, glad to hear you are doing so well. My sleeve was 4/15 I too am doing as well as you in fact we sound so much alike I am finding myself able to eat more which is definitely scary I seem to graze more than I eat meals, but dr said it was OK as long as I eat the right things. I finally hit Wonderland I don't weight myself much at all I go by my clothes and my accomplishments like A1c down from 9 to 6. And pills I was on I don't have to take anymore. I walk the park 4 days a week something I couldn't do before. I have No regrets about the surgery at all. I am still losing hair which is frustrating but hopefully dr said it would stop about now so fingers crossed. Anyway, sorry mine is a long post too. Hang in there all newbies it does get easier down the line. Take Care all.

I gained about two pounds between the surgery day and getting home. Five days after the surgery, I’m down four pounds.

I had my sleeve 2 days ago.. and I lost 4 lbs. They pumped me with ~5-6 litters of fluid while I was there. 1.5L during surgery, and 4L while I stayed overnight. However, I did go to the bathroom every 1-2 hours when I would wake with gas pain However, I've read here in the forum that it is very common to gain weight after surgery. Don't worry about it, it comes off in 1-2 days.

Wow thats a amazing amount of weight to drop in a week, How long do you do it for ? I am 21 days and on day 4. What is your regime ? Mine is a quart of milk, ff Yogurt, non carb veg and 3 pieces of fruit a day