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I have gained about 20lbs and it’s been extremely hard to lose! I would love to hear what has worked for you to successfully lose your regain ☺️

My first post-op AI vacay was at around 10 months post op (I was already in maintenance though). I did eat too much (or too fast?) the first day and did barf a couple times as a result, and that was enough to keep me vigilant for the rest of the trip. I ate just veggies and protein 90% of the time. My carbs/sugars came from the crazy delicious cookies at the coffee bar, and single bites (for taste, lol) of other’s desserts, and mangoes the size of my head (yum!) I did still track all my food intake, but it was all guessing so…highly inaccurate….i’ll see if i can pull up my food logs from that time…? Didn’t have any of the sugary mixed drinks, but did have wine, vodka sodas and tequila shots. Lots of it, i confess. Went to the gym to run on the treadmill for an hour every morning, or joined in the resort’s organized morning road run for 5K (twice i did a 10k with them, the first time ever at that point to ever do that distance, EVER!) I came home basically the same weight as i left. I was 119.8 the morning i left, came back 10 days later at 119.9 Now….compare this to a 2 week NON-AI trip i took a month later, and i came back 5lbs heavier (I didn’t nearly do as much exercise that time around, didn’t track a thing, and i ate bread, lol). But it was all good, i went back to tracking once home, back to running routine and lost that gain in about a week. so i guess the lesson I learned here was that i stay on track when i track my food intake to be aware of my cal counts and make decisions on food accordingly. 3 years post op now, with many vacays under my belt since, im still tracking everything and im still basically the same weight (116.4 this morning)

So after what I wrote above on Sunday, I decided to take some Hydroclorothyazide that I had left over since surgery (was told not to take them anymore once I had surgery). I took what I used to take, one a day. Also increased my water intake. Did that for the last two days and what do ya know, down in two days those 8lbs I had "gained". Back down to 251. I had not seen that number since August 28th!! I have been peeing like crazy since taking them. Even in the middle of the night. I'm hoping the scale will continue to go down from here but we'll see. Not sure why I was holding all that water weight. I mean I did just get over my period too but but I obviously did not have my period for the last month so not sure why this happened for so long. Haven't been eating salty foods either. So strange. Like nothing I did/didn't do was different. I wonder what I can do naturally to keep that extra water weight off cause I'm not really supposed to be taking that medication anymore. I guess just drink more water? At least that's what I've read in the past.

So after what I wrote above on Sunday, I decided to take some Hydroclorothyazide that I had left over since surgery (was told not to take them anymore once I had surgery). I took what I used to take, one a day. Did that for the last two days and what do ya know, down in two days those 8lbs I had "gained" (I also increased my water intake). Back down to 251. I had not seen that number since August 28th!! I have been peeing like crazy since taking them. Even in the middle of the night. I'm hoping the scale will continue to go down from here but we'll see. Not sure why I was holding all that water weight. I mean I did just get over my period too but but I obviously did not have my period for the last month so not sure why this happened for so long. Haven't been eating salty foods either. So strange. Like nothing I did/didn't do was different. I wonder what I can do naturally to keep that extra water weight off cause I'm not really supposed to be taking that medication anymore. I guess just drink more water? At least that's what I've read in the past.

I would just follow the surgeon's advice. They will tell you if they want you to do a longer pre-op diet. For now, try to eat low carb and high protein, as that's what you'll have to do after surgery, and anyway, that's how they pre-op diet is (although it's also low fat, but I didn't find that tolerable long term). It will help you lose weight and feel less hungry (at least that's how it worked for me - I lost 50 lbs in the 7 months prior to surgery). Good luck!

Man, I wish I wasn't hungry! I'm hungry all the time except right after eating. I am 2.5 weeks out. I can eat soft foods, but all I've tried so far is refried beans, tuna, and cheese. I'm going to try eggs this morning. You will keep losing weight, but you will have some stalls along the way; that's completely normal. Don't skip meals... set an alarm if you have to. At least, that's what our surgery center said!

