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About a year after surgery my hunger returned with a vengeance. I gained 8lbs and started back on Metformin 2xa day 500mg and my weight stabilized and I lost my appetite. I’ve maintained about 199-204 for a year now. I highly recommend recommend it.

You may need to be fitted for a new CPAP mask as your face will be smaller & a different shape. In time as you lose more, you may not even need to use a CPAP machine - wouldn’t that be wonderful! Congrats on your weight loss.

I am still within 10lbs of my goal, but I've gained 25 lbs during this COVID fiasco. I'm convinced it's all wine calories from the lock downs! I maintained under my goal weight for 3 years and now here I am... creeping. So - getting back at it. I'm paranoid, no correction... terrified of regain. You can see the first pic shows where I am today and the second shows where I was two years ago. People around me are "fish toshing" me, but this is where it starts. This is where you have to get a grip and get on track. It only gets worse from here if you don't. So - I'm gonna get back to it... NOW. Any suggestions for "getting back to basics?" I do well with plans.

Today was a bit easier for the pre-op diet. I'm taking a course online and that has kept me busy and my mind off the fact that I can't eat anything. There was a very brief moment when I thought about the fact that if I can stay on this diet, why get the surgery. Yes. That passed quickly because I know I wouldn't be able to maintain this forever. No diet has ever helped me keep any weight off. My husband is being supportive. He's making soup and eating his dinner (I'm sure it's Popeyes) before he gets home. I'm trying to stay focused on the fact that I'll be able to tie my shoes and breathe at the same time. That at some point everything in my closet might fit me. That I might actually experience a time when I'm not embarrassed of my weight. Today I got my "SouperCubes" in the mail.

UPDATE: I'm almost afraid to post this because I don't want to jinx myself. LOL But, last week I had mentioned in several threads about how I thought my lack of the proper amount of protein may be stalling me more than I should be. I had mentioned how I was getting in like HALF of what I should be a day. So all last week I made a conscience effort to make sure I got 60-70 grams in a day, at least. Well, on July 5th I weighed 275. Today I weight in at 270.3!! So I'm HOPING that WAS my issue and that I continue to lose. I was pretty shocked and happy about the results. Fingers crossed!! LOL

How are you feeling now? I also had my surgery on June 14th 21. And boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more! I'm just now feeling like a normal human being again. With that said though, I actually have had a a few days here n there where I was so super weak and shakey. But as in pain I'm much much better than I was those first 2 or even 3 weeks. I just cried n cried alot. I also didn't have a good support system whatsoever either though so I was going through alot besides having major surgery. I think I'm weak and shakey bc I'm not getting in my fluids and protein like I should be. How much have you lost? I actually have only lost 14 lbs! And I'm very concerned about that! [emoji53] I don't mind being a slow loser but I'm terrified like I'd be the one in a million who just DOESN'T lose the weight lol I am also not very active like I was trying to be before. I thi k I'm just being down n depressed and giving up already:( but hopefully it's a just a stage I'm in and will snap outta it soon. I hope your feeling better!! Let me know:) take care!! Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Mostly my age. I'm almost 40 and weight loss doesn't get any easier the older you get. After 20 years of yo-yo dieting and doing literally every single diet, workout, fad, supplement under the sun, my metabolism is completely shot. I've lost and regained the same 10-20 pounds for over a decade now. It's time to make a serious change. All my older family members are overweight/obese and sickly, and if I don't get it together now, I will be in the same boat 10-20 years from now (if I live that long).

I do not have BPD or an ED, but I do have severe depression and GAD which have played a HUGE role in my weight issues. Personally, I did 18 months of therapy (and meds) before I considered WLS. I have been 10)% honest with my PCP, therapist, the surgeon, and my husband so that I have the support and accountability I need. I knew I needed to get my head right and deal with some of the things that caused me to have such a disordered view of food and my body, before I could do anything else. I think there are a couple of things at play here: 1) the Dr. wants to make sure you are stable and responding well to your new treatment because WLS is a major life changing event. If your mental health is not at its best, you risk some serious issues. Its so, so important that your heart and mind be ready for surgery or it could very negatively impact your mental health long term. 2) I would guess that he's wondering if having your BPD treated might change the outcome of your weight loss efforts. You've never tried to lose weight with controlled BPD before now; it was undiagnosed and therefore no telling how it impacted your weight loss. As you said, you've had success before regain, but it sounds like some of the patterns you experienced may have resulted from the untreated BPD. You might find that with your new treatment regimen, its easier to lose weight at a healthy, manageable pace and that WLS is no longer needed. Or conversely, you may find that it makes no difference and confirms that WLS is the right next step. And 3) I'm sure he wants to make sure that there is no unaddressed underlying ED at play. Many folks who seek WLS do have EDs or have had them in the past; you're absolutely right that its not uncommon, although not always the case. That being said, someone in the throws of an ACTIVE ED who is not receiving treatment and in recovery, should not be considered for WLS. This goes back to #1 - your head has to be in the right place before going through with such a major event. I know it may feel like he was targeting or stereotyping based on your BPD, but I think he just wants to make sure you are set up for success. WLS is a big deal and it wouldn't be healthy for your body or mind to do it without informed consent and the pre-work needed to get you truly ready. If you feel like this is what you want and is the right step, then stay the course. Do the diet stuff, keep taking your meds, go to therapy, and it will happen in due time. You've got this!

