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I am 2 months post surgery today. The day before surgery I stopped taking all of my diabetes medication which consisted of metformin, glimiperide, ozempic and tresiba. I have not taken ANY of them since surgery and my A1c is down from 6.7 to 6.3. My hope is with continued weight loss my A1c will go even lower. My diet is high protein low carb about 600-800 calories per day. I feel better than I have in years.

Hi Lee, I thought after a month it was supposed to get a lot better. The weight loss is a bonus, but the pain when eating sucks! Has the pain stayed constant - or is it slowly getting better? Is it really tight when you eat meats? Does it feel like it’ll get stuck? When does your surgeon say it’ll get better? What are some of your favorite foods/go to’s during this time? I’m guessing a lot of shakes - but do mash potatoes hurt too? Thanks!

Weight training can definitely help with the appearance of loose skin, especially on arms & legs. Building lean muscle mass helps "fill in" the loose skin, therefore reducing the saggy/flappy appearance. If you aren't currently doing any weight bearing exercises, it might be helpful. Results obviously don't happen overnight, but in time it can get better.

How has that worked out in the past? For me, I was good at dieting. The problem is that after I lost 30 lbs, I'd be content with the progress I had made and always gained it back when I got lazy and or didn't get the same results. Do I regret it? No way Do I feel like my life has improved? Absolutely. I'm 100 lbs lighter and am a completely different person. I'm in the best shape of my adult life (aside from a brief time in college). I am more active, have learned some new skills and am doing things that I put off for years. I have more energy and feel better. I got rid of my CPAP, a bunch of meds, and don't hurt all the time. I can fit in an airplane seat, don't worry about breaking chairs, and can fit in normal-sized clothes. I can't think of a single down side. Are you overthinking it? I can't speak for you, but probably. This is a big decision that only you can make- when you are ready. Of course, your medical history and particular situation is unique to you, so talk to your doctor and follow his/her advice. What should you be aware of? take it slow and steady and expect it to take time to get where you want to be. Also, there is more of a social stigma to doing surgery than you might think, so be careful about how much you want to share, or at least be prepared for some negative reaction from those that don't understand. Your relationship with food may change. I can only speak for me, but mealtime was the highlight of my day and the center of my universe was cooking and eating and preparing for the next time I got to eat. Now, it's "meh". I eat when I need to, but don't really think about it much. I still like to eat, but in much smaller amounts and I'm more concerned about good quality food that I can tolerate well, vs. food in large amounts. Also, my tastes have changed (may have been a result of getting COVID, though) and I don't like a lot of the things I used to crave. Be prepared to spend less on food, but much, much more on clothes and running shoes. If this goes well, you'll need to replace your entire wardrobe. Ease into it at first, only buying the minimal things you need to get by, as you will move through sizes quickly. This is how I feel most days:

Yes, I was IR too. Hard time losing weight, etc. Anyway, I had my surgery May 19th and had the well known stall around 3 weeks out that lasted 12 days. Then I had another one a few weeks later that was lasting over a week until I realized I was NOT getting in the correct amount of protein a day. I suspected this was the problem and so I corrected it and immediately started losing regularly again and still have been. So, instead of getting in around 400-600 cals a day and 30-40 grams of protein, I made an effort to get the correct amount of 60-70 grams of protein and also bumped up my cals to around 600-800 a day and that did the trick. Maybe this is your issue too?

I totally agree, it's the shape/size of the sleeve that allows it to slip up through the opening in the diaphragm. My surgeon said more than half of my sleeve had slipped up into the thoracic cavity. No wonder I could hardly eat, had pain when I did, and would vomit more times than not! I had my HH repaired a month ago, and it's been slow going since then. I am still trying to find foods that are comfortable when I eat. Mostly I'm still on full soft foods, as it just plain hurts when I try to eat meats, fresh fruit/veggies, etc. I saw the surgeon last week and she said to keep working at it, keep up with the mindful eating, and to add a 2nd protein shake to my daily intake. I was surprised to find that recovery from the HH surgery is VERY much like it was post-sleeve, eating-wise, and maybe even more challenging. I've lost 8 pounds in the month since the HH surgery. I am pleased about that, but it's due to not being able to eat much at once. I really don't care about eating, going out to dinner, etc., at all anymore. Probably good, maybe I'll hit that VGS goal weight after all!

I am down 90 pounds from my highest weight, and my "bat wings" are awful. I can't buy tops that fit because they are so big. I went to see a plastic surgeon and I do not have the money to pay for brachioplasty. I have had dreams about cutting them off myself. I get so depressed that I just want to put the weight back on because I feel like my arms looked better fuller. I am a high school English teacher and I do everything I can think of to keep from writing on the board because I don't want my students to see my arms flapping around.