I also do not drink alcohol (I can't stand the taste), but I would be very careful with it from what I've seen on here and on other groups for several reasons: you can get drunk very quickly, especially at first. Alcohol gets absorbed very quickly and your blood alcohol can quickly go over the limit for driving and then for being just drunk to the point where you can't really function. And as you said, you're taking in empty calories and setting yourself up for eating other junky food. Plus there's a risk for cross-addiction. Some people become addicted to alcohol the way they had issues with food before surgery. It's not super common, but it definitely happens. That's not to say you should never drink, but maybe keep it to one small serve occasionally. I personally have told everyone in my life about my surgery. I just can't lie easily and if people see me losing weight, I knew I'd never be able to lie or even omit the surgery part. Plus, I was so excited to finally be doing it. I was not embarrassed. I felt like I was finally taking control of my life. The reaction I got was extremely positive except for one person I barely knew (I posted on Facebook). She has a whole "fat positive" view of life and has also had some sort of weight loss procedure that did not go well. I can't say whether you should or should not have the surgery, but I think maybe you should discuss with a bariatric trained therapist to talk about your concerns. Good luck in your decision!

Hello Bariatric Buddies (corny right? lol) I thought I'd come on here and share my experience so far for those who may be thinking about weight loss surgery OR are scheduled to undergo surgery soon. I started my bariatric surgery journey May 4th 2021 after YEARS of wanting to do it but not having the courage to start. At that point i was 298LBS. At my heaviest i was 305LBS. What prompted me to just go for it and conquer my fears was just wanting to be healthy again. I was tired of making excuses and as sad as it sounds i was tired of looking in the mirror every day staring at myself morphing into this person i no longer wanted to be. Fortunately for me, i didn't have any MAJOR health issues, however i did/do suffer from PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome). For anyone who knows the struggles of PCOS you know trying fad diets and exercising isn't really helpful when trying to lose weight when your hormones are so imbalanced. Any who, going forward - i contacted my local bariatric surgery center and set up my initial consult. Since we're still being affected by covid, majority of my appointments were via video. My first consult they went over my eligibility requirements, health history and goals. After speaking with the nurse navigator they then scheduled my next visit with the Surgeon who would then change my life forever. So, two weeks later, i meet my surgeon VIA zoom (and let me say, i love that she was blunt, super honest and made sure my goals and perception of the surgery was realistic), she told me about herself, she asked me a few questions about my life, health history in depth, and she then went over my surgery options and what she felt would be my best choice (Gastric Bypass RNY). We ended the appointment on a good note. At that point i was feeling good, motivated and just proud of myself, like - GOSH, I'M FINALLY DOING THIS! At this point in the process, i have scheduled an appointment to get an EKG, chest X-RAY, cardiology, pulmonary, and a behavioral specialist. Over the course of 4 months i would complete each appointment and the specialists would send over their impressions over to the surgeon. September 3rd. I had my pre op class (with a dietitian). I signed a bunch of papers stating that i would not consume alcohol or use tobacco. I watched a video and then the dietitian stated that starting September 9th - until September 19th i will need to be on a full liquid pre op diet - at that point in the liquid diet you are not allowed to take any vitamin supplements, and or specific medications (they would go over that with you). September 9th came around and i started my three protein shakes a day, with drinking 64OZ of water until September 19th as advised. Let me tell you, that was the single most hardest thing that i have EVER done, but in the end i was so proud of myself. September 20th at 10:00AM i had to drink 10OZ of Magnesium Citrate to bowel cleanse in preparation for surgery the next morning. I spent all day in the bathroom. Around 1:30PM i received a call from the hospital letting me know what time i needed to be at the hospital for surgery the next day (9/21/21) which ended up being 7AM. I had so much trouble falling asleep that night as i was so excited yet SO nervous! Surgery day rolls around and i am up getting ready. We (my boyfriend and i) then make our way to the hospital, check in, and head to my pre op room to be prepped. They took my temperature, and my weight. When i started, i was 298 - the day of surgery i was 282LBS! At 9:40AM i went in for surgery and was in the OR for about 4HOURS. I spent about an hour and a half in recovery where they gave me 1OZ water every half hour, that would continue as i was transported to my room that i would stay for the next 24HOURS. My hospital stay wasn't bad, and my nurses/doctors were super attentive, supportive and courteous! They came in almost every hour to check my temperature, blood pressure, and incisions. I went home 9/22/21 at 9:40AM. 1st day home was challenging. I was in so much pain and discomfort. That quickly subsided as the days passed. But in those days, i attempted to drink water and protein and move around as much as possible because walking truly helps with the pain. Here i am 9 days post op and i am not at 100% yet but i am improving i still feel slight pain only where i have internal sutures, and i am gassy (like burping and stomach feeling bloated) - for that i use GAS-X - it's amazing! I currently weigh 273LBS which makes a total of 25LBS lost and 9LBS lost since surgery. 6 Day's post op i was back at work (I KNOW I KNOW I AM CRAZY - BUT I WORK IN AN OFFICE AT MY DESK MAJORITY OF THE DAY SO I AM OKAY).. Hopefully this helps! & if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask :)

