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Stop weighing yourself every day. So many things can alter your weight between 2-5 lbs. Maybe you're less dehydrated. Maybe you've got hormonal changes ("that time of the month"). Maybe you ate more salty stuff than usual. Weigh every week and make sure you're measuring yourself, too.

Hello ! sorry to hear your concern about the scale. Keep in mind all the liquids that you intake that can cause weight gain, I gained 10 pounds while in the hospital because of all the liquids they were giving me and the gas that I had . Don’t get discouraged ! Remember this wasn’t an immediate fix, it’s a tool to help us in the long run. Also the fact that you are incorporating weights you can be gaining MUSCLE as opposed to FAT . Don’t let the scale bring you down because it could be a good thing. More muscle = better fat loss 🙂 You got this ! Don’t give up, you’ve come this far !

I was told the preop liquid diet is determined by your BMI so if you have a higher BMI the longest diet would be 21 days and if you have a lower BMI then you would only have to do it 1 day prior. And of course those in between would have somewhere in between . It’s not only to lose some weight but also to shrink the liver so that they have better access during surgery.

Thank you for your reply. Can you provide some details? What specifically are you finding as the most negative aspects of the sleeve? Rough recovery? Difficulty in losing weight? Overly restrictive diet? Something else? Your input is greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone, I had a slight weight gain (6lbs) between my very first visit with the clinic and surgeon ( I had my period and I was weighed at different times of the day) and I was told you can possibly be denied for that. I did call the clinic and they told me it was ok, you are allowed some fluctuation. I’m the same now. I am waiting for insurance approval at this point. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance!

I am 10 weeks out and really struggle to eat. Nothing is appealing. I know I am loosing weight to fast and I can't even eat just to eat it's crazy. Unlike the rest of you my mind is consumed with thoughts of food constantly. I keep thinking you have to eat etc. It's a struggle.

I am 10 weeks post op and regret it deeply. If you are loosing weight on your own stick with it. Once the surgery has been done there is no going back. I firmly believe unless people have serious life threatening illness this should not be done. I want my stomach back !! I am struggling physically and most of all mentally. I would happily take back the weight I have lost to be normal again and loose the weight the conventional way

There is no one right way to recover. There is no only one right plan or only one right calorie goal, protein goal, etc. There’s no specific minimum time frame to eat a meal or drink a cup of liquid. There are, however, generalisations, averages, some can, some can’t, etc. things. We’re all different & have different needs & are able or unable to manage different things at different stages. If your body can manage it without causing you discomfort or pain you’re ok. Your body will tell you pretty quickly what is too much, too fast, what it likes, what it doesn’t, etc. You’re following the plan your surgeon gave you so all is good. My surgeon considers each patient’s starting weight, health status, weight loss history, etc. when assigning plans. My post surgical plan & recommendations had similarities but also differences to what a friend who was also a patient of his had. Our pre surgery diets were different too - mine keto & hers shakes only. We’re not the same people so it makes sense our plans weren’t exactly the same & neither were our experiences but we both reached our goal weights. There will be times you may stall or lose more one day or over one week & less the next. As long as the general trend month to month is downwards you’re golden.

Hi everyone! I’m trying not to freak out, but I need a little reality check. GAstric bypass on 9/13. Everything went SO well. I’ve been exercising everyday since (heavy cardio and weights) and following the meal plan. I started purées on day 7. I’m getting all my protein and water. On day 7 post-op I was down 11.8 pounds (SW: 233 > 221) I was shocked. And so SO very excited that this will FINALLY happen for me. Then nothing happened for 2 days. On day 9, I saw 218 on the scale. But then the next day (day 10) I was back up to 221. And I’ve been there since (today is day 11). I had my post-op appointment (day 10 PO) w. surgeons office and they said all looks good. I mentioned my concern with the number on the scale. I was told that all they care about right now is amount of protein, vitamin levels, and incisions. They’ll care about numbers “between 3 and 6 months.” 😳 I’m just so disheartened. I’m petrified that this will just be another thing that doesn’t work for me. Rationally? I know it’s been 11 days. But it just feels like everything else I’ve tried in the past right now. Everything I’ve tried and not had work. Any advice / stories would be appreciated ❤️

Thanks everyone for not jumping all over me...the immediate-release version of my antidepressant seems to be spiking my anxiety. I haven't lost any weight in the last couple of days but I suspect it's "the stall" come a bit early. My surgeon says it happens when fluid balance is restored, and I've been really good about fluids (100 oz or so a day). I know that there's no way I'm "stopping" this early, not on 600-700 calories a day, so I'm just going to stay off the scale and move to weekly weigh-ins and measurements on Mondays.

