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I was sleeved 10/29 and am trying to set myself up on a schedule to do measurements and progress pics. I had originally thought I'd do them every month. But I did them this week and it was a bit dispiriting. Pics look the same. Lot inches in my bust/chest and legs, but almost none in my hips/waist. I've also lost a fair amount in my fingers (so much that my rings no longer fit on my ring finger without my being afraid they'll fall off, so I wear them on my middle finger). And this after losing 20# since surgery and 40# total. So I know its working, and I'm not going to get discouraged. All that said - what is a good schedule for doing progress pics/measurements? Thanks!

Keep on top of the liquids! I’m 5 days liquid still have 10 to go. Day 3 I got fuzzy and confused called the doctor I was behind on the shakes and water they said it was dehydration. Got busy at work and didn’t think about it. Good luck!

I only lost 2.6lbs my whole second month. I think my body thought I was dying. This month (third month) I lost 10.

September-appt w PCP to get recommendation for surgery Oct 2-seminar Oct 4- 1st appt w surgeon October 8-bloodwork and ekg October 17- nutrition visit #1 Nov 2- egd Nov 10- psych Nov 14- nutrition visit #2 Nov 26- surgeon visit #2 and submit for insurance approval. Now just waiting on insurance. I had a sleep study done in the past year, otherwise I would have needed one of those as well.

I'm curious what steps everyone had to take from their first surgeon visit to approval/surgery date. Did you do certain testing, if so, when was it determined you had to do it? No need for major detail unless you feel like it. I'm thinking something like an easy to read timeline... Example: [date] 1st Surgeon Visit> [date] blood work , stress test, psych test, etc.> [date] insurance approval> [date] start pre-op/liver shrink diet> [date] Surgery date The reason I'm asking this is because #1 I'm marginally impatient, hate surprises and I'm trying to manage it. #2 My insurance policy that covers bariatric won't begin until 01/01/19 and I go to my first surgeon appointment this coming Monday 12/03. I'm just wondering what all I can squeeze in and get done before that 01/01/19 date. Thanks, folks! EDIT: My nutritionist person just emailed me and said the only thing I can do prior to my new insurance plan is stress test, EKG and nutrition. Everything else will have to be done closer to surgery date which is TBD.

YES! Mine has just been for the past two days (surgery on 11/19). I thought maybe I was just over doing it- I came back to work one week post op (plus I've been to basketball games all week for my kids) . I"ve had some discomfort on the left side most of the week like normal, but Thursday it began to really hurt and it hurt in my back. My SIL (whose a doctor) said it was probably all muscle related ?? Today has been better, but yesterday was rough.

Scheduled for 12/19 so ready

I have been approved and scheduled for 12/19 and start my diet tomorrow.

Hello all.... THis is my first post but I have been lurking and reading for weeks. My insurance doesn't have any requirements for weight checks or weight loss....but my doctor requires 5%. I have been STRUGGLING for the past month and half losing and gaining the same 6 pounds. I have to lose about 10 lbs total now before Dec 13th....any advice. This is the last step for me to get a date and I am really starting to want to give up. I am following around a 1400 calorie plan most days and not drinking any alcohol and at least 100ounces of water a day, sometimes more. I have a lot of excess weight to lose, so it's not that I only have a few pounds to lose..... SHort of dropping my calories to around 800 a day (which I know works), I am not sure how else I will lose this weight in two week.

Hi. I'm a Newbie. My gastric sleeve surgery is scheduled for January 2nd. I started the process in May @ 307 lbs (5'7"), and so far have lost 30 lbs with eating modification & exercise. Currently, my exercise consists of weight training and some walking. Having torn meniscus in both knees doesn't permit a lot of walking. For years I used to be an avid gym freak years ago, but shoulder and foot injuries/surgeries, along with personal circumstances had put a damper on that for some time. While I'm looking forward to the surgery and a new beginning, my biggest cause for anxiety is the resulting loose skin. I carry a lot of muscle mass right now, and I'm concerned that the fat loss, and the muscle loss of not working out, will exasperate the situation. I'm aware that loose skin comes with the territory, but does anyone have any advise on how to minimize it? Thanks for your support, Johnny B.

