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60 pounds in 6 months is not a slow loss. That is a decent amount of weight to lose in such a short time, especially depending on what your overall goal is and starting weight.

I had a therapist for 15 years who was great, but knew nothing about weight loss. He would always suggest I saw someone else about that, and it really frustrated me, because I was really attached to him (he's mostly retired, but I still call him sometimes). I tried to see someone else, but she was really into OA, and that's just not my jam. I'm not a religious or spiritual person and I don't believe in a "higher power". I saw a therapist for binge eating for a while but insurance decided binge eating isn't covered. I tried Better Help, but the person didn't have any weight loss related experience either. I think it's really hard. I'm sorry you had such a crap experience with that one therapist who thought it was fun to make a fat joke and didn't think regain is a thing. I asked the therapist from the surgery center and she said she could find someone to see me if I needed it after surgery. Did you try your surgery center? I hope you find someone. I don't personally like homework from therapy; I just like the supportive place to work out how I feel about things and test what I'm thinking.

I have not. My Dr. said my pre-surgery weight loss (30lbs) was good so he said I can do protein drinks with one small meal for three days prior to surgery. I plan on doing full liquid though just to help with my mind set. What about you? Im currently cleaning my house, figuring out meals for my family and trying to figure out what to take to the hospital with me.

For people who needed to lose a minimum of 100lbs AND were on depo provera pre & post op……: : Were you able to reach your weightloss goal of losing 100lbs+? ( Some ppl gain weight from depo.)

All of these tips and hints are really useful! Thank you everyone! I too did worry about surgery bag for hospital. But I’ve chosen a very large oversized night dress to wear for after surgery. Baggy pjs and baggy tshirt to travel home, I was planning on going bra-less for comfort. I too have all my shakes, Protein waters, Broth, ice lollies and jelly ready. also doing a deep clean of the house to keep me busy during pre op diet which is going ok so far. How much weight did everyone loose on average pre op? I lost about 7lbs in the first two days. But maintaining now, I hope it’s enough. good luck to everyone due in the next few days and I wish you all the best for the crew that have just comE out of surgery. we got this! 💪🏻

Hey everyone, I got the gastric sleeve three years ago and my road to recovery has been quite challenging. After three years, I am still having problems eating food or simply drinking water. I vomit constantly sometimes it's a bubbly liquid that comes up. I have lost more than 150lbs. I'm currently at the weight of 100lbs. I didn't want to get this small but it just happened because I am unable to eat food. I have tried the liquid diet. nothing will stay down. I have been severely dehydrated, I've suffered 15 days of constipation. I've had a hiatal hernia and two repairs. I have been t the emergency room 6 times in the last 3 years for severe cramping. I have had 3 upper GI scans and my esophagus has been stretched out before because it has shrunk. I have accumulated so much money in bills and no one seems to know what's going on. Does anybody know what's going on? I am so scared. I don't want to die.

I took a light weight cotton lounging dress to wear home. Nothing with a waist line that might interfere with the incisions. I also took tennis shoes with socks. My doctor did not want me wearing flip flops. He wanted me in good supportive shoes. Get up and walk as soon as you can after surgery. The walking helps a lot! Good luck!

UPDATE: Today was my 1 month check up with my surgeon (was really his PA). I'm actually at 7 weeks today but they had no other openings closer to my 1 month mark. Anyway, she said I was doing really. She told me that they enter my pre surgery weight and stuff into some program and it gives them guidelines to follow of where I should be with my weight. The following is the guidelines FOR ME and MY WEIGHT and MY PROGRAM. This may or may not be the same for you so take it, or not, for what it's worth. She said at....... 1 month out - my weight should fall between 286 & 293 3 months out - 263 & 277 6 months out - 232 & 255 9 months out - 217 & 245 At a year out they expect my weight to be between 201 and 234. Since my last weigh in was 275, I have already hit the mark for 3 months out even though I'm only at 7 weeks. So she said I was doing really well and ahead of the game. We also discussed my goal weight and she feels I'm being realistic with selecting 180 as my final goal. Although she reminded me I'd still be considered slightly overweight. But yeah, like she said, we can talk about that goal when the time comes. I asked her about being able to start using free weights and/or bands again and she told me no. That I have to wait until 3 months out. She said they only want me to concentrate on cardio for the first 3 months and that I should be getting in 150 min a week, minimum, of that. She said my heart rate should be elevated to the point that I am able to have a light conversation without being too out of breath while exercising. She said the weights and toning can come after 3 months. Bummer, cause I was really expecting to be able to start that again, but it is what it is. So yeah, that's about it. She said I was doing really well with food and whatnot. She did ask about my water intake and I was honest and told her I usually only get in one of my 36 ounce bottles now. Sometimes more. Not for any other reason than I'm not finding myself thirsty otherwise. She said that's fine and to maybe set reminders and to try and get at least 48 ounces in rather than the 64. She said 48 was totally acceptable. Anyway, that's my update!