Yeah, that makes sense. I suppose I was just taken back as I feel like I've made good progress with my mental health and have internalized getting better. I am already working with a psychiatrist and counselor too. I totally agree that the eating disorder needs to be controlled before surgery too. I'm going to keep working at it, even before my dietician visits in August. I have already lost 5 lbs (not much, albeit a change from gaining) since really trying to get a grip on my mental health. Thanks for sharing your experience and wishing you the best! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have bipolar disorder and the surgery center's psychologist is requiring that my psychiatrist speak to her to ensure that my bipolar disorder is "stable" before I have surgery. Obviously, I will still have bipolar disorder and still be on meds. I also have done some restrictive eating and a small amount of over exercising/vomiting in the past, but it was more than two decades ago, so they didn't think it was an issue. I think the best thing for you would be to work with a therapist trained in eating disorders during this time while you are preparing to have surgery. You won't be "cured" of your disordered eating patterns but you could get them in better control - this means being aware of when your emotions are getting out of control and having better ideas than running to food to soothe yourself. I can't see your weight, but I will say that when I saw a therapist for weight issues, I didn't lose any weight at all in several months, so I don't think you have to worry about not qualifying for surgery because you lost weight from treating your eating disorders. I also think that if you don't treat your disordered eating, you will not be successful after surgery long term, based on what I've seen people here say.

I have had both Gastric sleeve 10/25/2018 and then later converted to a Roux-en-Y-Gastric Bypass with a hiatal hernia repair on 10/07/2020 per acid reflux issues so bad that it was damaging my throat My highest weight was 270 and with the sleeve I only managed to get down to 170. With the bypass I am currently at 150lbs. I feel so much better! The bypass took care of all the reflux issues and I have no issues with eating anything. I have less issues with food now then I did with the sleeve and I feel so much healthier. I have no dumping issues and can drink with no problems. I felt more restrictions honestly with the sleeve as everything hurt more. The extra weight loss is just a bonus!

Hey there. I wanted to just see what other people's experiences were with their consultation, especially those with either eating disorders or other mental health diagnoses. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have been on meds for about 2.5 months. My mental state has improved a lot and I have more cognitive ability to make good choices for myself. When I went in for my consultation for gastric bypass, I was incredibly candid with my doctor. I told him about how I've lost 70 lbs in the past by fasting and extreme workouts but sadly I gained it all back plus some because of the binge restricr cycle. I went on to talk about my rocky relationship with food and he stopped me short and asked me "has anyone ever told you that you have an eating disorder?" He then said that people with eating disorders can't have weight loss surgery and that I'd need to work out my problems before getting surgery. He's giving me 14 weeks to get my sh*t together so to speak but ultimately said it's up to me to get to a place where I've mended this relationship with food. I'll be on their diet plan during this period (have already started making conscious efforts and studying BED recovery on my own). So my question is this: when I told him about my struggles with my mental health and eating patterns he seemed to make it a point that if you have those issues, you don't qualify. While I understand that having untreated symptoms means you can't get surgery, I can't understand what being in control means if you have to still meet the BMI requirements? Besides wanting him to truly understand my history with food, don't most people going for weight loss surgery have moderate to severe disordered eating or mental health problems? Is he just testing me to see if I can show him I've worked on my problems? Or is it really that weird and rare that someone with mental health problems and a history with binge and restrict is going for a weight loss consultation? I thought thats what it's about? I know you stay on their diet plan and get used to that as kind of your new life but I can't understand what's "in control" enough to show the doctor I'm ready but still obese? If anyone wants to give me some advice and share their experiences telling their doc about their eating behavior and mental health struggles , I'm all ears. I can't stop thinking about it. I'm really working on self compassion and not trying to beat myself up. He made me feel that I'm not mentally healthy enough to even get help when I have been feeling stronger than ever with my new medication. Any insight and experience appreciated! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Dr. Cardenas is an excellent plastic surgeon and is quite well known in the bariatric community. Lots of bariatric patients have had her do their plastic surgery. That price for the two body surgeries is much lower than what I paid in Chicago. The facelift piece isn't any cheaper than what you'd pay stateside, though (although maybe less than California prices - I'm not sure). I actually went to a someone who specializes in facial plastic surgery for my face, though (for the body ones I went to someone who specializes in body contouring for massive weight loss patients) Dr. Francisco Sauceda in Monterrey also specializes in massive weight loss patients and a lot of us have used him. I don't know how his pricing is now - when I got an email quote from him, it was very reasonable (I think $16K for all the body stuff (I didn't ask about a facelift)) - but that was four or five years ago)