I had to lay down my rant about my mini emotional breakdown during the pre-op diet. I have been taking my time to get ready for my pre and post op diet, since August. Buying some little things here and there to make sure I was completely stocked up. My surgery is not scheduled until 12/12/2018. I knew I would have to do the diet for 2 weeks before my surgery, so I had plenty of time to get everything together. One of the last things I purchased was my broth. I decided to wait until around Thanksgiving to purchase it, thinking it may be on sale since it is a thanksgiving hot item. A few days before Thanksgiving, I went to my local Wally world (I live within 10 miles of 2 Walmart superstores and a Walmart neighborhood Grocery Store) and picked up 2 boxes of the chicken broth and a bone beef broth. And stored it away I the pantry. Fast forward to 11/24 I was required to begin the pre-op diet until 11/28. I decided to jumpstart my pre-op diet a few days early, just to give myself a few days to work any kinks out. For the first 3 days. I took in protein shakes for all 3 meals per day. But by the 4th day, I wanted something warm for dinner, because I was fighting off a cold. Now by this day, I was definitely feeling the sugar and carb withdrawal. I was tired, cranky and had a little bit of brain fog. I decided that today I would have broth! I was super excited. I took my broths out of the cabinet, got my pot ready on the stove (yes, I was so excited I was going to heat it up on the stove to make me feel as if I was really preparing myself a grand meal). I opened the top, only to find the security seal was broken. I told myself “Okay no problem, I have 2 other boxes.” I proceeded to open the next box only to find the same thing. I looked at the last box and thought, “well this it, I will go back to the store tomorrow and get more.” I opened the 3rd box only to find the seal on it was also broken. I was furious! I collected myself and decided to take all 3 boxes back to the store, the only problem was I no longer had the receipt. Dag Nabit! By now I am thinking “Well just chalk it up and go to the store.” Now by this time, I am getting very hungry and I am ready to have my dinner. I leave my home and head to one of the other Wally Worlds that are close to my home. I go to the store and purchased 2 new boxes of broth. I get home and open the first box…safety seal is broken! I open the second box and the safety seal is broke! WHAT, HOW AND WHO WOULD DO THAT TO BROTH! BROTH! By this time, I have broken down crying. I mean balling! My poor husband hears me in the kitchen and comes in and asks what’s wrong, I just slide to the kitchen floor and through tears explain what happened and that I have nothing to take in for dinner but a shake, and I really wanted something warm on my stomach. I sat there and cried for about 5 minutes while my husband looked in the cabinet to attempt to find something that I would be able to have for dinner. (eventually, he did but after my breakdown.) I wondered if I was making the right decision to have the surgery. Never once did I even think of eating any of the other food that was in the kitchen or pantry. I was purely upset that I had now purchased 5 boxes of broth and they were all tainted. And Now I have to drink a cold shake. Then I thought, you’re not crying about wanting the other foods you’re not supposed to eat during the pre-diet, your crying about the food you can normally have but can’t because of the broken protective seal! Right then and there I knew I was committed, and I was making the right decision and could make it through this. Thanks you for letting me share

Hey there! Great Loss you are not far after me. I had my revision to bypass 9/10. Was all you weigh loss after surgery? Or was some of the 70lbs preop? If you don't mind me asking. I have lost 47 lbs but 15 was preop and 32lb has been post op.

@elmatador i knew you could do it!! party dance, party dance☺️ 86 lbs - 10 inches WTG ahhhh - onderland - welcome to the neighborhood!! Always room for one more,!!! and more, and more!! LOL keep up the good work, i know you can/will!!☺️ kathy congrats

Hi and welcome! We each do IF a different way. And any way that works for us...is good. Right? If it were me, most days, I'd try to start whittling down on the additions to the coffee until on IF days I was just doing black coffee. You may not be able to. Some days, I just do'nt want to exist without my 1oz of PP in my coffee. Doc's say to get the best bang for your autophagy buck you need to avoid any source of calories. But that's when you're hard core IFing in my honest opinion. I think 14/10 is a good place to start. Gradually work towards longer fasts if possible? 1000-1100 cals for me is beyond maintenance and into weight gain mode. So for me to lose, I have to be lower on average for the week. I can have some of those days, but then I have to average them with having more 500-600 cal days...

