Search the Community

Hello! So I had surgery last June and have just about made my goal weight. However, I am suddenly VERY anxious about re-gain post op. I just don’t want to have lost all this weight and then regain it! Is there any tips, help anyone can give me in terms of how they successfully maintained their weight loss post-op?

My nutritionist told me to eat six small meals a day but I really can’t. I have a protein shake when I wake up and maybe get a third of it down, then I try to do an egg white scramble a few hours later, then for lunch I’ve been just sticking to soups, then I may try and finish the protein shake or have a sugar free pudding. Then I don’t eat until dinner. And that is totally dependent on how I’m feeling. Maybe I really am hungry and I’m scared to over eat. I honestly never had a food problem until this surgery. I could not lose weight after my 4th baby then I gained 30 pounds last year after a total hysterectomy and the extra 30 pounds was putting too much pressure on my fragile joints( I had a broken back and broke my ankle three times) after I left the military. So I felt like once I hit 227 it was time for a change. But I like to think I always was a practical eater, now I’m feeling obsessed with what I’m supposed to eat or how I’m supposed to feel. I just want to feel “normal”. But I just feel a lot discomfort now matter how much or little I eat. And the Crazy thing, I don’t know if the person posting about this has this too, my stomach growls at me after I eat. Never before. Idk what that is about.

Your post just broke my heart. I'm so sorry that people are being rude, and have been rude. There are people who really need to learn how to treat others respectfully. I don't understand how people can intentionally say things that would hurt someone. I can totally relate to strangers, family, aquaintances, or "friends" making rude or insensitive comments about your weight. It must be so disheartening to continue to hear comments after losing weight, too. Do not listen to them! I know it is hard. You feel good, don't let others ruin your success & happiness. Wishing you happiness & sending support 💜

“People suck. That’s why I’m a cat person.” You’re right, and hilarious! It does sound like your husband is on the good side and supportive of you. All of us have stories of weight micro and macro aggressions. It’s reflective of those that do it, not you. I try to surround myself with positive people and not turn that onto others because of race, identity, or religion, or gender because I know how bad it feels. Pets rule! You’re also awesome for posting instead of eating your feelings:)

Hi Footballmom92! You can try to do searches in the forum to see if there are posts by others that started out at a similar weight. I found the article below about a young man that had weight loss surgery. He was close to 600 pounds. Have you started researching doctors yet? Perhaps you can see if your doctor or one you might go to has patients with similar starting weights so you can use the same nutritionist or be in same support group if they have one. Maybe there is a group on Facebook you can find so you can connect with others there. This forum is also a great support system, we all may have different amounts to lose, but can easily relate to, share advice with & give support to each other. https://www.treatedwell.com/i-would-not-be-here-today-kingsport-man-says-bariatric-surgery-saved-his-life/ Wishing you lots of success on your path to a healthier weight.😊

For years people would Comment on my weight...as a teen, when athletic, I was told I looked too masculine, or my grandmother would tell me (while underweight) that I needed to diet or I would end up overweight and over 300 lbs like my dad's mom....which, eventually, I got there. As an obese adult, strangers made rude comments in stores, restaurants, where ever. Their kids picked fun as they did too. And it only got worse the heavier I got and didn't matter if my kids were with me or if I was solo. Fast forward and now I get from strangers questions like "do you have cancer", "are you sick", and on 2 occasions the automatic store door wouldn't open and I was told if I ate more I wouldn't have that issue. Or one man said "let me show you where the cookies are, you need to eat those and not that rabbit food"... Recently I was hospitalized for 3 days incase of emergency surgery for bowel obstruction. My intestines had flipped, but flipped back on their own. I used to have chronic IBS-D now it's IBS-C. So after discharge I was prescribed an rx and 4 OTC meds to help me with keeping regular and avoiding bowel obstruction and surgery. While picking up the OTC meds, a rather large woman and her 18-22 y.o. daughter were on the same aisle...of course, observing my purchases and out loud the mother told the daughter "the reason why she's that thin is because she buys all that stuff to sh!t herself to death...she is anorexic ..don't let me ever catch you doing that. That woman is mentally ill." They walked away. I was left standing there in awe that , that even happened. My husband was like wtf? Well Saturday we had my daughter's 18th birthday. It was just us 4 and my dad. He hasn't seen me in like 2 months. And in front of my kids, he says "you do not look good. You look sick. You have taken this weight loss thing too far and you have got to stop. You're face and eyes are sunk in, your bones are sticking out and you need to gain about 50 pounds". I am 148 now. My HW 325. SW 311 3/9/20. I do not think nor does my bariatric surgeon feel that I've lost too much weight. Heck, his GW for me is 136. I am 5'6". I don't know what people are seeing but my point of this post, as long winded as it is, is that the negative comments just never seem to end. I thought for sure that I would lose weight, get healthy (point of surgery...healthy and save my life, not skinny) and feel great about myself. But it seems no matter what size you are, someone, somewhere always has something negative to say about one's appearance. Does it ever end? People suck. That's why I'm a cat person.