Hey guys. New here. On Medicaid only and starting the long road to approval. I’m currently 34, 418 lbs, 6’0. I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes (type II), and high cholesterol. I started in January seeing a doctor for my 6 month physician led weight loss attempt and documentation. I was on adipex as well as lipotropic injections through them. My first visit was in January and I was at 413. I hovered 399-413 over the first 5 months, and on my 7th visit in September, weighed in at my highest of 418. I spoke with a physician in Huntsville at the beginning of my journey and they told me to go ahead and complete my 6 month plan, and then come to them for the rest. I called them and was bummed to find they recently stopped taking patients with Medicaid only. I was heartbroken. I had searched for years to find this physician. However, the recommended a doctor to me who ended up being my long term family surgeon. He just recently began accepting Medicaid only patients for bariatric surgery. I got a referral for a cardiology consult and psych consult. Going to psych next week and hopefully cardio as well. Then will get to meet with the surgeon. Praying so hard everything goes well.

For those of you that know, what was the common channel length for your DS procedure? I am looking to get the Duodenal Switch but I would like to find a surgoun who does a shorter CC. I've seen horror stories of people with longer CC regaining significant amounts of weight.

Hey September buddies, very fortunate to have come across this page. I had my surgery on 9-3-21, almost 1 month post op. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's progress. I am currently on stage 3 of my diet which is chicken, cheese, turkey, and other things. I am so happy to be out of my liquid lol, sugar free Popsicles were my best friend. I am currently down 40 pounds, I just have a fear that I will not keep losing weight and I do not know why? I can currently only take about 3 bites of food and I feel stuffed. I should be eating about 3 times a day and my problem is I do not get hungry.

Thank you so much to everyone for taking time to share your experiences!!! Those personal stories have told me much more than the 'official' surgeon's information! it is good to hear that you can eat most foods but in much smaller portions. What about drinking wine? Is that possible? I enjoy a couple of glasses when entertaining or eating out but am concerned about the lack of nutrition/ effect on my appetite. Whenever I have 1 or 2 wines, I crave sugar and carbs about an hour later. I have another question ; did you tell most people about the sleeve? Or only close family and friends? Why or why not? What was the response? I'm tossing up what to do. I'm pretty sure a friend of mine, who lost about 40 kilos quite quickly, and has kept it off even during the long covid lockdowns, has had some type of WLS. She eats very little (tiny serves) but told me she lost it all by sticking to 900 calories a day. I'm pleased for her but feel a hurt that she has not confided in me as we have both struggled with our weight throughout our friendship. However, I respect that for personal reasons she has chosen to keep it private. I'm not sure what I would do!

