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J hi pes everyone doing? Would love to compare Daily meal journaling with you all expresso shot 6am Egg 7am Protein coffee 7am Kind bar or fruit / 24 oz of water with light flavoring 9am Protein and salad 12pm Cheese stick / 24 oz with cristal light 2pm Expresso shot 3pm Veggie protein and sometimes salad/rice 6 pm Flock chip/ 24oz of water with some light flavor 8pm How about you guys??? I pretty much can eat anything I want I don’t have a problem with dumping never have. I do get a pain in my stomach and some slime build up when I eat to fat that I have to go to the bathroom and spit it up. Love to hear from everyone Started journey at 232 current weight 154

You will find a whole slew of caloric recommendations across the board, from you team, from the people in this forum, to the person on some Instagram account doling advice. There IS NOT a one size fits all program that will work for EVERYONE. Find out what works for you. If you cant reach the calories as prescribed, just do the best you can. If you are going over, do the best you can. Try to get your protein and water in. Unless you labs come back indicating so (which i assume you would be getting regularly), you don't need to worry about undernourishment in the few months between labs. I mean, most of us have got ALOT of fat storage to rely on in the first couple months. Exercise is good, but not necessary for weight loss. But of course I would highly recommend exercise for physical and mental health and well-being benefits. P.S. I know there is a few different camps of opinions on this, but I am NOT on team "up your calories to lose more weight". But I know there are many BP members on here that swear by this method, so there you go. I did not purposefully up my calories save for the natural progression of upping calories as time goes on. I did not stall once and I lost more than all my excess weight in 6 months.. P.P.S. I also know that there are different views on this: I also think that losing 30 lbs off of 241lbs in 6 weeks in NOT in any way "slow". But that's just my opinion, which doesn't matter. All that matters is YOURS. Good Luck!❤️

I dropped into the 100's this week. I'd been looking forward to it for so long that it almost seemed unreal that there was no trumpet fanfare when it happened 📯. I haven't shared it with anyone and am savoring it. The last time I remember being this weight for certain was just around high school graduation. But just so my ego didn't get too big, surgery kicked in the next and gave me foamies and pain when I didn't eat slowly enough. That hasn't happened in a long time. I think it was a poetic-justice reminder. On a slightly less exciting note, "the girls" have dropped to a size I don't recall since early high school . I've always been well-endowed, even before being morbidly obese, so it is quite a change. I have broken down and purchased some new clothes. I realized for myself, despite being told, that I look terrible in all my too-big clothing. I think it was a security blanket of sorts. For so long, nothing was ever too big or too loose. I still hate shopping. I have no idea what size I need from what store. I asked the doctor in my program for a suggestion for a therapist. I couldn't get an appointment until February. But I was able to get into a cancellation next week. I'm excited as I had some very specific criteria for a therapist, experience with bariatric patients was only one. I'm looking forward to having someone to process changes with as well as the road ahead. I again want to thank all of you on this board for the ongoing advice and support. I'm grateful for having found you. I belong to a few FB groups and am astounded by the misinformation and lack of preparation/education that is out there. That's all ❤️

I am on day 4 of my pre-op diet. I am finally not nauseous anymore. But I'm starting to get nervous about the surgery. I've never had surgery before!! I have a friend coming for Labor Day weekend, and it's going to be hard to eat with him. But he's supportive of my plans, although when I talked to him last night he admitted he's nervous for me. I think that's what started me being nervous. I've been totally open about my surgery, even on facebook. I've been talking about it too much. I'm also really nervous about gaining weight back - I've gained weight back so many times!

I also like my fitness pal. I've been using it since 2012, so I want to keep all my previous weights in there. I just saw my lowest weight was 190 and my highest was 283 (I know I had a higher weight earlier). I haven't entered my liquids before, because I never had trouble drinking, but I will probably start after surgery. I've used a lot of the macro info. The only thing I don't like is all the ads, but I'm not willing to pay for the premium version.