Thank you for letting me know… did your nutrition tell you to be on a keto diet for a year after surgery. I just made up my own food selection. I better look at the paperwork… I don’t want to gain anything back.

I too got pregnant 4 months post op, so nerve racking… everything seems to be normal so far, but I keep losing weight and am concerned my baby isn’t getting enough nutrients. Surely you’ve had the baby by now? How did everything go?

Hi all, I had the gastric sleeve surgery done in December and found out I was pregnant in May. I know it was advised to wait 12-18 months before getting pregnant, but I had a slip up. It’s all good news to me seeing as I never thought pregnancy would be possible at all for myself. I think like all first timers I am nervous about many things, my surgeon called me to reassure me that while it’s not ideal he is sure everything is going to be fine. I’ve lost nearly 85 pounds, but this week gained 2. Anyways, I was wondering if there are any other sleevers who have gotten pregnant and if they could tell me what their experience was like, during pregnancy and after. Will the weight come off just as easy after the baby is born?

My 15 year old neighbor had sleeve surgery after years of therapy, "fat camps" and depression. Three months after surgery and a pretty significant weight loss, I actually saw her smile for the first time! She began walking, working out and would actually engage in lengthy conversations. Fast forward 5 years...…she's in college, enjoys hiking, is in a serious relationships and looks wonderful. Her parents had to go through a lot of family counseling and do a lot of research to find a surgeon who performed bariatric procedures on children. But they knew it was in the best interest of their child to set her up for a healthy adult life. So in answer to your question, you should have the surgery when you are mentally ready to commit to a healthy future. Sleeve surgery only works in the long term if you make the necessary life style changes in that first year after surgery. If not, the weight gain will put you right back where you are now. So I would suggest that age isn't as important as attitude. Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Absolutely worth it for me. My only regret (and you’ll hear this here often) is not doing this sooner. My highest known weight was 286. Today I’m 140.2. My life has changed so much for the better. I’m happy, healthy, and fit. Off all meds and my CPAP. I can hike, bike, kayak, dance with no pain. I can go on any ride at an amusement park, fit comfortably in airplane seats, and walk in to any store and buy clothes that fit and are in style. I had very little post op pain, and progressed my diet as expected. I can now eat anything, but in much smaller quantities. I’d say I follow the 80/20 rule, probably more like 90/10 of mostly healthy foods that I love with the occasional treats. Best of luck to you as you make your decision!

Having questions & concerns before surgery is very common. It is frustrating though when your surgeon &/or medical team don’t prepare you about what happens after or what could happen. So in answer to the things you’re second guessing: (sorry long response) Most pain post surgery is gone in 4-5 days & a lot of that is gas pain from when they inflate your abdomen to visualise the surgical field. Yes, there may be some foods you can’t tolerate especially in the first couple of months after surgery. Some occurs because your sense of taste &/or smell temporarily changes & some foods taste or smell terrible. Your tummy can also be pretty sensitive. Something you eat one day without issue can cause side effects (diarrhoea, nausea, foamier, discomfort, etc.) tomorrow. Just drop that food for a week or two then try again. Most people can eat anything but do so carefully & watch portion sizes. Honestly, I do still have issues with potatoes, pasta, bread & rice - they sit heavily in my tummy - no loss there though. Char grilled foods are too dry for me & oily fish or fatty foods also are a no go but they were before surgery - stirred up my too acid tummy. Again no loss. I used to have a large glass of wine every night sometimes followed by a scotch. When I was losing I’d have a glass about once a month but I’d nurse it for hours. Now I still only have a drink about once a month. I don’t really miss it & I don’t enjoy it as much. At a lower weight, the alcohol may hit you more quickly & you will register a higher blood alcohol content. Also addiction swapping is real. Swapping your food addiction for alcohol, or something else is something to be aware of. Gerd is a possible side effect of sleeve surgery. I had some reflux before surgery I still have it now - it manifests differently though but is easily managed with medication. Many obese people already have or develop gerd or gerd symptoms like heartburn anyway due to poor diet &/or excessive eating. My surgeon allows me to have the odd nsaid - once a month or two. Regular use of nsaids can cause inflammation of the stomach. Post surgery we gave a much smaller stomach so the damage to our tummy lining caused by the nsaids is amplified. Gallstones form as a result of high cholesterol, losing large amounts of weight, menopause or having high bilirubin levels. I had my gall removed 2 months ago. I had one stone which could have formed because of the weight loss, menopause or from my high bilirubin levels. My cholesterol was always ok. Many obese people have high cholesterol so would already have or would form gall stones at some time anyway. Many obese people already have or would develop hernias because of the weight they’re carrying putting stress in their bodies. Many have their gall removed &/or hernias repaired during their weight loss surgery. Some didn’t even realise they had the problems before all the pre surgery medical tests. The shock of the surgery & reduced diet causes your natural hair loss cycle to accelerate. (It happens after many surgeries, pregnancy, menopause, periods of excessive stress, etc.) Your natural regrowth cycle is unchanged so new hair is regrowing as you’re losing more quickly. The hair loss tends to slow to normal rates after 3 or 4 months. I cut my hair shorter so the new growth would reach full length more quickly. You can’t stop it or slow it. It will happen in its own time (those who claim supplements & treatments helped have no idea because they don’t know when their hair would have stopped shedding anyway). You wouldn’t know almost half my hair fell out now - it’s as thick & as healthy as it was before. Yes, some people do experience complications or take longer to get through the initial side effects. But all surgeries have the potential for complications. Sleeve surgery is pretty low risk in comparison. I guess, in summary most of your concerns are temporary, short term side effects or are things you may have developed anyway if you didn’t lose your weight. Is the surgery worth it? Yes! Yes! Hell yes! I didn’t have any comorbidities before surgery but they were very close by now there’s an extremely low to no chance of ever developing them. The balls of my feet used to ache & my stamina wasn’t great. Feet are pain free & stamina is improved. The oddest thing is now I sometimes have difficulty finding clothes to fit me because I’m too small. 😆 Rather have that problem then being too big to find nice clothes. Good luck whatever you chose to do.