Highest weight (sleeve 2017 ) 285 I only got down to 210. Bypass revision due to GERD and regain (dec 2020) 242. Current weight 160. Those are my stats. I have found that with my revision surgery, I am losing weight slowly but steadily. I’m happy with this though and I’m at my lowest I’ve ever been in my adult life. Also, my GERD is gone :) All the best to you

I will be undergoing sleeve revision to roux en y. One because of reflux but more importantly for weight loss. I lost 90 lbs. 7 years ago with sleeve and gained back 65. How much should I expect to lose? I have a new surgeon who I like much better and he is more concerned with my health and I can already see their follow ups will be much better. I am not screwing this one up. SW 250 Lowest 159 CW 225 GW 185

I feel you. I had surgery a month ago and have only lost 10 lbs. I'm sticking to the diet with no problems, I walk briskly at least 1 hour a day and I'm getting 60-70 g protein. In a few days, I'll be cleared to lift weights, which may help. My calories are between 600-800. That said, my preop (not the preop diet, but just my usual eating habits) were to use My Fitness Pal (used it for years!) and hit btw 1100-1200 calories a day. Well I didn't lose weight on that-- no problem following it. The dietician at the weight loss center told me I could eat 1800 calories a day and still lose weight. I laughed. Not true. I'd tried everything. I can only conclude from my own and others' experience that the solution to these metabolic issues doesn't have that much to do with calorie restriction. I suspect t has more to do with hormones and carbohydrate metabolism. My surgeon tells me that I will lose the weight. She is not worried I've only lost 10 lbs, for what that's worth. The only thing that has helped me lose in the past was actual, hardcore weight lifting. Heavy weight: deadlifts, etc. ! I was not skinny, and I spent 1 hour in the gym 6 days a week. I worked very hard to be a still overweight person. I never had a problem with carbo loading or junk food. All of this tells me that our metabolisms are complex. Perhaps it is the metabolism that drives eating disorders and not the eating driving the weight gain. The science needs to do better. Until then, I've found that eating protein like crazy, lifting weights (more than cardio), hydrating, and just eating like a normal person (healthy meals) is the only way to lose weight, and I never lose much. Perhaps that will change, but for now, I really really feel your frustration. In my own case, my post op is not too different from my preop diet. Both healthy- both protein and non-strachy vegetable rich. Both pretty low in calories. But I have experienced the serios weight lifting to help some-- and I feel better when i do it-- just be protective of your pelvic floor!

Height 5'6.5" HW 325 (2/11/2020) SW 311 (3/9/2020 RNY) CW 148 ( I have lost 177 pounds thus far) GW 136 (bariatric surgeon's ideal weight goal is 136....but my goal was 150...and I'm still losing without trying). Sorry for all of the pics. Just wanted to share. Pics are from Today, 9/24/2021, yesterday, 2 weeks ago (9/10 the bathroom selfie. Lol. Took my soon to be 18 y.o. to their 1st concert and its my 18 month surgeryversary pic) and then collage is of me night b4 surgery (3/8/2020, at 12 months 3/9/2021, and 8/9/2021). Plastic Surgery for abdominal skin removal scheduled for October 2021, pending earlier date if there's a cancelation!

Personally, I wouldn't trust the calories these phone apps list as being burned. They are notoriously inaccurate. Unless you've had a series of physical metabolic tests to determine your baseline at your current weight, PLUS have a heart monitor strapped to your chest and and other sensors attached to you to calculate volume of oxygen your body consumes, you won't know what your metabolic rate truly is. Not sure if you are doing so already, but its probably better NOT to factor in exercise in your daily calorie counts. 600-800 cals a day at your weight of 248 lbs would seem like you should be losing weight, though...so when you say you are struggling to lose weight, do you mean you not losing weight at all? How long has it been?

First off, stalls are frustrating. I've been at this game for a very long time so I understand the frustration and for me, I often felt so discouraged and was prone to going astray but just the fact that you are here, posting, you are on the right track. If you journal your intake, look at patterns or food groups, calories, carbs, fats and protein numbers. If your calories are still in a good range, maybe temporarily change your macronutrient balance. Sometimes having higher carbs breaks me out of a stall, and other times, higher protein... Etc. Our bodies really knows how to preserve itself when it thinks it is losing too much weight. Hang in there, and I'm glad I read your post. We are all in this together.