I started at over 700 pounds and have managed to achieve a normal BMI. Actually, for a short time I was below a normal BMI thanks to my binge-running but when then binge-running ended my weight bounced up to high end normal BMI. After 18+ years I am still high normal BMI. Theoretically any given WLS patent can achieve a normal BMI. However, the average overall weight loss is about 60%. Good luck, Tek

Who did you see? How long after your goal weight did you have surgery? I’m past goal (reached normal BMI at 6 months). Now down another 10 lbs. I feel like the excess skin is making me think I can’t just try to maintain.

I weigh over 600pounds i justwanted to know if there Was anybody at my weight that has had Success with weight loss surgery?

Congrats! These are all questions that your surgery center will have to answer, because they are individual to your and your program. Definitely call them and ask them these things! 1) My pre-op appointment was less than 2 weeks prior to my surgery 2) The anesthesia nurse called me and told me which medications to stop taking prior to surgery and that was just for the night before/morning of surgery. I had stopped taking phentermine a long time ago because my insurance wouldn't cover it, but I was taking metformin for weight loss. Again, these are program/personal health related questions and no one on a forum can really answer when your appointments will be or which medications you should stop and when. Good luck!

Im sorry this is happening. I would be upset too, but try to look at it as a chance to practice your post surgery habits ahead of time. Maybe you can even lose a little weight pre surgery which is just less you have to lose later.

I am not sure why I am just seeing this and it looks like you have some good suggestions already but I just want to add that I have been on premiere shakes since day one and I am losing so I second it that it’s not the brand. I would also limit the avocado and nuts during weight loss phase. They are healthy fats but still fats (at least make sure you are measuring and counting the calories).

congratulations! A 52 lb weight loss in 7 weeks is amazing. WTG!

I'm 63 and had my surgery August 11, 2021. So far I've lost 52 lbs., and already I feel so much better. Less pain in the joints, walking is easier. I was told by my surgeon that my weight loss might be slower, but if 52 lbs in 7 weeks is slow, that's ok with me! Hang in there during the process required for your surgery approval - mine took five months., during which I embarked on a "farewell to food" tour and gained about 24 lbs. If I had known it would take that long, I don't think I would have indulged so much!

I'm so glad I came across this post, I too had RNY surgery on 9-20-21 and the scale hasn't moved in DAYS. I feel a lot better now, because I'm following the plan to a T and it's discouraging the weight is not just falling off.

Let me start by saying that my husband met me when I was thin but he married me when I was heavy so I know he loves me no matter what. At the same time if I ask him he is honest about my size. Well I haven’t lost any weight on the scale for over a month now but I have been doing crunches because I have what I like to call a spare tire. Last night I asked my husband if my spare tire is getting better because I’ve been doing crunches for a while and he said it’s not quite a spare tire anymore and I said so is it more like a doughnut he said well not a doughnut either, maybe just tread. I thought it was funny and was glad to hear that even though I am not losing weight it is redistributing. I increased my crunches today to try and get rid of the tread but don’t want to get my hopes up too much. The NP already told me with the loose skin I probably will not have a six pack without surgery. But going from a full on belly to spare tire to donut to just tread is still HUGE. I’ll take it.