I had the lap band before and it didn't work. It didn't do anything to stop my hunger, it didn't change my metabolism, it didn't stop me from absorbing everything I ate... all it did was put a little speed bump from my esophagus to my stomach. Sometimes that speed bump would get stopped up and cause me crazy pain, sliming, and barfing. Usually healthy foods did that to me (chicken breast, broccoli, carrots, celery, lean steak, etc.). Unhealthy foods went down like a breeze so I could eat greasy cheeseburgers, cakes, cookies, milkshakes, cheese fries, etc. without a problem. The lap band, essentially, trained me to eat junk food and avoid healthy food. Then I got it revised to RNY and it has been a TOTAL game changer. There are a number of reasons it's working way better for me. 1) My physical appetite is gone. And I mean, GONE. Even if I swim (I'm always starving after I swim) or walk all day or do heavy manual labor... I just never want to eat. 2) Sugar is repulsive now. I don't want anything to do with ice cream, cakes, or cookies. Those used to be my favorite. I tried to take a sip of regular orange juice (because I remember how refreshing I used to find it) and gagged because it was just way, way too sweet. 3) I crave nutritious foods, mostly seafood and vegetables. Which is weird because I was never much of a veggie lover before. I only ate them because I felt like I had to. 4) I only absorb 75% of the food I eat, and I don't eat much to begin with so I've been dropping weight like crazy. 5) I get full, quickly. 6) If I try to eat something I shouldn't (like something high in fat) I'm immediately punished with a wave of nausea and I won't try it again. All this factored together has made RNY a very powerful weight loss tool. If you are an emotional eater or food addict RNY would be torture. The head hunger definitely doesn't go away. While physically I don't want to eat, mentally I wish I still could. It's not because I eat to cope but because I just always loved food. I'm a foodie and I love cooking, baking, restaurants, trying new foods, etc. I can't have it anymore and it makes me a little sad but I've been killing myself from my "hobby" so it's time to let it go. But if you're someone who is determined to eat because you feel like you HAVE to (like an emotional or addictive issue) you'll want to get therapy before having surgery. For me, that pain from over-eating is NOT worth it at all. It's very unpleasant and I eat very slowly to avoid it. But for some folks, the pain is worth it to eat what they want, and that's where re-gain/failure comes in. That and mindless snacking on simple carbs. You've gotta say no to the chips, crackers, and popcorn.

Elless, have you considered a revision? My story is the same as yours (lap band didn't help me lose weight at all, only lost 20 pounds in 6 months, regained it quickly and then gained extra weight) except I resorted to slider foods after I realized the lap band wasn't helping at all. I revised to RNY and I've lost 43 pounds in less than 2 months. It's a total game changer and I'd recommend it to anyone. Skinny3, if you have 100 or more pounds to lose I'd definitely look into gastric bypass!!! It's not what it used to me. About a decade ago (and before) it was an open surgery with more risks but now it's done laproscopically. Definitely recommend it.

I think you need to reset your expectations. You've done MUCH better than most of us. It sounds like you're very successful! stalls are a common "feature" of weight loss. When you hit one, just stay the course and stay off the scale for a few days. As long as you're following your program, they'll eventually break and you'll be on your way again. We've all been there....

that rate of weight loss is very normal, unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life". Most of us "normal" WLS patients lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month, and then about 8-12 lbs a month for the next six or so months after that (and then it drops down even more). So you're fine. as for 1000 kcal/day at this point, a lot of us are eating somewhere in the 600-800 range for the first several months post-op, but I've heard of more clinics lately that are recommending more like 1000 kcal/day...so yours isn't the only one. They'd know more than I would, and as long as the patients are continuing to lose weight.....

