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My doctors have always had me remove my shoes, belts, jackets & even my skirt at weigh-ins to get the most accurate reading without me stripping down to my underwear. If I had tried to increase my weight through trickery, I would have been caught. If you do & you’re discovered it could affect your approval process. Best advice is to be honest about all aspects of your weight loss journey.

Yes, you can take capsules after your sleeve surgery though you may have trouble swallowing them for a couple of day because of internal post surgical swelling. Generally we’re told we can’t take nsaids again after surgery. However, my surgeon allows me to take them because I rarely do - one less than once a month. Prolonged use of nsaids can cause inflammation of the stomach lining with side effects including nausea, diarrhoea, stomach ulcers & internal bleeding. Because we have a much smaller tummy the risk of side effects are increased which is why we’re told to avoid them. If your inflammation is aggravated by your weight, your weight loss may reduce your need for the anti inflammatories - fingers crossed. The other issue to consider is that some meds are absorbed in your tummy. Because we have a smaller tummy, the meds may not be fully absorbed. You will need to go through all your meds with your surgeon & prescribing doctors to see what meds you will still be able to take & to find alternatives for those you can’t. There are lots of people on this forum who take meds for similar reasons as you. They may be able to suggest some alternatives that are working for them you could discuss with your doctors.

Hi, I recently discovered some tips on weight loss and you may wish to have a look at it. https://shrinke.me/N6NUU

if you are following your program to a "T", the weight WILL come off, whether fast or slow. I was a slow-loser from the get-go and ended up losing over 200 lbs. I was super committed though - almost never went off my program for the first year.

My doctor is one of the strictest I’ve heard about. I haven’t been allowed anything but protein shakes and water for 2 weeks pre-op and 2 weeks post-op. It has been worth it to see my weight come off. I had surgery July 1 and have lost 15 lbs since (33 lbs total). I’m glad he’s so rigid because I haven’t had to guess at what kind of food or shakes to get. He even told me the brand names. Any sign of non compliance and I was out of the program. My 10 day follow-up was today (since 10 days was over the weekend). He told me I’m doing better and lost more than expected. I get to start on cottage cheese, eggs, and yogurt this Friday. All of this to say I highly recommend you following EXACTLY what the doctor says. It’s not the first time for them. They know what works. Don’t sabotage yourself before you even get started!! Good luck and best wishes

Anybody else getting cold feet? I was not loosing weight anymore on the pre-op plan because I was thinking about how loosing all this weight is making me go through peri-menopause again. (I had it bad with arthritis aches, sweating, migraines, and moodiness.). I was thinking that I’m paying and working hard to go through it again. Then I had an asthma attack and couldn’t sleep for three nights in a row. Finally my epiphany happened and I remembered that the terrible asthma is why I want to be healthy. The pre-op plan reduces inflammation and helps keep asthma away! Peri-menopause is temporarily, I want to see my son grow up. I’m back on track. What is keeping you on track?

I've had the band for over 10 years... I was cheating on the first one and had to have it emergency removed. I went from 350 down to 180; got it removed and was back up to 300 in no time (I was being really good too! I swear) Then I got a new one that is more forgiving and went from 300 down to 230 which is my current weight. I love that its pretty simple and I'm never hungry and have to remember to eat! Anyone feel free to reach out to me with any questions etc.. I'd love to talk to other banders about how/what they are able to eat and stuff.

I ended up finding the list of TR Surgeons & got in to one. I actually went today for a TINY fill. TINY. Since I can eat bread I am over the happy place. Mine is self pay but I'm thinking I won't have a ton of times to go in. The Dr I saw seemed very big into nutrition. I think I really need to work on that aspect alot. We shall see. But highly likely due to my Lap Band being in place it's kept me from really gaining too too much. TYSM y'all!

Yes, I really only paid the deposit for surgery of 1,000, doctor co-pay, and the psych exam and nutritionist which was around $400. It depends on the exact policy, and what your out of pocket max is, etc. But the whole bill was around 50,000 which is ridiculous. Hoops were 6 months of NUT appointments, psych exam, and no gaining.

I am 2 weeks post op and haven't lost any weight yet. I lost 23lbs pre-surgery so I'm trying not to be discouraged but it's tough! I'm struggling with being hungry, tired, and grouchy. I know the hunger is mostly in my head. But I'm always tired and I'm not sure if my meds that had been previously working for my mental health are not working anymore or if it's just all the changes or all of the above. The lack of weightloss has been really hard to deal with. I know it's not going to just melt off but even 1 or 2 pounds in 2 weeks would have made it feel like this wasn't a mistake. If this is the dreaded "3 weeks stall" how do I get passed it? How long does it last? I'm desperate for a ray of sunshine right now.