This got way longer than I expected, so let me start with the TL;DR: If you have gotten counseling that has helped with your WLS success, can you please give me some tips for how to find a good therapist? And what I should be discussing with that therapist? I'm looking at you, @Creekimp13 and @catwoman7 (since you've both mentioned the importance of therapy in your long-term success), but I would love to hear from anyone who has gotten this kind of counseling... I've seen so many people say that therapy is really important for long-term success with WLS. I'm almost a year out and I've been struggling lately, and I've had a hard time finding a good therapist. I searched my insurance company's website for therapists who treat eating disorders. I reached out to a practice that had a few therapists who had eating disorders listed as one of their specialties, and they sent a very curt reply saying that they don't have anyone on staff who treats eating disorders. I called another practice and explained that I'm a WLS patient looking for counseling on food and eating issues, and they assured me they could help, but the therapist they assigned to me knew nothing about WLS. I had a few sessions with him and it was useless. I had to keep explaining basics about WLS (like food restrictions, dumping syndrome, not eating and drinking at the same time, loose skin -- which he thought would go away on its own if I exercise enough and when I explained that the only way to get rid of it is plastic surgery, he suggested I ask my bariatric surgeon to do it at my next follow-up). He didn't seem to understand my issues at all. In hindsight, I probably should have walked out of the first session. When I started telling him my WLS story and mentioned that my highest weight was 341 pounds, he interrupted me: "Sue?" I stopped and said, "Yes?" He replied, with a big smile on his face, "Sue, you were FAT!" and then busted out laughing, like it was cool to make fun of how fat I used to be just because I'm not that big anymore. When I told him I wanted to get counseling to address my food and eating issues to make sure I don't gain the weight back, he replied, "You won't gain the weight back. If I had a $100 bill right now, I would bet $100 that you won't gain the weight back," and then we never discussed regain again in the next 3 sessions. I think he was under the impression that regain was an irrational fear and he did his job by reassuring me that it's not going to happen. Then I found another practice that has a whole paragraph on its web site about the support they offer for bariatric patients both before and after surgery. I called to make an appointment and said that I had bariatric surgery last year and I was interested in the post-surgery counseling they described on their web site. The receptionist told me she needed my surgeon's office notes from my most recent visit, and was oddly insistent that the notes come directly from the surgeon's office and not from me downloading them from my electronic chart and sending them. I had to sign release paperwork for the surgeon's office, and when the counseling practice got it, they called me and said they were confused because my surgeon's notes said I already had the surgery so there was no need for me to get a pre-surgery evaluation. I guess they thought I was asking for a psych eval for surgery approval and couldn't understand why I would need counseling after I already had the surgery. I cited the paragraph on their web site and they sent me to a seemingly random therapist (probably the first one with an opening) who had no experience with WLS patients. She's better than the last guy, but the sessions have been pretty generic -- basically, she asks me how my week has been, I talk about things that happen (usually relating to WLS issues), and she asks me how I feel about it or how I handled it. Doesn't feel like I'm getting anywhere -- just feels like a WLS patient Q&A. I told her this and she suggested I think about what exactly I want to discuss and tell her next week. I'll give that a try, but to be honest, I don't really know -- she's the therapist, so I was counting on her to provide that kind of guidance!

I appreciate everyone’s advice! I Was just hoping to see a faster weight loss at this point in time. But I do agree that cutting out the yogurt and oatmeal may be a good start and trying to eat less carbs and more protein in my diet along with more liquids…I’m only getting about 60grams of protein daily so that may also be causing the slower weight loss….I’m just nervous because My surgeon told me that the first three months will be the quickest weight loss I will experience and if it’s only 25 lbs that doesn’t feel like a lot since I have another 40 lbs I’m hoping to lose here.