I have the same problem. I used to crave and eat huge bowls of tuna noodle casserole, macaroni and cheese, pasta, etc. I can barely eat any of these now. I also look in the pantry and say why bother? Then I snack out of boredom, mostly things with crunch like nuts. I'm in a stall. In 13 days I'll be 1 year post op. My highest weight was 350 and have I have lost 135 lbs, bringing me to 215. Trying to get to 180. 35 more pounds to go. But I also want to get the tummy tuck surgery and they said that should be about 25 lbs. I'm holding off on that until I have my both of my knees replaced. No cartilage left in either with the arthritis. They won't do those together because of this surgery and risk of infection. So I wait on that and am not sure how much more to lose now. Seeing the surgeon for the tummy tuck this month. He should be able to tell how much it'll bring my weight down. It's one huge, long process. But I'm glad I'm doing it. It's long over due. I need to have a life again and I haven't in over a decade. There's major depression, but I've had that all my life. So I deal. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G781U using BariatricPal mobile app

You’ve lost almost 100lbs in 6 months @Chantrella. This is really great. Congratulations! (I’m 5’3” & lost about 70lbs in 6 months. My surgeon, dietician, GP & I were ecstatic.) If you were expecting more, I think your expectations were too high. (Weight loss programs, weight loss miracle cure advertisements, social media, etc. give us false & unrealistic expectations. I saw an ad yesterday that said you could lose something like 30lbs in a week taking some tablet - what a load of $*#@$&#&.) We don’t continue to lose at the same rate as those first heady & exciting weeks of the pre & post surgical diets. Our weight loss slows as we progress. Even those on My 600lb Life see a reduction in the amount they lose as they progress. Sure they lose 50+lbs a month to begin, but they slow down to 25lbs a month, then 15lbs, etc. And they only started out losing at that high rate because they were 600+lbs. As we are able to eat more the calories we’re consuming increase & we get closer to the point where the calories we consume equal the calories our body needs to burn to function & when weight loss dies not occur (maintenance). I’d say everyone experiences at least one stall in some form. I had two but some have more than that. It just depends on how your body manages the weight loss changes. Celebrate you pound your lose. You’re doing great.

SEVEN YEARS post op and I don't regret it. Surgery quite literally saved my life. I would do it again in a blink. This is a TOOL and like any tool in your garage, you must keep it sharpened and well honed. Myself, I will always identify as a WLS patient and it is constant work every single day. I'm not one who had surgery, lost my weight, went back to eating all things in small amounts, and kept it off. I TRIED eating all things in small amounts and had BIG regain. I'm glad I did it. The only down side is that at 7 years out, there are very few of my OG forum folks still around from that long ago!!

You've lost almost 100 lbs. in 6 months, and if your profile is correct, 13 lbs. from your goal of 160 lbs. By the six month mark, the average lost 30 to 40% excess weight... I would be ecstatic. Stalls are frustrating but looking at the whole picture, I would say you're doing better than the average.

Just had a 6 week follow up with my surgeon. He advised to eat about 1,000 calories a day at this point as to not slow down weight loss. I’ve been averaging between 600-700. Since July 15 I’ve lost 30 pounds. Pre-2 week surgery diet I was 250. Surgery day weight was 241, now I’m 220 even. Seems slow. He told me that weight loss isn’t like a straight drop. And two weeks ago, I stalled for about 3 weeks. He advised to only weigh once a week. How is everyone else doing on calories and weight loss at about 6/7 weeks out? Just want to see how I’m doing. One thing I haven’t been doing is rigorous exercise…he said that would help too. Any advice is appreciated.

I totally feel you. Once the surgery subject comes up, your weight, your weight loss (or not), how good/healthy (or bad/unhealthy) you look and the story of every person everyone has ever known to have surgery (especially failure stories) become the main topic of conversation. I watched it happen to my brother and my niece and I opted out of that nonsense. Good luck with your surgery!

This is freaking genius! 😆 I have to attend a wedding 2 weeks after surgery and I have been absolutely dreading it for alllllll the reasons. I am totally stealing this tactic. Like you, I have opted not to share except with a very limited group of my closest people (2, I've told 2 people). I do not want to discuss my weight at a family wedding full of super-judgey skinny folks, no matter how much I love them.