The first few weeks can be such a challenge and you've received many great ideas from comments here. I found that I worked through the stages of grief during my immediate post-op surgery experience. A loss of my "normal" life and a loss of the food that I thought that I needed. Working with yourself either with a bariatric therapist would be very helpful as someone previously suggested. I didn't have one when I first received my surgery, but my Mom was my rock through those initial processes. Perhaps you also have someone in your support group who can empathize, listen, and assist you during this time. I remember those feelings of longing and the thoughts of "why did I do this??" but it does get better! The cravings have never left me, but I have learned how to enjoy so much more out of my life that while sometimes I may have a bite or more than I initially thought the life that I have after losing the weight is so much better than I could have imagined. You CAN do this! Your body is still healing from surgery so give yourself some grace and kindness as you work through healing, all of your emotions, and dealing with an eating disorder that drove you to your pre-surgery weight. One day at a time and suddenly you will have made it a week, a month, months, and a year. The journey doesn't end...just shifts. Best wishes to you!

First, congratulations on the 25lbs! Great start toward your goal! One thing that has, in the past, always helped me kick start a weight loss is to add in (or increase) resistance training. Whether you are doing body weight exercises, lifting weights, or something else, anything you can do to increase your lean muscle mass will help with losing weight, because muscle burns more calories. You might try changing your cardio too--add intervals of increased speed, jog a little if possible, bike, swim, do an exercise class. Our bodies get used to certain activities and can adapt to the pressures of those activities so it doesn't have to burn as many calories to do them. Change things up a bit and it can start shifting weight too.

So I finally got a new scale and my weight is higher than I thought. I'm 10 weeks post op and I've lost 25 pounds. And I don't think I've lost anything in a month or more. Starting weight was 316 on day of surgery. I'm bouncing between 292 and 288. Is this normal? What am I doing wrong? I'm only walking at the moment for exercise. I'm between 800 and 1000 calories daily. How is my body holding onto it's excess at such a calorie deficit??? Sent from my moto g play (2021) using BariatricPal mobile app

YAY!!! I'm 5'1" also - I started at 250 pounds and my current weight is about 122. I can relate to everything you've said! I'm really happy for you, enjoy the fruits of your success. There's a (smaller but real) learning curve to successful maintenance too, but I'm sure you've got this and this forum is here to provide all the advice you could ask for! Congratulations.

I’m so sorry you’re feeling alone! I completely understand how you feel. I decided not to share my decision for surgery with anyone but my husband so I didn’t have any other support except for people on this website. Just know we are all here for you and you will get to know people. I know it’s not the same as having face-to-face communication but chatting with people on here was so helpful for me. I had surgery February 9 of this year so I’m only 5 months out. I still have questions about things sometimes. You should feel proud of yourself for taking all this on on your own! You can do this! Just think how great you’ll feel a few months from now with your weight decreasing. The surgery recovery wasn’t too bad for me. I was up and about at home the day after I was released from the hospital. I only spent one night there. The nurses will give you all the help you need while you are there and your doctor and dietitian will be there for you anytime after. You won’t be alone! Hang in there!!!💕

Congratulations! You look wonderful! I can’t wait until I hit my goal weight. I have about 30 lbs to go! I’ve lost 75 so far.

I've lost much more than expected, but it has not been fast weight loss. A couple pounds a month for the past 6 months (more in the beginning months after surgery). My surgeon was very please with my overall weight loss when I saw him at 8 months post-op. The revision has been very, very different from sleeve surgery. I'm hoping that the slower weight loss will result in long term success.

What you will have to do will vary based on surgery center, insurance, and starting BMI, as well as any co-morbidities. I started in January with a BMI of almost 50 and no co-morbidities, so I have been trying to lose weight, although now that I have had to wait so long (insurance required 4 months of monthly nutrition classes, and now there are delays due to staffing issues and backlogs due to COVID), I've lost 42 Lbs and my BMI is getting to the point where I'll have to stop losing weight. However, I don't have to have EGD or EKG or sleep study. I did have to meet with the psychologist and nutritionist a few times and have their sign-off.

If you’re worried about weighing enough to qualify, wear a pair of ankle weights. I wore a 5 lb pair to my initial consultation because I was barely at a 40 BMI and wanted to make sure my insurance would cover it.