You go girl with all that activity!! I had my 2 week check up yesterday. All is well she said. I too was taken OFF the blood pressure med! She said all my levels/tests they took in surgery were all good! No liver problems. My weight was down 9 pounds since surgery ( 15 days). But I’m ok with being a ‘slow loser’, as long as it’s headed DOWN! I too need to hide the scale! My calories are around the same, 450-500, I have to get them up a little. She kept me off work for 2 more weeks, to make sure I was healed 8 still have ‘pulling/burning’ sensation when I move/reach/stretch wrong. She did say all THAT would be gone within the next week. I was very relieved to hear that. That’s what I was worried about going back to work with. Shakes are my main protein, thankfully I didn’t lose my taste for them. As far as food goes, I measure it out, and can get in 1/2 comfortably. I haven’t ate anything that made my new tummy angry yet, I’m sure I will soon with introducing new foods though. I want some CHICKEN, canned, grilled ( not fried) , something to CHEW! Lol

I just wanted to say thank you to all y'all. I found this site a while ago and have been lurking and reading and learning. The honest talk helped me with a lot of the anxiety I was having about surgery. The photos inspired me so much—so many of you changed your lives and kept them changed. The folks who are really into exercise reassured me that it isn't over (I love my CrossFit, and I can't wait until my weight isn't the limiting factor). And just the fact that so many people's lives improved finally got me over the "shame hump". I called for a referral, had my initial consultation last week, and am tentatively scheduled for VSG in late August. (My insurance has been frankly amazing. So few roadblocks that I kept checking to make sure they were talking about bariatric surgery.) To say I can't wait for this is an understatement. I just want y'all to know you're changing lives for me and for other lurkers who haven't clicked that "sign up" button yet. Thank you.

as long as you're following your program, you're good. Weight loss does ebb and flow the first few weeks.

stalls are very common during weight loss. You'll likely run into several along the way. Just stick to your program and stay off the scale for a few days if you need to. It'll break and you'll be on your way again. They typically last 1-3 weeks.

If it's just two weeks that you haven't lost weight you could be in a completely normal stall. That happens all the time in weight loss. Stalls last 1-3 weeks regardless of how "perfect" you are on your program. And... you did lose a pound in the last two weeks, so you're not even technically "stalled". The only thing I would say is if you still don't loose in a few weeks, maybe increase your clear liquids and find something with more protein for breakfast instead of oatmeal. Good luck!

Candace76: set a timer. Every hour I either drank 1 cup water or a protein shake. It helped me so much getting the liquids in pre-op. It has also helped post-op because I’ve stayed somewhat on that same schedule just stretched the cup of water over the entire hour or hour and 1/2. Scheduling is the only way I could possibly do it. I never got hungry or had issues pre-op. Now that I’ve been liquid diet for 3 weeks (tomorrow) I’m ready for something a little more but have another week to go liquid. I’m not allowed popsicles or soups or anything other than my protein shakes and water. A little jealous of those with more options but I can’t argue with my weight loss so far so it’s working. 27 total pounds lost since I first started this process March 29 and 7 lbs since July 1

Hi Sue2, how are you today? I’m so glad your burning feeling is getting a bit better, it’s not good that you are dealing with that and the ‘after effects’ of your surgery too. I started at 214lbs and now 195lbs, I’ve had some health issues that will hopefully subside with the surgery and that was my primary reason for choosing to do this. Ive fought all my life with my weight and I’m in my early 60s now. I’m very much a person that runs about as if I’m 20 yrs younger and it was time to take it all in hand really. I’ve stayed same weight for 2 days now so I think I’ll start weekly weighing, it may make me appreciate the losses a bit better that way 😊🙏. I feel like a hamster on a wheel every day, just hoping it gets better and more manageable soon 🤷‍♀️ I tried to take a little walk yesterday, maybe too far! I had to stop and rest twice! We’ll get there, just don’t know when😊👌x It’s certainly not easy Candace76, but eye on the prize ( as they say!) I just look forward to getting my liquids up and as time goes by, I’m sure I will. I tried to do the sipping before the op too, in the hope it would be easier. That’s all ‘out the window’ now, as the reality is completely different when it hits you😯 but in saying that, we can only work through it and get to the end in one piece, hopefully a lot healthier & lighter 😉