I started drinking carbonated water (with lemon or lime) around 1 month post op. Haven’t stopped since. Am almost 3 years out now and these days I probably drink about 4-5 litres a week. On very, very rare occasions, i may have some Coke Zero if im somewhere that has no better option. Drinking it didn’t seem to any real effect on my weight loss. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I wanted to hit my second target weight. I’ll be thrilled when I’m no longer overweight. I hit so many stalls. I definitely didn’t think I would be 145 in 6 months, but I would’ve hoped I would be 170. I know it’s just 3 pounds, but it’s like my body is holding on to these three pounds for dear life!

My surgeons office is apart of the suggested no carbonated drinks for life, but they tell you it's SUGGESTED. They said from what they've seen of their patients that those who don't drink carbonated drinks have an easier time keeping their weight off then those who do. Now, I don't really know whether to believe in that or not because there's this lady in my nutrition group who is 5 years post-op and drinks carbonated drinks and she's kept her weight off while another lady I know from work drinks carbonated drinks and gained half her weight back so... I don't know what to believe, honestly, but I'm perfectly fine cutting carbonated drinks out for life since it bothers my EOE anyway.

When I STARTED the process for WLS I was 389 pounds (in 2019). My highest recorded weight ever was 392 pounds (in 2017). My weight on the day of surgery was 321 pounds. At 6 months post-op I was 237 pounds. I reached my goal weight at 18 months 1 day post op and I'm down an extra two pounds passed that so far. I started having stalls 3 months post op and have had them every single month since. I'm currently in one right now, as a matter of fact lol (17 day stall so far).

Hey guys I had surgery March 3rd 2021. I am literally 2 days shy of 6 months and I am livid. I eat healthy, drink water all day, exercise everyday one hour and I didn’t hit my second weight loss goal and I doubt I will by my 6 month mark. I am 5’4 my pre surgery weight was 268 and I’m now 173. My overall goal is 145. I have hit several stalls month 4 and 5 not sure why. What are your stats and have you hit any stalls? When did your weightloss slow down what did you do to get the pounds back to dropping. My dr is happy with my weightloss but I am devastated by the slow process.

I went to a BBQ in the 2nd week after my surgery. I wasn't hungry at all, but people were needling me to eat. So I got a small plate, put 2 chicken wings on it and walked around with it in my hand all afternoon. Any time anyone would comment I would say "Oh, these wings are delicious, have you tried them?" and walk away. Did the same thing at a cocktail party last weekend, got a glass of wine and a small plate with a couple of appetizers (ones I don't like) and walked around with it the whole time. Nobody noticed I wasn't eating or drinking anything (except my husband). I've chosen to only share my surgery with a few close, non-judgmental, friends and family members. I consider it a personal journey and I don't like the fact that after you tell people, your weight loss suddenly becomes their business and the main topic of conversation whenever you see them.

I drank unsweetened flavored seltzer like crazy pre-surgery, but stopped when I started my 2-week pre-op diet, as recommended by the nutritionist. My doctor also says no carbonated drinks post-surgery because, over time, regular consumption of carbonated beverages can stretch out the stomach pouch. True or untrue, for me personally, it's just not worth it to risk anything impeding my weight loss so I'll continue to avoid them. My opinion may change at some point, but since my carbonated beverage of choice was neither sweetened nor caffeinated, I don't miss it much.

I was downing carbonated drinks very early on, I had no specific prohibition. Probably week four? I drink several cans of diet sodas a day, it’s how I get my water intake needs met. never had an issue with bubbles or cravings or weight gain or blood sugar levels etc. ymmv and your doctor may not approve…

I just wanted to note, for anyone that is stating that artificial sweeteners can cause weight gain and don’t drink diet because of them, I would absolutely not use this as a reason or to drink diet soda. There are artificial sweeteners in your protein shakes, protein bars, yoghurt, jello, pudding, Gatorade, mio/water flavorings, and many others items you consume. These are all foods and additions that are heavily relied upon on almost every single post op diet I’ve seen here.