So sorry that you are feeling alone. It is tough--when I was pre-surgery I felt the same at times. People say they will support you, but all that amounted to was them just not disagreeing with me on the choice to have surgery. Family still thought it was a good idea to get together for dinners. I had to sit there with my bowl of protein added soup while they chowed down on real food. And then my sister insisted upon celebrating her birthday with a very special cake. I hated it. Today, I don't eat with my family. I prepare my own food and eat by myself. I really don't care what is going on around me. I refuse to have family meals because I have invested over $14K in this and I don't want to mess it up. So I have been stubborn. And I am losing weight. So no one calls me a party pooper or holds it against me--they are all amazed at how successful I have been and I take full credit!! When everyone else eats I am doing something else--reading, watching TV, laundry--what ever. If you are nervous about surgery--Here's the thing: I found my nurses and all the medical staff at the hospital to be AMAZING. So once you are there, you should be in good hands. Walking aids in healing--so force yourself to try to get up and pace the halls a bit. I found a good routine: Sleep, pee, walk, back to bed, meds--then started it all over again. Follow docs orders and you should do fine. Keep visiting the forum. There are some wonderful people on here that can answer questions and tell you that you are awesome. You are brave and YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! It does seem a little overwhelming to get prepared with all the vitamins & shakes & supplies. I am making a schedule for all the vitamins and meds today since some need time between them. Hopefully, it will all become routine. Not eating & drinking together may be one of the hardest things for me to get used to after surgery, giving up soda will be difficult, too, but I think that is easier than not drinking with a meal. I especially love my coffee with my breakfast! But I know it will be worth it to lose the weight!

You are doing great!!!! Keep following doctors orders. You will notice, like others have said, that food consistency does affect how you feel restriction. It is good that you are measuring things. I have found that I don't always feel the restriction--but I stop at half a cup of food regardless. I am on my 8th week from surgery. One time while preparing dinner (canned chicken with black beans and guac) I ate a spoonfull of guac first--I couldn't finish dinner. The guac sort of sat there and didn't allow me to eat more. However, with my 1/2 cup rule, I am able to get my protein in and lose weight. You will find with time that you will get more confident and doubt less as you prepare and eat meals. Again, just keep following what your doctors and nutritionists say and you will be successful and you will take pride in that success!

Well done. You look wonderful, but you know what is best of all, is that smile in your after photo. It's great to see the weight loss/body changes but it's the smile/change in attitude that I love to see in the after photos. Congratulations!

Hey all, This is my first time posting. Its just my husband that knows about my surgery but I wanna share it with you all because today I've reached my target weight[emoji1][emoji126] Im 7 months post op. I'm 5ft1 and weighted 15 stone before gastric bypass surgery and now today I've reached the 9 stone mark. Getting surgery was the best decision I could of ever made but the hardest thing I've ever done also. I travelled to nord bariatric clinic from Ireland to Lithuania in Dec 2020 solo. I was scared, ashamed nervous and so so miserable. I missed my kids and my husband so much for the time I was away it was scary being alone doing this but I knew I had to do this for me and for them. The first few months are a learning curve post op but honestly things get easier and you adjust. I still enjoy nice food and drink but know my limit. Having surgery has allowed me to feel like me again I feel the head demons are gone and I just feel free. Here are some before and after photos . Best of luck everyone with your journey. Its so worth it Sent from my SM-G781B using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello everyone, I'm Emma and I have been waiting for bariatric surgery for a long time now. I was discharged in 2019 because I was at another hospital appointment and told I would have to wait 6 months before my dr could re refer me back to Homerton hospital, I would have to start again from the beginning and then covid happened. I eventually received my new appointment for May 19th which was cancelled due to too many people in the clinic. It was rearranged for 28th May. Only to be cancelled on the day, I get refered back to gp because they asked for my weight and BP. I then had to re refer myself back to Homerton hospital, my appointment was for August so I called up for cancellations regularly and finally I had 1 for July. I still had to wait weeks but finally that day is here 12 July my appointment is today and because its a telephone appointment I really do not know what to expect. I realised both the appointment in May and this appointment mentioned different departments. May appointment said Pre-Operative surgery appointment, where this July one just says telephone appointment outpatients 2. I have now also received another appointment letter to attend the hospital in September which I find a bit strange as I have not had the 1st appointment yet. I have been trying to have this surgery for the last five years and everytime I feel like I'm close to having it, it seems to not happen. I am so mentally prepared and focused to what I need to do to make this a success. I need this surgery for a better quality of life, thats all I'm trying to do. Gain a healthy lifestyle and hopefully extend my life and avoid extra health problems. I need this surgery so I can have a operation on my leg, I have mobility issues which makes it hard with weight loss, I have missed out on so much being pretty much home bound and all I want is this tool to help aid me in my journey as I have tried so much over the years. I just wished they wouldn't make me have to start all again, because what about all the hard effort I have already put in? Giving fact I was at a hospital appointment at the time and how badly I need this surgery, I feel it was really unfair to refer me back to my gp since I was at another hospital appointment. I'm just over ready to get this journey started, I feel like how long will the wait be this time? I really told myself not to feel like that, but i guess as the appointment approaches, I just really wish I could show them how dedicated,focused and determined i am for this. In my mind I'm ready to start my liver shrinking diet and head for surgery but in reality I now have to wait for the 1st appointment where you do there (probably Septembers appointment) then its what tests and checks they will want me have from then. Its just a shame its taking me this long to start my journey. Sent from my SM-N770F using BariatricPal mobile app