Stalls happen. We do say the first one happens at week three but it can be before week 3 or after. They can last one to three weeks. They do pass & you don’t have to do anything different. Your body just needs a break from all the changes - your body has shut the door & said nope, no more, I’m not moving & am just staying here for a while. You’ll also likely experience a couple of stalls along the way. We all lose at our own rate. Some fast, some slow. There are many factors at influence that rate: age, gender, starting weight, genetics, weight loss history… You’ve lost 26lbs - that’s great. Stick to what your doing. You’ll reach your goal.

Try some electrolyte drinks. I found the added energy boost got me through. I had poor concentration too - my head was very doughy some days but that was complicated by my low blood pressure. Are there specific foods that make you feel unwell or is it basically everything? Your tummy can be fussy for a while & something you eat today without an issue can make you unwell the next. It will pass. Are you eating slowly? I know that can be hard at work but it is important so as not to put pressure on your tummy. You may need to eat a little more especially as a tall, very active male. Have a chat with your nutritionalist & surgeon. Periods of not losing weight, stalls, are common we say the first one happens at three weeks but it can be earlier or later & they can persist for one to three weeks.

Starting to have doubts about having surgery is not uncommon. I had mine when I was almost 54 so a bit younger than you - lol!! My weight was ok (bounced 60 - 75kg) but when I became perimenopausal I gained another 15kg - no change of diet or activity & couldn’t lose a pound of it. I didn’t have any comorbidities but they likely would have begun any day. That’s the thing about carrying excess weight, your body can manage for a while but at some point, it becomes too strenuous & too much for your body to manage. Aches, pains, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnoea, etc. will develop. Some things can be reversed by losing weight but some things will linger or have damaged/weakened organs & you still will have to monitor them. Yes, some people develop gerd after sleeve surgery but a lot of obese people develop it too because of overeating & poor food choices. Same with gall stones. Gall stones can form as a result of high cholesterol, menopause, high bilirubin levels & after losing a lot of weight. Even if your cholesterol is ok now who knows what it will be like in the future. Being obese, or riding the weight loss & gain roller coaster, you’ll likely develop gall stones & need to have your gall bladder removed. So these things could happen even without having the surgery. You said you’ve lost weight in the past. We’ve all lost weight in the past but we’ve also gained it back & more. What makes the surgery successful is doing the head work & making permanent changes to what, why, how & when we eat. We never did that in the past. We changed our diet to lose weight but then went back to eating as we did to gain the weight in the first place. Just some things for you to consider. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Well, I can help you with some of that. Though everyone is different there isn't usually pain for upwards of a month. I am 2 weeks post op and doing pretty much everything I normally due and even sleep on my stomach. Unless you have GERD or already have reflux most people don't just experience heartburn unless they do something to cause it and most Drs. will prescribe an acid reducer for at least the first month. Now, the food part I would suggest seeking some therapy if that is a major concern to you. You have to make the decision if changing your eating habits, hair loss (which may or may not happen and if it does hair grows back) NSAIDs etc. if all of those things outweigh the desire to lose weight and be healthy then the surgery is not for you. But, right now it seems you are dwelling on a lot of possibilities that might not even occur.