I saw the nutritionist today. She said that I’m doing everything the way that I should. She recommended that I only drink one protein shake a day and make sure I add some carbs to my meals. She reassured me that this phase is the prep phase for my soon to be new way of living. She said that some people don’t lose weight before they go on the pre-op liquid diet. However, when I start that diet I will lose some pounds. All in all I feel better. She has not seen any weight gain due to protein brands, but think that my lack of a loss was due to too much protein. Now I am focused on eating 2 good nutritious meals, my 1 protein shake and listening to my body. I was trying to walk 5 days a week, but it’s hard when you work overnight. So I’ll do 2 days of walking at home. When I’m at the hospital walk up the stairs, take the long way to the units… anything to get mg heart beating and steps in. last thing… I thank you all for being there. This forum has been great.

Thanks I think I am in a stall weight day of surgery 238 weight on weigh in day last Monday 225. Trying not to be frustrated.

As @catwoman7 said it’s likely a stall. They happen & you may experience a couple if them. They will pass. Your body just needs time to come to terms with the changes - pretty stressful to it as well as you. If you’re following your plan & your doctor is happy you’re golden. It’s not a race. The weight is not going to magically disappear quickly. Because you had a higher starting weight you likely lost more quickly to begin but as your weight decreases, your weight loss rate will slow. We all experience this slow down as we get closer to our goal simply because our caloric intake is getting close to the amount our body needs to function. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

I will like to start of with saying Hi, I’m jazaysha. I’m a 19 year old that is 370 pound, and I’m tired of it. Ive been like this for too long every since the Risperdal lawsuit from j&j. Even though it’s been since 7th grad I was apart of that, I struggled with loosing weight. It just got worse and worse and im the biggest in my family!! I got approved and I’m excited but what makes me super nervous is that I’m afraid that my sleeve will make me sick all the time. I have a terrible phobia about throwing up, because in the past I had a eating disorder as I struggled with the weight in the past. Now I gained a fear of just vomiting or just nausea in general. It got so bad I called my lover on the phone crying because I’m so scared. the other fear is just my sleeve staples loosing and falling off. (I know that It’s really doubtful that happening but ya know I’m scared) I don’t have a choice, I need to do this for me. I planned on it so much and all I want to do is this but my fear and anxiety is like a deer on a empty highway. can anyone help me?!?!

With such a low start weight, your weight loss is definitely going to be slower and lower than most, even in the immediate post op stages. The ESG will give you some restriction but you will be able to eat more than someone with a surgical procedure. Your calorie deficit isn't likely to be as great, and therefore weight losses lower/slower. Your calorie intake is going to have be tight to keep up a good calorie deficit.

oct 6 sleeve to gastric bypass my birthday is the 8th lost alot of weight @ goal weight but gerd and heart burn has been kicking my butt. been hospitalized to many times. can’t wait need relief

So jealous. That would definitely be a challenge though. Good you are getting your steps in and hopefully you are at least eating the right foods. If so I can’t see you gaining that much in a short trip. Enjoy it.

I called the surgery center Jan 28, 2021 and had surgery Sep 13, 2021. It felt like it took forever. I got my surgery date exactly six weeks before surgery. For the first six months I was preparing for surgery, I worked on living like I would live after surgery - high protein and low carb diet, lots of walking, etc. I lost 50 lbs. Then I went and threw a number of food funerals as my weight got low enough that I thought I might not qualify for surgery anymore. Then I did the two week pre-op diet. Now I'm 2.5 weeks post-op and I've eaten 310 calories today and I am ready to burst! You'll get there. Try not to gain too much weight - that's just more you'll have to lose afterwards.

I had an appointment with the doctor today. I have gained 100lbs back from the sleeve surgery 4 years ago. So basically I’m starting all over. I’m stressed

I am currently 1/2 way through my first all- inclusive vacation in Punta Cana since surgery. We go every year as we have a membership at a resort. It s a challenge for sure. I am walking an hour every morning at sunrise so I get my 10K steps in before breakfast. I am having some mixed drinks and this is the first week I have gone since surgery in February not measuring food. I am curious to see if I lose, maintain or gain weight this week. I was on a long stall prior to vacation so maybe it will just shake up my system back into weight loss. It is wonderful being here 109 lbs lighter than last year at this time. Anyone else take an all inclusive vacation after surgery?