Hey guys! I have been lurking for a bit and decided to give the IF thing a go. After reading a bit, I will give the 14 hour fast/10 hour eating period a whirl. I am still good to have my morning coffee though, right? I typically just have my coffee w/ 1 cup almond milk and 1T cream, coming in at 80 calories for my daily tumbler of heaven Other than that, just going to try to stick strictly to tracking my food, keeping carbs under control and staying around 1000 - 1100 calories a day. I am pretty good with getting my protein and water in...but going to aim to get more than 100oz of water a day (right now I'm about 60-80oz). I had VSG 7/4/17 and would still like to lose about 25lbs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Well, almost exactly 6 months post op (VSG 6/1) I weigh less than 200 pounds for the first time since...since I don’t know! College probably? Feel great, no longer stressed about getting my protein. At the gym 2 or 3 days a week, actually enjoy working out! Down 86 pounds, 10 inches in my waist (size 46 to 36), no longer snore, and have so much more confidence. My wife and kids are proud of me, for the hard work I’ve done and continue to do, and for taking care of myself. I’m off all meds, only taking vitamins (instead of 2 blood pressure meds). My work is scheduling new professional photos for me because I don’t look like the person in my old pics anymore. I always figured I’d be obese forever because I lacked willpower’s. I kinda figured this would fail too, despite my best efforts. But VSG does work - at least, it sure has for me!

So I’m happy to report my stall “broke” 2 days ago! I was sleeved on 10/10 at 327lbs. I got down to 300.8 after 4 weeks. Then still 300.8 (exactly) at 5 weeks and 6 weeks and 6 weeks+6 days. Wednesday morning I stepped on the scale (exactly 7 weeks out and 3 weeks since I lost an ounce) and I was 299! YAY - I haven’t been under 300lbs in 10+ years! Then yesterday 298 and today 297.4. How weird!! 3 weeks of not losing anything and then 3 days in a row of losing! Obviously I’m so happy and I’ll never fear the stall again! Lol

Thanks for such a long post! You are too kind to take you time to post this. Actually, I am familiar with many of these points. I am an RN and am graduating in 13 days with my Master's in Nursing and will sit for boards in less than a month to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my clinical rotations (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Ob/gyn, even Peds), I give my patients talks about eliminating simple sugars out of their diet. In fact, I did my capstone project on the Medical Management of Bariatric Patients, and in addition to the inflammatory processes that simple sugars inflame, you are at high risk for dumping syndrome. I experience extreme dumping syndrome--bother early and late dumping syndrome. Early--from the simple sugars (for example, if I would ever eat like a cookie or half a cupcake) and late (from high fat, like bacon or fast food.) I have had my gall bladder removed so it exacerbates the late dumping syndrome more than someone who has their gall bladder. I'm a stage 2b breast cancer survivor and couldn't tolerate Tamoxifen for a variety of reasons. So, against my doctor's wishes, I had to d/c that med a few years ago. They wanted me to take it for 10 years. I couldn't even tolerate 18 months. I ended up on 13 other meds to ameliorate the s/e caused by the Tamoxifen. Then I had to have a salpingoopherectomy (hysterectomy but left the ovaries so I wouldn't go into premature menopause.) I am quite familiar with the troubles of Femara--my mom took for a while and was MISERABLE. I have the same experience with wine--it causes me pain too. I don't even bother anymore. It's unfortunate but it's just the way it is. I don't know about the actual percentages of for every x y z pounds you lose, your pain is reduced by x percent. I'd love to read the research on that. If you happen to ever get the citation, please post or msg me. That is a powerful statistic that I would love to use with my patients I see in clinic. It would motivate them to get moving on weight loss. Nonetheless, I am continuing to work on my weight loss, having lost 100 pounds so far. Exercising is more sporadic now, especially in the last days of my MSN wherein I'm having to submit so many papers, assignments, take finals, etc. Terrible excuse, but it's my reality nonetheless. I do what I tell my patients to do and get up and march around the house for 10 mins multiple times a day, when I'm not at clinic. And/or walk outside when it's not 29 degrees here! My husband is runner who runs at 7 mins/mile (old guy now who used to run 4min/mile) so when he walks we me especially, he keeps me on a good pace. As you probably know, weight loss and eschewing alcohol are the two major actions you can take as a breast cancer survivor to prevent a recurrence. There are numerous studies on this and I can post if you would like. (I'm in the last few days of coursework and working like a dog to submit assignments, study for finals and boards! So this moment is kinda bad, but soon!) It sounds like you have been through the ringer and I appreciate your post. I'm off all pain meds. I have muscle relaxants that I can use for spasms but I don't use them that much b/c of s/e. The one muscle relaxant that doesn't cause sleepiness is Lorzone, but it's not that effective. I have never had a prednisone shot, although it's sounding mighty enticing. My concern about that is the same as with my patients. It raise blood sugar, puts you at risk for fungal infections, etc. I'm not a big advocate of prednisone injections in general. Thanks again for your post and I will continue my quest to continue to lose weight and very SOON be able to up my exercise even more that my paltry amount. The rebound pain is real with NSAIDs (which I cannot take anyway, as all of us with GBS) and the endorphins released by exercise (and sex, btw!) are inimitable! Keep up all your great work!