I’m 8 days post op and healing well. Had liquid stitches and most of them are almost completely peeled away. Not much pain at all unless I bend too far over but now it’s much easier to do. My husband told me he can tell I have lost weight. He can see it in my face. 😊 Since surgery I am down 12lbs in 8 days. Total lost since I started my approval for VGS is 34lbs. I’m a happy camper! Just wish I can move on to soft foods already. Getting tired of Protein Shakes and broth lol

Most doctors won't do lap band anymore because the results aren't very good - most people don't lose too much weight and many people have a lot of complications. A lot of people end up having to have them removed and getting it revised to sleeve or bypass. Is there a reason you really want lap band rather than sleeve or bypass?

I am still sticking to my plan - haven't weighed myself at all, in one week it'll be a month post op and I can! 🤞 good results 🤞 too much pressure alot of people are having on themselves, I still have the battery out of the scales. Im going to see if I need b12 shots from doc as I was told I might need a shot once a month, if thats the case I am going to throw out my scales COMPLETELY and get weighted at my GP once a month! I feel like that will take the pressure off?

I can’t speak for any surgeons outside the country but the one I used is Dr Kerr in Round Rock. I was very happy and I know he has exp w Bariatric weight loss patients.

Hello and welcome. The thread you have found is quite old, more than 10 years old, it is unlikely that any of those who posted in the thread are still around. Is lap band still popular in Italy? It's popularity has substantially reduced in some countries due to various medical issues some people have experienced with bands. Peope are having the bands removed and are having gastric bypasses or sleeves. Not everyone has issues, but it is something you may want to consider and you may want to ask the doctor how many of his patients have had the band removed in recent years and/or patients success rate in achieving weight loss long term. I don't know your current BMI, but have you considered a surgical option instead of a band?

Hi everyone, I’m in need of a lower body lift with bbl, breast lift with implants, back lift, and eventually a lower face lift. I’m so overwhelmed trying to find a surgeon or narrow my choices. I have had a consultation with Dra. Cardenas in TJ but I was a little surprised by the pricing. I was quoted 13,500 for lower, 13,000 for upper, and 12,500 for lower face lift. I live in CA, I’m not opposed to travel but I would like a few more quotes before I make my choice. Can anyone recommend a surgeon that specializes in after weight loss lower body lifts? Any feedback regarding Dra Cardenas?

We all can eat more as we progress. After surgery, I could only eat about 1/4 - 1/3 cup of food. At 12 months, I was eating a good cup depending upon what I was eating. Now at 26 months, I can eat about 3 or 4oz of meat & about a cup of vegetables. Do you weigh & track your food intake & calories? As @lizonaplane said, the type of food you are eating will influence how much you can eat - fluids do pass through much more quickly than a dense food like steak or chicken for example. I found asking myself if I really needed that next bite or did I just want it very helpful. I also tried to stop eating before I felt full. Because that full message takes time to register, by the time you feel full, you’ve likely eaten too much. Are you eating slowly? I take 30 - 60 minutes to eat a meal. To have stretched your tummy, you would have had to be eating large portions at every meal for some time. How much weight have you lost since your DS? As @Creekimp13 suggested, therapy may be helpful to support you examine your relationship with food & why you’re struggling to reach & maintain at a healthy weight.

Fluctuations are quite normal & not a signal you’re doing something wrong. They can be from constipation, fluid retention, slight change in diet or activity level,… The other night I was peeing every 30 minutes for hours & in the morning I was 2lbs lighter. It happens. Even though I weighed myself every day when I was losing, the downward trend on my weight loss graph over each week, then each month was more important.

It has been a long time since I posted on this forum. I was sleeved in October 2018 and immediately began suffering from reflux/GERD (which I did not have prior to sleeve). Fast-forward 2 1/2 years later, loads of PPI's, EGD's, barium swallows, scans, scopes and referrals, I was finally advised by a surgeon that my best option is to have revision of the sleeve to the bypass. I have a mid grade hiatal hernia and severe GERD. It's gratifying to finally get some answers and while I am looking forward to some relief, I am a bit anxious about the surgery. I relocated from Houston to Dallas, TX in May. I consulted with a new bariatric surgeon on May 26th. Once the ball got rolling, everything went pretty quickly. After thoroughly reviewing my previous surgery and medical records along with additional testing, she determined that in addition to the hernia and GERD, my original pouch from the VSG wasn't as small as it should have been! That explains why I had such slow and minimal weight loss. I lost about 40lbs total, and have regained 20lbs back since COVID. Has anyone had revision from VSG to RNY with hiatal hernia repair due to GERD? If so, has your GERD improved and how has the weight loss been?