I would say for you don't commit to the surgery YET. I wish I would have done something about my weight sooner. However I think I did surgery at the right time. I had to work out the emotional issues I had and process childhood abuse first to understand why I ate. I didn't do that until I was past 30. Once I did that I was in a better space to get surgery. What I wish I would have done way sooner would have been sought therapy and worked with a dietitian back when my weight was still lower. If you haven't done other serious interventions to lose weight, then maybe surgery is right.

That's about what I lost the first month. My surgeon told me that people either lose incredibly quickly and their weight loss slows after about 6 months or stops, or they're slow and steady and they will lose up to 18 months or 2 years after surgery. People are one way or the other and you can't really control it by eating or exercise that's just how it goes.

That is ridiculous and unrealistic! The average expected weight loss is 2-4 lbs a week.

I am so sorry this happened to you. My mother has this thing about fat people being disgusting and my daughter and I were just discussing today that we think she has an ED. I have body dysmorphia because if her calling me fat, black and ugly most of my childhood (she also has issues with colorism) so I know exactly the struggle. This is not a question you asked but I am going to suggest that in addition to food therapy you seek out mental health therapy to help with the horrible history you have had. It is also very important to have a support group, for me that has been my kids, a close friend of mine and online support groups like this one. Now to answer your question: I was banded for over 13 years during that time I learned the difference in feeling full and satisfied. I learned how to eat slowly and chew thoroughly, I learned that I don't have to eat all of the cake right now there will be other days for cake, I lost my love of bread and soda and if I do have a craving for it I learned to have it in moderation and quit. I have the tools it is just up to me to use them. So, if I have all of this knowledge why did I need a revision? Because after I lost my band I went hog wild and tried to eat all of the things that I THOUGHT I was missing, however, I was still unconsciously eating the way I described above but was making poor food choices too often. Without the band I gained about 42 pounds BUT I maintained that same weight for 5 years. In summary, I have the knowledge, the tool and I am mentally ready to keep the weight off for good. Thank you for joining my Ted Talk.

At a starting weight of 216lb your weight loss is going to be lower and slower than someone whose starting weight was much higher. What is your height? Are you exercising? What exercise are you doing? How many calories are you consuming a day now? How much protein do you eat daily? Carbs? Do you drink alcohol? Do you do a lot of incidental activity? Getting plenty of fluids? All this (and others) factor into your weight loss patterns, we are all different and lose weight differently. If you are able answer these though, I am sure you will get some very helpful suggestions regarding weight loss. Has your dietician or surgeon made any suggestions for you?

I had surgery May 04, 2021. I am 10 weeks out and have not lost a lb in several weeks and am only 26 lbs down total. I started at 216 and I was a very restrictive eater before surgery had been for years. Never ate over 1500 calories a day. Very insulin resistant. Any one else have this type of issue? Did I waste my money even doing this? I just feel defeated at the moment watching everyone else have success.

I haven’t gotten rid of anything yet. I’ve lost about 85 pounds so far. I did move some of them from my closet to the basement though! I bought new tops and a few new shorts to get me through summer. I will need new jeans for sure but I probably won’t consider buying a pair until it starts to get cool mid-sept where I live. I haven’t accepted I lost weight yet. It’s been almost 11 weeks since surgery and I really needed new sizes just 4 weeks ago.

Hi! I’m new to the forum but looking for words of encouragement from other people who might be going through what I am. I had gastric bypass surgery in 2004. Lost over 100 pounds for about a minute. Started going to eating disorder therapy to try and see why I had such an unhealthy relationship with food. My weight finally settled at 200-210lbs but of course I was never satisfied. Finally after having a complication after a shoulder replacement in July 2019 and then Covid hit, I am the heaviest I have ever been after surgery, 267. I have to almost starve myself to lose weight now. I feel defeated and know that revision is the best option for me now. I don’t want to waste another year of my life! So I keep asking myself, why will this time be different? Growing up and as a young adult, my father said that god put me in his life so he could have tolerance for fat people. My grandpa would ask me at a huge family dinner why I couldn’t be skinny like my friends and my grandma asked me why I I didn’t want to be model thin after giving me an entire bundt cake (I lived alone) to take home. As you can see I have not had the greatest support but also all of them have since passed away. I feel like this time I’m doing it for myself but am I just trying to convince myself? Let me know why YOU think it will or was different for YOU? Thanks for reading my very raw story.