Hi all, I'm approaching 5 months post op and really struggling to lose. I am between 600-800 calories daily, hydrating, 60 grams minimum of protein, getting in an hour of cardio almost daily... According to my baritastic app, I'm burning around 1000 calories from cardio. And I'm still bouncing around the same 5 pounds from my last post. Am I doing too much cardio? I don't think I'm building much muscle because I don't really have any muscle aches. I feel stuck and down and still have SO much weight to lose. Sent from my moto g play (2021) using BariatricPal mobile app

as long as you're following your clinic's plan, you'll lose the weight, whether fast or slow. Although 17 lbs during months 2 and 3 post-op isn't unusual. Most people see their biggest drop during month 1 (and honestly, a big chunk of that is water). They then settle in to a more normal pattern. I lost about 10 lbs a month from months 2-6, but then, I started out much heavier than you did. And your 17 lb vs my 20 lb loss during those months, esp given the huge difference in our starting BMIs, isn't statistically significant. stalls typically last 1-3 weeks - but a month isn't unusual. Just make sure you're following your program to a "T", and the stall will break.

My starting weight was 252, surgery weight was 243, and I’ve been stuck at 197 for a month almost. Honestly I’ve only lost 17 lbs in the past like 2 months. I’m 3 months post op and I’m so frustrated. I get about 90-115g of protein a day, my job is very active… I’m so frustrated. I’m starting to worry that this is all the weight I’ll lose. Does anyone have any advice? I’m so scared I’m doing something wrong or that my surgery is just failing.

I hear you, I was in the military for ten years, size 33 waist after that, then I got married, had kids, and got a job traveling, everywhere you went, everyone would tell you there favorite restaurant, and of course it was a expense account, so you got what ever you wanted, my weight started going up and up, then when I hit 55 the weight jumped, Then I quit smoking and wow it jumped again, which caused me to get lower spinal stenosis. hurts like hell to walk 80 feet, one Dr said its because of the weight, after a failed back surgery, I had to do something again to walk, so I had the gastric sleeve. no real weight gold, just want to be able to walk.

Thanks Summerseeker! I suspect my weight loss won't begin until the swelling and water retention goes down, as I weigh more that I did at the pre-op check despite only drinking water. So once things settle down, the weight should start to shift.

My recovery was fairly easy. I had the "foamies" a couple of times from eating too much or too fast. Some foods felt bad in my stomach initially but I just put them on the list of "try again later." Eggs were probably the hardest to reintroduce. No matter how I ate them, boiled, fried, scrambled , I felt like I ate a rock. It was at least a year before I could eat them comfortably. After about 6 months I could eat most anything I chose to eat in small portions. I had very little pain after surgery. The worst part was finding out I was allergic to the surgical staples and had horrible dermatitis around each incision. I thought I would scratch my skin off. Removing the staples and a little hydrocortisone cream cured that. I was a slow loser but I tried not to compare myself to others. I just told myself, it will happen eventually! I never had a stall, all the way to goal. Now, almost 3 yrs later, I continue to follow the guidelines I was given, track my protein and have had no problem maintaining my weight. Sometimes I'll look at "junk food" and have absolutely no desire to eat it. All I have to do is look in a mirror and I think to myself, "I'd rather look like this than taste that!" I've now paid for 2 skin removal plastic surgeries (a lot of money) also and don't want to undo the progress I've made there! I don't think you have to suffer to have great results. There is nothing wrong with having a smooth course. I've had 4 surgeries in the last 3 yrs and have followed "doctors orders" with each one and had great successful recoveries. I just don't dwell on any little "bumps in the road" in the process. With time it all works out. For me, best decision ever!