I had gastric bypass on 5/7/2021. I began my weight loss journey in August 2020 when I attended my hospital’s bariatric seminar. My insurance required 6 months of diet before surgery approval. My fist dietitian appoint was mid-October 2020. Prior to this appointment I had very little motivation to lose weight. I was 280+ pounds (5’ 7.5”) and depressed. My ankles swelled every day, I had trouble moving, none of my clothes fit well and my wedding rings didn’t fit at all. I had gone off the rails. Between October and March 21’ I managed to lose 45 pounds. I attribute my success to my husband also taking charge of his health and being a great partner. My packet was submitted in March and approved 1 week later. My surgery was scheduled 7 weeks form the approval to my disappointment. It was a long 7 weeks! I didn’t gain or lose weight during my wait. I was officially 237 at my pre-op appointment. I managed to lose 10 pounds prior to surgery on the liver shrink diet. I was 227 the morning of surgery The surgery went fine. I had some nausea and dry heaving the first few hours. I was able to get water down but not much else. The drain really caused me trouble so it was removed 12 hours later. I ended up only staying 1 night in the hospital because I was determined to get released early. I walked all the time and really kept my RN on his toes. Thankfully the doctor agreed with me that I would recover better at home. The next evening I was discharged and could sleep in my own bed. I followed the diet exactly for nearly 8 weeks. I went on a cruise with my family and 95% ate to plan. I would have a taste of dessert but let me tell you I sure paid for it. Dumping is real and it affects me. I seem to dump if I eat too fast, too much, or an item too high in sugar (hello chai tea!). I learned many lessons that week I’m thankful for. The surgery did exactly what I needed it to do- deter me. I have had trouble with constipation. I am taking 3 colace per day and benefiber each morning. Seems to help but my body likes to hold onto waste. I might go back to miralax to help move things along. I’ve always had trouble in this area but now it’s more consistent. On Saturday I hit “onederland” and weighed 199. I never thought I would get here. I weigh myself each day and I am fluctuating between 198 and 199 this week. I have a heck of a lot more energy than I did a month ago. I am moving my body every day and using my elliptical at least 3 times a week. I have changed sizes! Last summer I wore a 20 and now I need a 12. It blows my mind. It’s hard to describe how I feel. I can see the change but I don’t believe it’s me. People I haven’t seen in a year take a look at me and their mouth drops and tell me they didn’t recognize me or make a comment like “omg you have lost so much weight!” In a way it feels good to be validated but at the same time I hate the attention. Honestly if I didn’t lose another pound I would be happy. I am under 200 and I feel/look great! I can move without pain and I have energy. Heck I mowed the yard today! I’ve had some negative comments too- mostly from my parents- “you’re starving yourself, don’t loose too much weight, and I think you’ve lost enough” It’s painful so I don’t speak with them much. I feel my weight loss has been slow but I remind myself how far I’ve come. 80+ pound weight loss is nothing to bat at! I’m doing a great job! I hope to be better and update this thread monthly! Thanks for reading.

10 pounds is actually really good so try not to get down on yourself. I've had near constant stalls along my journey while I've seen many people breeze their way to their goal with maybe 2 stalls. It gets frustrating and disheartening, so I fully understand how upsetting it is when you compare yourself to others. You're doing great and 10 pounds a month is nothing to be upset about. The first three months I lost in the double digits and then it was single digits for two months and then 10 pounds and then single digits through the rest of my journey. I recently got out of a 47 day stall (I lost 2 pounds on May 5th and then didn't lose anything until June 22nd where I lost two pounds, then lost another pound on July 6th and today July 13th I lost another 2 pounds) in which I was convinced the entire time that I'd hit maintenance and I was extremely sad that I hadn't met my goal weight, but my weight loss HAS still continued even if it moves at a crawl sometimes. Also, I don't exercise much at all due to my arthritis and two back injuries that make it next to impossible and yet, I'm only 1 pound from my goal weight! If I can get there, then I know you can to! So just try not to be so hard on yourself. You'll get there!

If you are gaining or unable to maintain a healthy weight...maybe it's time to address the reasons you overeat in a meaningful way. Therapy might not be a bad idea? Eventually, further surgeries will not be an option. Each new surgery increases your future medical risk. Wishing you the best.