I tend to eat or try around between 1 to 3 pm also stuck on what to eat. I only do 3 oz meals. Sorry correction my surgery was May 10th down 62 pounds. There are weeks i gain and lose same pounds. Sent from my SM-J737T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

First of all, congratulations on your weight loss! 25 lbs is great! However, I do understand how you feel when your weight loss slows or stalls. What I did recently was cut back on dairy and carbs and started incorporating more healthy fats like avocado and green olives. I even started drinking bulletproof coffee in the morning. (Coffee with a teaspoon of Kerrygold unsalted butter. Trust me, you can’t taste it.) I stopped drinking protein shakes and use GenePro protein powder to supplement my protein levels. I use MyFitnessPal app to track my macros and keep tabs on how many calories I’m eating. I can’t exercise very well because of a spine condition but I try to stay very active around the house doing chores, etc… Watch your sugar/carb intake through yogurt and oatmeal. Try switching to boiled eggs in the morning. These are things that have worked for me. I know everybody is different but these are just suggestions. Just thought I would share. Take it one day at a time, listen to what your body tells you, and keep going! You CAN do this!!!

I had the gastric bypass the end of April and have lost 25 lbs over the last 2.5 months.. I feel my weight loss has literally halted here. Does anyone have advice on changes they made when they noticed stalls? I drink over 50ozs of water a day a protein shake and yogurt { Danon light and fit with 12 grams protein and also try to eat some oatmeal for breakfast and veggies and grilled chicken for dinner. Along with waking 2 miles every day. I’m following all of the advice but have literally only lost 1 lb in the last 2 weeks which is very frustrating. I’m shocked to see how slow my weight loss has been with such a calorie deficit.has anyone else experienced this issue and if so do you have any advice? My nutritionist does not advise using the shakes more than once a day but they do offer a lot of protein. I’m curious to hear about others experiences and what foods they have chosen that helped in their weight loss journey…Thank you in advance!

Congrats! You look great, btw. I also do Pilates for the loose skin issue as I lose weight. It seems to really help. m So nice to see what 10 mos. post op looks like. My Dr. told me that I probably won't be able to get skin surgery until a year post op. when he estimates that I will reach my goal. My arms are the worst but I really don't think I need to wait a year. Time will tell. Take care...

i totally agree with you but also respect people doing what they want. If we want to get rid of the stigma, more of us are going to have to be unashamed about it. I am one who really doesnt care what anyone thinks of me so telling people is my way of living authentically. I am also a horrible liar so i would feel like a jerk if someone asked me how i was losing weight. Even telling a partial truth would make me feel bad about myself.

This is a strange one for me. I swear it takes a LOT in order for me to notice a real difference in my clothes. Since surgery I lost 34.9 but since March 1st my total is 53.4 lbs. I also lost 17.5 inches total since 5/7 which was a few weeks before surgery. Anyway, before surgery I'd mostly wear loose, cotton type capri pants. Those feel way baggy when I wear them but they don't fall down (I think they were a 3x). My shirts seem to hang off my shoulder more (also 3x's). But, when it comes to jeans before surgery I would wear size 28 (a few 30's also depending on the brand/how they were made). I have this one pair of jean capri's that are a size 26 and I use them as reference when I try to lose weight. In other words, if I fit them again I KNOW I lost SOME weight. Well they fit again. Not loosely. But to be honest, having lost all that I have, I still do NOT think I could get into a size 24. This cracks me up because you would think having lost close to 55lbs and 17 inches that I'd have lost more than just ONE pant size. But no. SMH This is the kind of crap that effs with my head and makes me feel like this (surgery) isn't working like it should be. Maybe my body is just too effed up?

No calorie goals were outlined for me in my program until I got to the regular food stage. Then my binder info says to keep my calories UNDER 1,000 a day UNTIL I reach my goal weight. I told the dietician last week that I get around 600-800 a day depending on what I'm eating. She said that was fine and as time goes on I will reach closer to the 1,000 limit. So based on what she told me, sounds like you're plan is similar to mine and you're doing the right thing. Everyone's plan is different.

Okay, so it seems this can happen as part of the natural ebb and flow of weight loss surgery then. I definitely agree with hormones as well, as I know the weight loss does throw things off until our bodies level out. If it continues for a longer period I’ll definitely call my doc but I feel great otherwise so I guess I’ll enjoy this pace while it lasts!