I am an advocate of finding the food choices & way of eating that works for you.There isn’t just one totally correct way to eat eat. It may be vegetarian or meat focussed or Aitken or vegan or keto, intermittent fasting or frequent eating, etc. or include aspects of a number of eating styles. The only thing you can trust will work for everyone is portion control - eat more than you need you’ll gain weight. Once you get to maintenance you can really embrace your new way of eating but you could start to incorporate aspects while losing as long as you’re still meeting your plan’s requirements & expectations. Have regular conversations with your nutritionalist & surgeon to discuss what you could start introducing & when. Your regular blood work will influence their advice & recommendations. You may (or may not) have to make adjustments to your weight loss plan & future eating style because of your personal physiological needs. Some may be pre existing, some may arise because of the surgery or be discovered as a result of all the additional medical tests & monitoring. I’ve never been great with too fatty or too oily food. I was low fat while losing but added some more good fats from goal. I was low carb while losing too & then added some whole & multi grains carbs. Since my sleeve, rice, bread & pasta sit like lumps in my tummy so I still don’t eat them. Protein has become even more important to me since I had my gall removed 4 months ago as I don’t absorb it properly anymore. I’m a carnivore but include vegetarian meals occasionally. 40+yrs of fasting & skipping meals killed my metabolism. I feed my much faster metabolism now - 3 meals & 3 or 4 snacks a day. These things influenced how I chose to eat now & it’s been working for me. Your enthusiasm for researching & adopting a new way of eating & making the changes to take the best advantage of your surgery is fantastic. I hope it motivates others starting the process too. Good luck.

Are you losing weight? If so why would you be failing? If not still I would ask why would you be failing? Either way you are doing the best you can and assumedly following your guidelines. My recovery was fairly boring, no real pain, no gas and fluids purees and soft foods were fairly easy to consume. It wasn't until solid foods that I really felt my restriction. I am not sure why we go looking for trouble when things are going well.

Its hard to believe it’s been 6 months since I “went under the knife”. What a 6 months it has been. From nervousness to excitement, from regret to happiness. The emotions have been all over the board. It definitely hasn’t been easy and it’s really only just began. I wanted to share a little of my journey thus far for folks that are considering the surgery, just had the surgery or anybody else that can relate or possibly get/stay motivated. Like most, the beginning was very difficult. I did a ton of research before the surgery. I thought I was prepared. But as the old adage goes, “you don’t know until you do it”. I struggled with drinking enough water/fluids, not getting enough protein, feelings of despair as I could only eat a tiny amount of food, total regret of having the surgery and wanting to call up Doc Brown to see if I could borrow the Delorean to go back in time. But around the 6 week mark, it seemed that everyday my attitude got a little better. I started to walk a little bit to clear my mind. I started just walking around the block. It’s about all I could do and I was a little paranoid of doing too much (silly in hindsight). I tried to really stay focused on sticking to the plan and just taking each day as it was and not look into the future. I started incorporating fish into my diet and nuts and I started walking around the block twice. I just kept telling myself that things will get easier. And before too long, they did. Fast forward to today and I’ve lost 164 lbs. I’ve lost 33% of my highest body weight. My BMI has gone from 58.3 to 38.9. I’m now walking 5 miles at a time, about 5 days a week. I eat mostly fish, salads, veggies and nuts. I actually eat carbs and some stuff that they probably don’t want me to but it’s limited and I’m burning so many calories exercising that I can handle some extra calories and not worry about it. I think I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve consistently lost weight every single week except in week 3 (seems like this is the week everybody tends to stall). I’ve learned to give myself a little credit instead of giving it all to the surgery. The procedure definitely deserves most all of the credit but I wouldn’t be where I’m at now had I not stuck to the plan, pushed myself to stay mentally strong and built a routine of exercise. Giving myself that little bit of credit has helped me in so many ways. I’m still about 80 lbs from my goal. I have a long way to go to get to that goal and of course even longer for a lifetime commitment to being healthy. I know whoever reads this has heard the line “if I can do it, anybody can”. I hate to use that but it’s so true. I used to lack motivation to get out of my Laz-E-Boy to even walk around the block. To put down the soda, stop eating a large pizza by myself, fries, Chinese food, burgers,wings, you name it. I found something inside me that clicked to get curious about the surgery. Then to actually go thru with it. Then to implement and execute the plan to improve my life. I wish I could say that I’m 110% confident that I’ll never gain weight again. That I’ll never binge eat again or go off the rails. I’m confident right now that I’m fully committed to a new lifestyle. I’m only 6 months in. I’m still not even that hungry. I can still only eat a little bit. At some point, those things will change. But I know that I never want to go back to what I was. I haven’t changed as a person in the last 6 months. But my attitude, goals and purpose has. For that I’m grateful. I wish all who reads this much success in your journey. Know that it will be different from mine and all others that you come across. There will be many similarities but your journey is your own just as mine is for me. If I can do it, anybody can. 👊🏼✌🏼