Family of 4. We got the 6qt and it was perfect! It is a lifesaver for quick yet quality meals for full-time busy families. My husband and I both work full time and I go to college full time and our children are ages 10 and 7, both boys. So I have plenty of appetites to fill and the instant pot makes me like the perfect 1960s mom with a roast hot on the table by dinner time when she got off work at 3 in the afternoon. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm about 6 weeks post op and am still stuck at a 24 pound loss (17 immediately post-op, the other 7 verrrrry slowly came off after the first couple weeks. I'm coming up on day 10 of a stall. Lose a pound, gain a pound, lose a pound, gain a pound. I'm working the program, and with rare exception, am working it to near perfection. I get 64 oz of water but want to try to start getting in more. I am averaging 400 to 600 calories per day and am meeting my minimum protein goals (60mg, trying to figure out how to increase it to 80g without adding a bunch of calories). What else can I do? I'm considering fasting for a day to see if that helps break the stall.

I haven't seen anyone else post about this so I'll put it out there. I'm 10 days post-op and don't see my surgeon again until January. Almost immediately after surgery I noticed a palm sized numb area on my outer right thigh , at the time I chalked it up to the rock hard hospital bed. However it's persisted for 10 days and this past Saturday when slept on my right side I woke up with a really sharp pain when I moved my leg that went away in about 5 seconds. I also occasionally get "pin and needles" type sensations in the same area no consistency in what triggers it. Anyone experience anything similar?

I had my year check-in this morning and my doctor was thrilled I have dropped my BMI from 40 to 28 since surgery. I'm still losing weight, very slowly, just a couple pounds a month. I'm still 20 pounds away from my goal weight -- which would be just what I need to be in the healthy BMI range. I told my doctor I've come to accept that I probably won't get there, but she said she wouldn't be surprised if I lose another 10 in the next six months, given that I'm exercising daily. So it's good to know that loss is still possible for us if we work at it. Congratulations to everyone on our sleeviversaries.

Each body has a natural rhythm. I was a faster before fasting was “a plan”. I stuck with it through life, through surgery... During the times in my life where I tried so hard to do the strict breakfast/lunch/dinner timetable as prescribed, (no eating after 7pm...oh, horror), I packed on weight. My plan is exactly what my body loves; I have liquids, including a protein shake if I feel like it, until about 1-2p. Sometimes that extends to 3p if I can’t muster any interest in food. Then from 2pm until 8-9pm, I get my protein in using solids, shakes, bars, whatever. I go to bed around 10:30pm nightly and fall asleep by 11pm. Usually get up around 8-9am and start over. I ate this way as a kid, through high school, etc. The only time this changed was during the 10 year period I was super heavy.

After my Consultation in January, I ordered these measuring shorts that sync with an app on my phone. They are called, “Like A Glove”. Think spandex workout shorts that send measurements through Bluetooth.. They use the measurements to chart inches lost in high and low waist/hips. From 2” below belly button to just at upper thigh. They also use the measurements to tell you what size jeans are most likely to fit you in which brand. (It gives me an idea where to start...) I never measured my natural waist in the beginning, I’m curious to see what my surgeon has, but it’s 25” now. According to my magic shorts, I’ve lost 10” inches off my waist for mid-rise jeans and 8” off the widest part of my hips (which makes sense considering that’s where all my extra skin is). All I really care about is that I’m getting leaner and feel wonderful in clothes! At 54 years old, I could easily fit into the cute little clothes I wore in junior high. The numbers don’t mean all that much to me.