6 weeks for me today as well.....35 lbs and counting and so excited to he able to workout again.....on my way to target weight of -70 lbs and off my Meds of 20 years.

This is where I am at and why I came back on this sight. With Covid and taking. Care of hospice patient in my home I have gained some weight and not excersizing at all. Where do I start?

LOL! I meant I didn't expect my blood pressure to regulate itself with only 33 lbs of weight loss! Yes, I'm well aware of the Dread Stall. I shall change nothing (other than moving to purées and soft foods which I do tomorrow). And if it stalls, it stalls.

-jumped right up on the tailgate of the truck today! -fit in the space between the stairs and the wall in the barn to chase baby chicks. Always had to call the kids before. -RAN from spot to spot at my son’s cross country meet -couldn’t move a heavy piece of furniture that I’ve always moved by using my weight. Just stood there confused until I figured out the why.....then I started grinning.

Amazing results! Congratulations on your weight loss!

Congratulations on your weight loss and your very supportive husband! Makes all the difference in the world when the people closest to you "have your back"!! Awesome Post! 😊

So I have experienced some good NSV's like many of you during these past few months. Stuff like fitting in restaurant booths better, fitting clothes better, not having to worry so much about weight limits on certain things, the car seatbelt not making that dreaded sound cause it was pulled out too far.........lol.......etc. But this weekend I had something else happen that took me by surprise. So since surgery on May 19th I lost 62 lbs and since March the total is 81 lbsl! Even though those numbers sound good and I can see some changes in me, whenever my husband says stuff like, "Wow, I can't believe how thin you've gotten!" etc. I always reply with how I don't see it and how I still have lots to go. He always says I don't give myself enough credit, etc. Anyway, this weekend we were out and about and we decided to stop and have lunch and as I approached the restaurant door, I was taken aback by the figure/person I saw in the reflection. It was almost as if I didn't recognize myself for a split second. It was strange. I usually wear my old baggy clothes still but this day I decided to wear leggins that actually fit and were NOT baggy, I had my heel boots on, a nice sweater, etc. I was feeling really good about myself. Well, the next day we were out again visiting a lake/park. This particular lake has different boat rentals like kayaks, canoes, etc. Things I could never do cause of my weight. So we went inside to inquire and, low and behold, I was actually UNDER the weight limit!!! I was so happy I could barely contain my excitement!! So we walked outside, me in front of my husband, and he again commented on my weight loss and how I've been looking and so I told him to take a few full body pics of me so that I could see what he sees. He took one of the front and back. Now, taking a photo of my whole body has always been a HUGE NO NO and everyone knows it so I was scared to see the results. Well when I looked at the pictures I actually burst into tears!!! It was such an unexpected reaction from me that it caught us both off guard. My husband was asking and hoping they were tears of happiness and I told him YES! That it was the first time in decades that I could actually stomach seeing a photo of myself that I was Ok with. I cried some more and hubby comforted me and told me how proud he was of how well I was doing and how happy he was that the surgery was finally helping me lose weight when so many things I tried never did. He said he was happy I was getting healthy, that I was off some medication, and my labs were coming back great. He also reaffirmed that my weight was NEVER an issue for him and that he loved me always, no matter how big or small I am and I told him that I always knew that but that it was always an issue for me. Which is why I had the surgery. I guess it was the combo of the catching a glimpse of myself in the reflection, the better fitting clothes, learning I can now kayak and then seeing myself in the photos that it just really hit me. I have a ways to go still, like I always tell him, but I am FINALLY starting to feel happy with what I am seeing. It feels really good!!

I had gastric sleeve surgery on September 20th and was losing weight pretty quick but it just stopped in the last few days! Is this normal? Is it going to pick up again? Has anyone else had this issue?

JMTaylor, eholmes89, & laurenantics, It sounds like you are all doing so well! Congratulations on your weight losses.👏 It can be hard to avoid comparing your weight loss with others. We need to remind ourselves that we're all different. I think it also may even out, somewhat (of course there are extremely quickly or slow losers), some lose a lot right away & then may have longer stalls. I think we all just want to get to our goal so badly. We'll get there! 😁🏆