As others have said, these are all questions you should be bringing to your appointments. It might be helpful to keep a notebook with questions so you can jot them down as you think of them, and then bring them to your appointments. Don't feel like you need to know it ALL right now. This is a process and it takes time to get to a place where you are ready to commit. Do your research, find resources, as your questions. All totally normal. I would also STRONGLY suggest some counseling before you decide. It is absolutely imperative that you work through any trauma or baggage that might be contributing to unhealthy habits. Surgery is just a tool, it will only work as well as you are able to wield it. Making sure your mind is healthy is absolutely the best thing you can do to set yourself up for success. That being said, I took a stab just to help give you some guideposts. 1. What am i supposed to weigh before surgery? Is there x# of pounds or bmi im supposed to lose from the time of my consultation til my surgery? - This is program dependent. Some have a goal weight or BMI, others want you to loose xxx pounds before surgery. Ask your program. 2. What should my end weight goal be? - The expected weight loss with VSG and RNY is 60-80% of your excess weight. So, if you have 100lbs to lose to get to a healthy BMI, you can expect to lose 60-80 of those pounds. Some programs set a goal weight, others do not. Again, ask your program. 3. Can i really not have fruit, potatoes, corn, noodles or breads? These are huge things in my list of foods i would go to eat. I am a big sweet tooth n fruit is 1 way i would want to eat healthier. - Most programs do not say you can "never" have specific foods again. But there are a host of factors that determine what your long term eating habits will look like (what can you tolerate without feeling sick or having dumping, etc., are you hitting your water and protein goals, do you have any nutritional deficiencies, etc.). That being said, if you aren't ready to commit to long term changes, you may want to hold off. Sometime WLS requires we give up certain foods in order to be at our best.  4. Has anyone ever experienced any big side effects risks or complications? Ones drs dont usually discuss as risks til... bam u have been diagnosed. - Yes, side effects can occur. Surgical complications include internal bleeding, leaks at the "seams," anesthesia issues, all the normal stuff. Post-op complications can include GERD, hiatal hernias, malnutrition, and other things. Research the possible complications so you are well informed and ask your surgial center what their complication and surgical infection rates are. Overall bariatric surgery is very safe, but all surgical procedures carry risks. 5. Anyone know the death rate, complications or big risks being elevated with certain family backgrounds? Example... maternal family with several cancers? - See above, surgically very safe. All of this is available online, just do some scholarly Googling and, as always, as your program. 6. What if i start smoking again? - Just don't. It will kill you just as fast as obesity. Learn new coping mechanisms, go to therapy, pick up a hobby. From a surgical perspective, smoking greatly increases the risk of complications and can greatly increase recovery time. 7. What if i consume alcohol? - This is a combo of personal and program. Most programs have a strict prohibition for a period of time, others say try not to drink ever. In the end, its empty calories and you will get drunk MUCH faster than you did pre-op. Plan to abstain for a good long time. 8. What if i think my 14 yr old needs this surgery? - Talk to their pediatrician and get them into counseling. Do NOT rush into that. This is a major, life altering surgery and could be massively traumatizing for a child.

I have done everything required for surgery and now just passed the nicotine testing. . Whats next? Is there more testing or am I weeks out yet? Anyone else have a forever and a day to try to get this surgery, o keep gaining weight while I wait. . . Sent from my SM-G996U using BariatricPal mobile app

Just received my surgery date and I'm excited and nervous. After losing my husband 4yrs ago I put on over 150lbs and actually ended up in the hospital & almost lost my life because of it. Promised my daughter I'd do whatever it took to not scare her like that again, so here I am 4 weeks out. I changed my whole way of eating but I have medical issues that prevent me from working out so I dropped the water weight but now struggling to drop more. Can I ask what it's like after the surgery to those who have had it? That is my biggest apprehension, I so want to be done with blood pressure diabetic and other meds so I can't wait to drop this weight so I can have my knee replacement and hernia surgery. Been living in a fog too long and I so want this for a better, healthier life.